Craig Morgan’s “All Access” Reality Show

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BNA Records artist Craig Morgan will debut his own reality-based show this weekend when Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors comes to the Outdoor Channel on July 3 at 10 AM/CT. 

Morgan will take viewers along with him on tour, at home and on his outdoors adventures.

Whether he’s bungee jumping in New Zealand or playing jokes on his band and crew, viewers will get an all access pass to enjoy the thrills, suspense and laughs. Ride along with the singer as he  motocross races, feels the rush of screaming fans at sold-out shows or heads off into the great outdoors.

On Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors, Morgan’s life is captured in a cutting-edge visual presentation. This new reality show gives viewers an all-access, backstage pass to the singer’s travels, as he and his crew pursue big thrills and big laughs worldwide in a quest for the ultimate adventures.

Morgan’s fellow country artists, as well as professional athletes and motocross celebrities, join him each week.

View the trailer at www.craigmorgan.com and click here to find Outdoor Channel in your area.

DeMarcus Family Expecting

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Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus and his wife, former Miss Tennessee and CMT personality, Allison, are anticipating the birth of their first child in January of 2011.

“Allison and I are thrilled about becoming parents, DeMarcus said. “I am confident Ali will be a wonderful mother because she has done an incredible job raising me over the past six years.

“Jay and I are thrilled to let everyone know we are going to be parents,” adds Allison. “We can’t wait and are ecstatic to share our news.”

The couple was married on May 15, 2004 in Nashville.

Kobalt Music Upgrades Digital Services

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Nashville songwriters and content owners will soon be able to take advantage of Kobalt Music Group’s latest advancement in transparent copyright administration.

This week Kobalt is officially rolling out its next version of its online tools – Next Generation Portal Digital 3.0 – which offer clients unprecedented access to detailed information on collections in digital music sales and performance royalties and other digital revenue streams. Additionally, the system offers expanded access to data on products tracked and audio visual performance royalties collected from licensed content in global film and TV productions.

In making the announcement Willard Ahdritz, CEO and Founder of Kobalt, said: “Kobalt has developed the most unique digital collection platform available which will give clients complete transparency and access to a breakdown of revenue detail from nearly all digital sales outlets available in each territory, as well as extended synch licensing and performance revenue detail listed by licensee and by territory.”

Kobalt’s collected data will include full transparency in tracking per licensee for digital performance rights and downloads, ringtones, and streaming. In addition to digital collections data, clients will also be able to view specifics not only on the status and amount of every synch license, but also the status of receipt of film and TV performance revenues listed by licensee and by territory.

Kobalt’s online system, which was first launched in 2002, is being used by more than 900 clients in a wide spectrum of content owners including music publishers, rights licensors, songwriter/producers and management companies.

Americana Festival Announces Performers

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Texas singer/songwriter Hayes Carll, punk legend Exene Cervenka, country music icon Charlie Louvin and former Mavericks frontman Raul Malo are among the first artists selected to perform at the Americana Music Association’s upcoming 2010 Americana Music Festival, slated for Wednesday, September 8 through Saturday, September 11. The event will feature nearly 100 different musical performances over four days at five of Nashville’s live music venues.

The nighttime festival is open to the general public. Advance wristbands are $50 and can be purchased at americanamusic.org, or by calling the AMA office at 615-386-6936. Wristbands are good for admission to all venues during the four-day event. Music industry professionals and those interested in the business of music can purchase Full Day Festival and Conference Registrations at the reduced rate of $300 for Americana Music Association members and $400 for non-members through Wednesday, June 30. Rates will go up on July 1.

