“Soundstage” Sets Country Line-up

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Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw

Acclaimed PBS music show Soundstage has a Country-packed line up for its eighth season, kicking-off Jan. 21 with a concert from superstar Tim McGraw.

On Feb. 18 Faith Hill is backed by a full orchestra, to perform selections from her greatest hits. Filmed at the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, Hill’s performance includes “The Kiss, “ “The Way You Love Me,” and Grammy Award winning songs “Breathe,” and “Cry.”

Faith Hill

Faith Hill

On Feb. 4 Three Girls and Their Buddy: Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller play an episode that captures the group’s special bond, having been in each other’s bands, produced and played on each other’s albums, covered each other’s songs, and sat in on each other’s shows over the years.

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson guests on Feb. 25 with his eight-piece band gathered round the stage to highlight songs from his first-ever bluegrass album, produced in collaboration with T-Bone Burnett. Tipping his hat to the genre, Willie puts his stamp on standards like Bob Wills’ “Trouble In Mind,” and Al Dexter’s “Pistol Packin’ Mamma,” as well as his own hits like “Whiskey River.”

The new season will also include performances from Lynyrd Skynyrd (Feb. 11) and The Fray (Jan. 28).

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Three Girls and Their Buddy: Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller

“Time” Readies Tablet Prototype [video]

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The news media, including newspapers, magazines and more is going through a time of intense change, much like the music industry. Time has proactively been developing a new interactive distribution prototype that seemingly is being groomed for a new touch screen tablet class of hardware. To date unconfirmed rumors have been flying that Apple is planning to release a similar gadget early next year.

Reports indicate that publishers are concerned they might end up with an iTunes like situation and thereby lose control of distribution. Shown below is a Sports Illustrated sample…

Charlie Daniels Christmas With Friends

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cdCharlie Daniels gathered many musician friends for his new GAC special, A Twin Pines Christmas, premiering tonight (12/3) at 7 PM/CT. Among those performing holiday favorites are The Grascals, Kathy Mattea, Aaron Tippin, Dan Tyminski and the Cox Sisters.

Chad Denning of Gamma Blast directed the shoot back in June when the temperature was in the mid ’90s. He says the artists rehearsed in shorts and T-shirts then changed into Christmas sweaters. “When we began it felt a little surreal creating Christmas in June, but it wasn’t hard to get into the Christmas spirit with such great music,” he recalls. “Dan Tyminski’s version of ‘The Christmas Song’ left the entire crew speechless because it was spot on. We shot it in one take. And, of course, Charlie was wonderful.”

Charlie Daniels and director Chad Denning

Charlie Daniels and director Chad Denning

The features Daniels, backed by the Grascals and three of his band members, performing original holiday tunes “Mississippi Christmas Eve” and “Hallelujah” before he shares the stage with Mattea for “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and Tyminski for the Nat King Cole standard “The Christmas Song.” Also included are The Grascals’ take on the Bill Monroe classic “Christmas Time’s A Comin’,” Tippin’s performance of the Daniels-penned “Christmas Time Down South,” Evelyn Cox’s “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” and Suzanne Cox’s “Silent Night.”

Denning edited the concert with Grand Ole Opry veteran Tim Weeks acting as producer. And Gamma Blast created a DVD version of the concert that is part of Daniels’ Joy to the World: A Bluegrass Christmas CD/DVD package.

Swift Leads Country Grammy Noms

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift’s stellar year continued when she snagged eight Grammy nominations— including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year—at last night’s (12/2) announcement.

Swift is joined in several categories by Music City rockers Kings of Leon, who tied with Country superstar Keith Urban for four nominations.

Urban is in the running for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, Best Country Album, and Best Long-Form Music Video.

Sugarland, the only Country act who performed during last night’s televised nominations special, received a nod for Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals. They’re joined in that category by Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum and Zac Brown Band.

Keith Urban

Keith Urban

Swift earned nods in the Pop categories for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (“You Belong With Me”) and Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for “Breathe” with Colbie Caillat.

Among the other Country highlights were ZBB’s nomination for all-genre Best New Artist, and Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe’s bid for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for “The Climb” from Hannah Montana: The Movie.

Country artists receiving two or more nods were Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Jamey Johnson, George Strait, and Brad Paisley.

Tracy Lawrence received the first Grammy nomination of his career for Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album for his inspirational CD, The Rock.

