CRS Names Agenda Committee; Newfield Inks With EB Media

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Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® has announced its 2010-2011 Agenda Committee for CRS 2011, to be held March 2-4, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center. The Agenda Committee is made up of volunteers from all areas of the Country radio and record industries and gathers each year to plan events for the upcoming Country Radio Seminar. This year’s committee, which features 11 new members (marked with an asterisk), will meet June 23-25, 2010, to put together the framework and topics for next year’s event. John Paul is serving as Agenda Chair.

The 2010-2011 Agenda Committee for CRS 2011:

Brad Austin / Madison, WI
Jackie Campbell* / WUSN / Chicago, IL
Karin Cupit / Nashville, TN
Andy Denemark / United Stations / New York, NY
Dale Desmond / KTHK / Idaho Falls, ID
Jerry Duncan / Jerry Duncan Promotions / Nashville, TN
Shelly Easton* / WXTU / Philadelphia, PA
Keith Gale / RCA / Nashville, TN
Jeff  Green* /Country Aircheck / Nashville, TN
JoJamie Hahr / The Valory Music Co. / Nashville, TN
Gator Harrison* / WGSQ / Cookeville, TN
Chris Huff / KSCS/KTYS / Dallas, TX
Jay Jennings / WYCD / Detroit, MI
Lisa Juillerat*/ WLHK / Indianapolis, IN
John Kijowski* / WIL / St. Louis, MO
George King / WCTO / Allentown, PA
Gene Kuntz / WITZ/WQKZ / Jasper, IN
Kris Lamb / The Disney Music Group / Phoenix, AZ
Bruce Logan / WKKT / Charlotte, NC
Gary Marince* / Arbitron Inc. / Coraopolis, PA
Clint Marsh / WAWC / Warsaw, IN
Mandy McCormack* / Big Machine Records / Nashville, TN
Sharla McCoy / McCoy & Associates / Nashville, TN
Adrian Michaels / Curb / Nashville, TN
Travis Moon / KAJA / San Antonio, TX
Rick Murray / Premiere Radio Networks / Nashville, TN
Mike O’Malley* / Albright & O’Malley / Milltown, NJ
John Paul / Dial Global / Denver, CO
Annie Sandor / Curb Records / Miami, FL
Chad Schultz / Mozes / Nashville, TN
Jenni Smythe / Girlilla Marketing / Nashville, TN
John Trapane* / Capitol Records / Springs, TX
John Windus* / Columbia River Media Grp / Wentcheewa, WA

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Curb Records artist Heidi Newfield has signed with Ebie McFarland’s Essential Broadcast Media for public relations representation.

Newfield is working on her sophomore solo album with producer Blake Chancey and a single is expected later this year. It will be the follow-up to her hit “Johnny & June.” The singer who got her start with the band Trick Pony (“Pour Me” and “It’s A Heartache”) will spend the summer on the Country Throwdown Tour.

Newfield’s team also includes Greg Hill at GHM/Red Light Management and Stan Barnett at Creative Artist Agency.

Essential Broadcast Media also represents Darius Rucker, Randy Houser, Colt Ford and others. McFarland can be reached at ebie@ebmediapr.com or by calling (615) 327-3259.

Aretha Franklin At Ryman; Brentwood-Benson Signs Nathan Barlowe

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Aretha Franklin brought her big show to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last night (4/25). The Queen of Soul was backed by an orchestra for her performance of four decades worth of classics. The event was promoted by Outback Concerts.

Pictured backstage L-R: Sally Williams, GM, Ryman Auditorium; Aretha Franklin; Darin Lashinsky, Sr. VP, Outback Concerts. Photo: Aaron Crisler/The Judy Nelson Group

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SESAC affiliate Nathan Barlowe has signed with Brentwood-Benson Publishing for exclusive representation. Barlowe, co-founder and lead singer for rock band Luna Halo, is currently on tour with the band as well as working in the studio with a new group, The Honeymoon Thrillers. Barlowe joined Brentwood-Benson publishing executives on a recent visit to SESAC’s Nashville headquarters to mark the occasion.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Brentwood-Benson Publishing’s Eric Hurt, Nathan Barlowe, Brentwood-Benson Publishing’s Stacey Willbur & SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Ed Rode

Film Festival Attendance; Clint Black In “Flicka 2”

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“We’re thrilled to report that overall attendance for the festival stayed steady at just under 22,000,” reports Sallie Mayne, executive director of the Nashville Film Festival, which was held last week. “We had fewer events than last year, but sold more tickets to films, panels and workshops this year. To maintain our attendance in our 41st year, after the anniversary blow-out we hosted last year, is a testament to the quality of our film programming and the strong support of this festival by the community.”

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Clint Black stars in the new straight-to-DVD release Flicka 2. The movie will premiere at Nashville’s Belcourt Theater on Tues., April 27, with the event benefiting The Children’s Miracle Network and The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. There will be a special presentation of a $500 million check from The Walmart Foundation to Children’s Miracle Network.

