Final nominees for the nation’s top Country radio stations and broadcast personalities were delivered to Country Radio today, when the JaneDear girls revealed the 2011 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year finalists live from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
The winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 45th Annual CMA Awards, to be held Wednesday, Nov. 9 and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year
National
“American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks” (Kix Brooks) – Citadel Media
“Big D & Bubba Show” (Derek Haskins and Sean Powell) – Premiere Radio Networks
“The Lia Show” (Lia Knight) – Dial Global
Major Market
“Ben & Matt Show” (Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Edwards & Lee” (Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee) – WYCD, Detroit, Mich.
“Kelly Ford & Rider” (Kelly Ford and Mark Newman) – KYGO, Denver-Boulder, Colo.
“Laurie DeYoung Morning Show” (Laurie DeYoung) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“Paul Schadt Morning Show” (Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte/Gastonia, N.C.; Rock Hill, SC
Large Market
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeffrey “Maverick” Bolen, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Coffee, Country & Cody” (Bill Cody) – WSM-AM, Nashville, Tenn.
“Jeff Roper in the Morning” (Jeff Roper and Angie Ward) – WTQR, Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Pont, NC
“Jess, Brian, and Amanda” (Jess Tyler, Brian Phillips, and Amanda Leonardo) – WCTK, Providence/Warwick/Pawtucket, RI
“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless, Marty Young, and Janie Carothers) – WQDR, Raleigh/Durham, NC
Medium Market
“Kevin Richards Show” (Kevin Richards) – WGNA, Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y.
“Mornings with Brian and Kellie” (Brian Pierce and Kellie Michaels) – KFDI, Wichita, Kan.
“The 97 Country Breakfast Club” (Tom O’Brien, Roger Todd, Melissa Moran) – WPCV, Lakeland/Winter Haven, Fla.
“The Kat 103 Morning Show” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa
“Ellis and Bradley Morning Show” (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC
Small Market
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene/Springfield, Ore.
“Bearman and Ken in the Morning” (Benny “Bearman” Martin, Ken Hicks, Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Scotty and Carissa in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Carissa Loethen) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, NC
“The Good Morning Guys” (Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore) – KUAD, Ft. Collins/Greeley, Colo.
CMA Radio Station of the Year
Major Market
KMLE – Phoenix, Ariz.
KNIX – Phoenix, Ariz.
WKKT – Charlotte/Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, SC
WMZQ – Washington, DC
WYCD – Detroit, Mich.
Large Market
KASE – Austin, Texas
KVET – Austin, Texas
WFMS – Indianapolis, Ind.
WQDR – Raleigh/Durham, NC
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market
KATM – Modesto, Calif.
KFDI – Wichita, Kan.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, NY
WYRK – Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY
Small Market
KCLR -Columbia, Mo.
KUAD – Ft. Collins/Greeley, Colo.
WKSF – Asheville, NC
WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
SESAC Promotes Connell to VP Post
/by Sarah SkatesJ.D. Connell
SESAC today announced the promotion of J.D. Connell to Vice President and Counsel, New Media Licensing. Formerly Director, New Media, he will be responsible for negotiating and executing license agreements, with special focus in the area of new media.
Based in the organization’s Nashville office, Connell will also work with SESAC’s senior management in creating and implementing licensing strategies.
“J.D. has proven himself to be an effective and forward-thinking executive, particularly in the digital licensing space,” said Bill Lee, SESAC’s Senior Vice President, Licensing Operations. “He has been an integral part of SESAC’s success in the evolving realm of digital music licensing and I am excited for him to play an even bigger role in SESAC’s continuing growth.”
When Connell first joined SESAC in 2005, he was charged with negotiating and drafting musical composition public performance licenses.
Connell received a Bachelor of Science degree from Union University before obtaining his Juris Doctorate from Mississippi School of Law where he co-founded the Mississippi College Sports and Entertainment Law Section.
Headquartered in Nashville, SESAC also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and London.
Songwriter Owen Davis Passes
/by Robert K OermannHe is perhaps best known for the song “The Other Side of Nashville.” It was the title tune of an acclaimed 1983 documentary film in which he appeared alongside such luminaries as Kris Kristofferson, Bobby Bare, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and Hank Williams Jr.
Among his other notable compositions are “Border of the Quarter,” recorded by Leon Redbone, and “Play Me or Trade Me,” which became a minor 1982 hit duet by Mel Tillis and Nancy Sinatra.
Gerald “Owen” Davis was a native of Kansas City, MO and a Navy veteran who came to Nashville in the 1970s. In addition to his entertainment activities, he also worked in the tourism industry and for Stage Hand Productions.
