BMI’s Website Goes Mobile

BMI has launched a mobile version of its award-winning website www.bmi.com for iPhone, Android, Palm, Symbian and the upcoming Blackberry 6.0 phones. Mobile users will see the new mobile site when they log onto www.bmi.com.

“We know that tens of thousands of visitors to BMI.com already access information via smart phones,” said BMI President & CEO Del Bryant. “This is a logical step to enable our web visitors to discover the information on BMI’s business, its members, licensing processes, and over 200 sponsored events.”

BMI also announced that it will launch a mobile web version of its highly trafficked Online Services area by the end of June, giving its songwriters, composers and music publishers secure account access for their royalty statements and catalog of musical works via their smart phones.

“BMI was the first in the industry to launch a website in September 1994. We understood the power of the Internet then, and we understand how quickly everything is transitioning to a mobile environment today,” said Bryant. “We will continue to develop applications for new technologies that our affiliates and licensees use in the course of business. We know that business information needs to be available at anytime, anywhere, in a secure and portable mode. Our mobile applications continue our commitment to this pioneering tradition.”

Steve Wariner Unveils New Website/Contest

Grammy-winning recording artist, songwriter and guitarist Steve Wariner, in connection with BubbleUp, Ltd., will launch a completely revamped Web site at www.stevewariner.com on Monday, June 7. The new site will feature exclusive videos and photos, the latest news and tour dates, regular posts from Steve, and much more.

“I’m excited about all of the possibilities with this new site,” said Wariner.  “The folks at BubbleUp are extremely creative and adept at implementing our ideas. I appreciate all the ways this site will give me to stay connected.”

In preparation for the launch, SelecTone Records will begin two weeks of promotion. Fans can log onto Wariner’s site and enter a sweepstakes to win the following prizes (all winners chosen at random; no purchase necessary to enter):

1 Grand Prize winner – One autographed Takamine acoustic guitar and a 1-hour guitar lesson in Nashville with Steve (travel and lodging not included)

2 winners – Autographed guitar

1 winner – A five-minute phone call with Wariner, with the option for the singer to record a custom outgoing message on the winner’s cell phone voicemail.

2 Winners – Grand Ole Opry Package, including 4 tickets to an upcoming Steve Wariner Opry performance of the winners’ choice, and a backstage Opry tour given by an Opry staff member (travel and lodging not included; no winners or guests under the age of 12.)

20 Winners – Participate in a live, interactive audio conference call with Steve. The call will last from 30-45 minutes with a moderator. Winners will be emailed an 800 number and passcode with date and time to dial in, and winners will submit questions via email one day prior to the call, one question per caller.

1 Winner – Autographed Steve Wariner artwork

3 Winners – Autographed CD – Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins

3 Winners – Autographed photo

In addition, everyone who enters the sweepstakes will be given access, via a private link, to a Webcast during which Steve will perform 3 songs. The live webcast will take place on Saturday, June 12 at 12 PM CT, and it will also be available on demand until June 14 at 12 PM CT. The link for the webcast will be emailed to all who enter the sweepstakes on or before June 11.

Brian Clough Wins CMA Int’l Broadcaster Award

CMA’s Bobbi Boyce (right) presents The International Broadcaster Award to Brian Clough

British radio personality Brian Clough was surprised with the CMA International Broadcaster Award during a recent lunch in Durham, England. The Award was presented to him by Bobbi Boyce, CMA International Consultant.

“I’m still trying to come to terms with the honor given to me by the Country Music Association and ponder as to why I should be rewarded with such an accolade for something that has been a great enjoyment to do for the best part of my life,” said Clough. “A sincere thank you to all those folks who thought I was worthy of the award, and a special thank you to all the artists for providing some of the greatest music around.”

Clough was introduced to country music as a teenager in the ’60s while listening to artists such as Don Gibson and Roger Miller on the radio. For 30 years, he has presented and produced country music radio programs at such places as the Independent Metro and Great North Radio Group, Harmony Radio, Century Radio, DLR, NLR, and Smooth Radio. Readers of a national magazine once voted him one of the top six country presenters in Great Britain. He has written a country music column for The Northern Echo, one of Great Britain’s largest daily regional newspapers, for 26 years, and also serves as the entertainment editor for www.euvue.co.uk.
 
The CMA International Broadcaster Award recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions toward the development of Country Music in their country. Previous winners are listed at CMAworld.com.

Bonnaroo To Donate To Flood Relief

Bonnaroo will donate up to $50,000 to aid the flood relief efforts for Music City. Great Stage Park, the home of Bonnaroo, escaped flood damage but the cleanup efforts to help rebuild Nashville after one of the most devastating natural disasters in this city’s history have only just begun, and the festival has created several ways for the Bonnaroo community to get involved and make a difference.

