Local Songwriters Headed To Key West Festival

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Tons of Nashville tunesmiths will be headed south for The Key West Songwriters Festival, running Wed., April 28 through May 2. The 15th annual festival will offer acoustic songwriter sets at venues all over the island, featuring over 150 top songwriters. In fact, half of the songs on the current Top 10 country singles chart are represented in this year’s roster.

Better Angels Music Group is sponsoring the event which will benefit the Muzak Heart and Soul Foundation.

Among the many top-tier writers attending this year are BMI’s 2009 Songwriter of the Year Bobby Pinson, Nashville Songwriter Association Hall of Fame members Bob DiPiero, Paul Overstreet, Hugh Prestwood, tell-it-like-it-is icons Robert Earl Keen and Jamey Johnson, hitmaking heavyweight Tom Douglas (Lady Antebellum’s “I Run To You,” Tim McGraw’s “Grown Men Don’t Cry”), Taylor Swift’s go-to co-writer Liz Rose, Dallas Davidson (Billy Currington’s “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” Brooks & Dunn’s “Put a Girl in It”), Luke Laird (Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home,” “So Small,” “Last Name”), Chuck Cannon (Martina McBride’s “I Love the Way You Love Me,” Toby Keith’s “How Do You Like Me Now”), James Slater (McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes,” Rascal Flatts’ “Unstoppable”) George Ducas (Eli Young Band’s “Always the Love Songs,” Sara Evans’ “A Real Fine Place to Start”), and too many more to list.

Respected artists like Raul Malo will appear, as will rising stars such as Randy Houser and Joey + Rory. Also on the line-up are artists Jerrod Niemann, Brett Eldredge, Adam Hood, Dave Pahanish, Bridgette Tatum, Kip Moore, Blake Wise and Thompson Square, as well as pop stars Kim Carnes, Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), and Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra).

Visit www.kwswf.com for details.

Rascal Flatts Plan Tour; Underwood Extends Run

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Rascal Flatts will launch a new tour this summer, the “JC Penney Presents Rascal Flatts Nothing Like This Tour.” The first leg will open June 25 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and will continue with 26 shows through September 19 at Boston’s Comcast Center. Kellie Pickler and Chris Young will open.

Rascal Flatts recently wrapped its “American Living Unstoppable Tour,” which played 57 shows between June 2009 and March 2010, with attendance near 800,000. This total also includes the two sold-out stadium concerts at Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Columbus’ Crew Stadium last summer. The band spent their time off this spring recording new music, expected out this fall.

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Carrie Underwood will continue her highly successful “Play On Tour” through the end of this year. “Hydrated by vitaminwater®,” the outing launched March 11 and is now slated to run through December 19, 2010, for a total of more than 100 shows throughout the U.S. and Canada. Billy Currington and Sons of Sylvia will appear this fall as special guests. The “Play On Tour” is Presented by AEG Live.

Thirty-six cents of every ticket sold for the fall tour dates will go to Save the Children’s United States Programs. This initiative was inspired by a lyric about “36 cents” from her song “Change,” addressing how the smallest bit of spare change can add up to make a difference. Fans can see Underwood perform “Change” tomorrow (4/21) on Idol Gives Back on FOX.

Tickets for the newly announced fall dates will go on sale beginning Saturday, April 24th at 10am – please see local venues for specific information.

[Updated 4/20] ACM Photos: Backstage, After-Parties

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Jimi Westbrook & Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, Jennette McCurdy, Emily West, Walker Hayes, Capitol Nashville President & CEO Mike Dungan, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban & Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman & Phillip Sweet. Photo: Rick Diamond

BEFORE: Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Luke Bryan decide it’s time for Capitol Nashville President & CEO Mike Dungan to take a dip in the pool. Photo: Rick Diamond

AFTER! Photo: Rick Diamond

Jason Aldean in Las Vegas for the ACM Awards. Pictured (L-R) – Carson James, Dawn Ferris, Jason, WCOL’s John Crenshaw, and Lee Adams

Backstage at the ACM Awards show are (l-r): John Esposito, President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville; Diarmuid Quinn, COO & Pres. Reprise; WMN artist Blake Shelton; SDU artist Trace Adkins; Lyor Cohen, Vice Chairman of Warner Music Group, Chairman & CEO of Recorded Music-Americas & UK; Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Management Group, Brandon Blackstock, Starstruck Management Group

