Label: Golden Music
Current Album: Williams Riley
Current Single & Video: “I’m Still Me”
Current Producers: Noel Golden, Derek George
Hometowns: Larose, LA; Nashville, TN
Interesting Fact: The band is named after the guitar player’s great-grandfather.
Outside Interests: Hunting, fishing, horses, cattle and thumb wrestling
Awards: American Country Countdown Superstars 2009, Voted Best New Country Artist on AOL for 2009
Musical Influences: Restless Heart, Bryan White, Edwin McCain, Hall & Oates
Favorite Records: Hotel California (The Eagles), Don’t Look Back (Boston), Flirtin’ With Disaster (Molly Hatchet), Defying Gravity (Keith Urban)
Band Members: Steve Williams—lead singer, acoustic guitar; Charlie Hutto—background vocals, acoustic and electric guitar; Derek George—background vocals, electric guitar; Travis Thibodaux—background vocals, keyboards; Joe Rogers—pedal steel guitar, fiddle, harmonica; Dave Guidry—bass guitar; and Nick Buda—drums.
Williams Riley lead singer Steve Williams was working in the oil fields of the Gulf of Mexico when he passed along some of his songwriting work to popular singer-songwriter Edwin McCain at McCain’s concert in New Orleans. He won McCain’s support and eventually other top names in the music industry rallied behind Williams to help his music find a larger audience. Among those offering support is rock’s most famous guitarist, Slash, who joins country artist Bryan White and McCain on Williams Riley’s debut album.
That’s only part of the lineup of all-stars on the recording. Co-producer Noel Golden is an award-winning studio veteran who has worked with platinum selling artists Matchbox Twenty, Metallica, Edwin McCain, Sister Hazel, Sammy Hagar, Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack. Derek George, best-known as Bryan White’s primary collaborator, also co-produced. Besides Slash, other acclaimed instrumentalists on the album include A-team players Dan Dugmore, Kenny Greenberg and John Hobbs.
“I can’t believe how passionate everyone has been about what we’re doing,” says Williams. “Not long ago, I was just a guy writing songs in Louisiana. Now a bunch of my heroes are playing with me and my band on my songs because they love what I’m doing, that tells me that we must be doing something right.” Williams realizes that an album featuring McCain, Slash and White might sound diverse—and he says that’s exactly what it is. “I wanted to make a country album, but one that pushed against the boundaries and appealed to fans outside of country music too,” he says. “One reason I asked Derek George to co-produce was that I wanted the album to stay within the parameters of contemporary country music. The reason I insisted that Noel (Golden) co-produce was that I knew he’d push the boundaries and capture the energy that I wanted for this record.”
Photos: Music City Songwriters Make The Rounds
/by Sarah SkatesBob DiPiero and The Floating Stones played at 3rd & Lindsley on Saturday night to a full crowd, performing his hits such as "Blue Clear Sky," "American Made," "Wink," "Church on Cumberland Road," and "Gone." (L-R): Pat Buchanan, Steve King, Bob DiPiero, Shawn Fichter, and Adam Beard
Veteran BMI musician and songwriter Pete Sallis recently inked a deal with premier Christian music publisher Brentwood Benson Publishing Group. Pictured at BMI in Nashville are (back row) BMI’s Bradley Collins, Brentwood Benson Publishing Group’s Stacey Wilbur, John Andrade, Brentwood Benson’s Dale Mathews, and Eric Hurt, with Pete Sallis, seated. (Photo: Drew Maynard)
Daywind Music Publishing songwriter Marty Funderburk was recently honored for his song, “Life Goes On,” recorded by the Talley Trio, as well as for penning Daywind's first choir songs released with LifeWay Worship. Most significantly, Funderburk was given the Daywind Music Publishing Impact Award, the company’s highest honor. Funderburk, Daywind's first Director of Publishing, has been with the company 12 years and recently completed his 500th song, with more than 50 published in the choral format and distributed to churches nationally. Photo: (L-R): Ed Leonard, Pres. of Daywind Records; Marty Funderburk; Dottie Leonard Miller, Daywind Music Group Founder and Owner; and Rick Shelton, Director of Daywind Music Publishing
Country’s Shrinking Middle Class
/by bossrossThe joke may be on the Sony CEO because, know it or not, he’s a card carrying member of the country [music] club which can certainly be described these days as “making very little [much less] money.” Sales are down, margins crunched, marketing costs up, labels continue to buy their way up the radio charts and retail shelf space evaporates while most players do the same ole, same ole shuffle. Most troubling is the format’s lack of an artist middle class.
