'Nashville' Back With More Drama For Second Season Tonight

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NASHVILLE

The cast of ‘Nashville’ returns Wednesday night (Sept. 25).

Nashville, the hot ABC-TV drama that helped ramp up Music City’s “it factor” over the past year, is back tonight beginning 10 p.m. ET for a second season. There were plenty of cliffhangers and loose ends to be tied up at the conclusion of season one a few months back, as main character Rayna, portrayed by Connie Britton, and her longtime love and band member Deacon, (Charles Esten), were smashed up in a horrific car accident. Aspiring artists/songwriters Gunnar (Sam Palladio) and Scarlett (Clare Bowen) contemplated marriage with a proposal, and dramatic, rising starlet Juliette (Hayden Panettiere) was left to pick up the pieces after a blackmail attempt and betrayal and her mother’s shocking suicide.

Season two will introduce some new characters into the already spicy mix, including actor Oliver Hudson, who joins the cast as Edgehill Records’ new chief who sets his sights on Rayna, and a reality show vixen who will reportedly give Juliette some stiff competition in the attention-grabbing department.
For a recap of some of last season’s most memorable moments, including Rayna and Deacon’s sizzling lip-lock in the elevator, Deacon’s devastating fall off the wagon, and Rayna’s daughters (Lennon and Maisy Stella) singing “Ho Hey,” check out Nashville creator Callie Khouri’s Top 5 picks from season one moments.
Watch the Nashville season two preview below:

Weekly Register: Justin Moore, Chris Young, Billy Currington

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Untitled-2Country album sales are up 695k units over last week with several great debuts this week. Justin Moore’s Off The Beaten Path debuts at the top of the Country chart this week (No. 2 overall) selling 96k units. Chris Young’s A.M. wakes up strong debuting at No. 2 this week (No. 3 overall) with 53k units sold. Billy Currington claims the No. 5 spot (No. 10 overall) debuting this week with his latest album We Are Tonight selling 25k units.
Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party moves to No. 3 (No. 6 overall) selling another 47k units (947k RTD) and Keith Urban’s Fuse maintains its spark, coming in at No. 4 (No. 8 overall) and selling 30k units in its second week (129k RTD). Overall albums are down 6% over prior year while Country albums are down only .2%.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” remains the week’s top country track (No. 11 overall) with another 103k units sold (711k RTD). Tyler Farr’s “Redneck Crazy” holds the second position on the country track chart selling 47k (818k RTD) and No. 25 overall, while Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This” sells another 47k units this week (728k RTD) and sits at No. 3 (No. 26 overall). Top debuts on the Country Tracks chart include Moore’s “Lettin’ The Night Roll” with 13k units sold and Young’s “Who Am I With You” with 11k in sales debuts at No. 36. Currington’s “We Are Tonight” debuts at No. 48 with 8k sold. Overall tracks are down 3.2% while Country tracks are up 5% over prior year.
The top overall album this week is Jack Johnson’s From Here To Now To You selling 117k units, while the top overall track this week is Lorde’s “Royals” selling 306k units (1.6 million RTD).
Next week’s releases include Alan Jackson’s The Bluegrass Album and Willie Nelson’s To All The Girls. The Kings Of Leon, who helped produce Nashville’s recent Music City Eats festival, will also release their album Mechanical Bull next week.

