90’s Unplugged Benefit For Anita Cochran Sold Out, Gofundme Page Launched

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Tuesday night’s 90’s Unplugged benefit concert at 3rd and Lindsley for Anita Cochran, who has been undergoing breast cancer treatment since last fall, is sold out.  Still fighting her battle with cancer, Cochran remains in treatment through October and is unable to get back on the road to perform, so her friends organized the benefit to help with her bills.

Led by her good friend Terri Clark, the show, which sold out in just a week, will include Crystal Gayle, Clay Walker, Wade Hayes, Ty Herndon, Jamie O’Neal, Lorrie Morgan, Steve Wariner, Mandy Barnett, Bryan White, Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss, The Lynns, and special guests.

Those unable to attend the benefit who would still like to help can go to the A Journey to Healing  gofundme page which was launched on March 11 at gofundme.com/AnitaCochran.

 

Nashville R&B Mainstay James Nixon Laid To Rest

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Funeral and burial services were held last week for one of Nashville’s classic r&b figures, James “Nick” Nixon.

Nixon was laid to rest on Monday, March 5. He was a singer, guitarist, producer, educator and songwriter who endured as a leading light of Music City’s soul scene for more than 50 years.

He sang gospel music as a child, but became enthralled with rhythm & blues and rock & roll as a teenager in the 1950s. He joined a local teen group called The Bear Lairs.

In the mid-1960s, he formed his own band, King James & The Sceptres and became a full-time music professional. This band became a popular nightclub and campus attraction throughout the South.

His next group was NTS Limited. It featured bass player Billy Cox, who went on to join Jimi Hendrix on records, on tours and at the Woodstock Festival. During the 1960s, the three top r&b guitarists in Nashville were Nixon, Hendrix and Johnny Jones. At one time or another, all three worked in the legendary Jefferson Street r&b band The King Casuals.

Nixon replaced Jones in the popular group The Imperial 7 when Jones went on tour with Bobby Blue Bland. He continued to perform intermittently with this group for the rest of his life. The ensemble was eventually billed as The New Imperials.

In 1974, Nixon signed with Chess Records with his group Past, Present & Future. Their records were produced in Nashville by future country and rock star Charlie Daniels.

Nixon tried his hand at record producing, himself. He worked with the legendary Fairfield Four gospel group on its 1979 LP Dig a Little Deeper.

Nixon, Cox, Jones, D.J. Hoss Allen and guitar great Scotty Moore collaborated on a novelty record titled “Over 50 Blues,” which garnered some sales and radio airplay during the 1980s.

In the 1990s, James Nixon returned to gospel music. He signed with Ted Jarrett’s Nashville label T-Jaye Records and issued Me, Myself & The Lord in 1997. The title tune to his 1999 CD Stand Up became a gospel hit single.

He also continued to perform with The Imperials and worked as a session guitarist for Mac Gayden, Richard Julian and others.

A resurgence of interest in Nashville’s heritage r&b artists occurred in the late 1990s. Artists such as Marion James, Roscoe Shelton, Earl Gaines, Clifford Curry and Johnny Jones enjoyed comeback careers. The Country Music Hall of Fame celebrated the scene with its Night Train to Nashville exhibit and Grammy-winning reissue CD of 2004.

James Nixon joined the trend with his comeback CDs No End to the Blues (2002), Back Down South (2005) and Live In Europe (2010). He appeared in the 2010 film Redemption Road and sang “Rising Sun Blues” on its soundtrack. He was given the “Keeping the Blues Alive” award by the Blues Foundation in 2000.

He joined The Andy T Band in 2011. The group was signed to the national blues label Blind Pig Records and issued the CDs Drink, Drank, Drunk (2013), Livin’ It Up (2014) and Numbers Man (2015) while Nixon was its lead singer and guitarist. Health issues caused him to retire from the band in 2016.

