Luke Bryan Announces First Headlining Tour

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lbryan91509Following the Oct. 6 release of his sophomore album Doin’ My Thing, Luke Bryan will set out on his first-ever headlining trek. The 17-date Doin’ My Thing Tour, sponsored by Miller Lite, gets underway Oct. 30 in Jacksonville, Florida with Republic Nashville’s Fast Ryde opening and closes Dec. 5 in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Bryan’s love of college football was the determining factor when the opening city and date were chosen. Oct. 30 is also the night before SEC rivals Georgia and Florida play their annual matchup in Jacksonville, a game Georgia natives like Bryan dare not miss.

“Every performer dreams of the day you can take your own tour on the road,” says Bryan. “We just enjoy being out there, getting to know the fans and really working hard to make them have a good time.”

Since coming on the scene in 2007, Bryan has played over 350 live shows. His touring credits include supporting appearances for Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Dierks Bentley and Trace Adkins. For up to date details on the tour check out www.lukebyran.com.

Wide Open Announces Staff; Sevendust Signs with Big Loud Bucks

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Wide Open Music Group Announces Staff

Derek George, President of Wide Open Music Group, announced staff appointments for the recently-formed music publishing company. Keithan Melton is Creative Director, and Ken Johnson is Director, Administration. Melton was formerly Creative Manager for Sea Gayle Music and Catalog Manager for Cal IV Entertainment. Johnson brings 20 years of music industry experience to his new position, having spent 14 years in A&R Administration at two major Christian labels (Word Records and EMI Christian Music Group). Johnson also started his own production services company in 2004. George is the guitarist for Golden Music Nashville’s Williams Riley and co-wrote the band’s upcoming single, “Country Livin’.”

Wide Open Music Group is located at 54 Music Square East, Suite 390 in Nashville. Telephone: 615-891-4285.

(L-R): Ken Johnson, Derek George and Keithan Melton

(L-R): Ken Johnson, Derek George and Keithan Melton

Sevendust Signs Exclusive Deal With Big Loud Bucks
Metal band Sevendust and Big Loud Bucks Administration & Information have entered into an exclusive worldwide administration deal. Sevendust has also put Big Loud Bucks in charge of collecting and distributing royalties on behalf of their own record label, 7 Bros. Records in conjunction with Asylum Records. Sevendust is currently recording a new album slated for release in early 2010.

(L-R) Front: Vincent Hornsby, Sevendust Bass; Morgan Rose, Sevendust Drums/Vocals; John Connolly, Sevendust Guitars/Vocals; LaJon Witherspoon, Sevendust Lead Vocals; Diane Kruse, Rashford Kruse and Assoc, business management for Sevendust. Back: Kele Currier, Big Loud Bucks Exec. VP; Heather Buresh, Big Loud Bucks Licensing and Copyright Analyst; Nancy Eckert Verge Legal, general counsel for Sevendust; Mark Ahlberg, Big Loud Bucks Client Transaction Specialist; and Matt Hilton, Big Loud Bucks Copyright Admin. Photo: Amy Allmand

(L-R) Front: Vincent Hornsby, Sevendust Bass; Morgan Rose, Sevendust Drums/Vocals; John Connolly, Sevendust Guitars/Vocals; LaJon Witherspoon, Sevendust Lead Vocals; Diane Kruse, Rashford Kruse and Assoc, business management for Sevendust. Back: Kele Currier, Big Loud Bucks Exec. VP; Heather Buresh, Big Loud Bucks Licensing and Copyright Analyst; Nancy Eckert Verge Legal, general counsel for Sevendust; Mark Ahlberg, Big Loud Bucks Client Transaction Specialist; and Matt Hilton, Big Loud Bucks Copyright Admin. Photo: Amy Allmand

Aldean Tops Ringscan Chart

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Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean, currently No. 1 on Billboard and Mediabase charts for the fourth consecutive week for “Big Green Tractor,” is the only artist to hold the No. 1 position for four straight weeks in more than 18 months. Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me” had a four-week run in Feb. 2008.

