ACM Reveals Off-Camera Award Winners

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Today the Academy of Country Music announced winners of awards to be presented Sept. 24 at the 6th Annual ACM Honors in Nashville. These off-camera categories include Special Awards, Industry Awards, MBI (Musician, Bandleader, Instrumentalist) and Songwriter of the Year.

The ACM Awards will be telecast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1 at 7 p.m. CT on CBS.

Special Awards
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award—Emmylou Harris, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yoakam
Crystal Milestone Award—Kenny Chesney
Career Achievement Award—Vince Gill
Jim Reeves International Award—Alan Jackson
Mae Boren Axton Award—Gayle Holcomb, a longtime executive at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, and ACM board member for 17 years, including five years as ACM chairman. She was instrumental in moving the Awards show to Las Vegas, and launching ACM Lifting Lives.
Poet’s Award—Bobby Braddock and Roger Miller

Songwriter of the Year—Dallas Davidson

Industry Awards
Casino of the Year—Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year—Jimmy Jay, Jayson Promotions, Inc.
Nightclub of the Year—Billy Bob’s Texas, Ft. Worth, TX
Promoter of the Year—Brian O’Connell, Live Nation
Venue of the Year—Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

MBI (Musicians, Band, Instrumental) Awards
Producer of the Year—Frank Liddell
Audio Engineer of the Year—Justin Niebank
Bass Player of the Year—Michael Rhodes
Percussionist/Drummer of the Year—Shannon Forrest
Guitarist of the Year—Kenny Greenberg
Fiddle Player of the Year – Stuart Duncan
Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year—John Hobbs
Specialty Instruments Player of the Year—Aubrey Haynie
Steel Guitar Player of the Year—Paul Franklin

Methodology: The Academy of Country Music Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are awarded during years where the Board of Directors feels there are clear and deserving candidates. Industry Awards are voted on by professional members of the Academy. The MBI ballot is voted on by professional members of the Academy classified in the Artist-Entertainer/Musician-Bandleader-Instrumentalist category, and the Producer-Engineer-Studio Manager sub-category (contained within the Affiliated category). The Songwriter of the Year ballot is voted on by professional members of the Academy in the following categories; Artist-Entertainer/Musician-Bandleader-Instrumentalist, Composer, Music Publisher/PRO, Record Company, and the Producer/Engineer/Studio Manager subcategory (contained within the Affiliated category).

“The Voice” Contestant Invited to Join Shelton’s Tour

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Country artist Gwen Sebastian’s journey on NBC’s The Voice has come to an end, but her career has since taken a very exciting turn.

Following her “Battle Round” performance of Pat Benatar’s “We Belong” and elimination on Monday (3/19), Sebastian has been invited to join Voice judge Blake Shelton’s Well Lit & Amplified Tour. Sebastian had been considered one of the season’s frontrunners, and was even named by Entertainment Weekly as a contestant to watch.

“The first time I ever heard Gwen’s voice I knew it was something special,” said Shelton. “She has the rare ability to combine power with passion in her singing abilities. Although our journey together has ended on The Voice, it’s just beginning in real life. I’m so proud every night to share the stage with her on the Well Lit & Amplified Tour. She is a star! We love our Gwen.”

“Never in a million years would I think that this journey would lead me to be on stage with Blake,” added Sebastian. “I am honored he asked me to become a part of his show and a member of his ‘road family.’ Watching him perform is a learning experience in itself. He has a big heart and an infectious laugh. Plus, he’s pretty darn funny!”

Sebastian will also join Shelton for a performance at the 47th Annual ACM Awards, which airs live on CBS Sunday, April 1 at 8 PM/ET.

Upcoming Well Lit & Amplified Tour dates:

March 21 — Rapid City, SD (Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena)
March 22 — Bozeman, MT (Brick Breeden Fieldhouse)
March 23 — Billings, MT (Metra Park)

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/21/12)

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Chris Young rules — the title tune of his CD and newest single is a potent dose of audio magic.

As thrilling a listening experience as “Neon” is, it has to share the spotlight for ballad beauty with “Marry Me” by Martina McBride and Pat Monahan. And completely on the other side of the country spectrum is the frothing new rocker by Toby Keith, “Beers Ago.” Any of these three could easily be crowned a Disc of the Day. But I’m sticking with the man from Murfreesboro. Someday soon, he’s going to be as big a star as Martina and Toby already are.

Capitol Nashville’s Jon Pardi grabs the DisCovery Award.

