Little Big Town Ride For A Cure

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Capitol Nashville Recording artist Little Big Town will once again host the Ride For A Cure on Sunday, July 11, benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation. This marks the fourth year of the band’s involvement in the charity motorcycle outing, beginning at the Tin Roof in Nashville and riding to the Harley-Davidson Superstore in Columbia.

Registration for motorcycle riders and non-riders begins at the Tin Roof at 8AM with performances by Brett Eldridge and others. The ride kicks-off at 10:30AM and will be followed by a post-ride performance in Columbia at 12:30PM by Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Josh Thompson and The Band Perry.

“Every year we look forward to this day when we can get together with our fans and enjoy a beautiful ride, some great music and raise money for a cause that’s so dear to our hearts,” said Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town.

The T. J. Martell Foundation is offering a special VIP ticket for $300 that includes breakfast, access to the VIP areas during the ride, lunch, a gift bag, t-shirt and performance. Rider plus jam tickets are $35 and include the ride, lunch, t-shirt and performance. Jam tickets are $20. Tickets may be purchased online at www.nashvillerideforacure.com.

Proceeds from Ride for a Cure locally supports cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The T.J. Martell Foundation supports leukemia, cancer and AIDS research.

“This is an amazing event with a demographic that is fun to reach,” said Derek Crownover, President of the T.J. Martell Foundation – Southern Region Board of Directors. “There are some true-blue Martell faithful involved. I have known Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town since before she moved to Nashville. So we go way back. It’s great to see Kimberly, Phillip, Karen and Jimi using their tremendous success to help raise money to find cures for cancer.”

Little Big Town will release their new Capitol Nashville album The Reason Why on August 24. The lead single “Little White Church” is currently Top 15 and climbing.

Photos: Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Jennette McCurdy

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Check out Dierks goes unplugged for “Kimmel,” Rodney and fam hang with Jeff Fisher, Jennette turns 18 and more fun photos.

Dierks Bentley and his all-star band didn’t let a power outage at Jimmy Kimmel Live! stop them from performing last week. They improvised for a totally unplugged performance of "Up On The Ridge" as Kimmel recorded the show on his laptop's webcam.

Rodney Atkins, wife Tammy and son Elijah, visited with Titans coach Jeff Fisher during the pre-game reception for his 10th Annual Comcast “Jeff Fisher & Friends” Charity Softball Game Presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners. The event benefitted Soles4Souls Nashville Flood Relief, Nashville Children’s Alliance, Mercy Ministries, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and other charities. The event has raised over $500,000 to date. Photo: Richard Suter

Capitol Records Nashville threw an 18th birthday party for Jennette McCurdy in downtown Nashville on June 21. The star of Nickelodeon’s "iCarly" invited kids from Bellevue Middle School, one of the hardest hit areas by the flood, to enjoy a night of fun. Many artists and their children also turned out, including Martina McBride, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Phil Vassar and Jamie O’Neal. McCurdy signed to Capitol Nashville on her 17th birthday and has been working on her debut album with producer Paul Worley. Photo credit: Kay Williams

BamaJam Records’ Blackberry Smoke hung with Joe Patrick backstage at the recent BamaJam festival in Enterprise, AL. (L-R): Paul Jackson, Brandon Still, Brit Turner, Richard Turner, Charlie Starr, and Joe Patrick. Photo: Bill Macky

The GAC TV booth at CMA Music Fest was all bluegrass on Sunday morning. The Grascals and Cherryholmes found themselves sharing time at the booth signing autographs for hundreds of fans. (L-R): B. J. Cherryholmes, Cia Cherryholmes, Danny Roberts (Grascals), Kristin Scott Benson (Grascals), Skip Cherryholmes, Jere Cherryholmes, Terry Smith (Grascals), Terry Eldredge (Grascals), Sandy Cherryholmes, Jeremy Abshire (Grascals), Molly Cherryholmes and Jamie Johnson (Grascals). Photo: Mechalle Myers courtesy of GAC

Wireless Spectrum Set To Double

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President Obama is scheduled to sign a presidential memorandum today (6/28) that would seek to double the bandwidth available for wireless communications over the next decade. The plan involves the auction of over 500 megahertz of wireless spectrum now controlled by the federal government and private companies. Obama’s move falls in step with recommendations previously endorsed by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

Although clearly intended to relieve predicted future smartphone data congestion, the move also helps create jobs, spur economic growth and the creation of a public safety wireless network. Wireless and mobile technology are also sure to play a starring role in the growth of the music industry. More details on the plan are expected to be announced today.

