(L-R): Steve Wariner, Fred Gretsch, Merle Russell and Kyle Young. Photo: Donn Jones
Steve Wariner, one of only a few Atkins-anointed Certified Guitar Players, gave a lively musical tribute. Photo: Christie King
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled its
Chet Atkins exhibition last night (8/10) to a group of industry tastemakers, sponsors, and the late guitar-great’s descendants including daughter
Merle Russell.
Museum Director
Kyle Young welcomed guests in the Ford Theater. “Chet was always a supportive friend of this institution,” he said. “He was also one of country music’s ultimate renaissance men, one of the greatest instrumentalists in American music history, and a true musical savant. We are truly honored to tell his story, one we know will resonate with country fans old and new.”
Fred Gretsch and members of his family were there to help salute Atkins’ history with their guitar company dating back to 1954. Mr. Gretsch recalled George Harrison’s admiration of the Country Gentleman, and also brought onstage Atkins’ teary-eyed friend,
Paul Yandell. The instrument manufacturer provided generous support of the new exhibit.
Photo: Christie King
Upstairs guests got the first look of
Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player. Classic guitars take center stage in the exhibition which tells the remarkable story of Atkins’ rise from near-poverty in Luttrell, Tennessee to acclaimed musician. Included is his first guitar, a Sears Silvertone he acquired at age 11 and upon which he taught himself to play; and his 1938 Gibson L-10 designed for original owner Les Paul.
At a very early age, Atkins set his mind to becoming a famous guitar player. He was a shy boy, who moved as a child to Columbus, Georgia where the climate eased his asthma. It was there that he got his first radio gig. By age 18 he was earning a living as a musician.
Photo: Christie King
The exhibit highlights his signature thumb-and-two-finger picking style, developed while trying to emulate Merle Travis. It covers his 1950 move to Nashville as the guitar player for Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.
Guitars, contracts and letters show his progress over the next several decades. There is a 1951 photograph of Atkins playing alongside Hank Williams at the Grand Ole Opry.
One highlight is the meticulous re-construction of the work-bench and shelves in Atkins’ basement home studio, including tools, cameras, hats, guitar straps, and golf clubs.
There are a few video clips, but missing in this smaller exhibit are some of the interactive, multimedia components that made the Hall’s Williams Family exhibition so successful.
Atkins’ storied career criss-crossed from A-Team studio work, to artist, producer, and record executive. He played on recordings by Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams. His first hit as an artist came in 1955 with “Mister Sandman.” As a producer, he was a key architect of the Nashville Sound, and worked with the Everly Brothers, Waylon Jennings and Jim Reeves. Atkins was elected to the hallowed Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973, and before dying in 2001, he received a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Downstairs in the conservatory, CPG (certified party goers) enjoyed the night’s signature mango cocktail while munching on hors d’oeuvres and mini desserts.
Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player officially opens tomorrow (8/12) with special events throughout the weekend. Details at
countrymusichalloffame.org.
(L-R): Steve Wariner, Earl Klugh, Reggie Young, Duane Eddy, James Burton, Scotty Moore, Paul Yandell, Ben Hall and Mark Pritcher, Pres. of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society. Photo: Donn Jones.
Brantley Gilbert Sets Release Date
/by Sherod RobertsonGilbert has already achieved success with two No. 1 hits as a songwriter, having penned the Jason Aldean hits “My Kinda Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem,” which appear on Aldean’s Platinum album My Kinda Party.
“As we tour country wide, I continue to realize that my fans in the crowd are just like me,” says Gilbert. “They are my closest friends because they listen to my music, they sing along with me and they have been through the same type of experiences. This album is essentially a storybook of my life and I am excited to see what those friends have to say about it.”
The album’s original 12 tracks have been remixed and remastered for the Deluxe version, including three newly recorded songs produced Dan Huff and three videos. Big Machine Label Group Pres./CEO Scott Borchetta says, “Time has come! The demand for this album is off the hook. His live shows are an experience, his songs anthems, his personality contagious. I personally can’t wait to get the final CD!”
Gilbert spent the earlier part of this summer on the Willie Nelson Country Throwdown Tour and continues to play shows across the country. Visit www.BrantleyGilbert.com for dates.
