Pickler, GAC in DC, and Puckett’s Rising Star

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kellieKellie Pickler is on the cover of Nashville Lifestyles’ August issue, a.k.a. “The Hot List 2009.” Billed under the title, “Smokin’ Hot,” Pickler is the focus of a multi-page spread and interview. Her current single, “Best Days Of Your Life,” just cracked the Top 10 on the monitored charts and is certified Gold with more than 600,000 downloads.

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GAC had exclusive access to the White House’s Country Music event this week. Performers included Alison Krauss + Union Station, Brad Paisley, and Charley Pride. The special, Country Music at the White House, will air Aug. 15 at 8:00 pm/CT with host Storme Warren.

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puckettsDaniel Mason is the winner of the Puckett’s Grocery “Rising Star” competition. The open-mic songwriting contest, now in its third season, was held over several weeks at the venue/restaurant’s Franklin location. At the final event on July 21, Mason beat over 100 competitors to receive $500, and the chance to play alongside notable songwriters on Friday, August 7 at 9 pm, including Wynn Varble (“Waiting On A Woman”), and Leslie Satcher (“Troubadour”).

“The Climb” Wins MTV Music Award

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Photo 1 - Pictured L-R: Kos Weaver (VP Disney Music Publishing); Doug Howard (SR VP Lyric Street/Carolwood and Disney Music Publishing); Missy Roberts (Creative Director Stage Three Music Publishing); Jon Mabe (Stage Three Music Publishing); Jessi Alexander (Disney Music Publishing), and Tim Hunze (General Manager Stage Three Music Publishing)

Pictured L-R: Kos Weaver (VP Disney Music Publishing); Doug Howard (Sr. VP Lyric Street/Carolwood and Disney Music); Missy Roberts (Creative Director Stage Three Music Publishing); Jon Mabe (Stage Three songwriter); Jessi Alexander (Disney songwriter), and Tim Hunze (GM Stage Three Music)

Disney Music Publishing along with Stage Three Music and songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe toasted their recent win at the 2009 MTV Music Awards for Best Song From A Movie for the hit single “The Climb” performed by Miley Cyrus. After soaring to the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard and Mediabase AC charts, this smash continues to top the charts for the third consecutive week. It is currently climbing the country airplay charts and is one of the best-selling songs with more than 2 million downloads to date.

“Wow! I never dreamed I would have a golden popcorn to put on the piano,” said Jessi when hearing of the win. “Seriously, I’m incredibly honored to know this song has reached so many people and continues to be a fan favorite.”

Produced by John Shanks, “The Climb,” is from Hannah Montana: The Movie and the accompanying Platinum selling soundtrack.

Halfway To Hazard Hosts MusicRow Picnic

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(Back L-R) MR Chart Mgr. Jon Freeman, Boss Ross, RowFax Mgr. Michelle Ross, News Editor Sarah Skates, Art Dir. Christie King;

(Back L-R) MR Chart Mgr. Jon Freeman, Boss Ross, RowFax Mgr. Michelle Ross, News Editor Sarah Skates, Art Dir. Christie King; Front: Chad Warrix and David Tolliver

Halfway to Hazard stopped by MusicRow yesterday for a performance and indoor picnic. Chad Warrix and David Tolliver kept the staff in stitches for most of the visit but managed to squeeze in two songs, including new single “I Know Where Heaven Is.”

MusicRow employees, H2H, and manager Christopher Washko enjoyed noshing on food at the picnic, which had a blue and white motif in honor of H2H’s home state Kentucky and label partner Picnic Hill.

Bigger Picture Entertainment is handling radio promotion and marketing for the band’s yet-to-be named sophomore album due out third quarter 2009 on  Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore’s StyleSonic/Picnic Hill Records.

Music Row Ladies Gear Up For Golf Tourney

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ucpThe 22nd Annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament is in full swing again on Monday, July 27 at Old Natchez Country Club to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee (UCP). Celebrity players and caddies participating are Jason Aldean, Joey Feek (Joey & Rory), Rachel Proctor, Emily West; songwriters Hillary Lindsey (“Jesus, Take the  Wheel,” “This One’s For The Girls”), Lori McKenna (“Stealing Kisses”) and Liz Rose (“Teardrops on My Guitar”).

