Dierks Bentley Covers Adele On “Unplugged”

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Dierks Bentley will perform some of his signature hits in a new episode of CMT”s Unplugged, which will debut exclusively on CMT.com Tuesday, May 29 at 1 pm/CT.

Included in the set list are Bentley’s hits “Am I The Only One,” “Up On The Ridge,” “Home,” current single “5-1-5-0” and a bluegrass take on Adele’s “Set Fire To The Rain.” For a sneak peak of Bentley’s Adele cover, click here.

“I love breaking my songs back down to their original acoustic foundation,” said Bentley. “When I write these songs by myself or with friends, we just use acoustic guitars… so, it’s fun to sometimes go back to just the simple groove and idea you had to begin with.”

The episode will also air as a half-hour special Saturday, June 2 at 8 pm/CT on Palladia; Monday, June 25 at 9 pm/CT on CMT and CMT PURE. Fans of CMT’s Facebook page will be able to see the episode in a dedicated tab starting Tuesday, May 29.

Big Machine Sponsors IndyCar Champion

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Dario Franchitti

Big Machine Records is sponsoring four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti’s No. 50 car during the 96th running of the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 27.

The Big Machine Records logo will appear on Franchitti’s helmet and fire suit during the race, which will be broadcast live on ABC beginning at 11 am/CT. Republic Nashville’s Martina McBride will sing the national anthem during pre-race ceremonies at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The event is a bittersweet moment for racing aficionado and BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta, who was a sponsor of the late Dan Wheldon’s winning car at last year’s Indy 500.

“Winning the Indy 500 is the pinnacle of auto sport achievements and Dan’s dramatic last-lap win last year will be with us always,” said Borchetta. “Dario was a great friend to Dan and we’re honored that he will carry our defending champion’s logo on Sunday. Let’s not forget that Dario is no stranger to Victory Lane at Indy, previously winning the 500 mile race twice… And let’s not be surprised if he again finds his way first to the checkers.”

BMLG will also sponsor the upcoming Brickyard 400 NASCAR series race July 29 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has been re-christened as Crown Royal Presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com. The race weekend will feature a special concert by The Band Perry, Justin Moore, The Mavericks, Greg Bates and others. BLMG originally sponsored the Brickyard 400 in 2011, the first time a record label has ever presented a nationally televised race.

Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” Added to National Recording Registry

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Dolly Parton has achieved another historic milestone: her classic song “Coat Of Many Colors” has been added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.

One of 25 recordings selected annually for being “historically, culturally or aesthetically significant,” “Coat Of Many Colors” brings the Registry’s total number of recordings to 350. The Congress said “Coat Of Many Colors” “affectionately recounts an impoverished childhood in the hills of Tennessee that was made rich by the love of her family.” Joining Parton in the Registry this year are Patsy Montana, Donna Summer, the Grateful Dead and Prince plus historical recordings of former American slaves (recorded in 1930), Leonard Bernstein, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and Parliament’s “Mothership Connection.”

For more information, visit www.dollypartonmusic.net.

Luke Bryan To Perform On “The Bachelorette”

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Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan will appear in the third episode of the new season of ABC’s The Bachelorette, which airs May 28.

During a special one-on-one date in the streets of downtown Charlotte, NC, Bryan will perform his current single, “Drunk On You,” and his No. 1 hit “Do I” for the Bachelorette and one of her suitors. The show airs Mondays at 7 pm/CT on ABC.

In addition to headlining his own dates, Luke is currently on the road with Jason Aldean as part of the 2012 My Kinda Party Tour.

Artist Updates (5/25/12)

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Prior to his 2011 Goin’ Coastal tour, Kenny Chesney partnered with sunglasses maker Costa Del Mar to design a line of signature sunglasses with proceeds benefiting the Coastal Conservation Association. The partnership has continued into 2012, and Chesney is introducing five new signature styles with proceeds again benefiting CCA. Costa has also been announced as a title sponsor for Chesney’s online No Shoes Radio. To date, the partnership has raised over $50,000. Check out the frames here.

• • • • •

Josh Turner’s new album Punching Bag (MCA) isn’t due to hit stores until June 12, but fans can check him out performing songs from the release today (5/25) in the exclusive concert series HSN LIVE Presents Josh Turner sponsored by Cricket. The show starts at 8 pm/CT and will air on HSN, HSN.com, HSN Mobile and HSN’s Facebook page. Fans will also have the opportunity to pre-order Punching Bag bundled with ICON Series: The Best of Josh Turner for $19.95.

• • • • •

Our friends over at Her Nashville have a couple of interesting musical articles in the  “Her Music City” issue that hit stands this week. “The Pioneering Ladies of Music Row” by Elizabeth Ulrich discusses Music Row’s early power females Frances W. Preston, Patsy Bradley, Liz Thiels and Denise Stiff. Read it here. Also in the issue is a style spread with local musicians dressed up as iconic artists. Featured in the shoot are Courtney Jaye, Sarah Darling, and Zarna Surti as The Supremes; Ashley Monroe as Nancy Sinatra; Sarah Davidson as Dolly Parton; and Ruby Amanfu as Billie Holiday. Check it out here.

• • • • •

Keith Urban recently debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Album Chart in Australia with his album The Story So Far. The Australian release collects the most popular tracks from his US albums Get Closer, Defying Gravity, Love Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing, Be Here, and Golden Road as well as his current US single “For You.”

• • • • •

Jo Dee Messina is a mother of two and has been chronicling the ups and downs of motherhood in her blog “The Fumbling Mom” since its launch in January 2012. Now content from the blog will be featured in The Tennesean’s Family section going forward, which can be found online here.

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Up-and-coming country artist David Bradley is supporting America’s military with a Memorial Day Weekend special. Starting today (5/25) through Monday (5/28), for anyone who purchases Bradley’s song “Get A Hero Home” from iTunes, he will donate a portion of the proceeds to Healing Heroes Network.

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To celebrate the one year anniversary of her viral sensation “The People of Walmart,” Nashville’s Jessica Frech is hosting a free live U-stream concert for her fans. The show will take place at 8 pm June 7, and can be viewed on her website jessicamusic.com.

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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People will talk. If you’ve been the jerk in a relationship, someone’s going to find out and word will spread. And if you’re really a creep, you might have a cautionary song written about you.

Thus Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl,” which is the new No. 1 song on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Carrie casts herself in the role of jilted ex-lover trying to warn an innocent girl about this no good dude and how badly he will mess her up if she sticks around. In the song’s video, Carrie plays both roles for a Black Swan/White Swan effect. Carrie co-wrote “Good Girl” with Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley.

From its release in late February, “Good Girl” has been an event. The lead single from Carrie’s fourth album Blown Away, the song has already been certified Gold for downloads exceeding 500,00 units. Blown Away was released May 1 and debuted at No. 1 with more than 267,000 units sold. Carrie and her husband Mike Fisher (of the Nashville Predators) also recently sat down with Oprah Winfrey for the couple’s first TV interview together. See videos from the appearance here.

Sixth Annual Songwriters Series Announced

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The Sixth Annual Songwriters Series is set for June 7-9 at the Hard Rock Café in Nashville, and as in years past, will benefit Musicians On Call (MOC) Nashville. The three night event, hosted by the Hard Rock Cafe Nashville and presented by SiriusXM Radio, features many of country music’s best songwriters.

Tickets start at $10 and are available here. 

ASCAP – June 7

Kyle Jacobs, Rivers Rutherford, Brett James, Tony Lane

BMI – June 8

Phil O’Donnell, Tim James, Kendell Marvel, Bob DiPiero

SESAC- June 9

Cledus T Judd, Rob Hatch, Lance Miller, Cary Barlowe

 

Country Throwdown and The Boot Campaign Honor Military Families

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The Country Throwdown Tour and The Boot Campaign have announced the Country Throwdown Tour Contest sponsored by Southwest Airlines. Anyone in the United States can nominate an eligible military family to win a pack of four VIP tickets to one of five stops on the summer 2012 Country Throwdown Tour.

The public can nominate a military family whose family member is active duty military or received an honorable discharge within the last two years, resides in the continental United States, and served or is serving any branch of service, including the Guard and Reserve. Nominations will be received from May 24 through June 25.  Check contest rules for specific entry periods.

