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Eric Church, Chris Stapleton Lead ACM Awards Nominees

February 1, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Eric Church and Chris Stapleton are the leading nominees for the 51st annual Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, earning five nominations apiece.

As previously reported, the nominations in six categories were revealed early Monday (Feb. 1) by Dierks Bentley during an appearance on CBS This Morning. Additional nominations were announced later in the morning by Entertainment Tonight co-host Nancy O’Dell. Song of the Year nominees will be announced at a later date.

Church scored his first ACM Entertainer of the Year nomination, as well as his third Male Vocalist of the Year nod. He is nominated for Album of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood, as well as Video of the Year for “Mr. Misunderstood” and Vocal Event of the Year for “Raise ‘Em Up” with Keith Urban.

Meanwhile, Stapleton earned ACM nominations for Male Vocalist of the Year, New Male Vocalist of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year (for “Hangover Tonight” with Gary Allan). He is nominated as both artist and producer in the Album of the Year category, for Traveller.

Of note in this year’s awards, the previously fan-voted Entertainer of the Year and Newcomer categories (New Male Vocalist of the Year, New Female Vocalist of the Year, and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year) are now all incorporated into the professional membership voting process for the 51st annual ACM Awards.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Garth Brooks
• Luke Bryan
• Eric Church
• Miranda Lambert

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Dierks Bentley
• Eric Church
• Brett Eldredge
• Chris Stapleton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Jana Kramer
• Miranda Lambert
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Joey + Rory
• Maddie & Tae

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Eli Young Band
• Little Big Town
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Brett Eldredge
• Chris Janson
• Thomas Rhett
• Chase Rice
• Chris Stapleton

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Cam
• Mickey Guyton
• RaeLynn

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
• A Thousand Horses
• Brothers Osborne
• Maddie & Tae
• Old Dominion
• Parmalee

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• I’m Comin’ Over – Chris Young
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Label: RCA Records

• Montevallo – Sam Hunt
Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville

• Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville

• Tangled Up – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Chris DeStefano, Joe London
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

• Traveller – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Records

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• “Burning House” – Cam
Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Camaron Ochs
Record Labels: Arista Nashville, RCA Records, Kravenworks

• “Buy Me A Boat” – Chris Janson
Producers: Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, Chris Janson
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

• “Die A Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure
Record Label: The Valory Music Co.

• “Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
Producer: Jay Joyce
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville

• “I’m Comin’ Over” – Chris Young
Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young
Record Label: RCA Nashville

• “Take Your Time” – Sam Hunt
Producers: Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally
Record Label: MCA Nashville

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
• “Biscuits” – Kacey Musgraves
Director: Mark Klasfeld
Producer: Nicole Acacio

• “Burning House” – Cam
Director: Trey Fanjoy
Producer: Trent Hardville

• “Girl Crush” – Little Big Town
Directors: Karla Welch, Matthew Welch
Producer: Amanda Prunesti

• “Mr. Misunderstood” – Eric Church
Directors: Reid Long, John Peets
Producer: Megan Smith

• “Riser” – Dierks Bentley
Director: Wes Edwards
Producer: Jennifer Rothlein

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• “Hangover Tonight” – Gary Allan Featuring Chris Stapleton
Producers: Gary Allan, Greg Droman
Record Label: MCA Nashville

• “Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan Featuring Karen Fairchild
Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Nashville

• “Raise ‘Em Up” – Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church
Producers: Nathan Chapman, Keith Urban
Record Labels: Hit Red Records, Capitol Nashville

• “Smokin’ and Drinkin’” – Miranda Lambert Featuring Little Big Town
Producers: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay, Glenn Worf
Record Label: RCA Nashville

• “Wild Child” – Kenny Chesney With Grace Potter
Producers: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
Record Labels: Blue Chair Records, Columbia Nashville

Weekly Chart Report (1/29/16)

January 29, 2016/by Troy_Stephenson

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

DISClaimer: Taylor Swift, Anderson East Offer Superb New Singles

January 28, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

We’ll be up to our necks in country music in the weeks to come, what with CRS and all, so now seems like a good time to remind ourselves what a vibrant and thriving pop/rock scene we have as well.

