TV/Video: Paisley, Duncan, Wayne, and Another McGraw

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Pictured (l-r): "Live with Regis and Kelly" guest co-host, actor Jerry O’Connell; Paisley; and Kelly Ripa.

Pictured (l-r): "Live with Regis and Kelly" guest co-host, actor Jerry O’Connell; Paisley; and Kelly Ripa.

Arista Nashville’s Brad Paisley was in New York last week to promote his new album, American Saturday Night, and his trip to the Big Apple included a performance on a Reege-free edition of Live with Regis and Kelly. After the three-week #1 success of the new album’s first smash, “Then,” Paisley’s new single, “Welcome to the Future,” is impacting country radio.
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Whitney Duncan‘s new, summertime video for single “Skinny Dippin’” was shot against the picturesque scenery of Xanadu Ranch in nearby Arrington, TN. Roman White directed the video and Randy Brewer produced. Duncan’s forthcoming album on Warner Bros., Right Road Now, will feature the single, and was produced by John Shanks and Mark Bright. All tracks on Right Road Now are co-written by Duncan, who has also written singles for artists including Lee Ann Womack and Crystal Shawanda.

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Jimmy Wayne‘s new music video for “I’ll Be That” was shot during his concert at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in his hometown, Charlotte, NC. Producer/director Todd Cassetty made sure the video has a fun, summertime feel. To capture the excitement of the concert—which was part of opening night of Brad Paisley’s American Saturday Night Tour—Cassetty and his team from Todd Cassetty Welding Service utilized multiple cameras. A camera crew also followed Wayne throughout the day, capturing meetings with fans and radio station visits to add to the video.

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Sean Patrick McGraw makes his national television debut on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday, July 14 where he will perform new single, “Dollar Ain’t Worth A Dime.” Fans can catch him on tour with Toby Keith and Trace Adkins this summer as part of Keith’s America’s Toughest Tour. McGraw is signed to Little Engine Records, has a new video on CMT, and will release a new album this year.

Lifenotes: Mel McDaniel Hospitalized; More

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melmc

Mel McDaniel

Mel McDaniel has been hospitalized in Nashville after suffering a heart attack, reports the Tennessean. The Grand Ole Opry member is known for hits including “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On,” “Stand Up” and “Louisiana Saturday Night.”
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Pam Green, Westwood One’s Director/Artist Relations, has been released from the rehabilitation center and is back home at her condo in New York following injuries to her arms. During the next few weeks she’ll be recuperating and continuing physical therapy. Well wishes can be sent to [email protected].
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Billy Lee Riley, Sun Records artist and house band member, is battling stage four bone cancer. Though he and his wife Joyce are receiving assistance from MusiCares, they are still suffering financially. Riley, a rockabilly singer and multi-instrumentalist, was a sideman on numerous classic Sun sessions, and his band the Little Green Men eventually became the studio’s house band. Donations can be sent to Billy Lee Riley, 723 Crest Drive, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401.

Free, Weekly Concerts Return Downtown

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livegreenMayor Karl Dean and Lightning 100 owner Lester Turner, Jr. today announced “Live On the Green,” a free, environmentally-friendly concert series to take place over six consecutive Thursday nights on the Public Square in front of the Metro Courthouse this fall. Live On the Green starts Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m.

The concert series will feature local artists as well as national acts with roots in Music City, and will highlight environmentally friendly practices. Lightning 100 is recruiting artists for Live On the Green to appeal to a large cross-section of Nashville’s music fans. Artists booked to date include Citizen Cope, Here Come the Mummies, Space Capone, and Ricky Young.

Dean has made growing live music in Nashville a goal of the Music Business Council, which was formed earlier this year. Lightning 100’s Team Green will be responsible for incorporating sustainable practices into Live On the Green, including recycling, reusing materials, reducing energy use, and offering local healthy food vendors. Live On the Green is sponsored by MGD 64 and The City Paper. www.liveonthegreen.net.

Strait Moves Up “Twang” Release Date

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geostrGeorge Strait‘s “Living For The Night,” the first single from his upcoming album Twang, hit the Top 15 mark in just three weeks making it one of the fastest rising singles of his career. The song, written by Strait, his son Bubba Strait and legendary songwriter Dean Dillon sits at #15 this week on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. With the debut single racing up the charts, MCA has moved the street date of his 38th album up to Aug. 11.

Co-producing this thirteen-track disc with legendary producer Tony Brown, Twang was recorded at Shrimpboat Sound Studio in Key West, FL. It is the same studio where they recorded Strait’s last two award-winning albums.

“Living For The Night” marks the first time Strait has penned a song since “I Can’t See Texas From Here” from his 1982 debut – Strait Country. Strait co-wrote two additional songs on Twang: “He’s Got That Something Special” and “Out Of Sight Out Of Mind.” Bubba Strait also wrote the track “Arkansas Dave.”