Black plays alongside actor Patrick Warburton (“Rules of Engagement,” “Seinfeld”) and Tammin Sursok (“The Young And The Restless”), in the continuation of the popular 2006 Flicka that starred Tim McGraw.

The DVD will be out May 4th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and is a available for pre-order exclusively at Walmart.com.

“Avatar” Shatters Records; Rhapsody Plays Offline

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When’s the last time an album debuted with sales over 6 million units?

The movie business is booming today with news of the best selling DVD in North American history. Since its release on April 22, James Cameron’s sci-fi opus “Avatar” has moved a total of 6.7 million copies—about 4 million DVDs and 2.7 million Blu-rays. This also makes it the top selling Blu-ray movie in history.

Sales of “Avatar” have grossed about $130 million. The sci-fi smash grossed $2.7 billion at the box office, making it the most successful film in history.

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Music streaming service Rhapsody has a new iPhone application which lets users listen to music even when a data connection is not available. The new offline option stores playlists and tracks on the phone’s memory for playback.

This new option is supposed to significantly extend battery life of the device, and is expected to be useful during travel, and when cell signals are weak.

This technology has been available for some time to users of similar service Spotify in Europe, but Rhapsody is the first to offer it in the United States.

The $10/month music subscription allows listeners to carry music on one portable device, or up to three devices for $15/month. Rhapsody currently has nine million songs in its catalog.

Johnny Mitchell Exits WMN; Chuck Cannon’s Father Passes

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Due to restructuring at Warner Music Nashville, Manager of Secondary Promotion Johnny Mitchell has left the company. Among his duties was working MusicRow‘s Country Breakout chart. Mitchell can be reached at 615-662-5425 or 1jmj@comcast.net. Reporting stations should now contact Warner’s April Johnson at 615-214-1452 for information.

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Condolences to songwriter Chuck Cannon and his family, including wife Lari White, on the passing of his father Marion C. Cannon. He was 73 and passed away peacefully at his home in Myrtle Beach, SC on Saturday, April 17, 2010.

Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Murrells Inlet, 3891 Hwy. 17 By Pass, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.

Braden Gray

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“I’m Not Hungover”

ATP Records

“I’m Not Hungover” is the rowdy new single from Mississippi native Braden Gray, taken from his self-titled debut album on ATP Records. It is the followup to his single “It Won’t Be Over You,” which garnered some attention earlier in 2010 with MusicRow’s CountryBreakout™ reporting panel.

Gray didn’t originally choose music as a career path, but music was in his blood. His mother, a vocal instructor, taught her students at home. She would often ask her son to participate but when it came time for him to sing he would find a reason to sneak away.

Gray discovered his hidden musical talent after listening to his cousin’s gospel group and learning all their songs. Doors began to open–Gray started winning talent competitions and performing at festivals with artists like Jake Owen, Emerson Drive, Eric Church and Marty Stuart. After entering Belmont University’s music performance program, ATP Records Pres. Mark Alan Thompson took notice of him and the two began working together.

With a new single impacting country radio, the time to experience Braden Gray is now!

http://www.myspace.com/bradengray
http://www.atprecords.com/

[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/10201642/bgry-inh.mp3″ text=”Braden Gray – I’m Not Hungover” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Film Vets Launch Thinking Bee Productions

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Jo Hunt

Producer Jo Hunt and director/editor Bill Filipiak have announced the launch of Thinking Bee Productions. The television and video production company will focus on the creation of unscripted series for both broadcast and webcast as well as music videos.

Hunt and Filipiak first met while developing Meet the Wilsons, a popular reality series based in Nashville and currently airing on CMT Canada. “It became obvious within a couple of months that we had a shared belief that there is a place for programming and video of a positive nature,” says Hunt.  “Our goal with Thinking Bee is to build an arsenal of programs that will inspire and encourage audiences.”
In addition to their series work, Filipiak and Hunt see major opportunities applying their storytelling skills to create entertaining and compelling video content for the web.

“Developing effective web video content is becoming its own art form,” Filipiak says. “Having a team that understands the need for that content to both be entertaining and tie in directly with all other marketing and branding efforts is essential to helping businesses get the biggest return for their marketing dollars.”

Bill Filipiak

Filipiak marries a strong background in directing/editing with a very successful history in advertising/marketing.  Hunt, meanwhile, as vice president/development for High Five Entertainment, produced both music and non-music television properties for multiple cable networks. Thinking Bee currently has three reality-based television series in development and is in production on several Web series.

“We’re thrilled to be in a position to offer labels and businesses a means of creating web video that is more than just behind the scenes footage,” says Filipiak. “We believe that the growth of social networking on the Web has created a need for video pieces that tell a story and help the audience connect with artists and businesses on an emotional level. In essence we believe everyone has a great story to share and we’re here to help them tell it.”

For more information about Thinking Bee Productions, click here.

Belmont’s “Best,” Tate’s USO Mission and a CDX Milestone

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Belmont Salutes Gill With “Best of the Best”
Tomorrow night (4/24) at 7:00 PM, Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business will present its annual “Best of the Best” showcase. The event will honor Vince Gill, 2010 recipient of the Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence, an annual award given to an individual who has achieved a level of excellence in the music business and entertainment industries with notable service to Belmont University and the Nashville community.

