ACM Radio Nominees Announced

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The Academy of Country Music announced nominees in the radio categories, which due to time constraints, are not televised during the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, but are instead honored at a special pre-Awards reception.

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL
Kix Brooks – American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks
Big D and Bubba – Big D and Bubba
Crook and Chase – Crook and Chase Countdown
Blair Garner – After MidNite with Blair Garner
Lon Helton – CMT’s Country Countdown USA
Shawn Parr – The Country’s Hot List
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
Cliff and Brooks on KSON (Cliff, Brooks and Tori) – KSON-FM San Diego, CA
Trish Biondo – WUSN-FM  Chicago, IL
Cornbread, Pat James, Annie Henson and Capt. Mac Douglas – WIL-FM St.  Louis, MO
Dr. Don, Rachael Hunter and Grunwald – WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
Edwards & Lee (Chuck Edwards & Linda Lee) – WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
J.D. Cannon – WFMS-FM  Indianapolis, IN
Karen Scott & Radar – WMIL-FM  Milwaukee, WI
Mike, Marty and Janie – WQDR-FM  Raleigh, NC
Jeff Roper and Angie Ward – WTQR-FM  Greensboro, NC
Chris Carr, Jason Statt and Maverick – WUBE FM  Cincinnati, OH
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
Brian Pierce & Kellie Michaels – KFDI-FM  Wichita, KS
Jack Ryan – WIVK-FM  Knoxville, TN
Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer and Jimmy Holt – WIVK-FM  Knoxville, TN
Dan Brennan & Shelby Mitchell – WKSJ-FM Mobile, TN
Scott Wynn & Sue Wilson (Wynn and Wilson in the Morning) – WQMX-FM  Akron, OH
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM  Eugene, OR
Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore (The Good Morning Guys) – KUAD-FM Windsor, CO
Jimmy Lehn and Shelly Martinez – WCTY-FM  Norwich, CT
Mark Ericson and Karen Kiley – WOKQ-FM  Dover, NH
Dex and Mo – WUSY-FM  Chattanooga, TN
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
KEEY-FM   St. Louis Park, MN
KNIX-FM   Phoenix, AZ
WPOC-FM   Baltimore, MD
WSOC-FM   Charlotte, NC
WYCD-FM   Detroit, MI
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
KCYY-FM – San Antonio, TX
WFMS-FM – Indianapolis, IN
WGH-FM – Virginia Beach, VA
WMIL-FM – Milwaukee, WI
WSIX-FM – Nashville, TN
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
WBBS FM – Syracuse, NY
WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
WKHK-FM – Richmond, VA
WKMK-FM & WTHJ-FM – Neptune, NJ
WYRK FM – Buffalo, NY
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
KCLR-FM – Columbia, MO
KCTR-FM – Billings, MT
KUAD-FM – Windsor, CO
WFRE-FM – Fredrick, MD
WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL

Lambert Leads Final ACM Nominees List

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Miranda Lambert and Ronnie Dunn announce the ACM nominations at the Country Music Hall of Fame.


