Riding the Train Musical Experience

Home , Get Off on the Pain, Jen Foster, Jimmy Wayne, MusicRow, Next Friday (soundtrack), Tom Douglas (songwriter)

page 1 Friday, September 25, 2009

response to a rich Riding The Train musical experience. by David M. Ross Meanwhile in the Miranda Lambert's crowd wake of the MTV Video poured into the Ryman pews like a Music Awards it seems marching band on cue at the front the thorny Kanye West of a Macy's parade (9/25). The effect hasn't chilled lights dimmed, and Taylor Swift, the bloom on Nashville's Paramore's Haley Williams, Swift country rose, Taylor guitarist Grant Mickelson and Swift. In fact, Chad Gilbert, guitarist for New according to Nielsen Found Glory were quietly escorted into the SoundScan, a division of The Nielsen balcony center front row. A large sprinkling Company, sales of Swift's Fearless CD now of industry execs were also in attendance to on the chart for 45 weeks jumped a mic- hear Lambert debut material from her soon- grabbing 37% to over 45k. Her debut self to-be-released CD Revolution. The buzz titled CD also benefited, growing 21% surrounding the blonde Texas singer- compared to the previous week. Apart songwriter with the gritty edges has spread like circles across a large pond as her career highway continues to stretch out from the Nashville Star stage where she started in 2003. Revolution singles "White Liar" and "Dead Flowers" have already traveled to radio. ("White Liar" is currently climbing the MusicRow chart making a nice move this week from No. 42 to 35.) Lambert's country roots are growing deeper and stronger, possibly evidenced by the fact that earlier this week she met and sang a tribute to Merle Haggard at the ACM Honors Awards and last night she bent down and Pictured at the 2nd Annual ACM Honors Event, kissed the the Ryman wood floor after singing Sept. 22 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in what will likely be her next single, "The House Nashville (L-R): Miranda Lambert; John Grady, ACM That Built Me." The crowd erupted into a President; Blake Shelton; and Rod Essig, ACM standing ovation, a perfect reaction in Chairman. Photo: Kay Williams

©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected] page 2 Friday, September 25, 2009 from Mr. West's appearance riding Jay-Z's coattails on a few tracks, all West's charting solo sales efforts shrunk this week. Of course all these adventures and most everything else going on everywhere and anywhere is now all inscribed on the public record via the real time Twitter conversation. This week the 140-character canopy of culture raised $100 million in new funding thereby valuing the company at a staggering $1 billion. According to a New York Times article, "that is almost double the market capitalization of Domino’s Pizza, which has 10,500 employees and had $1.4 billion in sales last year. Twitter has some 60 employees." The funding is all the more remarkable since the home of the Tweeters has yet to book revenue, although its website draws 54 million visitors each month, according to tracking firm comScore. And lastly we peer into a case of lowered expectations in the form of the new Microsoft Zune HD. This fourth generation edition directly models itself after its more successful iPod Over 300 of Nashville’s music industry elite joined Vanderbilt doctors, brothers, but according to AllThingsDigital.com, "Given all research scientists and local business leaders to raise money and the improvements of this new Zune, it’s a shame that this awareness for the TJ Martell Foundation. The songwriter event was makeover stopped short of revamping its commerce system, hosted by Crownover, Tisinger at their offices on Music Row. Up and which is still too confusing. The cost of one song is 79 points coming singer/songwriters Jeremy Crady, Jeremy Yurek, Joanna Smith (based upon Microsoft Xbox), roughly the equivalent of a dollar, and Brandon Lepere performed for the End of the Row portion of the event, while Jen Foster, Michael Garvin, Gordie Sampson and Chris and users must buy points in buckets ranging from 400 for Tompkins sang during The Writer’s Share portion later in the evening. $5 to 5,000 for $62.50. People who are trying to watch their (L-R): Kent Earls, Sr. VP Creative UMPG Nashville; Steve Markland, budgets don’t need the hassle of calculating points per Warner/Chappell Music; Garth Fundis, producer and former NARAS purchase. And Amazon’s (AMZN) Kindle e-reader and Apple’s President; Andrew Dorff, UMPG staff writer; and Pat Higdon, Pres. (AAPL) iTunes Store have proved that using dollars and an UMPG Nashville. Photo: Beth Gwinn uncomplicated one-click system is a successful strategy."

