Toby Keith Hammers Down on Tour

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Toby Keith and Kip Moore

Toby Keith and Kip Moore

Toby Keith will embark on a 2013 summer tour titled the Hammer Down Tour with special guest Kip Moore. Presented by longtime partner Ford F-Series, the run begins on June 8 in Ozark, Ark. with stops in Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and other cities (confirmed dates below).

Touring in support of his current album Hope On The Rocks, Keith is expected to play the self-written title track single, “Hope On The Rocks.”
Prior to the start of the tour, Keith will be headlining the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a night at the four-day festival Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz. and a night at the Stagecoach festival in Indio, Calif.
Moore’s current single, “Hey Pretty Girl,” was released as the follow up after two No. 1’s, “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” and “Beer Money.”
Confirmed dates (subject to change) for Toby Keith’s Hammer Down Tour are below, with more to be added soon:
June 8–Ozark AR–Thunder On The Mountain *
June 14–Cincinnati–Riverbend Music Center
June 15–Pittsburgh–First Niagara Pavilion
June 22–Philadelphia–Susquehanna Bank Center
June 28–Oshkosh, Wis.–Country USA *
June 29–Cadott, Wis.–Country Fest *
June 30–Chicago–First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
July 19–Cleveland–Blossom Music Center
July 20–St. Clairsville, Ohio–Jamboree In The Hills
July 21–Buffalo, N.Y.–Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 27–Cheyenne, Wash.–Frontier Days *
July 30–Davenport, Iowa–Mississippi Valley Fair *
Aug. 2–Sweet Home, Ore.–Oregon Jamboree
Aug. 6–Sturgis, S.D.–Buffalo Chip *
Aug. 14–Springfield, Ill.–Illinois State Fair
Aug. 24–Washington–Jiffy Lube Live
Aug. 25–Hartford, Conn.–Comcast Theatre
Aug. 31–Allentown, Pa.–The Great Allentown Fair
Sep. 1–Essex Junction, Vt.–Champlain Valley Fair
Sep. 7–Indianapolis–Klipsch Music Center
Dates with * = Kip Moore does not appear.

Artist Updates (2/5/13)

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AT&T Pebble Beach LogoSeveral artists are slated to participate in the AT&T Pebble Beach National PRO-AM Celebrity Challenge from Feb. 4 through Feb. 10 in Monterey, Calif. Jake Owen, Darius Rucker and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley will join Josh Duhamel, Chris Berman, Bill Murray, Kenny G, Huey Lewis, Ray Romano, Andy Garcia, Aaron Rodgers, Kelly Slater and others for a good cause.

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craig campbell1

Craig Campbell


 
Craig Campbell recently taped an episode in Atlanta for HLN’s “Road Warriors” series. Camerascaptured Campbell at home on the road, enjoying a favorite restaurant in Atlanta, performing at Wild Bills and enjoying downtime while traveling on tour.
The episode will air Thursday (Feb. 7) at 9 a.m. ET during Morning Express with Robin Meade on HLN.

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Photo: Dana Tynan

Kristian Bush Photo: Dana Tynan


 
Sugarland’s Kristian Bush and brother Brandon Bush (The Bush Brothers) continued their relationship with Turner Classic Movies by joining the network’s 31 Days of Oscar celebration for a “live-tweet”of the film Cool Hand Luke on Monday (Jan. 5).
The brothers shared their thoughts and observations throughout the screening of the Paul Newman film, including insights from Brandon’s conversation with Oscar-nominated composer Lalo Schifrin.

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joel crouse

Newcomer Joel Crouse is set to release his first single, “If You Want Some,” to country radio and to iTunes on Tuesday (Feb. 5). Crouse penned the up-tempo tune with Luke Laird (Blake  Shelton, Little Big Town) and producer Jamie Houston (Christina Aguilera).

 


 
 
 
 

Signing Snapshots: Warner/Chappell, Capitol CMG

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Warner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Grammy-nominated musician, producer and songwriter Derek George. He recently produced Randy Houser’s No. 1 track “How Country Feels,” and has also had songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Jake Owen, Wynonna Judd, Hootie & the Blowfish, Josh Gracin and Hannah Montana, among others.

Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Alicia Pruitt, Sr. Dir., A&R; Derek George; Ben Vaugh, Exec. VP. Back Row: Matt Michiels, Productions Manager; Steve Markland, VP, A&R; BJ Hill, Sr. Dir., A&R; Blain Rhodes, Creative Coord.; Phil May, VP/G

Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Alicia Pruitt, Sr. Dir., A&R; Derek George; Ben Vaugh, Exec. VP. Back Row: Matt Michiels, Production Mgr.; Steve Markland, VP, A&R; BJ Hill, Sr. Dir., A&R; Blain Rhodes, Creative Coord.; Phil May, VP/GM

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Cole Walowac and Jon White, members of the Gotee Records band Capital Kings, visited SESAC to celebrate their recent signing with Capitol CMG Publishing. The band also cheered the success of their self-titled release, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart.

