Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers Launch Tour in May

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steve martin111Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers will launch a 20+ city tour in May, in support of the group’s album Love Has Come For You, which releases April 23 (Rounder Records). The tour will feature Edie Brickell. The tour which kicks off May 22 in Ft. Myers, Fla. and is the first for Martin and Brickell.
Love Has Come For You, features 13 rootsy compositions that combine Martin’s five-string banjo work with Brickell’s distinctive vocals and vivid, detail-rich lyrics.
Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell tour dates:
May-22-13 Fort Myers, Fla. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
May-23-13  St. Petersburg, Fla.  Mahaffey Theater
May-24-13  West Palm Beach, Fla.  Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
May-25-13  Tallahassee, Fla.  Florida State University – Ruby Diamond Auditorium
May-26-13  St. Augustine, Fla.  St. Augustine Amphitheater
May-27-13  N. Charleston, S.C.  N. Charleston Performing Arts Center
May-29-13  Nashville, Tenn.  Schermerhorn Symphony Center
May-30-13  Greenville, S.C.  Peace Center For The Performing Arts
May-31-13  Greensboro, N.C.  War Memorial Auditorium
June-21-13  Stamford, Conn.  Palace Theatre
June-22-13  Morristown, N.J.  Mayo Performing Arts Center
June-23-13  Kingston, N.Y.  Ulster Performing Arts Center
June-24-13 *  Vienna, Va. The Filene Center at Wolf Trap
June-25-13  New York  Town Hall Theatre
June-27-13  Philadelphia   Kimmel Center – Verizon Center
June-28-13   Chautauqua, N.Y.  Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater
June-29-13*  Toronto, ON  Nathan Phillips Square – City Hall
June-30-13 *  University Park, Pa.  Penn State University – Bryce Jordan Center
July-01-13   Pittsburgh   Heinz Hall
July-02-13   Wilkes-Barre, Pa.  Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
July-22-13 *  Minneapolis  State Theatre
July-24-13 *  Milwaukee   Riverside Theater
July-25-13 *   Chicago   Chicago Theatre
July-26-13 *   Midland, Mich.  Midland Center for the Arts
July-27-13   Indianapolis  Old National Centre – Murat Theatre
July-28-13 *  Kettering, Ohio  Fraze Pavilion
Aug.-7-13   Los Angeles  Hollywood Bowl
* denotes newly-added date
For more information, visit stevemartin.com.

Primetime 'Nashville': There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight

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It's gettin' hot between Rayna and Liam.

It’s gettin’ hot between Rayna and Liam.


There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Season 1 | Episode 113 
Ever the professional, Rayna pent up her emotions about her pending divorce to maintain a strong front on the road. But she wasn’t fooling Deacon, who knew something was up, though she wouldn’t say what. Finally she had a breakdown after a night of partying at a honky-tonk (The Stage) with producer Liam, which led to plenty of flirting and a kiss before she ended up in a puddle of tears in the bathroom of his hotel room.
Elsewhere in the Atlanta hotel (played by the Sheraton Downtown Nashville), Juliette was having a meltdown of a different kind. In the middle of the night, fueled by a few too many energy drinks, she banged on the doors of her band and entourage, bringing them out into the hall for a screaming fit about how she is their boss, not her manager Glen. She and Glen had been butting heads over her desire for a more organic, less pop-y sound. Glen quit on the spot. The next morning, Deacon gave Juliette a dose of reality: that her midnight “performance” was no way to win the affection of her team. She softened up by the time she returned to Nashville, and invited her mom to move in with her after she gets out of rehab.
Then Deacon got his own dose of reality when he saw Rayna and Liam making googly eyes at each other in the hotel lobby.
If you want to send some Nashville love to someone special this Valentine's Day, check out these cards

Click to send “Nashville” love this Valentine’s, with these e-cards.


The whole episode led up to Rayna returning home to Nashville to break the news of the divorce to her daughters. But oldest daughter, Maddie, had already overheard dad Teddy on the phone with his new lover Peggy (Kimberly Williams Paisley), and didn’t hesitate to spill the beans to her mom. (In another bombshell waiting to explode, Teddy is not Maddie’s biological father—Deacon is.)
Scarlett and Gunnar’s new song “Casino” played during a montage which included the teary-eyed scene where Rayna and Teddy tell their daughters. The song was written by Morgan Hayes and Natalie Hemby (see video below).
In more upbeat news, Scarlett and Gunnar received a call from Watty White that Rayna is interested in signing them to her new imprint. Elsewhere, Avery considered inking a deal of his own, after receiving a $100k publishing advance. And things got rocky on the homefront for new roommies Scarlett and Gunnar, when his brother arrived in town from Texas, where he is a wanted fugitive. It looks like there is going to be plenty more to this plotline in the next episode on Feb. 27.
Expect that show to be packed full of cameos including Dan Auerbach, Vince Gill and Kip Moore. During Deacon’s birthday party, Rayna will sing with Pam Tillis and Kate York, as well as her uncle Watty White (JD Souther) and Adria (Erin McCarley). But Juliette’s performance will be derailed by her mother. And Rayna and Teddy’s divorce will get unwelcome tabloid press. The Tennessean reports Mayor Karl Dean also guested in a recent shoot, but didn’t the final cut.

