Weekly Chart Report (9/2/16)
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DISClaimer: David Nail, Brandy Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus Stand Out
David Nail
As summer drags on relentlessly, we find relief in fresh country sounds.
Our vocal collaboration du jour is the awesome new single by David Nail featuring Brothers Osborne. Our most fabulous female is the brilliant Brandy Clark. Our surprise male winner is the wonderfully humorous performance by Billy Ray Cyrus. Give all three a Disc of the Day honor.
The DisCovery Award goes to Margo Price. She performed “Four Years of Chances” on The Tonight Show on Aug. 2 and introduced “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” and “Since You Put Me Down” on SNL earlier this year. All three are on her new Midwest Farmer’s Daughter vinyl album. Way to go, TV broadcasters.
CURTIS BRALY/Love You Down
Writers: Jeremy Bussey/Tom Tillman/Jayce Hein; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed, SESAC/BMI, Go Time/Briley (track)
– His clinging to pitch for dear life. Despite his shaky vocal performance, the track pumps mightily behind him and the song is solid.
DAVID NAIL Featuring BROTHERS OSBORNE/Good At Tonight
Writers: TJ Osborne/John Osborne/Troy Verges/Barry Dean; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; MCA Nashville
– Thrilling. As you might expect, the voices are on fire with conviction. What is just as great is the fact that the song is a total barn burner, loaded with pounding percussion, churning electric guitars and passionate lyrics. Play it again.
WAYLON JENNINGS/Young Widow Brown
Writers: Waylon Jennings/Sky Corbin; Producers: Robby Turner; Publishers: Heart of the Hills/Trio/Fort Knox, no performance rights listed; Country Rewind
– Finding new Waylon music is always a good thing. He and a bunch of other country acts recorded a series of short, military-recruitment radio shows in 1970. These tapes have recently been rediscovered. Former Waylon band member Robby Turner put new instrumentation on the performances to bring them up to date. Most of the tunes on the resulting The Lost Nashville Sessions CD are early Waylon hits such as “Just to Satisfy You,” “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line,” “Mental Revenge” and “Brown Eyed Handsome Man.” This tasty country rocker is more obscure, the tale of a man who inherits a lusty gal he can’t keep up with. Delightful.
BRANDY CLARK/Love Can Go To Hell
Writers: Brandy Clark/Scott Stepakoff; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Highway 508/Clearbox Rights/Nettwerk One-A/Ten Ten, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– I am on board with the fact that she’s a country songwriting genius. What is frequently overlooked is that she is also a singer of flawless phrasing, liquid tone and silky listenability. This lightly bopping, tinkling, twinkling outing about an ended relationship is audio ecstasy on every level. I am in love with this woman’s music.
SOUTHERN HALO/Rewind
Writers: Chancie Neal/Gerald O’Brien/Catt Gravitt; Producers: Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Publishers: none listed; BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo
– Smiley. Sunshiny. Summery. Swaying.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Dirty Laundry
Writers: Zach Crowell/Ashley Gorley/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Atlas/External Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/HillarodyRathbone/BMG, ASCAP; Arista/19 (track)
– That ain’t her shade of lipstick. She doesn’t drink the red wine that’s on his shirt. That’s not the smell of her perfume. He’s trying to sneak in late, again. You’re in trouble, pal. She’s pissed off and rocking.
RUSTY RIERSON/Something ‘Bout You
Writer: Kevin Welch; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sony/ATV Cross Keys; RecordRanch
-This Kansas-bred country boy has a delivery that goes down easily. He has a natural warmth and an instantly likable sound. The rolling groove of this Kevin Welch song fits him like a glove. If there’s such a thing as a baby Strait, this guy is it.
MARGO PRICE/Four Years Of Chances
Writer: Margo Price; Producers: Alex Munoz/Matt Ross-Spang; Publisher: Peach Pit, SESAC; Third Man (track)
– It’s a slow build, starting with a stark little guitar figure and her plaintive, accusatory voice. The rhythm track picks up steam as the rest of the band comes creeping in. But no matter what is going on with the track, it’s her piercing, riveting delivery that commands the spotlight. A very cool little record.
KAREN RICHARDS/Ladies Man
Writer: Karen Richards; Producers: Frank Green/Jim Sanford; Publisher: none listed; Krystal Mac (track)
– Yikes. The echo chamber only emphasizes her shortcomings. And they are too numerous to list here.
BILLY RAY CYRUS/Hey Elvis
Writer: none listed; Producers: Brandon Friesen/Noah Gordon; Publishers: none listed; Blue Cadillac (track)
– Billy Ray’s upcoming Thin Line collection is loaded with celeb guests — Shelby Lynne, Joe Perry, Shooter Jennings and children Branson Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, for starters. This fantastically catchy, rocking track features Bryan Adams and Glen Hughes singing backup on its wildly clever lyrics. Its video, available on his website, is comprised of hilarious footage from his wacky CMT television sit com Still the King. Heartily recommended.
