"A Little Bit Stronger" At No. 1

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Sara Evans scored the fifth No. 1 single of her career recently with “A Little Bit Stronger.” She was in Key West, Florida with the RCA promotion staff when they received the news.
The track written by Hillary Scott, Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey has already been certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 paid downloads.
Evans says, “This song has had the biggest emotional response of any other single I’ve ever released. I’m humbled and overwhelmed. This is my dream and the passion and desire has never gone away; it was just put on hold for a little while. I feel very thankful and grateful to so many people right now: country radio, my fans and the music industry.”

(L-R): RCA promotion team Matt Galvin, Steve Pleshe, Josh Easler, Evans, Keith Gale, Norbert Nix, Liz Sledge, Parker Fowler, and Dan Nelson. Photo: Alan Mayor

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Hillary Scott also celebrated the song reaching the top of the charts yesterday (5/2) during Lady Antebellum rehearsals in Nashville. Her bandmates Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley surprised her with a mini No. 1 celebration for her first chart topping song as a songwriter outside of Lady A.

(L-R): Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley

Little Big Town Tour Provides Music Lessons For Kids

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Little Big Town’s tour is helping provide music lessons for children through the “Road Trips and Guitar Picks” initiative, sponsored by Country Financial. The band’s April 16 show at Bridgestone Arena with Sugarland will fund 2,000 music lessons for children at Nashville’s WO Smith Music School. Fans who visit facebook.com/tripsandpicks can enter to win LBT prizes.

Back row (L-R): Country Financial’s Corey Hodges; Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook; W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School’s Jonah Rabinowitz; Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, and Phillip Sweet; Front row (L-R): W.O. Smith Students

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Legendary songwriters Don Schlitz and John Ford Coley have been added to tonight’s (5/3) ReTune Nashville Anniversary concert. The flood relief benefit at Soundcheck will also feature The Harters, Keith Anderson, Chad Warrix, Craig Wayne Boyd, and Australian guitar phenomenon Joe Robinson, with GAC’s Nan Kelley as host. Tickets are $40 at the door. Doors open at 5:30 and the music begins at 6:30. More than 70 pieces of art made from flood damaged instruments will be up for auction.

Jason Sturgeon played in Winston Salem, NC and visited WPAW, The Wolf 93.1. (L-R): WPAW's Charley McCain, Jason Sturgeon and WPAW PD Randy Bliss

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Toolpusher recording artist Jason Sturgeon scored a sponsorship from Jägermeister for his 2011 summer Rolling On Tour. The outing launched last weekend and hits more than six cities through the end of May, including Pensacola, FL; Johnson City, TN; Indianapolis, IN; and Lynchburg, VA.

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Head to the Country Music Hall of Fame for Cookin’ Out Country, an outdoor lunch going on Wednesdays in May. Performing will be Richie McDonald (5/4), Darryl Worley (5/11), and Bryan White (5/25). Music from 11:45-12:15.

 
 

Twain To Surprise Oprah Audience With CMA Music Fest Trip

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Shania Twain will appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show today (5/3) to give her first television interview in over five years. In the interview she will discuss the release of her autobiography From This Moment On, which hits stores today, and her upcoming Oprah Winfrey Network series Why Not? With Shania Twain.
Twain will also surprise Winfrey’s studio audience with two-day passes (for June 9-10) to the 2011 CMA Music Festival, including accommodations at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. To top it off, Twain will host a private brunch for the lucky audience members upon their visit to Nashville.
Why Not? With Shania Twain premiers on OWN this Sunday, May 8. Twain also has upcoming visits planned with The Today Show (5/4), The Ellen DeGeneres Show (5/12) and The Talk (5/18).

WMG Auction Narrows To Two Bidders

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Today’s (5/3) New York Post reports that Warner Music Group is likely to be sold to either the Gores brothers or Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries. Both are said to have bid about $3 billion for the company.
According to the Post, billionaire investment brothers Tom and Alec Gores are interested in acquiring Warner because a third brother, Sam Gores, is chairman of the Paradigm Talent Agency.
Blavatnik already owns 2 percent of Warner and has strong ties to Warner Music CEO Edgar Bronfman.
After the Warner buy-out ends, EMI is expected to hit the auction block. BMG Rights Management has reportedly exited the race for Warner in hopes of acquiring EMI. Read more.

In Color: Photo Spread

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Faith Hill performed at the sold-out 2011 Symphony Spring Fashion Show on April 26. Fashion label Marchesa and Florida-based boutique Marissa Collections presented the event, which was chaired by Johnna Watson and Janet Bentz. Hosted by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra League at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the show brought the crowd of over 800 people to their feet. After the show, dinner was prepared under the direction of Symphony Executive Chef Roger Keenan, as over 600 guests enjoyed the meal and breathtaking views of downtown Nashville from the 22nd floor of the Pinnacle at Symphony Place.

