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DISClaimer: Dreamers & Singers

March 6, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

This is a week for beginners. Fully eight of these 10 artists are making their debuts in the DisClaimer column. And both of our winners are first timers.

Young RaeLynn wins our Disc of the Day prize. Heaven knows, we need more solo females in this format. Native Texan Darwin Macon bursts on the scene with one of the finest singles in this stack of platters. And it is, hands down, the best song of the day. Give that man a DisCovery Award.

GREG SHIRLEY/The Good Drugs
Writers: Chris Wallin/Dave Gibson; Producers: T.W. Cargile/Greg Shirley; Publishers: Ole Red Cape/29 Cent Hamburger/ASCAP; Garage Door
-Alabama’s Greg Shirley was one of the dozens of new artists showcasing during CRS last week. His ballad is tastefully produced, sung with country authority and carries a cautionary message from an old man to a youngster. Recommended.

RAELYNN/For A Boy
Writers: RaeLynn/Laura Veltz; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Super Big/I Take the Bull By the Horns/Big Machine/Prescription/Kobalt/Warner-Tamerlane/Oh Denise, ASCAP/BMI; Valory Music
-Catchy and youthful. Accompanied by a bouncing, beefy track, she’s urging a guy to go ahead and make a move.

EILEEN CAREY/Sweet Love
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RolleyCstr
-Thin sounding. The band is spare, and her singing is pretty lightweight.

MITCH GOUDY/My Girl’s Hand
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Third Floor
-He kinda mumbles and meanders in the heartbroken verses. He opens up vocally in the choruses, finally getting to the point: “He’s holding my girl’s hand.”

DARWIN MACON/I Still Drink About Her
Writers: Bobby Terry/Jason Sellers; Producer: Jason Rooks; Publishers: none listed; Macon Bacon
-This wins points for the title, alone. The singer is solidly country and the production jangles admirably. And you can’t beat a lyric like this: “One more to remember, one more to forget, one more for the road that I can’t seem to go down yet.” A winner.

ADRIAN JOHNSTON/Avalanche
Writers: Heather Morgan/Zac Maloy; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Warner Chappell, no performance rights listed; AJ
-The intent is rock ‘em, sock ‘em. I wasn’t convinced.

ERNIE OLDFIELD/Seven Days
Writers: Peter Jordan; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; World International
-I sort of like the drum-machine, Euro-pop production mixed with the on-the-road, sing-songy country tune. Ear grabbing.

POOR J. BROWN/Daddy’s Son
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; PJB
-This is the debut single from a six-piece Texas band. Vocally and instrumentally, they sound like they have the goods. The song, however, has almost no melody whatsoever.

HEATHER DICKSON/Eventually
Writers: Terri Sharp; Producer: Rick Durrett; Publishers: Bocephus/Paradise Cove, BMI; Heartshake (track)
-The singer is from Scotland. The songwriter is from Texas. The producer is from Nashville. They all seem talented, but the sum of their efforts just lays there lifeless.

MOONLIGHT SOCIAL/Heading South
Writers: Jeremy Burchard/Jennica Scott; Producers: Matt Noveskey/Jeremy Burchard; Publisher: none listed; MS
-This is male-female duo. She sings with striking, full-throated volume, and he wails harmony with equal force. The track burns with fiery energy. The only drawback is that the song’s title is buried. Send more. I am definitely intrigued.

Weekly Register: Beachin’ With Luke Bryan

March 4, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Bryan is beachin.’ His spring break concerts are next week in Panama City, to coincide with the release of his final spring break album.

Luke Bryan is bringing spring fever to the country tracks chart. His latest songs “Games” (30K) and “Spring Breakdown” (17K) debuted at No. 3 and 14, respectively. They are from his March 10 Spring Break…Checkin’ Out album, the final release in his spring break series. The project offers five new songs and six tracks from last year’s EP. To celebrate release day, Bryan will play two free concerts at Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City, Fla., on March 11 and 12. Over 230,000 fans came out for last year’s shows.

