Artist Updates (8/16/12)

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Trace Adkins has canceled his performance scheduled for tomorrow (8/17) at the Swiftwater Cellars Amphitheater in Cle Elum, WA, due to the region’s devastating wildfires that have burned 28,000 acres. “With heartfelt concern for the residents of Cle Elum, WA who are currently facing devastating wildfires, I can not in good conscience stage a concert this Friday while the community is under such strain,” said Adkins in a statement. Those interested in helping the community can go here for more information.

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Keith Urban takes fans to a few of his favorite spots in Nashville in new episode of “Going Home” on Ram Country on Yahoo! Music. The singer discusses his arrival in Nashville and being asked to join the Grand Ole Opry, and pays visits to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Ryman Auditorium, and Blackbird Studio. See it here.

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Dwight Yoakam appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night (8/15) to debut his new song “Nothing But Love,” which appears on his upcoming release 3 Pears. The occasion marked Yoakam’s 25th appearance on the show. See the performance here. 3 Pears is due for release September 18 and includes two-tracks co-produced with Beck.

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Sibling trio High Valley (Brad, Bryan, and Curtis Rempel) has partnered with Rodeowave Entertainment to launch the band’s first US single, “Love You For A Long Time” (written by Brad Rempel, Jared Crump, and Ben Stennis). Originally from Alberta, Canada, High Valley is currently working on its new album with producers Phil O’Donnell and Jeremy Spillman. The single goes for adds September 10.

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Ralph Stanley has signed with The Paradigm Agency for his live performance bookings. The bluegrass master currently plays over 100 dates per year, and has been performing since 1946. Stanley will continue to be represented for publicity by Morris Public Relations.

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Ole Smoky Moonshine, Tennessee’s first legal moonshine, has announced partnerships with Average Joes’ Matt Stillwell and Stonehall Entertainment’s Phoenix Stone. Stillwell’s breakout single “Shine” was an ode to the spirit, and Stone’s debut single currently impacting radio is “100 Proof Moonshine.” More on Ole Smoky here.

Nashville Takes On the Blues Tonight For Cold Stares Singer

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An assortment of talented performers from Nashville’s musical community is coming together for Nashville Takes On The Blues, which takes place tonight (8/16), 8 pm at 3rd & Lindsley. The event is a benefit for Chris Tapp, singer and guitarist for local band The Cold Stares, who is undergoing treatment for melanoma.

Artists slated to perform include Matthew Perryman Jones, Thad Cockrell, Erin McCarley, Jeremy Lister, Emily West, Mark Huff, Betsy Ulmer, Jason Eskridge, Jill Andrews, Maile Misajon and more. Admission is $10 and all proceeds will go toward Tapp’s family. Donations can also be made to:

The Chris Tapp Fund
c/o Brian Mullins
Old National Bank
PO Box 718
Evansville, IN 47705

Leadership Music To Honor Mayor Dean

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Karl Dean

Mayor Karl Dean will be honored with Leadership Music’s Brian Williams Ambassador Award during the Oct. 17 Dale Franklin Award ceremony at War Memorial Auditorium. Dean, an alumnus of Leadership Music’s Class of 2010, will be saluted alongside Dale Franklin Award recipients Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill and Randy Owen.

The Brian Williams Ambassador Award honors an individual who bridges and strengthens the ties between Nashville’s music and business communities. Originally called the Bridge Award, it was renamed for the late banker who served Leadership Music for more than a decade and is given at the discretion of the organization’s board.

“From the time he was a candidate for the office, Mayor Dean has made the music industry a priority,” remarked Leadership Music President Jeff Gregg. “In the process, he has made a lasting and far-reaching impact and elevated the visibility of the brand Music City to new heights. He earned the respect and admiration of every one of his classmates, the staff and board by showing up to speak at his Closing Retreat just days after the historic flood of 2010. We are honored to number Mayor Dean among our distinguished alumni, and enormously pleased to honor him on a night dedicated to spotlighting three music industry icons for their humanitarian efforts.”

Among his initiatives is the launch of the Music City Music Council, a partnership between his office, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau to cultivate a dialogue between the city and music industry and capitalize on Nashville’s identity as Music City.

Mayor Dean has also made music in the schools a priority. The new program Music Makes Us enhances traditional music curriculum while adding a contemporary curriculum track that uses new technologies and reflects a diverse musical landscape. It is a private-public partnership between Metro Schools, the Mayor’s Office, the Music City Music Council and music industry leaders.

