Alison Krauss and Union Station during a sold-out series at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Steve Lowry
Alison Krauss and Union Station set up shop at Nashville’s revered Ryman Auditorium for a two-night stand Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26 and 27. It was an evening showcasing all bluegrass’s finest points, crisscrossing from smooth and contemporary, to deep-rooted traditionalism.
Alison Krauss sings "Ghost In This House." Photo: Burney Skates
Krauss and longtime bandmates Barry Bales, Ron Block, Jerry Douglas and Dan Tyminski offered a set of fans’ most-loved songs laced with newer material. Touring in support of their first new album in seven years, they fittingly opened the Saturday evening concert with the project’s title track, “Paper Airplane.”
The acclaimed musicianship of the group tallies up to a sum greater than its parts. Driven partly by Block’s rollicking banjo, the evening’s uptempo pace never grew sleepy, even on the ballads. Throughout the night, Krauss’s celebrated fiddle-playing balanced her soaring, delicate vocals.
A video panel changed with the mood, showing colors and scenery from cityscapes to countryside as the group offered well-known songs “Let Me Touch You For A While,” “Ghost In This House” and “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You.”
It’s remarkable how Krauss and Union Station manage to make bluegrass so welcoming—exciting even—for genre outsiders. While the set included more accessible songs like “Whiskey Lullaby,” originally recorded by Brad Paisley and Krauss, it shined equally on genre basics, particularly when Dobro master Douglas took the stage alone for a mid-show breakdown. Tyminski’s deep, powerful vocals—a fitting complement to Krauss’s soprano—steered the sound into deep bluegrass territory several times, offering “Rain Please Go Away,” and “Dust Bowl Children.”
Angel Snow opened the two-night stand. Photo: Burney Skates
Krauss noted that in attendance that night were four of the songwriters behind the band’s cuts over the last 20-plus years: Robert Lee Castleman, John Pennell, Sidney Cox of the Cox Family, and, of course, Union Station’s own Ron Block.
Krauss also used the opportunity to highlight a newer writer on the scene—inviting songstress Angel Snow to open the two-night series. Snow, together with songwriter/musician Viktor Krauss, penned “Lie Awake” and two other songs recorded by Union Station for the deluxe edition of the band’s newest release.
At the Ryman, Viktor backed Snow onstage for an acoustic set that ranged from sunny toe-tapper “Stay Away” to moving ballad “These Days,” one of the songs recorded by Union Station.
Snow pleased longtime followers with her older solo-writes “Coals And Water,” and “Holiday.” She also offered new material, written with Viktor, such as the groove laden “As You Are.” He is producing her upcoming release, due this November.
Near the end of the evening Krauss and Union Station gathered around the center mic for “Down To The River To Pray” and a few other songs, in a soulful closing moment showcasing the band’s talent and harmonies.
Douglas says his favorite part of being on the road with Alison is that she sings the band to sleep every night. And who wouldn’t enjoy that?
The fiery red backdrop, which changed throughout the show, reflects the blazing musicianship. Photo: Burney Skates
Photo Round-up
/by contributorBig & Rich Upped Ante On WMN’S Patio
Last Thursday (8/25) Warner Music Nashville upped the ante on its signature Pickin’ On The Patio event with a performance by multi-platinum duo Big & Rich. The set included hit single “Lost In This Moment” and a surprise appearance by Cowboy Troy who joined in on “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy).”
(L-R): Marc Oswald, B&R co-manager; John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville Pres./CEO; Big Kenny; John Rich; Peter Strickland, Warner Music Nashville Sr. VP Brand Mgmt. & Sales; Dale Morris, B&R co-manager; and Greg Oswald, William Morris Endeavor Co-head of the Nashville Office. Photo: Sarah Lee Photography
Deborah Allen Recognized for Multi-Million Airplay
Delta Rock Records artist Deborah Allen was recently recognized by BMI for two million broadcast performances of her crossover smash, “Baby I Lied,” and one million broadcast performances of “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby,” a No. 1 hit for Janie Fricke. Allen has written songs for artists including LeAnn Rimes, Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless, Brooks & Dunn, and Fleetwood Mac. The Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter just released her latest album Hear Me Now. “Anything Other Than Love” is the first single.
(L-R): BMI’s David Preston, Deborah Allen and BMI’s Jody Williams.
