Clockwise: Jimmy Dean, Ferlin Husky, Billy Sherrill, and Don Williams
The categories and voting process were updated in 2009, taking effect with the 2010 ballot. The current categories are:
Modern Era – An artist becomes eligible for induction in this category 20 years after they first achieve national prominence. They will remain eligible for that category for the next 25 years. [This replaced the former “Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present” category].
Veterans Era – An artist becomes eligible for induction in this category 45 years after they first achieve national prominence. [This category combined the former “Career Achieved National Prominence between World War II and 1975” category (which was voted on annually) and “Career Achieved National Prominence Prior to World War II” sub-category (which was voted on every third year in rotation) into one group].
Rotating Categories – The third slot is a rotating category, with each group in the spotlight every third year. The three rotating categories are Non-Performer, Songwriter, and Recording and/or Touring Musician. [The Songwriter category was created in the 2009 update, and will induct its first member in 2011. Previously, songwriters were included in the Non-Performer category].
The Veterans Era and Modern Era categories have separate Nominating Committees, each made up of 12 industry leaders who serve three-year terms. The Modern Era Nominating Committee also oversees the Rotating Categories. Final nominations are then submitted to two separate Panels of Electors, made up of historians and industry professionals that have a historical perspective on Country Music. One Panel votes for both the Modern Era and the Rotating Categories, while a second Panel votes for the Veterans Era category. Both Panels are updated annually by the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee. Individuals can serve on both Panels. All panelists remain anonymous.
Non Performer: Billy Sherrill – Born Nov. 5, 1936 in Phil Campbell, Ala., Sherrill was the son of an evangelist preacher. As a child, he learned to play piano and frequently performed at his father’s revival meetings. After learning to play saxophone, he formed a rock’n’roll and R&B band called The Fairlanes with his friend, songwriter/musician Rick Hall. Although he was briefly signed as a solo artist to a small independent label in the late ’50s, he mainly concentrated on performing and songwriting. Sherrill co-wrote “Sweet and Innocent” (which would later be a hit for Donny Osmond) with his bandmate Rick Hall, with whom he created a publishing partnership called Florence Alabama Music Enterprises (FAME).
Sherrill moved to Nashville in 1962 after receiving a royalty check in the mail and learning that an unknown Country artist had recorded one of his songs. Florence-native Sam Phillips hired Sherrill to manage Sun Records’ Nashville studios. One year later, Sherrill moved on to Epic Records Nashville as an in-house producer and was assigned to record any artist that the label’s other producers had already rejected. He created his own production style based on his gospel music background and the influences of producers such as Owen Bradley and Phil Spector. In doing this, he broadened the Nashville sound of the 1950s by adding a modern, sophisticated sensibility while often using a generous amount of strings and background vocals. He also wrote or co-wrote songs to match the style of the artists he produced.
In 1965, he achieved his first big success when David Houston hit No. 3 with the Sherrill-produced “Livin’ in a House Full of Love” (co-written by Sherrill and Glenn Sutton). One year later, Sherrill produced Houston’s hit “Almost Persuaded” (also co-written by Sherrill and Sutton) which spent nine weeks at No. 1 and was recognized with three Grammy Awards in 1966: Best Country & Western Song (for Sherrill and Sutton); Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Vocal Performance, Male (both for Houston). The song soon became a standard and was recorded more than 100 times by artists as diverse as Louis Armstrong, Merle Haggard, and Etta James, among others.
In 1966, Sherrill discovered the woman who would later be known as the First Lady of Country Music when a hairdresser named Wynette Byrd knocked on his door and asked for an audition. Sherrill soon signed the singer and, inspired by the Debbie Reynolds movie “Tammy and the Bachelor,” suggested she change her name to Tammy Wynette. Under Sherrill’s production, Wynette’s first single “Apartment No. 9” was released in December 1966 and peaked at No. 44. Her second single, “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad” (a Sherrill/Sutton composition), reached No. 3 and launched a string of Top 10 hits. Wynette’s duet with Houston on “My Elusive Dreams” became her first No. 1 hit in the summer of 1967, and earned Sherrill and co-writer Curly Putman their first CMA Award nomination for Song of the Year. Sherrill and Wynette’s partnership continued as he produced her hit songs including “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” “Take Me to Your World,” “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” and her signature song “Stand By Your Man,” which Sherrill and Wynette wrote in the studio in 15 minutes. That song earned Sherrill and Wynette a CMA Award nomination for Song of the Year in 1969, and the recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Wynette continued having hits under Sherrill’s production in the ’70s, most notably “Til I Can Make It On My Own,” written by Sherrill, Wynette, and George Richey, which received a nomination for CMA Song of the Year in 1976.
Sherrill brought Wynette’s then-husband George Jones to Epic in 1971, and produced his solo albums for nearly two decades. Sherrill produced such solo Jones hits as “We Can Make It,” “A Picture of Me (Without You),” “The Grand Tour,” “These Days I Barely Get By,” “Memories of Us,” “Same Ol Me,” “If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will),” “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” and the legendary “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” He also produced the Jones/Wynette duet projects, beginning with their first hit “Take Me.” The couple would record together off and on through 1980, even after their 1975 divorce, delivering such Sherrill-produced classics as “The Ceremony,” “We’re Gonna Hold On,” “(We’re Not) The Jet Set,” “Golden Ring,” “Two Story House,” and more.
Sherrill signed Charlie Rich to Epic in 1968. Though it took a few years, this pairing resulted in huge success in 1973 with the release of the album Behind Closed Doors. The album propelled Rich to superstardom and contained three hit singles including the title track, “I Take It On Home,” and “The Most Beautiful Girl.” The latter song, written by Sherrill, Norro Wilson, and Rory Bourke, spent three weeks at the top of the Country singles chart, two weeks atop the pop singles chart, and received a nomination for CMA Song of the Year in 1974. In addition, Sherrill and Wilson received a Grammy Award in 1974 for Best Country Song for “A Very Special Love Song,” also recorded by Rich.
Sherrill signed Barbara Mandrell to Columbia Records in 1968. He produced and wrote many of her early hits, including her first Top 40 single “Playing Around with Love,” before she left the label four years later.
