Dawn Gates Upped at UMG Nashville

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Dawn Gates

Dawn Gates has been promoted to Vice President, Digital Marketing for UMG Nashville. Gates will continue to report to Cindy Mabe, SVP Marketing for UMG Nashville, and will oversee all digital marketing efforts for the label group which represents artists including Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, George Strait, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town, among others.

“Dawn is one of the most creative, dynamic marketers I have ever known,” says Mabe. “She brings ideas that help drive our artists’ careers and connect to their fans and consumers. I have had the privilege to work with Dawn for nearly six years where she has continued to improve her game. I am so proud to announce her as Vice President Digital Marketing for UMG.”

Gates was with Capitol Records Nashville for seven years, where she most recently held the title of Senior Director, New Media. Prior to her tenure at Capitol Nashville, Gates spent eight years working for Word Label Group, a division of Word Entertainment, LLC where she established its first New Media department.

Artist Pics (12/10/2012)

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•••Blake Shelton performed at jcpenney in Culver City, Calif. to wrap up the jcp Holiday Giving Tour – a 12-day tour across the U.S. in which jcpenney carried out a special act of generosity in a new city each day. Shelton and former The Voice contestant RaeLynn performed a free concert for fans to end the tour.

Blake Shelton closes the jcp Holiday Giving Tour. Photo: Charley Gallay, Getty Images for jcpenney

 

•••RaeLynn took a turn on the red carpet prior to a performance at jcpenney in Culver City, Calif. to wrap the jcp Holiday Giving Tour. She and Blake Shelton played the free and open to the public concert.

RaeLynn on the red carpet for the jcp Holiday Giving Tour. Photo: Charley Gallay, Getty Images for jcpenney

 

•••Scotty McCreery was surprised backstage at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Dec. 7) with a plaque commemorating his Gold-certified holiday album Christmas with Scotty McCreery.

Photo (L-R): UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, McCreery, Grand Ole Opry VP/General Manager Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo, Grand Ole Opry

•••Shania Twain‘s fans aren’t the only ones excited about her Las Vegas show–so are her fellow country artists. Members of Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town caught up with Twain backstage after one of her performances of Shania: Still The One.

(L-R): Karen Fairchild, Charles Kelley, Jimi Westbrook, Shania Twain, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Dave Haywood

 

 

 

 

American Country Awards To Air Tonight

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The American Country Awards will air live tonight (Dec. 10) from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on FOX at 8 p.m. ET.

Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth will host the two-hour special for a second year. The awards show will feature performances from both Adkins and Chenoweth, in addition to Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan, Kip Moore, Jake Owen, and Little Big Town.

Additional appearances will include Country artists Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Gloriana, Love and Theft, Casey James, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Brice, Jana Kramer, Dustin Lynch, Natasha Bedingfield, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, and Chris Young. Ron White and the San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Belt and Barry Zito will also be in attendance.

For a complete list of nominees, click here.

Industry Ink (12/10/2012)

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Melissa Spillman

••• Melissa Spillman has joined Brave Music Company, which she and husband Jeremy Spillman opened in January 2011. The company has had recent cuts by Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Randy Rogers, Jon Pardi, Charlie Worsham and others. Spillman formerly worked in A&R with Capitol Nashville. She can be reached at melissa@bravemusiccompany.com.

 

Odie Blackmon

••• Songwriter Odie Blackmon (Gary Allan‘s “Nothing On But The Radio,” Lee Ann Womack‘s “I May Hate Myself in the Morning”) will teach a session on The Nashville Number system for songwriters and performers, presented by the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, from Jan. 10 through April 22.

The course is scheduled on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. This class is open to the Nashville community and is for songwriters, singers, instrumentalists, DJs, and performers who don’t read traditional music notation. Click here for registration information.

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The Academy of Country Music welcomed Warner Music Nashville recording artist Charlie Worsham to its offices while he was in Los Angeles last week. While at the Academy he performed new single “Could It Be” and signed up for professional ACM membership, as part of the Academy’s complimentary one-year membership offered to support emerging artists.

YouTube video

Artist Updates (12/10/2012)

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Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood is slated to appear on ABC’s  Extreme Makeover: Home Edition during a two-hour, holiday-themed episode that airs Monday (Dec. 10). Greenwood performs “God Bless The USA” in a tribute to wounded veterans during the episode, which airs beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET. The episode honors SSG Shilo Harris, who was struck by a massive improvised explosive device (IED) in 2007 while on patrol in Iraq.

