Nashville Music Line

Craig Campbell fights colorectal cancer with Cornhole Challenge

Raises hundreds of thousands of dollars with celebrity friends

It was Craig Campbell‘s Celebrity Cornhole Challenge time in Nashville on Tuesday, June 5. The celebrities – and hundreds of fans – turned out at the City Winery to enjoy a warm, pre-CMA-Fest afternoon of fun for a good cause: to raise aware and funds for Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC). This is a cause very close to my own heart. My brother Shannon died from colorectal cancer at the age of 39 and his death could have been prevented simply by a colonoscopy.

Craig Campbell gets the Cornhole Challenge under way. Photo: Preshias Harris

In case you are not familiar with cornhole, it is a game in which small bags filled with dried corn or beans are tossed at a target consisting of an inclined wooden platform with a hole at one end. Points are scored when a contestant tosses his or her corn bag into the hole (3 points) or onto the board (1 point). The game was said to originate in Germany in the 14^thcentury and was revived by settlers in Kentucky in the 19^thcentury.

Craig’s new single: ‘See You Try’

The annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge is organized by Craig Campbell who is recognized for his ‘new-school’ take on classic Country. On June 8, Craig released his first new collection in five years, an EP titled SEE YOU TRY (Broken Bow Records). The title song, ‘See You Try,’ is also Craig’s new single, written by Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line), Bart Butler, James McNair and Jordan Schmidt.

Craig was joined by LOCASH, Walker Hayes, Brett Kissel, Russell Dickerson, Jerrod Niemann, Brett Young, Lindsay Eli, Tegan Marie, Morgan Mills, Taylor Phillips, Dee Jay Silver, The Cadillac Three and other celebrities who tried their cornhole skill (or lack of it) to entertain the fans who cheered them on.

During a break in the action, I asked Craig, how did this event come about?

“Six years ago, I wanted an event that honored my dad,” said Craig. “He was 36 years old when he died of colon cancer, so I thought, what can I do to honor him? And to have fun and do something different, you know? A lot of people are having free concerts, golf tournaments, fishing tournaments. But no-one is having a cornhole tournament. So then, I thought it was a pretty cool play on the whole corn hole / colon, that sort of thing! So that’s how it all started. Now we’re at year number six and I feel it’s just getting bigger and better.”

Brett Kissel talks about Garth and Brad

As Brett Kissel took a break to grab a bottle of cold water, I asked him how it felt when he opened for Garth Brooks, the dream of every singer and songwriter.

“It was the best thing I’ve ever been able to do in my career,” he said. “I’ll tell you, every night that I got to step out on stage to perform and open the show, and then a few times when I got to be on stage and sing with Garth in front of his crowd, I’m telling you Preshias, that was exactly what Cloud Nine feels like! I believe that there are moments that are similar to what heaven could feel like, and that was like a heavenly moment.” Continue reading “Craig Campbell fights colorectal cancer with Cornhole Challenge”

CMA Fest fan-favorites and ‘evergreen’ stars

Ten Legends of Country Music at CMA Fest 2018

Bill Anderson, Bobby Bare, Charley Pride, David Ball, John Berry, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Stevens, Ricky Skaggs, TG Sheppard, Tracy Lawrence… In my previous post, I spotlighted ‘Ten to Watch,’ new and emerging artists appearing at CMA Fest. In this post, let’s look at ten enduring talents who continue to entertain fans after many decades at the top of their game. Here’s where and when you can catch up with them at CMA Fest 2018. For tickets and everything you need to know about this year’s Fest, go here.

Bill Anderson & Bobby Bare

Sunday, June 10, 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm
CMA Close Up Stage

‘Whisperin’ Bill’ Anderson has released more than 40 studio albums, seven No. 1 singles and 29 Top 10 singles, and is a six-time Songwriter Of the Year award-winner. As a Grand Ole Opry member for more than 50 years and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame since 2001, Anderson is one of the most decorated songwriters and performers in country music history. He has the distinction of having an entry on the Country charts for seven consecutive decades – a record held by no other songwriter in history. He is the author (with Peter Cooper) of ‘Whispering Bill Anderson: An Unprecedented Life in Country Music.’ Info about Bill Anderson here.

Bobby Bare’s music career seemed to be stalling until he signed with RCA where Chet Atkins was willing to listen to his ideas. The result was Bare’s breakout hit ‘Shame On Me,’ followed by ‘Detroit City.’ Bare’s music became increasingly country with such hits as ‘Miller’s Cave’ and ‘Four Strong Winds.’ Bare was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013, among many other awards and accolades. In 2017, Rolling Stone named him one of the ’50 Greatest Country Artists of All Time.’ 2018 marks his 60th anniversary in the music business and the release of his studio album, ‘Things Change’ with two new accompanying music videos. More about Bobby here.

