VERSE OF THE MONTH: I am assured all things work together for good - Romans 8: 28.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH: People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel. - Unknown
BUSINESS NEWS: Teddy Gentry, Country Music Hall of Famer and co-founding member of the super group Alabama, has partnered with music industry veteran Bernard Porter, to form Porter-Gentry Productions. Porter-Gentry is an entertainment consulting and production company with its primary focus being artist development and entertainment related assets (including music publishing, master recordings, distribution partnerships, artist products and merchandising). Porter-Gentry Productions is located at 30 Music Square West, Suite 302, Nashville, TN. Additional staff members are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. For more info, or an introduction to the music company, visit www.porter-gentry.com. Phone: 615.750.2829.
BABY BOOTIE NEWS: Singer/songwriter Randy Thompson celebrates the birth of his third son, Ryan Gordon, who was born to Thompson's wife Julie last month. The newest addition to the clan weighed in at 5 lbs, 6 oz., and was welcomed by siblings Erik age 19 & Colin age 16. Randy is also celebrating the success of his newest CD, FURTHER ON, which is riding high on several music charts.
GET WELL WISHES: Please keep Columbia/Nashville recording artist Keith Anderson and his mom in your prayers. Keith has had to cancel several appearances due to the seriousness of his mom’s illness.
DEEPEST SYMPATHY: To the family, friends and fans of Paul Davis, and one of my favorites. A singer and songwriter whose soft rock hit 'I Go Crazy' stayed at the top of the charts for weeks after its release in 1977. Davis died at a Mississippi hospital of an apparent heart attack. Davis was 60.
DATES TO REMEMBER: The PLUGGED IN ENTERTAINMENT writer’s night. Joy Collins and Joe Hransa are an unbeatable team. They are quickly becoming Tennessee’s largest talent presenters and booking agency, Plugged in Entertainment is your source for talented, independent, unsigned and signed artists. Line up for May 7th 2008 'Stage Write' Songwriter's Night @ Limelight. Sponsored by Plugged In Entertainment www. myspace.com/pluggedininc & www. pluggedinentertainment.com. Hosting: Jeffrey James Sutherland, Kendra Miles, Anna Ross, Mark Lonsway, Jessica Rae, Steff Mahan, Stephanie Layne, Scott Southworth, Clay Mills, Jared Johnson, Eric Paslay, Shelly Rann, Mason Douglas, Cory Batten, Sara Haze, Chelsea Lena, Holly Litwiniuk, Jeff Seidel, Noelle LaRae, Pistol. Limelight (Old Trap) is at 201 Woodland Avenue in Nashville. www. limelightnashville.com & www. myspace.
com/limelightnashville. Joy is the writer’s night booking Queen! The writer’s nights are one of the best in Music City.
BENEFIT CONCERT NEWS: A benefit concert was held Saturday April 26, for Greg McDougal and his family. Greg and his wife, Diane, have four children, ages nine and under; three of them are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. With their children’s health at stake due to the virulent dangers of the Aspergillus mold in their current home, the McDougals are in the process of building a new home to better suit their children’s needs. Their biggest obstacle at hand is funding this extensive project. This video documents the various trials and triumphs that the McDougal family faces on a daily basis: www.youtube.Com/v/RGm8GnyljmU. All proceeds and received donations are going toward building of an allergen-free home for the family! Info on the McDougal family, and their A House For My Kids cause, please visit www.ahouseformykids.com.
