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Darius Rucker performed to a packed Grand Ole Opry House on Monday, Aug 24th as a part of the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush concert series with a portion of the performance and excitement airing last night (8/27) on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! During the show at the Opry House, fans were witness to over an hour of songs from Rucker’s debut country album on Capitol Records Nashville, Learn To Live, as well as a few of his Hootie & The Blowfish hits.

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The video for Alan Jackson’s “I Still Like Bologna” is a humorous look back on changing times and the country superstar’s continuing affection for his favorite sandwich. It debuted this week on CMT and GAC. Jet Jurgensmeyer portrays Jackson as a kid, during simpler times. The video was shot on the pond at Xanadu Ranch outside of Nashville, and was directed by Scott Scovill of Branded Picture Video Productions.alan_jackson11.jpg

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CMT invites country music stars to take on 5th graders for a good cause when the popular series Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? launches with a country music-themed week, beginning Monday, Sept. 21 at 8:00 – 8:30 p.m., ET/PT. Hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, artists Big Kenny, Bucky Covington, Jack Ingram, Heidi Newfield and Emily West tackle subjects ranging from geography to social studies in each half-hour episode to benefit their charity of choice.

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Foxworthy and Big Kenny

Photo Friday: Owen, Brice, Black River, and Bryna

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Jake Owen and his twin brother Jarrod stopped by The Big D and Bubba Show in Nashville this week. Big D and Bubba, along with Jake, have been trying to play matchmaker for weeks and finally got the opportunity to surprise Jarrod in studio with a blind date.

Pictured left to right: Big D, Jarrod Owen, Jessica (Jarrod’s date), Jake Owen and Bubba

Pictured (L-R): Big D, Jarrod Owen, Jessica (Jarrod’s date), Jake Owen and Bubba

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BMI songwriter and Curb recording artist Lee Brice entertained at the South Carolina Broadcasters Association annual convention held in Columbia. Brice, a native of South Carolina, entertained the crowd with his numerous charting singles and his most current, “Love Like Crazy,” which debuted on radio this week.

Pictured (L-R): Brice, WPDE/WWMB-TV & SCBA President Elect Billy Huggins, WCRE-AM & SCBA President Jane Pigg, BMI’s Mason Hunter

Pictured (L-R): Brice, WPDE/WWMB-TV & SCBA President Elect Billy Huggins, WCRE-AM & SCBA President Jane Pigg, BMI’s Mason Hunter

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Black River Music Group artists Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling and Emma Jacob were in Fayetteville, NC to perform for WKML’s sold-out songwriter event recently. This is the fifth year for the show and the first time it sold out. While in town, the radio station received a call from local firefighters who wanted to attend the concert but couldn’t since they were on duty. When the artists found out they had fans at the fire company they decided to stop by for a visit.

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Laura Bryna made her L.A. debut Aug. 11 at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip. She performed songs from her debut CD, Trying to be Me, as well as some new material destined for a follow up CD in 2010. The concert event also featured tributes to a number of special American ‘Hometown Heroes,’ including Women of the Air National Guard and five everyday unsung heroes flown to L.A. as part of a national search contest sponsored by Bryna, Southern Beauty magazine, JOICO, It’s A Glam Thing and the Andaz Hotel.

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Opry Goes Pink!

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The GrWomenRockCure_fullsizeand Ole Opry is joining the fight against breast cancer by “going pink” during two performances Fri., Oct. 2. On each of the night’s shows, Opry superstar Carrie Underwood will take the stage to “flip the switch,” turning the Opry’s signature barn backdrop pink in support of the groups Women Rock for the Cure and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The shows will also include performances from Underwood, Terri Clark, and other artists to be announced as well as special activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease.

Carrie-Pink_fullsizeUse the code “OPRYPINK” when purchasing tickets online, or by phone and $5 from the sale will be donated to Women Rock for the Cure and the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure.

To get the “Night at the Opry” package including Opry tickets and a room at Gaylord Opryland Resort, refer to code GPINK.

Tickets and packages may be purchased by calling (800) SEE-OPRY or at opry.com.

Nailing Down A Great Debut

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MCA Nashville’s release I’m About To Come Alive by David Nail garners this year’s third highest new artist debut on the country charts. Alive also sits in the Top 20 on the Top 200, and single “Red Light” is Top 40 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart after only eight weeks.

Nail met country legends George Jones and Gene Watson this week as they shared the stage for a taping of the Crook & Chase television show at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The episode, with interviews and performances, premieres Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 PM/CT on RFD-TV (Comcast ch. 136 in Nashville, Dish Network ch. 231, DIRECTV ch. 345). Re-airs are scheduled for Sept. 4 at 10 AM/CT and Sept. 5 at 6 PM/CT.

