Owen’s “Alone With You” Certified Gold

Jake Owen’s current single “Alone With You,” has been certified Gold by the RIAA for digital download sales exceeding 500,000. The song is hanging tough at No. 4 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart this week, and the music video has received nearly two million views on VEVO. Owen’s album Barefoot Blue Jean Night debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

“I’ve been out on the road touring non-stop for the past six years,” says Owen. “And my main goal has always been to try to connect with people. Now, it is just such a great feeling to know that ‘Alone with You’ and ‘Barefoot Blue Jean Night’ are songs that people are connecting to. In this day and time, I never take anything for granted. To have a gold single AND a platinum single from my album means the world to me and I’m so grateful.”

Barefoot Blue Jean Night’s lead-off single and title track previously hit No. 1 and has since earned over 1.5 million digital downloads.

This summer, Owen will participate in the “Brothers of the Sun” Tour with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, along with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. The tour launches June 2 in Tampa, FL. Dates and tickets here.

Lee Brice to Co-Host Today Show

Lee Brice will join Hoda Kotb to co-host the fourth hour of NBC’s Today show on Tues., March 20. Brice will fill in for Kathie Lee Gifford, who is taking the week off.

“I’m really excited to co-host with Hoda,” says Brice. “I love that she loves country music and shares it with the world on her ‘iHoda Playlist.’ Buckle up Hoda, we’re gonna have some fun!”

In April 2011, Kotb selected Brice’s hit single, “Love Like Crazy,” for her “iHoda Playlist.” Now, close to a year later, she has invited the singer to join her and perform his latest single, “A Woman Like You,” in studio.

The fourth hour of Today airs weekdays on NBC from 10-11 a.m.

Brice’s Today appearance happens just days before the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 1 where he is nominated for Song of the Year for co-writing Eli Young Band’s No. 1 single, “Crazy Girl.”

Brice will then release his sophomore album, Hard 2 Love, on April 24. The lead single from the upcoming album, “A Woman Like You,” has already reached Gold sales status and currently sits at No. 7 MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

Big Machine Announces New Hires

Big Machine Label Group has added three new members to its administrative team: Brad Kash James Saxon, and Amber Holguin.

“Big Machine Label Group is proud to announce some great additions to our Finance and Admin team,” says BMLG GM Andrew Kautz. “Brad, James and Amber are a great complement to our team who’ve been doing an amazing job.”

Brad Kash

Kash joins BMLG in the newly created role, Director of Finance. He will head up day-to-day finance duties for the label group, including royalties and analytics. Kash brings over 10 years experience in music industry finance, including time as CFO and Managing Partner of Big Fish Entertainment and most recently as Director of Operations Finance & Administration at EMI CMG. In his new role, he will report directly to Kautz. Reach him at brad.kash@bmlg.net.

James Saxon

Saxon is a former royalty administrative coordinator with Sony/ATV and Flood, Bumstead, McCready, & McCarthy who will take on the role of Financial and Royalty Accounting Assistant with BMLG. His duties will include support in accounts payable, expense tracking, and royalties. Email him at james.saxon@bmlg.net.

Amber Holguin

Holguin joins as Administration & Licensing Coordinator, and she will assist with rights administration and licensing for BMLG and Super 98 Music Publishing. In this role, the MTSU graduate will report to BMLG Director of Administration Wayne Milligan. Reach her at amber.holguin@bmlg.net.

Bigger Picture Signs Three New Artists

D. Vincent Williams. Photo: Dale Manning

Bigger Picture Group has added three new acts to its Artist Ventures division. D. Vincent Williams, Chris Janson and Ryan Kinder join the roster which already includes Craig Campbell and Chris Cagle. 

Today’s signing announcement was made by Bigger Picture Group’s Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Keith Stegall, the producer behind Alan Jackson, Randy Travis and Zac Brown Band. “I’m thrilled to announce some of our new artists that will be joining ‘the family,’” he says. “I’m most proud of the culture that we have provided for these talented individuals to thrive and continue to create.”

The most established artist among the three new singnees, D. Vincent Williams’ songwriting career has resulted in cuts by Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Jason Aldean and Lee Ann Womack, totaling more than 15 million in album sales. He is also the winner of the 2002 ACM Song of the Year award “I’m Moving On,” recorded by Rascal Flatts.

