Americana music may be a fringe genre, financially struggling, lacking major media exposure and a complete mystery to most mainstream music consumers, but its awards show was a total celebration of its star power.
Presented at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday (9/9), the event featured appearances by Rosanne Cash, Emmylou Harris, John Oates, Robert Plant, Rodney Crowell, John Mellencamp, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Wanda Jackson and The Courtyard Hounds Martie Maguire and Emily Robison. And that doesn’t even count the star-studded “house band.”
Musically, we knew we were in for a treat when Sam Bush and Will Kimbrough led the festivities off with “Tumbling Dice,” featuring Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale, Emmy and Patty Griffin in support. Lauderdale has seemingly been institutionalized as the show’s host.
“Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends….on time,” he quipped. This annual gig is, indeed, renowned for punishing rear ends on the unforgiving wooden Ryman pew seats for four hours and more. Lauderdale promised that he would run this year’s event on schedule, and he nearly succeeded.
Rosanne was first up, presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting to Mellencamp. “Americana is the box they put you in when you take your art too seriously to fit in any other box,” she said. She described the honoree as “a quintessentially American artist” and as “the pride of Indiana.”
“A songwriter tries to write something that can become part of the fabric of the listener,” Mellencamp said. “This award shows that some people are still listening, and I appreciate that very much.” Performing solo with acoustic guitar, he sang “Save Some Time to Dream” from his new Rounder CD No Better Than This. Copies of the CD were handed out to all attendees upon entering.
Darrell Scott and Patty presented the Song of the Year prize to Ryan Bingham. His “The Weary Kind” has already won an Oscar, so he thanked everyone connected with the film Crazy Heart.
“What an amazing awards show,” said new-artist nominee Sarah Jarosz before performing “Song Up in Her Head” with Darrell on the harmony vocal and mandolin.
AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly announced that this is the organization’s 11th annual convention and its 9th annual awards presentation, stating that this is, “the most comprehensive and diverse music event in the city of Nashville.” He also noted that Americana music now has its own Grammy category. Again. (He said the same thing last year.) “Thank you for believing in Americana,” he concluded.
New artist nominee Corb Lund did a nice job on “Devil’s Best Dress” before Lucinda Williams gave the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive to Luke Lewis. “Danny Goldberg said I was a hippie disguised as an executive, and I took that as a compliment,” said Luke.
He recalled befriending Americana godfather Gram Parsons in boarding school in 1962 and founding Lost Highway Records. Then Lost Highway’s Lucinda previewed her atmospheric ballad “Born to Be Loved” from her upcoming CD.
Bush presented the Lifetime instrumentalist honor to steel guitarist Greg Leisz. “I think the last award I won was when my high school garage band won a Battle of the Bands,” said Greg. “It’s been a long dry spell since then.”
New artist nominees The Carolina Chocolate Drops drew the evening’s first standing ovation for their performance. Spoken-word artist Minton Sparks was also outstanding. Gibson Guitar Foundation exec David Berryman and Mr. Plant presented the Instrumentalist of the Year award to Buddy Miller. Then intense new-artist nominee Joe Pug sang solo.
Emmylou and Rodney presented the Lifetime Achievement Producer award to Brian Ahern. After listing his accomplishments, Brian said, “I developed a motto: If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re working with the wrong people.” Then Em and Rod sang “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” as a salute.
The Avett Brothers and Grace Potter presented the New & Emerging Artist of the Year prize to Hayes Carll. “This is unexpected,” he said. “I remember when I was nominated for New & Emerging Artist five years ago. Thanks for supporting me all these years.”
Bingham sang a haunting, echoey “Hallelujah,” then Mary Gauthier and Oates gave the Avetts the Duo/Group award. “It’s such a pleasure being around a group of folks where it’s all about music and not about egos,” Oates said. Daryl Hall, are you listening?
Ray Wylie Hubbard sang a rumbling, powerful “Drunken Poet’s Dream.” Then Lauderdale “stalled for time” by doing his ditty “That’s Americana.” Rosanne returned to do “Ode to Billie Joe” with hubby accompanist/producer John Leventhal.
