Label: Stroudavarious
Forthcoming Album: Sunshine, set for release in 2010
Current Single & Video: “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine”
Current Producer: James Stroud and Anthony Smith
Interesting Facts: #1: The album is scheduled to include an instrumental track called “Anaconda Cowboys,” performed with Smith’s band of the same name. #2: Smith’s first album was on Mercury Records. #3: Sunshine features a tune with Smith and the late Porter Wagoner.
Anthony Smith, the long-haired “country boy” from East Tennessee, has been known to break rules and ignore the usual polite conventions— he approaches life with the same hold-nothing-back passion that fills his music. Smith explains, “I have never tried to sound like anyone else. I have always wanted to be an original, because if you look at music, the ones who sound like nobody else are the same ones who break new ground and start new trends. I’m doing the kind of music I love in the only way I know how.”
Anthony Smith
Anthony Smith’s “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine” is the debut single from his first album on Stroudavarious Records. The song went for adds August 10 and is from his forthcoming album, Sunshine, scheduled for release in early 2010. The album is a collection of Smith original compositions, co-produced by Smith and label head/veteran hitmaker James Stroud. Smith also brought in the late Country Music Hall of Fame member Porter Wagoner on the album for one of his last studio recordings—”Hillbilly Romeos” features Wagoner’s witty commentary playing off of Smith’s lead vocals, for a fitting tribute to a country legend who loved songs that were playful and about rural life. Set for release in September, the accompanying music video was shot by Traci Goudie and features Derek Phillips (from Friday Night Lights and The Closer) and Danielle Rene (from the upcoming Terrence Maiick film starring Sean Penn and Brad Pitt).
Smith’s experience includes previous success as an artist, with three Top 40 songs from his critically acclaimed first album, If That Ain’t Country. He’s also had a long string of hits as a songwriter—including George Strait’s “Run,” Trace Adkins’ “Chrome” and “I’m Tryin’,” Tim McGraw’s “Kill Myself” and “Kristofferson,” Rascal Flatts’ “My Worst Fear” and Montgomery Gentry’s “What Do Ya Think About That?,” as well as memorable cuts by Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Gretchen Wilson, Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood and many others.
Despite his many songwriter hits, Smith has always seen himself as a performer first. “I’ve never written a song for another artist to cut,” he says. “I always wrote songs for myself, for me to do on stage and to record. Other artists heard them and wanted to cut them, and that’s tremendously flattering to me. But my intent was always to be the one on stage singing what I write.”
The distinctive music Smith makes injects a rock ‘n’ roll swagger and funky, fresh rhythms into a style of music that is undeniably contemporary—and undeniably country. “I like getting a reaction,” he says. “My music isn’t the kind you sit and passively listen to. It’s going to make you move, and it’s going to make you react and feel something. I want an emotional response—whether it’s good or bad or romantic.”
What runs through each song is a big personality and the accompanying jolt of energy that Smith brings to everything he does. “I don’t like holding back,” Smith says. “I like to put it all out there, on the page and on the stage. Audiences know when you’re being real, when you’re talking about what you know and what you feel.”
Dolly Box Set Coming This Fall
/by Sarah SkatesDolly Parton is distinguished for having charted at least one Top 5 country hit in each decade since the ’60s. She has also charted at least one #1 country hit (if not a dozen) in each decade from the ’70s to the 2000’s: “Joshua,” “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Here You Come Again,” “Starting Over Again,” the Grammy Award-winning “9 To 5,” “Islands In The Stream” (with Kenny Rogers), “Tennessee Homesick Blues,” “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That,” “Rockin’ Years” (with Ricky Van Shelton) and “When I Get Where I’m Going” (with Brad Paisley).
The elegant package designed for Dolly houses a full-color 60-page booklet with never-before-seen photographs and rare memorabilia. A brief and loving introduction has been written by Nashville-bred singer-songwriter Laura Cantrell. An extensive 5,000-word biographical essay follows, by ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award-winning writer-editor-producer-lecturer Holly George-Warren.
