Photos: Brett Eldredge; Eric Lee Beddingfield

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Photo (L-R): Brett Eldredge and Al Roker

Atlantic Records’ rising star Brett Eldredge made his debut television appearance Dec. 4 on the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s “Together for Care” telethon. Eldredge performed his single “Raymond,” which he wrote after being inspired by his grandmother’s battle with the disease. Among the other stars on the telethon were Al Roker from NBC’s Today Show.

•••••••••••

Eric Lee Beddingfield visited the MusicRow offices last week to share new music from his album This Life Ain’t For Everybody. The Rebel Dawg Records release features the single “The Gospel According to Jones,” with guest vocals by the Possum himself. Beddingfield wrote or co-wrote all the songs on the album which was produced by Kent Wells (Dolly Parton/Keith Whitley/Hank Williams Jr/Reba McEntire).

Top (L-R): MR's Jon Freeman, MR's David Ross, and MR's Sherod Robertson; Middle (L-R): MR's Sarah Skates, MR's Michelle Stephens; Front (L-R): Eric Lee Beddingfield, MR's Robert K. Oermann and Manager/publicist Craig Campbell

EMI Celebrates Holiday Kick-Off

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EMI Music helped start the holiday’s for writers, staff and friends at its 2010 Holiday Casino Party. The “in the chips” festivities included dinner and  Casino play plus a raffle.

(L-R) Alice Peacock, Brian Henningsen, Clara Henningsen, Dallas Davidson, Sarah Davidson, Jeremy Stover, Rachel Proctor, Aaron Henningsen, Michael Knox, Ross Copperman, EMI Exec. VP/GM Ben Vaughn, Tom Luteran, Steve McEwan, Laura Wright, Josh Van Valkenburg, Keith Anderson, James T. Slater, Jerry Flowers, Matt Fleener, Jamie Paulin, Missy Wilson, Kelley Lovelace, Chris Gillis and Zach Hammitte.

Bell Joins 13 Mgmt; Swift Tour Dates Sell Out

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13 Management, Taylor Swift’s wholly owned management company, has appointed Frank Bell to the newly created post of Director of Radio and Research.

“Frank brings solid relationships and strong tactical radio expertise and insight to 13 Management,” stated 13’s Robert Allen. “As we ramp up for the Taylor Swift Speak Now World Tour in 2011, Frank will be an invaluable resource to manage our radio outreach and develop our marketing research initiatives.”

Prior to joining 13 Management, Bell spent ten years as Vice President of Programming for Keymarket Communications of Pennsylvania / Ohio, overseeing on-air operations and marketing for a 14-station group.

Bell will officially join 13 Management on December 13, but can be reached now at:  [email protected].

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The first tickets for Taylor Swift’s Speak Now 2011 North American tour went on sale late last week, and all tickets for the first 10 shows put on sale sold out within minutes. Those shows included Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. – which sold out in 5 minutes, and two shows at Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center, which sold out within 2 minutes.

Several shows have been added to the tour, which kicks off February 9 in Singapore and includes 90 shows in 19 countries spanning four continents.

NEEDTOBREATHE is the featured artist for the North American leg of the tour. Ticket prices start at $25. Visit www.TaylorSwift.com for details.

Music City Memorial for Will Tennyson

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Will Tennyson, a longtime member of the Nashville music industry who passed away recently, will be celebrated with a memorial service on Wed., Dec. 8, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater.

The service will include performances by Tennyson’s friends Mandy Barnett and Brennin Hunt.

There will also be a slideshow of pictures of Tennyson and the many people whose lives he touched.

If you have pictures to include in the slideshow, please email them to Christy Grealis at [email protected].

Chesney Stadium Stop At NY/NJ Meadowlands

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Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour is set to play the New York area on Aug. 13, 2011. Also starring will be Zac Brown Band with special guests Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker.

Tickets for the mega show go on sale Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. “This lineup represents the very best that country music has to offer,” said Mark Lamping, President and CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium. “We look forward to hosting these terrific acts in August 2011, and providing a prominent stage for country music in the New York and New Jersey region.”