Ellis Island Provides Setting For Florida Georgia Line’s ‘Dig Your Roots’ Release
Keeping with the theme of their new album title, Dig Your Roots, Florida Georgia Line celebrated the release of their third studio album this week in New York City. The project was released on Friday, Aug. 26 through Big Machine and Big Loud Mountain. It was produced by Joey Moi and contains 15 tracks, six of which were co-written by Jordan Schmidt, a writer for FGL’s publishing company Tree Vibez.
A VIP reception, presented by Budweiser, was held on Monday, Aug. 29, in The Registry Room (or “The Great Hall,” as it is called today) at the iconic Ellis Island, which was originally used for processing immigrants. Ellis Island was the gateway for over 12 million immigrants as the nation’s busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954, drawing in 5,000 to 10,000 people through the immigration station each day. The island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
Interesting fact: Estimates show that close to 40 percent of all U. S. citizens can trace at least one of their ancestors back to Ellis Island.
MusicRow sat down with Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley on Ellis Island for an exclusive conversation about the new project. Kelley was eager to share details about collaborating with Tim McGraw for the second single, “May We All,” and the duo’s experience of cutting their acting chops in the song’s music video.
How did the collaboration on “May We All” with Tim McGraw come about?
“May We all” came in pretty early in the Dig Your Roots recording process. It was one of the earlier songs. On this album, we knew we wanted to do more collaborations since we didn’t have any on the Anything Goes album. We took it on a song-by-song basis and let it happen naturally. For this song, it was easy for us to know we wanted McGraw on it.
What drew you to bring McGraw in on this project?
He’s a legend and we’ve always loved him. I can even tell you where I was when I first heard “Don’t Take The Girl.” I’m a huge fan. He is the man! He’s on our label so we hit him up and he loved the song. We didn’t get to record it together but shooting the video was a day that Tyler and I will never forget. He’s a total pro, shows up in character and gave a lot of really good advice. He said, “Don’t act. Just let it be natural. Let it be organic and let it happen.” I think Tyler and I showed up prepared and ready to do that. Making a mini-movie gives our fans something different. It allowed us to get in the acting world a little bit and dip our toes.
Now that you’ve had a chance to show off your acting chops in the new video, is acting something you would like to add to your career?
Man, I think we both would love to! It’s something that has always interested us. If the right thing came along and we could get creative, taking it to the next level and be fresh, that would be amazing. It’s a really cool outlet because who doesn’t love the movies and TV shows and short films? Today, when Tyler and I get any free time, we love to catch up on a good show or movie and hopefully our fans would love to see us in something different. If the right thing came along, I think we would jump at it, work really hard and make sure it was quality material.
Invited guests at the celebration, which consisted of broadcasting, media influencers and team members, noshed at several food stations highlighting many different cuisines. Old Camp Whiskey, FGL’s newly released peach pecan whiskey, appeared in the featured cocktail, allowing attendees to taste the newly minted drink. Beer drinkers were also pleased with offerings from Budweiser, the company FGL has teamed up with on their Dig Your Roots Tour.
Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard in The Great Hall
Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta presented FGL with plaques honoring one million downloads of “H.O.L.Y.,” the first single from the “Dig Your Roots” project which also topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on July 7.
The evening culminated with the exciting world premiere of the music video for “May We All” directed by TK McKamy, featuring Tim McGraw. The song is FGL’s second single from the Dig Your Roots album. Produced like a mini-movie, the five-minute-plus video includes moments of intense suspense, giving FGL members Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley an opportunity to try out their acting chops.
FGL has teamed with YouTube to produce the behind-the-scenes content of the new video in 360° virtual-reality technology. Guests were given the Google Cardboard viewer and, by inserting their smartphone into the device, they were able to experience an immersive, 360° 3D environment from the set of the video.
The following day, broadcasters from all over the United States and Canada gathered to interview FGL, as well as key members of their team including Google Cardboard’s Aaron Luber, Tree Vibez songwriter Jordan Schmidt, Big Loud Mountain’s Seth England, Live Nation Nashville’s Brian O’Connell, Proximo Spirits’ Scott Green, and FGL Tour Manager and Management Consultant Troy “Tracker” Johnson. Interview segments were broadcast live on air during the day from the heart of Manhattan at 246 Fifth The Yard.
Guests take private ferry to the iconic Ellis Island.
In Pictures: 10th Annual ACM Honors At The Ryman
Lady Antebellum. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Now in its 10th year, the ACM Honors show still finds that balance of recognizing historical achievements and bringing out modern country superstars.
That was particularly true on Tuesday night (Aug. 30) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. For the first time, the event was filmed for a CBS network special, which will air on Sept. 9. The national spotlight enticed a number of A-list artists to appear.
Shannon Campbell (son of Glen Campbell), Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
The impressive list of performers, presenters and honorees included: Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Cam and duet partner Alicia Keys, Dan + Shay, Crystal Gayle, Emmylou Harris, Toby Keith, hosts Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, The Statler Brothers, Cole Swindell, Tanya Tucker, Keith Urban, and Chris Young.
Pictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini; Crystal Gayle; Tiffany Moon, EVP/Managing Director, Interim CEO, ACM. Photo: Getty Images for ACM
Prior to the musical performances, the Studio Recording Awards were presented to the following: Michael Rhodes, bass player of the year; Derek Wells, guitar player of the year; Jim “Moose” Brown, piano/keyboards player of the year; Danny Rader, specialty instrument(s) player of the year; Justin Niebank, audio engineer of the year; Dave Cobb, producer of the year; Shannon Forrest, drummer of the year; and Paul Franklin, steel guitar player of the year.
Thomas Rhett. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Once the performances kicked in at 7 p.m., the night moved quickly—even though that part of the show lasted about three hours. Thomas Rhett introduced Jason Aldean as the winner of the ACM Triple Crown Award, indicating that he has won trophies as a new artist, male vocalist and entertainer. In addition to an acceptance speech, Aldean delivered a medley of “Dirt Road Anthem,” “Tattoos on This Town” and a new single, “A Little More Summertime.”
Jason Aldean. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Introduced by Little Big Town, Keith Urban sang “Blue Ain’t Your Color” to commemorate the acceptance of his ACM Mae Boren Axton Award.
Keith Urban. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Stepping out of the ACM world for a few minutes, Urban, Little Big Town and Dierks Bentley covered David Bowie’s “Heroes” for a separate Stand Up to Cancer network special.
Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild; Dierks Bentley; Keith Urban; Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Maren Morris treated ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award winner Tanya Tucker to a spot-on version of “Delta Dawn.”
Pictured (L-R): Maren Morris, Tanya Tucker. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
In the next stretch of performances, The Band Perry sang “MacArthur Park” for ACM Poet’s Award winner Jimmy Webb, who was presented the trophy by Toby Keith.
The Band Perry. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Webb, Toby Keith, The Band Perry. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Martina McBride brought out Chris Young and Dan + Shay to sing “Flowers on the Wall” before giving the ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award to Don Reid and Jimmy Fortune, two members of The Statler Brothers.
Martina McBride. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Dan Smyers from Dan + Shay, Chris Young, Shay Mooney from Dan+ Shay. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Jimmy Fortune and Don Reid of The Statler Brothers. Photo: Jhn Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Kelsea Ballerini submitted a marvelous version of “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” before Crystal Gayle came up to accept her ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award.
Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Crystal Gayle. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Emmylou Harris was given the honor of presenting Miranda Lambert the first-ever ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award. Lambert, who sang “Misery and Gin” in homage to Haggard, was visibly thrilled to receive an award named for one hero, and hand-delivered by another.
Pictured (L-R): Miranda Lambert, Emmylou Harris. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Dierks Bentley returned to the stage to sing “Freedom” to salute his friend Ross Copperman, named ACM Songwriter of the Year.
Dierks Bentley. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Ross Copperman. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell teamed up for “I Love a Rainy Night” in tribute to ACM Poet’s Award recipient Eddie Rabbitt, who died in 1998. Rabbitt’s daughter Demelza accepted in his honor.
Pictured (L-R): Cole Swindell, Luke Bryan. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
Terri Walker, the widow of beloved industry figure Jeff Walker, spoke eloquently while receiving his ACM Jim Reeves International Award. Their children Christy Walker-Watkins and Jon Walker stood with their mother during her speech.
Nashville Predators Mike Fisher presents an award onstage during the 10th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 30, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)
Mike Fisher spoke highly of his wife, Carrie Underwood, who was unable to accept her ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award in person. A concert performance of “Temporary Home” emphasized the positive outlook that the award embodies.
Alicia Keys and Cam.
Alicia Keys and Cam provided one of the highlights of the evening with their rendition of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush.” Little Big Town were honored with the Crystal Milestone Award.
Little Big Town. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
A tribute to Glen Campbell roused the crowd, as Shelton sang “Southern Nights,” Bentley offered “Gentle on My Mind,” Urban performed “Wichita Lineman” and Keith covered “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” They united for a terrific take on “Rhinestone Cowboy,” the 1975 ACM Single and Song of the Year, and a positive speech from Campbell’s wife Kim — who indicated that Campbell would have been overjoyed to hear such a tribute — concluded the evening on an uplifting note.
Cal Campbell, Kimberly Campbell, Ashley Campbell, and Shannon Campbell. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
CMA Awards Nominations Announced
Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban will vie for this year’s Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 50th annual CMA Awards, the Country Music Association announced this morning.
Keith Urban, Cam, and Dierks Bentley made announcements on Good Morning America in top categories including Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Entertainer of the year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.
The Country Music Association also announced nominations for Musical Event of the Year, Vocal Group, Vocal Duo, New Artist, Music Video, and Musician of the Year.
Eric Church, Maren Morris, and Stapleton top the list of final nominees with five nominations each. Bentley, Underwood, and Urban received four nominations and Tim McGraw received three nominations. This brings his career total of nominations to 38.
Artists receiving two nominations include Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Bryan, Cam, Old Dominion and Thomas Rhett.
“I am very excited about this year’s list of nominees,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have artists who received their first CMA Awards nominations decades ago alongside first-timers; we have critically-acclaimed songwriters and artists who have reset the bar for country music. This is going to be an exciting year in addition to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards.”
The 50th annual CMA Awards will air live on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
A full list of CMA Awards nominations is below:
Entertainer Of The Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s))
“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
Produced by Dann Huff and Jesse Frasure
Mix Engineered by Justin Niebank
The Valory Music Co.
