BMG Chrysalis hosted and co-sponsored (along with the Guild of Music Supervisors) a private performance from LeAnn Rimes on March 5 in their Los Angeles office performance space. Rimes’ performance featured selections from her forthcoming album, Spitfire, to an intimate, industry crowd. Darrell Brown (co-writer and producer on the upcoming album) was on hand to present Rimes and also accompany her performance (along with co-writer/guitarist David Baerwald and guitarist Waddy Wachtel). The album is slated to release this spring.
Pictured (L-R): Wendy Griffiths (BMG Chrysalis US-SVP, Marketing US); Sara Connally (BMG Chrysalis US-Sr. Director, Marketing, Film & TV); Alex Flores (BMG Chrysalis US-Director, Marketing, Film & TV); Steve Schnur (Electronic Arts-Worldwide Executive of Music & Marketing); LeAnn Rimes; Ann Kline (Music Supervisor); Maureen Crowe (President of the Guild of Music Supervisors).
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Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Billy Ray Cyrus, Clay Walker, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, Larry Gatlin, Crystal Gayle, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Jett Williams, Jeanne Pruett, Lisa Matassa, The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Mandy Barnett, Mark Collie, Ronnie McDowell, Baillie & the Boys, and
Daryle Singletary are the latest additions to
George Jones’ final Nashville concert taking place at the Bridgestone Arena on Friday, November 22, 2013. Previously announced guest performers include
Garth Brooks, Kid Rock, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley and numerous others.
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The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is bringing the spirit of the South to the Las Vegas Strip with
Zac Brown Band at The Chelsea on April 27 followed by an authentic barbeque and country music showcase on April 28 featuring
Easton Corbin.
Tickets are now on sale for Zac Brown Band at The Chelsea on Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m. Kicking off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, fans of country and barbeque will enjoy a day of music overlooking the Las Vegas Strip at the Boulevard Pool. The day will feature live music sets at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Corbin’s set will begin at 7 p.m.
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Lisa Matassa makes her national television debut on the Hallmark Channel’s Marie show March 13 at 12 noon ET /11 a.m. CT. Matassa and her band will perform her current single, “Somebody’s Baby,” and Lisa and Marie chat about the “adventures” involved in mixing a music career with motherhood.
“Marie is absolutely charming, gorgeous and gracious in person,” notes Matassa. “I have been a fan of the show since it started last year and am so excited that I was invited to be on. Marie is undoubtedly an entertainment icon, but she is also an amazing woman.”
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Trace Adkins presented a check for $670,000 to the American Red Cross on a recent episode of NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. On the first episode, Adkins led his team to victory with the help of multiple generous donors including Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet members Amy Grant and Nikki Taylor, philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, Domino Sugar, as well as members of the Nashville community including the Grand Ole Opry, Creative Artists Agency, Diamond Coach, Blaster Records, Diamond Gusset Jeans, the firm of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy (FBMM), Kyote Tractor, Music City Merchandise, Nashville Hospitality Industry, Pruf LED Show, Dog-Universal Music and Vector Management.
Toby Keith Honored with Million-Air Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI’s Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams, Toby Keith and BMI’s Assistant Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Clay Bradley. Photo by Drew Maynard.
Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) honored superstar Toby Keith with BMI “Million-Air” Awards recently at a studio on Music Row. BMI’s Jody Williams and Clay Bradley presented the long-time BMI songwriter with several awards representing songwriting and publishing credits of more than 15 million air plays for some of Keith’s biggest hits, including “How Do You Like Me Now?,” “Beer For My Horses,” “She Never Cried in Front of Me,” “God Love Her,” “I Love this Bar” and “Who’s Your Daddy?”
The BMI “Million-Air” Award is given to songwriters, composers and publishers whose songs accumulate to over one million U.S. broadcast performances. The designation has been bestowed upon many of BMI’s iconic songwriters, including Sir Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Isaac Hayes and Roy Orbison.
Rucker, Kramer, Rich Sign On For 12th Annual 'Waiting For Wishes'
/by Jessica NicholsonKevin Carter, Waiting For Wishes
NFL Hall of Fame legend Richard Dent, Vikings’ Jared Allen, Green Bay’s A.J. Hawk, Titans new safety George Wilson, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Kix Brooks, Jana Kramer and Chip Esten, who plays Deacon on ABC’s hit show Nashville, have all signed on to participate in the 12th annual Kevin Carter’s “Waiting For Wishes.”
Hosted by former Titan (and now ESPNU Sports Analyst) Kevin Carter and Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, the 12th Annual Kevin Carter’s “Waiting For Wishes” will be held April 2 at The Palm in Nashville. The event benefits The Kevin Carter Foundation and The Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee. The event has raised over $1.4 million since its inception in 2002.