Dolly continues to explore the broad range and depth of her recording career – from the rarely-heard sides cut at age 11 for the Louisiana-based Goldband indie label, and at age 16 for Mercury in Nashville, through her whirlwind two years (and first chart records) with Monument (1965-67), her record-setting near two-decade stay with RCA Records (1967-85, underpinning her long hitmaking association with Porter Wagoner), and another near-decade at Columbia into the ’90s. In addition, seven previously unreleased tracks make their historic debuts on this box set, as well as 11 of Porter and Dolly’s hit duets. The set is also available for pre-order at www.shopdolly.com.
Leadership Music, CMA Industry InSite, and the “Just Plain Folks” Awards
/by Sarah SkatesSteve Wariner pictured during a recent visit to Rose Barracks Army Post in Vilseck, Germany, where he performed for American troops.
Grammy winner Steve Wariner and noted studio owner John McBride have been added to the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award salute to Jim Foglesong, Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks, set for Sunday, Aug. 23 at the Renaissance Hotel. Wariner (co-writer of Brooks’ hit “Longneck Bottle”) joins in the tribute to Brooks with his wife Trisha Yearwood, and longtime friends Martina and John McBride, who once worked as Brooks’ tour production manager.
Reynolds-produced artists Kathy Mattea, Hal Ketchum and Crystal Gayle, songwriter Bob McDill and Cowboy Jack Clement will lead the salute to Reynolds. Colleagues celebrating Foglesong include Roy Clark, John Conlee and Lee Greenwood.
Many more luminaries are set to send video messages. Tickets to the invitation only fundraising event are nearly sold out. For more information, contact LM@leadershipmusic.org.
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Understanding the benefits of legal representation in the entertainment industry is the focus of the latest installment of CMA Industry InSite, an online educational series, which is posted exclusively for CMA members at My.CMAworld.com.
The fourth episode on Entertainment Law features interviews with Duff Berschback, VP, Business Affairs, Sony/ATV Publishing; Rusty Jones, Attorney, Harris, Martin, Jones, Shrum, Bradford & Wommack P.A.; and Tyler Middleton of Baker & Kelley, PLLC.
Future episodes include topics from Social Networking to Country Radio and Touring. Episodes are posted on the third Monday of the month. With each new episode, CMA members are able to submit questions to the panel of experts. Each segment, which is roughly 10 minutes long, is archived for easy access at any time.
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The Just Plain Folks Music Awards will be held at the Wildhorse Saloon Saturday night. Among the Country nominees in the Album category are Gretchen Peters, Rick Huckaby, Ray Stephenson, Rebecca Lindsey, Jerry Kilgore, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Jerry Salley, Aaron Tippin, Big Al Anderson and The Balls, and Thom Shepherd & Steve Williams. See all the nominees, including those for Song, Lyrics and Video here.
Wanna Dunk An Exec, Critic, or Charlie Monk?
/by Sarah SkatesWell, now’s your chance. Because several good sports—many of them from MusicRow’s In Charge list—will be sitting in the dunking booth at the Country Cares party on Thurs., Aug. 20. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® will host a street party from 5-8 PM at Roy Acuff Place as a thank-you to the music industry for twenty years of support of its very successful Country Cares for St. Jude Kids program. Festivities will include burgers, beverages, music and games. The party, hosted by the St. Jude Country Cares Advisory Board, is open to the music industry. Country Cares program founder Randy Owen and ALSAC/St. Jude COO Dave McKee will be on hand to greet guests.
Here’s the official “dunking” schedule (subject to change):
5:30 p.m. Bart Allmand, songwriter, Disney Music Publishing
5:45 p.m. Suzanne Alexander, GAC host
6:00 p.m. Robert K. Oermann, longtime columnist for MusicRow magazine and owner of R.K.O. Media Products
6:15 p.m. Adrian Michaels, VP of country promotion, Curb Records
6:30 p.m. Blair Garner, host of radio show “After MidNite With Blair Garner”
6:45 p.m. Charlie Monk, Pres. of Monk Family Music Group and unofficial “Mayor of Music Row”
7:00 p.m. Jimmy Harnen, president, Republic Nashville records
7:15 p.m. Wade Jessen, senior chart manager, Billboard magazine
7:45 p.m. Jimmy Rector, VP of national promotion, Columbia Records Nashville
TV Shuffle: Reba, Billy, Shania, Brad, Love & Theft
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto credit: Kristi Boyd
Reba McEntire will be on this week’s CMT Top 20 Countdown, chatting with host Lance Smith about her new album, and her installment of CMT’s Invitation Only which premieres this Friday, August 21 at 8:00 PM/CT.
