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.
Artist Updates (7/10/12)
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Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” music video has broken CMT’s record for Most Weeks At No. 1, after notching its 14th week at the top of CMT’s Top 20 Countdown. Her video for “Undo It” managed the feat for 12 weeks.
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Keith Urban is featured on the cover of American Airlines’ American Way Magazine during the month of July, giving travelers some insight on his home in Nashville. He discusses some of his favorite restaurants (Brown’s Diner, Rotier’s, Jacks) and his favorite live hotspots (12th & Porter, Exit/In) and more.
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Brantley Gilbert Sets Headlining Dates
/by Sarah SkatesBrantley Gilbert
Brantley Gilbert will hit the road on his first headlining tour this fall. The Hell on Wheels Tour will kick off Thurs., Sept. 27 in Lafayette, IN. Special guests Uncle Kracker, Greg Bates and Brian Davis will be featured on select dates.
In recent months Gilbert has been an opener on the Eric Church and Toby Keith tours.
The Valory Music Co. artist recently scored his second consecutive Gold certified single, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” following his first No. 1 and Gold certified “Country Must Be Country Wide.”
His next single “Kick It In The Sticks,” from his Gold album Halfway to Heaven, will be released soon.
As a songwriter Gilbert has penned three No. 1 hits: his own “Country Must Be Country Wide,” and Jason Aldean’s “My Kinda Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem.”
Brantley Gilbert tour dates
9/27 — Lafayette, IN – Elliot Hall of Music
9/28 – Poplar Bluff, MO – Black River Coliseum
10/4 – Missoula, MT – Adams Center
10/5 – Bozeman, MT – Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
10/6 – Boise, ID – Taco Bell Arena
10/11 – Dodge City, KS – United Wireless Arena
10/18 – Amarillo, TX – Amarillo Civic Center
10/20 – San Antonio, TX – Cowboys Dance Hall
(subject to change)
Creative Nation Announces Partnership With Pulse Recording
/by Eric T. ParkerThe two songwriting companies intend to formulate a new breed of Pop and Country artists with crossover potential.
Pulse Recording not only discovers new songwriting talent, but has become a creative center for young writers and producers. The company boasts a roster that has delivered award-winning hit singles including Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and “The Edge of Glory,” Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” “California Gurls,” “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)” and “Part of Me,” Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite,” and Neon Trees’ “Animal.”
“We are very excited to be working with Creative Nation,” said Scott Cutler, founding partner of Pulse Recording. “I’ve always been a big fan of Luke Laird’s unique approach to songwriting. He is capable of straddling multiple genres of music. We also feel very fortunate to be working with Beth Laird who has a refreshing vision for the future of music publishing.”
Beth Laird, co-owner and general manager of Creative Nation shared, “This new partnership will create diverse opportunities for our writers and we look forward to growing our companies together to form a unique music relationship between Nashville and Los Angeles.”
Tonight (7/10) Creative Nation will host a charity fundraiser at 3rd and Lindsley.
Photos: Erik Dylan Signing, NSAI in D.C.
/by Sarah SkatesWarner/Chappell Music, together with Cornman Music, recently signed up and coming country songwriter Erik Dylan to a worldwide publishing agreement.
Pictured (L-R): Brett James, Owner, Cornman Music; Alicia Pruitt, Sr. Dir., A&R, Warner/Chappell; Erik Dylan; Steve Markland, VP A&R Warner/Chappell; Nate Lowrey, Creative Dir., Cornman Music; Phil May, GM/VP, Warner/Chappell.
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NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison recently traveled to Washington D.C. to continue to raise awareness among lawmakers about intellectual property rights. Singer/songwriter Bonner Black also made the trip where she performed original material for over 60 congressmen, senators and staffers. Bonner, 16, has been an active member of NSAI for three years. For more information on NSAI’s legislative efforts, visit www.nashvillesongwriters.com.
Bonner Black and Bart Herbison
CRS “Crazy Days” Promotion Selling Quickly
/by FreemanCRS unrolled the “Crazy Days” rate of $349 on July 2, and it will remain active through July 31 or until the 349 spots are claimed. The price is a discount of $150 from the $499 Regular Rate. A New Faces of Country Music Show ticket will be included with registration until the showcase sells out.
Following the “Crazy Days” promotion, the $399 Early Bird Rate will be offered until Dec. 1, when the $499 Regular Rate goes into effect. Register here.
GAC’s Backstory: Kenny Chesney Airs Thursday
/by Eric T. ParkerPhoto: courtesy of Sony Music Nashville
Kenny Chesney will appear on GAC’s Backstory this week with interviews from close friends, including tour mate Jake Owen and NFL coaches Sean Payton and Jon Gruden with many never before seen photographs from the singer’s personal collection.
The hour-long bio-doc chronicles Chesney as a lifelong sports fan, who realized in order to survive as an artist, he would have to rely on lessons he learned on the sports field.
“There were a lot of guys trying to be George Strait at that time of my first greatest hits album, and I was one of them,” Chesney said. “I can’t be somebody else and still be successful. I had to get better as an artist, a songwriter and a musician.”
Backstory: Kenny Chesney airs on GAC this Thurs., July 12 at 9 pm CT.
Chesney recently released his latest album, Welcome to the Fishbowl while on his Brothers of the Sun stadium tour with Tim McGraw. The singer also partnered with VEVO and YouTube to air the American Express Unstaged Concert in Wildwood, NJ.
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.