Robertson Taylor Co-Founder Passes

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Willie Robertson passed away on July 9. Photo: Lawrence White


Willie Robertson, co-creator of live entertainment brokerage firm Robertson Taylor, passed away July 9, 2011 after a short but determined fight against cancer.
His company’s board, management team and staff describe him as an “inspirational and passionate leader, business partner and friend.”
Robertson was also a dedicated philanthropist, and founded charity Nordoff Robbins, which used music to brighten the lives of those in need. He was actively involved in the organization since he helped start it 36 years ago.
Robertson teamed with Bob Taylor and Ian France to establish Robertson Taylor in 1977, offering insurance for live entertainment events.
Upon Robertson’s passing, Taylor said, “Ian France and I were his partners and friends for in excess of 40 years and to say that he will leave a gap in our lives is truly an understatement. Willie was a prolific producer of business and a tough and challenging partner throughout our long and incredibly successful relationship.
“Over the years he made many life-long friends who have been in regular contact with his family and I over the last few weeks. The support has been overwhelming coming from all across the world.
“I am extremely saddened by this news after such a short illness but, I am equally determined that all his good work will go on.”
Robertson Taylor is headquartered in London, with offices in Nashville, Los Angeles and other cities.
Donations in memory of Robertson can be made to Nordoff Robbins at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk.

Sarah Darling Teams With Producer Dann Huff

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(L-R) Sarah Darling and Dann Huff.


Black River Entertainment artist Sarah Darling, whose recent video “Something To Do With Your Hands,” reached No. 2 on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown and spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on CMT.com, will join forces with producer Dann Huff for her next album.
Huff has won awards for projects with artists such as Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts and others. Darling also supported her last album Angels and Devils with  multiple appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.  Photo credit: Sara Kauss

New Releases Coming: Katie Armiger and Reggae's Gone Country

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Katie Armiger is releasing a deluxe package with added content of her current album, Confessions of a Nice Girl via iTunes Sept. 20. The deluxe edition features four new original songs including her single, “I Do, But Do I” plus a dance mix of her hit, “Best Song Ever.” Also included are videos for “Best Song Ever,” and “I Do, But Do I.”
“I wanted to do something special to get new material out to my fans that have shown me so much support over the years,” says Armiger. “I knew immediately when I heard ‘I Do, But Do I’ that I had to record it and I am so grateful that fans have embraced it as much as I have and already voted it #2 on the GAC Top 20 Countdown.”
 
 
 
VP Records and Warner Music Nashville will release Reggae’s Gone Country’ on Aug. 30, a musical roots-connecting dialogue between Kingston and Nashville. The compilation features classic country hits covered by Jamaica’s top musicians (Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, Tessanne Chin, Etana, Luciano, Sly & Robbie) as well as supporting vocals provided by original recording artist and country icon Larry Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers. Country music devotee Cristy Barber, VP of Marketing and Promotions at VP Records, the world’s largest reggae label envisioned this project two years ago and teamed up on lead production with John Rich, and the acclaimed Jamaican saxophonist and top reggae producer Dean Fraser.
“Reggae’s Gone Country is taking some of Jamaican’s favorite classic American country songs and putting their beats and whole instrumentation around it while still having that root of country… It is this crazy cool idea,” says John Rich.
 
Track Listing
1. California – Romain Virgo & Larry Gatlin
2. He’ll Have To Go – Luciano
3. Wolverton Mountain – Richie Stephens
4. Crazy – Etana
5. The Chair – Tarrus Riley
6. He Stopped Loving Her Today – Beres Hammond
7. Suspicions – Duane Stephenson
8. Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes – Tessanne Chin
9. Feel So Right – Gramps Morgan
10. King Of The Road – Freddie McGregor
11. El Paso – Sanchez
12. Flowers On The Wall – L.U.S.T.
13. The Gambler – Busy Signal
14. Straight Tequila Night – Tarrus Riley [iTunes Bonus Track]

Justin Moore Radio Launches

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Justin Moore and Slacker, Inc. have launched Justin Moore Radio, a radio station featuring songs by Moore and those that have inspired his traditional country and Southern rock sound.
Justin Moore Radio also includes Moore’s comments and introductions and is available for free on the web, iPad, smartphones, and other home entertainment devices.
Slacker’s Artist Showcase is a special category that includes artist stations unique to Slacker Radio, featuring a wide range of artists and genres.

