The Farm to Live Stream Performance Today

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The Farm will live stream a live performance and Q & A with the band members from Warner Music Nashville’s headquarters today (6/26) at 5 PM CST.

The Farm is comprised of Nick Hoffman (vocals, fiddle), Damien Horne (vocals, keyboard, guitar) and Krista Marie (vocals, guitar). The trio’s self-titled album will be released on July 17 via All In Records/Elektra Nashville. The eleven song debut, co–produced by Hoffman and hit songwriter Danny Myrick, features the band’s first single “Home Sweet Home,” which is currently climbing the charts. The cgroup also recently made its TV debut performing at the CMT Awards and will be performing across the country through the summer. Live dates can be seen at thefarmmusic.com.

Open Casting Call For Nashville Women

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MusicRowLogAn open casting call is being held for successful and powerful women for a new Nashville-based docu-series from the producers of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Real Housewives of Orange County.

The new series, reportedly in development for a major cable network, seeks applications from single or married women with outstanding personalities who frequent the Nashville social scene. Entrepreneurs, power couples, CEOs, wives of music executives and pro athletes are encouraged to apply. Referrals are welcomed.

For consideration, email to apply and include name, recent photos, contact information and a brief bio.

Photo Spread: Jana Kramer, Gwen Sebastian, Craig Wayne Boyd

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ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp was in session last week in Nashville. The residential camp has the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome and other developmental disabilities while providing music enrichment through performance and education. On Thursday, Jana Kramer dropped by the Vanderbilt campus for a cookout with the campers. On Friday, the week wrapped with a performance at the Grand Ole Opry where the campers joined Big & Rich to sing “We’re Having a Party,” which the students wrote with Brett Eldredge and David Lee Murphy. The camp is a partnership between ACM Lifting Lives and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

Pictured at the cookout (L-R): Greg Hill, McGhee Entertainment; Jana Kramer; Erick Long, ACM Senior Vice President, Operations and Events; Adam Michael, Director of Development for Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

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Flying Island artist and former The Voice contestant Gwen Sebastian performed for a gathering of industry executives and Country Radio Broadcasters board members at The Renaissance Hotel recently. Sebastian appeared in conjunction with the annual CRB board and CRS agenda committee meetings. CRS 2013 will be held Feb. 27 – March 1, 2013.

Pictured (L-R): Nancy Tunick, Flying Island; Tim Roberts, WYCD-FM; Shelia Shipley Biddy,Flying Island; CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne; Gwen Sebastian; John Shomby, WGH-FM; and CRB President Mike Culotta, WQYK-FM.

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Big Ride Entertainment artist Craig Wayne Boyd visited the West Virginia University Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, WV. He performed an acoustic show in the facility’s activity center and spent two hours going room to room. Boyd was particularly touched by a one-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis. Earlier this year, Boyd lost his friend and guitarist Levi Sims to the disease. The artist is a passionate supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Boyd is currently touring and visiting radio stations in support of his debut single “I Ain’t No Quitter.” This summer will be full of more big debuts for the artist, including the release of his first album and the birth of his first child.

Two McGraw Singles Competing For Airplay

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Next week Tim McGraw will have two current singles at radio. His former label home Curb recently released “Right Back Atcha Babe,” which is climbing the radio charts, and on July 3 at 12:01 AM his new label Big Machine will debut “Truck Yeah.”

The upcoming single is his first release via Big Machine, where he signed one month ago. He’s been previewing the song on the Brothers of the Sun stadium tour with Kenny Chesney, which played at Nashville’s LP Field on Saturday (6/23).

Select members of the industry enjoyed a sneak preview of McGraw’s music for Big Machine Friday (6/22) at Notable Blends Coffee House in Nashville. Before playing four tracks, including “Truck Yeah,” BMLG head Scott Borchetta told the attendees, “These songs coming are epic. I know that’s a big word, but I believe these are the best songs Tim has ever done.” After one listen, it was apparent the invited guests agreed.

“Truck Yeah” was written by Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Danny Myrick and Chris Janson, and produced by Byron Gallimore and McGraw.

“Right Back Atcha Babe,” by Joe West and Dave Pahanish, is from McGraw’s Emotional Traffic album, released in January by Curb. The project has already yielded Gold-certified hit singles “Better Than I Used To Be” and “Felt Good On My Lips.”

Members of the industry enjoyed a sneak preview of Tim McGraw’s new music for Big Machine, Fri. (6/22), at Notable Blends Coffee House in Nashville. (L-R): McGraw, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta

Hannah Showmaker Joins Parallel

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Parallel Entertainment is pleased to welcome recent Belmont University graduate Hannah Showmaker to its Nashville office. In her new role, Showmaker will work on both the management and publishing sides of Parallel Entertainment helping with day-to-day operations as well as with clients and administrative duties.

“I’ve wanted to work in the country music industry ever since I was a little girl watching CMT and GAC,” said Showmaker.

Hannah, 22, is originally from Charleston, Mo. She graduated from Belmont this past May with a degree in Music Business and a minor in Public Relations. Her resume also includes time at Red Bull, The Country Network and PLAMedia.

