American Idol Season 12. Pictured (L-R): Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Ryan Seacrest, Nicki Minaj, and Randy Jackson
Nashville’s Regal Green Hills Cinema will be among a select group of theaters in 11 states to receive a sneak peek of
American Idol’s Season 12 premiere this Wednesday, Jan. 9.
After the screening,
Keith Urban will participate in a live Q&A session alongside judges
Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, and
Nicki Minaj with host
Ryan Seacrest, which will be live streamed
online.
Theater tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with confirmation on the
guest list.
Idol will premier in a two-part segment on FOX, Wednesday Jan. 16-17.
• • •
Natalie Maines
she has finished work on her forthcoming solo album titled
Mother. According to
Maines, the Rock album is produced with
Ben Harper and set for
release on May 7.
The
Pink Floyd cover and title track will be
available as a single from the
West of Memphis: Voices for Justice soundtrack this January 15.
All three members of the
Dixie Chicks are slated to unite for two Canadan performances this year, the Cavendish Beach Music Festival on July 7, and the
Craven Country Jamboree on July 13.
• • •
Jason Aldean
will make his acting debut in a New Mexico-based Western titled
Sweetwater, on Jan. 24 as part of the
Sundance Film Festival.
Aldean performs alongside cast members
Ed Harris, Jason Isaacs, Eduardo Noriega,
Steven Root and
Mad Men’s
January Jones.
The film, directed by
Logan Miller and
Noah Miller, will be featured at various other times throughout the end of the festival after its premier.
Sundance is held in Park City, Utah from Jan 17-27.
Adrian Michaels Departs Curb Records
/by Jessica Nicholson“Adrian has done an outstanding job during his 10 years at Curb Records. Mike [Curb] and I wish Adrian all the best in his new opportunity. Adrian Michaels is a true professional,” said Sr. VP Dennis Hannon in a statement.
Michaels has accepted a new position as president of Top Notch Entertainment and will begin in his new role on Jan. 14.
Michaels joined Curb Records in 2003, where he was responsible for obtaining radio airplay for the roster’s country artists. Prior working at Curb Records, Michaels worked as a vice president of Asylum Records, a southeast regional rep for Curb Records and and a southwest regional rep for RCA Records.
Artist News (1/2/2013)
/by Eric T. ParkerAmerican Idol Season 12. Pictured (L-R): Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Ryan Seacrest, Nicki Minaj, and Randy Jackson
Nashville’s Regal Green Hills Cinema will be among a select group of theaters in 11 states to receive a sneak peek of American Idol’s Season 12 premiere this Wednesday, Jan. 9.
After the screening, Keith Urban will participate in a live Q&A session alongside judges Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, and Nicki Minaj with host Ryan Seacrest, which will be live streamed online.
Theater tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with confirmation on the guest list.
Idol will premier in a two-part segment on FOX, Wednesday Jan. 16-17.
• • •
Natalie Maines
Natalie Maines announced she has finished work on her forthcoming solo album titled Mother. According to Maines, the Rock album is produced with Ben Harper and set for release on May 7.
The Pink Floyd cover and title track will be available as a single from the West of Memphis: Voices for Justice soundtrack this January 15.
All three members of the Dixie Chicks are slated to unite for two Canadan performances this year, the Cavendish Beach Music Festival on July 7, and the Craven Country Jamboree on July 13.
• • •
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean will make his acting debut in a New Mexico-based Western titled Sweetwater, on Jan. 24 as part of the Sundance Film Festival.
Aldean performs alongside cast members Ed Harris, Jason Isaacs, Eduardo Noriega, Steven Root and Mad Men’s January Jones.
The film, directed by Logan Miller and Noah Miller, will be featured at various other times throughout the end of the festival after its premier.
Sundance is held in Park City, Utah from Jan 17-27.
Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest Scores Big Ratings
/by Sarah SkatesTaylor Swift on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013, which included performances by a mix of country and pop hitmakers, scored its best ratings since 2000.
Partying in New York’s Times Square were Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, Neon Trees and Psy. The West Coast countdown welcomed Jason Aldean, Justin Bieber, Greyson Chance, Ellie Goulding, The Wanted, Brandy, Flo Rida, Karmin, One Republic, Pitbull and host Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.
