CMA National Broadcast Personality Winner Revealed

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Kix Brooks

Kix Brooks scored his second CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year award. Good friend Tim McGraw surprised Brooks by calling him during last night’s (10/18) taping of syndicated radio show “American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks.”

McGraw’s call wrapped up a day of surprises for several radio stations and broadcast professionals across the United States after Taylor Swift and Kid Rock also helped share the good news by calling radio stations. Yesterday morning Swift called Station and Broadcast Personality of the Year winners in Major, Large, Medium, and Small Markets.

Later in the afternoon, Detroit, Mich. native Kid Rock surprised Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee of WYCD’s “Edwards and Lee” by calling in with news of their Major Market Broadcast Personality Year win. WYCD was announced as Major Market Station of the Year winner by Swift earlier in the morning.

This year’s list of winners is filled with new faces. With the exception of the National Broadcast Personality of the Year, all of the 2011 CMA Broadcast Award recipients are first time winners in their categories.

The recipients will be recognized during “The 45th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and airing live Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

 

Southern Ground Festival Combines Hospitality and Music

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Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival is set for Oct. 21-23 (that’s this weekend, folks) in Charleston, SC. With an eclectic musical lineup and an array of food options, the festival aims to delight the senses of its attendees.

Presented by Landshark Lager and Jack Daniel’s, the three day party will be held at Charleston’s Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island. In addition to nightly performances by ZBB, the musical lineup includes My Morning Jacket, Train, Eric Church, Fitz and the Tantrums, Warren Haynes Band, Steel Pulse, Trigger Hippy, The Del McCoury Band and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Brett Dennen and Southern Ground artists Sonia Leigh, The Wood Brothers, Nic Cowan, Levi Lowrey, Blackberry Smoke and Clay Cook. A second stage will feature additional performers between main stage sets.

VIP ticket buyers will get special seating, the option to have a four course gourmet meal prepared by award-winning chefs, and complimentary beverages. For more information, visit http://www.southerngroundfestival.com.

Lady A’s Own The Night 2012 Tour

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The second leg of Lady Antebellum’s Own The Night 2012 World Tour will kick off Jan. 27 in Tulsa, OK with Darius Rucker and special guest Thompson Square. The tour runs through June and includes a stop in Nashville on Feb. 22. Tickets for the first dates go on sale Oct. 28.

“This is the tour we’ve always dreamed of putting together,” says Charles Kelley. “We got to help design the stage and really collaborate on new production ideas, and now we’re just really trying to hone in on the perfect set list to give the fans a cool mix of hits and some of their favorite songs from the new record. Plus, we’ve been working on some really intimate moments for our show, where we can really break things down and be close to the crowd. I can’t wait for the next nine months!”

For more details visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

Own The Night 2012 World Tour Dates
1/27         Tulsa, OK
1/28         Des Moines, IA
1/29         Bloomington, IL
2/3           Huntington, WV
2/4           State College, PA
2/14         Salt Lake City, UT
2/15         Denver, CO
2/18         Dallas, TX
2/22         Nashville, TN
2/25         Detroit, MI
2/26         Evansville, IN
3/2           Bossier City, LA
3/3           Lafayette, LA
3/9           Chicago, IL
3/10         Omaha, NE
3/11         Minneapolis, MN
3/14         Saskatoon, SK
3/16         Calgary, AB
3/17         Edmonton, AB
3/19         Vancouver, BC
3/20         Seattle, WA
3/21         Eugene, OR
3/23         San Jose, CA
3/24         San Diego, CA
3/27         Los Angeles, CA
3/28         Fresno, CA
3/29         Sacramento, CA
4/5           Moline, IL
4/6           Kansas City, MO
4/7           Norman, OK
5/3           New York, NY
5/5           Worcester, MA
5/6           Hershey, PA
5/9           Birmingham, AL
5/10         Jacksonville, FL
5/11         Tampa, FL
5/12         West Palm Beach, FL
5/18         Hartford, CT
5/19         Philadelphia, PA
5/20         Columbia, MD
5/22         Augusta, GA
5/31         Cleveland, OH
6/1           Pittsburgh, PA
6/2           Bethel, NY
6/3           Rochester, NY
6/8           Raleigh, NC
6/9           Charlotte, NC
6/10         Virginia Beach, VA
6/14         Montreal, QC
6/15         Ottawa, ON
6/16         Toronto, ON
6/21         St. Louis, MO
6/22         Atlanta, GA
6/24         Cincinnati, OH
6/27         Little Rock, AR
6/28         Memphis, TN
6/29         Indianapolis, IN

 

EMI Bids Fall Short of Expectations

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Bids for EMI Music Group came in lower than expected this month, according to the New York Times.