Feeling confused by the speed and diversity of the song was recorded with Capitol’s Trace Adkins and is techno/cultural/musical conversation quickly streaming BLEVE’s lead song from a multi-artist compilation due out across global boundaries? Remember this: It's easier (and Nov. 1. Sales of the CD are to benefit the Fraternal Order of safer) to ride the train, than stand in front of it. Police and the International Association of Firefighters. Protesters were asked to leave by property security and Capitol Records Protest complied without incident. BLEVE Records reports it will The BLEVE Records saga continue with the release and promotion of “My First Ride” continued this week with news despite the cease and desist. that Ronnie Milsap, along with firefighters and policemen from Lifenote: Carlos Grier Tennessee, gathered outside MusicRow is saddened to report the passing of Capitol Nashville’s offices mastering engineer Carlos Edgar Grier Sept. 2 at his home Thursday (9/24) to protest the in Nashville. Grier began his career with Woodland Sound label’s cease and desist order of single “My First Ride.” The Studios in the early 1970s and later spent over 16 years at

Georgetown Masters. During his career he mastered and who will perform with Tim Reynolds, at the show, along with edited thousands of albums, including works by Willie Jason Mraz, Wilco, Jamey Johnson, Phosphorescent, Nelson and Garth Brooks. There will be a casual gathering of Billy Joe Shaver, Will Dailey, Ernie Isley & the Jam friends and family in honor of Carlos 6 pm Sunday, Band, Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses, The Blackwood September 27 at Ocean Way Nashville. In lieu of flowers, Quartet, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and Titty donations may be made to the Hemophilia & Bleeding Bingo. DIRECTV will exclusively broadcast Farm Aid 2009 Disorders Chapter of Alabama, 151 Market Place, live and in HD on The 101 Network. Farm Aid 2009 Presented Montgomery, Ala., 36117. by Horizon Organic will also be webcast and will stream live at www.farmaid.org Boston Exits BBR Brooke Boston has exited her position as Broken Bow’s Heartland Returns Promotion Coordinator and Dir. of Secondary Promotion. She Graham Artist Heartland had been with the company for nearly two years. Prior to BBR, Management will be Boston worked in sales for the NHL’s Dallas Stars hockey team. re-introducing the She is currently looking for her next opportunity and can be group Heartland contacted at [email protected] or 214-558-7922. with the new single, "Mustache," going Allan Lines Up Tour, for adds Sept. 28. The group is working Recruits Ingram with David Haley Gary Allan’s Get Off On The Pain of EdgeHill Music & Tour kicks off in mid-October at the Media and has Chicago House of Blues, and runs through launced an iPhone the end of the year with a December 31 App with special features. Heartland's first single, "I Love show at the Las Vegas House of Blues. Her First," hit No. 1 on country radio charts. Joining Allan for the tour beginning Gary Allan November 5 will be Big Machine’s Jack Lady Antebellum Sells Ingram. Financial Services Gretchen Wilson Added to Lady Antebellum's "I Run To You" appears in financial services Diverse Farm Aid Lineup giant TIAA-CREF's fall advertising Gretchen Wilson has been added to campaign. The band's first No. 1 hit is the lineup at Farm Aid's all-day music and being featured in national advertising food festival on Sun., Oct. 4 at the Verizon spots during college football's biggest Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, games, beginning last weekend with Mo. Wilson will join Farm Aid board the University of Tennessee versus members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, University of Florida game on CBS. Gretchen Wilson John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews, www.ladyantebellum.com/meerkats Lady Antebellum

On September 18, Capitol Records Nashville’s Luke Bryan celebrated Blake Shelton was the featured artist at GAC's Summer Barbecue the upcoming release of his sophomore album Doin’ My Thing at a Sweepstakes. The event was the culmination of a summer-long GAC listening party hosted by BMI before performing at a jam packed house online sweepstakes. In addition to a trip to Nashville and other prizes, at the Tin Roof in Nashville. (L-R): Terry Wakefield, Sr. VP Creative winner Todd Childress (of Toledo, OH) and three of his guests enjoyed Sony ATV Music Publishing; Jody Williams, VP Writer/Publisher Relations a meet and greet with Shelton as well as an acoustic performance. BMI; Bryan; Kerri Edwards, Red Light Management; and Mike Dungan, (L-R):Diarmuid Quinn, Exec.VP Mktg. Warner Bros. Records; Ed Hardy, Pres./CEO Capitol Records Nashville. Photo: Kay Williams GAC Pres.; Shelton; and John Esposito, Pres. Warner Music Nashville.

