Anderson In The Studio, Ingram on TV, Griffith In France

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Bill Anderson and Rex Schnelle

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson teamed-up with his producer/engineer Rex Schnelle, this week to begin recording a new CD at studios in Nashville. Anderson notes that the album will contain songs he has written with such collaborators as Jamie Johnson of the Grascals, Brad Paisley, Jon Randall, Rivers Rutherford, Buddy Cannon, Tim Nichols, Barry Dean, and Casey Beathard. The project is expected to be available before Christmas in select stores and at billanderson.com

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Jack Ingram will appear in an upcoming episode of Lifetime’s Army Wives, the network’s highest-rated television series to date. Sixty-second promos for the episode featuring Ingram and his current hit single “Barefoot and Crazy” are already running with the full episode set to air Sun., Aug. 16 at 10:00P ET/PT. Filmed during CMA Music Festival in June, Ingram gave cast members Wendy Davis and Sally Pressman a VIP tour of Nashville that included boot shopping, beer drinking at Roberts Western World, and a backstage pass to the country rocker’s stadium performance at LP Field. Ingram’s eleven track studio album is out Aug. 25.

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Jeff Griffith at Country Rendez-Vous in France

Texan Jeff Griffith was in Craponne-sur-Arzon, France recently for the 22nd Country Rendez-Vous Festival, which drew over 28,000 country music fans from Europe and beyond. Running July 24-26, Griffith headlined with Jo Dee Messina, Eric Church and The Flatlanders. He played to a crowd of over 9,000, offering music from his debut CD, If It Ain’t One Thing It’s Another, as well as five of his own newly-written songs. The crowd not only sang along, but line-danced to Jeff’s current hit, “Dip Me In Beer,” and cheered him on to three encores. Several of Jeff’s Festival performances, including “Dip Me in Beer,” can be enjoyed on YouTube, here.

Morgan To Join Nichols On Broadway

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Lorrie Morgan

Lorrie Morgan

Lorrie Morgan will join Joe Nichols in a Broadway bound version of Pure Country, the hit movie starring George Strait. According to producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi, the play is set to debut in early 2010. Nichols will play the role of Rusty, played by Strait in the movie version and Morgan will become his manager, Lula (previously played by Lesley Ann Warren.)

“I never thought my life’s path would take me to Broadway, but when I heard they were creating a musical based on one of Country music’s best-loved films, I knew I had to be part of it,” Morgan said. “I’m very excited about making my Broadway debut and becoming part of the Theater community. I’m also looking forward to working with Joe Nichols. He’s an amazing talent and I hope Country fans come on up to the big city to see us!”

Pure Country is based on the 1992 Warner Bros. film of the same name, written by Rex McGee and directed by Christopher Cain. It starred George Strait (in his film debut), Lesley Ann Warren, Kyle Chandler and Rory Calhoun (in his final film appearance). The soundtrack went to No. 1 on the U.S. Country Album Chart and spawned two No. 1 Country singles, “Heartland” and “I Cross My Heart.” Both songs were written and co-produced by Steven Dorff, the composer of the musical, and are included in Dorff’s otherwise new and original score for the musical Pure Country.

Additional casting and dates for Pure Country will be announced in the coming weeks. For more info visit www.PureCountryOnBroadway.com

Americana Festival Announces Showcase Artists

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Will Hoge is among the showcase artists set for the Americana Festival in September

Will Hoge is among the showcase artists set for the Americana Festival in September.

The Americana Music Association has confirmed a diverse line-up of artists to perform at the upcoming 2009 Americana Music Festival, such as Cross Canadian Ragweed, Will Hoge, J.D. Souther, Marty Stuart, Those Darlins and W.P.A. Showcases will be held Sept. 16-19 at five downtown Nashville venues including: The Mercy Lounge, The Cannery Ballroom, 3rd & Lindsley, The Station Inn and The Basement.

The 2009 Americana Music Festival is part of the 10th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, which offers daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center, as well as evening showcases.
 The Americana Honors & Awards Show, a highlight of the event, is set for Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium.

Registration for the Festival & Conference is open now. Non-conference attendees may buy showcase wristbands granting admission to all venues on all four evenings of live music. They’re available for $45 via americanamusic.org and Grimey’s New and Preloved Music.

