Yikes: How did it get to be the end of September already?
The official first day of Autumn was Tuesday, and everyone is polishing up their late-year releases. Tim scores big points in this column with “Southern Voice,” the title tune of his Oct. 20 CD. Last night, Miranda debuted her Revolution at the Ryman. That CD drops next Tuesday. Last week, Rosanne did the same with The List, which drops Oct. 6. Toby’s American Ride is also due on Oct. 6, and Carrie’s Play On drops Nov. 3.
This star-studded edition of DisClaimer features worthy efforts not only by Tim, but also by Jason Aldean, Jack Ingram, Jimmy Wayne and Rascal Flatts, the last-named of whom has the Disc of the Day.
Blackberry Smoke, of whom I know nothing, is our DisCovery Award winner.
JACK INGRAM & PATTY GRIFFIN/Seeing Stars
Writer: Jack Ingram/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Jack Ingram & Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Beat Up Ford/Bug/Big Loud Songs/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
—It’s a spacious ballad with plenty of atmosphere. Patty’s luminous voice carries the hushed finale and is heard singing harmony throughout.
RASCAL FLATTS/Why
Writer: Allen Shamblin/Robert Mathes; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Built on Rock/EMI Blackwood/Maybe I Can’t, ASCAP/BMI; Lyric Street
—Teen suicide is on the rise, so this deeply emotional song couldn’t be more timely. This is the group’s finest single since “Bless the Broken Road,” and it is easily its most important. Essential listening.
SAMMY SADLER/I’ll Always Have Denver
Writer: Steve Wariner/Bill Anderson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Steve Wariner/Mr. Bubba/Song Tree, BMI; E1 Music
—Co-writer Wariner puts in a guest harmony appearance on the choruses of this lovely, sweet-sad ballad. But Sammy’s strong tenor vocal performance needs no assist in completely selling this.
TIM McGRAW/Southern Voice
Writer: Tom Douglas/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & Darran Smith; Publisher: Sony ATV/Tomdouglasmusic/Love Monkey, no performance rights listed; Curb
—The track thumps mightily with a wailing harmonica and grinding guitars. Tim rides on top, rattling off a string of references to Dixie—Dolly, Hank, Charlie Daniels, Billy Graham, Rosa Parks, Scarlett O’Hara, the Allman Brothers, Jack Daniels and the like. All in all, it’s pretty darn cool.
NATHAN LEE JACKSON/Desperate Man
Writer: none listed; Producer: Jeff Glixman, Zak Rizvi & Nathan Lee Jackson; Publisher: none listed; StarCity (track) (www.nathanleejackson.com)
—He encounters an armed robber and tells him, “God loves a desperate man.” Luckily, the bullet misses him.
JASON ALDEAN/The Truth
Writer: Brett James/Ashley Monroe; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Stage Three/Brett James Cornelius/Reynsong, ASCAP/BMI; Broken Bow (track)
—Jason tries on a heartbroken ballad, and it fits just fine. The sizzling organ flourishes in the mix are an extra delight.
TOMMY CASH/Fade To Black
Writer: Tommy Cash/Nathan Whitt; Producer: Rick Lloyd; Publisher: Tomcat/Next Guess, BMI/SESAC; InLight (track) (www.fadetoblackcd.com)
—The title tune to Tommy’s new CD is a tender ode to his legendary older brother. Much of the album is devoted to revivals of Johnny’s iconic songs, but Tommy’s own “Six White Horses” is reprised as well, as a duet with Marty Stuart. On Faron Young’s “Some Kind of a Woman,” George Jones joins Tommy, and sister JoAnne Cash is his vocal partner on Ferlin Husky’s “Wings of a Dove.”
JIMMY WAYNE/Sara Smile
Writer: Daryl Hall/John Oates; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music
—This 1976 Hall & Oates goldie has aged well—it’s still a dreamy melody. Jimmy’s version doesn’t stray far from the original arrangement, and harmonies by Daryl and John, themselves, add to the familiarity.
JOHNNY RIVERS/The American Dream
Writer: Johnny Rivers; Producer: Johnny Rivers & Oren Walters; Publisher: Rivers, BMI; Soul City
—Pop great Johnny still sounds good. This reggae-rhythmic bopper is embellished with horns, acoustic guitar and harmony singers. The lyric is wonderfully hopeful and uplifting, which are certainly qualities we can use these days.
BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Good One Coming On
Writer: Lee Roy Parnell/David Lee Murphy/Gary Nicholson; Producer: Dann Huff & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Lillie Dale/Dean-Parnell/EverGreen/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent/Sony ATV Cross Keys/Gary Nicholson, BMI/ASCAP; BamaJam (CDX)
—He has his smokes, his booze, his babes, his ride and his tunes, plus a weekend stretched out in front of him. Southern rock is alive and well. Par-tay!
