Parton at The "Dollywood Bowl"

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Celebrating backstage with (L-R): Neil Warnock, The Agency Group; Parton; manager Danny Nozell, CTK Management; and Steve Martin, The Agency Group. Photo: Laura Eady/CTK Management


Dolly Parton set a personal best record when she sold more than 29,000 tickets over two shows at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend (Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23). This marks the most tickets she has sold in a single city on one visit in the history of her 55-year career. She appropriately referred to the venue as the “Dollywood Bowl.”
The LA Times reports, “Parton operated with a queenly mettle that spoke to her five-decade journey from Appalachian hardship to Nashville aristocracy. She hardly required a throne to establish her position of power.”
The iconic singer is touring in support of her new Better Day album (Dolly Records, distributed through Warner Music Nashville). This leg of the Better Day World Tour runs through Aug. 3 before heading to Europe and Australia, then returns to the U.S. beginning Oct. 7.

Chesney Leads Country Tour Rankings

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Kenny Chesney onstage in Columbus, Ohio in late June.


The touring industry is rebounding following the 2010 slump according to Pollstar’s Mid-Year report. Gross box office receipts and ticket sales are on the rise, despite an increase in ticket prices.
The report tracks data from Jan. 1-June 30, 2011. It shows a 10.2 percent hike in the average ticket price in North America, which climbed $6.25 to a record high of $67.02.
Total ticket sales for the first half of the year equal 16.7 million, a 5.3 percent jump over a year ago.
Concerts have grossed $1.12 billion, an increase of $157 million (16.2 percent).
Nashville’s own Bridgestone Arena ranks ninth in the United States and 23rd in the world for concert attendance, based strictly on tickets sold to music events. Last year, Bridgestone ranked 23rd in the U.S. and 48th in the world.
Country on Pollstar’s Top North American Tours list
(gross in millions, 1/1/11- 6/30/11)
No. 4—Kenny Chesney, 46.7 million
No. 6—Taylor Swift, 29.5
No. 15—George Strait, Reba, Lee Ann Womack 18.4
No. 27—Brad Paisley, 11.9
No. 28—Jason Aldean, 11.8
No. 33—Sugarland, 10.1
No. 39—Rascal Flatts, 9.2
No. 49—Tim McGraw, 7.3
No. 50—Zac Brown Band, 6.7
* Culled from the list’s Top 50 tours. See report for full list, including each tour’s average ticket price, average number of tickets sold, total tickets, average gorss, number of cities and number of shows.

Industry, Artists Fight Secondary Ticket Market

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Music industry powerhouses are teaming to bring fair ticketing practices to fans. The Fans First Coalition, announced today (7/19), is backed by some of the biggest artists, companies and organizations in the music business.
Among the 35-plus acts supporting the organization are The Dixie Chicks, Maroon 5, R.E.M., Jason Mraz, Jennifer Hudson, and Journey.
Also on board are Ticketmaster, Live Nation, The Recoding Academy, Red Light Management, and Front Line Management, as well as numerous venues, and professional sports teams.
Fans First says it seeks to protect fans from fraudulent business practices when they purchase tickets for concert, sporting events and shows. More at www.standwithfans.org.

Michael Martin Murphey Signs; Amber Hayes Visits

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Michael Martin Murphey, who’s hits include “Wildfire,” “Carolina In The Pines,” and “What’s Forever For,” has signed an agency representation agreement with New Hampshire-based Skyline Music says company President Bruce Houghton. (Not connected with Nashville’s Skyline Music/Skyville Records.)
“We’re excited to be working with Michael Martin Murphey; not just because of his rich past, but also because he continues to reinvent himself, releasing a new album every year and pushing musical boundaries,” said Houghton. “His fans love him for it and we’re honored be part of his ongoing journey.” Murphey’s responsible Skyline agent is Barron Ruth 866-531-2172 x 102 or [email protected].

Amber Hayes with WCOW PD Arnie Andrews


>>Amber Hayes visits with WCOW PD Arnie Andrews in Sparta/LaCrosse, WI to introduce her new single, “Wait.”
After her visit at Cow97, Hayes treated contest winners to a performance and meet and greet that included a free lunch.

Industry Ink Wednesday (7/13)

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Reminder–Voting for the first round of balloting for the 2011 CMA Awards closes TODAY Wed., July 13, at 5:00 p.m. CDT.

