Amos Lee Hits Ryman On November Tour

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Amos Lee

Amos Lee


Amos Lee will bring a new set of songs from his forthcoming fifth studio album, Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song, to the Ryman Auditorium this winter (Nov. 14) as part of his U.S. tour that kicks off November 5. The new CD drops October 8, and Lee will hit the road the entire month of November in support of the project.
The new album includes special guests Alison Krauss, Patty Griffin, and Jerry Douglas as well as Lee’s longtime touring band. Produced by Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin, Eric Church, Cage the Elephant), it is the first album ever recorded at Joyce’s new studio, St. Charles, which is housed in a converted East Nashville church.
Along with his Ryman date this fall, Lee will hit Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C. A complete list of dates is listed below.
Amos Lee – Fall 2013 U.S. Tour Dates
Sept. 21 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Farm Aid
Sept. 22 – Canton, Mass. @ Prowse Farm – Life Is Good Festival
Nov. 5 – Milwaukee, Wisc. @ Riverside Theatre
Nov. 6 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ State Theatre
Nov. 8 – Chicago, Ill. @ Chicago Theatre
Nov. 9 – Indianapolis, Ind. @ Old National Centre-Murat Theatre
Nov.10 – Royal Oak, Mich. @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
Nov. 12 – Louisville, KY @ Louisville Palace
Nov. 14 – Nashville, Tenn. @ Ryman Auditorium
Nov. 16 – North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Nov. 18 – Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center
Nov. 19 – Charlottesville, VA @ Paramount Theater
Nov. 20 – Baltimore, MD @ The Lyric Opera House
Nov. 22 – New York, NY @ The Beacon Theatre
Nov. 24 – Westhampton Beach, NY @ Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
Nov. 26 – Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
Nov. 27 – Upper Darby, Penn. @ Tower Theatre
Nov. 29 – Atlanta, GA @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Nov. 30 – Knoxville, Tenn. @ Tennessee Theatre

James Robert Webb – Party In The Barn

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James Robert Webb is heads and shoulders above other country artists, and that isn’t just figurative either! At 6 foot 5 inches tall, the phrase holds true literally as well.
With all that height, one would have expected Webb to be pursuing some sort of athletic career, but music had a greater calling on his life. Growing up in rural Oklahoma in a small town called Kellyville, Webb quickly started experimenting with music. At 7, he began to teach himself how to play piano. In his teens, he added guitar to his instrumental repertoire. He learned both instruments by ear, giving him the skills necessary to excel at jazz music later on, becoming an Oklahoma All-State Jazz pianist in high school. He also applied his ear training to other improvisational genres such as Western swing.
In 2010, Webb began to pursue songwriting. Drawing inspiration from his favorite artists, including Garth Brooks, The Rolling Stones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill and more, Webb’s music gives a modern take on traditional country. He blends the best of the music genres to create a unique country flavor.
“I listen to virtually every kind of music there is, but when it comes to country music, I am mostly moved by the traditional country music and honky tonk, as well as the vocal stylists. Garth Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill—these are the kinds of artists that I relate to the most. In my personal opinion, that’s what’s missing from country radio today—country music. Namely, fiddle and steel.”
To stay up to date with all things James Robert Webb, like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @JamesRobertWebb. You can order Born This Day at JamesRobertWebb.com or download it on iTunes.

Nielsen Finds Correlations Between Tweet And Tune-in Surges

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nielsenTwitter is helping drive TV viewership, and for the first time there is statistical evidence of a two-way causal influence between broadcast program tune-in and the Twitter chat around that program thanks to the Nielsen company. Nielsen conducted an independent study using a minute-by-minute time series analysis to determine if Twitter activity drives increased tune-in rates for broadcast TV and if broadcast TV tune-in leads to increased Twitter activity. By analyzing minute-to-minute trends in Nielsen’s live TV ratings and tweets for 221 broadcast primetime program episodes using Nielsen’s Social Guide, the study found that live TV ratings had a meaningful impact in related tweets among 48 percent of the episodes sampled. The results also showed that the volume of tweets caused significant changes in live TV ratings, driving them up among 29 percent of the episodes.
“Using time series analysis, we saw a statistically significant causal influence indicating that a spike in TV ratings can increase the volume of tweets, and, conversely, a spike in tweets can increase tune-in,” said Paul Donato, Nielsen’s chief research officer. “This rigorous, research-based approach provides our clients and the media industry with a better understanding of the interplay between Twitter and broadcast TV viewing.”
Twitter and Nielsen are also readying their Nielsen Twitter TV ratings for the fall TV season. The ratings will measure the total audience for social TV activity on Twitter, including people who tweet and people who see those tweets. Twitter is supplying the data, but the product will be sold by Nielsen, which hasn’t yet announced what the unit of measurement will be.
“These results substantiate what many of our TV partners have been telling us anecdotally for years: namely, that Twitter drives tune-in, especially for live, linear television programming,” said Ali Rowghani, Twitter’s Chief Operating Officer. “As the world’s preeminent real-time social communication medium, Twitter is a complementary tool for broadcasters to engage their audience, drive conversation about their programming, and increase tune-in.”

