Nashville pop and country star Dan Seals has died at age 61.
“Dan lost a two-year battle with lymphoma,” reported his longtime friend and manager Tony Gottlieb. “He was a beautiful man.”
Seals sang the Country Music Association’s 1986 Single of the Year, the upbeat, nostalgic “Bop.” It was also a significant pop-crossover chart success. In addition, his “Meet Me in Montana” duet with Marie Osmond led to the pair winning the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award in 1986.
Born February 8, 1948, Danny Wayland Seals was a West Texas native who was part of a large clan of music makers. Older cousin Johnny Duncan (1938-2006) also became a country star. Brother Jim Seals was in the pop hitmaking duo Seals & Crofts. Nephew Brady Seals found fame in the bands Little Texas and Hot Apple Pie. Older cousin Troy Seals was a pop and country stylist who was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Uncle Chuck Seals co-wrote the country standard “Crazy Arms.”
Dan’s father Wayland, an oilfield worker, played in a country band. Both Dan and older brother Jim performed in it as youngsters.
In Dallas, Dan Seals and his teenage friend John Ford Coley joined the rock band Southwest F.O.B. The group had a minor hit with “The Smell of Incense” in 1968.
The two next formed a duo. As “England Dan,” he sang lead in England Dan & John Ford Coley. Their 1975-79 pop hits included “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Nights Are Forever Without You,” “It’s Sad to Belong,” “Gone Too Far,” “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again” and “Love Is the Answer.”
Seals attempted a brief pop solo career and went bankrupt before turning back to the country sounds he was raised with. He first made the country hit parade with 1983’s “Everybody’s Dream Girl,” which he co-wrote. His self-penned “God Must Be a Cowboy” became his first top-10 country hit the following year.
Between 1984 and 1990, Dan Seals had 16 consecutive top-10 hits and 11 No. 1 singles. He wrote or co-wrote “The Wild Side of Me,” “My Baby’s Got Good Timing,” “Everything That Glitters,” “You Still Move Me,” “Three Time Loser,” “One Friend,” “Big Wheels in the Moonlight,” “They Rage On” and “Love on Arrival.” Other big hits included “Addicted,” “I Will Be There,” “ My Old Yellow Car” and his revival of Sam Cooke’s “Good News.”
All of the big Seals hits, both pop and country, were produced by Kyle Lehning in Nashville. In fact, the Gold-selling “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” was the first hit record Lehning ever produced. The voice of Dan Seals launched his career.
“It’s a sad day,” said Lehning. “He was like a brother to me. I can’t imagine a sweeter, gentler, kinder man. He was just a wonderful human being. It was always great fun being around him. We made some wonderful music together.”
Following a long stint with Liberty/EMI/Capitol, Seals recorded for Warner Bros. Records in 1991-94, Intersound in 1995-98 and Lightyear in 2002-04. His Won’t Be Blue Anymore album became a Gold Record. Nights Are Forever by England Dan & John Ford Coley is also a Gold album. The Best of Dan Seals is Platinum.
Seals impressed audiences with his charismatic 6’2” physicality as well as his showmanship. During his concerts, he played rock ‘n’ roll saxophone, as well as guitar. A lefthander, Seals played a specially strung right-handed guitar upside down and backward. He memorably entertained at the Riverfront Stage during the 2002 Fan Fair festival.
There was a contemplative side to him as well. Dan Seals was a Baha’i, a member of a faith that believes in religious tolerance and in the spiritual unity of mankind.
“There’s a side of me that dreams and hopes for a better world,” Seals said. “I think with my heart. I believe that the people of our planet are all one family.”
Dan Seals died peacefully yesterday evening around 8:30 p.m. surrounded by family and friends.
He is survived by wife Andrea, daughter Holley May Lizarraga and sons Jimmy, Jeremy and Jesse, as well as mother Sue, brothers Jim and Eddie and sister Renee. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Read Principled Man—Dan Seals
BBR Launches New Label
/by LB CantrellContact Information for Stoney Creek Promotions Department:
Denise Roberts, 818-679-5479, deniseroberts@stoneycreekrecords.com
Heather Propper, 602-317-0551, heatherpropper@stoneycreekrecords.com
Stacy Blythe, 615-887-9860, stacyblythe@stoneycreekrecords.com
Bill Lubitz, 702-580-6886, billlubitz@stoneycreekrecords.com
T.J. Martell Gala Raises $400,000 For Cancer Research
/by LB Cantrell“The Honors Gala gave the Martell Foundation in Nashville the opportunity to reach out to new people and deliver our message of the important cancer research that we fund at the Frances Williams Preston Labs at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center,” said Tony Conway, President and CEO of Buddy Lee Attractions and President of the T.J. Martell Foundation – Nashville Division Board of Directors. “We are proud to have launched such a wonderful event by honoring four incredible individuals who have played such significant roles in our community and helped raise major funds for TJ Martell Foundation that will be directly used for cancer research.”
