Hall of Fame Announces Bakersfield Exhibition

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will unveil its new 5,000 sq. ft exhibition The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and California Country, on Friday, March 23.

The exhibit is narrated by Dwight Yoakam and explores the origins and impact of the Bakersfield Sound, closely associated with Hall of Famers Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. The highly influential work of both Owens and Haggard is included, as well as the many artists whose careers intertwined with them both and the many businesses that appeared with the rise of the Bakersfield Sound. HoF Curatorial Director Mike Buck, Photo Collection Manager Tim Davis and Museum Editor Michael Gray co-curated the exhibit, which includes over 100 artifacts as well as audiovisual displays.

“We are incredibly excited to explore the Bakersfield Sound story,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “It’s an epic tale, born in the Great Depression, set two thousand miles from country music’s epicenter, and populated by a remarkably talented and tight-knit community of musicians who came together to invigorate and reinvent country music as they knew it. These colorful artists infused their work with an aural intensity and independent spirit, in the process creating a sound that reverberates through country music to this day.”

On opening weekend, museum patrons will be treated to a March 24 panel discussion featuring Dallas Frazier, Don Maddox, Rose Lee Maphis, Buddy Mize, Jean Shepard and Red Simpson. Later that day, the participants will give a concert with a band led by Deke Dickerson.

The exhibit is accompanied by a 96-page companion book titled The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and California Country published by the Museum’s Country Music Foundation Press and distributed by the Hal Leonard Corporation. Essayists include California-based journalists/historians Scott B. Bomar, Randy Poe and Robert Price.

Bluewater Music Signs Kink Ador

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L- R : Sharon Koltick, Pablo Ahogado (Bluewater’s Creative Director), Kathryn Graham (Bluewater Creative services), Kink Ador’s Dale Harper & Nicklas Hamilton

Bluewater Music Services Corp is proud to announce the signing of Sharon Koltick to an exclusive worldwide management deal. Koltick is the front-woman and bass player of Nashville based rock band Kink Ador.

To celebrate this event, Bluewater is hosting several industry showcases for the band, including one at Arlene’s Grocery in New York City on Mar. 1 at 6 p.m. The company will also host another show at 12th & Porter in Nashville on Mar. 10 at 9 p.m.

Aspen Songwriters Festival Attracts World-Class Talent

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Sam Bush and John Oates at the 2011 festival. They will be performing together again this year.

Songwriter and mega-hit artist John Oates is bringing a little piece of Nashville to his hometown with the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival. Inspired by the Bluebird Cafe’s in-the-round performance style, his initial one-off undertaking has evolved into a five-day cross-genre event.

“I thought it would be something people in Aspen had never seen and experienced,” recalls Oates of the festival’s original incarnation. “So I approached the people at this amazing acoustic venue called the Wheeler Opera House, it’s a Victorian theater that is perfect for this sort of thing. I called it the Stories Behind The Songs, and that year we had Patty Griffin, Bob Regan, Jimmy Wayne, Tift Merritt, and Scotty Emerick. It went over so well that people in the city asked if I would expand it into an annual event.”

As 7908 developed, Oates’ wife Aimee named the festival for their beloved city’s altitude. Set for March 21-25, the 2012 line up includes Oates, Darrell Scott, Matt Nathanson, James McMurtry, Sam Bush, Marc Broussard, Angel Snow, and The Blue Sky Riders (Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr).

“We’re a very eclectic songwriters festival,” Oates continues. “With bluegrass to pop and classic rock and everything in between. We like to have really unique pairings. This year we have JD Souther and Carrie Rodriguez doing a show together, and they’ve never even met. We try to give the audience a chance to see something they may not see anywhere else.”

Oates handpicks most of the performers along with Gram Slaton, Executive Director of the Wheeler Opera House. Along with booking top-name artists, they focus on supporting new talent. “We’re a not-for-profit organization and our mission is to nurture and perpetuate the art and craft of songwriting,” adds Oates. “Part of that is done by combining up and comers with seasoned professionals. People may come to see the headliner, but they are usually blown away by the artists they don’t know. Plus, we wanted to keep a local component, so we came up with a statewide songwriting contest. It helps rising songwriters, and also creates interest in the event from people in other parts of the state.”

Music lovers who attend 7908 range from Colorado residents to visitors from across the globe. “Aspen is a very international city,” he explains. “People come from all over the world to go skiing here. Our festival is at the height of spring break, and spring skiing, which is so popular because there is a whole winter’s worth of snow on the ground and beautiful warm sunny days. It’s an amazing time to be in Aspen.”

www.aspensongwritersfestival.com

Matt Nathanson and John Oates, who are both set to return to next month's festival. Photo: Lynn Goldsmith

Artist Updates (2/21/12)

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Taylor Swift has a starring role as the voice of Audrey in the upcoming animated feature The Lorax, which hits theaters March 2. Also appearing in the film with Swift are the voices of Zac Efron, Betty White, Ed Helms, and Danny Devito. Before Swift heads to Australia as part of her tour, she’s been making the media rounds to talk about the film. Last night (Feb. 20) she appeared on The Tonight Show, and today (Feb. 21) she will appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

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Jake Owen just recently celebrated “Fallontines Day” on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, and tonight (Feb. 21) he’ll return to the late-night programming block once again. This time, he’ll perform his hits “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and “Alone With You” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! which airs at 11 PM/CT on ABC. Next week on March 1, Owen will guest popular E! program Chelsea Lately which airs at 10 PM/CT.