Concert locations include Glen Allen, VA (June 13), Pittsburgh (June 16), Milwaukee, WI (June 28), Chicago (June 30), and Nashville (July 8). Winners selected for each city will be flown courtesy of Southwest Airlines, receive hotel accommodations, four tickets to the concert, a chance to stand side stage, a meet and greet with Gary Allan, and a pair of the Boot Campaign’s “Give Back Boots.”

Nominate a military family for the Boot Campaign “Country Throwdown Tour Contest” here.

At the Nashville Country Throwdown tour stop on July 8, Headliner Gary Allan will be joined by performers Corey Smith, Sunny Sweeney, Eric Paslay, Florida Georgia Line, Maggie Rose as well as special guests Drake White and Jonathan Singleton and the Grove for a combination of classic and innovative country music. The Bluebird Cafe tent will feature emerging singer-songwriters Channing Wilson, Rose Falcon, Carly Pearce and Mama’s Blue Dress.

“As we roll into our third summer of Country Throwdown, the team put together a can’t-miss package for true country fans, and we’re excited to spotlight some of country music’s greatest acts,” said tour co-founder and co-producer Sarah Baer.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Weekly Chart Report (5/25/2012)

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Brad Paisley got to visit with Hank-FM/WLHK PD, Bob Richards (L), before Saturday's Virtual Reality Tour stop in Indianapolis. Between tour stops, Paisley is also in the studio working on his upcoming album project.

SPIN ZONE
It’s like the Wild West out here this week–anything goes. We’ve got a new CountryBreakout No. 1 with Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” and serious movement all over the chart. Dierks Bentley’s “5-1-5-0” picks up 276 spins and leaps 11-6, with sights set on the top of the chart. The Band Perry’s “Postcard From Paris” is just a couple ticks behind at No. 7. Also new to the top 10 are Alan Jackson’s “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore” at No. 9 and Keith Urban’s “For You” at No. 10.

Things get even wilder near the middle of the chart. Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over” is already to No. 33 in its second week charting, earning a staggering 644 spin gain. Both Blake Shelton’s “Over” (No. 21) and Lady Antebellum’s “Wanted You More” (No. 26) gained more than 400 spins. Newcomer Greg Bates adds over 250 new spins to his “Did It For The Girl,” which flies up to No. 31. Also moving quickly: Lee Brice’s “Hard To Love” (No. 41), Jake Owen’s “The One That Got Away” (No. 42), Rascal Flatts’ “Come Wake Me Up” (No. 47), and Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” (No. 50).

New to the chart this week is the very timely “Military Man,” from Show Dog-Universal new artist Jessie James. She will head into the Memorial Day weekend at No. 57. Behind her and leading a huge pack of new singles are Heidi Newfield’s “Why’d You Have To Be So Good” at No. 69, Craig Wayne Boyd’s “I Ain’t No Quitter” at No. 70, and Glen Templeton’s “Sing That Song Again” at No. 71.

Frozen Reports: KAIR, KDXY, KYEZ, WOWF

Upcoming Singles
May 29
Jason Charles Miller/Up To Me/Render
Mavericks/Born to Be Blue/Valory
Big & Rich/That’s Why I Pray/WMN

May 31
JJ McCoy/Sunshine State

June 4
Corey Wagar/Take Ya Back
Matt Gary/City Lights/17/Quarterback
Rodney Atkins/Just Wanna Rock N’ Roll/Curb
Bill Gentry/That Kind of Life/Tenacity

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Jessie James/Military Man/Show Dog – Universal – 57
Heidi Newfield/Why’d You Have To Be So Good/Sidewalk Records – 69
Craig Wayne Boyd/I Ain’t No Quitter/Big Ride – 70
Glen Templeton/Sing That Song Again/Black River Entertainment – 71
Jason Sturgeon/Time Bomb/Toolpusher – 74
Randy Houser/How Country Feels/Stoney Creek Records – 76
Sean Patrick McGraw/Git Yer Cowboy On/Little Engine Records – 77
Rodney Atkins/Just Wanna Rock N’ Roll/Curb – 78
After The Reign/Burning Down The Farm – 79
Rachele Lynae/Party Til The Cows Come Home – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Come Over/BNA – 644
Lady Antebellum/Wanted You More/Capitol – 458
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 407
Keith Urban/For You/Capitol – 364
Rascal Flatts/Come Wake Me Up/Big Machine – 355