DISClaimer: Ladies Have the Best Sound

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Ashley Monroe

Ashley Monroe


It’s a girl-power day.
Males dominate the releases this week – what else is new? – but the ladies have most of the best sounds. The finest vocal comes from Bekka Bramlett. The most refreshing new production approach belongs to Heidi Feek. The Disc of the Day is by Ashley Monroe. And the DisCovery Award goes to Leah Turner.
Meanwhile, such fellows as Robby Armstrong and George Ducas remain stuck in that endless country-party loop. The male highlights include Rodney Atkins with his stirring song and Brett Eldredge with his equally stirring groove.
PETE ANDERSON & BEKKA BRAMLETT/Rock In My Shoe
Writer: Pete Anderson; Producers: Michael Murphy and Tony Rambo; Publisher: Jesse Lee, BMI; Little Dog (track)
-Swamp country, with a heaping load of bluesy guitar groove answering Bekka’s every soul-sister vocal lick. Beyond cool. Pete’s just-released CD is titled Birds Above Guitarland. If you have even a passing acquaintance with a six string, you need this record.
THE GOOD INTENTIONS/Hank’s Last Ride
Writer: R Peter Davies; Producer: Rick Shea; Publisher: none listed; Drumfire (track)
-It’s sung from Hank’s point of view, as he contemplates getting into that fateful Cadillac. Unfortunately, the vocalist sounds like he’s at a tea party with his pinky finger raised.
BRETT ELDREDGE/Beat of the Music
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Ross Copperman/Heather Morgan; Producers: Ross Copperman & Brett Eldredge; Publishers: Paris Not France/Smith Wiles/EMI Blackwood/Ross Copperman/4 Tunes/Sony-ATV Tree, BMI; Atlantic
-Pretty dang irresistible. Falling in love has seldom sounded so catchy and so much fun. Also, he’s singing his lungs out on every one of the soaring choruses. You know what? You’ll sing along.
BOBBY ARMSTRONG/Birthday Happy
Writers: Robby Armstrong/Darrell Brown; Producers: Darrell Brown and Robby Armstrong; Publishers: Robby Armstrong/Grey Ink/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; Strong Arm
-All rocked up and no place to go.
RODNEY ATKINS/Doin’ It Right
Writers: Jay Knowles; Producers: Ted Hewitt & Rodney Atkins; Publishers: Dean-Parnell/Acme Nashville/BMI; Curb
-His greatest effort since “If You’re Going Through Hell” in 2006. The production makes my heart beat faster. The lyric fires my brain. His performance rings with heartfelt country honesty. I believe in everything about this record. Play it over and over again. Make it a No. 1 hit.
Leah Turner

Leah Turner


LEAH TURNER/Take The Keys
Writers: Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure; Producers: Jim Catino, Cary Barlowe and Jesse Frasure; Publishers: WB/Rockin T/Thankful For This Music/Castle Bound/We Be Pawtying/Rio Bravo, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Columbia
-Head for the open road, sing along to the radio and fall back in love. Sounds like a plan to me. Especially when it has such a lovely, airy, rushing production and such a winning, confident vocal performance.
ASHLEY MONROE/Weed Instead of Roses
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Sally Barris/Jon McElroy; Producers: Vince Gill and Justin Niebank; Publishers: Reynsong/Ayden/Wrensong/Vista Larga/Songs of Mighty Isis, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-A twangin’ hoot. The saucy song has a few sexy suggestions about how to spice up a relationship. Hilariously hillbilly, complete with galloping piano and stuttering steel. In a word, brilliant.
TJ BROSKOFF/This Is The Moment
Writers: TJ Broskoff; Producers: Bill Green and TJ Broskoff; Publisher: Bill Green, BMI; BGM (track)
-His slightly hoarse tenor vocal style draws you in. The barely-there production is simple and straightforward, embellished by tidy fiddle and steel licks. The song is a toe tapper that goes down easily.
GEORGE DUCAS/CowTown
Writers: J. Beavers/G. Ducas; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Loud Ranch (track)
-The Ducas disc comeback is a rockin’ party song with plenty of guitar and attitude. Relentlessly rhythmic.
HEIDI FEEK/Someday Somebody
Writers: Heidi Feek/Rory Feek; Producer: Heidi Feek & Rory Feek; Publishers: Western Pinup/Milkbarn, SESAC/BMI; Western Pinup
-The production has a bottomless, bassy echo. Her performance of the bluesy, languid tune is sultry and lushly harmonized. The deep-twang guitar solo only adds to the track’s cool, mysteroso vibe. Highly inventive and intriguing. Heidi is gifted singer-songwriter Rory Lee Feek’s offpring. Like father, like daughter, it seems.

