Pictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan (President Grand Ole Opry Group), Trace Adkins, Lee Ann Womack, Crystal Gayle, Angaleena Presley, Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Pete Fisher (VP/GM Grand Ole Opry). Photo: Chris Hollo
Loretta Lynn looked and sounded like Country music royalty yesterday evening (9/25), as she celebrated 50 years of membership with the Grand Ole Opry, to a sold-out audience at the Opry house in Nashville.
Lynn, who received the Country Music Association’s first Female Vocalist of the Year in 1967, was joined onstage by family and friends who received similar recognition by the organization, including her sister Crystal Gayle (1977-78), Lee Ann Womack (2001), and Miranda Lambert (2010-11).
Guest performer Bill Anderson reminisced about his own 50-year anniversary in 2011. Gayle performed the first No. 1 song written by sisters Lynn and Peggy Sue Webb, “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).” Womack turned in her version of “I Know How.”
Before officially debuting on the Opry stage with her girl group Pistol Annies, Lambert performed “Honky Tonk Girl.”
“We call [Loretta] the alpha omega Annie,” said Lambert on behalf of her bandmates Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, who paid tribute to the legend with “Fist City.”
For the first half of the show Lynn watched on from the theater’s front row. But as the legend prepared side stage, as she did for her 1962 induction, emcee Bill Cody reminded the audience, “Tonight, we are going to make Country music history.”
Lynn’s voice was as strong as her spirit as she skipped center stage for performances of “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” and a duet with Trace Adkins, who took Conway Twitty’s part on “Lead Me On.”
Opry General Manager Pete Fisher recognized the icon’s contributions by presenting her with a handcrafted 18-karat pink and gold diamond watch by Johnathon Arndt.
Finally, the Opry’s “Honky Tonk Angel” (as Fisher called her) invited her female vocalist friends back to the stage for a revival of her signature hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
“I spent the night in the car out front of the old Grand Ole Opry,” recalled Lynn of her first Opry experience with husband Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn. “We were so poor, the next morning we divided a doughnut and got our picture made in front of it. I was so nervous I don’t remember anything other than tapping my foot to the songs.”
When asked her secret, Lynn joked, “Well, I’m good! In sincerity, hard work. You have to live a life before you can write.”
Thankfully, that life has been commemorated through her own words and melodies. She remains radiant and dignified, continuing to make Country music history, even today.
Luke Bryan Preps Lineup for Farm Tour 2012
/by Eric T. ParkerBryan performs Farm Tour 2011. Photo: Michael Monaco
In October, Luke Bryan will set out on his fourth annual Farm Tour 2012 with newly-named openers including the Peach Pickers (Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins), plus singer/songwriters Chancie Neal and Cole Swindell.
Farm Tour 2012 will play eight dates through several southern states, including five in his home state of Georgia (full dates below). Proceeds from the events will help create scholarships for students from farming families who attending local colleges. In total, the trek will award 20 scholarships.
For the fourth consecutive year, GAC will film its “Top 20” at the sold-out Clemson, South Carolina show to air on Friday, October 12.
For specific ticket and venue information, including where to get tickets locally, click here.
Farm Tour 2012 dates:
October 3 – Claxton (Statesboro), GA
October 4 – Clemson, SC (sold-out)
October 5 – Auburn, AL
October 6 – Valdosta, GA
October 10 – Villa Rica, GA
October 11 – Colbert (Athens), GA
October 12 – Tallahassee, FL
October 13 – Macon, GA
“Beautiful People” List Includes Many From Music Row
/by Sarah SkatesDenise Jackson. Photo: Nashville Lifestyles
Several familiar faces from Music Row grace the pages of Nashville Lifestyles’ new “25 Most Beautiful People” list. Among those featured in the current issue are Cody Alan, CMT Radio Live; Jenny Gill, singer/songwriter and daughter of Vince Gill; Stacy McCloud Green, FOX 17 entertainment reporter; Denise Jackson, wife of Alan Jackson and cancer survivor; Mike Moore, asset manager and creative assistant at Big Machine Label Group; Jerrod Niemann, country music artist; Tree Paine, VP, Publicity, Warner Bros. Records; Phoenix Stone, singer/songwriter, founding member of Backstreet Boys, and CEO/co-founder of Stonehall Entertainment; and Jaci Velasquez, Christian recording artist and radio personality on 94.1FM The Fish.
