Laurissa Ryan To Exit CMT

Laurissa Ryan is exiting her post at CMT after 13 years with the network. She currently serves as Sr. Director of Talent and has decided to leave the company to pursue new opportunities.

“I’m grateful for the incredible experiences and lifelong friendships these 13 years at CMT have afforded me,” said Ryan. “As difficult as this decision was, I am excited to see what the future holds.”

“We’re very sad to see Laurissa go,” said John Hamlin, SVP, Music Events and Talent, CMT. “We’re extremely proud of the work she’s done here and the relationships she’s been able to build on behalf of the network. We owe much of our talent department’s success to Laurissa and wish her nothing but the best in her new endeavors.”

Ryan will remain at the network through the end of this week. She can be reached at laurissa.ryan@gmail.com, or (615) 477-8752.

MusicRowPics: Jon Pardi Artist Visit

Yesterday (4/24) Capitol Records Nashville artist Jon Pardi stopped by MusicRow headquarters to visit with the staff and play a few songs, including his single “Missin’ You Crazy.” The song is currently climbing MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart, landing at No. 55 this week.

Pardi also played “Write You A Song” and “Chasin’ Them Better Days.” Both songs will be available on his upcoming EP, which he co-produced with Bart Butler.

His full length debut album is expected to be released later this fall.

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“Tuskegee” Stays At No. 1

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee is hanging tight at No. 1 on the all-genre chart for the second consecutive week. The country duets project moved 114,110 units this week, with RTD sales totaling 536,967, making it the best-selling country album of 2012 just three weeks after release. The project, released via Mercury Nashville, saw a week-to-week sales slip of 11 percent.

Richie and Ray Charles are the only artists in history to have No. 1 albums on both the Billboard Country Albums and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.

peermusic Adds Shaun Ames to Roster

Pictured (L-R): Attorney Scott Safford, peermusic Creative Manager Kim Wiggins, peermusic Sr. Creative Director Michael Knox, Shaun Ames and peermusic’s Kevin Lamb

peermusic has announced the signing of  Shaun Ames, founding member of the Sony/RCA recording group, Bush Hawg, to its writer roster.

Ames established the band more than 10 years ago with Alex Wilshire, and the group is currently working with producer and peermusic creative director Michael Knox, .

“Shaun and I have been working together for the past six years, I’m very excited to be working with him now as part of the peermusic family,” says Knox.

peermusic is the world’s largest global independent publishing company, operating 35 offices in 28 countries.

Montgomery Gentry Teams Up with Tim Gunn

ABC’s The Revolution made a visit to Nashville in early April to tape an upcoming episode featuring the sights and sounds of Music City. During their visit, country music duo Montgomery Gentry played host to TV’s fashion expert Tim Gunn, taking him to some of Nashville’s hottest clothing stores.

Troy Gentry introduced Gunn to Aimee Johns at Flavour for Men (1522 Demonbreun Street, Nashville), who guided him through the latest styles of Music Row. Flavour Clothing for Men & Women carries a large number of lines from New York to Los Angeles including Hudson, AG Jeans, Theory, John Varvatos, L.A.M.B., Hale Bob, Joes Jeans and 7 for all Mankind, to name a few. Flavour is often frequented by Gentry, as well as many other country stars including such notables as Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, and Kellie Pickler among others, and additionally offers private shopping opportunities by request.

After visiting Flavour, Eddie Montgomery introduced Gunn to Morelia Ceuvas, daughter of costumer and artist, Manuel. Often referred to as the “Rhinestone Rembrandt,” Manuel (whose showroom is located at 1922 Broadway in Nashville), is known for making Johnny Cash the “man in black,” Elvis’ signature gold lamé suit, the garments Bob Dylan wore when performing for the Pope, and outfitting countless other stars including members of The Rat Pack, Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger. His work within the entertainment industry is world-renowned and has received special recognition by the Country Music Association. The shop, Manuel American Designs, also known as Manuel Exclusive Clothier or simply Manuel’s, is a staple not only of Nashville but of Americana history.

The episode will air this Thursday (4/26) on ABC.