“Parallel Entertainment is thrilled to have found such a talent as Hannah,” said C.T. Wyatt, talent management. “We expect great things to come from our new relationship with her.”

Congratulate Hannah at [email protected].

Warner/Chappell Signs Dean Alexander, Adds New Staffer

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Warner/Chappell Music, along with Parallel Music Publishing, has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Dean Alexander. The artist is currently working on his debut album for Warner Music Nashville.

(L-R): Alicia Pruitt (Sr Director, A&R, Warner/Chappell), Steve Markland (VP A&R Warner/Chappell), Dean Alexander, BJ Hill (Sr Director, A&R, Warner/Chappell), Tim Hunze (Parallel Music Publishing), Phil May (GM/VP, Warner/Chappell), and C.T. Wyatt (Manager, Parallel Entertainment).

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Blain Rhodes

Additionally, Warner/Chappell Nashville has hired Blain Rhodes as Creative Coordinator. A native of Brunswick, GA, Rhodes began his career working on the road with Luke Bryan and followed that gig with a stint at William Morris.

 

Howell Joins Valory Promotion Staff

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The Valory Music Co. has named industry veteran Brad Howell Director of Southwest Promotion, effective immediately. In his new role, Howell will lead promotion efforts in the region for the label’s artists including Reba, The Mavericks, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert and Thomas Rhett.

“The experience and passion that Brad brings to The Valory Music Co. is a great addition to the team. Brad’s association with past successes will only enhance an already strong promotion team and roster that is poised for even greater success,” said George Briner, VP of Promotions for The Valory Music Co.

Howell’s experience includes time working with Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and Faith Hill. Most recently he served as Director of Regional Promotion for upstart label Streamsound Records. He previously served as National Director of Promotion for Show Dog-Universal and as General Manager of Broken Bow Records.

Howell will continue to be based in Nashville and can be reached at 615-324-7793 or at [email protected].

Billy Ray Cyrus Heading to Broadway

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Billy Ray Cyrus is set for his Broadway debut this fall. He will star in the acclaimed musical Chicago as slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn. Cyrus will play in a limited seven-week engagement at the Ambassador Theatre (219 W. 49th St.) this holiday season, Mon., Nov. 5 through Sun., Dec. 23.

Cyrus is an established actor in TV and film, with lead roles in the PAX-TV series Doc, and the smash Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. He also appeared in and co-produced Hannah Montana: The Movie, and starred in movies on Lifetime, Hallmark Channel and more.

Cyrus continues to record. His most recent album, I’m American, was released last year in conjunction with his hit TV series Surprise Homecoming on TLC. His newest album, Change My Mind, is scheduled for release in late October/early November on Blue Cadillac Records.

JT Hodges Plans Album Release, Prize Contest

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Show Dog-Universal Music artist JT Hodges will release his self-titled debut album on August 21.

To celebrate the occasion and say thank you to his fans, Hodges has declared August to be “prize month” with a contest that will award more than 160 prizes to winners. Up for grabs are shirts, an autographed album, hats, guitar straps, and an autographed guitar, among others. Additionally, 50 winners will be selected to have their Twitter addresses included in the liner notes of Hodges’ new album. To enter the contest, visit here.

Hodges made the announcement to his fans over the weekend via his social media properties. The performer’s latest single “Goodbyes Made You Mine” recently made it to No. 15 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart.

TV Show “Nashville” Gets $7.5 Million Boost

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The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has approved a grant of up to $7.5 million for ABC’s television series Nashville. The reimbursable grant will be based on the production’s actual qualified expenditures, which are goods or services purchased from a Tennessee vendor or paid to a Tennessee resident in connection with the production.

Pre-production on the series is already underway with shooting scheduled to begin in mid-July in the Nashville area. More than 350 Tennessee residents are expected to be employed as part of the show’s crew. Music written and recorded locally will also be used in the series.

“We are taking a new approach to one of Tennessee’s strongest and most unique businesses, the entertainment industry,” said Commissioner Bill Hagerty, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “Gov. Bill Haslam has made a concerted effort to fold the film and music sectors into our department and make them a part of the state’s regular economic goals and initiatives. The unique confluence of film and music that Nashville offers is central to our aim of highlighting Tennessee’s great strength as a center of creative excellence in the music industry. Additionally, the consistent employment afforded Tennesseans as a result of this multi-episode series will result in constructive training and talent development and longer term employment for Tennessee’s entertainment industry.”

ABC execs ordered the series after seeing the pilot episode, which also premiered in front of fans at the recent CMA Music Festival. The show is set to premiere this fall. The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment.

Nashville stars Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights, American Horror Story) as country superstar Rayna James, and Hayden Panettiere (Heroes) as up-and-coming singer Juliette Barnes. Also starring in the series are Powers Boothe (MacGruber, 24), Eric Close (Chaos, Without a Trace) and Clare Bowen (General Hospital).

For more information on the show, visit www.facebook.com/NashvilleABC.