Artist TidBits Thursday

/by

Jo Dee Messina


Jo Dee Messina has announced her A Million Doors campaign to help raise $2.3 million for a non-profit school in Nashville, the Holy Trinity Montessori, by donating proceeds from the sale of a new song “Carry Me.” She was also working on setting up a concert tour to benefit the school–and a Saturday, June 25 show in Pittsburg, Kansas was confirmed, but funds from that show are now earmarked to help victims of the recent violent tornados that devastated the region. For details visit www.jodeemessina.com
• • • •
Frankie Ballard is debuting the music video for “A Buncha Girls” today (6/2). Directed by Jim Wright and filmed in Venice Beach, CA the video features Ballard narrating for a group of girls taking a road trip to the beach and the adventures they have along the way on this summer day. The video can be seen online and on GAC and CMT Pure Country. Ballard is currently opening for Taylor Swift on the North American leg of her Speak Now World Tour 2011. Ballard kicked off the tour this weekend for a sold-out crowd in Omaha, NE and Des Moines, IA. He will be playing in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (6/2, 6/3) and Orlando, FL (6/4).

Frankie Ballard on set at the video shoot for “A Buncha Girls” Photo: Dylan Bell, 5.2.11


• • • •

Joe Nichols


Show Dog – Universal Music recording artist Joe Nichols has officially joined the Roper Apparel and Footwear family, formalizing a long-term endorsement agreement with the popular clothing and footwear company. Gary Mandelbaum, president of Karman, Inc., home of western and lifestyle brands Roper Apparel & Footwear and Stetson Apparel & Boots, explained, “Roper has had a long tradition of sponsoring cowboys and rodeo personalities and we felt it was time to include country music in our endorsee mix.”
• • • •
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen has partnered with Music City Roots Live from the Loveless Cafe, Whole Foods Grocery, and Blackstone Brewing Company to award one winner with a Dirty Kitchen Experience giveaway. Solivan and band will arrive at the lucky winner’s home, accompanied by Music City Roots, and set up the Roots set in the winner’s home. Music City Roots will bring the party favors and Frank Solivan will personally cook dinner for the winner and 25 friends and perform a concert for them. The evening will be filmed and a DVD of the event given to the winner at the end of the night. In addition, the whole world can watch, as the entire party will stream live online. Visit http://musiccityroots.com/contest for details.

Dirty Kitchen Experience

HLN's Robin Meade Offers Debut Release

/by

Robin Meade, host of Morning Express with Robin Meade on HLN, will release her musical debut, Brand New Day, on Tuesday, June 21. Other stars appearing on the album include Celebrity Apprentice winner John Rich, American Idol’s Bo Bice, Kix Brooks, and Sarah Buxton. Victoria Shaw produced the album, which includes songs Meade co-wrote with Shaw, Rich, Gary Burr, Billy Dean, Matt Lopez of Due West and others.
Offered exclusively through Target and iTunes, Meade’s album offers a glimpse into her musical roots and aspirations. “Songwriting, like journalism, is about telling people’s stories, the things that make up their lives: their loves and losses, their passions and dreams, their challenges and victories. It was important to me that this album reflects my respect for country music.”
Meade will make her first CMA Music Fest appearance on the Lay’s Plaza Stage Sunday, June 12 at 11:45am.  She’s also playing in the annual City of Hope Softball Challenge June 11, performing a duet with Bo Bice June 12, and signing copies of her new album at her booth June 9-11.
In May, Meade co-hosted CMT’s “Disaster Relief Concert” that re-aired on HLN to raise money for recent storm and flood victims.

Gaga Says Digital Album Only Worth 99¢

/by

An interesting Ben Sisario blog in the N.Y. Times proclaims, “In Lady Gaga’s Album, Evidence Of A New Order.”

“A paradox of the new music industry: Albums sell less and less well every year, but as a marketing tool they are now more important than ever,” says Sisario.

The writer is referring to the fact that although Gaga’s Born this Way sold over one million debut week units, over 40% of them were digital units priced at 99¢ by Amazon.

