Ashley Gorley, credit Tucker Photography
More than 1500 songwriters, industry VIPs and big name artists such as Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride gathered last night (10/19) at the ASCAP Country Awards to celebrate its most performed songs of the year.
Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year for his hits “Start A Band,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” The latter of which was also named ASCAP Country Song of the Year, an award going to publishers Songs of Combustion Music and Bug Music/Windswept.
The Songwriter/Artist of the Year honors went to Alan Jackson who had major hits with the self-penned “Good Time” and “Country Boy.” Gibson presented Jackson and Gorley limited edition Les Paul guitars as part of the ceremony.
EMI Music, was named Publisher of the Year, thanks to its share in the Jackson hits, as well as other smashes including “All Summer Long,” “I’m Still a Guy,” “Country Man,” “Relentless,” “I Still Miss You” and “Start a Band.”
Alan Jackson
Sharing hosting duties on the Ryman stage were ASCAP Sr. VP Connie Bradley and ASCAP president and chairman of the board Paul Williams, who opened the show with a medley of his songs “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” and “Just An Old Fashioned Love Song.” Artist David Nail offered the lead-in prior to the awards presentation.
The writers behind ASCAP’s five most played songs of the year performed their hits including “Good Time” by Alan Jackson; “You’re Gonna Miss This” (Trace Adkins) performed by Ashley Gorley; “Waitin’ on a Woman” (Brad Paisley) performed by Don Sampson; “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” (Darius Rucker) performed by Clay Mills; and “Roll With Me” (Montgomery Gentry) performed by Tommy Karlas.
A highlight was revered songwriter JD Souther receiving the prestigious Golden Note Award. Known for numerous Eagles classics, and many others, Souther was saluted by Lee Ann Womack performing his song “Faithless Love,” Rodney Crowell singing “New Kid in Town,” and Love and Theft’s take on “You’re Only Lonely.” Longtime friend Jackson Browne offered a moving speech about Souther before the honoree gave his own interpretation of the Eagles’ “Best of My Love.”
Artists in attendance included Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, Keith Anderson, Darryl Worley, Jason Michael Carroll, Eric Church, Bucky Covington, Heidi Newfield, Jimmy Webb, Chuck Wicks, Danny Gokey and Billy Currington.
McBride presented Gerry House and the House Foundation (Richard Falklen, Al Voecks, Mike Bohan, Duncan Stewart) the ASCAP Partners in Music Award for their contributions toward the promotion and support of songwriters, musicians and artists.
Following the show, guests strolled the red carpet to the AT&T building for the official Post Awards Party. ASCAP at the Ryman was co-produced by Terry Bumgarner and Josh Jackson, with Keith Beck of BSA as associate producer. Additional planning for the evening was provided by ASCAP staffers John Briggs, Marc Driskill, Chad Green, Dan Keen, Suzanne Lee, Anna Maki, Ralph Murphy, Meghan Muse, Pat Rolfe, Mary Self, Earle Simmons, Mike Sistad, Charline Wilhite, Herky Williams, and Jesse Willoughby.
Look for more in depth coverage later in Bobby Karl Works The Room.
Rally For Rocketown With Gill, McBride, More
/by Sarah SkatesVince Gill
Vince Gill and Martina McBride will perform Tuesday (10/20) at the Rally For Rocketown. The fundraiser for the teen music venue/skate park will be hosted by its founder, Christian artist Michael W. Smith. Super Bowl-winning coach and best-selling author Tony Dungy will be the keynote speaker during the 11:30 AM luncheon at Lipscomb Univerity’s Allen Arena. Special guest appearances include Titans’ Coach Jeff Fisher.
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Tickets are available only at the arena box office starting at $50. For more details, click here.
CMA Songwriters Series In Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesRandy Houser
The CMA Songwriters Series, which usually shares the Nashville songwriting tradition with other cities, is set to play the home turf on Nov. 10, the night before the CMA Awards. Universal Records South artist Randy Houser will be the featured artist/songwriter when the 9:30 PM show takes place at Limelight. Hit tunesmiths Brett James, Rivers Rutherford and Victoria Shaw will join Houser in performing and also sharing the stories behind the hits.
