Earl Gaines Services; Lifenotes

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As previously reported, Nashville r&b star Earl Gaines passed away on New Year’s Eve at age 74. Services will be held Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Luke CME Church, located at 2008 28th Avenue North, Nashville, TN, 37208. Visitation will begin at 10 AM, followed by a musical tribute at 11 AM, and the funeral at noon.

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Teresa Louise Williams, daughter of rockabilly/gospel artist Billy Adams, passed away after an extended illness on Jan. 1 at age 44 in Nashville. The funeral is today (1/6) at the Carman Funeral Home in Flatwoods, Ky. A memorial fund has been established at The Green Bank, 4922 Main St., Spring Hill, TN 37174.

2010 Grammy Nominees CD Announced

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The Recording Academy’s Grammy Recordingsgrammynomscd has partnered with EMI Music to release the 2010 Grammy Nominees CD, the 16th iteration of the series and featuring nominees from the upcoming 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Available January 19, a portion of the proceeds from the collection’s sales will benefit the Recording Academy’s MusiCares and Grammy Foundations. Nashville-related artists feature prominently among the disc’s 20 tracks, including Kings of Leon, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, and Rascal Flatts. Complete tracklist included below.

“The diverse mix of tracks contained in this fine collection offer some of the great songs and artists that make up this year’s talented crop of nominees,” says Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “We look forward to another successful chart-topping year and to providing further support to the important work that MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation continue to do year-round. And, we thank EMI Music for their collaboration on this exceptional album.”

The collection includes several of the most recognized Grammy categories, representing nominees for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocals, and Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocals.

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will be held January 31 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and the live broadcast starts on CBS at 7pm CT.

2010 Grammy Nominees CD Tracklist [with artist nominations]:
1. The Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”
[Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Pop Vocal Album]

2. Lady GaGa – “Poker Face”
[Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year]

3. Kings Of Leon – “Use Somebody”
[Record Of The Year, Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

4. Dave Matthews Band – “You & Me”
[Album Of The Year]

5. Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
[Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]

6. Colbie Caillat – “Fallin’ For You”
[Best Pop Vocal Album]

7. The Fray – “You Found Me”
[Best Pop Vocal Album]

8. P!nk – “Sober”
[Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]

9. Kelly Clarkson – “My Life Would Suck Without You”
[Best Pop Vocal Album]

10. Katy Perry – “Hot N Cold”
[Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]

11. Beyoncé – “Halo”
[Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]

12. Adele – “Hometown Glory”
[Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]

13. Zac Brown Band – “Chicken Fried”
[Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

14. Sugarland – “It Happens”
[Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

15. Lady Antebellum – “I Run To You”
[Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

16. Rascal Flatts – “Here Comes Goodbye”
[Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

17. Green Day – “21 Guns”
[Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

18. Coldplay – “Life In Technicolor ii”
[Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

19. U2 – “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight”
[Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

20. Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood – “Can’t Find My Way Home”
[Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals]

Marco’s 2009 Top Dance Club Songs

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scaled_e1262623765Marco Club Connection has release its sixth annual Top Ten list of 2009’s most requested Country dance club songs, compiled from a panel of over 230 club owners, DJs and dance instructors nationwide.

The 2009 Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits are:
1. The Zac Brown Band – “Toes”
2. Randy Houser – “Boots On”
3. Jason Aldean – “She’s Country”
4. Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”
5. Gloriana – “Wild At Heart”
6. Brooks & Dunn – “Honky Tonk Stomp”
7. Billy Currington – “People Are Crazy”
8. Reba – “I Want a Cowboy”
9. Joey + Rory – “Cheater Cheater”
10. Jack Ingram – “Barefoot & Crazy

“Out of all the songs on Club Connection’s Top Ten List, we play just about every single one of them on a daily basis,” says DJ Sully, a DJ at Cadillac Ranch in Southington, Conn. “Many of our dancers strongly push what they like, and I make sure they get what they want. These songs definitely keep our customers coming back week after week.”

A complete archive of Club Connection’s Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits can be viewed at www.MarcoClubConnection.com.

Lady A Reveals New Tracklist

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ladyALady Antebellum’s highly anticpated sophomore album Need You Now is due out January 26 via Capitol Records, and now the full tracklisting has been released. The album features 11 songs, eight of which were co-written by the group’s Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott. The smash title track leads off the album, and followup single “American Honey” is included as well. Paul Worley is back as producer, and the trio tries their hand this time as co-producers. Complete track information below.

