Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the 2011 Americana Music Honors and Awards Nominees
Nominees for the 2011 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards were announced today at a special event held at New York City’s Gibson/Baldwin Showroom.
Elizabeth Cook and
Robert Plant lead the field of nominees, earning three acknowledgements apiece including Artist of the Year nominations for both. Additionally, Cook’s
Welder is up for Album of the Year, and her song “El Camino” got a nod for Song of the Year. Robert Plant and the
Band of Joy are nominated for Duo/Group of the Year, and the group’s album
Band of Joy is also up for Album of the Year.
Previous New/Emerging Artist of the Year winners
Justin Townes Earle and
Hayes Carll each received two nominations. Earle’s
Harlem River Blues is up for Album of the Year and its title track is nominated for Song of the Year, while Carll will compete for Artist of the Year and his song “Kmag Yoyo” is vying for Song of the Year.
Rosanne Cash revealed the nominees, and guests were treated to music from
The Civil Wars,
Levon Helm and His Dirt Farmer Quartet featuring
Jim Lauderdale, and then Cash backed by keyboard player
Benmont Tench. Nashville
Mayor Karl Dean and producer/songwriter
T Bone Burnett were also present.
The 10th Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards is scheduled for Thursday, October 13 at the Ryman. The event is the cornerstone of the Americana Festival and Conference, which runs October 12-15 in Nashville.
2011 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Nominees:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Band of Joy, Robert Plant
Welder, Elizabeth Cook
Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle
Blessed, Lucinda Williams
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Elizabeth Cook
Hayes Carll
Robert Plant
NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
The Secret Sisters
Jessica Lea Mayfield
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Avett Brothers
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy
SONG OF THE YEAR
Decemberists with Gillian Welch- “Down By The Water”
Elizabeth Cook – “El Camino”
Hayes Carll – “Kmag Yoyo”
Justin Townes Earle – “Harlem River Blues”
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Kenny Vaughan
Sarah Jarosz
Will Kimbrough
Pictured at the event are (L-R): AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly, Benmont Tench, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm, Joy Williams, T Bone Burnett, John Paul White, Jim Lauderdale, Byron Isaacs. Photo: Taylor Hill)
Gaga's Fans Put Their Paws Up For New Album
/by FreemanAt 99 cents, Amazon’s download was $11 cheaper than the equivalent iTunes download. The loss-leading move could be viewed as a way for Amazon to bolster its Cloud Drive and Player service, as Apple prepares to launch its own cloud music service. Amazon users get 5 GB cloud storage by default; purchasing the album grants them a full 20 GB.
Despite the price difference, iTunes users still purchased enough downloads of Born This Way to push it to the No. 1 spot ahead of Adele’s 21. There is also a bonus track digital edition of the album available for $15.99.
Other retailers also went Gaga with clever promotional deals. Best Buy gave away copies of Born This Way for free, provided that the customer purchased one of three smartphones with a two-year service plan. Visitors to Starbucks.com could stream the entire album for free, and download single “The Edge Of Glory” for keeps.
The hype over Born This Way also raises questions about first week sales figures. Easily one of the most anticipated releases of the summer, Billboard estimated its first week sales would fall in the 450k-750k range. Following the flurry of promotional deals, however, that number could shift upward.
Picture Party
/by Sarah SkatesSongwriters Go Coastal
Some of Nashville’s finest songwriters took a bus to the Kenny Chesney Goin’ Coastal 2011 Tour stop in Lexington, KY, where they hung with opening star Billy Currington.
(L-R): David Lee, Shane Minor, Jerry Flowers, Troy Verges, Billy Currington, Rivers Rutherford, Monte Criswell, George Teren, Kelly Lovelace, and Jim Beavers
Book Party For Business Wisdom of The Beatles
Authors George Cassidy and Richard Courtney celebrated the release of their book Come Together: The Business Wisdom of The Beatles, with a recent reception at Regions Bank on Music Row.
(L-R): George Cassidy, Richard Courtney, Midsouth Region President of Regions Bank Keith Herron, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, fine art photography printer Dave Leonard, Senior VP of Regions Bank/event co-chair Lisa Harless, and event co-chair Jerri Malloy. Photo: Steve Lowry.
