by Jane R. Snyder
Doak Turner
On July 17, 2011,
Doak Turner will welcome aspiring and accomplished members of his Music City family into his home for the 100th session of the 3rd Sunday @ 3 gathering. This milestone celebration will be quite an achievement for a six-feet-one-inch “small town boy” who was born in St. Albans, West Virginia. After many trips to visit, he made his destined move to Nashville in 2002.
New in town and missing the kinship of Sunday dinner with his family, Doak invited a group of songwriters to his West Meade home with their guitars and casseroles-to-share in tow. On that first Sunday, more than 30 people showed up.
In 2011, you are likely to find 50 to 75 creative folks, and often many more. Asked to describe the festivities Doak does so without any hesitation, “Friends are made, songs are played – it’s Sunday dinner with your musical family.”
For this energetic songwriter, entrepreneur, and facilitator, Turner’s humility always remains in the forefront. “I’m a poster child for God sending smarter people to help you on your journey and I’ve been very blessed.” And those who know Doak agree, he too can take a lot of credit for what he has contributed to Music City.
Besides 3rd Sunday @ 3, Turner also created
NashvilleMuse.com, a weekly e-newsletter that highlights singer-songwriter gigs and events around town. Collaborating with
Will Carter, they established
MusicStartsHere.org, a unique resource with more than 300 video interviews with performers, songwriters, music publishers, musicians, vocal coaches, and image consultants. When new songwriters first hit town they are often advised to simply, “Call Doak!” After a warm welcome, he will refer them to these Websites for a crash course on Nashville. Music has always been his focus and Doak’s memories are quite vivid.
“My family wasn’t musical, but I’ve always been around music. I always loved radio. In maybe ‘65 or ‘66, I saw my first concert. We were sitting stage left at the original Charleston Civic Center for
Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons. I sang every song. I was only about six or seven, but I begged my mama to take me. I still have the ticket on the wall in the living room!”
Following a lifelong love of music, and particularly lyrics, Doak started writing his own songs in 1989. “I would always buy the albums that had lyrics. I remember when I was about 10 or 11, one day after cutting the grass. I took the money my grandmother gave me and I went to the local record shop in St. Albans, West Virginia. I went up and put a quarter in the jukebox because I wanted to know what he was saying in ‘These Eyes.’ ‘These eyes have seen a lot of love, but they’re never gonna see….’ I played that thing three times to figure out what he was saying in that bridge. Those things stand out.”
His 3rd Sunday @ 3 happening has created musical roots for a whole new generation of performers and songwriters. Friends have been made. Co-writers have discovered one another and gone on to co-write great songs. Performers who were once shy first played their songs in Nashville at 3rd Sunday @ 3. A few of them have since signed record deals. One couple Doak introduced wound up at the altar.
What has brought Doak Turner this far in his own journey? The words he needs are few, “Persistence and faith. My heroes are the people who persisted, the people who never give up. It’s so much harder now, for songwriters and artists, from the 80s and 90s when it was flourishing. You could walk on Music Row and people were looking for songs. Now the walls are so much tougher to get through.”
The walls may be tougher, but Doak has done everything he can to make the journey easier for other songwriters. And, if you haven’t met him yet, just pick up your guitar plus a casserole-to-share and head on over to Doak’s place.
Industry Ink Wednesday (7/6)
/by Sarah SkatesRecovery has now sold more than 5.7 million copies worldwide, propelled by No. 1 singles “Not Afraid” and “Love The Way You Lie,” featuring Rihanna.
• • • •
Steve Moore of CMA, and Lucia Folk of CMT are among the participants in the upcoming class of Leadership Nashville. More than 225 people applied for the nine-month program which starts in September. Forty executives were accepted.
• • • •
Voting for the second ballot of the 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards closes Wednesday, July 13 at 5:00pm EST.
• • • •
Music publicist Tricia Whitehead has joined the Brentwood office of Bob Parks Realty as an agent. She can be reached at tricia@housesarefun.com.
• • • •
CNN has cancelled Eliot Spitzer’s show. MR readers will remember Spitzer for cracking down on radio payola during his time as Governor of New York.
• • • •
Choreographer Robert Royston of XCEL Talent Agency has been working with Gloriana for its new video. Royston is also the official choreographer for CMT’s Next Superstar, and is currently staging shows for Edens Age, The Band Perry, and Steel Magnolia.
