Lady A Leads ACM Noms

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With seven nods, Lady Antebellum leads the Academy of Country Music Award nominations, announced this morning (3/2). The trio is up for Album of the Year, Top Vocal Group, Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “Need You Now.” They were also nominated as a producer for the Single award and as a composer for Song.

Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton read the nominations live this morning during CBS’ The Early Show broadcast from New York City.  McEntire will return for an unprecedented 12th time to host this year’s awards show when it is broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 18 on CBS.

Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood are nominated for six awards each, followed by Taylor Swift who is up for five awards, including her first nod for Entertainer of the Year.

Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown Band are up for four apiece, with Brown being nominated for an additional two.

For the third year, fans will select the winner of the Academy’s most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year and for the second year, the three newcomer categories for the annual Academy of Country Music Awards —Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Group and Top New Vocal Duo — will also be opened up to fan voting. The winner in each Top New category will then move on to compete for Top New Artist which is also a fan voted category. Online voting for all fan voted categories will be available at www.voteACM.com.

Following is the list of final nominees. Winners in each of the following categories, except where noted, will be presented with an ACM Award during the live television broadcast. Click here for a list of Off-Camera (musician, radio, and industry) nominees.

(L-R) Blake Shelton, Executive Producer of The ACM Awards R.A.C. Clark, Executive VP Specials Music and Live Events CBS Jack Sussman, President of Dick Clark Productions Orly Adelson, Reba McEntire and Executive Director of ACM Bob Romeo at the 45th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards Nominations at CBS Early Show Studio Plaza on March 2, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for ACM)

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Zac Brown Band

Top Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Keith Urban

Top Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack

Top Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Randy Rogers Band
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Top Vocal Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland

TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST of the Year *
Luke Bryan
Jamey Johnson
Chris Young

TOP NEW VOCAL DUO of the Year *
Bomshel
Joey + Rory
Steel Magnolia

TOP NEW VOCAL GROUP of the Year *
Eli Young Band
Gloriana
The Lost Trailers

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]
American Saturday Night – Brad Paisley (Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Chris DuBois, Frank Rogers

Lady Antebellum – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by:  Victoria Shaw, Paul Worley

Play On – Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright
“Quitter” Produced by Max Martin & Shellback for Maratone Productions and Mark Bright

Revolution – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

The Foundation – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Keith Stegall, Zac Brown

Single Record of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]
Need You Now – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley

People Are Crazy – Billy Currington (Mercury)
Produced by: Carson Chamberlain, Billy Currington

Red Light – David Nail (MCA Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

Toes – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Keith Stegall, Zac Brown

White Liar – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

Song of the Year [Awarded to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood
Composers:  Mike Elizondo, Brett James, Carrie Underwood
Publishers:   Brett James Cornelius Music (ASCAP), Carrie Okie Music (BMI), Rincon Ave Music
(ASCAP), Stage Three Songs (ASCAP)

Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
Composers:  Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott
Publishers: EMI Foray Music (BMI), Darth Buddha (ASCAP), Dwhaywood Music (BMI), Hillary Dawn Publishing (SESAC), Radiobullets Publishing (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Year Of The Dog Music (ASCAP)

People Are Crazy – Billy Currington
Composers:  Bobby Braddock, Troy Jones
Publishers:  Crozier Music Enterprises LLC (BMI), Mighty Nice Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tiltawhirl Music (BMI)

White Liar – Miranda Lambert
Composers:  Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
Publishers:  Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tiltawhirl Music (BMI)

You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift
Composers:  Liz Rose, Taylor Swift
Publishers:  Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Taylor Swift Music (BMI)

Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] (Off Camera Award)
Boots On – Randy Houser
Producer: Eric Welch
Director: Eric Welch (Drake footage: Vickie Vaughn)

Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
Producer: Clarke Gallivan
Director: David McClister

Welcome To The Future – Brad Paisley
Producers: Mark Kalbfeld, Jim Shea, Peter Tilden
Director: Jim Shea

White Liar – Miranda Lambert
Producer:  Tameron Hedge
Director: Chris Hicky

You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift
Producer: Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White

Vocal Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (Off Camera Award)
Hillbilly Bone – Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins (Reprise Records / Warner Music Nashville)
Producer: Scott Hendricks

Honky Tonk Stomp – Brooks & Dunn featuring Billy Gibbons (Arista Nashville)
Producer: Ronnie Dunn, Terry McBride

I Told You So – Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis (19/Arista Nashville)
Producer:  Mark Bright

I’m Alive – Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews (Blue Chair/BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

Seeing Stars – Jack Ingram featuring Patty Griffin (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Jack Ingram, Jeremy Stover

The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Orly Adelson and R.A. Clark are executive producers, Barry Adelman is producer and Bob Bardo is executive in charge of production.

