Underwood Becomes Voice of Opry Radio Campaign

carrieunderwood

Carrie Underwood performs on the Grand Ole Opry.


Carrie Underwood is the voice of a new Grand Ole Opry radio campaign that is set to begin airing next week in regional drive markets, as well as on the Opry’s nationally syndicated radio program America’s Opry Weekend.
In the campaign, Underwood reflects on her recent 5th anniversary celebration as an Opry member and also invites radio audiences to visit Nashville and to stay connected to the Opry via its mobile app.
During an Opry performance earlier this summer, Underwood viewed an on-stage video reel of the past five years of Opry appearances. “It’s so hard to believe it’s been five years, but what an amazing five years it has been. Just watching that video, I was getting a little teary-eyed, thinking about how I felt when all of that was happening. And I still feel that blessed and that honored to be on this stage,” said Underwood.
Underwood performed her seventh Opry sold-out show of the summer this past Saturday, Aug. 10.
It was also recently announced that Underwood will reunite with Brad Paisley as co-hosts of the 47th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 6. The singer-songwriter also revealed that she is teaming with Nicole by OPI for an Underwood-inspired line of nail polish.

Industry Ink (8-14-13)

Hannah Post1

Hannah Post


Sony/ATV Nashville’s Hannah Post has been promoted to the position of Creative Manager. She joined the creative staff at EMI Music Publishing in August 2005; Post later joined Sony/ATV in July 2012 after EMI integrated with Sony/ATV.
“Hannah has excelled in her duties, and her experience working with writers has prepared her well for this new role,” says Sony/ATV Nashville President and CEO Troy Tomlinson. Post can be reached at 615-726-8300 or at hannah.post@sonyatv.com.

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Owen Bradley

Owen Bradley


Owen Bradley‘s hometown of Westmoreland, Tenn., will be honored with the unveiling of a historical marker designating the town as the birthplace of “The King of Music Row” and “The Architect of the Nashville Sound.” The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7, beginning with the Owen Bradley Music Festival, which commences at 8 a.m. A memorial brick will be placed at the Veterans Park in Westmoreland, honoring Bradley for his military service during World War II; this ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Bradley family members, along with some country entertainers, will be in attendance.
The Owen Bradley Music Festival will consist of free concerts in the park. An Owen Bradley Talent Search will be held at 4 p.m. at the Westmoreland Expo Center. The finalist will receive a free recording session at Beaird Music Group (produced by Larry Beaird); the resulting song will be placed on CDX and mailed to 2300 country radio stations.

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BluebirdCafeThe Bluebird Cafe is set to make some changes to the Sunday evening schedule, due to a large number of attendees. Beginning Sunday (Aug. 18), doors will open at 5 p.m., with seating on a first come, first-served basis. The Sunday Night Spotlight performance will begin at 6:10 p.m., ending at 7:10 p.m. At the conclusion of the Sunday Night Spotlight, the room will be cleared and prepped for the Writer’s Night show to follow. Doors will reopen at 7:40 p.m., allowing another group of attendees—seated on a first come, first-served basis—to enjoy the Sunday Writer’s Night performances, which will still begin at 8 p.m.
Additionally, a Sunday Writer’s Night audition has been scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 22. Sign-ups will take place online at bluebirdcafe.com on Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT. Audition slots are limited.

Songwriter Erin Enderlin Showcases Sophomore Release

Erin Enderlin. Photo: Jon Karr

Erin Enderlin. Photo: Jon Karr


Erin Enderlin held an event Monday night (Aug. 12) at Nashville’s The Basement in anticipation of her sophomore release I Let Her Talk. Bill Cody emceed the intimate gathering that included many songwriters and industry who’s who including Linda Davis, Pat Higdon, Chuck Dauphin, Liz Hengber and Pete Fisher.
The nine-song collection hits retail shelves today (Aug. 13) featuring “I Let Her Talk,” a Leslie Satcher co-write with guest vocals from Joey+Rory’s Joey Feek. Additionally, the Alex Kline-produced album finishes with Enderline’s biggest hits as a songwriter “Monday Morning Church” (Alan Jackson-2005), “Last Call” (Lee Ann Womack– 2009) and “You Don’t Know Jack” (Luke Bryan-2011). Enderlin previously released a self-titled project in 2011.
Enderlin will be featured in a Country Music Hall of Fame Songwriter Session with her producer Kline (Diamond Eye Music) this Saturday (Aug. 17), before embarking on various dates around Middle Tennessee through September.
I Let Her Talk Track Liisting:
Unbroken (Erin Enderlin/Alex Kline/Jess Moskaluke)
I Let Her Talk (Enderlin/Leslie Satcher)
Countryside (Enderlin/Casey Black)
Good Kinda Pain (Enderlin/Scott Stepakoff/Will Bowen)
Get That At Home (Enderlin/Forest Whitehead)
Finding My Voice (Enderlin/Kline/Liz Hengber)
Monday Morning Church (Enderlin/Brent Baxter)
Last Call (Enderlin/Shane McAnally)
You Don’t Know Jack (Enderlin/McAnally)
For more information on Enderlin, visit erinenderlin.com.