• • • •
The Harry Fox Agency has announced a licensing deal with Cricket’s Muve Music service. HFA will license Muve Music on behalf of affiliated music publishers by clearing songs for limited digital downloads, ringtones and ringbacks.
• • • •
Indie Connect has opened a Nashville chapter at 2720 Old Lebanon Rd., Suite 108, Nashville, TN 37214. The membership-based organization headed by Vinny Ribas offers networking, workshops and seminars. More at IndieConnect.com.
• • • •
Blue Star Families is seeking artists in Nashville to tape PSAs about suicide prevention in military families. Interested artist reps can contact Rebekah Gleaves Sanderlin at 910-527-9076 or rsanderlin@bluestarfam.org.
3rd Sunday At Doak's Reaches Milestone
/by contributorby Jane R. Snyder
Doak Turner
On July 17, 2011, Doak Turner will welcome aspiring and accomplished members of his Music City family into his home for the 100th session of the 3rd Sunday @ 3 gathering. This milestone celebration will be quite an achievement for a six-feet-one-inch “small town boy” who was born in St. Albans, West Virginia. After many trips to visit, he made his destined move to Nashville in 2002.
New in town and missing the kinship of Sunday dinner with his family, Doak invited a group of songwriters to his West Meade home with their guitars and casseroles-to-share in tow. On that first Sunday, more than 30 people showed up.
In 2011, you are likely to find 50 to 75 creative folks, and often many more. Asked to describe the festivities Doak does so without any hesitation, “Friends are made, songs are played – it’s Sunday dinner with your musical family.”
For this energetic songwriter, entrepreneur, and facilitator, Turner’s humility always remains in the forefront. “I’m a poster child for God sending smarter people to help you on your journey and I’ve been very blessed.” And those who know Doak agree, he too can take a lot of credit for what he has contributed to Music City.
Besides 3rd Sunday @ 3, Turner also created NashvilleMuse.com, a weekly e-newsletter that highlights singer-songwriter gigs and events around town. Collaborating with Will Carter, they established MusicStartsHere.org, a unique resource with more than 300 video interviews with performers, songwriters, music publishers, musicians, vocal coaches, and image consultants. When new songwriters first hit town they are often advised to simply, “Call Doak!” After a warm welcome, he will refer them to these Websites for a crash course on Nashville. Music has always been his focus and Doak’s memories are quite vivid.
“My family wasn’t musical, but I’ve always been around music. I always loved radio. In maybe ‘65 or ‘66, I saw my first concert. We were sitting stage left at the original Charleston Civic Center for Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons. I sang every song. I was only about six or seven, but I begged my mama to take me. I still have the ticket on the wall in the living room!”
Following a lifelong love of music, and particularly lyrics, Doak started writing his own songs in 1989. “I would always buy the albums that had lyrics. I remember when I was about 10 or 11, one day after cutting the grass. I took the money my grandmother gave me and I went to the local record shop in St. Albans, West Virginia. I went up and put a quarter in the jukebox because I wanted to know what he was saying in ‘These Eyes.’ ‘These eyes have seen a lot of love, but they’re never gonna see….’ I played that thing three times to figure out what he was saying in that bridge. Those things stand out.”
His 3rd Sunday @ 3 happening has created musical roots for a whole new generation of performers and songwriters. Friends have been made. Co-writers have discovered one another and gone on to co-write great songs. Performers who were once shy first played their songs in Nashville at 3rd Sunday @ 3. A few of them have since signed record deals. One couple Doak introduced wound up at the altar.
What has brought Doak Turner this far in his own journey? The words he needs are few, “Persistence and faith. My heroes are the people who persisted, the people who never give up. It’s so much harder now, for songwriters and artists, from the 80s and 90s when it was flourishing. You could walk on Music Row and people were looking for songs. Now the walls are so much tougher to get through.”
The walls may be tougher, but Doak has done everything he can to make the journey easier for other songwriters. And, if you haven’t met him yet, just pick up your guitar plus a casserole-to-share and head on over to Doak’s place.
Curb Signs New Artist
/by Sarah SkatesFront (L-R): Ruth Collins and attorney Jordan Keller. Back (L-R): Jeff Lysyczyn (Big Show Music Co.), Tiffany Goss (Curb Music Publishing), John Ozier (Curb Records), Colt Cameron (Curb Music Publishing), and Al McManus (Big Show Music Co.)
