Ann Powers
There’s been a string of changes at national music publications this month.
Los Angeles Times Pop Music Critic
Ann Powers—who often covered country music—has moved to a new role at NPR Music, which includes writing
The Record blog. According to
Billboard, she had relocated to Alabama with her family two years ago.
Randall Roberts is filling her vacancy at the
Times, as well as continuing as Pop Music Editor until a replacement is named for his former post.
Spin’s Editor in Chief
Doug Brod, and Publisher
Malcolm Campbell have exited the alternative music magazine. Reports, including this one from the
New York Times, indicate the outlet is focusing on growing its online presence. Deputy Editor
Steve Kandell has been promoted to Editor, and the Publisher role will go to
Mike Albanese, who is credited with building the outlet’s advertising products. Music Editor
Charles Aaron has been named Editorial Director.
Online alternative music outlet
Pitchfork has promoted former Managing Editor
Mark Richardson to Editor in Chief. He replaces exiting staffer
Scott Plagenhoef.
Major Changes In Music Journalism Community
/by Sarah SkatesAnn Powers
There’s been a string of changes at national music publications this month. Los Angeles Times Pop Music Critic Ann Powers—who often covered country music—has moved to a new role at NPR Music, which includes writing The Record blog. According to Billboard, she had relocated to Alabama with her family two years ago. Randall Roberts is filling her vacancy at the Times, as well as continuing as Pop Music Editor until a replacement is named for his former post.
Spin’s Editor in Chief Doug Brod, and Publisher Malcolm Campbell have exited the alternative music magazine. Reports, including this one from the New York Times, indicate the outlet is focusing on growing its online presence. Deputy Editor Steve Kandell has been promoted to Editor, and the Publisher role will go to Mike Albanese, who is credited with building the outlet’s advertising products. Music Editor Charles Aaron has been named Editorial Director.
Online alternative music outlet Pitchfork has promoted former Managing Editor Mark Richardson to Editor in Chief. He replaces exiting staffer Scott Plagenhoef.
Keith Bryant – Can't Tell Somebody (Who To Love)
/by ProgrammerPlaylist—Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow
Keith Bryant is proud to present his second single for Jordash Records, “Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love),” to country radio. The song, from Bryant’s self-titled album release, was written by Wendell Mobley, Mike Mobley and Shane Minor.
Most will be familiar with Bryant from the success of his 2004 song “Ridin’ With The Legend.” A tribute to NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt, the song experienced sustained airplay after its release and rotation on GAC. The song has since become a sort of rallying anthem for NASCAR and country fans alike.
http://www.keithbryant.com/
Keith Bryant – Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love)
Nichols Partners With Dunkin' Donuts
/by adminNichols will tout the Dunkin’ Donut brand on his 2011 Nationwide Concert Tour and be featured on the company’s Iced coffee. [Fans are speculating that Nichols will be in the dough on this new agreement and that he will be careful not to end up in the hole.]
On Wed. June 22, Nichols will host a live video chat on Dunkin’ Donut’s official Facebook page which currently has 3.6 million likes. Fans will also get an opportunity to win prizes.
John Costello, Chief Global Marketing & Innovation Officer at Dunkin’ Brands, said, “This new partnership with Joe Nichols will provide a fun and exciting way to connect our fans to one of the hottest stars in country music and promote Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced coffee throughout the summer months and beyond. From our previous work with Joe, we know first-hand how his songs and personality resonate positively with people throughout the country and we are excited to participate in his concert tour and bring Joe and his music to our fans in multiple ways.”
Clarence Clemons Passes
/by FreemanClemons was a member of Springsteen’s band for over 30 years and appears in the iconic album cover photo for the classic Born To Run (pictured at right). He performed with other artists including Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band, and recorded with Aretha Franklin, Jackson Browne and Roy Orbison among others. The 6’4” former college football player was also a towering presence on TV and film, where he appeared in The Tracey Ullman Show, HBO’s The Wire, and Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York. Recently he contributed his sax skills to two tracks on Lady Gaga’s album Born This Way.
The Band Perry Voted "MusicRow" Breakthrough Artist
/by Sarah SkatesMusicRow Pres. Sherod Robertson and Chart Director Jon Freeman present Breakthrough Artist honors to The Band Perry. (L-R): Sherod Robertson, Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry, Republic Nashville Pres. Jimmy Harnen, and Jon Freeman. Photo: Christie King
The 23rd annual MusicRow Awards will be presented tomorrow night (6/21) at the ASCAP offices, but one award has already been handed out. Readers of MusicRow magazine voted, bestowing honors for Breakthrough Artist on The Band Perry. MusicRow execs caught up with the group at a recent gig at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe to present their plaques.
Following years of hard work, “If I Die Young” was the major hit that propelled the trio made up of siblings Neil, Reid and Kimberly Perry to the forefront of country music’s rising class. The track resonated with fans to the tune of two million downloads. Since its release, the group has earned two ACM Awards, a CMT Award, and Grammy and CMA nominations. Their self-titled debut album, created under the direction of producers Nathan Chapman and Paul Worley, has sold almost 600,000 copies to date.
“We always say, the three of us can only walk through open doors,” said Kimberly, who particularly acknowledged MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart. “All the MusicRow stations have been so gracious, so thank you guys.”
