MUSICROW MAGAZINE: Bobby Karl Works Leadership Music’s 25th Anniversary Bash

By Bobby Karl • August 22, 2014 • 

 

Leadership Music Committee. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 464

I guess everyone was in the mood for some kind of big, non-denominational bash.
And I do mean “big,” as well as “everyone.” Nearly 500 people RSVP’d for the Leadership Music 25^th Anniversary party on Thursday (July 21).
And I do mean “non-denominational.” Attendees came from dozens of different show-biz duchies. Record label royals, publishing moguls, agency titans, media mavens, studio gurus, producing princelings, organization queens and folks from far-flung corners of the entertainment world gathered at what was easily the epic schmoozathon of the season.

Leadership Music Class of 1990. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

The gala took place at Rosewall, a cavernous party space in the Gulch. Its brick-walled, warehouse corners were decorated with blow-ups of iconic Nashville logos such as those of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, The Bluebird Café and Robert’s Western Wear. One niche held a souvenir photo booth where attendees gathered for gag snapshots with their buddies. Another had a place where various class portraits were taken.

The graduating class with the most attendees was 2011’s. That would include such fabulons as Ron Cox, Ramon Cisneros, John Ingrassia, Jennifer Schott, Chip Petree and Jim Catino.
“We have graduated more than 1,000,” said LM exec Debbie Linn. No wonder the party was so packed. Debbie, Jeff Walker and Diane Pearson all attempted to address the throng. They could barely be heard over the din. Even the excellent, amped-up blues-rock of the Guthrie Trapp Trio was merely background sound.

Diane Pearson addresses the crowd. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

The guest list included such singer-songwriters as Felix Cavaliere, Victoria Shaw, Robert Ellis Orrall, Jim Photoglo (who has a new CD), Trey Bruce, Dez Dickerson, Frank Myers (who was just on Letterman backing singer Robby Johnson on Tuesday), Byron Hill, Pat Alger, Bill Lloyd and Trent Summar.
Trent was there on the arm of new LM participant Casey Summar. Other “power couples” making the scene included David & Karen Conrad, Steve & Ree Guyer Buchanan, Roy Wunsch & Mary Ann McCready, Ken & Shelia Shipley Biddy, Wayne & Pat Halper, David & Melinda Gales, Doug & Linda Edell Howard, Byron & Missy Gallimore and Beverly Keel & Ronnie Steine.

The Guthrie Trapp Trio. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

My double-syllabic friends working the room included Billy Block, Butch Baker, Susan Stewart, Skip Stevens, Marshall Morgan, Mark Montgomery, Mark Mason, Mike Milom, Lisa Lee, Craig Campbell and Fletcher Foster. Then there were such “twins” as Vanessa Davis, Michael Davis, Dixie Carter, Joanna Carter, Becky Harris, Cheryl Harris, Craig Hayes, Dan Hays, Shelby Kennedy, Gene Kennedy, Janie West, Steve West, Charles Dorris, John Dorris, Jay Williams and Sally Williams.

Some of my favorite producers were there. In addition to Mr. Gallimore, you had your choice of Garth Fundis, Kyle Lehning, Mark Wright, Jim Ed Norman and Tony Brown. Visiting alumnus Roger Sovine said he was impressed with how many vets were still around, citing Mr. Brown, Mr. Norman and Mr. Wunsch, as well as Joe Galante, Bill Denny, Joe Moscheo and his former BMI confederate Joyce Rice.

Whitney Daane paid me one of the nicest compliments ever. “You are a Comforting Constant,” she said. I did feel like I was in the midst of several generations of the Nashville music business. So what I replied was, “I just stand in one place and let the industry swirl around me. I’ll never be rich, but I always have the same job.” Which is more than you can say for 90 percent of the others working the room. Bless them all.