Elsewhere on the country tracks chart, the Pete Scobell Band’s “Hearts I Leave Behind,” is at No. 5 with sales of 25K. The song honors Chief Petty Officer Christopher Kyle, the U.S. Navy SEAL commemorated in the award-winning film American Sniper. Scobell is also a former Navy SEAL and is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from the recording to the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. The song was written by Travis Meadows and features Wynonna Judd.

And The Voice contestant Sawyer Fredericks made a splash with his version of “I’m A Man of Constant Sorrow” (23K).

Top 5 Country Tracks TW
Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” 57K
Little Big Town “Girl Crush” 30K
Luke Bryan “Games” 30K
Zac Brown Band “Homegrown” 27K
Pete Scobell Band f/ Wynonna “Hearts I Leave Behind” 25K

Top 5 Country Albums TW
Sam Hunt, 15K
Aaron Watson, 9K
Jason Aldean, 8.6K
Florida Georgia Line, 7K
Carrie Underwood, 6.6K

Indie Aaron Watson stays in the top 5 in his album’s second week of release. He slips to No. 2, selling 9K copies.

Debuting at No. 1 and 2 on the Top 200 albums chart are Big Sean (173K total activity) and Kid Rock (146K total activity). On the tracks chart, Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars’s “Uptown Funk” has a tight grip on the No. 1 spot, selling 240K TW and 4.3 million RTD.

Exclusive: Keeping Pace with Allison Jones, SVP A&R at BMLG

March 2, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Senior Vice President of A&R for Big Machine Label Group Allison Jones opened up to MusicRow in the recent CountryBreakout Awards print issue (February/March) revealing what drives her continued success. Here is an excerpt from the article.

“I’m super competitive,” said Jones. “I’m terrified someone else might hear a song I want, or someone might see the next The Band Perry before I do…There’s a reason I have two computers in my office, because I don’t want to get rid of any music. Reba has called asking for a song from 5 years ago. I have it! The IT department hates me. I have 10,000 songs in my iTunes, all categorized in playlists. For security I’m trying to do it all on DropBox now. I hide unreleased songs using different names so nobody can see those.”

Remaining in-the-know about the freshest talent has paid off for Jones but requires a staff of four constantly keeping their ears to the ground. “I don’t know if we ever have time to feel prepared for what’s next. It goes back to A&R being subjective, you can’t quantify if something is good or bad—you have to trust your gut. Usually when things are dropped on our plate, we have to run at 1,000 mph to get it done. That way we’re not second-guessing our decisions.”

A yearly release schedule ebbs and flows for Jones, who finds time to invest in every project delivered to market. “Every project is very collaborative and respective,” she continued. “Some projects don’t need me as much as others. But of course I’m always listening to songs for everybody.”

Select projects Jones recalls come from an expanding roster of artists, some include:

Taylor Swift: Taylor is a force and I just love being a cheerleader. Her ability to translate an intensely personal feeling in a way everyone relates to is brilliant and keeps getting better. Very few artists throughout time have done that. She will go down as a female Billy Joel or Paul McCartney. This new record may be pop but I think it translates where she is in her career. Her fans have celebrated that evolution–young girls, soccer moms, men and women. She’s in rare air.

Florida Georgia Line: I’ve known FGL since the very beginning. They listen to outside songs, write their own and draw from their own camp [Big Loud]. The relationship we have with their team is seamless, and a joy to be a part of. They really rely on and trust Craig Wiseman, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins and Seth England.

Tim McGraw: Bryon Gallimore and his wife Missi have always played a strong part in A&R, so of course I am involved with Tim, but he relies heavily on them. He loves the process. He’s clearly TIM MCGRAW the superstar but he’s also the best A&R person. He loves to listen to songs and record music. For someone who has recorded as long as he has, I don’t know if there’s anyone who loves it more.

Reba: Reba relies heavily on me. Reba will sit over at Starstruck and invite pluggers to play her songs. She loves the personal exchange. She knows exactly what she wants. She’s gracious when she passes and she’s very honest. There’s no better day for an A&R person than to spend with a superstar listening to songs.

