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DISClaimer: Janson’s “Boat” Is Sailing High

May 7, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

There’s a new sheriff in town.

Actually, he’s been around awhile, performing often at the Grand Ole Opry, writing songs beaucoup, issuing records on an independent label and earning a reputation as a highly entertaining stage performer. Now Chris Janson not only has a major-label shot, but has the most delightful new song of the season. Give that man a Disc of the Day award.

Also lend your ears to the singles by The Cadillac Three, Jason Michael Carroll, Lee Brice and Steven Ybarra. Not to mention The Bigsbys. I know next-to-nothing about these guys, except that their raw oomph won them my DisCovery Award. Judging by their touring schedule, I’d say they are Texans.

CHRIS JANSON/Buy Me A Boat
Writers: Chris Janson/Chris DuBois; Producers: Chris DuBois/Brent Anderson/Chris Janson; Publishers: Red Vinyl/Buckkilla/House of Sea Gayle, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Where do I begin? The shuddering-twang guitar work; the hillbilly-accented delivery; the wildly inventive lyric; the hook-filled melody; the blue-collar message. It’s all here, and then some. In a word, brilliant. The rest of you gathered here today for my listening enjoyment might as well pack your bags.

NATASHA BORZILOVA/Wilder Days
Writer: Natasha Borzilova; Producers: Natasha Borzilova/John Caldwell; Publisher: Uncle Hadley, ASCAP; Hadley Music
-The title tune of this former Bering Strait frontwoman’s fourth solo outing is kissed with mandolin twinkles and crunchy guitar chops. It takes a good while to get to the hook. But the getting-there sure is listenable.

THE CADILLAC THREE/White Lightning
Writer: Jaren Johnston; Producers: Dann Huff/Justin Niebank; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Texa Rae, ASCAP; Big Machine
-Not to be confused with the George Jones/Sawyer Brown chestnut, this is a love song where emotion hits him with the force of a thunderstorm. Well written, produced with panache and performed with intense believability. Groovy in the extreme. This trio has so far issued nothing but excellent records. It is high time you played them.

RANDY ROGERS & WADE BOWEN/In The Next Life
Writers: Wade Bowen/Randy Rogers; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publishers: Theycallmepaul/Warner-Tamerlane/Trouble Songs, ASCAP/BMI; Lil’ Buddy Toons
-These two longtime buddies have teamed up on a CD titled Hold My Beer Vol. 1. It kicks off with this autobiographical thumpy jangler. Their brotherhood/friendship glows in every note. And, boy, is this country, country, country. My kinda music. In case you’re wondering: What happens “in the next life,” is “we’re gonna be ourselves again.”

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL & THE TIME JUMPERS/Faded Love
Writers: Bob Wills/John Wills; Producers: Ray Benson/Sam Seifert; Publishers: none listed; Bismeaux (track)
-Asleep at the Wheel’s latest Bob Wills tribute CD is called Still the King. You’ll find Lyle Lovett, Brad Paisley, Merle Haggard, Old Crow Medicine Show, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson and more on its 22 tracks. The most poignant one is this — the all-time western-swing classic performed by the two bands on earth that understand this music best, highlighted by a soul-piercing vocal by Dawn Sears. The Jumpers’ singer died last December, so this is her fitting epitaph.

The Bigsbys

THE BIGSBYS/Keep You Waiting
Writers: Alex Smith/Jonathan Tyler; Producer: Jonathan Tyler; Publisher: Swanson Hill, no performance rights listed; Shiner
-This four-piece combo lets fly with a robust, muscular, country-rocking sound. The single features a deep, deep bass rhythm track and three-part harmony choruses. There is a scrappy energy here that I find enormously endearing. Recommended.

LEE BRICE/That Don’t Sound Like You
Writers: Lee Brice/Rhett Akins/Ashley Gorley; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Curb (track)
– Admittedly, following “I Don’t Dance” and “Drinking Class” is daunting. For any other artist, this would be a perfectly good single. But by comparison with its predecessors, the song is ordinary.

SCOTT DEAN/In My Arms
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; SDC (track)
-This guy works the Texas market. To go further, I’d recommend a more imaginative production approach.