Fans can buy tickets at http://kennychesney.com and http://www.newmeadowlandsstadium.com. The Kenny Chesney Official Fan Club will be offering presale tickets for all shows on Kenny’s 2011 Tour prior to the general public on-sale. To get access to these exclusive presales, fans can go to http://kennychesney.com

Kenny Chesney 2011  Tour
(Stadium dates only – starring Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band, with Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker)
Sat Mar 19 – Tampa, FL – Raymond James  Stadium (on sale Sat Dec 11)
Sat Apr 16 – Dallas, TX – Cowboys Stadium (on  sale Sat Dec 4)
Sat Jun 4 – Washington, DC – FedEx Field – (on sale Fri Dec  3)
Sat Jun 11 – Green Bay, WI – Lambeau Field (on sale Sat Dec 11)
Sat  Jun 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field SOLD OUT
Sat Jul 2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Field (on sale Sat Dec 4)
Sat Jul  30 – Kansas City, MO – Arrowhead Stadium (on sale Sat Dec 4)
Sat Aug 13 –  Rutherford, NJ – New Meadowlands Stadium (on sale Sat Dec 11)
Sat Aug 20 –  Detroit, MI – Ford Field (on sale Sat Dec 4)
Sat Aug 27- Foxboro, MA –  Gillette Stadium SOLD OUT

The tour is billed as  Corona Extra presents Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour, starring Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band.

Owen, Messina Offering Live Concerts Online

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RCA’s Jake Owen will offer fans a chance to view his live show online with is first-ever streaming concert tonight (12/3). Owen is set to play a sold-out show at Joe’s Bar in Chicago, and will stream the entire 90 minute event live for free. Sponsored by LongHorn Steakhouse and Chicago’s US99, the concert starts at 10 pm CT and can be seen at www.jakeowen.net/live.

“I am so excited to do this show and to be able to give something like this to the fans who can’t be there in person,” says Owen.

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Similarly, Jo Dee Messina will be streaming her second annual “Inspirational Evening of Words and Music” on Saturday, Dec. 4 live at 7 pm CT on www.jodeemessina.com. The event, which benefits Nashville’s Harvest Hands Community Development Corporation, takes place at Brentwood United Methodist Church. Online viewers will be able to make donations while watching. Tickets are still available by making a donation on Messina’s website or http://www.harvesthandscdc.com/.

“I feel so blessed to be able to help folks give to the Harvest Hands,” says Messina.  “And I’m grateful that Brentwood United Methodist Church is again, this year, facilitating the cause.”

Holiday Releases Roundup

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Word/Warner Bros. trio Point of Grace has released a Christmas CD called Home For The Holidays, and just announced its Home For The Holidays Tour in December to support the recording. The tour launches today in Eden Prairie, MN and wraps Dec. 19 in Greenwoods, SC. Fervent Records artist Chris August will support.

•  •  •  •

Mandy Barnett also has a new Christmas album, Winter Wonderland, which is available at Cracker Barrel stores everywhere. The video for its single “This Time Of Year” is already playing on The Boot. Barnett will join Bill Cody on WSM from 7-10 am tomorrow morning to talk about the project.

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Gretchen Wilson is releasing the holiday oddity “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas,” which was originally recorded by Gayla Peevey in 1953. Wilson’s version features several children from her daughter’s school singing on the track. “This is such a fun, silly song,” says Wilson. “And having my daughter and her friends in the studio with me made it really special.”

•  •  •  •

For those who prefer holiday meals with a little river flavor, Steve Azar is re-releasing his song “Catfish Christmas.” “We all enjoy the same traditional food during the holidays, and as much as I like turkey and all its trimmings, it can’t hurt to spice it up a little and introduce a new tradition now and again,” says Azar. “Here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Catfish Christmas.”

•  •  •  •

Fresh from a November 26 appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, Highway 101 has a new DVD called Christmas On Highway 101. The DVD offers 11 holiday songs including the single “Six Gold Coins,” as well as a cameo from Wynonna.

