YouTube Eyes Paid Subscription Model

/by

youtubeYouTube will unveil a paid subscription service in the coming weeks. Numerous outlets have reported the story, including the Financial Times who broke the news Monday (May 6). While most videos are expected to remain free, subscription pricing would start at about $1.99 per month.
According to Billboard, content creators would most likely receive less than 30% of YouTube’s subscription dollars.
The Google-owned site is currently supported by advertising, but the subscription component could help it monetize exclusive content and videos that are less attractive to advertisers.
Digital video advertising is skyrocketing. In 2012, brands spent $2.3 billion on these kinds of ads, an increase of 29% over 2011, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
YouTube’s first channel exclusively featuring original country music content launched in February at www.youtube.com/countrynow. As previously reported, Country Now is home to the original series Country Download, Hear & Now, OMC! and I Luv My Country, which are created and produced in Nashville.

George Jones Final Nashville Concert To Take Place As Tribute Show

/by

gjonesThe George Jones final Nashville concert, which was set for Friday, November 22, 2013 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, will continue as planned. The show will now become a ‘Tribute to George Jones.’
“Everyone has been asking if we will still do the  show,” says Nancy Jones. “I have asked Garth, Kid Rock, Travis Tritt, The Oak Ridge Boys, Montgomery Gentry, Sam Moore, Charlie Daniels, Jamey Johnson and others and they all said ‘yes, I am still going to do it’ so with all the artists still planning on coming, we are going to honor George one final time.”
Jones’ representative says that not all previously announced artists have been contacted at this time and they are in the process of re-confirming all artists. A list of all confirmed talent will be available at georgejones.com.
Tickets for the Nashville finale were sold out previously.

Warner Music Nashville Artists Release Music Videos

/by

Blake Shelton on the set for his latest music video, “Boys ‘Round Here.”

Blake Shelton on the set for his latest music video, “Boys ‘Round Here.”


The music video for Blake Shelton’s latest single “Boys ‘Round Here” has been released. Shelton flew to The Walt Disney Golden Oak Ranch in Santa Clarita immediately following the 48th ACM Awards to film the project with Pistol Annies and country singer Raelynn.
Click here for a behind the scenes look at the making of the video and watch the video below.

• • •

Sheryl Crow with Jason Lewis filming her latest music video for "Easy."

Sheryl Crow with Jason Lewis filming her latest music video for “Easy.”


Sheryl Crow’s current top 30 single “Easy,” is available today (May 6) including a music video, which was featured as part of CMT’s Sheryl Crow “Easy” Weekend.
The video (below) features co-star Jason Lewis, who played Jerry ‘Smith’ Jerrod on HBO’s Sex and the City.
Crow has sold more than 35 million records worldwide.

Opry Launches New App

/by

ipad

Scotty McCreery tries out the Opry By The Numbers app.


The show that made country music famous is celebrating the launch of a new iPad app with the premiere of Opry By The Numbers, an interactive Sudoku-themed game available today at opry.com and optimized for the iPad, as well as desktops and other devices.
Opry By The Numbers challenges players to solve Sudoku-like puzzles to reveal Opry artists’ photos. Along the way, players learn fun Opry number-related facts and can enter to win number-related prizes, including a trip to Nashville, Tenn. featuring VIP Opry seating, a stay at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, round-trip airfare on Southwest Airlines, and more.
The new iPad app offers optimized audio streaming of all Grand Ole Opry performances; Opry performance videos; performance calendars; content-rich blogs including country music news, infographics, and artist interviews; and audio streaming of the Opry’s flagship radio station, 650 AM-WSM.

TobyMac, Newsboys Lead K-LOVE Fan Awards Nominations

/by

k-love1The nominees have been announced for Christian music’s first-ever fan-voted awards show, the K-LOVE Fan Awards. TobyMac and Newsboys lead the nominations with three nominations apiece. TobyMac was nominated for Song of the Year (“Me Without You”), Male Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year. Newsboys were nominated for Song of the Year (“God’s Not Dead”), Group/Duo of the Year and Artist of the Year.
Fans can vote for their favorite nominees at klovefanawards.com. The K-LOVE Fan awards will take place at the Ryman Auditorium on June 1 in Nashville, Tenn.
Song of the Year
“Redeemed,” Big Daddy Weave
“Where I Belong,” Building 429
“10,000 Reasons,” Matt Redman
“God’s Not Dead,” Newsboys
“Me Without You,” TobyMac
Male Artist of the Year
Brandon Heath
Chris Tomlin
Jeremy Camp
Matthew West
TobyMac
Female Artist of the Year
Francesca Battistelli
Kari Jobe
Laura Story
Mandisa
Natalie Grant
Group/Duo of the Year
Newsboys
Casting Crowns
MercyMe
Tenth Avenue North
Third Day
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Building 429
Laura Story
For King & Country
Sidewalk Prophets
Plumb
Artist of the Year
Casting Crowns
Newsboys
TobyMac
MercyMe
Third Day
Movie Impact
Courageous, Alex Kendrick
The Grace Card, David Evans
October Baby, Jon Erwin
Monumental, Kirk Cameron
Sports Impact
Hugh Freeze
Mike Fisher
Barrett Jones
Jason Hanson
Alfred Morris
Book Impact
The Circle Maker, Mark Batterson
Heaven Changes Everything, Todd and Sonja Burpo
The Love Dare, Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick
Love Does, Bob Goff
Unglued, Lysa TerKeurst