Sponsored by ASCAP, Tim McGraw, UMG Nashville and UBS, this tournament has proven to be one of the music business’ most creative and charitable events. With hundreds of music industry professionals and several Country Music stars, over one million dollars has been raised for UCP. The day includes breakfast from Bread & Co., lunch by Jim ‘N’ Nicks,  Happy Hour at the 19th Hole courtesy of Kenny Chesney, and a Loveless Café-sponsored dinner, awards ceremony and a silent auction.

Teams include 19 Entertainment; Anchor Down Entertainment; Avenue Bank; Big Loud Shirt Industries; Big Tractor; Cherry Heart Music; Chumley Productions; CMA; Coburn Music; Corlew Music Group; Curb Records; EMI  Music Publishing; Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy; Hampton Music Publishing; Larga Vista Music; Martin, Allbee, & Associates; Melanie Howard Music; Montage Music Publishing; Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum; NARAS; Ole Songs; RS Planes; S1 Songs American; Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Stroudavarious; SunTrust Bank; The Kella  Stephenson Company; UMG Nashville; Universal Music Publishing; Universal Records South; Warner Music Group and Zavitson Music Group.

Roy Clark, Billy Currington, More

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Country Music Hall of Fame member Roy Clark donated several items to the Country Music Hall on Fame® and Museum on Saturday (7/18). The artifacts, which will be on display beginning August 1 in the Museum’s permanent exhibit, include a magenta three-piece Manuel suit with an embroidered silver lame` Manuel shirt, patent leather Tony Lama boots, and a Heritage H-535 Roy Clark Signature model electric guitar. Pictured—Clark and Vice President of Museum Services Carolyn Tate Photo by Richard Suter

Pictured—Clark and Vice President of Museum Services Carolyn Tate; Photo: Richard Suter

Country Music Hall of Fame member Roy Clark donated several items to the Country Music Hall on Fame® and Museum on Saturday (7/18). The artifacts, which will be on display beginning August 1 in the Museum’s permanent exhibit, include a magenta three-piece Manuel suit with an embroidered silver lame´Manuel shirt, patent leather Tony Lama boots, and a Heritage H-535 Roy Clark Signature model electric guitar.

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Mercury Nashville recording artist Billy Currington will perform on CBS’ the Late Show with David Letterman Wed., Aug. 19. His single “People Are Crazy” tops the monitored charts this week, marking his fourth No. 1 and fastest-rising single of his career. It is the second No. 1 from Currington’s album Little Bit Of Everything, which is at No. 10 on Billboard’s Current Country Albums Chart.
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The Lost Trailers are featured on cmt.com’s Unplugged At Studio 330. The acoustic performance includes “Holler Back,” and newest single, “Country Folks (Livin’ Loud).” Viewers can also see exclusive interviews.

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The Producer’s Chair presents an interview with Chuck Howard (LeAnn Rimes, Kid Rock, Hank Jr., Johnny Cash and more) 
Thurs., July 23, 6 PM at Douglas Corner.

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A new radio show bringing together college football and country music is looking for guest artist hosts. College Football Country will hit the airwaves this fall, hosted by a different artist each week, highlighting their favorite college or alma mater’s game. For hosting opportunities, contact Kara Bullock at Atlanta based AIM Marketing Solutions 404-581-7114 or kbullock@aimmarketingsolutions.com

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The legendary Flatlanders— Joe Ely, Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore —  appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman last night (7/21) before heading overseas for a three week tour of Europe. Upon their return, the New West Records band will be on NPR’s Mountain Stage on Aug. 16, and debut at the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 18.

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August 7-9 will be a tax free weekend in Tennessee. Exemptions include clothing $100 or less per article, computers $1500 or less, and school supplies $100 or less.

