The trend of the day is career transition.
A number of name-brand stars are reinventing themselves by recording in varying shades of bluegrass. We have previously noted this in records by Merle Haggard, Ken Mellons, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton and others. This week, we find Joe Diffie and Michael Martin Murphey in their ranks, plus former country chart makers Donna Ulisse and Tim O’Brien continuing on this path.
Ironically, Ricky Skaggs, among the first to make a country-to-bluegrass transition, is now working under the influence of pop mastermind Gordon Kennedy to craft a distinctly non bluegrass sound. Lend him your ears.
Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson nail down the Disc of the Day award with the goose-bumpy duet they introduced on the CMA Awards telecast.
In an unusual listening session, the DisCovery Award also goes to someone with a ballad performance. That would be The Harters, a sibling trio produced by the esteemed Keith Stegall.
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY/Blue Sky Riding Song
Writer: M.M. Murphey; Producer: Ryan Murphey; Publisher: 3M/Bro ‘N’ Sis, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—Murphey calls what he plays these days, “Buckaroo Bluegrass.” He sings mostly the same way, but now draws his backing musicians from a talent pool that includes Rob Ickes, Ronny McCoury, Sam Bush, Pat Flynn, Charlie Cushman and Andy Leftwich. His current CD draws its title, Riding Song, from this rapid-fire track. It showcases the fleet-fingered bluegrass sidemen more than it does its writer and singer. Instrumental sounds to tickle the brain.
LEANN RIMES/Crazy Women
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
—“They hauled her off in high heels and handcuffs.” He treats her wrong, so she goes over the edge, torching his car, among other things. The conclusion to this snazzy rocker? “Crazy women are made by crazy men.” A winner.
JOE DIFFIE/Tennessee Tea
Writer: Joe Diffie/Billy Joe Foster; Producer: Joe Diffie & Luke Wooten; Publisher: Diffitunes/Billy Joe Foster, BMI; Rounder (track) (www.joediffie.com)
—After co-writing the 2005 chart topper “My Give a Damn’s Busted,” Joe took a left turn toward bluegrass music. His CD is titled, simply, Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album. His yearning vocal style fits the genre like a glove. On this sizzling barn burner, he wails up a storm while red-hot pickers flicker around him. The album’s cast is a who’s-who of acoustic music, including Rhonda Vincent, The Grascals, Alecia Nugent, Bradley Walker, Byran Sutton, Aubrey Haynie, Harley Allen, Carl Jackson, Mike Compton and Sonya Isaacs. With a talent level that high, you don’t have to be a bluegrass fan to love this album.
ALAN JACKSON/Ring Of Fire
Writer: June Carter/Merle Kilgore; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Painted Desert, BMI; Arista (track)
—As you might expect, it’s a somewhat mellower vocal take on this Cash classic. Groovy electric guitars replace the distinctive Mexicali trumpets heard on the original. Lee Ann Womack’s backup singing is also a plus. The song is so strong, that if you let it just carry you along like this, you’ll be rewarded. And Alan is.
DONNA ULISSE/Caney Creek To Canaan Land
Writer: Donna Ulisse/Rick Stanley; Producer: Keith Sewell; Publisher: Uncle Hadley/Pop ‘N’ Paw, ASCAP; Hadley Music Group (track) (www.donnaulisse.com)
—I was a big fan of this lady when she was an Atlantic Records country act in the 1990s. She’s been making bluegrass records for the past several years. The new one, Holy Waters, is a bluegrass-gospel collection that kicks off with this this spirited shouter. With the exception of a cover version of The Stanley Brothers chestnut, “Who Will Sing for Me,” the entire CD is self-composed.
JASON ALDEAN & KELLY CLARKSON/Don’t You Wanna Stay
Writer: Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins/Andy Gibson; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Becky’s Boy/Godfather Rich/Do Write, ASCAP; Broken Bow (track)
—Response to the pair’s performance of this on the CMA Awards has been so enthusiastic that the duet is now being serviced to radio. He’s up higher in the mix here than he was on the telecast, but she still owns the power ballad with that sensational range of hers. A thrilling listening experience.
RICKY SKAGGS/Mosaic
Writer: Gordon Kennedy/Ben Cooper; Producer: Ricky Skaggs & Gordon Kennedy; Publisher: Vistaville/Brown Eyed Blonde/Almighty Den, ASCAP/BMI; Skaggs Family/Fontana (track) (www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com)
—Ricky is at the top of his game on his latest gospel collection. This pop-flavored title tune features thumping drumming, electric guitar and organ. Elsewhere on the collection, you’ll find string sections, steel guitar, bouzouki, synthesizer, piano, choirs and Irish fife, among other eclectic sounds. Those who have become accustomed to his bluegrass discs are in for a shock. But this is wildly creative stuff. Check out the gloriously electrified and uplifting “My Cup Runneth Over,” for instance.
