McGraw Debuts New Music During CMA Week

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Tim McGraw and Ne-Yo

Tim McGraw hosted an exclusive party at downtown Nashville’s One Eleven rooftop venue on Halloween night, the eve of the 46th Annual CMA Awards.

Industry and media were invited to preview songs from McGraw’s upcoming Big Machine Records album, Two Lanes of Freedom, out on Feb. 5. He unveiled his new single, “One Of Those Nights,” and invited special guest, R&B star Ne-Yo, to join him onstage.

Plaques were also presented during the event, honoring McGraw as Nielsen BDS’ most played Country artist of the past 20 years with 10 million detected spins and the most played Country artist in the history of Mediabase.

McGraw received a 2012 CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year with Kenny Chesney for the duet “Feel Like A Rock Star.” Additionally, he performed twice during the live broadcast.

Pictured (L-R): Josh Bennett (Nielsen-BDS-SoundScan/Nashville), McGraw, Scott Borchetta, Robin Rhodes (Mediabase).

Maroon 5 To Perform at Grammy Noms Concert

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Maroon 5 is set to perform an exclusive concert for guests attending The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 5. The concert will immediately follow the one-hour televised nominations special. Performers during the televised program will include Luke Bryan and Maroon 5. LL Cool J and Taylor Swift will co-host the event, which will air on CBS from 10 – 11 p.m. ET/PT (9 p.m. Central). Additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly.

The road to “Music’s Biggest Night” begins with The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! and culminates with the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, and broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The nominations concert is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer. LL Cool J is producer. The event is open to the public and tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com.

Aldean Continues Stadium Sell Outs, Releases New Single

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Eric Church, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan.

Jason Aldean’s recently announced 2013 Night Train Tour is quickly becoming one of next year’s most in-demand tickets. After selling out his July 13 date at Boston’s famed Fenway Park, Aldean also sold out his newly-added second show at the stadium on July 12. Additionally, Aldean quickly sold out his April 13 show at the University of Georgia’s Stanford Stadium.

Miranda Lambert, along with special guests Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett will perform during both Fenway Shows as part of his 2013 tour.

“The list of guys in country music who sell out stadiums is pretty short, it’s guys like Chesney and Garth…I’m not supposed to be on that list,” said Aldean. “It’s a big testament to the hard work my band and crew put in every night out there and to the loyalty and passion of country music fans. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Aldean also revealed the second single from his fifth studio album, Night Train, last week (11/1) during the opening performance of the CMA Awards. Titled “The Only Way I Know,” the track includes Luke Bryan and Eric Church is available at radio now. Night Train sold 409,000 copies in its first week out.

For a full list of appearances and more information, visit www.jasonaldean.com.

CMA Instrumental Healthcare Launches

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CMA Board President-Elect Ed Hardy and board member Jeff Walker visit a Vanderbilt healthcare information booth during CMA’s annual membership meeting. Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA.

The Country Music Association has announced the creation of CMA Instrumental Healthcare, formerly known as CMA Sound Healthcare. The new initiative, a partnership between CMA, Pancoast Benefits, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was launched during CMA’s annual membership meeting in Nashville.

“Affordable and available health insurance is one of the most valued benefits for members of CMA,” said Steve Moore, Chief Executive Officer of CMA. “We strive to provide insurance options that meet our constituents’ needs and offer a whole new level of security – especially for members who are self-employed or otherwise not in a position to obtain coverage that fits their health requirements and budget. We feel confident that CMA Instrumental Healthcare accomplishes this important and necessary goal.”

Among the benefits for the new program include savings of up to 60 percent on generic prescriptions, and 25 percent on brand name prescriptions at over 58,000 pharmacies. The program also includes supplemental coverage for accidental, disability, dental, and vision. Additionally, all participants will get a 25 percent discount on balances at Vanderbilt University Medical Center up to $2000.

More information here.

Songwriting Great Jan Crutchfield Dies

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Hit songwriter Jan Crutchfield passed away on Thursday, October 30 at the age of 74.

During his career, Crutchfield earned seven BMI Awards and was twice nominated for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His “Statue of a Fool” was a top-10 hit three different times.

