Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Curb records

Curb Records taking Tim McGraw back to court

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:31:19 +0000

Just when everyone thought the Curb Records vs. Tim McGraw court battle was finally done, Tim’s former record label threw a curve ball. The label won its battle to take the case to a Federal Court, and have sent us their response to the news. Check out why Curb Records says they’re so happy to be going back to court against Tim McGraw and his new record label Big Machine Records.

The following is a statement sent out by Curb Records:

Curb Records, Inc. was pleased to learn that Nashville’s Federal Court took jurisdiction of Curb Records’ continuing lawsuit with Tim McGraw and Big Machine Records. The lawsuit raises issues of tremendous significance which are important not only to Curb Records, but also to the recording industry and many other industries – the enforceability of contracts in Tennessee. Curb Records contends in the lawsuit that:

McGraw ignored his obligation to deliver his required Fifth Option Period album to Curb Records; and

The album he did provide, Emotional Traffic, consisted of old material recorded before the time during which he was permitted to record the Fifth Option Period album; and

McGraw ignored his delivery obligations and Curb Records’ approval rights; and

McGraw destroyed or erased many recordings owned by Curb Records; and

McGraw refused to accept his recording advance check and sent the check back to Curb Records so that McGraw could claim non-payment; and

McGraw attempted to deliver the required Fifth Option Period album before he was allowed to do so, attempting to end his recording obligations prematurely, among other things.

Curb Records has also determined that Tim McGraw recorded the songs recently released on an album by Big Machine Records while he was still under contract with Curb Records. Accordingly, Curb Records contends that McGraw and Big Machine are infringing the Curb Records’ copyrights in those recordings. In addition, Curb Records has learned that, although Tim McGraw was required to provide to Curb all of the recordings he had made while he was recording for Curb Records, not only did he fail to deliver all of those recordings, but that he has even erased his voice from a number of the recordings which belong to Curb Records. Because only a federal court has jurisdiction over claims of copyright infringement, these issues will be heard by the federal court in Nashville. Curb Records seeks not only damages for copyright infringement from McGraw and Big Machine Records, but also the Court’s declaration that Curb Records is the owner of these recordings which were made during the term of its Recording Agreement and which Big Machine Records, Curb Records contends, wrongfully induced Tim McGraw to provide to it. Curb Records believes that an artist honoring his agreements is a principle so important to the recording industry and commerce in general that it has asked the federal court to make these determinations.

Tim McGraw Finds Out Who His Friends Are

Jennifer Swirsky — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 01:14:27 +0000

As we found out years ago, Tim McGraw, along with country music pals, Kenny Chesney and Tracy Lawrence, found out who his friends are. Well, Tim has teamed up with those friends to create a compilation disc, entitled “Tim McGraw & Friends,” scheduled for release by Curb Records on January 22, 2013. Colt Ford helped Tim out on the track, “Twisted,” which will be the first single off the special compilation disc. The album will be exclusively available at Walmart and will include 11 individual tracks:

1. Sail On – Featuring Lionel Richie
2. Twisted – Featuring Colt Ford
3. Owe Them More Than That – Featuring Kenny Rogers
4. Me And Tennessee (from The Motion Picture Country Strong) – Featuring Gwyneth Paltrow
5. Middle Age Crazy – Featuring Jerry Lee Lewis & Jon Brion
6. Can’t Hurt A Man – Featuring Randy Travis
7. Find Out Who Your Friends Are – Featuring Tracy Lawrence
8. Cold Cold Heart – Featuring Tony Bennett
9. Milk Cow Blues – Featuring Ray Benson
10. Bring On The Rain – Featuring Jo Dee Messina
11. It’s Your Love – Featuring Faith Hill

You can pre-order your copy of “Tim McGraw & Friends” by clicking here.

Curb Records Releases Statement on Appeal Ruling

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:54:39 +0000

Curb Records released a statement today regarding the ruling of the appeal case of the record label against superstar Tim McGraw. See what they said and let us know what you think:

The fundamental issue in this case is whether Tim McGraw fully performed under his contract with Curb Records. That issue has yet to be ruled on by any court, and will be the subject of a full trial on the merits scheduled for later this year. As to that fundamental issue, however, the Court of Appeals in its ruling yesterday reiterated the earlier sentiment expressed by the trial court that Curb Records has shown some likelihood of success on its breach of contract claims, and that Curb Records will be entitled to seek to recover compensatory damages from Mr. McGraw at the upcoming trial.

The only legal effect of the ruling by the Court of Appeals yesterday was to affirm the trial court’s earlier decision that one of the remedies requested by Curb Records against Mr. McGraw, injunctive relief (i.e., a ruling by the court preventing Mr. McGraw from recording elsewhere until he had fully performed under his recording agreement with Curb Records), was not appropriate under the particular facts and circumstances of this case. We respectfully disagree with today’s ruling by the Court of Appeals on that issue, and we intend to continue to pursue this issue, including through the further appeals process as appropriate, in light of the significance of the underlying principles involved.

