Loretta Lynn’s 50 Years With Opry; Waylon Jennings’ Last Recordings

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The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate Loretta Lynn’s 50th Anniversary with a special show tomorrow night (9/25). The  star-packed performance will feature Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Crystal Gayle, Lee Ann Womack, and more.

Fans are invited to post their favorite memories of Lynn via Twitter using #Love4Loretta, and some of the Tweets will be compiled on opry.com and shared at tomorrow night’s show.

Opry flagship station 650 AM-WSM is scheduled to play a Lynn song every hour tomorrow, while other artists call in with congratulations for the iconic artist.

Also, opry.com will stream a press conference featuring Lynn and other artists on tomorrow night’s show live from backstage at the Opry House at 6:30 p.m.

The Opry show can be heard live on 650 AM WSM and opry.com.

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A new album from outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings is filled with recordings made during the years preceding his death in 2002. Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings will be released tomorrow (9/25) via Saguaro Road Records. No one has ever heard these performances, they are Waylon’s last gift to his fans.

Jennings and his longtime accompanist Robby Turner laid down twelve tracks using Jennings’ guitar/vocals and Turner’s bass. Ten years after the artist’s passing, Turner finished each song to honor Jennings’ vision and brought in some of his favorite sidemen including Reggie Young, Richie Albright and tour mate Tony Joe White. 

Youtube video

CRS Previews 2013 Agenda

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The Country Radio Seminar 2013 agenda will offer attendees lessons from even more industry experts, through a new daily featured speaker initiative.

The daily speaker initiative will offer attendees a different presentation every morning of CRS 2013, which runs Feb. 27-March 1 in Nashville. Each guest speaker will be given a priority time slot when no other events or panels are being held. The CRS 2013 keynote speaker and daily speakers will be revealed in the coming weeks.

With a focus on technology, social media, and adaptation to market challenges, CRS 2013 will also include its usual mix of expert panelists, research, and industry leaders. Early confirmed speakers include talent coach Valerie Geller (Geller Media International), brand management and social media marketer Jeff James, and talent experts Beth and Matt Sunshine (The Center For Sales Strategy). Check out the agenda and a select panel descriptions at www.countryradioseminar.com.

Legislation Seeks To Lower Online Radio Royalty Rates

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A bill introduced to Congress Friday (9/21) is designed to put streaming radio royalty rates in line with satellite radio royalty rates. Under the Internet Radio Fairness Act, a panel of federal judges would set rates, which would likely lead to lower rates for Pandora, iHeartRadio, Slacker and similar non-interactive online radio services.

Under current circumstances, a high percentage of company income goes to pay artist and songwriter royalties. These royalty rates are based on individual song plays, and though they are fractions of a cent, can add up very quickly to large sums. In Pandora’s case, the artists’ share alone cost the service half of last year’s revenue, according to CEO Tim Westergren.

By comparison, SiriusXM pays about 8 percent of its revenue for artist performance royalties.

Terrestrial radio stations only pay songwriters and publishers, not artists. The recent exception to this rule is the deals made by Big Machine Label Group with terrestrial radio broadcasters Clear Channel and Entercom. The model has BMLG and its artists being paid terrestrial performance royalties in exchange for a lower rate for digital performance royalties, which will distribute the royalty cost more evenly between both kinds of radio.

The Internet Radio Fairness Act was introduced in the House by Jason Chaffetz (Rep.-Utah), and Jared Polis (Dem.- Col.), and in the Senate by Ron Wyden (Dem.-Oregon).

More from the New York Times.

Hall of Fame Breaks Summer Attendance Record

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has set a new record for summer attendance, museum officials revealed today.

From the Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 197,938 people visited the museum, a 15% increase over the previous record of 172,100 set in 2011.

“We are gratified that so many local, national and international visitors have chosen to visit us this summer, and we’d like to thank them for such strong support,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “There are a number of factors that contributed to our record-setting attendance:  Foremost, we’ve offered a powerful trifecta of exhibitions spotlighting the Bakersfield Sound, superstar Taylor Swift and Country Music Hall of Fame member Patsy Cline, and strong live programs to accompany them. Taylor’s exhibition marks the first time we’ve mounted a major display on a contemporary artist, and our visitors have responded very positively—our youth and family attendance is up 23% over last year.”

Coming up soon at the Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Allen Reynolds (“Five O’Clock World,” “Dreaming My Dreams With You”) will be honored as the latest subject of the quarterly series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. The 90-minute event takes place October 6, at 1:30 pm and will be hosted by museum editor Michael Gray. Museum passes are required for attendance.

Singles Only Hosts Oktoberfest Benefit

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Singles Only will host A Night of Hits Oktoberfest, a songwriter benefit at 3rd & Lindsley, on Wednesday, Oct. 3. The music begins at 6 p.m. and proceeds will benefit The Raining Season, an organization that runs and funds an orphanage in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Performers for the evening include Eric Paslay, Dave Barnes, Liz Rose, Jaron Boyer, Jeff Middleton, Erik Dylan, Jeff Coplan, Steve Pasch, Brian White, Dylan Altman, Jim McCormick and Ben Daniel.

Tickets at $5 at the door. More on The Raining Season here.

