Web Initiatives Help Nichols Support Troops, Single

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joe-nJoe Nichols is supporting the troops as well as promoting his new single, “Believers,” with several viral initiatives.

While he was on a tour in Iraq performing for the servicemen and women, he had the video crew documenting the excursion also interview the soldiers about what they believe in. The result is a moving video posted on YouTube titled Believers Challenge From Iraq. “Believers” is the lead single from Nichols’ new CD Old Things New, scheduled for release later this year by Universal Records South.

He also has e-cards and Web site banners (shown below) available featuring the song and the troops. Send an e-card by clicking the banner, or click here to add the banner to your own site.

Nichols has also been making the promotional rounds, including a recent visit to Crook & Chase.

Joe Nichols will perform music from his upcoming CD release Old Things New when he makes a special guest appearance on The Crook & Chase Show this week. Recorded in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the episode will premiere on RFD-TV Thursday August 13th at 8:00 pm ET. Nichols treated the studio audience to an unplugged version of his hit single "Believers.” Pictured (l-r) are: Nichols, Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase.

Nichols will perform music from his upcoming CD release "Old Things New" on "The Crook & Chase Show" this week. Recorded in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the episode will premiere on RFD-TV Thurs., Aug. 13 at 7 PM/CT. Pictured (l-r): Nichols, Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase.

Dierks Celebrates “Sideways” With Tailgate Party

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Dierks Bentley’s team celebrated his latest No. 1, “Sideways,” with a Summer Tailgate Party outside the Sony/ATV offices on Monday, August 10th. Bentley co-wrote the hit with Jim Beavers and it is the second consecutive chart-topper form his album Feel That Fire. His new single is the romantic tune “I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes.” Bentley is currently on Brad Paisley’s American Saturday Night tour.

Pictured L--R: BMI's Jody Williams, Jim Beavers, Sony ATV's Troy Tomlinson, ASCAP's Connie Bradley, Dierks Bentley, ASCAP's Pat Rolfe, producer Brett Beavers, Capitol Records Nashville's Mike Dungan, and ASCAP's Mike Sistad.
Pictured L-R: BMI’s Jody Williams, Jim Beavers, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, ASCAP’s Connie Bradley, Dierks Bentley, ASCAP’s Pat Rolfe, producer Brett Beavers, Capitol Records Nashville’s Mike Dungan, and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad.

Rucker Goes Platinum, Plus Updates From 821, CMHF, And CMT

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darius-albumDarius Rucker’s debut country album Learn To Live on Capitol Records Nashville has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. His third single from the album, “Alright,” helped push shipments over the 1 million mark. The song spent one week at the top of MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart and also landed at No. 1 on other charts.

In celebration of Live’s success, Rucker will be giving a free performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Aug. 24 that will air on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Aug. 27. He will also appear Aug. 31 on ABC’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock special. He is currently on the road with Rascal Flatts’ Unstoppable Tour.

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Nashville’s 821 Entertainment Group and Strike Entertainment are working on a new Hank Williams biopic that will be a feature film. Check tomorrow’s (8/12) subscriber-only @MusicRow for the rest of the story.

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The second season of CMT’s original series Can You Duet ended on a ratings high note this past weekend when the finale episode revealed Steel Magnolia as the winning duo. More than 4.2 million viewers (Nielsen Media Research) tuned in for the show’s four weekend airings, with 1.9 million of those falling in the P18-49 demo. Across all airings to date this season, Can You Duet was seen by some 26 million total viewers, with 12 million P18-49.

Steel Magnolia (Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones) won a recording contract with Big Machine and the day after the finale, “Keep On Loving You,” the single they performed on the show was a Top 30 Country track on iTunes and the most streamed video on CMT.com.

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The Country Music Hall of Fame And Museum’s annual All for the Hall fundraiser makes its West Coast debut on Thursday, October 1, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. The benefit will feature ensemble performances by Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam and others. Paid subscribers can look for all the details in @MusicRow on Friday.

Touring News: ZBB, Paisley, Lucinda, Miranda

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The Zac Brown Band embarks on its first headlining tour Sept. 24 in Cary, NC. The band will spread its message of “Love, Peace and Chicken Grease” throughout the Southeast, with current dates lined up in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Texas. The 2009 Breaking Southern Ground Tour will hit mainly amphitheaters and theaters during September and October, with more dates to be added soon. It will feature Southern Ground artists Levi Lowrey, Nic Cowan and Sonia Leigh.