In addition to maintaining his performing and recording career for decades, James Nixon taught music for 35 years in Nashville’s Parks & Recreation Department. In 2010, he co-founded the Nashville Blues Society. He was also a board member of The Blues Foundation.

James Nixon died on Feb. 28 at age 76. He is survived by his wife Birdie, by sons David, Jeff, Jonathan and Jeremy and by 10 grandchildren.

Black River’s Abby Anderson To Perform At MusicRow’s Rising Women Event

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By: LB Rogers

Black River’s rising neo-soul influenced artist Abby Anderson is scheduled for a special two-song performance at MusicRow’s seventh annual Rising Women on the Row celebration. Sponsored by City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb LLP, and Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, the ceremony will salute six music businesswomen on Tuesday, March 27 at 8:30 a.m. at Omni Nashville Hotel.

The 2018 honorees have been announced as Faithe Dillman (Founder/CEO, Marbaloo); Leslie DiPiero (General Manager, Tree Vibez Music); Becky Gardenhire (Partner, WME); Lynn Oliver-Cline (President/Founder, River House Artists); Annie Ortmeier (VP, Marketing-Digital Accounts, Universal Music Group Nashville); Janet Weir (President/42 Entertainment; Manager, Red Light Management). 

A four-speaker panel will include Tracy Gershon (Co-founder of Change The Conversation, Manager, Consultant), Mary Hilliard Harrington (Manager, Red Light Management), Rose Palermo (Attorney), and Ann Powers (NPR Music Critic and Correspondent).

Click Here For More Details About Rising Women On The Row 2018

Twenty year old Texas native Abby Anderson has spent much of her youth behind a piano singing the songs of her favorite artists such as Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Stevie Wonder, and K.T. Oslin. In 2014, her unique arrangement of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” renamed “Let Freedom Ring,” caught the attention of radio journalist/host Glenn Beck who had Anderson perform the patriotic song on his show, gaining her immediate national attention. The song made the Billboard Top 100 and iTunes Country Music Chart Top Ten, with all proceeds from the song going to charity.

With momentum from her national debut and the encouragement of CAA agent Kylen Sharpe, Anderson graduated early from high school and moved to Nashville three years ago to chase her dream of a career in music. Upon arriving in Music City, Anderson began paying her dues in clubs by playing gigs in local favorites, including The Bluebird Café, The Listening Room Café and the Tin Roof, while working as a nanny. A few years later Anderson was presented with a publishing and recording deal with Black River Entertainment while on stage during a charity event at the Ryman Auditorium.

Already named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country for 2018 and a CMT Listen Up Artist—#18for2018, the industry is taking notice of Abby Anderson with Pandora naming her as one of “2018 Country Artists to Watch” and The Boot listing her among their “2018 Artists to Watch.” She has also had the opportunity to share the stage with music icons such as Peter Frampton, Lee Greenwood, Angela Johnson, and Peter Cetera.

Anderson is currently in the studio writing and recording for her debut single and forthcoming album on Black River.

Photo: David Bean/Provided courtesy of Black River Entertainment

Crowd Surf Announces Three New Team Members

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Crowd Surf co-founders, Cassie Petrey and Jade Driver, announce the addition of three team members to the Nashville office, Brittany Finley as Publicist and Michael Fogarty and Channing Wisz as Marketing Account Managers.

“Jade and I are excited to welcome all three of our new employees to the Crowd Surf team,” said Petrey. “Brittany, Michael and Channing all bring unique experience and will be outstanding additions to our Nashville office.”

Prior to joining Crowd Surf, Finley worked on publicity campaigns for Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Lane and more during her time at Sweet Talk Publicity. In her new role, she will oversee publicity efforts for Crowd Surf’s country and Nashville-based clients.

Fogarty comes to Crowd Surf from Capitol Christian Music Group where he acted as Digital Content Coordinator, managing creative strategies and content for artist such as Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe and Passion. He graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University with a degree in Music Business and has been a long-time volunteer for Musicians On Call.

