Strait’s Final Tour Sells Out Six Dates

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George Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, featuring special guest Martina McBride, sold out six tour markets last Friday (10/12)—with Lubbock, TX selling all 15,431 tickets within 15 minutes.

“I never expected the fans would react like this. It’s just incredible,” said Strait. “I really do have the best fans in the world, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the road very soon.”

In addition to Lubbock, sold out cities include Oklahoma City, OK; St. Paul, MN; Albuquerque, NM; Las Vegas, NV., and Las Cruces, NM. In select markets, remaining single show tickets are still available for purchase.

The full list of tour dates is listed below with tickets available by visiting www.GeorgeStrait.com. Ticket prices begin at $69.50 with VIP packaging available for purchase.

The Cowboy Rides Away – 2013 Dates
JAN 18  |  Lubbock, Texas  | United Spirit Arena
JAN 19  |  Oklahoma City, Okla.  | Chesapeake Energy Arena
JAN 25  |  Salt Lake City, Utah  |  Energy Solutions Arena
JAN 26  |  Nampa, Idaho  |  Idaho Center
JAN 31  |  Sacramento, Calif.  |  Power Balance Pavilion
FEB 1  |  Fresno, Calif.  |  Save Mart Center
FEB 2  |  Las Vegas, Nev.  |  MGM Grand Garden Arena
FEB 15  |  St. Paul, Minn.  |  Xcel Energy Center
FEB 16  |  Grand Forks, N.D.  |  The Alerus Center
FEB 22  |  Buffalo, N.Y.  |  First Niagara Center
FEB 23  |  Hartford, Conn.  |  XL Center
MAR 1  |  Knoxville, Tenn.  |  Thompson-Boling Arena
MAR 2  |  Lexington, Ky.  |  Rupp Arena
MAR 17  |  Houston, Texas  |  Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
MAR 22  |  Greenville, S.C.  |  Bi-Lo Center
MAR 23  |  Greensboro, N.C.  |  Greensboro Coliseum Complex
APR 5  |  Albuquerque, N.M.  | The Pit
APR 6  |  Las Cruces, N.M.  |  Pan American Center
APR 12  |  N. Little Rock, Ark.  |  Verizon Arena
APR 13  |  New Orleans, La.  |  New Orleans Arena
JUN 1  |  San Antonio, Texas  |  Alamodome

Dierks Bentley Plays Impromptu Show

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When Dierks Bentley’s seventh annual “Miles & Music for Kids” celebrity motorcycle ride and concert in Nashville was postponed for inclement weather this past Sunday (10/14), Bentley responded by playing an impromptu set for fans at the Hard Rock Café.

High winds and storm warnings forced organizers to postpone the ride and move the performance indoors. Participant Sheryl Crow stuck around to make a guest appearance at Hard Rock with Bentley.

“It was a tough call, but we had to make it for everyone’s safety,” said Bentley. “But, we still had so many fans in town who traveled, sometimes hundreds of miles to help support Vandy’s Children’s Hospital, I felt like we had to find a way to do something to thank them for their time and donations over the past seven years.”

The full event was scheduled to take place on the Riverfront Lawn event space. It has not yet been rescheduled.

Since first hitting the pavement in 2006, 12 “Miles & Music” events have been hosted in seven cities, raising over $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country.

For more information, visit www.dierks.com.

Thompson Square Reveals New Single, Plans StageIt Show

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CMA Award nominee Thompson Square is releasing its new single “Didn’t Have You,” the first from the duo’s upcoming sophomore album.

Written by the Shawna and Keifer Thompson with Jason Sellers and Paul Jenkins, “If I Didn’t Have You” is from the same creative team that penned T2’s hit “I Got You.” “‘If I Didn’t Have You’ is a story about two people who rely on each other to get through the tough thing we call life,” explains Keifer. “We all have someone who we can go to for encouragement and this is our story.”

The song impacts country radio Oct. 29 and the digital single will be available for purchase Oct. 30. Fans can get a preview on Thompson Square’s website.

Also on Oct. 30, T2 will perform a special acoustic show in StageIt live from Nashville at 2 pm/CT. During the “Single Release Show,” the Thompsons will chat with fans, take requests, and premiere the new song. Tickets are available here and proceeds will benefit ChildFund International.

