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DISClaimer: Brothers Osborne Close Out 2016 With A Righteous Stomper

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Some of country’s top stars are closing out the year in style.

Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town and Brothers Osborne are offering choice new singles to see us into 2017. Our endearing new choice as CMA Duo of the Year leads the way. Give a Disc of the Day honor to Brothers Osborne. But don’t overlook LBT and its Taylor Swift-penned song jewel.

Call it a tie for the DisCovery Award between a gal and a guy, namely Tenille Arts and AJ Hobbs.

THOMAS MICHAEL RILEY/Between The Tick n’ the Tock
Writer: Thomas Michael Riley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TMR
– The melody is pretty basic, with a ding-dong, nursery-rhyme quality. The production is fairly minimal, and his voice is just average. But there’s a certain sincerity here that I found appealing.

BROTHERS OSBORNE/It Ain’t My Fault
Writers: John Osborne/TJ Osborne/Lee Thomas Miller; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: WB/Trampy McCauley/All the Kings Pens/Songstein/Warner-Tamerlane/The Country and Western Music, ASCAP/BMI; EMI (track)
– This righteous stomper features snarling electric guitar and a striking “outlaw” vocal on a very cool, torrent-of-words lyric. The stark, “ah” interjections are as ear catching as the chanted background singing. Play this all the dang time.

SAM BROOKER/Stay
Writers: Brent Anderson/Sam Brooker; Producers: Jamie Tate; Publishers: Sea Gayle/Artist Revolution, no performance rights listed; SB
– Softly plaintive and aching. His soft tenor swims in a pool of chiming guitars, gentle percussion, hushed harmonies and ringing sonic touches. Enchanting. We first encountered Sam several years ago in the pop duo Sam & Ruby. Since then, he has tasted success as the publisher of “Cruise” and other top tunes. As this illustrates, his skills as a writer-artist remain potent.

SHANE OWENS/All The Beer In Alabama
Writers: Shane Owens/Dan Murph/Phillip Douglas; Producer: James Stroud; Publishers: Oxi Rock/231 South/Sixteen Stars/Curb, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; AmeriMontie (track)
-This guy continues to impress. This honky-tonk ballad gives him plenty of room to showcase his bent-note phrasing and expressive lyric skills. This is real country music, the way it’s meant to be sung.

AJ HOBBS/Too Much Is Never Enough
Writer: AJ Hobbs; Producers: Ted Russell Kamp/AJ Hobbs; Publishers: Tee Hobbs, ASCAP; Booker (track)
– The title tune of this fellow’s CD is a rockabilly rave-up that puts pedal to the metal and never lets up for one second. Need tempo on your playlist? Look no further than this barrelhouse romp.

KENNY CHESNEY/Bar at the End of the World
Writers: J.T. Harding/Aimee Mayo/David Lee Murphy; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; Publishers: Songs Music/Mighty Seven/Heavy Metal Disco/Songs of SMP/Warner-Tamerlane/The Queen of Dot Dot Dot/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent, ASCAP/BMI; Columbia/Blue
– Kenny’s inviting you to take a toe-tapping tropical journey. I’d go if I were you.

MIGHTY ORQ/The Possum Song
Writer: J. Davidson; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; ORQ
– It turns out that it really is about a nocturnal marsupial. With a bluesy backing track, no less.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Better Man
Writers: Taylor Swift; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Capitol (CDX)
– I am a hopeless fan of this foursome. Karen’s lead vocal on this dreamy track is extraordinarily intimate. When the other three join her on the choruses, it’s audio heaven. Close your eyes and let this fabulous production wash over you.

TENILLE ARTS/Wildfire and Whiskey
Writers: Tenille Arts/Jason Massey; Producers: Matt Rovey/Adam Wheeler; Publishers: Oven/Ole Red Cape/Apartment Studio, BMI/ASCAP; 19th & Grand
– She is a Canadian writer-artist with a winsome, piercing delivery. The song is a lightly rocking, ridiculously catchy, brightly shining gem about falling head over heels. Promising in the extreme.

REX ALLEN JR.
Writer: Greenback Dollar; Producer: Rex Allen Jr.; Publishers: none listed; BPR (track)
-Rex is usually a cowboy singer, but Garage Songs: The Folk Years salutes his background as a ‘60s folkie. His warm baritone takes on “Tom Dooley,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “Don’t Think Twice” and other fare such as that. The collection leads with a steady, solid rendition of this rounder’s anthem.

