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DISClaimer: Chris Stapleton, Ryan Kinder Bring Ace Musicianship To New Singles

November 12, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Pictured (L-R): Chris Stapleton, Ryan Kinder

Big stars are side-by-side with complete unknowns this week.

In fact, more than half of these platters are by newcomers. Fortunately, this quantity creates no confusion about who is the best of them. The hands-down winner of the DisCovery Award is Ryan Kinder.

When dealing with the stars, the choice isn’t all that clear-cut. Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton and Hank Williams Jr. all have highly engaging sounds. In a very, very close contest, I’m going with my old fave Chris Stapleton as having the Disc of the Day. He nailed “Tennessee Whiskey” on the CMA telecast, and he nails on the record, as well.

JEFF DANE/Apple Pie Moonshine
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; JD
-It’s about running bootleg hooch. It has no melody.

HANK WILLIAMS JR. & ERIC CHURCH/Are You Ready For The Country
Writer: Neil Young; Producer: Julian Raymond; Publisher: Silver Fiddle, ASCAP; Nash Icon
-Packed with “outlaw” energy. An audio Red Bull jolt.

CURTIS BRALY & KIM CALDWELL/Sooner Or Later
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Studio Gold
-Duet partner Caldwell was an American Idol Season 2 finalist. But this is Braly’s show, since he is the more relaxed and believable vocalist. The song is a power ballad with loads of oomph.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Tennessee Whiskey
Writers: Dean Dillon/Linda Hargrove; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publishers: Universal – Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.; EMI Algee Music Corp., BMI; Mercury (track)
-Part of the brilliance of Stapleton’s CMA award-winning album is that his vocals are so clear and uncluttered by production. His reworking of this 1983 George Jones hit drips with blue-eyed soul. His electric-guitar solo is just as groovy. Play and believe.

SCOTT BRANTLEY/Good Thing Going
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Studio Gold
-Merrily rollicking and mighty enjoyable. He’s deliriously in love, riding the open road and heading for home. A very tasty production and writing job, so credits would have been nice.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Bathroom Sink
Writer: Miranda Lambert; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog, BMI
-Smartly written and performed with moxie. Also, it kicks serious butt.

RYAN BEAVER/Dark
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Crush
-The electro-accented production is full of echo and drama. He sings like a man possessed. He keeps drinking and descending into misery. “Bring it on; I ain’t afraid of the dark,” he cries. Gripping and passionate.

THOMAS RHETT/Die a Happy Man
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Sean Douglas/Joe Spargur; Producers: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure; Publishers:EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Sony-ATV/Warner-Tamerlane/Eastman Pond/Music of Big Deal/Nice Life/Frederic and Ried/BMG Rights Management, BMI; Valory Music Co.
-The softly seductive r&b groove is delicious. His laid-back delivery charms with subtlety. A love-ballad gem.

SHANE MICHAEL TAYLOR & MASON DOUGLAS/Feel Good Side of Life
Writers: Shane Michael Taylor/Lorna Flowers; Producer: Lorna Flowers; Publishers: none listed; Platinum Horse
-The album is credited to Taylor, who is a wheelchair-bound cerebral-palsy patient. In actuality, he is the songwriter of the collection. Vocals are provided by Trent Jeffcoat, Clare Dunn, Josh Helms, Tiffany and, as is the cast here, Mason Douglas. The ballad has a positive, uplifting message.

RYAN KINDER/Tonight
Writers: Ryan Kinder/Luke Sheets; Producer: Paul Worley; Publishers: W.B.M. Music Corp/Crimson Garden Music/Melodies of Bigger Picture (admin by W.B.M. Music Corp.)/Curb Congregation Songs; SESAC; Warner Bros.
-I like the driving, throbbing quality in this sound. He rides atop the pounding production with vocal finesse. It’s a sophisticated booty call, and who can argue with that? Unquestionably, the finest country debut in quite some time.

Pat Collins Named Vice Chairman, SESAC

November 11, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pat Collins

Pat Collins has been named Vice Chairman of SESAC effective April 1, 2016, MusicRow has learned exclusively. Collins, who currently serves as President and CEO of SESAC Performing Rights, will now begin to transition to his new role as a Senior Advisor to the Company and Vice Chairman. John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC, made the announcement.

“My 20+ years with SESAC have been enormously rewarding,” said Collins. “Having added Rumblefish and the Harry Fox Agency to our portfolio, SESAC is well positioned to deliver services across multiple rights categories and to bring unprecedented efficiencies to the licensing, collection and distribution processes for music royalties. I look forward to this phase of my professional and personal plan unfolding and am most grateful and appreciative to my colleagues at SESAC for including me in their amazing story of success.”

Executive Vice President Kelli Turner’s responsibilities will be expanded to include oversight of Licensing and Royalty Distribution and Research Services in addition to Finance, Corporate Development, Human Resources and Information Technology. Executive Vice President Dennis Lord’s responsibilities will be expanded to include Creative as well as Business Affairs. In addition, Christos Badavas, currently Associate General Counsel at HFA, will be moving to a corporate role at SESAC as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel. Turner, Lord and Badavas will report directly to Josephson, as will SESAC’s Rumblefish business unit, SESAC International and the Company’s Corporate Relations department.

“I am excited that Pat is taking on this new leadership position at SESAC,” Josephson said. “Pat’s ongoing role as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor will allow him to contribute his many years of senior management experience and expansive knowledge of music licensing to inform and direct corporate goals and strategies for SESAC’s continued benefit.”

During Collins’ tenure as President and CEO, the company has signed the catalogs of a number of the biggest names in music, including Mariah Carey, Green Day, Zac Brown, Nikki Sixx, Robert Johnson, Charli XCX, George Clinton and Kesha and others.

In 2009, Collins was honored with the 2009 Sage Award during the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals Third Annual Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. The award is given to a top Nashville leader who has made an impact on the city’s young professional demographic. Collins is a past president of Nashville’s Leadership Music as well as a former member of the Leadership Music Board, Country Music Association Board, and YMCA Board. He is involved with numerous music business management initiatives and legislative matters regarding intellectual property. Collins is a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Nashville program.

Bobby Karl Works the Room: NATD Awards

November 10, 2015/by Bobby Karl

Honorees and guests attend the NATD Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images for NATD

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 516

The final awards banquet of the season was also the most elegant, intimate, warm and mellow.

