CRS Announces 2013 “CRS Battle of the Bands” Lineup

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crs battle of the band 2013For the second year in a row, representatives from labels and other music affiliated companies have assembled bands to compete in the “CRS Battle of the Bands” contest, which will be held Sept. 26, 2013 at 3rd & Lindsley. This year’s bands are comprised of employees from Hard Rock Café, Renaissance Hotel, Sony Music Nashville, SunTrust Sports & Entertainment and Warner Music Group.
Warner Music Group and Sony Music Nashville will return for the second year to battle it out. Bands representing Renaissance Hotel, SunTrust Sports & Entertainment and Hard Rock Café will be making their debut appearances.
“Last year’s event was such a success and we can not wait to relive the fun once again,” said CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. “To add a little twist to the event, we expanded the lineup to include participants from other companies within the industry and not just labels.”
Proceeds from the event will go toward the CRS scholarship fund and the Country Radio Hall of Fame. The “CRS Battle of the Bands” is a private, industry-only event. Last year’s “Battle of the Bands” was sold out and raised enough funds to enable the organization to create a new endowment, which will be announced soon. Band names and musicians will also be announced in the coming days.
There are a limited number of tables still available. Please contact the CRS office at 327-4487 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

Skates On The Case: Shelton's Ten Times Crazier Tour

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blake shelton tourAlmost a year since Blake Shelton received CMA Entertainer of the Year honors at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, he returned to the stage to fulfill another dream. During Saturday night’s (Sept. 14) concert he briefly put his funny man antics aside and shared honestly, “I’ve been hanging around this town since 1994 dreaming of the day I could headline this place. I will never forget this night.”
Shelton’s calling card is his unfiltered brand of humor, and it kept the night rollicking along. But his musical talent shined brightest when he stripped off the armor for a short solo acoustic set of songwriting treasures including “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” and “Over You.”
The Ten Times Crazier Tour is a journey through his decade-plus of hits which plays out in front of first-rate video production and a silo backdrop reminiscent of his home state Oklahoma. The set list boasted fan favorites “The More I Drink,” “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” “All About Tonight,” “Honey Bee,” “Drink On It,” “Boys ‘Round Here,” current single “Mine Would Be You,” and too many more to mention.
For longtime fans that packed the arena, he offered early career milestones “Ol’ Red” and “Austin.” On older hit “Some Beach” he saluted his long gone, long-hair days by donning a white cowboy hat with a fake mullet attached to the back.
The audience howled with laughter as he recalled the first meeting in Los Angeles about joining a new TV show which would become the mega-popular singing competition The Voice. Then he launched into “Forget You,” the smash hit by fellow Voice coach CeeLo Green. On backing vocals throughout the night was country singer and former Voice contestant Gwen Sebastian. 
Given his reputation for colorful tweets, Shelton said his team warned him not to post anything that might offend members of the local music industry while in town for his concert. “If you don’t like my tweets, you can kiss my country ass,” he laughed. Shelton’s sometimes abrasive, often alcohol fueled schtick works because it rings authentic. Leading in to “Hillbilly Bone” he quipped, “I’m worse than a redneck, I’m a drunk redneck.” Fellow hillbilly Trace Adkins made a surprise appearance to perform the duet.
The entire evening reiterated what everyone reading this article already knows: songs are the bedrock of a career. The success of Shelton, as well as opening acts Easton Corbin and Jana Kramer, are proof of the importance of selecting quality material.
Kramer is a spitfire songstress who belted out well-written hits “Whiskey” and “Why Ya Wanna” with infectious enthusiasm. Her background as an actress makes her performance seem all the more real.
Corbin conjured up plenty of audience interaction during his energetic set. The rising star offered his growing list of radio hits: “Lovin’ You Is Fun,” “A Little More Country Than That,” “Roll With It” and “All Over The Road.” From his current album, Corbin sang the gems “Are You With Me” and “That’s Gonna Leave A Memory.”
His clean-cut, collared shirt look and traditional sound draws obvious comparisons to UMG Nashville labelmate George Strait but the covers he performed were from the song books of country icons Alan Jackson (“Where I Come From”), Brooks & Dunn (“Brand New Man”) and Alabama (“If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)”). The set list was a perfectly tailored mix of fan favorites, new material and covers.
UMG Nashville hosted a lively soiree at The Palm prior to Corbin’s performance. Spotted in the private room were Sarah Trahern, Sherod Robertson and Steve Buchanan, mingling among label honchos Mike Dungan, Cindy Mabe and Lori Christian.
The night capped with a Warner Music Nashville post-party celebrating Shelton. Built inside the arena’s backstage, a huge white tent created a makeshift Shelton CMA campaign headquarters. Red, white and blue confetti scattered the floor and a stilt-walking Uncle Sam entertained revelers. Partygoers noshed on scrumptious food with clever names like Boys ‘Round Here Steak Sliders. Industry folk on the scene included WMN head John Esposito, Kent Earls, Reba, Narvel Blackstock, Jeff Walker and Henry Glascock, all milling elbow to elbow including Nashville stars Chip Esten, Sam Palladio, and Chris Carmack.