Radney Foster Turns 50 With “Revival”

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Singer-songwriter, artist and producer Radney Foster celebrated his 50th birthday
Monday night (July 20) with a performance at Nashville’s Exit/In. He was joined onstage by an incredible list of fellow writer-artist friends including Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Georgia Middleman, Lee Roy Parnell, Vince Gill, Sam Bush and others. Friends from his publisher, Sea Gayle Music, and ASCAP caught up with Radney backstage after the show to wish him happy birthday and congratulate him on the upcoming release of Revival, due Sept. 1 on his own Devil’s River record label.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Earle Simmons, Sea Gayle's Chris DuBois and Mike Owens, Foster, ASCAP's Herky Williams, Lee Roy Parnell and ASCAP's Mike Sistad

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Earle Simmons, Sea Gayle's Chris DuBois and Mike Owens, Foster, ASCAP's Herky Williams, Lee Roy Parnell and ASCAP's Mike Sistad

Combustion Music Signs Will Bowen

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Standing L-R: Chris Farren, Ashley Hertzog, BMI's Beth Mason, Chris Van Belkom, Stephanie Greene; Seated: Will Bowen

Combustion Music has signed Will Bowen to an exclusive songwriting agreement. As an artist, Bowen was signed to Universal Records out of New York, and toured the country opening for acts like Dave Matthews Band and Maroon 5. As a writer, his music can be found on multi-platinum albums, as well as in numerous TV and movie placements.

2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award Nominees

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Click for details

The Canadian Country Music Association announced today the nominees for the 2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award:  George Canyon, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett and Johnny Reid.

Beginning Friday, July 24 until Sunday, September 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST, the public can vote online at www.CMT.ca for their favorite Canadian Country Star. The winner will be announced during the CCMA Awards at GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday, September 13, 2009. The show will broadcast nationally on CBC Television at 8 p.m. with encore broadcasts on CMT in Canada.

Other nominees will be announced at a media conference in Toronto, ON Wednesday, July 29.

George Canyon is a multiple CCMA Award winner, two-time JUNO Award winner, and an ECMA winner. Vancouver’s Jessie Farrell was winner of three CCMAs in 2008 and nominated for a 2009 JUNO Award. Aaron Pritchett has toured with the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson and Toby Keith, and garnered CCMAs for Independent Male Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. 2008 Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year winner and 2008 Male Artist of the Year, Johnny Reid recently saw his album Dance With Me go Gold in just over 48 hours and platinum in two months. The band Doc Walker took home six awards at last year’s CCMAs and recently won a JUNO for Country Recording of the Year.

Tickets for the CCMA Awards are available at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Josh Turner Kicks Off NSAI Benefit Series

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josh-turnerJosh Turner is set for the debut installment of NSAI’s “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series. The event, kicking off Wed., July 22 at the Wildhorse Saloon, will benefit the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s legislative efforts.

“On behalf of all American songwriters NSAI is extremely grateful to Josh for helping launch what will be a permanent series supporting the work we do. NSAI was founded as an advocacy organization for songwriters. In recent years the organization’s work has increased the value of and the respect for songwriters’ copyrights and helped secure the growth of future royalties,” said NSAI President and Grammy-nominated songwriter Steve Bogard.

Turner—a songwriter himself—has had back-to-back platinum albums and his current project, Everything Is Fine, was certified Gold in just four weeks.

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.com and the Wildhorse. General Admission tickets are $20, Reserved Seating tickets are $35, and there are a limited number of $75 tickets available that include a Meet & Greet with Turner. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Show Me Your Hits Marks 10 Years

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ASCAP recently sponsored a 10 year birthday bash for songplugger group Show Me Your Hits. The event was held at Dan McGuinness Pub near Music Row and hosted many members of the A&R community, as well as the organization’s founding and current members.
ASCAP recently sponsored a 10 year birthday bash for songplugger group Show Me Your Hits. The event was held at Dan McGuinness Pub near Music Row and hosted many members of the A&R community, as well as the organization's founding and current members. Pictured (L-R): Connie Bradley, Kelly King, Cyndi Forman, Liz O'Sullivan, Kim Wiggins, Alicia Pruitt, Carla Wallace, Stephanie Greene, Kerri Edwards

Pictured (L-R): Connie Bradley, Kelly King, Cyndi Forman, Liz O'Sullivan, Kim Wiggins, Alicia Pruitt, Carla Wallace, Stephanie Greene, Kerri Edwards