Combustion Plays The Bluebird
Combustion Music recently hosted a songwriter’s round at the famous Bluebird Café featuring longtime Combustion writers as well as new signees. Ashley Gorley, Kelly Archer, Brett James, Matt Jenkins and Ken Johnson shared a mix of sing-along hits and previously unheard songs.
(L-R): Combustion’s Ken Johnson, Matt Jenkins, Brett James, Chris Farren, Chase Foster, Ashley Gorley, Kenley Flynn, Kelly Archer, Chris Van Belkom and Warner Chappell’s Steve Markland.
Paisley Wraps Overseas Run, Racks Up Duet Downloads
/by Sherod RobertsonOn the set of the video for "Remind Me."
Duet With Carrie Underwood, “Remind Me”
Brad Paisley’s duet, “Remind Me,” with fellow country artist Carrie Underwood has already surpassed 750,000 digital downloads and was certified Gold earlier this month by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 downloads.
Written by Paisley, Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, “Remind Me” is Paisley’s third single from his Gold certified album, This Is Country Music.
Paisley and Underwood will team up once again on November 9 when they co-host the CMA Awards for the fourth year.
• • • •
Paisley and US Ambassador Charles Rivkin. Photo: US Embassy - France
Visit To US Embassy In France
While on tour recently in Paris, France, Paisley made a stop at the US Embassy and met with US Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin. This was Paisley’s first visit to Paris.
While at the Embassy, a staffer filmed a short interview with Paisley for their Facebook page which can be viewed here.
• • • •
Plays To Over 40,000 Fans During European Tour
Paisley completed his two-week, eight-show European tour with a performance in Copenhagen, Denmark on Sunday night (8/28). Over 40,000 European fans came out to see the shows in London, Dublin, Castlebar, Killarney, Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen.
Stockholm, Sweden. Photo: Ben Enos
Oslo, Norway. Photo: Ben Enos
Paisley and Darius Rucker in Gothenburg, Sweden. Photo: Ben Enos
Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo: Ben Enos
Glen Templeton Promoting Single
/by Sarah SkatesTempleton opened for Kenny Rogers on a recent date. Pictured (L-R): Logan Hannah, audio engineer; Drew Lambert, bass player; Glen Templeton; Kenny Rogers
Black River artist Glen Templeton is making the promotional rounds supporting new single “I Could Be The One.”
He recently hosted a social media promotion that encouraged fans to share the song on Facebook which qualified them for a drawing for iTunes gift cards.
On the road, Templeton is visiting radio, and recently opened for Kenny Rogers at the Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, SD. He also stopped by MusicRow’s offices for a performance of several new songs.
The music video for “I Could Be The One” will debut in the coming weeks, in the meantime, check out the song here.
“I Could Be The One” is on Templeton’s upcoming self-titled album, which also features a guest performance by musical legend, Leon Russell. The album was produced by Grammy-winning Mark Lambert (Leon Russell, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Milsap).
Originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Templeton spent years cutting his teeth in Nashville honky-tonks, and headlining the house band at the numerous Cowboy’s Dancehalls in Texas. In 2008, he was hand selected by Conway Twitty’s family to portray the country icon in the biographical musical, “It’s Only Make Believe.”
Templeton visits MusicRow. Back row (L-R): Sherod Robertson, Glen Templeton, Jon Freeman, manager Lance Combs. Front row: Sarah Skates, Black River's Dawn Delvo, and Christie King
Parallel Entertainment Opens Music Row Office
/by adminParallel has always had a Nashville presence, but recently decided to open a full-scale artist management operation here in Music City. Founder/CEO J.P. Williams felt the increased exposure and visibility of a Music Row address would create opportunities for the company’s Nashville-based and L.A.-based clients.
Parallel Entertainment is a full service talent management and production company. It has produced everything from motion pictures to music albums to programming for a variety of cable television networks, including HBO and Comedy Central. Its talent roster boasts comedy acts like Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, and Lisa Lampanelli as well as music acts like Zella Day and Warner Music Nashville recording artist, Dean Alexander. It also manages actors including former CMT Insider host, Lance Smith.
Parallel Entertainment
1505 16th Ave. S
Nashville, TN 37212
615-750-2613
Neal McCoy Recruits Famous Collaborators For New Album
/by Freeman“Having Miranda and Blake involved in this project is huge for me. Not only do they have great vision, but they know when to have fun and when to get serious along with being fantastic musicians,” says McCoy.
The first single from XII, “A-OK,” was penned by Barry Dean, Luke Laird and Brett Eldredge and is due for an October release.
