Kellie Pickler Announces Engagement

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Photo credit: Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler is engaged. The singer has announced her betrothal to Nashville songwriter Kyle Jacobs. People magazine reports that Jacobs proposed on June 15 during a Florida beach vacation. The couple met about two and a-half years ago, and the proposal fell on the same day as Pickler’s late grandmother’s birthday.

“It turned out to be the most amazing day of my life,” Pickler told People. “My whole world changed. We both feel like we got my grandmother’s blessing.”

Jacobs’ songs have been cut by a number country music’s top artists, including Garth Brooks (“More Than a Memory”), Tim McGraw (“Still,”) Trace Adkins, Jo Dee Messina, Craig Morgan and Clay Walker.

Michael Martin Murphey’s “Westfest” Returns

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After a five year break, Western Music Hall of Fame member Michael Martin Murphey’s Westfest® 2010, is officially set to be held at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, Colorado, August 12-15.  

For 2010, talent has been booked with a sensitivity to the love of the outdoors of the Western Colorado region. Many of the performers, like country star Craig Morgan, are confirmed outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

Murphey is a horse and cattle rancher; his Rocking 3M Ranching Co. has been active in New Mexico, Texas, Wisconsin, Colorado and Kansas. His wife, Karen, and three of his daughters are professional horse trainers.

Confirmed to perform are Morgan, James Otto, Guitarists James Burton and Doyle Dykes, Bill Miller, Peter Rowan, Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, Trailer Choir, Ryan Murphey, Carin Mari and Pony Express, poet Sarah Murphey, The Prairie Rose Wranglers, and a host of local cowboy singers and poets, Indian musicians and dancers, Mountain Man Story Tellers and hundreds of Western Lifestyle Arts and Crafts Masters. 

New this year will be The Westfest Outback Outdoors Exhibition with web-based hunting star, Trevon Stoltzfus, and the Westfest Ranch Sorting National Championships. Murphey will be leading daily trail rides that begin 20 minutes from the Westfest grounds. 

Murphey founded Westfest in 1986 as a way to preserve memories and images of the Old West.

“I wanted to present the West to people who might otherwise perceive it only through a movie director’s tunnel vision,” said Murphey. “The West has become synonymous with fantasy. If Hollywood trends are any indication, the movie screens are alive with politically correct Indians and environmentally-challenged villains. Today, Cowboys and Indians are united in their quest for open range and a life of freedom. I want to show the Real American West!”

Westfest tickets are available by clicking here.

Larry Wayne Clark Benefit a Success

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The Nashville Sings for Larry Wayne Clark benefit has met its initial goal of raising $5,000 to help the popular and influential songwriter as he undergoes cancer treatment.

 The June 14 event at the Red Rooster Bar & Music Hall featured live performances by some of Music City’s most talented singers and songwriters, as well as live and silent auctions.

“We’ve been amazed by the generosity and well wishes of more friends than we even knew we had,” Larry Wayne Clark said afterward. “We left there a few thousand dollars richer and with heads and hearts filled with memories that will be indelible. That’s the stuff that matters … you can’t buy it, sell it, steal it, and you can take it with you.”

Clark thanked everyone who helped to make the event a success, including the Red Rooster, the musical performers, event photographer Barry McCloud, donators and buyers of auction items, event organizers and everyone who attended, as well as those who sent donations and best wishes from afar. Performers included Buddy Jewell, Robin English, Andrea Pearson, Lauren Lucas, Lisa Brokop, Emma Jacob, Wendy Newcomer, Chelsee Oaks, Adam Gregory, Jared Blake, Ryan Laird, Erinn Bates, Cassidy Lynn, Shawn Dodd and Kaitlyn Baker. Many of them were backed by the stellar “house” band assembled for the occasion – guitarist Scott Neubert, bassist Bobby King and drummer Steve Holland, who like many others donated their services.

 Donations can still be made via PayPal at www.paypal.com; the address to send money to is [email protected] in the U.S. and [email protected] in Canada. Or you can contribute to the cause and get some great music in the process by purchasing a copy of LWC Favorites: Songs of Larry Wayne Clark, a limited-edition CD, at www.larrywayneclark.com.

Clark’s extensive song catalog includes Chris Young’s first single, “Drinking Me Lonely.” His songs have also been recorded by the Statler Brothers, Lee Greenwood, Anne Murray, Lisa Brokop and many others in the United States, Canada and worldwide.