Justin Moore Visits ACM
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Valory Music Co. recording artist Justin Moore to its offices when he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, he sang his current single “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” and others from his upcoming CD Outlaws Like Me, which will be released June 21.
(L-R): Justin Moore and Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. Photo: Michel Bourquard
Bentley's Miles & Music for Kids Riding Strong
/by Sarah SkatesOver the series’ five-year history, Bentley has raised over $1.5 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In 2009, Bentley joined forces with Nationwide Insurance, CMT ONE COUNTRY and the Children’s Miracle Network to expand the successful “Miles & Music for Kids” first held in Nashville across the country, visiting Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle, Atlanta and now Columbus. Events in Chicago and Nashville are also planned for later this year. Each “Miles & Music For Kids” event begins with a motorcycle ride that starts at a local Harley dealership and continues through city landmarks before ending at a local venue for a concert.
As part of CMT’s involvement, “Miles & Music For Kids” and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will be promoted on all of its media channels: on-air, online at CMTONECOUNTRY.com and CMT.com and via radio. CMT talent will be on-site at each event to serve as emcee.
Cook and Plant Lead Americana Honors Nominations
/by FreemanElizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the 2011 Americana Music Honors and Awards Nominees
Nominees for the 2011 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards were announced today at a special event held at New York City’s Gibson/Baldwin Showroom.
Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the field of nominees, earning three acknowledgements apiece including Artist of the Year nominations for both. Additionally, Cook’s Welder is up for Album of the Year, and her song “El Camino” got a nod for Song of the Year. Robert Plant and the Band of Joy are nominated for Duo/Group of the Year, and the group’s album Band of Joy is also up for Album of the Year.
Previous New/Emerging Artist of the Year winners Justin Townes Earle and Hayes Carll each received two nominations. Earle’s Harlem River Blues is up for Album of the Year and its title track is nominated for Song of the Year, while Carll will compete for Artist of the Year and his song “Kmag Yoyo” is vying for Song of the Year.
Rosanne Cash revealed the nominees, and guests were treated to music from The Civil Wars, Levon Helm and His Dirt Farmer Quartet featuring Jim Lauderdale, and then Cash backed by keyboard player Benmont Tench. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and producer/songwriter T Bone Burnett were also present.
The 10th Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards is scheduled for Thursday, October 13 at the Ryman. The event is the cornerstone of the Americana Festival and Conference, which runs October 12-15 in Nashville.
2011 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Nominees:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Band of Joy, Robert Plant
Welder, Elizabeth Cook
Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle
Blessed, Lucinda Williams
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Elizabeth Cook
Hayes Carll
Robert Plant
NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
The Secret Sisters
Jessica Lea Mayfield
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Avett Brothers
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy
SONG OF THE YEAR
Decemberists with Gillian Welch- “Down By The Water”
Elizabeth Cook – “El Camino”
Hayes Carll – “Kmag Yoyo”
Justin Townes Earle – “Harlem River Blues”
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Kenny Vaughan
Sarah Jarosz
Will Kimbrough
Pictured at the event are (L-R): AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly, Benmont Tench, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm, Joy Williams, T Bone Burnett, John Paul White, Jim Lauderdale, Byron Isaacs. Photo: Taylor Hill)
Serletic Snags $10.8 Million For Music Platform
/by adminThe independent entertainment and technology company today announced it has closed $10.8 million in Series B funding. Liberty Global and Intel Capitol contributed $6.8 million and angel investers participated with an additional $4 million.
Music Mastermind is the developer of SoundBetter, the audio processing suite at the core of its upcoming consumer‐focused platform. This groundbreaking technology eliminates the traditional effort required to make music, breaking down barriers to creativity and allowing anyone to instantly create, publish, and distribute their own music. “At Liberty Global, we understand that digital technology is uniting people around the world and that music is a common thread among us,” said Bruce Dines, VP of Liberty Global Ventures. “We believe Music Mastermind’s cutting‐edge technologies will connect the international community in a completely new way.”
“We’re at the forefront of the next evolution of music entertainment,” said Matt Serletic who also heads Emblem Records. “It’s time to break down the barriers that prevent people from expressing themselves musically.”
The company raised its first round of funding in February 2010 with nearly $5 million from angel investors.
