Virgin Stores Shuttering Completely

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Virgin Entertainment Group North America (VEGNA), owner of the Virgin Megastores as well as three other retail outlets, is expected to close this summer. The company has been working on shuttering its Virgin Megastores in New York City and San Francisco for months. Other retail spaces in Orlando, Denver and Los Angeles will follow soon, with the liquidation process to be complete by summer. VEGNA was acquired by real estate companies the Related Cos. and Vornado in August 2007.

Emerson Drive, Management Part Ways

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MusicRow has learned that Canadian/Nashville-based band Emerson Drive has split ways with Big Ride Management. The act had been with Big Ride, headed by Gerry Leiske, for many years, including during its mega-No. 1-hit, “Moments” in 2007. Earlier this year, Emerson Drive, on Midas Records, joined forces with the Valory Music Co. The band’s new CD, Believe, is scheduled for an April 7, 2009 release. The current single is “Belongs To You.”

Sugarland Sets Tour Dates Through Fall

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Sugarland has scheduled more than 30 dates for its upcoming run, opening April 10 in hometown Atlanta. The 2009 leg of the duo’s successful Love On The Inside Tour is supporting its platinum-selling third album of the same name. Joining them on the road will be Mercury Nashville labelmate Billy Currington, RCA recording artist Jake Owen, and AAA singer-songwriters Matt Nathanson and Eric Hutchinson. With shows running through October, mainly at arenas and amphitheaters, the outing includes several Canadians stops.

Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are going on their first overseas tour during the month of March. Traveling to seven different countries (Italy, Great Britian, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands), they will perform in 11 different European cities. Labelmate Holly Williams, whose first country single is at radio now, will open select dates.

SESAC Celebrates Christian Award Winners

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SESAC honored Jason Ingram as its 2008 Christian Songwriter of the Year during ceremonies held Monday (2/23) at Nashville’s Sambuca Restaurant. The performing rights organization also named Peertunes Ltd., Grange Hill Music, and Windsor Way Music as 2008 Christian Publishers of the Year.

Ingram realized extraordinary success last year with his song “Give Me Your Eyes,” which was a No. 1 hit on two radio formats. Artist Brandon Heath, who took the tune to the top of the charts, performed an inspired version of the hit at the awards event. In 2008, Ingram also had success with his songs “Peace Be Still” and “Wonder Of The World” by Rush Of Fools.

Other SESAC award winners included Christian chart-toppers Ian Eskelin and Adam Agee of Stellar Kart, and Jeremy Kunkle of This Beautiful Republic.

Pictured (L-R): Trevor Gale (SESAC, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations), Tim Fink (SESAC Associate Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations), Jason Ingram, David Steunebrink (Grange Hill Music, President), Dennis Lord (SESAC, Executive Vice President), Kevin Lamb (peermusic Ltd., Vice President, Nashville) and John Mullins (SESAC, Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations). Photo: Ed Rode

Pictured (L-R): Trevor Gale (SESAC, VP, Writer/Publisher Relations), Tim Fink (SESAC Assc. VP, Writer/Publisher Relations), Jason Ingram, David Steunebrink (Grange Hill Music, President), Dennis Lord (SESAC, Exec. VP), Kevin Lamb (peermusic Ltd., Vice President, Nashville) and John Mullins (SESAC, Assc. Dir., Writer/Publisher Relations). Photo: Ed Rode

GAC Web Series Highlights Randy Houser

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This week GACTV.com premiered the first of its exclusive webisodes featuring Universal Records South’s Randy Houser. The 8-part weekly series, titled The Road Home, follows the rising artist during a trip to his homestate of Mississippi where he visits his old school, childhood home, and the nightclub where he got his start.

New webisodes will be available each Wednesday. The first two are posted now at http://www.gactv.com.  Special acoustic performances of “Anything Goes,” and “Boots On” from his GAC studio session will be available online next week.

Houser is ramping up for CRS where he will join Heidi Newfield in performing at BMI’s show on Wed., March 4 at 12th & Porter. Doors open at 6 PM, with Newfield’s 30-minute set beginning at 6:30 PM sharp, followed by Houser immediately after. The event is free and open to the public.

