Gill’s “Love Songs,” Urban/Mayer “Crossroads,” More

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vinceVince Gill’s love songs have been compiled into a new album being released today (1/26). Love Songs is out via MCA Nashville. The Country Music Hall of Famer personally selected and sequenced his favorites for the 14-track compilation that spans his most popular albums released from 1991 to 2006. Among his numerous hits on the project are “Whenever You Come Around,” “Love Finds You,” and “The Rock Of Your Love” (with Bonnie Raitt).

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Keith Urban will pair with hit rocker John Mayer for tonight’s taping of CMT Crossroads. The show is set to air at a later date. Mayer was on a previous episode with Brad Paisley, and Urban has joined John Fogerty for an installment.

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bookThe second book in Tim McGraw and songwriter Tom Douglas’s My Little Girl series will be released Feb. 16. Love Your Heart again focuses on Katie and her dad, this time the story is about her school’s talent show, where she learns kindness is the best talent of all.

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The star packed line-up for this year’s Gift of Music concert benefiting W.O. Smith Music School caused tickets to sell out in about 20 minutes. Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler, Jason Michael Carroll, Keith Anderson, Little Big Town and surprise guests are set for the concert on Feb. 22 at the Wildhorse Saloon. VIP packages are still available for $500 by calling 615–371-8878.

Hall of Fame To Honor Eddie Bayers

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Eddie Bayers

Eddie Bayers

Drummer Eddie Bayers will be honored Feb. 13 as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. Hosted by Bill Lloyd, the tribute to Bayers will include a brief performance and an in-depth, one-on-one interview illustrated with vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will also be streamed live at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

CMHOFServing as a first-call session drummer for over thirty years, Eddie Bayers has contributed to modern country classics such as Vince Gill’s “Liza Jane,” Alan Jackson’s “Here in the Real World” and George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky.” His credits also include work with pop stars John Fogerty, Elton John, Mark Knopfler and Bob Seger, among others. He was also named one of the “Top Ten Greatest Session Drummers of All Time” by Drum! Magazine, and has recorded on hundreds of gold and platinum selling albums.

Bayers earned the Academy of Country Music’s Drummer of the Year Award a record 11 straight times (13 total) and has been nominated for CMA’s Musician of the Year 10 times. He also received MusicRow’s Top Ten Album All-Star awards from 1989-1995, and another four non consecutive years after that.

Videos From Gokey And Harp Get Exclusive Premieres

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harpThe music video for Warner artist Jessica Harp’s new single, “A Woman Needs” premiered exclusively on AOL’s The Boot yesterday (1/25). Directed by Kristin Barlowe, the video chronicles three girlfriends as they go through childhood, teen and adult years, and their tradition of marking a star symbol on their hands—first with stickers, then ink and lastly as a tattoo. Inspired by the video, Harp got a tattoo of three stars as a reminder of her first solo album, and the title track’s message about girls following their dreams.

“A Woman Needs” making-of-the-video webisodes are also on TheBoot.com. The webisodes run in correlation with a contest to win a weekend getaway to Nashville to meet Harp.

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danny gokey219 Recordings/RCA Nashville recording artist Danny Gokey found fame as a finalist on Season Eight of the FOX blockbuster, American Idol, and beginning today (1/26), AmericanIdol.com is offering a 48-hour exclusive premiere of his debut music video, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me.” The single is the first track from Gokey’s Mark Bright-produced debut album, My Best Days, slated for release on March 2. Fans can pre-order it at dannygokey.com.

Platinum Party: Aldean Career Breaks Wide Open

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Aldean and Broken Bow's Benny Brown

Aldean and Broken Bow's Benny Brown

Dressed to celebrate Jason Aldean’s third album, Wide Open going platinum, we walked up the sultry Gulch sidewalk toward Sambuca where a boisterous and cosmopolitan crowd streamed into the red and black glow. Inside, Aldean was humbly shaking hands and sharing his quiet smile as video and flash cameras kept him in the spotlight.