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Blake Shelton

Through Blake Shelton‘s recent holiday special (NBC’s Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas), as well as his role on NBC’s The Voice, the singer-songwriter has proven his onscreen charisma, and Shelton’s fans think he would be a perfect choice to host Saturday Night Live. A Facebook page has been created as part of a rally to convince SNL producers to bring on Shelton as host, and Shelton’s wife Miranda Lambert as musical guest.

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Taylor Swift

 

Taylor Swift, who turns 23 on Thursday (Dec. 13) made an appearance at the 2012 Z100’s Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden on Friday (Dec. 7). The singer-songwriter performed over half a dozen songs, including “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Love Story” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Others in attendance include Justin Bieber, One Direction, Ed Sheeran (who performed with Swift), Members of the Wanted and others.

                                              •••

Kristian Bush

Sugarland’s Kristian Bush has co-written “Stuck In The Middle” included on the new album from pop-punk band Boys Like Girls, Crazy World. The album is slated to release on Tuesday (Dec. 11). Bush is also scheduled for a few overseas dates in early 2013, including the CMA Songwriters Series for shows in London, Belfast and Dublin (February 21-26) and for the inaugural C2C: Country To Country Music Festival, to be held at London’s O2 arena on March 26. Other artists on the bill include Little Big Town, Vince Gill and headliner Tim McGraw.

     •••

Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves has been tapped by VEVO to be its next “LIFT” artist starting Monday (Dec. 10). She is the first country artist selected for the initiative which supports emerging acts. Past LIFT artists include Jessie J, Dev, One Direction and Rita Ora. LIFT will feature exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, video premieres and live performances with Musgraves. http://vevo.com/lift.

Taylor Swift Breaks Country Songs Record

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Swift on location for "Trouble," shot in Los Angeles by director Anthony Mandler. The song was written by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback. Her costar in the video is Reeve Carney, currently playing Peter Parker in the Broadway's "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."

Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is in its ninth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Songs chart. This sets a record for the most weeks at No. 1 on that chart by a female solo artist, surpassing Connie Smith’s eight-week run with “Once A Day” in 1964. “Never Ever” has sold more than 2.6 million downloads in the U.S.

About two months ago, Billboard revised the Country Songs ranking method “from core country radio audience to a digital, streaming, and expanded radio hybrid.” The chart was previously known as Hot Country Singles, based on radio airplay reports and single sales.

In more Swift chart news, her songs “I Knew You Were Trouble” and “State Of Grace” appear on the all-genre list of top selling digital tracks, but are not being counted on the Soundscan Digital Genre Country tracks chart, where her music typically charts.

MTV will world premiere Swift’s 23rd music video, the clip for “I Knew You Were Trouble,” at 4:40 p.m. ET on Thurs., Dec. 13, the singer’s 23rd birthday.

Paramore Sets Release Date

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Nashville natives Paramore will release a new album on April 9. The lead single for the self-titled project is called “Now.” This will be the first new LP from the rock band since 2009’s Brand New Eyes and will also mark its first album since the 2010 departure of founding members Josh and Zac Farro. The current incarnation of Paramore includes founder/frontwoman Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis and guitarist Taylor York.

Justin Meldal-Johnsen produced the project which will be released via Fueled By Ramen. He is a bass player and producer, whose resume includes work with Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Garbage, Dixie Chicks, Sara Bareilles, Kid Rock and Pink.

Williams shared news of the new album on the band’s website. She said, “The whole making of this album was a rediscovering of ourselves as a band and as friends. It was a process that allowed us the freedom to explore new territory artistically and to liberate ourselves as musicians, singers, as people! Sincerely, we feel that the best way to give it a name is just to call it what it is. This album is us.”

Tim & Faith Debut Soul2Soul at Venetian in Vegas

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Photo:Denise Truscello/WIREIMAGE

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill kicked off the first of 10 select engagements this weekend (12/7-8) at The Venetian in Las Vegas for their latest revival of Soul2Soul.

The 1,800-seat Venetian theatre, previously home to Phantom — the Las Vegas Spectacular, features the Country couple sharing the stage for an intimate evening of hits including opening number, “Let’s Go To Vegas,” performed as the two entered through the back doors of the venue. The two tag-teamed through an evening of hits including “Breathe,” “Like We Never Loved At All,” “Live Like You Were Dying” alongside mainstay duets “It’s Your Love” and “I Need You” according to reports.

