Artist Action (9/9/13)

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Craig Morgan


• Craig Morgan has added several ticket packages to his upcoming 7th Annual Celebrity Off-Road Trail Ride & Concert this Saturday (9/14) in his hometown of Dickson, Tenn. Aaron Lewis and Tate Stevens as well as a number of motocross celebrities will join Craig for the event, which includes a motocross exhibition from several top competitors, followed by a group trail ride, lunch and an evening concert. Motocross stars participating this year include Destry Abbot, Fred Andrews, Randy Hawkins, Andrew Short, Larry Ward, and Ryan Villopoto. Proceeds will benefit Billy’s Place, which helps foster children in Dickson County and throughout Middle Tennessee. Additional information on ticket prices can be found at craigmorgan.com.
 
Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels


• Charlie Daniels’ “Scholarships for Heroes” charity benefit for The Task Force Dagger Foundation, which will take place this Wednesday, September 11 at The Palm in Nashville, has sold out. Emceed by Storme Warren, the evening will include a concert by Phil Vassar as well as a live auction. The Task Force Dagger Foundation provides assistance to wounded, ill, or injured soldiers and their families.
 
 
 
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Jo Dee Messina


• Jo Dee Messina is planning a Canadian run in October on the first leg of her new tour in support of her latest single, “Peace Sign.” The tour will take her through Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba on nine dates through mid-October.
2013 Canadian Tour Dates:
Oct 3 – North Battleford, SK – Gold Eagle Casino
Oct 4 -Swift Current, SK – The Living Sky Casino
Oct 5 -Yorkton, SK – Painted Hand Casino
Oct 6 – Melfort, SK – Kerry Vickar Center
Oct 8 – Grande Prairie, AB – Spurs Cookhouse
Oct 10 – Edmonton, AB – Cook County Saloon
Oct 11 – Whitecourt, AB – Eagle River Casino
Oct 12 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina
Oct 13 – Winnipeg, MB – McPhillips St. Station
Erin Enderlin, Photo: Amy Poché

Erin Enderlin, Photo: Amy Poché


• Erin Enderlin made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday night (Sept. 6). Erin’s two-song set included “Finding My Voice” and the title track of her new album I Let Her Talk. “I can’t believe I made it through without crying,” Erin said mid-performance. “This has been my dream since I was a little girl — to stand up on this stage where so many of my heroes have played. I’m just so proud and humbled to be here tonight.” Erin’s Opry performance was dedicated to her late grandfather H.D. Clinton, who, along with her grandmother Wanda Clinton, raised Erin on music played on the Opry stage. A Kickstarter campaign to fund Erin’s music video for “I Let Her Talk” runs through October 6.

Black River Entertainment Promotes and Hires

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Pictured (L-R): Mike Wilson, Director, National Promotion; Brian Rhoades, Senior Director, Artist Promotion and Brand Development

Pictured (L-R): Mike Wilson, Director, National Promotion; Brian Rhoades, Senior Director, Artist Promotion and Brand Development


Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr announced an expansion at the company today (Sept. 9) with Brian Rhoades to the newly created position of Senior Director, Artist Promotion and Brand Development. With Rhoades’ immediate transition, Black River’s Vice President of Promotion, Bill Macky also announced the hiring of Mike Wilson as the Director, National Promotion, who fulfills the role immediately.
In his new role, Rhoades will work directly with Black River staff, strategic partners, and artists including Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Glen Templeton and The John King Band. Rhoades began at Black River in 2011 bringing over 25 years of experience in the music industry, including time at Capitol Records, Sony Music, & Warner & Reprise Music Group in New York.
Wilson’s twenty plus years of radio experience comes from time as Vice President of Promotion for RCA, which includes taking over 100 singles to No. 1 on the charts.
“Brian Rhoades and Mike Wilson have demonstrated the important qualities needed for their new positions and I’m looking forward to their contributions to the company,” explained Kerr.
Both Rhoades and Wilson will be based out of the label’s Music Row offices in Nashville and can be congratulated at their respective emails.