Chris Janson. Photo: Dale Manning

Ryan Kinder. Photo: Eric England

Rusty Walker’s Daughter Kinsley Darwin Passes

Kinsley Darwin

MusicRow extends sincere condolences to radio programming vet Rusty Walker and his family on the passing of his daughter, Kinsley Darwin. She was 17. The family resides in Iuka, Mississippi and Kinsley died at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. She was a senior at Tishomingo County High School where she was active in numerous clubs and organizations. Kinsley enjoyed playing tennis and serving as a Homecoming Maid. She was popular among her classmates, who voted her the student with the Most School Spirit.

Survivors include her parents, Sammy and Teresa Darwin; grandparents, Jackie and Burnette Bryant; and sisters Nikki Darwin Clark (Nathaniel) and Beth Darwin Huntley (Ryan). She was preceded in death by her brother, Jay Darwin; and grandparents, Jimmy and Mollie Darwin.

Visitation is today, March 15, from 4-8 p.m. at Mt. Evergreen United Methodist Church, where Kinsley was a member. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 16 at Tishomingo County High School gymnasium. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kinsley Darwin Memorial Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 377, Iuka, MS 38852. An online guestbook can be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.

JT Hodges Chats With Fans In Web Series

Show Dog-Universal artist JT Hodges will premiere a new web series called “Just Talkin’” starting March 19, at 7 pm CT. The series will air twice monthly, giving fans a chance to get to know Hodges as well as hear him performing his own music and cover songs. Fans can vote on songs here.

“Just Talkin’” episodes will air at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/j-t-hodges and www.facebook.com/jthodgesmusic.

Hodges recently performed at MusicRow’s 10th Annual CRS Meet & Greet and Awards, and his single “Goodbyes Made You Mine” is at No. 30 on the most recent CountryBreakout Chart. He hit the scene in 2011 with his single “Hunt You Down” and an opening slot on Toby Keith’s Locked & Loaded Tour.

New Artist Nominees Added to ACM Fan Jam

ACM New Artist of the Year nominees Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery have been added to the lineup for the 2nd Annual ACM Fan Jam and Post-Award Concert. Also joining the stage is DeeJay Silver, who will produce signature country music remixes and mash-ups for fans between performances.

As previously announced, the event is hosted and headlined by Zac Brown Bandat the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas during the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which broadcasts from across the street at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Awards take place Sun., April 1, at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on CBS, and will feature footage from the fans-only concert at Mandalay Bay. Tickets for the ACM Fan Jam are on sale now at $37 and $57.

Fans can vote for their favorite New Artist nominee here, beginning Monday, March 19, 2012 until the live show (8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT) on Sunday, April 1. The ACM New Artist of the Year honor will be awarded to one of the nominees on the ACM Fan Jam stage during the Awards telecast.

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Class of 2013 Announced

Robert Lawson, executive director of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, announced Steven Curtis Chapman, The Kentucky Headhunters, Exile, Skeeter Davis, The Hilltoppers, Old Joe Clark and Emory & Linda Martin will make up the 2013 class of Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum inductees.

“On behalf of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum board of directors and staff I am honored to announce the 2013 Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Induction Class,” said Lawson. “The 2013 class showcases why the state of Kentucky has produced some of the world’s greatest music achievers in all genres of music, and I am truly honored to recognize them with induction into the Hall of Fame.”

These artists will join other Kentucky native music professionals to be honored for their musical contributions around the world. The induction ceremony will take place on April 12, 2013 at the Lexington Center Bluegrass Ballroom (430 West Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507). Tickets for the ceremony go on sale April 9, 2012. For more information please visit http://www.kentuckymusicmuseum.com.

Past inductees include Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless, Steve Wariner, Keith Whitley, Crystal Gayle, Dwight Yoakam, Wynonna & Naomi Judd, Ricky Skaggs, Tom T. Hall, Bill Monroe and more.

Benefit News (3/15/12)

Country artists Ty Herndon, Bucky Covington, Bo Bice, Carter’s Chord, and Mockingbird Sun were among the performers at the Autism Sings! benefits this week at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville. The event raised funds to benefit research efforts for Autism research.