 Members of Leadership Music’s Class of 1997. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

I’ll just give you one rep from each letter of the alphabet to give you some idea of just how diverse the crowd was: Drew Alexander, Tom Baldrica, Todd Cassetty, Patti Donahoe, Pat Embry, Mark Ford, Tracy Gershon, Stan Hitchcock, Bill Ivey, Brian Jones, Andrew Kintz, Kevin Lamb, Scott McDaniel, Dave Nichols, John Ozier, Dave Pomeroy, okay there are no “Q’s,” Jonah Rabinowitz, Tamara Saviano, Sarah Trahern, sorry no “U’s,” Mike Vaden, Stacy Widelitz, there are also no “X’s,” Jonathan Yudkin and Jim Zumwalt.

We dined on mini ruben sandwiches, beef & blue cheese on toast, pork meatballs with spiced mustard in pretzel rolls, caprese crostini, shrimp & scallion cocktails and chicken endive cups, plus assorted fruits, crackers and cheeses. Full bars operated on opposite sides of the party warehouse.
I spotted an engineer vortex posing in the souvenir zone. “We can’t hear, but we can pose,” joked Gary Paczosa, who was in a scrim with Ben Fowler and Jeff Balding. I posed with Sherod Robertson in front of a Smokehouse backdrop. We looked splendid.

Members of Leadership Music’s Class of 2006. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

As the party wore on, the place heated up, as did the conversational pace. Chatting away as we headed into the bash’s second hour were such lovely ladies as Erika Wollam-Nichols, Denise Stiff Sheehan, Debbie Fleischer-Robin, Debbie Carroll, Deb Varallo, Nancy Cardwell, Melanie Howard, Cyndi Forman, Phyllis Stark, Teresa George, Jenny Bohler, Holly Bell, Katie Gillon, Tinti Moffatt, Leslie Fram, Lynn Morrow, Paula Roberts, Cindy Wilson, Lisa Harless, Anita Hogin, Laurie Hughes, Suzanne Kessler, Liz Kiley and Alicia Warwick.

The guys did their fair share of gabbing, too. Just ask John Lomax, John Beiter, John Shackelford, John Styll, Tim McFadden, Tim Wipperman, Tim Fink, Pat McMakin, Pat Finch, Tom Collins, Tom Roland, Al Bunetta, Al Moss, Charlie Monk, Charlie Lico, Chuck Aly, Bobby Cudd, Bobby Rymer, Rob Simbeck, Rod Essig, Harry Chapman and Barry Coburn.

Leadership Music’s Founding Council. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

Not to mention Sam Lorber, Craig Havighurst, Chris Parr, Larry Stessel, Jim Blumstein, Ken Paulson, Lon Helton, Dale Bobo, Ed Benson, Dwight Wiles, Rick Murray, Ted Hacker, Don Cusic, David Crow and Jeff Gregg plus such long-time faves as Arthur Buenahora, Bret Wolcott, Hank Adam Locklin, Aaron Hartley, Sherrill Blackman, Walter Campbell, Earle Simmons, Trip Aldridge, Chip Peay and Justin Levenson, kind fellows one and all.
I’m telling you, this party was big, big, big.

 
Members of Leadership Music’s Class of 2012. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

MUSICROW MAGAZINE: Trisha Yearwood Reveals New Music On The Way

By Sherod Robertson • August 19, 2014 •

Gary Overton, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville and RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Trisha Yearwood has signed with Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Nashville and announced that her twelfth studio album will be titled PrizeFighter. The news was shared August 19 at The Cordelle during an evening of food and music with friends and industry colleagues.

After Sony Music Nashville’s Gary Overton announced Yearwood’s roster appointment (and the launch of her own Gwendolyn Records imprint), Yearwood offered an acoustic performance of four songs with Johnny Garcia (guitar) and Steve Cox (keys), including two new tracks (the bluesy “Your Husband’s Cheating On Us” and the poignant “I Remember You”) along with the Karyn Rochelle-penned “Cowboys Are My Weakness” from Yearwood’s Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love album, and her 1992 hit “Wrong Side of Memphis.” Yearwood will join her husband not only as a labelmate but for the Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood which kicks off in Chicago on Sept. 4.