According to Zap2It.com, the ABC show was No. 1 with adults 18-49 and with total viewers. It garnered a 4.1 rating for adults 18-49, it’s biggest in 12 years. It averaged 13.26 million viewers.
On NBC, New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly lagged with about 3.8 million viewers.
Jason Aldean on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
Mark Your Calendar–January 2013
/by Eric T. ParkerJanuary 7
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out/Timeless Hits From the Past Bluegrassed/Cracker Barrel
January 8
The Living Sisters/Run for Cover/Vanguard Records
Jesse and Noah Bellamy/Driven Back
January 15
Katie Armiger/Fall Into Me/Cold River Records
Jeff Black/B-Sides and Confessions, Volume Two
January 22
Darius Rucker/True Believers/Capitol
Randy Houser/How Country Feels/Stoney Creek Records
Gary Allan/Set You Free/MCA
Various/2013 Grammy Nominees/Capitol
Kris Kristofferson/Feeling Mortal [digital]
Overmountain Men/The Next Best Thing/Ramseur Records
January 23
Buck Owens/Honky Tonk Man/Omnivore Recordings
Don Rich/Don Rich Sings George Jones/Omnivore Recordings
January 29
The Mavericks/In Time/Valory
Kris Kristofferson/Feeling Mortal
Blue Sky Riders/Finally Home
January 7
Darius Rucker/Wagon Wheel/Capitol
January 14
Easton Corbin/All Over The Road/Mercury
Miranda Lambert/Mama’s Broken Heart/RCA
Charlie Worsham/Could It Be/Warner Bros.-W.A.R.
January 17
Stephanie Grace/Would U Be Mine
January 21
Lonestar/Maybe Someday/Tenacity
Chris Janson/Better I Don’t/Bigger Picture
Train feat. Ashley Monroe/Bruises/Crush-Columbia-9 North
January 24
John Karl/That’s What I Believe
Andy Griggs/Don’t Let Go
January 13
The Golden Globes air on NBC
January 14
Panel discussion “YouTube: More Money From Your Music” from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at BMI’s Nashville offices
January 26-29
MIDEM’s Direct2Fan Camp in Cannes
Industry Ink (1/2/2013)
/by Jessica NicholsonThe company will focus on songwriter mentoring and development, song evaluations and new artist management. ZMusic Publishing will offer songwriters single song contracts and standard publishing contracts. Terry Seay can be reached at here. For more information, visit zmusicpublishing.com.
• • •
The panel will feature moderator David Crow, a partner with Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley PLC. Panelists will include RightsFlow co-founder Patrick Sullivan, also a Strategic Partner Development Manager with Google (RightsFlow was acquired by Google) and Scott Shellwood, a Strategic Partner Development Manager with YouTube. The reservation cutoff is Thursday (Jan. 10). For more information, visit aimp.org.
• • •
At the end of each episode, Hollo gives viewers the ability to interact and choose which direction the next episode will take. For more information on the series, visit https://www.facebook.com/LegacyTheWebSeries.
Performers for MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute Announced
/by Eric T. ParkerJon Stewart will host the sold-out event on Feb. 8. in Los Angeles. Additional performances during the evening include Alabama Shakes, Ben Harper, Jim James, Juanes, John Legend, Tom Morello, Mumford & Sons, Patti Smith, Mavis Staples, Eddie Vedder and past honorees Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Elton John and Sting. Rob Mathes will be the evening’s musical director.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual gala begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and auction, followed by a gala dinner and concert to support the year-round efforts of MusiCares, which ensures members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.
Grammy Week culminates with the 55th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, which will broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Dwight Yoakam on Leno Tonight
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto Credit: Margaret Malandruccolo
Dwight Yoakam launches into 2013 with a performance in support of his latest album, 3 Pears (Warner Bros.), on Wednesday, (Jan. 2) on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Yoakam will also promote his single “A Heart Like Mine.” 3 Pears appeared on best-of-2012 lists compiled by Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, the Village Voice and NPR.
With an eight-week run, 3 Pears spent more weeks at No. 1 on the Americana album chart than any other release in 2012. It is Yoakam’s 26th studio album.
Azoff Departs Live Nation
/by Sarah SkatesIrving Azoff
Irving Azoff has exited his post as Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment and CEO of its Front Line Management Group.