RaeLynn: RaeLynn was on The Voice before Danielle [Bradbery] and Cassadee [Pope]. She has been so patient and worked so hard. The fact that she writes for us, too, is invaluable. She did it on her own and we helped navigate. We inspired her to try this, or do that, on days where she needed a pick-me-up. And there were lots of days we needed a pick-me-up and she comes in like a tornado and makes us all laugh. She was so young at first. She hadn’t toured. She was 15. She certainly had the stamina, work ethic and star power but she’s improved vocally and had the confidence to start touring. Miranda [Lambert] took her on the road and with every performance she got better and better. It’s not that she wasn’t ready, we all knew with more experience she would be an even bigger superstar. We recorded “Boyfriend” right after The Voice, but RaeLynn was patient and she worked her rear off with a smile. It took a lot of maturity and patience and it’s paid off. The music she’s making right now is insanely great.

Maddie & Tae: Mike Molinar (Big Machine Music) signed them to publishing just two years ago, when they were 17. Their parents let them move here and I feel like we raised them. It’s remarkable they were mature enough to finish high school early. They came to our offices before us and had ideas to write. When I see the girls out now they say they feel like everyone in our offices are their second moms/dads/big brothers and sisters.

Motley Crue: I’m grateful to work at a label where we love music, and we don’t have to define music or put it in a box. The great thing about Scott [Borchetta] is he loves music. The Motley Crue record was because that was his favorite band when he was growing up in Los Angeles.

The Cadillac Three: We have a partnership with the Nashville TV show. With Cadillac Three, I told Callie Khouri, “These guys are so amazing you have to hear them.” And they’ve been on the show twice now. I’m so proud of them!

Leadership Music Accepting Applications For Class of 2016

March 2, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Leadership Music will soon begin selecting its Class of 2016. The organization, founded in 1989, begins accepting applications from entertainment industry leaders for its Class of 2016 today, and will be accepting applications throughout the month of March. The eight-month program, based in Nashville, begins in October 2015.

The organization’s aim is to expose participants to each segment of the music industry, and to discuss issues affecting all facets of the industry. Once selected, attendees will attend a four-hour orientation and welcome reception in September, as well as six all-day sessions once a month (on Fridays), and two-day opening and closing retreats during the program. A one-time tuition fee for the program is $1,000.

Leadership Music has more than 1,000 alums.

“When we enter into the selection process, our uppermost goal is to select a passionate, balanced and diversified class of professionals, who are, individually and collectively, the best and brightest leaders in their field and represent all segments of the music industry,” executive director Debbie Schwartz Linn says. “Each year, the selection committee has the difficult task of determining the class slate from far more qualified applicants than we have slots. We are seeing a record level of interest in Leadership Music, which means there are more qualified candidates from which to choose. That’s a good problem to have, but it is often frustrating for those who have applied multiple times. Each year varies depending on how many applicants apply from each category. We strongly encourage applicants to keep applying if not selected. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and well worth the effort.”

Applications must be submitted online no later than March 31, 2015. Application forms, program dates, and more can be found at leadershipmusic.org/apply.

Maddie & Tae Celebrate Debut “Country” Success

February 27, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson, Maddie Marlow, Aaron Sherz, Taylor Dye, MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson, Maddie Marlow, Aaron Scherz, Tae Dye, MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Kelsey Grady

Dot Records duo Maddie & Tae recently celebrated the success of their chart-topper debut single “Girl In A Country Song” for reigning supreme on several charts. Prior to a celebration held at the Country Music Association’s Nashville office on Feb. 26, MusicRow presented Maddie & Tae artists Tae Dye and Maddie Marlow, along with their “Girl In A Country Song” co-writer Aaron Scherz, with a MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart No. 1 Challenge Coin, to commemorate the song’s success on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.

“Girl In A Country Song” hit No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart Nov. 6, 2014.

Later that day, ASCAP and BMI had their own celebration at the Country Music Association’s Nashville office.

