DISClaimer 4-7

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B-o-r-i-n-g.

In general, that’s what this week’s listening session was. There is nothing in this stack of platters that will change your life. Indeed, most of these discs will barely rouse you from your spring slumbers.

The most exciting thing here comes courtesy of our DisCovery Award winner. Kyle Park is a triple threat as a singer, writer and producer. Lend him your ears.

Our Disc of the Day comes from perennial competitor Anthony Smith. His “Love Is Love Is Love” has an unusual sound and is just intriguingly different enough to earn him some airplay. I hope.

CHELSEA RAE/Hook ‘Em

Writer: Chelsea Rae; Producer: Josh Mendez; Publisher: none listed; JKMusicwerks (630-439-6006)

—Imaginatively produced, with a steady drumbeat, fishing-line effects and a cool, stuttering repeated guitar riff. Her vocal just has enough moxie to sell this feisty “attitude” number.

COLT FORD/Chicken & Biscuits

Writer: Colt Ford/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Jayson Chance & Shannon Houchins; Publisher: Average ZJS/Rhettneck/EMI Blackwood/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joe (CDX) (www.coltford.com)

—I hate country rapping. Most especially when the song is this dull.

PAUL OVERSTREET/Kennesaw Cove

Writer: Paul Overstreet/Billy Aerts/Scott Lynch; Producer: Billy Aerts & Paul Overstreet; Publisher: Scarlet Moon/Stormey/Baby Gray/Par, BMI; Scarlet Moon (CDX) (615-496-6163)

—The kids go fishing. Sis has a busted lip and black eye from her boyfriend, who has disappeared. Wonder why the fish are feeding on the bottom of the Cove? I just love a good, dark story song. Don’t you?

THE SPRINGS/Summer All Year Long

Writer: Stewart Halcomb; Producer: Lamar Morris & Larry Marrs; Publisher: none listed, BMI; CFC (CDX) (334-393-2376)

—Brightly bouncing. Too bad the lead singer is strangulated and wimpy.

RAY STEVENS/Caribou Barbie

Writer: Max T. Barnes/Matt Cline/Brent Baxter; Producer: Ray Stevens; Publisher: Ray Stevens/Grand Avenue/Songs of Peer/Chords of RPM, BMI/ASCAP; Clyde (CDX)

—“Palin for President has a nice ring to it.” It does? “She’s read the Constitution, too.” She has? Musical drivel from the nut-jobbers.

KYLE PARK/I’m Missing You

Writer: Kyle Park; Producer: Kyle Park; Publisher: Kyle Park, BMI; Winding Road (www,kyleparkmusic.com)

—It’s not the most original song idea in the world, but this kid sings with great heart and verve. What’s more, he is a superb producer with a terrific touch for both acoustic and electrified elements. Highly recommended.

RANDY HOUSER/I’m All About It

Writer: Randy Houser/Ed Hill/Mark D. Sanders; Producer: Mark Wright & Cliff Audretch III; Publisher: none listed; Show Dog – Universal

—He’s such a fine singer. Why is he squandering himself on this?

NATHAN LEE JACKSON/Inside

Writer: Nathan Lee Jackson/Mila Lukich/Jonn Hamlin; Producer: Jeff Glixman; Publisher: Starbarn/Quarter Sun/Seven Tulip Lane/Mila Lukich, ASCAP; Star City (www.starcityrecording.com)

—Atmospheric. His somewhat thin voice doesn’t match the drama in the production, but he tries hard.

ANTHONY SMITH/Love Is Love Is Love

Writer: Anthony Smith/Eric Silver; Producer: Anthony Smith & Eric Silver; Publisher: Krankit/Pickanbo, BMI/ASCAP; Krankit (www.anthonysmith.com)

—It feels like it is lumbering at first, but as it picks up steam, the churning tempo makes super audio sense. Wave a hankie as this one leaves the station, shouting harmonies all the way.

GWEN SEBASTIAN/V.I.P.

