Joey+Rory, Charlie Daniels Already Hearing Jingle Bells

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It’s only August, but Joey + Rory, and Charlie Daniels are already in the holiday spirit.
Joey+Rory are prepping the Oct. 11 release of A Farmhouse Christmas, featuring 10 new holiday songs, as well as the standards “Away In A Manger” and “Blue Christmas.”
The Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records album also contains the Garth Brooks/Kent Blazy-penned “I Know What Santa’s Getting for Christmas,” the irreverent “What the Hell, It’s the Holidays,” and Rory’s beautiful original album opener “It’s Christmas Time.”
Christmas at the beach sounds appealing on “Let It Snow (Somewhere Else),” and fittingly Joey+Rory wrote it with James Slater and Tim Johnson at the Key West Songwriters Festival. The husband-wife duo also cut Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December” and recruited the Hag for guest vocals.
A Farmhouse Christmas was produced by Gary Paczosa and Carl Jackson, and an accompanying tour is in the works.
• • • •
Charlie Daniels has tapped Phil Vasser and Sawyer Brown to join him at his 10th annual Christmas 4 Kids benefit concert. The show is set for Monday, Nov. 21 at the Ryman Auditorium.
The funds generated by the concert, and a separate Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet event, are used to give over 400 children a special holiday shopping excursion. On the trip, the kids enjoy a tour bus ride, a Walmart shopping spree, new coat, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Tickets for the concert will be available Sept. 15 at www.Christmas4kids.org.

Celebrating Writer/Publisher Highlights

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has established a Nashville chapter that will operate in tandem with existing bases in Los Angeles and New York. “We are very excited to have Nashville become a valuable part of our organization,” said AIMP President Richard Feldman, in making the announcement. “With encouragement from publishers here in Nashville, and the overwhelming success of our recent panel on licensing songs for film and TV, there has never been a better time to bring the AIMP to Music City. We believe that the large and diverse music community here will find value and benefits in the AIMP’s programs and advocacy initiatives.”
The Nashville chapter will be led by a steering committee until a board of directors is elected. Committee members include veteran music industry executive Jill Napier, Randy Wachtler (President, 615 Music), Walter Campbell (President, Big Garage Music Publishing), Eli Ball (CEO, Lyric Financial), Marc Driskill (VP/GM, ASCAP) and Kevin Lamb (VP, Peer Music), Ross Asher (Creative, Razor and Tie), Josh Collum (Sorted Noise Productions), Jewel Coburn (Co-president Ten Ten Music), Tim Fink (Assoc. VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Sesac), David Preston (Director Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI), Diana Maher (Owner, Moraine Music Group). Membership dues are $74 per year. For more information on AIMP or to become a member, please visit www.aimp.org

>>Songwriter Tim Nichols recently was honored with a BMI Million-Air Award for more than one million performances of “The Man I Want To Be” recorded by Chris Young. This and other Nichols compositions including “Live Like You Were Dying,” and “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” bring his airplay total to more than 30 million spins.

(L-R) BMI’s Clay Bradley, Tim Nichols, This Music’s Connie Harrington and Rusty Gaston, and BMI’s Bradley Collins. Photo: Drew Maynard


 
Dallas Davidson is likely getting used to the view from the top of the charts. Recently he celebrated Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” and scant weeks later he’s now parked again in the top spot with his eighth No. 1, Lady Antebellum’s “Just A Kiss.” Davidson is the 2010 Billboard Hot Country Songwriter of the Year and writes for EMI Music.
 
 
 
Big Machine Records and ASCAP celebrated Rascal Flatts’ latest No. 1, “I Won’t Let Go.” The song was written by Jason Sellers and Steve Robson. Also honored were publishers BMG Chrysalis and Sony/ATV. It’s Seller’s second No. 1 this year after “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” Rascal Flatts producer Dann Huff was also recognized along with the band with the announcement that the new album Nothing Like This had been certified Platinum.

(L-R): Jason Sellers, Jay DeMarcus, ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel, BMG Chrysalis' Darrell Franklin, Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney, Big Machine's Scott Borchetta, Sony/ATV's Troy Tomlinson. Photo: Ed Rode


 

Take A Sniff Of Keith Urban

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Four-time Grammy Award Winning artist Keith Urban is set to release his first fragrance for men, Phoenix by Keith Urban, in partnership with Boom LLC.
Joining artists such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill, Urban’s fragrance launches worldwide in the fall and reflects his personal triumphs and spirit. The phoenix symbol resonates with Urban for its immortality and ability to renew and be reborn.
Urban says, “I grew up with a father that had great taste in music, cars and colognes. So the idea to eventually create my own fragrance seemed natural. I’ve always loved the feeling that comes from finding the right scent and the way it can say so much about a person. We created Phoenix to express just the right blend of masculinity, mystery and sensuality.”
The fragrance is described as having top notes of blackberries, cognac and plum, which segues into the aromas of dark chocolate and crisp fir balsam with a finish of warm cashmere wood in the background. It becomes available in October at mass-market retailers such as CVS, Sears and Target, with price ranging from $24-$48.
Fans will get a sneak peek of Phoenix during Urban’s 50+ city Get Closer 2011 world tour with giveaways, sampling opportunities, and distribution of scented tattoos.
For more information, visit www.keithurban.net/phoenix.