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL/God Only Knows
Writers: J.M. Carroll/P. Good/A.J. Babcock; Producer: J.M. Carroll; Publishers: none listed; For the Loney/Malaco (track)
-Not to be confused with The Beach Boys classic with the same title, this is a country rocker about a no-good man who loses his gal because of his carousing. The track bristles with energy, and his singing has never sounded stronger. Well done.

STEVEN YBARRA/What I Really Want To Say
Writers: Steven Ybarra/Diane Waters; Producers: Steven Ybarra, Chris Rodriguez, Dran Michael & Chad Jeffers; Publishers: none listed; Pacific (track)
-The title tune of this fellow’s CD kicks off the collection with some ear-opening, thunderous, stark drum pounding. But by the time he swings into the chorus, it’s sunny fiddling, soaring guitars and tenor vocal gliding all the way. Polished, promising and highly professional.

Weekly Register: Strong Debuts From ZBB, Tyler Farr

May 6, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Country had a great showing this week. Zac Brown Band’s latest, Jekyll + Hyde, debuts at No. 1 overall, with 228K total activity, 214K album only. The superstar act scored one of the biggest country debuts in recent memory, along with October 2014 releases by Florida Georgia Line (197K) and Jason Aldean (278K).

Meanwhile Tyler Farr’s sophomore effort had a strong debut, entering at No. 2 country with Suffer In Peace moving 42K (36K album only). With today’s chart position, Farr is the only solo male country artist in the last 10 years to have his first two studio albums debut in the top 5 on the Billboard 200 Chart.

Both Farr and ZBB had hit singles going into release week, with “Homegrown” and “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” respectively.

Rounding out the top 5 on the country album chart are No. 3 Reba (15K), No. 4 Sam Hunt (15K) and No. 5 Little Big Town (8.2K).

The foursome also holds the top country track position, with “Girl Crush” selling 81K TW. By comparison, the top overall track, Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” sold 285K.

The Voice’s Corey Kent White had the top country track debut with “When I See You Smile” selling 15K and coming in at No. 16. Fellow contestant Sawyer Fredericks had the top overall debut with “Simple Man” selling 59K.

Top 5 Country Tracks this week
LBT “Girl Crush” 81K
Blake Shelton “Sangria” 58K
Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” 45K
FGL “Sippin’ on Fire” 30K
Eric Church “Like A Wrecking Ball” 29.5K

YTD Tracks
Overall -10.6%
Country -16.6%

YTD Albums
Overall -2.6%
Country -7.5%

According to Nielsen Soundscan.

LeAnn Phelan Joins Newly Formed Sea Gayle Management

May 4, 2015/by Sarah Skates

LeAnn Phelan

LeAnn Phelan has exited her post as joint leader of ASCAP’s Nashville Membership/Creative team, and joined the newly formed Sea Gayle Management. In the new role, she and Sea Gayle co-founder Chris DuBois will work with artists Jerrod Niemann and Jimmy Robbins.

She previously headed ASCAP’s Nashville Membership/Creative team with Michael Martin, who remains in his role at the PRO.

“Every job I’ve had has been a learning experience, but none more expansive as my time at ASCAP,” said Phelan. “Each member of the team at ASCAP contributes above and beyond every day and it was an honor to work alongside them. I want to thank John Titta and Vincent Candilora for their guidance and support. And I especially want to thank Michael Martin for his strong leadership, trust and communication. ASCAP is in stellar hands under Michael’s guidance. I am thrilled to be a part of Sea Gayle’s new venture in management. I have respected Chris DuBois and the team there for many years and I’m looking forward to contributing to their continued growth as a company.”

John Titta, ASCAP Executive VP of Membership, said, “LeAnn’s leadership has helped to build an incredible Creative team in Nashville, who, led by Michael Martin, will continue to offer outstanding service to our members. We look forward to working with LeAnn in her new role alongside ASCAP members Brad Paisley and Chris DuBois, and Sea Gayle’s GM Marc Driskill, who formerly led the team at ASCAP Nashville.”