Halfway to Heaven Deluxe Track List:
1. Hell On Wheels (Mike Dekle, Brantley Gilbert)
2. Bending The Rules And Breaking The Law (Brantley Gilbert, Jeremy Spillman)
3. Back In The Day (Dallas Davidson, Brantley Gilbert, Ben Hayslip)
4. My Kind Of Crazy (Rhett Akins, Brantley Gilbert, Ben Hayslip)
5. Kick It In The Sticks (Rhett Akins, Brantley Gilbert, Ben Hayslip)
6. Halfway To Heaven (Brantley Gilbert, Mike Mobley Jeremy Spillman)
7. Saving Amy (Bonnie Baker, Brantley Gilbert)
8. Country Must Be Country Wide(Mike Dekle, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert)
9. Take It Outside (Brantley Gilbert, John Merlino)
10. Them Boys (Mike Dekle, Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert)
11. Fall Into Me (Brantley Gilbert, Mike Mobley, Jeremy Spillman)
12. Dirt Road Anthem (Revisited) featuring Colt Ford (Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert)
13. More Than Miles (John Eddie, Brantley Gilbert)
14. You Don’t Know Her Like I Do (Brantley Gilbert, Jim McCormick)
15. Hell On An Angel (Brantley Gilbert, Jeremy Spillman)
Bonus Video Content:
16. Country Must Be Country Wide (Music Video)
17. Kick It In The Sticks (Music Video)
18. Brantley Gilbert Up Close
Idols Reveal Album Releases
/by FreemanAmerican Idols Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina join the ranks of major label artists planning album releases for Fall, with their debuts scheduled one week apart in October.
Scotty McCreery listens to one of his new songs in a Nashville studio while recording his debut album. Photo: Andy Reuter
McCreery’s album Clear As Day (Mercury/19 Recordings/Interscope) will hit stores October 4, and features his current Top 20 single “I Love You This Big.” Also on the collection is the title track, which was written by ace tunesmiths Casey Beatherd, Phil O’Donnell and Adam Wheeler. McCreery is currently on the road with the American Idols Live! Tour which runs through September. Tomorrow (8/13) the tour stops in Atlantic City, NJ.
“We’ve been working hard on this album not only in Nashville, but in studios across the country because I’ve been on the Idol tour,” says McCreery. “We’re putting what I believe are the best songs we could find on it and I really hope everyone likes it. The whole experience has been amazing! I love working with my album producer, Mark Bright, and have gotten to work with some of the best musicians in Nashville!”
Lauren Alaina discusses a song with producer Byron Gallimore as they record music for her debut album. Photo: Andy Reuter
Lauren Alaina’s debut Wildflower (Mercury/19 Recordings/Interscope), produced by Byron Gallimore, will street one week later on October 11. In addition to her current single “Like My Mother Does,” the collection includes “She’s A Wildflower,” which was penned by Hillary Lindsey, Steven McEwan and Gordie Sampson and inspired the album title.
“I have always dreamed of making an album and I can’t believe it’s actually happening,” says Alaina. “It’s because of the fans who voted for me on American Idol that I am here, so I am dedicating this album to them. I hope they love it!
“I feel like it has a flavor for everybody,” she continues. “It’s a mixture of all different songs, so I hope it will appeal to all different kinds of people. There are fast songs for people who like up-tempos that you can dance to, and there are also tearjerkers for people who like slower ballads. I tried to get songs that are all a little different so that we could bring a fresh feel to each and every song.”
Special pre-order packages are available on each artist’s website that include the album, an autographed picture (in limited supply), an instant download of the single, a personalized poster, and a chance to win a meet-and-greet during the CMA Awards.
Weekly Chart Report (8/12/11)
/by FreemanDeborah Allen (L) and KBCR/Steamboat Springs, CO MD Deb Duncan at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort on Sun. July 3rd, 2011. Allen’s current single "Anything Other Than Love" is currently at No. 66 on the CountryBreakout Chart.
RADIO NEWS
Dwight Lane has joined KRVN/Lexington, NE as Station Manager. Lane was previously with sister station KTIC/West Point, NE in the same capacity. Eric Brown will stay on as GM of KRVN and The Nebraska Rural Radio Association.
KRVN PD and morning host Stafford Thompson is stepping away to pursue a new career. MD Adam Smith will assume PD duties and is searching for a new host for the 93.1 The River Morning Show. Resumes and air samples can be sent to asmith@krvn.com.