Legendary “Tennessee Waltz” Makes News Again

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tennessee waltz11U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander donated the priceless original manuscript of “The Tennessee Waltz” to the University of Tennessee during ceremonies on Friday, Sept. 13. The donation occurred during the dedication of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center at U.T. “The Tennessee Waltz” is one of the state’s official state songs. It has sold more than 10 million records, been recorded by an estimated 500 artists, was the last song to sell a million copies of sheet music and is said to be the most popular composition in the history of country music.
“I made the presentation a surprise to the Haslam family,” said Alexander. “They invited me to come to the dedication to play ‘The Tennessee Waltz,’” added the noted pianist. “They didn’t know anything about the manuscript.”
During the festivities, Alexander invited Haslam to sit on his piano bench while he serenaded her with the famous melody. The Senator acquired the document via the efforts of his son, Curb Records Director of Publishing Drew Alexander. “Drew was my ‘Henry Kissinger ‘ in all the negotiations,” said Senator Alexander.
“This song is known all over the world,” reported Governor Bill Haslam, who is Natalie’s stepson. “When I was in Japan, they could easily play and sing it to me.”
“The Tennessee Waltz” was originally popularized by Pee Wee King & His Golden West Cowboys. It was written by King and the band’s lead singer, Redd Stewart. King and Stewart co-wrote the song en route to Nashville from a concert in late 1946. As soon as they got home, Stewart wrote out the sheet music of their composition. They presented it the next day to their publisher, Fred Rose. He suggested a change in the lyric of the song’s bridge. Stewart crossed out the original lyric and penciled in Rose’s, “I remember the night and the ‘Tennessee Waltz,’ and this change is clearly shown on the manuscript.
The Golden West Cowboys version of the song became a big country hit in 1947. Patti Page recorded her arrangement of the song  in 1950. It became a massive pop success, remaining at No. 1 for 13 weeks and spawning dozens of other pop versions. Page’s “The Tennessee Waltz” is believed to be the largest selling disc by a female artist in history. It was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
Fred’s son Wesley Rose framed the song’s original manuscript and displayed it in the Acuff-Rose office on Franklin Road for many years. “The Tennessee Waltz” became an official state song in 1965. King and Stewart (as well as Fred Rose) were inaugural inductees into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
After Acuff-Rose was sold to Opryland USA in 1985, Redd Stewart requested that his original lead sheet be returned to him. He died in 2003, just one week after the passing of his wife, Darlene Collins Stewart. Darlene and her sister Joyce performed for 20 years as The Collins Sisters with The Golden West Cowboys.
Joyce Collins Bell acquired “The Tennessee Waltz” manuscript as the executor of the Stewart estate. Lamar and Honey Alexander purchased the 67-year-old document from her and the family with the financial assistance of Colleen and Ted Welch, Denise and Steve Smith and Ashley and Lew Connor.
“The right home for the songwriters’ original manuscript of the state song that has become the most popular song in the history of country music is the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center at our state university,” said Senator Alexander.
“This is where country music was born in East Tennessee,” said Governor Haslam. “To have this song that we have all loved for so long where it should be, not locked in a closet somewhere, I’m thrilled to death.”
Both men are East Tennesseans. Haslam is the ex mayor of Chattanooga. Alexander is a native of Maryville. He is a former president of U.T., governor of Tennessee (1979-1987) and U.S. Secretary of Education.
U.T. Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said that the manuscript will be prominently displayed. The university’s school of music has more than 350 students.
The dedication can been seen below, as well as Alexander’s piano rendition of “The Tennessee Waltz.”

George Strait, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, More Added To George Jones Tribute

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George Jones

George Jones


A slew of superstars have been added to the lineup of the upcoming George Jones tribute concert Nov. 22 in Nashville. George Strait, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Reba McEntire, and Alabama have all signed on to sing praises to the Possum at the upcoming tribute show at Music City’s Bridgestone Arena, which has already sold out.
The additions to the bill join previously announced artists Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner, The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels, Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry, Sam Moore, and others who will all take the stage in honor of the country legend who died earlier this year. Jones was on his farewell tour, The Grand Tour, when he passed away.
“I am thrilled and honored that so many of George’s friends are coming to what would have been his last concert,” says Nancy Jones.  “George loved these artists and before passing had actually wrote letters to almost all of them.”
The sold-out show was originally part of Jones’ final tour dates, but was converted into a tribute concert to the legend after his passing. An album full of new music by Jones, Amazing Grace, was released last week, and features the legend performing 12 classic gospel standards like “Old Rugged Cross,” “Peace In The Valley,” and the title track, and was produced by his longtime producer Billy Sherrill.
The collection also includes an unreleased track from 1994, “Great Judgment Warning,” which features Jones accompanied by Marty Stuart on mandolin, and backed by Jessi Colter, Waylon Jennings, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, and Travis Tritt.

