ACM Establishes New Award

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The Academy of Country Music is establishing a Songwriter of the Year Award, to be presented in conjunction with next year’s 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The trophy will be handed out at the ACM Honors in Nashville in fall 2012.

Among the Awards committee members who helped create the new category are Pat Higdon, Dale Bobo and Ben Vaughn. “At the ACM, we want to show as much respect for the great craft of songwriting as we possibly can,” explains Vaughn. “I’m a songwriter guy, and I don’t think they get enough recognition—ever. The entire business is built around what a songwriter crafts, so anytime we can recognize them we should. For the ACM to take the lead in this is really gratifying.”

According to Michelle Goble, ACM Sr. Vice President, Membership & Events, “The Academy has always paid tribute to songwriters, whether it was through Song of the Year, hosting songwriter No. 1 parties or honoring legends with the Poet’s Award, as we do every year. We are thrilled to dedicate this annual award to the composers that make the country music genre so special in its rich history of storytelling.”

The ACM Songwriter of the Year award was previously presented only once, to Roger Miller in 1965.

The winner will be announced with the Special Awards recipients, Industry and MBI winners next spring, prior to the televised 47th Annual ACM Awards.

Award Criteria and Nominee Selection: This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter. The Songwriter of the Year final nominees will be selected by a Blue Ribbon panel of judges comprised of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization (PRO) representatives. The Panel will submit 5 (five) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board.

The final nominees will appear on the third ballot and be voted on by the ACM professional members in Artist-Entertainer/Musician-Bandleader-Instrumentalist, Composer, Music Publisher/PRO, Record Company, and the Producer/Engineer/Studio Manager subcategory (contained within the Affiliated category).

The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single crediting the songwriter that charted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts during the prior calendar year of Dec. 1 – Nov. 30. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible, unless it appeared on a final ACM ballot.

Membership to vote in the 2012 cycle: New membership applications for the ACM must be completed by 5:00 PM PT on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 for members to be eligible to vote during the 2012 Awards cycle. Existing membership renewals must be completed by 5:00 PM PT on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011.

Nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be revealed in February 2012 at a date to be announced. For more information on ACM Awards criteria, please click to download.

Paisley’s Bringing The Camobunga!

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After recently wrapping his highly successful 2011 tour, Brad Paisley has announced his tour for next year – The Camobunga! 2012 World Tour presented by Chevy. The outing kicks-off Jan. 12 in Grand Rapids, Mich. with special guests The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery.

Paisley’s explanation of the tour name comes from an etymology of the word Camobunga:

Camobunga :n; : //kam,bunga/ –  The name of a live musical tour experience. A mind blowing blend of country, fiery 60’s surf guitar acrobatics, futuristic special effects, retro heart and soul, and mind altering liquid beverages. The spirit of the deep woods meets the breakneck excitement of the California coast.

camouflage – N: /kamfläZH/ -fabric w/ splotches of green, brown, black & tan, meant to make the wearer of this pattern hard to distinguish from the background;(or possibly stand out as a redneck). And Brad Paisley’s latest single.

cowabunga (exclamation): Originated as a greeting by Chief Thunderthud on the 50’s cowboy puppet TV program “The Howdy Doody Show,” was later adopted by surfers in the 60’s.

Paisley will also release his first book, Diary of a Player, on Nov. 1, delving into how his musical heroes made a guitar man out of him.

He is currently nominated for five CMA Awards – Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, Album of the Year (This Is Country Music), Music Event and Video (“Old Alabama”) and will co-host “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” with Carrie Underwood for the fourth consecutive year on Nov 9.

Industry Photos (10/20/11)

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Frances Preston Honored as Giant of Broadcasting

Frances Williams Preston made history as the President & CEO of BMI, and on Friday, October 14, her contributions were celebrated by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation. Named one of the foundation’s Giants of Broadcasting, Preston joined 2011 honorees Christiane Amanpour; Rick Buckley; CBS Sunday Morning’s team comprising Charles Kuralt, Rand Morrison, Robert “Shad” Northshield, and Charles Osgood; John F. Dille, III; Brian Lamb; Dawson B “Tack” Nail; Frederick S. Pierce; and Brian Williams.

Preston was selected to open BMI’s Music City outpost in 1958, where she helped define the golden era of the music industry. As BMI’s New York-based president & CEO from 1986 until 2004, she oversaw the company’s unprecedented growth. Preston was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. (L-R): BMI’s Alison Smith; Preston; and Susan Davenport Austin, Chairman BMI Board of Directors, Sr. VP/CFO Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation and Pres. Sheridan Gospel Network.

