Randy Travis Hospitalized

randy travisRandy Travis has been admitted to a Texas hospital and is listed in critical condition. The 54-year-old Grammy winner is suffering from complications of recently acquired viral cardiomyopathy. Travis was admitted into the medical facility yesterday. Cardiomyopathy is a disease that weakens and enlarges the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathy makes it harder for your heart to pump blood and deliver it to the rest of your body.
Randy Travis is best known for “Three Wooden Crosses,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” and “Deeper Than the Holler.”

Songwriter Johnny MacRae Dies at 84

JohnnyMacRae

John MacRae


Songwriter Johnny MacRae died on Wednesday, July 3 at his home in Ashland City, Tenn., after suffering from heart disease. MacRae was 84 years old.
The songwriter is known for country hits like Conway Twitty’s “I’d Just Love To Lay You Down,” Doug Stone‘s “I’d Be Better Off In A Pine Box” and Reba McEntire’s “(You Lift Me) Up To Heaven.”
In lieu of a funeral, MacRae’s wife Mary will hold a celebration of life service for her late husband on Oct. 19 in Ashland City, Tenn.

Weblinks: 'Wall Street Journal' Highlights Average Joes

mud diggerThere’s hardly a news outlet that brings more business cred than the Wall Street Journal. Last week the publication spotlighted the growing hick-hop genre, focusing largely on the success of Average Joes, home to artists Colt Ford, Lenny Cooper, the LACS, and the Mud Digger compilations.
The story examines the importance of live performance income, deals that placed the indie label’s albums in Wal-Marts despite across-the-board dwindling physical sales, and the use of Pandora’s “heat maps” to show where listeners were streaming the genre.
• • • •
Three characters on Nashville have been promoted to series regulars for the upcoming second season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, viewers can expect to see more of sisters Lennon and Maisy Stella, who play Rayna’s daughters, and Chris Carmack, who appears as “Will.”
Refresher: Will is a singer/songwriter cowboy who is struggling with his sexuality. Also, at the end of the last season, it was revealed that Deacon is Maddie’s (Lennon Stella) father.
No shocker here, but executive producer Callie Khouri told TV Guide that Rayna and Deacon will survive the car crash from the first season finale. For more behind-the-scenes info, follow the writers on their new Twitter account @Nashvillewrites.
• • • •
Wondering what really happened to The Civil Wars, who are about to release a new album despite being on extended hiatus due to “internal discord”? Half of the duo, Joy Williams, sat down with the New York Times to discuss the situation. She and musical partner John Paul White are not speaking, and there are no plans for a tour. She tells the newspaper that tensions built over time, until they reached an impasse. The album is scheduled for release Aug. 6.

Florida Georgia Line To Launch Headlining Tour in October

FGL Headlining Tour111Florida Georgia Line will embark on their first headlining tour, beginning in October. Tour dates were announced, but cities and venues were not revealed. The duo’s Here’s To The Good Times Tour 2013 will run from Oct. 3 through Dec. 14. The tour will feature guests Colt Ford, Tyler Farr and Dallas Smith (on select dates).
Details will be announced July 15, but one tour stop has already been revealed. The duo will bring the headlining show to Lexington, Ky. on Oct. 19 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

Kacey Musgraves Joins Oreo Cookies 'Wonderfilled' Campaign

Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves


Kacey Musgraves recently partnered with OREO cookies for their ‘Wonderfilled’ campaign, where she sang vocals on their newest spot, entitled “Daydream.” The advertisement launched on television on Monday, July 8.
The Texas native puts her own spin on “Daydream” (lyrics and melody by The Martin Agency’s David Muhlenfeld). Wonder if I gave an Oreo/To this cute guy that I used to know, she sings in the wistful clip. Would he have dumped his girlfriend/Typed that email and hit send/Would it not have ended like it did?/Would we now have kids?
Watch the spot below:
http://youtu.be/LeBvy4VFStQ