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
Produced by Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw
Mix Engineered by Byron Gallimore
Big Machine Records
“My Church,” Maren Morris
Produced by busbee and Maren Morris
Mix Engineered by Dave Clauss and busbee
Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville
“Nobody To Blame,” Chris Stapleton
Produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineered by Vance Powell
Mercury Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville
“Record Year,” Eric Church
Produced by Jay Joyce
Mix Engineered by Jay Joyce and Jason Hall
EMI Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville
Album of the Year
Dierks Bentley, Black
Maren Morris, Hero
Eric Church, Mr. Misunderstood
Keith Urban, Ripcord
Carrie Underwood, Storyteller
Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Burning House,” Camaron “Cam” Ochs, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
“Die a Happy Man,” Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, and Joe Spargur
“Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
“My Church,” busbee and Maren Morris
“Record Year,” Eric Church and Jeff Hyde
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae
Musical Event of the Year
“Different For Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
[Capitol Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville]
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
[Capitol Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville]
“The Fighter,” Keith Urban (featuring Carrie Underwood)
[Hit Red Records / Capitol Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville]
“Think Of You,” Chris Young (duet with Cassadee Pope)
[RCA Nashville / Sony Music Nashville]
“You Are My Sunshine,” Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
[Low Country Sound / Elektra Records]
Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas, Dobro / Lap Steel Guitar
Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
Dann Huff, Guitar
Brent Mason, Guitar
Derek Wells, Guitar
Music Video of the Year
“Burning House,” Cam
“Fire Away,” Chris Stapleton
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“Record Year,” Eric Church
“Somewhere On A Beach,” Dierks Bentley
New Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell
Weekly Register: Dolly Parton Tops Country Album Chart
The indefatigable Dolly Parton has been hard at work promoting her Pure & Simple album, both on tour and in the press. The effort has paid off, with Pure & Simple taking the pinnacle of the country albums chart this week (and No. 11 overall), selling 20K.
Other Top 5 country debuts this week include Texas-based artist Casey Donahew, whose All Night Party lands at No. 3 on the country albums rankings (and No. 40 overall), selling 11.5K. BMLG artist Drake White‘s Spark debuts at No. 4 this week (and No. 34 overall), with 10.6K sold.
Closing out the top 5 are Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller at No. 2 with 12K sold, and Justin Moore‘s Kinda Don’t Care, which drops from topping last week’s album chart to No. 5 this week, selling 10.4K.
Actor/singer Kiefer Sutherland‘s Down In A Hole project comes in at No. 35 on the country charts this week, with 1.3K.
Frank Ocean‘s Blond project tops the overall albums chart this week, with 276K (232K album only).
Overall album sales are down 14.9 percent YTD, while overall digital album sales are down 19.6 percent. Country album sales have declined 9.7 percent, while country digital sales have shrunk 15.6 percent YTD.
Florida Georgia Line with Backstreet Boys’ member Nick Carter (center). Photo: Nick Carter/Instagram
Florida Georgia Line continues to dominate the country tracks rankings, with “H.O.L.Y.” taking the top spot this week with 34K sold. Meanwhile, the duo’s collaboration with The Backstreet Boys, “God, Your Mama, and Me,” debuts at No. 5 this week (No. 28 overall), with 25K. The debut is the top debut, both on the country and overall charts.
Rounding out the country Top 5 digital tracks are Kenny Chesney‘s collaboration with Pink, “Setting The World On Fire,” at No. 2, with 32K. Miranda Lambert‘s “Vice” lands at No. 3, with 25K.
Meanwhile, Dan + Shay‘s “From The Ground Up” is at No. 4, with 25K. That sales number pushes the track to 504K sold to date.
On the overall chart, The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey remain on top, with “Closer” selling 143K, for 1.132 million RTD.
Information courtesy Nielsen Soundscan.
DISClaimer: Lori McKenna, Josh Farrow Lead Americana Releases
Lori McKenna. Photo: Becky Fluke
The Americana festival and convention will be here before we know it, so it’s high time we surveyed what’s in this genre’s review-me pile.
The names to remember today are John Gorka, Chip Taylor and those of our dual Disc of the Day winners, Lori McKenna and Liz Longley.
Today’s newcomers include Angie & The Deserters, Andrew Leahey & The Homestead and our DisCovery Award winner, Josh Farrow. The East Nashville troubadour will be performing at Live on the Green on the Metro Courthouse Square on Sept. 2. Be there or be square.
CHIP TAYLOR/I’ll Carry For You
Writer: Chip Taylor; Producers: Goran Grini/Chip Taylor; Publisher: Back Road, BMI; Train Wreck (track)
– “Wild Thing,” “Angel of the Morning,” “I Can Make It With You,” “Step Out of Your Mind,” “Make Me Belong to You,” “Son of a Rotten Gambler,” “Storybook Children,” “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder),” “I Can’t Let Go,” “Worry,” “Anyway That You Want Me,” and other vintage pop classics earned Chip entry into the national Songwriters Hall of Fame earlier this year. But he is also a very contemporary, engaging and prolific writer-artist in the Americana genre. This title tune to his latest is inspired by his love of golf. More than that, it is a stately ode to sisterly love, perseverance, striving and being brave. Speaking of prolific, he has two current CDs, the other being Little Brothers, which salutes his family. Trivia fact: He’s actor Jon Voight’s brother and Angelina Jolie’s uncle.