In addition to Justin Moore hits, the station provides listeners with his handpicked favorites from artists such as Brooks & Dunn, Dwight Yoakam, Bad Company, Jamey Johnson and many others.
Get the free Slacker mobile application at Slacker.com or access his station directly at www.Slacker.com/JustinMoore.
 

Longtime Member Exits Gloriana

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Cheyenne Kimball


Cheyenne Kimball has left Gloriana, the band announced today (7/11) via a statement on its website.
The group shared the news through this post:

We need you to know that Gloriana will absolutely continue on. We couldn’t imagine our lives any other way.
We are 100 percent committed to all of you, our fans and supporters. As planned, we will debut our new music video this week and will continue touring and supporting “Wanna Take You Home” while finishing up our new album. We wish Cheyenne the best of luck in whatever lies ahead for her.

The band’s remaining line-up is still intact with brothers Tom Gossin and Mike Gossin, and Rachel Reinert.
Gloriana’s current single “Wanna Take You Home” is climbing the charts as the band preps the release of its sophomore studio album on Emblem Music Group/ Warner Bros. Records.

Save The Date: ACM Honors To Salute Off-Camera Winners

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The 5th Annual ACM Honors will be presented Mon., Sept. 19 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. The evening of musical tribute performances and award presentations celebrate the non-televised winners from the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held earlier this year in Las Vegas.
Host, presenters and performers will be revealed later this summer.
For the second year in a row, a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase by the general public. Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster in August.
Below is a list of previously announced winners and honorees.
Special Awards recipients
Garth Brooks – Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
Hank Cochran (posthumously) – Poet’s Award
John Dorris –Mae Boren Axton Award
Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers –Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
Tom T. Hall –Poet’s Award
Reba –Career Achievement Award
Taylor Swift –Jim Reeves International Award
Country Strong –Tex Ritter Award
MBI (Musician/Bandleader/Instrumentalist) Award Winners
Chuck Ainlay – Audio Engineer of the Year
Eddie Bayers – Percussionist/Drummer of the Year
Tom Bukovac – Guitarist of the Year
Dan Dugmore – Steel Guitar Player of the Year
Aubrey Haynie – Fiddle Player of the Year
Gordon Mote – Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
Bryan Sutton – Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year
Glenn Worf – Bass Player of the Year
Paul Worley – Producer of the Year
Industry Award Winners
Steve “Bogie” Bogdanovich – Romeo Entertainment Group – Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium – Promoter of the Year
Joe’s Bar (Chicago, IL) – Nightclub of the Year
Mohegan Sun Casino (Uncasville, CT) – Casino of the Year
Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN) – Venue of the Year

Country Anthems Can Be Authentic

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Jason Aldean's songs offer a realistic snapshot of small-town life and backwoods parties.


Like The Tennessean’s Peter Cooper, I grow weary of all the dirt-road redneck songs bombarding radio airwaves. These “I’m-so-country” anthems are hardly the most original songs Nashville’s talented tunesmiths are capable of writing. In fact, plenty of these tracks are downright trite. But it doesn’t mean that the songwriters who pen them, and the artists who deliver them, haven’t lived those experiences.
Talented music writer Cooper is usually spot-on with his analysis, but I have to offer an alternative viewpoint to his latest column. Just like him, I spent summer evenings pulled into a stall at Sonic, but I also spent plenty of nights driving back country roads and partying in an open field.
Most of the usual party spots could only be reached by four-wheel drive. There was the field outside the city limits where songwriter Channing Wilson held court with his guitar. There was the stop on Rocky Lane in the Pigeon Mountain state park where we’d congregate at the “first pull off on the left.” And there was property in rural Harrisburg, 30 minutes outside of town, where cars were abandoned on the highway so their drivers could hop into the back of pick-ups for a bumpy trek to an old cabin for a night of keg beer, and blaring country music sing-alongs. Just like a muddy cliche, we slept in tents and truck-beds.
In my hometown LaFayette, Georgia (pop. 7000), these were the Saturday night options. The nearest movie theater was a half-hour away, and the closest decent restaurant was almost an hour’s drive.
Daytime entertainment was found “muddin’” in Jeep Wranglers after a heavy Saturday rain, and fishin’ with our dads after church on Sunday. Even though I don’t know much about cane poles, and I’d never heard of channel cat until Easton Corbin came along, this was our reality, and it was a good one, even if it involved mud tires and camouflage.
Just like many artists, songwriters and others on Music Row who grew up in small towns, I’ve had a good amount of redneck training. For some, it is a source of pride. Others, like myself, get bored with the backwoods cliches. Either way, when songwriters like the aforementioned Wilson—who recently inked with EMI Music Publishing—sit in a cozy room on 16th Ave. and write a song, often it is based on real-life experiences. And when an artist makes it a hit, sometimes it is coming from an authentic place.

