More Performers Added to ACM Awards

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acmlogoslider1The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced today that Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town will perform as part of the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
This is the second round of artists announced as performer’s on this year’s bill. They will join co-hosts Luke Byran and Blake Shelton, will air Live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. on CBS Television Network.
 

Stompin' Tom Connors Passes

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stompin' tom connors1The life of Canadian country superstar Stompin’ Tom Connors was celebrated at a memorial service last week in Peterborough, Ontario.
On Wednesday, March 13, politicians, musicians and fans gathered to deliver eulogies and sing the songs of the singer-songwriter who was noted for his uncompromising style, iconoclastic beliefs and sturdy individualism. His casket was covered with the Canada’s maple-leaf flag and topped by his trademark black Stetson hat.
Connors was fiercely proud to be Canadian. He wrote story songs with themes about his homeland and decried fellow artists who aimed for stardom in the U.S.
Raised in poverty in New Brunswick, he hitchhiked across Canada at age 15. He broke into show business on the radio in the mining city of Timmins, Ontario, later the hometown of Shania Twain. He acquired his nickname while performing in Peterborough due to his habit of stamping his boot heel so forcefully that he damaged stage floors.
His best-known songs included “Bud the Spud,” “Sudbury Saturday Night,” “The Black Donnellys,” “Up Canada Way” and “The Martin Harwell Story.” His “The Hockey Song” of 1973 was played at all NHL games for many years.
In the 1970s, he had a national TV show titled Stompin’ Tom’s Canada on the CBC network. He formed his own record labels to promote not only his own works but those of other Canadian artists.
In protest of Canada’s broadcasters promoting non-Canadian artists, Connors quit recording in 1978. He resumed his career 10 years later.
Named Top Male Country Artist at the Juno Awards in 1971-75 and an Album of the Year winner in 1974, he returned all six of his trophies, stating that they should be given to “border jumpers.” He later told the CBC to “shove it” following a dispute about starring in a national TV special. In 1993, he declined induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 1996, he published Stompin’ Tom: Before the Fame as his best-selling autobiography. In 2002, he was presented with honorary doctorate degrees by two universities. In 2009, he was pictured on a Canadian postage stamp and given a SOCAN lifetime achievement award.
Stompin’ Tom Connors was reportedly a heavy drinker who smoked more than 100 cigarettes a day. He died at age 77 on March 6 of renal failure after stubbornly refusing medical treatment. He planned his own memorial service. On the day of his death he issued a message to his fellow Canadians to “keep the Maple Leaf flying high.”
He is survived by his wife Lena, four children and several grandchildren.

Road To Ram Jam Wraps Country Music Series

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eastoncorbinThe Ram Truck brand will wrap up its Road to the Ram Jam country music series with the auction of Easton Corbin’s 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn. Starting today, March 18 at 7 p.m. EST, fans can bid for Corbin’s truck with all the proceeds from the auction benefiting 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.
“All of the proceeds from the auction of Easton’s Ram truck, are going to help the sons and daughters of American heroes achieve their dream of a college education,” added Tom Kilgannon, president of Freedom Alliance. “Every scholarship we give out is a reminder to the student that their parent’s sacrifice will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.”
As part of the Road to the Ram Jam series all five participating 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. Zac Brown’s truck was auctioned off last week and raised $39,300 for Camp Southern Ground. Pickler’s truck was auctioned off at the end of January raising $36,200 for the USO Warrior and Family Care program, Gilbert’s truck was auctioned off in early February raising $34,552 for the IAVA and Currington’s truck was auction off at the end of February raising $34,578 for Team Rubicon. Corbin’s truck will be the last truck to be auctioned off as part of the Road to the Ram Jam all-star country music series.
“The whole purpose of the auction is to help other people and knowing that the proceeds from the truck will do this – is a great thought,” said Corbin. “I definitely encourage my fans to bid on the auction. They get a great truck out of the deal and also provide college scholarships to some well-deserving young people.”
To get more information on the charity auction hosted on eBay Giving Works and to bid on Easton Corbin’s truck please visit www.ebay.com/roadtoramjam.

Artist Updates (3-18-13)

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george-strait

George Strait


George Strait is set to release his 40th studio album, Love Is Everything, on May 14.
In addition to the album’s first single, “Give It All We Got Tonight,” the entertainer enlisted writers Dean Dillon and son Bubba Strait. Love Is Everything is available for pre-order here.

