Artists Respond To Oklahoma Tornado Tragedy

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oklahoma1Several artists took to social media to send their thoughts and prayers to those affected by the tornado that tore through Moore, Okla. and its surrounding communities yesterday (May 20). Many artists, including Oklahoma natives Toby Keith, Reba and Carrie Underwood, shared their thoughts on the recent events.
Artist Reactions:
This storm has devastated the community that I grew up in. I rode my bike through those neighborhoods. I have family and friends in Moore. My heart and prayers go to those that have lost so much. But Moore is strong and we will persevere. God be with you all—Toby Keith (via a statement)
Our prayers and thoughts are with those in Oklahoma dealing with the aftermath of the storms Gods Speed—Craig Morgan
The devastation in Oklahoma is heartbreaking. I hope everyone effected can find some kind of safety and peace tonight —LeAnn Rimes
All my prayers go out to the folks in Oklahoma dealing with these tornados. Stay safe everyone!!!!—Reba McEntire
Growing up in tornado alley, you always know what could happen…it doesn’t change how devastating it is when something does happen—Carrie Underwood
Pray for everyone devastated by these storms, but especially for those families in Moore, OK right now…God, wrap your arms around this community—Trisha Yearwood
My heart is breaking. So much devastation. Praying for all affected & those still in the wake of this storm be safe!—Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott
Our hearts are crushed for Oklahoma, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers—The Band Perry
God Bless Oklahoma victums [sic]- prayers are with all the families – will wake up tomorrow and start working on the best way to help—Kix Brooks
Crazy footage. Praying for Oklahoma right now—Chris Young

 
 
 

Performers Announced For 'Country Weekly' Kick-Off Party

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country weekly11Country Weekly magazine will host its annual celebration on Tuesday, June 4, to unofficially kick off CMA Music Festival. Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch, Greg Bates and Chris Janson are slated to take part in the event, which will be held at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Musicians On Call Nashville, a non-profit organization that brings music to the bedsides of healthcare facility patients.
Doors will open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 8 p.m. Attendees will get their own star treatment with a red carpet arrival, lights and a backdrop for photos. The event is sponsored by Boot Barn, Durango and Roper.
For more information on the event, ticket options and MOC Nashville, please visit musiciansOnCall.org.
 
 
 
 

Ratings Report: Trace Adkins Wins 'Celebrity Apprentice'

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Trace Adkins and Donald Trump.

Trace Adkins and Donald Trump.


Vote Kellie tonight on "Dancing..."

Vote Kellie tonight on “Dancing…”


Last night’s (May 19) major network television line up was packed with country music talent. Here’s how early ratings are stacking up, according to Zap2It.com:
• The season finale of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice (NBC) scored a 1.5 in adults 18-49, down 32 percent from a 2.2 for last year’s season finale. About 5.26 million viewers tuned in to see Trace Adkins win. During the season finale, Adkins raised $564,000 for the American Red Cross, which contributed to his total of $1.5 million for the charity. Joining him on the show to contribute to the cause were The Oak Ridge Boys, Thompson Square, Billy Ray Cyrus and Wynonna Judd. Adkins performed “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Love Will.”
• ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’ Superstar Summer Night (CBS) earned a 1.2 adults 18-49 rating, with about 6.19 million viewers.
• The 2013 Billboard Music Awards (ABC) won the night. Taylor Swift swept the show, which came in at number one among adults 18-49 and with total viewers. The show scored a ten-year high 3.6 rating among adults 18-49, and attracted 9.47 million viewers.
• • • •
• Kellie Pickler’s hot streak continues on the season finale of Dancing With The Stars tonight (May 20) on ABC. The country star and dance partner Derek Hough will vie for the viewer-voted win at 7 p.m. CT, and the champions will be announced on tomorrow night’s show at 8 p.m. CT.
• Last Thursday’s (May 16) season finale of American Idol slumped compared to last year’s ratings. The ABC  show earned a 3.6 adults 18-49 rating, about 44 percent lower than last year. It averaged 14.31 million viewers, coming in below the 20 million mark for the first time in history. Still, it was number one among adults 18-49 and with total viewers. Nashvillian Kree Harrison was named runner up of the competition.
Keith Urban and Taylor Swift join Tim McGraw for his ACM special.

Keith Urban and Taylor Swift join Tim McGraw for his ACM special.