The event, sponsored by HCA TriStar, Grand Avenue and Nashville Lifestyles magazine, has also added an official After Party, “Jam with Jay DeMarcus and Friends,” at Honky Tonk Central for patrons and a few guests who are not able to attend the dinner. Tickets to the dinner are $500 per person with only a handful left. Contact Paige Dixon at The Palm at 615-742-3193. Tickets for the after party, Jam with Jay DeMarcus & Friends, are $85 and sold separately at www.waitingforwishes.com.
Other event sponsors include The Palm, Nashville Downtown Hilton, Honky Tonk Central, Horizon, Lipman and Tito’s Vodka.
Cracker Barrel Shows Steven Curtis Chapman's 'Deep Roots'
/by Jessica NicholsonChapman has earned 57 Dove Awards and numerous No. 1 hits on Christian radio. “Not only does Chapman’s highly-recognized talent and devotion to making a positive impact make for a wonderful partnership with Cracker Barrel, but the music he’s been able to produce sounds outstanding and makes for a fantastic collection of songs we hope folks will enjoy,” says Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig.
“I’m so honored to have three generations of Chapmans and my ‘bluegrass big brother,’ Ricky Skaggs sing along with me on this recording,” says Chapman. “I had the privilege of playing music with some of the best ‘pickers’ in the world while making the record I’ve always wanted to make, thanks to a collaboration with my friends at Cracker Barrel and plenty of biscuits on hand. As folks listen, I hope they will be inspired by the messages in each song.”
Track Listing for Deep Roots:
Lori McKenna To Celebrate New Album With Nashville Show
/by Sarah SkatesProduced by Mark Erelli, the album was recorded live at Middleville, a barn studio in North Reading, Massachusetts. McKenna explains that the songs “reflect the darkness and light of an average life.” She says “Salt” and “Shake” explore the darker sides, while the light shines brighter in “Love Can Put It Back Together.” The latter track was written with Mike Viola for the vacant Stoughton Theatre in their hometown Stoughton, Massachusetts.
McKenna collaborated with Troy Verges and Barry Dean on other songs. “Susanna” is a prayer for a widower written with Verges, and “Shouting” was written with Dean.
Among the older songs on the album is “How Romantic Is That,” which McKenna has performed at every concert since she wrote it in 2007. She describes it as “a flat out celebration of math-homework, minivans and high-school love that has aged itself into old love. It is the story of my life really.”
13th Annual NSAI Song Contest Winner Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonAs part of the NSAI Grand prize package, Diluigi will be performing the Grand Prize-winning song at this year’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. His live performance of “October” can be heard at the Station Inn on Saturday, April 6, on a Tin Pan South show that featuring Diluigi, Melissa Bollea, Amber Hayes and Joshua Scott Jones.
The CMT Listeners’ Choice Award in this year’s contest went to “Gardener in the Graveyard,” composed by Cassidy Alexander, Judd Fuller and Dana Radford. Over 110,000 online votes were cast and 36 percent chose “Gardener in the Graveyard” over the other nine finalists. Alexander also wins a number of prizes for her entry.
Artist Updates (3-12-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonBMG Chrysalis hosted and co-sponsored (along with the Guild of Music Supervisors) a private performance from LeAnn Rimes on March 5 in their Los Angeles office performance space. Rimes’ performance featured selections from her forthcoming album, Spitfire, to an intimate, industry crowd. Darrell Brown (co-writer and producer on the upcoming album) was on hand to present Rimes and also accompany her performance (along with co-writer/guitarist David Baerwald and guitarist Waddy Wachtel). The album is slated to release this spring.
Pictured (L-R): Wendy Griffiths (BMG Chrysalis US-SVP, Marketing US); Sara Connally (BMG Chrysalis US-Sr. Director, Marketing, Film & TV); Alex Flores (BMG Chrysalis US-Director, Marketing, Film & TV); Steve Schnur (Electronic Arts-Worldwide Executive of Music & Marketing); LeAnn Rimes; Ann Kline (Music Supervisor); Maureen Crowe (President of the Guild of Music Supervisors).
• • • •
Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Billy Ray Cyrus, Clay Walker, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, Larry Gatlin, Crystal Gayle, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Jett Williams, Jeanne Pruett, Lisa Matassa, The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Mandy Barnett, Mark Collie, Ronnie McDowell, Baillie & the Boys, and Daryle Singletary are the latest additions to George Jones’ final Nashville concert taking place at the Bridgestone Arena on Friday, November 22, 2013. Previously announced guest performers include Garth Brooks, Kid Rock, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley and numerous others.
• • • •
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is bringing the spirit of the South to the Las Vegas Strip with Zac Brown Band at The Chelsea on April 27 followed by an authentic barbeque and country music showcase on April 28 featuring Easton Corbin.
Tickets are now on sale for Zac Brown Band at The Chelsea on Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m. Kicking off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, fans of country and barbeque will enjoy a day of music overlooking the Las Vegas Strip at the Boulevard Pool. The day will feature live music sets at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Corbin’s set will begin at 7 p.m.
