Lo Cash Cowboys Play “Double Header”

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Stroudavarious Records artists LoCash Cowboys will play a double header on Thursday night (9/2). The country duo – Preston Brust and Chris Lucas – will first perform the National Anthem at LP Field as the Tennessee Titans take on Super Bowl XLIV champions, the New Orleans Saints, and then immediately depart for their 10:00 PM performance that same evening at the Duquoin State Fair in Duquoin, IL.

“To sing the Anthem in front of 70,000 football fans in Music City will be an incredible moment for us,” commented Lucas.

Brust added, “And to be performing for a packed Duquoin State Fair audience just a few hours later where we can rock out on our full show will be a great way to cap off a most memorable day.”

LoCash Cowboys have been busy on the road and are currently in the midst of a nationwide radio tour supporting their new single, “Keep In Mind.” Penned by Jeffrey Steele and Shane Minor, the single has just shipped to country radio in advance of its September 20 add date. The song is culled from the band’s forthcoming Stroudavarious debut, This Is How We Do It,  which was produced by Steele.

Upcoming LoCash Cowboy performances:

9/2/2010    DuQuoin, IL    DuQuoin State Fair    10:00 PM
9/3/2010    Chicago, IL    Joe’s Bar    8:30 PM
9/4/2010    Philippi, WV    Barbour Country Fair    8:00 PM
9/6/2010    Independence, MO    Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival    2:30 PM
9/11/2010    Grandview, MO    KFKF Show – Gail’s Harley Davidson    12:00 PM
9/16/2010    Covington, KY    B-105 Show for the USO – Madison Theater    7:30 PM
9/17/2010    Pine Bluff, AR    Smoke on the Water AR BBQ & Music Festival    7:00 PM
9/18/2010    Beaumont, TX    Starvin’ Marvin’s Bar & Grill    8:00 PM
9/24/2010    Jackson, OH    Jackson Apple Festival    8:00 PM
9/25/2010    Hebron, OH    Hebron Music Festival    6:00 PM

Brooks Takes “Country Countdown” On The Road

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Brooks & Dunn’s Last Rodeo Tour will come to a close tomorrow night (9/2) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. While it may be the duo’s last concert together, this will not mark the end of life on the road for Brooks, who hosts the nationally syndicated American Country Countdown for Citadel Media.

Throughout 2011, Brooks will broadcast the weekly show at least once each month from the studio of a different radio affiliate. With more than 350 stations airing the popular music program, there will be no shortage of choices. Also planned for 2011 is the American Country Countdown Concert Series. In six markets between May and October, Brooks will serve as master of ceremonies for live shows featuring an array of established country artists as well as talented newcomers. The concerts are scheduled to be held in Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, DC.

“I’m looking forward to taking our radio show on the road next year and spending more time with the local affiliates that broadcast American Country Countdown each weekend,” said Brooks. “This will be a fantastic opportunity to create some unique listener events and have direct contact with devoted country music fans. The concert series will showcase several of our industry’s top names and also introduce some of its rising stars.”

In addition to his long list of chart-topping hits with Brooks & Dunn, Brooks has also been recognized as one of radio’s top broadcasting talents. In 2009, he was named National Radio Personality of the Year by the Country Music Association – the first time the award has been won by a performing artist. He has also been nominated as National On-Air Personality by the Academy of Country Music.

“Having Kix in our portfolio provides our network a true leadership position in country syndication,” said Carl Anderson, SVP of Programming and Distribution for Citadel Media. “His level of dedication to the show and our affiliates is unmatched and has taken ACC to new heights. Partnering with him to take the program on the road while also delivering a magnificent concert series for our listeners will drive 2011 success for our advertisers and our stations.”

Details on where and when the American Country Countdown tour bus will be rolling will be available at www.ACCTop40.com beginning in 2011.

McClymonts Join Aldean Tour

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Australia’s female fab three, The McClymonts will play a series of tour dates starting Sept. 10 with Jason Aldean. The sister trio, Brooke, Sam and Mollie, also have just released their Gold-in-Australia CD, Chaos and Bright Lights in the U.S.

The album was produced by Adam Anders and the sisters wrote or co-wrote all 12 tracks. Based upon singles from the CD, such as “My Life Again,” “Save Yourself” and “Favorite Boyfriend of The Year,” the trio earned four CCMA (Country Music Association of Australia) Awards including Best New Talent. The Golden Guitar Awards have honored the group three years in a row naming them Group of the Year.

Music entered the sister’s lives at a young age when they began traveling Australia’s east coast on weekends and honing their signature sibling harmonies. Originally from Grafton, on Australia’s New Wales north coast the trio rose to national prominence after doing the “hard yards” or “paying their dues,” as we say in the U.S.

