Derek Joseph

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“No Cool Way”

Little House Records

Derek Joseph was raised in the small rural farming community of Phelps, in upstate New York. The singer’s Grandfather was a banjo player and had a big influence on Derek’s love of music.

Derek began his musical education at age 8 with piano lessons, and by his teen years he was playing drums and singing with local groups. He was later hired as the lead singer for Outland, one of upstate New York’s premiere country groups.

Recently, Derek signed a recording contract with Little House Records Nashville. His first single, “No Cool Way” has been released to country radio and is currently climbing MusicRow’s CountryBreakout™ chart.

Derek will attend his first Country Radio Seminar in Nashville March 4-6. He says, “I look forward to making many new friends while I’m in town.”

www.derekjoseph.net
www.myspace.com/derekjosephmusic

Jamey Johnson Set For Downtown Shutdown

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UMG Nashville is planning a Downtown Shutdown during Country Radio Seminar, a unique event which is open to the public as well as CRS attendees. On Wed., March 4 at 11:30 AM, Mercury’s Jamey Johnson will take to an outdoor stage at the corner of 5th Avenue and Commerce to perform a free concert, weather permitting. While many parties and performances surrounding the annual conference are only for those with CRS badges or invitations, UMG is taking this opportunity to reach out to the community at large for exposure, even luring them in with free food and drinks.

Tomorrow night (2/25) Johnson will perform on an encore airing of NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

North of the Border Natives Hang In Nashville

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Hit songwriter/producer Victoria Shaw was cutting tracks for reigning Canadian Country Music Association Female Artist of the Year Jessie Farrell last night (2/23) at Sony Tree studios. The session included three songs co-written by Shaw, Farrell and Gary Burr especially for the project.

After leaving the studio, Shaw and Farrell headed to the Sommet Center to check out Nickelback‘s 1 AM rehearsal for tomorrow night’s (2/25) show. The rock band’s lead singer, Chad Kroeger, is co-owner of 604 Records, Farrell’s label home. The production company is under the Roadrunner Records umbrella with distribution through Universal Music Canada and worldwide through Roadrunner. Farrell, who has been working frequently in Nashville, is also nominated for the upcoming Juno Award for New Artist of The Year.

(L-R) Victoria Shaw, MusicRow Publisher David Ross and Jessie Farrell.

(L-R) Victoria Shaw, MusicRow Publisher David Ross and Jessie Farrell.

(L-R) Kroeger's fiance Marianne Gurick, Kroeger, Farrell and Shaw.

(L-R) Kroeger fiance Marianne Gurick, Kroeger, Farrell and Shaw.

ACM Radio Award Winners Revealed

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Radio award winners for the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards were notified of the good news this morning by Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town, who is also an ACM Board member. Winners were revealed ahead of time because the awards will not be given out during the live awards broadcast on April 5.

Local honorees include WSIX FM, which was named Large Market Station of the Year, and On-Air National Personality of the Year Lon Helton. Winners will be invited to participate in the telecast as the voices for bumpers leading into commercials during the ACM Awards.

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR WINNERS
National: Lon Helton, Country Countdown USA
Major Market: Dorsey Gang, KSCS-FM, Dallas, TX
Large Market: JD Cannon, WFMS-FM, Indianapolis, IN
Medium Market: Andy Ritchie, Alison West and Jimmy Holt, WIVK-FM, Knoxville, TN
Small Market: Brent Lane and Dana Cervantes, WYCT-FM, Pensacola, FL

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR WINNERS
Major Market: WSOC-FM, Charlotte, NC
Large Market: WSIX-FM, Nashville, TN
Medium Market: WIVK-FM, Knoxville, TN
Small Market: WYCT-FM, Pensacola, FL

Oscar Ratings Up, But Still Low

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Last night’s (2/22) Academy Awards saw a 9 percent increase in ratings following an all-time low in 2008. An estimated 36.3 million people tuned in to see sleeper hit Slumdog Millionaire win eight statutes, including Best Picture. This is an increase of more than 4 million from last year, but still among the bottom three least-watched Oscars ever.

Zap2It.com reports the show on ABC won the night, averaging a 16.9 rating/26 share, dominating in every hour of primetime. Last year’s awards came in at 15.5/24. (The household rating considers all television sets in the US, while the share measures televisions sets that are turned on.) Also showing growth was viewership in the coveted adults 18-49 category, improved to last night to 9.5, from 8.4 in 2008.

By comparison, the recent Grammy Awards drew a 11.3 rating/18 share and about 20 million viewers. Last year’s season finale of American Idol was watched by an estimated 31.7 million viewers.

