More label malfeasance from CMT – Travis Tritt has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Category 5 Records, the Nashville-based label that released his latest album, The Storm, in August. Filed Tuesday (Dec. 11) in federal district court in Nashville, Tritt alleges that Category 5 and label president and CEO Ray Termini misrepresented the company’s financial resources and expertise and denied him creative control over his recordings. Termini is also CEO of Haven Healthcare, a nursing home chain that is based in Middletown, Conn. The Connecticut attorney general’s office is investigating Haven Healthcare, which declared bankruptcy in November, to determine if Termini illegally used Medicaid funds to help launch the record label. Termini has denied misusing the money. Tritt, who has a four-year contract with the label, claims Category 5 currently owes him almost $400,000. Established in 2005, Category 5 also released Sammy Kershaw’s Honky Tonk Boots album in 2006.
Category Archives: News
Jason Isbell Tour Dates
Pitchfork.com has posted a ton of 07/08 tour dates for ex-Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell as he continues in support of his solo debut “Sirens of the Ditch.”
The January 12 date has Isbell performing at the opening night of the New York Guitar Festival’s “Royal Albert Hall” event honoring Bob Dylan.
12-14 Asheville, NC – Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam Pre-Jam
12-15 Asheville, NC – Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam
12-21 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon
12-22 Houston, TX – Walter’s on Washington
12-27 Huntsville, AL – Crossroads
12-28 Birmingham, AL – Workplay
12-29 Chattanooga, TN – Rhythm and Brews
12-30 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
12-31 Charleston, SC – Music Fam
01-12 New York, NY – WFC Winter Garden (New York Guitar Festival)
01-16 Memphis, TN – The Hi-Tone
01-17 Little Rock, AR – Sticky Fingerz
01-18 Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
01-19 Austin, TX – Antone’s
01-22 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
01-23 San Diego, CA – Casbah
01-24 Long Beach, CA – Vault
01-25 Los Angeles, CA – Spaceland
01-26 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
01-28 Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
01-30 Portland, OR – Mission Theater
01-31 Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
02-01 Boise, ID – Neurolux
02-02 Park City, UT – Suede
02-04 Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre
02-06 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
02-07 Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
02-08 Chicago, IL – Double Door
02-09 Indianapolis, IN – Music Mill
02-14 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
02-15 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
02-16 Buffalo, NY – Tralf Music Hall
02-17 Philadelphia, PA РWorld Caf̩ Live
02-20 Boston, MA – Paradise
02-21 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
02-22 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
02-23 Charlottesville, VA – Satellie Ballroom
02-24 Wilmington, NC – Soapbox
02-26 Columbia, SC – Headliner’s
02-27 Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
02-28 Knoxville, TN – Bluecat’s
02-29 Louisville, KY – Headliner’s
03-01 Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom
Stephen King’s – Spooky Americana Fan
CMT reports that spooky author and member of the Rock Bottom Remainders band Stephen King has included new albums by Steve Earle and Lyle Lovett on his year-end list of favorite music, published in the Dec. 7 issue of Entertainment Weekly. Earle’s Washington Square Serenade topped the list, followed by Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band’s It’s Not Big It’s Large, John Fogerty’s Revival and Southern Culture on the Skids’ Countrypolitan Favorites.
Bloodshot Records Signs Justin Townes Earle – Debut Release “The Good Life” out in Spring 2008
Chicago-based alt.country stalwart Bloodshot Records has signed Justin Townes Earle to a multi-album, world-wide deal. His debut full-length album, The Good Life is slated to hit stores in Spring 2008. Justin will make appearances at SXSW and tour with The Felice Brothers in March and April. Justin’s previously self-released EP “Yuma” will become available to wide release through Bloodshot soon.
The Good Life is produced by RS Field, who has made his mark on critically acclaimed albums by Billy Joe Shaver, Sonny Landreth, Webb Wilder and Buddy Guy. Recording is underway at House of David studios, the legendary room that has hosted sessions with George Jones, Yo La Tengo, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and countless others. Joining Earle in the studio are a cast of all-star players including longtime cohort Cory Yountes (Bobby Bare, Jr) on banjo and mandolin, pedal steel player master Pete Finney (Dixie Chicks, Patty Lovelace), bassist Bryn Davies (Patty Griffin, Guy Clark), drummer Bryan Owings (Buddy Miller, Shelby Lynne), keyboardist Skylar Wilson and fiddle player Josh Hedley.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOwaqm7Deu4[/youtube]
Lovett to Testify for Radio Royalties
In the ever shifting musical business landscape there often needs to be an outside arbitrator to straighten things out. And ironically a country as free-market loving as ours it’s often the Feds left to straighten things out.
I think this is correct. Figuring out if a broadcaster should start paying songwriter royalties to performing rights groups ASCAP, BMI and SESAC (who was a big presence at the Americana Music Conference) instead of the current model of exemption from performance royalties because, as the broadcasters argue, the promotional value gained by playing music on the radio more than offsets any royalty that performers and record companies would receive. There needs to be a formalized and fairly equitable business model for terrestrial, satellite and Internet radio for the future. If these no money in it for the artist, then great songwriters might never pick up the pen for the need to support themselves and their family.
