Digital Rodeo Taps Blair Garner For Guilty Pleasures

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DigitalRodeo.com and CRB have announced After MidNite’s Blair Garner as a co-host of this year’s Digital Rodeo Guilty Pleasures Show, set for Feb. 26 at Cadillac Ranch during CRS 2010. The “Guilty Pleasures” theme encourages artists to choose and perform cover versions of one of their favorite songs from any artist, across any genre of music. Last year’s show featured performances from Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Jimmy Wayne, Julianne Hough, James Otto, Jamie O’Neal, Justin Moore, Brady Seals and more.

Garner will host segments of the show, as well as gather content for his website and nationally syndicated radio program, After MidNite with Blair Garner. The Guilty Pleasures show will kick off at 10 PM or immediately following the CRS New Faces Show at the Nashville Convention Center, whichever comes first.

“I heard about Digital Rodeo’s event last year during CRS, so I was already intrigued by the chance to see and hear so many artists perform their ‘guilty pleasure’ songs,” says Garner.  “But when I got the invitation to host, it was really a no-brainer. First, because it’s going to be a blast, but also because of the opportunity to get to see some rare performance moments with these artists in such a unique environment.”

“Having a such a respected radio personality like Blair Garner host the show is an incredible thrill for us,” says John Pyne, Digital Rodeo’s Director of Marketing and Promotions.  “We feel like last year’s show was a great success, especially for the first show we had done at Country Radio Seminar.  This year, we have even higher expectations for the show and I know Blair will help bring it to that next level.”

Artists appearing at this year’s Digital Rodeo Guilty Pleasures Show will be announced shortly.  Contact John Pyne at [email protected] for booking inquiries.

Sugarland Preps “The Incredible Machine” Tour

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CMA Vocal Duo of the Year  Sugarland have dubbed their upcoming headlining 2010 North American tour “The Incredible Machine.” The Mercury Records artists will kick things off on April 23 in Primm, Nevada and travel to over 55 cities nationwide.

“This new tour is a thrill for me,” said Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles. “It will reflect our latest writing and surprises to come for the new record, the hits that our fans love, along with the production value that people have come to trust and expect from our live shows. It’s a whole, new, rhythmic, emotional, visual, fun, incredible, experience machine.”

Sugarland “The Incredible Machine” tour Itinerary:

Primm, NV-4/23                                                              Cooperstown, NY
Lake Tahoe, NV                                                                Canadiagua, NY
Scranton, PA                                                                     Saratoga, NY
Huntington, WV                                                               Twin Lakes, WI-7/23
Indio, CA                                                                            Eau Claire, WI-7/24
Santa Barbara, CA                                                            Kansas City, MO
Concord, CA                                                                      Cheyenne, WY-7/30
Bakersfield, CA                                                                 Minot, ND-7/31
Murphy’s, CA                                                                    Raleigh, NC
Los Angeles, CA                                                                Charlotte, NC
Phoenix, AZ                                                                       St. Louis, MO
Albuquerque, NM                                                            Houston, TX
Bossier City, LA                                                                Dallas, TX
Detroit, MI                                                                         Sioux Falls, SD
Nampa, ID-5/6                                                                 Boston, MA
Orange Beach, AL                                                            London, Ontario
Pelham, AL                                                                        Toronto, Ontario
Salt Lake City, UT                                                             Oklahoma City, OK
Colorado Springs, CO                                                      Southaven, MS
Burgettstown, PA                                                             Cleveland, OH
State College, PA                                                              Cincinnati, OH
Camden, NJ                                                                       Louisville, KY-8/19
Holmdel, NJ                                                                      Alpharetta, GA
Gilford, NH                                                                        Indianapolis, IN-8/20
Columbia, MD                                                                   Des Moines, IA
West Palm Beach, FL                                                       Charlottesville, VA
Tampa, FL                                                                           Bristow, VA
Hartford, CT                                                                       Virginia Beach, VA

Lisa Stewart Seals Joins McGraw/Paltrow Film

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Former BNA Records artist Lisa Stewart Seals, wife of country artist Brady Seals, will join the all-star cast of the new motion picture Love Don’t Let Me Down starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw. Seals plays the mother of a 7-year-old son, Travis, a Leukemia patient who, as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, gets to meet Paltrow’s country music artist character.  Travis is played by Gabe Sipos, a real life cancer survivor.

“My role is a small one, but I’m so excited to have a few lines and to share a scene with an Academy Award winner, a country music icon and a brave soul like Gabe,” says Seals.  “On my list of ‘Things I Hope to Accomplish in My Life,’ I get to check something off!”

Seals previously starred in the film Jericho, winner of Best Feature Film award at Naples Film Fest. She also appeared in Nothing Lasts Forever, a CBS mini-series directed by Jack Bender of Lost fame. Seals has been a red carpet correspondent for E! Entertainment and has hosted various TV show in national syndication for TNN, GAC and more. Her voice is currently featured as the reader of Sara Evans’ audio book The Sweet By and By.

