Inspirational Country Week Plans November Awards

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ICM Week & Awards with Ray Stevens and Megan Alexander.

ICM Week & Awards with Ray Stevens and Megan Alexander.


The Christian Country Music Association’s 20th Annual Inspirational Country Music Faith, Family and Country Week, featuring convention and nightly showcases, will run from Sunday, Nov. 9-12 and conclude with the ICM Awards ceremony at Cornerstone Nashville Church in Madison, Tenn.

Ray Stevens and Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander will host the 2014 ceremony, which features performances by Stevens and Rhonda Vincent. Doors will open at 6 p.m., prior to a pre-show at 6:30pm.
The Top 5 finalists for this year’s Inspirational Faith, Family & Country Awards include Vince Gill, Guy Penrod, Lady Antebellum, Scotty McCreery, The Roys and more. Russ Murphy leads the nominations with five nods. Tommy Brandt follows with four nods.
Tickets are available from $15-35. This year’s show will be broadcasted on the NRB Network as well as GEB America.
2014 Inspirational Country Music Awards Top-5 Nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Chuck Hancock
Kali Rose
Russ Murphy
Steve Richard
Tommy Brandt
FEMALE VOCALIST
Chareé White
Kali Rose
Larissa
Laura Dodd
Mary James
MALE VOCALIST
Chuck Hancock
Guy Penrod
Russ Murphy
Steve Richard
Tommy Brandt
VOCAL DUO or DUO PERFORMANCE
Bruce & Betsy Mullen
John Blackwell & Susie McEntire
Kali Rose & Dennis Agajanian
Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
The Roys
VOCAL GROUP OR BAND
Branded
Jayc Harold Band
Red Roots
Sunday Drive
The Isaacs
The Kristina Craig Band
INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR
“I’m A Rock” – Kristina Craig Band
“Pray For Me” – Sweetwater Rain
“Stand Up” – Russ Murphy
“The God Of Another Chance” – Chuck Day
“The Rock On Which I Stand” – Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY MALE ARTIST
Alan Jackson
Jeff Bates
Josh Turner
Scotty McCreery
Vince Gill
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST
Carrie Underwood
Dolly Parton
Martina McBride
Rachel Holder
Sara Evans
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP
Joey + Rory
Lady Antebellum
Oak Ridge Boys
Rascal Flatts
Sweetwater Rain
MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG
“Compass” – Lady Antebellum
“Doin’ It Right” – Rodney Atkins
“I Believe” – George Strait
“I Don’t Dance” – Lee Brice
“Like Jesus Does” – Eric Church
SONGWRITER
Chuck Day
Chuck Hancock
Corey Lee Barker
Greg McDougal
Russ Murphy
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Compass” – Lady Antebellum; directed by Peter Zavaldil
“Invisible” – Hunter Hayes; directed by Ray Kay
“Keep On Rollin’” – Steve Richard; directed by Flick Wiltshire
“Like Jesus Does” – Eric Church; directed by John Peets
“Love Is Stronger” – Jason Crabb; directed by Roman White
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bonita Adele
Isaac Cole
Joe Loftus
Steve Shirey
True Heart
YOUTH IN MUSIC AWARD
Adrienne Haupt
Isaac Cole
McDougal Kids
Mikayla Lynn
Tommy Brandt II
MUSICIAN
Dennis Agajanian
Gordon Mote
Greg McDougal
Jayc Harold
Ricky Skaggs
INSPIRATIONAL COMEDIAN
Aaron Wilburn
Barry McGee
Chonda Pierce
T. Bubba Bechtol
Tim Hawkins
LIVING LEGEND
The Living Legend Recipient has been determined
MUSIC EVANGELIST*
Dennis Agajanian
Greg McDougal
Mary James
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt
Wade Hammond
* a tie in this category created six nominees
RADIO STATION/NETWORK
HLE Radio
Inspirational Country Radio Network
KSTV 93.1 FM – Dublin, TX
WGDN FM 103.1 – Gladwin, Michigan
WSM AM 650 – Nashville, TN
RADIO PERSONALITY
Hunter Logan
JR Pitsenbarger
Marty Smith
Rich Miller
Robby Lynn
TELEVISION NETWORK
Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)
Family Friendly Entertainment Inc.
Hallmark Channel
RFD TV
TCT Network
INSPIRATIONAL BLUEGRASS ARTIST
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Rhonda Vincent
Ricky Skaggs
The Isaacs
The Roys
FAITH, FAMILY & COUNTRY MOVIE
God’s Not Dead – Pure Flix Entertainment
Grace Unplugged – Coram Deo Studios / Birchwood Pictures
Heaven Is For Real – Roth Films / Screen Gems / TriStar Pictures
Moms’ Night Out – TriStar Pictures / Provident Films / Affirm Films
Son of God – Hearst Entertainment / LightWorkers Media