Grammy In The Schools Program Announces Deadline For 2014 Camps

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grammyThe Grammy Foundation is accepting applications for its 2014 Grammy Camps, including its Jazz Session and Signature Schools programs for high school students, through Oct. 22. The programs are part of the Foundation’s Grammy In The Schools projects.
The Jazz Session awards students who are selected will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles for Grammy week, Jan. 17-27, 2014. Students will perform at high-profile Grammy week events and recording sessions and will attend the 56th Annual Grammy Awards telecast on Jan. 26, 2014.
The Grammys signature schools program recognizes top public high schools across the country for outstanding commitment to their music education programs. Each of the Grammy signature schools will receive an award and a monetary grant to benefit its music program. Grammy signature schools recipients are determined by a panel of top music educators and professionals. A Grammy Signature Schools Community Award, an extension of the Grammy signature schools program, has also been established. Through this alliance, the Grammy Foundation identifies deserving public high school music programs to receive the award and a $2,000 grant. To date, 350 schools have received approximately $700,000 in grants through the program.
“Grammy Camp and Grammy Camp Jazz Session are immersive programs that afford high school students opportunities to get hands-on experience with a variety of music industry careers, and our Grammy signature schools program provides recognition and much-needed resources to high schools to benefit their music programs,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation. “These initiatives, along with our other Grammy in the Schools programs, are instructing and inspiring music’s next generation.”
Students and schools interested in participating in the 2014 Grammy Camp Jazz Session and Grammy signature schools programs can apply at grammyintheschools.com. Oct. 22 is also the early decision deadline for students interested in attending the 10th annual Grammy Camp to be held in summer 2014.

Luke Bryan To Launch Fifth “Farm Tour” In October

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Farm-Tour
Luke Bryan will launch his fifth Farm Tour 2013 next week with eight shows from Oct. 2 to Oct. 12. The tour will feature guest performances by Chancie Neal, Cole Swindell and the Peach Pickers, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip.
The tour’s Oct. 4 and 5 dates are sold out. In 2012 the tour played for 100,000 fans and gave out eight scholarships to students within farming families. The “Luke Bryan Farm Tour Scholarship” will continue this year.
Bryan started the Farm Tour concerts as a way to give back to local farming communities, celebrate the American farmer and offer people a good time.
For more information, visit lukebryan.com/farmtour.
The Farm Tour 2013 dates and locations:
Oct. 2    Statesboro, Ga.-Perry’s Field
Oct. 3    Athens, Ga.-Wild Winds Farms
Oct. 4    Columbia, S.C.-Culler Farms (SOLD OUT)
Oct. 5    Macon, Ga.-Midway at Central City Park (SOLD OUT)
Oct. 9    Villa Rica, Ga.-V-Plex
Oct. 10   Auburn, Ala.-Ingram Farms
Oct. 11   Tallahassee, Fla.-Tallahassee Automobile Museum
Oct. 12   Valdosta, Ga.-Valdosta Wake Compound
(dates & cities subject to change)

