Miller Harris Night at the Bluebird

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Two shows were held on Tuesday (April 16) at the Bluebird Cafe to benefit the Miller Harris Foundation. “Miller Harris Night at the Bluebird” featured performers Nick Sturms, John King, Brad Tursi, JT Hodges, Mason Douglas, Erick Dylan and Cory Battan. All proceeds benefited The Miller Harris Asthma Camp For Kids.

Pictured (L-R): Karen Sturgeon, Nick Sturms, Doug Johnson, John King, Judy Harris, Bad Tursi, Karen Conrad, Hunter West.

Pictured (L-R): Karen Sturgeon, Nick Sturms, Doug Johnson, John King, Judy Harris, Brad Tursi, Karen Conrad, Hunter West.


Pictured (L-R): JT Hodges, Karen Sturgeon, Erik Dylan, Judy Harris, Doug Johnson, Hunter West, Bubba Moneypenny, Mason Douglas, Cory Batten.

Pictured (L-R): JT Hodges, Karen Sturgeon, Erick Dylan, Judy Harris, Doug Johnson, Hunter West, Bubba Moneypenny, Mason Douglas, Cory Batten.


 

Pistol Annies Embark on Promotional Annies Adventure

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AnniesThe Pistol Annies are inviting fans to join them on a interactive experience leading up to the launch of their new album Annie Up on May 7.

Over four consecutive weeks, new chapters will be revealed to fans through an interactive online graphic novel titled Pistol Annies and the Case of the Stolen Gear.
Dubbed The Great Annies Adventure, the narrative begins today (April 17) when the trio realize their gear, merchandise and new music has been stolen by Cassius Banks, the CEO of Vanilla Records, and his band The One Tones, seeking to strip the Annies of musical abilities.
Each week, fans will work together to discover clues hidden in the storyline and disclosed on social media (via Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Facebook, Tumblr, Foursquare, Path, Pinterest, etc.).
Every time an item is recovered, new merchandise opportunities and content are unlocked for the entire online community, including vinyl records, custom guitars, designer clothes from their photo shoot, personal notebooks, exclusive video content and more.
Each member of the online community, known as The Henhouse, that finds a missing item will receive the actual autographed one-of-a-kind item they found, such as a flyaway opportunity to celebrate the Pistol Annies release in a secret location.
To join the adventure, visit www.PistolAnnies.com.

Richie McDonald Reunites with Lonestar For New Album

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lonestar albvum111Lonestar has announced that their new album, Life As We Know It, will be released Tuesday, June 4 via the band’s own 4 Star Records, in partnership with The Orchard. The project marks the first full-length album release for the band in over three years and the first since the much-anticipated return of original vocalist Richie McDonald.
The album’s second single “Maybe Someday” is currently spinning nationwide at country radio. The band has RIAA-certified sales in excess of 10 million album units since their national launch in 1995. The band includes Michael Britt, lead guitar & backing vocals; McDonald, lead vocals & piano; Keech Rainwater, drums; and Dean Sams, keyboards and backing vocals.

Guy Clark Returns With First Album In Four Years

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guyclarkRevered songwriter Guy Clark will release his first studio album in four years on July 23. My Favorite Picture Of You will hit shelves via Dualtone Records.
The album’s heartfelt title track was written for his late wife Susanna Clark, a successful songwriter in her own right. The cover photo depicts Clark holding up a photo of his wife from the 1970s. According to Clark, the older photo was taken when Susanna stormed out of the house after finding Guy and their friend, the late Townes Van Zandt, drunk, again.
Among the project’s 11 tracks are “Cornmeal Waltz,” “Heroes” and “Hell Bent On A Heartache.” Clark co-wrote 10 of the songs.
Clark is a Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and Academy of Country Music Poet’s Award recipient. He has been a mentor to artists such as Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell and his songs have been covered by a multitude of artists, including Johnny Cash, Brad Paisley, David Allen Coe, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffet and Asleep At The Wheel.

Industry Updates (4-17-13)

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The 4th Annual Music Row Rally was held yesterday (April 17) in the parking lot of Craig Wiseman‘s publishing company Big Loud Shirt. The event, hosted by Wiseman and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, raised over $2,000.
Food Trucks including Riffs Fine Street Foods, Smoke et Al, Biscuit Love Truck, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Doughworks all donated 10 percent of profits made by the food trucks to The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. All other donations were made as a courtesy.

Pictured (L-R): Jaynee Day, Brittany Hansen, Kimberly Gleason, Craig Wiseman, KK Wiseman, Cindy Patterson, Renee Thompson, Amy Allmand, Abby Fay

Pictured (L-R): Jaynee Day, Brittany Hansen, Kimberly Gleason, Craig Wiseman, KK Wiseman, Cindy Patterson, Renee Thompson, Amy Allmand, Abby Fay

• • •

Sony-Music-Entertainment-LogoSony has placed the former EMI buildings on the market for sale. These buildings are located at 41-35 Music Square East and total 17,015 square feet.

