They 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.
DISClaimer 7/31/09
/by Robert K OermannGive 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
/by Sarah SkatesThe 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
/by Sarah Skates“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)
Blake Shelton—Twitter’s Humorous Hunk
/by bossrossThat is exactly what seems to be happening over at @Blakeshelton, a verified account. In fact, Shelton’s feed is turning into an amusing and unique entertainment channel that might appropriately be rated NSFW (not safe for work).
A cast of characters including love interest Miranda Lambert, artists Craig Morgan, David Nail and Chuck Wicks and others regularly weigh in as well as hundreds of Shelton’s 28,450 followers. But don’t get the tweeter mad or you’ll suffer the consequences of getting blocked, which means you can no longer follow the show.
Fans write in and Blake answers….on Twitter it appears with the question first and Blake’s response at the end…
Recently a new character, @Blakesho arrived on the scene and got Miranda fired up enough to tweet her followers, “Hey my tweets….@BlakesHo is hittin on my guy on twitter. I will take the high road but I expect yall have my back….it’s probably a dude.”
Now it appears that @Blakesho has exited from Twitter, account closed. Lambert, however, talks about “her man” often with Tweets like:
Shelton is No. 13 on the MusicRow Country Artist Twitter chart (7/30) but his numbers are increasing rapidly showing a robust 12% increase over the last seven days. His CD Startin’ Fires which has sold 167,379 units in 34 weeks has climbed over the last three weeks from No. 36 to No. 31. One not-so-funny detail is the lack of a digital track on the Top 200 list. Regardless, it will be enlightening to see if Shelton’s bad boy antics leverage sales.
What do you think?
Americana Festival Announces Showcase Artists
/by Sarah SkatesWill Hoge is among the showcase artists set for the Americana Festival in September.
The Americana Music Association has confirmed a diverse line-up of artists to perform at the upcoming 2009 Americana Music Festival, such as Cross Canadian Ragweed, Will Hoge, J.D. Souther, Marty Stuart, Those Darlins and W.P.A. Showcases will be held Sept. 16-19 at five downtown Nashville venues including: The Mercy Lounge, The Cannery Ballroom, 3rd & Lindsley, The Station Inn and The Basement.
The 2009 Americana Music Festival is part of the 10th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, which offers daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center, as well as evening showcases. The Americana Honors & Awards Show, a highlight of the event, is set for Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium.
Registration for the Festival & Conference is open now. Non-conference attendees may buy showcase wristbands granting admission to all venues on all four evenings of live music. They’re available for $45 via americanamusic.org and Grimey’s New and Preloved Music.
Artist News: Due West, Lady A, Jake Owen, More
/by Sarah SkatesMatt Lopez of the new country trio Due West was recently presented with a Gold record by Lady Antebellum while on tour. Due West opened for Lady Antebellum in St. George, Utah and Lopez got a change to perform the song he co-wrote, “Love’s Lookin’ Good On You,” which is on Lady A’s album.
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alli spokeswoman Wynonna Judd held a private performance recently at the Country Music Hall of Fame for 50 sweepstakes winners. The event celebrated her progress since starting the alli method, which has included dropping 2 dress sizes.
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Jake Owen launched a fan club and new website, www.jakeowen.net, this week. The new fan club will include a free three-month membership for every user who was a community member on the original website. Otherwise, the yearly rate will be $9.99, offering access to video updates from Jake on the road, tour photos, Jake’s personal photos from his days off on the road, access to meet ‘n’ greet passes, and other cool features. He also recently filmed the video for latest single “Eight Second Ride,” which is slated to debut this summer.
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TelluRide has been spending time in their home state of Washington performing homecoming shows and visiting radio in the Seattle area and Spokane to celebrate their debut American Roots Records single, “Pencil Marks” and Four Square Miles album. The band played two nights at the popular Tenino Wine & Music Festival, and visited Microsoft to perform for the staffs of WindowsMedia, Zune and Microsoft’s Xbox.
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Richie McDonald’s song “Race Day” is being be used during pre-race programming on the SPEED network during the 2009 NASCAR Season. McDonald recorded the song he wrote with Aaron Barker and Leslie Satcher for his forthcoming solo debut on Stroudavarious Records, due in 2010.