Bonnaroo has already donated $10,000 to the Middle Tennessee Red Cross, and festival organizers, Superfly Presents and A.C. Entertainment, are encouraging all friends and fans to help out in any way possible. Now through Sunday, June 6, Bonnaroo will be facilitating donations, via the Bonnaroo Works Fund, and matching them, dollar for dollar, up to $30,000. All donations will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Additionally, while he’s not on stage as part of Bonnaroo’s Café lineup this year, Jonathan Sexton (of Jonathan Sexton & the Big Love Choir) and Bonnaroo will be partnering up to show Nashville some “Big Love” by attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the most hugs in a 24-hour period (he’ll have to hug more than 7800 people!). For every hug given Bonnaroo hopes friends and fans will donate to the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville “Restore the Dream” Fund. Bonnaroo will then match donations up to $10,000. Sexton will be stationed at the post office at the Bonnaroo Festival site from noon on Friday, June 11 to noon on Saturday, June 12.

Established in 2009, the Bonnaroo Works Fund was created to further the festival’s community investment and philanthropic endeavors. The Fund is administered by the East Tennessee Foundation (ETF), a 501(c)(3) community foundation which manages philanthropic endeavors for numerous businesses and organizations in Tennessee. Since its inception eight years ago, Bonnaroo has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting numerous local, regional and national non-profits, with a special focus on the Coffee County community where the festival is based. Bonnaroo has generated and distributed over $3,000,000, mostly in direct contributions to a variety of initiatives and causes, mostly in Coffee County.

“Girls With Guitars” Gather For Flood Relief

Tomorrow night (5/25) at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley, Girls With Guitars will get together and make some great music to benefit Nashville flood relief. Singer/songwriters including Mary Gauthier, Lisa Carver, Robin Ruddy, Kimberley Dahme, Cheley Tackett, Lani Nash, Tammy Fowler, Annie Mosher and Mindy Smith will come together for a very special night of music for a great cause. Suggested donation is $10. All proceeds will go to the MusicCares Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping out musicians in need.

The event will run from 6:00-8:00 PM and will kick off with an exciting donation match challenge. Those who can’t attend the show but would like to donate to the cause can make their check payable to MusicCares Foundation, and include “Girls With Guitars-Flood Relief Benefit” in the memo line. Send donations to Parlor Productions/Music Row Realty, 1317 16th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37212.

Landon Michael

“You’re Invited”

Big Dog Records/Lofton Creek

When Landon Michael decided to pursue a career in music, he knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But, he knew the industry was changing and that he needed to approach it differently.

“I came to Nashville with the intent to record songs as much and as often as possible,” says Landon. “I knew I needed to build my recording experience and hone my voice.”

And out of his recording sessions has come his single, “You’re Invited.” Written by Trey Matthews, Brad Martin and David Chamberlain, “You’re Invited” is an upbeat song primed for summer airplay and aimed at working folks who just want to cut loose after a hard week.

Landon will also be performing a showcase during the first ever Billboard Country Music Summit in Nashville June 7 at the Hermitage Hotel.

www.landonmichael.com
www.myspace.com/landonmichaelmusic

[wpaudio url=”https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/yrnvtd-lmchl.mp3″ text=”Artist – Song” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

“CRS: One-On-One” Reprising In June

Based on the success of its inaugural CRS: One on One mentoring session in May, Country Radio Broadcasters has announced a June 18 follow-up installment, focusing on new media marketing opportunities at radio.

Industry veterans Paul Williams (Senior Director, Strategic Marketing, Sony Music Nashville) and Roy Elkins (CEO, Broadjam) are this session’s featured speakers. Attendees will learn how to improve their radio station’s marketing efforts through new media initiatives and technology, as well as gain a better understanding of how consumers and listeners are using that technology. Twelve Country radio marketers will be chosen for the June 18 CRS: One on One session.

“After the success and feedback from our first One on One event, we moved quickly to organize another installment,” says CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne. “We felt like the new media marketing angle was something that is relevant to every single radio station in the country, so we recruited two of the best and brightest on the subject, Paul Williams and Roy Elkins, to discuss that topic with our next batch of attendees.”

CRS: One on One encourages candid, one-on-one interaction and discussion between participants about the current issues and challenges faced by those working in the country radio industry today. The next session will be held Friday, June 18 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the newly remodeled Country Radio Broadcasters offices in Nashville. Radio marketers interested in attending must submit the application found on www.CRB.org before Friday, June 4 at 5 PM/CT.

