Radney Foster, BBR, Steve Wariner and JabbRRR

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Tomorrow Radney Foster will release of his album Revival on a custom Interactive Flash Drive. It contains the album, five new bonus tracks, exclusive photos, and the feature-length (90-minute) documentary Behind the Confessions which Foster produced with his wife Cyndi and film maker Jeff Horny. The interactive flash drive, designed to look and act like an actual VIP pass, will also provide fans access to pre-show meet-and-greets and other special events that Foster has in the works. The new format will also enable Foster to send exclusive digital content updates directly to VIP IFD holders throughout the tour providing fans with a new level of interaction. The company behind the technology is Gigmark Interactive Media of Knoxville, TN.

Behind The Confessions will be screened during the Americana Music Festival at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater on Thursday, Sept. 17 at noon.

Video of “A Little Revival.”

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Broken Bow Records Southeast Manager Nancy Johnson is departing the label to be a full-time mother to her 3-year-old son, Benjamin. Her last day will be Sept. 3. Carson James, SVP of Promotion for Broken Bow Records, has announced Clay Henderson as her replacement. “We are sad to see Nancy leave, but still very happy and supportive of her decision. She will be greatly missed on the BBR team,” says James. Prior experience for Henderson includes working the Southeast region for Universal South, Midas Records and most recently 1720 Entertainment. He starts tomorrow and will report directly to VP of Promotion Lee Adams. Based out of Nashville, Henderson can be reached at 615-244-8600 and clay@brokenbowrecords.com.
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Steve Wariner’s SelecTone Records has reached an agreement with Allegro Media Group, one of the largest independent distributors of music in North America, to distribute his upcoming album, My Tribute to Chet Atkins. The 11-song tribute to Wariner’s friend, mentor, and former boss, first made available this summer as a Limited Edition release through Wariner’s Web site, will be available through brick-and-mortar and online retailers on Nov. 10. Allegro will also distribute the SelecTone back-catalog.

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JabbRRR is a new social network platform exclusively for country music makers and fans. It offers member profiles, news, gossip, photos and more.
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Updated: All For The Hall With Urban And Friends

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More details of the event were revealed this morning at a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Museum Board President Vince Gill, who created and has led the institution’s All for the Hall fundraising initiative since 2005, announced the details of We’re All for the Hall, a special concert event to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. John Grady, Keith Urban, Mayor Karl Dean, Vince Gill and Kyle Young - photo by Donn Jones

More details of the event were revealed this morning (8/31) at a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Museum Board President Vince Gill, created and has led the institution’s All for the Hall fundraising initiative since 2005. (L-R) Capital Nashville's John Grady, Keith Urban, Mayor Karl Dean, Vince Gill and CMHF Exec. Dir. Kyle Young. Photo: Donn Jones

Keith Urban rocked the Sommet Center Saturday night (8/29) with Sugarland, and announced onstage a special concert to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. On Oct. 13 he will return to Nashville’s arena along with Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town for an All For The Hall benefit. Additional special guests are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are a very affordable $25, or extravagant VIP packages are also available.

Produced by AEG Live, We’re All for the Hall will open with a one-hour set by Urban and his band. Then, Gill will join Urban and an all-star band of maestros to bring out special guests for a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime evening of music, friendship and camaraderie.

Presale tickets are already available with the keyword “Benefit” via Ticketmaster. General ticket sales open up on Wednesday at 10 AM.

Check out the VIP packages:
“Who Wouldn’t Want To Be Me?” Package $5000
– Invitation for two to an intimate dinner in the Country Music Hall of Fame Rotunda the evening of Monday, October 12, hosted by Keith Urban’s producer Dann Huff and co-songwriter Monty Powell closing the evening with a Blackbird Studio excursion
– Two VIP Premium Floor Concert Seats
– Invitation for two to a Post-Concert Party at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum attended by Keith Urban and special guests
– One Keith Urban autographed Gibson Acoustic guitar
– One complete Keith Urban catalog on CD including: Keith Urban, Golden Road, Be Here, Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing, Greatest Hits: 19 Kids, and Defying Gravity
– One commemorative Hatch Show Print event poster autographed by Keith Urban

“Sweet Thing” Package $2000

– Two Premium Up-Front Floor Concert Seats
– Invitation for two to a Post-Concert Party at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum attended by Keith Urban and special guests
– One complete Keith Urban catalog on CD including: Keith Urban; Golden Road; Be Here; Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing; Greatest Hits: 19 Kids; and Defying Gravity
– One commemorative Hatch Show Print event poster autographed by Keith

“Days Go By” Package $1,000 for two tickets
– Two Quality Up-Front Floor Concert Seats
– Invitation for two to a Post-Concert Party at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum attended by Keith Urban and special guests
– One complete Keith Urban catalog on CD including: Keith Urban; Golden Road; Be Here; Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing; Greatest Hits: 19 Kids; and Defying Gravity
– One commemorative Hatch Show Print event poster autographed by Keith

Dave Ramsey To Give CRS Keynote

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dave-ramseyProminent author, radio personality and money management expert Dave Ramsey has been announced as the Keynote Speaker for next year’s CRS 41, to be held Feb. 24-26, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn. Ramsey will deliver the Keynote Address immediately following the Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.