SESAC hosted an intimate gathering of songwriters and publishers plus various music industry friends at a post-ACM Awards party at MGM Grand’s Rouge nightclub. It was a celebratory evening as SESAC affiliate Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum was one of the night's big winners. Pictured (l-r): SESAC’s John Mullins & Pat Collins; Cary Barlowe, co-writer of Lady A's No. 1 “American Honey;" and SESAC’s Shannan Tipton-Neese. Photo: Randi Radcliff

Sony Music Nashville artists and executives in Las Vegas celebrated wins by Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, and Montgomery Gentry at a post-awards gathering. Pictured (back row, l-r): Sr VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee; Chris Young; Marketing VP Tom Baldrica; and Jerrod Niemann. (center row, l-r): Jake Owen; Exec VP A&R Renee Bell; Jordyn Shellhart; Danny Gokey; VP Promotion Skip Bishop; and Troy Gentry. (front row, l-r): Eddie Montgomery; Kenny Chesney; Miranda Lambert; Carrie Underwood; Chairman Joe Galante; Brad Paisley; and recently retired Exec VP Butch Waugh. Photo credit: Christie’s Photographic Studios

Pictured at last night’s Warner Music Nashville ACM Awards post-reception. (l-r): Lyor Cohen, Vice Chairman of Warner Music Group, Chairman & CEO of Recorded Music-Americas & UK; Randy Travis; John Esposito, President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville

Country music fans jammed into Toby Keith's I Love this Bar & Grill at Harrah's over the weekend as Randy Houser & Friends hosted the "I Love This 'Open' Bar Blowout," a special night of music that streamed live on CMT.com. Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, and Trailer Choir were among the country stars in attendance. (l-r): Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, and Trace Adkins. Photo: Tom Donoghue

CRB Session, CMA InSite Focus On Radio Programming

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Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® is planning the “CRS: One on One” mentoring session, to be held May 7 in Nashville, Tenn. KYGO Program Director, Joel Burke, and president of Rusty Walker Programming, Rusty Walker, will be the featured speakers at the one-day session. Only twelve applicants will be accepted, in order to encourage candid, one-on-one interaction and discussion between participants about the current issues and challenges faced by those working in the Country Radio industry.

“As we continue the evolution of Country Radio Seminar, the idea to bring a select group of radio programmers together to learn and exchange ideas in an intimate setting is a logical step in the process,” explains CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne. “Much like ‘Inside the Actors Studio,’ this will give upcoming programmers an amazing opportunity to gain perspective and specific feedback on issues shaping the course of their career. With candid conversation being the only agenda at CRS: One on One, we are eager to gauge the response from this event for consideration towards future endeavors.”

Programmers interested in attending must submit the application found on www.CRB.org before Friday, April 23 at 5 p.m. CST. Eligible applicants must have radio programming experience (any market size) and pay a $59 participation fee, which includes lunch during the session. A random lottery system drawing will determine the 12 accepted applicants. Those accepted will be notified and listed on the CRB website no later than Monday, April 26.

The CRB offices are located at 819 18th Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37203.  For more information, visit www.CRB.org or contact the CRB office at 615.327.4487.
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The functions of syndicated radio programming is the focus of the latest installment of CMA Industry InSite, an online educational series, posted today. The twelfth episode, “Taking Syndication to the Nation,” features interviews with Blair Garner, Host, “After Midnite with Blair Garner”; Bryan Switzer, VP Programming/Distribution, Citadel Media Networks; and Rosemary Young, Senior Producer, Premiere Radio Networks.

This latest installment discusses the ways in which syndicated programming are used by local radio stations as well as ways in which recording artists can use syndicated programming for marketing and promotion. It can be viewed by CMA members here.

Episodes are posted on the third Monday of the month. With each new episode, CMA members are able to submit questions to the panel of experts.

Non-CMA members will be able to view the first four episodes in the series on CMA’s consumer Web site, CMAworld.com. Episode four, “The Music Rule of Law,” will be posted today. The series is produced by digital marketing firm Hi-Fi Fusion.