Brantley Gilbert Launches Headlining Tour

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Brantley Gilbert

Brantley Gilbert will set out on his first headlining tour, The Hell on Wheels Tour, this Thursday (9/27) in West Lafayette, IN with special guests Uncle Kracker, Brian Davis, and his BMLG labelmate Greg Bates.

“We’re doing something a little bit different with our music, there’s a little bit of rock in our country,” said Gilbert on choosing Uncle Kracker as a tourmate. “I don’t think that’s a secret. We’re not hiding it! There’s a different aspect to it.”

“I feel like I’m writing my best stuff right now with him,” Gilbert said of choosing songwriter Davis. “He’s basically part of the family. So him coming on the road with us will be a great chance for me to write even more than I’m writing right now. I couldn’t happier with the line-up, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Hell on Wheels Tour:
9/27– West Lafayette, IN
9/28– Poplar Bluff, MO
9/29– Oklahoma City, OK
10/4– Missoula, MT
10/5– Bozeman, MT
10/6– Boise, ID
10/11– Dodge City, KS
10/12– Fayetteville, AR
10/13– Jackson, MS
10/14– Nashville, TN *Miles and Music for Kids (with Dierks Bentley)
10/18– Amarillo, TX
10/19– Las Cruces, NM
10/20– San Antonio, TX
10/26– Ames, IA
10/27– Rockford, IL
10/28– Lexington, KY
11/8– Clemson, SC
11/9– Huntington, WV
11/10– Johnson City, TN
11/16– Baton Rouge, LA

Snapshots (9/24/12)

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Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and the Music City Music Council (MC2) have named Kings of Leon as recipients of the second annual Music City Ambassador Award. The honor was presented on Friday (9/21) at Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame, where the band was also honored with a commemorative star.

Kings of Leon with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean

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Gloriana recently stopped by ASCAP Nashville’s offices to present the organization with a plaque for the Gold single “Kissed You Good Night.” The song was penned by ASCAP members Josh Kear and Tom Gossin and is the group’s first top 5 hit.

Pictured with Gloriana (front) are ASCAP staff members (L-R): Mike Sistad, Evyn Mustoe, Ryan Beuschel and Michael Martin

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Sarah Darling recently visited Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends Weekend, where she played her upcoming single “Home To Me.” She also stuck around to perform her song “Old T-Shirt” during the After The Show Show. Check out Darling singing “Home to Me” here.

(L-R): Fox & Friends Co-Host, Alisyn Camerota, Fox & Friends Co-Host, Dave Briggs; and Sarah Darling

Songwriters to Play Benefit Show at Lucy’s Country Cafe

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A selection of Nashville’s hit songwriters will come together at Lucy’s Country Cafe on Wednesday, Oct. 3 during Bobby Pinson’s weekly “Sing For Your Supper” show to benefit the Nashville-based non-profit Charley Foundation. The organization provides support to charitable agencies addressing the critical needs of children.

Performers at the benefit include Jessica Andrews, Marc Beeson, Lisa Carver, Sarah Davidson, David Lee, LoCash Cowboys, Danny Myrick, Randy Owen, Bobby Pinson, DJ Silver, Jon Stone, Adley Stump, Bridgette Tatum, Chad Warrix, Trent Willmon and more.

The show begins at 7 pm at Lucy’s, located at 1911 Broadway inside the Blue Bar. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at charleyfoundation.org. Food tickets will also be available for $10.

Toby Keith Releases Track Listing and Cover Art

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Toby Keith has unveiled the track listing for his upcoming Oct. 30 album titled, Hope On The Rocks. The list was originally presented to Toby’s Facebook fans on a napkin in the below image. The album artwork has also been unveiled (at right).

The collection’s first single, “I Like Girls That Drink Beer” (music video below), has climbed to No. 11 on the MusicRow Chart.

Hope On The Rocks (Deluxe Edition)
1. Hope On The Rocks
2. The Size I Wear
3. Scat Cat
4. I Like Girls That Drink Beer
5. Get Got
6. Haven’t Had A Drink All Day
7. Haven’t Seen The Last of You
8. Cold Beer Country
9. Missed You Just Right
10. You Ain’t Alone

Bonus Tracks:
11.   Red Solo Cup – Johnny Mac Remix
12.   Beers Ago –  Jason Nevins Remix
13.   Whiskey Girl (Live)
14.   Get Out Of My Car (Live)

Youtube video

Lauren Alaina Kicks Off “Inch-by-Inch” Tour

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Lauren Alaina is heading out on her Inch-By-Inch Tour in support of her current single “Eighteen Inches.” The tour, which kicks off in Bloomsburg, PA today (9/21), will stop in eighteen cities. Appropriately, Alaina will celebrate her 18th birthday during the tour on Nov. 8.

She is also teaming up with local charities and the Special Olympics to donate a portion of each sale of her limited edition Inch-By-Inch Tour t-shirt. Fans who cannot make it to one of these shows can still do their part and purchase the t-shirt from www.laurenalainaofficial.com.

“Eighteen Inches,” co-written by Carrie Underwood, Kelley Lovelace and Ashley Gorley, has hit the Top 40 on the country singles chart and is steadily rising.

For a full list of tour dates click here.