Songwriters and Superstars Offer Help During Holidays

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keithSongwriters and superstars alike are helping those in need this holiday season.

On board to raise much needed funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are Keith Urban, Buddy Jewell and Whitney Duncan. Urban and Jewell have 2010 calendars for sale to benefit the hospital through their Web sites. And Duncan is auctioning off the Versace gown she wore on the red carpet of this year’s CMA Awards in support of Country Cares for St. Jude, the auction runs through 12/19.

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Also on the auction block are handwritten lyrics from Emmylou Harris, Kix Brooks, The Fray and too many others to mention, benefitting the Americana Music Association. Cayamo has also donated a cruise for two on their Journey Through Song Caribbean Cruise, where Harris will be joined by John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle and many others.

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Erin Enderlin, Leslie Satcher, Monty Holmes and Casey Beathard will play a benefit concert for the 2nd Squadron/278th Armored Calvary Regiment of the TN National Guard on Dec. 21 at Douglas Corner at 6pm. The cost is $10.

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The Loveless Cafe’s White Christmas With Suzy Bogguss & Friends will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Running nightly at 6 PM Dec. 20-23, there will be a concert, buffet dinner, and pictures with Santa Claus. Nonperishable food donations will also be accepted at the event. Visit lovelessbarn.com for more info.

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The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation was scheduled to present a $2,500 Music Matters™ grant to W.O. Smith Music School at its holiday recital on Monday (12/14).

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Last weekend Kellie Pickler headlined a Country Crossing-sponsored concert at the Dothan Civic Center in Alabama that benefited the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank. Area natives Matt Kennon and Houston County also performed. More than $16,00 and 8,800 pounds of food were raised, translating to 92,134 meals.

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Carter’s Chord, Julie Roberts, Bryan White, Blaine Larsen, Rob Blackledge, Tammy Cochran, Regie Hamm, Mica Roberts, Trailer Choir, Natalie Hemby, and more raised funds for Christian child advocacy ministry Compassion International with a concert at the Mercy Lounge on Dec. 2.

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Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas in Longview, Texas (12/11), and his Bar-None Cowboy Christmas Ball in Tatum, Texas (12/12) raised $240,000 for Heartlight Ministries for troubled teens.

MR Exclusive: ACM Expands Entertainer Category To Eight Nominees

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acmWhen the Academy of Country Music Awards take place next year, there will be eight artists vying for the night’s coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy. After much deliberation, the ACM has decided to add three nominees to the previous final slate of five artists in the category, starting with the upcoming show on an as-yet-unannounced date. The Academy is also reworking the New Artist categories for the Awards, and exploring a one-time location change from its typical Las Vegas home.

“There’s been a movement the last few years to redefine the Entertainer category,” explains ACM Executive Director Bob Romeo. But when committee members sat down to examine the award’s criteria, it was a daunting task. With so many important facets of a music career at work—touring, airplay, sales, media appearances—the category was nearly impossible to define. “The controversial question was, ‘Should someone win Entertainer that hasn’t had as big of a tour as someone else?’” says Romeo. “And that got to be a very in-depth discussion about how much touring should weigh.”

Bob Romeo

Bob Romeo

“After a lot of discussions we realized that [the industry] can’t define the category because the fans gather their perspective differently,” he says. Instead of trying to narrow down the criteria for the category, the Academy took the opposite approach and expanded it. Romeo believes this change will be beneficial in numerous ways. “By allowing three more people to run it’s more inclusive for the format, and it gives us three more people to help promote the viewing of the show.”

The Academy made another major change to the Entertainer category two years ago by allowing fans to vote for the final winner. ACM professional members will still narrow down the Entertainer nominees to the final eight. The final nominees will be revealed in February 2010 in Nashville, date to-be-announced.

For the new artist categories, the ACM is combining Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Male Vocalist into a single Top New Solo Vocalist category for the 2010 show. In addition, the Top New Vocal Duo or Group category will become two separate categories.