Those principles include our belief that contracts must be enforced as written, and in particular that exclusive personal services agreements with individuals, such as Mr. McGraw, who possess unique and extraordinary talent, must be subject to enforcement by injunctive relief. This is particularly true in the music industry, where companies invest millions of dollars based on the enforceability of such exclusivity provisions. As such, the principles involved are material not just to Curb Records, but to the viability of the music industry in Tennessee as a whole, as well as all other industries that contract with such unique and extraordinary talents.

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Rachel Holder

Ted Efron — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:35:19 +0000

It makes sense that Rachel Holder recorded a version of Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory.” The 19-year-old singer is herself on the edge of, if not glory, what may prove to be a successful career in country music.

Yes, there ae plenty of other young, pretty singers out there with her, all vying for your attention. But unlike some who might need a gimmick to grab that attention, Holder aims to attract it with one thing and one thing only: Her talent. She has a powerful, four-octave range that can both touch and amaze you at the same time.

We’ve already been given a taste of that talent with the release of her single “In Your Arms,” which only needed a few weeks to start impacting the charts.

Right now the native of Chattanooga, Tennessee is busy working on her debut album, Unstoppable, for Curb Records. It’s being produced by Chuck Howard and Wilbur Rimes, who is LeAnn’s father. If he’s able to help Rachel find a fraction of his daughter’s success, then she won’t be on the edge of glory, she’ll be smack dab in the middle of it.

In the following interview, we talk with Rachel about her single, fans going gaga for her Gaga cover, who inspires her (plus her encounters with those people) and finding her way with faith.

Let’s start by talking about your single, “In Your Arms.” How did that song come to you and what made it the choice to be your very first single?

When I first heard “In Your Arms” I was like, “Oh, my gosh! I have to cut that song!” It was just so amazing! Wilbur Rimes, who is part of my consulting team over at Curb Records and a producer on my new album, he sent it to me and just fell in love with it.

The song is just so open. You can take it spiritually; you can take it as a relationship; a friendship; someone in the Army; a sick patient; anything you want. That’s what’s so cool about a song like “In Your Arms” is that you can take it any way you want.

The song has only been out for a few weeks, but it’s already making an impact. It just broke the Top 20 on the Music Row chart. What’s your reaction to how quickly the song is being embraced?

I couldn’t believe it! I freaked out! When I found out it was number 20, I was like, “What? Top 20? Seriously?” I’m so thankful and blessed! I’m speechless about it. The way I look at it, I owe it all to God.

You already have the video out for the song. It appears that it was a day at the beach – literally!

Shooting the video was so much fun, except it was really, really, really cold! (Laughs) I was like shivering the whole time! But it was so much fun. It took one day to shoot it. The director, Eric, was amazing and I just can’t wait for my next video.

It was actually shot in Malibu, California. Well, a little bit north of it in El Matador. We really didn’t want to narrow it down when we were talking about what the plot was and everything. I guess the horse represents whatever you want it to be.

Your debut album, Unstoppable, will be coming out this fall. Is Unstoppable one of the tracks and why did you choose it as the album title?

“Unstoppable” is a wonderful song on the album. The way I look at it is it appeals to my fans and it appeals to me because I believe that whatever you want to do in life you should be unstoppable. That goes for anybody – not just me and my music career and not just for the song. But it’s for any woman or man. Go for your dreams. Don’t let anybody stop you.

What types of music will we be hearing on your album? I understand it’ll be a lot more than just country, correct?

You can expect all genres on the new album: Bluegrass, traditional country, new country, pop, rock, everything. Even a Spanish song! You can expect everything on my brand new album.

It’s so exciting. I can’t wait for the public to hear it!

How nice is it to be able to say the words: “your album”?

I know! It’s so exciting! And I also already have a Christmas album. We’ve already got that finished, too. We’re already workin’ on the second album.

It’s so much fun getting to do what I love and getting out here on the road and doing these radio tours and everything.

Your album is being produced by Chuck Howard and Wilbur Rimes, who is the father of LeAnn Rimes. Through that connection have you been able to get any guidance from her about your career?

I met LeAnn a couple of years ago before I even met Wilbur. I actually got to have dinner with her this past year in Chicago when her and her husband were up there filming a movie.

The advice she gave me was to live your dream and don’t give up. She was so young (when she started) and I respect her because she’s lived the dream that I want to live.

It’s amazing to hear the stories from Wilbur and her about how things happened and back in 1996 how they got started and everything. That’s just so amazing! It’s just not every day that you get to work with LeAnn Rimes’ Dad!

