Benefit News

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Kenny Chesney Raises Awareness For Everglades Foundation
On February 18 Kenny Chesney performed for the Everglades Foundation benefit in Palm Beach, Fla. Chesney’s friend and Foundation Board member Jimmy Buffet joined him on stage for “Back Where I Come From” and one of Buffett’s signature songs, “Come Monday.” Mac McAnally joined Chesney on “Down The Road.”
The Everglades Foundation is dedicated to protecting and restoring one of the world’s unique natural ecosystems, providing economic, recreational and life-sustaining benefits to the millions of people who depend on its future health. For more information, visit www.evergladesfoundation.org.
Lady Antebellum Headlines Gift of Music Event
Just 5 days after their 5 Grammy sweep, Lady Antebellum headlined the Dustin J. Wells Foundation Gift of Music event benefitting Nashville’s W.O. Smith Music School, a nonprofit school that provides music lessons and instruments to children from low-income families. Joining Lady A were Dierks Bentley, Heidi Newfield, Joey + Rory, LoCash Cowboys, Brett Eldredge and a student band from the school.

Photo: Fred Pierson


Carrie Underwood Presents Check to Save The Children
Carrie Underwood presented Mark Shriver, Sr. Vice President of U.S. Programs for Save the Children, a check from proceeds collected through ticket sales from the 2010 fall leg of her Play On Tour. From every ticket sold during the September to December 2010 run of shows, 36¢ was donated to Save The Children’s U.S. Programs, a donation totaling $140,125.68.
This charitable initiative was inspired by the “36 cents” written in the lyrics of Underwood’s album track “Change” on her most recent album Play On, which addresses how even the smallest bit of spare change that one might have can add up to make a difference and help “change” the world.

Photo: Chris Hallo




2011 Chords of Hope
Clay Walker will return to Nashville Wednesday, March 2 to host the second annual Chords of Hope: The Clay Walker MS Benefit Concert at the Wildhorse Saloon. The concert, presented by 98 WSIX and produced by Clay’s charity, Band Against MS (BAMS), will help raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS) research with proceeds going to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Tickets for the concert, being held during the National MS Education and Awareness Month, are on sale now through the Wildhorse Saloon. To learn more about Clay Walker and BAMS, visit www.claywalker.com and www.bandagainstms.org.
Braswell Performs Benefit Concert for Rescue Mission
Recording artist and Flat Track Motorcycle Champion, Beau Braswell, will perform Monday, February 28 at 8:00pm at 3rd & Lindsley to benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. Braswell is a six-time AMA National Champion and a two-time AMRA World Motorcycle Champion. Braswell is also a singer/songwriter and grew up right here in Nashville. He released his first CD Time To Ride through Harley-Davidson® stores nationwide and his newest project will be released later this summer.
Music City Tennis Invitational
The 38th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational will be held Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1 at Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University. MCTI is the only fundraising event that directly benefits the Center for Child Development at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. MCTI provides essential funding for the Center’s services not covered by medical insurance for children with disabilities and their families. To register online or for more information on sponsorship and volunteer opportunities visit the organization’s website www.musiccitytennis.com.
Lambert’s Cause For The Paws
Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation will host the 4th annual Cause For The Paws on April 30 in downtown Tyler, Texas. This year’s event will be a “festival on the square” featuring Lambert and special guests Stoney Larue,  Josh Kelley and host Nan Kelley. Ticket prices start at $25. For more information, visit www.mirandalambert.com or MuttNation’s website www.muttnationfoundation.com
Craig Campbell Brings Music to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital
Craig Campbell recently participated in a Rhythm of Hope songwriting session with patients at the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Rhythm of Hope is an interactive music program for pediatric patients that gives children a chance to create their own music while learning the art of songwriting. After visiting with the patients, Campbell and the children performed the song they wrote together.

