Artists Sign On To Take Over 'After Midnite' To Celebrate 20th Anniversary

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Blair Garner 2013 photo

Blair Garner


Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen and Carrie Underwood have all signed on to help Premiere Networks’ After Midnite to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Country music radio program. As the show’s creator and long-time host Blair Garner steps down from his post on July 31, twenty of Country music’s biggest stars will sit behind the mic and give fans their unique perspective as host of the program. The takeover will begin Aug. 1 and run through the end of 2013. Garner has agreed to become host of NASH-FM‘s New York radio station 94.7.
The following artists will take over in August:
Week of Aug. 1-2: Carrie Underwood
Week of Aug. 5: Jason Aldean
Week of Aug. 12: Luke Bryan
Week of Aug. 19: Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelly and Dave Haywood
Week of Aug. 26: Jake Owen
Additonal artists will be announced soon. For more information, visit aftermidnite.com.

George Strait Releases "I Believe," Inspired By Newtown Tragedy

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georgeGeorge Strait has released “I Believe” as the new single from his current album Love Is Everything and the follow-up to his 60th No. 1 “Give It All We Got Tonight” which named Strait the first musician in music history to achieve the milestone. The May 2013 release is his 40th studio album, produced by Strait and Tony Brown.
Strait co-wrote the new single with his son, Bubba Strait, and legendary songwriter Dean Dillon after watching the news coverage of the tragic school massacre in Newtown, Conn. last December. Having lost his daughter at a young age, Strait felt as if it was a song he needed to write. Yet, when he was working on the album, he didn’t initially record the song. After listening to the playback of the album, Strait’s wife Norma insisted that he record the song so at the end of the session he asked the band to record one more.
“Like everybody, I was watching the coverage on TV,” said Strait in an interview that can be viewed here. “I know what these parents are going through. It’s the worst thing that can happen to you in your life. To lose a child….there’s nothing worse than that. So I started thinking about saying something about it.” He continues, “It’s a statement of faith, is really what it is. It turned out beautiful.”

More Artists Turn To Kickstarter To Finance Projects

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kickstarter logo11Jo Dee Messina recently raised more than $100,000 to fund her next music project via campaign raiser Kickstarter.com, and additional country artists have also turned to the fundraising site to stem new projects.
Ty Herndon has already raised more than $15,000 toward his $25,000 goal to finance his first country album since 2007’s Right About Now. Herndon has a track listing for the project available and has already begun recording. His lead single is “Lies I Told Myself.” The deadline for the project is Aug. 6.
Riders In The Sky also turned to Kickstarter for a new project, although it is not an album. Instead, they hope to raise $14,500 for a feature-length, animated kids film The Cartoon Cowboys. The project also features work from Bill Hughes, who worked on Dark Horse comics, including the Star Wars Droids franchise in the late 1990’s. The deadline for the campaign is Aug. 3 and they have raised over $6,000 as of this posting.
Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott are very close to having their goal of $30,000 met for their album Memories and Moments. The release date for the project is set for Sept. 17, 2013.  They have already raised  over $25,700 for the project, and their goal deadline is July 24.

Chris Young Prepares Release of 'A.M.'

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chris young A.M1Chris Young is getting closer to releasing his fourth studio album, titled A.M., which will be in stores Sept. 17. The album features 11 tracks, including his current single “Aw Naw.” The project can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com.
Track Listing for A.M.
1. ‘Aw Naw’
2. ‘Hold You to It’
3. ‘Lonely Eyes’
4. ‘Goodbye’
5. ‘A.M.’
6. ‘Nothin’ But the Cooler Left’
7. ‘Who I Am With You’
8. ‘Text Me Texas’
9. ‘We’re Gonna Find It Tonight’
10. ‘Forgiveness’
11. ‘Lighters in the Air’

Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan Preview 'Dos Divas'

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Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan perform at BMI. Photo: Drew Maynard.

Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan perform at BMI. Photo: Drew Maynard.


