bobby karl works the ascap awards - musicrow€¦ · katharine mcphee and bomshel. insite into the...
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©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected]
page 1 Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Bobby Karl has made a career of covering
Music City parties, and he bows his spirit
before the greatness of ASCAP. Simply put,
no one throws a better bash.
There is more music, finer food, prettier
people and better companionship at this annual
soiree than you can find anywhere else. This
year’s gala, staged at the Ryman and the
BellSouth Tower across the street (10/19)
saluted Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley,
as well as Alan Jackson, EMI Publishing,
J.D. Souther and Gerry House & The
House Foundation. Take my word for it, this
was a world-class bash.
“I can’t think of a cooler place to honor
songwriters than on this very stage,” said
ASCAP’s Connie Bradley of the Ryman. “We’d
like to introduce you to a songwriter we think
has a real future in our business,” she added,
as the curtain parted to reveal co-host Paul
Williams. The organization’s president sang
a medley that included “Just an Old Fashioned
Love Song,” “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,”
“You and Me Against the World,” “Rainy Days
and Mondays,” “We’ve Only Just Begun” and
“The Rainbow Connection.”
“May your songs last forever, and may
you live long enough to hear your grandkids
Bobby Karl Works The ASCAP AwardsChapter 325
(L-R) back: Gary Overton, EMI Music Publishing; Alan Jackson; Jonathan Platt, EMI; Ashley Gorley; Tom Luteran, EMI; Dan McCarroll, EMI; Ben Vaughn, EMI; Glenn Middleworth, EMI; and Josh Van Valkenburg, EMI. Front: ASCAP's Paul WIlliams and Connie Bradley. Photo: Kay Williams
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected]
fight over the money,” he quipped to the Ryman crowd.
An ASCAP tradition was maintained as the organization’s
five most-performed songs of the year were sung by their
writers throughout the ceremony. Clay Mills offered “Don’t
Think I Don’t Think About It.” Alan Jackson sang a swinging
version of “Good Time” that allowed plenty of showcase space
for his band members. With Wes Hightower backing him
on high harmony vocals, Tommy Karlas turned in a strong
version of “Roll With Me.” Ashley Gorley sat at the piano
and sang a moving “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Don Sampson
treated the capacity crowd to “Waitin’ on a Woman.”
Years ago, Alan asked ASCAP to create the Artist/Songwriter
of the Year category, so that he and other songwriting stars
wouldn’t overshadow fulltime Music Row tunesmiths. Jimmy
Webb announced that Alan had won it again on Monday night.
“After 20 years, I’m still winning this dang award,” quipped
Alan. “Maybe they ought to make a new category— Songwriter/
Artist Over 50!”
Born in Kentucky and educated at Belmont, Gorley was
given the Song and Songwriter of the Year honors by Trace
Adkins and Wayland Holyfield, respectively. “This is a little
crazy,” he said. “This is something that a guy like me never
even aimed for. I’m just thankful to everybody.” Darius Rucker,
Keith Urban, Trace Adkins and Brad Paisley have all sung his
tunes. “I’m just thankful we get to do this,” he added. “It’s a
really special business we’re in.”
The musical highlight of the eve was the ASCAP Golden
Note presentation to J.D. Souther. Love and Theft did a
flawless, stunning “You’re Only Lonely.” Lee Ann Womack
was sublime on “Faithless Love.” Rodney Crowell, Chris
Rodriguez and Sarah Buxton shined on “New Kid in Town.”
J.D.’s other evergreens include “Victim of Love,” “Heartache
Tonight,” “How Long,” “Don’t Cry Now,” “Prisoner in Disguise”
and the masterpiece “Heart of the Matter.” Presenter Jackson
Browne hailed him, saying, “J.D.’s songs have affected me,
consoled me and inspired me.”
“Wow—I am a lucky guy,” said Souther. After singing “The
Best of My Love,” he received a standing ovation.
