Craig Morgan Celebrates Five Years as Grand Ole Opry Member

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Pictured (L-R): Craig Morgan and Grand Ole Opry VP and General Manager Pete Fisher.


Grand Ole Opry member and Country music singer Craig Morgan recently returned to the Opry stage to perform and to celebrate five years as an Opry member.
Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher presented Morgan with a print commemorating the five-year mark. “Opry members are the heart and soul of the Grand Ole Opry,” said Fisher. “They are the reason we have been around for 88 years and are the world’s longest running live radio show. During this Thanksgiving week, we thought it be appropriate to thank Craig Morgan for five incredible years as a member and you are going to be around for several decades more I think. We’ll be doing this a lot more so let’s thank Craig Morgan for five years.”
Morgan shared, “I wore them out when I first started as a singer. For me there’s no greater honor that can be bestowed on a country singer aside from being a member of this great foundation. I’m so proud and honored to be here tonight.”
Craig was inducted as an Opry member in October 2008 by Opry member, John Conlee.

Underwood's 'The Sound of Music Live!' Brings In 19.3 Million Viewers

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Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer in ‘The Sound of Music Live!’


The three-hour NBC broadcast of The Sound of Music Live!, starring Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti aired on Thursday night (Dec. 5) earned NBC its biggest audience on the night since 2004, according to Zap2It.com.
The Sound of Music Live! won for the night in both viewers and in the adults 18-49 demographic. The musical opened in the 8 p.m. ET hour with 17.6 million viewers and peaked in the 9 p.m. ET hour with 19.3 million viewers.
NBC got a 4.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, beating out CBS (2.5), ABC (2.2), FOX (1.2) and The CW (.8).
The Sound of Music Live! is based on the Broadway play from 1959, which starred Mary Martin as Maria and Theodore Bikel as Captain Von Trapp.

[Updated]: 'Rolling Stone' To Open Nashville Office

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rolling stone country111Rolling Stone is set to launch a standalone website covering the Country music scene in the second quarter of 2014, according to adage.com. The magazine also plans to open an office in Nashville with 10-15 editorial staffers, and has goals for its first Country-themed print issue, Rolling Stone Country.
Nashville editor and journalist Beville Darden Dunkerley, who also founded TheBoot.com, will lead the new Nashville office, beginning in March 2014.
“There’s a really big void in the digital coverage of country music as far as giving it the serious attention it deserves,” Gus Wenner, director of RollingStone.com, said, comparing the genre’s popularity to Nascar. “I saw some similarities and thought it could be an opportunity for Rolling Stone.”
“There’s a huge opportunity for us to expand the Rolling Stone consumer base by extending into country music,” added Chris McLoughlin, Rolling Stone‘s publisher, who said the brand will spend more than $1 million on the new site in 2014.
The new site aims to hit one million monthly unique visitors within its first 12 months, Wenner said, with about 8 to 12 items published daily on the site. Monthly unique visitors to the main RollingStone.com totaled nearly 4.3 million in October, up 34 percent from October 2012, according to ComScore.
There are no plans for a regular print version of Rolling Stone Country. A special interest publication with a price tag around $12 or $13 is planned for newsstands in the second half of 2014.

Parton Adds United States Shows To Blue Smoke World Tour

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Dolly Parton


Dolly Parton has added 11 United States tour dates to her Blue Smoke World Tour for 2014. She will be performing on the West coast in January, followed by a string of performances in Oklahoma, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee in May.
Parton will also head to New Zealand, Australia and Europe next year.
United States tour dates include:
Blue Smoke World Tour US Dates
Jan. 24 Rancho Mirage, Calif. – Agua Caliente Casino
Jan. 25 Primm, Nev. – Star of the Desert Arena
Jan. 26 Reno, Nev. – Reno Events Center
Jan. 28 Phoenix, Ariz. – Comerica Theater
May 22 Tulsa, Okla. – Hard Rock Casino
May 23 Tulsa, Okla. – Hard Rock Casino
May 25 Cherokee, N.C. – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
May 27 Richmond, Ky. – EKU Center For The Arts (St. Mark’s Evening Among Friends)
May 28 Knoxville, Tenn. – University of Tennessee (Benefiting Dolly’s Imagination Library)
May 30 Thackerville, Okla. – Winstar Casino
May 31 Thackerville, Okla. – Winstar Casino
For ticketing information, visit dollypartonmusic.net.