CBS Radio, BBR Music Group Bring Fans Seven Shows In Seven Days

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bbr cbs radio1CBS Radio and the BBR Music Group have partnered to offer fans the chance to meet seven of their favorite artists in seven days in seven different cities. Beginning Monday (Sept. 16), CBS Radio’s country stations will launch a national multi-market promotion which will drive listeners to Radio.com to enter-to-win their way onto a private jet for a week-long, music-jammed journey around the U.S. to see seven concerts during seven back-to-back nights in seven different cities with BBR Music Group Recording artists. The grand prize winner, along with his or her guest, will also have the opportunity to meet each artist.
The contest winner’s jet setting, whirlwind week includes:
· Stop #1: Rachel Farley — Oct. 21 in Nashville, Tenn.
· Stop #2: Parmalee — Oct. 22 in Asheville, N.C.
· Stop #3: Randy Houser — Oct. 23 in Charleston, S.C.
· Stop #4: Jason Aldean — Oct. 24 in Memphis, Tenn.
· Stop #5: Thompson Square — Oct. 25 in Tampa, Fla. (Part of the Dirt Road Diaries tour)
· Stop #6: Dustin Lynch — Oct. 26 in Bossier City, La. (Part of the Light The Fuse tour)
· Stop #7: Joe Nichols — Oct. 27 in New Orleans, La. (Special acoustic performance prior to the New Orleans/Buffalo game)
The contest will run through Friday, Sept. 27 and will be featured on the following CBS Radio stations: KFRG/Riverside, Calif.; KILT/Houston; KMLE/Phoenix; KMNB/Minneapolis; KMPS/Seattle; KNCI/Sacramento, Calif.; WDSY/Pittsburgh; WQYK/Tampa, Fla.; WSOC/Charlotte, N.C.; WUSN/Chicago; WYCD/Detroit.
The grand prize winner will be chosen on Monday, Sept. 30 and announced on-air and at Radio.com. For official rules/regulations, visit radio.com.

Cumulus Media Partners With Rdio

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Cumulus LogoCumulus Media Inc. has announced a partnership with digital music service Rdio. In exchange for a significant stake in Rdio’s parent company Pulser Media, Cumulus will provide Rdio with exclusive content and advertising promotions over a five year period. Additionally, Rdio will use the Cumulus sales model to monetize ad-supported free products, like music on-demand, custom playlists and content formed by Cumulus.
“This partnership leverages our premier broadcast and content assets along with Rdio’s acclaimed digital audio platform – enabling consumers to listen to whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want,” said Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey.
Founded by the co-creator of Skype, Rdio allows users to build digital music collections and play and share more than 20 million songs. The service has received praise from media outlets ranging from Mashable to The New York Times.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Cumulus and their robust network of radio stations and premium content,” said Rdio CEO Drew Larner. “This monumental deal is the first time a digital and a broadcast platform have come together in this way and we’re eager to bring the Rdio experience to the greater Cumulus listening audience.”

Artist Updates (9-16-13)

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timmcgraw

Tim McGraw


Tim McGraw is set to begin shooting the upcoming Disney film Tomorrowland next week. Tomorrowland, with will also star actor George Clooney, will be made in Vancouver.
The film is slated for a Christmas release in 2014.

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kenny rogers dolly parton111Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton debuted the music video for their new duet, “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” on ABC’s Good Morning America Monday morning (Sept. 16). Rogers and Parton shot the clip (directed by Trey Fanjoy and produced by Trent Hardville) earlier this year in Nashville. The song, penned by Ryan Hanna King, Caitlyn Smith and Don Schlitz, is the title track from Rogers’ upcoming album, which will be released on Warner Bros. Records Oct. 8. It was 30 years ago that Rogers and Parton released the No. 1 chart-topper “Islands In The Stream.”

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Sarah Darling

Sarah Darling

Sarah Darling will appear Monday (Sept. 16) on the nationally syndicated lifestyle TV program, The Better Show. During the appearance, Darling will visit Nashville’s Loveless Cafe to create her season twist on the classic Lemon Chess Pie. She will also perform her latest single, “Little Umbrellas,” along with “You Don’t Have To Be Lonely,” from her EP Home To Me. For local airtimes, visit better.tv.