“Once an artist’s biggest source of income, recorded music now plays second fiddle to touring, endorsements, merchandise sales and an array of other revenue streams once considered ancillary. That’s especially true for an artist like Lady Gaga, who has lined up more branding and promotional deals in the last six months than most artists will in a lifetime.”

However, not all parties to the achievement shared equal joy. Ish Cuebas, Trans World VP is quoted saying,

“I don’t think it sends a good message. I can understand what Amazon did, but I think it devalues music even further. In the customer’s mind it’s worth 99 cents.”

Although it is easy to see why competing retailers would be especially unhappy about Amazon’s low price special, most surprising was a statement from Lady Gaga to The Wall Street Journal when asked if she thought her new album was worth more than 99¢.

“No. I absolutely do not,” said Gaga. “Especially for MP3s and digital music. It’s invisible. It’s in space. If anything, I applaud a company like Amazon for equating the value of digital versus the physical copy, and giving the opportunity to everyone to buy music. It also wasn’t really 99 cents, because Amazon paid the difference on all of those purchases as part of their promotional campaign for one of their new services. I think it’s amazing and it was a really nice surprise and I felt honored that they chose my record to be part of it.”

 

Industry Ink: SESAC Awards, SongWriters Fest, Mow the Row

/by

SESAC’s Nashville Music Awards has been set for Monday, November 7 at the company’s Nashville headquarters. The invitation only event, which honors the top songwriters and publishers in country and Americana, awarded Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott with its coveted Songwriter of the Year honor in 2010.
• • •
The 9th Annual Nashville SongWriters Festival tunes up tomorrow, offering original music, professional instruction and open jam sessions. The festival runs June 3-5 in and around the Music Row area. Registration is currently open. Check http://www.songwritersfestival.com/ for details.
• • •
The popular Mow the Row Lawnmower race on Demonbreun, benefiting the Hospitality House in honor of Joshua Ragsdale, has been postponed. Originally set for June 7, the event will now be rescheduled for later. Watch mowtherow.com for updates.
• • • •
Registration for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass 2011 in Nashville opens today. The week-long event runs September 26 – October 2 and features a business conference, the International Bluegrass Music Awards, and the Bluegrass Fan Fest. More info at http://worldofbluegrass.org/
• • •
At the International Country Music Conference held recently at Belmont University, the Belmont Book Award for best book on country music was presented to Bar Biszick-Lockwood for her book Restless Giant: The Life and Times of Jean Aberback & Hill and Range Songs. Additionally, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ralph Emery by Belmont Book Awards founder and Chair Don Cusic (pictured below).

(L-R): Cusic, Biszick-Lockwood, Emery.

Ole Ups Buenahora To GM

/by


Arthur Buenahora


ole has announced the promotion of Arthur Buenahora to the position of General Manager, Nashville Creative. Buenahora, who joined ole in March 2010 as Senior Creative Director, will continue to be located in the Nashville office overseeing its staff and roster. He will also sign new writers and collaborate with ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard on issues effecting Nashville operations.
“Arthur has proven his ability to generate business in a strategic and effective manner,” says ole President Michael McCarty. “Among his accomplishments at ole is the development of Charlie Worsham, who we believe is a future superstar recording artist. We are confident that Arthur’s continuing leadership of the Nashville Creative team will result in even more momentum and success for ole in Country music.”
In previous music publishing and label A&R positions, he has signed and helped to develop a number of country music’s brightest stars including Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church and Taylor Swift.
ole is one of the world’s largest independent music publishers. Founded in 2004, and with offices in Toronto, Nashville and Los Angeles, ole boasts a team of over 30 experienced industry professionals focused on acquisitions, creative development and worldwide administration. ole has been named Canadian Country Music Association’s Music Publishing Company of the Year for the past four years and earned its first Grammy Award in 2009 for Best Country Song, “White Horse.”
 

