Womack, Pickler Help CMA Songwriters Series Spread Word About Country Music

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kpicklerThe popular CMA Songwriters Series, which has played to sold-out crowds in New York City for the past five years, will be hitting the road this Fall with s hows in Los Angeles and Chicago. Each concert will feature a songwriter/artist alongside hit tunesmiths and will be hosted by Bob DiPiero, writer of hits such as “You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl” recorded by Brooks & Dunn, “Blue Clear Sky” recorded by George Strait, and “Gone” recorded by Montgomery Gentry.

On Tuesday, Sept. 15 the L.A. event at the House of Blues will feature Kellie Pickler and songwriters Chris Lindsey (“Amazed,” Lonestar and “Let’s Make Love,” Tim McGraw w/ Faith Hill), and Aimee Mayo (“This One’s For the Girls,” Martina McBride and “Red High Heels,” Pickler). The Los Angeles show is sponsored by Electronic Arts and is in conjunction with The L.A. Office RoadShow, the “must attend” event for brands, entertainment marketers and agencies. KKGO, Go Country 105 FM, the station under the direction of Senior Manager Country Programming Charlie Cook will support the event. Tickets will be available for $12.50 via Ticketmaster.

leeannwomackLee Ann Womack will headline two shows in Chicago: Friday, Oct. 2 at Joe’s Bar, and Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Chicago Country Music Festival. Joining her will be Dean Dillon (“The Chair,” “Unwound,” “Ocean Front Property,” and “Marina Del Rey,” George Strait and “A Lot of Things Different,” Kenny Chesney), and Scotty Emerick, (“I Love This Bar,” and “Good As I Once Was,” Toby Keith and “Beer For My Horses,” Keith and Willie Nelson).

Tickets to the Oct. 2 event at Joe’s Bar are $20 each and will go on sale August 7. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster or at Joe’s (cash only-no service charge). The Chicago Country Music Festival takes place October 3 and 4 in Grant Park. The event is free and open to the public.

NYT Profiles Country Youth Movement

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Whitney Duncan

Whitney Duncan

New York Times writer Jon Caramanica puts the crosshairs to Nashville’s country music youth movement in an article titled, Country’s New Face: It’s Young and Blond.

Ms. Swift, 19, who has sold more than seven million records in the last four years, has proved to be seismic in Nashville. And thanks to the pop crossover success of Ms. Swift and Carrie Underwood, 26, who has sold 10 million albums, notions of where a country star might fit in are being rewritten almost daily.

Ms. Swift was among the first country artists to aggressively use online media to promote herself. “That helped apply a lot of pressure to radio, or helped them notice her, depending how you look at it,” Mr. Ross said. But country music still lags behind other genres in its use of the Internet. Music Row recently began publishing a chart tracking Twitter followers of country acts. Apart from Ms. Swift, Ms. Cyrus and her father, Billy Ray, no country artist has more than 100,000 followers, a threshold crossed by several major and minor stars in other genres: Justin Timberlake, Moby, Matisyahu, Jim Jones, even Jon Secada.

Read the full story [New York Times; Country’s New Face: It’s Young and Blonde]

David Bradley

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“Soak It Up”

Gecko Music Productions

dbradley-playlistFrom the oil rigs in Siberia to the clubs and songwriters circles of Nashville, Englishman David Bradley brings his soulful country rock ‘n’ roll to the US via his new home in Music City. After settling in with the community of singers and songwriters in Nashville, David offers his first single, “Soak It Up” just in time for summer. This infectious, mid-tempo rocker written by Bradley with Brady Seals and produced by Seals leads off his forthcoming album, a culmination of traveling the world and growing up on good American country music. Over 40 country stations, including Nashville’s XM 11, have played it out of the box. Stations can download a broadcast quality file from Play MPE, and the CD single has now shipped to radio.

Following in his father’s footsteps, he made a life for himself as an oil engineer uncovering places beyond the reaches of common imagination. Stationed for months in the forests of Siberia and on an oil rig in the middle of the Caspian Sea gave him a deep empathy for others who also found themselves far from the comforts and familiarities of home. David found himself writing about the hopes and fears that a man must confront on his journey through life.

