Toby Keith
After 10 years of work and dedication raising funds for its creation,
Toby Keith is about to hold the grand opening of his
OK Kids Korral, a home away from home for pediatric cancer patients and their families, on Nov. 21. The 25,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility features 16 guest rooms with 12 overnight suites, a neutropenic wing for kids with weakened immune systems, a Route 66-themed indoor playroom, an outdoor playground, a game room, a gourmet kitchen, family resource room, laundry room, theater, and reflection room. It also boasts original artwork of Oklahoma icons from some of the state’s artists and a unique glass sculpture featuring Oklahoma’s 77 counties.
“Our whole goal is to provide lodging and peace of mind to children battling cancer. To keep them together, focused on healing and not spending hours commuting or going out of state for treatment,” said Executive Director,
Juliet Nees-Bright.
Located two blocks south of The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, the building will also house The Toby Keith Foundation’s offices. The Korral offers free housing and support to families whose children are battling cancer, and is a longtime dream of Keith’s. He hosted the Toby Keith and Friends Golf Classic fundraiser annually for the last 10 years to help raise funds for the new center.
“Thank you to all of those people who have supported us over the years,” said Keith. “Ten years goes by fast when you are working toward a goal this big.”
George Strait Helps Raise Nearly $500,000 For Troops
/by Jessica NicholsonThe ‘I Got A Car’ singer took off his boots during the live auction and added them to a package that was up for grabs. The package itself sold for $130,000.
The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year also entertained for the 400 guests in attendance. The event benefits David Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, which offers aid to military members wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Strait led a jam session that included special guests Asleep At The Wheel, Ray Benson, Dean Dillon, Keith Gattis, Jamey Johnson, Jewel, Kyle Park and Randy Rogers.
Cumulus To Launch 'Nash Nights Live' with Shawn Parr
/by Jessica NicholsonShawn Parr
Cumulus is set to launch Nash Nights Live, featuring KKGO/Los Angeles morning radio personality Shawn Parr. Parr has relocated to Nashville for the job. The new show will premiere Jan. 6, 2014, running from 7 p.m. through midnight on the 84 Country stations overseen by Cumulus, including WNSH/New York. The show will feature the current hit Country songs, news, artist interviews, fan/caller interactions and more.
“This latest Country music offering from Cumulus Media Networks will provide our listeners and advertisers with in-demand Nash programming and we couldn’t be more pleased to have a star of Shawn Parr’s caliber leading the way,” says Executive VP/Co-COO John Dickey.
Parr’s background also includes KZLA in Los Angeles. As part of Dick Clark Productions for the past 21 years, Parr has voiced the American Music Awards, the Golden Globes, the Academy Of Country Music Awards, and various red carpet events, among others. Nash Nights Live will precede Cumulus’ Kickin’ It With Kix.
Industry Ink (11/8/13)
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): David Lane and Roger Murrah
David Lane has enlisted songwriter Roger Murrah to produce his country debut. A Georgia native, Lane has opened for artists like Tracy Byrd and Jared Ashley, and recently signed with indie label MuSick Recordings. Currently based in Fla. and L.A., Lane will perform on the Billy Block Show in Nashville Nov 19.
Nalbert joins Round Hill Music after spending the past five years of his career at Cherry Lane Music Publishing and BMG Rights Management, where he gained experience in diverse roles. At Round Hill, his focus will be on synch licensing and pitching the catalog, as well as working with the company’s sub-publishing partners. Nalbert has worked with a range of artists and catalogs, including Kings of Leon, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and other catalogs.
Also joining the team with a history at ASCAP is Stingelin. During her three years there, Stingelin was an analyst in the Quality Assurance and Television departments, and was responsible for calculating adjustments based on performance and copyright changes and interpreting data for statistical reporting across various platforms of distribution.
Sammy Kershaw To Release 'Big Hits: Volume One'
/by Jessica Nicholson“It felt good to go back into the studio and rerecord some of my hits,” says Kershaw. “The technology we have in the music business now makes them sound much more fresh and updated but the heart and soul is still there in every song.”
After listening to new songs for more than a year, Kershaw will include the fresh cuts “The Middle” and “Can’t Put My Finger On It.”
Big Hits: Volume One Track Listing:
1. Don’t Go Near The Water
2. She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful
3. Yard Sale
4. Vidalia
5. Haunted Heart
6. The Middle
7. Cadillac Style
8. Love Of My Life
9. Third Rate Romance
10. Louisiana Hot Sauce
11. Queen Of My Doublewide Trailer
12. Can’t Put My Finger On It
Toby Keith's 10-Year Dream, OK Kids Korral, Set To Open
/by Lorie HollabaughToby Keith
After 10 years of work and dedication raising funds for its creation, Toby Keith is about to hold the grand opening of his OK Kids Korral, a home away from home for pediatric cancer patients and their families, on Nov. 21. The 25,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility features 16 guest rooms with 12 overnight suites, a neutropenic wing for kids with weakened immune systems, a Route 66-themed indoor playroom, an outdoor playground, a game room, a gourmet kitchen, family resource room, laundry room, theater, and reflection room. It also boasts original artwork of Oklahoma icons from some of the state’s artists and a unique glass sculpture featuring Oklahoma’s 77 counties.
