Parton Adds United States Shows To Blue Smoke World Tour

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dolly parton1

Dolly Parton


Dolly Parton has added 11 United States tour dates to her Blue Smoke World Tour for 2014. She will be performing on the West coast in January, followed by a string of performances in Oklahoma, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee in May.
Parton will also head to New Zealand, Australia and Europe next year.
United States tour dates include:
Blue Smoke World Tour US Dates
Jan. 24 Rancho Mirage, Calif. – Agua Caliente Casino
Jan. 25 Primm, Nev. – Star of the Desert Arena
Jan. 26 Reno, Nev. – Reno Events Center
Jan. 28 Phoenix, Ariz. – Comerica Theater
May 22 Tulsa, Okla. – Hard Rock Casino
May 23 Tulsa, Okla. – Hard Rock Casino
May 25 Cherokee, N.C. – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
May 27 Richmond, Ky. – EKU Center For The Arts (St. Mark’s Evening Among Friends)
May 28 Knoxville, Tenn. – University of Tennessee (Benefiting Dolly’s Imagination Library)
May 30 Thackerville, Okla. – Winstar Casino
May 31 Thackerville, Okla. – Winstar Casino
For ticketing information, visit dollypartonmusic.net.

CMA Songwriters Series Returns to New York City

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The CMA Songwriters Series returned to Joe’s Pub in New York City on Wednesday (Dec. 4), for the first night of a special two-night event. Celebrating nine years, the CMA Songwriters Series stop in New York featured performances by Deana Carter, Rory Feek, James Otto, James Slater, and host Bob DiPiero. ASCAP, BMI, GAC, and SESAC are the official partners of the CMA Songwriters Series.

Pictured (L-R): James Otto, Bob DiPiero, Deana Carter, James Slater, Rory Feek. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Pictured (L-R): James Otto, Bob DiPiero, Deana Carter, James Slater, Rory Feek. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA


Pictured (L-R): Deana Carter and Rory Feek perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub in New York City Wednesday night. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Deana Carter and Rory Feek perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA


James Otto performs during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub in New York City Wednesday night. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

James Otto performs during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA


Pictured (L-R): Bob DiPiero, James Otto, Deana Carter, Rory Feek, and James Slater perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub in New York City Wednesday night. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Bob DiPiero, James Otto, Deana Carter, Rory Feek, and James Slater perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Weekly Chart Report (12/06/13)

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SPIN ZONE

Jake Owen (R) recently celebrated the release of his new album, Days Of Gold, in New York with WNSH's Kelly Ford (L).

Jake Owen (R) recently celebrated the release of his new album, Days Of Gold, in New York with WNSH’s Kelly Ford (L).


MusicRow’s Top 10 songs are almost a mirror image of last week’s Top 10, with Florida Georgia Line’s “Stay” remaining at No. 1 for the second week in a row with 3,206 spins. CMT recently honored the stellar duo at its Artists of the Year gala. Meanwhile, Cassadee Pope’s “Wasting All These Tears” holds steady at No. 2. Zac Brown Band’s “Sweet Annie” continues to sit at No. 3, while David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got” stays at No. 4. Cole Swindell’s “Chillin’ It” hangs onto No. 5. Rounding out the Top 10 this week is Dierks Bentley‘s “I Hold On” at No. 6, Lady Antebellum‘s “Compass” at No. 7, Scotty McCreery‘s “See You Tonight” at No. 8, Luke Bryan‘s “Drink A Beer” at No. 9 and Love and Theft‘s “If You Ever Get Lonely” at No. 10.
Stations can’t stop consuming Bryan’s “Drink A Beer,” which is the week’s greatest gainer, hitting No. 9 with an added 444 spins. Jason Aldean’s “When She Says Baby” moves to No. 21 with an added 372 spins. Brad Paisley’s “The Mona Lisa” debuts at No. 67 with 300 spins, while Kip Moore’s “Young Love” captures the hearts of radio programmers, jumping to No. 53 with another 200 spins. Finally, David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got” maintains the No. 4 spot with 200 more spins.
MusicRow welcomes three thrilling debuts this week, with Paisley’s “The Mona Lisa” debuting at No. 67, Robby Johnson’s “South of Me” at No. 75 and Summer Schappell’s “It’s Working” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KMOK, WMCI, KBOE, KMKS, KIAI, KITX, WXXK
eOne Entertainment's Sundy Best recently visited with Big D & Bubba since their Grand Ole Opry debut. Pictured (L-R): Big D, Kris Bentley, Nick Jamerson, Bubba. Picture: Dave Reynolds.

eOne Entertainment’s Sundy Best recently visited with Big D & Bubba since their Grand Ole Opry debut. Pictured (L-R): Big D, Kris Bentley, Nick Jamerson, Bubba. Photo: Dave Reynolds.