Bonnie Raitt saluted him on video. At another point
during the show, there was a video tribute to its long-time
producer, Danny Petraitis, who died at age 51 on June 3.
The ASCAP Partners in Music Award was presented by
Martina McBride. Honoree Gerry House and the diminutive
Paul Williams immediately began exchanging quips. “He’s the
last one to know it’s raining,” said Gerry. “And the first one to
drown,” responded Paul. “Wouldn’t it be great to wake up and
have your feet right there?” said Gerry. “Except when they’re
in your mouth,” fired back Paul. “I’m done,” the radio host
surrendered, before adding, “It’s an honor to play your songs.”
Presenter Martina illustrated the gala’s predominant
fashion trend. To paraphrase a folk song, “Black was the color
page 2 Wednesday, October 21, 2009
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of my true love’s clothes.” She wore spiked-heeled high black boots
over black fishnet stockings with a black mini-dress with sparkly
shoulders. Connie set the trend in a floor-length sequined black gown.
Carolyn Corlew’s one-shoulder gown was also black, accented
by a beaded, floral-motif choker. Diane Pearson’s sequined halter
dress was also black. Barbara Orbison chose a gold-embroidered
black evening coat. Carla Wallace was in a pin-striped black velvet
pants suit. Lynn Anderson’s outfit sported black lace. Hillary
Lindsey was in a short, black, strapless satin sheath. Connie
Harrington wore an elegantly simple black sleeveless gown and
an upswept hairdo. Judy Harris had on a black velvet jacket with
a dramatic, wide white collar. Karen Tollier? Black. Alicia Warwick?
Black. Susan Nadler? Black.
“It’s just easier,” explained Tracy Gershon, who was also clad
in ebony. Bucking the trend was Jo Walker Meador in a silver evening
jacket. Deanna Bryant wore a black leather jacket over a lime
green sheath. Lee Ann Womack had on a slate-gray belted dress.
And the real standouts were Anna Wilson in a rusched metallic,
strapless, floor-length gown, plus Kellie Pickler clad in a wow-
inspiring, figure-hugging strapless number of dark burgundy.
Among the men, black-on-black was all the rage. Sporting black
shirts with black jackets and/or trousers were Chuck Wicks, Dierks
Bentley, Trace Adkins and Marc Beeson. Ben Vaughn accented
his black-on-black look with a sliver of a steel-blue cravat. John Rich
and John Anderson both sported black cowboy hats. Even Rory
Lee Feek’s customary overalls were black, albeit over a teal-green
shirt. David Lee Murphy wore a velvet jacket, an open shirt and a
cream-colored cowboy hat. Kenny Chesney wore a snug blue shirt
over grey formal slacks. Alan Jackson had on an elegant, black
western shirt with gold and red appliqués over distressed jeans, plus
his usual white cowboy hat and boots.
Keith Anderson wore a brown leather jacket, and Chris
Stapleton’s black cowboy coat sported white piping. Jason Michael
Carroll seems to have cut his hair and wore a tails-out dark blue
shirt under his black jacket. Don Sampson had on a tan, suede
jacket and matching boots. Gary Allan’s sleek sharkskin suit was
over a light blue shirt. Barry Coburn wore a vintage-looking white
jacket with Greek-themed trim.
Stand-out songwriters in the crowd included Mac McAnally,
Shane McAnally, Monty Powell, Monty Holmes, Steve Robson,
Steven Dale Jones, Dan Tyler, Danny Orton, Mentor Williams,
Pat Alger, Gary Burr, Buzz Cason, Bob Regan, Mark D. Sanders,
Luke Laird, Kelly Lovelace, Chris DuBois, Neil Thrasher, Fred
Songwriter Bernie Nelson has signed a publishing agreement with Songstarters Inc. (L-R) back: Songstarters Inc.'s Kathy Walker, SESAC's Tim Fink and Shannan Tipton-Neese, Songstarters Inc.'s Leslie Femino. Front: Nelson and Songstarters Inc.'s Jim Femino. Photo: Peyton Hoge
CMA CEO Tammy Genovese and the CMA Board presented the crystal gavel to outgoing CMA Board Chairman Randy Goodman (R) and the crystal globe to incoming CMA Board Chairman Steve Moore (L) in appreciation of their contributions. The presentation took place during the October election of new CMA Board members in Nashville.