At this point, Sherrill had become one of the most reliable hitmakers in Nashville. Throughout the ’70s, he either produced, wrote songs (or both) for a wide variety of artists including Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe, Janie Fricke, Johnny Paycheck, Marty Robbins, Johnny Rodriguez, Joe Stampley, Tanya Tucker, Bobby Vinton, Andy Williams, and more. In 1980, he was named Vice President/Executive Producer of CBS Records Nashville (the parent company of Epic and Columbia). He produced Elvis Costello’s Country album, Almost Blue, in 1981. Three years later, he produced Ray Charles’ Friendship, which featured Charles performing duets with Chet Atkins, Cash, Jones, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, the Oak Ridge Boys, Hank Williams Jr., and others. After leaving CBS, Sherrill continued as an independent producer. He introduced the world to Shelby Lynne by producing both her 1988 duet with Jones on “If I Could Bottle This Up” as well as her first album, Sunrise, in 1989.
Sherrill was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2008. He has 84 BMI Awards (66 Country, 17 Pop, and 1 R&B), more than any other Country songwriter. In 1999, Sherrill was named the BMI Country Songwriter of the Century.
Veterans Era Artist: Jimmy Dean – Jimmy Ray Dean was born in Olton, Texas on Aug. 10, 1928, and raised by his mother in Plainview. His mother taught him piano at age 10, which led him to pick up harmonica and accordion in his teen years. Dropping out of high school at age 16, Dean joined the Merchant Marines for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at a base in Washington D.C., Dean first performed publicly with a band called the Tennessee Haymakers at clubs around the area. He remained in the area after he left the Air Force in 1948 and created a new band called the Texas Wildcats, which performed both in clubs and on WARL Radio in Arlington, Va.
In 1952, Dean toured the U.S. military bases in the Carribbean before returning to Washington, D.C. to record his first single for Four Star Records. “Bummin’ Around” was released in 1952 and hit No. 5 on the Country singles chart. Broadcast pioneer Connie B. Gay offered Dean the opportunity to host “Town and Country Time,” a three-hour weekly television show broadcast every Saturday night on the local ABC affiliate, WMAL-TV. Patsy Cline and Roy Clark were among the artists who regularly appeared on the show. The popular Dean was later hired away to Washington D.C.’s CBS affiliate to host a live Country show. In 1957, he moved to New York, signed with Columbia Records, and hosted “The Morning Show,” an early morning television variety show for CBS.
In 1961, Dean wrote and recorded his signature song “Big Bad John” in Nashville. The song, which established his flair for spoken narratives, went to No. 1 on both the Country and pop singles charts. Dean and “Big Bad John” received the 1961 Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. Additional popular singles followed in the next few years. “Dear Ivan,” “Little Black Book,” and ‘P.T. 109″ (about John F. Kennedy’s military adventure) all reached the Top 10 on the Country singles charts while “To a Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Cajun Queen” charted in the Top 20. All five of these songs also hit the Top 40 on the pop singles charts, with “P.T. 109” making the pop Top 10 as well.
During the early ’60s, Dean became the first guest host of “The Tonight Show” for NBC Television. From 1963-1966, “The Jimmy Dean Show” aired on ABC Television, and its host earned the nickname “The Dean of Country Music.” This variety show regularly featured Country Music artists as guests, introducing the likes of George Jones, Roger Miller, Buck Owens, Charlie Rich and many more to a national mainstream audience. The show also featured frequent appearances from puppeteer Jim Henson, which made his piano-playing dog Rowlf the first Muppet to become a household name.
In 1966, Dean signed with RCA Records and placed “Stand Beside Me” in the Country Top 10 that year. Additional hits followed, including “A Thing Called Love,” “Born to Be by Your Side,” and “A Hammer and Nails.” By now a top name in Hollywood, Dean was also a headliner at major venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and the London Palladium, and became the first Country performer to play the Las Vegas strip. He was a frequent guest on the talk show circuit, appearing often on “Merv Griffin,” “Dinah Shore Show,” “Mike Douglas Show,” and the like. He became a recurring character on the “Daniel Boone” television series in the late 60s, acted in several television movies-of-the-week, and in 1971 appeared as reclusive billionare Willard Whyte in the James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever” with Sean Connery. That same year he and Dottie West achieved a Top 40 duet on the Country singles charts with “Slowly.” His final hit was in 1976 with “I.O.U.,” a narrative tribute honoring his mother that reached the Top 10 on the Country charts.
During the late ’60s, Dean broadened his interests after buying a Texas hog farm and transforming it into the Jimmy Dean Meat Company in 1969. While he continued to record and act during the ’70s and ’80s, he spent much of his time on this new business as his sausage recipes, inspired by his grandfather, achieved mass popularity. The company soon became the most successful sausage company in America. Sara Lee Corporation acquired the Jimmy Dean Meat Company in 1984, but Dean continued to be company spokesperson and Chairman of the Board for nearly 20 years.
Dean married former Mercury/Polygram recording artist Donna Meade in 1991 and moved to an area just outside Richmond, Va. The couple co-wrote his autobiography, 30 Years of Sausage, 50 Years of Ham, which was released in 2004. The Deans recently wrote the song “Virginia,” which is slated to become that state’s next anthem. He was appointed by the Virginia governor to the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries in 1998. Dean was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997, the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2009.
Veterans Era Artist: Ferlin Husky – Born Dec. 3, 1925 in Cantwell, Mo., and raised on a farm, Husky learned to play guitar as a child from his uncle. He later moved to St. Louis and worked odd jobs. From 1943-1948, he served in the Merchant Marines, U.S. Army, and Coast Guard. During this time he fought under more than 48 hours of gunfire during the D-Day invasion of Normandy at Cherbourg in June 1944. During his time in the military, he occasionally entertained the troops on his ship.
After the war ended, Husky returned to St. Louis and worked in radio alongside Gene Autry’s sidekick, Smiley Burnett. He moved to California in 1949 and acted in some bit parts in several western movies before settling in Bakersfield where he worked as a radio disc jockey. He also regularly hosted and performed a family-style show in area clubs such as the Rainbow Garden that featured musical performances, talent shows for kids, and more. Changing his name first to Tex Terry and then to Terry Preston, he signed with Four Star Records in 1950. Although he had little success at Four Star, he did meet Cliffie Stone, a performer who also managed Tennessee Ernie Ford, served as an A&R executive at Capitol Records, and hosted the “Hometown Jamboree” radio and television show each Saturday night on KXLA Radio/Pasadena and KTLA-TV (Los Angeles).
Stone signed Husky to Capitol with Ken Nelson as his producer. Although his first few singles were released under the Preston name, Husky soon reverted back to his birth name under Nelson’s urging. He soon moved to Springfield, Missouri where he performed often on the Ozark Jubilee. In 1952, he moved to Nashville to be closer to the Country Music industry and became a frequent guest performer on the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1953, Husky performed a recitation in the song “A Dear John Letter” sung by Jean Shepard. The song went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country singles chart and No. 4 on Billboard’s pop singles chart, launching both artists’ careers. The two reunited later that year for the follow up answer song, “Forgive Me John,” which went Top 10. In 1955, Husky returned to the Top 10 with “I Feel Better All Over” and “Little Tom,” and achieved a Top 20 hit with “I’ll Babysit with You.” He also had a No. 5 hit, “Cuzz Yore So Sweet,” under his comic alter-ego name Simon Crum.