Wisz makes her return to Crowd Surf, where she was previously a Digital Marketing intern, following stops at RPM Entertainment and Miles High Productions. During her posts she gained valuable experience in social media strategy and digital market research.

Finley will report to Publicity Director, Nina Kolb, while Fogarty and Wisz will report to Marketing Vice President, Elise Stawarz. They can be reached at [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].

Crowd Surf has offices in Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, and provides specialized marketing services to some of the biggest names in music and entertainment including Britney Spears, Fifth Harmony and the Backstreet Boys.

Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs Named Winners At iHeartRadio Music Awards

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Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett and Luke Combs were among the big winners at Sunday night’s 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards held at The Forum in Los Angeles.

Hunt took home Country Song of the Year honors for his mega-hit “Body Like A Back Road,” while Thomas Rhett was named Country Artist of the Year and Combs received the Best New Country Artist trophy during the evening. Taylor Swift won Female Artist of the Year honors, beating out Alessia Cara, Halsey, P!NK, and Rihanna, and Nashville-based Judah And The Lion was named Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist of the year.

Performers on the show, which was simulcast live on TBS, TNT and truTV, included Eminem, Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Camila Cabello and Charlie Puth. Sheeran took home several trophies during the evening, including Male Artist Of the Year, while Cardi B was named Best New Artist and Best New Hip Hop Artist and Maroon 5 was dubbed Best Duo/Group.

Swift also released the music video for her latest single, “Delicate,” during the awards show.

Ashley Gorley, Round Hill Music Close Catalog Sale and “Go-Forward” Publishing Deal

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Photo taken at signing of catalog sale and just before celebrating one of Gorley’s recent No. 1’s with Chris Janson for “Fix a Drink.” Pictured, First Row: Blain Rhodes (Tape Room Publishing), Ashley Gorley, Mark Brown (General Manager, Nashville, Round Hill Music). Back Row: Derek Crownover (Lead Counsel for Gorley, Dickinson Wright Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice Group Leader), Dustin Kovacic (Gorley Counsel, Dickinson Wright), Cam Caldwell (Gorley Counsel, Dickinson Wright), Penny Gattis (Round Hill Music, Nashville), Josh Saxe (Round Hill Music, Nashville), Jeff Carlton (Tape Room Publishing), Matthew Beckett (Round Hill Music, Business Affairs, Nashville)

Five-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley and Round Hill Music have announced the closing of the sale of Gorley’s back catalog of songs and a “go-forward” publishing deal.

“I am very excited about the next phase of my career with Round Hill Music. Josh Gruss, Neil Gillis and Mark Brown have built a great company here in Nashville, and I look forward to helping them grow their catalog of songs in the coming years,” Gorley said.

“It goes without saying that Ashley’s catalog and songwriting prowess are beyond incredible. His reputation precedes him. We are so honored to be working with him, his team and his treasure trove of songs,” said Mark Brown, general manager of Round Hill Nashville.

Gorley has now written 37 songs that have reached No. 1 on country airplay charts. Some of his hits include: “Unforgettable” and “Marry Me” for Thomas Rhett, “Dirt On My Boots” for Jon Pardi, “Dirty Laundry” for Carrie Underwood, “Black” for Dierks Bentley, “Today” for Brad Paisley, “A Guy with a Girl” for Blake Shelton, “Play It Again” for Luke Bryan and “You’re Gonna Miss This” for Trace Adkins.

Gorley is the 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2009 ASCAP Country Awards Songwriter of the Year, and the 2017, 2016 and 2013 NSAI Awards Songwriter of the Year

Eleven times in his career he has received the CMA’s Triple Play Award, which recognizes songwriters with three or more No. 1 songs in one year. In 2016, Gorley became the first songwriter to be honored with three CMA Triple Play Awards in a single year, earning nine chart-topping songs in a 12-month period, a feat he repeated in 2017.

