Music Executive Rick Blackburn Passes Away

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Rick Blackburn, photographed Nov. 19, 1990 by Alan Mayor

Rick Blackburn, a Nashville record label chief for nearly two decades died on Friday, November 30 at his home in Franklin. He was 70 years old.

As the head of the Columbia and Epic imprints of CBS Records in 1980-87, he launched major hits for such stars as Ricky Skaggs, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Exile, Ricky Van Shelton, Merle Haggard, Chet Atkins, Vern Gosdin, Crystal Gayle, the Gatlins, Janie Fricke, Mickey Gilley, Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, George Jones, Charly McClain, Lacy J. Dalton, Rodney Crowell and more.

While Blackburn was in charge of Atlantic Records in 1989-99, the label made radio stars of John Michael Montgomery, Neal McCoy, Confederate Railroad and Tracy Lawrence.

Richard Norman Blackburn was born Nov. 16, 1942 in Cincinnati, OH to Richard and Norma Horne Blackburn. He began his career promoting pop records in his hometown. He worked for Mercury Records in Chicago in 1965, then moved to CBS in New York in 1968.

Beginning in 1970, he helped run Ode Records with Lou Adler and Herb Alpert in Los Angeles. The company’s roster included Cheech & Chong, Carole King and Spirit. It also marketed the soundtrack to The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Following another stint in New York, Blackburn moved to Nashville in 1974 to run Monument Records. He re-joined the CBS organization two years later and became its Nashville boss in 1980. During his tenure there, the company became the number-one label in country music.

Atlantic also prospered under his leadership, with both Montgomery and Lawrence becoming Platinum-selling artists. He remained a consultant with the label until it closed its Nashville office in 2001. Atlantic was revived as an imprint by Warner Bros. Records in 2008.

Blackburn was active in Leadership Music and the Country Music Association, where he served as Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors in 1982, and then President of the CMA in 1986.

David Ross of BossRoss Media recalls Blackburn fondly: “Rick’s unique leadership and passion for the industry left an indelible mark on Nashville. He was a remarkable man.”

“Rick was a dear friend and mentor,” adds Lawrence. “He was very instrumental in my career by signing me to my first record deal. We shared many great times together and those memories I will cherish forever.”

Blackburn is survived by his wife of 30 years, Suzanne “Suzie” McLellan Blackburn of Franklin, and brother Roger Blackburn of Kentucky.

The family will celebrate his life with private services near his childhood home in Cincinnati at a later date. There are no public services planned at this time. Friends can make memorial contributions in his honor to the charity of their choice. Heritage Funeral Home of Franklin is assisting the family. Read more or share condolences with the family here.

Rick Blackburn and Dolly Parton in 1988. Photo: Alan Mayor

Florida Georgia Line Cruises to Retail with Debut Album

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Florida Georgia Line’s debut album, Here’s To The Good Times, was released today (12/4) by Republic Nashville.

Produced by Joey Moi, the 11-track project includes six songs penned by the duo as well as the two bonus tracks on the Target-exclusive release. A deluxe version of the release is also available with live tracks and videos from performances at Joe’s Bar (full list below).

The newcomer duo recently earned its first No. 1 with debut single “Cruise,” which has been certified Platinum by the RIAA for selling over 1 million copies.

“I remember jokingly telling Tyler when we were recording that ‘Cruise’ was going to sell a million copies and I can’t believe it’s actually a reality,” said Brian Kelley. “We’ve been working so hard to give our fans something they can bob their heads along to and a way for them to get to know us a little more. We think this album accomplishes that and has something for everyone.”

Having sold-out multiple headlining shows of its own, the band is currently opening for Jake Owen with plans to join Luke Bryan’s tour in January.

Here’s To The Good Times tracklist:

1. Cruise (Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Joey Moi, Chase Rice, Jesse Rice)
2. Round Here (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Thomas Rhett)
3. Get Your Shine On (Hubbard, Kelley, Clawson, Tompkins)
4. Here’s To The Good Times (Clawson, Tompkins, Lynn Hutton)
5. It’z Just What We Do (Hubbard, Kelley, Clawson)
6. Stay (Moi, John Fred Young, Chris Robertson, Jon Lawhon, Ben Wells)
7. Hell Raisin’ Heat Of The Summer (Clawson, Tompkins, Craig Wiseman)
8. Tell Me How You Like It (Hubbard, Kelley, Tompkins)
9. Tip it Back (Hubbard, Kelley, Clawson)
10. Dayum, Baby (Hubbard, Kelley, Clawson, David Lee Murphy)
11. Party People (Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, J.T. Harding)

Target Exclusive
11. What Are You Drinkin’ About (Hubbard, Kelley, Wiseman)
12. Country In My Soul (Hubbard, Kelley, Jennifer Zuffinetti)

Deluxe Album Tracks
12. Cruise (Live From Joe’s Bar, Chicago/2012)
13. Round Here (Live From Joe’s Bar, Chicago/2012)
14. Tip It Back (Live From Joe’s Bar, Chicago/2012)

Deluxe Album Videos (Album Only)
15. Cruise (Live from Joe’s Bar, Chicago, 2012)
16. Round Here (Live from Joe’s Bar, Chicago, 2012)
17. Tip It Back (Live from Joe’s)

Capitol Records Nashville Adds Jeremy Guenther As Southwest Regional

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Capitol Records Nashville will add radio veteran Jeremy Guenther as its new Capitol Southwest Regional, where he will report to Capitol Records Nashville Senior Vice President of Promotion Steve Hodges.

