“All About Tonight” Goes No. 1

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The Georgian songwriting trio of Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip, also known as the “Peach Pickers,” celebrated their third No. 1 song in a year at a party held at BMI on January 7. Recorded by Blake Shelton, “All About Tonight” hit No. 1 in 2010 as did “All Over Me,” recorded by Josh Turner and “Gimmie That Girl” by Joe Nichols. “All About Tonight” also marks the 45th No. 1 single produced by Scott Hendricks.

(L-R) back: BMI’s Jody Williams; Warner Music Nashville’s Chris Stacey and John Esposito; BMI’s Leslie Roberts; EMI Music Publishing Nashville’s Ben Vaughn; producer Scott Hendricks; and BMI’s Perry Howard. Front: Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Ben Hayslip. Photo: Steve Lowry

News Items: Ballard, Wilson, Casting Crowns

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Frankie Ballard’s Opry Debut • Gretchen Wilson Quits Smoking • Casting Crowns On Huckabee


Frankie Ballard Makes Opry Debut

Warner Bros. Records newcomer Frankie Ballard made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday (1/7) at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Ballard got the crowd going with his new single “Tell Me You Get Lonely” and the up-tempo rocker “Get On Down The Road.” His debut album will be released later this year.

(L-R): Pete Fisher, VP/GM Grand Ole Opry; Frankie Ballard; and Steve Buchanan, Pres. Grand Ole Opry Group.


Gretchen Quits Smoking

In front of over 1000 New Year’s Eve revelers in Rosenberg, Texas, Gretchen Wilson smoked her last cigarette. Following the concert, she threw away her remaining cigarettes, lighters, ash trays and any other reminders of her long-time habit. “I figured if I said it from stage in front of my fans, I’d stick to it. And so far I have,” said Wilson.

(L-R): singer/songwriter and backup vocalist Bekka Bramlett and Gretchen Wilson.


Casting Crowns Performs On Huckabee

Grammy, AMA and Dove Award-winning Artist of the Year Casting Crowns performed its new single “Glorious Day” on FOX News Channel’s Huckabee show last weekend (1/8). Governor Huckabee interviewed lead singer and Pastor Mark Hall about the group’s dedication to student and family ministry in Atlanta and the groups’ hit songs and platinum-selling albums. With special guests Huckabee on bass guitar and FOX correspondent Lauren Green on keys, the band debuts its third radio single off its Gold album Until the Whole World Hears.

(L-R): Mark Hall, Melodee DeVevo, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Lauren Green, Juan DeVevo and Blair Masters.

Kenny Chesney, Documentarian?

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Kenny Chesney’s love of football (see also: “The Boys Of Fall”) continues with the announcement that he has produced a one hour special for ESPN’s Year of the Quarterback series about former University of Tennessee quarterback Condredge Holloway. The special, titled “The Color Orange: The Condredge Holloway Story,” is set to air February 20, 7 pm CT on ESPN.
Chesney wore Holloway’s number as a high school football player, and idolized the college gridiron star. Holloway was the first African American quarterback in the Southeastern Conference, and went on to professional playing success with the Canadian Football League.
“Condredge has meant so much to so many and is a very important figure in my life and to the history of college football,” says Chesney. “I’m excited, with the help of Shaun Silva, to tell his story, to show his journey, and to help show the world just how influential he was to how the game is played today and how many doors he opened for so many athletes that have followed in his footsteps.”

Big Yellow Dog Re-ups Kear, Signs Anderson

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Big Yellow Dog Principals Kerry O'Neil and Carla Wallace with Josh Kear (center).


Big Yellow Dog Music has re-signed hit songwriter Josh Kear, and added songwriter “Big Al” Anderson to its roster. The company’s principals Carla Wallace and Kerry O’Neil have also promoted Brooke Arrington to Creative Director, assisting Wallace with songplugging and creative duties. The end of 2010 marked the publishing house’s 13th year in business, during which time it celebrated its 13th No. 1 single.

Creative Director Brooke Arrington


Among Kear’s hits is Lady Antebellum’s multi-award-winning smash “Need You Now.” The title track from the band’s current album was the most played song of 2010 across all formats, and is nominated for a 2010 GRAMMY Award for Song of the Year and Best Country Song. Kear won a GRAMMY in 2007 for Best Country Song for Carrie Underwood’s charttopper, “Before He Cheats.” Both songs have been awarded ASCAP Song Of The Year.
“Big Al” Anderson is a renowned songwriter and former member of the college of musical knowledge known as The New Rhythm and Blues Quartet, or more simply, NRBQ. He is behind hits for artists ranging from George Jones to Etta James to the Allman Brothers.
Additional staff writers at Big Yellow Dog Music include Shawn Camp, Daniel Tashian, Karyn Rochelle, Madeleine Slate, Pat McLaughlin, Logan Mize and Nikki Williams.
Brooke Arrington can be reached at 615-385-3130 or [email protected].

