Nominees for the third annual American Country Awards were announced today (10/10), and Luke Bryan leads the pack with seven total nominations. Zac Brown Band and Lady Antebellum are tied for second with six nominations apiece, and both Taylor Swift and Eric Church earned five nominations.
The fan-voted American Country Awards is scheduled to air Dec. 10 on Fox with hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth. New this year is the Song of the Year category, with its nominees determined by the professional songwriting division of NSAI. Voting is now open at www.theacas.com, and will remain open until Monday, Nov. 12 for all categories, except for Artist of the Year, which closes on Friday, Dec. 7.
ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Toby Keith
Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Artist of the Year: Group
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice
Colt Ford
Gloriana
Justin Moore
Jake Owen
Artist of the Year: New Artist
Lauren Alaina
Hunter Hayes
Jana Kramer
Kip Moore
Pistol Annies
ALBUM
Album of the Year
Dierks Bentley, “Home”
Luke Bryan, “tailgates & tanlines”
Eric Church, “Chief”
Lady Antebellum, “Own the Night”
Blake Shelton, “Red River Blue”
SINGLES
Single of the Year
Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town”
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Eric Church, “Drink In My Hand”
Chris Young, “You”
Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”
Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town”
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Kenny Chesney, “Reality”
Eric Church, “Drink In My Hand”
Chris Young, “You”
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Martina McBride, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Taylor Swift, “Ours”
Carrie Underwood, “Good Girl”
Single of the Year: Group
Eli Young Band, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”
Lady Antebellum, “We Owned The Night”
Rascal Flatts, “Banjo”
The Band Perry, “All Your Life”
Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”
Single of the Year: New Artist
Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Jana Kramer, “Why Ya Wanna”
Dustin Lynch, “Cowboys and Angels”
Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck”
The Farm, “Home Sweet Home”
Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice, “A Woman Like You”
Brantley Gilbert, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do”
Gloriana, “(Kissed You) Good Night”
David Nail, “Let It Rain”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Kix Brooks featuring Joe Walsh, “New To This Town”
Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, “Feel Like A Rock Star”
Brad Paisley featuring Carrie Underwood, “Remind Me”
Rascal Flatts featuring Natasha Bedingfield, “Easy”
Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett, “Knee Deep”
TOURING
Touring Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw
Eric Church
Toby Keith
Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”
Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Keith Urban, “For You”
Chris Young, “You”
Music Video of the Year: Male
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”
Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Keith Urban, “For You”
Chris Young, “You”
Music Video of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Martina McBride, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Taylor Swift, “Ours”
Carrie Underwood, “Good Girl”
Music Video of the Year: Group or Collaboration
Gloriana, “(Kissed You) Good Night”
Lady Antebellum, “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”
Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Love and Theft, “Angel Eyes”
The Band Perry, “All Your Life”
Music Video of the Year: New Artist
Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Casey James, “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night”
Jana Kramer, “Why You Wanna”
Dustin Lynch, “Cowboys and Angels”
Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck”
Song of the Year:
“A Woman Like You,” performed by Lee Brice (Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone)
“Fly Over States,” performed by Jason Aldean (Michael Dulaney, Neil Thrasher)
“Red Solo Cup,” performed by Toby Keith (Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
“Springsteen,” performed by Eric Church (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
“Tattoos On This Town,” performed by Jason Aldean (Michael Dulaney, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher)
The nominees for each award category have been determined by four media measurement companies: BigChampagne (record sales and media consumption); Great American Country (video airplay); Mediabase (radio airplay); Pollstar (touring data); and Nashville Songwriters Association International.
American Country Awards Nominees
/by FreemanThe fan-voted American Country Awards is scheduled to air Dec. 10 on Fox with hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth. New this year is the Song of the Year category, with its nominees determined by the professional songwriting division of NSAI. Voting is now open at www.theacas.com, and will remain open until Monday, Nov. 12 for all categories, except for Artist of the Year, which closes on Friday, Dec. 7.
ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Toby Keith
Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Artist of the Year: Group
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice
Colt Ford
Gloriana
Justin Moore
Jake Owen
Artist of the Year: New Artist
Lauren Alaina
Hunter Hayes
Jana Kramer
Kip Moore
Pistol Annies
ALBUM
Album of the Year
Dierks Bentley, “Home”
Luke Bryan, “tailgates & tanlines”
Eric Church, “Chief”
Lady Antebellum, “Own the Night”
Blake Shelton, “Red River Blue”
SINGLES
Single of the Year
Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town”
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Eric Church, “Drink In My Hand”
Chris Young, “You”
Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”
Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town”
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Kenny Chesney, “Reality”
Eric Church, “Drink In My Hand”
Chris Young, “You”
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Martina McBride, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Taylor Swift, “Ours”
Carrie Underwood, “Good Girl”
Single of the Year: Group
Eli Young Band, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”
Lady Antebellum, “We Owned The Night”
Rascal Flatts, “Banjo”
The Band Perry, “All Your Life”
Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”
Single of the Year: New Artist
Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Jana Kramer, “Why Ya Wanna”
Dustin Lynch, “Cowboys and Angels”
Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck”
The Farm, “Home Sweet Home”
Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice, “A Woman Like You”
Brantley Gilbert, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do”
Gloriana, “(Kissed You) Good Night”
David Nail, “Let It Rain”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Kix Brooks featuring Joe Walsh, “New To This Town”
Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, “Feel Like A Rock Star”
Brad Paisley featuring Carrie Underwood, “Remind Me”
Rascal Flatts featuring Natasha Bedingfield, “Easy”
Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett, “Knee Deep”
TOURING
Touring Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw
Eric Church
Toby Keith
Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band
VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”
Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Keith Urban, “For You”
Chris Young, “You”
Music Video of the Year: Male
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”
Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Keith Urban, “For You”
Chris Young, “You”
Music Video of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Martina McBride, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Taylor Swift, “Ours”
Carrie Underwood, “Good Girl”
Music Video of the Year: Group or Collaboration
Gloriana, “(Kissed You) Good Night”
Lady Antebellum, “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”
Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Love and Theft, “Angel Eyes”
The Band Perry, “All Your Life”
Music Video of the Year: New Artist
Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Casey James, “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night”
Jana Kramer, “Why You Wanna”
Dustin Lynch, “Cowboys and Angels”
Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck”
Song of the Year:
“A Woman Like You,” performed by Lee Brice (Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone)
“Fly Over States,” performed by Jason Aldean (Michael Dulaney, Neil Thrasher)
“Red Solo Cup,” performed by Toby Keith (Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
“Springsteen,” performed by Eric Church (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
“Tattoos On This Town,” performed by Jason Aldean (Michael Dulaney, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher)
David Friedman Promoted at Sony Music Nashville
/by Freeman“David’s promotional experience and great relationships are far reaching,” said Nix. “He will be a valuable addition to the Columbia Nashville national leadership team.”
In this new role, Friedman will coordinate Columbia Nashville promotion efforts with RJ Meacham, Director of National Promotion for Columbia Nashville.
A native of Harrisburg, PA, Friedman graduated from Emory University and also studied at Oxford University in England.
“Variety” Mag Sold To Penske Media
/by Sarah SkatesPenske Media Corp. is headed by 33-year-old Jay Penske, son of auto magnate Roger Penske. In recent years it has acquired or launched Deadline.com, Movieline, Boy Genius Report, Hollywood Life and TVLine.
Jay Penske tells the L.A. Times that Deadline and Vaierty will “maintain distinct websites and editorial offerings… While many view Variety and Deadline as strict competitors, we see an incredible opportunity for future collaboration, while remaining editorially independent.”
Lifenotes (10/9/12)
/by FreemanHannah Blaylock and Justin Wakefield. Photo: Jill Hughes, Bombs Over Betty Photography
Edens Edge vocalist Hannah Blaylock married her boyfriend Justin Wakefield over the weekend, at a quiet ceremony at Pratt Place Barn and Inn in Arkansas. The couple exchanged vows beneath a white oak tree decorated with fisherman’s rope and glass floats from Alaska, where Blaylock spent much of her childhood. The new couple will take a honeymoon before the bride reunites with her bandmates for the Rascal Flatts’ Changed Tour.
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Alicia and Brent Jones with baby Regan Lanier Jones
Congratulations to Capitol Records Midwest Promotion Regional Brent Jones and Dennis Entertainment Associate Manager Alicia Jones, who welcomed a baby girl into the world yesterday (10/8). Regan Lanier Jones, weighing 8 lbs., 10 oz., was born at 1 pm at Baptist Hospital.
American Music Award Nominations Announced
/by Sarah SkatesNicki Minaj and Rihanna lead the slate with four nods each.
For the sixth year, winners will be determined by online voting at amavote.com or AMA.abc.com.
The growing popularity of Electronic Dance Music has resulted in the addition of that award category, where nominees include David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex.
The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards are produced by dick clark productions, inc. For the fourth consecutive year, the “Coca-Cola Red Carpet LIVE! @ The 2012 AMAs” will stream online. Tickets are now on sale via www.ticketmaster.com.
2012 American Music Awards Nominees
Favorite Male Artist – Country: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church
Favorite Female Artist – Country: Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo Or Group – Country: Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album – Country:
Luke Bryan, Tailgates & Tanlines
Lionel Richie, Tuskegee
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational: Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, Tobymac
Artist Of The Year: Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Rihanna
See the full list of nominees.
Big Machine Music Expands Songwriting Roster
/by Eric T. ParkerAaron Scherz
Songwriter/producer Aaron Scherz has signed an exclusive songwriting agreement with Big Machine Music. Scherz was formerly a writer with Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar and Martha Earls’ publishing company Effusion Entertainment.