THE HARTERS/If I Run
Writer: Leslie Harter/Michael Harter/Rachel Williams; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Tunes of Bigger Picture/Bug/Rain Valley/Anozera/Sage House, ASCAP; Bigger Picture
—This trio of siblings stages its debut with a lovely. lustrous ballad that begins with Leslie trembling in anticipation, then being joined by her brothers in lushly harmonized choruses. Hang on for the bridge when everybody starts weaving vocal parts in and out of the mix. In a word, fabulous.
TIM O’BRIEN/You Ate The Apple
Writer: Tim O’Brien/Jonathan Byrd; Producer: Tim O’Brien; Publisher: Cornbread Nation/Bluewater, ASCAP/SESAC; Howdy Skies (track) (www.timobrien.net)
—This wry commentary on Eden is a folk ditty that kicks off Tim’s current Chicken & Egg collection. Stuart Duncan’s jazzy fiddle accompanies Tim’s scat singing brilliantly. The rest of the CD is a showcase for his always inventive songwriting style(s). The man is a Music City treasure.
THE STEELDRIVERS/The Reckless Side Of Me
Writer: Chris Stapleton/Mike Henderson; Producer: Luke Wooten & The SteelDrivers; Publisher: Sea Gayle/Son of a Miner/Irving/Chicken Shack, ASCAP/BMI; Rounder (track) (www.steeldrivers.com)
—The second SteelDrivers CD is also, alas, apparently the last one that will feature the gripping singing of Chris Stapleton. I hear he is now heading in a rock direction. The Restless collection kicks off with this uptempo rouser that typifies what is so great about this band—the combination of the bluegrass instrumentation and Chris’s bruiser, blue-eyed soul voice. The bluesy fiddling of Tammy Rogers, in particular, stands out on this track.
ACM Lifting Lives Board Announced
/by MichelleThe ACM Lifting Lives Executive Committee has added an Advisory Committee to the organization. “The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to create a team of liaisons between ACM Lifting Lives and the community, and to enhance our philanthropic activity,” said Erin Spahn, Executive Director of ACM Lifting Lives. “With our goals of continued national expansion and capital growth this year, this committee will be a great addition.”
The four inaugural members of the Advisory Committee are Walt Brown, Jr., Ricky Kelly, Kimberly Schlapman and Troy Vollhoffer.
The full lists of board of directors and the advisory committee are below. Also, visit www.acmcountry.com/liftinglives/ for more details.
ACM LIFTING LIVES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Chairman of the Board—Gayle Holcomb, WME
President—Mark Hartley, Fitzgerald Hartley
Vice President— Gary Gilbert, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
Treasurer—Tiffany Moon, Academy of Country Music
Secretary—Erin Spahn, ACM Lifting Lives
PUBLIC DIRECTORS
Lori Badgett, Sun Trust Bank
Mark Bloom, UBS Financial Services, Inc
Bruce Bowman, KaBOOM!
Debbie Carroll, MusiCares
Ann Edelblute, 19 Entertainment
Ellen Lehmen, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
Jack Lameier
Beth Moore
Tree Paine, Warner Bros. Records
Jonathan Reinsdorf, Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group
REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS
Mike Dungan, Capitol Records Nashville
Rod Essig, CAA
Scott Francis, Warner Chappell
Gary Gilbert, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
Gary Haber, Haber Corporation
Mark Hartley, Fitzgerald Hartley
Greg Hill, Red Light Management
Gayle Holcomb, WME
Ken Robold, Universal Music Group
Dwight Wiles, Smith, Wiles & Co., PC
ACM LIFTING LIVES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2010-2011
Walt Brown, Jr., Diversified Partners, LLC
Ricky Kelly, Cool Springs Harley Davidson
Kimberly Schlapman, Little Big Town
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Productions
Darius And Brad Celebrate “Unfriend Day”
/by admin“National Unfriend Day starts tomorrow,” said Jimmy Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night. “It’s gonna be bigger than Easter they say and all big holidays have holiday music to go with them.” Then the cameras joined Darius Rucker and Brad Paisley in Rochester N.Y. singing, “To All The Friends I’ve Un’ed Before.”
