Artist News (2/8/13)

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GrammysThe 2013 Grammy Awards will be under a strict “Wardrobe Advisory,” as issued by CBS’ Standard and Practice, according to Deadline Hollywood’s first report.
The Feb. 5 email advisory, which extends to audience members that appear on camera, requests: “any organized cause visibly spelled out on talent’s wardrobe be avoided.”
It goes on to detail, “buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered. Thong type costumes are problematic. Please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack. Bare sides or under curvature of the breasts is also problematic. Please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples. Please be sure the genital region is adequately covered so that there is no visible “puffy” bare skin exposure. Please avoid commercial identification of actual brand name products on T-shirts. Foreign language on wardrobe will need to be cleared. OBSCENITY OR PARTIALLY SEEN OBSCENITY ON WARDROBE IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR BROADCAST.”
The Grammy Awards airs Sunday night (Feb. 10) live from the L.A. Staples Center on CBS.

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“Pirate Flag,” the lead single from Kenny Chesney’s forthcoming April 30 album, Life On A Rock, debuted yesterday (Feb. 7).
Chesney’s mainstay video guru, Shaun Silva, directed the video (below), which receives a recognizable island motif. “Pirate Flag” was written by David Lee Murphy and Ross Copperman.

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Keith UrbanKeith Urban wrapped a seven date sold-out Australian Tour this week with three shows at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Urban performed on four different stages throughout the venue, giving the audience multiple perspectives of the country entertainer.
Devastating flooding forced the shows to be postponed twice in Queensland. During the events, Urban acknowledged the contribution of volunteers by inviting 15 individuals from the SES, Surf Lifesaving Qld and the Red Cross to join him on stage.
Urban returns to the studio this weekend, before presenting at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. Taping for American Idol continues this month.

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Hunter HayesThe lineup for Country Thunder has been expanded to include Hunter Hayes on July 21. The Twin Lakes, Wis. Festival runs from July 18-21 with previously announced performers including Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town Jake Owen and more.
Click here for more information.
 
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gareth dunlop1Moraine Music/Nettwerk One artist Gareth Dunlop‘s track “Wrap Your Arms Around Me” will be featured on the Safe Haven soundtrack, which released Feb. 5. Dunlop will also open for John Oates at the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn. on Feb. 9.
 

Nashville Signings

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Steve Williams, best known for the tunes “Redneck Yacht Club” (Craig Morgan), “A Father’s Love (The Only Way He Knew How)” (Bucky Covington) and “Where Have I Been All My Life” (George Strait), has returned to Green Hills Music Group.
“Steve is a wonderful writer and a great human being,” says Green Hills Music Group President Woody Bomar. “It is always a joy to work with him.”
“Green Hills always offers such a supportive environment. It feels like home,” says Williams.
Green Hills Music Group also represents the music of Steve Mitchell, Georgia Middleman, Bob Regan, Rick Giles, Bonnie Baker, Paul Duncan, Dave Rivers, Sarahbeth Taite and Patricia Summers.

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Pictured (L-R): Woody Bomar and Steve Williams

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Ross Coppley has signed with Buddy Lee Attractions for booking. The Lexington, N.C. native averages over 100 performances per year and has established a loyal fanbase throughout the Eastern U.S.

Pictured (L-R): BLA agent Matt McGuire, Coppley (seated), manager Wes Mayers, Redline Entertainment.

Pictured (L-R): BLA agent Matt McGuire, Coppley (seated), and manager Wes Mayers of Redline Entertainment.


 
 

APA Nashville Signs Shooter Jennings

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Shooter Jennings


APA Nashville has signed Shooter Jennings to its roster. Jennings’ new album, The Other Life (Black Country Rock/Entertainment One Nashville) and its short film will be released March 12.
“With Shooter’s multi-talented interests in music, film, television and merchandising, there is a virtual franchise of opportunities everywhere you turn,” commented APA Nashville’s Stu Walker. “We could not be more excited to be working with him.”
Jennings also continues his seven-year tenure on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel with his signature show, “Electric Rodeo.”
APA Nashville’s roster also includes Asleep At The Wheel, Corey Smith, Darryl Worley, Cross Canadian Ragweed, David Lee Murphy, Don Williams, Jo Dee Messina and Sawyer Brown, among other artists.

