Tim McGraw’s first Big Machine Records single “Truck Yeah” charged onto the charts recently and scored the biggest debut of his career on the monitored charts, hitting No. 22 on Billboard and No. 25 on Mediabase. “Truck Yeah” was written by Chris Lucas, Preston Brust, Danny Myrick, and Chris Janson. The single made an early appearance at No. 60 on MusicRow’s most recent CountryBreakout Chart and looks poised to land well inside the top 30 this week.
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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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Lee Brice has partnered with Carl Black Chevrolet, who endorsed the singer with a fully loaded 2012 Chevy Silverado truck. As part of the agreement, Brice’s music will be used in Carl Black’s advertising in Nashville, Atlanta, and Orlando. The artist will also perform at select Carl Black “Live on the Lot” concerts in coming months.
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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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Earl Dibbles Jr., the alter ego of Texas favorite Granger Smith, is asking fans to submit their own video interpretations of his single “The Country Boy Song.” The winning video, chosen by Dibbles, will premiere on a leading country music website. Details are here, and you can check out Dibbles’ original clip here.
Snapshots (7/10/12)
/by Caitlin RantalaShooter Jennings and Bucky Convington
Bucky Covington had a blast with Shooter Jennings last week on the set of his new music video for their duet “Drinking Side Of Country.” The video, which will premiere in the coming weeks, is full of non-stop neo-outlaw action, and features a high-speed chase through the tiny town of Greensburg, KY. The raucous video, shot during record high temperatures in the region, also features cameos by country star Kellie Pickler, 5-time WWE Champion and current TNA Impact Knockout wrestler Mickie James, and professional freestyle motocrosser Cowboy Kenny Bartram.
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Billy Dean Poses with Old Crow Medicine Show Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry
Grammy Award-winning country music star Billy Dean can add a check to his bucket list. This past weekend at the Grand Ole Opry, Dean was asked to join the Old Crow Medicine Show onstage to help sing on the group’s smash song, “Wagon Wheel.” “I’m such a huge fan of those guys,” says Dean. “I’m so honored to have been asked to sing with them on one of my favorite songs. I’m not kidding… ‘Wagon Wheel’ is the ringtone on my phone!”
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Kix Brooks and Shawna Russell
Way Out West’s Shawna Russell visits backstage with Arista Nashville’s Kix Brooks at the July 4 Summer OilPatch Festival in Drumright, OK.
Publishing Ink (7/10/12)
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R) Front Row: Michael Tyler (Singer/Songwriter-peermusic). Back Row: Kim Wiggins (Creative Manager -peermusic), Michael Knox (Producer/Sr. Creative Director-peermusic) and Kevin Lamb ( Vice President-peermusic Nashville)
peermusic Signs Songwriter Michael Tyler
Peermusic has signed 18 year old singer/songwriter Michael Tyler to its roster.
A Thayer, MO native, Tyler was discovered online by peermusic Senior Creative Director Michael Knox two years ago. The two have been working together since.
“I’m very excited to have Michael join the family here at peermusic,” said Knox. “I can’t wait to get into the studio with him.”
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Pictured (L-R): Doug Lowe and Donna O'Shea of LoShea Productions, Best, Dan Hodges and Susan Hodges
Artist/Writer Pete Best Renews Contract
Dan Hodges Music and LoShea Productions have announced that artist/writer Pete Best has renewed his contract with the two parties.
The exclusive publishing deal was extended over Memorial Day weekend at a dinner in Best’s hometown of Annapolis, MD, overlooking The Naval Academy.
NSAI Names Miller President
/by FreemanLee Thomas Miller
Lee Thomas Miller has been named the new President of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), succeeding Steve Bogard. Miller has been active in NSAI’s advocacy efforts on behalf of songwriters for several years.
“I believe in the work NSAI does, on behalf of the American songwriter, and I am honored to represent them in this ongoing battle to protect and preserve the integrity of the copyright,” said Miller.
Bogard, who was the longest serving President in NSAI’s history with six terms will become Director of The Copyright Forum, a partnership between Belmont University and NSAI.
New officers and board members include:
President — Lee Thomas Miller
Vice-Presidents — James Dean Hicks, Brett James, Lauren Lucas
Legislative Chairman — Bob Regan
Secretary — Byron Hill
Treasurer — Roger Brown
Sgt. at Arms — Liz Hengber
Executive Committee At-Large Members — Marty Dodson, Clay Mills and Anthony Smith.
New Board members are Marc Beeson and Ben Hayslip, who will serve two-year terms, and Anna Wilson in the artist-writer category serving a one-year term.
Artist Updates (7/10/12)
/by Freeman• • • •
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.