Lisa Marie Presley, who recently released the album Storm & Grace produced by T Bone Burnett, is featured on the cover. Among the other honorees are pro athletes, community leaders and more special residents.
Tree Paine. Photo: Nashville Lifestyles
“Each year we are delighted to discover an entirely unique group of Nashvillians,” said Stacie Standifer, publisher of Nashville Lifestyles. “While we have had some incredibly strong personalities and inclusions over the years, I honestly feel that this is one of our best magazines to date.”
The honorees were unveiled at a private party Sept. 25 at Flyte.
See the full list and photos at www.nashvillelifestyles.com.
Kenny Chesney Unveils New Mobile Apps
/by Freeman“I wanted these apps to be an extension of my albums and shows,” said Chesney, who had a hands on role in the design process. “Even in the middle of the winter, fans can open up the app wherever they are, listen to a little No Shoes Radio, take a photo that looks like it came straight out of my music video, and feel like they’re back at the party all year long.”
The apps were developed by Nashville-based Aloompa, who originally developed No Shoes Radio in addition to apps for festival brands Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Electric Zoo.
“Our ongoing experience with iconic festivals lent itself perfectly to working with Kenny Chesney, one of the biggest touring acts in music.” said Drew Burchfield, founder of Aloompa.
The new apps will allow users to listen to No Shoes Radio and keep Twitter/Facebook friends updated with what they’re hearing, as well as request songs to be played. The mobile version will allow different “skins” for visual customization, the ability to purchase Chesney tickets and merchandise, and a photo filter effect to match the visual style of Chesney’s albums.
Download the apps here.
IEBA Conference To Host WME’s Patrick Whitesell, Paula Abdul
/by Sarah SkatesPaula Abdul
The International Entertainment Buyers Association announced the first round of artists and executives confirmed to participate in it’s annual conference, set for Oct. 7-9 in downtown Nashville.
Paula Abdul will receive the IEBA Career Achievement Award and participate in the panel discussion “How Reality TV Has Affected the Music Industry.” The panel will also include American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle, Dick Clark Productions’ Barry Adelman, and RPM Management’s Scott Siman, with entertainment journalist Fred Bronson as moderator.
Patrick Whitesell
Hollywood power broker WME Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell will sit down with Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde for a discussion.
Seven major agencies will host showcases at IEBA. BLA’s and CAA’s line-ups have been announced. BLA’s party on Oct. 8 will feature performances by Steve Holy, Rachel Farley, Parmalee and Florida Georgia Line. Earlier the same day, CAA will showcase Joe Nichols, Aaron Lewis, Sarah Darling and DJ DU.
Melinda Doolittle
Among other acts set to perform are The Guess Who, Imperial Acrobats of China, America’s Got Talent’s Zuma Zuma, World Champion of Magic Jason Latimer, Dance Y’All, Jason D. Williams and Rocker’s Collective, and more to be announced.
Registration is almost sold out, details and full schedule at www.ieba.org.
MusicRowPics: Brent Cobb Artist Visit
/by FreemanCarnival Music’s Brent Cobb stopped by MusicRow headquarters earlier this week to preview a handful of songs for the staff. The Georgia native initially relocated to Los Angeles to make an album with his cousin Dave Cobb, who had produced Shooter Jennings’ album No Place Left to Leave. Cobb eventually returned home and started touring the region, befriending fellow Georgian Luke Bryan who introduced him to the community in Nashville.
Cobb played songs including his current single “Love On Me,” “Pavement Ends” (featured on the new Little Big Town album), “Forever After All,” and “Good Old Days.” His self-titled EP on Carnival is currently available in the iTunes store.
