Anderson & Urban Join Walk of Fame

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Bill Anderson and Keith Urban are the newest inductees into the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar.
The honorees will be recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers on Sunday, May 15, at 2:30 p.m. at Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville.
The induction ceremony, sponsored by Great American Country (GAC), is free and open to the public. The Music City Walk of Fame was created in 2006 and will now have a total of 50 inductee stars. The plaque medallions for Anderson and Urban will be inlaid on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.
Details at www.visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame.
 
 
 
 

Benefits: Swift, Tracy Lawrence, JDRF Golf Classic

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Taylor Swift will be opening the last dress rehearsal for her Speak Now Tour to fans as a fundraiser to benefit victims in the recent deadly tornadoes in the Southeast. 13,000 fans will get a first look at Swift’s new show almost a week early at  Speak Now…..Help Now!, her final tour rehearsal, on May 21 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The North American portion of her Speak Now World Tour 2011 kicks off on May 27 in Omaha, Nebraska. Ticketing information and Speak Now….Help Now! event details will be available and updated beginning Monday, May 9 on www.TaylorSwift.com. 100% of ticket sales will go directly to help tornado victims.

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Tracy Lawrence and his friends in music, entertainment, sports and the arts raised nearly $15,000 for the Susan G. Komen Center–Greater Nashville at the inaugural Golf For A Cure Charity Golf Classic on Monday, May 2. Artists, celebrities, sponsors and VIPs took to the greens, despite the threatening, inclement weather, at Five Oaks Golf & Country Club in Lebanon. In a parade of 50 carts, teeing off along with paying patrons and event sponsors were Lawrence, Darryl Worley, Ira Dean (former Trick Pony member), Bryan White, Davis Daniel, Matt Gary, Ty Brown (of The Bachelorette fame), American Idol alum Lacey Brown, Cory Hildreath (One Night Rodeo), Elbert West, Lucas Hoge, Racing Country radio show host Cathy Martindale and Rockie “Rockstar” Shipes. After the 18-hole game, the Golf For A Cure outing concluded with a night-time reception where guests enjoyed up-close, acoustic performances by Tracy Lawrence, Darryl Worley, Ira Dean, Tiffany, Ty Brown, Lacey Brown, Brooke Burrows, One Night Rodeo accompanied by rolling thunder and bolts of lightning.

Celebrity/patron golfers pose at tourney start. Photo: Hunter Photography.

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The  2011 JDRF Golf Classic, benefiting the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, is set for May 9 at the Vanderbilt Legends Club. Slated to participate are WKRN News 2 sports anchor Joe Dubin, American Idol season nine Top 12 finalist Lacey Brown, hit songwriter Rivers Rutherford, up-and-coming country singer Eric Lee Beddingfield, members of the Adam Craig Band and surprise guests. Shotgun starts are at 8:00 am and 1:30 pm. A limited number of slots are still available. Click here for details.
 
 

Weekly Chart Report (5/06/11)

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WTHO/Thomson, GA PD Steve Ferguson recently had a meet & greet and interview with Bucky Covington and his twin brother Rocky. Bucky’s "Hometown" tour sold out Augusta, GA venue Coyotes on April 22. (L-R): Bucky, Rocky, WTHO’s Steve Ferguson


