(L-R): Brian Wright, UMG Nashville VP A&R; Luke Lewis, UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO; Jamey Johnson; Hank Cochran; Cowboy Jack Clement; and Buddy Cannon.
The Gold good old days are back.
“This looks like a good turnout; I haven’t been to one of these in a long time,” said Duane Allen of The Oak Ridge Boys. Neither has the rest of us, buddy.
“Remember when we used to have one of these once a week?” reminisced Beverly Keel. Indeed I do.
“We don’t do this much anymore,” said Luke Lewis. “This is very special.”
The occasion was a Gold Record Party for Jamey Johnson. Held on the rooftop of BMI (5/19) on one of the prettiest spring days in memory, it was extremely well attended. That’s probably because, as Duane, Luke and Beverly suggested, we don’t have many Gold and/or Platinum soirees anymore. But it also could be because Jamey’s That Lonesome Song album is truly artistic and truly country.
“Your success is our success,” proclaimed BMI’s Clay Bradley to the honoree.
“There are poets in the house,” said Luke. “Jack Clement is here. Bill Anderson is here. Hank Cochran is here. Buddy Cannon is here. And Jamey Johnson is here. I am humbled.
“I’ve been selling records for 35 years,” Luke continued. “This is probably the proudest moment of my career.” He added that his 65 Universal employees are rabid music fans who made Jamey’s cause their challenge and their passion.
“I’ve been making records for about four years,” said Jamey. “And this is my proudest moment.”
I asked him if he had ever dreamed of getting a Gold Record when he was a kid. “Hell, I never even dreamed of it as an adult,” he replied.
Jamey gave Luke a flask as a present, noting, “I didn’t fill it up, yet.”
Everyone gave a shout out to Luke’s V.P. of A&R, Brian Wright. He’s the one who turned the label on to Jamey’s music.
The Kent Hardly Playboys band members were called up to be presented with Gold plaques. So was manager Terry Elam. And make no mistake, those were Gold LPs represented in those frames. That Lonesome Song has been issued on vinyl. Yeah, baby.
Duane’s fellow Oaks Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden were there. So was his lovely and talented wife Nora Lee Allen, fresh from backing Garth Brooks at the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday. The Oaks have recorded Jamey’s “Mama’s Table” for their new CD.
Guests sipped cocktails and snacked on Mexican food. Dickey Lee, Bob McDill, Allen Reynolds and Curtis Wright mingled, as did Ronna Rubin, Royce Risser, Will Rambeaux, Ron Huntsman and Regina Stuve.
Working the room were Sherman Halsey, Donna Hughes, Kay West, Caroline Davis, Doug Johnson, Gary Overton, Christie King, Anastasia Brown, Peyton Hoge, Terry Bumgarner, Jay Orr, Michael Grey, Steve Buchanan and Jon Freeman.
It’s been quite a year for Jamey Johnson. He’s been on Letterman and Leno. He’s been praised in Rolling Stone, The New York Times and Esquire. He was nominated for three Grammy Awards, and last month “In Color” was named the ACM Song of the Year. Also he was just nominated by Music Row in its Breakthrough Artist category.
Now he’s Gold. Just like in the good old days.
UMG Nashville Sales and Marketing staff and Chairman Luke Lewis with goatees (L-R): Andy Nelson, Jen Schaaf, Jeff Stoltz, Tom Lord, Lewis, Jamey Johnson (with daughter Kylee), Melissa McAllister, Pam Russell, Jamie White and Parker Nusbickel.
Swift Wins BMI President’s Award
/by LB CantrellTaylor Swift attended BMI’s 57th Annual Pop Awards in Los Angeles, where she enjoyed a prestigious surprise. In addition to earning a BMI Pop Award for her crossover hit, “Teardrops on My Guitar,” Swift received the BMI President’s Award, which honors an exceptional individual in the entertainment industry deserving of special recognition. The BMI President’s Award is presented only on occasions when an individual has distinctly and profoundly influenced the industry. Swift is the youngest individual ever to receive the honor. Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the invitation-only ceremony was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President/General Manager, Los Angeles, Barbara Cane and also recognized the writers and publishers of the past year’s 50 most-performed pop songs from BMI’s catalog of more than 6.5 million compositions.
Taylor Swift accepts the BMI President’s Award from BMI President & CEO Del Bryant
Americana Awards Nominees Announced
/by LB CantrellBuddy Miller scored big with five nominations in the six member-voted categories; Justin Townes Earle received three and Alejandro Escovedo, the Flatlanders and Australia’s Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson each received two nominations. The nominees were selected by members of the Americana Music Association, with eligibility based on work released between June 1, 2008 and May 1, 2009.
Buddy Miller leads with five nominations.
The winners will be announced September 17 at the Ryman Auditorium during the 8th Annual Americana Music Association’s Honors and Awards Show. Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring a band led by Buddy Miller, the Honors & Awards ceremony will also recognize Lifetime Achievements and awards in Performance, Songwriting and the unique Spirit of Americana Award honoring Free Speech in Music.
Slated for Wednesday, September 16 through Saturday, September 19, the 10th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center. Each evening brings more than 80 Americana showcases to venues throughout Nashville. Approximately 1,000 industry professionals attended the 2008 conference and more than 12,000 fans experienced the Festival’s musical events.