Jana Kramer Makes Opry Debut, Plans Album Release

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito (President & CEO - WMN), Steve Buchanan (President – Grand Ole Opry Group), Kramer, Greg Hill (Manager - McGhee), Kathryn Woodard (Manager - McGhee Entertainment), Pete Fisher (VP/GM – Grand Ole Opry)

MusicRow Feb/Mar cover girl, Jana Kramer made her Grand Ole Opry debut April 13, performing “I Hope It Rains,” and her first single “Why Ya Wanna,” which is currently climbing all the charts.

Both tracks will appear on Kramer’s upcoming self-titled album, due out June 5 via Elektra Nashville. The 11-track collection, produced by Scott Hendricks, is already available for pre-order through Kramer’s web store and includes a meet and greet pass to her album release party during CMA Music Fest. An exclusive bonus track will be featured on her digital release.

Kramer, is most famously known for her role of Alex Dupre on the CW’s One Tree Hill.

Track Listing:
1.  Good Time Coming On
2.  I Hope It Rains
3.  Why Ya Wanna
4.  Goodbye California
5.  Whiskey
6.  Over You By Now
7.  One Of The Boys
8.  What I Love About Your Love
9.  When You’re Lonely
10. King Of Apology
11. Good As You Were Bad
12. I Won’t Give Up (Exclusive Digital Bonus Track)

St. Jude Country Music Marathon Runs Through Nashville on Saturday

The St. Jude Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon presented by Nissan takes place on Saturday, April 28 and continues the tradition of adding some country flavor to the city’s largest running event.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean will join race officials and running enthusiasts to officially kick off the weekend events on Thursday (4/26) with a gathering at Union Station Hotel. The Competitor Group’s free Health and Fitness Expo 4/26-27 at the Nashville Convention Center. Participants will pick up race materials there, and the public can browse the expo for gear, nutrition, and information on running and fitness.

Rodney Atkins will headline the post-race concert at Bridgestone Arena, with special guests Gloriana and Darren Warren. Runners can use their race numbers as concert admission, and tickets are also on sale to the general public for $35. The show begins at 7 pm.

Over 30,000 runners and walkers are expected to participate in the race, which starts at 7 am from Centennial Park. New this year, the course offerings also include a 2.6 mile mini-marathon. Many streets in mid and downtown Nashville will be blocked in the morning hours, so check the Competitor website for closure information.

Nashville Songwriters Festival Coming in June

The Nashville Songwriters Festival on Music Row is set for Friday—Sunday, June 1-3. More than 400 emerging songwriters will take the stage at establishments on Demonbreun including Dan McGuinness, Red Rooster, Tin Roof, Otter’s Chicken & Brew, and First Citizen’s Bank. Music runs noon-midnight all three days.

The Best Western Music Row will host music industry booths and training sessions from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Attendees can receive advice on songwriting, recording, publishing, song plugging, contracts, video production, management and publicity.

Festival registration is $150 for three days, $110 for two days, and $60 for one day. A $20 armband allows admission to the concerts. Details and registration at songwritersfestival.org. For further assistance, email popcorn@songwritersfestival.org or call (615) 424-1491.

Brad Paisley Appears on South Park Tonight

Brad Paisley was invited to the South Park Studios in California this past weekend to be a part of an upcoming episode of the infamous animated series. He collaborated with the show’s developers and will appear twice in the episode, which airs tonight (4/25) at 9 pm CT on Comedy Central.

In his first scene Paisley, who plays a cartoon version of himself, is introduced and sings the national anthem as a lead-in to a Denver Nuggets basketball game. Later in the show his character duets with Cartman, one of the show’s main characters.

Paisley documented his visit on twitter @BradPaisley.

Zac Brown Announces New Album, Introduces New Member

The Zac Brown Band has returned to the studio to work on its forthcoming album Uncaged, which is set for release on July 10 on Atlantic Records/Southern Ground Artists. The album will also mark the official debut of ZBB’s newest member, percussionist Daniel de los Reyes.

Influenced by guest performer Trombone Shorty and past appearances with Kings of Leon, Zac Brown tells AP that the line-up “creates a new kind of pulse within the band…” and the music is “really about making people dance.”

The band is currently nominated for Billboard Music Awards’ Top Country Artist and for two CMT Awards, Collaborative Video Of The Year (“Knee Deep” f/ Jimmy Buffet) and Best Group Video (“Keep Me In Mind”).