Modern Country legends Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis previewed songs from a forthcoming album titled Dos Divas during an intimate gathering at BMI’s Nashville headquarters yesterday (July 10).
Decorated in vibrant styling, the daughters of George Morgan and Mel Tillis have paired themselves together for the past three years under the moniker Grits & Glamour, touring the country to share the stage for each performer’s major label hits (including Tillis’ “Maybe It Was Memphis,” and “Shake The Sugar Tree” and Morgan’s “Watch Me” and “Something In Red”).
“The fans asked for this album,” said Tillis. “This isn’t the album we would have made before we got to know each other these past three years.”
The seasoned women shared witty stage banter, inspired by the entertaining duets of Merle Haggard and George Jones, on songs including “What Was I Thinkin’,” about life lessons from ex-husbands.
Additionally, the ladies performed “I Know What You Did Last Night,” written by Karyn Rochelle and Al Anderson and “I Am A Woman,” written by Thom Shepherd and Mary Sue Englund, who plans to release a matching coffee table book by the same title on Sept. 15.
Every song by Grits & Glamour isn’t a duet. Morgan sang lead vocals for “Another Chance To” (Joe West, Tom Shapiro, Tammi Kidd), while Tillis offered “Even The Stars” (Tommy Lee James, Danielle Peck).
The Matt Spicher-produced record will be released on recently-launched Red Rivers Records label on July 23. Order your copy here.

'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock' To Air In August

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Little Big Town

Little Big Town


Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town will host the summer’s hottest television music event “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” airing Monday, Aug. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.
The three-hour feature includes performances and appearances by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Sheryl Crow, the cast of Duck Dynasty, Nashville star Charles Esten, Hunter Hayes, Dancing with the Stars champion Derek Hough, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town,Tim McGraw, Kip Moore, Jason Mraz, Kacey Musgraves, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Lennon and Maisy Stella of Nashville, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band.
Filmed June 6-9, the special highlights behind-the-ropes access and interviews, day-in-the life segments, late-night jams, exciting performances, and surprise collaborations. This is the 10th anniversary of this one-of-a-kind special, which showcases America’s biggest Country music bash.

Grand Ole Opry To Debut Two New Opry House Tours

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The Women of Country dressing room at the Grand Ole Opry is one of the rooms fans will view during an Opry tour. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Women of Country dressing room at the Grand Ole Opry is one of the rooms fans will view during an Opry tour. Photo: Chris Hollo


The Grand Ole Opry is set to offer two new Opry House Backstage Tours. The VIP Behind The Opry Curtain Tour and a Post-Show Tour offer backstage experiences during and following Opry shows, respectively. The new tours are added to the Opry’s backstage tour line-up which also includes a daytime tour that features video host, CMA Entertainer of the Year and Opry member Blake Shelton.
With the new VIP Behind The Opry Curtain Tour, a limited number of fans at each Opry performance can for the first time stand backstage as the big red curtain goes up on an Opry performance. The tour also offers guests a look at the inner-workings of the Opry in the moments leading up to show time before they are escorted to their seats in the Opry House to take in the night’s performance.
The new Opry House Post-Show Tour features 2012 Opry inductee Darius Rucker as video host. Immediately following Opry performances, Rucker shares with guests some of his favorite backstage moments and memories as they visit areas occupied just minutes before by artists on that night’s show. Among Rucker’s videos are “Opry home movies” sharing video footage of the Opry debuts of Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and others; vintage performances by Geroge Jones, Dolly Parton, and more; as well as an array of Opry fashions and hairstyles through the years.
Opry member George Hamilton IV, known unofficially as the International Ambassador of Country Music, is a frequent participant in both tours, sharing stories of spending time backstage with everyone from Patsy Cline in the early 1960s to the Opry’s currents superstar members.

Sony Entertainment Network Launches New Mobile App

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music unlimited logoSony Entertainment Network has released the updated Music Unlimited Service App for iPhone® and iPod touch®. The updated app features improved performance, offline playback and enhanced quality audio streaming.
The app allows subscribers to download albums, playlists and individual songs to their iPhone and iPod Touch, providing them with access to music offline. Subscribers can also use the app to stream music in 320kbps AAC high quality audio streaming for an improved listening experience.
Sony’s Music Unlimited App can be downloaded for free in the App Store(TM).

Luke Bryan, Universal Music Nashville Toast Double Platinum Certification

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Pictured (L-R): Luke Bryan and Universal Music Nashville's Mike Dungan. Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured (L-R): Luke Bryan and Universal Music Nashville’s Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan. Photo: Alan Poizner


Luke Bryan and Universal Music Nashville hosted a private party in Nashville yesterday (July 10) to toast Music City for its continued support of Bryan, and to celebrate the double platinum-selling status of his tailgates & tanlines album. Bryan also received a plaque from Universal Music Nashville’s Mike Dungan to commemorate over 4 million records sold.
“These are amazing days!” Bryan said as he greeted the crowd. “You guys are such a blessing to me. To have music in your hearts and then go take that music and turn singers into stars.”
Pictured (L-R): Kerri Edwards, Red Light Management; Jeff Stevens, Producer; Luke Bryan and UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO, Mike Dungan.

Pictured (L-R): Kerri Edwards, Red Light Management; Jeff Stevens, Producer; Luke Bryan and UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO, Mike Dungan.

