Sugarland Set For Network Primetime Special

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slSugarland is getting its first network television special. Sugarland: Live on the Inside will air on ABC, Mon., Aug. 3 at 7 PM/CT, the night before the duo’s new Wal-Mart exclusive CD/DVD pack of the same name hits shelves.

Producer/director Shaun Silva taped the one-hour special at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky using 20 cameras. It features the reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year performing their  biggest hits such as “Settlin,’” “Stay,” “All I Want To Do” and “Something More.”

Sugarland: Live on the Inside is executive-produced by band members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, with UMGN Sr. VP Jason Owen. The special is a Tacklebox Films production.

The Grammy winning duo exploded onto the music scene in 2004 and are nearing the 7 million albums sold mark. They are headlining a U.S. tour that runs through the fall.

“Television music specials and performances become iconic. Who hasn’t seen replays of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan or Elvis’s TV special wearing his jump suit and giving away his scarf?” says Nettles. “Even performances that I can remember as a child, like ‘Live Aid’ for example, really made such an impact. We are so excited to have our show on ABC and hope that it will be a moment that people will enjoy and remember.”

“We have overheard fans for years say, ‘I brought my friend to see the show, this is their first Sugarland experience’ with so much pride and excitement on their faces. It’s as if they can’t wait to share what they have discovered,” Bush adds. “This special is their new ticket that they can give to a friend. That is the most exciting part of this, imagining how far it will reach.”

Hoyt Hughes

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“Ain’t My Day To Save The World”

Whirlwind Records/Lofton Creek

hhuges-playlist-62209“Ain’t My Day To Save The World” is Hoyt Hughes’ debut single for Lofton Creek Records, a song that recasts the working man as a superhero who needs a little time off. The Lakeland, Florida native is currently working on his upcoming album.

Hughes was raised in a musical family with his dad being a singer and his older brother playing drums. “I can remember Dad gathering up the band and performing on the front porch. The whole neighborhood would end up in the yard before the night was over with.” With music abilities that continued to grow, Hoyt spent his childhood dreaming of a life in the country spotlight.

When Hughes met his wife, his passion for music accelerated. She pushed him to get on a stage one evening where his brother was playing. “I realized I had been bitten by the music bug and I haven’t looked away from the industry ever since.” He has taken the stage alongside artists including Charlie Daniels, Jett Williams and the Bellamy Brothers. Grammy winner and “Rose Garden” icon Lynn Anderson even personally invited him to sing at her birthday celebration.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” says Hughes. “To bring a smile to someone’s face or hear stories of how my music has changed a fan’s life is overwhelming. Sometimes, you can just see and feel the crowd and band connect at a live show. It makes me recognize that I am part of something that is much bigger than me and the band members. It’s those experiences that drive me to take the stage.”

http://www.hoythughes.com/

Pickler OK

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2The latest in a series of magazine features focusing on Nashville’s lovely country artists involves Kellie Pickler in a six page spread for OK Magazine. Billed as Southern Belle, Pickler dishes about life on the road and as a member of country music family.

“Of course I would love to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry,” she says looking to the future. “It would be such a huge honor. Country music has embraced and nurtured me.” She also jokes about living in a trailer. “Funny. As a child I thought ‘I’m going to be a big country star and get out of this damn trailer.’ Then I go and get one. I mean, it’s a $1 million trailer but it’s still a trailer.”

Pickler has been on the Taylor Swift Fearless Tour, but is currently on a two-week hiatus to headline a shows in Harris, MI.and other midwest stops.

Shape magazine recently featured bikini-clad Julianne Hough, Martina McBride and LeAnn Rimes on its cover.

Storysource To Fill Growing Content Need

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storysourceFormer Fox 17 news vets, anchor Laura Faber and entertainment reporter Miranda Cohen have formed Storysource, LLC an independent content creation company. The new venture explains itself simply; we write, shoot, edit and deliver the final story.

“After long, successful careers, we looked at today’s media environment and concluded that there is a need for a company like Storysource,” said Laura Faber, a multiple Emmy and Associated Press award winner. “Many news outlets have lost staff in this economy, but the need for content has not diminished. Storysource is designed to help bridge the gap.”

“We also produce high-quality video content for business clients for use in a variety of ways,” said Emmy-nominated Miranda Cohen. “From corporate meetings to efficiently producing and telling their stories on the web, we are a one-stop shop offering a full range of services.”

Storysource has signed distribution agreements that allow the company to feed content to tens of thousands of websites around the world.

Faber adds, “Fifteen years ago, few companies or organizations even had websites. Now, the world is web-based, and we see video content on every website as the next evolution. Storysource is an efficient and economical way to fill that growing need.” The new firm can be reached at www.storysource.biz; [email protected] or [email protected].

