Music News 5/12/11

The 13th Annual Nashville Chapter GRAMMY Block Party was held Tuesday night (5/10) at Owen Bradley Park on Music Row.

The diverse talent line-up – all members of the Nashville Chapter – entertained a big crowd with jazz, country, contemporary Christian, bluegrass and Americana tunes. Performers included Laura Bell Bundy, The Civil Wars, Denny Jiosa, Jerrod Niemann, Old Crow Medicine Show, Royal Tailor and Chancellor Warhol. The private event is for Recording Academy members and is always one of the biggest industry mingle-fests of the year.

(L-R): Jarrod Ingram/Royal Tailor, DJ Cox/Royal Tailor, Tauren Wells/Royal Tailor, John Paul White and Joy Williams of The Civil Wars, Laura Bell Bundy and Blake Hubbard/Royal Tailor.

(L-R): Allen Brown, Sony Music Nashville; Jerrod Niemann; Daniel Hill, The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter president; and Fletcher Foster, Nashville Chapter trustee.

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Kevin Fowler

Kevin Fowler is the newest addition to the Average Joe’s Entertainment roster. Like the rest of the label’s artists, Fowler has built a strong fan base the grassroots way. He’s sold over 330,000 albums and regularly sells 2,000-4,000 tickets per night for his headlining shows.

“I couldn’t be more excited about Kevin coming to Average Joe’s Entertainment,” said President, Tom Baldrica. “He’s the perfect fit for our roster–great music, constant touring and loyal fans! Can’t wait to share his new music with the fans and our friends at country radio.”

Fowler joins fellow Average Joe’s artists Colt Ford, Corey Smith, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Gracin and more.

Average Joe’s Entertainment, an Atlanta and Nashville-based record label, launched with flagship artist Colt Ford in 2008. Average Joe’s focuses on a grassroots approach, availability of product, and cross-promotional opportunities that expand artist visibility.

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Zac Brown, Photo: C. Taylor Crothers

Zac Brown has been using the Southern Ground Records moniker for a couple of years, and today announced the label’s official launch.

Southern Ground Artists, Inc. is home to Sonia Leigh, The Wood Brothers, Blackberry Smoke, Levi Lowrey and Nic Cowan. It is being distributed by RED.

The label previously released a compilation album including tracks from ZBB, and Southern Ground Artists as part of the “Letters for Lyrics” campaign. Fans who wrote letters to American service members received the free disc.

Brown’s label is dedicated to shining a spotlight on some of Georgia’s brightest rising stars. “I’d like to think there’s a movement coming out of Atlanta that’s like [Memphis-based soul label] Stax was, back in the ’60s,” he told The Tennessean. “The Wood Brothers are one of the best live bands you’ll ever see, and we just got Sonia Leigh’s record finished, and I’m super proud of it. There’s Blackberry Smoke coming onboard, and Nic Cowan and Levi Lowrey, and all the people that love our music will love their music, too, I feel confident.”

Sonia Leigh

“My Name is Money,” the lead single from Sonia Leigh’s debut effort is headed to country radio soon. It is from her album 1978 December, due out in September.

The Wood Brothers will release Smoke Ring Halo on August 2 and are taking the lead single “Shoofly Pie” to AAA stations.

Country and Southern Rock quintet Blackberry Smoke are performing 20 + dates with Zac Brown Band this summer and will also begin work on a new album.

Set for release this summer are albums by Levi Lowrey, co-writer of ZBB’s No. 1 hit “Colder Weather,” and pop songsmith Nic Cowan. Hear select tracks at SouthernGroundArtists.com.

Starting a record label is the latest development in Brown’s ever expanding enterprise.

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House of Bryant Publications has entered a licensing agreement with Nashville based product development company IdeaBang to develop and extend the Official Rocky Top brand and the classic song “Rocky Top.”

Penned by legendary songwriters Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967, the song is published by The House of Bryant and their son Dane Bryant.

IdeaBang owner Scott Rouse has a history of working with “Rocky Top.” The multi-platinum producer helmed Rocky Top ’96, a recording that included a remix of the song for Decca Records.

Dane Bryant of House of Bryant (L) and Scott Rouse of IdeaBang (R) sign a multi-year licensing agreement for the Official Rocky Top brand.