Now that he’s a resident of Nashville, David is collaborating with some of the most notable songwriters and producers in town and his songs have garnered him a highly coveted publishing deal with Wrensong Music Publishing. David’s live shows also brought him to the attention of the AristoMedia Global Showcase who invited him to participate in their international artist showcase of tomorrow’s stars, kicking off CMA Music Fest 2009, a performance which was featured on tv program Inside Music Row.

www.myspace.com/davebradleymusic
www.davidbradleymusic.com

Contact:
Judy Libow/Libow Unlimited Inc.
(212) 988-5987
libowunlimited@yahoo.com

Shane Wyatt

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“She Could Do Better”

Sandyland Music

swyatt-playlist“She Could Do Better” is the latest single by singer/songwriter Shane Wyatt, from his debut album The Last Cowboy. “We have been performing ‘She Could Do Better’ live for a couple of years now, and the response has been amazing,” says Wyatt. “It seems like everyone knows someone who is in a relationship that they just shouldn’t be in, but no one has the guts to tell them. I knew a girl like that, and that was the basis of this song. And the guys all relate to seeing a girl with a guy who doesn’t treat them right.” The song has a happy ending in Wyatt’s case, because the woman in the song is now his wife.

Born in a small town in south central Oklahoma and raised by a family of cowboys and truckers, Wyatt was drawn to country music from an early age. He began playing fiddle at age 10 and by his mid teens he was playing in local bands. Often, his bandmates would have to sneak the underage fiddle player in the back door. Wyatt started playing guitar at 14 and immediately started putting his songs to music.

Every song on The Last Cowboy was written by Wyatt, and the album mix consists of modern declarations of love, soulful ballads, cowboy honesty, and high energy, boot kickin’ anthems all coming from the heart. “All I can do is put myself out there – the real me, with no filters or additives,” says Wyatt. “I think people know an honest song when they hear it.”

www.shanewyatt.com/
www.myspace.com/shanewyattmusic

Fairway Fun—Ladies Golf Tournament

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1st-Place1st Place Team: “Miss Trumped” (L-R) Nicole Pope Gaia, Renee White, Scott Siman, Carrie Simons, Teresa Siman. Photo: Kevin Lamb
• • •
The 22nd Annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament roared down the fairways Monday, July 27 at Old Natchez Country Club (1323 Sneed Road) driving and putting to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee (UCP).

Sponsored by ASCAP, Tim McGraw, UMG Nashville and UBS, this annual tournament has become one of the music business’ most creative and charitable events. With the help of hundreds of music logoindustry professionals and several Country Music stars, over one million dollars has been raised for UCP. The day began—pre-tee off—with breakfast sponsored by Bread & Co. Teams enjoyed lunch courtesey of Jim ‘N Nicks. Kenny Chesney sponsored a 19th Hole Happy Hour. The tournament concludes with a Loveless Café-sponsored dinner, awards ceremony and a silent auction to benefit UCP.
Participating celebrity players and caddies included Jason Aldean, Joey Feek (of Rory & Joey), Rachel Proctor, Emily West, plus songwriters Hillary Lindsey (“Jesus, Take the Wheel”, “This One’s For the Girls”), Lori McKenna (“Stealing Kisses”) and Liz Rose (“Teardrops on My Guitar”, “White Horse”).
Company sponsored teams included 19 Entertainment, Anchor Down Entertainment, Avenue Bank, Big Loud Shirt Industries, Big Tractor, Cherry Heart Music, Chumley Productions, CMA, Coburn Music Inc., Corlew Music Group, Curb Records, Inc., EMI Music Publishing, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Hampton Music Publishing, Larga Vista Music, LLC, Martin, Allbee, & Associates, LLC, Melanie Howard Music, Inc., Montage Music Publishing, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, NARAS, Ole Songs Inc., RS Planes Inc., S1Songs American LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Stroudavarious, LLC, Suntrust Bank, The Kella Stephenson Company, UMG Nashville, Universal Music Publishing, Inc., Universal Records South, Warner Music Group Services and Zavitson Music Group.

2nd-Place

2nd Place Team: “Harry Putter” (L-R) Margaret Durante, Cynthia Anderson, Jennifer Zuffinetti, James Stroud, Laura Stroud, Adam Zuffinetti, Jason Krupek. Photo: Alan Mayor

McDaniel Benefit Aug. 13

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mcdanielThe country music community is coming together to raise funds for Grand Ole Opry star Mel McDaniel.  The 66 year-old is slowly recovering from a June 16 heart attack.  Family, friends and fans are gathering Thursday, August 13 at 6 p.m. at the Nashville Palace to pay tribute and raise money for this cherished member of Music City.

