Several acclaimed musicians have teamed to record a tribute version of Tom T. Hall’s 1974 release Songs of Fox Hollow. For the project, producers Peter Cooper and Eric Brace assembled artists Patty Griffin, Bobby Bare, Jim Lauderdale, Mike Bub, Buddy Miller, Duane Eddy, Tommy Cash, Elizabeth Cook & Tim Carroll, Gary Bennett, Jon Byrd, Mark & Mike, and Fayssoux Starling McLean. Cooper and Brace also recorded songs for the children’s album remake, as did Tom T. Hall who sings a new tune he wrote with wife Dixie Hall for the occasion. Recorded at Hall’s Fox Hollow farm outside Nashville, I Love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow will be released by indie label Red Beet Records and the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMF Records. Set for release May 23, it will arrive in time for Hall’s 75th birthday.
• • • • •
A young Frank Wing
Speaking of birthdays, APA Agent
Frank Wing recently celebrated his 50th. Send greetings to
fwing@apanashville.com.
• • • • •
O'Shea
Nashville based Australian duo,
O’Shea have two reasons to celebrate. The husband-wife team recently scored the No. 1 video on the Australian Country Music Channel with “Smash” and also announced they are expecting their first child later this year.
“Smash” was released to Australian country radio in February and was co-written by the duo with
Kim Carnes. It’s the second single from their upcoming Australian album,
Mr & Mrs.
Fresh from co-headlining the CMC Rocks the Hunter festival in Australia alongside
Alan Jackson, Jack Ingram and
Joe Nichols, O’Shea is busy taping their own 26-episode reality show,
O’Shea USA, now airing on the Country Music Channel in Australia.
• • • • •
Skip Ewing’s Horse & Writer songwriting retreats will be held Sept. 12 – Sept. 17, 2011 at Triangle C Ranch in Dubois, WY. Ewing is an award winning songwriter with 11 No. 1 singles and over 250 album cuts to his credit, including “You Had Me From Hello” (Kenny Chesney), “Love, Me” (Collin Raye), and “Something That We Do” (Clint Black).
Attendees of the “Invitational” receive a full scholarship awarded by a committee of pro-songwriters and music industry professionals. Attendees of the “Classic” retreat pay tuition. Applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2011. Details at
www.horseandwriter.com or email
theteam@horseandwriter.com.
• • • • •
Belmont University and Watkins College of Art, Design & Film have partnered in a new reciprocal agreement. Starting this semester, Belmont students can pursue a minor in film through Watkins, and Belmont Honors students may take supplemental courses at Watkins. Meanwhile, Watkins students can take courses in Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, as well as other course offerings though Belmont’s Department of General Education.
• • • • •
The TSU Guitar Summit, a multi-genre summer guitar festival, will take place June 3-5, 2011 at Tennessee State University. Set to participate are guest artists
Pat Flynn, Walter Egan, Rand Bishop, and
Boomer Castleman. Instructors include well-known Nashville guitar teachers that specialize in working with songwriters and artists
Gary Talley, Denny Sarokin, and Summit Coordinator
Dave Isaacs. All levels welcome. For details, contact
disaacs@tnstate.edu or 615-963-2108 or visit
TSUGuitarSummit.com.
WMG Auction Narrows To Two Bidders
/by Sarah SkatesAccording to the Post, billionaire investment brothers Tom and Alec Gores are interested in acquiring Warner because a third brother, Sam Gores, is chairman of the Paradigm Talent Agency.
Blavatnik already owns 2 percent of Warner and has strong ties to Warner Music CEO Edgar Bronfman.
After the Warner buy-out ends, EMI is expected to hit the auction block. BMG Rights Management has reportedly exited the race for Warner in hopes of acquiring EMI. Read more.
In Color: Photo Spread
/by MichelleFaith Hill performed at the sold-out 2011 Symphony Spring Fashion Show on April 26. Fashion label Marchesa and Florida-based boutique Marissa Collections presented the event, which was chaired by Johnna Watson and Janet Bentz. Hosted by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra League at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the show brought the crowd of over 800 people to their feet. After the show, dinner was prepared under the direction of Symphony Executive Chef Roger Keenan, as over 600 guests enjoyed the meal and breathtaking views of downtown Nashville from the 22nd floor of the Pinnacle at Symphony Place.