(L to R) "Crook & Chase's" Lorianne Crook, David Nail, Gene Watson, George Jones and "Crook & Chase's" Charlie Chase CREDIT: Sandra Petrucci/Copyright Jim Owens Entertainment

(L to R) "Crook & Chase's" Lorianne Crook, David Nail, Gene Watson, George Jones and "Crook & Chase's" Charlie Chase. Photo Credit: Sandra Petrucci/Jim Owens Entertainment

Leadership Music Elects Board, President Pat Collins

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Pat Collins

SESAC Pres. & COO Pat Collins has been elected president of the board of directors of Leadership Music. Since joining the board in 2006, Collins has served as President-Elect and on the Executive Committee.

Collins came to SESAC in 1995 after a 21-year career at ASCAP, where he held various positions in the licensing division, ultimately being named Director of General Licensing and National Sales. At SESAC, Collins served as Senior Vice President of Licensing for several years before being named President & COO.

Recognized as one of the leading performing rights experts in the United States, Collins has appeared before various sub-committees of the United States Congress on legislative matters impacting copyrights. He also has given testimony before numerous state legislatures on matters of copyright and has appeared as both guest and moderator on panels focusing on performing rights in the U.S.

Additional Officers include President Elect – Jamie Cheek, Business Manager/Partner, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.; Secretary – Beverly Keel, Professor of Recording Industry at MTSU; and Treasurer – Tim Wipperman; President and CEO, Wipperman Music Group.

Other members of the Executive Committee are songwriter J. Fred Knobloch, producer Garth Fundis, SunTrust VP Lori Badgett, former CMA Exec. Dir. Ed Benson, and NSAI/Bluebird Cafe Dir. of Development/Manager Erika Wollam-Nichols.

New board members elected to two-year terms include John Beiter, Attorney, Zumwalt, Almon & Hayes, PLLC; Linda Bloss-Baum, VP Public Policy & Government Relations, Warner Music Group; Mark Bright, President & CEO, Word Entertainment; Vincent Candilora, Sr. VP/Director of Licensing, ASCAP; Jay Frank, Sr. VP Music Strategy, CMT; Bill Lee, Sr. VP Licensing Operations, SESAC; Bruce Phillips, Managing Partner, Lyon & Phillips, PLLC; Thom Schuyler, Songwriter and former board member; Larry Stessel, President, Trillium Entertainment; John Styll, President & CEO, Gospel Music Association; Bethel “Bo” Thomas, VP for University Advancement, Belmont University; Stacy Widelitz, President, Stacy Widelitz Music, Inc.

Board members serving through June 30, 2010 include Drew Alexander, Director of Publishing, Curb Music Group; Mitch Bainwol, Chairman & CEO, RIAA; Tom Baldrica, VP Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment Inc.; Fred Buc, GM, Tuned In Broadcasting/WRLT-FM, Lightning 100; Jamie Cheek; Pat Collins; Garth Fundis; John Grady, President Nashville Operations, Borman Entertainment; Jeff Gregg, Agent, Creative Artists Agency; Kerry Hansen, CEO/Personal Manager, Big Enterprises; Liz Kiley, VP Broadcast Affiliations & Operations, MTV tr3s; Pam Matthews, Owner, DuVoyant Music; Mark Montgomery, Entrepreneur, hellomarko.com = ideas and execution; Robert K. Oermann, Owner, R.K.O. Media Products; and Randy Wachtler, President, 615 Music Companies.

Board members re-elected to serve through June 30, 2011 include Lori Badgett; Ed Benson; Caroline Davis, Communications Consultant; Beverly Keel; Dave Pomeroy, Bassist/Writer/Producer, Earwave Music Group and President, AFM; Ralph Schulz, President and CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce; Tim Wipperman; and Erika Wollam-Nichols.

Leadership Music’s executive director, Kira Florita, continues to serve as an ex-officio member of the board. Wayne Halper, Esq., Bruce Phillips of Lyon & Phillips, PLLC, and Robert Sullivan of Loeb & Loeb, LLP serve as the not-for-profit educational organization’s legal counsel.

For a complete list of the Board of Directors, visit www.leadershipmusic.org.

Artist News: Young, Ingram, Ducas

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Pictured at Michigan International Speedway: NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and Young

Pictured at Michigan International Speedway: NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and Young

NASCAR fan and RCA Nashville hitmaker Chris Young was at the Michigan International Speedway recently to kick off the excitement with a national anthem performance prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400. Young’s new album, The Man I Want to Be, featuring his hit, “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)” is set for a Sept. 1 release.

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Self-proclaimed barbeque expert Jack Ingram is partnering with KC Masterpiece® Barbecue Sauces and Marinades in a campaign to encourage grilling throughout Fall football season.

 The campaign includes “Eat and Greets” with Ingram at select tour dates beginning in September, where contest winners will be invited to a backstage barbeque before each show. Ingram will make public appearances on behalf of the brand and participate in additional media-driven programs in key markets. The passionate griller will also share a few of his personal barbecue recipes using KC Masterpiece with his fans. 

”I will literally spend an entire weekend in my backyard working on the perfect brisket…it’s what we do in Texas…we barbeque, drink beer and talk smack about football,” says Ingram. “The KC Masterpiece relationship is perfect because it’s a brand that you would already find in my fridge any day of the week.” Ingram’s new album is called Big Dreams & High Hopes, including hit lead single “Barefoot and Crazy.”

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BMI singer-songwriter George Ducas was the featured performer at the New Mexico Broadcasters Association’s (NMBA) Excellence in Broadcasting Awards Gala held August 14 in Albuquerque. Ducas, who penned the Sara Evans number one smash “Real Fine Place to Start,” and hits for Garth Brooks, George Jones, the Eli Young Band, Radney Foster, and others, entertained the packed house with songs from his diverse catalogue, including his own top ten record “Lipstick Promises.”

Following George’s performance are (l to r): BMI’s Dan Spears, NMBA Chairman and VP/GM of Pecos Valley Broadcasting Gene Dow, Ducas, Citadel Communications-Albuquerque VP/GM and NMBA Chairman Elect Milt McConnell.

(L-R): BMI’s Dan Spears, NMBA Chairman and VP/GM of Pecos Valley Broadcasting Gene Dow, Ducas, Citadel Communications-Albuquerque VP/GM and NMBA Chairman Elect Milt McConnell.

CMA Nominations Coming Sept. 9

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darius_ruckerThe announcement of the final nominees for the 2009 CMA Awards will be carried live on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from the Good Morning America studios in the heart of New York City’s Times Square on the ABC Television Network. The final nominees in select categories will be announced by Darius Rucker, who has quickly established himself as a fan and industry favorite with three No. 1 singles to his credit, and Lee Ann Womack, a former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year with 18 career CMA Awards nominations to her credit. The live announcements will take place during the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour of the morning news program.

leeannwomack The 43rd Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on ABC and is hosted for the second year by reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley and reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood.

In addition to the nominee announcements, Chuck Wicks will announce the finalists for the 2009 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year in four categories (small, medium, large, and major markets) as well as the finalists for the CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year live on Premiere Radio Networks from their New York studios.

Benefit Concerts, Comedy, Golf And More

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Natalie Hemby plays the Miller Harris benefit tonight at the Bluebird.

Natalie Hemby plays the Miller Harris benefit tonight at the Bluebird.

Go to the Bluebird tonight (8/27) and support the Miller Harris Foundation’s Asthma Camp for Kids. Carey Barlowe, Nathalie Hemby, Josh Hoge and Stephen Lee Olsen play at 6 PM; the 9 PM show features Sherrie Austin, Jeff Bates and Stephen Dale Jones. www.bluebirdcafe.com

The Miller Harris Golf Tournament will be Monday, September 14 at Temple Hills Golf Club. Register to play, volunteer or become an official sponsor of the 10th anniversary event. Details at www.millerharrisfoundation.com or by calling (615) 584-7848. The tournament includes a chance to win a Porsche, custom motorcycle, and more.

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Duet Dreams Come True: A Benefit For The ALS Association will be held tonight (8/27) from 6-9pm at 3rd & Lindsley. It is a night of duet performances, duet karaoke, songs from Doyle and Debbie, ’80s duets by members of Guilty Pleasures and one lucky attendee will get to perform a duet with Linda Davis. ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Local event planner Kathleen Chandler Wright, whose father was diagnosed with ALS, spearheaded the event. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.3rdandlindsley.com, 1-866-468-3401 or at the door. Details and an online auction with autographed items from Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Peter Frampton, and more at www.duetdreamscometrue.org.

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Three country performers are gathering this weekend at the Nashville Palace to raise money for the United Warrior Survivor Foundation (UWSF). Keni Thomas, Ty Herndon and Jamie O’Neal will perform Saturday, August 29 at 8 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the organization established to aid Special Forces widows with support, bereavement and future planning. Tickets are $10 at the door.

