Curb Records to Release “The Last Ride” Soundtrack

Curb Records will release the soundtrack to The Last Ride, an new, independent film inspired by the life and death of Hank Williams.

Starring Henry Thomas, Jesse James, Fred Thompson, and Kaley Cuoco, The Last Ride is a fictionalized account of a period of Williams’ life when he was sobering from alcohol and drugs and trying to get his career back on track. In late 1952, he scheduled several New Year’s shows in West Virginia and Ohio but passed away on New Year’s Day in 1953 in the back of his Cadillac.

The soundtrack contains some of Williams’ best known songs as well as new selections written for the project. Performers include Williams’ daughter Jett Williams, Johnny Cash, The Isaacs and more.

The Last Ride will be released in selected theaters in June. A few Nashville fans got to see a special screening of the movie on Saturday (5/26) at Ernest Tubb Texas Troubadour Theater.

Tracks on The Last Ride soundtrack:
The Last Ride Theme – Benjy Gaither
Hey Good Lookin’ – Jett Williams
Honky Tonk Man – Russ Taff
Keep on the Sunny Side – Rebecca Frasier
I Will Marry You – Wes Hampton
It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels – Sarah Johns
Cold, Cold Heart – Doug Anderson
The Swing Low Sweet Chariot – Clyde Wright & The Incredible Golden Gates
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry – Michael English
Longing – Jett Williams
Footprints – Benjy Gaither
I’m Winging My Way Back Home – The Blackwood Brothers
Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You – Jett Williams
On I Down The Road – Val Storey
Chino – Nathan Young
Ilene – Nathan Young
What Ya Gonna Do – Nathan Young
Tennessee Waltz – Nathan Young
O Come Angel Band – The Isaacs
Hank Williams’ Blues – Jett Williams
The Night Hank Williams Came To Town – Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings
The Last Ride – Tony Ramey

Lifenotes: Doc Watson Hospitalized; Mark Bright’s Father Passes

Bluegrass legend Doc Watson has been hospitalized in Winston-Salem, NC, and remains in critical condition at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

“Doc’s condition has somewhat deteriorated this morning. He remains in critical condition,” says a post on folkloreproductions.com, which has been giving daily updates of Watson’s progress.

Watson was listed as critical on Thursday (5/24) after undergoing surgery for an impacted colon. He was originally airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist from Watauga Medical Center in Boone, NC, after he fell at home.

Watson has won seven Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Endowment for the Artist National Heritage Fellowship.

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MusicRow offers its condolences to producer Mark Bright and family, following the passing of his father William Delbert Bright (of Longview, TX) over the weekend. He was 82. Visitation will be held at Rader Funeral Home in Longview on Wednesday (5/30) from 6 – 8 pm, and services will be held Thursday (5/31) beginning at 10 am.

Atkins To Host Second Annual “Music City Gives Back” Concert

On Tuesday, June 5, Rodney Atkins will once again host the Second Annual “Music City Gives Back” benefit concert in conjunction with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The free to the public event features an all-star lineup including Clint BlackThompson SquareLee BriceJosh ThompsonJana Kramer, The FarmMallary Hope, and The Willis Clan. Music is scheduled to begin at 5 pm on the outdoor stage on Broadway in downtown Nashville between Second and Fourth Avenues.

“Last year was such a great experience to close down Broadway and to raise money and awareness for the American Red Cross we decided to do it again,” says Atkins. “This is an organization that helps so many people in all of our communities and they need support not just when disaster strikes. Looking forward to getting out there and working with Wrangler Western Wear and Cricket’s Muve Music to raise awareness and party with everyone in Music City.”

With the help of sponsors Wrangler Western Wear, Cricket Wireless, Carl Black Chevrolet, Advanced Auto Parts, and GAC, fans will be able to enjoy a night of great music at no cost and have the opportunity to contribute to the American Red Cross. Donations may be made on-site.

Those unable to attend the festivities will still be able to enjoy the concerts by streaming the performances live on the Wrangler Facebook page.