Mel was born in Checotah, Oklahoma in 1942.  When he was 14, he decided to pursue a career in music after seeing Elvis Presley on television.  He signed with Capital Records in 1976 and the hits followed.  Well known McDaniel classics include, “Louisiana Saturday Night,” “Stand Up,” and the Number One hit “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On.” Three years ago, Mel’s home state of Oklahoma recognized his many accomplishments to date and inducted him into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

The August 13 concert and benefit for Mel has a long list of entertainers lined up to perform including T. Graham Brown, Buddy Jewel, David Ball, Tommy Cash, Ricky Lynn Gregg, plus Opry regulars Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jack Greene, Charlie Louvin, Jean Shepard and many more. In addition to the show, there will be a silent auction and many items to bid on like vacations, autographed items from the stars, sports memorabilia, gift certificates and much more.
Tickets for the Mel McDaniel benefit at the Nashville Palace are $10 at the door.

Buxton, Pinson & Belmont Visits London

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buxton

Sarah Buxton hangs with the KNIX Phoenix crew on Sat. July 25 when she opened for Keith Urban. (L-R) Kris Lamb (Lyric Street), Ben Campbell (KNIX Morning Show co-host), Sarah Buxton, Mark Medina (PD/KNIX), Matt McAllister (KNIX Morning Show co-host)

pinsonBobby Pinson friends and family celebrated the success of his latest chart triumphs, “Already Gone,” and “It Happens.” Hosted by BMI the group had lots to celebrate since Pinson has had recent hits recorded by Toby Keith, Sugarland, Trent Tomlinson and more. (L-R) Stage Three’s Steve Lewis and Lionel Conway, Bobby Pinson, BMI’s Perry Howard, and Stage Three’s Tim Hunze and Missy Roberts.

cusic

Belmont University led by Don Cusic (middle) sent a group of students to London to more closely examine European music business models. The group visited IFPI, the international trade organization for recording labels to hear a presentation from Gabriella Lopes (fourth from left) on international trends.

DISClaimer 7/31/09

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KChesney-greatesthitsII-150They didn’t win any of the big prizes, but two of our mid-level acts have some of the tastiest tunes this week.

Give an ear to the hilarious lyrics in Heartland’s “Mustache.” This thing is so wonderfully different that it could really perk up a radio station’s playlist. Also a writer’s delight is “Gypsy Boots,” the new Terri Clark single. Plus, it is sung and produced expertly.

Easton Corbin is a product of a Florida cattle farm in an area so rural that there isn’t even a fast-food burger joint in town. No wonder he sounds so marvelously countrified. “A Little More Country Than That” fits him so perfectly that it might as well be his true story. It also earns him a DisCovery Award.

The Disc of the Day belongs to a pair of unquestioned superstars. Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews are an audio delight on “I’m Alive.” It is the finale track on Kenny’s smash-packed Greatest Hits II album.

KATIE ARMIGER/Gone
Writer: Katie Armiger; Producer: Jonathan Lawson; Publisher: Lily Road, BMI; Cold River
—The track of this ballad builds nicely from an acoustic-based arrangement to big, oomphy, electrified, string-soaked choruses. The verses are cast in a key that’s too low for her, but the pay-off notes in the hook are right in the pocket.

KENNY CHESNEY & DAVE MATTHEWS/I’m Alive
Writer: Kenny Chesney/Dean Dillon/Mark Tomburino; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; BNA (track)
—Very pretty. Both men sing with gentle intimacy, and the acoustic track is a shimmering swirl of liquid repeating riffs.

BROTHERS FINCH/I Know Where You Are
Writer: Brothers Finch; Producer: Brothers Finch; Publisher: none listed; Brothers Finch (www.brothersfinch.com)
—These siblings are former Can You Duet contestants who are now working on their debut album. Based on this advance, my advice is to get more clarity in the mix. This is too muddy.

REBA/Consider Me Gone
Writer: Steve Diamond/Marv Green; Producer: Reba McEntire & Mark Bright; Publisher: Teri and Steve’s/EverGreen/Warner Tamerlane, ASCAP/BMI; Valory/Starstruck
—I can’t believe this is the best song this superstar is able to find. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but it is definitely another routine day at the office on Music Row.

MIKE SCHIKORA/What’s Old Is New Again
Writer: Mike Schikora; Producer: Mike Schikora; Publisher: Tuck and Go, ASCAP; Front Range (track) (www.frontrangerecords.com)
—The title tune to this fellow’s CD has rippling Latin rhythm and a crisp production. His pitch-perfect, light tenor voice has an attractive “break” in certain notes. The acoustic guitar solos are cool, too. All in all, a job very well done.

EASTON CORBIN/A Little More Country Than That
Writer: Don Poythress/Rory Lee Feek/Wynn Varble; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Publisher: none listed; Mercury
—Excellent. The song is extremely well crafted, and his performance is Strait-ahead country. After one listen, I was ready to sing along.