Guenther spent the past decade as APD/MD at Little Rock, Ark.’s KSSN-FM. “Being at KSSN Little Rock the past 10 years has been a wonderful experience and has helped prepare me for my future with Capitol Records Nashville. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the Capitol staff and help represent what I feel to be some of the best music and artists in our genre.”

Hodges says, “Jeremy’s passion for music and for our format is second to none. I’m excited to welcome him to the Capitol Nashville team and Universal family.”

Guenther will be in his new position starting January 2nd.  In the meantime, he can be reached at jguenther01@gmail.com and (501) 590-4878.

Capitol Records Nashville is recording home to artists including Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi and Walker Hayes.

Rascal Flatts To Host Holiday Special

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Rascal Flatts will host the 14th annual telecast to promote adoptions, titled A Home for the Holidays with Rascal Flatts, on Dec. 19 at 8pm ET on CBS.

The special will include performances by the country trio in addition to Melissa Etheridge, Matchbox Twenty, Phillip Phillips and X Factor’s Rachel Crow, whose performance accompanies her personal story about foster care adoption.

Additional appearances are scheduled from Wayne Brady, Kevin Frazier and Jillian Michaels.

Previous hosts of the program include Faith Hill, Jimmy Wayne and Martina McBride.

Rascal Flatts will also host CMT’s Artists of the Year special, airing this Saturday, Dec. 8 at 11:00 p.m., ET.

Songwriters Perform Holiday Benefit for Crime Advocacy Group

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Claudia Nygaard, Bill Lloyd, Bob Regan, Karen Staley, Wood Newton, and Joe Pagetta will be among the performers scheduled for You Have the Power’s holiday benefit.

Conceived and hosted by Claudia Nygaard, Powerfully Original Christmas Songs will feature special self-penned holiday tunes and auction to benefit the crime advocacy group.

Tickets are $35 for the Douglas Corner event, taking place 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14. Pre-sold drink tickets are available for $10.

For more information, click here.

Kimberly Schlapman’s Brother-in-Law Passes

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Allen Schlapman

MusicRow extends sincere condolences to Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and her family on the passing of her brother-in-law Allen Schlapman. She shared this note with fans recently on her Facebook page:

Last Wednesday, Nov 21, my brother-in-law was killed by a drunk driver. He had come to Nashville from Virginia to visit us for Thanksgiving, which is our long-standing family tradition. He is married & has a 9 year old little girl. This is a part of life that one never imagines or plans for. It has been very difficult to accept. Allen Schlapman was an amazing father, husband, brother & son. We will miss him so much. I have been deeply touched by all your well-wishes & prayers. Thank you. God has proven himself faithful to us & has given us great peace amidst this horrible tragedy.

Allen Schlapman of Lynchburg, VA is survived by his wife Linda Witt Schlapman, and beloved daughter Rachel Allyn Schlapman. Born in Franklin, Ohio, June 19, 1967, he was a Fiscal Analyst with VDOT. He attended Blue Ridge Community Church and was a volunteer with Rush Homes. Funeral services were held Tues., Nov. 27 in Lynchburg. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Rush Lifetime Homes, P.O. Box 879, Lynchburg, VA 24505.

According to The Tennessean, Gregory Powers, 46 of Franklin, TN has been charged with vehicular homicide following the crash on Franklin Road after he crossed the center line and struck head-on the motorcycle Schlapman was driving. Powers was out on bond from previous DUI and vehicular assault charges from hitting an employee in the parking lot of The Pond bar on Hillsboro Road and fleeing the scene.

Franklin Police urge anyone who may have witnessed the crash that resulted in Schlapman’s death, or the events leading up to it, to call 615-794-2513.

As previously reported, Little Big Town postponed two concerts in California and cancelled an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno due to the death. The group’s Nov. 29 show at the Wiltern in Los Angeles will take place on Feb. 8, 2013. Little Big Town will also reschedule its Nov. 28 concert in Riverside, Calif. at a later date.

Phil Vassar, The Band Perry, Toby Keith Release Videos

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No more freezing winters for Santa Claus in Phil Vassar‘s latest video, “Santa’s Gone Hollywood.” Old Saint Nick wins the lottery and takes Mrs. Claus (played by Debbe Dunning, best known for portraying Heidi the “Tool Time” girl in the ’90s sitcom Home Improvement) to Hollywood. The clip, directed by Steve Condon, can be viewed at PhilVassar.com.

Other guests in the video include Philadelphia actor Juri Muller, popular personality Ashlie Kolb and Fantasy Football talk show host Pilar Lastra. The clip is from Vassar’s Christmas album, Noel, which releases this week. The 10-song set offers five holiday classics, including “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “What Child Is This,” along with five original tunes.