CMA Fest Visitor Spending Breaks Records

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cmafestThe 2013 CMA Music Festival contributed a record-setting $31.5 million in direct visitor spending to the local community according to numbers released by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp.
“The CMA Music Festival is Nashville’s triple-crown,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. “It is the city’s largest festival. It generates the most economic impact and it provides prime time, national network exposure. The event continues to grow and evolve and outperform its record success every year.”
Originally started as Fan Fair in 1972 with 5,000 fans in Municipal Auditorium, CMA Fest has grown to a record daily attendance of more than 80,000 people.
“Since moving to downtown Nashville in 2001, CMA Music Festival has been an event that showcases Music City, drives tourism, benefits music education, and generates a strong base of local revenue,” said CMA President of the Board Ed Hardy. “This event has seen tremendous growth and with all the enhancements to the downtown footprint – especially with the opening of the new Music City Center – we have seen unprecedented attendance and the establishment of what has become a world-class music festival for Music City.”
In 2001, the Festival generated $15.5 million in direct visitor spending; in 2012, that figure had grown to $30 million. The Festival also benefits music education through a program called Keep the Music Playing. To date, CMA and The CMA Foundation have contributed more than $7.6 million to supply instruments and musical equipment for all 144 Metro Nashville Public Schools – providing a strong incentive for students to stay in school.
The 2014 CMA Music Festival will take place June 5-8 in Nashville and will again be filmed for a concert special on ABC. Tickets are available now at ticketmaster.com.

Belmont University Sponsors Music City Roots Televised Series

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MusiccityRootsBelmont University has signed on as a lead sponsor of the inaugural televised series of Music City Roots: Live from The Loveless Cafe, which will premiere on its hometown station, Nashville Public Television, on Sept. 13, 2013 at 7 pm central. Soon thereafter, the 13-episode series, distributed by American Public Television, will debut in markets covering over 60 percent of all US households, including WNET in New York, WGBH in Boston, plus stations in Los Angeles, Austin and over 75 other markets.
Twelve of the season’s 13 episodes are condensed looks at shows from the Fall 2012 season of MCR. Performances include the emerging talent of Nashville’s Delta Saints, who met as students on Belmont’s campus. The 13th show will survey some of the best performances on the show in 2013.
Belmont University joins Col. Littleton, Griffin Technology and Star 129 Diamond Production to make this national broadcast possible.

Big Machine Label Group Signs Agreement With Greater Media

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BMLG_LOGOGreater Media has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Big Machine Label Group with regard to the performance of Big Machine’s recorded music on Greater Media’s digital and terrestrial broadcast platforms. BMLG artists benefiting from this agreement include Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Justin Moore, Reba, Brantley Gilbert, The Mavericks and Thomas Rhett.
Through this agreement, BMLG has agreed to allow digital simulcasts of the over-the-air signals by Greater Media to support the growth of the company’s digital platform. Greater Media has agreed to share a percentage of its on-air revenues with regard to the performance of Big Machine’s recorded music on terrestrial platforms.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Big Machine Label Group, its President and CEO Scott Borchetta, and the company’s outstanding artists through this licensing agreement,” said Greater Media Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter Smyth. “This is a great example of the radio and record industries working together with the ultimate goal of being able to provide the best entertainment possible on a multi-platform basis for our valued listeners.” Greater Media owns 21 AM and FM radio stations in the Boston, Charlotte, Detroit, New Jersey and Philadelphia markets.
“Peter Smyth is an American broadcasting visionary who fully understands the importance of leading a healthy radio entertainment business in lockstep with a healthy recorded music business,” said Scott Borchetta. “The broadcast industry knows that the Big Machine Label Group is fully supportive of the mission of having great radio available in as many places as possible and this is another public vote of confidence and support for that mission”.