Pictured (L-R): Capitol CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo, SESAC’s John Mullins, Walowac, White, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Joey Elwood of Gotee Records. Photo: Ed Rode

Pictured (L-R): Capitol CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo, SESAC’s John Mullins, Cole Walowac, Jon White, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Gotee Records’ Joey Elwood. Photo: Ed Rode

Rubin Media Celebrates 20 Years

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RonnaRubin

Ronna Rubin


Rubin Media celebrates 20 years of business in 2013, as one of the longest-established independent PR, project management and events firms in Nashville.
“It’s music that drew me to Nashville and even after all these years, I’m keenly aware of how fortunate I am to continue to make a living surrounded by incredibly talented and creative people,” says founder Ronna Rubin. “Having it all play out in Nashville – a city I loved long before it made everyone’s best-of lists – is perfection.”
Rubin is a voting member of The Recording Academy and is on the advisory board of Gilda’s Club Nashville, the board of the W.O. Smith Music School and is a Room in the Inn volunteer. Prior to opening her own business, Rubin was a national director of press and artist development for Warner Bros. Records Nashville.
Congratulate Ronna here.

CRS Announces Additional Performers for Opry Show

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CRSCountry Radio Seminar has announced the additions of Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Turner and Greg Bates to the Grand Ole Opry at CRS show set for Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 at 7 p.m.
As previously announced, Grand Ole Opry members Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Vince Gill, along with Dustin Lynch and Scotty McCreery, are also set to perform.
Gill is set to host the special Opry performance and Radio Hall of Famer Bill Cody will be the announcer for the event.
“We are excited about the reaction to this event at the Seminar. Support from both the Radio and Records community has been overwhelming. It will certainly be one of the highlights of CRS this year,” said CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.
The event will be held in the Performance Hall of the Nashville Convention Center and open to CRS 2013 attendees.
Register for CRS 2013 at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. CRS attendees can click here for all the details on the show. Plus, the first 50 CRS attendees to register through the special RSVP link on the website will receive two tickets to attend the Grand Ole Opry at the Opry House Saturday, Mar. 2.

T.J. Martell Announces 2013 Honorees

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gill

Vince Gill


The T.J. Martell Foundation Nashville Honors Gala will salute Vince Gill, T. Bone Burnett, Butch Spyridon and Peggy Joyce. The event is scheduled for March 10 at the Hutton Hotel. Actor Charles Esten, who plays “Deacon Claybourne” on Nashville will host the fifth annual ceremony.
The invitation-only affair brings together celebrities with business, medical, sports and entertainment industry leaders to raise awareness and funds for innovative cancer research. Highlights of the evening include performances, a cocktail reception, seated dinner and premium auction items. Presenters and entertainers will be announced soon.

T. Bone Burnett


Gill will receive the Frances Williams Preston Lifetime Music Industry Award.  Spyridon, Pres. and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be honored with the Spirit of Nashville Award. Philanthropist Joyce will be saluted with the Spirit of Hope Award and Burnett will receive the Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award.
For information and sponsorship opportunities click here.

Mark Your Calendar– February 2013

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Album Releases

JDFebruary 5
Tim McGraw/Two Lanes of Freedom/Big Machine Records
Holly Williams/The Highway/Georgiana Records
Jewel/Greatest Hits/Rhino
The SteelDrivers/Hammer Down/Rounder
Townes Van Zandt/Sunshine Boy: The Unheard Studio Sessions & Demos 1971-1972/Omnivore Recordings
John Corbett/Leaving Nothin’ Behind
February 7
Mary Gauthier/Live at Blue Rock/In the Black Records
February 12
Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis/Cheater’s Game/Premium Records
February 26
Jaida Dreyer/I Am Jaida Dreyer/Streamsound Records
The Mavericks/In Time/Valory
Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris/Old Yellow Moon/Nonesuch Records

Single Releases

GBFebruary 4
Joel Crouse/If You Want Some/Show Dog–Universal
Parmalee/Carolina/Stoney Creek
Kendall Phillips/You Should Know/HMG-Stellar Vision
Rod Richmond/I Got Your Country Right Here/Red White and Blue
February 5
Rachel Nicole/Bet That Burns/So Be It Entertainment
February 11
Jake Owen/Anywhere With You/RCA
Greg Bates/Fill In The Blank/Republic Nashville
Brinn Black/Crushin’
February 18
Jaida Dreyer/Half Broke Horses/Streamsound Records
Kristen Kelly/He Loves to Make Me Cry/Arista
Rachel Farley/Ain’t Easy/Red Bow

Industry Events

CRSFebruary 1-3
LGTB Music Fest
February 10
55th Annual Grammy Awards, LA Staples Center, live on CBS
February 13
ACM Awards nominations announcement
February 20
AIMP discussion on social media and e-commerce at ASCAP’s Nashville office from 11:30–1
February 26