IFCO NEWS: Country music legend Mel Tillis will receive the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO)'s Tex Ritter Award at the 2008 IFCO Fun Fest Show. The Award is given most years in honor of a life-long contribution to country music, the music community, and fans everywhere. This year's show will be held Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00 p.m. at Cadillac Ranch, 305 Broadway, in Nashville, TN. Mel Tillis began performing in the early 50’s with ‘The Westerner’s while serving as a baker in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Okinawa. In 1956, Webb Pierce recorded a song written by Mel titled 'I’m Tired,' and it launched Mel’s career. In 1976, Mel Tillis was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame, and that same year, he was named the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year. Also, for six years in the seventies, Mel won Comedian of the Year. In 1999, Broadcast Music, Inc. named Mel Tillis the Songwriter of the Decade. In 2001, Mel received a Special Citation of Achievement from BMI for 3 Million broadcast performances of 'Ruby, Don¹t Take Your Love To Town.' Mel was the recipient of the Golden Voice Entertainer Award for 2001 and the 2001 Golden R.O.P.E. Songwriter Award. And, the Grand Ole Opry inducted Mel Tillis as a member on June 9, 2007. Mel has written well over 1,000 songs, and approximately 600 have been recorded by major artists, including: 'Ruby, Don¹t Take Your Love To Town' Kenny Rogers, 'Detroit City' Bobby Bare, 'Emotions' Brenda Lee, 'I Ain¹t Never' Webb Pierce, 'Burning Memories' Ray Price, 'Thoughts of a Fool' George Strait, 'Honey (Open That Door)' Ricky Skaggs. As an artist Mel has recorded more than sixty albums. He has had thirty-six top ten singles, with nine of them going to number one: 'Good Woman Blues,' 'Coca Cola Cowboy,' and 'Southern Rain,' to mention a few. In 1993, he recorded his first gospel album, BEYOND THE SUNSET.
ARTISTS NEWS: It's OFFICIAL!! Tracey K. Houston has been invited by Michael Twitty to go on tour with him. He is doing a 'Memories of Conway' show featuring 'Twitty & Lynn Together Again.' He invited Tracey to sing the parts of Loretta Lynn in his show. She hits the road starting in June throughout the rest of the year. Check out her show calendar for upcoming show dates. Check her main website www.tkhouston.com with tour date information as well…...One of the winners of Nashville's Most Photogenic Babies of 2008 was five year-old Kylie Diffie, daughter of Country star Joe Diffie and wife Theresa. Kylie took home the title of Judge's Choice Overall Winner, as well as Judges Choice in the Comical Category, and Voters Choice in both Precious Category and Comical Category-- all in the 4 & 5 year-old age group. Nashville's Most Photogenic Babies of 2008, presented by American Performing Arts Network, raised over $4,000 to support the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Once again, Joe is lending a helping hand for children less fortunate.
BUSINESS BUZZ: there is a new studio called 'Mastering One' located in Brentwood Tennessee. Marc Eric is the owner, engineer and wears the production hat! Marc has an extensive songwriting and arrangement background which includes album credits with Graham Bonnett, Slash, Bruce Kulick (Kiss), movies and more. Marc has recently produced a number of artists such as Cowboy Troy, Liz Kilgo with Toby Keith's band and more. Marc offers affordable rates and a relaxed atmosphere so you can turn your simple guitar/vocal song into a full band world class production. Listen to sample tracks at: www.myspace.com/marceric or ring him up at: 805-469-2166. Tell him welcome to Nashville!
LABEL NEWS: BIG MACHINE’S Golden girl, Taylor Swift's self-titled debut CD has reached the 3 million mark in CD sales. Taylor secured her place in country music history last June when the Platinum certification of her CD made her the only female solo artist in Country music history to write or co-write every song on a Platinum selling debut. Taylor Swift has spent 18 weeks so far in the #1 position on Billboard’s Country CD Sales Chart. The CD, and spent more weeks at #1 than any other country album last year. Taylor broke another record last December, when at the age of 17 she became the youngest person to single-handedly write and sing a number-one country single entirely on her own. “Our Song” spent 6 consecutive weeks at #1 atop Billboard’s Country Singles Chart, joining Taylor with Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, and Kitty Wells as the only women in history to spend 6 weeks atop the country singles chart. Connie Smith holds the record at 8 weeks.
CAPITOL RECORDS Platinum selling artists, Little Big Town, have a new home to rack up their awards. They have signed a multi-album recording contract with Capitol Records Nashville. Capitol announces that they will also acquire the band's two previous records, originally released on Equity Records, the 1.3 million selling, Grammy-nominated THE ROAD TO HERE, as well as A PLACE TO LAND, which was just released in November of ‘07. Capitol will assume the marketing and promotion of the latter CD, and will be releasing a new single to country radio immediately…. New Capitol Records Nashville singer/songwriter Emily West made her Grand Ole Opry debut last month. It was a-dream-come-true for the Waterloo, IA native. West was moved to tears after singing her current single “Rocks In Your Shoes” and “Mississippi’s Cryin’” on the world famous Grand Ole Opry stage. Check out Miss Emily at www.emilywest.com. CURB RECORDS- Artist Tim McGraw has just racked up the 30th #1 single of his career with “Nine Lives,” the song he performed on and co-wrote with Def Leppard members Phil Collen, Joe Elliot and Rick Savage. The tune is the lead single from Def Leppard’s SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE CD and it landed at #1 on the Billboard/RR Classic Rock chart this week. He also became the first country artist to chart on the Billboard/RR Active Rock Singles chart, where the single is top 15 and climbing. McGraw initiated the co-write idea three years ago through his long-time tour manager Robert Allen, brother of Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen. The actual collaboration process began a year later when McGraw sat in on their Hollywood Bowl show in 2006.
