If you had your pick of all the talented, and attractive women in country music for a night out who would you pick? Well, you don’t have to choose because the Academy of Country Music is making the decisions for you with the organization’s latest CBS TV Special to be called—Girl’s Night Out: Superstar Women Of Country.
Miranda Lambert
Dedicated to “honoring today’s most incredible female country music performers,” the show will be produced by dick clark productions and taped on April 4, 2011 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The ACM 46th Awards take place the night before, so the timing maximizes the schedules for some artists also appearing on the Awards. Ticket sales from the event, now available at Ticketmaster, will benefit ACM Lifting Lives and are priced at $200, $150 and $100.
Artists chosen to appear on the show will be recognized for special or unique achievements. The first performers announced to appear on the special, plus the achievements they will be recognized for are listed below.
•
Miranda Lambert – Will be recognized for being the only female artist in the Academy’s history to ever win Album of the Year, twice, first for “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” in 2007 and again for “Revolution” in 2009
•
Martina McBride – Will be recognized by ACM Lifting Lives for her dedication to raising social consciousness through songs such as “Independence Day” and “Concrete Angel,” which raise awareness of domestic violence and encourage female empowerment; McBride has won Top Female Vocalist three times, in 2001, 2002 and 2003
•
Jennifer Nettles – Will be recognized for being only one of two female artists in the Academy’s history to ever solo write and perform Song of the Year, in 2007, with “Stay”
•
Reba – Will be recognized for winning Top Female Vocalist more times than any other artist in the Academy’s history – a whopping seven times
•
Carrie Underwood – Will be recognized for being the only female artist in the Academy’s history to ever win Entertainer of the Year, twice, first in 2008 and again in 2009 (she is the reigning Entertainer of the Year, since Awards recognize the previous calendar year’s work)
Colt Ford
/by ProgrammerPlaylistAverage Joes Entertainment
Colt Ford will be playing at MusicRow’s Annual CRS Meet & Greet Tuesday, March 1, 2:30-5 pm at Cadillac Ranch.
Colt Ford’s latest offering “Country Thang” is the title track to his upcoming album. He penned the song with the white-hot writing trio of Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, and Ben Hayslip (Blake Shelton’s “All AboutTonight,” Josh Turner’s “All Over Me”)
Ford’s unique party-starting hybrid of country-rock and hip-hop, combined with a high-energy live show, has catapulted him into a celebrated indie star. Originally from Athens, GA, the former pro-golfer turned artist built a massive following through relentless touring, eventually selling over 150k units of his debut Rollin’ Through The Country. His sophomore album Chicken & Biscuits hit No. 8 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in 2010 and features an all-star list of collaborators like Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, DMC (of Run DMC), James Otto and more. The artist says the key to his success has been in bringing something real to his shows and recordings.
“I tried to write songs I would like and that I thought people like me would like,” he offers. “I wrote about things they know about, and I can’t tell you how often someone will say, ‘Are you from my home town?’ I’ll say no and they’ll say, ‘You must be, because you write about exactly who we are and what we do.’ That’s the connection. I just tried to be honest and real, and this is what happened. They know I’m one of them.”
http://www.coltford.com/
[wpaudio url=”https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/cfct13111.mp3″ text=”Colt Ford – Country Thang” dl=”0″ autoplay=”1″]
Nielsen IPO A Success
/by adminThe company which measures consumer behavior, and also gathers the SoundScan bar code information from music sales, originally offered to sell 71.4 million shares at $23 for a minority stake of about 20%.
Underwriters for the IPO were J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley. Over 53 milion shares changed hands during the day.
Give Credit Where Credit Is Due: Oscar Noms Omit Writer
/by Sarah SkatesOscar the grouch?
Yesterday (1/25) Nashville was beaming with pride when local songwriters Tom Douglas, Troy Verges, and Hillary Lindsey scored an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Together, with Bob DiPiero, they wrote “Coming Home” for the Country Strong soundtrack. So why isn’t DiPiero’s name on the official nominations list?
