RIAA Reveals Summer Certifications

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Lady Antebellum earned its first RIAA gold digital single award this summer.

Lady Antebellum earned its first RIAA gold digital single award this summer.

Capitol Nashville had a great summer where certifications are concerned. Trace Adkins scored a Platinum single (1,000,000 songs sold) for “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” Keith Urban received three Gold single awards this June and July. Fans purchased more than 500,000 downloads of “Tonight I Wanna Cry,” “Stupid Boy” and “Sweet Thing” to up Keith’s career Gold song tally to seven. Meanwhile, the label’s new trio, Lady Antebellum grabbed its first Gold single prize for “I Run To You.”

Also scoring big in the digital sales tallies was Sony Music, with hits by Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Brad Paisley. A Platinum Digital Single went to Underwood’s “All-American Girl,” and a Gold single was handed out to her “I Told You So.” Paisley scored Gold with “I’m Still A Guy,” “Then,” and “Ticks.” Pickler received Gold for “Red High Heels” and “Best Days Of Your Life.”

For Country albums, George Strait’s Troubadour on MCA Nashville was certified Platinum, just before its follow-up hit stores. Jason Aldean’s Wide Open on Broken Bow went Gold.

On the rock front, Nashvillians Kings of Leon (Sony/RCA) earned three Gold and Platinum certifications this summer. The Grammy award winning troupe took their first Platinum album award for Only By The Night (2008) and first digital single nods for “Sex On Fire” and “Use Somebody,” each certifying both Gold and Platinum. And fans rocked out to Atlantic artist Kid Rock, turning Rock N Roll Jesus triple-Platinum to take June’s highest album certification.

For June And July ’09

Platinum Album—Troubadour, George Strait, MCA Nashville

Gold Album—Wide Open, Jason Aldean, Broken Bow

Platinum Digital Single

“Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” Trace Adkins, Capitol Nashville

“All-American Girl,” Carrie Underwood, Arista Nashville

Gold Digital Single

“Whatever It Is,” Zac Brown Band, Homegrown/Atlantic Records

“I Run To You,” Lady Antebellum, Capitol Nashville

“Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” James Otto, Warner Bros. Nashville

“I’m Still A Guy,” Brad Paisley, Arista Nashville

“Then,” Brad Paisley, Arista Nashville

“Best Days Of Your Life,” Kellie Pickler, BNA Records

“Sweet Thing,” Keith Urban, Capitol Nashville

“Ticks,” Brad Paisley, Arista Nashville

“Red High Heels,” Kellie Pickler, BNA Records Label

“I Told You So,” Carrie Underwood, Arista Nashville

“Stupid Boy,” Keith Urban, Capitol Nashville

“Tonight I Wanna Cry,” Keith Urban, Capitol Nashville

CMA Names Awards Co-Hosts, Plans Tweet N Greet

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carrie-underwood-and-brad-pBrad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return as co-hosts of the CMA Awards when the show airs live from the Sommet Center Wed., Nov. 11 on ABC. They are the respective reigning Male and Female Vocalist of the Year. See the full story at People.com.

Since Paisley won the Horizon Award in 2000, he has garnered 11 CMA Awards. Underwood also won the Horizon Award in 2006, and has gone on to claim a total of five CMA trophies.

The second round of voting for the awards ended yesterday (8/24) and the Final Ballot will be sent Fri., Oct. 16. Voting ends Tues., Nov. 3 at  5:00 PM/CDT.

Tweet ‘N’ Greet
In related news, the CMA will host its first-ever live Twitter feed on ABC.com, Monday, Aug. 31 (8:00 – 11:00 PM/ET), during CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, airing on the ABC Television Network.