Ruth Collins has signed with Curb Records and Curb Music Publishing. The rising singer-songwriter is represented by managers Jeff Lysyczyn and Al McManus of Big Show Music Co.
Fans of CMT’s Can You Duet may recognize Collins from her time on the show, where she performed alongside Victoria Gibson as part of the duo Wild Honey.
Collins is native of New York state who moved to Nashville in 2007 following a stint at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
The lifelong musician has been studying violin and classical piano since age three. She began writing songs as a teenager after her dad introduced her to the music of James Taylor.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/6/11)
/by Robert K OermannChallenging the two divas for supremacy were excellent new sounds from Craig Morgan, Robin Meade, Royal Wade Kimes and Jody Jenkins. Kasey Chambers and Billy Ray Cyrus were so good that they finished in a dead heat for Disc of the Day.
Atlantic/Warner newcomer Ty Stone sings in a soulfully strangulated tenor voice. But his real reason for earning a DisCovery Award is his remarkable, truth-telling song, “American Style.”
TY STONE/American Style
Writer: Ty Stone/Marlon Young; Producer: Marlon Young; Publisher: Ty Stone/Jo Ray Dean/Sony-ATV, BMI; Top Dog/Atlantic/Warner
—This solid little blue-collar rocker echoes the classic work done by folks like John Mellencamp, Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen. Stone chronicles the hard times faced by working-class Americans, yet concludes that we’re still all standing together. Sing it, brother.
MARTY McINTOSH/The American Night
Writer: Dennis Knutson/Roger Alan Wade; Producer: David Frizzell; Publisher: Major Bob/Rio Bravo/Castle Bound, BMI/SESAC; Nashville America (CDX) (615-654-4909)
—The well-produced track packs plenty of punch, and the song is very well written. The vocalist has a two-note range.
CRAIG MORGAN/This Ole Boy
Writer: Ben Hayslip/Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood/Song Stretcher/Rhettneck, ASCAP/BMI; Black River (CDX)
—This Grand Ole Opry star remains one of the finest pure-country singers of ‘em all. This toe tapper celebrates hillbilly love with joy poured into every note. Absolutely radio ready.
ROYAL WADE KIMES/500 Miles Away From Home
Writer: Bobby Bare/Charlie Williams/Hedy West; Producer: George Bradfute & Mike Noble; Publisher: EMI/Warner-Unichappell/Central Songs, BMI; Wonderment (CDX) (www.royalwadekimes.com)
—This 1963 Bobby Bare pop-crossover smash now serves as Royal’s finest single in recent memory. Like Bare, he lets the song’s inherent sadness carry the day rather than engaging in any vocal histrionics. His hang-dog delivery, the note-perfect instrumental support and the sweetly retro backing vocalists are all audio delights.
SHANIA TWAIN/Today Is Your Day
Writer: Shania Twain; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Shania Twain; Publisher: Loon Echo/Songs of Universal, BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—The lyrics of this ballad sound cribbed from the self-help-book cliche encyclopedia. But the memorable melody, crystalline production and vocal performance are all sterling.
ROBIN MEADE/Dirty Laundry
Writer: Don Henley/Danny Kortchmar; Producer: Victoria Shaw; Publisher: Woody Creek/Warner Tamerlane/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Robin Meade/Somerset Entertainment (track)
—How deliciously ironic that this HLN TV newswoman’s country single debut is Don Henley’s famed 1982 screed against TV journalism. Bo Bice, Kix Brooks, Gary Burr, Sarah Buxton and Victoria Shaw join her on the choruses, but this is Robin’s feisty vocal showcase all the way. This gal has moxie.
BILLY RAY CYRUS/Runway Lights
Writer: Josh Kear/Mark Irwin/Jameson Clark; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Big Purple Dog/Universal/MGB, ASCAP; Buena Vista (track) (www.billyraycyrus.com)
—Billy Ray’s new I’m American CD is dedicated to our men and women in uniform. Its lead-off single is the stirring saga of a Navy flier overseas who yearns for the sights, sounds and sensations of home. Brilliantly written and performed with sincerity and passion.