Photo Roundup (5/29/12)

Big Machine Records was part of a second Indianapolis 500 championship on Sunday (5/27) thanks to its sponsorship of driver Dario Franchitti, who raced into Victory Lane for the third time in his career. The race aired nationally on ABC and is the second most watched sporting event in the United States. The win comes one year after Big Machine Records sponsored the late Dan Wheldon’s winning car at the 2011 Indianapolis 500. BMLG also provided fans with pre-race entertainment and distributed over 250,000 white Big Machine Records-branded sunglasses to honor Wheldon. Martina McBride kicked off the racing event by performing the national anthem.

Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, Country Superstar Martina McBride and 2012 Indy 500 Winner Dario Franchitti. Photo: Becky Fluke/Big Machine

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Warner Music Nashville kicked off its 3rd Pickin On The Patio season with new talent, Charlie Worsham. The event, held on the WMN Patio the fourth Thursday of each month, was the first in a six-show series now running through October. Worsham, who recently signed to WMN, is currently working on his debut album with Arthur Buenahora.

Photo (L-R): Arthur Buenahora (Publisher & Executive Producer Ole Music Publishing), Scott Hendricks (SR VP A&R Warner Music Nashville), John Esposito (President & CEO Warner Music Nashville), Charlie Worsham, Brad Henderson (Manager BigHowdy {CREATIVE BRANDS}), Cris Lacy (VP A&R Warner Music Nashville), Scott Kernahan (Manager Rogue Music), and Kelli Cashiola (VP Brand Management Warner Music Nashville)

Swift Exhibition To Open At Hall Of Fame In Time For CMA Fest

The exhibition will include artifacts from the tour's vignettes, such as this Valentino ball gown, dancers’ and aerialists’ costumes, and the “Juliet balcony” in which Swift soared above the crowd while performing “Love Story.” Swift recently pledged $4 million for an education center at the museum.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has tons of events lined up for music lovers coming to Nashville for next week’s CMA Music Festival, and one highlight is sure to be the June 6 opening of Taylor Swift: Speak Now—Treasures from the World Tour.

The exhibition running through Nov. 4, 2012, includes dozens of costumes, instruments, and props from the tour which entertained more than 1.5 million fans over 111 shows in 19 countries. The Speak Now exhibition will recreate 10 vignettes from the tour.

On display will be designer gowns by Roberto Cavalli, Marchesa and Jenny Packham; and instruments including a shimmering red Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, Deering six-string banjo with rolled steel drum, and Taylor brand koa wood ukulele with mother-of-pearl inlay.

During June 5-9, museum visitors will be able to attend autograph signings and/or performances with new and legendary artists. Live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT will include autograph signings with Lee Brice, Lee Greenwood, the Oak Ridge Boys and Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley Pride, as well as performances and autograph signings with Casey James, Tracy Lawrence, Love and Theft, Joanna Smith and Josh Thompson.

The museum will also present a special Songwriter Session with Kellie Pickler, and a tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member Chet Atkins by Steve Wariner.

On Tues., June 5 David Nail will kick off this summer’s Hot Nights at the Hall series. Also on the schedule are Jana Kramer (July 13) and Love and Theft (Aug. 31). The shows run 6-9 p.m. and are for Museum members only.

For details visit www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

Nashville Superstars Make Forbes “Celebrity 100” List

Forbes recently revealed its annual Celebrity 100 list of the world’s most powerful celebrities, chronicling the earnings and media saturation of entertainers, athletes, and multi-media titans.

A few of Nashville’s biggest stars make the cut, led by Taylor Swift at No. 11. Her earnings for the previous 12 months totaled $57 million, and her social media ranking was seventh best overall. Just making the Top 50 at No. 49 is Toby Keith, who earned $55 million between his numerous ventures. Close behind at No. 53 is Kenny Chesney, and Brad Paisley lands at No. 68.

Jennifer Lopez is at the top of the list, with earnings over $52 million and a near constant media presence. The American Idol judge has parlayed her presence on that show into hit singles and endorsements from L’Oreal and Gillette as well as a clothing line at Kohl’s. She bests last year’s No. 1 Lady Gaga, who slips to fifth place overall. In the No. 2 slot is Oprah Winfrey, whose presence was actually somewhat diminished following the end of her syndicated television run.