LIZ LONGLEY/Rescue My Heart
Writers: Liz Langley/Ian Keaggy/Jodi Marr; Producer: Bill Reynolds; Publishers: Luckelizz/ISK/Little Ruth, ASCAP; Sugar Hill (track)
– I adored this singer-songwriter’s Sugar Hill Records debut disc. Her songs stick in your head long after they end because of their inescapable hooks. Her second album for the label, titled Weightless, drops this week. It finds her recording in Nashville in a more pop/rock direction. She remains a captivating mistress of melody. On this track, the sound is stripped down to just her voice and piano. I remain an enormous fan. Essential listening.
JOHN GORKA/I Know
Writer: John Gorka; Producer: Jim Rooney; Publisher: Blues Palace, ASCAP; Blue Chalk (track)
– This Americana veteran recorded the tracks that comprise his new Before Beginning CD in Music City in 1985. At the time, he was a newcomer who had won the songwriting contest at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Nanci Griffith admired his work and recommended he go to Nashville to record with producer Rooney, who assembled an all-star band at Jack Clement’s studio. Gorka was used to playing solo and wasn’t sure what he thought of his resulting debut album. Years later, he listened again. So now, here it is. This is one of his best known early songs, presented with top-flight pickers, just as it originally was recorded 30 years ago. It is a jewel of lilting picking, earnest singing and crisp production. The rest of the CD is too. He was clearly nuts not to put it out, back in the day.
DAVE INSLEY/Just The Way That I Am
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dave Insley; Publishers: none listed; dir (track)
– This solid country vocalist has surrounded himself with a who’s-who of Austin folks on his new CD. The cast includes Kelly Willis, Dale Watson, Rick Shea and Redd Volkaert. The title tune is a plain-spoken ballad that asks for simple acceptance. It’s not in the least flashy, just honest sounding.
LORI McKENNA/Humble and Kind
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Hoodie, BMI; CN/Thirty Tigers
– This divine Massachusetts wife and mom returned to Nashville to craft her latest, The Bird and the Rifle. It includes her own version of this justly revered Tim McGraw hit she wrote. Lori is best known in Nashville as a songwriter of “Stealing Kisses,” “Girl Crush,” “Fireflies,” “God Made Girls” and “I Want Crazy.” But this and the other performances on this collection reveal her as an extraordinarily communicative, warm and womanly vocalist. “Wreck You,” ”If Whiskey Were a Woman,” “Old Men Young Women” and especially “Halfway Home” are particularly recommended. Lend her your ears. Then go get all of her other albums too.
ANDREW LEAHEY & THE HOMESTEAD/Little In Love
Writers: Andrew Leahey; Producer: Ken Coomer; Publisher: none listed; Skyline/Thirty Tigers
– He’s a roots rocker with country leanings and a Tom Petty kinda vibe. This lead-off track from his debut CD chimes in all the right places. The collection is titled Skyline in Central Time and was recorded in Nashville on either side of the artist’s life-threatening brain surgery. Produced by Wilco’s Ken Coomer, it sounds as hearty as Andrew is today.
SARA WATKINS/Move Me
Writers: Sara Watkins; Producer: Gabe Witcher; Publishers: Fiddle & Fall, ASCAP; New West (track)
– The fiddler/singer from the former Nickel Creek has shed her progressive-bluegrass roots for an all-out pop band sound on her entirely self-composed Young in All the Wrong Ways collection. On this punchy track, she pushes her soprano to sound harder and more forceful than it has before. Courageous.
JOSH FARROW/Devil Don’t You Fool Me
Writer: Josh Farrow; Producer: Dexter Green; Publisher: Southern Drag; JF (track)
– This drawling, bluesy tenor singer stomps his way through this soulful, rhythmic outing with aplomb. It comes from his Trouble With Me CD, which has a cast that includes The McCrary Sisters, Ruby Amanfu and Elizabeth Cook, among others. On this track, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Ashley Wilcoxson wail in the background.
BRIAN LANGLINAIS/You Can’t Say I Don’t Love You
Writer: none listed; Producers: D.L. Duncan/Brian Langlinais; Publisher: none listed; Patoutville (track)
– Music City stalwart Langlinais recaptures his R&B Louisiana roots on his new Right Hand Road CD. But he proves you don’t have to physically go back there to do it. His Nashville session sidemen, including The Inglewood Horns, put plenty of heat behind him. This opening track is a classic-sounding blues rocker, complete with squalling sax and soul-sister background shouting.
ANGIE & THE DESERTERS/Country Radio
Writers: Angie Bruyere/Guy Griffin/Nigel Mogg; Producer: Jeff Huskins; Publishers: none listed; Topanga Canyon
– Love the band name. The sound on this saucy track is nouveau rockabilly with a throaty alto lead vocal alternating phrases with gritty electric guitar riffs, sizzling fiddle work and organ trills. The act has a slightly raggedy, amateurish sonic vibe, but nothing a little production polish couldn’t improve.
