Underwood Leads CMT Noms

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Carrie Underwood is the leading nominee for the 2012 CMT Music Awards, scoring nods in five categories. Miranda Lambert earned four nominations—two for her solo work and two as a member of first-time nominees Pistol Annies.

Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Civil Wars and Thompson Square secured three nominations each.

The candidates were announced this morning (4/23) on NBC’s Today show by host Hoda Kotb, guest co-host Willie Geist, and Little Big Town, who received a nomination in the CMT Performance of the Year category for their version of Coldplay’s “Fix You” from the concert special, Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert.

Fans can vote now through June 4 to determine the winners. Voting is online at CMT.com, and available on mobile devices at CMT Mobile., and the CMT Insider app for iPhone, iPad or Android.

The five nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com, CMT mobile, on the CMT Insider app and via text message throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.

The 2012 CMT Music Awards marks the 11th anniversary of the show and will air live from Nashville on June 6 on CMT and CMT.com.

Video of the Year
Jason Aldean — “Dirt Road Anthem”
Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter — “You and Tequila”
Toby Keith — “Red Solo Cup”
Lady Antebellum — “We Owned the Night”
Miranda Lambert — “Over You”
Brad Paisley With Carrie Underwood — “Remind Me”
Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield — “Easy”
Blake Shelton — “God Gave Me You”
Taylor Swift Featuring the Civil Wars — “Safe & Sound”
Carrie Underwood — “Good Girl”

Male Video of the Year
Jason Aldean — “Dirt Road Anthem”
Luke Bryan — “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Eric Church — “Drink in My Hand”
Toby Keith — “Red Solo Cup”
Blake Shelton — “God Gave Me You”
Keith Urban — “Long Hot Summer”

Female Video of the Year
Sara Evans — “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
Miranda Lambert — “Over You”
Martina McBride — “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Kellie Pickler — “Tough”
Taylor Swift — “Ours”
Carrie Underwood — “Good Girl”

Group Video of the Year
Eli Young Band — “Crazy Girl”
Lady Antebellum — “We Owned the Night”
Pistol Annies — “Hell on Heels”
Rascal Flatts — “Banjo”
The Band Perry — “All Your Life”
Zac Brown Band — “Keep Me in Mind”

Duo Video of the Year
Love and Theft — “Angel Eyes”
Montgomery Gentry — “Where I Come From”
Sugarland — “Tonight”
The Civil Wars — “Poison and Wine”
Thompson Square — “Glass”
Thompson Square — “I Got You”

USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year
Lauren Alaina — “Georgia Peaches”
Brantley Gilbert — “Country Must Be Country Wide”
Hunter Hayes — “Storm Warning”
Scotty McCreery — “The Trouble With Girls”
Pistol Annies — “Hell on Heels”
Thompson Square — “I Got You”

Collaborative Video of the Year
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)
Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter — “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley With Carrie Underwood — “Remind Me”
Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield — “Easy”
Lionel Richie With Shania Twain — “Endless Love”
Taylor Swift Featuring the Civil Wars — “Safe & Sound”
Zac Brown Band Featuring Jimmy Buffett — “Knee Deep”

CMT Performance of the Year
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT
Jason Aldean — “Tattoos on This Town” from 2011 CMT Artists of the Year
Lady Antebellum — “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” from 2011 CMT Artists of the Year
Little Big Town — “Fix You” from Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert
Blake Shelton — “Footloose” from Invitation Only: Blake Shelton
Sting and Vince Gill — “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You” from CMT Crossroads: Sting and Vince Gill
Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood — “Just a Dream/Dream On” from CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam

Lee Brice Endorsed By Bud Light; “Hard 2 Love” Hits Stores Tomorrow

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Lee Brice has announced a long-term endorsement deal with Bud Light as he gears up for the release of his album Hard 2 Love, which hits stores tomorrow (4/24).

Brice will join a current lineup of country stars currently endorsed by the Anheuser- Busch subsidiary including Tim McGraw, George Strait and Dierks Bentley.

Over the next few weeks, Brice has a full schedule of national TV appearances including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Fox & Friends, Huckabee, IMUS in the Morning, The Better Show, and CNN’s Showbiz Tonight.

