Music City Walk of Fame Inducts New Class

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Reba helped pal Kix Brooks celebrate his star.

Alan Jackson at yesterday's ceremony.

Photos by Alan Mayor

Superstar artists Kix Brooks and Alan Jackson, clothing designer Manuel, Gospel singer and national television host Dr. Bobby Jones, Queen of Gospel Music Dottie Rambo, guitar innovator Les Paul and late newsman Dan Miller were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame yesterday (11/6).

The honorees were recognized with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The induction ceremony was free and open to the public.

Music City Walk of Fame is presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar. The induction of this class bring the total number of stars along the Walk of Fame to 58.

Les Paul's son Russ beams at his late father's star.


Hollywood Heads To Nashville For CMA Awards

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Eric Stonestreet will present at the CMA Awards.

A slew of hot Hollywood talent and stars from the world of sports will present trophies at Wednesday’s (11/9) CMA Awards. On the docket is Nashville-bred celeb Reese Witherspoon, Eric Stonestreet (star of ABC’s Modern Family), Emily VanCamp (star of ABC’s Revenge), ESPN sportscaster and Good Morning America correspondent Erin Andrews, Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas (of ABC’s Once Upon a Time), 2011 World Series MVP and St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, actor Kellan Lutz (star of the Twilight movies), and Muppet icon Miss Piggy.

As excitement builds for the CMA Awards, the Country Music Association has surpassed one million digital fans, followers and subscribers. The total includes audiences on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube as well as mobile subscribers and “CMA Exclusive” e-mail subscribers.

Ben Bennett, Senior Manager of Digital Strategy for CMA, spearheads the organization’s web initiatives.

Fans will enjoy artist arrivals on the Macy’s Walk of Stars streaming live on CMAawards.com. The special will also include footage from the CMA Awards Pre-Telecast Ceremony and the backstage press room.

The site has a FanChatter feature that allows fans to interact with artists and each other using Facebook or Twitter. Several new videos have been uploaded to CMAawards.com featuring behind-the-scenes access, artist interviews, rehearsal footage, hilarious outtakes from Paisley’s and Underwood’s promotional shoots, and the unofficial CMA Awards host auditions featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donnie and Marie Osmond, Miss Piggy, and more. Fans can build their CMA Awards nominee dream team with MyPicks game, and there is a CMA iPhone/Android app.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

 

ASCAP Award Winners [Updated w/ Most Performed Songs List]

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Don Williams received ASCAP's prestigious Golden Note Award last night.

ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) hosted its 49th annual Country Music Awards last night (11/6) at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville.

The evening’s top honors were awarded to the following:

ASCAP Songwriter of the Year: Ben Hayslip
Hayslip scored his first Country Songwriter of the Year award. He wrote or co-wrote five of the most performed songs of the past year: “All About Tonight” (Blake Shelton), “All Over Me” (Josh Turner), “Farmer’s Daughter” (Rodney Atkins), “Gimmie That Girl” (Joe Nichols) and “The Shape I’m In” (Joe Nichols).

ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year: Brad Paisley
Paisley won this award for the second time. He has 27 ASCAP Most Performed Song awards, which includes three added last night with “Anything Like Me,” “This Is Country Music” and “Water.”

ASCAP Country Song of the Year: “The House That Built Me”
written by Allen Shamblin; published by Built On Rock

ASCAP Publisher of the Year: Sea Gayle Music
For the second consecutive year the ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year honors went to Sea Gayle Music who had six award-winning songs: “Anything Like Me,” “Come Back Song,” “This,” “This Ain’t Nothing,” “This Is Country Music” and “Water.” Presented to Sea Gayle Music’s Chris DuBois, Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers.

Handing out the honors were ASCAP CEO John A. LoFrumento, President and Chairman Paul Williams, VP and GM Nashville Marc Driskill, Executive VP Domestic Membership Randy Grimmett, and VP and Managing Executive Nashville Tim DuBois.

