Hall of Fame Highlights Dottie West

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Dottie West

Dottie West


The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will present three special programs this spring in support of the spotlight exhibition Dottie West: Country Sunshine, which runs through May 2, 2013.
On Saturday, March 30 the panel discussion, Country Sunshine: Remembering Dottie West will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater. The event will feature former West protégé Steve Wariner, Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely, songwriter Red Lane and West’s daughter Shelly West—an artist in her own right—sharing memories of the talented artist. Prior to the panel, Lane, who wrote West’s hits “Country Girl” and “Come See Me and Come Lonely,” will also present a Songwriter Session at 11:30 a.m. in the Ford Theater.
On Sunday, March 31, at 2:00 p.m., the museum will offer a free screening of Dottie West: Special Delivery (1980), a Showtime concert special filmed at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio, with guest appearances by Dave & Sugar and Kenny Rogers.
On Saturday, April 27, Studio and Screen: Behind the Scenes with the Nashville Edition, will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater. The panel discussion will feature members of one of Nashville’s busiest and best-known vocal groups, the Nashville Edition. Joe Babcock, Dolores Dinning Edgin, Wendy Suits Johnson, Ricki Page and Hurshel Wiginton will share stories from some of the estimated 12,000 recording sessions they worked between the mid-1960s and the late 1990s, including providing background vocals on Dottie West’s “Country Sunshine.” The program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org.
Admission to the film screening is free. The panel discussions are included with museum admission and free to museum members. Visit countrymusichalloffame.org for complete admission details.

Artists Added To 'ACM Presents: Tim McGraw's Superstar Summer Night' Lineup

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dierksbentley1Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum, along with international music sensation Pitbull, have been added to the all-star lineup of artists scheduled to perform at the ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night taping on April 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. These artists join previously announced performers Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift and Ne-Yo. The special will be broadcast at a later date on the CBS Television Network.

Photo by Jeff Lipsky

Photo by Jeff Lipsky


Fifteen-time Academy of Country Music award winner McGraw is spotlighting the hottest music of the summer and calling on his friends to help kick off the 2013 touring season. ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night will feature performances and musical collaborations in a two-hour, star-studded concert event to benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.
Tickets for ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night are on sale NOW at Ticketmaster, priced at $105, $155 and $205. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy and an organization that McGraw was closely affiliated with during his last tour.
lady-antebellum-goldensliderFor more information, log onto ACMLiftingLives.org or ACMcountry.com or follow on Twitter at @ACMawards for more immediate updates.
 
 
 

Darius Rucker To Release 'True Believers' On May 21

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darius_ruckerDarius Rucker will release his third country studio album, True Believers, on May 21. Rucker co-wrote 10 of the 12 tracks on True Believers, produced by Frank Rogers.
 “I’m very proud of this record,” Rucker says.  “The songs, the co-writes, the vibe – it’s all really different from what we’ve recorded and released on the past two albums, and I hope that difference resonates with the fans.”
Rogers, who also produced Learn To Live and Charleston, SC 1966, shares, “When we were recording True Believers, we had Darius record a lot of the vocals for this album in his hometown of Charleston. I think as a result of that relaxed setting he was more experimental vocally, and honestly, he sang better than ever before.”
In 2009 Rucker was named New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards. Most recently, he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on October 16, 2012. Rucker will kick off his True Believers Tour on May 9 in Estero, Fla., visiting more than 20 cities across the U.S. before wrapping up in Clarkston, Mich. on June 30.
True Believers Track Listing:

  1. True Believers (Darius Rucker, Josh Kear)
  2. Miss You (Darius Rucker, Frank Rogers)
  3. Wagon Wheel (Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor)
  4. Love Without You (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally)
  5. Radio (Darius Rucker, Luke Laird, Ashley Gorley)
  6. Lost In You (Darius Rucker, Mark Nesler, Phillip White)
  7. I Will Love You Still (Darius Rucker, Josh Kear)
  8. Take Me Home (Darius Rucker, Frank Rogers, Monty Criswell)
  9. Shine (Darius Rucker, Frank Rogers)
  10. Heartbreak Road (Darius Rucker, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins)
  11. Leavin’ The Light On (Darius Rucker, David Lee Murphy, Phil O’Donnell)
  12. Lie To Me (Darius Rucker, Rodney Clawson, Bob DiPiero)

 
 

Man Suspected of Murdering Jo Dee Messina's Stage Manager Arrested

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jo_dee_messina_14746A 41-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of murder following his arrest in Imperial Beach near San Diego, Calif., reports  Imperial Beach Patch. Troy Lynn King supposedly fled to Imperial Beach after fatally shooting Thomas Colucci, 41, in Coffee County, Tenn. in October 2012, according to a statement from the U.S. Marshals Service.
Colucci worked as a stage manager for country singer Jo Dee Messina.
A motive for the shooting has yet to be determined, however a Tennessee grand jury indicted King on both murder and theft charges, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Messina recently released the song “Unbreakable” via TuneCore so that fans could purchase it on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, etc. Messina will perform live on her first Stageit.com concert on March 26 at 6:30 p.m. CT. She will be broadcasting live from her Nashville home and will feature new music along with her hits. She has a summer tour in the works.
 

