Mansfield Diagnosed With Colon Cancer

MusicRow sends wishes for a quick recovery to USA Today Nashville Correspondent Brian Mansfield, who revealed via Twitter and Facebook that he has been diagnosed with colon cancer.

“Looking at surgery in a couple weeks, followed by several months of chemotherapy,” said Mansfield in a Facebook status update. “I feel fine right now, though: It’s a fascinating irony that I won’t actually feel bad until the cancer’s gone, since it appears to be contained and operable.”

Mansfield has spent over 15 years covering Nashville’s music scene and industry for the publication and also oversees the USA Today “Idol Chatter” online community. Additionally, he writes and produces the Opry Country Classics show and America’s Opry Weekend shows for radio.

Big Machine Continues Sponsorship for Indy500 Winner

IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti and BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta kiss the infamous bricks after winning the 2012 Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 27

Big Machine Records officially announced today a continued sponsorship of five-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti during the remainder of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.

“Partnering with Dario has been an extension of our racing dreams coming true. We’re honored to be involved with this great driving champion, who also happens to be a resident Tennessean. We look forward to visiting victory lane again soon,” said BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta.

While last month’s Indy 500 was the first time Big Machine Records partnered with Franchitti’s racing team – Chip Ganassi Racing – it was certainly not the label’s first venture into the racing world. In 2011, Borchetta’s Big Machine Records was a sponsor of the late Dan Wheldon’s winning car at the Indy 500 and partnered with The Speedway during the Brickyard 400 presented by BigMachineRecords.com. The innovative collaboration created a unique festival environment at the track and was the first time a record label has ever presented a nationally-televised race in the 100-year history, appealing to both music and auto racing fans alike.

The label will return this year under the title – Crown Royal Presents the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com. The race weekend will again treat fans to a special concert before drivers start their engines, featuring Country music stars The Band Perry, Justin Moore, The Mavericks, Greg Bates and others.

Dr. John to Headline First 2012 Live on the Green

Legendary New Orleans singer/songwriter Dr. John will headline the first 2012 Live On the Green performance, which takes place Thursday, September 6.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has been delivering his uniquely New Orleans-rooted psychedelic funk and rock since his first album Gris Gris in 1968. He also performed as a session player on albums by Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, and the Rolling Stones. His 2012 album Locked Down was recorded in Nashville and produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach.

“Dr. John has been a part of music history for more than four decades, giving him a unique multi-
generational audience,” said Live on the Green Exec. Producer Lester Turner. “His show blends voodoo rhythms, rock, rhythm & blues with
his New Orleans roots. He is the ideal artist to kick off a lineup focused on a variety of musical styles,
generations and qualities; one which aims to celebrate the best of what’s happening nationally and locally.”

The annual late summer-fall concert series is held every Thursday, September 6 – October 11 at Public Square Park in front of Metro Courthouse. The full lineup for 2012 will be announced Thursday, July 5. More info here.

From the Road (6/25/12)

Somethin’ ‘Bout Thumbs Up
MCA Nashville’s Kip Moore played to a packed house at the KSKS/Fresno Summer Series Show. Moore’s new single “Beer Money” is currently going for adds.

(L-R): MCA's Marlene Augustine, KSKS MD JodyJo Mize, Moore, KSKS PD Mac Daniels

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“T” For  Two
Curb Records’ Rachel Holder scored a little swag when she paid a recent visit to KRRV/Alexandria, LA PD Melissa Frost. Rachel’s single “In Your Arms” is currently at No. 18 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

(L-R): Frost, Holder

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Smokin’ Hodges
Show Dog-Universal’s JT Hodges recently rocked Kix 106 WGKX/Memphis’ Smokin’ Summer Showcase.

(L-R): SDU’s Greg Sax, WGKX PD/Mornings Duane Shannon, WGKX Mornings Abby Summers, Hodges, WGKX APD/MD Kay Manley

Photo Friday (6/22/12)

Jamey Johnson and President Jimmy Carter met in Atlanta, Georgia last weekend at Chastain Park Amphitheater where Johnson and Willie Nelson were appearing. It was the first time the pair had met.

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Warner Music Nashville’s Hunter Hayes gathered an estimated 7,000 person crowd last night (6/21) at the KC Power & Light District’s Hot Country Nights in Kansas City, MO. Authorities for the entertainment district had to stop letting people in as the rafters began to overflow.

••••

Kenny Chesney performed for the American Express Unstaged music series this Wednesday night (6/20). The 75-minute set was set on the beach of Wildwood, NJ, available live on YouTube as well as on demand.

Ground Zero and Encore Media Announce Merger

Ground Zero and Encore Media have joined forces to become Nashville’s single largest post-production services provider.

Both companies will operate out of the newly expanded Ground Zero facility at 1011 16 Avenue South on Music Row. Ground Zero and In Visible Inc., an animation and design studio are already operating at the same location. The build-out of the expanded studios is targeted for completion by July 31.

Additionally, the new venture will see the expansion of Encore’s growing digital video encoding service.

