Barry Gibb Set For Opry Debut

/by

Photo: Sayre Berman

Pop icon Barry Gibb will make his debut on the Grand Ole Opry on Fri., July 27. “I have dreamed of performing on the hallowed stage of the Opry since I was 12 years old,” says Gibb, “so this is a dream come true for me. There is no greater honor.”

As the co-founder and creative leader of The Bee Gees, Gibb, along with his brothers Maurice and Robin, represent one of the most successful vocal groups in rock and roll history. His career as a singer, songwriter and producer has spanned more than five decades.

Kellie Pickler Salutes Troops on Cover of “Maxim”

/by

Kellie Pickler will be featured on the cover of Maxim Magazine’s salute to the military edition. The August issue will be in stores Tues., July 31.

The cover and centerfold images are reminiscent of the 1940s-50s era with a modern flare. Pickler shares her experiences performing for overseas troops on five USO tours in an in-depth interview. “I come from a military family,” said Pickler. “It really does take someone special to sacrifice everything.”

The story and full photo spread is currently at Maxim.com.

In recent news, Pickler’s manager confirmed to ABC News the singer has parted ways with Sony Music Nashville. The split follows the release of her third album, 100 Proof, which came out Jan. 20.

Toby Keith Debuts Single From Next Album

/by

“I Like Girls That Drink Beer,” the first single from Toby Keith’s next album, arrives at radio and all digital download sites tomorrow (7/24). A specially mastered version of the song will be available on iTunes.

“We were in the studio and everybody who heard it was like, ‘You’ve got to release that,'” Keith said.

Keith produced the new single, which he wrote with longtime collaborator Bobby Pinson. The star is working on the rest of the album in between dates on his Live In Overdrive Tour.

In more news, “Red Solo Cup,” the second single from Keith’s Clancy’s Tavern, has been certified double platinum by the RIAA.

Love And Theft Releases RCA Nashville Debut Tomorrow

/by

Love and Theft is making its RCA Nashville debut tomorrow (7/24) with the release of its self-titled album. The duo, comprised of Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson who share lead vocals, worked with hit producer Josh Leo (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Alabama) for the first time on the project.

“Angel Eyes” is the lead single from the new album. Co-written by Jeff Coplan, Eric Paslay and Gunderson, the single is No. 6 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart. The track has sold nearly 500K digital downloads and the music video has received over 1.5 million views on VEVO.com.

The duo will perform “Angel Eyes” live on FOX & Friends tomorrow, and will perform an additional track from the record, “Runnin’ Out of Air,” for the live web show that airs immediately following FOX & Friends.

Love and Theft is currently on Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality World Tour, performing on the “Virtual Opry” stage through Sept. 29.

“This record represents the way we sound live,” says Liles.

“It shows a more mature, evolved Love and Theft but the core is still the same,” adds Gunderson. “Our sound will always be driven by harmonies.”

The duo is also giving fans a chance to participate in a Love vs. Theft sweepstakes. Fans choose a team based on whether they see themselves as a hopeless romantic or a heartbreaker, then try to earn points for their respective teams. Prizes will be announced on Aug. 10 and include dinner with Love and Theft, and signed merchandise.

After Midnight Launches “Third Shift Awards”

/by

After MidNite, with host Blair Garner, has announced the first-annual Third Shift Awards to give late-night country music fans the opportunity to recognize their favorite artists.

Winners in 10 unique categories will be chosen via a bracket-style contest here. First round voting runs through July 29, third and final eliminations take place through Aug. 22. The Third Shift Award winners will be announced live on After MidNite the morning of Aug. 29.

“In the spirit of After MidNite, we have created 10 fun categories for our listeners, many of whom work the third shift, to vote for their favorite artists,” said Garner. “It’s a twist on some of the more traditional categories.”