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Tate Stevens

Tate Stevens


Syco/RCA Nashville artist and The X Factor Season 2 winner, Tate Stevens, recently sold out a hometown concert in 30 mintues. His April 21 performance at the 3,000-seat theater The Midland by ACM in Kansas City, Mo. will be a packed crowd. Stevens is from nearby Belton, Mo.

 “1st show sold out!! Still can’t believe it. Second show on sale Monday at 10am. Can’t freakin believe it. Thank you #tatenation KC Rocks!!!!!” Stevens tweeted following the news of the 30-minute sell-out.
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Luke Bryan’s career continues its hot streak this week with the No. 1 debut of his Spring Break…Here To Party project and a two-day crowd total of 120,000 fans who swarmed Spinnaker’s in Panama City Beach, Fla. for his fifth annual spring break performances.

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Luke Bryan performs at Spinnaker in Panama City Beach, Fla.


 

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Songs & Stories For St. Jude

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songsSome of Nashville’s top songwriters and rising artists will perform at Songs and Stories for St. Jude. The event is set for April 10 at 3rd and Lindsley.
On the line up are Tim Nichols (“Live Like You Were Dying,” “The Man I Want To Be,” “Cowboys and Angels”); Brett James (“Jesus, Take The Wheel,” “Blessed” “When the Sun Goes Down”); The Warren Brothers (“Felt Good On My Lips,” “Red Solo Cup,” “If You’re Reading This”); Eric Paslay (“Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” “Angel Eyes”); Tyler Farr (“Redneck Crazy”); and Chris Janson (“Truck Yeah,” “Better I Don’t”). Surprise guests are also expected. WSIX’s Amy Paige will host.
Tickets are $15. Available in advance at via 3rd and Lindsley’s online box office or at the door. www.3rdandlindsley.com.

Performers Announced For Third Annual Johnny Cash Music Festival

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johnny cash festival11Vince Gill, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers and Joanne Cash Yates will join show host Tommy Cash for the third annual Johnny Cash Music Festival. The event is set for Aug. 17 and will once again take place at Arkansas State University’s Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Ark., beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will go on sale April 1.

Proceeds from this year’s event will fund the restoration of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, Ark., as well as support a scholarship fund established in the entertainer’s name. Already, four students are attending ASU thanks to the money raised at the previous events.
“We have been extremely happy not only with the progress on Johnny’s boyhood home, but also with the funding of this scholarship,” concert producer and festival founder Bill Carter said, “Johnny’s family made it clear from the start that giving children from his hometown area an opportunity to get a college education is something Johnny would have been very proud of. Likewise, the Dyess area will benefit from the economic boost we feel certain this museum will bring to the community. We’re grateful to the artists who are coming in this year to put on a great show for a great cause.”
Tickets for the Johnny Cash Music Festival will be available at ASU’s Central Box Office and online at  www.tickets.astate.edu. Tickets can also be purchased by logging onto the official website of the Johnny Cash Music Festival, www.johnnycashmusicfest.com. Call to purchase tickets toll-free at 1-888-278-3267.

Artist Updates (3-15-13)

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glorianaGloriana will perform their latest hit single “Can’t Shake You” in the season finale of The CW series Hart of Dixie May 7. Fans can tune into The CW at 8 p.m. EST (check local listings).
The trio is currently on the road performing headlining shows across the country in support of their critically acclaimed second studio album, A Thousand Miles Left Behind, and will be taping their Hart of Dixie guest appearance in Los Angeles on March 18.

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rascalflattsRascal Flatts will end their first visit to Australia this weekend and are already celebrating with two sold-out shows. The promotional tour began in Sydney on Monday with a round of media that included national radio and television appearances.
The band’s two special theatre shows for their Australian fans took place at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Wednesday, March 13 and The Palais Theatre in Melbourne on Friday, March 15. They will conclude their visit as part of the two-day event “CMC Rocks the Hunter 2013 Festival” this Sunday, March 17 at Hope Estate.
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Florida Georgia Line got in the Spring Break spirit with a packed house of fans during their headlining show at Sharky’s in Panama City Beach. The Republic Nashville duo then joined Luke Bryan at the famous Spinnaker Beach Club to perform their double platinum, multi-week #1 smash “Cruise” and Top 15 hit “Get Your Shine On.” Both songs are featured on their debut album Here’s To The Good Times, which earned the highest debut album sales of 2012 for a new Country artist and showcases FGL’s fresh combination of eclectic beats and expressive lyrics.
Pictured (L-R): Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley get their “Shine On” before joining Luke Bryan on stage at Spinnaker’s Beach Club.