Opry Events Manager Exits; Obedia Opens Nash Offices

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Grand Ole Opry Events Manager Sara Winne Foster has exited her post with the company. Foster joined Gaylord Entertainment and the Grand Ole Opry in 2007, where she oversaw all private events at the Opry Entertainment Complex. Prior to the Opry, she worked for The Promotional Edge in Los Angeles, where she managed client events and worked on award shows such as VH1’s Rock Honors, Spike TV’s Video Game Awards, Nickelodeon’s Kid’s Choice Awards, the Daytime Emmys and more. She is currently seeking her next opportunity and can be reached at 615-714-2084 or [email protected].

• • •

Los-Angeles based Obedia, a music tech support and training firm has moved its headquarters to Nashville and set up shop at 2817 West End Ave. although it will maintain an L.A. office.

“The move to Nashville puts us in a better position to work closely with Nashville’s vibrant music community, which has embraced technology in producing music known throughout the world,” said CEO Jayce Murphy in a news release. “I’m looking forward to expanding on our success and to bring service and support into the next generation.”

Obedia provides services ranging form installation of software and hardware, to system optimization and customization, to how-to training. For more info visit www.obedia.com

People Magazine Auction Features Reba, Lady A

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People magazine and charitybuzz present an exclusive auction for country music fans that will benefit flood relief in Nashville and the middle Tennessee area.

Exclusive photos of country stars including Reba, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley in their favorite Nashville places are currently on display at the Hutton Hotel in downtown Nashville. These photos, which are also featured in the December 2010 issue of People Country, are up for auction here.

The following items are up for auction until December 17th:

Reba on “Why I Love Ryman Auditorium”
Meet Reba at the concert of your choice and take home an autographed photo

Lady Antebellum on “Why We Love 3rd and Lindsley”
Meet Lady A at the concert of your choice and take home an autographed photo

Taylor Swift on “Why I Love Kids Kingdom”
Win an autographed Baby Taylor guitar and a photo

Brad Paisley on “Why I Love the Grand Ole Opry House”
Tour the Grand Ole Opry and take home an autographed guitar and photo

Dierks Bentley on “Why I Love My Farm in Leiper’s Fork”
Meet Dierks and take home an autographed guitar and photo

Miranda Lambert on “Why I Love Losers”
Win an autographed guitar and photo

Keith Urban on “Why I Love Gruhn Guitars”
Meet Keith at the concert of your choice and take home an autographed photo

2010: A Good Year for The Grascals

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2010 was a good year for The Grascals. The group’s latest album, The Famous Lefty Flynn’s, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited chart for four months. Their current single, “Last Train To Clarksville,” claimed the No. 1 spot on the singles chart this month as well.

This banner year was ushered in with several significant changes; the band parted ways with their label of six years, Rounder Records, and started their own imprint, BluGrascal Records. Additionally, The Grascals celebrated a successful first year with New Frontier Touring, playing over 150 shows in 2010, including high-profile sets with Hank Williams Jr.’s Rowdy Friends Tour, the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, the CMA Music Festival, the IBMA Fan Fest and multiple Opry appearances.
“We worked hard, we reaped a good bit of what we’ve sown, and we are continually blessed,”  remarks Jamie Johnson, vocalist and guitar player for the group.

The Grascals formed in Nashville in 2004 and have received multiple IBMA Awards, including Emerging Artist of the Year (2005), Song of the Year (2005), and Entertainer of the Year (2006 and 2007).

The Grascals Receive No. 1 plaques for The Famous Lefty Flynn’s at NorthStar Studios in Nashville. Pictured Standing, L-R: Jeremy Westby (Entertainment Evolution), Mary Matthews (New Frontier Touring), Terry Smith, Jeremy Abshire, Kristin Scott Benson, Jon Bell (New Frontier Touring), Jamie Johnson, Danny Roberts, Kirt Webster (Entertainment Evolution) and Terry Eldredge. Kneeling, L-R: Logan Bosemer (New Frontier Touring), Paul Lohr (New Frontier Touring), Martha Moore (So Much Moore Media) and Aaron Summer (New Frontier Touring).