Mansfield Will Chronicle Cancer Fight In Blog

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Brian Mansfield with wife Nancy and children Nick, Annalise, Gracelyn and Zac.

Journalist Brian Mansfield will chronicle his fight with colon cancer in a weekly column on USAToday.com. He recently posted the first installment of My Semicolon Life which discusses his diagnosis at age 48.

He is having surgery today (7/16) to remove all but six inches of his colon.

The first blog also discusses how cancer changed the way he hears music and includes a list of songs that “make him want to live.”

As USA Today’s Nashville music critic and American Idol blogger, Mansfield is a much loved member of the music community. We’re pulling for you Brian!

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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Even as The Band Perry works on the follow-up to its self-titled Platinum debut album, the fifth single from that project garners the No. 1 spot on this week’s CountryBreakout Chart. “Postcard From Paris,” written by Kimberly Perry, Neil Perry, Reid Perry, Kara DioGuardi and Jeff Cohen, is an earnest story of lost love and how nothing can ever match the real thing. Produced by Nathan Chapman, the song’s poignant lyrics include;

I remember when my heart caught the fever.
You were standing all alone in the summer heat.
I was with my boyfriend, my new boyfriend;
He was as sweet as he could be.
But one look at you and I was through
My heart switched up on me.

Like a postcard from Paris when I’ve seen the real thing.
It’s like finding out your diamond is from her old promise ring.
A call back from your fortune teller, she read your cards upside down.
The meanest thing you ever did is come around
And now, I’m ruined.

Never slowing down, The Band Perry is working on their new album with legendary producer Rick Rubin, who has worked with everyone from the Dixie Chicks to Adele to Jay-Z as well as producing Johnny Cash’s acclaimed late period American Recordings albums.

The Band Perry has partnered with Schick Hydro Silk brand for its 2012 summer tour dates and will join Brad Paisley this November on his Virtual Reality World Tour when it visits Sweden and Norway. TBP was recently nominated for a 2012 Teen Choice award for Choice Country Group and fans can cast their vote now at www.teenchoiceawards.com.

YouTube video

Martin Guitars Debuts Retro Series at NAMM

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Martin & Co. Retro Series

Summer NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) kicked off in the Nashville Convention center yesterday (7/12) to a crowd of interested participants. The three-day event, which runs through Saturday (7/14), consists of business seminars and a trade show offering the latest innovations in music technology.

One major product debut came from the Chairman and CEO of C.F. Martin & Co. Guitars, Chris Martin, who held a special press conference to reveal a four guitar Retro Series. “We took the voice from vintage instruments and transplanted them in the Retro Series with overwhelming success,” said Larry Fishman, who teamed with Martin and Nashville’s Grammy Award-winning Producer Bil VornDick to create the series.

Showroom floor at NAMM.

At Nashville’s Mountainside Studios they recorded a series of museum instruments in rare microphones ranging from the 30s to today. The acoustic and plug-in tone of the Retro Series instruments are based on these recordings.

Martin’s “tone-donor” guitars included a 1942 D-45; 1941 D-28; 1937 D-18; and a 1934 OOO-28 long-scale. The golden-era acoustics travels from the new instruments through specially designed F1 Aura + pickups, which use mathematical algorithms to electronically translate resonating tone for plug-in systems.

Martin’s modern “High Performance Neck” taper and modified low oval profile make these new instruments modern in playability while maintaining the vintage tone from years’ past.

The Retro Series includes D-18E, HD-28E, D-45E and an Orchestra Model 28E. Prices range from $3,399-$11,999.

Hunter Hayes was also on the NAMM floor visiting with interested Martin customers. Hayes, who played every instrument on his Atlantic Records self-titled debut album, is the newest Brand Ambassador for the company.

Additional exhibitors included Future Sonics Ear Monitors, Larrivee Guitars and Casio America.

On Saturday (7/14) the showroom floor is open to the public for $15 from 10 AM- 6 PM.

Pictured (L-R): Bil VornDick, Larry Fishman, Hunter Hayes and Chris Martin

NAMM 2012 Business Seminar

 

 

KJ97 Wins Underwood Video Premiere

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San Antonio’s KJ97 won a nationwide contest for the Private World Premiere of Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” music video. The prize package for KJ97 includes a “red carpet” event for listeners which will be attended by Underwood and video director Randee St. Nicholas.

Among the hundreds of country radio stations that participated, KJ97 had the largest number of listeners who voted for their station to win this event.

“Be it raising tons of money for the Kids of St. Jude or helping to bring the biggest stars to KJ Country, our listeners have always been up to the challenge,” enthuses KAJA PD Travis Moon. “I am so proud to work at KJ97, a radio station with such active and passionate listeners. This is their event!”

“Blown Away,” the second single release from Underwood’s 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville new album of the same title, was written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins.

Republic Nashville Signs RaeLynn

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RaeLynn. Photo: Jewel Cole

Republic Nashville announced today (7/13) the signing of 18-year-old RaeLynn.