Eligible applicants must have radio marketing 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, June 7.

Alan Jackson Honors Fallen Miners

Alan Jackson receives a bracelet from the family of coal mine explosion victim Cory Davis before the singer's benefit concert Saturday. Photo: Jeff Gentner/Associated Press

Country music superstar Alan Jackson honored the fallen miners and rescue workers from April’s Upper Big Branch mining disaster on Saturday (5/22) with a benefit concert performance at the Charleston, West Virginia Civic Center. The 31 families affected and 230 rescue workers who were on site at the nation’s biggest mining disaster in four decades were offered free tickets to the show. 27 families who lost loved ones and the two whose family members survived met with Jackson before the show, including the family of Cory Davis who would have been 21 on Saturday. His family presented Jackson with a bracelet with David’s birthday on it, and Jackson wore it throughout the show.

Jackson kicked off his Freight Train Tour date with his No. 1 hit “Gone Country”, and told the packed auditorium that, “We’re here to honor the ones that we lost or were injured and we’re gonna celebrate their lives with some music.”

During the show, Jackson’s long time pedal steel player Robbie Flint, originally from Sylvester, WV, performed the moving ballad “Coalwood,” from the film October Sky, as the faces of the miners flashed on two large screens on either side of the stage. As each name and face appeared, cheers reverberated through the crowd. Jackson followed the heart-felt tribute with his post 9/11 anthem, “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning.”

Profits from the benefit go to the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund, administrated by the West Virginia Council of Churches.

“Alan Jackson was the right music star for the moment to come to West Virginia and honor the memories of the miners lost at the Upper Big Branch and to all miners who go into the mines each day,” said Rev. Dennis Sparks, Exec Director of the Fund. “His music and performance offers a genuine expression of the hearts of our people. We offer a heartfelt thank you to Alan Jackson, his band and his entire team. The Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund will be enormously enhanced through his concert.”

Click here to make a donation to the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund.

Opry Presents Stars With Guitars

When Grand Ole Opry superstars Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs, and Steve Wariner pick up their guitars and hit the Opry stage next Tuesday, the world will be able to watch them live. The show will be available via live stream, powered by iClips, at opry.com beginning at 8:00 CT. The show will also be available on iClips.net as well as other various web destinations and broadcast live on 650 WSM-AM and wsmonline.com. The night is set to both raise funds for Middle Tennessee flood relief and kick off the Opry’s months-long 85th Birthday Celebration.

As a part of the night’s show, each Opry member will take the stage individually followed by a guitar jam finale featuring the group’s take on some of the most popular songs in the Opry’s 85-year history. The four artists– each known as a multi-million-selling recording artist as well as an impeccable musician– have together amassed more than 75 CMA and Grammy Awards.

Throughout the show, fans will be invited to contribute to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and its flood relief efforts. The show will emanate from the Ryman Auditorium, as the Opry has been temporarily displaced from the Grand Ole Opry House by this month’s flood.

The night will officially kick off the Opry’s 85th birthday celebration to continue throughout the year as the show that made country music famous celebrates with country music’s most popular artists and biggest fans. Among artists coming this summer to the Opry stage are Luke Bryan, Emmylou Harris, Lady Antebellum, Oak Ridge Boys, Charley Pride, Josh Turner, Wynonna, and Trisha Yearwood.

Hall of Fame Inducts Sherrill, Husky

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 337

There are three things you can count on at Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
First and foremost, your ears are going to be treated to absolutely extraordinary music. Plus, your taste buds are going to be delighted by the food. Plus-plus, your eyes will be dazzled by celebrities.

The Sunday evening event (5/23) was staged in the Hall of Fame’s Conservatory lobby, since its Ford Theater has been water inundated in the Great Flood of 2010. Appropriately, the first music we heard was Johnny Cash’s “Five Feet High and Rising” from 1959. The Hall’s Kyle Young praised Alan Valentine of the Nashville Symphony and attendee Steve Buchanan of the Grand Ole Opry because, “with courage and valor, they kept the music playing without missing a beat” after both were flooded.

“We hold you in the highest esteem,” said Steve Turner to inductees Ferlin Husky and Billy Sherrill. “We salute you.”

Vince Gill kicked the spirit-lifting music performances off with “Oh Happy Day,” assisted by the Settles Connection Choir. “We need a happy day, after all this rain,” said Vinnie earlier on the red carpet.
Kyle told Ferlin’s story, which began on St. Louis radio, flourished in Bakersfield and rose to prominence on Tennessee Ernie Ford’s TV show. Ernie got Ferlin on Capitol Records. “A Dear John Letter” made stars of both Ferlin and Jean Shepard in 1953. In 1955, Ferlin scored his first solo hit with the light-hearted swing tune “I Feel Better All Over.” We were delighted by Webb Wilder’s performance of it.