SLANT RECORDS- Country-rockin' artist Zane Lewis is featured in the April/May issue of CMA's CLOSE UP magazine's Artist Debut Spotlight. The fifth-generation Texan confesses to a student diet that was heavy on 'Texas Spoon' Blue Everclear margaritas and admits to a short stint in advertising. “I was successful, but it wasn't enough fun,” said Zane, “Then a short, but profitable stint as a magazine publisher.” Making music is Lewis' third professional 'incarnation.' “I didn't start singing 'outside of the shower' until 1997,” he says. “For years I just drove my roommates crazy. I belted out the Garth, Haggard and Strait until I found my own style.” Zane is scheduled to appear and kick butt at the CMA Music fest. Keep checking his website for more updates. www.MySpace.com/zanelewis.
JAZZ NEWS: My friend Bassist Sean O’Bryan Smith has a career that many musicians long for. Sean has performed for thousands of people with artists like Billy Ray Cyrus, Rodney Atkins and Rebecca St. James and now takes on the role of solo artist with his first release TAPESTRY. My friend rocks you with Jazz! TAPESTRY returns Sean to jazz with all the trimmings and features legendary musicians Jeff ”Skunk” Baxter, Jerry Marotta, and more. Bass Player Magazine calls TAPESTRY “…soulful, melodic, and unpretentious…”. Tapestry is available at CDbaby and iTunes. For more visit www.myspace.com/seanobryansmith.
INDUSTRY NEWS: HMG Nashville, announced a new promotion service last month. The ‘Internet Video Promotions,’ online service has been in development since early 2007. HMG Nashville has serviced over 200 TV Networks and Broadcast Media since 2006. There are also plans to include a Top 20 video chart in the Power Source Music Magazine. HMG Nashville serves the Christian and Secular market in a capacity to enhance their clients outreach around the world. Check us out at www.ccma.cc or www.powersourcemusic.com.
SONGWRITING CONTEST NEWS: The SongDoor International Songwriting Competition is an annual event, open to amateur and professional songwriters worldwide. Entries are accepted online or by mail from April 15 through November 15. The entry fee is just $10. Awards totaling more than $25,000 and two new judges have also been announced. The judges who join the SongDoor panel this year: Brady Seals and Joe Beck. Brady entered the national music scene as a founding member of the Warner Brothers band Little Texas. Brady assembled and served as front man for the band Hot Apple Pie. The band made history as the highest-selling debut country band in the history of Neilsen Soundscan. Award-winning songwriter Joe Beck joins SongDoor as the new Christian-category judge. Joe heads up Music Central Worship, a new division of Music Central, Short of being legendary, he’s done it all in the music business. For complete info, visit: songdoor.com….
Trucker Radio and its parent company the Alexis Broadcasting Company have started the search for the best unsigned songwriter. The brainchild of Trucker Radio producer Steve Graham, the Songwriters Corner Song Contest invites all unsigned songwriters from around the world to send in their best song from any genre of music. There is no cost to enter the contest and, if your song is chosen, master quality song demos of the winning song and any two other songs of your choosing will be produced in sessions conducted in Nashville. Submissions to the Songwriters Corner Song Contest will be accepted from Monday, April 28 and on May 19 listeners and fans of Trucker Radio are encouraged to log onto the Trucker Radio website to listen to the submitted songs and vote for their favorite. That voting will be tabulated weekly and the results will decide the seven songs to be submitted for final judging. The seven finalists will be submitted to a panel of entertainment industry executives including Graham and Plateau Music label chief, Tony Mantor. The winning song will be announced on the Trucker Radio show during the week of July 28. Trucker Radio is hosted by Stan Campbell and Tim Denis and can be heard on great radio stations across Canada, throughout Europe on CMR Nashville and streaming on the web.