ERIC PASLAY/If the Fish Don’t Bite
Writer: Eric Paslay/Dylan Altman; Producer: Daniel Hill & Billy Lynn; Publisher: Cal IV/Five Stone/Music of Cal IV, ASCAP/BMI; EMI (CDX)
—Bright and sunshiny, with plenty of verve and upbeat energy. The lovey-dovey lyric isn’t the deepest thing in the world, but it’s perfect for summertime.

JON PARDI/Missin’ You Crazy
Writer: Jon Pardi/Bart Butler/Monty Holmes; Producer: Bart Butler & Jon Pardi; Publisher: Song Factory/Golden Vault/Bill Butler/EMI April/Funky Merle, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (CDX) ()
—Righteously rocking. The fiddle and steel solos sizzle, and his vocal has real personality. Promising.

BRIAN MILSON/Country Life
Writer: Jim McCormick/Randy Houser; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Alternator/Bug, BMI; Permian/
Quarterback (www.brianmilson.com)
—We’re poor, but we’re happy making do with what we have. Boring song. Boring production. Colorless singer.

CHRIS YOUNG/Neon
Writer: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Trevor Rosen; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Crazy Water/Kobalt/Want a Fresh One Mysuc/Black River/Unfair Entertainment/BIMS, ASCAP; RCA (track) ()
—Drenched with atmosphere and mood. This guy can sell a ballad like nobody’s business. Pair him with something this melodic and add some throbbing production with sensational steel and guitar and it’s hillbilly heaven. An A-plus in every department.

BETH CAYHALL/Boys Eat Your Hearts Out
Writer: Beth Cayhall/Dave Robbins/Lonnie Wilson; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Go TIme (www.bethcahall.com)
—Tuneless. It might as well be a spoken-word performance.

THE BAND PERRY/Postcard From Paris
Writer: Kimberly Perry/Neil Perry/Reid Perry/Kara DioGuardi/Jeff Cohen; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Publisher: Pearlleather/Famdamily/When I Go to the Moon/Rio Bravo/As You Wish/Art Is the Fodder/Sunshine Terrace/Bug/Arthouse Entertainment, BMI; Republic ()
—It’s a little difficult to follow, but I think the gist of it is that he sweeps her off her feet and wrecks her life. As always, the voices carry the day.

TODD FRITSCH/Calls I Haven’t Made
Writer: Fred Wilhelm/Mike Post; Producer: Butch Baker; Publisher: none listed; Saddle Up (www.toddfritsch.com)
—I’ve liked this guy in the past, and this is his strongest effort yet. In this extremely well constructed story song, he looks back at his life and starts making the phone calls that make up for his shortcomings. Essential listening.

MARTINA McBRIDE & PAT MONAHAN/Marry Me
Writer: Pat Monahan; Producer: Martina McBride & Byron Gallimore; Publisher: EMI April/Blue Lamp/EMI Blackwood/Reptilian/Mayday Malone, ASCAP/BMI; Republic (track)
—Monahan is the lead singer of Train, with whom Martina did a CMT Crossroads episode. He is also one of pop’s coolest vocalists, as this ballad performance abundantly demonstrates. Previously a Train single, this is a gorgeous song that works splendidly as a country duet. Play the heck out of this.

THE WASHERS/Two Left Feet
Writer: Todd Janik; Producer: Billy Jo High & Adam Odon; Publisher: none listed, BMI; W (www.thewashersmusic.com)
—I would have brought the lead vocalist up more in the mix and turned down the band some. But this still has a rambling, rumbling, rumpled, rollicking charm. I bet these guys are a gas in performance.

TOBY KEITH/Beers Ago
Writer: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco Tunes/Bobby’s Lyrics Land & Livestock/Do Write, BMI; Show Dog Universal (track)
—Turn it up! This rawks. Toby wails it with drawling bravado and plenty of characteristic wit. Guaranteed grins. Ya gotta love this guy.

RowFile: Tom Luteran

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Big Tom Luteran

“One of the biggest thrills of being a publisher is when you get a great song, and you are so excited you go pitch it immediately,” says Tom Luteran, VP of A&R for EMI Music Publishing Nashville. “I love to call somebody and say ‘you gotta give me three minutes to hear this song.’” That’s what happened a year or two ago with “Honey Bee.” Luteran recalls, “Rusty Gaston [from This Music] called me up and said, ‘we’ve gotta go see Scott Hendricks [at Warner] right now. Scott loved it immediately, and it became a big hit for Blake Shelton. That kind of success opens the door for future pitches.”

