Radio Personality Gerry House to Publish Book

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country music broke brain1Gerry House’s new book Country Music Broke My Brain: A Behind-The-Microphone Peek At Nashville’s Famous & Fabulous Stars, will be released March 4, 2014. It will be published by Bella Books. As host of the nationally syndicated, top-rated morning show, Gerry House & The Foundation, House was part of Nashville radio station WSIX for more than 25 years. He has won numerous broadcasting awards, including a place in the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
House has also written songs for George Strait (“The Big One”), Reba McEntire (“Little Rock”), LeAnn Rimes (“On the Side of Angels”) and Pam Tillis (“The River and the Highway”).
In Country Music Broke My Brain, Gerry shares his stories from the other side of the microphone. He reveals never-aired, previously unpublished conversations with Country artists including Johnny Cash, Brad Paisley and McEntire, who also penned the book’s forward.
House wrote his own daily radio material and also stand-up jokes and TB scripts for other shows for years, including the ACM Awards, the CMA Awards, the CMT Awards, and others.
To pre-order, visit amazon.com.

Zac Brown Band Says More Grohl Collaborations Possible

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Photo: Cole Cassell

Photo: Cole Cassell


The Zac Brown Band is toying with the idea of creating another project with Dave Grohl, following the success of The Grohl Sessions, Vol. 1, which was recorded at Brown’s Southern Ground studio in Nashville, according to Billboard.
“Vol. 1 is literally everything we recorded, but we liked the idea of adding to this at some point,” Zac Brown Band member Clay Cook said. “We don’t know what the future holds, but we like the idea, and Dave loves the idea of making more music, too. It’s as open-ended to us as it is to you, but Dave was cool with calling it Vol. 1. So maybe Vol. 2 comes in 30 years; we don’t know. But we love the idea of the intention to do more, that’s for sure.”
Cook says the band is also considering re-releasing some of its pre-Atlantic Records projects. The band will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its self-released debut, Far From Einstyne, in 2014, and is discussing ideas on how to commemorate the project, as well as ideas to get that and other material to fans.
“We’ve always been talking about putting out the old (pre-Atlantic Records) stuff, like Einstyne and (2005’s) Home Grown,” Cook said. “We’re still discussing what format to put it out. Do you re-release it? Do you try to go back in and make it better? Do you put out a double album? There’s been all sorts of discussions about what we want to do with that stuff, and we may just even put it out there, kind of like what Beyonce did, with no promotion beforehand. But there’s really no definite plans yet.”
The band will ring in the New Year in Detroit and perform the National Anthem at the NHL’s Winter Classic game in Ann Arbor. They join Grohl for a show with the Foo Fighters for Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 1 in New York.

Country Music Hall of Fame Has Full Slate of January Events

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countrymusichalloffameThe Country Music Hall of Fame has some fun, informative events on tap throughout the month of January. Kim Richey, the members of American Young, and Marcus Hummon will all be on site at various times throughout the month to hold songwriting sessions, while a fingerstyle guitar demonstration with Carco Clave’ is slated for Sunday, Jan. 5.
A full schedule of events is listed below. All events are included with museum admission, and are free to museum members unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014
11:30 a.m.
Songwriter Session w/Kim Richey
Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014
1 p.m.
Fingerstyle Guitar Demonstration w/Carco Clavé
Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014
11:30 a.m.
Songwriter Session w/Kristy Osmunson and Jon Stone of American Young
Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014
1 p.m.
Banjo Demonstration w/Blake Williams
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
11:30 a.m.
Songwriter Session w/Marcus Hummon
11:00 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Family Program: Musical Petting Zoo
Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014
11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. (FREE)
Make Letterpress Art with Hatch Show Print
1 p.m.
Banjo Demonstration: Ned Luberecki

