CMA Sues Fest Shirt Sellers

[Nashville Post] The Country Music Association has asked a court’s help to stop trademark infringement on the sale of CMA Music Festival merchandise.

The CMA filed suit in U.S. District Court Wednesday, the day before the start of its headline event, claiming that various vendors have at past CMA Music Festivals have sold counterfeit T-shirts and other merchandise of inferior quality using the CMA Music Festival trademark and logos.

CMA is seeking a temporary restraining order, a permanent injunction and a court order enabling law enforcement officers to seize counterfeit merchandise on sale during this week’s festival. The organization also is asking for damages…

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KE$HA Flood Benefit June 16

Pop  singer/songwriter and Nashville native and resident Ke$ha has announced a flood benefit concert on June 16th at Limelight in Nashville, which is located at 201 Woodland Street. Tickets are available starting at $30 at http://bit.ly/Kesha4Nashville.  Those interested may purchase a special VIP ticket package that includes a meet & greet with Ke$ha available for $100. All profits from the event will go to help the families and animals affected by the flood.

“I’m thrilled to be playing a show to help benefit Nashville, my hometown. 100% of the profits from ticket sales will go to help the victims of these devastating floods,” says Ke$ha “Nashville helped shape me as an artist and as a person and my love for this city is beyond words. I will continue to do anything I can to help rebuild this city and support the families and animals who have been affected by this tragedy.”

Ke$ha, who hits the road with Rihanna for a nationwide tour starting July 2nd,  released her debut album Animal (RCA Records / Kemosabe Entertainment) in January 2010 where it entered at #1 on the  Billboard Top 200 chart as well as the Digital Albums chart.  Animal holds the record for the best-ever digital-album sales for a new artist and is the third-biggest digital-album debut by a female. It also marked the biggest first week in SoundScan history for an artist’s debut album released in January. Animal has scanned 600k units and has been in the Top 20 albums every week since release in January. Ke$ha has sold over 8.5 million tracks and ringtones in the U.S. alone.

BOBBY KARL Works The Room–CMA 6/10

Carrie Underwood at Thursday's LP Field concert. Photo: John Russell, provided by CMA.

Chapter 339—My kingdom for a parking space.

Downtown Nashville is a sea of humanity. If this year’s CMA Music Festival doesn’t set another attendance record, I will be very much surprised. There were moments during my first tour of the “campus” on Thursday (6/10) when I was literally inching along in the packed pedestrian traffic.

Probably because so much more of the fest is now free, the crowds are not only larger, they are more diverse. At the Riverfront stage, there were grandmas, toddlers, teen-age twins, body builders, wheelchair people, bikini-topped babes, plus-size suburbanites, African-American children, bikers, tourists from overseas and just about any other type of individual you can imagine.

Joey + Rory were giving them quite a show, everything from “A  Little More Country Than That,” which Rory co-wrote, to their clever set closer, “Buy Our CD.” Rowdy Colt Ford followed the duo.

Tim McGraw, LP Field Thursday. Photo: Donn Jones; provided by CMA

A youngster was being thrown from the mechanical bull at the foot of Broadway as I passed it (The First Aid Tent is conveniently nearby). Next to the bull was one of several convenient water-misting tents.

In the Fun Zone, CMT was rounding up contestants for its cute “Singing Bee” contest, right across from the Manwich Open Mic Contest. Trevor Finlay was holding forth at the Hard Rock stage. Later in the afternoon, Eden’s Edge left a Music Row event to head down for a set on that same stage.

Full-dress Marines manned a recruiting booth. Ocean Spray had set up a cranberry bog. There were food give-aways and wheel-spinning games of chance galore.

The Sports Zone included the ever-popular bungee jumping station. In the Famiily Zone, there were giant inflatables, kiddie slides and bean-bag tossing. In the big tent, the Josh Turner Dance Contest was underway, with the star being joined by fellow judges from UMG, Royce “Siman” Risser and Van “Abdul” Haze. Nearby was Chuck Wicks with a roving CMT crew. Behind the tent, were the delightful “K-9” doggies diving into a big pool chasing Frisbees.