Nominations were announced today (2/1) for the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, set to air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 on CBS.
Miranda Lambert leads the artist nominations with seven, including Top Female Vocalist, her first nod for Entertainer of the Year, as well as Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “The House That Built Me.”
Zac Brown Band is nominated for five awards, including Top Vocal Group and Album of the Year. Additionally, Zac Brown received four individual nominations as producer and songwriter.
Kenny Chesney scooped up five nominations, including album of the year for Hemingway’s Whiskey and Single Record of the Year for “The Boys of Fall.”
The Band Perry and Taylor Swift each garnered four nominations, and Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson and Keith Urban all earned three.
Fan voting for awards categories Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Vocal Group will close February 24 at 11 am CT. The winner in each category will move on to compete for Top New Artist, and fans will vote for that honor as well as Entertainer of the Year through 7 pm CT on April 3.
According to the ACM: The official nominations count for artists reflects categories in which they have been nominated as individuals or as part of a group. Occasionally an artist may get more than one nomination which adds to the total count.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Toby Keith
• Miranda Lambert
• Brad Paisley
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban
TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• George Strait
• Keith Urban
TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack
TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• the JaneDear girls
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland
TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Randy Rogers Band
• The Band Perry
• Zac Brown Band
TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• Eric Church
• Easton Corbin
• Randy Houser
TOP NEW VOCAL DUO or GROUP OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• the JaneDear girls
• Steel Magnolia
• The Band Perry
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• Need You Now – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by:  Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley
• The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson (Mercury)
Produced by: Arlis Albritton, Dave Cobb, The Kent Hardly Playboys
• Speak Now – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift
• Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Jon Randall Stewart
• You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin (Mercury)
Produced by: Carson Chamberlain
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry (Republic Nashville)
Produced by: Paul Worley
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice (Curb Records)
Produced by: Lee Brice, Doug Johnson
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin
Composers:  Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble
Publishers:   A Sling And A Prayer Music (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Music (ASCAP), Don Poythress Songs (ASCAP), Precious Flour Music (BMI), Universal Music-MGB Songs (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
Composers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette
Publishers: Angelika Music (BMI), Weimerhound Publishing (BMI)
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry
Composer:  Kimberly Perry
Publishers:  Pearlfeather Publishing (BMI), Rio Bravo Music, Inc. (BMI)
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice
Composers:  Tim James, Doug Johnson
Publishers:  Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sweet Radical Music (BMI), T-Bird’s Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Composers:  Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
Publishers:  Built On Rock (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tomdouglasmusic (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
• Hillbilly Bone – Blake Shelton Featuring Trace Adkins
Producer:  Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White
• Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Trent Hardville
Director: Trey Fanjoy
•  Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
Producer: Tony McGarry
Director: Declan Whitebloom
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney
Producer:  Don Lepore
Director: Shaun Silva
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Producer:  Trent Hardville
Director:  Trey Fanjoy
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• Blue Sky – Emily West Featuring Keith Urban (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright
• Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by:  John Carter Cash, Patsy Lynn Russell
• Cold Beer – Colt Ford Featuring Jamey Johnson (Average Joes)
Produced by:  Shannon Houchins, Adrian Young
• Good To Be Me – Uncle Kracker Featuring Kid Rock (Top Dog/ Atlantic / Bigger Picture)
Produced by: Kid Rock

Red Light To Manage Wynette Legacy

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Red Light Management will partner with Bicycle Music and its affiliate, The AF Circle C Fund, to exploit Tammy Wynette’s name, likeness and image rights. Through its affiliate the AF Circle C Fund, Bicycle Music controls substantial copyright interests in Wynette’s catalog of works and master recordings as well as her name, likeness, image rights and trademarks (Stand By Your Man™, Tammy Wynette™, and First Lady of Country Music™).
“Tammy Wynette will always be one of the greatest and most influential artists in country music, a true icon,” said Bicycle CEO Roger Miller. “We are dedicated to preserving her legacy and ensuring that the world will continue to enjoy her music and her image for generations to come.”
“Having worked with Tammy in the mid to late ’80s, it’s undeniable the influence she had not only on country music, but across so many spectrums of the industry”, said Red Light Management’s Fletcher Foster. “Along with a massive catalog of hits, she broke ground as one of the first country artists to tour overseas. She appeared on MTV in the ‘90s with an international #1 dance hit. Her voice still defines country music, and her legacy earns her the title of ‘the First Lady of Country Music’.”
Born in Mississippi, Wynette dreamed of appearing on the Grand Ole Opry from an early age, inspired by her father, a sharecropper and part-time musician. She moved to Nashville in 1966 and was signed by producer Billy Sherrill. Their legendary partnership resulted in 35 No. 1 hits, including “My Elusive Dreams” (her first chart-topper), “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” “D-I-V-O-R-CE” and her trademark song, “Stand By Your Man.”

