The date for the 4th Annual ACM Honors has been changed to Monday, September 20 at the Ryman Auditorium. The invitation-only evening of musical tribute performances and special presentations celebrates the off-camera winners of the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

SPECIAL AWARDS
Jim Reeves International Award—Keith Urban
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award— Marty Robbins and Mel Tillis
Poet’s Award—Don Schlitz and Cindy Walker
Tex Ritter Award—Crazy Heart
Mae Boren Axton Award—Rod Essig

MBI (MUSICIANS, BAND, INSTRUMENTAL) AWARDS:
Top Guitarist Of The Year – Brent Mason
Top Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year – Michael Rojas
Top Bass Player Of The Year – Michael Rhodes
Top Percussionist/Drummer Of The Year – Shannon Forrest
Top Steel Guitar Player Of The Year – Paul Franklin
Top Fiddle Player Of The Year – Stuart Duncan
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player – Randy Scruggs
Audio Engineer Of The Year – Justin Niebank
Producer Of The Year – Dann Huff

INDUSTRY AWARDS
Nightclub Of The Year – Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth, TX
Casino Of The Year – Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa And Casino – Las Vegas, NV
Don Romeo Talent Buyer Of The Year – Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions, Inc.
Promoter Of The Year – Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
Venue Of The Year – Sommet Center – Nashville, TN (Effective March 2, 2010, this venue was renamed The Bridgestone Arena)
•••••••••••••••••••

T.J. Martell Foundation Nashville Chapter president Derek Crownover says, “If you are a fan of suds, songwriters, and the support of a good cause, you will want to circle Sept. 16 on your calendar.”

That is the date of law firm Crownover Tisinger’s 5th annual End Of The Row party to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation. The popular event will be held at their offices at 1701 18th Avenue South. Crownover, together with law partner Joel Tisinger who serves as pro-bono legal counsel for the Foundation, held the inaugural party in 2006. “It has become a well-attended event over the years,” said Crownover. “I think that’s because it’s just a good end of the summer hang that is low-cost for the Foundation and fun for everyone.”

Partygoers will enjoy hot food, cold beverages and cool music courtesy of some of Music Row’s finest tunesmiths. Every dollar raised from ticket sales ($20 advance, $25 at the door) goes directly to the T.J. Martell Foundation. Details on tickets coming soon.

~ON THE COVER~
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)
BMI’s Jody Williams & his writer relations team

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) is one of the pillars of Nashville’s songwriting business. Since opening its doors in 1939, an ambitious standard of service has guided the company. The establishment of BMI’s Nashville office was an active embodiment of that standard—a commitment to an entire region. When BMI opened its Music City outpost in 1958, it was the first performing rights organization to do so. A young woman named Frances Preston launched the new office of the burgeoning not-for-profit company. Suddenly, formerly marginalized and tragically overlooked blues, hillbilly, jazz and folk songwriters had a home where all were welcome.

For BMI, breaking new ground became the norm. Preston led the Nashville office
and ultimately, the entire company. Dubbed the “Songwriters’ Guardian Angel” by Kris Kristofferson, she was determined to pay the region’s songwriters more than lip service. Preston reshaped the performance royalty-payment paradigm. This groundbreaking method of directly paying songwriters for performances of their work was adopted by all PROs.

In the 1950s, the South spawned a cultural earthquake: rock ‘n’ roll. BMI’s Nashville office was ready. From Chuck Berry and James Brown to Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino, the new breed chose the new PRO. BMI also embraced Grand Ole Opry stars like Minnie Pearl and Hank Williams. The Nashville office became what it is today: a hub of activity in the middle of a region whose artistic wealth is almost too deep—too rich—to fully grasp.