Photo: R. Arhold

 

7th Annual Stars For Second Harvest A Smashing Success

A variety of Nashville celebrities came together to support and participate in the 7th annual Stars For Second Harvest concert which benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The event helped to raise nearly $50,000 this year. Host Craig Wiseman, Kix Brooks and Dallas Davidson kicked off the evening with a rockin’ songwriters round. The evening included performances by pop artist Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls, indie artist Dave Barnes and a surprise appearance by country recording artist Jake Owen. Tennessee Titans football players Rob Bironas and Cortland Finnegan were there to auction off autographed memorabilia including jerseys, footballs and even a few penalty flags. Presenting sponsor O’Charley’s underwrote the entire event to ensure that all proceeds benefit the food bank. Also, Nissan Americas, Vice Chairman Bill Krueger presented Second Harvest Pres./CEO Jaynee Day a brand new 2012 Nissan NV stocked with food items. The donated van will be used to help collect and distribute food around Middle Tennessee. Left: (L-R): KK Wiseman and Craig Wiseman. Right: (L-R): Jake Owen, Jaynee Day, Dave Barnes.

Photos: Peyton Hoge

Australian Invasion at 2011 Americana Music Festival

Twenty of Australia’s finest roots artists descended on Music City’s annual Americana Music Festival and Conference last week, held in and around downtown Nashville Oct. 12-15. This year’s Australian lineup included Kirsty Akers, James Blundell, Ange Boxall, Catherine Britt, O’Shea, Chris Pickering, Henry Wagons,  3rd Wheel, Chris Altmann, Lachlan Bryan, Kristy Cox, Mia Dyson, Gleny Rae Virus and Her Tamworth Playboys, Caitlin Harnett, The McMenamins, Shandell and Duke Wilde Band. 2011 Telstra Road to Discovery Songwriter winner David Garnham and Telstra Road to Discovery Performer winner Harry Hookey also made the trip and performed at events throughout the week.

The artists participated in several AMA-related activities, including the Tamworth Presents “A Taste of Australia” showcase at the legendary Bluebird Cafe, the “Are You Prepared To Be Known As A Country Artist Down Under?” seminar panel at the AMA conference, the Maton Presents “Lunch With the Aussies” luncheon and performance at famed Broadway honkytonk The Second Fiddle and a free Aussie BBQ at The Basement.

For the second year in a row, Australian music industry and government-supported organization Sounds Australia sponsored the overseas trip through its strategic partnership with the Nashville-based Americana Music Association. (L-R): Jay O’Shea, Mark O’Shea, Troy Cassar-Daley, Sounds Australia Project Manager Dobe Newton, Catherine Britt, AristoMedia Pres./CEO Jeff Walker, and record producer Mark Moffatt.

Photo: Bev Moser

Artist Photos (10/20/11)

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Toby Keith Gets Red Solo Surprise

In celebration of Toby Keith adding the new song “Red Solo Cup” to his set list, from his forthcoming album titled Clancy’s Tavern, crew members decided to pay homage to the beverage receptacle during Toby’s performance of the song. If you haven’t seen the viral video for the song… check it out below.

Jason Aldean Visit to Great American Country

Jason Aldean delivered some heavy metal—in the form of a double platinum for his My Kind of Party LP—to GAC President Ed Hardy and VP/Programming Suzanne Gordon during a recent visit to the network.


Tracy Lawrence Honored At Texarkana College

Tracy Lawrence stopped by Texarkana College recently while on tour in his hometown to speak to a group of students including student organization members and scholarship winners. The Tracy Lawrence Foundation has endowed several scholarships to area colleges including Texarkana College over the past fifteen years. During the visit, Lawrence was presented with an honorary Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in music. (L-R): Julie-Ray Harrison, TC Board Pres. Mike Sandefur, Lawrence and TC college Pres. James Henry Russell.


Payton Rae Makes New Christmas Video

Christmas came early for teen country artist Payton Rae. The 16-year old was in Nashville this week, working with director Stephen Shepherd of VideoBoy Productions on a video for her new holiday song, “Christmastime With You.” The tune was written by Payton, Brian White (who also produced the track), Karyn Williams and Bruce Wallace. The single and video will be available in the coming weeks. (L-R): John Lytle, Lytle Management; Rae; and Shepherd.

Lady A Tickets for CRS Attendees

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Lady Antebellum has set aside a block of seats at its Nashville Own The Night Tour date Feb. 22 for Country Radio Seminar attendees. The band wants to thank radio for its support, and is making a donation to CRS programs for scholarships, seminars and the Country Radio Hall of Fame.

“We feel like it was just yesterday when we heard our first single on the radio for the first time. Here we are four years later with so much gratitude and love in our hearts for our friends at Country radio,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “With our Own The Night Tour going on this spring, we thought what better time to play Nashville than during CRS…we want this to be a huge party to celebrate our relationship with Country radio, our hometown, and OWNING THE NIGHT!”

All CRS 2012 attendees will receive a ticket to the show in their on-site registration packets. Shuttle buses will transport attendees to and from the venue (TBD) following the seminar’s Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception at the Nashville Convention Center on Wednesday evening.

CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24 in downtown Nashville.

In related news, Country Radio Seminar is honoring the perpetual crisis management efforts of Country radio with its “Radio Responds: A Tribute to Country Radio” presentation at CRS 2012. CRS is requesting digital format materials from stations around the country that will be included in a special salute honoring Country radio and shown at various events throughout the seminar. These materials can include presentations, news video, on-air aircheck segments or anything that effectively demonstrates a station’s efforts to help those in need. Please send materials in digital format only to: [email protected].

The CRS 2012 $399 Early Bird registration rate, which is the cheapest registration rate of the year, is set to expire on Nov. 15. Beginning Wed., Nov. 16, the price will increase to the $499 Regular Rate. Registration is available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com or by calling (615) 327-4487.

Country Idols Earn Winning Sales

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Lauren Alaina visits WYCD (L-R): MD Jack Shell, Lauren’s Mom Kristy, PM Drive Linda Lee, Lauren, PM Drive Chuck Edwards

The country American Idols are repeating history. After finishing No. 1 and 2 on the popular TV show, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina are back in that same configuration after this week’s sales.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, McCreery’s Clear As Day moved 88,000 units in its second week to head the country albums chart, following first week sales of 197,000. Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina’s debut Wildflower generated an impressive 69,000 in its first week out, 29% of which was digital product.

About 15,000 people attended McCreery’s album release party and birthday celebration in hometown Raleigh, N.C. He was presented with a gold record by Mercury Nashville and Interscope staffers during the event for the digital gold certification of “I Love You This Big.”

Martina McBride’s new release Eleven made a fine first week showing following her cross-country Amtrak tour, ringing in 40,000 units and landing her at No. 4 on the country albums chart.

Also performing well this week was Atlantic artist Hunter Hayes, whose self-titled debut landed at No. 7 on the country albums chart with 18,000 units sold. 65 percent of Hayes’ album sales were digital.

Following the successful theatrical premiere of the Footloose remake last week, the new soundtrack (classified as country) moved to No. 6 on the country albums chart and No. 16 in the Top 200 by selling 18,000 units.

Hank Williams Jr. seems to have parlayed his disagreement with ESPN into something positive, as his track “Keep The Change” rang in 19,000 purchases to land at No. 14 among country digital tracks. Adele’s “Someone Like You” still leads the overall digital tracks chart.

Country album sales are still on the up, showing a YTD increase of 9.8%. Contrast that with overall album sales, which are rising more slowly at 3.5%.

Hard rockers Evanescence had the No. 1 album in all genres, selling 127,000 units, as well as the No. 1 digital album.

By The Numbers: Martina’s Train Trek

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Team Martina at the Empire State Building on Friday night. (L- R) Back row: John McBride, Mark Hively, Jake Basden, Stacy Blythe, Megan Knutson, Matthew Hargis, Brandon Gill, Mike Betterton. Middle row: Mandy McCormak, Jackie Campbell, Brittney McKenna, Randi Lesnick, John Zarling. Front row: Sandi Spika Borchetta, Scott Borchetta, Martina McBride, Jimmy Harnen, Clint Higham. Photo: Becky Fluke.

Martina McBride’s “ELEVEN Across America powered by Amtrak” came to a close Friday night (10/14) in Manhattan when she became the first artist to perform a concert from the Empire State Building’s 80th floor. Hundreds of VIP guests, music industry executives, media and fans were in attendance at the private concert presented by Stanford Women’s Cancer Center. McBride flipped a switch to turn the world-famous building “pink” for the weekend in association with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and her latest single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” The train trek launched her new album, Eleven, which debuted today with sales of 40,000 units.