Alan Jackson Debuts Collection At Cracker Barrel
/by Sarah SkatesAlan Jackson's cookbook is part of his new line at Cracker Barrel.
Alan Jackson is headed for a home cooked breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Mt. Juliet on Mon., Nov. 2 to celebrate the release of his new line of merchandise at the store. He will be there greeting fans and autographing items. Included in the Alan Jackson Collection are more than 40 products ranging from a rocking chair, to apparel, to food and collectibles. There is also a new CD—Songs Of Love And Heartache, with hits and two previously unreleased songs.
The Alan Jackson Collection is the first time Cracker Barrel has developed a complete line of merchandise around a star. Jackson was involved in its creation and approved all the goods based on what he thought would appeal to his fans. The popular restaurant and retail concept has been growing its business as a non-traditional music retailer since 2003.
Jackson will be there on Nov. 2 from 9-11 AM. Fans can begin lining up at 6 AM to obtain numbered tickets for a place in line. First come, first served.
Veronica Ballestrini
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Out There Somewhere”
TimBob Records
Veronica might not be the household name that our American Idol-era industry is capable of producing overnight—yet. But there’s no doubt that she is well on her way to mastering the art of our new media age and bringing a legion of fans with her in the process, as a recent story about her in the New York Times suggests.
“I spend about four hours a day answering messages from fans,” she reveals. “Every message I get, I answer myself.” It’s a formula that has paid big dividends for the surprisingly down-to-earth young star.
With a dream and an Internet connection, the teenager from Waterford, Connecticut has raised eyebrows with her self-made success story. The staggering numbers on her social network sites are proof that Veronica has that special ability to connect with people. On Myspace alone, that number totals more than 135,000 friends, 11.3 million page views and 14.5 million plays of her music. On country-lifestyle portal DigitalRodeo.com, Veronica is one of the most in-demand artists on the entire site.
“It’s important that people know that I’m not trying to be anyone else,” adds Veronica. “I’m just trying to be who I am. I’m writing from the heart about issues and things I’m experiencing, and hopefully people can identify with that.”
http://www.veronicaballestrini.net/
http://www.myspace.com/veronicaballestrini
http://twitter.com/veronicabal
Rogers’ New 3-Disc Set, Symphony Show
/by Sarah SkatesLast week Rogers, known for huge hits like “Lady,” “We’ve Got Tonight” and “Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Parton, released a 3-disc box set. The package includes all these songs and three new tracks. Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years is a look back at his career which has resulted in 105 million in worldwide album sales, and a hit in each of the last five decades. Totaling 45 tracks, the three discs are divided by Duets, Story Songs, and Love Songs. The set is packaged with a booklet that features photos from Kenny’s personal collection, and was released via Time Life in association with Dreamcatcher Artist Management. In addition to the box set, a single disc called The Greatest Duets is now available.
Urban To Visit Verizon In Franklin
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban will be at the Verizon Wireless store in Franklin, TN, at 2 PM today (10/30). He will perform an acoustic set and participate in a brief Q&A session.
Through the partnership between Urban and the wireless carrier, fans with certain Verizon phones can download three free tracks from his popular summer tour. The participating devices are the Samsung Rogue, Alias 2, Sway and Intensity phones.
Nashville Underground Turns 10
/by Sarah SkatesThe Nashville Underground record label started by artist/songwriters Lari White and Chuck Cannon to showcase Music City’s elite group of tunesmiths is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. The occasion will be highlighted by a concert and CD release party at 3rd & Lindsley on Dec. 10 at 7 PM, featuring several Nashville Underground artists including Marshall Chapman, Gary Nicholson, Chuck Jones and Cannon.
A retrospective 4-CD boxed set is also being released called 10 Years of Nashville Underground – The Complete Sampler Series Vol. I-IV. It is available for pre-order at www.nashvilleunderground.com for $19.95. Pre-order customers will receive a free autographed copy of Cannon’s Love and Money CD and a Nashville Underground T-shirt.
Tickets to the 10th Anniversary concert are $10 and can be purchased in advance at www.3rdandlindsley.com or at the door.
Lifenotes: Kimberly Kilgore Wilson
/by Sarah SkatesKimberly Kilgore Wilson, daughter of the late songwriter Merle Kilgore, passed away October 27, 2009 in Nashville after a battle with cancer. The 51-year-old mother of three was born in Shreveport, LA and moved to Nashville at a young age following her father’s success in the music business. Friends say Wilson was an musician, animal lover, and seamstress, with expert knowledge of furniture. She was preceded in death by husband, Jesse Wilson, and her father, Merle Kilgore.
She is survived by sons Eric Williams, Philip Pomeroy, and Seth Pomeroy; mother Dot Patrick; sister Pamela Compton; brother Steve Kilgore; former husband Dave Pomeroy and many others.