Blake Shelton to Release 'Bringing Back The Sunshine' Sept. 30

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unnamedCMA reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton is ready to release his 11th studio album, Bringing Back The Sunshine on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
“There’s something magical about that title, and given what this album is all about, I thought, ‘Bringing Back The Sunshine is like I’m bringing back some country music,’” he says. “Country is sunshine to me.”
With 11 tracks, Shelton returns to those themes that drew him to Nashville as a 17 year-old kid fresh out of high school. “It’s very important to me to push myself and my musical boundaries but it’s also important for me to come back and touch home base every once in a while, to be sure there’s always a firm foot planted in country music.”
The album features two songs with guest vocalists. “Lonely Tonight,” written by Brent Anderson and Ryan Hurd is a stirring duet with Ashley Monroe.
On “Buzzin'” Shelton keeps it in the family with The Voice season two contestant and teammate RaeLynn.
Shifting gears, Shelton says “Sangria” is “one of the sexiest songs” he’s ever cut. “It sounds like something that came from a different time, almost like something Chris Isaak would have had on one of his records at some point.”
“A Good Country Song,” is a slice of nostalgia written by Tommy Lee James, Matt Jenkins,and Jessi Alexander. “Jessi Alexander is a great friend of mine, and she got in touch with me when she heard we were cutting tracks and said she wanted to write something for me. When I heard the lyric, it was almost as if she grew up in the same house I grew up in, from shifting the gears in my dad’s truck to listening to Earl Thomas Conley on a station out of Tulsa. There has never been a more accurate song about me that I have recorded.”
Fans who pre-order the album now will immediately receive “Neon Light,” “Lonely Tonight” featuring Monroe, “Buzzin’” featuring RaeLynn, and “Sangria.”
 
 
 

MusicRow Challenge Coin: Douglas, Johnston, Steele, Nite, Robbins

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Jeffrey Steele, Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, and Jon Nite stopped by MusicRow‘s office recently to be honored with MusicRow Challenge Coins, commemorating their No.1  songs on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.
Over the years, challenge coins have marked significant occasions and commemorated outstanding individuals. Continuing this tradition, MusicRow distributes its No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the CountryBreakout Chart.
Douglas, Johnston and Steele penned “Meanwhile, Back At Mama’s,” recorded by Tim McGraw. The song reached the pinnacle of the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on July 17, 2014. Johnston, Nite and Jimmy Robbins co-wrote Jake Owen‘s recent hit, “Beachin,’ which topped the MusicRow Country BreakoutChart on June 12, 2014.

