Loretta Lynn Added To ‘CMA Country Christmas’

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Photo: David McClister

Photo: David McClister

Loretta Lynn will join this year’s CMA Country Christmas, which will air Monday, Nov. 28 on ABC. Lynn released her new holiday album, White Christmas Blue, on Oct. 7. The album debuts “White Christmas Blue,” penned by Lynn and Shawn Camp.

White Christmas Blue is the second volume of the Cash Cabin Recordings and part of a planned multi-album deal with Legacy Recordings (a division of Sony Music Entertainment). White Christmas Blue follows Lynn’s first Legacy release, Full Circle.

This marks Lynn’s first appearance on the two-hour holiday special, which will be hosted for the seventh year by Jennifer Nettles.

Previously announced performers include Joey Alexander, Kelsea Ballerini, Kelly Clarkson, Andra Day, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Lynn, Sarah McLachlan, Idina Menzel, Kacey Musgraves, Nettles, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Jordan Smith, Trisha Yearwood, and Chris Young.

LifeNotes: Country/Pop Singer Kay Starr Dies At 94

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Kay Starr, an artist who hopscotched back and forth through the jazz, country, pop, blues, and rock worlds throughout the ’50s with hits like “Wheel Of Fortune” and “Rock And Roll Waltz,” passed away on Thursday (Nov. 3)  from complications of Alzheimer’s at her home in Los Angeles, according to the New York Times. She was 94.

Her career began as a teen and ran all the way into her ’80s, and included initial success as a big-band era singer who hit it big as a pop/country artist, then scored one of her biggest hits during the emerging rock scene of the mid-1950s.

She was born Katherine Laverne Starks on July 21, 1922, in Dougherty, Oklahoma, to an Irish-American mother and a Native American father, and by seven was already appearing on local radio with her own show twice a week.  Moving to Los Angeles after high school, she signed with Capitol Records in 1947 and released her breakthrough hit, “You Were Only Fooling (While I Was Falling In Love)” in 1948. Her big break came with her recording of the country song “Bonaparte’s Retreat,” following Pee Wee King’s instrumental version in 1950. Her version of the tune sold a million copies, and her crossover into country was complete when she recorded four duets with Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Starr’s version of “Come On-a My House” (by then already a hit for Rosemary Clooney) reached No. 8 on the pop chart in 1952, and that same year she released her best-known song, “Wheel of Fortune,” which topped the chart for 10 weeks. She signed with RCA Victor in 1955, and her last big hit “My Heart Reminds Me,” was released two years later.

Starr had a loyal following of fans up until the end, and continued recording long into her career. In 2001 she recorded a duet with Tony Bennett on his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues.

Dunkerley, Hudak Presented With CMA Media Achievement Award

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Rolling Stone Country's Beville Dunkerley and Joseph Hudak (center) receive the 2016 CMA Media Achievement Award from Country artists Cassadee Pope (l) and Tucker Beathard. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Rolling Stone Country’s Beville Dunkerley and Joseph Hudak (center) receive the 2016 CMA Media Achievement Award from Country artists Cassadee Pope (l) and Tucker Beathard. Photo: Joseph Llanes

Beville Dunkerley and Joseph Hudak of Rolling Stone Country were presented the 2016 Media Achievement Award Tuesday night (Nov. 1) at “Rolling Stone Live Nashville,” an industry event. Cassadee Pope and Tucker Beathard presented the awards backstage during the evening’s festivities.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized with CMA’s Media Achievement Award. When Rolling Stone Country was founded in 2014, we wanted to provide a platform for an eclectic mix of Country Music’s finest artists, and we’re thrilled to have that acknowledged with such a prestigious honor. We also want to extend a special thank you to all of our talented contributors. This is an award for them, as well,” said Dunkerley and Hudak in a joint statement.

“Joe and Beville have done a fantastic job building the Rolling Stone Country brand and broadening attention for the format with their readers – and they accomplished that ambitious mission in two years,” said Wendy Pearl, CMA Vice President of Corporate Communications. “They are very deserving of this honor.”

Previous CMA Media Achievement Award Winners:

1982 Jack Hurst
1983 Neil Hickey
1984 Dolly Carlisle
1985 Red O’Donnell
1986 No Award
1987 David Zimmerman
1988 Robert K. Oermann
1989 Bob Claypool
1990 Dick Heard
1991 No Award
1992 Mark McEwen
1993 Lynn Lester
1994 Judy Massa
1995 Clay Smith
1996 Tisi Aylward
1997 Jay Orr
1998 Chet Flippo
1999 Hazel Smith
2000 Neil Pond
2001 Harry Chapman
2002 Jim Patterson
2003 Denise Quan
2004 Alanna Nash
2005 Mark Bracco
2006 Donna Hughes
2007 Storme Warren
2008 Monica Escobedo
2009 Cynthia Sanz
2010 Beville Darden
2011 Ashley Dvorkin
2012 Jennifer Meyer and Ray Sells
2013 Deborah Evans Price
2014 Chuck Dauphin
2015 Cindy Watts