Mr. Rimes has been through the experience of starting a career with his own daughter. How great of a help has all of his experience been for you?

It’s amazing. We tell stories all the time. He tells me the ins and outs. He’s a very close person. We’re very close to his family. And his wife is amazing.

Also Chuck Howard, you know, produced the longest song, other than Jason Mraz’s, on Billboard’s history. He and Wilbur produced “How Do I Live.”

As this is your first album, what’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about the whole recording process?

The most surprising thing is the amount of time and effort and the number of people it takes to put an album together, You’ve got the producers; you’ve got the arrangers; you’ve got the engineers; the mixers; the masters; the backgrounds; the musicians. You’ve got to have each puzzle piece and you’ve got to put it all together. You’ve pretty much got to put a puzzle together.

It’s a beautiful art and I’m just so lucky and fortunate to do what I love!

Who is role model and inspiration when it comes to music?

My inspiration is Dolly Parton. She’s just everything that you can imagine in the music business. She’s like the cream of the crop, you know?

It’s not because of what she’s done (musically), it’s because she’s given back to the community. And she’s so humble. She’s always been herself and she’s never let anything change her. That’s just so amazing.

I got the chance to meet her two years ago and ever since then we’ve been pen pals. We write to each other. I send her my music and she writes me back. Every letter she’s ever written me I hang it on my wall. So I’m pretty excited about that!

We’ have to talk about the video of your cover of Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory.” (See the video below) You posted it in February and it instantly went viral, getting more than one million views. Did the response catch you off guard?

It really did! I didn’t expect any of that at all! When we went into the studio, Kevin Moore produced “Edge of Glory” along with Elmer Cole, my vocal coach. They went in and put in 142 hours into it. It was a very, very long week! (Laughs)

But it came out wonderful. Obviously, it’s all a cappella and I did every part on the song. We put a lot of hard work into it and I think it came out beautiful.

Everyone was like, “Why “Edge of Glory”?” Because if you take someone like Lady Gaga who is different and absolutely amazing in the pop world, and you kind of mix her with a little bit of country, it’s definitely so cool!

You hit one note in that song that if most people tried to hit it, they would end up in the hospital! Where in the world does that come from?

I say that God gave it to me! I’ve been working with my vocal coach since I was 10 years old and I’ve developed a four-octave range. I just now figured it out about three years ago that I could actually do a whistle tone.

Everybody tells me that in that song that I can break glass or something! But I’m just doin’ what I love to do! (Laughs)

It’s clear you have such a love, joy and passion for music. You’re about to hit another level in being able to share your gift with other people. What for you will define that sharing as being a success?

Success for me is to just keep giving music to my fans. And also to keep staying on the road and meeting people; going to radio stations; doin’ shows. Hopefully one day to be on a headlining tour.

That’s a huge goal — especially for just starting out. But I believe that if I keep God first and don’t let any obstacles get in my way, that one day it will be very possible for me to have that.

But the way I look at that, too, is it’s whatever God wants me to do in life. He’s led me down this path for a reason. I don’t know why but, you know what? I’m just gonna enjoy the ride

Some artists might shy away from talking about religion, but it’s clear that faith plays a major role in your life. Would you discuss how important your faith is in all that you do?

Oh, definitely! God’s a big part of my life! It’s so cool that I can talk with you about this because sometimes you get interviews that really don’t want to talk on religion and stuff. But I’m not afraid to talk about it.

He’s the one who gave me my talent. I wouldn’t be here in this position today (if not for Him). I go to church pretty much every Sunday. I’m sure there’s been a couple I’ve missed this year, but I try to go as much as I can. I try to do a daily devotion if I can.

People need to remember where we got our talent from, because if it wasn’t for Him, we wouldn’t have our talent or we wouldn’t be here.

We’re all waiting for your big album debut, but it turns out your big stage debut came four years ago when you went from being an audience member to singing a duet with Vince Gill. How did that happen?

I was at a Vince Gill concert when I was 15 years old. I was in the second row at a show in my hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. I looked at my Mom and Dad and was like, “I really want to get on stage with Vince Gill tonight. I want to sing ‘Oklahoma Swing’ with him.” My parents were like, “Okay, Rachel. This is our hometown. Please don’t embarrass us!” It’s just embarrassing to have someone stand up in a 3,000 seat theater and say, “Can I sing you a song with you, Vince Gill?” I mean, come on!

So I raised my hand right after he got done singing “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and I said, “Mr. Vince, can I sing a song with you?” And he said, “I normally don’t do this, but come on up here!” So we sang “Oklahoma Swing” together. After that he said, “Well, I think you just did Reba proud!” It was amazing. We high-fived at the end!

