The Ryman Goes Digital With New Mobile Apps

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Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium announced the release of two new mobile apps available today (12/1), one for the iPhone and another for Android devices.

The free apps will allow users to access concert information, view exclusive Ryman related content and purchase tickets directly (via Ticketmaster mobile integration).

“We’re excited that these apps offer another way for us to interact with customers while making it easier for fans to share their excitement about Ryman events with each other,” said Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium General Manager.

Along with concert dates, the apps feature:
* In-app ticket purchasing
* Ability to share events with friends via Twitter and Facebook
* Ability to sign up for push messaging to receive concert announcements as text messages
* Easy check-in to events via Facebook and Foursquare
* Virtual Hatch Show Print gallery
* Behind-the-scenes videos
* Concert photos
* Online store for Ryman Auditorium merchandise
* Newsletter sign-up

The new Ryman apps were developed by Santa Monica, CA based Mobile Roadie which previously built apps for the Grand Ole Opry and Live Nation and artists including Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Madonna and Taylor Swift. This is the Ryman’s first step in putting official partner Nissan North America’s “Innovation For All” promise into action.

Tune In: CMA Country Christmas Airs Tonight

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CMA Country Christmas, airs tonight, Dec. 1 at 8 PM/CT on the ABC Television Network. Hosted for the second year by Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, the special includes performances from American Idol runner up Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer with special guest Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Vince Gill in a special performance with Miss Piggy. For the finale, the entire cast will return to the stage to perform the classic “Jingle Bells.”

(L-R): Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Karen Fairchild; Darius Rucker; and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush.

Brian Setzer performs "Sleigh Ride" with special guest Brad Paisley during CMA Country Christmas. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

Paisley Talks Career In ‘Diary’

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Building an artistic career takes time. Building an artistic career that lasts more than 15 minutes takes even more time: hours of practicing, planning, rehearsing, and preparing for what to do when your moment arrives.

It’s a lesson Brad Paisley understands well and shares in his first book, Diary of a Player (written with David Wild). The book is part thank you to Paisley’s mentors, like his grandfather Warren Jarvis who gave the artist his first guitar and his guitar teacher Clarence “Hank” Goddard, as well as fellow artists like Steve Wariner, Buck Owens, Vince Gill and more. It’s also a document of Paisley’s journey from nascent eight-year-old musician to world class axeman and superstar entertainer, and shows him to be an incredibly decent person with an abiding love for country music and his guitar.

As a model for artistic success, Paisley’s got a remarkably sturdy foundation. Not that there’s a one-size fits all approach to becoming a superstar, but you’d be doing well to fold at least a few of the following Paisley approaches into your recipe for success:

Work hard to be excellent. That probably goes without saying. Paisley’s dazzling guitar chops were forged over years of practice, lessons, and jam sessions. He’s a monster player, but says he was never a prodigy.

“Some of you out there may have been blessed with the good fortune of being born great at something, but most of us mere mortals still have to get good first, and that process usually takes a little time. I think it was years before I was doing anything you’d call ‘great.’”

Wait your turn, and learn everything you can in the meantime. Don’t expect a publishing/recording/management deal as soon as you arrive in town, and don’t sign your life away on one at the first opportunity.

“First of all, I didn’t rush into any kind of bad deals right away as people tend to do when they’re starting out. Second, thanks to all of those connections I made during my time at Belmont, I suddenly began to feel some real interest from the Nashville music community. Since I had personally interned for a significant portion of that music community, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that some of those people liked me okay. I’m a great believer in watching and waiting your turn, and it’s worked out well for me.”

Make friends. Two of Paisley’s most important collaborators to date, producer Frank Rogers and songwriter Chris DuBois, were people he befriended through school and his internships.

“Chris DuBois was roughly my age, had just graduated, and got hired as a new membership rep at ASCAP about three months after I started my internship. Our similar sense of humor was obvious right away, and we really hit it off. When he found out I wrote songs, he wanted to hear them.”

 

“We chose Arista, and I believe we made the right choice. Arista proved that when I let them know that I wanted my Belmont collaborator Frank Rogers to produce my first album. They didn’t even flinch. Even though neither one of us had a lot of what you might call professional recording experience (as in absolutely none). But by now I had waited for my moment, and I knew the kind of album I wanted to make, and I believed in Frank and the guys I’d gathered around me.”