Photo L-R: Levi Lowrey, Nic Cowan, Zac Brown & Sonia Leigh

Photo L-R: Levi Lowrey, Nic Cowan, Zac Brown & Sonia Leigh

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Reigning ACM and CMA Male Vocalist Brad Paisley continues his 46-city American Saturday Night tour with three consecutive recent sell-outs of over 22,000 tickets each—Bristow, VA; Chicago, IL; and Indianapolis, IN. Joining him on the road are Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne.

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Taryn.Pray@sonymusic.com show details 2:35 PM (5 minutes ago) Reply Follow up message Miranda Lambert takes a break backstage at Kenny Chesney's Qwest Field stadium show in Seattle to hang with KMPS PD Becky Brenner. Lambert's highly anticipated third album, Revolution, is set to release September 29. Revolution, the follow up to the 2008 ACM Album of the Year, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, features 12 tracks written or co-written by Lambert. Pictured L-R: Columbia Nashville's Larry Santiago, Lambert, KMPS PD Becky Brenner

Miranda Lambert takes a break backstage at Kenny Chesney's Qwest Field stadium show in Seattle to hang with KMPS PD Becky Brenner. Lambert's anticipated third album, Revolution, is set to release Sept. 29. Pictured L-R: Columbia Nashville's Larry Santiago, Lambert, KMPS PD Becky Brenner

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Lost Highway recording artist Lucinda Williams is planning a series of special performances to celebrate her 30th anniversary as a recording artist. The 30th Anniversary Tour will include multi-night stands focused on specific periods of the Grammy winner’s long career. Each show will contain two sets, the first  featuring selections from a specific period of her celebrated career, followed by a full second set containing songs from throughout her career.

The tour begins Sept. 18 at First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN. Then, on October 3-5 Williams will play a three-night stand at New York’s The Fillmore at Irving Plaza, and will hit Chicago a week later for another three-night stand at the Park West on October 13-15. Williams will also be performing a two-night stand in Toronto on October 10th & 11th. More multi-night shows will be added in early 2010 and she will make one night stops in many other cities.

Brad Allen’s Upstart Working With Buddy Jewell, New Revolution

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Brad Allen

Brad Allen

Brad Allen has launched ALL Entertainment and signed Buddy Jewell as the first artist. After 20 years  in the music business, Allen is weaving his record label management, production, and publishing experience into a full-service entertainment company. The multi-genre, multi-format operation will also handle CCM artists as well as house a movie/DVD division. Allen most recently co-headed A&R at Midas Records and co-produced Adam Gregory’s single “Crazy Days.”

ALL Entertainment has partnered with New Revolution Entertainment to handle radio promotion of Jewell’s first single, due mid-September. This agreement re-aligns Allen with promotion vets Rob Dalton and Jeff Solima, who together reached the top of the Country Music charts with Emerson Drive’s No. 1 single for Midas, “Moments.” New Revolution is also working with new group Gloriana, helping drive its debut single into the Top 15 of the national country charts.

Buddy Jewell

Buddy Jewell

Stay tuned—Allen hints at a number of other announcements on the horizon.

Jewell’s self-titled debut album on Columbia Records was certified Gold, and garnered two back-to-back top five hits with “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey’s Song).”

New Music Now: Lady A, Josh Turner, More

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lady-aCMA’s reigning “New Artist of the Year” Lady Antebellum just debuted the lead single from its forthcoming Capitol Nashville sophomore album. “Need You Now” goes for radio adds on Aug. 24 and was written by group members Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, along with co-writer Josh Kear. Haywood says this of the new project, “The songs are more personal, the production is bigger, and I think we are in a stronger place vocally than we’ve ever been…just from all the touring we’ve done this year.  We’re really anxious to get home and get it finished.” In the meantime, Lady Antebellum has returned to the recording studio to put the finishing touches on the yet-to-be-titled album. For a sneak peak of “Need You Now,” click here.
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josh-turner“Why Don’t We Just Dance” is the debut single from Josh Turner’s forthcoming album entitled Haywire, to be released on Nov. 10. The song, written by Jim Beavers, Jonathan Singleton and Darrell Brown, will be sent to radio stations across the country tomorrow (8/12) at Noon CT via Play MPE. On Aug. 19, “Why Don’t We Just Dance” will be available for streaming at www.joshturner.com and it will be for sale Aug. 25 at iTunes and all other digital partners.