So thriving, in fact, that I’m playing catch-up. Most of these records came out last year. But I’m just getting around to the riches of Mikky Ekko, Ingrid Michaelson, Brooke Waggoner and The Dead Weather. The Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor singles are new, but their parent CDs are also last year’s.

Speaking of The Dead Weather, it strikes me that Music City just might be the new capital of mainstream, guitar-based rock. With most of the pop world fixated on hip-hop or EDM sounds, Nashville is home to The Black Keys/The Arcs, Jack White/The Dead Weather, Kings of Leon, Paramore, Clear Plastic Masks, Parachute, Cage the Elephant, The Features and The Wild Feathers. Rock bands all.

And speaking of Taylor Swift, she proves once again why she’s the princess of pop by earning a Disc of the Day prize with “Out of the Woods.”

As for Mikky Ekko (a.k.a. John Stephen Sudduth), he’d be the DisCovery Award winner if he hadn’t been Grammy-nominated before he had his own CD. So the honor goes instead to the also gifted Anderson East.

CAGE THE ELEPHANT/Mess Around
Writers: Cage The Elephant; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Publisher: Sony/ATV; BMI; RCA (track)
-Thumping and raucous. Kinda garage-y and lotsa fun. This captures how frothing and energetic these guys are on stage. After the band moved from Bowling Green to Nashville, it switched producers. Black Keys honcho Auerbach gave them a sound more raw and less polished, but the Elephants are still very, very tuneful.

THE DEAD WEATHER/I Feel Love
Writers: Fertita/Mosshart; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: Sleeping Disorder/Kobalt/Domino, BMI; Third Man (track)
– Ferociously rocking. Frontwoman Alison Mosshart has a natural vocal wail that sounds born to be in this band. Lead guitarist Dean Fertita grinds away on a repeated riff that bores into the brain.

MIKKY EKKO/Smile
Writers: Mikky Ekko/Jim Eliot/Greg Kurstin/Dennis Herring; Producers: Elof Lolv & Mikky Ekko; Publishers: Good Kings/Sony-ATV/Jim Eliot/Kurstin/EMI April/Sakana, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; RCA (track)
– This native Nashvillian first attracted my attention when he sang “Stay,” a Grammy-nominated 2012 duet with Rihanna. His debut solo CD, Time, is highlighted by this airy, echoey, celestial-sounding ditty. His sky-high pop tenor delivery aches in a lyric that says things are lousy, so you might as well smile in your misery. Highly listenable. Heartily recommended.

TAYLOR SWIFT/Out of the Woods
Writers: Taylor Swift/Jack Antonoff; Producers: Jack Antonoff/Taylor Swift; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree/Taylor Swift/Ducky Donath, BMI; Big Machine (track)
– Finally. My favorite melody on the 1989 album is now its sixth single. Swift closed concerts with this all last year, and I’ve always believed that it belongs on pop radio. The dark, rumbling rhythm contrasts with its bright, high vocals brilliantly. Get up and shake your money maker.

THE ARCS/Fools Gold
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Leon Michels/Richard Swift; Producers: Dan Auerbach/Leon Michels/Richard Swift; Publishers: Hour Box/Wixen/EMI Blackwood/DANCECONTESTWINNER/Secretly Canadian, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-This is Dan Auerbach’s side project away from The Black Keys. Like his other group, this one has more than a little blues-rock in its DNA. There is lots of fizzy, fuzzy guitar scuzz here and a dark, haunted vibe that veers almost into psychedelia. The CD is aptly titled Yours Dreamily.

MEGHAN TRAINOR & JOHN LEGEND/Like I’m Gonna Lose You
Writers: Meghan Trainor/Justin Weaver/Caitlin Smith; Producers: Chris Gelbuda/Meghan Trainor; Publishers: Year of the Dog/WB/Music of the Corn/Cornman, ASCAP; Epic (track)
– Artists who launch their careers with a novelty song like “All About That Bass” often turn out to be one-hit wonders. Trainor scored a surprising second time with the just-as-catchy “Lips Are Movin.’” This time out, she slows it down and harmonizes in a soul groove with John Legend. Deliciously hooky.