SPIN ZONE
It’s gridlock at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart as Trace Adkins’ “Just Fishin’” notches a second week at No. 1. But Toby Keith’s “Made In America” is only down 28 spins at No. 2, followed by Kenny Chesney’s “You And Tequila” only 14 spins below Toby at No. 3. But it’d be wise to keep an eye out for Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood’s “Remind Me” in the next couple weeks. It’s red hot at No. 4 and still making triple digit spin increases. Jake Owen also has a hit on his hands with “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” which eases into the No. 5 spot.
Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim” made a big impression last week when it debuted at No. 69. Now one of her fastest rising singles to date, the lead single from Four The Record has leapt up to No. 41 in its second week charting. Chasing Lambert are the siblings of The Band Perry, whose “All Your Life” picked up an additional 320 spins in its second week to move to No. 44.
Biggest debut of the week goes to EMI Nashville new face Eric Paslay. His first single “Never Really Wanted” makes its first appearance at No. 65 with a gain of 139 spins. Also debuting are Keith Bryant’s “Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love)” at No. 72, Cash Creek’s “Unlikely Angel” at No. 77, and Kevin Fowler’s “Hell Yeah, I Like Beer” at No. 79.
Frozen Playlists: KCJC, KFTX, KICR, KVOM, KVVP, KWEY, KYEZ, KYYK, WAXX, WDXX, WHWK, WIFE, WTHO
Upcoming Singles
August 15
Crystal Shawanda/Love Enough/Sun/Nine North
Brett Eldredge/It Ain’t Gotta Be Love/Atlantic/WMN
Casey James/Let’s Don’t Call It A Night/BNA
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up/CO5
Badhorse/It’s All Good (Global Maximus)
August 16
Wayne Mills Band/She Knows the Words to Every Song/Diesel Records
August 22
Steel Magnolia/Bulletproof/Big Machine
Bomshel/HalleluY’all/Curb
Hali Hicks/Last Night Of Spring/Phull/Jeff McClusky & Associates/Nine North-Turnpike
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Eric Paslay/Never Really Wanted/EMI Nashville — 65
Keith Bryant/Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love)/Jordash Records — 72
Cash Creek/Unlikely Angel/Ohana Music Group — 77
Kevin Fowler/Hell Yeah, I Like Beer/Average Joe’s Ent. — 79
Lauren Alaina/Like My Mother Does/19 Ent./Mercury — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 502
Blake Shelton/God Gave Me You/Warner Bros./WMN — 360
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 320
Justin Moore/Bait a Hook/Valory — 265
Keith Urban/Long Hot Summer/Capitol — 218
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 33
Justin Moore/Bait a Hook/Valory — 18
The Band Perry/All Your Life/Republic Nashville — 18
Eric Paslay/Never Really Wanted/EMI Nashville — 9
Montgomery Gentry/Where I Come From/Average Joe’s — 9
Reba/Somebody’s Chelsea/Starstruck/Valory — 9
Martina McBride/I’m Gonna Love You Through It/Republic Nashville — 8
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Tyler Farr/That’s What They’re Bitin’ On/Sony Nashville — 174
Ira Dean/Beer or Gasoline/Average Joes Entertainment — 170
Live Wire/Tater Fed/Live Wire Records — 163
Coleman Brothers/Beer—Thirty — 150
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville — 149
Sugarland’s Incredible Machine tour passed through Kansas City on August 7 and the duo visited with some of their friends in country radio. (L-R) KBEQ/Kansas City PD Mike Kennedy with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush
Jordash Recording artist Keith Bryant stopped by John Davisson’s afternoon show on WHWK/Binghampton, New York to sing his hit “Ridin’ With The Legend.” Bryant is currently on an extensive East Coast promo tour to support his single “Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love).” (L–R): WHWK’s Rich Birdsall, Bryant, WHWK PD/Afternoons John Davisson and Mike Borchetta.
Taking a break (poolside) from the stage, The Band Perry joined some KKBQ/Houston loyal listeners for a little summer fun at the “All Your Life”guard Pool Party. TBP is pictured with fans, KKBQ’s Lisa Searcy, Republic Nashville’s Jimmy Harnen, KKBQ’s Johnny Chiang, Mark Krieschen, Christi Brooks and Judy Shelton Lakin. Photo Credit: Mark Gray, Courtesy of Republic Nashville
Wal-Mart Closing MP3 Store
/by Sherod RobertsonIn an effort to compete with Apple’s iTunes store, Wal-Mart began offering digital music in 2003 at more competitive and lower price points. However, Wal-Mart was never successful at taking significant market share away from iTunes.