Charley Pride

Friday, June 08, 7:55 pm – 8:25 pm
Nissan Stadium

Charley Pride is celebrating his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The Country Music Hall of Fame member and Recording Academy ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ recipient made his Opry debut in 1967. Charley will take the Nissan Stadium stage on Friday, June 08 and will be sharing the stage that evening with a host of other modern country staples like Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Old Dominion. Tour updates and music here.

Continue reading “CMA Fest fan-favorites and ‘evergreen’ stars”

CMA Fest spotlights new talent alongside megastars

‘Ten to watch’ at CMA Fest 2018

CMA Fest 2018 once again brings together the cream of the crop in Country music. From Thursday, June 07 through Sunday, June 10, fans from across the country and around the world will descend on Nashville. Described by the Country Music Association (CMA) as ‘the ultimate country music fan experience,’ hundreds of artists will be performing on eleven stages.

One of the unique aspects of CMA Fest is the opportunity to see new and emerging artists in addition to current superstars and legendary performers – all in one music festival.

If you’re heading to CMA Fest to see Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, FGL and Keith Urban, keep in mind there is SO much more talent to be seen and heard – even if some of the names are not familiar to you… yet!

Here are some quick pen-portraits of just a few of the acts appearing at Music Fest that you might want to check out…

Clare Dunn

Friday, June 08, 7:00 pm – 7:25 pm
Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage, Ascend Amphitheater
Saturday, June 09, 4:30 pm – 4:55 pm
Chevy Breakout Stage

Growing up in tiny Two Buttes, Colorado (population: 43), Clare Dunn spent days at a time in a tractor cab helping plow and plant the family farm, sharpening her ears with uninterrupted music-listening in the driver’s seat, even as she strengthened her work ethic. “That’s where a lot of my creativity came from and where a lot of my vision was forged, was just having nothing else to do other than listen to music and dream all day long in the vast wide open of those plains,” she reflects.

Recording for MCA Nashville, she is the only female country artist in recent memory to have a hand in all of the writing, arranging and producing for her debut release, the Clare Dunn EP. The project was recorded in the Cave at Nashville’s House of Blues studios.

An accomplished musician, every lick of guitar on the EP is hers, from agile melodic figures to aggressive shredding. “I think there’s, like, one song where I didn’t play a mandolin part or something like that,” she says. “But other than that, every lead part is my playing—acoustic, electric, everything.”

Catch Clare singing (and shredding) on two stages during CMA Fest. More about Clare here.

EmiSunshine

Sunday, June 10, 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
CMA Music Fest Spotlight Stage

EmiSunshine is a dynamic young singer/songwriter who initially captured the nation’s attention via her presence on social media, racking up 1,000,000+ views on YouTube. Releasing her first full-length CD at the age of 9 in 2014, she released her fourth studio recording, RAGGED DREAMS, in August 2017. She plays about 150 shows a year, and has included appearances at the Grand Ole Opry and on Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam at the Ryman Auditorium.

EmiSunshine is a multi-instrumentalist with a unique vocal style that draws on her influences from early Country and Appalachian music. She cites artists as varied as Loretta Lynn, The Louvin Brothers, Bessie Smith, June Carter and Hank Williams as being music creators that have affected her own musical journey. Continue reading “CMA Fest spotlights new talent alongside megastars”

7 Facebook security tweaks to keep artists, songwriters safe

How to make Facebook work for you, not against you.

Exposure. That’s something every ambitious artist and songwriter strives to achieve.

Exposure is essential. It’s all about getting noticed and spreading the word about your creative output. However, there’s a fine line between exposure and being exposed. Whereas exposure is good, being exposed is bad, and can turn out to be very bad indeed. In case you hadn’t noticed, there are some pretty seedy people lurking out there in cyberspace.

Ensuring your personal security and guarding your privacy while promoting yourself is important for every singer and songwriter, but it should be of particular concern to parents who are guiding the careers of their minor children.

Ask yourself this question: When did I last review my security and privacy settings on my Facebook page? If the answer is “Not for some time” (or worse still, “Never”) here are a few quick and easy ways to be sure that your security is all that it should be.

1. Find your security settings

To get started, go to your Facebook page and look for the little ‘downward-pointing’ arrow icon at the top right of your page. Click on that, and then click on “Settings” at the bottom of the drop down menu. This brings up a page headed General Account Settings. Look at the menu on the left of page. (Note: you’ll be returning to this menu for all the steps you need to follow.)

