Artist Photos (5/22/12)

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Rodeowave’s Phil Vassar recently visited with WSMV-TV Nashville’s “More at Midday” program to discuss his upcoming performance and appearances during the CMA Music Festival. Vassar also talked about the story behind his single “Don’t Miss Your Life,” currently climbing charts everywhere. The segment aired earlier today (5/22).

(L-R): Phil Vassar, WSMV's Kacy Hagerty

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Way Out West Records’ Shawna Russell was interviewed by Golf Channel host Lauren Thompson at Billy Bob’s Texas recently for a future episode of the network’s series Golf Now. The two chatted about Russell’s career in music and traveling the country for live performances. Russell’s “Waitin’ On Sunrise” is currently climbing MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart at No. 29.

(L-R): Thompson, Russell. Photo: Giovanni Galluci

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Billy Gilman recently visited Cotton Valley Records’ headquarters on Music Row. Gilman is one of 18 country artists who loaned his talents to sing “The Choice,” benefiting Soles4Souls and released by CVR.

(L-R) Top Row: CVR's Devin Pickerill, CVR recording artist Mark Cooke, Billy Gilman, Dan Murph, CVR's Cassandra Tormes; Bottom Row: CVR's J.Gary Smith, CVR's John Smith, CVR's Josiah Toews

Stars Join City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge

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The stars will come out to help battle cancer during the 2012 CMA Music Festival week at the 22nd Annual City of Hope Celebrity Challenge Presented by Staples.

Celebs Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina, David Nail, James Otto, Robin Meade, and Scott Hamilton are among those participating in the charity game between rivals After MidNight with Blair Garner and the Grand Ole Opry. GAC “Headline Country” host Storme Warren will emcee the event, which takes place 9 am Saturday, June 9 at Greer Stadium in Nashville.

“We’re proud to support City of Hope in its fight against cancer,” said Pete Fisher, Vice President and General Manager, Grand Ole Opry. “City of Hope’s groundbreaking and innovative research benefits people everywhere.”

This will mark the 22nd year that Nashville’s celebrities have played to benefit City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. The Celebrity Softball Challenge has raised more than $2 million for the organization. More info here.

Hank Williams Jr. Reveals New Album Details

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Blaster Records, in association with Warner Music Nashville, recently announced the details of Old School, New Rules, the upcoming Hank Williams, Jr. album set for release on July 10.

Included in the collection is a duet with Brad Paisley on “I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams” as well as a new duet with the legendary Merle Haggard on “I Think I’ll Just Sit Here and Drink.” Williams’ first single in several years, “That Ain’t Good,” has just been shipped to radio.

“I’m excited about this new album,” said Hank. “I’m definitely ‘Old School’ and I am making music with ‘New Rules.’ People know I’m gonna say exactly what I think and this album is exactly that.”

Old School, New Rules is the first album on Hank Williams, Jr.’s new label imprint, Bocephus Records, licensed by Blaster Records under a Warner Music Nashville distribution deal

The album is available for pre-sale now at www.hankjr.com.

Track Listing:
1.     Takin’ Back The Country
2.     I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams (with Brad Paisley)
3.     Three Day Trip
4.     Old School
5.     We Don’t Apologize for America
6.     You Win Again
7.     Cow Turd Blues
8.     Who’s Takin’ Care of Number One
9.     That Ain’t Good
10.  Keep The Change
11.  Stock Market Blues
12.  I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink (with Merle Haggard)

SOURCE Awards Honorees Announced

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The 10th annual SOURCE Awards will honor Shelia Shipley Biddy, Connie Bradley, Karen Conrad, Judy Harris, Pat Rolfe, Kay Smith and Judy Wray. The awards celebrate women who have been crucial to the success of the Nashville entertainment industry. Honors will be presented at the new home of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Municipal Auditorium.

This year’s honorees are all founding members of SOURCE. The nonprofit organization started in 1991 to support women who work in the local music business.

