Tin Pan South Schedule Posted, Passes On Sale

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Passes for Nashville Songwriters Association International’s 20th Annual Tin Pan South are officially on sale today (March 7) through the organization’s website. A full schedule of venues and performers is available here.

Fast Access Passes provide priority admission and are good for entry to all Tin Pan South shows, but only about 100 of them remain for sale. Over 350 songwriters will perform at the festival, for a total of 90 shows in 10 Nashville venues. Participating venues include Belcourt Taps and Tapas, The Bluebird Café, The Commodore Grille (Holiday Inn Vanderbilt), Douglas Corner Café, eat Restaurant (Loews Vanderbilt Plaza), Hard Rock Café, The Listening Room Café, The Rutledge, Station Inn and 3rd & Lindsley. Individual club admission is available at each venue, space permitting, and ranges from $8-20. In certain instances, reservations at the venue will be required.

Regions Bank returns as Tin Pan South’s presenting sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. The Faith Family Medical Clinic has been selected to receive proceeds from the Pat Alger, Wayland Holyfield, Jon Vezner and Paul Williams show Thursday, March 29 at 6:00 PM at The Bluebird Cafe.

These announcements follow NSAI’s Tin Pan South Preview Party yesterday afternoon (March 6) at The Rutledge. The party featured performances from Lionel Cartwright, J. Fred Knobloch, Richard Leigh, Angaleena Presley, and Charlie Worsham.

ACM Experience Is Latest Addition To The Week Vegas Goes Country

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As the April 1 ACM Awards draw near, the Academy of Country Music continues to up the ante for country fans.

The latest addition to The Week Vegas Goes Country is the first ACM Experience. The free, open-to-the public, country music lifestyle event will be held March 30-April 1 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas is already a destination for so many country music fans and The ACM Experience is a natural extension of the Academy’s focus on bringing them the best in free, family-friendly events that promote the genre and provide additional exposure for both established acts and new artists,” said Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.

Highlights of The ACM Experience include the ACM BBQ Throwdown and the ACM Expo. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, the ACM BBQ Throwdown presented by Bull, will bring together some of the most recognizable names in the competitive barbeque circuit, competing for a $50,000 purse. The ACM Expo presented by Roper, is a 200,000 sq. ft. marketplace of shopping, gaming and eating.

As previously announced, the 2nd Annual ACM Fan Jam, a ticketed event hosted by Zac Brown Band, will round out the festivities at Mandalay Bay on Sunday, April 1. The live ACM Awards telecast will occur simultaneously at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and air on CBS. Live performances, via remote, from Mandalay Bay will be interspersed with the Awards telecast.

Trisha Yearwood Officially Announces Food Network Show

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Behind The Scenes Filming at Trisha's Southern Cooking Taping

Trisha Yearwood and the Food Network have released official details for the new daytime series, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. The first of the six-episode series will air Saturday, April 14th on the Food Network. The episodes are being shot in Nashville and produced by former Oprah Winfrey Show’s Ellen Rakieten and RelativityREAL.

The Spring series invites viewers into the music star and cookbook author’s kitchen for her favorite meals, nostalgic stories and visits from family and friends. Themed shows range from preparing traditional dishes from her childhood to planning a baby shower and a family reunion barbecue to offering tips on lightening up standard Southern recipes.

“For me, cooking is very connected to my family and friends,” said Yearwood. “Every recipe on the show carries wonderful memories with my loved ones and I can’t wait to share my meals, stories and family photos with Food Network viewers.”

Yearwood released her first cookbook Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen (Clarkson Potter) in 2008. Her second book Cooking for Family and Friends (Clarkson Potter) followed in 2010. Both books reached the No. 1 position on the New York Times best-seller list in the Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous category.

Yearwood accompanied her husband Garth Brooks to the Country Music Hall of Fame Announcement Tuesday, March 6, where Brooks was revealed as a 2012 inductee. Yearwood is also scheduled to perform at the Paul Newman’s Association of Hole in the Wall Camps benefit April 2 at Lincoln Center in New York.

Sawyer Brown’s Miller Producing First Film

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Sawyer Brown lead singer and Beach Street Records founder Mark A. Miller is working on his first feature film, which started production this week in Deland, Fl. Miller is taking a break from Sawyer Brown’s 30th anniversary tour to produce the film.

Titled Ring The Bell (Whitney Beach Pictures), the film tells the story of a high-powered sports agent looking for his next recruit. As he works to secure the country’s top baseball prospect, he encounters characters that teach him the value of life beyond making money. A handful of well known Christian artists are featured in the flick, including Mark Hall and Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Matthew West. Former Major League Baseball players John Kruk and Rick Sutcliffe also appear.

Miller wrote the script for Ring The Bell with Thomas Weber, and Weber is directing. Provident Films is also a partner in marketing and distribution.

