2014 Grammy Nominees Album To Be Released Jan. 21

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GrammyThe 2014 Grammy Nominees album will hit stores on Jan. 21, 2014 and will feature songs from 18 Grammy nominated artists and songwriters. With the album’s release, fans will have the chance to win a trip to the 56th or 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
“For more than 20 years we have been creating some incredible editions of the GRAMMY Nominees album, which again represents some of the great songs and talented artists that make up this year’s remarkable nominees,” said The Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow.
The album will include performers nominated in the Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Country Album categories. The album’s Country artists include Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw.
“We are honored to be joining with The Recording Academy to release this fantastic collection of GRAMMY-nominated performances and songs,” said Atlantic Chairman and COO Julie Greenwald. “And we’re especially proud to be associated with an album that helps support the essential missions of The Academy’s charitable endeavors.”
A portion of the album’s sales will benefit The Recording Academy’s charitable organizations GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Foundation. The 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards will air live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26 on CBS from 8-11:30 E.T.
For more information, visit grammy.com.

Jake Owen Reveals 'Days Of Gold Tour 2014' Dates

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days of gold jake owen111Jake Owen is gearing up for a golden summer on Jake Owen’s Days of Gold Tour 2014. The trek launches March 20 in Brookings, S.D., and wraps Oct. 25 in Owen’s hometown of Vero Beach, Fla. The 55+ city tour will feature The Cadillac Three on all dates, along with Eli Young Band, Parmalee, and Thomas Rhett (each on select dates).
DAYS OF GOLD Tour 2014
March 20 – Brookings, S.D.
March 21 – Fargo, N.D.
March 22 – Bemidji, Minn.
April 10 – Casper, Wy.
April 11 – Rapid City, S.D.
April 12 – Bismarck, N.D.
April 24 – Bowling Green, Ky.
April 25 – Dayton, Ohio
May 1 – Ft. Wayne, Ind.
May 2 – Indiana, Pa.
May 3 – Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
May 15- Huntington, W.V.
May 16 – Greensboro, N.C.
May 29 – Gilford, N.H.
May 30 – New York, N.Y.
May 31 – Virginia Beach, Va. (Patriotic Festival)
June 12 – North Lawrence, Ohio (Country Fest)
June 13 – Buffalo, N.Y. (Taste of Country)
June 19 – Grand Junction, Colo. (Country Jam USA)
June 20 – Rio Rancho, N.M.
June 21 – Pueblo, Colo. (Bands in the Backyard)
June 27 – Greeley, Colo. (Greeley Stampede)
June 28 – Norfolk, Neb.
June 29 – Wichita, Kan.
July 10 – Reading, Pa.
July 11 – Uncasville, Conn.
July 17 – Eau Claire, Wis. (Country Jam Fest)
July 18 – Valparaiso, Ind. (Porter County Fair)
July 24 – Green Bay, Wis.
July 25 – Moline, Ill.
Aug. 1 – Duncan, B.C. (Sunfest Country)
Aug. 2 – Sweet Home, Ore. (Oregon Jamboree)
Aug. 9 – Las Vegas
Aug. 21 – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Aug. 22 – Orange Beach, Ala.
Aug. 23 – New Orleans
Sept. 5 – North Charleston, S.C.
Sept. 6 – Augusta, Ga.
Sept. 11 – Fayetteville, Ark.
Sept. 13 – Terre Haute, Ind.
Sept. 18 – Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Sept. 20 – Sioux City, Iowa
Sept. 25 – Tupelo, Miss.
Sept. 26 – Huntsville, Ala.
Oct. 3 – Roanoke, Va.
Oct. 4 – Pikeville, Ky.
Oct. 9 – Battle Creek, Mich.
Oct. 10 – Saginaw, Mich.
Oct. 11 – Toledo, Ohio
Oct. 16 – La Crosse, Wis.
Oct. 17 – Mankato, Minn.
Oct. 18 – Lincoln, Neb.
Oct. 23 – Atlanta
Oct. 24 – Tallahassee, Fla.
Oct. 25 – Vero Beach, Fla.

Nine North/Turnpike Music Launches Integrity Nashville Division

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integrity_logo_white111Larry Pareigis, President, Nine North/Turnpike Music and Kevin Mason, VP of Secret Projects for both, have announced a new co-venture: Integrity Nashville.
“After closely observing the marketplace, there was a clear need for an entry-level company for independent Country artists desiring to pursue Music Row radio and other Secondary radio outlets,” says Pareigis. “Integrity Nashville is that company.”
Integrity Nashville will offer radio promotion, social media, publicity, marketing, management, web design and consulting services plus other services on an a la carte basis, much like its brother divisions Nine North & Turnpike Music.
Integrity Nashville has added Adelle Borchetta as Integrity Nashville’s Director of Radio Promotion and Marketing. She can be reached at [email protected].
Integrity Nashville’s initial signings are Knoxville-based singer/songwriter/entertainer Homer Hart and former EMI artist Dana McVicker, with more announcements to come shortly.