Jake Owen To Throw Free Summer Block Party in Nashville

jake owen concertJake Owen knows how to keep the summer going strong. The singer-songwriter announced an upcoming free summer Nashville block party, to be held on Monday, Aug. 19 on BMI Nashville’s back lot (located at 10 Music Square East). Attendees can enter Music Circle at Division Street.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., followed by a No. 1 celebration at 7:30 p.m., and a concert at 8 p.m. The “Days of Gold” singer announced the party earlier today (Tuesday, Aug. 13) via Twitter.

CMA Fest's 'Country’s Night To Rock’ Surges In Ratings

Little Big Town celebrate the airing of CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock with manager Jason Owen and the show's producer Robert Deaton.

Little Big Town celebrates the airing of CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock with manager Jason Owen and the show’s producer Robert Deaton on social media.


ABC was king of Monday night (Aug. 12)’s 8-9 p.m. lineup, thanks to the three-hour CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock. The show was up half a point for a 2.0 rating among adults 18-49. The three-hour event averaged 8.2 million viewers, according to Zap2It.com. Little Big Town hosted this year’s show, which featured performances from Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum and many others.
NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, garnered 5.01 million viewers for last night’s 8 p.m. hour while CBS led in the 10 p.m. hour with 10.1 million viewers for “Under the Dome.”
In 2012, CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock garnered an average of 5.66 million viewers, coming in third for the 8 p.m. time slot when it was competing with NBC’s The Voice and the premiere of FOX’s Bones.
Note: Because of the popularity of the DVR, these overnight/next day figures may distort year-to-year comparisons until Nielsen releases Live + 7 Day metrics.

Turner Signs To Morris Artists Management

Photo: Donn Jones

Pictured (L-R): Clint Higham (Morris Management), Leah Turner, Buffy Cooper (Morris Management), and Kyle Quigley (Morris Management). Photo: Donn Jones


Columbia Nashville artist Leah Turner has signed a management deal with Morris Artists Management. In addition to president Clint Higham, Turner’s management team will include Buffy Cooper and Kyle Quigley. Morris Artists Management’s roster also includes artists Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride and Jake Owen.
“Leah is a tremendous talent and we are thrilled to have her join the Morris Artists Management family,” said Higham.
Currently writing and recording her debut album, Turner signed to Columbia Nashville in July 2013.  She co-wrote her first single, “Take the Keys,” with Cary Barlowe and Jesse Frasure. The tune is set to release to Country radio on Oct. 7.

The Band Perry, Big & Rich To Help Red Sox Aid Vets

home base logo1The Band Perry, Cassadee Pope, Big & Rich and many other celebs will perform at Mission Gratitude, a special benefit concert for wounded vets from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families at Boston’s Symphony Hall on Sept. 23. The huge New England benefit will help raise funds for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Home Base program.
Home Base helps vets and their families recover from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain Injury through clinical care, education and research. One in three returning veterans is estimated to experience these invisible wounds of war, and Home Base serves active duty, Guard, Reserve and out-of-uniform veterans throughout New England regardless of their discharge status, insurance, or ability to pay. The program also offers counseling for spouses, children, parents, siblings and girlfriends/boyfriends.

thebandperry

The Band Perry


Mission Gratitude will also feature performances by comedians Sarah Silverman and Saturday Night Live’s Darrell Hammond, along with The Henningsens, Angie Johnson, actress/singer Rita Wilson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Red Sox legends Pedro Martinez and Tim Wakefield.
In addition to the benefit concert, an online auction will be held from Sept. 3 to Sept. 30, at biddingforgood.com/mgh. All proceeds from the concert and auction will benefit the Home Base Program. To purchase tickets and for event updates contact missiongratitude.com.
 
 