Houser—currently on the Jagermeister Country Tour with Pat Green—recently released the second single from his debut album. “Boots On” is climbing MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart.

Gill Named Honorary Prof., Wraps Artist Residency

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Vince Gill has had a busy week. On Tuesday night (2/24) he concluded his residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and on Wednesday he was recognized as an honorary professor by the College of Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University.

The final night of his sold-out three-show stint as the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s 2009 Artist-in-Residence included guest appearances by 2008 artist-in-residence Jerry Douglas, musician/bandleader John Hobbs, songwriter Leslie Satcher and artist Josh Turner.

At MTSU, Gill’s two-and-a-half hour conversation and performance was part of the Tom T. Hall Writers Series which celebrates songwriters, authors, poets and screenwriters by giving students, faculty, and the public a chance to learn about the underlying creative and business processes. “This honorary professorship is a recognition by our college of him as a master teacher,” said Mass Communication Dean Roy Moore. “He’s one of the best examples of true artistry: he creates, he inspires, and he shares who he is and what he does with others.”

At the Hall of Fame performance (L-R): Bill Denny and David Conrad, members of the Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees; Museum Director Kyle Young; and Gill. Photo: Donn Jones

Parties Fete “Don’t” Songwriters

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Many in the music industry spent Tuesday afternoon (2/24) celebrating Billy Currington’s recent No. 1 hit, “Don’t.” Parties at BMI and ASCAP marked the occasion for the song’s co-writers Jim Beavers and Jonathan Singleton. It is the pair’s second trip to the top of charts together; they also co-wrote Gary Allan’s “Watching Airplanes.”

(L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Billy Currington, producer Carson Chamberlain, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, co-writer Jim Beavers, Universal Music Group Nashville’s Luke Lewis, BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Kay Williams

(L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Billy Currington, producer Carson Chamberlain, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Jim Beavers, Universal Music Group Nashville’s Luke Lewis, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Kay Williams

(L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Crosstown Songs Dan Huff, Darrell Franklin, Megan Galbraith, Jonathan Singleton, Billy Currington, and Jim Beavers.

(L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Crosstown Songs' Dan Huff, Darrell Franklin, Megan Galbraith, Jonathan Singleton, Billy Currington, and Jim Beavers.

Outsourcing Service Propel Music Opens

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Longtime A&R executive Peter Robinson and former publishing executive Alex Heddle have opened Propel Music, which will offer creative outsourcing for music publishing companies, songwriters, and others in the music industry. The company currently provides song pitching and writer management for Jeff Cohen, Greg Crowe, Jenn Schott, Lila McCann and Evie Nicole.

Robinson started his career working for Irving Azoff at Giant Records where he discovered and signed Stephen Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, among others. He went on to become Sr. VP of A&R at RCA Records and signed many acts, most notably Dave Matthews Band. Following time as Sr. VP of A&R at Epic Records and also running his own Dumbo Recording Studios, Robinson relocated to Nashville.

Heddle recently left the Creative Director position at Ash Street Music, where he spent three years working with many songwriters including Greg Crowe, Monty Holmes, Josh Thompson, and Andi Zack.

Propel Music is located at 3 Music Sq. W. and can be contacted at 615-942-8328 or info@propelmusicpublishing.com.

Pictured (standing L-R): Greg Crowe, Jenn Schott, Lila McCann, Evie Nicole, Jeff Cohen, and (seated) Alex Heddle, Peter Robinson

Americana DISClaimer (2/25/09)

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They may call this genre “Americana,” but the Disc of the Day comes from overseas this time.

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson have a current CD called Rattlin’ Bones that is a must-own for anyone in love with soulful, mountain-soaked music.

My other two favorites in this listening session both came from veterans. It sure is good to have Danny O’Keefe back, and Barry & Holly Tashian remain absolutely charming as warm, homey music makers.

JAKOB DYLAN/Something Good This Way Comes
Writer: Jakob Dylan; Producer: Rick Rubin; Publisher: Ragnbone, ASCAP; Columbia (track)
—Folkie in all the best ways. The gentle acoustic strumming, lilting melody and soft singing harken back to simpler times. Jakob’s current CD, Seeing Things, includes this lulling little tune.

