UN TR Y `Signature' Culls Talents Of Five Artists RCA Debuts Songwriter Series NASHVILLE "Signatures," the RCA's director of a &r, Mary Mar- Galante and Martin agree that any of first in RCA Records' new series of tin, says she "whined and whimpered them might be offered artist con- songwriter albums, is scheduled to for a couple of years" to get the se- tracts if they generate enough public hit the record stores May 3. Writers ries launched, insisting that there are enthusiasm. on the 10 -cut debut album -all of "several writers in this town who Bob McDill, a member of the Nash- whom sing their own material-are [sing] very well and very identifi- ville Songwriters Hall Of Fame, pro- Don Schlitz, Bob McDill, Mark ably." Martin says she chose the tal- duced his own sessions. Other pro- Wright, Rhonda Kye Fleming, and ent lineup for the first album. ducers are Gary Scruggs (for Schlitz Mike Reid. None of the singers on the album and Fleming); Rob Galbraith (Reid); "Old Folks," the initial single from are being paid artist royalties, Ga- Galbraith and Milsap (Reid and Mil - "Signatures," is at No. 10 on the Hot lante says. "The basic deal was [for] sap); and Wright, Brent Rowan, and Country Singles chart this week. recording cost and producer cost." Joe Scaife (Wright). Reid wrote the song and recorded it While none of the songwriters are McDill's "Song Of The South" will as a duet with Ronnie Milsap. signed to RCA as an act, both be the next single. EDWARD MORRIS Joe Galante, RCA's senior VP and general manager, says the album is primarily an "honor" to songwriters rather than a regular business effort. Ricky Van Gold. CBS -Nashville label execs join Ricky Van Shelton in SGA Slates April Events celebration of the Recording Industry Assn. of America's recent gold -album "If we sell 10,000 or 100,000, we're certification of Shelton's "Wild -Eyed Dream." Pictured, from left, are Jack going to continue the series," he NASHVILLE The Songwriters will hold its first general member- Lameier, director of national promotion; Mary Ann McCready, director of sales promises. He anticipates two to three Guild Of America office here will ship meeting and Aggie award cer- and product development; Roy Wunsch, senior vice president of Nashville more albums within the next year, end April with a flurry of activity emony in the Hyatt Regency Hotel operations; Shelton; Steve Buckingham, director of a&r and album producer; each featuring five songwriters. that will include a membership pic- ballroom. The award, which hon- Joe Casey, vice president of promotion; Vicky Rowland, manager of retail "We'll market ['Signatures] as a nic, an award presentation, an ors songwriting excellence, will go relations; and Rich Schwan, director of national promotion. The album has normal release," Galante explains, Ask-A -Pro session, and the third to John D. Loudermilk, who will "and try to develop it as much as pos- annual Sue Brewer Fund Show- become the first Nashville writer yielded two No. 1 singles, "Someboc y Lied" and "Life Turned Her That Way." sible." case. to be honored with an Aggie. The The picnic, which opens the se- award was established in 1973 and ries of Guild events, will be held has been conferred on such song- from 11 a.m. -4 p.m. April 24 at Two writers as Johnny Mercer, Peggy Cable TV Network Garners Awards, Strong Ratings Rivers Mansion. Lee, Henry Mancini, and Meredith At 8 p.m. on April 25, the Guild (Continued on next page) TNN: 5 Years Old & Waltzing To Success HAPPY BIRTHDAY to The Nashville Network. In onstrated that they are as fresh and dynamic today as DoHywood $ To Aid Fund this issue of Billboard you'll find a special salute to they were in the '50s. NASHVILLE Net proceeds from funds will be allocated to create The Nashville Network, which is _celebrating its fifth Here's wishing TNN another five years as impres- the first concerts at Dollywood's college scholarships for all high anniversary. TNN has become one of the biggest suc- sive as the first. With the success of TNN and the rise new D.P.'s Celebrity Theatre in Pi- schools in the county and to devel- cess stories in the often -turbulent world of cable tele- of Country Music Television, country music has a lot geon Forge, Tenn., will be donated op programs to motivate middle - vision. to crow about. to the Dollywood Foundation for school students to stay in school. While much of the music industry fawns over MTV, educational projects. Dolly Parton Inquiries about and contribu- VH -1, and other services, many executives forget that