The Revolution Continues For Miranda Lambert

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Columbia Nashville’s Miranda Lambert is preparing to hit the road again through 2011. The Revolution Continues tour will pick up February 24 in St. Louis, featuring special guests Justin Moore and Josh Kelley. Additionally, Lambert will join Alan Jackson for his first Australian tour in March, which is already sold out. Full dates are included below.
Lambert is also nominated in three categories at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, bringing her career total to six. She’s slated to perform at the show, which will air 7-10:30 pm CT Sunday, Feb. 13 on CBS.
Miranda Solo Dates:
February 16 — San Antonio Rodeo – AT&T Center (San Antonio, TX)
February 18 & 19 — Billy Bob’s (Ft. Worth, TX)
March 16 — Houston Rodeo – Reliant Stadium (Houston, TX)

With Justin Moore and Josh Kelley:
February 24 — Chaifetz Arena (St. Louis, MO)
February 25 — Roberts Stadium (Evansville, IN)
February 26 — McLeod Center (Cedar Falls, IA)
March 24 — Allen County War Memorial (Ft. Wayne, IN)
March 25 — Eastern Kentucky Expo Center (Pikeville, KY)
March 26 — Knoxville Civic Coliseum (Knoxville, TN)
March 27 — West Virginia University Coliseum (Morgantown, WV)
April 7 — Lloyd Noble Center (Norman, OK)
April 8 — Ford County Events Center (Dodge City, KS)
April 9 — Pershing Auditorium (Lincoln, NE)
April 14 — Germain Arena (Estero, FL)
April 15 — St. Augustine Amphitheater (St. Augustine, FL)
April 16 — Wickham Park Pavilion (Melbourne, FL)
Australia dates with Alan Jackson:
March 4 — Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne, Australia)
March 6 — CMC Rocks The Hunter Festival (Hunter Valley, Australia)
March 7 — Acer Arena (Sydney, Australia)
March 10 – 12 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre (Brisbane, Australia)

CRS News: UMG Luncheon, Digital Rodeo Party

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CRS 2011 will be held March 2-4, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center.
>>For the second year in a row, Universal Music Group Nashville is hosting a lunchtime show for CRS attendees at the Ryman Auditorium.
The event on Wed., March 2, 2011, will feature Gary Allan, Laura Bell Bundy, Hayes Carll, Coldwater Jane, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Dani Flowers, Vince Gill, Mallary Hope, Jamey Johnson, Josh Kelley, Randy Montana, Kip Moore, David Nail, Randy Rogers Band, Ashton Shepherd, Canaan Smith, Sugarland, Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack, as well as special guests.
The UMG Nashville luncheon kicks off at 12:30 p.m. with a “to-go” barbecue lunch served at the Convention Center.
“When we planned the UMG CRS show last year, we had no idea how well it would be received,” says UMG Sr. VP Promotion and host of last year’s event, Royce Risser. “Each artist performed one acoustic song on the historic stage of the Ryman, creating a number of magical moments that people still talk about a year later.”
“The feedback from both attendees and our artists was overwhelming and seems to indicate that this is the start of a new marquee event at CRS,” continues Risser. “Unfortunately, Luke Lewis chose the same host as last year. Sorry about that.”
>>Digital Rodeo will host the Country Radio Seminar wrap-up event on Friday, March 4 at Cadillac Ranch. The show typically features about two-dozen Country artists performing material from a different genre or theme—this year’s focus is the British Invasion.
For the third year in a row, the social networking and Country lifestyle site DigitalRodeo.com is partnering with Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. to sponsor the event. It kicks off at 10:30 p.m. CST or immediately following the CRS New Faces of Country Music® Show and Dinner.
The line-up for CRS luncheons sponsored by Sony Music Nashville and Capitol Nashville will be announced this week.
Only credentialed CRS attendees are permitted to attend these events.
And don’t forget about MusicRow’s invitation-only CRS party featuring Colt Ford and Joanna Smith on Tues., March 1.
A reduced $399 Early Bird CRS registration rate is in effect through Friday, Feb. 18. The On-Site rate increases to $499 on Feb. 19. Contact the Country Radio Broadcasters at (615) 327-4487 or at www.CRB.org for registration materials.

