Dierks Bentley’s Remarkable Weekend

10/06/2008

Dierks Bentley’s third annual “Miles & Music For Kids” set record numbers Sunday (10/5) with approximately 1,200 bikers and 5,500 concert attendees, raising over $275,000 for Monroe Carroll Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The Celebrity Motorcycle Ride & Jam Session started at the Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs, and ended with a concert at Riverfront Park featuring Bentley and friends Tim McGraw, John Rich, members of Lady Antebellum, Jamey Johnson, Halfway to Hazard, the Warren Brothers and racer Kyle Petty.

Bentley also set a record for most sleepless hours thanks to the birth of his first daughter Evalyn Day Bentley the previous night. Bentley and wife Cassidy welcomed Evie into the world late Saturday night, Oct. 4, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Evie weighed 7 lbs. 10oz.

Bentley presenting a check at the end of the 3 hour jam session.

Artist News: MG in 360, People’s Choice Country, and Colgate Showdown

Sarah Skates – 11/18/2008

Click to watch Montgomery Gentry Video

Columbia Nashville duo Montgomery Gentry has released a new interactive version of its video “Roll With Me” exclusively online at www.hearsomethingcountry.com. Filmed in 360 degrees, this marks the first short-form country music video to be seen panorama style. Viewers can watch the video from any angle they choose by panning across the screen. It was filmed in San Francisco by director Steven L. Weaver using a panorama camera lens attachment.

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Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney are up for Favorite Male Singer against R&B star Chris Brown at the Jan. 7 People’s Choice Awards. Carrie Underwood made the short list in the all-genre Favorite Female Singer category, as did Rascal Flatts in the Favorite Group slot. Elsewhere, Underwood (“Last Name”), Flatts (“Take Me There”) and Taylor Swift (“Love Story”) are in the running for Favorite Country Song; and Kid Rock (“All Summer Long”) is up for Favorite Rock Song. To cast your vote, log on to www.pcaVOTE.com. The 35th Annual People's Choice Awards will air Jan. 7, 2009 on CBS at 8 PM/CT.

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Orlando native Johnny Bulford walked away with the Southeast Regional title at the Nov. 16 Colgate Country Showdown competition. The Wildhorse Saloon hosted the event where the Florida state winner competed against seven other acts who won their local and state competitions. Serving as judges were Randy Brown (Borman Entertainment), hit songwriter Liz Hengber, David Ross (Music Row Communications), and Jensen Sussman (Sony Music/Columbia Nashville). For winning, Bulford will receive a trip to the National Final of the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Jan. 15, 2009. There, the 23-year-old will take on four other regional winners and vie for $100,000 and the National Title of Best New Act in Country Music.

Benefits/Lifenotes Tuesday (11/18/08)

BENEFITS
The 2nd Annual Project Paper Doll kicked off last night (11/17) with a celebration at the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. On display were the more than 50 wooden paper dolls—representing the hospital’s logo—which...

Artist News Tuesday (11/18/08)

Blake Shelton's Startin' Fires will be released today (11/18) on Warner Bros. Records. This is his fifth album and was produced by Scott Hendricks on all but two tracks. Shelton will be performing "She Wouldn't...

It’s Miller Time For Luke Bryan

Sarah Skates – 11/17/2008

Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan has landed a sponsorship deal with Miller Lite running through Dec. 31, 2009. The partnership will include on-pack product placement, touring, contesting and downloads to cross promote Luke Bryan and Miller Lite in Wal-Mart stores nationwide. Bryan, who says he goes “way way back” with the product, will also make appearances at various Longhorn Steakhouse restaurants as part of the partnership. The first on-pack promotion will include a physical copy of his Capitol Records Nashville hit single “All My Friends Say” (where legal), and will be in stores beginning today (11/17), until the end of the year.

Jewel To Support All For The Hall With Special Promotion

Sarah Skates – 11/17/2008

On Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, Jewel is giving away copies of her album Perfectly Clear to anyone who makes a $1 minimum donation to the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s All for the Hall campaign. The 24-hour opportunity is available at www.jeweljk.com.

The Valory Music Co. release debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart upon its release in June and features the hit “Stronger Woman.” It can be purchased on ‘Black Friday’ for a minimum $1 donation, plus shipping and handling, with proceeds benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.

Free Nashville-Made Movie Screening Tonight

Sarah Skates – 11/17/2008

Shattered, a new indie film made locally by Nashvillians, will have a free screening tonight (11/18) at the Carmike Thoroughbred Cinemas Cool Springs. Among those with starring roles is Jennifer Kennard (wife of Song Garden Publishing’s Brad Kennard) who contributes three songs to the movie with all-local music. The screening of the thriller from filmmaker Chris St.Croix and Somerville Entertainment starts at 9 PM. Official site: http://www.chrisstcroix.com/shattered.htm

Emerson Drive On The Red Carpet

11/17/2008

Valory Music Co./Midas Records artist Emerson Drive chatted with Maureen McCormick, correspondent for Access Hollywood, on the red carpet at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards. The band members discussed their CMA nomination for Group of the Year as well as current single, “Belongs To You,” from their upcoming album, due out in Spring 2009.

(L-R): David Pichette, Dale Wallace, McCormick, Danick Dupelle, Brad Mates and Mike Melancon.

Taylor Swift Set For Australian Run

Sarah Skates – 11/14/2008

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is the latest Country star heading Down Under for a tour. Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge announced her first Australian outing this week. Starting March 5, 2009 she will make stops in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, as well as at the Country Music Channel’s CMC Rocks The Snowys Festival, where Joe Nichols and Deana Carter are among the other Nashvillians scheduled to perform.

Brooks & Dunn are also touring Australia in 2009 in a run presented by Chugg and Rob Potts, and will be joined by Dierks Bentley.

Terri Clark Explains BNA Departure On Web Site

Sarah Skates – 11/14/2008

Terri Clark
Click to read the full letter.

A letter from Terri Clark posted Nov. 12 on her Web site explains her recent departure from BNA Records. She says she plans to “forge ahead independently” with a live album including new songs coming in the first quarter of 2009. She explains that she wants creative freedom, to focus more on working in Canada and other parts of the world, and to possibly work with new artists under her own label.

“I will always be eternally grateful to BNA records, and Joe Galante for believing in me and affording me the opportunity to work with them after leaving Mercury records,” says Clark on the posting. “I came to Nashville when I was 18 to land a major label record deal, and I have had TWO, which is more than I could have dreamed of.”

BBQ at “Dierks’ Dude Ranch”

11/14/2008

On Tuesday night (11/11) Dierks Bentley hosted 300 guests at an album listening party for his upcoming Feb. 3 release on Capitol Records Nashville. Friends from radio, retail and the media enjoyed a bonfire, beer and BBQ at Dierks’ “DUDE” ranch in Leipers Fork. Bentley’s current single “Feel That Fire” is the fastest rising single of his career to date and is already a Top 15 hit after only 8 weeks.