Swift Covers “People’s” Most Intriguing Issue

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taylorTaylor Swift graces the cover of People magazine’s “25 Most Intriguing of 2009” issue which hits newsstands Friday. Everyone knows it’s been a huge year for the star who turned 20 years old over the weekend. For the issue she talked candidly with magazine, explaining, “It feels like this ongoing dream. It blows my mind…You can stay the same person, even if everything around you changes.

Swift was also on NBC’s People of the Year TV special with Matt Lauer earlier this month.

People’s “25 Most Intriguing of 2009” (list not ranked):
Taylor Swift:  The Golden Girl
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie:  The Power Pair
Kate Gosselin:  The Mother of All Reality Stars
Barack & Michelle Obama:  The First Couple
Mo’Nique:  The Breakout Star
Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III:  The American Hero
Sandra Bullock:  The Hotshot
Oprah Winfrey:  The Departing Diva
Susan Boyle:  The Surprise Hit
Rihanna:  The Resilient Star
Jaycee Dugard:  The Survivor
Khloe, Kim, & Kourtney Kardashian:  The Sister Act
Britney Spears:  The Comeback
Sarah Palin:  Rogue Author
The Real Housewives:  The Enemies Next Door
Ellen DeGeneres:  The New Girl
Neil Patrick Harris:  The Host with the Most
Tyler Perry:  The Mogul
Michael Jackson’s Children:  The Descendants
Lady Gaga:  The Shock Star
John Travolta:  The Heartbroken Dad
Chaz Bono:  The Trailblazer
Robert Pattinson:  The Heartthrob
Ryan Reynolds:  The Leading Man
Padma Lakshmi:  The Mom-To-Be

Wariner Receives Million Air Awards, Plays Benefit Tonight

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Pictured L-R: Steve Wariner, his wife and publisher Caryn Wariner; and Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. Credit: Drew Maynard

Pictured L-R: Steve Wariner, his wife and publisher Caryn Wariner; and Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. Credit: Drew Maynard

BMI recently honored Steve Wariner at a luncheon (12/15) where he was presented with Million-Air Awards for writing and publishing four songs that have reached new million performance levels. The Million-Air Award recognizes songs that have earned more than one million performances on U.S. television and radio. To date 11 songs written by Wariner have achieved Million-Air status, with three titles reaching multiple plateaus, resulting in his receiving a total of 15 Million-Air Awards. At the luncheon, he received awards for “Nothin’ But the Taillights,” “Where the Blacktop Ends,” “Holes in the Floor of Heaven” and “I Should Be With You.”

Wariner is also set for tonight’s (12/16) 10th Annual “Nashville Unlimited Christmas Concert at 7 pm at Christ Church Cathedral with hosts Dave Pomeroy and Don Henry, and guests Music City Baroque, Riders In The Sky, John Cowan, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, 18 South, Joey and Rory, the Coral Bay Steel Drum Trio and more, including special surprise guests. All proceeds benefit the Room in the Inn homeless program. A $20 minimum suggested donation at the door.

Artists Send Christmas Music; Larry The Cable Guy Sends Video

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craigCraig Morgan has recorded a holiday-themed version of his latest hit “Bonfire,” but he had to do it in a hotel bathroom. Morgan’s camp says co-producer Phil O’Donnell and engineer Mitch Malloy packed up their portable recording gear and headed to Kennesaw, GA to meet Morgan at the Holiday Inn Express before a gig. They then converted Room 418 into a studio, using the bathroom as an isolation booth for vocals. “Talk about working in crappy conditions,” joked Craig.

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Rascal Flatts recorded a new Christmas song last week and are giving it away as a present to their fans. “Away In A Manger” is available for free download here. This new recording can also be heard on country radio stations across the nation this holiday season.

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Bill Anderson Honored as Poet and Prophet

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Legendary songwriter Bill Anderson was honored Saturday (12/12) as part of the ongoing Poets and Prophets series at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Throughout the 90-minute program, which incorporated vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s collection, Anderson discussed his illustrious songwriting career and performed a handful of original compositions. In attendance were previous Poets and Prophets honorees Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon and Curly Putman, as well as Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Roger Murrah and hit producer/songwriter Buddy Cannon.

L-R—Murrah, Dillon, Cannon, Cochran, Anderson, Putman and program host Michael Gray. Photo by Donn Jones

(L-R): Murrah, Dillon, Cannon, Cochran, Anderson, Putman and program host Michael Gray. Photo by Donn Jones

Songwriters and Superstars Offer Help During Holidays

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keithSongwriters and superstars alike are helping those in need this holiday season.

