Artist Updates (3/23/12)

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Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope artist Lauren Alaina has a busy few days ahead of her, beginning with an opening date on Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party tour in New Jersey on Saturday, March 24. The next day (3/24), she will wake up early for a live interview on Fox & Friends Sunday, which takes place at 8 am CT on Fox News. The following day (3/25), Alaina will make her first solo appearance on Today at 9 am CT to perform her single “Georgia Peaches.”

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Ronnie Dunn has volunteered to fill in for his former duo partner Kix Brooks at WGNE Gator Country’s concert series taking place in Jacksonville, Florida tonight (3/23). Brooks was forced to withdraw from the show with vocal cord troubles, and Dunn stepped in to fill the spot. The show is free, and begins at 8 pm.

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Rock legend Joe Walsh (Eagles, James Gang) has returned with Analog Man (Fantasy/Concord), his first solo album in two decades. The collection, which was co-produced by Walsh with Jeff Lynne, features songwriting contributions from Nashvillian Tommy Lee James (“She’s My Kind of Rain,” “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful,” “Bleed Red”), and an appearance by Walsh’s real life brother-in-law Ringo Starr on drums.

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The Dirt Drifters recently released a new single, “There She Goes,” from the group’s acclaimed album This Is My Blood. The group will also make its Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, March 24.

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Hazard, KY natives Halfway to Hazard (Chad Warrix and David Tolliver) recently hosted a tornado relief telethon in their hometown for CBS affiliate WYMT. The event raised over $200,000 for storm victims, and was broadcast to 27 counties in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Also making appearances were Titans placekicker Rob Bironas, Lonestar’s Dean Sams, Keith Anderson and Congressman Hal Rodgers. Warrix is currently promoting his solo single “Rain on the Roof” to country radio.

L-R: David Tolliver, Chad Warrix and 96.5 WXCC's Jill Fraley, Coal Country Mornings Host

World Vision Expands Presence in Country Music Community

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With recent initiatives involving Carter’s Chord, The Rick & Bubba Show and Country Radio Seminar 2012, global humanitarian organization World Vision has continued to expand its presence in the country music market.

Carter’s Chord went on a trip earlier in 2012 to the Dominican Republic, where they sponsored two children and filmed a video for their song, “Love A Little Bigger.” Radio hosts Rick & Bubba recently partnered with World Vision for the third year in a row for their two-day Rick & Bubba Show radiothon, an event which resulted in the sponsorship of more than 800 children through the World Vision program.

In an effort to raise awareness in the Country music community, World Vision was also an active supporter and sponsor at Country Radio Seminar 2012, held February 22-24 in downtown Nashville. The nonprofit organization sponsored the CRS media room, meeting and recording PSA messages with more than 60 artists during the three-day event.

Carter’s Chord met one of their sponsored children, Franyely (center), and her family during the group’s goodwill trip to the Dominican Republic.

Opry Country Classics Returns to the Ryman

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Larry Gatlin will host Opry Country Classics on Thursdays

The traditional country sounds of Opry Country Classics will return to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Thursdays, March 29 through May 24. Grammy-winning artist Larry Gatlin will host the show each week, which will feature artists singing their own hits in addition to timeless country classics.

The season’s first show will help celebrate the opening of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Bakersfield Sound exhibition. Joining the show for performances will be Gatlin, Elizabeth Cook, Jim Lauderdale, Chuck Mead, and Leona Williams. The following week on Thursday, April 5, the show is themed “Women of Country” and features Lynn Anderson, Janie Fricke, Lorrie Morgan, and Pam Tillis.

Several Spotlight Artists will also be featured during the season, including The Time Jumpers (April 19), Marty Stuart (April 26), Charlie Daniels Band (May 3), Mel Tillis (May 10), and Loretta Lynn (May 17).

Tickets are available at opry.com.

