Artist Action: Kix Brooks Dabbles In Acting

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Kix Brooks


Kix Brooks recently completed a small acting role in the upcoming movie Thriftstore Cowboy. According to an interview with the Associated Press, Brooks describes the film as “kind of a modern age urban cowboy scenario.” The star has also accepted a leading role in another film, The Last Ride, which will be shot in May in Arizona.
Brooks also hosts the radio show American Country Countdown and owns Arrington Vineyard in Tennessee. He is reportedly working on a new solo album that will be released on a Sony imprint.
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Condolences to artist Emma Jacob on the passing of her mother Linda Chapman during CRS last week. Ms. Chapman apparently died from a sudden heart attack while watching her daughter perform at an event. Donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
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Alan Jackson launched his first tour of Australia over the weekend with a sold-out show at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Last night he was scheduled to headline CMC Rocks the Hunter Festival in Hunter Valley, then travel to Sydney today, and end with a three-night stand in Brisbane later this week. All six shows sold out within minutes when tickets went on sale last fall.
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GRAMMY-winning guitar virtuoso Steve Wariner has launched a series of short instructional video clips at www.stevewariner.com, in which he plays songs from his new Guitar Laboratory CD, demonstrating various licks and showing aspiring guitarists how to capture the same sounds.
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The Dixie Chicks documentary Shut Up & Sing will air on CMT for the first time. The film explores the controversy surrounding the band and the making of their 2006 album Taking the Long Way. The show airs Saturday, March 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Halper Exits Skyville As Private Practice Ramps Up

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Wayne Halper has departed his part-time position as head of business and legal affairs for Skyville Records, and plans to focus his attention on his law practice and management clients.
“My commitments to my clients and management roster have resulted in my being able to devote less time to Skyville than I would have liked,” says Halper. “Given the strong full-time team, I leave knowing Stealing Angels is in the best possible hands with Wally Wilson, Paul Worley and Kevin Herring. Their combined creative energy will bring the company and Stealing Angels great success.”
Halper currently serves as Head of Worldwide Business Development for Perpetuum Jazzile, a choir from Slovenia whose innovative rendition of the Toto hit “Africa” has garnered over 10 million hits on YouTube. The group is curently planning a US tour for Summer 2011. Additionally, Halper manages singer/instrumentalist Kate Lee and Native American group Brulé. He also heads legal affairs for multiplatform media streaming company iClips Network.
“It has been an dynamic year of growth for these clients, and being part of such almost unprecedented success has made me focus very hard on my schedule,” continues Halper. “To be breaking ground, doing global business and exploring cutting edge technology as a business person requires focus and time — and out of respect for everyone I’ve been blessed/fortunate to be associated with, this seems to be the best solution for everyone.”
Reach Halper at [email protected] or 615-429-8500.

