Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum and Casting Crowns were among the honorees at Sunday night’s (5/20) Billboard Music Awards, presented at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Adele was the evening’s top winner, scoring twelve awards including Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album.
Swift was named Woman of The Year for being a “trailblazing female artist over the past 12 months, and her overall success in the music business and her leadership in embracing the changing industry.”
Aldean’s My Kinda Party was named Top Country Album, and its hit “Dirt Road Anthem,” co-written by Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert, was awarded Top Country Song.
Lady Antebellum received Top Country Artist. The group was on the road in Columbia, MD and unable to attend. “We hated not being in Vegas for the Billboard Awards, but we got to celebrate the win with our fans on tour, and that was extra special,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “Our backstage tiki bar Club Labellum rocked a little harder than usual last night!”
Casting Crowns won Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Album for Come To The Well.
Carrie Underwood performed the title track from her fourth album, “Blown Away,” which has spent the past two weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart. Julianne Hough was among the presenters.
Click to see the complete list of winners.
Hunter Hayes Becomes Martin Guitar Brand Ambassador
/by FreemanHayes is slated to join Carrie Underwood’s 2012 Blown Away tour this summer, and he will bring his new Martin Parlor 42-style instrument with him on the road. Hayes had the unique opportunity to collaborate with Martin’s custom shop to create the instrument.
“It is an absolute honor to be named an official Martin Ambassador and to be recognized by the Martin family. To me, the Martin brand is a name I can trust,” said Hayes. “They make timeless guitars and prove themselves time and again with their elegant tone and sound. The craftsmanship that goes into every piece is one that has shaped some of my favorite music, and is certainly at the forefront of my own sound. I can’t wait to show off my new Parlor 42-style model on the road!”
“We are excited to add Hunter Hayes to our ever-growing list of new brand ambassadors,” said Amani Duncan, vice president of brand marketing, C.F. Martin & Co. “Hunter is a naturally-gifted performer whose songwriting and dynamic live performances have made him one of the brightest new stars to emerge from Nashville. Hunter is a perfect addition to our rich roster of Martin players and we are excited to have him as a member of the Martin Guitar family.”
Get Hunter Hayes tour info here.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Reschedules Induction Ceremony
/by MichelleJohn Van Mol, chairman of the organization, said the songwriters moved two weeks earlier than their previously announced date of October 21 to accommodate a schedule conflict with another organization that involved artist contractual tour commitments. “Many of the same music industry people would want to attend both events, and since we had more flexibility, our board felt it was in the best interest of all to change our date,” Van Mol said.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame dinner is one of the highlights of the Nashville Awards season and honors Nashville-connected writers who write songs that define country music and other genres as well. The 2012 inductees will be announced in the coming months. Last year’s honorees included Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, John Bettis, Thom Schuyler and Allen Shamblin.
For more information please click here.
Gloriana to Release Sophomore Album
/by Caitlin RantalaThe band had a hand in writing all 11 tracks on the album and recorded with Grammy Award winning producer and Emblem Music Group label owner Matt Serletic (Willie Nelson, Matchbox 20, Aerosmith). The group’s single “(Kissed You) Good Night” is currently No. 14 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart and is one of the fastest rising of the group’s career. Some of Nashville’s finest songwriters worked with the group to write songs for the album, including Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey, James Slater, Danny Myrick, and Stephanie Bentley, among others.
“Like any new act, we were finding ourselves on the first record — in the recording process and as musicians,” says Gloriana’s Tom Gossin. “The new album really just feels like us, who and where we are now, to the point where we know exactly what we want to do and how to get there.”
Gloriana released its debut self-titled album in 2009. For more information visit www.gloriana.com.
AIMP Nashville Chapter to Present Music Advertising Panel
/by FreemanThe panel will convene industry experts to discuss the process of music selection for commercial advertising, strategies for pitching, and rights and fee structures. Participating panelists include Amy Rosen (Grey, New York); John Meililo (Meililo Music, New York); Karen Macmillan (Nettwerk Music Group, Los Angeles/New York/London); Sarah Gavigan (Sarah Gavigan Music, Nashville). These individuals have worked with leading global brands including Amazon, Chevy, Coke, NFL Super Bowl, Nokia, Apple and more. Craig Currier of peermusic will moderate the discussion.
To register for this event or to find out more about AIMP membership, visit aimp.org.
