Music Industry News Archives - Page 32 of 36

The Country Music Hall of Fame’s class of 2017

Three all-time greats added to the prestigious roster at the CMHoF

Congratulations to the new inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. This year, three country music greats move into a very exclusive ‘club.’ Let’s hear it for Jerry Reed, Alan Jackson and Don Schlitz.

Jerry Reed

Jerry Reed (March 20, 1937 – September 01, 2006) achieved worldwide fame with unforgettable roles in movies such as “Gator,” “W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings” and the “Smokey and the Bandit” series. However, before appearing in movies, he had begun a long and distinguished career in country music since arriving in Nashville in the early 1960s. As a songwriter, Reed was getting cuts on some of Nashville’s hottest acts, including Porter Wagoner. But it was his unique guitar style that made him an in-demand session player and brought him to the attention of Chet Atkins with whom he would later cut a Grammy-winning album, ‘Jerry and Me.’ Reed is one of only five recipients of Atkins’ coveted ‘Certified Guitar Player’ status, bestowed by Atkins only upon those that he believes have mastered the instrument.

Reed wrote and recorded “Guitar Man,” a song that charted for him in 1967. Elvis Presley loved the song and decided to cut his own version of it, insisting that Reed come into the RCA Studio to recreate his guitar sound. Presley went on to record several other Reed compositions, including “U.S. Male,” often with Reed playing guitar on the recordings.

Reed’s infectious sense of humor came across in his stage shows and on his records, including “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot,” “Amos Moses” and “East Bound and Down,” the latter having been featured on the soundtrack of the first “Bandit” movie. Here’s a link to a Wikipedia site about Jerry Reed.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is a well-deserved member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, in addition to enjoying an illustrious recording career. So far, he has chalked up twenty-six Billboard Number One Country songs and sold more than sixty million albums. Of the fifteen albums that topped Billboard’s Country Albums chart, nine have been certified ‘multi platinum’ by RIAA. Continue reading “The Country Music Hall of Fame’s class of 2017”

“Celebrate… Listen To The Music”

Tin Pan South 2017: the biggest yet

“Celebrate, Celebrate, Listen To The Music” was the theme in Music City where Nashville hosts Tin Pan South. It’s the world’s largest songwriter festival and 2017 marked its 25th anniversary! The festival invites more than 300 songwriters and this year they performed over 100 shows for the first time.

Dedicated to the songs and those that write them, Tin Pan South is a yearly event in Music City where fans get a unique, up-close-and-personal experience with the music they love. The music is a five day event, spread out across the city with showcases each night at various venues. Visitors get to enjoy intimate shows from world famous musical acts alongside up-and-coming artists from all across Nashville.

The stories behind the songs

What makes Tin Pan South unique is that the talented artists and songwriters that penned your favorite songs tell the stories behind those songs, and perform them in their original form. Nowhere else in the world can you hear so much original music in one place. With the immense creativity living and working in Music City, Nashville is the natural home to Tin Pan South. The music is inspired here, created here, recorded and performed here. Tin Pan South in Music City is the ultimate musical experience – in its most raw and original form.

Five nights of hit writers and their songs

Monday night was the festival’s kickoff party, hosted by Regions Bank who celebrated their ten year platinum sponsorship of Tin Pan South. Organizers of the 25th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival showed their deep gratitude to the following Platinum and Gold Corporate Partners: Regions Bank – Presenting Partner, Southwest Airlines – Official Airline Partner, News Channel 5 – Official Broadcast Partner, Jack Daniel’s – Official Club Show Partner, Vident Financial, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, Ford and Ole’ music group.

L to R: Casey Beathard, Tucker Beathard, Jonathan Singleton & Luke Cooombs. Photo: Catrina Engelby

Tuesday Night: We hit Whiskey Rhythm, first to watch “A Benefit for SOURCE” with Danielle Bradbery, Jaida Dreyer, Jo Smith and Lari White. What a talented round. Danielle showcased her new co-penned tunes that she has been working on. I cannot wait till she has a new project out. Then we boot scooted over to the Hard Rock Café to catch Father (Casey) and son (Newcomer) Tucker Beathard along with hit songwriter Jonathan Singleton and newcomer Luke Coombs. Continue reading ““Celebrate… Listen To The Music””

Watch out! Buddy Jewell is locked and RELOADED!

New EP released on April 2nd

It’s here at last: my dear friend Buddy Jewell’s latest EP, RELOADED (BAM/Pangea Records), is officially released as of April 02, 2017… and that just happens to be the date of Buddy’s birthday, too.

I love all the tracks, so it’s hard to pick a favorite, but there’s something special about “Just Enough To Get To Memphis,” about a guy panhandling and asking for $20.00 so he can (yeah, you guessed it!) get home to Memphis.

Then there’s the uptempo “Diesel Destiny” that rolls along like a Kenworth barreling down the Interstate, and the heartfelt ballad, “I Am Every Man,” and I can’t get enough of either track.