The writers of country music’s most performed songs of the period between April 2010 and March 2011 were honored. Thirty-six song honors were handed out, and the writers of the Top 5 performed their hits, including “All Over Me,” by Ben Hayslip and Josh Turner; “Gimmie That Girl,” by Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson (recorded by Joe Nichols); “The House That Built Me,” by Allen Shamblin (recorded by Miranda Lambert); “The Man I Want To Be,” performed by Brett James, Tim Nichols and Chris Young; and “Roll With It,” by Tony Lane and Johnny Park (recorded by Easton Corbin). The show kicked off with reigning ASCAP Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year Dierks Bentley performing his current single, “Home.”

A special musical tribute saluted Don Williams, who was honored with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award.

The Civil Wars received the ASCAP Vanguard Award.

The ASCAP Global Impact Award honored Josh Kear, Big Yellow Dog Publishing and Darth Buddha for “Need You Now” (Lady Antebellum).

2011 ASCAP MOST PERFORMED SONGS 

Ain’t Back Yet
Recorded by Kenny Chesney
Writers: Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman
Publishers: Angel River Songs, Big Loud Shirt

All About Tonight
Recorded by Blake Shelton
Writer: Ben Hayslip
Publishers: Melissa’s Money Music, This Music, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing

Anything Like Me
Recorded by Brad Paisley
Writers: Chris DuBois ,Brad Paisley, Dave Turnbull
Publishers: Full Circle Music, Sea Gayle Music, V Bulls Music

Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not
Recorded by Thompson Square
Writer: David Lee Murphy
Publishers: N2D Publishing, Old Desperadoes

Bullets In the Gun
Recorded by Toby Keith
Writer: Rivers Rutherford
Publishers: Memphianna, Universal Music Publishing

Come Back Song
Recorded by Darius Rucker
Writers: Darius Rucker, Chris Stapleton
Publishers: Cadaja Publishing, Sea Gayle Music, Son Of A Miner Songs, Universal Music Publishing

Crazy Town
Recorded by Jason Aldean
Writer: Brett Jones
Publisher: Brett Jones Music

Farmer’s Daughter
Recorded by Rodney Atkins
Writer: Ben Hayslip
Publishers: Melissa’s Money Music, This Music, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing

Gimmie That Girl
Recorded by Joe Nichols
Writer: Ben Hayslip
Publishers: Melissa’s Money Music, This Music, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing

Hello World
Recorded by Lady Antebellum
Writer: Tony Lane
Publishers: Ed and Lucille Songs, Sony/ATV Music Publishing

How I Got To Be This Way
Recorded by Justin Moore
Writers: Rivers Rutherford, Jeremy Stover
Publishers: EMI Music Publishing, Memphisto Music, Songs Of Countrywood, Universal Music Publishing

I’m In
Recorded by Keith Urban
Writers: Radney Foster, Georgia Middleman
Publishers: On My Mind Music, St Julien Music, Universal Music Publishing

Our Kind Of Love
Recorded by Lady Antebellum
Writer: busbee
Publisher: BMG Chrysalis

Roll With It
Recorded by Easton Corbin
Writers: Tony Lane, Johnny Park
Publishers: Hornbuckle Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing

She Won’t Be Lonely Long
Recorded by Clay Walker
Writer: Galen Griffin
Publisher: Mas Village Music

Smile
Recorded by Uncle Kracker
Writer: Jeremy Bose
Publishers: Meadowgreen Music Company, Vandelay Publishing

Somewhere With You
Recorded by Kenny Chesney
Writer: Shane McAnally
Publishers: Crazy Water Music Little Blue Egg

Stuck Like Glue
Recorded by Sugarland
Writer: Jennifer Nettles
Publisher: Jennifer Nettles Publishing

The Boys Of Fall
Recorded by Kenny Chesney
Writer: Dave Turnbull
Publishers: Full Circle Music, V Bulls Music

The House That Built Me
Recorded by Miranda Lambert
Writer: Allen Shamblin
Publisher: Built On Rock

The Man I Want To Be
Recorded by Chris Young
Writer: Brett James
Publishers: BMG Chrysalis, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing

The Shape I’m In
Recorded by Joe Nichols
Writer: Ben Hayslip
Publishers: Melissa’s Money Music, This Music, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing

This
Recorded by Darius Rucker
Writers: Frank Rogers, Darius Rucker
Publishers: Cadaja Publishing, Sea Gayle Music, Universal Music Publishing

This Ain’t No Love Song
Recorded by Trace Adkins
Writers: Tony Lane, Marcel
Publishers: Chaggy Buss Entertainment, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing

This Ain’t Nothing
Recorded by Craig Morgan
Writers: Chris DuBois, Kerry Kurt Phillips
Publishers: Full Circle Music, Sea Gayle Music

This Is Country Music
Recorded by Brad Paisley
Writers: Chris DuBois, Brad Paisley
Publisher: Sea Gayle Music

Turn On The Radio
Recorded by Reba
Writers: Cherie Oakley, Mark Oakley, J.P. Twang
Publishers: Cherie Armour Music, Flat Earth Music, Ten Ten Music

Unstoppable
Recorded by Rascal Flatts
Writer: Hillary Lindsey
Publishers: BMG/Chrysalis, Raylene Music

Voices
Recorded by Chris Young
Writers: Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman, Chris Young
Publishers: Big Loud Shirt, EMI Music Publishing, Runnin’ Behind Music

Water
Recorded by Brad Paisley
Writers: Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley
Pubishers: Didn’t Have To Be Music, EMI Music Publishing, Sea Gayle Music

Way Out Here
Recorded by Josh Thompson
Writer: David Lee Murphy
Publishers: N2D Publishing, Old Desperadoes

Who Are You When I’m Not Looking
Recorded by Blake Shelton
Writer: Earl Bud Lee
Publisher: We’re Working Music

Why Wait
Recorded by Rascal Flatts
Writer: Neil Thrasher
Publishers: BMG Chrysalis, Feet In The Creek Music

Wildflower
Recorded by JaneDear Girls
Writer: Jeremy Stover
Publishers: EMI Music Publishing, Songs Of Countrywood

Wrong Baby Wrong
Recorded by Martina McBride
Writers: Stephen Barker Liles, Robert Ellis Orrall
Publishers: EMI Music Publishing, It’s A Birthday Party Publishing, Orrall Fixation Music, Rockapop Music, Ten Ten Music

Sting And Vince Gill To Appear On “CMT Crossroads”

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Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage.com

Sting and Vince Gill are the latest duo to take the stage for an all-new episode of CMT Crossroads premiering Thursday, Nov. 24 at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT. The performance, taped earlier this year at New York City’s famed Hammerstein Ballroom, resulted in an exceptional night of rocking collaborations and in-depth interviews.

The 90-minute premiere features the duo partnering on some of Sting’s hits including “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You,” and “Every Breath You Take,” plus Gill’s “Liza Jane” and “Whenever You Come Around.” The musicians’ interviews reflect on the longevity and success of their careers. They also go on to discuss their thoughts on popular assumptions about the meanings of their songs, how they’ve developed as artists, and ultimately, why they continue to play music.

Since 1985, Sting has released twelve solo albums. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of his solo career, Universal Music Group recently released Sting: 25 Years. This definitive box set collection contains three comprehensive CD’s, all re-mastered exclusively for this set, and a DVD, Rough, Raw & Unreleased. Sting also published a memoir in 2003 entitled Broken Music, which spent 13 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list. He most recently released Lyrics, a comprehensive collection of lyrics and personal commentary, also featuring photographs from throughout his career.

Gill has won seventeen more CMA honors, including Song of the Year four times – making him the most awarded artist in that category in CMA history. Since 1990, Gill has walked away with 20 Grammy Awards and has racked up sales in excess of 26 million. Gill co-hosted the CMA Awards for twelve consecutive years. He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He recently released his first single in four year, “Threaten Me With Heaven.” The song comes off his new album, Guitar Slinger, released on MCA Records.

CMT Crossroads is produced by Tom Forrest and Kathryn Russ. John Hamlin, Margaret Comeaux and Bill Flanagan serve as executive producers for CMT.

T.J. Martell Foundation Honors Scott Borchetta

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(L-R): Javier Colon, Scott Borchetta, Drew Carey and Darius Rucker at the 36th annual Honors Gala for the TJ Martell Foundation.