According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, no more than three songwriters can be nominated in this category; and Douglas, Verges, and Lindsey were the three names submitted.
An Academy rep maintains that this rule is because the Oscars are designed to reward individual, not group, achievement.
According to the rep, the Original Song category traditionally honors two songwriters: one for lyrics, one for music. According to the official rules:
Rules for this category are overseen by The Music Branch Executive Committee, currently headed by chairman Bruce Broughton. An article in Variety last month pointed out: “No Academy group has tinkered more with its rules than the music branch. Over the years, categories have been added and subtracted, and the award titles have changed repeatedly. Even the idea of what is eligible and what is not — for songs and scores alike — has been overhauled numerous times.”
So maybe the committee should consider allowing all songwriters with equal writing credit to be nominated?
“Coming Home” was performed by Gwyneth Paltrow for the soundtrack released by RCA Nashville. The song was also nominated at the recent Golden Globes for Best Original Song – Motion Picture.
The 83rd Academy Awards will air Sunday, February 27, on ABC.
ACM Tapes Girls Night Out For CBS
/by adminIf you had your pick of all the talented, and attractive women in country music for a night out who would you pick? Well, you don’t have to choose because the Academy of Country Music is making the decisions for you with the organization’s latest CBS TV Special to be called—Girl’s Night Out: Superstar Women Of Country.
Miranda Lambert
Dedicated to “honoring today’s most incredible female country music performers,” the show will be produced by dick clark productions and taped on April 4, 2011 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The ACM 46th Awards take place the night before, so the timing maximizes the schedules for some artists also appearing on the Awards. Ticket sales from the event, now available at Ticketmaster, will benefit ACM Lifting Lives and are priced at $200, $150 and $100.
Artists chosen to appear on the show will be recognized for special or unique achievements. The first performers announced to appear on the special, plus the achievements they will be recognized for are listed below.
• Miranda Lambert – Will be recognized for being the only female artist in the Academy’s history to ever win Album of the Year, twice, first for “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” in 2007 and again for “Revolution” in 2009
• Martina McBride – Will be recognized by ACM Lifting Lives for her dedication to raising social consciousness through songs such as “Independence Day” and “Concrete Angel,” which raise awareness of domestic violence and encourage female empowerment; McBride has won Top Female Vocalist three times, in 2001, 2002 and 2003
• Jennifer Nettles – Will be recognized for being only one of two female artists in the Academy’s history to ever solo write and perform Song of the Year, in 2007, with “Stay”
• Reba – Will be recognized for winning Top Female Vocalist more times than any other artist in the Academy’s history – a whopping seven times
• Carrie Underwood – Will be recognized for being the only female artist in the Academy’s history to ever win Entertainer of the Year, twice, first in 2008 and again in 2009 (she is the reigning Entertainer of the Year, since Awards recognize the previous calendar year’s work)
The Boot Campaign
/by contributorThe Roys, George Jones and Josh Turner
One-by-one country music stars are taking off their cowboy boots and replacing them with army boots. The Boot Campaign, started by five Texas women—the “Boot Girls” (Ginger, Leigh Ann, Sherri, Heather and Mariae)—was inspired by retired US Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, author of the book Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 and founder of the Lone Survivor Foundation. The campaign encourages Americans to purchase a pair of army combat boots to wear in support of our nation’s troops. Proceeds are donated to partner charities, including the Lone Survivor Foundation. For more information about the Boot Campaign, go to www.bootcampaign.com.
Country music stars involved include legends George Jones, Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis, Lee Greenwood and Charlie Daniels; hit-makers Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, Gretchen Wilson, Justin Moore, Chuck Wicks, Colt Ford, Joey + Rory and Jack Ingram; bluegrass artists The Grascals and The Roys; Texas sensations Robert Earl Keen; and many more.