Know who you are as an artist. But understand that who you are may not be something a major record label knows how to market. Consider alternatives, such as The Civil Wars method. Make music because you want to make music, not because you want to be famous.

“To all the younger artists out there, here’s what I’ve learned: define yourself instead of allowing others to do that important job for you. Don’t let anybody paint you into a corner or tell you who you are. You tell them.”

And most importantly, stay humble and remember those who helped you along the way.

“…no matter who you are, or how big you get, you can’t forget where you came from. If Porter Wagoner can be nice to a fool like me backstage at the Opry, then who am I to be anything other than nice as well? This is a country tradition that other genres of music could learn from a little. Roy Acuff wasn’t a jerk, and Little Jimmy Dickens is may be the nicest guy in the world.”

JT Hodges Hosts Inagural Charity Event for Furry Friends

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JT Hodges

JT Hodges will host his first “Holiday Howler” charity benefit for the Brown Dog Foundation, 6 pm Monday, December 5 at Nashville’s Gibson Showroom (1121 Church Street).

The Brown Dog Foundation offers financial assistance to pet owners in hopes of restoring quality of life for animals facing treatable but life-threatening illnesses.

The event will feature musical performances from Hodges, Eric Paslay and a special guest, door prizes, silent auction, free drinks and “doggie bags” for furry friends and is sponsored by Nashville Event and Lighting, Pet Tao, Irish Dog Bloody Mary Mix and Jean Paul Pet.

“Animals, like people, will get sick or need medical attention at some point in time and as a dog owner, I know those bills can be pricey,” said Hodges. “I hope people will join us for a good time and help raise money for a great cause.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.browndogfoundation.org or a $5 donation may be given at the door.

Pickler Pours Holiday Cheer, Then Releases, 100 Proof

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Kellie Pickler and Eddie Stubbs

Kellie Pickler will offer fans her latest music on Jan. 24, when her new album 100 Proof is released. The new collection reportedly focuses more on Pickler’s traditional country roots and musical influences such as Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette.

However, the North Carolina native has a full slate of holiday appearances before she can get to promoting the new music project. On Dec. 1 Pickler will perform “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” on the CMA Country Christmas special. The following Tuesday, Dec. 6, she duets with Michael Buble on his special, A Michael Buble Christmas, singing “White Christmas” and joining special guests such as Justin Bieber, Thalia and Oscar The Grouch.

Country fans will also get to hear Pickler talk about some of her favorite country legends with Eddie Stubbs on the show, Reflections From The Circle. “It was exciting to sit down and talk with Eddie about something we are both passionate about and that’s country music,” she says. Taped on stage of the Grand Ole Opry, the show will air on RFD-TV on Sunday, December 4 at 7:00 pm eastern time.

Lady A Owns October RIAA Certifications

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Many of Nashville’s artists earned top metal awards this fall, according to the October tally of Gold and Platinum certifications released yesterday (11/30) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Lady Antebellum’s latest album Own the Night (Capitol Records Nashville) was certified Platinum in only one month. The recently named CMA Vocal Group of the Year now has three career Platinum (or higher)  album awards under its belt, with 2008’s Lady Antebellum currently double-Platinum and 2010’s Need You Now triple-Platinum.

Capitol Nashville continued its hot streak as Luke Bryan and Eric Church collected their second Gold album awards for their respective sophomore summer releases Tailgates & Tanlines, and Chief.

RIAA also awarded Eli Young Band with its first-time Platinum download certification for “Crazy Girl” (Republic Nashville).

Additionally, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood earned a Platinum download award for their hit duet “Remind Me” (Artista Nashville). Paisley’s “Old Alabama” (Artista Nashville) also scored a second digital Platinum single, and Miranda Lambert claimed one as well for “White Liar” (Columbia Nashville).

Photos: Holiday Cheer with Jimmy Wayne and The Farm

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Jimmy Wayne at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Jimmy Wayne helped the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum ring in the Christmas holiday with its first ever tree lighting ceremony on November 25th.

Wayne performed a mix of originals and traditional Christmas carols with special guests, the Independence High School Show Choir, and helped count down the lighting of the Hall of Fame’s 25 foot Christmas tree.