page 3 Wednesday, October 21, 2009
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Knobloch, Don Schlitz, Rivers Rutherford, Jon Randall
& Jessi Alexander, Sarah Darling, Keith Stegall, Jason
Matthews and Michael Dulaney.
After the awards ceremony, we walked the red carpet to
the BellSouth Tower across the street from the Ryman. On the
back patio, a Belmont jazz ensemble played. On the 27th floor
awaited spectacular, glamorous views of the city. Tables
upstairs and down held delicious tortellini, marinated
mushrooms, roast beef, jumbo shrimp, mini crab cakes,
chicken rice pilaf, ham strips, giant olives, garlic flat bread,
fruit and cheese cubes and roasted squash, onions, peppers
and asparagus, not to mention strawberry parfait, mini
brownies and pumpkin & vanilla
brulee shooters.
Power couples on hand
included Steve & Ree Guyer
Buchanan, Kitty Moon & Pat
Emery, David & Karen Conrad,
Roger & Erika Wollam Nichols,
Ron & Regina Stuve and Karl
Dean & Anne Davis. Also working
the room? Well, Ed Benson, Ed
Morris, Butch Waugh, Butch
Baker, Chris Oglesby, Evelyn
Shriver, Ron Cox, Bobby Rymer,
Joe Galante, Andre Lebel,
Glenn Middleworth, Drew
Alexander, Mike Hollandsworth,
Celia Froelig, Troy Tomlinson,
Hank Adam Locklin, Gary
Overton, Wes Bulla, Nancy
Shapiro, Eileen Littlefield,
Mary Ann McCready, Woody
Bomar, Alan Kates, Mark Ford,
Christie King, Paul Worley,
Tammy Genovese and Doug
Casmus.
Anderson Launches Label, Debuts Ashlyne Huff Ashlyne Huff, daughter of star
producer Dann Huff, is working on
her debut pop/rock album as the first
artist signed to Anderson Company/
Anderson Merchandiser’s new label,
Liquid Digital Media. The lead single,
“Heart of Gold,” is at radio now and
the album is set for a spring 2010
release. Huff co-wrote every song on the project.
BMI hosted their Next Big Nashville showcase at Mercy Lounge on October 10, with a lineup that included Southern rockers Ponderosa, Mike’s Pawn Shop, current Ten Out of Tenn journeyman Kyle Andrews, The Protomen, and popsters Heypenny. (L-R): BMI’s Beth Mason, CAA’s Matthew Morgan, Ponderosa’s Chris Sampson, Colton Ent.’s Doug Colton, Ponderosa’s Darren Dodd and J.T. Hall, CAA’s Tim Beeding, Ponderosa’s John Dance and Kalen Nash, and J. Romo Music Mgmt.’s Jeremiah Romo.
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page 5 Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Belmont graduate recently completed
her first U.S. tour, opening for artists including
Katharine McPhee and Bomshel.
InSite Into The Concert Biz The touring business is the focus of a new
installment of the online educational series CMA
Industry InSite. "Getting the Show on the Road"
features WME Agent Rob Beckham, Kix Brooks,
Buddy Lee Attractions CEO/Pres. Tony Conway,
and CAA Agent John Huie. The ten-minute
episode discusses the roles of talent agents,
promoters and tour managers. New installments
of the series are released on the third Monday
of the month, and CMA members are able to
submit questions to the panel beforehand. All
episodes are available to CMA members at
www.My.CMAworld.com.
