Industry Ink: Levon Helm Release Will Benefit AMA

• • • The Americana Music Association announced today (5/18) that Levon Helm will donate a portion of proceeds from his new Ramble at the Ryman live CD and DVD to the not-for-profit trade association. The separate releases were recorded during his September 17, 2008 show featuring guests Buddy Miller, John Hiatt, Sheryl Crow, George Receli, Sam Bush and Billy Bob Thornton, which kicked off that year’s Americana Music Festival and Conference. Helm is the first artist to donate a percentage of product sales to the music association.

• • • The Voice has been renewed for second season on NBC. With celeb coaches including Blake Shelton, the show has been a hit in its current debut season. The coaching lineup for next year has not been announced.

• • • Katie Armiger has signed with Auburn Moon Agency for booking representation. The group is a multiple NACA/College Market “Agency of The Year” winner focused on university bookings.

• • • Elektra Nashville newcomer Jana Kramer has sold almost 100,000 combined digital downloads of her tracks “Whiskey” and “I Won’t Give Up” in less than three months. The sales have primarily been driven by the actress/singer’s performances on The CW show One Tree Hill. She is a regular on the series and sang new single “Why You Wanna” on last night’s season finale.

• • • Tickets to the 2011 CMT Music Awards will go on sale Saturday, May 21 at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Bridgestone Arena Box Office. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the June 8 show will feature performances by Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland, with more to be announced.

• • Compassion International, a Christian child development and sponsorship organization, has added Traci Frasher as the newest Nashville team member. She will work within the country music community and serve as the Artist Relations liaison for the organization.

• • • Congrats to musician/artist/producer Randy Kohrs and publicist Ashley Brown who were married on April 27.