CMA Songwriters Series Returns to New York City

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The CMA Songwriters Series returned to Joe’s Pub in New York City on Wednesday (Dec. 4), for the first night of a special two-night event. Celebrating nine years, the CMA Songwriters Series stop in New York featured performances by Deana Carter, Rory Feek, James Otto, James Slater, and host Bob DiPiero. ASCAP, BMI, GAC, and SESAC are the official partners of the CMA Songwriters Series.

Pictured (L-R): James Otto, Bob DiPiero, Deana Carter, James Slater, Rory Feek. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Pictured (L-R): James Otto, Bob DiPiero, Deana Carter, James Slater, Rory Feek. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA


Pictured (L-R): Deana Carter and Rory Feek perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub in New York City Wednesday night. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Deana Carter and Rory Feek perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA


James Otto performs during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub in New York City Wednesday night. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

James Otto performs during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA


Pictured (L-R): Bob DiPiero, James Otto, Deana Carter, Rory Feek, and James Slater perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub in New York City Wednesday night. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Bob DiPiero, James Otto, Deana Carter, Rory Feek, and James Slater perform during the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Weekly Chart Report (12/06/13)

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SPIN ZONE

Jake Owen (R) recently celebrated the release of his new album, Days Of Gold, in New York with WNSH's Kelly Ford (L).

Jake Owen (R) recently celebrated the release of his new album, Days Of Gold, in New York with WNSH’s Kelly Ford (L).


MusicRow’s Top 10 songs are almost a mirror image of last week’s Top 10, with Florida Georgia Line’s “Stay” remaining at No. 1 for the second week in a row with 3,206 spins. CMT recently honored the stellar duo at its Artists of the Year gala. Meanwhile, Cassadee Pope’s “Wasting All These Tears” holds steady at No. 2. Zac Brown Band’s “Sweet Annie” continues to sit at No. 3, while David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got” stays at No. 4. Cole Swindell’s “Chillin’ It” hangs onto No. 5. Rounding out the Top 10 this week is Dierks Bentley‘s “I Hold On” at No. 6, Lady Antebellum‘s “Compass” at No. 7, Scotty McCreery‘s “See You Tonight” at No. 8, Luke Bryan‘s “Drink A Beer” at No. 9 and Love and Theft‘s “If You Ever Get Lonely” at No. 10.
Stations can’t stop consuming Bryan’s “Drink A Beer,” which is the week’s greatest gainer, hitting No. 9 with an added 444 spins. Jason Aldean’s “When She Says Baby” moves to No. 21 with an added 372 spins. Brad Paisley’s “The Mona Lisa” debuts at No. 67 with 300 spins, while Kip Moore’s “Young Love” captures the hearts of radio programmers, jumping to No. 53 with another 200 spins. Finally, David Nail’s “Whatever She’s Got” maintains the No. 4 spot with 200 more spins.
MusicRow welcomes three thrilling debuts this week, with Paisley’s “The Mona Lisa” debuting at No. 67, Robby Johnson’s “South of Me” at No. 75 and Summer Schappell’s “It’s Working” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KMOK, WMCI, KBOE, KMKS, KIAI, KITX, WXXK
eOne Entertainment's Sundy Best recently visited with Big D & Bubba since their Grand Ole Opry debut. Pictured (L-R): Big D, Kris Bentley, Nick Jamerson, Bubba. Picture: Dave Reynolds.

eOne Entertainment’s Sundy Best recently visited with Big D & Bubba since their Grand Ole Opry debut. Pictured (L-R): Big D, Kris Bentley, Nick Jamerson, Bubba. Photo: Dave Reynolds.


