Harley Allen
Respected songwriter
Harley Allen succumbed to cancer early this morning, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Known as a country traditionalist, Allen is credited with hits including Blake Shelton’s “The Baby,” Joe Nichols’ “I’ll Wait For You,” and Darryl Worley’s “Awful, Beautiful Life.” He was 55.
Allen, a songwriter at Harlan Howard Songs, has also had numerous cuts by Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Garth Brooks, Josh Turner and more.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of bluegrass singer Red Allen, and followed in his father’s musical footsteps at an early age.
Allen’s work often came from a unique perspective, such as the compelling story song, “The Little Girl,” a No. 1 hit recorded by John Michael Montgomery, that Allen wrote alone in a matter of minutes.
Former publisher Jewel Coburn describes him as an “unbelievably prolific writer” with a heart as big as his song catalog. Jewel and Barry Coburn were early supporters of the burgeoning songwriter, first signing him to their Ten Ten Music more than 20 years ago.
They say he was a wonderful talent, whose music was always full of surprises. Aided by a sense of humor, his impact on the local music community was far reaching.
Allen had been battling lung cancer for a short time and was released from the hospital yesterday. He passed peacefully at home with his family by his side.
He is survived by wife
Debbie Nims, son
Aaron, and daughters
Katie and
Maggie.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 6 at 2 PM at Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37211.
Harley Allen was among the songwriters who teamed up for a 2009 benefit concert to help a friend in the music industry in her own battle with cancer. Pictured at the Bluebird Cafe at a benefit for longtime Warner Music Group employee Gina Hilburn, from left: Patrick Davis, Hilburn, Allen, Lisa Carver and Marv Green.
Tommy Boyd, Greg, Neal, Harley, Ronnie, and Red
T.J. Martell Honors Gala Raises $370,000
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Joe Don Rooney, John Elway, Dr. Jonathan Gitlin, Gary Levox, Dr. Jeff Balser, Jay DeMarcus, and Kix Brooks
The T.J. Martell Foundation hosted its third annual Honors Gala on March 28 at the Hutton Hotel. The sold-out event drew 420 guests for dinner, awards presentation, live auction and entertainment by Tommy Shaw, Lorrie Morgan and Committed. The event raised $370,000 to fund innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS.
Awards presented during the event included the Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award to Rascal Flatts, Lifetime Humanitarian Award to K.S. “Bud” Adams Jr., Spirit of Nashville Award to Mayor Karl Dean and Lifetime Medical Achievement Award to Dr. William Schaffner.
Among those on hand to present the evening’s honors were John Elway, Kix Brooks, Dr. Jonathan Gitlin, Gov. Bill Haslam, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Judge Randall Wyatt Jr., John Seigenthaler, Dr. Julie Gerberding and actress Mary Ann Wells.
(L-R): Kitty Moon Emery, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Mayor Dean’s wife Anne Davis, Mayor Karl Dean, TJ Martell executive director Laura Heatherly, former Gov. Phil Bredesen
Zac Brown Fears No Endeavor
/by Sarah SkatesBrown on the new show for the Outdoor Channel.
Zac Brown’s bag of tricks seems bottomless. The superstar-on-the-rise is adding a TV show to his ever-growing repertoire. Fear No Evil will begin airing next month on the Outdoor Channel, following Brown and outdoorsman co-host Chris Brackett through adventures in the woods, including one of the first episodes where they refuse to let a North Dakota snow storm deter their hunting plans.
Brown is executive producing the show through his Georgia-based production company Southern Reel. Directing the series is Darren Doane.
In recent years Brown has written a cookbook, launched his own Southern Ground Records imprint, debuted his namesake sauces and seasonings, started a leather and knife line, and started a Music and Food Festival at Clemson University. Oh yeah, and then there’s his music career, where he’ll be co-headlining stadium dates this summer with Kenny Chesney.
Soundscan: Sugarland Gets Upswing
/by Sarah Skates• Sugarland gets a sales boost
• Country absent from this week’s all-genre Top 25
• Country album sales down 12.5% YTD
• All-genre and country digital album sales up 13% YTD
Sugarland performs on "American Idol."
Sugarland’s performance of “Stuck Like Glue” on American Idol last week translated into a nice sales bump for the duo. Downloads of the track jumped 89% (16K) over last week, and album sales grew 24% (2000 units).
Meanwhile, UMG Nashville labelmate Josh Kelley is trying to gain traction with his country debut, which entered the chart this week with sales of 6000+ units. The lead single/title track “Georgia Clay” saw a 73% increase over last week, and has sold 9000+ downloads RTD.