The news was revealed by Lambert and Shelton on YouTube over the weekend. See the video here.
Alison Krauss & Union Station Represent Bluegrass’s Finest at Ryman
/by Sarah SkatesAlison Krauss and Union Station during a sold-out series at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Steve Lowry
Alison Krauss and Union Station set up shop at Nashville’s revered Ryman Auditorium for a two-night stand Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26 and 27. It was an evening showcasing all bluegrass’s finest points, crisscrossing from smooth and contemporary, to deep-rooted traditionalism.
Alison Krauss sings "Ghost In This House." Photo: Burney Skates
Krauss and longtime bandmates Barry Bales, Ron Block, Jerry Douglas and Dan Tyminski offered a set of fans’ most-loved songs laced with newer material. Touring in support of their first new album in seven years, they fittingly opened the Saturday evening concert with the project’s title track, “Paper Airplane.”
The acclaimed musicianship of the group tallies up to a sum greater than its parts. Driven partly by Block’s rollicking banjo, the evening’s uptempo pace never grew sleepy, even on the ballads. Throughout the night, Krauss’s celebrated fiddle-playing balanced her soaring, delicate vocals.
A video panel changed with the mood, showing colors and scenery from cityscapes to countryside as the group offered well-known songs “Let Me Touch You For A While,” “Ghost In This House” and “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You.”
It’s remarkable how Krauss and Union Station manage to make bluegrass so welcoming—exciting even—for genre outsiders. While the set included more accessible songs like “Whiskey Lullaby,” originally recorded by Brad Paisley and Krauss, it shined equally on genre basics, particularly when Dobro master Douglas took the stage alone for a mid-show breakdown. Tyminski’s deep, powerful vocals—a fitting complement to Krauss’s soprano—steered the sound into deep bluegrass territory several times, offering “Rain Please Go Away,” and “Dust Bowl Children.”
Angel Snow opened the two-night stand. Photo: Burney Skates
Krauss noted that in attendance that night were four of the songwriters behind the band’s cuts over the last 20-plus years: Robert Lee Castleman, John Pennell, Sidney Cox of the Cox Family, and, of course, Union Station’s own Ron Block.
Krauss also used the opportunity to highlight a newer writer on the scene—inviting songstress Angel Snow to open the two-night series. Snow, together with songwriter/musician Viktor Krauss, penned “Lie Awake” and two other songs recorded by Union Station for the deluxe edition of the band’s newest release.
At the Ryman, Viktor backed Snow onstage for an acoustic set that ranged from sunny toe-tapper “Stay Away” to moving ballad “These Days,” one of the songs recorded by Union Station.
Snow pleased longtime followers with her older solo-writes “Coals And Water,” and “Holiday.” She also offered new material, written with Viktor, such as the groove laden “As You Are.” He is producing her upcoming release, due this November.
Near the end of the evening Krauss and Union Station gathered around the center mic for “Down To The River To Pray” and a few other songs, in a soulful closing moment showcasing the band’s talent and harmonies.
Douglas says his favorite part of being on the road with Alison is that she sings the band to sleep every night. And who wouldn’t enjoy that?
The fiery red backdrop, which changed throughout the show, reflects the blazing musicianship. Photo: Burney Skates
Inking Big: O’Shea, Caitlin Rose, Dean Alexander, Tim Rushlow
/by FreemanO'Shea
Nashville-based, Australian-born husband and wife duo O’Shea have signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. Their debut album Mr. and Mrs. will be released in Australia Friday, September 30 and the couple wrote or co-wrote all of its 11 tracks. Mark and Jay O’Shea moved to Nashville in 2007 and were introduced to American audiences on CMT’s Can You Duet, where they made it into the Top 5. The pair recently gave birth to their daughter, Finley Avalon O’Shea. “We’re so excited to be working with the guys at Sony. When you’re young, you dream about one day signing to a label like this!” says Jay. Mark adds, “This album has been a long time comin’…but now being able to work with such a great team, has really made it worth the wait!”
• • • • •
Caitlin Rose
Nashville’s Caitlin Rose has inked with ATO Records, which will release her full-length debut Own Side Now September 27. Co-produced by Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Will Oldham), Skylar Wilson (Justin Townes Earle) and Rose, Own Side Now was inspired by female greats like Linda Ronstadt, Patsy Cline and Stevie Nicks. Additionally, Rose has scheduled several fall tour dates with Americana faves Justin Townes Earle, Jason Isbell, and Hayes Carll (full dates on her website). ATO Records was co-founded by Dave Matthews and Michael McDonald and is the label home to My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers, and Patty Griffin. Rose is also the daughter of songwriter Liz Rose, who co-wrote Taylor Swift hits “You Belong With Me,” “White Horse” and more.