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manuel1111Meanwhile, designer Manuel Cuevas has sold his building, located at 1922 Broadway, for $1,200,000.

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gacGAC-TV will debut a new reality series, The Willis Clan, beginning June 27 at 8 p.m. ET. The show focuses on Toby and Brenda Willis and their 12 children, ages 2-21, who are accomplished singers, songwriters, multi-instrumentalists and, in the case of the older kids, competitive dancers.

The Willis Clan band–comprised of the seven oldest siblings–has created and sold an album of original material and is being courted by a major label. The show gives viewers an inside glimpse at life for the Willis Clan, which includes homeschooling, chores, rehearsing for appearances and competitions, designing and creating costumes for competitions, or preparing to travel en mass to a contest or gig.

“GAC did a special on the Willis Clan a little over a year ago and we continued to get great fan feedback on this incredibly talented and loving family,” says GAC GM Sarah Trahern. “They excel at so many things; we can’t wait to see what’s next for this unique family.”

 
 
 

Ozier Joins ole Team

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john ozier111

John Ozier


John Ozier has joined ole as its General Manager, Creative in Nashville. Ozier brings a wealth of experience in operating publishing and record label businesses to the new role.
“ole is pleased to welcome John and we look forward to his Creative and Operational leadership in Nashville,” remarks ole Chairman and CEO, Robert Ott.
Most recently at Curb Records, Ozier’s track record includes placing songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Rodney Atkins, Clay Walker, Lee Brice, Ronnie Dunn, Jo Dee Messina, LeAnn Rimes and many more. In 2010, Ozier was responsible for four songs in the Top 15 on the Billboard country charts, including the longest-ever running single, Brice’s “Love Like Crazy,” at 56 weeks. More recently, he was responsible for No. 1s by Atkins (“Take A Back Road”) and Brice (“A Woman Like You”).
He is also a published songwriter with cuts by Brice, Charlie Worsham, Air Supply and others. He co-wrote Brice’s multi-week No. 1 single, “Hard to Love,” which is approaching Platinum sales status.
“I am thrilled to be joining the ole team,” says Ozier. “I am looking forward to contributing to the future success of ole as it continues to build its operation in Nashville. Our goal at ole is simple – become the top creative shop on Music Row. I’m confident that ole has the strategy in place to accomplish this goal and I am excited at the prospect of being a member of the ole team as it moves forward to accomplish this goal.”

Brad Paisley's 'Wheelhouse' Debuts At No. 1

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braidpaisleyBrad Paisley‘s eighth studio album and first self-produced project, Wheelhouse, sold more than 100,000 albums according to Nielsen SoundScan, making it the top-selling country album this week. The release marks Paisley’s seventh consecutive studio album to debut as the nation’s best-selling country release.
The project features 14 tracks and three interstitials; each of the album’s full songs were written or co-written by Paisley. The singer-songwriter enlisted his band The Drama Kings to perform on the entire album, which was recorded at a renovated farmhouse turned studio at his home near Nashville.
Paisley’s current single, “Beat This Summer,” is currently in the Top 10 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout chart.
 

'Road To The Ram Jam' Raises over $180,000 For Charities

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ram jam logo1The Ram Truck brand is celebrating the end of its successful “Road to the Ram® Jam” all-star country music series which raised a total of $181,731 for charities with the auction of each participating artist’s Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The series concluded with Easton Corbin’s truck raising $37,101 for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, which honors Americans in our Armed Forces who have sacrificed life or limb defending our country by awarding college scholarships to their children.
As a part of the Road to the Ram Jam series, five participating country music artists – Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert, Billy Currington, Zac Brown Band and Corbin – received a one-year lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks were auctioned off, one at a time, beginning in late January with all proceeds benefiting a charity of each artist’s choice. Fans had two weeks to bid on each artist’s truck.
In addition to Easton’s truck auction results, Pickler’s truck raised $36,200 for the USO Warrior and Family Care program, Gilbert’s truck raised $34,552 for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Currington’s truck raised $34,578 for Team Rubicon, and Zac Brown Band raised $39,300 for Camp Southern Ground.
“Road to the Ram Jam brought country music fans closer to some of their favorite artists while also raising significant dollars for five very special charities,” said Marissa Hunter, Head of Advertising – Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Ram Truck brand is honored to have partnered with these five talented performers and to have created an innovative platform that helped promote their music and their dedication to the charities they chose for their Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck auctions.”
 
 

'Now Thats What I Call A Country Party' To Be Released

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Now-That'sThe world’s best-selling, multi-artist album series, NOW That’s What I Call Music!, will release its fifth country music collection on May 7 titled, NOW That’s What I Call A Country Party.