With a focus on free live music, he also helped start the concert series Live on the Green on the Public Square, and Musicians Corner in Centennial Park. Dean also spurred the creation of Ryman Lofts, the city’s first affordable community designed for artists which is slated to open later this year.

Previous recipients of the Bridge Award include the late Dale Franklin, founding executive director of Leadership Music; Phil Bredesen, former Nashville Mayor and Governor; Jim Ed Norman, founding council of Leadership Music; E.W. “Bud” Wendell, former chairman of Gaylord Entertainment; Jim Foglesong, former head of ABC Dot/MCA/Capitol Records and a Dale Franklin Award recipient; and Kitty Moon Emery, entrepreneur and former president of Leadership Music.

The first Brian Williams Ambassador Award was presented at Leadership Music’s 20th anniversary celebration in 2009 when it was given posthumously to Williams, the former head of SunTrust Bank’s Music Row branch.

Doyle Lawson and Ralph Rinzler Headed For Bluegrass Hall of Fame

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Doyle Lawson and late scholar Ralph Rinzler will join the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. The official induction will take place at the annual IBMA Awards on Sept. 27 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Lawson grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry and, influenced by Bill Monroe, taught himself how to play mandolin at age 11. His piercing, crystalline tenor vocals and crisp musicianship landed him a spot as the banjo player with Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys by age 18. He went on to join J.D. Crowe and the Kentucky Mountain Boys (later the New South). In 1971, Doyle joined the Country Gentlemen, and then founded his own band, Quicksilver, in 1979.

For more than three decades, Quicksilver has been one of bluegrass music’s most important “farm teams,” helping launch the careers of dozens of future bandleaders and sidemen. The band is known for its delivery of intricate a cappella gospel numbers that regularly bring awestruck crowds to their feet, roaring with approval. Lawson’s discography has grown to more than 40 recordings, supported by a busy touring schedule that includes their own Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver Festival in Denton, NC each year.

Lawson has received numerous nominations and awards, including the International Bluegrass Music Award for Best Vocal Group an unprecedented seven years in a row. In 2006 he received the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship

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A man of extraordinary talents, the late Ralph Rinzler (July 20, 1934 – July 15, 1994) was a scholar, musician, writer, promoter, producer, and social activist whose vision and life’s work inspired the passion, and launched the careers, of generations of musicians and artists. He was a member of the legendary Greenbriar Boys, guest-starred on recordings with Clarence Ashley and Joan Baez, and later won a Grammy for his production work on Folkways: A Vision Shared; Roots of Rhythm and Blues.

He learned Woody Guthrie’s tunes from Guthrie himself; accompanied Mike Seeger on his travels through Appalachia; produced events with Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and Mary Travers; was an early teacher of David Grisman; and managed Bill Monroe. On a trip to western North Carolina in 1961 to make field recordings of rural folk musicians for Folkways Records, he met Doc Watson and arranged bookings for him in Northeastern urban venues that helped the guitarist gain national recognition.

Rinzler helped co-found the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall in 1967 and went on to become a curator of American art, music, and folk culture at the Smithsonian. Within about a decade, the festival’s profound success prompted the creation of the office that ultimately became the Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies, with Rinzler at its helm. In 1987 he received IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award. The Smithsonian Institute named the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections in his honor in 1998.

The International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame is housed in the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY. Each year a nominating committee, consisting of music industry leaders, creates a slate of 10-15 candidates. From these names, a panel of more than 200 electors in the music industry cast ballots to narrow the nominees to five finalists. The panel votes a final time to select the inductee(s) for that year.

Weekly Register: Colt Ford’s Declaration

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Colt Ford declares his No. 1 spot on the Country Albums chart this week debuting Declaration of Independence with 31k units. This is Ford’s fourth studio album which features collaborations with Jason Aldean, Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men, Kix Brooks, Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker and more. The Average Joes release was produced by Shannon Houchins and Dann Huff.

“I just can’t thank my fans enough for making this record No. 1,” says an emotional Ford. “I believed this was my best album yet, and my fans have just proved I was right. Today is a great day and I am so blessed.”

In other Average Joes news, President Tom Baldrica recently announced he will soon depart his post with his responsibilities being assumed by Tony Morreale, VP, Marketing & Promotions.

Zac Brown Band’s Uncaged holds the No. 2 position on the country album chart with another 31k units sold this week for a total of 432k RTD.

Gloriana’s Thousand Miles Left Behind sold another 10k units following last week’s debut garnering 33k RTD.