Will Hoge Announces Headlining Tour

HogeThis fall Will Hoge will set out on his first major headlining run–Never Give In Tour 2013. Kicking off on Oct. 11 in Dallas, Texas, the 27-city nationwide tour will go through December. Supporting Hoge on the majority of the dates will be veteran rockers Red Wanting Blue and label mate Sunny Sweeney will team up with him for stops in Brooklyn, Chicago, Indianapolis and Milwaukee.
Hoge will be touring in support of the release of his ninth studio album titled Never Give In on Oct. 15 via Thirty Tigers. Today (Aug. 13), the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter gives fans a sneak peek by unveiling the forthcoming album’s cover.
“I’m so excited about this new album. I can’t wait to get out on the road and play these new songs for folks,” shared Hoge. “There’s gonna be a lot of different things happening live on this tour and I’m thrilled for everyone to get to see it. Couple all these incredible cities with such great support acts as Red Wanting Blue and Sunny Sweeney, it is going to be one fun tour!“
NEVER GIVE IN TOUR
Oct. 11 – Dallas – All-New Silverado Mainstage at State Fair Of Texas
Oct. 16 – Brooklyn, NY – Bell House (w/ Sunny Sweeney)
Oct. 18 – Vienna, Va. – Jammin Java
Oct. 19 – Vienna, Va. – Jammin Java
Oct. 24 – Lexington, Ky. – Busters
Oct. 25 – Charlotte, N.C. – Visualite Theater (w/ RWB)
Oct. 26 – Asheville, N.C. – The Grey Eagle (w/ RWB)
Nov. 1 – Atlanta – Terminal West (w/ RWB)
Nov. 2 – Charleston, S.C. – Music Farm (w/ RWB)
Nov. 7 – Indianapolis – Grand Kellersaal Ballroom (w/ Sunny Sweeney)
Nov. 8 – Chicago – Joe’s Bar (w/ Sunny Sweeney)
Nov. 9 – Milwaukee – The Rave (w/ Sunny Sweeney)
Nov. 15 – Tulsa, Okla. – The Vanguard (w/ RWB)
Nov. 21 – San Marcos, Texas – Cheatham Street Warehouse (w/ RWB)
Nov. 22 – Corpus Christi, Texas – House Of Rock (w/ RWB)
Nov.23 – Houston – House of Blues (w/ RWB)
Nov. 30 – Nashville, Tenn. – Marathon Music Works (w/ RWB)
Dec. 5 – San Diego – The Griffin (w/ RWB)
Dec. 6 – Los Angeles – Troubadour (w/ RWB)
Dec. 7 – San Luis Obispo, Calif. – SLO Brewing Company
Dec. 8 – Mill Valley, Calif. – Sweetwater Music Hall (w/ RWB)
Dec. 11 – Portland, Ore. – Mississippi Studios (w/ RWB)
Dec. 12 – Seattle – Barboza (w/ RWB)
Dec. 13 – Spokane, Wash. – Knitting Factory (w/ RWB)
Dec. 15 – Boise, Id. – Knitting Factory (w/ RWB)
Dec. 17 – Salt Lake City, Utah – The State Room (w/ RWB)
12/19 – Denver – Bluebird Theater (w/ RWB)
For on sale dates and more, visit WillHoge.com.

Nominations Open For Country Radio Hall Of Fame

crs2014The Country Radio Seminar is currently accepting nominations for the 2014 Country Radio Hall of Fame. Nominations should be submitted online at CountryRadioSeminar.com, and following processing, each nominee will be provided with an official application. Applications must be returned to the CRS offices by Sept. 6.
Nominees may include air checks, press clippings, awards listings, and other materials for consideration, and inductees will be chosen by a select committee of Country radio and industry veterans along with members of the Country Radio Hall of Fame. Nominees must have at least 20 years on-air with a minimum of 15 in the country format, and have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the Country radio industry and ongoing contributions to the preservation and enhancement of Country music as an art form.
“We’re proud to open the nomination process for the Country Radio Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor bestowed on a Country radio professional. This will set in motion our effort to recognize the true legends of broadcasting in our industry; based on past inductees to the Country Radio Hall of Fame, the bar has definitely been set high for the class of 2014,” says CRS Hall of Fame Chairman RJ Curtis.
The 2014 Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and induction ceremony will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at the Nashville Convention Center. CRS 2014 is set for Feb. 19-21, 2014.

Silvercreek Records Opens on Music Row

SilvercreekRecords_logo1New label Silvercreek Records has opened offices on Music Row, located at 1010 B 16th Ave. S. in Nashville. Formed by Stafond Seago and Steve Pope, the new label has signed Eric Durrance and Tobacco Rd Band as the first artist on the roster. The deal includes shared publishing rights on many of Durrance’s songs, including the recent single “That’s Country,” featuring Colt Ford, and Jake Owen‘s “8 Second Ride,” co-written by Durrance.
A launch party and concert will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, at Honky Tonk Central (329 Broadway) from 9 pm. until midnight. Durrance and Tobacco Rd Band will perform beginning at 10 p.m., followed by an autograph session. Several signed guitars will be given away. The event is open to the public, ages 21 and over. No cover charge.
As a solo artist, Durrance opened for Lady Antebellum and Jason Aldean for “CMT on Tour” in 2008. Prior to that, he was lead singer with the Christian rock band Big Dismal. With Tobacco Rd Band, Durrance blends classic country with high-energy, hard-partying Southern rock.
Though a new label, Silvercreek began several years ago as a music publishing company and recording studio, which is still operating in Columbia, Miss., under the production and management of Kaleb Payne, VP of Mississippi operations. Seago is also active in the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and is the NSAI chapter coordinator for the state of Mississippi; he also works with the Mississippi Songwriters Association.
Songwriter/producer/song plugger Pope, VP of Nashville Operations for Silvercreek Records, previously worked with Pride Music Group, Porter-Gentry Productions, Sunstone Music Group, Malaco Music Group, Web Four/Caliber Music, and Blue Steel Records.