(L-R): Song of the Year co-writers James Otto, Jamey Johnson and Lee Thomas Miller performed "In Color." Photo: Alan Mayor
The readers have spoken, and they have class.
Both Jamey Johnson and James Otto were double winners at this year’s MusicRow awards ceremony. Jamey won the Breakthrough Artist award as well as the Song of the Year prize for “In Color,” co-written with James and Lee Thomas Miller. Because James also co-wrote his big hit “Just Got Started Loving You” he was named this year’s Breakthrough Songwriter.
“We put pieces of our own lives in it,” said Jamey of “In Color.” “That’s what songwriting is supposed to be about, isn’t it?”
“It’s been 12 years in Nashville, and one great year,” said James. He thanked his mom, his wife and publisher Tracy Gershon.
“I’m going to write an article about perseverance,” said Doak Turner. “As soon as I heard James say that, I was inspired.”
“This is the greatest town in the world and the greatest business in the world,” said Lee. He interrupted a Disneyworld vacation with his wife and four kids to be at the ceremony.
“This is one of our favorite events,” said Ralph Murphy welcoming the crowd to the host venue, ASCAP. “Mr. David Ross has built a career on integrity and its spirit of perseverance and dedication.”
“This is our 21st MusicRow Awards,” said Boss Ross. “We are here to celebrate the core of our industry’s creativity and its spirit of perseverance and dedication.”
Representing the AFM, newly elected treasurer Craig Krampf addressed the gathering, saying, “What an incredible, special town we have in Nashville. None of us should ever take it for granted. Congratulations to our winners. We’re very proud of you.”
Prior to the ceremony, Craig said he’d gone over the books and found that the first quarter of this year has been the third most lucrative in this AFM chapter’s history. Considering the economic times, that’s saying quite a lot.
MusicRow’s Jon Freeman and Sarah Skates presented this year’s Musician Awards. These were first presented way back in 1989 and remain the only honors given to Music City’s session musicians.
“I remember when you and I had a future in this town,” quipped bass winner Glenn Worf to me before the ceremony. He has won his honor every year since 1992.
Ilya Tonshinsky (guitar) and Gordon Mote (piano) were first-time winners. “I didn’t expect this at all,” said Ilya. “We actually get to make a living playing!” exclaimed Gordon. Previous 13-time winner Steve Nathan was there to congratulate Gordon, which I thought was incredibly endearing. As well as undeniably classy.
Fiddle winner Jonathan Yudkin gave a shout-out to the mag. “We have to maintain a level of awareness of what’s going on,” he said. “David Ross and MusicRow do an excellent job doing that.” It’s the truth.
“Keep my number handy,” said session vocalist winner Wes Hightower. He has won his category every year since 2001. As is the custom, Christie King handed out the framed awards and Alan Mayor snapped away.
Winners not present were steel guitarist Paul Franklin, engineer Justin Niebank and drummer Shannon Forrest. Chris DuBois accepted for Producer of the Year Frank Rogers, who is on vacation, “on a beach somewhere, hopefully with his shirt ON,” said Chris.
Guests snacked on fried chicken strips, jumbo berries, chips and spinach dip, chicken-salad sandwiches and other tasty ASCAP delights.
Many commented that they love the event because they get to have reunions with folks they don’t see often on the Row.
Pete Fisher, Woody Bomar, Scott Hendricks, Sherrill Blackman, Gary Overton, Martha Moore, Keith Stegall, Alan Kates, Allen Brown, Brian Nelson, Pat Higdon, Steve Fishell, Kyle Lehning, Chuck Thompson, Michelle Ross, Susana Ross and Barry Coburn were there. Eli Ball is back in Tune Town, running a new firm called Lyric Financial, which gives loans to writers and publishers, among other services.
The awards are swell, but the real deal is that this is always a dandy party. Just ask Jeff Walker, Dean Unkefer, Karen Staley, Kay Clary, Bob Paxman, Jody Williams, Dennis Banka, Don Cusic, Dale Bobo, Charles Dorris, Chris Ferrell, Steve O’Brien, Pat Rolfe, Cathy Gurley, Susan Stewart, Terry Elam or Neal Spielberg.