ACM Newcomer Awards To Church and TBP

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ACM fan voters have chosen Eric Church and The Band Perry as winners of this year’s Newcomer Awards—Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group. This means that both winners automatically become nominees for the Top New Artist Award to be presented on the 46th Annual ACM Awards, April 3, 2011.
The two awards will be presented next week in Nashville by Luke Bryan at the ACM-sponsored CRS Music City Jam. Fans will be able to watch the presentation on GAC’s ACM Top New Artists special which will premiere March 14.
Voting for Top New Artist will take place at www.VoteACM.com powered by CBS.com beginning March 11th at 12noon PT and will continue until 5pm PST on Sunday, April 3.
Professional members of the Academy of Country Music select the final nominees in the Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Duo or Group categories. Professional member votes were combined with fan votes to obtain the winners of the Top New categories.

SESAC Names Jason Ingram Christian Songwriter of Year

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(L-R): SESAC's Tim Fink, Jason Ingram, SESAC's John Mullins & Trevor Gale. Photo: Ed Rode


2010 CHRISTIAN SONGWRITER: Jason Ingram
2010 CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER: Sony/ATV Timber Publishing
-Performing rights organization, SESAC, named Christian songwriter/producer Jason Ingram as its 2010 Christian Songwriter of the Year at ceremonies held 2/24 at Nashville’s Hutton Hotel. Sony ATV Timber Publishing was named SESAC’s 2010 Christian Publisher of the Year. Over 25 songs were acknowledged at the awards dinner which was hosted by SESAC’s Tim Fink and John Mullins.
Ingram was honored for work in the Christian format with hits such as “Keep Changing The World” by Mikeschair, “Light Up The Sky” by The Afters and “Healing Begins” by Tenth Avenue North. Other SESAC winners included Christian songsmiths Cary Barlowe, Ian Eskelin, Michael Donehey, Regie Hamm and Tiffany Arbuckle Lee.
A simple but elegant version of  “Born Again,” one of the evening’s honored songs, was performed by Seth Mosley who wrote the song with his partner, Juan Otero. Mosley and Otero make up the writing team, The Wright Brothers. SESAC also took the opportunity to acknowledge and reward the #1 songs that topped Billboard’s Christian charts in 2010.

Belmont University To Honor Peebles and IEBA

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Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business will honor the International Entertainment Buyers Association and one of its founders Harry “Hap” Peebles with the 2011 Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence. The presentation will take place at the school’s Best of the Best showcase 7 pm, March 26 at Belmont’s Curb Event Center.
Established in memory of program founder Bob Mulloy, the annual Award of Excellence recognizes an individual or organization that has achieved a level of excellence in the music business and entertainment industries with notable service to Belmont University and the Nashville community. Previous recipients include Donna Hilley and Vince Gill.
Peebles served the country industry over 60 years, working with Barbara Mandrell when she was only 11 years old. He is a founder of IEBA, originally known as the International Country Music Buyers Association, which began in 1970 as a non-profit trade organization for talent buyers, promoters, agents, managers and artists. IEBA has established four endowed scholarships for Belmont students in honor of Peebles, Don Romeo, J.P. Williams, and George Moffett. Collectively the endowments represent over $300,000 in investments.

Littlefield Memorial Benefits Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

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A private reception was held at ASCAP yesterday (2/24) to honor the late Merlin Littlefield, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2008. Littlefield was a veteran of the Nashville ASCAP office for 19 years and was instrumental in the signings of Reba McEntire, Lyle Lovett, George Strait and Gary Burr to the performance rights society. The event was hosted by country music legend Larry Gatlin with special guest speaker Lisa Niemi Swayze, who lost her husband, actor Patrick Swayze, to pancreatic cancer in 2009.
Proceeds go to the Merlin Littlefield Pancreatic Cancer Memorial Fund benefitting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Donations can be made at the organization’s website www.pancan.org.
In addition to Littlefield, pancreatic cancer has claimed the lives of other members of the country music world including Charlie Louvin, who passed away just last month, Buddy Killen, Hank Cochran, Alan Webb, Edward Gaylord, Felice Bryant and Joe Carter.
Photos: Alan Mayor

(L-R): Mica Mosbacher, Larry Gatlin, Eileen Littlefield and Lisa Niemi Swaze.


(L-R): Kathie Baillie, Michael Bonagura, Kristine Arnold, Larry Gatlin, Eileen Littlefield, Dr. Donald Hudson, Janis Gill Oliver and Tony Toliver.

