Young Fans Love Underwood Most

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carrie underwood1Carrie Underwood is the most popular artist among 12-to-24-year-olds who like Country music, as well as the most popular Country artist among everyone in that age group. This news comes as part of a study called “Understanding Country Radio’s Next Generation of Listeners,” conducted by Edison Research.
The survey’s complete findings will be unveiled at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville during sessions on Feb. 19 and 20.
Respondents who like Country music had favorable impressions of Underwood (82%), Tim McGraw (80%), Blake Shelton (77%), and Luke Bryan (75%).
Among all survey participants, the top artists they associate with Country music are Underwood (48%), Kelly Clarkson (44%), Taylor Swift (43%) and McGraw (40%).

Michael Sarver – Miss You Something Crazy

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Sarver-02 (1)Michael Sarver’s incredible voice has impressed audiences around the world since he landed among the Top 10 finalists on American Idol’s Season 8. Since then, he has gone on to make his own mark in the world of country music. With devoted fans, a live show that is packed full of energy, and a work ethic that was instilled in him during his time as an oil rigger in his native Texas, Sarver is one tough act to beat! His newest single is “Miss You Something Crazy” and the video for the song is already catching the attention of country music fans all over!

Youtube video

Ballard's 'Sunshine & Whiskey' To Release in February

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Frankie Ballard. Photo: Nora Snoddy

Frankie Ballard. Photo: Nora Snoddy


Warner Bros. Records guitarist-vocalist Frankie Ballard will release his new album, Sunshine & Whiskey, on Feb. 11. The project was produced by Marshall Altman (Amy Grant, Bethany Dillon, Marc Broussard).
“Making this album was freeing,” said Ballard. “If I didn’t like something, we’d change it, and if we liked something, we’d chase it and try to get it perfect. It was an unbelievably cool experience and I’m excited to share the new music with fans.”
The music video for his current single, “Helluva Life,” debuts today (Dec. 9) on CMT and GAC. The video was shot by director Mason Dixon outside of Nashville.
Ballard previously released his self-titled debut album in 2011. For tour dates and more, visit frankieballard.com

Kenny and Dolly Get Personal In Great American Country Special

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Dolly and Kenny

Dolly and Kenny


Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton share the secrets to their chemistry and their 30-year friendship in a new GAC special, Kenny & Dolly: An Intimate Conversation, set to air Monday, Dec. 9. at 9 p.m. ET.
The two chat about their instant rapport while recording their first song, “Islands In The Stream,” together three decades ago, and how their relationship has endured through 30 years of changes. Their new duet, “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” seems tailor-made for their friendship, and Parton says the song instantly struck a chord with her the first time she heard it. “When I heard the demo I cried because I thought so much about us and so much of many of my other dear friends.”
“To bring viewers a truly unique and remarkable chat between these amazing artists is incredible in and of itself,” said Suzanne Gordon, vice president of programming for Great American Country. “What makes this even more personal is that it isn’t moderated. You have these performers who transcend genre and category, who are larger-than-life figures in American pop culture, just sitting together and having a conversation. It’s really special.”
In a humorous moment during the taping, Parton reveals the secret to their long friendship and enduring relationship. ““It’s like with my husband; we’re not together that much so it works.”

CMT To Honor Year's Top Artists Tonight

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Screen Shot 2013-12-03 at 11.23.39 AMCMT‘s Artists of the Year gala celebration of the careers of the hottest acts in Country for 2013 happens tonight (Dec. 3) live on CMT at 8 p.m. ET. Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, and Tim McGraw are the artists who will be tributed by Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Peter Frampton and Hayden Panettiere, Lady A, Train’s Pat Monahan, Cassadee Pope, Lionel Richie, Travis Tritt, and Dwight Yoakam on the 90-minute special.
Ron White will host the fourth annual celebration, which includes performances, collaborations, and speeches saluting the careers of the five honorees.

Mitchell Tenpenny – Black Crow

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MitchellTenpenny_BlackCrow (2)Mitchell Tenpenny is a rare combination. Not only is he a lifelong Nashville native, he is also one of Nashville’s top emerging songwriters known for his extensive musical talent. He has played the guitar since the age of 13, and his talent and dedication to his craft has expanded his repertoire to include many other stringed instruments, the organ, and the drums. He also sings both lead and back-up vocals, and his unique voice lends credence and believability to a diverse array of genres ranging from rock to country and blues to pop.
As a twenty-five year old musician and graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Mitchell has grown up in and around the music business. His grandmother was the late Donna Hilley, who for years ran Sony/Tree Music Publishing and exposed him to singers like Brooks & Dunn and Blake Shelton as well as some of the best artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers in the business. The advice gleaned from these industry experts as well as his own broad musical interests have laid the groundwork he needed to develop the distinct style for which he is known today.
A few of the artists who can claim the greatest influence on his career are Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson. A life spent learning from the best country music has to offer combined with his own R&B and pop interests has produced the artist that Mitchell Tenpenny is today. His songs are eclectic, powerful, and memorable, and both on the stage and in the recording studio, he always gives the audience more and more of himself through his music.
www.mitchell10penny.com