Fans can log on to see Tweets from artists including Trace Adkins (@traceadkins), Dierks Bentley (@dierksbentley), Lady Antebellum (@ladyantebellum), Martina McBride (@martinamcbride), Reba McEntire (@Reba), Kellie Pickler (@therealpickler), and the Zac Brown Band (@zacbrownband). Each artist will be posting their observations about the show as well as behind-the-scenes tidbits, anecdotes about other artists performing on the show, as well as memories from past Music Festivals.

“Twitter is one of the best ways right now to directly connect with fans – especially ones on the cutting edge of technology,” said Dan Bowen, CMA VP of Strategic Marketing and Communications. “We’re excited to work with ABC.com to be able to bring a great group of Country Music artists together with their current fans and hopefully some new ones.”

The “Tweet ‘N’ Greet” will create an interactive feed between the fans and artists. Fans will have a direct connection to some of their favorite performers, not only allowing them the opportunity to ask questions, but also providing them with behind-the-scenes access. In addition, CMA (@CountryMusic) will be updating fans with information on the participating artists’ upcoming album releases, tour dates, and appearances.

“CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock,” expanding to three hours for the first time, features high-voltage stage performances by chart-topping superstars, along with revealing special segments about fan favorites. Scheduled to perform are Adkins, Jason Aldean, Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Julianne Hough, Jamey Johnson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, McBride, McEntire, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Pickler, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Zac Brown Band. In addition, Kid Rock performs his smash hit “Picture” with McBride, while Wynonna and Naomi Judd reunite as The Judds to perform together for the first time at the CMA Music Festival in six years.

“CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” is executive-produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson.

Justin Moore Debuts With 34,000+

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Justin Moore spent time with WBEE/Rochester PD Billy Kidd, pictured above, following a recent concert performance.

Justin Moore’s self-titled debut album for The Valory Music Co. entered the Billboard Country Album Chart this week at No. 3, making it the second highest country debut of a new artist this year. Selling over 34,000 units, it was also the No. 10 release across all genres on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.

On release day, the album quickly peaked as the second most downloaded Country album at iTunes, behind only George Strait. Moore’s album also rose to the No. 8 most-downloaded album of all genres on iTunes.

Driving the sales is hit single, “Small Town USA,” which lands at No. 3 on this week’s MusicRow Country Breakout chart. “Small Town USA” also rises to No. 7 on the Billboard Country Songs Chart this week. The climb makes the rising star one of only three new country artists to enter the Top 10 so far in 2009.

Faith Is “Waiting All Day For Sunday Night”

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faith_homeNBC Sports will again feature Faith Hill performing the opening theme for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Hill’s “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” debuts this season on Sunday, Sept. 13, the first Sunday Night Football broadcast of 2009 featuring the oldest rivalry in the NFL as the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears in the debut of new Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. The opening theme will continue weekly, kicking off the games throughout the NFL season on NBC. See a video preview here.

“Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” is set to the original Joan Jett song, “I Hate Myself For Loving You.” She recorded the track with her longtime producer Byron Gallimore at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tenn. The video was shot at Universal Studios Orlando.

“Faith Hill singing ‘Waiting All Day for Sunday Night’ is a signature of Sunday Night Football,” said the show’s producer Fred Gaudelli. “We are thrilled to have one of America’s most popular recording stars back with NBC for a third season.”

Hill has sold 30 million records worldwide and topped the charts with 11 No. 1 singles.

Willie, Kellie, O’Shea And More

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willieWillie Nelson is working with MySpace Music to promote his latest album, a collection of jazz standards called American Classics being released today (8/25) by Blue Note. He is playing his hometown bar in Maui, Hawaii tonight as part of MySpace’s popular “Secret Show” franchise. The event at Charley’s Restaurant & Saloon will also feature special guest indie rockers Band of Horses. Tommy LiPuma produced the project which features guest vocalists Norah Jones and Diana Krall. It premiered on MySpace, streaming in its entirety beginning Sat., Aug. 22. MySpace is also currently featuring a video about the making of the album here.
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oshea_anni09Up and coming country duo O’Shea is presenting An Affair To Remember on Aug. 26 in celebration of the one year anniversary of their weekly Wednesday night gig at local hot spot Blue Bar. The evening serves as a thank you to the duo’s supportive fans. Doors open at 6:00pm followed by a complimentary champagne toast at 6:30pm. O’Shea take the stage at 7:00pm. No cover charge but table seating is limited.

