Friday Photo Spread

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Vince Gill appeared on NBC’s TODAY (10/26) with host Matt Lauer. Gill is in New York this week promoting his new album Guitar Slinger.

(L-R): Lauer, Gill Photo: NBC News/TODAY

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Tracy Lawrence’s song, “Saturday In The South,” has been chosen by CBS Sports Network for  telecasts of SEC conference college football. Each week during SEC football telecasts, Lawrence’s song will be part of an LG-sponsored vignette series. The song was also highlighted earlier in the year when Fox Sports South Network adapted it for its college football theme.

(L-R): CBS Sports commentators Verne Lunquist and Gary Danielson; CBS Producer Craig Silver; Tracy Lawrence Photo: Alex Torrez

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Lee and Elaine Roy were spotted on the set during an August taping of RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner, and show host Larry Black invited them to perform. “It was totally unexpected,” laughs Elaine Roy. “We were really lucky our fiddle player Clint White happened to be with us.” The Roys performed “Give A Ride To The Devil” from their current Rural Rhythm Records’ CD, Lonesome Whistle. This is The Roys’ second appearance on the show this year.

(L-R): The show’s featured guest Leona Williams, Elaine, Lee and fiddler Clint White.

Photo: EMI Music Publishing Signs Enderlin

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ASCAP songwriter/artist Erin Enderlin recently signed a publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing. Enderlin’s songwriting credits include Alan Jackson’s “Monday Morning Church,” Lee Ann Womack’s “Last Call,” and “You Don’t Know Jack,” co-written with Shane McAnally and cut by Luke Bryan for Tailgates & Tanlines. She is also currently working on an album with Jim “Moose” Brown and Jamey Johnson.

(L-R): ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Tim DuBois, Red Light Management’s Tracy Gershon, EMI Music Publishing’s Laura Wright, Josh Van Valkenburg, Erin Enderlin, and EMI Music Publishing’s Missy Wilson and Tom Luteran. Photo: Anna Maki

Artist Visits: Johnny Solinger, Claudia Lee

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Rocker Johnny Solinger stopped by MusicRow’s headquarters to preview his single “Livin’ Out A Country Song,” for the staff and to discuss his country roots. The Texas born artist also joined multi-platinum hard rock band Skid Row as lead singer in 1999. “Livin’ Out A Country Song” has been shipped to radio and Solinger will be making the rounds soon.

(L-R): Red Dirt Music’s Ben Ewing; guitarist/artist Richie Owens; Solinger; MR President Sherod Robertson; MR News Editor Sarah Skates; MR Chart Director Jon Freeman; MR Art Director/Production Mgr. Christie King

Up and coming artist Claudia Lee also dropped by MusicRow’s offices to discuss her first single and video “Hollywood Sunset,” as well as her acting career. Lee currently stars in the CW series Hart of Dixie, airing Mondays at 8 pm CT.

(L-R): MR Publisher David Ross, Lee, MR Chart Director Jon Freeman

Brad and Carrie Audition For CMA Hosting Gig

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You can’t take anything for granted, apparently. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood may have done an admirable job of hosting the CMA Awards for the past three years, but they don’t get to coast when it comes to this gig. A recent series of videos shows how the pair were forced to go back through the humiliating audition process once again, and faced competition from some of entertainment’s biggest names.

Industry Ink (10/28/11)

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The co-op’s Nancy Russell hosted a dinner at Giovanni’s in Nashville on Wednesday night (10/26). Russell won the dinner party for 12 during at a charity auction at the ‘Ete du Vin Nashville Crush event in July. Proceeds from the auction benefited the American Cancer Society. Pictured standing (L-R): Joe Galante, former Chairman, Sony Music Nashville; Phran Galante; Tom Baldrica, President, Average Joe’s Entertainment; John Esposito, President/CEO, Warner Music Nashville; Nancy Russell, President/Owner, the co-op; Tom Becci, COO/Finance, Capitol Records Nashville; Luann Becci; Maurice Miner, the co-op; and Jane Dungan. Seated: Tracy Baldrica; Mike Dungan, President/CEO, Capitol Records Nashville; and Chantal Esposito.