Don Poythress Inks Publishing Deal

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Don Poythress, Photo: Ivan Clow

Big Machine Music and Crosscut Music announced today (10/16) an exclusive co-publishing agreement with hit songwriter Don Poythress. His No. 1 “A Little More Country Than That” (Easton Corbin) earned nominations for CMA and ACM Song of the Year. Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Hank Jr., Clint Black and the late Earl Scruggs have recorded Poythress’ songs. He has most recently penned cuts for Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Greg Bates and The Henningsens.

“Don is one of Nashville’s finest country songwriters and we are so excited to work with him and our colleague, Jimmy Ritchey at Crosscut Music. Don’s integrity as a songwriter is second to none and he is a perfect fit for our Big Machine Music team,” stated Big Machine Music’s Martha Earls.

Crosscut Music President Ritchey added, “I am so blessed to continue to work with Don in this new venture and more than excited to team up with Big Machine Music to take his career to the next level.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful and honored to be working with all the great people at Big Machine and Crosscut Music. I look forward to creating a successful partnership together,” said Poythress.

UMPG Names Kent Klavens Sr. VP

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Kent Klavens

Kent Klavens has been appointed Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), it was announced by David Kokakis, Senior Vice President, Head of Business & Legal Affairs/Business Development, and Evan Lamberg, President of UMPG North America. Klavens will report directly to Kokakis and is based in the company’s worldwide headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif.

In this new role, Klavens’ primary responsibilities will include contract negotiations in North America for new and existing songwriter signings, and copyright infringement, sampling infringement, piracy and litigation in North America. He will be working with the company’s Nashville offices and the Nashville songwriting and legal community on signings.

Klavens previously served as Sr. Vice President and General Counsel of Famous Music, a division of Viacom and affiliate of Paramount Pictures until it was sold to Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2007. With Famous Music for seventeen years, Klavens was responsible for all major agreements, as well as copyright and other legal issues.

Music Films: “Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day,” “Hollywood to Dollywood”

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Omniverse Vision is offering Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day on 1,500 screens for a limited engagement encore performance tomorrow (10/17). The film captures the band’s 2007 reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena where Zep members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham (son of original drummer John) came together to make music for one night only. The iconic rock ‘n’ roll outfit performs 16 of its classic songs, including “Black Dog,” “Dazed and Confused,” and “Whole Lotta Love.” Nashvillians have an opportunity to check it out at Opry Mills 21 tomorrow. See a clip of the band performing “Black Dog” here.

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Breaking Glass pictures is releasing Hollywood to Dollywood to DVD in time for the holiday shopping rush. The award-winning documentary follows twin brothers Gary and Larry Lane as they embark on a cross-country journey to attempt to deliver a screenplay to Dolly Parton. They begin from Dolly’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame bound east for Pigeon Forge in an RV named “Jolene.” The film features appearances by Leslie Jordan, Chad Allen, Beth Grant, Dustin Lance Black and more. Fifteen of Dolly’s classic songs are featured. The Hollywood to Dollywood DVD will be available in stores Nov. 6. See the trailer here.

The Happy Racers Embrace Growing Kindie Genre

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A few years ago songwriter/musician/producer Nathan Meckel wasn’t very excited when his father, publisher Mark Meckel, tried to convince him to record a children’s album. “I thought it was fun idea, but wasn’t 100 percent sold on it,” recalls the younger Meckel, “but then I had an epiphany that there are no walls with kids’ music. All the normal rules, like worrying about radio airplay, don’t apply. As long as the music is positive and fun, I can sing whatever I want and play any instrument I want.”

Today his band The Happy Racers is part of a burgeoning genre known as Kindie Rock—kid indie, which has an adult sound and child-friendly lyrics. The Happy Racers’ debut album Ready Set Go is vying for a Grammy nomination in the Best Children’s Album category. Mark has a strong history in the category, he published the song “Check Your Attitude” which was on this year’s winning compilation album, All About Bullies.

The Happy Racers project started in 2008 when Nathan and his two kids wrote “All My Friends” at the breakfast table, and he recorded it in his home studio. Mark then teamed Nathan with popular children’s book authors Barbara Joosse and Peter Reynolds, and songwriter Burton Collins to write songs for the album. Nathan and Joosse wrote “Lovabye Dragon,” which is getting airplay on Sirius/XM’s Kid’s Place Live and compliments her book by the same name.