ZBB Secures Ram Trucks Partnership

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ZBB missed last night's ACM Awards because they are overseas on a USO tour. Pictured playing for soldiers at Camp Buehring in Kuwait on April 14, 2010. USO photo by Erick Anderson

A new partnership between Zac Brown Band and Ram Truck Brand will offer free music to fans and boost the morale of U.S. soldiers. Starting in May, the nationwide “Letters for Lyrics” campaign will give participants who write a letter to a U.S. soldier a compilation CD titled, “Breaking Southern Ground,” featuring three new ZBB songs, and tracks from Brown’s Southern Ground Records artists Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan and Levi Lowrey. The goal is to send 1 million letters, in exchange for 1 million CDs.

Viewers will be able to see behind-the-scene footage taped by the band as they document their current visit to U.S. soldiers stationed in the Persian Gulf. Documentary-style segments and concert footage will premiere on RamTrucks.com.

An exclusive live version of the band’s latest single, “Free,” will also be available for download for the first 100,000 fans, only at the RamTrucks.com. For each download, Ram will make a donation to a designated charity on behalf of the brand and Zac Brown Band.

The Ram Truck Brand also joined with the Academy of Country Music to sponsor the first-ever text-to-vote initiative for last night’s fan-voted Entertainer of the Year award.

At Camp Buehring in Kuwait on April 14, 2010. USO photo by Erick Anderson

ACM Leverages Fan Engagement

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Blake Shelton, Executive Producer of The ACM Awards R.A.C. Clark, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment 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. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for ACM)

“That’s how you start an award show, son,” bellowed a breathless Charlie Daniels after the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music’s opening number, a high-energy “Traveling Band” mashup which included the fiddler, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and CCR hero/songwriter John Fogerty. The opening number ignited the show like throwing a match on a gassed up summer barbecue.

Live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the CBS event snaked around its first half hour at breakneck pace featuring uptempo-only performances from Blake Shelton/Trace Adkins, Billy Currington, Kenny Chesney and a choreographed song from newcomer Laura Bell Bundy. Bundy, clad in chaps and halter top immediately proved two things—she can flat out dance and owns one of country music’s most fit physiques. Her “Giddy On Up” provided a solid introductory vehicle and Bundy’s confidence shined throughout the performance.

A total of 11 honors and 23 performances filled the three hour proceedings, including the non-competitive Triple Crown honor which went to Carrie Underwood for previously winning Entertainer, Top Female and New Female trophies. Multiple award winners included Lady Antebellum with five (Single—artist and co-producer; Song—artist and composer; Top Vocal Group), Miranda Lambert with three (Female Vocalist, Album, Video) and Carrie Underwood with two (Entertainer, Triple Crown). Underwood became the first female to win the Entertainer honor twice. Special guests included Cher, LL Cool J and Matthew McConaughey. The crowd stood to recognize Cher as she introduced Shelton’s “Hillbilly Bone” duet, which had already been announced as winner of the Vocal Event honor.

It was Reba McEntire’s twelfth time to host and she handled the chore effortlessly, poking fun at artists, presenters and herself with good comedic effect. Her moving performance of “I Keep On Loving You,” featured video cameos of prominent country music husband/wife couples including Alan Jackson, Kix Brooks, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and herself.

ACM has done an exceptional job of using new technology to engage fans plus leverage ratings and overall excitement. This year the concept was expanded to include voting via text message and to let fans decide which song Brooks & Dunn would perform live. The Academy leadership was criticized early on by some artists and industry executives for beginning this bold initiative, but the concept is now taking root and becoming widespread across most award shows. Twitter, Facebook and other social networks were flooded with ACM tweets about everything from the saying “We miss country music” written on Rory Feek’s guitar (Top New Vocal Duo winners, Joey & Rory) to comments about the performances and winners. This communication initiative has placed ACM on a solid path that long term should enrich its show, assemble giant fan email databases and perhaps help raise money for the ACM’s charitable causes. Although some may be on solid ground questioning the methodology regarding the timing during the show of fan-voted nominee performances and when voting should be cut off, the wisdom of fan engagement will become more pronounced over time. Overall the 45th ACM Awards performed quite well. According to early reports from Zap2it.com the show peaked with 14 million viewers at 9 p.m. and a 8.2 rating/13 share to give CBS a solid win for the evening, down from last year about 6%, not bad considering that network viewership is falling. Last fall’s Wed. evening CMA Awards, which received its highest numbers since 2005, reached 16.85 million viewers by way of comparison.

