Tag Archive for: Producers

ACM Noms: Industry, Musician, Radio

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MUSICIAN/BANDLEADER/INSTRUMENTALIST (MBI) AWARDS (MBI awards are presented to honorees at “ACM Honors,” an annual event held in Nashville in the fall.)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Buddy Cannon

Nathan Chapman

Dann Huff

Frank Liddell

Frank Rogers

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

Ben Fowler

Steve Marcantonio

Justin Niebank

Ed Seay

Clarke Schleicher

TOP BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Dennis Crouch

Mike Brignardello

Mark Hill

Michael Rhodes

Jimmie Lee Sloas

TOP PERCUSSIONIST/DRUMMMER OF THE YEAR

Eddie Bayers

Mark Beckett

Chad Cromwell

Shannon Forrest

Chris McHugh

TOP GUITARIST OF THE YEAR

Pat Buchannan

J.T. Corenflos

Kenny Greenberg

Brent Mason

Bryan Sutton

TOP FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Stuart Duncan

Larry Franklin

Rob Hajacos

Deanie Richardson

Jonathan Yudkin

TOP PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tim Akers

John Hobbs

Charles Judges

Steve Nathan

Michael Rojas

TOP SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Nashville String Machine

Randy Scruggs

Bryan Sutton

Ilya Toshinsky

Jonathan Yudkin

TOP STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Bruce Bouton

Paul Franklin

Mike Johnson

Gary Morse

Russ Pahl

INDUSTRY AWARDS (Industry awards are presented to honorees at “ACM Honors,” an annual event held in Nashville in the fall.)

VENUE OF THE YEAR

BOK Center – Tulsa, OK

Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion – Gilford, NH

Sommet Center – Nashville, TN (effective March 2, 2010, this venue was renamed the Bridgestone Arena)

Sprint Center – Kansas City, MO

Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion – Raleigh, NC

NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR

Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth, TX

Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, CA

Cotton Eyed Joe – Knoxville, TN

George’s Majestic Lounge – Fayetteville, AR

Wild Bill’s – Duluth, GA

CASINO OF THE YEAR

Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, CA

Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino – Las Vegas, NV

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel – Prior Lake, MN

Peppermill Casino – Wendover, NV

WinStar World Casino – Thackerville, OK

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR

Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions, Inc.

Jimmy Jay – Jayson Promotions, Inc.

Gary Osier – Gary Osier Presents

David Snowden – Triangle Talent, Inc.

Suzanne Wilson – Wilson Events, Inc.

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

Brad Garett – Police Productions

Ali Harnell – AEG/The Messina Group

Darin Lashinsky – Outback Concerts of TN, Inc.

Brian O’Connell – LiveNation

John Ruffino – Red Mountain Entertainment

RADIO AWARDS (NOTE: Radio awards nominees were previously announced. Winners will be presented awards at a reception in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 17, prior to the ACM Award telecast.)

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL

Blair Garner After MidNite with Blair Garner

Cody Alan  CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan

Crook & Chase Crook and Chase Countdown

Kix Brooks   American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks

Lia The Lia Show

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET

KNIX-FM (Phoenix, AZ)    Ben Campbell & Matt McAllister

KSONFM (San Diego, CA)  Cliff & Company: Cliff, Morgan, Tanner       and Tori

KYGOFM (Denver, CO) Kelly Ford & Rider

WIL FM  (St. Louis, MO) The Cornbread Show featuring: Cornbread, Pat James, Annie Henson, Harry Schroeder, Mac Douglas

WSOC-FM  (Charlotte, NC)                       Catherine Lane

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET

KUBL-FM (Salt Lake City, UT) Tommy & Joe Johnson

WFMSFM  (Indianapolis, IN)  Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt & Kevin    Freeman (Jim, Deb & Kevin)

WSIX-FM  (Nashville, TN) Gerry House, Mike Bohan, Al Voecks, Duncan Stewart, Richard Falken