Industry Ink (2/5/13)

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axs ticketing1Staples Center, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Club Nokia have transitioned to AXS Ticketing from Ticketmaster. Since launching in August 2011, AEG has installed the new platform in 24 venues in less than 18 months. Beyonce‘s June 26 concert at Staples Center will be the first event in the downtown Los Angeles venue to be offered exclusively through the AXS.com platform.
“With the addition of AEG’s largest and most iconic venue to date – Staples Center – the ticketing platform now powers the No. 1 arenas in both North America and the United Kingdom [London’s 02 Arena], with true momentum forward,” said Tom Andrus, AXS Digital SVP & GM. “AXS is more than just ticketing and was created as a complete platform to redefine the live event experience by empowering venues across every phase of an event – from event discovery to ticketing to in-venue engagement and beyond.”

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SOURCE–an organization of women executives in Nashville’s music industry–held its monthly members’ luncheon at ASCAP on Jan. 24. The group welcomed new members Denise M. Stevens (Loeb & Loeb), JoAnn Berry (Berry Management Group) and Jensen Arrowsmith (Sweet Talk Publicity).

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Pictured (L to R): Debbie Carroll (SOURCE Pres. & Exec Dir. Music Cares), Denise M. Stevens, JoAnn Berry, Jensen Arrowsmith and Lainie Allbee (Dir. SOURCE Membership & Martin Allbee & Associates).

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shamrock media group11Shamrock Media Group has added Christian radio promoters James Riley and Shane Boyd, who will serve as VP of National Promotions and Director of National Promotions, respectively. They will join AC/Soft AC National Promotions Manager Alan Garrett and Rhythmic Promotions Manager Mike Laxton under the direction of founder and President Chris Chicago.
In addition, Shamrock has expanded production and music video services, hiring Rhyan Shirley as Video Promotions Manager and Jeff Savage (tobyMac, Jars of Clay, dcTalk) as Creative Director. Savage will provide in-house mixing and production services to Shamrock’s growing stable of artists and labels.
Founded in 2005, Shamrock Media Group provides radio and video promotion for Christian artists in nearly every format, including AC, Hot AC/CHR, Soft AC/INSP, Rock, Rhythmic and Triple A.
 
 
 
 

Toby Keith Hammers Down on Tour

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Toby Keith and Kip Moore

Toby Keith and Kip Moore

Toby Keith will embark on a 2013 summer tour titled the Hammer Down Tour with special guest Kip Moore. Presented by longtime partner Ford F-Series, the run begins on June 8 in Ozark, Ark. with stops in Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and other cities (confirmed dates below).

Touring in support of his current album Hope On The Rocks, Keith is expected to play the self-written title track single, “Hope On The Rocks.”
Prior to the start of the tour, Keith will be headlining the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a night at the four-day festival Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz. and a night at the Stagecoach festival in Indio, Calif.
Moore’s current single, “Hey Pretty Girl,” was released as the follow up after two No. 1’s, “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” and “Beer Money.”
Confirmed dates (subject to change) for Toby Keith’s Hammer Down Tour are below, with more to be added soon:
June 8–Ozark AR–Thunder On The Mountain *
June 14–Cincinnati–Riverbend Music Center
June 15–Pittsburgh–First Niagara Pavilion
June 22–Philadelphia–Susquehanna Bank Center
June 28–Oshkosh, Wis.–Country USA *
June 29–Cadott, Wis.–Country Fest *
June 30–Chicago–First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
July 19–Cleveland–Blossom Music Center
July 20–St. Clairsville, Ohio–Jamboree In The Hills
July 21–Buffalo, N.Y.–Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 27–Cheyenne, Wash.–Frontier Days *
July 30–Davenport, Iowa–Mississippi Valley Fair *
Aug. 2–Sweet Home, Ore.–Oregon Jamboree
Aug. 6–Sturgis, S.D.–Buffalo Chip *
Aug. 14–Springfield, Ill.–Illinois State Fair
Aug. 24–Washington–Jiffy Lube Live
Aug. 25–Hartford, Conn.–Comcast Theatre
Aug. 31–Allentown, Pa.–The Great Allentown Fair
Sep. 1–Essex Junction, Vt.–Champlain Valley Fair
Sep. 7–Indianapolis–Klipsch Music Center
Dates with * = Kip Moore does not appear.

