Garner Renews Contract, Kobalt Launches New Service, and BMI Board Announced

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Blair Garner Renews Radio  Contract

Blair Garner has renewed his contract with Premiere Radio Networks. Garner, a two-time recipient of the ACM’s “On-Air Personality of the Year,” hosts After MidNite with Blair Garner, which is heard by 2.7 million weekly listeners. The show will continue to broadcast daily from midnight to 6 a.m. on over 260 stations. Garner has been in national syndication for 17 years.

“I’m very pleased to continue my relationship with Premiere,” Garner says. “It’s an exciting time for radio and the opportunities for engagement that Premiere continues to develop–from on-air and digital to off-air events–are tremendous and benefit our listeners, artists, affiliates, record labels and advertisers. I look forward to breaking new ground with the Premiere team!”

Kobalt Launches Balance Updates

Kobalt Music Group launched a revolutionary service which will allow its clients to individually monitor their global royalty account balances online. The service, called Kobalt Weekly Online Balance Updates, allows clients to view current balances for their next quarterly statement period. Additionally, they will be able to request an online advance, allowing almost immediate access to their accruing royalties.

“With our new Weekly Online Balance Updates and Kobalt’s direct global collection infrastructure, copyright owners for the first time in history can get their money up to 2.5 years faster than the traditional industry standard,” explains Willard Ahdritz, CEO and Founder of Kobalt Music Group. “This gives our clients a significant advantage in transparency and value.”

Formed in 2001, Kobalt Music Group administers more than 175,000 copyrights worldwide on behalf of over 900 content holders.

BMI Board of Directors Announced

BMI announced new and re-elected members to its Board of Directors at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, held in Nashville on October 19th. Jack Sander, former Vice-Chairman of Belo Corporation in Dallas, Texas, was re-elected as Chairman of the Board, and Cecil L. Walker, former Chairman & CEO, Gannett Broadcasting, Atlanta, GA, was re-elected Presiding Director. Both will serve one-year terms.

New Board members are Michael J. Fiorile, Vice Chairman and CEO of Dispatch Broadcast Group and President & COO of The Dispatch Printing Company, Columbus, OH; and Mark P. Mays, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Communications, Inc., San Antonio, TX. Re-elected Board members are Catherine L. Hughes, Founder & Chairperson, Radio One, Inc., Lanham, MD; and Jerome L. Kersting, President, Tribune Broadcasting Company, Chicago, IL.

Those continuing in their terms on the Board are: Del R. Bryant, President & CEO, BMI, New York, NY; Amador Bustos, President & CEO, Bustos Media Holdings, LLC, Granite Bay, CA; Susan Davenport Austin, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation and President, Sheridan Gospel Network, New York, NY; N. John Douglas, President/CEO, AIM Broadcasting, LLC, Palo Alto, CA; Craig A. Dubow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gannett Co., Inc., McLean, VA; Kenneth J. Elkins, President & CEO, Pulitzer Broadcasting and Senior Vice President, Broadcasting, Pulitzer Publishing Co. (retired); Philip A. Jones, Mission Hills, KS; Paul Karpowicz, President, Meredith Broadcasting Group, Rocky Hill, CT; Virginia Hubbard Morris, President, Hubbard Radio and Vice President, Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., St. Paul, MN; Mark Pedowitz, Founder and Chairman, Pine Street Entertainment, Burbank CA; G. Neil Smith, President, GNS Media, LLC, Liberty, SC.

Republic Nashville Goes Ape

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Click for larger image

Republic Nashville went “Ape” today after hearing that The Band Perry’s new release scanned a total of 52,500 albums this week. There’s no way to tell who is wearing the monkey suits, but note that Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen and Big Machine Founder/CEO Scott Borchetta both seem to curiously be missing????

TBP debuted on the Billboard Country Album chart at No. 2 this week. The young sibling group has been nominated for CMA Vocal Group of the Year plus received three nominations for the new American Country Awards set to air Dec. 6 from Las Vegas on FOX.

“If I Die Young” TBP’s hit single was recently certified Gold by the RIAA.

Flatts Wrap Tour Leg; Apple Debuts New Goodies

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Rascal Flatts

The first leg of the Rascal Flatts tour ended a week ago in Irvine, California closing out 2010 with 650,000 fans and 56 shows. In addition to the current “Nothing Like This” tour the numbers were also added to from the “Unstoppable” tour which took place in the early months of 2010.

