Starbucks, Soundstage Get Willie’s “Country Music”

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Willie Nelson’s latest release, a collection of classic country songs aptly titled Country Music, will have a prominent promotional profile thanks in part to Starbucks and PBS‘ Soundstage. Produced by T Bone Burnett and released on Rounder Records, Country Music is set for release on April 20.

Starting on the album’s street date, the CD will be available for sale at all Starbucks stores for four weeks.

As part of the lineup of its eighth season, popular PBS live-music series Soundstage will also celebrate Country Music when it begins airing an episode featuring Nelson and his-eight piece band in an intimate setting with fans gathered around the stage. Soundstage featuring Nelson will begin airing nationally on Feburary 25. Check local listings for air times. Country Music’s deceptively simple concept is reminiscent of Nelson’s 1978 release, Stardust, a critical and commercial triumph which found the singer interpreting classics  from The Great American Songbook.

ole Publishing Gets “Cat In The Hat”

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Under a new deal with Random House Children’s Entertainment, ole music publishing will co-own all compositions in the new series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That starring Dr. Seuss’ famous character from the classic children’s book, The Cat in the Hat. Developed as a co-production by Canada’s Portfolio Entertainment and the U.K.’s Collingwood O’Hare Entertainment, the series will air on PBS KIDS and will star the voice of actor/comedian, Martin Short.

Random House Children’s Books will also publish a full line of books to support the television series launch and will oversee a limited slate of licensing and merchandising efforts.

“ole is now one of the largest publishers of children’s TV music in the world and we’re pleased to be part of the ongoing story of perhaps the greatest and most enduring children’s brand of all time,” says ole CEO, Robert Ott.

“Ringside” Benefit Set For March

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The 6th Annual Ringside: A Fight for Kids has been set for Friday, March 5 at The Factory’s Liberty Hall in Franklin, Tennessee beginning at 6:30 PM. The event will benefit The Charley Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides support to charitable agencies addressing the critical needs of children. Nashville’s premiere charity boxing event, Ringside will feature a gourmet dinner, surprise musical performances and celebrity guests, a live auction and four professional boxing bouts.

In addition, the evening will include a “Rumble on the Row” match-up pitting Columbia Nashville VP of National Promotion Jimmy Rector against amateur boxer Jon Jayne.

“I love the work the Charley Foundation does on behalf of Nashville’s children,” says Rector.  “If me getting hit in the face a few times can make a child’s’ life better, then I am in.”

Table sponsorships for the event are available, as well as individual tickets at $250.00 each. Online donation can be made here. Contact Carolyn Miller at (615)297-3099 ext. 103 for details.

Last year’s event, The 5th Annual Ringside: A Fight for Kids featured special guest Martina McBride and raised over $100,000 dollars for The Charley Foundation.

Chesney Joins Steve Miller for “CMT Crossroads”

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Kenny Chesney, Steve Miller

In the latest installment of CMT Crossroads, country superstar Kenny Chesney will share the stage with one of his biggest influences, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Miller. CMT Crossroads: The Steve Miller Band and Kenny Chesney will tape in March and premiere on CMT later in 2010.

This will be Chesney’s second appearance on the Crossroads series, after a 2003 episode with John Mellencamp. Chesney is a longtime friend of Miller’s, whose 40-year career includes more than 25 million records sold, numerous No. 1 hits, and a regular tour schedule even today.

“When Steve called and asked, I was ready to go,” Chesney says. “His songs are so much fun, so much a part of who anyone growing up who’s a rock fan is. He’s so down-to-Earth, so easy-going, you’d never know what a big star he is. Everything he’s done… songs like ‘Take The Money and Run,’ ‘Jet Airliner,’ ‘Fly Like An Eagle,’ ‘Livin’ In The USA’ and ‘The Joker’. He’s been on the road for four decades and he’s just as good now, not to mention the way he can play a guitar! It is truly an honor to get to do this with him.”

David Nail, Laura Bell Bundy Visit ACM

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Rising UMG Nashville artists David Nail and Laura Bell Bundy visited the Academy of Country Music offices during recent trips to Los Angeles.

David Nail visited the Academy of Country Music in Los Angeles recently to perform for ACM staffers. He was in LA taping CBS' The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, which aired Feb. 15. Pictured: L-R: David Nail, Bob Romeo, ACM Executive Director

Mercury Nashville recording artist Laura Bell Bundy visited the ACM recently to sign up for professional membership. The Tony Award nominee's debut album, "Achin' and Shakin'," will be released in 2010. Pictured (L-R): Stuart Dill, Sanctuary Artist Management, Gayle Holcomb, WME, Laura Bell Bundy, Bob Romeo, ACM

Krauss, Big Kenny Set Haiti Relief Show

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Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas will headline a concert at the Ryman to benefit Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund.

Big Kenny is hosting this Nashville edition of “Help Haiti Live” on Feb. 27, while another fundraiser will take place simultaneously in Los Angeles. Kenny will perform at the Ryman show along with Jars of Clay, Mat Kearney, Brandon Heath, Dave Barnes, and Matt Wertz.

On the Los Angeles schedule are Amy Grant, Rebecca St. James, NEEDTOBREATHE, Francis Chan and a yet-to-be announced guest. The concerts are sponsored by Gaylord Entertainment Company and will be streamed live at HelpHaitiLive.com.

Tickets will range in price from $25-$65, and can be purchased via Ticketmaster, as well as through the Ryman box office (800–745-3000) and The Ryman’s web site.

•••••••••••••••••

Another local concert raised money to help Haiti last month. The Haiti Relief Concert at Brentwood United Methodist Church, starring co-hosts Point of Grace and Mark Schultz, raised over $50,000 to benefit the relief efforts of United Methodist Committee on Relief. That amount does not include on-line giving made available during the live webcasts.