WTQRFM (Greensboro, NC) The Jeff Roper in the Morning Show (Jeff Roper, Angie Ward & Adam “Flash” Dellinger)

WUBEFM (Cincinnati, OH) Chris Carr & Company (Chris Carr, Statt &  Maverick)

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET

KIIM-FM   (Tucson, AZ)   Buzz Jackson

WBBSFM   (Syracuse, NY) Tom and Becky B104.7 Morning Show (Tom Owens and Becky Palmer)

WKSJ-FM  (Mobile, AL) Dan Brennan & Shelby Mitchell, The 95 KSJ Breakfast Club

WPCV-FM  (Lakeland, FL)  Roger Todd, Tom O’Brien & Melissa Moran

WYRK-FM (Buffalo, NY) Clay and Dale

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

KCLR-FM (Columbia, MO) Scotty & Carissa in the Morning

KKNU-FM  (Eugene, OR) Barrett, Fox & Berry

WFRE-FM  (Frederick, MD)  Jess Wright

WGSQ-FM  (Cookeville, TN)  Gator & The Styckman

WKSF-FM (Asheville, NC) Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET

KKGO-FM                 (Los Angeles, CA)                  Southern California’s Country Station

KMPSFM                  (Seattle, WA)                          Today’s Country

KSCS-FM                   (Dallas, TX)                            The Texas Original

KYGOFM                 (Denver, CO)                         Denver’s #1 For New Country

WUSN-FM                 (Chicago, IL)                          America’s Country Station

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET

KNCI-FM                   (Sacramento, CA)                   News Country 105.1

WFMSFM                 (Indianapolis, IN)                   The Country Station

WQDRFM                 (Raleigh, NC)                          Today’s Best Country

WUBEFM                 (Cincinnati, OH)                     Cincinnati’s Country!

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET

KIZN-FM                   (Boise, ID)                              Kissin’ 92

KUZZ AM/FM           (Bakersfield, CA)                   Bakersfield’s Best Country

WGNAFM                (Albany, NY)                          Country 107.7

WKSJ-FM                   (Mobile, AL)                           95 KSJ

WYRKFM                 (Buffalo, NY)                                     Today’s Country & Your All Time Favorites

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET

KMDL-FM                 (Lafayette, LA)                       Acadiana’s Best Country

WGSQ-FM                 (Cookeville, TN)                     The Country Giant

WKSF-FM                  (Asheville, NC)                       99.9 Kiss Country

WKXCFM                 (Augusta, GA)                        Number One for New Country and More Variety

WUSY-FM                 (Chattanooga, TN)                  Chattanooga’s Best Country & The Legends!        

Tidbits: All Access Ent., Steel Magnolia, Dann Huff, More

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all accessScott Edwards and Dee Burgess have formed All Access Entertainment, specializing in public relations, marketing, image consulting, event planning and artist development. Their new offices are located at 7 Music Square West. Former NFL player Kyle Turley is on board as a client, and the firm says it plans to work with artists, non-profits and corporations. With over twenty-five combined years in the industry, Edwards and Burgess have worked on campaigns for such clients as John and June Carter Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Wynonna Judd, handling public relations, marketing, artist development, journalism, A&R, and production. All Access can be reached here and at (615) 915-3676.

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steel magnoliaSteel Magnolia, the Big Machine duo made up of Joshua Scott Jones and Meghan Linsey, have been recording their debut album with Dann Huff in the producer’s chair. They are planning to launch the second leg of their radio tour in January.
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Songwriters including Billy Montana are judging a poem contest hosted by The Hermitage Hotel. Romantic poems can be posted to the upscale hotel’s Facebook page to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The winner gets a deluxe romance package for two. The contest runs Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010 through Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010.