Tony Brown To Be Honored

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Tony Brown

Tony Brown

Tony Brown will be honored for his contributions to the music industry with the 2009 Cecil Scaife Visionary Award on Mon., March 2 at The Musicians Hall Of Fame. Among those set to pay tribute to the acclaimed producer are musical guests, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn. A silent auction will include autographed items from Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member James Burton, who will be in attendance; as well as George Strait, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Amy Grant and others. Email NashvilleCelebrates@gmail.com to request an invitation to the event which benefits The Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship Endowment. A $200 donation secures admission.

With credits on over 100 million albums sold and 100 No. 1 singles, Brown most recently produced hit albums including Reba McEntire‘s Reba Duets, Heidi Newfeld’s solo debut, and George Strait’s Troubador, for which Brown won CMA and Grammy Awards. Brown started his career as a piano player with Elvis Presley, and eventually spent two decades helming MCA Nashville, where signed and/or produced superstars such as Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna Judd and Gill.

LaRawn Scaife Rhea founded the The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award to honor her father who was one of the first people to envision a music business program at Belmont University. His career included time at Sun Records alongside legendary producer Sam Phillips and a young Presley, as well as later work with Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and others.

Latocki Garners ADDY Award

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Latocki Team Creative (LTC) picked up a Gold ADDY® Award on Saturday night (2/21) at the American Advertising Federation Nashville ceremony at local hotspot Limelight. The group was recognized for its excellent work on Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock and Roll 4-Disc Box Set.

“When Sony Legacy asked us to produce the Roy Orbison box set, it was an honor, and my team wanted to create a piece worthy of his legacy and his fans,” says Luellyn Latocki, owner and creative director for LTC. “Winning an ADDY® means that our peers think we got it right, and in Nashville, that means something.”

Orbison’s career encompassing set, which was also released in a limited-edition deluxe version, includes a book of liner notes, celebrity testimonials and previously unreleased photos.

(L-R): LTC's Jeff Crump (graphic design & art direction), Luellyn Latocki (art direction), and Rebekah Lee Beard (production management).

(L-R): LTC's Jeff Crump (graphic design & art direction), Luellyn Latocki (art direction), and Rebekah Lee Beard (production management)

Love and Theft

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“Runaway”

Carolwood Records

Utterly delicious. It’s a foaming, frothy pop-country outing that’s drenched in melody, harmonies and happy-feet rhythm. This sparkles with sunshine and begs for a drive on an empty two-lane blacktop. Summer is officially here.
Robert K. Oermann, Music Row

Love and Theft is the Carolwood Records trio of Stephen Barker Liles, Eric Gunderson and Brian Bandas, and “Runaway” is the group’s debut single. The young group’s career to this point has been filled with some magic moments.

When making the rounds to the labels, they played a short showcase for Lyric Street A&R Chief Doug Howard who said, “You should never have made it into my office… you should have already been signed! Please don’t play for anyone else.”

To make matters sweeter, Taylor Swift heard the trio’s music and brought them on board as an opening act for her headlining concerts in 2008. Others quickly came on board–like Robert Ellis Orral and Jeff Coplan, who are producing the group’s debut album.

“We rehearsed for six months before we ever felt like we wanted to take our music out in front of people,” says Stephen. “We wanted to spend time writing music,” adds Eric, “and making sure we had the right songs to showcase our vocals and make our harmonies stand out.”

In fact, all three are able songwriters who wrote or co-wrote every song on their debut album. They met not long after each arrived in Nashville, and their special chemistry enabled them to forge a unique sound.

“We consciously decided not any one of us would be the lead singer,” says Eric. “We all rotate singing lead and see where the harmonies fall most naturally. In most songs, each of us will sing a different verse or the bridge. Then, our signature is that big three-part harmony on the chorus. It doesn’t really matter who’s singing lead or who’s singing harmony. Somehow it just works.”

“Nothing beats country songwriting,” says Stephen. “That’s as real as it gets and that’s why we’re here. We love what it represents and we want to carry it forward.”

www.lntlovesradio.com
www.myspace.com/loveandtheftmusic

Dove Awards: Tomlin Leads Noms, GMA Starts Fan Voting

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Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin is the top artist nominee for the 2009 Dove Awards. The reigning three-time Male Vocalist of the Year scored seven nominations, revealed at this morning’s press conference, including Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist, Song, Praise & Worship Album, Worship Song, Special Event Album, and Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song. The 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held April 23 at the Grand Ole Opry House and will be broadcast nationwide live on the Gospel Music Channel at 7 PM/CT.

Natalie Grant, Casting Crowns and newcomer Francesca Battistelli each received five nominations. Grant, the current three-time Female Vocalist of the Year, received another nomination in that category, as well as nods for Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song, and Worship Song. Four-time Group of the Year winners Casting Crowns are again up in that category, as well as Artist of the Year, Christmas Album, Short Form Video and Long Form Video. Battistelli, who burst on the Christian music scene in the summer of 2008, is up for Female Vocalist, New Artist, Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Song, and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.