(L-R): Captain Ivan Castro, Petty Officer 1st Class Marcus Luttrell (retired), Trey Fanjoy, Joe Nichols and Captain Chad Fleming (retired).
Joe Nichols Gets His “Boots On”
The video for Show Dog-Universal artist Joe Nichols’ “The Shape I’m In” pays tribute to those in the military who were injured in battle, but are making the most of their lives. The video was made in partnership with The Boot Campaign and the Lone Survivor Foundation. Directed by award winner Trey Fanjoy, the video features special appearances by Lone Survivor Foundation founder and former Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell as well as Captain Chad Fleming (retired) and Captain Ivan Castro.
Fleming lost his left leg in battle, but has finished 5K runs, Triathlons, a long-distance bike rides. Castro, blinded by enemy fire, became the first blind graduate of the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course at Fort Benning, GA. Castro has also completed marathons and triathlons.
An extended version of the music video (below) includes an additional message from Luttrell. For more information on the Lone Survivor Foundation please visit www.LoneSurvivorFoundation.org.
Artist News
/by contributorACM Welcomes Steel Magnolia • Ty Herndon Fights ALS • Little Jimmy Dickens at The Palm • Adam Brand Aids Flood Relief
ACM Welcomes Steel Magnolia
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Big Machine recording artists and ACM Top New Duo and Group nominee Steel Magnolia to the office when they were in Los Angeles this week. The duo sang their current hit “Last Night Again” and others from their recently released CD Steel Magnolia, which debuted at No. 3. (L-R): Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones. Photo: Michel Bourquard
FUNL Music’s Ty Herndon and former NFL running back Kevin Turner were in Nashville Monday and Tuesday (1-24/25) to raise awareness about the Kevin Turner Foundation and its efforts to fight ALS. Their visit included stops at GAC for a segment of “On The Streets” with Suzanne Alexander and an interview with WSMV Sports Director Rudy Kalis, to air Jan. 30 on the station’s “Inside Sports” program. Turner was diagnosed with ALS in May 2010 and formed the Kevin Turner Foundation to raise awareness about the connection between repetitive head trauma and ALS. Herndon’s song, “Journey On,” was selected as the foundation’s signature song. For more information visit www.KevinTurnerFoundation.org or www.TyHerndon.com. (L-R): Herndon, Alexander and Turner.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Little Jimmy Dickens has become the latest member of The Palm family. At The Palm, the dining room walls are a panorama of caricatures of local regulars, businessmen, politicians and celebrities. Dickens was presented with The Palm’s signature caricature on Wednesday, January 17 just prior to his 90th birthday celebration. (L-R): Palm GM Jonathan Scott, Dickens and Palm Mgr. Rae Krenn.
Arista Nashville’s Adam Brand has been headlining his Coming Home Tour in his native Australia, but with the tour coinciding with devastating flooding in his homeland, Adam is taking advantage of the tour to raise funds for flood relief by literally giving the shirt off his back. Each night of the tour, Adam is auctioning the shirt he’s wearing.
T.J. Martell Announces New Board
/by MichelleJoining the board are Charlie Brusco, Alliance Artists – Artist Management; Gil Cunningham, Neste Marketing; Holly Hawkins, Community Volunteer; Deana Ivey, Nashville Visitors and Convention Bureau; Brock Jones, Powers Management Group; Ben Jumper, Sound Check; Alan Kates, Bigger Picture Group; Joe Rando, Heath Island Enterprises; Mike Snider, Paradigm Talent Agency; Erv Woolsey, Erv Woolsey Company; and Jim Yerger, music industry executive.
Officers Derek Crownover, Crownover/Blevins will remain as President; Tom Annastas, BMI, will remain as Vice President; Karen Clark, Pinnacle Bank will remain as Treasurer; and Rick Murray, Premiere Radio Networks will remain as Secretary.
www.tjmartellfoundation.org
Shelton Extends "All About Tonight" Tour
/by FreemanThe 2011 All About Tonight Tour will resume on Friday, January 28 in LaCrosse, WI, with opening guests including Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia, The Band Perry and Chris Young (check schedule for guest lineup). Full dates for the 20 city tour are included below.