Biddy’s career includes time at Flying Island Entertainment, Decca, Hallmark Direction and Stringtown Records. Bradley served as the longtime head of ASCAP’s Nashville office. Conrad’s resume includes BMG Songs, AMR/New Haven Music, Blendingwell Music and Coral Reefer Music. Harris has worked with Judy Harris Music, ASCAP and April Blackwood Music/CBS Songs. Rolfe has served at ASCAP, Chappell Music, and Hill & Range Songs. Smith’s career includes the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, Capitol Records, CBS Records, and Sony Music Nashville. Wray has worked at CBS Records, Capitol-EMI America Records, and EMI Music Publishing.

Information on how to purchase tickets to the awards will be released in coming weeks.

Craig Morgan to Host 6th Annual Charity Weekend

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Craig Morgan will host his 6th annual Charity Weekend August 11 and 12 in his hometown of Dickson, TN. Proceeds from the two-day event, which includes a Celebrity Motocross Ride, Concert and Sporting Clay Shoot, will benefit Billy’s Place, an organization benefiting foster children in Dickson County and throughout Middle Tennessee.

The family-friendly event will kick-off at 10 am Saturday, August 11 with a motocross exhibition followed by a group trail ride and lunch. Previous motocross celebrity participants have included Kevin Windham, Cowboy Kenny Bartram, Fred Andrews and Barry Hawk. That evening at 7 pm, Morgan and several of his country music friends give an intimate acoustic concert at Dickson Middle School. A live and silent auction will also take place where attendees can bid on everything from autographed memorabilia to the chance to give the singer a high-and-tight haircut onstage during the event. Last year’s new addition, the hugely popular Sporting Clay Shoot, will return again the morning of August 12 at Nashville Gun Club.

All three events are open to the public. Individual event and bundled tickets will go on sale in June. Celebrity participants for all three events will be announced soon.

In other Morgan news, the singer’s hit outdoor television show Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors is making its return. The third season of the show will premiere July 1 on Outdoor Channel, and air at 10 pm/CT on Sundays.

Nashville Film Festival Names New Development Director

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The Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) has announced the hiring of Deb Pinger as Development Director. In her new role, Pinger will lead all marking communications, and donor-related efforts for the organization.

Pinger’s career includes time with the Tennessean, as well as the VIA Institute on Character. She also served as Executive Director of RISE Learning solutions, a non-profit distance learning organization.

“I am honored to join the Nashville Film Festival, particularly at this time in the organization’s history,” said Pinger. “The Festival has been a Nashville tradition for 43 years and is poised to make even more significant contributions to our community in coming years as it offers an even more meaningful, year-round series of events.”

Congratulate her at [email protected].

Arrangements Set For Rusty Walker

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Veteran radio consultant Rusty Walker died today (5/21) at age 59. He suffered a heart attack over the weekend and was airlifted from his hometown Iuka, MS to a hospital in Tupelo. He passed in the hospital.

Walker, whose real name was Sammy Darwin, was a much loved member of the radio community, earning a 2012 induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame.

Walker had over 40 years of broadcast experience, including time as a programmer, consultant and on-air personality. He launched his firm in 1983 and grew to be one of the most powerful consultants in country radio. During his career, he worked with more than 750 different country stations from market 1 (NYC) to market 543 and smaller. As a personality and Program Director, his stops included WQYK, WQIK, WZZK and KFKF.

Walker was named by R&R in a three way tie for “Country Radio’s Greatest Programmer” of the 20th Century in 2000. He was also named Billboard’s Country “Consultant Of The Year” seven consecutive years out of the eight years the award was given. He also served on the CMA Board of Directors.

Outside work, he enjoyed being a father, boating and high school sports. He was an active member of Mt. Evergreen United Methodist Church and an enthusiastic supporter of the Tishomingo County School System. He volunteered in many civic capacities, including serving as emcee of the Iuka Christmas Parade and on the Iuka Heritage Day Committee Board of Directors.