DisClaimer: Established Artists Keep The Music Coming

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bush hawg1Established hit makers are the big news this week. Michael Martin Murphey, Joe Diffie, Kix Brooks and the new duo of Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan all have new music in this stack of platters. So do such well-known up-and-comers as Thompson Square, Georgette Jones and Amber Digby. Grits and Glamour is the moniker that Pam and Lorrie are using. These delightfully talented gals easily pull in the Disc of the Day prize. A six-man band called Bush Hawg is the winner of this week’s DisCovery Award. You’re coming in loud and clear, fellas. Send more.
GEORGETTE JONES/Til I Can Make It On My Own
Writers: J.D. Hicks/Bill McCorvey; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publishers: On the Mantel/Universal Songs of PolyGram, BMI; Heart of Texas
-Georgette’s new CD is a tribute to the music of her Hall of Fame mother, Tammy Wynette. This is its title tune, Tammy’s immortal 1976 smash. Let’s face it, no one can replicate the legend’s electrifying vocal delivery, but daughter does a more than respectable job on the ballad. The puzzle here is the songwriter credit. This was famously a Wynette/Billy Sherrill/George Richey collaboration. So where are their names? Elsewhere in the album, Georgette’s parents’ duets are revived with Justin Trevino and Billy Yates standing in for papa George. This is a most worthy project.
JOE DIFFIE/Girl Ridin’ Shotgun
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Bigger Picture
-It says, “featuring D-Thrash of The Jawga Boyz.” I presume that is the dull, witless rapper who is getting in the way of Diffie’s singing.
THOMPSON SQUARE/Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Stoney Creek
-Who feels like doing chores when your lover is near? The choppy, handclappy rhythm is a delight. Definitely a superior summer single.
KIX BROOKS/There’s The Sun
Writers: Trent Summar/Brandon Kinney; Producer: Kix Brooks; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Songs of NTN/Hits of Tom Lies/Two Cylinder, BMI, Arista (track)
-It’s a bluesy drawler praising the arrival of warm weather. The groove’s the thing.
ROBIN MEADE/Get Up
Writers: Robin Meade/Lee Brice/Victoria Shaw; Producer: Victoria Shaw; Publisher: Meade in America/Curb/Victoria Shaw/Do Write, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Meade In America
-This HLN anchor has previously proven herself to be a capable country vocalist. Her new single is a rousing rocker about spirit-lifting survival. Highly listenable and heartily recommended.
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY/Peaceful Country
Writers: Michael Martin Murphey/Ryan Murphey/Pat Flynn; Producers: Ryan Murphey and Pat Flynn; Publisher: Rocking 3 M/Wrong Man/Mia Culpa, BMI/ASCAP; Red River (track)
-Red River Drifter was released this week as Murphey’s newest western-music collection. It kicks off with this lively ditty that pairs the star’s tenor voice with scampering, sparkling banjo, mandolin and fiddle work. Cowboy bluegrass, anyone?
Grits-and-Glamour1GRITS AND GLAMOUR/I Know What You Did Last Night
Writers: Karyn Rochelle/Al Anderson; Producer: Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan; Publisher: Big Yellow Dog, BMI; Red River (track)
-Saucy, sassy, rocking and a big boatload of fun. Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan are the perfect party girls for this rollicking toe tapper. And their personality-packed voices sound terrific together.
JASON STURGEON/Angel Eyes
Writers: Fred Koller/John Hiatt; Producer: Greg Archilla; Publisher: BMG/Bug/Lucrative/Lillybilly, BMI; Tool Pusher
-The Jeff Healey Band’s 1989 pop smash has been reincarnated as a country ballad. The pace is a little plodding, but the song is so strong that it more than survives the rearrangement.
BUSH HAWG/Crushin’
Writers: Shawn Ames/Jaron Boyer/Vicky McGehee; Producer: Michael Knox; peermusic III/Buy the Farm/Pacific Wind/4T4/February 4, BMI; RCA
-Obsessive love, to the accompaniment of throbbing electric guitars. Promising sounding.
AMBER DIGBY/One More Thing I WIsh I’d Said
Writers: Amber Digby/Vince Gill; Producer: Amber Digby, Randy Lindley and Justin Trevino; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Heart of Texas
-Digby has been a musical treasure in Texas for years. For her current CD, The World You’re Living In, she enlisted Nashvillians like Lloyd Green Pig Robbins and Pete Wade and co-wrote with Music City’s Bill Anderson, Dale Dodson and Vince Gill. The last named is her collaborator on this ballad weeper that is soaked in steel and fiddle. Hillbilly heaven.