On Monday (Nov. 8), the Nashville Association of Talent Directors staged its annual Honors amid the beaux arts splendor of the historic Hermitage Hotel downtown. The NATD saluted television, sports, publicity, agency, government and Music Row personalities.

The honorees were Mayor Megan Barry, the CMA’s Sarah Trahern, publicist Kirt Webster, Predators hockey announcer Pete Weber, American Pickers TV star Mike Wolfe, APA booking executive Steve Lassiter and rock manager Charlie Brusco.

The Tennessean’s Brad Schmitt and Channel 2’s Stephanie Langston co-hosted. The crowd was sprinkled with stars such as Crystal Gayle, Henry Paul, Nan Kelley and Lee Roy Parnell.

The event began with cocktails in the Hermitage’s elegant lobby with its stained-glass ceiling. Pianist Eric Bikales serenaded the crowd while servers circulated with spinach filo pockets and beef Wellington.

Producer Dave Brainard was there, with his jaw brace finally removed and on the road to recovery from the attack he suffered near Music Row. NATD president Steve Tolman had his singing daughter in tow. Jenny Tolman is working with Brainard.

David & Carolyn Corlew, BeBe Evans and Paula Szeigis were representing the Charlie Daniels office. Jeremy Westby, Jeff Gregg, Bonnie Sugarman, Bill Gatzimos, Preshus Tomes, Charles Dorris, Ray Shelide, Randi Perkins, Tinti Moffat, Moore & Moore, Mike Campbell, Teresa George, Pepper Meller and NATD executive assistant Tina Payton mingled.

We moved into the dining room. With its coffered ceiling, wood paneling, opulent drapes, gilded décor, elegant carpet and spectacular vintage chandeliers, this is one of the most beautiful spaces in Nashville. Harpist Deanna Loveland sent notes wafting through the room’s atmosphere.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and NATD President Steve Tolman. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD

Following the invocation by Father Joseph Breen, Steve Tolman introduced honoree Megan Barry. “We want to congratulate you on breaking new ground,” he said to Nashville’s first female mayor. “We are here to support you and help you however we can.”

“It’s really fitting to be honored in this room,” said the Mayor, recalling that suffragettes came to the Hermitage to lobby the legislature to make Tennessee the deciding state in granting women the right to vote in 1920.

“We have the greatest concentration of talent than any other city in the United States. We really are the Third Coast. When we think about the music, we think about the people in front. But it’s really about the people in the back,” she said, referring to the 150 elite industry workers at the NATD soiree.

Kirt Webster and Crystal Gayle. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD

The surprise honoree was Kirt Webster. Tolman gave him the Directors’ Award, because, “He keeps a lot of our legendary artists visible and out there.” Webster was saluted via video by The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

“I am usually not at a loss for words, but I am,” said Webster. “I do what I do, because I love what I do.

“We’re family, and that’s what is most important.” He said he was wearing a ball cap to hide his recent hair transplants.

Pictured (L-R): Charlie Brusco, Red Light Management; John Huie, CAA. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD

Charlie Brusco has managed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Peter Frampton, Survivor, Styx and The Outlaws. He is also an Atlanta show promoter. Rod Essig, Henry Paul and Tommy Shaw appeared in his tribute video.

John Huie presented the award. “Nashville’s kind of a second home to me,” said the honoree. “We have friends from all over the place who have moved down here. I know everybody thinks this is the country music capital. But there is all kinds of great music here.”

Pictured (L-R): Pete Weber and Terry Crisp. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD

Pete Weber has been the Voice of the Nashville Predators for 17 seasons. Partner Terry Crisp presented his honor.

“Nashville has offered us a very, very warm home,” said Weber. “The All Star Game is coming to Nashville in January, and that should be a lot of fun. Let’s get on with the show.”

Tony Conway offered a memorial to the late Tandy Rice and the late Joe Guercio, both avid NATD supporters. The audience joined him in a toast and a round of hearty applause.

Tolman announced to Schmitt that the NATD is donating $2,500 to the Nashville Prevention Partnership in his honor. The ACM’s Bob Romeo announced that his organization would match that. Schmitt recalled his two DUI arrests, being fired from Channel 2 and going to rehab at Cumberland Heights.

“Recovery is here, and it works,” he said. “I’m five-and-half years clean.” Co-host Langston said, “He’s an inspiration to all of us.”

Pictured (L-R): Steve Tolman, NATD President, Mike Wolfe; Shaun Silva, Tacklebox Films. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD

Shaun Silva presented the NATD honor to Mike Wolfe. “I moved to Nashville in 2001,” said Silva. “I fell in love with this town. Mike has brought a lot of eyes to what’s great about Nashville.”

“I came to this community 14 years ago, riding through on my motorcycle,” Wolfe recalled. He moved to Music City four years ago. His American Pickers is one of the top shows on cable TV and a runaway ratings success for the History Channel. Wolfe also operates the Antique Archeology store in Nashville, is restoring a number of historic properties in the area and is producing several new 2016 TV series.

“I am a product of what Nashville truly embodies. I really wouldn’t have this show without Nashville. My Nashville friends gave me the courage to do that. It’s a city of dreams. A dream I had wouldn’t have happened without this community. So thank you for this.

“I think this is my first award.”

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA; Nan Kelley. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images of NATD

Luke Bryan, Ralph Emery and the Community Foundation’s Ellen Lehman were in the tribute video for Sarah Trahern. Nan Kelley presented the honor.

“The theme through everybody’s remarks tonight is family, passion and collaboration,” said Trahern. “I am grateful that I get to do something that I am very passionate about. How lucky we are that we get to do this for a living.”

Pictured (L-R) Senior Vice President at APA Nashville Steve Lassiter and President/CEO at APA Jim Gosnell. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD

Pictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter, Senior Vice President at APA Nashville; Jim Gosnell, President/CEO at APA. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD

Corlew, Evans, Gayle, Shelide, Paul, Joe Sullivan, Lee Greenwood, Rob Beckham, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt and Frank Wing saluted Steve Lassiter on video. Lassiter is an East Nashville native and an MTSU grad. He got his start in Sullivan’s Sound 70 concert-promotion office 38 years ago.

APA president Jim Gosnell joined Steve’s sons Cain, Luke and Austin Lassiter in presenting the honor. “I’ve been doing this so long I know just about everybody in this room,” said the honoree. “I do what I love, and I passed that down to these young men, right here. I am as passionate and I love this as much as I did 38 years ago.”

