Artists On Tour: Paisley, Shelton, Campbell

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Photo: Ben Enos; Jan. 29, 2011; Bell Centre, Montreal


Brad Paisley recently played to sellout crowds in Eastern Canadian cities London, Hamilton, Montreal and Ottawa as part of his H2O Frozen Over Tour. Over 40,000 tickets were sold for the four shows. The H2O Tour will be featured on an episode of Modern Marvels – American Trucking that airs on the History Channel Friday, Feb. 4 at 8 PM central. This episode follows Paisley and his crew on the road between Little Rock, AR and Tulsa, OK and shows behind the scenes of what it takes to move a huge production from one city to another in a few short hours. H2O Frozen Over will take a break this week and then hits the road again Feb. 10 in Atlanta, GA.
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Blake Shelton recently kicked off his 2011 All About Tonight Tour with a sold-out show at the LaCrosse Center Arena in LaCrosse, WI. Also on hand were opening performers Easton Corbin and Steel Magnolia. Shelton will co-host the ACM Awards with Reba on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Pictured: (L to R): Brad Garrett (Police Productions), Narvel Blackstock (Starstruck Management Group), Blake Shelton, John Esposito (Warner Music Nashville), Rob Beckham (William Morris Endeavor) and Brandon Blackstock (Starstruck Management Group)


•••

Craig Campbell


Bigger Picture Group artist Craig Campbell will join Willie Nelson on the 2011 Country Throwdown Tour. The release date for Campbell’s self-titled debut album has been moved to April 5 to more closely coincide with the start of the tour. Nineteen dates have so far been announced for the Country Throwdown Tour, including Denver, CO, Philadelphia, PA, Nashville, TN and Del Mar, CA. Campbell worked in the studio with producer Keith Stegall on the album, which will include current single “Family Man.”

Signings: Alan Jackson, Emerson Drive, Mountain Heart

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Alan Jackson inks publicity deal • Emerson Drive partners for radio promo •Mountain Heart finds PR home
>>Schmidt Relations has signed Alan Jackson for publicity representation. He joins other Schmidt clients Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, the Grand Ole Opry, Luke Bryan and Rascal Flatts. Schmidt Relations Senior Publicist Darlene Bieber will be the contact for Jackson and can be reached at [email protected] or 615-851-4917. In other Jackson news, the singer is nominated for three Academy of Country Music Awards for Song of the Year, Single Record of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for “As She’s Walking Away,” with the Zac Brown Band.

Pictured (L-R): Quarterback's Chris Allums, Emerson Drive's Brad Mates, Quarterback's John Ettinger


>>Emerson Drive has announced a partnership with Quarterback Records to promote the band’s new single “Let Your Love Speak,” which will be released to radio Feb. 28. The single was written by band member/lead guitarist Danick Dupelle along with songwriters Josh Bartholomew and Steven Lee Olsen. The band will embark on a 33 date tour starting Feb. 8, and has plans for a new release through Quarterback slated for summer.

>>Hot Schatz PR has signed the group Mountain Heart to its client roster. The award-winning bluegrass/roots group has just released its EP That Just Happened on its own label MH Music Group, with national distribution by Select-O-Hits. Group members include Jim VanCleve (Fiddle/Vocals/Producer), Barry Abernathy (Banjo/Vocals), Jason Moore (Bass/Vocals), Josh Shilling (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards), Aaron Ramsey (Mandonlin,Vocals) and Jake Stargel (Guitar).

Leah Seawright

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“On The Backroads”
Skytone Records
Leah invites friends in radio to join her for a special performance during CRS on Wednesday, March 2, at 10 pm in the Renaissance Hotel’s Fisk Room.
Leah Seawright’s “On The Backroads,” which she co-wrote with producer Frank Green, is the tale of young and rebellious love set to a driving beat. The song appears on her album Country Girl 101, on which she wrote or co-wrote all but one song.
“This comes from a very true place,” says Seawright. “I went through those wild teenage years of sneaking out and being in love. My life’s an open book in these songs.”
A native of Fort Payne, Alabama, Seawright grew up in a musical family and eventually gained the confidence to start singing for a local band. She worked numerous jobs during the week, and sang for a little extra money on the weekends.
In 2004 she won a local singing contest, which introduced her to producer and frequent co-writer Frank Green. She also added another notable Fort Payne native to her band–Alabama drummer Mark Herndon. After hearing her music in the studio, Herndon came out of retirement to drum for her, even adding his work to her album.
“It’s just been a roller coaster,” says Seawright. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve always been a glass-half-full gal.”
http://www.leahseawright.com/
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Jacob Lyda