Thomas Rhett Announces Christmas Tour

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Up and comer Thomas Rhett will headline the Taste Of Country Christmas Tour, starting on November 7 in Abeline, TX. Rhett’s Big Machine label mates The Cadillac Three will join him on select tour dates.
“I am really looking forward to headlining the Taste Of Country Christmas Tour and sharing the music from my new album with all the fans,” says Rhett. “Two years ago I was lucky enough to open this same tour with Brantley Gilbert– and it was my first time really experiencing that kind of energy from a crowd. It’s been amazing to watch it grow one fan at a time.”
Fans will be offered an exclusive VIP Experience on each stop of the tour, guaranteeing them a meet and greet with Rhett, a ticket to the show and other merchandise. Members of Rhett’s online community will receive a code that allows them to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the public.
Rhett’s latest album It Goes Like This will be released on October 29. For more information, visit ThomasRhett.com.
Taste Of Country Christmas Tour dates:
7-Nov              Abilene, TX
8-Nov              Wichita Falls, TX
9-Nov              Lawton, OK
14-Nov            San Angelo, TX**
15-Nov            Amarillo, TX**
16-Nov            Lubbock, TX**
21-Nov            Lufkin, TX**
22-Nov            Lake Charles, LA**
23-Nov            Texarkana, TX
13-Dec            Midland Odessa, TX**
14-Dec            Victoria, TX
** The Cadillac Three will be opening these dates

2013 CCMA Industry And Musician Awards

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ccma_awards_logoThe CCMA held its annual Gala Dinner & Awards event last Saturday evening (Sept. 7) at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
Gord Bamford, who had the most nominations this year with seven, took home the  Songwriter(s) of the Year award during the evening for “Leaning On A Lonesome Song” with co-nominees Buddy Owens and Ray Stephenson. Adam Gregory was also recognized during the night for his devotion to a number of charitable causes. The first CCMA Discovery Award was also given out during the celebration to Wes Mack. The inaugural award is a component of the newly-established CCMA Discovery Program, a program designed to support Canadian artists pursuing a Country career.
On Friday (Sept. 6), the CCMA Industry Lunch & Gala was also held at the Shaw Conference Center where top industry professionals were honored in 14 categories. Deric Ruttan hosted and performed during the event, which also featured performances by Autumn Hill, Charlie Major, MacKenzie Porter and Aaron Pritchett. Over 40 awards were presented to industry members and artists throughout the week at various events.
2013 CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards Winners: 
2013 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award – Adam Gregory
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Artist Inductee – Rita MacNeil
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Stan Klees Builder Award – Builder Inductee  – Ed Harris
2013 Discovery Program Award – Wes Mack
Songwriter(s) of the Year – “Leaning On A Lonesome Song” (written by Gord Bamford/Buddy Owens/Ray Stephenson)
Roots Artist or Group of the Year – Corb Lund
Interactive Artist of the Year – High Valley
Top Selling Album of the Year – Red – Taylor Swift
Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year – Fire It Up – Johnny Reid
Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year – Jim Cressman (Invictus Entertainment Group)
Music Publishing Company of the Year – ole
Record Company of the Year – Open Road Recordings Inc.
Record Company Person of the Year – Ron Harwood (Universal Music Canada)
Radio Station of the Year – Major Market –CKRY-FM – Calgary, AB
Radio Station of the Year – Secondary Market – KICX-FM – Orillia, ON
2013 CCMA All Star Band Award winners:
Drums – Ben Bradley (Gord Bamford)
Bass –Travis Switzer (Jason Blaine/Deric Ruttan)
Guitar – Jason Barry (Jason Blaine/Dean Brody/Aaron Lines/Michelle Wright)
Keyboards – Rob Shapiro (Hey Romeo)
Fiddle – Allison Granger (Gord Bamford)
Steel Guitar – Ed (Peewee Charles) Ringwald (George Canyon/Session/The Western Swing Authority)
Special Instrument – Denis Dufresne – Mandolin (PEAR)
2013 CCMA Industry Lunch & Gala Award winners: 
Management Company of the Year – RGK Entertainment Group Inc.
Booking Agency of the Year – Invictus Entertainment Group
Country Club of the Year – Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall – Calgary, AB
Album Design of the Year – Roll (Emerson Drive) – Kristin Barlowe/Jesse Barrios III/Mitchell Nevins/Lili Pichette
Video Director of the Year – Stephano Barberis (Bob Marley – Dean Brody; Maybe You Remember Me Now – Hey Romeo; What Kinda Love – Dallas Smith)
Record Producer(s) of the Year – Gord Bamford/Byron Hill (The Boom Chucka Boys – The Boom Chucka Boys)
Recording Studio of the Year – MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB
Retailer of the Year – iTunes Canada
Country Music Program or Special of the Year – CMT Presents Dean Brody Live (CMT)
Country Festival, Fair, or Exhibition of the Year – Calgary Stampede -Calgary, AB
Music Director of the Year – Major Market – Scott Phillips – CKRY-FM/CISN-FM – Calgary, AB/Edmonton, AB
Music Director of the Year – Secondary Market – Peter Walker – CJKX-FM – Oshawa, ON
On-air Personality(ties) of the Year – Major – Odd Squad – CKRY-FM – Calgary, AB
On-air Personalities of the Year – Secondary Market – KG Mornings with Greg, Tera Lee and Al – CKGY-FM – Red Deer, AB
2013 CCMA Award winners can be seen here.