Upcoming Singles
December 9
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville
Charlie Worsham/Want Me Too/Warner Bros.-WAR
Court Yard Hounds/Sunshine/Columbia
December 16
Lindsay Ell/Trippin’ On Us/Stoney Creek
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville – 67
Robby Johnson/South of Me/Contrast Music Records – 75
Summer Schappell/It’s Working/615 – 80
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Kip Moore/Young Love/MCA Nashville – 26
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville – 24
Thomas Rhett/Get Me Some Of That/Valory Music – 16
Dan+Shay/19 You+Me/Warner Bros. – 8
Billy Currington/We Are Tonight/Mercury – 8
Craig Campbell/Keep Them Kisses Comin’/Bigger Picture – 8
Tyler Farr/Whiskey In My Water /Columbia Nashville – 8
Jason Aldean/When She Says Baby/Broken Bow – 7
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/Drink A Beer/Capitol Nashville – 444
Jason Aldean/When She Says Baby/Broken Bow – 371
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville – 300
Kip Moore/Young Love/MCA Nashville – 295
David Nail/Whatever She’s Got/MCA Nashville – 200
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Jared Blake/Countryfied/Skiddco Records – 211
Maggie Sajak/Wild Boy/Back East Records-GMV Nashville – 207
Ry Bradley/New Kind Of Lonely/Crimson Q Records – 207
Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves/Folsom Prison Blues/Verado – 195
Sheryl Crow/Callin’ Me When I’m Lonely/Warner Bros. – 173
Kellie Pickler, who recently spent time with WQDR staff after their Country For Kids Show benefitting the NC Children's Hospital, lands at No. 28 this week with her Black River single “Little Bit Gypsy.” Pictured (L-R): Lisa McKay, Kellie Pickler, JJ Herr, Black River's Megan Boardman & Cody Clark.

Kellie Pickler, who recently spent time with WQDR staff after their Country For Kids Show benefitting the NC Children’s Hospital, lands at No. 28 this week with her Black River single “Little Bit Gypsy.” Pictured (L-R): Lisa McKay, Kellie Pickler, JJ Herr, Black River’s Megan Boardman & Cody Clark.

Spotify To Offer Free Mobile Streaming Option

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spotify71411Spotify is reportedly announcing a new feature soon that will allow users to select specific songs and form a personal playlist they can listen to on their mobile device for free, according to the AP. Depending on the playlist length, Spotify will either shuffle the songs and offer limited playback interspersed with ads, or fill in the gaps with its own song selections as well. The service currently offers free mobile listening of songs but doesn’t allow users to choose specific tracks without paying. The company is finding ways to entice customers to upgrade to a premium subscription for $10 a month, which allows them to listen to any songs or albums they choose without ads and save music to their mobile devices.

The Swedish company this week released information and new tools enabling artists to track playback of their songs on the service, and has 24 million users globally.

Charlie Cook On Air: Music Row Christmas Gifts

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Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook


Here we are a week after Black Friday. You have finished your shopping for your spouse, children, siblings and parents. You searched and searched and finally found that perfect gift for your best friend.
Whew! You can relax. NOT! What about your favorite country music artist? What are you going to get for the person who has everything and if not can buy whatever they want?
Now, you might be asking why you should buy a superstar a gift. Well, the Wall Street Journal reported this week that sales were down for the first time in seven years. It is your duty as a good credit card carrying American to help out. This is a great solution. Here are a few ideas:
Wine of the Month Club. According to “the smoking gun” Blake Shelton’s rider on The Voice includes two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon. It also includes two cases of Light Beer so you could go that way. Beers of the Month. I also found a cocktail shaker for $1400.00. Don’t waste your money on a tie.
Celebrity Cook Book. While in New York rehearsing for The Sound of Music, Carrie Underwood had a kitchen emergency in her apartment that set off the smoke alarm and alerted her neighbors to the fact that as a cook she is a great singer. One neighbor was heard to say there was a smoking hot blonde in apartment 3D. It turned out to be the oven.
Season Tickets to the 2014 West Virginia Mountaineer Football season. Brad Paisley is the most famous Mountaineer on the chart today, so I’m sure he would appreciate this gift. Now don’t worry about the cost. The Mountaineers (4W-8L) finished the season losing to what were thought to be the two worst teams in the Big 12. It turned out the Mountaineers were the worst team, losing to both Kansas and Iowa State. On second thought, if you wait until the season starts you can probably buy them for Brad on Stub and Hub and get parking thrown in free.
You can pick up The Luke Bryan CD Crash My Party for under $12.00 at Wal-Mart for Zac Brown. For the heck of it throw in Tailgates and Tanlines for $10.00.
There really is a book called The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers. It was written by Chuck Rosciam and you can view it online for nothing. Did you know there are only 17 catchers in the Hall of Fame? I’m not sure if JC Arenciba of the Toronto Blue Jays will ever make it to the Hall, but he has already won a pretty big prize with his fiancée Kimberly Perry. I’m sure Kimberly would enjoy this gesture of holiday spirit. Here’s the link to forward to her. http://www.baseballcatchers.com
Suzanne Sommers, nicknamed Ms. Jiggly, made a great deal of money with Thighmaster and subsequently the Buttmaster exercise equipment. I searched the Internet for the best price and found the Buttmaster going for as cheap as $5.00 on Ebay. Now I cannot guarantee it is new equipment, so you’ll have to check that out yourself before you gift one to Luke Bryan who apparently has found his calling card.
Well, my credit card is maxed out, so I am going to have to hang it up but if you have any other ideas go ahead and send them to me. Remember we love all these acts so let’s not get mean.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown Take Over 'After MidNite'

