ZBB Follows Successful Southern Ground Festival With More Events

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Southern Ground Music & Food Festival in Nashville. Photo: Southern Reel Nashville

Zac Brown Band doesn’t slow down. It’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival in Nashville was a big success, and will be followed with the Charleston edition, and a Southern Ground Tailgate Show benefit in Fayetteville, GA. Over 15,000 fans turned out for the Nashville debut of the festival at the Lawn at Riverfront Park last month. The two dozen artists included David Gray, Amos Lee, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Lumineers, Southern Ground Artists Nic Cowan, Blackberry Smoke, Levi Lowrey and more. Each evening was capped off with supersets from Zac Brown Band that included special guest appearances by Gregg Allman, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakam. On hand were local food trucks Biscuit Love, Riff’s Fine Street Food, Bistro Truck and Delta Bound, as well as ZBB’s mobile kitchen “Cookie.” Stage Box ticket holders were treated to a three-course on-stage meal prepared by Southern Ground Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin and chefs Matthew Lackey (Flyte, Nashville), Bob Waggoner (Watermark, Nashville), and RJ Cooper (Rogue 24, Washington, DC),

The Southern Ground Music & Food Festival will return to Nashville in 2013 and heads to Charleston this weekend, Oct. 20-21, with many of the same artists who played the Nashville event.

On Sat., Nov. 3, the band will perform at the Southern Ground Tailgate at Fayetteville, GA’s Southern Ground Amphitheater. The event is limited to 1500 fans who will watch the University of Georgia football game on a big screen followed by a ZBB performance. Proceeds benefit Camp Southern Ground for kids with special needs.

YouTube video

CRS Scholarship Program Created in Rusty Walker’s Honor

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CRS is now accepting applications for its inaugural Rusty Walker Scholarship program, created in honor of Country Radio Hall of Fame member Rusty Walker who passed away in May 2012.

The scholarship will provide an all-expense paid trip and attendance to CRS 2013, Feb. 27-March 1, 2013. Included are airfare, hotel expenses, and one ticket to the Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner. Three scholarships will be awarded.

Interested applicants must fill out an online application and write a paragraph explaining why he/she deserves to be considered. Eligible applicants must be employed full-time at a radio station and a first time CRS attendee.

Applications can be submitted through Friday, Nov. 16 at countryradioseminar.com. Winners will be announced Monday, Dec. 3.

In other CRS news, the deadline for CRS Digital Liners is Oct. 31, the same day the $399 Early Bird registration rate ends. Direct radio inquiries to kristen@crb.org and artist inquiries to chasity@crb.org.

Hunter Hayes To Release Live EP

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Atlantic/WMN artist Hunter Hayes is set to release an iTunes exclusive live EP, which will be available for $3.99 tomorrow (10/16).

Studio versions of several tracks from Hunter Hayes: Live are  available on his self-titled debut album, which will go on sale for $7.99 for a limited time beginning October 16.

Hayes is currently touring with Carrie Underwood on the Blown Away Tour and has appearances scheduled for The Ellen DeGeneres Show October 22 and the 2012 CMA Awards Nov. 1, for which he is nominated for New Artist of the Year.

His latest single “Wanted” is currently nearing Double Platinum status.

Hayes recently partnered with Country Financial’s Road Trips and Guitar Picks campaign, offering a free download of the previously unreleased title, “Light Me Up.”

Hunter Hayes: Live track listing:
1. Storm Warning
2. Wanted
3. Somebody’s Heartbreak
4. More Than I Should
5. Love Makes Me

Industry Ink (10/15/12)

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It’s hard to believe, but the 46th Annual CMA Awards are right around the corner. The show airs live on ABC Thursday, Nov. 1, 8-11 pm/ET from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and newly added to the performance lineup are nominees Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Lady Antebellum, and Blake Shelton. Tickets are sold out for “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” which will also feature previously announced artists Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, co-host Brad Paisley, co-ost Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band. See a full list of nominees here.

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Have you found yourself wondering about the best place in Nashville to get a speeding ticket? Or the city’s best bowling alley? Or maybe the best dry cleaner? The Nashville Scene has you covered, with its annual “Best of Nashville” list. Check out the reader-voted winners here.

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SESAC recently welcomed SOCAN singer/songwriter Corb Lund to the family for US representation. The Alberta-born artist, named CCMA’s Roots Artist of the Year seven consecutive years, recently released his new album Cabin Fever.