ASCAP’s Michael Martin added, “I thoroughly enjoyed managing the Nashville office with LeAnn. She created programs that will leave a lasting legacy, including the ASCAP Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters (GPS) Project and the ASCAP female artist mentoring group she created. And, of course, we’re thrilled that her new position will keep her in the extended ASCAP family.”

Phelan’s career includes time with 19 Entertainment as a Writer/Producer Manager and as a preliminary judge for American Idol auditions seasons 6-9.

Before joining 19, she was Sr. Director, A&R at Sony Nashville and VP at Combustion Music. She started in publishing at Windswept in 1996, and began her career as a background vocalist/musician touring with Steve Winwood’s Roll With It World Tour in 1988.

Phelan serves on the ACM board of directors, The Recording Academy board of governors, and the Possibilities! board of directors. She has been honored as one of Billboard’s Most Powerful Women in Music.

Sea Gayle Music, the publishing company, was founded in 1999 by DuBois, Paisley and Frank Rogers. In recent years, it expanded with Sea Gayle Records, which is home to artists including Jerrod Niemann and Sheryl Crow.

She can be reached at her new office at lphelan@seagayle.com.

Weekly Chart Report (5/1/15)

May 1, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

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

DISClaimer: A Potpourri of Americana

April 30, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Jerry Lawson

Today’s journey through Americana music is a potpourri of sounds.

Marquee country names such as Shelby Lynne and Lee Ann Womack are here. But so are soul singer Jerry Lawson, rhythmic folkies The Kennedys and veteran troubadours Greg Trooper and John Moreland. I’m not sure just how to describe Nataly Dawn, but the adventurous listeners among you need to hear her.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Pokey LaFarge. His jazzy, razamatazzy style makes you feel good all over.

The same might be said for the burnished glow of the voice of Jerry Lawson. He might be a veteran of The Persuasions, but this is his solo debut. And for that, he wins the DisCovery Award.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Too High
Writers: none listed; Producer: Brendan O’Brien; Publishers: none listed; Rounder (track)
-Country-rock with a slightly “outlaw” rumble. The hard-luck lyric has the protagonist giving up in the face of economic and social forces. Very country and very effective. I dig this band.

SHELBY LYNNE/I Can’t Imagine
Writers: Shelby Lynne/Pete Donnelly; Producer: Shelby Lynne; Publishers: Swampyblu/Pete Donnelly, BMI; Rounder (track)
-The tempestuous diva returns, still smoldering with emotion. The title tune to her new CD finds her moaning the blues in her upper vocal register, backing by weeping steel guitar. I remain a fan.

SHANNON McNALLY/I Must Be in a Good Place Now
Writers: none listed; Producer: Shannon McNally & Mac Rebennack; Sacred Sumac
-I am extremely late in getting to this, but I can’t let a tribute record to the late Bobby Charles slip by without a mention. The swamp-pop great is evocatively recalled in this drawling, languid ballad that closes the set. Flute and violin notes flutter around her laid-back vocal delivery. Elsewhere on the Small Town Talk CD, you’ll find Vince Gill, Dr. John, Derek Trucks and Luther Dickinson dropping by for instrumental support.

JERRY LAWSON/I’ll Come Running Back to You
Writers: William Stovall Clark; Producer: Eric Brace; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Big Billy, BMI; Red Beet (track)
-This outstanding soul singer was previously the lead vocalist in the a cappella group The Persuasions. He came to Nashville to craft his first solo album, which salutes such predecessors as Sam Cooke, David Ruffin and Bobby “Blue” Bland. With gently strummed acoustic guitar and soft harmony voices, Lawson is effortlessly captivating on this rolling, swaying track. Throughout the I’m Just a Mortal Man CD, his sandpapery, gospel-inflected delivery is gripping. The McCrary Sisters, Jim Lauderdale, Peter Cooper and Thom Jutz are among the cast members. If you love classic soul music, this is essential.

GREG TROOPER/All the Way to Amsterdam
Writers: Greg Trooper; Producer: Keith Gary; Publishers: 52 Shakes, BMI; 52 Shakes (track)
-Trooper’s latest is Live from the Rock Room. It contains in-concert versions of many of the veteran’s most memorable songs. This word portrait of a hopeful pair of losers jangles in all the right places, and the singer-songwriter’s crystal-clear vocal performance drives home every poetic line.

