Paisley To Offer “Hits Alive”

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Brad Paisley, known for pulling pranks on his opening acts, throws biscuits at Easton Corbin onstage.

Brad Paisley is busy selling out shows on his H2O World Tour, and soon fans will be able to take home a piece of the action. Paisley is the latest artist planning a fourth quarter release of a greatest hits packages, which will include tracks from the studio, as well as live songs from his tour. The two-disc set, Hits Alive, is due from Arista Nashville on Nov. 2.

Paisley’s successful H2O World Tour presented by Chevy just wrapped a Canadian run of four sold-out shows and topped it off in Grand Forks, ND over the weekend with another sold-out night. The popular “Water World Stage” with Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia and Josh Thompson finished its run on the tour a couple of weeks ago, but not before each act was pranked by Paisley and crew. Take a look at the video below.

Darius Rucker and Justin Moore will continue with the tour as special guests. Dates are scheduled through Nov. 20, including this weekend’s Concert For The Coast in Gulf Shores, Ala. to bring economic relief to the region. Chevy is title sponsor for the tour with Skinny Water continuing as support sponsor.

Gator Michaels Named GM For Davis Music Group

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Gator Michaels

Longtime label executive Gator Michaels is setting up shop as General Manager of the newly established Davis Music Group. Started by Texas based entrepreneur Jim L. Davis, the company will offer artist development, management, publishing and production services.

The first artists signed to Davis Music Group are singer-songwriter Jacob Lyda and Texas artist Kelly Kenning. Joining Michaels in the Nashville offices are Management/Marketing Directors Ashley Jennings and Mallory Opheim, handling day-to-day for Kenning and Lyda, respectively.

“Davis Music Group is a full-service artist development and publishing company,” explains Michaels. “Our goal is to develop our roster of acts to their highest potential, assisting in all areas of their career. We will find them the right producer, the right songs, the right images and ultimately, find the right home for their music.”

“I am extremely excited to open our doors in Nashville, Tennessee,” says Davis. “We have a talented and passionate team of industry professionals and we are eager to get started in the development of such amazing talent.”

Additional staff and roster announcements will be made at a later date.

Contact information:
Davis Music Group
1222 16th Ave. S., Suite 24
Nashville, TN 37212

Office Phone: 615-873-1224
Fax line: 615-873-1230

Gator Michaels, gmichaels@davismusicgroup.com
Ashley Jennings, ajennings@davismusicgroup.com
Mallory Opheim, mopheim@davismusicgroup.com

Lee Brice Single Goes Gold

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Curb Records artist Lee Brice has scored his first gold single with the certification of “Love Like Crazy,” which has sold in excess of 500,000 digital downloads.

The announcement comes on the heels of another milestone for the song, which recently spent a record-setting 55 weeks on the Billboard Country Songs chart. The previous record holder was Eddy Arnold’s “Bouquet of Roses,” which debuted the week of May 15, 1948, and spent 54 weeks on the chart.

Brice’s follow-up single is the just released “Beautiful Every Time,” a song he wrote with Rob Hatch and Lance Miller. The single goes for adds October 25.

Incredible Machine To Start Up Oct. 19

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Sugarland’s upcoming album, The Incredible Machine is set for release on Oct. 19. Also being released on the same day will be a Deluxe Edition which, in addition to the project’s 11 songs, includes Blood Love Hope Lust and Steam, a “making of”  album documentary. Also inside will be the music video for “Stuck Like Glue,” and a live performance video for the title track.

The project is already getting notice from critics because it takes the duo into musically uncharted waters. “We are in a place of discovery,” Jennifer says. “It is the essence of who we are as people in this band.” Adds Kristian, “It’s just the two of us. In the story of who we are, this album is more us than we’ve ever been.”

The CD’s 11 songs were all co-written and co-produced by Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush who worked in the studio with producer Byron Gallimore. Lead single from the new package, the Top 5 hit “Stuck Like Glue” has already been certified Gold for digital downloads.

itunes is making a new track from The Incredible Machine available every tuesday. To date fans can download/purchase the title track plus “Wide Open.” “Little Miss” will be posted for download on Oct. 12.