Vocal Coach Renee Grant-Williams To Hold Master Class in April

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RGWilliams1Nashville vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams, who has worked with celebrities including Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Miley Cyrus and Linda Ronstadt, will present a one-day seminar to singers of all styles, skills and experience levels. After a five-year hiatus, Grant-Williams is bringing back her popular and highly successful Vocal Master Class.

 This year’s class titled “Fearless Solutions For Singers” will be held on Saturday, April 13 at Soundcheck Rehearsal Studios in Nashville. The cost is $299 and participants can register online at www.myvoicecoach.com or by calling 615-244-3280.
“I’m so excited about this year’s Master Class,” says Grant-Williams. “The music business is in the throes of great change and it’s an exciting time to be pursuing music as a full time career.  Our afternoon panel (TBA) will help attendees understand the impact of these changes on their future.”
The class will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be devoted to exploring the vocal techniques that have aided the vocal health of artists including Faith Hill, Jason Aldean, Dixie Chicks and many others. The session also includes “This New Business Of Singing,” a panel discussion various industry executive that will focus on the ever-changing landscape of the music industry.

Shooter Jennings To Release Album, Launch Tour in March

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shooter jennings1Shooter Jennings will release his new album, The Other Life, on March 12 (Black Country Rock/Entertainment One Nashville). Jennings recently released the second single from the album, “Wild & Lonesome,” featuring Patti Griffin. The new album also features Scott H. Biram and Black Oak Arkansas bandleader Jim “Dandy” Mangrum.
Jennings also created a film to accompany the album, which will be screened at various venues. In the film, The Other Life, Shooter says goodbye to his family and hits the road, where he is haunted by a mysterious woman who is more than she seems. He soon finds himself on a supernatural journey forcing him to face a darkness that has followed him and a destiny he cannot deny. View the trailer here.

In March, Jennings will also embark on a tour in support of the album. Tour dates are listed below.
March 6   Miami, FL – Kid Rock Cruise
March 12   Austin, TX – SXSW
March 13   Austin, TX  – SXSW
March 14   New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks
March 15   Destin, FL – Club LA
March 16   Ormond Beach, FL – Club LA
April 11   San Marcos, TX – Texas Music Theater
April 13   Winnie, TX – Nutty Jerry’s
April 16   Winston-Salem, NC – Ziggy’s
April 17   Greenville, SC – The Handlebar
April 18    Athens, GA – George Theater
April 19   Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
April 20  Isle of Palms, SC – The Windjammer
April 23   Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
April 24  Chattanooga, TN – Track 29
April 25   Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
April 26   Indianapolis, IN – 8 Seconds Saloon
April 27   Chicago, IL – MoonRunner Music Fest
April 28   Sauk Rapids, MN – Rollie’s
May 18   Ashville, OH – DoughBoys
May 24   Jacksonville, NC – Gus’ Bar
May 25   Maryville, TN – The Shed
Jun 1 1  Allegre, KY – Goose on the Lake Fest
June 6  Ozark, AR – Thunder on the Mountain
June 7   Waco, TX – Brazos Nights
June 8   Whiteface, TX – Waylon Jennings Birthday
June 27  Dauphin, MB – Dauphin’s Countryfest
July 13  Renfro Valley, K – Renfro Valley

 

Artist Snapshots (2/14/13)

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Greg Bates and Alan Jackson posed for a photo on the tour bus before a concert in Evansville, Ind. Bates’ single “Fill In The Blank” was featured on a recent episode of Nashville, which aired Feb. 13.

greg bates alan jackson1

• • •

Parmalee performed at the Country Music Association offices as part of Live@CMA. The band performed their tunes including “Musta Had A Good Time,” “Carolina,” “Already Called You Mine” and “Can’t Tell My Heart What to Do.” Watch the video performance below.

 

parmalee live@cma

Pictured (L-R): Brittany Perlin; Chris Crawford; Brandi Simms; Parmalee’s Barry Knox and Scott Thomas; Ben Bennett; Parmalee’s Matt Thomas; Betsy Walker; Parmalee’s Josh McSwain; Heather Freeland and Stephen Linn. Photo credit: Christian Bottorff/CMA

• • •

Atlantic Records recording artist Brett Eldredge was the first artist featured on Warner Music Nashville’s new monthly interactive live concert stream, “Live From Music Square,” via StageIt on Tuesday (Feb. 12). The free hour-long session featured his current single, “Don’t Ya” and other tracks from his upcoming debut album.