“Big Tom,” as the 6’6″ A&R man is known to friends, joined EMI Music a decade ago, but his story starts way before that. He moved to Nashville in 1994, relocating from what he jokingly refers to as “country music hotbed New Jersey.” “I wanted to combine my love of music with the sales experience I gained after college,” he explains. “I just packed up a U-Haul and moved. I didn’t know anybody.”

A temp agency placed him in RCA’s finance department, working with a then-new Paul Barnabee, who has since climbed the ranks to Sony Music Nashville, Sr. VP, Sales & Operations. Barnabee’s New York roots meshed well with Luteran’s New Jersey background, and Luteran managed to drag out his temp job for several months. In the summer of 1995 Luteran scored his first publishing gig. A year later he moved to Zomba Music for a five year run working with songwriters including Mutt Lange and George Teren.

By 2002, Luteran’s reputation as a songman was growing. In the same week he was approached with job offers from both Acuff Rose and EMI. “It was a really, really difficult decision,” he recalls. He joined the team at Acuff Rose, but six months later the company was sold to Sony/ATV and he was out of a job. He says, “Thank God Gary Overton [who was then heading EMI] had a soft spot in his heart for me—maybe because he’s from New Jersey too—because he let me come on board and I’ve been there ever since. I’ve been incredibly lucky to work for two amazing guys—Gary first and Ben Vaughn now—and to be able to learn from them.”

Since joining EMI, Luteran has guided the careers of some of Nashville’s top tunesmiths, including as an early supporter of Jamey Johnson. “I was floored the first time I heard him,” says Luteran. “Pound for pound, he’s one of the most talented guys I’ve ever come across. There are certain songs that you remember the first time you heard them, and ‘In Color’ was one of those. It was an amazing song, and he’s written several songs like that. He also wrote ‘Honky Tonk Badonkadonk’ with Randy Houser and Dallas Davidson. I’ll never forget the look on the face of [Capitol’s] Autumn House the first time I played it for her. I’m grateful she took it to Trace Adkins, it went on to monster success.”

Among the hit writers signed to EMI are Davidson, Rhett Akins, Kelley Lovelace, and the Warren Brothers. Luteran says the office’s motto is “no writer left behind,” and when they get a song they think is ideal for a particular artist, they “attack from all points,” covering the management, producer, and label.

EMI has also had significant pop success in recent years. Country hitmaker Tom Shapiro scored cuts by Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Dia Frampton, and the Warrens penned songs for Joss Stone and Hinder.

Luteran attributes theses crossover cuts to Jon Platt, EMI’s President, North America Creative. “He made a conscious decision to make sure that our creative departments in New York, Nashville, L.A. and Miami get together. Our creative retreats have grown from two days to five days, mixing and matching genres. The Nashville writers and L.A. writers get together more often now, and the creative teams in each city know each other much better.”

As for the newer artist/writers signed to EMI, Luteran is excited about Thomas Rhett (BMLG), The Henningsens (Sony), and Drake White (UMG). “There are so few people who to get work in a job they love, and I’m one of them,” Luteran says gratefully. “Everyday I get to discover great songs.”

Lady Antebellum to Open For Springsteen in London

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Lady Antebellum will get a lesson from the Boss when they open for Bruce Springsteen as part of the 2012 Hard Rock Calling Festival in London, UK. The concert takes place at London’s Hyde Park on July 14.

“It’s Springsteen…there is no entertainer we look up to more than him,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “I’m going to be like a little kid at Christmas watching his show. It’s the biggest honor for us to be invited to play this festival…the entire lineup is awesome!”

The London date with Springsteen coincides with the European leg of Lady A’s Own The Night World Tour, which begins in July. Due to high demand, the July 13 concert in Glasgow has moved to a larger venue, and the trio has added an extra date at Dublin, Ireland.

Full dates here.

ASCAP Presents Christian Music Awards

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(L-R): publisher Barry Coburn, ASCAP's Michael Martin, Christian Songwriter of the Year Ben Glover, Christian Songwriter/Artist of the Year Josh Wilson, and ASCAP VP/GM Nashville Marc Driskill

ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) saluted the songwriters and publishers of Christian music’s most performed songs at its 34th annual Christian Music Awards held last night (3/19) at Richland Country Club in Nashville.