The 2009 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Nominees are:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Real Animal, by Alejandro Escovedo
Written in Chalk, by Buddy & Julie Miller
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, by Jason Isbell & The 40 Unit
Midnight At The Movies, by Justin Townes Earle
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Alejandro Escovedo
Buddy Miller
Justin Townes Earle
Raul Malo
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Jerry Douglas
Sam Bush
NEW & EMERGING ARTIST
Band of Heathens
Belleville Outfit
Justin Townes Earle
Sarah Borges
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Chalk,” written by Julie Miller, performed by Buddy Miller & Patty Griffin
“Country Love” by the Gourds
“Homeland Refugee,” by Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock, performed by the Flatlanders
“Rattlin’ Bones,” by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, performed by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
“Sex And Gasoline,” by Rodney Crowell, performed by Rodney Crowell
DUO GROUP OF THE YEAR
Buddy & Julie Miller
Flatlanders
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
Reckless Kelly
WSM AM To Air “This Is My America” Special
/by LB CantrellBobby Karl Works Jamey Johnson Gold Party—Chapter 309
/by Bobby KarlThe Gold good old days are back.
“This looks like a good turnout; I haven’t been to one of these in a long time,” said Duane Allen of The Oak Ridge Boys. Neither has the rest of us, buddy.
“Remember when we used to have one of these once a week?” reminisced Beverly Keel. Indeed I do.
“We don’t do this much anymore,” said Luke Lewis. “This is very special.”
The occasion was a Gold Record Party for Jamey Johnson. Held on the rooftop of BMI (5/19) on one of the prettiest spring days in memory, it was extremely well attended. That’s probably because, as Duane, Luke and Beverly suggested, we don’t have many Gold and/or Platinum soirees anymore. But it also could be because Jamey’s That Lonesome Song album is truly artistic and truly country.
“Your success is our success,” proclaimed BMI’s Clay Bradley to the honoree.
“There are poets in the house,” said Luke. “Jack Clement is here. Bill Anderson is here. Hank Cochran is here. Buddy Cannon is here. And Jamey Johnson is here. I am humbled.
“I’ve been selling records for 35 years,” Luke continued. “This is probably the proudest moment of my career.” He added that his 65 Universal employees are rabid music fans who made Jamey’s cause their challenge and their passion.
“I’ve been making records for about four years,” said Jamey. “And this is my proudest moment.”
I asked him if he had ever dreamed of getting a Gold Record when he was a kid. “Hell, I never even dreamed of it as an adult,” he replied.
Jamey gave Luke a flask as a present, noting, “I didn’t fill it up, yet.”
Everyone gave a shout out to Luke’s V.P. of A&R, Brian Wright. He’s the one who turned the label on to Jamey’s music.
The Kent Hardly Playboys band members were called up to be presented with Gold plaques. So was manager Terry Elam. And make no mistake, those were Gold LPs represented in those frames. That Lonesome Song has been issued on vinyl. Yeah, baby.
Duane’s fellow Oaks Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden were there. So was his lovely and talented wife Nora Lee Allen, fresh from backing Garth Brooks at the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony on Sunday. The Oaks have recorded Jamey’s “Mama’s Table” for their new CD.
Guests sipped cocktails and snacked on Mexican food. Dickey Lee, Bob McDill, Allen Reynolds and Curtis Wright mingled, as did Ronna Rubin, Royce Risser, Will Rambeaux, Ron Huntsman and Regina Stuve.
Working the room were Sherman Halsey, Donna Hughes, Kay West, Caroline Davis, Doug Johnson, Gary Overton, Christie King, Anastasia Brown, Peyton Hoge, Terry Bumgarner, Jay Orr, Michael Grey, Steve Buchanan and Jon Freeman.
It’s been quite a year for Jamey Johnson. He’s been on Letterman and Leno. He’s been praised in Rolling Stone, The New York Times and Esquire. He was nominated for three Grammy Awards, and last month “In Color” was named the ACM Song of the Year. Also he was just nominated by Music Row in its Breakthrough Artist category.
Now he’s Gold. Just like in the good old days.
Messina’s Road Race Helps St. Jude
/by LB CantrellSony/ATV Nashville’s Berschback Promoted
/by LB CantrellHolly Williams Readies Debut
/by LB CantrellAdkins Joins Nat’l Memorial Day Concert
/by LB Cantrell“For 20 years, a remarkable group of distinguished performers and television veterans have come together to create a moving remembrance and tribute to those who have been wounded or given their lives for our country,” said executive producer Jerry Colbert. “And, every year, we receive a growing number of e-mails and letters from those who still suffer their own personal and painful losses — from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and now Iraq and Afghanistan — for whom this concert is truly a healing and uniting experience.” Click here for more information.
Guitar Auction to Benefit Opry Trust Fund
/by LB CantrellGuitarist Wariner will kick off the event with a number from his upcoming project, Steve Wariner, C.G.P., My Tribute to Chet Atkins. Wariner will also serve as Celebrity Auctioneer, and GAC-TV and 650 WSM radio personality Bill Cody will be on hand to emcee.
All proceeds benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which has for more than 40 years assisted members of the country music community in need of help with medical bills, living expenses, utilities, rent, and food. For more on the Opry Trust Fund, click here.
Source Foundation Honorees
/by LB CantrellSOURCE, Music Row’s executive women’s group, held a luncheon May 14 for the 2009 honorees who will be feted at the Source Foundation Awards, July 30. Plaques commemorating the outstanding careers of the honorees will permanently hang in the Source Room, located within the Musicians Hall of Fame Museum. This years honorees are Joyce Jackson, Peggy Lamb, Pat McCoy, Sandy Neese, Margaret Parker and Marion Keisker MacInnes (posthumously). (L-R) standing: Kay Smith, Pat Rolfe, Judy Harris, Lamb, Teena Camp, McCoy, Neese, Linda Chambers and Judi Turner. Seated: Parker and Karen Conrad.