“Nothing Like This” showcases the last ten years of hits for the trio and will continue in 2011 with special guests Chris Young and Luke Bryan. “Their easy rapport on stage- and Gary LeVox’s voice- makes it so great to see this band live,” shared the Palm Beach Post.

For the remainder of 2010 Rascal Flatts will promote its Nov. 16 album release on Big Machine Records—Nothing Like This— and new single “Why Wait.” They are also set to appear on the CMA Awards (11/10) and the American Country Awards on 12/6.

• • •

MacBook Air Laptop

Apple this morning announced a series of new products and software. The Cupertino-based shop now accounts for one in five PCs sold in the US. In addition to unveiling sleek new ultralight MacBook Air laptops, the next generation operating system OS X Lion was also announced with an availability date of summer 2011. A Mac App Store will go live in 90 days. Significant for social networking and possible artist/fan relationships is a giant expansion of Facetime, the video conferencing app that became available for iOS4 recently (iPhone and iPodTouch). Facetime for OS X is now available in beta format. On Monday (10/18) Apple announced its earnings. Net revenue surged almost 70% over the same quarter last year.

Photos: Jeff Barry, Best Cellars, ICM Winners

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Jeff Barry writing in Nashville with Rebecca Lynn Howard…TJ Martell Best Cellars Dinner with Charley Pride and Lee Ann Womack…Dailey and Vincent team with Garth Fundis…Point of Grace and The Roys win at ICM Awards.

Legendary songwriter and producer Jeff Barry was in Nashville recently, where he and artist/songwriter Rebecca Lynn Howard met for two day-long co-writing sessions at BMI. Often working with Phil Spector, Barry and former wife Ellie Greenwich composed classics including "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Then He Kissed Me," "Be My Baby," “Do Wah Diddy Diddy,” "Chapel of Love," "Leader of the Pack," “River Deep-Mountain High” and many more. They produced and helped launch a young Neil Diamond and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. On his own, Barry helmed boards for The Monkees, and penned Gary Stewart’s “Out of Hand.” Pictured (l-r): Rebecca Lynn Howard, BMI’s Perry Howard, and Jeff Barry. Photo by Drew Maynard

The T.J. Martell Foundation’s Best Cellars Dinners, held recently in Atlanta and Houston, raised funds for innovative cancer research. The event is known for pairing Best Sellers (music’s top selling artists) with Best Cellars (top wine collectors) for a gourmet meal prepared by a guest chef. Pictured in Houston on Sept. 14 are (L-R): Laura Heatherly, Exec. Dir. of the T.J. Martell Foundation; Bigger Picture artist and actor Christian Kane, of TNT’s "Leverage"; Robert Del Grande, Exec. Chef/Owner of RDG +Bar Annie in Houston; Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley Pride; MCA artist Lee Ann Womack; Dean Fearing, Exec. Chef/Owner of Fearing’s in Dallas; and artist Gary Morris. The event raised more than $95,000.

Dailey & Vincent, who recently claimed their third consecutive Entertainer of the Year title at the International Bluegrass Music Awards have paired with acclaimed producer Garth Fundis for their next album. The Rounder Records project is expected in early 2011. Pictured (L-R): Rounder’s Ken Irwin, Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, Garth Fundis. Photo: Dan Loftin

Point of Grace (L) won Entertainer of the Year at 16th Annual Inspirational Country Music Award Show last week. The Roys (R) won Duo of the Year for the second consecutive time. Among other winners were Carrie Underwood (Inspirational Video of the Year for “Temporary Home” directed by Deaton-Flanigen) and Craig Morgan (Mainstream Country Artist of the Year and Mainstream Inspirational Song for “This Ain’t Nothin’").

Trailer Choir Shows Comedic Chops On YouTube

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Members of Show Dog-Universal band Trailer Choir have tapped into their inner comedians and teamed with director John Ritchie to create a series of comedy vignettes for YouTube. The storyline follows the hijinks of an up-and-coming country band, and the oftentimes hilarious situations they find themselves in. The first two vignettes have already been posted, with a third coming next week. Meanwhile, the band continues its hard driving tour schedule and promoting its latest album and single, “Shakin’ That Tailgate.”

“Trailer Choir continues to cross-pollinate their unique blend of music, fun and funny into yet another platform that works for them, extending their reach yet again,” explains Show Dog – Universal Music’s George Nunes.