Brett James Signs With Warner/Chappell/ Combustion

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Warner/Chappell Music, together with its joint venture partner Combustion Music, announces a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James. Additionally, Warner/Chappell will co-publish a selection of his past works and establish a co-publishing venture with James’ boutique publishing company, Cornman Music. This venture enables James to sign songwriters to publishing deals with the company.

“Brett James is an incredibly talented and creative songwriter who writes hit songs in all genres,” said Cameron Strang, Chairman & CEO, Warner/Chappell Music. “Brett and Warner/Chappell are already having great success together and we are thrilled to have someone of his character and talent join our roster.”
“Combustion Music is thrilled to establish this new relationship with Brett James,” said Chris Farren, President, Combustion Music. “Brett is one of the most dynamic and intelligent songwriters I know, and for years we have talked about partnering. To finally get that opportunity energizes me and the whole Combustion team beyond words.”
“I am truly excited to join forces with Warner/Chappell and Combustion Music,” said James. “Their combined creative and administrative expertise is second to none and it gives me the chance to work with some of my favorite people in the music business. Additionally, I believe that Warner/Chappell will be an amazing partner for my roster of artists and writers at Cornman Music.”

Brett James has had more than 300 of his songs recorded by some of music industry’s biggest artists including Rascal Flatts, Daughtry, Bon Jovi and Backstreet Boys. James’ songs have appeared on albums with combined sales of more than 100 million with 11 of his singles reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Songs chart. In 2006, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which James wrote for Carrie Underwood, received Grammy Awards for “Best Country Song.”
He has been twice-named ASCAP’s songwriter of the year, in both 2006 and in 2010, and appeared in Billboard’s year-end Top Ten Country Songwriters list in seven of the ten years it has been published. As a producer, his credits include Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson, Josh Gracin and Kip Moore. A native of Oklahoma, where he spent three years in medical school, Brett now lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife Sandy and their four children.

(L-R): BJ Hill (Sr. Director A&R WCM Nashville), Steve Markland (VP A&R WCM Nashville), Nate Lowery (Creative Director Cornman Music), Brett James, Chris Farren (President Combustion Music), Phil May (VP & GM WCM Nashville), Alicia Pruitt (Sr. Director A&R WCM Nashville), Chris Van Belkom (Sr. Creative Director Combustion Music), Kenley Flynn (Catalog/Office Mgr, Combustion Music). Photo: LeeAnn Carlen

Industry Ink Tuesday (8/9)

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Photographer Alan Mayor sent this update showing the progress of rebuilding Jack Clement's Cowboy Arms studio following a recent fire.



Matt Gary has visited more than 100 radio stations during the last 24 months. Pictured here with (L-R): Tony Benken (VP Promotion), Lisa Hamilton (MD, KJUG), Matt Gary, and Adam Jeffries (PD, KJUG).


• • • •
Artist Matt Gary has signed with John Ettinger’s Ettinger Talent Associates (ETA) for management representation. Since releasing his debut single in 2009 via his own 17 Music Entertainment, Gary has secured sponsorship/endorsement relationships with PING Apparel, Boulder Creek Guitar and Copley, and had his music used in Microsoft ad campaigns. His current release is the single and 6-pack, “I’m Just Sayin.'”
Ettinger’s track record includes time as VP of Promotion at Mercury Records, and Lyric Street. He opened ETA in September of last year, managing Emerson Drive.
• • • •
Canadian songwriter Freddy Litwiniuk has signed with Dan Hodges Music , LLC. Hodges can be reached at (615) 401-7399 or dan@danhodgesmusic.com
.
• • • •