JODY JENKINS/Brings Back Amarillo
Writer: Bart Butler/Frank Solesbee; Producer: Bart Butler; Publisher: Bill Butler, BMI; Zone 7 (210-497-7908)
—Very dusty and western sounding. The track has a wide-open-spaces vibe, but the song is almost claustrophobic in its yearning misery of lost love. Very echoey and evocative.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Sparks Fly
Writer: Taylor Swift; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine (track)
—Delirious pop romance. As usual with this artist, the hooks are impossibly catchy.
KASEY CHAMBERS/Little Bird
Writer: Kasey Chambers; Producer: Kasey Chambers & The Millionaires; Publisher: Essence/Mushroom, no performance rights listed; Essence/Sugar Hill (track) (www.kaseychambers.com)
—This gifted Aussie seems to grow more creative with each release. The title tune to her latest offers a birdie’s lilting advice about how to win him back. She retorts in a sweetly snarky soprano that she doesn’t want him that badly anyhow. The twinkling production, her layered vocals and the swirling mood are all ear tickling in the extreme. Play it again.
Flying Island Names Radio Promotion Team
/by FreemanIndustry veteran Shelia Shipley Biddy will be handling promotion duties in the Northeast and Southeast regions, and brings a wealth of experience from both labels and management to the table. Her career includes time with MCA, Decca (where she became the first female to lead a Nashville label), Vivaton and Stringtown. Most recently she served as manager and project consultant with Hallmark Direction Company.
Brian Fee will take on the West Coast/Southwest regions. He previously held positions with Lofton Creek, Quarterback, and the Bobby Roberts Agency. Jill Tomalty will focus on the Midwest/South Central region, her experience includes time with Curb Records and Word Entertainment. Bonita Allen will serve as Promotion Coordinator and most recently worked with WSM-AM and Westwood One. Nancy Tunick will serve as Flying Island’s label and promotion consultant, while also continuing her role as GrassRoots Promotion’s Managing Partner.
Flying Island has also landed a national promotion agreement with FUNL Music, home to Amber Hayes and Ty Herndon. Hayes’ current single “Wait” has climbed inside the Top 40 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.
“We could not be more excited at Flying Island about the announcement of our new radio team and our agreement with FUNL Music,” says Flying Island co-founder Nancy Eckert. “Our team is smart, enthusiastic and aggressive, and that’s exactly the type of personalities that we were looking for to help talented up-and-coming artists like Amber Hayes get the attention they deserve at Country radio.”
Reach Biddy at shelia@flyingislandentertainment.com, Fee at brian@flyingislandentertainment.com, Tomalty at jill@flyingislandentertainment.com, and Allen at bonita@flyingislandentertainment.com.
LeRose Cleans Up Online With New Album
/by adminIn 2009, LeRose created her own YouTube channel to raise awareness about animal adoption. But she didn’t receive much reaction until she began posting videos of her songs. She now has over 2.5 million views and 35 thousand subscribers. LeRose has also garnered over 18 thousand Twitter followers and more than 15 thousand Facebook ‘likes.’
“My channel grew like it did not only because of my love for music, but also because of my love for people,” says LeRose who left her hometown Houston only a few short months ago to move to Music City. “I would spend all day just writing people back and answering as many comments as possible. I’ve gotten to be friends with so many of my subscribers.”
The first single from the new package is “The Porch,” which debuted exclusively on Sirius-XM’s The Highway in May. CJaye also helped out the radio network as The Highway’s official video blogger at the recent CMA MusicFest in Nashville.
“Social networking” has become an overused marketing phrase—discussed continuously, but rarely implemented. That makes it all the more contagious when an indie artist without the clout of a well oiled marketing machine, attracts attention in the form of fans, followers and views and ends up with more links than a chain fence.
Date With The Tub Track Listing:
1. Down In My Grave
2. The Porch
3. Slow Down
4. Love You Like A Country Song
5. Declaration of Independence
6. Date With The Tub
7. Already Over You
8. Too Bad For Me
9. Unhappily Ever After
Pat Finch Forms New Publishing Venture
/by Freeman“I’m privileged to have been given the opportunity to, once again, try and build a successful publishing company from scratch,” says Finch. “I hope to replicate many of the successes the writers, artists and I have previously accomplished in this new venture.”