Weekly Register: Garth’s ‘Roots’ Remain No. 1

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GarthWith Christmas behind us and New Year’s Eve around the corner, albums are enjoying a boost from holiday sales. Last week’s overall album sales are up 22 percent from the prior week, while last week’s Country album sales are up 29 percent from the prior week.
The name of the game last week was consistency, with no major debuts and the top four Country albums the same as the prior week. Garth Brooks’ Blame It All On My Roots (Pearl Records Inc.) was the top Country album again (No. 2 overall), selling 199k units last week (681k RTD). The singer will play two full band shows in Las Vegas New Year’s weekend.
albums (1)tracksBeyonce’s self-titled album was the top overall album for the second consecutive week, selling another 234k units (851k RTD). YTD overall album sales were down 8.5 percent, while Country album sales were down 10.7 percent. With two weeks left in this year’s sales calendar, it doesn’t look like 2013 will match up to 2012.
Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up” was the top Country track and the top Country debut last week (No. 18 overall), selling 63k units. Pitbull and Ke$ha’s “Timber” regained its spot as the top overall track, selling another 212k units last week (1.5 million RTD). YTD, overall track sales were down 5 percent, while Country track sales were down .6 percent.
No noteworthy debuts will be released this week – the second to final week of 2013 – as the industry slips into a winter freeze.

LifeNotes: Bradley 'Slim' Williamson

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Dad w Ronnie McDowell

Pictured (L-R): Ronnie McDowell and Slim Williamson


Bradley “Slim” Williamson, of Jefferson, Ga., died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013. He was 86.
Williamson is the father of Starstruck executive Cliff Williamson. Williamson developed one of Country’s first major independent labels, Chart Records, which was founded in 1964. Williamson was credited with discovering Lynn Anderson, Junior Samples, and Ronnie McDowell, among others, and produced numerous Top 10 records on the charts during the ’60s and ’70s.
He also developed publishing companies including Yonah Music, which was later sold to Acuff-Rose Publishing and published songs including Merle Haggard‘s “Strangers” during the course of his career.

Kenny Rogers Children's Center Undergoes Expansion

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kenny rogers

Kenny Rogers


The Kenny Rogers Children’s Center in Sikeston, Mo., which provides occupational, physical, and speech therapies to children, recently underwent a 7,000-square-foot expansion. Included in the expansion is a Motional Analysis Lab, which is currently the only one in the state of Missouri.
The Center has also been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. With the help of this grant, the center is able to serve more than 350 children with special needs, up to the age of 21, at no charge to the families.
“I am thrilled by the support that the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center continues to receive, and I think this grant speaks to the level of quality the staff has achieved. I am so proud to be associated with this center and the community,” said Rogers. “The center continues to provide such a wonderful service for families, at no cost to them. In an effort to keep it all going, I will be coming back to Sikeston in 2014 for a fundraising event. I hope to see you all there.”
Since its inception in 1973, the 17,000-square-foot facility continues to grow and has become one of the county’s premiere facilities for children’s care.

Artist Updates (12/30/13)

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chris thile1

Photo: Dennis Viera, people.com


Musician Chris Thile of the Punch Brothers wed actress Claire Coffee (NBC’s Grimm) during an intimate ceremony on Dec. 23, according to People.com.
The couple wed at Blackberry Farms, a resort in Walland, Tennessee. The ceremony included immediate family and grandparents of the couple, as well as Rob Moose of Bon Iver, who played violin before the couple said their vows.
The resort is a popular spot for musicians, as both Kelly Clarkson and Ashley Monroe recently held their respective weddings at the same location.

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florida georgia line press photo

Florida Georgia Line


After performing an energy audit of Florida Georgia Line‘s first major headlining tour, JustGreen purchased carbon offsets to offset the carbon emissions. Florida Georgia Line’s sold-out Here’s To the Good Times 2013 Tour included 32 cities nationwide. This is part of the year-long commitment JustGreen made to offset the carbon footprint of 4,000 Live Nation concerts across the country. Additionally, Live Nation took part in a nationwide sweepstakes. FGL fan and sweepstakes winner Cassandra Estojak and a guest flew to West Palm Beach, Fla., to plant trees with FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard before they took the stage at the Cruzan Amphitheatre.
“We had a great time meeting our lucky winner, Cassandra in West Palm Beach, planting a tree and learning more about JustGreen and how we can help spread awareness of the cause to help our planet,” said FGL’s Hubbard.
“We have offset 4,000 Live Nation concerts in 2013 including two complete tours-the Florida Georgia Line tour and Portugal. The Man,” says GP Manalac, EVP JustGreen. “Being able to work with amazing talent like Florida Georgia Line to help encourage the music industry and concertgoers to make greener lifestyle choices is a great opportunity for us all to make a positive impact on the environment.”