Brice’s upcoming tour stops:

04/23 – New York, NY – Joe’s Pub
04/26 – Louisville, KY – 4th Street Live
04/27 – Savannah, GA – Desperado’s
04/28 – Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s
04/29 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
05/04 – Murray, KY – CFSB Center
05/10 – Ruston, LA – Rabb’s Steak and Spirits
05/11 – Jasper, TX – Jasper Lions Club Rodeo Ground
05/12 – Mission, TX – Las Palmas Race Park
05/18 – Topeka, KS – Landon Arena
05/19 – Batesville, MS – Springfest
05/23 – Ship Bottom, NJ – Joe Pop’s Shore Bar
05/24 – Foxborough, MA – Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar & Grill
05/25 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun – Wolf Den
05/26 – Roanoke, VA – Elmwood Park
06/01 – Bloomington, IN – Bluebird Nightclub
06/02 – Harlan, KY – Harlan Poke Sallat Festival
06/08 – Sparta, IL – World Shooting & Recreation Complex
06/09 – Lincoln, NE – Celebrate Lincoln Festival
06/16 – N. Lawrence, OH – Clay’s Park Amphitheater
06/17 – Big Flats, NY – Tag’s Summer Sound Stage
06/22 – Oshkosh, WI – Country USA
06/24 – Cardott, WI – Chippewa Valley – Country Fest
06/29 – Bluefield WV – Mitchell Stadium
06/30 – Huntington, WV – Harris Riverfront Park

Brian Grilli – Damn Good Day

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For rising star Brian Grilli, recording and producing an album of songs to showcase his songwriting and musicianship is a dream come true. Brian’s song “Letters from An Outlaw” is to be featured on Season 7 of “Sons of Anarchy” and is on Brian’s solo debut album, “Damn Good Day.” Brian, who was formerly in the Regional Act, “The Trailerhood,” is venturing out into virgin territory as a solo act.

“I think of all my influences first trying to make it as new artists and how they were willing to take risks and try anything, and I admire that.” The risks that Brian is willing to take are reflected in the album’s eclectic offering. Taking country music even further into the rock arena, his tracks have busted genres. The album was recorded at Clay Garden Studio in Norfolk, VA, with Brad Rosenberg at the helm of the console, and it was mastered by Richard Dodd. It features 11 tracks that have Brian playing all guitars, mandolin, banjo and lap steel. In Brian’s words, these are “some of the best songs I’ve ever written.”

Brian describes his own music as fun and youthful while at the same time signifying deep meaning.  “Music is about stories. Some of those stories can be meaningful and still be fun. I never write a song that I think I or other folks can’t relate to in some way, shape, or form. My music will always reflect who I am.”

A former Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician and an Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom Veteran, Brian hopes that his music will provide a new means for him to give back to his community.  “I would like to give back to Wounded Warriors and Veterans for protecting this country and our freedoms.”

Brian has had the opportunity to perform across the US, from his hometown in Virginia Beach, VA to The Viper Room in Los Angeles.  Brian has shared bigger stages with Cheap Trick, Sarah Darling, Smithereens, Lucero and Iggy Pop among others.

Following his upcoming hometown performances to perform songs from his new album, Brian will be promoting “Damn Good Day” nationwide with his band The Southern Prophets. Brian also knows that, with the support of family and friends on his side, anything is possible for him to achieve his goals. “Everyone has dreams…” he states. “I am just going for mine now and giving it my best shot!”

www.briangrillimusic.com

 

Belmont University’s School of Music to Honor CeCe Winans

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Belmont University’s School of Music will honor gospel singer CeCe Winans with the Applause Award at Saturday night’s (4/21) annual President’s Concert. The Applause Award is given each year to a person or organization that has greatly benefited the arts community in Nashville. The President’s Concert honors the leadership of Belmont President Bob Fisher and celebrates the talent and diversity of the School of Music at Belmont.

Previous Applause Award honorees include Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Donna Hilley, Martha Ingram, Kenneth Schermerhorn, and others.

Tickets to the concert, which starts at 8 p.m., will be available for purchase for $15 at the doors of the Massey Performing Arts Center. Seating is general admission.

Nashville Leaders Applaud CMT For High School Initiative

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Nashville leaders put the spotlight on CMT recently in a ribbon cutting for the newly named CMT Academy of Digital Design and Communications at McGavock High School. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, school board representative Anna Shepherd, and Director of Schools Dr. Jesse Register joined Principal Robbin Wall in recognizing CMT’s commitment to McGavock High School at a ceremony in the school’s broadcast journalism studio.