Categories include:
Fanatical Fans (the artist with the most fanatical fans)
3rd Shift Pin Up – Female
3rd Shift Pin Up – Male
Pop-A-Top Award (the artist you’d most like to share a beer with)
3rd Shifter Artist of the Year
3rd Shifter Song of the Year
Pedal to the Medal Award (the song most likely to get you a speeding ticket)
Underdog Artist (the artist deserving of more respect)
Top Twit (the artist who gives good Twitter)
Fantasy Duet (living artists only)

Industry Ink: Listening Room To Relocate

/by

A&M/Octone Records' Miss Willie Brown was invited to become honorary “Friends and Family” members of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. The duo, comprised of Amanda Watkins and Kasey Buckley, recently released its debut single "You're All That Matters To Me.” Pictured (L-R): standing: CMHoF Membership Manager Rachel Weingartner, CAA’s Jim Butler, and CMHoF VP of Development Pamela Johnson, (sitting) Watkins and Buckley.

• The Listening Room Cafe will close its current Cummins Station location Aug. 10 to prepare for a grand reopening in downtown Nashville this fall. Venue owner Chris Blair says the soon-to-be-revealed new location will offer nightly shows, additional parking, and a fully renovated stage and bar. He also plans to launch a publishing company division called Emerge Nashville and a full service video and audio recording division.

• Jason Aldean is in the process of signing an endorsement deal with the Coors Brewing Company so he re-recorded a line in his new single “Take A Little Ride,” changing the lyric referencing Shiner Bock beer to “a couple rocky tops.” Radio stations are being asked to air the updated version.

• Jim Reyland, radio host and owner of Audio Productions, has written a new play. Stand stars Barry Scott and Chip Arnold, and is directed by David Compton. Thirty-six performances of Stand will be presented in the Nashville area for 12 consecutive weekends beginning Aug. 24. Proceeds will benefit Room In The Inn. Tickets at ticketsnashville.com.

• Former LA-based UMPG VP of Business Affairs Michael Rexford has joined the entertainment practice of law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.

• The Arts & Business Council will present the Creative Capital Workshop: Strategic Planning, Funding & Marketing Intensive for Artists on Sept. 21-23 at Belmont University. The workshop is a crash course in self-management, strategic planning, fundraising and promotion for artists of all creative genres. Applications are due Aug. 15. Apply here.

• A federal court jury in Virginia has rendered a verdict of $276,000 against the owners and operators of WOLD-FM, a radio station based in Marion, Virginia, for its unlicensed broadcast of copyrighted songs represented by SESAC.

• Finest Worldwide Entertainment is expanding its offerings with the launch of Finest Worldwide Management Group, which will be headed by Shane Jemelka. He will report to Michael Sheahan, CEO.

Several hit songwriters traveled to Wood River, Nebraska on June 30 to perform a benefit concert supporting Team Abbie. The group performed two acoustic shows and donated various silent auction items to raise money for the family of Abbie Vialpando, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Pictured (L-R): Arlos Smith, Michael Platek, Abbie Vialpando, Kevin Denney, Abbie's father Steve Powell, and Brice Long.

CMT Boosts Roots Music Offerings

/by

The Lumineers performing in Nashville's Gulch neighborhood.

The Lumineers will kick off a new season of CMT.com’s gritty, online performance series Concrete Country debuting today (7/23). The band visited downtown Nashville to record live videos of acoustic versions of its songs, including debut single “Ho Hey,” currently in video rotation on CMT.

Mark Hall and Lewis Bogach produce the series, which launched earlier this year celebrating roots music with original performances from creators. The late summer lineup includes new music from Green River Ordinance, Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Infamous Stringdusters, Yarn and Trampled by Turtles.

To complement the launch of Concrete Country, CMT.com will publish exclusive daily interviews with notable songwriters Brandi Carlile, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jason Isbell, Billy Joe Shaver and Mindy Smith.

CMT.com continues to explore new ways to aid fans in music discovery, and is prepping the launch of a new blog CMT Edge, focusing on undiscovered roots music. Curated by CMT.com Writer/Producer Craig Shelburne, the blog is expected to launch this fall.