Big Machine and Curb Sponsored Car Wins Indy 500

/by

Scott Borchetta got to have a victory celebration of a different kind along with Mike Curb at the Indy 500 on Sunday (5/29). The record label chiefs/racing buffs sponsored driver Dan Wheldon in the No. 98 William Rast/aigo/Curb/Big Machine/Forsythe Solutions/Dallara/Honda/Firestone car for Bryan Herta Autosport/Curb-Agajanian, which wound up in the winner’s circle after the historic 100th Anniversary Indy 500.
“Growing up a racer, this is the ultimate win, the ultimate race highlight and just one of the best racing experiences of my life,” says Borchetta. “To share it with my family, my label and all the incredible people involved with driver Dan Wheldon as well as Bryan Herta and his race team was a dream come true. One of the best days ever.”
After 200 laps on the 2.5 mile track, 2005 Indy 500 winner Wheldon emerged as the victor. With only 10 laps remaining, Wheldon passed both Bertrand Baguette and Scott Dixon, before overtaking rookie JR Hildebrand who hit the wall in the final turn.
The No. 98 car will be on display until October 23 in the Air Force One Pavilion alongside the No. 98 Centennial NASCAR Sprint Cup car. It was inducted into the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library on May 27 as part of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration honoring the former President’s 100th birthday.

(L-R): Mike Curb, Scott Borchetta, Dan Wheldon, Bryan Herta, Steve Newey; Photo: Dan R. Boyd

Amber Hayes Heads To Silver Screen

/by



FUNL Music artist Amber Hayes poses on the set of the film “Cowgirls N’ Angels.” Hayes with cast members (L-R) Frankie Faison, Richie McDonald, Hayes and James Cromwell.



Amber Hayes has landed her first movie role in Cowgirls N’ Angels due out in 2012. The FUNL Music recording artist has extensive theater experience, including a leading role as Kathy Twitty in the 2008 critically acclaimed Conway Twitty musical It’s Only Make Believe, but this will be her first appearance on the silver screen. Hayes appropriately plays a supporting role as honky tonk singer Amber Grant and two of her original songs, “C’mon” and “Right as Rain,” from her 2010 EP release C’mon will be included in the movie and its soundtrack.
“I’m really grateful to the cast, crew and director Timothy Armstrong for including me and my music in the film,” says Hayes. “I had a wonderful time trying my hand at something new. I’m so excited to see the finished movie next year!”
Hayes’ current single, “Wait,” continues to climb Country radio charts, with the song’s music video receiving airplay at The Country Network, GACTV.com and Yallwire.com. She has been touring with FUNL Music label mate Ty Herndon in recent weeks.
Co-written by Armstrong and Stephen Blinn, Cowgirls N’ Angels is the coming-of-age story of Ida Clayton (played by Bailee Madison), a rebellious young girl in search of her rodeo-riding father. While searching for her dad, she connects with the Sweethearts of the Rodeo, a team of young female rodeo riders run by former rodeo star Terence Parker. Recognizing Ida’s innate talent for trick riding, Terence recruits her for their ranks. Accepted wholeheartedly by her new “family,” Ida finds a new passion that redefines her life — and she also may find the father she’s been searching for.
Produced by Ben Feingold, Sweethearts LLC and Sense and Sensibility Ventures LLC, Cowgirls N’ Angels is expected to wrap production this week in Oklahoma. The film was shot in several cities and communities across the state, including Stillwater, Guthrie, Pawnee and Oklahoma City, which is only 90 miles from Hayes’ hometown of Weleetka, Okla.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/1/11)

/by

When the Americana Music Association announced its 2011 awards contenders recently, it jolted me into awareness of how long it has been since I penned an Americana review column.