Travis Tritt To Release 'The Calm After…' On July 9

travistritt_2013cdcvr_h
On July 9, Travis Tritt will release his first album in six years, entitled The Calm After… The album’s title reflects Tritt’s legal woes with his now defunct previous label. The project will release on the singer’s Post Oak Recordings.
“I feel so humbled and blessed to be where I am right now,” says Tritt. “My voice has never been stronger, I’m constantly playing and working to become a better guitar player, banjo player, vocalist and songwriter. I am honestly as excited about the creative process and performing now as I was the day I signed my first record deal.”
The album features a duet with Tritt’s 15-year-old daughter Tyler Reese on the single “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough,” a remake of the Patty Smyth and Don Henley song. Tritt’s daughter will join the singer at certain venues on his ongoing tour.
Upcoming tour dates are listed below:
July 12—Seven Clans Casino—Thief River Falls, Minn.
July 13—St. Croix Casino—Turtle Lake, Wis.
July 18—Freedom Hall—Sterling Heights, Mich.
July 19—Chautauqua Institute—Chautauqua, N.Y.
July 20*—Beckley YMCA Sports Complex—Beckley, W.Va.
Aug. 1—Campbell Country Fair—Gillette, Wy.
Aug. 2—Butte Silver Bow County Fair—Butte, Mont.
Aug. 3—Big Valley Jamboree—Camrose, Canada
Aug. 8—Tillamook County Fair—Tillamook, Ore.
Aug. 9—Umatilla County Fair—Hermiston, Ore.
Aug. 16—Havelock Country Jamboree—Havelock, ON
Aug. 30—Fort Randall CasinoPickstown, S.D.
Sept. 7*—Vermont State Fair—Rutland, Vt.
Sept. 13—Riverwind Casino—Norman, Okla.
Sept. 15*— B100 Birthday Bash—South Bend, Ind.
Sept. 19— PACE Center—Parker, Colo.
Sept. 20—  Sky Ute Casino Events Center—Ignacio, Colo.
Sept. 21—Cattle Baron’s Ball 2013—Eaton, Colo.
Sept. 27 — Margaritaville Resort Casino—Bossier City, La.
Sept. 28* —Hot Springs Balloon Festival—Hot Springs, Ark.
Oct. 3—Bucks County Playhouse—New Hope, Pa.
Oct. 4—Renaissance Theatre—Mansfield, Ohio
Oct. 5—The Newton Theatre—Newton, N.J.
Oct. 6 —The Ridgefield Playhouse—Ridgefield, Conn.
Oct. 12— Austin County Fair—Bellville, Texas
Oct. 19—Mark G Etess Arena—Atlantic City, N.J.
Oct. 26—Pensacola Interstate Fair—Pensacola, Fla.
Oct. 27*—Florida State Hog Rally—Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
Oct. 28*—Pensacola Fair—Pensacola, Fla.
Nov. 1—Strathmore—North Bethesda, Md.
Nov. 2—New Barn Theater—Mount Vernon, Ky.
Nov. 9*—Founder’s Day Festival—Ocoee, Fla.
* indicates a Tyler Reese guest appearance