With 67 million albums sold, 2009 has also been a year of accolades for Strait—his platinum-selling Troubadour won the Grammy for Best Country Album, and he received the ACM’s Artist of the Decade honor. Strait has 57 #1 singles to his credit, which is the record for more Number One hits than any artist in history including Elvis. His 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums have earned him the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and third in all genres behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.  Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, making him one of a few artists to receive such an honor while still actively recording and producing music.

Track Listing for Twang:
1.  Twang – Jim Lauderdale, Kendell Marvel and Jimmy Ritchey
2.  Where Have I Been All My Life – Sherrie Austin, Will Nance and Steve Williams
3.  I Gotta Get To You – Jim Lauderdale, Jimmy Ritchey and Blaine Larsen
4.  Easy As You Go – Steve Bogard and Rick Giles
5.  Living For The Night – George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon
6.  Same Kind Of Crazy – Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson
7.  Out Of Sight Out Of Mind  – George Strait and Bubba Strait
8.  Arkansas Dave – Bubba Strait
9.  The Breath You Take – Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon and Casey Beathard
10. He’s Got That Something Special – George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon
11. Hot Grease And Zydeco – Gordon Bradberry and Tony Ramey
12. Beautiful Day For Goodbye – Doug Johnson and Pat Bunch
13. El Rey – Jose Alfredo Jimenez

Pickler Strikes Gold Again

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Kellie Pickler‘s current single, “Best Days Of Your Life,” was recently certified Gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000. Pickler was surprised with a plaque from the Sony Nashville/BNA Records staff that also celebrates the gold certification of her debut single, “Red High Heels.” Pickler co-wrote both songs.

Pictured (L-R): Heather McBee, VP Digital Sony Nashville; Sony Nashville Chairman Joe Galante; Pickler; Renee Bell, Executive VP A&R, Sony Nashville; Tom Baldrica, VP Marketing, Sony Nashville; Wes Vause, VP Media, Sony Nashville and BNA VP Promotion, Bryan Frasher.

Pictured (L-R): Heather McBee, VP Digital Sony Nashville; Sony Nashville Chairman Joe Galante; Pickler; Renee Bell, Executive VP A&R, Sony Nashville; Tom Baldrica, VP Marketing, Sony Nashville; Wes Vause, VP Media, Sony Nashville and BNA VP Promotion, Bryan Frasher.

New Underwood Album Coming Nov. 3

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carrie_underwoodFour-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood has set a November 3 release date for her yet-to-be-titled third album. Her first two records have sold more than 10 million units. Released on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville, Underwood’s upcoming album will continue her collaboration with producer Mark Bright, who helmed 2007’s hit-filled Carnival Ride, as well as seven tracks from her blockbuster debut, Some Hearts.

Earlier this year, Underwood became the first country artist in history to achieve 10 #1 singles from her first two albums.

The reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year and three-time, reigning ACM and CMA Female Vocalist is in the process of recording her new project, with the first single expected to arrive at radio late this summer.

Underwood’s collection of chart-toppers began with the instant success of her post-American Idol single, “Inside Your Heaven,” which debuted atop Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in the summer of 2005. It was the first of five #1s to top the BDS or Mediabase charts from her 7x-Platinum debut, Some Hearts, with the others including the Grammy-winning “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats,” as well as “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” and “Wasted.”

Industry Celebrates Vince Melamed Album

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Jim Tract, Vince Melamed, and J.D. Souther

Jim Tract, Vince Melamed, and J.D. Souther

On June 25 hit songwriter Vince Melamed celebrated the release of his debut solo album with music industry friends. The party was hosted by Adroit Recrods at the Green Hills home of Vince and his wife, Meredith. Melamed wrote or co-wrote “Walkaway Joe,” “What Mattered Most,” “I’ll Take That As a Yes,” and “She’d Give Anything.” These hits plus six other songs appear on the album What Matters Most, produced by Adroit Records Pres. Jim Tract.

Tim Boylan, Vince Melamed, Victoria Shaw, and John Lomax

Tim Boylan, Vince Melamed, Victoria Shaw, and John Lomax

Tim Boylan, Vince Melamed and Pat Higdon

Tim Boylan, Vince Melamed and Pat Higdon

Updates: Gina Hilburn, Laura Huie, Heather and Bobby Young, Beckett Service

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Pictured from left: Patrick Davis, Gina Hilburn, Harley Allen, Lisa Carver and Marv Green

Pictured from left: Patrick Davis, Gina Hilburn, Harley Allen, Lisa Carver and Marv Green

Songwriters Patrick Davis, Harley Allen, Lisa Carver and Marv Green came together for a recent benefit show to help longtime Warner Music Group employee Gina Hilburn in her fight against cancer. The event took place Friday, June 26 at the Bluebird Café, and raised nearly $4,000 which included contributions from friends and co-workers, ticket sales, auction items and a matching gift contribution from the Roger Jennings Davis Memorial Fund. To make a donation, please send a check to 
Roger J. Davis Memorial Fund, 1708 2st Ave South #101, Nashville TN 37212, and indicate “For Gina.”