Front Row Left to right: Peter C. Quinn (CEO of the T.J. Martell Foundation), C. Wright Pinson (Associate Vice Chancellor of Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer of the Vanderbilt Medical Center and Co-Chairman of the Honors Gala), The Honorable Al Gore (Former Vice President of the United States), Frances Williams Preston (Former President and CEO of BMI and national President of the T.J. Martell Foundation), Michael Bolton (Entertainer), Dr. Harold L. Moses (Director Emeritus of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Director of the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center) and Tony Martell (Chairman and Founder of the T.J. Martell Foundation)
Second Row Left to Right
Orrin H. Ingram (President and CEO of Ingram Industries Inc. and Chairman of Ingram Barge Company) and Brian Philips (President of CMT and Co-Chairman of the Honors Gala)
Photo Credit: Alan Mayor
Joe Nichols
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Believers”
Universal Records South
“This song is about passion—when people have passion about something, the sky’s the limit,” says Nichols. “It’s also about believing in something bigger than what’s right in front of you. There have been a lot of times in my life, both recently and in the past, that I’ve needed a lot of belief just to move me forward. This song gives me that.”
The single was written by Ashley Gorley, Wade Kirby and Bill Luther, and produced by Nichols’ longtime producer Brent Rowan.
“Believers” is the lead single from the artist’s new album, which will be released by Universal Records South later this year. The as yet untitled recording is the follow-up to Nichols’ critically acclaimed 2007 release, Real Things.
Nichols has had 4 Grammy nominations over the course of his career and notched massive hits with singles like “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” “Brokenheartsville” and “The Impossible.”
http://www.joenichols.com/
McBride Program Helps Teens “Shine”
/by LB Cantrell“Young people today have more opportunities to make decisions about their lives, and it places a lot of pressure on them early,” McBride said. “If we can help them to form healthy relationships at an earlier age in life, they will make better choices for life partners, and as a mom, I want to be part of that.”
My Time to Shine was developed for Martina’s Shine CD and tour around the concept that the teen years should be a young person’s time to shine, discover who they are how to have healthy relationships. Since releasing her chart-topping hit, “Independence Day” in 1994, McBride has been involved in fundraising for several programs that benefit women. The singer is promoting both the awareness program and the new CD with a slew of television appearances. In addition, McBride will speak out in public service announcements that will be shown at her concert venues when her tour begins in October. My Time to Shine merchandise will also be sold at McBride’s concerts to raise funds to benefit the teen helpline.
ACM Awards Adds Performers
/by LB CantrellBlack River’s Sarah Darling Goes To Video School
/by LB Cantrell“I know that we are going to be able to access some of the best students in the field and utilize their knowledge and creativity to create some fantastic music videos for Sarah,” he said. “The students will have a perfect ‘real-life’ situation to use this project for their course.”
Darling’s Every Monday Morning CD is set for release on June 16, with a digital release date of April 28.
Dan Seals Passes
/by Robert K Oermann“Dan lost a two-year battle with lymphoma,” reported his longtime friend and manager Tony Gottlieb. “He was a beautiful man.”
Seals sang the Country Music Association’s 1986 Single of the Year, the upbeat, nostalgic “Bop.” It was also a significant pop-crossover chart success. In addition, his “Meet Me in Montana” duet with Marie Osmond led to the pair winning the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award in 1986.
Born February 8, 1948, Danny Wayland Seals was a West Texas native who was part of a large clan of music makers. Older cousin Johnny Duncan (1938-2006) also became a country star. Brother Jim Seals was in the pop hitmaking duo Seals & Crofts. Nephew Brady Seals found fame in the bands Little Texas and Hot Apple Pie. Older cousin Troy Seals was a pop and country stylist who was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Uncle Chuck Seals co-wrote the country standard “Crazy Arms.”
Dan’s father Wayland, an oilfield worker, played in a country band. Both Dan and older brother Jim performed in it as youngsters.
In Dallas, Dan Seals and his teenage friend John Ford Coley joined the rock band Southwest F.O.B. The group had a minor hit with “The Smell of Incense” in 1968.
The two next formed a duo. As “England Dan,” he sang lead in England Dan & John Ford Coley. Their 1975-79 pop hits included “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “Nights Are Forever Without You,” “It’s Sad to Belong,” “Gone Too Far,” “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again” and “Love Is the Answer.”
Seals attempted a brief pop solo career and went bankrupt before turning back to the country sounds he was raised with. He first made the country hit parade with 1983’s “Everybody’s Dream Girl,” which he co-wrote. His self-penned “God Must Be a Cowboy” became his first top-10 country hit the following year.
Between 1984 and 1990, Dan Seals had 16 consecutive top-10 hits and 11 No. 1 singles. He wrote or co-wrote “The Wild Side of Me,” “My Baby’s Got Good Timing,” “Everything That Glitters,” “You Still Move Me,” “Three Time Loser,” “One Friend,” “Big Wheels in the Moonlight,” “They Rage On” and “Love on Arrival.” Other big hits included “Addicted,” “I Will Be There,” “ My Old Yellow Car” and his revival of Sam Cooke’s “Good News.”
