The inaugural three-day Boots and Hearts Music Festival is set for August 10-12, 2012 and expected to be the largest Canadian country music festival to date.
Bowmanville, Ontario’s Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will host the event, which features superstars including Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Alabama, and Kid Rock. Additionally, more than 20 international and Canadian artists will perform on two stages, among them are Big and Rich, Lauren Alaina, Canaan Smith, Paul Brandt, Jason McCoy, Dallas Smith, and High Valley.
The newly refurbished park offers 750 acres of manicured grassland and hills, perfect for camping under the stars and enjoying music. Aside from music, there will be a Boom Town, kids zone and petting zoo, authentic country fare, a local Farmer’s Market, and a mechanical bull.
Three-day passes and camping permits will be available here starting tomorrow (4/4). VIP packages offer exclusive stage front access, premium reserved seating, shaded areas, picnic tables, couches, private restrooms, food and beverage vendors.
“We have three full days of country music on two stages, tailgates, barbeques, and all kinds of activities throughout the day to keep fans entertained,” said Shannon McNevan, partner and executive director, Republic Live (promoter and producer of the festival). “Just when other music festivals call it a night, Boots and Hearts will ramp things up with nightly after-parties.”
Nashville Industry Signings
/by Eric T. ParkerL-R: Word Music Publishing's Chad Green, Chad Segura, McBride, and BMI's Bradley Collins
Word Music Publishing has announced the signing of multi-genre writer Hillary McBride. An alumna of Nashville Star, McBride is currently her first hit single at Christian radio with “We Are,” a cut by Kari Jobe.
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ATP Records and All That Productions has signed singer/songwriter Tammie Davis to their rosters. Davis, a former U.S. Marine, Marine Musician and Navy Achievement Medal recipient, is from North Carolina.
ATP Records CEO, Mark Alan Thompson says, “We are extremely excited to be working with an artist of Tammie’s caliber. Her talent, drive, gorgeous smile and down home Southern charm make her one of the most well-rounded artists on the market.”
Jackson Re-Releases Gospel Album
/by Caitlin RantalaThe 15-track collection of classic hymns was originally recorded as a Christmas gift for Jackson’s mother.
“I love those songs, and they mean a lot to me,” Jackson says. “I grew up singing just about every one of those. And I love that sound, of that organ, and that music really stuck with me and, I’m sure, affected how I hear songs now and write songs, ‘cause a lot of those old songs are really pretty, simple melodies that stick with you.”
GAC (Great American Country) will re-air the Precious Memories special this Easter weekend – Saturday, April 7 9:30 pm CT, and Sunday, April 8 1:30 am CT and 8:30 am CT.
Precious Memories track listing:
“Blessed Assurance”
“Softly and Tenderly”
“I Love To Tell The Story”
“When We All Get To Heaven”
“’Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus”
“In The Garden”
“Are You Washed In The Blood”
“I’ll Fly Away”
“What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
“Standing On The Promises”
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
“Leaning On The Everlasting Arms”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“How Great Thou Art”
“I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You”
Lee Brice Plays Children’s Benefit
/by Eric T. ParkerLee Brice
Lee Brice will take the stage for the Music is Medicine benefit concert at 6:30 pm on April 12, at the Lane Motor Museum.
The benefit show is a fundraiser for Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and Tennessee Emergency Medical Services for Children. It is also part of the 11th Annual Update in Acute and Emergency Care Pediatrics Conference, which runs April 13-14 at the Nashville Downtown Sheraton Hotel.
For more information on the conference and to buy tickets for the benefit, click here.
Brice’s lead single, “A Woman Like You,” from his upcoming album Hard 2 Love, is currently No. 5 and climbing on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.
Recently, Brice won ACM “Song of the Year” award for writing the Eli Young Band’s, “Crazy Girl.”
Lady Antebellum Announces Rebuilding Henryville Details
/by Eric T. ParkerThe Capitol Records trio has invited the school’s Juniors and Seniors to the KFC YUM! Center in nearby Louisville, KY on May 16 for a private prom event followed by a post-party concert open to the public. All proceeds raised from the Rebuilding Henryville concert will remain local through the New Hope/Indiana Bankers Association for the benefit of the Disaster Relief Fund. Fans unable to attend can make a donation here.
“Helping rebuild this community is our biggest priority right now,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “We were so moved by the stories from Henryville High School, but also from the students at their rival schools who raised their hands and said they wanted to help.”
Lipton has also come on board to help with the event in the spirit of their “Drink Positive” and “Live Positive” message, a campaign that Lady A already supports.
Watch the video submission on behalf of Henryville High School from rival school, Silver Creek High School below.
Musicians Corner Announces Spring Season
/by FreemanMusicians Corner’s Spring season will take place on Saturdays from May 5 to June 30. The kick off event will feature a mobile food court lunch from 11 am – 3 pm, with members of Nashville’s growing food truck industry providing dining options. There will also be acoustic entertainment for guests who show up at lunchtime.
