How Chris Young Ended Up With Keith Whitley’s Guitar

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Chris Young performs with the guitar once belonging to Keith Whitley.

How did Chris Young come to own a prized guitar of one of his heroes, the late Keith Whitley? The short answer is he bought it from Music City Pickers, the Nashville outfit formed by artist Brady Seals and former Gibson Guitars web editor Gabe Hernandez.

But here’s the rest of the story:

During the mid-to-late 1980s at the height of his popularity, Keith Whitley performed mainly with three guitars: a Martin acoustic, a Fender Telecaster, and a Sigma by Martin acoustic/electric.

The Martin acoustic and Fender Telecaster are owned by private collectors and have been displayed on occasion at museums throughout the southeast since Whitley’s death. The Sigma by Martin acoustic/electric, however, remained in the hands of a family friend and fellow musician, Earl Watkins, until now.

Watkins, who previously owned the Circle H Saloon near Lexington, Ky., met Whitley during the mid 1970s. They became close friends, and often played music together at the Circle H. During a visit to the venue in 1987, Whitley traded his Sigma by Martin SE-36 for the Fender Telecaster belonging to one of Watkins’ band mates, Jerry Fannin. Not long after that, Watkins purchased Whitley’s guitar from Fannin for $500. Watkins eventually passed it on his daughter Jeanne, who sold it to Music City Pickers during a recent event in Lexington.

In turn, Music City Pickers sold it to Young. He explains, “Keith Whitley has always been one of my musical heroes, so to get the chance to hold a piece of history in my hands and play his guitar on the Opry stage was beyond awesome.”

Young played it during a recent performance on the Grand Ole Opry, where he sang his own hit “Tomorrow,” and Whitley’s classic “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” The show is set to air Sat., Oct. 29 on GAC.

Google Music Nears Launch

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Google’s music offering is nearing launch according to numerous reports including the New York Times.

The MP3 store is expected to have ties to the company’s growing social network, Google+, allowing users to share the music they buy with friends/followers. There is also supposed to be a cloud-based storage component.

Reportedly, EMI Music is close to agreeing to license its catalog, but NYT reports that the other majors are not yet on board with Google Music.

More from cnet.

CRS 2012 Expands Panel Offerings

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CRS 2012 to be held Feb. 22-24, 2012, has expanded its agenda by offering attendees more than 30 educational panels and roundtable discussions.

Previously announced appearances are keynote speaker Clear Channel Chairman Bob Pittman, futurist and entrepreneur David Houle, CMT’s Stephen Linn, and Twitter For Dummies co-author Laura Fitton.

Additional panels and panelists will include:
Jacobs Media Going Mobile Presentation: Get Smart!
The Jacobs Media presentation is a comprehensive presentation of how consumers use mobile media and its impact today and in the future. This audio/visual presentation employs examples of real consumers using and interacting with their mobile devices. Hosted by Fred Jacobs, Classic Rock format pioneer and founder of audience research and radio consultancy, Jacobs Media.

Branding: What It Really Is and How to Build One:
Forbes contributor and Chief Strategist at branding/consumer engagement agency Access Brand Strategies, Paul Jankowski helps define what a brand is and effective ways attendees can build theirs. His book, “How to Speak American: Building Brands in the New Heartland,” calls out ad agencies on the coasts for their dismissive attitude towards the “New Heartland,” the biggest cultural segment in the U.S. This panel explores the role that core values play in buying behavior and in listener engagement with Country radio.

Turbo Charging Your High Octane Air Talent:
Veteran talent coach and former morning radio pro Steve Reynolds of The Reynolds Group conducts a training session for managers and programmers who coach talent in PPM markets. Using tools like The Wheel of Content© and The Scorecard©, Reynolds educates managers on how to talk to their air talent to improve what they’re doing and help them perform better with the new measurement.

Brainstorming To Win:
Led by Executive VP/The Center for Sales Strategy’s Matt Sunshine, this panel outlines step by step brainstorming techniques using real world case studies. Attendees will learn how brainstorming can help them achieve marketing goals and execute successful promotions. Programs Sunshine has authored for the 28-year sales performance consulting company include the Interactive Insight webinar, the Digital Sales Accelerator and the Facilitator’s Certification Workshop.

Marketing That Gets Advertisers Results:
Another panel hosted by The Center for Sales Strategy’s Matt Sunshine, this panel focuses on the Marketing Strategy Model. Sunshine explains this five-step model and then examines case studies to give seminar attendees actionable knowledge they can utilize with specific clients.