It’s easy to point to the superstar crowd—Swift, Underwood, Flatts, Sugarland, Paisley, Urban, Chesney, Strait, McGraw, Keith and maybe a few others we’ve mistakenly omitted, but what about the up and comers? Where is country’s middle class? A quick look at the Top 10 selling country albums this year names the following; Swift, Hannah Montana, Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Brand, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Sugarland, Swift and Underwood. Only two of those CDs have broken the million mark this year; only three have passed the 500k goalposts, which is the start of profitability for many labels.
So yes, based upon RTD sales (release to date over 500k), we can point to a few middle class candidates, such as ZBB, Darius and Aldean named above plus toss in a pinch of Lady Antebellum and some Jamey Johnson for seasoning. That still leaves precious few to fill the spots at the top. And we invite readers to answer this one for themselves: How many of the superstars named above passed their career zeniths long ago? [Answer: lots.]
Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who, like Stringer was attending an ultra-exclusive media mogul gathering in Sun Valley, Idaho called the faltering economy “the new normal,” advising companies to “figure out how to be happy and get our lives together in this new configuration.”
One overdue prescription for country’s “new configuration” might be to get smarter about radio promotion. Entire Nashville business models are built upon the promise of airplay, factoring zero for sales risk. Few if any other business industry would accept such a deal. Sure radio exposure remains an important part of the success mix, but how many records have we seen in recent months that paid and paid to enter the Top 10 mainstream airplay charts only to reap coal in their Christmas SoundScan stockings? Marketers can judge early on if a song is going to move the sales needle using data from a myriad of available sources. Isn’t it time to get more aggressive about indexing the correlation between airplay and sales and stop the tail from wagging the dog?
On the Music Row Cover: Williams Riley
/by LB CantrellCurrent Album: Williams Riley
Current Single & Video: “I’m Still Me”
Current Producers: Noel Golden, Derek George
Hometowns: Larose, LA; Nashville, TN
Interesting Fact: The band is named after the guitar player’s great-grandfather.
Outside Interests: Hunting, fishing, horses, cattle and thumb wrestling
Awards: American Country Countdown Superstars 2009, Voted Best New Country Artist on AOL for 2009
Musical Influences: Restless Heart, Bryan White, Edwin McCain, Hall & Oates
Favorite Records: Hotel California (The Eagles), Don’t Look Back (Boston), Flirtin’ With Disaster (Molly Hatchet), Defying Gravity (Keith Urban)
Band Members: Steve Williams—lead singer, acoustic guitar; Charlie Hutto—background vocals, acoustic and electric guitar; Derek George—background vocals, electric guitar; Travis Thibodaux—background vocals, keyboards; Joe Rogers—pedal steel guitar, fiddle, harmonica; Dave Guidry—bass guitar; and Nick Buda—drums.
Williams Riley lead singer Steve Williams was working in the oil fields of the Gulf of Mexico when he passed along some of his songwriting work to popular singer-songwriter Edwin McCain at McCain’s concert in New Orleans. He won McCain’s support and eventually other top names in the music industry rallied behind Williams to help his music find a larger audience. Among those offering support is rock’s most famous guitarist, Slash, who joins country artist Bryan White and McCain on Williams Riley’s debut album.
