UK Songwriters Post Online Response To Google

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British songwriters and composers have launched a new website — www.fairplayforcreators.com — to highlight concerns over the use of their work on the Internet. The site, an online forum set up by UK performing rights society PRS For Music, was created in response to the March 9 decision by Google to block access to premium music videos for U.K. users of YouTube, following a failure to agree to licensing terms with PRS. The site urges Google, who acquired YouTube in 2006, to restore music videos to YouTube, and advocates fair payment for use of their music online, stressing the importance of royalties in nurturing creative music talent.

Owen Upped at Universal

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Universal Music Nashville’s Jason Owen has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Artist Development and Marketing for the label. In his new position, Owen will wear many hats. In addition to directing all publicity, creative and video activities for MCA and Mercury Nashville, he will also oversee the digital and marketing departments for both companies. In his former role as Senior Vice President of Artist, Media Relations and Creative Service, Owen was instrumental in breaking artists including Sugarland, Julianne Hough, Josh Turner and Jamey Johnson. In his new position, he will continue to report to Universal Music Nashville Chairman Luke Lewis.

“Jason is a true professional with tremendous energy and vision, and has shown exceptional capabilities within the publicity, marketing and artist development fields,” stated Lewis. “His expertise, leadership qualities and outstanding people skills have made him an invaluable
asset to our team and artists, and we are delighted to expand the playing field for him even further.”

ACM Announces Off-Camera Winners

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The Academy of Country Music has announced winners of awards that will not be televised during the live telecast of the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast on April 5.

Dolly Parton will receive the Jim Reeves International Award, presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.

This year’s Poet’s Award, which honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers will go to Merle Haggard and the late Harlan Howard.

The ACM’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award will go to the late Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and Hank Williams Jr. The Pioneer Award honors individuals who are pioneers in the country music genre.

The ACM’s Tex Ritter Award is given each year to a movie receiving major exposure that features or utilizes country music. This year’s Tex Ritter Award goes to Beer For My Horses, produced by CMT Films and Show Dog Productions and starring Show Dog’s Toby Keith.

The Mae Boren Axton Award is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music. This year’s Mae Boren Axton Award will go to David Young, who has been with the Academy of Country Music in various positions for 20 years, most recently as Senior Director of Operations.

The following will receive this year’s MBI (musician, band, instrumental) Awards:

Tom Bukovac — guitarist
Gordon Mote — piano/keyboard
Glen Worf — bass
Greg Morrow — percussionist/drummer
Dan Dugmore — steel guitar
Aubrey Haynie — fiddle
Eric Darken (percussion) and Jelly Roll Johnson (harmonica) — specialty instrument
Chuck Ainley — audio engineer
Tony Brown — producer

The 44th Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 7:00 PM/CT on the CBS Television Network.

Oprah Hosts Country

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May 19 Chesney CD release.

May 19 Chesney CD release.

Oprah is calling it the country lineup of the year. She will be be taping a special country music themed show later this week featuring Sugarland, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker. “Are you a fan of good country music?” she asks. “Is country music the soundtrack of your life?”

All four acts will perform and chat with the America’s most popular afternoon host.

Fans who answer “Yes” to both questions can apply for seats to the taping set to take place in Chicago on March 26. As yet, no official date has been determined to air the show. To apply for seats click here.

Vassar Joins Hallmark To Feed The Children

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Universal Records South artist Phil Vassar will be featured on Feed The Children’s one-hour special on Hallmark Channel’s Americans Feeding Americans this Wednesday (3/25) at 6 PM/CT.  Americans Feeding Americans reaches out to viewers to help Feed The Children in their ongoing effort to get emergency food to families caught in the current economic crisis. Vassar’s current single, “Prayer of a Common Man,” is featured on the special. The singer will be joined on the show by The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Greenwood, and Joel and Victoria Osteen. All proceeds raised from Americans Feeding Americans will go toward helping financially strapped families get the food and personal care items they need to get them through these hard times.

AARP Magazine Spotlights Dolly

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The ever-youthful Dolly Parton is no stranger to magazine covers, but the singer’s appearance on the cover of the May/June issue of AARP Magazine may turn a few grey heads. In the cover story, Parton, 63, is candid about growing up poor, never having children, and clearing up rumors about her closest relationships. She also touches on the current state of the music business and what she’s doing about it. While discussing how she created her own record label to produce her latest CD, the singer commented, “The music business is not what it used to be. After you reach a certain age, they think you’re over. Well, I will never be over. I’ll be making records if I have to sell them out of the trunk of my car.  I’ve done that in my past, and I’d do it again.” The May/June issue of AARP Magazine hits newsstands March 24 and is available online at www.aarpmagazine.org.

EMI Digital Chief Merrill To Exit

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EMI Music announced today (3/23), that its President of Digital Music, Douglas Merrill will leave the company as its digital unit is integrated into its main operations. Formerly with Google, Inc., Merrill has been with EMI less than a year. EMI has promoted Cory Ondrejka to the newly created title of Executive Vice President of Digital Marketing. Ondrejka, a co-founder of virtual world Second Life, joined EMI as Senior VP of Digital Strategy in June 2008, two months after Merrill. As it folds its digital unit into its main operations, the London-based music giant said digital sales now make up more than 20% of its revenues.

Dolly Unveils Sha-Kon-O-Hey!

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East Tennessee native Dolly Parton, official ambassador of the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has released a new eight-song CD entitled Sha-Kon-O-Hey! to benefit Friends of the Smokies. The CD retails for $10, $8 of which Parton will donate to the nonprofit organization that is devoted to protecting the Smokies. The Sha-Kon-O-Hey! CD features eight songs written by Parton, all of which will be performed in Dollywood’s new stage show Sha-Kon-O-Hey, which will premiere May 9. The 45-minute show commemorates the park’s 75th anniversary, capturing the spirit of the mountains and the heritage of the people who call them home. “Sha-Kon-O-Hey” is derived from the Cherokee name for the Smoky Mountains meaning “land of blue smoke.” For more information visit www.dollywood.com.

Cox Radio Going Private

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Cox Enterprises Inc. announced today (3/23) that it is beginning a $3.80 per share cash tender offer for the remainder of Cox Radio Inc.’s publicly held shares, for a total payment of about $69.1 million. Cox Enterprises owns a roughly 78 percent equity stake in Cox Radio with a voting interest of about 97 percent. The tender offer expires on April 17, depending upon shareholders tendering their shares. If the transaction is completed, Cox Radio will become a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, which is privately owned.

615 Unveils New Site and Search Engine

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Nashville production music company 615 Music has redesigned its website and launched a comprehensive new music search engine called “615 Music Search.” The company will unveil its new website and Music Search features at the NAB convention in Las Vegas April 20-23.  According to 615 Music President and CEO Randy Wachtler, the newly launched “615 Music Search” allows users to enter information into one basic search box, as opposed to scrolling lists that had previously encompassed key words, genres, styles, instruments, etc. The search results are displayed in a similar fashion to iTunes with a scrolling list or by CD cover only. The features of “615 Music Search” also extend to auditioning tracks—users can follow the audio wave form and fast forward or rewind at the point in the track of their choice. Another benefit to the new music search is its ability to create cue sheets of particular play lists. 615 Music’s new website can be seen at www.615music.com. The “615 Music Search” system can be accessed by clicking on “Search and Download Music” from the home page, or by going directly to http://Search.615music.com.