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“I’m Doin’ Alright”
Davis Music Group/Nine North
Davis Music Group’s singer/songwriter Jacob Lyda’s debut single, “I’m Doing Alright” has been released to country radio and is going for adds. Nine North Records has been tapped to oversee radio promotion initiatives.
Showcasing Lyda’s traditional honky-tonk vocal style, “I’m Doing Alright” was written by Lyda and Paul Overstreet (“Love Can Build A Bridge” “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” “Forever and Ever Amen”). Lyda’s upcoming debut album is being co-produced by Brent Maher (The Judds, Shelby Lynne, Kathy Mattea).
Originally from a small town in the northeast corner of Alabama, Lyda learned to play guitar in his teens and had joined a band by the time he was 16. He arrived in Nashville in 2006 and secured regular performance spots at The Nashville Palace and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Lyda’s friend, songwriter David Chamberlain introduced him to the people at Texas-based Davis Music Group.
Lyda’s path has been filled with many twists and turns, including a few years in an Alabama carpet mill. But some dreams refuse to die, and his passion for music has been a constant. Or, in his own words, “Music chose me. I didn’t choose it.”
http://www.jacoblyda.com/
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/10195100/jl-ida-20311.mp3″ text=”Jacob Lyda – I’m Doin’ Alright” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]

Citigroup Acquires EMI

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EMI Group has been taken over by Citigroup, the bank who financed Terra Firma’s 2007 purchase of the music company for £4 billion. The bank seized 100% of the share capital and reduced EMI’s debt by 65% from £3.4 billion to £1.2 billion. Following this development, EMI has more than £300 million cash available.
Last week MusicRow reported the latest developments in this ongoing story about Terra Firma boss Guy Hands.
According to the press release:

“Immediately following the transfer in ownership, Citi effected a debt-for-equity swap to recapitalise EMI. The EMI Group continues under the same management.
EMI has achieved creative and commercial success over the last twelve months and will continue to pursue an ambitious growth strategy.
Roger Faxon, EMI’s chief executive, said: “The recapitalization of EMI by Citi is an extremely positive step for the company. It has given us one of the most robust balance sheets in the industry with a modest level of debt and substantial liquidity… We have a clear vision for the future, a strong and committed management team, and now the right capital and financial structure in place to deliver successful outcomes for artists and songwriters.”

Firm Renamed Crownover, Blevins

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Derek Crownover (L) and Allen Blevins (R).


Attorney Derek Crownover has added partner Allen Blevins and renamed the firm Crownover, Blevins.
Crownover’s previous partner Joel Tisinger has relocated to his hometown Carrollton, Georgia and taken an in-house legal position at a healthcare technology company.
Blevins and Crownover have been friends since law school. Blevins is a Knoxville native, where he previously managed the firm Blevins, Kizer and Gammeltoft. He is a CPA, lawyer, and licensed real estate broker. Blevins is a frequent speaker on estate planning, tax, and corporate issues. He has written articles for professional publications, and served as an adjunct college professor.
Crownover says, “Allen and I shared clients over the years in Knoxville, Nashville and throughout the South. With his tax, estate planning and corporate merger background, he not only diversifies the firm, but increases our top-end considerably.”
Crownover, Blevins, P.C. is online at www.dcablaw.com.