LFMS_debut1

Pictured (L-R): Rob Baker (Mgr.), Jamie Younger (Community Manager, WMN), Brett Eldredge, Mike Dupree (Mgr, Media Development, WMN), Justin Luffman (VP, Brand Management, WMN)

Weekly Register: Truck Yeah!

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Tim McGraw Two Lanes of Freedom Album CoverTim McGraw‘s debut release from Big Machine Records, Two Lanes of Freedom, tops this week’s sales on the Country chart, rolling in at No. 1 with 107k units (39% Digital) in its first week (No. 2 overall behind Josh Groban). Produced by Byron Gallimore and McGraw, the album includes radio singles, “Truck Yeah,” released July 2012 and “One of Those Nights,” released November 2012.
Looking at other top selling albums this week on the Country chart, Taylor Swift‘s Red holds at No. 2 with an additional 35k in sales (3.4M RTD) and Gary Allan‘s Set You Free adds 25k units in its third week at No. 3. Florida Georgia Line‘s Here’s To The Good Times is at No. 4 gaining another 22k in sales while Hunter Hayes’ self-titled release sells 18k and rounds out the top 5.
Holly Williams also debuts this week with The Highway at 3.5k units.
LATopping the Country tracks, “Highway Don’t Care” (feat. Swift & Keith Urban) from McGraw’s album debuts this week at No. 1 on Country’s Digital Chart (No. 14 overall) with sales of 86k.
Lady Antebellum‘s “Downtown” from their upcoming fourth studio album yields 72k in its first week out and lands at No. 2 on the Country Digital Chart, followed by Tim McGraw’s “One Of Those Nights” selling 72k.

Wednesday Snapshots

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Bruce Springsteen was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year at the Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall on Feb. 8 as part of Grammy Week. Nashville’s George Flanigen serves as Chair of the Board of The Recording Academy, and a MusiCares and GRAMMY Foundation Board Member.

Pictured (L-R): President/CEO of The Recording Academy®, MusiCares® and the GRAMMY Foundation® Neil Portnow; Sr. Vice President of MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation Kristen Madsen; Chair of the Board of The Recording Academy, and MusiCares and GRAMMY Foundation Board Member George J. Flanigen IV; Vice President of MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation Dana Tomarken; MusiCares Board Chair Scott Pascucci; MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Bruce Springsteen, with wife Patti Scialfa; daughter Jessica Springsteen; mother Adele Springsteen, and guests and members of his family. Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/WireImage.com, photo by Kevin Mazur © 2013.

Pictured (L-R): President/CEO of The Recording Academy®, MusiCares® and the GRAMMY Foundation® Neil Portnow; Sr. Vice President of MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation Kristen Madsen; Chair of the Board of The Recording Academy, and MusiCares and GRAMMY Foundation Board Member George J. Flanigen IV; Vice President of MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation Dana Tomarken; MusiCares Board Chair Scott Pascucci; MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Bruce Springsteen, with wife Patti Scialfa; daughter Jessica Springsteen; mother Adele Springsteen, and guests and members of his family. Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/WireImage.com, photo by Kevin Mazur © 2013.


• • • •
Momentum Label Group recording artist Rachele Lynae was invited to become an honorary “Friends and Family” member of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Her debut album being produced by country star Jamie O’Neal will be released later this year. Her new single, “Fishin’ for Something” is set to impact country radio in March.
Pictured (L-R) back row: Pamela Johnson, VP, Development; Kyle Young, Museum Director; Jay Orr, Vice President, Programs; Jimmy Murphy, Momentum Label Group; Rachel Weingartner, Membership Manager; and Rachele Lynae.

Pictured (L-R) back row: Pamela Johnson, VP, Development; Kyle Young, Museum Director; Jay Orr, Vice President, Programs; Jimmy Murphy, Momentum Label Group; Rachel Weingartner, Membership Manager; and Rachele Lynae.


• • • •
Gary Morris will release Gary Morris: My First Love, an on demand webcast concert special tomorrow (Feb. 14). The one-hour show features new music from Morris’ recently released Single Man LP as well as signature songs from his country music career. Shot in front of a live audience at the Globe News Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo, TX, the set list includes new music, and his No. 1 hits, “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “Leave Me Lonely,” and “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” (Morris originated the U.S. role of Jean Valjean on Broadway). View a sneak peak on YouTube.
Gary Morris taping his concert special.

Gary Morris taping his concert special.

Industry Ink (2-13-13)

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Pictured (L-R): Josh Trivett, Ralph Stanley, Nathan Stanley and Peter Keiser

Pictured (L-R): Josh Trivett, Ralph Stanley, Nathan Stanley and Peter Keiser


Ralph Stanley has signed with Moonstruck Management for management and booking, headed by Josh Trivett and Peter Keiser.
Moonstruck has a client roster that also includes Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press and Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, among other award-winning groups.
 