Pictured: (L-R) Front Row: David Lee, Sanctuary Artist Mgmt; Stuart Dill, Sanctuary Artist Mgmt; Rev. Cliff Wright, BUMC; Amy Perry, Selah; Shelley Breen, POG; Leigh Cappillino, POG; Denise Jones, POG; Ginny Owens, Jill Tomalty, Word. Back Row: Greg Lucid, Lucid Artist Mgmt; Rev. Rob Huckaby, BUMC; J. Rollins, UMCOR;, Todd Smith, Selah; Mark Schultz, Larry Stewart, Rod Riley, Word; Melissa Hinnen, UMCOR.

Bentley To Honor Brooks and Dunn at Country DJ HoF Induction

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Dierks Bentley has been tapped to perform at the 2010 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will take place 6 pm Tuesday, Feb. 23 at the Nashville Convention Center.

During the event Bentley will give an acoustic tribute to Brooks & Dunn, who will be honored with CRB’s Career Achievement Award. Longtime B&D fan Bentley traveled to Australia with the duo in 2009 and as their tour together closed, they were all honored with the CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award for contributions to country music outside the United States.

“Kix and Ronnie are the original modern day honky-tonkers,” says Bentley. “A lot of acts playing down on Lower Broadway try to emulate those guys. When we toured together, I watched their show every night from side-stage in total awe of the number of hits they’ve had and what they’ve built over the last few decades. They’ve done it all. I still can’t believe they’re about to retire. In true B&D fashion, I have no doubt they’ll go out in a BIG way and leave us wanting more. I’m honored the CRB asked me to help recognize them and their huge contribution to our format.”

The 2010 Country Music DJ inductees this year include Bill Bailey, Laurie DeYoung and Rudy Fernandez, while Cy Blumenthal, Dan Halyburton and Michael Hammond will be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame. Charlie Cook will receive the CRB President’s Award.

CRS registrants can purchase tickets to the ceremony for $90. Non-registrant advance tickets are $100, and the on-site rate is $125. Tickets are available at www.crb.org

SESAC Ups Ellen Truley To VP

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SESAC has promoted longtime employee Ellen Bligh Truley to Vice President, Corporate Relations. She has worked for the performing rights organization since 1996, starting as a Advertising/Promotion Manager. SESAC Pres./COO Pat Collins announced her promotion from her previous role of Associate Vice President, Corporate Relations.

As VP, Truley will oversee SESAC’s  advertising, promotion, sponsorships, website, online marketing and corporate magazine endeavors. Additionally, she will be instrumental in the formulation of SESAC’s future marketing and creative strategies.

“Ellen Truley is a highly creative marketing executive and consummate professional,” said Collins. “Her expertise in all aspects of the creative fold coupled with her unfailing business acumen has been instrumental in helping SESAC progress and succeed over the past decade. This promotion is richly deserved and we anticipate her efforts will help take SESAC to the next level.”

Truley is a Nashville native who graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Advertising/Journalism. She is a member of NARAS, CMA and ACM.

Wariner Inks Management Deal With Clearview

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L-R: Schweidel and Warnier

Fresh off his Grammy win for Best Country Instrumental, Steve Wariner has entered into an exclusive management agreement with Steve Schweidel’s Clearview Artist Management.

With clients including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Beth Nielsen Chapman, Clearview focuses on the integration of new media into the careers of established artists. Throughout his career Schweidel has worked with a diverse range of artists in both recording and management capacities. Early on, he got started as a Hit Factory engineer, working with Paul Simon, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Tony Bennett, Billy Joel and numerous Broadway musicals. He has also held tour management positions with Big & Rich and Jewel.

Wariner is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer with over 30 Top 10 hits and 14 No. 1s to his credit as an artist. In 1998 he won the Country Music Association’s Single and Song of the Year awards for his charttopper, “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” which was also the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year in 1999. As a songwriter Wariner has earned 16 BMI Country Awards and 15 BMI Million-Air Awards. Four Grammys line Wariner’s shelves, with his most recent win being for “Producer’s Medley” from Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins, which he released on his own SelecTone Records.

Schweidel can be reached at info@clearviewartistmanagement.com, 615-852-5265, and P.O. Box 120191, Nashville, TN 37212.

McMurry Taps Promo Boss Gator Michaels

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Longtime promotion executive Gator Michaels has been named VP, National Promotion at McMurry Records. He previously spent seven years at Warner Music Nashville, ending as Sr. VP Promotion.

Michaels’ background also includes promotion stops at Dreamcatcher Records, and ten years on the radio side in Florida.

Howard Fields and Everett Zinn launched Nashville based McMurry Entertainment Group in November 2009. The enterprise is a three-way partnership between Fields, Zinn and Wyoming entrepreneur Doris McMurry, and is comprised of a record label and management company all under the MEG moniker.

Fields has been involved in artist management since 1992 and has worked with such artists as Kenny Rogers, Jo Dee Messina, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Ashley Gearing. Zinn published George Strait’s early hits, including “Unwound,” “Down and Out,” and “Marina Del Rey.”

Consultant Larry Shell is heading up MEG’s A&R efforts. Claire Cook is handling publicity and marketing efforts.

McMurry Entertainment Group is located on Music Row at 1103 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212; Phone 615-457-1515; Fax 615-457-1616. E-mails addresses include: gmichaels@mcmurryentertainment.com, hfields@mcmurryentertainment.com, lshell@mcmurryentertainment.com, and ccook@mcmurryentertainment.com.