Husky topped the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks in 1957 with “Gone.” The song also reached No. 4 on the Billboard pop singles chart. A year later, he had a No. 2 hit as Crum with “Country Music is Here to Stay.” Back as himself in 1960, Husky released his signature hit, “Wings of a Dove,” which was once again No. 1 on the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks and reached No. 12 on the Billboard pop singles chart. He hit No. 4 on the Country singles chart in 1966 with “Once,” and had his final Top 10 hit in 1967 with “Just for You.” Husky remained on Capitol Records until 1972, continuing to have success with songs including “Heavenly Sunshine,” “Sweet Misery,” “White Fences and Evergreen Trees,” “Every Step of the Way,” “I Promised You the World,” and more. He then signed with ABC, remaining with them through 1975. His last Top 20 hit was “Rosie Cries a Lot” in 1973.
Husky made appearances on several of the top television variety shows of the time, including “The Steve Allen Show” and “Toast of the Town,” and also served as a summer replacement host for Arthur Godfrey on his self-titled CBS show in 1957. That same year, Husky branched out into acting, beginning with a role on an episode of “Kraft TV Theater” and an appearance as himself in the film “Mr Rock & Roll.” One year later, he acted in the movie “Country Music Holiday.” After a few years break, Husky returned to the movies in 1965, appearing as himself in “Country Music on Broadway” and acting as Crum in “Forty Acre Feud.” He portrayed the character Woody in “The Las Vegas Hillbillys” (1966) and “Hillbillys in a Haunted House” (1967). His last film role was in “Swamp Girl” (1971).
In 1960, Husky was among the first Country artists inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout his career, he toured in more than 62 countries. In 2005 at the age of 80, he released the album The Way It Was (Is the Way It Is), featuring both old and new material, on the Heart of Texas record label. Leona Williams, who wrote the title cut, performed with him on two tracks.
Modern Era Artist: Don Williams – The man who would later be known as “The Gentle Giant” was born May 27, 1939 in Floydada, Texas. Williams learned guitar from his mother during his childhood and performed in a variety of Country, folk, and rock’n’roll bands during his teen years.
Living in Corpus Christi after high school, he partnered with Lofton Kline to form a musical duo called The Strangers Two. In 1965, they added Susan Taylor to the group and renamed themselves the Pozo-Seco Singers. The folk-pop group signed with Edmark Records, a local record label, and had a regional hit with their single “Time.” With that success, Columbia Records signed the group in 1966 and re-released the song nationally where it charted in the Top 50 on the pop charts. The threesome had two additional Top 40 pop hits with “I Can Make It with You” and “Look What You’ve Done” before disbanding in 1970 after releasing their fourth album.
Williams moved to Nashville and signed as a songwriter with Jack Music, Inc. owned by legendary producer/publisher Jack Clement. In 1972 he signed with JMI as a solo artist. While his first single “Don’t You Believe” did not receive much airplay, the 1973 follow up “The Shelter of Your Eyes” reached No. 14 on the Country singles chart. He released a few more singles to varying degrees of success before hitting No. 5 with “We Should Be Together” in 1974. This success led to a recording deal with ABC/Dot Records. His debut single on the new label, “I Wouldn’t Want to Live If You Didn’t Love Me,” topped the Country singles chart in the summer of 1974.
During the 1970s, Williams grew into one of the most popular Country artists in the world with No. 1 songs such as “You’re My Best Friend,” “Love Me Tonight,” “Till the Rivers All Run Dry” (which he co-wrote with Wayland Holyfield), “Say It Again,” “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend,” “I’m Just a Country Boy,” “Tulsa Time,” “It Must Be Love” and “Love Me Over Again” (written by Williams). In addition to his American success, he gained a huge following in the United Kingdom and Europe. He was named CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978. Williams also appeared in movies such as “W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings,” and “Smokey and the Bandit II.”
Williams wrote several of his hits, including “I’ve Got a Winner in You” (with Holyfield), and “Lay Down Beside Me,” both of which hit the Top 10 in 1978. But he also frequently recorded songs written by Bob McDill, Holyfield, Roger Cook, Dave Loggins, John Prine, and Allen Reynolds (who produced several of Williams’ early albums). For more than 17 years beginning in the mid-70s, Williams co-produced his albums with Garth Fundis.
In 1980, Williams released his most successful single “I Believe in You,” which topped the Country singles chart and reached No. 24 on the pop singles chart. 1981 saw two more No. 1 singles (“Lord, I Hope This Day is Good” and “Miracles”); a No. 3 duet with Emmylou Harris on “If I Needed You”; and the CMA Album of the Year Award for I Believe In You. Additional No. 1 singles in the ’80s included “If Hollywood Don’t Need You,” “Love is On a Roll,” “That’s the Thing About Love,” and “Heartbeat in the Darkness.” He switched labels, moving from MCA (which had acquired ABC/Dot) to Capitol in 1986, and then to RCA in 1989. His last Top 10 single was in 1992 with “Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy.”
Williams announced his “Farewell Tour to the World” in early 2006 and performed around the globe before wrapping up with his sold-out, final concert in Memphis, Tenn. at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts on Nov. 21, 2006. He then retired from live performing, recording, and public life. Among his many career accomplishments were 17 No. 1 hits and 13 CMA Award nominations. He and his wife Joy will celebrate 50 years of marriage on April 10, 2010.
Moxy Records Opens In Nashville
/by MichelleChelsea Field
Newly formed Moxy Records, a division of Moxy Music Group, has begun full-time label operations based out of its new offices in Nashville. The label recently signed its first act, singer/songwriter Chelsea Field. She is currently in the studio with producer Trey Bruce recording the final tracks for her debut album.
Field is scheduled to complete her album in the coming weeks, with a debut single to be released soon after. She makes her first appearance at Country Radio Seminar this week (Feb. 24-26) and performs on the Digital Rodeo Guilty Pleasures show to close out the three-day seminar on Friday night.
The Moxy Records mailing address is P.O. Box 331695, Nashville, TN, 37201. General label inquiries should be directed to info@MoxyRecords.com or 615-512-4535.
Radio industry veteran and hit producer Edison Bahamon of Mixed Up Productions is the most recent addition to the Moxy team. Bahamon will operate as Director of Radio Marketing. Contact Edison at: Eddie@MoxyRecords.com or 615-512-4535.
