Little Big Town Earns First No. 1 Single

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Little Big Town is celebrating a career milestone, having reached the top of the Country charts for the first time with the No. 1 song, “Pontoon.” The achievement includes a five week run at the top of MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

The lead track from the forthcoming Sept. 11 release, Tornado, has become the band’s fastest rising single, recently receiving platinum certification. Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby and Luke Laird revealed the song in April at Tin Pan South, when they explained the concept was inspired by a publisher who jokingly mistook the title of Laird and Hemby’s Miranda Lambert cut, “Fine Tune,” for “Pontoon.”

“After working towards this for 13 years, it’s an even sweeter reward than we dreamed!” says member Kimberly Schlapman. “We’re just soaking it all in and it feels so good!”

“We’ll be celebrating this for a while,” said bandmate Karen Fairchild. “We can’t say thank you enough to country radio, the fans and our whole team for giving us our first number one!”

Recently the band showcased the album during an exclusive performance in Nashville. Pre-order the album at digital retailers, or on the band’s website.

Kix Brooks’ Solo Debut Available For Streaming

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Beginning today (9/4), Kix Brooks’ Arista Nashville solo debut album, New to This Town, is being exclusively streamed on Amazon. The full album is available for listening at amazon.com/kixbrooks until its official release on Sept. 11.

New To This Town features 12 songs, nine of which Brooks co-wrote. Brooks produced the album, and Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus co-produced the title track.

On Wednesday, Sept. 12, Brooks will perform “New To This Town” on ABC’s Good Morning America. “Bring It On Home,” the follow-up single to title-track “New To This Town,” was recently released to radio.

New To This Town track listing with songwriters:
1. New To This Town (Feat. Joe Walsh) – Kix Brooks/Marv Green/Terry McBride
2. Moonshine Road – Kix Brooks/Leslie Satcher
3. Bring It On Home – Kix Brooks/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson
4. There’s The Sun – Trent Summar/Brandon Kinney
5. Complete 360 – Kix Brooks/Rafe Van Hoy
6. My Baby – Brian White/Bruce Wallace
7. Tattoo – Curly Putman/Kix Brooks/Rafe Van Hoy
8. In The Right Place – Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Ben Hayslip
9. Next To That Woman – Kix Brooks/Rivers Rutherford
10. Let’s Do This Thing – Kix Brooks/Leslie Satcher
11. Closin’ Time At Home – Bob DiPiero/Kix Brooks/David Lee Murphy
12. She Knew I Was A Cowboy – Kix Brooks/Tony Lane/David Lee

Mumford & Sons, Emmylou to Meet On “Crossroads”

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English folk rock quartet Mumford & Sons will share the stage with the legendary Emmylou Harris in the latest episode of CMT Crossroads, which will tape tomorrow (9/5) in Nashville.

Over the course of her four-decades-plus musical career, Grammy winner Harris has secured her place as a highly influential artist across numerous genres. Her work has contributed to the birth and growth of country-rock, Americana, and bluegrass among others. In addition to her adventurous solo output, she remains a highly sought after collaborator. Her latest album is the Jay Joyce-produced Hard Bargain, from 2011.

Mumford & Sons gained worldwide acclaim with the release of the 2010 album Sigh No More, which contained the hit Grammy-nominated singles “Little Lion Man” and “The Cave.” The group also picked up Americana Music Association Award nominations for Group of the Year and New/Emerging Artist in 2011. Mumford & Sons’ new album Babel hits stores via Island/Glassnote on Sept. 24.

The pairing will be the first meeting for the two musical entities, who plan to play their hits as well as a few surprises. Seats for the private taping are booked solid, but fans can watch the episode when it premieres Thursday, September 20 at 9 pm/ET on CMT.

WTVF NewsChannel 5 To Be Sold

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Nashville’s WTVF NewsChannel 5 Network will be sold to Journal Communications, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin based company. Subject to FCC approval, Journal will purchase the CBS affiliate from Landmark Media Enterprises for $215 million in cash plus a working capital adjustment at closing.

Journal Communications owns and operates or provides programming and sales services to 35 radio stations and 14 television stations in 12 states. It publishes the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and several community newspapers and shoppers.

NewsChannel 5 Network consists of NewsChannel 5 (WTVF), NewsChannel 5+, a This TV affiliate (D3) and NewsChannel5.com, a market leading local digital news site. According to a press release, WTVF is the ratings and revenue market share leader in the Nashville market, as well as one of the top three CBS affiliates in the nation based on CBS ratings in metered markets. The station has been recognized with awards including: 2012 DuPont, 2011 National Headliner, 10 regional 2012 Emmy awards, 2011 NPPA National Photographer of the Year, and five 2011 AP Awards including Best Investigation.

Based in Norfolk, VA, Landmark owns CBS affiliate KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, data center provider Continental Broadband, and several newspapers.

CRS 2013 to Present Innovative Fan Research Study

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The Country music fan research studies are always a highlight of Country Radio Seminar, but the 2013 version promises to take things in an entirely new direction from the statistical analysis and focus groups of years past.

Titled “A Day In The Life Of A Country Fan,” the project conducted by Edison Research will offer a video-based Ethnographic Research study of Country music fans as they go about their daily routines under the lens. Subjects will presented in high definition video in a variety of environments including work, home, and in their vehicles.

“We are very excited to have Edison Research bring us to a new level this year by actually taking us into the home, car, office and other natural environments of the Country fan,” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. “This will allow us to see how they listen to radio, discover new music, use new media and more in their daily life. Joel Raab and his research committee have put together one of the most powerful and useful experiences at CRS 2013 for our attendees to take back to their businesses for profit. You simply cannot afford to miss this!”