Cititgroup first put EMI on the auction block in June, after taking it over when Terra Firma didn’t meet its loan requirements.

EMI Music Group includes the publishing and recorded music divisions, which could be sold separately. In June the company as a whole was expected to draw as much as $4 billion.

The most recent round of bids brought higher offerings for the separate divisions than for the company as a whole.

For the recorded music division, bids have ranged from $1-1.3 billion reports NYT. Suitors include Warner Music Group (recently purchased by Russian investor Len Blavatnik), Universal Music Group, and Ronald Perelman’s holding company MacAndrews & Forbes.

EMI’s publishing unit has drawn offers of $1.75 – 2 billion from Sony and BMG Rights Management.

Warner/Chappell Turns 200

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Earlier this year Warner/Chappell and Combustion Music signed hitmaker Brett James. (L-R): BJ Hill (Sr. Director A&R WCM Nashville), Steve Markland (VP A&R WCM Nashville), Nate Lowery (Creative Director for Cornman Music), Brett James, Chris Farren (President Combustion Music), Phil May (VP & GM WCM Nashville), Alicia Pruitt (Sr. Director A&R WCM Nashville), Chris Van Belkom (Sr. Creative Director Combustion Music), Kenley Flynn (Catalog/Office Manager, Combustion Music). Photo: LeeAnn Carlen.

Warner/Chappell Music is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Since its beginning in 1811 as Chappell & Co. the publisher has grown to a catalogue of more than one million copyrights and a diverse roster of 65,000 composers. A video tells the Warner/Chappell story, which began at a family music shop on London’s Bond Street, and continued through the rise of sheet music, a devastating fire, the merger with Warner Bros. and beyond. Included in the video are Nashville hitmakers Tim James, and Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley.

The local office has had recent hits with “Honey Bee,” and “Dirt Road Anthem.” Among the Nashville writers are Ben Hayslip, Little Big Town, Marv Green, Marcus Hummon, Randy Rogers, Tim Nichols, Wendell Mobley, Brantley Gilbert, Joel Shewmake, Deana Carter and many more. The Nashville branch is headed by VP/GM Phil May, and VP Steve Markland.

Design by Nick Bell, words and music by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant

Throughout its history, Warner/Chappell has been home to legendary songwriters Cole Porter, George & Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Some of the contemporary hitmakers include Dave Grohl, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Eric Clapton, Katy Perry, Michael Buble, R.E.M., Green Day, Muse, Timbaland, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Bruno Mars.

Warner/Chappell Chairman & CEO, Cameron Strang, said, “This major milestone is testament to the enduring talent of our songwriters, our culture of innovation, and the dedication of the people at Warner/Chappell. We’re thrilled to be celebrating this unique anniversary and we are looking forward to finding new ways of expanding our leaadership position and building our reputation as the industry’s most passionate and creative music publishing company.”

As part of the celebration, Warner/Chappell has commissioned leading graphic designers to transform well-known lyrics from its catalogue into works of art. The artwork is being featured at London’s StolenSpace gallery and can be purchased, with the proceeds being donated to the Save the Children charity. Also in the works is a limited-edition commemorative songbook.

New Addition To Stars For Second Harvest Lineup

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The 7th Annual Stars For Second Harvest benefit takes place tonight (Oct. 18) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Recently added to the performance lineup is Martin Johnson from rock band Boys Like Girls.

Presented by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and hosted by songwriter Craig Wiseman, the show will feature acoustic performances from Johnson and previously announced talents Kix Brooks, indie artist Dave Barnes, and songwriter Dallas Davidson. Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas will also be in attendance.

Proceeds from the evening, sponsored by O’Charley’s, will benefit Second Harvest and help raise awareness of hunger issues in the Middle Tennessee area. Tickets are currently on sale through Ticketmaster.

Shane Yellowbird – Bare Feet On The Blacktop

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A Cree Indian from Hobbema, Alberta, Shane Yellowbird is one of Canada’s hottest country stars. He initially learned to sing as a technique to overcome a severe stuttering problem, and has gone from quietly pursuing a fine arts degree at college to a thriving music career. In a short span, he has already pumped out five Top 10 Billboard country hits.

“Bare Feet on the Blacktop,” written by Ashley Gorley and Frank Rogers, is Yellowbird’s first single and video release in the United States. A lively up-tempo number with striking guitar licks, witty lyrics, and smooth country harmonies, “Bare Feet” has been a crowd favorite at Yellowbird’s shows all summer.