All of the big Seals hits, both pop and country, were produced by Kyle Lehning in Nashville. In fact, the Gold-selling “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” was the first hit record Lehning ever produced. The voice of Dan Seals launched his career.
“It’s a sad day,” said Lehning. “He was like a brother to me. I can’t imagine a sweeter, gentler, kinder man. He was just a wonderful human being. It was always great fun being around him. We made some wonderful music together.”
Following a long stint with Liberty/EMI/Capitol, Seals recorded for Warner Bros. Records in 1991-94, Intersound in 1995-98 and Lightyear in 2002-04. His Won’t Be Blue Anymore album became a Gold Record. Nights Are Forever by England Dan & John Ford Coley is also a Gold album. The Best of Dan Seals is Platinum.
Seals impressed audiences with his charismatic 6’2” physicality as well as his showmanship. During his concerts, he played rock ‘n’ roll saxophone, as well as guitar. A lefthander, Seals played a specially strung right-handed guitar upside down and backward. He memorably entertained at the Riverfront Stage during the 2002 Fan Fair festival.
There was a contemplative side to him as well. Dan Seals was a Baha’i, a member of a faith that believes in religious tolerance and in the spiritual unity of mankind.
“There’s a side of me that dreams and hopes for a better world,” Seals said. “I think with my heart. I believe that the people of our planet are all one family.”
Dan Seals died peacefully yesterday evening around 8:30 p.m. surrounded by family and friends.
He is survived by wife Andrea, daughter Holley May Lizarraga and sons Jimmy, Jeremy and Jesse, as well as mother Sue, brothers Jim and Eddie and sister Renee. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Read Principled Man—Dan Seals
Little Darlin’ Producer Aubrey Mayhew Passes
/by LB CantrellVeteran record producer and songwriter Aubrey Mayhew died last weekend at a Nashville hospice facility. He was 81. Over the course of his long and storied career Mayhew worked with a wide range of artists that ran from country outlaw Johnny Paycheck to Hollywood leading man Clint Eastwood all the way to jazz legend Charlie Parker. Mayhew was also one of the world’s foremost collectors of John F. Kennedy memorabilia and, at the time of his death, was embroiled in a high-profile legal battle over ownership of the window through which Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated Kennedy in 1963. Shortly after Kennedy’s death, Mayhew produced a JFK tribute album that sold 8 million copies, and in 1970 he purchased the Texas School Book Depository Building saving it from demolition.
It was in 1965 that Mayhew first encountered Paycheck, then known as Donald Lytle. In 1966, Mayhew and the re-named Paycheck founded Little Darlin’ Records to record Paycheck and other artists including Jeannie C. Riley, Bobby Helms, and steel guitarist Lloyd Green. That same year “The Lovin’ Machine” became Paycheck’s first Top 10 hit. The edgy country sides Paycheck recorded for Little Darlin’ are now considered hard country classics and are often referenced as an influence by younger country artists. Koch Records has re-packaged Paycheck’s Little Darlin’ recordings along with the label’s releases from Riley, Don Williams, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Green. In 2005, Mayhew came out of retirement to produce honky tonk singer Dale Watson’s tribute to the label, The Little Darlin’ Sessions. Funeral arrangements were unannounced.
ACM and CBS.com Spotlight Gloriana
/by LB CantrellAmerican Idol Powers Country Sales
/by bossrossProbably no surprise to anyone, Carrie led the sales pack. Her duet with Randy Travis, “I Told You So,” performed on the show, was the week’s No. 8 most downloaded song with 106,361 sales. Carrie’s solo version of the track from her album also benefited, jumping up 24% and selling 19,445 units. Her AI theme song, “Home Sweet Home,” in its second week, sold 39,306 downloads a 65% drop, but still strong enough to be the No. 37 most downloaded track of the week. Fans also voted approval for Underwood by boosting sales of her Carnival Ride CD a healthy 59%.
Similarly, Warner Bros., took advantage of Randy Travis being on the show as “Artist Mentor.” They scheduled his CD release to coincide and were rewarded with a No. 3 showing on the Top Country Currents list for sales of 16,288 units. Travis’ fans perhaps are less digitally dominant since only 1,101 of those units were downloaded or 6.8%. (Carrie’s album downloads totaled 2,357 units or 12% of her total sales.)
Arista gambled for big results with Brad Paisley by introducing the new single “Then” on the show instead of performing a recent hit. Paisley’s song sold 64,127 units landing at No. 18 and about 42,000 units behind Carrie. However, if the AI intro helps to power the song up country radio charts then the bet will pay off.
Meanwhile off the AI beaten track, Rascal Flatts continued to get fans clicking as their second pre-release CD track, “Forever,” debuted this week with 46,551 unit sales. Bizniks will recall that last week the Lyric Street trio introduced “Here Comes Goodbye” setting a country digital debut sales record in the process. This week the song dropped 43% but still sold a whopping 72,326 units.
Wrapping up this week’s SoundScan sales pitch, country album sales are now off 16.9% YTD; overall all genre sales are off 13.6%.