The newly published author also signed copies of his book Paper Angels (Howard Books/Simon & Schuster) in the museum’s gift store following the ceremony.

Wayne recently finished writing and recording a new CD inspired by people he met and places he saw during his 1700-mile walk to raise awareness for foster children across America. The release is expected in 2012.

• • • •

The Farm at Philedelphias's Thanksgiving Parade

Nashville based trio, The Farm, performed their new single “Home Sweet Home” at Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last week. The single, off their forthcoming debut album, is currently charting at No. 46 on Mediabase and has been added to over 50 stations across the country.

A video of the Thanksgiving performance from ABC6 can be seen below, featuring band members Nick Hoffman (vocals, fiddle), Damien Horne (vocals, keyboard, guitar) and Krista Marie (vocals, guitar).

Sony/ATV Hangs At Top of Publisher Airplay Chart

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Sony/ATV has been poised firmly at the pinnacle of the Top 10 Country Publishers Airplay Chart (published in Billboard) for six of the last seven quarters. The publishing company had 14.1% of market share for country airplay during the third quarter 2011, measured by HFA between July 1 and Sept. 30. This percentage is down slightly from Sony/ATV’s Q2 and Q1 shares, which were 14.8% and 15.9%, respectively, but still ranked No. 1 on the list.

Rounding out the top five publishers on the newly released Q3 country rankings are: No. 2 EMI Music Publishing (13.1%), No. 3 Warner/Chappell Music (11.7%), No. 4 UMPG (10.8%), and No. 5 Words And Music Copyright Administration (10.8%). The complete top ten list is in the Nov. 19 issue of Billboard.

Looking at the overall charts, EMI Music Publishing had the largest share of airplay for the sixth consecutive quarter with 17.9%. Nashville based Words & Music ranked No. 8, driven in part by “Tonight Tonight” (Hot Chelle Rae) and “Remind Me” (Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood).

Kimberly Perry ranked No. 6 on the Top 10 Songwriters Airplay Chart, the only country writer on the overall list.

Her solo-write “If I Die Young” landed at No. 15 on the Top 20 Airplay Songs chart, and Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight Tonight” ranked No. 11.

HFA determines a publisher’s share of a song and compiles the charts based on the top 100 country songs at 192 stations monitored by Nielsen BDS. A publisher is defined as an administrator, copyright owner and/or controlling party.

2012 Grammy Nominations Revealed

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The Band Perry performs on the Grammy Nominations concert.

Nominations for select Grammy categories were announced tonight (11/30) during a live concert special on CBS. Among the Nashville representatives taking the stage in Los Angeles were Sugarland, Jason Aldean (who scored multiple nominations), and The Band Perry (nominated for the all-genre Best New Artist award).

Nominations among top-billing country stars were a virtual tie with Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift garnering three apiece. Stoney Creek’s Thompson Square also nabbed two, giving the Broken Bow/Stoney Creek family a total of five. That ties them with Big Machine Label Group for the most nominations among Nashville labels, who got five combining Taylor’s three with Band Perry’s Best New Artist nod and one for Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.”

Kanye West tops the nominations with seven; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars each garner six nods; and Lil Wayne and Skrillex each are up for five awards. Drake, Paul Epworth, Cee Lo Green, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Nicki Minaj, Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, Rihanna, and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) each receive four nominations.

More Nashville-based artists and musicians received Grammy recognition. Eric Brace & Peter Cooper’s I Love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow [Red Beet Records] earned a nomination for Best Children’s Album. Nashville-based WannaBeatles (Nathan Burbank, Bryan Cumming, Dennis Scott, and David Toledo) scored its first-ever nomination in the Best Spoken Word Album for Fab Fan Memories – The Beatles Bond [WannaBeats Records]. Zac Brown picked up a nomination for Best Song Written For Visual Media for “Where The River Goes,” featured on the Footloose soundtrack. And the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s Giancarlo Guerrero and Christopher Lamb got a nomination for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for Schwantner: Concerto For Percussion & Orchestra. See the full list of nominees here.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will air at 7 PM/CT Feb. 12, 2012 on CBS.