To the delight of one and all, Jack White appeared to present the Lifetime Achievement Performer award to Wanda Jackson. He has produced the 72 year-old legend’s upcoming comeback LP The Party Ain’t Over Yet. She got a standing ovation. She noted that she got a 2005 National Endowment for the Arts honor and was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. “This award is the icing on the cake,” she said. Jack, she said, “is pushing me right into the 21st century.” She sang her new Jack-produced single “Shakin’ All Over,” trembling the fringe on her white blouse.
First Amendment Center honcho Ken Paulson told us about the Free Speech award given to Mary Chapin Carpenter last April, then she joined him to give Rosanne the Album of the Year trophy to Rosanne for The List. “Wow,” said a choked-up Rosanne. “This was such an emotional project for me….Most of all, I want to thank my Dad for making this List for an 18 year-old girl who wanted to be a songwriter.”
After the Avetts sang their stately, punchy “I and Love and You,” The Courtyard Hounds (sisters Maguire & Robison) gave Bingham the Artist of the Year honor. “Man! I don’t’ know if I really deserve this,” said Oscar-winner Ryan. “Everyone [else] on the [nominee] list are people I’ve looked up to and admired….I really don’t know what to say except thank you.”
Buddy introduced the house band, which included Don Was, Leisz, Aaron Embry and Bryan Owings before Lauderdale joined them to do “Patchwork River.” That concluded the “official” show. Then Plant and his Band of Joy took the stage to do a “surprise” finale.
More than 2,000 attended, including Tony Brown, Barry Mazor, Tim Fink, Ken Levitan, Jon Freeman, David Macias, Mary Martin, Jerry Salley, Jon Grimson, my convention life-saver Joyce Simmons, Jody Williams, Bill Wence, Tom Roland, Pat Collins, Jim Mallet, AirPlay Direct’s Robert Weingartz, Don Cusic and Tim McFadden.
Bobby Karl Works the 9th Annual AMA Honors & Awards
/by Bobby KarlPresented at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday (9/9), the event featured appearances by Rosanne Cash, Emmylou Harris, John Oates, Robert Plant, Rodney Crowell, John Mellencamp, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Wanda Jackson and The Courtyard Hounds Martie Maguire and Emily Robison. And that doesn’t even count the star-studded “house band.”
Musically, we knew we were in for a treat when Sam Bush and Will Kimbrough led the festivities off with “Tumbling Dice,” featuring Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale, Emmy and Patty Griffin in support. Lauderdale has seemingly been institutionalized as the show’s host.
“Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends….on time,” he quipped. This annual gig is, indeed, renowned for punishing rear ends on the unforgiving wooden Ryman pew seats for four hours and more. Lauderdale promised that he would run this year’s event on schedule, and he nearly succeeded.
“A songwriter tries to write something that can become part of the fabric of the listener,” Mellencamp said. “This award shows that some people are still listening, and I appreciate that very much.” Performing solo with acoustic guitar, he sang “Save Some Time to Dream” from his new Rounder CD No Better Than This. Copies of the CD were handed out to all attendees upon entering.
Darrell Scott and Patty presented the Song of the Year prize to Ryan Bingham. His “The Weary Kind” has already won an Oscar, so he thanked everyone connected with the film Crazy Heart.
“What an amazing awards show,” said new-artist nominee Sarah Jarosz before performing “Song Up in Her Head” with Darrell on the harmony vocal and mandolin.
AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly announced that this is the organization’s 11th annual convention and its 9th annual awards presentation, stating that this is, “the most comprehensive and diverse music event in the city of Nashville.” He also noted that Americana music now has its own Grammy category. Again. (He said the same thing last year.) “Thank you for believing in Americana,” he concluded.
New artist nominee Corb Lund did a nice job on “Devil’s Best Dress” before Lucinda Williams gave the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive to Luke Lewis. “Danny Goldberg said I was a hippie disguised as an executive, and I took that as a compliment,” said Luke. He recalled befriending Americana godfather Gram Parsons in boarding school in 1962 and founding Lost Highway Records. Then Lost Highway’s Lucinda previewed her atmospheric ballad “Born to Be Loved” from her upcoming CD.
Bush presented the Lifetime instrumentalist honor to steel guitarist Greg Leisz. “I think the last award I won was when my high school garage band won a Battle of the Bands,” said Greg. “It’s been a long dry spell since then.”
New artist nominees The Carolina Chocolate Drops drew the evening’s first standing ovation for their performance. Spoken-word artist Minton Sparks was also outstanding. Gibson Guitar Foundation exec David Berryman and Mr. Plant presented the Instrumentalist of the Year award to Buddy Miller. Then intense new-artist nominee Joe Pug sang solo.
