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Dierks Bentley Offers Pre-Tour Preview

May 7, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Dierks Bentley has spent the past three weeks in a sweltering Nashville rehearsal hall crafting and perfecting the details of his upcoming headlining Riser Tour.
I ain’t afraid of working to the bone, a line from his Riser project’s title track, is an apt description of Bentley, who is still clearly enamored with his craft of music and performance after more than 10 years and eight albums for Capitol Nashville.
“I’ve always been one of the guys that designs sets on cocktail napkins on the back of the bus,” Bentley explained. “When we first started off, we were just figuring out how we were going to build a stage and … a lot of amplifiers have been a big part of our production … and our look. The older you get and the more you get the chance to do this, the less you take for granted and you never know what tomorrow will bring. I told everyone, ‘Let’s just go big. Let’s put together a show like it was the last show we’re ever going to do, like this was the last tour.’” The very hands-on entertainer even tweeted a photo of himself on a forklift earlier in the day.
The relentless heat inside the rehearsal hall didn’t faze Bentley, who has been running through his entire tour set multiple times throughout the day. “You should see the 4 p.m. showing. It’s even hotter in here,” he quipped. In fact, Bentley explained the heat will prepare him for his upcoming run of outdoor amphitheater shows.
Riser has already spawned one chart-topping single, “I Hold On.” Friday night (May 9) will see the launch of the Riser Tour in Charlotte, N.C. Bentley will bring Chris Young, Chase Rice and Jon Pardi along for the trek.
Bentley offered Nashville media an early look at the new show’s production. The stage was drenched in red, white and blue light as the band strummed the first strains of “5-1-5-0.” Though his audience was a small crowd of crew and media, Bentley performed as though a full amphitheater crowd filled the room, entertaining from within the marked off sections of warehouse floor as if it were a real stage. Behind him, a massive lighting rig and video screen blazed with luminosity and sound, adding a swirl of intensity that heightened Bentley’s already energetic performance.
From there, Bentley sailed through more hits, including “Tip It On Back.” His humorous new single “Drunk On A Plane” received an even more hilarious video treatment, while he tested his between-song conversation on the industry crowd during “I Hold On.”
“This song is about things I believe in, and Country music is at the top of that list,” he said. Fitting words from a bonafide riser, fighter, survivor who has spent the past decade carving his own musical path in the Country music landscape.

DISClaimer: Gentlemen and a Lady

May 7, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Just about everyone’s rocking this week, so summer must be just around the corner.
The contest for the Disc of the Day prize was a three-way battle of the rockers among Brad Paisley, Jerrod Niemann and our winner in a very close call, Kip Moore.
I am happy to report that there are loads of newcomers in this week’s stack of platters. So many, in fact, that I’m handing out two DisCovery Awards. Our male winner is the Casey Donahew Band, and our female honoree is Ally Lindeen.
MISTY RAE CARSON/Woke Up One Day
Writers: Misty Rae Carson/Robert Ellis Orrall; Producers: Jeff Savage/Jason Carson; Publishers: Higilly Pigilly/Orrall Fixation, ASCAP; LLR (CDX)
-Housewives and mothers leading dead-end lives dream of what might have been. Her soprano grates a little in its upper register, but the song is so well put together that it scarcely matters.

DANNY GRIEGO/The Coast Is Clear
Writers: Scotty Emerick/Red Lane; Producers: Scotty Emerick, Ed Seay & Danny Griego; Publishers: Big Yellow Dog/Florida Cracker/Redairlane/Sony-ATV, BMI; Amerimonte (CDX)
-Lost on a deserted beach with tropical breezes wafting over your face while you dream of a love to come. Simply gorgeous. A heavenly little record.
ALLY LINDEEN/Teardrops Dry
Writers: Ally Lindeen/Mark Dowdy/Joie Scott; Producer: Mark Dowdy; Publisher: Audio Illusion, BMI; Rivercrest (CDX)
-She is a solid vocalist, using her throaty lower register with great emotional effect. The imaginative production supports her effectively at every turn of this mid-tempo message of encouragement. Recommended.