Here’s some background about the inspiration of this album from Kristian’s blog on www.sugarlandmusic.com…

Of the movies I saw as a teenager, none had more impact on me than the films of John Hughes. I think it was some combination of age, angst, young love and an overpowering need to be understood. As his films unfolded — films like The Breakfast Club or Pretty in Pink — I was sucked into the worlds of these characters and their lives, and I connected to them in some basic, almost archetypal way. The emotional turns in these movies were always layered with the character saying something perfect — and then, always, the perfect song. I wanted the soundtracks immediately.

In East Tennessee where I’m from,” we were slow to get news or music from of many of the bands on Hughes’ soundtracks, so there was also a discovering combined with those compilations. Some of the bands had the strangest names: Echo and the Bunnymen. New Order. The Smiths. Where do these kinds of bands come from? I would ask myself. Who are they, and how is it that they are writing the soundtrack to these movies — and, in a way, to my life? I’m not sure I would have discovered Simple Minds if Hughes hadn’t played “Don’t You Forget About Me” under the last scene of Breakfast Club, or learned to play Psychedelic Furs songs had “Pretty in Pink” not been the title track to the movie of the same name.

During the process of writing and recording our new album, I remember thinking, “If those movies were made today, what songs would be on the soundtracks?” I’m sure that with more than a few of the songs on this new album, I was trying to make that cut. After we finished the basic recordings and moved in to the process of mixing the album, I revisited this idea while sitting in the window, eyes closed, headphones on, trying to imagine the scenes that matched up with each song. I wonder what lives these songs will supply the soundtrack for? What kiss will have “Tonight” playing in the background? What kid’s party will rock to “Find the Beat Again” while their parents are out of town?  What road trip will forever be linked to The Incredible Machine? I wonder if there is a sixteen year old out there who will discover something new in the sounds coming out of their speaker like I did at that age.

NASH2O Launch Party Tomorrow

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Dozens of instruments belonging to Peter Frampton, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and other stars are headed for the online auction block through nonprofit organization NASH2O (nash-2-oh), starting tomorrow (10/12) to support local flood relief.

NASH2O’s official launch kicks-off tomorrow (10/12) at 4 PM with a VIP reception and press conference at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Nashville, featuring appearances by artists, a silent auction, and the display of some instruments from the auction. Industry guests RSVP to Jayne Rogovin at jrogovin@mac.com.

Following the May floods, instrument gurus and musicians George Gruhn, Joe Glaser, and Bruce Bouton organized NASH2O to benefit flood victims. The NASH2O auction is unique because the instruments offered for sale are musical artifacts from the record flooding that tore through Nashville. As Gruhn explains, the instruments themselves are unlike what is usually available to fans. “It’s fairly common to see instruments, signed by artists, for sale in charity efforts or given as contest prizes,” he says. “But those are almost always pieces donated by a manufacturer for that purpose. They’re handed to the artist, he signs them, and that’s really the only connection he has with them. The NASH2O pieces are the artists’ personal instruments. [We are auctioning] Peter Frampton’s Les Paul, and Brad Paisley’s Tele-style guitar. You hear that guitar on the records. You saw it in his hands in concert. These are very personal, cherished tools of the trade, and buyers can own a piece of that history, that pedigree.”

Instruments were donated by Peter Frampton, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Duane Eddy, Amy Grant, Keb Mo, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, John Hiatt, Brent Mason, Raul Malo, Kathy Mattea, John Jorgenson, Chris Leuzinger, Bill Cooley, Steve Farris, Jerry McPherson, Kevin Grantt, Martin Guitars, Paul Reed Smith, Collings Guitars, Fender and more. The public online auction opens tomorrow (10/12) and runs through Dec. 10 at http://nash2o.org.

Proceeds will go to MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund for music industry professionals, Nashville Musicians Association Flood Relief Fund for those musicians that were uninsured, and Middle Tennessee fire and rescue departments.

Conway Signs Matt Gary; TCN Adds Jones

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Tony Conway (L) has signed newcomer Matt Gary (R).

17 Music Entertainment’s Matt Gary continues building his team and has signed with veteran agent Tony Conway’s Conway Entertainment Group for exclusive touring representation.

Under the Conway Entertainment Group umbrella (which encompasses management, a full-service talent agency, touring and live event production company), Gary joins Lorrie Morgan, LoCash Cowboys, Flynnville Train, Mandy Barnett, The Cleverlys, Sweethearts of the Rodeo and more.

Gary’s new single, “I’m Just Sayin’,” goes for radio adds on Oct. 25. Penned by Frank Myers, Gary B. Baker and Billy Montana, it is the title track of his six-pack album coming in November.