Emmylou and Rodney presented the Lifetime Achievement Producer award to Brian Ahern. After listing his accomplishments, Brian said, “I developed a motto: If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re working with the wrong people.” Then Em and Rod sang “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” as a salute.
The Avett Brothers and Grace Potter presented the New & Emerging Artist of the Year prize to Hayes Carll. “This is unexpected,” he said. “I remember when I was nominated for New & Emerging Artist five years ago. Thanks for supporting me all these years.”
Bingham sang a haunting, echoey “Hallelujah,” then Mary Gauthier and Oates gave the Avetts the Duo/Group award. “It’s such a pleasure being around a group of folks where it’s all about music and not about egos,” Oates said. Daryl Hall, are you listening?
Ray Wylie Hubbard sang a rumbling, powerful “Drunken Poet’s Dream.” Then Lauderdale “stalled for time” by doing his ditty “That’s Americana.” Rosanne returned to do “Ode to Billie Joe” with hubby accompanist/producer John Leventhal.
To the delight of one and all, Jack White appeared to present the Lifetime Achievement Performer award to Wanda Jackson. He has produced the 72 year-old legend’s upcoming comeback LP The Party Ain’t Over Yet. She got a standing ovation. She noted that she got a 2005 National Endowment for the Arts honor and was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. “This award is the icing on the cake,” she said. Jack, she said, “is pushing me right into the 21st century.” She sang her new Jack-produced single “Shakin’ All Over,” trembling the fringe on her white blouse.
First Amendment Center honcho Ken Paulson told us about the Free Speech award given to Mary Chapin Carpenter last April, then she joined him to give Rosanne the Album of the Year trophy to Rosanne for The List. “Wow,” said a choked-up Rosanne. “This was such an emotional project for me….Most of all, I want to thank my Dad for making this List for an 18 year-old girl who wanted to be a songwriter.”
After the Avetts sang their stately, punchy “I and Love and You,” The Courtyard Hounds (sisters Maguire & Robison) gave Bingham the Artist of the Year honor. “Man! I don’t’ know if I really deserve this,” said Oscar-winner Ryan. “Everyone [else] on the [nominee] list are people I’ve looked up to and admired….I really don’t know what to say except thank you.”
Buddy introduced the house band, which included Don Was, Leisz, Aaron Embry and Bryan Owings before Lauderdale joined them to do “Patchwork River.” That concluded the “official” show. Then Plant and his Band of Joy took the stage to do a “surprise” finale.
More than 2,000 attended, including Tony Brown, Barry Mazor, Tim Fink, Ken Levitan, Jon Freeman, David Macias, Mary Martin, Jerry Salley, Jon Grimson, my convention life-saver Joyce Simmons, Jody Williams, Bill Wence, Tom Roland, Pat Collins, Jim Mallet, AirPlay Direct’s Robert Weingartz, Don Cusic and Tim McFadden.
Billboard Unveils Indie “Dreamseekers” Chart
/by contributorFor a yearly fee of around $100, unsigned artists will be able to upload their music to the Web and track their exposure on a range of outlets, from Twitter and music blogs to radio airplay and sales. In addition, Billboard will apply those metrics to a new “Dreamseekers” chart, comprised of aspiring artists.
MySpace Music will partner with Billboard in promoting this new product, which will appear regularly in Billboard and on the magazine’s website. Billboard is also in discussions with several networks about possible related TV programming.
“Everybody has to modernize,” said Richard Beckman, Chief Executive Officer of E5 Global Media, the company that was formed to purchase Billboard from Neilsen Media last December. “We want to be the catalytic force to help the industry monetize itself. It’s a lofty goal, but I think we have the juice to do that.”
Read the Wall St. Journal article here.
Average Joes Adds Gwen Foster
/by contributorGwen Foster
Average Joes Entertainment, label home to Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Matt Stillwell, Josh Gracin and a variety of others artists, has announced the addition of radio veteran Gwen Foster. Average Joes CEO Shannon Houchins admits to staffing up for a new wave in their already industry-leading movement.
“It’s an exciting time for Average Joes,” says Houchins. “Our label is expanding our foundation in the community and within the larger musical landscape. Gwen is an excellent addition to the team as she also shares our philosophies and a similar vision for our clients, and we are thrilled to have such an innovative thinker on our team.”