When the Grammy Awards take place on Sun., Jan. 31, a new trophy will be presented for the first time—Best Americana Album. Earlier this year the “Folk Field” was changed to the “American Roots Music Field,” and the category for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album was divided into two categories: Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Americana Album.

The 52nd annual Grammys will be broadcast on Sun., Jan. 31 live from the LA Staples Center on CBS.

Top all-genre and Country nominations are below, or click to see the Nashville nominees, or the full list.

Record Of The Year —“You Belong With Me,” Taylor Swift (Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers) [Big Machine Records]
—“Use Somebody” Kings Of Leon (Jacquire King & Angelo Petraglia, producers; Jacquire King, engineer/mixer) [RCA Records]
—“Halo,” Beyoncé
—“I Gotta Feeling,” The Black Eyed Peas
— “Poker Face,” Lady Gaga;

Album Of The Year — Fearless, Taylor Swift; Colbie Caillat, featured artist; Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson, Nathan Chapman & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers; Hank Williams, mastering engineer [Big Machine Records]
—I Am… Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé;
—The E.N.D., The Black Eyed Peas;
—The Fame, Lady Gaga;
—Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King, Dave Matthews Band

Song Of The Year — “You Belong With Me,” Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift) Track from: Fearless [Big Machine Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music/Potting Shed Music, Barbara Orbison World Publishing.]
—“Use Somebody,” Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon) [RCA Records; Publishers: Martha Street Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, Followill Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, McFearless Music/Bug Music, Coffee, Tea or Me Publishing/Bug Music.]
— “Poker Face,” Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
—“Pretty Wings,” Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
—“Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)

Best New Artist — Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups, The Ting Tings

Best Female Country Vocal Performance: “Dead Flowers,” Miranda Lambert; “I Just Call You Mine,” Martina McBride; “White Horse,” Taylor Swift; “Just A Dream,” Carrie Underwood; “Solitary Thinkin'” Lee Ann Womack

Best Male Country Vocal Performance — “All I Ask For Anymore,” Trace Adkins; “People Are Crazy,” Billy Currington; “High Cost of Living,” Jamey Johnson; “Living for the Night,” George Strait; “Sweet Thing,” Keith Urban

Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals — “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” Brooks & Dunn; “Chicken Fried,” Zac Brown Band; “I Run to You,” Lady Antebellum; “Here Comes Goodbye,” Rascal Flatts; “It Happens,” Sugarland

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals — “Beautiful World,” Dierks Bentley and Patty Griffin; “Down the Road,” Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally; “Start a Band,” Brad Paisley and Keith Urban; “I Told You So,” Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis; “Everything But Quits,” Lee Ann Womack and George Strait

Best Country Instrumental Performance — “Under the (Five) Wire,” Alison Brown; “The Crystal Merchant,” The Greencards; “Mansinneedof,” Sarah Jarosz; “Producer’s Medley,” Steve Warnier

Best Country Song — “All I Ask For Anymore,” Casey Beathard and Tim James (songwriters); “High Cost of Living,” Jamey Johnson and James Slater (songwriters); “I Run to You,” Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott (songwriters); “People Are Crazy,” Bobby Braddock and Troy Jones (songwriters); “White Horse,” Liz Rose and Taylor Swift (songwriters)

Best Country Album — The Foundation, Zac Brown Band; Twang, George Strait; Fearless, Taylor Swift; Defying Gravity, Keith Urban; Call Me Crazy, Lee Ann Womack

Best Americana Album — Together Through Life, Bob Dylan; Electric Dirt, Levon Helm; Willie And The Wheel, Willie Nelson & Asleep At The Wheel; Wilco (The Album), Wilco; Little Honey, Lucinda Williams

Book Review: 25 Notes for the Successful Musician

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bookChad Jeffers is a successful in-demand road musician; he currently tours as Carrie Underwood’s steel guitar player and previously toured with Keith Urban, playing a variety of instruments. He was also a member of the group Pinmonkey, which had several singles released by RCA.

Jeffers’ new book, 25 Notes for the Successful Musician: The Ultimate Guide to Making It in the Music Industry is aimed at aspiring musicians. First, he wants to bring a dose of reality to those who believe playing music for a living is all glitz and glamour, by stressing the importance of professionalism.

What sets Jeffers’ book apart is that he stresses the networking aspects of being a musician. A musician certainly has to be able to perform at a professional level in the industry but, after that, it’s personality and networking that determines who gets the gigs. He also stresses that practice and preparedness are essential—something many young musicians overlook. It’s more than just getting your guitar tuned, it’s getting yourself in tune with who’s going to hire you and the audience you’re playing for.