See the full list here.

Parallel’s JP Williams Boosts Scholarships

Parallel Entertainment CEO J.P. Williams recently donated $100,000 to scholarship funds at Belmont University, Murray State University and the University of Montana. The funds will be administered by a committee appointed by Williams, in association with IEBA and NATD.

$25,000 of the gift will go to the Ron Baird Scholarship Fund for Entertainment Management students at the University of Montana in Missoula. It will be distributed by IEBA and NATD. Baird previously headed CAA’s Nashville office and passed away last year.

$37,500 will be used to supplement the scholarship in Williams’ name at Belmont. Since founding the scholarship in 2007, IEBA has awarded money to five students in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.

A $37,500 scholarship will also be founded in Williams’ name at Murray State University in Murray, KY. NATD will distribute the funds to students in the Music Business program.

Parallel Entertainment is behind the Blue Collar Comedy enterprise.

Dierks Bentley Covers Adele On “Unplugged”

Dierks Bentley will perform some of his signature hits in a new episode of CMT”s Unplugged, which will debut exclusively on CMT.com Tuesday, May 29 at 1 pm/CT.

Included in the set list are Bentley’s hits “Am I The Only One,” “Up On The Ridge,” “Home,” current single “5-1-5-0” and a bluegrass take on Adele’s “Set Fire To The Rain.” For a sneak peak of Bentley’s Adele cover, click here.

“I love breaking my songs back down to their original acoustic foundation,” said Bentley. “When I write these songs by myself or with friends, we just use acoustic guitars… so, it’s fun to sometimes go back to just the simple groove and idea you had to begin with.”

The episode will also air as a half-hour special Saturday, June 2 at 8 pm/CT on Palladia; Monday, June 25 at 9 pm/CT on CMT and CMT PURE. Fans of CMT’s Facebook page will be able to see the episode in a dedicated tab starting Tuesday, May 29.

Big Machine Sponsors IndyCar Champion

Dario Franchitti

Big Machine Records is sponsoring four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti’s No. 50 car during the 96th running of the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 27.

The Big Machine Records logo will appear on Franchitti’s helmet and fire suit during the race, which will be broadcast live on ABC beginning at 11 am/CT. Republic Nashville’s Martina McBride will sing the national anthem during pre-race ceremonies at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The event is a bittersweet moment for racing aficionado and BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta, who was a sponsor of the late Dan Wheldon’s winning car at last year’s Indy 500.

“Winning the Indy 500 is the pinnacle of auto sport achievements and Dan’s dramatic last-lap win last year will be with us always,” said Borchetta. “Dario was a great friend to Dan and we’re honored that he will carry our defending champion’s logo on Sunday. Let’s not forget that Dario is no stranger to Victory Lane at Indy, previously winning the 500 mile race twice… And let’s not be surprised if he again finds his way first to the checkers.”

BMLG will also sponsor the upcoming Brickyard 400 NASCAR series race July 29 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has been re-christened as Crown Royal Presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com. The race weekend will feature a special concert by The Band Perry, Justin Moore, The Mavericks, Greg Bates and others. BLMG originally sponsored the Brickyard 400 in 2011, the first time a record label has ever presented a nationally televised race.

Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” Added to National Recording Registry

Dolly Parton has achieved another historic milestone: her classic song “Coat Of Many Colors” has been added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

One of 25 recordings selected annually for being “historically, culturally or aesthetically significant,” “Coat Of Many Colors” brings the Registry’s total number of recordings to 350. The Congress said “Coat Of Many Colors” “affectionately recounts an impoverished childhood in the hills of Tennessee that was made rich by the love of her family.” Joining Parton in the Registry this year are Patsy Montana, Donna Summer, the Grateful Dead and Prince plus historical recordings of former American slaves (recorded in 1930), Leonard Bernstein, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and Parliament’s “Mothership Connection.”

For more information, visit www.dollypartonmusic.net.