Foster began her career in 1987 in San Diego at CHR KKLQ-Q106 and moved to Dallas in 1989 to work at KPLX and KLIF (news/talk). She spent five years at Phoenix’s KMLE, followed by an 11-year stint at KNIX before rejoining KMLE for another two and a half years—spanning over 19 years on the air in the Phoenix market. She also served as Music Director since 1995 and comes to Average Joes after a six-month promotions representative position at Treehouse Records earlier this year.
“There is nothing average about my excitement in joining Average Joe’s Entertainment,” says Foster. “Not only am I fired up about our diverse and unique artist roster, but I am thrilled to be working in a no-holds-barred environment.”
Foster was awarded R&R Country Music Director of the Year Awards in 2005 and 2006.
Foster can be reached by calling (480) 495-2209 or at gwen@averagejoesent.com.
Dean Brody Signs With ole/Roots Three
/by contributorRoots Three Music/ole, a co-venture between ole music publishing and Roots Three, publishing division of RGK Entertainment Group, has signed songwriter and Open Road Records artist Dean Brody to a worldwide publishing deal.
Brody, an emerging songwriting talent and rising country star, is currently at No. 6 on the Mediabase Canadian country chart with the single “Roll That Barrel Out” from his recently released sophomore album, Trail in Life. Brody has five nominations at the upcoming CCMA Awards including Songwriter of the Year. In addition, he will be one of the featured artists at FanFest on September 11 at the West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace during Country Music Week in Edmonton.
Brody made an immediate impact with his self-titled debut album in 2009, which produced the hit single, “Brothers.” It also showcased his writing talents.
“The thing I’m most excited about with this new relationship with Roots Three Music/ole is their passion for songwriting and songs and getting them pitched and being aggressive about it,” says Brody. “In the past, I really haven’t had that. The other thing is, for years, I’ve wanted to write in other genres so I’m looking forward to being able to do both.”
“We are very excited about Dean joining the Roots Three Music family,” says Ron Kitchener, President of RGK Entertainment Group Inc., the umbrella company for both Roots Three Music and Open Road Recordings. “All points lead to Dean being a top contender as an artist and writer and we couldn’t be happier.”
Comments ole Chief Creative Officer, Gilles Godard: “Dean Brody is part of the new wave of true country artists, however what separates him from the pack is his incredible talent as writer. He has created several great songs for this new Trail in Life album release and we are proud to be part of his new publishing team with Roots Three.”
(l-r) RGK Entertainment Group's Ron Kitchener and Dean Brody
Rooney Welcomes Little Rascal
/by contributor“Tiffany and I are so excited to have brought a brand new baby into the world,” says Rooney. “Raquel Blue is so beautiful and we feel so grateful to have this sweet little angel round out our family. Jagger is already an excited big brother; yesterday he gave her kisses and tried to feed her cookies! We feel blessed and are ready for the sleepless nights ahead.”
Joe Don and Tiffany were married on April 23, 2006 and are also the proud parents of Jagger Donovan Rooney, born May 31, 2008
Swift Comic Enters 2nd Printing
/by adminBluewater’s Fame series highlights “strong and influential personalities.” Other artists featured in the series include Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, 50 Cent and David Beckham. Fame: Taylor Swift is the latest biography comic from Bluewater Productions. Though the independent comic company publishes comics in every genre – superhero, fantasy, adventure and young adult – it has received significant media attention for its biography comics, which have also featured such high-profile subjects as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Colin Powell.
“Banker to the Stars” Dies
/by Robert K OermannClarence Reynolds, Jr.
Clarence Reynolds Jr., known as “the banker to the stars,” died Tuesday, September 7, at age 82. Reynolds was a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Banking of the South, where he was class president.
Reynolds began working at Commerce Union Bank in 1946 and remained there for the next 41 years. The country music business community began to emerge in Nashville in the 1950s. Initially, the blue-blooded local banking community treated the young industry with disdain. Most refused to extend loans to music people. Mr. Reynolds was a country music fan. He became one of the first Nashville bankers to embrace and support the genre’s stars and businesses, hence his nickname.