As with all live award shows there were hits and misses at the mic plus special and a few not so special moments. Falling on the “not so much” side of the ledger was positioning Darius Rucker to close the show immediately after the presentation of the Entertainer of the Year Award. Rucker was great, but wouldn’t it have made more sense to let Brooks & Dunn close the show? Another unfortunate idea was to use a home video, grainy fuzz filter during Keith Urban’s performance. It was distracting and detracted from his artistry.

However, the good far outweighed the bad. Taylor Swift rode around suspended in a basket, ripped off her dress to “Change” and revealed a black pants outfit underneath and then ended her song falling blindly into an audience mosh pit where she was caught and carried offstage. Brad Paisley toured the crowd while playing guitar, and closed his song “Water” by plunging clothes and all (sans guitar) into a steamy hot tub. Miranda Lambert’s starkly moving “House That Built Me” received a standing ovation. Did we hear a 2011 Song of the Year nominee? Short performances from the new artist category winners, Luke Bryan, Gloriana and Joey & Rory were also well received.

The most important ratings of all for The Nashville community will arrive next week—the sales figures. Wait, can you hear it? It’s the sound of cash registers ringing and mouses clicking….let’s hope its loud, very loud.

Veteran Nashville Broadcaster Norm Ray Passes

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Noted Nashville instrumentalist and veteran radio and television broadcaster Norm Ray died Saturday, April 17, at age 73.
He is perhaps best remembered for the wit and humor he displayed for 20 years on the Ralph Emery Morning Show, WSM’s The Waking Crew and for the 10 years he spent in the house band on TNN’s Nashville Now. For a time, he was also the host of WSMV’s The Saturday Morning Show.

A native of Hamtramck, Michigan, Norm Ray began playing saxophone at age 5. He started his recording career in the Motown studios in Detroit, backing The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and other r&b stars. He moved to Nashville in 1965, joining Orchestra XII, one of the city’s last big bands.

In 1967, he broke into recording-studio work on Music Row by performing on the Elvis Presley soundtrack for Clambake. He subsequently recorded with Chet Atkins, Ray Stevens, Boots Randolph and others. He also played saxophone and flute in Randolph’s nightclub band.

Norm Ray is survived by his children Sherry Rau Carver, Norman Rau and Andrew Rau and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.

Middleworth Moves To Little Champion Music

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Longtime music publishing executive Glenn Middleworth has joined Little Champion Music as Sr. Creative Director. The two-year-old publishing house owned by Martina and John McBride/Blackbird Studios is home to songwriters Rachel Thibodeau and Jason Sever. More signings are expected in coming months.

Middleworth spent a total of ten years at EMI Music Publishing, ending as Sr. Advisor to A&R in January 2010. His publishing career started in 1984 at Jerry Bradley’s Forrest Hills Music. He joined EMI Music in 1994 as Senior Vice President of Creative, before moving to a similar role at Famous Music Nashville in 2002. In 2008 he rejoined EMI Nashville as Senior Advisor to A&R.

He has worked with and signed writers such as Raul Malo and The Mavericks, Joe Diffie, Jim Collins, Mark Alan Springer, Kelly Lovelace, Tia Sillers, Brad Paisley, Hillary Lindsey, Darrell Scott, Steve Bogard, Bob Regan, and Dallas Davidson.

Little Champion Music is located at 2801 Bransford Ave., Nashville, TN 37204. office: 615.515.6610. [email protected]

BMG, Huff, Franklin Open Publishing Company

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Dann Huff, Darrell Franklin

BMG Rights Management has partnered with renowned producer Dann Huff and publisher Darrell Franklin to form BMG Rights Management Nashville. The full-service publishing company launches with a stable of writers including busbee, Jonathan Singleton, and Neil Thrasher.

BMG Rights Management, the international group of music publishing companies which recently purchased Huff’s Crosstown Songs is also in agreement to acquire Cherry Lane Music Publishing.

Huff, long recognized as one of Nashville’s most innovative and successful producers, was recently named Billboard’s Country Producer of the Decade and was the recipient of the 2010 Producer of the Year Award from the Academy of Country Music. Among the many artists he has produced are Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Lonestar, Jewel, Julianne Hough, and Steel Magnolia.

Franklin has worked together with Huff since 2000 in connection with Dann’s producing projects and in the operation of the music publishing companies Diver Dann Music and Crosstown Songs Nashville. He is son of renowned pedal steel guitarist Paul Franklin.