  • MusicRow’s 11th Annual CountryBreakout Awards
  • All For The Hall, New York City, Best Buy Theater

February 27- March 1
CRS 2013

Leadership Bluegrass Announces Class of 2013

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IBMAThe International Bluegrass Music Association has announced participants in its 2013 class of Leadership Bluegrass.
Leadership Bluegrass is an extensive three-day program of advanced level interactive learning experiences that allows participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the current music industry. It is now in its 14th year with more than 300 alumni.
Leadership Bluegrass will be hosted this year at BMI and Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC in Nashville, Tenn. on March 7-9. Trisha Tubbs will be the facilitator.
The 2013 class includes:
Darin Aldridge; Darin and Brooke Aldridge; Cherryville, N.C.
Melissa Armstrong; Detour; Sand Lake, Mich.
Andrea Ball; Make Welcome Entertainment; Washington, D.C.
Katherine Coe; IBMA; Nashville, Tenn.
Jeremy Darrow; The Erin McDermott Band/Freelance Musician; Nashville, Tenn.
John DeMarce; DC Bluegrass Union; Washington, D.C.
Susie Glaze; Hilonesome Music, Susie Glaze & the Hilonesome Band; Burbank, Calif.
KC Groves; Artist & Composer; Lyons, Colo.
Kayla Hotte; Kayla Hotte & her Rodeo Pals; Ardrossan, Alberta, Canada
Caroline Isachsen; Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Delmar, N.Y.
Steven Johnson; MerleFest; Wilkesboro, N.C.
Lori King; Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa; Drakesville, Iowa
Jordan Laney; Appalachian State University; Vilas, N.C.
Ron Murphy; Muddy River Band; Wilmington, Ohio
Amy Reitnouer; The Bluegrass Situation; Los Angeles
Carolyn Routh; Nu-Blu; Siler City, N.C.
Sheila Selby; Boston Bluegrass Union; Brookline, Mass.
Carly Smith; International Bluegrass Music Museum; Owensboro, Ky.
Erin Stamper; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, D.C.
Shannon Turner; Freelance writer/journalist; Hermitage, Tenn.
Missy Werner; The Missy Werner Band; Liberty Township, Ohio
Jill Wiese; Bluegrass Association of North Dakota; Washburn, N.D.
Kristi Wilcox; Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Nashville, Tenn.
Courtney Wothen; PineCone – The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music; Raleigh, N.C.
Please contact the IBMA office for information on future Leadership Bluegrass programs: (615) 256-3222, nancyc@ibma.org.

Show Dog-Universal Promotes Sloane Cavitt-Logue

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Sloane Cavitt-Louge

Sloane Cavitt-Louge

Show Dog–Universal Music’s Sloane Cavitt-Logue has been promoted to Digital Marketing Director. The promotion, announced Monday (Jan. 4), will keep her based at the label’s Nashville office where she has been serving as Marketing and New Media Manager.

“Sloane is always three steps ahead of the marketplace in finding and creating new avenues to expose our artists,” said George Nunes, SDU, GM. “Her attention to always staying ahead of the curve with new technologies and marketing to a targeted audience always with the artist in the forefront is second to none. This promotion is well-deserved.”
Cavitt-Logue’s responsibilities include implementing digital brand strategies, overseeing artist’s social media presence and developing digital account relationships. She will continue to work closely with Sales, Marketing and Digital, VP Bill Kennedy on purchasing digital advertising, creating marketing plans for all Show Dog-Universal artists.
She joined Show Dog Nashville in 2007 as the Sales, Marketing and New Media Coordinator, immediately following her graduation from the University of Kentucky.

McBee Named Sr. Communications Strategist for Populr.me

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Heather McBeeHeather McBee has been named Sr. Communications Strategist for Nashville start-up, Populr.me. Her role will be to help grow the corporate usage of the newly created micropublishing service.
“Heather was looking for a new perspective and we were looking for someone who had organic connections to the business community in Nashville and abroad. We needed a broad business thinker with a technical mind and she presents the perfect blend of both,” according to Nicholas Holland, CEO and founder of Populr.me.
The move follows McBee’s recent departure from Sony Music Nashville where she helped foster the careers of such artists as Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and many more.
McBee’s technical experience comes from having helped Sony Music Nashville make the transition into digital music distribution in the mid- to late-nineties and growing their artists’ exposure in social media, mobile distribution and website marketing.
Populr.me is a new company that provides an online micropublishing solution. Individuals and businesses needing to communicate more effectively can use the service to create published one-pagers, also referred to as POPs. POPs can range from being very basic online memos to very advanced interactive presentations. Tracking views, clicks and sharing on social networks and collaborative builds and management are just a few of the key components a Populr.me POP can deliver.
Visit Populr.me for additional information.