Programmer Playlist: Shawna Russell

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Shawna Russell and Way Out West Records are proudly releasing the retro and rockin’ uptempo summertime single “Sounds Like A Party” to Country radio. Russell previously released the song to European radio last year, and it climbed to No. 3 on the Hotdisc chart in only three weeks.

“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.com
www.facebook.com/shawnarussellmusic

Grand Ole Opry to Salute Troops

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Country music fans are invited to say “thank you” to the men and women of the U.S. military during a red carpet arrival of members of the Tennessee National Guard at tomorrow’s (5/22) Tuesday Night Opry. The red carpet leading to the Grand Ole Opry House is set to feature soldiers’ uniforms and American heroes. The public is invited to be a part of the arrival and celebration at 6:00 p.m. The evening’s Opry performance – a salute to the military featuring John Conlee, Ronnie Milsap, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Mark Wills, and more – begins at 7:00 p.m.

“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

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Country Music Hall of Fame Member George Jones was admitted to a Nashville area hospital today (5/21), according to a statement from his publicist. He is slated to undergo testing and evaluation for a lingering respiratory infection. Jones’ concert dates through June will be rescheduled where possible.

Jones 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

Toby Keith and Kristen Bell Will Host CMT Awards

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Hollywood meets Nashville when Toby Keith and Kristen Bell host the 2012 CMT Music Awards, set for Wednesday, June 6 in Nashville. The show will air live from Bridgestone Arena at 7 pm/CT on CMT and CMT.com.

“Toby Keith and Kristen Bell are a terrific one-two knockout punch for the 2012 CMT Music Awards,” said John Hamlin, SVP, Music Events and Talent, CMT. “Toby has been involved with our show every year since its inception and Kristen is as entertaining and witty as any young actor working today.  We’re thrilled to have them both as hosts for this year’s show.”

Keith has been a consistent country hitmaker for years, selling over 36 million albums to date. His latest album Clancy’s Tavern features the breakout viral smash “Red Solo Cup.” Bell currently stars in the Showtime series House of Lies with Don Cheadle and is known for her roles in Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Couple Retreat.

The fan-voted awards show will also include performances from Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band. More performers and presenters will be revealed soon.

Fans can vote online at CMT.com or through CMT apps available for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. The five finalists for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans will have the opportunity to vote through the telecast to determine the winner. A list of nominees is available here.

 

New Radio Licensing Rates Established

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Performing rights organizations are experiencing a significant decrease in licensing income from radio stations. In January the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) agreement with ASCAP was approved by the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York, resulting in radio stations paying lower licensing rates to the PRO. A similar agreement was reached with BMI earlier this month and is awaiting court approval.

The separate agreements with the PROs run through December 2016 and are retroactive to January 2010. Also covered in the agreements are licensing rates for new media, Internet websites, smart phones, wireless devices, and HD/Multicasting radio channels.

The ASCAP deal placed licensing fees at 1.7% of individual radio station revenue. The RMLC reports this is about a 30% decrease in cost for most stations. According to the RMLC, the changes appeared on ASCAP’s January 2012 billing statement. For 2012, ASCAP’s revenue will be about $80 million less than what was paid based on 2009 rates. More from ASCAP.

The RMLC is approaching SESAC differently because its licensing rates are not subject to scrutiny by a federal court.

The RMLC represents the commercial radio industry’s 10,000 terrestrial stations. It is structured as a 501(c)(6) non-profit Tennessee corporation based in Nashville. The RMLC’s staff consists of Executive Director William Velez, and Staff Accountant/Data Manager Rebekah Smith. More from the RMLC.

That’s My InCharge Story. What’s Yours?

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In the current print issue of MusicRow InCharge, Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson shares the story of his career path from Arthur Andersen & Co. (pre-Enron) in the 90’s to Nashville’s Music Industry Publication, MusicRow. He discusses the executives profiled in the InCharge magazine who helped guide his way and made a huge impact on his career.