Chesney Headlines Hard Rock Ambassadors of Rock Tour Date

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Kenny Chesney will headline the New York tour stop of Hard Rock International’s 2009 Ambassadors of Rock Tour in Times Square on September 15. In its fourth consecutive year, the Ambassadors of Rock global concert series has featured other acts including O.A.R. in Orlando and an all-star lineup at Hard Rock Calling in London with Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, The Killers, Dave Matthews Band, Ben Harper and Relentless 7, Fleet Foxes and The Gaslight Anthem. Hard Rock will donate proceeds from Chesney’s New York appearance to benefit PLAN!T NOW, an organization that empowers coastal residents to mitigate disasters in severe storm and hurricane-prone regions by being prepared. Chesney serves on the organization’s board of directors.

DISClaimer (6/12/09)

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cunderwood-beginnings150The indies are in the driver’s seat this week.

The big news is that Kentucky native Clay Underwood graduates from his prior DisCovery Award win to having the Disc of the Day with the title tune to his new CD. Even more surprising is that his only real challenger is also on an independent label. That would be the estimable Darren Kozelsky.

There’s not much to report in the DisCovery Award category. Oh, there are newcomers here, but only Lower Broadway denizen Lewis Copeland rises to lcopeland-hntnkprincess150the occasion. I’m not much for pseudo Southern rock, but he does get points for writing, producing, marketing and singing the redneck-humorous “Honkytonk Princess” all by himself.

CLAY UNDERWOOD/New Beginnings And Old Honky Tonks
Writer: Terry Dennis/John Edwards; Producer: Jimmy Layne, Jennifer Layne & Clay Underwood; Publisher: What Is Written/Magic Mustang, BMI; PLC (track) (www.clayunderwoodmusic.com)
—He’s country. I like him. And any song that name checks “Conway and Haggard” is fine with me. Plus, it’s a waltz, which I’m a sucker for. This previous DisCovery Award winner has it all going on—great songs, excellent record production, vocal talent and a CD guest appearance by the sublime Marty Raybon.

CRAIG MORGAN/Bonfire
Writer: Tom Botkin/Kevin Denney/Craig Morgan/Mike Rogers; Producer: Phil O’Donnell & Craig Morgan; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (CDX)
—It roars like its title.

JAKE OWEN/Eight Second Ride
Writer: Jake Owen/Eric Durrance; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publisher: none listed, BMI/IMRO; RCA (CDX)
—The ACM New Male Vocalist winner has a head scratcher. Let me get this straight: A complete stranger wants him to take her home just because he has a truck with big tires, and he’s boasting that he’s going to take her on an 8-second ride?

DARREN KOZELSKY/Seven Vern Gosdins Ago
Writer: Liz Hengber/Arlos Smith; Producer: J.R. Rodriguez & Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: Hengber/Smith, ASCAP/SESAC; Spinville/9 North (CDX) (www.darrenkozelsky.com)
—He was doing fine until somebody fired up the jukebox and played three George Jones tunes, a Doug Stone weeper and seven Vern Gosdin songs. Now his heart is plumb busted. What a neat song. Darren is longtime favorite of this column, and his cool factor just went up again.

ROCKIT ROGER RICHARDSON/The First Cowboy In Space
Writer: Mike Lawler/Robert Steven Dintsch; Producer: Mike Lawler; Publisher: Coofermo/Popred, ASCAP; Star Base (CDX)
—When was the last time you heard the words “intergalactic” and “extra terrestrial” in a country song?

JOHN AMOS/We Were Hippies
Writer: Eric Cash/John Amos; Producer: Gene A. Cash Sr.; Publisher: Division, BMI; Music Row (CDX) (615-397-9100)
—Yes, it’s THAT John Amos, the actor from TV’s Good Times. He’s not much of a singer, but the novelty tune has a grin or two. The gist of it is that being a proud, pot-smoking hippie is a lifetime thing.

MICHELLE TURLEY/Hard Times
Writer: C.F. Turley; Producer: C.F. Turley; Publisher: Pop Dark, BMI; Victorio (615-269-0474)
—Our first female entry this week should have stayed home. Her soprano on this rocker veers into Minnie Mouse territory.

GRANT LANGSTON/Stand Up Man
Writer: Grant Langston; Producer: Rich McCulley & Grant Langston; Publisher: Grant Langston, ASCAP; MSG (track) (www.grantlangston.com)
—Raggedy garage country, performed with vim.