Casey Donahew Band

JERROD NIEMANN/Donkey
Writers: Kyle Jacobs/David Tolliver/Fred Wilhelm; Producers: Jimmie Lee Sloas/Jerrod Niemann; Publishers: Curb/Jacobsong/StyleSonic/Meaux Mercy/Float/CapitolCMG, ASCAP/BMI; Arista (track)
-This will have you smiling from ear to ear, plus dancing your butt off. Hee-haw!
JOHNNY ORR BAND/Down South
Writer: Johnny Orr; Producers: Johnny Orr/Shale Martin; Publishers: Johnny Orr, BMI; John and John
-The truck, the girl, the beer, the cooler full of ice. Ho hum.
COREY KANE BAND/Cheating on a Country Girl
Writers: Corey Vanderhoof; Producer: Corey Vanderhoof; Publishers: none listed; Sagi-Ta-Rus (CDX)
-Under produced by a country mile. It takes more than a fiddle and a drum, son. Also: stop trying to sound like Garth Brooks when you sing.

Ally Lindeen

CASEY DONAHEW BAND/Lovin’ Out of Control
Writers: Matt Fleener/Brandon Lynn Kinney/Trent Summar; Producer: Casey Donahew; Publishers: Songs of Universal/EMI Blackwood, no performance rights listed; Almost Country
-This big and beefy rocker is packed with electric guitar and slamming rhythm. Donahew sings with country-boy authenticity. A winner.
BRAD PAISLEY/River Bank
Writers: Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace; Producer: Brad Paisley/Kendal Marcy/Luke Wooten; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP/BMI; Arista (CDX)
– The crunchy, punchy production touches are an audio delight. As usual, the guitar work is stellar. Brad gets vocal support from a “gang” choir. The sound of summer.
KIP MOORE/Dirt Road
Writers: Kip Moore/Dan Couch/Westin Davis; Producer: Brett James; Publishers: Warner-Tamberlane/Against the Wind/Songs Of the Corn/Songs From the Couch/Magic Mustang/Reefer Road/Big Loud Bucks, BMI; MCA Nashville
– Gripping, intense and soulful, this is anchored by throbbing bass work and heart-attack drumming. The bro-country subject matter is hardly revolutionary, but when it is delivered with this much passion, it sounds extraordinary.

Brad Paisley

BUZZ CASON/That’s What I Love About the South
Writers: Buzz Cason; Producer: Buzz Cason; Publisher: Buzz Cason, ASCAP; Plowboy (track)
-Buzz formed Nashville’s first rock ‘n’ roll band, had a pop smash called “Look for a Star,” formed the Berry Hill entertainment district with his Creative Workshop studio (now Blackbird), published Jimmy Buffett and co-wrote “Everlasting Love,” “Love’s the Only House,” “Timeless and True Love,” “Soldier of Love” and more. Decades down the road, he’s still at it with a self-produced CD titled Troubadour Heart. Its single is a funky, rocking delight with dandy, Dixie-fied lyrics.

'MusicRow' Reveals Date for 26th Annual Awards

May 7, 2014/by contributor

MusicRow magazine is pleased to announce its 26th annual subscriber-voted awards will take place Wednesday, June 18, 5:30 p.m. at BMI‘s Nashville headquarters.
MusicRow subscribed members will receive ballots on Thursday, May 15, with the ballot period ending at 5:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, May 21.
If you are not already a subscribed member, you can still receive the upcoming ballot and event invitation by joining MusicRow by clicking here.
In addition to Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, the event will also honor the 2014 All-Star Musicians, players with the most credits on albums reaching the top 10 during the eligibility period.
MusicRow’s Annual Awards print issue will be available immediately following the event at BMI, and will include profiles of the subscriber-voted winners, All-Star Musicians and exclusive editorial content.
Written by Eric Parker, Laura Hostelley.

Urban, Gill Give Their All 4 The Hall

May 7, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): Brett Eldredge, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Deanna Carter, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail

Pictured (L-R): Kyle Young, Brett Eldredge, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Deanna Carter, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail and Gary Borman. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

Keith Urban and Vince Gill welcomed a slew of Country music luminaries to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for the fifth annual All 4 The Hall concert on Tuesday evening (May 6). The concert functioned with a dual purpose—to raise funds for the Country Music Hall of Fame, and to celebrate some of the artist’s favorite songs, both new and timeless classics.
As comfortable performing solo as accompanying other artists, Urban and Gill led a superb backing band which also included Buddy Miller and steel guitarist Paul Franklin.

Keith Urban's Fifth Annual "We're All 4 The Hall" Benefit Concert

Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban and Vince Gill. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

This year’s All 4 The Hall featured one of the best lineups yet: Reba, Carrie Underwood, David Nail, Brett Eldredge, Deana Carter, soon-to-be Country Music Hall of Famer Ronnie Milsap, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Darius Rucker, Kacey Musgraves, and Lee Ann Womack.
The show flowed in a Grand Ole Opry style-format, as each artist performed two songs. In keeping with this year’s songwriters theme, the artists shared stories behind the songs and how each song resonated with them personally.
Womack’s soothing soprano offered her 1998 hit “Little Past Little Rock” along with new tune “The Way I’m Living.” Eldredge brought the onstage enthusiasm and poise of a rising headliner.
“I was here the very first year [for All 4 The Hall], thinking how cool it would be to play this show,” said Eldredge, who performed two cuts from his debut album, his current single, “Beat of the Music” and album cut “Mean To Me.”

Reba McEntire. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

Other highlights of the evening included big-voiced vocalists and Oklahoma natives Reba and Underwood. The multi-talented Reba earned the cheers of the crowd before ever singing a note. She offered the signature song “Survivor” (the theme to her long-running hit television show Reba), as well as “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia,” which actress Vicki Lawrence‘s then-husband Bobby Russell penned in 1971. Reba recalled the song’s difficult road to being recorded. After numerous artists turned it down, Russell held such confidence in the song that he declared, “My wife could have a No. 1 hit with this song.” Industry execs urged him to give it a try; he did, and the suspenseful Southern gothic song became Vicki Lawrence’s only No. 1 hit. Reba released her own cover version in 1992.

David Nail and Lee Ann Womack. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

Dolly Parton’s musical influence was undeniable. Underwood offered a flawless cover of Parton’s version of “I Will Always Love You,” while Kacey Musgraves performed a charming take on “Here You Come Again.” “Normally I don’t want to meet people I love because I find they are normal,” Underwood said. “Dolly exceeded all my expectations.”
Underwood showcased her powerful rock-tinged voice on “Last Name,” while Musgraves successfully overcame some minor technical troubles to deliver her debut single “Merry Go ‘Round.”

Kacey Musgraves. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

Gill recalled first hearing Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” on the radio, and being enamored with the singer’s talent. “I heard her doing a live show at [now defunct] Tower Records on West End,” Gill said. “I had to drive over there and see who this woman was, and who had that voice.”
“It was the first song I ever had on the radio,” a exuberant and youthful Carter said in introducing the song to the audience. “I looked up and saw Vince and wondered if he just stopped in and needed cassette covers or something at the time. He waited to say something really kind and it meant so much to me.” Carter also offered “You and Tequila,” which was co-written with Matraca Berg, and recorded by Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter.
Womack made another appearance, providing harmony vocals on a cover of Glen Campbell‘s “Galveston” with David Nail. The song is featured on Nail’s I’m A Fire, which released March. A smart pairing.

An all-star rendition of Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel.” Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

In previous solo concerts at Bridgestone, Urban has included surprise acoustic performances at the rear of the venue into his set, to the delight of fans in the “cheap seats.” All 4 The Hall seemed to borrow the idea; Urban performed an acoustic rendition of “Cop Car,” then shook hands with several surrounding concertgoers. “I write a lot of songs, but this one is one of the magic ones,” Urban said. The performance went a long way in bringing intimate moments to the thousands of fans packed into Bridgestone.
Later in the show, Brantley Gilbert also performed from a side stage in the rear of the venue, notably joined by Dann Huff for a performance of the unreleased song “Grown Ass Man.” The always sharp-witted Gill would later reference the song title, saying, “Well, I’m a large ass man.”
The multi-talented Gill’s glorious tenor was smooth and faultless during his solo “What You Give Away,” which he dedicated to Urban, thanking him for his generosity in making the evening possible. He highlighted Paul Franklin during a performance of Buck Owens’ “Together Again,” from the pair’s superb Bakersfield project.

Ronnie Milsap. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

Calling Out Where The Bright Lights Are one of his favorite albums, Urban introduced Ronnie Milsap, who offered his signature hits “Smoky Mountain Rain” and “Stranger In My House.” Mary Chapin Carpenter and Kip Moore also offered top shelf sets.
Recent Grammy-winner Darius Rucker walked onstage to a standing ovation from the Music City crowd. After offering his first chart-topping Country hit, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” he welcomed Underwood, Carter, Eldredge, Gilbert and Carpenter for a show-closing, crowd sing-a-long of “Wagon Wheel.”
Urban offered a surprising early statistic during the show, stating that the concert had raised over $600,000 for the CMH0F; official numbers have yet to be released.

Brett Eldredge and Carrie Underwood. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

Weekly Register: Country Music Market Share

May 7, 2014/by Sarah Skates

With no big Country album debuts, and Luke Bryan and the Frozen soundtrack still sitting tight at the top of their respective album charts, there isn’t much excitement in sales land today.
On the tracks front, Brantley Gilbert debuted “My Baby’s Guns and Roses,” selling 52K.
Let’s check in on how Country is faring overall.
Market share: Country album market share is holding steady, while Country track sales are losing ground.
Country album market share is on par with this time last year at about 12 percent.
Country’s percentage of all digital albums sold is 9.3 percent, which is also in line with this week last year.
The Country track share of overall track sales is down from 12.9 percent last year to 11.9 percent this year.
Digital percentage: When buying albums, Country fans are buying 34.4 percent digital, up slightly from 32 percent this time last year. By comparison, purchases of overall albums are 44.7 percent digital, up slightly from 43.2 percent last year.

Matthew West Leads 36th Annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards

May 6, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Matthew West, ASCAP’s Paul Williams and LeAnn Phelan. Photo by Ed Rode.

Nashville’s Christian music industry had a night to shine at the elegant Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn., for the 36th Annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards. Rising group PawnShop Kings opened the evening with their bluesy rock vibe of “Love Like Jesus.”
ASCAP president Paul Williams was on hand to welcome the industry-only crowd.
“This is the second time I’ve been here for the awards,” said Williams. “There is such a vibe here in Nashville. Every day I say, ‘Surprise me God, and lead me where you need me. Your work is holy work and I love being here.'” ASCAP’s Michael Martin, LeAnn Phelan, Kele Currier and Ryan Beuschel were on hand to honor the artists, publishers and songwriters behind the past year’s most performed songs.

PawnShop Kings perform “Love Like Jesus.” Photo: Ed Rode.

Matthew West was the evening’s big winner, taking home the Songwriter of the Year honor as well as the Song of the Year honor for “Hello, My Name Is,” a song that spent 17 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. In 2013, West took home ASCAP’s Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year honor.
Before West stepped onstage to perform an acoustic version of the song, a video told the story behind “Hello, My Name Is,” the second single from West’s Into The Light project. West crafted the songs on the album as a way to share fans’ stories of hardship and victory, culled from thousands of letters and emails he has received.
“Hello, My Name Is” was inspired by the story of Jordan Jeffers, a one-time “all-American athlete,” who became addicted to prescription pain medication following a sports injury. His college let him go, and his parents took him to addiction center Teen Challenge. After going through the addiction program, Jeffers completed his degree and began working as a coach for the same college that had let him go a few years earlier.
“I’ve been coming here and never once felt like I belong with such amazing talent. I hope I always feel that way,” West said upon accepting the Songwriter of the Year honor. “For Paul [Williams] to be here two years in a row I think shows how much they believe in this music we are doing.”
The Publisher of the Year award went to Capitol CMG Publishing. This marks the publishing company’s 11th consecutive year as the recipient .

Michael W. Smith and Bart Millard. Photo: Ed Rode

Michael W. Smith and MercyMe’s Bart Millard. Photo: Ed Rode

Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith were both honored with ASCAP’s Century award, in honor of ASCAP’s 100th birthday, which recognizes the enduring influence of their careers on the Contemporary Christian Music industry.
In tribute to some of the musical genre’s most beloved compositions, Smith performed “Awesome God,” from the late Rich Mullins, and brought MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard to the stage for what Smith noted was their first collaboration. Smith backed Millard on MercyMe’s signature hit, “I Can Only Imagine.” Later in the program, Ashley Cleveland accompanied herself on acoustic guitar, performing “Thy Word,” from Grant’s 1984 album Straight Ahead.
Producer Brown Bannister and Nashville pastor Don Finto were on hand to pay tribute to Grant and Smith. “When you were starting out, there were practically no charts to top. It’s not about the hit and the success. It is about the long obedience, and you embody everything that is great about CCM. You just had a desire to share your hearts, and you’ve done it for three decades. That is long obedience in the same direction.”
“I heard Tom Petty say there are enough great songs in the world, but we keep writing because that’s what we do,” Grant said. “I will sing until the day I die because I love it. I love seeing the new music that has come up behind us.” Speaking to the artists and industry members, she said, “The great thing about knowing Jesus is that we don’t have to change anyone, manipulate anyone. We are free to love everyone because that’s who He died for.”
Songs Honored During the 2014 ASCAP Christian Music Awards
“Strangely Dim,” Francesca Battistelli
“Words,” Hawk Nelson feat. Bart Millard
“Build Your Kingdom Here,” Rend Collective
“We Won’t Be Shaken,” Building 429
“You Are I Am,” MercyMe
“Lord I Need You,” Matt Maher
“Your Love Never Fails,” Newsboys
“God’s Great Dance Floor,” Chris Tomlin
“Live With Abandon,” Newsboys
“My God,” Jeremy Camp
“Already There,” Casting Crowns
“Hurricane,” Natalie Grant
“Great I Am,” Phillips Craig & Dean
“Should’ve Been Me,” Citizen Way
“Lift My Life Up,” Unspoken
“Who You Are,” Unspoken
“He Is With Us,” Love and the Outcome
“You Are,” Colton Dixon
“Carry Me,” Josh Wilson
“Overcomer,” Mandisa
“Every Good Thing,” The Afters
“Yours Will Be (The Only Name),” Big Daddy Weave
“Gold,” Britt Nicole

Miranda Lambert Leads 2014 CMT Music Awards Nominees

May 5, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert is this year’s leading artist going into the 2014 CMT Music Awards; Lambert has garnered a total of six nods this year, including two for “Automatic,” two for her collaboration with Keith Urban on “We Were Us,” and two as a member of Pistol Annies.

Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan follow with five nominations each. Urban and Taylor Swift earned four nominations each.

The CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 4 at 8 p.m. ET. Voting begins now at cmt.com and runs through Sunday, June 1 at midnight ET. Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday, May 10 at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT at Ticketmaster outlets and at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office.

Last year, Carrie Underwood took home the coveted Video of the Year award for “Blown Away,” while Lambert and Florida Georgia Line took home two trophies apiece. FGL took home Breakthrough and Duo Video of the Year honors for “Cruise” last year, while Lambert took home Female Video of the Year for “Mama’s Broken Heart,” and CMT Performance of the Year for “Over You.”

A full list of nominees for the 2014 CMT Music Awards is below:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies and Friends – “Boys ‘Round Here”
Carrie Underwood – “See You Again”
Eric Church – “Give Me Back My Hometown”
Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan – “This Is How We Roll”
Hunter Hayes – “I Want Crazy”
Kacey Musgraves – “Follow Your Arrow”
Keith Urban with Miranda Lambert – “We Were Us”
Luke Bryan – “That’s My Kind of Night”
Miranda Lambert – “Automatic”
Taylor Swift – “Red”
Thomas Rhett – “It Goes Like This”
Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban – “Highway Don’t Care”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

Blake Shelton – “Doin’ What She Likes”
Eric Church – “Give Me Back My Hometown”
Hunter Hayes – “I Want Crazy”
Jason Aldean – “Night Train”
Luke Bryan – “Crash My Party”
Randy Houser – “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

Carrie Underwood – “See You Again”
Cassadee Pope – “Wasting All These Tears”
Kacey Musgraves – “Follow Your Arrow”
Miranda Lambert – “Automatic”
Sheryl Crow – “Easy”
Taylor Swift – “Red”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

Eli Young Band – “Drunk Last Night”
Lady Antebellum – “Compass”
Little Big Town – “Your Side Of The Bed”
Rascal Flatts – “Rewind”
The Band Perry – “Done”
Zac Brown Band – “Sweet Annie”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

Dan + Shay – “19 You + Me”
Florida Georgia Line – “Round Here”
Florida Georgia Line – “Stay”
Thompson Square – “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

Brett Eldredge – “Beat Of The Music”
Cassadee Pope – “Wasting All These Tears”
Cole Swindell – “Chillin’ It”
David Nail – “Whatever She’s Got”
Thomas Rhett – “It Goes Like This”
Tyler Farr – “Redneck Crazy”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies and Friends – “Boys ‘Round Here”
Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan – “This Is How We Roll
Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly – “Cruise (Remix)”
Hunter Hayes featuring Jason Mraz – “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me”
Keith Urban with Miranda Lambert – “We Were Us”
Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban – “Highway Don’t Care”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