Bobby Karl Works The SOURCE Nashville Hall Of Fame Awards
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Pictured: T Bone Burnett, Callie Khouri, Wayne Pollock (son of Gayle Pollock); Stacy Stone (Gayle’s daughter); Nancy Jones; Charles Esten; Jeannie Seely; Brenda Lee; Chris Young; John Conlee; Diane Cash; Gus Arrendale (CEO, Springer Mountain Farms); Alison Booth; Mark Booth; Tammy Brown. Photo: Denise Fussell
Chapter 540
In conjunction with the organization’s 25th anniversary, the SOURCE Awards are being rebranded – they are now officially known as the SOURCE Nashville Hall of Fame Awards.
This was announced at the 14th annual SOURCE banquet. Staged on Tuesday (Aug. 23) at the Musicians Hall of Fame, the gala was marked by more heartfelt moments than ever before. Hosts Jeannie Seely and Brenda Lee were funnier than ever. The camaraderie was the warmest yet. And the star power was at a new peak, too.
SOURCE honors career women who have worked behind the scenes in the music business. The 2016 honorees were Alison Booth, Tammy Brown, Diane Cash, Nancy Jones, Callie Khouri and the late Gail Pollock. Each received hearty standing ovations.
Pictured (L-R): Nancy Jones, Jeannie Seely. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
SOURCE president Shelia Shipley Biddy told the crowd that she and Pat Rolfe and Judy Harris founded the organization and that the first meeting had only 10 or 12 attendees. Now, SOURCE has more than 120 members and to date has honored 103 music-business women. The awards were the brainchild of Kay Smith.
“Being that this is the 25th anniversary of SOURCE, we want to do something special for the founders,” said Jeannie. “Red roses symbolize love, and that’s what we feel for these ladies,” added Brenda. “We’re having a big party tonight.”
The eve’s first honoree, Alison Booth, has been in the business for 40 years, initially at MTM Records, SESAC and elsewhere, but for the past 27 at Sony Music. She is a key national figure in establishing standards and practices for recorded sound delivery, particularly in the area of metadata. These efforts ensure that all recorded product is delivered in a standardized format and that all creators are correctly identified so that everyone gets paid accurately.
RCA Nashville star Chris Young presented her honor. The 6-foot-4-inch singer’s appearance next to Brenda, who is 4 feet 9 inches tall, was hilarious.
“If metadata seems dull, think about money,” Alison quipped. “It’s also about giving credit….Thank you, SOURCE, and special thanks to everyone who has supported my efforts through the years.”
Chris Young honors Alison Booth as Brenda Lee looks on. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
The Sony table applauded loudly. Randy Goodman, Paul Barnabee, Jim Catino and Ken Robold were among those seated there.
Little Big Town appeared on video to congratulate Tammy Brown. “You have been with us since we were wee babies,” said the group’s Kimberly Schlapman. “And you always knew a great song. We love you, girl.”
Tammy’s resume includes stints at Sound Shop Studio, Tree Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony Music Nashville and ole song publishing. In addition to LBT, she has championed Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Billy Ray Cyrus, Keith Urban, Jude Cole and Lee Ann Womack, among many others. She withdrew from the industry when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2008.
“She took care of everything for me,” reminisced Paul Worley. “And she made me a better person.”
“I didn’t write a speech,” said Tammy. “I won’t talk long. I loved every second of it. I loved the artistry and working with the songwriters. Everybody is a part of this, and I don’t take any of you for granted. I have really been blessed by everything that has come my way.
Pictured (L-R): Tammy Brown, SESAC’s Shawn Williams. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“I survived the music business. I survived cancer. I survived stem-cell treatment. I survived chemo. And now I have cancer again. I haven’t been able to work for the past eight years. Everybody has showed me love. It’s been so much fun tonight. I’m very, very honored. And I thank you.”
“If you can’t see why she was a success, well, you’re just blind,” Brenda stated.
Grand Ole Opry great John Conlee inducted Diane Cash. She and he both began their careers in Nashville at WLAC radio. Both then moved to MCA Records, John as an artist and Diane as a promoter. Then she went to work for John Conlee Enterprises, where she remains today.
“I’ve enjoyed it so much,” said Diane of her career. “This is a terrific honor. It’s great to receive the recognition.”
Montomery Gentry appeared on video to congratulate Nancy Jones. She married the legendary George Jones in 1983, when he was at the height of his cocaine and alcohol addictions. She got him sober, became his manager and put his career on the right path.
Pictured: Diane Cash and John Conlee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Since his death in 2013, she has continued to burnish his legacy. She has opened the excellent George Jones Museum downtown, launched George Jones White Lightning Moonshine and Vodka and has spurred the creation of No Show Jones, a 2017 feature film about his life. Can’t wait to see it.
“I don’t make speeches; I’m not very good at this,” said Nancy. “But I love y’all, and thank you for this. It was all worth it. I feel like I was put on this earth to save a good and wonderful man. Shelia Shipley Biddy, you explained everything to me. I do want to thank you for helping me to understand the music business.