(L-R) Chair Johnna Watson, Deborah Roberts, Keren Craig, Faith Hill, Georgina Chapman, Marissa Hartington, Chair Janet Bentz Photo: Susan Adcock

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Warner Music Nashville/Elektra’s new group HER & Kings County rocked the post-race concert for the 12th annual Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon Saturday (4/30) night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, presented by Nissan. HER & Kings County warmed up the crowd for headliner Montgomery Gentry. While backstage, the group had a chance to catch up with Troy Gentry. HER & Kings County is currently in the studio working on their debut release with producer Wayne Kirkpatrick.

(L-R): HER & Kings County’s Brother Love and A. Wonder, Troy Gentry, HER & Kings County’s Monique, Justin, Caleb and F-Bomb Photo: Gabe McCurdy

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LoCash Cowboys, the Stroudavarious Records’ country music duo comprised of Chris Lucas and Preston Brust, visited W.O. Smith Music School April 26 to connect with students, their parents, and faculty at the after-school music program for children from low-income families. The duo performed a 45-minute acoustic set, including their current Top 40 radio single, “Keep In Mind.”

LoCash Cowboys’ Chris Lucas and Preston Brust with students at the W.O. Smith Music School Photo: Thomas Newton

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The Savannah Music Group Evening of Song took place recently at the Downtown Hotel Indigo featuring Savannah Music Group writers Dave Gibson and Nolan Neal. In attendance were Savannah GM Bob Saporiti and movie soundtrack mogul Frank Stallone.

(L-R) Gibson, Stallone, Saporiti and Neal Photo: Denise Fussell


 

New Music From Lady Antebellum

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Get excited: the time for new Lady Antebellum music has arrived.
The Grammy-winning trio of Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott has released “Just A Kiss,” the lead single from their forthcoming 2011 album. The group will host a live webchat through Facebook and ladyantebellum.com/live to discuss their new music tomorrow (5/3) at 12:30 pm CT. Later in the week, they will debut the song live on Fox’s American Idol Thursday, May 5 at 7 pm CT. “Just A Kiss” will be available for purchase through all digital retailers tomorrow, but hard copies of the single will be available only at Wal-Mart stores.
“We love writing songs from personal experience, and this is definitely one of those songs,” explains Hillary Scott. “There is so much excitement at the beginning of a new relationship…all the butterflies and that optimistic feeling that this person could be ‘the one.’ This song is about one of those times when your brain kicks in and tells your heart ‘good things are worth waiting for.’”

Industry Ink: Tom T. Hall Tribute Album

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Several acclaimed musicians have teamed to record a tribute version of Tom T. Hall’s 1974 release Songs of Fox Hollow. For the project, producers Peter Cooper and Eric Brace assembled artists Patty Griffin, Bobby Bare, Jim Lauderdale, Mike Bub, Buddy Miller, Duane Eddy, Tommy Cash, Elizabeth Cook & Tim Carroll, Gary Bennett, Jon Byrd, Mark & Mike, and Fayssoux Starling McLean. Cooper and Brace also recorded songs for the children’s album remake, as did Tom T. Hall who sings a new tune he wrote with wife Dixie Hall for the occasion. Recorded at Hall’s Fox Hollow farm outside Nashville, I Love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow will be released by indie label Red Beet Records and the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMF Records. Set for release May 23, it will arrive in time for Hall’s 75th birthday.
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A young Frank Wing


Speaking of birthdays, APA Agent Frank Wing recently celebrated his 50th. Send greetings to [email protected].
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O'Shea


Nashville based Australian duo, O’Shea have two reasons to celebrate. The husband-wife team recently scored the No. 1 video on the Australian Country Music Channel with “Smash” and also announced they are expecting their first child later this year.
“Smash” was released to Australian country radio in February and was co-written by the duo with Kim Carnes. It’s the second single from their upcoming Australian album, Mr & Mrs.
Fresh from co-headlining the CMC Rocks the Hunter festival in Australia alongside Alan Jackson, Jack Ingram and Joe Nichols, O’Shea is busy taping their own 26-episode reality show, O’Shea USA, now airing on the Country Music Channel in Australia.
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Skip Ewing’s Horse & Writer songwriting retreats will be held Sept. 12 – Sept. 17, 2011 at Triangle C Ranch in Dubois, WY. Ewing is an award winning songwriter with 11 No. 1 singles and over 250 album cuts to his credit, including “You Had Me From Hello” (Kenny Chesney), “Love, Me” (Collin Raye), and “Something That We Do” (Clint Black).
Attendees of the “Invitational” receive a full scholarship awarded by a committee of pro-songwriters and music industry professionals. Attendees of the “Classic” retreat pay tuition. Applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2011. Details at www.horseandwriter.com or email [email protected].
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Belmont University and Watkins College of Art, Design & Film have partnered in a new reciprocal agreement. Starting this semester, Belmont students can pursue a minor in film through Watkins, and Belmont Honors students may take supplemental courses at Watkins. Meanwhile, Watkins students can take courses in Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, as well as other course offerings though Belmont’s Department of General Education.
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The TSU Guitar Summit, a multi-genre summer guitar festival, will take place June 3-5, 2011 at Tennessee State University. Set to participate are guest artists Pat Flynn, Walter Egan, Rand Bishop, and Boomer Castleman. Instructors include well-known Nashville guitar teachers that specialize in working with songwriters and artists Gary Talley, Denny Sarokin, and Summit Coordinator Dave Isaacs. All levels welcome. For details, contact [email protected] or 615-963-2108 or visit TSUGuitarSummit.com.