BMI Announces Flood Relief Campaign

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BMI has announced the creation of a two-part campaign designed to help fuel rebuilding efforts after the historic flood that devastated Middle Tennessee last month. The initiative was unveiled by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville Jody Williams during Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s all-star Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery, held June 22 at Bridgestone Arena in Music City. BMI operates on a non-profit basis, representing more than 400,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, many of whom live and work in Middle Tennessee.

BMI’s campaign is twofold. The company, along with its Nashville-based subsidiary Landmark Digital Services, has partnered with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to create the BMI Flood Relief Fund, a donation-matching program within which BMI will match up to $50,000 of contributions from individuals and businesses. BMI has also donated an additional $50,000 to the Community Foundation to assist with the organization’s immediate recovery work.

“All of us at BMI realize what a privilege it is to live here and be part of this community,” says Williams. “Everybody here knows somebody who was devastated by the flood. Nashville has friends all over the world, and the match program has been designed so that anyone can contribute, from anywhere.”

Donations to the BMI Flood Relief Fund are being accepted through July 31, 2010, and may be made through www.bmi.com or the Community Foundation’s website, www.cfmt.org. All contributions are fully tax-deductible and will be used to support the Community Foundation’s flood-recovery efforts throughout Middle Tennessee.

“As a central hub for the entire music industry, BMI has the unique ability and responsibility to connect people,” says Bryant. “The months directly following a disaster are crucial. Nashville is the lifeblood of so many of our songwriters, composers and music publishers, as well as our own employees. There is much left to be done, and BMI is committed to supporting the community every step of the way.”

Pictured at Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery are (l-r): BMI's Del Bryant and Jody Williams, Community Foundation's Ellen Lehman, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and entertainment reporter Nancy O'Dell. Photo: Getty Images for Nashville Rising

Pictured at Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery are (l-r): BMI’s Del Bryant and Jody Williams, Community Foundation’s Ellen Lehman, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and entertainment reporter Nancy O’Dell.
Photo: Getty Images for Nashville Rising

Rascal Flatts Steps Up For Suicide Prevention

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Country supergroup Rascal Flatts have been named as Ambassadors, or celebrity spokesmen, for The Jason Foundation (JFI). In addition to their roles in public service announcements, public awareness programs and fundraising, they will also promote the foundation’s newly created “B1” project.

The “B1” project is a nationwide effort specifically geared to educate youth and students on how to recognize when a friend might be struggling with thoughts of suicide or life in general, and how to help. The theme is “Someone you know may need a friend – B 1.” As part of their ambassador role, Rascal Flatts will be directly involved in this project through a widespread media and social networking campaign. The campaign will include public service announcements, poster distribution to schools and Facebook initiatives. Rascal Flatts will also be showing public service announcements during concerts throughout their Nothing Like This Tour, which launches June 25 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“Having been personally affected by suicide, it’s important for me to do all that we can to create more awareness and prevention, particularly with teenagers,” said Rascal Flatt’s bassist Jay DeMarcus. “We are proud to be partners with the Jason Foundation and we are looking forward to doing our part in trying to help them save even more lives.”

“We look forward to helping give people the right tools to recognize the signs,” shared singer Gary LeVox. “Our youth need to know they have options and there are people that want to help them.”

The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. Go to www.jasonfoundation.com to learn more.

U.S. To Target Music, Movie Piracy

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Vice President Joe Biden announced Tuesday (6/22) that the United States will target foreign websites that pirate American music and movies. It’s all part of a new national strategy to reduce intellectual property theft.

“This is theft, clear and simple,” Biden said at a meeting with Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and other Cabinet officials to discuss the new strategy, which also includes steps to reduce piracy and counterfeiting within the United States. “It’s ‘smash and grab,’ no different than a guy walking down Fifth Avenue and smashing the window at Tiffany’s and reaching in and grabbing what’s in the window.”

U.S. businesses estimate losses of billions of dollars annually due to piracy and counterfeiting of films, music and consumer goods, and blame the illegal trade for U.S. job losses as well. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office has battled to close websites in Russia, China and other countries that sell pirated American music and films.

Biden said the U.S. would increase pressure on foreign governments to shut down the sites by “being as public as we possibly can” about illegal activity. U.S. business groups welcomed the plan, which was mandated by Congress in 2008 and also includes steps to ensure that the federal government does not purchase counterfeit goods.

“Addressing the problem of intellectual property theft in a meaningful way is essential to enhancing our global competitiveness and protecting American innovation,” said Mitch Bainwol, Chairman & CEO, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “All those whose jobs rely on music welcome the commitment of President Obama and Vice President Biden to sustaining music’s economic and cultural contributions to America. We look forward to working with the Administration on the effective implementation of the report.”