Best Country Solo Performance
“Dirt Road Anthem”
Jason Aldean
Track from: My Kinda Party
[Broken Bow Records]

“I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Martina McBride
Track from: Eleven
[Republic Nashville]

“Honey Bee”
Blake Shelton
Track from: Red River Blue
[Warner Bros. Records]

“Mean”
Taylor Swift
Track from: Speak Now
[Big Machine Records]

“Mama’s Song”
Carrie Underwood
Track from: Play On
[Arista Nahville]

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Don’t You Wanna Stay”
Jason Aldean With Kelly Clarkson
Track from: My Kinda Party
[Broken Bow Records]

“You And Tequila”
Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter
Track from: Hemingway’s Whiskey
[BNA Records]

“Barton Hollow”
The Civil Wars
Track from: Barton Hollow
[Sensibility Music LLC]

“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Thompson Square
Track from: Thompson Square
[Stoney Creek Records]

Best Country Song
“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)
Track from: Thompson Square
[Stoney Creek Records; Publishers: Sexy Tractor Music/Hope-N-Cal Music, Old Desperados/N2D Publishing]

“God Gave Me You”
Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)
Track from: Red River Blue
[Warner Bros.; Publisher: No Gang Music]

“Just Fishin'”
Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
Track from: Proud To Be Here
[Show Dog-Universal Music; Publishers: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/Six Ring Circus Songs; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Five Hills Music]

“Mean”
Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
Track from: Speak Now
[Big Machine Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music]

“Threaten Me With Heaven”
Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O’Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)
Track from: Guitar Slinger
[MCA Nashville]

“You And Tequila”
Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)
Track from: Hemingway’s Whiskey
[BNA Records]

Best Country Album
My Kinda Party
Jason Aldean
[Broken Bow Records]

Chief
Eric Church
[EMI Records Nashville]

Own The Night
Lady Antebellum
[Capitol Records Nashville]

Red River Blue
Blake Shelton
[Warner Bros. Records]

Here For A Good Time
George Strait
[MCA Nashville]

Speak Now
Taylor Swift
[Big Machine Records]

Album of the Year
21
Adele
[XL Recordings/Columbia Records]

Wasting Light
Foo Fighters
[RCA Records/ Roswell Records]

Born This Way
Lady Gaga
[Streamline/Interscope/Kon Live]

Doo Wops & Hooligans
Bruno Mars
[Elektra]

Loud
Rihanna
[Def Jam]

Best New Artist
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Song of the Year
“Rolling in the Deep”
Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)
Track from: 21
[XL Recordings/Columbia Records; Publishers: Universal-Songs of Polygram/EMI Music Publishing]

“Holocene”
Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)
Track from: Bon Iver
[Jagjaguwar; Publisher: April Base Publishing]

“Grenade” 
Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Bruno Mars)
Track from: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
[Elektra; Publishers: Mars Force Music/Bughouse, Music Famamanem/Toy Plane Music/Art For Arts Sake/Late 80s Music/Westside Ind. Music/Studiobeat Music, Warner Tamerlane, Andrew Wyatt, Downtown DMP Songs]

“All of the Lights”
Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)
Track from: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
[Roc-A-Fella; Publishers: Very Good Beats/Hip Hop Since 1978]

“The Cave”
Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
Track from: Sigh No More
[Glassnote Records]

Record of the Year
“Rolling in the Deep” — Adele
Track from: 21
[XL Recordings/Columbia Records]

“Holocene” — Bon Iver
Track from: Bon Iver
[Jagjaguwar]

“Grenade” — Bruno Mars
Track from: Doo-Wops & Hooligans
[Elektra]

“Firework” — Katy Perry
Track from: Teenage Dream
[Capitol]

“The Cave” — Mumford and Sons
Track from: Sigh No More
[Glassnote Records]

Best Americana Album
Emotional Jukebox — Linda Chorney [Dance More Less War Records]
Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down — Ry Cooder [Perro Verde Records LLC/Nonesuch]
Hard Bargain — Emmylou Harris [Nonesuch]
Ramble At The Ryman — Levon Helm [Vanguard/Dirt Farmer Music]
Blessed — Lucinda Williams [Lost Highway Records]

Best Blues Album
Low Country Blues — Gregg Allman [Rounder]
Roadside Attractions — Marcia Ball [Alligator]
Man In Motion — Warren Haynes [Stax Records]
The Reflection — Keb’ Mo’ [Yolabelle International/Ryko Records]
Revelator — Tedeschi Trucks Band [Masterworks]