“There was a time when country artists also used to be the biggest television stars around, you know, like Buck Owens on Hee Haw and The Johnny Cash Show and Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters,” says Ritchie. “Trailer Choir reminded me of the type of band that has that potential. Placing these videos on an outlet like YouTube is a great way to showcase something fun.”

Ritchie is a Nashville-based writer (GAC’s Top 20, MTV Movie Awards) who recently started Gold Sounds Entertainment, a company that produces music oriented content for television and the web, including the country music news blog Carl’s Country Club.

Swift, Paltrow Added to CMA Awards

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Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift will perform on the 44th Annual CMA Awards

Taylor Swift and Gwyneth Paltrow have been added to the list of performers for the 44th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 10. The Awards broadcast starts at 7 pm CT on the ABC Television Network.

Oscar-winner Paltrow will be making her first-ever appearance on the Awards when she performs “Country Strong,” title track to her upcoming feature film starring Tim McGraw, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester. Paltrow will be joined for the performance by Vince Gill. The soundtrack to Country Strong is set for release on Oct. 25.

That is the same day reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift will release her third album, Speak Now. She has been added to the awards show line-up where she is nominated again for Female Vocalist of the Year, a category she won last year along with Album of the Year (for Fearless), and Music Video of the Year (for the Trey Fanjoy-directed “Love Story”).

Swift and Paltrow join previously announced performers Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band (with Alan Jackson), and Keith Urban. Additionally, Sheryl Crow and Lambert will give a special duet performance in tribute to Loretta Lynn’s 50th Anniversary as a recording artist.

Big Week For Lambert, Shelton

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Overton presents Lambert a plaque for her platinum album, Revolution.

Hot country couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are having an exciting week.

Lambert just celebrated the Platinum certification of her album Revolution with Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton. The album has yielded the No. 1 singles, “White Liar” and “The House That Built Me,” and was voted the ACM Album of the Year. With nine nominations, she is the leading nominee going into the CMA Awards.

Trace Adkins surprised Blake Shelton when he asked him to be the Opry's newest member.

Shelton is being inducting into the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night (10/23) and is celebrating all week long. The notorious Twitter hound will host a Twitterview with fans tomorrow (10/21) at 11 a.m. Central at Twitter.com/opry. Fans can submit questions for Shelton to @opry via Twitter.com. Shelton’s Opry week also includes his “Blakeover” of the Opry’s YouTube channel and giveaways at opry.com. Last night he visited late night talk show Chelsea Lately for the show’s 600th episode. He is up for four awards at the CMAs.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/20/10)

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I always like a listening session with plenty of newcomers.

After all, the thrill of discovery is what every critic lives for. This week sees column debuts by Chet O’Keefe, Corinne Chapman, The Jeremy Miller Band, James Lann and Daniel Warren.

In the cases of Mr. O’Keefe and Ms. Chapman, I believe we’re in the presence of important new songwriting voices. Both of them are really classy tunesmiths.

If you want an example of a songwriting masterpiece, look no further than “I Wouldn’t Be a Man.” This 1987 Don Williams classic was previously revived by Billy Dean in 1996. Now it is the sublime new single by Josh Turner. It is also the Disc of the Day.

Of those newcomers cited above, I’m singling out James Lann for a DisCovery Award, simply because his record is the best produced of the lot. His website says that his new CD Honky Tonk Kung Fu is this authentic Texas cowboy’s second. But he’s new this week to DisClaimer.

THE JEREMY MILLER BAND/Reckless
Writer: Jeremy Miller/The Jeremy Miller Band; Producer: Keith Davis; Publisher: none listed, BMI; JMB (www.jeremymillerband.com)
—Somewhat amateur sounding, but not without its charms. The band has an enthusiastic, garage-country approach. The lead vocal is ever-so-slightly pitch-y, but remains endearing with its drawling little tenor rasp.

KENNY CHESNEY/Somewhere With You
Writer: J.T. Harding/Shane McAnally; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: Adopted Songs/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; BNA
—The second single from Hemingway’s Whiskey has a lot to live up to, since “The Boys of Fall” was such a masterpiece. This time out, its an atmospheric mid-tempo outing with plenty of yearning in the vocal over a lost love. Swirling and dreamy.