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The Band Perry will debut the clip for their latest single, “Better Dig Two,” on Wednesday (Dec. 4) via CMT and  CMT.com at 6:00 a.m. ET.  The clip was directed by Declan Whitebloom, who has also spearheaded videos for Taylor Swift. The video will re-air every hour during music hours on CMT and every hour on CMT Pure.

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Toby Keith recently released the video for “Hope On The Rocks” to online outlets, including Vevo.com and YouTube.com, on November 30. The video is already in rotation on CMT, GAC and TCN and is directed by Keith’s longtime collaborator Michael Salomon. “Hope On The Rocks” is Keith’s second single from Hope On The Rocks, following “I Like Girls That Drink Beer.”

Lady Antebellum Announces New Charitable Effort LadyAID

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Lady Antebellum announced a new charitable effort, LadyAID, on Monday (Dec. 3) to bring awareness to and generate support for children in need on a local, national and global level.

The organization will benefit children in the state of Tennessee through supporting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Nationally, LadyAID will support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and on a global level, myLIFEspeaks and The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will provide administrative services for the organization.

“All these organizations are connected,” Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood said during a press conference held at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. “We recognize we have a platform and we want to speak up and have an organization that can wave the flag for kids. We want to raise our voice for people in need.”

The trio also announced an upcoming event to support LadyAID. The inaugural fundraising event Ping Pong & Songs, inspired by the trio’s love of playing ping pong while on tour, will take place in early 2013.

Radio personality Gerry House (formerly of Nashville radio station WSIX), Nashville mayor Karl Dean and the Country Music Association’s CEO Steve Moore were on hand for the press conference. To honor the trio’s charitable efforts, Moore presented Lady Antebellum with the CMA International Artist Achievement Award.

Donations to LadyAID can be made by visiting www.ladyAID.org.

Disney Music Publishing Inks Melissa Peirce

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Disney Music Publishing, Nashville has signed Melissa Peirce to its growing writer roster in a partnership deal between Disney Music Publishing and Pat Higdon’s Patrick Joseph Music.

Peirce says, “Pat and (Disney Music Publishing Vice President) Kos Weaver are two of the most respected song men and publishers in Nashville. Getting to work with them both, along with Barbara VanderLinde, Mio Vukovic, and the rest of Disney is a dream publishing home, and I feel very lucky to be a part of their team.”

Peirce is a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and has written on albums that have collectively sold over 10,000,000 units. Her songs have been recorded by Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Joss Stone, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, David Nail, Eli Young Band, Randy Montana and John Paul White (The Civil Wars), among others. Peirce has written two Top 10 singles including David Nail’s “Red Light” and Reba’s “I’m Gonna Take That Mountain,” both earning numerous awards. She also co-penned Eli Young Band’s current chart climbing single, “Say Goodnight.”

(L-R): standing: Pat Higdon, Patrick Joseph Music; Kos Weaver; Austen Adams, Crownover Blevins, PC; seated: Melissa Peirce

 

Shania Embarks on Two-Year Vegas Residency

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Shania Twain performs with background singers Ryan Kowarsky, Dan Kowarsky and sister Carrie-Ann Brown. Photo: Denise Truscello

Caesars Palace welcomed Shania Twain to its Colosseum in Las Vegas over the weekend (12/1-2) for two sold out performances of Shania: Still The One. The weekend engagements begin a two-year residency for the star who will perform dozens of shows at the venue.

Photo: Truscello

A 13-piece band included Twain’s sister, Carrie-Ann Brown, for backup vocals alongside dancing violinists and cellists throughout a selection of the singer’s hits (full set list below). According to reports, highlights included a flying motorcycle, one white and one black horse, confetti, pumped-in fragrances, costumes designed by Marc Bouwer and four male dancers with choreographing by So You Think You Can Dance’s Mandy Moore.

First-run performances are sold out through Dec. 15, however Twain’s March and April dates are currently available for purchase from $55 to $250. Twelve newly announced shows have been added for May and June to go on sale Dec. 14. A complete list of dates include:

Dec. 2012: 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15
Mar. 2013: 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30
Apr. 2013: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10
May 2013: 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31
June 2013: 1

Click here for tickets and more information www.shaniainvegas.com.

Produced by AEG Live and directed by Raj Kapoor, the spectacle is designed to take fans on a journey through the Country superstar’s life and music career with help from production designer Michael Cotton and lighting designer Peter Morse.

Opening night setlist included:
1. I’m Gonna Getcha Good
2. You Win My Love
3. Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)
4. Up!
5. Ain’t No Quitter
6. No One Needs to Know
7. Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under
8. Any Man of Mine
9. That Don’t Impress Me Much
10. Honey, I’m Home
11. If You’re Not In It For Love (I’m Outta Here)
12. Carrie Anne (Hollies cover with RyanDan)
13. Come On Over
14. Rock This Country
15. Today Is Your Day
16. You’re Still the One
17. From This Moment On
(Encore)
18. Man! I Feel Like a Woman

Watch a video preview below: