Sheldon Kurland, known throughout the Nashville music community as a session musician and as the leader of The Sheldon Kurland Strings, died Wednesday, Jan. 6 at age 81.
He can be heard on such hits as “Last Cheater’s Waltz” by T. G. Sheppard, “Rose Colored Glasses” by John Conlee, “Everything is Beautiful” by Ray Stevens, “When I Dream” and “Half the Way” by Crystal Gayle, “Happy Birthday Darlin’” and “I May Never Get to Heaven” by Conway Twitty, “I Wish I Was 18 Again” by George Burns, “Fancy Free” by The Oak Ridge Boys, “Dreaming My Dreams” by Waylon Jennings and “I Wouldn’t Have Missed it for the World” by Ronnie Milsap.
He worked on recording sessions for virtually every country star in Nashville. Clients included Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, The Browns, Hank Locklin, Eddy Arnold, Reba McEntire, Michael Johnson, Willie Nelson, Ed Bruce, Bobby Bare, Con Hunley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Jack Clement, Hank Snow and many more.
Kurland’s contributions extend to the pop-music world, as well. He is on Jimmy Buffett’s Changes in Attitudes Changes in Latitudes LP, England Dan & John Ford Coley’s “Nights Are Forever” and Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait, as well as recordings by Donovan, James Galway and Amy Grant. He not only appeared on Comes a Time by Neil Young, he also toured with the rock superstar.
The New York native was classically trained at Julliard. He came to Nashville in 1964 to teach at Peabody College, but was soon playing sessions. He formed The Sheldon Kurland Strings in the 1970s and was featured on The Johnny Cash Show in 1969-71 and again in 1976, sometimes wearing a jacket with “Julliard” spelled out on the back in rhinestones.
Two of his children have become prominent in Nashville entertainment. Daughter Amy Kurland founded The Bluebird Café. Son Peter Kurland runs the Darkhorse Theater. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Check back with MusicRow for updates.
Paisley Tour Opens Tonight With Lambert, Moore
/by Sarah SkatesIn the past 12 months Paisley’s tour has played to more than 1.2 million fans in over 75 markets, garnering 52 sold-out shows. The lucky one millionth ticket holder was given a 2009 Chevy Silverado by Paisley in Jacksonville, FL. Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne joined him on the first leg of the outing.
Steve Seskin Plans Songwriting Seminar
/by Sarah SkatesSteve Seskin
The 6th annual Steve Seskin Songwriting Seminar will be held January 22 – 24, 2010 in Nashville, with hit writers Allen Shamblin and Gretchen Peters set to participate. There will be two days of lectures, workshops and discussions. Friday night Jan. 22 includes a Steve Seskin concert at Edgehill Studios Cafe. Workshops will follow on Saturday and Sunday at the Bluebird Café, the location of the Saturday night concert to benefit Alive Hospice featuring Steve, Chuck Jones, Jesse Terry and Jamie Floyd.
Seskin’s cuts include “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” recorded by Tim McGraw, and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” winner of NSAI Song of the Year and MusicRow Magazine Song of the Year, recorded by Mark Wills. Among his other hits are songs by Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery, Ricochet, Colin Raye, and Kenny Chesney.
For more information on the songwriting seminar which costs $345, check out Seskin’s website or contact Claudia Young at csyoung@comcast.net or 615-309-9449.
Noted Arranger Sheldon Kurland Passes
/by Robert K OermannSheldon Kurland, known throughout the Nashville music community as a session musician and as the leader of The Sheldon Kurland Strings, died Wednesday, Jan. 6 at age 81.
He can be heard on such hits as “Last Cheater’s Waltz” by T. G. Sheppard, “Rose Colored Glasses” by John Conlee, “Everything is Beautiful” by Ray Stevens, “When I Dream” and “Half the Way” by Crystal Gayle, “Happy Birthday Darlin’” and “I May Never Get to Heaven” by Conway Twitty, “I Wish I Was 18 Again” by George Burns, “Fancy Free” by The Oak Ridge Boys, “Dreaming My Dreams” by Waylon Jennings and “I Wouldn’t Have Missed it for the World” by Ronnie Milsap.
He worked on recording sessions for virtually every country star in Nashville. Clients included Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, The Browns, Hank Locklin, Eddy Arnold, Reba McEntire, Michael Johnson, Willie Nelson, Ed Bruce, Bobby Bare, Con Hunley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Jack Clement, Hank Snow and many more.
Kurland’s contributions extend to the pop-music world, as well. He is on Jimmy Buffett’s Changes in Attitudes Changes in Latitudes LP, England Dan & John Ford Coley’s “Nights Are Forever” and Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait, as well as recordings by Donovan, James Galway and Amy Grant. He not only appeared on Comes a Time by Neil Young, he also toured with the rock superstar.
The New York native was classically trained at Julliard. He came to Nashville in 1964 to teach at Peabody College, but was soon playing sessions. He formed The Sheldon Kurland Strings in the 1970s and was featured on The Johnny Cash Show in 1969-71 and again in 1976, sometimes wearing a jacket with “Julliard” spelled out on the back in rhinestones.
Two of his children have become prominent in Nashville entertainment. Daughter Amy Kurland founded The Bluebird Café. Son Peter Kurland runs the Darkhorse Theater. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Check back with MusicRow for updates.
Underwood On CBS Sitcom; Evans at Davis-Kidd
/by Michelle••••••
Other book promotion events include an appearance on ABC’s The View on Jan. 13 and more booksignings. Her inspirational fiction novel is written with best-selling author Rachel Hauck, known for titles like Diva NashVegas and Love Starts with Elle.