George Strait Reveals Final Tour Dates

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George Strait Reveals Final 2014 Tour Dates


George Strait announced the final leg of his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour during a digital press conference today (Sept. 9) from the Dallas Cowboy’s AT&T Stadium, which he christened in 2009.
During 2014 Strait will tour the country hitting 23 arenas and 3 stadiums (full dates below) beginning with Bossier City, La. on January 9, and wrapping with a TBD date at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, TX. Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena show will take place on March 21.
Each week will feature a new opening act including Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Ronnie Dunn, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard and Lee Ann Womack, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Chris Young, and more.
George Strait fan club members will have an opportunity to purchase tickets during a pre-sale period beginning at 10 a.m. in the venue’s respective time zone on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Additionally, American Express cardmembers can purchase tickets before the general public. Tickets available to the general public will go on sale in select markets beginning Sept. 27 at 10:00 a.m. (time zone restraints apply) at www.georgestrait.com.
Although Strait announced his intentions to retire from touring with the first 21 shows of The Cowboy Rides Away Tour last year at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, the MCA Nashville mainstay recently announced plans to release five additional albums with his label home.
Strait’s legendary career includes 60 No. 1 songs throughout his 32 years in the industry, and album sales of more than 68 million units. The performer will also be honored with ASCAP’s Founders Award and Billboard‘s Legend of Live award in November 2013.
The Cowboy Rides Away Tour is booked by the Erv Woolsey Company and promoted by The Messina Group.
Final Leg of The Cowboy Rides Away Tour:

January 9   CenturyLink│Bossier City, La.
January 10   Frank Erwin Center│Austin, Texas
January 17    CenturyLink Center│Omaha, Neb.
January 18    Sprint Center│Kansas City, Mo.
January 30     SAP Center│San Jose, Calif.
January 31    Valley View Casino Center│San Diego, Calif. (Miranda Lambert opens)
February 1   MGM Grand Arena│Las Vegas, Nev. (Miranda Lambert opens)
February 7    US Airways Center│Phoenix, Ariz.
February 8     Staples Center│Los Angeles, Calif. (Martina McBride opens)
February 14   The Palace of Auburn Hills │Auburn Hills, Mich. (Little Big Town opens)
February 15   Nationwide Arena│Columbus, Ohio
February 28  Wells Fargo Arena│Philadelphia, Pa. (Martina McBride opens)
March 1        Prudential Center│Newark, N.J. (Martina McBride opens)
March 7         KFC Yum! Arena│Louisville, Ky.
March 8         Allstate Arena│Chicago, Ill.
March 21       Bridgestone Arena│Nashville, Tenn.
March 22       Philips Arena│Atlanta, Ga.
April 4            Intrust Bank Arena│ Wichita, Kan.
April 5            Pepsi Center│Denver, Colo.
April 11         The Moda Center│Portland, Ore.
April 12        Tacoma Dome│Tacoma, Wash.
April 18         Wells Fargo Arena│Des Moines, Iowa
April 19         BOK Arena│Tulsa, Okla.
May 23          LSU Tiger Stadium Bayou Country Superfest │Baton Rouge,  La.
May 31          Gillette Stadium │ Foxborough, Mass.
TBD                AT&T Stadium │Dallas, Texas

Gord Bamford, The Stellas Winners At Sunday's CCMAs

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Gord Bamford accepts during the 2013 CCMAs. Photo: Larry Wong, Edmonton Journal

Gord Bamford accepts during the 2013 CCMAs. Photo: Larry Wong, Edmonton Journal


Gord Bamford and Taylor Swift were among the big winners at the 31st Annual Canadian Country Music Association Awards Sunday night (Sept. 8) in Edmonton.
Swift’s Red received Top Selling Album of the Year during the evening’s festivities, while Bamford––nominated for seven awards––took home three recognitions during the evening for Album, Single, and CMT Video of the Year, alongside previously accepting Songwriter of the Year and Record Producer of the Year honors earlier in the week. Terri Clark took home the Fans Choice Award during the ceremony, which was kicked off by Emerson Drive’s performance of “We Are This Town.” Darius Rucker and Hunter Hayes also performed and presented awards during the telecast.
Dean Brody took the trophy Male Artist of the Year, while the Group/Duo of the Year honors went to The Stellas, a husband/wife duo from Whitby, Ontario, whose daughters Lennon and Maisy appear on the ABC-TV sitcom Nashville.
The Band Perry also performed during the show and announced news of their upcoming Canadian tour backstage at the event, according to the Edmonton Journal. View a complete list of the winners here.
2013 CCMA Winners:
Fans’ Choice Award – Terri Clark
Single of the Year: “Leaning On a Lonesome Song” – Gord Bamford
Album of the Year: Is It Friday Yet? – Gord Bamford
Female Artist of the Year: Kira Isabella
Male Artist of the Year: Dean Brody
Group or Duo of the Year: The Stellas
Rising Star Award: Bobby Wills
Songwriter(s) of the Year: “Leaning On a Lonesome Song” – Gord Bamford, Buddy Owens, Ray Stephenson
Interactive Artist of the Year: High Valley
Top Selling Album of the Year: Red by Taylor Swift
 

Founder of Bluebird Café To Be Honored

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Amy Kurland

Amy Kurland


Amy Kurland, retired owner and manager of the The Bluebird Café listening room will be presented with the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award at the 43rd Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the Music City Center on October 13.
Pat Alger, Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, made the announcement today (Sept. 9) for the distinction, which recognizes an individual who has nurtured songwriters and helped them master the art and craft of songwriting.
“Amy Kurland has created a home for Nashville writers at every level of success to test their talents in front of a respectful and loyal audience,” said Alger. “Her steadfast belief that an audience was just as interested in the people that created a song as they were in the singer who sang it is the enduring strength behind the Bluebird’s iconic success and it set the standard for songwriter nights all over Nashville.”
Previous recipients of the honor include music publishers Bob Beckham (2008), Bill Hall (2009), David Conrad (2011) and Donna Hilley (2012), in addition to Frances Preston (2010).
Sister organization NSAI will also present its annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division at the AT&T-sponsord event. This year’s previously announced inductees include Will Jennings, Layng Martine, Jr., Randy Owen (Alabama) and Jeffrey Steele.
Tickets are available to the public at $225 a seat, by email or phone 615-256-3354.
To date, the songwriter’s hall boasts 188 members from all genres of music who have reached the pinnacle of their craft. In 2013, the Hall of Fame realized a long-held dream with the opening of a physical presence in Nashville’s Music City Center.