LEE ANN WOMACK/Trouble In Mind
Writers: Richard M. Jones; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Universal, no performance rights listed; Sugar Hill (track)
-Womack wanted to create something special for her Record Store Day release. So she went into the studio with just ace guitarist Richard Bennett to make a three-song vinyl release. Its title tune is this 1937 blues classic. Her magical voice weaves a sorcerous spell.

THE KENNEDYS/West
Writers: Pete Kennedy; Producer: Pete and Maura Kennedy; Publishers: Parade of Echoes, BMI; Kennedys (track)
-Pete and Maura Kennedy have been at it for 20 years now. The title tune of their latest collection features loads of deep-twang guitar, steady rhythm, melodic hooks and their trademark twin vocal harmony work. Country music laced with a folk sensibility.

JOHN MORELAND/Cherokee
Writers: John Moreland; Producer: John Moreland; Publishers: FTWSNGS, BMI; Old Omens (track)
-This troubadour’s latest is titled High on Tulsa Heat. It includes this longtime concert favorite, an addict’s fevered dream of redemption and healing. Between the ballad’s gripping lyric and his rasp-groan vocal, I guarantee it will haunt you.

NATALY DAWN/Araceli
Writers: Nataly Dawn; Producer: Jack Conte; Publishers: Nataly Dawn, ASCAP; Nonesuch (track)
-Now here’s something from out of left field. The eccentric-sounding track has a galumphing, herky-jerky rhythm. The lyric name-drops figures from Greek mythology. Her vocal is all over the melodic scale. Fascinating, to say the least.

Pokey LaFarge

POKEY LaFARGE/Something In The Water
Writers: Pokey LaFarge/Jimmy Sutton/Scott Ligon/Casey McDonough; Producers: Jimmy Sutton & Pokey LaFarge; Publishers: Pokey LaFarge/Chesterboy/Legmusic/Bardough, BMI/ASCAP; Rounder (track)
-Former Jack White / Third Man Records protege Pokey LaFarge makes his Rounder debut with a delightful collection. Its lead-off track and title tune samples elements from swing, ragtime, blues and country for an utterly charming sonic gumbo. Happily, it is symptomatic of the whole jazzbo album. If he sounds familiar, perhaps you caught him warbling on the soundtrack of TV’s Boardwalk Empire. Whatever the case, you need this music in your life.

Weekly Register: Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen Say ‘Hold My Beer’

April 29, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Reba’s Love Somebody hangs on to the No. 1 country album spot for a second week, roping in 23K TW/81K RTD.

The biggest country debut belongs to Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen who teamed for Hold My Beer, Vol. 1, which comes in at No. 4 with 12.5K.

Performances on the ACM Awards helped boost Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Sam Hunt and Christina Aguilera. Little Big Town’s Pain Killer album got a 22 percent bump, moving 14K this week and coming in at No. 3. Current single “Girl Crush” continues to grow in popularity, getting a 13 percent increase, and selling 110K TW to sit at No. 1 country and No. 3 overall.

Lambert’s album Platinum came it at No. 5 with sales of 11K, a 33 percent increase week over week.

Hunt’s Montevallo hangs at No. 2 with 18K. His single “Take Your Time” is at No. 2 country, selling 58K TW and taking over the 1 million mark.

Shelton, who hosted and performed on the ACMs, jumps 57 percent with single “Sangria” which sold 39K TW.

The top country single debut this week is Christina Aguilera’s “Shotgun,” which is No. 7 with sales of 30K. Xtina is in the middle of an arc on the TV show Nashville.

On the overall album chart, Alabama Shakes debuted at No. 1 with Sound + Color, 96K (total consumption). Wiz Khalifa is the No. 1 track wizard, with “See You Again” selling 316K.

Double Shot: Kenny Chesney Celebrates Back-to-Back No. 1 Hits

April 29, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kenny Chesney and Rodney Clawson.

ASCAP’s Michael Martin and BMI’s Clay Bradley hosted a mega-celebration at BMI Nashville’s lobby on April 28 to celebrate not one, but two No. 1 songs.