The series, which has played to sell-out shows in New York City for the past five years and recently held performances in Los Angeles and Chicago, is known for its intimate setting and allowing fans to hear songs by the people who wrote them.
Tickets for the Nov. 10 CMA Songwriters Series, $10, are on sale at www.limelightnashville.com or by calling (615) 780-3098.
The CMA Awards are set for Nov. 11 at the Sommet Center.
Ashley Gorley, Alan Jackson Big Winners At ASCAP Awards
/by Sarah SkatesAshley Gorley, credit Tucker Photography
More than 1500 songwriters, industry VIPs and big name artists such as Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride gathered last night (10/19) at the ASCAP Country Awards to celebrate its most performed songs of the year.
Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year for his hits “Start A Band,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” The latter of which was also named ASCAP Country Song of the Year, an award going to publishers Songs of Combustion Music and Bug Music/Windswept.
The Songwriter/Artist of the Year honors went to Alan Jackson who had major hits with the self-penned “Good Time” and “Country Boy.” Gibson presented Jackson and Gorley limited edition Les Paul guitars as part of the ceremony.
EMI Music, was named Publisher of the Year, thanks to its share in the Jackson hits, as well as other smashes including “All Summer Long,” “I’m Still a Guy,” “Country Man,” “Relentless,” “I Still Miss You” and “Start a Band.”
Alan Jackson
Sharing hosting duties on the Ryman stage were ASCAP Sr. VP Connie Bradley and ASCAP president and chairman of the board Paul Williams, who opened the show with a medley of his songs “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” and “Just An Old Fashioned Love Song.” Artist David Nail offered the lead-in prior to the awards presentation.
The writers behind ASCAP’s five most played songs of the year performed their hits including “Good Time” by Alan Jackson; “You’re Gonna Miss This” (Trace Adkins) performed by Ashley Gorley; “Waitin’ on a Woman” (Brad Paisley) performed by Don Sampson; “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” (Darius Rucker) performed by Clay Mills; and “Roll With Me” (Montgomery Gentry) performed by Tommy Karlas.
A highlight was revered songwriter JD Souther receiving the prestigious Golden Note Award. Known for numerous Eagles classics, and many others, Souther was saluted by Lee Ann Womack performing his song “Faithless Love,” Rodney Crowell singing “New Kid in Town,” and Love and Theft’s take on “You’re Only Lonely.” Longtime friend Jackson Browne offered a moving speech about Souther before the honoree gave his own interpretation of the Eagles’ “Best of My Love.”
Artists in attendance included Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, Keith Anderson, Darryl Worley, Jason Michael Carroll, Eric Church, Bucky Covington, Heidi Newfield, Jimmy Webb, Chuck Wicks, Danny Gokey and Billy Currington.
McBride presented Gerry House and the House Foundation (Richard Falklen, Al Voecks, Mike Bohan, Duncan Stewart) the ASCAP Partners in Music Award for their contributions toward the promotion and support of songwriters, musicians and artists.
Following the show, guests strolled the red carpet to the AT&T building for the official Post Awards Party. ASCAP at the Ryman was co-produced by Terry Bumgarner and Josh Jackson, with Keith Beck of BSA as associate producer. Additional planning for the evening was provided by ASCAP staffers John Briggs, Marc Driskill, Chad Green, Dan Keen, Suzanne Lee, Anna Maki, Ralph Murphy, Meghan Muse, Pat Rolfe, Mary Self, Earle Simmons, Mike Sistad, Charline Wilhite, Herky Williams, and Jesse Willoughby.
Look for more in depth coverage later in Bobby Karl Works The Room.