The duo and Scherz wrote the song on St. Patrick’s day of 2014. The bold song became the first No. 1 for all three songwriters. It also marked the first No. 1 song for Maddie & Tae as artists.

Maddie & Tae were the first artists signed to the re-launch of Big Machine’s Dot Records, with “Girl In A Country Song” being the first single released on the imprint. The story of Maddie & Tae was described several times during the celebration as a “rocket ship.”

Pictured (L-R): (front row) Maddie & Tae with co-writer Aaron Scherz, (back row) BMI’s Jody Williams, Big Machine Music’s VP Publishing Mike Molinar, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, producer Dann Huff, Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta and Dot Records General Manager Chris Stacey. Photo: Frederick Breedon.

BMLG’s Scott Borchetta recalled seeing the two girls at a showcase for Big Machine Publishing and immediately calling Dot Records General Manager, Chris Stacey, and saying, “we found our first artists for Dot.” He complimented the duo, Big Machine Music VP Mike Molinar, and the Dot staff for not just meeting his expectations, but exceeding them.

Songwriter Scherz was all smiles while thanking those that stuck with and supported him. “I’ve been coming to these No. 1 parties for 16 years and always hoped that one day I’d be on this side of the microphone.”

Tae Dye thanked everyone that helped make their career something they never thought possible. Maddie Marlow read the excerpt from her journal the day they were signed to Dot Records. It was foreshadowing for what was to come.

Additional guest presenters and speakers included representatives from The Country Music Hall Of Fame, BMI, ASCAP, Dot GM Stacey and Producer Dann Huff.

The celebration ended with Maddie & Tae presenting their parents with an official No. 1 plaque.

The duo’s debut album, Start Here, will release June 2.

Pictured (L-R): Maddie Marlow, Aaron Scherz, Tae Dye

DISClaimer: Disc of the Day Triple Play

February 26, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

It’s all stars, no waiting, here at the CRS convention in Music City.

With the big-shot radio taste makers assembled, a lot of you are bringing twinkle power to DISClaimer this week. From legends like Glen Campbell to promising newcomers like Drake White; from radio mainstays like Gary Allan to outsiders like The Kentucky HeadHunters; from acclaimed Ashley Monroe to supernovas Florida Georgia Line, they’re all releasing new music at once.

Our male winner of Disc of the Day is Drake White. The female prize goes to Ashley Monroe. And there’s no denying the star power of Florida Georgia Line as the winning group. Since there are no first timers this week, the DisCovery Award goes unclaimed.

LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD WITH THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS/Runnin’ Water
Writers: Anthony T. Kenney/Richard O. Young/Calvin Douglas Phelps/Gregory Glenn Martin/Fredrick K. Young; Producers: Lorraine Jordan/Josh Goforth; Publishers: Song Garden/Them Young Boys/I.B. Headed/Mr. Erik, ASCAP/BMI; Pinecastle (CDX)
-I was wondering how this collaboration would work when I saw the billing. Carolina Road’s banjo-based bluegrass decidedly dominates with the HeadHunters offering hearty vocal encouragement. Lively and infectious.

GARY ALLAN/Hangover Tonight
Writers: Gary Allan/Chris Stapleton/Jesse Frasure/Cary Barlowe; Producers: Gary Allan & Greg Droman; Publishers: Crystal Beach/WB/Ken Tucky/Rio Bravo/Telemitry/Castle Bound/We Be Pawtying, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; MCA Nashville
-The track sounds a kinda muddy to me. His charismatic voice has trouble cutting through. It’s a shame it’s so cluttered, because the basic groove sways nicely.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Living In The Song
Writers: Charlie Starr; Producer: Brendan O’Brien; Publishers: Crowhop Hymnal, BMI; Rounder (CDX)
-Southern rock with snap, crackle and pop.

WADE BOWEN/When I Woke Up Today
Writers: Wade Bowen/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Big Red Toe, ASCAP/BMI; AMP (CDX)
-It’s a catchy toe tapper with jingle-jangle guitars, a cool lyric and a hearty lead vocal. I dig this a whole bunch.

Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Sippin’ On Fire
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Matt Dragstrem/Cole Taylor; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Farm Town/Big Loud Songs/Big Loud Bucks/Universal, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-I like the ringing electric guitar and the processed drawling vocal performance. The choruses seem rather word-y on their round-about route to the title phrase.

FREDDIE HART/God Is Easy Lovin’
Writers: Freddie Hart; Producer: Tommy Smith, Mike McClain, Freddie Hart; Publishers: Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; Hartline (CDX)
-It has the same melody and groove as Freddie’s 1971 smash “Easy Loving,” except with a gospel lyric. He still sings well, but I could have done without the echo-chamber backup chicks.

ASHLEY MONROE/On To Something Good
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Barry Dean/Luke Laird; Producers: Vince Gill & Justin Niebank; Publishers: Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Country Paper/Pulse Nation/Twangin and Slangin, BMI; Warner Bros.
-This upbeat, rolling-tempo ode to better times ahead goes down as smooth as a milkshake. This thing has a built-in smile, as well as a twirl-around-the-room vibe.

HANNAH BETHEL/You Wanna Be My Man
Writers: Hannah Bethel & David Myhre; Producers: Hannah Bethel & Brennin Hunt; Publishers: Hamwyn/David Myhre, BMI/ASCAP; HBM (CDX)
-Pert and perky, with a girlish sweetness. The track bops with nifty precision and perfect crunch. Well sung and well produced.

Drake White

DRAKE WHITE/It Feels Good
Writers: Drake White/Phillip Pence/Derek George; Producers: Ross Copperman & Jeremy Stover; Publishers: EMI April/Reverend Jack/Sony-ATV/WB/Funky Friars/Nury3000, ASCAP/SESAC; Dot
-The percussion is awesome. The soulful, so-o-o-o Southern, drawling, yowsah vocal performance is outstanding. The track cooks with gas. Play it again. And again.

GLEN CAMPBELL/I’m Not Gonna Miss You
Writers: Julian Raymond/Glen Campbell; Producers: Julian Raymond; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine (track)
-Tim McGraw’s performance of this Oscar-nominated song was an emotional high point of the Academy Awards telecast. Glen Campbell’s single from the soundtrack of his alzheimer tour documentary I’ll Be Me is even more heartbreaking. Essential listening.

CRS 2015: Todd Wagner’s ‘Lightning In A Bottle’

February 26, 2015/by Sherod Robertson

Keynote Speaker Todd Wagner (left), interviewed by Charlie Morgan, CRS Board President (right) during opening ceremonies of 2015′s Country Radio Seminar.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Todd Wagner served as keynote speaker yesterday (Feb. 25) at the Nashville Convention Center during the opening ceremonies of 2015’s Country Radio Seminar.

Wagner was quick to admit his success was like “catching lightning in a bottle.” Wagner joined Mark Cuban to launch Broadcast.com, which broadcasts live sporting events, corporate events and radio stations over the Internet. It was the first site to stream content online and in 1999, Wagner and Cuban sold Broadcast.com to Yahoo! for a staggering $5.7 billion. Wagner shared the modest beginnings of the billion-dollar company saying, “It started with Mark and I in his upstairs bedroom with one PC.”

Wagner talked about what it means to be an entrepreneur and stated, “You have to be pretty thick skinned and hold on to what you believe.” Further defining what makes someone an entrepreneur, he shared three important traits.

Traits of an Entrepreneur

1. It can happen anywhere. Many people think being an entrepreneur requires locating in a hot spot such a Silicon Valley, but Wagner points out a true entrepreneur is not dependent on any specific location.

2. Are you willing to quit your day job? Wagner states you must put everything at risk to be a real entrepreneur.

3. Are you willing to put in your own money? Wager admits a lot of people want angel investors and not have to risk their financial assets. But to be an entrepreneur, Wagner adds, “You’ve got to let go of the side of the pool.”