CORINNE CHAPMAN/Weeds
Writer: Corinne Chapman/Gene Reynolds; Producer: Ken Coomer; Publisher: Lilchap, SESAC; CC (track) (www.corinnechapman.com)
—She’s produced by Ken Coomer, who’s noted for his work with Wilco and Uncle Tupelo. But before you slap this with an “Americana” label, give this track a listen. The guitars twang, and the tune is super catchy. “Let love spread like weeds,” she warbles. The song has been picked up by Crocs for its program to provide shoes for people in third-world countries and is also the theme song for a soccer club started by the homeless in Ft. Worth. It comes from Corinne’s six-song EP titled Dirty Pretty Things.

JOSH TURNER/I Wouldn’t Be A Man
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
—How perfect is this timing? Don Williams will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday evening. And Josh’s new single this week is his glowingly warm and deeply lustrous remake of Don’s 1987 hit. You will absolutely swoon over this utterly gorgeous performance. MCA’s label copy is non existent, but just for the record, this song’s authors are both Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members—Rory Bourke and Mike Reid.

STEPHANIE URBINA JONES/Gracias
Writer: Stephanie Urbina Jones/Mark Marchetti/Jack Williams; Producer: Stephanie Urbina Jones; Publisher: none listed, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; Casa Del Rio (210-378-5897)
—I have always liked this Texas gal. On this upbeat twang-fest, she thanks God “for what I have and haven’t got.” Bopping and engaging. Get up and twirl around the dance floor.

AARON TIPPIN/I Wanna Play
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; NAMM (track)
—This is the title tune to a CD that aims to raise funds “to put musical instruments into the hands of every child in America.” Ambitious? Sure, but worth the effort. Especially when the song is as uplifting, anthemic and catchy as this one. You’ll want to clap along in time.

JAMES LANN/Every Kiss Goodnight
Writer: James Lann/Gary Leach; Producer: Greg Hunt, Gary Leach & James Lann; Publisher: none listed; Ari-Tex (www.jameslann.com)
—Infectious. It has a rocking, nervous, full-bodied energy that propels it relentlessly forward. It takes awhile to get to the title, but the rush getting there is so cool that you don’t care. Beautifully produced. Listen and believe.

DANIEL WARREN/Only For A Moment
Writer: D. Warren; Producer: Al Hurschman & Daniel Warren; Publisher: Chaprielle, BMI; Chaprielle (www.danielwarrenband.com)
—The mostly acoustic production and his gentle vocal lilt give this a somewhat folkie quality. It’s such a peaceful, easy feeling that his rather word-y songwriting style glides by almost unnoticed.

MATT GARY/I’m Just Sayin’
Writer: Frank Myers/Gary B. Baker/Billy Montana; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Quarterback (www.mattgarymusic.com)
—If she were his, he’d treat her right. So he advises her to walk away from “that ball and chain” because, “love’s not supposed to make you hurt.” His tenor floats above a frothing, churning sonic stew that gives the whole thing an empowering vibe.

CHET O’KEEFE/Ring The Bell
Writer: Chet O’Keefe; Producer: Thomm Jutz & Pat McInerney; Publisher: O’Keefe Street, ASCAP; CO (track) (www.chetokeefe.com)
—He’s been in town only a couple of months, and his very first cut as a writer wins him a Song of the Year prize at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s award show. His own version of it kicks off his Game Bird CD. His voice has a comfy, lived-in quality, and the accompanying sighing steel and rolling rhythm give the track an easy-going lilt. His other tunes are equally refreshing, by the way. Try “Nashville Star,” for one. Or “Petting Zoo,” for another.

McGraw, Paisley Bring Hits In Time For Holidays

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Greatest hit collections from genre superstars Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw have been previously reported on, but new details, including the track-listings have been revealed. Expect big sales from both of these fourth quarter releases, which are likely to end up under a lot of Christmas trees.

On November 30th, Curb Records will release, Number One Hits, a two-disc set featuring 22 of McGraw’s chart-topping singles. The collection will also feature two bonus tracks – a dance mix of his breakthrough 1994 hit, “Indian Outlaw,” and “Felt Good on My Lips,” McGraw’s latest single.

Number One Hits traces McGraw’s remarkable career – from his very first chart-topper, 1994’s “Don’t Take The Girl,” to this year’s “Southern Voice,” which was used in the Academy Award-nominated film The Blind Side, which co-starred Sandra Bullock and McGraw.