Several songwriters were in the audience, including Matraca Berg, Sarah Buxton, Sara Haze, Brad Rempel, Jessi Alexander, and duo Joey+Rory’s Rory Lee Feek and Joey Martin Feek.
The event also celebrated the start of the fifth season of her Emmy Award-winning Food Network series, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, which debuts on Saturday, 8/23; plans for a third cookbook; her own line of cutlery, Precious Metals cookware; and a partnership with Hellmann’s. With Yearwood’s ever-growing cooking career, it was no surprise that the catering was delicious. Most of the scrumptious hors d’oeuvres were from Yearwood’s own recipes.

“Trisha Yearwood is a tremendous recording artist who has enjoyed much success in everything she has done,” commented Doug Morris, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment. “She is a talent like no other, and I am pleased to welcome her to the Sony Music family for the next chapter of her exciting music career.”

RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood performing new music and hits at tonight’s (Aug. 19) event in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

Sony Music Nashville chairman & CEO, Gary Overton shared, “Trisha Yearwood is one of Country music’s brightest stars. Her versatility and passion have put her at the forefront of countless industries—but first and foremost, Trisha is an unparalleled recording artist who has sold millions of albums and is respected as one of the greatest female vocalists in Country music. We’re honored to welcome her to the RCA Nashville family, and look forward to her fans hearing her highly-anticipated new music.”

“I can’t even find the right words to express how excited I am to be releasing new music! I chose the title PrizeFighter because it feels like an anthem for all of us,” said Yearwood. “It’s about fighting for what you believe in, and never giving up, even when it’s hard. It’s a message we all need to hear. I’m so looking forward to working with the amazing staff at Sony. Music is what feeds my soul, and I’m grateful to them for giving me the chance to share what I love.”

Throughout five seasons on Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, Yearwood has uniquely folded musical elements and performances into her Food Network show. “Of Trisha’s many talents, there can be no doubt,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior VP, Food Network. “In Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, it is Trisha’s devotion to friends and family, her Southern hospitality and her passion for cooking that resonate so strongly with our audience. Viewers love spending time ‘in the kitchen’ with her as she cooks and entertains with her signature down-to-earth charm, playful humor and deliciously appealing warmth.”

RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood performing new music and hits at tonight’s (Aug. 19) event in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

Bob Tuschman, General Manager/Senior VP for Food Network, recalls his first meeting with Yearwood during the event at The Cordelle (Aug. 19) in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

Media and members of the music industy join RCA Nashville’s Trisha Yearwood at The Cordelle (Aug. 19) in Nashville. Photo: Bev Moser

MUSICROW MAGAZINE: As Nashville Grows, Station Inn Remains a Musical Treasure

While developers and investors continue to roll out plans for more upscale, stylish condominiums, trendy eateries, and sleek office buildings in and around Nashville’s Gulch area, music venue Station Inn— a one-story stone building with boarded up windows—provides a no-frills musical harbor amid a glossy sea of modern structures.
Inside, wooden walls along with a bare-bones assortment of tables and chairs, greet visitors, and lights are focused on a modestly sized stage. A wooden bar offers an array of snacks and drinks. “I’ve always said it’s more of a listening room than a nightclub,” says Station Inn owner and operator J.T. Gray. “It’s the hardwood floors and the wooden walls. It’s not a flashy place. People come in here and try to start getting rowdy, they find out fast it’s not that kind of place.” Instead, it’s one of Nashville’s premier venues where music aficionados flock to revere and to become immersed in the music and history within its walls.

