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.
Mindy Smith Plans New Album Release
/by Eric T. ParkerMindy Smith
Mindy Smith will release her fifth studio album on June 26. The self-titled effort, on Giant Leap/TVX Records, will mark her her first album of new material since 2009 release Stupid Love and her first as an independent artist.
The album features 11 original compositions co-produced with Jason Lehning and recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium. Smith wrote every song, sharing a co-write on only four tracks. Nashville session players contributing their talents include Bryan Sutton (guitar); Lex Price (bass); Ian Fitchuk (drums); Joe Pisapia (guitar), Jason Lehning (guitar), and Dan Dugmore (steel).
Prior to her 2004 debut, One Moment More (Vanguard Records ), the New York native contributed her rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” for the Parton tribute album, Just Because I’m a Woman. She subsequently released Long Island Shores (Vanguard, 2006), My Holiday (Vanguard, 2007), and Stupid Love (Vanguard, 2009).
Smith’s work has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Paul Rudd’s Our Idiot Brother, Grey’s Anatomy, HBO’s Six Feet Under and the WB’s Smallville and Summerland.
Smith also has plans for a Summer tour, with dates yet to be announced.
Track List (listen to her first single, “Closer” below):
1. Closer
2. Take Me Back
3. Pretending The Stars
4. Don’t Mind Me
5. Tin Can
6. Everything Here Will Be Fine
7. Sober
8. Devil’s Inside
9. Cure For Love
10. When You’re Waking On My Grave
11. If I
Artist Updates (3/23/12)
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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
/by MichelleWith 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
/by FreemanLarry 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
/by FreemanThe 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
/by Eric T. ParkerThe “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
/by FreemanA 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
/by Eric T. ParkerCraig 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
/by Caitlin Rantala(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)
/by FreemanKudos 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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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.