Founded in 1958, the Nashville Association of Talent Directors fosters camaraderie among friendly competitors. Its members generate $300 million annually for their artists. The organization began giving college scholarship funds to worthy students 26 years ago. It began staging annual Honors banquets five years ago.

Weekly Register: Country Claims Top 3 Spots on Overall Albums Chart

November 9, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Six months after its release, Chris Stapleton’s Traveller rockets to No. 1 on the country album chart – and the overall album chart. Thanks to a boost from the CMA Awards, country artists hold the first three positions on this week’s overall album chart.

Following three victories at the CMA Awards last week and an incredible performance with Justin Timberlake during the show, Stapleton sold 153K albums – way, way up from 2.3K last week. With a combined total of 177K units, he also leads the overall chart, which accounts for single sales and streaming.

Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller drops one spot on the country album chart, landing at No. 2 with 73K sold. Eric Church’s unexpected Mr. Misunderstood makes a bow at No. 3 with 71K. They land in the same positions on the overall chart.

Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood album.

Chris Janson’s Buy Me a Boat sails into the No. 4 slot on the country album chart in its first week with 18.5K sold.

Other debuts include LoCash’s I Love This Life (No. 38), Now Country Christmas (No. 59), Josh Ward’s Holding Me Together (No. 60), and Rhonda Vincent’s Christmas Time (No. 64).

On the overall digital singles chart, Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” (which he performed on the CMA Awards) arrives at No. 2 with 131K sold. Meanwhile, Adele’s “Hello” is still crushing the competition with 635K singles sold.

Thomas Rhett maintains the No. 2 spot on the country digital single sales chart with “Die a Happy Man” (62K). Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” races to No. 3 with a 604 percent increase in sales and 48K singles sold. “Girl Crush” won CMA Awards for Single and Song of the Year, while Little Big Town picked up the Vocal Group award.

Other new faces in the Top 10 singles tally are Cole Swindell’s “Should’ve Ran After You” (No. 7, 30K), Kane Brown’s “Last Minute Late Night” (No. 9, 26K) and Stapleton’s “Traveller” (No. 10, 25K). Six other Stapleton songs land among the top 100 digital country singles chart.

Also new to the chart are Justin Moore’s “You Look Like I Need a Drink” (No. 14, 20K), Eric Church’s “Mr. Misunderstood” (No. 16, 18K), and CMA vocal duo winners Florida Georgia Line’s “Confession” (No. 31, 11K).

Information provided by Neilsen Soundscan.

Weekly Chart Report (11/6/15)

November 6, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

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

MusicRow Podcast Episode 2: Chris Young & Rob Beckham

November 5, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Photo: David McClister

Chris Young has taken his brand of country music around the world, although he’s still true to his country roots in Tennessee. For Episode 02 of the MusicRow Podcast, Young and his booking agent, Rob Beckham, explain how they’ve built a career on the road – and even across the ocean.

MusicRow publisher/owner Sherod Robertson sat down with Young and Beckham, who co-heads the Nashville office of William Morris Endeavor, inside the Keith Whitley Room at RCA Records’ Nashville office. Together, Young and his longtime label have celebrated six No. 1 country hits, including “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices” and “Tomorrow.” Meanwhile, Beckham has guided Young’s career from playing small clubs to headlining a world tour. They have joined forces yet again for Young’s brand new album, I’m Comin’ Over, which is also the title of his latest hit single.

Robertson has personally known Young and his family since becoming owner and publisher of MusicRow, so their wide-ranging conversation is like catching up with an old friend. It’s also a map to Young’s interests – whether it’s walking around Berlin, Germany, before playing a show, or talking about why traditional country legends like Whitley and Conway Twitty are important to him. Along with discussing the production equipment that follows him around the globe, Young reveals what he does backstage before every show.

Sponsored by SunTrust Bank’s Sports & Entertainment Group, this episode of the MusicRow podcast is the second in a series, following an engaging interview with Merle Haggard that premiered on MusicRow.com last week. Both of the MusicRow podcasts are available on iTunes.

Click here to listen in iTunes.

Click here to listen to episodes online.

About the MusicRow podcast:
From Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication, The MusicRow Podcast features in-depth conversations with artists and the key industry members behind their music. Hosted by MusicRow Magazine Publisher Sherod Robertson, the series offers unique perspectives from iconic legends and rising talent to key decision makers and gatekeepers in the Nashville music industry.

CMA Awards Throw Curveballs As Chris Stapleton Wins Three Categories

November 5, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Chris Stapleton. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

At this year’s CMA Awards, the predictable Entertainer, Female, Group, Duo and Musician winners were upstaged by the surprise triple triumph of Chris Stapleton.

Luke Bryan won his second Entertainer trophy. Florida Georgia Line took home its third Duo win. Little Big Town earned a well-deserved fourth statuette as Vocal Group. Miranda Lambert made history with her sixth win as Female Vocalist. Mac McAnally earned his eighth Musician honor, which ties him with the late Chet Atkins. But Stapleton was the stunner, winning the Male, Album and New Artist prizes.

“I don’t know what to say,” he blurted after winning his New Artist award. “I’ve worked a lot of years to get to do this. This is an absolute thrill.” His competition was Sam Hunt, Maddie & Tae, Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, all of whom have had chart-topping radio hits. Stapleton has not.

“This is unbelievable,” he gasped after winning his Album honor. “I don’t know what to think; I don’t know what to say.” His Traveller CD producer Dave Cobb added, “Thank y’all for buying this record and supporting great art.”

Stapleton won his Male Vocalist award by beating Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley and Eric Church, all of whom are concert headliners. Stapleton is not.

“Well then, there’s gonna be a party tonight,” he stammered. “About two years ago, I lost my dad, and I made this record that I think he would like. He would have liked to have seen this tonight. This is an unbelievable thing to me, and I’m not gonna take it lightly. Thank you so much. I don’t know what else to say.”

After the show, he added, “I didn’t really expect to be here. If I talk about it and think about it, I’m gonna tear up.”

Stapleton also stole the spotlight by performing with pop superstar Justin Timberlake on the telecast. Their Nashville-meets-Memphis collaboration on “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away” was very intense and soulful. It blew up on social media immediately.

Pictured (L-R): Hank Williams Jr. and Eric Church. Photo: John Russell/CMA

This was one of several pairings on the show. Hank Williams Jr. and Eric Church opened the ceremony with the Waylon Jennings hit “Are You Ready for the Country,” with backing by The McCrary Sisters. Keith Urban and John Mellencamp followed with “Little Pink Houses” and “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”

Earlier in the day, Urban and Church won the Vocal Event award for “Raise ‘Em Up.” This was Urban’s fourth win in this category. Church also made news with his performance of “Mr. Misunderstood,” the title tune of his “surprise” album release this week.