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Brother-sister duo The Roys will be featured in the upcoming PBS television show, Music Voyager: Tennesse, which premieres worldwide Feb. 24. Lee and Elaine Roy will appear in the first episode of the series, titled “Eastern Tennessee: Cradle of Country Music,” and will talk to host Jacob Edgar aboard Ernest Tubb’s touring bus. The Roys have a busy live schedule following Country Radio Seminar, so check theroysonline.com to see upcoming dates.

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Craig Campbell will journey to the Daytona International Speedway this weekend to headline the Coca-Cola stage prior to the start of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26. Campbell will get to warm up the crowd for a free 90 minute set beginning at at 10:45 AM/ET. Race begins at 1 PM/ET.

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Mark Collie & His Reckless Companions are set to play Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe at 10 pm tonight (Feb. 21), and Collie will debut songs from his upcoming album Alive At Brushy Mountain. For those unable to attend the event, it can be streamed live thanks to Muscle Shoals to Music Row LIVE! at www.ms2mr.com. Alive At Brushy Mountain, recorded at Tennessee’s notorious state penitentiary and produced by Tony Brown and David Z, is due out May 1.

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Ray Stevens is gearing up for the release of his massive 9 disc, 108 song box set Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music, due out next Tuesday, Feb. 28. The collection features Stevens’ own interpretations of comedy music classics like “A Boy Named Sue” and “Yakety-Yak.” To support the release, he’ll make appearances on RFD-TV’s Crook & Chase (Mar. 4) and Larry’s Country Diner (Mar. 8-10), as well as visit with Kix Brooks on “American Country Countdown” Feb. 25.

Gallimore, Wilkes Launch Streamsound Records

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Jaida Dreyer's debut single will be released next month.

Grammy Award winning producer Byron Gallimore and music industry veteran Jim Wilkes today announced the launch of Nashville-based Streamsound Records. The label officially formed last fall and has inked an exclusive distribution deal with Sony Music Nashville. Gallimore will focus on the creative side, while longtime business partner Wilkes will oversee company operations.

Mike Wilson will lead Streamsound’s radio division. He most recently headed up promotions at RCA Nashville and his career includes work taking over 100 country singles to the top of the charts. Regional representatives on board include Teresa Ford, Steve Pleshe, Brad Howell and Jamice Jennings. Other positions in marketing, digital media, sales and radio promotion are being filled.

Streamsound Records plans to launch one artist at a time. The debut single from Jaida Dreyer, who has been working with Gallimore in recent years, will hit airwaves next month.

“I’ve been interested in starting a label focused on and dedicated to developing artists,” said Gallimore. “The intent is to work with and nurture them—to give them the time that is needed to hone their craft. This business is all about great songs, talent, passion and drive. I really do believe that we’ve found all of that in Jaida.”

“At the end of the day, this business is all about the talent and the people that you have supporting that talent,” added Wilkes. “We intend to create a culture that takes the time needed to combine good old fashioned hard work with a strong creative business strategy.”

Gallimore has produced or co-produced nearly fifty No. 1 hits by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sugarland, Martina McBride, Lauren Alaina, and more. This isn’t his first foray into label land; Gallimore partnered with McGraw a few years ago to launch StyleSonic Records.

Ty Stone Reveals Debut Album

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Atlantic/Top Dog Records artist Ty Stone is gearing up for the release of his debut album, American Style, which will coincide with his upcoming spring 2012 tour. The 11 track album, produced by Kid Rock, includes his new single “Anywhere’s Better.” The album will be released exclusively through Detroit-based retailer Meijer on Mar. 6 in the physical format, while the digital version will be available via all major online retailers the same day.

Stone recently released the video for his new single “Anywhere’s Better” on CMT.com. The video features CMT’s Sweet Home Alabama star Ashley Ann Vickers, along with cameo appearances by Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker. He also kicks off a 26-date tour on Mar. 1 with Uncle Kracker.

Stone’s American Style track listing and full list of tour dates below.

American Style track listing:
1. American Style
2. Down River
3. Smile
4. Anywhere’s Better
5. Real Thing
6. Bob Seger
7. American Dream
8. Faith In Love
9. Future
10. Line Of Blood
11. Blessed St. Anthony

Upcoming tour dates with Stone are as follows –

March:
1 – Macomb, IL – Forum Live
2 – Minneapolis, MN – Toby Keith’s
3 – Lincoln, NE – Uncle Ron’s
8 – Columbus, OH – Bluestone
9 – Indianapolis, IN – 8 Seconds
10 – Rootstown, OH – Dusty Armadillo
14 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
15 – Foxboro, MA – Toby Keith’s
16 – Niagara Falls, NY – Rapids Theatre
17 – Mt. Laurel, NJ – Prospectors
21 – Flint, MI – Machine Shop
22 – Flint, MI – Machine Shop
23 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
24 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s
25 – Kansas City, MO – Beaumont Club
29 – San Miguel, CA – The Ranch
30 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues

April
:
4 – Davis, CA – The Davis Graduate
5 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
6 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theatre
7 – Seattle, WA – Showbox at the Market
12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Westerner
13 – Cheyenne, WY – Outlaw Saloon
14 – Denver, CO – Toby Keith’s
17 – Flagstaff, AZ – Museum Club
19 – Mesa, AZ – Toby Keith’s
20 – Bakersfield, CA – Crystal Palace

Keith Urban Heads Down Under for The Voice

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While the current season of The Voice is well underway in the United States, the Australian version will be filming through the coming months and country superstar Keith Urban will be making the trek down under to join the cast.