(L-R) Chair Johnna Watson, Deborah Roberts, Keren Craig, Faith Hill, Georgina Chapman, Marissa Hartington, Chair Janet Bentz Photo: Susan Adcock
• • • •
Warner Music Nashville/Elektra’s new group HER & Kings County rocked the post-race concert for the 12th annual Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon Saturday (4/30) night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, presented by Nissan. HER & Kings County warmed up the crowd for headliner Montgomery Gentry. While backstage, the group had a chance to catch up with Troy Gentry. HER & Kings County is currently in the studio working on their debut release with producer Wayne Kirkpatrick.
(L-R): HER & Kings County’s Brother Love and A. Wonder, Troy Gentry, HER & Kings County’s Monique, Justin, Caleb and F-Bomb Photo: Gabe McCurdy
• • • •
LoCash Cowboys, the Stroudavarious Records’ country music duo comprised of Chris Lucas and Preston Brust, visited W.O. Smith Music School April 26 to connect with students, their parents, and faculty at the after-school music program for children from low-income families. The duo performed a 45-minute acoustic set, including their current Top 40 radio single, “Keep In Mind.”
LoCash Cowboys’ Chris Lucas and Preston Brust with students at the W.O. Smith Music School Photo: Thomas Newton
• • • •
The Savannah Music Group Evening of Song took place recently at the Downtown Hotel Indigo featuring Savannah Music Group writers Dave Gibson and Nolan Neal. In attendance were Savannah GM Bob Saporiti and movie soundtrack mogul Frank Stallone.
(L-R) Gibson, Stallone, Saporiti and Neal Photo: Denise Fussell
New Music From Lady Antebellum
/by FreemanThe Grammy-winning trio of Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott has released “Just A Kiss,” the lead single from their forthcoming 2011 album. The group will host a live webchat through Facebook and ladyantebellum.com/live to discuss their new music tomorrow (5/3) at 12:30 pm CT. Later in the week, they will debut the song live on Fox’s American Idol Thursday, May 5 at 7 pm CT. “Just A Kiss” will be available for purchase through all digital retailers tomorrow, but hard copies of the single will be available only at Wal-Mart stores.
“We love writing songs from personal experience, and this is definitely one of those songs,” explains Hillary Scott. “There is so much excitement at the beginning of a new relationship…all the butterflies and that optimistic feeling that this person could be ‘the one.’ This song is about one of those times when your brain kicks in and tells your heart ‘good things are worth waiting for.’”
Industry Ink: Tom T. Hall Tribute Album
/by Sarah Skates• • • • •
A young Frank Wing
Speaking of birthdays, APA Agent Frank Wing recently celebrated his 50th. Send greetings to fwing@apanashville.com.
• • • • •
O'Shea
Nashville based Australian duo, O’Shea have two reasons to celebrate. The husband-wife team recently scored the No. 1 video on the Australian Country Music Channel with “Smash” and also announced they are expecting their first child later this year.
“Smash” was released to Australian country radio in February and was co-written by the duo with Kim Carnes. It’s the second single from their upcoming Australian album, Mr & Mrs.
Fresh from co-headlining the CMC Rocks the Hunter festival in Australia alongside Alan Jackson, Jack Ingram and Joe Nichols, O’Shea is busy taping their own 26-episode reality show, O’Shea USA, now airing on the Country Music Channel in Australia.
• • • • •
Skip Ewing’s Horse & Writer songwriting retreats will be held Sept. 12 – Sept. 17, 2011 at Triangle C Ranch in Dubois, WY. Ewing is an award winning songwriter with 11 No. 1 singles and over 250 album cuts to his credit, including “You Had Me From Hello” (Kenny Chesney), “Love, Me” (Collin Raye), and “Something That We Do” (Clint Black).
Attendees of the “Invitational” receive a full scholarship awarded by a committee of pro-songwriters and music industry professionals. Attendees of the “Classic” retreat pay tuition. Applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2011. Details at www.horseandwriter.com or email theteam@horseandwriter.com.
• • • • •
Belmont University and Watkins College of Art, Design & Film have partnered in a new reciprocal agreement. Starting this semester, Belmont students can pursue a minor in film through Watkins, and Belmont Honors students may take supplemental courses at Watkins. Meanwhile, Watkins students can take courses in Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, as well as other course offerings though Belmont’s Department of General Education.