Faith Launches Fragrance, Taylor Gets Signature Guitar
/by Sarah Skates——————————–
New CMA Research Will Be A CRS Highlight
/by Sarah SkatesThe CMA’s timely research concludes just months before CRS 41 is held, Feb. 24-26, 2010, making it particularly relevant to the current Country Radio and Music industry. The study also includes results from an upcoming fourth quarter Annual Tracking Study.
Last year’s CMA Research Presentation surveyed more than 7,500 consumers in an effort to define key trending statistics for Country music fans, including listener and viewership habits, revenue drivers (“Core” and “Low-Funding”), economic factors and further profile studies of its “CountryPhiles” and “MusicPhiles.”
A detailed schedule of the CRS 41 agenda and confirmed panelists can be found at the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. Web site. The CRS early bird registration rate of $499 ends Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. Registration is currently available at the CRB Web site or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. offices at 615-327-4487.
Celebrity-Studded Charity Auction Fights Cancer
/by Sarah SkatesAshley Ray with her mother at Race For The Cure. Her mother was diagnosed with three different kinds of breast cancer nearly a year ago.
October is breast cancer awareness month and several country stars are stepping up to fight the disease. Universal Records South artist Ashley Ray led her “A Ray of Hope” team to raise over $5500 at Race For The Cure.
Women Rock For The Cure is hosting an eBay auction with hot ticket items including a Carrie Underwood autographed Daisy Rock Guitar and a one-of-a-kind PRS Guitar autographed by several legends who performed at this year’s Opry Goes Pink concert. The auction also includes guitars autographed by Mindy Smith, Jason Aldean and Montgomery Gentry; a custom Sherwood B dress worn by Veronica Ballestrini during the Third Annual Women For The Cure Benefit Concert; autographed posters and much more. Keep watch on the site as new coveted items – such as signed guitars by Keith Urban and Little Big Town – will be added throughout the month of October. All proceeds from the auction will benefit Women Rock For The Cure and Greater Nashville Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
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Stars’ wives are also doing their part to fight cancer, with a group turning out for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 10th annual Light the Night Walk on Oct. 1 at LP Field. They are pictured below with GAC host and cancer survivor Nan Kelley. During the event, thousands of participants carried illuminated balloons in memory of lost loved ones and in tribute to survivors. The walk raises funds for research to fight leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Photo: (L-R) Members of the “Real Wives of Country Music” team: Katherine Church (wife of Eric Church), Caroline Bryan (wife of Luke Bryan), Cassie Kelley (wife of Charles Kelley), GAC host Nan Kelley, Cara Owen, and Rebecca Sweet (wife of Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town).
Droid To Battle iPhone
/by bossrossSome of the new handset’s features include a 3.7-inch touch screen, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 5-megapixel autofocus camera with flash, Wifi, bluetooth 2.0 and GPS. According to BoyGeniusReport.com this is the best Android phone yet with “an amazing screen.” BGR also states, “It’s the Android device to beat, and easily the most impressive. From what we’ve been told, Google had a direct hand in the Motorola Droid. Something to the point of almost dictating every move Motorola made when designing and making the phone.”
Techcrunch’s Michael Arrington offers this analysis. “Make no mistake, this is Android’s flagship product, and the first phone that will pose a significant threat to Apple’s iPhone.”
The continued rise of smartphones is good news for the entertainment industry, since the new hardware tends to boost consumption of movies, music, TV and web data.
Book Review of “How The Beatles Destroyed Rock ’n’ Roll”
/by DonCusic(Oxford University Press, 2009)
Review by Belmont professor Don Cusic:
This isn’t really a book about the Beatles; rather it is a book that notes the distortion of the history of popular music through the years. Wald, who wrote an excellent book on Robert Johnson, notes that histories of rock ’n’ roll—or the music industry in general—tend to be written by guys who like cutting edge music much more than “popular” music. For example, Paul Whiteman was the most commercially successful early jazz big band leader, but historians ignore him in favor of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington (who both admired Whiteman) because 1) Whiteman was white and 2) he was commercially popular.
Once the party line is established, other writers tend to follow it.