WiseSmith Management Group was hired earlier this year to serve as industry consultants for the label. Contact Doc Smith of WiseSmith at: Doc@MoxyRecords.com or 615-512-4535.
Jonathon Esarey, of entertainment marketing group One Open Door, will handle the label’s development and management of sponsorship opportunities. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Jonathon at Jonathon@MoxyRecords.com or 615-512-4535.
Former Mavericks bassist and industry veteran Robert Reynolds will head the label’s artist relations department. Reynolds can be reached at: Robert@MoxyRecords.com or 615-512-4535.
Visit www.MoxyRecords.com for more information.
Country Music Hall of Fame Names Next Class
/by Sarah SkatesClockwise: Jimmy Dean, Ferlin Husky, Billy Sherrill, and Don Williams
The Country Music Association announced today that Jimmy Dean, Ferlin Husky, Billy Sherrill, and Don Williams will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame.
Due to a tie in the voting, both Dean and Husky will be inducted in the “Veterans Era Artist” category. Williams will be inducted in the “Modern Era Artist” category. Sherrill will be inducted in the “Non-Performer” category, which is awarded every third year in a rotation with the “Recording and/or Touring Musician” and “Songwriter” categories. Dean, Husky, Sherrill, and Williams will increase membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame from 108 to 112 inductees.
“These four gentlemen broadened Country Music immensely with their talents, exposing millions of fans around the world to our format,” said Steve Moore, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. “Their contributions to the genre and to popular culture are immeasurable, and we are proud to award them the highest honor in Country Music.”
Induction ceremonies for Dean, Husky, Sherrill and Williams will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum later this year. Since 2007, the Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, an annual reunion of the Hall of Fame membership, has served as the official rite of induction for new members.
“The 2010 honorees are Southern men who have used their voices, songwriting, instruments and life experience to create enduring Country Music that dominated popularity charts throughout the middle and closing decades of the 20th Century,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Their songs, recordings, live performances, and presence on radio, television, and even in the movies, are part of the sonic architecture that now frames our music in the mainstream. We extend our heartiest congratulations to them all and look forward to the stories and fellowship to come.”
“I thought I was already in there,” said Dean humorously. “Seriously, it brought a huge grin to my face. I am honored.”
An emotional Husky said, “I’d like to thank my Lord Jesus Christ for dying for me, saving my soul, and bringing me into the world as a country boy. And also, for giving me the talent to sing, entertain, and help convert millions around the world to Country Music. I’m still a country boy and proud of it. In the words of my close friend, the late Stringbean, ‘I sure am glad I’m me!'”
“Anything I have ever accomplished would have been totally impossible without the help and support of the greatest songwriters and musicians in the world, and of course what I stole from Owen Bradley,” said Sherrill.
“I feel extremely honored and overwhelmed with this news,” said Williams. “It is unbelievable that CMA thought about me in this manner.”
CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest honor.
For more information on the inductees and the election process click here.
More About The Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees
/by Sarah SkatesClockwise: Jimmy Dean, Ferlin Husky, Billy Sherrill, and Don Williams
The categories and voting process were updated in 2009, taking effect with the 2010 ballot. The current categories are:
Modern Era – An artist becomes eligible for induction in this category 20 years after they first achieve national prominence. They will remain eligible for that category for the next 25 years. [This replaced the former “Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present” category].
Veterans Era – An artist becomes eligible for induction in this category 45 years after they first achieve national prominence. [This category combined the former “Career Achieved National Prominence between World War II and 1975” category (which was voted on annually) and “Career Achieved National Prominence Prior to World War II” sub-category (which was voted on every third year in rotation) into one group].
Rotating Categories – The third slot is a rotating category, with each group in the spotlight every third year. The three rotating categories are Non-Performer, Songwriter, and Recording and/or Touring Musician. [The Songwriter category was created in the 2009 update, and will induct its first member in 2011. Previously, songwriters were included in the Non-Performer category].
The Veterans Era and Modern Era categories have separate Nominating Committees, each made up of 12 industry leaders who serve three-year terms. The Modern Era Nominating Committee also oversees the Rotating Categories. Final nominations are then submitted to two separate Panels of Electors, made up of historians and industry professionals that have a historical perspective on Country Music. One Panel votes for both the Modern Era and the Rotating Categories, while a second Panel votes for the Veterans Era category. Both Panels are updated annually by the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee. Individuals can serve on both Panels. All panelists remain anonymous.
Non Performer: Billy Sherrill – Born Nov. 5, 1936 in Phil Campbell, Ala., Sherrill was the son of an evangelist preacher. As a child, he learned to play piano and frequently performed at his father’s revival meetings. After learning to play saxophone, he formed a rock’n’roll and R&B band called The Fairlanes with his friend, songwriter/musician Rick Hall. Although he was briefly signed as a solo artist to a small independent label in the late ’50s, he mainly concentrated on performing and songwriting. Sherrill co-wrote “Sweet and Innocent” (which would later be a hit for Donny Osmond) with his bandmate Rick Hall, with whom he created a publishing partnership called Florence Alabama Music Enterprises (FAME).
Sherrill moved to Nashville in 1962 after receiving a royalty check in the mail and learning that an unknown Country artist had recorded one of his songs. Florence-native Sam Phillips hired Sherrill to manage Sun Records’ Nashville studios. One year later, Sherrill moved on to Epic Records Nashville as an in-house producer and was assigned to record any artist that the label’s other producers had already rejected. He created his own production style based on his gospel music background and the influences of producers such as Owen Bradley and Phil Spector. In doing this, he broadened the Nashville sound of the 1950s by adding a modern, sophisticated sensibility while often using a generous amount of strings and background vocals. He also wrote or co-wrote songs to match the style of the artists he produced. In 1965, he achieved his first big success when David Houston hit No. 3 with the Sherrill-produced “Livin’ in a House Full of Love” (co-written by Sherrill and Glenn Sutton). One year later, Sherrill produced Houston’s hit “Almost Persuaded” (also co-written by Sherrill and Sutton) which spent nine weeks at No. 1 and was recognized with three Grammy Awards in 1966: Best Country & Western Song (for Sherrill and Sutton); Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Vocal Performance, Male (both for Houston). The song soon became a standard and was recorded more than 100 times by artists as diverse as Louis Armstrong, Merle Haggard, and Etta James, among others.