Aldean has made country music history as the first country artist to take the No. 1 spot on the Billboard all-genre Ringscan chart. “Big Green Tractor” edged out the rest of the Top Five including Jay Z, Drake, Mariah Carey and The Black Eyed Peas. The hit has also just been certified Gold by the RIAA for digital sales, making it the 2nd track from his critically acclaimed third album Wide Open to claim that status.

Chesney To Stream Ambassadors of Rock Show on NSR

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nsr-logoKenny Chesney continues to deliver the kind of content through his No Shoes Radio (noshoesradio.com) that can’t be found anywhere else. As part of the Hard Rock Cafe’s Ambassadors of Rock program, Chesney will be playing a decidedly scaled back show tomorrow (9/15) from Hard Rock’s Times Square location. Since the concert will likely be a departure from his arena shows, Chesney will be streaming the unique event live for his fans on No Shoes Radio. The pre-show broadcast begins at 5pm CT and includes his former tourmate Uncle Kracker’s full set, as well as impromptu interviews from NSR personalities Jon Anthony and Mark “Tambo” Tamburino.

“Part of the idea of the station is to bring people deeper into this music,” Chesney explains, “to give them more or a sense beyond the records and the big shows. We play stuff from my iPod, demos, things they’d never hear otherwise… and for but a very few hundred people, this Hard Rock show would certainly be one of those moments: something we’d all talk about how cool it was for years, knowing almost nobody got to hear it. Now, they can.”

Eric Church’s Fractured Foot & Flatts On NBC

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Rascal Flatts is set to perform on the Season Finale of NBC’s America’s Got Talent this Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. CT. Shakira, Leona Lewis, Cirque du Soleil and other special guests are also on tap to perform.

tarfp0Despite fracturing his food during a show on his Young & Wild(er) Tour at the Syracuse State Fair on September 4, Eric Church has continued to perform and does not plan on canceling any shows. “As my fans know, I get pretty excited on stage and stomp my feet,” explains Church. “The combination of the stomping and the fact that our crowds are crazier than ever led to me breaking my foot. I refuse to miss a show over this, so for the time being, I’ll be doing the rest of the shows from a stool. I’m still gonna bring it, and I expect our fans to do the same.” The tour started Sept. 3, and is in support of his sophomore release, Carolina.

Kanye Interrupts Swift’s VMA Speech

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Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards last night (9/13). As Swift began to accept her Best Female Video award for “You Belong To Me,” West jumped on stage, grabbed Swift’s mic and said “Taylor, I’m really happy for you, and I’m gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time,” he said, as a surprised Beyonce looked on and the crowd began to boo West.” Swift did not finish her speech, but the crowed applauded her. Beyonce, who later won video of the year for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” graciously welcomed Swift back onto the stage to finish her speech. See video of the incident below (via mtv.com).

IBMA Reveals Awards Show Performers

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scaled_e1252680990Awards season is getting underway, and the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards show has revealed the list of artists slated to perform. Scheduled for 7:30pm, October 1, at the Ryman Auditorium the show’s performers include hosts Kathy Mattea and Hot Rize, as well as Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Del McCoury, Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals, The Dan Tyminski Band, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, G2 Bluegrass Band, The Gibson Brothers, Danny Paisley and Junior Sisk, and Sierra Hull & Highway 111. The program includes the presentation of 17 industry awards to recognize achievement in bluegrass music, as well as the induction of The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers and The Dillards to the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

Taylor Swift To Perform Live On MTV’s VMA Awards

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TSwiftTaylor Swift will perform live from Radio City Music Hall on MTV’s Video Music Awards this Sunday (9/13). The show airs live on MTV at 8:00 p.m. (CT). Taylor is nominated for Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me.”

Taylor will make her first appearance on The View on Tuesday (9/15), interviewing with Barbara Walters and her co-hosts. She will follow the interview with a performance of two songs from her Fearless album. The View airs live on ABC at 10:00 a.m. (CT).