Vish – I Was Born To Love You

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Vish (1)“Doctor by day Artist by Night”
I am the lab coat crusader saving lives with a stethoscope in one hand and a guitar in the other. Music is a great healer and common denominator for what I do musically and as a physician.
I originally grew up in the suburbs of the Chicago and about 10 years ago after finishing residency, I moved south-eastern Missouri were I start my career as a physician and be close to Nashville TN to kick start my music career.
Singing and my interest in playing various instruments started at the age of 7. I recall stealing my brothers guitar in the middle of the night while he was sleeping. I wasn’t very successful in being discrete as my brother woke up minutes later after hearing the loud strumming and eventual yanked the guitar right out of my hands. From that moment on I was destined to show him that I could play. He later became very instrumental in encouraging me to learn the guitar and take some singing lessons.
I always wanted to be a professional singer and artist from my teenage years. But my methodical and wise parents wanted me to first become a physician like my oldest brother and then pursue anything else I wanted. They encouraged me to first to first build a strong foundation in something stable as a physician and chase my music career later in life. The “later” is has finally arrived.
I have a very diverse interest in various musical styles and genres. My greatest country music influences to date have been George Strait, Kenny Rodgers, Garth Brooks, Waylon Jennings, Blake Shelton, Tim Mcgraw, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean just to mention a few. In addition to country music, I also enjoy listening to some current pop and rock music. The genre of my music would fit in current mainstream country music.
My debut album “Your Prescription” was “officially” released on itunes, cdbaby, and other online distribution sites June 27th 2014. The name “Your Prescription” describes my interests as a physician in prescribing my music to heal others. The goal of the album was to incorporate fresh, new country and pop sounds that parallel what is happening now in “Country Music”.
Gaining the support from Major A list Artists and popularity from others would serve to validate what I’m doing musically. That would be my ultimate goal.
www.VishMusic.com

Bryan, Shelton To Return As ACM Hosts for 2014

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ACM awards_Gold_no dateIt’s double trouble at the ACM Awards again in 2014 as Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan both return for more mayhem, mischief, and overall fun as hosts of the 49th Annual ACM Awards, which will be held April 6. The show will be Shelton’s fourth consecutive turn in the hosting chair, and Bryan’s second.
The show airs live on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Florida Georgia Line will host the 4th Annual ACM Fan Jam April 6 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, with live performances via remote airing during the awards show telecast. Other artists performing on the Fan Jam will be announced soon. An all-star concert special is also being planned for April 7; the concert special will feature top country acts and benefit the organization’s Lifting Lives program. ACM members can purchase tickets for the show beginning Dec. 10. General public tickets will go on sale Dec. 13.
For more information, visit acmcountry.com.

Jake Owen Premieres Video Trilogy On CMT Platforms

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Jake Owen

Jake Owen


Jake Owen is world premiering a trilogy of videos today (Nov. 25) for  “Days of Gold,” “Beachin,’” and “Ghost Town” at jakeowen.CMT.com.  Artists. CMT is introducing the video for “Ghost Town” for the first time, in addition to world premiering the edited video trilogy.
The three clips will make their broadcast debut during VJ For A Day: Jake Owen on Friday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. ET and will mark the first time “Beachin’” and “Ghost Town” will be aired on television. The premieres will be promoted across all of CMT’s digital platforms, including CMT.com, CMT Pure, CMT Mobile and to the network’s more than 7 million social media fans, along with MTV and VH1’s social media platforms.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean Honored By CMA

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Nasvhille Mayor Karl Dean (center) receives the CMA Founding President's Award from Ed Hardy, CMA Board President (l), and Troy Tomlinson, CMA Board Chairman and President/CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, during the CMA Board of Directors meetings today in Nashville.Photo Credit: Christian Bottorff / CMA

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean (center) receives the CMA Founding President’s Award from Ed Hardy, CMA Board President (l), and Troy Tomlinson, CMA Board Chairman and President/CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, during the CMA Board of Directors meetings today in Nashville. Photo Credit: Christian Bottorff / CMA


Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s many contributions to the music industry in Music City were recognized during the CMA Board of Directors meetings in Nashville today (Nov. 20) when Dean was presented the CMA Founding President’s Award by CMA Board President Ed Hardy.
“Mayor Dean has been a constant and ardent supporter of CMA and the music industry,” said Hardy. “Music is a powerful tool and under his leadership, the Music City brand has achieved new heights as a positive, differentiating identity for our community. The CMA Board of Directors values our relationship with the Mayor, as well as his commitment to make Nashville a better place to live and do business.”
The Founding President’s Award was established by the Board of Directors in 1963 in honor of CMA’s first Board President Connie B. Gay. The Award is given in recognition of that person (or persons) who is not currently serving as a Director of the Association, and who in the Board’s opinion has rendered the most outstanding service to the Country Music Association in the current year
At the Board meeting, Hardy praised Mayor Dean’s leadership and passion for Country Music, and tireless efforts on behalf of the format in Nashville, including formation in 2009 of the Music City Music Council, which focuses on economic development by working to recruit entertainment companies and visitors to Nashville; contributing to the success of CMA Music Festival with the opening this year of the Music City Center; and his ongoing support of Music Makes Us and CMA’s Keep the Music Playing, which has donated more than $7.1 million to support music education programs in Metro Nashville Public Schools.