The all-genre Top 200 saw a big 38.5% boost (1.741 million units) over last week, thanks to tons of new product. Unfortunately none of those releases were from the country camp, which isn’t represented anywhere in the chart’s Top 25. Jason Aldean, No. 1 on the Country Album Chart, comes in at No. 26 on the Top 200 with 19,000+ units this week.
On the Top 200, seven of the top 10 albums are debuts, including Chris Brown entering at No. 1 with 270,000 units, followed by Jennifer Hudson at No. 2 with 165,000.
All-genre album sales are down 5% compared to last year, while country album sales are in the hole 12.5%. Digital album sales—country and overall— are up about 13% YTD.
Songwriter Harley Allen Passes [Updated]
/by Sarah SkatesHarley Allen
Harley Allen Service Scheduled
Respected songwriter Harley Allen succumbed to cancer early this morning, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Known as a country traditionalist, Allen is credited with hits including Blake Shelton’s “The Baby,” Joe Nichols’ “I’ll Wait For You,” and Darryl Worley’s “Awful, Beautiful Life.” He was 55.
Allen, a songwriter at Harlan Howard Songs, has also had numerous cuts by Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Garth Brooks, Josh Turner and more.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of bluegrass singer Red Allen, and followed in his father’s musical footsteps at an early age.
Allen’s work often came from a unique perspective, such as the compelling story song, “The Little Girl,” a No. 1 hit recorded by John Michael Montgomery, that Allen wrote alone in a matter of minutes.
Former publisher Jewel Coburn describes him as an “unbelievably prolific writer” with a heart as big as his song catalog. Jewel and Barry Coburn were early supporters of the burgeoning songwriter, first signing him to their Ten Ten Music more than 20 years ago.
They say he was a wonderful talent, whose music was always full of surprises. Aided by a sense of humor, his impact on the local music community was far reaching.
Allen had been battling lung cancer for a short time and was released from the hospital yesterday. He passed peacefully at home with his family by his side.
He is survived by wife Debbie Nims, son Aaron, and daughters Katie and Maggie.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 6 at 2 PM at Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37211.
Harley Allen was among the songwriters who teamed up for a 2009 benefit concert to help a friend in the music industry in her own battle with cancer. Pictured at the Bluebird Cafe at a benefit for longtime Warner Music Group employee Gina Hilburn, from left: Patrick Davis, Hilburn, Allen, Lisa Carver and Marv Green.
Tommy Boyd, Greg, Neal, Harley, Ronnie, and Red
Better Angels Staff Updates
/by FreemanBetter Angels Director of Artist Relations Gary Ray will assume the post of Vice President, Operations, where he will be responsible for the daily business of both the Music and Publishing Groups.
Additionally, Richard E. Gathright has joined Better Angels as Chairman of its Advisory Board of Directors. Gathright is a 40 year business veteran who currently holds the position of Chairman, CEO and President of SMF Energy. His career includes time with energy and logistics companies such as TransMontaigne Inc. and Aberdeen Petroleum PLC.
Better Angels is celebrating its third year of business on Music Row, and its roster includes David Adam Byrnes, Jason White, Russell Hitchcock, Josh Thompson, Ward Davis and more.
Photo Roundup Wednesday
/by MichelleThe CMA Songwriters Series returned to New York City’s Joe’s Pub on March 24 for the seventh consecutive year. The popular series, featuring Nashville tunesmiths, continues to play to sell out crowds.
Pictured backstage prior to their performance (l-r): Chris Wallin, Deric Ruttan, Ashton Shepherd, and Bob DiPiero. Photo Credit: Kyle Quigley
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The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently (3/26) honored David Briggs in its quarterly Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians series. Throughout the program, which included rare recordings and videos, Briggs discussed his experiences as a member of the original Muscle Shoals rhythm section, as a Nashville session player, and as a member of Elvis Presley’s band.
Pictured (l-r): Norbert Putnam, Reggie Young, Weldon Myrick, Jerry Kennedy, Chip Young, David Briggs, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, Wayne Moss and program host Bill Lloyd. Photo: Donn Jones
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SOLID did a panel for MTSU students recently (3/17), entitled “Finding Your First Job – Advice from people who were in your shoes not too long ago.”
Pictured (l-r): Stephanie Taylor, MTSU Teacher; Kate Dorr, Outback Concerts; Leona Edwards, BMI; Tony Grotticelli, TOGA Entertainment; Raeanna Mowl, HoriPro; and Brad Fields, Skaggs Family Records
DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/30/11)
/by Robert K OermannThe best part of this job is the thrill of discovery. There is simply nothing like hearing a great new artist for the first time. Or watching young ones develop.