This also happened when rock ’n’ roll comes into the picture. People like Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Patti Page (remember “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?”) are dismissed as “white bread” because they do not suit the writer/critics taste. Pat Boone, who competed head to head with Elvis in the 1950s—and had a whole string of top chart hits from that era—has become a whipping boy for those who disliked his covers of R&B songs and disparage him instead of acknowledging that he, too, was a cultural force in that era.
As for the Beatles, well, those who write about them ignore the fact that “Hello Dolly” by Louis Armstrong pushed them off the top of the singles charts in 1964 and that Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Roger Miller (he never mentioned Roger—but I loved him!) had big hits during the British Invasion. After the Beatles and the British, according to Wald, rock music was frozen in time.
Wald laments that “the segregation of American popular music that began with the British Invasion has hurt white music more than it hurt black. Rock and its white relatives stagnated—not in the sense that no good music was made but in that there have been few major advances in the past thirty-plus years. Meanwhile, the black dance music of the 1970s led into hip-hop and rap, which have inspired and transformed popular styles around the world.”
Wald also criticizes rock bands for not being grounded in live performances. He states, “Facing an audience for four or five hours a night, seven nights a week, was tough work, but that was how virtually all my favorite musicians got their education, and its an education that very few artists will ever have again.”
Wald hits home here. Most young musicians today learn a few chords and then go directly to writing songs and recording them. In the past that’s where the big pay-off has been—being a celebrity through airplay and albums—but times are changing and records ain’t what they used to be. Still, as long as being a celebrity has a bigger payoff than being a musician, then who’s to blame the young folks for chasing stardom instead of craft?
Jamie Tate
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“One Beer Away From Loving You”
Bodell Records/Edgehill
A performer since the age of four, Tate has a long history of performance that ranges from southern honky tonks to classical theaters. While in high school, Tate was given the opportunity to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade as well as the Gala Concert Series celebrating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in Westminster Central Hall.
“I first sang with my dad onstage at the age of four!” recalls Tate. “I remember him sayin’ right before we went on, ‘Now, try to remember the words,’ or ‘When we get offstage, everyone is going to want to talk to you and take your picture.’ It was at that young age that I began performing. I loved it, I still love it, and I will always love it.”
http://www.jamietatemusic.com/
Nashville Draws Dave Matthews to CMAs, Mizrahi to Fashion Show
/by Sarah SkatesPictured L-R: ASCAP VP/GM Marc Driskill, Dodd, and ASCAP VP Dan Keen.
The invitation-only ASCAP Country Awards take place tonight, honoring the 50 most performed songs of the year…. Also at ASCAP, songwriter Andy Dodd, the pen behind hits for Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Camp Rock and Jesse McCartney, moved to Nashville recently and visited the organization’s local office.
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The star-packed lineup for “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” grows even stronger with the announcement today (10/19) that Dave Matthews will join Kenny Chesney to perform “I’m Alive,” which they recorded together for Chesney’s Lucky Old Sun album. Other performers already announced include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band. “The 43rd Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Paisley and Underwood, airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
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The Nashville Symphony’s annual spring fashion show fundraiser will welcome renowned designer Isaac Mizrahi on April 20, in conjunction with luxury clothier Gus Mayer. Mizrahi will be on hand to present his fall 2010 collection and a celebrity will host the event.
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Paul Worley and Jo Dee Messina
Jo Dee Messina has been in the studio with hit producer Paul Worley putting the finishing touches on her upcoming Curb Records release, Unmistakable. Fans can expect a new single soon.
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Gloriana is premiering its second video, “How Far Do You Wanna Go?” on CMT today.
Twitter users can listen to Sugarland’s new Christmas album, Gold and Green.
Wade Bowen premieres the brand new video for “Trouble” exclusively on Yallwire with a personal video introduction.
Warner Bros. Records’ Whitney Duncan and Big Machine’s Steel Magnolia (Meghan Linsey, Joshua Scott Jones) made their Grand Ole Opry debuts over the weekend.
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