Allan and Swift Performances Bookend CMA Music Festival

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Taylor Swift will provide the 2011 CMA Music Festival’s closing performance Sunday, June 12 at LP Field. She joins an outstanding Sunday night lineup that includes The Band Perry, the JaneDear girls, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, and Blake Shelton. Swift has participated at Music Festival every year since 2006, including a marathon 15 hour autograph session in 2010.
“Taylor has been a strong supporter of CMA Music Festival since she burst on the national scene a few years ago, and we are thrilled to welcome her back,” said CMA CEO Steve Moore. “As we celebrate 40 years of CMA Music Festival, it is exciting to see Taylor and all our performers continue the legacy of Fan Fair which spotlights the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their fans.”
While Swift will close out the four day festival with her set,  Gary Allan is scheduled to get the music started by being the first performer on opening day. His set will kick off the Daily Concerts at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage Thursday, June 9 at 10 am CT. It will be his first CMA Music Festival performance since 2006.
Also playing sets during the Daily Concerts are Colt Ford, Jack Ingram, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, Frankie Ballard, David Nail, Corey Smith, Jerrod Niemann, Sunny Sweeney and more. Daily Concerts are free and open to the public.
The 2011 CMA Music Festival runs June 9-12 in downtown Nashville.

Rodeowave Launches With Phil Vassar

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Rodeowave Entertainment announced its launch today (5/2) with flagship act Phil Vassar. His first single for the full-service label is “Let’s Get Together,” which is already at radio and available for free download here. Vassar is set to release a full-length album this fall and he is currently headlining the Phil Vassar – Peace Love Music Tour 2011.
On board with the company are Teddi Bonadies overseeing operations, Bill Macky spearheading radio promotion, and regionals Stan Marczewski (NE/MW) and Ken Rush (SW). Another addition to the team is expected to be announced soon.
“I had the pleasure of working with Phil since the inception of his career,” says 25-year industry vet Bonadies, who worked with the piano man during his early days on Arista Nashville, and later at Universal Records South. “He is a consummate artist and a hit songwriter. His energy and drive are infectious and I’m looking forward to great things to come!” She can be reached at [email protected] and 615-496-6352.
With 30 years of music industry experience, Macky’s resume includes 16 years in radio, and later time as Executive VP of Promotion at MCA Records, Sony, Category 5 Records and 1720 Entertainment. He has charted 49 No.1 singles. Reach him at [email protected] or 615-202-8135.
Marczewski worked at Mission Management before joining Columbia Records. He went on to become Manager, Strategic Marketing for Sony Music Nashville. Most recently he was with Nine North as Promotions Director, Midwest/Northeast. He can be contacted at
[email protected] or 615-942-6165.
Rush is a 40-year veteran of the country music industry, including his first 20 years in Texas radio. For the last two decades, he has served as Director for the Southwest region for MCA, Arista and Equity Records. Rush was involved in the successful promotion of 69 No. 1 records. Reach him at [email protected] or 214-616-3047.
Vassar’s career spans more than a decade of hit songs, including three No. 1’s (“Just Another Day In Paradise,” “In A Real Love,” and “Last Day of My Life”), and eight Top 10 hits from six albums. He is an award winning singer who has been honored by CMA, ACM, MusicRow and ASCAP. His songs have been recorded by other stars including Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina and Collin Raye.

Dwayne Johnson To Star In Charley Pride Biopic

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Actor Dwayne Johnson (aka “The Rock”) has been named to produce and star in the title role of the Charley Pride biopic, according to Variety. Pride revealed this information during an April 28 interview with the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal. Johnson’s previous acting credits include The Scorpion King and Get Smart. He is currently starring in action flick Fast Five.
Originally Terrence Howard had been slated to play the Country Music Hall of Famer with Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan) directing. Due to other commitments, the project was shelved for a period but is now back in development. A new director has not yet been named. Also producing are Dany Garcia, Randy Jackson and Pride’s manager John Daines.
There is no word yet on a planned release date.
Pride was born in Mississippi to a sharecropping family and played minor league baseball for several years before setting his sights on country music. He was signed to RCA by Chet Atkins, where the success of his singles made him one of the label’s top-selling artist after Elvis Presley. He has recorded 36 No. 1s and sold over 70 million albums. His single “Kiss An Angel Good Morning” was a crossover hit, selling over a million copies and helping Pride win the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year award in 1971. Pride joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1993 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.