Don Schlitz To Be Saluted as Poet and Prophet

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Don Schlitz Photo:ACM/Getty


Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz will be featured at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly programming series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters on June 4. Schlitz is the writer of some of country music’s most iconic hits, including “The Gambler,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “When You Say Nothing at All” and “On the Other Hand.”
The 1:30 p.m. in-depth interview and performance, held in the Museum’s Ford Theater, is included with Museum admission and free to Museum members. The 90-minute program, hosted by Museum Editor Michael Gray, will include recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s collection and some unique items on long-term loan to the Museum courtesy of Schlitz. Immediately following, Schlitz will sign autographs in the Museum Store. The program will be streamed live at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
Schlitz has received numerous industry awards and honors. He has written over 50 Billboard Top Ten singles, including 16 No. 1s. He was the first songwriter to win ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year for four consecutive years (1988-1991). In 2010, he received the Academy of Country Music’s Poet’s Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting and he released two albums—Allergic to Crazy, his first studio album in 30 years, and Greatest Hits. He still performs regularly, including monthly shows at the Bluebird Café in Nashville.
 
 
 

Jewell Launches Jewell Entertainment

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Genevieve Jewell has launched Jewell Entertainment, a full-service artist management and marketing company, in Nashville. Jewell will be working with artists and companies of all genres of music.
One of the company’s initial management clients is guitar prodigy Tyler Bryant, whose story is featured in the recent documentary Rock Prophecies. Bryant is currently on tour with Jeff Beck and will soon be going into the studio to record his first full-length album.
Jewell was most recently with Borman Entertainment, where she worked with Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Michael Franti and Alison Krauss among others. Prior to that she worked with Nettwerk Management.
“During my time at Borman, I worked with some of the world’s most talented artists and many of the most dynamic people in the business,” said Jewell. “I couldn’t be more excited to put that experience to work with this exciting new venture.”
Reach Jewell at GJ@jewellmgmt.com or 603-770-3376.

Organizations Fete "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not"

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The No. 1 hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” was feted with separate celebrations hosted by BMI and ASCAP on Tuesday, May 3.
The song was the first No.1 for husband-wife duo Thompson Square and its label Stoney Creek Records. It was penned by songwriting mainstays and good friends Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy.
ASCAP honored writer Murphy, publishers Old Desperadoes and N2D Publishing, producers New Voice Entertainment and Thompson Square during a party at its Music Row offices. The song marks Murphy’s sixth career No. 1. He added to that tally with his seventh chart topper last week, Kenny Chesney’s “Live A Little.”

(L-R): ASCAP VP and Managing Executive Tim DuBois, songwriter David Lee Murphy, Thompson Square's Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson, songwriter Jim Collins. Photo: Anna Maki


BMI saluted “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” with an event at its Nashville offices, honoring the songwriters, band, Cal IV Publishing, producers New Voice Entertainment, and other team members. This song marks Collins’ seventh trip to the top of the charts and pushes his songwriting repertoire to over 20 million performances.

(L-R): Cal IV Publishing’s Daniel Hill; co-writers David Lee Murphy and Jim Collins; BMI’s Jody Williams; Thompson Square’s Keifer and Shawna Thompson; Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Benny Brown; Stoney Creek Records’ April Rider; New Voice Entertainment’s Kurt Allison, Rich Redmond, Tully Kennedy, and David Fanning; Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Jon Loba; Cal IV Publishing’s Billy Lynn; and Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Rick Shedd. Photo: Steve Lowry

Special Opry Show Marks Flood Anniversary

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Brad Paisley (L) and Alabama's Randy Owen (R)


Tuesday night (5/3) the Grand Ole Opry marked the first anniversary of the flood that devastated much of the city with a star-packed show dubbed “Play On, Nashville.” The sold-out event celebrated Music City’s heart and resilience following the flood, which included rebuilding The Grand Ole Opry House, one of the hardest hit venues in the city.
Taking the stage at the celebratory event were Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Charlie Daniels Band, Brad Paisley, and Alabama.
This was the first time Alabama had played the Opry since the group’s 1982 debut on the show. After performing with Paisley on his current single, “Old Alabama,” the group played “Tennessee River” with Paisley and band backing and received a standing ovation.

Songwriter Brett Beavers (L) and Dierks Bentley (R)


(L-R): Charlie Daniels, Luke Bryan, Trace Adkins


 

Events: Leadership Music Salutes CMA; Grammy Block Party

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Performers for the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award Dinner

Leadership Music is inviting members of the music industry and the Nashville community to its May 17 gala honoring the CMA. Tickets are still available for the event hosted by Martina McBride at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel. Also set to perform are Little Big Town, Ronnie Milsap, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban.