Hailing from Australia, the talented husband and wife team, Mark and Jay O’Shea, are featured in Nashville Lifestyles’ The Hot List issue and recently taped an episode of Words & Music. O’Shea made their reality TV debut as one of the Top 5 duos on this year’s season of CMT’s Can You Duet. They balance their weekly shows in Nashville every Wednesday with weekend opening spots for Jimmy Wayne, Sara Evans and The Oak Ridge Boys, to name a few.

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kellie-pKellie Pickler is putting her affinity for shoes to work for a good cause. She continues her support of Soles4Souls Thurs., Aug. 27 in New York City by teaming with Ladies’ Home Journal. She will collect new and gently worn shoes that afternoon before her show at Madison Square Garden. The drop point for the shoes will be the entrance to the Garden and will be open from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Pickler joins her friend Taylor Swift on the Fearless Tour 2009 for the sold out show that night.

Nashville-based Soles4Souls collects and distributes free footwear to people in need around the world. Since its inception, the charity has distributed more than 5 million pairs, which equals about one pair every 13 seconds.

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Jo Dee Messina has added more dates to her successful, intimate Music Room Series Tour. She started the unique shows this spring and has added more dates in October and November. The fall tour will kick off Fri., Oct. 23 in Ft. Pierce, Florida, for an initial run of 14 dates. Modeled after her music room at home, the tour gives fans a chance to view a side of Messina that is rarely seen in her full band shows. Touring with just three musicians, she performs stripped-down versions of her numerous No. 1 singles, favorite covers and songs she’s written but not yet recorded. Each show is driven in large part by audience requests.

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The debut single and video from newly-signed Black River/Cherry Heart recording artist Ty Williams will premiere Thurs., Aug. 27 on nationally syndicated TV show The Daily Buzz, airing mainly on The CW. “Barn On The Rooftop” will be the first country music video to premiere on the show and it includes appearances by show hosts Kia Malone and Mitch English. Gamma Blast’s Chad Denning directed the video. “Barn On The Rooftop” goes for adds at country radio on Aug. 31 and will be available Sept. 8 on iTunes. Williams’ self-titled debut album is scheduled for release later this year.

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Broken Bow/Holeshot Records artist and avid motorcycle rider Krista Marie will perform at the opening reception of the 22nd Annual Tennessee Lifesavers Conference 2009 on Wed., Aug. 26. Tennessee Lifesavers hosts around 400 law enforcement, prosecutors, judicial personnel, educators, and others who are interested in learning about highway safety. She is also scheduled to sing the national anthem at the 5th Annual Law Enforcement Challenge in Nashville on Fri., Aug. 28. The Law Enforcement Challenge is a competition designed to recognize and reward the best overall traffic safety programs across the State of Tennessee and across the country.

Opry Brings Back Country Classics Series

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OCClogoOpry Country Classics, a special version of the famed Grand Ole Opry, will be presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store this fall for an eight-week run beginning Thurs., Sept. 10. Among the award-winning artists already scheduled to perform are Moe Bandy, Terri Clark, Jimmy Dickens, Larry Gatlin, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, George Jones, Ray Price, Joe Stampley, Marty Stuart, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, and Tanya Tucker. The show, which debuted last spring, will again feature storytelling and vintage video clips as well as performances of country classics by legends and today’s newcomers.

Among the season’s early highlights:

Sept. 10: Country Music Goes to the Movies
 with some of the genre’s all-time best which have appeared on the silver screen, including “Coca-Cola Cowboy” from Mel Tillis, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and a favorite or two from the award-winning O Brother, Where Art Thou? Among those appearing will be Tillis, and The Whites
.

