BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 468
Music Row does not customarily party on Sundays, but we can make an exception when the star shines bright enough.
“There’s only one guy I know who’s cool enough to get all of you out on a Sunday night,” said Scott Borchetta greeting the shoulder-to-shoulder throng at Gray’s on Main in Franklin (Sept. 14). “And his name is Tim McGraw.”
Mind you, in this town, Sunday is referred to as “church night.” Not only that, the 49ers were playing the Bears on NBC; the Ken Burns doc about the Roosevelts was airing on PBS; Boardwalk Empire was staging its season debut on HBO. But there we were, hoisting our glasses to a new CD called Sundown Heaven Town. That’s how much we admire the man.
“Congratulations….again,” I said to Tim, referring to his new collection. “And again, and again, and again,” he chuckled in reply, alluding to his 13th CD of new material, his 54 top-10 hits and his 20 years as a hit maker. “You can never have too many ‘agains,’” sez I. He remains an ageless icon, kept aloft by his flawless taste in songs, much aided by attendees Byron & Missi Gallimore.
You haven’t lived until you’ve been hugged by Faith Hill. Mrs. McGraw remains heart-stoppingly beautiful, as well as being one of our greatest Nashville vocalists. She was in attendance, as were all three of the Tim & Faith daughters — Gracie, 17, Maggie, 16, and Audrey, 12. Their parents can be heard singing together on the new album’s “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s.”
That has already been a hit from the collection, as has “Lookin’ For That Girl.” A third single, “Shotgun Rider,” was also issued prior to the CD’s official release on Tuesday. That’s because the label initially intended for Sundown Heaven Town to be released months ago. But it wasn’t, so three singles dribbled out in advance, which is unusual.
Lots of folks there didn’t care when it came out, just as long as it did. They were thrilled to be among the songwriters chosen for the project. For Maren Morris, Tim’s version of “Last Turn Home,” marks her first songwriting cut. Abe Stoklasa (“Portland, Maine”) is also at the dawn of a promising writing career.
They celebrated alongside Barry Dean (whose “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” is on the album), Rhett Akins (“Dust”), Rivers Rutherford (“Overrated”), Marv Green (“Shotgun Rider”), Tom Douglas (“Words Are Medicine,” “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s”) and The Warren Brothers (“Black Jacket,” “I’m Feelin’ You,” “Kids Today,” “Keep On Truckin’”). Tim and the Warrens are good buddies, and they have opened for him on the road.
“There are so many people here who helped make this record, and so many singers better than I am,” said Tim of the songwriters who contributed. “The reason there are 18 songs on this record is because there is so much talent here. We live in a town of great poets….I want you to be as proud of it as I am.”
He sang “Shotgun Rider,” “Keep On Truckin’” and “Felt Good On My Lips” for the folks, then turned the stage over to the songwriters. “Anybody who wants to sing, jump up here and play for us,” invited Tim.
Schmoozing and cheering at the cocktail supper were Charlie Chase, Lorianne Crook, Jimmy Carter, Lisa Konicki, Deborah Evans Price, Tom Lord, R.J. Curtis, Debbie Carroll, Jay Frank, Kelly Rich (upon whom some oaf splashed red wine), Bob Doerschuk, Rod Essig, Sherod Robertson, Ken Tucker, Suzanne Gordon, Phyllis Stark, Leslie Fram, Nan Kelly and John Allen. The fire marshal wasn’t invited: The place was beyond packed.
Jayme Austin still remembers the first time she was name checked by Bobby Karl, which tickles me no end. Carla Wallace is all aglow that her singer-writer, Meghan Trainor, is atop the pop hit parade with “All About That Bass.” Allison Jones glows, too, since she got Meghan her first two cuts, which were by Rascal Flatts. Al Hagaman is excited that longtime friend and client K.T. Oslin is making music again.
But we all knew who this night was about. “The Man, himself, is in the house!” proclaimed Jack Purcell in welcoming the crowd. “Whenever you write a great song,” said Brett Warren, “the first person you think of is Tim McGraw.” “He sings every single one as though he wrote it,” said Scott Borchetta. “I am so proud that he calls Big Machine home.”