Lyle Lovett is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday as the music industry continues its push for a royalty for over-the-air broadcasts. Good for Lyle!
Country legend Porter Wagoner Hospitalized with Lung Cancer
Porter Wagoner was admitted to a Nashville-area hospital last Monday and diagnosed with lung cancer. On Tuesday, his family released a statement that he was hospitalized and under observation. On Thursday, the family released another statement that he was in serious condition and asked friends and fans to pray for him.
Here’s hoping a speedy recovery to the Wagonmaster. I hope you’re up and back in your boots soon, sir.
Porter Wagoner – Green, Green Grass of Home
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxss6vwCZbA[/youtube]
Hank III New Release – Damn Right Rebel Proud – December 18.
Right from the dreaded Curb site, Hank III’s new release , Damn Right Rebel Proud, will be unleashed December 18 on edit: now the site reads “Coming Soon.” Mike Curb is already pulling the same shit.
It’ll come in raunchy and wussy flavors.
Let’ s hope Curb is smart enough to drop this baby on schedule.
the tracklist:
1. The Grand Ole Opry
2. Wild & Free
3. Me & My Friends
4. 6 Pack Of Beer
5. I Wish I Knew
6. If You Can’t Help Your Own
7. Candidate For Suicide
8. H8 Line
9. Long Hauls And Close Calls
10. Stoned & Alone
11. P.F.F.
Props to Ninebullets.net for the news.
Hank III – Dick In Dixie-Cunt In County – Allentown PA – 9/26/07
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jsMMUDlXmU[/youtube]
Honky Tonk Radio Girl on WNYU
Mostly I think terrestrial radio is a unholy wasteland of rotting play-list crap, but sometimes you pass across some smaller stations that are doing it the way it started. Keeping the focus on the music by people who love music instead of just a focus on some delusional concept of mass-market appeal (crazy, huh?)
This evening I was “friended” on MySpace by a DJ here in New York calling herself Honky Tonk Radio Girl. HTRG says on her page that she “tells tall tales of these (old country) troubadours and keeps things rolling with a sense of humor about the music she adores. Honky Tonk Radio Girl will also add a fresh edge by featuring new and local artists who keep the spirit of classic country alive.” Sounds good to me!
Becky, HTRG ‘s real name, does the Thursday 7:30pm – 9:00pm slot on New York University’s WNYU. Folks in the New York area can tune in to her old-timey-style” country radio show on 89.1 FM. For the rest of the world you can tune in to the show on-line by clicking “Listen Live” on wnyu.org or navigate to iTunes radio then to “Eclectic,” then WNYU. Past shows can be found in the archives.
You can also send requests, thoughts and comments to becky@wnyu.org. Requests during the show can be made to (212) 998-1818 or WNYURadio on AIM.
And people think there’s no hillbillies in the Big City…Twang says check her out!
Steve Earle Speaks on Music and Activism
Texas expat and roots rock legend will take time from promoting his latest album, Washington Square Serenade (9/25) and shooting HBO’s The Wire, where he stretched and portrays an ex-junkie, and heads uptown from his Greenwich Village residence (near where Bob Dylan’s Freewheeling cover photo was taken) to drop into the 92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue @ 92nd Street New York, NY) on October 9th and take a spin class….er I mean talk with music journalist Anthony DeCurtis about, what else, music and activism (tickets).
Earle joins a roster of politically active artists who have appeared at the Y including Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Tony Kushner and Alec Baldwin(!).The event probably won’t be as interesting (or contentious) as it might be if he held it in Lubbock Texas, but whether you agree with him or revile him, Steve Earle is anything but uninformed
Earle will also appear in concert at Town Hall on September 26 and also hosts a weekly radio show, Hardcore Troubadour Radio, on Sirius Satellite Radio.
More Big Label Idiocy
How stupid do the major labels think their customers are? The Wall Street Journal‘s front page detailed a plan to deceive customers by passing off a signed talent, a 24-year-old singer and guitarist named Marié Digby, as a DIY YouTube using amateur cover-artist trying to get a deal.
Are the labels so bereft of ideas and hard up for the good old days when they printed money and screwed the customers and the artists that they are now willing to squander any shred of remaining good will they might still have with fans, well, at least the ones they haven’t sued? For an unknown cover artist? I mean where is the frikkin upside here? Are they trying to build a more justifiable moral case for musical piracy?
Country music’s soul remains it’s authenticity. Nashville has been very effective peddling pop-country hat acts to people that wouldn’t know Hank Williams from Robbie Williams, but this is a level of calculated fraud that would embarrass even the most hard-bitten music row veteran.
Good for the Journal for exposing this sham. I hope this level of coverage of business misconduct doesn’t diminish under the new ownership by media mogul and FOX News steward, Rupert Murdoch. I won’t be holding my breath.