“These pages in InCharge list the most influential people in our industry, but that influence is not limited to artists, their music and our industry’s commerce. That influence affects us all in unique and personal ways through our relationships, our careers and even our friendships,” says Robertson.

Many people on the Row have stories about how the decision makers in InCharge have impacted their careers, or maybe how the magazine itself led to opportunities.

We would love to hear YOUR story.

Email your story to Sarah Skates at sskates@musicrow.com or call her at 499-5419.

Here’s Cindy Heath’s story:

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Cindy Heath shares her InCharge story.

It was the last semester of my senior year of college. I was sitting on a charter bus watching the miles pass by between Florence, Alabama and Nashville, Tennessee as our music business senior class traveled to Music City for a ‘field trip’ to tour labels, publishing companies and studios, hosted by University of North Alabama alumni.

One week later I would be making the drive again to interview for an internship with RCA Label Group. Ever the model student, I did everything I could to prepare for the interview so I could make a favorable impression with my knowledge and passion for the business. I had checked out a copy of 1996’s MusicRow InCharge magazine from the university library to study it on the ride to Nashville and quickly flipped to then RLG General Manager Randy Goodman’s profile. I memorized his photo, history, hobbies and memberships so I would know everything I needed to know beyond the classroom before the next week’s interview. And then I studied every other InCharge profile for key players at the company because that’s what an overachiever does. Somehow this uptight student made a favorable impression on Randy and his staff because I received an internship offer with the company.

Fast forward fourteen years and several career iterations and I find myself with my own company, Monarch Publicity. While that in and of itself is a huge personal achievement, I giggled like a schoolgirl when I saw my face and bio first appear in 2011’s MusicRow InCharge issue. To me, it meant I had finally arrived.

That’s my InCharge story. What’s yours?

Special Performances and Events Added to CMA Festival Week

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More performers and events have been added during and surrounding the 2012 CMA Music Festival, taking place June 7-10 in downtown Nashville.

Glen Campbell will serve as Grand Marshal for the parade.

Before June 7 rolls around and CMA Fest gets underway, Country Weekly is hosting a special benefit concert and unofficial kick-off party at Hard Rock Cafe on Tuesday, June 5. Performers for the event, benefiting Musicians On Call, include Colt Ford, LoCash Cowboys, and Matt Stillwell. Tickets are available here.

The official start to the Festival begins Wednesday, June 6 with the eighth annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade at 11 am/CT, followed by the seventh annual CMA Music Festival Block Party at 12:30 pm/CT. Iconic performer Glen Campbell will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal, and the members of vocal group Little Big Town will promote new single “Pontoon” by each riding in Premier pontoon boats with fans.

During the nightly concerts at LP Field, each evening will now feature two acoustic performance sets. American Idol alumni Kellie Pickler and Lauren Alaina will each perform acoustically on Thursday, June 7. Randy Houser and The Voice contestant Gwen Sebastian will each take a turn Friday, June 8. Duo Love and Theft and Kip Moore will each perform on Saturday, June 9. On Sunday, June 10, Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson and duo Steel Magnolia will each perform.

Additionally, during the opening ceremonies on Thursday, June 7, David Nail will perform the title track of his album The Sound of a Million Dreams with the Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (directed by Walter Bitner). Nashville School of the Arts has been a recipient of funds from CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program, benefitting music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Storme Warren, producer/host of GAC’s “Headline Country” will host the nightly concerts on June 7. Actress/comedienne Melissa Peterman will host June 9. Evan Farmer, host of CMT’s Top 20 Countdown, will host on June 10. The host for Friday, June 8 will be announced soon. Full nightly concert lineup is included below.