Loveless Plots Fall Tour Patty Loveless is currently on tour to promote the release of Mountain Soul II, set for Sept. 29. The tour kicked off Sept. 17 in St. Louis and has dates scheduled through Nov. 1 in Alexandria, Va. The album is a follow up to Mountain Soul, which was named a Top Ten record of 2001 by USA Patty Loveless Today and Entertainment Weekly. As part of the record launch, Loveless is taking the opportunity to support the Christian Appalachian Project. By logging on to www.christianapp.org users can make a donation to the organization and will receive a free download Country artists Montgomery Gentry, Jamie O'Neal and Lee Roy Parnell and of "Working on a Building" from Mountain Soul II. Vanderbilt's Soul Incision rocked the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis Missouri This will be the second record Loveless has done recently for the Country For A Cure event presented by the St. Louis Blues Alumni with Saguaro Road Records, following 2008's Sleepless Association. The event benefited the T.J. Martell Foundation's mission of supporting Nights, which was nominated for a Grammy. innovative cancer research. (L-R): O'Neal; Troy Gentry; Eddie Montgomery; Bruce Affleck, Pres. St. Louis Blues Alumni Association; Storme Warren, GAC's Headline Wy Gets On the Santa Train Country; Parnell; and John Davidson, Pres. St. Louis Blues Hockey Team. Wynonna Judd will revisit her Appalachian childhood when she joins CSX, Food City and the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce as the special guest on the 67th annual stories behind her 40 year career, which includes sales of 54 Santa Train in 2009. This year, million records, over 30 pop hits, 50 country tunes and over Wynonna is celebrating the release 40 adult contemporary songs on the Billboard charts. of her recent album, Sing: Chapter 1, and the anniversary of her 25th year McBryde Advances to Regional in the music business. In celebration of the holiday season, Wynonna will launch her third annual A Classic Christmas tour Colgate Showdown the weekend after Thanksgiving. Patty Loveless, Alison Ashley McBryde won the Colgate Krauss, Naomi Judd, Travis Tritt and Kathy Mattea are Country Showdown Tennessee State Final among the celebrity guests who have participated in the recently. She will go on to compete in the Santa Train in recent years. Several governors, U.S. Southeast Regional in Rock Hill, S.C. on senators, representatives, and other local, state and federal Dec. 5 to determine if she will advance to officials have also participated in this annual event. the National Final. The five regional winners from across the country will receive an all expense-paid trip to Nashville to compete Gayle Gets Her Own Star Ashley McBryde for $100,000 and the coveted title of Best Crystal Gayle will be recognized New Act in Country Music. The National with her own star on the Hollywood Walk Final will air nationwide, over syndicated television in March of Fame next Friday, October 2 in Los and April of 2010. Angeles. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Leron Gubler and special guest speaker Tanya Tucker will be on hand to Lantana’s Marathon Fair Schedule do the honors. Gayle’s star will be near the Trio Lantana is on a 24-day run at the State Fair of Crystal Gayle star of her older sister Loretta Lynn. Known Texas starting today (9/25) through October 18. The trio will for enduring career songs like “Don’t It perform daily at the Bud Light Sound Stage/Cotton Bowl Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” the Grammy-winning Gayle was Plaza at the fair, which estimates annual attendance also the first female country artist to measured in the millions. Lantana is scheduled to head into achieve platinum album sales. the studio this Fall to begin work on a new album, set for release in 2010. Anne Murray to Release Autobiography Corrections Department In our coverage of NSAI’s World’s Largest No. 1 Party, Canadian artist Anne Murray will we incorrectly spelled the last name of Phil Goldberg, who release her autobiography, All of Me, on was presented with the Stephen Foster Award for generous Oct. 27, published by Knoph Canada, a support for--and dedication to--songwriters, the music division of Random House of Canada industry, and NSAI. We regret the error. Limited. In the book, Murray reveals the