Scherz penned the title cut, “The Rock,” on Tracy Lawrence’s 2009 album and has composed national advertising jingles for both Dodge and Coca-Cola. Most recently he experienced cuts by newcomers Greg Bates, Joanna Smith, Matt Kennon and Dakota Bradley. Scherz’s music will also have placement in the upcoming drama Nashville.
“Aaron is one of the most gifted, young, songwriter/producers on Music Row,” said Molinar. “We hope to utilize all of his talents, especially when it comes to identifying and developing new songwriter/artists.”
The independent publishing company is home to writers Justin Moore, Raul Malo, Dustin Lynch, Greg Bates and Sunny Sweeney.
Stagecoach 2013 Lineup Revealed
/by FreemanStagecoach is also introducing its new Stagecoach RV Resort to provide a more comfortable camping experience for guests. Buyers are guaranteed the opportunity to purchase RV spots in the future, plus “in & out” privileges, and a secure area next to the venue entrance. Space is limited, so interested parties must submit applications prior to Monday, Oct. 15 at Noon CT.
Tickets for Stagecoach 2013 go on sale Saturday, October 20 at Noon CT. Check here for more info.
R.O.P.E. Awards Thursday Night
/by Sarah SkatesT.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang
The R.O.P.E. (Reunion Of Professional Entertainers) Awards will be presented Thurs., Oct. 11. It is the 25th Anniversary of the banquet and ceremony.
T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang will perform at the event at the Nashville Palace on McGavock Pike. Keith Bilbrey from Larry’s Country Dinner will host.
The 6 PM meet and greet will lead into dinner at 7 PM, followed by the awards presentation at 8 PM and the show at 9 PM.
Tickets are $50 each or $1000 for a sponsor table. For more information, contact R.O.P.E. at 615-860-9257
CMA and IEBA Partner For Live Music Awards
/by Eric T. ParkerCMA CEO Steve Moore spoke exclusively with MusicRow about the event. Moore has previously received three SRO honors himself, including as Promoter of the Year for his work as the first Executive Director of the Starwood Amphitheater and as SVP of AEG Live.
He says, “On a personal level, the event got me exposed to the CMA. It was meaningful to receive that recognition among my peers, friends and colleagues for work behind the scenes. So, it seemed fitting to bring it back to honor some of the unsung heroes who keep the live events moving. It isn’t that big of a secret that the live touring industry is a strong and vital component of our industry. This year we partnered with another non-profit industry professional organization, IEBA, which I think will work out very nicely.”
For the collaborative evening, IEBA will honor Hall of Fame inductees Charley Pride, Ray Pilszak and Joe LaGuardia (posthumously), with appearances by David Cassidy, Peter Noone, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Ronnie Dunn, Neal McCoy and surprise guests. Set to perform are Melinda Doolittle and Belmont University School of Music students Reid Johnson, Charles Rogers and Rayvon Owen, under the direction of Henry W. Smiley. MC Hammer will host.
Click here to view a list of SRO nominees.
Tickets for the event are sold out.
Artist Snapshots (10/9/12)
/by FreemanJerrod Niemann just released his sophomore album Free The Music on Oct. 2 and on release day he was in New York to visit and make a donation to the children of PS22 Chorus. The talented fifth graders, who have been featured on Oprah, NBC Nightly News and more, surprised Niemann by accompanying him on the choruses of his current single “Shinin’ On Me.” See the visit here.
Jerrod Niemann poses with some of the talented fifth graders of the PS22 Chorus. Credit: PS22 Chorus
• • •
(L-R): Guitarist Cade Doyle and Maggie Rose at Heinz Field.
Maggie Rose performed the national anthem this past Sunday, October 7 before the Pittsburgh Steelers took on the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field. “I was a little nervous to sing the anthem, but those Steeler fans made me feel right at home,” says Maggie. The rpme artist was recently named CMT’s Listen Up artist for the month October, and her single “I Ain’t Your Mama” is making its way up the charts. Click here to listen to the performance from this weekend.
• • •
Claudia Lee as Magnolia. Photo: Greg Gayne/The CW; 2012 The CW Network.
Singer/actress Claudia Lee has released her new single to radio called “Take My Hand.” Lee, who currently stars as Magnolia on the CW Network’s Hart of Dixie, will perform the song in the second episode of the show’s second season, which airs tonight at 8 pm/ET. It will be the first time her character has performed on the show. Previous singles include “Hollywood Sunset,” “3 Leaf Clover,” and “It Gets Better.” Lee has also been cast in the upcoming film Kick-Ass 2 for Universal Pictures.
• • •
Photo: Talladega Superspeedway
Republic Nashville’s new artist RaeLynn sang the national anthem at the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on October 7th. The performance was aired nationally on ESPN before the race.