McGraw co-stars alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester in Country Strong, hitting theaters nationwide on January 7th, 2011, and earlier in Nashville. McGraw duets with Paltrow on “Me And Tennessee,” a song written by Paltrow’s husband, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and included on the Country Strong soundtrack, due out October 26th. McGraw also appears with William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen and Dwight Yoakam in the new independent comedy Dirty Girl.

The track listing for Number One Hits is as follows:
Disc 1:
1. Live Like You Were Dying
2. Don’t Take The Girl
3. It’s Your Love (with Faith Hill)
4. Just to See You Smile
5. Something Like That
6. My Next Thirty Years
7. The Cowboy in Me
8. She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart
9. I Like It, I Love It
10. Watch the Wind Blow By
11. Please Remember Me
12. Real Good Man

Disc 2:
1. Southern Voice
2. My Best Friend
3. Everywhere
4. Grown Men Don’t Cry
5. Back When
6. Angry All the Time
7. Last Dollar (Fly Away)
8. Unbroken
9. Where the Green Grass Grows
10. Not a Moment Too Soon
11. Indian Outlaw (Dance Mix) (Bonus Track)
12. Felt Good on My Lips (Bonus Track)

••••

Brad Paisley has delivered one of the year’s hottest country tours with his H2O World Tour, and Paisley’s live chops will be on display as performances from the tour come together with hit studio favorites for the November 2 release of the double-disc Hits Alive. In live or studio versions, the collection includes 15 of Paisley’s 17 No. 1 songs and four that hit the Top 5, plus the instrumental “Time Warp” and Brad’s current single, “Anything Like Me.”

Featuring 21 songs, the two discs sport 24 total tracks, some presented both in live and studio versions. Disc one features 13 studio hits plus a new take on Paisley’s “Online” – blending studio and live renditions – while disc two includes previously unreleased live versions of ten favorites, plus the closing “Online (Reprise).”

A track listing is as follows:

Disc 1:
1. Mud on the Tires
2. Ticks
3. Anything Like Me
4. The World
5. Little Moments
6. When I Get Where I’m Going (Featuring Dolly Parton)
7. Celebrity
8. Then (Piano Mix)
9. I’m Still a Guy
10. He Didn’t Have to Be
11. Alcohol
12. Whiskey Lullaby (Featuring Alison Krauss)
13. We Danced
14. Online

Disc 2:
1. Water
2. American Saturday Night
3. Waitin’ on a Woman
4. I’m Gonna Miss Her
5. Mud on the Tires
6. She’s Everything
7. Time Warp
8. Letter to Me
9. Then
10. Alcohol
11. Online (Reprise)

FUNL Showcase, Louvin Album, Secret Sisters

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L to R: David Kastle (The Orchard), Tamara Alan (FUNL Music), Pam Browne (FUNL Music), Amber Hayes, and Ty Herndon. Photo by www.izzynashville.com

•••Nashville-based independent label FUNL Music hosted a double-feature showcase last night (10/19) at the Mercy Lounge with performances by Ty Herndon and Amber Hayes. Herndon’s Journey On earned the chart-topping singer a Dove Award earlier this year for “When We Fly.” Hayes’ current single, “C’mon,” is approaching Top 40 status on the Music Row Country Breakout chart.

O'Shea

•••DigitalRodeo.com is producing a new series called O’SHEA USA to air on Australia’s Country Music Channel (CMC). The 2-3 minute episodes will be hosted by Australia natives O’Shea, giving a behind-the-scenes look into life as up-and-coming Country artists and reporting from various Country music events around the U.S.

•••Charlie Louvin is releasing a new album via True North Records on Nov. 9. The Battles Rage On was inspired by his experiences in the Korean War. The Country Music Hall of Fame member is set for the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium on release day. Special guests on the album include Del McCoury and Jamie Dailey.

•••The Secret Sisters’ “My Heart Skips A Beat” is the iTunes Free Single Of The Week. The Nashville duo has worked with T. Bone Burnett and Jack White.

•••Web rumors abound that John Rich has been cast for the upcoming season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. Warner Music Nashville reps won’t confirm or deny.

•••Gary Allan will have minor surgery in late November to remove a polyp from a vocal cord. He is expected to make a full recovery.

•••Nashville pop singer Alyssa Bonagura will be the opening act on Raul Malo’s November UK tour. She recently graduated from Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts and released The English Diaries. Check out her video of “Myself with Someone Else.”

•••Keni Thomas has been to New York to sing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium three times this season.

Keni Thomas on the Jumbotron at Yankee Stadium.