American Country Awards Winners

/by

Jason Aldean was the night's big winner with six total honors, including Artist of the Year.

Winners noted in in Bold Red. Check back to see list updated in real time.

Artist of the Decade
Toby Keith

Greatest Hits Award
Alabama

ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton

Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Eric Church
Eli Young Band
Chris Young
Justin Moore
Jake Owen

Artist of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery
Jerrod Niemann
The Pistol Annies
Thompson Square

ALBUMS
Album of the Year
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”
Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
Keith Urban, “Get Closer”
Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”

SINGLES
Single of the Year
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”

Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Luke Bryan, “Someone Else Calling You Baby”
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Chris Young, “Voices”

Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”

Single of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait?”
Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”

Single of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
The Jane Dear Girls, “Wildflower”
Jerrod Neimann, “What Do You Want?”
Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”

Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay?”
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley with Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffet, “Knee Deep”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”

TOURING
Touring Headline Package of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want?”
Blake Shelton, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking?”
Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”

Music Video: Male
Jason Aldean “My Kinda Party”
Jerrod Niemann “What Do You Want?”
Blake Shelton “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking?”
Josh Turner “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Keith Urban “Put You In A Song”

Music Video: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Ashton Shepherd, “Look It Up”
Taylor Swift, “Back To December”
Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”

Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson “Don’t You Wanna Stay?”
The Band Perry “You Lie”
Lady Antebellum “Hello World”
Thompson Square “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson “As She’s Walking Away”

Music Video: New Artist
The Band Perry “You Lie”
Craig Campbell “Family Man”
Brett Eldredge “Raymond”
Jerrod Niemann “What Do You Want?”
Thompson Square “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”

Oertley Exits Leadership Music

/by

Leadership Music Executive Director Karen Oertley has exited the post. The longtime music journalist and editor joined the organization almost two years ago in January 2010.

The role includes coordination of the yearly training program, fundraising, and alumni communication efforts.

Previously, Oertley was Vice President of the Billboard Music Group, where she served as group publisher of Musician magazine and publisher and editor-in-chief of Amusement Business.

Oertley replaced previous Leadership Music Executive Director Kira Florita.

Leadership Music named a new Board of Directors in August 2011.

Calls to the Leadership Music offices were not immediately returned.

McGraw, Curb Release Separate Singles

/by

In the midst of an ongoing legal battle between Curb Records and Tim McGraw, both sides have announced the release of new McGraw music.

Curb is going for adds with a new McGraw single “Better Than I Used To Be,” and has set a January 2012 release date for his album Emotional Traffic. It will be his final project released via Curb, according to a court ruling last week which states he is no longer obligated to the label which launched his career. Emotional Traffic was completed over a year ago by most reports, but never released. It has already spawned hit lead single, “Felt Good on My Lips.”

Meanwhile, 
McGraw announced a new a holiday song as well as a single in early 2012. In a Dec. 2, 2011 statement on his website he explains:

I fought very hard for the release of Emotional Traffic, it’s an album full of music of which I am very proud. It’s extremely unfortunate that it wasn’t released earlier this year in conjunction with the Emotional Traffic tour but all I want to do now is focus on the positive and look to the future. I’m really excited about the new music I’m recording. Next week I’m putting out a holiday song I’ve just recorded called “Christmas All Over The World.” After the first of the year I’ll have a brand new single which I can hardly wait to share with everyone. I am so appreciative of the support I’ve received over the years, and I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my career.

Lifenotes: John Lincoln Wright

/by

New England’s most popular country artist, John Lincoln Wright, passed away on Sunday morning, December 4, at age 64.

Wright won so many Massachusetts Music Awards that he was retired from the competition several years ago. His albums were distributed by Rounder Records.

The Boston native began his musical career when he became the lead singer of the rock band The Beacon Street Union in 1966. The group was signed by MGM Records and issued two LPs in 1968, The Eyes of The Beacon Street Union and The Clown Died in Marvin Gardens.

In 1972, Wright switched to country music and formed his band The Sour Mash Boys. The group recorded his debut solo LP, Takin’ Old Route One, shortly thereafter. Wright came to Nashville to record 1981’s You Can’t Get There From Here, which was co-produced by Pat Higdon.

Joe Sun recorded Wright’s songs “Lonesome Rainin’ City” and “Pull Away From Your Man.” Vernon Oxford also covered “Lonesome Rainin’ City.” James Talley recorded with The Sour Mash Boys in 1985, and Wright sang backup on albums by Mary Gauthier and Geoff Bartley.

His own recording career resumed with the 1990 CD That Old Mill. In 1991, Wright and the Sour Mash Boys released its follow-up CD Honky Tonk Verite.

According to Ken Irwin at Rounder Records, John Lincoln Wright had been ill for some time prior to his passing.

“His death leaves a tremendous hole in the New England country-music community,” said Irwin. “He was a great songwriter, band leader and friend, and will be missed by all.”

Glenn Meadows Joins Mayfield Mastering

/by

Glenn Meadows

Mastering engineer Glenn Meadows has joined Nashville’s Mayfield Mastering, bringing more than four decades of award-winning expertise to the Berry Hill neighborhood facility.

As a two-time Grammy winner and former owner and chief mastering engineer of Nashville’s Masterfonics Studios, Meadows’ resume includes engineering work on albums from some of Country and Pop music’s biggest artists, including Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, George Strait, Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill, Alabama, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntire, Steely Dan, Jimmy Buffett and hundreds more.

One of the most recent projects mastered by Meadows is Taylor Swift’s new CD/DVD package, Speak Now World Tour Live, released on Nov. 21 through Big Machine Records.