Writer: Gwen Sebastian/Brian Eckert/Dean Miller; Producer: Louis Newman; Publisher: Midnight Ride/Brian Eckert/Songs of Universal/Prince of the Road, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Open Road/Lofton Creek (www.gwensebastian.com)

—She’s a barefoot girl tripping the light fantastic in velvet-rope, high-heels Hollywood. Breezy and bright.

Rodney Atkins and Velveeta “Get Together”

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Velveeta Shells & Cheese is teaming up with Curb Records artist Rodney Atkins for a summer-long partnership with Velveeta Shells & Cheese. This is the first time Velveeta Shells & Cheese has partnered with a country music artist; it is also among the first national marketing sponsorships for Atkins.

At the center of the campaign is “Get Together,” a new song by Atkins written exclusively for Velveeta Shells & Cheese. The new song is featured in Velveeta Shells & Cheese TV advertising and will also be available starting in May as a free download for the first 100,000 fans. Also starting in May, fans can enter an essay contest for a chance to win the “Ultimate Get Together” – a private cookout and concert with Atkins in the winner’s backyard.

In addition, a custom Velveeta Shells & Cheese “Side Shack” will provide family entertainment at select Rodney Atkins summer concert tour stops. Through radio, in-store and on-site festival promotions within the concert tour markets, consumers can enter for a chance to win VIP entrance into the Side Shack, where they can perform virtually alongside Atkins on an interactive screen and enjoy some of the best views of Atkins concert. A few winners will also have the opportunity to participate in meet-and-greets with Rodney.

“Although I spend a lot of time on the road, I’m a regular guy – a husband and a dad – and there is nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my family and friends over a good meal,” Atkins says. “I’m excited to team up with Velveeta Shells & Cheese to encourage folks to ‘get together’ and to enjoy some good food and good music this summer.”

Beginning in May, visit www.GetTogetherWithRodney.com/Velveeta for contest details.

Bentley’s Bluegrass Outing Due June 8

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Multi-platinum artist Dierks Bentley will release his new, largely acoustic album, Up On The Ridge on June 8. His fifth Capitol Nashville studio project is steeped in the bluegrass and roots music that moved Bentley to become a country musician in the first place. The leadoff single and title track, inspired by time spent on a plot of land in rural Tennessee, will be released to country radio on April 12.

“I fell in love with this kind of music the first time I walked into the Station Inn with a fake I.D. at 19 years old,” Bentley says. “These guys, who were my age, were playing their instruments so hard it knocked your head back. After that, I never missed a Tuesday night there in almost eight years. Without the whole bluegrass community taking me in, I would have had no place to start from. It is my foundation.”

Produced by Jon Randall Stewart and engineered by Gary Paczosa, Up On the Ridge finds Bentley collaborating with some of bluegrass music’s brightest lights, including Chris Thile and the Punch Brothers, the Del McCoury Band, mandolinist Sam Bush, dobro player Rob Ickes, guitarist Bryan Sutton, fiddler Stuart Duncan, and mandolinist Ronnie McCoury. In addition to the five selections co-written by Bentley himself, the songs come from such varied sources as Bob Dylan, U2 and Kris Kristofferson. Guest vocalists include Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson and Miranda Lambert.

To preview a short film on the making of Up On The Ridge, click here.

Up On The Ridge Track List:

1.     Up On The Ridge
(Written by Angelo Petraglia, Dierks Bentley, Background Vocals by Alison Krauss)

2.     Fallin’ For You
(Written by Shawn Camp, Paul Kennerly, Background Vocals by Chris Stapleton)

3.     Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) (with The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile)
(Written by Bob Dylan)

4.     Rovin’ Gambler (with The Punch Brothers)
(Written by Jon Randall Stewart, Dierks Bentley)

5.     Draw Me A Map
(Written by Jon Randall Stewart, Dierks Bentley, Background Vocals by Alison Krauss)

6.     Bad Angel (Featuring Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson)
(Written by Verlon Thompson, Suzi Ragsdale)