 
 

MusicRowPics: Striking Matches

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Striking Matches Artist Visit

Striking Matches Artist Visit


New duo Striking Matches, formed by Sarah Zimmerman and Justin Davis, visited the MusicRow offices yesterday (Sept. 12) to perform their new single, “Trouble Is As Trouble Does,” which was sent out to radio on Monday (Sept. 9). The duo’s self-titled EP, produced by Luke Wooten, was released in 2012, but they are perhaps best-known for penning “The Right One Comes Along” with Georgia Middleman, which was recorded by Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio for an episode of the television series Nashville.
Zimmerman and Davis met both studying guitar at Nashville’s Belmont University. As freshman, they were randomly paired for an improvisational instrumental performance; they kept honing their sound as a duo long after the course was over.
After performing their new single, Zimmerman brought out her mandolin for the moody kiss-off song “Miss Me More.” They also spoke of writing with fellow songwriters including Lori McKenna and Rivers Rutherford. “It forces you to get into your writing every day,” says Zimmerman. “You start to get out of your own boxes and write things you don’t normally write.”
They finished with an emotional, intimate rendition of “The Right One Comes Along.” Since the success of that song, Striking Matches made their Grand Ole Opry debut in December 2012 at the Ryman Auditorium; since then they have played the Opry stage 16 times. “We’ve told our management that if we are physically able to play the Opry, to always say yes,” said Davis. Striking Matches performed at the fan-voted O Music awards earlier this year. Hunter Hayes hand-picked the duo to open his MTV Artist To Watch concert in New York City, and they became one of CMT’s “Listen Up” artists earlier this year.
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Industry Ink (9-13-13)

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flynnville train press release photo1111

Flynnville Train. Photo: Rowana Ray


Through Trisha Walker International, Indiana-based Flynnville Train have signed a worldwide distribution deal for their new album, Back On Track with AGR Television Records in Germany, distributed by Universal.
The group will perform at the 25th Anniversary of the Gstaad Festival in Switzerland, Sept. 20 and 21 alongside LeAnn Rimes, The Time Jumpers and Gretchen Wilson.

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tko artist management111TKO Artist Management‘s Emily Gallo has been promoted from Assistant to Executive Assistant to the President. Kelly Bolton has been hired as a Management Assistant. Previously an intern at TKO, Kelly recently graduated from Centre College in Danville, KY with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Gallo can be contacted at [email protected]; Bolton can be reached at [email protected].

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NAfME Logo_state_dcThe National Association of Music Education will host the National In-Service Conference in Nashville for the first time, Oct. 27-30. Mayor Karl Dean will speak at the event and artists including Sarah Darling, Casey James and Striking Matches will perform a concert honoring teachers and school administrators in music education.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Founder and Director Emeritus of Dolby Laboratories Dies at Age 80

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ray dolby1Dr. Ray Dolby, American inventor of groundbreaking audio technologies, died Thursday, Sept. 12 at his home in San Francisco. He was 80.
Dolby founded Dolby Laboratories in 1965; his pioneering work in noise reduction and surround sound led to the development of numerous state-of-the-art technologies. Dolby Laboratories transformed the entertainment experience from cinema to living room to mobile entertainment. Among Dr. Dolby’s honors are the National Medal of Technology (1997), a Grammy from NARAS (1995), and medals from the Audio Engineering Society (Silver-1971 and Gold-1992) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Edison Medal (2010).
“Today we lost a friend, mentor and true visionary,” said Kevin Yeaman, President and CEO, Dolby Laboratories. “Ray Dolby founded the company based on a commitment to creating value through innovation and an impassioned belief that if you invested in people and gave them the tools for success they would create great things. Ray’s ideals will continue to be a source of inspiration and motivation for us all.”
Dr. Dolby was born in 1933 in Portland, Ore. He worked in audio and instrumentation projects at Ampex Corporation from 1949 to 1957. In 1957, he received a BS degree in electrical engineering from Stanford. After being awarded a Marshall Scholarship and a National Science Foundation graduate fellowship, he studied at Cambridge University in England. He received a PhD in physics from Cambridge in 1961 and was elected an Honorary Fellow years later in 1983. In 1963, he took a two-year appointment as a United Nations advisor in India, then returned to England in 1965 to found Dolby Laboratories. He was awarded the George C. Marshall Award in 2003; he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in the U.S. and the Royal Academy of Engineers in the UK in 2004.
Dr. Dolby is survived by his wife, Dagmar, his sons, Tom and David, their spouses, Andrew and Natasha, and four grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.