During the event the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award will be presented to the Country Music Association. Owing to the CMA’s relationships with the music industry in general and the Nashville community at large through its numerous philanthropic efforts and outreach programs, seats to the dinner and tribute show are being offered to CMA members and the broader Nashville community, in addition to Leadership Music alumni.
Ticket reservations may be made online via www.dfa.eventbrite.com; the event password is DFA2011.

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The 13th Annual GRAMMY® Block Party and Membership Celebration is set for Tues., May 10, 4:30-9 PM at Owen Bradley Park on the roundabout. Performers include Laura Bell Bundy, The Civil Wars, Denny Jiosa, Jerrod Niemann, Old Crow Medicine Show, Royal Tailor and Chancellor Warhol. The event is free for Recording Academy members and $20 for their guests; those signing up for membership at the event will also be admitted for free.

MusicRow Award Noms Coming Monday

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It’s time again for the MusicRow Awards, where industry peers salute the very best among Nashville’s thriving musical culture.
Awards nominations will be revealed in a special morning PDF release on Monday, May 9, followed that afternoon by ballots for reader voting. Ballots must be returned by Friday, May 13.
MusicRow’s editorial team selected the nominees which will be voted on by readers. Outside nominations were accepted only in the Breakthrough Songwriter category.
With a track record that includes winners “The House That Built Me” and “In Color,” MusicRow’s Song of the Year Award is building a reputation as a key predictor for CMA Song of the Year. Numerous MusicRow Breakthrough Artist winners have also received the CMA New Artist/Horizon Award later the same year.
Other MusicRow Awards highlights include the return of the prestigious Marketing Achievement Award, and the Top Ten Album All-Star Musician winners.
Readers are invited to join us at the 2011 MusicRow Awards at ASCAP on Tues., June 21 at 5:30 PM.

Eric Church To Release "Chief"

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Eric Church. Photo: John Peets Photography


Eric Church will release his third studio album, Chief, July 26 on EMI Records. After having spent a month songwriting in a secluded cabin in North Carolina, Church later recorded the album in Nashville with Jay Joyce, who also produced his previous two releases.
Church’s new music video for “Homeboy,” which was filmed at Nashville’s Tennessee State Prison, will be featured on CMT as a “Hot Shot Debut,” and premiere on GAC beginning Monday, May 9.
For the upcoming CMT Music Awards, Church is nominated for the Nationwide® Insurance On Your Side® award for the country’s best new live act.
He is on tour with Jason Aldean through June 5, and will join Toby Keith on the road beginning June 30 and continuing through the fall.
Chief track listing
1. Creepin’ (Eric Church / Marv Green)
2. Drink In My Hand (Eric Church, Michael P. Heeney, Luke Laird)
3. Keep On (Eric Church / Ryan Tyndell)
4. Like Jesus Does (Casey Beathard / Monty Criswell)
5. Hungover & Hard Up (Eric Church / Luke Laird)
6. Homeboy (Eric Church / Casey Beathard)
7. Country Music Jesus (Eric Church / Jeremy Spillman)
8. Jack Daniels (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Lynn Hutton)
9. Springsteen (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Ryan Tyndell)
10. I’m Gettin’ Stoned (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Casey Beathard / Jeremy Cradey)
11. Over When It’s Over (Eric Church / Luke Laird)

Eli Young Band EP Has Strong Debut

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Eli Young Band’s Crazy Girl EP is sitting at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Album Chart following its Tuesday (5/3) release. The Republic Nashville project offers five songs from the band’s upcoming album Life At Best, and climbed to the top of the iTunes chart eight hours after release.
Lead single “Crazy Girl” also debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Singles Chart with over 45,000 downloads sold its first week. It has gone on to sell over 200,000 downloads in two months, averaging 25,000 each week.
“Crazy Girl” is getting good response at radio and video, sitting at No. 22 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart, as the fastest rising EYB single to date. The video debuted at No. 1 on CMT.com and has been viewed over 1 million times between YouTube and CMT.
Eli Young Band has been working social media to promote the EP, including hosting a USTREAM live video chat, and has seen a 40,000 spike in likes on Facebook in the last two months since the single was released.

Stars Team For CMT Storm Relief Concert

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Hank Jr. led the charge for CMT's relief concert.


CMT and its pro-social initiative CMT One Country will air a live concert special featuring Hank Williams Jr. and Alabama, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and many others to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the recent devastating storms, flooding and tornadoes.
The 90-minute show will air live from Nashville on Thursday, May 12 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on CMT and will be simulcast on CMT.com. Additional artists to be announced; all money raised will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.
Hank Williams Jr. got the ball rolling on the event when he reached out to CMT to express his desire to address the disaster. “I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing on TV,” he says. “Alabama is home—I am really pumped about helping. I want to raise lot of money, and thanks to my good friends, we are going to be able to make a difference.”
“CMT’s audience is reaching out to us, and to our stars, in desperation,” said Brian Philips, president, CMT. “The other seismic news events of the past few days have had the unintended effect of limiting media coverage of this massive, historic American disaster. Simply put, CMT and our artists will not allow this to happen. We will raise money, and we will shine the brightest possible light on the urgent needs of our courageous neighbors. On behalf of CMT, MTV Networks and Viacom, we strongly urge other organizations to join us in this labor of love.”
Those who want to donate can text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.
CMT Disaster Relief Concert is available for simulcast, free of charge, to outside media. Satellite coordinates and restrictions will be available early next week.

