ole Acquires Blacktop Music Catalog

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ole, one of the world’s largest independent music publishers, has acquired the approximately 4000-song strong music publishing catalog of Blacktop Music Group, Inc. along with its names, brands and trademarks.

Founded in 2001 by multi-platinum recording artist Clint Black, noted business manager Charles Sussman and veteran music publisher Mike Sebastian, Blacktop has been home to some of Nashville’s finest and most prolific hit songwriters.

The Blacktop Music Group roster has included writers Marty Dodson, Jimmy Yeary, Gary Lloyd, Rhean Boyer, Chuck Allen Floyd, Matt Nolen, Liz Hengber and Thom McHugh. The company also represents the catalogs of Michael Lunn, Lonnie Wilson, Rory Lee Feek, Larry Boone, Roger Brown, Roxie Dean and Rick Bowles.

Among the chart-toppers represented are Billy Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” (Dodson/Matthews); Kenny Chesney’s “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” (Dodson/Collins); Blake Shelton’s “Some Beach” (Feek/Overstreet); Luke Bryan’s Top 5 hit “All My Friends Say” (Wilson/Bryan/Stevens); the Top 10 Lonestar single “Mountains” (Boone/Nelson/McDonald) as well as “A Man On A Tractor With A Dog In A Field” (Lunn/Agee) from Rodney Atkins’ platinum album, If You’re Going Through Hell.

“ole is pleased to have been chosen to take the great legacy created by Blacktop forward and we look forward to working hard for both the catalog songwriters and our new current roster additions who will join us at ole,” says ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard.

Adds ole Chairman & CEO Robert Ott, “ole is proud to be part of the music community in Nashville and to support the art of songwriting.”

ASCAP Names LeAnn Phelan Sr. Creative Dir.

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LeAnn Phelan, a music industry veteran with a background in writer relations and A&R, has been tapped as Senior Creative Director for ASCAP’s Nashville office. She will report to Tim DuBois, who recently took the top local post, working as VP and Managing Executive of Operations.

ASCAP has been restructuring its Nashville branch, re-focusing it as a Regional Office serving all genres of music.

“LeAnn has established a reputation as one of the most assertive, successful advocates for writers and artists in the business today,” DuBois said. “ASCAP is delighted to bring on board her insight, talent and passion, as we broaden our service area and simultaneously deepen our relationships with the writers and publishers we serve.”

Phelan previously worked with 19 Entertainment as a Writer Producer/Manager, where she managed multi-genre songwriters. While at 19 Entertainment, she also worked on the audition team for American Idol, Seasons 6-9. Prior to joining 19 Entertainment, Phelan was Senior Director of A&R at Sony Nashville. She previously helped open Windswept Nashville in 1996, and later served as VP and partner at Windswept’s Combustion Music venture. She began her career as a background vocalist/musician on tour with Steve Winwood from 1988-1989. Phelan has a B.B.A. from Belmont University with an emphasis in music business.

“I am thrilled to step into this creative position with ASCAP, as we make Nashville a comprehensive creative hub for writers and publishers from Nashville and beyond,” Phelan said. “There are unlimited possibilities for our members to expand their relationships across genres and across the country and I look forward to facilitating opportunities for talented songwriters and artists.”

Artist Lifenotes: Love And Theft, Terri Clark, Allison Moorer/Steve Earle

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Mr. and Mrs. Gunderson, Photo: Elle DuVal Hobbs

Congrats to Love and Theft’s Eric Gunderson who married longtime girlfriend Emily Hagar at Hazel Path Mansion in Hendersonville, Tennessee on Saturday, April 3. The outdoor wedding was held at sunset with 150 guests in attendance.

After returning from their honeymoon, Gunderson and Love And Theft band mates Brian Bandas and Stephen Barker Liles will join Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum on the Southern Voice tour.

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Sympathy to Terri Clark who lost her mother, Linda Clark, to cancer Sunday, April 4. She had been batting the disease for a few years.

Services will be held Thursday, April 8 at Holy Trinity Church, 1962 Murray Rd., Sooke BC, Canada V9Z 0Z2. For details call (250) 642-6878. Flowers are welcome, however in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Holy Trinity Church.