Technically Speaking

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>>Eminem has become Facebook’s the most “Liked” living artist, passing Lady Gaga to amass a total of 28.88 million compared to the Ga’s 28.87 million. The Detroit rapper is currently averaging more than 500,000 likes a day which means he will soon pass Michael Jackson who has about 29.1 million. Could this renewed popularity have anything to do with Eminem’s recent auto ad where he championed his home city? Regardless, Lady Gaga still leads the rapper in terms of Twitter followers and YouTube plays.
>> MySpace.com has a For Sale sign outside its offices. News Corp. bought the social media site five years ago for $580 million. A profitable 3-year deal with Google, signed in 2006, is believed to have earned the site $800 million. News Corp. is reportedly looking to sell or possibly take on a new partner.
>>According to the Wall Street Journal, ABC and the Academy Awards have successfully renegotiated a deal to keep the movie awards on the network through 2020. The previous contract was set to run from 2005-2014. WSJ notes that “award shows and other big live events have seen their ratings grow following years of on-and-off decline.” Ad sales for the Oscar’s show set to air this Sunday (2/27) are expected to reach close to $80 million according to WSJ sources. The Country Music Association Awards, its new Christmas Special and the annual MusicFest special are also on ABC.
>> Apple Insider.com and Financial Times report that Apple is positioning its possible cloud strategy as a form of insurance. Apple sees the cloud business as possibly undermining its single song paid downloads on iTunes. Spotify, a cloud service that offers free streaming music with ads is trying to secure the necessary licenses to launch in the U.S., but is making slow progress. Also in the wings, hoping to make an entrance, is Google. However, U.S. labels are concerned about streaming business models and have been acting as a bottleneck by withholding licensing permissions.

Weekly Chart Report (2/25/11)

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17 Music Entertainment's Matt Gary has been making the radio rounds in the Southeast and Midwest to introduce his new single, "I'm Just Sayin'," penned by Frank Myers, Gary B. Baker and Billy Montana, the title track from his CD 6-Pack. (L-R): Gary, WCTQ/Sarasota, FL MD Heidi Decker and WCTQ PD Tim Jones.


Whoa, where does the time go? Country Radio Seminar starts next week, so make plans to attend MusicRow’s annual Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, featuring special performances from Joanna Smith and Colt Ford. The event takes place Tuesday, March 1, 2:30-5 pm CT at Cadillac Ranch on Broadway. Email [email protected] for more information. Don’t miss this one!
SPIN ZONE
Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” makes it two in a row, adding enough spins to maintain the No. 1 spot over Taylor Swift’s “Back To December.” And it looks like the moment has arrived for Stoney Creek’s Thompson Square, whose “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” gains 135 spins and jumps to No. 3 ahead of Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” and Jason Aldean’s “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”
Kenny Chesney’s “Live A Little” is on the fast track to chart dominance. After capturing the biggest debut last week, it picks up the greatest spin increase this week and leaps to No. 31. Toby Keith’s “Somewhere Else”–also just two weeks old–has moved all the way to No. 37. Soon both singles will be battling against Ronnie Dunn’s “Bleed Red” (No. 16) and Keith Urban’s “Without You” (No. 21) for position.
Seems everyone has a new single out with CRS on the horizon. Eric Church’s “Homeboy” is moving quickly at No. 58, followed by Chris Young’s “Tomorrow” at No. 62. Gwyneth Paltrow is also back on the chart at No. 75 with “Me And Tennessee,” a duet with Country Strong co-star Tim McGraw serviced by Curb Records. Also debuting are Eli Young Band’s “Crazy Girl,” Bucky Covington’s “Hometown,” and David Nail’s “Let It Rain.”
Frozen Playlists: KWWR, WBYZ