• • • • •
Dean Alexander
The Paradigm Agency’s talent roster is expanding with its signing of Warner Music Nashville recording artist Dean Alexander for booking representation. Alexander has been a fixture of the Nashville club scene for years and opened shows for Josh Turner and Laura Bell Bundy, in addition to writing songs with Stage Three Music. “Dean Alexander is a perfect fit for our agency,” says Paradigm Nashville co-head Mike Snider. “We have big plans for his future.”
• • • • •
(L-R): Standing: Herman DeBoard CEO Liquid Spins, Christy DiNapoli Artist Manager/President Liquid Spins Entertainment Division. Seated: Tim Rushlow, Paul Myers COO Liquid Spins
Former Little Texas frontman Tim Rushlow has landed a deal with Liquid Spins Records, where he will be the company’s flagship artist. His first EP, Unfinished Symphony, is a collection of Christian songs and is due later in fall. The first single “Rain Down On Me” has been released to Christian radio. Rushlow is the first artist signed to Liquid Spins, which has completed agreements with EMI, Sony, Warner, and UMD to distribute music via QR codes. The company is readying its platform to accept other independent artists in the future.
Atkins Gears Up For Fall Release
/by Sarah SkatesLast week Atkins was in Harrogate, Tenn. for a taping of GAC Origins. During the trip he performed for thousands of fans at a Bristol, Tenn. NASCAR event. The singer also spent time at one of his favorite charities, the Holston Children’s Home, where he lived as a baby until being adopted.
Atkins is shooting his video today and tomorrow around Middle Tennessee for “Take A Back Road” with TV /film director Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Bounty Hunter).
This fall, football fans can follow Atkins’ picks on popular SEC site SouthernPigskin.com, where he will be the celebrity game predictor.
Harrogate, Tenn. Mayor Bill Fultz Atkins presents Atkins with the key to the city.
Biggest Loser Gets Vinny, Grainge Talks A&R, Lady A Fans Scavenge
/by adminBig Vinny
>>Big Vinny from Trailor Choir (aka Vicent Hickerson) is set to become a big loser this coming year as he competes on season 12 of the NBC hit reality show The Biggest Loser. Big Vinny will be one of 15 contestants weighing over 400 pounds and hoping to win the $250,000 prize. The season premiere begins Sept. 20.
Lucian Grainge
>>“A&R people are an indication of your commitment to new music and to new artists,” Universal Music Group Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge tells the New York Post. “There are so many categories of A&R people; some are talent scouts, some have an instinctive sense of marketing, and others are brilliant at making records…The demographics are constantly changing—there are so many scientific factors and analytical tools—but some things will never change: the magic of innovation and raw talent.”
Signings: Bobby Terry, Rose Falcon
/by FreemanBobby Terry
Southern Crossroads Music has announced the signing of producer/songwriter/musician Bobby Terry to a worldwide publishing agreement. Southern Crossroads will represent Terry’s futures and back catalog, which includes cuts on Brad Paisley’s Time Well Wasted, Faith Hill’s Fireflies, and Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying.
“Bobby represents the important first brick in building a publishing company from the ground up in that he is a prolific writer and talented producer,” says Southern Crossroads Nashville Partner Pat Finch. “We are incredibly fortunate to have him and look forward to adding to such a stable foundation!”
Southern Crossroads also represents Nashville singer/songwriter Jabe Beyer whose songs have been featured in HBO’s True Blood and the Fox-TV’s Lie to Me, among others. Also on the roster are UK-based Americana acts Danny and the Champions of the World and Owen James Harvey.
• • •
Show Dog-Universal Music has signed Rose Falcon to an exclusive recording contract. The Nashville-raised singer is the daughter of singer/songwriter Billy Falcon (“Power Windows”) and previously recorded a pop album (Rose Falcon) with Columbia in 2003. She is signed to Cal IV for publishing, and her songs have been featured in numerous television shows and commercials. Recently, “Give Into Me,” a song she wrote with her father and Elisha Hoffman, was recorded by Faith Hill for the Country Strong soundtrack.
(L-R): Manager Dan Harrell, Falcon, SDU label President Mark Wright and Cal IV Entertainment President Daniel Hill