Richard Marx Catalogue Acquired By Chrysalis

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richard-marx-photoChrysalis Music Group USA has finalized an agreement to purchase the catalogue of renowned writer/artist Richard Marx. Among his most recent hits was the 2008 song “Everybody,” which was written with and performed by Keith Urban.

Marx has been an internationally known singer/songwriter/producer for over 20 years. In addition to selling over 30 million records as a recording artist, he has written and produced mega-hits for other artists as diverse as Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, NSYNC, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers and Urban.

A pop radio staple from the late ’80s through the ’90s, Marx has written 37 Top 30 chart hits, including an impressive 13 No. 1s. Among those are his own hits as an artist, “Hold On to the Nights,” “Satisfied” and the classic “Right Here Waiting.” As he continues to tour throughout the world, Marx plans to release three new albums this year, including Duo, a collaboration with Vertical Horizon’s Matt Scannell.

CMT Awards Draw Top Execs

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The 2009 CMT Music Awards aired live from Nashville’s Sommet Center on June 16. Many of MTV Network’s top brass came to town to mingle with Nashville executives and artists at the event.

(L-R): President of MTV Networks Van Toffler, CEO of MTV Networks Judy McGrath, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

(L-R): President of MTV Networks Van Toffler, CEO of MTV Networks Judy McGrath, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

(L-R) Senior Vice President of Development of CMT John Hamlin with Taylor Swift backstage. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

(L-R) Senior Vice President of Development of CMT John Hamlin with Taylor Swift backstage. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

(L-R) President of CMT Brian Philips with CMT Music Awards host Bill Engvall after the awards show. (Photo: Charlotte Stremler/CMT).

(L-R) President of CMT Brian Philips with CMT Music Awards host Bill Engvall after the awards show. (Photo: Charlotte Stremler/CMT).

(L-R) CMT Insider host Katie Cook; Cindy Wilson, Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider of the B-52's; Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland; Keith Strickland of B-52's; and UMGN SVP of Artist Development and Marketing Jason Owen. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

(L-R) CMT Insider host Katie Cook; Cindy Wilson, Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider of the B-52's; Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland; Keith Strickland of B-52's; and UMGN SVP of Artist Development and Marketing Jason Owen. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Monday Morning Rundown- WB, Ray Price, Platinum Plaques, AMA, Alana Grace

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Warner Bros. Records’ Frankie Ballard, Michelle Branch, Blake Shelton and staff braved the flood waters of the Grand River in Iona, MI during the 17th Annual WBCT (B-93) Birthday Bash recently. The flooding caused the concert to end early, so Branch, Shelton, and Craig Morgan participated in a modified guitar pull, so all three could play a couple of songs and explain to the fans what was going on. Pictured (L-R, Top): Peter Strickland, Sr. VP Sales/Marketing; Shelton; Gator Michaels, Sr. VP Promotion; Ballard; (L-R), Bottom): Carole Ann Mobley, VP A&R; Julianne Hough; Branch; Bill Bennett, Executive VP, Kristen Williams, NE Reg. Promo Mgr

Warner Bros. Records’ Frankie Ballard, Michelle Branch, Blake Shelton and staff braved the flood waters of the Grand River in Iona, MI during the WBCT (B-93) Birthday Bash recently. The flooding caused the concert to end early, so Branch, Shelton, and Craig Morgan participated in a modified guitar pull, so all three could play a couple of songs and explain to the fans what was going on. Pictured (L-R, Back): Peter Strickland, SVP Sales/Mktg; Shelton; Gator Michaels, SVP Promotion; Ballard; (L-R, Front): Carole Ann Mobley, VP A&R; Julianne Hough; Branch; Bill Bennett, Exec. VP; Kristen Williams, NE Reg. Promo Mgr

Country singer Ray Price underwent surgery on June 23 to remove precancerous polyps from his colon. Doctors say the operation was a complete success and he is making a slow, steady recovery with the help of family and friends, especially his wife Janie.

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The Hannah Montana soundtrack was the only Country album which received an RIAA certification during May. The project went Platinum in only two months, marking Miley Cyrus’s ninth million selling album. Meanwhile, Country tracks by Taylor Swift and Keith Urban were part of the 30th edition of the always popular Now That’s What I Call Music! series which was certified Gold in May.