According to the article, a certified letter was recently sent to distribution and licensing partners, and shared exclusively with Digital Music News.
To read the full article click here.
Despite Negative Tweets, #TwitterCrucialToMarketing
/by Sarah SkatesA promoted Trend on Twitter reportedly cost $120,000 per day, and gets the advertiser the sponsored slot at the top of the trending topics list.
But as Ad Age points out in this article, sometimes these paid spots end up surrounded by unappealing Tweets or hashtags.
When Lexus had the paid spot on April 20, it was trending next to topics about events associated with that date including the Columbine Massacre, Hitler’s birthday, and marijuana (related hashtag #uknowurhigh).
A more recent paid spot advertising the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week was recently trending next to #reasonstobeatyourgirlfriend, with some Tweets yoking the hashtags together (“She won’t shut up during #sharkweek!!! #Reasonstobeatyourgirlfriend.”)
A Lexus spokeswoman told Ad Age, “We feel social-media users can distinguish between trending news topics and promoted topics. It’s not that much different than if we purchase an ad in a newspaper that is reporting about the day’s news, good and bad.”
Twitter execs are also planning stricter moderation in the near future.
Charlie Cook On Air
/by contributorIn the minds of engineers at Ford Motors, media is media is media. I read recently that they are eliminating CD players from their cars, starting with the Fusion. Now, it would be one thing if they were eliminating the CD player as a way to save money on production—kind of like the little surprise you get when you get a flat tire and look for the spare in your trunk for the first time.
But they are not eliminating the CD player for costs. They are doing their own version of social “media” engineering.
First there was no place to buy a CD as record stores closed. Soon there will be no place to play them as your dashboard closes. Well, not exactly closes, but rearranges. I have read that Ford is toying with either eliminating the tuner or moving it down the list of available media options. Yeah, your smartphone can do everything short of steering your car (for now, at least) but there are what, 80 million smartphones in the US? Even in a tough market weren’t there 250 million CDs sold last year? Arbitron says that 280 million Americans use the radio every week.
The problem is that as non-media folks attempt to predict the future they are wreaking havoc with the present. I mean, do we really need a car that parks itself? If I can’t laugh at drivers who cannot parallel park and then you take the CD out of my car, I got nothing during a commercial break on my favorite station.
All kidding aside, the CD was at least a guarantee that someone spent money on music. We know that a lot of the music that shows up on iPods and smartphones doesn’t always come through iTunes. We know that Country music listeners say that Country radio is the number one source for finding out about new music and new artists.
Ask my friend Charlie Anderson at Anderson Merchandising how he feels about the CD player disappearing from the automobile. Ask him if he thinks the FoMoCo engineers are seers, or prophets of doom.
Instead of eliminating the CD and the radio, how about disabling the smartphone’s texting function as soon as the engine starts? Or how about designing a car that keeps drunk drivers from starting it? Or making a darn navigation system that doesn’t talk down to me like I’m an idiot just because I get lost once in a while.
As a way of expanding your media options in the auto, what they are doing is erasing your choices. Choices that Americans are still making every day. Write your congressman, call your local radio station or just buy a Japanese car. Okay, don’t do any of those things. Well, maybe call your local radio station, and request a song.
Capitol Brings Big Guns, Baby Acts To Street Party
/by Sarah SkatesJackson, Church and Paslay will literally take to the street, on a stage set up at one end of the closed-off Nashville thoroughfare. EMI Records Nashville’s newest singer/songwriter Jon Pardi will extend the street party into the night with a special post-party performance at the Tin Roof.
Last year, over 10,000 fans packed Demonbreun Street.
Capitol Records Nashville President & CEO, Mike Dungan says it best, “Where else can you experience a true American icon, the artist with the #1 album in America, and the best new artist to come out this year? All for the low, low price of … Nothing! It’s free! You’d be crazy not to be there!”
Martina McBride To Release “Eleven”
/by Sherod RobertsonAccording to data from Nielsen-BDS and Mediabase, McBride is Country radio’s “most-played female artist” of the past 11 years (1999-2010).
The upcoming release comes at a time of major changes in McBride’s career, with new music, a new producer (Byron Gallimore), a new manager (Morris Artists Management) and a new record label (Republic Nashville).