Early clients included future Hall of Famers Hank Williams, George Morgan and Red Foley. In 1985, he was the subject of a star-studded benefit “roast.” Lorrie Morgan, Johnny Russell, Barbara Mandrell, Margo Smith, Jim Ed Brown, Leroy Van Dyke, Vic Willis, Frances Preston, Archie Campbell and Harold Bradley were among his fans that night. Mr. Reynolds retired from Commerce Union in 1987.
Clarence Reynolds Jr. is survived by his three children, Emily Josephine Reynolds, Ellen Clarissa Reynolds and Clarence E. “Ernie” Reynolds III, all of Nashville. Funeral services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 11. Honorary pallbearers will include Tandy Rice, the Mandrell family, Leroy Van Dyke, Jim Ed Brown, Bill Frist, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Bob Corker and Fate Thomas. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Nashville Humane Association, 213 Oceola Avenue, Nashville TN 37209.
ASCAP Offers Pop Songwriters Workshop
/by contributorWriters interested in applying for participation in the ASCAP Foundation Nashville Pop Songwriters Workshop should submit the following:
• A CD containing two (2) original songs with typed or neatly written lyric sheets.
• A brief biography/resume including address/phone number/e-mail.
Send complete submission package to:
ASCAP
Attention: Pop Songwriters Workshop
Two Music Square West
Nashville, TN 37203
Submissions must be received by Friday, September 24 by 5:00 PM. Those accepted will be notified by Wednesday, September 29, 2010. Please note that materials submitted to ASCAP for consideration will not be returned. For more information, call the Nashville ASCAP office at 615.742.5000.
Vanderbilt Hosts Entertainment Law Symposium
/by contributorThe event is targeted to those involved in the business of music and entertainment. The discussion will be divided into four major areas affecting entertainment law today: business models, collective management, U.S. exceptionalism in copyright, and enforcement.
“The Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law’s upcoming symposium presents an exciting opportunity for both Leadership Music and the Vanderbilt students and faculty,” said Linda Bloss-Baum, a Leadership Music board member and one of the coordinators of the event. “The symposium will host some of the nation’s foremost experts on copyright policy, who will provide timely and provocative perspectives on the current legal challenges facing the music, entertainment and technology industries. Leadership Music is pleased to continue its community partnership with Vanderbilt University by co-hosting this event with JETL.”
Entertainment industry leaders expected to participate are Cary Sherman, President, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); David Israelite, President and CEO, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), songwriter Eddie Schwartz; Michael Huppe, general counsel, SoundExchange; David Carson, general counsel, U.S. Copyright Office; Shira Perlmutter, Executive Vice-President, global legal policy, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry; and Linda Bloss-Baum, Vice President of public policy and government relations, Warner Music Group.
Among the leading academics scheduled to speak are Ray Nimmer, Dean, University of Houston Law Center; Professors William Henslee, Florida A&M University College of Law; Jacqueline Lipton, Case Western Reserve University School of Law; Salil Mehra, Temple University Beasley School or Law; Annemarie Bridy, University of Idaho College Law; Peter Yu, Drake University Law School; and Ann Bartow, University of South Carolina School of Law. Vanderbilt University Law School Professors Steven Hetcher and Daniel Gervais will moderate panels.
Registration is $99. If participants wish to receive a copy of the Symposium publication, registration is $129. Lunch is included, but seating is limited. To register, visit www.lmvu.eventbrite.com.
The Legal Symposium will be held in conjunction with Next BIG Nashville and Leadership Music’s Digital Summit (NBN+LMDS), who have united to create the best of both with a week-long conference and festival. The combined events, which include a two-day conference, parties, films and four nights of music at twelve venues, will take place September 29 through October 2. Complete details are available at www.nbnsummit.com.
Bo Bice Hands On at MDA Telethon
/by contributorSaguaro Road Records artist and American Idol alum, Bo Bice was on hand during Nashville’s MDA Telethon Monday to help Kevin Frye present a check to Jerry’s Kids in the amount of $10,000.
Proceeds were raised during the recent Music By The Lake MDA Day concert event held in Winchester, TN (8/21) where Bice headlined. Assisting them with the check presentation were Franklin County Kiwanis Club Members Brenda Long and Jeannie Bates. For several years, Frye has been the driving force for MDA awareness and fund-raising in Franklin County. His efforts have raised many thousands of dollars.
(l-r standing) Kiwanis Club members Brenda Long and Jeannie Bates. (l-r sitting) Bo Bice and Kevin Frye.