On board to raise much needed funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are Keith Urban, Buddy Jewell and Whitney Duncan. Urban and Jewell have 2010 calendars for sale to benefit the hospital through their Web sites. And Duncan is auctioning off the Versace gown she wore on the red carpet of this year’s CMA Awards in support of Country Cares for St. Jude, the auction runs through 12/19.

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Also on the auction block are handwritten lyrics from Emmylou Harris, Kix Brooks, The Fray and too many others to mention, benefitting the Americana Music Association. Cayamo has also donated a cruise for two on their Journey Through Song Caribbean Cruise, where Harris will be joined by John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle and many others.

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Erin Enderlin, Leslie Satcher, Monty Holmes and Casey Beathard will play a benefit concert for the 2nd Squadron/278th Armored Calvary Regiment of the TN National Guard on Dec. 21 at Douglas Corner at 6pm. The cost is $10.

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The Loveless Cafe’s White Christmas With Suzy Bogguss & Friends will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Running nightly at 6 PM Dec. 20-23, there will be a concert, buffet dinner, and pictures with Santa Claus. Nonperishable food donations will also be accepted at the event. Visit lovelessbarn.com for more info.

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The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation was scheduled to present a $2,500 Music Matters™ grant to W.O. Smith Music School at its holiday recital on Monday (12/14).

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Last weekend Kellie Pickler headlined a Country Crossing-sponsored concert at the Dothan Civic Center in Alabama that benefited the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank. Area natives Matt Kennon and Houston County also performed. More than $16,00 and 8,800 pounds of food were raised, translating to 92,134 meals.

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Carter’s Chord, Julie Roberts, Bryan White, Blaine Larsen, Rob Blackledge, Tammy Cochran, Regie Hamm, Mica Roberts, Trailer Choir, Natalie Hemby, and more raised funds for Christian child advocacy ministry Compassion International with a concert at the Mercy Lounge on Dec. 2.

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Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas in Longview, Texas (12/11), and his Bar-None Cowboy Christmas Ball in Tatum, Texas (12/12) raised $240,000 for Heartlight Ministries for troubled teens.

MR Exclusive: ACM Expands Entertainer Category To Eight Nominees

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acmWhen the Academy of Country Music Awards take place next year, there will be eight artists vying for the night’s coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy. After much deliberation, the ACM has decided to add three nominees to the previous final slate of five artists in the category, starting with the upcoming show on an as-yet-unannounced date. The Academy is also reworking the New Artist categories for the Awards, and exploring a one-time location change from its typical Las Vegas home.

“There’s been a movement the last few years to redefine the Entertainer category,” explains ACM Executive Director Bob Romeo. But when committee members sat down to examine the award’s criteria, it was a daunting task. With so many important facets of a music career at work—touring, airplay, sales, media appearances—the category was nearly impossible to define. “The controversial question was, ‘Should someone win Entertainer that hasn’t had as big of a tour as someone else?’” says Romeo. “And that got to be a very in-depth discussion about how much touring should weigh.”

Bob Romeo

Bob Romeo

“After a lot of discussions we realized that [the industry] can’t define the category because the fans gather their perspective differently,” he says. Instead of trying to narrow down the criteria for the category, the Academy took the opposite approach and expanded it. Romeo believes this change will be beneficial in numerous ways. “By allowing three more people to run it’s more inclusive for the format, and it gives us three more people to help promote the viewing of the show.”

The Academy made another major change to the Entertainer category two years ago by allowing fans to vote for the final winner. ACM professional members will still narrow down the Entertainer nominees to the final eight. The final nominees will be revealed in February 2010 in Nashville, date to-be-announced.

For the new artist categories, the ACM is combining Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Male Vocalist into a single Top New Solo Vocalist category for the 2010 show. In addition, the Top New Vocal Duo or Group category will become two separate categories.

“The Academy has always been responsive to the industry and our Board felt these changes reflect what is happening in country music,” states Romeo. “The proliferation of duos and groups over the past several years is impossible to deny.” Citing past new artist award winners Zac Brown Band, Jack Ingram and Jake Owen, Romeo says it is good to have more than one newcomer category because it gives the act something to hang their hat on. Plus, many of them spend the following year touting the win, in effect creating ACM Award interest.

In addition to Entertainer of the Year, all three new artist categories—Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group—will be open to fan voting, and those winners will also once again compete for the overall Top New Artist award.