(L-R): MR News Editor Sarah Skates with the Top Ten Album All-Star winners Glen Worf, Ilya Toshinksky, Gordon Mote, Wes Hightower and Jonathan Yudkin. Photo: Alan Mayor
(L-R): MR Publisher David M. Ross with Song of the Year writers and publishers EMI Blackwood's Gary Overton, Jamey Johnson, Warner-Tamerlane's Tracy Gershon, New Songs of Sea Gayle's Chris DuBois and Lee Thomas Miller. Photo: Alan Mayor
How Artists Are Spending the 4th
/by Sarah SkatesBroken Bow Records' Dean Brody will be included in "Operation Music City," a special to air on the Pentagon Channel over the 4th of July weekend. He talks about his debut single "Brothers" with Sgt. Ted MacDonald and also discusses new single "Gravity."
Here’s a list of what a few artists are doing this weekend. What is your artist up to? Add a comment below and let us know.
Nashville always celebrates the 4th of July with style and this year’s 25th anniversary event will be better than ever with headliner Wynonna Judd performing alongside the Symphony Orchestra. The Riverfront Park free festivities will begin at noon with the Family Fun Zone, presented by Coca-Cola. The NowPlayingNashville.com First Stage will feature music beginning at 2 PM with Frankie Ballard, The Grascals, MTA’s “Transit,” Lee Roy Parnell and more. The main stage concert will kick off at 7 PM with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra performing the national anthem, then there will be a patriotic salute by Mayor Karl Dean, followed by The Gabe Dixon Band and Wynonna. The evening will conclude with fireworks dancing to the rhythm of the Nashville Symphony at around 9:25 PM. Wynonna will also be appearing at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on the afternoon of July 4th to sign autographs from 2-4 PM. http://www.musiccityjuly4th.com/
——————————————–
Charlie Daniels, Phil Vassar and Jimmy Webb will appear on a new singer-songwriter series called Legends & Lyrics, airing Saturday, July 4 at 10 p.m. on local Nashville public television channel WNPT. The program, which debuted on May 9, pairs legendary songwriters and performers with promising new talent in an “in-the-round” writer’s format that features performances and interviews with the artists. Daniels recently returned from his third international trip to visit military troops in Iraq and Kuwait and is currently touring the U.S. through the end of 2009.
——————————————–
StarCity Recording artist Brady Seals visits host Harry Chapman on the set of News Channel 5+’s Words & Music this Sat., July 4 at 4:00 pm. Words & Music: The Showcase for Nashville’s Songwriters gives viewers an inside look at some of the area’s most successful songwriters and the stories behind some of their biggest hits. Seals will perform “God Blessed Texas,” a #1 single he co-wrote during his time with Little Texas, and “Ho Down,” the debut single from his upcoming solo album, Play Time.
——————————————–
Jack Records/Warner Bros. Records Comedian Larry the Cable Guy will release his first 4th Of July Special, Tailgate Party, digitally on the holiday. The digital download package will be distributed exclusively by Basecamp Productions and will be available at http://live.larrythecableguy.com. The special was taped during a unique performance at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE on Independence Day in support of Husker Fans on the UNL Campus.
——————————————–
American Roots Records Group TelluRide will head south to Daytona Beach on the 4th of July for a performance on the Coca Cola Fan Stage prior to the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Race that evening at the Daytona International Speedway.
Toby K., Holly W., Luke B. and Aaron T.
/by Sarah SkatesHolly Williams recently visited E’s "Chelsea Lately" (pictured here with host Chelsea Handler). Williams will also perform, interview and sign autographs tomorrow (6/3) at 1:30 PM at the Country Music Hall of Fame, followed by her Grand Ole Opry debut that night.
Toby Keith‘s sixth annual golf and music fundraising weekend to benefit Ally’s House raised more than a half-million dollars to help children with cancer and their families in Keith’s native Oklahoma. The $550,000 raised brings the to-date total to nearly $3 million. The dinner, music and auction saw several big ticket items drawing huge bids. A dinner party for 20 with Keith earned $32,500. The Alaskan Adventure with Deadliest Catch boat captain Sig Hansen brought in $13,000, and a Costa Rica getaway to the Four Seasons drew a $19,000 bid. More than 40 sports and music celebrities were in attendance, including Keith’s Beer For My Horses co-star and co-writer Rodney Carrington, and baseball player Roger Clemens.
———————————–
Luke Bryan hosted Yahoo! Music’s first Country Music Wednesdays on Twitter last night. Fans were able to watch the conversation by adding twitter.com/lukebryanonline and twitter.com/yahoo_music to their “follow” list. Bryan also debuted the video for his current single “Do I” on Amazon this week, where fans can watch the video, buy the single, and pre-order his Capitol Nashville album Doin’ My Thing, which will be released Oct. 6. Bryan is on the road all summer on his Miller Lite sponsored tour.