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Congratulations to musicians Allison Moorer and Steve Earle, who recently welcomed their first child, John Henry Earle. John Henry was born on April 5th at 10:07 am, weighing eight pounds, two ounces and measuring 21 inches long. Moorer and Earle were married in 2005 and live in New York’s Greenwich Village.

McMurry Records Signs Savannah Jack

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McMurry Records, the label started in late 2009 by Howard Fields, Everett Zinn, and Doris McMurry, has signed Savannah Jack as its flagship artist. The trio, comprised of Don Gatlin, Mike Ulvila, and Jay Darby, celebrated the release of its debut single recently with a launch party at 12th & Porter. “I Know,” written by Gatlin, Billy Montana, and Rob Crosby, is at radio now and scheduled to impact May 3.

The band has been recording its debut album at Blackbird Studio with musicians including Steve Ferrone, David Santos, John Jorgensen, Paul Franklin, and Steve Nathan. The project is slated for release later this year.

“We are incredibly excited and proud to sign Savannah Jack to McMurry Records,” says Zinn. “They are exceptional artists individually as well as collectively. Their music is distinctive and should compete at the highest levels in the marketplace.”

Gator Michaels is VP, National Promotion at McMurry Records. Consultant Larry Shell is heading up A&R efforts. Claire Cook is overseeing publicity and marketing.

ACM Off-Camera Winners Revealed

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Today the Academy of Country Music is announcing the winners of awards that will not be televised during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 18.

Instead, these Special Awards, Industry Awards and MBI Awards are presented to recipients at the ACM Honors, a special event set for Tuesday, September 21, 2010 in Nashville.

The April 18 ACM Awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on CBS.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Jim Reeves International Award—Keith Urban has been chosen to receive the Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.

Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award— Marty Robbins and Mel Tillis have been chosen to receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award honoring individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.

Poet’s Award—Don Schlitz and Cindy Walker have been selected to receive the Poet’s Award, which honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music.

Tex Ritter Award—Crazy Heart has been chosen as the recipient of the Tex Ritter Award, which is given to a movie released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding calendar year, featuring or utilizing country music. Crazy Heart is produced by CMT Films, Butcher’s Run Films and Informant Media; and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. The movie soundtrack was produced by T Bone Burnett, who also co-wrote the original song “The Weary Kind,” with artist/co-writer Ryan Bingham.

Mae Boren Axton Award – CAA Agent Rod Essig has been chosen as the recipient of the Mae Boren Axton Award, which is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music.

MBI (MUSICIANS, BAND, INSTRUMENTAL) AWARDS:
Top Guitarist Of The Year – Brent Mason
Top Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year – Michael Rojas
Top Bass Player Of The Year – Michael Rhodes
Top Percussionist/Drummer Of The Year – Shannon Forrest
Top Steel Guitar Player Of The Year – Paul Franklin
Top Fiddle Player Of The Year – Stuart Duncan
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player – Randy Scruggs
Audio Engineer Of The Year – Justin Niebank
Producer Of The Year – Dann Huff

INDUSTRY AWARDS:
Nightclub Of The Year – Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth, TX
Casino Of The Year – Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa And Casino – Las Vegas, NV
Don Romeo Talent Buyer Of The Year – Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions, Inc.
Promoter Of The Year – Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
Venue Of The Year – Sommet Center – Nashville, TN (Effective March 2, 2010, this venue was renamed The Bridgestone Arena)

The Academy of Country Music Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are awarded during years where the Board of Directors feels there are clear and deserving candidates.  MBI Awards and Industry Awards are voted on by professional members of the Academy.

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In more ACM news, online fan voting is now open for Entertainer of the Year and Top New Artist at www.voteACM.com. The winner will be announced on the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 18.

Nominees Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band vie for Entertainer of the Year with fan voting powered by the Ram Truck Brand.

Additionally, for the first time, fans can vote for Top New Artist from among nominees Luke Bryan, Gloriana and Joey + Rory (who have already been named Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Group and Top New Vocal Duo, respectively).

Fans can vote for Top New Artist through the start of the live broadcast and Entertainer of the Year into the third hour of the show.