Blaine Larsen

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“Chillin'”

Treehouse Records

While most know Blaine Larsen as a serious guy whose songs often dig a little deeper than most, it doesn’t mean the 20-something singer/songwriter/guitarist doesn’t know how to kick back and have a good time. As he likes to say, “I promise… I’m just like any other 24 year old guy who’s trying to get by in today’s world: you gotta work hard for what you get, but you also have to enjoy the life you’ve got.”

That was the inspiration for Larsen to start “Chillin’” with regular writing buddies Ed Hill and Phil Odonnell. “We were just sitting around, talking about what we do when we’re just sitting around,” Larsen says, “and we didn’t have time to quite finish it, but we knew it felt good… and we thought we were maybe saying it in a way that hadn’t been quite like that, and I think we all knew the melody felt really good…” The song will appear on Larsen’s upcoming Treehouse Records album Not Too Bad.

With early response being strong – including out of the box adds from KASE in Austin, KYGO in Denver, WWYZ in Hartford, KAJA in San Antonio and KRTY in San Jose – “Chillin’” is an antidote for this chilly winter.

“I know it’s not what people maybe expect from me, but ‘Chillin’” is definitely a big piece of who I am,” Larsen explains. “You know, life is fun if you decide to enjoy it… and me and my friends, we do! I think as you’re making your way, it’s the single best thing you do – and when I’m out on a boat with friends, or just hanging out around the house, that’s really what it all comes down to: kicking back, having a good time, being happy right where you are.

“The funny thing is: it’s a lot simpler and easier than most people think. Heck, that was a lot of why we wrote the song the way we did.”

http://www.blainelarsen.com/

Gordie Sampson Inks With Bug Music

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Front (L-R): Bug Music CEO John Rudolph, and Gordie Sampson; Back (L-R): Sheri Jones, Jones & Co. Artist Management; Betsy Anthony, Bug Music Sr. Mngr, Creative/Writer Services

Bug Music Publishing has signed a new co-publishing deal with songwriter Gordie Sampson, the award winning co-writer of “Jesus, Take The Wheel” and other charttopping hits.

Sampson has had cuts by Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Bon Jovi, and Martina McBride. Among his numerous national and international awards are the 2007 Grammy for Best Country Song, Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year, and ASCAP Song of the Year Award for “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” He is also a 2010 Grammy nominee for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for “Swan Feathers” (Leslie Mendelson), and was recently honored by ASCAP for Underwood’s “Just a Dream.”

Bug Music CEO John Rudolph announced the new agreement which includes Sampson’s future works. Previously, Bug had handled Sampson through his co-publishing agreement with Windswept.

Bug’s catalog has over 250,000 copyrights including the classics “What a Wonderful World,” “Fever” and “Happy Together,” as well as songs from Johnny Cash, Pete Townshend, Woody Guthrie, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ashley Gorley (Carrie Underwood, Trace Atkins), Kara DioGuardi (Pink, Jonas Brothers, Celine Dion), Ryan Adams, and Kings of Leon.

Industry Toasts White-Hot Hit From Lambert/Hemby

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Pictured are (l-r): Carnival Music’s Matthew Miller, BMI’s Jody Williams, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Miranda Lambert, producer Mike Wrucke, co-writer Natalie Hemby, producer Frank Liddell, ShopKeeper Management’s Marion Kraft, Columbia Nashville’s Jimmy Rector. Photo by Rick Diamond

Miranda Lambert is no stranger to critical acclaim and her recent third album is boosting her appeal to the commercial masses. BMI saluted Lambert’s first No. 1 hit “White Liar,” co-written with Natalie Hemby, with a 1940s-themed gala on Friday, Feb. 26. The single is the first chart-topper for both songwriters who celebrated with friends and industry guests donned in black and white ‘40s duds. A live swing band provided the musical backdrop at trendy downtown Nashville event space Cellar One.