Biden didn’t mention any foreign websites by name. A recent USTR report said China’s top Internet search firm, Baidu Inc, was associated with between 50 percent to 75 percent of illegal music downloads in China.

Several Russian websites still provide illegal downloads, even though the most notorious site, Allofmp3, was shut down in 2007.

New Chesney Album Coming This Fall

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SoundScan watchers received good news today, with the announcement that Kenny Chesney has set a Sept. 28 release date for his latest studio album, Hemingway’s Whiskey. Named for the title track penned by Guy Clark, this will be Chesney’s first mainstream studio effort in three years, since Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates.

During that time the superstar stayed top-of-mind with fans by offering the laid back beach tunes on Lucky Old Sun, Greatest Hits II, and the movie Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D, all yielding radio hits (“Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven,” “Down The Road,” “I Went Out Last Night,” and “Ain’t Back Yet”).

When Chesney decided not to mount his usual summer stadium tour, it was in large part so that he could focus on the new album. “I knew I wanted the record to be something more, something that took what I do in my special projects and weaved it into what I do for the mainstream,” he says. “It takes a lot of energy and mental space to be on the road… and I kind of felt like, especially coming off of this second Greatest Hits, this next record should be something that set the stage for the next phase of my music, the same way No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems opened up the music I’ve made for the past 8 years.”

ASCAP Hires Jessica Draper

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ASCAP has hired former Performing Songwriter Music Editor Jessica Draper as Manager, Creative Services for its Nashville branch.

She had served at the magazine since 2008 and worked there until it ceased publcation in June 2009. Her other career stops include time as a Public Relations Associate at classical music PR and artist management firm Kirshbaum Demler & Associates in New York City. The MTSU graduate’s background also includes internships in Nashville at Larga Vista Music publishing, and publicity firm Schmidt Relations.

“Jessica’s knowledge of the industry on both the creative and business side will prove an immediate asset to our team,” said Tim DuBois, VP and Managing Executive of operations at ASCAP Nashville. “I am very pleased to welcome her into the ASCAP family.”

“I am delighted to join this vibrantly talented creative team and remarkable organization,” added Draper. “I have long known ASCAP as one of the foremost advocates of songwriters–and of the interests of the music community as a whole–and I look forward to serving and supporting our writer and publisher members in this capacity.”

She can be reached at [email protected] or 615-742-5073.

Brooks & Dunn Hall of Fame Show Rescheduled

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Regular tickets to Brooks & Dunn’s farewell show are sold out, but a few VIP packages are still available. The August 10 [rescheduled to 9/2] concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena is a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Check out the VIP offerings below and help a great cause.

Hillbilly Deluxe Package ($750)

One (1) Invitation to an intimate dinner the evening of Sept. 1 in the Hall of Fame Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, hosted by a few of Brooks & Dunn’s closest musical collaborators (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will not attend)

One (1) Floor Concert Seat

Meet & Greet and photo opportunity with Brooks & Dunn on Sept 2, 2010

One (1) complimentary parking space for both the Sept 1 dinner and the Sept 2 concert, within a one-block vicinity of the dinner and concert venue

One (1) Brooks & Dunn merchandise package

One (1) item autographed by Brooks & Dunn

Play Something Country Package ($300)

One (1) Floor Concert Seat

One (1) Brooks & Dunn merchandise package

One (1) item autographed by Brooks & Dunn

“Friend of the Museum” Option

Become a “Friend of the Museum” at the $250 level and receive one (1) ticket to the sold-out Last Rodeo stop in Nashville, in addition to the other benefits of membership. Join at the $500 level and receive two tickets.

A portion of the package price is tax deductible. Visit countrymusichalloffame.org for details and to purchase.

Songwriter Larry Jon Wilson Passes

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Songwriter Larry Jon Wilson died yesterday (6/21) at age 69. The Georgia native was recognized for his songs about rural life and for his association with contemporaries such as Townes Van Zandt, Mickey Newbury, Guy Clark, John Prine, and Kris Kristofferson.

Wilson didn’t start writing songs until age 30, but within a few years he had signed with a Nashville label and publisher. Monument released four of his records in the ‘70s (New Beginnings, Let Me Sing My Song To You, Loose Change, and Sojourner), but by the ‘80s he was disillusioned with the music business and returned to Augusta, GA.

Wilson’s career was mostly quiet for the next twenty-five years, but he still performed at listening rooms like Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA , the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and the Flora-Bama Lounge, in Perdido Key, FL. In recent years his music career saw a revival, spawning a new self-titled album, an overseas tour, and new fans.