Grant Hosts Benefits The Amy Grant & Friends Yard Sale is set
for Saturday (10/24) at University Park at
Lipscomb University. It runs 7 AM to 2 PM and
will benefit the programs of Nashville’s public
housing complexes. To donate items to be sold,
drop them off Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Last
year’s first-ever event raised $25,000 and at the end of the
day everything that was left was sold for a dollar each.
Grant and Take 6 will perform a free Christmas concert
Oct. 26 at the Grand Ole Opry House. “Holiday Notes From
Home,” hosted by Charlie Chase and Lorianne Crook, will
be taped live and will air multiple times on the Armed Forces
Radio and Television Network during the Christmas holidays.
Tickets are available at the door beginning at 4 PM on the
day-of. Show starts at 7 PM.
Odie Blackmon Offers Hitmaking Tips Odie Blackmon, the songwriter with cuts by George
Strait, Lee Ann Womack and Gary Allan, has authored a
new book/DVD set called The Craft of Writing Hit Songs. It
breaks down the creative process surrounding songwriting
into a step-by-step method. In conjunction, he will head out
on a promotional tour giving workshops to aspiring
songwriters across the country. Available in Nashville at
Gruhn’s Guitar. www.thecraftofwritinghitsongs.com.
Jimmy Wayne and Sarah Buxton recently performed as part of a listener appreciation show for KKGO/Los Angeles. (L-R) back: KKGO’s Paul Freeman, Buxton, KKGO’s Shawn Parr, KKGO’s Ashley Paige and Wayne. Front: KKGO’s Tonya Campos and Ginny Harman.
©2009, MusicRow Communications, LLC—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [email protected]
Arista Nashville artist Jason Michael Carroll performed recently for more than 8000 fans at Florida’s Jacksonville Landing as part of the Gator Concert Series. Carroll is currently climbing the charts with his single “Hurry Home,” from his Growing Up Is Getting Old album. (L-R): Julie Spurgeon; Arista Nashville promo regional Tyler Waugh; Carroll; and WGNE MD Michele Chase, PD Chuck Beck and GM Gary Spurgeon.
Musical Chairs• On Friday (10/23) Jerry Duncan Promotions
will move its shop to 1017 17th Ave. South,
Ste. 2, Nashville, TN 37212. Jerry, Lisa, Jen,
and Lynda will have a new phone number
615-329-1032, but e-mail addresses remain
the same. [email protected],
• Becky Withers has joined Golden Music
Nashville as Promotion Coordinator. The
Belmont music business graduate most
recently worked for the Darryl Worley
Foundation and Mission Management. She
can be reached at [email protected] or
615-891-4283.
TJ Martell Challenge The T.J. Martell
Foundation is
challenging music
businesses to see
which company can
recruit the biggest
team for the Dunkin'
Donuts Family Fun
Run & Walk-A-Thon
5K, taking place Nov. 7 at Centennial Park.
The winning team gets a Dunkin' Donuts
breakfast bash and a trophy. CAA, UMGN,
Wortman Works, CMT, BMI, Buddy Lee
Attractions, This Music and Crownover Tisinger
are already on board. To register your team,
log on to www.funrunandwalk.com. The early
bird rate of $25 ends Nov. 5.
Lifenotes Condolences to Artist and Repertroie’s
Tom Long on the passing of his father, Rev.
Horace Long, yesterday, Oct. 20, in Georgia.
Visitation will be at Collins Funeral Home in
Acworth, GA today, followed by the funeral
tomorrow at 2 PM at Shady Grove Baptist
Church. Online condolences may be made to
www.collinsfuneralhome.org.
Lyric Street recording group Rascal Flatts brought their Unstoppable tour to Fresno last weekend. (L-R): Gary LeVox, KJUG/Visalia PD Dave Daniels, KUZZ/Bakersfield PD Evan Bridwell, Joe Don Rooney, KUZZ/Bakersfield MD Toni Marie, Jay DeMarcus, and KSKS/Fresno PD Tom Jordan.
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