Music Videos: Reba, Sarah Darling

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Taillight TV produces Reba video • Sarah Darling gets carried away
>>  Taillight TV produced the music video for Reba McEntire’s “If I Were A Boy.” The video was shot on location in Nashville. (L-R): Big Machine Records’ Sandi Spika Borchetta, Taillight TV Exec. Producer Chandra Pereira, McEntire, producer Brandon Arolfo, and Director Peter Zavadil

>>On the set of her latest video “Something To Do With Your Hands,” Black River Entertainment artist Sarah Darling hams it up with her famous co-star—two-time TNA World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, AJ Styles. The video was directed by Stephen Shepherd and produced by John Burke. Photo by Kay Williams


CRS 2011 Events Highlight Diverse Talent

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Details about CRS 2011 are starting to emerge and Arista Nashville’s Ronnie Dunn and Columbia Nashville’s Joanna Smith will be performing at the 2011 Sony Music Nashville luncheon Thursday, March 3 from 12:30 – 2:20 pm in the NCC’s CMA Performance Hall.
“It’s such a pleasure to have Ronnie Dunn and Joanna Smith representing the exciting new musical future of Sony Music Nashville on the stage of our CRS luncheon this year,” says Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO, Gary Overton.
The day before the Sony luncheon (Wednesday, March 2) the KCRS Live! Showcase, presented by Stroudavarious Records, will feature the diverse talents of Bob DiPiero, Aaron Lewis, LoCash Cowboys and Jeffrey Steele.
“I am so pleased to present such a tremendous group of writers at KCRS Live!” says Stroudavarious Records CEO James Stroud. “These artists are all coming at this from different places and with different perspectives, but all of them are at the top of their craft and represent the best of what Nashville has to offer.” Scheduled for Wednesday, March 2, 4-5:20 pm CT at the Nashville Convention Center, the musical event will be hosted by award winning personality Bob Kingsley.

Facebook Helping CMA Music Festival Connect With Fans

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The spirit of CMA Music Festival is captured in the latest addition to the Spirit of Nashville poster collection by Anderson Design Group. It was unveiled last night at the Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert. (l-r) Steve Buchanan, CMA Board Chairman and Gaylord Entertainment Sr. VP of Media and Entertainment; Luke Bryan; Steve Moore, CMA CEO.


Preparations are underway for the 2011 CMA Music Festival, and proving the power of Facebook, the organization will use the social media site to announce the first festival performers. The news will hit the CMA’s official Facebook page on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 10:00 AM (CST). Running June 9-12, 2011, this will mark the 40th anniversary of the event that began as Fan Fair®.
Half the net proceeds from CMA Music Festival are donated to CMA’s Keep the Music Playing campaign to support music education in Metro Nashville public schools. To date, more than $4.7 million has been contributed on behalf of the artists who perform at the Festival for free.
Luke Bryan hosted and performed at the Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert last night (2/1) at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. It honored the best music programs in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

CMT Debuts Sitcom, Hires Development Exec.

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Jayson Dinsmore


As CMT expands its reach into original programming, the network has hired experienced development executive Jayson Dinsmore. This news comes following a successful debut of CMT’s first scripted sitcom, Working Class.
Dinsmore is on board in the newly-created position Executive Vice President, Development. He will oversee all development for the channel, based primarily out of CMT’s Santa Monica offices. He reports to President Brian Philips, effective immediately.
Dinsmore spent the last decade at NBC, ending as Sr. VP, Alternative Development. He was responsible for shows including Deal or No Deal, The Sing-Off, Minute To Win It, and many more in the reality, game show and celebrity focused realms. On the specials front, Dinsmore has overseen production on the Tournament of Roses and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants, and the Golden Globes.
Over 6.7 million viewers tuned in for the premiere weekend of CMT’s first scripted sitcom, Working Class, starring Melissa Peterman and Ed Asner. The 8:00 p.m. premiere on Friday, Jan. 28 was the highest rated and most watched series debut in CMT history. Reba McEntire and John Schneider will guest star on the Feb. 4 episode. Peterman and Reba first worked together on the CW sitcom, Reba.

Reba guests on "Working Class."