DANNY O’KEEFE/The First Time
Writer: Fred Koller/Danny O’Keefe; Producer: Mike Conley; Publisher: Lucrative/Bicameral, BMI; OK (track) (www.dannyokeefe.com)
—Recorded in Nashville, In Time is Danny’s first new album in eight years. Has it really been 37 years since “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” made him a name? Judging by what’s in these grooves, the years have been more than kind to this singer/songwriter. The collection leads off with this cleverly penned and wonderfully melodic song. Danny’s singing is terrific, but if he doesn’t have a hit with this, somebody ought to pitch it to some major-label country star. In addition to Fred Koller, Danny’s songwriting collaborators here include such Music City notables as Tim O’Brien, Victor Krauss, Michael McDonald, Fred Knobloch and Beth Nielsen Chapman.

BARRY & HOLLY TASHIAN/Long Story Short
Writer: Barry Tashian/Holly Tashian/Niall Toner; Producer: Barry & Holly Tashian; Publisher: Barry Boy/Poodle Paw/Bardis, BMI/ASCAP/IMRO/ASCAP; Rock-A-Lot (track) (www.tashianmusic.com)
—The title tune to this couple’s seventh album is a delightfully jaunty country-swing tune featuring cool fiddle licks and some zippy lead guitar lines. The whole project is groove oriented—tracks variously have boogie-woogie, blues, bluegrass and jazz tempos, and all of them work. Very enjoyable indeed.

KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON/Rattlin’ Bones
Writer: K. Chambers/S. Nicholson; Producer: Nash Chambers & Shane Nicholson; Publisher: Control/Universal, ASCAP; Sugar Hill (www.kaseychambers.com)
—Aussie Kasey became one of Americana music’s finest solo artists during the past decade. As half of a duo, she is equally riveting. The lead track and title tune to this collection is a haunting, bluesy, mountainy, minor-key wail that will stop you in your tracks. It opens the door into a masterpiece of an album.

THE BOXMASTERS/The Poor House
Writer: B. Thornton; Producer: W.R. “Bud” Thornton & J.D. Andrew; Publisher: Salve  Man, BMI; Vanguard (track) (theboxmasters.com)
—I still say Billy Bob Thornton can’t sing. But I’ll give him this much, the lead-off tune to his band’s self-titled, two-CD set is as country as dirt. The first CD is called “Ours” and consists of originals. The second CD is “Theirs” and contains covers of both pop and country tunes.

Country DISClaimer (2/20/09)

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All I have to say is, “wow.” I can’t remember the last time so many records deserved a Disc of the Day award. How to choose between Alan Jackson’s sweet/sad acoustic ballad, The Zac Brown Band’s groove-a-thon, Wynonna’s celestial performance, Love and Theft’s dizzy pop confection, Dierks Bentley’s party platter and Jefferson Ross’s brilliant songwriting?

In the end, I went with the one that moved me most emotionally, “Prayer of a Common Man” by the heart-tugging Phil Vassar. But let me hasten to add that all seven of these records deserve your attention and support.

Carolwood Records is the new Lyric Street imprint. It is also the home of our DisCovery Award winning group, Love and Theft. Who are these guys?

Our runners up for this honor, by the way, were Mr. Ross and the duo of Nathan Chance. You can’t miss Chance when he’s on Music Row. He stands over 6’6” tall.

DANIELLE REED/Kissing In The Rain
Writer: Marc Kuchner; Producer: John Carter Cash; Publisher: none listed; Barcode (track) (www.daniellereed.com)
—This charmer sings with down-to-earth country simplicity. The song is a mid-tempo, plain-spoken rural romance. For an unknown, she sure has lined up a stellar support team. Produced by John Carter Cash, her debut disc features sidemen like Jamie Hartford, Bob Britt, Dave Roe and Hoot Hester.

DIERKS BENTLEY/Sideways
Writer: Jim Beavers/Dierks Bentley; Producer: Brett Beavers & Dierks Bentley; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Beavertime Tunes/Big White Tracks, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol Nashville (track)
—You worked all week, it’s time to play. And here’s your soundtrack, a party-hearty anthem that’s meant to get you out on that dance floor. Everything works here, from the mash-up of banjo and steel to the shouted “Heys,” the crowd noise and the rollicking rhythm. Somewhere in there hollering is label boss Mike Dungan, making his disc debut.