Jon Loba To Head Broken Bow/Stoney Creek

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Jon Loba


CEO Benny Brown has appointed Jon Loba Senior Vice President/Label Group of This Is Hit, Inc., parent company of Broken Bow Records and Stoney Creek Records. Loba will report directly to Brown, effective tomorrow (2/1).
“I am thrilled to have Jon Loba back on our team,” says Brown. “Jon has an insurmountable amount of knowledge, talent and passion for this industry. Having Jon on our team to help with both label imprints will help us continue our company’s commitment to excellence.”
Loba rejoins the BBR/SCR family after exiting the company in 2007 to help launch The Valory Music Co. as VP of Promotion and Artist Development. “I want to wish everyone at Valory Music well and I will forever be proud of what we accomplished together but I’m very excited about my new opportunity,” says Loba.
He continues, “I cannot express how ecstatic I am to once again work with Benny Brown and his team, many whom I have worked with before. They are a passionate and talented group who keep defying the odds. The icing on my cake is being reunited with Jason Aldean and the chance to be involved with the careers of Thompson Square, James Wesley and all the BBR/Stoney Creek artists. I definitely feel like I am coming home and can’t wait to get started!”
Other artists signed to BBR/Stoney Creek are Blake Wise, Kristy Lee Cook, Ash Bowers and Crossin Dixon.
Jon Loba can be reached at 615-244-8600 or jloba@brokenbowrecords.com.

Loss Named Valory Promo Boss

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Chris Loss


Chris Loss has been promoted to VP Promotion for The Valory Music Co. effective immediately. This follows the announcement of Jon Loba’s exit from the label today to run Broken Bow. Loss previously served as Dir. National Promotion/West Coast Promotion for Valory, as well as Dir. of West Coast Promotion for Lyric Street prior to that. Loss is currently based in Arizona, but will move to Nashville with this promotion.
“I am incredibly grateful to Scott for the opportunity to lead such a talented team. The bar has been set high by the entire Big Machine Label Group and Valory will have its best year ever in 2011,” says Loss. “Thanks to Country Radio, Reba is red-hot, Justin Moore is next-level bound and our team is about to deliver you an act who we know will be on the 2012 CRS New Faces Show.”
In addition to Loss, Valory has promoted George Briner to VP of Field Promotion and JoJamie Hahr to National Dir. of Field Promotion. Both will retain regional promotion duties in addition to their new responsibilities.
Loss can be reached at 615-324-7064 or Chris.Loss@valorymail.com. Briner can be reached at 615-324-7782 or George.Briner@valorymail.com. Hahr can be reached at 615-324-7787 or JoJamie.Hahr@valorymail.com.

Sugarland's Latest Ships Platinum

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Sugarland’s latest album, The Incredible Machine, recently received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) indicating shipments of more than one million units.
This marks the duo’s fourth consecutive release to reach platinum or multi-platinum status. It brings Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush‘s career total to more than 9 million records.
Sugarland’s 2011 The Incredible Machine Tour opens March 3 in Houston, TX, and ends in their hometown of Atlanta, GA on October 22.
Last year’s The Incredible Machine Tour was one of Pollstar’s Top 50 North American Tours of 2010.

Peermusic Inks Vicky McGehee

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Peer Nashville's Kevin Lamb (L), with songwriter Vicky McGehee and Peer Nashville's Michael Knox.