———————————–
Aaron Tippin has launched a line of nutritional supplements called Aaron Tippin Nutrition (ATN). In his mid 20s the singer was a competitive bodybuilder and he’s been a fitness buff ever since, which led to him starting what he describes as this new “way-of-life” program.
Jackson Sales Surge But Country Lags
/by bossrossDigital Download Dialog
Among country consumers, the digital album sales picture is nowhere as large as might be indicated based upon the MJ stats. Last year, digital country album sales as a percentage of total album sales equaled about 7.2%. This year (2009) country album downloads have jumped to 11.4%. A nice leap to be sure, but a far cry from the tech-savvy mouse clicks of the pop consumers where about 21.5% of total CD sales are digital.
Current Country
The Hannah Montana movie soundtrack (34,397) remained in the top spot on Current Country Albums (10th consecutive week), but sales only exceeded the No. 2 contender, Taylor Swift, by 397 units. Moving up to the No. 3 position is the feisty Zac Brown Band which scanned 23,799 units this week. Kenny Chesney (22,209) and Jason Aldean (20,533) filled out the Top 5.
Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” was the top country digital track, downloading 74,968 copies this week placing the song in soon-to-be Platinum status (825k). Miley Cyrus sold 53,712 digital “Climb” tracks for a to-date total of about 1.87 million. “Out Last Night” from Kenny Chesney came in third, clicking its way to 41,510 downloads in its fourth week on the tracks chart.
Looking ahead we have the just released American Saturday Night from Brad Paisley which should add some spice to next week’s totals…
CMT Ratings Continue Upward Trend
/by Sarah SkatesIn addition, the network increased viewers among adults 18-49 for total day (+6%) and primetime (+9%) over last year. The June 16 Awards were the network’s highest-rated telecast of the year.
Music video hours have also increased on the channel, with ratings up +17% versus the same quarter last year among total viewers, and up +14% among adults 18-49. In addition, video streams are up +23% for CMT.com for second quarter when compared to the same quarter last year.
New Artists Now
/by Sarah Skates———————————-
———————————-
Columbia Nashville newcomer Josh Thompson has been visiting radio in support of his self-penned debut single, “Beer On The Table,” which goes for adds on July 27. The 31-year old singer/songwriter grew up with in a working class family and arrived in Nashville in 2005. His energetic live shows drew in a fan base, and eventually caught the attention of hit songwriters and Columbia Nashville. He recently scored his first major cut as a songwriter with “Growing Up Is Getting Old,” the title track of Jason Michael Carroll’s current album. Produced by Michael Knox (Jason Aldean), Thompson is finishing his first album which features 10 songs he wrote or co-wrote.
Columbia Nashville newcomer Josh Thompson hangs out with the KBEQ Morning Drive crew while promoting his debut single, "Beer On The Table." Pictured (l-r): KBEQ's Zeke Montana, Thompson, Natalie Puhr, and PD Mike Kennedy.
Music Biz Whiz Kids
/by Sarah SkatesPictured at the finalists meet and mingle (L-R): Jensen Sussman, Mandy Gallagher, SESAC's Justin Levenson, David Plyler, and Katy Brown.
There are several familiar names on Music Row among the finalists for the 2009 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (NELAs), given out annually by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville. The organizations say the awards are proof of the demographic’s strong leadership, community impact and success. Many of the nominees are members of music business organization SOLID.
In the Arts, Entertainment, and Music Business category, the finalists are Jessica Baum, Bluewater Music Services Corporation; Katherine Beakes, Universal Music Group; Lucia Folk, CMT; Danny Ray Martin, East Nashville School of Music and Jensen Sussman, Sweet Talk Publicity.
Other finalists with strong ties to the music business are Katy Brown of Musicians On Call, who is nominated in the Community Service Nonprofit category; and Mandy Gallagher of SunTrust Bank, nominated in the Financial Services section.
SESAC President/COO Pat Collins has already been announced as the 2009 Sage Award Winner, given out in conjunction with the honors to one of Nashville’s top leaders who has made a significant impact on the city’s young professional demographic.
The 2009 NELAs Awards Ceremony will be 7-9 PM, Thurs., July 30 at Lipscomb University, with a pre-event reception at Cabana from 5-6:30 PM.