A native of Paducah, KY, Jan Crutchfield emerged on Nashville’s country-music scene in the early 1960s. In 1963, Faron Young sang the first of the songwriter’s many subsequent country hits, “Down By the River” and “We’ve Got Something in Common.” In 1965, Perry Como took Crutchfield’s “Dream on Little Dreamer” onto the pop hit parade.

Bonnie Guitar scored with his “I’m Living in Two Worlds” in 1966, and the song went on to be recorded by at least eight other stars, including Loretta Lynn and Dinah Shore. Charley Pride sang Crutchfield’s “Does My Ring Burn Your Finger” into the country top-10 in 1967.

In that same year, Wilma Burgess introduced the songwriter’s melodic “Tear Time.” It was revived and taken to No. 1 by Dave & Sugar in 1978 and re-recorded by K.T. Oslin in 1996.

The classic “Statue of a Fool” became one of Jack Greene’s signature songs in 1967, when it became a No. 1 hit. He continues to sing it on Grand Ole Opry broadcasts today. Brian Collins returned the song to the country top-10 in 1974, and it became a major hit a third time when sung by Ricky Van Shelton in 1989.

Jean Shepard (1970’s “Another Lonely Night”), Wanda Jackson (1971’s “Fancy Satin Pillows”), Faron Young (1972’s “This Little Girl of Mine”) and Tanya Tucker (1977’s “Ridin’ Rainbows”) kept Jan Crutchfield’s songs on the charts during the 1970s.

Lee Greenwood revived the songwriter’s fortunes in the 1980s by recording the Crutchfield-penned “It Turns Me Inside Out” (1981), “She’s Lying” (1982) and “Going, Going, Gone” (1984). Both Tucker and Greenwood were produced by Jan Crutchfield’s brother, Jerry Crutchfield.

The songwriter’s last charted title was 1985’s “It Should Have Been Love by Now,” a duet by Barbara Mandrell and Greenwood. But he continued to have songs recorded in the 1990s, such as 1993’s “Heartaches on Parade” by Cleve Francis. Even more recently, Ray Price recorded the Jan Crutchfield tune “You Just Don’t Love Me Anymore” in 2002.

Jan Crutchfield is survived by daughters Rose Lynn Newberry, Janalyn Bornstein and Holly Jo Walker; by brothers Jon Thomas and Jerry Don Crutchfield; by sisters Julia Lee Emberton, Jean Ann Crutchfield and Jane Ella Merry; and by five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. today [Monday] at Williamson Memorial Funeral Homeat 3009 Columbia Ave. in Franklin. Visitation will be held there from noon to 2 p.m.

Aaron Lewis Announces Album and Tour

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Aaron Lewis

Blaster Records’ Aaron Lewis will release his first full-length solo album, The Road, in stores November 13. The album will be supported by “The Road Tour,” which begins this weekend and runs through December.

The James Stroud co-produced album features nine-tracks, including the first outside song Lewis has ever recorded titled “Granddaddy’s Gun,” by writers Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Bobby Pinson. The video for Lewis’ latest single, “Forever,” will debut in the coming weeks on CMT and GAC.

The first leg of the tour will include tourmate Randy Montana visiting over 20 cities (full dates below).

“Touring and connecting with the audience has a huge influence on my music,” says Lewis. “This new record was essentially written and recorded while I was out on the road and the songs really reflect all the emotions that come with that.”

Lewis released a seven-song EP, Town Line, in 2010 that featured his gold-selling single “Country Boy,” featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels.