Best Contemporary Christian Album
Ghost Upon The Earth — Gungor [Brash Music]
Leaving Eden — Brandon Heath [Reunion Records]
The Great Awakening — Leeland [Essential Records]
What If We Were Real  — Mandisa [Sparrow Records]
Black & White — Royal Tailor [Essential Records]
And If Our God Is For Us… — Chris Tomlin [Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Best Gospel Album
The Love Album — Kim Burrell [Shanachie Entertainment]
The Journey — Andraé Crouch [Riverphlo Entertainment]
Hello Fear — Kirk Franklin [Verity Gospel Music Group/ Fo Yo Soul Ent.]
Something Big — Mary Mary [Columbia Records]
Angel & Chanelle Deluxe Edition — Trin-I-Tee 5:7 [Music World Gospel]

Best Contemporary Christian Song
Blessings — Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story) [Fair Trade Services; Publishers: New Spring/Gleaning Publishing]

Hold — MeJamie Grace Harper, Toby McKeehan & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Jamie Grace Featuring Tobymac) [Gotee Records; Publishers: Universal Music, Brentwood Benson Tunes, Songs of Third Base/Chriscendo Music, Meaux Mercy/Achtober Songs]

I Lift My Hands — Louie Giglio, Matt Maher & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin) [Sparrow Records/sixstepsrecords; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos Publishing/Thankyou Music/spiritandsong.com Publishing]

Strong Enough — Matthew West, songwriter (Matthew West) [Sparrow Records; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs For Delaney/Songs of Southside Independent Music]

Your Love — Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath) [Reunion Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Big Skwawka Music, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Hill Music]

Best Gospel Song
Hello Fear — Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin) [Verity Gospel Music Group/Fo Yo Soul Ent.; Publisher: Aunt Gertrude Music]

Sitting With Me — Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Gerald Haddon & Tammi Haddon, songwriters (Mary Mary) [Columbia Records; Publishers: Precious Baby Music/T Bella Music/EMI April Music, It’s Tea Tyme, That’s Plum Song]

Spiritual — Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & Co. Featuring Blanche McAllister-Dykes) [Verity Gospel Music Group; Publisher: Quiet Water Entertainment]

Trust Me — Richard Smallwood, songwriter (Richard Smallwood & Vision) [Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal-Z Tunes/T.Autumn Music]

Window — Canton Jones, songwriter (Canton Jones) [Cajo Records; Publisher: CAJO Music]

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Performance
Do Everything — Steven Curtis Chapman [Sparrow Records]
Alive (Mary Magdalene) — Natalie Grant [WOW Joint Venture/EMI CMG]
Your Love — Brandon Heath [Reunion Records]
Jesus Le’ — Andria Johnson [Music World Gospel]
I Lift My Hands — Chris Tomlin [Sparrow Records / sixstepsrecords]

Best Folk Album
Barton Hollow — The Civil Wars [Sensibility Music LLC]
I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive — Steve Earle [New West Records]
Helplessness Blues — Fleet Foxes [Sub Pop]
Ukulele Songs — Eddie Vedder [Monkeywrench Inc./Universal Republic]
The Harrow & The Harvest — Gillian Welch [Acony Records]

Best Bluegrass Album
Paper Airplane — Alison Krauss & Union Station [Rounder]
Reason And Rhyme: Bluegrass Songs By Robert Hunter & Jim Lauderdale — Jim Lauderdale [Sugar Hill Records]
Rare Bird Alert — Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers [Rounder]
Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe — The Del McCoury Band [McCoury Music]
A Mother’s Prayer — Ralph Stanley [Rebel Records]
Sleep With One Eye Open — Chris Thile & Michael Daves [Nonesuch]

Best Pop Solo Performance
“Someone Like You” — Adele
“Yoü And I” — Lady Gaga
“Grenade” — Bruno Mars
“Firework” — Katy Perry
“F***in’ Perfect” — Pink

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Body And Soul” — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse
“Dearest” — The Black Keys
“Paradise” — Coldplay
“Pumped Up Kicks” — Foster The People
“Moves Like Jagger” — Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera

Best Dance Recording
“Raise Your Weapon” — Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech
“Barbra Streisand” — Duck Sauce
“Sunshine” — David Guetta & Avicii
“Call Your Girlfriend” — Robyn
“Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites” — Skrillex
“Save The World” — Swedish House Mafia