7.     Fiddlin’ Around
(Written by John Scott Sherrill, Shawn Camp, Jeff Austin, Background Vocals by Vince Gill)

8.     You’re Dead to Me
(Written by Tim O’Brien, Jon Randall Stewart, Dierks Bentley, Background vocals by Tim O’Brien)

9.     Pride (In The Name Of Love) (with The Punch Brothers featuring Del McCoury)
(Written by Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Dave Evans, Paul David Hewson)

10.  Love Grows Wild
(Written by Julie Miller, Buddy Miller)

11.  Bottle to The Bottom (featuring Kris Kristofferson)
(Written by Kris Kristofferson)

12.  Down In The Mine
(Written by Jon Randall Stewart, Dierks Bentley, Background vocals by Sonya Isaacs)

ole Acquires Blacktop Music Catalog

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ole, one of the world’s largest independent music publishers, has acquired the approximately 4000-song strong music publishing catalog of Blacktop Music Group, Inc. along with its names, brands and trademarks.

Founded in 2001 by multi-platinum recording artist Clint Black, noted business manager Charles Sussman and veteran music publisher Mike Sebastian, Blacktop has been home to some of Nashville’s finest and most prolific hit songwriters.

The Blacktop Music Group roster has included writers Marty Dodson, Jimmy Yeary, Gary Lloyd, Rhean Boyer, Chuck Allen Floyd, Matt Nolen, Liz Hengber and Thom McHugh. The company also represents the catalogs of Michael Lunn, Lonnie Wilson, Rory Lee Feek, Larry Boone, Roger Brown, Roxie Dean and Rick Bowles.

Among the chart-toppers represented are Billy Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” (Dodson/Matthews); Kenny Chesney’s “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” (Dodson/Collins); Blake Shelton’s “Some Beach” (Feek/Overstreet); Luke Bryan’s Top 5 hit “All My Friends Say” (Wilson/Bryan/Stevens); the Top 10 Lonestar single “Mountains” (Boone/Nelson/McDonald) as well as “A Man On A Tractor With A Dog In A Field” (Lunn/Agee) from Rodney Atkins’ platinum album, If You’re Going Through Hell.

“ole is pleased to have been chosen to take the great legacy created by Blacktop forward and we look forward to working hard for both the catalog songwriters and our new current roster additions who will join us at ole,” says ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard.

Adds ole Chairman & CEO Robert Ott, “ole is proud to be part of the music community in Nashville and to support the art of songwriting.”

ASCAP Names LeAnn Phelan Sr. Creative Dir.

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LeAnn Phelan, a music industry veteran with a background in writer relations and A&R, has been tapped as Senior Creative Director for ASCAP’s Nashville office. She will report to Tim DuBois, who recently took the top local post, working as VP and Managing Executive of Operations.

ASCAP has been restructuring its Nashville branch, re-focusing it as a Regional Office serving all genres of music.

“LeAnn has established a reputation as one of the most assertive, successful advocates for writers and artists in the business today,” DuBois said. “ASCAP is delighted to bring on board her insight, talent and passion, as we broaden our service area and simultaneously deepen our relationships with the writers and publishers we serve.”

Phelan previously worked with 19 Entertainment as a Writer Producer/Manager, where she managed multi-genre songwriters. While at 19 Entertainment, she also worked on the audition team for American Idol, Seasons 6-9. Prior to joining 19 Entertainment, Phelan was Senior Director of A&R at Sony Nashville. She previously helped open Windswept Nashville in 1996, and later served as VP and partner at Windswept’s Combustion Music venture. She began her career as a background vocalist/musician on tour with Steve Winwood from 1988-1989. Phelan has a B.B.A. from Belmont University with an emphasis in music business.

“I am thrilled to step into this creative position with ASCAP, as we make Nashville a comprehensive creative hub for writers and publishers from Nashville and beyond,” Phelan said. “There are unlimited possibilities for our members to expand their relationships across genres and across the country and I look forward to facilitating opportunities for talented songwriters and artists.”