UMPG On Andrew Dorff: ‘A Heart of Gold and Unparalleled Talent’

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Universal Music Publishing Group today issued a statement about the unexpected passing of their songwriter and friend Andrew Dorff.

Today we mourn the tragic loss of prolific songwriter Andrew Dorff, a man with a heart of gold and an unparalleled talent for songwriting.

He was beloved in the Nashville community. To us, he was family and a fixture in our office and in our writers rooms. As a songwriter he was extremely gifted and dedicated to the craft. It wasn’t unusual for Andrew to have two, or even three co-writing sessions a day.

So many great Nashville artists recorded his songs including Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Cole Swindell, and The Cadillac Three. Most recently Andrew co-wrote four No. 1 country singles: by Kenny Chesney (“Save It For A Rainy Day”), two by Blake Shelton (“My Eyes” and “Neon Light”), and Hunter Hayes (“Somebody’s Heartbreak”).

Yet with all his success, Andrew remained so humble and giving. He never met a stranger, nor walked away from anyone who needed help. He was an incredible mentor to younger writers. Everybody in Nashville reminisces how Andrew always packed an extra sandwich for his co-writer each day. He never wanted anyone to go hungry.

Finally, he was a brilliant lyricist with a process that he described as staring at a highway of words streaming across the ceiling. He said he would just simply reach out and grab the ones that fit together.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Andrew Dorff. We will truly miss our friend and hold him in our hearts.

Statement from Kent Earls, EVP/General Manager, Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville: “Andrew Dorff was family to all of us at UMPG Nashville. We’re completely heartbroken and saddened. His words will forever live in song and his light will forever shine on. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve and the rest of the Dorff family.”

Statement from Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group: “I’ve known Andrew’s dad, songwriter Steve Dorff, for many years. It was Steve who introduced me to Andrew in his early 20’s. We lost him too soon. My heart sincerely goes out to his family and all the people who loved him.”

Statement from Jody Williams, BMI, VP, Writer Publisher Relations, Nashville: “The BMI Family is incredibly shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of songwriter Andrew Dorff. The Nashville music business community will miss his kind and generous spirit, his unparalleled talent, and his gift of friendship. BMI was so fortunate to be a part of his career from the very beginning. Whether swinging by our office for a quick meeting or receiving an award at our annual dinner, Andrew’s presence was always a welcome one in the room. He will be sorely missed by our entire staff.”

Pictured (L-R): Front Row: BMI’s Phil Graham and Jody Williams, BMI songwriter Andrew Dorff, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls. Back Row: BMI’s Bradley Collins, business manager Anna Marsh, Universal Music Publishing’s Cindi Forman, Missy Roberts, BMI Songwriter Steve Dorff, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Universal Music Publishing’s Travis Gordon and Ron Stuve. Photo: Steve Lowry

Andrew Dorff and his team in July 2016 at Park Cafe, when he was honored with four BMI Million-Air Awards. Pictured (L-R): Front Row: BMI’s Phil Graham and Jody Williams, BMI songwriter Andrew Dorff, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls. Back Row: BMI’s Bradley Collins, business manager Anna Marsh, Universal Music Publishing’s Cyndi Forman, Missy Roberts, BMI Songwriter Steve Dorff, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Universal Music Publishing’s Travis Gordon and Ron Stuve. Photo: Steve Lowry

LifeNotes: Songwriter Andrew Dorff Passes

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andrewdorff-570x380UMPG songwriter Andrew Dorff has died, MusicRow has learned. Dorff turned 40 on Dec. 16.

The son of songwriter Stephen “Steve” Dorff, Sr. and brother of actor Stephen Dorff, the Los Angeles native made his way to Nashville in 2003 to pursue songwriting. He went on to sign with Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville.

In 2008, he earned a Top 10 hit with Martina McBride’s “Ride.” Since then he went on to deliver more hits, including “Somebody’s Heartbreak” (Hunter Hayes), “Bleed Red” (Ronnie Dunn), and “Missing” (William Michael Morgan).

In July, BMI celebrated Dorff’s hit for Kenny Chesney, “Save It For A Rainy Day,” and honored him with four Million-Air Awards, for one million radio spins each of “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” “Neon Light,” “My Eyes,” and “Save It For A Rainy Day.”

Dorff’s life and career was recently profiled in MusicRow‘s 2016 Publisher Issue.

“I’ve been fortunate the artists that have cut my songs are some of the great artists,” he told MusicRow at the time. “So those songs are going to live on.”

As will his kind spirit and impact on Nashville’s music community.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Several community members expressed their sympathies.