I have raved about Brennen Leigh before in this column. This Austin singer-songwriter continues to enthrall me. The Box is her newest CD. But buy anything with her name on it, and prepare to be completely smitten.
This is also a repeat appearance by David Bradley in “DisClaimer.” I am much more impressed by him this time around, because “Hard Time Movin’ On” is a shining gem.
Of our first timers, don’t miss guitar picking Mississippian Ben Hall. He’s barely out of his teens, but he plays like a sage wizard.
For songwriting excellence, I bow my head to Corey Smith. This guy has reportedly been making music on his own label for years. It’s high time the wider world became aware of a talent so big. Give the man a DisCovery Award.
All of this is not to suggest that our established talents have grown soft. Au contraire. Richie McDonald and Jason Michael Carroll are still in fine form. Even more impressive is titan Tom Jones. He may be singing in a lower register, but at age 70 he can still grip your heart and command you to listen.
Our Disc of the Day prize goes to Jake Owen. Successful songwriting, they say, is finding a new way to say the same old thing. “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” is the beer-girls-cars-summer-party theme yet again. But his record makes it all sound fresh.
MARGARET DURANTE/Maybe Tonight
Writer: Margaret Durante/Blair Daly/Rachel Proctor; Producer: James Stroud & Stephony Smith; Publisher: Emrose/Southside Independent/Internal Combustion/Kickin Grids/Adah’s Girl/EMI Blackwood, BMI; Stroudavarious/Emrose (www.margaretdurante.com)
—Sprightly and tuneful, with romping rhythm and a catchy, sunny chorus.
JASON MICHAEL CARROLL/Numbers
Writer: Patrick Davis/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Patrick Davis, Mark Dearnley & Jason Michael Carroll; Publisher: none listed; Quarterback (www.jasonmichaelcarroll.com)
—Very cutely written, using numbers both as meaningless integers and as meaningful signposts of life. Well worth your spins.
BRENNEN LEIGH/The Box
Writer: Brennan Leigh; Producer: Tommy Detamore & Brennan Leigh; Publisher: Footprints in the Snow, BMI; BL (track)
—The title tune to this Texas songbird’s mostly self-composed CD is like a splash of fresh spring water on your face. The simplicity of the production, the sweetness of the melody, her straightforward country delivery and the true-blue harmony vocal by Jim Lauderdale all add up to one dandy little track. If you like your country served straight-up, check out Ms. Brennen Leigh.
JAKE OWEN/Barefoot Blue Jean Night
Writer: Dylan Altman/Eric Paslay/Terry Sawchuk; Producer: Joey Moi & Rodney Clawson; Publisher: Hope-N-Cal/Cal IV/Papertown, BMI/ASCAP/SOCAN; RCA
—I have always liked this guy. This time out, he deploys a male cheering section, finger snaps, crashing percussion, rippling banjo and a restlessly jangling guitar to shout out a summer party anthem. Irresistible.
VICTORIA BANKS/Never Be the Same
Writer: Banks/Englund; Producer: Victoria Banks; Publisher: none listed; EMI/Onramp (track) (www.victoriabanks.net)
—The reigning Canadian Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year will stage her assault on the U.S. charts with a CD next month. Its title tune soars with chiming guitars and inspires with a lyric of growth and self-discovery. She wrote or co-wrote every song on the collection, and they are all pretty impressive little numbers.
COREY SMITH/Twenty One
Writer: Corey Smith; Producer: Rick Beato & Corey Smith; Publisher: Shooting Moon Music; Average Joes (www.coreysmith.com)
—I am told that this newcomer already has an impressive fan following. Based on this mini-masterpiece of a song, I can hear why. The lilting melody is wrapped around a lyric that is one slice of life after another. His voice aches in all the right places. This is country music doing what it does best, telling the Truth.
RICHIE McDONALD/Footprints on the Moon
Writer: Richie McDonald/Tommy Lee James; Producer: Richie McDonald & Tommy Lee James; Publisher: Loremoma/Still Working for the Man, BMI; Loremoma (CDX) (615-275-7003)
—The message is “dare to dream big,” “there’s nothing you can’t do” and “take a leap of faith.” The hook is, “Don’t believe the sky’s the limit/There are footprints on the moon.” As usual, his plaintive tenor is pitched way up high on a keyboards-guitar-piano-strings ballad. On the fade, you hear a 1969 audio clip of those immortal words, “That’s one small step for man…”
TOM JONES/Burning Hell
Writer: John Lee Hooker/Richard Besman; Producer: Ethan Johns; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Universal, no performance rights listed; Lost Highway (track)
—The fact that this living legend has a current CD on Nashville’s Lost Highway imprint has received surprisingly little attention. It is titled Praise & Blame and consists of this soul man’s interpretations of American gospel. He’s darkly bluesy and supremely compelling on this blistering, hypnotizing track. Elsewhere, Tom takes on tunes from Pop Staples, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Billy Joe Shaver (the sublimely countrified “If I Give My Soul”), Jesse May Hemphill and Bob Dylan. The man can still turn up the heat.