Fast forward to 1996, when the bulk of BMI operations relocated to Nashville. With more than 400 employees, BMI is the largest music industry employer on Music Row.
Del Bryant’s path to assuming the role of BMI President & CEO also ran straight through Nashville. The versatile and innovative Bryant fondly refers to Nashville as his “home base,” and when he asked Jody Williams to lead BMI’s Nashville writer/publisher staff in 2006, the anticipation throughout Music Row was palpable. A veteran song man with respected ears and infectious passion for songwriters, Williams returned to BMI with a mandate to lead and serve the creative community.
Williams welcomed the challenge, developing and recruiting a devoted, effective staff, a group whose personal ties to Nashville music history—the Country Music Hall of Fame, no less—magnify BMI’s inclusive emphasis on family. In addition to tapping Clay Bradley as Assistant Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Williams assembled a team that includes longtime BMI executives Thomas Cain, Mark Mason, David Preston, Perry Howard, and Bradley Collins, as well as more recent additions Beth Mason and Leslie Roberts.

Nashville has become the epicenter of American music, and BMI’s Nashville office, in turn, is a crossroads of activity. In addition to Music Row favorites including BMI No. 1 parties and the annual BMI Country and Christian Awards, BMI’s layered approach to songwriter development comprises educational, creative and promotional opportunities: the BMI Songwriters Workshop with Jason Blume; local showcases including 8 off 8th, East Side Sounds, BMI Buzz at the Basement, and BMI Presents at 12th & Porter; the Road to Bonnaroo competition; and slots and stages at premier festivals including SXSW, the Key West Songwriters Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Lollapalooza, the French Quarter Festival, Folk Alliance, the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and more.

Willie Nelson and Toby Keith, Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift, Booker T. & the MGs and Cage the Elephant, Patsy Cline and Carrie Underwood, Allen Toussaint and Ben Folds, Bill Monroe and Alison Krauss, Chet Atkins and Vince Gill, the Carter Family and Lady Antebellum, Muddy Waters and Jack White, Eddy Arnold and Keith Urban, Loretta Lynn and Miranda Lambert, Allman Brothers and Zac Brown Band, Jerry Jeff Walker and Robert Earl Keen, Tammy Wynette & George Jones and Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, Wanda Jackson and Caitlin Rose, Harlan Howard and Jeffrey Steele: BMI’s Nashville family is part legacy, part present, and part future.

Today, BMI’s center of gravity remains in Nashville. And the company’s doors are still wide open.

BMI is an American performing right organization that represents more than 400,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. The U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

Veronica Ballestrini is returning to country radio with her latest single “Don’t Say,” which the young artist co-penned with producer Cliff Downs. The net savvy singer recently parlayed her Myspace popularity into an appearance on the Simon Fuller-created internet program If I Can Dream after a video of her performing “Bless The Broken Road” became one a favorite on the show’s social media page. The episode aired June 4 and is available on hulu.com.

A media darling, Ballestrini’s first single “Amazing” climbed up the charts in the fall of 2009. Since her initial introduction, she has made a big impression with music industry executives and peers who have applauded and supported her universally. She was the featured artist in the 2009 Digital Rodeo CMA Fest Contest, has one of the most visited artist pages on CMT.com and has endorsements with InTune Guitar Picks (InTuneGP) and Sennheiser.

With a dream and an Internet connection, the teenager from Waterford, Connecticut has raised eyebrows with her self-made success story. The staggering numbers on her social network sites are proof that Veronica has that special ability to connect with people.

“It’s important that people know that I’m not trying to be anyone else,” adds Veronica. “I’m just trying to be who I am. I’m writing from the heart about issues and things I’m experiencing, and hopefully people can identify with that.”

http://www.veronicaballestrini.net/
http://www.myspace.com/veronicaballestrini
http://twitter.com/veronicabal

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the Jane Dear girls (Danelle Leverett, Susie Brown)

Label: Reprise Records/Warner Music Nashville
Current Single/Video: “Wildflower”
Current Producer: John Rich
Hometown: Danelle: Amarillo, TX; Susie: Alpine, UT
Management: Turner & Nichols Management
Booking: William Morris Endeavor
Birthdate: Danelle: 8/15/83; Susie: 3/14/84