The artist appeared on Season Two of NBC’s The Voice. She was on Team Blake Shelton and performed Pistol Annie’s “Hell on Heels” during her blind audition. Since the show she has appeared at California’s Stagecoach Festival with Miranda Lambert, and been writing and recording songs for her first album.

Born and raised on a farm in Baytown, TX, she began performing early on with her family at church and local events.

On Sun., July 29, RaeLynn will perform with several BMLG artists at the Crown Royal Presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard Powered byBigMachineRecords.com. This is the second year BMLG artists will entertain the audience at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Republic Nashville’s artist roster includes Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Sunny Sweeney and Greg Bates.

RIAA Certifications Recap

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Several Nashville stars celebrated RIAA certifications last month, including a few first-timers.

Albums:
Carrie Underwood received her fourth Gold album for Blown Away (19 Recordings/Arista Nashville). EMI Nashville’s Eric Church earned a Platinum album plaque for Chief.

Tracks:
First-time Platinum song certifications were awarded to Lee Brice, Eric Church and Kip Moore, for “A Woman Like You,” “Springsteen,” and “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck,” respectively. Atlantic artist Hunter Hayes earned his first Gold single award for “Wanted.”

Record-setting certifications:
The Black Eyed Peas earned the highest-ever digital single award for the 8x multi-platinum Interscope track “I Gotta Feeling.” As a group, The Peas have more digital singles certified than any other band: 22 million.

Gotye also set a G&P record in June, becoming the first artist to release and certify a digital song 5x multi-Platinum in less than six months with “Somebody That I Used To Know.”

Whitney: The Greatest Hits captured June’s top album award by being certified 5x multi-Platinum. The late artist has more than 57 million certified album sales.

The RIAA also debuted a Gold & Platinum Facebook page with artist award news, plaque presentation photos, giveaways and more.

Snapshots 7/13/12

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WSM-AM’s Eddie Stubbs visited Black River Entertainment’s Sarah Darling prior to her Opry appearance on July 3. Darling is continuing her nationwide radio tour in the WSM branded bus, sponsored by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, to promote her upcoming single, “Home To Me.”

Eddie Stubbs (L), Sarah Darling (R)

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The Band Perry partnered with their hometown baseball team the Greeneville Astros on June 28 for a special acoustic concert for 200 VIP guests to thank those who made donations to United Way. The private event took place just before the Astros game.

The team celebrated The Band Perry’s appearance and showed additional support for the non-profit by creating custom bobbleheads for the game. That night, all patrons received the collectables and $1 of every ticket sold benefited United Way.

After their performance, Kimberly, Reid and Neil threw the first pitch of the game and had the opportunity to visit with The Astros’ General Manager David Lane and Owner Scott Niswonger.

(L-R): David Lane, (GM Greeneville Astros); The Band Perry's Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry

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Whisperin’ Bill Anderson and Willie Nelson posed for pictures after Anderson’s performance at Willie’s 4th of July Picnic in Ft. Worth, Texas. It was Anderson’s first appearance at the event he dubbed the “Willienic.”

Bill Anderson (L) and Willie Nelson (R)

 

CMT Pure Debuts McClymonts’ Music Video

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CMA Global Artist of the Year award winners, The McClymonts, have taken to the airwaves with the video debut of their latest single, “I Could Be a Cowboy,” on CMT Pure. The video ranks as the second most watched on CMT.com.

“I Could Be A Cowboy” is the group’s second single from the Wrapped Up Good album and currently No. 35 on the charts. The project also yielded a single that reached No. 28 on MusicRow’s chart last year. Wrapped Up Good, produced by Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift) and Adam Anders (FOX TV’s Glee), climbed to No. 5 on the year-end Australian country sales charts.

The McClymonts are currently on tour in the U.S. For the latest updates and tour information, visit: www.TheMcClymonts.net.

Weekly Chart Report (7/13/2012)

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Flying Island's Gwen Sebastian visited WGTY's Dan Douglas while she was in Gettysburg, PA. Her single “Met Him in a Motel Room” hits our chart at No. 44 this week.

SPIN ZONE
This week The Band Perry‘s “Postcard From Paris” slides into the No. 1 spot in its 19th week on the chart. Kenny Chesney‘s “Come Over” leaps from No. 4 to No. 2 with a 248 spin gain followed by Keith Urban‘s “For You” maintaining the No. 3 position. Blake Shelton‘s “Over” enters the Top 5 at No. 4 sliding up 2 spots, followed by Gloriana‘s “Kissed You” holding at No. 5 for the second week.

Little Big Town‘s “Pontoon” continues its momentum this week with 199 additional spins and moves up 2 spots to No. 7 in its 11th week on the chart. Meanwhile, Phil Vassar‘s “Don’t Miss Your Life” doesn’t miss the chance for a Top 10 as he moves from No. 11 to No. 10.

