Sugarland Sets October Release

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Sugarland’s fourth studio album, The Incredible Machine, is joining the list of major releases coming in the final quarter. While waiting for the Oct. 19 release date, fans will get a taste of the new offering when lead single “Stuck Like Glue” goes to radio on July 26.

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush wrote the first single with Kevin Griffin (of Better Than Ezra fame) and Shy Carter. As with all their past projects, Nettles and Bush collaborated on the entire album. Machine marks their third time co-producing alongside Byron Gallimore.

The Mercury Nashville duo is also offering a web series at www.youtube.com/sugarland. “The Week In Review” comes out every Wednesday and gives a glimpse of the band on their current The Incredible Machine tour.

The fall outing will be the follow-up to Sugarland’s 2008 album Love On The Inside, which spawned hits like “It Happens,” “All I Want To Do,” and “Already Gone.” In the meantime, the duo released the live CD/DVD Live On The Inside, and the holiday collection Gold And Green.

Sugarland has won multiple Grammys and sold over 8 million records since rocketing onto the music scene in 2004.

Trace Adkins Album Due In August

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Trace Adkins is opening a new chapter in his career with the Aug. 17 release of his first album for Show Dog-Universal. Cowboy’s Back In Town is being described as vintage Adkins, running the gamut from love songs like “Still Love You,” to the rowdy side of country life in the hilarious “Hold My Beer.”

He also has a deluxe version coming out the same day, offering fans four bonus tracks, including “Hillbilly Bone” his hit with Blake Shelton.

Adkins showcases his writing chops on the outing—he penned the title track with friends Jeff Bates and Kenny Beard, who also co-produced with Jason Aldean hitmaker Michael Knox. Other highlights include a guest spot from labelmate Trailer Choir. The project’s first single is “This Ain’t No Love Song.”

In addition to headlining his own dates, Adkins is on the road with Toby Keith‘s American Ride Tour through September. The pair toured together previously, which led to Adkins’ eventual signing with Keith’s label.

Adkins has sold more than 10 million records and earned four Grammy nominations with hits such as “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “This Ain’t No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Ladies Love Country Boys.”

Cowboy’s Back In Town – Track Listing

1.      Brown Chicken Brown Cow
2.      Hold My Beer
3.      Cowboy’s Back In Town
4.      This Ain’t No Love Song
5.      Hell, I Can Do That
6.      A Little Bit Of Missing You
7.      Still Love You
8.      Don’t Mind If I Don’t
9.      Ala-Freakin-Bama
10.    Break Her Fall
11.    Whoop A Man’s Ass

Deluxe Edition:

1.      Happy Man
2.      Between Rainbows and the Rain
3.      Pictures On Mantles
4.      Hillbilly Bone – performed by Blake Shelton (featuring Trace Adkins)

[Editor’s note: MR’s Boss Ross tipped “Hold My Beer” to Adkins’ team.]

Big Machine Adds Two Staffers

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Big Machine Label Group has hired Ashley Heron for the newly created position of Director of Strategic Marketing, and added Karen Light as Administration Analyst.

In his new role, Heron will work to establish brand partnerships as well as provide creative and new media support for the Big Machine, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville artist rosters. A graduate of Belmont University, Heron most recently spent six years as Sr. Manager of Marketing for Lyric Street Records. He will report directly to VP of Sales, Marketing and Interactive Kelly Rich.

“Ashley has been a great sounding board over the years and is extremely talented,” says Rich. “When he became available, we knew he was a natural fit.”

“Scott Borchetta and his team are fostering such a great culture of staff and artists, I’m really looking forward to working alongside and creatively partnering with more businesses in the business of Big Machine music,” adds Heron.

In her new position, Light will facilitate licensing clearance, publishing administration and royalty entry for the Big Machine Label Group roster. A graduate of California State University-Fresno and Middle Tennessee State University, Light’s industry experience includes stints at Encore Entertainment, Pamplin Music Corp, ICG, Still Working Music and, most recently, Sussman & Associates. She will report directly to Director of Administration Wayne Milligan.

“Karen is one of the best publishing administration professionals in the business,” says Milligan. “She not only brings with her solid credentials but a love for the creative process, songwriters and artists. I am very happy to be working with her again.”

“In some way or another, I have worked with various people and departments of Big Machine since it opened its doors which makes me even more excited now to be a part of this amazing team and family,” adds Light.

Ashley Heron can be reached at: 615-324-7930 and [email protected].

Karen Light can be reached at 615-324-7934 and [email protected].

