Artist Updates (5/30/12)

Brad Paisley’s first book Diary of a Player was originally released in November 2011 and saluted the great guitarists who have shaped his life and career. The book, written with David Wild, will be available in paperback form starting June 5. MusicRow is currently holding a drawing to present five readers with a copy of the book. Email your name to tickets@musicrow.com to be entered in the drawing.

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Dollar General and Josh Turner have partnered for the “Sing Your Heart Out For a Soldier” contest. Fans who make a video of themselves singing “Lucky Me” and enter the contest have the opportunity to win a recording session and more in Nashville. Details here. Turner will also be featured in the GAC Special Josh Turner: Packing a Punch, which will air Thursday, June 7 at 8 pm. Turner’s new album Punching Bag hits stores June 12.

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Mary Chapin Carpenter will release her 12th studio album Ashes and Roses on June 12 on Zoe/Rounder Records, and already has a two-song sampler available at iTunes. Featured on the sampler are “Soul Companion” (a duet with James Taylor), and “Chasing What’s Already Gone,” which you can stream here. Carpenter will also hit the road in July to support the release. See dates here.

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Joey+Rory will release their new album His and Hers on July 31 via Sugar Hill Records. Produced by Gary Paczosa, the duo members each take turns singing lead on half of the album’s songs. Joey+Rory also have plans to launch the weekly variety program, The Joey+Rory Show, on RFD-TV in July.

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The Roys will be featured on RFD-TV’s Reno’s Old Time Music Festival and the PBS Special Pa’s Fiddle: America’s Music, both of which will air Saturday, June 2. Reno’s airs at 6 pm/CT, and the Pa’s Fiddle is scheduled to air in Nashville at 7 pm/CT (repeats 6/3 at 7 pm and 6/4 at 10 pm/CT).

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Fred Gill, also known as Two Foot Fred, is releasing his self-titled biography on June 5 via Howard Books. The Nashville celebrity shares his journey into entertainment and business, and how his approach to life has helped him overcome his physical differences.