Billboard Awards Salute Swift, Aldean, Lady A
/by Sarah SkatesTaylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum and Casting Crowns were among the honorees at Sunday night’s (5/20) Billboard Music Awards, presented at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Adele was the evening’s top winner, scoring twelve awards including Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album.
Swift was named Woman of The Year for being a “trailblazing female artist over the past 12 months, and her overall success in the music business and her leadership in embracing the changing industry.”
Aldean’s My Kinda Party was named Top Country Album, and its hit “Dirt Road Anthem,” co-written by Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert, was awarded Top Country Song.
Lady Antebellum received Top Country Artist. The group was on the road in Columbia, MD and unable to attend. “We hated not being in Vegas for the Billboard Awards, but we got to celebrate the win with our fans on tour, and that was extra special,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “Our backstage tiki bar Club Labellum rocked a little harder than usual last night!”
Casting Crowns won Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Album for Come To The Well.
Carrie Underwood performed the title track from her fourth album, “Blown Away,” which has spent the past two weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart. Julianne Hough was among the presenters.
Click to see the complete list of winners.
Phillip Fulmer & Charlie Daniels Golf Classic Takes Place Today
/by MichelleThis golf classic is a fundraising event benefiting The Jason Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the prevention and awareness of youth suicide. In addition to country icon Daniels and former University of Tennessee football coach Fulmer, other participants in the Classic include former UT football players Al Wilson, Carl Pickens, Brad Lampley and Andy Kelly.
For more information on the Jason Foundation, click here.
Corey Wagar – Take Ya Back
/by ProgrammerPlaylistCorey, who is known for her ‘sweet and sassy’ sound is here to give radio folks a song that will bring back memories of listening to their favorite artists on the radio. “Take Ya Back” was penned by Corey with Beau Fuller and Cece DuBois and produced by Kent Wells (Dolly Parton), who also produced her debut album.
Corey’s last single was the girl-power anthem “I Hate My Boyfriend,” which reached No. 32 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Additionally, the Country Music Association named her the “Who New To Watch 2012” artist in CMA Close Up.
This country music spitfire has found a knack for “Jersey meets Nashville” music. Corey has recently opened for the Charlie Daniels Band, LeAnn Rimes and Lee Brice, and her fan base continues to grow. She will also be in Nashville for the CMA Music Festival June 7-10.
www.coreywagar.com
www.facebook.com/CoreyWagarOfficial
www.twitter.com/CoreyWagar
Programmer Playlist: Shawna Russell
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Sounds Like A Party” was co-written by Russell and produced at LOUD Studios in Nashville by Grammy-winning engineer Julian King, along with Clif Doyal and Tim Russell. Shawna also provides her slide guitar talents on the track.
“Sounds Like A Party” is fast on the heels of Russell’s previous single “Waitin’ On Sunrise,” which landed at No. 29 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart. Russell is only the second independent solo female to hit the Top 30 of the MusicRow chart in the past year.
Russell released her self-titled sophomore album in 2011, winning praise from Billboard.com, Roughstock, Maverick, Music News Nashville, Today’s Country, CountryChart.com and the Oklahoma Gazette, among others. In addition to writing, recording and performing, Russell is also the focus of a reality television series in development that focuses on her life as a traveling female musician.
www.shawnarussell.comshawnarussellmusic
www.facebook.com/
Grand Ole Opry to Salute Troops
/by Caitlin Rantala“We are excited about welcoming country superstars to our stage and our country’s heroes to our House Tuesday night,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “We’re just as pleased to give country fans an opportunity to show their appreciation to our men and women in uniform as they arrive at the Opry House.”
Clips from the red carpet arrival and performances from the night will air as part of the premiere 90-minute episode of Noteworthy at the Opry on GAC Saturday, May 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET.
George Jones Admitted To Hospital
/by FreemanJones was originally hospitalized and treated for the respiratory infection in late March before being released to recover at home. In late April, he announced he was canceling his dates for May while he continued to recuperate.
Upcoming George Jones dates:
5/25 – Hurricane Mills, TN – Loretta Lynn Ranch
5/26 – Hiawassee, GA – Anderson Music Hall
6/02 – Huntington, WV – Big Sandy Superstore Arena
6/03 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theater
6/15 – Fountain Hills, AZ – Ft. McDowell Casino
6/16 – Primm, NV – Buffalo Bills Casino
6/23 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center