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Current registration rates for Americana Week, running Sept. 16-19, end tomorrow (6/30). The price for AMA members is $300, and the price for non-members is $400. Conference registration includes all daytime events at the Nashville Convention Center, admission to all Music Festival showcases and a ticket to the Honors & Awards show. Details and registration at www.americanamusic.org.
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Nashville rocker Alana Grace is on the 2009 Vans Warped Tour which will stop in nearly 50 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The tour opened in Pomona, Calif. on Friday (6/26).

Friday Fun: Festivals, Craig Morgan, Sugarland and More

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The Sirius XM Nashville crew celebrated United Cerebal Pasley's Casual Friday today in their Sommet Center Tower offices. Pictured (L-R, back row) Joyce Rizer, Jon Anthony, Corey Duke, Steve Popvich (L-R, front row) Kyle Cantrell, Amy Paige, Bill Hartwig

The Sirius XM Nashville crew celebrated United Cerebal Pasley's Casual Friday today in their Sommet Center Tower offices. Pictured (L-R, back row) Joyce Rizer, Jon Anthony, Corey Duke, Steve Popvich (L-R, front row) Kyle Cantrell, Amy Paige, Bill Hartwig

Organizers have confirmed a major new country music festival in Baton Rouge, to be held Memorial Day Weekend 2010 (May 29-30, 2010) at the LSU Tiger Stadium. The brains behind the event are heavy hitters Festival Productions, Inc.–New Orleans (which produces the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival), AEG Live and The Messina Group. It is tentatively dubbed the Bayou Country Superfest. The Festival’s talent lineup, ticket structure, hotel information and many other details will be released this fall.
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The Hannah Montana soundtrack was the only Country album to receive an RIAA certification during May. That album—which blurs the Country/pop line but falls under the Country SoundScan category—went Platinum in only two months. This is Miley Cyrus’ ninth career Platinum award.
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BNA Records has reissued Craig Morgan’s latest album That’s Why with the new single “Bonfire” added to it. Also added to the disc is Morgan-penned tune, “This Ain’t Nothin’.” “Bonfire” hit radio last month and is proving to be one of the fastest rising songs of Morgan’s career.
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Sugarland will perform on PBS’s Soundstage on July 2. The acclaimed primetime music television series will showcase Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush playing their moving songs such as “Joey,” hits like “Stay,” and “Baby Girl,” as well as covers including ones originally done by fellow Georgians R.E.M.

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Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) is now accepting applications for the 2009-2010 Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad. JALC invites ensembles specializing in jazz, urban/hip hop and American roots music such as bluegrass, blues, Cajun, country, gospel and zydeco to apply. As part of the program, ensembles tour internationally with The Rhythm Road to promote cross-cultural understanding through their music. The deadline for applications is Aug. 10, 2009. Details and the application at http://www.jalc.org/TheRoad_noFl/formusicians.html

Keni Thomas

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“Gunslinger”

RBM/Tenacity

kthomas-playlist

“…this seriously rocks.”
—Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow

MySpace Song Plays: 210,000
MySpace Views: 175,000
MySpace Friends: 6500

“Gunslinger,” the infectious title track from Keni Thomas’s new album, is featured on this year’s CMA Music Fest Sampler and available for over 100,000 free downloads through September 2009. The new single, written by Thomas, is the follow up to the hit video and single, “Shreveport 2 LA,” which dominated GAC’s Top 20 Video chart for 16 weeks. The video for “Gunslinger” was filmed in Dallas at the rodeo and will be released in the coming weeks. Thomas continues to tour both nationwide and abroad with his band, Cornbread.

This past winter, Thomas embarked on his fourth USO Hope & Freedom Holiday tour to the Middle East with Craig Morgan and Mark Wills. In early June, Thomas sang the National Anthem at the new Yankee Stadium in New York in connection with Military Appreciation Day.

A portion of the proceeds from “Gunslinger” will benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Hero Fund, established by Keni to provide college education for children of soldiers killed in training or combat. To date, more than 700 children have had their college education paid for as a direct result of funds raised through the Hero Fund.

Whether standing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry or entertaining the troops in Iraq, Thomas is using his gifts to deliver a message through his words and his music. Thomas’s new album, Gunslinger, is a collection of insightful songs that live and breathe the stories of life. Gunslinger is the follow-up to Thomas’s critically acclaimed debut, Flags of Our Fathers.