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Brett Eldredge with Paris, Ill. Mayor Craig Smith. Photo credit Cathy Drake Photography.

Pictured (L-R): Brett Eldredge with Paris, Ill. Mayor Craig Smith. Photo credit Cathy Drake Photography.


Atlantic Records artist and Paris, Ill., native, Brett Eldredge, was recently honored in a hometown ceremony at “Brett Eldredge Day.” Over 2,000 people, in a town with less than 10,000 residents, attended the event. The singer was recognized for his achievements in Country music. Eldredge received a proclamation from Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and was honored with new town signs reading “Home of Nashville Recording Artist Brett Eldredge.” His management also sponsored a fund drive for Compassionate Food International.

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Lauren Alaina visits a patient at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital. Photo Credit: Angelynn Tinsley, Edwards Photography

Lauren Alaina visits a patient at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. Photo Credit: Angelynn Tinsley, Edwards Photography


Mercury Nashville / 19 / Interscope recording artist Lauren Alaina recently made a surprise visit to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt through one of Musicians On Call’s (MOC) weekly Bedside Performance Programs. Alaina spent time with each of the families, learning about their own holiday traditions. She also performed “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Clause is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Silent Night.”

Country station WIVK Gets Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame Honor

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tennessee radio hall of fame1The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame‘s Board of Directors has chosen Country station WIVK in Knoxville, Tenn., as the “Station Of The Year” for its inductee class of 2014. WIVK has been the top ranking station in the Arbitron radio ratings for the Knoxville market since the market was first surveyed in 1970, with the exception of the ratings period for April/May 1971, when 990/WNOX-A (a Top 40 station at the time) ranked as first in the market.
Former WIVK Owner/GM Jim Dick is included in the 2014 Legacy category for this year’s inductees into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. The induction banquet and ceremony for the 2014 Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame will be held May 3, 2014 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Individual tickets are $65, or tables of 10 can be purchased for $595.00. For more information, go to Tennesseehalloffame.wildapricot.org.

Where Will You Be Rockin' New Year's Eve?

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NYEIf you won’t be in Las Vegas for New Years weekend for Garth Brooks’ two full-band shows at The Wynn, have tickets to Celine Dion’s Caesars Coliseum or the new Britney Spears A Piece of Me at Planet Hollywood hotel down the strip, you’re in luck because Nashville is bringing a party to you!
Music City is prepared to host its fifth annual New Year’s Eve Bash on Broadway, downtown, between 1st and 5th Ave. The shindig will feature free live music, fireworks and Music City’s own midnight Music Note Drop beginning at 6:30 p.m. Live music will continue throughout the night, even after the countdown to the New Year with the Music Note Drop and fireworks happening in the midnight hour.
Nashville’s celebrity performances will include headlining act Hank Williams Jr., featuring pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, along with performances from Brett Eldredge, Blackberry Smoke, Kopecky Family Band and Striking Matches.
For indoor celebrations, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will be hosted from both U.S. coasts, with Ryan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy in New York City, while Fergie rings in the new year from the west. Florida Georgia Line will be in attendance for Fergie’s feed alongside Capital Cities, Daughtry, Jason Derulo, Fall Out Boy, Florida Georgia Line, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Enrique Iglesias, Robin Thicke and The Fray. Miley Cyrus Blondie, Icona Pop and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will all be broadcast from the Eastern time zone in the Big Apple.
Stay safe, and have a happy New Year from MusicRow!

Rewind: 2013 MusicRow Chart No.1s

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The Band Perry will perform at the CCMA on Sept. 8.