Songwriter Alan O'Day Passes

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Alan O'Day21111Songwriter and artist Alan O’Day died at his home in Westwood, Calif., after a battle with cancer.
A Southern California native, O’Day signed with Warner Bros. Music in 1971. He wrote “Train of Thought” for Cher, “Rock and Roll Heaven” for the Righteous Brothers and “Angie Baby” for Helen Reddy. In 1977, O’Day released the solo effort “Undercover Angel,” which became a No. 1 Billboard hit.
O’Day co-wrote “There’s Only One Ariel” for Disney’s Little Mermaid, as well as nearly 100 songs for the television series Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies.
In February 2013, 1st Phase Records country-recording artist Paul Scott released his debut album Make Me Believe featuring two songs co-written by O’Day, “NASCAR Crazy” and “Uh-Uh (What She Wants).” O’Day’s songs were also recorded by Olivia Newton-John, Anne Murray, Three Dog Night, John Kay, Dave Mason, Johnny Mathis, The 5th Dimension, Larry Carlton, Captain & Tenille, Tom Jones, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, John Travolta, Dusty Springfield, Bobby Sherman, David Clayton Thomas, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Paul Anka and Gene Pitney.
Funeral services are pending.

George Strait Celebrates 60th No. 1 Single

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The UMG Nashville staff celebrates George Strait's 60th No. 1 hit.

The UMG Nashville staff celebrates George Strait’s 60th No. 1 hit.


Country Music Hall of Fame member and UMG Nashville artist George Strait became the first music artist in history, regardless of genre, to place 60 songs at the top of the charts when Mediabase named “Give It All We Got Tonight” as this week’s most played song on country radio. The song is the first single from Strait’s new album Love Is Everything, which released last week. “Give It All We Got Tonight” was written by Mark Bright, Tim James and Phil O’Donnell.
“I didn’t realize we were making history — I just hoped we were putting out music that my fans would enjoy,” said Strait. “As always, I’m thankful to the fans and country radio for their support on all 60 of these number one songs as well as my entire career. They are the ones who made this happen.”
Strait fans, radio stations and several country artists joined the “Sixty For Sixty” movement to help Strait earn his 60th No. 1 single, while he was 60 years old. It came down to the wire, as Strait turned 61 over the weekend (on Saturday, May 18).
“The amount of support shown by fans, industry and especially country radio to give George his 60th No. 1 single is the ultimate testament in a format that has been defined by his music,” said Royce Risser, Sr. VP, Promotion for Universal Music Group Nashville. “No one is more deserving of this accomplishment than George Strait, the undeniable King of Country Music. Happy Birthday George!”
Watch Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Gary Allan, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelly and Hillary Scott and others congratulate Strait on his 60th No. 1 song.

 

Artists Announced For CMA Music Festival's Bud Light Stage

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cma music fest 2013 logo111More than 40 artists have been confirmed as performers at the Bud Light Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza during the 2013 CMA Music Festival, which runs from June 6-9 in downtown Nashville.
Free and open to the public, the Bud Light Stage launches on Thursday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m. CT.
“The location of the Bud Light Stage is perfectly situated to provide a place to discover new talent and reconnect with well-known hitmakers,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This stage was one of our most popular destinations in 2012 and I’m expecting the same level of enthusiasm and attendance again this year.”
Artists performing on the Bud Light Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza include: Lauren Alaina, Dean Alexander, Katie Armiger, Frankie Ballard, Kelleigh Bannen, Big Smo, Bucky Covington, Dailey & Vincent, Sarah Darling, Emerson Drive, Rose Falcon, Andy Gibson, JT Hodges, Chris Janson, Angie Johnson, Krystal Keith, LoCash Cowboys, Robin Meade, Randy Montana, David Lee Murphy, Parmalee, Mac Powell, Michael Ray, Chase Rice, Canaan Smith, Joanna Smith, Chris Stapleton, Steel Magnolia, Pam Tillis with Lorrie Morgan, James Wesley, Chuck Wicks and Drake White.
For more information, visit cmafest.com.
 