The McClymonts confirmed U.S. tour dates
Date                 Venue                                      City/State
September 10   Expo Center                            Corbin, KY                     w/Jason Aldean
September 17   York Fair Grandstand               York, PA                        w/Jason Aldean
September 18   Wachovia Arena                      Wilkes-Barre, PA            w/Jason Aldean
September 19   Burlington Carousel Festival      Burlington, NC
September 21   Patriot Days Festival                 Lake Havasu City, AZ
September 23   Show Me Center                      Cape Girardeau, MO       w/Jason Aldean
September 24   Bancorp South Arena               Tupelo, MS                     w/Jason Aldean
September 25   Mississippi Coast Coliseum        Biloxi, MS                      w/Jason Aldean
September 30   Leon County Civic Center         Tallahassee, FL              w/Jason Aldean
October 1        North Charleston Coliseum        North Charleston, SC      w/Jason Aldean
October 2        Colonial Life Arena                   Columbia, SC                 w/Jason Aldean
October 3        Harrah’s Cherokee Event Ctr.   Cherokee, NC                w/Jason Aldean
October 7        Heart O’Texas Fair & Rodeo    Waco, TX                      w/Jason Aldean
October 8        American Bank Center              Corpus Christi, TX         w/Jason Aldean
October 9        Las Palmas Race Track Park    Mission, TX                   w/Jason Aldean
October 14      Alliant Energy Center                Madison, WI                  w/Jason Aldean
October 15      Roberts Stadium                        Evansville, IN                w/Jason Aldean

Gary Allan Joins Houser, Niemann On “Pain” Tour

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MCA Records artist Gary Allan has announced the second leg of his fall tour. The first leg of the Get Off On The Pain Tour sold out shows from Club Nokia Live in Los Angeles to the Superpages.com Center in Dallas to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. With a hugely successful run under his belt, Allan is taking a leap to larger venues this fall, playing several theaters, arenas and sheds. Jerrod Niemann and Randy Houser will be joining Allan on the tour, which kicks off in Salt Lake City on September 16th and runs through the end of the year.

“We had a blast earlier this year on the road and we’re fired up about headlining larger stages,” said Allan. “I’ve always wanted to take my time to build things slow…and the timing just feels right to make that leap now. We’ve got Live Nation on board and a string of sold out shows behind us…we’re in a pretty good spot.”

A limited number of presale tickets to each show will be available to Gary Allan Fan Club members through GaryAllan.com.

Allan’s new album, Get Off On The Pain, was met with critical acclaim in USA Today, People, Billboard, Associated Press, American Songwriter and Playboy.  His latest single, “Get Off On Pain,” is currently climbing the charts while his concert special Gary Allan: Live From The House Of Blues is airing this summer on GAC. Allan has released four No. 1 hits and more than ten Top 10 hits at country radio. He’s released back-to-back Platinum records and sold over six million albums to date.

The New York Times calls Houser a “crowd pleaser” and the Los Angeles Times wrote that Houser adds “grit to the genre” with his debut Anything Goes, an album that produced two hit singles—the Top 5 smash “Boots On” and Top 20 title track. The Mississippi-born singer/songwriter has performed over 200 shows in the last year and earned multiple CMA, ACM, and CMT nominations. Houser will celebrate the release of his sophomore album, They  Call Me Cadillac, on Show Dog-Universal Music on September 21. The album includes the forthcoming single, “A Man Like Me.”

Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville records artist Niemann recently earned his first RIAA-certified Gold Digital Single for his recent #1 smash, “Lover, Lover.” Hailed as “a gentleman outlaw” by The New York Times, Niemann has garnered great reviews for his co-produced major label debut album, Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury, which entered Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart at No. 1 in July and has remained among the chart’s Top 5 bestsellers since its release.

Get Off On The Pain Tour dates:

Date      City                                                         Venue
9/16       Salt Lake City, UT                                 The E Center of the West Valley
9/17       Broomfield, CO                                     1st Bank Center
9/18       Colorado Springs, CO                           Colorado Springs World Arena
9/19       Mescalero, NM                                     Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino (Jerrod Niemann only support act)
9/24       Springfield, IL                                      Prairie Capital Convention Center
9/25       Columbus, OH                                      Columbus Crew Stadium
9/26       Morehead, KY                                      Morehead State University
10/7       Toledo, OH                                           Huntington Center
10/8       Erie, PA                                                Tullio Arena
10/9       Detroit, MI                                            The Fillmore
10/21     Corpus Christi, TX                               Concrete Street Amphitheatre
10/23     Dallas, TX                                            Superpages.com Center
10/24     Houston TX                                          Sam Houston Raceway
10/28     Lincoln, NE                                          Pershing Center
10/29     Popular Bluff, MO                                   Black River Coliseum
11/13     Red Wing, MN                                        Treasure Island Resort & Casino (Gary Allan only no support act)
11/18     Atlanta, GA                                          Fox Theater
11/19     Charlotte, NC                                       The Fillmore
11/20     Myrtle Beach, SC                                 House Of Blues

CAA’s Dennis and Murphy, Pretty Good At Beer Pong

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Creative Artist Agency’s Marc Dennis and Darin Murphy (team name: The CAA Chupacabra) took home the coveted Bud Light trophy after winning UMG Nashville’s amazingly-named First Annual, Last Ever, Inaugural Billy Currington For Your CMA Consideration Music Row “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” Beer Pong Tournament yesterday (8/18) at Nashville’s Tin Roof. MusicRow’s own David Ross and Jon Freeman (team name: Breakin’ News) were ousted handily in the second round by Dennis and Murphy, and are reported to be lobbying UMG for more effective measures in testing for beer pong performance enhancing drugs.

The event was hosted by the evanescent Storme Warren who called the matches and kept the tournament bouncing along.

(L-R): CAA's Darin Murphy and Marc Dennis

Friday Photos: Artists Out And About

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Josh Thompson in Dallas
Columbia Nashville’s Josh Thompson caught up with KSCS Dallas PD Chris Huff last weekend while he was there with the Brad Paisley H20 World Tour.  Thompson’s current single, “Way Out Here,” is Top 20 and climbing the country charts.

(l-r) Josh Thompson and KSCS PD Chris Huff

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Josh Kelley in the Twin Cities
With his debut country single, “Georgia Clay,” impacting radio, MCA artist Josh Kelley was in Minneapolis last week visiting with KEEY’s Gregg Swedberg and JD Greene.

(l-r) Gregg Swedberg, Josh Kelley and JD Greene

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Adam Brand’s Stateside Radio Tour
Arista Nashville’s Australian import, Adam Brand, made a Music City stop on his radio tour, visiting WSIX (the Big 98)/Nashville. After a live performance, photos were snapped, hands were shaken, and cake was served. Brand’s debut single is the groove-filled “Ready for Love.”

(l-r): WSIX PD Keith Kaufman, Adam Brand.

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Eric Church Smokin’ In Ft. Wayne
EMI Records Nashville’s Eric Church performed at WQHK’s 3rd annual Country Fest this past weekend in Ft. Wayne, IN. Church, who’s current single “Smoke A Little Smoke” is currently climbing the country charts, will kickoff the Miranda Lambert-headlined “CMT On Tour” in New York City on September 29.

(l-r): Brian Rhoades (EMI Records Nashville Regional Director Promotion), Rob Kelly (WQHK / Ft. Wayne, IN OM), Church & Dave Michaels (WQHK Asst OM).

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Down On The Corner
BMI is a proud sponsor of Musicians Corner, a designated community green space in Nashville’s Centennial Park. Launched with a free weekly concert series running from 3:00-6:00 PM every Saturday through October 16, Musicians Corner offers a pastiche of musical performances, food, and artisan vendors. Musicians Corner is also sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, American Songspace, Metro Parks, Lightning 100, Vitamin Water, Simon Ripley’s Music & Art, Guitar Center, and The Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park. Former Mavericks front man Raul Malo was a recent Musicians Corner featured performer.

(l-r) John Styll; BMI’s Jody Williams; Skyline Music’s Paul Worley; featured performer Raul Malo; Musicians Corner Executive Director Kristen Dabbs; and Sylvia Rapoport, President, The Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park.

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Little Big Town Readies “The Reason Why”

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With the fastest-climbing hit of their career, “Little White Church,” currently climbing the country singles chart, Capitol Nashville’s Little Big Town’s fourth studio album, The Reason Why, will hit shelves on August 24. The platinum-selling band, which consists of Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook, co-produced the album alongside Wayne Kirkpatrick and co-wrote eight of the 12 tracks. In celebration of the release, Little Big Town is scheduled to perform on ABC’s Good Morning America on Wed., August 25 and on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends on Fri., August 27 with both performances airing during the 8:00 AM EST hour.

“We wanted to change things up and make sure this record was fresh while still containing the elements that are inherently Little Big Town, and in doing so, we pushed ourselves harder than we ever have,” Schlapman says.

“There’s a maturity and a history to the band that can’t help but come through on this record, and we’re really pleased with the direction and journey this album takes the listener on conceptually,” adds Fairchild.

The new album’s debut single “Little White Church” was penned by Little Big Town and Kirkpatrick and has already marked the group’s return to the top of the country radio charts. Other highlights on the album include “Why, Oh Why,” which was co-written with Jonathan Singleton and Chris Stapleton, and the title track, which highlights the band’s signature trade-off vocal styling.

“Kiss Goodbye,” written by Gordie Sampson, Hillary Lindsey, and Steve McEwan, allows Little Big Town to venture into uncharted territory as a band, and “All Over Again” deals with the band members’ relationship tribulations and triumphs. The album’s final track, “Lean Into It,” represents the band’s mantra about hope and perseverance.

The Reason Why Track List:
1.  The Reason Why
2.  Runaway Train
3.  Kiss Goodbye
4.  Shut Up Train
5.  Why, Oh Why
6.  Little White Church
7.  You Can’t Have Everything
8.  All The Way Down
9.  All Over Again
10.  Rain On A Tin Roof
11.  Life Rolls On
12.  Lean Into It

Little Big Town is currently preparing to rejoin Sugarland on their The Incredible Machine Tour.

For more information, visit www.littlebigtown.com.

Luke Bryan Brings Back “Farm Tour”

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Capitol Records Nashville artist Luke Bryan will embark on his second Farm Tour this fall. The shows celebrating farmers and benefiting local charities will take place in his home state of Georgia in late September.

The Farm Tour shows will be held in Valdosta (Sept. 28), Statesboro (Sept. 29), Carrollton (Sept. 30), and Macon (Oct. 1).

“I come from an area just like those we have chosen to perform in,” said Bryan. “I grew up working on my father’s peanut farm and know how hard these farmers work. We hope to give them a chance to take a break and enjoy themselves with a night of music.”

The idea for the outdoor Farm Tour concerts came from Bryan as a way to give back to local farming communities by celebrating the American farmer and giving them a fun night out. Deltapine® is the official sponsor of the 2010 Farm Tour.

Farm Tour tickets will be available starting today at www.lukebryan.com and through local area retail outlets soon.

Lady A Sells Out First Show In UK

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After topping international charts on four different continents, Grammy Award-winning trio Lady Antebellum will head to Europe next week for their first headlining show at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wed., Aug. 11. The concert is already sold out.

“We’ve been looking forward to going to the UK all summer,” says Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott. “I wish we were able to stay a little longer and travel around, but this will at least be a great introduction for us to the new fans and friends we are making over there.”

The group’s International reach has widened considerably with their smash single “Need You Now” claiming the No. 1 spot in Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland and Brazil and top five status in more than 20 countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Israel. The group’s second album has also climbed to the Top 10 on the album sales charts in the UK, Ireland, Holland, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, surpassing Gold status in New Zealand and South Africa.

Back in the States, Need You Now is the biggest selling album in all genres in 2010, tallying 2.5 million sales in just six months. Upon their return, the band will perform on Good Morning America live from Central Park on Aug. 27 before kicking off their first US headlining tour on Sept. 20 in Orlando, Fl.

CMA Music Fest Special Coming To ABC

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CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock will air on Wednesday, Sept. 1 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Singer, songwriter, actor, and 11-time CMA Award winner Tim McGraw will serve as host for the annual celebration of America’s music.

The special features performances by Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, McGraw, Justin Moore, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band filmed in front of a sold-out audience in June during CMA Music Festival in Nashville at LP Field, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

One highlight of the show is a special performance by reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift, who premiered her soon-to-be-released new single “Mine” for her fans at a private event in Nashville during CMA Music Festival. The song is the first single from her upcoming album Speak Now, in stores Oct. 25.

Viewers will also enjoy two collaborative performances filmed at Fuel Bar & Nightclub in Downtown Nashville in front of a jam-packed crowd of Festival attendees. First, Dierks Bentley and Jamey Johnson join Lambert to sing “Bad Angel,” a track from Bentley’s current CD, Up on the Ridge. Later, Uncle Kracker and Kid Rock perform “Good To Be Me,” featured on Uncle Kracker’s recently released CD, Happy Hour: The South River Road Sessions.

Offering an insider’s glimpse at the Festival, Lady Antebellum allowed cameras to follow them for a day at the event. Viewers will see the reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year perform at their fan club party, interact with Festival attendees during an unplanned appearance in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall, and more.
Humorous segments involving several of the participating artists, surprise guests, and more will be featured in the special as well.

This year, CMA Music Festival served as the grand re-opening of Nashville, after the city and surrounding areas experienced a devastating flood in May. The flood, the recovery efforts, and the coming together of the Nashville community to help its fellow citizens will be spotlighted in the television special. CMA is donating 50 percent of this year’s net proceeds from the Festival to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for flood relief. As always, the other 50 percent of net proceeds will be donated to the Nashville Alliance for Public Education through CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program to purchase instruments and supplies for music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock is executive produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson. The 2010 CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock is filmed in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.