In 1966, Sherrill discovered the woman who would later be known as the First Lady of Country Music when a hairdresser named Wynette Byrd knocked on his door and asked for an audition. Sherrill soon signed the singer and, inspired by the Debbie Reynolds movie “Tammy and the Bachelor,” suggested she change her name to Tammy Wynette. Under Sherrill’s production, Wynette’s first single “Apartment No. 9” was released in December 1966 and peaked at No. 44. Her second single, “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad” (a Sherrill/Sutton composition), reached No. 3 and launched a string of Top 10 hits. Wynette’s duet with Houston on “My Elusive Dreams” became her first No. 1 hit in the summer of 1967, and earned Sherrill and co-writer Curly Putman their first CMA Award nomination for Song of the Year. Sherrill and Wynette’s partnership continued as he produced her hit songs including “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” “Take Me to Your World,” “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” and her signature song “Stand By Your Man,” which Sherrill and Wynette wrote in the studio in 15 minutes. That song earned Sherrill and Wynette a CMA Award nomination for Song of the Year in 1969, and the recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Wynette continued having hits under Sherrill’s production in the ’70s, most notably “Til I Can Make It On My Own,” written by Sherrill, Wynette, and George Richey, which received a nomination for CMA Song of the Year in 1976.
Sherrill brought Wynette’s then-husband George Jones to Epic in 1971, and produced his solo albums for nearly two decades. Sherrill produced such solo Jones hits as “We Can Make It,” “A Picture of Me (Without You),” “The Grand Tour,” “These Days I Barely Get By,” “Memories of Us,” “Same Ol Me,” “If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will),” “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” and the legendary “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” He also produced the Jones/Wynette duet projects, beginning with their first hit “Take Me.” The couple would record together off and on through 1980, even after their 1975 divorce, delivering such Sherrill-produced classics as “The Ceremony,” “We’re Gonna Hold On,” “(We’re Not) The Jet Set,” “Golden Ring,” “Two Story House,” and more.
Sherrill signed Charlie Rich to Epic in 1968. Though it took a few years, this pairing resulted in huge success in 1973 with the release of the album Behind Closed Doors. The album propelled Rich to superstardom and contained three hit singles including the title track, “I Take It On Home,” and “The Most Beautiful Girl.” The latter song, written by Sherrill, Norro Wilson, and Rory Bourke, spent three weeks at the top of the Country singles chart, two weeks atop the pop singles chart, and received a nomination for CMA Song of the Year in 1974. In addition, Sherrill and Wilson received a Grammy Award in 1974 for Best Country Song for “A Very Special Love Song,” also recorded by Rich.
Sherrill signed Barbara Mandrell to Columbia Records in 1968. He produced and wrote many of her early hits, including her first Top 40 single “Playing Around with Love,” before she left the label four years later.
At this point, Sherrill had become one of the most reliable hitmakers in Nashville. Throughout the ’70s, he either produced, wrote songs (or both) for a wide variety of artists including Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe, Janie Fricke, Johnny Paycheck, Marty Robbins, Johnny Rodriguez, Joe Stampley, Tanya Tucker, Bobby Vinton, Andy Williams, and more. In 1980, he was named Vice President/Executive Producer of CBS Records Nashville (the parent company of Epic and Columbia). He produced Elvis Costello’s Country album, Almost Blue, in 1981. Three years later, he produced Ray Charles’ Friendship, which featured Charles performing duets with Chet Atkins, Cash, Jones, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, the Oak Ridge Boys, Hank Williams Jr., and others. After leaving CBS, Sherrill continued as an independent producer. He introduced the world to Shelby Lynne by producing both her 1988 duet with Jones on “If I Could Bottle This Up” as well as her first album, Sunrise, in 1989.
Sherrill was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2008. He has 84 BMI Awards (66 Country, 17 Pop, and 1 R&B), more than any other Country songwriter. In 1999, Sherrill was named the BMI Country Songwriter of the Century.
Veterans Era Artist: Jimmy Dean – Jimmy Ray Dean was born in Olton, Texas on Aug. 10, 1928, and raised by his mother in Plainview. His mother taught him piano at age 10, which led him to pick up harmonica and accordion in his teen years. Dropping out of high school at age 16, Dean joined the Merchant Marines for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Stationed at a base in Washington D.C., Dean first performed publicly with a band called the Tennessee Haymakers at clubs around the area. He remained in the area after he left the Air Force in 1948 and created a new band called the Texas Wildcats, which performed both in clubs and on WARL Radio in Arlington, Va. In 1952, Dean toured the U.S. military bases in the Carribbean before returning to Washington, D.C. to record his first single for Four Star Records. “Bummin’ Around” was released in 1952 and hit No. 5 on the Country singles chart. Broadcast pioneer Connie B. Gay offered Dean the opportunity to host “Town and Country Time,” a three-hour weekly television show broadcast every Saturday night on the local ABC affiliate, WMAL-TV. Patsy Cline and Roy Clark were among the artists who regularly appeared on the show. The popular Dean was later hired away to Washington D.C.’s CBS affiliate to host a live Country show. In 1957, he moved to New York, signed with Columbia Records, and hosted “The Morning Show,” an early morning television variety show for CBS.
In 1961, Dean wrote and recorded his signature song “Big Bad John” in Nashville. The song, which established his flair for spoken narratives, went to No. 1 on both the Country and pop singles charts. Dean and “Big Bad John” received the 1961 Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. Additional popular singles followed in the next few years. “Dear Ivan,” “Little Black Book,” and ‘P.T. 109″ (about John F. Kennedy’s military adventure) all reached the Top 10 on the Country singles charts while “To a Sleeping Beauty,” and “The Cajun Queen” charted in the Top 20. All five of these songs also hit the Top 40 on the pop singles charts, with “P.T. 109” making the pop Top 10 as well.
During the early ’60s, Dean became the first guest host of “The Tonight Show” for NBC Television. From 1963-1966, “The Jimmy Dean Show” aired on ABC Television, and its host earned the nickname “The Dean of Country Music.” This variety show regularly featured Country Music artists as guests, introducing the likes of George Jones, Roger Miller, Buck Owens, Charlie Rich and many more to a national mainstream audience. The show also featured frequent appearances from puppeteer Jim Henson, which made his piano-playing dog Rowlf the first Muppet to become a household name.
In 1966, Dean signed with RCA Records and placed “Stand Beside Me” in the Country Top 10 that year. Additional hits followed, including “A Thing Called Love,” “Born to Be by Your Side,” and “A Hammer and Nails.” By now a top name in Hollywood, Dean was also a headliner at major venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and the London Palladium, and became the first Country performer to play the Las Vegas strip. He was a frequent guest on the talk show circuit, appearing often on “Merv Griffin,” “Dinah Shore Show,” “Mike Douglas Show,” and the like. He became a recurring character on the “Daniel Boone” television series in the late 60s, acted in several television movies-of-the-week, and in 1971 appeared as reclusive billionare Willard Whyte in the James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever” with Sean Connery. That same year he and Dottie West achieved a Top 40 duet on the Country singles charts with “Slowly.” His final hit was in 1976 with “I.O.U.,” a narrative tribute honoring his mother that reached the Top 10 on the Country charts. During the late ’60s, Dean broadened his interests after buying a Texas hog farm and transforming it into the Jimmy Dean Meat Company in 1969. While he continued to record and act during the ’70s and ’80s, he spent much of his time on this new business as his sausage recipes, inspired by his grandfather, achieved mass popularity. The company soon became the most successful sausage company in America. Sara Lee Corporation acquired the Jimmy Dean Meat Company in 1984, but Dean continued to be company spokesperson and Chairman of the Board for nearly 20 years.
Dean married former Mercury/Polygram recording artist Donna Meade in 1991 and moved to an area just outside Richmond, Va. The couple co-wrote his autobiography, 30 Years of Sausage, 50 Years of Ham, which was released in 2004. The Deans recently wrote the song “Virginia,” which is slated to become that state’s next anthem. He was appointed by the Virginia governor to the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries in 1998. Dean was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997, the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2009.
Veterans Era Artist: Ferlin Husky – Born Dec. 3, 1925 in Cantwell, Mo., and raised on a farm, Husky learned to play guitar as a child from his uncle. He later moved to St. Louis and worked odd jobs. From 1943-1948, he served in the Merchant Marines, U.S. Army, and Coast Guard. During this time he fought under more than 48 hours of gunfire during the D-Day invasion of Normandy at Cherbourg in June 1944. During his time in the military, he occasionally entertained the troops on his ship.
After the war ended, Husky returned to St. Louis and worked in radio alongside Gene Autry’s sidekick, Smiley Burnett. He moved to California in 1949 and acted in some bit parts in several western movies before settling in Bakersfield where he worked as a radio disc jockey. He also regularly hosted and performed a family-style show in area clubs such as the Rainbow Garden that featured musical performances, talent shows for kids, and more. Changing his name first to Tex Terry and then to Terry Preston, he signed with Four Star Records in 1950. Although he had little success at Four Star, he did meet Cliffie Stone, a performer who also managed Tennessee Ernie Ford, served as an A&R executive at Capitol Records, and hosted the “Hometown Jamboree” radio and television show each Saturday night on KXLA Radio/Pasadena and KTLA-TV (Los Angeles).
Stone signed Husky to Capitol with Ken Nelson as his producer. Although his first few singles were released under the Preston name, Husky soon reverted back to his birth name under Nelson’s urging. He soon moved to Springfield, Missouri where he performed often on the Ozark Jubilee. In 1952, he moved to Nashville to be closer to the Country Music industry and became a frequent guest performer on the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1953, Husky performed a recitation in the song “A Dear John Letter” sung by Jean Shepard. The song went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country singles chart and No. 4 on Billboard’s pop singles chart, launching both artists’ careers. The two reunited later that year for the follow up answer song, “Forgive Me John,” which went Top 10. In 1955, Husky returned to the Top 10 with “I Feel Better All Over” and “Little Tom,” and achieved a Top 20 hit with “I’ll Babysit with You.” He also had a No. 5 hit, “Cuzz Yore So Sweet,” under his comic alter-ego name Simon Crum. Husky topped the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks in 1957 with “Gone.” The song also reached No. 4 on the Billboard pop singles chart. A year later, he had a No. 2 hit as Crum with “Country Music is Here to Stay.” Back as himself in 1960, Husky released his signature hit, “Wings of a Dove,” which was once again No. 1 on the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks and reached No. 12 on the Billboard pop singles chart. He hit No. 4 on the Country singles chart in 1966 with “Once,” and had his final Top 10 hit in 1967 with “Just for You.” Husky remained on Capitol Records until 1972, continuing to have success with songs including “Heavenly Sunshine,” “Sweet Misery,” “White Fences and Evergreen Trees,” “Every Step of the Way,” “I Promised You the World,” and more. He then signed with ABC, remaining with them through 1975. His last Top 20 hit was “Rosie Cries a Lot” in 1973.
Husky made appearances on several of the top television variety shows of the time, including “The Steve Allen Show” and “Toast of the Town,” and also served as a summer replacement host for Arthur Godfrey on his self-titled CBS show in 1957. That same year, Husky branched out into acting, beginning with a role on an episode of “Kraft TV Theater” and an appearance as himself in the film “Mr Rock & Roll.” One year later, he acted in the movie “Country Music Holiday.” After a few years break, Husky returned to the movies in 1965, appearing as himself in “Country Music on Broadway” and acting as Crum in “Forty Acre Feud.” He portrayed the character Woody in “The Las Vegas Hillbillys” (1966) and “Hillbillys in a Haunted House” (1967). His last film role was in “Swamp Girl” (1971).
In 1960, Husky was among the first Country artists inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout his career, he toured in more than 62 countries. In 2005 at the age of 80, he released the album The Way It Was (Is the Way It Is), featuring both old and new material, on the Heart of Texas record label. Leona Williams, who wrote the title cut, performed with him on two tracks.
Modern Era Artist: Don Williams – The man who would later be known as “The Gentle Giant” was born May 27, 1939 in Floydada, Texas. Williams learned guitar from his mother during his childhood and performed in a variety of Country, folk, and rock’n’roll bands during his teen years.
Living in Corpus Christi after high school, he partnered with Lofton Kline to form a musical duo called The Strangers Two. In 1965, they added Susan Taylor to the group and renamed themselves the Pozo-Seco Singers. The folk-pop group signed with Edmark Records, a local record label, and had a regional hit with their single “Time.” With that success, Columbia Records signed the group in 1966 and re-released the song nationally where it charted in the Top 50 on the pop charts. The threesome had two additional Top 40 pop hits with “I Can Make It with You” and “Look What You’ve Done” before disbanding in 1970 after releasing their fourth album.
Williams moved to Nashville and signed as a songwriter with Jack Music, Inc. owned by legendary producer/publisher Jack Clement. In 1972 he signed with JMI as a solo artist. While his first single “Don’t You Believe” did not receive much airplay, the 1973 follow up “The Shelter of Your Eyes” reached No. 14 on the Country singles chart. He released a few more singles to varying degrees of success before hitting No. 5 with “We Should Be Together” in 1974. This success led to a recording deal with ABC/Dot Records. His debut single on the new label, “I Wouldn’t Want to Live If You Didn’t Love Me,” topped the Country singles chart in the summer of 1974.
During the 1970s, Williams grew into one of the most popular Country artists in the world with No. 1 songs such as “You’re My Best Friend,” “Love Me Tonight,” “Till the Rivers All Run Dry” (which he co-wrote with Wayland Holyfield), “Say It Again,” “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend,” “I’m Just a Country Boy,” “Tulsa Time,” “It Must Be Love” and “Love Me Over Again” (written by Williams). In addition to his American success, he gained a huge following in the United Kingdom and Europe. He was named CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978. Williams also appeared in movies such as “W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings,” and “Smokey and the Bandit II.”
Williams wrote several of his hits, including “I’ve Got a Winner in You” (with Holyfield), and “Lay Down Beside Me,” both of which hit the Top 10 in 1978. But he also frequently recorded songs written by Bob McDill, Holyfield, Roger Cook, Dave Loggins, John Prine, and Allen Reynolds (who produced several of Williams’ early albums). For more than 17 years beginning in the mid-70s, Williams co-produced his albums with Garth Fundis.
In 1980, Williams released his most successful single “I Believe in You,” which topped the Country singles chart and reached No. 24 on the pop singles chart. 1981 saw two more No. 1 singles (“Lord, I Hope This Day is Good” and “Miracles”); a No. 3 duet with Emmylou Harris on “If I Needed You”; and the CMA Album of the Year Award for I Believe In You. Additional No. 1 singles in the ’80s included “If Hollywood Don’t Need You,” “Love is On a Roll,” “That’s the Thing About Love,” and “Heartbeat in the Darkness.” He switched labels, moving from MCA (which had acquired ABC/Dot) to Capitol in 1986, and then to RCA in 1989. His last Top 10 single was in 1992 with “Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy.”
Williams announced his “Farewell Tour to the World” in early 2006 and performed around the globe before wrapping up with his sold-out, final concert in Memphis, Tenn. at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts on Nov. 21, 2006. He then retired from live performing, recording, and public life. Among his many career accomplishments were 17 No. 1 hits and 13 CMA Award nominations. He and his wife Joy will celebrate 50 years of marriage on April 10, 2010.
Fans Vote On New Music From Whitney Duncan
/by Sarah SkatesA poll opened last night (2/22) on her site that gives fans the opportunity to select one of three songs they want to be featured on the new album. The winning song will be included in the release.
Duncan co-wrote every song on Right Road Now. She has penned songs for LeAnn Rimes, Crystal Shawanda, Lee Ann Womack, as well as her own duet with Kenny Rogers.
Duncan will perform this afternoon at MusicRow’s party exclusively for Country Radio Seminar attendees. Also taking the stage will be Show Dog -Universal group Trailer Choir. Look for loads of coverage tomorrow morning in the subscriber-only @MusicRow.
Paisley Sells Out West Coast Run, Heads For “Tonight Show”
/by Sarah SkatesThe American Saturday Night Tour with special guests Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore will take a break this week and then concludes next weekend, March 4-6, with stops in Greenville, SC; Knoxville, TN; and Charleston, SC.
Paisley will return to the west coast on March 1 as the musical guest for Jay Leno’s first show back as host of The Tonight Show. Also on the line-up are Jamie Foxx and Olympic Gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn.
Chart Climbers: Armiger, Ballestrini, Burns & Poe, Kennon
/by Sarah SkatesArmiger takes the Kiss Me Now tour to PD Scott Lindy and MD Lance Houston at WUBL.
With Country Radio Seminar hitting town this week, artists are set to schmooze radio reps from across the nation. Here’s a rundown of some of the rising artists and their singles that are already climbing MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart.
Katie Armiger’s “Kiss Me Now” is at No. 52 on the Country Breakout Chart. It’s the first single from her forthcoming third album on Cold River Records, and she penned it with Lyric Street recording artist Sarah Buxton and well-known Nashville songwriter Blair Daly. This is also Armiger’s first single to chart on Billboard.
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Veronica Ballestrini
Veronica Ballestrini is working her new song “Out There Somewhere.” It’s the follow-up to her debut single, “Amazing,” and last week edged ahead of Armiger at No. 51 on the Country Breakout Chart. Ballestrini performs Friday, February 26 at 12th & Porter at 9 pm, where one fan in attendance will win a spot on her upcoming fan cruise to the Bahamas. The boat leaves from Miami, FL on August 27 and makes stops in CocoCay and Nassau. To learn more about the cruise and to register, please visit Ballestrini’s website.
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Matt Kennon
Riding the momentum of his breakthrough single “The Call,” Bamajam artist Matt Kennon will release his self-titled debut album on April 27, 2010. He co-wrote the single, which is currently at No. 22, with Noah Gordon and Jeremy Campbell. BamaJam will be releasing the three-song The Call – EP to digital outlets on Tuesday, March 9.
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Burns & Poe performed “Big Truck,” for the folks at syndicated show Mud Truck TV recently. The track was chosen as a featured song for an upcoming show, along with their rising single “Don’t Get No Better Than That” from Blue Steel Records (No. 26 on the MR chart). The duo’s episode is set to air Thursday, March 4, at 1:30PM/CT.
Pictured with the Mud Truck crew l-r: Lisa Austin, Michelle Poe, Keith Burns, and Brian Austin.
ASCAP Elevates Nashville to Regional Office to Serve all Musical Genres To Be Led By Industry Veteran Tim DuBois
/by Sarah SkatesEffective immediately, the newly established ASCAP Nashville Regional Office will be overseen by Nashville-based industry veteran Tim DuBois, who has been appointed Vice-President and Managing Executive of the operations, reporting to ASCAP Senior Vice-President and head of Domestic Membership Randy Grimmett. Connie Bradley, Senior Vice-President of ASCAP Nashville, will continue to serve the company as a Senior Advisor, reporting to Grimmett, in a role she had been discussing with LoFrumento for some time. In her new role, Bradley will advise the organization on trends and developments, travel on behalf of ASCAP and work closely with high-profile writers on special projects.
As a result of ASCAP’s expanded emphasis and investment in Nashville, the new Regional Office will now serve a broader array of members across musical genres and a multi-state geographic footprint while bolstering its services to new and existing members, according to LoFrumento.
“The City of Nashville commends ASCAP for recognizing Music City’s evolution into a vibrant mecca, known worldwide for developing musical talent of all genres,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “As the 2010 Grammys indicated, Nashville is producing today’s most popular music, and boasts one of the most energetic and talented pools of writers and performers in the country.”