CRS Attendance Up 22%; CRB Board Announced

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CRS 2011 overall attendance numbers show a 22 percent increase over last year’s event. The total number of 2,649 registrants were divided into 2,004 full registrants (attendees, exhibitors, panelists and sponsors) and 645 participant registrants. Participant registrants are attendees that register for individual CRS events or purchase single day seminar passes. Total attendance for CRS 2010 was 2,181 and CRS 2009 was 2,106.
Additionally, changes to the CRS Agenda Committee and CRB Board of Directors have been announced. The newly elected CRB Board officers and CRS Agenda Committee leaders are as follows:
CRB President: Mike Culotta (WQYK/Tampa, Fla.)
CRB Vice President: R.J. Curtis (Country Aircheck/Nashville, Tenn.)
CRB Secretary: Carole Bowen (WKIS/Miami, Fla.)
CRB Treasurer: Jeff Walker (AristoMedia/Marco Promotions/Nashville, Tenn.)
CRS 2012 Agenda Chair: Annie Sandor (Curb Records/Miami, Fla.)
CRS 2012 Vice Chair: Clint Marsh (Talking Stick Communications/Warsaw, Ind.)
Three members who were previously appointed by the CRB President have been elected back to the CRB Board of Directors. Clarence Spalding (Spalding Entertainment/Nashville, Tenn.) and Johnny Chiang (KKBQ/Houston, Texas) were elected to 3-year terms, and Dan Halyburton (RadioTime / Palo Alto, Calif.) was elected to a one-year term.
Other CRB Board members re-elected for three-year terms include: Carole Bowen, R.J. Curtis, David Haley, Clay Hunnicutt, Royce Risser, Tim Roberts and Jeff Walker.
Skip Bishop (Sony Music Nashville/Nashville, Tenn.) was elected to fill a one-year term.
Newly re-elected CRB President Mike Culotta also appointed three new CRB Board members: John Esposito (Warner Bros./Nashville, Tenn.), Brian O’Connell (Live Nation/Nashville, Tenn.) and Jerry Phillips (Big River Broadcasting/Florence, Ala.).
Continuing their terms on the CRB Board are: Jim Asker, Tom Baldrica, Becky Brenner, Joel Burke, Natalie Conner, John Crenshaw, Mike Dungan, Keith Kaufman, Renee Leymon, Mike McVay, Charlie Morgan, Joel Raab, Denise Roberts, John Shomby, John Zarling and Director Emeritus Charlie Monk.
“CRS 2011 was a tremendous success for our Board, our attendees and the Country radio industry,” says CRB President Culotta. “From the insightful Country radio research presentation, to our CRS smartphone applications, to the new Connections Lounge, this year’s seminar integrated a lot of new ideas to ensure Country Radio Seminar remains innovative and relevant as we move forward towards next year’s CRS 2012.”
CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24, 2012, at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.  Visit www.CRB.org for more information about Country Radio Seminar and the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.
To view an online photo gallery of events and panels from CRS 2011, visit: www.flickr.com/AristoPR

Billy Ray Cyrus Revamps Career Team

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Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus


Billy Ray Cyrus has announced a new entertainment team to guide his career. He has reunited with Rogers & Cowan, the same publicity company that helped launch his career in 1992. He will now be managed by Sanctuary Artist Management plus Mick Adkins of MicnE Productions. He will be represented by WME for motion pictures and television; and Buddy Lee Attractions for live concert performances.
“Billy Ray Cyrus is one of America’s true entertainers in music, film and television. We are thrilled to represent such a remarkable talent,”  says Stuart Dill, President of Sanctuary-Nashville.
“I’m very excited about my new management and agency teams, and look forward to our partnerships,” says Cyrus. More announcements concerning upcoming projects in TV, film and music are expected.

Shelton Joins NBC's "The Voice"

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Blake Shelton is joining the coaching panel of NBC’s new musical competition series The Voice. When the show premieres on Tuesday, April 26 (9-11 p.m. ET), Shelton will be sitting alongside fellow musician coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.
“We couldn’t have a panel that represented the hottest American music without a strong country presence, and Blake is at the top of his game right now,” said Paul Telegdy, EVP, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios. “Not only is he incredibly charismatic, but his passion for collaborating with and bringing the best out of other talented artists makes him the perfect choice to round out this ‘Dream Team’ of musician coaches.”
The Carson Daly hosted show will follow the four musician coaches as they each select singers to mentor during a blind audition process. Once the coaches have their teams, they will bring in their songwriter and producer friends to help their teams evolve. Ultimately, the viewer at home will vote on the winning singer.

Valory's Briner Adds West Coast Duties

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Valory Music Co. VP of Field Promotion George Briner has added West Coast radio promotion to his label duties. Briner will be relocating to Denver, CO to begin his new responsibilities.
“To have the opportunity to work from Denver, Colorado and continue to do what I love and support the great music coming from The Valory Music Co., is a wonderful opportunity for me,” says Briner.
Briner is a 25 year veteran of country radio promotion and was recently upped to his current position after being Valory’s Dir. National Promotion/Northeast/Midwest Promotion & Marketing. Reach him at [email protected].