“Following in the footsteps of last year’s success with marketing expert Seth Godin, we are extremely pleased to welcome Dave Ramsey,” says CRB Executive Director Ed Salamon. “His insight and expertise in the field of finance is something that all of our attendees will benefit from, particularly in this economic transition.”

Ramsey’s latest best-selling book is titled The Total Money Makeover, and has sold more than 1 million copies. His nationally syndicated radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show,” is heard by nearly 4.5 million listeners each week on more than 450 radio stations in the United States.

“Dave Ramsey is a perfect addition to the agenda for CRS 41. He can certainly teach us all a thing or two about successful marketing and finance and how to parlay your expertise into multiple, profitable but compatible businesses. I have no doubt Dave will set the tone for another successful CRS,” says CRB President Becky Brenner.

Early bird and installment plan registration for CRS 41 is currently available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487.

CMA Music Festival To Rock ABC Tonight

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chesneyThe ABC primetime special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock airs tonight (8/31) (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) with top-notch performances, interviews, and fan interaction from a plethora of Nashville’s brightest stars. The annual music bash, expanding to three hours for the first time, will have performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Julianne Hough, Jamey Johnson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Zac Brown Band. In addition, Kid Rock performs his smash hit “Picture” with McBride, while Wynonna and Naomi Judd reunite as The Judds to perform together for the first time at the CMA Music Festival in six years.

martina-kidThe special will show highlights from the CMA Music Festival, held June 11-14 in Nashville, with an average of 56,000 attendees per day. On and off-stage segments will include Aldean playing a nightclub concert, Paisley on his tour bus and greeting fans, Pickler shopping and eating ice cream with fans, and a day-in-the-life of Hough. There will be interviews with Brooks & Dunn, Chesney, McBride, McEntire, Rucker, and Sugarland, and Swift will answer fan submitted questions before surprising them with a meet and greet.

The fifth annual ABC special is executive-produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson.

Underwood’s “Play On” Coming In Nov.

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carrie-u-new-albumCarrie Underwood’s third album, titled Play On, will arrive Nov. 3. She is working on the Sony/Arista/19 Recordings project with producer Mark Bright, who helmed her Carnival Ride collection as well as seven tracks from her debut Some Hearts.

Play On draws its title from the name of a song featured on the new album, but it also describes the enthusiasm of the fans who love her music. Since the release of her debut album, Some Hearts, in 2005, Underwood has amassed sales of more than 10 million albums with Some Hearts and 2007’s Carnival Ride.

Underwood is a four-time GRAMMY Award winner, ACM Entertainer of the Year, and the reigning, three-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist winner.

Sugarland Announces Holiday Album

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sugarlandSugarland is planning its first holiday-themed album for a fall release. The duo will present a 10-track record titled Gold And Green on October 6, which includes five original songs* co-written by members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. Gold And Green will be sold everywhere—whereas their most recent release was only available at Wal-Mart—and buyers will be able to access exclusive content such as downloads and the chance to enter special sweepstakes.

Track Listing
1. City Of Silver Dreams*
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Holly Jolly Christmas
4. Coming Home*
5. Gold And Green*
6. Maybe Baby (New Year’s Day)*
7. Nuttin’ For Christmas
8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
9. Little Wood Guitar*
10. Silent Night

Sugarland has sold over 8 million records since exploding onto the music scene in ’04 with Twice The Speed Of Life. They’ve received trophies from the Grammys, Country Music Association and numerous others.

Underwood, ACM Make Surprise Donation

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Executives from the C.A.T.S. Foundation, ACM Lifting Lives and Checotah Public Schools including [left to right] Principal Brian Terry, Carrie Underwood, Erin Spahn Director of ACM Lifting Lives, and Gary Haber, President ACM Lifting Lives and Director & Treasurer C.A.T.S. were on hand at Checotah High School to surprise students with more than $117,000 in new music instruments, a joint gift from Underwood’s C.A.T.S. Foundation and ACM Lifting Lives.

Pictured (L-R): Principal Brian Terry, Carrie Underwood, Erin Spahn Director of ACM Lifting Lives, and Gary Haber, President ACM Lifting Lives and Director & Treasurer C.A.T.S. were on hand at Checotah High School for the donation.

Carrie Underwood’s new hometown foundation, the Checotah Animal, Town & School Foundation (C.A.T.S.) and the Academy of Country Music’s charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives, partnered to surprise students in Checotah, Oklahoma this week with a gift valued at more than $117,000 in new instruments for their music programs—and a special appearance and performance by ACM Entertainer of the Year, Underwood.

Music students district-wide were invited to a special “last-minute” assembly at Checotah High School. Students and faculty alike were surprised when Checotah High Principal Brian Terry introduced Underwood to the stage, alongside Erin Spahn, Director of ACM Lifting Lives.