McCreery Covers McGraw Song for “Idol”

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American Idol Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery has been selected to perform the “goodbye” song for Season 11 of American Idol. When a contestant is eliminated, McCreery’s version of Tim McGraw’s “Please Remember Me” will play over video highlights of the individual’s journey. The song will debut on American Idol tonight (3/8) when the first contender in the Top 13 is cut.

“It’s always a sad time whenever this song is played, but it’s definitely a really big part of the show,” says McCreery. “I never had to experience that feeling personally, but I always felt the pain because we became such a close family on the show…The send-off song was always a way to stay connected to the show. I’m glad they chose me to do it.”

McCreery’s first album Clear As Day (Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope) debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts and garnered the highest sales of any country solo album released in 2011. The album’s first two singles, “I Love You This Big” and “The Trouble With Girls,” have been certified gold and he is currently playing to massive crowds on Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality World Tour 2012. McCreery is also nominated for the 2012 Academy of Country Music New Artist of the Year Award, which will be presented April 1 at the 47th Annual ACM Awards in Las Vegas.

Signings: Southern Crossroads, Big Ride, and More

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Songwriter Greg Becker has signed a publishing deal with Pat Finch and Southern Crossroads Music Publishing. His songs have sold more than 20 million units worldwide and have been recorded by Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, and Meatloaf.

Southern Crossroads also signed songwriter Ann Marie, who moved to Nashville at the age of 19 to pursue her musical career. She has begun sharing her music with a larger audience, including opening for Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Thompson Square and more.

(L-R): ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Greg Becker, Southern Crossroads Music Publishing's Pat Finch, ASCAP's Mike Sistad. Photo: Anna Maki

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Big Ride Entertainment has announced the signing of Texas-born country artist Craig Wayne Boyd for label services and management. The company will also soon release Boyd’s debut single “I Ain’t No Quitter” to country radio.

“We are very pleased with the addition of Craig to our label. After seeing Craig live, we knew he was a perfect fit for what we are doing at Big Ride,” says Big Ride Records President Kim Leiske.

(L-R) Seated: Wayne Halper, Craig Wayne Boyd, GrassRoots Promotion's Teresa Johnston, Jerry Duncan Promotions' Jerry Duncan; Standing: Big Ride's Jake Leiske and Kim Leiske, Jerry Duncan Promotions' Lisa Smoot. Photo: revolution PR

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Danni Leigh has signed with Cody Entertainment for exclusive booking, with the firm’s president Phil Smallwood serving as the responsible agent. Leigh has released four albums over her career including 29 Nights (Decca), A Shot of Whiskey and a Prayer (Monument), Divide and Conquer (Audium), and Masquerade of a Fool (AGR). She is currently in Nashville working on songs for her new release.

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(L-R): Russell, Cupit Records Sr. VP Dan Hagar

Cupit Records has signed Dave Russell, and is releasing his new single “Where The Money Goes” to radio.

Benefit News (3/07/12)

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(L-R): Exile’s Steve Goetzman, Marlon Hargis, J.P. Pennington, Sonny Lemaire, GAC’s Nan Kelley, Wade Hayes, Exile’s Les Taylor, Charlie Kelley

Exile headlined The Stars Go Blue For Colon Cancer benefit, held last night (March 6) at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater. Trace Adkins joined the band on their hit “Kiss You All Over,” and Wade Hayes joined them for “Super Love.” Hayes is currently undergoing treatment for stage IV colon cancer and received a standing ovation before chatting honestly with the crowd about his health. Money raised from the event benefits The Blue Note Fund, which provides financial assistance to those going through treatment.

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(L-R): Marv Green, Kendell Marvel, Heidi Newfield, Leslie Satcher. Photo: Alan Mayor

Music City Tennis Invitational hosted its pre-tournament songwriter showcase with performers Marv Green, Kendell Marvel, Heidi Newfield, and Leslie Satcher at the Bluebird Cafe on March 2. The benefit concert is a kick-off for the 39th Annual MCTI benefiting the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. MCTI 2012 will be held April 21-22 at the Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt.

Cumulus to Distribute CMT Radio Live

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Cumulus Media Networks is taking over as the official distributor for CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan. The announcement was made by CMT President Brian Philips and Cumulus Media Executive VP/Co-COO John Dickey, and the change goes into effect Monday, March 26. Cumulus will manage all syndication and ad sales of CMT Radio Live as well as include syndication to all its owned markets and new non-owned affiliates.

“John and the Cumulus army have been our partners with CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan from the beginning,” said Philips. “They have given us essential affiliate support since show number one. Expanding our relationship with their rapidly-escalating empire is a logical step for this high-profile show!”

CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan airs weeknights from 7 pm – 12 am ET and on weekends for selection stations. Hosted by 2010 ACM national on-air personality winner Cody Alan, the program features a mix of new and classic country hits as well as exclusive interviews and event coverage.

Charlie Lamb Passes [Updated w/ Arrangements]

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Former CMA Executive Director Ed Benson (l) presents Charlie Lamb (r) with a plaque during a ceremony at BMI on Aug. 29, 2000. More than 300 people turned out to celebrate Lamb's career at the event called "A Tribute To Charlie." Photo: Alan Mayor

Nashville music industry stalwart Charlie Lamb died in the early morning hours of March 7, 2012. He was 90 and had been battling pneumonia. Lamb was a celebrated journalist who also worked as a manager and later as an entertainer.

Born June 21, 1921, Charles Stacy Lamb’s colorful career began in hometown Knoxville, Tennessee, where he was a carnival barker—it came naturally, his mother was a trapeze artist and his father was a magician, ventriloquist and animal trainer. As a young man Lamb went on to work as a military policeman during the 1940s, and entered the worlds of journalism and music business via jobs at the Knoxville Journal and radio stations WKGN and WROL.

In 1951 Lamb moved to Nashville and began writing for Cash Box magazine. He went on to found the first Nashville-based trade publication, Music Reporter, known for establishing an all-genre top 100 chart, the first country album chart, and utilizing bullets to indicated quickly rising singles. The magazine shuttered in 1964. A year later, the liner notes he penned for Father & Son—Hank Williams Sr. & Jr. earned a Grammy nomination. Today his writing is celebrated with a journalism award named in his honor, which is presented annually at the International Country Music Conference.

“When somebody like Charlie Lamb passes, it’s like a library burning down,” said longtime friend and fellow historian Robert Oermann. “He was a wonderful source of historical anecdotes and one of the most charming conversationalists I’ve ever met. Charlie was also one of the last of the great Music Row ‘characters’—they don’t make execs nearly as colorful nowadays. He was also a million laughs, and I’m going to miss our lunches together a whole lot.”

“He was probably the midwife at Nashville’s birth as a major recording center,” Brenda Lee once proclaimed.

According to the Encyclopedia of Country Music, his varied journey included management of Ed Bruce and Connie Smith, and work with Kitty Wells, Elvis Presley, and Bill Anderson.

“Charlie took my original TNT Record of ‘City Lights’ to Chet Atkins at RCA simply because he liked the song and believed it was a hit,” Anderson recalled. “Chet cut it with an artist named Dave Rich. Ray Price heard Dave Rich’s record on the radio, and I guess the rest is history. I’ve often wondered what my life would have been like had it not been for Charlie Lamb. He opened the first door in Nashville for me. Rest in peace, my friend….and thanks.”

Lamb was an active supporter of Nashville’s music trade organizations. He was a member of the original boards of the Gospel Music Association, and the Country Music Association, and was a lifetime member of the latter. He also served as the first president of the Nashville chapter of NARAS.

He was an actor and entertainer known for his “double-talk” style, and appeared on television shows including Candid Camera, and in films including Ernest Goes To Jail.

MusicRow sends condolences to the Lambs, as this is the second death in the family in recent months. Charlie Lamb’s son Gary Lamb passed away Nov. 21 at age 63. Both were preceded in death by wife and mother, respectively, Frances A. Lamb.

Charlie Lamb is survived by children, Fred Stacy Lamb, Charles (Melanie) Lamb and Dudley (Betty) Lamb; grandchildren, Laura Little, Summer Lamb, Justin Lamb, Daniel Lamb and Patrick Lamb.
The family will receive friends Thurs., March 8 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 9 at Woodlawn’s Dignity Hall. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Click here for the online guestbook.

Country Artists Gather For Autism Sings! Benefit

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Country artists will show their show their support in the fight against autism on Tuesday, March 13 at Autism Speaks Presents “Autism Sings!” The benefit concert will be held at 6-10 pm at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville.

Performers include Ty Herndon, Bucky Covington, Bo Bice, Carter’s Chord, and Mockingbird Sun. Also performing is 13-year-old Katie Chance, who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum when she was two. CMT Top 20 Countdown host Evan Farmer is emceeing the event, which will benefit efforts at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Autism Research.

“We are thrilled with our fantastic lineup of musicians, whose talent is only overshadowed by their generosity and support of such an important cause,” says Autism Speaks Regional Director, Kathy Streng. “For only $5, people can see a great night of music and help fund critical research for the one in every 110 children diagnosed with autism. We are very grateful for the continued outpouring of caring and generous support from this wonderful community.”

Advance tickets to the show have sold out, but a limited amount of tickets will be available at the door for a $5 minimum donation. Doors open to the public at 7 pm.