Shelton, Bentley Named As Grammy Presenters

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More performers and the first group of presenters have been announced for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards Sunday, Feb. 13. Nashville is represented twice on the presenters list as nominees Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Norah Jones, Selena Gomez, LL Cool J, and Nicki Minaj have been included in the initial lineup.
In what sounds like a pretty amazing combination, Cee Lo Green will be joined by Gwyneth Paltrow and the Jim Henson Company Puppets for a special one of a kind performance. Additionally, nominees Drake and Rihanna will be performing together during the telecast. They join previously announced performers Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Arcade Fire, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Muse, and Katy Perry; nominees Justin Bieber and Usher, with Jaden Smith; and nominees B.o.B, Bruno Mars, and Janelle Monáe.
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards telecast will air 7-10:30 pm CT on the CBS Television Network.

Juno Award Nominees Announced

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The 2011 Juno Award Nominees were announced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) yesterday (2/1).
In the Country Album of the Year category (sponsored by Country Style), nominees include: Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Love Rules; Dean Brody, Trail in Life; Deric Ruttan, Sunshine; Gord Bamford, Day Job; and Johnny Reid, A Place Called Love.
Taylor Swift’s Speak Now and Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now are nominated for International Album of the Year.
2011 marks the 40th anniversary of The Juno Awards. The Awards’ celebration dubbed JUNO Week will take place March 21-27, 2011, culminating in the live CTV broadcast of the Awards, Sunday, March 27 from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
For a complete list of nominees, please click here.

Country Stars At Super Bowl Events

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Keith Urban, Photo by John Mayer


Country music will be well-represented at Sunday’s (2/6) Super Bowl when the Green Bay Packers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heading to Dallas are Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley, Jack Ingram, The Grascals, and Burns & Poe, plus music from Lady A.
Keith Urban will perform during the pregame festivities at Cowboys Stadium. Game day coverage begins at 1PM/CT on FOX.
Garth Brooks and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will host SuperCamp, a youth football and cheerleading camp in the Dallas area during Super Bowl week. An adult VIP experience includes a tailgate party, music and more. Proceeds benefit Brooks’ and Witten’s respective charities.
Dierks Bentley and Jack Ingram will perform at Texas’ Largest Tailgate party on Super Bowl Sunday. The event takes place at the temporarily rebranded “Bud Light Hotel” in downtown Dallas.
A special version of Lady Antebellum‘s song “Stars Tonight” will kick-off Westwood One’s official NFL pre-game radio coverage at 3PM/CT on over 640 stations. Following the Super Bowl, Lady A’s smash hit “Need You Now” will be part of the Fox show Glee.
CMT Crossroads will go live from the Super Bowl festivities for a special episode featuring The Pretenders and Faith Hill. The show premieres live on CMT Sat., Feb. 5 at 9PM/CT.
The Grascals will join Gene Simmons, Five For Fighting, Little Texas and a surprise superstar guest at the Aces & Angels concert in Dallas tonight (2/2).
Burns & Poe will perform at the benefit concert the Swang’n Super Bowl Bash.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/2/11)

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Country music’s major labels seem to be slumbering in winter doldrums, but Nashville’s pop/rock community is livelier than ever.