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A song written by Craig Bickhardt and Don Schlitz offers a humorous look at modern baseball vs. the sandlot and the diamond’s glory days. The cut, performed by Bickhardt, also features Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, Andy Leftwich, Byron House and Tommy Geddes. Click here to see the YouTube video.
Road Photos: Toby & Trace, Chris Young, Darius
/by Sarah SkatesToby Keith and Trace Adkins are getting a huge reaction each night on Keith's "America's Toughest Tour," when Toby brings Trace back out onstage for an encore performance of his monster hit "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry America)."
While in Tampa, FL recently for a stop on Rascal Flatt’s “Unstoppable” tour, Darius Rucker and professional wrestler Dusty Rhodes, better known as “The American Dream,” were excited to meet each other. Pictured L-R: Mike Culotta (WQYK PD), Rhodes & Rucker
This past weekend Jimmy Wayne had the chance to grab a photo with Bob Schieffer, host of CBS’s "Face The Nation," while on the Brad Paisley tour in the DC area.
“Billboard Country Update” Returns
/by bossrossWade Jessen
What starts with three, drops to two after one disappears and then returns to three on August 10? Answer: Country Music’s weekly pdf chart digests from MusicRow, Aircheck and the about-to-arrive Billboard Country Update. Industry observers were saddened and perhaps shocked when R&R’s HotFax shuttered its doors a few months ago. Unlike MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart, which carved its own niche focusing on secondary radio and industry coverage, some executives opined that Aircheck and HotFax both covered mostly the same radio news, had mainstream radio charts and therefore perhaps two similar reports was unnecessary. Others felt it was important to get different perspectives especially since MediaBase, which provides data to Aircheck, is a Clear Channel property.
According to Billboard’s Nashville Sr. Chart Manager Wade Jessen, the new Country Update addresses the above comments by forging a more unique balance between radio and industry. Update will publish on Monday evenings starting Aug. 10 and offer a raft of new information. In addition to BDS-based radio charts the new publication will include an A-Z song index of country titles and become the venue for Billboard’s Touring Country Box scores. Also featured will be the debut of a country digital download chart via SoundScan. Jessen promises some other exciting new features including a mashup chart which combines digital sales and radio listening audience. Ken Tucker will helm Editorial coverage of the new undertaking in addition to continuing his other freelance duties.
Misc: Bob Willis Lifenotes, Propeller Goes Green, Beer At The Ballet
/by Sarah SkatesBob Willis
Lifenotes: Songwriter Bob Willis, best known for penning the ’70s hit “Guilty Of Love (In The First Degree),” passed away July 10, 2009 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Louisville, KY. He was 75 years old. Willis recorded 15 albums throughout his career, and wrote over 1000 Country-Gospel songs, 15 of which were cut by Jimmie Davis. The Florida Boys and The Happy Goodman Family recorded “Guilty Of Love (In The First Degree)” on Canaan Records. In recent years, Willis was working with producer Doug Johnson and singer Marty Brown. His family also sends special thanks to Little Jimmy Dickens for his help through the years. An online memorial guest book is at BobWillismusic.com.
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In the most unlikely pairing of the week, Friends of Nashville Ballet is hosting a new event called “Beer at the Ballet” on Friday, August 21 at Nashville Ballet Studios from 6:30 – 9:30 PM. Celebrating 24 years of dance in 2009/2010, Nashville Ballet will open the season with Giselle (Oct. 23-25). Other highlights include the new Nashville based Nutcracker (Dec. 11-13, and 18-20), a Hal Ketchum performance, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (April 23-25, 2010). www.nashvilleballet.com
Gloriana Debuts New Album Online
/by Sarah SkatesThe 13-track album includes hit single “Wild At Heart,” which is the best selling single by a new country act in 2009. Gloriana, the album, also includes the tracks from the band’s four-song digital collection that was released at the end of May.
Gloriana has been chosen as Rhapsody’s “Ones To Watch” for the month of August. Throughout the month, Rhapsody® will make exclusive Gloriana content available to fans, including an interview and a celebrity playlist chosen by the foursome. There will also be an exclusive “Rhapsody Originals” performance, featuring songs from the Rhapsody Rocks the CMT Music Awards event in Nashville back in June. Fans can also check out that performance on CMT.com starting Aug. 3.
Gloriana is supporting Taylor Swift on her Fearless 2009 Tour through October.