Industry Ink (8-6-13)

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Stephen Linn

Stephen Linn


Broken Bow Records Management Sr. VP Stephen Linn has exited the company. Linn came to BBR from CMT, where he was Sr. Director of Music Programming and Promotion. Linn can be reached at 615-306-9407 or at contact@stephenlinn.com.

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mercury nashville1MusicRow sends its condolences to Mercury Nashville VP, Promotion Damon Moberly. Moberly’s father, Gary L. Moberly, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 4.

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mts management1Canadian country act Western Avenue has signed a publicity and promotions deal with MTS Management Group. MTS will also oversee the US and international release and radio campaign for the band’s single “Wherever You Are.” Western Avenue is comprised of Nikki English, Keith Robertson and Matt Williams.

Music With Friends Coming To Nashville

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music with friendsMusic With Friends, a private music club, is coming to Nashville. Music With Friends books legendary artists at intimate venues, and will hold its first event in Music City with Diana Ross performing on Oct. 28 at the 800-seat CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
“Friend” memberships to the club are offered annually, and include three musical evenings each year. The intimate concerts include a cocktail reception and an intimate performance from a top-shelf artist. Memberships are $1500 per year, in addition to a one-time $500 seat purchase, for the experience of hearing the performers in a private setting.
Founded in 2006 by Larry Farber, the event began taking shape through artist bookings including Smokey Robinson and Boz Scaggs. In April 2007, Music with Friends held its first official private event in Charlotte, N.C. with artist Michael McDonald, followed by Gladys Knight and Tony Bennett. It expanded to Charleston, S.C. in 2010. Additional venues across the United States include the 700-seat McGlohon Theater (Charlotte, N.C.) and the 420-seat Dock Street Theatre (Charleston, S.C.).
Previous and upcoming Music With Friends performers include Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Chicago, Steve Miller Band and Sheryl Crow, among others.
For Nashville membership inquiries, visit musicwithfriends.com.

iHeartRadio Expands To Australia

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iheartradiologoThe Australian Radio Network (ARN) launched digital music service iHeartRadio in beta in Australia on Monday (June 5). This marks the first expansion of the service outside the United States, according to Noise11.com.
Australian listeners will soon have access to Clear Channel’s 850 live radio stations in the USA and New Zealand.
One included feature is the “Perfect For” mode, that allows users to call up stations based on mood via mobile, tablet or computer.
The iHeartRADIO app is free to download from the iTunes store. The network is jointly owned by Clear Channel Broadcasting and APN News and Media. ARN broadcasts the MixFM and Classic Hits radio stations around Australia, reaching 4 million Australians each week.
In the United States, the iHeartRadio app has been downloaded more than 170 million times.

Sony Nashville Customizes Radio Experience With QUU Interactive

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sonySony Music Nashville has entered into a first-of-its-kind partnership with Seattle-based media technology company Quu Interactive. The company transforms radio into a fully interactive and customized medium across computers, mobile devices, and, for the first time, within vehicles. In its first deal with a major label, Quu will utilize its existing “Liner Notes” network of hundreds of nationwide radio stations, station websites and mobile apps to complement station airplay with timely and pertinent artist information, in real time. The new interactive service launched today.
Quu’s “Liner Notes” service also currently integrates seamlessly with radio station RDS, the web, and mobile platforms, allowing the same customized artist message provided by the label to span across all three platforms instantaneously tied to the song’s spin on the radio. Radio station websites and mobile platforms that are a part of Quu’s “Liner Notes” service also feature customized branded environments tied to each artist, including artist pics, music videos, and additional pertinent information. “Liner Notes” also provides the ability to display ads relevant to the artist that is playing.
In addition to the vehicle interior radio display, which often includes station and artist names, Quu’s customization offering enables Sony Music Nashville to pre-program and geo-target information on local tour dates, media appearances, breaking news, album releases, point-of-sale information and more, tied to an artist’s song as it is playing on the radio. The service also uses Quu’s synchronization technology, which gives it the capability to feed messages directly from the artist’s existing social platforms, including Twitter, giving fans a new way to hear from or about their favorite artists as they are listening to them in their cars and through participating websites and mobile apps. Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Quu’s service provides an enormous promotional opportunity for our artists and the label to customize and geo-target an artist’s message with a 360-degree approach, bringing together the full fan experience of albums, tours, artist offerings, and information in a new and innovative way utilizing the outstanding reach of radio,” said Gary Overton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville. “Now, as consumers listen to Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood on their car radios, one of the main points of radio airplay, we have the ability to inform them about where to see or hear from their favorite Sony Music Nashville artists next.”
For more on Quu Interactive and Sony Music Nashville, watch the video below:

YouTube video

Acuff-Rose Building Gets Renovation

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(L-R): Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, and Clement in 1988. Photo: Alan Mayor

(L-R): Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, and Jack Clement in 1988. Photo: Alan Mayor


The Acuff-Rose music publishing building, home of one of Nashville’s illustrious publishing companies and located at 2510 Franklin Pike, will soon be renovated. The building was purchased by Legacy Instruction Media in late 2012, according to The Tennessean. Legacy provides video instruction, including content, curriculum development, multimedia production and distribution management.
Roy Acuff and Fred Rose founded Acuff-Rose in 1942; the publishing house counts the Roy Orbison hit “Oh Pretty Woman,” and Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You” among its classic hits. Acuff-Rose was also housed in buildings in the Melrose district along Nashville’s Eighth Avenue. In 1985, Gaylord Entertainment Group purchased the catalog and later sold it to Sony/ATV Music in 2002.
Legacy will occupy the building’s second floor, while offering the first floor for lease. An Acuff-Rose Memorial Wall will be created for the second-floor lobby.

Luke Bryan To "Takeover" CMT

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luke bryan crash my party album cover1111
Luke Bryan will dominate CMT programming for the network’s “Luke Bryan CMT Takeover Weekend,” starting Saturday, Aug. 10. CMT will air a Luke Bryan: Crash My Party special, capturing the singer in the studio while he records his upcoming album of the same name. The project will be released Tuesday, Aug. 13. CMT will re-air the special on Aug. 11 and Aug. 13.
Additionally, the network will feature Bryan’s performances, music videos and interviews throughout the weekend. The singer will also be featured on CMT’s social medial channels, including Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Get Glue.
Fans can enter CMT’s “Crash Luke Bryan’s Nashville Party Sweepstakes” through Sept. 16 for a chance to see the singer live in Nashville. For more information, visit CMT.com.

Artist Photos (8-5-13)

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Corey Smith recently became an honorary “Friends and Family” member of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. The Georgia native is currently working on his next album.

Photo: Back row (L-R): Pamela Johnson (Vice President of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum), Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum), Jay Orr (Vice President of Museum Programs, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum), Genevieve Jewell (The Collective), Rachel Cunningham (The Collective), Cass Scripps (APA), Kavi Haleman (The Collective), Craig Dunn (The Collective) and Corey Smith

Photo: Back row (L-R): Pamela Johnson (Vice President of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum), Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum), Jay Orr (Vice President of Museum Programs, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum), Genevieve Jewell (The Collective), Rachel Cunningham (The Collective), Cass Scripps (APA), Kavi Haleman (The Collective), Craig Dunn (The Collective) and Corey Smith.

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A recent episode of GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown was filmed at the new Johnny Cash Museum in downtown Nashville. The museum houses a collection of the Man in Black’s awards, stage clothes and personal belongings. The museum even includes a stone wall and iron fence that were excavated from his Hendersonville, Tenn. lake house.

Pictured, (L-R): Host Nan Kelley, Joanne Cash Yates, Johnny Cash’s sister and Kelly Hancock, museum director of hospitality and events and Johnny Cash’s niece.

Pictured, (L-R): Host Nan Kelley, Joanne Cash Yates (Johnny Cash’s sister) and Kelly Hancock, museum director of hospitality and events and Johnny Cash’s niece.

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The Valory Music Co. recording artist and Season 2 of The Voice contestant RaeLynn briefly took a break from the Locked & Reloaded Tour with Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley to spend time at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir. The center is home to the Fort Belvoir military community as well as our nation’s wounded, ill and injured troops, their families and caregivers.

RaeLynn. Photo: The Valory Music Co.

RaeLynn. Photo: The Valory Music Co.