Spahn and Underwood then unveiled the gift, including an electric guitar and amp, electric piano and brass instruments such as saxophones, French horns, tubas and much more.

“When Carrie came to us with this idea, it just seemed a natural fit,” said Erin Spahn, who met with Underwood earlier this summer to plan the gift. “The Board of ACM Lifting Lives liked the concept so well, we’ve decided to build on it. Every year, we will present a matching gift opportunity to the ACM Entertainer of the Year for any endeavor that uplifts through the power of music. Carrie started that ball rolling, and we’re really proud to be a part of this with her today.”

Swift, Signings, Suds and More

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Teddy-KennedyHappening Back Then: In honor of Edward Kennedy’s passing, MusicRow’s longtime photographic contributor Alan Mayor sent in this photo yesterday with a note: “I went back in my files and found this shot of Teddy Kennedy visiting the Hall of Fame in 1980 when he was running against Jimmy Carter. That’s Bill Ivey standing next to him under the Grandpa Jones plaque.”

Happening Back Then is a regular feature in the subscriber-only @MusicRow.

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Taylor Swift plays “Maria” in MTV’s recreation of West Side Story, called “VMA Side Story.” Check out the clip below, also featuring pop singer Katy Perry, promoting the 2009 Video Music Awards. The show, where Swift is nominated, airs Sept. 13 at 8 PM/CT.

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Operator Connect Me With A Record Deal: Christy McDonald, the former WB receptionist that also appeared a few years ago on Nashville Star has been signed to Curb Records. Her production team is yet to be announced, but it appears she will be co-produced by Curb A&R head Doug Johnson and former WB Nashville President Jim Ed Norman.

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The 12th Annual Buds N Suds Canoe Float Presented By SOLID, benefiting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, will take place tomorrow (8/29) at Duck River Canoe Rental in Chapel Hill, TN. It is $30 for an individual or $50 per couple. Registration available on-site with cash or check. There will be a T-shirt, goody bags, a Poker Run, Cornhole Tournament, lunch and more. For more details email Karen Light at hrtoflight@gmail.com or Jason Krupek at jason@bigtractormusic.com. www.myspace.com/budsnsudsevent

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The major label debut from the Zac Brown Band has been certified Platinum. Read more here.

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Loretta Lynn’s Ranch at Hurricane Mills will host a three-day songwriters and music festival Oct. 2-4. There will be live music, dancing, music business classes, food judging contests and much more. Songwriters of all styles and skill levels will share their songs on multiple outdoor stages. There will be numerous opportunities for anyone who wants to to perform, even an after hours Camp Fire Sing Ring. The family-friendly event will feature games like watermelon seed spitting, and arts and crafts booths. For information visit www.SongWritersFestival.com or call 615-424-1491.

Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch, about 65 miles west of Nashville, is a full-service RV park and campsite, with swimming pool, canoeing, paddle boats, nature trails, and the Coal Miners Daughter Museum.

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The Queen of Country Music Kitty Wells will be celebrating her 90th birthday this Sunday at the Texas Troubadour Theater in Nashville. David McCormick, owner of the Ernest Tubb Record Shops, is organizing the two-hour tribute which will be broadcast over WSM radio and online at www.wsmonline.com from 2-4 PM CT, featuring special guests paying tribute to Wells. The celebration is an invitation only event.

Keith’s Latest Riding In Early

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AmericanRideShow Dog Nashville has moved up the release date for Toby Keith’s American Ride album to Oct. 6, due to fan and radio response to his new single by the same name. The song lands at No. 5 on this week’s MusicRow Country Breakout chart after just seven weeks on the chart.

It is Keith’s fastest rising single since “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)” and is top 10 on all the major singles charts. The animated video jumped to No. 2 on the fan-voted CMT Top 20 Countdown this week.

His America’s Toughest Tour has been drawing standing-room-only crowds all summer, and his first major European tour kicks off in November. Due to his partnership with Ford, Keith is also set to kick off the 82nd National FFA Convention with a concert for 55,000 FFA members in Indianapolis on Wed., Oct. 21.

Live On the Green Launches Thursday

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Live On the Green will open with an American Bang on Sept. 3

Live On the Green will open with an "American Bang" on Sept. 3

Live On the Green, Nashville’s new, free outdoor concert series, will take place over six consecutive Thursday nights starting Sept. 3 with performances by rockers the Toadies, American Bang, and the variety of artists featured on this year’s Ten Out of Tenn compilation album and tour.

The series runs through Oct. 8 and will take place each week at 6 p.m. on the Public Square in front of the Metro Courthouse downtown. The fall concert series, hosted by Mayor Karl Dean and Lightning 100, will promote environmental responsibility with on-site recycling, a free bike check, and merchandise made from recyclable and organic materials. Lightning 100’s Team Green will be organizing community events, such as tree plantings and clean-ups, to offset the carbon footprint for the concert series in an effort to make it a carbon-neutral event.

Rabbit Hole Recording, a new company started by Jake Jorgovan and Kevin Fulda, is sponsoring the event by providing audio/video production services.

The complete list of shows and artists is available online at www.liveonthegreen.net.