Sept. 17: A Salute to Hank Williams
. Opry Country Classics marks his birthday with performances of songs written and inspired by the most influential singer/songwriter in country music history. 
Among those appearing: Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, and Holly Williams.

Sept. 24: A Salute to George Jones
. Some of his biggest fans are also some of country music’s biggest stars. 
Among those paying tribute to the Hall of Famer will be Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, and Tanya Tucker. Jones himself will also perform.

Oct. 1: The Perfect Country & Western Song Show. 
Opry Country Classics puts together the makings of the “Perfect Country & Western Show” based upon the lyrics of “You Never Even Called Me By My Name.” It’ll be a night of classics about mamma, trucks, trains, prison, and, yes, getting drunk. Ray Price is the Spotlight Artist for the evening.

A season pass for Opry Country Classics can be purchased for all eight shows for the price of only four shows. Fall Four-Packs are also available for less than the price of three shows. For more information, visit opry.com or call 615-871-OPRY.

House Of Blues Sponsors Gary Allan’s Fall Run

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gary-allanGary Allan will open his Get Off On The Pain Tour Oct. 14 at the Chicago House Of Blues. The 25 city run is sponsored by House Of Blues, and will include special guests Jack Ingram and Eli Young Band on select dates as well as openers Stoney LaRue and Justin Moore on select Texas dates.

Allan has recently finished recording a new studio album with longtime producer Mark Wright, and looks forward to debuting his new music to fans on the road. The first single off the MCA Nashville album, “Today,” is at radio now.

Named “country music’s mainstream maverick,” by Rolling Stone magazine, Allan has sold over 6 million albums, released 4 No. 1 hits and 10 Top 10 hits at country radio.

TV Time: Mandrell, Gloriana, Reba, Oaks

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mandrell

Lorianne Crook, Barbara Mandrell and Charlie Chase

Barbara Mandrell appeared on Crook & Chase as part of the show’s six-week stint of live tapings at the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the interview, she discussed her passion for gardening and the upcoming public dedication of the Nashville Music Garden on Sept. 29. Located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun (in the Hall of Fame Park), the 2,700-square-foot public garden honors those that have made a positive impact on Nashville’s entertainment industry. The garden was conceptualized three years ago when Mandrell gave her namesake rose to friend and avid gardener Pat Bullard, trustee of the LifeWorks Foundation.

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Reba McEntire will perform her new song, “Consider Me Gone” on NBC’s hit summer series America’s Got Talent Wed., Aug. 26 (9-10 p.m. ET). McEntire released her 31st studio album, Keep on Loving You, on Aug. 18. The lead single from her new album, “Strange,” has become her second consecutive Top 10 single of 2009 and her new single, “Consider Me Gone,” is currently rising up the country charts.

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The Oak Ridge Boys’ performance at South By Southwest in Austin was taped for repeated airings on Direct TV and broadcast live from the festival. The SXSW Live premiere is scheduled for Mon., Sept. 7 at 9:00PM ET/PT. The Oak’s set includes their own songs like “The Boys Are Back,” “Tryin’ to Love Two Women,” and “Elvira,” as well as covers such as the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” and Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge.”

The Oaks will also appear on Feed The Children’s “Americans Feeding Americans” television special.

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Gloriana is back in New York City this week opening for Taylor Swift on her Fearless 2009 Tour at Madison Square Garden on Aug. 27. While in town the group will have their first national television performances live on Good Morning America Fri., Aug. 28 and the Today Show, which will air on Friday as well. The band is promoting its self-titled album (Emblem Music Group/Warner Bros. Records), which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Album Chart and No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200. The album had the best first week sales of any new country artist with a debut album in 2009. Their single “Wild At Heart” is the best selling song by a new country act in 2009 having sold 300,000 copies to date.