Impacting July!

http://kenithomas.musiccitynetworks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/kenithomas

Chesney, Flatts, and Toby Are Country’s Highest Earning

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Just another reason Chesney loves Corona...

Just another reason Chesney loves Corona...

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Toby Keith are the only Country stars on Forbes’ new list of the year’s top-earning musicians. Endorsements and album sales gave a significant boost to every artist on the list of 12. But it was touring that sent earnings into the stratosphere.

With a $65 million profit between June 08 and June 09, Chesney can thank his one million concert-going fans for making him the top-grossing country act on tour again this year. A new album and endorsement deals with Cruzan Rum and Corona also kept the party going—all the way to the bank.

Raking in $60 million, Rascal Flatts came in second among the Country artists, and tied at No. 6 on the overall list with Coldplay and AC/DC. The group grossed $56 million on the road, had lucrative endorsement deals with JCPenney and Hershey’s, and released a hit new album.

At No. 10 on the all-genre rankings, Toby Keith scored $52 million to come in third among his Country peers. He did this by expanding his brand including a restaurant/venue chain, grossing $31 million on the road, earning a Gold album and continuing his longtime partnership with Ford.

A sold-out monster international tour helped Madonna dance her way into the top spot on the list with $110 million in profits. Celine Dion also raked in the moola on the road, coming in at No. 2 on Forbes’ rankings with $100 million. The remainder of the list reads: No. 3 Beyonce Knowles with $87 million; No. 4 Bruce Springsteen with $70 million; No. 9 Eagles with $55 million; No. 11 Bon Jovi with $50 million , and No. 12 Dave Matthews Band with $45 million.

New Videos From Vassar and Gloriana

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Back (L-R): Universal Records South head Fletcher Foster, "Bobbi", manager Greg Hill; Front (L-R): Phil Vassar, actor James Denton, director Eric Welch
Back (L-R): Universal Records South head Fletcher Foster, “Bobbi”, manager Greg Hill; Front (L-R): Phil Vassar, actor James Denton, director Eric Welch

Phil Vassar’s latest video is debuting exclusively on AOLMusic.com. The Universal Records South artist enlisted friend and Nashville native James Denton of Desperate Housewives fame to act in the video for “Bobbi With An I,” which was shot in Nashville and directed by Eric Welch. Vassar and Craig Wiseman penned the song which will be the first single from Vassar’s forthcoming studio album, set to be released later this summer.

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gloriana

(L-R): Gloriana's Tom Gossin and Rachel Reinert, Gamma Blast producer Matt Nahay, Gamma Blast director/editor Chad Denning, and Gloriana's Mike Gossin and Cheyenne Kimball

Gloriana‘s new video “The Way It Goes” debuted today on CMT’s Top 20 Countdown. The live video was shot while on the road with Taylor Swift‘s Fearless tour. Directed by Chad Denning for Gamma Blast and produced by  Matt Nahay, it was recorded during performances in Seattle, Portland and Spokane. Denning shot over 15,000 stills for the piece, cutting together stills with live and behind-the-scenes footage. Gloriana’s self-titled debut album will be released Aug. 4 on Emblem Music Group/Warner Bros. Records.

Little Big Town Raises Over $50,000 For TJ Martell

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lbt

(L-R): Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet and Karen Fairchild, event sponsor Richard Lyons of Roberts and Lyons GM, and LBT’s Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook

Members of Little Big Town hosted their third “Ride For A Cure” on Sunday, June 14, to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation. This year’s event was a huge success and raised $52,000 for cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The T.J. Martell Foundation supports leukemia, cancer and AIDS research at six top hospitals in the United States.

“We have seen this event double in size every year and we are so grateful for all the artists and fans support. We want to see a cure and we believe TJ Martell has the means and the resources to make that happen in our lifetime. I had the chance to talk to a guy who was riding his brother’s bike on Sunday. His brother had passed from cancer two years prior and he was there to ride in his honor. That’s the kind of story that fuels this event,” states band member Karen Fairchild.

Presented by Roberts and Lyons, the event featured a motorcycle ride from the Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs to the Harley-Davidson of Columbia, a barbecue lunch provided by Applebee’s and a post ride performance by Little Big Town and friends.

Wy To Headline Music City July 4th

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wyNashville always celebrates the 4th of July with style and this year’s 25th anniversary event will be better than ever with headliner Wynonna Judd performing alongside the Symphony Orchestra.