The evening’s top honors went to:
ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year: Ben Glover
ASCAP Christian Songwriter/Artist of the Year: Josh Wilson (Sparrow Records)
ASCAP Christian Song of the Year: “Glorious Day,” written by Michael Bleecker; published by Word Music Publishing, performed by Casting Crowns
ASCAP Christian Publisher of the Year: EMI CMG Publishing

Twenty-four most performed song honors were handed out by ASCAP Nashville’s Michael Martin, LeAnn Phelan and Ryan Beuschel. Several award winners gave memorable performances, including Josh Wilson singing “Jesus Is Alive,” Dara Maclean offering “Home,” and Moriah Peters showcasing “Well Done.”

(L-R): Michael Martin, Barry Coburn, Michael W. Smith, Marc Driskill, Wayland Holyfield, and Greg Ham

ASCAP Vice President and General Manager, Nashville Marc Driskill presented Ben Glover with his second Songwriter of the Year award. Glover co-penned four of the Most Performed songs of the past year: “Stronger” and “Waiting For Tomorrow” (Mandisa), “Dear X” (Disciple), and “I Refuse” (Josh Wilson). Glover has had 11 No. 1 songs, with cuts by artists including Trace Adkins, Brandon Heath, Lee Brice, Steve Holy, Marc Broussard, and Gloriana. He currently has five singles on the Billboard chart.

ASCAP Song of the Year honors went to “Glorious Day.” Michael Bleecker at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas reinvented the 1910 hymn “One Day,” originally written by John Wilbur Chapman. The song is published by Word Music Publishing and the recording by Casting Crowns has been extremely successful on Christian radio.

Sparrow Records artist Josh Wilson was honored with the ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year award. His third studio album, See You, was met with critical praise and featured the hits “I Refuse,” “Fall Apart,” and “Jesus Is Alive,” all of which earned Most Performed honors. Wilson’s major label debut was released in 2008.

ASCAP Publisher of the Year honors went to EMI CMG Publishing for the ninth consecutive time and by coincidence, the company had nine of the Most Performed songs: “Dear X (You Don’t Own Me),” “I Lift My Hands,” “Jesus Is Alive,” “Stronger,” “The Way,” “I Refuse,” “Waiting For Tomorrow,” “Fall Apart,” and “The Redeemer.”

Songwriters and artists in attendance included Michael W. Smith (who offered the opening prayer), Matthew West, Brandon Heath, Jason Gray, Sanctus Real, Shawn McDonald, Chris August, April Geesbregh and Phillip LaRue.

(L-R): ASCAP's Marc Driskill, artist Dara Maclean, artist Mandisa and ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan

Toby Keith’s New Tour Hits the Road in Overdrive

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Toby Keith will hit the road on June 14, when his Live In Overdrive Tour kicks off in Salt Lake City, UT. The 38-date tour, presented by Ford F-Series, will feature Brantley Gilbert as the opening act.

Keith is nominated for three 2012 ACM Awards, and is scheduled to perform for the telecast on April 1. The Minneapolis location of his I Love This Bar & Grill also earned an ACM nomination for Nightclub of the Year.

As reported earlier, Keith is making the rounds on TV with recent appearances on Ellen, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and an upcoming Chelsea Lately (March 27). Last week, Keith visited with Ryan Seacrest’s morning radio show to talk about “Red Solo Cup,” which was called “THE spring break song of the year.”

The night before the ACMs, Keith is nominated for Favorite Male Singer at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards.

Toby Keith’s Live in Overdrive Tour Dates (subject to changes and additions):
6/14 – Salt Lake City, UT
6/15 – Denver, CO
6/16 – Albuquerque, NM
6/22 – North Platte, NE
6/23 – Manhattan, KS
6/29 – Detroit, MI
6/30 – Indianapolis, IN

7/4 – White Sulphur Springs, WV
7/12 – Sarnia, ON (Canada)
7/13 – Cleveland, OH
7/14 – Washington, DC
7/15 – Raleigh, NC
7/21 – Monticello, IA
7/22 – Twin Lakes, WI
7/26 – Virginia Beach, VA
7/27 – Pittsburgh, PA
7/28 – Cincinnati, OH
7/29 – Darien Lakes, NY

8/2 – Sparta, WI
8/3 – Detroit Lakes, MN
8/4 – Camrose, AB (Canada)
8/8 – Lake Tahoe, NV
8/9 – San Diego, CA
8/10 – San Bernardino, CA
8/11 – Las Vegas, NV
8/12 – Mountain View, CA
8/17 – Holmdel, NJ
8/18 – Philadelphia, PA
8/19 – Saratoga Springs, NY
8/24 – Atlanta, GA
8/25 – Charlotte, NC