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Kenny Chesney/Come Over/BNA – 40
Rascal Flatts/Come Wake Me Up/Big Machine – 27
Lady Antebellum/Wanted You More/Capitol – 19
Jake Owen/The One That Got Away/BNA – 17
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 16
Florida Georgia Line/Cruise/Big Loud Mountain – 16
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 16
Taylor Made/Some Things You Never Grow Out Of – 15
Jessie James/Military Man/Show Dog-Universal – 13
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 12
Greg Bates/Did It For The Girl/Republic Nashville – 10

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Marty McIntosh/Looking For Reasons/Nashville America – 177
Taylor Made/Some Things You Never Grow Out Of – 168
JB & The Moonshine Band/Beer For Breakfast/Average Joe’s – 167
Lathan Moore/Nothin Like A Woman/Render Records – 159
Mark Wayne Glasmire/I Like You/Traceway – 153

Lofton Creek Records President Mike Borchetta stopped by with new act Britt & Blaire to visit Captain Jack and Laura Lynn at Renegade Radio Nashville for an on-air interview. (L-R): Borchetta, Lynn, Blaire, Britt, Captain Jack

Republic Nashville’s Greg Bates took to Denver this week to visit with Dial Global and the KYGO staff. (L-R): Jimmy Harnen, Garret Doll (KYGO MD), Greg Bates, Stacy Blythe (Republic Nashville) and John Thomas (KYGO PD)

Sunny Country Santa Maria/San Luis Obispo California is closing in on raising one-million dollars from 13-years of St. Jude Radiothons. Justin Moore helped present the check when he performed a private concert for the station. (L-R): Moore, Jay Turner (Sunny Country PD/Morning), Lauren Davis (ALSAC/St. Jude), and Niki Kozak (Sunny Country)

Charlie Cook On Air: Rusty Walker

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I was not going to write anything about Rusty Walker’s death this week. There will be many words written, Facebook posts, emotions expressed and hugs exchanged that will be more eloquent than anything I can say. That is still true but this is a small fraternity and I want to thank Rusty for being who he was.

This is all about recollections and it is going to come from my perspective. I read some things this week that kind of disappointed me. Not anything about Rusty but about others making it about them. Then when I sat down to jot some notes for this column I realized that writing from “my” perspective is the only way you can do it. So excuse me. This is not a eulogy.

Like so many of us in the industry, I have known Rusty for 20-plus years. I never worked with Rusty at a radio station but I have worked with him on CMA projects as committee members and I saw why he was so successful at his radio stations. He was focused. He could see through a problem and he saw all angles of the issue.

When the committee assignments come out at the beginning of the CMA term I know that everyone looks for their name. But honestly I look for others on the committee just as quickly. I was always excited to be paired with Rusty. I knew that the committee was going to get things done.

Last summer, while in Chicago for a CMA Board meeting, Rusty, Lon Helton, Jaye Albright and I had dinner at Lon’s favorite Italian restaurant. Lon paid. Rusty was Rusty. He knew the history of everyone he ever worked with, and maybe ever met. It was great to hear his stories. It was great to learn about how he moved people around and built more careers than Monster.com.

I know because as I try to staff radio stations for West Virginia Radio Corp. and consulting client stations I see Rusty’s name as a reference time after time. People were proud to include his name on their resume because they knew potential employers were aware that they got first class training and coaching as part of their work life.

In fact, while chatting about Rusty with Lon this week, I mentioned that what is lost, along with the obvious, is that history. Lost is a chronicle of Country Radio in the southeast United States over the last quarter century. Nothing can ever replace this.

Rusty had his hands on almost every move over that period of time. There is an army of Rusty protégés that will keep him alive at radio and we are fortunate for that influence.

Luckily for me I was seated next to Rusty at the CMA Awards show for the last three years. We sat together for three hours commenting on performances and artists. We would discuss the strength of a record as a recurrent or oldie at client stations. Think about that for a second. Carrie Underwood would blow away the crowd with an amazing performance and we’re discussing whether the song should be a Power Recurrent or just a Recurrent.

We would notice if an artist thanked Country Radio during their acceptance speech. That was filed away by both of us. We would discuss the business for three hours, most likely being pests to those around us but Rusty saw everything as it impacts radio listeners.

I can tell you that Country Radio got better in heaven on Monday. Let’s see how Rusty incorporates the required harp music into the playlist.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)