By the numbers
• 80 million+ impressions
• $11,000 donated by McBride and PinkTogether.com to the Susan G. Komen Foundation
• 2,446 miles traveled
• 750 fans at her 2:00 AM performance at Albuquerque’s Union Station
• 80th floor of Empire State building
• 70 interviews
• 30+ radio contest winners onboard the train
• 11 cities
• 11 breast cancer survivors honored in each city

Wednesday Photos

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Songwriters At Destin Seafood Festival

BMI partnered with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) on the weekend of Sept. 30 to present a songwriters festival held in conjunction with the 33rd Annual Destin Seafood Festival. Thirty shows featuring sixteen BMI songwriters took place over three days in venues throughout Destin, FL. (L-R) standing: FRLA’s Carol Dover; BMI’s Dan Spears; songwriters Ryan Tyndell, Brandon Kinney, Alissa Moreno, Danny Myrick and Kendell Marvel; BMI’s Tom Annastas; FRLA’s Dan Murphy; and FRLA Regional Dir. Ray Green. Seated: songwriters Aaron Barker and Bridgette Tatum; BMI’s Mason Hunter; and songwriter Charlie Worsham.

Patrick Davis Visits MusicRow

Rising artist Patrick Davis visited MusicRow for an acoustic performance yesterday. His debut single “Lucky” is climbing MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart. Among the artists who have cut Davis’ songs are Darius Rucker, Jason Michael Carroll, Lady Antebellum, and Jewel. (L-R): MR’s Christie King; Marco Promotion’s Rick Kelly; Grassroots Promotion’s John Griffin; Davis; and MR’s Sherod Robertson, Sarah Skates and Jon Freeman.

Photo: Virgina Davis

ACM Welcomes Darren Warren

The Academy of Country Music welcomed NuCorp Entertainment recording artist Darren Warren to the office while he was in Los Angeles last week. Warren performed songs off of his EP, Cowboy Up and Party Down and signed up for professional ACM membership.

Photo: Michel Bourquard

Catch This Music Revives Studio Space

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Catch This Music, the newest recording studio on Music Row, is set to open its doors tomorrow (10/20). The former Bayou Recording studio on 17th Ave. S. was purchased by Eddie Robba and Lee Adams in May. Since then the studio has been undergoing major transformations and renovations.

“We are excited to have a home on Music Row,” says Robba. “The history and legacy of ‘The Row’ is rich and we are blessed to be part of it. Now we get to be part of The Row’s future.”

Catch This Music’s recording studio will also have its first session since the renovations tomorrow (10/20). A very special guest from Make A Wish Foundation will be joining for them for the day. “As we considered starting this business Lee and I both wanted to incorporate the idea of giving back from the very start. During the renovation process we began exploring a relationship with Make A Wish,” he explains. Since then, a seventeen-year-old young man from Make A Wish asked to experience a live recording session and the date he selected was, coincidentally, Oct. 20.

Help Catch This Music celebrate its new home at the parking lot party and open house on Friday, Oct. 21. The gathering, which will run from 3pm to 8pm, will include food, drinks and live music.

The Opry Goes Pink This Weekend

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The Grand Ole Opry will join Women Rock For The Cure in the fight against breast cancer Saturday, Oct. 22 with its third annual Opry Goes Pink show. The evening will be split into two shows. ABC’s Good Morning America co-anchor, Robin Roberts, who survived breast cancer herself, will be a special guest announcer for a portion of the night’s first show. She will introduce acts as well as the Women Rock For The Cure Honorary Survivor of the Year, Yolanda Smith.

Opry member Martina McBride will take the stage to flip the switch during the first show, turning the Opry’s signature barn backdrop pink in support of the cause. McBride’s current single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” offers hope to those affected by cancer.

For every ticket sold for the night’s second show, $5 will also be donated to Women Rock For The Cure. That show is scheduled to include performances from Lauren Alaina, Edens Edge, Kellie Pickler, Ronnie Milsap, and more. In addition to her performance, Pickler will flip the switch on the Opry’s barn backdrop, turning it pink for the second show of the night. Tickets are available at (615) 871-OPRY and www.Opry.com.

Over the weekend (10/16), PinkFest 2011, part of Hard Rock International’s 12th annual Pinktober, was held at Hard Rock Cafe Nashville to benefit Women Rock For The Cure. Among the performers donning fashion provided by the Betsey Johnson store were Sarah Darling, Marlee Scott, Kendra Chantelle, Cissy Crutcher, The Lowry Sisters, Alexa Carter, Ya Za, and bands Kink Ador, Baby Daggers and The Vicious Guns.