BRITTINI BLACK/America
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Star Tour/Slugfest (www.brittiniblack.com)
—She sings wonderfully. But when was the last time you heard a vocalist backed by only a keyboard on the radio?

TERRI CLARK/Gypsy Boots
Writer: Terri Clark/Jon Randall/Leslie Satcher; Producer: Terri Clark; Publisher: Hattitude/Tier Three/Wha Ya Say/Reynsong/Leslie Satcher/Sony ATV Tree, ASCAP/BMI; Baretrack (CDX) (615-324-2380)
—“I ain’t cut out for aprons or stayin’ home at night,” she observes. Plus, “My mama was a hippie, and my daddy was a rolling stone.” And this: “My middle name is Gone.” And this: “Don’t wanna rock no babies, but baby I’ll rock you.” Simply put, this is one of the coolest female ‘tude tunes I’ve heard in ages.

HEARTLAND/Mustache
Writer: Chris DuBois/Jimmy Melton/Neal Coty; Producer: Paul Compton; Publisher: New Sea Gayle/Songs of Universal/Write’em Rite/Bug/Murrah, ASCAP/BMI; Permian (CDX) (www.heartlandband.com)
—The “I Loved Her First” Alabamians are back, this time with a very funny bopper about a gal dating a guy who looks like a porn star, right out of 1979. Sung and performed with grand gusto.

BILL GENTRY/I Want What You Want
Writer: Ed Hill/David Frasier/Josh Kear; Producer: Garth Fundis; Publisher: Asierra/Sagrabeaux/Universal Music Careers/Cross Keys, BMI/ASCAP; Roadworthy (www.billgentrynation.com)
—It’s a frothing rocker with a galloping rhythm track and a catchy hook. The singer musters up just enough moxie to “sell” it.

NSAI Song Contest Returns With Jewel Mentoring Session

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jewelThe 10th annual NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT, will kick off August 1 and run through October 31, with this year’s Grand Prize winner receiving a mentoring session with Jewel.

The nationwide competition will result in one Grand Prize Winner and one CMT Listeners’ Choice Winner. Professional songwriters, publishers and others from the industry will select the finalists and the Grand Prize Winner, and the finalists’ songs will be posted online for fan voting from January 20 through February 26, 2010. Last year there were more than 94,000 votes for the CMT Listeners’ Choice.

In addition to the mentoring session with Jewel, prizes include a single-song professional demo, tickets to the 2011 CMT Music Awards, a private tour of CMT’s studios, a performance at the legendary Bluebird Café, meetings with major music publishers and a one-year membership to NSAI, just to name a few.

“By offering meetings with major publishers, we don’t just get aspiring songwriters’ feet in the door; we rip the door off its hinges and create an opportunity for them to build relationships with top-notch songwriters, publishers and music industry executives that would normally take years to establish. As we celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we hope to continue that trend and build upon NSAI’s legacy of educating, promoting and protecting songwriters in all genres,” says NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison.

All genres of music are encouraged. The entry fees are $35 for  NSAI members, and $45 for non-members, per song submitted. Proceeds benefit the NSAI Legislative Fund to protect the rights of songwriters. Details at www.nsai.cmt.com.

SOURCE Awards Tonight

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sourceSOURCE, a leading organization of women in the music business, will hold its annual Awards dinner tonight at the Musician’s Hall of Fame and Museum. The SOURCE Foundation Awards, which honors the pioneering women who helped establish the foundation of the music industry, will celebrate 2009 honorees Joyce Jackson, Peggy Lamb, Pat McCoy, Sandy Neese, Margaret Parker, and Marion Keisker MacInnes (posthumously).

“I love to watch the faces of the young women music executives at the SOURCE Foundation Awards Dinner. It is clear they respect the tradition of the past as they look forward to the future in the entertainment industry,” says SOURCE President Judy Harris.

2009 SOURCE Foundation Awards Honorees

Joyce Jackson (Jim Reeves Enterprises, Floyd Cramer, Dottie West, Mae Axton, Ernest Tubb Record Shop, Writer)

Peggy Lamb (Music City News, Hickory Records, Inc., Acuff Rose, Opryland Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing)

Pat McCoy (American Federation of Musicians, Local 257, Television Production Assistant, Charlie McCoy Enterprises)

Sandy Neese (Charlie Daniels Band/Sound Seventy Productions, The Tennessean, WMAK, MTM Records, PolyGram/Mercury Records)

Margaret Parker (WSM, Gaylord Entertainment)

Marion Keisker MacInnes (Posthumously) (WREC Radio, WHER Radio, Memphis Recording Services, SUN Records, Captain in United States Army)