“I’m excited to get back out there and perform for my fans,” says Shelton. “They made last year the best year of my life and I hope to make each night of this tour one of the most memorable nights of their lives. I’m hoping this tour will prepare me for co-hosting the ACM awards with the queen of country music, Reba. There’s no better practice as my fans are always great at keeping me on my toes.”
2011 All About Tonight Tour Dates:
Date — City, State
1/28 — LaCrosse, WI
1/29 — Bemidji, MN
2/3 — Jonesboro, AR
2/5 — Cape Girardeau, MO
2/8 — Tulare, CA
2/17 — San Antonio, TX
2/18 — Winnie, TX
2/19 — Waco, TX
2/25 — Brookings, SD
2/26 — Duluth, MN
3/11 — Fayetteville, NC
3/12 — Augusta, GA
3/16 — Austin, TX
3/17 — Highland Heights, KY
3/18 — Corbin, KY
3/19 — Huntington, WV
3/26 — Orlando FL
4/9 — Auburn, AL
4/16 — Valdosta, GA
5/7 — Catoosa, OK
Living In The Sales Moment
/by adminOK. You’re still reading so I assume you want to be prepared for next week’s SoundScan reality check. Here goes… Lady Antebellum released Need You Now during the week ending 1-31-10 and opened with an exuberant 481,000 units. This year there are no releases planned that will balance that number (Joe Nichols Greatest Hits is scheduled for 1/25), so assuming next week we sell just a little more than this week, your scribe calculates that country’s YTD album sales balance will take a 21 point dive ending up at about -11.5%. A number which will worsen week by week until new product steps up to balance the 2010 Lady A sales.
The highest selling country current digital albums were Taylor Swift Speak Now (7.5k), the above mentioned Mr. Church and Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party (5.6k). The highest selling digital album of the week was a debut from the Decemberists King Is Dead which moved over 60k units.
Saucy Singles
The country digital tracks top 100 list continues to churn over one million units per week. This week 1.25 million of those files found new homes traveling from the cloud to new hard drives and solid state media. Taylor Swift-“Back To December”, Jason Aldean-“Don’t You Wanna Stay”, Kenny Chesney-“Somewhere With You”, Stoney Creek’s Thompson Square-“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and the Band Perry-“If I Die Young” held the first five positions. Big Machine/Republic Nashville own spots one and five, Broken Bow Records/Stoney Creek owns two and four, and each pair of artists is responsible for about 100k downloads.
Hall of Fame Receives NEA Grant
/by Michelle“The Museum has offered its Words & Music program, which allows students to express themselves creatively and to learn the craft of lyric writing, for more than thirty years now,” said Director of Education and Public Programming Justine Gregory. “Up until now, students have had to visit the Museum to participate in the program. This generous grant from the NEA, however, will allow us to take Words & Music directly into Metro Nashville Public School classrooms. We will also continue to offer our traditional Words & Music program here at the museum, meaning that thousands of additional students will be able to participate in the program each year.”
All participating music and classroom teachers will be trained to use the Museum’s curriculum and will teach the material, which includes lyric-writing exercises, to their classes over a four-week period. Lyrics crafted by the students will then be given to one of the Museum’s volunteer songwriters, who will set selected lyrics to music. Finally, the songwriter will visit the classroom to talk with students about the melody-writing process and the craft of songwriting, and to perform selected student compositions.
David Bogart has been named Words & Music Outreach Coordinator and will oversee the new program. Interested Metro Nashville Public School music and classroom teachers of fourth grade level students should contact Bogart at (615) 480-3971 or dbogart@countrymusichalloffame.org.