[slide]
Appelate Court Denies Curb’s Request For Injunctive Relief in McGraw Case
/by FreemanAt least for the time being, McGraw will be able to continue making music at his new label home Big Machine Records.
Curb Records’ original injunction request to be denied claimed the loss of McGraw caused the label to suffer irreparable harm. In the appeal, Curb argued that “breach of an exclusive personal services contract by a unique and exceptional performer constitutes irreparable harm.”
While the court agreed that McGraw was “unique” and “exceptional,” it upheld the original decision on the grounds that the “requested injunction would essentially place McGraw in a position of choosing between the end of his recording career or the indefinite continuation of a relationship with Curb that has become contentious.”
The court also maintained the opinion that Curb Records did not own the new recordings (including current single “Truck Yeah”) that McGraw has made as a Big Machine Records artist. As both parties agreed to an injunction hearing with no evidence, allowing a trial on the matter would prevent McGraw from moving forward in his career, a result which the court found “inappropriate.” This opinion gives McGraw ownership of recordings made after December 1, 2011.
Curb Records issued a statement addressing the court’s decision, saying “The fundamental issue in this case is whether Tim McGraw fully performed under his contract with Curb Records. That issue has yet to be ruled on by any court, and will be the subject of a full trial on the merits scheduled for later this year.”
The label originally sued McGraw in May 2011, and McGraw followed shortly after with a countersuit of his own. Curb argues that McGraw breached his contract by recording Emotional Traffic “even before the 2009 release of his previous album (Southern Voice) and without consulting Curb Records as to the contents of this record.” McGraw’s suit maintained that the material was recorded in 2009-2010 and that Curb was preventing its release to keep him on the roster indefinitely.
Faith Hill to Debut New Single in Social Sphere
/by Eric T. ParkerFaith Hill is set to debut her new single and lyric video for, “American Heart,” during a live chat with Twitter fans on September 30. The single, from her forthcoming album, will be simultaneously released to Country radio.
The social media event will take place prior to NBC’s Sunday Night Football, at 7:00 pm ET where fans can tweet questions to the hashtag #AskFaith.
“This song inspires,” says Hill. “It grabs a hold of a very special place that we all have in our hearts. We wanted to do something special for our fans who have been so supportive of me through the years – something a little different and something just for them. No better way than the socials.”
“American Heart” was co-written by Jonathan Singleton and Jim Beavers, co-produced by Byron Gallimore and Hill, and recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville.
A :30 clip of the song can be previewed here.
First Performers Revealed For CMA Awards
/by Sarah SkatesAldean holds the current title for CMA Album of the Year for My Kinda Party and Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Clarkson. This year, he picked up nominations for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, and Single of the Year for “Dirt Road Anthem,” produced by Michael Knox.
Bentley received three nominations for Album of the Year for Home, produced by Brett Beavers, Luke Wooten, and Jon Randall Stewart; Single of the Year for “Home,” produced by Beavers and Wooten; and Song of the Year for “Home,” written by Bentley, Beavers, and Dan Wilson, lead singer of Semisonic.
Clarkson makes her debut in the Female Vocalist of the Year category this year.
Vocal Group nominee Little Big Town made a splash this year with “Pontoon,” which is in the running for Music Video (directed by Declan Whitebloom) and Single of the Year (produced by Jay Joyce).
The third and final ballot will be emailed to CMA members Thurs., Oct. 4. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Mon., Oct. 22 (5:00 PM/CT).
No. 1 Party: Love and Theft’s “Angel Eyes”
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R) Front Row: Co-writer Eric Paslay, Stephen Barker Liles and co-writer Eric Gunderson of Love and Theft, co-writer Jeff Coplan. Back Row: Cal IV Entertainment's Daniel Hill, EMI Music Publishing's Josh Van Valkenburg, Rockapop Music's Robert Ellis Orrall, ASCAP'S Mike Sistad, producer Josh Leo, Sony Music Nashville's Gary Overton and RCA Nashville's Keith Gale. Photo: Ed Rode.