The last few months were extremely difficult for Walker and his family. His 17-year-old daughter Kinsley Darwin died unexpectedly in March. He was also preceded in death by son Jay, who died in a hunting accident, and his parents, Jimmy and Mollie Darwin.

He is survived by wife of 38 years Teresa Darwin; two daughters, Nikki Darwin Clark and husband Nathaniel, of Iuka, and Beth Darwin Huntley and husband, Ryan, of Jacksonville, FL; and two grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled for 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 25, at Mt. Evergreen United Methodist Church. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 26, at the Tishomingo County High School Gymnasium. The body will lie in state at the gymnasium from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Sammy Darwin/Rusty Walker Memorial Fund, c/o BancorpSouth, P.O. Box 377, Iuka, MS 38852.

MusicRow offers sincere condolences to all his loved ones. More here.

Hunter Hayes Becomes Martin Guitar Brand Ambassador

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C.F. Martin & Co. has announced that singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Hunter Hayes has signed on as the guitar manufacturer’s newest brand ambassador.

Hayes is slated to join Carrie Underwood’s 2012 Blown Away tour this summer, and he will bring his new Martin Parlor 42-style instrument with him on the road. Hayes had the unique opportunity to collaborate with Martin’s custom shop to create the instrument.

“It is an absolute honor to be named an official Martin Ambassador and to be recognized by the Martin family. To me, the Martin brand is a name I can trust,” said Hayes. “They make timeless guitars and prove themselves time and again with their elegant tone and sound. The craftsmanship that goes into every piece is one that has shaped some of my favorite music, and is certainly at the forefront of my own sound. I can’t wait to show off my new Parlor 42-style model on the road!”

“We are excited to add Hunter Hayes to our ever-growing list of new brand ambassadors,” said Amani Duncan, vice president of brand marketing, C.F. Martin & Co. “Hunter is a naturally-gifted performer whose songwriting and dynamic live performances have made him one of the brightest new stars to emerge from Nashville. Hunter is a perfect addition to our rich roster of Martin players and we are excited to have him as a member of the Martin Guitar family.”

Get Hunter Hayes tour info here.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Reschedules Induction Ceremony

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The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced that its 42nd Anniversary Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony will now take place Sunday, October 7, 2012, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

John Van Mol, chairman of the organization, said the songwriters moved two weeks earlier than their previously announced date of October 21 to accommodate a schedule conflict with another organization that involved artist contractual tour commitments. “Many of the same music industry people would want to attend both events, and since we had more flexibility, our board felt it was in the best interest of all to change our date,” Van Mol said.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame dinner is one of the highlights of the Nashville Awards season and honors Nashville-connected writers who write songs that define country music and other genres as well. The 2012 inductees will be announced in the coming months. Last year’s honorees included Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, John Bettis, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin.

For more information please click here.

Gloriana to Release Sophomore Album

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Country music trio Gloriana is slated to release its second studio album A Thousand Miles Left Behind (Emblem Music Group/Warner Bros. Records) on July 31.

The band had a hand in writing all 11 tracks on the album and recorded with Grammy Award winning producer and Emblem Music Group label owner Matt Serletic (Willie Nelson, Matchbox 20, Aerosmith). The group’s single “(Kissed You) Good Night” is currently No. 14 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart and is one of the fastest rising of the group’s career. Some of Nashville’s finest songwriters worked with the group to write songs for the album, including Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey, James Slater, Danny Myrick, and Stephanie Bentley, among others.

“Like any new act, we were finding ourselves on the first record — in the recording process and as musicians,” says Gloriana’s Tom Gossin. “The new album really just feels like us, who and where we are now, to the point where we know exactly what we want to do and how to get there.”

Gloriana released its debut self-titled album in 2009. For more information visit www.gloriana.com.