Peer Music has purchased Vicky McGehee‘s Middle Child 2 Music catalog, and signed her to an exclusive songwriter and co-publishing deal. The announcement was made by peermusic’s Kevin Lamb and Michael Knox, both of whom are based in peer’s Nashville offices. The deal includes Vicky’s back catalogue as well as her future works.
Among McGehee’s hits is “Wildflower,” recorded by the the JaneDear girls. She also penned recent singles by Alan Jackson (“It’s Just That Way”) and Danny Gokey (“I Will Not Say Goodbye”). She is a frequent co-writer of Gretchen Wilson, John Rich and Toby Keith. McGehee has also written tracks for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, John Anderson and more.
In 2005 McGehee won MusicRow’s Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year. In 2006 she won BMI’s Songwriter of the Year, and in 2007 she took home her first BMI Pop Award.
“Michael and I have some very definitive feelings about the first signings we make,” says Lamb. “From day one Vicky has been on our short list. Her talents and personality make her a great first signing since Michael joined peer and we are both thrilled to be working with her.”
“Vicky and I go back 10 years,” Knox stated. “We’ve had a lot of success together and I’m excited to continue that in the future. Vicki is a chameleon, you can put her in any songwriting situation and she will come out with something great.”
“Michael Knox signed me to Warner/Chappell Publishing in 2000 and what an amazing ride it was!” says McGehee. “Michael gave me the creative freedom I needed and just enough rope to either hang myself or fly, and man we flew! I’ve been on my own for over three years, starting my company, Middle Child 2 Music. It’s been a very successful run and an incredible experience. I didn’t think I would ever sign with another publisher again, but when I received a call a few months ago from Michael, I immediately missed being part of a family. There is such an excitement at peermusic about the future and about bringing the fun back to the music business.”

Industry Updates: ACM Noms Tomorrow

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ACM noms • ASCAP Christian Music Awards • CountryRadio.TV opens • Dreamcatcher Mgmt/Kenny Rogers Productions • Cara Owen’s new gig • Road To Bonnaroo • Sam Phillips documentary
>>ACM nominations will be revealed tomorrow morning at a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Miranda Lambert and Ronnie Dunn will make the announcement. Check musicrow.com for all the news.
>>ASCAP will stage its 33rd Annual Christian Music Awards on Monday, March 28, 2011 at Nashville’s Richland Country Club. Tim DuBois, Vice President and Managing Executive, Nashville will lead his creative team in presenting ASCAP Song Awards to the songwriters and publishers of the most performed songs in Christian music. Invitation-only.
>>Christopher Massey has launched CountryRadio.TV, offering video news to country radio station websites. The subscription service hosted by Meredith Weiss features artist interviews, a behind-the-scenes look at music video shoots and tour rehearsals, red carpet coverage, industry events and  performances. Contact Massey at (615) 866-6332 or info@countryradio.tv.
>>Dreamcatcher Artist Management and Kenny Rogers Productions have merged. Bob Burwell will continue supervising touring and promotional activities for the company. Jason Henke continues as Director of Creative Services. Debbie Cross continues as Tour Coordinator, along with Tour Assistant, Melanie Herring. Jim Mazza will be working on special recording projects for the company
>>Cara Owen has left her post as Sony Music Nashville’s Manager, Artist Development & Marketing and joined Wilbanks Entertainment as Sr. Director of Marketing and Publishing. The company is working with Randy Owen and BLEVE Entertainment on a fundraising project for the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) and IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) Foundation Funds. Due in April, Owen’s studio album is being produced by Michael Knox. Owen can be reached at cowen@wilbankse.com or 615-337-8219.
>>The Road to Bonnaroo contest, sponsored by BMI, Mercy Lounge, Yuengling, and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, will feature 24 bands with Nashville ties vying for three slots at Bonnaroo 2011, slated for June 9-12, in Manchester, Tenn. On Feb. 28, March 21 and April 18, eight bands per night will compete at the Mercy Lounge. An industry panel will contribute one half of the verdict, while fan voting through onsite ballots will determine the other half.
>>A documentary about seminal American musical figure Sam Phillips will be screened Feb. 9 at Vanderbilt University, with film writer Peter Guralnick speaking after the presentation. The free showing of Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll, is at 7 p.m. at the Sarratt Cinema.