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after_midnite_20th_logo_0_1375348908As After MidNite’s 20th anniversary celebration comes to a close this month, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown will take over as the final guest hosts of After MidNite in December. Each artist will sit behind the mic and give fans their unique, week-long take as host of the program.
Below is the guest host schedule for December:
Florida Georgia Line: Dec. 2 – 8
Brad Paisley: Dec. 9 – 15
Zac Brown: Dec. 16 – 22
From Dec. 23 – Jan. 5, After MidNite listeners will be treated to the best highlights, guest appearances and interviews from the 20-week takeover, which began on Aug. 1. As previously announced, award-winning Country radio and CMT personality Cody Alan will sign on as permanent host of the program, which has been re-branded as CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, on Jan. 6, 2014.

Musgraves To Debut New Video On CMT, Clear Channel Platforms

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musgraves111Kacey Musgraves, who won Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist honors at the 25th Annual MusicRow Awards, will debut her new video for “Follow Your Arrow” across CMT and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment platforms on Monday, Dec. 9.  CMT will air the video every hour during music hours from 6 a.m. ET – 1 p.m. ET on Monday, or fans can watch it on demand at Kaceymusgraves.CMT.com and iHeartRadio.com. Musgraves traveled to the High Desert in Joshua Tree, Calif., to film the video, which she co-directed with HONEY.
The video premiere of “Follow Your Arrow” will be available exclusively on CMT and Clear Channel’s Country stations websites as well as iHeartRadio for 24 hours, and promoted across their platforms including on-air, online and through social media. Combined, CMT and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment reach hundreds of millions of passionate country music fans everywhere they find music.
“I had an amazing time creating this video! It’s exactly what I envisioned accompanying such a special song,” said Musgraves. “Joshua Tree is a magical place, and I hope you can feel that energy when you see this.”
“Kacey definitely capture the spirit and meaning of this song in one of the most anticipated videos of the year,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy, CMT. “We’re thrilled to partner with Clear Channel on this exclusive premiere.”
“CMT and Clear Channel have created the largest country music platforms in radio and television and this is a great opportunity to leverage that partnership for the first time to shine a light on and support a bright young star that is breaking new ground and new music,” said Clay Hunnicutt, Executive Vice President of Programming, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “Kacey thinks, writes and sings outside the lines — we’re excited to get her new video in the hands of her fans and Country music lovers.”

Through The Lens (12/5/13)

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Creative Nation had a show at the Basement Tuesday, Dec. 3 featuring Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Native Run and Maggie Chapman. The group played six new uncut country singles and three original Christmas jingles with help from some of their favorite co-writers including Natalie Hemby, Rhett Akins, The Warren Brothers, Josh Osborne and Dave Barnes.

Pictured, Back Row:Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, Brad Warren, Ian Fitchuk, Brett Warren, Creative Nation's Julie Stuckey, Barry Dean, Josh Osborne and Bryan Dawley. Front Row: Creative Nation's Beth Laird, Maggie Chapman, Rachel Beauregard, Creative Nation's Kelsey Granda and Natalie Hemby

Pictured, Back Row: Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, Brad Warren, Ian Fitchuk, Brett Warren, Creative Nation’s Julie Stuckey, Barry Dean, Josh Osborne and Bryan Dawley. Front Row: Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, Maggie Chapman, Rachel Beauregard, Creative Nation’s Kelsey Granda and Natalie Hemby.