Pictured (L-R) Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks, Reba. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Other CMA collaborative performances included Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn romping through “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” and “Play Something Country.” Fall Out Boy and Thomas Rhett were aided by prancing, dancing girls as they attempted a mashup of “Crash and Burn” and “Uma Thurman.”

Solo performance stand-outs included Sam Hunt’s smoldering “Take Your Time,” Dierks Bentley’s throbbing and inspirational “Riser,” Zac Brown Band’s spirited “Beautiful Drug,” Florida Georgia Line’s beautiful “Confession,” Blake Shelton’s romping “Gonna,” Brad Paisley’s rollicking “Country Nation” with cheerleaders and football mascots, and Luke Bryan’s romantic “Strip It Down.”

Luke Bryan. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

“What an amazing night of music,” said Bryan when he won his Entertainer award. “Thank you, Lord; thank you, Jesus; thank you everyone in Heaven for looking out for me.

“This is the best business in the world, with the best people. … Watching Chris Stapleton win was so uplifting. … Everyone in country music, I love you, baby.” Stapleton co-wrote Bryan’s hit “Drink a Beer.”

Besides Stapleton, the only other multiple winner was Little Big Town. The quartet won Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year. Plus, the group’s hit “Girl Crush” won Song of the Year for writers Lori McKenna, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey. LBT’s performance of it got a standing ovation.

Little Big Town. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

“Seventeen years ago this very month, we became a band,” said the group’s Kimberly Schlapman. “Country music fans, you have changed our lives,” added Jimi Westbrook. “This was a 6/8 ballad about jealousy and heartbreak,” commented Karen Fairchild. “Thank you, gatekeepers, for having the guts to play it.” Phillip Sweet joined the others in thanking the songwriters.

“I needed a bright spot this year,” said Miranda Lambert in accepting her Female Vocalist award. She was presumably referring to her divorce from Blake Shelton, who is now dating his The Voice TV co-star Gwen Stefani.

Miranda Lambert. Photo: CMAPress.com

Lambert performed “Bathroom Sink.” Other performances included Jason Aldean’s “They’re Gonna Know We Were Here,” Kenny Chesney’s “Save It for a Rainy Day,” Carrie Underwood’s “Smoke Break” and Kacey Musgraves’ “Dimestore Cowgirl.”

Maddie & Tae, who won the Video award for “Girl in a Country Song” with director TK McKamy, sang it to introduce the radio winners. Kelsea Ballerini did the same with “Love Me Like You Mean It.”

Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Presenters included Cam, Jennifer Nettles, Lee Ann Womack, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Darius Rucker, Pentatonix (singing a snippet of The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira”), Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Kiefer Sutherland and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley.

William Shatner, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog made cameo appearances, as did the late Jimmy Dickens. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley co-hosted with bantering wit. This was their eighth time as CMA telecast hosts.

Pictured (L-R): Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Bobby Karl Works the BMI Country Awards

November 4, 2015/by Bobby Karl

Pictured: (L-R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI songwriter and Icon Mac Davis with his wife Lise Davis and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: John Shearer

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 515

As Country Music Week galas go, the BMI Country Awards banquet ranks second only to the CMA Awards themselves for overall oomph.

Maybe that’s why fans were camped out at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 3) across the street from the organization’s Music Row headquarters. A mini throng was there by the time the limos arrived at 6 p.m., and it was still there when we emerged at 11 p.m.

Did I mention that BMI is also the longest of the ceremonies?

The fans’ fidelity was rewarded with red-carpet appearances by Chris Janson, Cam, Dustin Lynch, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Alabama’s Randy Owen, Hunter Hayes, Brett Eldredge, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Chris Young, Lee Ann Womack, Deborah Allen and Nashville’s Chris Carmack.

Pictured (L-R): President and CEO of BMI, Michael O’Neill, Miranda Lambert, and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, Jody Williams

Also Miranda Lambert, Keith Stegall, Clay Walker, John Oates, Sherrie Austin, Native Run, Gary Allan, Brantley Gilbert, Chase Rice, Randy Houser, Jason Isbell, Lee Brice, Eric Church, Mickey Guyton, Keith Urban, Tyler Farr, Rob Crosby, Striking Matches, Kix Brooks, The Henningsens, Frankie Ballard, Big Kenny, as well as Ronnie, Rob and Del McCoury, among many other celebs.

Not the least of those glittering in the red-carpet spotlight was Mac Davis, the winner of this year’s BMI Icon honor. During the banquet, videos showed Dolly Parton, Toby Keith, Scotty Emerick, Jeffrey Steele, Dean Dillon and Kenny Chesney praising Mac’s talent.

Vintage clips of performances of songs from Mac’s amazing catalog were also screened. That catalog includes “Something’s Burning,” “Watching Scotty Grow,” “Hooked on Music,” “It’s Hard to Be Humble,” “Memories,” “Don’t Cry Daddy,” “Stop and Smell the Roses” and “I Believe in Music.”

“Tonight, we are here to honor an entertainment legend who has had the Midas touch over a five-decade career,” said BMI CEO Mike O’Neill. “Mac’s beloved catalog spans genres and generations. Mac’s gift is writing straight from the heart.”

Mac McAnally performed a tender “Texas in My Rear View Mirror,” and earned a standing ovation. Rascal Flatts delivered a harmony-soaked “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” and also got a standing ovation. Luke Bryan rocked out on “A Little Less Conversation.”

Luke Bryan performs at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: BMI.com

Then Little Big Town demonstrated that it might be the greatest vocal group in all of music. When Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook shared lead vocals on “In the Ghetto,” they proved what a quadruple threat these four singers truly are. Ethereal harmonies by Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman only added to the goosebumps.

Little Big Town performs at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: BMI.com

Little Big Town perform at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: BMI.com

“I think now you know why we call him an Icon,” said O’Neill.

“This is absolutely, totally, humongously awesome,” responded Mac. “I love what I do, and I love that I get to do this for a living. It’s something that we have to do. I really believe that. It’s a gift…I knew I was gonna be emotionally overwhelmed, and I am.

