The Roys Prepare New Album Release

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The Roys will release a new album, New Day Dawning, August 28 via Rural Rhythm Records. To promote the release, the brother/sister duo will appear on Prescription Bluegrass Junction and SiriusXM 61’s Track-by-Track series.

Prescription Bluegrass debuted a lyric video for the duo’s current single, “Still Standing,” today (8/13). Beginning August 22, SiriusXM will take a look at the new project during its Track-By-Track program. Lee and Elaine Roy offer insights into the songs and discuss influences throughout the interview with host Kyle Cantrell.

“We’ve been in this trend-setting duo’s fan-camp since their first album, so we’re extremely proud to help them launch this CD with this first-of-its-kind for Bluegrass lyric video,” said Prescription Bluegrass’ Brian McNeal.

Music fans can catch the Bluegrass Junction, SiriusXM 61 broadcast on the following dates/times (ET):

Wednesday, 8/22, 11:00  a.m.
Thursday, 8/23, 9:00  p.m.
Saturday, 8/25, 8:00  a.m.
Sunday, 8/26, 11:00  a.m.

Fans can pre-order the music today, here.

Chris LeDoux Family to be Presented 2012 Cowboy Keeper Award

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The family of Chris LeDoux will accept the 2012 Cowboy Keep Award from the National Day of the Cowboy during the Governor’s VIP Ball August 18 in Douglas WY.

The late singer/songwriter, rodeo champion and sculptor, will be honored for having contributed significantly to the preservation of pioneer heritage and cowboy culture, alongside the Cowgirls Historical Foundation, J.R. Sanders, Susan Thomas, and the Will James Society.

Additionally, the sixth annual Chris LeDoux Spurs and Spikes Memorial Golf Tournament was held July 7, in Sheridan, WY to benefit the state’s Make-a-Wish Foundation. On June 16, The Chris LeDoux Foundation held the 2nd Annual Chris LeDoux Days in Kaycee, WY.

The Chris LeDoux Memorial Foundation funds the construction of the Chris LeDoux Memorial Park in Kaycee, WY and supports various charities, including the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The memorial park will be home to a life size and ¼ “Good Ride Cowboy” bronze sculpture by D. Michael Thomas.

LeDoux has sold over 6 million records and has recorded 30 career albums, 18 with Capitol Records Nashville.

Florida Georgia Line “Cruise” To Opry Debut

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Republic Nashville’s rising country rock duo Florida Georgia Line, comprised of Tyler Hubbard from Monroe, Georgia and Brian Kelley from Ormond Beach, Florida, will make its Grand Ole Opry debut Friday (8/17). On the historic stage, FGL will perform hit debut single “Cruise,” which is quickly climbing the charts and was the second most added song at country radio last week.

“Cruise” has sold well over 200,000 downloads and appears on the band’s EP It’z Just What We Do, produced by Joey Moi (Jake Owen, Nickelback).

Following recent slots opening for Jake Owen, Brantley Gilbert, and the Country Throwdown Tour, FGL is expected to make a major fall tour announcement later this month.

“It is an honor to play the Opry and to stand on such a legendary stage. I’m excited for my family to be able to experience this with me,” said Tyler Hubbard.

Brian Kelley added, “Playing the Opry is a dream come true! It’s at the top of our musical bucket list and I can’t wait to share this moment with our friends, family and fans!”

FGL join Joe Diffie, Riders In The Sky, John Conlee and Ricky Skaggs on the line up for Friday’s 7 p.m. show.

Trace Adkins to Host New GAC Series

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Trace Adkins is returning to television as the host of new series Great American Heroes on GAC. The show follows the singer on his Songs & Stories tour as he takes time to pay tribute to people doing extraordinary things in their communities.

Every episode will feature Adkins visiting three hometown heroes to learn about their efforts and surprising them with something special to help. Adkins will also host the heroes at his concert in their town.

“A lot of people get attention for the wrong reasons but the true measure of a hero is serving others. On Great American Heroes, I will introduce the real people who fit that bill,” said Adkins. “They devote themselves to others and deserve all the applause we can give them. These heroes will inspire you, make your heart swell and your eyes tear up. This show does more than tell some good stories, it affirms our faith in others.”