Tim McGraw‘s “Truck Yeah” jumps from No. 60 to No. 32 in its second week on the chart and receives the largest increase in spins again this week with 725. Carrie Underwood‘s “Blown Away” keeps climbing with another 456 spins, upping 11 spots to No. 33. Sara Evan‘s “Anywhere” lands the highest chart debut at No. 65. Other debuts include Kip Moore‘s “Beer Money” at No. 68, Corey Wagar‘s “Take Ya Back” at No. 71, Bill Gentry‘s “That Kind of Life” at No. 75 and Sawyer Brown‘s “Ain’t Goin’ Out That Way” at No. 76.

Frozen Reports: KDOL, KDXY, KMOK, WDHR, WDKN, WKWS, WXXK

Upcoming Singles
July 16
Lauren Alaina/Eighteen Inches/Mercury Nashville-19 Recordings-Interscope
Kelleigh Bannen/Sorry on the Rocks/EMI Nashville
Levi Riggs/There’s Still A Place For That/Flying Island
Lonestar/The Countdown/4 Star Records
Shooter Jennings/The Real Me/eOne
John Karl/Redneck Rich (Hillbilly Happy)/Pour Boy
Don Williams feat. Alison Krauss/I Just Come Here For The Music/Sugar Hill
Brinn Black/Should Have Been Us/SMG Records

July 23
Sara Evans/Anywhere/RCA
Jaida Dreyer/Confessions/Streamsound
Sarah Jarosz/Annabelle Lee/Sugar Hill
Brian Milson/Too Damn Young/Permian-Quarterback
Rich O’Toole/Red Wine On Your Lipstick/Triple Crown
Doug Briney/It’s All Country/DB Songs
Tyler Barham feat. Casey Walker/Meet Me In Montana/YN Records
Cloverdayle/Like We Were Kids Again/New Voice

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Sara Evans/Anywhere/RCA Nashville – 65
Kip Moore/Beer Money/MCA – 68
Corey Wagar/Take Ya Back/GTR – 71
Bill Gentry/That Kind of Life/Tenacity Records – 75
Sawyer Brown/Ain’t Goin’ Out That Way/Beach Street Records – 76

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Tim McGraw/Truck Yeah/Big Machine – 725
Carrie Underwood/Blown Away/19-Arista Nashville – 456
Kenny Chesney/Come Over/Blue Chair-Columbia Nashville – 248
Zac Brown Band/The Wind/Southern Ground-Atlantic – 220
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA Nashville – 211

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Carrie Underwood/Blown Away/19-Arista Nashville – 16
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA Nashville – 16
Tim McGraw/Right Back Atcha Babe/Curb – 12
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/Blaster Records – 12
Trace Adkins/Them Lips (On Mine)/Show Dog-Universal – 10
Casey James/Crying On A Suitcase/19-Columbia Nashville – 9

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Brandon Holland/Man In The Moon – 187
Tommy Steele/My Side Of The Street – 174
Britt & Blaire/Young Summer/Mt. Juliet Records – 169
Bobby Dean/Me and George Strait/Lamon – 160
Kelly Parkes/All Cried Out – 150

Toby Keith took a moment to visit with WLHK/Indy PD Bob Richards before performing to a sold out show in Indianapolis on his Live in Overdrive Tour.

Arista Nashville’s Kristen Kelly was in Lexington, KY recently to perform at WBUL’s Red, White and Boom show. Her single, “Ex Old Man” lands at No. 52 on our MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart this week. Pictured (L-R): WBUL PD Michael Jordan and Kristen Kelly

Columbia Nashville's Tyler Farr (center) and WCTK Providence MD Jessica Tyler share the joy of having the same name during a recent visit. Playing the odd man out is WCTK PD Bob Walker (R).

 

Songwriter Benefit for Miller Harris Asthma Camp

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Pictured (L-R): J.T. Hodges, Dave Pahanish, Bud Lee, Miller Harris Foundation's Judy Harris, Lisa Carver, Doug Johnson, Miller Harris Foundation's Karen Sturgeon, and John Wiggins. Photo: Alan L. Mayor

Nashville songwriters performed a two-show benefit for Miller Harris Asthma Camp on Tues., July 10 at the Bluebird Cafe.

Both shows, hosted by Doug Johnson, sold-out to raise over $3,000 for the organization. Songwriters for the first round included Bud Lee, John Wiggins, Dave Pahanish and Lisa Carver, with a special appearance by JT Hodges. The second show featured songwriters Wynn Varble, David Lee, Kendell Marvel and Leslie Satcher.

The foundation sends innner-city asthmatic children ages 6-13 to a week long day camp at Camp Widjiwagan where volunteer doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital educate them about their condition.

Pictured (L-R): Wynn Varble, Karen Sturgeon, David Lee, Doug Johnson, Judy Harris, Kendell Marvel, and Leslie Satcher. Photo: Alan L. Mayor