Click on ‘Security and Login.’ Here you can see where you are logged in to Facebook. Be sure that only your own devices are logged in. There are several ways to check and increase your Facebook security on this page.

2. Change your password

Under ‘Security and Login’ click on ‘Change Password’ and click ‘Edit.’ Click ‘Save changes’ when you have completed the change. It is a good idea to change your password frequently, at least every three months, and pick a password that is not the same as one you are using elsewhere.

Avoid using anything too obvious (such as part of your email address or the name of a pet that others might know). And always change your password immediately if you think your password has been stolen or accessed by someone else. Continue reading “7 Facebook security tweaks to keep artists, songwriters safe”

Scotty McCreery celebrates ‘Five More Minutes’ No. 1

Co-writers Frank Rogers, Monty Criswell join the party

Scotty McCreery celebrated at a party this afternoon at CMA’s Nashville HQ, co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI. And he had quite a lot to celebrate. Firstly, it was his upcoming June marriage to Gabi Dugal with whom he became engaged in September last year while hiking on North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain. Secondly, he has a new record label, Triple Tigers, that, in March, released ‘Seasons Change,’ his first album in five years.

(L to R): Mike Sistad (ASCAP Nashville Writer Relations) Monty Criswell, Scotty McCreery, and Frank Rogers. Photo Credit: Preshias Harris

But the main reason for this particular celebration was a Number One party for Scotty’s hugely popular ‘Five More Minutes,’ that he co-wrote with Frank Rogers (who also produced the song) and Monty Criswell. The song topped Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for March 04, 2018, racking up more than 40.2 million audience impressions. ‘Five More Minutes’ is Scotty’s first Country Airplay No. 1 and the ninth charting Country Airplay track for the 10th season winner of American Idol.

Song draws Opry standing ovation

The song was written in 2015, inspired by Scotty’s feelings after the passing of his beloved grandfather. However, it wasn’t until he performed the heart-touching song in June of 2016 at the Grand Ole Opry that he realized how much it connected with audiences.

Unfortunately, he could not release the song at that time as it had been recorded as a track for an album when he was under contract to Universal Music Group Nashville. However, UMGN dropped Scotty as an artist and opted not to release the album. While he was in dispute with his former label, he independently released ‘Five More Minutes’ to radio. It went on to become the first independently-released country song to reach the MediaBase Top 50 in the chart’s history.

‘Five More Minutes’ is the first single release from ‘Seasons Change.’ Scotty credits Triple Tigers GM Norbert Nix for seeing the hit potential in ‘Five More Minutes,’ and wanting to put together a full album. Scotty said that the songs on the album are like a musical journal, relating to his life experiences over the past five years, including, of course, his love for his fiancée Gabi.

Fiancée ‘has been my rock’

Scotty & Gabi. Photo: EB Media

“She has been my rock for the last few years,” said Scotty at the Number One party with a huge smile. “We met in kindergarten, and then we reconnected when I was a senior in high school. This is our first Number One party as an engaged couple. Maybe we will have another Number One party as a married couple.”

More about Scotty McCreery here where you can also see the official ‘Five More Minutes’ video and check out tour updates and ticket info.

Dolly Parton, Linda Perry’s new ‘Dumplin’ album

‘Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out’ at Music Biz 2018

Dolly Parton and Linda Perry headlined the Artist Keynote segment of the ‘Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out’ Program. The program was a highlight of the second day of MusicBiz 2018 presented by the Music Business Association in Nashville, May 14 – 17.

(L to R): Melinda Newman, Dolly Parton, Linda Perry. Photo credit: Preshias Harris

Parton and Perry collaborated on the upcoming soundtrack album for the movie ‘Dumplin’ (Dolly Records/RCA Nashville), co-writing six new songs and creating new versions of six previously-released songs. ‘Dumplin,’ described as a ‘female-centric project,’ is directed by Anne Fletcher and stars Jennifer Anniston and Danielle MacDonald. Continue reading “Dolly Parton, Linda Perry’s new ‘Dumplin’ album”

From Self Release to Major Label

What are you giving up to become a recording artist?

So you’re an artist or a singer/songwriter and you’re looking at an opportunity to sign with a major label. Or maybe you’re not sure that’s even the way to go. What should you know before you pick up that pen?

“What are you giving up to become a recording artist? What are you giving back for artist development?”

Those are the questions posed by session moderators, Austen Adams and Noah McPike. Adams and McPike both serve as OF Counsel for Dickinson Wright, the Nashville Legal firm that co-sponsored the session on opening day of Music Biz 2018 in Nashville.