Of course I’m totally kidding, and truthfully, I’m not even sure Brad is actually referring to me. But when we saw the video everyone at MusicRow started laughing so hard, we wanted to share it. Brad and Darius, we love you both, but to make amends please follow @MusicRow on twitter and Facebook.
Gordon Kerr To Run Black River, Jimmy Nichols To Focus On Production
/by Sarah SkatesJimmy Nichols
Producer Jimmy Nichols has left his post as Black River Music Group President/Director of A&R to return to full-time work as a producer. Nichols joined the company in 2007. He is also an active session player and has been Faith Hill’s Musical Director for five years.
Gordon Kerr, COO of Black River Entertainment, the parent company of BRMG, will handle the day-to-day operations.
Gordon Kerr
Kerr was named COO in early October to oversee Black River Entertainment and its subsidiaries which include the label, publishing company, Ronnie’s Place Studio and the newly acquired Sound Stage Studios. He divides his time between Nashville and Orchard Park, NY, and reports to Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of Black River’s parent company East Resources, Inc.
Black River is home to Sarah Darling, Due West and others.
Urban Surprises Travelers in NYC, Philly
/by FreemanUrban played songs from Get Closer, including his current single “Put You In A Song” as well as a few bars of Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” for the City of Brotherly Love. Pictures of the Philadelphia performance can be found at the Washington Post.
In other Urban news, he was scheduled for an appearance on The Today Show this morning (11/17), as well as CBS’ The Early Show tomorrow (11/18). He will also travel to Chicago to tape a performance for the Oprah Winfrey Show that will air later in November.
Mercury Regional Exits
/by Sarah SkatesMercury Records Southwest Regional Allen Mitchell has exited his post at the label.
A replacement is expected to be named shortly. Check back to musicrow.com for more updates. Contact Allen here. allenmitchell6772@yahoo.com
“Need You Now” Among Top RIAA Certifications
/by Sarah SkatesLady A's "Need You Now" is 4x Platinum.
Numerous Country stars are on the RIAA’s list of Gold and Platinum certifications for August, September and October. Among the top selling digital singles is Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” which hit 4x multi-Platinum to become the Capitol Nashville band’s best selling single ever.
Mercury’s Billy Currington earned a digital Platinum plaque for downloads of “People Are Crazy.” And labelmate Sugarland scored a Gold certification for “Stuck Like Glue” less than two months after its release.
Platinum album plaques went to newly crowned 2010 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert, for Revolution, marking her second Platinum project. And Keith Urban received his fifth Platinum honor for Defying Gravity. Luke Bryan‘s Doin’ My Thing earned his first Gold album.
Billy Currington's "People Are Crazy" was certified Platinum for digital sales.
Pop star and Nashville native Ke$ha received the most Gold & Platinum certifications during August, September and October. Her debut album Animal (2010) was certified Gold, while her digital singles “Tik-Tok” and “Your Love Is My Drug” went 5x and 2x multi-Platinum, respectively, and “Blah Blah Blah” and “Take It Off” each earned a Gold, to total more than 8.5 million units sold.
The 6x multi-Platinum track “I Gotta Feeling” from The Black Eyed Peas became the RIAA’s highest digital song certification ever.
Songwriter Photos: Odie Blackmon, Rivers Rutherford
/by Sarah SkatesOdie Blackmon
Inner city students in St. Louis got a lesson in songwriting last week from Grammy-nominated songwriter Odie Blackmon. He spent three days working with students at Garfield Elementary School as part of the ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES. Blackmon has penned smash hits for George Strait (“She’ll Leave You With A Smile”), Lee Ann Womack (“I May Hate Myself In The Morning”) and Gary Allan (“Nothing On But The Radio”).
••••••
Rivers Rutherford
Hit songwriter Rivers Rutherford performed at the Sprint 4G launch party on November 16 at the Sheraton Downtown Nashville. Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to offer 4G technology in Music City. At the event, Sprint also made a $5,000 donation to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for flood relief efforts.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (11/17/10)
/by Robert K OermannA number of name-brand stars are reinventing themselves by recording in varying shades of bluegrass. We have previously noted this in records by Merle Haggard, Ken Mellons, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton and others. This week, we find Joe Diffie and Michael Martin Murphey in their ranks, plus former country chart makers Donna Ulisse and Tim O’Brien continuing on this path.
Ironically, Ricky Skaggs, among the first to make a country-to-bluegrass transition, is now working under the influence of pop mastermind Gordon Kennedy to craft a distinctly non bluegrass sound. Lend him your ears.
Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson nail down the Disc of the Day award with the goose-bumpy duet they introduced on the CMA Awards telecast.
In an unusual listening session, the DisCovery Award also goes to someone with a ballad performance. That would be The Harters, a sibling trio produced by the esteemed Keith Stegall.
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY/Blue Sky Riding Song
Writer: M.M. Murphey; Producer: Ryan Murphey; Publisher: 3M/Bro ‘N’ Sis, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—Murphey calls what he plays these days, “Buckaroo Bluegrass.” He sings mostly the same way, but now draws his backing musicians from a talent pool that includes Rob Ickes, Ronny McCoury, Sam Bush, Pat Flynn, Charlie Cushman and Andy Leftwich. His current CD draws its title, Riding Song, from this rapid-fire track. It showcases the fleet-fingered bluegrass sidemen more than it does its writer and singer. Instrumental sounds to tickle the brain.
LEANN RIMES/Crazy Women
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
—“They hauled her off in high heels and handcuffs.” He treats her wrong, so she goes over the edge, torching his car, among other things. The conclusion to this snazzy rocker? “Crazy women are made by crazy men.” A winner.
JOE DIFFIE/Tennessee Tea
Writer: Joe Diffie/Billy Joe Foster; Producer: Joe Diffie & Luke Wooten; Publisher: Diffitunes/Billy Joe Foster, BMI; Rounder (track) (www.joediffie.com)
—After co-writing the 2005 chart topper “My Give a Damn’s Busted,” Joe took a left turn toward bluegrass music. His CD is titled, simply, Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album. His yearning vocal style fits the genre like a glove. On this sizzling barn burner, he wails up a storm while red-hot pickers flicker around him. The album’s cast is a who’s-who of acoustic music, including Rhonda Vincent, The Grascals, Alecia Nugent, Bradley Walker, Byran Sutton, Aubrey Haynie, Harley Allen, Carl Jackson, Mike Compton and Sonya Isaacs. With a talent level that high, you don’t have to be a bluegrass fan to love this album.
ALAN JACKSON/Ring Of Fire
Writer: June Carter/Merle Kilgore; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Painted Desert, BMI; Arista (track)
—As you might expect, it’s a somewhat mellower vocal take on this Cash classic. Groovy electric guitars replace the distinctive Mexicali trumpets heard on the original. Lee Ann Womack’s backup singing is also a plus. The song is so strong, that if you let it just carry you along like this, you’ll be rewarded. And Alan is.
DONNA ULISSE/Caney Creek To Canaan Land
Writer: Donna Ulisse/Rick Stanley; Producer: Keith Sewell; Publisher: Uncle Hadley/Pop ‘N’ Paw, ASCAP; Hadley Music Group (track) (www.donnaulisse.com)
—I was a big fan of this lady when she was an Atlantic Records country act in the 1990s. She’s been making bluegrass records for the past several years. The new one, Holy Waters, is a bluegrass-gospel collection that kicks off with this this spirited shouter. With the exception of a cover version of The Stanley Brothers chestnut, “Who Will Sing for Me,” the entire CD is self-composed.
JASON ALDEAN & KELLY CLARKSON/Don’t You Wanna Stay
Writer: Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins/Andy Gibson; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Becky’s Boy/Godfather Rich/Do Write, ASCAP; Broken Bow (track)
—Response to the pair’s performance of this on the CMA Awards has been so enthusiastic that the duet is now being serviced to radio. He’s up higher in the mix here than he was on the telecast, but she still owns the power ballad with that sensational range of hers. A thrilling listening experience.
RICKY SKAGGS/Mosaic
Writer: Gordon Kennedy/Ben Cooper; Producer: Ricky Skaggs & Gordon Kennedy; Publisher: Vistaville/Brown Eyed Blonde/Almighty Den, ASCAP/BMI; Skaggs Family/Fontana (track) (www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com)
—Ricky is at the top of his game on his latest gospel collection. This pop-flavored title tune features thumping drumming, electric guitar and organ. Elsewhere on the collection, you’ll find string sections, steel guitar, bouzouki, synthesizer, piano, choirs and Irish fife, among other eclectic sounds. Those who have become accustomed to his bluegrass discs are in for a shock. But this is wildly creative stuff. Check out the gloriously electrified and uplifting “My Cup Runneth Over,” for instance.
