Easton Corbin Joins “Road to the Ram Jam”

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Mercury Nashville recording artist Easton Corbin will join previously announced artists Kellie Pickler and Brantley Gilbert for the “Road to the Ram® Jam” series and sweepstakes.

The Road to the Ram Jam, presented by the Ram Truck brand, highlights five country artists and offers exclusive video content, free music downloads and the opportunity to win prizes through participating country radio stations. Fans can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win trips to the invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert event in Nashville December 29, 2012 at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam or on the Ram Trucks Facebook page at www.ramjamsweeps.com.

Corbin will offer fans entering the sweepstakes a chance to win a free download of his new single “Lovin’ You Is Fun” from his forthcoming sophomore album All Over the Road. The remaining Road to the Ram Jam artists will be announced throughout the year and all five participating will receive a lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks will then be auctioned off in early 2013 with all proceeds going to benefit a charity of each artist’s choice.

Easton Corbin

Jimmy Wayne Honored For Foster Service Advocacy

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Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher (Grand Ole Opry GM), Rep. Mark White, Wayne, Senator Doug Overbey, Treasurer David Lillard. Photo: Chris Hollo

Jimmy Wayne was recently honored by Tennessee State Senator Doug Overbey, Representative Mark White and state Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr., at the Grand Ole Opry with a congratulatory resolution for his advocacy work to extend foster care services to young adults.

Wayne, who spent years in North Carolina’s foster care system, recognized the difficulty young adults face in completing education, launching careers and finding independence. Wayne helped sway state legislators in both houses of the General Assembly to unanimously adopt a bill allowing adults between ages 18 and 21 to continue receiving foster care services.

The Treasury Department first worked with Wayne in 2010 for his Project Meet Me Halfway. The initiative helped bring awareness of individuals aging in the foster system.

“Jimmy Wayne has been a tireless advocate on behalf of young people in need of foster care, so it is fitting that he is being honored with this resolution,” Treasurer Lillard said. “This new law will provide security to a critical group of young people as they are making the transition from childhood to adulthood. Every Tennessean is proud of Mr. Wayne’s efforts.”

GAC Plans 5th Annual Kick-off Breakfast

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Tickets went on sale today (5/11) for the 5th Annual GAC Kick-off Breakfast—the unofficial start to CMA Music Fest—which will be held 7 am Wed., June 6 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Performers at this year’s breakfast event will include Josh Turner, Lauren Alaina, Thompson Square and Kip Moore.

Tickets have been available here for $45 and include a country breakfast, performances, autograph sessions with the performers and museum admission. Proceeds from the event benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Past Kick-off Breakfast performers have included Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Lee Ann Womack and Chris Young.

Artist Updates (5/11/12)

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Carrie Underwood visited Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night (5/10) to promote the release of her fourth album Blown Away. Her performances included current single “Good Girl,” album cut “Leave Love Alone,” and a special duet with Jimmy called “Before You Freak.” The song parodied Underwood’s smash “Before He Cheats.” See videos from her appearance here.

• • • • •

Lee Ann Womack was in Washington, DC on Wednesday (5/9) to perform at the Centennial First Ladies Luncheon for Michelle Obama, and a donation was made on the singer’s behalf to Houston-based Healthcare for the Homeless. Additionally, Womack visited the White House for the presentation of the 2012 Library of Congress’ Gershwin Award to Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Womack is also currently recording a new album with husband Frank Liddell.

• • • • •

Miranda Lambert just scored a No. 1 song with “Over You,” which she and husband Blake Shelton wrote together. The song has been certified Gold, and RCA has released the stripped down “Over You (Heart and Soul Mix).” “I think the key is we sort of pick and choose what we want to do together as artists because we don’t ever want the business to get in the way of our personal relationship,” said Lambert about Shelton. “So when we write together, we kind of step away from being husband and wife, and we just become artists that respect each other. And it’s a really good relationship, and I think doing that every now and then and keeping it special is what makes it work.”

• • • • •

The Mavericks’ new single “Born To Be Blue” (Valory Music Co.) is headed to country radio with a May 29 add date. Fans can stream the song on the group’s Facebook page here.