“I know George Jones is in Heaven right now, smiling at me. The very last words that George said after not talking for three or four days were, ‘Well, hello there. I’ve been looking for you. My name is George Jones.’ That was God’s way of letting me know where George was.”
Pictured (L-R): Photo: Jeannie Seely, T Bone Burnett, Brenda Lee, Callie Khouri. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Actor and aspiring country artist Kiefer Sutherland appeared on video to congratulate all of the honorees. Actor/singer Charles Esten then inducted Callie Khouri. “It’s not only an honor, it’s our opportunity to say thank you,” said the star of her Nashville TV series. “There is nobody who should be pushed into the light more than my friend Callie Khouri. In country music, you say it all starts with a song. In Hollywood, it all starts with a script. It all starts with the characters you have created. She is the source of so much change in my life. Nashville is our home, because of Callie Khouri. They say, ‘Write what you know.’ Callie writes some of the most powerful and charismatic women on screen. Callie writes who she is.”
Jeannie Seely and Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
In addition to Nashville, Oscar winner Callie’s credits as a writer/director include Thelma and Louise, Something to Talk About, Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Hollis and Rae and Mad Money. She is a former Music City resident.
“I thank you with all humility for this award,” she said. “To be able to bring this show back here to Nashville has been nothing but a privilege. There is a sisterhood who helped each other in this business. One of these days, it’s not going to be a glass ceiling. It’s going to be a glass floor.”
Leading her cheering section were her record-producer husband T Bone Burnett, plus the Big Machine power couple Scott Borchetta & Sandi Spika Borchetta. That label markets the TV show’s soundtrack albums.
Jeannie told the tale of inductee Gail Pollock. Gail worked at Monument Records, Studio One, Independent Producers Corp. and her own We Make Tapes. Her co-worker in the last two businesses was producer, engineer and rock ‘n’ roll guitar legend Scotty Moore. She next became Scotty’s manager, record-label executive and constant companion.
One of Gail’s dreams, said Jeannie, was to be honored by SOURCE. When Gail became terminally ill last year, the board took the unprecedented step of not only voting her in, but making her award in advance and presenting it to her son. He took it to Gail’s bedside last November, and she died two hours after receiving it.
Alison Booth accepts her honor. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Said Roger Hamlett on video, “She was the definition of the SOURCE Award.”
Scotty Moore was to have accepted on her behalf yesterday. But he followed her in death last June. Gail’s son Wayne Pollock and daughter Stacy Stone accepted. “She loved the music business and loved being a part of it,” said Stacy. “Thank you, SOURCE people, for honoring my Momma.”
The place was full of fabulons. Not the least of them were prior SOURCE honorees Audrey Winters, Karen Conrad, Debi Fleischer-Robin, Celia Froehlig, Sandy Neese, Rose Drake, Jo Walker-Meador, Sally Williams, Mary Del Scobey, Pat McCoy, Areeda Schneider-Stampley, Paula Szeigis, Bonnie Garner, Bebe Evans, Joyce Jackson, Corky Wilson and Carolyn Sells. Not to mention such erstwhile spouses as Chuck Neese, Charlie McCoy and David Conrad.
The past, present and future of the Nashville music biz attended. Working the very merry room were John Dorris, John Ozier, John Lomax III, Shawn Williams, Shawna Collins, Scott Siman, Stacy Schlitz and Sheree Spoltore, who was the co-chair with Suzanne Lee. They lived it up with Maurice Miner, Martha Moore, Moore & Moore, Debbie Linn, Debbie Carroll, Lisa Harless and Lisa Sutton. Each time the last-named goes out, she wears something of her mother’s. So Sutton was breathtaking in Lynn Anderson’s diamond rings, diamond pendant and diamond wrist cuff.
Sherod Robertson, Sherrill Blackman, Sarah Brosmer, Sherry Bond, Susan Meyers Woelkers, Brandi Simms, Thom Schuyler, Cindy Hunt, Bob Doyle, Dave Brainard, Diane Pearson, Don Cusic, Gilles Godard, Gene Ward, Tracy Gershon, Teresa George and Tatum Allsep schmoozed alongside Mandy Barnett, Blake Chancey, Lori Badgett, Beverly Keel, Whitney Daane, Jason Morris & Jewel Coburn, Jackie Monahan, Erika Wollam Nichols, Mike Vaden, Charlie Monk, Cathy Gurley, Louis Glaser, Lyndie Wenner and Becky Harris.
Suzanne Lee and Sheree Spoltore. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Andrew Kintz was collecting congratulations on his new gig at First Tennessee Bank. Rita Allison was collecting compliments on losing 40 pounds. Joe & Linda Chambers were collecting accolades about their splendid hosting museum. Company president Gus Arrendale was collecting thanks for his Springer Mountain Farms being the presenting sponsor. By the way, this company also supports a lot of bluegrass and traditional-country artists.
At the finale, Brenda and Jeannie serenaded us all with “Happy Trails.” It was, fittingly, written by a woman: Dale Evans.