Visitation will be today (10/29) from 2-8 PM at Hendersonville Funeral Home and Memory Gardens, and tomorrow (10/30) from 12-2 PM, preceding the 2 PM funeral. Burial will immediately follow in the Memory Gardens. Donations in Wilson’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or Alive Hospice.
Updated: Ed Salamon Exits CRB
/by adminEd Salamon
Ed Salamon is departing his role as Executive Director of Country Radio Broadcasters Inc., MusicRow has confirmed.
Although there has been no official report, it appears that Salamon has exited the organization effective immediately. Official CRB spokesperson, Aristomedia’s Jeff Walker noted, “CRB does not comment on employment matters,” but MusicRow has verified reports which began to surface yesterday evening (10/28) regarding Salamon’s departure.
The leadership change arrives with planning for the organization’s annual event Feb. 24-26, 2010, in full swing. Word of the Board’s decision began to spread after the adjournment of Nashville CRB Board meetings which concluded yesterday.
Salamon was responsible for production and fundraising for all CRB initiatives and also serves as an adjunct professor at Belmont University. His past posts include President of Programming for Westwood One Radio. Salamon was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.
CRB President Becky Brenner
According to CRB President Becky Brenner of KMPS, “For the past 12 months, Country Radio Broadcasters has conducted an extensive review of its operations in terms of the organization’s administrative functions and the execution of its flagship event, Country Radio Seminar. As a result of this review process, the CRB Board of Directors has initiated several internal changes, which are designed to keep the organization growing in this very challenging economic climate. A number of adjustments have already been made. As we continue our ongoing effort to ensure the vitality of our organization and achieve our mission of growth through sharing, we do anticipate additional changes.”
CRS-41: The early bird registration rate of $499 for CRS 41 expires on Friday, Oct. 30. Registration is available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487.
Country Radio Seminar is packed with top-notch talent and expert speakers once again this year. Superstar Taylor Swift performs at the popular Music City Jam™ (sponsored by the Academy of Country Music), and financial authority Dave Ramsey kicks off the event with CRS 41’s Keynote Address. Additionally, a new, streamlined agenda delivers more universally appealing panels and research presentations for all attendees, regardless of market size. Best-selling business author and journalist Bob Rosner provides attendees the necessary skills to survive in a tough economy with his “Workplace 911” panel. Also new this year is a Friday morning focus group, titled “Normal People: From the Mouths of the Consumer.”
Brad, Reba Head To NYC For TV
/by Sarah SkatesReba, nominated for two CMA awards, will host Premiere Radio Networks’ 2009 CMA Awards Preview Special. The radio network is also planning a live broadcast of the Awards telecast, red carpet interviews, and a live post-Awards broadcast to be hosted by Craig Morgan and Premiere’s Larry Morgan.
Meanwhile, Paisely will be in New York for a Tuesday appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman to perform “American Saturday Night.” Then he and Carrie Underwood, co-hosts of the CMA Awards, will be performing on ABC’s Good Morning America on Tues., Nov. 10 live from Nashville, the day before the Awards. Paisley leads the nominations with seven.
Paisley just finished the 2009 leg of his American Saturday Night tour, after playing to more than 1.2 million fans. Following the run with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne, Paisley and crew made this thank-you video and posted it on Twitter and YouTube. The tour’s 2010 leg kicks off Jan. 7 in San Antonio with Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore.
Jimmy Wayne Reveals Album Details
/by Sarah SkatesFor the project, Wayne had a hand in writing four songs, and also sought out tracks from top tunesmiths including Keith Urban, John Shanks, Hillary Lindsey, Brett Beavers, Steve Robson, Bob Regan, Rivers Rutherford, and Dave Berg. Then he headed into the studio with three of Nashville’s most sought-after producers: Dann Huff, Mark Bright, and Nathan Chapman.
Sara Smile is available for pre-sale online and fans who order it ahead of time will receive a free poster along with the album.
Wayne spent part of the summer on Brad Paisley’s American Saturday Night Tour alongside Dierks Bentley.
Sara Smile track listing:
1. “Things I Believe” (Keith Urban / John Shanks)
2. “All the Time in the World” (Steve Robson / Hillary Lindsey)
3. “Sara Smile” featuring Daryl Hall & John Oates (Daryl Hall / John Oates)
4. “Just Knowing You Love Me” (Jimmy Wayne / Brett Beavers / Tony Martin)
5. “Just Look at You” (Jimmy Wayne / Bob Regan)
6. “Counting the Days” (Andrea Stolpe / John Kennedy / Steve Robson)
7. “There’s a Memory” (Sean McConnell / Clint Lagerberg)
8. “Belongs to You” (Rivers Rutherford / Dave Berg / Tom Shapiro)
9. “I’ll Never Leave You” (Jimmy Wayne)
10. “Elephant Ears” (Jimmy Wayne / Don Henry)
DISClaimer (9/25/09)
/by Robert K OermannThe official first day of Autumn was Tuesday, and everyone is polishing up their late-year releases. Tim scores big points in this column with “Southern Voice,” the title tune of his Oct. 20 CD. Last night, Miranda debuted her Revolution at the Ryman. That CD drops next Tuesday. Last week, Rosanne did the same with The List, which drops Oct. 6. Toby’s American Ride is also due on Oct. 6, and Carrie’s Play On drops Nov. 3.
