Carrie Underwood visited Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night (5/10) to promote the release of her fourth album Blown Away. Her performances included current single “Good Girl,” album cut “Leave Love Alone,” and a special duet with Jimmy called “Before You Freak.” The song parodied Underwood’s smash “Before He Cheats.” See videos from her appearance here.
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Lee Ann Womack was in Washington, DC on Wednesday (5/9) to perform at the Centennial First Ladies Luncheon for Michelle Obama, and a donation was made on the singer’s behalf to Houston-based Healthcare for the Homeless. Additionally, Womack visited the White House for the presentation of the 2012 Library of Congress’ Gershwin Award to Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Womack is also currently recording a new album with husband Frank Liddell.
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Miranda Lambert just scored a No. 1 song with “Over You,” which she and husband Blake Shelton wrote together. The song has been certified Gold, and RCA has released the stripped down “Over You (Heart and Soul Mix).” “I think the key is we sort of pick and choose what we want to do together as artists because we don’t ever want the business to get in the way of our personal relationship,” said Lambert about Shelton. “So when we write together, we kind of step away from being husband and wife, and we just become artists that respect each other. And it’s a really good relationship, and I think doing that every now and then and keeping it special is what makes it work.”
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The Mavericks’ new single “Born To Be Blue” (Valory Music Co.) is headed to country radio with a May 29 add date. Fans can stream the song on the group’s Facebook page here.
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Martina McBride has been selected to sing the national anthem during the pre-race ceremonies at the 96th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Tickets to the prestigious racing event are available here.
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Craig Morgan will headline the July 13 broadcast of Fox & Friends’ “All American Summer” concert series in New York City. Locals will be able to see the performance for free outside the Fox News Studios at Avenue of the Americas and 48th St. in Manhattan. The concert will air on Fox & Friends starting at 6:30 am CT that morning.
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Bucky Covington’s tour bus was involved in an accident yesterday (5/10) on I-65 in Birmingham, AL. Covington was not onboard at the time of the accident and there appear to be no serious injuries but some of the passengers were taken to the hospital for examination. Covington’s dates tonight (5/11) in Germantown, IL and tomorrow (5/12) in Kenosha, WI will go on as scheduled.
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Black River Entertainment’s Glen Templeton will make his national television debut on June 17 when he visits Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends. Templeton will sing his current single “Sing That Song Again” and Conway Twitty’s classic “That’s My Job” in honor of Father’s Day. The appearance will air beginning at 7:10 am CT.
Zooey Deschanel to Portray Loretta Lynn on Broadway
/by Michelle(L-R): Zooey Deschanel, Loretta Lynn Photo: Russ Harrington
Country music legend Loretta Lynn announced Thursday evening (5/10) from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium during Opry Country Classics that she has chosen Grammy® and Golden Globe nominated actress and star of FOX TV’s New Girl, Zooey Deschanel to portray her in an upcoming Broadway-bound stage adaptation of Coal Miner’s Daughter.
Following the announcement, Deschanel joined Lynn on the Ryman stage for a duet of Lynn’s signature song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” The announcement and performance mirrored the 1979 Grand Ole Opry appearance where Lynn invited a young Sissy Spacek onstage to announce that she had chosen the actress to portray her in the forthcoming film.
Coal Miner’s Daughter will be brought to the stage by two Tony Award-winning producers, Fox Theatricals (Kristin Caskey and Mike Isaacson) and Scott Sanders Productions, which have collectively brought some of the biggest hits to the stage, including Legally Blonde, The Color Purple, Red, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and more.
The creative team and dates for the production will be announced in the coming months. The schedule will not conflict with Deschanel’s current commitment to New Girl, on which she stars and produces.
Chesney Debuts Single, Starts Rehearsals With McGraw
/by Sarah SkatesChesney (L) and McGraw (R) start rehearsals for Brothers of the Sun run.
With the release of his next album set for June 19, Kenny Chesney is busy with a new single, rehearsing for his tour with Tim McGraw, and performing at a charity event spearheaded by Matthew McConaughey and Drew Brees.
Chesney’s 13th studio album Welcome To The Fishbowl will be available June 19 via BNA Records. The first single, “Feel Like A Rock Star,” a duet with McGraw, debuted in early April and has quickly ascended the charts. Chesney is following that with single “Come Over,” written by Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. The music video, directed by longtime collaborator and friend Shaun Silva, was filmed off the coast of Florida. “‘Come Over’ is the most intimate journey I’ve captured of Kenny in the 10 years we’ve been making music videos together,” said Silva.
He and McGraw recently had their first onstage, joint rehearsal for upcoming the Brothers of the Sun Tour. “Rehearsal with Tim and I and our bands was as electric and exciting as we anticipated,” Chesney reported. “It’s been a long time since we’ve played on stage together and the chemistry and excitement is just so natural. It’s going to be a dream come true to have our years of friendship come together on stage for what will be one unpredictable, loud, hell of a summer, and I can’t wait.” The tour featuring Jake Owen and Grace Potter kicks off June 2 in Tampa, Fla. and is set for more than 20 stadiums across the country, including a June 23 stop at Nashville’s LP Field.
Chesney recently performed at the House of Blues in New Orleans for the 3rd annual Amazing Race Charity Event. The fundraiser was put on by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and wife Brittany, and Matthew McConaughey and fiancée Camila Alves. The three stars capped the night with a performance of "Boys of Fall." Amazing Race provides after school fitness and wellness programs.
CMA Accepting Broadcast Award Nominations
/by FreemanThe organization is in the middle of its “Year of Country Radio” campaign. During CRS in February 2012, CMA awarded complimentary organizational and two individual memberships good for one year to all 2000-plus country stations in the United States. Since the Broadcast Award contenders must be CMA Mebers, all stations are now eligible.