BEN HALL/Cannonball Rag
Writer: Travis; Producer: Eric Ambel; Publisher: none listed; Tompkins Square/Fontana (track) (www.tompkinssquare.com)
—Somewhere, the late guitar greats Merle Travis and Chet Atkins are smiling. This youngster picks echoey electric guitar with the deft touch of the masters. Backed simply by bass and drums, his self-titled CD is a thing of charm. He sings some, but his fingers are the star here.
DAVID BRADLEY/Hard Time Movin’ On
Writer: Rivers Rutherford/Gordie Sampson; Producer: Brady Seals; Publisher: Universal/Songs of Combustion, BMI/ASCAP; Gecko Music Productions (track) (www.davidbradleymusic.com)
—In a word, “Wow.” He sings like a hillbilly angel. The production throbs with tension and drama. The heartache in the song burns and hurts. Rodney Crowell provides tenor harmony. What more could you possibly want?
Key West Songwriters Fest Draws Top Nashville Talent
/by Sarah SkatesRecently added to the lineup are genre-hopping singer/songwriters Raul Malo, Marshall Chapman, and Robert Earl Keen; serial country chart-toppers Lori McKenna, Bobby Pinson, Liz Rose, Hugh Prestwood, Bob DiPiero, The World Famous Headliners (Al Anderson, Shawn Camp, and Pat McLaughlin), Keith Stegall, Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Jerrod Niemann, and Dallas Davidson; and rock-pedigreed singer/songwriters Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin, Bo Bice, Collective Soul’s Ed Roland, and Patrice Pike.
Among the numerous previously announced performers are Steve Bogard, Chuck Cannon, Lee Brice, Luke Laird, David Lee, Rhett Akins, Joey + Rory, Sarah Buxton, James Slater, Arlis Albritton, Barry Dean, Tony Lane, Dillon Dixon, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Love and Theft, Eric Paslay, Tony Stampley, Trent Summar, Bridgette Tatum, Jason White, and tons more.
The festival will benefit the Wounded Warrior project, an organization that provides aid for injured service members. Anchor sponsor BMI will continue its widespread support of the fest, leading Key West’s annual transformation into a music mecca.
Among the event’s highlights will be a full band show by Robert Earl Keen with special opening guest Jerrod Niemann and the Hung Jury on Saturday, April 30.
Industry Ink Tuesday
/by Sarah SkatesMichael Steinberg
BMI has promoted Michael Steinberg to Senior Vice President, Licensing. He is based in the New York office and served as Vice President, Business Affairs since November 2002. Steinberg will now be responsible for all domestic licensing revenues and operations. He joined BMI in 1996 as Assistant Vice President, Business Affairs, Licensing.
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Veteran agent Ray Shelide has joined APA, Inc. Nashville. He will be responsible for the mid-west and upper mid-west territories. He can be reached at rshelide@apanashville.com and 615-297-0100.
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The Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter is hosting Grammy Awards 101 on Mon., April 18, 3-5PM at the Hutton Hotel. The session led by Bill Freimuth, VP Awards, will cover eligibility, deadlines, the submission process and more. NARAS members and non-members welcome. RSVP_Nashville@grammy.com.
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Universal Republic Records and Twenty First Artists, both divisions of Universal Music Group, today launched Twenty First Republic, a new management division that caters to music producers and engineers. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, Twenty First Republic will be overseen by Sandy Roberton, CEO of Worlds End Management, and Tom Mackay, who will also continue in his duties as Executive Vice President of A&R for Universal Republic.
Rising Artists Stealing Angels, Thompson Square, Margaret Durante
/by Sarah SkatesThompson Square
Stoney Creek Records is celebrating the first No. 1 from Thompson Square. “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” spent three weeks at No. 1 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart. The single has sold over 750k digital downloads, holding the top position for two weeks on the DigitalSoundscan chart. The song was penned by David Lee Murphy and Jim Collins. Next up husband-and-wife duo Shawna and Keifer Thompson are teaming with CMT for the “Thompson Square Crash My Wedding Dream Honeymoon” contest.
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“Maybe Tonight” is the second single from the Maryland native’s forthcoming full-length album, due out later this year. Durante co-wrote the tune along with Nashville tunesmiths Blair Daly and Rachel Proctor.