CRS Names Rusty Walker Scholarship Winners

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CRS-2015-LogoCountry Radio Seminar has announced this year’s Rusty Walker Scholarship winners, who will receive an all expense-paid trip and registration to CRS 2015, held Feb. 25-27 at the Nashville Convention Center.
Andrea Bogdonas (Morning Show Co-Host, Promotions Director and Social Media Producer/Designer – WFMB/Springfield, IL), Colton Bradford (Night Host and Morning Stunt Guy – WKSJ/Mobile, AL) and Annie Brooks (Marketing and Promotions Director – KWJJ/Portland, OR) are the three recipients of this year’s scholarship.
The Rusty Walker Scholarship program was created in 2012 by the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. to honor Country Radio Hall of Fame member, Rusty Walker, who passed away in May 2012. Scholars will be recognized at the CRS 2015 opening ceremonies and will have the opportunity to meet CRS board members during the three-day seminar.
CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27, 2015 at the Nashville Convention Center. To register for CRS at the regular rate of $499 visit www.countryradioseminar.com.

Will Hoge Brings Career Lessons to Nashville School of the Arts

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Pictured (L-R): Lightning 100 on-air personality Wells Adams and singer- songwriter Will Hoge. Photo: Catrina Engelby

Pictured (L-R): Lightning 100 on-air personality Wells Adams and singer-songwriter Will Hoge. Photo: Catrina Engelby


Will Hoge recently visited Nashville School of the Arts (NSA) as the featured guest for its student-produced program, NSA Presents, on Friday (Dec. 5). The program, developed by former NSA counselor and Hoge’s wife Julia Hoge, connects students with songwriters and industry members to help students determine avenues for launching their careers. The series is hosted by Lightning 100 On-Air personality Wells Adams.
The session offered an interview with Hoge about his life on the road, his path to success in music, and the craft of songwriting. Hoge also participated in a Q&A session with students and performed “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” the chart-topping song he co-wrote, with NSA’s student swing band.
“NSA Presents is a great way to connect students with singer songwriters and music industry professionals. For me, taking time to talk with the students at NSA was incredibly refreshing and inspiring because they are so talented and eager to learn about careers in the music industry,” said Hoge.
Other celebrities that have participated in “NSA presents” include Chris Young, Janelle Monae, Chip Esten and Ruby Amanfu.

Razor & Tie To Open "Hub" In Nashville's SoBro Area

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razor & tie111Independent company Razor & Tie is moving the company’s Nashville office to a new SoBro space, located at 511 Eighth Ave. S., near Cannery Row. Razor & Tie’s music publishing division will transfer operations from Music Row to the new space, following completion of renovations. The new location will be a “hub” for artists, songwriters, and producers. It will feature several recording studios, writer and listening rooms, a rehearsal space, a performance area, and an open floor plan.
The new hub will open in March 2015.
“We are excited to develop a new space in a hot new area of Nashville where we can continue to provide our writers and artists with the right ‘vibes’ to create great music,” Razor & Tie co-owners Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam said.

Top Albums and Songs Revealed at iTunes

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iTunes-Best-Of-2014iTunes has revealed its Best Of 2014 list of both top selling songs and albums, in addition to editorial picks.
The top selling country albums included Eric Church at No. 9 (The Outsiders), Luke Bryan at No. 12 (Crash My Party), and Jason Aldean at No. 14 (Old Boots, New Dirt). Interestingly, Soundscan credits Bryan with moving the most units of the three superstars; Church and Aldean respectively follow. Topping out the all-genre album list was the soundtrack to Disney’s Frozen, followed by Taylor Swift (1989), and Coldplay (Ghost Stories).
Top selling songs included Nashville’s Meghan Trainor at No. 7 (“All About That Bass”) and Swift at No. 12 (“Shake It Off”). The top three tracks include Pharrell Williams (“Happy”), John Legend (“All of Me”), and Katy Perry (“Dark Horse [feat. Juicy J]”).
The editorial pick for country album went to Little Big Town’s Pain Killer. Swift’s 1989 received selective nods for Best Album in addition to Pop Album.

Artist Updates: Florida Georgia Line, Craig Morgan, Scotty McCreery

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Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line


Florida Georgia Line has teamed with their home church, Cross Point Church, in its Dollar Club initiative. The duo encourages fans and friends to give one dollar to the Dollar Club, which partners with various organizations to help those in Nashville who are in need.
Founded in January 2014, Cross Point Church’s Dollar Club gives 100 percent of monies raised directly to people in need. For more, visit dollarclub.tv or facebook.com/floridageorgialine.