• • •

Heather Hubbard

Heather Hubbard


Heather Hubbard, partner and deputy practice group leader of Waller’s litigation group, was recently named to the Nashville Business Journal’s 2013 class of 40 Under 40 honorees. Hubbard’s practice focuses on litigation involving entertainment, media, intellectual property, and commercial disputes. For more information, visit bizjournals.com.
 

• • •

renegade radio1Internet radio station Renegade Radio Nashville (RRN) has partnered with Fontanel Mansion to become the attraction’s official radio station. The station will be covering events – everything from concerts to events – effective immediately.
“Any opportunity to partner with other great music industry minds, like that of Fontanell Mansion owner Dale Morris, is one we jump to embrace. We’re thrilled to be working with Fontanell Mansion in promoting its many outstanding concerts and events.”
 

 

Music City Roots Expands To Syndicated Radio

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mcr Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Café will now be syndicated to 25 affiliate stations across the country.

Available to non-commercial and commercial stations, the one and two-hour edited versions will expand to markets including KRSH of Santa Rosa, Calif.,  WXOJ of North Hampton, Mass. and WCLX of Burlington, Va. Craig Havighurst will host each episode, which is distributed one and a half weeks after originally airing.
“The bands that grace our stage have always been such a wonderful part of Music City Roots and these syndicated affiliates give them an opportunity to be heard,” said co-Executive Producer, John Walker. “In growing the Music City reputation of Nashville, we are proud and honored to be a platform for artists and brands across the United States and internationally.”
“Nashville is vibrant and growing right now!” said Music City Roots’ radio promoter, Leslie Rouffe of Songlines Music. “This is a chance for stations to bring that vibe of Music City to their listeners.”
A list of affiliate stations and additional information is available at www.musiccityroots.com/roots-affiliates.
Music City Roots will kick-off live tonight (Feb. 13) at 7 p.m. from the Loveless Barn with Bonnie Bishop, Lee Harvey Osmond, Etta Britt, Jerry Joseph and Chicago Farmer.
Music City Roots is available via podcast episodes, full Livestream archives, a YouTube channel and a 24/7 free Internet radio app. Public television syndication will air 13 episodes from the 2012 fall season over the coming weeks.

Nashville To Host K-LOVE Fan Awards June 1

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klove awards111

Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Camp, Francesa Battistelli, Brandon Heath, TobyMac, Amy Grant, Jamie Grace, Plumb


The first-ever K-LOVE Fan Awards will be held Saturday, June 1 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The awards show will be the first 100 percent fan-voted award show in Contemporary Christian Music.
During a press conference held at the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday (Feb. 13), Christian music artists Amy Grant, TobyMac, Jeremy Camp, Brandon Heath, Francesca Battistelli, Jamie Grace and Plumb were on hand to assist with the announcement.
“I’m so excited about this event,” said Grant. “I spoke with [husband] Vince [Gill] this morning and he said, ‘This is like the younger sibling of CMA Week.’ I feel we are saying welcome to the community, and fans are a big part of our community.”
“I’ve always watched country music do this,” said TobyMac. “It’s about time we did it.”
“Radio is an immeasurable part of what we do,” said Plumb, in acknowledgement of K-LOVE’s involvement. “It’s an extension of what we are and [its work in] showing the love of Christ is invaluable.”
Camp and Heath announced the hosts for the K-LOVE Fan Awards, Phil and Kay Robertson, along with Jase and Misty Robertson, all of A&E’s Duck Dynasty. Camp also showed off his little-known duck calling skills during the announcement.
The fan-voted categories will encompass not only music, but movies, sports and literature. The categories will include:
-Female Vocalist of the Year
– Male Vocalist of the Year
– Duo/Group of the Year
– Breakthrough Artist of the Year
– Sports Impact Award
– Movie Impact Award
– Book of the Year
– “Unsung Hero” – A K-LOVE listener recipient award
– Artist of the Year
– Song of the Year
Additionally, the ultimate fan experience will take place May 31-June 2 at Nashville’s Opryland Hotel, where there will be special concerts, meet & greet opportunities for fans, dinner with the K-LOVE staff and friends, a weekend kick-off concert, and a corporate worship event to conclude the weekend. There are a limited spots to the Ultimate Fan Experience and it is slated to sell out.
Nashville mayor Karl Dean, K-LOVE CEO Mike Novak and K-LOVE CCO David Pierce were also on hand for the announcement. “God has blessed our ministry and in that he has given us a large stage to play on,” said Pierce. “It’s not our stage, but His.”
For more information and pre-sale information, visit klovefanawards.com.