That’s only part of the lineup of all-stars on the recording. Co-producer Noel Golden is an award-winning studio veteran who has worked with platinum selling artists Matchbox Twenty, Metallica, Edwin McCain, Sister Hazel, Sammy Hagar, Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack. Derek George, best-known as Bryan White’s primary collaborator, also co-produced. Besides Slash, other acclaimed instrumentalists on the album include A-team players Dan Dugmore, Kenny Greenberg and John Hobbs.
“I can’t believe how passionate everyone has been about what we’re doing,” says Williams. “Not long ago, I was just a guy writing songs in Louisiana. Now a bunch of my heroes are playing with me and my band on my songs because they love what I’m doing, that tells me that we must be doing something right.” Williams realizes that an album featuring McCain, Slash and White might sound diverse—and he says that’s exactly what it is. “I wanted to make a country album, but one that pushed against the boundaries and appealed to fans outside of country music too,” he says. “One reason I asked Derek George to co-produce was that I wanted the album to stay within the parameters of contemporary country music. The reason I insisted that Noel (Golden) co-produce was that I knew he’d push the boundaries and capture the energy that I wanted for this record.”
Paisley, Chesney on “GMA,” And More
/by Sarah SkatesBrad Paisley is pictured with "Good Morning America’s" Sam Champion when Brad was in New York on Friday to play GMA’s Summer Concert Series.
Brad Paisley—busy celebrating last week’s No. 1 country debut of his album American Saturday Night—will be the first country artist featured on the MySpace Music Feed. The exclusive interview, in which Paisley talks about his new project and the creative thread flowing through his family, is online now and viewable here. The album’s chart-topping first single, “Then,” has now earned RIAA Gold Digital Single certification, representing sales of 500,000 downloads. The second single, “Welcome to the Future,” impacts country radio today.
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Kenny Chesney will perform on Good Morning America’s “Summer Concert Series,” on Aug. 14. He’ll swing by Central Park in the Big Apple for the show while en route to his fifth straight SRO concert at the New England Patriots’ Stadium in Foxboro, MA. Chesney is in the midst of his Corona Extra sponsored Sun City Carnival which will play 12 stadiums, as well as arenas and amphitheatres. He is on his way to selling over a million tickets for the eighth summer in a row.
Billy Currington, currently on Sugarland's "Love On The Inside" tour, visited GAC's "Top 20 Countdown" on Friday, July 10 to chat with host Nan Kelley. His "People Are Crazy" video nears the No. 1 spot this week.
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Trace Adkins was the celebrity volunteer on Friday’s (7/10) episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. He traveled to Lancaster, Texas, to meet Carlton Marshall who lost most of his mobility and all of his hearing after being shot while leading a Dallas Police Department SWAT team. Carlton and his wife Susan, a homicide detective, will have their home rebuilt in seven days, solving structural and accessibility issues.
Asleep at the Wheel Honored
/by MichelleAsleep At The Wheel
Asleep at the Wheel will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance at the 8th Annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony, presented by the Gibson Foundation, scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium. Since 1969, the Austin-based band has released over twenty-five albums, charted over twenty Billboard singles and won nine Grammy Awards.
The Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance is one of several career honors that will be handed out during the awards ceremony, which will be hosted by Jim Lauderdale.
From Sept. 16-19, 2009, the 10th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference will offer seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center by day, and bring a stellar lineup of musical showcases each evening. Conference registrations are currently available at the early bird discount rate of $350 for members and $450 for non-members at the Americana Music Online Store.
Fast Ryde Visits MusicRow
/by bossrossRepublic Nashville’s newest act, Fast Ryde visited the Music Row conference room to share some of their new music. Here’s what happened when we turned on our iPhone video camera to capture some of the action.
A Cecil B. deRoss Production
Halfway To Hazard
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“I Know Where Heaven Is”
Stylesonic/Picnic Hill/Bigger Picture
In fact, the words “Halfway to Hazard” were the first ever penned by the duo. The phrase not only inspired their name, but also serves as a symbol of the musical journey their lives have taken; the journey from tiny rural towns hidden in the mountains to huge arenas filled with thousands of screaming fans. “That’s what I love about music, it bridges the gaps between people in so many ways and can even make distances seem closer,” says Warrix.