The Boot Premieres Parmalee Single

/by

AOL’s The Boot is hosting the exclusive premiere of the video of country rock band Parmalee’s debut single, “Musta Had A Good Time.” The live performance, which can be seen here through the end of today (7/23), gives fans a first look at the Stoney Creek band’s live show.

“The response we get from fans when we play this song live is crazy – the fans know all the words and everyone’s dancing. It becomes a party both on stage and in the crowd,” Parmalee’s lead singer Matt Thomas told AOL’s The Boot. “We’re finding out that there’s a lot of people out there who really like to have a good time.”

“Musta Had A Good Time” has been voted by country fans as the No. 1 song on SiruisXM’s The Highway’s “The Hot 30 Live” countdown for the last two weeks. The song also leapt to No. 51 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.

Parmalee heads back out on the road tonight with a show at the Midnight Rodeo in Springfield, MO.

Snapshots (7/23/12)

/by

Jana Kramer recently visited the Academy of Country Music office in Los Angeles. While at the Academy she performed “Why Ya Wanna” and signed up for professional ACM membership, as part of the Academy’s complimentary one-year membership offered to support emerging artists. Kramer recently released her self-titled debut album through Elektra Nashville.

(L-R): Kathryn Woodard, McGhee Entertainment; Nikki Herceg, Warner Music Nashville; Tiffany Moon, ACM Executive Vice President/Managing Director; Jana Kramer; Michelle Goble, ACM Senior Vice President, Membership & Industry Relations; Greg Hill, McGhee Entertainment. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

• • • •

Staffers from the Big Machine Label Group and Spalding Entertainment participated in a recent panel discussion hosted by the Memphis Music Foundation. July’s event highlighted managing traditional and new media relations as well as overall trends in music publicity and marketing. The panel featured BMLG publicity team members Nikki Burns, Erin D. D. Burr, and Jake Basden; and Spalding’s Director of Online Marketing Amanda Cates. The monthly workshops are for emerging artists, advertising executives, promoters, students and Memphis-based publicists.

(L-R): BMLG’s Nikki Burns, Spalding’s Amanda Cates, BMLG’s Erin D. D. Burr, BMLG’s Jake Basden and Memphis Music Foundation’s Cameron Mann. Photo Courtesy of Memphis Music Foundation

• • • •

New retail store Lucchese hosted a neighborhood open house last week at its Gulch location. Guests from businesses and nearby residences mingled about the 4,000-square-foot lofted retail space which showcases the company’s renowned cowboy boots and apparel.

(L-R): Joe Wiese, Lucchese Nashville general manager; Doug Kindy, Lucchese president; and Ben Farrell, president of Varnell Enterprises Photo: Mike Willett

2012 CCMA Nominees Announced

/by

Pictured (L-R): Johnny Reid, Dean Brody

The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) announced the nominees for its Sept. 9 Awards in Saskatoon, SK.

Johnny Reid leads the 2012 nominations with nods in eight categories. Dean Brody comes in a tight second, with seven nominations.

Recently announced performers Gord Bamford, Chad Brownlee, Terri Clark and High Valley join an existing lineup including Jason Aldean, Paul Brandt, Dean Brody, George Canyon, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Johnny Reid and Deric Ruttan.

Tickets for the CCMA Awards, priced at $45, $75 and $90, are available through Ticketmaster, online or phone at 306-938-7800.

2012 CCMA Award Nominees

FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
Terri Clark
Hey Romeo
Johnny Reid

SINGLE
“Canadian Girls” Dean Brody
“Fire It Up” Johnny Reid
“Is It Friday Yet?” Gord Bamford
“Somebody Somewhere” Dallas Smith
“They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore” Jason Blaine

ALBUM
16 & 1, Doc Walker
DIRT, Dean Brody
Fire It Up, Johnny Reid
Give It Away, Paul Brandt
Roots And Wings, Terri Clark

SONGWRITER(S)
“Canadian Girls” (written by Dean Brody; performed by Dean Brody)
“Fire It Up” (written by Marty Dodson/Alan Frew/Johnny Reid; performed by Johnny Reid)
“Is It Friday Yet?” (written by Gord Bamford/Roger Brown/Byron Hill; performed by Gord Bamford)
“Mainstreet, 1979” (written by Deric Ruttan; performed by Deric Ruttan)
“They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore” (written by Jason Blaine/Deric Ruttan; performed by Jason Blaine

FEMALE ARTIST
Victoria Banks
Terri Clark
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Tara Oram
Michelle Wright

MALE ARTIST
Gord Bamford
Jason Blaine
Dean Brody
Chad Brownlee
Johnny Reid

GROUP OR DUO
Doc Walker
Emerson Drive
Hey Romeo
High Valley
The Stellas

CMT VIDEO
“Canadian Girls” Dean Brody
“Fire It Up” Johnny Reid
“Give It Away” Paul Brandt
“I’m Your Man” Ryan Laird
“In This House” The Stellas

MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Cache Entertainment Inc.
Hummel Entertainment
MDM Recordings Inc.
O’Reilly International Entertainment Management
RGK Entertainment Group Inc.

BOOKING AGENCY
The Agency Group
Big Air Entertainment
Cressman Sakamoto Agency
Paquin Entertainment

RON SAKAMOTO TALENT BUYER OR PROMOTER
Kelly Berehulka (Casinos of Winnipeg)
Jim Cressman (Cressman Sakamoto Agency)
Lindsay Ell/Rod Tate (Calgary Stampede)
Rob Waloschuk (Dauphin’s Countryfest/Performance Promotions)
Larry Werner (Big Valley Jamboree/Panhandle Productions)

VIDEO DIRECTOR
Stephano Barberis (“Is It Friday Yet?” Gord Bamford; “Somebody Somewhere”Dallas Smith)
Antonio Hrynchuk (“Carried Away” Chad Brownlee; “Down Dusty Roads” Bryce Pallister)
Margaret Malandruccolo (“I’m Your Man” Ryan Laird; “In This House” The Stellas; “Maybe” One More Girl)
Troy Niemans (“I’m Gone” Victoria Banks; “Honky Tonk Groupie” Codie Prevost; “I Will Wait” Six West)
Warren P. Sonoda (“Saddle Up” George Canyon)

MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY
EMI Music Publishing
Grand & Gee Music Group
ole
Royalty Music Publishing Inc.
Universal Music Publishing Group

RECORD PRODUCER(S)
Gord Bamford/Byron Hill (Is It Friday Yet? Gord Bamford)
Jason Blaine/Jason Barry (Life So Far Jason Blaine)
John Ellis (16 & 1 Doc Walker)
Bart McKay (Journey On Todd Richard)
Johnny Reid (Fire It Up Johnny Reid)

RECORD COMPANY
EMI Music Canada
On Ramp Records Inc.
Open Road Recordings
Royalty Records Inc.
Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.

RECORD COMPANY PERSON
Warren Copnick (Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc.)
Brianne Deslippe (Open Road Recordings)
Ron Harwood (EMI Music Canada)
Ron Kitchener (Open Road Recordings)
Rob Smith (Royalty Records Inc.)

COUNTRY FESTIVAL/FAIR/EXHIBITION
Big Valley Jamboree – Camrose, AB
Calgary Stampede – Calgary, AB
Dauphin’s Countryfest – Dauphin, MB
Manitoulin Country Fest – Little Current, ON
Summer Send Off – Ponoka, AB

Additional categories include Roots Artist/Group, Rising Star, Recording Studio, Country Club, Retailer, Album Design, Interactive Artist, Country Music Program/Special, All Star Band Award Nominees and Broadcast Award Nominees. For a full list, click here.