Ground Zero’s work can be seen on television programs such as CMT’s Crossroads, and on motion pictures such as Jess & Moss, Super Zeroes and Blue Like Jazz. Encore Media’s credits include DVDs and Blu-Rays for the Rolling Stones, Joe Bonamassa, Styx and the motion picture Fortress.

Sidewalk Records Adds Kristina Carlyle

Sidewalk Records has added Kristina Carlyle to its promotion staff for the Southwest/Midwest region starting July 2.

Carlyle previously served as Music Director at KRST/Albuquerque for the past three years. Additionally, she co-hosted KRST’s morning show for eight years.

“I have known Kristina for the last several years,” said Larry Hughes, head of promotion for Sidewalk. “Kristina is a self-starter and a hard worker and I believe that radio and our artists will love working with her.”

Carlyle can be reached at (505) 603-9196.

National Folk Festival Taking a Hiatus in 2012

The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) has announced that the National Folk Festival will take a hiatus in 2012, and will not be presented in Nashville as originally planned.

The NCTA says that while the 73rd National Folk Festival held Labor Day weekend 2011 in Nashville was an artistic success, the free to the public event suffered funding shortfalls. Additionally, poor weather conditions over those three days added to the festival’s problems.

“Because so many people gave so generously of their resources and themselves to help launch the festival in 2011, it has been especially painful for our Board to conclude that we cannot present the Festival in 2012,” said the Council in a statement.

Nashville won the right to host the 2011-2013 National Folk Festivals after a bidding competition with more than 40 other communities. The NCTA has produced the Festival almost continuously since 1934, which has turned into a diverse, inclusive celebration of cultural tradition, heritage and identity.

“We still believe deeply in the promise of the National Folk Festival for Nashville,” the NCTA said, “We continue to seek ways to address the current fiscal challenge, as we turn our attention to 2013, the 80th anniversary of the NCTA’s founding.”

The Council is also currently inviting proposals from communities interested in hosting the 2014-2016 cycle of the National Folk Festival.

Flatts, Edens Edge and EYB Join To Fight Hunger

The Outnumber Hunger bus features BMLG's Rascal Flatts, Edens Edge and Eli Young Band.

Big Machine Label Group artists Rascal Flatts, Edens Edge and Eli Young Band are teaming up with General Mills this summer to help Feeding America secure meals for local food banks through Outnumber Hunger Live. This marks an extension to the Outnumber Hunger initiative, which has already helped Feeding America secure more than 6 million meals for local food banks.

From now through the end of October, at each of the over 35 concert stops on the Farmers Insurance Presents Changed Tour, Outnumber Hunger will make a donation to Feeding America to help secure 5,000 meals for that city’s local food bank. At each tour stop, a donation of $625 will be made to Feeding America—enough to secure 5,000 meals for that local food bank.

“People in every community across America—nearly 49 million individuals—are struggling with hunger,” said Mike Eli of the Eli Young Band. “With ‘Outnumber Hunger Live,’ we hope that we can help these local communities and continue to raise awareness of this issue in our country.”

“The Outnumber Hunger program helps make a difference in the hunger crisis in America,” said Vicki B. Escarra, president and CEO, Feeding America. “We appreciate that General Mills and Big Machine Label Group’s artists continue to lend their voices to this effort.”

Dean Berner, Hannah Blaylock and Cherrill Green of Edens Edge perform an acoustic set for fans during the first stop in Hartford, CT on the "Changed Tour."

“In our home state of Arkansas, nearly 18 percent of the residents struggle with hunger. “That’s more than half a million people,” said Hannah Blaylock of Edens Edge. “That’s why Outnumber Hunger Live is an important part of our tour.”

According to the USDA, approximately one in six Americans (16.1%) struggles with hunger which often affects hardworking families who face tough decisions about whether to pay bills or pay for food. “Outnumber Hunger Live” aims to continue to raise awareness for the issue and help make a difference in the fight against hunger in local communities.

The Outnumber Hunger initiative launched in March with a star-studded roster of Big Machine Label Group artists, including Rascal Flatts, Reba and Martina McBride. The artists appeared on millions of specially marked General Mills products alongside Outnumber Hunger codes. By entering the codes at www.OutnumberHunger.com, people can help Feeding America secure five meals on behalf of their local food banks. General Mills has already donated $700,000 and will donate up to an additional $1,400,000 based on online code entry and other consumer actions. As a thank you, consumers receive a free song download from participating artists after entering their package code.

For more, visit www.OutnumberHunger.com and Facebook.

Yearwood’s Cooking Show Returning For Second Season

Food Network has ordered a new season of the daytime series Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, starring Trisha Yearwood. The show’s thirteen-episode, second season will begin production this summer and is slated to premiere in the fall.

In Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, the singer shares her food traditions, updates classic dishes and displays her southern hospitality, cooking family-inspired, down-home recipes with her friends and family. Each themed episode invites viewers into Yearwood’s kitchen for favorite meals and family stories.

“Our viewers loved seeing a different side of Trisha. Her impressive cooking skills and family recipes, coupled with her natural southern charm, really resonated with our audience,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Food Network. “We’re thrilled Trisha will be returning for a second season with more delicious dishes and family traditions.”

The series is produced by Ellen Rakieten Entertainment and RelativityREAL.