The UMG Nashville artist also recently awarded his first namesake scholarship to a 2009 graduate of his alma mater high school in Hannah, SC. The scholarship is for students who want to pursue an education within music or the arts.
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Stroudavarious Records has released Anthony Smith’s “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine,” his debut single for the label. This country rocker is taken from Smith’s Sunshine album (coming this winter) and was written by Smith and Jess Leary. Production duties were handled by Smith and acclaimed producer and Stroudavarious CEO James Stroud. “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine” will be available for download via digital music retailers in early September as part of the specially-priced Sunshine EP.

A video for the track directed by Taillight TV’s Traci Goudie is nearing completion. The video stars Derek Phillips (of NBC’s Friday Night Lights) and Danielle Rene, who is set to appear in the upcoming film, Tree Of Life, with Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.

As a songwriter, Smith has contributed hits to projects by George Strait, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry and countless others.

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Cupit Records’ Ben Gregg is set to release his debut single, “Radio Waves,” on Aug. 17 via Play MPE and CDX. It is from his forthcoming self-titled CD slated for an early 2010 release. “Radio Waves” was written by Jerry Cupit. Gregg can also be seen on an upcoming episode of RFD-TV’s Music & Motors television series, performing, participating in a NASCAR pit crew challenge, and in interview segments.

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Travis Rush is letting fans pick his new single from ten tunes posted at www.TravisRush.com/NewMusic. The single will be announced Oct. 27 and will be released to radio in early 2010 with GrassRoots Promotion’s Nancy Tunick leading the charge. In conjunction with the single release date, Rush has moved back his debut album release to March 16, 2010. The project is on Mason Records and will be distributed digitally by IODA and in retail stores by Burnside Distribution.

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The New Relics will release their debut single “Beautiful” to country radio on Sept. 7. Based out of Morgantown, WV, their new CD is named Monongalia and the single is being worked by Debbie Gibson
Palmer of Spinville Records. The New Relics have spent the last few years touring mostly the east coast and building a solid fan base.
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A new album by Montana native Ben Bullington features Rodney Crowell on guitar and vocals on the song “Toe The Line.” The CD, White Sulphur Springs, is out via King Easy Records, home to Darrell Scott, Jon Pousette-Dart and more.
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The Civil Wars, a duo comprised of local songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White, have  released a 10-song live digital album.

Brooks & Dunn Prepare Last Rodeo Tour

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1249943981_Picture7Posted to the Brooks & Dunn official site on Aug. 10, 2009:

To Our Fans:

After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have
agreed as a duo that it’s time call it a day. This ride has been
everything and more than we could ever have dreamed …. We owe it all
to you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don’t believe them, it’s just
time.

We will release our #1’s and then some on September 8, 2009 and come
see you all one last time in 2010, with The Last Rodeo Tour (dates to be
announced).

—Brooks & Dunn

brooksdone

Almost twenty years ago, then Arista Records head Tim Dubois introduced a Texan with a classic country voice, Ronnie Dunn, to a rockin’ Louisiana musician, Kix Brooks. It was the beginning of the biggest duo in modern country music. Now the pair has announced it will go out on top, with a greatest hits album called #1s…and then some coming Sept. 8, and a farewell tour to follow.

Brooks & Dunn have 19 CMA Awards and are the most awarded duo in the organization’s history. Only George Strait holds more CMAs, with 22 of the coveted trophies lining his shelves. The duo has received over 80 different kinds of awards, including 26 ACMs, and have been named Entertainer of the Year four times (3 ACM, 1 CMA).

Twenty-three No. 1 hits such as “Brand New Man,” “Boot Scootin Boogie,” “My Maria,” “Red Dirt Road,” and “Play Something Country” have spawned album sales upwards of 30 million. Many of these charttoppers will be on #1s … and then some. True to its title, the 30-song, double-disc collection will feature classics (“Neon Moon,” “That Ain’t No Way to Go,” “Only in America” and ACM and CMA Song of the Year “Believe”) as well as two new tracks, including the current hit, “Indian Summer.”

Brooks & Dunn also stay busy outside of the duo. Dunn has twice been named the BMI Country Songwriter of the year and has received 23 BMI Million Airplay Awards for songs he wrote or co-wrote that have attained one million radio spins.