Brantley Gilbert Prepares For First Europe Shows and First USO Tour

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bgilbert

Brantley Gilbert


Brantley Gilbert will kick off his first shows in Europe with a performance at Glasgow’s Oran Mor tomorrow (March 15) and Manchester’s Club Academy Saturday (March 16). He will wrap the journey on Sunday (March 17) at London’s 02 Arena for the Country 2 Country Festival, which also features Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Little Big Town and more.
Following his UK trip, Gilbert will continue overseas on his first USO tour. He will perform four concerts and meet with the military troops and their families. In addition, military ID holders who attend the Glasgow and Manchester shows will have the opportunity for an exclusive meet and greet with Gilbert.
“Man you know we sing about country being country wide, but we are taking it to the next level this time,” said Gilbert. “I’m excited to meet all of the country fans in Europe. We will have a blast… and performing for the troops… man I couldn’t be more excited about that. I have so much respect for what our service men and women do every day. To have the chance to perform for them while they are actively serving our country couldn’t make me more proud to have this opportunity.”
The Georgia native continually supports the military and recently partnered with RAM Trucks as part of its RAM JAM series, auctioning off his truck in support of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). On Veteran’s Day he joined Musicians On Call at the Nashville Veteran’s Hospital and performed for patients. Watch a portion of the special visit below.

 

Hunter Hayes, Trace Adkins Launch Website Promotions

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Hunter Hayes reveals nominees. Photo: Kevin Winter

Photo: Kevin Winter

Hunter Hayes is taking part in the COUNTRY Financial Road Trips and Guitar Picks concert series. The COUNTRY Financial Trips and Picks Facebook page will allow fans to view live streaming shows, submit questions for Hayes, and get a free download of his previously unreleased song “Light Me Up.” The shows will take place on March 18 (9 p.m. EDT), March 19 (9 p.m. EDT) and March 22 (8 p.m. EDT).

COUNTRY also partnered with Hayes last fall for 15 arena dates as he toured with Carrie Underwood on her “Blown Away Tour.”

“I’m really excited to partner with COUNTRY Financial for these live stream shows,” Hayes says. “The shows broadcast on the Road Trips and Guitar Picks Facebook page are a fun way to hang with more of my fans as we’ll play some music, answer questions and talk about the stories behind the songs.”

• • •
Trace Adkins Love WillTrace Adkins’ website is now an interactive hub for fans to earn great prizes every week. The singer’s website has been dubbed “The Big Road to NYC,” since one grand prize winner will earn a trip to New York City for the live finale of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.
The site launched March 3 and will continue through the release of Adkins’ 11th studio album, Love Will… in the spring. Each week new tasks, new Apprentice commentary from Adkins and new “reveals” from his upcoming album will appear, for one week only.
While on the site, fans can complete tasks related to the album, the American Red Cross and All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. Each task earns points towards weekly prizes and two grand prize trips. Fans with the highest points will be recognized weekly on the site as elite members of “Trace’s Team.”
Completed tasks count as entries to win prizes like a pair of Nocona Boots signed by Trace, a year supply of Trace Adkins Hightower’s Smoked Sausage, an iPod, or an autographed Trace Adkins-branded guitar. Grand prizes include a trip to the live finale of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice in New York City (regardless of the outcome) or an all-paid cruise aboard Country Cruising 2014.
“Trace’s music and his efforts to help others have earned the loyalty and respect of so many fans,” said Sloane Cavitt Logue, Director of Digital Marketing at Show Dog-Universal Music. “We designed this site as a fun thank-you by offering access to Trace’s thoughts on the Apprentice, a sneak-peek at new songs and great prizes. We’re also especially proud, as a part of Team Trace, that we can connect people to more information about the American Red Cross.”