Gorley is currently nominated for the 2018 ACM Songwriter of the Year Award.

“It’s an honor that a writer of such high caliber as Ashley has chosen Round Hill as his creative home. It’s a testament to the skill and culture at Round Hill Nashville. We’re going to work side-by-side with Blain and his team, and crush it,” added Josh Gruss.

Dickinson Wright’s Music Row attorneys Derek Crownover and Cam Caldwell represented Gorley in the transaction with support from Todd Glisson of Covenant Partners and Harlan Hallett of Blue Sky Group. Round Hill’s closing team included long-time RHM attorneys Selverne & Company’s Michael Selverne (General Counsel), Amy Bason (Counsel), Matthew Beckett (RHM business affairs) and Mark Brown (General Manager, Nashville Office of Round Hill Music).

Round Hill includes an extensive catalog of music recorded and performed by The Beatles, Eddie Holland, Neil Sedaka, The Rolling Stones, The Offspring, Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green, Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Bon Jovi, Steve Perry, Louis Armstrong, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, N Sync, Tesla, Mötley Crüe, Eric Carmen, Percy Sledge, Warrant, Bush and Katy Perry and many others. Some of Round Hill’s current artists, writers and producers include American Authors, Eric Krasno, Morgan Taylor Reid, Cobi, Jeffery David, The London Souls, Gramatik, Royal Teeth, Civil Twilight, The Griswolds, Lettuce and Odessa.

Round Hill Nashville claims current hit songwriters such as Dallas Davidson, Jimmy Robbins, Wade Kirby and Danny Myrick on its current roster along with Craig Wiseman, Rodney Clawson, Sarah Buxton, the Warren Brothers, Matt Dragstrem and Chris Tompkins in partnership with Big Loud Shirt.

Round Hill has offices in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and London.

 

Trio Southern Halo Plots Upcoming Album

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Trio Southern Halo is set to release their latest CD, the concept-driven album Just Like In The Movies, on April 27. The 14-track album was produced by Catt Gravitt and Gerald O’Brien, and traces the musical growth of Mississippi-bred sister trio that includes Natalia, Hannah and Christina Morris.

The album’s empowering theme is grounded by the first single, “Anything Is Possible,” penned by Gravitt and Carl Falk.

“Missing Mississippi,” written by Natalia and Jennifer Adan, slows things down with the true tale of Natalia’s first night in her new Nashville home. “Famous” tells the tale of the loneliness that can surround stardom. Penned with Alex Dooley, the message is deep – and partially hidden by a seductive melody.

“Tom Girl,” written with Melissa Boella Rowe, describes a character familiar to the Morris sisters: someone who loves to get their hands dirty, but also loves to dress up for special occasions.

Just Like In The Movies Track Listing

Southern Halo
My Girls & Me
Notice Me
I Think Too Much
Tom Girl
Anything Is Possible
Not Today
Missing Mississippi
Famous
Gettin’ Back Up
Hey Boy
Coming Home
It’s Always Been You
Just Like In The Movies

Dustin Lynch Celebrates Four-Week No. 1 Hit “Small Town Boy”

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Pictured (L-R): Zach Crowell, Rhett Akins, Dustin Lynch, Kyle Fishman and Ben Hayslip. Photo: Steve Lowry

By: LB Rogers

Dustin Lynch celebrated his fifth No. 1 along with an excited crowd of friends and family at downtown Nashville’s Headquarters Beercade on Wednesday (March 7). “Small Town Boy” was written by Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, and became the first No. 1 for new writer, Kyle Fishman. Fishman was presented with a BMI guitar for his first No. 1 during the ceremony, hosted by BMI’s Josh Tomlinson. The track was produced by Zach Crowell.