Road Photos: Toby & Trace, Chris Young, Darius

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Trace Adkins is supporting Toby Keith on his current "America's Toughest Tour." But nothing could have prepared the two for the reaction they've been getting when Toby brings Trace back out on stage for an encore performance of Keith's monster hit "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry America)." The natural connection between the two artists is obvious to the crowds and, in retrospect, to Toby as well. Keith has been bringing Adkins out for the explosive performance each night of the tour, which started in June and runs through September.

Toby Keith and Trace Adkins are getting a huge reaction each night on Keith's "America's Toughest Tour," when Toby brings Trace back out onstage for an encore performance of his monster hit "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry America)."

While in Tampa, FL recently for a stop on Rascal Flatt’s “Unstoppable” tour, Darius Rucker got the chance to meet one of his heroes, semi-retired professional wrestler Dusty Rhodes - better known as “The American Dream.” Rhodes is a HUGE country music fan and was thrilled to get to meet Darius.   Pictured L-R: Mike Culotta (WQYK PD), Rhodes & Rucker

While in Tampa, FL recently for a stop on Rascal Flatt’s “Unstoppable” tour, Darius Rucker and professional wrestler Dusty Rhodes, better known as “The American Dream,” were excited to meet each other. Pictured L-R: Mike Culotta (WQYK PD), Rhodes & Rucker

This past weekend Jimmy Wayne had the chance to grab a photo with Bob Schieffer, host of CBS’ Face The Nation, while on the Brad Paisley tour in the DC area.

This past weekend Jimmy Wayne had the chance to grab a photo with Bob Schieffer, host of CBS’s "Face The Nation," while on the Brad Paisley tour in the DC area.

Gretchen Wilson and Sony Parting Ways

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gretchenStatement from Sony Music Nashville:

Gretchen Wilson and her longtime record label group, Sony Music Nashville, have mutually decided to part ways. The Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and Best Selling author, who exploded on to the country music scene and the national spotlight in 2004 with her smash hit “Redneck Woman,” released three No. 1 albums with Here For The Party, All Jacked Up, and One Of The Boys. Though Wilson will no longer record with the label as a solo artist, both parties look forward to working together on future catalogue projects.

Photos: Aquapalooza, Rascal Flatts, Jimmy Wayne on Crook & Chase

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Pictured (back row, l-r): CMT Sr VP Production, Development and Talent John Hamlin; Arista Nashville Promo VP Skip Bishop; Sony Music Nashville Exec VP A&R Renee Bell; Arista Nashville National Promo Director Lesly Tyson; and Sony Music Nashville Exec VP Butch Waugh. (front row, l-r): Cracker Barrel Marketing VP Peter Keisner; Caitlin Lynn; Sony Music Nashville Marketing VP Tom Baldrica; Will Snyder; Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante; Jypsi's Scarlett, Lillie Mae, Amber-Dawn, and Frank; and Grand Ole Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher.

Alan Jackson headlined AquaPalooza 2009 on Lake Martin, Alabama on Sat., July 25. Numerous Nashville music biz execs made the trip to the boating and music festival which also featured performances by Columbia Nashville duo Caitlin & Will and Arista Nashville group Jypsi. More than 4,000 boats and 35,000 people attended, setting a new record for any single event on a lake. Boats were packed bow to stern for over a mile, and many fans donned their inner tubes and water noodles to paddle close to the water-pit at the bottom of the stage. During the show, which was taped for CMT’s Labor Day special, Jackson spoke about childhood visits to Lake Martin with his family.

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Photo credit: Will Byington

Photo credit: Will Byington

Elsewhere on Saturday (7/25), Rascal Flatts became the first country act to perform a concert in historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. The group entertained a sold-out crowd of 37,000 fans, at one of only four concerts ever played in the Chicago Cubs’ home stadium. Vince Gill and Darius Rucker opened. The Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour visits its second stadium show of the summer Aug. 9 in Columbus, Ohio.

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Jimmy Wayne will appear on RFD’s Crook & Chase this week, performing his new single “I’ll Be That” and his No. 1 smash “Do You Believe Me Now.” He is pictured above with Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase on location at the Nashville Palace. The episode premieres Thursday 7/30.

2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award Nominees

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Click for details

The Canadian Country Music Association announced today the nominees for the 2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award:  George Canyon, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett and Johnny Reid.

Beginning Friday, July 24 until Sunday, September 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST, the public can vote online at www.CMT.ca for their favorite Canadian Country Star. The winner will be announced during the CCMA Awards at GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday, September 13, 2009. The show will broadcast nationally on CBC Television at 8 p.m. with encore broadcasts on CMT in Canada.