Love and Theft celebrated its first No. 1 “Angel Eyes,” the first single from the duo’s self-titled RCA Nashville album, at ASCAP yesterday (9/25).
The ceremony also marked the first No. 1 for co-writer (and band member) Eric Gunderson, who penned the song with Eric Paslay and Jeff Coplan. For Paslay, it marked a rare triple-play achievement for landing 3 No. 1 songs in one calendar year (“Even if it Breaks Your Heart,” and “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”).
“Paslay started as an intern for us,” said Cal IV’s Daniel Hill. “He’s been doing a pretty good job.”
“[ASCAP] was the second building I walked in to on Music Row 10 years ago,” said Paslay. “This 29th year of my life has been life changing.”
Recognition was also given to Sony and the RCA promotion team as Gary Overton and Keith Gale took the stage.
“I have been up here for a few awards, and I have had it stop for a while,” said producer Josh Leo. “It feels great to be up here again.”
EMI Publishing’s Josh Van Valkenburg shared sentimental stories of the two band members.
“Thank you Stephen [Barker],” said Gunderson of his band member. “He has been my partner in crime. Sometimes literally.”
“It has been a long road for us and we stuck it out together,” said a tearful Barker. “Jim Catino wanted to sign us before we went to Lyric Street. So, thank you for your willingness to sign us again.”
“I think of these two guys as sons,” said songwriter Robert Ellis Orrall, who offered plaques and sentiments to the band from Rockapop Music.
Bill Mayne presented No. 1 trophies from the CRB, Lon Helton offered plaques from Country Aircheck, and Brandi Simms bestowed the new CMA medallions.
Loretta Celebrates 50 Years at the Opry
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan (President Grand Ole Opry Group), Trace Adkins, Lee Ann Womack, Crystal Gayle, Angaleena Presley, Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Pete Fisher (VP/GM Grand Ole Opry). Photo: Chris Hollo
Loretta Lynn looked and sounded like Country music royalty yesterday evening (9/25), as she celebrated 50 years of membership with the Grand Ole Opry, to a sold-out audience at the Opry house in Nashville.
Lynn, who received the Country Music Association’s first Female Vocalist of the Year in 1967, was joined onstage by family and friends who received similar recognition by the organization, including her sister Crystal Gayle (1977-78), Lee Ann Womack (2001), and Miranda Lambert (2010-11).
Guest performer Bill Anderson reminisced about his own 50-year anniversary in 2011. Gayle performed the first No. 1 song written by sisters Lynn and Peggy Sue Webb, “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).” Womack turned in her version of “I Know How.”
Before officially debuting on the Opry stage with her girl group Pistol Annies, Lambert performed “Honky Tonk Girl.”
“We call [Loretta] the alpha omega Annie,” said Lambert on behalf of her bandmates Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, who paid tribute to the legend with “Fist City.”
For the first half of the show Lynn watched on from the theater’s front row. But as the legend prepared side stage, as she did for her 1962 induction, emcee Bill Cody reminded the audience, “Tonight, we are going to make Country music history.”
Lynn’s voice was as strong as her spirit as she skipped center stage for performances of “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” and a duet with Trace Adkins, who took Conway Twitty’s part on “Lead Me On.”
Opry General Manager Pete Fisher recognized the icon’s contributions by presenting her with a handcrafted 18-karat pink and gold diamond watch by Johnathon Arndt.
Finally, the Opry’s “Honky Tonk Angel” (as Fisher called her) invited her female vocalist friends back to the stage for a revival of her signature hit “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
“I spent the night in the car out front of the old Grand Ole Opry,” recalled Lynn of her first Opry experience with husband Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn. “We were so poor, the next morning we divided a doughnut and got our picture made in front of it. I was so nervous I don’t remember anything other than tapping my foot to the songs.”
When asked her secret, Lynn joked, “Well, I’m good! In sincerity, hard work. You have to live a life before you can write.”