“Hunger Games” Soundtrack Poised For Big Debut

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The release of The Hunger Games movie today (3/23) is shaping up to be a huge event—like $20 million from late night shows on release day huge. The film’s companion soundtrack, titled The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond, hit stores 3/20 and is expected to make a big debut on the sales chart next week. That’s a great thing for Nashville.

The collection combines revered artists from several genres, a move that will no doubt bring in many different types of fans. Several Country and Americana favorites are featured prominently, including the lead single “Safe & Sound” by Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars, as well as a solo-billed Miranda Lambert featuring The Pistol Annies, The Punch Brothers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and solo tracks from both Swift and The Civil Wars. Also included are beloved indie rockers The Arcade Fire and The Decemberists, as well as rapper Kid Cudi. Full tracklist is below.

Universal/Beladroit sibling duo The Secret Sisters performed the song “Tomorrow Will Be Kinder” last night (3/22) on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Check out the Sisters’ performance here, which begins at the 38:35 mark.

The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond tracklist:

1. The Arcade Fire – Abraham’s Daughter
2. The Secret Sisters – Tomorrow Will Be Kinder
3. Neko Case – Nothing To Remember
4. Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars – Safe & Sound
5. Kid Cudi – The Ruler and the Killer
6. The Punch Brothers – Dark Days
7. The Decemberists – One Engine
8. Carolina Chocolate Drops – One Engine
9. The Civil Wars – Kingdom Come
10. Glen Hansard – Take The Heartland
11. Maroon 5 feat. Rozzi Crane – Come Away To The Water
12. Miranda Lambert feat. Pistol Annies – Run Daddy Run
13. Jayme Dee – Rules
14. Taylor Swift – Eyes Open
15. The Low Anthem – Lover Is Childlike
16. Birdy – Just A Game

Don Williams Releasing First Album in 8 Years

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Country music’s Gentle Giant, Don Williams has announced the release of his first new album since 2004. Titled And So It Goes, the collection is due out June 19 via Sugar Hill Records.

The “Tulsa Time” singer and 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee reunited with longtime producer Garth Fundis, with whom he’d worked for seventeen years, to create the new record.

The recordings feature contributions from longtime guitarist Billy Sanford and percussionist Kenny Malone, as well as Williams admirers Keith Urban, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill adding instrumentals and vocals.

“We weren’t looking to reinvent Don,” Fundis notes, “just to make a good new Don Williams record.”

The ten track album features songs by expert tunesmiths Kieran Kane, Ronnie Bowman, Al Anderson and Leslie Satcher, Williams’ son Tim Williams, and Williams himself. Selections include the duet with Krauss, “I Just Come Here for the Music,” and “What If It Worked Like That,” which fans can check out here.

Don said, “The only description that I’ve ever had for songs I choose to do is that they affect me emotionally and that, hopefully, they have something to say that will touch other people.”

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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For a second consecutive week, Lady Antebellum’s “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” is tripping the light fantastic at the top of MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

A lucky group of high school juniors and seniors from Henryville, IN will get an up close encounter with the multi-Platinum trio in the coming months. Henryville High School was chosen as the winner of Lady A’s “Own Prom Night” contest due to its moving story of resilience and strength after tornadoes devastated the area. A neighboring high school turned in the winning submission. Though a scheduling conflict will keep Lady A from being able to attend the actual prom for HHS, the group is planning a special party and concert for the students at a later date.

CMA Songwriters Series Returns to New York

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Craig Wiseman

The CMA Songwriters Series returns once again to New York City’s Joe’s Pub on May 9 with shows scheduled at 6:30 and 9:00 PM.

Fans will once again receive insight into the stories behind some of their favorite songs during each show. Featured songwriters at the May 9 event include Phil Vassar (“Bye, Bye,” “My Next Thirty Years,” and “Right On the Money”), Al Anderson (“The Cowboy In Me,” “All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down”), and Craig Wiseman (“Hillbilly Bone,” “Live Like You Were You Dying,” “She’s Got It All”), who will join host Bob DiPiero (“Southern Voice,” “Blue Clear Sky,” and “You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl”) in performing their hits.