CMA Board President To Oversee Day-to-Day Operations

Ed Hardy

Ed Hardy


The search to replace former CMA CEO Steve Moore, who resigned from the organization on June 30, will begin in earnest, Troy Tomlinson, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors, announced today (July 8). In the meantime, an interim leader has been named.
“CMA Board leadership and the CMA Executive Committee have a comprehensive plan during this transition,” Tomlinson said. “Effective today, CMA Board President Ed Hardy will oversee the day-to-day operations of CMA and will be the Board’s transitional liaison with the CMA management team while the search for Steve’s successor takes place. Ed is respected in the industry and I am confident that his experience and leadership will be of tremendous value to the staff at CMA.”
Hardy has been a member of the CMA Board of Directors for eight years, serving on every committee. He was named President-Elect in 2012 and assumed the role of President on Jan. 1.
Hardy was President of Scripps Network Interactive/Great American Country (GAC) Television Network from 2004 until 2012, where he led the successful integration of GAC into Scripps Networks. The move marked his return to Scripps, after having spent nine years as Vice President of the Scripps-owned Country–formatted radio properties, KUPL AM/FM in Portland, Ore.
A graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications/ journalism, Hardy broke into the radio business in 1968 at WJW Radio, Cleveland. His management career began at KERE Denver in 1974, first as General Sales Manager, then General Manager. Later he became VP/General Manager of WCII, Louisville. By 1994 he employed his innovative management skills as founder, President and CEO of Deschutes River Broadcasting in Portland, Ore. Hardy later merged his company into Citadel Broadcasting and served as President – West Region for Citadel. He then became CEO and President of MeasureCast, Inc. (now SelectMetrics, Inc.). For 20 years, following his active duty service with the United States Army, he was an active member of the U.S. Army Reserves, rising to the rank of Major. Hardy currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Tomlinson said a search committee will be named and will be charged with identifying the most qualified candidates for the position. A process for submitting applicants will be announced at a later date. Until a process is announced, no applications are being accepted.

Stars Take The Stage for Toby Keith's Twister Relief Concert

toby keith111

Photo via Toby Keith Facebook


Nearly 65,000 fans gathered at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday (July 6) for Toby Keith‘s Oklahoma Twister Relief concert, to support those affected by the twisters that ripped through Moore, Okla. and surrounding towns in late May. The sold-out crowd was treated to performances from Garth Brooks (his first performance in Oklahoma since 1997), Trisha Yearwood, Sammy Hagar, Mel Tillis, John Anderson, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, Wade Hayes, Keith and his daughter Krystal Keith, and a satellite performance from Carrie Underwood (who was performing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville that evening).
“The healing starts today. It’s time to smile,” Brooks said prior to the performance.
The concert launched with a performance from Krystal Keith, in a performance of the national santhem. Mel Tillis’ followed with a set that included “Heart Over Mind,” “I Ain’t Never,” “Who’s Julie” and “Send Me Down to Tuscon,” among others.
Brooks performed “Rodeo,” “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House” and “Papa Loved Mama.” Afterward, his wife Yearwood joined him for a duet of “In Another’s Eyes.”
“God bless you Oklahoma!” Yearwood yelled to the crowd as Brooks exited the stage. “You’re not gonna leave me out here are you?” she quipped. He did. Yearwood performed “She’s In Love With the Boy” and “How Do I Live,” before passing the microphone back to Brooks, who thrilled the homestate crowd with “The Thunder Rolls,” and his signature “Friends In Low Places.”
“I gotta say God bless Toby Keith for putting all this together,” he yelled. “Okies unite! … Today is a great day to start the healing process. I want to dedicate this song to everyone.” Brooks wrapped his set with “The Dance.”
Nelson, with his worn-out signature guitar, sailed through a number of his hits including “Still Is Still Moving to Me,” “Always On My Mind,” “On The Road Again,” and “Good Hearted Woman,” along with “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.” Keith joined Nelson for their 2003 single, “Beer For My Horses,” and “Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” There was also an all-star jam with several performers and Keith that included “I’ll Fly Away” and “I Saw The Light.”
ronnie dunn saturday show

Ronnie Dunn performs during the Oklahoma Twister Relief concert.


