Legendary producer, songwriter, guitarist, and studio owner Chips Moman took part in a special interview recently (8/18) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Moman, who helped establish Memphis’ Stax Records and later opened the city’s American Sound Studio, played a pivotal role in creating a great number of pop, soul, and country classics. Moman produced Elvis Presley’s 1969 comeback album From Elvis in Memphis as well as sessions for Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, the Highwaymen and others. He also co-wrote “Dark End of the Street,” “Do Right Woman,” “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” and other hit songs.

(L-R): (back row) Museum Editor Michael Gray, Gene Chrisman, Bobby Emmons and Weldon Myrick; (front row) Bobby Wood, Chips Moman and Reggie Young Photo by Donn Jones

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Rachele Lynae recently visited the Academy of Country Music’s office in Los Angeles to perform “Party ‘Til The Cows Come Home” and sign up for professional ACM membership. Lynae is the flagship artist on Jamie O’Neal’snewly launched label, Momentum Label Group and is currently working on her debut album to be released October 23.

(L-R): Rachele Lynae; Michelle Goble, ACM Senior Vice President, Membership & Industry Relations Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

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Songwriter Bobby Hamrick stopped by the ASCAP offices recently (8/15) join as a writer and publisher member, before he headed over to The Basement to participate in ASCAP’s We Create Music series showcase. Hamrick is signed to EMI/OWM Music/Chuckbod Music where he works closely with Ben Strain, Chris Oglesby and Steve McEwan. Hamrick co-wrote Sarah Darling’s single, “Home To Me,” which was released August 21.

(L-R): ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel, Bobby Hamrick and ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan

Need some convincing that Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” is on everyone’s summer 2012 playlist? Refer to this tribute video, featuring the renditions of the song by fellow stars. Guests include Eli Young Band, Larry Gatlin, Luke Bryan, Hunter Hayes, Pistol Annies, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Wynonna, Thompson Square, Sara Evans, Charlie Daniels, Kix Brooks, Jake Owen, and many others.

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Black River Entertainment’s Sarah Darling has digitally released “Home To Me,” the lead single from her upcoming Dann Huff-produced album to be released in 2013. The song was written by Caitlyn Smith and Bobby Hamrick, and the lyric video is available for viewing at Country Weekly.

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Nashville resident Josh Doyle will perfom on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, August 23, when he will debut his new single “Solarstorms.” Doyle was the winner of Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter competition and has been working with producer John Shanks on his debut album, due out Oct. 23. CTK Management and The Agency Group recently signed agreements to represent Doyle.

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Also on Aug. 23, Josh Turner will make appearances on CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman, as well as ABC’s The Chew. Turner will perform his single “Time is Love” on Letterman, which airs at 10:30 pm/CT. On The Chew, Turner will join co-hosts Clinton Kelly, Daphne Oz, Carla Hall, Mario Batali, and Michael Symon for the South Carolina staple Frogmore stew.

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Dierks Bentley has launched an Instagram contest to search for his fans’ best Country & Cold Cans-themed photos. Fans who post to Instagram with the hashtag #ColdCans will have the chance to win one of five $250 Visa gift cards. Winners will be chosen every Friday for the next five weeks. Details here.

Front Row (L-R): Eli Young Band’s Jon Jones and James Young, co-writers Will Hoge and Eric Paslay, Eli Young Band’s Mike Eli and Chris Thompson; Back Row (L-R): Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, BMI’s Jody Williams, Big Machine Label Group’s Jimmy Harnen, Cal IV Publishing’s Daniel Hill, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad.

Republic Nashville’s Eli Young Band, comprised of members Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones, Chris Thompson, and songwriters Will Hoge and Eric Paslay gathered yesterday (8/20) to celebrate their recent No. 1 song, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” The track made it to the top of all three charts, Billboard, MusicRow, and Country Aircheck. Held at the CMA offices, the party was standing room only for the crowd of industry enthusiasts, friends and family.

The song is the second single from EYB’s current album Life at Best, produced by Mike Wrucke.

CMA’s Steve Moore welcomed the attendees followed by presentations from BMI’s Jody Williams, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Cal IV Entertainment’s Daniel Hill, Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen, Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox, CMA’s Brandi Simms and CRS’s Bill Mayne.

CMA unveiled a new medallion for the artists and writers behind Country’s chart-topping songs, which replaces the former CMA No. 1 plaque. Resembling the medals awarded at the Olympic games, both the recipients and attendees seemed very pleased with the change.

“Well, here it is Monday. Must be time for another Scott Borchetta celebration,” quipped Jody Williams, getting big laughs from the crowd, before extending his heartfelt appreciation for the success and impact the Big Machine Label Group has had on our industry. Borchetta quickly added, “It never gets old, this community we have. This is exclusive to us and doesn’t happen anywhere else.” Borchetta then extended his own congratulations to the artists, writers and team behind the chart-topping success.

“Thank you for believing in us and believing in this song,” said Mike Eli. “We fell in love with the song not because we saw, or had any foresight, or thought it was a No. 1. We just loved this song.”

Celebrating his third No. 1 song in eleven months, Eric Paslay greeted the crowd admitting, “It’s been a wild year.” Will Hoge added about the song, “It was so personal for Eric and I, we thought it would never connect because it was so personal. Eli Young took it and truly made it an anthem.” Originally released three years ago on his own album, the song is Hoge’s first No. 1 as a songwriter.