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Monday, Dec. 2, live from the Country Music Hall of Fame, Restless Heart was the special guest on this month’s edition of WSM’s An Intimate Evening with Eddie Stubbs.  All five original members were on-hand for the full two-hour show, performing songs from their new and first-ever Christmas album, A Restless Heart Christmas.
Pictured (L-R): John Dittrich, Dave Innis, Larry Stewart, Eddie Stubbs, Paul Gregg, Billy Holland, Greg Jennings, Don Murry Grubbs). Photo credit: Eric Marcum

Pictured (L-R): John Dittrich, Dave Innis, Larry Stewart, Eddie Stubbs, Paul Gregg, Billy Holland, Greg Jennings, Don Murry Grubbs). Photo credit: Eric Marcum.

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The Academy of Country Music welcomed rising singer/songwriter Corey Smith to the office while he was in Los Angeles last month. While at the Academy, he performed his latest single, “Ain’t Going Out Tonight” and signed up for professional ACM membership, as part of the Academy’s complimentary one-year membership offered to support emerging artists.

Pictured (L-R): Elice Cuff, Publicist, Sweet Talk Publicity; Genevieve Jewell, Manager, The Collective; Corey Smith; Bob Romeo, CEO, Academy of Country Music; Brian Beckerman, Tour Manager. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Pictured (L-R): Elice Cuff, Publicist, Sweet Talk Publicity; Genevieve Jewell, Manager, The Collective; Corey Smith; Bob Romeo, CEO, Academy of Country Music; Brian Beckerman, Tour Manager. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

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Clay Walker, along with pals Craig Campbell and Greg Bates, raised more than $12,000 during the fourth annual Chords of Hope benefit concert held at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Oct. 30. The concert was hosted by Clay’s charity Band Against MS (BAMS) and all proceeds were donated to the MS Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to aid in MS research and awareness.

walker1111

Pictured (L-R): Craig Campbell, Clay Walker, and Greg Bates. Photo Credit: Tori McPherson

Artist Updates (12/5/13)

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift


Taylor Swift has shattered another record as the first female artist in history to sell out Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, kicking off the Australian leg of her RED tour last night to a capacity crowd of more than 40,900 fans. She is also the first female solo artist in twenty years to undertake a national stadium concert tour of Australia.
The tour continues on to stadiums in Brisbane (Dec. 7), Perth (Dec. 11), and Melbourne (Dec. 14) and will travel to the UK and Germany in early 2014. Her performance of “I Knew You Were Trouble” at Allianz Stadium will be featured on The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!, which airs Friday, Dec. 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET on CBS.

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maggie sajak1111

Maggie sajak


Maggie Sajak is currently featured on SELF.com’s “Celeb Move To Steal,” where she reveals her tips on balancing  a music career, student life at Princeton, and staying in shape. She also discusses her favorite workout, jogging with bandmates, and demonstrates a lower body exercise.

To read the interview and get Maggie’s fitness tips, visit self.com.

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Hallmark Home & Family

Pictured (L-R): Mark Steines, Cristina Ferrare, hero Timothy Medford, Lt. General (Ret.) Leroy Sisco, Clay Walker and band.

Clay Walker and the Military Warriors Support Foundation surprised US Army Soldier and Purple Heart War Hero Timothy Medford with a home on Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family. Clay also performed “All American” for the crowd.

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ryanbingham07-x600

Ryan Bingham

Ryan Bingham has written the title theme and will produce the music for a new film A Country Called Home, his first film music project since winning an Oscar and a Grammy for 2009’s Crazy Heart, according to Billboard. The film will be the full-length directorial and screenwriting debut of Bingham’s wife Anna Axster.

Bingham and Axster will announce a Kickstarter campaign this week to raise $75,000, the remaining 20 percent of the film’s financing. Bingham plans to write other songs for the film and solicit contributions from other songwriters and performers, plus score it.

                                                      • • •

Trace Adkins recently released his first Christmas album, The King’s Gift, which infuses Celtic sounds into classic carols. He is currently on tour promoting the project.
“This is totally me getting out of my comfort zone and doing something way out of left field,” says Adkins. “I’m a five-piece honkytonk guy, so to be onstage with a 12-piece band and all these vocalists, it’s a thrilling thing to be part of.”

THiS Music Signs Yarber

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Yarber Headshot111

Chris Yarber


THiS Music has signed an exclusive songwriting deal with Atlanta native Chris Yarber.
“I first met Chris during a Barbara Cloyd songwriting workshop. His passion and work ethic are second to none, and he is a success story in the making,” said Rusty Gaston, Partner/GM of THiS Music.
THiS Music is home to songwriters including Tim Nichols, Connie Harrington, Jimmy Yeary, Ben Hayslip, Leah Turner, Marv Green, Molly Reed and others.