Pictured (L-R): Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley get their “Shine On” before joining Luke Bryan on stage at Spinnaker’s Beach Club. Photo: Sweet Talk Publicity.


 

MusicRow No. 1 Song

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Lee Brice


Lee Brice parks his latest No. 1, “I Drive Your Truck,” at the top of this week’s MusicRow Chart.
Written by Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington and Jimmy Yeary, the poignant title is the third single from Brice’s Hard 2 Love album, following previous singles “A Woman Like You” and “Hard to Love.”
MusicRow’s Robert K. Oermann glowingly reviewed the single in November 2012, saying: “This man is turning into a star with every successive disc. He smacked homeruns right out of the ballpark with ‘A Woman Like You and ‘Hard to Love.’ The third single from Brice’s CD is immensely evocative, as a son recalls his deceased dad by driving his truck and listening to their favorite country station. If this doesn’t punch you in your heart, you haven’t got one. Another homer.”

Here’s to many more hits from this extraordinary vocalist and the teams behind him. Congrats!

Grand Ole Opry To Salute Cancer Survivors August 24

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grand_ole_opry_logo_20051The Grand Ole Opry and the National Women’s Survivors Convention will celebrate women cancer survivors Aug. 24, when participants from the Nashville-based National Women’s Survivors Convention being held at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center attend the evening’s Opry performance.

 The Convention will host approximately 2,000 women survivors of all types of cancer from across the country and around the world who will converge on Music City for a three-day, one-of-a-kind experience. Not a typical convention, women will celebrate the mission of taking a step to creating a national movement towards survivorship and understanding the needs of cancer patients after treatments conclude.
The Opry will recognize these women throughout the night on the Opry stage and over the airwaves on 650 AM WSM and opry.com with special performances and survivor messages.
“We’re delighted to be a part of these survivors’ visits to Nashville,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “We are going to have a lot of fun while also helping them take great steps toward creating awareness about survivorship.”
Specific performers on the show will be announced at a later date.
National organizations and individuals involved in the event include: Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, LiveSTRONG at the YMCA (USA), American Cancer Society, YMCA (YUSA), Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, 4th Angel Program at Taussig Cancer Center – Cleveland Clinic, Olympic Gold Medalists Shannon Miller and Scott Hamilton, Bravo TV Star Tabatha Coffey, MTV Star Diem Brown, Dr. Susan Love and the Army of Women Campaign, Great American Country’s Nan Kelley and husband Charlie Kelley.

Artists Sign On For Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam

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pepsi gulf coast jam11Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert, Trace Adkins, Eli Young Band, Kip Moore, Charlie Daniels Band, Pepsi’s X Factor Winner Tate Stevens, Darryl Worley, Blackberry Smoke, and Pepsi’s Southern Original Winner are the first to join Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam’s lineup.
Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is a debut country music festival coming to Panama City Beach, Fla. Sept. 26-28, 2013.
Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam will have six stages, providing “country on the coast” for an audience upwards of 15,000 people. During the day, three beachfront stages will be hosted by Edgewater Golf & Beach Resort, The Boardwalk Beach Resort, and Seahaven Beach Resorts.
Anticipating the festival, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Executive Producer, Rendy Lovelady (@ProducerJam) says, “Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam’s entrance into the festival market is going to be huge. Not only does the event have a massive lineup, it is a destination location. Festival-goers will come for the music, but I know they will be just as excited to experience Panama City Beach and everything that comes along with it. It will be the ultimate country music fan celebration and getaway all wrapped into one.”
Lodging packages, which include tickets to the three-day event, are on sale now. Links to participating lodging partners’ websites and purchasing information can be found at www.gulfcoastjam.com. Beginning in May, three-day tickets, providing patrons access to all of the six stages and free shuttle passes, will go on-sale to the public.