Urban worked closely with the show’s production schedule in Sydney to minimize the time commitment to maintain his busy U.S. schedule, which includes his All For The Hall benefit on April 10 in Nashville.

Australia’s version of the show joins others in Albania, Holland, and the UK and includes Urban, Delta Goodrem, Joel Madden, and Seal as judges and Darren McMullen as host.

“It’ll be a blast spending a little time in Australia working on The Voice, getting the opportunity to try and help some killer raw talent blossom,” said Urban. “The good thing about the show is they focus on the strengths in people. I did a few of these things when I was younger, and I know what it’s like to just be crucified. I look at this as an opportunity to give back and help somebody. It’s working with players and trying to have a vision, and really play to their strengths. And I have a feeling that being immersed in that new kind of ‘everything is possible’ energy, will have a real inspiring and liberating effect on creating new music for my new album!”

No release date is set for the album as of yet, but Urban is said to continue working on the release throughout the year while in Nashville.

Catch a teaser of the new format below:

Juno Award Country Nominations

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Nominations for the 2012 Juno Awards were revealed earlier this month.

Country Album of the Year nominees
16 & 1 Doc Walker Open Road/Universal
High Valley High Valley Open Road/Universal
Everything Jason McCoy Open Road/Universal
Forget About the World Jimmy Rankin Song Dog/Fontana North
Roots and Wings Terri Clark Bare Track/EMI

Johnny Reid scored a nod for overall Single of the Year for “Let’s Go Higher.”

Leading the nominations with four each are Drake, City and Colour, Hedley, Nickelback, Dan Mangan, and Feist. William Shatner will host the 2012 Juno Awards Broadcast, airing live on CTV the evening of Sunday, April 1 from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. Nominees who are set to perform include City and Colour, deadmau5, Feist, Hedley, Nickelback, and 2012 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Blue Rodeo.

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is the organization behind the awards. Juno Week runs March 26-April 1.

See the complete nominations list.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Announces Promotions

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The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is pleased to announce the following promotions, effective immediately:
In the financial services and operations division, Danny Burnette is promoted to assistant manager, operations; Lisa Knight is promoted to senior accounts payable accountant; and Samantha Ramey is promoted to senior project accountant.

In the development division, Rachel Shapiro is promoted to development events manager; and Rachel Weingartner is promoted to membership manager.

In the sales and marketing division, Kayte Bittorie is promoted to assistant director of admission services; Jon Davis is promoted to retail buyer; Lindsay Johnson is promoted to events and catering administration manager; Adrianne Murray is promoted to senior graphic designer and production coordinator; Debbie Parsley is promoted to senior event entertainment manager; Jessica Pfranger is promoted to event sales manager; and Jenna Stange is promoted to visitor services manager.

 

Upcoming events at The Hall include:

 

Poets and Prophets: Salute to Legendary Country Songwriter Sonny Curtis (2/25), The Life and Music of Chet Atkins by Dr. Richard Hood with guitarists Ben Hall and Eddie Pennington (3/3), and Nashville Cats: Salute to Session Player John Hobbs(3/10). Upcoming Songwriter Sessions include Georgia Middleman and Dave Berg (2/25), Kent Blazy and Cory Batten (3/3), and Gary Nicholson (3/10).

Curb Announces Hank Jr. Retrospective

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Curb Records has announced plans for a career retrospective of Hank Williams Jr.’s work, available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores starting March 27.

Titled All My Rowdy Friends, the collection features 22 of Hank Jr.’s best known songs from across the decades of his storied career. Hank Jr. is also included on the Waylon Jennings tribute album Waylon: The Music Inside, Vol. II performing “Waymore’s Blues.”

All My Rowdy Friends tracks include:
“Family Tradition”
“Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound”
“Women I’ve Never Had”
“Outlaw Women”
“Kaw-Liga”
“Old Habits”
“Dinosaur”
“The Blues Man”
“Texas Women”
“Dixie On My Mind”
“All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)”
“A Country Boy Can Survive”
“If Heaven Ain’t A Lot Like Dixie”
“The Conversation”
“All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight”
“Country State Of Mind”
“Born To Boogie”
“If The South Woulda Won”
“There’s A Tear In My Beer” (with Hank Williams)
“Red, White, & Pink-Slip Blues”
“Bartender Song (Sittin’ At The Bar)” (with Rehab)
“All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming For Monday Night Football”