Another track from the album, “I Can Do Anything,” coincides with new e-book Go Go Greta, written by Dana Satterwhite and narrated by Lisa Loeb. The interactive e-book app has a soundtrack that allows kids to turn on and off parts of the sound, such as the drums or guitar.

Nathan’s brother-in-law Mark Niemiec is a drummer and engineer who has been a big part of The Happy Racers. Their recent gigs include performing at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS with Jack Ingram. In keeping with the grown-up-geared kindie image, the band doesn’t wear costumes. Nathan says he shies away from anything “gimmicky” but he plans “to make the stage show more entertaining and elaborate as it grows.” The concerts have also helped him discover The Happy Racers’ prime demographic—the preteen set often coveted by marketers.

Up next, The Happy Racers’ first music video for the song “Old Robert’s Jig.”

YouTube video

Luke Bryan Partners With Cabela’s

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Luke Bryan and Cabela’s, the popular hunting, fishing and outdoor gear outfitter, recently announced a multi-year partnership. As part of the agreement, co-branded marketing campaigns will appear in Cabela’s stores, as well as in their catalogs and e-commerce materials. Social media and content collaborations will offer fans an exclusive, behind the scenes look into Bryan’s off-stage activities as an avid outdoorsman.

“My love for the outdoors is something that has been a part of me ever since I can remember,” said Bryan. “It seems there was never a time when we weren’t hunting, fishing, farming or playing outside since I was very young. Teaming with Cabela’s is such a natural fit for me.”

The partnership will also see Cabela’s sponsorship of Bryan’s concert tours beginning with his first-ever headlining tour, the Dirt Road Diaries Tour, which launches Jan. 2013.

“Luke is the perfect partner for Cabela’s as he combines a lifelong love of the outdoors along with strong country roots. This passion comes through in everything that Luke does–from his hunting and fishing, to his music. We’re really excited to welcome Luke to the Cabela’s family,” said Scott Williams, EVP and Chief Marketing/E-Commerce Officer.

Cabela’s CLUB Visa Members will have access to pre-sale tickets and preferred seats in select markets beginning next Monday (10/22). Complete details about will be available at www.cabelas.com/lukebryan starting Oct. 22.

Artist News (10/16/12)

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MusicRow offers its condolences to family and friends of Eli Young Band’s Jon Jones, whose father Allen Edwin Jones passed away yesterday (10/15) after a battle with lung cancer. Jones was 74 and a champion of his son’s musical aspirations. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the American Cancer Society.

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Kellie Pickler has teamed with smartphone accessory company Tru Protection to offer a limited edition iPhone case benefiting the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign. The case sells for $29.95, with $20 from each purchase going to ACS. Pickler recently shaved her head in support of her childhood best friend, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. More information and ordering here.

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Darius Rucker will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry this evening (10/16) and his induction can be seen exclusively on GAC’s Noteworthy at the Opry, airing at 9 pm/ET. Also appearing with Rucker are Vince Gill and Martina McBride.

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To aid victims of Hurricane Isaac in late August, Radney Foster has teamed up with The American Red Cross. Foster is donating proceeds from downloads of his video “Louisiana Blue” (from his Del Rio Texas Revisited: Unplugged & Lonesome) to those in need. Download the video here.

Aldean Plans “Night Train” Itinerary

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Jason Aldean’s new album Night Train rolled into stores today (10/16) at full steam, and the emerging superstar will support the release with a string of high profile appearances and announcements.

Release week begins today in New York City with an appearance on Good Morning America, followed by Live! With Kelly and Michael tomorrow (10/17). Aldean will also be revealing to his fans some “surprises not to be missed” beginning Thursday (10/18) via jasonaldean.com.

“We posted the full stream of the album on iTunes this past week, and the fan reaction has been incredible…really more than I ever expected,” says Aldean. “They’ve been messaging me and tweeting about their favorite songs, and I love getting that feedback directly from them. I named the album Night Train because I think it sums up where my career is at the moment and how quickly things seem to be moving…it’s almost hard for me to even comprehend. That name wouldn’t work without my fans, so I want to thank them for allowing me to continue to make records and for buying tickets to my shows. 2013 is already stacking up to be an exciting year with some big surprises in store for them!”

Aldean is also nominated for three honors at the 46th Annual CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Single of the Year (for “Dirt Road Anthem”). He has also sold out every show of his My Kinda Party Tour, which wraps Oct. 27 in Dallas, for a total of 1.9 million tickets.