"Marie Claire's" July issue features publicist Natalie Kilgore in a spread called "The Money Diaries." Kilgore recently joined GPJ’s G7 Entertainment as Sr. Publicist/ Account Manager.


Diesel Records Debuts
Founder Drew Turner has launched Diesel Records in Nashville with the Wayne Mills Band as its flagship artist. The group’s album is called Long Hard Road and the first single “She Knows the Words” impacts radio Aug. 16. The album will include guest appearances by TG Sheppard, and was produced by Grammy winner Denny Diante. Handling media relations is Heath Scott of The Scott Organization. He can be reached at 859-948-8659 or [email protected].
DDEX Community Meeting Tomorrow
DDEX (Digital Data Exchange), the worldwide organization that develops standards for the digital supply chain, is holding an open meeting in Nashville July 14 at 8:30 AM at Belmont University’s Gordon E. Inman Conference Center. The non-profit organization will introduce local music companies to the benefits of standards implementation. The meeting is free and open to anyone who owns, produces or sells music in the digital environment. Nashville music industry representatives wishing to attend should pre-register by emailing their interest to [email protected].
Copyright Forum At Belmont
Belmont University and NSAI are teaming to bring a series of events to campus focusing on intellectual property. The Copyright Forum launched last week with a press conference about the new Copyright Alert Act, and will continue July 19 with U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn presenting a briefing on the Commerce Committee’s anti-piracy efforts.
Publicity signings: Lorrie Morgan has inked with Music City Media; and Canadian country newcomer Drake Jensen has added PLA Media to his team.

Shane Drake of Taillight TV recently directed the debut music video for "American Idol" champ Scotty McCreery. The video for "I Love You This Big" was shot on location in California. Drake also directed six of the Ford/Idol spots featured this season.


• • • Trisha Walker Cunningham and Rusty Cunningham are booking talent for a new venue in Tyler, Texas. The Kiepersol Enterprises venue holds 1,000 people, and includes a recording studio, restaurant and B&B. One of the Cunningham’s first bookings is Gary Morris on July 23. Contact [email protected] for bookings.
• • • Netflix is raising subscription prices. The movie rental company gave customers a 60% price hike when it separated its streaming service/DVD rental combo into separate offerings priced at $7.99 each. The previous combined rate was $9.99
• • • Watkins College of Art, Design & Film has named Gibson Guitar Pres. David Berryman to its Board of Trustees.
• • • Deirdre Chadwick has been named Director, Classical Music Administration for Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). She will be based in BMI’s New York office.

Clear Channel Announces iHeartRadio Music Festival

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Clear Channel is going all in for the iHeartRadio Music Festival set for September 23-24 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The two day, multi-format event claims to be “the biggest live music event in radio history.”
Performers named in the announcement include Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, The Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Usher, John Mayer, Jane’s Addiction, Kelly Clarkson, Sting, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, and Sublime with Rome. More guests and performers will be revealed in the coming weeks. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, July 16 at 1 pm ET and fans can gain access to the ticket pre-sale right now by “liking” iHeartRadio’s Facebook page.
The iHeartRadio Music Festival will be streamed live on the iHeartRadio platform, including web and mobile apps. The concert also coincides with a new, updated version of iHeartRadio, which promises a custom radio feature similar to Pandora in addition to its numerous existing radio streams.

Farm Aid 2011 Performers Revealed

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Farm Aid has revealed an assortment of artists who will join the lineup for the Farm Aid 2011 concert, which is scheduled for August 13 at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Jason Mraz, Jakob Dylan, Will Dailey & the Rivals, Robert Francis, Pegi Young & The Survivors, Rebecca Pidgeon, Billy Joe Shaver and John Trudell will join Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews at the event.
“Farm Aid is a movement inspired not only by the passion of Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, but also by the more than 400 artists who have donated their performances at our shows over the years,” says Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar. “This year, we are thrilled to welcome back several familiar faces to the Farm Aid stage as well as some first-timers for what is sure to be a remarkable day of music, food and inspiration.”
Tickets come in a variety of prices and benefit Farm Aid’s agricultural and farming initiatives. More information is at www.farmaid.org.