“This song is a lot of fun both lyrically and on the stage,” explains Yellowbird. “I’ve had so much fun performing it and the crowds at all the festivals have shown a positive reaction to it.”

http://www.shaneyellowbird.com

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Photos: Musica Shreds For Gill

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It’s been said that everybody in Nashville owns a guitar, so this was probably bound to happen at some point. But credit Vince Gill and team for executing the clever concept, decorating the dancers of Musica with oversize Telecasters to promote his album Guitar Slinger, due out next Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Jennifer Nettles, Carrie Underwood And George Jones Give Back

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>>>Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles recently completed her third trip to Guatemala on behalf of the Shalom Foundation’s mission in the region. “Shalom likens their service initiatives to a four-legged table: Education, nutrition, homes, and health care,” says Nettles, who first visited Guatemala as a Spanish and anthropology major in college. That initial visit, she says, “was my first time being in direct contact with that degree of poverty on a massive level. I connected on an emotional and spiritual level.” While in Guatemala Nettles visited the Moore Pediatric Surgery Center in Guatemala City, whose construction was made possible thanks to monies collected via Sugarland’s four-year-old practice of donating one dollar per ticket to Shalom. The Moore Center is named after the organization’s Chairman/Founder, Steve Moore who also currently serves as CEO of the Country Music Association.The Shalom Foundation is a 501(c)(3) humanitarian aid organization dedicated to providing assistance to children and their families living in extreme poverty.

Carole Underwood (Mom)- who taught in the Checotah school system- and Carrie Underwood. Photo: Matt Sperling

>>>Carrie Underwood worked alongside hundreds of volunteers on Friday Oct. 14 at Marshall Elementary School in her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma. Together, Underwood’s C.A.T.S. Foundation (Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation) and national non-profit KaBOOM! assembled a children’s playground in less than eight hours. Underwood started C.A.T.S. in 2009 as a means to support her home town. The organization has donated money to buy instruments for the school’s music program, and also to help rebuild the local animal shelter. “We had the most amazing day putting together something truly special for the kids – and the community,” said Underwood.  “I’m so proud that so many volunteered their time to be here today.”

 

>>>George Jones was honored at a gala tribute Oct. 3 hosted by Louisiana personalities Hollywood Hal & Rhinestone Al. Hal & Al, formed by Scott Innes (radio host and voice of Scooby Doo and Shaggy) and Jim Hogg (longtime singer-songwriter,) organized the event and invited many of their fellow VIP guests to attend. The event raised over $90,000 for The Miracle League of Cypress Mounds, a non-profit organization that helps children with mental and physical disabilities achieve their dreams and play baseball on a specially designed field. One of the highlights of the evening came when Mike Shepherd, Chairman of The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, inducted Jones into The Hall of Fame. Mayor of Baton Rouge, Kip Holden, followed up by giving Jones a key to their city and a special signed document in his honor from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. The audience included notables such as Marty Raybon (former lead singer of Shenandoah,) Richie McDonald (former lead singer of Lonestar,) Marty Roe (lead singer for Diamond Rio,) Mike Reno (lead singer for Loverboy,) and Jimi Johnson (former lead singer of Survivor.) Mr. Jones also received a special video message from Ronnie Dunn.

 

Flatts Announce 2012 Tour

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Rascal Flatts have announced its winter tour, Thaw Out 2012, with special guest Sara Evans and opener Hunter Hayes. The tour will kick off in Charleston, West Virginia at the Civic Center Coliseum on Jan. 12 and run through Feb. 18.

Rascal Flatts wrapped up touring for 2011 last month and critics across the nation touted this year’s Flatts Fest. Since the band’s touring career began, the Flatts have sold over 6 million concert tickets.

The band is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year at the CMA Awards Nov. 9 on ABC, and also received three nominations for the American Country Awards taking place Dec. 5 on FOX.

Thaw Out 2012
Jan. 12     Charleston WV            Charleston Civic Center Coliseum
Jan. 13     Roanoke, VA               Roanoke Civic Center
Jan. 14     Hershey, PA                Giant Center
Jan. 19     Columbia, MO             Mizzou Arena
Jan. 20     Peoria, IL                     Peoria Civic Center
Jan. 21     Columbus, OH             Nationwide Arena
Jan. 26     Albany, NY                 Times Union Center
Jan. 27     Providence, RI             Dunkin’ Donuts Center
Jan. 28     Atlantic City, NJ          Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
Feb. 9       Jacksonville, FL           Jacksonville Arena
Feb. 10     Birmingham, AL          BJCC Arena
Feb. 11     Little Rock, AR           Verizon Wireless Arena
Feb. 17     Wilkes-Barre, PA         Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb. 18     E Rutherford, NJ         Izod Center