Stealing Angels

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“He Better Be Dead”

Skyville/Nine North

Country trio Caroline Cutbirth, Jennifer Wayne, and Tayla Lynn—collectively known as Stealing Angels—is releasing its debut single “He Better Be Dead” to country radio. Impact date is Monday, July 12. The ladies have been recording songs for their debut album with renowned producer Paul Worley (Lady Antebellum, Dixie Chicks, Martina McBride, Big & Rich) and are the first signing to Worley’s new Skyville Records imprint which was launched with business partners Wally Wilson and Glen Morgan.

Stealing Angels found each other when Texas native Cutbirth moved to Nashville in 2006. There she met Wayne, granddaughter of the actor John Wayne, who had also come to town to chase her dream. In 2007 the two girls were approached to do a music based reality TV show, and the show’s producer introduced them to Tayla Lynn–Loretta’s granddaughter–and the three began working together. Ultimately they decided reality TV wasn’t for them, but luckily their music and collaborative spirit kept going after the cameras stopped.

Stealing Angels’ debut album is scheduled for release later in 2010. They will be performing in fairs and festivals all over the country this summer, as well as doing an extensive radio tour promoting their debut single.

http://www.stealingangels.com
http://www.facebook.com/StealingAngels
http://www.myspace.com/stealingangels

[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/10201351/stngls-hbbd.mp3″ text=”Stealing Angels – He Better Be Dead” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Eminem Bringing Year’s Best Debut

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The new album from superstar rapper Eminem is expected to be the year’s biggest debut when sales tallies come in this week. Numerous early chart watchers are predicting sales upwards of 700,000 units.

Recovery has seen strong reviews (Rolling Stone gave it four stars), hit singles and a pre-release leak yielding good word-of-mouth. Among the tracks are collaborations with female pop stars Pink and Rihanna.

Also debuting on the SoundScan chart will be Miley Cyrus’ Can’t Be Tamed, which is expected to cross the 100,000-copy mark.

19/Oglesby Rework Relationship

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Chris Oglesby is resuming his role as head of Oglesby Writers Management (OWM), the company he founded in 2004.

In 2006 OWM partnered with 19 Entertainment, taking seat as the company’s Nashville office. Oglesby will continue his close relationship with 19 Entertainment under the new arrangement between 19/CKX and OWM.

Among other changes at 19 Entertainment, Jennifer Carrington’s position was eliminated. Her last day with the company will be Wednesday, June 30. She can be reached at [email protected] or (615) 491-3453.

19/CKX will continue to develop and manage Carrie Underwood and newcomers Sons Of Sylvia. Both artists are signed to 19 Recordings, in addition to other major labels.

Gill At Clapton’s Crossroads Festival

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Vince Gill performs with Albert Lee at the Crossroads Guitar Festival. Photo: Vince Cunetto.

Vince Gill was among the guitar gods who took the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival over the weekend. He joined fellow headliners B. B. King, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, Buddy Guy and, of course, Clapton at the Chicago event.

Sheryl Crow performed as well, pairing with Gill for the Clapton classic “Lay Down Sally.”

Gill’s A-list band backed up sets by guitar slingers Keb’ Mo’, Earl Klugh and Albert Lee. And Clapton’s band was comprised of guest stars Beck and Steve Winwood.

Pete Huttlinger was also among the 24 musicians on the line-up for the day-long event at Toyota Park.

It was the third festival Clapton has organized to benefit his Crossroads addiction treatment facility in Antigua.

Gill and Clapton onstage at Clapton's Nashville concert in March. Photo: Danielle Pope

Weekly Chart Report 6/25/10

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SPIN ZONE
Hats off to Little Big Town, whose “Little White Church” has earned the Capitol quartet its first CountryBreakout™ No. 1 since 2006’s “Bring It On Home.” LBT labelmate Keith Urban is just a few paces behind them with “I’m In,” however, and looks poised to nab the top spot in the near future. Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” also makes a big leap from 9-6, and should move even higher as some of the old top 5 records start to fall out.

Capitol Records also has the two greatest spin gains in this chart cycle. Lady Antebellum’s “Our Kind Of Love” has soared all the way to No. 14 in a short five weeks and again picks up the biggest gain of 366 spins. Eric Church’s “Smoke A Little Smoke” is a close second in spins gained (at 365) as it moves 63-47 in its second week charting.

The highest debut goes to Matthew Huff, who makes his first appearance at No. 69 with “Back Again.” Others debuting include Greg Hanna’s “What Kind Of Love Are You On” (No. 70), Blaine Larsen’s “Chillin’” (No. 72), Steel Magnolia’s “Just By Being You” (No. 73), Jewel’s “Satisfied” (No. 74) and Sunny Sweeney’s “From A Table Away” (No. 75).