Martina And Pandora Bring Joy Of Christmas To Fans This Season

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martina christmas11Martina McBride will help fans get into the Christmas spirit once again this year as she takes to the road through mid-December on her upcoming Joy Of Christmas Tour, presented by Pandora Jewelry.
The holiday tour will hit 12 cities, kicking off in Huntington, W.Va. on Nov. 29 and wrapping in Chicago on Dec. 21. A 12-piece band with a string section will back Martina as she offers up yuletide standards like “O Holy Night,” and “O Come All Ye Faithful,” along with fun classics like “Let It Snow” during this year’s tour, and she will also include a celebrity reading of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” once again this holiday season. At each stop on last year’s tour a local athlete, radio personality or celebrity read the Dr. Seuss classic for the crowd while Martina performed “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch.” Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson, Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel, and hockey player Jim Dowd were among the guests who got their Grinch on during last year’s tour.
“This is such a fun and special tour to do,” said McBride. “I love bringing Christmas to life on stage and putting everyone in the Christmas spirit. My favorite part of the show is the Q&A where I go into the audience. You never know what is going to happen, and the spontaneity is something I really enjoy.”
For ticket information on the tour, visit martinamcbride.com.
Pandora Jewelry Presents Martina McBride Joy of Christmas 2013 Tour Dates: 
Nov. 29 – Huntington, W.Va.
Nov. 30 – Louisville, Ky.
Dec. 4 – Nashville, Tenn.
Dec. 6 – Minneapolis, Minn.
Dec. 7 – La Crosse, Wis.
Dec. 8 – Sioux City, Iowa
Dec. 11 – Knoxville, Tenn.
Dec. 12 – Muncie, Ind.
Dec. 13 – St. Louis, Mo.
Dec. 19 – Green Bay, Wis.
Dec. 20 – Bloomington, Ill.
Dec. 21 – Chicago (Rosemont), Ill.

Artists, Chef Grace Ryman Stage For 'Sing For Your Supper'

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sing for your supper1Music and food grace the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in a current series airing on Public Television stations.
Sing For Your Supper with Bob Waggoner premiered earlier this month on Public Television stations; the fall season’s 13 episodes feature Chef Bob Waggoner preparing a gourmet meal with several top performers. But, there is no such thing as a free lunch, so Chef Bob will make each entertainer “sing for their supper” on the Ryman stage. Artists appearing on the series include Lauren Alaina, Kelleigh Bannen, Dailey & Vincent, Sarah Darling, Brett Eldredge, Escondido, Amy Grant, Brandon Heath, Jana Kramer, The Mavericks, Erin McCarley and Craig Morgan.
The first episode, which debuted Sept. 7 in most markets, featured Waggoner and Grant preparing a Seared Foie Gras & Beef Tenderloin.
Waggoner was one of the first chefs to bring farm-to-table cuisine from Europe to the US. The Southern California native began working at Trumps in West Hollywood, followed by his first position as chef (at age 23) at Members, a private club in Caracas, Venezuela. He became the first American to own his own restaurant in France (at age 26), and then returned to the United States to join The Wild Boar in Nashville, where he helped earn the restaurant the AAA Five-Diamond award as well as the Grand Award from Wine Spectator. He went on to helm the Charleston Grill in Charleston Place for 12 years. He earned an Emmy for his television show “Off The Menu” with Turner South. He has also helmed Nashville restaurant Watermark.
Mike Kirk serves as executive producer for the series, with Anastasia Brown as producer and talent booker.
Upcoming menus and artists include Waggoner making a Duck Breast Salad and Lobster Tempura with Jana Kramer, and creating Wild Shrimp and Elk with Craig Morgan (for this episode, sportsman and entertainer Morgan brought in elk he hunted).
For more information, visit singforyoursupperusa.com.

No. 1 Celebration: Brett Eldredge’s “Don’t Ya”

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, co-writer Chris DeStefano, Brett Eldredge, co-writer Ashley Gorley, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito and RLB Artist Management, LLC’s Rob Baker. Photo: Erika Goldring

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg, co-writer Chris DeStefano, Brett Eldredge, co-writer Ashley Gorley, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito and RLB Artist Management, LLC’s Rob Baker. Photo: Erika Goldring

Monday afternoon (Sept. 23) BMI and ASCAP celebrated Brett Eldredge’s No. 1 hit “Don’t Ya” in Nashville restaurant Cabana’s stylish back room. Written by Eldredge, Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley, “Don’t Ya” is published by Out of the Taperoom Music, Sugar Glider Music Publishing, Combustion Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music and Paris Not France Music.