According to The New York Times, exiting with Azoff will be his longtime management clients including the Eagles, Christina Aguilera, Van Halen and Steely Dan.
In conjunction with his departure, Liberty Media Corporation has purchased 1.7 million shares of Live Nation stock from Azoff, increasing its stake to 26.4%.
Liberty Media also owns cable company Starz, where Azoff is reportedly joining the board of directors. Additionally, Liberty has a major stake in Sirius XM.
Azoff is also on the board of Clear Channel Communications, and media and entertainment company IMG.
Michael Rapino will continue as President and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment.
Live Nation purchased Front Line in 2011, at which point Azoff became chairman of Live Nation.
“After successfully overseeing the integration of Live Nation and Ticketmaster over the past two years, my job here is done,” said Azoff in a statement. “We put together the leading company across concert promotion, ticketing, sponsorship and artist management and delivered the great results promised by the merger. I especially enjoyed my time with my partner Michael Rapino, and he has demonstrated the ability to lead this company from now on. I’m looking forward to returning to the entrepreneurial world and continuing to work with all my friends and colleagues at Live Nation.”
“Irving has been a valuable partner and friend for the past few years,” added Rapino. “We will certainly miss him and we thank him for his many contributions in building Live Nation to the global company it is today.”
Country Instrumental Great Mike Auldridge Passes
/by Robert K OermannPhoto Credit: Matt McClain/The Washington Post
Dobro master Mike Auldridge, famed for his work in The Seldom Scene and Chesapeake, has died at age 73.
A role model for such Nashville resophonic guitarists as Rob Ickes and Jerry Douglas, Auldridge passed away near his home in Maryland on Saturday, Dec. 29, following a long battle with cancer. The instrumentalist was a key participant on the Grammy Award winning 1994 album The Dobro Sessions, which was co-produced by Douglas.
Noted for his poetic, fluid touch on the Dobro, Auldridge was a 2012 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow. The ceremony, staged in October, marked his final performance.
His band, The Seldom Scene, brought a modern tone to bluegrass music and incorporated the songs of Bob Dylan, John Prine and other contemporary composers into the style. He also released a series of acclaimed solo albums.
Mike Auldridge can be heard as a sideman on records by Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Linda Ronstadt and Lyle Lovett. But he never pursued a Nashville career as a studio instrumentalist.
His final album will be released next year. It will be a trio collection with his admirers Douglas and Ickes.
Martina McBride Wraps Christmas Tour
/by Sherod RobertsonMartina McBride on stage at the Chicago Theatre. Photo: RKN Photo
Country Artist Martina McBride‘s 2012 16-city The Joy of Christmas Tour ended with a sold-out crowd at the Chicago Theatre last week. Martina and her 12-piece band brought their love of the holidays to theaters and other intimate venues across the country.
At each stop, an athlete, popular radio personality or local celebrity read The Grinch Who Stole Christmas while Martina sang, “You’re A Mean One, Mr Grinch.” Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was the perfect Grinch on the final night of the tour. Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson, Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel, TV personality Storme Warren, hockey great Jim Dowd and others also shared the stage with the Grammy winner during the tour.
Martina McBride is presented with a plaque depicting a photo of her sold-out concert at the Chicago Theatre. Pictured with McBride (c.) are (l. to r.) Brandon Gill, Morris Artists Management; Don Kronberg, President of NiteLite Promotions; Mike Betterton, Morris Artists Management; Rod Essig, CAA. Photo: RKN Photo
“I had so much fun this year bringing back The Joy Of Christmas,” said Martina. “I felt like I was spreading the Christmas spirit to so many people! We are already booking dates for next year and I can’t wait to do it all again!”
Young ballerinas from local studios and schools danced at each concert. A large video screen behind the stage depicted wintery street scenes, busy shoppers, snowy mountains and a home video of the McBride’s on Christmas morning.
Don Kronberg, President of NiteLite Promotions, summed up the tour: “The most powerful voice in Country Music wraps up the biggest Christmas tour on the road with an exclamation! Congrats Martina!”
Chicago Bears’ Brian Urlacher on stage with Martina McBride at the Chicago Theatre.
Photo: RKN Photo