Mac McAnally Co-Produced New Jimmy Buffett Album

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Mac McAnally and Jimmy Buffett
Mac McAnally and Jimmy Buffett

Mac McAnally probably doesn’t want 2009 to end. This year he scored his first No. 1 as an artist, and received more awards and nominations than any other time in his career. His most recent feat—yesterday’s release of Jimmy Buffett’s Buffet Hotel, which he co-produced with Mike Utley.

Mac McAnally

Mac McAnally

As a member of the Coral Reefer Band, McAnally has long been a key Buffett collaborator. He has produced a number of Buffett’s studio albums, and has writing credit on three of the new collection’s 12 songs.

McAnally is also a Show Dog Nashville recording artist, touring performer, musician and songwriter. He was most recently honored with a Grammy nomination for his collaboration with Kenny Chesney on the song “Down The Road,” and won the CMA Award for Musician of the Year in November.

Underwood Preps Album Release With Hot Single

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Superstar Carrie Underwood is red-hot on the airwaves with her smash, “Cowboy Casanova,” and she’s pictured here in the recording studio recently at work on her third album, Play On, set for release on November 3. Pictured (l-r): Album producer Mark Bright; Sony Music Nashville A&R Exec VP Renee Bell; Underwood; Sony Music Nashville Exec VP Butch Waugh; and 19 Entertainment’s Ann Edelblute. Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

Carrie Underwood's new smash is “Cowboy Casanova,” the lead single from her upcoming album. She’s pictured here in the studio during the recording of Play On, due out Nov. 3 on 19/Arista/Sony. Pictured (l-r): producer Mark Bright; Sony Music Nashville A&R Exec VP Renee Bell; Underwood; Sony Music Nashville Exec VP Butch Waugh; and 19 Entertainment’s Ann Edelblute. Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

Carrie Underwood is building up to the Nov. 3 release of her new album, Play On, with hot lead single and video “Cowboy Casanova,” and a re-designed Web site, carrieunderwoodofficial.com, with its own music download store.

“Cowboy Casanova” is sizzling on the radio, landing at No. 12 on the Country Breakout Chart, and debuted last week with triple-digit single download sales. The music video premiered last weekend as part of CMT’s Big New Music Weekend, and is now available for digital purchase.

For the first time, fans can shop Underwood’s Web site for CDs and digital music. The store is exclusively offering a pre-order bundle for the new album including a limited edition print, 500 of which will be autographed and randomly distributed. The re-designed carrieunderwoodofficial.com also has an updated news section, blogs, and fan photos, as well as official videos, and tour dates.

With 10 million units in sales from her first two releases, Underwood returned to work with producer Mark Bright for Play On.

Roy Clark, Billy Currington, More

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Country Music Hall of Fame member Roy Clark donated several items to the Country Music Hall on Fame® and Museum on Saturday (7/18). The artifacts, which will be on display beginning August 1 in the Museum’s permanent exhibit, include a magenta three-piece Manuel suit with an embroidered silver lame` Manuel shirt, patent leather Tony Lama boots, and a Heritage H-535 Roy Clark Signature model electric guitar. Pictured—Clark and Vice President of Museum Services Carolyn Tate Photo by Richard Suter

Pictured—Clark and Vice President of Museum Services Carolyn Tate; Photo: Richard Suter

Country Music Hall of Fame member Roy Clark donated several items to the Country Music Hall on Fame® and Museum on Saturday (7/18). The artifacts, which will be on display beginning August 1 in the Museum’s permanent exhibit, include a magenta three-piece Manuel suit with an embroidered silver lame´Manuel shirt, patent leather Tony Lama boots, and a Heritage H-535 Roy Clark Signature model electric guitar.

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Mercury Nashville recording artist Billy Currington will perform on CBS’ the Late Show with David Letterman Wed., Aug. 19. His single “People Are Crazy” tops the monitored charts this week, marking his fourth No. 1 and fastest-rising single of his career. It is the second No. 1 from Currington’s album Little Bit Of Everything, which is at No. 10 on Billboard’s Current Country Albums Chart.
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The Lost Trailers are featured on cmt.com’s Unplugged At Studio 330. The acoustic performance includes “Holler Back,” and newest single, “Country Folks (Livin’ Loud).” Viewers can also see exclusive interviews.