The new collection of country music’s biggest party hits will be distributed by Universal Music Group available on CD and for digital download purchase from all major digital service providers.
NOW That’s What I Call A Country Party features 18 major chart hits from artists (full track list below) including Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, George Strait, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.
Every album in the series, which is a joint venture from Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, has reached Billboard’s Top 10.
NOW That’s What I Call A Country Party
1.    TOBY KEITH– “RED SOLO CUP”
2.    LUKE BRYAN– “COUNTRY GIRL (SHAKE IT FOR ME)”
3.    JASON ALDEAN– “MY KINDA PARTY”
4.    JAKE OWEN– “BAREFOOT BLUE JEAN NIGHT”
5.    KENNY CHESNEY– “BEER IN MEXICO”
6.    BRAD PAISLEY– “ALCOHOL”
7.    DIERKS BENTLEY– “TIP IT ON BACK”
8.    BRANTLEY GILBERT– “KICK IT IN THE STICKS”
9.    JOE NICHOLS– “TEQUILA MAKES HER CLOTHES FALL OFF”
10.  BILLY CURRINGTON– “PRETTY GOOD AT DRINKIN’ BEER”
11.  ALAN JACKSON– “IT’S FIVE O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE”
12.  MONTGOMERY GENTRY– “ONE IN EVERY CROWD”
13.  RASCAL FLATTS– “SUMMER NIGHTS”
14.  BROOKS & DUNN– “HILLBILLY DELUXE”
15.  GRETCHEN WILSON– “HERE FOR THE PARTY”
16.  BIG & RICH– “SAVE A HORSE (RIDE A COWBOY)”
17.  GEORGE STRAIT– “HERE FOR A GOOD TIME”
18.  JERROD NIEMANN– “ONE MORE DRINKIN’ SONG”

Bobby Karl Works 'We're All For The Hall'

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AFTH Keith and Vince111

Vince Gill and Keith Urban perform at ‘We’re All For The Hall’


The proverbial good time was had by all.
The 13,000-strong, completely sold-out audience at Bridgestone Arena was in high spirits throughout the all-star “We’re All for the Hall” concert on Tuesday (April 16). They yelled, whooped, cheered and sang along for four hours as one celeb after another took the stage. The mood of merriment was palpable.
This was the fourth annual such fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’d never been to one before. Here’s how it works: Co-hosts Vince Gill and Keith Urban lead a house band that backs all the guests, who are presented, Grand Ole Opry style, via two-song sets with no breaks between.
Music Row fabulons enjoying the music and the crowd enthusiasm included Troy Tomlinson, Brian Mansfield, Gillie Crowder, Rob Simbeck, Bob Paxman, Scott Borchetta, Sherod Robertson, Ronna Rubin & Fred Pierson, Chris Horsnell, Cindy Watts, Willie Diehl, Jimmy Carter, Barry Mazur, Nicole Kidman, Jessica Nicholson and Kyle Young.
CMT producer and 2012 CMA Media Achievement Award winner Jennifer Meyer is a newly-wed of two weeks. As she introduced the jovial, good-natured Jim DeVault, she realized, “That’s the first time I’ve said, ‘my husband.’” How cute is that?
Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson

Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson


As we entered the arena, the sound system was warming up the folks buying beers and taking their seats by playing all your country favorites – Hall & Oates, Beyonce, Aerosmith and the like. The show got underway at 7:45 when Keith launched into a Ronstadt-style version of the Stones’ “Tumbling Dice.”
“Welcome to the fourth annual ‘All for the Hall,’” he shouted to the crowd. “I love doing this. I couldn’t do this without my brother, my soul brother, Mr. Vince Gill.”
Vinny turned up the heat even more with a rocking “I Ain’t Living Long Like This.” He and Keith exchanged blistering guitar solos. It was awesome. I’d put the musicianship of those two up against anybody on the planet, regardless of genre.
“Our theme tonight is ‘Outlaws and Renegades,’” said Vince. “We’ve got a helluva lineup tonight,” added Keith.
Stompin’ Montgomery Gentry (“There’s One in Every Crowd”), raspy voiced Brantley Gilbert (David Allan Coe’s “Long Haired Redneck”) and swivel hipped Trace Adkins (“Ladies Love Country Boys”) appeared in rapid succession. I have to say, the organizers kept things moving right along, all night long.
“It’s an honor to be here to support one of the greatest American institutions,” said Rosanne Cash, who sang “Long Black Veil” and “Seven Year Ache,” backed by her former band member Vince.
Billy Joe Shaver came out to the strains of “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal.” His car broke down en route to Nashville, but he made it to the show just the same.
Pictured (L-R): Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Jessi Colter, CM HOF Executive Director Kyle Young, Sheryl Crow.

Pictured (L-R): Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Jessi Colter, CM HOF Executive Director Kyle Young, Sheryl Crow.


Tim McGraw (“Real Good Man”), Eric Church (The Band’s “Ophelia”) and Jason Aldean (“My Kinda Party”) kept the party going. Kris Kristofferson, Jessi Colter and Sheryl Crow were also on the bill. Loretta Lynn was booked, but cancelled.
By 10:15 Hank Williams Jr. was wailing away on acoustic guitar, with Willie Nelson and Kid Rock still to come.
The first three “We’re All for the Hall” fiestas raised $1.5 million for the Hall of Fame. The fourth was expected to add $500,000 to that tally.