Music News (6/17/20)

New Book To Share Stories Behind Dolly Parton’s Lyrics

A new book will delve into the stories behind many of Dolly Parton‘s song lyrics. Parton teamed with acclaimed music journalist, historian and author Robert K. Oermann for Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, which will release Nov. 17 via Chronicle Books.

“My songs are like my children, I expect them to support me when I’m old,” Parton said in a video posted to Chronicle Books’ Twitter page. “Across my life I’ve written thousands of songs. But here, for the first time ever, we’re spotlighting 200 of my favorites.”

The book will also include never-before-seen photos and handwritten lyrics to some of the songs from Parton’s extensive catalog. Parton is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Two of her signature hits—”I Will Always Love You” and “Coat of Many Colors”—are included in the National Recording Registry, which lists sound recordings that “are culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States.” Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007, followed by “Jolene” in 2014.

Oermann has penned numerous books on country music, including Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music, which won the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for music book excellence. He has also been a recipient of the Country Music Association’s Media Achievement Award.

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics is available for pre-order on amazon.com.

We are proud to announce @DollyParton’s new book Songteller, My Life In Lyrics. A celebration of the American icon, published Nov 17th. Songteller is a intimate look at Dolly’s enduring career as a songwriter, musician, and country legend. Preorder now: https://t.co/BnzAt8ergb pic.twitter.com/e2xjbSPD9s

— Chronicle Books (@ChronicleBooks) June 16, 2020

Fourward Music Adds Writers, Creative Managers

Pictured clockwise from top left: Carrie K, Hastings, Sarah and the Sundays, Mike Robinson

Fourward Music has added four new writers to their publishing roster, Carrie K, Mike Robinson, Hastings, and Sarah and the Sundays. The company has also added two members to the creative team: Joey McCarthy and Jake Sarno, who will be based out of their L.A. offices. Prior to joining the A&R team at Fourward, McCarthy spent several years in marketing at global sportswear brand, adidas. He also worked with the former manager of Sean “diddy” Combs, Elie Maroun, at his entertainment company, Grey Space Group, as an A&R rep. Jake Sarno previously attended Syracuse Music Industry program before leaving early to join Fourward’s A&R team. In his time at Syracuse, Sarno started his own blog, in which he interviewed artists. He also worked at Stem, where he assisted with artist relations and playlisting.

“Will and I are excited about the growth of Fourward Music and are carefully selecting the perfect combination of writers, producers, and artists, as well as A&R and creative staff that fit in the ever changing musical landscape,” says Fourward President Shannan Hatch. “Along with announcing the signing of Carrie K, Hastings, Mike, and Sarah and the Sundays, it’s a pleasure to announce the addition of Joey McCarthy and Jake Sarno to our creative team based out of our L.A. offices. Joey and Jake bring unique skill sets to the company and we can’t wait to see their continued growth in the music community.”
 

Brett Sheroky Signs With Sea Gayle Music

Pictured L-R (Top to bottom): Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Music; Marc Driskill, Sea Gayle Music; Emily Witters, Sea Gayle Music; Sheroky; Kim Wiggins, Sea Gayle Music; JD Groover, Sea Gayle Music; Brandon Gregg, Sea Gayle Music.

Brett Sheroky has signed a publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music.

Born in Belleville, Illinois and raised on a wide range of music, Sheroky moved to Nashville in 2009 to hone his craft as a songwriter. He has had numerous cuts by various independent artists, and won the grand prize in the 2017 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. As his songwriting evolved, he caught the attention of singer/songwriter Phil Vassar, who asked Sheroky to write, and invited him to open for him on his “Stripped Down Tour.”

“Signing Brett was a no brainer for us. His songwriting ability on top of the way he delivers his songs is what really sets him apart. I think I speak for the whole Sea Gayle team when I say we are more than thrilled to have him join our family. We are truly excited to see what the future has in store for this guy,” says Sea Gayle Creative Director Kim Wiggins.

“Sea Gayle has a reputation for signing songwriters that really know how to craft a song and I am so honored to be thought of as a writer that belongs on that roster,” adds Sheroky.
 

Bobby Braddock Shares Stories Behind Country Music’s Greatest Lyrics In New Book

Bobby Braddock is revealing the stories behind the standout lines in more than 80 legendary country songs in his latest book, Country Music’s Greatest Lines: Lyrics, Stories & Sketches from American Classics from Arcadia Publishing & The History Press.

Available July 6, the new book gives the reader a behind-the scenes view of classics from Hank Williams, Bill Anderson, Roger Miller, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Eric Church, and more. Artist Carmen Beecher brings the tales to vivid life with strikingly realistic illustrations of seldom-seen songwriters, superstars, and unforgettable song characters.

“As a decades-long inhabitant of Music Row, I know a lot of the stories behind the songs and have had the privilege and honor of stumbling into more than a few songwriting sessions where music history was being made,” said Braddock. “I often thought that those attention-getting lines that are an important part of country hits would be an interesting topic for a book. I knew just who to approach: an old friend, world-class illustrator Carmen Beecher, who I invited to collaborate with me on this project to help bring these stories to life with pictures of the songs’ characters or writers or singers.”