Dierks Bentley and OneRepublic – “Counting Stars” from CMT Crossroads: OneRepublic and Dierks Bentley
Jake Owen – “Days Of Gold” from CMT Hot 20 Countdown
Lady Antebellum and Stevie Nicks – “Rhiannon” from CMT Crossroads: Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum
Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie – “Oh No/All Night Long” from 2013 CMT Artists of the Year
The Band Perry and Fall Out Boy – “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark” from CMT Crossroads: Fall Out Boy and The Band Perry
Willie Nelson and Neil Young – “Long May You Run” from CMT Crossroads: Willie Nelson & Friends from Third Man Records

[Updated]: Lifenotes: Services Announced for Radio Promotion Vet David Haley

May 3, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

David Haley

Radio promotion veteran Kermit David Haley passed away on May 3, 2014 in Oxford, Miss. He was 56.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram, Miss. The funeral will be Wednesday, May 7 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in McCarley, Miss. Visitation at the church will be held at 2 p.m. with a graveside service following at Hickory Grove Cemetery at 3 p.m. The service will be officiated by Reverend Lanny Haley. Pallbearers are Bob Haley, Glenn Haley, Brandon Haley, Locke Bennett, Lane Bennett, Haley Bennett, Darren Elliott and Shane Allen Sakkinen.
A Nashville memorial service is currently in the works.
Haley’s Country music industry career began at age 17, when he accepted a position as a weekend DJ at WJXN in Jackson, Miss. While attending Hinds Community College, he was an evening DJ at WJQS in Jackson; he rose to the position of Program Director at that station.
Haley moved to Nashville in 1984 at age 28. He held radio promotion roles at various labels, including 17 years with MCA Nashville, where he rose to VP, Promotion. He followed his time at MCA with roles at Equity, InstiGator, Edgehill, and Tenacity.
He greatly influenced the careers of numerous artists, including Reba, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Trisha Yearwood, George Strait, Aaron Watson and others. Among industry colleagues and co-workers, Haley was known for his tireless work ethic, positive spirit, humor and zest for life. While Haley had the drive to be successful in a competitive industry, friends also spoke of his kind and gentle demeanor.
Haley suffered a stroke in 2011, but his positive outlook never diminished. He retired and relocated to Oxford, Miss. in 2013, in order to be close to family.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Kermit and Kate Brunson Haley. He is survived by his daughter Crystal Haley Polk and her husband Jeffery, his sister Brenda Haley Davis and her husband Charles, as well as numerous cousins and a multitude of friends.
Nashville has seen an outpouring of love from family, friends, artists and industry members; Vince Gill dedicated “Go Rest High On That Mountain” to Haley during a weekend performance on the Grand Ole Opry.
The family requests that memorials be made to Hickory Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 940 County Road 81, McCarley, MS 38943; Music Health Alliance or the pet rescue organization of your choice.

Weekly Chart Report (5/2/14)

May 2, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

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

Weekly Register: Luke Bryan Keeps Playing At No. 1

April 30, 2014/by Sarah Skates

If only the rest of the sales charts were as “Happy” as Pharrell Williams. That song is still dancing at the top of the all-genre tracks chart 23 weeks after release. It sold 208K this week and 4.7 million RTD.
On the Country tracks chart, there are a few bright spots. Hunter Hayes debuted “You Think You Know Somebody” with 24k. Also among the newer songs, Dustin Lynch’s “Where It’s At” sold 23K in its second week. Kristen Merlin cast a spell over viewers of The Voice, resulting in 18K downloads of her cover of Sugarland’s “Stay.” (This was after technical difficulties prevented her from finishing the song live on the show.)

Luke Bryan keeps playing at the top of the Country Tracks and Albums charts. His single “Play It Again” sold 96K TW for a RTD of 821K. Crash My Party sold 19K TW for a RTD total of 1.826 million.
The cast of Nashville debuted a live recording of its television concert special On The Record with sales of 18K of the digital-only BMLG release.
Passing the 1 million mark this week were FGL and Bryan’s “This is How We Roll” and Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up.”
The Frozen soundtrack stayed at No. 1 on the overall albums chart, selling 115K this week and 2.45 million RTD.
By comparison, the entire Country album Top 75 sold 190K this week.

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