“The Academy has always been responsive to the industry and our Board felt these changes reflect what is happening in country music,” states Romeo. “The proliferation of duos and groups over the past several years is impossible to deny.” Citing past new artist award winners Zac Brown Band, Jack Ingram and Jake Owen, Romeo says it is good to have more than one newcomer category because it gives the act something to hang their hat on. Plus, many of them spend the following year touting the win, in effect creating ACM Award interest.

In addition to Entertainer of the Year, all three new artist categories—Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group—will be open to fan voting, and those winners will also once again compete for the overall Top New Artist award.

“One thing the Academy would like to say is that we’re open to change,” Romeo reiterates. “And I think that every year we realize we have to revisit our criteria to reflect what’s happening out there. We realized that last year after the voting process started, when it came to Album of the Year and we had to tweak criteria to include digital downloads.”

The ACM is a progressive organization that strives to promote the genre through fan engagement. To that end, Romeo confirms that “the Academy board is exploring options of moving and doing a special one-off Awards show” in 2010.

The ballot timeline for professional members:
1st Ballot Opens – Mon., Jan. 4, 2010, 9 AM/CT
1st Ballot Closes – Fri., Jan. 15, 5 PM/CT
2nd Ballot Opens – Mon., Feb. 1, 9 AM/CT
2nd Ballot Closes – Fri., Feb. 12, 5 PM/CT
3rd Ballot Opens – Mon., March 22, 9 AM/CT
3rd Ballot Closes – Fri., April 2, 5 PM/CT

Details and timeline for fan voting will be announced at a later date. For more information on ACM Awards criteria, please click here.

Photos: Sony Salutes Waugh Upon Retirement

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VP Marketing Tom Baldrica, VP RCA Nashville National Promotion Keith Gale, Chairman Joe Galante, VP BNA Records National Promotion Bryan Frasher, Waugh, VP Promotion Skip Bishop, Dir. of Arista Nashville National Promotion Lesly Tyson, Senior VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee

VP Marketing Tom Baldrica, VP RCA Nashville National Promotion Keith Gale, Chairman Joe Galante, VP BNA Records National Promotion Bryan Frasher, Waugh, VP Promotion Skip Bishop, Dir. of Arista Nashville National Promotion Lesly Tyson, Senior VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee

“We Are Family”—Sony Music Nashville said goodbye to friend and EVP/GM Butch Waugh on his last week in the office. As an employee of 27 years, Waugh accumulated a series of “Butchisms,” or recognized catchphrases within the SMN family, some of which were printed on the T-shirts worn by the entire staff during his farewell toast (see above).

Waugh and Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante

Waugh and Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante

Cracked House Foundation

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The House Foundation, Front row (L-R) Richard Falklen, Duncan Stewart. Back row (L-R): Mike Bohan, Gerry House and Al Voecks. Photo: Dean Dixon

The House Foundation, Front row (L-R) Richard Falklen, Duncan Stewart. Back row (L-R): Mike Bohan, Gerry House and Al Voecks. Photo: Dean Dixon

After 28 years, Gerry House’s radio team the House Foundation is splitting up. Blaming budget cuts at the Clear Channel owned station, ringleader House told The Tennessean that Dec. 23 will be the last day on the WSIX morning show for newsman Al Voecks and sportscaster Duncan Stewart. Remaining on-air will be Country Music DJ Hall of Fame inductee House, sidekick Mike Bohan, and producer Richard Falklen.

House told the newspaper that he fought the changes, explaining, “I’ve been to the point where I’ve quit and renegotiated and come back…These are tough times economically. I hate this, but we have to step forward.”

He also said the station is considering hiring a new person to do both news and sports for the show.

Bob Doyle, WMEE Sign The Band Perry

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band perryArtist management team Bob Doyle & Associates has signed Republic Nashville act The Band Perry, and Doyle’s publishing company Major Bob Music has also entered an agreement with the rising group. William Morris Endeavor Entertainment is handling booking for the band.