Frozen Playlists: KFLG, WDHR, KJAM, KMKS, KNCQ, KTHK, KUUB, KWEY, KYYK, WAXX, WKWS, WOWF

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label/chart pos.
Matthew Huff/Back Again/MGH Records    69
Greg Hanna/What Kind of Love Are You On?     70
Blaine Larsen/Chillin’/Treehouse    72
Steel Magnolia/Just By Being You/Big Machine    73
Jewel/Satisfied/Valory Music    74
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville    75

Lucky Seven Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label/spin+
Lady Antebellum/Our Kind Of Love/Capitol    366
Eric Church/Smoke A Little Smoke/Capitol    365
Billy Currington/Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer/Mercury    296
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal    254
Justin Moore/How I Got To Be This Way/Valory Music    250
The Band Perry/If I Die Young/Republic Nashville    220
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol    213

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label/spins
Leah Seawright/Country Girl 101/Skytone Records    250
Nathan Lee Jackson/Inside     236
Susan Hickman/Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over/4L Clover/Prickly Pear    234
Frankie Ballard/Tell Me You Get Lonely/Reprise/WMN    227
The Springs/Summer All Year Long/CFC    224
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol    213
Randy Rogers Band/Too Late For Goodbye/MCA    209
Chelsea Field/Things I Should Have Said/Moxy Records    204
James Wesley/Real/Broken Bow    200
Darren Kozelsky/Somebody Find Me a Preacher/Major 7th/Spinville    183

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label/new adds
Eric Church/Smoke A Little Smoke/Capitol    22
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol    22
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia    19
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville    16
Steel Magnolia/Just By Being You/Big Machine    15
Cody McCarver/I’m America/PLC Records    15
The Roys/Beautiful/Pedestal    13
*Total Adds rec’d over two weeks


Upcoming Singles: Going For Adds
June 28, 2010
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville
Danny Gokey/I Will Not Say Goodbye/19/RCA
Darryl Worley/Keep The Change/Stroudavarious
John Rich/Country Done Come To Town/Reprise/WAR
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal

July 6, 2010
The Warren Brothers/Dear Mr. God/CO5
Sherry Lynn/What A Day To Shake A Heartache/Steal Heart
Blake Wise/Cornfields/Broken Bow
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol

July 12, 2010
Stealing Angels/He Better Be Dead/Skyville/Nine North
Thompson Square/Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not/Stoney Creek
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA

Texas Songwriters Honored

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A quartet of iconic Texas-born, Nashville-based songwriters whose work has been recorded and performed by major award-winning entertainers, have been selected as 2011 inductees in the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association (TxHSA) Hall of Fame. Bruce Channel (“Hey! Baby”), Delbert McClinton (“Two More Bottles of Wine,”
“Givin’ It Up for Your Love”), Gary Nicholson (“That’s The Thing About Love,” “One More Last Chance”) and Lee Roy Parnell (“What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am,” “Love Without Mercy”) will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during an awards show and concert next March.

TxHSA founder Terry Boothe said these honorees are not only Texas music contemporaries, but also collaborators.

“These icons have their own diverse lives and careers, but there is linkage between them that makes it appropriate that they be honored together,” Boothe said.

Noting just several of many instances where these performers have worked with each other, Boothe pointed out that McClinton’s distinctive harmonica work while a member of the Ron-Del’s was featured on a recording of Channel’s  “Hey! Baby.”; Nicholson was once a member of McClinton’s band and later produced two Grammy-winning albums for him; and Parnell co-wrote “Lucky Me, Lucky You” with Nicholson.

Del McCoury Honored With Nat’l Heritage Fellowship

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Bluegrass master Del McCoury is a 2010 recipient of The National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship. McCoury was tapped for the honor this year alongside championship fiddler Texas Shorty.

Both McCoury and Texas Shorty (Jim Chancellor) will be honored at the Library of Congress and at a special concert on September 24 in Bethesda, MD. They will also receive a one-time award of $25,000.

Hearing of the award, McCoury expressed his surprise and delight.

“All I’ve ever done is play the music I love,” McCoury said. “I feel very fortunate to have made a career of it. To receive an honor like this for doing something you love just doesn’t seem real, but I am very thankful.”

Other 2010 honorees include Ghanaian percussionist Yacub Addy, Hawaiian weaver Gladys Kukana Grace, basketweaver Mary Jackson, Indian dancer Kamala Lakshmi Narayanan, Irish folk flautist Mike Rafferty, and Afro-Cuban drum maker Ezequiel Torres.

In the past 25 years years, the NEA has bestowed this lifetime achievement award to Mike Seeger, Mac Wiseman, Doyle Lawson, Jean Ritchie, Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Ola Belle Reed, Wayne Henderson, Kenny Baker, Wayne Mainer and Johnny Gimble.