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Pictured (L-R): Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite, Jeffrey Steele and Tom Douglas. Photo: Kelsey Grady


Robbins was awarded two MusicRow Challenge Coins recently for “Beachin,” along with “Slow Me Down,” which was co-written with Heather Morgan and Marv Green, and recorded by Sara Evans. “Slow Me Down” went to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on April 24.
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Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson, Jimmy Robbins, and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Kelsey Grady

Swift Preps Corporate Sponsorships Ahead of '1989'

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Taylor-Swift-Subway-1989-New-album-pop-release-partnership-subwayTaylor Swift is bulking up corporate sponsorships ahead of the debut of her first pop album, 1989, on Oct. 27.
Subway will team for a #MeetTaylor campaign through October, providing 31 fans (one for each day of the month) the opportunity to see the superstar on her yet-to-be-announced 2015 concert tour. The grand prize includes airfare for two, hotel, transportation, $500, concert tickets and meet-and-greet passes.
Beginning Oct. 1, fans will be eligible with a purchase of a Swift-branded Diet Coke cup, featuring a code for entry on subway.com, or through the subway Freshbuzz app. The world’s largest restaurant chain will promote the campaign through TV, radio, social media and in-store advertising.
Subway’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tony Pace, told Billboard’s Andrew Hampp, Subway will mention 1989 and its release date in marketing materials, but will not sell physical copies of the album at Subway locations.
As announced yesterday (Sept. 25), Swift will return to Diet Coke for its “Get A Taste” campaign. Target will fulfill the previously announced deluxe album. Keds is also expected to continue aligning with the 24-year old celebrity.

Industry Ink: PLA Media, Dave Baker, Studio Gold Nashville

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dave baker

Dave Baker


Nashville sideman/session guitarist Dave Baker will release his debut album 71 South. The eclectic album was recorded in Nashville with musicians including Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean), Vail Johnson (Keb Mo/Kenny G), and instrumentalist/producer John Painter (Ben Folds/Sevendust).
The two-time Berklee College of Music scholarship winner currently plays guitar for recording artist Kellie Pickler.
Baker is a PRS Guitars artist and has appeared in many Dr Z amplifier videos for Dr Z amps.

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Julie C Myers

Julie C Myers


PLA Media has added Julie C Myers to its roster. The former Stevie Nicks tribute artist has teamed with producer Dan Hodges to create her own project.
“I’m well known for my tribute to the legendary Stevie Nicks, as ‘Nearly Nicks,’ but this new album is just me, and I’m a bit more country than she is. Being a southern girl, I know I walk the line between country, rock, and blues” says Myers. Drawing from influences as diverse as Billy Preston, Janis Joplin, and Jack Johnson, her album is as rock as country gets. “I am thrilled to be working with Mike and Al at Consortium Artist Management,” says Myers of her management team.

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Curtis Braly

Curtis Braly


Studio Gold Nashville has signed Texas singer Curtis Braly for recording, distribution and artist development. Braly was recently nominated for Country Male Artist of the Year by the International Music and Entertainment Association (IMEA).
Braly joins Ryan Laird on Studio Gold Nashville’s recording roster. The Brentwood, Tenn.-based Studio Gold Nashville offers traditional music publishing, single-song publishing, artist development and promotional activities.

Carrie Underwood To Release Greatest Hits Project Dec. 9

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carrie-underwood-
Carrie Underwood announced that she will deliver a Greatest Hits package, titled Greatest Hits: Decade #1, on Dec. 9. The singer revealed the project during an appearance on Friday morning (Sept. 26) during The Today Show. Underwood has notched 18 No.1 songs since her American Idol win in 2005.
She also revealed the first single from the project, “Something In The Water,” which will officially release to radio on Oct. 6. The single will release to digital retailers Monday, Sept. 29.  “It’s a joyous, uplifting song about changing your life for the better, and kind of having that ‘a ha’ moment, waking up and your life being different from that moment forward,” Underwood said of the song. “Something In The Water” was co-written by Underwood, Brett James, and Chris DeStefano.
Underwood will perform at the Global Citizen Festival on Saturday (Sept. 27), along with fun., Jay-Z, No Doubt, Sting, and others. The concert will be held on the Great Lawn in New York City’s Central Park.
Watch the announcement below:

Weekly Chart Report (09/26/14)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report

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Whiskey and Cigarettes 2 (1)

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Faith Hill Inks New Management

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FaithFaith Hill has inked a deal with Jason Owen‘s Sandbox Entertainment, MusicRow has confirmed. She was previously signed to Red Light Management, the same company that represents Hill’s husband, Tim McGraw.
Hill joins Sandbox Entertainment’s roster, which also represents Shania Twain, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, and Dan+Shay.
Hill’s last full-length studio album of original material, Fireflies, released in 2005, followed by Christmas project Joy To The World in 2008.
 