The Band Perry, made up of siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry, is busy on a radio tour supporting its debut single, “Hip To My Heart.”

“We are very proud to be a part of something as special as TBP and their music,” said Bob Doyle & Associates manager Josh Pegram. “Everything they do—from their writing and their style to how they deliver songs live—is so real and fresh.”

Major Bob Music, Inc. Mike Doyle, VP/GM of A&R, adds, ”We are so happy to have The Band Perry on board; their energy is contagious and we are thrilled to be a part of the team.”

Big D And Bubba Re-up With Premiere

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bubbaBig D and Bubba, hosts of one of the most widely syndicated Country morning radio shows in the U.S., have renewed their long-term contract with Premiere Radio Networks. Broadcasting Monday through Friday from 6 – 10 a.m. ET, The Big D and Bubba Show will continue to be heard on more than 50 radio stations across the country.

Premiere Radio Networks assumed distribution rights to the Nashville based show in October 2005. Premiere Radio Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, syndicates 90 radio programs and services to more than 5,000 radio affiliations and reaches over 190 million listeners weekly. It is home to Rush Limbaugh, Jim Rome, Ryan Seacrest, Glenn Beck, Bob & Tom, Delilah, Steve Harvey, Blair Garner, John Boy and Billy and many more.

Rucker, Wilson, and Opry Special On TV

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mzi.yvqefwee.170x170-75Darius Rucker will appear on ABC’s Good Morning America tomorrow (12/16) to perform “History In The Making.” He will also appear on the show’s Christmas Day special to perform a holiday tune he co-wrote with producer Frank Rogers, “Candy Cane Christmas.”

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Pictured: Hazel Smith (l.) and Gretchen Wilson (r.) during the taping of CMT's Southern Fried Flicks with Hazel Smith. Credit: Jimmy Corn

Pictured: Smith (L) and Wilson (R) during the taping of CMT's "Southern Fried Flicks with Hazel Smith." Credit: Jimmy Corn

Gretchen Wilson recently taped an episode of CMT’s Southern Fried Flicks television show with host Hazel Smith. The two enjoyed pork chops, corn casserole, and dreamsicle cake while catching up about Wilson’s single “Work Hard, Play Harder” and upcoming album on her own label. The episode will air on CMT Sunday, December 20.

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martina

Martina McBride

A special episode of Opry Live featuring Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Jake Owen, and Rodney Atkins is set to air on GAC: Great American Country this Sat., Dec. 19 at 8:00 p.m. CT. The special was taped last month at the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Meanwhile, the Opry is set to round out 2009 at the Ryman with performances by a bevy of new stars and all-time favorites. Among those scheduled to appear: Jamey Johnson, Jimmy Wayne, Darryl Worley, Chris Young, Terri Clark (Dec. 15); Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Ralph Stanley (Dec. 18 & 19); Ronnie Milsap (Dec. 19); Blaine Larsen, Dailey & Vincent (Christmas Day); and Restless Heart, Dailey & Vincent (Dec. 26).

Faith, Chesney, Make End-of-Decade Lists

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faithAs the 2000s come to a close, publications are reflecting on the decade gone by. Here are some highlights:

Faith Hill is the only artist, in any musical genre, to have two of the Top 10 most played songs of the decade (according to Nielsen BDS). Released in November 1999, “Breathe” stands at No. 4 on the chart, while “The Way You Love Me,” released on February 29th, 2000, comes in at No. 6. Both songs are from Breathe, which has sold more than 8 million copies in the US.

chesneyRolling Stone has many decade-end lists in its magazine and online. It ranks Kenny Chesney as the No. 3 biggest touring act of the decade behind Dave Matthews and Celine Dion. He comes in ahead of the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Madonna and more.