“Like in most success stories, there are no short cuts,” explains Republic Nashville Pres. Jimmy Harnen. “The Band Perry has seen a million faces and rocked them all! Everyone on the team worked passionately and tirelessly, and had a ton of fun doing it. When you add into the mix that Kimberly, Neil and Reid are three of the nicest and most talented people you will ever meet, it’s unstoppable.”
Justin Moore Anchors Album Launch
/by Freeman“I’ve traveled all around the country, and there is nowhere I feel more at peace than sitting on a boat in the lake,” says Moore, whose current single ‘If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away’ just hit No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. “The new album celebrates the lifestyle that I grew up with. When the label wanted to launch Outlaws Like Me in New York City, it seemed like an obvious choice to kick things off in a setting where I feel so much at home. My fans know that the music I make represents who I am and since the outdoors have been such a big part of my life, I want people to watch this and know that what you see is what you get. This is me, and that’s reflected on this album.”
Fans can tune in for the fun via a live stream at www.nracountry.com/justinmoore on Monday, June 20 from 6 am – 12 pm ET. While he’s visiting New York, Moore will also appear on Better TV, Fox News, ABC News, Entertainment Tonight and Good Day New York. On release day (6/21), Moore will host a live chat and exclusive performance at 3 pm CT at www.livestream.com/justinmoore.
He will also perform at B.B. King’s Time Square that same day, followed by stops in Indianapolis (6/22), Milwaukee (6/23) and Chicago (6/25). He’ll wrap the week with two opening dates on Rascal Flatts’ Flatts Fest tour in Chicago and St. Louis.
Vince Gill Album And Single Coming Soon
/by adminGill and Grant were recently featured on the cover of AARP Magazine May/June 2011.
Vince Gill’s career is shifting into high gear with the release later this summer of “Threaten Me With Heaven,” his first single in four years. The song also serves as the debut track from his upcoming album, Guitar Slinger due in the fall.
The new single was co-written with Gill, his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and Will Owsley. “Since the song was recorded, my friend Will Owsley took his own life, so the song has a profound impact on me now,” Gill laments. “In my lifetime, ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’ has been the song that helped a lot of people through their grief. I think this one will in turn hopefully do the same thing. It’s a powerful, powerful song. I feel like it’s the crown jewel of the new record.”
Guitar Slinger is the follow-up to Gill’s critically acclaimed four-CD, 43-song box set, These Days, which was certified platinum, won the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Album and received an overall Grammy Album of the Year nomination. According to the artist he didn’t have any specific thoughts or themes in mind when he began creating the songs for Guitar Slinger. “I had no expectations of what it would sound like in my home studio,” he says. “I’ve never recorded in my house before. I discovered an awful lot about how the rooms sound, and it’s a real warm record. I don’t know what it is, but it’s so different than most studios in that there are windows all the way around the room. You look out and see trees. There’s such a great spirit running around in the house. All the musicians have raved about the vibe.”
Joining Gill on the recording are Amy Grant and daughters Jenny, Sarah and Corrina. Vince Gill has sold more than 26 million albums, won 20 Grammys and 18 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year twice. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
TV Update: Currington, Bentley, and Cyrus (6/17/11)
/by Freeman• • •
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Photo: Veronica Barrere
GAC will premiere the Billy Ray Cyrus special I’m American on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30 pm CT. For the special Cyrus invited 60 military families from the 101st Airborne in Ft. Campbell, KY to his farm where they enjoyed games, barbecue and an acoustic concert. Attendees were got to hear “I’m American,” the title track to Cyrus’ June 28 album release, as well as hits like “Some Gave All.” Joining Cyrus were guests Bill Anderson, Bucky Covington, Buddy Cannon, Melonie Cannon and Julie Roberts.
Jason Delkou Signs With SESAC
/by admin(L-R) Bigger Picture’s Alan Kates, SESAC’s John Mullins, Jason Delkou, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Bigger Picture’s Jeff Carlton. Photo: Ed Rode
Singer/songwriter Jason Delkou, who is signed to Bigger Picture Group, affiliated with SESAC during a recent visit to its Nashville headquarters.
Review: Sherrie' Austin Performs On StageIt
/by Sherod RobertsonAccompanied by Will Rambeaux who was out of view, Austin performed with her guitar from the living room couch and offered an interactive connection with her fans. Viewers simultaneously chatted online. In between songs, Austin read and responded to many of the comments.
She told us this was the first time she has co-produced a record and is very excited about the songs on the upcoming CD.
After a couple of songs, she brought out on stage (i.e., her couch), Shane Stevens, who co-wrote the No. 1 hit by Lady Antebellum, “American Honey.” Both Stevens and Austin performed the song and thanked the audience for their “tips.” (Viewers purchase credits online and award performers by tipping them during the show.)
After I chatted “How did you write that song?” Shane saw the comment and shared the story of how he, Hillary Lindsey, and Cary Barlowe got the idea from a bottle of whiskey bearing the same name.
Although performances usually broadcast “one to many,” this was the definitive “one to one.”
She ended the show with a haunting acoustic version of “Streets of Heaven” and gave viewers a true interactive experience.