“I’m There,” new single from Buddy Jewell

The single picked from the project is “I’m There,” Buddy’s poignant take on a cause close to his heart: the men and women of the U.S. Military. It has all the markings of an instant classic and I believe it will strike a chord with everyone who has a family member who is serving (or who has served) in a branch of the Military. Buddy has included two versions of “I’m There,” one of which is acoustic.

Here’s a great idea: go to iTunes on April 2nd and download a copy of RELOADED for $4.99. It’ll be a gift to yourself and a birthday gift from you to Buddy, because if he can get a LOT of downloads on that day, the EP will make it onto the iTunes chart!

Go for it. You’ll be glad you did. And… Happy Birthday, Buddy! Listen to some track samples here and then click on the ‘Buy Album’ button or… go straight to iTunes now!

The first ‘Nashville Star’

Just a reminder… Buddy Jewell burst onto the country music scene after winning the inaugural season of the USA Network’s hit television series “Nashville Star.” After Buddy’s win, (beating out another contestant named Miranda Lambert!) Columbia Records released his self-titled debut album “Buddy Jewell” which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Album charts as well as #13 on the Top 100 Pop Album Charts. The album was certified Gold later that same year, selling over ½ million copies. Buddy’s first two singles, “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey’s Song)” both landed in the top 5 on the singles chart. The new EP, RELOADED, contains some of Buddy’s best creative work to date.

April edition of ‘Inside Track on Music Row’

Latest column posted; here’s a ‘teaser’

My column, Inside Track on Music Row, is the longest-running country music column in America. It appears in Nashville Music Guide and on websites around the world.

Here’s a brief teaser of the April 2017 edition. You can read the full column here. And while you’re there, you can read about my book “I Know Country!” with 366 day-by-day country music Q&As.

The 2017 CMHoF Brunch will feature The McCrary Sisters

COUNTRY MUSIC HoF NEWS: Easter brunch and music. What could be better! The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will hold its second annual Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 16, with two seatings at 9:00 am and 12 noon. You can enjoy family-style seating and a performance by great R&B Gospel group the McCrary Sisters, plus a special visit from the Easter Bunny. Advance ticket purchase required. Ticket prices are $65.00 for adults, $25.00 for ages 6-12, and the price includes both Museum admission and the brunch. Details and ticket info here.

LEGEND NEWS: Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s musical landscape than Charlie Daniels. In his official memoir, “Never Look at the Empty Seats” (W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson), fans will learn about his rise from a post-Depression era childhood to becoming a Grammy award winner and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee by focusing on the positives in life. Spanning a career of nearly 60 years, Charlie will share inside stories, reflections, rare personal photographs plus make available lessons learned and sage advice to those seeking a career in the music business. The book releases October 24 in hardcover, eBook and audiobook and is available for pre-order now. For available retailers and more info, go to CharlieDaniels.com.

VIDEO NEWS: My friends the The Kentucky Headhunters’ music video for “God Loves A Rolling Stone” can now be seen on TasteOfCountry.com. It is the first single from the Headhunters’ new album, ON SAFARI. “The video for ‘God Loves A Rolling Stone’ is a film for all of humanity. It depicts the struggles that many Americans have endured to keep our country’s spirit great and, in the end, shining. I wrote the song for those who are less fortunate, and the part that God plays in all our lives. In his eyes, we’re all the same. Enough said,” stated Richard Young of The Kentucky Headhunters. See kentuckyheadhunters.net.

Read the entire column (and previous columns) here.

ACM Awards set for April 2nd

The 52nd Annual ACM Awards will air live on CBS on Sunday, April 2nd at 8 p.m. ET, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will once again serve as hosts.

Scheduled performances include FGL and the Backstreet Boys who will perform their new single, “God, Your Mama and Me.” Also performing: Faith Hill, Sam Hunt, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban (who has SEVEN nominations in five categories!) and Contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle.

Luke Bryan & Dierks Bentley. Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Here is a list of all the 2017 ACM nominees, so you can keep score during the show.

2017 Academy of Country Music Awards Nominees

Entertainer of the Year

Jason Aldean

Luke Bryan

Florida Georgia Line

Carrie Underwood

Keith Urban

Continue reading “ACM Awards set for April 2nd”

‘Larger-than-life’ songwriter’s story told in new book

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer, Merle Kilgore, subject of “These Are My People”

There’s a special place in my heart for Merle Kilgore. Back in 2002, one of my knee replacement surgeries did not go as well as planned and it was almost impossible for me to get in and out of my home. Friends in Nashville’s bighearted music community put together a Benefit to raise money for the installation of a wheelchair ramp. Merle generously donated two front row seats at a Hank Williams, Jr. concert plus a limo ride to the show. It was a very popular auction item! Merle and his family were good friends to me since I moved to Nashville in 1991.