Among the partygoers cheering Lambert and Hemby were team members pictured above, as well as Blake Shelton, Steve Moore, Tracy Gershon, Joey Lee, Henry Glascock, Katie Nelson, Jon Freeman, Christie King, Kay Clary, Michelle Goble and tons more.

Lambert’s albums have all debuted at the top of the charts, and followed with Platinum or Gold certification, but “White Liar” is her first radio charttopper, and one of the 11 songs she wrote or co-wrote for her latest album Revolution.

Carnival Music’s Hemby has also been on a hot streak. She has writing credits on recent albums from Lee Ann Womack (“The Bees”), Eli Young Band (“Mystery In The Making”) and the title track to Carrie Underwood’s latest, Play On.

“White Liar” was her first country single though, and she says she and Lambert wrote it in just 30 minutes. She also co-wrote three other songs for Revolution: “Only Prettier,” “Airstream Song” and “Virginia Bluebell.”

Rowdy Times: Bryan Plans “Spring Break” EP; Hank Jr. Hits Nashville

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Luke Bryan will release his second Spring Break EP, Spring Break 2…. Hangover Edition, exclusively on the iTunes Store tomorrow, March 2. The EP from the Capitol Nashville artist includes three never-before released, self-penned tracks “Wild Weekend,” “Cold Beer Drinker” and “I’m Hungover.” The album is currently being offered on iTunes for pre-order, $2.49.

Bryan will promote the release with his second mini Spring Break Tour, set for March 7-8 in Florida. He is also currently on the road as the opening act for Jason Aldean’s Wide Open Tour.

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Hank Williams Jr.’s Rowdy Friends 2010 tour will stop in Nashville Fri., April 23. Joining Hank for the party at the Arena are Jamey Johnson, Eric Church and The Grascals.

City Paper: WKRN Dismisses Brad Schmitt

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By: Ken Whitehouse

Brad Schmitt, who has served as an entertainment reporter for both The Tennessean and more recently for WKRN-Channel 2, was dismissed from the station on Monday (2/22) following a weekend DUI arrest. This was Schmitt’s second DUI in three years.

Matthew Zelkind, news director and station manager, told The City Paper that “Schmitt and News2 have parted ways.” He declined to comment further on personnel matters.

Read More

CRS Attendance Up, New Board Announced

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Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. is reporting a 3.5 percent year-to-year increase in attendance for CRS 2010 which closed on Friday (2/26).

This year’s CRS 2010 total attendance was 2,181, with 1,576 full registrants (attendees, exhibitors, panelists and sponsors) and 605 participant registrants. Participant registrants represent attendees that register for individual events or single day passes, but not the full three-day seminar. Last year’s CRS 2009 total attendance was 2,106.

“We are extremely pleased that CRS 2010 not only met our expectations, but exceeded them this year in many ways,” says CRB interim Executive Director Bill Mayne. “The attendance, sponsorship, participation, and enthusiasm were especially heartening. The level of artist talent was stellar, and the radio agenda panels were thought provoking and relevant. We were encouraged to see the Country Radio industry really get behind this year’s seminar, and our attendance figures show that. Every participant had the opportunity to walk away with valuable resources, relationships and ideas, and we look forward to continuing to improve the CRS experience as we move forward with this event for many more years to come.”

Several changes to the CRS agenda committee and CRB board of directors have been announced, including the creation of an additional CRS Co-Vice Chair position.

The newly elected CRB board officers and CRS agenda committee members are as follows:

CRB President: Mike Culotta (WQYK, Tampa, Fla.)
CRB Vice President: R.J. Curtis (Arista Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.)
CRB Secretary: Carole Bowen (WKIS, Miami, Fla.)
CRB Treasurer: Jeff Walker (The AristoMedia Group, Nashville, Tenn.)
CRS 2011 Agenda Chair: John Paul (Dial Global, Denver, Colo.)
CRS 2011 Co-Vice Chair: Clint Marsh (Talking Stick Communications, Warsaw, Ind.)
CRB 2011 Co-Vice Chair: Annie Sandor (Curb Records, Nashville, Tenn.)