Showcase artists confirmed so far include:

18 South
Black Lillies
Cadillac Sky
Hayes Carll
Peter Case
Exene Cervenka
Chapmans
Cherryholmes
Elizabeth Cook
Susan Cowsill
Kevin Gordon
Will Kimbrough
Randy Kohrs Band
Jon Langford & Skull Orchard
Charlie Louvin
Raul Malo
Chuck Mead
Micky and the Motorcars
Over the Rhine
Dex Romweber Duo
Stone River Boys
Abigail Washburn

The 2010 Americana Music Festival is part of the 11th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, slated for September 8-11. The conference offers seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Downtown Nashville Sheraton Hotel by day, and showcases each evening. Friends of Americana can learn more about the discounted hotel room rates here.

Full Festival and Conference registrants receive entrance to all sanctioned daytime conference music, panels and parties, plus priority access to all evening showcase performances.  The registration also includes a ticket to the critically acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards show, presented by the Gibson Foundation, on Thursday, September 9 at the Ryman Auditorium.

615 Music Wins Daytime Emmy

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Nashville’s 615 Music is the Winner of a 2010 Daytime Emmy Award in the “Outstanding Original Song” category. Company President Randy Wachtler and songwriter Greg Barnhill were on hand in Los Angeles on Friday, June 25 to receive the honor in person, during the 37th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment Emmy Awards event.

“The team here at 615 Music is very proud to have been involved in the making of such a memorable song to promote the Today show with NBC,” Wachtler said. “As a company, we are proud of our ongoing relationship with NBC and of the award-winning work we do together.”

615’s winning song, “Your Day is Today,” was written by Wachtler and Barnhill for the Today Show on NBC, and featured vocals by Paisley Van Patten.

Tour Updates: Flatts; Paisley; Aldean

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New Rascal Flatts tour.

••Rascal Flatts launched its JC Penney Presents Rascal Flatts Nothing Like This Tour over the weekend with shows in Raleigh, Charlotte and Atlanta in front of 50,000 fans. The tour has Kellie Pickler and Chris Young as openers and will continue through September 19.

Notodden, Norway – Musikkfestival – Show openers Swedish Willy Clay Band and Norwegian Lucky Lips join Paisley to close the show with “Alcohol.” Photo: Ben Enos

•••Brad Paisley played sold-out shows at London’s Shepherd Bush Empire on June 23 and 24, and then ventured over to Notodden, Norway’s Musikkfestival on June 25 to play for 7,000 fans. This marks his first trip to the UK in over ten years. Paisley is also celebrating the 17th No. 1 single of his career as “Water” makes a splash atop the Mediabase and BDS charts this week, becoming the fourth chart-topper from his American Saturday Night collection and his 13th consecutive No. 1 single.

•••Jason Aldean took his high-energy live show to Orange Beach, AL recently, setting a venue attendance record at The Amphitheater at The Wharf where 9,301 fans packed the house. The previous record was set by Kenny Chesney (9,270) in August 2009.

McEntire, Keith Lead Big July 4th Events

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Country stars will be making national media appearances this weekend to celebrate the 4th of July holiday, here’s where to catch them.

Reba McEntire is headlining A Capitol Fourth, being broadcast live from the West Lawn of the United States Capitol, to mark the country’s 234th birthday. Also on the bill are Darius Rucker, Gladys Knight, David Archuleta and more with the National Symphony Orchestra. Airs live in HD on PBS Sunday, July 4, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET. As part of the program, Reba will be presented with the National Artistic Achievement Award. This is only the fourth time the award has been presented, with other iconic recipients including composer John Williams, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and Stevie Wonder.

Toby Keith will join the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for the city’s 37th annual Fourth of July celebration broadcast on CBS. The network’s Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson will return as emcee.

At home in Nashville, Trace Adkins, Julianne Hough and Jaci Velasquez will perform at the “Let Freedom Sing!” event downtown. The NowPlayingNashville.com stage will present Jordyn Shellhart, Calico Trail, Damien Horne and Jessie James. Also, Hough will play a free concert on July 3. Details here.