(L-R): Autism Speaks Regional Director Kathy Streng, Bo Bice, Becky Robertson (Carter's Chord), Katie Chance, Emily Robertson (Carter's Chord), Joanna Robertson (Carter's Chord), Even Farmer (CMT host). Photo: Randi Radcliff

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Rodney Atkins recently teamed up with WRIL/the Big 106 and Massey Ferguson for an all-day radio drive to raise money for disaster relief to communities of Harrogate, TN; West Liberty, KY; and East Bernstadt, KY that were affected by recent storms. Atkins is a native of Harrogate. Donations can still be made through Atkins’ website here.

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Big Machine Records trio Edens Edge is teaming up with St. Louis Sam’s Club associates today (March 15) to raise awareness of hunger in the United States. Starting at 11 am, Edens Edge and Sam’s Club volunteers will load pallets of food into trucks and deliver the donation the St. Louis Area Foodbank. More info at outnumberhunger.com.

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Gilda’s Club Nashville is presenting “Humor, Heart and Hope: Laughter Through the Cancer Journey,” a program designed to inform and inspire attendees to use the power of humor while living with cancer. The program takes place at 6 pm on Tuesday, March 20, at the Gilda’s Nashville Clubhouse. More info here.

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Trace Adkins is offering fans who attend his Songs & Stories Tour a chance to see him from the first five rows and meet him backstage, and the proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and NRA Country Cares. Packages are on sale at tickets-for-charity.com.

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(L-R): Woods, Lawrence

Tracy Lawrence was named an honorary Operation Troop Aid board member following his performance at Cadillac Ranch during Country Radio Seminar. Operation Troop Aid Founder/CEO Mark Woods presented Lawrence with the certificate, an honor shared by Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, and Darius Rucker.

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Darryl Worley has re-recorded “The Fishin’ Hole,” the iconic theme song from The Andy Griffith Show, in conjunction with the state of Tennessee to raise funds for fisheries. Fans can text FISH to 50555, which will add a $10 donation to the user’s phone bill to be received by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. See a video of the song here.

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Texas favorite Granger Smith is again partnering with the Boot Campaign to walk 100 miles in combat boots from South Austin to the Ft. Hood military post in Killeen. The campaign helps raise awareness of soldiers transitioning back home after combat. More info here. www.BootCampaign.com

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Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music will host SENSE Theatre – A Stage of Hope For Children With Autism at 7 pm on Wednesday, April 18. Performers will include Jeri Sager (CATS), singer/songwriter Tammy Vice, Ryan Michaels Band, SENSE Theatre “Bridges and Earworms” Summer Camp Participants, and members of the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

Photo Spread: John Hobbs, Eli Young Band, Dustin Lynch

Museum Honors John Hobbs with Nashville Cats Program
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently (3/10) honored John Hobbs in its quarterly series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. Hobbs discussed his life and career as a session musician including contributions to recordings by Deana Carter, Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Richey, Georg Strait and Shania Twain. He also discussed his role as bandleader for Vince Gill and producer for Gill, Collin Raye and LeAnn Rimes.

(L-R): Vice President of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Nashville Cat David Briggs, Hobbs, Nashville Cat Eddie Bayers and program host Bill Lloyd. Photo: Donn Jones

Dustin Lynch’s Opry Debut
Broken Bow Records artist Dustin Lynch fulfilled a lifelong dream earlier this month when he made his debut in the Grand Ole Opry’s hallowed circle. He performed hit single “Cowboys and Angels” and “She Cranks My Tractor.” Hailing from nearby Tullahoma, Tenn., Lynch grew up listening to and visiting the Opry and aspiring to one day earn the honor of gracing its stage.

Photo: 2012 Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo

EYB Gives Boost to St. Jude
Eli Young Band recently headed to Towson University in Maryland to help the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity raise money for St. Jude. Area radio station WPOC/Baltimore sponsored EYB’s mini concert and the groups’ combined efforts garnered nearly $2,000. The band played songs from its Republic Nashville album, including the No. 1 platinum-selling hit “Crazy Girl,” and latest single “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” EYB is headlining the Keep On Dreamin’ Tour and will open for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Australian tour beginning next week.

Photo: Courtesy of Republic Nashville/Cliff Blake