Thursday, June 7:


Full band performances: Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley,and Zac Brown Band
Acoustic performances :Lauren Alaina and Kellie Pickler
Special performance: David Nail with the Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner)
National Anthem performer: Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner)
Host: Storme Warren (GAC’s “Headline Country”)

Friday, June 8:


Full band performances: The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood
Acoustic performances: Randy Houser and Gwen Sebastian
National Anthem performer: Oak Ridge Boys
Host: To be announced soon

Saturday, June 9:  


Full band performances: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Kenny Rogers
Acoustic performances: Love and Theft and Kip Moore
National Anthem performer: Julie Roberts
Host: Melissa Peterman (CMT’s “The Singing Bee”)

Sunday, June 10:  


Full band performances: Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, and Rascal Flatts
Acoustic performances: Bill Anderson and Steel Magnolia
National Anthem performer: Sarah Darling
Host: Evan Farmer (CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown”)

Cracker Barrel Issues Ronnie Dunn Album Exclusive

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Ronnie Dunn’s newest solo CD was released today (5/21) through the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program.

The CD, Ronnie Dunn – Special Edition, is a collection of 12 songs that Dunn first released in 2011, and includes an additional two previously unreleased bonus tracks. A portion of the proceeds from sales of this CD will be donated to Wounded Warrior Project.  The CD is available for $11.99 exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations and online at crackerbarrel.com.

Tracks on Ronnie Dunn – Special Edition:
1.     I Love My Country (Previously Unreleased)
2.     Singer In A Cowboy Band
3.     I Don’t Dance
4.     Your Kind Of Love
5.     How Far To Waco
6.     Once
7.     Cost Of Livin’
8.     Bleed Red
9.     Last Love I’m Tryin’
10.  Let The Cowboy Rock
11.  I Can’t Help Myself
12.  I Just Get Lonely
13.  Love Owes Me One
14.  Keep On Lovin’ You  (Previously Unreleased)

McGraw Joins BMLG Roster

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Tim McGraw has joined the Big Machine Records roster, it was announced today (5/21) at a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

“Many people know that I came to Nashville 23 years ago on a Greyhound bus with nothing but a guitar,” said McGraw. “And 23 years to the day, on May 9, I went back to the bus station and officially signed this deal. It was a significant way for me to mark this new beginning. Scott Borchetta has developed a powerhouse at Big Machine, and I’m happy to be a part of what he has built and to call Big Machine Records my new label home. Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling about working on a new album for this next chapter in my career. Here’s to the next 20 years!”

“I’ve always felt a kinship to Tim as my dad (Mike) originally signed Tim to Curb Records,” added Borchetta. “We have wanted to work together for years and I can’t believe this day has finally come. His level of artistry, vision, passion and energy comes along only so many times in any given era and I can tell you with the utmost confidence that there are many, many important chapters left to write.”

Universal Music Group will handle global distribution. “I’m so pleased to add the great superstar Tim McGraw to our incredible Nashville family of distributed labels,” said Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group. “Tim’s accomplishments reach around the world and we intend to exert the full compliment of global support to Tim’s new releases on Big Machine Records.”

This June, McGraw will kick off the Brothers of the Sun Tour with longtime friend Kenny Chesney. The outing launches June 2 in Tampa and will hit the nation’s biggest stadiums through August.

McGraw has sold over 40 million albums.

Underwood Featured in “Dateline” Special

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Hoda Kotb and Carrie Underwood singing karaoke.

Carrie Underwood will be featured in a one hour Dateline 20th Anniversary Special which will air Tuesday, May 22 at 9 pm CT on NBC.

To celebrate the occasion, Underwood will be interviewed in a special segment by Today show co-host Hoda Kotb. The two originally met in 2005 when Underwood won the fourth season of American Idol.

Underwood’s latest album Blown Away hit stores May 1 and debuted at No. 1 on the SoundScan sales charts. The album’s first single “Good Girl” has already been certified Gold for more than 500,000 downloads.

The Dateline 20th Anniversary Special will also highlight some of the most extraordinary stories form the past 20 years including Michael J. Fox, Aron Ralston (subject of film 127 Hours), the McCaughey septuplets and more.