RS also surveyed artists, critics, and others in the industry to compile the 100 Best Albums of the Decade list, and several projects with Nashville ties made the cut (see below). Among the judges were Miranda Lambert and the Followills of Kings of Leon fame. Coming in at No. 1: Kid A by Radiohead (Capitol, 2000).

93. Johnny Cash, Unearthed, Lost Highway, 2003
81. Ryan Adams, Gold, Lost Highway, 2001
80. Kings Of Leon, Youth And Young Manhood, RCA, 2003
64. Gillian Welch, Time The Revelator, Acony Records, 2001
62. Johnny Cash, American III: Solitary Man, American Recordings, 2000
55. Robert Plant And Alison Krauss, Raising Sand, Rounder, 2007
53. Kings Of Leon, Only By The Night, RCA, 2008
39. Kings Of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak, RCA, 2005
38. Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker, Bloodshot, 2000
19. The White Stripes, White Blood Cells, Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2001
5. The White Stripes, Elephant, V2/Third Man, 2003

Phil Vassar Releases New Album Today

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vassPhil Vassar’s fifth studio album Traveling Circus hits streets today (12/15). Taking a very hands-on approach, he wrote or co-wrote every song, produced the album himself and hired his road band to play on it.

He wrote the current single “Everywhere I Go,” with Jeffrey Steele. The video has been added to rotation on CMT and GAC.

Universal Records South had originally planned the project for a February release, but moved up the street date in November.

Vassar is also giving a Christmas gift to his fans in the form of a free holiday download of Phil Vassar An Acoustic Christmas.

Chris Cella's Team L-R First Row: Chris Cella, Phil Vassar, Clark Sarullo, Tommy Garris, Joe Lee Frank, Robbie Corcoran, Joseph Bannister L-R Second Row: Dave Lester, Michael Dalton, Yonas Tesaferi, Kraig Swisher, Brice Miller, Chad Pearce, Joe Lee Frank, Brandt Hackney
Fresh out of film school director Chris Cella produced the video for “Everywhere I Go.” Pictured here Cella’s team with Vassar. (L-R, First Row): Chris Cella, Phil Vassar, Clark Sarullo, Tommy Garris, Joe Lee Frank, Robbie Corcoran, Joseph Bannister. (L-R, Second Row): Dave Lester, Michael Dalton, Yonas Tesaferi, Kraig Swisher, Brice Miller, Chad Pearce, Joe Lee Frank, Brandt Hackney

Books With Songwriter Ties: “Chicken Soup,” “Have Her Over For Dinner”

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mattLocal songwriter/artist Matt Moore is branching out with the release of his first cookbook, Have Her Over for Dinner: a gentleman’s guide to classic, simple meals. The Georgia native has shared the stage with Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, and Luke Bryan but has also long enjoyed cooking. His latest outing offers more than 100 recipes—ranging from Italian to Southern Eclectic to Vegetarian—created for men looking to impress in the kitchen. Moore’s recipes emphasize the basics, without requiring dozens of ingredients, and even covers stocking the kitchen, pairing beer or wine with food, lighting, and cleaning up. Available in Nashville at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills and Lazzaroli Pasta in Historic Germantown. He is having a book-signing at Davis-Kidd Booksellers on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7 PM to coincide with Valentines Day.

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soupMany of Nashville’s hit songwriters are included in the new book Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind The Song. The latest in the Chicken Soup series was edited by veteran Hollywood publicist Jo-Ann Geffen and features personal stories from Ashley Gorley, Darius Rucker, Chris Dubois, Ray Stevens, Phil Vassar, Pam Tillis, Bob DiPiero, Clint Black, Kim Carnes, Larry Gatlin, Jewel, Janis Ian, Tracy Lawrence, Shelby Lynne, and Richard Marx. The foreword is by Motown sound architect Lamont Dozier. Also included are pop hitmakers Christina Aguilera, Melissa Etheridge, Richie Sambora, John Legend, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Barry Manilow, Diane Warren and numerous others.