SHEA FISHER/Don’t Chase Me
Writer: Tammy Hyler/Shaye Smith; Producer: Richard Landis & Steve Forde; Publisher: Check Out That Skyline/Evergreen/ICG/EMI Blackwood/Addymak, ASCAP/BMI; Stroudavarious (CDX) (www.sheafisher.com)
—What is this? Cheerleader hip-hop with a steel guitar?

LEWIS COPELAND/Honkytonk Princess
Writer: Lewis Copeland; Producer: Lewis Copeland; Publisher: Lew Tunes, BMI; Wing2Fly (CDX) (www.lewiscopeland.com)
—“Which one of you boys got the biggest truck?” she asks, slopping her drink down the front of her dress. He falls in love while the rock track screams.

DISClaimer (5/29/09)

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kylieharris-lies150Her television show is called The Edge of Country, and she practices what she preaches.

Love, Lessons & Lies, the new CD by GAC’s Kylie Harris, is a splendidly left-field listening experience. It is not only produced with imagination, it is filled with excellently written tunes. A tip of the cap and a Disc of the Day salute.

We have a number of newcomers on hand today. My pick to click is Jack County a.k.a. Dallas singer-songwriter Jackson Doyle. By whichever name, he/it jackcounty-radio150gets the DisCovery Award.

SEAN PATRICK McGRAW/Dollar Ain’t Worth A Dime
Writer: Sean Patrick McGraw/David Kroll; Producer: Sean Patrick McGraw; Publisher: Seananigan/Smokin’ Grapes, ASCAP/BMI; Little Engine
-It kicks off with big, mean, dooom-y electric guitars, then he comes in with his tales of economic woe. The gist of it is that it is easy to turn to a life of crime when your back is against the wall. Very “outlaw” sounding.

JASON ALDEAN/Big Green Tractor
Writer: Jim Collins/David Lee Murphy; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sexy Tractor/Big Loud Bucks/Hope-N-Cal/Cal IV/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent, BMI/ASCAP; Broken Bow (track)
-Sweetly romantic, with a gently rolling groove and a surprisingly intimate vocal. A nice change of pace.

JACK COUNTY/Lonesome Radio
Writer: Jackson Doyle; Producer: Jackson Doyle & Jon Skaggs; Publisher: none listed; Jack County Music (track) (www.jacksoncountymusic.com)
-She’s gone, so he drives at night from town to town, “with the lonesome radio on.” Plain spoken, yet highly evocative. If nothing else, he shows fine songwriting promise, as this is the title tune of an entirely self-composed, 10-tune collection.

RASCAL FLATTS/Summer Nights
Writer: Gary LeVox/Brett James/Busbee; Producer: Dann Huff & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Stage Three/Brett James Cornelius/Crosstown Uptown/Kobalt, ASCAP; Lyric Street
-It kinda sounds like it was written to be an in-concert rabble rouser. The whistles and cheers in the track add to the energetic atmosphere.

COOPER BOONE/She’s All That
Writer: Mark Houser/Mark D. Conklin/Cooper Boone; Producer: Mark D. Conklin; Publisher: none listed; Cooper Boone (track) (www.cooperboone.com)
-Mama is breaking out tonight. The hooky chorus is the best thing about it.

CHARLIE ROBISON/Reconsider
Writer: Keith Gattis/Charles Brocco; Producer: Charlie Robison; Publisher: Gattis/Glass Rose, BMI; Dualtone
-Beautiful Day, out next month, is Charlie’s “divorce” album. Its first single is appropriately remorseful and regretful. It’s really sad, but really, really lovely.

THE GRINGO KINGS/Hold You In My Arms
Writer: Scott Burgess; Producer: Scott Burgess, Tim Burge & Tim Phelan; Publisher: Scott Burgess, BMI; Burgess (www.thegringokings.com)
-I love their name, but they’re hopelessly amateur sounding.

GEOFF UNION/Big Sky Tonight
Writer: G. Union; Producer: Geoff Union; Publisher: Shining Castle, ASCAP; Shining Castle (track) (www.geoffunion.com)
-The title tune to this Texan’s CD is painful. The vocal harmonies are out of key. The band members sound like they just picked up their instruments last week, and they aren’t listening to each other in any case. The lead vocal is a pitch disaster.

KYLIE HARRIS & PATTY LOVELESS/Love’s Back Hand
Writer: Marco Giovino/Kyle Harris; Producer: Marco Giovino; Publisher: Rabid Gator/Kylie Harris, ASCAP/APRA; Fuzzy Feet (track) (www.kylieharris.com)
-Perhaps best known to U.S. audiences as a TV host on GAC, in her native New Zealand Kylie wins major awards for her music. Her second American CD features this rolling, melodic, mid-tempo meditation with a scintillating harmony from Patty. Will Barrow’s accordion backup work is stellar. Listenable in the extreme. The whole album is a sonic delight, with lots of refreshingly different audio textures. Check out the rumbling, shuddering guitar on “Down to the Ground” the heartbeat rhythm of “Drive” the sighing slide on “Now and Then” the clarinet (!) on “Waltz Me Til Dawn” and the dreamy organ on “Sundown.”