In his “notes” on “Work Hard and Be Nice” and “It’s All About Sales. Are You a Salesman?” Jeffers confronts the issue of whether its “music” or “business” (he’s also got a chapter by that title). The answer, of course, is that it is a mixture of both and those who ignore one side in favor of the other are doomed to come up short when they chase their dreams.

Finally, Jeffers ends his book with some practical advice with “Save (and Invest) Your Money” and “Taxes.” He is right on about these important topics. Too many musicians proclaim that they love the music and hate the business, but those who want a long-term career that ends with some dignity need to keep an eye on the business side, whether they “love” it or not.

Copies of 25 Notes are available for $19.99.

Updated Official Release: Genovese To Exit CMA

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Tammy Genovese

Tammy Genovese

The County Music Association (CMA) Board of Directors announced today that Tammy Genovese has submitted her resignation as Chief Executive Officer effective Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Genovese, a 24-year veteran of CMA, has successfully overseen the organization’s continued phenomenal growth and financial stability even as music genres across the nation have experienced a slump.

“We are extremely grateful to Tammy for the commitment and talent she has brought to our organization through the years,” stated Randy Goodman, Chairman of the CMA Board and President of Lyric Street Records. “Tammy has made a positive impact in our industry and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors. We thank her for her many contributions to CMA.”

Steve-Moore-08

Steve Moore

Goodman said Steve Moore, Chairman-elect of the CMA Board and Senior Vice President of AEG Live!, has agreed to serve as interim director of the CMA during the transition. The Board will engage a search firm to conduct a national search for a new executive director.

Under Genovese’s leadership, the 2009 CMA Music Festival hit an all-time high attendance record despite a downturn in the economy and a general decline in festival attendance across the nation. The Festival experienced a 7.2 percent increase over 2008 during the four-day event. The recent “43rd Annual CMA Awards,” which aired live on the ABC Television Network before a sold-out crowd at the Sommet Center in Downtown Nashville, was the most watched CMA Awards since 2005. ABC attracted the biggest Wednesday audience with non-sports programming in more than four years; and its highest Adults 18-49 rating in two years. The CMA Awards came in third for the week in the Adults 18-49 demo and fifth for the week in Total Viewers with 17.2 M.

“Jo Walker-Meador and Ed Benson taught me that success is built on hard work, passion and integrity. I am honored to have worked with these two amazing people and many other great music and business community leaders,” Genovese said. “I am happy to say I have successfully carried on Jo’s and Ed’s tradition, and I walk away after 24 years, both gratified and proud of my accomplishments. 2009’s success speaks for itself! I am forever grateful to the great staff and their hard work, loyalty, and dedication. My team has been the best and I know they will carry on CMA’s tradition of excellence and integrity.”

Benson, who served as CMA’s Chief Strategic Officer from January 2006 to August 2008, as its Executive Director for 14 years, and as its Associate Executive Director for more than 12 years, noted: “The fact that the CMA has experienced such substantial growth during a time when many companies are shrinking or closing their doors is a testament to Tammy’s tenacity and business savvy. Tammy and I worked closely together for over 20 years and I know she will be successful in whatever her next endeavor may be.”

“Tammy is a super charged dynamo and I’m eagerly looking forward to learning where phase two of her career takes her,” added Kitty Moon Emery, CEO of Kitty Moon Enterprises and CMA Board member. “I’m just hoping that whatever destination she chooses that she will stay headquartered in Nashville. It has been evident for quite some time that she genuinely understands and appreciates the entertainment/Music City brand. And we need Tammy in Nashville to help us continue to make Nashville one of the world’s top destinations!”

Genovese began her career at CMA in 1985 as Administrative Service Coordinator. She was promoted to Director of Administrative Services in 1990 and then Director of Operations in 1992. In 1999, she was promoted to Associate Executive Director. In 2006, she was named Chief Operating Officer and within a year was appointed CEO in 2007. In her role as CEO, Genovese directed her talents and energy on CMA’s mission and long-term strategic imperatives and external business relationships. Genovese holds a master’s degree in business administration, which she earned while advancing her career at CMA.