Great American Heroes premieres on GAC Wednesday, August 22 at 7 pm/CT. Episodes re-air Sundays at 7 pm/CT.

AristoMedia Announces Hirings

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Krystal Douglas

The AristoMedia Group has announced the hirings of PR Assistant Krystal Douglas and New Media Assistant Lauren Barbieri to its full-time staff, effective immediately.

Douglas joins the Aristo P.R. departmental staff as an assistant to Sr. Director of Publicity Christy Watkins. Prior to her current position at AristoMedia, she interned at UMG Nashville in the label’s publicity department. A native of Panama City, Fla., Douglas is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where she earned her music business degree in 2011. Contact Douglas at krystal@aristomedia.com or (615) 269-7071 ext. 144.

Barbieri joins AristoMedia’s new media and digital marketing department, AristoWorks, where she reports to New Media Director Jon Walker. She previously interned at Skyville Records. Barbieri is a native of Detroit, Mich., and graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Contact Barbieri at lauren@aristoworks.com or (615) 269-7071 ext. 131.

Lauren Barbieri

Founded 32 years ago, The AristoMedia Group offers publicity, new media, video promotion, secondary market radio promotion and dance club promotion services.

Average Joes Ups Morreale, Hires New Staffer

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Tony Morreale

Average Joes CEO Shannon Houchins has announced the promotion of Tony Morreale to Vice President, Marketing & Promotions, and the addition of Nathan Thompson to the label as Director, Digital Business Development.

Morreale was most recently overseeing national promotion and marketing for the label, and will assume new responsibilities as Average Joes President Tom Baldrica exits. He begins in this new role immediately.

“Tony has been a valued AJE team member from the very beginning and this new role is a natural progression and ideal fit,” says Houchins. “Tony comes with great wisdom, respect and has all the necessary experience as we progress and grow. We look forward to our continued working relationship and are excited about what the future holds for our talented roster of artist.”

Congratulate Morreale here.

Additionally, Nathan Thompson has been selected to lead Average Joes’ digital business development, expanding the label’s strategy and reach. Thompson was most recently based in New York as the Director of Mobile Business and New Platforms at the Orchard, and will report to Average Joes Head of Sales and Business Affairs Doug Kaye. Congratulate Thompson here.

Snapshots (8/13/12)

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Charley Pride Joins Mel Tillis Onstage at Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, TN. Photo: Douh Allard

This past Wednesday (8/8), marked a lifetime milestone for Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis, as he celebrated his 80th birthday. Tillis celebrated his 8th decade of life with a private party held at Honky Tonk Central, located on Broadway in the heart of Nashville, TN. About 400 of Tillis’ closest friends packed the party including daughter Pam Tillis, Charley Pride, Lorrie Morgan, Bobby Bare, Lee Brice, Jerrod Niemann, Alabama’s Jeff Cook, Eddie Raven, Jimmy C. Newman, Ira Dean, Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia, Bobby Goldsboro, Williams & Ree, Scotty Emerick, Deborah Allen, comedian Lonnie Shorr, former Dallas Cowboys football coach Barry Switzer, producers Buddy Cannon and Harold Shedd, GAC Headline Country host Storme Warren and many more.

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L-R: Colby Dee, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, NWSC Founder Karen Shayne, President/CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Butch Spyridon

Last Wednesday (8/8), Colby Dee donated her talents and time to perform at the National Women’s Survivors Convention (NWSC) announcement ceremony, along with fellow artists Darren Warren (a St. Jude survivor himself) and Brennin Hunt. All took the stage after a press conference announcement made by NWSC Founder, Karen Shayne, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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Columbia Nashville singer-songwriter Tyler Farr got a lesson in hits from Boxing Champion Roy Jones, Jr. in Destin, FL earlier this week. Farr is introducing his own hit to country radio now with his new single “Hello Goodbye.”

