The Clear Channel iHeartRadio Music Festival 2012 has a superstar line-up for the second year in a row. Set for Sept. 21-22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, performers include Taylor Swift, Aerosmith, Rihanna, Usher, Bon Jovi, Lil Wayne, Green Day, Swedish House Mafia, No Doubt, Brad Paisley, Pitbull, deadmau5, Miranda Lambert, Enrique Iglesias, Linkin Park, Jason Aldean, P!nk, Mary J. Blige, Calvin Harris and Shakira. Ryan Seacrest will kick off the event and more artists will be announced prior to the festival.
The line up was revealed this morning (7/9) with a simultaneous roadblock announcement by all 850 Clear Channel radio stations nationwide, their websites and iHeartRadio.
The inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival in September 2011 marked the official launch of the new iHeartRadio. iHeartRadio delivers free, instant access to more than 1,000 live broadcast and digital-only radio stations, plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs.
iHeartRadio reached 10 million registered users in May. Registered users are only a percentage of iHeartRadio’s overall listeners, since registration is only required for the Custom Station feature.
iHeartRadio is available as a free application for web, mobile, tablets, automotive, television and gaming devices. The mobile app has been downloaded more than 85 million times.
For more details visit iHeartRadio.com/vegas. Tickets go on sale July 14 at 1 p.m. ET.
Farm Aid Music & Food Festival Returns to PA
/by Caitlin RantalaFarm Aid 2012 will feature performances by Farm Aid President Willie Nelson and fellow board members John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews – with Tim Reynolds – as well as Jack Johnson, ALO, Pegi Young & The Survivors, and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real.
“We’ve built a strong family farm movement to grow our economy, ensure our health and protect our environment. Farm Aid brings these Main Street values to transform the Wall Street-controlled farm and food system,” said Nelson. “The Farm Aid concert is our chance to shine a spotlight on the independent family farmers who are essential to the well-being of our country.”
The signature music and food festival will feature Farm Aid’s Homegrown Concessions – family farm-identified, local and organic foods. Farm Aid’s Homegrown Village will give concertgoers a chance to meet farmers, engage in hands-on food and farm activities and learn about the ways family farmers are enriching our soil, protecting water and growing the economy.
Tickets range from $35.75 to $99.75 and go on sale Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m. EDT. For venue information, visit www.hersheyparkstadium.com.
Farm Aid will offer advance sale tickets to Farm Aid members beginning tomorrow (7/10). To become a member of Farm Aid, visit www.farmaid.org.
Celebrities to Guest Host “After MidNite”
/by FreemanActress Jennie Garth will host "After MidNite" on July 11 and 12.
After MidNite host Blair Garner is heading out for his summer vacation this week (July 10-16) and has recruited a handful of celebrities to host the show in his absence.
Leading off the week on Monday night/Tuesday morning (July 10) is American Idol finalist Skylar Laine, who will discuss her Idol journey and being on the road with the tour.
Actress Jennie Garth (CMT’s Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country, Beverly Hills 90210, Dancing With The Stars) will assume hosting duties for Tuesday night/Wednesday morning (July 11) and Wednesday night/Thursday morning (July 12). Garth will be accompanied by her entourage of three children and two dogs.
On Thursday night/Friday morning (July 13), and Friday night/Saturday morning (July 14), Rodeowave Entertainment artist Phil Vassar will sit down at the controls to talk touring, songwriting, and the video for his new single.
Finally, General Hospital star and singer/songwriter Scott Reeves will be the host of After MidNite Saturday night/Sunday morning (July 15) and Sunday night/Monday morning (July 16). Reeves portrays Dr. Steven Webber on GH and will discuss his acting projects and band Port Chuck.
Visit www.AfterMidNite.com for more info.
Scott Stem Exits CMA
/by Sarah SkatesScott Stem
Scott Stem has exited his post as Director of Media Relations at the Country Music Association. The publicist joined the organization ten years ago. He tells MusicRow he has moved on to pursue new opportunities.
His other publicity stops include FORCE management, Capitol Records, GB Management (Garth Brooks), Bob Doyle & Associates, and Pam Lewis and Associates.
Stem can be reached at scott.stem@gmail.com or (615) 969-0370.
iHeartRadio Festival Reveals Superstar Line Up
/by Sarah SkatesThe line up was revealed this morning (7/9) with a simultaneous roadblock announcement by all 850 Clear Channel radio stations nationwide, their websites and iHeartRadio.
The inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival in September 2011 marked the official launch of the new iHeartRadio. iHeartRadio delivers free, instant access to more than 1,000 live broadcast and digital-only radio stations, plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs.
iHeartRadio reached 10 million registered users in May. Registered users are only a percentage of iHeartRadio’s overall listeners, since registration is only required for the Custom Station feature.
iHeartRadio is available as a free application for web, mobile, tablets, automotive, television and gaming devices. The mobile app has been downloaded more than 85 million times.
For more details visit iHeartRadio.com/vegas. Tickets go on sale July 14 at 1 p.m. ET.
Pistol Annies “Takin’ Pills” In New Video
/by FreemanThe clip was shot in Nashville with the Annies driving around the city in a Volkswagen van, rehearsing for a gig, and indulging some bad habits like pills, cigarettes, and booze. Check it out below.
“We had a blast filming this video,” said Lambert. “We left the driving to me since I was just smoking,” added Presley.
Little Big Town Writes and Records TV Show Theme
/by FreemanThe song, appropriately titled “Good Afternoon,” was co-written by Little Big Town (Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet), Brett Warren, and Brad Warren. Jay Joyce produced the recording.
“Sometimes you get unexpected opportunities as an artist,” said Karen Fairchild. “We loved getting the chance to write and record a song for such a cool show.”