Television broadcast companies however, may be cool to the concept since it appears they may be asked to “give up” some of their existing bandwidth. Cable companies that have invested in wired networks might also have something to fear from the threat of competition by beefed up wireless entities. Currently the wireless communications spectrum is about 547 megahertz. For the new plan to become law, Congress will have to approve various steps in the process.

Sugarland Sets October Release

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Sugarland’s fourth studio album, The Incredible Machine, is joining the list of major releases coming in the final quarter. While waiting for the Oct. 19 release date, fans will get a taste of the new offering when lead single “Stuck Like Glue” goes to radio on July 26.

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush wrote the first single with Kevin Griffin (of Better Than Ezra fame) and Shy Carter. As with all their past projects, Nettles and Bush collaborated on the entire album. Machine marks their third time co-producing alongside Byron Gallimore.

The Mercury Nashville duo is also offering a web series at www.youtube.com/sugarland. “The Week In Review” comes out every Wednesday and gives a glimpse of the band on their current The Incredible Machine tour.

The fall outing will be the follow-up to Sugarland’s 2008 album Love On The Inside, which spawned hits like “It Happens,” “All I Want To Do,” and “Already Gone.” In the meantime, the duo released the live CD/DVD Live On The Inside, and the holiday collection Gold And Green.

Sugarland has won multiple Grammys and sold over 8 million records since rocketing onto the music scene in 2004.

Trace Adkins Album Due In August

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Trace Adkins is opening a new chapter in his career with the Aug. 17 release of his first album for Show Dog-Universal. Cowboy’s Back In Town is being described as vintage Adkins, running the gamut from love songs like “Still Love You,” to the rowdy side of country life in the hilarious “Hold My Beer.”

He also has a deluxe version coming out the same day, offering fans four bonus tracks, including “Hillbilly Bone” his hit with Blake Shelton.

Adkins showcases his writing chops on the outing—he penned the title track with friends Jeff Bates and Kenny Beard, who also co-produced with Jason Aldean hitmaker Michael Knox. Other highlights include a guest spot from labelmate Trailer Choir. The project’s first single is “This Ain’t No Love Song.”

In addition to headlining his own dates, Adkins is on the road with Toby Keith‘s American Ride Tour through September. The pair toured together previously, which led to Adkins’ eventual signing with Keith’s label.

Adkins has sold more than 10 million records and earned four Grammy nominations with hits such as “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “This Ain’t No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Ladies Love Country Boys.”

Cowboy’s Back In Town – Track Listing

1.      Brown Chicken Brown Cow
2.      Hold My Beer
3.      Cowboy’s Back In Town
4.      This Ain’t No Love Song
5.      Hell, I Can Do That
6.      A Little Bit Of Missing You
7.      Still Love You
8.      Don’t Mind If I Don’t
9.      Ala-Freakin-Bama
10.    Break Her Fall
11.    Whoop A Man’s Ass

Deluxe Edition:

1.      Happy Man
2.      Between Rainbows and the Rain
3.      Pictures On Mantles
4.      Hillbilly Bone – performed by Blake Shelton (featuring Trace Adkins)

[Editor’s note: MR’s Boss Ross tipped “Hold My Beer” to Adkins’ team.]

Big Machine Adds Two Staffers

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Big Machine Label Group has hired Ashley Heron for the newly created position of Director of Strategic Marketing, and added Karen Light as Administration Analyst.

In his new role, Heron will work to establish brand partnerships as well as provide creative and new media support for the Big Machine, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville artist rosters. A graduate of Belmont University, Heron most recently spent six years as Sr. Manager of Marketing for Lyric Street Records. He will report directly to VP of Sales, Marketing and Interactive Kelly Rich.

“Ashley has been a great sounding board over the years and is extremely talented,” says Rich. “When he became available, we knew he was a natural fit.”

“Scott Borchetta and his team are fostering such a great culture of staff and artists, I’m really looking forward to working alongside and creatively partnering with more businesses in the business of Big Machine music,” adds Heron.