How long has it been? Well, let’s just say that in the elapsed time, Todd Snider, David Olney and Those Darlins have issued two albums apiece. Ouch.
There is much to like in this week’s overview. So much, in fact, that I’m dividing the Disc of the Day prize into Female, Male and Group awards. The Female disc belongs to 2011 AMA nominee Elizabeth Cook. The Male award goes to the enduringly great David Olney. And the Group prize belongs to the ultra listenable Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors.
ELIZABETH COOK/El Camino
Writer: Elizabeth Cook; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Agent Love, SESAC; 31 Tigers (track) (www.elizabeth-cook.com)
—He picks her up in a deadbeat’s vehicle. She has a few snarky words for that while the band clomps along rhythmically. This rollicking little thumper is nominated for this year’s Song of the Year by the AMA, and Elizabeth’s brilliant Welder CD from which it comes is a well-deserved Album of the Year nominee.
DAVID OLNEY/Sunset on Sunset Boulevard
Writer: David Olney; Producer: Jack Irwin; Publisher: David Olney/Bug, BMI; Deadbeet (track) (www.davidolney.com)
—Olney has two current projects—his Dutchman’s Curve CD of last year and a new five-song collection called Film Noir. Both are among the best produced discs of his career. This spooky tune closes the latter set with its dark tales of coldly ambitious Hollywood wanna-be’s, faded liquored-up stars and phonies. By the way, you can watch this gifted troubadour perform live every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at TinyUrl.com/DavidOlneyTV.
JOE ELY/Satisfied at Last
Writer: Joe Ely; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Tornado Temple, BMI; Rack ‘Em (track) (www.ely.com)
—The title tune to this timeless Texas treasure’s latest album finds him singing with vigor over an echoey, chiming guitar track. He’s singing of mortality, but he’s mighty robust and vital about it. Heartily recommended, as always.
TODD SNIDER/Money, Compliments, Publicity
Writer: Todd Snider; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Nobody’s Collecting on These Songs/Bug, BMI; Aimless/Yep Roc (track) (www,toddsnider.net)
—You really should own every CD this guy’s ever made. The two current ones are a live album and a studio set titled The Excitement Plan. The latter contains this wonderfully sardonic ode from the funniest East Nashville loser’s voice ever. Genius is not too strong a word.
HAYS CARLL & CARY ANN HEARST/Another Like You
Writer: Hayes Carll; Producer: Brad Jones; Publisher: Highway 87/Bug, SESAC; Lost Highway (track) (www.hayescarll.com)
—Speaking of funny, this man tickles folks everywhere he goes. He won last year’s AMA Song of the Year award with “She Left Me for Jesus.” He’s nominated this year for the title tune to his “KMAG YOYO” CD. But for a real treat, check out this mutually insulting—and profane—duet on the collection.
JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT/Go It Alone
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit; Publisher: Fame, BMI; Lightning Rod (track) (www.jasonisbell.com)
—Jason is Hayes Carll’s sometime touring partner this year. His current Here We Rest collection contains this ominous rocker. His tenor vocal fronts some smart, crunchy chops by the tight 400 Unit.
LUCINDA WILLIAMS/Blessed
Writer: Lucinda Williams; Producer: Don Was, Eric Liljestrand & Thomas Overby; Publisher: none listsed; Lost Highway (track) (www.lucindawilliams.com)
—Lucinda’s Blessed is a contender for AMA Album of the Year in 2011. Its emotional title tune finds truth and beauty in a blind man, a battered wife, a fallen soldier, a neglected child, a homeless man, a prisoner and more who teach us about grace and forgiveness. Heartfelt.
DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS/Live Forever
Writer: none listed; Producer: Andy Hunt; Publisher: none listed; Dualtone (track) (615-320-0620)
—When this aired on the soundtrack of an NBC Parenthood episode last season, a firestorm of downloading reportedly ensued. It’s easy to hear why. This is a majestic, ethereal audio landscape. By the time Drew gets to its inspiring chorus of hope and strength, your heart is in your throat. I have made no secret of my admiration for this artist, and now he’s reached me even more deeply. The album is titled Chasing Someday. Buy it at once.
THOSE DARLINS/Red Light Love
Writer: Those Darlins; Producer: Jeff Curtin & Those Darlins; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Oh Wow Dang (track) (www.thosedarlins.com)
—This bashing, neo-punk trio has a new CD called Screws Get Loose with a video, “Be Your Bro.” The latter is a direct descendent of this thrashy, Ramones-like track from the original Those Darlins album.
GREG TROOPER/They Call Me Hank
Writer: Greg Trooper; Producer: Stewart Lerman, Kevin McKendree & Greg Trooper; Publisher: 52 Shakes, BMI; 52 Shakes (track) (www.gregtrooper.com)
—This track from Greg’s Upside-Down Town collection is being hailed as a Song of the Year contender by many. His raspy, resigned vocal is perfect for this moving portrait of a wino who sells catfish he catches for the bucks to buy his booze. This is what real song writing is, people.
 

