CMA Announces 2011 Broadcast Awards Finalists

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Final nominees for the nation’s top Country radio stations and broadcast personalities were delivered to Country Radio today, when the JaneDear girls revealed the 2011 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year finalists live from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 45th Annual CMA Awards, to be held Wednesday, Nov. 9 and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year
National
“American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks” (Kix Brooks) –  Citadel Media
“Big D & Bubba Show” (Derek Haskins and Sean Powell) – Premiere Radio Networks
“The Lia Show” (Lia Knight)  – Dial Global

Major Market
“Ben & Matt Show” (Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Edwards & Lee” (Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee) – WYCD, Detroit, Mich.
“Kelly Ford & Rider” (Kelly Ford and Mark Newman) – KYGO, Denver-Boulder, Colo.
“Laurie DeYoung Morning Show” (Laurie DeYoung) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“Paul Schadt Morning Show” (Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte/Gastonia, N.C.; Rock Hill, SC

Large Market
“Chris Carr & Company”  (Chris Carr, Jeffrey “Maverick” Bolen, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Coffee, Country & Cody” (Bill Cody) – WSM-AM, Nashville, Tenn.
“Jeff Roper in the Morning” (Jeff Roper and Angie Ward) – WTQR, Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Pont, NC
“Jess, Brian, and Amanda” (Jess Tyler, Brian Phillips, and Amanda Leonardo) – WCTK, Providence/Warwick/Pawtucket, RI
“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless, Marty Young, and Janie Carothers) – WQDR, Raleigh/Durham, NC

Medium Market
“Kevin Richards Show” (Kevin Richards) – WGNA, Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y.
“Mornings with Brian and Kellie” (Brian Pierce and Kellie Michaels) – KFDI, Wichita, Kan.
“The 97 Country Breakfast Club” (Tom O’Brien, Roger Todd, Melissa Moran) – WPCV, Lakeland/Winter Haven, Fla.
“The Kat 103 Morning Show” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa
“Ellis and Bradley Morning Show” (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC

Small Market
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene/Springfield, Ore.
“Bearman and Ken in the Morning” (Benny “Bearman” Martin, Ken Hicks, Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Scotty and Carissa in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Carissa Loethen) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, NC
“The Good Morning Guys” (Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore) – KUAD, Ft. Collins/Greeley, Colo.

CMA Radio Station of the Year
Major Market
KMLE – Phoenix, Ariz.
KNIX – Phoenix, Ariz.
WKKT – Charlotte/Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, SC
WMZQ – Washington, DC
WYCD – Detroit, Mich.

Large Market
KASE – Austin, Texas
KVET – Austin, Texas
WFMS – Indianapolis, Ind.
WQDR – Raleigh/Durham, NC
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio

Medium Market
KATM – Modesto, Calif.
KFDI – Wichita, Kan.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, NY
WYRK – Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY

Small Market
KCLR -Columbia, Mo.
KUAD – Ft. Collins/Greeley, Colo.
WKSF – Asheville, NC
WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.

CMA Nominations Revealed

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(L-R): Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift each earned five CMA Award nominations, and will all vie for the Entertainer trophy.

Topping the list of final nominees for The 45th Annual CMA Awards are Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift with five nods each. Right on their heels are The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band, who each received four nominations as a group while individual members Kimberly Perry (of The Band Perry), Coy Bowles and Zac Brown (of Zac Brown Band) each earned a solo nod as a songwriter.

This is a huge step forward for Aldean, who earned first-time nominations in five categories including the coveted Entertainer prize, as well as Male Vocalist, Album, Single and Musical Event. Aldean’s two prior nominations are for the Horizon Award in 2007, and in 2008 when the category changed names to CMA New Artist of the Year.

For the sixth year, the announcement of the final nominees in five of the 12 categories was made live on ABC News’ Good Morning America with The Band Perry and Jake Owen delivering the news from the heart of New York City’s Times Square. Finalists in the other seven categories were announced by Jerrod Niemann, and CMA Vocal Duo and New Artist of the Year nominees Thompson Square from the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, which was home to the first broadcast of the CMA Awards in 1968.