Fans in the Fun Zone! Photo: Amanda Eckard, provided by CMA

Across the street from Walk of Fame Park, the Country Music Hall of Fame was offering $6 barbeque lunches. Inside, fans were gathering for a Dierks Bentley autograph session. Dierks staged his fan club party on Wednesday night (6/9) at Limelight.

Charlie Monk was hosting the Chevy Stage in front of the Bridgestone Arena. Blaine Larsen, Randy Montana and The Kentucky HeadHunters performed and accommodated autograph seekers who gathered at the fence behind the stage. Strolling in the vicinity were such industry figures as Rod Essig, Troy Tomlinson and Regina Stuve.

In the Fan Fair exhibit hall in the Convention Center, you could have your pick of any number of celebrity encounters. Signing and smiling were Doug Stone, Danny Gokey, Richard Petty, Con Hunley, Bucky Covington, Lulu Roman, Love & Theft, Jack Greene, Julie Roberts, Gretchen Wilson, Joe Dee Messina, Jesse Lee, Kix Brooks, Diamond Rio, Josh Thompson and Julianne Hough. After Pam Tillis put in some autograph time, she headed upstairs and turned in a sizzling set in the Durango Acoustic Corner. The Judds were signing in the Fan Fair hall, too, having announced their 18-city “The Last Encore” tour at a press conference that morning. Chris Young headed from his #1 party on Music Row to downtown to delight the Fan Fair fans.

Jimmie Van Zant and songwriter Charlie Craig were signing in the Tootsie’s booth. Fans were making videos with a digital Rodney Atkins or singing Shania songs with a real-life Laura Bell Bundy. There were free arcade games, stations for playing electronic checkers and a real Air Force fighter jet on display.

Upstairs from the exhibit hall, T. Graham Brown had them yelling for more in the Durango Acoustic Corner. Meanwhile, back at Riverfront, Keith Anderson hollered, “Man, it’s hot!” at the thousands gathered there, and they roared in response. “Just drink more beer,” he suggested before romping through “Pickin’ Wildflowers.”

Wednesday’s downpour (6/9), alas, cancelled Randy Houser’s gig at the Block Party. But Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam at the Ryman went on as scheduled that night. This year, he had Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Ralph Mooney, announcer/fiddler Eddie Stubbs and Connie Smith, among others.

In addition to the folks I saw, others slated to sing in Thursday’s blazing sunshine on the various free stages included Bomshel, Clay Walker, Neal McCoy, Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius, The Band Perry, Jaron & The Long Road to Love, Tyler Dickerson and Ash Bowers.

If you decide to experience the Festival, take along some Patience. It is crowded and muggy down there.

Taylor Swift Invites Fans To “Mix Me In2”

Country superstar Taylor Swift was announced today (6/10) as the first artist to join forces with Mix Me In2, the groundbreaking technology developed by Atlanta-based Fried Green Apps. Executives from the company will be on hand Sunday (6/13) at Swift’s 13-hour Meet and Greet at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville to unveil “Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift,” a new iPhone App, powered by Mix Me In2’s patent-pending technology, which allows music lovers to literally go inside the music. Fans can use the app to create hundreds of different versions of their favorite songs. They can remove or change instruments. They can even mix themselves into the music by replacing existing instruments and vocals with their own. It’s an exciting way to experience–and creatively re-imagine–music.

“I love playing music, and I love creating music,” Swift said. “And, as somebody who is also a big music fan, I always love finding acoustic versions of my favorite songs. I think Mix Me In2 will be a great way for fans to have fun interacting with my music and to listen to new versions of my songs!”