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Nashville-based media coach Laura Huie has changed her contact info. She can now be reached at [email protected] or 615-415-2460. Laura is owner and operator of Huie Media, a company that specializes in artist media training. She has worked with artists on major labels including Sony/BMG, Warner Bros. and Lyric Street Records, as well as independent artists. She also continues to work as a television producer/writer for various media outlets and just wrapped working as a segment producer on the fifth season of “Gospel Dream,” which airs on the Gospel Music Channel.

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Heather Young, Director of Radio Marketing for Dierks Bently, and Bobby Young, Director of National Promotion/Republic Nashville, welcomed daughter Addison Lea Young today, July 6. Proud Daddy reports that she was born at 1:52 PM, “with 10 toes, 10 fingers, and 2 beautiful eyes,” weighing 7 lbs. 15 oz.

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Reminder:  The memorial service for famed musician/producer Barry Beckett will be this Sunday, July 12 at 5 PM at the Musicians Hall of Fame.

Updated: BMI Moving Jobs From NY To Nashville

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BMI will move about 30 jobs from its New York office to Music Row starting this fall and continuing for the following 6-8 months. Only a few employees who currently hold the mostly administrative functions will be given the option of relocating. Hiring to fill the positions could start as soon as late summer.

Robbin Ahrold, a NY-based spokesman for BMI, explained that a majority of the organization’s administrative jobs were already in Nashville and that having them all located in the same office should increase efficiency. Remaining in New York will be a few executives, and staffers who deal in TV licensing, international licensing and legal matters.

The move of the jobs was precipitated by a relocation of the New York office from Midtown to the 7 World Trade Center office tower. BMI had been in the Midtown location for more than 20 years, but its lease ended and it will move in about a year. Overall, Ahrold said the effect on the Nashville operations would be “modest.”

Songwriters Series Take Nashville Nationwide, Plus GMA and IBMA

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DiPiero, who is set for the CMA Songwriters Series, also performed at The Bluebird Cafe’s annual Concert Series at the Sundance Resort in Utah on July 2-3. He was joined by fellow hitmakers Karyn Rochelle and Al Anderson. Performances take place at Zoom restaurant, in downtown Park City, and outdoors at Sundance Resort’s Eccles Stage. (L-R): Al Anderson, Robert Redford, Karyn Rochelle and Bob DiPiero

DiPiero, who is set for the CMA Songwriters Series, also performed at The Bluebird Cafe’s annual Concert Series at the Sundance Resort in Utah on July 2-3. He was joined by fellow hitmakers Karyn Rochelle and Al Anderson. Performances took place at Zoom restaurant, in downtown Park City, and outdoors at Sundance Resort’s Eccles Stage. (L-R): Al Anderson, Robert Redford, Karyn Rochelle and Bob DiPiero

CMA Songwriters Series: Now in its fifth year, the popular CMA Songwriters Series will revisit New York City. Joe’s Pub will host another night spotlighting several of Nashville’s finest songwriters on Thursday, July 30 (6:30 and 9:30 PM/ET). Hosted by Bob DiPiero (“Take Me As I Am” recorded by Faith Hill, “You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl” recorded by Brooks & Dunn, “Blue Clear Sky” recorded by George Strait, and “Gone” recorded by Montgomery Gentry), other participating songwriters include platinum-selling Mercury Nashville recording artist Billy Currington (“I Got a Feeling,” “Why, Why, Why,” and “Walk A Little Straighter,” all recorded by Currington), Keith Follese (“Something Like That” recorded by Tim McGraw, “The Way You Love Me” recorded by Faith Hill, “Before You Kill Us All” recorded by Randy Travis, and “I Love You” recorded by Martina McBride), and Jason Sellers (“Strange” recorded by Reba McEntire, “Some People Change” recorded by Montgomery Gentry, and “I Still Miss You” recorded by Keith Anderson).

New Series Planned For Nashville: A free concert series will take place in downtown Nashville on the Public Square this fall. Mayor Karl Dean and Lester Turner, Owner of Lightning 100, will announce details tomorrow (7/7) afternoon at a press conference, including some of the artists scheduled to perform.

GMA To Host Training Camp: The Gospel Music Association will host Immerse, a training experience and talent competition offering participants access to artists and songwriters who will perform, teach, mentor and create with registrants. It will take place in Nashville July 29- August 2. Registration levels are poised to outpace past GMA music training events, and more than 20 artists are confirmed including Michael W. Smith, Natalie Grant, Kirk Franklin and Phil Stacey. The deadline to register for the talent and songwriting competitions is tomorrow (7/7). Details at www.experienceimmerse.com.

World of Bluegrass: Early bird registration rates for the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass end tomorrow (7/7), giving a $100 discount off the gate price. The event, which includes a conference and the IBMA Awards, runs Sept. 28-Oct. 4. www.ibma.org.