Opry News: Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Anderson

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(L-R): Grand Ole Opry Group Pres. Steve Buchanan, Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, Jimmy Dickens, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, Grand Ole Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher, Oaks Manager Jim Halsey


The Oak Ridge Boys were invited to join the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, July 8. The legendary quartet, comprised of William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen will be formally inducted on Saturday, August 6.
Following the Oaks’ performance of “Y’All Come Back Saloon,” longtime Opry member Jimmy Dickens surprised the group by walking onstage dressed as William Lee Golden, complete with long beard and sunglasses.
“All my life I’ve wanted to be a little bitty Oak Ridge Boy,” joked Dickens. “On August 6th, I will become the newest member of the Oak Ridge Boys, and at that time, you will become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry!”
Joe Bonsall responded, noting that the Opry “is a brotherhood and sisterhood unlike any other.” The group closed out its set with the classic “Elvira,” later returning to the stage to join Larry Gatlin on “All the Gold In California.”
In other Opry news, Bill Anderson will celebrate his 50th Anniversary as an Opry member at a special Grand Ole Opry show Saturday, July 16 at 7 pm. Anderson initially made his Opry debut just before his 21st birthday, and became a member less than three years later.
“Beginning with classics sung by Ray Price, Lefty Frizzell, Connie Smith, and more, and continuing today with unforgettable hits by the biggest names in the business, Bill Anderson tunes have hit the country charts in each of the last seven decades,” says Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher. “Of course Bill is also known around the world for his own hit records as well as for blazing country music trails far and wide for others to follow. We look forward to celebrating with one of country music’s very best Saturday night.”

 

Paisley, Underwood To Return As CMA Awards Hosts

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The stars announce the news in a video clip on Facebook.


Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return as hosts of the CMA Awards for the fourth year in a row when the show takes place Wed., Nov. 9 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
The CMA harnessed the power of social media to share the news with fans this morning (7/11). Facebook users who “Like” the official CMA page were the first to view a short YouTube clip of Paisley and Underwood talking about the event.
Paisley, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, and multi-CMA winner Underwood have been a hit as co-hosts since teaming up for the show in 2008.
MusicRow.com has a recap of the CMA Awards voting schedule here.

Aristo Issues Summer International Report

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Click image to download


The summer issue, takes a look back at this year’s successful Global Events showcases, held June 6-7 during CMA Music Festival week in Nashville. With 18 different global Country artists on hand, the highlights were many, but nothing came as a bigger surprise than the CMA’s special international award presentation to world-class guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.  The presenter?  None other than Keith Urban! Check out a video clip of the presentation here.
Canada’s Country Music Week will run Sept. 9-12 this year in Hamilton, Ontario.  The week of showcases, seminars and performances culminates with the 30th CCMA Awards on Monday night, Sept. 12th.  Country Music Week relocates to a new city each year, and this is the first time in more than 15 years that the events return to Hamilton!

For the first time ever, Nashville’s two-day Country Music Summit (held during CMA Music Fest week) included an international panel. Artists and industry professionals shared their thoughts on issues facing the global Country music market. Panelists included Tommy Emmanuel, Ron Kitchener, Joe Nichols, Rob Potts, Judy Seale and Brad Turcotte.
Also check out updates and tour info on superstars like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Trace Adkins and more, as well as newcomers Marlee Scott and Amber Hayes. And, our executive Q&A this issue is with Big Machine’s International Director of Marketing, Brad Turcotte.
(Click the image to download the report in pdf format.)