In a growing awards show trend, fans will be able to vote on awards for the upcoming show. For the first time, fans will vote for Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year through www.gospelmusicchannel.com and www.doveawards.com. Voting opens Feb. 26—the same day online voting opens for GMA members—and continues through the live Dove Awards broadcast. It will account for one-third of the total vote in those two categories, while GMA member votes will account for the remaining two-thirds.

Tickets to the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 615-242-0303. Select nominations are below, or click here for a complete list.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns
Steven Curtis Chapman
Fireflight
Marvin Sapp
Third Day
TobyMac
Chris Tomlin

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Addison Road
Francesca Battistelli
Fee
Jonathan Nelson
Remedy Drive
Chris Sligh
Tenth Avenue North

COUNTRY RECORDED SONG
“Did I Make A Difference”; Front Row Seats; The Oak Ridge Boys; Rob Crosby, Bill Anderson; Spring Hill Music Group
“Good Side Of Goodbye”; Home For Now; Living Waters Trio; Wayne Haun, Dave Clark; Vine Records
“I Saw God Today”; Troubadour; George Strait; Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby; MCA Nashville
“I Wish”; How You Live Deluxe Edition; Point of Grace; Cindy Morgan, Phil Madeira; Word Records
“Jesus And John Wayne”; Lovin’ Life; Gaither Vocal Band; Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Doug Johnson, Kim Williams, Benjamin Gaither; Gaither Music Group

COUNTRY ALBUM
Around the Bend; Randy Travis; Kyle Lehning; Warner Bros. Records
Home For Now; Living Waters Trio; Terry Thompson; Vine Records
Hymned Again; Bart Millard; Brown Bannister; INO Records
I Turn To You; Richie McDonald; Frank Myers, Gary Baker, Tommy Lee James; Lucid Entertainment
Runaway Train; Crabb Revival; Ben Isaacs, Tre’ Corley; Daywind Records

SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM
Billy: The Early Years Official Motion Picture Soundtrack; Brooks & Dunn, Mac Powell, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, China Edelman, Patty Griffin, Brandon Heath, Gregory Page, Michael W. Smith, Melinda Doolittle, Roy Orbison, Brad Paisley, Josh Turner, Sierra Hull, John Cowan, Harry Stinson, Ronnie Bowman, Ronnie McCoury, John Wesley Ryles; Anastasia Brown; Arista Nashville, Essential Records

Country Bluegrass Homecoming Volume One; Gaither Vocal Band, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, The Grascals, Buddy Greene, The Isaacs, Gordon Mote, Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, The Booth Brothers, George Jones, Wesley Pritchard, Reggie & Ladye Love Smith, Brittany Allen, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Charlotte Ritchie, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Jimmy Fortune, Dailey & Vincent, Jason Crabb, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Cherryholmes, Lisa Daggs-Charette, Vince Gill, Sonya Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman; Bill Gaither; Gaither Music Group

How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites from the Grand Ole Opry; The Charlie Daniels Band, Mac Powell, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs & The Whites, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood; Steve Gibson; Sony BMG Nashville
Passion: God of This City; Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder*Band, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Fee, Matt Redman; Nathan Nockels; Sparrow Records, sixsteps Records

Your Name; Joel Auge, Leeland Mooring, Paul Baloche, Aaron Shust, Phil Wickham, Josh Reedy, Ayiesha Woods, Ian Eskelin, Mark Stuart, Vicky Beeching, Jared Anderson, Christy Johnson, Sean Loche, Aaron Boyd, Jason Roy, Wes Willis, Lincoln Brewster, Adam Agee; Ian Eskelin; Integrity Music

Photo courtesy: Judy Nelson Group

At today's nomination announcement: (L-R) Lisa Kimmey, Gospel Music Channel; Dan Evans and Jackie Evans, of NBC's Biggest Loser. Photo courtesy: Judy Nelson Group

Owen Launches Album On GMA

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Jake Owen is prepping for next week’s debut of his sophomore album, Easy Does It, on RCA Nashville. He will kick off release day, Feb. 24, with a return visit to ABC’s Good Morning America and perform the project’s lead single, “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You.” The song is climbing MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart and is currently at No. 15.

With co-writing credits on eight of the new album’s 10 songs, Owen says the disc is very much a reflection of his personality. “I’m pretty fortunate to be around a lot of people that I look up to, and I think the common consistent lesson that I learn from all of them is that it’s all about truth,” says the singer. “This is what I am … this is what I sing about … this is what I do. I love to hear where people come from. I like to hear what they’re all about, and that’s what makes music so different.”

Owen recently earned a pair of nominations for the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, where he’s up for Vocal Event of the Year, as well as the fan-voted Top New Male Vocalist. Voting is currently underway through March 5 at www.gactv.com.