RFD Bringing Back ‘That Nashville Music’ Series

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RFD-TV is bringing That Nashville Music, a half-hour syndicated series produced by WSM-TV and Opryland U.S.A., back to the airwaves, according to Broadway World. The series was on the air for 15 seasons from 1970-1985 and features rare performances from the Grand Ole Opry archives not seen in decades, from stars like George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, the Statler Brothers, and many more. The series will premiere on RFD-TV on Saturday Nov. 5 during the network’s weekly music and entertainment lineup, “Saturday Night Music Row.”

“For years the number one request from viewers has been to add programming from the Grand Ole Opry stage to RFD-TV. I’m happy to announce that we finally got it done,” stated Patrick Gottsch, founder and president of RFD-TV. “Starting in November, That Nashville Music will feature classic performances from all your favorite country artists from the ’70s and ’80s. Bye-bye repeats. Hello new programming. It’s our way of saying thank you to our fans and viewers who support RFD-TV.”

RFD-TV and the Opry also plan to collaborate on additional programming featuring the Grand Ole Opry stage in the future.

 

[UPDATED] Dick Clark Productions Sold to Chinese Company for $1 Billion

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[The original version of this story did not specifically indicate the Academy of Country Music Awards is a 50/50 partnership with DCP.]

Chinese company Dalian Wanda Group has purchased Dick Clark Productions for $1 billion, giving them a 100 percent stake in the TV giant that was founded in 1957.

Dick Clark Productions possesses 100 percent of TV rights for music awards shows including the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and the New Year’s countdown celebration in New York. Additionally, DCP owns 50 percent of TV rights for the Academy of Country Music Awards, with the other 50 percent being owned by the Academy of Country Music.

DCP’s primary revenue stems from them and the long-term agreements it possesses with all the major TV stations.

Dalian Wanda is the world’s biggest owner of movie theaters, with complexes across the United States, Europe and Australia, and it has been spending billions in the entertainment industry to expand its reach. Obtaining top television production rights furthers Wanda’s current focus on the film, tourism, and sports industries.

Once the acquisition is complete, DCP’s management will remain intact and Dalian Wanda has signed a long-term operation agreement with them.

 

Weekly Chart Report (11/4/16)

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

WME Celebrates CMA Awards With Rooftop Party

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 02: (L-R) Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and Chris Young attend the WME Country Music Awards After Party at Winners and Losers Bar on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for WME)

Pictured (L-R): Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and Chris Young attend the WME Country Music Awards After Party at Winners and Losers Bar. Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for WME

The guest list was illustrious at Wednesday’s (Nov. 2) WME post-CMA party. More than 350 people attended, including Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Big & Rich, Chris Young, Dustin Lynch, New Artist of the Year winner Maren Morris, Tae Dye from Maddie & Tae, Olivia Newton John, and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.

The party moved to a new location this year was the rooftop of The Thompson Hotel. DJ Michelle Pesce spun a mix of dance and pop songs while guests enjoyed specialty Casamigos Tequila cocktails. Budweiser was on hand to create custom engraved beer koozies, and a cigar roller was on site. Monster Energy also sponsored the party.

After the CMA Awards show, guests gathered around a live feed of the World Series. Earlier in the evening, WME held a viewing party at Winners Bar, where more than 600 guests stopped by throughout the evening.

WME clients took home 7 out of 11 awards last night, including Garth Brooks for Entertainer of the Year, Chris Stapleton (Male Vocalist and Music Video), Brothers Osborne (Vocal Duo), Dierks Bentley (Musical Event), Eric Church (Album of the Year), and Thomas Rhett (Single of the Year).

Additional guests throughout the evening included Casey Donahew, Chase Bryant, Chris Kirkpatrick, Chris Lane, Cortland Finnegan, Easton Corbin, Gretchen Wilson, Josh Dallas, Kane Brown, Mike Mularkey, Ryan Hurd, Scotty McCreery, The Swon Brothers, Todd Chrisley, Tom Newberry, Tucker Beathard, Tyler Farr, and William Michael Morgan.

Pictured (L-R): Jay Williams, Greg Oswald and Rob Beckham. Photo: Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images for WME

Pictured (L-R): WME Nashville’s Jay Williams, Greg Oswald and Rob Beckham on the rooftop of The Thompson Hotel. Photo: Leah Puttkammer/Getty Images for WME

Kid Rock and Megan Barry. Photo:

Pictured: Kid Rock and Megan Barry.

Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood Slated For ‘Christmas In Rockefeller Center’

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CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER -- Pictured: "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" Logo -- (Photo by: NBCUniversal)

On Nov. 30, a few of country music’s biggest stars will help usher in the holiday spirit with performances as part of Christmas In Rockefeller Center.

Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood will join Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Tori Kelly, Sarah McLachlan, Jordan Smith and the Radio City Rockettes. NBC’s Today anchors Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Hoda Kotb will host the broadcast from New York City’s Rockefeller Center.

As part of the 84th annual tree lighting, the event will feature a 94-foot tall, 56-foot wide Norway spruce from Oneonta, New York. Approximately 90 years old, the tree weighs approximately 14 tons and will be decorated with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights.

The NBC show will air beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT. Prior to the primetime telecast, an additional live hour of the special will be broadcast on select NBC stations (7:00-8:00 p.m. ET).

CMA Honors Broadcast Awards Winners

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2016 CMA Broadcast Awards winners: Back row (L-R): "Cowboy" Kyle Croft of "The Gator & StyckMan Program"; Ken Hicks, Kelley Bradshaw, and Daniel Wyatt of WUSY; Greg "StyckMan" Owens and Gator Harrison of "The Gator & Styckman Program"; Jason Statt, Chelsie Shinkle, and David Chandler of "The Big Dave Show"; Grover Collins of WUBE. Front row (L-R): Bill Hendrich and Johnny Chiang of KKBQ; Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and Jeff "Maverick" Bloen of "Chris Carr & Company; George Achaves of Country Countdown USA; Mark Grantin of KTTS; Sharon Green and Eddie Foxx of "The Eddie Foxx Show." Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

2016 CMA Broadcast Awards winners: Back row (L-R): “Cowboy” Kyle Croft of “The Gator & StyckMan Program”; Ken Hicks, Kelley Bradshaw, and Daniel Wyatt of WUSY; Greg “StyckMan” Owens and Gator Harrison of “The Gator & Styckman Program”; Jason Statt, Chelsie Shinkle, and David Chandler of “The Big Dave Show”; Grover Collins of WUBE. Front row (L-R): Bill Hendrich and Johnny Chiang of KKBQ; Chris Carr, Kia Becht, and Jeff “Maverick” Bloen of “Chris Carr & Company; George Achaves of Country Countdown USA; Mark Grantin of KTTS; Sharon Green and Eddie Foxx of “The Eddie Foxx Show.” Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

The 2016 CMA Broadcast Awards winners were honored during The 50th Annual CMA Awards last night (Nov. 2) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where Dan+Shay presented the honors to the Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year winners.

In October, five-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Garth Brooks personally notified each winner by calling into their respective show and station. MusicRow‘s chart reporting station, WCOW – La Crosse, Wis., was a nominee in both small market categories this year.

2016 CMA Broadcast Award winners include:

2016 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners
National – “Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
Major Market – “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Kia Becht) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
Large Market – “The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market – “The Gator & StyckMan Program” (Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, and “Cowboy” Kyle Croft) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Small Market – “The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.

2016 CMA Radio Station of the Year Winners
Major Market – KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas
Large Market – WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market – WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Small Market – KTTS – Springfield, Mo.

2016 ‘MusicRow’ Awards Continue Tradition of Forecasting CMA Winners

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Pictured (L-R): Sherod Robertson, Maren Morris, Carla Wallace, Craig Shelburne. Photo: Moments by Moser

Pictured at the 2016 MusicRow Awards (L-R): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson, Maren Morris, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace, and Craig Shelburne. Photo: Moments by Moser

This year’s MusicRow Awards continued the tradition of predicting who might take home a CMA trophy. The magazine’s subscriber-voted awards were celebrated June 29 during an event at BMI. MusicRow Song of the Year was presented to Lori McKenna for her solo-penned “Humble and Kind,” and Maren Morris was named Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year for achieving her first Top 10 single as a songwriter with “My Church.” At last night’s CMA Awards, McKenna again won Song of the Year, and Morris was named New Artist of the Year.

Lori McKenna. Photo: Moments by Moser

Lori McKenna’s “Humble and Kind” wins MusicRow‘s Song of the Year honor. Photo: Moments by Moser

For a decade there has been a connection between the MusicRow Awards, held each summer, and the CMA Awards presented the following November. Almost every year since 2006, MusicRow’s Breakthrough Artist winners also received the CMA New Artist/Horizon Award later the same year, including Sam Hunt (2015), Kacey Musgraves (2013), The Band Perry (2011), Zac Brown Band (2010), Lady Antebellum (2008), Taylor Swift (2007), and Carrie Underwood (2006), and Joe Nichols (2003).

Additionally, the MusicRow Awards are often a key predictor for CMA Song of the Year, with honors at both ceremonies going to “Girl Crush” (2015), “I Drive Your Truck” (2013), “If I Die Young” (2011), “The House That Built Me” (2010), “In Color” (2009), “Whiskey Lullaby” (2005), and “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning” (2002).