Bobby Karl Works The MusicRow Awards
/by Bobby Karl(L-R): Song of the Year co-writers James Otto, Jamey Johnson and Lee Thomas Miller performed "In Color." Photo: Alan Mayor
The readers have spoken, and they have class.
Both Jamey Johnson and James Otto were double winners at this year’s MusicRow awards ceremony. Jamey won the Breakthrough Artist award as well as the Song of the Year prize for “In Color,” co-written with James and Lee Thomas Miller. Because James also co-wrote his big hit “Just Got Started Loving You” he was named this year’s Breakthrough Songwriter.
“We put pieces of our own lives in it,” said Jamey of “In Color.” “That’s what songwriting is supposed to be about, isn’t it?”
“It’s been 12 years in Nashville, and one great year,” said James. He thanked his mom, his wife and publisher Tracy Gershon.
“I’m going to write an article about perseverance,” said Doak Turner. “As soon as I heard James say that, I was inspired.”
“This is one of our favorite events,” said Ralph Murphy welcoming the crowd to the host venue, ASCAP. “Mr. David Ross has built a career on integrity and its spirit of perseverance and dedication.”
“This is our 21st MusicRow Awards,” said Boss Ross. “We are here to celebrate the core of our industry’s creativity and its spirit of perseverance and dedication.”
Representing the AFM, newly elected treasurer Craig Krampf addressed the gathering, saying, “What an incredible, special town we have in Nashville. None of us should ever take it for granted. Congratulations to our winners. We’re very proud of you.”
Prior to the ceremony, Craig said he’d gone over the books and found that the first quarter of this year has been the third most lucrative in this AFM chapter’s history. Considering the economic times, that’s saying quite a lot.
MusicRow’s Jon Freeman and Sarah Skates presented this year’s Musician Awards. These were first presented way back in 1989 and remain the only honors given to Music City’s session musicians.
“I remember when you and I had a future in this town,” quipped bass winner Glenn Worf to me before the ceremony. He has won his honor every year since 1992.
Ilya Tonshinsky (guitar) and Gordon Mote (piano) were first-time winners. “I didn’t expect this at all,” said Ilya. “We actually get to make a living playing!” exclaimed Gordon. Previous 13-time winner Steve Nathan was there to congratulate Gordon, which I thought was incredibly endearing. As well as undeniably classy.
Fiddle winner Jonathan Yudkin gave a shout-out to the mag. “We have to maintain a level of awareness of what’s going on,” he said. “David Ross and MusicRow do an excellent job doing that.” It’s the truth.
“Keep my number handy,” said session vocalist winner Wes Hightower. He has won his category every year since 2001. As is the custom, Christie King handed out the framed awards and Alan Mayor snapped away.
Winners not present were steel guitarist Paul Franklin, engineer Justin Niebank and drummer Shannon Forrest. Chris DuBois accepted for Producer of the Year Frank Rogers, who is on vacation, “on a beach somewhere, hopefully with his shirt ON,” said Chris.
Guests snacked on fried chicken strips, jumbo berries, chips and spinach dip, chicken-salad sandwiches and other tasty ASCAP delights.
Many commented that they love the event because they get to have reunions with folks they don’t see often on the Row.
Pete Fisher, Woody Bomar, Scott Hendricks, Sherrill Blackman, Gary Overton, Martha Moore, Keith Stegall, Alan Kates, Allen Brown, Brian Nelson, Pat Higdon, Steve Fishell, Kyle Lehning, Chuck Thompson, Michelle Ross, Susana Ross and Barry Coburn were there. Eli Ball is back in Tune Town, running a new firm called Lyric Financial, which gives loans to writers and publishers, among other services.
The awards are swell, but the real deal is that this is always a dandy party. Just ask Jeff Walker, Dean Unkefer, Karen Staley, Kay Clary, Bob Paxman, Jody Williams, Dennis Banka, Don Cusic, Dale Bobo, Charles Dorris, Chris Ferrell, Steve O’Brien, Pat Rolfe, Cathy Gurley, Susan Stewart, Terry Elam or Neal Spielberg.