In addition to the chart-topping original recording, each song in Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift comes with five previously un-released versions: rock, acoustic, urban, piano, and coffee house. All the music in Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift was approved and reviewed by Swift, her record label and management team. The Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift app will cost $2.99 and comes with two of her biggest hits, “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.” Additional songs will cost $1.99 each.

“We are thrilled at the enthusiasm and support we have gotten from Taylor and her team throughout this process,” said Fried Green Apps CEO Bill Pike. “They have continually stressed how important it was to make this about the music and the fans’ enjoyment of it, which is exactly why we invented Mix Me In2.”

Fans can upload their versions of the songs to TaylorSwift.com and share them via Facebook and Twitter.

Though Swift is the first artist to release her original music through this groundbreaking app, Fried Green Apps is working with several other major record labels and artists. The company plans to release versions of the app for The Plain White T’s, Breaking Benjamin, and other major artists starting in the next few weeks.

“It’s more than an iPhone app,” said Grammy-winning producer Dallas Austin, a key player in the creation of Mix Me In.  “It turns every music fan into a music producer.”

NAMM Show Hits Nashville Next Week

The 2010 Summer NAMM show is kicking off next week at the Nashville Convention Center, June 18-20. The convention will provide a first look at all the latest musical instruments and state-of-the-art technologies featuring everything from guitar and bass, amplifiers and drums, to pianos and synthesizers, band & orchestra, studio recording equipment, live staging and lighting, DJ gear and all the latest in computer software. Summer NAMM plays host to exhibitors from all over the globe.

NAMM will unite over 400 exhibitors featuring member manufacturers, retailers and distributors under one roof. Meet some of the most innovative people in the business unveiling hundreds of new products before they hit stores. Watch intimate artist performances and listen in on product demonstrations from professional clinicians. Learn more about all the issues that affect the state-of-the-industry by attending conference panels, educational sessions, Q&A’s and keynote speeches.

NAMM is working with Next Big Nashville, American Songwriter magazine, the Nashville Musicians Association and Musicares on a program called “The BIG Gear Giveback” where NAMM vendors, gear companies and compassionate musicians will have the opportunity to donate gear to working musicians who lost the tools of their livelihood during the Nashville Flood. The association will be celebrating this effort with a special concert event at Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville on Friday, June 18.

Additionally, for the first time NAMM has announced they will open the show floor to students, parents, music advocates and enthusiasts on Sunday, June 20, for “Wanna Play Music Sunday.” That afternoon, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee will trade his talk-show host microphone for a bass guitar as he takes the stage along with a host of top country music stars including Aaron Tippin, Louise Mandrell and John Anderson all performing in the Wanna Play Celebrity Jam to close the 2010 Summer NAMM.

Register online for Summer NAMM here.

Currington’s “Beer” is a Digital Hit

Mercury Nashville artist Billy Currington’s latest single, “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer,” written by Troy Jones and produced by Carson Chamberlain and Currington, is the fastest-rising and biggest-selling, first week digital single of his career, tallying over 21k track sales – a 42% increase from his previous best with “Don’t.” “Beer” is the debut single from Currington’s forthcoming fourth album due out September.

Carson has produced all of Currington’s previous albums, including the last project Little Bit Of Everything, which they co-produced. That album delivered three consecutive No. 1 singles, “Don’t,” “People Are Crazy” and “That’s How Country Boys Roll.” “People Are Crazy” went on to garner Grammy, CMA and ACM nominations.

Currington returns from Charleston, South Carolina this week after a two-day photo shoot for the upcoming album. He’ll be back in front of the cameras Friday in Nashville for the filming of a new video for the single and Saturday night when he performs at LP Field for CMA Music Fest.