Industry Ink (8/13/12)

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Chapter and Fifth Third Bank Entertainment and Sports division will present “Dig A Little Deeper – International Subpublishing,” a panel of international music publishers from 4-6 pm Monday, September 17 at Cabana.

Companies to be represented at the panel include MMG Group of Companies (Israel, Greece Turkey); Dipui Music s.r.l. (Italy); Studio Paradiso (France); Fujipacific (Japan); Collect! Music Publishers BV (Netherlands). Teri Nelson Carpenter, of Reel Muzik Werks and AIMP National Board member, will moderate. Tickets are free for AIMP members and $40 for non-members.

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Video production company Thinking Bee Productions has announced that it is ceasing regular day to day operations. “I am so proud of what we accomplished these past few years,” says Director / Co-Owner Bill Filipiak. “Our goal was to break new ground, experiment with new technology and provide people a sandbox to play in and we did just that. To all of the people who supported our visions, invited us to play and shared their friendships we are eternally grateful. This is by no means the end, rather a new beginning as new adventures await.” Reach Filipiak at bill@filipiak.com and co-owner Jo Hunt at johunttv@gmail.com.

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Nashville-based Brite Revolution has added an e-commerce component to its existing music discovery site. Artist members can now create onesheets by signing up at www.brite.me. Artist social media properties are integrated along with bio, an embeddable music player, and commerce functions. Participating artists set their own prices, and keep 85% of their revenue.

“With iTunes alone holding more than 28 million songs, our current digital music marketplace is saturated with music content,” said Winn Elliott, CEO and Founder of Brite Revolution. “We quickly realized that there is a clear connection between our successful discovery and curation site and putting money directly in the artists’ pocket.”

Dierks Bentley Recruits Stellar Line Up For “Miles and Music”

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Dierks Bentley's Miles and Music for Kids has raised over $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country.

Dierks Bentley’s “Miles & Music for Kids” will return to Nashville Sun., Oct. 14 for the seventh annual celebrity motorcycle ride and concert. The event begins at Harley-Davidson of Columbia, Tenn. with a scenic hour-long motorcycle trek ending at downtown Nashville’s Riverfront Park. Following the ride, Bentley will host a family-friendly jam-style concert with special guests Sheryl Crow, Chris Young, Brantley Gilbert, The Cadillac Black and Craig Campbell joining him on the ACM Lifting Lives main stage. More artist announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

“I really want to blow Miles & Music out this year and make it bigger than ever,” said Bentley. “We’ve had the chance to help a lot of communities across the country, but the heart and soul of this event is in downtown Nashville with Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and the artists and friends who come out and help us raise money. It’s my favorite thing we do all year.”

Since hitting the pavement in 2006, “Miles & Music for Kids” has held 12 events in seven US cities to raise over $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country.

Tickets for the Nashville event go on sale Fri., Aug. 17 at 10 AM/CT through Ticketmaster. Fans can purchase tickets for the ride, concert and receive a commemorative T-shirt for $50, or attend the concert for $20. Special VIP packages are also available. All proceeds from the event will benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. For more ticket info, visit www.dierks.com.

Dolly and Cracker Barrel Celebrate Gold

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Pictured (L-R): Dolly, Danny Nozell, Cracker Barrel's Julie Craig. Photo: Alan Mayor

Dolly Parton helped Cracker Barrel achieve its first-ever RIAA Gold certification with the two-disc set, An Evening With… Dolly, available exclusively through the restaurant chain.

Since its April 2 release, the DVD/CD debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top DVD Music Videos Chart and has sold in excess of 50,000 units required for certification, a first for Dolly Records in the U.S., with previous Gold certifications in Australia and the UK.

The two-disc set, which features two previously unreleased live bonus tracks, is available for $11.99 exclusively through Cracker Barrel stores and online.

During the announcement, Parton also remarked on the status of her water and snow park planned for Nashville. “Gaylord is involved at the moment with changes of their own, so we are waiting until they have everything straightened out. Nothing has been signed yet, but I won’t put my name on it or be involved unless it’s exactly right for me and for everyone else.”