So much so that there are three Disc of the Day winners in this edition of DisClaimer.
The Black Keys are nominated for three Grammy Awards. Welcome to Music City, boys.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson has returned with hurricane strength on her comeback The Party Ain’t Over CD produced by the always hyper-active Jack White.
And then there’s the overnight stardom of The Civil Wars. The duo staged its national television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jan. 13. It’s “Poison & Wine” video has 500,000 views on YouTube, and “Barton Hollow” is getting raves in The New York Post, USA Today, L.A. Weekly and Paste. It is also rapidly picking up radio airplay. The Civil Wars are playing The Belcourt tonight and The Basement tomorrow. I’d urge you to go, except both gigs are sold out, as are five others on its just-announced tour.
Best of all, out of the blue, we have a DisCovery Award to report. Like The Black Keys and The Civil Wars, it’s a duo. Travis & Julie are homegrown Nashville charmers. Lend them your ears.
THE CIVIL WARS/Barton Hollow
Writer: none listed; Producer: Charlie Peacock; Publisher: none listed; Sensibility (track)
—This duo is comprised of John Paul White and East Nashvillian Joy Williams. “Poison & Wine,” which appears on its Barton Hollow CD, has been featured on TV’s Grey’s Anatomy. The title tune is currently iTune’s Single of the Week and propelled the album to No. 1 on the iTunes chart when it came out this week. With its dark undertow of a beat, wailed ghostly harmonized vocals and majestic, minor-key melody, “Barton Hollow” is pretty darn addictive and hypnotic. Taylor Swift calls the sound “exquisite.” I couldn’t agree more. A must listen.
MICHAEL FORD, JR. & THE APACHE RELAY/Magnolia Street Heartbreaker
Writer: Michael Ford, Jr.; Producer: Doug Williams, Michael Ford, Jr., The Apache Relay and Noah Denney; Publisher: 1988, ASCAP; MF (track)
—This foursome hails from the halls of Belmont University. On this track from their album titled 1988, they wistfully drawl a winsome, lovelorn, acoustic folk ballad. The wobbling fiddle lines and feathery falsetto vocals weave a delicate pop tapestry.
THE BLACK KEYS/Tighten Up
Writer: The Black Keys; Producer: Danger Mouse; Publisher: McMoore McLeest/Wixen, BMI; Nonesuch (track) (www.theblackkeys.com)
—These new Nashvillians (Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach comprise the group) have two tracks from their Brothers CD up for Grammy Awards. “Black Mud” is nominated as Rock Instrumental. And the shuddering, spare, thumpy, soulful, strangled “Tighten Up” is competing for Best Rock Group Performance. The whole album is nominated as Alternative Album of the Year, and it is an alt delight.
TRAVIS & JULIE/Osmosis
Writer: Travis/Julie; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Rockstar/Nickel Man; TJ (track) (www.travisjulie.com)
—This Nashville duo has a CD called Moon Girl that is a pop-music amusement-park ride. On this track they lay down a deliciously danceable rhythm and positively twirl in melody. Where have these folks been all my life?
RED/Faceless
Writer: Anthony Armstrong/Rob Graves/Jasen Rauch/Mark Holman; Producer: Rob Graves; Publisher: none listed; Provident/Integrity/Sony (track) (www.redmusiconline.com)
—Goths for Jesus? I guess so. This Christian band makes a thrashing, metal-machine, in-your-face sound that’s as loud and proud as Korn, Staind, Linkin Park or any other mainstream hard rockers you can name. The new CD, which dropped yesterday, is called Until We Have Faces. The previous two were nominated for Grammys. This one might make your ears bleed, in an aggressive-yet-melodic way.
RACHEL LOY/Stay
Writer: Rachel Loy; Producer: Carl Thel; Publisher: none listed; RL (track) (www.rachelloymusic.com)
—This Nashvillian has a self-titled, five-song EP that is quite a singer-songwriter showcase. Here, she is a pleading romantic. Elsewhere, she gets the pop-rhythm treatment. Rachel makes her living playing bass in studios and on the road with stars such as Julianne Hough. But this collection of relationship-centric compositions sounds like she’s ready to move into the center-stage spotlight.
WANDA JACKSON/Shakin’ All Over
Writer: Johnny Kidd; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: EMI Mills/Filmtrax, no performance rights listed; Nonesuch/Third Man (track)
—Unlike Loretta Lynn, whom Jack White previously produced, Wanda Jackson didn’t bring her own songs to the table. So Jack’s musical personality sometimes tends to overwhelm her. He did bring her some splendid songs, including this dandy 1960 Brit hit by Johnny Kidd & The Pirates. Other gems include her cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good,” Bob Dylan’s “Thunder on the Mountain” and Little Richard’s “Rip It Up.”
REVIVE/Blink
Writer: Dave Hanbury/Rich Thompson/Mike Tenkate/Jason Ingram; Producer: Jason Ingram & Rusty Varenkamp; Publisher: Up and Over/Revive/EMI CMG/Sony-ATV Timber/West Main/Windsor Hill, SESAC; Provident-Integrity/Essential/Sony (track) (www.reviveband.com)
—The title tune to this Christian foursome’s current CD has a slowly building majesty about it. It says, “The only thing that matters is how we have loved,” in this too-brief life. Inspiring, in the best kind of way.
BOBBY BARE JR. /A Storm, A Tree, My Mother’s Head
Writer: Bobby Bare Jr.; Producer: Bobby Bare Jr. & David Vandervelde; Publisher: Bella Beckham, BMI; Naked Albino/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.bobbybarejr.com)
—The title tune to this fellow’s current CD tells a true tale in a languid, dreamy way. His echoey voice is sparsely accompanied by brushed drumming, keening steel and electric-guitar sighing. And, yes, Mama Jeannie Bare is screaming in the background. Elsewhere on this sideways collection, you’ll find  “Liz Taylor’s Lipstick Gun,” “Rock and Roll Halloween,” “Your Goat Is on Fire” and “Jesus Sandals.” In other words, you absolutely need to own this.
UNCLE SKELETON/Renfro
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Upright T-Rex, BMI; Upright T-Rex (track)
—Outside of his pop band Kindercastle, Ross Wariner (Steve’s son) has a different sound with Uncle Skeleton. This ensemble has two CDs, Pancho Chumley and the more recent Warm Under the Covers. You’ll find this track on the former. Its synth-y, rapidly rhythmic tone typifies the spaceship, E.L.O. electronic vibe of Uncle Skeleton, which recently featured high on The Nashville Scene’s “Best of 2010” list.