Broadcast Awards finalists were also revealed at the Ryman, click here to see the list.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards air live on ABC November 9, 2011.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year
The Band Perry
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Thompson Square
Chris Young

Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Album of the Year (Award to Artist and Producer(s))
All About Tonight, Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks, Warner Bros. Nashville
My Kinda Party, Jason Aldean, Produced by Michael Knox, Broken Bow Records
Speak Now, Taylor Swift, Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records
This Is Country Music, Brad Paisley, Produced by Frank Rogers, Arista Nashville
You Get What You Give, Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown, Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records

Single of the Year (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
“A Little Bit Stronger” Sara Evans, Produced by Tony Brown, RCA Nashville
“Colder Weather” Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown,
Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Produced by Michael Knox, Broken Bow Records
“Honey Bee” Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks, Warner Bros. Nashville
“If I Die Young” The Band Perry, Produced by Paul Worley, Republic Nashville

Song of the Year
“Colder Weather,” Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles
“Dirt Road Anthem,” Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford
“If I Die Young,” Kimberly Perry
“Mean,” Taylor Swift
“You and Tequila,” Matraca Berg and Deana Carter

Musical Event of the Year
“As She’s Walking Away” Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson, Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records
“Coal Miner’s Daughter” Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert, Columbia Records Nashville
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Broken Bow Records
“Old Alabama” Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, Arista Nashville
“You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, BNA Records

Vocal Duo of the Year
Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square

Music Video of the Year
“Honey Bee” Blake Shelton, Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“If I Die Young” The Band Perry, Directed by David McClister
“Mean” Taylor Swift, Directed by Declan Whitebloom
“Old Alabama” Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, Directed by Jim Shea
“You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, Directed by Shaun Silva

Musician of the Year
Sam Bush – Mandolin
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar

Artist News: Darius, Jake, Willie and More

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Is fall almost here already? Darius Rucker is quite prepared for the change, because he just unveiled his first headlining U.S. tour as a solo artist. Fresh from the European leg of Brad Paisley’s H2O II: Wetter and Wilder Tour, Rucker’s fall trek will start October 6 in Glens Falls, NY with guests Rodney Atkins and Frankie Ballard. Currently the latest date announced is November 12 in Charleston, SC (with Thompson Square and Justin Moore supporting), but more dates are expected soon. “I haven’t headlined a tour since Hootie, so to say I’m excited is an understatement,” says Rucker. “It has been such an incredible experience to tour with Paisley and Rascal Flatts, and I’ve learned a lot being on the road with them. With this tour, I’m just excited to perform again for our fans, and I’m thrilled to have Rodney, Frankie, Justin, and Thompson Square joining us.”

• • • • •

Kudos to the gang at Sony Music Nashville and RCA Records for a successful launch this week of Jake Owen’s third studio album Barefoot Blue Jean Night. As of yesterday (9/1), it held the No. 1 position on iTunes’ country albums chart, and digital downloads of the title track total over 850,000. Owen even sent out a tweet yesterday to solicit some fan feedback: “Ok…First 10 peeps to respond that bought my record, I’ll follow you. You can send me your phone #. I wanna call you and see what songs u dig.” Last night, GAC aired a special called “Jake On The Lake” that gave an in depth look at Owen’s new album, as well as intimate performances, and some wake-boarding action from the man himself. Next Tuesday (9/6), Owen and The Band Perry will announce final nominees in five CMA Awards categories live on Good Morning America.

• • • • •

Weekend Notes: College football starts this weekend, and country stars will feature in at least two network promotional campaigns. Tracy Lawrence’s song “Saturday In The South” has been picked for FOX Sports and SportSouth college football campaigns through the season, and Jason Aldean’s “My Kinda Party” will be featured in telecasts of 2011 ACC college football games on the ACC Network. • The 2011 MDA Telethon takes place Sunday, September 4 and runs 6 pm – Midnight in every time zone on over 150 television stations. Numerous country artists and Nashville notables are set to participate, including Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Tommy Emmanuel. Additional guests include Celine Dion, Boyz II Men, Reggie Bush, Whoopi Goldberg and many more. The event can also be streamed online at mda.org. Proceeds benefit research for muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related diseases.

• • • • •

Willie Nelson has covered Coldplay’s song “The Scientist” as part of a campaign for burrito chain king Chipotle. While the matchup might seem strange, both Nelson and Chipotle are avowed proponents of sustainable agriculture and a portion of the song’s purchases on iTunes will benefit the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation. There is an accompanying animated video (see below) titled “Back To The Start,” where a farmer  changes his business from an industrial farm to a sustainable, organic one.