Judds Announce “Last Encore” Tour

This morning (6/10) country music duo The Judds delivered a riveting performance for over 10,000 fans in downtown Nashville as they launched this year’s 2010 CMA Music Festival. Wynonna and Naomi Judd helped kick off what USA Today calls “the crown jewel Country Music festivals,” setting the stage for their highly anticipated final tour, The Judds: The Last Encore. It has been over 10 years since their 2000 Power To Change tour, and this final reunion promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

In typical fan-friendly Judd fashion, Wynonna and Naomi recently invited dedicated “Judd Heads” and country music fans across the country to name their upcoming tour in The Judds “Name That Tour” contest.  The response was overwhelming, and Jacqualine Budgell from Murfreesboro, TN was chosen as the lucky winner.

According to Naomi, The Last Encore tour is an opportunity to celebrate the relationship with their fans one last time.

 “There is nothing like music and laughter to connect people,” she says.  “How I’ve missed that encounter with the very ones who’ve allowed us that awesome privilege! I’m counting the days till I can be back on my bus, visiting their towns.”

In addition to their enduring 26-year relationship with the fans, Wynonna shares her sentiment on reuniting with her mother, Naomi, again. 

“This tour gives me a chance to enjoy where Mom and I are in our relationship. I look forward to celebrating our personal and professional journey…together.”

For fans who have followed their journey together through the years, this final curtain call will be yet another reason to celebrate. The tour will kick off on November 26, the day after Thanksgiving, in Green Bay, Wisconsin and will continue on to their home state of Kentucky with a show in Louisville alongside dates in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Judds will close their final tour with a full circle moment in Phoenix, AZ where their 2000 Power To Change tour began. The Judds: The Last Encore tour will feature new Judds and Wynonna music from the upcoming album while also shining a bright light on all of the fans’ Judds and Wynonna favorites. And for the first time ever, they will also celebrate the holiday season during their final tour by weaving several classic Christmas songs in their set list.

“The Judds have been a major force on the arena level now for three consecutive decades,” says The Judds agent, Greg Oswald of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. “The response from buyers when we made The Last Encore show available was overwhelming. So many offers and not enough time to do them all!”

The Judds’ friends at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital also wanted to share in the excitement by partnering with the duo. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, so no child is ever denied treatment because of their family’s inability to pay. The ongoing relationship between St. Jude and The Judds prompted the duo to include and honor the work of St. Jude on their final tour.

The Judds: The Last Encore tour will visit the following cities:

11/26 – Green Bay WI – Resch Center
11/27 – Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
11/28 – Moline, IL – i wireless Center
11/30 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
12/2 – Columbus, OH – Value City Arena – Schottenstein Center
12/3 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
12/4 – St. Charles, MO – Family Arena
12/5 – Council Bluffs, IA – Mid-America Center
12/7 – Colorado Springs, CO – World Arena
12/8 – Broomfield, CO – 1STBank Center
12/9 – Salt Lake City, UT – EnergySolutions Arena
12/11 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
12/12 – Sacramento, CA – Arco Arena
12/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
12/16 – Santa Ynez, CA – Chumash Casino
12/17 – Rancho Mirage, CA – Agua Caliente Casino
12/18 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center/Arena
12/19 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center

Aristo’s Global Showcase Kicks Off CMA Fest

The AristoMedia Global Showcase on Tuesday, June 8, was the second of two international country music events held in downtown Nashville to help kick off CMA Music Festival week.

Eight international acts participated in the global showcase, which was held at the Second Fiddle on Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 PM–7:00 PM. Artists performing included Travis Collins (Australia), The European Highwaymen (Norway), Jessie Farrell (Canada), Jo Hikk (Canada), Emma King & the Heartsets (UK), Steven Lee Olsen (Canada), Ronnie Rae Rivers (Australia) and Joe Robinson (Australia).  The event was hosted by Australian duo O’Shea.