Tickets for the series go on sale today online or by phone (212) 967-7555.

ASCAP, BMI and GAC are the official partners of the CMA Songwriters Series.

Universal Music Publishing Group Signs Kalisa Ewing

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(L-R) Standing: Kent Earls, EVP/General Manager, UMPG Nashville; Cyndi Forman, Senior Creative Director, UMPG Nashville. Seated: Todd Wilkes, KingSpirit Music and Kalisa Ewing

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) recently announced the signing of Nashville singer/songwriter, Kalisa Ewing, to an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement.

Ewing originally met veteran publisher Todd Wilkes, who brought her to the attention of Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, UMPG Nashville. Earls and Wilkes jointly signed Ewing to Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville and Wilkes’ publishing company, KingSpirit Music.

Born and raised just outside Nashville, Ewing has been sharpening her talents since the age of 10 when she began playing guitar and studying voice. By the time Ewing turned 18, she had been co-writing with hit songwriter Kelly Garrett for several years. In addition to her co-writes with Garrett, other collaborations include Rivers Rutherford, Angelo, Marcus Hummon, Phillip White, Marla Cannon-Goodman, and Brian Maher. Ewing is also currently in the studio working on her debut album.

Tuning In: Radio News (3/23/12)

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Kudos to Clear Channel’s KAJA/San Antonio, for raising over $517,000 on behalf of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during its March 15-16 Country Cares radiothon. This was the station’s third year to run a St. Jude event, and marks a 27% increase over funds collected in 2011. In total, the station has raised over $1.2 million for St. Jude.

(L-R): KJ Morning Co-Host Randy Carroll, KJ Morning Co-Host Jamie Martin, KJ Personality Bree, KJ Program Director Travis Moon

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Melissa Frost

Congratulations go out to CENLA Broadcasting KRRV/Alexandria, LA MD Melissa Frost, who is adding Program Director to her list of duties. She replaces Hollywood Harrison, who remains with the station’s top-rated morning show.

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Premiere Radio Networks’ Big D & Bubba are on a quest to lose 100 pounds in 100 days. You might think that number divides down pretty easily day-by-day, but if you’ve seen this then you know math is pretty doggone tricky. In this response video, newly minted WMN regional Katie Bright and tv personality Shane Tallant attempt to crack the 100 pounds in 100 days equation.

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WIL/St. Louis has announced the 2012 edition of its “Cornbread Idol” competition, which will be held 1-4 pm Saturday, March 31 at Wild Country in Collinsville Illinois. The first 75 contestants will have 90 seconds to perform a cappella. WIL staff members will make video clips of the contestants and listeners will vote for their favorites at www.wil92.com over the next three weeks until a winner is named. That individual gets a chance to perform during a taping of WIL’s St. Louis Country TV Show, a chance to perform at an additional WIL event, and a pair of Bandana’s BBQ Mega Tickets to each country show this Summer at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

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Bold Gold Media’s WDNB/Liberty, NY will host its 7th Annual Thunder 102 ThunderBash on May 19, at the Monticello Casino & Raceway. Average Joes artist Ira Dean will headline, with additional performers including Tommy Steele, David Bradley, David Adam Byrnes, Amber Hayes, Darren Warren, Sherry Lynn, Iron Cowboy, and Somerville. The station will be taking donations at the door to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the YMCA of Sullivan County’s Strong Kids Campaign.

HER and King's County stopped by KLMJ/Hampton, IA to visit with MD Mike Betten. The Elektra Nashville group’s single “White Trash Country Boy” lands at No. 30 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart this week.

Weekly Chart Report (3/23/12)

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Rodeowave recording artist Phil Vassar (L) greets KAJA KJ97/San Antonio PD Travis Moon (R) during the station's successful St. Jude Jam 2012, held at Cowboys Dancehall. Vassar's latest hit "Don't Miss Your Life" provided a poignant moment during the evening, and is currently at No. 21 on the CountryBreakout Chart.