Dierks Bentley To Release 'Riser' in February

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riser dierks bentley11Dierks Bentley will release his upcoming seventh album, Riser, on Feb. 25. Bentley collaborated with producer Ross Copperman and executive producer Arturo Buenahora, Jr. on the project.
“I named the album Riser because the lyrics in that song perfectly articulate who I want to be, who I try to be,” Bentley explains. “There’s a lot of really intense material on this record, but there’s also a lighter side that is equally important in telling the story of the last two years of my life. When I first started writing for this album, I was in a place of grief over the loss of my dad, but over the course of the next 18 months, my wife and I had our son Knox, and I ended in a place of real joy and gratefulness. Both sides of that coin are what Country music has always been about, and I hope that my fans can feel how much of myself I put into this project. It’s all out on the table, for sure.”
Watch a behind-the-scenes video of the making of Riser below.

"Cruise" Sets All-Time Digital Download Record

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florida georgia line 2013

Florida Georgia Line


Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” is still on a remarkable ride with today’s news that it is the best selling digital Country single in Soundscan history. The song has been downloaded 6.6 million times according to Big Machine Label Group. This is a combined total of downloads of the original Country version as well as the remix featuring Nelly. “Cruise” was released more than 88 weeks ago.
Lady Antebellum’s megahit “Need You Now” was previously the best selling digital Country track, with about 6.3 million downloads.
FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard wrote their debut single with producer Joey Moi, Chase Rice and Jesse Rice. The duo’s Platinum debut album Here’s To The Good Times on Republic Nashville has spawned four consecutive multi-week No. 1 hits: “Cruise,” “Get Your Shine On,” “Round Here” and “Stay.”
Including “Cruise,” Big Machine Label Group is home to four of the Top 5 best selling digital Country singles, totaling sales of 22 million downloads. Taylor Swift holds the third and fifth spots with “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me,” respectively. The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” sits at No. 4.

Artist Updates (1/6/14)

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Brandy Clark. Photo Credit: Becky Fluke

Brandy Clark. Photo Credit: Becky Fluke


Brandy Clark kicks off 2014 as the musical guest on The Late Show With David Letterman. Clark appears tonight (Jan. 6) alongside Lena Dunham and Max Greenfield, and will perform “Stripes” from her album, 12 Stories.
The performance will air at 11:35 p.m. ET/10:35 p.m. CT on CBS.

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Dee Jay Silver

Dee Jay Silver


The first country DJ to be signed to a major Nashville label, DJ/remixer/producer and RCA Nashville recording artist Dee Jay Silver will hit the road with Brad Paisley when Paisley launches his Beat This Winter Tour presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.
With a dozen dates from Jan. 10 through March 1, the lineup also includes Chris Young and Danielle Bradbery. Silver will keep the crowd’s energy high with between-show sets featuring songs from his debut EP, Country Club.

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swon brothers11

The Swon Brothers


Arista Nashville artists and NBC’s The Voice Season 4 finalists The Swon Brothers (Zach and Colton Swon), have announced “Later On” as the debut single from the duo’s upcoming album. The song, penned by Ryan Hurd, Joey Hyde and Justin Wilson, the song ships to Country radio today, with an official airplay impact date in March.
“We are beyond blessed and excited to be releasing our very first single on Arista Nashville! We believe that with the love and support from our fans this song has big potential,” says Zach Swon.
“We’ve waited and prayed for this moment our whole lives and it’s finally here! We are more than ready to meet all the folks at Country radio and want to say thank you in advance for welcoming your two new brothers to the family!,” says Colton Swon.

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natalie stovall11HitShop Records artist Natalie Stovall And The Drive will release the debut single “Baby Come On With It,” to Country radio on Feb. 3. The single was written by Chris DeStefano, Jerry Flowers and Bobby Hamrick, and produced by Paul Worley.
The song is already getting spins on SiriusXM’s The Highway.

David Nail To Offer Third Album In March

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david nailMCA Nashville recording artist David Nail will release his third album, I’m A Fire, on March 4. Nail collaborated with Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay and Glenn Worf on the 11-track project.
I’m A Fire features Nail’s former tourmates Little Big Town lending harmonies to the song “When They’re Gone (Lyle County),” while Lee Ann Womack joins him for a duet of Glen Campbell’s “Galveston.”
Full track listing for I’m A Fire:
1. Whatever She’s Got [Written by Jimmy Robbins and Jon Nite]
2.  Broke My Heart [Written by David Nail, Scooter Carusoe and Jonathan Singleton]
3. Burnin’ Bed [Written by Bob DiPiero, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally]
4. When They’re Gone (Lyle County) [Written by Brett Eldredge and Scooter Carusoe]
5. Brand New Day [Written by David Nail, Scooter Carusoe and Shane McAnally]
6. Kiss You Tonight [Written by David Cook, Jay Knowles and Trent Summar]
7. The Secret [Written by David Nail and Scooter Carusoe]
8. Countin’ Cars [Written by Lee Thomas Miller, Michael Dulaney and Neil Thrasher]
9. Easy Love [Written by David Nail and Lee Thomas Miller]
10. I’m A Fire [Written by Jaren Johnston and Tom Douglas]
11. Galveston [Written by Jimmy L. Webb]

