ASCAP To Salute JD Souther

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J.jdD. Souther, one of the principal architects of the Southern California country-rock sound and the pen behind numerous hits by the Eagles and others, will receive the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award this fall. He will be honored during the 47th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, set for Monday, October 19, at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium.

Known for his extraordinary song crafting abilities, Souther co-wrote some of the Eagles most beloved hits including “Best of My Love,” “Heartache Tonight,” “New Kid In Town,” and “Victim of Love.” His collaboration with the band continues through the Eagles’ 2007 release Long Road Out of Eden. Artists including George Strait, The Dixie Chicks, Glen Campbell, and Michael Buble have recorded his songs. He’s also written several hits for Linda Ronstadt including “Faithless Love” and “White Rhythm and Blues,” produced her Don’t Cry Now album and recorded several duets with her, most notably “Prisoner in Disguise” and “Sometimes You Can’t Win.”

As an artist the Texas-raised singer charted two Top 10 hits with “You’re Only Lonely,” and “Her Town Too,” a duet with James Taylor. After a 25-year break from recording, Souther released If The World Was You in 2008.

“Having written hits for nearly four decades, J.D. Souther is in a class all his own,” says Connie Bradley, ASCAP Senior Vice President. “Many of the hits he’s written have become part of the soundtrack of the lives of multiple generations. We are thrilled to honor J.D. with the ASCAP Golden Note Award.”

The honor is reserved for songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Past recipients include Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, André Previn and Tom Petty among others.

The ASCAP Country Music Awards is an invitation-only gala that will also salute the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed country songs of the past year. Special awards will be given to the Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter/Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year. A party honoring the evening’s winners will follow the awards ceremony.

CMA Award Nominees To Air On ABC, CMT

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Randy-HouserThe final nominees for the 2009 CMA Awards will be revealed  Wednesday, Sept. 9, with some of the nominations airing on Good Morning America and the remainder following on a special edition of CMT Insider.

The final nominees in select categories will be announced live during ABC’s Good Morning America with Darius Rucker and Lee Ann Womack on Sept. 9 during the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour of the morning news program.

Following those announcements, CMT will be broadcasting live from its Nashville studios with exclusive coverage of the remaining categories. Universal Records South artist Randy Houser joins CMT personalities Cody Alan and Alecia Davis to reveal the remaining CMA Awards finalists on Insider Special Edition: 2009 CMA Awards Nominations premiering Wednesday, Sept. 9 (10:00 AM/ET; 9:00 AM/CT). The special will re-air on CMT immediately following the live broadcast at 10:30 AM/ET (9:30 AM/CT); and throughout the weekend. Additionally, CMT.com will stream the nomination special following its on-air premiere.

“The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET/PT) on ABC. Reigning CMA Male and Female Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”

Faith’s Fragrance And More

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faith_homeA series of webisodes follows Faith Hill as she gears up to launch her first fragrance this fall. Premiering each week on FaithHill.com, these exclusive videos highlight all the behind the scenes action as Hill prepares for this upcoming release. You can watch the first videos here.

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Kenny Chesney officially launched Blue Chair Bay Clothing, the line inspired by his music and life, this week at the annual Magic Marketplace apparel trade show in Las Vegas. He set up at the Hard Rock Café pool and gave an intimate stripped down performance for an invitation-only audience of 1000 clothing industry tastemakers.

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Seventeen- year-old actress and Capitol Nashville singer Jennette McCurdy will be the star of Kmart’s “Be a Schoolebrity” back-to-school sweepstakes. McCurdy will surprise the contest’s grand-prize winner at school and then accompany him or her on the ultimate Kmart shopping spree. Since 2007, McCurdy has starred on the top-rated Nickelodeon television show, iCarly. She has also guest starred on a number of other television series, including Malcolm in the Middle, Zoey 101, Will & Grace, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and others.

Underwood’s Rockin’ New Single

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carrie
The lead single from Carrie Underwood’s third album, Play On, is out now and fans can hear it at her official Web site and on YouTube. The rock influenced song “Cowboy Casanova” offers a cautionary word about a sneaky man. Underwood wrote the track with Mike Elizondo and Brett James, one of the writers behind her GRAMMY-winning “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Originally slated to arrive at country radio on Sept. 8, the leak of a rough, unfinished version of “Cowboy Casanova” prompted a rushed-to-radio delivery of the real single late Wednesday evening.