“We see this as an opportunity to build a new Nashville-based and artist-driven publishing and production company,” adds McMellon. “One that will comprise either artist/writers or producer/writers. We had great success in Nashville during S1 Songs ‘days’ and Pat was instrumental in delivering that success. At Southern Crossroads Music we hope to replicate some part of that achievement in an artist/writer friendly environment.”
Southern Crossroads Music currently 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.
Finch was previously Sr. VP/GM for S1 Songs America, part of the global publishing company First State Media Group that was acquired by Chrysalis Music Publishing in April 2010. BMG then purchased Chrysalis in late 2010 to become BMG Chrysalis.
The company’s offices are located at 1229 17th Ave. S., and the phone number is 615-320-7766. Reach Finch at patrickfinchmusicpublishing@gmail.com, McMellon at stevemac@southerncrossroadsmusic.com or D’Silva at reynold@silvascreen.co.uk.
Dwight Yoakam Re-Teams With Warner
/by Sarah SkatesDwight Yoakam has reunited with former label home Warner Music Group. The two-time Grammy winner is set to release his first studio album in seven years on Warner Bros. Records.
Yoakam has been co-producing his upcoming album with Joe Chiccarelli, known mostly for his work with rock acts including My Morning Jacket, The Shins, and The Strokes. Recently, Yoakam has also been in the studio with rock star Beck.
This will be Yoakam’s 28th project for Warner and/or Reprise. It follows his 2007 Buck Owens tribute, Dwight Sings Buck, which was released on New West Records.
Yoakam’s more than 25 million career album sales have been fueled by hits including “Honky Tonk Man,” “Please Please Baby,” “Little Ways,” “I Sang Dixie,” “It Only Hurts When I Cry,” “Fast as You” and “Thousand Miles from Nowhere.”
Stars Support ACM Lifting Lives Camp
/by Sarah SkatesACM Lifting Lives Music Camp was in session last week in Nashville, with 31 campers from around the country participating in activities around Music City. The residential camp has the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome and other developmental disabilities, and providing music enrichment through performance and education. The camp is a partnership between ACM Lifting Lives and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
Photos: Getty Images/Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives
Gary Allan, Odie Blackmon and Brett James led campers in a songwriting session, creating “In Harmony,” an original song based on campers’ personal experiences and inspirations. (L-R): Odie Blackmon, ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp founder/volunteer Lorie Lytle, Gary Allan, ACM Lifting Lives Exec. Director Erin Spahn, Brett James
Little Big Town participated in a music-driven art activity inspired by the Frist Center for the Visual Arts’ current Andy Warhol exhibit.
Wynonna Judd participated in a karaoke event at Winner’s bar. Pictured with camper Brigitte Anderson.
Carrie Underwood visited the campers during their recording session, where they recorded their original song, “In Harmony” with producer Mark Bright and songwriter Brett James. The campers wrote the song with James, Gary Allan and Odie Blackmon. Pictured (L-R): Erin Spahn, ACM Executive Director, Lifting Lives, Carrie Underwood and Lorie Lytle, ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Chairman
Darius Rucker and campers perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
Nashville In Hollywood
/by Sarah SkatesChord Overstreet
Blake Shelton will return to the big red coaching chair on The Voice next season. In fact, all four celebrity coaches—Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Shelton—are on board for season two. Starting this winter, NBC’s vocal competition series will air on Monday nights. The network is also expected to give the series a big push with a special post-Super Bowl show.
• • • •
Shelton may be returning to his gig but Chord Overstreet isn’t. The Nashville native is no longer part of hit Fox show Glee. He joined the musical’s cast last year playing transfer student “Sam.” Regardless, he is busy on the show’s tour and will be in Glee Live! 3D!, the movie about the tour, as well as other upcoming films. Overstreet, 22, is the son of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Paul Overstreet. The younger Overstreet may be following in his father’s musical footsteps, he Tweeted last week that he plans to start work on an album.
• • • •
Obviously musical talent runs in the family in Nashville. Band Hot Chelle Rae, comprised of local music biz offspring, is climbing the pop/rock charts with hit single “Tonight, Tonight.” Chord’s brother Nash is part of the group, along with Ryan Follese and Jamie Follese, sons of Keith Follese, and Ian Keaggy, son of Phil Keaggy.
Check out the “Tonight, Tonight” video, featuring an appearance by Chord.