• • • • •

Martina McBride has been selected to sing the national anthem during the pre-race ceremonies at the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Tickets to the prestigious racing event are available here.

• • • • •

Craig Morgan will headline the July 13 broadcast of Fox & Friends’ “All American Summer” concert series in New York City. Locals will be able to see the performance for free outside the Fox News Studios at Avenue of the Americas and 48th St. in Manhattan. The concert will air on Fox & Friends starting at 6:30 am CT that morning.

• • • • •

Bucky Covington’s tour bus was involved in an accident yesterday (5/10) on I-65 in Birmingham, AL. Covington was not onboard at the time of the accident and there appear to be no serious injuries but some of the passengers were taken to the hospital for examination. Covington’s dates tonight (5/11) in Germantown, IL and tomorrow (5/12) in Kenosha, WI will go on as scheduled.

• • • • •

Black River Entertainment’s Glen Templeton will make his national television debut on June 17 when he visits Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends. Templeton will sing his current single “Sing That Song Again” and Conway Twitty’s classic “That’s My Job” in honor of Father’s Day. The appearance will air beginning at 7:10 am CT.

McFadden Joins Momentum Promotion Team

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Momentum Label Group has announced the hire of Tim McFadden to assist promotion efforts for the label’s flagship artist Rachele Lynae. McFadden will join John Ettinger and the label’s promotion staff to promote Lynae’s new single “Party ‘Til The Cows Come Home.”

“Tim has such great relationships at radio and will be invaluable to our team as we work to break our Rachele’s new single,” says Momentum Label Group creator Jamie O’Neal. “I have always been very impressed with Tim, and I’m thrilled to be working with him.”

McFadden most recently served as National Head of Promotion for R&J Records since its inception. His career also includes time in the promotion department at Giant Records and running his own McFadden Management.

Reach him at 615-476-0090 or tzmcfadden@gmail.com.

Momentum Label Group was launched in February 2012 by singer/songwriter Jamie O’Neal, who is overseeing all aspects of the company including producing Momentum artists.

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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Think this one’s a hit? Yeah, us too.

Eric Church, Ryan Tyndell, and Jeff Hyde co-penned “Springsteen,” the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 song, which concerns itself primarily with the memory of an old relationship. And like its namesake, “Springsteen” also uses some anthemic touches (like the “whoa whoa whoa” chant after the second chorus) that make it instantly striking.

Church just recently brought his Blood, Sweat, and Beers Tour to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. MR’s own Sarah Skates was present for the event and discovered that it was indeed bloody, sweaty, boozy, and explosive.

Check out the new video for “Springsteen,” directed by Peter Zavadil:

YouTube video

Publishing News: Rick Monroe, Aaron Espe

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Pictured (L-R): Susan Hodges, Dan Hodges, Rick Monroe, Steve Freeman

Nashville’s Render Records has signed recording artist Rick Monroe to a co-publishing agreement in association with Dan Hodges Music (DHM). The deal includes world-wide creative administration with DHM Administration, for past and present publishing catalogs.

Since inception in 2008, DHM has published songs recorded by Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Billy Currington, Faith Hill, and Lee Brice.

Monroe’s current EP, Part One, features his new single “Crazy Not To.” Monroe is currently on the road with the 2012 Jägermeister Country Tour with Randy Houser through the end of July.

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Pictured (L-R): Revelry's AJ Burton, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Aaron Espe, and Revelry's Greg Gallo and Greg Beeckman

Revelry Music Group has signed an administration agreement with Colorado-based JMHB Music Publishing for ASCAP songwriter-artist Aaron Espe.

Revelry will retain exclusive right for pitching to artists, film, television, and advertising. Espe’s song “Water” can most recently be heard in a national Payless Shoes campaign.

Also a member of the duo “Bombs Over Nowhere” with fellow songwriter busbee, Espe’s latest solo album, Three, was released on May 1.

Toby Keith Hosts Golf Classic

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The 9th Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic tees up Friday, May 18 at the groundbreaking of the OK Kids Korral in Oklahoma City. The home-away-from-home for children and families being treated at Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center and other nearby facilities has been the ultimate goal of the Toby Keith Foundation and its annual event.