The room at the Omni Hotel was ‘standing room only,’ packed with both creators and music business execs. The session title was ‘The Modern Approach to Artist Development: From Self Release to Major Label and Everywhere In-Between.’

Be prepared to ‘give back’

The panel made it clear that you must be prepared to give up certain things when you transition from being an Indie artist to an artist signed to a major label. You must also be prepared to ‘give back’ to the label in terms of time and effort to promote yourself and your music on the label’s schedule.

The panelists all agreed that, in today’s business climate, almost all labels will want a percentage of an artist’s touring income if they are going to make an investment in you as an artist.

(My note: These types of arrangements can often include what’s called a ‘360 Deal’ or ‘Multiple Rights Deal’ in which the artist agrees that the label will earn part of the artist’s ancillary rights such as income from, say, merchandise sales, endorsement deals and concert revenue. In exchange, the label agrees to actively promote the artist’s career, and often takes on certain aspects of the client’s management.)

Find a music attorney

Noah McPike then gave attendees perhaps the best advice that will have heard all day. “If you enter into any type of deal like this, ask for a separate advance so that you can employ a lawyer. You need someone who works just for you!” Continue reading “From Self Release to Major Label”

Three days of musical inspiration

ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO cranks it up in L.A.

Three amazing days in Los Angeles with songwriters and creators from every musical genre, freely sharing their knowledge, their experience and their love. And best of all, sharing their music.

Despite the bleary-eyed early morning start from Nashville, when we pulled back the curtains on our hotel room and saw that famous HOLLYWOOD sign through the L.A. haze, we felt a rush of energy. We knew we were in for an unforgettable three days, and we were right.

Paul Williams at ASCAP EXPO. Photo credit: Lester Cohen, Getty Images/ASCAP

After so many years of doom and gloom and dire predictions about the music industry, it was a shot in the arm to hear ASCAP President Paul Williams remind us of the good news from Washington. Legislators and the music industry are working together to pass the long awaited Music Modernization Act. And music sales are on the rise again.

“This is the most amazing collection of Musoids on the planet!” – Paul Williams, President of ASCAP, starting his EXPO kickoff speech

Meghan Trainor proves you can make it

Songwriter J Kash and Meghan Trainor at ASCAP’s ‘I Create Music’ Expo. Photo credit: ASCAP

Songwriters can feel disheartened, particularly when their careers seem to stall. If any needed some encouragement and inspiration, they found it in Meghan Trainor who first attended the EXPO as a young unknown songwriter.

This year, she was back, but this time she was on stage with the credentials of being a hit writer and performer. Meghan and songwriter J Kash took part in the Keynote Conversation on Day 3, and Meghan’s family were in the audience to share in the success that her perseverance had created.

Songwriter credit must add up to 100%!

Perhaps one of the funniest (and very important) presentations came from Desmond Child who really does have world music in his blood, care of his Hungarian father and Cuban songwriter mother. He has writing credits on mega-hits for Aerosmith, Michael Bolton, Bon Jovi, Cher, Kiss, Clay Aiken and many more across multiple genres. Not surprisingly, Child is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Desmond Child and his 99 ‘volunteers.’ Photo credit: Preshias Harris

Continue reading “Three days of musical inspiration”

‘Inside Track on Music Row’ ready to read

Here’s a teaser of the May 2018 edition

The May 2018 edition of my monthly column, ‘Inside Track on Music Row,’ is now posted HERE at Nashville Music Guide, complete with some great graphics and photos.

Here are a few few teasers, but click the link above to read the full column of news about songwriters, artists and the country music industry.

CD RELEASE NEWS

Dierks Bentley will release his ninth studio album, THE MOUNTAIN (Capitol Records Nashville), June 8th. Bentley co-wrote 10 of the 13 new tracks that are unified by themes of presence and positivity, and range in style from textured rock to acoustic folk, feeling both rooted and expansive at the same time.

THE MOUNTAIN’s story begins in the Rocky Mountain resort town of Telluride, Colorado, which every summer plays host to a celebrated bluegrass festival. Bentley has attended the festival multiple times over the years, but after performing on the festival’s main stage in 2017, the idyllic surroundings became more than a much-needed getaway.

“I found myself there, constantly reaching for my guitar,” Bentley said. “It was like a gravitational pull. That town and those people just make you want to be creative, I couldn’t describe it. I was like ‘How do I tell everyone in Nashville this is what I want to write about?’ I realized I couldn’t bring it back, so I had to take everyone out there.”