(L-R): MR News Editor Sarah Skates with the Top Ten Album All-Star winners Glen Worf, Ilya Toshinksky, Gordon Mote, Wes Hightower and Jonathan Yudkin. Photo: Alan Mayor
(L-R): MR Publisher David M. Ross with Song of the Year writers and publishers EMI Blackwood's Gary Overton, Jamey Johnson, Warner-Tamerlane's Tracy Gershon, New Songs of Sea Gayle's Chris DuBois and Lee Thomas Miller. Photo: Alan Mayor
Musical Chairs: W.A.Y. Ent., Republic Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesElliot was most recently VP of Marketing & Artist Development for Arista/Nashville and the RCA Records label, overseeing all of the branding and imaging for artists including Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and Martina McBride, among others. Previously, Elliot was at RCA (NY) where he was part of the marketing team that launched the Dave Matthews Band. Svendsen was most recently Director of Strategic Marketing for Sony Nashville and was responsible for the TV film initiatives for all four Sony labels. Svendsen began his career at Sony as Southwest Regional and was responsible for radio promotion and marketing for Kenny Chesney, Lonestar, Kellie Pickler and Lorrie Morgan, among others.
Contact information for W.A.Y Entertainment:
Jon Elliot, 615-390-6773, jon@way-entertainment.com
Christian Svendsen, 214-557-0097, christian@way-entertainment.com
———————————-
Weslea Bartholomew has joined the Republic Nashville team as Director of Southwest Promotion. A graduate of the University of New Mexico, Bartholomew has more than 5 years of radio experience, serving as both an on-air talent and as Assistant Program Director of WBEE in Rochester, NY. Bartholomew will be based out of her hometown of Albuquerque, NM. She may be reached at weslea.bart@republicnashville.com
Alicia Torres will serve as Label Resource Manager/ Executive Assistant to Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen. A graduate of Appalachian State University, Torres’ previous professional endeavors include serving as Booking & Promotions Agent for Mountain Cowboy Music; Regional Marketing & Advertising Rep at HQ Management and New Monkey Studios; Sponsorship Coordinator and Street Team Manager for Music on the Mountain; News Anchor for WASU-FM as well as the President and Concert Organizer of the MEISA Music Festival. Torres most recently served as SAG/ AFTRA Licensing Coordinator for MTV Networks Viacom in New York. She may be reached at alicia.torres@republicnashville.com.
Whisperin’ Bill Still Making Noise
/by Sarah SkatesBill Anderson is having a good week with the release of two new co-writes.
Whisperin’ Bill Anderson was already having a wonderful vacation when he received a phone call from Terry Wakefield at Sony/ATV that made his trip that much better. Wakefield let him know the status of two of Anderson’s co-writes: Sugarland‘s “Joey” hit the national country charts at No. 50 yesterday (6/29), and today (6/30) Brad Paisley released a new album containing his cut “No.”
Coincidentally, Anderson says, “Some of my biggest hits in the past have been songs with only one-word titles, so if I’m lucky, maybe I can add a couple more to that list in the near future.”
Brotherly Love w/ Bellamys & Bacons; Plus Artist LifeNotes
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): David Bellamy, Kevin Bacon, Howard Bellamy and Michael Bacon.
The Bellamy Brothers have released a new single and video with The Bacon Brothers titled “Guilty of the Crime.” The song is currently in medium rotation on CMT Pure and featured worldwide on CMT.com. Directed by Laura Lyness, the video was shot in a single day inside a prison in Memphis. The video features both sets of brothers and former Beverly Hills 90210 star Shannen Doherty. “Guilty of the Crime” is the first single from the Bellamy Brothers’s forthcoming album, The Anthology, Vol. 1. It will be available Aug. 1 on their Web site (www.BellamyBrothers.com) and at iTunes. The collection will be released in stores on Sept. 29.
———————————-
MCA recording artist Josh Turner and his wife Jennifer welcomed their second son, Colby Lynch Turner, to the family on Friday, June 26. The Turner’s are also parents to two-year-old Hampton. “I’m just a proud daddy right now,” says Turner. “Jennifer gave birth to another healthy baby boy. Hampton loves being a big brother and we’re just one big happy family.” Turner has spent the last several weeks in the studio recording his fourth album. “My producer, Frank Rogers, jokingly told Jennifer that she needed to wait until we finished my record before she had the baby,” recalls Turner. “We finished the album last Thursday at 6:00pm. After I got home, Jennifer went into labor and we were at the hospital by 10:30pm that night. Now that’s what I call perfect timing.”
———————————-
SheDaisy’s leading lady Kassidy Osborn became the bride of longtime boyfriend Derek Williamson recently in a private ceremony in San Diego, California. Joined by their families, the couple exchanged vows at the LDS Temple. SheDaisy is gearing up for the release of its fifth album on Lyric Street Records. The multi-platinum sister trio is in the midst of summer tour dates.