Although slipping, total Country album YTD sales over the prior year continue in positive territory at 2.8% while digital albums over last year show an increase of 36.9%

Looking at individual tracks, Little Big Town’s current single “Pontoon” continues grooving this week by selling another 93k units and reaching 883k RTD.

However, the biggest sales story this week isn’t even on the chart (yet). Taylor Swift announced via a live YouTube chat on Monday (8/13) that her new album Red will be released Oct. 22. Her new single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” was also released and is headed for a huge debut. Industry sources believe the song will probably sell over 500k downloads by end of the tracking week this Sunday.

Songwriter Updates (8/16/2012)

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Pictured (L-R): Curb Music Publishing's Drew Alexander and Colt Cameron, Katie Kessler and ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel

Katie Kessler has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Curb Music Publishing.

Kessler was discovered after participating in ASCAP’s Country Songwriters Workshop and The ASCAP Belmont Songwriter Series. She is also a recent graduate of Belmont University.

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Chris Stapleton, Sarah Zimmermann (Striking Matches), Morgane Hayes, Eric Paslay, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Dave Berg and Justin Davis (Striking Matches)

Country songwriters and Napa Valley winemakers came together for ASCAP’s annual Nashville In Napa on August 11 at Baldacci Family Vineyards to benefit Notes for Education, founded by Frank Rogers and Debi Cali of Baldacci Vineyards.

This year’s event, featured songwriters including Jessi Alexander, Dave Berg, Morgane Hayes Stapleton, Eric Paslay, Jon Randall and Chris Stapleton. Prior to the main event, Radney Foster, Silverado Pickups and Striking Matches (Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmermann) entertained an audience on August 8, at the Napa Valley Opera House.

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Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink and Vezner. Photo: Peyton Hoge

SESAC has signed songwriter Jon Vezner for representation. Vezner has scored cuts by Martina McBride, John Mellencamp, and Faith Hill. He also co-wrote the Kathy Mattea classic “Where’ve You Been,” which went on to win Song of the Year honors at the CMA and ACM Awards and a Best Country Song Grammy.

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out Lead IBMA Noms

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Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out leads the nominations for the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Awards with nine nods. Coming in with eight nominations is Alison Krauss & Union Station, followed by Blue Highway and The Boxcars with seven each.

Additionally, musician Doyle Lawson and late scholar ​Ralph Rinzler will be inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, and Distinguished Achievement Awards will go to Byron Berline, Joe & Lil Cornett (Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival), Orin Friesen, Kitsy Kuykendall and Darrell “Pee Wee” Lambert.

Earning nominations for Entertainer of the Year are Dailey & Vincent, The Gibson Brothers, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers, and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out.

Nominees were announced last night (8/15) at a press conference at Nashville’s Loveless Barn. The IBMA Awards will be presented at the Ryman Auditorium on Thurs., Sept. 27 during World of Bluegrass Week, running Sept. 24 – 30 in Nashville, and including the IBMA Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest.

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out captured nominations for Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group, as well as Song of the Year (“Pretty Little Girl From Galax,” written by Milan Miller), Album of the Year (Prime Tyme, Rural Rhythm), and Instrumental Performance. Additionally, Moore will compete for Male Vocalist, Gospel Recorded Performance and Recorded Event of the Year; and Wayne Benson earned a nomination for Mandolin Player of the Year.

Individually and as an ensemble, members of Alison Krauss & Union Station received eight nominations, including Entertainer, Song (for Peter Rowan’s “Dust Bowl Children”) and Album (Paper Airplane, Rounder). Krauss and Dan Tyminski earned nominations for Female and Male Vocalist of the Year, and instrumental nominations went to Ron Block (Banjo), Jerry Douglas (Dobro), and Barry Bales (Bass).

Blue Highway earned seven nominations, including Vocal and Instrumental Group of the Year, Album of the Year (Sounds of Home, Rounder), and Song of the Year for the Shawn Lane-penned title track. The band also received a nod for Instrumental Recorded Performance, and Rob Ickes will vie to retain his title as Dobro Player of the Year.