BILL RHOADS/Too Many California Memories
Writer: Bill Rhoads; Producer: Mark Burchfield, Bill & Rose Rhoads; Publisher: Bill Rhoads, BMI; Bill Rhoads (track) (www.billrhoadsmusic.com)
-Well written, in a classic-country sort of way. His vocal isn’t the strongest, but the instrumental work is so gorgeous it more than makes up for whatever he lacks. The rippling, gut-string guitar picking, alone, is worth the price of admission.

Richie Fields

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“When You Love Someone That Much”

Joint Journey Records

rfields-playlist-62209“Propulsive and energetic, with a wonderfully upbeat, positive message. His vocal rides above the rocking track with admirable force and emotion. This is Richie’s third straight winner.”
—Robert K. Oermann, Music Row

Richie Fields‘ latest single, “When You Love Someone That Much,” is a bit of a change up for the distinctive baritone singer who naturally gravitates to power ballads. “When folks hear the title,” Richie says, “They automatically think ‘ballad’—and I love it that this song just drives from the very first note.”  The single was written by Chip Martin and Jan Linville, and is Richie’s first collaboration with new producer, J. Gary Smith (Andy Griggs, Lonestar) and associate producer, Clif Doyal.

Since turning to music full-time in 2006, Richie has enjoyed success on the road and at radio. Fields’ accomplishments led to his inclusion on the CMA’s Who New To Watch in 2009 list, and his national television debut on Inside Music Row in February. Richie was Country Weekly’s “Who’s New” in June, and will be featured in the magazine again in July. He was a hit at this year’s CMA Music Fest, finding long lines at the Roughstock, VAULT, Digital Rodeo and Music City Zone booths, as well as filming interviews with the Pentagon Channel, Hit Country TV, Country Home, True Country GoTV Networks and Country Music Tattletale.

In between tour dates, Richie spends his time with his family, working out, writing songs and Twittering.

http://www.richiefields.com

Dozier Leads Songwriters Hall of Fame Master Class

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SHOF Chairman/CEO and songwriting icon Hal David, Lamont Dozier and Nelson George

Earlier this week the crowd at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Master Class was treated to a very special, intimate evening of stories about the wonder years of Motown Records and the origination of some of the many hits written by Lamont Dozier and the powerhouse songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland (H-D-H). H-D-H were credited with creating the Motown Sound and had 13 No. 1 consecutive hits with The Supremes alone. Some of their classics include “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “Stop! In The Name of Love,” and “Where Did Our Love Go.” Moderator and cultural commentator Nelson George coaxed entertaining tales out of the songwriting icon about working with Diana Ross and The Supremes, The Temptations, The Marvelettes, Phil Collins and, most recently, Solange Knowles. Dozier also shared songwriting tips that helped propel his career to living legend status.

Tonight (6/18), Lamont Dozier will receive the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award along with Brian Holland and Eddie Holland, Jr. at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 40th Anniversary Gala.

Industry Turns Out To Support Artists At Music Fest

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ashtonAshton Shepherd celebrated her CMA Music Festival appearance last week with her team members such as reps from CAA, Cherry Heart Entertainment, and Flood Bumstead McCready McCarthy. Pictured: Rondal Richardson, Mallori Kirchenschlager, Stan Barnett, Julie Boos, Rod Essig, Ashton Shepherd, John Huie, Blake McDaniel, Rob Light, Darin Murphy, Gratton Stephens, Brad Bissell, Shelby Kennedy and Marc Dennis.

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jypsi-execs-at-jypsifest

Arista Nashville group Jypsi welcomed fans to the first annual Jypsifest at Nashville’s Limelight on Friday evening.  The event was complete with carnival-style indoor games, snow cones, and a performance from the band. Pictured (back row, L-R):  Sony Music Nashville’s Paul Barnabee; Jypsi’s Frank and Scarlett; Arista Nashville’s Skip Bishop; McGhee Entertainment’s Doc McGhee; Jypsi’s Amber-Dawn; and McGhee Entertainment’s Scott McGhee and Melanie Wetherbee. (Front, L-R): William Morris’ Steve Hauser; Jypsi’s Lillie Mae; and Sony Music Nashville’s Heather McBee.