Dorff’s father, Steve Dorff, said via Facebook: “Thank you all for the outpouring of love and prayer. ❤ There simply are no words for the unbearable heartbreaking loss my family and I are feeling today. May God bless my Son Andrew, the best friend any Father could have. Your light will forever shine in my heart, and in all those who were lucky enough to know you.”

“It is with immeasurable grief that we learn of the passing of our friend Andrew Dorff,” NSAI president Lee Thomas Miller said. “Our songwriting community is small and close and this loss will hurt us all deeply. Andrew was a good man and a good friend. He was an elite songwriter at the peak of his life and career. Our sincerest prayers go out to his family. May we all hug each other a little tighter this week and remember that life is fragile. Rest in peace Andrew.”

Weekly Register: Garth Brooks, Sundance Head Reign On Country Charts

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Garth Brooks continues his reign on this week’s country albums chart, taking the top two spots. The 10-disc Ultimate Collection (Target Exclusive) ranks at No. 1 with sales of 37K. Christmas Together with Trisha Yearwood is at No. 2, with 25K.

Miranda Lambert‘s The Weight Of These Wings perches at No. 3, with 21K, while Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller lands at No. 4, with 20K. Brett Eldredge‘s holiday collection, Glow, rounds out the Top 5 with 16K.

Sundance Head, Photo: NBC.com

Sundance Head, Photo: NBC.com

This week’s country tracks chart tells a similar story to the country albums chart, with The Voice Season 11 winner Sundance Head taking the top two spots, with “Darlin’ Don’t Go” at No. 1 (60K), and “At Last” at No. 2 (44K). He also picks up the No. 4 spot with his rendition of “Treat Her Right” with Blake Shelton (26K). Fellow The Voice contestant Josh Gallagher‘s “Pick Any Small Town” lands at No. 3 with 31K, while Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” rounds out the Top 5 with 25K.

On the overall tracks chart, ZAYN and Taylor Swift have the No. 1 song and debut, with “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” from the 50 Shades Darker soundtrack, moving 188K.

Overall track sales have declined 24.6 percent year to date, while country track sales have declined 22.7 percent year to date.

Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

Weekly Chart Report (12/16/16)

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

Reba To Release 2-Disc Gospel Album Before First Complete Ryman Concert

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Reba McEntire announced via Facebook Live that the multi-talented entertainer will release a gospel album with BMLG/Cumulus’ Nash Icon and Capitol Christian Music Group on February 3, 2017.

Pairing with the release will be McEntire’s first complete show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, held on Feb. 15. The program is set to feature some of the new gospel music, as well as her greatest hits and attendees will receive a copy of the new album with ticket purchases.

Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope will be the title of the double album, featuring 10 hymns, 10 brand new songs and a hidden track. The announcement was made at East Nashville’s Tulip Street United Methodist Church, where McEntire was shooting the video for the project’s new single, “Back To God.”

“Softly and Tenderly,” a song recorded with Trisha Yearwood and Kelly Clarkson, will be released on iTunes on Friday, Feb 16. McEntire co-produced the album with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts in his home studio and her band leader/musical director Doug Sisemore.

Writers on various tracks on the project include Jessi Alexander, Sarah Buxton, Steve Moakler, Dave Barnes, Lucie Silvas, Jeremy Spillman, Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Michael Dulaney, Jason Sellers and Neil Thrasher. “I Got The Lord On My Side” is a song written by McEntire and her mother Jackie McEntire.

“I’ve been wanting to do a gospel album forever,” said McEntire. “Sing It Now was the perfect title for this album because the message and melody throughout the song connects the dots between the traditional hymns I grew up on and new music that has been uplifting for me in challenging times.

“Music conjures up great memories and goes hand and hand with us McEntires,” she continued. “Mama, Susie and Alice even came into the studio with me to record ‘I’ll Fly Away,’ all of us gathered around an old hymnal straight from the Chockie church.”

Fans who pre-order the album can download a new track from the project on iTunes every Friday now through Feb. 3. Tickets for McEntire’s Ryman show will be available Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. CT at ryman.com.