The official activities start on Centennial Park’s front lawn at 3 pm, with musical performances, prize giveaways, and more. Musical performers on the May 5 show include The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Sugar & The Hi Lows, Escondido and more to be announced.
“We’re planning another wonderful season of free family-friendly entertainment for the Nashville community,” said John Tumminello, Musicians Corner Executive Director. “We hope people will spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon with us to enjoy some of the best music Nashville has to offer!”
Also on tap for the 2012 season are David Mead, Emily West, The McCrary Sisters, k.s. Rhoads, Jim Lauderdale, Heypenny, Bo Bice, Chuck Mead, Andy Davis, Sarah Siskind, Blue Mother Tupelo and many more. The entire confirmed Spring season is available here, and more artists will be announced soon. After a break during the hot Summer months, the Fall season will pick up September 1.
Musicians Corner is a program of the The Conservancy for The Parthenon and Centennial Park, funded and made possible by the support of over 25 organizations in music, media, and business.
ACM Radio Winners Celebrated in Vegas
/by Caitlin Rantala(L-R): WUBE/Cincinnati’s Big Dave & Chelsie; WPCV/Lakeland’s Roger Todd and KUZZ/Bakersfield’s Steve Gradowitz; Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton; KUZZ’s Geoff Emery; WPCV’s Melissa Moran; Chris Young; KKNU/ Eugene’s Bill Barrett and Tracy Berry; KYGO/Denver’s Kelly Ford and Rider; KKNU’s Tim Fox; and WPCV’s Tom O’Brien.
The Academy of Country Music celebrated the 2012 ACM Radio Winners at a reception at the MGM last Saturday (3/31). Chris Young attended the reception to present the personalities and stations with their awards.
On-Air Personality of the Year (Note tie in Medium Market):
National: Lon Helton – CMT Country Countdown USA
Major Market: Kelly Ford & Rider – KYGO-FM – Denver, CO
Large Market: Big Dave and Chelsie – WUBE-FM – Cincinnati, OH
Medium Market: Steve & Geoff in the Morning – KUZZ AM/FM – Bakersfield, CA (tie)
Medium Market: Roger, Tom & Melissa – WPCV-FM – Lakeland, FL (tie)
Small Market: Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM – Eugene, OR
Radio Station of the Year:
Major Market: WQYK-FM – Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL
Large Market: WQDR-FM – Raleigh, NC
Medium Market: KATM-FM – Stockton, CA
Small Market: WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN
(L-R): WUSY/Chattanooga, TN’s Gator Harrison; WQDR/Raleigh’s Lisa McKay; Chris Young; KATM/Stockton-Modesto, CA’s Nikki Thomas; and WQYK/ Tampa’s Mike Culotta.
McGraw, Underwood, and Alabama Headline New Canadian Festival
/by Eric T. ParkerBowmanville, Ontario’s Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will host the event, which features superstars including Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Alabama, and Kid Rock. Additionally, more than 20 international and Canadian artists will perform on two stages, among them are Big and Rich, Lauren Alaina, Canaan Smith, Paul Brandt, Jason McCoy, Dallas Smith, and High Valley.
The newly refurbished park offers 750 acres of manicured grassland and hills, perfect for camping under the stars and enjoying music. Aside from music, there will be a Boom Town, kids zone and petting zoo, authentic country fare, a local Farmer’s Market, and a mechanical bull.
Three-day passes and camping permits will be available here starting tomorrow (4/4). VIP packages offer exclusive stage front access, premium reserved seating, shaded areas, picnic tables, couches, private restrooms, food and beverage vendors.
“We have three full days of country music on two stages, tailgates, barbeques, and all kinds of activities throughout the day to keep fans entertained,” said Shannon McNevan, partner and executive director, Republic Live (promoter and producer of the festival). “Just when other music festivals call it a night, Boots and Hearts will ramp things up with nightly after-parties.”
Photo Roundup (4/3/12)
/by MichelleThe Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently (3/24) celebrated the opening of the major exhibition The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and California Country with a special panel discussion and concert with several first-generation Bakersfield Sound pioneers. During the panel discussion, which was moderated by writer Scott Bomar, Dallas Frazier, Don Maddox (of the Maddox Brothers and Rose), Rose Lee Maphis, Buddy Mize and Red Simpson shared memories of their time in Bakersfield and their roles in the cultivation of a new country sound. Backed by an all-star band led by Deke Dickerson, the panelists performed some of their biggest hits. The exhibit is scheduled to run through December 31, 2013.