BMI’s Bradley Collins welcomed the standing room-only crowd, congratulating the writers and presenting Eldredge with a coveted No. 1 guitar. Collins listed the singer’s numerous accomplishments, including his stint on Taylor Swift’s RED Tour and his bold decision to skydive when “Don’t Ya” reached No. 1.
ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel came onstage to honor the three writers, calling DeStefano and Gorley “one of the hottest songwriting duos” in the business today, with songs recorded by Carrie Underwood, Billy Currington, Luke Bryan and more. Beuschel also prophesied that Gorley will be named ASCAP’s 2014 Songwriter of the Year.
Combustion Music Publishing’s Chris Farren and Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg took the stage to present awards and celebrate each writer. Van Valkenburg commented on DeStefano’s tireless work ethic before turning to Eldredge and saying, “If the time ever comes when you don’t want to be an artist, you’ll have a lifelong career as a songwriter.” Warner/Chappell Music Publishing also paid tribute to the writers with special plaques.
The party included presentations from Country Radio Broadcasters’ Michelle Kammerer and CMA’s Brandi Simms. Avenue Bank’s Cooper Samuel was also present to announce that a donation had been made by Avenue Bank in the writers’ names to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Warner Music Nashville President and CEO John Esposito showered praise on Eldredge, the first artist he signed upon moving to Nashville, saying, “He has that unbelievable unique style of phrasing that makes the song his. I’m blessed to have one of the greatest vocalists I’ve ever heard on our roster.”
DeStefano and Gorley took the stage to express their gratitude and thank their families. “Thanks for never thinking that songwriting isn’t a real gig and asking me to get a real job,” said Gorley, who was celebrating his eleventh No. 1.
Finally, Eldredge boomed his appreciation through the microphone, saying, “Let’s tell some stories. This is very surreal to me right now.” He shared stories from his early days, like sleeping on the roof of a parking garage before an audition and dropping off demo CDs with his family. He also commented on Nashville’s community, saying “This town sticks together like a family and I hope it never changes.” The singer will kick off his Bring You Back tour on Oct. 3 in Oxford, Ohio.
As the celebration died down, partygoers snacked on pizza and drinks while late afternoon turned to early evening.

Toby Keith To Embark On First Australian Tour in 2014

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toby keith1

Toby Keith


Toby Keith is set to party Down Under next year, bringing his Hammer Down Under Tour to Australia for a series of arena concerts beginning in March 2014. Keith will also headline the 2014 CMC Rocks the Hunter festival at the Hope Estate in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley. Joining Keith on the arena tour dates will be Eli Young Band and Kellie Pickler.
The current lineup of concerts includes:
Friday, March 14, 2014: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD
Sunday, March 16, 2014: CMC Rocks The Hunter Festival, Hope Estate, Pokolbin, NSW
Tuesday, March 18, 2014: Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW
Wednesday, March 19, 2014: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
For more information, visit tobykeith.com.

Opry, Southwest Bringing Pope, Farr, Love and Theft to NYC

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Nashville New York backdrop111In celebration of the Grand Ole Opry’s Birthday and Country Music Month, the Opry and Southwest Airlines® are set to fly three Nashville newcomers to New York City for a series of free acoustic performances at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park. To set the tone, the Opry’s signature microphone stand and a replica of the famed circle of wood from center stage at the Opry House will also be making the trip.
Tyler Farr will perform Sept. 30, followed by Love and Theft on Oct. 3 and Cassadee Pope on Oct. 7. On-air personalities from New York’s NASH FM 94.7 will host each event. Each performance is open to the public and admittance will be based on a first-come first-served basis.
“We’re looking forward to presenting to our friends and fans in New York some of the artists who’ve really excited our audiences during recent Opry performances,” said Pete Fisher, Opry VP and general manager. “It’ll be great to extend our birthday party and Country Music Month beyond Music City to New York City.”
Full schedule details, as well as a chance to win a VIP trip to Nashville including airfare on Southwest Airlines and admission to numerous Nashville attractions, can be found at opry.com/nyc.