Best Rock Performance
“Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” — Coldplay
“Down By The Water” — The Decemberists
“Walk” — Foo Fighters
“The Cave” — Mumford & Sons
“Lotus Flower” — Radiohead

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance
“On The Backs Of Angels” — Dream Theater
“White Limo” — Foo Fighters
“Curl Of The Burl” — Mastodon
“Public Enemy No. 1” — Megadeth
“Blood In My Eyes” — Sum 41

Best Rock Album
Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul — Jeff Beck
Wasting Light — Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown — Kings Of Leon
I’m With You — Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Whole Love — Wilco

Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver — Bon Iver
Codes And Keys — Death Cab For Cutie
Torches — Foster The People
Circuital — My Morning Jacket
The King Of Limbs — Radiohead

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Sometimes I Cry” — Eric Benét
“Fool For You” — Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona
“Radio Message” — R. Kelly
“Good Man” — Raphael Saadiq
“Surrender” — Betty Wright & The Roots

Best R&B Album
F.A.M.E. — Chris Brown
Second Chance — El DeBarge
Love Letter — R. Kelly
Pieces Of Me — Ledisi
Kelly — Kelly Price

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“Party” — Beyoncé & André 3000
“I’m On One” — DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
“I Need A Doctor” — Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey
“What’s My Name?” — Rihanna & Drake
“Motivation” — Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne
“All Of The Lights” — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie

Best Rap Performance
“Look At Me Now” — Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
“Otis” — Jay-Z & Kanye West
“The Show Goes On” — Lupe Fiasco
“Moment 4 Life” — Nicki Minaj & Drake
“Black And Yellow” — Wiz Khalifa

2nd CMT Artist Awards Show Soars

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Brad and Kimberly Paisley; Jason and Jessica Aldean

[Photos: Alan Mayor]

The 2011 CMT Artists of the Year show was taped last night at the Bridgestone arena in Nashville (11/29/11). Fast becoming an “in demand” ticket for industry executives, the show honored Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. The intimate audience was seated at round tables and treated to a gourmet multi-course meal prepared by “Top Chef” winner Stephanie Izard from the Girl & Goat restaurant in Chicago.

All the artist honorees were present. Additional presenters/performers, both live and on pre-taped video, included The All-American Rejects, The Avett Brothers, Ellen DeGeneres, Gavin DeGraw, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, Miranda Lambert, Matthew McConaughey, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, Lionel Richie, William Shatner and Joe Walsh of the Eagles. The show is scheduled to air December 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com.

Standout performances included Swift’s “Mean” covered by the All American Rejects who also worked their own “Gives You Hell” into a bridge. It was explosively original. Also sonically-satisfying was the evening finale which featured Brad Paisley and Joe Walsh cranking out “Life’s Been Good” and “Camouflage.” Lady Antebellum’s affable Charles Kelley was one of many moved by the Paisley/Walsh pairing and enjoying himself. He stood up in the audience pretending to conduct the music, with a big smile.

Lady Antebellum with show host Rob Lowe.

But there were plenty of other standout moments as well such as a great Avett Brothers performance. Insightful video clips of artist honorees reflecting upon their careers and relationships with family, friends and other country artists were also highlight. (For more live reporting search the Twitter hastag #CMTAOY.)

One moment that will likely be remembered by those at the Bridgestone, but never seen when the show airs, was an intended Hank Williams Jr./Jason Aldean duet. Unfortunately, the scene was shot a second time sans Bochephus. Hank’s publicist said the song was re-recorded without him because, “Hank didn’t feel like he was giving an adequate performance while joining Jason on the song.” Regardless of the cause for the decision, those present would likely admit it was a good decision.

CMT’s award honorees were chosen by ranking the top five artists based on the following criteria: sales (physical albums, digital albums, and single downloads); country radio airplay based on spins; concert grosses as a headliner or co-headliner; and activity on CMT.com (video streams, searches, and artist page views). The rankings were then compiled to identify the leading performers across the four categories cumulatively.

CMT Artists Of The Year was executive produced by Rac Clark. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT. (Note to self: Be sure to RSVP YES! again for this event.) (Click here to see an uploaded Tweet photo from @Jennivercole)

Taylor Swift and posse...