Rascal Flatts To Open Kentucky Derby

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Superstar trio Rascal Flatts will perform the national anthem at the 136th Kentucky Derby on May 1, and Capitol Records Nashville artists Little Big Town will serve as openers for the Derby’s sister race, Kentucky Oaks. Rascal Flatts’ performance will be broadcast by NBC Sports as part of the network’s live coverage of Kentucky Derby 3:00-6:00 PM CT.

Churchill Downs will initiate a new element within the Kentucky Oaks Day program when Little Big Town perform the national anthem live prior to the running of the Kentucky Oaks, the Derby’s sister race for 3-year-old fillies.

“The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are world-class entertainment events, and we are thrilled to partner with Rascal Flatts, one of the most popular and successful country music acts in history, on what we know will be an exceptional performance of “The Star Spangled Banner,” said Julie Koenig Loignon, Vice President of Brand Development and Marketing for the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs Incorporated. “The Kentucky Oaks is growing in national prominence, and we are excited to introduce a new musical element to our Oaks Day program with up-and-comers Little Big Town. We welcome these tremendously talented performers to Churchill Downs and look forward to the special contribution they will make to Derby weekend.”

Artist News: Flatts to “Idol,” Worley To Iraq; Taylor To Comics

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Rascal Flatts Heading to American Idol
Rascal Flatts is getting ready to make its third appearance on American Idol. The multi-Platinum trio will appear on the show on Wednesday, April 28, performing their latest hit, “Unstoppable.” They will also join Idol guest Shakira on her song, “Gypsy.”

Rascal Flatts previously performed on Idol in May of 2005 as the musical guest of Carrie Underwood, who won the title that same evening. The band also appeared on Idol Gives Back in 2007.

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Darryl Worley Heads Overseas With “Stars For Stripes”
Stroudavarious Records artist Darryl Worley will kick-off his Stars for Stripes military tour next week. Worley’s We’ve Not Forgotten Tour takes place April 29-May 3 and will include several full-band concerts, as well as scaled-down acoustic shows at various Forward Operating Bases in Iraq. A long-time supporter of the Armed Forces, Worley has toured overseas every year since 2002.

Upon returning to the states, Worley will begin working on his new album. Beginning May 14, he will host five songwriter series throughout the summer with the first event, Hitmakers on the Harbor in Pickwick, TN, already sold out. All proceeds from the benefits will go toward the Darryl Worley Foundation.

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Taylor Swift Becomes Comic Book Hero
She’s already appeared on countless magazine covers, and now country superstar Taylor Swift will grace the cover of her own comic book. The multi-Platinum singer/songwriter will become the latest celebrity immortalized in sequential form when her biography comic, Fame: Taylor Swift hits comic shops this July.

The comic, by Bluewater Productions, will trace Swift’s rise from young singer/songwriter to mega-selling recording artist. The 32-page comic will retail for $3.99.

Bluewater Productions line of comics will also feature such high-profile subjects as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Colin Powell, Lady GaGa, 50 Cent, Robert Pattinson and soccer star David Beckham.

Dale Bobo Tapped To Head Chrysalis Music’s Nashville Operation

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Dale Bobo

Chrysalis Music Group has announced the appointment of Dale Bobo to the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Chrysalis Music Nashville. Bobo, a 27-year music-publishing veteran, was most recently Senior Vice President/General Manager of Warner/Chappell Nashville. He will report directly to Chrysalis Music Group President Kenny MacPherson.

“Dale Bobo is uniquely qualified to run our Nashville operations,” said MacPherson in making the announcement. “We couldn’t be more excited to have Dale on board, and at the same time to get even more deeply involved in the hugely successful and influential Nashville community.”

About his new post, Bobo commented: “I am tremendously excited to join the Chrysalis family and I am very much looking forward to working with our songwriters, our Nashville staff, and the Chrysalis offices around the world to get amazing music into the market. I am also really looking forward to working again with Kenny MacPherson, who has always had tremendous respect and enthusiasm for the Nashville music community, as well as country music in general. I can’t wait to get started on what promises to be a challenging and gratifying undertaking.”

Manager Erv Woolsey Signs James Wesley

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Erv Woolsey of The Erv Woolsey Company has announced the signing of Broken Bow Records artist James Wesley to a management deal.

“James Wesley is the complete package for today’s country market, radio and fans,” says Woolsey. “With the combination of his extraordinary talent and a great record company behind him, we feel there is a bright future ahead and look forward to guiding his career for many years to come.”

“I am beyond excited to get to work with somebody who launched the career of George Strait,” Wesley says. “To even have a meeting with someone like Erv is awesome and now that he is my manager, I can’t wait to see what my future holds.”

Erv Woolsey’s current management roster includes Hall of Fame member Strait and former CMA Vocalist of the Year Lee Ann Womack.

(l-r) Manager Erv Woolsey with Broken Bow artist James Wesley

Sony Names McCormick Director, A&R Administration

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Alison Booth, Vice President, A&R Administration, for Sony Music Nashville has announced the promotion of Mindi McCormick to the position of Director, A&R Administration, for the label group. Previously Associate Director, A&R Administration, McCormick is based in Nashville and reports directly to Booth.

“Mindi’s experience and continued dedication, together with her wonderful team spirit, have made her an invaluable member of our department,” Booth says. “I’m delighted to recognize her many contributions with this very well-earned promotion.”

In her position, McCormick is responsible for the supervision of repertoire management for all four of Sony Music Nashville’s imprints, and is particularly involved with the specific details of the Arista Nashville and RCA Nashville imprints. These responsibilities include the compilation and management of label copy, lyrics, and liner credits for all products released by Sony Music Nashville, both physical and digital. Her role also encompasses working with union (AFM and AFTRA) matters and payments and proofreading printed material, including CD packages, point of purchase material, and advertising, as well as the long-term archiving of repertoire information for all audio and video recordings, whether released or not.

McCormick began her career with Arista Nashville as receptionist in 1993 and joined the A&R Administration department as an assistant in 1996.

A native of Nashville, TN, McCormick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Recording Industry Public Relations from Middle Tennessee State University in 1993. McCormick’s father, George McCormick, played guitar for Grand Ole Opry legends including Wilma Lee Cooper and the late Grandpa Jones and Porter Wagoner.

Nashville Hosts 41st Annual Dove Awards

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The 41st Annual Dove Awards were held in Nashville last night (4/21) and Christian pop group Casting Crowns took home the fan-voted Artist of the Year award for the first time. Also fan-voted was the New Artist of the Year category, and the award went to Sidewalk Prophets. Taking home the most Doves was producer and songwriter Jason Ingram, who won four awards.
Brandon Heath was named Male Vocalist of the Year for the second year in the row, and newcomer Francesca Battistelli won the Female Vocalist title, ending Natalie Grant’s four-year run.

Other winners included Jennie Lee Riddle for Songwriter of the Year and “By Your Side” as Song of the Year.
The Dove Awards will be televised nationwide on the Gospel Music Channel on Sunday, April 25.

41st Annual Dove Award Winners:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sidewalk Prophets

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Jennie Lee Riddle

SONG OF THE YEAR (song title; writer; publisher – award goes to the writer and publisher)
“By Your Side”; Mike Donehey, Philip LaRue, Jason Ingram; Essential Publishing

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Brandon Heath

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Francesca Battistelli

GROUP OF THE YEAR
NEEDTOBREATHE

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Jason Ingram, Rusty Varenkamp

Dove Awards in Recorded Song Categories are given to the Artist and Songwriter, if other than the artist.
Song: album; artist; writer; label

RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG
“”Movin”; Ordinary Dreamers; Group 1 Crew; Group 1 Crew, Jeremy James, Byron Chambers, Christopher Stevens; Fervent Records

ROCK RECORDED SONG
“Mess Of Me”; Hello Hurricane; Switchfoot; Jonathan Foreman, Tim Foreman; Credential Recordings

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“Lay ‘Em Down”; The Outsiders; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records

POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG
“City On Our Knees”; Tonight; tobyMac; Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore, Cary Barlowe; Forefront Records

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG
“The Only Hope”; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman; Bebo Norman; BEC Recordings

SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Born To Climb”; Expecting Good Things; Jeff & Sheri Easter; Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey; She Loves Music

BLUEGRASS RECORDED SONG
“When We Fly”; Breaking Like Dawn; Little Roy Lewis & Lizzy Long; Joel Lindsay, Wayne Haun,
Ty Herndon

COUNTRY RECORDED SONG
“Somebody Like Me”; Jason Crabb; Jason Crabb; Neil Thrasher, Michael Boggs; Spring Hill Music Group

URBAN RECORDED SONG (tie)
“Close To You”; Still; BeBe & CeCe Winans; BeBe Winans; B & C Records, Malaco
and
“Just Wanna Say”; The Power of One; Israel Houghton; Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton, Tommy Sims; Integrity

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“Justified”; Smokie Norful Live; Smokie Norful; Smokie Norful; EMI Gospel, TreMyles Music

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG
“The Power of One”; The Power of One; Israel Houghton; Israel Houghton, Ricardo Sanchez; Intergrity Music

WORSHIP SONG (award given to writer and publisher)
“Revelation Song”; Jennie Lee Riddle, Gateway Create Publishing, Integrity’s Praise Music

Dove Awards in Album Categories are given to the Artist and Producer, if other than the artist.
Album; artist; producer; label

RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM (album; artist; producer; label)
Five Two Television; KJ-52; KJ-52; BEC Recordings

ROCK ALBUM
Innocence and Instinct; Red; Rob Graves; Essential

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
The Outsiders; NEEDTOBREATHE; Rick Beato, NEEDTOBREATHE, Jim Scott, John Alagia; Atlantic Records

POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
The Long Fall Back To Earth; Jars of Clay, Ron Aniello, Essential Records, Gray Matters

INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM
Fearless; Phillips, Craig & Dean; Bernie Herms; INO Records

SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM
Gaither Vocal Band Reunited; Gaither Vocal Band; Bill Gaither, David Phelps; Gaither Music Group

BLUEGRASS ALBUM
The Isaacs…Naturally; The Isaacs; Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs; Gaither Music Group

COUNTRY ALBUM
The Reason; Diamond Rio; Michael D. Clute, Jimmy Olander; Word Records

TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM
Shout! Live; Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue; Mike Farris, Joe McMahan; INO             Records

CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM
Love Unstoppable; Fred Hammond; Fred Hammond; Verity

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Joy Comes In The Morning; Stan Whitmire; Stan Whitmire; Spring Hill Music Group
CHILDREN’S MUSIC ALBUM
Veggie Tales: Here I Am To Worship; Featuring Natalie Grant & Aaron Shust; Steven V. Taylor; Big Idea

SPANISH LANGUAGE ALBUM
Le Canto; Kari Jobe; Ed Cash; Integrity Music Latin

SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM
Glory Revealed II: The Word of God In Worship; Mac Powell, Shane Everett, Jonathan Shelton, Brian Littrell, Trevor Morgan, Mark Hall, Jason Crabb, Bear Rinehart, Matt Maher, Amy Grant, Ed Cash, Geoff Moore, Natalie Grant, Laura Story, Brandon Heath, Mike Donehey, Aaron Shust, Shawn Lewis, Sara Evans, Bethany Dicks Olds, Shane & Shane, Bethany Dillon, Kari Jobe; Mac Powell, David Nasser; Reunion

CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Christ Has Come; Big Daddy Weave; Jeremy Redmond; Fervent Records

PRAISE & WORSHIP ALBUM
Church Music; David Crowder*Band; David Crowder*Band; Sparrow Records/sixsteps Records

Dove Awards in Musical Categories are given to the creator
title; creator; publisher

MUSICAL
A Baby Changes Everything; Deborah Craig-Claar, David T. Clydesdale; Word Music

YOUTH/CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
Christmas Hang-ups; Dennis and Nan Allen; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing

CHORAL COLLECTION
Travis Cottrell-Jesus Saves Live; Travis Cottrell; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING (product; art director; graphic artist; illustrator/photographer; label)
Long Fall Back To Earth (Limited Edition); Jars of Clay; Tim Parker, Jars of Clay; Tim Parker; Kharyn Hill; Gray Matters, Essential