“The ‘Year of Country Radio’ is all about celebrating the hard work of Country radio and its importance to our format,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore. “We’re always honored to spotlight the best of the best in Country radio, and this year will be especially meaningful with so many new members in the CMA family.”
Nominations may be submitted at Broadcast.CMAawards.com until 5 pm/CT on Friday, June 29. Winners will be notified in early October and recognized during the 46th Annual CMA Awards held late in 2012 and broadcast on ABC.
Celebration of Life: Pat Harris
/by MichelleA private Celebration of Life for Pat Harris is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 from 2-3 p.m. at the Nature Center in the Shelby Bottoms area adjacent to Shelby Park. For more information, please contact Vernell Hackett here.
A veteran Nashville journalist, Pat Harris passed away April 14 of natural causes at her daughter Barbara’s Nashville home. She was 88. Her obituary can be read here.
Easton Corbin Joins “Road to the Ram Jam”
/by MichelleMercury Nashville recording artist Easton Corbin will join previously announced artists Kellie Pickler and Brantley Gilbert for the “Road to the Ram® Jam” series and sweepstakes.
The Road to the Ram Jam, presented by the Ram Truck brand, highlights five country artists and offers exclusive video content, free music downloads and the opportunity to win prizes through participating country radio stations. Fans can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win trips to the invitation-only 2012 Ram Jam concert event in Nashville December 29, 2012 at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam or on the Ram Trucks Facebook page at www.ramjamsweeps.com.
Corbin will offer fans entering the sweepstakes a chance to win a free download of his new single “Lovin’ You Is Fun” from his forthcoming sophomore album All Over the Road. The remaining Road to the Ram Jam artists will be announced throughout the year and all five participating will receive a lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks will then be auctioned off in early 2013 with all proceeds going to benefit a charity of each artist’s choice.
Easton Corbin
Jimmy Wayne Honored For Foster Service Advocacy
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Pete Fisher (Grand Ole Opry GM), Rep. Mark White, Wayne, Senator Doug Overbey, Treasurer David Lillard. Photo: Chris Hollo
Jimmy Wayne was recently honored by Tennessee State Senator Doug Overbey, Representative Mark White and state Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr., at the Grand Ole Opry with a congratulatory resolution for his advocacy work to extend foster care services to young adults.
Wayne, who spent years in North Carolina’s foster care system, recognized the difficulty young adults face in completing education, launching careers and finding independence. Wayne helped sway state legislators in both houses of the General Assembly to unanimously adopt a bill allowing adults between ages 18 and 21 to continue receiving foster care services.
The Treasury Department first worked with Wayne in 2010 for his Project Meet Me Halfway. The initiative helped bring awareness of individuals aging in the foster system.
“Jimmy Wayne has been a tireless advocate on behalf of young people in need of foster care, so it is fitting that he is being honored with this resolution,” Treasurer Lillard said. “This new law will provide security to a critical group of young people as they are making the transition from childhood to adulthood. Every Tennessean is proud of Mr. Wayne’s efforts.”
GAC Plans 5th Annual Kick-off Breakfast
/by Eric T. ParkerPerformers at this year’s breakfast event will include Josh Turner, Lauren Alaina, Thompson Square and Kip Moore.
Tickets have been available here for $45 and include a country breakfast, performances, autograph sessions with the performers and museum admission. Proceeds from the event benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Past Kick-off Breakfast performers have included Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Lee Ann Womack and Chris Young.
Artist Updates (5/11/12)
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Lee Ann Womack was in Washington, DC on Wednesday (5/9) to perform at the Centennial First Ladies Luncheon for Michelle Obama, and a donation was made on the singer’s behalf to Houston-based Healthcare for the Homeless. Additionally, Womack visited the White House for the presentation of the 2012 Library of Congress’ Gershwin Award to Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Womack is also currently recording a new album with husband Frank Liddell.
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The Mavericks’ new single “Born To Be Blue” (Valory Music Co.) is headed to country radio with a May 29 add date. Fans can stream the song on the group’s Facebook page here.
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Craig Morgan will headline the July 13 broadcast of Fox & Friends’ “All American Summer” concert series in New York City. Locals will be able to see the performance for free outside the Fox News Studios at Avenue of the Americas and 48th St. in Manhattan. The concert will air on Fox & Friends starting at 6:30 am CT that morning.
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McFadden Joins Momentum Promotion Team
/by Freeman“Tim has such great relationships at radio and will be invaluable to our team as we work to break our Rachele’s new single,” says Momentum Label Group creator Jamie O’Neal. “I have always been very impressed with Tim, and I’m thrilled to be working with him.”
McFadden most recently served as National Head of Promotion for R&J Records since its inception. His career also includes time in the promotion department at Giant Records and running his own McFadden Management.
Reach him at 615-476-0090 or tzmcfadden@gmail.com.
Momentum Label Group was launched in February 2012 by singer/songwriter Jamie O’Neal, who is overseeing all aspects of the company including producing Momentum artists.
CountryBreakout No. 1 Song
/by FreemanEric Church, Ryan Tyndell, and Jeff Hyde co-penned “Springsteen,” the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 song, which concerns itself primarily with the memory of an old relationship. And like its namesake, “Springsteen” also uses some anthemic touches (like the “whoa whoa whoa” chant after the second chorus) that make it instantly striking.
Church just recently brought his Blood, Sweat, and Beers Tour to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. MR’s own Sarah Skates was present for the event and discovered that it was indeed bloody, sweaty, boozy, and explosive.
Check out the new video for “Springsteen,” directed by Peter Zavadil: