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WME Opens Christian Division In Nashville

January 23, 2014/by Sarah Skates

Agent Mike Snider will head the Christian division.

William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) is launching a Christian Music Division in its Nashville office. Heading the department will be 20-year industry vet Mike Snider. He joins the WME team along with fellow agents Kevin Huffman and Dan Rauter.
They come to WME from Paradigm and will be bringing clients including Andy Mineo, CeCe Winans, Jeremy Camp, Kari Jobe, Kutless, Lecrae, Matt Maher, MercyMe, Phil Wickham, Red, Rend Collective Experiment, Shane & Shane, Tedashii, Tenth Avenue North, and Trip Lee.
Snider, Huffman and Rauter came onboard at Paradigm in 2010 when it purchased Third Coast Artists Agency, where they previously worked. Snider co-owned Third Coast and joined Paradigm as co-head of its Nashville office. There he oversaw operations and handled acts in Christian and Country music.
Huffman started his career as an agent in 1999. He has worked with artists including Caedmon’s Call, Bebo Norman, Skillet, All Star United.
Rauter began his career as President of CommonRock Entertainment, an artist management company, representing Grammy and Dove Award nominated artists including All Star United and Seven Day Jesus.

DisClaimer: Try Bluegrass For Your Country Cravings

January 22, 2014/by Bobby Karl

Do you miss Country music? If so, I prescribe a trip to the land of bluegrass. That’s where you’ll find hillbilly satisfaction. Today’s Disc of the Day comes from a visitor to that Land, country superstar Alan Jackson.
The DisCovery Award goes to Della Mae. This all-female band has earned a Grammy nomination with its first major-label album, and richly deserves it.
DAILEY & VINCENT/Steel Drivin’ Man
Writer: Jamie Dailey; Producers: Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent; Publisher: Bluegrass Ambassador, BMI; Rounder (track)
-These guys are nominated for a bluegrass Grammy Award, and this might be their year. The category has long been dominated by Ricky Skaggs and Alison Krauss, neither of whom is nominated. The only prior winner (2005) who is a nominee is Del McCoury. If speed counts, this lead-off track of Brothers of the Highway should aid Dailey & Vincent’s chances. It is a blistering, full-throttle attack with all of the band members wearing their digits out on their instruments. Other highlights include lovely remakes of the Louvin Brothers’ “When I Stop Dreaming” and Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper’s “Tomorrow I’ll Be Gone,” plus the lilting, beautifully written and performed title tune.
THE BOXCARS/You Took All the Ramblin’ Out of Me
Writer: Jerry Hubbard; Producer: The Boxcars; Publisher: Sixteen Stars, BMI; Mountain Home
-Also a Grammy nominee, this Nashville band is packed with stellar instrumentalists. The Boxcars’ It’s Just a Road CD features this ramblin’-boy ditty penned by the late Jerry Reed. If there’s no special spark here, it is still a solid piece of work.
ALAN JACKSON/Blue Ridge Mountain Song
Writer: Alan Jackson; Producers: Keith Stegall and Adam Wright; Publishers: EMI April/Tri-Angels; ASCAP; ACR/EMI (track)
-This pretty tune from Alan’s The Bluegrass Album recently hit No. 1 on the CMT video chart. Amid tinkling mandolin and banjo, the star’s heartfelt hillbilly baritone sings of a sweet, innocent love that continues beyond death. Completely charming.
CHRIS JONES & THE NIGHT DRIVERS/Lonely Comes Easy
Writer: Chris Jones; Producer: Chris Jones; Publisher: Gal Sal, BMI; Rebel (track)
-I’ve always liked these guys. Jones has one of those warm, instantly enveloping voices, and this terrific, ineffably sad song shows what a fine writer he is. You’ll find it on the group’s current album by the same name. Bluegrass celeb guests on the collection include Claire Lynch, Dan Tyminski, Sierra Hull and Ron Block. Heartily recommended.

Alan Jackson

RICKY SKAGGS & BRUCE HORNSBY/The Way It Is
Writer: B.R. Hornsby; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Zappo, BMI; Skaggs Family
-Pop star Hornsby, who previously won a bluegrass Grammy with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1989, teams up with Skaggs on the live CD Cluck Ol’ Hen. The album’s delightful reworking of his 1986 hit is so grassy you’ll hardly recognize it. Piano and all.
BLUE HIGHWAY/The Game
Writers: Shawn Lane/Barry Bales; Producer: Blue Highway; Publishers: Cat Town/Quackhead, BMI; Rounder (track)
-Blue Highway is remarkable for its endurance. In a genre where band members are constantly being reshuffled, this group is celebrating its 20th anniversary together. Its 11th album dropped yesterday. This high, lonesome title tune — cowritten by the band’s Shawn Lane — kicks the collection off in style. Tim Stafford’s lead vocals remain among the best in the biz, and the award-winning dobro work of Rob Ickes is as stellar as ever.
CARL JACKSON/Just As I Am/Softly and Tenderly
Writers: Charlotte Elliott/William B. Bradbury – Will L. Thompson; Producers: Carl Jackson and Jimmy Metts; Publisher: public domain; Voxhall (track)
-Jackson’s Grace Notes album is a collection of acoustic guitar instrumentals of cherished hymns. It is a gentle gift of melody that wafts through your soul.
DELLA MAE/This World Oft Can Be
Writers: Courtney Hartman/Celia Woodsmith; Producer: Bryan Sutton; Publishers: Fearless Hum/Squawkboxmusic, BMI; Rounder (track)
-This all-female quintet is the Cinderella story of this year’s bluegrass Grammy Awards. Della Mae is nominated for music’s top honor with its debut album. This haunting, minor-key, Celtic flavored melody is its title tune. The Bostonians recorded their project at John Carter Cash’s studio in Hendersonville. If they don’t win your heart, it must be made of stone.
JAMES KING/The Devil’s Train
Writers: Cliff Carlisle/Mel Foree; Producers: Ken Irwin and Steve Chandler; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Acuff-Rose; BMI; Rounder (track)
-This veteran stylist is one of the bluegrass world’s most soulful singers. He is Grammy nominated for his Three Chords and the Truth album. This rapid-fire cautionary tale is the set’s lead song. It’s a measure of his gifts that he can make such familiar songs as “Chiseled in Stone” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” into fresh listening experiences.
LORRAINE JORDAN AND CAROLINA ROAD/That’s Kentucky
Writers: Dixie Hall/Tom T. Hall; Producer: Josh Goforth; Publisher: Good Home Grown; BMI; Pinecastle (track)
-This is currently No. 1 on the bluegrass-music charts and is also the band’s new video. Lead singer Tommy Long is your tender, persuasive guide through this lively ode to the Bluegrass State that name checks Abe Lincoln and Bill Monroe. In a genre where flash is the norm, these guys win you over with seemingly effortless expertise.

Weekly Register: Nettles, Pardi and Cash

January 22, 2014/by Michael_Smith

The third week of sales is the charm, with overall album sales up four percent from last week and Country album sales up an impressive 26 percent week over week, with several noteworthy debuts.
Jennifer Nettles’ That Girl (Mercury Nashville) is the top Country debut (No. 5 overall), selling 54k units this week. Meanwhile, Rosanne Cash’s River & The Thread (Blue Note Records) debuts at No. 2 (No. 11 overall), selling 19k units. Cash’s album features 11 songs co-written with husband John Leventhal. Jon Pardi’s Write You A Good Song (Capitol Nashville) debuts at No. 3 (No. 14 overall), with 17k units sold.
Another noteworthy debut is Cody Johnson’s Cowboy Like Me (Cody Johnson), which debuts at No. 7, selling 8k units. Finally, Home Free, of NBC’s The Sing Off, release their debut album Crazy Life (Columbia Records), landing at No. 8 with 6k units sold.
Bruce Springsteen’s High Hopes is the top overall debut this week, selling 99k units. YTD, overall album sales are down 13.8 percent, while Country album sales are down 13 percent.
The top Country track is Eric Church’s “Give Me Back My Hometown,” (No. 24 overall), selling 61k units this week (89k RTD). Rascal Flatt’s “Rewind” is the top Country debut, coming in at No. 6 (No. 42 overall), selling 38k units. Additionally, MusicRow’s inaugural Challenge Coin winner Cole Swindell debuts “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight” at No. 8, selling 35k units.
Katy Perry and Juicy’s “Dark Horse” continues as the top overall track, selling 216k units this week and 2 million units RTD. Pop powerhouses Shakira and Rihanna’s “Can’t Remember To Forget You” debuts at No. 16 overall with 82k units sold. YTD, overall track sales are down 11.9 percent, while Country track sales are down 17 percent. This week’s track sales fell short of sales around this time last year, which saw Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie” debut with 315k units sold and The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” sell 70k units.
Check back next week to see which Grammy performers experienced a post-show download bump following Sunday night’s show (Jan. 26).

‘MusicRow’ Announces 2014 CRS CountryBreakout Award Performers

January 21, 2014/by Eric T. Parker

MusicRow Magazine is pleased to announce rising artists Native Run (Show Dog-Universal) and Natalie Stovall and the Drive (HitShop Records) as the performers for the 2014 CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards.
The invitation-only event will be held in front of an audience of MusicRow subscribed members and radio executives at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2:00 PM. The ceremony serves as the unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar, which will attract radio broadcasters from across the country for events Feb. 19-21.
In addition to performances, the afternoon will include the presentation of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Given annually, these honors recognize artists who earned the most airplay on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart during the preceding year. For 12 years, the CountryBreakout Chart has led the market for Country radio’s secondary stations.
“Our MusicRow Chart has become more valuable than ever,” said MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “Not only does the CountryBreakout Chart give insight to radio’s future trends, but it provides a fluid platform for established artists to expand success and new artists to begin their careers and create initial momentum.”
“Our CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards will not only showcase the talents of two wonderful bands, but will celebrate the artists who have performed on our airwaves throughout the year,” said MusicRow Chart Director Michael Smith.
An in-depth profile of the yet-to-be-announced awards winners will be included in the February/March 2014 edition of MusicRow Magazine, set to debut at the awards ceremony. Copies of the print issue will be available for CRS attendees throughout the Nashville Convention Center, including kiosks in the coffee lounge and conference areas. MusicRow paid subscribers will receive copies by mail. Magazines are also available for purchase anytime at musicrow.com or the magazine’s 17th Avenue headquarters in Nashville.
Invited guests can click here to RSVP.
About the artists performing at MusicRow’s 2014 CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards
Natalie Stovall and the Drive (HitShop Records) – Whether it’s Natalie Stovall’s breathtaking vocals and larger-than-life stage presence, her band’s turbo-charged, take-no prisoners live show, or the collective unit’s barnstorming worldwide tours, Natalie Stovall and The Drive prove they are ready for the spotlight. The band is currently working with famed producer, Paul Worley (Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum, Big and Rich, The Band Perry) while the lead single “Baby Come On With It” is rising on the charts. With a trademark lion’s mane of big blonde hair, Natalie and her powerful vocals have gained worldwide popularity since she was 10, performing everywhere from the White House to the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Grand Ole Opry. The multi-talented instrumentalist’s vocals have captivated audiences during more than 200 touring dates each year. Led by the Columbia, Tenn. native, her four-person band includes drummer James Bavendam from Seattle, Chile’s Miguel Cancino on guitar, Zach Morse from Cheyenne, Wy. on bass and vocals, and Redding, Calif. guitarist and vocalist Joel Dormer. Natalie Stovall and The Drive are realizing their dream each day as they perform for fans around the world and finish up their debut record, set to release in 2014.
Native Run (Show Dog-Universal) – Native Run is comprised of Rachel Beauregard and Bryan Dawley, both born and raised with deep roots in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Beauregard and Dawley bring a chemistry and energy to the stage that is unparalleled. They recently moved to Nashville, Tenn., and have been taking the music scene by storm. Having signed with Creative Nation, Combustion Music, Show Dog-Universal and Fusion Music, they are now solely focused on writing their debut album. They’re pop-country meets rock n’ roll, with a deep groove and great hair. The duo has been hailed by Paste Magazine as “The Best of What’s Next,” and they are veterans of The Rock Boat and Austin City Limits Music Festival.

SESAC Plans $20 Million Building

January 20, 2014/by Sarah Skates

SESAC is building a new $20 million home on Music Row. The 110,000-square-foot space will be located at 35, 37, 39 and 41 Music Sq. E., reports the Tennessean. Groundbreaking could take place in the next two months. SESAC is expected to use about 35,000 square feet of the complex and lease the remainder. Completion is scheduled for 2015.
The properties on Music Sq. E. were purchased from The BBR Music Group owner Benny Brown and his wife Carolyn for $3.5 million according to reports. In turn, the Browns bought a 25,000-square-foot property at 65 Music Sq. W., formerly home to Sony/ATV’s administration division, for $4.1 million and will move BBR operations there.
The admin arm of Sony/ATV recently moved downtown to the Fifth Third Center at 424 Church Street. Sony/ATV’s creative division remains at 8 Music Sq. W.
SESAC is currently in two buildings at 55 Music Sq. E and 66 Music Square W.

Weekly Chart Report (1/17/14)

January 17, 2014/by Michael_Smith

To access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report, click here or above.

DISClaimer: Music City's Americana

January 15, 2014/by Robert K Oermann

Hard Working Americans

It’s high time we took an audio stroll through Music City’s Americana scene. Where have all our female singer-songwriters gone in this town? Evidently right here. Women dominate this stack of platters with worthy discs by Kim Richey, Julie Lee, Greta Gaines and Beth Nielsen Chapman. The other outstanding singer-songwriter platter belongs to Amos Lee. But the bands carried the day. Todd Snider’s new ensemble Hard Working Americans earned our Disc of the Day honor. The sensational The Wild Feathers flew away with the DisCovery Award.
GRETA GAINES/Good Side
Writer: G. Gaines; Producers: Eric Fritsch/Greta Gaines; Publisher: Oh Happy!; BMI; Big Air (track)
-Where to begin? For those not familiar with this Nashville singer-songwriter, she is the 1992 winner of the Women’s Extreme Snowboarding World Championship, the host of MTV’s broadcasts of similar events, the 2001-2004 star of the Oxygen channel series Freeride, a soundtrack composer, an ESPN broadcaster of fly fishing events and a board member of NORML, seeking to reform marijuana laws. All the while, she’s been releasing well-received CDs. Lighthouse & The Impossible Love is her fifth collection. This track departs from her prior country-rock sound in favor of a sultry, soul-inflected, sexy, soft vocal style. Heartily recommended.
BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN/The Mighty Sky
Writers: Chapman/Alvey; Producers: Beth Nielsen Chapman/Annie Roboff; Publishers: Rock Alvey/Songs of Prismight; BMI/SESAC; BNC (track)
-Chapman is nominated for a Children’s Music Grammy Award this year for a collection of astronomy songs. As always, this Nashville pop stylist is a mistress of lovely melody making, as this celestial title tune so ably illustrates. This truly is music for children of all ages. And I don’t care how old you are, the accompanying booklet will delight you with things you never knew.
JULIE LEE/Till and Mule
Writers: Julie Lee; Producers: Julie Lee/Aaron Roche; Publisher: Still House Road; SESAC; JL (track)
-I have long been a fan of this singer-songwriter. If you’re not, you should be. Her world-class, folk-country soprano is as crystal-clear as an Appalachian brook, and her vivid songwriting is just as stellar. This echoey title ballad of her new album will make your heart tremble.
HARD WORKING AMERICANS/Down To The Well
Writers: Kevin Gordon/Colin Kendall Linden; Producers: Dave Schools/Todd Snider; Publishers: Little Bug/Bug/WB; no performance rights listed; Melvin (track)
-This group is fronted by longtime Americana hero Todd Snider. On this thumpy, hard-times tune, his trademark raspy vocal delivery is given extra potency thanks to extremely tasty guitar work (Neal Casal) and an ultra-tough rhythm section (Duane Trucks, Dave Schools, Chad Staehly). In keeping with the band name, many of the tunes have blue-collar themes.
KIM RICHEY/Thorn In My Heart
Writers: Kim Richey/Nelson Hubbard; Producer: Nelson Hubbard; Publishers: BMG Chyrsalis/Plastic Bird, BMI/PRS; Yep Rock (Track)
-Richey has returned to Music City. For which we should all shout, “Hallelujah.” The title tune of her current CD reminds you of how completely captivating her sweet-sad, world-weary style is. The harmony vocals by Will Kimbrough are equally soul-tugging. Luscious melody and infinite heartache. Buy this and every other album you see her name on.
AMOS LEE/Mountains of Sorrow
Writers: Amos Lee; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Soma Eel; BMI; Blue Note (track)
-This Americana fave and his band came to Nashville and put themselves in the capable hands of producer Jay Joyce. The result is a “drop the needle anywhere” album. It doesn’t matter which track you choose, your ears are in for an audio delight. The performances are mostly captured live, but in the case of this loping, engaging, mournful title tune, Patty Griffin was persuaded to add vocal harmony. Other illustrious guests dropping by included Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and Mickey Raphael. Amos plays Music City Roots tonight.
FATS KAPLIN AND KRISTI ROSE/Gold
Writers: Rose/Kaplin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Pulp Country
-This esteemed sideman for Jack White (and many others) has a double CD. One disc is The Fatman Cometh and the other is World of Wonder, and both showcase his dazzling abilities on fiddle, mandolin, percussion, dobro, banjo, theramin and baglama, not to mention his composing skills. Kaplan’s partner Kristi Rose drops by to croon this bluesy love song on the second CD. This man’s music will enthrall you.
THE WILD FEATHERS/The Ceiling
Writers: Joel King/Taylor Burns/Ricky Young; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Effecter/Evan Taylor Burns/Young Town Mountain; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-The thrilling debut album by this Nashville five-piece will restore your faith in the power of roots rock. This single/video showcases the group’s pile-driving rhythm, head-to-the-sky singing, supremely hooky melodic style, ringing instrumental abilities, sublime harmony vocalizing and addictive enthusiasm. It made me spin around the room in delight. Play it again and again and again.
WILL KIMBROUGH/Sideshow Love
Writer: Will Kimbrough; Producers: Will Kimbrough/David Henry; Publishers: Will Kimbrough/Bluewater; BMI; Daphne (track)
-This universally respected Nashville singer-songwriter-guitarist has been moving more and more in an Americana direction in recent years. The title tune to his new collection is a bluesy, stripped-down outing that wryly romps in all the right ways. I remain a big, big fan.
NED VAN GO/Poor White Trash Southern Reputation Blues
Writers: Hill/Webb; Producer: Michael Webb; Publishers: Ned Hill/DoubleKick; SESAC/BMI; NVG (track)
-I’m a little late getting to these drawling Kentuckians, whose Lost in the Trouble CD dropped a few months back. This hilarious, rawking, hillbilly romp tells you everything you need to know about their irreverence, wit and spunk.

Weekly Register: Florida Georgia Line Returns To No.1

January 15, 2014/by Michael_Smith

Florida Georgia Line

Two weeks into the new year, we’re off to a slow start with overall album sales down 21 percent from last week and Country album sales down 25 percent week over week.
Florida Georgia Line’s Here’s To The Good Times (Republic Nashville) returns as the top Country album (No. 20 overall), selling 16k units this week and 1.5 million units RTD. The duo’s hit “Round Here” recently ranked No. 10 on The Marco Club Connection’s list of 2013’s Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits. The Top overall album remains Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists, selling another 54k units this week (361k RTD).
YTD, overall album sales are down 15.1 percent, while Country album sales are down 24.3 percent. This week’s albums had trouble competing with last year’s releases, including Chris Tomlin’s debut album and Taylor Swift’s RED, which sat at No. 1 and sold 49k units around the same time last year.
Luke Bryan’s “Drink A Beer” endures as the top Country track (No. 27 overall), selling 57k units this week and 542k units RTD. Lucy Hale’s “You Sound Good To Me” is the top overall (No. 42) and the top Country (No. 4) debut this week, selling 41k units. The Pretty Little Liars star won Favorite Cable TV Actress at last week’s People’s Choice Awards 2014.
Another noteworthy Country debut is Eric Church’s “Give Me Back My Hometown,” which lands at No. 12 on the Country chart (No. 62 overall), selling 28k units this week. Meanwhile, Katy Perry and Juicy’s “Dark Horse” is the top overall track, selling 243k units this week (1.7 million RTD). YTD, overall track sales are down 11.3 percent, while Country track sales are down 18.2 percent.
Next week’s sales numbers will include Jennifer Nettles’ That Girl, Jon Pardi’s Write You A Song, Rosanne Cash’s The River & The Thread, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Songs From The Movie and Charlie Farley’s Hog Heaven.

Luke Bryan Announces Stadium Dates for 2014

January 14, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Luke Bryan‘s 2014 touring schedule just got even bigger. Bryan announced stadium dates in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

On June 21, Bryan will play Heinz Field in Pittsburgh with special guest Dierks Bentley. On Aug. 15, Bryan will take the stage in Philadelphia with Cole Swindell and Lee Brice, as well as a yet-undetermined surprise artist. Later that month, Bryan will perform on Aug. 31 at Chicago’s Soldier Field with Bentley, Swindell and Brice.
“Cole is a dear friend of mine who sold T-shirts for me for three years and he always had artist aspirations. We’re so excited to have Cole out,” Bryan said during today’s (Jan. 14) tour announcement at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. “Lee Brice is somebody that I respect, and an incredible vocalist.”
Bryan was joined by Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell for the announcement that was also streamed online.
The star said the decision to make the leap to stadiums was a combination of prayers, gut instinct and paying attention to his fans. “Complacency for me is sad day,” he explained. “[This move] comes from an honest place. It will always be fan driven.” He discussed the importance of giving fans more than they expect at concerts and his desire to keep ticket prices accessible so that his concerts can be a family outing. Playing stadiums has been a lifelong dream for Bryan, who said he is proud to be following the lead of genre stalwarts including George Strait and Kenny Chesney.
The upcoming leg of Bryan’s That’s My Kind of Night 2014 Tour will also feature two-night performances in several cities, including Washington, D.C.; Raleigh, N.C; St. Louis; Cleveland; Cincinnati and Atlanta. The singer-songwriter’s 2014 touring season will end with a concert at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl. “It will be an amazing place to end the tour,” Bryan said. “It will be fun to be out in Los Angeles.”
He is also planning his sixth annual Farm Tour.
Bryan’s recent Dirt Road Diaries Tour sold 1.3 million tickets, and he is the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year.
For more information on concert dates, visit lukebryan.com and livenation.com.

Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Nominees Party

January 13, 2014/by Bobby Karl

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 444

Pictured: Little Big Town with Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding and Recording Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees Christine Albert. Photo: Ed Rode

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy (NARAS), and the celebration began on Sunday evening (Jan. 12) at its annual Grammy Nominees Party.
“We’re here to celebrate our nominees,” said chapter board president Jeff Balding. “And the Nashville chapter was founded in 1964. This is our 50th anniversary, and we’re going to be celebrating all year long.”
So even before most of the nominees walked the red carpet, 10 of the 20 living former chapter presidents gathered for a celebratory group photo. In addition to Balding (2013-15), they included Harold Bradley (1964-66), Jim Black (1983-85), Ralph Murphy (1985-86), Jimmy Gilmer (1989-91), Katie Gillon (1994-96), Garth Fundis (1998-2000), Tony Brown (2000-02), Doug Howard (2004-06) and Dan Hill (2010-12).
Bradley, the first president, recalled that the chapter formed in response to the facts that the 1958 “Country” Grammy Award went to The Kingston Trio and the 1962 “Country” Grammy went to Burl Ives. Black noted that he was proud to be the board president the year that the chapter became financially viable. Gillon remains the only female board president to date. Fundis went from chapter prez to the national board presidency and spearheaded the organization’s transition into its current mode.
Expect to see more evidence of the “50 Years of Grammy Gold” anniversary commemoration at chapter events throughout the year.