(L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Lund and SESAC’s Shannan Hatch. Photo: Peyton Hoge

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Audio monitoring web service TuneSat is currently offering a free 30-day trial for up to 100 tracks so creators and copyright owners can see uses of their music. Using fingerprinting technology, the service can detect plays from television and the web. Creators can take action to collect on royalties they would not have otherwise received. After 30 days, subscribers can continue the service for $10/month for up to 10 tracks. More information here.

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Popular boutique Flavour is celebrating nine years of helping Nashville stay sharply dressed. To commemorate the occasion, the store will host an anniversary party on Tuesday, Oct. 23, sponsored by Hudson Jeans. The all-day event begins at 12 pm and will boast gift card giveaways, denim prizes, and swag bags from multiple vendors.

Rascal Flatts Extends “Changed” Tour

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Rascal Flatts will extend the Farmers Insurance Presents Changed Tour with a winter leg of 20 additional dates starting Jan. 10, 2013 in Green Bay, WI. Special guest The Band Perry will join Rascal Flatts for the new dates.

Remaining Farmers Insurance Presents Changed Tour 2012 dates:

10-20    Atlanta, GA                            Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
10-26    Tampa, FL                             1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre
10-27    W Palm Beach, FL               Cruzan Amphitheatre

Farmers Insurance Presents Changed Tour 2013 dates:

1-10        Green Bay, WI                     Resch Center
1-11        Moline, IL                             i wireless Center
1-12        Springfield, MO                    JQH Arena
1-17        Sioux City, IA                      Tyson Events Center
1-18        Tulsa, OK                              BOK Center
1-19        Wichita, KS                           INTRUST Bank Arena
1-24        Spokane, WA                       Spokane Arena
1-25        Missoula, MT                       Adams Event Center
1-26        Billings, MT                          Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark
2-7          Terre Haute, IN                    ISU Hulman Center
2-8          Lexington, KY                      Rupp Arena
2-9          Columbus, OH                     Nationwide Arena
2-14        North Charleston, SC          North Charleston Coliseum
2-15        Greensboro, NC                   GreensboroColiseum
2-16        Charlottesville, VA              John Paul Jones Arena
2-23        Pikeville, KY                       Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center
2-24        Youngstown, OH                 Covelli Centre
2-28        Topeka, KS                           Landon Arena
3-1          Jonesboro, AR                      ASU Convocation Center
3-2          Tupelo, MS                           BancorpSouth Arena

Visit www.rascalflatts.com or www.livenation.com for tour dates and information.

New Site Aims to Discover the Hits

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Skip Bishop and Jane Crossman

Music industry veteran Jane Crossman has created www.songstash.com, a new website featuring uncut songs for artists looking for material to record.

Crossman initially met with Nashville publishers and songwriters to build a collection of songs and discuss her idea to build a more efficient process. The result was a design that links singers with the writers and publishers who manage copyrights.

The company will also sign songwriters without publishing deals. “If you have a deal or if you are looking for a deal, contact us and we can help,” Crossman says.

To complete the project, Crossman brought on promotion veteran Skip Bishop. “Jane approached us at Studio1Bee with one of the more innovative ideas we’d seen in some time,” Bishop says.

Crossman has previous experience as a Program Director, Marketing Director and Web Director. Before launching his new company Studio1Bee, Bishop was a Senior Executive at Sony and is credited with facilitating over 40 number one hits at Country radio.

Contact them at jane@songstash.com or skip@studio1bee.com.

Microsoft Launches Xbox Music Service

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Consumers have no shortage of choices when it comes to digital music, and they sometimes wind up juggling devices for different experiences. In an attempt to solve that puzzle, Microsoft is launching Xbox Music, an all-in-one music service available on Xbox 360, Windows 8, Windows RT PCs and tablets, and Windows Phone 8.

“The launch of Xbox Music is a milestone in simplifying digital music on every type of device and on a global scale,” said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “We’re breaking down the walls that fracture your music experiences today to ensure that music is better and integrated across the screens that you care about most.”

Users of Microsoft devices will have access to a 30 million song global catalog, from which they will be able to stream curated playlists, subscribe to all music, or download-to-own, integrated across all platforms. The Xbox Music services includes a free on-demand streaming, Xbox Music Pass for ad-free unlimited playback to the tune of $9.99/month, the Xbox Music Store to purchase and keep mp3 files, artist-based streaming radio Smart DJ, cloud storage for music files (including ones purchased outside Xbox), and a new social component.

Xbox Music Pass will be available tomorrow (10/16) on Xbox 360 in 22 markets worldwide; Free streaming will be offered to devices in select markets beginning Oct. 26.

Taylor Swift Graces “Rolling Stone,” Teams With Retail

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Taylor Swift is gearing up for the Oct. 22 release of Red with the Rolling Stone cover story, and partnerships with Papa John’s, Walgreens, and Target.

The RS article, “Taylor in Wonderland,” delves into her anxiety dreams about getting arrested or losing control, self-Googling ban, “minicougar” relationship with 18-year-old Conor Kennedy, and her high-rise condo complete with koi pond and human size wooden birdcage. It shows how her music can affect even the toughest guys, including making a crew member at the Stand Up to Cancer telethon cry. Read an excerpt where we learn T-Swizzle’s not the best driver, here.

In more TS news, Papa John’s customers can purchase Red and a large one-topping pizza for $22 in-store or at papajohns.com beginning Oct. 22. Papa John’s is also sponsoring the “Taylor Swift Worldwide Radio Remote,” bringing the star to fans across the country live from Nashville on Oct. 26. More than 70 radio stations will participate and provide fans with the opportunity to win “Taylor Swift Pizza Parties” from Papa John’s. Available now at www.papajohns.com/taylorswift, customers can see her latest video, shop for Swift merchandise, and receive a 25 percent pizza discount.

Elsewhere, the Taylor Swift Store at Walgreens will debut this week, offering tons of Red merch and the album beginning at 12:01 a.m. on release day.

An exclusive deluxe edition of Red is also expected to be released at Target on Oct. 22.

Promotional components include a customized large pizza box, in-store point-of-purchase elements and a Web page.

WSM Debuts Jamey Johnson’s New Album

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Country radio station 650 AM WSM-Nashville is debuting Living For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran, the new album by Jamey Johnson and friends, with special programming all day today (10/15).

Throughout the day station will feature a song from the album every hour beginning at 7 am. Listeners will also have opportunities to win limited edition prints and the CD, which will be released tomorrow (10/16). The daily events culminate with a two-hour live special hosted by Eddie Stubbs and feature Johnson with producers Buddy Cannon, Dale Dodson and Bobby Bare.

The programming will be made available at www.wsmonline.com or via the station’s free mobile app.

The collection (full track listing below) was available initially as vinyl on September 25.

Cochran’s life was commemorated on film, which debuted at the Nashville Film Festival earlier this year. Log in to read MusicRow’s Bobby Karl review of the event here.

Track listing:
“Make the World Go Away” – Jamey Johnson and Alison Krauss
“I Fall to Pieces” – Jamey Johnson and Merle Haggard
“A Way to Survive” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill and Leon Russell
“Don’t Touch Me” – Jamey Johnson and Emmylou Harris
“You Wouldn’t Know Love” – Jamey Johnson and Ray Price
“I Don’t Do Windows” – Jamey Johnson and Asleep at the Wheel
“She’ll Be Back” – Jamey Johnson and Elvis Costello
“Would These Arms Be in Your Way” – Jamey Johnson
“The Eagle” – Jamey Johnson and George Strait
“A-11” – Jamey Johnson and Ronnie Dunn
“I’d Fight the World” – Jamey Johnson and Bobby Bare
“Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me” – Jamey Johnson and Willie Nelson
“This Ain’t My First Rodeo” – Jamey Johnson and Lee Ann Womack
“Love Makes a Fool of Us All” – Jamey Johnson and Kris Kristofferson
“Everything But You” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell
“Livin’ for a Song” – Jamey Johnson, Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson

Hatch Show Print Finds a New Home

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Hatch Show Print, the venerable letter press shop owned and operated by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, is getting a new home. In late 2013, Hatch will move from its current location at 316 Broadway into a new, custom space inside the expanded museum.

“Hatch Show Print’s move to our expanding museum campus is the logical next step in our decades-long effort to preserve the shop,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “It is entirely fitting that the shop, with its venerable history and invaluable collection of carved wood blocks, will reside permanently at the museum. For more than 20 years, the museum has labored to safeguard Hatch and its legacy, and this is the culmination of that work.”

Founded in 1879, Hatch is one of the country’s oldest letterpress shops and has a history closely associated with early country music stars and Southern entertainment. The shop has moved seven times over the last 133 years. In 1986, it was purchased by Gaylord Entertainment Company who asked the museum to curate it. In 1992, the shop was donated to the museum and moved to its current Broadway digs. Jim Sherraden serves as the shop’s Curator and Manager.

“Hatch will continue to operate as it always has,” added Young. “In its new space on the museum’s first floor, Hatch will have an expanded production area with an adjacent retail site. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows on one wall of the production space will allow visitors to watch as designers lay out type and print posters on the letterpresses. We’ll even have a dedicated design space where Hatch staff can offer hands-on demos to visitors at designated times.”

Admission to the store will be free, and a new entrance on 5th Ave. S. will give outside visitors access.