A four-time GRAMMY Award winner, ACM Entertainer of the Year, and reigning, three-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist winner, Carrie is continuing work on Play On, which releases on November 3. She is again teamed with Mark Bright, who produced her Carnival Ride collection as well as seven tracks from Some Hearts.

Since the release of her debut album, Some Hearts, in 2005, Underwood has amassed sales of more than 10 million with her first two albums.

Country In New York: Reba, Worley and Jypsi

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Reba with Valory’s Scott Borchetta and GMA host Diane Sawyer, who is sporting her "Reba" jeans from Dillard’s.

Reba recently performed her new single “Consider Me Gone” live on Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series from Central Park. While in New York City she also visited the Times Square set of Yahoo!’s fashion program The Thread to talk about her music and clothing line. Other stops included Sirius-XM’s New York City headquarters for a taping of the popular Artist Confidential series, set to premiere in September.

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Photo 1 L-R: Worley, Bill Catino (Pres. Stroudavarious), Sean Hannity

L-R: Worley, Stroudavarious Pres. Bill Catino, Sean Hannity

Darryl Worley was in New York City last week for a whirlwind media tour in promotion of his new Stroudavarious Records album Sounds Like Life. He visited Fox News’ Sean Hannity and the interview will air next Monday, Sept. 7 at 8 pm CT. Worley also made stops the at Sirius XM studios and the MLB.com studios.

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Jypsi,-Sony-Visit

Pictured (l-r): Jypsi’s Amber-Dawn; Sony Music Ent. Sr. Dir., National Sales and Label Relations John Conway; Sony Music Ent. Exec VP and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathy Chalmers; Jypsi’s Lillie Mae; Sony Music Nashville Promotion VP Skip Bishop; Jypsi’s Scarlett and Frank; and Howie Gabriel, Sr. VP Label Management, RED Distribution.

Dynamic young Arista Nashville group Jypsi recently gave a special performance for staff at the Sony Music Entertainment office in New York. Jypsi is at radio now with their new single, “Mister Officer.”

B&D Plan “Today” Show Performance

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brooksdoneBrooks & Dunn will celebrate the release of their 30-song, double-disc #1s … and then some with a performance on NBC’s Today on album street date, Tues., Sept. 8. They will be singing their ACM and CMA Song of the Year winner, “Believe,” joined in the special performance by the renowned Boys Choir of Harlem.

The longtime Arista duo may have announced plans to call it a day after 20 years together, but the party is far from over, with a 2010 tour ahead, a hot single on the radio and the greatest hits package.

The most comprehensive collection to date for Brooks & Dunn fans, #1s … and then some spans 30 songs in all, and a whopping 23 No. 1 singles, from such early classics as “Neon Moon” and “That Ain’t No Way to Go” to “Only in America,” “Red Dirt Road,” “Play Something Country,” and much more. In addition to the two new hits, “Indian Summer” and “Honky Tonk Stomp,” the album also includes “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” their recent hit featuring Reba McEntire which was previously available only as a digital single.

Love And Theft Debut At No. 10

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love-and-theftWorld Wide Open, the debut album from Carolwood Records trio Love And Theft, bowed at No. 10 on Nielsen Soundscan’s Country Top 75 chart today (9/3). With more than 12,500 units sold first week this gives Love And Theft the top-selling newly released artist album this week. Digital album sales account for 21% of units sold first week. This gives the band the third highest first week sales for a new country artist this year.

With 19,000 paid downloads this week, the band’s hit single “Runaway” takes the top spot with the highest first week digital single sales for a debut country artist this year.

World Wide Open is co-produced by Robert Ellis Orrall and Jeff Coplan. Love And Theft’s Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles co-wrote all eleven tracks on the debut project.

Next up for Love And Theft is an opening slot on Jason Aldean’s headlining tour with shows booked from late September through November.