$399 Early Bird registration is currently available for CRS 2012 through Nov. 15 at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com or by calling (615) 327-4487.

 

Lonestar Reunites

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Lonestar has reunited with original lead singer Richie McDonald. In 2012, Lonestar will record a new album (label TBA) to mark the band’s 20th anniversary.

The group will also kick off an overseas tour with its four original members– keyboardist Dean Sams, drummer Keech Rainwater, lead guitarist Michael Britt and McDonald. The outing will start Feb. 26, with tour dates in England, Ireland, Switzerland and Germany through March 4.

(L-R): Michael Britt, Keech Rainwater, Dean Sams, Richie McDonald

“Twilight” Soundtrack Sells Big, Boosts Baby Acts

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With the latest installment of the Twilight saga coming to theaters Nov. 18, it’s interesting to look at the popularity of the movies’ soundtracks.

To date, the three previous Twilight film soundtracks have sold a combined five million copies in the U.S. Thanks to the rabid built-in fan base, this is significantly higher than the average soundtrack sales tally.

Rolling Stone spoke to revered music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, who has overseen all of the Twilight films, and loves to use them to give new artists a boost. The albums are noted for breaking new musical acts or giving more established artists upward momentum. A previous soundtrack helped propel Nashville rockers Paramore, for example.

Another Nashville-area band The Features are on the latest installment, with tune “From Now On.” Among others on the Breaking Dawn soundtrack are the Belle Brigade, Bruno Mars, Theophilus London, and Iron and Wine.

Some acts are reluctant to have their music attached to a film. Particularly Bon Iver, who almost bowed out of the previous Twilight offering. However, he eventually conceded, in an effort to expand his fanbase.

Thursday Photos

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Yaklin Signs with Orbison Music/Still Working Music

Singer/songwriter Chase Yaklin has signed a publishing agreement with Orbison Music/Still Working Music. (L-R) standing: Leslie Roberts, BMI; co-manager Gene Dries; attorney Trip Aldredge; Clay Myers, Orbison Music; and co-manager Neal Spielberg. Seated: Orbison Music’s Tanja Crouch and Yaklin.

Hayes Receives Honorary Membership

Last week, Atlantic Records’ artist/multi-instrumentalist Hunter Hayes was invited to become an honorary “Friends and Family” Member of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. (L-R): Pamela Johnson, VP Development; Sharon Burns, VP Sales & Mktg.; Ansel Davis, Mgr.; Hayes; Jay Orr, VP Museum Programs; and Kyle Young, Museum Dir.

Hit Writers Perform Benefit

Six Nashville songwriters made a trip to St. Paul, Nebraska on Oct. 15 to raise money for the Lassen family. Laura Lassen is currently battling through her third round of cancer. Writers (L-R): Michael Platek, Buddy Hyatt, David Chamberlain, Brice Long, Arlos Smith and Kevin Denney performed back to back shows to accommodate the large turnout. Recording artist and 2x PBR World Champion Justin McBride also made a surprise appearance. Lassen was unable to attend the event, but her oldest daughter was able to Skype the show on an iPad for Laura to watch.

Artist Round-Up: Charlie Daniels Turns 75

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RCA Nashville’s Josh Thompson stopped by CMT’s Top 20 Countdown to chat with host Evan Farmer about “CMT On Tour” with Luke Bryan, songwriting on the road, his upcoming album and more. The episode will air Fri., Oct. 28 and Sat., Oct. 29.

• Charlie Daniels will celebrate his 75th birthday this weekend with a Friday night show in Louisville, KY and two Saturday night performances at the Grand Ole Opry. Joining him at the Opry will be Clint Black, The Grascals, Lee Greenwood, Gretchen Wilson and more.

Daniels is also set to appear on a panel at the Country Music Hall of Fame called Brothers & Sisters: The Rise of Southern Rock Saturday at 1:30 p.m. On the 40th anniversary of Duane Allman’s death, the event will discuss the history of southern rock with figures central to its success including Daniels, Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney & Bonnie), Mike Hyland (Capricorn Records), and Ed King (Lynyrd Skynyrd).

• Linda Davis, Jonell Mosser, Buddy Jewell, Baillie & the Boys, and Alyssa Bonagura perform tonight (10/27) at the Factory at Franklin to benefit You Have The Power. Visit www.yhtp.org for tickets.