The 10 am groundbreaking ceremony begins turning the dream into reality, followed by a dinner and auction that evening to continue the tradition of strong fundraising. Last year’s event raised $650,000, and the 2012 lineup of auction items is quite impressive.

Auction highlights include a trip to Africa with Pros for Africa, a Dallas Cowboys VIP package, having a menu item named for you at Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar & Grill,” concerts and golf packages and memorabilia from Coldplay, Carrie Underwood, the Rolling Stones, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean and more.

For information visit www.tobykeithfoundation.org.

Weekly Chart Report (5/11/2012)

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Kix Brooks visited with Lexington/WBUL PD Michael Jordan (R) before a recent show. Brooks’ solo debut, “New to This Town,” is currently making the rounds at country radio.

SPIN ZONE
It’s dude central at the top of this week’s CountryBreakout Chart. Eric Church’s song about hearing “Springsteen” stays at No. 1 for a second consecutive week with a small spin gain. Georgia boys Jason Aldean (“Fly Over States”) and Luke Bryan (“Drunk On You”) are at No. 2 and 3, respectively, and still picking up new plays. It’s an incredibly tight Top 10 however, with only Eli Young Band’s “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” making forward movement to No. 5.

Slow-moving applies to the rest of the chart as well. Keith Urban’s “For You” manages to gain 210 spins, but only moves up one spot to No. 18. Similarly Jana Kramer’s “Why Ya Wanna” adds 180 new spins, but only gets a small bump to No. 23. Easton Corbin, Justin Moore, Love and Theft—all get triple digit spin increases, but only one spot higher positioning.

Outside the Top 40, things are less of a traffic jam. Blake Shelton’s new single “Over” is already to No. 42 in its second week, right on the heels of Montgomery Gentry’s “So Called Life” at No. 41. Lady Antebellum just flew into the chart at No. 63 with “Wanted You More,” and Lee Brice’s “Hard To Love” makes a promising debut at No. 68.

Frozen Playlists: KGRT, KICR, WBKR, WDXX, WKWS, WXMM, WXXK

Upcoming Singles
May 14
Jessie James/Military Man/Show Dog-Universal
Due West/Things You Can’t Do In A Car/Black River
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb

May 21
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros./WMN
Bill Gentry/That Kind of Live/Tenacity
Rascal Flatts/Come Wake Me Up/Big Machine
Jake Owen/The One That Got Away/RCA

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Lady Antebellum/Wanted You More/Capitol – 63
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 68
Jake Owen/The One That Got Away/BNA – 77
Jaida Dreyer/Guy’s Girl/Soundstream – 78
Adam Gregory/High On You/Calusa Entertainment/GMV Nashville – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 394
Lady Antebellum/Wanted You More/Capitol – 373
The Band Perry/Postcard From Paris/Republic Nashville – 241
Toby Keith/Beers Ago/Show Dog-Universal – 236
Dierks Bentley/5-1-5-0/Capitol – 235

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Lady Antebellum/Wanted You More/Capitol – 29
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 26
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 10
Jake Owen/The One That Got Away/BNA – 10
Montgomery Gentry/So Called Life/Average Joe’s – 9
George Strait/Drinkin’ Man/MCA – 9
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 9
Kelly Clarkson/Mr. Know It All/19-RCA – 9
Keith Urban/For You/Capitol – 8
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic Records – 8

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Rick Monroe/Crazy Not To/Render Records – 167
Clinton Gregory/Bridges/Melody Roundup – 164
Kristen Kelly/Ex-Old Man/Arista – 159
Florida Georgia Line/Cruise/Big Loud Mountain – 156
Craig Wayne Boyd/I Ain’t No Quitter/Big Ride – 153
Jason Sturgeon/Time Bomb/Toolpusher – 149
Bradley Gaskin/Diamonds Make Babies/Columbia – 147

WMN’s Hunter Hayes visited with KKWF in Seattle earlier in May. His latest single, “Wanted,” is climbing MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart at No. 40. (L-R): Mike Preston (KKWF PD), Hunter, Chris Stacey (WMN SVP of Radio Promotion)