Clay Walker Concert To Fight MS; Artist Benefits
/by Sarah SkatesClay Walker
Clay Walker is playing a Feb. 23 benefit concert at the Wildhorse Saloon to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis research. Chords of Hope: The Clay Walker MS Benefit Concert is presented by 98 WSIX and produced by Walker’s charity, Band Against MS (BAMS). Tickets start at $10 and will be available starting Saturday (1/9) through the Wildhorse Saloon. All proceeds will go toward multiple sclerosis research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
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BLEVE Records President Mickey Milam donated 1,000 copies of the CD My First Ride to be sold to raise money for the families of four fallen police officers in Washington state. The CDs sold-out within days, raising $15,000. The multi artist-compilation features Ronnie Milsap, George Strait, Vince Gill, John Michael Montgomery, James Otto, The Bacon Brothers, and others.
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Gilda’s Club Nashville, a support community for those touched by cancer, kicks off its annual 16-week training program for the Country Music Half Marathon on Saturday (1/9). Bryan White is the Honorary Chairperson. Proceeds benefit the charity. For more information contact Deb Sandvik at 615-329-1124 or deb@gildasclubnashville.org.
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MJ2 and Dolly Parton
Las Vegas based country act MJ2 has recruited Dolly Parton, Wayne Newton, Heidi Newfield, Larry Gatlin, Cowboy Troy and more to sing on their debut single “You Can’t Say Love Enough.” Proceeds from the song, out on SweetSong Nashville Records, go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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Singer-songwriter Skip Ewing has joined forces with Béla Fleck and Dave Koz on the single “Julianaʼs Smile” to benefit Juliana Wetmore, a girl with Treacher Collins Syndrome. Available on iTunes.
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Pictured l-r: Dustin Finch, BBBSMT CEO Lowell Perry Jr, Brandon Finch
The Brothers Finch participated in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBSMT) fundraiser at the Franklin Wine Festival which raised more than $95,000. The Brothers Finch, currently working on their debut album, have appeared on CMT’s “Music City Madness 2” and “Can You Duet?”
Swift, Urban, Underwood Win PCAs
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban won overall Favorite Male Artist and Taylor Swift was voted overall Favorite Female Artist at last night’s (1/6) People’s Choice Awards. Carrie Underwood took home Favorite Country Artist at the show at the Nokia Theatre LA Live. This marks the sixth People’s Choice honor of Underwood’s career.
Other Nashville related wins include Miley Cyrus taking home Favorite Breakout Movie Actress and Paramore being named Favorite Rock Band. Katherine Heigl, wife of UMG artist Josh Kelly, was voted Favorite TV Drama Actress.
photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for PCA
Vampire movie Twilight was the evening’s top trophy-getter, with it or its stars winning Favorite Movie, Favorite Franchise, Favorite On-Screen Team, and Favorite Breakout Movie Actor (Taylor Lautner).
Other winners included Sandra Bullock, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, The Big Bang Theory, and House. See the whole list.
Church Headlining, Thompson In Tow
/by Sarah SkatesEric Church
Eric Church is preparing to set out on his headlining Jagermeister Country Tour. The outing, in support of his Capitol sophomore release Carolina, starts Feb. 9 in Baltimore and continues for about 30 dates through the end of March. His current single “Hell On The Heart” is at No. 15 and rising on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart.
Josh Thompson
Joining Church on the road will be Columbia Nashville newcomer Josh Thompson who is heading out in his trusty van nicknamed “Van-A-White.” His debut single, “Beer on the Table,” is rising up the Country Breakout chart and currently at No. 27. His debut album Way Out Here hits outlets Feb. 23.
Before Thompson heads out with Church, he is set for Nashville Lifestyles’ “Music in the City” party on Jan. 19 at the Tin Roof, also featuring Love and Theft, Josh Kelley, Jessie James, and Steel Magnolia.
ZBB Get Grammy Slot; Gloriana To “Ellen”; More Artist Updates
/by Sarah SkatesZac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band has been added to the performance line-up of the Jan. 31 Grammy Awards, airing on CBS. Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Lady Gaga and P!nk have also been added to performance schedule, joining previously announced performers and fellow nominees Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas and Maxwell...
Gloriana will play their latest single “How Far Do You Wanna Go?” on Ellen, Wed., Jan. 13 (check local listings)…
Speaking of Ellen, she joins the panel of judges on American Idol when its ninth season starts Tues., Jan. 12 on FOX…
Kellie Pickler, Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser are getting ready to go on a USO Tour, it will be Pickler’s third time visiting the troops. She is also in the January issue of Shape Magazine…
On Sat., Jan. 9, Darryl Worley will perform “God Bless America” during the pre-game ceremony for the 10th Annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX…
The new album Dailey & Vincent Sing The Statler Brothers will be available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® on Feb. 1.
Earl Gaines Services; Lifenotes
/by Sarah SkatesAs previously reported, Nashville r&b star Earl Gaines passed away on New Year’s Eve at age 74. Services will be held Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Luke CME Church, located at 2008 28th Avenue North, Nashville, TN, 37208. Visitation will begin at 10 AM, followed by a musical tribute at 11 AM, and the funeral at noon.
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Teresa Louise Williams, daughter of rockabilly/gospel artist Billy Adams, passed away after an extended illness on Jan. 1 at age 44 in Nashville. The funeral is today (1/6) at the Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods, Ky. A memorial fund has been established at The Green Bank, 4922 Main St., Spring Hill, TN 37174.