Music News 8/25/11

Mike Stoller (L), Elvis Presley (center), and Jerry Leiber (R) at MGM Studios in 1957. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Jerry Leiber, Songwriters Hall of Fame Member and lyricist for legendary songwriting team Leiber & Stoller, passed away in Los Angeles recently (8/22) at the age of 78.

Leiber met Mike Stoller in Los Angeles in 1950 and the pair forged one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in history, penning (or co-penning) numerous R&B and early rock classics such as “Hound Dog,” “Yakety Yak,” and “Love Potion No. 9.” Elvis Presley recorded numerous Leiber/Stoller compositions in addition to “Hound Dog” including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Loving You,” “Don’t,” and “You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care).” The pair also enjoyed a successful partnership with the Drifters, who recorded “There Goes My Baby.” Drifters singer Ben E. King enjoyed solo hits with “Spanish Harlem,” which Leiber wrote with Phil Spector, and the Leiber/Stoller anthem “Stand By Me.”

Leiber’s work touched Nashville on occasion, through his co-writing with Billy Edd Wheeler. That collaboration resulted in the hit Johnny Cash/June Carter duet “Jackson,”  “After Taxes” (Billy Edd Wheeler), “The Rev. Mr. Black,” (The Kingston Trio), and “Tonight I’m Singing Just For You” (Billy Edd Wheeler). Leiber’s hits have been cut by George Jones, Buck Owens, Ray Stevens, Ronnie McDowell, Bill Anderson, Wanda Jackson, and many more.

“He was my friend, my buddy, my writing partner for 61 years,” says Mike Stoller. “We met when we were 17 years old. He had a way with words. There was nobody better.  I’m going to miss him.”

Leiber is survived by his three sons Jed, Oliver, and Jake and two granddaughters.

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Combustion Music and songwriter Ashley Gorley have signed Matt Jenkins to an exclusive songwriting agreement. Jenkins grew up playing and singing in the Texas Opry circuit with his father and most recently, has songs on upcoming albums from Jake Owen and Steve Holy.

(L-R): Combustion’s Chris Van Belkom, Jenkins (seated), Chris Farren, songwriter Ashley Gorley, Combustion’s Kenley Flynn.

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Jimmy Lehoux

Nashville recording artist Jimmy Lehoux has signed an exclusive booking agreement with Cody Entertainment for fall dates and a 2012 tour. “Jimmy Lehoux is an incredibly talented singer and performer and we are pleased to have the opportunity to represent him,” says Cody Entertainment president Phil Smallwood. Lehoux recently completed the southeastern leg of his radio tour in support of debut single “Twenty Toes In The Sand.”

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Bluegrass vocalist and bandleader Larry Stephenson has signed to Compass Records. Stephenson will begin work at Compass Sound Studio this fall on a new project with a targeted release date of early 2012. He will share production duties with engineer/co-producer Ben Surratt. The signing follows on the heels of the Larry Stephenson Band’s win for “Recorded Event of the Year” at the 2010 International Bluegrass Music Awards for his most recent effort “20th Anniversary.”

Larry Stephenson (seated) signs with Compass Records

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(L-R): Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, John Bettis, Allen Shamblin and Thom Schuyler

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) recently (8/22) announced this year’s inductees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, with John Bettis, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin joining in the Songwriter category, and Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson being inducted in the Songwriter/Artist category.

They will be honored at the 41st Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 16 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

Bettis’ songwriter credits include pop/country crossover hits such as “Top Of The World” (The Carpenters, Lynn Anderson) and “Slow Hand” (The Pointer Sisters, Conway Twitty). Schuyler’s resume is known for hits such as “Love Will Turn You Around” (Kenny Rogers) and “A Long Line Of Love” (Michael Martin Murphey). Shamblin is the tunesmith behind “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Bonnie Raitt) and “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert). Brooks popularized many of his own compositions such as “The Thunder Rolls” and “The River.” Jackson created hits from many of his self-penned songs such as “Chattahoochee” and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” For more biographical info click here.

John Van Mol, chairman of NaSHOF, notes the organization’s board of directors increased the number of inductees this year to five from the traditional three. “These five very talented individuals are among an era of powerhouse writers and artists who propelled country music to unparalleled heights beginning in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and also made substantial contributions to popular and rock music,” he added. “We look forward to a fantastic evening of recognition for our inductees, and great entertainment for all who attend.”

Also at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner, sister organization Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), presents awards for the year’s best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.

Tickets for the event are $200 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased by contacting event director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com or 615-256-3354.