Tomorrow, (8/19) from 2:45-3:15 PM/CT, Reba will conduct a live Web chat from New York City in partnership with USTREAM and Facebook. Click here or go to www.facebook.com/reba for more information.
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Billy Currington will perform tonight, Tues., Aug. 18 on CBS’s The Late Show With David Letterman.
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Shania Twain will be a guest judge when the American Idol auditions hit Chicago Aug. 30-31, according to People.com. Among the other guests on the panel this season will be Victoria Beckham and Mary J. Blige. They are filling in for Paula Abdul who will not return this season.
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Carolwood Records trio Love And Theft will make their first-ever national TV appearance this Friday, August 21 when they perform on NBC’s Today Show. Love And Theft will chat with the Today Show’s Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb and play their hit single “Runaway” during the 10 AM broadcast.
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Miley Cyrus will close out the Today show’s summer concert on Aug. 28 at Rockefeller Center. She is replacing Mariah Carey who was originally scheduled for that date.
Paid Downloads On The Rise, But CD Still Rules
/by Sarah SkatesRuss Crupnick, NPD VP of entertainment industry analysis says, “With digital music sales growing at 15 to 20 percent, and CDs falling by an equal proportion, digital music sales will nearly equal CD sales by the end of 2010.”
According to NPD MusicWatch, when it comes to the unit-sales volume of music sold at retail – including paid digital music downloads and CDs – Apple iTunes leads in the U.S. with 25 percent of music units sold, which is up from 21 percent in 2008 and 14 percent in 2007. Walmart (including Walmart.com) remains in second position with 14 percent of music volume sold. Best Buy ranked third.
iTunes also continued to solidify its lead in the digital music arena, as consumer downloads from iTunes comprised 69 percent of the digital music market in the first half of 2009, followed by AmazonMP3 at 8 percent.
Walmart leads all sellers of CDs with a 20 percent share of the physical music market, followed by Best Buy at 16 percent, and Target and Amazon tied at 10 percent each.
Sneak Preview of CRS 41
/by Sarah SkatesIn response to comments from attendees, the Agenda Committee is making sure that no more than three panels will be held simultaneously. Also, the Sales panels which previously took place the same day have been redistributed throughout the three days of the seminar.
Here’s a sneak peek at this year’s agenda highlights:
Wednesday, Feb. 24: The as-yet-unannounced Keynote Speaker, followed by the Universal Music Group luncheon and showcase, the songwriter event KCRS Live!, the Music City Jam hosted by Taylor Swift, and panels such as Bob Rosner’s “Workplace 911” and “The Taylor Effect,” about the marketing strategies that have been successful for the superstar.
Thursday, Feb. 25: Examples of panels might include: “So You Think You Know How to Do An Artist Interview? You’re Wrong!” “The Great Playlist Debate: Can Passive Be Passionate?” and a special research project. Other events include Sony Music Entertainment’s luncheon and showcase, and BMI/Country Aircheck’s WCRS Live!
Friday, Feb. 26: Friday kicks off with the newly renamed Power Breakfast (formerly Manager’s Breakfast), followed by the Capitol luncheon and showcase. Panels on Friday cover the already confirmed: “PPM Affects Every Facet of Our Industry, and This Means You!” “Arbitron vs. Nielsen” and “51 Great Promotional Ideas in 50 Minutes.” CRS 41 closes with the New Faces of Country Music® Show and Dinner. Performers have yet to be announced.
Registration, a detailed agenda and confirmed panelists can be viewed at the Country Radio Broadcasters Web site: www.CRB.org.