The Riverfront Park free festivities will begin at noon with the Family Fun Zone, presented by Coca-Cola. The NowPlayingNashville.com First Stage will feature music beginning at 2 PM with Frankie Ballard, The Grascals, MTA’s “Transit,” Lee Roy Parnell and more. The main stage concert will kick off at 7 PM with the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra performing the national anthem, then there will be a patriotic salute by Mayor Karl Dean, followed by The Gabe Dixon Band and Wynonna.

The evening will conclude with fireworks dancing to the rhythm of the Nashville Symphony at around 9:25 PM. Hailed as one of the best fireworks displays in the nation, this event attracts more than 100,000 spectators each year.

Wynonna will also be appearing at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on the afternoon of July 4th to sign autographs from 2-4 PM. Holly Williams will visit the Hall on Friday, July 3 for an interview and performance.

http://www.musiccityjuly4th.com/

Lifenotes: Tim Krekel (updated)

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Arrangements: On Sunday, June 28th, at 3:30 PM a public jazz funeral procession will start at James Lee Presbyterian Church, 1741 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY and walk to the memorial service at The Vernon Club, 1575 Story Ave., Louisville.

The family wishes that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to The KREK fund, c/o ear X-tacy Records, 1534 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205. The official press release says, “Don’t forget your colorful umbrella!”

Tim Krekel debuted songs from his Natchez Trace Records release, Soul Season, at the Bluebird Cafe on Feb. 1, 2008 with noted songwriter / artists Bill Lloyd, Marshall Chapman, Peter Holsapple, Darius Rucker, Beth Neilsen Chapman, and Sam Bush. (L-R): Krekel's producer Mike Webb, Bush, Krekel, Chapman, Rucker, Chapman, Holsapple and Lloyd.

Musician and songwriter Tim Krekel died yesterday, June 24, at his home in Louisville after a battle with cancer. The 58-year-old was much loved in Nashville, and became well-known as the pen behind songs such as Crystal Gayle’s No. 1 “Turning Away.” He also wrote two hits with Matraca Berg, “You Can Feel Bad” which was recorded by Patty Loveless, and Martina McBride’s “Come Around.” He toured with Jimmy Buffett for several years as lead guitarist and played on Buffett’s famous songs “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Livingston Saturday Night.” The Louisville native was born October 10, 1950.

According to his Web site, Krekel’s “health took a drastic turn for the worse these last few weeks. At the final stages of what he described…as, ‘A most wonderful life!’ Tim was able to die at home under the loving care of his family and hospice.”

Following time in Buffett’s band in the ‘70s, Krekel signed a solo deal with Capricorn and released Crazy Me in 1979. Then, as part of the Sluggers, he released two albums on Arista in the eighties.

He also performed with Bo Diddley, Delbert McClinton, Pam Tillis, Sam Bush and Billy Swan; and had songs recorded by Rick Nelson, Jerry Reed, Kathy Mattea, Delbert McClinton, B.J. Thomas, Vern Gosdin, Jason and the Scorchers and Aaron Tippin.

In the early 1990s, Krekel returned to Louisville, and performed and recorded with his bands Krekel and the Groovebillies and the Tim Krekel Orchestra.

He is survived by wife Debora Cooper Krekel, his longtime partner that he married earlier this month; as well as his children, Jason, Nathan,  Katy and Anna Krekel. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.

For more, visit The Courier-Journal.

Tim Krekel debuted songs from his Natchez Trace Records release, Soul Season, at the Bluebird Cafe on Feb. 1, 2008 with noted songwriter / artists Bill Lloyd, Marshall Chapman, Peter Holsapple, Darius Rucker, Beth Neilsen Chapman, and Sam Bush. (L-R): Krekel's producer Mike Webb, Bush, Krekel, Chapman, Rucker, Chapman, Holsapple and Lloyd.

Pictured Feb. 1, 2008: Tim Krekel debuted songs from his Natchez Trace Records release, "Soul Season," at the Bluebird Cafe with noted songwriter / artists Bill Lloyd, Marshall Chapman, Peter Holsapple, Darius Rucker, Beth Neilsen Chapman, and Sam Bush. (L-R): Krekel's producer Mike Webb, Bush, Krekel, M. Chapman, Rucker, B. Chapman, Holsapple and Lloyd.