CMT’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations, Suzanne Norman, was on-hand for the ribbon cutting, as well as Lucia Folk, Senior Director of Public Affairs and Sarah Gaffney, Manager of Public Affairs, who have spearheaded this initiative. Many CMT employees remained at McGavock as part of Viacommunity Day, a company-wide day of giving by all Viacom entities. CMT has made a significant investment of time, talent and in-kind donations to the Academy including providing tours and job shadowing opportunities for Academy students.

(L-R) (back row): Gaffney, Wall, Register and Dean. (front row): Shepherd, Norman and Folk

MTSU Adds Distinguished Alumni, Faculty To Wall of Fame

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Middle Tennessee State University is adding three alumni and a pair of Friends of the College to the Wall of Fame at the College of Mass Communications.

Dean Roy Moore announced today (4/20) that alumni Carrie Dierks, Luke Laird, and Mikki Rose will be honored with plaques and photos on the northwest interior wall of the Bragg Mass Communication Building. Also being recognized are Friends of the College Dale and Lucinda Cockrell of the University’s Center for Popular Music.

The Wall started in 2000 as a way to honor successful graduates and inspire current students. Honorees are chosen by faculty members.

Dierks graduated from MTSU’s School of Journalism and has worked in sports publishing, marketing, and media design. She is now VP of B2B Operations for True North Custom Media.

Laird finished MTSU’s Recording Industry curriculum and is one of Nashville’s hottest songwriters, penning hits for Carrie Underwood (“Last Name,” “So Small”), Blake Shelton (“Hillbilly Bone”), Sara Evans (“A Little Bit Stronger”), Eric Church (“Drink In My Hand”) and more.

Rose earned dual degrees in mass comm. and computer science, and worked in technical animation on films including Alvin & the Chipmunks, and the Academy Award-winning The Golden Compass before joining Sony Pictures Imageworks to work on Alice in Wonderland and more.

The Cockrells have loved and shared music for decades via Dale’s doctorate in musicology and Lucinda’s degree in historic preservation. In additional to directing MTSU’s Center for Popular Music, the pair founded, own and operate Pa’s Fiddle Recordings, an educational project built around the music from Little House on the Prairie.

39th Annual MCTI Serves Up Charitable Spirit This Weekend

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The 39th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational officially gets underway Saturday (4/21) and Sunday (4/22) at Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University and is open to players of all skill levels.

Jake Owen has been named as the celebrity spokesperson for the event, which benefits the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Last year’s MCTI raised over $73,000 for the Center for Child Development. See Owen’s PSA about MCTI below.

The tournament will kick off the weekend with an invitation-only cocktail reception tonight (4/20) at BMI.

Miranda Lambert Announces 5th Annual Cause for the Paws

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Miranda Lambert will headline the 5th Annual Cause for the Paws concert benefitting her own MuttNation Foundation with special guests Wade Bowen and The Josh Abbott Band on Friday, June 22 at Ford Park in Beaumont, TX.

Since Lambert formed MuttNation, the foundation has helped raise over $700,000 to aid organizations, institutions and entities who contribute to the better care of animals across the country.

The goal of the organization is to increase pet adoption and encourage pet guardianship responsibility, and train shelter dogs for purposes of therapy programs to assist wounded military personnel and dogs-in-prisons programs. Additionally, the organization seeks to fund programs to rehabilitate sick and unsocialized animals, fund spay/neuter programs and reduce euthanasia of healthy animals in hopes of eliminating it.

“We are so excited about the next chapter in our lives at MuttNation Foundation in aiding and assisting animals in need,” said Lambert’s manager, Marion Kraft. “Aside from music, this is Miranda’s biggest passion in life. Every penny of profit from the benefit goes into the fund that helps us accomplish our mission, to end animal suffering and homelessness.”

Tickets for the concert will be available starting Fri., April 27 at 10 am at the Ford Park Box Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone (800)-745-3000. Additional donations can be made here.

Nashville Artists Celebrate Record Store Day

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Record Store Day, the annual celebration of music and independent retailers, takes places tomorrow (4/21) all over the U.S. and abroad. Many artists are creating special promotional items (particularly vinyl exclusives) and making appearances for the event, including some of Nashville’s own.