Brooks is host of internationally syndicated radio program, “American Country Countdown.” He is also active in the industry and the community, serving on the CMA Board, and as CMA President in 2004, and Chairman in 2005. He also sits on the boards of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Worley Signs With Schatzi, Biddy Leaves Stringtown, Aristo Int’l Report

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worleyHot Schatz Public Relations has signed platinum-selling Darryl Worley to its roster of clients for independent publicity services. He broke onto the country music scene in 2000 with “When You Need My Love” and has charted 17 songs including “I Miss My Friend,” “Awful, Beautiful Life” and “A Good Day to Run.” His biggest career hit came in 2003 with the 9/11 tribute song, “Have You Forgotten?” Worley’s latest single and Top 20 hit, “Sounds Like Life to Me,” is the second single from his sixth studio album, Sounds Like Life, on Stroudavarious Records, released in early June.

Hot Schatz PR opened its Nashville offices in 1992 under the leadership of owner Schatzi Hageman. In addition to Worley, current clients include Trace Adkins, Steve Azar, Jason Michael Carroll, Jamie O’Neal, Rissi Palmer, Shooter Jennings, Skyline Music Publishing and country newcomer Stevie Walker.

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Due to slowed financial resources Shelia Shipley Biddy is no longer working as President of Stringtown Records, the label that is home to John Michael Montgomery. She is seeking other opportunities and can be reached at Hallmark Direction Company at (615) 320-7714 ext. 226 or by email at [email protected].

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The Aristo International Report – Summer Issue is now available, with articles such as “Global Showcases Spotlighting International Talent Jump-starts 2009 CMA Music Festival” and “Globe-trotting with the Bellamy Brothers.” Read it here.

Females Up Front

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Carrie_underwoodCarrie Underwood will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in September, alongside previous inductees including Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson, Hank Thompson, and The All American Rejects. She and the rest of the Class of 2009 are set to perform at the 13th Annual Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Concert on Sept. 17 in Muskogee.

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Taylor Swift appears in the new video game Band Hero, from the makers of Guitar Hero. Players can act as Swift or alongside her as band members, while performing her hits “Love Story,” “You Belong With Me,” and “Picture to Burn” as part of the game. Band Hero allows fans to create a band using any combination of guitar or drum controllers and vocals. It is due out in November for most gaming systems, and will also feature other musical acts such as the Jackson 5, No Doubt, Lily Allen and The All-American Rejects.

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trishTrisha Yearwood graces the cover of the current issue of Good Housekeeping and is part of a cover feature alongside Meredith Viera and Jada Pinkett Smith called Three Celebs Reveal the Secret to Happiness — at Any Age!

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Terri Clark is planning a tour, album and was recently nominated for the Canadian Country Music Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. As Clark readies The Long Way Home, her first studio project since her mother fell ill with cancer over 3 years ago, she is selling her live album, Road Rage, via her website and at shows. Meanwhile, the studio album’s lead single, “Gypsy Boots,” is the fastest moving of her career in her homeland Canada.

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Ajypsirista Nashville’s vibrant sibling group Jypsi will be in New York for 10 days this month, playing a string of shows including a free 7-night stand starting Aug. 17 at the Living Room in Manhattan. In addition, Jypsi is slated to perform at the new Southwest Porch at Bryant Park on Aug. 20. Jypsi is made up of siblings, ages 18-28, who grew up on the road singing, playing, and writing since youngest, Lillie Mae (lead vocals / fiddle) was just three years old. The now-seasoned performers include older siblings Amber-Dawn (vocals / fiddle), Scarlett (mandolin) and Frank (vocals / guitar). Their current single is “Mister Officer.”

St. Jude Street Party, Stars For Second Harvest, Blood Drive

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Country-Cares-LogoSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® will host a street party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the very successful Country Cares for 
St. Jude Kids fundraising program and thank the local music industry for its support through the years. The festivities on Thurs., Aug. 20 will include burgers, beverages, music, games and some special guests in the dunk tank.

The party will be 5-8 PM at Roy Acuff Place, between 17th and 18th Aves. S. It is open to the music industry and will be hosted by the St. Jude Country Cares Advisory Board and Country Cares program founder Randy Owen and ALSAC/St. Jude COO Dave McKee.

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Year after year acclaimed songwriter Craig Wiseman puts together a stellar lineup of musicians for the Stars for Second Harvest concert benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank. The 5th Annual Stars for Second Harvest will be held at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 29 at 7:30 PM, featuring Phil Vassar, Heidi Newfield, Rodney Atkins and many more. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

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MusiCares and the American Red Cross are partnering together to host a blood drive scheduled for Thurs. Aug. 20, 12– 4 PM at the MusiCares office, 1904 Wedgewood Avenue. To respect the donors’ time, appointments are being scheduled. Please call MusiCares at 615-327-0050 or email [email protected] to sign up. Due to parking limitations, valet parking will be available.