Several artists are slated to participate in the AT&T Pebble Beach National PRO-AM Celebrity Challenge from Feb. 4 through Feb. 10 in Monterey, Calif. Jake Owen, Darius Rucker and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley will join Josh Duhamel, Chris Berman, Bill Murray, Kenny G, Huey Lewis, Ray Romano, Andy Garcia, Aaron Rodgers, Kelly Slater and others for a good cause.
• • •
Craig Campbell
recently taped an episode in Atlanta for HLN’s “Road Warriors” series. Camerascaptured Campbell at home on the road, enjoying a favorite restaurant in Atlanta, performing at Wild Bills and enjoying downtime while traveling on tour.
The episode will air Thursday (Feb. 7) at 9 a.m. ET during
Morning Express with Robin Meade on HLN.
• • •
Kristian Bush Photo: Dana Tynan
Sugarland’s
Kristian Bush and brother
Brandon Bush (The Bush Brothers) continued their relationship with
Turner Classic Movies by joining the network’s 31 Days of Oscar celebration for a “live-tweet”of the film Cool Hand Luke on Monday (Jan. 5).
The brothers shared their thoughts and observations throughout the screening of the Paul Newman film, including insights from Brandon’s conversation with Oscar-nominated composer
Lalo Schifrin.
• • •
Newcomer Joel Crouse is set to release his first single, “If You Want Some,” to country radio and to iTunes on Tuesday (Feb. 5). Crouse penned the up-tempo tune with Luke Laird (Blake Shelton, Little Big Town) and producer Jamie Houston (Christina Aguilera).
BMLG Enters Deal With Beasley Broadcast Group
/by Sarah SkatesThrough this agreement, Beasley will share a percentage of its terrestrial revenues with Big Machine Label Group, and its artists including Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and Reba. Big Machine has agreed to an innovative approach to allow digital simulcasts of the over-the-air signals by Beasley Broadcast to scale affordably to support the growth of Beasley’s digital platform.
Since BMLG announced a similar and groundbreaking deal with Clear Channel last June, the model has been used to forge agreements between BMLG and Entercom, as well as Clear Channel and labels including rpm entertainment, Glassnote Entertainment Group, Naxos and DashGo. The deals mark the first time in history that artists have been paid performance royalties for radio broadcasts. In turn, the artists and labels have agreed to scale digital royalties to a predictable or lesser amount.
Country On Television
/by Jessica NicholsonThe cast also includes Lily Tomlin portraying Reba’s mother and Sara Rue as Reba’s neighbor Kim.
• • •
“I was so excited to join Adam for a couple days on The Voice,” Scott told Access Hollywood. “It’s an honor to mentor his team…he’s going to have some tough choices to make!”
• • •
He is set to appear on Live from the MTV Newsroom: Hunter Hayes at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday (Feb. 5). On Wednesday (Feb. 6), Hayes will perform on The View at 11 a.m. ET and on Thursday (Feb. 7), fans can watch the multi-talented musician on GAC’s Headline Country at 3 p.m. ET and on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno at 11:35 p.m. ET.
He will wrap the week with an appearance Friday (Feb. 8) on Access Hollywood Live before heading to the Grammy® Awards on Sunday (Feb. 10), where he is nominated for Best New Artist, Best Country Album and Best Country Solo Performance for “Wanted.”
Industry Ink (2/5/13)
/by Jessica Nicholson“With the addition of AEG’s largest and most iconic venue to date – Staples Center – the ticketing platform now powers the No. 1 arenas in both North America and the United Kingdom [London’s 02 Arena], with true momentum forward,” said Tom Andrus, AXS Digital SVP & GM. “AXS is more than just ticketing and was created as a complete platform to redefine the live event experience by empowering venues across every phase of an event – from event discovery to ticketing to in-venue engagement and beyond.”
• • •
SOURCE–an organization of women executives in Nashville’s music industry–held its monthly members’ luncheon at ASCAP on Jan. 24. The group welcomed new members Denise M. Stevens (Loeb & Loeb), JoAnn Berry (Berry Management Group) and Jensen Arrowsmith (Sweet Talk Publicity).
Pictured (L to R): Debbie Carroll (SOURCE Pres. & Exec Dir. Music Cares), Denise M. Stevens, JoAnn Berry, Jensen Arrowsmith and Lainie Allbee (Dir. SOURCE Membership & Martin Allbee & Associates).