Upcoming Singles
February 28
Jessica Ridley/Flaming Red/EMG/Universal/Nine North
Frankie Ballard/A Buncha Girls/Warner Bros./WMN
Chris Young/Tomorrow/RCA
Jason Thomas/I’m Your Radio/MD Records
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI Nashville
Steve Azar/Hard Road/Ride
Emerson Drive/Let Your Love Speak/Quarterback
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog-Universal
March 7
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville
The New Relics/Dixie Queen/Spinville/Blues Alley
Tonja Rose/Where Would Your Heart Be/Identical Entertainment/Turnpike
Little Big Town/The Reason Why/Capitol
Neal McCoy/New Mountain To Climb/Tate
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Tim McGraw & Gwyneth Paltrow/Me And Tennessee/Curb — 75
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville — 77
Bucky Covington/Hometown — 78
David Nail/Let It Rain/MCA — 80
•  •  •  •  •
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA — 536
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog-Universal — 398
Keith Urban / Without You / Capitol — 335
Justin Moore/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away/Valory — 266
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI Nashville — 231
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Colt Ford/Country Thang/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 223
Curtis & Luckey/Eye Candy/KMG Music Group — 217
Kate Russell/Damned If I Do/Urunga/Spinville Records — 217
Emma King & The Heartsets/I’m Not Forgotten/PLC — 190
Johnny Rivers/New Home/Soul City — 176
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA — 27
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog—Universal — 26
Justin Moore/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away/Valory — 21
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI/Nashville — 19

Lucy Angel recently visited KGRT/Las Cruces, NM. (L-R): Lucy Angel's Kate, Las Cruces March of Dimes Dir. Becky Horner, Lucy Angel's Emily, KGRT MD Sheila Kirsch, and Lucy Angel's Lindsay.


Big Machine’s Eden’s Edge was in the Dallas office of Citadel Media on Tuesday (2/22) to share their music with employees. The group talked about growing up in Arkansas and meeting each other in college. (L-R): Carl Anderson, Sr. VP Programming and Distribution for Citadel Media; Eden’s Edge’s Cherrill Green and Hannah Blaylock; Gary Reynolds, PD Today’s Best Country; Kris Wilson, MD Today’s Best Country; Eden’s Edge’s Dean Berner; and Jeremy Robinson, The Jeremy Show.


Corey Smith stopped by WUSY in Chattanooga on Wednesday (2/23) to visit with US 101’s personalities and loyal listeners. Corey chatted with Brian Stewart and played a few songs on-air including new single,“Twenty-One,” soon to be released on Average Joe’s Entertainment. (L-R): Gator Harrison (OM/PD), Ken Hicks (morning guy), Brian Stewart (night guy), Smith, Mo & Dex (afternoon show).

Guest Editorial: Hazel Smith Salutes Renee Bell

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Contributed by Hazel Smith


I am humbly proud that I introduced Joe Galante to Renee Bell. They became the most successful A&R team in Nashville. Renee was the first and only female Executive Vice President of A&R—thanks to Galante, who always gave women their due. She was employed at the label, originally RCA, now Sony, in excess of 15 years.
But no longer.
It was years ago, but I’ll never forget the day Renee called me to come to her office which was located then just beyond CMA. As usual, I just walked in. She smiled, slid a tape into the machine and played “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.” Songwriter Paul Overstreet was singing the demo but I knew it was a Kenny Chesney smash. My very words, “That song will be the curve in the road for Kenny. Superstar time!” Chesney has scored 21 No. 1 hits that she found or approved. She also worked directly with Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Jake Owen and Josh Thompson as well as overseeing all projects for the entire roster in her position as head of the A&R department.