“We touch on a lot of really personal things in these songs,” says Kelley. “There’s a lot of emotion…there’s love, heartache, nostalgia, vulnerability, happiness and hopefulness.  We hope that fans will get to know us even better when they listen to it.”

Need You Now Tracklisting:
1. Need You Now
2. Our Kind Of Love
3. American Honey
4. Hello World
5. Perfect Day
6. Love This Pain
7. When You Got A Good Thing
8. Stars Tonight
9. If I Knew Then
10. Something ‘Bout A Woman
11. Ready To Love Again

Benefits: For Mike Kinnamon; Grant-Williams Seeks Artists

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Mike Kinnamon

Mike Kinnamon

A reunited Bering Strait (including MusicRow All-star Guitarist Ilya Toshinsky) are leading a benefit for former manager Mike Kinnamon. He recently had extensive knee surgery and is facing months of rehabilitation. On the line-up for the Jan. 7 show at 3rd & Lindsley are Steve Cropper with Jonny Rosch, Supercharger, Wade Hayes, Lyman Ellerman, Buddy Brock, Wil Nance, and Craig White. 6-9 PM, $15

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Artists are still needed for a unique charity presentation of Handel’s Messiah being headed up by vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams. Under her direction, the Music City Community Chorus will perform with members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra as a fundraiser for the Nashville Red Cross. To bring Nashville’s musical communities closer together, the performance is being held at Limelight, and includes a wide variety of national and local artists such as Buddy Jewell, John Cowan, Mandy Barnett and Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits). The tenor parts are already covered, but a few alto and bass voices are needed, as are several sopranos. Call Renee Grant-Williams at 259-4900 or email her at MyVoiceCoach@Comcast.net.

Rounder Special To Air In Nashville First

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Alison Krauss And Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas

Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas

The Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert will premiere exclusively on Nashville Public Television (NPT) on Jan. 14, featuring performances by the label’s acclaimed roster of stars. NPT/Channel 8 will air the special prior to its March broadcast nationwide on PBS.

Mary Chapin

Mary Chapin Carpenter

Taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House in October for the anniversary event were Rounder artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck and Irma Thomas. Also appearing were musical host Minnie Driver, and special guests Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas, and Jazz/R&B pianist Henry Butler.

The concert celebrated Rounder’s 40 successful years in the music industry, since being founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy and Bill Nowlin.

The special will also include performances from Steve Martin’s show at the Ryman Auditorium, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s 2008 CMT Crossroads special, and Madeleine Peyroux’s 2009 concert in Los Angeles.

The concert was filmed in high definition by High Five Entertainment, with longtime Rounder Senior VP Brad Paul as Executive Producer.

Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert will premiere exclusively on Nashville Public Television (NPT)  Ch. 8, Jan. 14 at 8:00 p.m.

CRB To Honor Brooks And Dunn, Charlie Cook

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Charlie Cook

Brooks & Dunn will receive the CRB Career Achievement Award and Charlie Cook will be honored with the CRB President’s Award at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010. The evening at the Renaissance Ballroom in downtown Nashville is the unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar.

Inductees to honored at this year’s ceremony include Bill Bailey, Laurie DeYoung and Rudy Fernandez (Country Music DJ Hall of Fame) and Cy Blumenthal, Dan Halyburton and Michael Hammond (Country Music Radio Hall of Fame).

Brooks & Dunn

Brooks & Dunn

“Brooks & Dunn has spent the last 20 years giving Country fans and Country radio amazing music and incredible live shows,” says CRB President Becky Brenner. “They have been terrific ambassadors for Country music worldwide. We thank them for allowing us to present this Career Achievement Award during the year of their ‘Last Rodeo.’”

“Charlie Cook’s creativity and passion for Country radio and Country music have helped to generate success for many radio stations and organizations in our industry, such as the CRB, CMA and the ACM,” added Brenner. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to honor this great man, and it is only fitting that we recognize these contributions with our President’s Award.”

Tickets to the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony are $90 with CRS registration. Single tickets may be purchased for $100. www.CRB.org

Foster Joins Treehouse Promotion Staff

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Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster has joined Treehouse Records’ promotion staff, handling the California, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Texas and Southern Oklahoma territories. Foster comes to the Treehouse team after 19 years in the Phoenix radio market where she won R&R Country Music Director of the Year twice (2005 and 2006). Foster can be reached via email at gwen@treehouserecords.us and by phone at 480-495-2209. She will be based out of Phoenix.