• • • • •
The TSU Guitar Summit, a multi-genre summer guitar festival, will take place June 3-5, 2011 at Tennessee State University. Set to participate are guest artists Pat Flynn, Walter Egan, Rand Bishop, and Boomer Castleman. Instructors include well-known Nashville guitar teachers that specialize in working with songwriters and artists Gary Talley, Denny Sarokin, and Summit Coordinator Dave Isaacs. All levels welcome. For details, contact disaacs@tnstate.edu or 615-963-2108 or visit TSUGuitarSummit.com.
Allan and Swift Performances Bookend CMA Music Festival
/by Freeman“Taylor has been a strong supporter of CMA Music Festival since she burst on the national scene a few years ago, and we are thrilled to welcome her back,” said CMA CEO Steve Moore. “As we celebrate 40 years of CMA Music Festival, it is exciting to see Taylor and all our performers continue the legacy of Fan Fair which spotlights the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their fans.”
Also playing sets during the Daily Concerts are Colt Ford, Jack Ingram, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, Frankie Ballard, David Nail, Corey Smith, Jerrod Niemann, Sunny Sweeney and more. Daily Concerts are free and open to the public.
The 2011 CMA Music Festival runs June 9-12 in downtown Nashville.
Rodeowave Launches With Phil Vassar
/by Sarah SkatesOn board with the company are Teddi Bonadies overseeing operations, Bill Macky spearheading radio promotion, and regionals Stan Marczewski (NE/MW) and Ken Rush (SW). Another addition to the team is expected to be announced soon.
“I had the pleasure of working with Phil since the inception of his career,” says 25-year industry vet Bonadies, who worked with the piano man during his early days on Arista Nashville, and later at Universal Records South. “He is a consummate artist and a hit songwriter. His energy and drive are infectious and I’m looking forward to great things to come!” She can be reached at Teddi@rodeowave.com and 615-496-6352.
With 30 years of music industry experience, Macky’s resume includes 16 years in radio, and later time as Executive VP of Promotion at MCA Records, Sony, Category 5 Records and 1720 Entertainment. He has charted 49 No.1 singles. Reach him at Bill@rodeowave.com or 615-202-8135.
Marczewski worked at Mission Management before joining Columbia Records. He went on to become Manager, Strategic Marketing for Sony Music Nashville. Most recently he was with Nine North as Promotions Director, Midwest/Northeast. He can be contacted at
Stan@rodeowave.com or 615-942-6165.
Rush is a 40-year veteran of the country music industry, including his first 20 years in Texas radio. For the last two decades, he has served as Director for the Southwest region for MCA, Arista and Equity Records. Rush was involved in the successful promotion of 69 No. 1 records. Reach him at Ken@rodeowave.com or 214-616-3047.
Vassar’s career spans more than a decade of hit songs, including three No. 1’s (“Just Another Day In Paradise,” “In A Real Love,” and “Last Day of My Life”), and eight Top 10 hits from six albums. He is an award winning singer who has been honored by CMA, ACM, MusicRow and ASCAP. His songs have been recorded by other stars including Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina and Collin Raye.
Dwayne Johnson To Star In Charley Pride Biopic
/by FreemanOriginally Terrence Howard had been slated to play the Country Music Hall of Famer with Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan) directing. Due to other commitments, the project was shelved for a period but is now back in development. A new director has not yet been named. Also producing are Dany Garcia, Randy Jackson and Pride’s manager John Daines.
There is no word yet on a planned release date.
Pride was born in Mississippi to a sharecropping family and played minor league baseball for several years before setting his sights on country music. He was signed to RCA by Chet Atkins, where the success of his singles made him one of the label’s top-selling artist after Elvis Presley. He has recorded 36 No. 1s and sold over 70 million albums. His single “Kiss An Angel Good Morning” was a crossover hit, selling over a million copies and helping Pride win the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year award in 1971. Pride joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1993 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.
Lifenotes: Gloria Grant
/by Sarah SkatesGloria Grant
Condolences to Amy Grant and her family on the passing of her mother, Gloria Dean Napier Grant, on April 30, 2011. The Nashville native was 80 years old and had devoted her life to her faith, family and a variety of charitable causes.
She supported her husband of 60 years, Burton Paine Grant, throughout his medical career and also pursued several business interests of her own, including selling her famous fruitcakes at the Green Hills Market. She was a founding board member of Nashville! Magazine and began the private jewelry business Lynwood Hampton Collectables.