 

SiriusXM Loses Copyright Battle

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SIRIUS XM RADIO LOGOSiriusXM lost in a legal battle against The Turtles’ Flo & Eddie, over the public performance of pre-1972 sound recordings. The plaintiffs seek $100 million in damages.
The lawsuit involved music created prior to the period when sound recordings began to fall under federal copyright protection. Flo & Eddie claimed SiriusXM did not seek authorization (and did not pay royalties) to play songs including “Happy Together,” “It Ain’t Me Babe,” and other Turtles hits.
U.S. District Judge Phillip Gutlerrez gave a summary judgment on the issue, after examining a California law from 1982 was meant to address pre-1972 recordings, but did not address whether exclusive ownership of pre-1972 recordings included the exclusive right to publicly perform the recording.
Judge Gutierrez wrote that he “infers that the legislature did not intend to further limit ownership rights, otherwise it would have indicated that intent explicitly. Although the breadth and specificity of cases acknowledging that exclusive ownership of a sound recording includes the right to publicly perform the recording are slight, Defendant has not directed the Court to a single case cutting against the right to public performance, even implicitly or in dicta.”
Plaintiffs lack sufficient evidence that SiriusXM violated reproduction rights by copying recordings on servers. Though the ruling will likely be appealed, it could spur SiriusXM and other music tech companies to lobby Congress for updated copyright laws concerning pre-1972 recordings.
The ruling will potentially open the door to additional lawsuits involving pre-1972 recordings.

No. 1 Party: Dierks Bentley's "Drunk On A Plane"

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Photo L to R: Katie Dean (UMG), Shane Allen (UMG), Royce Risser (UMG), Bentley, Chris Thompkins, Steve Hodges (UMG) and Mike Sistad (ASCAP)

(L-R): Katie Dean (UMG), Shane Allen (UMG), Royce Risser (UMG), Bentley, Chris Thompkins, Steve Hodges (UMG) and Mike Sistad (ASCAP)


Dierks Bentley and co-writers Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear (who was out of the country and unable to attend) were celebrated last night (Sept. 24) for Dierks’ multi-week No. 1 and Platinum certified “Drunk On A Plane” at newly opened Nashville venue, The Sutler. 
In keeping with the spirit of the song’s video, guests donned pilot caps and glasses similar to the ones worn by Bentley in the clip. ASCAP’s Mike Sistad greeted attendees, toasting the success of the song which is nominated for Single Of The Year and Music Video Of The Year at the upcoming 48th Annual CMA Awards.
(L-R): Mike Sistad (ASCAP), Bentley and Chris Thompkins

(L-R): Mike Sistad (ASCAP), Bentley and Chris Thompkins


The song is Bentley’s 12th chart-topper as both an artist and songwriter. It is Tompkins’ 13th No. 1 song and Kear’s ninth No. 1 song.
“It was late in making the album and I was out of ideas,” said Bentley. “I wanted to do a song about a hurricane,” he recalled, “and in songwriting, the code word for ‘bad idea’ is ‘interesting,’ as in, ‘that’s interesting,'”quipped Bentley. “Then, Josh said he’s always wanted to write a song called ‘Drunk On A Plane.’ I’m a pilot and I love drinking, so I didn’t even know at that point what the song would be about, but I knew I liked it.” Bentley went on to thank his management team of Mary Hilliard Harrington and Coran Capshaw, UMG’s Mike Dungan and others for their part in the song’s success.
(L-R): Jay Williams (WME), Bentley and Charlie Monk

(L-R): Jay Williams (WME), Bentley and Charlie Monk