SPIN ZONE
We might need a photo finish on this one. Lady Antebellum’s “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” retains the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot by a nose, only six spins separating it from Blake Shelton’s “Drink On It.” In the distance, but quickly closing the gap is Rascal Flatts’ “Banjo” which moves 5-3 after a 172 spin gain. Rounding out the Top 5 are Jake Owen’s “Alone With You,” and Miranda Lambert’s “Over You.”

The parade of superstar singles has begun, and it’s shaking up the Top 40 a bit. Toby Keith’s “Beers Ago” is the newest arrival to the party, and it’s the biggest spin gain of the week with a move to No. 34. Also pulling in lots of new plays is The Band Perry’s “Postcard From Paris,” which moves to No. 27. Still, it doesn’t keep Rachel Holder’s “In Your Arms” from making progress at No. 25, or Corey Wagar’s “I Hate My Boyfriend” at No. 32.

Several newer faces are among those making debuts in this chart edition, with Eric Paslay’s “If The Fish Don’t Bite” leading the pack at No. 67. Also making strong first appearances are Joanna Smith’s “We Can’t Be Friends” at No. 72, Hunter Hayes’ “Wanted” at No. 74, and One Night Rodeo’s “We Could Go To Jail” at No. 78. The only more established artist with a new single debuting this week is Chris Young, whose “Neon” is glowing at No. 68.

Upcoming Singles
March 26
Chris Young/Neon/RCA
Martina McBride feat. Pat Monahan/Marry Me/Republic Nashville
Jon Pardi/Missin’ You Crazy/Capitol Records Nashville

April 2
Brandon Bolin/Angel Missing/Render

April 9
Jerrod Niemann/Shinin’ On Me/Sea Gayle/Arista
Edens Edge/Too Good To Be True/Big Machine
Lathan Moore/Nothin Like A Woman/Render
Dierks Bentley/5-1-5-0/Capitol

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Eric Paslay/If The Fish Don’t Bite/EMI Nashville – 67
Chris Young/Neon/RCA – 68
Joanna Smith/We Can’t Be Friends/Columbia – 72
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic Records – 74
One Night Rodeo/We Could Go To Jail – 78

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Toby Keith/Beers Ago/Show Dog-Universal – 583
The Band Perry/Postcard From Paris/Republic Nashville – 458
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville – 341
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 321
Jason Aldean/Fly Over States/Broken Bow – 294

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Toby Keith/Beers Ago/Show Dog-cUniversal – 39
The Band Perry/Postcard From Paris/Republic Nashville – 20
Chris Young/Neon/RCA – 17
Justin Moore/’Til My Last Day/Valory – 17
Eric Paslay/If The Fish Don’t Bite/EMI Nashville – 13
Joanna Smith/We Can’t Be Friends/Columbia – 12
Martina McBride feat. Pat Monahan/Marry Me/Republic Nashville – 11
Jon Pardi/Missin’ You Crazy/Capitol – 11
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista – 11

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Leah Seawright/Til Your Boots Are Dirty – 223
Barry Michael/Uncountrify Me/Stockbridge – 213
Susan Cattaneo/Little Big Sky/Jersey Girl Music – 210
Stephanie Grace/If You Asked Me/SMG – 207
Lucas Hoge/Give A Damn/Animal House – 194

Despite being under the weather 104.3 KSOP/Salt Lake City PD Deb Turpin took some time to listen to Due West’s new music, but made sure to stay far away. (L-R): KSOP PD Deb Turpin; Due West's Matt Lopez, Brad Hull and Tim Gates

Blake Shelton’s “Drink On It” came in at a very close No. 2 on this week’s CountryBreakout Chart, and he is currently on his Well Lit & Amplified Tour. Recently he visited San Jose, CA and KRTY. (L-R): Kristen Williams (WMN National Director of Promotion), Shelton, Tina Ferguson (GSM KRTY), Nate Deaton (GM KRTY)