Hagar’s set included “Bad Motor Scooter,” “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Eagles Fly,” “Right Now,” “Why Can’t This Be Love?” and others. “Toby Keith is my nomination for Man of the Year!” he said prior to leaving the stage. Dunn followed with his rendition of “Play Something Country,” “Ain’t Nothin’ About You,” “How Far to Waco,” “Kiss You There,” “My Maria,” “Peace, Love & Country Music,” “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” along with his first hit with Brooks & Dunn, 1992’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”
Anderson’s brief set included “Money in the Bank” and “Straight Tequila Nights.” Wade Hayes made a short appearance for one song, “Old Enough To Know Better.” Underwood launched her remote set with “Good Girl” from the Ryman Auditorium stage in Nashville. “I’d like to say a special hello,” she said. “I love you and miss you to my home state of Oklahoma,” before singing her first hit “Jesus Take the Wheel,” followed by her current single “See You Again” and “Before He Cheats.”
Keith’s set was classic all-American, complete with plenty of red Solo cups. Keith’s vigorous show included “Made in America,” “Who’s Your Daddy?” “I Love This Bar,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “Ain’t as Good as I Once Was,” “Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action,” “How Do You Like Me Now?” and “American Soldier.”
He also called out his daughter Krystal to perform her new song, “Get Your Redneck On.”
“I wanna thank everyone for coming out and participating here today,” Keith said. “I got to watch some of the greatest football growing up here in my life … That was, like, fourteen hundred and fifty-two beers ago,” he said, launching into “Beers Ago.” Keith’s runaway hit “Red Solo Cup” became “Red Sooner Cup,” a further encouragement to the crowd as fans indeed did proceed to party. He egged them on, saying, “let the good people of Moore, Oklahoma” hear them sing the song. They happily (and loudly) agreed.
Keith ended the evening by giving a red Solo cup tribute to members of the military, first responders, storm survivors, and all Oklahomans. “Cheers!” he yelled.

'Southern Living' Hosts Flawless Inaugural Concert at Fontanel

SouthernLivingSouthern Living hosted the first installment of its inaugural summer concert series, Biscuits & Jam, during a picturesque evening in front of its Fontanel Idea House yesterday (July 7).

Fontanel co-owner Marc Oswald and Southern Living Publisher Greg Schumann mingled among guests and ensured a flawless program with program host Storme Warren.
Outlaw Country throwback, Nikki Lane, provided over a dozen tunes to accompany the intimate gathering, which was recorded for AT&T’s first ever filmed concert series. The telecommunications company will air the original programming on its Country Deep U-verse app, web and interactive U-verse TV program, which is updated on a weekly basis to feature new content including live performances, artist interviews, music videos, and specifically, original content.
The songstress performed a mixture of previously released material along with new tunes from her forthcoming spring 2014 release, produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach.
Concertgoers enjoyed front row access on lawn chairs or blankets with beverages, including the signature honeysuckle vodka and watermelon drink, from the cash bars in addition to catering services. Due to the sun’s rays on stage, hosts graciously opened the Idea House (normally a ticketed attraction) for beverage-free viewing during Lane’s heat-induced intermission.
True to its name, signature biscuits were provided after the Sunday program, which is set to run through August 25 with hour-long sets from Brett Eldredge, Holly Williams, Elizabeth Cook, Jana Kramer, Sarah Darling, The Farm, and DUGAS. For information on tickets for upcoming programs; tickets to the Idea House, which benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and Fontanel mansion passes, click here.
For exclusive coverage on the Fontanel Properties, catch Sr. News Editor Sarah Skates’ feature in MusicRow’s forthcoming August/September print magazine.

Kellie Pickler, Derek Hough Reunite In New Video

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough in Pickler's new video.

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough in Pickler’s new video.


With her latest video, Kellie Pickler more than satisfied fans who couldn’t get enough of the singer-songwriter-dancer’s captivating moves during her recent stint on Dancing with the Stars. Pickler, who won the 16th season of the competition with her dance partner Derek Hough, brought Hough back to star in the sensual new video for “Someone Somewhere Tonight.”

“Someone Somewhere Tonight” is the first single from Pickler’s upcoming album on Black River Entertainment. The song was written by Walt Wilkins and Davis Raines, and produced by Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten. The music video was directed by Roman White and shot in Tennessee.