The ladies of the Pistol Annies—Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley–are commemorating the occasion with the vinyl release of the trio’s lauded album Hell On Heels. Additionally, fans can listen to the album through a widget here with a vinyl crackle applied to it. By sharing the widget, fans will be registered for a chance to win an autographed copy of Hell On Heels and a Sony USB Stereo turntable with which to play it.

Dierks Bentley will be all the way across the continent in Seattle, where he will give a special in-store acoustic performance at Easy Street Records’ Queen Anne location at 1 pm PT.

Nashville’s The Black Keys are offering a deluxe vinyl version of their highly acclaimed 2011 album El Camino, mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering and pressed at Pallas for sonic highs. The package also includes a bonus CD, a limited edition poster, and a two song 45 rpm 7” single with live versions of “Sister” and “Money Maker.” Additioanlly, Dr. John’s brand new Locked Down, produced and recorded by the Keys’ Dan Auerbach here in Nashville, will be available as a vinyl album.

Singer/songwriter Caitlin Rose is offering a limited edition 7” with covers of the Arctic Monkeys’ “Piledriver Waltz.” Check out the video for “Piledriver Waltz” here.

Local favorite JEFF the Brotherhood is releasing Upstairs at United Vol. 3, a 12” vinyl EP with three songs including a cover of Hawkwind’s “Master of the Universe.” The disc was pressed at 45rpm by United Record Pressing in Nashville.

Additionally, both Rose and JEFF will be performing at Grimey’s New and Preloved Music tomorrow, along with sets by Langhorne Slim, Lovedrug, Pujol, Kansas Bible Company and more yet to be announced. Downstairs in performance venue The Basement, guests can check out screenings of the Bobby Bare Jr. documentary Don’t Follow Me (I’m Lost) at 1 pm, Andrew Bird: Fever Year at 2:45 pm, and the indie record store documentary Brick & Mortar & Love at 4:30 pm.

Crabb Takes Top Honor at 43rd Annual GMA Awards

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Natalie Grant and Jason Crabb

The 43rd Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards were held yesterday evening (4/19) at Atlanta’s Fox Theater. The event will be broadcast on television Tues., April 24 at 8 pm ET on GMC.

Jason Crabb took the evening’s highest honor with his Artist of the Year win, in addition to winning Male Vocalist. Natalie Grant took home her fifth Female Vocalist win, and NEEDTOBREATHE earned three honors, including Group of the Year.

Comedian Chonda Pierce and actor David Mann from Tyler Perry’s sitcom Meet the Browns co-hosted the show, which featured performances from Grant, Ruben Studdard, Mandisa, Yolanda Adams, and a special tribute to Whitney Houston with Karen Peck performing Dottie Rambo’s “I Go To The Rock.”

Full List of Winners:

Song of the Year – Blessings; Laura Story; Laura Story; New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), Gleaning Publishing (ASCAP)

Male Vocalist of the Year – Jason Crabb

Female Vocalist of the Year – Natalie Grant

Group of the Year – NEEDTOBREATHE

Artist of the Year – Jason Crabb

New Artist of the Year – Jamie-Grace

Producer of the Year – Ed Cash

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year – Hallelujah; Rehab Deluxe Edition; Lecrae; LeCrae Moore, Charles Cornelius, Joseph Prielozny, Nelson Chu; Reach Records

Rock Recorded Song of the Year – Dark Horses; Vice Verses; Switchfoot; Jonathan Foreman, Tim Foreman; Credential Recordings/lowercasepeople/Atlantic

Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – Slumber; The Reckoning; NEEDTOBREATHE; Bear Rinehart, Bo Rinehart; Atlantic Records

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – Blessings; Blessings; Laura Story; Laura Story; Fair Trade Services, LLC

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year – Hope Of The Broken World; Hope Of The Broken World; Selah; Carl Cartee, Jennie Riddle; Curb

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year – Celebrate Me Home; Blue Skies Coming; Perrys; Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun; Daywind

Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year – Mama’s Teaching Angels How to Sing; Naturally; The Isaacs; Dottie Rambo; Gaither Music Group

Country Recorded Song of the Year – Good Things Are Happening; Reach Out; Karen Peck & New River; Wayne Haun, Sonya Isaacs; Daywind

