Womack, Pickler Help CMA Songwriters Series Spread Word About Country Music
The popular CMA Songwriters Series, which has played to sold-out crowds in New York City for the past five years, will be hitting the road this Fall with s hows in Los Angeles and Chicago. Each concert will feature a songwriter/artist alongside hit tunesmiths and will be hosted by Bob DiPiero, writer of hits such as “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.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15 the L.A. event at the House of Blues will feature Kellie Pickler and songwriters Chris Lindsey (“Amazed,” Lonestar and “Let’s Make Love,” Tim McGraw w/ Faith Hill), and Aimee Mayo (“This One’s For the Girls,” Martina McBride and “Red High Heels,” Pickler). The Los Angeles show is sponsored by Electronic Arts and is in conjunction with The L.A. Office RoadShow, the “must attend” event for brands, entertainment marketers and agencies. KKGO, Go Country 105 FM, the station under the direction of Senior Manager Country Programming Charlie Cook will support the event. Tickets will be available for $12.50 via Ticketmaster.
Lee Ann Womack will headline two shows in Chicago: Friday, Oct. 2 at Joe’s Bar, and Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Chicago Country Music Festival. Joining her will be Dean Dillon (“The Chair,” “Unwound,” “Ocean Front Property,” and “Marina Del Rey,” George Strait and “A Lot of Things Different,” Kenny Chesney), and Scotty Emerick, (“I Love This Bar,” and “Good As I Once Was,” Toby Keith and “Beer For My Horses,” Keith and Willie Nelson).
Tickets to the Oct. 2 event at Joe’s Bar are $20 each and will go on sale August 7. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster or at Joe’s (cash only-no service charge). The Chicago Country Music Festival takes place October 3 and 4 in Grant Park. The event is free and open to the public.
It’s great that CMA picked 2 of the best singer/songwriter artists to represent country music at these concerts! Lee Ann Womack is already getting good recognition. Kellie Pickler has 2 CMA Horizon/New Artist of the Year nominations and deserved to win both years but was overlooked because 2 other artists had much more label promotion and airplay. The past 2 years she also deserved and was overlooked for Female Vocalist of the Year. Also in 2007 for Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Music Video of the Year, all for I Wonder, which was THE performance of the year at the 2007 CMA Awards and deserved #1 at radio. I hope CMA Awards voters don’t overlook Kellie for these nominations again this year and give her the additional nominations she deserves!
Female Vocalist of the Year – Kellie is one of the best singers, especially live. She’s an equally great vocalist to Miranda and others and a better vocalist than some artists who have been nominated in past years.
Song of the Year – Best Days of Your Life is a great song that has consistently sold over 30,000-40,000 downloads every week for months, it’s certified gold and will be platinum in about 10 weeks. It’s a top 8 hit and deserved #1 at radio.
Single of the Year – Best Days of Your Life is a great song that has consistently sold over 30,000-40,000 downloads every week for months, it’s certified gold and will be platinum in about 10 weeks. It’s a top 8 hit and deserved #1 at radio.
Music Video of the Year – Best Days of Your Life is a great video that has always been a top iTunes seller, staying in the top 25-50 on the all-genre chart. Many months after release it’s currently the #3 best-selling country video and #35 overall on the iTunes all-genre chart.
Musical Event of the Year – Best Days of Your Life is a great song that has consistently sold over 30,000-40,000 downloads every week for months, it’s certified gold and will be platinum in about 10 weeks. It’s a top 8 hit and deserved #1 at radio. Kellie and Taylor Swift wrote it and Taylor sang harmony vocals.
Album of the Year – “Kellie Pickler” is a great album that debuted at #1 and 10 months after release it’s still #15 on Billboard Country.