Mark Rickert’s new book about his grandfather, Merle Kilgore

Merle co-wrote “Ring Of Fire,” carried Hank Williams Sr.’s guitar, managed Hank Jr. for more than two decades, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Now, his grandson, Mark Rickert, gives readers an insider’s look at Merle’s larger-than-life world in a new book, “These Are My People” (WriteLife Publishing) available for purchase now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and local bookstores across the country.

“We had a very close relationship,” Rickert recalls. “I listened to his stories for hours on end, summer after summer. He was a character and his friends were superstars. His was a story I always believed should be told.”

“Merle Kilgore was my best friend.” – Hank Williams, Jr.

Continue reading “‘Larger-than-life’ songwriter’s story told in new book”

Cole Swindell, Blake Shelton celebrate Number Ones

6th Number One for Cole Swindell

Cole Swindell cebrates with co-writers and execs from ASCAP, BMI, label and song publishers. Photo credit: Preshias

Warner Bros Nashville threw a Number One party for one of their ‘Golden Boys.’ Cole Swindell is basking in the glow of his 6th Number One single, “Middle Of A Memory,” written by Swindell, Ashley Gorley and Zach Crowell. Cole thanked the standing room only crowd for all they have done to get him to this stage in his career and making his dreams come true.

…and Blake Shelton’s 23rd

Blake celebrates another Number One. Photo credit: Lindsey Sipes

Another Warner Bros Nashville “Golden Boy,” Blake Shelton, celebrates another Number One “With A Guy With A Girl.” The song was written by Bryan Simpson and Ashley Gorley. This makes Blake’s 23rd Number One, if I counted right. Trivia Note: Blake had 17 consecutive number one records, which went down in the music history books.

Wade Hayes presents second annual Country Hits Back

Concert Benefitting Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center with special guests Tracy Lawrence & Randy Owen

Acclaimed country hit maker and colon cancer survivor Wade Hayes is set to host the 2nd Annual Country Hits Back concert supporting the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center at the historic Franklin Theatre at 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Joining him will be Randy Owen, Country Music Hall of Fame member and lead singer of the super group Alabama, and multi-platinum award winning singer/songwriter Tracy Lawrence. Tickets range from $79.00-100.00 and are available at FranklinTheatre.com.

“Go live your life”

Continue reading “Wade Hayes presents second annual Country Hits Back”

Zach Stone brings heat to Country Radio Seminar

New EP, ‘Ashes,’ out now

Texas native Zach Stone, dubbed Country Music’s “Fresh Face” of 2017, made the rounds at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) last week and was acknowledged by many as a captivating newcomer to the annual event. The Belmont graduate and former “Best of The Best” made introductions, shaking hands with radio personalities and conducting interviews throughout the course of the seminar.

Zach Stone performs at SOUTH for Spotlight 615

A featured artist at the Spotlight 615 Showcase, Zach performed before a packed house at SOUTH on Friday evening, February 27.

Baseball dreams turn to music

Zach Stone with Phillip Gibbons (WGSQ – The Giant)
Photo Credits: Randy Shaffer © 2017

The former Team USA member destined to play Major League baseball turned down the “pitch” to pursue his music career. Since hitting Nashville just a few short years ago, the young, dynamic showman and road warrior has already canvased 32 states to stake his claim as a must-see entertainer.

Zach partnered with Music Row’s most accredited A-list songwriters to lay the groundwork for his sophomore EP, titled ASHES; the six-song recording project [produced by Rex Schnelle (Brooks & Dunn/Trace Adkins)] was released late last year and is available via all major digital retail outlets.

For more on Zach Stone, visit www.zachstonecountry.com.

“Follow your dreams,” says Jim Halsey, music pioneer

Jim Halsey’s 68-year career in music

Over the course of his 68-year career, Jim Halsey has been a pioneer of country music innovation and expansion, transforming a once colloquial commodity into a global force. Halsey played a key role in the direction and management of country music giants. He has guided the careers of some of the most iconic figures in country music, including, Roy Clark, Waylon Jennings, The Judds, Hank Thompson, Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, Wanda Jackson, Freddy Fender, Roy Orbison, Tammy Wynette, Rick Nelson, Clint Black, Dwight Yoakam, Minnie Pearl, James Brown and The Oak Ridge Boys, who he’s managed for 43 years.

When asked what advice he would give to anyone just starting out on a career in music, he kept it simple. “Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams,” he told me.

World’s biggest country music agency

Halsey’s vision, marketing, and passion were fundamental to the rapid growth of a genre that may otherwise have taken many more years to develop. His leadership and vision resulted in The Jim Halsey Company becoming the biggest country music agency in the world. Halsey’s artists have sold hundreds of gold and platinum records, received countless awards, including Grammy awards and nominations, and sold out shows at The Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall, and headlined festivals and performances all over the world.

Halsey has represented 25 of the 125 artists selected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as 10 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has played a pivotal role in bringing country music to television. To date, he is the only producer or manager who has ever presented every artist on a single episode of the Hollywood Squares as well as book his acts in every Las Vegas showroom for an entire week. Continue reading ““Follow your dreams,” says Jim Halsey, music pioneer”