Aldean Duels Rapper T.I. For Ringtone Title

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Most country fans would not be expected to know that rapper T.I.’s real name is Clifford Harris, but judging by purchases of 248,000 ringtones and close to 1.98 million downloads of “Dirt Road Anthem,” they certainly know Jason Aldean.

So why the comparison? Aldean is in range to beat the all genre ringtone chart record for most consecutive weeks at No. 1 currently held by T.I.

The rapper, currently set to be released from prison on Sept. 29, where he is being held for violating parole, holds the title with 18 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the SoundScan Mastertones Songs chart with his song, “Whatever You like.” Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” is currently in the top spot with 15 weeks at No. 1,  a tie with Eminem (“Love The Way You Lie”) and already a record for country music ringtones.

What’s causing Aldean’s ringtone phenomenon and is it mostly country consumers or has it spread wider?

Chris Parr

“I call the ringtone a badge of honor,” says manager Chris Parr. It’s the ultimate statement that says who I am, who I identify with and says volumes about younger demos when they are carrying it around. The research says ringtones skew younger. From my programming days, I always used to say, ‘look at the tea leaves. Try to read them and figure out the direction to go.’ Ringtones are just another leaf off that tree, another element. It shows people care and they are passionate about the song and the artist. In terms of crossover influencing these sales, we had more crossover play this year with the Kelly Clarkson duet than with ‘Dirt Road,’ but common sense based on how many weeks it has been No. 1 says it has spread beyond the core country audience.”

Parr, who manages Aldean with Clarence Spalding of Spalding Ent. left CMT mid-year 2007 to work with Aldean.

“It was lucky timing,” remembers Parr modestly. “I was always very passionate about him. Jason is one of those creative people that doesn’t live in the grey, he has a real sense of what works for him and what doesn’t and is very black and white about his art. It makes it more productive when you are working with an artist like that. We have very clear communication. It’s been very exciting, and nice to be able to stretch the boundaries a little bit.”

Ringtone sales peaked a few years ago, but remain a significant revenue stream. Currently on the Top 200 Mastertone chart are numerous country songs and artists. For example looking at the chart for the week ending 8/28/2011 we find Jason, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton all in the top ten. Ranked RTD (release to date) the five highest selling country songs are Lady A “Need You Now” (968k); Zac Brown Band “Chicken Fried” (845k); Jason Aldean “Big Green Tractor” (766k), “She’s Country” (505k); and Carrie Underwood “Jesus Take The Wheel” (488k). (Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” has scanned about 250,000 RTD.)

Aldean has already set the consecutive weeks at No. 1 record for a country act and he is currently tied in second place with Eminem. However, hot behind him is Lil Wayne who has been in the No. 2 spot for the past three weeks. Can Aldean stay No. 1 this coming week (week ended 9/4/11)? If so he’ll own the No. 2 spot for all genres, with 16 consecutive weeks at No. 1, and be only two weeks away from a tie for No. 1.

 

 

Movie Pass Gives Subscribers Big Screen Experience

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Movie Pass may soon revolutionize the cinema industry with its new subscription model for lovers of the silver screen. The new service which the Wall Street Journal reports will soon enter a testing phase, allows consumers to view an unlimited number of films per month at participating movie screens for a flat monthly fee. Exact fees have not yet been disclosed. Not unexpectedly, some theater owners are voicing concerns that the subscription model may hurt their pocketbooks. In fact, AP reports that Movie Pass attempted to begin testing its idea last July with a $50 price tag, but screen owners stopped it.

Movie Pass believes it has a new way to make everyone happy by partnering with Hollywood Movie Money, a company that offers customers promotional tickets and then redeems them from theater owners. Under the new plan, owners will receive the full price of a regular ticket when one of its passes gets redeemed. Hollywood Movie Money is owned by Quantum Loyalty Solutions, Inc.

Quantum Chief Executive Ron Randolph told the Wall Street Journal, the service would encourage movie going without any additional costs to studios or theaters, since everyone gets paid, “full freight.”

The Movie Pass web site says, “Love going to the movies? Get ready for a service that will change your movie going experience forever!” Consumers can sign up on the site to receive a tester invitation.

