Sarah Darling Performs for 'Southern Living' Biscuits & Jam Series

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Sarah Darling poses with Southern Living's editorial staff. Pictured (Back row, L-R): Ron King, Associate Publisher, Katie Morrow, Editorial Licensing, Caroline McKenzie, Associate Editor, Carmen Johnston, Gardening Expert, Southern Living Plant Collection, Evelyn Webster, Exec. VP, Time, Inc. Lifestyle Group. Front row, L-R: Greg Schumann, Publisher, Sarah Darling, Lindsay Bierman, Editor-In-Chief

Sarah Darling poses with Southern Living‘s editorial staff. Pictured (Back row, L-R): Ron King, Associate Publisher, Katie Morrow, Editorial Licensing, Caroline McKenzie, Associate Editor, Carmen Johnston, Gardening Expert, Southern Living Plant Collection, Evelyn Webster, Exec. VP, Time, Inc. Lifestyle Group. Front row, L-R: Greg Schumann, Publisher, Sarah Darling, Lindsay Bierman, Editor-In-Chief


Sarah Darling entertained a throng of music fans Sunday evening (Aug. 18) at the Southern Living Biscuits & Jam Concert Series, presented by AT&T U-Verse.
Rolling hills and sunny, temperate weather provided a perfect backdrop as Darling performed selections of her own material, including “Home To Me” and the current single “Little Umbrellas.” Darling also lent her sweet country vocals to covers of songs by Fleetwood Mac (“Landslide”), Dolly Parton (“Jolene”), and Adele (“Rolling In The Deep”). Darling got the audience in on the singing fun by having them sing “Happy Birthday” to her guitarist.
Music lovers attending Darling’s 60-minute set were treated to drinks, a menu featuring Southern Living Test Kitchen recipes and a tour of the Southern Living Idea House, located at The Woods at Fontanel.
The concert series, which has featured Nikki Lane, Jana Kramer, Elizabeth Cook, The Farm, Holly Williams and Brett Eldredge, is set to wrap Aug. 25 with a performance by DUGAS.

Baumgartner Elevated to National Director of Promotion at HitShop

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Rick Baumgartner

Rick Baumgartner


Rick Baumgartner has risen to the rank of National Director of Promotion for new music label HitShop Records. In his new role, Baumgartner will develop overall strategies to serve radio clients on a national level. He will continue to report to HitShop VP of Promotion, Diane Monk Harrison.
“From day one, Rick has proven he is here to win and make a difference in our unique environment,” says Harrison. “He brings tremendous drive coupled with a creative and strategic approach to the job everyday.”
“I’m thrilled to move into this National position,” says Baumgartner. “Diane and Skip are incredible to work with and I am honored by their confidence as we continue to build HitShop Records.”
Baumgartner’s career path includes previous stops at Warner Bros., Decca Records, Atlantic Records, industry publication Radio & Records, Broken Bow Records, Equity Music Group and Black River Entertainment.
Baumgartner can be reached at rick@hitshoprecords.com and 615-491-0935.
HitShop Records is distributed by Warner Music Nashville and is part of the Ramblin Music Group, whose holdings also include Young Guns Publishing.

New Signing For Red Bow Records

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Pictured (L-R): Back row: Spielberg/ Dries Mgmt’s Neal Spielberg; Still Working Music Chief Creative Officer Tommy Lee James; Still Working Music President Alex Orbison; RED Bow Records VP of Promotion Renee Leymon; Spielberg/ Dries Mgmt’s Gene Dries; BBR Music Group EVP Jon Loba. Front row: Chase Bryant and BBR Music Group President/ Owner Benny Brown

Pictured (L-R): Back row: Spielberg/ Dries Mgmt’s Neal Spielberg; Still Working Music Chief Creative Officer Tommy Lee James; Still Working Music President Alex Orbison; RED Bow Records VP of Promotion Renee Leymon; Spielberg/ Dries Mgmt’s Gene Dries; BBR Music Group EVP Jon Loba. Front row: Chase Bryant and BBR Music Group President/ Owner Benny Brown


BBR Music Group’s Red Bow Records has signed Chase Bryant to its artist roster.
Bryant, a 20-year-old Orange Grove, Texas native, grew up around the country music scene. Bryant’s two uncles, Jeff Bryant and Junior Bryant, helped found the country band Ricochet, known for the hit “Daddy’s Money.”
Bryant is co-managed by Gene Dries and Neal Spielberg of Spielberg/Dries Management.
“Everyone here at RED BOW and the BBR Music Group couldn’t be more excited about Chase. He’s such a complete talent and artist – he’s not only a great singer but a great songwriter and great musician as well. Just as important, he knows who he is and is one of the few young artists I’ve ever signed that could actually go in and produce his own album. He’s so focused it’s almost mind-boggling.” says Benny Brown, President/Owner of the BBR Music Group. “We’re going to be getting to work right away and the whole world is going to know what a huge talent Chase Bryant is before long.”

