MSO Marks Third Year With Its Nashville Office

MSO has always thrived on musical diversity in our client roster, programming the company like our iPods—from Dolly Parton to Deadmau5 and everything in between.  Three years ago, we opened a Nashville office—helmed by Lyndie Wenner—to further meet our clients’ needs…Here’s what we have going on now in the worlds of country and Americana/roots music.  Check it out…

MSO Country and Americana
Fall 2011

• DOLLY PARTON: The iconic singer, songwriter, musician, actress and philanthropist wrapped her European tour with two headline shows at London’s 02 Arena in September and she’s set for eight U.S. shows in October before heading to Australia beginning November 8.  The New York Times praised her current album Better Day (Dolly Records distributed through Warner Music Nashville): “Resilience, adaptability, stick-to-itiveness, devotion: they’re her superhero traits, delivered without pretension. And ‘Better Day’ captures them faithfully: it’s Dolly to the bone…she sounds almost ageless: expressive even at a whisper, and glorious at full cry (6/28/11).” In 2012, she’ll return to the big screen with Queen Latifah in Joyful Noise.

• AARON LEWIS:  His debut solo single “Country Boy” (featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels) has been certified gold, helping to solidify the singer, songwriter and musician’s place in country music.  His 2011 CD TOWN LINE (R&J Records) entered the country albums chart at #1 and the “Country Boy” video earned him two 2011 CMT MUSIC AWARDS nominations, marking the Staind frontman’s first-ever CMT nominations.  “This is a really pleasant surprise for me,” says Lewis of the gold certification for “Country Boy.” “It’s the first thing I recorded as a solo artist and it’s just a very honest record about who I am.  It’s great that so many people related to it.  I’m looking forward to getting back into the studio to make a full record.”

• RECKLESS KELLY: The acclaimed country rocking Texas band released an album of all-new studio originals, Good Luck & True Love, September 13 on their own No Big Deal Records, and was featured on AOL’s “Listening Party” the week of release. The Austin Chronicle says, “Reckless Kelly’s seventh studio LP finds the local five piece sounding controlled and assured…Reckless may be reined in, but still reigning (9/2/11)” and of a recent live show, the Bakersfield Californian says, “Reckless Kelly is one of the best live bands ever…it doesn’t hurt that they have a ton of songs that are just fun to hear live (8/17/11).” Look for Reckless Kelly on tour in 2011 and 2012.

• ZZ TOP: “A TRIBUTE TO FRIENDS”: Celebrating the band’s music and legacy that has been part of the world’s musical landscape for over 40 years, this exciting collection is due out October 11 on the Nashville-based SHOW DOG/UNIVERSAL label.  The album features 11 classic ZZ Top songs interpreted by top-flight artists working in a broad range of musical genres.  All of the album’s tracks have been newly recorded, specifically for the project. These include Jamey Johnson’s powerful 11-minute performance of “La Grange” and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals’ forthright take on “Tush” and more.

• JO DEE MESSINA: The multi-platinum, award-winning singer/songwriter appeared on four TV shows in June–the Today Show, Fox & Friends, Fox 411 and Better TV–to discuss efforts to raise money for the Holy Trinity Montessori, a non-profit school in Nashville, TN, as part of her “A Million Doors” campaign.  She was promoting her song “Carry Me,” which was made available via www.amilliondoors.com. Stay tuned for news about new music from Jo Dee.

• THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM:  The esteemed Nashville organization returned to Los Angeles for their “All For The Hall” fundraising event September 13 (at Club Nokia).  Performers included Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow, Zac Brown and Kevin Cronin.  The Los Angeles Times’ Randy Lewis praised the evening, saying, “After Zac Brown chose to sing ‘Martin,’ a love song to his guitar, everyone on stage with him Tuesday night at Club Nokia for this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum benefit concert quickly fell in line and served up songs inspired by their own instruments…That relationship is more palpable than ever since last year’s flooding ravaged the country music capital and damaged or destroyed an untold number of instruments precious to those who not only earn a living with them, but who use them to express their deepest feelings. It was those emotions that were on display at Club Nokia during a relaxed and communal two-hour performance before an audience of about 2,000 people (9/15/11).”

• STAGECOACH: CALIFORNIA’S COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL:  Stay tuned for an announcement about the acclaimed festival’s dates in 2012.  It will mark the sixth Stagecoach, following the massively successful 2011 incarnation, where 110,000 fans attended over two days.  AOL’s “The Boot” said, “A thirst for country music was more than quenched in the desert of Indio, Calif. over the weekend, as the fifth annual Stagecoach music festival brought performances by some of Nashville’s finest, including headliners Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney (5/2/11).”

• TRUTH & SALVAGE CO.: The acclaimed band continues to tour and gave a triumphant return performance at STAGECOACH this past spring, with the USA Today saying they “proved to be a group with great crossover potential. The band fit into the neo-folk category of the Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons with tight four-part harmonies, but rock with distinctive personality and solid guitar and keyboard work. (5/1/11).” 

• BOB SCHNEIDER: Look for the “talented and prolific singer-songwriter who works in folk, rock, funk and bluegrass” (Erik Ernst, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) to tape a performance on “The Rachael Ray Show” in October.  Schneider released his latest critically acclaimed album A Perfect Day (Kirtland Records) April 19. The Austin-based artist debuted the album’s first single “Let The Light In” on PBS’ “Austin City Limits” in January on the national TV show’s 36^th season finale, which also featured Lyle Lovett.  “Honeypot” is the second single from A PERFECT DAY, of which the Dallas Morning News said “… this new CD is his most irresistibly cohesive. It’s all about the groove, the rhythm, the move-your feet energy…The quirky lyrics are there, too… Get ready for serious head-bobbing and foot-tapping (4/19/11).”  Schneider and his band are on tour all year long.

• 2011 ANNUAL SOURCE AWARDS: The annual celebration honoring women in the music industry for their tireless work and contributions to the business took place at Nashville’s Noah Liff Opera Center on August 25. SOURCE–a nonprofit organization supporting women executives and professionals who work in all facets of the Nashville music industry–and Who’s Who in the music industry will celebrate the careers of six legendary women. This year’s honorees included Roberta Edging, Millie Kirkham, Barbara Orbison, Evelyn Shriver and Janice Erickson Wendell, plus a posthumous recognition for Georgia Twitty Chellman.

• 25TH ANNUAL MUSIC ROW LADIES GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITING UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE:  The longest-running fundraiser on Nashville’s Music Row has raised over $1.5 million and featured Kellie Pickler, Danielle Peck, Shelly Fairchild and Josh Thompson at this July 25 event at Old Natchez Country Club.  Along with Tim McGraw’s renewed support, additional sponsors included ASCAP, Kenny Chesney, City National Bank, UBS Financial Services, UMG Nashville and MSO PR.

www.msopr.com/nashville
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www.raisethequestion.com
(MSO’s artist Q&A site)

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