Analysis: Content in the digital age, including music and now movies can be acquired essentially in three ways—own, subscription, or free. Movie Pass adds a new lane to the subscription traffic which already includes streaming/physical alternatives like Netflix and cable. What’s novel about Movie Pass is that it incorporates the live in-theater, big screen experience.

 

Photo Friday

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Christian Kane Visits MusicRow

Before heading out for his fall tour, Bigger Picture artist Christian Kane dropped by MusicRow to meet the staff and play his new single “Let Me Go.” He also invited a little foot-stomping with his down home version of “Callin’ All Country Women.”

(L-R): manger Eric Griffin; MR’s Sherod Robertson; Christian Kane; MR’s Sarah Skates, David Ross, Michelle Stephens, Jon Freeman and Christie King; and guitar player Steve Carlson.

 

Belmont Students in Liverpool

Belmont students went to London this summer to study “The European Music Business” with Professor Don Cusic. They spent a “Beatles Day” in Liverpool, touring the Beatles Museum and took the “Magical Mystery Tour” bus which featured visits to the homes of the Beatles as well as special landmarks like “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields.”

Museum Hosts Tommy Emmanuel

One of Australia’s most respected and popular musicians, guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel paid tribute to Chet Atkins in a special program at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum last Saturday (8/27). After an interview with the Museum’s Mick Buck, Emmanuel performed for Museum guests.

(L-R): Tommy Emmanuel, Dinah and Fred Gretsch, Museum Curatorial Director Mick Buck and John Knowles. Photo: Donn Jones

ZBB Announces Southern Ground Music & Food Festival

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Music Festivals are all about eclecticism and “fan experience,” but Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival, set for Oct. 21-23 in Charleston, SC, is attempting to raise the bar.

The three day event, presented by Landshark and Jack Daniel’s, will be held at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island in Charleston, and hopes to engage the senses of attendees with diverse music, gourmet food, a custom video projection screen and a Martin MLA sound system. Ticket pre-sale begins Sept. 9 for fan club members and the general sale starts Sept. 10 at 9 am CT.

In addition to three Zac Brown Band performances, the diverse musical lineup also includes handpicked ZBB favorites My Morning Jacket, Train, Eric Church, Fitz and the Tantrums, Warren Haynes Band, Steel Pulse, Trigger Hippy, The Del McCoury Band and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Brett Dennen, and performances by Southern Ground artists Sonia Leigh, The Wood Brothers, Nic Cowan, Levi Lowrey, Blackberry Smoke, and Clay Cook. A second stage will feature performances by additional musicians between main stage sets.

VIP tickets are also available, including ZBB’s Front Porch Stage Boxes. Purchasers get on-stage seating feet away from the performers; a four-course gourmet meal prepared by Southern Ground Exec. Chef Rusty Hamlin, Sean Brock, Mike Lata and RJ Cooper; and complimentary beverages.

For the full lineup, set times, and tickets, visit http://www.southerngroundfestival.com.

National Folk Festival Starts Tonight

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The 73rd Annual National Folk Festival starts this evening (9/2) at the Bicentennial Mall in downtown Nashville, offering a wide selection of music, dance, arts, food, and more.

Performers for the free event include Green Fields of America (Irish-American music/dance), Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano (Mexican mariachi), The Holmes Brothers (blues/gospel/r&b), Dale Ann Bradley (bluegrass), BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet (cajun), Road Mountain Hilltoppers (Appalachian string band), and many more. Events begin at 7 pm tonight (9/2), and Noon on Saturday (9/3) and Sunday (9/4). A full schedule is available here.

The Festival has also partnered with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to present a unique program for the Tennessee Folklife Stage and Demonstration Area sponsored by SunTrust. Titled “Nashville’s Musical Roots and Branches,” the stage will explore the city’s musical heritage with interviews and performances from gospel, bluegrass, early country, songwriter, and r&b artists. Each year this area plans to celebrate a different facet of Tennessee heritage and culture.

Part of a three-year tenure with the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), the National Folk Festival will call Nashville home for 2011, 2012 and its 75th anniversary in 2013.

Sea Gayle/BNA Announces New Signing

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(L-R): Scott Safford, Safford Motley PLC; Bryan Frasher, VP Promotion BNA Records; Gary Overton, Chairman & CEO Sony Music Nashville; Scott Kernahan, Rogue Music Group; Liz O’Sullivan, Sea Gayle; Pete Olson, Rogue Music Group; Skip Bishop, SVP Promotion Sony Music Nashville; and seated, Wade Bowen.