• • •
In addition, Shamrock has expanded production and music video services, hiring Rhyan Shirley as Video Promotions Manager and Jeff Savage (tobyMac, Jars of Clay, dcTalk) as Creative Director. Savage will provide in-house mixing and production services to Shamrock’s growing stable of artists and labels.
Founded in 2005, Shamrock Media Group provides radio and video promotion for Christian artists in nearly every format, including AC, Hot AC/CHR, Soft AC/INSP, Rock, Rhythmic and Triple A.
John Fogerty Taps Country Stars To Revisit Classics
/by Sarah SkatesDue out May 28, it is his first album for Vanguard Records. Produced by Fogerty and mixed by Bob Clearmountain, it was recorded mostly in Los Angeles and Nashville. “Proud Mary” was recorded in New Orleans and “Lodi” was recorded with his sons Shane and Tyler Fogerty at Abbey Road Studios in London.
The album track, “Born On The Bayou” recorded with Kid Rock, was used by the NFL Network for Super Bowl coverage of the game played last night (Feb. 3) in New Orleans. Wrote A Song… also includes new songs “Mystic Highway” and “Train of Fools.”
Beginning today (Feb. 4), the album is available for pre-order via iTunes and Amazon.
Wrote a Song for Everyone tracklisting:
1. Fortunate Son (with Foo Fighters)
2. Almost Saturday Night (with Keith Urban)
3. Lodi (with Shane Fogerty and Tyler Fogerty)
4. Mystic Highway (John Fogerty solo)
5. Wrote a Song for Everyone (with Miranda Lambert feat. Tom Morello)
6. Bad Moon Rising (with Zac Brown Band)
7. Long As I Can See the Light (with My Morning Jacket)
8. Born on the Bayou (with Kid Rock)
9. Train of Fools (John Fogerty solo)
10. Someday Never Comes (with Dawes)
11. Who’ll Stop the Rain (with Bob Seger)
12. Hot Rod Heart (with Brad Paisley)
13. Have You Ever Seen the Rain (with Alan Jackson)
14. Proud Mary (with Jennifer Hudson feat. Allen Toussaint and the Rebirth Brass Band)
ACM Award Nominations To Be Announced Feb. 13
/by Jessica NicholsonThe awards nominees will be announced via live videos posted in real-time to fans and media simultaneously, beginning at 6:30 a.m. PST, followed by an official press release that will be posted at www.ACMCountry.com.
Country music fans will be invited to announce the Entertainer of the Year category. Beginning today (Feb. 5), fans are invited to visit the ACM YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/acmcountry) to learn how to post videos announcing the name of the artist(s) they would like to see receive an Entertainer of the Year nomination. On Wednesday (Feb. 13) during the real-time digital press conference, fans can watch to see if their video submission is used to announce their pick for the Academy’s biggest prize.
The Academy of Country Music Awards will take place Sunday, April 7 beginning at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Blue Hat Records Inks Deal with RED Distribution
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Charlie Daniels Band’s first release for RED, titled Hits of the South, is scheduled for release February 19.
Formed in 1972, The Charlie Daniels Band has been entertaining crowds for more than 40 years. On the new release, the CDB pays tribute to their musical heritage with Southern Rock favorites like, “Freebird,” “Long Haired Country Boy” and “Can’t You See.”
Toby Keith Hammers Down on Tour
/by Eric T. ParkerToby Keith and Kip Moore
Toby Keith will embark on a 2013 summer tour titled the Hammer Down Tour with special guest Kip Moore. Presented by longtime partner Ford F-Series, the run begins on June 8 in Ozark, Ark. with stops in Chicago, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and other cities (confirmed dates below).
Touring in support of his current album Hope On The Rocks, Keith is expected to play the self-written title track single, “Hope On The Rocks.”
Prior to the start of the tour, Keith will be headlining the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, a night at the four-day festival Country Thunder in Florence, Ariz. and a night at the Stagecoach festival in Indio, Calif.
Moore’s current single, “Hey Pretty Girl,” was released as the follow up after two No. 1’s, “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” and “Beer Money.”