He’s another one of my inspirations. That whole night I don’t think he was ever off pitch. He’s an amazing vocalist and an amazing entertainer.

Are there any final thoughts you’d like to share with everyone?

Thank you to the listeners! Thank you for taking the time to listen. Be sure to find me on Facebook, Twitter (@RachelHolder), MySpace and YouTube. All of the social media outlets. And my website at www.rachelholder.com.

Be sure to write me and tell me your story. You hear about mine all the time! I know people get tired of that! (Laughs) But I would love to hear from them and pay tribute to them. If they listen to me on the radio and listen to me in interviews, then I should give them respect and listen back!

***********

VIDEO: Rachel Holder’s “In Your Arms”

Ted Efron — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:53:34 +0000

It’s fitting that Rachel Holder released the video for her “In Your Arms” on this Easter weekend. The powerful and touching tune is a love song through and through and can be interpreted many different ways — including ways that fit perfectly with this weekend.

The video made its premiere yesterday across all of the CMT platforms. That would include CMT Pure, CMT.com, CMT Mobile and the CMT Insider app for iPad and iPhone. It’s directed by Eric Welch, who also directed Lee Brice’s “A Woman Like You.’

If you’ve never heard the 19-year-old native from East Tennessee before, prepare yourself for a delivery that is both sweet and strong. The Curb Records recording artist is still working on her debut album. It’s being produced by Chuck Howard and Wilbur Rimes, who happens to be the father of LeAnn Rimes.

Until her debut disc drops, her fans will have to be happy holding onto “In Your Arms,” which is also available on iTunes.

Get More: In Your Arms, Rachel Holder, Rachel Holder Videos

Keep up with Rachel Holder at www.rachelholder.com, on Facebook and Twitter @RachelHolder.

Another Tim McGraw Track Released

Jeanna D. — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:35:40 +0000

Curb Records has released another song from Tim McGraw‘s upcoming album, Emotional Traffic. As we previously posted, McGraw’s album was recently pushed back a week and will be out on January 24th.

The new track is entitled “The One That Got Away” and is now the fourth cut from the album to be released. The song is available for download on iTunes along with the previous releases: “Right Back Atcha Babe,” “Better Than I Used To Be,” and his hit, “Felt Good On My Lips.”

A fifth and final track is set to be released as a digital single before the album drop date.

Tim McGraw’s Album Release Pushed Back

Jeanna D. — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:40:58 +0000

As you know, it has been quite a struggle for Tim McGraw to release his upcoming album, Emotional Traffic.

After a legal battle with Curb Records, a Nashville court freed McGraw from his contract and permitted him to sign elsewhere. Since the decision, the label has been releasing singles to radio and finally set a date for the album.

Last month, it was reported that the album would drop on January 17th. However, Emotional Traffic is now being pushed back another week and is expected to be released on January 24th.

Tim McGraw Wins Legal Battle

Jeanna D. — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:47:17 +0000

It’s a victory for Tim McGraw.

Today, the country music superstar won part of the legal battle with his label, Curb Records.

McGraw signed the contract at issue with Curb back in 1997. The contract obligated McGraw to Curb for five original albums, and further specified a minimum 18-month period between album releases.

Curb brought suit against McGraw for breach of contract claiming that he delivered his latest album, Emotional Traffic, too soon after his last release, and thus, it does not count as his fifth album satisfying his contractual obligation. Consequently, Curb has refused to release Emotional Traffic even though one of the singles, “Felt Good On My Lips,” has already become a number one hit.

McGraw responded with a countersuit maintaining that the label has kept him in a state of “involuntary servitude” by purposely stretching out the length of his contract and putting his career on hold.

Curb requested a temporary or permanent injunction to prevent McGraw from recording or signing with another label. However, a Nashville court ruled today that McGraw is free to record for another label or independently while the lawsuit is being settled.

The trial for the breach of contract claim and damages will be held in July 2012.

It is not yet known what Curb Records will do regarding the release of Emotional Distress. However, after today’s decision, the label released a second single, “Better Than I Used To Be.”

Tim McGraw Sets Court Date

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:08:09 +0000

Looks like things are finally going to get sorted out one way or the other. The Tennessean is reporting that a court date has been scheduled for the case of Tim McGraw and Curb. The main part of the hearing will be to find out if the country artist-turned-movie-star will be able to record any further albums during the dispute. Curb Records filed a lawsuit earlier in the year claiming Tim breached their contract. Tim counter-sued the label, wanting to be released from the contract with them entirely. Curb Records is the label responsible for launching Tim’s career to where it is.

The first hearing will take place on November 29th, with a court date scheduled for July 9th, 2012. The hearing will decide if Curb has the legal grounds to file an injunction against the singer from working on any albums during the dispute.