ACM Off-Camera Noms

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The Academy of Country Music is announcing nominations for the Musician/Bandleader/Instrumentalist (MBI) and Industry Awards categories, which, due to time constraints, are not televised during the ACM Awards. Instead, these awards will be presented at the ACM Honors, held each fall in Nashville.
Musician / Bandleader / Instrumentalist (MBI) Awards
Producer Of The Year
Nathan Chapman
Frank Liddell
Frank Rogers
Paul Worley
Mike Wrucke
Audio Engineer Of The Year
Chuck Ainlay
Jeff Balding
Drew Bollman
Steve Marcantonio
Clarke Schleicher
Top Bass Player Of The Year
Mike Brignardello
Kevin “Swine” Grantt
Larry Paxton
Jimmy Lee Sloas
Glenn Worf
Top Percussionist/Drummmer Of The Year
Eddie Bayers
Chad Cromwell
Paul Leim
Chris Mchugh
Greg Morrow
Top Guitarist Of The Year
Tom Bukovac
Pat Buchannan
J.T. Corenflos
Kenny Greenberg
Dann Huff
Top Fiddle Player Of The Year
Glen Duncan
Larry Franklin
Rob Hajacos
Aubrey Haynie
Joe Spivey
Top Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year
Jim “Moose” Brown
Tony Harrell
John Hobbs
Gordon Mote
Steve Nathan
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player Of The Year
Eric Darken
Mickey Raphael
Bryan Sutton
Ilya Toshinsky
Biff Watson
Top Steel Guitar Player Of The Year
Bruce Bouton
Dan Dugmore
Mike Johnson
“Cowboy” Eddie Long
Russ Pahl
Industry Awards
Casino Of The Year
Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, CA
Island Resort Casino – Harris, MI
Mohegan Sun Casino – Uncasville, CT
Peppermill Casino – Wendover, NV
Winstar World Casino – Thackerville, OK
Nightclub Of The Year
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, CA
Coyote Joe’s – Charlotte, NC
Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill – Mesa, AZ
Wild Bill’s – Duluth, GA
Venue Of The Year
Bok Center – Tulsa, OK
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion – Gilford, NH
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
Sprint Center – Kansas City, MO
Don Romeo Talent Buyer Of The Year
Steve “Bogie” Bogdanovich – Romeo Entertainment Group
Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
Jimmy Jay – Jayson Promotions, Inc.
Gary Osier – Gary Osier Presents
David Snowden – Triangle Talent, Inc.
Promoter Of The Year
Ben Ferrell – Varnell Enterprises, Inc.
Ali Harnell – AEG Live/The Messina Group
Louis Messina – The Messina Group
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar
Sally Williams – Ryman Auditorium

ACM Radio Nominees Announced

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The Academy of Country Music announced nominees in the radio categories, which due to time constraints, are not televised during the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, but are instead honored at a special pre-Awards reception.

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL
Kix Brooks – American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks
Big D and Bubba – Big D and Bubba
Crook and Chase – Crook and Chase Countdown
Blair Garner – After MidNite with Blair Garner
Lon Helton – CMT’s Country Countdown USA
Shawn Parr – The Country’s Hot List
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
Cliff and Brooks on KSON (Cliff, Brooks and Tori) – KSON-FM San Diego, CA
Trish Biondo – WUSN-FM  Chicago, IL
Cornbread, Pat James, Annie Henson and Capt. Mac Douglas – WIL-FM St.  Louis, MO
Dr. Don, Rachael Hunter and Grunwald – WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
Edwards & Lee (Chuck Edwards & Linda Lee) – WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
J.D. Cannon – WFMS-FM  Indianapolis, IN
Karen Scott & Radar – WMIL-FM  Milwaukee, WI
Mike, Marty and Janie – WQDR-FM  Raleigh, NC
Jeff Roper and Angie Ward – WTQR-FM  Greensboro, NC
Chris Carr, Jason Statt and Maverick – WUBE FM  Cincinnati, OH
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
Brian Pierce & Kellie Michaels – KFDI-FM  Wichita, KS
Jack Ryan – WIVK-FM  Knoxville, TN
Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer and Jimmy Holt – WIVK-FM  Knoxville, TN
Dan Brennan & Shelby Mitchell – WKSJ-FM Mobile, TN
Scott Wynn & Sue Wilson (Wynn and Wilson in the Morning) – WQMX-FM  Akron, OH
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM  Eugene, OR
Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore (The Good Morning Guys) – KUAD-FM Windsor, CO
Jimmy Lehn and Shelly Martinez – WCTY-FM  Norwich, CT
Mark Ericson and Karen Kiley – WOKQ-FM  Dover, NH
Dex and Mo – WUSY-FM  Chattanooga, TN
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
KEEY-FM   St. Louis Park, MN
KNIX-FM   Phoenix, AZ
WPOC-FM   Baltimore, MD
WSOC-FM   Charlotte, NC
WYCD-FM   Detroit, MI
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
KCYY-FM – San Antonio, TX
WFMS-FM – Indianapolis, IN
WGH-FM – Virginia Beach, VA
WMIL-FM – Milwaukee, WI
WSIX-FM – Nashville, TN
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
WBBS FM – Syracuse, NY
WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
WKHK-FM – Richmond, VA
WKMK-FM & WTHJ-FM – Neptune, NJ
WYRK FM – Buffalo, NY
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
KCLR-FM – Columbia, MO
KCTR-FM – Billings, MT
KUAD-FM – Windsor, CO
WFRE-FM – Fredrick, MD
WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL

Lambert Leads Final ACM Nominees List

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Miranda Lambert and Ronnie Dunn announce the ACM nominations at the Country Music Hall of Fame.


Nominations were announced today (2/1) for the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, set to air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 on CBS.
Miranda Lambert leads the artist nominations with seven, including Top Female Vocalist, her first nod for Entertainer of the Year, as well as Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “The House That Built Me.”
Zac Brown Band is nominated for five awards, including Top Vocal Group and Album of the Year. Additionally, Zac Brown received four individual nominations as producer and songwriter.
Kenny Chesney scooped up five nominations, including album of the year for Hemingway’s Whiskey and Single Record of the Year for “The Boys of Fall.”
The Band Perry and Taylor Swift each garnered four nominations, and Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson and Keith Urban all earned three.
Fan voting for awards categories Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Vocal Group will close February 24 at 11 am CT. The winner in each category will move on to compete for Top New Artist, and fans will vote for that honor as well as Entertainer of the Year through 7 pm CT on April 3.
According to the ACM: The official nominations count for artists reflects categories in which they have been nominated as individuals or as part of a group. Occasionally an artist may get more than one nomination which adds to the total count.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Toby Keith
• Miranda Lambert
• Brad Paisley
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban
TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• George Strait
• Keith Urban
TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack
TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• the JaneDear girls
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland
TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Randy Rogers Band
• The Band Perry
• Zac Brown Band
TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• Eric Church
• Easton Corbin
• Randy Houser
TOP NEW VOCAL DUO or GROUP OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• the JaneDear girls
• Steel Magnolia
• The Band Perry
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• Need You Now – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by:  Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley
• The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson (Mercury)
Produced by: Arlis Albritton, Dave Cobb, The Kent Hardly Playboys
• Speak Now – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift
• Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Jon Randall Stewart
• You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin (Mercury)
Produced by: Carson Chamberlain
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry (Republic Nashville)
Produced by: Paul Worley
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice (Curb Records)
Produced by: Lee Brice, Doug Johnson
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin
Composers:  Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble
Publishers:   A Sling And A Prayer Music (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Music (ASCAP), Don Poythress Songs (ASCAP), Precious Flour Music (BMI), Universal Music-MGB Songs (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
Composers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette
Publishers: Angelika Music (BMI), Weimerhound Publishing (BMI)
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry
Composer:  Kimberly Perry
Publishers:  Pearlfeather Publishing (BMI), Rio Bravo Music, Inc. (BMI)
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice
Composers:  Tim James, Doug Johnson
Publishers:  Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sweet Radical Music (BMI), T-Bird’s Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Composers:  Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
Publishers:  Built On Rock (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tomdouglasmusic (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
• Hillbilly Bone – Blake Shelton Featuring Trace Adkins
Producer:  Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White
• Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Trent Hardville
Director: Trey Fanjoy
•  Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
Producer: Tony McGarry
Director: Declan Whitebloom
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney
Producer:  Don Lepore
Director: Shaun Silva
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Producer:  Trent Hardville
Director:  Trey Fanjoy
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• Blue Sky – Emily West Featuring Keith Urban (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright
• Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by:  John Carter Cash, Patsy Lynn Russell
• Cold Beer – Colt Ford Featuring Jamey Johnson (Average Joes)
Produced by:  Shannon Houchins, Adrian Young
• Good To Be Me – Uncle Kracker Featuring Kid Rock (Top Dog/ Atlantic / Bigger Picture)
Produced by: Kid Rock