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The Producer’s Chair presents an interview with Chuck Howard (LeAnn Rimes, Kid Rock, Hank Jr., Johnny Cash and more) 
Thurs., July 23, 6 PM at Douglas Corner.

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A new radio show bringing together college football and country music is looking for guest artist hosts. College Football Country will hit the airwaves this fall, hosted by a different artist each week, highlighting their favorite college or alma mater’s game. For hosting opportunities, contact Kara Bullock at Atlanta based AIM Marketing Solutions 404-581-7114 or [email protected]

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The legendary Flatlanders— Joe Ely, Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore —  appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman last night (7/21) before heading overseas for a three week tour of Europe. Upon their return, the New West Records band will be on NPR’s Mountain Stage on Aug. 16, and debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 18.

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August 7-9 will be a tax free weekend in Tennessee. Exemptions include clothing $100 or less per article, computers $1500 or less, and school supplies $100 or less.

Service Scheduled For Barry Beckett

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barrybeckett

Barry Beckett 1943-2009

As arrangements for a memorial service are announced, the recent passing of acclaimed musician/producer Barry Beckett continues to be felt throughout Nashville’s creative community. Musician Steve Nathan and producer Steve Buckingham offer their remembrances below.

The memorial service will be Sunday, July 12 at 5 PM at the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville. If those who knew Beckett would like to send a statement to be used as part of the service, they can email it to Steve Buckingham at [email protected].

Respected studio musician Steve Nathan had this to say:
Just weeks before MusicRow magazine’s annual awards honoring studio musicians and others, we lost Barry Beckett, one of the best there ever was. I’ve been fortunate to receive a number of those awards over the years, thanks in no small part to the skills I learned working with Barry.

From the first session, when he told me (with his characteristic lack of any sugarcoating) that I’d “stayed a little too close to the chart,” I saw that there’s more to being a “studio musician” than knowing how to play an instrument. At the time he wanted me to realize that any monkey can tuck his elbows in and follow a chord chart, maybe even do it in tempo, but I needed to bring more, dig down and put my heart and soul into every record. Thankfully, he didn’t give up on me then and there.

Over the years, watching Barry, I learned to listen deeper, to hear the subtleties in the music and the lyrics. I learned to pay attention to everyone in the phones, to react to the other players and always give them something to play with. Most importantly, he taught me that “job one” is to come into the room, listen to the artist and producer, and “get” their vision for the record. He said to figure out what they want to say and then use all of your abilities to help bring that vision to the ears of the listener. Have the guts to step up when you have an idea, even if it upsets the apple cart, and have the humility to let it go when you’re wrong. And know that anytime you catch yourself showing off for other musicians, you’ve failed.

Barry didn’t teach me how to play piano, but he taught me how to make records. I wish I’d remembered to say thanks sooner.

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Well-known producer Steve Buckingham also has fond memories of Beckett:

I have heard from so many people about Barry’s death. Paul Simon called from his tour in New Zealand to offer his condolences. I asked him to call Diane, Barry’s wife of over 43 years, which he did. The following is something I wrote on the night I was told Barry had died:

Eddie Bayers just called me and said Barry died about 30 minutes ago. Barry Beckett was one of the greatest studio keyboard players in history and a hell of a guy. If you listened to Rhythm & Blues, Bob Dylan’s “Gotta Serve Somebody,” Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome”…and thousands of other records…you’ve heard Barry Beckett.

I first met Barry in 1976 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama when I was still playing sessions and hadn’t yet started producing. Barry and the other members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section…Roger Hawkins, David Hood and Jimmy Johnson…were already legends, having played on records for everyone from Wilson Pickett to the Rolling Stones.