A career-changing song for Lynch, “Small Town Boy” was the largest audience song of 2017 and the Broken Bow Records artist’s fifth consecutive single to make it to No. 1, where it stayed for four weeks. The song reached an impressive 1.56 billion people through radio, according to CRB’s Holly Freeman.

Jon Loba, Executive VP of BBR Music Group, praised Lynch and his team for making “Small Town Boy” such a big hit, bringing the BBR promotion staff up to the stage, including: VP of Promotion Lee Adams, National Director of Syndication Renee Leymon, Southeast Director of Promotion Scotty O’Brien, and Promotion Coordinator Andrea Knipp.

“Dustin dominated last summer with ‘Small Town Boy,’ and I promise you this next summer we have something coming,” prodded Loba, “and stadiums are on the horizon.”

Pictured, back row (L-R): Zach Crowell, BMI’s Josh Tomlinson, Sony ATV’s Tom Luteran, Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Play It Again Music’s Dallas Davidson, This Music’s Rusty Gaston, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Broken Bow’s Jon Loba; Seated (L-R): BMI songwriter Rhett Akins, Dustin Lynch, BMI songwriter Kyle Fishman, ASCAP songwriter Ben Hayslip. Photo: Steve Lowry

THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston thanked an unusual contributor to the song for having the writers out on the road. “We also want to thank Luke Bryan and Kerri Edwards for this because they invited the Peach Pickers (Akins, Hayslip and Dallas Davidson) to come out on the road and while they were out there, I think Rhett probably got drunk, woke up hung over, probably didn’t want to write while out on the Luke Bryan Farm Tour,” said Gaston.

While Akins debunked Gaston’s suspicion, he confessed to contributing to the song while never leaving his bus bunk on a rainy day in Knoxville. “I wasn’t that hung over actually, but I didn’t get out of the bed to write it. I actually laid in the bunk the whole time,” he joked.

Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel called for the crowd to vote for Akins as ACM’s Songwriter of the Year. “He has had a song on the charts every single week since 2010. That’s eight consecutive years of songs on the charts every single week. Let’s reward that level on consistency by making sure he is this year’s ACM Songwriter of The Year.”

Tom Luteran of Sony/ATV announced their donation to MusiCares in Akins’ name to celebrate.

President of Play It Again Music, Dallas Davidson had a lot to say about their new chart-topping songwriter, Kyle Fishman, commending the California native on his hard work and perseverance. “Kyle came to town and slept on the couch at the office for a couple of weeks. I cannot tell you how hard he works, how talented he is, he’s not just a track-guy, he’s a hustler. Kyle Fishman is a world class songwriter.”

Davidson also thanked Play It Again’s previous Creative Director and song plugger, Hannah Montgomery, for stealing Lynch’s email from Davidson’s phone and sending the Broken Bow Label Group star the song, along with other Play It Again staffers and the team at Broken Bow.

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad congratulated Hayslip on his 21st No. 1 and announced that he had just received his fourth CMA Triple Play award. He also congratulated Crowell for producing the record and thanked ASCAP’s No. 1 party partner First Tennessee Bank.

“This is probably the biggest song of my career…a four-week No. 1 and all that stuff,” confessed Hayslip of his third single with Lynch.

Lynch closed the celebration by thanking everyone, careful not to leave anyone out. Starting with his parents, Lynch thanked his L3 Entertainment management team, songplugger Hannah Montgomery, producer Zach Crowell, the songwriters, the BBR team, his PR reps Jay Jones and Jensen Sussman, and WME.

Lastly, an emotional Lynch thanked his band and crew. “Five in a row and I still cry. Thank you guys and girls for continuing to dedicate your lives to my dreams.”

Lynch closed with a dedication to the writers, “It all starts with a song. We live to be on stage and perform and have that feeling. Thank you guys for creating music and for getting music heard. Thanks for making our dreams come true. Cheers.”

Among those celebrating “Small Town Boy” were CMA’s Brandi Simms, Pinnacle Bank’s David Smith, and MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson.