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Craig Morgan

Craig Morgan


Craig Morgan has teamed with MoonPie to ship more than 35,000 MoonPies to USO centers across the country this week as a thank you treat for U.S. troops who are heading home for the holidays. Morgan was tapped to assist with a six-month social media campaign that invited MoonPie and Morgan fans to donate a free MoonPie to the troops. Morgan was featured on 250,000 MoonPie retail cartons this summer and fall, and has actively promoted the campaign at concerts and online.
“Chattanooga Bakery has demonstrated its ongoing support for our troops since WWII,” said Tory Johnston, VP of Marketing at MoonPie. “Partnering with Craig Morgan and the USO was really perfect for this thank you campaign for our servicemen and women.”

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Scotty McCreery‘s recent fundraising concert at the Toyota Oakdale in Wallingford, Conn. raised $60,000 for the 12.14 Foundation. The organization’s long-term goal is to build a special center to house multi-disciplinary educational programs focused on helping children, including a performing arts center, which will be based in Newtown, Conn., but its doors will be open to benefit people nationwide.
The center will honor those lost during the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012, while providing a venue that supports many forms of healing.

Pictured (L-R): Jay Winuck, 12.14 Foundation Board Member; Scotty McCreery; and Michael Baroody, MD, 12.14 Foundation Founder. Photo: Judy McCreery

Pictured (L-R): Jay Winuck, 12.14 Foundation Board Member; Scotty McCreery; and Michael Baroody, MD, 12.14 Foundation Founder.
Photo: Judy McCreery

Nashville Events: ASCAP, Nathan East, James King

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ASCAP hosted the final 2014 installment of its long-running monthly songwriters showcase at the Bluebird Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Alyssa Bonagura (3 Ring Circus Music), Kalisa Ewing (UMPG/KingSpirit Music), Brentley Gore and songwriter-artist Jamie Kent performed at the famed listening room, to a sold-out crowd.

​Pictured (L-R): Jamie Kent, Kalisa Ewing, Alyssa Bonagura and Brentley Gore. Photo: ASCAP's Alison Toczylowski

​Pictured (L-R): Jamie Kent, Kalisa Ewing, Alyssa Bonagura and Brentley Gore. Photo: ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski

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Nathan East

Nathan East. Photo: Kharen Hill


The Belcourt Theatre will host the premiere of “For The Record,” a documentary of bass player Nathan East, who has performed on more than 2,000 albums in his 40-year journey. The documentary features Kenny Loggins, Eric Clapton, Don Was, and Phil Collins, among others. The documentary begins with East at age 16 touring with Barry White, and documents his career through 2014, when he released his solo debut and performed at the Grammy Awards with Daft Punk.
The screening will take place Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
To view the trailer for the documentary, visit artistworks.com.

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James King

James King


An all-star lineup including Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Grascals, Don Rigsby, Adkins & Loudermilk, Marty Raybon, David Davis & the Warrior Mountain Boys, Steve Thomas & Mark Newton, Kody Norris & Watauga Mountain, Larry Chunn & A Step Ahead, and more, will take the stage Monday, Dec. 15 at the Nashville Palace (2611 McGavock Pike) in tribute to “The Bluegrass Storyteller,” James King. King was recently diagnosed with chronic liver failure and is in need of a transplant.
The benefit will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20. All proceeds go directly to help offset King’s medical expenses. A silent auction will also be held at the event. Auction items include passes to the June Bean Blossom Festival; Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival; and the Vine Grove, Ky. festival.
Sam Jackson, a veteran bluegrass promoter, performer, stage manager, and on-air personality who hosted the radio program “Fiddler’s Grove Bluegrass Show” is producing the concert.
King’s most recent album, Three Chords And The Truth (Rounder, 2013) received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. In September of this year, he was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame.
 
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lilly roseLilly Rose Publishing and Andy Anderson Productions will host a holiday party to celebrate artist Maddy Siiter‘s 10-song album Runaway, on Dec. 10 at Union Station’s 108 Prime restaurant in Nashville. Also in attendance will be Fred Vail (Treasure Isle Studio), songwriter Tracy Williams, Hal and Susan Oven, and more.
 