“The great songwriters, I still believe, live here in Nashville,” Mac added. Which is why he has built a home here and plans to collaborate with Music City’s finest. Mac lives next door to Allen Shamblin. He sang their new collaboration, “Where Songs Come From.” The crowd full of songwriters whistled and cheered at its inspirational lyrics and gave him another standing ovation.

Another popular award winner was Mac’s fellow Texas native Rodney Clawson, who won his second BMI Country Songwriter of the Year award. His awarded titles were “Bartender,” “American Kids,” “Burnin’ It Down,” “Dirt,” “Lettin’ the Night Roll,” “Helluva Night” and “Til It’s Gone.”

Pictured (L-R): Nicolle Galyon and Rodney Clawson at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: BMI.com

Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Nicolle Galyon and Rodney Clawson at the BMI Country Awards. Photo: BMI.com

“It’s a good night for Texas,” said former farmer Rodney. “I’d like to thank all the songwriters I wrote all these songs with. Thank you…and let’s do it again.”

Phil Graham presented the Publisher of the Year award to Sony/ATV. Martin Bandier, Troy Tomlinson, Terry Wakefield and a large contingent of top company staffers accepted. The Frances W. Preston Country Song of the Year was “Beat of the Music,” penned by Ross Copperman, Brett Eldredge and Heather Morgan.

Heather was one of several first-time awardees. Others included Aaron Scherz, Nathan Chapman, Joey Hyde, Justin Wilson, Jesse Frasure, Tyler Farr and Adam Craig.

In addition to Rodney Clawson, multiple-song honorees included Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Andrew Dorff, Randy Houser, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley, Brett Eldredge, Luke Laird, Cole Swindell, Brantley Gilbert and Marv Green.

“What a party we have going tonight,” commented O’Neill. “It’s a celebration!

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to award you. We brought in over a billion dollars this year.” He spoke of doing battle with Pandora and of efforts in D.C. to gain greater royalties for songwriters.

In keeping with that theme, he gave the inaugural BMI Champion Award to tireless advocate Lee Thomas Miller.

“This is the best room in town,” said Lee. “I’m sitting next to my lifetime heroes.

“I think we’re making a difference. Our music is played at weddings and funerals and graduations, and I think that is worth more than a fraction of a penny” in royalties.

As far as “heroes” goes, Lee could have been referring to the attending Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famers Roger Murrah, Rory Bourke, Even Stevens, Craig Wiseman, Norro Wilson, Dennis Morgan, Thom Schuyler, Bob DiPiero, Randy Owen, Jeffrey Steele, Layng Martine Jr., Jerry Chesnut and Mark James, not to mention Mac Davis. I introduced Barry Dean to Hall of Famer Whitey Shafer, which was a thrill for BMI awardee Barry.

BMI Nashville chief Jody Williams got a standing ovation when he took the stage. He handed out the songwriting awards, along with Leslie Roberts, Bradley Collins and David Preston.

BMI’s 50 top country songs of the year were honored. In addition to those already mentioned, winning writers included Tom Douglas, Tommy Lee James, Tommy Bulford, Trent Tomlinson, Troy Verges, Bart Butler, Shane Minor, Wade Kirby, Phil O’Donnell, Natalie Hemby, Nicolle Galyon (who is married to top winner Rodney), The Warren Brothers, Ed Hill, David Frasier, Laura Veltz, Jason Matthews, Jimmy Yeary, Sarah Buxton, Dylan Altman, Chase Bryant, Philip LaRue, Bryan Simpson, John Ozier and Paul Jenkins.

This marked the 20^th anniversary of the awards being given in the organization’s elaborately-disguised parking garage. Its columns were covered in mirrors. Massive floral arrangements flanked the entryways. Tablecloths hued in brushed chrome held centerpieces of red, pink and white roses, lilies and fruit, massed in mounds.

Salad was endive, blue cheese, pears (I think) and macadamia nuts. The entrée was surf-and-turf, plus shredded Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes, gravy and mashed potatoes.

You’d think that by mid-week, I’d have run out of new music-biz fabulons to greet. But you’d be wrong. Working the room were Ken Robold, Kent Earls, Billy Montana, Billy Burnette, Anastasia Brown, Tony Brown, Tony Conway, Jim Free, Jimmy Carter, Steve Moore, Steve Lowery, Bill Catino, Will Rambeaux, John Esposito, John Grady, Jon Randall Stewart, Tom Collins, Tom Roland, Del Bryant, Dane Bryant, Erika Wollam Nichols, Tim Nichols and Tim Wipperman.

“I’m back in the business, Lord help me,” said Wipperman. His new company is called Rezonant Music.

“I tried to quit, but couldn’t,” said Dean Dillon. “I’ve got all these baby songwriters to raise.” Besides, he’s back to performing. Dean is fronting The Texas Jam Band, a spin-off from George Strait’s Ace In the Hole Band.

B.J. Hill, Eddie Bayers, Narvel Blackstock, Byron Gallimore, Bobby Pinson, Bart Herbison (who convinced Mac Davis to move here), Erv Woolsey, Frank Myers, Scott Hendricks, Joe Galante, Jay Orr, Kay West, Debbie Carroll, David Briggs, Trent Summar, Walter Campbell, Whitney Daane, Rick & Janis Carnes, Suzy Ragsdale, Cyndi Forman, Alicia Warwick, Mary Ann McCready and many media mavens schmoozed.

We headed to the BMI lobby for assorted desserts and to enjoy the classic music of The Harold Bradley Band. The party favors were Whimsy Cookies, large round shortbreads with icing that spelled “Mac Davis” or depicted lucky horseshoes.

“It’s a beautiful night,” said Jody Williams. “It’s kind of like Thanksgiving. Mostly, I’m thankful because it’s an honor to serve you.”