Steve Wilkinson





Steve Wilkison has joined Watkins College of Art, Design & Film as associate professor in the graphic design department, where he has been an adjunct instructor since 2008. Wilkison has extensive experience building websites, and in creating album packaging for such artists as Emmylou Harris, and Lucinda Williams. He has helmed online projects for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Keith Urban, and Dolly Parton. Wilkison’s previous positions include president of Eminent Records in Nashville, and VP/GM of Koch Records New York.
• • • •
Tickets for the 5th Annual ACM Honors go on sale to the public Friday, Aug. 12 at 10:00 AM CT. Joe Nichols will host the show Monday, Sept. 19 at the Ryman Auditorium, awarding the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. ACM A-List members can purchase tickets starting Wednesday at 10:00 AM CT, details at www.acmcountry.com. Tickets are $37 at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
• • • •
The ASCAP Foundation is seeking submissions for its 2011 Nashville Pop Songwriters Workshop. The workshop will be held once weekly for six consecutive weeks beginning Sept. 13. Interested writers should submit a CD containing two original songs with typed or neatly written lyrics, and a brief bio including address/phone number/e-mail.
Send complete submission package to:
ASCAP
Attention: Pop Songwriters Workshop
Two Music Square West
Nashville, TN 37203
Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 2, 2011. Those accepted will be notified by Tues., Sept. 6. Materials submitted will not be returned. For more information, call the Nashville ASCAP office at (615) 742-5000.

Dale Bobo Forms Music Direction Company

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Dale Bobo


Music publishing veteran Dale Bobo has started Dale Bobo Music Direction, providing consultation, management, and creative propulsion to music publishers, songwriters and producers. The company’s inaugural client is hit songwriter/producer Jeff Stevens, who has written songs for George Strait, Tim McGraw and others including the recent Luke Bryan #1 single “Someone Else Calling You Baby” whom Stevens also produces.
“I’m tremendously excited,” Bobo told MusicRow. “Working with songwriters and producers has always been a strong passion for me and this new company will place me right on the front lines doing what I love the most.”
Prior to his new venture, Bobo was Executive VP of Chrysalis Music Nashville, overseeing all aspects of the Nashville office and working with successful producer/writers Jeff Stevens and Brett Beavers and hit writers Danny Orton, Jim McCormick and Victoria Banks.
He started his career at the Nashville office of Chappell/Intersong, following graduation from Middle Tennessee State University’s Recording Industry Management program. After the acquisition of Chappell by Warner Bros. Music, his A&R efforts lead to numerous singles on the charts. He rose to VP and head of Creative in 1996 and assumed the Warner/Chappell General Manager post in 2003 which he held to 2009.
As SVP/GM at Warner/Chappell Nashville, he lead a formidable staff that celebrated 22 number one records with hit writers Marv Green, Steven Dale Jones, Wendell Mobley, Tim Nichols, John Rich, Wynn Varble, Chris Wallin and others. Under his leadership, the company enjoyed successes such as the ten-week number one smash “Live Like You Were Dying” and the breakout of superstar group Lady Antebellum.
Based in Nashville, Dale Bobo Music Direction can be reached at 615-504-9803, dale@dalebobo.com or Twitter: @dalebobo.
 

Sherman Named RIAA Chairman and CEO

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Cary Sherman


Cary Sherman has been named Chairman & CEO of the RIAA, effective September 1, 2011. He succeeds Mitch Bainwol, who resigned to become CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, as first tipped last week in MusicRow. Sherman has served as RIAA President since 2001, after joining the organization as General Counsel in 1997.
Before joining the RIAA, Sherman was a senior partner at the Washington, D.C. firm of Arnold & Porter, where he was outside counsel to the RIAA and the head of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Practice Group.
“The RIAA plays an important role in helping shape public policy in connection with America’s music,” says Sherman. “Setting the legislative agenda at both national and state levels, working to protect and promote intellectual property in the U.S. and throughout the world, coordinating with law enforcement on both physical and digital theft, and representing the industry in negotiations and before government tribunals to empower new business models and standards—all of these are vital functions and I look forward to taking them on.”

Mitch Glazier


Additionally, Mitch Glazier, who has spent the last 11 years at RIAA in charge of the organization’s government relations activities, has been appointed Senior Executive Vice President. In this new role he will continue to lead the RIAA’s activities on Capitol Hill and assume broader responsibilities.
Glazier most recently held the position of Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Industry Relations, where he oversaw industry initiatives including strengthening copyright laws, First Amendment issues, and the RIAA’s Gold and Platinum Program. Glazier joined the RIAA in 2000 as Senior Vice President, Government Relations. He has an extensive background in related fields and is a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School.

Tennessee Two’s Marshall Grant Passes

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Marshall Grant with his Fender Tele Bass at The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: musicianshalloffame.com

Musician Marshall Grant, the final surviving member of Johnny Cash’s revered Tennessee Two, died yesterday, Aug. 7. Until the very end, the 83-year-old’s life was tied to the late icon.

Grant collapsed Wednesday (8/3) following rehearsals for a Cash tribute concert in Jonesboro, Arkansas that was raising funds to restore the singer’s boyhood home. Grant was hospitalized and never recovered. Among those who shared his final days were fellow concert performers Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, John Carter Cash, and Tommy Cash.