• • •
“Marie is absolutely charming, gorgeous and gracious in person,” notes Matassa. “I have been a fan of the show since it started last year and am so excited that I was invited to be on. Marie is undoubtedly an entertainment icon, but she is also an amazing woman.”
• • •
Lady Antebellum To Kick Off 'Fan Fair X' during CMA Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonLady Antebellum will kick off the week with “Lady A Day at FFX.” The trio group will cut the ribbon when the doors officially open to the FFX on June 6. From the new Fan Fair X, Lady Antebellum will perform, sign autographs in their custom “backstage” booth @ClubLabellum, answer questions from fans in an interview segment called “CMA Close Up,” and is launching their PING PONG & SONGS event to include the thousands of fans in town for the Festival. Fanscan also register at FFX for a private meet and greet with the group at LP Field on Friday, June 7.
“I’m looking forward to being in the new Music City Center,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “We’re really excited to be given the opportunity to merge our PING PONG & SONGS event with Music Fest and this new fan experience CMA is creating. Now that fans from all over the country will be able to play ping pong against us, Charles and Dave are going to have to brush up on their skills! All the money we raise at our booth will go to LadyAID – it’s going to be so fun for us and for the fans!”
“The relationship between our artists and the fans is at the very heart of what this event was founded on, and we continue to embrace that legacy with Fan Fair X,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “By moving to the Music City Center, we are able to provide more opportunities and activities to enhance this treasured experience for the fans.”
EMI CMG Distribution Re-Brands
/by Jessica NicholsonCapitol Christian Distribution was the No.1 Billboard Top Christian Distributor for the 15th time in the past 17 years. In 2012, they distributed four Top 10 Billboard 200 chart debuts, including TobyMac’s Eye On It, the first Christian project in 15 years to top the Billboard 200. They followed that in 2013 with the release of Chris Tomlin’s Burning Lights, which also topped the Billboard 200. Additional top-sellers this year include Colton Dixon’s A Messenger, and yet another No. 1 Billboard Christian album debut for Jeremy Camp with his newest release Reckless.
For more information, visit http://www.
TJ Martell Foundation Salutes Vince Gill, T Bone Burnett
/by Sarah SkatesTJ Martell honorees pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Peggy Joyce, Butch Spyridon and T Bone Burnett.
Held last night (March 10), the T.J. Martell Foundation Honors Gala saluted T Bone Burnett, Vince Gill, Butch Spyridon and Peggy Joyce. The event has raised more than $2,225,000 since it began five years ago.
Jeff Bridges, John Mellencamp and Elvis Costello gave musical tributes to friend Burnett. Many cast members from ABC’s Nashville were on hand to honor Burnett, who is executive music producer for the program. Actress/singer Claire Bowen joined Costello on stage to end the night with a duet.
There were several surprise performances, including an appearance by blues legend Keb’ Mo’, who honored his friend Vince Gill. Additionally, Gill’s daughter, Jenny, gave a musical tribute and his wife, Amy Grant, presented Gill with the Frances Williams Preston Lifetime Music Achievement Award.
Songwriters Aaron Barker, Tim Nichols and Rivers Rutherford performed some of their hits to honor Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Butch Spyridon, and volunteer Peggy Joyce. Spyridon accepted the Spirit of Nashville Award.
T Bone Burnett pictured with (L-R): John Mellencamp, Elvis Costello and Jeff Bridges.
Nashville Signings
/by Jessica NicholsonSinger/songwriter Danika Portz from Remsen, Iowa has signed with Grin Like A Dog Songs in partnership with Green Hills Music Group for music publishing and career development. “I am thrilled to be working with Danika – she’s a unique artist with passion, intelligence and vision,” said Steve Mitchell, President of Grin Like A Dog Songs. “Plus she is such a joy to work with,” adds Woody Bomar, President of Green Hills Music Group. Said Portz, “I am so excited and blessed to have found such a wonderful team.”
Green Hills Music Group was founded in 2007 and has recordings by Hunter Hayes, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Jake Owen, Bucky Covington and Luke Bryan.
Grin Like A Dog Songs publishes songs recorded by Joe Nichols, Kassie DePaiva of ABC’s One Life to Live, Canadian artist Sean Hogan and Christian artist Suzzette Michaels.
Pictured (L-R): Woody Bomar (Green Hills Music Group), Danika Portz, Steve and Leslie Mitchell (Grin Like A Dog Songs). Photo by Pam Boylan.
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Amber Hayes
A-OK/GMV Nashville artist Amber Hayes has entered into an exclusive booking agreement with Nashville-based talent agency and marketing firm, Conway Entertainment Group.
“I first met Amber when she was performing with the Conway Twitty Musical in 2008. I’ve always been impressed by her talent and am excited about working with her and the opportunities ahead,” said Conway Entertainment Group President, Tony Conway.
Pictured (L-R): Todd Pachey, Greg Barnhill and Steve Pasch.