Chesney, Rucker Added to 2014 Nashville Honors Gala

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Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney


The T.J. Martell Foundation will welcome Kenny Chesney and Darius Rucker to the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville on March 10 to pay tribute to the honorees of the 2014 Nashville Honors Gala.
Included among the honorees are music industry leaders Mike Dungan,  Chairman/CEO, Universal Music Group Nashville, and Dale Morris, President, Dale Morris & Associates.
darius_rucker

Darius Rucker


Individuals being honored at the 2014 gala include:
Mike Dungan–Frances Preston Lifetime Music Industry Achievement award
Dale Morris–Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement award
Mark Bloom–Spirit of Nashville award
Dr. Scott Hiebert–Medical Research Advancement award
Beth Dortch Franklin–Lifetime Humanitarian Award
For more information, visit tjmartell.org.

Industry Ink (1/6/14)

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cumulus-logo-222featuredCumulus flipped Alternative WRKN/New Orleans to Country as “Nash FM 92.3” this morning (Jan. 6)  at 9:23 a.m. The station is licensed to LaPlace, La., and operates at 100kw at 1,945 feet, putting a signal into both New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
The new Country channel puts the new Nash FM against Clear Channel Country WNOE. Nash FM 92.3 has no PD; resumes can be sent to [email protected]. NOLA should be put in the subject line.

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musicians225Tickets are on sale now for the 2014 Musicians Hall of Fame Awards Show and Induction Ceremony, slated for Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. to be held at Nashville’s Historic Municipal Auditorium.
This will be the first award show held at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium, the new home of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
Inductees for 2014 include Randy Bachman, Jimmy Capps, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, Ben Keith (posthumously), Will Lee, Barbara Mandrell, Corki Casey O’Dell, Velma Smith, Stevie Ray Vaughan (posthumously) & Double Trouble. Roy Orbison‘s “Pretty Woman” will be honored with the 2014 Iconic Riff Award, while Mike Curb will be awarded the 2014 Industry Icon award.

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aristomediaThe AristoMedia Group is looking to fill an entry level promotion/marketing position. Applicants should be proficient in databases, Photoshop, basic HTML, WordPress, and digital video experience is preferred. Resumes can be sent to [email protected].

MusicRowLife: Billy Block Undergoes Treatment For Cancer

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billy block

Billy Block


Billy Block, host/producer of the long-running The Billy Block Show, has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma, according to a letter from Block’s wife Jill.
Block is starting a clinical trial in Nashville on Jan. 29 at St. Thomas Hospital. His doctor is consulting with others at M.D. Anderson in Houston.
“Cancer was discovered when he went to his doctor for bronchitis a few weeks ago. He is starting a clinical trial here in Nashville this month that is promising and gives us hope,” Jill wrote. “As we all know, Billy is an extraordinary man. He is in the fight of his life and we will all love each other through it. ”
A Billy Block Family Fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank. Individuals who would like to donate can make a deposit as a gift to the family at any Wells Fargo branch office. Checks can also be made payable to the Billy Block Family Fund and mailed to the attention of Bradley Gallimore or Danielle Lares-Bouharoun at Wells Fargo Private Bank, 3100 West End Ave., Suite 550, Nashville 37203.
Jill’s letter reads:
Hi dear friends and family,
Many of you already know that we have had some rough news this holiday. My sweet husband, soulmate, father to my boys and very best friend has been diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. After only a chest scan, his cancer is in his lymph nodes, spleen and liver. He is starting a clinical trial here in Nashville this month that is promising and gives us hope. His ROCK STAR cancer doc, Kent Shih, has been consulting with top docs at M.D. Anderson in Houston as to the best treatment options for him, and this clinical trial is the one they all agree is the best place to start. Billy is not in any pain yet and the cancer was discovered when he went to his doctor for bronchitis a couple of weeks ago. If the treatment here is not getting the results we hope for, we have an open door at MD Anderson to pursue more aggressive therapy. He has lots more scans, a brain MRI, tissue analysis coming. We are currently slated to start the medicine infusions on January 29th at St. Thomas Hospital.
The boys have all been keeping busy during this time – Micheal and Shandon working many late nights and double shifts bussing tables and hosting at Carrabba’s in Green Hills, Rocky up early to ref WNSL basketball then off to work at Which Which, Grady pet sitting and officiating hockey for the little guys – we have all hands on deck to make ends meet. I have also been working at Macy’s and now have a new client that starts this month for marketing work. We have never been able to get disability insurance because of Billy’s prior Melanoma surgeries, and his ability to work will be limited. We have set up the Billy Block Family Fund at Wells Fargo Bank as many of you have asked if there is a way to help. You can go to any Wells Fargo branch office anywhere in the country and make a deposit as a gift (for tax purposes) to our family. We are MOST grateful, however, for your prayers, prayers, prayers. As we all know, Billy is an extraordinary man, and has an amazing relationship with God. He is in the fight of his life, and we will all love each other through it. Here is the post he made a few days ago on Facebook which I wanted to share. Please feel free to forward this email on to others as I know many are anxious for an update. Godspeed, everyone, and you are in our prayers as well.
Love, 
Jill and the boys