Hot Tickets: Lambert and Chesney Sell-Out

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Recently People Magazine Country, Cotton Incorporated and Miranda hosted a VIP party in Nashville to coincide with the launch of Miranda’s print campaign representing “The Fabric Of Our Lives”. Lambert is featured on the back cover of the current People Magazine Country Special Issue and can also be seen on the August 17 cover of Country Weekly.

Recently "People Magazine Country," Cotton Incorporated and Lambert hosted a VIP party in Nashville to coincide with the launch of her print campaign representing "The Fabric Of Our Lives." Lambert is featured on the back cover of the current "People Magazine Country Special Issue" and the Aug. 17 cover of Country Weekly.

Tickets for Miranda Lambert’s Revolution At The Ryman went on sale Friday and were gone by the end of the weekend. At the Sept. 24 event she will perform her entire new album, Revolution, before it is released on Sept. 29. The new single, “White Liar,” written by Lambert and Natalie Hemby has quickly become a fan favorite in concert and is rising at radio. She explains, “This songs sounds like a lot of my influences. I feel like it’s a huge staple on this album because it’s different.” Adding, “I love songs that create images, tell a story that people can make up there own little movie to in their minds.”

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Kenny Chesney is taking the concept of his surprise, last-minute Keg in the Closet shows to the arena level. The small events typically take place in the bars of SEC college towns.

While waiting to take the stage and play to a sold out crowd of 49,000 at Detroit’s Ford Field, tickets quietly went on sale for a just-added Sept. 17 show at Bloomington, IL’s US Cellular Coliseum. Tickets were gone in about 3 minutes.

Chesney’s Corona Extra presents Sun City Carnival recently played his fifth consecutive sell-out in Boston’s stadium, and fourth consecutive sell-out at Ford Field in Detroit.

Also on the schedule is a Sept. 15 intimate show at Times Square’s Hard Rock Café as part of the vaunted chain’s Ambassadors of Rock program. The Sun City Carnival’s final hurrah will be at Indianapolis’ Lincoln Oil Field.

Jim Foglesong, Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks Honored

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Honorary Chairs Crystal Gayle and Steve Wariner, Leadership Music executive director Kira Florita, Leadership Music board president Pat Collins, tribute performer John Conlee, Honorary Chair Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Jim Foglesong, Allen Reynolds, tribute performer Martina McBride, Honorary Chair Cowboy Jack Clement, speaker John McBride, and LMDFA tribute show producer Garth Fundis. Photo credit: Steve Lowry

Honorary Chairs Crystal Gayle and Steve Wariner, Leadership Music executive director Kira Florita, Leadership Music board president Pat Collins, tribute performer John Conlee, Honorary Chair Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Jim Foglesong, Allen Reynolds, tribute performer Martina McBride, Honorary Chair Cowboy Jack Clement, speaker John McBride, and LMDFA tribute show producer Garth Fundis. Photo credit: Steve Lowry

NASHVILLE – Label executive Jim Foglesong, producer/songwriter Allen Reynolds and artist Garth Brooks were honored with the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award during an all-star musical tribute August 23 in Nashville. Among those saluting the three country music giants were Martina McBride, Steve Wariner, Kathy Mattea, Hal Ketchum, Cowboy Jack Clement, Crystal Gayle, John Conlee, Lee Greenwood and Brooks’ wife, artist Trisha Yearwood. The honorees’ legendary careers intertwined when Brooks was signed to Capitol Records with Foglesong at the helm, and Reynolds produced his groundbreaking albums.

The Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, presented annually by the educational non-profit organization of music professionals, was created “to recognize music trailblazers who exemplify the highest quality of leadership and leading by example.” More than 700 music industry executives, collaborators, friends and family attended this year’s dinner at the Renaissance Hotel.

In depth coverage of this event was presented in this morning’s subscriber-only @MusicRow, in the popular “Bobby Karl Works The Room” column.