To purchase tickets visit www.aaronlewismusic.com

Tour Dates: 
*November 2-3 – Mount Pocono, Mount Airy Casino Resort
November 4-  Sayerville, NJ,  Starland Ballroom
November 7- Munhall, PA, Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
November 8- Columbus, OH, Bluestone
November 9- Knoxville, TN, Cotton Eyed Joe
November 10- Winston Salem, NC, Johnny & June’s Ultra Saloon
November 15- Davie, FL, Cowboys Saloon
November 16- Jacksonville, FL, Mavericks
November 17- Orlando, FL, Plaza Theatre
November 18- Clearwater, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall
November 23- Kansas City, MO, Midland By AMC
November 24- Minneapolis, MN, Mill City Nights
November 25- Des Moines, IA, Val Air Ballroom
November 27- Springfield, MO, Gilloz Theatre
November 28- Scott, LA, Cowboys
November 29- Monroe, LA, The Hookin’ Bull
November 30- Winnie, TX, Nutty Jerry’s
*December 1- Ft Worth, TX, Billy Bob’s
December 7- Indianapolis, IN, Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
December 8- Rootstown, OH , Dusty Armadillo
December 9- Philladelphia, PA, Trocadero Theatre
December 11- Orono, ME, Alfond Arena at the University of ME
December 13- Williamsville, NY, Club Infinity
December 14- New York, NY, Irving Plaza
December 15-  Clifton Park, NY,  Northern Lights/Upstate Concert Hall
*does not include Randy Montana

CMA Awards After Party Pics (Continued)

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MusicRow’s after party awards coverage continues for the 46th Annual CMA Awards, held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (11/1).

Big Machine Label Group celebrated the CMA Awards in style with a swanky after party at the Pinnacle Building in Downtown Nashville. The label group had five artists perform on the Awards broadcast including Brantley Gilbert, Eli Young Band including new singles from The Band Perry (“Better Dig Two”), Tim McGraw (“One of Those Nights”) and Taylor Swift (“Begin Again”).

Pictured (L-R): Row 1 – Jimmy Harnen, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Scott Borchetta, Tim McGraw, Kimberly Perry, Justin Moore; Row 2 – Mike Eli, Nikki Burns, Brantley Gilbert, Ella Mae Bowen, Allison Jones, Sheri Roth, Reid Perry, RaeLynn, Brittney McKenna, Kelly Rich, Andrew Kautz, Amber Holguin, John Zarling, Matthew Hargis, Erin Burr, Jake Basden; Row 3 – James Young, Tali Giles, Lois Lewis, Mike Molinar, Jayme Austin, Stacy Blythe, Greg Bates, Neil Perry, Jackie Campbell, Martha Earls, Annie Ortmeier, Megan Knutson, Ivan Clow, Laurel Kittleson, Jimmy Chapin, Whitney Sutton, Kelsey Chandler, Justin Key, Meg Gregg; Row 4 – Chris Thompson, Cliff Blake, Brad Howell, Sarah Montgomery, Thomas Rhett, Jackie Lee, Erik Powell, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard, Seth Hellman Brad Turcotte, Jack Purcell, Kris Lamb, Alex Valentine, Jeff Davis, Brad Kash, George Briner, Mark Gray, Dave Kelly.

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UMG Nashville celebrated a big night at the 46th Annual CMA Awards, with Little Big Town bringing home two trophies (Single of the Year for “Pontoon” and Vocal Group of the Year), and Eric Church winning Album of the Year (for Chief).

(L-R): Scotty McCreery, Canaan Smith, Walker Hayes, Jimi Westbrook (LBT), Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Eric Paslay, Keith Urban, Phillip Sweet (LBT), Dierks Bentley, Karen Fairchild (LBT), John Pardi, UMGD President & CEO Jim Urie, Darius Rucker, Kimberly Schlapman (LBT), Eric Church, Lauren Alaina, Kelleigh Bannen, UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum), Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum), Kacey Musgraves, Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum), Josh Turner, Luke Bryan, Randy Montana, John Osborne (Brothers Osborne), Drake White, Mallory Hope, TJ Osborne (Brothers Osborne), David Nail. PHOTO: Chris Hollo


CMA Bestows Special Media Honors

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The team of Jennifer Meyer (Senior Producer) and Ray Sells (Supervising Producer) of CMT Insider was presented with the 2012 CMA Media Achievement Award backstage in the media center during The 46th Annual CMA Awards. CMT Insider is one of the network’s most highly-rated and its staff covers all major Country Music events.

Meyer joined MTV Networks in 2001 in the CMT News Department, and her resume includes time with CMA, WKRN-TV and more. Sells came on board in 2004, having prior experience at Tangible Vision and Reid Land Productions among others. Meyers and Sells also previously worked closely together during their tenure with Jim Owens & Associates.