Veronica Ballestrini – Cookies & Cream

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Veronica Ballestrini began writing songs and playing guitar at the innocent age of 12. She learned early on the value of our modern social media phenomenon. Over the last several years, in fact, her fan base has exploded exponentially, spreading to all corners of the globe. With one modest dream and an Internet connection, the enthusiastic yet mature-beyond-her-years singer from Waterford, Connecticut, has raised more than a few eyebrows with her self-made success story.
The staggering numbers on her social network sites are proof that Veronica has that special ability to connect with people. She has amassed more than 4 million views of her videos on YouTube, and her online fans and followers number well into the hundreds of thousands. Part of Veronica’s success comes from her undeniable Pop-Country crossover appeal. She points out that while she considers her music to be Country, that doesn’t mean that it can’t have its own spin on the genre.
Veronica’s 2009 debut album, What I’m All About, capably demonstrated her unique take on the modern Pop-Country sound. She released three singles and videos from the record (“Amazing,” “Out There Somewhere,” “Don’t Say”), propelling her into the consciousness of Country music fans around the globe and earning more than a quarter-million views of her videos on CMT.com alone. Ballestrini has been out on the road performing her music on a Girl Scout tour, Festival tours, and tours with Secondhand Serenade, Alex Goot, and Juliet Simms of “The Voice”.
Veronica spent the last three years writing songs for her new project. Her sophomore album “Flip Side”is set to release June 17th, 2014. The first single off of the album is “Cookies and Cream”. Veronica’s most focused and polished effort to date.  “Cookies and Cream” reflects Veronica’s growth as a more mature singer and a more seasoned songwriter. It’s a process that she acknowledges is a natural evolution in her artistry. “I’ve been hurt, I’ve been broken, I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve also had the best days ever, and I’ve written songs about all these times” Veronica says. “I am excited to share what I’ve been up to. I’m writing from my heart about issues and things I’ve experienced, and hopefully people can identify with that.”

GAC Adds Marketing and Creative Services SVP

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Jen Leitman, SVP - Marketing and Creative Services, Great American Country.

Jen Leitman, SVP – Marketing and Creative Services, Great American Country.


Scripps Networks has added Jennifer Leitman as Sr. VP, Marketing and Creative Services at Great American Country. Leitman will oversee consumer marketing, creative and on-air promotions for the network.
She previously served as vice president, marketing & creative services for Scripps’ Home category, which encompasses HGTV and the DIY Network. Leitman also launched successful large-scale experiential marketing activations that included SXSW, Comic-Con and HGTV Holiday House at Mall of America. She joined HGTV in 2004.
“In her time at Scripps, Jen has repeatedly shown she can successfully define and reinforce brand image, which will be vitally important as we transition Great American Country to a lifestyle brand,” says Sarah Trahern, general manager, Great American Country.

 

 
 

Nominations for 25th Annual MusicRow Awards

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MR-Award-Square13MusicRow is pleased to announce the nominees for our 25th Annual MusicRow Awards, Nashville’s longest running industry trade awards show.
The 2013 MusicRow Awards will be hosted at ASCAP’s Nashville headquarters on Tuesday, June 25 at 5:30 p.m. 
The MusicRow editorial team selects a group of nominees which is then voted on by the magazine’s subscriber members. In addition, outside nominations are accepted for the Breakthrough Songwriter category, which honors writers and co-writers who scored their first Top 10 hit on MusicRow, Billboard or Mediabase radio charts during the eligibility period (5/1/12 — 4/30/13).
MusicRow will also distribute the Musician All-Star Awards at the ASCAP event, recognizing bass, drums, fiddle, keyboards, steel, vocals and engineer talent with the most top 10 album credits during the eligibility period.
Winners will be profiled in MusicRow’s June/July print magazine, which debuts at the ASCAP ceremony. Voting is now closed.
Click to download the PDF and see the complete list of nominees. 

Taylor Swift Dominates Billboard Music Awards

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Taylor Swift poses in the press room at the Billboard Music Awards

Taylor Swift poses in the press room at the Billboard Music Awards


Taylor Swift was the star of the evening at last night’s (May 19) Billboard Music Awards, which aired live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Swift earned eight trophies, including Artist of the Year, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Country Artist and Top Digital Songs Artist. Her single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was named Top Country Song, while her album RED was named the Top Billboard 200 Album and the Top Country Album.
The 23-year-old singer-songwriter gave thanks to her legion of followers. “To the fans who come to the shows and who buy the albums, I just want you to know one thing,” she said after winning Artist of the Year, “You are the longest and best relationship I’ve had.”
Released in October 2012, RED has sold more than 5.8 million copies worldwide, including 1.2 million during its first week of release in the United States.
Other big winners during the awards show include Madonna, Nicki Minaj and One Direction. Each artist earned three awards apiece.