9/1 – St. Louis, MO
9/2 – Chicago, IL
9/7 – Dallas, TX
9/8 – Houston, TX
9/14 – Tampa, FL
9/15 – West Palm Beach, FL
9/21 – Hartford, CT
9/22 – Boston, MA

“Today Show” Goes Country All Week

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(L-R): Today Show host Hoda Kotb, Bernadette Peters, Josh Turner. Photo courtesy: joshturner.com

It’s country week on the Today Show and a selection of Nashville’s stars are filling in for a vacationing Kathie Lee Gifford through Friday, March 23.

Yesterday (March 19), MCA Records’ Josh Turner co-hosted with Kotb, where he helped judge Today’s “Voice Contest: Kids Edition,” and helped Kotb interview actress Bernadette Peters. Turner’s current single “Time Is Love” is climbing the charts, and the video just premiered on GAC. His forthcoming album Punching Bag is due in stores this Summer.

Today (March 20), Curb Records’ Lee Brice joined host Hoda Kotb during the fourth hour of the program and serenaded her with his hits “Love Like Crazy” and “A Woman Like You.” The pair also played a True/False game about allergies, and interviewed Kirk Cameron. Brice’s sophomore album Hard 2 Love hits stores April 24.

Check out videos of Brice and Turner here.

Coming up next is Randy Travis, who will co-host on Wednesday, March 21. Warner Bros. John Rich will co-host and BNA Records’ Casey James will perform on Thursday, March 22. The week will close out with Kellie Pickler in the co-hosting chair Friday, March 23.

The fourth hour of the Today Show airs 10-11 am ET.

Casey James Releases Debut Album

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Casey James is releasing his self-titled, 19 Recordings/BNA Records debut album today (3/20). “My heart gets fluttery thinking about it,” admits James. “All my life, I’ve wanted to get an album in stores. It will be a huge day.”

James, a former American Idol contestant, co-wrote 9 of the 11 songs on the album including the first single “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night.” He collaborated with some of the top writers in Nashville including Terry McBride, Chris Lindsey, Bob DiPiero, and Brett James. Of writing with those talents, he says, “I’ve learned a lot.  These guys are the titans of the writing world, and just the fact that they would agree to meet with me was amazing.”

In addition to writing most of the album, James co-produced the album with Lindsey and played guitar on all the tracks.

James will spend the week crisscrossing the country with performances that include visits to The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday, March 21 and the fourth hour of the Today Show on Thursday, March 22.

Casey James track listing:
1. The Good Life (Casey James/Scooter Carusoe)
2. Crying On A Suitcase (Lee Thomas Miller/Tom Shapiro/Neil Thrasher)
3. Let’s Don’t Call It A Night (Casey James/Brice Long/Terry McBride)
4. Drive (Casey James/Brad Warren/Brett Warren)
5. Love The Way You Miss Me (Casey James/Brice Long/Terry McBride)
6. Undone (Casey James/Scooter Carusoe)
7. So Sweet (Casey James/Dallas Davidson/Patrick Davis)
8. She’s Money (Casey James/Jaren Johnston)
9. Tough Love (Casey James/Brett James/David Lee Murphy)
10. Workin’ On It (Bob DiPiero/Brandon Kinney/Daniel Tashian)
11. Miss Your Fire (Casey James/Chris Lindsey/Aimee Mayo)

MusicRowPics: Artist Visit with Dustin Lynch

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Broken Bow’s Dustin Lynch spent part of his afternoon with MusicRow yesterday (3/19). The young artist is anticipating the Summer 2012 release of his debut album, and shared a few songs from the project with the MusicRow staff. Songs included the recently written “Last Lap” to his quickly rising debut single “Cowboys and Angels.”

Growing up in Tullahoma, TN, Lynch shared that he always wanted to be like Garth Brooks and eventually talked his parents into letting him drive to Nashville to perform at the Bluebird Cafe. “I got some claps,” Lynch said. “So I wanted to go back and do it again.” After deciding to attend Lipscomb College, Lynch continued to perform at the Bluebird, and his performances there eventually led to his relationship and signing with Broken Bow.

Next up, Lynch will experience his first ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 1. His video for “Cowboys and Angels” is also expected to be released early April.


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