Kenny Chesney and songwriters Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, David Lee Murphy, and Jimmy Yeary were honored yesterday for the chart-topping songs “American Kids” and “‘Til It’s Gone.” The songs mark Chesney’s 25th and 26th chart-toppers.

“As a [song] plugger, it’s a special day when a song like this comes in,” said Big Red Toe’s Matt Turner of the song “American Kids,” penned by Clawson, Laird and McAnally. “It’s not a matter of if it will get cut, but when and who.”

Even as equally top-notch songwriters, it was clear that each writer was a friend and fan of the others. “To all the young songwriters, get in a writing room with Luke Laird. That’s the key to a good song,” said McAnally. “And luckily he introduced me to Rodney Clawson. I’m so blessed to get to do this for a living every day.” He got another blessing that day from his hometown of Mineral Wells, Texas. April 28, 2015 was proclaimed as Shane McAnally day in the city.

For Laird, earning a No. 1 song recorded by Kenny Chesney was a full-circle moment. “I often tell people my first cut was a Lee Ann Womack cut,” said Laird, before revealing that his very first cut by an artist came years ago when Kenny Chesney recorded a song Laird penned, titled “Miss Mexico.” “It didn’t make the record,” Laird said. “I appreciate you cutting this song.” He also praised co-writers Clawson and McAnally. “You go through so many writing relationships. These guys Rodney and Shane aren’t here by luck. They show up every time [to write]. They raise the bar, and make me want to be a better writer.”

Creative Nation’s Beth Laird was on hand to honor the song’s writers with custom-crafted side tables made with vinyl album covers–one side emblazoned with a vinyl cover of “American Kids,” and the other with a John Mellencamp vinyl cover.

Others offering praise to the songwriters and to Kenny were Universal Music Publishing Group’s Kent Earls and Round Hill Music’s Mark Brown.

Pictured (L-R): David Lee Murphy, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Yeary, and Rodney Clawson

The day’s other celebrated tune, “‘Til It’s Gone,” was penned by Clawson, Yeary, and Murphy.

THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston encouraged a round of wild applause for all the writers, before sharing the decidedly vintage route “‘Til It’s Gone” took to being recorded. “They made a true old-school work tape. Just guitars played into cell phones, that’s what Kenny heard. The fact that at this point [Kenny] would listen to work tapes and hear through that and want to record it—hearing that Kenny is recording your song is a highlight of any writer’s year.” Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson also tributed the writers, as well as Chesney’s producer Buddy Cannon and Columbia Nashville’s Norbert Nix.

Among those celebrating the writers and artist were CMA’s Brenden Oliver, CRB’s Holly Lane, and Avenue Bank’s Cooper Samuels.

“I think it was David Lee who said to me, ‘Well, when you get back out there, what do you want to say to your audience?’” said Chesney. “And this song [“Til It’s Gone”] is about living in the moment WITH someone, but if you back away… and look at it as all those people (in the audience), that’s exactly what I wanted to say. I knew when I heard the demo, the groove, the mood, the lyric that was it! I’m blessed they send me their demos.”

“These songwriters pour their hearts out every day and their talent takes Nashville to another level,” Bradley summed. Referencing Chesney’s recent concerts at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and his well-known work ethic, Bradley said, “Your passion to be the best inspires us all.”

Chesney also used the moment in the spotlight to announce that David Lee Murphy will soon release a new project of his own. Chesney is in the studio mixing a new album for the “Party Crowd” singer-songwriter.

Frank Rogers, Sea Gayle Music Part Ways

April 28, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Frank Rogers

Frank Rogers and Sea Gayle Music have amicably parted ways. He co-founded the publishing company in 1999 with Brad Paisley and Chris DuBois.

Rogers tells MusicRow, “After 16 wonderful years at Sea Gayle Music, the time has come for me to embark on a new adventure. I have enjoyed and been extremely proud of everything that Chris, Brad, myself, all of the writers and staff have accomplished together over the years. What started as just an idea has grown into one of the top independent publishing companies in country music history. I leave with nothing but great pride, friendships and memories.”

DuBois says, “For the last 16 years, Frank has been a great friend and a great business partner. We look forward to continuing as friends and finding new ways to work together as Frank carves a new path. On behalf of myself, Brad and everyone at Sea Gayle, we wish him the best of luck.”

Rogers is a multi-platinum producer, hit songwriter and publisher. He is a three-time winner of MusicRow’s Producer of the Year award with production credits that include Paisley, Josh Turner, Darius Rucker, Trace Adkins, Scotty McCreery and Joe Robinson.

In recent years, the company launched Sea Gayle Records, which is home to artists including Jerrod Niemann and Sheryl Crow.

Singer-Songwriter Haley Georgia Inks Deal with EMI Records Nashville

April 27, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Front Row (L-R): UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, EMI Nashville artist Haley Georgia, UMG Nashville A&R Vice President Autumn House-Tallant. Back Row (L-R): UMG Nashville Sr. VP Promotion Royce Risser, WME’s Kevin Neal, UMG Nashville VP Business & Legal Affairs Rob Femia, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe, Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora, UMG Nashville Sr. VP & COO Tom Becci. Photo: Alan Poizner

EMI Records Nashville has added Little Louder Music songwriter Haley Georgia to its artist roster. The 20-year old Texas native’s debut single “Ridiculous” currently playing on SiriusXM. The tongue-in-cheek tune is also available on streaming services and is expected to hit non-satellite radio this summer.

Haley has multiple performances lined up for Nashville’s CMA Music Fest this June – her first as an artist. CMA Music Fest performance details will be announced soon.

Watch the lyric video for Georgia’s single “Ridiculous” below.

Bobby Karl Works The George Jones Museum Opening

April 24, 2015/by Bobby Karl

Pictured (L-R): Marsha Blackburn, Nancy Jones, Lorrie Morgan, Jeannie Seely, Jan Howard, Tracy Lawrence, John Rich, Moe Bandy, Bill Cody, Karl Dean.

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 486

Run, do not walk, to the new George Jones Museum.

At its gala grand opening party on Thursday (April 23), this place instantly vaulted into the top ranks of Nashville attractions. The space is awesome, the displays are imaginative, the souvenirs are dandy, the building is sensational and the food is delish. The address is 128 2nd Ave. N. (the Old Graham Central Station club). Go there at once.

“It’s an honor to have you here,” said widow Nancy Jones. “George always had quite a few friends,” she added, referring to the tremendous turnout. “I can’t even explain how happy I am. I wish he was here to see it. I love each and every one of you.”

Helen Scroggins, 93, is now the last living of the eight Jones siblings. “He was my world for a long time,” she said of her Hall of Famer brother. By the way, Helen’s husband was the one who left the keys in the infamous riding lawnmower.

“You can’t keep a good woman down, can you?” said Rep. Marsha Blackburn of the indomitable Nancy. “She was determined [to create the museum], and she absolutely pulled it off. Girlfriend, congratulations!”

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey grew up as an East Tennessee farmboy who loved the legendary George Jones. “I’ve gotten to do a lot of pretty cool stuff in my life,” he said. “I mean this from the bottom of my heart, Nancy, this is the greatest of them all. What an honor it is to open this museum tonight.

“The Best Voice in Music – not just country music – is George Jones. Thank you for allowing George to live on. That’s what’s happening here tonight.”

Mayor Karl Dean added, “This is a wonderful tribute to him. People come to Nashville because of the music. On behalf of the people of Nashville, thank you for your confidence in the city. Thank you for your investment in the city. Thank you for all that you have done.”

Pictured (L-R): Moe Bandy, U.S. Rep Marsha Blackburn, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Tennessee Lt. Gov Ron Ramsey, Nancy Jones, WSM-AM Host Bill Cody, Naomi Judd, John Rich.

The politicians weren’t the only celebs celebrating this terrific new attraction. Working the red carpet were Ricky Skaggs, Lee Greenwood, D. Vincent Williams, Moe Bandy, Tracy Lawrence, The Roys, Jeannie Seely, T. Graham Brown, T.G. Sheppard & Kelly Lang, Diane Sherrill, Con Hunley, Kayla Adams, John Berry, Rhonda Vincent, Billy Yates, Jan Howard, Dustin Miller of the new act Double Barrel, Naomi Judd, Rex Allen Jr., Branch & Dean, John Rich, Buddy Jewell, Lisa Matassa, Cerrito and emcee Bill Cody.