The CMA Media Achievement Award was established to recognize outstanding achievements in media related to Country Music. Past winners include The Boot’s Beville Darden (2010), Storme Warren (2007), and Robert K. Oermann (1988).

(L-R): Sells, Meyer, and CMA Vice President of Corporate Communication Wendy Pearl. Photo credit: Jamie Schramm/CMA

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CMA Award winning foursome Little Big Town surprised Bob Harris of BBC Radio 2 with the presentation of the 2012 Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award during the red carpet interviews leading up to the CMA Awards. The honor recognizes outstanding achievements in media which contribute to the development of Country Music outside the United States.

“I feel truly honored to receive the Wesley Rose International Achievement Award,” said Harris. “For my work to be acknowledged by the Nashville Music Community and to have the award presented by Little Big Town on the Red Carpet means the world to me.”

A longtime supporter of Country Music, Harris began his career with the BBC over four decades ago and was recently inducted into the British Country Music Hall of Fame. He is also recipient of the Mojo Medal, and the Americana Music Association’s Trailblazer Award, and was made Order of the British Empire in 2011.

Harris (L) receives the 2012 Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award from Little Big Town

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Lipscomb University junior Caitlin Selle has been named the recipient of the 2012 CMA Close Up Award of Merit, honoring the student journalist or photographer who demonstrated the most creativity, dedication, and promise in covering the CMA Music Festival. The 20-year-old student from Tega Cay, SC, was presented with the honor last night (11/1) during the backstage press conference for the 46th Annual CMA Awards.

Candidates for the Close Up Award of merit are chosen based on recommendations from departments heads at several universities and colleges, and cover the CMA Music Festival under direction of CMA Close Up Editor Bob Doerschuk.

(L-R): CMA Close Up Editor Bob Doerschuck and Selle. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA

CMA Presents Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

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Country Music Hall of Fame member and musical icon Willie Nelson was presented with the inaugural CMA Lifetime Achievement Award Thursday during The 46th Annual CMA Awards.

On receiving the two-foot tall Award from Brad Paisley, Nelson said, “Wow. You could do push-ups with this. This is a great honor. Thank you to the CMA.”

“Willie is an iconic musical legend and innovator,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Even as he approaches his 80th birthday, Willie continues to be a lasting and meaningful influence on our music and artists. There is no one more deserving of this honor than Mr. Willie Nelson.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award was created to honor an artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music, including concerts, sales, philanthropy, and public representation. The CMA Board of Directors approved the award in July, and it will be renamed the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award for future presentations.

ABC Sweeps Thursday Night With CMA Awards

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Little Big Town accepted its first CMA Awards for Vocal Group and Single of the Year (“Pontoon”) last night (11/1). Photo: Donn Jones

ABC swept the evening Thursday night (11/1) during the 46th Annual CMA Awards, according to preliminary data from Zap2It. The network beat out the runner up CBS by almost one million viewers with its most-watched non sports Thursday in over three years.

Ratings for the Awards fell this year in contrast to previous years, perhaps due in part to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast. The show was also moved from its traditional Wednesday night slot to Thursday, where it competed against popular CBS shows The Big Bang Theory, Person of Interest, and Elementary (or NFL in the San Diego market). Nonetheless, Country Music’s Biggest Night peaked at 14.1 million viewers tuning in during the 9 pm hour and led the desirable 18-49 demographic with a 3.8 rating, a 2.5 year high. Overall, ABC averaged 13.6 million viewers for an 8.4 rating/13 share in prime time versus an average 12.6 million viewers for CBS. Third place Fox brought in about 6.2 million viewers.

In the 8 PM hour, the CMA Awards garnered a second place audience of 12.8 million (behind The Big Bang Theory’s 15.65 million viewers), took the lead at 14.1 million in the 9 PM slot, and bringing in at 13.9 million at 10 PM.

The 46th Annual CMA Awards will be replayed on CMT later this month (11/23 at 9 pm ET/PT) with additional airings scheduled for the subsequent weekend (11/23-25).