CATCH IT ~ CAUGHT IT: Better be sure to CATCH Greg Friia & The Locash Cowboys on Thursday May 8th @ 7pm, at The Listening Room Cafe' at 500 W. Main Street in Franklin TN. ONLY $ 5.00 cover for an awesome music show. For reservations call 615.591.5126.
CD NEWS: Randy Travis the King of Country Croon and one of the most recognizable voices in country music, releasing his first new country album in eight years. AROUND THE BEND is schedule for July release on Warner Bros. Randy Travis is one of the top ten selling solo country artists of all time. Having sold over 21 million albums, he has 22 #1 hits, six Grammy® Awards, five Country Music Awards, nine Academy of Country Music Awards and ten American Music Awards to his name. The album’s debut single and video, “Faith in You,” are both currently available for download on iTunes…. American Idol Season 6 finalist Phil Stacey released his self-titled debut CD last month on Lyric Street Records with over whelming response…. Singer-Songwriter Holly Long Digs Deep with latest release LEAVING KANSAS. Long pulls from her life experience to create a gripping record. As her own heroine, Holly Long tells a realistic and unapologetically frank story in every one of the thirteen tracks on the CD. Reminiscent of Annie Lennox, Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan and Fiona Apple, Long's piano-infused album is the epitome of candid beauty. Her songs are all self-penned. More info on this angelic and talented artist, visit her at hollylong.com....LEGENDS OF AMERICAN MUSIC: George Jones, a three-CD boxed set highlighting Jones' 53-year recording career, will be released on May 20 by Time Life. The 60-song retrospective begins with his 1955 chart debut, 'Why Baby Why,' and includes his biggest hits and duets with Tammy Wynette, Melba Montgomery, Merle Haggard, James Taylor, Johnny Paycheck and others. More GJ news at www.georgejones.com.
MEDIA NEWS: In just nine days after ticket sales began, the 4th Annual “Lonestar & Friends Strike Out for the Kids,” bowling bash, presented by GAC, and benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, has SOLD OUT! This year, Lonestar’s St. Jude bowling bash will be held on Monday, June 2nd at the Hermitage Lanes in Hermitage, TN. This year’s sell-out marks the fourth consecutive year the event has been a huge success. Since Lonestar founded the annual event in 2004, it has SOLD OUT every year and has generated more than $70,000 for St. Jude. The fun is scheduled from 6-10 p.m. (CST) with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. (CST).
NUMBER ONE NEWS: In what must be beginning to seem routine for Rodney Atkins, once again he joins his songwriters in celebrating another of his number one tunes. They celebrated at ASCAP Nashville for the tune, “Cleaning This Gun” and his songwriters are Marla Cannon-Goodman and Casey Beathard….Music Mafia offspring talented James Otto recently hit the Number One Spot on the (All About Country) AAC Hot 40 Chart with “Just Got Started Lovin’ You.” I do expect more chart climbing from this wonderfully talented, long-overdue artist!...Alan Jackson celebrated his first number one off of his new GOOD TIME CD. “Small Town Southern Man” is the first single off of the CD and his first number one in three years. Alan self penned every song. Alan has also co-penned or penned 22 of the 32 #1’s he has scored since hitting the charts in 1989 and sold over 45 million CD’s.
MUSIC NEWS: Mark Alan Thompson's new single 'Perfume and Gasoline' is now being played across the US. You can find a list of the stations playing the single on www.atprecords.com. If you see a station listed near you, help Mark Alan out by giving them a call and requesting it. Until May 31st 2008, ATP Records and Mark Alan have agreed to donate $3.00 per CD or CD Download to The American Cancer Society's 'Relay For Life' Campaign. CD's and Downloads can be purchased online at www.atprecords.com. Ask everyone you know to buy a CD and help support a worthy cause all at the same time!
CHART NEWS: Country music artist Dave Caley scored a # 1 single with his latest release, 'Live This Life,' from Renewed Records. Originally written and performed by John Rich and Big Kenny from the Country duo Big & Rich, 'Live This Life' is Caley's second #1. Caley claimed the #1 spot in last months Power Source Christian Country Top 100 Chart.' Info at powersourcetop20.com.