Stilettos, designer jeans and gelled hair roamed the packed restaurant as the 80 or so industry folks who came to mingle sampled Sushi, cocktails, beer and wine.  The scene seemed like a blend between a New York City soiree with the beautiful faces and attention to style, and a good ole country bon fire!

Aldean with Isabel Ross

Aldean with Isabel Ross

Michael Knox, Jason’s producer introduced Tully Kennedy and Kurt Allison, members of Jason’s band. In high spirits, Knox jokingly, and with a charismatic smile, took credit for all the good things on the platinum album! Kennedy, who played bass on the album, begged to differ!

It was a pleasure to meet Aldean’s proud parents Barry and Debbie. Easy to see Jason got his handsome southern boy smile from his Mom and his rougher cowboy spirit from his Dad. In the corner of the room I spotted Aldean’s beautiful wife and new baby!

Jim Yerger, Broken Bow Records GM, called the cameras to attention on the stage and presented platinum album plaques to various people and businesses that played fundamental roles in the success of the album while Jason stood behind him nodding in agreement. Benny Brown, owner of Broken Bow Records, spoke highly of Aldean and his success.

Before ending the presentation, Aldean again gave thanks and slid off stage to give his baby and wife a hug and kiss! After snapping a quick photo with Jason, and bidding some friends goodbye, we walked to the car with none other than Craig Wiseman, Grammy award winning songwriter and one of our industry’s most prized talents.

Congratulations Jason!

Ty Williams’s “More” Offers Moving Message

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Pictured L to R: News Editor Sarah Skates, Publisher/CEO David Ross, Williams, RowFax Manager Michelle Ross and Chart Director Jon Freeman. Photo: Jon Walker, AristoWorks

Pictured (L- R): Back: Publisher/CEO David Ross, Williams, RowFax Manager Michelle Stephens; Front: News Editor Sarah Skates, and Chart Director Jon Freeman. Photo: Jon Walker, AristoWorks

The team at AristoWorks put together a slide show using images of the devastation in Haiti set to the song “More,” from Cherry Heart Records artist Ty Williams. The 24-year-old veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom wrote the song about the importance of giving to others.

Williams recently visited the MusicRow offices to meet the staff and perform an acoustic set.

The Virginia native’s debut single and video, “Barn On The Rooftop,” is out now on CMT Pure, and premiered on The Daily Buzz.

Williams’ EP is available on iTunes and his self-titled debut album is slated for release later this year.

On Tour: Jack Ingram; Hank Williams, Jr. and More

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Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams, Jr.’s Rowdy Friends Tour 2010 includes special guests Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, and The Grascals. The tour will kick off April 2 in Charleston, WV with shows each weekend throughout April.

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Jack Ingram

Jack Ingram

Jack Ingram is releasing his new single, “Free,” from Big Dreams & High Hopes, today (1/25). Ingram also plans to kick off a one-man tour of listening rooms, reviving his Acoustic Motel Tour concept from years ago. The set will feature songs from his current album, as well as old favorites and songs from some of Ingram’s biggest influences.  The first date is Feb. 13 at Joe’s Bar in Chicago.

McGraw/Paltrow Movie Filming Free Concert

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Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow

The public is being invited to a concert that is being filmed for the new country music movie Love Don’t Let Me Down, starring Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow.

GAC’s Storme Warren will host the event on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville. Extras should plan to stay from 4-11 PM. McGraw will welcome the crowd but will not perform.

The scene being filmed is the big comeback concert of Paltrow’s character, superstar “Kelly Canter.” Playing Kelly’s opening acts are Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester and Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy). The music being used is by Nashville tunesmiths. The Lost Trailers will also entertain fans with an acoustic set.

Admission is free and participants must be at least 18 years old. E-mail freefilmconcert@gmail.com to request tickets. Concertgoers are encouraged to new or slightly worn shoes for Soles4Soul’s Haitian relief efforts.

Parking details and more at information here.