“We feel it’s important to emphasize the sales side of Country radio at CRS 2011, so we have added another Vice Chair position to our agenda committee,” says Agenda Chair John Paul. “With the addition of Clint Marsh, we now have a Vice Chair who comes from the General Manager side of things, while the other Vice Chair, Annie Sandor, comes from the label/promotion side. With my experience in programming, we have nearly every angle of our business covered as we begin planning CRS 2011.”

The newly elected CRB board members are Jim Asker (All Access, Nashville, Tenn.) and Charlie Morgan (Emmis Communications, Indianapolis, Ind.). Both will serve three-year terms on the CRB board, along with re-elected members Becky Brenner, Joel Burke, Mike Dungan, Renee Leymon, Mike McVay, Joel Raab and John Zarling.

Continuing their terms on the CRB board are: Tom Baldrica, Carole Bowen, Natalie Conner, John Crenshaw, Mike Culotta, R.J. Curtis, David Haley, Clay Hunnicutt, Keith Kaufman, Scott Lindy, Bill Macky, Michael Osterhout, Royce Risser, Denise Roberts, Tim Roberts, John Shomby, Jeff Walker and Rusty Walker.

CRS 2011 will be held March 2-4, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Visit www.CRB.org for more information.

CMT Promotes Lisa Chader, Anthony Barton

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Lisa Chader and Anthony Barton

CMT today announced the promotions of Lisa Chader and Anthony Barton, both to Senior Vice President.

Chader has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications from Vice President, Corporate Communications, CMT; it was announced today by CMT President Brian Philips. Chader is based in Nashville and reports to Philips. In her new role, she will continue to oversee the creation and execution of network publicity strategies for original programming, digital media, special events and corporate public relations policies across all CMT properties.

Chader joined CMT in 2005 when she relocated from Los Angeles, where she had been Director of Corporate Communications for MTV Networks, representing Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV. She served as unit publicist on such shows as the Emmy-winning series “South Park,” as well as “Chappelle’s Show” and such reality programming as “Surreal Life.”

With 20 years of experience in television publicity, Chader sits on the Executive Board of the T.J. Martell Foundation, and is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, PRSA, Television Publicity Executives Committee, Women in Cable and Leadership Music.

Barton has been promoted to Senior Vice President Integrated Marketing, from Vice President, Integrated Marketing, CMT, it was announced by Philips. Barton is based in Nashville and reports to Brian Philips and Jeff Lucas, EVP Entertainment Group Ad Sales, MTVN.

Barton joined the CMT Integrated Marketing team as Vice President in 2004. In his new role as Senior Vice President, he will continue to create innovative custom content for all CMT platforms that engages the audience, delivers measurable ROI and generates revenue for the network. Barton has worked with such high profile clients as Verizon, Bing and Nationwide Insurance on campaigns for the network’s biggest event of the year, the CMT Music Awards, as well as Paramount Studios, Warner Bros. and Fox Filmed Entertainment.

In his 14 years with MTV Networks, Barton has worked in several divisions. After splitting his time between New York City and Nashville, Barton relocated to Nashville in 2007. The Vanderbilt University graduate is a member of the Country Music Association and currently serves on the Board of the Brooks Fund.

Arnold Departs Show Dog – Universal

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MusicRow has learned that Show Dog – Universal Publicity & Marketing Manager Tracy Arnold has resigned her post with the label, effective last Friday (2/26). Her new contact info is 615-478-4840 (cell) and [email protected].

ACM Noms Tomorrow, Fan Voting Open

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Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton will announce the nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards live tomorrow morning (3/2) on CBS’ The Early Show. Shelton will also perform and ACM Awards show host McEntire will be interviewed. Check musicrow.com for all the nominations.

For the first time this year, fans have the opportunity to vote in the newcomer categories Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group. Voting opened Friday, February 26 and continues through Friday, March 12 at 5 p.m. ET, at www.VoteACM.com. The ballot page is hosted on GAC’s website. Additionally, each of the nine finalists is featured on ACM Showcase 2010, now airing on GAC.

One winner in each of the three categories will be announced mid-March and will move on to compete for Top New Artist. Voting for that category will run April 1-18. The winner will be announced during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards telecast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 18.

The final nominees in the Top New categories are:

Top New Solo Vocalist
Luke Bryan
Jamey Johnson
Chris Young

Top New Vocal Duo
Bomshel
Joey + Rory
Steel Magnolia

Top New Vocal Group
Eli Young Band
Gloriana
The Lost Trailers