Carrie Underwood Honored As A "Million-Air"

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Associate Director of Writer/Publisher Relations Leslie Roberts with Carrie Underwood. Photo: Chris Hollo

Pictured (L-R): Carrie Underwood with BMI’s Associate Director of Writer/Publisher Relations Leslie Roberts, Photo: Chris Hollo


 
Carrie Underwood became a different kind of millionaire recently when BMI awarded her with their coveted “Million-Air” awards for songs reaching the one millionth play mark. At a reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Underwood received certificates for the one million performance achievements of “Mama’s Song” and “Good Girl,” and a separate award for “All-American Girl,” which has logged a staggering two million airs to date. The three tracks honored at the reception alone played back-to-back would total nearly 23 years of continuous play.
“With a catalog boasting more than 13 million performances, Carrie has become one of the most successful songwriters in country music today,” said BMI’s Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams. “We at BMI could not be more proud and are excited to celebrate these continued incredible achievements with her,” said Williams.
Awarded to songwriters, composers and publishers whose songs accumulate over one million U.S. broadcast performances, the designation has been bestowed upon many revered songwriters, including Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, and Roy Orbison. BMI Nashville presented the last “Million-Air” Awards earlier this year to songwriter Scotty Emerick to recognize his hits “I Love This Bar,” “Beer for My Horses,” “As Good As I Once Was” and “Big Blue Note.”

Keith Urban Announces Final Leg Of Light The Fuse Tour

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keith urban fuse album cover1
Keith Urban has announced the third and final leg of his successful Light The Fuse Tour, featuring performances by Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch and Brett Eldredge. The final leg will kick off on Jan. 9, 2014 in Grand Rapids, Mich., before heading to Canada, New York and ending at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 1, 2014. Eldredge will perform in place of Lynch during the tour’s Canadian dates.
Fans can expect to hear music from the singer’s forthcoming album FUSE, to be released on Sept. 10, in addition to songs he has never before played on tour.
Urban’s Light The Fuse Tour started on July 18 in Cincinnati, Ohio and will begin its second leg on Oct. 18 in Omaha, Neb. After the tour ends, the singer will have played 58 shows on this tour.
For more information, visit keithurban.net/tour.

iTunes Radio Set To Launch With Big Advertising Partners

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iTunesRadio
Advertising site AdAge reports that iTunes Radio will make its U.S. debut in September with several big name brand partners, including McDonald’s, Nissan, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble and possibly more.
The brands have agreed to advertise with Apple’s new service for 12 months. Each advertising partner will receive exclusivity within its respective industry until 2014, when iTunes Radio will widen its partnerships with brands.
The service will run audio and video ads across any device capable of hosting iTunes, ranging from the iPhone to Apple TV, and will be ad free for users who purchase Apple’s cloud storage service iTunes Match for $24.99 a year.
Internet radio giant Pandora will pose the biggest competition to iTunes Radio with mobile ad revenues that are expected to increase 43 percent each year, rising from $376 million in 2013 to $539 in 2014.
iTunes Radio hopes to differentiate itself from other streaming services by allowing users to buy music. The service will include a purchase button next to every song in an effort to have users add to their iTunes library.
iTunes radio was announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference on June 10.

Artist Updates (8-21-13)

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Cassadee Pope

Cassadee Pope


• The Voice season three winner Cassadee Pope will perform on the results show of another talent competition, NBC’s America’s Got Talent next Wednesday, Aug. 28 (9 p.m.-10 p.m. ET). One Direction will also perform a song during the live telecast. Pope will give fans an inside look at the making of her debut CD Frame by Frame, due out Oct. 8, on CMT in a docu-series that will premiere on Oct. 4.
 
Thompson Square

Thompson Square


• Thompson Square will host a party on the Fox News channel’s plaza in New York City this Friday (Aug. 23) as part of the network’s Fox & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series. The two will perform a free set of their hits outside the Fox News building from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. ET and fans in attendance can nosh on free barbeque from Famous Dave’s during the show. The show will air live on the network at 7 a.m. ET.
 
charlie daniels

Charlie Daniels


• Charlie Daniels’ previously-released book The Devil Went Down To Georgia: Stories by Charlie Daniels is now available to Kindle readers on Amazon.com and Apple iBooks. Originally released in 1985 by Peachtree Publishers, the book includes a short biography on Daniels along with a collection of short stories and vintage pics.
rachele

Rachele Lynae


• Rachele Lynae will perform at the Tin Roof Nashville at the Hero Songs Benefit concert on Saturday (Aug. 24). The benefit concert will take place from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.; general admission is $10. All proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit organization Wounded Warrior Project.
 
randy houser press photo 2013

Randy Houser


• Mississippi native Randy Houser will be honored with his own day when Sept. 5 is named “Randy Houser Day” in Mississippi. He will perform at the Temple Theater in Meridian, Miss. on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The evening will honor Houser’s successes as well as pay tribute to country music pioneer and Meridian native Jimmie Rodgers. Tickets are on sale at the Temple Theater box office at 601-693-5353 and range from $20-30.
 
