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Sam Hunt Celebrates No. 1 Single, Upcoming Tour

January 28, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Pictured (l-r): Three Mules Music’s Chris Hunter; ‘Country Aircheck’s’ Chuck Aly; Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan; producer Zach Crowell; co-writers Shane McAnally, Sam Hunt and Josh Osborne; ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan; Black River Publishing’s Celia Froehlig; and Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls. Photo: Alan Poizner.

Sam Hunt had plenty of reasons to celebrate Monday (Jan. 26): his first No. 1 as an artist, his third No. 1 as a songwriter, and the launch of a sold-out headlining tour. So he marked the occasion with a performance at Rocketown in Nashville—complete with breakdancing kids and graffiti artists.

Breakdancers were in the audience at the Sam Hunt tour preview.

Hunt and his team kicked off the festivities by toasting his debut single “Leave The Night On” reaching No. 1. After success penning hits for other artists, Hunt co-wrote the song with frequent collaborators Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne—it was their seventh and fifth chartoppers, respectively. All three songwriters are ASCAP members. “I think Josh is a secret weapon,” said McAnally, “but I think the secret is out.” Saluting Hunt, he added, “he makes music that comes from the heart… without regard for genre.”

“You are a game changer,” agreed UMPG’s Kent Earls.

“Leave The Night On” has sold one million copies, making it Hunt’s first platinum single as an artist. The follow-up, “Take Your Time,” is the most downloaded country song on this week’s chart.

McAnally called his co-producer Zach Crowell a “mindreader” for helping complete the sound they were striving for. “Leave The Night On” is Crowell’s first No. 1 as a producer, though his experience includes manning the boards for LeCrae.

Hunt said he had been writing with McAnally and Osborne for about five years and thanked them for believing in him. Watching from the crowd were his parents Joan and Allen Hunt, visiting from Cedartown, Georgia. The MCA Nashville artist also noted appreciation for his team before launching into an enthusiastic set including “Leave The Night On,” “Take Your Time,” “Break Up In A Small Town,” “House Party” and “Speakers.”

His Lipstick Graffiti outing opens Thursday, Jan. 29 with a sold-out show at famed Los Angeles venue The Troubador. Later this year he joins Lady Antebellum’s tour.

A graffiti artist at work during the party.

Bobby Karl Works The 2015 Nashville Grammy Nominee Party

January 27, 2015/by Bobby Karl

Pictured l to r: Daniel Hill, Trustee, Nashville Chapter; GRAMMY Nominee Taylor Swift; Nashville Chapter Trustees Fletcher Foster, Chandra LaPlume, Terry Hemmings and Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding.

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Hill, Trustee, Nashville Chapter; Grammy nominee Taylor Swift; Nashville Chapter Trustees Fletcher Foster, Chandra LaPlume, Terry Hemmings; and Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding.

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 478

More than 50 members of the Nashville music community are nominated for Grammy Awards this year, and it seemed as if all of Music Row turned out to celebrate them on Monday evening (Jan. 26).

The Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy teamed up with Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel to host the party honoring the 2014 Grammy anointed. There are, “23 categories represented by our nominees,” said chapter executive director Alicia Warwick. “The talent in this town is unbelievable,” said chapter president Jeff Balding, pointing out that Nashvillians are nominated in all of the “big four” Grammy categories, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.

It’s true that Music City is all over the Grammy musical map, from our rockers Jack White, Cage the Elephant, Paramore and The Black Keys to Americana songsmiths John Hiatt, The Del McCoury Band and Sturgill Simpson. Engineers Chuck Ainlay and Richard Dodd are up for top awards, as is Producer of the Year nominee Jay Joyce.

Representing their categories at the party were Contemporary Christian Music greats For King & Country, MercyMe and Royal Tailor, Americana bluesman Keb’ Mo’ and bluegrass nominees Rhonda Vincent, Bryan Sutton and Shawn Camp (who is in The Earls of Leicester). Folk nominees Old Crow Medicine Show and Rob Ickes mingled with Children’s Album contender Secret Agent 23 Skidoo a.k.a Debrissa McKinney.

Roots Gospel contenders T. Graham Brown, Mike Farris and Tim Menzies rubbed shoulders, as did such songwriting nominees as Kevin Kadish, Shane McAnally, Ben Glover and Jaren Johnston.

Our own Hunter Hayes and Lee Ann Womack accepted multiple congratulations for their Country nominations, as did Brandy Clark, nominated for Best New Artist as well as Best Country Album.

Pictured (L-R): Frank Liddell, co-producer of the nominated Best Country Album The Way I’m Livin’, Lee Ann Womack, GRAMMY nominee for The Way I’m Livin’, and Alicia Warwick, Executive Director, The Recording Academy, Nashville Chapter.

“Thank you for all that you do for this city,” said Mayor Karl Dean to the all the creative folks who packed the Loew’s ballroom. “This will be the last Grammy nominee party I will be attending as Mayor….Nashville is a unique city because of its diversity and its entrepreneurial spirit. It’s because of you folks. It’s because of music. Nashville’s best days are still ahead of us. And you are a huge part of that.”

As the speeches ended, there was a wave of crowd motion toward the ballroom entrance as superstar Taylor Swift quietly joined the merriment. Smart gal. It was an opportune time to return to Nashville: Monday night was not one you wanted to spend in New York, since two feet of snow were expected.

Perhaps it’s because this is the first big party of the year, but every, every, I mean EVERYbody was there, all delighted to be schmoozing with one another again. Terry Hemmings, Terry Bumgarner, John Mullins, John Huie, John Briggs, Jon Randall Stewart, Leslie Fram, Leslie Roberts, Sherod Robertson, Jill Douglas, Doug Howard, Perry Howard, Allen Brown, Michael Baum, Ron & Regina Stuve, Rod Essig, Ronna Rubin, Fletcher Foster, Scott Stem, Susan Stewart, Susan Niles, Eric Parker, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Kay West, Wes Vause and Victoria Shaw were all in the New Year’s love fest.

Mayoral candidate Megan Berry was working the room, which wasn’t so hard, since she’s a Leadership Music alumnus. She could easily schmooze fabulons such as Jeff Walker, Jody Williams, Julian King, David Corlew, Dan Hill, Steve Buchanan, Celeste Buckingham, Lisa Harless, Debbie Carroll, Allison Jones, Beverly Keel, Holly Bell, LeAnn Phelan, Chandra LaPlume, Nancy Shapiro, Diane Pearson, Kelsey Grady, Tracy Gershon, Cyndi Forman, Tree Paine, Joanna Carter, Lori Badgett and Lacy Cavalier.

Pictured (L-R): Nominees Hunter Hayes and Joel Smallbone of for King & Country.

Is 17 too many women to name-drop in a row? Very well: Ansel Davis, Andrew Kintz, Pat Higdon, Hunter Kelly, George Flanigan, Garth Fundis, Ben Fowler, Tim Fink, Kirt Webster, Earle Simmons, Ed Morris, Frank Liddell. Like I said, everybody.

In gratitude for hosting this annual event, again, Tony Phillips of Loew’s was presented with framed artwork of the 57th annual Grammy Awards. He treated the attendees to barbecue meatloaf sliders, mac and cheese, marinated brussell sprouts and other cocktail-supper delights.

Chris Stapleton Shares Details On Upcoming Debut Solo Album

January 23, 2015/by Sherod Robertson

Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton’s highly anticipated solo debut album, Traveller, will be released May 5 on Mercury Records Nashville.

Recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A (with additional production at The Castle and Blackbird Studio), Traveller was produced by Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell) and recorded by Vance Powell (Jack White). In addition to renditions of Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove’s “Tennessee Whiskey” and Don Sampson’s “Was It 26,” the album features 12 original songs, including fan-favorite “Sometimes I Cry.”

Last night (Jan. 22), during a special album reveal party, Stapleton returned to RCA Studio A to record a new version of “Sometimes I Cry” live-to-tape in front of an audience of media and industry members—allowing a unique, once-in-a-lifetime glimpse inside the making of the album. The track is currently being mastered and will be added to the final track-listing shortly. The walls of RCA Studio A were donned with black and white photos of Stapleton as guests entered and were treated to cocktails and noshes while the album played.

For those wanting a more intimate listening experience, head phone listening stations were available, giving opportunists an option to mute the party, completely getting lost into the music. Stapleton greeted guests expressing his joy that RCA Studio A had been saved from demolition and was please his album would not be the last recording in the iconic Music Row studio. Of his inspiration behind the album, Stapleton commented, “This record was made standing on the shoulders of friends, family, and heroes. I hope people enjoy listening to it as much as I’ve enjoyed making it.”

Chris Stapleton records new version of “Sometimes I Cry” live-to-tape in front of guests at RCA Studio A on January 22, 2015.

Chris Stapleton records new version of “Sometimes I Cry” live-to-tape in front of guests at RCA Studio A on Jan. 22, 2015.

Stapleton has enjoyed five No. 1 hits as a songwriter including the five-week No. 1 “Never Wanted Nothing More” recorded by Kenny Chesney, George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make it Alright” and Luke Bryan‘s “Drink A Beer,” which Stapleton recently performed with Lady Antebellum at the CMT “Artists of the Year” show. He has penned over 170 album cuts, including songs recorded by Adele, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley, and has such notable co-writers as Vince Gill, Peter Frampton and Sheryl Crow, among others. Additionally, Stapleton has shared the stage with such respected artists as Gill, Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart, Emmylou Harris and more. As lead vocalist for critically acclaimed bluegrass band The SteelDrivers, Stapleton earned three Grammy nominations including “Best Bluegrass Album,” as well as an International Bluegrass Music Association Award for “Emerging Artist of the Year.” He’s also won eight ASCAP Awards and has contributed to the soundtracks of several feature films including Cars 2 and Valentine’s Day.

Stapleton will join Little Big Town on their Pain Killer Tour in March followed by a series of The Outsiders World Tour shows with Eric Church in May.

Traveller Album Tracklist:
1. Traveller (Chris Stapleton)
2. Fire Away (Chris Stapleton and Danny Green)
3. Tennessee Whiskey (Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove)
4. Parachute (Chris Stapleton and Jim Beavers)
5. Whiskey And You (Chris Stapleton and Lee Thomas Miller)
6. Nobody To Blame (Chris Stapleton, Barry Bales and Ronnie Bowman)
7. More Of You (Chris Stapleton and Ronnie Bowman)
8. When The Stars Come Out (Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson)
9. Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore (Chris Stapleton)
10. Might As Well Get Stoned (Chris Stapleton and Jimmy Stewart)
11. Was It 26 (Don Sampson)
12. The Devil Named Music (Chris Stapleton)
13. Outlaw State Of Mind (Chris Stapleton, Ronnie Bowman and Jerry Salley)
TBD Sometimes I Cry (Chris Stapleton and Clint Ingersoll)

Weekly Chart Report (1/23/15)

January 23, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

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

Weekly Register: Meghan Trainor Scores Huge Debut

January 21, 2015/by Sarah Skates

(L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Atom Factory’s Ty Stiklorius, Big Yellow Dog Music’s Carla Wallace, Meghan Trainor, Kevin Kadish, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Epic’s Paul Pontius, Sony/ATV’s Abbey Adams, ASCAP’s Michael Martin and ASCAP’s John Titta, Photo: Ed Rode

Pictured at the No. 1 party for “All About That Bass” (L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Atom Factory’s Ty Stiklorius, Big Yellow Dog Music’s Carla Wallace, Meghan Trainor, Kevin Kadish, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Epic’s Paul Pontius, Sony/ATV’s Abbey Adams, ASCAP’s Michael Martin and ASCAP’s John Titta, Photo: Ed Rode

Meghan Trainor’s Title (Epic) debuted on today’s chart (Jan. 21) with sales of 195K. Based on album sales, track sales and streaming data, she scored total activity of 238K to enter Billboard’s Top 200 chart at No. 1.

This earns Trainor the biggest first-week for a female pop act’s full-length debut album since Susan Boyle entered with 701K copies of I Dreamed a Dream in November 2009, according to Billboard.

While Trainor is setting records on the pop chart, her success has roots in Nashville. The singer’s career has been fostered by Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace. Title was produced by Kevin Kadish at his studio outside Nashville.

Trainor also came close to the record held by Scotty McCreery’s 2011 release, Clear as Day, which arrived with 197K, the largest opening for any solo artist’s first full-length set.

Title’s success was propelled by her smash “All About That Bass,” which bumped at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks in 2014. Powered largely by YouTube, the video has more than 520 million views. The follow-up single “Lips Are Movin’” is also a hit.

Trainor also bumped Taylor Swift’s 1989 to No. 2 on the Top 200. In its 12th week out, the album had sales of 92K and total consumption of 131K.

Top 5 Country Albums: Sam Hunt (16K TW), Garth Brooks (13K), Jason Aldean (12K), Carrie Underwood (11K), Florida Georgia Line (8K)

Top 5 Country Tracks: ZBB “Homegrown” (74K TW), Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” (37K), Blake Shelton ft. Ashley Monroe “Lonely Tonight” (30K), Carrie Underwood “Something In The Water” (29K), Tim McGraw “Shotgun Rider” (29K)

YTD album sales are down -2.3% overall and -1.2% country.

Info according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Performers Announced For ‘MusicRow’ Country Radio Meet & Greet

January 21, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

MusicRow is excited about CRS in February! We are even more pleased to reveal the performers for our 13th annual Country Radio Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, set for Wednesday, February 25 at Margaritaville in Nashville.

Joining us at the event will be Streamsound Records’ Austin Webb and Red Bow Records’ Chase Bryant. These outstanding newcomers will take the stage at our invitation-only party, treating guests to their latest music.

MusicRow publisher and owner Sherod Robertson says, “We are extremely pleased to feature emerging talents Chase Bryant and Austin Webb at MusicRow’s annual event during CRS. Both entertainers possess a rich influence of authentic country music and we are all very excited to showcase their unique styles and impressive talents to our valued guests.”

The event at Margaritaville will also include the presentation of the CountryBreakout Awards. In-depth profiles of the yet-to-be-announced winners will be included in the February/March 2015 edition of MusicRow Magazine, which will debut at the party and be distributed throughout the Nashville Convention Center during CRS. MusicRow paid subscribers will receive copies by mail. Magazines are also available for purchase anytime at MusicRow.com or the magazine’s 17th Ave. S. headquarters in Nashville.

On Jan. 13 MusicRow affiliates, including subscribers and radio members, were emailed invitations to the event which leads up to Country Radio Seminar 2015.

About the artists performing at MusicRow’s 2015 Country Radio Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards

Austin Webb (Streamsound Records): A Williamston, S.C. native, Austin Webb’s influence comes from Motown, R&B, rock, and retro country, including stars Guy Clark and Kris Kristofferson. Webb began writing poetry at nine years old and picked up a guitar at age 16. Following high school, he worked odd jobs to support touring up and down the East Coast. While nursing a broken heart on his first trip to Nashville, a chance meeting with Charlie Louvin at Waffle House led to him playing onstage with the Opry member. Then a demo from winning a South Carolina songwriting competition made its way into the hands of Grammy award-winning producer Byron Gallimore, who offered him a publishing deal. Webb’s Streamsound Records debut is due out later this year, featuring the stellar new single, “All Country On You,” and Top 40 “Slip On By.”

Chase Bryant (Red Bow Records): Chase Bryant’s heritage is defined by music. Raised in Orange Grove, TX (pop. 1,200), the 22-year-old’s grandfather played piano for Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings, and his uncles co-founded the ‘90s group Ricochet. The young songwriter was influenced by classic country, but his dreams of being a performer were solidified when he was introduced to the music of Sarah Buxton, Jedd Hughes and Keith Urban. Four years ago Bryant moved to Nashville, connecting with managers Neal Spielberg and Gene Dries. He also met Orbison’s widow, Barbara Orbison, and was her final addition to the roster of Still Working Music before her passing. A self-taught studio wiz, Bryant co-produced his Red Bow Records debut, including the guitar-shredding debut single “Take It On Back.” After being named to MusicRow’s 2015 Next Big Thing list, Bryant will maintain momentum into the summer as a guest on Tim McGraw’s tour.

Luke Bryan Reveals Stadium Dates, European Run

January 21, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Pictured (L-R): Live Nation's Brian O'Connell, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Kyle, Luke Bryan and manager Kerri Edwards. Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured at today’s announcement (L-R): Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Kyle Young, Luke Bryan and manager Kerri Edwards. Photo: Alan Poizner

Luke Bryan’s 2015 schedule includes a few firsts and a few lasts. He will perform overseas for the first time, and will christen a few stadiums (including Vanderbilt’s) as the first country artist to perform there. He will also perform his last spring break concert in Florida, ending a tradition that drew over 230,000 fans in 2014.

Bryan’s Kick The Dust Up Tour will launch May 8 in Grand Forks, ND. Several cities on the outing will host two-night arena stands. Seven stadiums are on the schedule, with his first stadium concert of the year set for June 6 in Denver. Bryan will be the first country act to play in St. Paul’s stadium (June 20) and Nashville’s Vanderbilt football stadium (July 11). Joining Bryan for all dates will be Dustin Lynch and Randy Houser. Stadium concerts will additionally feature Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett.

Bryan shared news about his tour during a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville this morning (Jan. 21). Having played to 1.7 million fans last year, Bryan says he’s more confident than ever going into 2015. “This is still only my third year of true headlining. I don’t ever want to take for granted being able to do a double [show] in a city. It’s nice having that confidence that we’ll be able to roll in there and add to production and add to the show. Our fans have shown me that they are going to show up in full support, and we can start stretching our boundaries on how big we want to make the show. It’s a wonderful place to be in, to announce the show and have true excitement of what’s to come, not necessarily the anxiety of whether we going to be able to pull it off or not.”

Pictured (L-R): Luke Bryan, Brian O’Connell share details of Bryan’s upcoming tour.

The singer-songwriter recalled the lesson he learned from his first stadium show. “I never will forget when we walked onstage for the first time in Heinz Field last year in Pittsburgh. It was my first stadium show. I remember hitting that stage and thinking, ‘Well the only way to learn how to do this is to run your butt out there and do it.’ I remember at the end of the show, thinking, ‘Well, that was an experience.’ That’s what you live for, pushing yourself. Now I have four stadium [shows] behind me, and now I’ll know a little better how to make every fan feel special.”

Bryan has decided to end his run of spring break shows in Panama City, Fla. after this year. He will perform two free concerts at Spinnaker Beach Club on March 11 and 12. His seventh spring break album Spring Break…Checkin’ Out will be released March 10.

In 2015, Bryan is touring overseas for the first time. He ventured to Canada last year and is going to Europe in February and March, playing festivals and clubs in the UK, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and Norway, including four C2C: Country to Country shows.

Brian O’Connell, Pres. of Live Nation Country Touring, joined him at today’s event which was streamed live on Bryan’s website. CMHoF director Kyle Young came onstage to announce that Bryan will be the subject of the Museum’s next major exhibition, set to open in May. Fan club members were also in attendance.

“Just five or six years ago, I walked Broadway and these streets, walking by the Country Music Hall of Fame, being in this room and being all through the halls of this place,” said Bryan. “My parents used to come to town and I’d take them to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Now family and friends can come to town and see an exhibit of mine is truly…I remember driving down Music Row and seeing Carrie [Underwood]’s ad on the billboards, and wondering if that would ever happen to me. When you consider how much attention and how Nashville is such a bubbling, vibrant city and all the people coming through here and they can see part of my life on display, it’s exciting. I’m sure my boys [Thomas Boyer, age 6, and Tatum Christopher, age 4] will have some interesting things to say about seeing dad behind the cases.”

Bryan’s career tally includes 11 No. 1 hits, 7 million albums, and 27 million tracks sold. He also promises a new album soon. “We were in the studio in conjunction with recording the Spring Break album, and we recorded four new songs to start wrapping our heads around the new album, and ‘Kick The Dust Up’ was one of those new songs. I only have four songs recorded, so that tells you how much work we still have to do on the album.”

Cabela’s is a sponsor of the tour. Cabela’s Club Visa members and Citi cardmembers will have exclusive ticketing options.

For a complete list of tour dates visit lukebryan.com.

-with additional reporting by Jessica Nicholson

Weekly Chart Report (1/16/15)

January 16, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

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

DISClaimer: Starting The Year Off Bright

January 15, 2015/by Robert K Oermann

Tim McGraw

The winter skies may be unendingly gray, but this week’s country music sounds bright.

Superstar Tim McGraw starts his year off right by slam dunking a Disc of the Day prize. No one else even comes close.

To me, it’s always a sign of good health for the format when there are plenty of talented newcomers vying for attention. Today, they include Mickey Guyton, Nate Green and the winner of the DisCovery Award of the week, Mo Pitney.

NATE GREEN/Back Road
Writer: Nate Green; Producer: Cosme Liccardo/Enrico Carducci; Publisher: none listed; Conway/GMV
-He has an intriguingly husky vocal style, and the production is ear-catching, crunchy and innovative. It sure ain’t your father’s country music, but it has its merits. Recommended listening.

TIM McGRAW & CATHERINE DUNN/Diamond Rings and Old Bar Stools
Writers: Luke Laird/Barry Dean/Jonathan Singleton; Producers: Byron Gallimore/Tim McGraw; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/Country Paper/Pulse Nation/BMG Gold/Glassbean/We Jam Writers Group, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
-Dunn is McGraw’s first cousin (their moms are sisters). Her family harmony with him is perfection on this ballad of regret. Diamonds are for queens, and barstools are for fools, you see. So the two lovers in this song were never meant to blend together. Extremely well done in every department.

PARMALEE/Already Callin’ You Mine
Writers: Matt Thomas/Scott Thomas/Barry Knox/Phil O’Donnell/Wade Kirby; Producer: NV; Publishers: 27861 Music/Revelry/Gallo & Landers/Sixteen Stars/HoriPro/Dirty County/Big Loud Bucks, BMI; Stoney Creek
-These four hard-working dudes continue to impress. This upbeat bopper summons a lady to romance with sunny optimism.

REBA McENTIRE/Going Out Like That
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins/Jason Sellers; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: WB/Tar-Cam-Knox/Thankful for This/Sony-ATV/EMI Blackwood/Becky’s Boy/Brooks County Boy, ASCAP; Nash/Valory
-This gal isn’t wallowing in her broken heart. She’s out rocking, throwing back shots, dancing up a storm, dressing in red and being the life of the party. Rock on.

JULIE C. MYERS/Can’t Get My Heart Around That
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dan Hodges; Publishers: none listed; Wild Heart (track)
-The opening line of her publicity bio brags that she is, “arguably the world’s most sought after Stevie Nicks tribute artist,” and that she has been touring for eight years with her “Nearly Nicks” act. Allrighty, then. The production of her debut single owes more to rock traditions than it does to country. Her vocal performance isn’t commanding enough for either genre.

JIM ED BROWN/When The Sun Says Hello to the Mountain
Writers: Harry Pease/Larry Vincent; Producer: Don Cusic; Publisher: Shapiro Bernstein, ASCAP; Plowboy (track)
-The lead-off track of the new CD by this Grand Ole Opry veteran harkens back to his ‘50s and ‘60s performances with his sisters in The Browns. The lovely harmonies match the lilting melody and the icing on the cake is the delicious steel-guitar embellishment by Chris Scruggs. At age 80, Jim Ed still has enormous vocal warmth and class. Get-well wishes are in order — He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.

Mo Pitney. Photo: Joseph Llanes

MO PITNEY/Country
Writers: Mo Pitney/Bobby Tomberlin/Bill Anderson; Producer: Tony Brown; Publishers: Mike Curb/Sony-ATV Tree/Mr. Bubba, BMI; Curb
-His vocal is effortlessly countrified, with echoes of the great honky-tonk stylists of yore. The lyric is extraordinarily well crafted, full of the little details that make a great song sparkle. I can’t wait to hear more from this guy.

MICKEY GUYTON/Better Than You Left Me
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Jennifer Hanson/Jenn Schott/Nathan Chapman; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Dann Huff; Publishers: Mickey’s Island/Sony-ATV Acuff Rose/Chaylynn/Music of Parallel/Schott Heard Around the World/Downtown DMP/Songs of Universal/Art in the Pain, BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-It takes guts to start your career with a slow ballad. But this gal has the vocal chops to pull it off. The stately drum thump and softly sympathetic electric guitars aid her as she builds to a slow-burn, soulful emotional peak.

RACHEL HOLDER/I Think of You
Writers: Billy Aerts/Scott Lynch/Shea Fisher; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Stormey/BMG Platinum/Baby Gray/Dan Hodges/Shea Fisher, BMI; Curb (CDX)
-The fact this woman isn’t already a star continues to baffle me. Every single has been a vocal tour de force, and this one is no exception. She knocks this ballad out of the ballpark. Stop putting so much compression on her singing, crank up her volume and let her wail.

LOCASH/I Love This Life
Writers: Chris Janson/Preston Brust/Chris Lucas/Danny Myrick; Producers: Lindsay Rimes/Preston Brust/Chris Lucas; Publishers: Red Vinyl/Sony-ATV Tree/Root 49, BMI; Reviver (CDX)
-This made me want to dance around the room. They sing like hillbilly angels, the production is a frothing swirl and the dazzling rhythm track is relentless. I love this life, indeed.

ASCAP Names Elizabeth Matthews CEO

January 13, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Elizabeth Matthews

Today, the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced that Elizabeth Matthews has been named Chief Executive Officer of the organization, after previously serving as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at ASCAP since 2013.

She replaces former ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento who retired December 31 after 33 years of service, including 17 years as CEO.

Matthews, a unanimous choice among the Board’s 12 writer and 12 publisher members, begins her tenure at the helm immediately.

As ASCAP’s Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Matthews played an important role in planning the organization’s future. She led development of a six-year transformative strategic plan and was a key internal leader on modernizing ASCAP’s licensing systems and pushing for reform of ASCAP’s consent decree. She also spearheaded the organization’s support for introducing the Songwriter Equity Act in Congress. “Since joining ASCAP’s executive team, Beth Matthews has been a tireless advocate for our members and a catalyst for the entire organization,” said LoFrumento. “Working alongside Beth these past two years, there is no doubt in my mind that she has both the know-how and vision to lead ASCAP in a dynamic music landscape.”

Prior to ASCAP, Matthews served as Executive Vice President & Deputy General Counsel at Viacom Media Networks (formerly MTV Networks) since 1998.

“Now, more than ever, songwriters and composers need an advocate we can trust to ensure our work is valued fairly in a rapidly changing music marketplace,” said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, an award-winning songwriter. “What we do is vital to the future of music. Beth’s experience in the global multimedia content sector, her deep understanding of the complexities of the music business and her passion for protecting the rights of music creators make her singularly qualified for the CEO role. Her enthusiasm for taking on the new challenges of the digital era is unparalleled.”

“ASCAP is an expansive, forward-looking and adaptive service organization that successfully built and grew the market for performance rights for songwriters and publishers in the United States,” said Matthews. “As CEO, I am excited about building on our unique assets to offer new, innovative services to our members and licensing partners. As new media platforms transform how we listen to music, it is critical that we evolve our own business models and update outdated music licensing laws to better reflect the reality of today’s music marketplace. I am honored to work on behalf of the world’s greatest music creators who call ASCAP home.”

ASCAP represents more than 520,000 music creators.

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