Interesting Facts: Danelle: I majored in Psychology with an emphasis in Math at Abilene Christian University, and when I moved to Nashville I tutored high school Algebra I students working for a learning lab. I played sports my whole life, until I broke my wrist in a pole-vaulting accident when I was 17. I had to take some time off because of my injury, so it lead me to learn how to play the guitar and start songwriting. I don’t have a TV and I hate to shop!
Susie: I was born at home in my mother’s bedroom and I am the youngest of seven children. I started playing the fiddle when I was four and also picked up the mandolin, guitar, bass, and accordion before I turned 14. I grew up playing with my family in the The Charley Brown Family Band, named in my mother’s honor because her nickname was Charley (check out www.youtube.com/thejanedeargirls for the video). I was voted Homecoming Queen in High School. After moving to Nashville I was fortunate enough to land a slot as a backup singer and instrumentalist for several artists including Trisha Yearwood.

Outside Interests: Danelle: I love to dance, especially swing dancing! I also love to go running and walking with my Boston Terrier Dixie. Traveling is a passion of mine, especially in South America. I lived in Montevideo, Uruguay for three months and fell in love with their friendly and vibrant culture. My new favorite hobby is making up silly rap songs with the band on the bus. Sunday is my favorite day of the week because I love going to church and listening to Pastor Jim speak.
Susie: Country and Salsa Dancing, shopping, seeing a movie at the movie theater, 4-wheeling, hiking in the Rocky Mountains, horseback riding, Rummikube, hanging out with friends and family.

Musical Influences: Danelle: My brother Carson, The Beatles (My Dad only let me listen to The Beatles for the first ten years of my life!), Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Nirvana, Brad Paisley, Erin McCarley, Willie Nelson, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Judds
Susie: Shania Twain, Pat Benatar, The Judds, Rascal Flatts, Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, Michael Jackson, Mark O’Connor, U2, Journey, Barbara Mandrell, Rihanna, Patsy Cline, Mariah Carey.

Favorite Record(s): Danelle: Thriller by Michael Jackson, Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette, Songs About Jane by Maroon 5, Golden Road by Keith Urban, and Love Save The Empty by Erin McCarley
Susie: I love a lot of different records but some of my favorite songs are Shania Twain “The Woman In Me” and “Man, I Feel Like A Woman;” Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take The Girl;” Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most;” The Temptations’ “My Girl;” No Doubt’s “Just a Girl;” Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy;” Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “You Rock My World;” Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You;” Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love;” John Denver’s “Annie’s Song;” Lenny Kravitz’s “American Woman;” Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot;” Martina McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes;” Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up The Sun;” The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Fishing In The Dark;” U2’s “With Or Without You,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and “Sweetest Thing;” Mariah Carey’s “My All;” Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You;” Alison Krauss’ “When You Say Nothing At All;” and there’s a whole lot more…

“I’m Not Hungover”

ATP Records

“I’m Not Hungover” is the rowdy new single from Mississippi native Braden Gray, taken from his self-titled debut album on ATP Records. It is the followup to his single “It Won’t Be Over You,” which garnered some attention earlier in 2010 with MusicRow’s CountryBreakout™ reporting panel.

Gray didn’t originally choose music as a career path, but music was in his blood. His mother, a vocal instructor, taught her students at home. She would often ask her son to participate but when it came time for him to sing he would find a reason to sneak away.

Gray discovered his hidden musical talent after listening to his cousin’s gospel group and learning all their songs. Doors began to open–Gray started winning talent competitions and performing at festivals with artists like Jake Owen, Emerson Drive, Eric Church and Marty Stuart. After entering Belmont University’s music performance program, ATP Records Pres. Mark Alan Thompson took notice of him and the two began working together.

With a new single impacting country radio, the time to experience Braden Gray is now!

http://www.myspace.com/bradengray
http://www.atprecords.com/

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