Co-hosted by TV personality Harry Chapman and Restless Heart’s Larry Stewart, the show will salute Gill with a tribute performance from acclaimed singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell. Also featured will be student performances from Miss B (Urban/Pop), Joshua Eric Wright (Christian), Cheryl LuQuire (Country), Delta Saints (Rock) and from ASCAP Writers’ Night series winners Clare Dunn, Hailey Faith, Hailey Steele, Josh Johnson, Greg Bates and Jordan Kyle Reynolds.

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Jamie Tate

Jamie Tate Becomes USO Ambassador
Bodell Records artist Jamie Tate has been named an honorary ambassador by the USO of North Carolina for her ongoing support and contributions to the United Service Organizations, Inc.

The USO designated Tate as an ambassador in response to the North Carolina native’s upcoming “I’ll Give My All” initiative. In March, Tate recorded “I’ll Give My All” with the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus in Nashville. The track is part of an online campaign that aims to deliver the song via digital download to more than one million military servicemen and women around the world. As part of her ambassadorship, Tate will appear and perform at USO of NC events and other military activities throughout North Carolina and other parts of the country.

“I am incredibly honored that the USO of North Carolina has made me an honorary ambassador,” says Tate. “The USO does so much for our military, and I’m proud to say that I’m associated with such an esteemed organization.”

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CDX Loses Motley, Marks Milestone
On April 29, CDX, the longstanding physical delivery system for new singles to secondary stations, will release Volume 500, a definite milestone in the company’s 20-year history.

The date will also mark the retirement of Peggy Motley, who came to CDX in 1994 from WSM and Gaylord after having completed a career in the radio industry.

“Not only did Peggy bring professionalism and dedication to her job, for these past 16 years she has brought us joy, laughter and a spirit that makes everyone feel good,” said CDX Co-Owner Paul Lovelace. “She will be missed very, very much.”

Americana Music Assoc. Presents “Freedom Sings”

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The Americana Music Association announced today (4/23) a special on-line Auction to promote its efforts, and those of the First Amendment Center, in support of Free Speech in Music. Some of the items featured in the auction included handwritten lyrics from Mary Chapin Carpenter and Charlie Daniels, autographed posters from Dwight Yoakam and Steely Dan; an autographed banjo signed by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and a guitar on which Michael Martin Murphey wrote the lyrics of his classic “Wildfire.”

The two not-for-profit organizations have joined forces to produce “Freedom Sings,” an evening celebrating the power of free speech in music and honoring the career of Mary Chapin Carpenter. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 27 at the Newseum in downtown Washington DC. Carpenter will receive the “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech in Music Award from the Newseum’s First Amendment Center and the Americana Music Association. The award recognizes artists who have used their work to raise awareness and promote free speech through their music and other efforts. Past recipients include Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, Judy Collins, Charlie Daniels and Steve Earle.

Former Washington Post journalist and current recording artist Eric Brace along with legendary artists Rodney Crowell and Judy Collins will also perform at the event.

To view the artwork and bid online click here.

MusicArtists4U Offers “One-Stop” Music Experience

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MusicArtists4U.com, billed as a “one-stop interactive experience featuring live and taped performances, music videos and the ability for the consumer to purchase music, videos and artist merchandise,” was launched April 19 by interactive music marketer Bruce Uher. The new online music venture will feature performances by emerging and established artists and singer/ songwriters from a variety of music genres and will initially include Country, Rock and Singer/Songwriter channels.

Another area of the site will facilitate venues across the globe booking the artists featured on the site. The site will also include an internet radio station for each genre of music, which will front and back-announce song titles and artist names along with several different radio programs and artists interviews. Also featured on the site are an online magazine with video musical equipment reviews, instructional videos on playing various instruments and songwriting.

Uher owns Ohio-based MultiMedia-Interactive and works with artists including Charlie Daniels, Confederate Railroad and Tracy Lawrence.

“Now is the time because almost everyone has access to high speed internet” says Uher, who has teamed up with former Sony Music A&R executive Anthony Martin to launch the new venture. “The music business is changing, and MusicArtists4U.com will allow artists of all genres to be seen and heard.”

E1/Koch Entertainment has teamed up with MusicArtists4U.com to give fans the opportunity to purchase and download music from all E1/Koch artists. Koch artists Confederate Railroad and Cody McCarver are now on MusicArtists4U.com, and both acts will be releasing new music in June.

Longtime WSM radio DJ and Grand Ole Opry announcer Keith Bilbrey has signed on to host MusicArtists4U.com’s country television show, with the premiere episode featuring country rock hitmakers Little Texas. The country show is filmed at Sound Kitchen Studios in Franklin, Tennessee.

Uher also announced Coca-Cola as a major sponsor, with RoadHawg Cases signed on as a co-sponsor of the series. MusicArtists4U.com is also dedicated to charitable organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and a portion of all proceeds will be earmarked for those organizations.