The Station Inn. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

The Station Inn has called Nashville home since 1974, when it was opened by a group of six bluegrass performers and located near Vanderbilt. The venue has resided at its current location at 402 12th Ave. S. since 1978. Ownership of the Station Inn changed hands several times before Gray took over in 1981. “The previous owners didn’t really know a lot about bluegrass, so I said I’d be interested in taking over. I had been touring with musicians and it was a good way for me to get off the road.” At the time, the Station Inn’s popularity had declined. Gray spent the next few years reaching out to the bluegrass community in Nashville to bring back local and national performers to the venue. Grand Ole Opry performers including Jimmy Martin and Bobby Osborne would drop in after an Opry performance on Friday and Saturday nights.
Bill Monroe, known as the “Father of Bluegrass,” played to a packed house at the Station Inn in 1985, and was often seen dropping in to watch bands play, and sometimes, to sit in for a song or two. “Bill Monroe would come and stand back by the side of the stage with his mandolin, and he would walk up onstage with whomever was picking onstage and just play with them. He loved us and we loved him. He would always say ‘Hi’ to the bartender and servers and the doorkeeper. You never know who will come up and start performing.”
The venue became a favorite performing spot for some of the most illustrious names in bluegrass and Country, including Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Dierks Bentley, Ricky Skaggs, and more. Before she became a household name in bluegrass and Country music, Alison Krauss held court before an audience at Station Inn. Vince Gill, as part of the Time Jumpers, took up a regular residence at Station Inn on Monday nights a few years ago. The Time Jumpers had been regular performers at the venue for several years, and occasionally brought along friends such as Bonnie Raitt, Reba McEntire, Norah Jones, and Robert Plant. In 2013, Alan Jackson held an album release concert there for his aptly titled project The Bluegrass Album. “He wanted to take it to where the bluegrass people are,” says Gray. “It was completely his idea to do the party here, so we really appreciated that. It was one of the biggest surprises I’ve ever had being here.”

Dierks Bentley performs at The Station Inn in 2014. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

Given the stark contrast between the earthy music venue and the growing number of polished structures accumulating in the Gulch and Nashville overall, community members have pondered if Nashville’s ambitious expansions will overtake the beloved Station Inn.
According to both Gray and Gulch area development company MarketStreet, Station Inn’s future is secure. “MarketStreet has always envisioned the Gulch neighborhood to be a mix of new and old. This unique combination is what gives the neighborhood added character. The Station Inn is, and will continue to be a landmark destination to be enjoyed by all,” states Dirk Melton, Development Director of MarketStreet.
Gray says the property’s owner, Charlie Wehby, assures him there are no plans to sell the property. “I’m told the Station Inn will stay here as long as I want it to,” says Gray. “They’ve definitely had numerous offers to purchase the property, but they’ve assured me they won’t sell.”
Though Gray plans to keep carry on with Station Inn in the Gulch area, that doesn’t mean he isn’t supportive of the overall growth Nashville has seen in recent years. “I’ve watched the development over the years and I think it is good for the area. We have more people that walk through the Gulch area. Of course some of the businesses that have grown up in the area don’t cater to the kind of people that like to come to a place like this, but it used to be a real industrial place and this was the only kind of music venue in this area.”
Given the perennial popularity of Station Inn, Gray says he has toyed with the idea of expanding or opening a second location. “I’ve definitely thought about expanding, but there’s not much space to expand on this lot. Besides, it’s a small place and has so much history here. I’ve also definitely thought about opening up a second location over the years, but it would be difficult to replicate the feel of this place elsewhere—it’s the wooden walls, the wood floors. There’s a homey feel to it. “
Though Gray has expanded the diversity of music styles that flow through the walls of the Station Inn in recent years to include blues and western swing, its bedrock is still bluegrass and classic Country. “We’ve tweaked the programming a little bit over the years, so it gives us something different to offer,” says Gray.
The Station Inn will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an event in late 2014, which Gray says will feature many of the biggest names to walk through the doors of the Station Inn. “We are working on it right now and have several artists pending.”

PLA Media Press Release: The Johnny Cash Museum Unveils The Legends of Sun Records Exhibit

To a standing room only crowd yesterday evening, Johnny Cash Museum Founder Bill Miller revealed The Legends of Sun Records exhibit. The new exhibit, which will run for 18 months, features artifacts that spotlight Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and drummer W.S. Holland. You can view snapshots of the exhibit and VIP preview below.  The Legends of Sun Records exhibit opens to the public on Friday, August 15th.

