Debut Music From Paltrow/McGraw Flick

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Gwyneth Paltrow starring as "Kelly Canter" in "Country Strong."

The first music from the much talked about movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw appeared in insider in-boxes today (7/26), courtesy of RCA Records. The label is handling radio promotion for Paltrow’s recording of the film’s title track, “Country Strong,” which features background vocals from Vince Gill and Patty Griffin. The song was written by Jennifer Hanson, Tony Martin and Mark Nesler and goes for adds Aug. 23. It is the first single from the original motion picture soundtrack, set for release October 26 on RCA Nashville. No word on whether or not McGraw will be offering music from the movie.

Filming for the project took place in Nashville earlier this year, and Country Strong will be in theaters on Dec. 22. The project—which originally had the working title of Love Don’t Let Me Down—centers around a down-on-her-luck country singer trying for a comeback (Paltrow), her husband and manager (McGraw), a beauty queen turned singer (Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester) and a gifted songwriter (Friday Night Lights’ Garrett Hedlund). Oscar winner Paltrow also sang in the 2000 flick Duets.

Paltrow and McGraw in "Country Strong."

Blogroll: Larry Wayne Clark, Wynonna, Google Music

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Larry Wayne Clark

•••• MusicRow contributor and songwriter Larry Wayne Clark and his wife Maggie Ross have started a blog to keep in touch with Nashville friends while they are living in New Brunswick, Canada for Clark to undergo cancer treatment. Maggie says, “We’re so grateful for everyone’s support.”

•••• The New York Post reports that Google Music executives have been meeting with the Harry Fox Agency, which could signal the music service is one step closer to launching before year’s end. Story here.

•••• Wynonna, her daughter, and her tour manager were in a head-on collision last week. They were treated at a hospital in Salt Lake City and released. Read more about the incident from TahoeDailyTribune.com.

Lifenotes: Margaret Ann Rich

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Margaret Ann Rich, songwriter and widow of country singer Charlie Rich, died on July 22 at her Memphis home. She was 76 and had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.

One of the best-known songs from Margaret Ann Rich’s pen was the 1991 Ricky van Shelton hit, “Life’s Little Ups and Downs.” Her husband, who passed away in 1995, also recorded her songs “Field of Yellow Daisies,” “A Sunday Kind of Woman” and “Nothing In the World.” Among the other artists who recorded songs by Margaret Ann are Tom Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, and Bobby Blue Bland.

She was a founding member of the Memphis branch of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Services were scheduled for today (7/26) in Memphis.

RAM Writer’s Group Signs Will Rambeaux

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Seated (L-R): Will Rambeaux and Doug Merrick. Standing: BMI's David Preston

Doug Merrick has formed a new music publishing company called RAM Writer’s Group and has signed hit songwriter/producer Will Rambeaux as the flagship writer for the outfit.

“Will and I have been associates for years, and when I decided to form RAM Writer’s Group I knew he would be a great asset to the new company,” says Merrick.

Rambeaux’s songs have garnered many BMI Most Performed Songs of The Year awards, as well as several BMI “Million-Air” awards. He has written numerous Top 10 and No. 1 hits for artists such as Faith Hill (“Wild One”), John Michael Montgomery (“How Was I To Know,” “Hold On To Me”), Patty Loveless (“Can’t Get Enough”) and Kathy Mattea (“Nobody Gonna’ Rain On Our Parade”). As a producer, Rambeaux has also helmed four albums for singer/songwriter Sherrie Austin.

RAM Writer’s Group can be reached at 615-799-5534.

Noms Open For Country DJ and Radio Halls of Fame

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The 2010 class of the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame, pictured (l-r) Family of Cy Blumenthal, deceased (Radio), Dan Halaburton (Radio), Ronnie Dunn (Career Achievement), Laurie DeYoung (DJ), Kix Brooks (Career Achievement), Mike Hammond (Radio), Bill Bailey (DJ), Rudy Fernandez (DJ), Charlie Cook (Presidents Award Winner)

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center.

Nominations can be submitted at www.CRB.org. Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. will provide each nominee with an official application, which may include air-checks, press clippings, awards listings and other materials with their applications for consideration.

Applications are due at the CRB offices (819 18th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37203) on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010. Applications received after Sept. 10 will automatically be held for consideration for the 2012 Hall of Fame class.

Country Music DJ Hall of Fame Criteria:

* Must have at least a 20 year on-air career in radio, minimum of 15 in the Country format.
* Significant contributions to the growth and development in the Country radio industry and ongoing contributions to the preservation and enhancement of Country music as an art form.

Country Radio Hall of Fame criteria:
* Must have at least a 20 year career in radio, minimum of 15 in the Country format.
* Significant contributions to the growth and development of the Country radio industry and ongoing contributions to the preservation and enhancement of Country music as an art form.

Nominees cannot be current members of the Board or Agenda Committee of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. A voting committee of Country radio and industry veterans determines the 2011 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame inductees.