Top row (l-r): Kenny Sitter, Kelly Sitter, Al Doell (Jo Hikk), Ritch Spence, Will Stanley, Toby Schwietering, (Emma King & the Heartsets), Arly Kalsen (European Highwaymen), Emma King, Ove Stoylen, Gunnar Thomas (European Highwaymen), Ronnie Rae Rivers, Mark O’Shea, Jay O’Shea, Robert Reynolds. Bottom row (l-r): Ian Harrison (Emma King & the Heartsets), Jessie Farrell, Travis Collins, Joe Robinson. Not pictured: Steven Lee Olsen. Photo: The AristoMedia Group

CMT Awards—Inspired or Flawed Judgement?

(Complete list of winners here.) (Photos: IzzyNashville.com)

The ninth annual CMT Music Awards seemed to be more about the party than the music. The two and a half hour show did however offer viewers a few outstanding musical moments.

Zac Brown Band did a heartfelt rendition of “Free” that reinforced the band’s artistic orientation. LeAnn Rimes previewed “Swingin” from her upcoming CD. (John Anderson was briefly shown as a member of the band, although no mention was made of the fact that he was the song’s original hitmaker.) Rimes combined vocal swagger with choreography (including triple cartwheels) in what became one of the evening’s WOW! moments. Also unique was the pairing of Keith Urban with John Mayer. The two six string masters sent musical lightning bolts back and forth across the stage. (Watch for them to appear together later this month on CMT Crossroads.) Lady Antebellum’s show closer “Stars Tonight” re focused attention on the power of country music, or as Kid Rock said in a rare eloquent moment, “If the music’s real, you’ll feel it.”

Kid Rock leaned heavily on smokin’ and drinkin’ to carry the hosting load. Maybe it worked, maybe it simply cheapened and distracted from the performers and their music. Did we really need to go backstage to Kid’s party room to see him, John Rich, Kellie Pickler and a host of here-for-the-party nonames throwing back Crown Royal shots? Did I miss the significance of the message?

Kenan Thompson rolled out his Reba impersonation (as seen on SNL) and was name checked by the real redhead. The two Rebas carried on in good form and generated one of the show’s funnier moments. Laura Bell Bundy and Blake Shelton showed genuine chemistry together as they wove song titles into innuendo to eek out a few laughs. Bumpers from Steel Magnolia, Trailer Choir and Easton Corbin were disappointingly short, but highlights nonetheless. Additional A-list performances from Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith kept the show moving.

Was the ninth annual CMT Awards on target for an audience that wants a more edgy party atmosphere? Or did CMT show flawed judgment by elevating glitz and glamor above the music? As Kenan Thompson sings, “What’s Up With That?”

Early (unofficial) Ratings Update: Show was #1 most watched CMT Awards premiere in channel’s history, up almost 20% from last year. CMT was #1 most-watched network across all cable during its time period (8-10:30P EST) with Persons 18-49, Women 18-49 impressions.

[update] TV by the Numbers reports that the Awards show had 3.04 million viewers.

Leave YOUR Comments Below….

For added perspective read the viewer comments posted on CMT.com

Rucker And Friends Play For St. Judes

Darius Rucker unofficially kicked-off the 2010 CMA Music Festival on Monday (6/7) with his inaugural Darius and Friends St. Jude benefit concert. The event, which featured performances by Radney Foster, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, and Jake Owen, successfully sold-out the Wildhorse Saloon, raising $48,720 for St. Jude cancer research.

Upon hearing the news, Rucker raved, “I got to perform three songs with Radney Foster – the man who inspired me to get into music! I could not have envisioned a better night. I’m so thankful to the staff at St. Jude, my management team at McGhee Entertainment, the artists, my band, and everyone that made this event such a success.”

In addition to hits from his solo country record, Learn to Live, Rucker performed classics like Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away” with Randy Houser.  Following Owen’s performance, Rucker rejoined his band to perform his new single, “Come Back Song,” for the first time. The single will impact radio on June 28 and will appear on his sophomore album on Capitol Records Nashville, slated to hit shelves this October.

The evening’s finale, a performance of “Family Tradition,” featured all the artists on stage as well as a surprise guest appearance by Kid Rock on guitar.