Confirmed dates (subject to change) for Toby Keith’s Hammer Down Tour are below, with more to be added soon:
June 8–Ozark AR–Thunder On The Mountain *
June 14–Cincinnati–Riverbend Music Center
June 15–Pittsburgh–First Niagara Pavilion
June 22–Philadelphia–Susquehanna Bank Center
June 28–Oshkosh, Wis.–Country USA *
June 29–Cadott, Wis.–Country Fest *
June 30–Chicago–First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
July 19–Cleveland–Blossom Music Center
July 20–St. Clairsville, Ohio–Jamboree In The Hills
July 21–Buffalo, N.Y.–Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
July 27–Cheyenne, Wash.–Frontier Days *
July 30–Davenport, Iowa–Mississippi Valley Fair *
Aug. 2–Sweet Home, Ore.–Oregon Jamboree
Aug. 6–Sturgis, S.D.–Buffalo Chip *
Aug. 14–Springfield, Ill.–Illinois State Fair
Aug. 24–Washington–Jiffy Lube Live
Aug. 25–Hartford, Conn.–Comcast Theatre
Aug. 31–Allentown, Pa.–The Great Allentown Fair
Sep. 1–Essex Junction, Vt.–Champlain Valley Fair
Sep. 7–Indianapolis–Klipsch Music Center
Dates with * = Kip Moore does not appear.
Artist Updates (2/5/13)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Craig Campbell
Craig Campbell recently taped an episode in Atlanta for HLN’s “Road Warriors” series. Camerascaptured Campbell at home on the road, enjoying a favorite restaurant in Atlanta, performing at Wild Bills and enjoying downtime while traveling on tour.
The episode will air Thursday (Feb. 7) at 9 a.m. ET during Morning Express with Robin Meade on HLN.
• • •
Kristian Bush Photo: Dana Tynan
Sugarland’s Kristian Bush and brother Brandon Bush (The Bush Brothers) continued their relationship with Turner Classic Movies by joining the network’s 31 Days of Oscar celebration for a “live-tweet”of the film Cool Hand Luke on Monday (Jan. 5).
The brothers shared their thoughts and observations throughout the screening of the Paul Newman film, including insights from Brandon’s conversation with Oscar-nominated composer Lalo Schifrin.
• • •
Newcomer Joel Crouse is set to release his first single, “If You Want Some,” to country radio and to iTunes on Tuesday (Feb. 5). Crouse penned the up-tempo tune with Luke Laird (Blake Shelton, Little Big Town) and producer Jamie Houston (Christina Aguilera).
Signing Snapshots: Warner/Chappell, Capitol CMG
/by Sarah SkatesWarner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Grammy-nominated musician, producer and songwriter Derek George. He recently produced Randy Houser’s No. 1 track “How Country Feels,” and has also had songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Jake Owen, Wynonna Judd, Hootie & the Blowfish, Josh Gracin and Hannah Montana, among others.
Pictured (L-R): Front Row: Alicia Pruitt, Sr. Dir., A&R; Derek George; Ben Vaugh, Exec. VP. Back Row: Matt Michiels, Production Mgr.; Steve Markland, VP, A&R; BJ Hill, Sr. Dir., A&R; Blain Rhodes, Creative Coord.; Phil May, VP/GM
• • • • • •
Cole Walowac and Jon White, members of the Gotee Records band Capital Kings, visited SESAC to celebrate their recent signing with Capitol CMG Publishing. The band also cheered the success of their self-titled release, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart.
Pictured (L-R): Capitol CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo, SESAC’s John Mullins, Cole Walowac, Jon White, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Gotee Records’ Joey Elwood. Photo: Ed Rode
Rubin Media Celebrates 20 Years
/by Jessica NicholsonRonna Rubin
Rubin Media celebrates 20 years of business in 2013, as one of the longest-established independent PR, project management and events firms in Nashville.
“It’s music that drew me to Nashville and even after all these years, I’m keenly aware of how fortunate I am to continue to make a living surrounded by incredibly talented and creative people,” says founder Ronna Rubin. “Having it all play out in Nashville – a city I loved long before it made everyone’s best-of lists – is perfection.”
Rubin is a voting member of The Recording Academy and is on the advisory board of Gilda’s Club Nashville, the board of the W.O. Smith Music School and is a Room in the Inn volunteer. Prior to opening her own business, Rubin was a national director of press and artist development for Warner Bros. Records Nashville.
Congratulate Ronna here.