Party's Over: CRS Photo Wrap

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>>>Rascal Flatts celebrated its No. 1 single, “Why Wait,” at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville on March 3. The song marks the band’s first No. 1 on its new label home Big Machine Records, and their 12th career No. 1.

Pictured L to R: (Front Row) Big Machine's Mandy McCormack and Alex Valentine. (Back Row) Big Machine's Jeff Davis; Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts; Big Machine's Jayme Austin; Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts; Big Machine President & CEO Scott Borchetta; Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts; Big Machine's Erik Powell, Kris Lamb and Jack Purcell. Photo: Chris Hollo


>>>BMI and Country Aircheck co-hosted the WCRS Live! showcase featuring the talents of Whitey Shafer, Dallas Davidson, Kix Brooks, and Jerrod Niemann.

Pictured are (back row, l-r): BMI’s Perry Howard, Dan Spears, and Tom Annastas; Kix Brooks; BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Clay Bradley; and Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton; (seated, l-r): Jerrod Niemann, Whitey Shafer, and Dallas Davidson. Photo by Rick Diamond


>>>Russ Ocker of KMGO/KCOG was honored with the Randy Jones Memorial Award during a CRS event at Fontanel. Radio promoters Jan Woods and Christina Bear founded the award along with MusicRow Country Breakout Reporter Ed Carter (WKSR-AM/FM, Pulaski, TN) to salute dedication to country radio and community service.




(L-R): Jan Woods, Russ Ocker, Ed Carter and Christina Bear


>>>Industry and artists mingle at Country Radio Seminar. Rising act Due West visit with MusicRow executives.



(L-R): MusicRow President Sherod Robertson, Due West members Tim Gates and Matt Lopez, MusicRow Publisher David Ross, and Due West's Brad Hull.

Bobby Karl Works The Capitol CRS Lunch

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Chapter 363

Pictured L-R: Steve Hodges, Bill Mayne, Luke Bryan, Eric Paslay, and Mike Culotta


Luke Bryan onstage at the Capitol Luncheon


All country artists want to be liked, but few have the winning, eager, puppy-like charm of Luke Bryan.
Luke was the centerpiece of Capitol Nashville’s concluding luncheon at last week’s Country Radio Seminar convention. His Friday afternoon (3/4) set mixed hits such as “Someone Else Calling You Baby” and “Country Man” with five new tunes from his forthcoming CD, including “Drunk on You” and “Too Damn Young to Know Any Better.”
“This is incredible to be here,” said show-headlining Luke. “Four years ago, I was opening up for Trace [Adkins]. There is no better room to play to get your career going.
“This isn’t my show,” he said to the radio decision makers. “This is OUR show, together.”
Using his lanky body language and likeable smile to full advantage, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. A thunderous sonic mix and plenty of flashing lights added to the ambiance.
The only thing missing was Capitol’s usual emcee, Mike Dungan. “He is in a hammock on the beach with a drink in his hand,” explained the subbing Steve Hodges. It seems that Mike thought that CRS was the last week in February and instructed his wife to book their vacation during what he thought would be the following week. Oops.
Steve began the festivities by screening the world premiere of Jeanette McCurdy’s inspirational new video “Generation Love.” Brilliantly written by Tom Douglas, Heather Morgan and Ross Copperman and wonderfully produced by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, this looked and sounded like the breakthrough country hit the iCarly teen-TV superstar has been seeking. Each luncheon place setting, by the way, held a copy of the CD single as well as a reproduction of a Tennessean newspaper feature about Jeanette that had run earlier in the week.
The luncheon also introduced new signee Eric Paslay. The tall, lean, red-headed singer-songwriter performed the light-hearted “When the Sun Comes Up” and “If the Fish Don’t Bite,” as well as a moving ballad about the afterlife called “Deep as it Is Wide.”
“It’s a privilege to be up here,” said Eric, who performed solo with acoustic guitar. “I’m looking forward to meeting all of you this May and June,” when the label issues his music.
Steve also screened a video containing thank-you footage from all the company’s promotional staff as well as its roster – Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Walker Hayes, Darius Rucker, Eric Church and Troy Olson as well as the luncheon-spotlighted Jeanette, Eric and Luke.
We lunched on lasagna and veggies. Prior to the event, the CRS attendees volunteered to stuff bags with various snacks to be shipped out by Operation Troop Aid. A giant, robotic Tron/Transformers character with an electronic voice posed for snapshots and kept the volunteers entertained.
Mixing and mingling were Dick Beecham, Becky Begin, Kristi Green, Gary Greenberg, Sharon Allen, Bill Wence, Starlet Page, Walt Trott, Bobby Young, Jeff Walker, Vanessa Davis, Raeanne Rubenstein and John Zarling.