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO (title; artist; director; producer; production company; label)
“Free To Be Me”; Francesca Battistelli; Andy & John Erwin; Dan Atchison; Alabama Production Group; Fervent Records

LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO (title; artist; director; producer; production company; label)
A Gospel Journey; Oak Ridge Boys; Doug Stuckey; Bill Gaither, Barry Jennings, Bill Carter; Gaither Television Productions; Gaither Music Group

Colt Ford Celebrates Album Release

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Colt Ford performs with DMC at 12th & Porter. Photo: Jamey Walls/Black Sheep Group

As part of the month-long celebration of his sophomore release Chicken & Biscuits, Average Joes Entertainment artist Colt Ford held a star-studded bash last night (4/20) at Nashville’s 12th & Porter. Among those in attendance were Darryl “DMC” McDaniels (of Run-DMC), Ira Dean, and Josh Gracin—all featured vocalists that appear on the new album. Attendees were treated to performances of “Tool Timer,” “Hey Ya’ll,” “Diggin’,” as well as “Ride On, Ride Out” and Run-DMC/Aerosmith classic “Walk This Way” with DMC joining Ford on stage and Gracin joining him for “All About Ya’ll.”

“I never thought I would make one album, and here we are on the second,” said Ford.  “I hope everyone had as much fun at the party as I did!”

Chicken & Biscuits, available for purchase now, also features appearances by Randy Houser, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Kevin Fowler, Darryl Worley, and more.

Next Tuesday, April 27th Ford will appear on GAC’s On The Streets at 12:00 pm, 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. CT and on GAC’s Championship Bull Riding at 9:00 p.m. CT, followed by a live online streaming concert presented by True View Live on Friday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

McBride and Allen Dissolve Long Term Partnership

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A spokesperson for Bruce Allen Talent has confirmed an amicable split with long-time client Martina McBride. Allen’s company also manages artists such as Michael Bublé, Bryan Adams and Anne Murray. Allen was honored with the Leonard T. Rambeau International Award by the Canadian Country Music Association in 2006.

McBride’s current album Shine has been on the charts for almost a year and, according to Nielsen Soundscan sold almost 178k units release to date. McBride’s Shine All Night tour is currently in progress with dates announced online through mid-August. Her single “Wrong Baby Wrong” is currently Top 20 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart…

Calls to the artist for additional information regarding future management plans had gone unanswered, but sources have indicated that a search for new management is underway.

Major Bob Re-Signs Shane Stevens

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Major Bob Music, Inc. has announced the resigning of Shane Stevens to their writer roster. In addition to co-writing Lady Antebellum’s current multi-week No. 1  “American Honey,” Stevens is also a writer Kellie Pickler’s current hit, “Making Me Fall In Love Again.” Stevens has also had cuts with Jordin Sparks, Steel Magnolia, Jo Dee Messina, Gloriana, Mallary Hope and Sara Evans, among others.

“It’s been a thrill to watch Shane develop into an amazing songwriter over the past few years,” says Jesse Frasure, Major Bob’s Director of A&R. “We are honored to continue to help build upon his success.”

(l-r) Major Bob’s Elizabeth Dunn, Jesse Frasure and Michael Doyle, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Major Bob President Bob Doyle and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Seated front: Shane Stevens

Nashville Film Fest Features Paisley(s)

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What might be the most anticipated and held-under-wraps film of the Nashville Film Festival will finally reveal itself tomorrow night (4/22), when ACM Top Male Vocalist Brad Paisley bring his directorial debut, When Mom’s Away, to the Festival closing night lineup at Nashville’s Regal Green Hills Cinemas.

Paisley, along with his wife, the actor and director Kimberly Williams-Paisley, will arrive on the Oreck Red Carpet at 6:45 to greet fans and media. Nashville mayor Karl Dean will greet those in attendance at the theatre, and then Paisley will introduce the film, screening before the 7:30 p.m. closing night presentation of actor and director’s Adrian Grenier’s documentary Teenage Paparazzo.