Prime Time Press Conferences Irk Broadcasters
Executives at the largest broadcast networks claim that the new president has already cost them $30 million in ad revenue as a result of his three prime-time news conferences. The Hollywood Reporter story notes that none of the broadcasters mentioned in the article were willing to go on the record, but says that the Fox network’s decision not to carry the last news conference, might serve as a precedent. The Hollywood Reporter quotes one unnamed broadcast exec who says, “We will continue to make our decisions on White House requests on a case-by-case basis, but the Fox decision gives us cover to reject a request if we feel that there is no urgent breaking news that is going to be discussed.”
On Tuesday, May 19 beginning at 8:00 PM CT, The Session Players (www.thesessionplayers.com) will host a special live online chat. The website offers an up-close, inside look at the recording process through the eyes of the musicians who make it happen. The online chat will allow anyone anywhere in the world to talk directly to the players featured in the premier webisode, Sand Bank Road. Callers can ask about the creative process, the instruments used and about the musicians’ experiences working on countless recording projects. As the date for the chat moves closer, members of the site’s email list will receive up-to-the-minute details about the chat, including a complete list of the musicians that will be online and details about participating in the chat. Those who have not yet signed up for the email list can get the updated information by logging onto the site and visiting the Forum’s Music Category. Today (5/8), the site also began featuring a special promo of webisode two, Second First Impression.
Nashville Music Industry Organization SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) has announced the 2009 edition of its Music Row Yard Sale. This year’s yard sale will take place during the CMA Music Festival on June 13 at 8 AM at Nashville’s Sommet Center. SOLID has provided collection bins to Music Row businesses for donations to the yard sale. Businesses willing to donate promotional items should add them to their collection bin or contact the SOLID Yard Sale Chair, Katie Pope, at kpope@sesac.com. Autographed items will be auctioned off throughout the day and any signed memorabilia from your company is greatly appreciated. A SOLID representative will be by later in the month to collect the donated items. SOLID has traditionally teamed with Leadership Music on the Music Row Yard Sale, but beginning this year they are taking full responsibility for the event. For more information click 
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn (aka Brooks & Dunn), and Dierks Bentley are this year’s recipients of the CMA International Artist Achievement Award for their contributions to country music overseas. They were presented the awards backstage at Sydney’s Acer Arena on May 6 during the final stop of their current Australian tour. The International Artist Achievement Awards were presented by CMA Board member Rob Potts, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, and Australia’s No. 1 radio presenter, Ray Hadley from Radio 2GB.
Kenny Alphin, the top-hatted half of hit country duo Big & Rich, has joined forces with Guild Guitars and Little Kids Rock to donate 140 Guild acoustic guitars to five Nashville schools. Little Kids Rock is a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in the nation’s public schools. Alphin will present twenty of the donated guitars to more than 40 students at Antioch’s Mt. View Elementary School on Tuesday, May 12. During the presentation, the children will perform songs for the country star. They will also engage in a question and answer session with Alphin and present him with an award for his generosity and support. Over three thousand students at thirty-six schools in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools receive free instruments and lessons from Little Kids Rock.
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles has been sidelined due to vocal problems. A press release from Keith Urban’s publicist today announced new opening acts for the Aussie superstar’s inaugural shows on his Escape Together World Tour in Uncasville, Connecticut. The news section of Sugarland’s website is reporting that Nettles “has received doctor’s orders to rest her voice for the next 10 days due to a viral tonsil condition.” Replacing Sugarland as Urban’s opening acts for these initial shows will be Jason Aldean and Little Big Town.
Broken Bow’s Jason Aldean’s current chart-topper, “She’s Country,” has been certified gold by the RIAA for having sold more than 500,000 digital downloads. “She’s Country” is also spending its second week at the top of the country chart, and is the fastest rising single of his career to date. Over the last few months it has been the most streamed country song on MySpace, one of the most downloaded country songs of the year and the No. 1 ringtone in all genres. In other Aldean news, the singer will host his annual Jason Aldean: Concert For The Cure June 12 during CMA Music Festival at the Wildhorse Saloon to benefit Susan G. Komen For The Cure. Following his stadium performance, Aldean will invite a few special guests to join him for a late night concert that will also feature a silent auction with items from some of country music’s biggest stars. Fellow Georgia-native Luke Bryan is the first guest performer to be added to the lineup. Tickets are available through www.jasonaldean.com and Ticketmaster.
Canadian country star and reigning CCMA Top Male Artist Johnny Reid’s latest album, Dance With Me, has been certified Platinum (80,000 in sales) eight weeks after its March 10 release. Dance With Me has remained in the top-3 on the Canadian Country Sales Chart, spending three consecutive weeks at No. 1, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album also remained in the top-10 on the Top 200 Sales Chart for six consecutive weeks after the album’s release. Leadoff single “A Woman Like You” peaked at No. 2 on Canadian country radio.
For anyone who’s been looking all over town for Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, he’s up in the Great White North! The venerable singer/songwriter is in the middle of a Canadian tour that includes appearances from Ontario to New Brunswick to Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island. In what is being billed as A Night With A Legend, the Country Music Hall of Famer will deliver 11 shows in 12 days while offering audiences a close-up view of his legendary career through his songs and the stories behind them.
Capitol’s Lady Antebellum packed a powerful message about paying it forward into the video for their current hit single, “I Run To You.” Now, the trio has partnered with Brita’s FilterForGood campaign and is asking fans to visit the band’s website (www.ladyantebellum.com) to post examples of how they pay it forward in their own communities. Lady A will be reading through the stories and giving away some cool prizes along the way. The band’s self-titled debut album has held its place on iTune’s Top 10 Country Albums for over a year since it’s debut last April.
Big Machine’s Jack Ingram will join some of Texas’ best songwriters for a roundtable discussion on the impact of songs and their creation for an upcoming article in Texas Monthly magazine. Editor John Spong will bring together a roundtable panel including country hitmaker Ingram, Grammy-winner Guy Clark (“The Randall Knife”), folk avatar Patty Griffin (“Let Him Fly,”), Texas troubadour Robert Earl Keen (“The Road Goes On Forever”) and Songwriter Hall of Famer Sonny Throckmorton (“Why Not Me”).
The 26th annual International Country Music Conference, to be held May 21-23 in Nashville, Tenn. in the Frist Lecture Hall of the Gordon E. Inman Center at Belmont University, will host a broad cross-section of panels and topics in the field of country music. This year’s ICMC will feature more than three-dozen panels on a variety of influential artists and subjects in all country-related genres, including Bluegrass, Americana, Western Swing, Country Rock, Honky-Tonk, Gospel and more. Notable artists to be profiled in selected presentations will include Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Gram Parsons, Kitty Wells, Cowboy Troy, Charlie Louvin and Jimmie Rodgers, among others.