Barry moved to Nashville a few years after I did. The first country artist I produced in Nashville was Tammy Wynette and the first musician I called to play on the session was Barry. I have a great picture of Tammy, Barry and all the other musicians together in the studio. We all look so young…and, sadly, three of those in the photo are no longer with us.

Barry and I worked together a number of times over the following years and even co-produced some artists together. As so many of the other musicians have recalled, the image of Barry holding a cigarette in one hand, elbow on one knee, toothpick in his mouth…staring at the keyboard, waiting to lay just the right 5 or 6 notes in the perfect spot…is indelibly stamped in our memories.

A week ago today, I went to see Barry for the last time with Eddie Bayers and Michael Rhodes. Eddie and Michael played drums and bass on hundreds of Barry’s productions as well as for me. We all consider ourselves lucky to have had him as a mentor…and, especially, a friend.

I will close with this one story. Barry and a group of us studio musicians and producers loved trains. Every year we would charter a steam engine and several cars and go on all-day excursions out of Chattanooga. The cars were the old, luxurious types built in the 1930s. The last car on the train had a platform out back and we all wanted to spend time sitting out there, watching the tracks disappear behind us. This is where Barry would park himself for the entire day, except when it was time to eat. One afternoon I was sitting on the back platform with Barry who, typically, had his elbow on one knee and was holding a cigarette…staring at the tracks. Finally he said: “Buck…listen to that rhythm.” (He was referring to the clickety-clack of the steel wheels on the rails). Barry continued, “That’s a deep pocket (groove)…let’s remember that the next time we’re in the studio.”

Believe me…there are a lot of things I remember about Barry Beckett.

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To read more about Barry Beckett, click here.

North of the Border Natives Hang In Nashville

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Hit songwriter/producer Victoria Shaw was cutting tracks for reigning Canadian Country Music Association Female Artist of the Year Jessie Farrell last night (2/23) at Sony Tree studios. The session included three songs co-written by Shaw, Farrell and Gary Burr especially for the project.

After leaving the studio, Shaw and Farrell headed to the Sommet Center to check out Nickelback‘s 1 AM rehearsal for tomorrow night’s (2/25) show. The rock band’s lead singer, Chad Kroeger, is co-owner of 604 Records, Farrell’s label home. The production company is under the Roadrunner Records umbrella with distribution through Universal Music Canada and worldwide through Roadrunner. Farrell, who has been working frequently in Nashville, is also nominated for the upcoming Juno Award for New Artist of The Year.

(L-R) Victoria Shaw, MusicRow Publisher David Ross and Jessie Farrell.

(L-R) Victoria Shaw, MusicRow Publisher David Ross and Jessie Farrell.

(L-R) Kroeger's fiance Marianne Gurick, Kroeger, Farrell and Shaw.

(L-R) Kroeger fiance Marianne Gurick, Kroeger, Farrell and Shaw.

Tony Brown To Be Honored

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Tony Brown

Tony Brown

Tony Brown will be honored for his contributions to the music industry with the 2009 Cecil Scaife Visionary Award on Mon., March 2 at The Musicians Hall Of Fame. Among those set to pay tribute to the acclaimed producer are musical guests, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn. A silent auction will include autographed items from Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member James Burton, who will be in attendance; as well as George Strait, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Amy Grant and others. Email [email protected] to request an invitation to the event which benefits The Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship Endowment. A $200 donation secures admission.

With credits on over 100 million albums sold and 100 No. 1 singles, Brown most recently produced hit albums including Reba McEntire‘s Reba Duets, Heidi Newfeld’s solo debut, and George Strait’s Troubador, for which Brown won CMA and Grammy Awards. Brown started his career as a piano player with Elvis Presley, and eventually spent two decades helming MCA Nashville, where signed and/or produced superstars such as Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna Judd and Gill.

LaRawn Scaife Rhea founded the The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award to honor her father who was one of the first people to envision a music business program at Belmont University. His career included time at Sun Records alongside legendary producer Sam Phillips and a young Presley, as well as later work with Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and others.