Writers Ink With New Nettwerk One/Revelry Joint Venture

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Revelry Music Group/Nettwerk One Music sign Jessie Jo Dillon: Back row l-r: Jody Williams (BMI), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Clay Bradley (BMI), Greg Beeckman (Revelry Consultant), Blair McDonald (Nettwerk One Music), Greg Gallo (Revelry/Partner), Bradley Collins (BMI). Front row l-r: AJ Burton (Revelry/Partner), Jessie Jo Dillon, Noah McPike (Almon Law PLLC).


Nettwerk One Music and Revelry Music Group have teamed for a publishing joint venture. Under the new agreement, Nettwerk’s staff including executives Mark Jowett and Blair McDonald will handle administrative operations and funding for the venture. In addition, Nettwerk’s film and TV licensing team will be representing the catalogue worldwide.
The team at Revelry, made up of AJ Burton, Greg Gallo and LA-based finance partner Cory Schuelke, will focus on the creative aspects of the venture. To that end, the new joint venture has already signed Nashville songwriters Thom Donovan, Anthony Smith and recent Grammy-nominee Jessie Jo Dillon. She was nominated for Best Country Song for George Strait’s “The Breath You Take,” which she wrote with Casey Beathard, and her father Dean Dillon.

Revelry Music Group/Nettwerk One Music sign Thom Donovan: Back row l-r: Jody Williams (BMI), Greg Beeckman (Revelry Consultant), Greg Gallo (Revelry/Partner), Bradley Collins (BMI). Front row l-r: AJ Burton (Revelry/Partner), Thom Donovan, Blair McDonald (Nettwerk One Music)



Back row (l-r): Nettwerk One Music’s Blair McDonald; Revelry Music Group’s Greg Beeckman and Greg Gallo. Front row (l-r): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Revelry’s AJ Burton, Anthony Smith and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Peyton Hoge



The Woods Amphitheater Gearing Up For First Full Season

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The Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel has several big-name artists on the line-up for its first full season, which opens Sat., April 23 with Chicago and Los Lonely Boys.
The outdoor venue fills a void in Nashville’s live music landscape. Middle Tennessee had been lacking an amphitheater since Starwood closed in 2006. With a capacity of 4,500, The Woods Amphitheater is on the grounds of Barbara Mandrell’s former residence Fontanel. The property was opened to the public in recent years as a tourist and event destination.
Also on the books for this summer are The Stone Temple Pilots (May 1), Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers (May 27), Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour in time for the CMA Music Festival (June 3), Yes and Styx (July 16), Steely Dan (Aug. 19), and Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy (Sept. 2).
The concert series at The Woods Amphitheater is being produced Gary Weinberger of Red Mountain, and John Ruffino and Russell Doussan of Blue Deuce Entertainment. The property is managed by Fontanel Attractions, made up of music execs Dale Morris and Marc Oswald, world-class developer Alex Marks, and TomKats, Inc. owner Tom Morales, as the operating partner.
Ticket details including info about VIP box seats and the four-show Mega Ticket are available at www.WoodsAmphitheater.com.