LeAnn Rimes will be in New York to play the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, airing on NBC Sunday, July 4 at 9/8c. Nick Cannon and Alison Sweeney will host, with other musical guests including Justin Bieber and Enrique Iglesias, as well as appearances from the cast of Twilight-Eclipse.

Willie Nelson’s Annual 4th of July Picnic in Austin has lined-up performances by Jack Ingram, Jamey Johnson, Randy Rogers Band, Kris Kristofferson, Kevin Fowler and, of course, Willie himself. The show starts at noon Sunday and will air live on Sirius XM’s Willie’s Place.

Vince Gill will be in Los Angeles wrapping his three-day run at the famed Hollywood Bowl.

Country Hitmakers Compilation Album

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Stadium Entertainment Holding Corp. is releasing My Country: Smash Hits on Tuesday August 24, with songs from a list of hitmakers. The superstar line-up includes Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Jypsi, Randy Houser, Big & Rich and Montgomery Gentry. The project is a multiple CD series with each annual volume benefiting the Fisher House Foundation which provides free board for military members and their families who are receiving treatment at a military medical center. Doonesbury creator and cartoonist Garry Trudeau graciously designed the album artwork.

•• A benefit for the family of security guard Fred Stapleton will be July 1 at Mercy Lounge. The member of the Rock Solid security team died while working at CMA Music Festival. Stephen Cochran is leading the line-up and has recruited The Harters, Katie Arminger, and more. Donations can be made to a fund for Stapleton’s daughter, the Lindsay A. Stapleton Trust at SunTrust Bank.

•• The concert Boots, Bars & Stars: A Tribute To The Military will be Thursday, July 1 at the Hard Rock Cafe Nashville. Former Marine John Carter will headline the 7 PM show which also features ex-military performers Sal Gonzalez and Dustin Wilkes. This event is free to military families and troops from Fort Campbell and kicks off Independence Day Weekend in Nashville. Proceeds will benefit Operation Troop Aid. Sponsored by Digital Rodeo and Operation Troop Aid.

Vincent Extends Her Own 360 Brand

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Bluegrass star and seven-time IBMA Female Vocalist winner, Rhonda Vincent has added a Record label division to her in-house company, Upper Management which already boasts management and tour booking divisions and oversees her annual Bluegrass Cruise. Upper Management was founded in 2006 by the artist’s manager Herb Sandker.

“I’m thrilled and a bit overwhelmed,” Vincent states. “This is a big responsibility, but I know we can do it. We have an incredible team working on this project, in and out of the studio! Super songwriters, marvelous musicians, an exceptional engineer, and a powerhouse press agent.”

Vincent is currently recording a new project in her Adventure Studios with eight-time Grammy Award winner, Bil VornDick. “Bil is the king at capturing great tones,” Vincent shares. “With my band The Rage as the core band of the album, we’ll be able to duplicate the music in our live performances. We are joined by several guest musicians and vocalists, along with a few surprises.” Album release details are expected soon.

Underwood Ends First Leg of Tour On Strong Note

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Carrie Underwood wrapped the first leg of her Play On Tour over the weekend in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She has performed for nearly 400,000 fans since the outing launched on March 11, including selling out nearly all 54 dates throughout North America. The show received wide-ranging critical praise noting the elaborate stage sets, numerous costume changes, hi-def screens and, of course, her powerful vocal prowess. Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia were special guests on the run.

The Play On Tour will continue this fall with shows launching September 25 in Portland, Oregon, hydrated by vitamin water® and Presented AEG Live. Sons of Sylvia will stay on the tour with new guest Billy Currington. In the meantime, Underwood will perform a handful of fairs and festival dates this summer. She is scheduled for over 100 shows throughout the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2010, including an October 13 stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

During the fall leg of the tour, Underwood will donate 36 cents of every ticket sold to Save the Children’s United States Programs. This initiative was inspired by the “36 cents” written in the lyrics of her album track “Change,” which addresses how even the smallest bit of spare change can add up to make a difference.