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Belmont University will host industry vets Joe Galante and Clint Higham as guests at the next Insider’s View seminar on Wed., Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in Belmont’s Massey Performing Arts Center. Co-sponsored by Avenue Bank and moderated by Harry Chapman, the evening’s panel discussion will revolve around the importance of building a team of trusted advisers in the entertainment industry, particularly their guidance of Kenny Chesney’s career. Members of the industry are invited to attend.

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The NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT has a Halloween deadline of Oct. 31. The contest boasts career-building industry relationships designed to help unsigned songwriters navigate the road to becoming professional hitmakers. The Grand Prize Winner will receive an exclusive mentoring session with songwriter/musician Charlie Daniels. All genres encouraged. Enter at nsai.cmt.com.

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The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, now in its 20th year, will begin accepting entries starting Nov. 1. Presented in conjunction with MerleFest 25, the contest will be held under the direction of volunteer chair Jim Lauderdale. MerleFest 25 takes place April 26-29, 2012 in Wilkesboro, N.C.

Starting Nov. 1, song entries may be submitted via the U.S. Postal Service to PO Box 121855, Nashville, TN 37212 or the contest page on Sonicbids. The deadline to submit material is February 18, 2012. Previous contest winners include Gillian Welch, Tift Merritt, Adrienne Young, Michael Reno Harrell, and more.

Artist Roundup

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(L-R) Jay Leno, Eddie Montgomery, Love Ride founder and Glendale Harley-Davidson owner Oliver Shokouh, and Troy Gentry

Montgomery Gentry wrapped up the release week of their latest album, Rebels On The Run, by headlining a concert at Castaic Lake. They performed for the thousands of motorcycle riders who participated in the 28th Annual Love Ride in Southern California. One of the largest organized motorcycle rides in the country, the Love Ride has raised over $14 million for various charities. This year’s beneficiary was Autism Speaks.

Prior to the Ride, the country duo took part in the kick-off festivities at the Glendale Harley-Davidson dealership. They were introduced alongside the likes of Love Ride Grand Marshall and Tonight Show host Jay Leno, Honorary Grand Marshall and award-winning actor Robert Patrick and numerous other Hollywood heavy-weights.

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MCA artist and baseball enthusiast David Nail will sing “God Bless America” tonight (Oct. 28) during the seventh inning stretch at game seven of the World Series, between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. “I’m truly honored to be asked to sing ‘God Bless America’ tonight,” says Nail. “Obviously being from Missouri and a Cardinal fan, just to be able to watch game seven in person is a once in a lifetime experience in itself.” Nail will also make an appearance on the GAC series Day Jobs on Sunday (Oct. 30), where he will put in a full day of work at a Missouri Dairy Queen. Nail’s sophomore album The Sound of a Million Dreams is due for release Nov. 15.

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Keith Urban sang his hits for a sold-out Opry House audience Tuesday night (10/25) and the audience decided to sing back. After the CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee performed his first song of the night, “Sweet Thing,” fans gathered near the stage and serenaded Urban with “Happy Birthday” in honor of his 44th birthday on Wednesday (10/26). Urban concluded his Opry set with “Making Memories of Us” and “Where the Blacktop Ends.” He is scheduled to return to the Opry twice next month.

This Saturday Oct. 29, Opry member Charlie Daniels will also be celebrating his 75th birthday at the Opry with birthday shows that include guest of honor and fellow Opry member, Clint Black. Special guests will also include The Grascals, Lee Greenwood, Gretchen Wilson and more. Fans at home can celebrate Daniels’ birthday early by visiting the Opry’s YouTube channel this week, which  includes a special playlist of Daniels’ Opry performances.

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After celebrating his 80th birthday last month, George Jones is keeping busy with thirty-five shows scheduled (dates below) throughout the U.S. and Canada from now through November 2012.

Jones said, “I’m always excited to get back out on the road and we’re working up new shows and new songs. I’m feelin’ great and givin’ the road hell!”

