CMT Nom for Newfield’s “Johnny and June”

bio1It’s not often that a country singer manages to step up to solo stardom after becoming closely identified with a successful group. Wynonna’s post-Judds career comes to mind. And now there’s Heidi Newfield. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the former Trick Pony singer turned to producer Tony Brown, who oversaw Wynonna’s debut, when it came time to make her own solo statement. Whatever the reason, “Johnny and June,” the leadoff single from her first solo effort, What Am I Waiting For, hit the Top 10, putting the singer in some rare company.  Along with Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, Newfield is one of only four solo women in country to have had a Top 10 single in 2008.  She’s also the first female to score a Top 10 hit with her debut single since Swift’s “Tim McGraw.” And with her sophomore single, the title song from What Am I Waiting For, picking up steam, it looks like Newfield is decidedly not just another one trick pony. She’s recently been covered in Billboard, Blender, Country Weekly, First for Women, The New York Times, People, and USA Today. In addition, the singer has been featured on CNN, CNN.com, Gannett News Wire, Associated Press, “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” CBS TV, EW.com, TV Guide.com and more. Following are some of Newfield’s upcoming tour dates:

April 17 – Port Huron, MI
April 18 – Grand Rapids, MI
April 24 – Kennesaw, GA
April 25 – Clewiston, FL
May 1 – Nashville, TV
May 22 – Miami, OK
May 24 – Roanoke, VA
May 25 – Cincinnati, OH
June 6 – Enterprise, AL
June 12 – Chicago, IL
June 13 – Winstock, MN
June 19 – Marinette, WI
June 26 – Oshkosh, WI
June 28 – Grand Junction, CO

IFCO’s Loretta Johnson Passes; Visitation Set

Loretta Johnson died Monday, April 13, following a long battle with multiple myloma. She was 67 years old. With sisters Loudilla and Kay, Johnson was the co-founder of the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO). Begun in 1967, IFCO’s annual concert and get-together was the precursor of Fan Fair (now known as the CMA Music Festival). The IFCO show proceeds are always given to charities. The organization also gives out the annual Tex Ritter Award to deserving music-industry figures. The sisters created the original Loretta Lynn Fan Club, being attracted to the star because of the two Lorettas sharing the same first name. It became a model for country-music fan organizations, which led to the formation of IFCO. In recent years, the sisters have particularly concentrated on up-and-coming country artists.

Visitation for Loretta Johnson will take place Monday, April 20, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Clark Funeral Service in Beaver, Oklahoma. The funeral service will be at the town’s Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Elmwood, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to The Loretta Johnson Medical Fund Contribution Account, Bank of America, 133 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37027 OR mailed to IFCO – Loretta Johnson Medical Fund, P.O. Box 40328, Nashville, TN 37204.

Because of Loretta’s illness, the sisters have not been able to plan an IFCO concert for this year’s CMA Music Festival. Promoter Rod Harris has announced instead a show billed as, “For the Love of IFCO, a benefit for Loretta Johnson.”  It will take place on June 9 at The Nashville Palace.

Public TV Show Spotlights Songwriters

legendslyricsLegends & Lyrics, a new Public Television show spotlighting high-profile artist/songwriters alongside some of the not so well known songwriters behind the hits, will air weekly through the months of April and May. In each episode, artists including Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Loggins, Charlie Daniels, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, John Hiatt, 3 Doors Down, Kip Winger and others perform “in-the-round,” sharing their most memorable songs and the inspiration behind them. A “Rising Star” segment will feature artists and writers including The Laws, Stephanie Chapman, Corinne Chapman, Jonathan Singleton, Nathan Lee, Mike Musick, Will Hoge and more. Legends & Lyrics blends live performances from intimate halls, with season one shot in Shreveport, Louisiana’s Scottish Rite Theatre and in Nashville at the historic Masonic Lodge. Also woven into each episode are one-on-one conversations with legendary artists such as Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper and others who have left an indelible mark on the music industry. Check local listings for air dates and times. For more information visit legendsandlyrics.com.

Steve Buckingham Exits Welk Music Group

steve-buckingham-05Steve Buckingham, Senior Vice President of A & R for Vanguard Records and The Welk Music Group, is leaving the company after eleven years. With Buckingham’s departure, Vanguard Records will shift A&R responsibilities for the label to the company’s Santa Monica Headquarters. While at Vanguard and sister label Sugar Hill, Buckingham signed, and in some cases produced, artists including Levon Helm, Dolly Parton, John Hiatt, Mindy Smith, Linda Ronstadt, Joan Osborne, Shawn Mullins and George Jones’ imprint, Bandit Records. Before moving to Vanguard/Welk Music, Buckingham was VP of A & R and a producer for Columbia Records/Sony Music for ten years.

“Those of us who have been in the music business for many years know that when ‘someone is exiting a label to pursue other opportunities,’ it usually has other meanings,” Buckingham said. “The simple truth is that my position was eliminated. Despite this outcome, I am grateful to Larry and Kevin Welk for the opportunities they gave to me.”

Buckingham can be reached by email at DanEdog@AOL.com

Echo Operations Move To L.A.

According to unofficial sources, Ticketmaster has announced it will restructure and greatly trim its echo music footprint in Nashville, by approximately 60 employees. It is believed that a small presence will remain related to ticketing and artist services with employees such as J.D. May, Catherine Oliva and Keith Gibson. The transition is scheduled to take place in mid-June.