You enter at street level through the gift shop. A lifesize statue of Jones greets you with a raised hand to one of Music City’s largest such emporiums. His flaming-red Possum pickup truck is just inside.

Pausing to admire the goods were Charlie Monk, Alan Messer, Martha Moore, Moore & Moore, Rob Beckham, Sheri Warnke, Rose Drake, Keith Bilbrey, Bob Paxman, Ron Cox and Chuck Dauphin.

Beyond the gift shop is a spacious bar and Possum Holler restaurant overlooking the Cumberland River. We sampled chicken salad and ham pimento cheese on toasts, shrimp cocktails, barbecue pork sliders, coleslaw, spicy fried chicken skewers, imaginatively cilantro-flavored beef tacos and mini ham sandwiches.

George Jones

On the second floor is the museum, itself. You enter through a vestibule with a tribute-video wall and a wall of album jackets. The first displays are about the star’s childhood in Beaumont, TX. An “influences” wall spotlights Roy Acuff, Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell. In the display saluting his boyhood radio stations KRIC (Beaumont) and KTZJ (Jasper) are listening stations of his early hits.

The main stopping places are the large “decade” display cases. The one labeled “1950s” contains Starday Records items, Louisiana Hayride posters and the like. The “1960s” case houses guitars, boots, vintage photos and rhinestone Nudie suits including the ones decorated with “Window Up Above” and “White Lightning” appliques.

The “1970s” case includes Tammy Wynette artifacts and duet videos. The “1980s” case salutes Nancy with a “She Changed Everything” section. These cases also include costumes, award certificates, photos and other memorabilia as do the “1990s” and “2000s” display cases. In addition, the last named houses material relating to his 1999 car wreck, his 70th birthday bash and his 50th anniversary in show biz gala.

There’s more. A separate display honors “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” There is a “Sing Along with George” vocal booth (“High Tech Redneck” is the selection) and a colorful diorama of the Jones country music park.

And more. His easy chair. His NFL helmets and autographed footballs. His award statuettes. His white grand piano (with “He Stopped Loving Her Today” sheet music ready to play). Mama Clara’s mink stole and Bible. His private barbershop. The riding lawnmower. Holograms. Video screens. Listening stations. More than 1,000 artifacts.

A “Friends of George Jones” case contains artifacts from Tanya Tucker, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings and Alan Jackson. You can have your family photo taken on the giant rocking chair, opposite the George Foreman display with boxing gloves, a photo, a framed letter and a video screen showing “I Don’t Need Your Rocking Chair.”

In the middle of the museum is a small stage, which featured bluegrass pickers. At the back of the museum is a small theater with leather-padded rocking chairs and costumes in cases. As you exit, there’s a star-studded giant photo of those who saluted him at the tribute TV special. Plus a guitar signed by all of them.

Oohing and ahhing were Michael Campbell, Mike Vaden, Mike Kraski, Sandy Knox, Katie Gillon, Tom Roland, Regina Stuve, new Country Music Hall of Fame publicist Edie Emery, Evelyn Shriver, Charles Bell, Jimmy Carter, Greg England, Susan Nadler and Buddy Cannon.

One special guest was screenwriter Alan Wenkus. He wrote the script for the upcoming rap movie about N.W.A. His newly finished script is for the No Show Jones bio film that backers are hoping to put into production in 2016.

Jaws dropped when we got to the third floor. This is a vast event space featuring a stage at one end (featuring a swing band), a long bar in the middle and a glass wall at the other end overlooking the Titans stadium, Shelby Street Bridge, Gholst Dance Ballet sculpture and Riverfront Park.

The grand finale was the fourth floor, a rooftop open-air bar also overlooking the sights mentioned above. Can you imagine viewing CMA Fest and/or the Fourth of July bash from there? I thought you could.

“I’m pleased with everything here,” said Nancy Jones. “I’m just thrilled.”

“George Jones didn’t live through country music; country music lived through George Jones,” said Naomi Judd. “Nobody will ever, ever fill his shoes.”

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