“The Session Players” Announces Online Chat
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.
In a promotion that just might make you break into the chorus of “Melt,” the Hershey Company has joined forces with country superstars Rascal Flatts to celebrate the magic of s’mores. Hershey’s will be a sponsor of Rascal Flatts’ American Living Unstoppable 2009 concert tour and bring the partnership to life with a national television commercial and the Hershey’s S’mores Rocks Your Block promotion, giving fans the chance to win an exclusive s’mores-themed block party with Rascal Flatts at center stage.
The promotion will bring unprecedented Rascal Flatts access to fans nationwide. Celebrating gooey s’mores, the promotion will offer Rascal Flatts-themed prizes to consumers each day from May-September. One lucky fan will “rock their block” with a private block party for 100 friends featuring Rascal Flatts while others will win $2,500 Visa gift cards to create their own s’mores-themed block parties. Other prizes include VIP trips to Rascal Flatts concerts and 100,000 music downloads. The sweepstakes will be promoted at retail on specially marked Hershey’s products. Click 
For the first time, CMT will be interrupting its regularly scheduled programming to present the 2009 CMT Music Awards Nominee Special on Tuesday, May 19 at 9:00 – 9:30 AM/CT. The 30-minute special, hosted by 2008 USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year winner Kellie Pickler and CMT’s Lance Smith, will feature the music and videos of country music’s elite as decided by fan voting.
and continues through May 11, only at CMT.com. On Tuesday, May 19, CMT will announce the four finalists in each of the categories, with the exception of Video of the Year. Fans can then vote online at CMT.com through June 15 to determine the winners. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can vote at CMT.com and via text on their Verizon Wireless phones throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.
Capitol Records Nashville artist Luke Bryan is teaming up with live music website Eventful to give fans across the nation the chance to bring his album release show to their city. Bryan’s sophomore album, Doin’ My Thing, is scheduled for release on October 6. The singer/songwriter will utilize Eventful Demand, which enables fans to influence where their favorite artists perform by creating grass-roots campaigns to “Demand” the artists to come to their town, and no one knows the destination of the show but the fans. Bryan will set his sights on whichever city rallies and delivers the most “Demands” by the end of the competition. Launched today (5/4), the Demand competition will continue through 4:00 CT on July 10. Fans can join the competition and Demand a performance from Luke Bryan by clicking 
Tracy Lawrence and his label, Rocky Comfort Records, are offering an exclusive and innovative digital music download package to live music enthusiasts. In partnership with Basecamp Productions, a production and online distribution company, Lawrence and Rocky Comfort have introduced the Front Porch Live Concert Series, a download service offering fans the opportunity to purchase a digital download package of select Tracy Lawrence concerts.
Clear Channel has followed up its layoffs from last January with another round of cuts, eliminating 590 more jobs, many of them in the areas of programming, IT, engineering, and back-office, though a number of on-air positions were eliminated as well. When combined with the approximately 1,850 people who lost their jobs in January, it brings the total to about 2,400, or around 12 percent of the company’s workforce. Additionally, Clear Channel has suspended 401(k) matching for now, but it may be restored retroactively if the company’s projected budget goals are met.
Pop superstar Bryan Adams will share the stage with Platinum-selling country rocker Jason Aldean, in an upcoming episode of CMT Crossroads. CMT Crossroads: Bryan Adams and Jason Aldean will be taped before 
an invitation-only audience in Nashville at the beginning of May and will premiere on CMT on Friday, June 26 at 8:00 PM/CT. With his long list of hits, including “Summer of 69,” “Run To You,” “18 ‘Til I Die” and “It’s Only Love,” Adams has achieved No. 1 status in over 40 countries, and he continues to perform to sold out audiences on six continents. He also holds the distinction of being the first westerner to play in both Pakistan and Vietnam. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and has been inducted into both the Canadian Juno Hall of Fame as well
as Canada’s Walkway of Stars. After selling two million copies of his first two albums, topping the charts with smash hits, including “Hicktown,” “Why,” “Amarillo Sky,” “Laughed Until We Cried” and his current single, “She’s Country,” Aldean is going strong with his third album, Wide Open. “She’s Country” continues to be one of the most digitally downloaded songs and ringtones in all genres. For more information on CMT Crossroads, visit www.CMT.com
Grammy nominated songwriter Skip Ewing is once again offering some aspiring songwriters the chance to learn from the best through Skip Ewing’s Horse & Writer “Invitational” 2009. Held at the Lazy L&B Ranch in Dubios, Wyoming, the event offers selected applicants “concentrated songwriting mentorship in the areas of creativity, self-exploration and observation, music business, co-writing, craftsmanship and more.” The key word here is “selected,” as Ewing stresses that Horse & Writer is not a songwriting contest. Ewing and his staff listen to each application package to identify the talented, committed writers who they feel have genuine promise—something Ewing calls “seeds of greatness.” All selected applicants attend on a full scholarship worth $2500 and pay no tuition. For its ninth consecutive year, Horse & Writer will feature Ewing, along with hit songwriters/mentors Clay Mills (“Beautiful Mess,” “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It”) and Deanna Bryant (“Johnny and June,” “Stupid Boy”) overseeing the seven-day songwriting program and offering one-on-one instruction. Horse & Writer “Invitational” 2009 takes place July 12-18. Application fee is $100 with a two song maximum. Applicants wishing to submit additional songs can send a third song for a $50 charge and a fourth for an additional $40. Applications must be postmarked by May 15. Click 