He is seeking the most creative “I’m Just Sayin'” video at JustSayin.me and the winner will get to appear in the music video.

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Bill Jones

Former Cumulus Media National Country Format Director, Bill Jones, has joined The Country Network (TCN) as Programming Director. Jones, a 33-year broadcasting veteran, will oversee the network’s overall presentation, including selection of music videos and the development of new shows.

“It’s incredible what TCN has done in such a short amount of time,” said Jones. “The Sinclair Broadcasting Group agreement alone will push the network past 17.7 million U.S. households and I am thrilled to be joining the team.”

The Country Network’s Founder and CEO Warren Hansen stated, “With Mr. Jones directing the programming effort, we have an insider that completely understands the genre and the industry, as well as the needs of the artists. His addition to the core team ensures that we will continue to provide the compelling and relevant content our viewers demand.”

The new music video channel The Country Network (TCN) has been picked up by Sinclair Broadcast Group and will be available in some markets by October. Tammy Genovese is Pres. TCN Nashville.

Contact Bill Jones at bjones@tcncountry.com or 877-655-2351 ext 704.

ICM Awards Mix Mainstream And Inspirational

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Ricky Skaggs is a performer and 4-time nominee at the upcoming ICM Awards.

The Inspirational Country Music Awards Show (ICM Awards) will take place Thursday, Oct. 14, with mainstream and inspirational stars  performing and competing for top honors. On the line-up are Ricky Skaggs, Love And Theft, Joey + Rory, The Roys, Nathan Stanley, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Katrina Elam, Steve Richard, Andy Griggs, Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling, Branded, The Springs, Tommy Brandt, Emma Jacob, Mary James, Russ Murphy and 2009 ICM Entertainer of the Year CrossCountry The Band.

Among the presenters are Leigh Anne Tuohy (of The Blind Side fame), David Nixon, Chuck Day, Rhonda Towns and Laura Dodd. Storme Warren, host of Great American Country’s Headline Country and Sirius XM’s The Highway, will co-host the award show along with Megan Alexander, Inside Edition correspondent.

Tickets for the October 14 show at the Trinity Music City USA Auditorium in Hendersonville, Tenn. are $45.00, with group rates available. Some proceeds will go to Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity. For tickets, more information and show highlights, please visit www.icm-awards.com or call 888-968-9993.

Select final nominees:

Entertainer of the Year*: Andrew Heller; Barry McGee; Jason Crabb; Point of Grace; Steve Richard; Tommy Brandt
Male Vocalist: Greg McDougal; Jason Crabb; Philip Dain Powell; Russ Murphy; Tommy Brandt
Female Vocalist: Amanda Fessant; Emma Jacob; Kathy Joy Bell; Mary James; Sandra Dee
Vocal Duo: Austins Bridge; Branded; Jeff & Sheri Easter; Joey & Rory; The Roys
Vocal Group*: Corey Brooks Band; CrossCountry The Band; Katalyst; Last Light Band; Point of Grace; The Springs
Mainstream Country Artist: Carrie Underwood; Craig Morgan; Josh Turner; Jeff Bates; Ricky Skaggs
Mainstream Inspirational Country Song:
Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice
That’s God – Jo Dee Messina
Temporary Home – Carrie Underwood
The Man I Want To Be – Chris Young
This Ain’t Nothing – Craig Morgan
Video:
All I Ask For Anymore -Trace Adkins, Capitol Nashville, Director: Deaton-Flanigen
Temporary Home – Carrie Underwood, Arista Nashville, Director: Deaton-Flanigen
The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert, Columbia Nashville, Director: Trey Fanjoy
The Man I Want To Be – Chris Young, RCA Nashville, Director: David McClister
This Ain’t Nothing – Craig Morgan, BNA Nashville, Director: Steven L. Weaver
Musician: Dennis Agajanian; Gordon Mote; Greg McDougal; Ricky Skaggs; Tim Atwood

*denotes tie

See the complete list.

Opry Celebrates 85 Years

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Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton helped the Opry celebrate its 85th birthday.

Some of country music’s biggest stars and more than 8,800 fans packed the Grand Ole Opry House Saturday night (10/9) to celebrate the Opry’s 85th Birthday. Among the many artists marking the occasion were Trace Adkins, Roy Clark, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift. A giant cake was brought onstage for the event, which occurred days after the Opry returned home to the Opry House following the devastating May floods.