Carla Wallace, "Big Al" Anderson and Brooke Arrington

Boot Founder Gets CMA Media Award

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(L-R) CMA Director of Media Relations Scott Stem, Beville Darden and CMA VP of Corporate Communications Wendy Pearl


The CMA has announced that its 2010 Media Achievement Award will go to Beville Darden, co-founder and editor of the Country Music news Website, TheBoot.com, which is distributed via AOL Music. Darden has also served as a music writer/reporter for both AOL.com and Spinner.com. After graduating from Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham, Ala., she attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Later she was a television news writer before a stint as an on-air personality at WSM Radio.
The CMA Media Achievement Award was established to recognize outstanding achievements in the media as they relate to Country Music. Print and Internet journalists, columnists, authors, editors, syndicated radio reporters, television writers, producers and bookers are eligible to win this award.
“I am beyond humbled,” said Darden. “A CMA Award? I can’t carry a tune in a bucket! But it is my honor every single day to write about those who can. The Country Music industry has been so welcoming to The Boot, and we owe our success to all of the wonderful publicists, labels, and artists who work so closely with us to bring unique content to Country Music fans. Thank you to the voters and to my wonderful friends at CMA!”
TheBoot was founded in 2004 and receives more than 64,000 site visits per day according to StatBrain.com. CMA’s recent consumer research study reveals that 14 percent of Online CountryPhiles and 10 percent of Online MusicPhiles visit AOL Music (TheBoot) for Country Music content once a week or more. Content is posted daily and archived with 2,800 features currently stored in the Country news category.
Past winners of the CMA Media Achievement Award include:
1982 Jack Hurst
1983 Neil Hickey
1984 Dolly Carlisle
1985 Red O’Donnell
1986 No Award
1987 David Zimmerman
1988 Robert K. Oermann
1989 Bob Claypool
1990 Dick Heard
1991 No Award
1992 Mark McEwen
1993 Lynn Lester
1994 Judy Massa
1995 Clay Smith
1996 Tisi Aylward
1997 Jay Orr
1998 Chet Flippo
1999 Hazel Smith
2000 Neil Pond
2001 Harry Chapman
2002 Jim Patterson
2003 Denise Quan
2004 Alanna Nash
2005 Mark Bracco
2006 Donna Hughes
2007 Storme Warren
2008 Monica Escobedo
2009 Cynthia Sanz

[updated 1/11] Lifenotes: Juri Bunetta

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MusicRow extends sincere condolences to Al Bunetta and his family on the passing of his son, Juri Bunetta, yesterday (1/9).
The 19-year-old died from injuries sustained during a single-car accident on Interstate 65 on Saturday night.
He was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where he later died.
Al Bunetta has managed and overseen the careers of John Prine and the late Steve Goodman for over 30 years. He is a Grammy winning producer, music publisher, and co-founder of award-winning Oh Boy Records.
The Bunetta family thanks friends and loved ones for their thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time.
A service will be held on Friday January 14th, 2011 at 3 PM at
Rehoboth United Methodist Church
2601 Cage’s Bend Rd.
Gallatin, TN 37066
Flowers are welcome and appreciated at the church. The family asks that any donations be made in Juri Bunetta’s name to Small World Adoption Programs, PO Box 1109, Mt Juliet, TN 37121 or online at www.swa.net.
If you have any questions, please call 615.742.1250 x2 or email [email protected].