Echomusic is an Internet marketing company, creator of online presence and e-commerce for more than 300 performing artists and corporations, which specializes in branding, Web development, digital distribution of music and merchandise and online advertising. The partnership with Ticketmaster in March 2007 was designed to provide echomusic clients increased opportunities to distribute music, concert tickets and merchandise directly to fans. It also provided a financial shot in the arm, allowing echomusic to grow its staff by about 30 percent. Clients have included Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts, Casting Crowns and the Academy of Country Music. The company describes its function as building compelling websites and fan clubs for entertainment brands. “echo is where these brands invite their audiences to form real living communities.”

In January, Echomusic co-founder Mark Montgomery departed. He was replaced by Tawn Albright, Ticketmaster Vice President of Corporate Development, and about 10 percent of the staff was laid off.

AT&T In Talks To Extend iPhone Deal

attAT&T is currently in talks with Apple to extend its exclusive US agreement to sell the iPhone from 2010 to 2011, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said that he plans to shift the company’s focus away from the US landline phone business into wireless. Apple’s iphone-logoiPhone has sold 17 million units worldwide since it was launched in June of 2007. Apple has a number of relationships with other wireless carriers who service the iPhone in 80 countries. Those carriers include 02 in the United Kingdom, Softbank in Japan, Orange in France and T-Mobile in Germany. on, was too high, the Journal said, quoting people familiar with the discussions.

Steve Wariner Records Chet Atkins Tribute

warinerAward winning singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Steve Wariner has recorded a tribute to his old friend and mentor, Chet Atkins. Scheduled for release on Wariner’s own SelecTone Records, the June 23 release date for Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins falls between Atkins’ birthdate of June 20 and the anniversary of his death on June 30. While Wariner stresses that “You can’t out-Chet Chet,” the 11-song collection he’s put together plays like a loving triptych through the musical life and career of Atkins, who Wariner knew as a friend, a teacher, a producer, and a boss. “This is simply my way of honoring and paying homage to the genius and talent of the man who, in my opinion, is the greatest and most influential guitarist on the planet,” Wariner said.

The abbreviation “c.g.p.” stands for “Certified Guitar Player,” a title that Chet would bestow on only four guitar pickers: Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, the late Jerry Reed, and Wariner. The album covers the wide range of material that Atkins recorded — from the mountain music of his earliest days in his hometown of Luttrell, Tennesesee, to the swing, rockabilly, pop, folk and jazz that distinguished his long and prolific career. Wariner includes versions of songs from the Atkins repertoire, plus “Producer’s Medley,” which compiles some of the hits Atkins produced for other artists. But the bulk of the album consists of Wariner originals written in the various styles that Atkins made famous. Wariner first met Atkins when he was 18 years old and playing bass in Dottie West’s band. Atkins produced Wariner’s first records at RCA Studio B and subsequently hired the young musician to play bass in his band. “Chet was an incredible person who gave me so many opportunities,” Wariner said. “I’m proud to call him my friend.”

Jessica Harp Has Free iTunes Video of the Week

harpNew Warner Bros. artist Jessica Harp, formerly known as the blond half of chart-topping duo The Wreckers, has gone brunette and set out on a solo career with new single, “Boy Like Me.” This week, the Scott Spear-directed video for “Boy Like Me” is featured on iTunes as “Music Video Of The Week,” and is available for free download. The song is the leadoff track from Harp’s upcoming solo debut, A Woman Needs, which is scheduled for a summer release. You can watch a preview of the “Boy Like Me,” video below or get the complete video for free by clicking here.

Gibson Sponsors Film Fest and Oprah School

gibson_logoGibson Guitar has announced its sponsorship  of the 2009 Nashville Film Festival. The instrument manufacturer will present a Gibson acoustic guitar — customized with artwork by acclaimed Nashville-based mixed media painter Mandy Lawson — to legendary actor William Shatner as part of Festival’s “President’s Impact Award” for Shatner’s film, Gonzo Ballet. Gibson will also host a private VIP reception at the Nashville Gibson Entertainment Relations Showroom in downtown Nashville on Friday, April 17. On Saturday, April 18, the Nashville Film Festival will award the Gibson-sponsored “Impact of Music Award” to the feature film that most effectively explores or celebrates the impact of music on the human experience. Recipients of this award will receive an Epiphone guitar. A list of films in contention can be found here. The Nashville Film Festival, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, takes place April 16-23, 2009 at Regal Green Hills Cinema.

In other Gibson news, the Gibson Foundation, the company’s philanthropic division, has announced a commitment to work with the music department at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa through 2012, providing both instruments and financial support to the school’s music program. In addition to its relationship with Oprah’s Leadership Academy, the Foundation is advancing music education throughout the world through such organizations as the Grammy Foundation, MENC (National Association of Music Education) and the International Society of Music Education.

CMA Offers Strong Lineup, Individual Tickets

cma-logoCMA Music Festival’s Nightly Concerts at LP Field are the place to see country’s biggest stars all gathered on one big revolving stage, and tickets are now available on a nightly basis. Beginning Saturday, April 18, at 9:00 AM/CT, tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts will go on sale for $40 for reserved seats on the lower and club levels, and $30 for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field. Recently added to the lineup of stars performing at the Nightly Concerts are Lee Ann Womack, Luke Bryan, Jack Ingram, and the Zac Brown Band. The complete nightly schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 11 – Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Julianne Hough, Reba McEntire, and Brad Paisley

Friday, June 12 – Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, and Zac Brown Band

Saturday, June 13 – Trace Adkins, Jack Ingram, Jamey Johnson, Martina McBride, and Lee Ann Womack

Sunday, June 14 – Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, John Rich, and Taylor Swift

To order tickets you can call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378), visit www.ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.