Dwight Yoakam Sets Ryman Date; Gary Allan Sells Out Shows

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dwightDwight Yoakam will headline Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium for the first time since 2005. Touring in support of his critically-acclaimed album 3 Pears, Yoakam will play the venue Friday, April 12.
The Lone Bellow will open the evening. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 8 at 10:00 AM via the Ryman box office, ryman.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
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Gary Allan sold out two concerts at the Ryman over the weekend. Tickets for his April 17 show went on sale Friday (Feb. 1) and sold out in 10 minutes, so the singer added a second show on April 19, which also sold out.
Allan’s new album Set You Free on MCA Nashville debuted at No. 1 recently with over 106,000 copies sold.

Boots and Hearts Festival Adds Performers

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B&(3Dierks Bentley, Aaron Lewis, Joe Diffie, Chad Brownlee, Jason Blaine, Colt Ford, High Valley, Kira Isabella, The Stellas, Parmalee and Dee Jay Silver have all been added to the 2013 Boots and Hearts Music Festival in Bowmanville, Ontario.
Organizers at Republic Live made the announcement Friday (Feb. 1), which adds to the previously confirmed headliners, including Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, The Band Perry and Dean Brody.
“Delivering the best performers in country music from both sides of the border is so important to us and it’s great to have Canadian artists such as Chad Brownlee, Jason Blaine, High Valley, The Stellas, and festival darling Kira Isabella, who after last year’s performance at Boots and Hearts went on to tour with Carrie Underwood,” said Shannon McNevan, Executive Director, Partner, Republic Live.
Passes for the August 2 – 4th festival are currently on sale exclusively through the Boots and Hearts website.
The three-day festival will take place at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

Country At The Ryman

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GaryAllan_LgGary Allan, Vince Gill and Alan Jackson have upcoming headlining dates at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Info here.
Tickets for Gary Allan’s Wednesday, April 17 show go on sale tomorrow (Feb. 1) at 10 AM. Allan’s album Set You Free debuted at No. 1 this week on the Country Album charts with sales of 106k units.
Vince Gill and friends will perform April 9 at the 14th annual Jammin’ to Beat the Blues concert to benefit Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee. This is Gill’s fifth consecutive year headlining the popular show.
Alan Jackson’s March 20 concert sold out in less than four hours but VIP packages are still available. The event is the 5th annual Stars Go Blue Benefit Concert in celebration of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. VIP Experience tickets are $500 and include “gold circle” seating, a meet and greet with Jackson and more. $225 of your ticket purchase is tax-deductible. VIP details here.
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FAA Bill Allows Musical Instruments on Planes

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AirThe American Federation of Musicians was successful in lobbying Congress to enact legislation permitting musical instruments on-board airplanes as checked and carry-on luggage.
The provision has been passed in a bill by the House of Representatives and the Senate reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Existing law allowed each airline to set their own policy regarding musical instruments. Permitted proportions for instruments varied widely for both carry-on and checked baggage.
Checked instruments must now qualify within the uniform weight and size standards set by the bill. Carry-on instruments must be safely stored in overhead compartments or underneath seats. Larger or more delicate instruments have the ability to have seats purchased for transport. The agency reportedly has until Feb. 2014 to implement new standards, which are expected to be drafted within the year.
“This is great news for professional musicians throughout the U.S. and Canada who carry the tools of our trade – our instruments – aboard commercial aircraft,” said AFM President Ray Hair. “Carry-on baggage has been a top legislative priority for nearly a decade. I am proud of our Government Relations Director, Hal Ponder, and his assistant Laura Brigandi in our Washington legislative office for seeing the effort through.”
Experiences like the one in the song below will hopefully be eliminated.

Tim McGraw to Tape ACM TV Special

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Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw


The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions have announced the taping of an all-star concert special, ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night, on April 8 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, where the ACM Awards will air the day prior (April 7).
The two-hour special, to be broadcast at a later date on CBS, will feature handpicked artists and friends of the fifteen time ACM Award winner across country, pop, and rock genres in addition to a few surprise special guests from the worlds of film and television.
“I hope I can help turn the fans on to some of the best live music that will be on the road this summer and really put a spotlight on the ones I know they won’t want to miss,” said McGraw. “I also feel a responsibility to help raise some money and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives. They supported me last summer with our HomeFront program and helped me give away a house to a Veteran in need in every market we played in, so I’m excited to get some of my friends together and repay the favor.”
Designed to kick off the 2013 touring season, all proceeds of the show will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy.
Tickets will be available to ACM Professional members and A-List Members first, on Wednesday, Jan. 23. General public tickets will be available Friday, Jan. 25 at the ACM’s official website.