• The Attic @ Piranhas Presents Renegade Masquerade Sun., Oct. 30, 7 p.m.-midnight hosted by Crystal Hoyt. The Costume Party & Jam benefits The American Cancer Society. Also performing will be The Darlins, Aaron Goodvin, Jessica Cayne, Shanna Crooks, Matt Stillwell, Anthony Smith, David Bradley, Lucy Angel, and Phoenix Mendoza.

• Billy Dean and Natalie Grant star in Decision, a new movie on the Gospel Music Channel. It was shot in Kingston Springs, Tenn.

Mark Wayne Glasmire on location in Leipers Fork, Tenn. during the video shoot for "Going Home." The Country Network recently added the video to its Breaking Out playlist. The track is from his self-titled EP, coming in 2012. Photo: Bell-Jarboe Films

Coming And Going: Marathon Music Works, FYE, Twitter

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Nashville’s newest venue Marathon Music Works will celebrate its grand opening Nov. 19 with a performance by Wanda Jackson. Owners of the music hall tapped the masses to come up with the name, and those who entered or voted in the “name your venue” contest will receive free tickets to see the Queen of Rockabilly. Select tickets will also be available for purchase closer to the show date.

The venue is located at 1402 Clinton Street in Marathon Village. Also on the schedule are Warren Haynes Band (Nov. 15) and O.A.R. (Feb. 17). Visit the MMW website.

• • • •

It looks like Nashville’s West End FYE record store will be the next casualty of the economic downturn and digital music revolution. The store is currently open but its lease expires on Dec. 31, 2011, and today’s Nashville Post reports a hotel will break ground on the site in March. Leading the hotel project is Memphis-based real estate investor Robert M. Rodgers.

According to the Nashville Post, the Metro Planning Commission still needs to approve the 190,000 sq. ft. two-phase development, which includes 222 rooms, and a wine bar.

• • • •

Twitter is delving deeper into music marketing with the hiring of Tatiana Simonian, first reported by Billboard. The former record label marketing manager has worked for the Disney Music Group handling social media, mobile and app campaigns.

 

Pop Superstar Joins CMA Awards

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Lionel Richie, who has an album of country duets in the works, will team with some of Nashville’s brightest stars to perform on the Nov. 9 CMA Awards. Joining him on his major hits will be Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, and Rascal Flatts.

Richie is no stranger to the CMA Awards stage. In 1984, Richie performed “Lady” with Kenny Rogers and in 1986, he performed “Deep River Woman” with Alabama.

Richie’s duets album, Tuskegee, is due in March on Mercury Nashville and named for his Alabama birthplace.

Tuskegee Track Listing
“You Are” with Blake Shelton
“Say You, Say Me” with Jason Aldean
“Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker
“Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town
“My Love” with Kenny Chesney
“Dancing On The Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts
“Hello” with Jennifer Nettles
“Sail On” with Tim McGraw
“Endless Love” with Shania Twain
“Just For You” with Billy Currington
“Lady” with Kenny Rogers
“Easy” with Willie Nelson
“All Night Long” with Jimmy Buffett

CMA Awards Dream Team: Also from CMA Awards organizers, fans can select their nominee dream team with the new MyPicks game on CMAawards.com. The game built by Nashville-based Athlon Sports is similar to a fantasy football league. It allows players to gain points as their CMA Picks win CMA Awards during the ceremony. The player with the top score will win a grand prize trip for two to the 2012 CMA Music Festival. There are also first and second place prizes.

Stagecoach Line-up Includes Mavericks Reunion

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The Mavericks will reunite for the first time since their 2003 dissolution at the 6th Annual Stagecoach Country Music Festival. The festival will be held Apr. 27-29, 2012 in Indio, CA.

Following their Stagecoach appearance, original band members Raul Malo (vocals, guitar), Robert Reynolds (bass) and Paul Deakin (drums) are scheduled to tour North America and Europe over the the summer.

“I’m excited to get back together with the band. Stagecoach is obviously the perfect way to start a tour — for the band to be reintroduced to us as well as for us to refamiliarize ourselves with the fans,” said Malo.

The full lineup for the Stagecoach Country Music Festival includes: Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Alabama, Martina McBride, Kenny Rogers, Luke Bryan, Sara Evans, The Band Perry, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, and more.

Stagecoach Festival passes go on sale Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. (PST)