During the set, McGraw performed “I Can’t Tell You Why” and “Life in the Fast Lane” tributing musical influences The Eagles in addition to mentioning Merle Haggard, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Rush, and Led Zeppelin. Meanwhile, Hill performed “Dr. Feelgood (Love is Serious Business)” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” in tribute to her own musical icons including Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, Tammy Wynette, and Elvis Presley.

McGraw wore a black suit during the Dec. 8 early performance, and a gray suit for the late show while Hill made four costume changes, revealing five outfits in total. Under the current deal, the singers perform two 90-minute shows during each select date through April.

Show Producer, Robert Deaton, revealed the Vegas production will include a combination of musicians selected from each Nashville star’s band.

Soul2Soul joins Shania Twain’s spectacular already running on The Strip at The Colosseum, and comes after Garth Brooks’ final show in Las Vegas this past month (Nov. 17) at the Wynn.

Ticket prices for upcoming Soul2Soul dates range from $110.00-302.50, click here for more information.

MusicRow Hires Jessica Nicholson

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MusicRow adds Jessica Nicholson as Staff Writer where she will create and manage editorial content for the company’s web and print publications.

Nicholson began her career as a public relations and marketing coordinator at Resonate Records. She has written for Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) Magazine, TasteofCountry.com and previously worked as a staff writer for Country Weekly Magazine.

“Jessica brings an impressive collection of writing experience and industry knowledge to MusicRow. Her passion for music and our industry makes her a great asset to our publication. Jessica is a wonderful addition to the MusicRow team as we continue to serve the music industry and its members,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson.

Her passion for the music business, and particularly Country, Bluegrass and Christian music, led Nicholson to Nashville. In 2006, she graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Music Business and Marketing (with a minor in Writing), and completed internships at Universal Music Group, Warner Music Nashville and Hot Schatz PR.

Nicholson can be reached at jnicholson@musicrow.com and 615-499-5416.

2012 CMT Artists of the Year Revealed

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Rascal Flatts with Hayden Panettiere

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood were named the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year, during a CMT special which aired on Sunday (Dec. 9). Rascal Flatts, who co-hosted the evening with Nashville actress-singer Hayden Panettiere, kicked off the evening’s festivities with a performance of “Hot in Here” from their album Changed.

Prior to singing his hit “Beers Ago,” Keith received congratulations from comedian Rodney Carrington and Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson. His trophy was presented by baseball great Roger Clemens.

Lambert received praise from Chris Young and country music legend Merle Haggard before performing her hit “Over You.” Sheryl Crow did the honors.

Church offered his hit “Homeboy” and received a video greeting from Metallica’s James Hetfield, and the award from Kid Rock.

Chesney, a second-time honoree, enjoyed a video message from actor Morgan Freeman. Later, Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves, who will both tour with Chesney in 2013, performed Chesney’s hit “Come Over.” Sammy Hagar handed Chesney his trophy.

Another second-time winner Underwood did her latest single “Two Black Cadillacs.” Current tourmate Hunter Hayes and Today show co-host Hoda Kotb congratulated the singer on her award, which was presented by her hubby Mike Fisher.

Bryan received praise for his honor from Lady Antebellum and Thompson Square, before launching into a mash-up of his hit “Drunk On You” and OneRepublic’s “Feel Again” with the band’s frontman, Ryan Tedder. Kenny Rogers presented Bryan’s honor.

Aldean was honored by rapper Ludacris and Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson. Aldean then closed the evening with a performance of his hit, “Take a Little Ride.” The third-time winner and Georgia native received his trophy from the Atlanta Braves’ Chipper Jones.

The 2012 CMT Artists of the Year is set to re-air on Tuesday (Dec. 11) at 12 a.m. ET.

Meanwhile, The Big and Best of 2012: A Year End Celebration Presented by TMobile is set to air on CMT, CMT.com, MTV.com, VH1.com and ComedyCentral.com in an eight hour stream on Wednesday (Dec. 12), beginning at 12 p.m. ET. The event will be hosted by CMT’s Kourtney Hansen, MTV News’ Sway Calloway and VH1’s Carrie Keagan, and will broadcast live from MTV’s Times Square studio and on location in New York City, Boston and Nashville. The live event will include CMT’s Live in Nashville with Thompson Square, Concrete Country with First Aid Kit, Live @ CMT with Grace Potter and a live performance by Dustin Lynch from New York. On Friday (Dec. 15), Kid Rock will debut his video “Happy New Year” during the CMT Top 20 Countdown, airing at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Follow the event via Twitter on @CMT and @TMobile for #BigandBest2012.