Grant was an active supporter of the Fanny Battle Day Home, Friends of Children’s Hospital (founding member), and the Nashville Public Library Foundation. She enjoyed family gatherings, Bible study, golf, bridge, sewing, gardening, cooking, and entertaining.
She is survived by her husband Burton and her four daughters, Gloria Kathleen Grant Harrell (Dan), Mimi Dean Grant Verner (Jerry), Carol Ann Grant Nuismer (Jack), and Amy Lee Grant Gill (Vince Gill), as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends remember Gloria by doing an unexpected act of kindness, or making a gift to Lipscomb University or Alive Hospice. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 3 from 4-8 p.m. at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, 5120 Franklin Pike. The funeral service will be at the church Wednesday, May 4 at 2 p.m. with visitation at 1 p.m. Online guestbook and details here or at (615)254-8200.
Sarah Darling, The Roys Launch Fan Promotions
/by Sarah SkatesSarah Darling and Mr. Met
Black River’s Sarah Darling is spreading the word about her single “Something To Do With Your Hands” with the Something To Do With Your Fans radio promotion, which has her appearing at Major League Baseball games.
She kicked off the initiative in April when the NY Mets hosted the Houston Astros at Citi Field. Darling performed the national anthem and then went to a luxury suite to entertain contest winners, radio station execs, and members of the media with an acoustic set. In between innings, the Mets played the video for, “Something To Do With Your Hands” on the jumbotron.
The event was promoted heavily by Long Island’s WJVC-FM. Darling gave away tickets during the station’s drive time shift, at the local Best Buy, through her website, and via the media.
• • • • •
The Roys launched their debut album for Rural Rhythm Records with a nine-day, six-state media blitz of television stops, personal appearances, and radio visits. The brother-sister duo appeared on Fox, Better TV, ABC-TV’s What’s The Buzz, Daytime, GAC-TV, and Daily Buzz in support of the disc.
The video for current single, “Coal Minin’ Man,” remains on the ballot for GAC-TV’s Top 20 Country Countdown, and fans can vote for the duo here.
2011 InCharge—On the Cover: Chris Young
/by contributorCLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY
Click to Order InCharge
Label: RCA Nashville
Current Album: Neon (to be released in July)
Current Single: “Tomorrow” (the fastest rising single of his career)
Current Producer: James Stroud
Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN
Management: ShopKeeper Mgmt./Marion Kraft
Booking: William Morris Endeavor Ent./Rob Beckham
Recent Hits: Three consecutive No. 1 singles: “Voices,” “The Man I Want to Be” and “Gettin’ You Home”
Awards: Last year Young won the Breakthrough Songwriter Award at the 22nd Annual MusicRow Awards, while amassing multiple ACM, CMA, and ACA nominations and his first GRAMMY® nod.
RIAA Certs to date: “Gettin’ You Home”–Gold Digital Single; The Man I Want to Be–album approaching Gold
Touring: Young will join Jason Aldean on his My Kinda Party Tour beginning in June. He recently wrapped more than six months on the road with Rascal Flatts.
Birthdate: June 12
Website: www.chrisyoungcountry.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chrisyoungmusic
Twitter: @ChrisYoungMusic
On the horizon this year is Young’s third studio album, Neon, which he recorded with producer James Stroud. Kicking off the album is new single “Tomorrow,” which sold 30,000 digital downloads in the first week of release.
Young knew early on that he wanted to pursue a career in country music. Raised just minutes away from Nashville, in Murfreesboro, he began making trips to Music Row at a young age, trying to land a record deal. He began performing while still in high school, and was playing 150 dates a year by the time he was in college. Before eventually landing a deal with RCA, Young had a regular gig at the famed Texas honky-tonk, Cowboys. “It was a great way to get experience,” he says. “I had a seven-piece band and we played three nights a week. Plus there were major acts constantly going in and out of there, so I’d get to watch their show and see how they worked the crowd. It was a good learning experience for me.”
Young’s self-titled RCA Nashville debut made him country’s best-selling new male artist in its year of release and earned him a nod in the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist category. His 2009 sophomore project, The Man I Want to Be, is quickly approaching Gold certification. It launched three consecutive No. 1 singles with the title track making a three-week run at the top of the charts.
Like his heroes Keith Whitley and Randy Travis before him, Young doesn’t see himself as the savior of country music, just a lucky guy living his dream. “I love playing music,” he says. “There’s no way I could do anything else.”