With all of his success and the realization that he no longer had to work, Wagner admits it’s important to him to give back. Wagner helped launch Chideo in January 2014 as the first interactive charity broadcast network. Chideo is a place where fans can discover and inspire one-of-a-kind content and experiences from their favorite personalities. Wagner’s business interests also include a stake in the Dallas Mavericks, as well as the Weinstein Company. Additionally, he is a founder and co-chairman of Content Partners LLC.

Bobby Karl Works The 2015 ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Awards

February 26, 2015/by Bobby Karl

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 480

Pictured (L-R): MR's Sarah Skates and Sherod Robertson, Brett James, Rodney Clawson. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Pictured (L-R): MR’s Sarah Skates and Sherod Robertson present Songwriter of the Year honors to Brett James and Rodney Clawson. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

I love a good wiseacre.

“I’ve been trying to pay off radio with beer and Jack Daniels for four years, and it finally paid off,” said snarky Chris Weaver. He has a charmingly mischievous grin that makes him look like he’s up to something, even if he isn’t.

He was accepting MusicRow’s Independent Artist of the Year award for The Chris Weaver Band at the periodical’s 13th annual bash on Wednesday (Feb. 25). I’ve always enjoyed this act’s music, and now I totally enjoy its frontman, too. Thanks, pal, for kicking off my convention experience with a grin.

The MusicRow event was also a celebration for Rodney Clawson and Brett James, who tied for Songwriter of the Year honors. This was Clawson’s second consecutive win. “Thanks, everybody, for playing our songs,” said James to the assembled radio folks. “We’re so grateful to be in this business.”

Shane Allen (Capitol Nashville) and Diane Richey (Diane Richey Promotions) accept Capitol Nashville’s award for Label of the Year. (L-R): Robertson, Allen, Richey, Skates. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

The radio Reporter of the Year honor went to WGLR/Platteville, WI music director Ryan McCall, who offered the afternoon’s most touching acceptance. “To everyone who shared their music, their time and their wisdom with me, I can’t thank you enough,” he began. “I share this award with my family and friends, many of whom are here today….The greatest award I’ve ever been given is to be a part of country music.”

Ryan McCall accepts his MusicRow Reporter of the Year honor. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Ryan McCall (center) accepts his MusicRow Reporter of the Year honor, with Troy Stephenson (left) and Sherod Robertson (right). Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Waylon Weatherholt and Katie Bright accepted on behalf of Cole Swindell, MusicRow’s Breakout Artist winner, who was booked for a private out-of-town date. Vice President of Promotion Shane Allen accepted for Capitol Records Nashville as Label of the Year (winning for an unprecedented 10th consecutive time). Jimmy Rector accepted Eric Church’s Male Vocalist award because proud papa Church is at home with new son Hawk this week. R.G. Jones accepted for Female winner Miranda Lambert (her third in a row). Matthew Hargis accepted for Group/Duo winners Florida Georgia Line, who were busy playing a little venue called Madison Square Garden.

KPentertainment’s Waylon Weatherholt and WMN’s Katie Bright accept Breakout Artist of the Year on behalf of Cole Swindell, with Robertson and Skates. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

MR’s Sherod Robertson presided at the afternoon get-together. “We’re tired of the cold, but we’re glad you’re here,” he told the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. “You’re looking good,” he added, taking a snapshot of the packed room. Staffers Troy Stephenson, Sarah Skates, Jessica Nicholson, Eric T. Parker and Kelsey Grady kept the event running smoothly.

BBR’s Chase Bryant performs during the 2015 MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Music is always a big part of this annual awards-and-music occasion. First up to sing was BBR’s Red Bow Records artist Chase Bryant, who tours with Tim McGraw. This Texas native is the grandson of a Roy Orbison/Waylon Jennings piano player and the nephew of the co-founders of Ricochet.

Robertson presents Eric Church’s Male Artist of the Year award to EMI Nashville’s Jimmy Rector, and Diane Richey Promotions staffers Diane Richey, Beth Brightwell and Ben Kann. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Bryant opened with the take-no-prisoners steamroller “Little Bit of You.” He led his four-piece band as its lead guitar player, which was on full display via a stinging solo on the power stomper “The Way I See It.” He followed that with his catchy first hit, “Take It On Back,” featuring an extended electric-guitar finale at the edge of the stage.

“Thank you to everybody in this room for making a kid from a small town of 800 people have a dream come true,” he said.

Streamsound artist Austin Webb performs during the 2015 MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

“It’s so nice to see so many nice faces,” said showcasing Austin Webb. The tall, tattooed, Streamsound Records artist led off with the rhythmic and hooky “If You See Her.” He then strapped on his acoustic guitar to augment his four-piece band. This guitar has signed photos of Kris Kristofferson and Guy Clark affixed to its back, which seemed appropriate for the philosophical “Slip On By.” Webb concluded with his new single, the rousing and clever “All Country On You.” Everyone clapped along.

Robertson presents Florida Georgia Line’s plaque for Group/Duo of the Year to Republic Nashville’s Matthew Hargis, Stacy Blythe, Angie Coonrod, Lois Lewis, Kristen Johnson and Jimmy Harnen. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

This jammed room is a hard one to work. But I spotted industry mavens including Byron Gallimore, Bill Wence, Nancy Tunick, Mark Brown, Neil Spielberg, Rod Essig, Woody Bomar, Gene Kennedy, Wes Vause, Karen Tallier, Steve Pope, Rick Kelly, Earle Simmons, B.J. Hill, Lisa Smoot, Susan Collier, Bev Moser and John Dorris in the house. Most were grooving to the cool sounds on stage.

Several non-showcasing artists were working the room. Eric Lee Beddingfield, Jason Michael Carroll, Jody Lynn, Tracy Lawrence, Eileen Carey, The Cains Trio, Montana’s Kayla Adams and 16-year-old Texan Skylar Elise were schmoozing the radio folks.

Pictured (L-R): Sherod Robertson, RG Jones, Sarah Skates. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Pictured (L-R): Sherod Robertson, Sony Music Nashville’s RG Jones accepting on behalf of Female Artist of the Year Miranda Lambert, Sarah Skates. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Reminding everyone of how too-too cool it is outside, Robertson concluded the event with, “just remember how hot it was in here.”

Chris Weaver Band accepts their honor for MusicRow’s 2015 Independent Artist of the Year. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow staffers Sarah Skates, Eric T. Parker, Kelsey Grady, MR Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson, Robert K. Oermann, Jessica Nicholson and Troy Stephenson.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow staffers Sarah Skates, Eric T. Parker, Kelsey Grady, MR Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson, columnist Robert K. Oermann, Jessica Nicholson and Troy Stephenson. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

‘MusicRow’ Presents 2015 CountryBreakout Chart Awards

February 25, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): MR’s Sarah Skates and Sherod Robertson, Brett James, Rodney Clawson. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

The 2015 CountryBreakout Awards were presented earlier today (Feb. 25) at MusicRow’s Country Radio Meet & Greet at Margaritaville in Nashville. Industry members and CRS attendees gathered to celebrate secondary market radio, and enjoy spectacular performances by Chase Bryant and Austin Webb. Awards are based strictly on spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart during 2014.

13th annual CountryBreakout Winners

Male Artist of the Year: Eric Church, 110,393 spins
Female Artist of the Year: Miranda Lambert, 92,257 spins
Group/Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line, 103,559 spins
Breakout Artist of the Year: Cole Swindell, 77,006 spins
Independent Artist of the Year: Chris Weaver Band, 41,824 spins
Label of the Year: Capitol Records Nashville, 557,276 spins
CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year: Ryan McCall, WGLR/Platteville, Wis.
Songwriter of the Year [tie]: Rodney Clawson and Brett James

Read all about the award winners in the new print issue of MusicRow, available for free at the Nashville Convention Center during CRS.

Click here for full coverage from Bobby Karl.

