“Talk Back Trembling Lips” Singer Ernie Ashworth Passes Away
Grand Ole Opry member and country hitmaker Ernie Ashworth passed away March 2 at the age of 80 in Nashville. Born in Huntsville, Alabama, the singer enjoyed several top 10 singles from the late ‘50s through the ‘60s and wrote songs for artists including Little Jimmy Dickens, Carl Smith and Johnny Horton. Ashworth is a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Services will be Wednesday (3/4) at Anthony Funeral Home, 337 McMurry Blvd. in Hartsville, TN, with visitation from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. and a Masonic service beginning at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday (3/5) from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with funeral services beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Nashville’s Woodlawn Cemetery.
David Lipscomb Memorial Service Set
A memorial service for Christian-music executive David Lipscomb will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, March 3) at 11 a.m. at The People’s Church in Franklin.
David Lipscomb was the co-founder of Overflow Management, Inc. with partner Geoff Moore. The Christian-music firm handles Moore, as well as the recording bands The Afters, Hyperstatic Union and StorySide B. He was also active in the Gospel Music Association, serving as a MAPS committee member during the annual Gospel Music Week celebrations.
A trusted mentor and adviser to many in his field, David Lipscomb died at age 45 on February 25 of pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Robi and by sons D.J. and Dale, daughter-in-law Amanda, mother Sophie and sister Tina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Contribution information can be found at www.carefordavid.com.
The People’s Church is at 828 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin. — Robert K. Oermann
Former BMI Employee Charlie Parker Passes
Longtime BMI employee Charlie Parker passed away on Friday afternoon, Feb. 27. Many of his former coworkers say that they have very fond memories of Parker’s 31 years as the PRO’s custodian prior to his retirement. Visitation with Parker’s family will be Wed., March 4, from 5-7PM; followed by the funeral at 7 PM, at Big Harpeth Primitive Baptist Church, 522 Meridian St., Nashville, TN 37207, (615) 256-7375.
Strait Sells Out Dallas
/by bossrossCreate a package with George Strait, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough and it should be no surprise that it would sell out a venue even as large as the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. The June 6 concert cleared out all its tickets in exactly one hour for the inaugural event. The new stadium is being billed as the largest and most technologically advanced sports and entertainment venue in the world. The $1.1 billion structure features two massive arches, a retractable roof and seating for over 80,000. The venue also includes 300 luxury suites and more. http://www.stadium.dallascowboys.com
Lifenotes: Ernie Ashworth, David Lipscomb, Charlie Parker
/by LB Cantrell“Talk Back Trembling Lips” Singer Ernie Ashworth Passes Away
David Lipscomb Memorial Service Set
David Lipscomb was the co-founder of Overflow Management, Inc. with partner Geoff Moore. The Christian-music firm handles Moore, as well as the recording bands The Afters, Hyperstatic Union and StorySide B. He was also active in the Gospel Music Association, serving as a MAPS committee member during the annual Gospel Music Week celebrations.
A trusted mentor and adviser to many in his field, David Lipscomb died at age 45 on February 25 of pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Robi and by sons D.J. and Dale, daughter-in-law Amanda, mother Sophie and sister Tina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Contribution information can be found at www.carefordavid.com.
The People’s Church is at 828 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin. — Robert K. Oermann
Former BMI Employee Charlie Parker Passes
Longtime BMI employee Charlie Parker passed away on Friday afternoon, Feb. 27. Many of his former coworkers say that they have very fond memories of Parker’s 31 years as the PRO’s custodian prior to his retirement. Visitation with Parker’s family will be Wed., March 4, from 5-7PM; followed by the funeral at 7 PM, at Big Harpeth Primitive Baptist Church, 522 Meridian St., Nashville, TN 37207, (615) 256-7375.
Jason Aldean Set To Film Hi-Definition Live DVD
/by LB CantrellWith his current single, “She’s Country” currently climbing the charts, Broken Bow’s Jason Aldean will film a live concert in front of a packed house of 4600 fans on Friday, March 6 at Knoxville Coliseum. Produced by Barry Ehrman and driected by Ivan Dudynsky
, the DVD will be released later this year. Aldean will spend the first part of the week in Nashville, previewing his third studio album, Wide Open, at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.
“Making a live DVD has been a dream of mine for years,” said Aldean. “I’m excited to shoot it in Knoxville because you can’t find a more fun crowd…they are young and always come ready to party.”
Randy Travis to Release “Greatest Hits” March 17
/by LB CantrellVirgin Stores Shuttering Completely
/by Sarah SkatesVirgin 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
/by bossrossSugarland Sets Tour Dates Through Fall
/by Sarah SkatesJennifer 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
/by Sarah SkatesSESAC 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, 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
/by Sarah SkatesNew 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
/by Sarah SkatesVince 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