INGRID MICHAELSON/Time Machine
Writers: Ingrid Michaelson/Busbee/Trent Dabbs/Barry Dean; Producer: Jacquire King; Publishers: Breakable Girls/BMG Platinum/Hello I Love You/Jam Writers Group/BMG Rights Management/Ready Set/Incognito Street, ASCAP/BMI; Cabin 224 (track)
– This indie pop favorite came to Music City to record her fifth album, Lights Out. The lady writes terrifically melodic songs and sings them with blue-eyed soul phrasing. This single/video is a stomper that wishes she could go back in time and warn herself about what a jerk he’ll turn out to be. Michaelson’s albums are always events worth buying, and this is her best one yet. She co-stars in a streamed concert with Cyndi Lauper and Kelsea Ballerini this evening (Thursday) on Skyville Live. It should be quite a show.

STEVE FORBERT/Compromise
Writer: Steve Forbert; Producer: Steve Forbert; Publisher: Songs of Heathercom; SESAC; Rock Ridge (track)
-It has been awhile since we’ve heard from this esteemed singer-songwriter. The title tune of his current album has a chiming, delicate track backing his characteristic soulfully strangulated, slightly hoarse vocal. His harmonica solo is a dandy too. The band features such notables as Kami Lyle, Joey Spampinato and Anthony Crawford.

ANDERSON EAST/Devil In Me
Writers: Anderson East/Mark Stephen Jones/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Farmland/Mark Stephen Jones/One Tooth, BMI; Elektra (track)
– East is in the gossip columns as Miranda Lambert’s new squeeze. They ought to be writing about his smoldering, soul-drenched, gospel-inflected vocal talent. This track from his Delilah debut CD proceeds at a stately pace and is embellished by soul-sister harmonies and bright brass blasts. This man is the real deal.

BROOKE WAGGONER/Ovenbird
Writer: Brooke Waggoner; Producer: Brooke Waggoner; Publisher: Brooke Waggoner, BMI; Swoon Moon
-I have long been in this Nashville charmer’s corner. Her current CD is called Sweven and features this wooshy, electronica soundscape wherein she warbles like a wraith wandering through soft mist. Dreamy. Hypnotic.

Kalatech Partners Reflect on Recent Growth and Expanding in 2016

January 27, 2016/by Sherod Robertson

Melissa Hollis, Partner, Kalatech

Brittany Wegusen, Kalatech CEO and founder, admits the creation of the company was a very organic process. From her background in the retail industry doing inventory analysis for Abercrombie & Fitch, she learned she had a niche for being the liaison between the business needs and technology needs of a company, and perhaps most importantly, for communicating effectively between the two. She came to Nashville in 2010 and found a home with technology firm DevDigital. From that post, she quickly saw a need to take DevDigital’s booking and touring software, created for specific clients, and license it to other customers. Thus, Kalatech was formed.

Soon after launching a third software product, Publishing Pro, Melissa Hollis was brought on as Partner of Kalatech to help spearhead the company’s growth by tapping into her 12 years of music publishing experience. The Belmont graduate had prior stints that included Larga Vista Music and My Good Girl Music, giving her hands-on experience that helped in Kalatech’s product development.

“I already had a lot of relationships,” shares Hollis. “It allowed me to go in with ease and talk to publishers and ask, ‘What do you want in this product?’ It was much easier for me to relate because I’m one of them.”

Product Specialist Max Black is Kalatech’s third partner and, along with Wegusen and Hollis, has seen the music industry evolve from not being comfortable having its data in the cloud to complete acceptance. And cloud-based data management is a key feature of the company’s product line.

Wegusen adds, “This is a kind of race where no one wants to be the last one to adopt the cloud. No one wants to be the last one to jump or to be that person sitting in their office not able to be mobile when everybody else in the industry is mobile.”