2015 BMI Country Awards Winners

ICON
MAC DAVIS

SONG OF THE YEAR
“BEAT OF THE MUSIC”
Ross Copperman
Brett Eldredge
Heather Morgan
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Paris Not France Music
Ross Copperman Songs
Sony/ATV Countryside
Sony/ATV Tree

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
RODNEY CLAWSON
“American Kids”
“Bartender”
“Burnin’ It Down”
“Dirt”
“Helluva Life”
“Lettin’ The Night Roll”
“Til It’s Gone”

PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR
SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING NASHVILLE
(EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc, Sony/ATV Countryside and Sony/ATV Tree)
“Automatic”
“Beat Of The Music”
“Close Your Eyes”
“Drink To That All Night”
“Get Me Some Of That”
“Give Me Back My Hometown”
“Goodnight Kiss”
“Hope You Get Lonely Tonight”
“I Don’t Dance”
“I See You”
“Just Gettin’ Started”
“Keep Them Kisses Comin’”
“Later On”
“Like A Cowboy”
“Make Me Wanna”
“Mean To Me”
“Meanwhile Back At Mama’s”
“Play It Again”
“Ready Set Roll”
“Roller Coaster”
“Small Town Throwdown”
“Talladega”
“This Is How We Roll”
“Til It’s Gone”
“Whiskey In My Water”
“Who I Am With You”

2015 BMI COUNTRY AWARDS TOP 50 SONGS

“AMERICAN KIDS”
Rodney Clawson
Luke Laird
Big Red Toe Music
Creative Nation Music
Farm Town Songs
Round Hill Works
Songs of Universal, Inc.

“AUTOMATIC”
Nicolle Galyon
Natalie Hemby
Miranda Lambert
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Pink Dog Publishing
Sony/ATV Tree
These Are Pulse Songs
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“BARTENDER”
Rodney Clawson
Big Red Toe Music
Farm Town Songs
Round Hill Works

“BEAT OF THE MUSIC”
Ross Copperman
Brett Eldredge
Heather Morgan
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Paris Not France Music
Ross Copperman Songs
Sony/ATV Countryside
Sony/ATV Tree

“BOTTOMS UP”
Brantley Gilbert
Indiana Angel Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“BURNIN’ IT DOWN”
Rodney Clawson
Tyler Hubbard
Brian Kelley
Big Loud Mountain
Big Red Toe Music
Pranch Ringle Music
Round Hill Works
T Hubb Publishing

“CLOSE YOUR EYES”
Adam Craig
Shane Minor
Trent Tomlinson
Big Mosquito Music
Big Spaces Music
Code Six Charles Music
Sony/ATV Tree

“DAY DRINKING”
Barry Dean
Karen Fairchild
Phillip Sweet
Troy Verges
Jimi Westbrook
Country Paper
Creative Nation Music
Magnolia Beach Music
Pulse Nation
Self Made Entertainment
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“DIRT”
Rodney Clawson
Big Red Toe Music
Farm Town Songs
Round Hill Works

“DOIN’ WHAT SHE LIKES”
Wade Kirby
Phil O’Donnell
Rooster Pecked Music
Round Hill Works
Sixteen Stars Music

“DRINK TO THAT ALL NIGHT”
Brad Warren
Brett Warren
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Fam Love Music
Sagequinnjude Music

“DRINKING CLASS”
David Frasier
Ed Hill
Big Hits of Amylase
Five Hills Music LLC
Gumbo Mud Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“GET ME SOME OF THAT”
Rhett Akins
Cole Swindell
Brooks County Boy Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sony/ATV Tree

“GIRL IN A COUNTRY SONG”
Aaron Scherz
Big Music Machine

“GIVE ME BACK MY HOMETOWN”
Eric Church
Luke Laird
Creative Nation Music
Longer And Louder Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Tree

“GOODNIGHT KISS”
Randy Houser
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Little Britches Music

“HELLUVA LIFE”
Rodney Clawson
Big Red Toe Music
Round Hill Works

“HOMEGROWN HONEY”
Nathan Chapman
Art In The Pain Publishing
Songs of Universal, Inc.

“HOPE YOU GET LONELY TONIGHT”
Tyler Hubbard
Brian Kelley
Cole Swindell
Big Loud Mountain
Pranch Ringle Music
Sony/ATV Tree
T Hubb Publishing

“I DON’T DANCE”
Lee Brice
Dallas Davidson
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Mike Curb Music
Two Chord Georgia Music

“I SEE YOU”
Luke Bryan
Luke Laird
Creative Nation Music
Peanut Mill Songs
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Tree

“JUST GETTIN’ STARTED”
Rhett Akins
Brooks County Boy Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.

“KEEP THEM KISSES COMIN’”
Dallas Davidson
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.

“LATER ON”
Joey Hyde
Justin Wilson
Magic Mustang Music, Inc.
Sony/ATV Tree
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“LETTIN’ THE NIGHT ROLL”
Rodney Clawson
Justin Moore
Big Music Machine
Big Red Toe Music
Double Barrel Ace Music
Round Hill Works

“LIKE A COWBOY”
Randy Houser
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Little Britches Music

“LONELY EYES”
Johnny Bulford
Jason Matthews
Laura Veltz
3JB Music
Fresh Baked Cookies
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“MAKE ME WANNA”
Bart Butler
Thomas Rhett
Bill Butler Music LLC
Cricket On The Line
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.

“MEAN TO ME”
Brett Eldredge
Paris Not France Music
Sony/ATV Countryside

“MEANWHILE BACK AT MAMA’S”
Tom Douglas
Jeffrey Steele
Jeffrey Steele Music
Sony/ATV Tree
TomDouglasMusic

“MY EYES”
Andrew Dorff
Tommy Lee James
Endorffin Music
Pretty Woman Publishing LLC
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Super Phonic Music

“NEON LIGHT”
Andrew Dorff
Moreendorffin Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.

“PERFECT STORM”
Lee Thomas Miller
The Country And Western Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“PLAY IT AGAIN”
Dallas Davidson
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.

“READY SET ROLL”
Rhett Akins
Chase Rice
Brooks County Boy Music
Dack Janiels Publishing
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Sony/ATV Countryside

“ROLLER COASTER”
Cole Swindell
Sony/ATV Tree

“SEE YOU TONIGHT”
Scotty McCreery
Dagum Music

“SHOTGUN RIDER”
Marv Green
Troy Verges
Goes Something Like This Music
Songs From The Engine Room
Songs of Universal, Inc.
The Good The Bad The Ugly Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“SMALL TOWN THROWDOWN”
Rhett Akins
Dallas Davidson
Brantley Gilbert
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Indiana Angel Music
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“SOMETHING IN THE WATER”
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Okie Music

“SOMEWHERE IN MY CAR”
Keith Urban
Mary Rose Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.

“SUN DAZE”
Sarah Buxton
Jesse Frasure
Tyler Hubbard
Brian Kelley
Big Loud Mountain
Big Red Toe Music
Bux Tone Music
Pranch Ringle Music
Rio Bravo Music
Round Hill Works
T Hubb Publishing

“SUNSHINE & WHISKEY”
Luke Laird
Creative Nation Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.