The Band Perry


For over a decade, MusicRow’s Chart has crowned No. 1 songs in the Country radio marketplace, celebrating 44 chart-topping songs in 2013. MusicRow congratulates each artist, songwriter and label for its accomplishments this year.
The Band Perry cast a wide shadow over MusicRow’s Chart this year and proved that good things really do come in threes. The family trio saw three singles hold the No. 1 spot, with their hit “Better Dig Two” sitting at No. 1 for three consecutive weeks, longer than any other song this year. The Band Perry’s Big Machine labelmates Tim McGraw and Florida Georgia Line also enjoyed three No. 1 singles this year.
The 12th Annual MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart Awards, based on radio airplay reported by stations on MusicRow’s radio panel, will be held during CRS in February.

MusicRow Chart No.1 Songs of 2013

1/10, Little Big Town “Tornado” Capitol Nashville
1/17-31, The Band Perry “Better Dig Two” Republic Nashville
2/7, Tim McGraw “One Of Those Nights” Big Machine
2/14, Carrie Underwood “Two Black Cadillacs” Arista Nashville
2/21, Taylor Swift “Begin Again” Big Machine
2/28, Kacey Musgraves “Merry Go Round” Mercury Nashville
3/7, Blake Shelton “Sure Be Cool If You Did” Warner Bros.
3/14, Lee Brice “I Drive Your Truck” Curb Records
3/21, Chris Young “I Can Take It From There” RCA Nashville
3/38, Lady Antebellum “Downtown” Capitol Nashville
4/4, Miranda Lambert “Mama’s Broken Heart” RCA Nashville
4/11, Florida Georgia Line “Get Your Shine On” Republic Nashville
4/18, Kenny Chesney “Pirate Flag” Blue Chair-Columbia Nashville
4/25, Darius Rucker “Wagon Wheel” Capitol Nashville
5/2, Eric Church “Like Jesus Does” EMI Nashville
5/9, Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift’s “Highway Don’t Care” Big Machine
5/16, Brad Paisley “Beat This Summer” Arista Nashville
5/23, Jake Owen “Anywhere With You” RCA Nashville
5/30, The Band Perry “Done” Republic Nashville
6/6-13, Luke Bryan “Crash My Party” Capitol-UMG Nashville
6/20-27, Carrie Underwood “See You Again” Arista Nashville
7/3, Keith Urban “Little Bit Of Everything” Capitol-UMG Nashville
7/18, Justin Moore “Point At You” Valory Music Co.
7/18, Lady Antebellum “Goodbye Town” Capitol-UMG Nashville
7/25, Tyler Farr “Redneck Crazy” Columbia Nashville
8/1-8, Florida Georgia Line “Round Here” Republic Nashville
8/15, Kenny Chesney “When I See This Bar” Blue Chair-Columbia Nashville
8/22, Chris Young “Aw Naw” RCA Nashville
8/29, Thomas Rhett “It Goes Like This” Valory Music Group
9/5, Jason Aldean “Night Train” Broken Bow
9/12, Tim McGraw “Southern Girl” Big Machine
9/19, Toby Keith “Drinks After Work” Show Dog-Universal
9/26, Luke Bryan “That’s My Kind of Night” Capitol
10/3, Blake Shelton “Mine Would Be You” Warner Bros.
10/10, Miranda Lambert “All Kinds of Kinds” RCA Nashville
10/17, Taylor Swift “Red” Big Machine
10/24, Darius Rucker “Radio” Capitol Nashville
10/31, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert “We Were Us” Capitol Nashville-Hit Red Records
11/7, Eli Young Band “Drunk Last Night” Republic Nashville
11/14, The Band Perry “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” Republic Nashville
11/21, Jake Owen “Days of Gold” RCA Nashville
11/27-12/5, Florida Georgia Line “Stay” Republic Nashville
12/12, Cassadee Pope “Wasting All These Tears” Republic Nashville
12/19, David Nail “Whatever She’s Got” MCA Nashville