Artists Team For Ron Davies Tribute Album

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rondaviesAcclaimed artists recorded tracks for an upcoming tribute album to late songwriter Ron Davies. Contributing to the project are Alison Krauss, John Anderson, Dolly Parton, Jim Lauderdale, John Prine, Crystal Gayle, Vince Gill, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Delbert McClinton, Shelby Lynne, Jimmy Hall, Bonnie Bramlett, Jonell Mosser, and jazz legend Benny Golson.
All proceeds from the album will be donated to The W.O. Smith Music School. Unsung Hero: A Tribute To The Music of Ron Davies, produced by his sister Gail Davies, is set to be released on March 25. Crystal Gayle will be among those performing at the album release concert at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on March 29.
One of Davies’ best known compositions is the 1970 hit song “It Ain’t Easy,” recorded by David Bowie, Three Dog Night, Long John Baldry and more recently, The Raconteurs. Davies passed away in 2003 at age 57. He penned “Long Hard Climb” for Helen Reddy and Maria Muldaur, “Dark Eyed Gal” for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, “Good Old Song” for Dobie Gray, and “Steal Across The Border” for Joan Baez. Davies’ songs have also been recorded by Anne Murray, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs and Joe Cocker.
Unsung Hero’s stand-out tracks include Crystal Gayle’s rendition of “True Lovers and Friends” with Benny Golson providing the saxophone solo, and “Good Love After Bad” recorded by Alison Krauss accompanied by Ron Davies’ nephew Chris Scruggs on slide guitar. Other top musicians included on the album are Pat Bergeson, Andy Reiss, Richard Bennett, Chris Nole, Bob Mummert and Rob Price. The production for Unsung Hero began in October 2004.

Wynonna Returns With New Music, Hour-Long Documentary

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It seems Wynonna will be everywhere on Monday (March 18). The singer returns with a new single, a slot on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars and a new hour-long documentary.
On Monday (March 18), Wynonna will release “Something You Can’t Live Without,” the first single from her upcoming full-length album, produced by husband/drummer Cactus Moser and set for release on Curb Records. The single was co-written by Moser and David Lee Murphy, and will be available digitally via iTunes and Amazon on Tuesday (March 19).  The album is her first project of all new material in over four years.
Also on Monday (March 18), “Wynonna and Cactus: The Road Back” will premiere on Great American Country at 10 p.m./9 p.m. CT.  The hour-long documentary tells the never-before-shared story of newlyweds Wynonna and Cactus Moser and their journey from fledgling crush to a motorcycle accident last year that took Cactus’ leg.
Wynonna also shares details of their life post-accident in a cover story with US Weekly, on newsstands this week.

wynonna and tony11

Wynonna and Tony Dovolani


As previously announced, Wynonna will compete on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. Her first dance with professional partner and last season’s champion instructor Tony Dovolani will air Monday, March 18 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
“I focused on being a wife and a nurse for the last seven months and now I’m doing something for myself,” shares Wynonna. “The main word for me this year is ‘risk.’  I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something that a lot of people tell me is crazy—but they get it.”

Swift's Stylist Joseph Cassell Makes 'Hollywood's 25 Most Powerful Stylists' List

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Taylor Swift‘s stylist Joseph Cassell has been named as one of “Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Stylists” by The Hollywood Reporter. He joins the ranks of stylists Leslie Fremar (Scarlett Johannson, Reese Witherspoon), Petra Flannery (Emma Stone, Mila Kunis) and others. The list also has another Nashville connection: L’Wren Scott is stylist for actress (and wife to Keith Urban) Nicole Kidman.
Cassell is a former A&R director who left the music industry to become a stylist. What was supposed to be a one-time job turned into a long-term business relationship with Swift. “I was asked to do a basic ‘steam and press’ job for a young, rising country singer. The job wouldn’t pay much, his agent told him, but it might be good experience,” Cassell told THR.
“Joseph arrived with a full wardrobe of options and shoes, which was a good thing because the stylist at the shoot had dropped the ball,” said Swift. “He’s always two steps ahead of me with whatever I need, whether it’s a lint roller, sunglasses, shoes,” the singer says. “And he has a backup option and extra panels of material just to be safe!”

Joseph Cassell and Taylor Swift

Joseph Cassell and Taylor Swift

AIMP Music Supervisor Panel Coming in April

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AIMP LogoThe Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Chapter and Fifth Third Bank will present “Music in Film and TV – What works, what doesn’t and the latest trends in placing music”; a panel that includes an elite cast of music supervisors from Los Angeles and New York.
Music supervisors participating are: Alicen Schneider of NBCUniversal TV, Kasey Truman with Chop Shop, Jason Markey of Relativity Music Group and Maria Alonte McCoy from District Music. Randy Wachtler, Founder of 615 Music and Past Chairman of the Production Music Association and current AIMP Nashville board member will be serving as moderator.
The meeting will be held on April 3 from 2-4 p.m. at Cabana restaurant located at 1910 Belcourt Ave., Nashville, TN  37212.
All members of the music community are encouraged to register for chapter membership. The member rate to attend is $25 while the non-member rate is $45.  Please log onto www.aimp.org to join and register.