Grant’s “boom chicka boom” bass licks helped shape the Man in Black’s signature sound on classics such as “Ring Of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Walk The Line,” “Get Rhythm,” and “A Boy Named Sue.” The self-taught wonder was eventually inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame.

Cash and Grant’s storied relationship started in Memphis in 1954, where bassist Grant and guitarist Luther Perkins teamed to become Cash’s Tennessee Two, backing him during gospel songs on local radio. When they added drummer W.S. Holland in 1960, they changed the band’s name accordingly.

For years, Grant did double duty as Cash’s sideman and road manager, often shepherding the star through offstage troubles. Historian Robert K. Oermann recalls, “Of all the people around Johnny Cash during his heyday, Marshall was the heartbeat of the band and the steady presence in the organization. He was a rock.”

Later in his career, Grant furthered his management career, taking on the Statler Brothers as clients.

Luther Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Marshall Grant

Through the years, Grant’s friendship with Cash waxed and waned, and their final appearance onstage together was in 1999. Cash died in 2003, and three years later Grant published the autobiography, I Was There When It Happened: My Life With Johnny Cash.

In 2007 The Tennessee Two joined the Musicians Hall of Fame, as part of its inaugural class of inductees. Grant played at the induction ceremony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, backing Johnny’s son John Carter Cash.

At the time of his death, Grant and his wife were residing in Hernando, Mississippi, outside Memphis. Arrangements have not been announced, but will be by Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Memphis.

Tennessee Two's Marshall Grant Passes

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Marshall Grant with his Fender Tele Bass at The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: musicianshalloffame.com


Musician Marshall Grant, the final surviving member of Johnny Cash’s revered Tennessee Two, died yesterday, Aug. 7. Until the very end, the 83-year-old’s life was tied to the late icon.
Grant collapsed Wednesday (8/3) following rehearsals for a Cash tribute concert in Jonesboro, Arkansas that was raising funds to restore the singer’s boyhood home. Grant was hospitalized and never recovered. Among those who shared his final days were fellow concert performers Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, John Carter Cash, and Tommy Cash.
Grant’s “boom chicka boom” bass licks helped shape the Man in Black’s signature sound on classics such as “Ring Of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Walk The Line,” “Get Rhythm,” and “A Boy Named Sue.” The self-taught wonder was eventually inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame.
Cash and Grant’s storied relationship started in Memphis in 1954, where bassist Grant and guitarist Luther Perkins teamed to become Cash’s Tennessee Two, backing him during gospel songs on local radio. When they added drummer W.S. Holland in 1960, they changed the band’s name accordingly.
For years, Grant did double duty as Cash’s sideman and road manager, often shepherding the star through offstage troubles. Historian Robert K. Oermann recalls, “Of all the people around Johnny Cash during his heyday, Marshall was the heartbeat of the band and the steady presence in the organization. He was a rock.”
Later in his career, Grant furthered his management career, taking on the Statler Brothers as clients.

Luther Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Marshall Grant


Through the years, Grant’s friendship with Cash waxed and waned, and their final appearance onstage together was in 1999. Cash died in 2003, and three years later Grant published the autobiography, I Was There When It Happened: My Life With Johnny Cash.
In 2007 The Tennessee Two joined the Musicians Hall of Fame, as part of its inaugural class of inductees. Grant played at the induction ceremony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, backing Johnny’s son John Carter Cash.
At the time of his death, Grant and his wife were residing in Hernando, Mississippi, outside Memphis. Arrangements have not been announced, but will be by Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in Memphis.

CRS Accepting Country Radio Hall of Fame Nominations

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Nominations for the 2012 Country Radio Hall of Fame are now being accepted by Country Radio Seminar.
Interested parties may submit nominations here and each nominee will receive official applications later. Applications must be returned before September 9, 2011.
“No other event highlights the accomplishments and contributions of those who have meant so much to the Country Radio industry than the annual Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This is the time to be sure that worthy candidates are nominated and included in the process for 2012,” says CRS Hall of Fame Chairman Charlie Morgan.
Air-checks, press clippings, award listings and other materials may be included in submissions. Applications received after Sept. 9 will be considered for the 2013 Hall of Fame class.
The 2012 Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and induction will be held Tuesday, February 21 at the Nashville Convention Center. CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24, 2012 at the NCC.
On-Air Personality Hall of Fame Criteria:
—Must have at least a 20 year on-air career in radio, minimum of 15 in the Country format.
—Significant contributions to the growth and development in the Country radio industry and ongoing contributions to the preservation and enhancement of Country music as an art form.
Radio Hall of Fame Criteria:
—Must have at least a 20 year career in radio, minimum of 15 in the Country format.
—Significant contributions to the growth and development of the Country radio industry and ongoing contributions to the preservation and enhancement of Country music as an art form.