Chris Young Released from Hospital

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chrisyoungChris Young is on the mend following leg surgery and four days in a Denver area hospital. The singer-songwriter says he is back home after he was taken to the hospital for treatment of a leg infection after becoming ill on a flight.
The singer is slated to return for a headlining Aug. 21 concert in Redding Calif., followed by opening dates on Brad Paisley‘s Beat This Summer Tour. Young let his fans know via Twitter that he hopes to return to touring soon.
tweet
 
Paisley tweeted get well wishes to Young, along with a dose of his signature humor:
@BradPaisley: Hoping @ChrisYoungMusic feels better and gets back on the road soon. Facelifts can really be painful the first few days after, I hear.

2013 ICM Nominees Announced

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2012_ICM_Awards_logo_sm1The Inspirational Country Music Association has announced the finalists for the 2013 Inspirational Country Music Awards. Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Lauren Alaina and Martina McBride received nods in the Mainstream Country Female category, while Alan Jackson, Andy Griggs, John Berry, Scotty McCreery, and Vince Gill are up for Mainstream Country Male. Other country artists receiving nods include Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, and Thompson Square, among others.
The 19th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards will take place Oct. 24 at Two Rivers. A full list of nominees is below:
ENTERTAINER:
Chuck Day
Dennis Agajanian
Guy Penrod
Jeff Bates
Kali Rose
Steve Richard
MALE VOCALIST:
Chuck Day
Chuck Hancock
Daniel Alan
Lucas Hoge
Tommy Brandt
FEMALE VOCALIST:
Aubree Bullock
Kali Rose
Larissa
Laura Dodd
Mary James
VOCAL DUO:
Aaron & Amanda Crabb
Branded
Randy-Paul
Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
The Roys
VOCAL GROUP OR BAND:
CrossCountry the Band
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Jayc Harold Band
Kristina Craig Band
Sunday Drive
MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG:
“Changed” – Rascal Flatts
“I Drive Your Truck”- Lee Brice
“Old King James” – Scotty McCreery
“See You Again” – Carrie Underwood
“Touchdown Jesus”- Tim McGraw
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY MALE ARTIST:
Alan Jackson
Andy Griggs
John Berry
Scotty McCreery
Vince Gill
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST:
Carrie Underwood
Dolly Parton
Lauren Alaina
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY DUO or GROUP:
Diamond Rio
Joey + Rory
Oak Ridge Boys
Rascal Flatts
Thompson Square
INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG:
“Hey Do You Know Me” – Kali Rose
“Meanwhile Back At the Cross” – Tommy Brandt
“They Don’t Stay Little Long Enough” – Chuck Hancock
“Unknown Soldiers” – Russ Murphy
“You Can Always Come Back Home” – Chuck Day
SONGWRITER:
Chuck Hancock
Greg McDougal
Paul Staggs of Branded
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt
LIVING LEGEND / PIONEER AWARD:
This award has already been determined.
VIDEO:
Changed – Rascal Flatts; Directed by Carl Diebold
See You Again – Carrie Underwood; Directed by Eric Welch
Time is Love – Josh Turner; Directed by Peter Zavadil
Toothbrush – Steve Richard; Directed by Shawn Foster
True Believers – Darius Rucker; Directed by Jim Wright
MUSICIAN:
Dennis Agajanian
Greg McDougal
Jayc Harold
Ricky Skaggs
Vince Gill
COMEDIAN:
Aaron Wilburn
Bruce Mullen
Chonda Pierce
Johnny Lee Cook
Tim Hawkins
RADIO STATION of the YEAR:
HLE Radio
Inspirational Country Radio Network
WEKC AM 710 – Corbin, KY
WSM AM 650
WTYS 94.1 FM
NEW ARTIST:
Adrienne Haupt
Charee White
Hunter Cook
Jennifer Nickerson
Rachel Dampier
YOUTH IN MUSIC AWARD:
Emily Faith
Hunter Cook
Isaac Cole
McDougal Kids
Tommy Brandt Jr.
FAITH, FAMILY, & COUNTRY MOVIE:
42 – Warner Bros. Pictures
Home Run – Hero Productions
Last Ounce of Courage – Veritas Entertainment
Spirit of Love, the Mike Glenn Story – Film It Productions
Unconditional – Harbinger Media Partners
RADIO PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
Hunter Logan
JR Pitsenbarger
Marty Smith
Mona Faith
Rich Miller
INSPIRATIONAL BLUEGRASS ARTIST:
Bruce & Betsy Mullen
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Rhonda Vincent
Ricky Skaggs
The Roys
MUSIC EVANGELIST OF THE YEAR:
Chuck Day
Greg McDougal
Mary James
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt
TELEVISION NETWORK:
Gospel Music Channel (Now UP TV)
Great American Country
Hallmark Channel
RFD TV
TCT Networks

Kip Moore Treats Kentucky Fans To Hits On Toby Tour

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Nashville Industry with Kip Moore on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Nashville Industry members with Kip Moore on Saturday, Aug. 17.