Reigning Emerging Artist of the Year, The Boxcars, received a total of seven group and individual nominations. The band was nominated for Instrumental Group, Album of the Year (All In, Mountain Home), and Instrumental Performance. Member Ron Stewart earned nods for Banjo Player, Fiddle Player and Recorded Event, and Adam Steffey is up for Mandolin Player.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Blue Highway
The Boxcars
Sam Bush Band
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Punch Brothers

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Della Mae
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Darrell Webb Band

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Audie Blaylock
Jamie Dailey
Vince Gill
Russell Moore
Dan Tyminski

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
Sonya Isaacs
Alison Krauss
Claire Lynch
Rhonda Vincent

SONG OF THE YEAR
“A Far Cry From Lester & Earl” by Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, written by Tim Massey, Rick Purdue & Harry Sisk Jr.
“Dust Bowl Children” by Alison Krauss & Union Station, written by Peter Rowan
“Pretty Little Girl From Galax” by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, written by Milan Miller
“Somewhere South of Crazy” by Dale Ann Bradley, written by Dale Ann Bradley & Pam Tillis
“Sounds Of Home” by Blue Highway, written by Shawn Lane

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
All In by The Boxcars (artists & producers), Mountain Home Records
Paper Airplane by Alison Krauss & Union Station (artists & producers), Rounder Records
Prime Tyme by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (artists & producers), Rural Rhythm Records
Sounds of Home by Blue Highway (artists & producers), Rounder Records
The Heart of a Song by Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artists), Wes Easter & Ramblers Choice (producers), Rebel Records

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Beyond The Sunset” by Doyle Lawson, Russell Moore, Jamie Dailey & Josh Swift (artists); Doyle Lawson (songwriter); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“I Pressed Through The Crowd” by Dale Ann Bradley (artist), Joe Isaacs (songwriter), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
“I Saw Him Walk Out of the Sky” by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists), Dee Gaskin (songwriter), Doyle Lawson (producer), Mountain Home Records
“Satisfied” by Paul Williams & The Victory Trio (artists), Martha Carson (songwriter), Paul Williams (producer), Rebel Records
“Singing As We Rise” by The Gibson Brothers (artists); Joe Newberry (songwriter); Eric Gibson, Mike Barber & Leigh Gibson (producers); Compass Records

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Angeline The Baker” by the Lonesome River Band (artists & producers), Rural Rhythm Records
“Carroll County Blues” by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (artists & producers), Rural Rhythm Records
“Manzanita” by Tony Rice, Josh Williams, Aaron Ramsey, Aubrey Haynie & Rob Ickes (artists); Anthony D. Rice (songwriter); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“Roaring Creek” by Blue Highway (artists & producers), Jason Burleson (songwriter), Rounder Records
“That’s What She Said” by The Boxcars (artists & producers), Adam Steffey (songwriter), Mountain Home Records

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Beyond The Sunset” by Doyle Lawson, Russell Moore, Jamie Dailey & Josh Swift (artists); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“Life Goes On” by Carl Jackson, Ronnie Bowman, Larry Cordle, Jerry Salley, Rickey Wasson, Randy Kohrs, D.A. Adkins, Garnet Bowman, Lynn Butler, Ashley Kohrs, Gary Payne, Dale Pyatt, Clay Hess, Alan Bibey, Jay Weaver, Ron Stewart & Jim VanCleve (artists); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“Monroe” by Special Consensus with Josh Williams & Chris Jones (artists); Alison Brown (producer); Compass Records
“Old Violin” by Larry Cordle & Michael Cleveland (artists); Bob Kelley, Jack Campitelli & Darrel Adkins (producers); Rural Rhythm Records
“Singing As We Rise” by The Gibson Brothers (artists); Eric Gibson, Mike Barber & Leigh Gibson (producers); Compass Records

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
Banjo: Kristin Scott Benson, Ron Block, J.D. Crowe, Sammy Shelor, Ron Stewart
Bass: Barry Bales, Mike Bub, Missy Raines, Mark Schatz, Marshall Wilborn
Fiddle: Hunter Berry, Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan, Ron Stewart
Dobro: Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, Randy Kohrs, Phil Leadbetter
Guitar: Tony Rice, Kenny Smith, Bryan Sutton, Doc Watson, Josh Williams
Mandolin: Wayne Benson, Jesse Brock, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Adam Steffey

BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR
Kyle Cantrell; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, TN
Katy Daley; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, D.C.
Chris Jones; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, TN

BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion; Bristol, TN/VA
La Roche Bluegrass Festival; La Roche, France
ROMP, produced by the International Bluegrass Music Museum; Owensboro, KY

BLUEGRASS PRINT MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marty Godbey, author of Crowe on the Banjo: The Music Life of J.D. Crowe (Univ. of Illinois Press)
Derek Halsey; the Herald Dispatch in Huntington, W.Va. and Bluegrass Unlimited magazine
Ted Lehman; Ted Lehmann’s Bluegrass, Books & Brainstorms