Artist Lifenotes: Love And Theft, Terri Clark, Allison Moorer/Steve Earle

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Mr. and Mrs. Gunderson, Photo: Elle DuVal Hobbs

Congrats to Love and Theft’s Eric Gunderson who married longtime girlfriend Emily Hagar at Hazel Path Mansion in Hendersonville, Tennessee on Saturday, April 3. The outdoor wedding was held at sunset with 150 guests in attendance.

After returning from their honeymoon, Gunderson and Love And Theft band mates Brian Bandas and Stephen Barker Liles will join Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum on the Southern Voice tour.

••••••••••••••••••••••
Sympathy to Terri Clark who lost her mother, Linda Clark, to cancer Sunday, April 4. She had been batting the disease for a few years.

Services will be held Thursday, April 8 at Holy Trinity Church, 1962 Murray Rd., Sooke BC, Canada V9Z 0Z2. For details call (250) 642-6878. Flowers are welcome, however in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Holy Trinity Church.

••••••••••••••••••••••

Congratulations to musicians Allison Moorer and Steve Earle, who recently welcomed their first child, John Henry Earle. John Henry was born on April 5th at 10:07 am, weighing eight pounds, two ounces and measuring 21 inches long. Moorer and Earle were married in 2005 and live in New York’s Greenwich Village.

McMurry Records Signs Savannah Jack

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McMurry Records, the label started in late 2009 by Howard Fields, Everett Zinn, and Doris McMurry, has signed Savannah Jack as its flagship artist. The trio, comprised of Don Gatlin, Mike Ulvila, and Jay Darby, celebrated the release of its debut single recently with a launch party at 12th & Porter. “I Know,” written by Gatlin, Billy Montana, and Rob Crosby, is at radio now and scheduled to impact May 3.

The band has been recording its debut album at Blackbird Studio with musicians including Steve Ferrone, David Santos, John Jorgensen, Paul Franklin, and Steve Nathan. The project is slated for release later this year.

“We are incredibly excited and proud to sign Savannah Jack to McMurry Records,” says Zinn. “They are exceptional artists individually as well as collectively. Their music is distinctive and should compete at the highest levels in the marketplace.”

Gator Michaels is VP, National Promotion at McMurry Records. Consultant Larry Shell is heading up A&R efforts. Claire Cook is overseeing publicity and marketing.

ACM Off-Camera Winners Revealed

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Today the Academy of Country Music is announcing the winners of awards that will not be televised during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 18.

Instead, these Special Awards, Industry Awards and MBI Awards are presented to recipients at the ACM Honors, a special event set for Tuesday, September 21, 2010 in Nashville.

The April 18 ACM Awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on CBS.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Jim Reeves International Award—Keith Urban has been chosen to receive the Jim Reeves International Award, which is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.

Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award— Marty Robbins and Mel Tillis have been chosen to receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award honoring individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.

Poet’s Award—Don Schlitz and Cindy Walker have been selected to receive the Poet’s Award, which honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music.

Tex Ritter Award—Crazy Heart has been chosen as the recipient of the Tex Ritter Award, which is given to a movie released and/or receiving major exposure during the preceding calendar year, featuring or utilizing country music. Crazy Heart is produced by CMT Films, Butcher’s Run Films and Informant Media; and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. The movie soundtrack was produced by T Bone Burnett, who also co-wrote the original song “The Weary Kind,” with artist/co-writer Ryan Bingham.

Mae Boren Axton Award – CAA Agent Rod Essig has been chosen as the recipient of the Mae Boren Axton Award, which is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music.

MBI (MUSICIANS, BAND, INSTRUMENTAL) AWARDS:
Top Guitarist Of The Year – Brent Mason
Top Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year – Michael Rojas
Top Bass Player Of The Year – Michael Rhodes
Top Percussionist/Drummer Of The Year – Shannon Forrest
Top Steel Guitar Player Of The Year – Paul Franklin
Top Fiddle Player Of The Year – Stuart Duncan
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player – Randy Scruggs
Audio Engineer Of The Year – Justin Niebank
Producer Of The Year – Dann Huff

INDUSTRY AWARDS:
Nightclub Of The Year – Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth, TX
Casino Of The Year – Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa And Casino – Las Vegas, NV
Don Romeo Talent Buyer Of The Year – Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions, Inc.
Promoter Of The Year – Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
Venue Of The Year – Sommet Center – Nashville, TN (Effective March 2, 2010, this venue was renamed The Bridgestone Arena)

The Academy of Country Music Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are awarded during years where the Board of Directors feels there are clear and deserving candidates.  MBI Awards and Industry Awards are voted on by professional members of the Academy.