Kip Moore is living up to his status as one of Country’s hottest new hitmakers, if his show as part of Toby Keith‘s Hammer Down Tour last Saturday night (Aug. 17) in Louisville, Ky. is any indication. For the weekend show, Universal Music Group invited industry tastemakers to the Kentucky State Fair show to experience Kip’s high-octane set firsthand, and the “Hey Pretty Girl” singer appeared amped to be bringing his music to Toby fans.
Moore took Louisville’s Freedom Hall stage during his 45-minute set, which included plenty of tunes from his debut CD, Up All Night, which was the first Country album released since 2008 to spawn three back-to back No. 1’s including “Something Bout A Truck,” and “Hey Pretty Girl.”
Working the crowd like a veteran, Moore wandered into the stands during his set to sing with fans, singled out young ladies in the audience and even offered up a few unexpected surprises including a cover of the Kings of Leon‘s “Back Down South.”
By the time his laid-back party anthem “Beer Money,” rolled around, fans were hoisting cups and singing along at full tilt. Additionally, Moore gave fans a taste of his brand new music, debuting tunes from a forthcoming CD.
Moore will continue to hammer down with Toby through September, then join Lady Antebellum’s fall tour with Kacey Musgraves through December. For more concert dates, click here.

Dixie Chicks Announce 2013 Reunion Tour

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Dixie Chicks.

Dixie Chicks


Emily Robison, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines have announced the Long Time Gone Tour, a 2013 Dixie Chicks reunion tour slated to travel through select markets in Canada.
Set to begin in Vancouver, BC on Oct. 26, the appearances (listed below) follow the trio’s headlining summer shows at the Craven Country Jamboree, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, and RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest. This is first full tour for the Dixie Chicks through Canada in  seven years.
Pre-sale announcements are expected in the coming days at the Dixie Chicks social media pages. General ticketing will go on sale Aug. 26 at LiveNation.com.
This summer, Maines released her solo project, Mother, while siblings Maguire and Robison released their Court Yard Hounds project Amelita.
Long Time Gone Tour Dates:
Oct. 26 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
Oct. 29 – Dawson Creek, BC – EnCana Events Centre
Oct. 31 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Nov. 1 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
Nov. 3 – Saskatoon, SK – Credit Union Centre
Nov. 5 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
Nov. 8 – Oshawa, ON – General Motors Centre
Nov. 9 – Hamilton, ON – Copps Coliseum
Nov. 10 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens

Erv Woolsey Company Adds Artist To Roster

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Pictured (L-R): Steve Branch, Erv Woolsey, Dean Scallan

Branch & Dean sign with Erv Woolsey Company


Erv Woolsey, long-time manager of George Strait, has signed a management agreement with new country act Branch & Dean. The duo is comprised of Florida natives Steve Branch and Dean Scallan, who are promoting their current single “The Dash,” which sits in the Top 25 on the MusicRow radio chart.
“Having seen many artists perform, I was blown away by their live show. I am excited to be working with Branch & Dean,” says Woolsey.
“It is exciting for us to be with such a well-respected and knowledgeable manager,” says Dean Scallan. “We can’t wait to see what happens next. We are getting great response from radio with our new single and we are playing shows. What more can we ask for?,” adds Steve Branch.
“The Dash” released widely in June 2013; the song is a tribute to Steve Branch’s only son Theron Steven William Branch, who passed away on March 15, 2013, following a long struggle with Cystic Fibrosis.

Country Radio Broadcasters/CRS Get New Office Location

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Pictured L to R: Bill Mayne (Executive Director), Chasity Crouch (Business Manager), Charlie Morgan (CRS President), Michelle Tigard Kammerer (Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Sponsorships), Kristen McRary (Event Support Director and Executive Assistant), Bradford Hollingsworth (Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Sponsorships), Sheree Latham (Agenda Coordinator) and Kristen England (Creative Director).

Pictured (L-R): Bill Mayne (Executive Director), Chasity Crouch (Business Manager), Charlie Morgan (CRS President), Michelle Tigard Kammerer (Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Sponsorships), Kristen McRary (Event Support Director and Executive Assistant), Bradford Hollingsworth (Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Sponsorships), Sheree Latham (Agenda Coordinator) and Kristen England (Creative Director).


Country Radio Seminar officials have relocated to a new address on Music Row. The move was due to the sale of their previous building, which was located on 18th Ave S., which has since been demolished to make way for a new apartment development project. The office is now located at 1009 16th Ave South, Nashville, TN 37212. All email addresses stay the same, as does their main phone number, which is (615) 327-4487.
To view the final hours of the old CRS office building, watch the time-lapse video clip (shot by Hi-Fi Fusion’s Todd Cassetty) below.

YouTube video

Symphony Musicians Served Tentative Contract

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schermerhorn symphony center111The Nashville Symphony Association together with The Nashville Musicians Association and AFM Local 257 reached a tentative agreement last Friday (Aug. 16) regarding the orchestra musicians’ contract, according to a statement from the Nashville Symphony/Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
The agreement remains pending by ratification from the members of the orchestra. The tentative arrangement comes after the Schermerhorn’s summer of financial unrest.