 

BMI Announces 8 Off 8th Line Up

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BMIBMI has announced the lineup for this year’s edition of 8 off 8th’s Back to School Spectacular, hosted at Mercy Lounge. The free event features eight exciting up-and-coming Nashville bands playing three-song sets to the public in an exhilarating, rapid-fire show. Featured performers include: Lauren Rantala, The Get Togethers, Scale Model, The Lonely Biscuits, The Wans, Vinyl Thief, Staying for the Weekend, and Levi Ray.
The event will take place on Monday, Aug. 26 at Mercy Lounge. The show starts at 9 p.m.
BMI’s involvement in 8 off 8th underscores the organization’s dedication to aspiring songwriters and artists in the early stages of their career.

Tim McGraw Celebrates 34th No. 1 Song

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(L-R): Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Mark Irwin, McGraw, Byron Gallimore, Photo: Thien Phan

(L-R): Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Mark Irwin, McGraw, Byron Gallimore. Photo: Thien Phan.


There’s a new place to party in Nashville and Tim McGraw‘s latest No. 1 celebration was the perfect occasion yesterday (Aug. 20) to break in the Music City Tippler in Midtown’s Adelicia building.
McGraw’s “Highway Don’t Care” with Taylor Swift, featuring Keith Urban on guitar, spent two weeks at the pinnacle of the chart. Written by Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, Brad Warren and Brett Warren, the song is McGraw’s 34th No. 1 song and second No. 1 from his Big Machine Records debut, Two Lanes of Freedom.
Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta welcomed the standing-room only crowd, revealing he had first heard about the song from Swift who told him, “I love it and I’m going to sing on that.” A video was then played for the crowd that offers a look at the evolution of the song, from an idea in the writers’ room to finding its place at the top of the charts. Interviews from the songwriters (including Kear who was out of the country and unable to attend the festivities), Urban and Swift, as well as industry leaders, were featured in the video. Also on hand to celebrate were BMI’s Jody Williams, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson and producer Byron Gallimore.
(L-R): McGraw, Urban, Photo Rick Diamond/Getty

Pictured (L-R): McGraw, Urban. Photo Rick Diamond/Getty


McGraw thanked the industry for the song’s success, including the song’s producer Byron Gallimore. He gave nods to the songwriters, stating, “This town revolves around songwriters,” and calling the tunesmiths “modern day poets.” He told guests this is the kind of song, “you don’t have to think, ‘let me listen to this again’.” Being a big fan of Urban and Swift, McGraw acknowledged how Urban, who was on hand for the celebration, has put a spotlight on Nashville, saying we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Regarding Swift’s performance of the song, McGraw confessed, “It was a big deal for her to sing on this song,” and called her a “spectacular songwriter.”
Songwriter Irwin celebrated his second No. 1 (his first being “Here In The Real World” released by Alan Jackson in 1990). Referring to Kear, Irwin said, “A songwriter couldn’t ask for a better co-writer.” He called being in the same writing room with the Warren brothers “inspirational.”
Celebrating their third No. 1, Brad and Brett Warren took the stage and as usual, quickly stole the show, garnering laughs from the packed room of friends, industry and press; but even among the quips, it was evident Brett and Brad were sincerely grateful and humbled by the song’s success.
Lucky attendees didn’t leave empty handed. Everyone received McGraw’s Two Lanes of Freedom, Accelerated Deluxe vinyl edition as they left the festivities.
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, co-writers Brett and Brad Warren, Tim McGraw, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Keith Urban, BMI’s Jody Williams, co-writer Mark Irwin and producer Byron Gallimore. Photos by Rick Diamond.

Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, co-writers Brett and Brad Warren, Tim McGraw, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Keith Urban, BMI’s Jody Williams, co-writer Mark Irwin and producer Byron Gallimore. Photos by Rick Diamond.

