(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
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
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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.
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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.”
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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.
Lady A Added To Now! 31 Pop Comp
/by bossross“It is hard to describe what it feels like for me to see our name on the same CD package as Beyonce,” says lead vocalist Hillary Scott. “I’m seriously pinching myself.” Other artists with tracks on Now! 31 are Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, The Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Jamie Foxx and Nickelback.
Lady Antebellum is currently on the road playing arenas and stadiums across the country opening for Kenny Chesney. They are also scheduled to pair with Keith Urban in the fall for a series of dates that will take them across Canada.
Browser Battles—FireFox Launches 3.5
/by bossrossCurrently the latest statistics show Internet Explorer (66%), FireFox (22%) and Safari (8%) leading the pack in terms of marketshare. Google’s new Chrome browser, with less than a 2% share, is also attracting early attention.
“One of our biggest challenges is helping people to understand that they have a choice about their Web browser, and how big a difference that choice can make,” Firefox Director Mike Beltzner told Cnet. “Every release is an opportunity for us to bring improvements directly to our growing user base, but also help many users indirectly by putting pressure on Microsoft to improve their product as well.”
Firefox 3.5, available today (6/30) is loaded with improvements, the most noticeable of which is speed and complexity. Using a new javascript engine it named TraceMonkey, the browser can render pages faster, plus handle new file formats. It can also utilize new design options and functionality to improve platforms we use every day such as social networking and messaging.
Apple’s Safari product also just released a new updated version which accomplishes many of the same benefits found in FireFox 3.5. FireFox and Safari, the new kids on the block have steadily gained marketshare against Internet Explorer which has failed to keep pace with younger upstarts. The rebalancing of consumer preferences means that artists, labels and companies must be sure that online offerings work smoothly with all three browsers.
Browser MarketShare
Q406: IE 80%; FF 13.5%; Safari 4%
Q407: IE 77.3%; FF 15.85%; Safari 5.25%
Q209: IE 66%; FF 22%; Safari 8%
source: Hitslink Market Share
Artists Celebrate Summer on Field and Water
/by Sarah SkatesCarrie Underwood at the Celebrity Softball Challenge. Photo: Randi Radcliff
Last month’s Nashville Celebrity Softball Challenge, held each year in conjunction with CMA Music Festival, raised over $100,000 for City of Hope’s research, treatment and education for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The Grand Ole Opry team defeated the After Midnite team. Stepping up to the plate to help the charity were notable Nashvillians and country music celebrities including Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Jake Owen and many more.
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The 6th Annual Vince Gill and Amy Grant Golf Classic will be held Aug. 3-4 in Aspen, with proceeds benefiting the charity Challenge Aspen. As part of the gala and golf tournament, Gill and Grant will headline an evening of cocktails, auctions, dinner and a concert, and the following day will join event co-host and golf legend Fred Funk on the links at the Aspen Golf and Tennis Club. Challenge Aspen provides year-round recreational, cultural and competitive experiences for anyone with a disability.
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(L-R): Tennessee Titan's head coach Jeff Fisher and Carter's Chord's Becky, Emily and Joanna Robertson
Show Dog Nashville’s Carter’s Chord recently sang the national anthem at the 2009 Jeff Fisher & Friends Charity Softball Game at Greer Stadium to benefit the Nashville Children’s Alliance, Mercy Ministries, Soles4Souls, Catch-A-Dream and several other local charities.
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You don’t need a ticket, you just need a boat to see Alan Jackson rock Lake Martin, Alabama on July 25. He will headline SeaRay’s Aquapalooza Signature Event on the lake where he and his family often spend time on their boat. AquaPalooza is a series of on-water celebrations held during the last two weekends in July at more than 100 locations around the world. Each gathering features family activities such as live entertainment, games, giveaways and more. Organizers expect the fourth annual World’s Largest Boating Party will break the record of 12,000 boats and 56,000 attendees set last year.