(l-r) Opry President Steve Buchanan, CMA Chairman of the Board Steve Moore, Country Music Hall of Fame Director Kyle Young, Ferlin Husky and Billy Sherrill (photo by Donn Jones)

Often cited as the first “Nashville Sound” recording is Ferlin’s 1956 masterpiece “Gone.” Backed by The Jordanaires and an astounding soprano by 87-year-old Millie Kirkham, Ronnie McDowell did an outstanding job on the classic. He walked into the audience and sang it right to Ferliin.

Ricky Skaggs and The Whites encouraged us to sing along to Ferlin’s 1960 classic “Wings of a Dove.” After singing, they came down from the stage to greet Ferlin and his family. The eternally lovable Dallas Frazier sang “Freckles and Polliwog Days,” a single he co-wrote for Ferlin in 1974. It was done Dixieland style, with Larry Paxton joining the Medallion All Star Band on tuba. Speaking of the band, can I get a witness for John Hobbs, Paul Franklin, Biff Watson, Michael Rhodes, Steve Gibson, Deanie Richardson, Jeff White and Dawn Sears? They made everybody sound great.

Anyway, after Dallas finished, Charley Pride took the stage to formally induct Ferlin into the Hall of Fame. “It’s a privilege and an honor to do this for someone I dearly love,” said Charley. The ceremonial gesture includes unveiling a bronze plaque and placing a medallion around the inductee’s neck. ‘God bless anybody who had anything to do with bringing me here,” said Ferlin. At age 84, he is frail after nine heart bypass surgeries and uses oxygen and a wheel chair.

Kyle lauded Billy Sherrill, 73, as “a controversial genius who created immortal country music.” Billy’s journey includes helping to create the Muscle Shoals music scene, working with Sam Phillips and being hired by Epic Records in 1963 to produce The Staple Singers, Barry & The Remains and other left-field artists. Moving into country music, he produced and co-wrote dozens of genre-defining hits.

The evening’s amazing music continued with Craig Morgan’s performance of Billy’s co-written “Almost Persuaded” 1966 David Houston hit. I just love to listen to that man sing. George Jones led the standing ovation. By the way, all the performances were greeted by standing ovations and Sharon White’s shouts of encouragement.

That included Shelby Lynne’s rendition of “Stand By Your Man.” “Don’t put me after Shelby Lynne!” protested Ronnie Milsap. “What a great singer she is.” Don’t worry. Ronnie’s version of Charlie Rich’s “The Most Beautiful Girl” (also co-written and produced by Billy) was also greeted by a standing o.
Billy signed Jones in 1972 and produced his masterpiece “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” This time, Lee Ann Womack did the goosebump-raising honors, backed by Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy with the Medallion All Star Band.

Frances Preston inducted Billy. “There is not a more miserable person in Nashville, Tennessee, tonight than Billy Sherrill,” she said. “He hates notoriety.” She added, “Your work has made stars of many people, but tonight you are the star.”

“There are no more words—everything’s been said,” said the famously shy and dry Billy. He thanked Tom Stafford, Sam Phillips, Clive Davis and Al Gallico: “You have to have a lot of help to get this, and I had it.” Billy and Charlene Sherrill will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 30, 2011, by the way.
The music concluded with the annual train-wreck performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” by all the stars. As noted above, this is a gig that is saturated with them. Mel Tillis, Barbara Mandrell, Joe Stampley, Roni Stoneman, Norro Wilson, Melanie Howard, Gary Scruggs, Mayor Karl Dean, Bobby Braddock, Jim Foglesong, Two Foot Fred, Bud Wendell, Dianne Sherrill, red-carpet host Bill Cody, John Seigenthaler, Harold Bradley, Bill Denny, Sherry Bond, Robin Young, Jo Walker-Meador, Charlie Dick, Weldon Myrick, Bill Anderson, Earl Scruggs and Sonny James sparkled a-plenty.

As for the food, you had your choice of peach-glazed pork loin, smoked turkey, fried okra, garlic grits, Cajun shrimp, fried green tomatoes, burger sliders, cheesy cucumber slices, tossed salad with hot wings, three-bean salad, cucumber-and-onion salad and a variety of cheeses and fruits. The full bar featured a dry white wine from Kix Brooks’s Arrington Vineyards, which is quite good. And don’t get me started on the post-show desserts.

This year’s second Hall of Fame induction ceremony will spotlight Don Williams and Jimmy Dean on October 24.