Other nominees will be announced at a media conference in Toronto, ON Wednesday, July 29.

George Canyon is a multiple CCMA Award winner, two-time JUNO Award winner, and an ECMA winner. Vancouver’s Jessie Farrell was winner of three CCMAs in 2008 and nominated for a 2009 JUNO Award. Aaron Pritchett has toured with the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson and Toby Keith, and garnered CCMAs for Independent Male Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. 2008 Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year winner and 2008 Male Artist of the Year, Johnny Reid recently saw his album Dance With Me go Gold in just over 48 hours and platinum in two months. The band Doc Walker took home six awards at last year’s CCMAs and recently won a JUNO for Country Recording of the Year.

Tickets for the CCMA Awards are available at www.ticketmaster.ca.

Josh Turner Kicks Off NSAI Benefit Series

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josh-turnerJosh Turner is set for the debut installment of NSAI’s “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series. The event, kicking off Wed., July 22 at the Wildhorse Saloon, will benefit the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s legislative efforts.

“On behalf of all American songwriters NSAI is extremely grateful to Josh for helping launch what will be a permanent series supporting the work we do. NSAI was founded as an advocacy organization for songwriters. In recent years the organization’s work has increased the value of and the respect for songwriters’ copyrights and helped secure the growth of future royalties,” said NSAI President and Grammy-nominated songwriter Steve Bogard.

Turner—a songwriter himself—has had back-to-back platinum albums and his current project, Everything Is Fine, was certified Gold in just four weeks.

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.com and the Wildhorse. General Admission tickets are $20, Reserved Seating tickets are $35, and there are a limited number of $75 tickets available that include a Meet & Greet with Turner. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

News From The Road: Flatts, Chesney

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Rascal Flatts became the first country act to perform a concert in historic Wrigley Field in Chicago this past Saturday night. The group entertained a sold-out crowd of 37,000 fans for one of only four concerts ever played in the Chicago Cubs home stadium. Vince Gill and Darius Rucker opened. The Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour hits its second stadium of the summer in Columbus, Ohio on Aug. 9.

Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival sailed into San Francisco over the weekend, selling even more tickets (over 36,000) than it did at the same stadium last year. The Corona Extra sponsored tour has already had sold out NFL stadium stops at Chicago’s Soldier Field, Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field and Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field. Unfortunately Sugarland had to cancel their performance that night because Jennifer Nettles is on vocal rest, but Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum rocked the crowd.

Crook & Chase, Chesney, Clark, and Harry Potter

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The Crook & Chase show on RFD-TV is hitting all the hot spots in Music City this summer. On Thursday, July 16, Lorianne and Charlie will be giving viewers a tour of the popular Willie Nelson and Friends General Store and Museum located in Music Valley near the Grand Ole Opry. This year marks a special milestone for the Willie Nelson and Friends General Store and Museum. The attraction is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.

The "Crook & Chase" show on RFD-TV is hitting all the hot spots in Music City this summer. Tomorrow (7/16) Lorianne and Charlie will give viewers a tour of the Willie Nelson and Friends General Store and Museum, which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.

When Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival hits Seattle’s Qwest Field on July 31, he will give a special sand bar performance for a select number of fans the night before. The lucky ticket holders—available through his Web site, local radio stations and other outlets will enjoy an hour-long set.

“We wanna get in there and really blow it up…because the Seattle fans are incredible,” he says. “So, we figured rather than just coming in and me and the guys doing a soundcheck, we could warm-up with something a little bit more—and start what is normally an all-day experience the night before.” The tour is currently in the Top 10 of Pollstar‘s Midyear Tour Rankings.
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Proof that all the consumer entertainment dollars haven’t run dry… Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opened at midnight, bringing in $22.2 million at the box office. This is an all-time record for a midnight showing, beating the previous winner—The Dark Knight which scored $18 million. (Both are Warner Bros. pictures.) The previous HP, Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix debuted in 2007 with $12 million in midnight receipts and went on to gross $139.7 mil. over its first 5 days. Some predictions estimate that this HP6 could haul in as much as $200 mil. in the first 5 days.
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Terri Clark has released a live recording called Road Rage, culled from a series of performances over the past few years. It includes the hits, new songs, her take on the blues chestnut “Love Me Like A Man” and the Black Crowes‘ “Hard To Handle.”