Combustion Forms Joint Venture With New West
/by bossross(L-R) Combustion Music's Chris Farren, Ashley Hertzog, Chris Van Belkom and Stephanie Greene.
Under the terms of a deal announced by Combustion President/Founder Chris Farren and New West Music President/Founder Cameron Strang, New West has acquired an interest in the Combustion catalog resulting in the formation of a new partnership between the two companies. The new arrangement creates an independent force with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville. New West will be the administrator for the new venture on a worldwide basis.
Combustion has recently had hit singles from Kings Of Leon (“Sex on Fire” “Use Somebody”) plus four No. 1 country singles in past eight months: “It Won’t Be Like this For Long” (Darius Rucker), “Just A Dream” (Carrie Underwood), “Then” (Brad Paisley) and “Start A Band” (Keith Urban and Brad Paisley). The company also published last year’s CMA Single of the Year “You’re Gonna Miss This” (Trace Adkins). Combustion writers Ashley Gorley, Gordie Sampson, Blair Daly and Nathan and Caleb Followill (Kings of Leon) have amassed 16 #1 hits across 5 different formats in the last eighteen months.
“At Combustion we have always strived to sign the very best and most focused songwriters available, regardless of their style or background,” says Farren. “Cameron Strang has always been an independent minded and forward thinking business man, and I am confident that together with New West we will meet the challenges of the new music business while creating as many opportunities for our writers and songs as possible.”
The New West Music/Southside Independent Music offices have also been on a hot streak earning a BMI Song of the Year awards for “S.O.S.” “S.O.S.” (Rihanna 2007), “Beautiful Girls” (Sean Kingston 2008), “Take You There” (Sean Kingston 2009) and current worldwide hits “Better In Time” (Leona Lewis) and “Right Round” (Flo Rida). In 2008, Southside writer/producer J.R. Rotem was recognized with the BMI Urban Songwriter of the Year Award. Cameron Strang is also the president and founder of New West Records, which won the NARM Award for Independent Label of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. The label is home to such artists as Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson, Dwight Yoakam, John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton, Ben Lee, Drive By Truckers, and Old 97’s.
“Chris Farren and his staff at Combustion Music have an ability to develop songwriters that is second to none,” says Cameron Strang. “Nothing changes as far as creative operations for Combustion or New West except they have a new partner in LA who can bring added opportunities in film, television, urban and pop and we have a new partner in Nashville with a first rate creative team.”
New West will continue to operate at 9215 Olympic Blvd. in Beverly Hills, CA. Combustion continues to operate at 1609 17th Ave S. in Nashville, TN.
Benefits Roundup
/by Freeman• • •
The 8th Annual John Jarrard Concert will be held Thursday, September 24, 2009 on the front lawn of Pierce Auditorium at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. Performers at the event include Steve Cropper, Buddy Cannon, Roger Cook, Gary Nicholson, Jimmy Hall, John Berry and more. Hosted by the John Jarrard Foundation, the event benefits local charities including the Good News Clinics, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County, Georgia Mountain Food Bank Fund and Good News at Noon. Visit www.johnjarrardconcert.com for more information.
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Golf enthusiasts have a second reason to be excited, because the annual Writer Cup golf tournament, benefitting The Nashville Mission and The Room In The Inn, will be held Wednesday, September 30 and Thursday October 1 at Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. Also benefitting both Nashville Mission and Room In The Inn is the 8th Annual Music Row Coat Drive, and final pickup will be October 2. Contact Norman De Vasure at norman@normanproductions.com or 615-320-7300 for more information on both.
Republic Nashville Signs The Band Perry
/by bossrossIf everyone in this photo buys a CD the group will be well on its way to Gold sales. (TOP ROW, Left to Right): David Crow, Milom, Joyce, Horsnell & Crow, PLC; Bob Doyle, Bob Doyle & Associates; Scott Borchetta, CEO of Republic Nashville; Allison Jones, A&R Republic Nashville; Marie Perry; Steve Perry; Jimmy Harnen, President of Republic Nashville; Josh Pegram, Bob Doyle & Associates; Cheryl Harris, O’Neil Hagaman; (BOTTOM ROW, Left to Right): Neil Perry; Kimberly Perry; Reid Perry
The Band Perry is comprised of siblings Kimberly Perry (lead vocals, piano, rhythm guitar); Reid Perry (backing vocals, bass); and Neil Perry (backing vocals, mandolin, drums, accordion) and is managed by Bob Doyle and Josh Pegram with Bob Doyle & Associates artist management.