—He encounters an armed robber and tells him, “God loves a DISClaimer desperate man.” Luckily, the bullet misses him. by Robert K. Oermann Yikes: How did it get to be the end JASON ALDEAN/The Truth of September already? Writer: Brett James/Ashley Monroe; Producer: Michael Knox; The official first day of Autumn was Publisher: Stage Three/Brett James Cornelius/Reynsong, Tuesday, and everyone is polishing up ASCAP/BMI; Broken Bow (track) their late-year releases. Tim scores —Jason tries on a heartbroken ballad, and it fits just fine. The big points in this column with “Southern sizzling organ flourishes in the mix are an extra delight. Voice,” the title tune of his Oct. 20 CD. Last night, Miranda debuted her TOMMY CASH/Fade To Black Revolution at the Ryman. That CD Writer: Tommy Cash/Nathan Whitt; Producer: Rick Lloyd; drops next Tuesday. Last week, Rosanne Publisher: Tomcat/Next Guess, BMI/SESAC; InLight (track) did the same with The List, which (www.fadetoblackcd.com) drops Oct. 6. Toby’s American Ride is —The title tune to Tommy’s new CD is a tender ode to his also due on Oct. 6, and Carrie’s Play legendary older brother. Much of the album is devoted to On drops Nov. 3. revivals of Johnny’s iconic songs, but Tommy’s own “Six This star-studded edition of White Horses” is reprised as well, as a duet with Marty DisClaimer features worthy efforts not only by Tim, but also Stuart. On Faron Young’s “Some Kind of a Woman,” George by Jason Aldean, Jack Ingram, Jimmy Wayne and Rascal Jones joins Tommy, and sister JoAnne Cash is his vocal Flatts, the last-named of whom has the Disc of the Day. partner on Ferlin Husky’s “Wings of a Dove.” Blackberry Smoke, of whom I know nothing, is our DisCovery Award winner. JIMMY WAYNE/Sara Smile Writer: Daryl Hall/John Oates; Producer: Dann Huff; JACK INGRAM & PATTY GRIFFIN/Seeing Stars Publisher: none listed; Valory Music Writer: Jack Ingram/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Jack Ingram —This 1976 Hall & Oates goldie has aged well—it’s still a & Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Beat Up Ford/Bug/Big Loud dreamy melody. Jimmy’s version doesn’t stray far from the Songs/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track) original arrangement, and harmonies by Daryl and John, —It’s a spacious ballad with plenty of atmosphere. Patty’s themselves, add to the familiarity. luminous voice carries the hushed finale and is heard singing harmony throughout. JOHNNY RIVERS/The American Dream Writer: Johnny Rivers; Producer: Johnny Rivers & Oren RASCAL FLATTS/Why Walters; Publisher: Rivers, BMI; Soul City Writer: Allen Shamblin/Robert Mathes; Producer: Dann Huff —Pop great Johnny still sounds good. This reggae-rhythmic & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Built on Rock/EMI Blackwood/ bopper is embellished with horns, acoustic guitar and Maybe I Can’t, ASCAP/BMI; Lyric Street harmony singers. The lyric is wonderfully hopeful and —Teen suicide is on the rise, so this deeply emotional song uplifting, which are certainly qualities we can use these days. couldn’t be more timely. This is the group’s finest single since “Bless the Broken Road,” and it is easily its most BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Good One Coming On important. Essential listening. Writer: Lee Roy Parnell/David Lee Murphy/Gary Nicholson; Producer: Dann Huff & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Lillie Dale/ SAMMY SADLER/I’ll Always Have Denver Dean-Parnell/EverGreen/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent/ Writer: Steve Wariner/Bill Anderson; Producer: none listed; Sony ATV Cross Keys/Gary Nicholson, BMI/ASCAP; BamaJam Publisher: Steve Wariner/Mr. Bubba/Song Tree, BMI; E1 Music (CDX) —Co-writer Wariner puts in a guest harmony appearance on —He has his smokes, his booze, his babes, his ride and his the choruses of this lovely, sweet-sad ballad. But Sammy’s tunes, plus a weekend stretched out in front of him. Southern strong tenor vocal performance needs no assist in completely rock is alive and well. Par-tay! selling this.

TIM McGRAW/Southern Voice Writer: Tom Douglas/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & Darran Smith; Publisher: Sony ATV/ Tomdouglasmusic/Love Monkey, no performance rights listed; Curb —The track thumps mightily with a wailing harmonica and grinding guitars. Tim rides on top, rattling off a string of references to Dixie—Dolly, Hank, Charlie Daniels, Billy Graham, Rosa Parks, Scarlett O’Hara, the Allman Brothers, Jack Daniels and the like. All in all, it’s pretty darn cool.

NATHAN LEE JACKSON/Desperate Man Rascal Flatts played St. Paul, MN's Xcel Energy Center last weekend and Writer: none listed; Producer: Jeff Glixman, Zak Rizvi & KEEY came out in full force to hang with the band and check out the show. (L-R): PD Gregg Swedberg, Morning Show host Muss, Jay DeMarcus, Nathan Lee Jackson; Publisher: none listed; StarCity (track) Gary LeVox, MD JD Greene, Promotion Asst. Assumpta Mbele, and Joe (www.nathanleejackson.com) Don Rooney.