“To have someone as accomplished and respected as Glenn Meadows engineering in our facility really sets the bar high,” says Mayfield Mastering owner John Mayfield. “I tend to think it sets you apart from the competition when you have a world class talent like Glenn available day in and day out. His resume speaks for itself. I can’t say enough about how happy we are to have him here.”

Mayfield Mastering is located at 2825 Erica Place, Nashville, TN, 37204. Contact the facility at (615) 383-3708 or info@MayfieldMastering.com. For more information, visit www.MayfieldMastering.com.

Warner/Chappell Adds To Roster

/by

(L–R) Front Row: Chip Petree (Petree Law), Damien Horne, Steve Markland (VP A&R Warner/Chappell Music), Alicia Pruitt (Sr. Director A&R Warner/Chappell Music). Back Row: BJ Hill (Sr. Director A&R Warner/Chappell Music), Phil May (GM/VP Warner/Chappell Music), John Esposito (President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville)

Warner/Chappell Music today (12/5) announced a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Damien Horne, member of country trio The Farm.

Horne and bandmates Nick Hoffman and Krista Marie are signed to Elektra Nashville, part of Warner Music Nashville. The Farm’s new single “Home Sweet Home” is at radio now and an album is set for release in 2012.

Horne is also a solo singer/songwriter whose artistry blends elements of R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul, and rock with a uniquely uplifting message.

McCreery’s Debut Album Goes Gold

/by

Scotty McCreery’s debut album, Clear As Day, has recently been certified Gold for sales of more than 500,000. The album has been sitting at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart for the five weeks since its Oct. 4 release. The album’s first single, “I Love You This Big,” has also been certified Gold.

The UMG Nashville star is the youngest man in history to open at the top of the all-genre chart with a debut release. Clear As Day also garnered the highest first-week sales of any solo country artist this year.

McCreery will perform his current hit, “The Trouble With Girls,” on the American Country Awards, which airs live on FOX tonight (12/5) at 8 PM/ET.

Additionally, he will also be a part of Brad Paisley’s 2012 tour, which begins Jan. 12 in Grand Rapids, MI.

Seays Continue House Concerts With Christmas Benefit

/by

Wanda and Terry Seay

The 2nd Annual Christmas Songwriters Open House and Benefit, hosted by It’s All About Z Music’s Terry and Wanda Seay, will take place at the couple’s home on Sat., Dec. 10. Benefiting the Radnor Lake Preservation Area and the WO Smith School of Music, doors open at 1 p.m. and the event features over fifty songwriters including Tony Arata, Becky Hobbs, David Bradley, Rich Fagan, and Kasey Jones.

With over nine hours of music to enjoy, guests are asked to bring a covered dish and drinks to share, and a $25 donation. The casual dress event will take place at 106 Clyde Circle Franklin, TN 37064. To RSVP, email Terry.Seay@itsallaboutZmusic.com.

The Seays have been hosting house benefit concerts in Franklin for the past two years and were recently featured on Headline|Country with Storme Warren.

DIRECTIONS FROM NASHVILLE
Take I-65 South from Nashville (15 minutes from I-440)
To Exit #61 – RT 248 Goose Creek ByPass / Peytonsville Road
Turn Left and cross over I-65 and continue on Peytonsville Road for 1/4 mile
Turn Left on Long Lane and Pass Ag/Expo Center—continue on around
Turn Left on Alfred Ladd Rd. at Entrance to “The Highlands at Ladd Park”
Continue down the hill make first left on Rich Road and immediate Right onto Wise Lane
Travel one block and make Right onto Clyde Circle – first house on right – 106

Bobby Dean – White Lightning or Pink Champagne

/by

Bobby Dean is the perfect example of why you should never give up on a dream.

In January 2011, after 30 years of juggling his trucking business and singing in local bars at night, Dean released his first CD On The Radio after signing with Lamon Records Nashville. The album has already produced two singles, “Hank on the Radio” and “Rebound,” the latter of which received airplay from several MusicRow reporting stations.

Dean’s new country radio single, “White Lightning or Pink Champagne” and the accompanying music video, are about a guy who can never figure out which mood his girl is in. Does she want to go honky-tonking in her jeans or to a fine restaurant all dressed up? Either way, she’s going to have some fun!

Dean spent much of his summer in Nashville, greeting fans during CMA Music Fest.
He’s spent the fall recording a collection of new songs with producer/Lamon Records president Dave Moody which will be released in 2012. Moody, a member of the Grammy-nominated Moody Brothers band, describes Dean’s talents like this: “Bobby has a unique style voice, very traditional sounding, yet he makes it his own.”

In November, Dean was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for T.J. Martell Foundation fundraiser.

See the “White Lightning or Pink Champagne” video at http://vimeo.com/channels/lamon

Contact:
Dave Moody, Lamon Records Nashville
Phone: 615.379.2121, x101
Email: staff@lamonrecords.com
www.lamonrecords.com
www.facebook.com/bobbydean09

Gibson Guitar Creates Pro Audio Division

/by

Gibson Guitar announced today (12/5) the creation of its pro audio division through the acquisition of the Stanton Group, which is comprised of KRK Systems, Cerwin-Vega! and Stanton DJ.

KRK Systems provides accurate and reliable monitors and control room solutions, while Cerwin-Vega! Inc. is a leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of loudspeakers for the home and professional audio markets. Stanton DJ designs and manufactures professional audio products for DJs. Along with Gibson, the companies form Gibson Pro Audio division, which will be headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Right now we have an extremely powerful brand that people recognize and value, but the musical instrument category is inherently limited because people who purchase instruments also need to know how to play them,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “This new division is perfectly aligned with our core. It expands our reach to fellow music lovers and allows us access to 20 in 20 consumers instead of the one in 20 we currently hit.”