Worley Fundraiser Taps Songwriters; Tennis Invitational Recruiting

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On Friday, May 14 Darryl Worley will host the annual “Hitmakers on the Harbor” event at Pier 57 boat dealership in Pickwick, TN. The songwriter show featuring Worley, Jim “Moose” Brown and Walt Aldridge is the first of five events leading up to Worley’s annual Tennessee River Run (Sept. 16-18). Proceeds from all events go to Worley’s foundation, which supports causes like the Cancer Treatment Center in his hometown Savannah, Tenn.

Additional “Hitmakers and Harleys” dates are slated for Wednesday, June 16; Tuesday, June 22; and Tuesday, June 29. Tickets are $75 per person or $750 for a table of 10 which includes the performance and a fish fry dinner. For reservations and more information on the “Hitmakers on the Harbor,” contact Tammy Hammock at (731) 926-5076.

Later this month, Worley is set to perform for U.S. Troops as part of the Stars for Stripes tour.

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The Music City Tennis Invitational is seeking players and sponsors for its upcoming tournament. The long running event benefiting the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has strong ties to the music industry.

The 37th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational is April 24-25 at the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr., Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University. It is open to tennis players of all levels, from beginners to pros. Details online at www.musiccitytennis.com or by calling 615-322-7733 for player registration, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.

Last year MCTI proudly donated $118,00 to the Center, and since 1990 MCTI has donated $1,063,000 total to the Center.

Steve Wariner

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“Spokes in a Wheel”

SelecTone Records

“Spokes In A Wheel” is a brand new song from Grammy-winning, hit songwriter and guitar virtuoso Steve Wariner. With a lilting melody and memorable chorus, the lyrics tell us to take care of the earth and each other because “we’re all connected, we’re all affected by every single thing that we do.” Wariner will debut the song during his April 10 appearance on A Prairie Home Companion.

“I wrote this song with my good friend Kent Blazy, and it’s been in my ‘favorite’ stack for a while,” says Wariner. “It was the first song I recorded after completing the Chet project. I just love what it says about how we’re all responsible for this planet and what we’re leaving to our children. It’s also a really positive message about how each of us can make this world better in our own way.”

Wariner just won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance for “Producer’s Medley” from Steve Wariner c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins. It was announced in March that he will be inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2011, along with Keith Whitley, Patty Loveless, John Michael Montgomery, the Goins Brothers, Larnelle Harris, and Molly O’Day. Wariner has charted over 30 Top 10 singles, including 14 No. 1s, since beginning his recording career in 1977.  He has won a total of four Grammy Awards. In 1998 he won the CMA Single and Song of the Year awards for his No. 1 hit, “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” which was also the ACM Song of the Year in 1999.  Wariner joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1996. As a songwriter he has earned 16 BMI Country Awards and 15 BMI Million-Air Awards (for songs receiving over one million on-air plays). He was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in 2008 and the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame in 2009.

Radio programmers, to request your copy of “Spokes in a Wheel,” please email
Steve: [email protected]

http://www.stevewariner.com

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Lambert Debuts Video; Yearwood’s New Cooking Column

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Miranda Lambert's "Road Side Bars & Pink Guitars Tour" recently made a stop at Wild Bill's in Atlanta. Visiting on the bus before the show were (L-R): WKHX Morning show producer "Tug;" Miranda; WKHX PD Mark Richards; and WKHX MD Mike Macho.

Fresh off of her first No. 1 single, “White Liar,” Miranda Lambert’s new single, “House That Built Me,” is off to a quick start. In fact, it’s the fastest rising single in her career, already at No. 25 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart in 6 weeks. The video for the song about returning to a cherished childhood home world premieres today (4/6) on iTunes.

Along with the exclusive 48-hour video premiere, Lambert’s Gold certified album Revolution, which includes “House That Built Me,” “White Liar” and 13 other tracks, will be available all week on iTunes for $7.99.

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Trisha Yearwood has signed on to write a new column for People Country, where she will share recipes, personal anecdotes and answer questions from readers. Her first column will appear in People Country’s July 2010 issue, on newsstands June 18th.

The announcement coincides with the release of her new cookbook Home Cooking With Trisha Yearwood, her second collaboration with mother, Gwen and sister, Beth.