Keith Urban Celebrates 20th No. 1 Hit, “Break On Me”
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Sony-ATV’s Josh VanValkenberg, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser, Producer Nathan Chappman, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. (Front Row, L-R) singer-songwriter Jon Nite, singer-songwriter Keith Urban and singer-songwriter Ross Copperman. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for BMI
If it all starts with a song, why not start a No. 1 party with one too?
Label executives, publishers, songwriters and various industry members gathered at Jack White’s quirky, colorful Third Man Records in Nashville on Monday (Aug. 22) to celebrate Keith Urban’s 20th No. 1 hit, “Break On Me.”
Urban, flanked by “Break On Me” songwriters Jon Nite and Ross Copperman, as well as producer Nathan Chapman, jumpstarted the party with an acoustic rendition, with Urban, Nite and Copperman trading off lines throughout.
UMG Nashville Sr. VP, Promotion Royce Risser noted that “Break On Me” is not only a multi-week No. 1 song, but it marks Urban’s 36th consecutive Top 10, “which is the most of any country artist ever,” said Risser. “That makes Keith the most consistent hit-maker in our format, no question about it. No. 1 hits don’t come easy. In the case with Keith, it’s always a labor of love. It’s always fun. These No. 1s are the culmination of everyone’s work. I am very proud and I know we all at UMG are proud to work with artists like Keith. Someday we will be telling our grandchildren that we worked alongside one of the greatest men and artists in this format.”
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker paid tribute to Jon Nite, who was celebrating his sixth chart-topping song. Nite’s previous chart-toppers include Jake Owen’s “Beachin’,” Urban and Miranda Lambert’s “We Were Us,” Luke Bryan’s “Strip It Down,” and more.
BMI’s Leslie Roberts feted Urban and Copperman, who celebrated his 10th No. 1 song. Copperman’s previous No. 1 singles include Urban’s “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” and Brett Eldredge’s “Drunk On Your Love,” “Beat Of The Music,” and “Lose My Mind.”
Pictured (L-R): Jon Nite, Keith Urban, Ross Copperman. Photo: UMG Nashville/Facebook
Publishers for “Break On Me” include EMI Blackwood Music, EMI April Music, Jon Mark Nite Music, and Songs By Red Room. CRB’s Bill Mayne and CMA’s Brandi Simms also offered their praise to the songwriters. First Tennessee Bank and Avenue Bank were on hand to support the writers, with Avenue Bank’s Cooper Samuels announcing a donation to Thistle Farms on behalf of the songwriters.
Copperman recalled first writing with Nite in 2008, at the suggestion of Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg and his wife Jenny. “I always looked at our sessions as ‘therapy sessions’ because we would talk about our pasts, our messed-up families, our lives, our father issues,” Copperman quipped, noting that the duo has penned nearly 100 songs that haven’t been cut. “So this song is so special to be me, because it’s the first two-way written song that Jon and I have had recorded. Then having an artist like Keith hear this and want to put his voice on it…”
Nite brought several in the room to tears when he recalled drawing inspiration for “Break On Me” from sending his daughter off to college. “I want to thank my wife and daughter and little boy for trying to make me a better person. Thank you Ashley for hating your dorm so much. I wanted to bring you back to our house so badly, but you have to grow up. I hope it means something to everybody like it does to me. I think about you every time I play it.”
He also thanked Copperman for taking a chance on the song. “Thank you Ross for writing such a sweet, sissy song with me. And for Keith for making it not sissy with your awesome voice.”
“It’s so not a sissy song, guys,” Urban was quick to reply. “I’ve been really lucky and blessed to cut some songs that have been really from the heart. I felt that way when I heard ‘You’ll Think Of Me.’ I felt that way when I heard ‘Making Memories of Us,’ and when I heard this song it felt like it was cut from that cloth.
“[Nashville is] a very smart town. Everyone can rhyme words and be really clever with lyrics, but for me there are certain songs that resonate in a different way because they come from a place of truth. This song for me had that place of truth in it. It was swimming in it. I wanted to do this song justice because I feel like I’ve been on both sides of this song. I’ve definitely had people be that rock for me and I’ve been fortunate enough to be that rock for others as well, so I relate to the song so strongly.”
Urban ended by giving a shout-out to producer Chapman and to “Break On Me” bassist Tal Wilkenfeld. “It was her idea to do the opening bass line you hear in the song,” said Urban. “The reason I give a shout out like that is because the musicians are incredibly creative in all of these songs, and they don’t get the props, and they certainly don’t get the royalty. I’d like to give a shout out to Tal for that cool little bass riff. “
He honored Chapman for his steadfast belief in the song. “I love working with Nathan because he either loves a song or he doesn’t. Some producers would be like, ‘Yeah, let’s cut them all,’ and he’s like, ‘I like this one, but not that one.’ He’ll pass up a song I think will be really successful if he’s not feeling it. He’ll be like, ‘I can’t do that.’ He only does stuff that he feels. That’s really a beautiful thing. God bless you for that. What a great way to be. I know that when I get into the studio, we are doing it for the right reason. He believes in it as much as I do.”
“Break On Me” is the second single from Urban’s current album Ripcord. Urban will embark on the international leg of his Ripcord tour this fall, including tour dates in Canada and Australia.