Fun continues this month at the Grand Ole Opry, when the “Opry Goes Pink” on Friday, Oct. 15. Together with Women Rock For The Cure and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Opry will join in the fight against breast cancer by turning its signature barn backdrop pink for the show. The Judds will do the honors of flipping the switch to “go pink.” Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley and FOX News anchor Greta Van Susteren will be guest announcers.  In addition to The Judds, the show will include performances by John Anderson, Joey + Rory, Marty Stuart, and others as well as special activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease.

Mention the code OPRYPINK when ordering tickets via telephone (800-SEE-OPRY) or when purchasing tickets online (opry.com), and $5 from the sale of those tickets will be donated to Women Rock For The Cure and the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Special VIP Pink Packages are available at opry.com and include a meet and greet with The Judds.

Music Community Lights The Night; Garth Brooks Helps Habitat

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Members of Nashville’s music community stepped out in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night fundraiser last week. Walkers carried lighted balloons at the event which kicked off at LP Field, looped around the Cumberland River and ended with a firework celebration outside the stadium.

UMPG Nashville walked in memory of songwriter Joshua Ragsdale, who lost his valiant fight with cancer this summer. UMPG Nashville’s team raised nearly $9,000; donations were led by Cyndi Forman who raised a whopping $3,650 on her own.

Warner Music Nashville and Word Entertainment also teamed up to walk. The team has ties to the cause through Warner/Reprise Recording artist Blake Shelton, who raised over $31,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at his annual fan club party earlier this year.

Pictured (front row l-r): Kent Earls, Bonnie Baker, Jennifer Carrington, Cyndi Forman, Gerilynn Pearce, Dave Pacula and Pat Higdon. (back l-r): Darcy Ferris, Kamari Jackson, Ray Jackson, Tammy Helm and Jan Simenson.

Warner Music Nashville and Word Entertainment Staff at the Light the Night Walk. (front l-r): Rebekah Sterk and Tree Paine. (back l-r): Sarah Lai, April Johnson, Amy Pelphrey, Jill Tomalty, Paula Eden and Danielle Taylor

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Garth Brooks working with Habitat For Humanity over the weekend.

Garth Brooks and hundreds of volunteers built and repaired houses in Birmingham over the weekend as part of the 27th annual Habitat for Humanity Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

An avid supporter of Habitat, Brooks worked in the Wylam Oaks subdivision of Birmingham. He also performed for Habitat supporters on Thursday evening. Birmingham volunteers are building 10 new homes and rehabbing an additional 18.

Brooks and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, have previously volunteered with Habitat in the Gulf Coast and in Los Angeles.

Throughout the week, volunteers helped to build, rehabilitate or repair a total of 86 homes throughout the U.S. as part of the Carter Work Project.

Artist Shoots Cell Phone Video

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Lauren Rainey

Artists are always looking for ways to do more with less and often rely on technology to help accomplish that goal. However, when thinking Bee Productions was challenged by artist Lauren Rainey to shoot a video for her song “Crazy In Love,” using only an HTC 4G EVO cell and natural lighting, it seemed like the expectations were really too high.

“I absolutely love the song,” says Thinking Bee’s Bill Filipiak. “That alone had me in. To be able to play with new technology as well, spoke directly to the very reason we started Thinking Bee. Shooting a music video with nothing but a cell phone and a hot August sun proved challenging, but demonstrated how quickly technology is changing the way artists can promote themselves in today’s market place. Good music is good music true, but sometimes you need a creative spark that peaks an audience’s interest, especially for an indie trying to break out. Thanks to the advancement of personal video options such as Sprint’s Evo, artists now have so many more options for creating video and in turn more ways of getting their music out there with nothing more than a vision and a hand full of friends who want to help.”

According to Thinking Bee, “Crazy In Love” is the first country music video to be shot in this format and was captured in one afternoon.

“Producing a video with no crew, lighting, or soundstage was very compelling,” says Thinking Bee SVP Jo Hunt. “But we also knew going in that the camera loves Lauren and it’s a great song so we were confident it was possible with those elements as our baseline.”

Lauren Rainey came to Nashville via North Carolina in 2005, landed her own show on CMT’s broadband network “Loaded” and was a segment reporter for “CMT Insider.” Most recently she has been traveling with “Rascal Flatts” during their 2010 “Nothing Like This Tour” as the host of the show.