“We are excited to be associated with creative individuals of the caliber of Dann Huff and Darrell Franklin,” said BMG’s Chief Operating Officer Laurent Hubert. “We look forward to building a successful Nashville operation by acquiring significant catalogs and signing top songwriters; BMG Nashville will create a publishing environment that fosters and supports their endeavors.”

“The chance for Darrell and me to work with music publishing executives like Hartwig Masuch, Laurent Hubert, and Deirdre O’Hara is a dream come true,” said Huff. “It is an honor to be included as part of a truly international publishing company like BMG which offers our writers the opportunity to expand their success in Nashville and throughout the world.”

BMG Rights Nashville will provide full creative, administrative, marketing and synch support. It will maintain offices at 2737 Larmon Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37204. Phone: 615.385.2058

Since its founding in late 2008, BMG has established offices in New York and Los Angeles, and affiliated offices in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Benelux countries, and Scandinavia. Aside from the high profile acquisition of Crosstown Songs and the agreement to purchase Cherry Lane Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management has within the past year acquired a number of other music publishing catalogs. It has also signed agreements with artists and producers including Leona Lewis, Jim Beanz, and The Crystal Method and now represents the rights to more than 75,000 songs and recordings.

Top ACM Winners-Lady A, Lambert, Underwood

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ACM winner Luke Bryan, Capitol Nashville President & CEO Mike Dungan, Charles Kelley of ACM winning trio Lady Antebellum, Troy Olsen, Hillary Scott & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker & Walker Hayes. Photo: Rick Diamond

Sony Music Nashville enjoyed a total of eight wins last night, with performances or wins from its stars Miranda Lambert, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood. Pictured celebrating the evening at a post-awards gathering (l-r): Sony Music Nashville Sr VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee, VP Promotion Skip Bishop, and Marketing VP Tom Baldrica; Chesney; Paisley; Phran Galante and husband and Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante; Underwood; Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery; Lambert; Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry; Sony Music Nashville Exec VP A&R Renee Bell; and recently retired Sony Music Nashville Exec VP Butch Waugh. Photo credit: Christie’s Photographic Studios

Last night’s (4/18) Academy of Country Music Awards reaffirmed the talent and star power of big winners Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.

Lady Antebellum took home trophies in three categories, and received two additional awards in the same fields as songwriters and producers. The trio comprised of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood received a total of five trophies. It was their first Top Vocal Group honor, and they also enjoyed wins for Single Record of the Year as artists and producers, and Song of the Year as artists and composers.

Lambert also had a stellar night, winning three awards, including her first for Top Female Vocalist. Her win for Album of the Year (Revolution) made her the first solo female artist to win the honor twice. She also took home Top Video honors for “White Liar.”

Once again, nearly half a million fans voted for the Entertainer of the Year category and named Carrie Underwood winner of the evening’s biggest honor for the second year in a row. She is the first female to win the award twice. Underwood also received the Triple Crown Award, thanks to her past wins for Entertainer, Top Female Vocalist and Top New Female Vocalist. Barbara Mandrell is the ACM’s only other female Triple Crown honoree.

Brad Paisley won Top Male Vocalist for the fourth consecutive time, becoming the only artist to receive three or more consecutive honors in that category.

With this year’s win for Top Vocal Duo, Brooks & Dunn’s ACM tally shot to 27, the most of any artist in Academy history. Due to this achievement, the retiring duo will be honored at ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn—The Last Rodeo, taping tonight (4/19) in Las Vegas and airing Sunday, May 23, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS.

Blake Shelton scored his first ACM Award for Event Of The Year with friend Trace Adkins for their No. 1 single, “Hillbilly Bone.” Montgomery Gentry was honored with the ACM/ The Home Depot Humanitarian Award. Taylor Swift, who went into the evening with five nominations and a truckload of trophies from other recent awards shows, went home without a win.

Entertainer of the Year Carrie Underwood

Top Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert

Top Vocal Duo of the Year Brooks & Dunn

Top Male Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley

Top Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum

Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company(s)]
Revolution – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

Top New Artist
Luke Bryan [Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year]
Joey + Rory [Top New Vocal Duo of the Year ]
Gloriana [Top New Vocal Group of the Year]

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

Song of the Year [Awarded to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
“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)

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

Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] (Off Camera Award)
“White Liar” – Miranda Lambert Producer:  Tameron Hedge
; Director: Chris Hicky