•••••••••••••••

In more ACM news, online fan voting is now open for Entertainer of the Year and Top New Artist at www.voteACM.com. The winner will be announced on the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 18.

Nominees Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band vie for Entertainer of the Year with fan voting powered by the Ram Truck Brand.

Additionally, for the first time, fans can vote for Top New Artist from among nominees Luke Bryan, Gloriana and Joey + Rory (who have already been named Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Group and Top New Vocal Duo, respectively).

Fans can vote for Top New Artist through the start of the live broadcast and Entertainer of the Year into the third hour of the show.

Worley Fundraiser Taps Songwriters; Tennis Invitational Recruiting

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On Friday, May 14 Darryl Worley will host the annual “Hitmakers on the Harbor” event at Pier 57 boat dealership in Pickwick, TN. The songwriter show featuring Worley, Jim “Moose” Brown and Walt Aldridge is the first of five events leading up to Worley’s annual Tennessee River Run (Sept. 16-18). Proceeds from all events go to Worley’s foundation, which supports causes like the Cancer Treatment Center in his hometown Savannah, Tenn.

Additional “Hitmakers and Harleys” dates are slated for Wednesday, June 16; Tuesday, June 22; and Tuesday, June 29. Tickets are $75 per person or $750 for a table of 10 which includes the performance and a fish fry dinner. For reservations and more information on the “Hitmakers on the Harbor,” contact Tammy Hammock at (731) 926-5076.

Later this month, Worley is set to perform for U.S. Troops as part of the Stars for Stripes tour.

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The Music City Tennis Invitational is seeking players and sponsors for its upcoming tournament. The long running event benefiting the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has strong ties to the music industry.

The 37th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational is April 24-25 at the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr., Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University. It is open to tennis players of all levels, from beginners to pros. Details online at www.musiccitytennis.com or by calling 615-322-7733 for player registration, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities.

Last year MCTI proudly donated $118,00 to the Center, and since 1990 MCTI has donated $1,063,000 total to the Center.

Steve Wariner

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“Spokes in a Wheel”

SelecTone Records

“Spokes In A Wheel” is a brand new song from Grammy-winning, hit songwriter and guitar virtuoso Steve Wariner. With a lilting melody and memorable chorus, the lyrics tell us to take care of the earth and each other because “we’re all connected, we’re all affected by every single thing that we do.” Wariner will debut the song during his April 10 appearance on A Prairie Home Companion.

“I wrote this song with my good friend Kent Blazy, and it’s been in my ‘favorite’ stack for a while,” says Wariner. “It was the first song I recorded after completing the Chet project. I just love what it says about how we’re all responsible for this planet and what we’re leaving to our children. It’s also a really positive message about how each of us can make this world better in our own way.”

Wariner just won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance for “Producer’s Medley” from Steve Wariner c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins. It was announced in March that he will be inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2011, along with Keith Whitley, Patty Loveless, John Michael Montgomery, the Goins Brothers, Larnelle Harris, and Molly O’Day. Wariner has charted over 30 Top 10 singles, including 14 No. 1s, since beginning his recording career in 1977.  He has won a total of four Grammy Awards. In 1998 he won the CMA Single and Song of the Year awards for his No. 1 hit, “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” which was also the ACM Song of the Year in 1999.  Wariner joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1996. As a songwriter he has earned 16 BMI Country Awards and 15 BMI Million-Air Awards (for songs receiving over one million on-air plays). He was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in 2008 and the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame in 2009.

Radio programmers, to request your copy of “Spokes in a Wheel,” please email
Steve: stevewariner@stevewariner.com

http://www.stevewariner.com

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