Musical Chairs

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New gigs for Megan Knutson, Emilee Warner, and Wayne Leeloy

Megan Knutson


>>Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen has promoted Megan (Whalen) Knutson to Label Coordinator. In this position, she will work with each label department in Nashville as well as the Universal Republic team in New York. In addition to her new responsibilities, Knutson will also continue as Harnen’s assistant. “In just under a year, Megan has become an integral part of our team at Republic Nashville. Plain and simple…no matter how tall the task…she gets it done!” says Harnen. She can be reached at 615-324-7901 or [email protected].

Emilee Warner


>>Publicist Emilee Warner has joined Crash Avenue, launching the Louisville based company’s Nashville Division as Senior Publicist. The Nashville office will specialize in promoting Americana, folk, bluegrass, and roots rock independent artists.
Warner was most recently publicist at Compass Records, and has a resume that includes CMT Radio, WRLT-FM Nashville, Keith Case & Associates, and her own independent PR firm Big Shindig Media. Warner is a member of the IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2011. She can be reached at [email protected].
>>Wayne Leeloy has joined Topspin Media, heading up the digital company’s Nashville office as Sr. Director of Artist Services. He is responsible for building industry and artist relationships across all genres. Topspin allows its clients to connect directly with fans, and promote, distribute and sell music, concert tickets, and more.
Leeloy previously launched Ticketmaster’s Music Services team in Nashville. His career also includes 15 years in Memphis, heading up Business Development and Artist/Industry relations for the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission, and running his own Foundation Music Group. He also spent time at Seattle marketing firm 206 Inc. handling sponsorship, brand management, event production and community development for clients like Walt Disney Records, Levi’s, Toyota and Urban Outfitters. He can be reached at [email protected] and 615-787-7166.

ACM Noms Highlight New Country Class

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Jason Aldean is a first-time ACM Entertainer of the Year nominee.


Today’s ACM nominations were filled with new names and rising superstars, leaving less room for some of the genre’s most successful artists.
Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert landed Entertainer of the Year nominations for the first time. Meanwhile, reigning Entertainer Carrie Underwood, and superstar Kenny Chesney—who still scored five other nods—were absent from the category.
The final ACM slate was selected by the industry, but the Academy gives consumers the last word in the Entertainer category. Through online voting, fans will get to pick which star takes home the night’s top prize.
Continuing an awesome year, Blake Shelton got his first Top Male nod, and is co-hosting the awards show with Reba.

Zac Brown Band


All three of stalwart Alan Jackson’s nominations were thanks to “As She’s Walking Away,” his hit with younger act Zac Brown Band.
Zac Brown scored nine nods, a combined total of his individual nominations and nominations with his band, including Top Vocal Group.
There are several new faces in the separate Top Vocal Group and Top Vocal Duo categories, where final nominees The Band Perry, the JaneDear girls and Steel Magnolia are also competing for Top New Vocal Duo or Group. Meanwhile, Rascal Flatts was missing from the Vocal Group category.
Other first-time ACM nominees include new faces Easton Corbin, Colt Ford and Lee Brice.
Looking back to the November CMA Awards gives further evidence of the shift in starpower, where big winners included Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. Also that night, Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley made significant career strides, taking home awards for Male Vocalist, and Entertainer of the Year, respectively.