“TAKE IT ON BACK”
Dylan Altman
Chase Bryant
Tommy Lee James
BMG Platinum Songs
Once In A Blue Tune Music
Orbison Music LLC
Spirit of Nashville One
SWMBMGBMI

“TALLADEGA”
Eric Church
Luke Laird
Creative Nation Music
Longer And Louder Music
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Sony/ATV Tree

“THIS IS HOW WE ROLL”
Luke Bryan
Tyler Hubbard
Brian Kelley
Cole Swindell
Big Loud Mountain
Peanut Mill Songs
Pranch Ringle Music
Sony/ATV Tree
T Hubb Publishing

“TIL IT’S GONE”
Rodney Clawson
Jimmy Yeary
Beattyville Music
Big Red Toe Music
EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc.
Farm Town Songs
Great Day At This Music
Round Hill Works

“WHISKEY IN MY WATER”
Tyler Farr
Phillip LaRue
John Ozier
Let The Road Pave Itself
Maxx Music
Mike Curb Music
Over The Bar Music
Razor & Tie Music Publishing
Sony/ATV Tree

“WHO I AM WITH YOU”
Marv Green
Paul Jenkins
Made For This Music
Sony/ATV Tree
The Good The Bad The Ugly Publishing
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

“YEAH”
Bryan Simpson
Writers of Sea Gayle Music

Bobby Karl Works The ASCAP Country Music Awards

November 3, 2015/by Bobby Karl

Pictured (L-R): Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Justin Timberlake

Chapter 514

All photos by Ed Rode/Peyton Hoge for ASCAP

This year’s ASCAP Country Awards presentation strategically scattered stars throughout the evening on Monday (Nov.2), and they shined as brightly as ever.

Staged for the first time at the Omni Hotel Ballroom, the gala featured appearances by such luminaries as Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Reba McEntire, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, John Rich, Kip Moore, Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie & Tae, Jerrod Niemann, Old Dominion, A Thousand Horses, Frankie Ballard, Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and, get this, President Jimmy Carter.

The high point of the evening was the presentation of the Voice of Music Award to Trisha. Justin Timberlake hosted the tribute to her.

“I am very excited to be here to talk about the lovely Miss Trisha Yearwood,” he began. “Since her debut in the early ‘90s, she has given young women a voice through songs with powerful lyrics about love, loss and being true to one’s self….She is the epitome of Southern charm.”

Pictured (L-R): Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP; Michael Martin, VP Membership, ASCAP Nashville; Kelsea Ballerini; John Titta, EVP Membership, ASCAP.

Lady A sang a flawless arrangement of “Walkaway Joe” with poetic Dobro accompaniment by Jerry Douglas. Garth’s daughter Allie Brooks did “She’s In Love with the Boy.” Reba got a standing ovation for her lilting reading of “The Song Remembers When.” Then Paul Williams introduced President Carter, who received a thunderous standing ovation as he walked on stage.

Carter said Trisha is “a famous actress, a famous singer and a famous author. All of her books have been on The New York Times Bestseller list. I can’t say the same for mine.

“Trisha and her husband have been with me now for about 10 years, building Habitat for Humanity homes. She is one of the best Habitat for Humanity volunteers I’ve ever seen.” In fact, Garth and Trisha were with him earlier in the day, building a home in Memphis.

“President and Mrs. Rosalyn Carter, thank you so very much,” said Trisha, a Georgia native. “You show me and my husband not only what kind of marriage to have, but what kind of human beings to be.

Pictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell; Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley; Jon Platt, Warner Chappell.

“I was a demo singer for most of the people in this room. I know what a lucky girl I was….I am a singer, so I’ve always had great love and respect for songwriters…I hope you know that I am humbled and honored. Thank you to all the songwriters. I’m a big, big fan.”

Sam Hunt was named ASCAP’s Songwriter/Artist of the Year. “I bought a cheap, acoustic, pawn-shop guitar the summer after I graduated from high school, just because I was bored,” he recalled. “It changed my life. I moved to Nashville a couple of years after that. Those first few years were a struggle. God was putting me through this trial.” He was inspired by some remarks by Tom T. Hall and was tutored and polished by his Nashville songwriting contemporaries.

Among them was Josh Osborne, with whom Sam won the Song of the Year award for “Leave the Night On.” Said Josh, “We believed in Sam from Day One. I’m just so thankful that he was successful.” The songwriters also performed the song.

Ashley Gorley won the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year prize for the second consecutive time. Kelley Lovelace made the presentation, saying, “He’s a a natural, God-gifted writer, and a really good man with a great heart.”

Pictured (L-R): President Jimmy Carter and ASCAP President Paul Williams

“So many people in the community have taken a chance on me,” said Ashley. “Nashville is that place where you get to write with your friends, and everybody keeps raising the bar. It’s an amazing place that I get to call home now.”

On keyboards, Ashley performed “Play It Again” and “I See You,” with an assist from Luke Bryan on both. His other winning songs were “Just Getting’ Started” (Jason Aldean), “Rewind” (Rascal Flatts), “See You Tonight” (Scotty McCreery) and “Yeah” (Joe Nichols).

Warner/Chappell Music won Publisher of the Year. Company writer Charles Kelley co-presented this. Jerrod Niemann co-presented the Partners In Music Award to Logan’s Roadhouse. The restaurant chain is providing performance venues for up-and-coming ASCAP writers.

Barry Coburn told us that Nov. 2 marks the 95^th anniversary of the first commercial radio broadcast. It was by KDKA in Pittsburgh. This is also the 45^th anniversary of Country Radio Seminar, so commemorative plaques were given to Bill Mayne, Charlie Monk and Judy Harris.

Pictured (L-R): Cole Swindell and Michael Carter

The gala kicked off with a vibrant performance of “Break Up With Him” by Old Dominion. Later on, the top five Song of the Year contenders were performed by their writers. In addition to Ashley, Josh and Sam, the singing writers were Josh Kear on “Drinking Class” and Michael Carter on “Get Me Some of That.” In addition to being Luke’s lead guitarist and bandleader, Michael produces Cole Swindell, who performed with him.

Other writers honored at the ASCAP gala included Dierks, John Rich, Eric Paslay, Danny Orton, Ben Hayslip, Brent Anderson, Ryan Hurd (who also sings, so stay tuned), Mark Irwin, Chris Tompkins, Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlowe and Taylor Dye, Brett James, Justin Weaver, Jason Sellers, Adam Sanders, Shannon Lawson, Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi and Trevor Rosen, JT Harding, David Lee Murphy, Hillary Lindsey, Daniel Smyers of Dan + Shay, Marc Beeson, Matt Jenkins, Zach Crowell, Chris DeStefano, Jon Nite, Lady A’s Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley, Jaren Johnston, Jimmy Robbins, Scooter Carusoe, Matthew Ramsey and Jonathan Singleton.