“We are incredibly excited and proud to welcome Kimberly, Reid and Neil of The Band Perry to the Republic Nashville family,” said Jimmy Harnen, President of Republic Nashville.
The Band Perry began its journey in the roadhouses around Mobile, Alabama, and eventually graduated to national tours, including the 2005 Coca-Cola’s New Faces of Country Tour, followed by TGI Friday’s Friday Night Concerts Tour in 2006. The group is currently working in the studio on new music with veteran producer Paul Worley.
ON THE COVER: Anthony Smith
/by LB CantrellForthcoming Album: Sunshine, set for release in 2010
Current Single & Video: “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine”
Current Producer: James Stroud and Anthony Smith
Interesting Facts: #1: The album is scheduled to include an instrumental track called “Anaconda Cowboys,” performed with Smith’s band of the same name. #2: Smith’s first album was on Mercury Records. #3: Sunshine features a tune with Smith and the late Porter Wagoner.
Anthony Smith, the long-haired “country boy” from East Tennessee, has been known to break rules and ignore the usual polite conventions— he approaches life with the same hold-nothing-back passion that fills his music. Smith explains, “I have never tried to sound like anyone else. I have always wanted to be an original, because if you look at music, the ones who sound like nobody else are the same ones who break new ground and start new trends. I’m doing the kind of music I love in the only way I know how.”
Anthony Smith
Anthony Smith’s “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine” is the debut single from his first album on Stroudavarious Records. The song went for adds August 10 and is from his forthcoming album, Sunshine, scheduled for release in early 2010. The album is a collection of Smith original compositions, co-produced by Smith and label head/veteran hitmaker James Stroud. Smith also brought in the late Country Music Hall of Fame member Porter Wagoner on the album for one of his last studio recordings—”Hillbilly Romeos” features Wagoner’s witty commentary playing off of Smith’s lead vocals, for a fitting tribute to a country legend who loved songs that were playful and about rural life. Set for release in September, the accompanying music video was shot by Traci Goudie and features Derek Phillips (from Friday Night Lights and The Closer) and Danielle Rene (from the upcoming Terrence Maiick film starring Sean Penn and Brad Pitt).
Smith’s experience includes previous success as an artist, with three Top 40 songs from his critically acclaimed first album, If That Ain’t Country. He’s also had a long string of hits as a songwriter—including George Strait’s “Run,” Trace Adkins’ “Chrome” and “I’m Tryin’,” Tim McGraw’s “Kill Myself” and “Kristofferson,” Rascal Flatts’ “My Worst Fear” and Montgomery Gentry’s “What Do Ya Think About That?,” as well as memorable cuts by Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Gretchen Wilson, Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood and many others.
Despite his many songwriter hits, Smith has always seen himself as a performer first. “I’ve never written a song for another artist to cut,” he says. “I always wrote songs for myself, for me to do on stage and to record. Other artists heard them and wanted to cut them, and that’s tremendously flattering to me. But my intent was always to be the one on stage singing what I write.”
The distinctive music Smith makes injects a rock ‘n’ roll swagger and funky, fresh rhythms into a style of music that is undeniably contemporary—and undeniably country. “I like getting a reaction,” he says. “My music isn’t the kind you sit and passively listen to. It’s going to make you move, and it’s going to make you react and feel something. I want an emotional response—whether it’s good or bad or romantic.”
What runs through each song is a big personality and the accompanying jolt of energy that Smith brings to everything he does. “I don’t like holding back,” Smith says. “I like to put it all out there, on the page and on the stage. Audiences know when you’re being real, when you’re talking about what you know and what you feel.”