Kristofferson Named BMI Icon, Awards Date Set
/by Sarah Skatesphoto: Mary Ellen Mark
Kris Kristofferson will be honored as a BMI Icon at the U.S. music rights organization’s 57th annual Country Awards. Slated for Tuesday, November 10 in Nashville, the black-tie, invitation-only gala will celebrate the songwriters of the past year’s most-performed country songs from the BMI catalog. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Nashville Writer/Publisher VP Jody Williams, the event will honor the Country Songwriter of the Year, Country Publisher of the Year and Most Performed Country Song of the Year, also known as the Robert J. Burton Award.
The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters and artists who have had “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” Kristofferson, who will be saluted with an all-star musical tribute that evening, joins an elite list of past honorees that includes country music stalwarts Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, Charlie Daniels, Loretta Lynn and last year’s honoree Hank Williams Jr., along with multi-genre nobility like the Bee Gees, James Brown, Crosby, Stills & Nash and more.
With the penetration of a poet and the humbling grace of a troubadour, Kristofferson built a legendary career recognized for versatility and authenticity. He has received 48 BMI Country and Pop Awards for his compositions including “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Why Me,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Lovin’ Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again),” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Three Grammys line his shelves. He is a three-time BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and eight of his compositions have generated substantially more than one million performances.
While he wrote most of his masterpieces alone, his co-writers include giants Shel Silverstein, Marijohn Wilkin, and Fred Foster. He has starred in numerous films, including Lone Star, the Blade trilogy, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, A Star Is Born, for which he garnered a Golden Globe, and Songwriter, for which he received an Oscar nomination. Along with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash, Kristofferson also formed the Highwaymen. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Songwriters Hall of Fame. Recording now for New West Records, he will release a new album in September. A Rhodes Scholar capable of choosing virtually any path, Kristofferson decided to write songs, and for that, purveyors and lovers of American music are eternally grateful.
821 Grows the Hollywood-Nashville Connection
/by Sarah SkatesGrisham has been declining offers to make a movie of his novel The Testament—one of his personal favorites—since its release in 1999. But well-known producers Mark Johnson (Chronicles of Narnia, The Notebook, Donnie Brasco, Rain Man) and Hunt Lowry (Grisham’s A Time To Kill, Last of The Mohicans, Blue Collar Comedy Tour) convinced him otherwise. Johnson, an Academy Award winner, and Lowry partnered with 821 to co-produce The Testament and provide development financing.
The film, set in Washington DC and the Brazillian outback, is about a billionaire who leaves his fortune to an illegitimate daughter living in Brazil, and the lawyer who helps her fend off her father’s other relatives.
Chalfant, a former banker, says 821 is now focused on finding a screenwriter and adapting the novel in a way that Grisham sees fit. The company could finance the project but would prefer to co-finance with a studio. According to Variety, 821 is “in the throes of raising $250 million in equity and debt to finance productions with ‘heartland appeal.’”
With plans to work on 16 films in the next five years, 821 is also busy with its newly announced King of the Cowboys film trilogy based on Roy Rogers. Through a partnership with Rogers’ heirs, there will be a family fantasy adventure movie, as well as animated TV, interactive game and merchandising efforts.
Geadelmann and Chalfant recently sat down with Fox News to elaborate on the company’s effort to turn stories from America’s heartland into movies and television shows. Watch it at http://www.821entertainment.com/foxbusiness.cfm
CMA Fest To Rock TV, First Awards Ballot Coming
/by Sarah SkatesCountry Music takes center stage when CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock airs Monday, Aug. 31 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Filmed in Nashville June 11-14, the special has been expanded to three hours. Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Sugarland and Taylor Swift are the first performers to be confirmed, with more artists to be announced soon. This year an average of 56,000 fans attended each day of CMA Music Festival, its biggest turnout yet. CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock is executive-produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson.
In related CMA news, ballots for the Nominating Round of the CMA Awards will be emailed out tomorrow (6/30). Below are the changes for the upcoming CMA Awards:
• The top 20 qualified vote recipients on the Nomination Ballot will advance to the Second Ballot in categories 2-12. In category 1 (Entertainer of the Year), the top 15 qualified vote recipients will advance to the Second Ballot.
• The Horizon Award is now the “New Artist of the Year” Award.