Shania Twain Announces Additional Las Vegas Dates

/by

shania twain still the one11Shania Twain has announced a new set of concerts this fall as part of her two-year Las Vegas Strip residency.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, Twain has scheduled 22 additional performances between mid-October and mid-December. Tickets go on sale Friday (May 10).
She’s sold out her first 24 performances of “Shania: Still the One” at Caesars Palace, and begins another set of 12 shows on May 14. The nearly 4,300-seat Colosseum also hosts entertainers Celine Dion, Elton John, Jerry Seinfeld and others.

[Updated] Artist News: Urban Plays With Rolling Stones

/by

Keith Urban rocks out with the Stones.

Keith Urban rocks out with the Stones.


• Keith Urban joined The Rolling Stones onstage at the L.A. Staples Center on May 3. He was a surprise performer at the legendary group’s sold-out show, joining the band for “Respectable,” from its 1978 album Some Girls. “If I had have been offered either a trip to the moon or sitting in with The Stones, I would still have been strapping on my Tele saying screw the moon,” commented Urban. See the video below.

Zac Brown Band. Photo: Cole Cassell/Southern Reel

Zac Brown Band. Photo: Cole Cassell/Southern Reel


 
• Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival returns for a third year to Charleston, S.C. on Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20. Presented by LandShark Lager, the festival will take place at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island in Berkeley County.
• thumbs up for what's wright111The Thumbs Up For What’s Wright concert at the Tin Roof Nashville on Wednesday, May 15 will help fight childhood cancer. Love and Theft join previously announced artists David Nail, Chris Janson, Kristen Kelly, Randy Montana, and special guests to support the Thumbs Up For Lane Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Payton Wright Foundation. Two songwriter rounds will include hitmakers Lee Miller, Jonathan Singleton, Brad Tursi, Dan Isbell, Scooter Carusoe, and Jason Matthews. Emcee’d by television host Shane Tallant, the event will include a tribute to late WMN regional Lindsay Walleman, a live auction and outdoor beer garden. Tickets are $25 at tinroofbars.com.
• Breaux Bridge, La. officially named Monday, April 29 “Hunter Hayes Appreciation Day.” While he was in town, the Breaux Bridge native visited KMDL/Lafayette staffer Stephanie Crist.
Pictured (l-r) KMDL’s Stephanie Crist and Hunter Hayers

Pictured (l-r) KMDL’s Stephanie Crist and Hunter Hayers


• Clara Henningsen, lead singer of Arista Nashville recording trio The Henningsens, wed fiancé Jacob Calaway this past Saturday, May 5, in a ceremony on the Henningsen family farm in Illinois.

clara wedding11

Bryan, Church, Lambert Lead CMT Music Awards Nominations

/by

cmt awards 2013Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Miranda Lambert are the leading nominees for this year’s CMT Music Awards, which will air Wednesday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT and CMT.com. Kristen Bell will return as a second-time co-host, joined by first-time co-host Jason Aldean.

Church, Bryan and Lambert each nabbed four nominations at this year’s awards. Bryan is up for Video of the Year (“Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”), Male Video of the Year (“Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”), Collaborative Video of the Year (Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church – “The Only Way I Know,” from 2012 CMA Awards) and CMT Performance of the Year (“Drunk On You/Feel Again” with Ryan Tedder from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR).

Church is up for Video of the Year (“Springsteen”), Male Video of the Year (“Creepin'”), Collaborative Video of the Year (Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church – “The Only Way I Know,” from 2012 CMA Awards) and CMT Performance of the Year (“Homeboy” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR).

Lambert is nominated for Video of the Year (“Mama’s Broken Heart”), Female Video of the Year (“Mama’s Broken Heart”), CMT Performance of the Year (“Over You” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR) and Group Video of the Year (as part of Pistol Annies – “Takin’ Pills”).

Artist with three nominations include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and first-time nominees Florida Georgia Line; artist with two nominations include: Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Hunter Hayes, Jana Kramer, rock band Journey, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw.