ACM Honors Announces Talent Lineup

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AMClogoThe talent lineup for the 2nd Annual ACM Honors, scheduled for September 22 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, has been announced. Joining host Lee Ann Womack for the evening of musical tributes and special presentations will be presenters Rodney Atkins and Eddie Montgomery, special performers Bobby Bare, Vince Gill, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Loveless, Brent Mason, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Kellie Pickler, John Rich, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Steve Wariner. The event is dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held earlier this year. The honorees:

Special Awards (voted by the ACM Board of Directors)
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award – Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr.
Jim Reeves International Award – Dolly Parton
Mae Boren Axton Award – David Young
Poet’s Award – Merle Haggard, Harlan Howard
Tex Ritter Award – Beer For My Horses

MBI Awards (member voted)
Audio Engineer of the Year – Chuck Ainlay
Producer of the Year – Tony Brown
Top Bass Player of the Year – Glenn Worf
Top Fiddle Player of the Year – Aubrey Haynie
Top Guitarist of the Year – Tom Bukovac
Top Percussionist/Drummer of the Year – Greg Morrow
Top Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year – Gordon Mote
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year – Eric Darken, Jelly Roll Johnson (Tied)
Top Steel Guitar Player of the Year – Dan Dugmore

Industry Awards (member voted)
Casino of the Year – Turning Stone Casino (Verona, NY)
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year – Fran Romeo, Romeo Entertainment
Nightclub of the Year – Joe’s Bar (Chicago, IL)
Promoter of the Year – Louis Messina, The Messina Group
Venue of the Year – The Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN)

Nashville Music Garden to be Dedicated in Star-Studded Public Celebration

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NashMusicGardenOn September 29, Nashville will become the official home of the world’s first public garden to honor entertainment icons with a display of namesake flowers. The Nashville Music Garden, located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun in the Hall of Fame Park (across from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum) is a one-of-a-kind “Garden of the Stars” that pays tribute to the artists, songwriters, authors, television personalities, industry leaders, venues, organizations, and icons who have made a positive impact on Nashville’s entertainment community.

The Nashville Music Garden is home to the Nashville Music Garden Collection, an assortment of over six dozen flowering plants whose names include Barbara Mandrell, Grand Ole Opry, Minnie Pearl, Pretty Woman, Purple Haze, Elvis, Ring of Fire, Tennessee Waltz, Alabama, Chantilly Lace, Dolly Parton, Kiss an Angel Good Morning, Hank Williams, Reba McEntire and Amy Grant, just to name a few.

The star-studded open-to-the-public dedication ceremony, which begins at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 29, will be emceed by long-standing country music television personality Ralph Emery. Recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Barbara Mandrell and Grammy award-winner Lynn Anderson will serve as celebrity hosts. Other celebrities confirmed to attend are Patti Page, Donna Fargo, Steve Holy, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jeff Cook of Alabama, Irlene Mandrell, Marty Raybon, Janice Wendell, Joe Moscheo of the Imperials (Elvis Presley), Gunnar Nelson, songwriters Jeffrey Steele, Shane Minor, Bart Allmand and Buzz Cason, and the families of songwriter Ben Peters, The Big Bopper, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, DeFord Bailey, Minnie Pearl and Jimi Hendrix with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Officials from the State of Tennessee and Mayor Karl Dean will also be in attendance.

The first 500 attendees will receive long-stemmed Rio Roses and biscuits from the Loveless Cafe. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.nashvillemusicgarden.com.

The event is presented by LifeWorks Foundation in partnership with Metro Parks & Recreation and is sponsored by Hilton Nashville Downtown, Nashville Predators Foundation, BSA, Inc. Event Services, AVI-SPL, Rio Roses, Ilex…for Flowers, WSIX, Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Rose Society, Nashville Symphony, RFD-TV and Loveless Cafe, with additional support from MidSouth Roses, Christie’s Daylilies, Daylily World, Grayson Couture, American Rose Society, The Cocoa Tree, Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum and At Your Service Chauffeuring.