About 40 percent of this year’s winners were first-timers. Led by Michael Martin and new CEO Beth Matthews, various ASCAP execs took turns hosting.

More than 800 guests attended, including such performers as Lee Ann Womack, Desmond Child, Chuck Wicks, The Swon Brothers, Chip Esten, Gary Nicholson, Gary Burr & Georgia Middleman, Lane Brody, Drake White, David Nail, Pat Alger, Cadillac Three, Tyler Farr, Cassadee Pope, Brothers Osborne and Levi Hummon. Dynamo publishers such as Celia Froehlig, Carla Wallace, Kerry O’Neil, Craig Wiseman, Drew Alexander, Mark Brown, Mike Hollandsworth, Mike Sebastian, Terry Wakefield, Chris Farren, B.J. Weaver and Dale Dodson were there.

Sam Hunt performs Song of the Year “Leave the Night On”

So were Frank Liddell, Frank Rogers, Ken Levitan, Kevin Lamb, Mike Dungan, Michael Knox, Scott Borchetta & Sandi Spika Borchetta, Doug & Linda Edell Howard, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Regina & Ron Stuve, Allison Brown Jones, Rusty Jones, Scott Siman, Ronna Rubin, Fletcher Foster, Tom Luteran, Allen Shamblin, Wayland Holyfield, Liz Hengber, Julian King, Randy Goodman and Garth Fundis.

Dinner began with a salad featuring apple slices, greens, blue cheese crumbles and walnuts. The entrée had beef medallions, roast tomato, mashed potato, fish filet and asparagus spears. The sinfully irresistible desert was Neopolitan mousse.

That part of the event, the Omni got right. The audio, not so much. The sound for both the music and the speeches seemed to bounce around the room and become so muddy that people could barely be understood.

But people were there to party, regardless. David Crow, David Malloy, Doug Casmus, Buddy Cannon, Blake Chancey, Earle Simmons, Julie Boos, Byron Gallimore, Jay Frank, Brent Maher, John Marks, Rod Essig, Ron Cox, Andrew Kintz, Larry McCormick, Patrick Clifford, Dixie Owen, Jackie Marushka, George Walker IV, LeAnn Phelan, Susan Niles, Nick Ferrara and Mark Ford made merry.

Keep those scorecards handy, because more winners are on the way via BMI, the CMA and, soon, the NATD.

Pictured (L-R): Cole Swindell and Michael Carter

Reba McEntire sings Trisha Yearwood’s “The Song Remembers When”

Ashley Gorley accepts the Songwriter of the Year Award.

Pictured (L-R): Justin Timberlake, Lady Antebellum, Trisha Yearwood, Allie Brooks, President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Carter, ASCAP President Paul Williams, Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks.

Pictured (L-R): Justin Timberlake, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Allie Brooks, Dave Haywood, Trisha Yearwood, President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Carter, ASCAP President Paul Williams, Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks.

Hayley Orrantia Brings Passion For Music To ‘The Goldbergs’

November 3, 2015/by Sherod Robertson

Hayley Orrantia. Photo: Kevin Thomas Photography

Hayley Orrantia may be best known for her role on ABC-TV’s hit comedy series The Goldbergs, but music is her first love. Growing up in Texas, she started singing at age 9, and admits to practicing her favorite songs by Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Faith Hill and Martina McBride in front of the mirror with a hairbrush.

Today, at age 21, she stars on the show as character “Erica Goldberg,” a teenager who shares her real-life love of music.

Orrantia recently released her first country single, “Love Sick.” The frequent Nashville visitor took a break from house-hunting to speak to MusicRow via phone.

MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson: When was your first visit to Nashville? What do you remember about it?

Hayley Orrantia: I had just turned 14 and was starting to write songs by myself. Songwriters Tim and Angela Lauer were guiding me through the process and co-writing with me. I was trying to do the whole Disney acting thing, so a lot of our songs were towards that genre. They were always really great mentors to me. That was my first visit, and then it took a few years before I finally got to come back.

Hayley Orrantia. Photo: Kevin Thomas Photography

Now that you come to Nashville regularly, who have you been working with?

Orrantia: I really like the cool team that I’ve created here. I’ve been working with Liz Rose, Emily Shackelton and Mark Bright. He’s my producer and has been writing in some of my sessions too. Corey Crowder is one of my favorite people to write with. He’s so good at what he does and he’s great about leaving the floor open to my ideas. I was worried because coming out to Nashville and writing with such great writers is sacred.

How did you end up connecting with Mark Bright?

Orrantia: Jeff Biederman, who is my entertainment lawyer, used to work here in Nashville, and he knows Rob Beckham at WME. So I connected with Rob, who is now my music agent. Rob pointed me towards Mark and we’ve been working together ever since.

One of the cool things about your character on The Goldbergs is that she sings. Is that a coincidence?

Orrantia: No, my character is based on the older brother of the real Adam F. Goldberg. His older brother’s name is Eric. But Adam needed another female character in the show, so he changed Eric to Erica. There was no musical trait about the character at all, but I mentioned to the producers that if there was an opportunity for me to sing on the show, I would be so grateful. In Season 1, they let me do that in one of the episodes, and have let me do it on multiple episodes ever since, which I love.

I am a singer first and foremost, and music’s always been so important to me. I kind of fell into acting, in a way, because of music. I was going on auditions a lot, going out to Los Angeles during pilot season while I was in high school. By the time I was 19, I happened to get the audition for The Goldbergs, and the minute I got the script, I knew that it was a role that I really connected with. I’m still happy to be working on it because it’s such a funny show.

How did you decide to record your song “Hasta Verte” in Spanish?

Orrantia: I’m a quarter Hispanic and have always been very proud of that side of my family heritage. It was something I wanted to try, even though I don’t speak it fluently. I’ve been challenging myself to learn Spanish and speak it fluently.

I felt like of all my songs, “Until Then” would resonate the most in another language because “Until Then” is about a family friend who passed away from cancer. A lot of people have had to deal with losing someone that’s very close to them, and I felt like that’s why this song would resonate so much in other countries and with people of all different languages.