Urban Recorded Song of the Year – Sweeter; The Love Album; Kim Burrell; Kathy Burrell, Shanachie Records

Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year – Hold On; Change The Atmosphere; Christ Tabernacle Choir; Wayne Haun, Steve Carey, Matthew Garinger; Vine

Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year – I Smile; Hello Fear; Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, James Harris, Terry Lewis, Fred Tackett; Verity

Worship Song of the Year – Your Great Name; Michael Neale, Krissy Nordhoff; Integrity’s Praise! Music (BMI), Two Nords Music (ASCAP)

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year – Rehab: The Overdose; Lecrae; Lecrae, Torrance Esmond,Kadence, Tony

Rock Album of the Year – Vice Verses; Switchfoot; Neal Avron; EMI CMG

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year – The Reckoning; NEEDTOBREATHE; Rick Beato, Greg Wells, NEEDTOBREATHE; Atlantic Records

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year – Blessings; Laura Story; Nathan Nockels; Fair Trade Services, LLC

Inspirational Album of the Year – Hope Of The Broken World; Selah; Jason Kyle, Todd Smith, Allan Hall, Bernie Herms; Curb Records

Southern Gospel Album of the Year – Reach Out; Karen Peck & New River; Wayne Haun; Daywind

Bluegrass Album of the Year – Grassroots Rambos; Rambo McGuire; Dony McGuire; Rambo McGuire Records

Country Album of the Year – Dreamin’ Wide Awake; Doug Anderson; Wayne Haun; StowTown

Urban Album of the Year – Church on the Moon; Deitrick Haddon; Fred Jenkins Deitrick Haddon, Cordell Walton, Blaze, AJ Encore, Ebony Eugene Suber, David Haddon, Calvin Frazier, Fred Jerkins III, wowJones; Verity Gospel Music Group

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year – Promises; Richard Smallwood; Steven Ford, Richard Smallwood, Donald Lawrence, Daniel Weatherspoon; Verity Gospel Music Group

Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year – Hello Fear; Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, Shaun Martin; Verity Gospel Music Group

Instrumental Album of the Year – Unfailing Love: 20 Worship Songs of Comfort and Peace; Stan Whitmire; Stan Whitmire; Green Hill Productions

Childrens Music Album of the Year – Groovy; Denver and the Mile High Orchestra; Jamie Statema, Denver Bierman and Darren Rust; Go Fish Kids Records

Spanish Language Album of the Year – Top 25 Cantos de Alabanza 2012; Various; Phil Sillas; Maranatha! Music

Special Event Album of the Year – The Story; Matthew West, Leigh Nash from Sixpence None the Richer, Mark Hall & Megan Garret from Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath, Bart Millard from Mercy Me, Michael Tait From Newsboys, Blanca Callahan from Group 1 Crew, Lecrae, Chris Tomlin, Peter Furler, Mandisa, Todd Smith from Selah, Michael W Smith, Jeremy Camp, Dan Haseltine from Jars of Clay, Matt Hammit from Sanctus Real, Steven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, Mac Powell from Third Day, Nichole Nordeman, Amy Grant, Francesca Battistelli, Darlene Zschech; Bernie Herms, Brown Bannister; EMI, Provident, Word

Christmas Album of the Year – Oh For Joy; David Crowder*Band; David Crowder*Band; SixSteps/ Sparrow Records

Praise and Worship Album of the Year – And If Our God is For Us…; Chris Tomlin; Ed Cash, Dan Muckala; EMI CMG

Musical of the Year – Down From His Glory; Mike Speck;Lillenas Publishing Company

Youth/Childrens Musical of the Year – God of This City; Susie Williams, David Ebensberger & Luke Gambill; Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing

Choral Collection of the Year – Everlasting Praise 3; Mike Speck, Stan Whitmire;Lillenas Publishing Company

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year – Christmas In Diverse City; TobyMac; Jan Cook; Eddy Boer for Boerhaus; Lee Stephen, Ryan Lampa, Nick West; EMI CMG

Short Form Music Video of the Year – You Are More; Tenth Avenue North; Wes Edwards; Drew Langer; Ruckus Films; Reunion Records

Long Form Music Video of the Year – Fear Not Tomorrow; The Collingsworth Family; Curt Casassa; Jim Hammond; P&KC Music; P&KC Music