“One thing the Academy would like to say is that we’re open to change,” Romeo reiterates. “And I think that every year we realize we have to revisit our criteria to reflect what’s happening out there. We realized that last year after the voting process started, when it came to Album of the Year and we had to tweak criteria to include digital downloads.”

The ACM is a progressive organization that strives to promote the genre through fan engagement. To that end, Romeo confirms that “the Academy board is exploring options of moving and doing a special one-off Awards show” in 2010.

The ballot timeline for professional members:
1st Ballot Opens – Mon., Jan. 4, 2010, 9 AM/CT
1st Ballot Closes – Fri., Jan. 15, 5 PM/CT
2nd Ballot Opens – Mon., Feb. 1, 9 AM/CT
2nd Ballot Closes – Fri., Feb. 12, 5 PM/CT
3rd Ballot Opens – Mon., March 22, 9 AM/CT
3rd Ballot Closes – Fri., April 2, 5 PM/CT

Details and timeline for fan voting will be announced at a later date. For more information on ACM Awards criteria, please click here.

Photos: Sony Salutes Waugh Upon Retirement

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VP Marketing Tom Baldrica, VP RCA Nashville National Promotion Keith Gale, Chairman Joe Galante, VP BNA Records National Promotion Bryan Frasher, Waugh, VP Promotion Skip Bishop, Dir. of Arista Nashville National Promotion Lesly Tyson, Senior VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee

VP Marketing Tom Baldrica, VP RCA Nashville National Promotion Keith Gale, Chairman Joe Galante, VP BNA Records National Promotion Bryan Frasher, Waugh, VP Promotion Skip Bishop, Dir. of Arista Nashville National Promotion Lesly Tyson, Senior VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee

“We Are Family”—Sony Music Nashville said goodbye to friend and EVP/GM Butch Waugh on his last week in the office. As an employee of 27 years, Waugh accumulated a series of “Butchisms,” or recognized catchphrases within the SMN family, some of which were printed on the T-shirts worn by the entire staff during his farewell toast (see above).

Waugh and Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante

Waugh and Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante

Cracked House Foundation

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The House Foundation, Front row (L-R) Richard Falklen, Duncan Stewart. Back row (L-R): Mike Bohan, Gerry House and Al Voecks. Photo: Dean Dixon

The House Foundation, Front row (L-R) Richard Falklen, Duncan Stewart. Back row (L-R): Mike Bohan, Gerry House and Al Voecks. Photo: Dean Dixon

After 28 years, Gerry House’s radio team the House Foundation is splitting up. Blaming budget cuts at the Clear Channel owned station, ringleader House told The Tennessean that Dec. 23 will be the last day on the WSIX morning show for newsman Al Voecks and sportscaster Duncan Stewart. Remaining on-air will be Country Music DJ Hall of Fame inductee House, sidekick Mike Bohan, and producer Richard Falklen.

House told the newspaper that he fought the changes, explaining, “I’ve been to the point where I’ve quit and renegotiated and come back…These are tough times economically. I hate this, but we have to step forward.”

He also said the station is considering hiring a new person to do both news and sports for the show.

Bob Doyle, WMEE Sign The Band Perry

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band perryArtist management team Bob Doyle & Associates has signed Republic Nashville act The Band Perry, and Doyle’s publishing company Major Bob Music has also entered an agreement with the rising group. William Morris Endeavor Entertainment is handling booking for the band.

The Band Perry, made up of siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry, is busy on a radio tour supporting its debut single, “Hip To My Heart.”

“We are very proud to be a part of something as special as TBP and their music,” said Bob Doyle & Associates manager Josh Pegram. “Everything they do—from their writing and their style to how they deliver songs live—is so real and fresh.”

Major Bob Music, Inc. Mike Doyle, VP/GM of A&R, adds, ”We are so happy to have The Band Perry on board; their energy is contagious and we are thrilled to be a part of the team.”

Big D And Bubba Re-up With Premiere

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bubbaBig D and Bubba, hosts of one of the most widely syndicated Country morning radio shows in the U.S., have renewed their long-term contract with Premiere Radio Networks. Broadcasting Monday through Friday from 6 – 10 a.m. ET, The Big D and Bubba Show will continue to be heard on more than 50 radio stations across the country.

Premiere Radio Networks assumed distribution rights to the Nashville based show in October 2005. Premiere Radio Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, syndicates 90 radio programs and services to more than 5,000 radio affiliations and reaches over 190 million listeners weekly. It is home to Rush Limbaugh, Jim Rome, Ryan Seacrest, Glenn Beck, Bob & Tom, Delilah, Steve Harvey, Blair Garner, John Boy and Billy and many more.