Friday News Bits: Grammys, Flatts, ACM & More

Wide Open Music Group Signs Tim Owens
Wide Open Music Group has announced the signing of Tim Owens to an Exclusive Songwriter Agreement. Owens, the co-writer behind such No. 1 hits as “Ticks” (Brad Paisley) and “Settlin’”(Sugarland), joins the growing writer and creative staff of the Nashville-based independent music publishing company. Wide Open also acquires Owens’ Conejos Music catalog which features three songs from Paisley’s current album American Saturday Night.

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ACM Honors Tickets Available
The 4th Annual ACM HONORS, an evening of musical tribute performances and special presentations celebrating the special honorees and non-televised category winners from the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held earlier this year. Tickets are now available to music fans at Ticketmaster.com and cost $37 each. Host and performer Lee Ann Womack will be joined by presenters Kix Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kris Kristofferson and Frank Liddell, special performers Buxton Hughes, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Larry & Steve Gatlin with Ronny Robbins, Martina McBride, John Rich, Kenny Rogers, The Secret Sisters, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives,  and Randy Travis. Click here for a complete list of honorees.

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Ohio Gets S’more Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts will join Hershey’s to sweeten football fans’ tailgates this Saturday (9/11) in Columbus, Ohio as they canvas the Ohio State University tailgating grounds to introduce S’mores as the Official Dessert of Tailgating. The band will head back to their home state of Ohio for one of this season’s hottest matchups in college football – University of Miami vs. Ohio State University. Before the game, fans will be treated to a surprise visit from Rascal Flatts by passing out S’mores to tailgaters. Rascal Flatts will also perform the National Anthem prior to the game, which will be televised on ESPN.

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Country Quartet Takes Off At Fontanel
The Fontanel Mansion today (9/10) hosted the release of four Great Horned Owls on the property. Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, located just outside Nashville, raised three of the stately birds from owlets, and the fourth was an adult rehabbed from an injury. Jaime Dudney, Director of Hospitality for the Fontanel Mansion and daughter of country music superstar Barbara Mandrell, helped release the birds and also named them Roy Acuff, Little Jimmy Dickens, Minnie Pearl, and Hank Snow after Country Music Hall of Fame members.

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Dog Day Festival Comes to Centennial Park
Nashville’s Humane Association will hold their 21st Annual Dog Day Festival on Saturday September 18th in Centennial Park. Festivities begin at 10:00 AM with contests, prizes, paws parade, shopping, a microchip clinic, kid zone and more. Suggested donation is $5 and children under 5 are admitted free. Musical guests include Jessica Miller, Clay Evans, Greg Hall, Kenneth Duncan, and Kacey Smith. All Proceeds Benefit the Nashville Humane Association. For details go to www.nashvillehumane.org.

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Grammy Grant Foundation Accepting Submissions
The GRAMMY Foundation® Grant Program administers grants annually to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of the Americas for future generations, as well as scientific research projects related to the impact of music on the human condition. Recipients are determined based on criteria such as merit, uniqueness of project and the ability to accomplish intended goals. To view guidelines visit www.grammyfoundation.com/grants. The deadline for submission is Oct. 1, 2010.

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