McCartney In Music City Tonight

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Tonight (7/26) when Paul McCartney‘s Up and Coming 2010 Tour stops in Nashville it will mark his first concert appearance in town, but not his first visit to Music City. McCartney and his family spent six weeks in Nashville in 1974, a visit he told the Nashville Banner at the time was to “relax, ride horses and record.” The McCartney family stayed at a 133-acre Lebanon farm owned by songwriter Curly Putman (“Green, Green Grass of Home”), which inspired the Wings’ hit, “Junior’s Farm.”

As the concert approaches, Nashville Scene scribe Adam Gold builds a case in support of the superstar’s priceless talents.

Money may still not be able to buy Paul McCartney love, but it’s plain to see he’s found something to do with it. Ticket: $72-$276. Seven beers: $63. Parking: $10. Is seeing Paul McCartney really priceless? Nashville has answered with a resounding “yes.” Even with face-value prices as high as $410 per ticket (for the “Silver Hot Seat Package”) to attend Macca’s show at Bridgestone Arena this week — his first ever in Nashville — it still sold out quicker than you can say “Helter Skelter.” Finish reading.

CMA Board Visits Fontanel

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Pictured left to right: CMA Board members David Ross, Publisher, Music Row Publications; Tony Conway, President, Conway Entertainment Group LLC; Ron Sakamoto, President, Gold & Gold Productions Ltd.; Jeff Walker, President, the Aristomedia Group; and Storme Warren, Host "Headline Country" and President, Surfing Moose Productions.

Dale Morris, President of Morris Management Group and Co-Owner of Fontanel, (L) and CMA Chairman of the Board Steve Moore (R).

The CMA Board of Directors were invited to experience Fontanel, the former home of four-time CMA Award winner Barbara Mandrell, by current co-owners Dale Morris and Marc Oswald.

A reception was held on Wednesday, July 21, during which the Board toured the mansion and learned about the latest developments of Nashville’s newest entertainment complex.

Pictured left to right: CMA Board member Victor Sansone; CMA Board President and Gaylord Entertainment Senior Vice President, Media and Entertainment Steve Buchanan; CMA Board member and Morris Management Group Executive Vice President Clint Higham; and Morris Management Group President and Co-Owner of Fontanel, Dale Morris.

Ryman Named “Best Music Venue”

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Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium has once again been voted Best Music Venue by Tennessean readers choice poll, Toast of Music City. The announcement was made last night (7/21) during a special ceremony held at the War Memorial Auditorium.

“We continue to be humbled by the amount of love and support the citizens of Nashville have shown us over the years,” said Ryman General Manager, Sally Williams. “This award holds a special place in our hearts because it is voted on by our guests.”

Tonight Show host Jay Leno mentioned the Ryman this week when introducing Ohio-rockers, The Black Keys. In his introduction, he mentioned the band’s scheduled performance at the historic venue August 12 calling it “a great room!”

The historically cool Ryman has a full calendar of a variety of upcoming events including Crowded House, August 2; Natalie Merchant, August 29; indie-veterans The Pixies on September 10 and 11; and country music’s “Gentle Giant” Don Williams, October 20 and 21. A complete schedule of events can be found at www.ryman.com.

Union Station Bassist Bows Instructional Video

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Barry Bales, longtime bass player for Grammy award winners Alison Krauss & Union Station, is releasing first-ever bass instructional video through AcuTab Productions. To celebrate the release, Bales and AcuTab have teamed up for a contest involving bass players and Bales fans.

The contest allows fans to get involved in a fun and entertaining way by viewing a special video made by Bales about how he gets his unwieldy bass from here to there. You can check out that video here.

Viewers are then invited to create their own video about how they get around with their bass. Image quality isn’t important – creativity and humor will be especially noted. The video can be shot with a phone, a video recorder, or any other choice that produces a video piece to share.

Contestants entering can post their video responses or upload them to YouTube and email the link to AcuTab Productions/Barry Bales “Have Bass Will Travel” Video Entry.

The contest will run for 30 days starting this week, and Acutab Productions will choose six finalists, with the winner being chosen by Bales himself.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a custom Colorado Case soft bass bag ($450 value) and the registration and accommodations for the Bass Strummit Bass Workshop in Roanoke, Virginia. Each of the six finalists will receive a set of D’Addario HH610 Helicore strings ($250 value) and an autographed copy of Bales’ AcuTab DVD ($35 value.) Full contest details and rules can be viewed here.

Gill Featured in Clapton’s “Crossroads” Film

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On July 27, in 475 select theaters, the film version of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 will debut. Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill will be one of the artists featured. Also included in the film are performances from Clapton, Jeff Beck, Z.Z. Top, John Mayer, B.B. King, Sheryl Crow, Bill Murray and many others.

The special 2-hour event will be shown in HD beginning at 7:30pm local time across all time zones and will feature historic musical performances from the day-long Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 which took place in Chicago’s Toyota Park on June 26.  All 27,000 tickets to this year’s Chicago Festival sold out in minutes.

Theater audiences will gain exclusive backstage VIP access to behind-the-scenes footage and candid interviews with the performers, including an introduction by Clapton himself. 

Tickets for Eric Clapton Crossroads 2010 in-theater event are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and ticket prices, please visit the Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change).