Nominations list for CMT Music Awards:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

  • Brad Paisley – “Southern Comfort Zone”
  • Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
  • Eric Church – “Springsteen”
  • Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”
  • Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”
  • Jason Aldean – “1994”
  • Kenny Chesney – “Come Over”
  • Little Big Town – “Tornado”
  • Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Mama’s Broken Heart”
  • Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
  • Tim McGraw – “One of Those Nights”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

  • Blake Shelton – “Sure Be Cool If You Did”
  • Eric Church – “Creepin’”
  • Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”
  • Jason Aldean – “Take a Little Ride”
  • Kenny Chesney – “Come Over”
  • Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

  • Carrie Underwood – “Two Black Cadillacs”
  • Faith Hill – “American Heart”
  • Jana Kramer – “Why Ya Wanna”
  • Kacey Musgraves – “Merry Go ‘Round”
  • Miranda Lambert – “Mama’s Broken Heart”
  • Taylor Swift – “Begin Again”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

  • Lady Antebellum – “Downtown”
  • Little Big Town – “Pontoon”
  • Pistol Annies – “Takin’ Pills”
  • Rascal Flatts – “Come Wake Me Up”
  • The Band Perry – “Better Dig Two”
  • Zac Brown Band – “Goodbye in Her Eyes”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

  • Big & Rich – “That’s Why I Pray”
  • Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”
  • Love and Theft – “Runnin’ Out Of Air”
  • Thompson Square – “If I Didn’t Have You”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

  • Dustin Lynch – “Cowboys and Angels”
  • Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”
  • Jana Kramer – “Why Ya Wanna”
  • Kacey Musgraves – “Merry Go ‘Round”
  • Kip Moore – “Beer Money”
  • Randy Houser – “How Country Feels”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

  • Brad Paisley and Joe Walsh – “Rocky Mountain Way,” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOE WALSH & FRIENDS
  • Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church – “The Only Way I Know,” from 2012 CMA Awards
  • Kelly Clarkson featuring Vince Gill – “Don’t Rush,” from 2012 CMA Awards
  • Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw – “Feel Like A Rockstar”
  • Rascal Flatts and Journey – “Changed,” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOURNEY AND RASCAL FLATTS
  • The Avett Brothers and Randy Travis – “Three Wooden Crosses” from CMT CROSSROADS: THE AVETT BROTHERS AND RANDY TRAVIS

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

  • Dierks Bentley – “5-1-5-0” from CMT UNPLUGGED
  • Eric Church – “Homeboy” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
  • Luke Bryan and Ryan Tedder – “Drunk On You/Feel Again” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
  • Miranda Lambert – “Over You” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
  • Rascal Flatts and Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOURNEY AND RASCAL FLATTS
  • Toby Keith – “Beers Ago” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Voting will begin today (Monday, May 6) on CMT.com and will end Sunday, June 2 at Midnight ET.
 

GAC To Air The Band Perry Special

/by
The Band Perry

The Band Perry

GAC is set to air an original special with The Band Perry titled Origins: The Band Perry. During the special, the trio will share performances and the stories behind “Done” and “Mother Like Mine” from their recently-released Pioneer album. They will also perform “You Lie” and “If I Die Young” from their debut, self-titled release.

In the special, sibling trio Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry return home to the quiet lifestyle they’ve created in Greeneville, Tenn., a farming and manufacturing community in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
“Our parents always told us that you’re not going to be in the band just because your last name is Perry,” said Reid. “You’re going to earn your spot in the band.”
Parents, Steve and Marie Perry, also appear in the GAC highlight. “His knowledge about the [music] business is amazing,” says Kimberly of her pediatrician father. “We call our mother our coach and teacher,” adds Neil. “If you see her when we perform a live show, you’ll see her writing notes.”
Catch the special debut this Saturday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET.

IBMA’s Wide Open Bluegrass Festival's Initial Line-up Announced

/by

IBMAThe International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has made its first announcement of talent for the newly-named Wide Open Bluegrass festival, to be held at the Raleigh, N.C. Convention Center and Amphitheater on Sept. 27 and 28.
The initial slate of artists scheduled to perform at the Wide Open Bluegrass festival includes a special collaboration between bluegrass giants Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, Alison Krauss, Del McCoury and Tony Rice, a performance from one of the most anticipated tours of the summer, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell, and the Punch Brothers, who will make their first appearance at the IBMA festival. Serving as onstage “mistress of ceremonies” for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival is celebrated banjo player/songwriter Abigail Washburn.
Tickets for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival will go on sale May 15 for IBMA members and May 29 for the general public. Bluegrass fans can join IBMA in order to take advantage of early ticket availability and member discount rates, by calling 1-888-GET-IBMA or going to www.ibma.org.
Additional ticket information for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival–as well as the full slate of performers–will be announced in the coming weeks.