The May issue of People Country hits newsstands this Friday (4/9) and features a day in the kitchen with the Yearwood ladies in Nashville chatting about food and family.

Readers can email [email protected] now with questions for Trisha and/or a food-related topic for discussion in the July issue.

Hall of Fame Revamps Exhibit, Plans Ray Stevens Salute

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Ray Stevens

Staffers at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum have been busy preparing for big events this month featuring Ray Stevens and songwriters Kent Blazy and Cory Batten—all in the midst of an exciting revamp of its permanent exhibit.

The Hall will salute Ray Stevens on Saturday, April 24, as part of its Nashville Cats series focusing on musicians. Although best known for comedic hits like “The Streak,” and country/pop standards such as “Everything Is Beautiful,” Stevens is also a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer who has contributed to recordings by Patti Page, Dolly Parton, and Elvis Presley. Hosted by Bill Lloyd, the tribute to Stevens will include a brief performance and in-depth interview illustrated with vintage recordings, photos and film clips. It will also be streamed live. Details here.

The Hall’s annual Words & Music Night, which pairs local students with professional songwriters to help perform their original compositions, is set for April 27. Songsmiths Kent Blazy and Cory Batten, writers of tons of hits including Garth Brooks’ “Ain’t Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up),” Chris Young’s “Gettin’ You Home (the Black Dress Song),” and Blake Shelton’s “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” will perform and host.

Words & Music Night is the culmination of the yearlong Words & Music program about songwriting, which had more than 4,300 student participants this school year, who wrote songs which were put to music by professional songwriters.

Justine Gregory, director of education and public programming for the Museum, explains, “When the students perform their songs on the Ford Theater stage with professional songwriters, it is not only a proud moment for the audience of parents, teachers and Museum staff, but also an evening of first-rate entertainment.”

Meanwhile, additions and revisions to the Museum’s core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music, are expected to be completed next month. The updates focus on country music’s last five decades, highlighting country-rock, pop-country, southern rock, full-strength classic country, and the “Urban Cowboy” craze.

The transformation includes new oversized portraits, video clips and artifacts such as Dolly Parton’s handwritten lyrics to “Jolene,” Tom T. Hall’s acoustic guitar he purchased from songwriter Merle Kilgore, and items from Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers, Mel Tillis, and Tanya Tucker.

Other updates focus on the mid-1980s arrival of artists like Dwight Yoakam, Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell, Randy Travis and Steve Earle, and the ’90s boom when Garth Brooks, Faith Hill and Alan Jackson ruled the charts. New cases show the contributions of hitmakers like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, and celebrate contemporary bluegrass and Americana artists, ranging from Alison Krauss and Del McCoury to Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale.

Tour News: Swift’s Millionth Ticket; Reba’s Surprise Guests

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(L to R): Robert Allen (13 Management), Mike Dugan (AEG-TMG), Andrea Swift (13 Management), Taylor Swift, Rachel (1 Millionth fan), Louis Messina (AEG-TMG), Scott Neal (INTRUST Bank Arena).

Taylor Swift and Reba excited fans with big surprises at their respective tour stops last week.

Swift welcomed the 1 millionth fan to her Fearless Tour Thursday (4/1) at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. College student Rachel was attending her third Swift show when she was surprised at her seat and notified she was the 1 millionth ticket holder. She received a backstage meet and greet, and upgraded front row tickets.

Since Swift launched the outing almost one year ago, every show has sold out. With The Messina Group/AEG Live handling North American dates, the 2010 run will continue through this summer. In total, the Fearless Tour will visit 87 cities.

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Reba backstage following her set with Kix Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, Kelly Clarkson, Ronnie Dunn and comedienne Melissa Peterman.

Reba surprised fans at Knoxville’s Thompson-Boling Arena Friday night (4/2) as part of her co-headlining tour with George Strait and special guest Lee Ann Womack. Among the surprise guests joining her onstage to perform were Brooks & Dunn, Kelly Clarkson, and tourmates Womack and Melissa Peterman. The show hits Nashville on April 28.

Reba is also set to perform two hits on tomorrow night’s (4/6) Dancing with the Stars The Results Show on ABC.