Artist Updates (8/31/12)

David Nail recently announced his stripped down fall tour, which kicks off Sept. 6 in Cincinnati. But good luck getting into the Oct. 20 show at Chicago’s Joe’s Bar, which is already sold out weeks ahead of time. “When my manager called me to tell me, I thought he was putting me on,” says Nail. “But he was saying, ‘Don’t be thinking about putting too many people on the guest list… it’s sold all the way out!’ Which floored me, cause we’ve been going there and the fans are unbelievable… and so into music; but you don’t think in terms of people not being able to get a ticket!” Full dates here.

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Singer/actress Claudia Lee has been cast in the Universal Pictures action film Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall, which is based on the second volume of the comic book series by Mark Millar. Production will begin in September, with a reported June 2013 release date, and the film will be directed by Jeff Wadlow. Lee will play Brooke, the ringleader of a school posse. The singer currently co-stars as Magnolia Breeland on the CW Network series Hart of Dixie, and her debut country album Here Right Now was released in February 2012.

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Dan Rather will join Willie Nelson for a special broadcast of AXS TV’s “Dan Rather Reports” from Austin City Limits Live, where the two will discuss the changing landscape of the music business. Also appearing will be newcomer Kat Edmonson, plus Marc Geiger, and NPR’s Bob Boilen. The show airs Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 8 pm/ET on AXS TV.

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Newcomer Rachele Lynae is giving fans a special preview of her album before it officially lands in October. Starting today (8/31), fans can visit Country Weekly’s Facebook page and click on the “7 Free Songs” tab at the top. Complete the signup form to have the first free song delivered via email. Six additional songs will be delivered, one per day, for a full week of music.