Artist Action: Chesney's Million Tickets, Kings of Leon's New Video

/by

Kenny Chesney has crossed the million tickets sold marker for his current Corona Presents Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour, which is the eighth time in his career to reach this milestone. Since 2002, Chesney has sold nearly 10 million tickets and after taking much of 2010 off from touring, he’s back on the road in stadiums and arenas. His full summer itinerary is here. Chesney’s current single “You and Tequila” features rocker Grace Potter (pictured) and is climbing charts everywhere.
• • • •
Stoney Creek Records artist Ash Bowers has created a Homegrown Hero contest to recognize and reward a local hero who has made an impact on a community. The contest started Monday, and runs through July 1. Bowers’ current single “I Still Believe In That” inspired the contest, which will award a lucky winner with a $5,000 cash prize. Fans can nominate their local hero by submitting a short essay explaining what makes the person a homegrown hero on Bowers’ Facebook page.
Bowers’ Stoney Creek labelmates Thompson Square will turn up on Fox News’ Fox & Friends All American Concert Series Friday, June 3 during the 7 pm CT hour. They’re also due to appear at the 2011 CMT Awards, where they are nominated for Duo of the Year and USAWeekend Breakthrough Video of the Year.
• • • •
Kings of Leon premiered the video for its new single “Back Down South” yesterday (5/31) on Vevo. Shot in May outside Nashville, the video was directed by Casey McGrath (Talihina Sky, Pyro) and features the band performing live outdoors. Visitors who ‘Like’ Kodak’s Facebook page can check out behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot. MLB Network will be featuring the video beside baseball highlights through 6/6. See the video here.
• • •
Clint Black received a Twitter message from NASA over the holiday weekend, to inform him that his “Galaxy Song” was played to wake up the crews of Endeavour and Expedition 28. The message was “Astronauts and space station crew awoke to ‘Galaxy Song’ by Clint Black, played for the entire crew on their last day at station.” Black Tweeted in response, “As a child, I dreamed of being an astronaut.  And now one of my songs is an astronaut. I hope they gave it some Tang.”

Benefit News: Toby Keith, Stealing Angels, Nashville Sounds

/by

Toby Keith recently completed his 8th annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic with more than $650,000 raised toward construction of the OK Kids Korral, a home for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
The “Denim & Diamonds’ themed event was sold out with more than 750 people attending the dinner and auction. The top auction items at the event included two dinners with Toby, which went for $52,000 each, and an all-inclusive elk hunt which went for $30,000.
For information, visit www.tobykeithfoundation.org

• • • •

Stealing Angels and American Humane Association join forces to raise awareness for Red Star Animal Emergency Services™. American Humane Association’s 82-foot-long Red Star Rescue Rig is responding to the disasters in Memphis and Joplin, saving animals affected by floods and tornadoes.
A multi-city tour will kick off in Washington, D.C. on June 9 with the Red Star Rescue Rig and Stealing Angels. Fans can text PROTECT to 85944 to donate $10 and support efforts to provide aid to animal victims of disaster.

• • • •

During the month of June, Nashville Sounds fans can designate $4 of each ticket to Musicians On Call (MOC) by using the promotional code MOC2011 when purchasing online or at the box office. MOC delivers the healing power of music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.
An MOC commemorative jersey will be worn by the Sounds when they face the New Orleans Zephyrs on Saturday, June 25th, which will be auctioned off to those in attendance, along with other Sounds merchandise. MOC is also hosting an online auction now through mid-June, featuring autographed items from several of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood.
Country stars Joe Nichols and Steel Magnolia will perform at the Fifth Annual Country Weekly Fashion Show & Concert on June 7 at Rocketown.
“The Country Weekly Fashion Show is a fun way to kick off CMA Music Fest,” says Nichols. “Music fans can sit back, relax and see their favorite artists doing something a little different. Of course, some have that catwalk fashion show strut down a little better than others! But no matter who struts their stuff better, it’s always a fun evening of music and fashion.”
The event, which will be emceed by GAC’s Suzanne Alexander, will also benefit Musicians On Call.
General admission tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster for $30 and a few VIP tickets are available for $75 and $125 on the MOC website.
For more information, visit www.musiciansoncall.org and www.nashvillesounds.com