SPIN ZONE
This had to happen. Following the terrible wave of storms that devastated the South and particularly Alabama last week, Brad Paisley’s “Old Alabama” emerges triumphantly in the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot. And remarkable guy that he is, Paisley is donating royalties from digital sales of the track to the Alabama Red Cross for relief efforts. Go forth and purchase for a good cause, people.
The first single from Lady Antebellum’s upcoming third album is “Just A Kiss,” and it looks like a big ol’ hit already. The song was digitally released at the start of the week and CountryBreakout Reporters went wild, causing it to debut at No. 54. Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila” featuring rocker Grace Potter also experienced a big debut by picking up 276 new spins to appear at No. 71.
A handful of independent artists are experiencing chart success as well. David Bradley’s “Hard Time Movin’ On” is at No. 28 and still pulling in the spins. Right behind at No. 29 is former Staind singer Aaron Lewis’ “Country Boy.” Newcomer D.J. Miller is showing positive gains at No. 31, followed by Badhorse’s “My Little Man” at No. 32, Mark Wills’ “Looking For America” at No. 33, and Jacob Lyda’s “I’m Doin’ Alright” at No. 34.
RADIO NEWS
Rick Healy has assumed PD duties at KNCQ/Redding, CA as of May 2. He replaces Patrick John, who will continue hosting the station’s morning show as he goes back to school. Reach Healy at [email protected].





Upcoming Singles
May 9
Thompson Square/I Got You/Stoney Creek
Glen Templeton/I Could Be The One/Capstone
LiveWire/Tater Fed/LiveWire Records
Bryan Cole/Pride and the Passion
Lady Antebellum/Just A Kiss/Capitol
Zac Brown Band feat. Jimmy Buffett/Knee Deep/Southern Ground/Atlantic/Bigger Picture
May 12
Corey Wagar/Hurricane/GTR
May 16
Burns & Poe/Second Chance/Blue Steel
David Adam Byrnes/She Only Wanted Flowers/Better Angels
Hunter Hayes/Storm Warning/Atlantic/WMN
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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Lady Antebellum/Just A Kiss/Capitol — 54
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequilla/BNA — 71
Kelly Parkes/Girl With A Fishing Rod/Lofton Creek — 77
Greg Hanna/Makin’ Love Real/Pheromone — 80
Most Added
Lady Antebellum/Just A Kiss/Capitol — 44
Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett/Knee Deep/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 36
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequilla/BNA — 23
Billy Currington/Love Done Gone/Mercury — 16
Rodney Atkins/Take A Back Road/Curb — 14
Sugarland/Tonight/Mercury — 13
Joe Nichols/Take It Off/Show Dog-Universal — 12
Jason Michael Carroll/Numbers/For The Lonely/Quarterback — 11
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Lady Antebellum/Just A Kiss/Capitol — 573
Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett/Knee Deep/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 539
Blake Shelton/Honey Bee/Warner Bros./WMN — 391
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequilla/BNA — 276
Dierks Bentley/Am I The Only One/Capitol — 255
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Flat River Band/I’m Alright I’m Ok/FRB — 210
Jennette McCurdy/Generation Love/Capitol — 206
Jordan Carter/Daddy Never Had A Chance In Hell — 204
Landon Michael/This Ain’t California/Big Dog Records — 181
Jadi Norris/Workin’ Man’s Saturday Night/IGO Records — 178

Katie Armiger stopped by KILT/Houston for a Listener Show and caught up with the new morning team, Foley and Thunder (Corey Foley and Greg Thunder). Also joining the team on stage was Cowboy Dave, who helped pitch Katie’s new album to the captive listeners! (L-R): Cowboy Dave, Foley, Armiger, Thunder


Aria Records Nashville artist David St. Romain has been visiting radio in support of his single "Twenty Years Late.” He recently stopped to catch up with the gang at WOKO/Burlington, VT. (L-R): WOKO MD Bill Sargeant, David St. Romain, Aria Records National Radio Promoter Kristen-Cassidy Hoefel, WOKO Morning Round-Up's CK Coin.


Show Dog Universal Music’s JT Hodges stopped by WGAR/Cleveland on his radio tour and hung out with the staff on his tour bus after playing some tunes. (L-R): WGAR’s Bill Conners and Chuck Collier; Hodges; WGAR OM Keith Abrams, Andrea Castillo, and PD Charley Connolly.