The company’s focus centers around three software products: booking, touring and publishing. Booking Agency Pro caters to agencies and allows anyone who books artists to manage the process via the program. Clients range from single users to larger agencies such as Artist Group International. Users span more than 20 states as well as international locales such as London and Canada.

Touring Pro is a detailed logistics management tool, which counts among its users touring professionals that have been a part of outings for Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, and Luke Bryan. Hollis states, “The differentiator of our tour logistics product from others is that ours is one hundred percent cloud-based. Anyone from the assistant production manager to the bus driver can have access. If something were to happen to your laptop, you can simply jump on a phone, pull it up, and see your guest list. You have no down time, which is important on tours.”

Publishing Pro 2.0 is geared toward publishers and copyright owners and allows users to manage songs, pitches and administration. Hollis says, “A typical customer is the [music] publisher themselves. It’s a creative catalog manager. You play from it and you pitch from it. That’s kind of the simplistic way of describing it. The software allows you to take your entire catalog with you at all times. And if you need to pitch something standing in the middle of a bar, it’s all accessible.” The redesign of the software, which launched this month, took client feedback into consideration.

The revamped product features an improved user interface and added functionality, including multiple audio versions per song title, personal playlists, improved sync placement pitches, and the ability to add components such as bios and photos to accompany song pitches.

Hollis boasts, “We’ve amplified this program to be more pitch-friendly and in that sense when you are pitching for syncs, adding your tags, bios and sending images or documents, is a one-step process. There’s also an admin view in the program where administrators log in and are not bothered with the audio or anything they don’t need. They don’t have to wait on someone to call or email them back. They log in, get what they need, and go.”

With more than 200 users and approximately 25,000 songs, Publishing Pro touts Parallel Music, HoriPro, Curb Music Publishing, and Magic Mustang among its clients.

With the growth over the last five years, Kalatech sees 2016 as a year to capitalize on the design and development of its three products, and to expand its customer base.

Wegusen states, “We’re ready to make big moves this year. I think when we started, between the three of us, we were like, ‘If we can make our clients’ lives better, and I can make sure that we have enough money to pay Melissa, Max, and myself, life is good.’ Now we’re seeing how useful these products are and seeing how much they benefit our clients and how much time it saves them, and we really want to just explode in 2016.”

Exclusive: Spirit Music Nashville Signs Frank Rogers, Acquires His Interest In Sea Gayle

January 26, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Jon Singer, CFO, Spirit Music; Frank Rogers, Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville. (Back Row, L-R): Ross Cameron, VP of Acquisitions, Spirit Music; Chip Petree, Ritholz Levy; Brian Bradford, Dir. Administration, Spirit Music; Billy Lynn, VP Creative, Spirit Music; David Crow (Milom, Horsnell, Crow, Rose, Kelley).

Spirit Music Nashville and producer, songwriter and music publishing executive Frank Rogers have inked a multi-faceted agreement, MusicRow has learned. Spirit has acquired Rogers’ one-third interest in certain copyrights of Nashville publisher Sea Gayle Music, according to Spirit Chairman & CEO David Renzer and Spirit Music Nashville president Daniel Hill. Rogers co-founded Sea Gayle with Chris DuBois and Brad Paisley in 1999.

As part of the agreement, Spirit has formed the joint venture Fluid Music Revolution with Rogers, allowing him to bring new artists, producers and writers to the company. He will be based out Spirit’s Nashville office in conjunction with the current team. Rogers also joins Spirit’s roster as a songwriter, while the company will exclusively administer all of Rogers’ new compositions.

Sea Gayle Music, which was named ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year in 2010 and 2011, features a catalog of 40 No. 1 hits and an impressive roster of artists and writers.

“Spirit is honored to partner with Frank Rogers in both his catalog and new works. Frank is one of the most qualitative talents in Nashville with a proven track record of writing and producing # 1 hits. We’re also excited about working with Frank in signing new talent together and continuing to build Spirit’s already impressive Nashville presence,” said Renzer.