Industry Ink Monday 5/23
/by Freeman• • • •
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RPM writer and fiddler Nathan Stoops has been playing music recently with American Idol finalist Lauren Alaina, and has now been tapped to play the show’s finale Wednesday, May 25. Stoops is a member of the country group Scarletta, which also includes RPM writers Aubrey Collins and Benji Harris. The group is co-managed by MTM’s Rusty Harmon and RPM’s Scott Siman.
Scarletta: Benji Harris, Aubrey Collins, and Nathan Stoops
Medallion Ceremony Photo Spread
/by Sarah SkatesThe Country Music Association created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest honor. Last night (5/22), the Medallion Ceremony officially inducting Bobby Braddock, Reba McEntire, and Jean Shepard was held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville. Complete coverage of the evening is available exclusively to MusicRow subscribers here.
Photos: John Russell / CMA
(L-R): Chairman of the Country Music Foundation Board of Directors, Steve Turner; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Director, Kyle Young; 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jean Shepard; 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Braddock; 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Reba McEntire; and CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore.
(L-R): President-Elect of the CMA Board of Directors and President and Chief Operating Officer of SESAC, Pat Collins; 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jean Shepard; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore.
(L-R): Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors and Senior Vice President, Media and Entertainment for Gaylord Entertainment, Steve Buchanan; CMA Board member and Shop Keeper Management's Marion Kraft; reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert; and CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore.
Sony/ATV Inks Skip Ewing
/by Sarah SkatesSony/ATV signs Skip Ewing. Pictured (L-R): Terry Wakefield (Sr. VP Creative), Mike Whelan (VP Creative), Skip Ewing, and Troy Tomlinson (President/CEO).
Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed Skip Ewing, the songwriter behind more than 25 hit singles, including 11 No. 1’s. With more than 250 album cuts, some of Ewing’s most popular songs are “If I Didn’t Have You” (Randy Travis), “Something That We Do” (Clint Black), “You Had Me From Hello” (Kenny Chesney), “Love, Me” (Collin Raye), “Every Other Weekend” (Reba McEntire), “Someone Else’s Star” and “Rebecca Lynn” (Bryan White).
Ewing is an award-winning songwriter who has received 13 BMI awards, BMI Songwriter of the Year, and the CMA Triple Play Award. He is a Grammy and Tony nominee.
Sony/ATV President and CEO, Troy Tomlinson, commented, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Skip for 25 years and being his publisher for 15. It’s not every day that you get a second opportunity to work with such a talented craftsman. I consider this a continuing opportunity for success.”
Ewing is busy planning his Horse & Writer songwriting retreat, scheduled for September in Wyoming. Details on attending at www.horseandwriter.com.
Darius Rucker, Vince Gill Earn Honorary Degrees
/by adminRucker toasts MUSC graduates.
Darius Rucker was the keynote speaker at the Medical University of South Carolina commencement ceremony on May 20. In speaking to the graduates from six colleges within MUSC Rucker shared, “You guys said to the world, ‘I’m going to take my brains, my talents, and my smarts and I’m going to help make the world a better place,’ and I want to thank you for that. Today is a day I will never forget.” Rucker was surprised with an honorary diploma that he promised to display in his Charleston, S.C. home. “That way everyone should know to call me Dr. Rucker,” he said.
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Gill accepts his Belmont University degree.
Belmont University honored Vince Gill during its recent graduation ceremony at the Curb Event Center. Gill was given an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree during the commencement ceremonies. Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Vince Gill has mastered his craft and yet he keeps pushing himself to greater excellence. Moreover, as a citizen and humanitarian, he dedicates himself to service and providing opportunities for others to succeed. Vince is truly a Nashville—and national—treasure. ”
Twain To Sign At CMA Music Festival
/by Freeman“I’m so thrilled to be part of the Festival,” says Twain. “It is a huge reunion each year for fans and artists and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the artists I haven’t seen in awhile and connecting with the fans who have been so supportive through the years.”
Twain also recently surprised members of The Oprah Winfrey Show’s studio audience with two day passes to the 2011 CMA Music Festival and hotel accommodations at Gaylord Opryland Resort for June 9-10.
“We are thrilled that Shania is back for the 40th anniversary and bringing another 300 fans to the party,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “She is such a warm and respected ambassador for the format and her connection with her fans speaks to the heart of what makes this event such a success.”
Twain’s last appearance at CMA Music Festival was 1996, when it was called Fan Fair and held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.