2011
Oct. 28 – Elkhart, IN – Lerner PAC
Oct. 29 – Waukegan, IL – Waukegan, IL
Oct. 30 – Green Bay, WI – Oneida Casino
Nov. 18 – Beckley, WV – Convention Center
Nov. 25 – Ft. Smith, AR – Convention Center
Nov. 26 – Texarkana, TX – Perot Theater
Dec. 2 – Grand Berry, TX – Rio Brazos Live
Dec. 3 – Fulton, MS – Community College
Dec. 17– Tulsa, OK – Osage Casino

2012
Feb. 3 – Huntington, WV – Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Feb. 4 – Tunica, MS – Sam’s Town
Feb. 9 – Daytona Beach, FL – Peabody Auditorium
Feb. 10 – Melbourne, FL – King Center
Feb. 17 – Wabash, IN – Honeywell Center
Feb. 18 – Columbus, OH – TBA
Feb. 24 – Reno, NV – TBA
Feb. 25 – Wendover, UT – TBA
March 1 – Pendelton, OR – TBA
March 2 – Shelton– WA – TBA
March 3-4 – Lincoln City, OR – TBA
March 23 – Metropolis, IL – TBA
March 24 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center
April 20 – Mahnomen, MN – Shooting Star Casino
April 21 – Deadwood, SD – Deadwood Mountain Grand Casino
May 10 – 20 – Canada – TBA
June 3 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theater
July 27 – 28 – Pigeon Forge, TN – Country Tonight
Aug.17 – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theater
Aug. 18 – Durham, NC – Durham PAC
Sept. 22 – Myrtle Beach, SC – Alabama Theater
Oct. 12 – Branson, MO – The Mansion Theatre
Oct. 13 – Renfro Valley, KY – Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Nov. 9 – Branson, MO – The Mansion Theatre
Nov. 23 – Winnie, TX – Nutty Jerry’s Winnie Arena
Nov. 24 – Bossier City, LA – Horseshoe Casino

Visiting With Paul Brandt

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“Nashville definitely had a huge role in shaping where I am today,” Paul Brandt told MusicRow in a phone interview last week. “Pete Fisher managed me before he started managing the Opry. The biz was changing then so much, but his great management style set a lot of firm foundations to build the successes that we have accomplished. Nashville was a big part of that for us.”

Brandt, the most awarded male Canadian country artist in history, was in Music City (10/25) rehearsing at SoundCheck for his upcoming Now Tour, scheduled for November and December across Canada. He was also recording a theme song for the World Junior Hockey Tournament, an event that helps youngsters get discovered and move into the big leagues.

The singer/songwriter was signed to Nashville’s Warner/Reprise Records in the early ‘90s. His first big break came in 1996 with the single, “My Heart Has A History” from the Gold selling album Calm Before The Storm. “I Do” followed and topped the charts. Through the end of the decade Brandt released a total five albums and enjoyed multiple chart successes on the Nashville-based label.

“We actually returned to Calgary about six years ago,” Brandt said. “I was talking with my business manger Cheryl Harris of O’Neil and Hagaman, and she said, ‘Well Paul, after you left Warner Bros. everyone thought you went and got a job at Wal-Mart.’ Of course, even before my wife Liz and I moved back to Canada we started doing things up there professionally.”

It took some time and courage to change course from major to independent label. “We’d been going back and forth for quite a while, with me asking to get out of the deal with Warner/Reprise,” says Brandt. “Finally they saw fit to let me go. I’ve never been more terrified and more excited both at the same time when I got the call. Suddenly there was a blank slate and I had the opportunity to do what I wanted. That’s when my own label began.”

Brandt started Brand-T Records and his first release was awarded Album of The Year by the Canadian Country Music Association. In fact, every album he has released on the label has earned that title, which is remarkable in itself. “The added control of having your own label is great,” laughs Brandt, “but you still have to pay your dues and pay for it as well. There’s a lot of risk that comes with that.”

Brandt’s career spans across many channels, but perhaps most notable is his new NOW box set. “It has four Brand-T catalog discs,” Brandt explains. “Plus it also includes our new album Give It Away. That was something I wanted to celebrate. There’s also some musical extras, a DVD to remind people of what we’ve been up to for the last 15 years and a book I wrote which tells the story as well. There’s even a blank space in the box set with a QR code discount for the upcoming Bluegrass/Gospel album, Just As I Am that will arrive early next year.”