Sing It Now: Songs Of Faith & Hope Track Listing:

CD 1

1. Jesus Loves Me | Written by William Batchelder Bradbury | Arrangement by Reba McEntire
2. Oh, How I Love Jesus* | Written by Frederick Whitfield | Arrangement by Jay DeMarcus, Tim Akers
3. When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder | Written by James Milton Black | Arrangement by Reba McEntire, Catherine Marx, Doug Sisemore
4. Oh Happy Day* | Written by Edward Francis Rimbault | Arrangement by Jay DeMarcus, Tim Akers
5. Amazing Grace | Written by John Newton | Arrangement by Reba McEntire, Doug Sisemore
6. I’ll Fly Away | Written by Albert E. Brumley | Arrangement by Reba McEntire, Doug Sisemore
7. In The Garden / Wonderful Peace (Medley) (featuring The Isaacs)* | “In The Garden” written by Austin C. Miles | “Wonderful Peace” written by Warren D. Cornell | Medley Arrangement by Jay DeMarcus, Tim Akers
8. Swing Low Sweet Chariot / Swing Down Chariot (Medley) | Written by Wallace Willis | Arrangement by Reba McEntire, Doug Sisemore
9. How Great Thou Art | Written by Stuart K. Hine | Arrangement by Doug Sisemore
10. Softly And Tenderly (feat. Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood) | Written by Will Lamartine Thompson | Arrangement by Doug Sisemore

CD 2
1. Sing It Now* | Written by Michael Farren, Joseph Habedank, Tony Wood
2. Angels Singin’ | Written by Jessi Alexander, Sarah Buxton, Steve Moakler
3. God And My Girlfriends | Written by Patricia Conroy, Lisa Hentrich, Marcia Ramirez
4. Hallelujah, Amen | Written by Dave Barnes, Lucie Silvas, Jeremy Spillman
5. There Is A God* | Written by Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley
6. I Got The Lord On My Side | Written by Reba McEntire, Jackie McEntire
7. Back To God | Written by Dallas Davidson, Randy Houser
8. Angel On My Shoulder* | Written by Leigh Reynolds, Amber White, Philip White
9. From The Inside Out | Written by Amy Fletcher
10. Say A Prayer* | Written by Michael Dulaney, Jason Sellers, Neil Thrasher
11. HIDDEN TRACK (physical only): Jesus Loves Me (Reprise) | Written by William Batchelder Bradbury | Arrangement by Reba McEntire

*McEntire co-produced with DeMarcus

Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountains Rise Telethon Raises Nearly $9 Million

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dolly-telethonAs millions of viewers tuned in to watch Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon, the event has brought in nearly $9 million in donations so far. Large contributions were made from artists including Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Paul Simon and Dierks Bentley, as well as from people across the country.

Nearly 20 artists performed during the telethon, including Parton, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Michael W. Smith, Chris Janson, Big & Rich, LOCASH, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Amy Grant, Alabama, Aaron Lewis and Rhonda Vincent.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, their talent, and money for My People,” Dolly Parton explained. “The response has been so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to count all of the donations yet; right now, in total, we have raised about $9 million dollars for the folks who lost everything in Sevier County.”

The total amount raised is expected to rise as mail donations are counted and the telethon is rebroadcast to new audiences over the next five days.

Celebrities also donated their time to answer phones including: Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, Chrisley Knows Best cast members Todd, Julie and Savannah, Moonshiners’ cast members Mark and Digger, Nashville’s Charles Esten, cast members of Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors, country hit-makers Chris & Morgane Stapleton, Mark Wills, Lee Greenwood, Larry & Rudy Gatlin, TG Sheppard, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Kristian Bush, Tim Rushlow, T. Graham Brown, Dolly’s nieces Rebecca Seaver and Danielle Parton, bluegrass hit makers Lorraine Jordan and Darrin Vincent, comedian Henry Cho, KC of KC & The Sunshine Band, new country artists Lucas Hoge and Denny Strickland, songwriter Becky Hobbs, and members of the Tennessee Titans.

Several other celebrities shared special video messages during the telethon including: Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Larry King, Steve Harvey, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, and Today Show’s Willie Geist.

More than 1300 families have been displaced due to the wildfires which spread across Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee in late November. The entertainment icon established the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund to provide $1000 each month for six months to every family who lost their primary residence.

 

Paul Barnabee To Exit Sony Music Nashville

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Paul Barnabee

Paul Barnabee

Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP, Marketing Paul Barnabee will exit his role at the end of 2016, after 22 years with the company, MusicRow has confirmed.

Barnabee joined Sony Music Nashville, formerly the RCA Label Group, in 1995, overseeing financial operations. He would later head sales, digital business and operational functions. In 2011, he was named head of marketing for Sony Music Nashville and its three imprints, including RCA, Columbia and Arista Nashville. Previously, Barnabee has served on the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

“My 22 years at Sony have been amazing and more than I could have ever dreamed in my professional career,” Barnabee tells MusicRow. “I’m looking forward to my next chapter.”