Pictured (L-R): Recording Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees Christine Albert, GRAMMY Hall of Fame inductee B.J. Thomas, Recording Academy South Regional Director Susan Stewart and Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding

The nominee party was held, once again, at The Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel. By the way, the public/lobby/bar/restaurant areas of this venue have been totally transformed. Go see.
Walking the red carpet were such new Grammy nominees as Lee Brice, Little Big Town, Tim O’Brien, Buddy Miller, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Guy Clark. B.J. Thomas, whose “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” is being inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame, was also there. Other RSVPs to the party invitation (please note: the word is “invitation;” the word “invite” is a verb, not a noun), included Matt Maher, TobyMac, Connie Harrington, Jason Roy of the CCM band Building 429, Ryan Stevenson, Jamie Moore, Chad Carlson and Justin Niebank.
In addition to being the first major Nashville music biz party of the year, it is also one of the very best. Loews really does a top job with its catering. Guests sampled beef sliders with pimento cheese, pickled fried chicken biscuits with cider apple preserves, white bean hummus on corn bread, duck tater tots with peach ketchup, shrimp and grit cakes, pulled pork in red potato skins and veggies with sundried tomato ranch dip, plus spicy meats and cheeses.
Mingling among the party’s giant gold Grammy statuettes were Mark Collie, Eddie DeGarmo and Sandy Knox. I congratulated Nashville TV star Jonathan Jackson (“Avery”) on landing a Country recording contract. He said he hasn’t chosen a producer yet. His TV co-star Charles “Chip” Esten (“Deacon”) was also amiably socializing. Both of them are super-nice, by the way. And they love our fair city. Attendee Carolyn Corlew is about to tour as Ms. Senior America. The Charlie Daniels backup singer says she sang the Etta James hit “Tell Mama” as her talent to win her title.

Pictured (L-R): Matt Maher, Jason Roy (Building 429), TobyMac, Ryan Stevenson and Jamie Moore

Music-biz fabulons working the room included Tim Fink, Earle Simmons, Pat Higdon, Charlie Monk, Karen Clark, Jeff Walker, Jed Hilly, Andrew Kintz and Erika Wollam-Nichols. The current Nashville NARAS board was well represented by CCM star Brandon Heath and singer-songwriter-producer Victoria Shaw, plus Scott Hendricks, Scott Robinson, Leslie Roberts, Leslie Fram, Fletcher Foster, Allen Brown, Lori Badgett, Ben Fowler, Steve Gibson, Pat McMakin, David Corlew, Rod Essig and Woody Bomar.

“Isn’t this a fun party?” asked NARAS regional director Susan Stewart. “We have so many genres [in this year’s Grammy nominations]. We are in 18 genres this year. It’s incredible. It’s always great to see the respect that the Grammy voters have for Nashville.”
She and Balding recognized national vice president Nancy Shapiro and MusiCares exec Debbie Carroll. The party was extra special because national board chair Christine Albert attended.
“I travel to chapters around the country,” she said. “Nashville is really near and dear to my heart. I love this city.” It turns out that this Texan is former Maypop staff songwriter. Who knew?
The event was well covered by media mavens. Hacks and flacks on the scene included Storme Warren, Jimmy Carter, Ronna Rubin, Tom Roland, Janet Bozeman, Hunter Kelly, Susan Niles, Doak Turner, George Walker IV, Ed Morris and MusicRow‘s fearless leader Sherod Robertson.

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