The album is available for pre-order now with an instant download of the title track. Tour info & videos at Dierks.com.

DUO NEWS

Maddie & Tae are back with their highly-anticipated new single ‘Friends Don’t,’ the duo’s first song since signing with Mercury Nashville. The song matches the pair’s celebrated harmonies with an intimate take on the anticipation and excitement around a friendship’s developing possibilities. ‘Friends Don’t,’ written by Maddie Marlow and Taylor (Tae) Dye along with Justin Ebach and Jon Nite, is the first single from the Platinum-selling duo’s forthcoming sophomore album.

Set to impact country radio May 14, fans can listen to and download ‘Friends Don’t’ here and view the lyric video here.

GRAND OLE OPRY NEWS

The Grand Ole Opry welcomed home Bobby Bare as an official Opry member on April 7, on the Country Music Hall of Famer’s 83rd birthday. Bare had been a member of the Opry cast in the 1960s and 70s, after which his official Opry membership lapsed.

Garth Brooks took the stage and said, “I gotta tell you, this might be one of the coolest honors I have ever had bestowed on me. I don’t know if you know, but it was less than a month ago I was standing right here when I inducted the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, a kid named Chris Janson. Sweet guy. He sat in this circle of wood and he cried like a baby. And you know why he cried; because he gets it. He gets what it’s like to be a member of the family of the Grand Ole Opry.”

See the video of Bobby Bare and Garth on the Opry stage at YouTube here.

Brooks continued, “The Grand Ole Opry is family. Family is forever. So Mr. Bare, young man — as my dad would say — it is my honor, it is the Grand Ole Opry’s honor, to officially welcome you back, the great Bobby Bare, to the Grand Ole Opry.” More at bobbybare.com.

TOUR NEWS

In celebration of his albums, ‘From A Room: Volume 1 and Volume 2,’ Chris Stapleton will hit the road again this year for his All-American Road Show tour. Dates include New York’s Madison Square Garden The Forum in LA, and Chicago’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre among many others. The tour will feature Marty Stuart and Brent Cobb as special guests and tickets are on sale now. The Eagles are scheduled on a few of the dates as well.

Recently Chris and his wife, Morgane, became parents of twins. On the same day…he won three ACM awards.

Some Chris Stapleton ‘Fast Facts provided by GoGo Show Prep: ** Earlier this year, Chris won Grammy’s for Best Country Album (‘From A Room: Volume 1’), Best Country Song (‘Broken Halos’) and Best Country Solo Performance (‘Either Way’) ** Chris is also featured on Restoration, the tribute album to Elton John & Bernie Taupin.

And there’s a whole lot more! Check out the entire column online at Nashville Music Guide.

117 Entertainment Group marks first anniversary

A Nashville success story

Congratulations to Zach Farnum, the founder and president of 117 Entertainment Group. Launched in May 2017, in only one year Zach has built the company into a multi-faceted entertainment firm specializing in publicity and marketing campaigns for musicians, brands and events.

I received the following photo and email from Zach and I thought you would like to read it too.

[L to R]: 117’s Max Dacosta and Heather Scarlett Trotter, Bobby Bare, Lee Roy Parnell, Cherish Lee, John Berry, Exile Band Official’s Marlon Hargis, Jeannie Seely, Tim Rushlow, Kendall Gary, Shane Owens Country, Exile’s Sonny Lemaire, 117’s Bev J Moser, Scott Brown of the Scooter Brown Band, Exile’s Steve Goetzman and J.P. Pennington. Kneeling front center: Zach Farnum. (Not featured but present: Jerry Lee Lewis III, Exile’s Les Taylor Music, Lewis Brice)

“A year ago yesterday I announced a new endeavor… all on my own with one client, Chuck Negron Formerly Of Three Dog Night. From there, thanks to many friends, one by one, 117 Entertainment Group picked up more and more amazing artists. Paige Hamilton, Karl Braun and Pepper Meiler were there from the beginning supporting me professionally — but we were blessed with Bev J Moser in late June which started a rapid up-hill climb.

“It’s been a rollercoaster with ups and downs but now we’ve got over 20 incredible acts on our roster, a management and a live division and two more great team members – Heather Scarlett Trotter and Max Dacosta. Seeing this seed grow has been the biggest joy of my life and I truly can’t believe this picture.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you — to all who believed in me from the beginning, to all who support us now and to all who came last night — especially our clients who gave their time for our celebration! My heart is full.” – Zach Farnum

Again, kudos to Zach and all at 117 Entertainment. More information at their website, here.