Sony Music Nashville has not commented on the exiting, and no plans have been announced to fill the position.

Barnabee will be at Sony through next week, after which he can be reached at [email protected].

 

Dierks Bentley Inks Deal With Kobalt Music Copyright

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Willard Ahdritz (Kobalt founder/CEO), Merril Wasserman (EVP, Business Development), Dierks Bentley, Richard Sanders (President, Kobalt North America), Laura Alexander (Senior Creative Director), Stephanie Cox (VP, Creative), Jesse Willoughby (GM, Kobalt Nashville).

Pictured (L-R): Willard Ahdritz (Kobalt founder/CEO), Merril Wasserman (EVP, Business Development), Dierks Bentley, Richard Sanders (President, Kobalt North America), Laura Alexander (Senior Creative Director), Stephanie Cox (VP, Creative), Jesse Willoughby (GM, Kobalt Nashville).

Dierks Bentley has inked a deal with Kobalt Music Copyright for representation of his back catalog, including hits such as “I Hold On,” “Home,” “Drunk On A Plane,” “Sideways,” and more, MusicRow has confirmed. Kobalt will also handle administration for Bentley’s future compositions.

“I couldn’t be more happy about joining the Kobalt team,” said Bentley. “Everyone I’ve had a chance to meet emits a feeling of belief in the power of songs and songwriting. You can’t help but sense their excitement about writing collaborations and possibilities. I look forward to having the positive energy surrounding me as we start thinking about the next project.”

Willard Ahdritz, Founder and CEO of Kobalt, commented, “Dierks Bentley is a gifted artist and songwriter who has only grown stronger over the years. We very much believe in him and feel strongly that he will keep growing and that the best is yet to come.”

Jesse Willoughby, General Manager of Kobalt, Nashville stated, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring such a phenomenal artist like Dierks Bentley into the Kobalt family. His career continues to thrive as he pushes new boundaries on every project. His eighth album release speaks volumes about his contribution to country music and popular culture as a whole. Welcome to Kobalt, Dierks!”

 

Inside ‘MusicRow’s’ Touring Issue: Agents Talk Acting

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MusicRow recently welcomed a select group of Nashville’s top talent agents to our offices for a roundtable discussion. Here’s what Steve Lassiter (APA Sr. VP/partner), Nick Meinema (UTA Sr. VP), Darin Murphy (CAA Nashville co-head), and Jay Williams (WME partner) had to say about artists who want to venture into the world of film and TV.

Pick up a copy of MusicRow’s new Touring Issue for their in-depth discussion with the agents about the country music touring landscape.

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MusicRow: What advice do you give artists who want to expand their careers into acting?

Darin Murphy: Acting is definitely an option if you have a client who is great in front of the camera. We’ve all seen the success of Blake Shelton on The Voice, and it was great for Keith Urban on American Idol. Kellie Pickler on CMT is a hit. Trace Adkins just finished filming his twelfth movie. But you have to dedicate time to it.

Jay Williams: Artists should make the decision early in their careers, so we can plug them in with [WME’s] L.A. office for film or TV. They will have to take a lot of acting classes. I think they should be open to it, because there are so many more outlets like Netflix, Hulu, and other platforms. A lot of the artists I work with get requests all the time, but they are too busy to stop their main focus of music. That said, it might come later down the road for Dierks or somebody.

Nick Meinema: On the other hand, the number of outlets now dilutes the number of eyeballs. The reality is that building up that side of a career is a process. It’s not an Ed Sullivan situation where you go on TV and all of a sudden your business is flipped. Dwight Yoakam is in Goliath with Billy Bob Thornton, and that will build an audience. Tim McGraw has done it really well; he’s committed to it. An artist has to be committed to it.

Steve Lassiter: Television is an exposure vehicle for the artist. It’s equal to a couple of No. 1 records. But the acting talent has to be there. Travis Tritt is probably not going to get on major country radio anymore, but he is a good actor and he had three or four bit parts this year. What makes it tough is that he is playing 130 shows a year, so we have to pass on a lot of acting opportunities because he’s not available. He lives in Atlanta, which has a major television and film industry, so if he has two days at home, he can go do that. Billy Ray Cyrus has a new show on CMT and it’s doing great. They ordered a second season before the first was over.

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Pictured at the offices of MusicRow magazine. (L-R): Darin Murphy, Jay Williams, Nick Meinema, and Steve Lassiter.