“Frank Rogers is a rare creative talent who has attained great success as a hit songwriter, publisher, and producer, and Sea Gayle is one of the most successful and versatile independent catalogs. Spirit Music Nashville is thrilled to be entrusted with Frank’s share of these valuable copyrights, and we look forward to much continued success with Frank and our joint venture with Fluid Music Revolution,” said Hill.

“I am thrilled to be partnering with Spirit Music Group. Spirit has built an impressive independent publishing powerhouse and I am honored to be a part of their future. Spirit is an exciting partner for Fluid Music Revolution, my future songwriting endeavors, as well as a great home for the Sea Gayle Music catalog. I look forward to creating a dynamic roster of songwriters, producers and artists with Spirit’s support. I thank David Renzer, Jon Singer, Daniel Hill, and Mark Fried as well as the rest of the talented Spirit Music staff for the excitement, passion and opportunity to build something great together,” said Rogers.

Among the many hits included in Sea Gayle Music’s catalog are “Lonely Tonight” by Blake Shelton, “Perfect Storm” by Brad Paisley, “Buy Me a Boat” by Chris Janson, “Yeah” by Joe Nichols, “Drink a Beer” by Luke Bryan, “Southern Girl” by Tim McGraw, “Southern Comfort Zone” by Brad Paisley, “Love’s Gonna Make it Alright” by George Strait.

Rogers has won MusicRow’s Producer of the Year award three times. He’s also co-written numerous songs, including three Hot Country Songs No. 1’s (“I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” by Brad Paisley, “Alright” and “This” by Darius Rucker).

Spirit Music Nashville’s recent acquisitions include Cal IV Entertainment and the StyleSonic catalog. Spirit Music Group is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Los Angeles, Nashville and the Netherlands. Spirit is a portfolio company of Pegasus Capital Advisors, the New York-based private equity fund manager that has been providing creative capital and strategic solutions to growth companies since 1996.

Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton Eclipses Debuts From Hank Williams Jr., Brothers Osborne

January 25, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

With a sales boost from his Saturday Night Live performance on Jan. 16, Chris Stapleton remains at No. 1 on this week’s country album chart. Traveller saw a 24 percent sales boost, selling 32K and reaching 776K overall.

Hank Williams Jr. enters the chart at No. 2 with It’s About Time, his bow on Nash Icon Records. The set moved 24K units. Brothers Osborne, who enjoyed a breakout single with “Stay a Little Longer,” arrive at No. 3 with Pawn Shop, selling 21K.

Blake Shelton‘s Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits surged to No. 4 with 14K, while Randy Rogers Band debuted at No. 5 with Nothing Shines Like Neon, selling 11K.

Other debuts include Russell Dickerson’s Yours EP at No. 11 (2.7K), Frank Foster’s Boots on the Ground at No. 22 (1.9K), and Upchurch’s Heart of America at No. 30 (1.3K).

Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man” is entrenched at the No. 1 spot on the country track sales chart, selling 50K and likely to surpass the 1 million mark next week. Sam Hunt’s “Break Up in a Small Town” lands at No. 2 (35K), trailed by Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild’s “Home Alone Tonight” (28K), Brett Eldredge’s “Drunk on Your Love” (24K), and Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here” (23.5K).

Stapleton’s “Nobody to Blame” jumps seven spots to No. 6 (20K), followed by Cam’s Burning House” at No. 7 (19.5K). Dierks Bentley’s new single, “Somewhere on a Beach,” enters the chart at No. 8 (19K). Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” (18K) and Brothers Osborne’s “Stay a Little Longer” (18K) round out the Top 10.

On the overall album chart, Panic! At the Disco arrives at the top with Death of a Bachelor, selling 190K. Adele’s 25 sits at No. 2 with 146.K (and now 5.8 million overall). On the overall tracks chart, Justin Bieber stays on top with “Love Yourself,” selling 139K and 1.4 million to date.

Weekly Chart Report (1/22/16)

January 22, 2016/by Troy_Stephenson

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

All For The Hall Concert Scheduled For April 12 At Bridgestone Arena

January 22, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Keith Urban and Vince Gill will return to host the sixth annual All For The Hall concert on April 12. The all-star event will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Peter Frampton, Emmylou Harris, Sam Hunt, Jason Isbell, Maddie and Tae, and Maren Morris are also confirmed to perform. The show’s musical theme this year will be Mashville: The Music City in 2016.