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komen_logoBreast cancer is no laughing matter, but International Man of Comedy Tom Rhodes along with Beth Donahue, Brian Bates and Shawn Tidwell invite you to get Tickled Pink. The show hits the Belcourt Theatre on Friday, September 18, at 7:30 pm. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Greater Nashville Affiliate. Sponsored by the Moosehead and Alice Crafts, CPA, LLC, tickets are on sale now for $25 at www.belcourt.org.

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After wrapping up a brief tour in Scandanavia earlier this month, country recording artist Mark Chesnutt jumped aboard a plane and headed to Iraq with the mission to perform for our troops as part of the Stars For Stripes summer concert series. The seven-day jaunt (August 9 through August 15) enabled Chesnutt to visit with and perform before the service men and women stationed in the Iraq bases, Sather AB, Camp Victory, Camp Liberty and Camp Stryker as well as Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. erforming in five separate shows (one in Kuwait and four in Iraq), Mark enjoyed the opportunity to spend quality time with the troops including meet and greets in which Mark made personal introductions with each and every individual. As part of the itinerary, Mark also took a helicopter out to visit two Forward Operating Bases (FOBs)--the FOB War Eagle and FOB Istiqlaal before flying back to the States on the 14-hour flight to D.C. Mark was presented with a commemorative coin as a “thank-you;” the Challenge Coin, as it is commonly referred, was presented to Chesnutt by General Ray Odierno, Commanding General, Multi-National Force, Iraq.

Mark Chesnutt headed overseas this month as part of the Stars For Stripes summer concert series. He performed for service men and women stationed in Iraq and Kuwait. Chesnutt was also presented with a commemorative coin called the Challenge Coin as a “thank-you” from Gen. Ray Odierno, Commanding General, Multi-National Force, Iraq.

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The eighth annual Bruce Burch and Friends Concert Honoring John Jarrard will bring another talented group of songwriters to Gainesville, GA on Sept. 24. The concert at Brenau University includes John Berry making his third appearance, Steve Cropper, Jimmy Hall, Roger Cook, Buddy Cannon, Gary Nicholson, Burch and Allen Nivens.

John Jarrard was a Gainesville native and Nashville songwriter who wrote songs for performers such as Don Williams, Alabama, George Strait, Diamond Rio and Tracy Lawrence. Jarrard battled diabetes before passing away in 2001. The concert honors Jarrard and benefits local charities like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Georgia Chapter, the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, and the University of Georgia Music Business program.

Church Tour Goes “Wild”

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eric_church_2Eric Church is set to embark on The Young & Wild(er) Tour, a series of East Coast and Midwest dates, beginning September 3 in Wilmington, DE. The tour features performances at the House of Blues in Cleveland, two nights at Joe’s in Chicago and the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, among others. He is scheduled for more than 25 dates running through Nov. 20. The Young & Wild(er) Tour arrives on the heels of Church’s sophomore release, Carolina. It follows Church’s performance at Lollapalooza, which earned praise from Rolling Stone, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times

Church’s Young & Wild Tour this past spring included 20 sold out shows, record-breaking attendance at the Dallas Bull in Tampa, FL and performances on NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and CBS’s Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Supporting Church on the road is the Eric Church Band, which is rounded out by Driver Williams (guitar), Ed Smoak (guitar), Jeff Hyde (banjo/mandolin), Lee Hendricks (bass) and Craig Wright (drums).

New Video, Free Download, Opry Radio Special

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From the unlikely pairings dept: Randy Houser is wearing his Boots to the Oprah & Friends Radio Network where he will visit Dr. Maya Angelou’s program airing this week on XM 156 and Sirius 195. During the interview Houser discusses his new album, Anything Goes, family, faith, and why he loves country music.

Houser is also preparing for CMT’s eighth annual tour which he will co-headline with longtime friend Jamey Johnson, beginning in October. It will hit 30 markets across the country.

His new single, “My Kind Of Country,” will arrive at radio mid-September, but in the meantime, you can listen to it on his MySpace page. Below is his new live video for “Boots On.”

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Mallary Hope’s debut single, “Love Lives On,” is the iTunes Single of the Week and can be downloaded for free. The 22-year-old Georgia native is signed to MCA Records.

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Luke Bryan is set to host the America’s Opry Weekend Number One Party radio special Labor Day weekend. It will include live Opry performances, artist interviews and his own performances including latest single, “Do I,” and covers of John Anderson’s “Money In the Bank,” Conway Twitty’s “I’d Just Love To Lay You Down,” and Billy Currington’s “Good Directions,” which was  co-written by Bryan. Bryan’s Doin’ My Thing album is due in stores Oct. 6.