Don Schlitz To Be Saluted as Poet and Prophet

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Don Schlitz Photo:ACM/Getty


Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz will be featured at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly programming series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters on June 4. Schlitz is the writer of some of country music’s most iconic hits, including “The Gambler,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “When You Say Nothing at All” and “On the Other Hand.”
The 1:30 p.m. in-depth interview and performance, held in the Museum’s Ford Theater, is included with Museum admission and free to Museum members. The 90-minute program, hosted by Museum Editor Michael Gray, will include recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s collection and some unique items on long-term loan to the Museum courtesy of Schlitz. Immediately following, Schlitz will sign autographs in the Museum Store. The program will be streamed live at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
Schlitz has received numerous industry awards and honors. He has written over 50 Billboard Top Ten singles, including 16 No. 1s. He was the first songwriter to win ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year for four consecutive years (1988-1991). In 2010, he received the Academy of Country Music’s Poet’s Award for lifetime achievement in songwriting and he released two albums—Allergic to Crazy, his first studio album in 30 years, and Greatest Hits. He still performs regularly, including monthly shows at the Bluebird Café in Nashville.
 
 
 

Jewell Launches Jewell Entertainment

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Genevieve Jewell has launched Jewell Entertainment, a full-service artist management and marketing company, in Nashville. Jewell will be working with artists and companies of all genres of music.
One of the company’s initial management clients is guitar prodigy Tyler Bryant, whose story is featured in the recent documentary Rock Prophecies. Bryant is currently on tour with Jeff Beck and will soon be going into the studio to record his first full-length album.
Jewell was most recently with Borman Entertainment, where she worked with Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Michael Franti and Alison Krauss among others. Prior to that she worked with Nettwerk Management.
“During my time at Borman, I worked with some of the world’s most talented artists and many of the most dynamic people in the business,” said Jewell. “I couldn’t be more excited to put that experience to work with this exciting new venture.”
Reach Jewell at [email protected] or 603-770-3376.

Organizations Fete "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not"

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The No. 1 hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” was feted with separate celebrations hosted by BMI and ASCAP on Tuesday, May 3.
The song was the first No.1 for husband-wife duo Thompson Square and its label Stoney Creek Records. It was penned by songwriting mainstays and good friends Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy.
ASCAP honored writer Murphy, publishers Old Desperadoes and N2D Publishing, producers New Voice Entertainment and Thompson Square during a party at its Music Row offices. The song marks Murphy’s sixth career No. 1. He added to that tally with his seventh chart topper last week, Kenny Chesney’s “Live A Little.”

(L-R): ASCAP VP and Managing Executive Tim DuBois, songwriter David Lee Murphy, Thompson Square's Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson, songwriter Jim Collins. Photo: Anna Maki


BMI saluted “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” with an event at its Nashville offices, honoring the songwriters, band, Cal IV Publishing, producers New Voice Entertainment, and other team members. This song marks Collins’ seventh trip to the top of the charts and pushes his songwriting repertoire to over 20 million performances.

(L-R): Cal IV Publishing’s Daniel Hill; co-writers David Lee Murphy and Jim Collins; BMI’s Jody Williams; Thompson Square’s Keifer and Shawna Thompson; Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Benny Brown; Stoney Creek Records’ April Rider; New Voice Entertainment’s Kurt Allison, Rich Redmond, Tully Kennedy, and David Fanning; Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Jon Loba; Cal IV Publishing’s Billy Lynn; and Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records’ Rick Shedd. Photo: Steve Lowry

Special Opry Show Marks Flood Anniversary

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Brad Paisley (L) and Alabama's Randy Owen (R)


Tuesday night (5/3) the Grand Ole Opry marked the first anniversary of the flood that devastated much of the city with a star-packed show dubbed “Play On, Nashville.” The sold-out event celebrated Music City’s heart and resilience following the flood, which included rebuilding The Grand Ole Opry House, one of the hardest hit venues in the city.
Taking the stage at the celebratory event were Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Charlie Daniels Band, Brad Paisley, and Alabama.
This was the first time Alabama had played the Opry since the group’s 1982 debut on the show. After performing with Paisley on his current single, “Old Alabama,” the group played “Tennessee River” with Paisley and band backing and received a standing ovation.