Dates Set For Tin Pan South, Key West Songwriters Festival

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Tin Pan South • Key West Songwriters Festival • Nashville SongWriters Festival • Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
The 19th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will be held Tuesday, March 29 – Saturday, April 2 in Nashville. Presented by Regions Bank and produced by NSAI, the world’s largest all-songwriter festival offers more than 75 shows at venues throughout the city. Tin Pan South Fast Access Passes allow club hopping with preferred admission and go on sale Wednesday, March 9. Proceeds from the festival support the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Details and passes at tinpansouth.com.
•••••
The Better Angels Music Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, is set for Wednesday, April 27 – Sunday, May 1, 2011. The 16th annual event will host more than 100 songwriters performing in venues throughout the island.
Full band concerts will bookend the 2011 festival. Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band will kick things off, and Robert Earl Keen with special guest Jerrod Niemann and the Hung Jury will close the festival.
Among those scheduled to perform are Rhett Akins, Lee Brice, Chuck Cannon, Dallas Davidson, Sarah Davidson, Bob DiPiero, Andrew Duhon, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, The Harters, The World Famous Headliners (Al Anderson, Shawn Camp, and Pat McLaughlin), Randy Houser, Courtney Jaye, Jamey Johnson, Robert Earl Keen, Luke Laird, James Slater, Toby Lightman, Patrice Pike, Ed Roland of Collective Soul, John Michael Rushell, and even Even Stevens.
Proceeds benefit the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation. www.keywestsongwritersfestival.com
•••••
The 9th Annual Nashville SongWriters Festival on Music Row is on track for June 3-5, 2011. It’s part live original music performances, part teaching conference, part networking opportunity and part gathering of friends. Details at songwritersfestival.com.
•••••
MerleFest 2011, presented by Lowe’s, is once again hosting the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Now in its 19th year, the contest is an  opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of this year’s volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy®-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. MerleFest 2011 takes place from April 28 – May 1, 2011.
Contest details at Sonicbids and American Songspace. The deadline for submissions is February 18, 2011.

Davis Music Group Partners With Nine North

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Jacob Lyda


Davis Music Group has announced a partnership with Larry Pareigis and his Nine North team for national radio promotion efforts of DMG artist Jacob Lyda.
“Larry Pareigis has established a stellar promotion staff at Nine North and the Davis Music Group family is excited to add their help in our radio efforts for Jacob Lyda,” says DMG GM Gator Michaels.
“We are thrilled and look forward to working with Gator Michaels, Glenn Noblit and the entire DMG family to break this remarkable, deserving artist at country radio,” adds Pareigis.
Lyda’s debut single “I’m Doing Alright” has shipped to radio and goes for adds January 31.

Greg Hill Joins McGhee Entertainment

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L to R: Scott McGhee, Greg Hill, and Doc McGhee. Photo: Jon-Paul Photography


Manager Greg Hill has joined McGhee Entertainment, bringing with him current clients Rodney Atkins, Adam Brand and Heidi Newfield.
Chairman of McGhee Entertainment, Doc McGhee, and President Scott McGhee announced today (1/10) that Hill will enter as President of McGhee’s Nashville office. He will report directly to the McGhees, whose current roster already includes Nashville singers Chris Cagle, Darius Rucker, Drew Davis, Jeremy Lister, Jypsi, and Cheyenne Kimball. This story was first tipped in MusicRow’s Crystal Ball on Friday (1/7).
Hill founded Greg Hill Management, Inc. in 2001, and most recently served as General Manager/Partner of Greg Hill Management/Red Light Management.
Doc McGhee had this to share, “We opened the Nashville branch of McGhee in order to expand our presence within the Nashville music community, and in just under five years since our establishment in Music City, we have watched the fabric of our industry change to encompass much more under the management umbrella. With that shift, we are excited to expand and bring in someone with Greg’s vast experience to oversee operations within our newly structured Entertainment Co.”
Scott McGhee adds, “With ever-changing responsibilities of a management company, Greg is a great fit with McGhee Entertainment due to his forward-thinking and practical approach to artist management.”
“McGhee entertainment has been the consistent leader in management longer than anyone else.  The quality of the people, the history, and the focus on being the best made me want to join this team above all others,” says Hill. “I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter of my career with this team of hard-working, creative individuals.”
McGhee Entertainment was formed in 1983 in New York City. In addition to the aforementioned artists, the current roster includes KISS, Guns N’ Roses, Ted Nugent, Night Ranger, Jack Blades, Hootie & The Blowfish, Sacha Edwards, Down, Paul Stanley, and The Willis Clan.
Hill may be reached at McGhee’s Nashville offices at 21 Music Sq. W., (615) 327-3255 or [email protected].

DiPiero and Kinney Team Up

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Brandon Kinney recently inked a new publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Love Monkey Music, while he also re-signed with Tom-Leis Music. The 2010 BMI Award-winning songwriter co-wrote Randy Houser’s smash “Boots On.” (L-R) back: Love Monkey Music’s Penny Everhard, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Terry Wakefield, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Front: Love Monkey Music owner Bob DiPiero, Kinney, and Tom-Leis Music’s Leslie T. DiPiero.