Halfway to Hazard released its self-titled debut album, produced by Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore, in 2007 on Mercury Records. They joined McGraw and Faith Hill’s Soul II Soul Tour as the opening act the same year, which was the year’s highest grossing tour.
2008 was also a success for H2H as they again opened for their self-proclaimed biggest “fan” Tim McGraw along with Jason Aldean. Other highlights of 2008 included: a nomination in the Academy of Country Music’s coveted Best Duo of the Year category, several NFL national anthem pre-game appearances, and the singing the national anthem at Rupp Arena for their beloved UK Wildcats.
The first Annual Halfway to Hazard Charity Trail Ride and Concert in Sept. 2008 was another high point for H2H, allowing them to give back to the region that means so much to them. The event raised over $100,000 for the Buckhorn Children’s Center and Family Services and helped secure the East KY Leadership award for the pair. The duo are gearing up for this year’s event in late summer.
http://www.halfwaytohazard.com/
http://www.myspace.com/halfwaytohazard
http://twitter.com/HalfwayToHazard
The Farm Aid Concert Location Mystery
/by MichelleConcert hint #1: Your state feeling left out? This year’s concert will be in a city & state where Farm Aid has never been held! via @FarmAid
Concert hint #2: This year’s concert will be in a state that is in the top 12 for number of farms! (via @FarmAid)
Willie is joined by Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews on the Farm Aidboard. Each year, artists come together to perform and help raise money and awareness for America’s family farms. Farm Aid has raised $33 million for farmers since its inception in 1985.
Click here to follow Farm Aid on Twitter.
Artists On TV
/by bossrossThe 80th Major League baseball game will be held at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium on Tues. July 14. Sara Evans has been invited to perform “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch of this year’s diamond shaped contest. Evans plans to make the event a family outing. “I’m a huge baseball fan, as are all of our children,” Sara says. “This will definitely be one of the highlights of our 2009!” The game will be televised by FOX Sports, including Evan’s performance and the tossing of the first pitch which will be handled by President Barack Obama.
Sarah Darling
Kenny Chesney has agreed to join Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts and Chris Cuomo in New york City’s Central Park on Aug. 14. Logistics for the visit was more complicated than usual because Chesney will also be headed toward his fifth sellout appearance at New England Patriot’s Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. Chesney’s Sun City Carnival is slated to play 12 stadiums this summer plus many arenas and amphitheaters. “Out Last Night” just ended a two-week run at No. 1.
Black River recording artist Sarah Darling will be in Chicago (7/10) to sing the National Anthem at the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race at Chicagoland Speedway. The event will be televised on ESPN. Darling will also perform tracks from her new album Every Monday Morning, including her current single “Jack Of Hearts.”
Your Social Network Tells About You
/by bossrossConservative estimates say that about 60% of the U.S. online population uses social networks or about 110 million people. On average users visit social sites about five days a week, four times a day for a total of about one hour each day. The study was completed in June with a sample of 5,000 demographically representative respondents. Ad Age then worked with the Anderson team to create the following mini-profiles. Here’s some of what they uncovered. For more details visit AdAge here.
Users Overall
• 45% link only to family and friends
• Most users not wasting company time. Only 15% said they visit networks at work
• Four categories: business users, fun seekers, social-media mavens (key group) and late followers
Non-Users
• Not tech haters, still spend time surfing web
• Three groups: no time, concerned about security and think it’s stupid
Facebookers
• 77 million users skew a bit older, extremely loyal
Twitterers
• Entrepreneurial, super-user group
• Skew very high interest in news, pop culture, music, movies with buying habits to match
MySpacers
• Young, fun and fleeing
• Overall useage down, but 67 million still having fun