This star-studded edition of DisClaimer features worthy efforts not only by Tim, but also
by Jason Aldean, Jack Ingram, Jimmy Wayne and Rascal Flatts, the last-named of whom has the Disc of the Day.
Blackberry Smoke, of whom I know nothing, is our DisCovery Award winner.
JACK INGRAM & PATTY GRIFFIN/Seeing Stars
Writer: Jack Ingram/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Jack Ingram & Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Beat Up Ford/Bug/Big Loud Songs/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
—It’s a spacious ballad with plenty of atmosphere. Patty’s luminous voice carries the hushed finale and is heard singing harmony throughout.
RASCAL FLATTS/Why
Writer: Allen Shamblin/Robert Mathes; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Built on Rock/EMI Blackwood/Maybe I Can’t, ASCAP/BMI; Lyric Street
—Teen suicide is on the rise, so this deeply emotional song couldn’t be more timely. This is the group’s finest single since “Bless the Broken Road,” and it is easily its most important. Essential listening.
SAMMY SADLER/I’ll Always Have Denver
Writer: Steve Wariner/Bill Anderson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Steve Wariner/Mr. Bubba/Song Tree, BMI; E1 Music
—Co-writer Wariner puts in a guest harmony appearance on the choruses of this lovely, sweet-sad ballad. But Sammy’s strong tenor vocal performance needs no assist in completely selling this.
TIM McGRAW/Southern Voice
Writer: Tom Douglas/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & Darran Smith; Publisher: Sony ATV/Tomdouglasmusic/Love Monkey, no performance rights listed; Curb
—The track thumps mightily with a wailing harmonica and grinding guitars. Tim rides on top, rattling off a string of references to Dixie—Dolly, Hank, Charlie Daniels, Billy Graham, Rosa Parks, Scarlett O’Hara, the Allman Brothers, Jack Daniels and the like. All in all, it’s pretty darn cool.
NATHAN LEE JACKSON/Desperate Man
Writer: none listed; Producer: Jeff Glixman, Zak Rizvi & Nathan Lee Jackson; Publisher: none listed; StarCity (track) (www.nathanleejackson.com)
—He encounters an armed robber and tells him, “God loves a desperate man.” Luckily, the bullet misses him.
JASON ALDEAN/The Truth
Writer: Brett James/Ashley Monroe; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Stage Three/Brett James Cornelius/Reynsong, ASCAP/BMI; Broken Bow (track)
—Jason tries on a heartbroken ballad, and it fits just fine. The sizzling organ flourishes in the mix are an extra delight.
TOMMY CASH/Fade To Black
Writer: Tommy Cash/Nathan Whitt; Producer: Rick Lloyd; Publisher: Tomcat/Next Guess, BMI/SESAC; InLight (track) (www.fadetoblackcd.com)
—The title tune to Tommy’s new CD is a tender ode to his legendary older brother. Much of the album is devoted to revivals of Johnny’s iconic songs, but Tommy’s own “Six White Horses” is reprised as well, as a duet with Marty Stuart. On Faron Young’s “Some Kind of a Woman,” George Jones joins Tommy, and sister JoAnne Cash is his vocal partner on Ferlin Husky’s “Wings of a Dove.”
JIMMY WAYNE/Sara Smile
Writer: Daryl Hall/John Oates; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music
—This 1976 Hall & Oates goldie has aged well—it’s still a dreamy melody. Jimmy’s version doesn’t stray far from the original arrangement, and harmonies by Daryl and John, themselves, add to the familiarity.
JOHNNY RIVERS/The American Dream
Writer: Johnny Rivers; Producer: Johnny Rivers & Oren Walters; Publisher: Rivers, BMI; Soul City
—Pop great Johnny still sounds good. This reggae-rhythmic bopper is embellished with horns, acoustic guitar and harmony singers. The lyric is wonderfully hopeful and uplifting, which are certainly qualities we can use these days.
BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Good One Coming On
Writer: Lee Roy Parnell/David Lee Murphy/Gary Nicholson; Producer: Dann Huff & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Lillie Dale/Dean-Parnell/EverGreen/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent/Sony ATV Cross Keys/Gary Nicholson, BMI/ASCAP; BamaJam (CDX)
—He has his smokes, his booze, his babes, his ride and his tunes, plus a weekend stretched out in front of him. Southern rock is alive and well. Par-tay!