Cracker Barrel CDs From ZBB, George Jones

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The ZBBZac Brown Band, known for its hit “Chicken Fried” is the latest group to release an album through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. The restaurant chain, celebrating its 40th anniversary, will offer an exclusive new version of the Zac Brown Band’s CD The Foundation. Available Sept. 7, it will have new artwork and three previously unreleased recordings—live versions of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “I Lost It,” and “I Shall Be Released.” The Foundation was recently certified Platinum.

This fall Cracker Barrel will also be offering “Southern Ground Grub,” a rub and a sauce for cooking meat that is Zac Brown’s own recipe. The store will also sell a cookbook of his recipes.

geoThe ZBB CD is the latest in an impressive collection of exclusive music available only at Cracker Barrel. It follows August’s George Jones release A Collection Of My Best Recollection. Jones is launching a media tour in support of the album containing 10 of his most memorable hits plus two previously unreleased songs, “I Don’t Want To Know” and “I’m A Long Gone Daddy.”

 Jones is set to appear on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman Wed., Sept. 9. Friday, Sept. 11 he will perform on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He is also set for Fox News’ Huckabee show, CBS affiliates, Fox Entertainment and Sirius/XM Radio.

Artist Photos: Carroll Visits ACM and Much More

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(L-R): ACM Exec. Dir. Bob Romeo, Jason Michael Carroll, and Arista West Coast Region Sr. Promotion Dir. Lori Hartigan

The Academy of Country Music welcomed professional member Jason Michael Carroll to its offices when he was in Los Angeles last week. Carroll was on the west coast promoting his new single, “Hurry Home,” which was one of four songs he sang for ACM staffers. Carroll’s latest album, Growing Up Is Getting Old, is out on Arista Records.

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Rhonda--Gene-at-Douglas-Cor

Gene Watson took the stage at Douglas Corner recently as special guest of 45RPM, a respected band of session players and songwriters who perform only classic country songs. The night was partly a celebration for Watson’s newly released album A Taste of The Truth (Shanachie Records) which was produced by 45RPM’s Dirk Johnson. Bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent and singer/songwriter Billy Yates joined Watson on stage. Vincent and Watson duet on the project’s lead single, “Staying Together.”

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Photo: Pictured L-R - Harry Chapman, Jay O'Shea and Mark O'Shea Photo Credit: Noise New Media

Pictured L-R - Harry Chapman, Jay O'Shea and Mark O'Shea Photo Credit: Noise New Media

Mark and Jay O’Shea dropped in on News Channel 5 to tape Words & Music: The Showcase for Nashville’s Songwriters with veteran entertainment reporter Harry Chapman. Jay entertained with her quirky anecdotes and soulful voice, while husband Mark pumped out heartfelt emotions on the guitar. The episode premieres Sept. 5 at 3am and 11pm CST. O’Shea is also featured in Nashville Lifestyles’ The Hot List issue. Last week the duo celebrated the one-year anniversary of their weekly Wednesday night gig at local hot spot Blue Bar.

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BMI songwriter and Capital Records Nashville artist Emily West entertained at the Beasley Broadcast Group Inc. Annual General Managers Meeting held recently in Naples, FL. West entertained the crowd with songs from her upcoming album, including the top 40 country hit “Rock In Her Shoes,” and her next single “Blue Sky.”

Shown (l to r) are: BBGI Ann Beasley, BBGI President Bruce Beasley, WXTU-FM Vice President/General Manager Natalie Conner, West, BBGI Chairman George Beasley, BBGI CFO Caroline Beasley, BMI’s Dan Spears.

Shown (l to r) are: BBGI Ann Beasley, BBGI President Bruce Beasley, WXTU-FM Vice President/General Manager Natalie Conner, West, BBGI Chairman George Beasley, BBGI CFO Caroline Beasley, BMI’s Dan Spears.

John Styll Exits GMA

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John-Styll-07John Styll, President and CEO of the Gospel Music Association and the Christian Music Trade Association, has left the organization. No further details have been confirmed at this time.

During his six year tenure leading the organization, Styll served as Executive Producer of the GMA Dove Awards, and oversaw GMA Music Week, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and GMA Music in the Rockies which became Immerse.

His 30 years in the Christian music industry has also included serving as President of CCM Communications at Salem Communications, and Publisher of CCM Magazine.

The GMA has faced financial struggles this year and in May announced that it had reduced its full-time staff by more than 50% in the eight months prior.