The expansion reflects Nashville’s growing importance as a global music capital that is a magnet for songwriters and publishers in a spectrum of genres. Nashville is today the launching pad for many of the most talented writers and performers in all genres of music and the ASCAP office will respond to this growth and change in the marketplace by taking on a regional approach to its core mission in Nashville. ASCAP also expects to expand the geographic region the office serves, serving other parts of Tennessee, as well as Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, the Carolinas, Florida and Virginia, among others, LoFrumento said.
“From Brad Paisley to Paramore, from the Kings of Leon to Alan Jackson, Nashville is the home to many of the most exciting developments in today’s music industry,” said LoFrumento. “Our office, while continuing to serve the needs of Country and Christian music’s greatest writers and publishers, will expand our vision and strategy to also meet the needs of the Pop, International, Urban and Folk writers, as well as film and television composers, who work, live and thrive in this region.”
In announcing DuBois’ appointment, Grimmett said, “ASCAP is privileged that an executive of Tim’s stature has joined us in this leadership role. Tim’s vision of the music industry and of Nashville’s prominent role dovetail perfectly with our expanded focus in Nashville. He will direct the daily operations of our team and office here, while assuring that ASCAP’s importance and impact grow even greater. We look forward to helping Tim fulfill that mission during this exciting time of expansion for ASCAP.”
DuBois stated, “I am excited about this opportunity to lead ASCAP’s Nashville Regional office. I believe ASCAP’s recognition of the influx and development of other successful genres of music in Nashville speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to our whole community. In addition, I hope to be able to address the growing needs of the business professionals who represent all genres of music here and to align the mission, goals and business strategies of this office with those of ASCAP’s Domestic Membership.”
DuBois has had a long career as one of the most successful executives in the recording industry having led both Arista Records and Universal South Records. A Clinical Professor of Management at Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Management and long-time ASCAP member, DuBois’ storied career has included recognition as a songwriter, manager, record executive and producer. Five songs that he has co-written have been No. 1 hits. DuBois’ songs have received numerous awards, and two Grammy Award nominations. As a producer, his accolades have included over twenty No. 1 and top 5 singles and more than a dozen gold, platinum, and double platinum albums. Tapped to open a Nashville division of Arista Records in 1989, DuBois discovered and signed Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, BlackHawk, Pam Tillis and Diamond Rio. DuBois quickly turned the new label into one of the most successful in country music history, selling more than 75 million records worldwide in just four years.
After serving as president of Gaylord Entertainment’s Creative Content Group in 2001, DuBois went on to head Universal South Records with producer Tony Brown in 2002, a position he held until 2006. DuBois was recognized as the most powerful person in the music industry by Business Nashville in 1996, Record Executive of the year in 1992 by Pollstar, and was included in Entertainment Weekly’s list of 101 Most Powerful People in Entertainment in 1994 and 1995.
DuBois currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and has served as a board member of the Country Music Foundation, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Leadership Music, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is a co-founder and board member of MyWerx LLC, the former chairman of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and is a board member of Sun Trust Bank in Nashville.
“We applaud Connie Bradley’s contributions to ASCAP over her 34 years with our organization,” said LoFrumento. “Her name will always be synonymous with ASCAP Nashville. She is a dedicated and hardworking executive, and we are thrilled that her vast knowledge base will continue to inform our strategic plans as an advisor for us.”
“John LoFrumento and I have been discussing this transition and new role for some time and I am pleased that it these changes have come to fruition,” Bradley said. “After 34 years, this new role as a Strategic Advisor is an exciting change for me. I can focus on the strategic direction and vision for ASCAP, an organization I have loved for my entire career. I am also looking forward to having a bit more time to spend with my family. I am delighted to welcome my good friend Tim DuBois to ASCAP and to work with him during such a dynamic time of change as our organization broadens to meet the expanded role of Nashville as a music capital.”
Little Big Town At Symphony Fashion Show; Garth Adds Dates
/by FreemanLittle Big Town is also currently at work on a new album for Capitol Nashville, and the first single from the project—“Little White Church”—has just been released to radio. The song will be available digitally and as a ringtone on March 9.
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Those who haven’t had a chance to see Garth Brooks during his sold-out residency at the Wynn Las Vegas, rejoice. Brooks has just announced another series of dates at the Wynn, and tickets go on sale this Saturday, February 27 at 10 am CT. Full dates included below. Tickets cost $125 plus service charge and tax. To order, visit www.wynnlasvegas.com/boxoffice or call 702-770-1000. Brooks still has shows lined up for Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend and will have a month off before the new dates start. Shows will take place Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 8 pm and 10:30 pm, and Sundays at 8 pm.
Garth Brooks Dates:
March 26, 27, 28
April 9, 10, 11
June 25, 26, 27
July 16, 17, 18
August 6, 7, 8
Aldean, Chesney Launch iPhone Apps
/by Sarah SkatesFans can use the applications to get news, updates and purchase concert tickets. Both musicians are giving them away for free.
“It’s a good way to put your songs and tour directly in your fans’ hands,” says Chesney, who bought iPhones for his touring crew when the device first came out.
Chesney’s app debuts as his current single, “Ain’t Back Yet,” is set to hit digital retailers on March 2. Designed by Aloompa, the app includes his No Shoes Radio, a merch and music store, photo galleries, videos and Twitter capability.
Aldean’s app by Moonshadow eCommerce comes as he releases his fourth single from his Platinum album Wide Open this week. He says “Crazy Town” “is all about the love-hate relationship that every new artist has with Nashville when they’re just starting out…I’ve been playing this one to kick off my live show, and the fans go nuts when they hear the first guitar lick.”
Aldean’s tour has been selling out arenas and setting attendance records. In the past nine months, he has scored three consecutive multi-week No. 1’s (“She’s Country,” “Big Green Tractor,” “The Truth”) spending a total of eight weeks at the top spot, more than any other country artist in the last year.
ASCAP Nashville Restructures Leadership
/by adminConnie Bradley and Tim DuBois
It remains unofficial, but MusicRow has learned that ASCAP is restructuring its Nashville office to take on a more focused regional role for all genres. Under the new arrangement, Sr. VP Connie Bradley will step down from her longstanding position of leadership. Tim DuBois is expected to be named as ASCAP’s new Nashville head. The change reportedly happened this morning.
Bradley rose through the ASCAP ranks from her start as a Membership Representative. Always a strong advocate for creative rights, under her tenure she has acted as as cheerleader, advisor and confidant to ASCAP members such as Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Sugarland and many more.
DuBois has recently been a faculty member at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management, but first established his career as a hit songwriter and producer. He started the Arista Nashville office around 1989 and went on to sign, develop and create superstars such as Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, and many others.