Strait/Reba Tour Opens, Shows Selling Out

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caption captionOpening weekend on the Strait/Reba run at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena. Pictured (l-r): WPOC/Baltimore APD/MD Justin Cole, Valory’s JoJamie Hahr, Valory’s Jon Loba, WGTY/York PD Scott Donato, WGTY/York on-air personality Dan Douglas, Reba, Valory’s John Zarling, Valory’s Scott Borchetta, Valory’s Andrew Kautz, WMZQ/Washington DC & WPOC/Baltimore PD Meg Stevens, WXCY/Wilmington PD Dave Hovel and Valory’s Kelly Rich.

The George Strait/ Reba co-headlining tour opened in Baltimore over the weekend with special guest Lee Ann Womack. At the show Womack joined Reba onstage for a duet of her 1993 smash “Does He Love You.” Comedian Melissa Peterman, who costarred with Reba on her namesake sitcom, also made a special appearance.

Tickets to the Feb. 20 tour stop in Tulsa, OK went on sale Saturday (1/23) and were gone in less than an hour, marking the first time in the history of the Bank of Oklahoma Center that over 18,000 tickets have been sold for one event. It will be Strait’s first appearance in the city in more than 13 years.

Reba is celebrating her No. 1 hit “Consider Me Gone” with a party for industry friends today (1/25), and will join fans for a live video chat immediately afterward at 7 PM/CT. In more Reba news, she has launched a new line of fine gifts at Dillard’s called Studs & Stitches.

Ticketmaster/Live Nation Merger To Get US Approval

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lnThe US Department of Justice plans to approve the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation. Regulators are demanding that the companies make a few concessions to ensure fair competition, including licensing its Ticketmaster Host ticketing software to concert promoter and venue manager Anschutz Entertainment Group, and divesting its self-ticketing subsidiary Paciolan to promoter and manager Comcast-Spectacor.

For the next decade, the new Live Nation Entertainment will be barred from taking retaliatory action against venues that choose to use another ticketing company.

The merger will create a “big three” in the touring world, made up of the new Live Nation Entertainment, AEG and Comcast-Spectacor.

Live Nation’s Michael Rapino will act as Pres./CEO, Irving Azoff will be Executive Chairman, and Barry Diller will serve as chairman. Former Live Nation shareholders will have a 49.99 percent in the new company, with former Ticketmaster shareholders holding a 50.01 percent stake.

The UK Competition Commission approved the merger on Dec. 22. UK clearance followed regulatory approval in Norway and Turkey. Canada is expected to follow suit.

Live Nation announced plans to buy Ticketmaster Entertainment for about $400 million in stock in February 2009. This news came not long after Live Nation launched its own ticketing service, and signed multimillion dollar 360 deals with superstars including Jay-Z and Madonna.

Opponents of the merger argued that Live Nation Ticketmaster would have a monopoly on the touring industry. They believed the combined company would have control over a large share of the ticketing market, many of the country’s major venues, and would have ties to numerous superstar artists.

Ticketmaster holds a majority stake in Front Line Management which, in turn, has partnerships with several top Nashville managers, including Dale Morris & Associates (Kenny Chesney), DS Management (Alison Krauss), and Spalding Entertainment (Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean).

Crook & Chase On WSIX; Paradiso Hires King

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ccNashville’s Big 98/WSIX-FM has added The Crook & Chase Countdown to the station’s lineup, starting yesterday (1/24). The Nashville-based program will air Sundays from 6 – 10 p.m. CT. Each week, Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase count down the top 30 Country music songs and interview the genre’s superstars and rising artists. The show is nationally syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, and can be heard on nearly 200 stations.

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Paradiso Music, LLC has added Steve King as Creative Director and Staff Producer. He will oversee production and artist development for the company founded in 1994 by John Pisciotta. During his twelve years in the Nashville music industry, King has held a variety of positions, working with unsigned independents to multi-platinum superstars. He has recorded and toured with Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, and Big Kenny among others. 
Paradiso Music is part of the Ripcord Entertainment parent company.