No. 1 Celebration: Brad Paisley's "Beat This Summer"

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Sea Gayle's Marc Driskill, Chris DuBois, Brad Paisley, Luke Laird, Creative Nation's Beth Laird, Universal Music Publishing Group's Kent Earls, BMI's Jody Williams, Paisley's manager Bill Simmons, and Sony Music Nashville's Lesly Tyson and Gary Overton. All photos by Frederick Breedon.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Sea Gayle’s Marc Driskill, Chris DuBois, Brad Paisley, Luke Laird, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, Universal Music Publishing Group’s Kent Earls, BMI’s Jody Williams, Paisley’s manager Bill Simmons, and Sony Music Nashville’s Lesly Tyson and Gary Overton. Photo: Frederick Breedon.


Songwriters Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois and Luke Laird were feted with a No. 1 celebration at the Country Music Association’s offices yesterday (Aug. 20) for the chart-topping success of “Beat This Summer,” recorded by Paisley. Jody Williams honored BMI songwriter Laird, BMI’s reigning Country Songwriter of the Year. ASCAP’S LeAnn Phelan honored Paisley, ASCAP’s 2011 Artist/Songwriter of the Year and DuBois, ASCAP’s 2004 Country Songwriter of the Year, for their part in the chart-topping summertime anthem.
Meanwhile, Sea Gayle Music’s Marc Driskill announced that the company would be making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in honor of Sea Gayle writers Paisley and DuBois. Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox also announced that Avenue Bank would make a charitable contribution to Preston Taylor Ministries on behalf of all the songwriters.
It is the first No. 1 song for independent publishing company Creative Nation, founded by Laird and his wife Beth Laird. “I could not be more proud of Luke and Beth and the company that they are building,” said BMI’s Jody Williams. Beth Laird previously served as Director of Writer/Publisher Relations at BMI. Luke Laird’s parents traveled from Pennsylvania to be in the audience.
“I never thought I would marry a musician or start my own company but it has turned out to be the best thing,” said Beth Laird. “Jody was the first person to say ‘You should go do this.’ There is no way I could run a publishing company without his mentorship.” She also spoke of husband and Creative Nation co-owner Luke Laird. “I learn so much from you everyday,” she said. “You are the most caring man and I’m glad you trusted me with your songs and talent.” Creative Nation eschewed the trophies and plaques traditionally given to honor the songwriters, instead giving Ray Ban Wayfarers to writers and executives involved in the song’s success (in a nod to “Beat This Summer”‘s reference to the sunglasses).
Pictured (L-R): Luke Laird, Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois

Pictured (L-R): Luke Laird, Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois. Photo: Frederick Breedon.


The song marked the first co-write between Paisley and Laird; Laird recalled first seeing Paisley in the late ’90s, when Laird was a college student volunteering during Country Radio Seminar and Paisley was just releasing his first single. Laird also thanked many in the industry for their support of Creative Nation. “Nashville has such a family feel and so many people have been so supportive of it,” he said. “I had nothing to do with the bridge of the song, and it’s my favorite part of the song.” Turning to his co-writers, he said, “Thank you for writing the Wayfarer line so we can give Wayfarers out to people.”
“This was the first tune that Luke and I wrote together,” said Paisley. “It was asking a lot to have a writer come into what feels like a frat house, where everybody knows everyone’s dark secrets,” he quipped. “You are one of the most talented writers I have sat in a room with,” Paisley told Laird.
Partygoers partook in a lunch of chicken, chips and bread, along with Sweet Cece’s frozen yogurt–welcome summer treats on warm Nashville summer day.