Ryan McCall accepts his MusicRow Reporter of the Year honor. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Austin Webb performs at the 2015 MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Photo Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Chase Bryant performs during the 2015 MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

LifeNotes: Beloved Photographer Alan Mayor Passes

February 23, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Alan L. Mayor

Veteran music industry photographer Alan Mayor passed away overnight. He was 65. For five decades, he was the go-to photographer for Nashville’s top artists, publicists and labels. He photographed the Grand Ole Opry, numerous concerts, No. 1 parties, songwriter events and more.

He was a longtime contributor to MusicRow magazine, having joined the masthead of the music trade publication in December 1984 and continuing his work with the magazine until his health declined in recent years.

Mayor chronicled his career with the 2000 release of The Nashville Family Album: A Country Music Scrapbook. He also contributed to Mary Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann’s Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music, and Barry McCloud’s Definitive Country: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music, among many other books.

Mayor photographed countless country stars, and had a particularly close relationship with Garth Brooks. “Seeing Alan Mayor at an event brought a comfort to artists like few photographers could do. That speaks volumes for him as a human being,” Brooks told MusicRow when notified of his passing. “Seeing unbelievable photos from an event you didn’t know Alan Mayor was at, speaks volumes for him as a professional.”

Longtime friend and colleague Oermann says, “Alan was so good at what he did. Of all the freelance photographers, he was absolutely the best. Whenever I went into a press room, I made it a point to hang with him. He had the best attitude and was so kind. In the press corp he was somebody you could always count on. I’ll miss him terribly.”

Alan Leslie Mayor was born August 21, 1949. With a father in the Air Force, his family moved frequently before settling in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1966. He attended Austin Peay State University where he was staff photographer and graduated with degrees in theater, English and philosophy. When one of his college professors was hired as the first musical director of Opryland, Mayor eventually joined him as a stage manager at the park in 1973.

Mayor initially moved to Nashville to be a songwriter. When recounting his early days in Music City, he recalled buying an Alverez guitar at Cotten Music from a young Paul Worley. “I write songs like everybody else in this town, but I wasn’t about to pull out a guitar in front of these stars,” Mayor said in a 1985 interview with Oermann. “So I pulled out another instrument, a camera.”

Indeed, in 1973 he decided to focus on photography. When Opryland flooded in 1974, his photograph of the damage was used on the front page of fan publication Music City News—after dabbling in sports and advertising photography, this was his entrée into the world of music. His first exhibit was at Mill’s Bookstore in Nashville and his first paying gig was when MGM Records hired him for a Hank Williams Jr. photo shoot. Soon after, Mercury Records hired him and work with Reba McEntire, The Statler Brothers, and Jerry Lee Lewis followed. In 1975, his photograph of Linda and Paul McCartney backstage at the Opry was published in The Tennessean.

His career thrived for more than thirty years.

In March 2007, Mayor was diagnosed with cirrhosis and given six months to live. He underwent a liver transplant and survived. Iconic BMI leader Frances Preston helped him secure treatment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where her name graces a lab at the cancer center.

“I wasn’t going out without a fight,” he wrote in an unreleased memoir chronicling the experience. “I now understood why I had been blessed with a few more years on this earth. That purpose is to do what I can to make a difference. I have a story to tell—warts and all. I know I can make a difference, simply by living and sharing my experience. Maybe I can help others who are going through what I’ve gone through with a little bit of hope.  Maybe I can help them know that they should never give up, and with God’s grace and the power of lasting friendships, they will make it, no matter whatever anyone else says. Life is a gift. It is our choice live it.”

In recent months he had suffered a series of strokes, and was living in a Clarksville rehabilitation center. Even yesterday before he died, he wanted to continue the work he loved, and asked his sister to deliver his camera and laptop.

He is preceded in death by mother Rosemary Fulmer Mayor and father Lt. Col Albert Mayor Jr. USAF. He is survived by sister Theresa Mayor Smith (Lee) and brother Kenneth Albert Mayor. A private family service will be held, with a public memorial to follow at a later date.

Alan Mayor and Garth Brooks