Sara Evans Partners With Leese-Fitch Wines

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Sara_Evans_Cropped

Sara Evans


California’s award-winning wine Leese-Fitch has partnered with Sara Evans to provide one wine-loving country music fan with the opportunity to win tickets and meet Sara Evans at California’s country music festival, Stagecoach.
“Leese-Fitch wines are elegant, approachable and modern wines, crafted with respect to the historic California winemaking tradition,” said August Sebastiani, President of The Other Guys. “Country music has established its own tradition as well, with California’s annual Stagecoach Festival. We are thrilled that country music star Sara Evans has partnered with Leese-Fitch to create the ultimate ‘bucket list’ experience for a winning fan to meet and see Sara perform live at Stagecoach 2015!”
“A few years ago, I discovered the Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon and immediately adored the ZORK closure since it doesn’t require a corkscrew. From the first taste, I fell in love and it has become my favorite ‘go to’ red wine,” said Sara Evans. “I always keep it stocked on my tour bus, as well as at home to enjoy when I relax on the back porch with my husband.”

Southern Crossroads Announces Signing, New Office Space

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Don Gallardo

Don Gallardo


Southern Crossroads Music has signed Don Gallardo to an exclusive worldwide co-publishing agreement.
Gallardo’s songs have been placed in TV shows The Vampire Diaries and Nashville, and films Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa and Jolene. The California native is now based in Nashville and first began a relationship with Southern Crossroads in 2012 via an administration agreement.
Gallardo also recently signed to UK Americana label Clubhouse Records and is working on a new album with producer David Pinkston (Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, Kansas, Gretchen Peters, Linda Ronstadt). The album is slated for release in early 2015.
Southern Crossroads Music CEO Steve McMellon said, “It has been a pleasure to work with Don for the last three years, his songwriting prowess is immense, and only gets better. This is only the next step in our long term relationship that will include UK tours and a new album in 2015.”
Gallardo added, “I am excited to continue working with Southern Crossroads Music through a new co-publishing deal. They work with many talented songwriters and artists. I am proud to be a part of the Southern Crossroads family. I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, through this partnership, both for my songwriting and the direction of my musical career.”
Southern Crossroads Music recently moved into new office space at 705 2nd Ave S., Nashville, TN 37210. The company also has offices in London, New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles. SCM’s songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Brett Eldredge, Trisha Yearwood, Trace Adkins, Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson and more.

RIAA's Latest Gold and Platinum Sales Awards

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riaa111In November 2014, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded certifications for 10 multi-platinum singles, 17 platinum singles, 18 gold singles, three platinum albums, and seven gold albums.
Among those with Nashville ties are Jason Aldean and Keith Urban, who were both honored with gold albums. Scotty McCreery, Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Chase Rice, and Blake Shelton all garnered platinum single certifications.
Taylor Swift‘s Grammy-nominated single “Shake It Off” earned a 4x platinum certification from the RIAA.
Below is a list of Country, Nashville-related pop and CCM honorees:
Gold Albums
Old Boots, New Dirt, Jason Aldean
Fuse, Keith Urban
Multiplatinum Single
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift, 4x platinum
Platinum Singles
“I Hold On,” Dierks Bentley
“Kick It In The Sticks,” Brantley Gilbert
“See You Tonight,” Scotty McCreery
“The Trouble With Girls,” Scotty McCreery
“I Love You This Big,” Scotty McCreery
“Ready Set Roll,” Chase Rice
“Mine Would Be You,” Blake Shelton
Gold Singles
“Day Drinking,” Little Big Town
“Girl In A Country Song,” Maddie & Tae
“Overcomer,” Mandisa
“Ready Set Roll,” Chase Rice
“Mine Would Be You,” Blake Shelton
“Blank Space,” Taylor Swift

Martie Maguire, Emily Robison Sign with Big Deal Music

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Court Yard Hounds

Emily Robison and Martie Maguire


Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, best known for their roles in duo Court Yard Hounds and trio The Dixie Chicks, have signed with Big Deal Music’s roster. This marks the first-ever publishing agreement for both of them. Previously, Maguire and Robison each held their own publishing. Their back catalogs continue to be administered by Words & Music Copyright Administration (North America territory), as well as Sony/ATV Music Publishing (outside North America).
“We couldn’t be more honored and excited about the opportunity to work with these two incredible women,” says Big Deal’s Kenny MacPherson, “artists and writers who’ve had such enormous impact on both music and culture. Working with them has been a serious goal of mine for many years, and I’m delighted at long last to get there, and excited about the results to come.”
Among those signed to Big Deal Music are My Morning Jacket, Ray LaMontagne, Jim James, Ethan Johns, Missy Higgins, the Black Angels, as well as songwriters Tim James, Brett Beavers, Brad Tursi, John Ryan, Matt Morris, and Matt Mahaffey.