Veteran A&R executive Renee Bell


Besides “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” other songs that Renee helped place includes “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats” for Underwood, “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” for Brooks & Dunn, and as of late “Man I Want To Be” for Chris Young along with many, many others.
This past week Music Row publishers have contacted Renee to thank her for changing the lives of their artists and songwriters by placing hundreds of songs on Sony Records. Females up and down Music Row talk about what a role model she has been for women in the business.
Beginning her A&R career at MCA with Tony Brown, Renee along with Tony was responsible for signing The Mavericks and David Lee Murphy. Always in the trenches finding hits and placing them with George Jones, Conway Twitty, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Wynonna Judd, as well as many others, she held this position for eight years. Jimmy Bowen made her a Vice President at Capitol and it was Renee who first recognized the talent of songwriting great Casey Beathard.
I’m guessing it was about a year ago when Renee told me she was thinking about exploring other creative opportunities at the end of her contract.
A couple weeks ago we ran into Harry Chapman and Buddy Cannon when we met for lunch. She was so excited about working with Ronnie Dunn this past year on his debut solo album. When she told me about Jake Owen’s new record they’d just finished she was just as excited and equally excited about getting started on Josh Thompson’s sophomore album. She felt Jake and Josh were poised to finally have their moment. With the same Renee excitement, she told me about Bradley Gaskin that John Rich brought to her and Kristen Kelly, a new act that Paul Overstreet had discovered in Texas, and Casey James. When I spoke with her a couple days ago she stressed how much she hated not being a part of their careers, but is so very proud and excited for all of them.
Nobody on planet earth or Music Row loves or respects songwriters and artists more than Renee Bell.  Lord knows she dearly loves to find those killer songs.

Renee Bell with Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and Chris Young at the People Country Issue celebration party at Nashville's Hutton Hotel in August 2009. Pictured (l-r): Young; Lambert; Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, Sony Sr. Dir. A&R; McBride; and Bell.

Social Media Success Sends CJaye LeRose To Nashville

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CJaye LeRose


“Social networking” has become one of those overused marketing phrases—discussed continuously, but rarely implemented. That makes it all the more contagious when an indie artist without the benefit of any marketing machine to do the heavy lifting, attracts attention in the form of fans, followers and views and ends up with more links than a chain fence.
In 2009 CJaye LeRose somewhat innocently created a YouTube channel to raise awareness about animal adoption. But she soon realized that reaction to her message spiked when she posted videos of her songs. Soon she wrote a song encouraging people to adopt pets and events escalated. Today, her YouTube channel has over 2 million views and 32,000 subscribers.
“My channel grew like it did not only because of my love for music, but also because of my love for people,” says LeRose. “I would spend all day just writing people back and answering as many comments as possible. I’ve gotten to be friends with so many of my subscribers.”
LeRose is also active on Twitter where she has 18,000 followers and Facebook with 12,000 fans. Feeling encouraged from all her online success, the 25-year-old finally decided it was time to move to Nashville from hometown Houston.
The social media butterfly is starting to get noticed. Last week LeRose hosted an online Teen Hoot that originated from Nashville’s Westwood Studios, owned by producer David Malloy. Twelve artists performed including Nickelodeon star Devon Werkheiser, Lilly Winwood, the youngest daughter of Steve Winwood and Julienne Irwin, a finalist on America’s Got Talent. Over 1400 viewed the event stream online.
According to Malloy, “I have had over 150 artists perform since we started  the Hoot. The goal is to help the many talented artists trying to break through the system. The Hoots are successful because each act only performs two songs. We think this is the way music should be discovered. We stay in constant contact with our online audience through Live Chat, gauging their reactions and giving them more of what they want.”
CJaye LeRose’s self released CD is due later this year and her official website www.cjayelerose.com launched this week. You can get a free download of her song “The Porch” here. View her YouTube channel here and to check out the Teen Hoot click here.

"Idol" Adds Online Voting Via Facebook

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When the polls open for the current season of Fox’s American Idol on March 1, fans will be able to vote online for the first time.
Voting will start at americanidol.com, which will direct fans to log in to their Facebook accounts to access the voting page. During the online voting window, fans may cast up to 50 total online votes for that evening’s performances.
This new arrangement not only allows more ways to vote, but also proves the ubiquity of Facebook. And it is further evidence of networks embracing second screen viewing.
“We have been wanting to do online voting for several years, and now Facebook has offered us a secure solution and we are ready to go,” said Simon Fuller, Idol’s Creator and Executive Producer. “The show has always involved a high level of engagement with its viewers through texting and phone voting, and it’s great to expand on this tradition.”
In addition to online voting, fans will continue to be able to vote via phone and text message (AT&T wireless customers only).
The 12 male semifinalists take the stage for the first time Tuesday, March 1, followed by the 12 female semifinalists on Wednesday, March 2. This season’s finalists will be announced Thursday, March 3. More info.