NEWSNOTES: Just wait until you hear k.d. lang's has established the foundation to tions to the organization can be TNN is going head to head with the cable biggies- new album, recorded in Nashville under the tutelage raise funds to reduce the school sent to Eunice Eledge, Dollywood and in some cases is coming up a winner. For example, of Owen Bradley. The Canadian country star has nev- dropout rate in her native Sevier Foundation, Pigeon Forge, Tenn. a recent two -hour special er sounded better, and County, Tenn. 37863 -4101. showing of "Nashville this could be the vehicle A spokesman for Parton says Now," the live nightly to take her to a higher entertainment series level of stardom. Patsy hosted by veteran Ralph Cline is k.d.'s hero, and Emery, drew a 2.7 Niel- Bradley produced the FOR WEEK ENDING APRIL 23, 1988 sen prime -time rating, Cline classics of the past. ©Copyright 1988, Billboard Publications, Inc. No part of this representing 1.06 million One of the highlights of illboard publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, households. That was the album is a three -song photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written good enough for a tie medley with lang joined permission of the publisher. with USA for the top by Brenda Lee, Loretta spot among all basic-ca- Lynn, and Kitty Wells. HOT COUNTRY SINGLES ACTION ble shows during that by Gerry Wood ... A recent music -biz re- time slot. Bested were ESPN (a 1.6 rating), CNN (1.2), ception in Nashville drew one of the largest turnouts RADIO MOST ADDED Lifetime (0.9), MTV (0.7), CBN (0.9), and CNN Head- ever here for this kind of event. The reception was for, BRONZE/ line News (0.3). of all people, Tiny Tim, who was being feted by GOLD SILVER SECONDARY TOTAL TOTAL ADDS ADDS ADDS ADDS ON Emery has been named favorite cable personality of ASCAP. Tim has gone country with his latest release. 26 REPORTERS 61 REPORTERS 63 REPORTERS 150 REPORTERS the year and best host of a talk /entertainment or in- ... BMI drew some record-industry biggies with its FALLIN' AGAIN formational series by The Cable Guide magazine. reception for Mike Greene, the new national president ALABAMA RCA 13 31 39 83 87 Awards have also gone to "Nashville Now" and sever- of NARAS.... Party -of- the -week honors go to the OLD PHOTOGRAPHS al other TNN shows and specials. Recently, Emery Jim Halsey Agency for hosting a block party celebrat- SAWYER BROWN CAPITOL 2 18 34 54 55 and the show's crew traveled to the Treasure Island ing the opening of the Music Row studios for WSIX SHE DOESN'T CRY ANYMORE SHENANDOAH COLUMBIA 3 12 28 43 43 Resort on Grand Cayman Island to broadcast the Nashville, a powerhouse country station. Halsey must WORKIN' MAN April 11 -15 telecasts. It's the perfect spot from which have had a preparty powwow with a medicine man: NITTY GRITTY DIRT we. 2 9 24 35 79 to broadcast a Nashville -based show. The sky is sunni- The outdoòr picnic along Music Row took place on a TALKIN' TO THE WRONG MAN er than it is in Nashville, the water bluer, and the perfect spring day. M. M. MURPHEY W.B. 3 15 12 30 72 sands whiter. Slated to appear or these telecasts were Joe Hoppel, morning man at WCMS Radio, Nor- JUST ONE KISS such acts as Bertie Higgins, Randy Travis, Loretta folk, Va., for more than 30 years, was the winner of EXILE EPIC 0 10 20 30 38 Lynn, T.G. Sheppard, Conway Twitty, Mel Tillis, and the Top Of The Morning -Hampton Roads Favorite GIVERS AND TAKERS Mike Love of the Beach Boys. Morning Disk Jockey contest, sponsored by the Vir- S -K -B MTM 3 13 14 30 30 One of the wilder "Nashville Now" shows came a ginian Pilot /Ledger Star newspapers. A $5,000 check GOODBYE TIME week before TNN took over the Cayman Islands. was donated in Hoppel's name to his favorite charity, CONWAY TWITTY MCA 3 8 16 27 93 "Nashville Now" was promoting a new TNN rockin' the Arthritis Foundation. IF IT DON'T COME EASY TANYA TUCKER CAPITOL 3 9 8 20 137 oldies show that features Wolfman Jack as MC. Jimmy C. Newman recently signed with Miami - Among those who helped plug the new show on based Playback IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND Records, according to label chief ROSANNE CASH COLUMBIA 5 11 4 20 114 "Nashville Now" were the Wolfman himself, the Jack Gale. The label's roster also includes Margo Shirrelles, Del Shannon, the Diamonds, and Freddie Smith, Del Reeves, Bobby Helms, Bonnie Radio Most Added is aweekly national compilation of the ten records most added to the playlists Guitar, the of the radio stations reporting to Billboard.