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR A RECORDED PROJECT
Bedrock Manufacturing (designer) for Nobody Knows You, by the Steep Canyon Rangers (Rounder Records)
Caroline Hadilaksono (designer) for Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail, by Noam Pikelny (Compass Records)
Lynch Graphics (designer), for Home from the Hills, by Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein (Rebel Records)

BEST LINER NOTES FOR A RECORDED PROJECT
Geoffrey Himes (liner notes), for John Duffey: the Rebel Years: 1962-1977, by John Duffey (Rebel Records)
Marian Leighton Levy (liner notes), for Tony Rice: The Bill Monroe Collection, by Tony Rice (Rounder Records)
Bill Nowlin (liner notes), for Bill Monroe Centennial Celebration: A Classic Bluegrass Tribute, by Various Artists (Rounder Records)

Sheet Music Only Release Provokes Discussion

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Question: How do you get listeners to pay attention and engage with your work when all music is so readily and easily available?

Answer: Go seriously old school and release an album’s worth of unrecorded sheet music through a publishing house.

At least, that’s what you do if you’re Beck. The shape-shifting singer/songwriter made headlines last week with the announcement that his new album, Beck Hansen’s Song Reader, would be released not in CD, download or vinyl form, but as sheet music with companion artwork. The deluxe collection, due in December from McSweeney’s, features 20 songs (18 with lyrics, 2 instrumental), an introduction by writer Jody Rosen, and a foreword by Beck, for a total of 108 pages across 20 books.

“The Song Reader is an experiment in what an album can be at the end of 2012—an alternative that enlists the listener in the tone of every track, and that’s as visually absorbing as a dozen gatefold LPs put together,” says a post on Beck’s website.

While there is the distinct possibility this could be a publicity stunt to drum up support for an eventual musical release, it is still an interesting approach to fan engagement. Consumers have practically instant access to any album or song they desire, so getting them to spend some time with your work is increasingly difficult. Unless, of course, they have no idea what it sounds like. (In this case, we’re guessing it’s not “Loser”). It’s also a big risk, as the fans who just want to jam out to a new Beck album could be alienated.

But in the online age, uploading a YouTube video of yourself performing a popular song is now part of the culture, and perhaps an opportunity for 12-15 minutes of fame. Song Reader hopes to capitalize on this environment by having fans come up with their own interpretations of Beck’s work, and recording/posting them. There could be hundreds of different versions. Who knows, maybe some of the songs are even good.

McSweeney’s says it will post readers’ and “select musicians’” versions of the songs on its website. No word if Beck himself is included in that group.

This project might serve another useful purpose for the artist. Assuming no CD/download is coming for this album, you can bet fans will line up for tickets to Beck’s shows to hear how he imagined the songs.

Don’t expect everyone to rush out and start releasing unrecorded sheet-music-as-album, though. If you’re Beck, you can probably get away with it. But coming up with off the wall ideas to keep fans involved and people talking, is a crucial part of standing out from the crowd.

MusicRowPics: The Wheeler Sisters

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Yesterday (8/15), MusicRow met The Wheeler Sisters, a duo signed to the newly formed label Ocala Records, created by Mike and Martha Borchetta. The sibling pair, Cristina and Dani Wheeler, covered “Heaven’s Just a Sin Away” and “Blame it on Your Heart.” That classic country sound, with which the sisters grew up in Southern California, weaves through their own music like the original song “Goodbye Lonely.”

“We want to keep it simple,” the sisters explained. “But we also love the sassiness of artists like Miranda Lambert. We want to combine those two things in our own music.”

Their current single “This is Gonna Get Ugly,” is currently available on iTunes. The song was written by Kelly Archer, Jim McCormick and Justin Weaver. McCormick also produced the single.

For more information on The Wheeler Sisters, visit wheelersisters.com.

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Currington Joins “Road to the Ram Jam” Lineup

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Billy Currington will join previously announced artists Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert, Easton Corbin, and Zac Brown Band for the Road to the Ram Jam series and sweepstakes. The Road to the Ram Jam, presented by the Ram Truck brand, features five of today’s best country music artists and provides fans the opportunity to win prizes including trips for two to an invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert event December 29 in Nashville, TN where all five artists will perform.

Currington is offering fans a chance to win a free download of his single “Swimmin’ in Sunshine” when they enter the Road to the Ram Jam concert sweepstakes. All five participating artists have received a lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks will be auctioned off in early 2013 with all proceeds going to benefit a charity of each artist’s choice. Proceeds from Currington’s truck will be donated to Team Rubicon, an organization which unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations.

Fans can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win trips for two to the invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert event at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam or on the Ram Trucks Facebook page at www.ramjamsweeps.com.