Photos: Shahar Azran

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research celebrated its 36th Annual Honors Gala last Thursday (11/3) at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York.

This year the foundation presented the Humanitarian of the Year Award to Bea Perez, Chief Sustainability Officer for the Coca-Cola Company. The Spirit of Excellence Award was presented to Scott Borchetta, Chief Executive Officer of Big Machine Label Records. The Lifetime Philanthropic Award was presented to Arnold Palmer, Golf Legend and Philanthropist, and the Chairman’s Award was presented to actor and comedian Drew Carey.

Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts performs.

When Borchetta accepted the award, he surprised the crowd with a donation to the foundation and a performance by Rascal Flatts. The Grammy winning group made up of Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney quickly took to the stage to oblige and performed a moving “I Won’t Let Go.” Martina McBride closed out the evening with the newly released “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” a song about a woman’s fight against breast cancer and her husband’s devotion to support her.

Other attendees included Susan Lucci, Donald Trump and his wife Melania Knauss, Sam Simon, Will.i.am, Allan Harris  and Robbie Rosen. Other performances included Darius Rucker, and Javier Colon.

Rucker was a presenter for legendary golf pro Palmer and told his personal story of how the Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida helped his young niece, Carly, battle cancer.

Many memorable moments occurred that night. Tony Martell, founder of the T.J. Martell Foundation, spoke of his late son and his legacy within the organization, often telling the crowd “life happens when you don’t expect it.” Colon, from The Voice, opened the performances after dedicating his performance to his mother who has survived a stage 4 cancer diagnosis for now over ten years.

Martina McBride performs.

Carey, who accepted his honor from presenter Simon, promised $35,000 to the T.J. Martell foundation personally. Wendy Dio, widow of the late Ronnie James Dio who passed away from cancer last year, followed Carey by giving a $100,000 donation to the T.J. Martell Foundation in her husband’s name. Trump made a late appearance and was lauded by both Martell and Palmer from the podium.

Music Author Patsi Bale Cox Passes

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Patsi Bale Cox died at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville on Saturday, Nov. 5, of complications from emphysema. She was 66.

She was a music journalist, publicist and author who was noted for collaborating with stars on their autobiographies. Among the celebrities she co-wrote books with/for are Tanya Tucker, Loretta Lynn, Ralph Emery, Georgette Jones, Pat Benatar, Tony Orlando and Wynonna Judd.

She also wrote the 2009 book The Garth Factor: The Career Behind Country’s Big Boom, based on her experiences at Capitol Records during the superstar’s ascent in the 1990s.

A native of Kansas, Patsi Bale Cox moved to Nashville in 1983, just after publishing 1982’s Rocky Mountain Country.

Her most recent book is The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George. The collaboration with Georgette Jones was published earlier this year.

At the time of her death, she was working on biographies of Kenny Rogers and record executive Steve Popovich.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Nov. 7, 1991—Patsi Bale Cox and her daughter Tracy with Garth Brooks at his concert in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Photo: Alan Mayor

Robertson Taylor To Be Sold

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Entertainment industry insurance broker Robertson Taylor will be sold to Entertainment Insurance Partners for an undisclosed sum. Oxygen Holdings, owner of Robertson Taylor, announced the agreement today. The sale is subject to FSA approval.

Robertson Taylor was acquired by Oxygen in 2007 and has grown its revenue by 48% since that time. The organization is home to 75 staffers in offices in the UK and USA. All staff and clients of Robertson Taylor will transfer to EIP upon completion of the sale.

Robertson Taylor was started by music industry legends Willie Robertson and Bob Taylor. Robertson passed away in July, and Taylor recently renewed his contract with the firm.

Entertainment Insurance Partners Worldwide is a group of entertainment insurance and risk advisory experts, with specific focus on music, sports, and theatre. Companies within the organization include Walton & Parkinson and Long Reach International. Bruce Knox serves as Chairman of Entertainment Insurance Partners Worldwide.

Kay Clary Promoted at BMI

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Richard Conlon, BMI Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Communications & New Media, announced today (11/7) that BMI has promoted Kay Clary to Executive Director of Media Relations. Clary will continue to manage BMI’s public relations and communications efforts in Nashville and Atlanta.

In making the announcement, Conlon said, “Kay has been a key member of our communications team since 2005. She has earned the trust of Nashville’s music and songwriting community through 20 years of representing and championing some of the city’s s most legendary and significant musicians. Her creative focus, entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional execution skills all add up to a win for BMI songwriters and music publishers and the music industry at large.”

Throughout the ‘80s, Clary was a partner in Praxis International where, along with Jack Emerson and Andy McLenon, she managed the careers of Jason and the Scorchers, the Georgia Satellites, Webb Wilder, Steve Forbert, Billy Joe Shaver and others. Her recent experience includes heading up her own media company Commotion PR. The company’s roster included Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs, Billy Joe Shaver, Bruce Robison, the Del McCoury Band and Legacy Recordings. She also directed media campaigns for artists including Ron Sexsmith, Radney Foster, Jack Ingram and Hoodoo Gurus.

Along with Clary, Conlon also announced the promotion of David F. Bills to Executive Director of Online Communications. Bills is based in New York and was previously Senior Director of Online Communications at the music rights organization. He will continue to direct BMI’s digital and online strategic communications content and outlets, including its websites, online presence, social media and corporate video production.

Bills joined BMI in 2000 as Director of Online Communications & Webmaster, where he was responsible for a complete overhaul of the BMI website. Prior to BMI, he held various positions in technology, design and production consulting in the media, print, food and pharmaceutical industries including NBC, Apple Computer, Computer Science Corporation and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Photos: Brad Paisley, George S. Clinton

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Brad Paisley appeared on the The Daily Show with Jon Stewart recently to promote the release of his first major book titled Diary of a Player.

(L-R): Paisley, Jon Stewart, Skip Bishop (Sony Music Nashville SVP Promotion), and Bill Simmons (Paisley’s manager).

• • •

Hollywood composer George S. Clinton was the guest of the SunTrust Brian Williams Entertainment Studies Lecture Series held recently by the Department of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University. Clinton, a Chattanooga native and MTSU alumnus, has composed numerous background scores for major films including, the Austin Powers movies, The Mortal Kombat series, Wild Things, The Love Guru, Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee and many more. The lecture was conducted as an interview by Professor Matthew O’Brien for an audience of students and MTSU and SunTrust VIPs.

(L-R): Marilyn Wood, Bob Wood, MTSU's Matthew O’Brien, Ryan Moore, SunTrust's Andrew Kintz, George Clinton, President of MTSU Sidney McPhee, MTSU Recording Industry Chair Loren Mulraine, MTSU Dean Roy Moore, and Professor Cosette Collier.

 

 

ABC To Air Nashville Special With Robin Roberts

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On Tuesday, Nov. 8, ABC will air an hour-long special, In The Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville. The special will give viewers an exclusive all-access pass into the homes and private lives of some of country music’s biggest stars.

Robin Roberts will go behind-the-scenes and on tour with Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and Faith Hill. During his interview, Urban speaks candidly about his struggle for sobriety, being married to Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman and the joyful experience of being a new father. For the first time, Chesney invites cameras into his new home in Nashville where he opens up about love, life and battling misconceptions. “I learned a long time ago, several years ago, to quit reading what anybody writes,” he tells Roberts, “I learned not to think about what other people think, I’m just trying, I’m just doing the best I can do to be myself.” Meanwhile, Roberts joins Hill in the studio at a pivotal moment in her career, as she finishes her first new album of original songs in six years.

Roberts will then take the cameras to the classroom with American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, as she learns how he balances his new career while simultaneously finishing his senior year of high school. She’ll also spend a day with Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina, who talks about what it was like to put out a debut album while she was still learning how to drive.

Additionally, Roberts will join Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, as they go back to Indiana for the first time to visit the site of the deadly stage collapse that occurred at the state fair earlier this year. It will be the first time the country duo has spoken about the tragedy in a televised interview, during which, Nettles shares with Roberts what it was like to live through that moment and how she is forever changed.

In The Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville, airs on Tuesday, Nov. 8, (10:00 – 11:00 pm ET) on ABC, the night before the network’s live broadcast of the CMA Awards.