Martina McBride recently visited with WGTY/Gettysburg’s staff and took calls from listeners with PD Scott Donato and morning host Kim Alexander. McBride’s latest single, “Marry Me” with Train’s Pat Monahan currently holds the No. 34 spot on the CountryBreakout chart. (L-R): Alexander, Donato, McBride, Cindy Ford (WGTY GM), Kirk Brechbiel (WGTY Sales Manager) and Republic Nashville’s Cliff Blake

Pistol Annies headlined KRTY/San Jose's 20th Anniversary show at Shoreline Amphitheatre a few weeks ago in Mountain View, CA. (L-R) Back: Gary Scott Thomas (KRTY Mornings), Nate Deaton (KRTY GM). Front: Angaleena Presley, Julie Stevens (KRTY PD), Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Tina Ferguson (KRTY GSM), and Larry Santiago (RCA Nashville)

Charlie Cook On Air: Mother’s Day

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Sunday is Mother’s Day. This is a perfect opportunity to salute the mothers that make Country Music so special. We can start by saying that Country Radio is the mother of all radio formats but that would be too easy a line. Oh what the heck—I have already written it so I am just going to leave it in.

It is also an easy reach to talk about the Ryman Auditorium being the Mother Church of Country Music and “Mother” Maybelle Carter being the matriarch of the first family of Country Music. And lastly on this tack, Mother Country Music by Vern Gosdin—“The Voice” before there was The Voice.

The topic of the actual child-bearing mother has also played a significant role in the format.

Merle Haggard takes the pain on his shoulders for not turning out how Flossie had hoped in “Mama Tried.” If she had just taken the train to see Merle in prison, THIS would have been the perfect country song.

Johnny Paycheck took it a step further, saying Mama was a good woman except for how he turned out in “I’m The Only Hell Mama Ever Raised.”

Steve Wariner and Glen Campbell covered all the motherly duties in “The Hand that Rocked the Cradle.” A very similar topic was used for Jamie O’Neal’s ode to mama, “Somebody’s Hero.”

In the case of the Judds, the motherly duties included raising Wynonna on a moving bus. For a few years there the jury was out on how that was going to work but all is well and Wynonna’s crooning about a boy that was crazy for her was a huge hit.

Wy should have known better. Had she been listening to Shenandoah’s “Mama Knows” she would have known that she didn’t really have a chance.

My favorite country song about mothers was from 1974. Melba Montgomery left a lasting impact discussing whether mothers should be paid for all they do for their children in “No Charge.” I’ll bet that kid in the song wishes he could swallow the $15 invoice he tried to pass off for his chores. I’ll also bet that most mothers feel they are paid in full when their children become upstanding citizens of the world.

We can’t really put a price on 18 years (and many more today with kids moving back into their parents’ homes after school) but I can tell you that one of the best tear-jerking songs ever, “26 Cents” by The Wilkinsons, is the most outdated. I listened to it the other day and I am not sure if I teared up because of the mother/daughter relationship or because you cannot find a phone for 25 cents anymore.

This topic is more recently explored in Carrie Underwood’s “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” but the mother in this song apparently knows that a quarter is not going to get it done.

I love that Brad Paisley finds a way to tie in motherhood and the love he has for his children’s mother. Aren’t we all envious of how Brad sees things from another angle? Aren’t we all just flat out envious of Brad for about a thousand reasons anyway?

There are scores more Mother’s Day songs in the format and I would be remiss to exclude the one that most of the husbands should be thinking about regularly. Be sure that Trace Adkins is not the only one telling your wife that she is “One Hot Mama.”

I cannot fail to mention the mother of all mothers in the format. Andrea Swift has raised a beautiful young lady who has taken the musical world to new heights. Mrs. Swift has been at Taylor’s side through it all and we should take a second to thank her for being part of making Country Radio even more in the mainstream because of her marshaling abilities.

And for all of you who still have your mother in your life, make sure that she knows how much you love her. My mother has been gone for a long time but as she looks down on me she knows how much I still love her.

Happy Mother’s Day.