(L-R) (Front Row): Rose Lee Maphis, Chris Sprague, Gene Breeden, Don Maddox, Museum Editor and Co-Curator Michael Gray, Eugene Moles Jr. and Red Simpson. (Back Row): Dave Berzansky, Dennis Payne, Deke Dickerson, Kenny Vaughan, Dallas Frazier and Buddy Mize. Photo: Donn Jones
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SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) held its first charity event of the year recently and raised $25,134 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, which more than doubled the group’s donation from 2011. Twenty-six Music Row companies participated in the Bowling Showdown, including SESAC, WME, CMT, APA, and CAA. “It was a bigger event than we imagined,” says Meredith Herberg-Waldron, SOLID Community Outreach co-chair. “We are thrilled with the results and grateful to all the Music Row companies that stepped it up to make it our biggest bowling event ever.”
(L-R): Mateo Rizor, SOLID Community Outreach Chair; Ingrid Ransom, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN; Meredith Herberg-Walrdon, SOLID Community Outreach Co-chair; Duck Hollywood, SOLID Community Outreach committee; Tiffany Dobson, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN
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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Chapter and Fifth Third Bank recently presented an all-star panel at Nashville’s Cabana to discuss the post-Napster reality of how indie publishers are successfully monetizing copyrights.
(L-R): (Back Row) – John Allen, Dianna Maher, Kevin Lamb, Eli Ball; (Front Row): Frank Liddell, Chris DuBois, Keith Stegall, David Macias, John Strohm. Photo: Alan Mayor
CMA Telecom Study Reveals Tech Usage Insights
/by Freeman“We are excited to share insights from this study with our members and corporate community,” said Tammy Donham, CMA Vice President of Marketing. “The goal of this – and future studies – is to gain a deeper understanding of the Country consumer.”
The survey was conducted online with respondents above age 18, culled from the CMA Insider Fan Panel a group of over 13,000 Country fans. Participants were asked about their household use of telecom products including cable/satellite TV; Internet access; mobile phones; and tablet and PC use.
Among the findings:
—96 percent own a cell phone, and 69 percent of this group say texting is the most important feature, followed by 58 percent who say Internet is more important
—55 percent of them are visiting Facebook and 25 percent are visiting Twitter every week.
—96 percent of respondents have high-speed internet in their households
—92 percent have cable television
—17 percent report owning a tablet computer
—18 percent say they plan to purchase a tablet in the next year
“This is only the beginning of our plans,” said Donham. “The CMA Insider Fan Panel is an invaluable resource to capture additional timely insights on Country Music fan behaviors. In the coming months we will be reaching out to the group on a variety of topics from new music discovery and purchase behavior to key category-specific trends and topics. “
ACM Weekend Photos
/by Caitlin RantalaSony Music Nashville celebrated the 47th Annual ACM Awards with a post-show party at Cili. Columbia Records’ Miranda Lambert took home her third Album of The Year honor as well as her third award for Female Vocalist of the Year.
Top Row: Norbert Nix (VP National Promotion BNA/Columbia Nashville), Jim Catino (VP A&R), Lisa Ramsey-Perkins (Sr. Director A&R), Chris Young, Miranda Lambert, Love and Theft's Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles, Paul Barnabee (SVP Marketing), Bradley Gaskin, Lesly Tyson (VP National Promotion Arista Nashville). Bottom Row: Caryl Healey (VP Sales), Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Matt Burr, Grace Potter, Gary Overton (Chairman & CEO), Sara Evans, Lacey Buchanan, Jake Owen, Keith Gale (VP National Promotion RCA). Photo Credit - Edyta Sokolowska
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Warner Music Nashville’s Blake Shelton took home his first ACM Male Vocalist of the Year award last night. Both he and labelmate Hunter Hayes performed during the broadcast, with Shelton reprising his co-hosting role. Hayes was nominated for New Artist of the Year.
L–R: Blake Shelton, John Esposito, President & CEO of Warner Music Nashville, and Hunter Hayes
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Big Machine Label Group’s 2012 ACM winners pose for a photo at the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas last night after the awards. Eli Young Band won a trophy for Song of the Year while Taylor Swift took home the coveted Entertainer of the Year trophy for the second year in a row.
L-R: Chris Thompson, Mike Eli, Taylor Swift, Jon Jones, Scott Borchetta, James Young, Jimmy Harnen
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Capitol Records Nashville celebrated Lady Antebellum’s Vocal Group of the Year win and a night full of stellar performances at the Academy of Country Music Awards with a dinner at Aureole in Mandalay Bay.
Standing (L-R): Capitol Records Nashville COO Tom Becci, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood, Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, former Capitol Records Nashville President & CEO Mike Dungan, Jon Pardi, Dierks Bentley, Eric Paslay, Little Big Town's Jimi Westbrook and Darius Rucker; Seated (L-R): Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild, Capitol Records Nashville SVP Marketing Cindy Mabe, Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman, Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott, Little Big Town's Phillip Sweet, Kelleigh Bannen and Capitol Records Nashville SVP Promotion Steve Hodges.