I asked, was NOW a retrospective or finale of some sort? “I think it would be a bad marketing plan to call it a ‘retrospective’ at this time in my career [I hope],” laughed Brandt. “In some ways the theme of it can be wrapped up in a song we had out in Canada called ‘Didn’t Even See The Dust.’ The idea is that it is OK to look back at the past, but not a good idea to dwell in it. And that’s really what I hope the spirit of this project is all about. It’s about reminding people where we’ve been together, thanking them for being along on the journey and then giving some hints as to where we might be moving next. For me music is always going to be part of the equation. I love doing what I’m doing and can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Jeremy McComb Debuts New EP

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Earlier this month (10/11) Jeremy McComb of McCombOVER Records digitally released his new EP, LEAP and the net will appear. The EP was produced by McComb, Tim Lawter and Rusty Milner. The seven tracks were co-written by McComb with Bart Allmand, Travis Howard, Kevin Kadish, Keesy Timmer and others. The sophomore music project is a follow-up to McComb’s debut release, My Side Of Town.

In conjunction with the release, McComb performed a special show at The Rutledge in Nashville as a thank you to his fans, who helped fund the project through donations at Kickstarter.com. The show was simultaneously streamed online through the virtual venue at StageIt.com.

The Rutledge showcase also featured a celebratory contribution from Couture Cakes. Owners Kimberly and Andrew Beattie created a cake in the shape of McComb’s Epiphone guitar and an amp. They also constructed a Fireball bottle and shot glasses made from sugar. The desserts recognized McComb’s event sponsor, Fireball, as well as his endorsement from Gibson Epiphone.

LEAP and the net will appear is available on iTunes and other online venues.

Hood Releases New Album

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Carnival Records recording artist Adam Hood released his new album, The Shape of Things, earlier this month (10/11). Recorded in Nashville and produced by Matthew Miller and Oran Thornton, The Shape of Things features twelve tracks, all written or co-written by Hood.

“Hood reminds one of the younger Jeffrey Steele, someone who can really sing and play, and understands how to craft a good song and then perform it with the excitement and emotion that truly does it justice,” wrote Rick Moore of American Songwriter.

Hood’s journey started during his early years in Opelika, Alabama, but a chance encounter with Miranda Lambert took him right where he was meant to be. Impressed with Hood, that she asked him to open a string of shows for her and introduced him to producer and Carnival Music partner, Frank Liddell. Liddell signed Adam as writer to Carnival Music Publishing and to the company’s record label as an artist.

Hood’s songs have been recorded by many country artists, including Lee Ann Womack and Eli Young Band.

Recently, Hood performed on Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour and is scheduled to play several dates throughout Texas and the Southeast this fall.

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.adamhood.com.

CMA, ABC and Macy’s Ramp Up For The CMA Awards

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As excitement builds for The 45th Annual CMA Awards, the Country Music Association and the ABC Television Network are scheduled to air an exclusive sneak peek into Country Music’s Biggest Night. The special televised show, CMA Close Up Presents Road to the CMA Awards, is a half-hour exclusive packed with artist interviews and highlights from past CMA Awards. The special will air on local ABC affiliates between today (10/28) and Wednesday, Nov. 9.

CMA Close Up Presents Road to the CMA Awards discusses artists’ favorite memories from past CMA Awards, as well as what it’s like to be nominated and perform for the first time. Featured artists include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Kristin Chenoweth, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Chris Young,

This special will air in more than 90 percent of ABC markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Miami and Nashville. Check your local listings for times.

“This special was an incredible success last year,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “This is a great opportunity to ramp up the excitement for the upcoming CMA Awards and increase awareness in each of these markets.”

Macy’s is also preparing for the CMA Awards with Macy’s Walk of Stars, which officially kicks-off Country Music’s Biggest Night. This year the Macy’s Walk of Stars will be positioned on Demonbreun Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. Artists and celebrities will be able to walk down the red carpet lit by the iconic Macy’s “star” beginning at 4:00 PM/CT on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Macy’s offers fans an opportunity to be part of the excitement with an exclusive fan bleacher section in the paparazzi photo area, where the stars stop for their fashion photos.

Macy’s is additionally promoting the partnership in Nashville with a special shopping event at the Green Hills location on Saturday, Nov. 5  at 2:00 PM/CT. Shoppers can get glammed up with complimentary hairstyling with feather hair extensions by Macy’s Premier Salon. Participants can then show off their best red carpet poses and participate in a karaoke contest for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Awards. All participants will take home a copy of their recording.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air live on ABC Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return as hosts for their fourth consecutive year.