Sea Gayle Records / BNA Records officially announced the signing of Wade Bowen. The Texas-bred singer-songwriter has been in the studio finishing his sixth album—his first project for a major label.

The hard-touring artist has built a large fan base by performing 200-plus nights a year. He has scored seven No. 1s on the Texas Music Chart, and multiple awards including 2009 Texas Music Awards’ Male Vocalist of the Year and the 2010 LoneStarMusic Awards’ Live Act of the Year.

For his upcoming release, Bowen collaborated with one of his biggest influences, Guy Clark, on a duet.

Weekly Chart Report (9/02/11)

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Amber Hayes (FUNL Music) Learns a 'Magic Beer Trick' during a visit to WBYT/South Bend, Ind. (L-R): Pat (owner of local Irish pub Mulligan’s), Hayes

SPIN ZONE
Keith Urban might be a prophet. About three months ago he tunefully predicted that it was “gonna be a long hot summer” and well, it definitely has been. The song moves up to the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot just as September arrives, and we’ve (thankfully) still got a little summer left in the tank.

Positions 3-9 hold fast, with Kenny Chesney’s “You And Tequila” on top of the heap at No. 3. Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” still looks strong at No. 5, tacking on a few more spins and closing in on Brad Paisley’s “Remind Me.”  Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” also has some legs, as it picks up a 180 spin gain and moves to No. 10.

Kudos to Capitol Records on an impressive debut for Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” which lands at No. 70 in its first week being reported. Bryan’s labelmates Lady Antebellum also have a nocturnally-themed single called “We Owned The Night,” and it’s up to No. 30 in its third week on the chart.

Frozen Playlists: KITX, KXIA, KZTL, WDGG, WKWS, WQNZ, WTCM, WYVY

Upcoming Singles
September 6
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow

September 12
Kevin Fowler/That Girl/Average Joes
Chris Young/You/RCA
Ashley Gearing/Me, My Heart and I/Curb
Crystal Shawanda/Love Enough/Sun/Nine North
Andy Gibson/Wanna Make You Love Me/R&J

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 70
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 74
Jason Sturgeon/The Cover/Toolpusher/Spinville — 78
Marlee Scott/Beautiful Maybe/CO5 — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 456
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 381
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 350
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 330
Miranda Lambert/Baggage Claim/Columbia — 288

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Luke Bryan/I Don’t Want This Night To End/Capitol — 32
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 23
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 22
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 14
Eric Church/Drink In My Hand/EMI Nashville — 14
Steel Magnolia/Bulletproof/Big Machine — 13
Reba/Somebody’s Chelsea/Starstruck/Valory — 10
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up — 10

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Bomshel/Halleluy’all/Curb — 218
Cash Creek/Unlikely Angel/Ohana — 209
Justin Haigh/All My Best Friends Are Behind Bars — 205
Coleman Brothers/Beer—Thirty/PVI — 200
The O’Donnells/She Leaves The Light On/Song Valley Music — 195
Jesse Keith Whitley/Kentucky Thunder/Octabrook Records — 190
Tyrone Vaughan/Downtime/Kick It Up — 184

Warner Bros. Records artist Jason Jones recently stopped by CMT to give the staff a “Ferris Wheel” spin. The singer/songwriter treated staff to performances of songs from his forthcoming Brett Beavers-produced debut album, including his current single “Ferris Wheel.” (L-R): Jensen Arrowsmith (Warner Music Nashville Associate Director, Publicity), Stacey Cato (CMT Music Strategy), Jason Jones, Stephen Linn (CMT Music Strategy), Kelli Cashiola (Warner Music Nashville VP Brand Management), Justin Luffman (Director On-Line Marketing), Jennifer Danielson (CMT Music Strategy) and Cris Lacy (Warner Music Nashville VP A&R). Photo Credit: Courtesy of CMT

Frankie Ballard with US Army Black Knights—who parachuted in next to the stadium right before Frankie took the stage at the Appalachian Fair in Johnson City, TN

Casey James (BNA Records) was recently at KXKT/Omaha to share his debut single, "Lets Don't Call It A Night." (L-R): KXKT PD Erik Johnson, James and MD Hoss Michaels.