Founder Bill Miller (c) Moments By Moser Joanne Cash Yates & Tommy Cash (c) Moments By Moser Sun Records' Jerry Phillips, AmeriMonte Records' Steve Popovich Jr, Jason D Williams and JCM Founder Bill Miller (c) Moments By Moser

(C) Moments by Moser (C) Moments by Moser (c) Moments by Moser

“Johnny Cash began his musical career at Sun Records," says Founder Bill Miller. "Sun was the launch pad for several young men whose music would forever impact the world. Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Johnny came from similar backgrounds and humble beginnings. Once they walked through the door at the Memphis Recording Service, their lives would never be the same. We are proud to showcase Johnny's labelmates from this historic period in rock and roll history.”      The founders of the museum aren’t the only ones both excited and honored to be a part of the exhibit.  See additional comments below.

“Elvis had great respect for Johnny Cash, and a wonderful friendship. He was very proud to share the same Sun Studio roots in Memphis with Johnny, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis. I’m pleased that the Johnny Cash Museum is celebrating the achievements of these five legendary performers, and I know that Elvis would have been tremendously honored to be included in this exhibit." --Priscilla Presley

"We are thrilled these cherished belongings of our father Roy Orbison can be part of Johnny Cash's wonderful museum here in Nashville. The Cash's are 'family.' Johnny and June Carter were godfather and godmother to each of us three Orbison boys and literally our next door neighbors in Hendersonville. What a beautiful and fitting home for these special pieces of Dad's past!" --Roy Jr, Wesley and Alex Orbison

"Johnny and I started at Sun Records over 50 years ago and worked together for decades. We were good friends and I'm proud to be involved in The Legends of Sun Records exhibit at the Johnny Cash Museum." --Jerry Lee Lewis

"Johnny Cash and Dad were like brothers. They had a mutual respect and love for each other that went beyond friendship. They will always be bonded together, not only for their great musical legacy at Sun Records, but for their kindred spirit for one another. Our family is proud to have them reunited at the Johnny Cash Museum." --Stan Perkins

“The drums that are currently on display in the Johnny Cash Museum are the same set that recorded ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and the Million Dollar Quartet.  They were also the first ever full drum set to play the Grand Ole Opry.  At Sun Records, it wasn’t something that we thought would make history.  It just happened. We never thought anyone would even know about it after a couple years.  Those days seem like a dream, but they also seemed like they just happened a few weeks ago.  Nothing was ever planned for me.  I think that’s why they call me ‘Fluke.’ --W.S. Holland   About Sun Records Sun Records was an independent label founded in 1952 by Sam Phillips.  Based in Memphis, Phillips set out to develop the rhythm and blues sound and deliver it to general public. What he would ultimately create would be the foundations for rock-n-roll.  Throughout the years, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins,  Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich and even Conway Twitty (under his real name Harold Jenkins) would record and be released on the label. The famous “Million Dollar Quartet” also occurred at Sun records on December 4, 1956 when an impromptu session with Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins was captured in an iconic photograph.

About The Johnny Cash Museum   Earning the AAA Gem rating, The Johnny Cash Museum experience has quickly spread around the globe with outlets like CNN, USA Today, Parade, The NY Times, The NY Post, Billboard, Vogue, Southern Living, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Yahoo, Huffington Post, London’s NME, etc. all buzzing about the attraction. Forbes ranked the Top 5 “Must-See” Nashville destinations and put The Johnny Cash Museum in the number one slot. That acknowledgement was followed by an unbelievable honor from National Geographic. National Geographic published a list of the worldwide top four “Pitch Perfect Museums,” museums dedicated to a single musician. The Johnny Cash Museum earned the top honor beating out the ABBA museum in Stockholm and the Kalakuta museum in Nigeria. Located at 119 Third Avenue South between Demonbreun and Broadway, the museum is en route between the tourists circulated Broadway strip and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Schermerhorn Symphony Center.   The Johnny Cash Museum is open every day from 10 AM to 7 PM. General admission is $15 with discounts for AAA, military, senior citizen and youth (6-15).To stay updated on the museum and Johnny Cash, visit www.johnnycash.com or www.johnnycashmuseum.com.