In her new position, Light will facilitate licensing clearance, publishing administration and royalty entry for the Big Machine Label Group roster. A graduate of California State University-Fresno and Middle Tennessee State University, Light’s industry experience includes stints at Encore Entertainment, Pamplin Music Corp, ICG, Still Working Music and, most recently, Sussman & Associates. She will report directly to Director of Administration Wayne Milligan.

“Karen is one of the best publishing administration professionals in the business,” says Milligan. “She not only brings with her solid credentials but a love for the creative process, songwriters and artists. I am very happy to be working with her again.”

“In some way or another, I have worked with various people and departments of Big Machine since it opened its doors which makes me even more excited now to be a part of this amazing team and family,” adds Light.

Ashley Heron can be reached at: 615-324-7930 and Ashley.Heron@bigmachinemail.com.

Karen Light can be reached at 615-324-7934 and Karen.Light@bigmachinemail.com.

Eminem Bringing Year’s Best Debut

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The new album from superstar rapper Eminem is expected to be the year’s biggest debut when sales tallies come in this week. Numerous early chart watchers are predicting sales upwards of 700,000 units.

Recovery has seen strong reviews (Rolling Stone gave it four stars), hit singles and a pre-release leak yielding good word-of-mouth. Among the tracks are collaborations with female pop stars Pink and Rihanna.

Also debuting on the SoundScan chart will be Miley Cyrus’ Can’t Be Tamed, which is expected to cross the 100,000-copy mark.

19/Oglesby Rework Relationship

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Chris Oglesby is resuming his role as head of Oglesby Writers Management (OWM), the company he founded in 2004.

In 2006 OWM partnered with 19 Entertainment, taking seat as the company’s Nashville office. Oglesby will continue his close relationship with 19 Entertainment under the new arrangement between 19/CKX and OWM.

Among other changes at 19 Entertainment, Jennifer Carrington’s position was eliminated. Her last day with the company will be Wednesday, June 30. She can be reached at jenlcarrington@gmail.com or (615) 491-3453.

19/CKX will continue to develop and manage Carrie Underwood and newcomers Sons Of Sylvia. Both artists are signed to 19 Recordings, in addition to other major labels.

Gill At Clapton’s Crossroads Festival

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Vince Gill performs with Albert Lee at the Crossroads Guitar Festival. Photo: Vince Cunetto.

Vince Gill was among the guitar gods who took the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival over the weekend. He joined fellow headliners B. B. King, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, Buddy Guy and, of course, Clapton at the Chicago event.

Sheryl Crow performed as well, pairing with Gill for the Clapton classic “Lay Down Sally.”

Gill’s A-list band backed up sets by guitar slingers Keb’ Mo’, Earl Klugh and Albert Lee. And Clapton’s band was comprised of guest stars Beck and Steve Winwood.

Pete Huttlinger was also among the 24 musicians on the line-up for the day-long event at Toyota Park.

It was the third festival Clapton has organized to benefit his Crossroads addiction treatment facility in Antigua.

Gill and Clapton onstage at Clapton's Nashville concert in March. Photo: Danielle Pope

Texas Songwriters Honored

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A quartet of iconic Texas-born, Nashville-based songwriters whose work has been recorded and performed by major award-winning entertainers, have been selected as 2011 inductees in the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association (TxHSA) Hall of Fame. Bruce Channel (“Hey! Baby”), Delbert McClinton (“Two More Bottles of Wine,”
“Givin’ It Up for Your Love”), Gary Nicholson (“That’s The Thing About Love,” “One More Last Chance”) and Lee Roy Parnell (“What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am,” “Love Without Mercy”) will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during an awards show and concert next March.

TxHSA founder Terry Boothe said these honorees are not only Texas music contemporaries, but also collaborators.

“These icons have their own diverse lives and careers, but there is linkage between them that makes it appropriate that they be honored together,” Boothe said.

Noting just several of many instances where these performers have worked with each other, Boothe pointed out that McClinton’s distinctive harmonica work while a member of the Ron-Del’s was featured on a recording of Channel’s  “Hey! Baby.”; Nicholson was once a member of McClinton’s band and later produced two Grammy-winning albums for him; and Parnell co-wrote “Lucky Me, Lucky You” with Nicholson.