“Our whole goal is to provide lodging and peace of mind to children battling cancer. To keep them together, focused on healing and not spending hours commuting or going out of state for treatment,” said Executive Director, Juliet Nees-Bright.
Located two blocks south of The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, the building will also house The Toby Keith Foundation’s offices. The Korral offers free housing and support to families whose children are battling cancer, and is a longtime dream of Keith’s. He hosted the Toby Keith and Friends Golf Classic fundraiser annually for the last 10 years to help raise funds for the new center.
“Thank you to all of those people who have supported us over the years,” said Keith. “Ten years goes by fast when you are working toward a goal this big.”
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge Annual Birthday Bash Set For Nov. 21
/by Jessica NicholsonTootsie’s Orchid Lounge is extending their annual “Birthday Bash” to a two-day event, with entertainment taking place on the outdoor Broadway stage on both Thursday and Friday nights. Thursday night, Terri Clark, Troy Gentry, Darryl Worley, and Daryle Singletary will take the stage, with more performers yet to be announced.
“The Tootsie’s Birthday Bash has become an annual event that everyone looks forward to,” says Tootsie’s proprietor Steve Smith. “We kicked it off at the Ryman with Kris Kristofferson, Terri Clark, Mel Tillis, and Jamey Johnson a few years back. Then Kid Rock and The Kentucky HeadHunters took the party to the street on Broadway. Last year Dierks Bentley, Randy Houser, and Troy Gentry kicked it up a bit, and then there is this year. The lineup is starting to come together!”
Tootsie’s is known to have been used as a “green room” by scores of artists who have performed at the nearby Ryman Auditorium, including Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb.
'MusicRow' No. 1 Song
/by Eric T. ParkerClearly we’re not the only ones who have this song on repeat. Our MusicRow chart reporting stations spun the title 3,206 times this week. The song is even the namesake for Eli Young Band’s recent fall tour.
MusicRow’s Robert K. Oermann notes the production talents of Frank Liddell and Justin Niebank, saying, “Frothing and foamy, this is one delectable slab of country-rock. Everything works here: The morning-after lyric, the frenetic tempo, the stuttering guitars, the group harmonies and the crisp production work.”
Thanks to the Republic Nashville band for bringing us even more great music! Judging from this forthcoming album’s first single, we’re on the edge of our seats for the new music! In the meantime, catch a peek at the band’s music video directed by Brian Lazzaro, below.
William Morris Endeavor Adds To Artist Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonMcKenzies Mill
North Carolina duo McKenzies Mill has signed with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment for representation. Jonathan Insogna will serve as the duo’s agent.
“McKenzies Mill has been on our radar for a while, but over the years we’ve really enjoyed watching their career build,” says Insogna. “We’re excited to be a part of their team and look forward to 2014 with the release of their debut single “Kickin’ It.’”
The duo includes brothers Ryan and Justin Harris. Recent touring has included stops at the main stage at Country Jam in Wisconsin and Colorado, along with performances at the Bud Light Port Paradise Music Festival, and the NFR Rodeo Finals.
For more information on the duo, visit mckenziesmill.com.
Clear Channel Names SVP of iHeartRadio Programming
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Williams
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has named Chris Williams as Sr. VP of iHeartRadio Programming, effective immediately. Williams will be based in New York City and will report to Darren Davis, Executive VP and General Manager of National Programming Platforms and work closely with Brian Lakamp President of Digital and his team.
In this newly created position, Williams will oversee all digital content programming, curation and marketing strategies for iHeartRadio, Clear Channel’s industry leading digital radio platform.
Williams will work closely with the National Sales, Marketing and Partnership team, the Digital team and the editorial and marketing teams to coordinate digital contesting and live streaming events like the iHeartRadio Music Festival, iHeartRadio Pool Party and iHeartRadio Album Release Parties.
Williams most recently served as VP of Programming for Clear Channel Cincinnati, where he oversaw all programming for the market’s seven stations. He has been with Clear Channel since 2005, serving in a variety of programming roles in both the Cincinnati and Atlanta markets. In 2011 Williams expanded his role with the company, becoming the Active Rock Brand Coordinator as Clear Channel’s in-house format expert.
Jennifer Nettles To Launch Solo Tour in January 2014
/by Jessica NicholsonJennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles is slated to take her solo show on the road in 2014. The singer-songwriter’s That Girl Tour will launch Feb. 13 and will includes stops in 30+ cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Nashville, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Boston, Philadelphia, Denver, Phoenix and Clearwater, Fla. before wrapping in April.
The tour will follow the release of her debut solo album That Girl on Jan.14.
Tickets for the tour’s Nashville and Clearwater, Fla. dates go on sale next week. Visit jennifernettles.com for additional details on specific tour dates and on-sale information.