THE HARTERS/If I Run
Writer: Leslie Harter/Michael Harter/Rachel Williams; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Tunes of Bigger Picture/Bug/Rain Valley/Anozera/Sage House, ASCAP; Bigger Picture
—This trio of siblings stages its debut with a lovely. lustrous ballad that begins with Leslie trembling in anticipation, then being joined by her brothers in lushly harmonized choruses. Hang on for the bridge when everybody starts weaving vocal parts in and out of the mix. In a word, fabulous.
TIM O’BRIEN/You Ate The Apple
Writer: Tim O’Brien/Jonathan Byrd; Producer: Tim O’Brien; Publisher: Cornbread Nation/Bluewater, ASCAP/SESAC; Howdy Skies (track) (www.timobrien.net)
—This wry commentary on Eden is a folk ditty that kicks off Tim’s current Chicken & Egg collection. Stuart Duncan’s jazzy fiddle accompanies Tim’s scat singing brilliantly. The rest of the CD is a showcase for his always inventive songwriting style(s). The man is a Music City treasure.
THE STEELDRIVERS/The Reckless Side Of Me
Writer: Chris Stapleton/Mike Henderson; Producer: Luke Wooten & The SteelDrivers; Publisher: Sea Gayle/Son of a Miner/Irving/Chicken Shack, ASCAP/BMI; Rounder (track) (www.steeldrivers.com)
—The second SteelDrivers CD is also, alas, apparently the last one that will feature the gripping singing of Chris Stapleton. I hear he is now heading in a rock direction. The Restless collection kicks off with this uptempo rouser that typifies what is so great about this band—the combination of the bluegrass instrumentation and Chris’s bruiser, blue-eyed soul voice. The bluesy fiddling of Tammy Rogers, in particular, stands out on this track.
CMHF Hosts Dallas Frazier, Bonnie Garner, Curly Seckler
/by MichelleMuseum Editor Michael Gray will host the 90-minute program, which will be illustrated with recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s collection. Immediately following, Frazier will sign autographs in the Museum Store.
Frazier’s hits include classics such as “There Goes My Everything,” “Elvira,” “If My Heart Had Windows,” “Beneath Still Waters,” “Mohair Sam,” “Fourteen Carat Mind” and “What’s Your Mama’s Name,” and his songs have been recorded by a diverse roster of artists including Merle Haggard, Englebert Humperdinck, Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Charley Pride, Charlie Rich, Tanya Tucker and many more.
••••
Bonnie Garner; Photo: Annie Goetze
In memory of Louise Scruggs, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will present an in-depth interview honoring music industry executive Bonnie Garner today (11/16) at 6 p.m. in the Ford Theater. The forum is free and open to the public.
The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum, made possible by the Gibson Foundation, was established in 2007 to honor music industry leaders who can be seen as the legatees of Scruggs, the wife of Country Music Hall of Fame member Earl Scruggs and the first woman in country music to take on roles as a booker and manager.
The forum interview with Garner, whose multi-faceted career has included concert promotion, record label A&R and artist management, will be illustrated with recordings, film clips and photos from the Museum’s archives, Garner’s personal collection and other sources. The interview will be hosted by Museum Writer/Editor Michael McCall.
••••
Bluegrass legend Curly Seckler will be featured in a special program at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Musuem, celebrating his 91st birthday and 75th anniversary in music on Sat., December 4. The program, which will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Ford Theater, is included with Museum admission and is free to Museum members.
Curly Seckler
During the program, Seckler will discuss the highlights of his career with host Kyle Cantrell of Sirius XM Radio, as well as perform several of his signature songs. The program will also feature photographs and video from the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive, and Seckler’s own collection. Following the program, Seckler will sign autographs in the Museum Store.
More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416-2001.
SiriusXM 20 Million Strong; Toyota Adds iheartradio
/by Sarah SkatesThe competition keeps getting stiffer for traditional radio, with today’s news from Sirius XM and iheartradio.
Sirius XM Radio has reached the 20 million subscriber mark. The satcaster is celebrating the milestone by hosting Paul McCartney‘s first concert at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater, as an exclusive event for Sirius XM listeners.
The performance on Monday, December 13 will be broadcast live nationwide on Sirius XM, and subscribers will have the chance to win tickets and trips to the event.
•••••
iheartradio will allow Toyota customers to access more than 750 of America’s local radio stations, as well as unique celebrity-hosted channels from Christina Aguilera, Eagles, and Weezer, local traffic reports and commercial-free shows from Ryan Seacrest, and more. Over 10 million consumers are already using the app.
More details will be released at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2011.