Movie Soundtrack Still Going Strong

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Since hitting store shelves six months ago, the Country Strong soundtrack has reaped award nominations and a radio hit, key indicators that this album is worth even more attention than it has been getting from radio and fans.
This week the RCA Nashville release is hanging firmly at No. 7 on the Country albums chart. According to Soundscan, it has sold 246,000 units, boosted by the movie’s recent DVD release.
As a whole, the album offers some of the best music to come out of Nashville in recent memory—a stellar showcase for the genre’s best songwriting, artists and producers.
The project’s most lauded song, “Coming Home,” garnered well-deserved Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Taken literally or as a metaphor for heaven, it’s a finely crafted work by A-list tunesmiths Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey and Troy Verges. Byron Gallimore’s production is a lush landscape for actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s emotional delivery:

The world tried to break me/I found a road to take me home
There ain’t nothing but a blue sky now
After all of my running/I’m finally coming home

Maybe radio wasn’t willing to invest loads of airplay in the soundtrack singles sung by film star Paltrow because programmers knew she likely wasn’t sticking around the country world past the life of the project. But her vocals are more than adequate, especially when backed by Vince Gill’s harmonies on the title track, and when dueting with movie co-star Tim McGraw on “Me and Tennessee.”
Sara Evans’ cut on the album, “A Little Bit Stronger,” reached No. 1 on the singles chart this week, gaining traction as the lead single from her new album. It is just the latest in a string of hits from the golden guitars of Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey and Hillary Scott.
Chris Young’s traditional stylings and Patty Loveless’ Kentucky-bred twang shine on “Love Don’t Let Me Down.” Like Loveless, the cherished voices of Lee Ann Womack, Faith Hill and Hank Williams Jr. escaped hiatus and made it into the studio for the album.
Ronnie Dunn fans will be excited to hear another preview of his solo work on “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles).” Trace Adkins gives a authentic take on “Timing Is Everything” by Natalie Hemby and Troy Jones.
Even the film’s supporting cast members fare well on the album. Garrett Hedlund’s gruff vocals on “Chances Are” are a standout on a sobering song from Nathan Chapman, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose. Leighton Meester gives a heartfelt performance on “Words I Couldn’t Say.”
Nestled among the melancholy laments are good-time party anthems “Shake That Thing,” and “Thirsty.”
The collection hits all of country music’s high notes, covering with grace the struggles of sorrow and self-doubt, drinking and cheating, lost love, hope, heaven and home.
Complete tracklist
1. Gwyneth Paltrow – “Country Strong”
(Jennifer Hanson/Tony Martin/Mark Nesler) Produced by Byron Gallimore
2. Chris Young & Patty Loveless – “Love Don’t Let Me Down”
(Marv Green/Troy Olsen) Produced by James Stroud
3. Sara Evans – “A Little Bit Stronger”
(Luke Laird/Hillary Lindsey/Hillary Scott) Produced by Tony Brown
4. Garrett Hedlund – “Chances Are”
(Nathan Chapman/Lori McKenna/Liz Rose) Produced by Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten for Carnival Productions
5. Lee Ann Womack – “Liars Lie”
(Sally Barris/Morgane Hayes/Liz Rose) Produced by Frank Liddell and Chuck Ainlay for Carnival Productions
6. Ronnie Dunn – “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Double)”
(Wayne Carson Thompson) Produced by Ronnie Dunn
7. Gwyneth Paltrow – “Shake That Thing”
(Mark Irwin/Josh Kear/Chris Tompkins) Produced by Byron Gallimore
8. Hank Williams, Jr. – “Thirsty”
(Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins/Brett Eldredge) Produced by Michael Knox
9. Faith Hill – “Give in to Me”
(Billy Falcon/Rose Falcon/Elisha Hoffman) Produced by Jay Joyce
10. Trace Adkins – “Timing Is Everything”
(Natalie Hemby/Troy Jones) Produced by Kenny Beard
11. Leighton Meester – “Words I Couldn’t Say”
(Gregory Becker/Tammi Kidd/Steve Robson) Produced by Nathan Chapman
12. Gwyneth Paltrow – “Coming Home”
(Bob DiPiero/Tom Douglas/Hillary Lindsey/Troy Verges) Produced by Byron Gallimore
13. Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow – “Me and Tennessee”
(Chris Martin) Produced by Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw, and A. Martin