The label’s anchor artist, Blaine Larsen, will release second single “Chillin'” in the coming week. Dale Morris, Clint Higham, and Mike Betterton have managed Larsen for six years. His previous hit singles include “How Do You Get That Lonely,” and “I Don’t Know What She Said.”

Music business executives Morris, Higham, Betterton and Irving Azoff founded Treehouse Records in 2009 after Azoff’s Frontline Management acquired Morris Management Group.

Show Dog-Universal Music Makes Staff Announcement

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toby-mark

Toby Keith and Mark Wright

Staff members are in place for the newly merged Show Dog—Universal Music label. Toby Keith, who started Show Dog Nashville as an independent record company in 2005, is Principle of the combined outfit, and previous Universal South Pres. Mark Wright will remain on as President of the merged venture. The artist rosters for both labels remain intact at this point, led by hit acts Keith, Joe Nichols, Randy Houser and Phil Vassar.

Show Dog—Universal Music staffers:
George Nunes, General Manager, george.nunes@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7780
Teddi Bonadies, VP Strategic Marketing and Promotion, teddi.bonadies@umusic.com, 615-259-5308
Bill Kennedy, VP Sales, Marketing & New Media, bill.kennedy@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7771
Rick Moxley, VP Promotion, rick.moxley@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7766
Cliff Audretch, III, Sr. Director A&R/Staff Producer, cliff.audretch@umusic.com, 615-259-5309
Carie Long, Sr. Director A&R Operations, carie.long@umusic.com, 615-259-5303
PJ Olsen, Director, Research & Information Systems, pj.olsen@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7775
Sloane Cavitt, Manager Sales, Marketing & New Media, sloane.cavitt@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7772
Laurie Gore, Manager of Promotion, laurie.gore@umusic.com, 615-259-5380
Natalie Moore, Manager of Artist Development & Creative Services, natalie.moore@umusic.com, 615-259-5390
Suzanne Durham, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, suzanne.durham@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7768
Rick Hughes, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, rick.hughes@umusic.com, 615-259-5371
Lisa Owen, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, lisa.owen@showdogmail.com, 310-376-2258
Jordan Pettit, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, jordan.pettit@umusic.com, 615-259-5383
Greg Sax, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, greg.sax@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7778
Macy Morgenthaler, A&R Coordinator, macy.morgenthaler@umusic.com, 615-259-5307

Others on the roster include Carter’s Chord, Mica Roberts, Trailer Choir, Baylie Brown, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Eli Young Band, Andy Gibson, Jennifer Hanson, Shooter Jennings, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Ashley Ray, Angela Wolff, and Kevin Costner & Modern West.

Contact information for exiting staffers:
Jay Bradley, 615-500-3436, jaybradley@yahoo.com
Arturo Buenahora, 615-417-4573, arturo_buenahora@comcast.net
Bruce Burton, 615-428-3077, bruceburton@live.com
Rhonda Christensen, 818-521-8593, rhondachristensen@pacbell.net
Marty Craighead, 615-545-3111, martyc24@bellsouth.net
Karin Cupit, 615-305-9657, karincupit@gmail.com
Van Fletcher, 615-210-2920, van.fletcher@live.com
Fletcher Foster, 615-519-9071, fletcher-foster08@comcast.net
Karen McGuire, 512-639-8997, kmcgatmcg@aol.com

Chesney Ranks In Top Tours of the Decade

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From kennychesney.com

Photo from kennychesney.com

Kenny Chesney comes in at No. 3 on Pollstar’s new list of the Top Tours of the Decade, based on gross box office receipts. With $455 million made on the road over the last decade, he is the only mainstream country star on the list. Chesney spent eight of the last 10 years spent as a headliner.

Coming in at No. 1 is his friend and duet partner Dave Matthews with $529 million, followed by Celine Dion’s Vegas residency drawing $522 million. Rounding out the decade’s Top 10 are stalwarts Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, the Eagles, Elton John and Jimmy Buffett.

On Pollstar’s Top 10 Tours of 2009, Chesney is the only country act, finishing at No. 6 with a gross of $71.1 million. With U2’s stadium-only tour coming in at No. 1, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John & Billy Joel, Britney Spears and AC/DC round out the top 5.

Those who did—or didn’t—catch Chesney’s last run can see his live concert 3-D movie, coming in April.