Billy Dean Inks Deal With Absolute Publicity

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Pictured (L-R): Billy Dean, Don Murry Grubbs

Nineties country hitmaker Billy Dean has signed on with Absolute Publicity for exclusive public relations representation.

“We are so pleased to announce the addition of Billy Dean to our roster,” says Absolute Publicity president Don Murry Grubbs. “He was one of our first clients when Absolute was launched nearly a decade ago. We’ve come full-circle, and let me just say, the years have been kind to Billy Dean. He sounds as great as ever. Welcome back, Billy!”

During his 25+ year career, Dean has earned 11 Top 10 Billboard country singles, including the No. 1 hits “I Miss Billy The Kid,” “Somewhere In My Broken Heart,” “If There Hadn’t Been You,” “You Don’t Count The Cost,” and “It’s What I Do.” He earned the ACM’s Top New Male Vocalist honor and Song of the Year for “Somewhere In My Broken Heart.” He also offered harmony vocals along side Alison Krauss on Kenny Rogers’ “Buy Me A Rose,” which earned a Grammy.

RAM Reveals “Best-Sounding Truck” At RCA Studio A, Tuned By Dave Cobb

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2019 RAM 1500. Photo: Justin Fricke

“Vehicles are so important to where you listen to music,” said RAM’s head of advertising Jeff Summers during the Nashville reveal of his 2019 RAM 1500 trucks. “Now we think we have the best-sounding truck in the business.”

RAM’s luxury and off-road trucks were introduced in Detroit on Jan. 15. But on March 8, the brand was at Nashville’s RCA Studio A with producer Dave Cobb, giving industry tastemakers a preview of their integrations with Nashville.

“Each of you really helped us do what we’re trying to do here—create a really authentic and credible relationship with the genre,” Summers said. “Music is so important to our business and to our fans and we appreciate everything you guys have done with us. Since we became a stand-alone brand in 2009—no longer Dodge Ram–we really wanted to find those passionate touch points for our owners, and one of those is country music.

“That was key to us as we developed this truck. Partnering with Harman Kardon to develop what we think is the best-sounding truck in the business, whether if you’re listening to music created from RCA Studio A, or SiriusXM…Dave [Cobb told us], ‘I think you could do a little better.’ So we said, ‘Come tune it yourself.’

Cobb flew to Michigan to meet RAM designers and go to Harman Kardon, which has a 19-speaker system and 12-inch touch-screen display in the luxury version of the truck.

“I want to say they were in lab coats,” said Cobb of Harman Kardon technicians. “They weren’t, but it’s a better story. They had computers analyzing everything and it was amazing to work with such a brilliant team. But we put the stereo through a beating when we were up there.”

Amanda Shires performs with Jason Isbell accompanying. Photo: Justin Fricke [CLICK TO ENLARGE]

The Nashville reveal was hosted by G7 Entertainment’s Wayne Leeloy. G7 has partnered with RAM for over seven years to help navigate the music and entertainment space. Event sponsors included RAM, Harman Kardon, SiriusXM, Titos, Yeti and Low Country Sound/RCA.

During the program, a reel teased many of those music partnerships G7 has brought onboard in recent years, including artists Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Brett Eldredge, Brent Cobb, Old Dominion, Chris Stapleton, Midland, Brothers Osborne, Zac Brown Band, Mickey Guyton, Cam, Kellie Pickler, and more, including Americana and roots artists.

Amanda Shires was billed to perform live at the RAM event. Her husband, Jason Isbell, made a surprise appearance accompanying Shires’ 15-minute set in the same room where she recorded her forthcoming album with Cobb, expected to release Aug. 3.

“We really do see this as a family that we want to grow,” concluded Summers on behalf of his RAM brand. “You’ll see music video integrations, tours and partnerships. Some are small, but all built from this pure nature with doing the right things with the right artists. And we’ve only just begun.”