Haun, Tomlin, Redman Lead 44th Annual Dove Awards Nominations

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Dove-Logo-2013Producer/songwriter Wayne Haun leads the 44th Annual Dove Awards nominations with 15 nods; artists Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman are nominated for nine awards each.
The awards nominations were announced Wednesday morning (Aug. 21) at Nashville’s Lipscomb University. The press conference was hosted by several nominees and Christian music industry members, including Francesca Battistelli, Jason Crabb, Dailey and Vincent, James Fortune, Mandisa, Rhett Walker, Tenth Avenue North, Lady Shaunte of 760AM The Gospel, Les Butler of Solid Gospel 105FM, Nashville’s 94FM The Fish Doug Griffin and Jaci Velasquez as well as other industry leaders.
Ben Glover, The Isaacs and The Gaither Vocal Band follow closely in the nominations rankings, with eight nominations apiece.
The evening’s most prestigious award, Artist of the Year, includes nominees Tomlin, Lecrae, Tamela Mann, Francesca Battistelli and TobyMac. Meanwhile, Haun, Glover and Redman are all nominated in the Songwriter of the Year category, along with Benji Cowart and Toby McKeehan.
Capital Kings, Colton Dixon, for King and Country, Rhett Walker Band and Tasha Cobbs are all nominated for New Artist of the Year.
The Gospel Music Association’s 44th annual award show will return to Nashville on Oct. 15, after being held for two years in Atlanta.
A partial list of nominees is listed below; for a full list of awards nominees, visit doveawards.com
Artist of the Year
Chris Tomlin, sixstepsrecords
Francesca Battistelli, Word Label Group
Lecrae, Reach Records
Tamela Mann, TillyMann
TobyMac, ForeFront Records
Songwriter of the Year
Ben Glover
Benji Cowart
Matt Redman
Toby McKeehan
Wayne Haun
Song of the Year
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)”, Matt Redman, (writers) Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin
“All I Can Do (Thank You)”, Mikeschair, (writers) Mike Grayson,  Ben Glover, David Garcia
“Break Every Chain”, Tasha Cobbs, (writer) Will Reagan
“Forgiveness”, Matthew West, (writer) Matthew West
“From My Rags To His Riches”, Devin McGlamery featuring Dailey & Vincent, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
“Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored”, Gaither Vocal Band, (writers) Larry Gatlin, Bill Gaither
“Hold On”, Canton Junction, (writer) Gerald Crabb
“I’m Learning”, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Lee Black, Michael Fordinal, Kenna West
“Live Like That”, Sidewalk Prophets, (writers) Dave Fray, Ben McDonald, Ben Glover
“Need You Now (How Many Times)”, Plumb, (writers) Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, Luke Sheets, Christa Wells
“Not For a Moment (After All)”, Meredith Andrews, (writers) Meredith Andrews, Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes
“One Thing Remains”, Kristian Stanfill, (writers) Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Jeremy Riddle
“Redeemed”, Big Daddy Weave, (writers) Mike Weaver, Benji Cowart
“Sometimes I Wonder”, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
“Take Him To The Place”, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, (writers) Aaron Crabb, Amanda Crabb
“Take Me to the King”, Tamela Mann, (writer) Kirk Franklin
“The Proof of Your Love”, for King and Country, (writers) Joel Smallbone, Fred Williams, Luke Smallbone, Ben Glover, Mia Fieldes, Johnathan Lee
“What The Blood Is For”, Jason Crabb, (writers) Ronnie Freeman, Tony Wood
“Where I Belong”, Building 429, (writers) Jason Roy, Jason Ingram
“Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”, Chris Tomlin, (writers) Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash
“Why Can’t We”, The Isaacs, (writers) Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy Yeary
Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year
“10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” Matt Redman
“Need You Now (How Many Times),” Plumb
“Redeemed,” Big Daddy Weave
“The Dream,” David Phelps
“The Proof of Your Love,” for King & Country
“Where I Belong,” Building 429
Southern Gospel Performance of the Year
“Glorious Freedom,” The Gaither Vocal Band
“Sometimes I Wonder,” Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, StowTown Records, (producer) Wayne Haun
“Stubborn (Psalm 15),” Michael English, Curb Records, (producer) Jay DeMarcus
“What The Blood Is For,” Jason Crabb, Gaither Music Group, (producers) Jay DeMarcus, Ed Cash, Wayne Haun
“Why Can’t We,” The Isaacs,  Gaither Music Group, (producer) Ben Isaacs
Gospel Performance of the Year
“Awesome,” Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, EMI,(producer) Rick Robinson
“Break Every Chain,” Tasha Cobbs, EMI,(producer) VaShawn Mitchell
“It’s Not Over (When God Is In It),” Israel & New Breed (feat: James Fortune & Jason Nelson), Integrity/Columbia
“Let The Church Say Amen,” Andrae Crouch (feat: Marvin Winans), Riverphlo
“Take Me to the King,” Tamela Mann, TillyMann Music Group, (producers) Myron Butler, David Mann, Tamela Mann
New Artist of the Year
Capital Kings, Gotee Records
Colton Dixon, Sparrow Records
for King and Country, Word Label Group
Rhett Walker Band, Essential Records
Tasha Cobbs, EMI Gospel