Upcoming Singles
December 9
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville
Charlie Worsham/Want Me Too/Warner Bros.-WAR
Court Yard Hounds/Sunshine/Columbia
December 16
Lindsay Ell/Trippin’ On Us/Stoney Creek
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville – 67
Robby Johnson/South of Me/Contrast Music Records – 75
Summer Schappell/It’s Working/615 – 80
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Kip Moore/Young Love/MCA Nashville – 26
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville – 24
Thomas Rhett/Get Me Some Of That/Valory Music – 16
Dan+Shay/19 You+Me/Warner Bros. – 8
Billy Currington/We Are Tonight/Mercury – 8
Craig Campbell/Keep Them Kisses Comin’/Bigger Picture – 8
Tyler Farr/Whiskey In My Water /Columbia Nashville – 8
Jason Aldean/When She Says Baby/Broken Bow – 7
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/Drink A Beer/Capitol Nashville – 444
Jason Aldean/When She Says Baby/Broken Bow – 371
Brad Paisley/The Mona Lisa/Arista Nashville – 300
Kip Moore/Young Love/MCA Nashville – 295
David Nail/Whatever She’s Got/MCA Nashville – 200
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Jared Blake/Countryfied/Skiddco Records – 211
Maggie Sajak/Wild Boy/Back East Records-GMV Nashville – 207
Ry Bradley/New Kind Of Lonely/Crimson Q Records – 207
Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves/Folsom Prison Blues/Verado – 195
Sheryl Crow/Callin’ Me When I’m Lonely/Warner Bros. – 173
Kellie Pickler, who recently spent time with WQDR staff after their Country For Kids Show benefitting the NC Children's Hospital, lands at No. 28 this week with her Black River single “Little Bit Gypsy.” Pictured (L-R): Lisa McKay, Kellie Pickler, JJ Herr, Black River's Megan Boardman & Cody Clark.

Kellie Pickler, who recently spent time with WQDR staff after their Country For Kids Show benefitting the NC Children’s Hospital, lands at No. 28 this week with her Black River single “Little Bit Gypsy.” Pictured (L-R): Lisa McKay, Kellie Pickler, JJ Herr, Black River’s Megan Boardman & Cody Clark.

Spotify To Offer Free Mobile Streaming Option

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spotify71411Spotify is reportedly announcing a new feature soon that will allow users to select specific songs and form a personal playlist they can listen to on their mobile device for free, according to the AP. Depending on the playlist length, Spotify will either shuffle the songs and offer limited playback interspersed with ads, or fill in the gaps with its own song selections as well. The service currently offers free mobile listening of songs but doesn’t allow users to choose specific tracks without paying. The company is finding ways to entice customers to upgrade to a premium subscription for $10 a month, which allows them to listen to any songs or albums they choose without ads and save music to their mobile devices.

The Swedish company this week released information and new tools enabling artists to track playback of their songs on the service, and has 24 million users globally.

Charlie Cook On Air: Music Row Christmas Gifts

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Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook


Here we are a week after Black Friday. You have finished your shopping for your spouse, children, siblings and parents. You searched and searched and finally found that perfect gift for your best friend.
Whew! You can relax. NOT! What about your favorite country music artist? What are you going to get for the person who has everything and if not can buy whatever they want?
Now, you might be asking why you should buy a superstar a gift. Well, the Wall Street Journal reported this week that sales were down for the first time in seven years. It is your duty as a good credit card carrying American to help out. This is a great solution. Here are a few ideas:
Wine of the Month Club. According to “the smoking gun” Blake Shelton’s rider on The Voice includes two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon. It also includes two cases of Light Beer so you could go that way. Beers of the Month. I also found a cocktail shaker for $1400.00. Don’t waste your money on a tie.
Celebrity Cook Book. While in New York rehearsing for The Sound of Music, Carrie Underwood had a kitchen emergency in her apartment that set off the smoke alarm and alerted her neighbors to the fact that as a cook she is a great singer. One neighbor was heard to say there was a smoking hot blonde in apartment 3D. It turned out to be the oven.
Season Tickets to the 2014 West Virginia Mountaineer Football season. Brad Paisley is the most famous Mountaineer on the chart today, so I’m sure he would appreciate this gift. Now don’t worry about the cost. The Mountaineers (4W-8L) finished the season losing to what were thought to be the two worst teams in the Big 12. It turned out the Mountaineers were the worst team, losing to both Kansas and Iowa State. On second thought, if you wait until the season starts you can probably buy them for Brad on Stub and Hub and get parking thrown in free.
You can pick up The Luke Bryan CD Crash My Party for under $12.00 at Wal-Mart for Zac Brown. For the heck of it throw in Tailgates and Tanlines for $10.00.
There really is a book called The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers. It was written by Chuck Rosciam and you can view it online for nothing. Did you know there are only 17 catchers in the Hall of Fame? I’m not sure if JC Arenciba of the Toronto Blue Jays will ever make it to the Hall, but he has already won a pretty big prize with his fiancée Kimberly Perry. I’m sure Kimberly would enjoy this gesture of holiday spirit. Here’s the link to forward to her. http://www.baseballcatchers.com
Suzanne Sommers, nicknamed Ms. Jiggly, made a great deal of money with Thighmaster and subsequently the Buttmaster exercise equipment. I searched the Internet for the best price and found the Buttmaster going for as cheap as $5.00 on Ebay. Now I cannot guarantee it is new equipment, so you’ll have to check that out yourself before you gift one to Luke Bryan who apparently has found his calling card.
Well, my credit card is maxed out, so I am going to have to hang it up but if you have any other ideas go ahead and send them to me. Remember we love all these acts so let’s not get mean.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown Take Over 'After MidNite'

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after_midnite_20th_logo_0_1375348908As After MidNite’s 20th anniversary celebration comes to a close this month, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown will take over as the final guest hosts of After MidNite in December. Each artist will sit behind the mic and give fans their unique, week-long take as host of the program.
Below is the guest host schedule for December:
Florida Georgia Line: Dec. 2 – 8
Brad Paisley: Dec. 9 – 15
Zac Brown: Dec. 16 – 22
From Dec. 23 – Jan. 5, After MidNite listeners will be treated to the best highlights, guest appearances and interviews from the 20-week takeover, which began on Aug. 1. As previously announced, award-winning Country radio and CMT personality Cody Alan will sign on as permanent host of the program, which has been re-branded as CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, on Jan. 6, 2014.

Musgraves To Debut New Video On CMT, Clear Channel Platforms

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musgraves111Kacey Musgraves, who won Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist honors at the 25th Annual MusicRow Awards, will debut her new video for “Follow Your Arrow” across CMT and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment platforms on Monday, Dec. 9.  CMT will air the video every hour during music hours from 6 a.m. ET – 1 p.m. ET on Monday, or fans can watch it on demand at Kaceymusgraves.CMT.com and iHeartRadio.com. Musgraves traveled to the High Desert in Joshua Tree, Calif., to film the video, which she co-directed with HONEY.
The video premiere of “Follow Your Arrow” will be available exclusively on CMT and Clear Channel’s Country stations websites as well as iHeartRadio for 24 hours, and promoted across their platforms including on-air, online and through social media. Combined, CMT and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment reach hundreds of millions of passionate country music fans everywhere they find music.
“I had an amazing time creating this video! It’s exactly what I envisioned accompanying such a special song,” said Musgraves. “Joshua Tree is a magical place, and I hope you can feel that energy when you see this.”
“Kacey definitely capture the spirit and meaning of this song in one of the most anticipated videos of the year,” said Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy, CMT. “We’re thrilled to partner with Clear Channel on this exclusive premiere.”
“CMT and Clear Channel have created the largest country music platforms in radio and television and this is a great opportunity to leverage that partnership for the first time to shine a light on and support a bright young star that is breaking new ground and new music,” said Clay Hunnicutt, Executive Vice President of Programming, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “Kacey thinks, writes and sings outside the lines — we’re excited to get her new video in the hands of her fans and Country music lovers.”