Terra Firma Orders New EMI Strategic Plan

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Seeking to persuade Terra Firma investors to inject a reported $158.5 million of additional investment, Guy Hands, founder of private equity group Terra Firma, has asked EMI Music chief executive Elio Leoni-Sceti to draw up a new plan for the company. London’s Financial Times reports today (2/4) that the cash injection is intended to meet the terms of its loans from Citigroup this year.

Terra Firma needs to raise the funds to salvage the remainder of its equity in investment vehicle Maltby Capital, and so avoid losing control of the company to Citigroup which holds its $4.1 billion debt. The lending terms will be tested again March 31, and further cash injection into EMI will need to happen by the end of June 2010 to avoid the covenant breach.

Billboard.biz reports that an EMI spokesperson insisted the company is doing well, stating that EMI “has been increasing its market share and operating profits have increased substantially both last year and in the current year. The new strategic plan that Terra Firma has asked EMI Music to draw up will build upon these successes.”

Phil Vassar Steps Up For St. Judes

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Showdog-Universal artist Phil Vassar has teamed up with Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radio station partners for a year-long promotion to benefit kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude. The Country Cares radio station that secures the most “Partner In Hope” monthly pledges throughout the designated contest time will receive a free acoustic concert from Vassar.  The contest begins on February 3, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011.

The St. Jude Partner In Hope family is made up of a special group of loyal supporters who give monthly to St. Jude so the hospital has the necessary financial resources to ensure that no child is turned away because of a family’s inability to pay.

“St. Jude is such a fantastic and necessary organization,” says Vassar, who recently visited with St. Jude patients. “I want to do whatever I can to help these kids and we’re going to have some fun in the process.”

“St. Jude steps up to the plate every day,” says Bill Black, Program Director of Mobile, Alabama’s WKSJ. “And now Phil Vassar steps up and supports St. Jude and country radio with a great incentive to grow your radiothon!”

Smith And Sturgeon Join “Artist-Owned” Ranks

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Country artists Anthony Smith and Jason Sturgeon are joining artists like Big Kenny and Gretchen Wilson in establishing their own record labels and teams to release, promote and market their new music. Debut country artist Sturgeon will release his leadoff single, “Simple Life,” to radio through his own label, Toolpusher Records. He will follow that up with his first full-length CD, That’s Me, later in the year, also on Toolpusher. Smith, who formerly recorded for Mercury Nashville and Stroudavarious, will release his new CD, Sunshine, and its leadoff single, “Love Is Love Is Love,” on his own recently established Krankit Records imprint, a joint venture with Artist Garage, who distributes through Fontana, a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Music Group

Both artists have assembled teams of industry veterans to help promote their new music. Sturgeon’s team includes Dennis Kurtz (Showgun Entertainment/Project Management), Larry Pareigis (Nine North Records) Jeri Petty (Rodeo Legacy Marketing), Nancy Tunick (GrassRoots Promotion), Debbie Gibson Palmer and Jack Pride (Spinville Records), Craig Bann (Aristo Media) Bobbe Morhiser (Marco Club Connection) Brian Cecil (Briserv/Internet Marketing & Web Design) and Vanessa Parker-Davis (Splash! PR).

“Sturgeon is a breath of fresh air. His head-on approach to life and his career is refreshing,” says  Pareigis. “We are excited about taking Jason’s music to radio and beyond.”

Smith will also work with Pareigis and his artist services company, Nine North, in promoting his new releases. Also working with Smith are Mike Regan, who will serve as Krankit’s Director of Operations, Jules Wortman of Wortman Works Media and Marketing, and Nicole Cochran of Nic of Time Communications, who will handle public relations and media for the label.

“I believe ‘Love is Love is Love’ has the unmistakable Anthony Smith sound and at the same time is the most commercial single he’s sent to country radio,” Pareigis says. “Nine North is honored to be partnered in the launch of Anthony’s label Krankit Records.”

Bluebird Hosts John Jarrard Foundation Concert

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A distinguished group of songwriters will come together for the second John Jarrard Foundation Concert at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe on Saturday, Feb. 20. Hit songwriters Bob Dipiero, Walt Aldridge, Rory Bourke and Kendall Marvel will perform to benefit the John Jarrard Foundation. Dipiero’s 15 No. 1 hits include “Southern Voice” by Tim McGraw. Aldridge, writer of Reba’s “Fear Of Being Alone,” has twice been voted Billboard Magazine Top 10 Country Songwriter of the Year, and Bourke, writer of Charlie Rich’s “The Most Beautiful Girl,” is a member of the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and a three-time ASCAP Writer of the Year. Marvel is the writer of “Right Where I Need To Be” by Gary Allan.

“We are excited to have such a great group of songwriters performing at the Bluebird,” says John Jarrard Foundation Executive Director Jody Jackson.

John Jarrard was a well-known Nashville songwriter who penned hits for a number of top country music stars. Jarrard fought a long battle with diabetes before passing away in 2001.

Tickets for the Bluebird show are $15 and can be purchased here. Proceeds will go to a permanent endowment fund in Jarrard’s name funding local charities. For more information, contact Jody Jackson at [email protected] or (770) 710-9191.