Reserved seating tickets, priced at $35 and $55 (price does not include Ticketmaster surcharge), will go on sale Friday, Jan. 29. VIP packages will also be available.

“Nashville has become a dynamic and diverse musical melting pot,” Urban said. “While it remains the home of country music, an unbelievably talented community of songwriters, producers, instrumentalists, singers, bands and solo artists are rapidly changing the entire musical landscape in ‘Music City U.S.A.’ Our sixth All For The Hall event— ‘Mashville: The Music City in 2016’—will celebrate that!!!!”

“In 2009, Keith Urban and Vince Gill organized a concert to benefit our museum. Now approaching its sixth year, the All for the Hall concerts with Keith and Vince have netted over $2.6 million. The abiding support of these two country music superstars who continue to act as champions for this museum allows us to further our mission,” said museum CEO Kyle Young.

“The proceeds of this fundraiser are especially important as they help to ensure that the history of country music is preserved, shared, and continues to grow and evolve for generations to come,” Young continued.

This year, Urban and Gill will be joined on stage by a group of Middle Tennessee students who will debut an original song written for the evening. The students will co-write the song with a professional songwriter through the museum’s award-winning, flagship education program, Words & Music.

The show’s Presenting Sponsor is City National Bank. The show’s Lead Sponsor is the Academy of Country Music.

DISClaimer: Tim McGraw, The Cactus Blossoms, Loretta Lynn And More Fine Music

January 21, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

It’s not that I’m getting soft in the head; it’s just that everyone made interesting music this week.

So in this edition of DISClaimer there are no pans. Trace Adkins, Loretta Lynn, FrazierBand and Charles Esten were particularly fine listening experiences.

And then there was the awesome, angelic sound of The Cactus Blossoms. Their names are Jack Torrey and Page Burkum. They are from Minneapolis. Stop whatever you are doing and listen to them right now. Need I add that they win the DisCovery Award?

The Disc of the Day prize goes to the enduringly great Tim McGraw. He can always be counted on for quality work, but “Humble and Kind” is above and beyond anything else currently headed for our airwaves. Applause, applause.

LORETTA LYNN & ELVIS COSTELLO/Everything It Takes
Writers: Loretta Lynn, Todd Snider; Producer: Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash; Publishers: Surefire Music Group (BMI), SHAD N FROYD A Music (BMI); Legacy
-Loretta’s voice is still a glowing trumpet. The steel guitar shadows her every phrase as she describes a conniving female rival. “She’s got everything it takes to take everything you’ve got.” Costello provides vocal harmony on the choruses. Country and proud of it.

CHARLES ESTEN/Like New
Writers: Sarah Zimmerman/Justin Davis/Jonathan Singleton; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publisher: Universal Music Corp./Sarahzimm Music (ASCAP)/Justin Davis Music (ASCAP). All rights for Sarahzimm Music and Justin Davis Music controlled and administered by Universal Music Corp./BMG Gold Songs/We Jam Writers Group/Glassbean (ASCAP). All rights administered by BMG Rights Management; Big Machine
-Of all the cast members of the Nashville TV show, none has made a stronger commitment to this community than Esten (”Deacon”). The latest edition of the series soundtrack albums kicks off with his performance of this splendidly melodic song. The drummer and electric guitarist give it a real workout as the singer rocks out trying to get over a failed romance. Nicely done.

TIM McGRAW/Humble and Kind
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producers: Byron Gallimore & Tim McGraw; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Hoodie, BMI; Big Machine
-Gorgeous. The cathedral production on this shimmering ballad has crystal droplets of sound and echoing orchestral canyons. The lyric is loaded with poetic truth. McGraw’s performance aches with tenderness. If this doesn’t touch your heart, you haven’t got one.

THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS/You’re Dreaming
Writer: J. Torrey; Producers: J.D. McPherson & The Cactus Blossoms; Publishers: Jumping Gemini/Hello Central, ASCAP; Red House Records
-Somewhere, the late Phil Everly is smiling. This duo’s sweet, twin harmonies are practically a reincarnation of The Everly Brothers’ iconic sound. The walking bass and echoey electric guitar are as perfect as these heavenly voices. Stunning is the only word that will do. Listen and believe.

TEBEY/Jealous of the Sun
Writer: Tebey, Danick Dupelle and Emily Weisband; Producer: Tebey and Danick Dupelle; Publisher: Songs For Elle/ BMG Platinum Songs (BMI), Danick Dupelle (SOCAN), WB Music Corp./Thankful for THiS Music (ASCAP); Road Angel
-Formerly on BNA, this Canadian-born artist reboots his recording career as an indie artist with this slab of audio energy. Youthful and rocking.

JANE KRAMER/Carnival of Hopes
Writer: Jane Kramer; Producer: Adam Johnson; Publisher: Famous Brown Boots, ASCAP; JK
-She sings with a soprano-to-falsetto lilt. The acoustic accompaniment stays in the background to keep her delivery and her lyrics in the spotlight on this title tune of her CD. Her writing is a little “arty” for country, but might find a home in the Americana format. All the tunes are originals with the exception of a cover of Tom Petty’s “Down South.”

TRACE ADKINS/Jesus and Jones
Writers: Jim McCormick, Casey Beathard and Tyler Farr; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Publishers: ole Purple Cape Music (BMI) admin by OLE, Rack City Publishing (BMI) admin by OLE, BMG Blue (BMI) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Songs of Jim McCormick (BMI) admin by BMG Rights Management, (US), LLC, Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI), Six Ring Circus Songs (BMI) admin by Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music; Wheelhouse
-He’s a sinner on Saturday night and a saint on Sunday morning. He wants to find some middle ground between being “stone cold sober and just plain stoned.” The track rocks splendidly, and Trace is on fire as a vocalist on this super single. Add it at once.

LANEY JONES/Allston (Dance Around)
Writers: Laney Jones/Matthew Tenner; Producer: David Plakon; Publisher: none listed, BMI; LJ
-Folk-pop energy with bouncy innocence, boppy delirium and kooky charm.

FRAZIERBAND/The Rod & the Cane
Writer: none listed; Producer: John E. Frazier III; Publisher: none listed; FB
-On its website, the group is offering this track as a preview of its upcoming album, Some People Change. With its airy pop sound and soft harmonies, it puts me in mind of Poco or Pure Prairie League or Crosby, Stills & Nash.

PHILLIP SANDIFER/Find Your Own Way
Writers: Phillip Sandifer; Producer: Phillip Sandifer; Publisher: Wider Sky, BMI; Wider Sky
-Rousing, upbeat and almost hippie-like in its sunny positivism.

Little Big Town, Adele Announced As Grammy Performers

January 20, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Little Big Town

Current two-time Grammy nominee Little Big Town and pop star Adele are among the first round of performers announced for the 58th annual Grammy awards. Kendrick Lamar, who is nominated for 11 Grammy honors this year, is also slated to perform, along with seven-time nominee The Weeknd. A tribute to 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year Lionel Richie will also take place during the event.

Little Big Town is nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Girl Crush”) and Best Country Album (Pain Killer).

The 58th annual Grammy Awards will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 15.

In related new, the Grammy Awards will be aired live in Pacific and Mountain time zones for the first time. Stations that take part in the live broadcast will air the award show from 5 until 8:30 p.m. PST, and 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. MST. This brings the Grammy Awards up to speed with other major award shows that broadcast live across the country, including the Oscars and the Golden Globes.

“We’ve discussed this with CBS for years, but a variety of factors came together this year, and we collectively agreed that we had the perfect opportunity to try a new model and see how viewers respond,” said the Recording Academy and Grammy Foundation president Neil Portnow. “I’m very pleased to share that, for the first time, West Coast TV viewers will be able to watch the Grammy Awards live.”

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