Participants in the project include both male and female Country fans, aged 18-54 from Country lifestyle and non-Country lifestyle markets with varying degrees of technological knowledge. Edison Research is partnering with Prosperity Productions to conduct the study.

The results of the study will be presented by Edison Research’s Larry Rosin and Prosperity Productions’ Lori Hamilton during CRS 2013 on Wednesday, Feb. 27. CRS 2013 runs Feb. 27 – March 1 in downtown Nashville. Register here.

Baldrica Joins Show Dog-Universal Music

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Tom Baldrica

Show Dog—Universal Music President Mark Wright today (9/4) announced the appointment of Tom Baldrica to Vice President Promotion and Radio Marketing. Baldrica, who recently exited his post as Pres. of Average Joes Entertainment, is already on the job at his new gig.

“Tom is such an injection of positive energy every time he walks into a room,“ remarked Wright. “We are honored to add such an experienced and passionate professional to our SDU team.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the Show Dog-Universal Music promotion team and reuniting with my long time friend Rick Moxley,” added Baldrica. “We’ve enjoyed much success together in the past, and I look forward to our new successes in the future!  I am a fan of Mark Wright, George Nunes and Bill Kennedy, and I look forward to working side by side with that most talented executive trio. Sic ’em Dogs!! Woof, Woof, Woof!”

Baldrica’s lengthy career in the music business also includes promotion and marketing positions with Sony Music Nashville and BNA Records.

SDU’s promotion team had a vacancy due to the exit earlier this summer of VP/ Strategic Planning & Promotion Jimmy Rector, who moved to EMI Records Nashville.

Baldrica can be reached at tom.baldrica@sdumusic.com or (615) 324-7779.

Eric Church Plans Live Album

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Photo: Jim Sutter

As he prepares to head out on another leg of his headlining Blood, Sweat, & Beers Tour, Eric Church has revealed plans to bring his concert experience home with a live album slated for release in early 2013. To create the album, Church will record his two nights of concerts at Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theatre October 8-9.

Church is offering fans a chance to see the special taping with his newly-launched “Captured” video contest. Fans are encouraged to submit videos about how they first got into Church’s music for a chance to win two tickets to the taping, one night’s hotel stay, and a meet and greet with the artist. Entries are due by Sept. 12. Church will announce his top 10 favorites on Sept. 17 when polls will open for the final vote. The winner will be revealed Sept. 26.

See all upcoming tour dates here.

Industry Ink (9/4/2012)

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Michael Martin, Nicolle Gaylon, RaeLynn, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan and Ryan Beuschel

Republic Nashville’s previous The Voice participant, RaeLynn, has officially joined ASCAP as a writer and publisher member.

The singer-songwriter was part of Blake Shelton’s team on the NBC show, and recently opened shows in the midwest for Miranda Lambert. She is working on a forthcoming debut record with fellow TV show participant and co-writer Nicolle Gaylon. RaeLynn is managed by Judy Stakee.

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Pictured (L-R): Inna, Holly Strawn, Laura Huftless, Shanna Strassberg, Rosie, Catherine Melvin, Cindy Heath, Fiona, Montine Felso. Photo: Zac Koffler

Three teams of women from Music Row will compete in the Women’s Half-Marathon Sat., September 22 on behalf of ABLE Youth’s Run, Walk, Wheel & Roll initiative.

Catherine Melvin (High Five), Cindy Heath (Monarch Publicity), Holly Strawn (Attorney, Rubin Lublin, LLC), Laura Huftless (CAA), Martha Ivester (CAA), Montine Felso (WMG), Shanna Strassberg (GAC) and Whitney Duncan (singer/songwriter) will compete in the 13.1 miles race alongside ABLE Youth partners Dovey, Rosie, and J.Rod who are racing in their wheelchairs.

Since its inception in 2010, the organization has provided 1st-time race experiences for over 50 children while raising over $50,000 for programs that teach children in wheelchairs the importance of living happy, healthy, successful and independent lives. To learn more about the event and to make a donation, click here.

Jamey Johnson to Launch New Album With Ryman Concert

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Singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson will celebrate his new album Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran with a release-day concert at the Ryman Auditorium Tuesday, Oct 16 at 7:30 p.m. The evening will feature Johnson with a very a special group of friends yet to be announced.

Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran, which will be released on vinyl one week later on Sept. 25, includes collaborations with artists like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Alison Krauss, Leon Russell, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Ray Price. The album also features Asleep at the Wheel, Elvis Costello, George Strait, Ronnie Dunn, Bobby Bare, Lee Ann Womack, Kris Kristofferson and Cochran himself.

Tickets for the Ryman show will go on sale this Friday (9/7) at 10 am. To purchase ticket please visit www.ryman.com.

New Owner For Dick Clark Productions, Team Behind ACM Awards

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Dick Clark Productions, the company which produces the Academy of Country Music Awards, will be sold to a group which includes Guggenheim Partners, reports the LA Times.

Guggenheim also has stakes in Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, AdWeek and the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to the Times it is likely that Billboard and AdWeek’s awards shows will soon be produced by DCP and that current DCP chief executive Mark Shapiro will exit.

DCP also produces The Golden Globes, The American Music Awards, and Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance.

Joining Guggenheim in the purchase of DCP are Mandalay Entertainment and Mosaic Media Investment Partners. The deal is believed to be worth $385 million, a price much higher than competing bids placed by CBS, Core Media Group, and a consortium led by Ryan Seacrest.