Good Afternoon America, with anchors Josh Elliott and Lara Spencer, begins airing at 1 pm CT today (7/9) and is taped live in Good Morning America’s studio. The program also features Sam Champion, Robin Roberts, and George Stephanopoulos. LBT will perform current single “Pontoon” and “Good Afternoon” on the show August 2.
Morgan Announces Guest Stars For Charity Event
/by Caitlin RantalaOn Saturday, August 11, motocross stars Destry Abbot, Fred Andrews, Cowboy Kenny Bartram, Trey Canard, Randy Hawkins and Kevin Windham will take part in an exhibition and trail ride from Vanleer, TN. Later that night, Darryl Worley and HLN Morning Express host and “Brand New Day” singer Robin Meade will take the stage in concert with Morgan.
Proceeds from the two-day event will benefit the Craig Morgan Charity Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The Craig Morgan Charity Fund continues to raise funds to establish Billy’s Place, an organization that will benefit foster children in Dickson County and throughout Middle Tennessee.
All events are open to the public with tickets on sale at NowPlayingNashville.com as well as all TriStar Bank locations in Dickson.
Craig Morgan Charity Weekend
Dirt Bike Ride/Trail Ride
Date: August 11, 2012
Location: Paul Allen Farm 1286 Bell Hollow Rd., Vanleer, TN
Registration Opens: 8:00 AM
Ride and Exhibition Start Time: 10:00 AM
Tickets: $40 pre-registration; $45 day-of registration; $15 spectator. All ticket prices incl. lunch
Craig Morgan Concert
Date: August 11, 2012
Location: Dickson Middle School 401 East College St., Dickson, TN
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Concert Start Time: 7:30 PM
Tickets: $25 adult; $10 children 12 and under
Sporting Clay Event
Date: August 12, 2012
Location: Tennessee Clay Target Complex 1100 County Hospital Rd., Nashville, TN
First Flight: 9:00 am Registration; 10:00 am Shoot
Second Flight: Noon Registration; 1:00 pm Shoot
Tickets: $100 per competitor with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place competitors
Hank Jr. Prepares New Album Release
/by Eric T. ParkerOn Saturday (7/7), Williams made appearances on CBS This Morning’s Second Cup Café and Fox News Channel’s Huckabee, where he performed his current single, “That Ain’t Good.”
Williams’ upcoming media appearances include CMT’s Live from Nashville airing today (7/9) and GAC’s On the Streets for a segment airing July 17. Additionally, Walmart’s Soundcheck Series has begun broadcasting one of his performances. He’ll also be featured on FOX 411’s Country Roundup.
Blaster Entertainment/Bocephus Records along with Hank Williams, Jr. continues the previously announced “Free Music for a Free America” campaign through Fri., July 13, giving away free copies of Williams’ new single. Old School, New Rules is available for pre-sale here, includes a duet with Brad Paisley on “I’m Gonna Get Drunk And Play Hank Williams” as well as a new duet with Merle Haggard on his classic “I Think I’ll Just Sit Here and Drink.”
Americana Summer Celebration Adds Songwriter Session
/by Sarah SkatesThe Americana Summer Celebration at Blackberry Farm will include a special songwriter session with artists and friends Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal and Jim Lauderdale on Sat., July 21. The afternoon event will offer a glimpse into the songwriting craft before the artists take the stage that night for an evening performance that will also include hitmaker John Oates.
The intimate weekend at the luxury property in the Smoky Mountains will kick off on Fri., July 20 with a performance by Cash and noted guitarist and producer Leventhal. Held annually at Blackberry Farms in Walland, TN, the fundraising event benefits the not-for-profit Americana Music Association. For reservations, please contact Blackberry Farm at 1-800-557 8864 or email reservations@blackberryfarm.com.
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Rosanne Cash is also confirmed for the Johnny Cash Music Festival at Arkansas State University. She will join Willie Nelson, Dierks Bentley and The Civil Wars for the Oct. 5 concert at ASU’s Convocation Center in Jonesboro, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Like last year’s inaugural sold out event, proceeds will fund the restoration of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, Arkansas as well as support a scholarship established in his name. Details at www.johnnycashmusicfest.com.
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Don Williams’ new Sugar Hill Records album And So It Goes is his highest charting country album in 27 years, bowing recently at No. 20 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album is also in the Top 5 Most Added at Americana Radio.
It was produced by longtime collaborator Garth Fundis and features guest vocal performances by Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and Chris Stapleton among others. Williams is touring in support of the project with fair, festival and theater dates crossing the country through September, including a two-night stand at Pigeon Forge, TN’s Country Tonite Theatre Sept. 21-22.
Click here to listen to the Williams/Krauss duet.
From the Road (7/09/12)
/by FreemanPretty Good at Sayin’ “Cheese”
Mercury Nashville’s Billy Currington took a break from working on his upcoming album for an “Up Close and Personal” session with KKBQ at the Four Seasons in Houston.
(L-R): KKBQ APD/MD Christi Brooks, Billy Currington, Mercury Nashville’s Jill Brunett, KKBQ PD/OM Johnny Chiang
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Farr Away in Star Country
Columbia Nashville new artist Tyler Farr recently stopped by Roanoke’s WSLC (Star Country) during his promotional radio tour.
(L-R): WSLC PD Brett Sharp, Farr, WSLC Promo Director Rachel Rodes, Columbia Nashville’s David Friedman
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Like Johnny and June… and Also Buck
Sidewalk Records’ Heidi Newfield is currently visiting radio to promote her new single “Why’d You Have to Be So Good.” Recently she visited with KUZZ/Bakersfield.
(L-R): KUZZ PD Tom Jordan, Newfield, KUZZ Promo. Dir. Jerry Hufford