NATHAN CHANCE/I Think She Loves Me
Writer: Dukas/Anderson; Producer: Kevin Lawson; Publisher: none listed; Nathan Chance (www.chancemckinney.com)
—Nathan Arneson and Chance McKinney were solo acts with solid followings in the Pacific Northwest. In 2006, they decided to combine forces and form a duo. This shouted rocker has loads of energy and power. The stunning “Some Bridges Don’t Burn” proves they can handle a ballad as well. These dudes have audio charisma, and their stage show must be pretty good, too. They’ve opened for Chesney, Strait, Rascal Flatts, Martina and loads of other top headliners. This format needs more duos, especially ones that sound as good as this one. Send a full CD ASAP.

LOVE AND THEFT/Runaway
Writer: Stephen Barker Liles/Canaan Smith/Rob Blackledge; Producer: Jeff Coplan & Robert Ellis Orrall; Publisher: Hate and Purchase/Rockapop/House of StyleSonic/Kid in the Korner, ASCAP; Carolwood
—Utterly delicious. It’s a foaming, frothy pop-country outing that’s drenched in melody, harmonies and happy-feet rhythm. This sparkles with sunshine and begs for a drive on an empty two-lane blacktop. Summer is officially here.

MELISSA CLEVELAND/It’s All About Me
Writer: Victoria Colbert/Brandon L. Shane/Nicole Nichols; Producer: Brandon Lynn Shane; Publisher: Shanethang, BMI; Mirror Image (track) (www.melissacleveland.com)
—It’s a feisty-female “attitude” tune. She’s sick of being a housewife drudge and is aiming to go out on the town to kick up her heels while he stays home for a change. The fiddler and guitarists sizzle around her scratching-kitten-claws vocal.

ALAN JACKSON/Sissy’s Song
Writer: Alan Jackson; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: EMI April/Tri Angels, ASCAP; Arista
—The prettiest, saddest ballad on Alan’s Good Time CD has now become the collection’s fourth single. The lyric about a departed loved one is beautifully backed by poetically plucked acoustic guitar lines. Gorgeous in its perfectly ornamented restraint.

JEFFERSON ROSS/The Prophet Elijah
Writer: Jefferson Ross/Alison Mellon; Producer: Jefferson Ross; Publisher: none listed; Deep Fried Discs (track) (www.jeffersonross.com)
—Jefferson is a Curb writer who has been on the road backing Terri Clark for 10 years. She tipped me off to his talent, and his debut CD arrived in the mail a few days later. What a find. He sings with immense heart and believability. This terrific track is about the injustice and violence faced by a peace-loving old black man. You’ll hang on every word of this tender story song. And the rest of his Azalea collection is just as strong.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Whatever It Is
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Picture (ERG)
—The Zac Brown Band’s second single is just as winning as “Chicken Fried” was. And it is even more irresistibly tuneful. There’s just so much honesty and integrity in the group’s singing and playing. I’m digging this groovy combo more and more.

PHIL VASSAR/Prayer Of A Common Man
Writer: Phil Vassar/Tom Douglas; Producer: Mark Wright & Phil Vassar; Publisher: Phylvester/Words & Music/Sony-ATV/Tomdouglasmusic, ASCAP/BMI; Universal South (track)
—A passionately sung and written little masterpiece for working stiffs everywhere. Phil sings his face off, and every line pierces your soul. It gave me a big ol’ lump in my throat, and that’s a very good thing.

WYNONNA/Sing
Writer: Rodney Crowell; Producer: Brent Maher & Don Potter; Publisher: Sony-ATV Milene/J Only, ASCAP; Curb (track)
—Wy’s Sing Chapter 1 album is a collection of mostly covers of classics such as “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Til I Get it Right,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “When I Fall in Love.” Not everything is a standard, however. The title tune and first single is a thrilling, inspirational melody from a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member. She soars into the stratosphere on this fabulous performance. For a sassier side of her prowess, check out the swinging revival of The Boswell Sisters’ 1932 gem “That’s How Rhythm Was Born.” This is Wy’s strongest album in years. Buy it.