Luke Bryan's 'Party' Biggest Debut Since 2004

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luke bryan crash my party album cover1111It’s Luke Bryan‘s world this week, we just live in it. The singer-songwriter’s latest album, Crash My Party, exceeded sales expectations in its debut week, selling 527,783 units and bowing at the pinnacle of the Nielsen Soundscan Top 200 rankings. Party gives Bryan the biggest sales debut for a Country male artist since 2004.
This makes Bryan and Taylor Swift the only two country artists who have sold more than a half-million copies of an album in a single week since 2008. This is Bryan’s second consecutive Top 200 No. 1 album.
“I’ve never been this excited about an album that I have put out, and the response I have gotten is really humbling and mind-blowing to me,” says Bryan. “I am lucky to have some of the best fans in the world, and I am happy to see them enjoying this album as much as I do. I’m just so thankful for my fans and for Country radio for the amazing support.”
Bryan’s sales have earned him top billing on several sales charts this week. The feat nets the Georgia native the Top Country album this week. Sales of his previous efforts lifted as well; he holds three of the Top 10 current Country albums with Party at the pinnacle, Tailgates & Tanlines sitting at No. 4 and Spring Break at No. 9. His sophomore album Doin’ My Thing is currently the No. 1 Catalogue Country album, and his debut project I’ll Stay Me is at No. 5 on the Country catalogue rankings.

Forty-two percent of Crash My Party‘s first-week sales were digital album sales (222,000 copies), making Party the No. 1 digital album overall and the No. 1 digital Country album.

Bryan also crashed the singles rankings, with his current single “That’s My Kind of Night” selling 164,000 copies to become the top Country track this week and the No. 4 overall track.
The success comes on the heels of a whirlwind launch week, where Bryan appeared on numerous national television appearances, including NBC’s Today Show Summer Concert Series, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and E!’s Chelsea Lately. Crash My Party is Luke’s fourth studio album which follows his double-Platinum 2011 album tailgates & tanlines.
A hearty congratulations to Bryan and his entire team!
 

Music City Eats Chef Lineup Announced

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music city eats logo 111111Music City Eats: Nashville Food, Wine & Spirits Festival has announced the lineup for the festival’s grand tasting, Flavors of Nashville, which will be held Sept. 21-22 at downtown’s Public Square Park. The festival will showcase more than 25 of Nashville’s favorite chefs and restaurants, along with 40 different spirits from around the country and across the globe.
Festival attendees will be able to sample dishes from and chat with local chefs like Deb Paquette (Etch), Erik Anderson & Josh Habiger (The Catbird Seat), Philip R. Krajeck (Rolf & Daughters), Margot McCormack (Margot Café, Marché), and Tandy Wilson (City House) during the two-day epicurean extravaganza.
Libations will be flowing during the event as well. Kenny Chesney’s new Blue Chair Bay Rum, Deep Eddy Vodka, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Jameson Whiskey Partners, Silver Oak Cellars, Terrapin Beer Co., and Willett Bourbon are just a few of the vendors who will be on hand showcasing their wares at the new festival, which will also feature cooking demonstrations and panel discussions on four different stages at Public Square Park on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. by celeb chefs like Giada, Michael Symon, Aaron Sanchez, Jonathan Waxman, and Trisha Yearwood.
Music City Eats is the brainchild of Caleb and Nathan Followill of the Kings of Leon, chef Waxman, Austin-based C3 Presents (producer of Austin Food & Wine Festival,) and Vector Management‘s Ken Levitan and Andy Mendelsohn. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit musiccityeats.com.
Saturday, September 21, 2013:
Participants will include Erik Anderson & Josh Habiger (The Catbird Seat); Kahlil Arnold (Arnold’s Country Kitchen); Carey Bringle (Peg Leg Porker); Larry Carlile (Silo); Robert Grace (Kayne Prime); Hal Holden-Bache (Lockeland Table); Philip R. Krajeck (Rolf & Daughters); Arnold Myint; Deb Paquette (Etch); Giovanni Pinato (Giovanni Ristorante); Barclay Stratton (Merchant’s Restaurant); and Tandy Wilson (City House).
Sunday, September 22, 2013:
Participants will include Roderick Bailey (The Silly Goose); Brian Bills (The Wild Hare); Matt Farley (The Southern); Jay Flatley (Tavern); Sarah Gavigan (Otaku South); John Lasater (Hattie B’s); Joseph Lenn (The Barn at Blackberry Farm); Pat Martin (Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint); Margot McCormack (Margot Café, Marché); Nick Pellegrino (Mangia Nashville); and Charles Phillips (1808 Grille, Hutton Hotel).