Riders In The Sky Release CD; JT Hodges On Tour w/Toby Keith

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The Board of Directors of the National Day of the Cowboy (NDOC) has chosen Grammy Award-winning Riders In The Sky as one of eight recipients to receive its 2011 Cowboy Keeper Award. Selection for the annual award is based on the significance of contributions to the preservation of pioneer heritage and cowboy culture. The award was conceived in support of the NDOC’s mission to increase awareness for, and celebration of, the annual National Day of the Cowboy resolution.
The Riders In The Sky will release an inspirational CD The Land Beyond The Sun on Aug. 9. Perhaps best known for their recording of “Woody’s Round Up” from Toy Story 2, Riders In The Sky have long been stars of the stage, screen, Saturday morning network TV, the Grand Ole Opry, National Public Radio, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
••••
Show Dog-Universal Music newcomer, JT Hodges, recently launched his debut single, “Hunt You Down,” to country radio where it was one of the most added singles its first week. Hodges has been traveling the country on a radio tour for the past several months and will spend the rest of his summer opening Toby Keith’s Locked and Loaded Tour. The forthcoming video for “Hunt You Down,” filmed in Memphis, is set for release in the coming weeks. Hodges’ debut album, produced by Mark Collie, Don Cook and Mark Wright, is set for release later this year.

JT Hodges


JT Hodges dates on Toby Keith’s Tour
July 15                 Cleveland, OH
July 22                 Raleigh, NC
July 23                 Virginia Beach, VA
Aug 4                    Sacramento, CA
Aug 5                    Mountain View, CA
Aug 6                    Las Vegas, NV
Aug 12                  San Diego, CA
Aug 13                  Irvine, CA
Aug 18                  Spokane, WA
Aug 19                  Portland, OR
Aug 20                  Gorge, WA
Aug 31                  St Paul, MN
Sep 2                     Holmdel, NJ
Sep 3                     Pittsburgh, PA
Sep 4                     Darien Lakes, NY
Sep 8                     Saratoga Springs, NY
Sep 9                     Philadelphia, PA
Sep 10                  Washington DC
Sep 14                  York, PA
Sep 15                  Scranton, PA
Sep 16                  Hartford, CT
Sep 17                  Boston, MA
Sep 23                  St Louis, MO
Sep 24                  Chicago, IL
Sep 29                  Cincinnati, OH
Sep 30                  Detroit, MI
Oct 1                     Indianapolis, IN
Oct 7                     Charlotte, NC
Oct 8                     Atlanta, GA
Oct 9                     Mobile, AL
Oct 14                  Tampa, FL
Oct 15                  West Palm Beach, FL

Tour News From Taylor, Reba, Vince and Amy

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Swift onstage in the UK earlier this year.


Taylor Swift is rescheduling a string of concert dates due to illness. Over the weekend she postponed her concert in Louisville, and now she has added dates in Charlotte and Atlanta to the list. Swift has bronchitis, and is under doctor’s orders not to perform.
“It breaks my heart to miss out on this weekend’s shows with my friends in Charlotte and Atlanta,” said the star in a statement. “I would never cancel if I thought I was physically able to perform these shows. I am so sorry to the fans, but I look forward to seeing you when we come back through your towns, which we will do.”
She will resume the Speak Now tour July 14 in Montreal. Swift is slated to play 98 shows in 17 countries this year.
• • • • •
Reba will embark on the All The Women I Am tour Sept. 1 in Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Joining her on select dates on the 31-city arena run will be special guests The Band Perry, Steel Magnolia and Edens Edge. Ticket and pre-sale details at Reba.com.
• • • • •
Amy Grant and Vince Gill will perform at the Ryman Auditorium on Dec. 20 and 21. Tickets for The Twelve Days of Christmas go on sale July 8 at 10:00 a.m. via ryman.com.
 

ZBB Wraps First International Tour

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ZBB onstage at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London.


The Zac Brown Band just wrapped its first overseas tour, which included four dates in the UK. The group opened for Nashville based rock band Kings of Leon at London’s Hyde Park on June 22-23, and at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on June 26. ZBB also headlined at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.
Now that the band is back in the states, its premiering the music video for “Knee Deep.” The song features guest Jimmy Buffett, who also appears in the new video. Shot on-site in Careyes, Mexico under the direction of Darren Doane, the video features the return of Flody Boatwood (from the “Toes” video), along with his “siblings” Brody and Jody, played by guest star Juliette Lewis.