In June 2009, the Canadian Country Music Association presented Genovese with one of its most prestigious honors, the Leonard T. Rambeau International Award. Her additional recognitions and honors include Billboard’s Top Women in Music (2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009) and Nashville’s Forward 50 List (2007). She is an alumnus member of Leadership Nashville and Leadership Music. Genovese is a member of the Music Community CEO Group, Nashville’s Agenda, NARAS, Canadian Country Music Association, ACM, Society of Association Executives, and the Women’s Fund. She is also a board member of the Center for Nonprofit Management, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville Sports Council, and the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. Mayor Karl Dean recently appointed her to the newly created Music Business Advisory Council.

After today, Genovese can be reached at tgenovese15@yahoo.com.

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Posted earlier today: Country Music Association CEO Tammy Genovese is leaving the organization where she has worked for 24 years. Steve Moore, Sr. VP of AEG Live, who recently moved into the CMA Board Chairman seat will fill in in the interim.

After a long career with the CMA, Genovese was promoted to its top position two years ago following the retirement of longtime head Ed Benson. Benson officially retired in August 2008 after 29 years with the important music trade association.

The CMA’s new Board year begins Jan. 1, 2010. Taking over as President of the Board is Steve Buchanan, President Grand Ole Opry Group. Buchanan, who is currently President-Elect, will be joined by Moore in CMA’s top two leadership positions. Officers for the 2010 term will be Chairman Moore; President Buchanan; President-Elect Gary Overton, Exec. VP/GM, EMI Music Publishing; and Secretary/Treasurer Erv Woolsey, The Erv Woolsey Company.

Mansion at Fontanel Opening Venue, Restaurant, More

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f3The famed Mansion at Fontanel, Barbara Mandrell’s former estate, is being turned into an entertainment attraction that will include an outdoor music venue, restaurant, microbrewery, distillery, walking trails, memorabilia museum and more. The property’s main house is a 27,000-square-foot log cabin that will be refitted for special events such as weddings and corporate meetings, as well as public tours.

The 135 acre property is owned primarily by Marc Oswald and Dale Morris, who list Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, and John Rich among their management clients.

According to the Tennessean, it was an uphill battle to get civic approval for the project from Fontanel’s surrounding Whites Creek community. The music venue was a particular sticking point but was approved when limitations to the number of events, and sound decibel level were agreed upon. It is expected that the outdoor venue will hold about 2,500 people, with lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. Plans call for the venue, restaurant and mansion to open in late spring or early summer.

The newspaper reports that others on board with the development include Tower Investments and Tom Morales‘s TomKats catering, which owns Loveless Cafe and more.

Nashville’s last outdoor venue, Starwood Amphitheater, closed in 2006.

See all the details at www.fontanelmansion.com.

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Currington’s Global South Relief Organization

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Billy Currington has established Global South Relief, an organization that will deliver supplies to various Central American countries in need. In conjunction with Nashville songwriters Brett Jones, Scotty Emerick and Dallas Davidson, Currington will play a free show at 5:30pm this Saturday (12/5) at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West, Florida in order to raise awareness for the effort. Following the event, Currington, Jones, Emerick and Davidson will travel to Guatemala and Costa Rica to deliver the first round of goods. Visit www.globalsouthrelief.org

“I’ve been so inspired by the people of these countries,” said Currington. “They survive on very little and it serves as a reminder that I am very blessed and can provide assistance. The goal is to make this an annual trip and to reach as many countries as we can in the future to provide these people with some relief.”

Currington (photo from www.billycurrington.com)

Currington and various children (photo from www.billycurrington.com)

Valentine Leaving Columbia Nashville

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Alex Valentine

Alex Valentine

Alex Valentine, Director, Regional Promotion, Columbia Nashville is leaving the company effective December 14.

Jimmy Rector, Columbia’s VP, National Promotion has no plans to accept resumes for Valentine’s replacement.

Grammy Nominations Special Tonight

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grammy“The Grammy Nominations Concert Live — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night,” takes place tonight (10/2) at Club NOKIA in Los Angeles. The special will air on CBS from 8-9 pm CT and marks the second time for Grammy nominations to be announced live on prime time television. Performers include the Black Eyed Peas, Sugarland, Maxwell, and Nick Jonas & the Administration. LL Cool J will take on hosting duties, and scheduled presenters include Linkin Park, George Lopez, Katy Perry, Smokey Robinson, Ringo Starr, T-Pain, and Dwight Yoakam. The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live at 7 pm CT Sunday, January 31, 2010 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. A full list of nominees can be found at www.grammy.com following tonight’s show.