ACM Names Radio Award Nominees

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The Academy of Country Music has announced radio award nominees for its 45th annual awards show, scheduled for April 18 in Las Vegas. A full list of nominees follows.

On-Air Personality of the Year – National: Blair Garner, AfterMidNite (Premiere); Cody Alan, CMT Radio Live (CMT Radio/Westwood One); Crook & Chase, Crook and Chase Countdown (Premiere); Kix Brooks, American Country Countdown (Citadel Media); Lia Knight, The Lia Show (Dial Global).

On-Air Personality of the Year – Major: Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister, KNIX/Phoenix; Catherine Lane, WSOC/Charlotte; Cliff Morgan, Tanner and Tori, KSON/San Diego; Kelly Ford and Mark Rider, KYGO/Denver; Cornbread, Pat James, Producer Annie, Captain Mac Douglas and Father Harry Schroeder, WIL/St. Louis.

On-Air Personality of the Year – Large Market: Chris Carr, Maverick and Statt, WUBE/Cincinnati; Gerry House, Mike Bohan, Al Voecks, Duncan Stewart and Richard Falklen, WSIX/Nashville; Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt and Kevin Freeman, WFMS/Indianapolis; Jeff Roper, WTQR/Greensboro; Tommy and Joe Johnson, KUBL/Salt Lake City.

On-Air Personality of the Year – Medium Market: Buzz Jackson, KIIM/Tucson; Clay and Dale, WYRK/Buffalo; Dan Brennan and Shelby Mitchell, WKSJ/Mobile; Roger Todd, Tom O’Brien and Melissa Moran, WPCV/Lakeland; Tom Owens and Becky Palmer, WBBS/Syracuse.

On-Air Personality of the Year – Small Market: Barrett, Fox and Berry, KKNU/Eugene, OR; Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green, WKSF/Asheville, NC; Gator and The StyckMan, WGSQ/Cookeville, TN; Jess Wright, WFRE/Frederick, MD; Scotty and Carissa, KCLR/Columbia, MO.

Radio Station of the Year – Major Market: KKGO/Los Angeles, KMPS/Seattle, KSCS/Dallas, KYGO/Denver and WUSN/Chicago.
Radio Station of the Year – Large Market: KNCI/Sacramento, WFMS/Indianapolis, WQDR/Raleigh and WUBE/Cincinnati.

Radio Station of the Year – Medium Market:: KIZN/Boise, ID; KUZZ/Bakersfield; WGNA/Albany, NY; WKSJ/Mobile; and WYRK/Buffalo.

Radio Station of the Year – Small Market:: KMDL/Lafayette, LA; WGSQ/Cookeville, TN; WKSF/Asheville, NC; WKXC/Augusta, GA and WUSY/Chattanooga, TN.

SOLID Hosts Galante

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SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) held its first general assembly meeting of the year featuring Sony Music Nashville CEO/President, Joe Galante. Galante supplied insightful advice on current issues, including the marketing of digital music, technology and how it affects the profit for the industry as well as what he believes will be future issues for the music industry.

“This was a great opportunity for SOLID members to get advice from one of the best leaders in the music industry,” said SOLID President Katie Pope. “Joe Galante is really a role model that members of SOLID should look up to.”

SOLID plans an array of activities throughout the coming year, including additional high profile speakers.

“Last year our committee raised the bar in educational opportunities available for SOLID members,” says Education Chair Heath Baumhor. “We look forward to continuing to secure top-notch speakers for our general assembly meetings as well as the (After)Work Shops.”

Started in 1997 by a small group of industry professionals, SOLID combines educational opportunities, hands-on training from diverse industry experts, music industry social networking and community service.

Carrie Underwood Lands Big Screen Role, No. 1 Video

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Five-time Grammy award winner Carrie Underwood has landed a supporting role in her first feature film, Soul Surfer. The movie is based on the autobiography of 19-year-old champion surfer Bethany Hamilton, who has defied the odds to win professional championships after losing her arm in a shark attack at age thirteen. Underwood will play Sarah Hill, a church youth leader. Filming is to take place in February

The film also stars Academy Award winner Helen Hunt as Bethany’s mother Cheri, Golden Globe nominee Dennis Quaid as Bethany’s father Tom, and Young Artist Award winner AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany Hamilton. The cast also includes Lorraine Nicholson (as Alana Blanchard) and Kevin Sorbo (as Holt Blanchard).

In other Underwood news, the singer will perform the national anthem at this Sunday’s (2/7) Super Bowl XLIV and will appear on the cover of the March issue of Cosmopolitan, with an Allure cover feature hitting stands for their April issue. In addition, the video for her latest single, “Temporary Home,” is today’s #1 video on iTunes. “Temporary Home” will hit the will make its television debut February 4 in Hot Shot rotation on CMT and in Turbo rotation on GAC.

Looking ahead, the singer will make her first appearance at the prestigious Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, October 2, with a concert performance that will involve the renowned Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.