Eleven Track List:
1. One Night
2. Always Be This Way
3. I’m Gonna Love You Through It
4. Marry Me
5. Broken Umbrella
6. You Can Get Your Lovin’ Right Here
7. Whatcha Gonna Do
8. Teenage Daughters
9. Summer of Love
10. When You Love A Sinner
11. Long Distance Lullaby
Martina McBride To Release "Eleven"
/by Sherod RobertsonAccording to data from Nielsen-BDS and Mediabase, McBride is Country radio’s “most-played female artist” of the past 11 years (1999-2010).
The upcoming release comes at a time of major changes in McBride’s career, with new music, a new producer (Byron Gallimore), a new manager (Morris Artists Management) and a new record label (Republic Nashville).
Eleven Track List:
1. One Night
2. Always Be This Way
3. I’m Gonna Love You Through It
4. Marry Me
5. Broken Umbrella
6. You Can Get Your Lovin’ Right Here
7. Whatcha Gonna Do
8. Teenage Daughters
9. Summer of Love
10. When You Love A Sinner
11. Long Distance Lullaby
Hall Hosts Grand Opening of Chet Atkins Exhibit
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Steve Wariner, Fred Gretsch, Merle Russell and Kyle Young. Photo: Donn Jones
Steve Wariner, one of only a few Atkins-anointed Certified Guitar Players, gave a lively musical tribute. Photo: Christie King
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled its Chet Atkins exhibition last night (8/10) to a group of industry tastemakers, sponsors, and the late guitar-great’s descendants including daughter Merle Russell.
Museum Director Kyle Young welcomed guests in the Ford Theater. “Chet was always a supportive friend of this institution,” he said. “He was also one of country music’s ultimate renaissance men, one of the greatest instrumentalists in American music history, and a true musical savant. We are truly honored to tell his story, one we know will resonate with country fans old and new.”
Fred Gretsch and members of his family were there to help salute Atkins’ history with their guitar company dating back to 1954. Mr. Gretsch recalled George Harrison’s admiration of the Country Gentleman, and also brought onstage Atkins’ teary-eyed friend, Paul Yandell. The instrument manufacturer provided generous support of the new exhibit.
Photo: Christie King
Upstairs guests got the first look of Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player. Classic guitars take center stage in the exhibition which tells the remarkable story of Atkins’ rise from near-poverty in Luttrell, Tennessee to acclaimed musician. Included is his first guitar, a Sears Silvertone he acquired at age 11 and upon which he taught himself to play; and his 1938 Gibson L-10 designed for original owner Les Paul.
At a very early age, Atkins set his mind to becoming a famous guitar player. He was a shy boy, who moved as a child to Columbus, Georgia where the climate eased his asthma. It was there that he got his first radio gig. By age 18 he was earning a living as a musician.
Photo: Christie King
The exhibit highlights his signature thumb-and-two-finger picking style, developed while trying to emulate Merle Travis. It covers his 1950 move to Nashville as the guitar player for Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.
Guitars, contracts and letters show his progress over the next several decades. There is a 1951 photograph of Atkins playing alongside Hank Williams at the Grand Ole Opry.
One highlight is the meticulous re-construction of the work-bench and shelves in Atkins’ basement home studio, including tools, cameras, hats, guitar straps, and golf clubs.
There are a few video clips, but missing in this smaller exhibit are some of the interactive, multimedia components that made the Hall’s Williams Family exhibition so successful.
Atkins’ storied career criss-crossed from A-Team studio work, to artist, producer, and record executive. He played on recordings by Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams. His first hit as an artist came in 1955 with “Mister Sandman.” As a producer, he was a key architect of the Nashville Sound, and worked with the Everly Brothers, Waylon Jennings and Jim Reeves. Atkins was elected to the hallowed Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973, and before dying in 2001, he received a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Downstairs in the conservatory, CPG (certified party goers) enjoyed the night’s signature mango cocktail while munching on hors d’oeuvres and mini desserts.
Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player officially opens tomorrow (8/12) with special events throughout the weekend. Details at countrymusichalloffame.org.
(L-R): Steve Wariner, Earl Klugh, Reggie Young, Duane Eddy, James Burton, Scotty Moore, Paul Yandell, Ben Hall and Mark Pritcher, Pres. of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society. Photo: Donn Jones.