Songwriter Brett Beavers (L) and Dierks Bentley (R)


(L-R): Charlie Daniels, Luke Bryan, Trace Adkins


 

Events: Leadership Music Salutes CMA; Grammy Block Party

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Performers for the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award Dinner

Leadership Music is inviting members of the music industry and the Nashville community to its May 17 gala honoring the CMA. Tickets are still available for the event hosted by Martina McBride at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel. Also set to perform are Little Big Town, Ronnie Milsap, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban.

During the event the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award will be presented to the Country Music Association. Owing to the CMA’s relationships with the music industry in general and the Nashville community at large through its numerous philanthropic efforts and outreach programs, seats to the dinner and tribute show are being offered to CMA members and the broader Nashville community, in addition to Leadership Music alumni.
Ticket reservations may be made online via www.dfa.eventbrite.com; the event password is DFA2011.

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The 13th Annual GRAMMY® Block Party and Membership Celebration is set for Tues., May 10, 4:30-9 PM at Owen Bradley Park on the roundabout. Performers include Laura Bell Bundy, The Civil Wars, Denny Jiosa, Jerrod Niemann, Old Crow Medicine Show, Royal Tailor and Chancellor Warhol. The event is free for Recording Academy members and $20 for their guests; those signing up for membership at the event will also be admitted for free.

MusicRow Award Noms Coming Monday

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It’s time again for the MusicRow Awards, where industry peers salute the very best among Nashville’s thriving musical culture.
Awards nominations will be revealed in a special morning PDF release on Monday, May 9, followed that afternoon by ballots for reader voting. Ballots must be returned by Friday, May 13.
MusicRow’s editorial team selected the nominees which will be voted on by readers. Outside nominations were accepted only in the Breakthrough Songwriter category.
With a track record that includes winners “The House That Built Me” and “In Color,” MusicRow’s Song of the Year Award is building a reputation as a key predictor for CMA Song of the Year. Numerous MusicRow Breakthrough Artist winners have also received the CMA New Artist/Horizon Award later the same year.
Other MusicRow Awards highlights include the return of the prestigious Marketing Achievement Award, and the Top Ten Album All-Star Musician winners.
Readers are invited to join us at the 2011 MusicRow Awards at ASCAP on Tues., June 21 at 5:30 PM.

Eric Church To Release "Chief"

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Eric Church. Photo: John Peets Photography


Eric Church will release his third studio album, Chief, July 26 on EMI Records. After having spent a month songwriting in a secluded cabin in North Carolina, Church later recorded the album in Nashville with Jay Joyce, who also produced his previous two releases.
Church’s new music video for “Homeboy,” which was filmed at Nashville’s Tennessee State Prison, will be featured on CMT as a “Hot Shot Debut,” and premiere on GAC beginning Monday, May 9.
For the upcoming CMT Music Awards, Church is nominated for the Nationwide® Insurance On Your Side® award for the country’s best new live act.
He is on tour with Jason Aldean through June 5, and will join Toby Keith on the road beginning June 30 and continuing through the fall.
Chief track listing
1. Creepin’ (Eric Church / Marv Green)
2. Drink In My Hand (Eric Church, Michael P. Heeney, Luke Laird)
3. Keep On (Eric Church / Ryan Tyndell)
4. Like Jesus Does (Casey Beathard / Monty Criswell)
5. Hungover & Hard Up (Eric Church / Luke Laird)
6. Homeboy (Eric Church / Casey Beathard)
7. Country Music Jesus (Eric Church / Jeremy Spillman)
8. Jack Daniels (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Lynn Hutton)
9. Springsteen (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Ryan Tyndell)
10. I’m Gettin’ Stoned (Eric Church / Jeff Hyde / Casey Beathard / Jeremy Cradey)
11. Over When It’s Over (Eric Church / Luke Laird)