He passed away on August 19. He is survived by his wife Deborah, daughter Shaela Wolken and brother Jack. The family requests donations to the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation in his memory.
Aware Records/A-Squared Management Open Nashville Digs
/by adminThe new offices will be located at 124 12th Ave. S. Ste. 410. Terry can be reached at josh@awaremusic.com.
CMA Tickets On-Sale Info
/by Sarah SkatesEligible CMA members can purchase tickets through an exclusive pre-sale via Ticketmaster through Friday, Sept 16.
The CMA Awards will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. CMA Country Christmas will tape the following day, Thursday, Nov. 10, also at the Bridgestone Arena, for an ABC Television Network special.
Ticket prices for the CMA Awards start at $110 for Upper Level seating. Tickets for CMA Country Christmas are $25 for general admission Upper Level seating. These prices do not include service fees.
Dierks Taps Fellow Stars For Miles & Music Benefit
/by Sarah SkatesDierks Bentley's annual fundraiser for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital cruises to Nashville on Oct. 16.
Dierks Bentley’s sixth annual “Miles & Music for Kids” celebrity motorcycle ride and benefit concert will be held Oct. 16 in Nashville. The hour-long motorcycle ride will once again kick off at the Harley-Davidson of Columbia, Tenn., and end at Riverfront Park in downtown Nashville with a concert featuring Bentley and special guests Eli Young Band, Colt Ford and Josh Thompson. More big artist announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
Tickets for the family-friendly Nashville event go on sale on Fri., Sept. 9 through Ticketmaster. Tickets for the ride, concert and commemorative T-shirt are $50, or those looking to attend the concert only can purchase tickets for $20. Special VIP packages are also available. Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, all proceeds from the Nashville event will benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
Bentley is also hosting a Miles & Music for Kids fundraiser in Chicago, IL on Oct. 9. In 2009, the star joined forces with Nationwide Insurance, CMT One Country and the Children’s Miracle Network to take the successful “Miles & Music for Kids” benefit on the road, and has since expanded to visit six cities in addition to his annual Nashville event. Over the event’s six-year history, it has raised an impressive $1.6 million for children’s hospitals in Nashville, Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Seattle, and Columbus.
For the latest news and ongoing artist announcements, visit www.dierks.com.
CMT Sets Aggressive Fall Lineup
/by admin“This is an exciting time here at CMT, with more original programming in development and production than ever before,” says Dinsmore. “These new series, along with our original movies and music franchises, and the additional night of primetime original programming to our schedule, represent our aggressive growth strategy for this season and beyond. We’re looking forward to elevating the CMT viewer experience with even more compelling stories, intriguing characters and family-friendly entertainment.”
Here’s a brief description of the shows and time schedules.
Top Secret Recipe
Premieres Friday, October 7 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT
In each one-hour episode of this eight-episode series, food hacker host Todd Wilbur investigates an iconic American recipe and attempts to recreate it better than the original. TOP SECRET RECIPE is produced by 51 Minds Entertainment. Cris Abrego, Rabih Gholam, Todd Wilbur, Perry Rogers, Scott Teti and Melanie Moreau (CMT) serve as executive producers.
Trick My What?
Premieres Friday, October 7 at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT
From the producers of the hit CMT series “Trick My Truck,” comes this new one-hour, nine-episode series hosted by John Schneider that gives blue-collar workers the opportunity to trick out anything with an engine that helps put food on the table for their family. TRICK MY WHAT? is produced by Varuna Entertainment with Jason Morgan and Melanie Moreau (CMT) serving as executive producers.
Sweet Home Alabama 2
Premieres Thursday, October 20 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT
Tribble Reese, runner-up on season one of SWEET HOME ALABAMA, has decided to give love another chance, signing on to be the new bachelor on the second season of the hit CMT series. This time, he will be faced with the tough decision of city versus country in the search for his Ms. Right, choosing between girls from all across the country who are heading to Alabama to help mend his broken heart. SWEET HOME ALABAMA, is produced by Glassman Media with executive producers Andrew Glassman, Grant Julian and Carrie Franklin. Claire McCabe and Jayson Dinsmore are executive producers for CMT.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team 6
Premieres Thursday, October 20 at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT
America’s most-loved cheerleading squad is back. This season, the competition is as fierce as ever as cameras capture hundreds of hopefuls auditioning and training for a spot on the team. Back to whip the new recruits and seasoned veterans into top performance shape are Kelli Finglass, director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; Judy Trammell, the team choreographer; and Jay Johnson, the no-nonsense fitness trainer. Finglass, Trammell and Johnson test the rookies for the tough physical and mental stamina required to represent the organization. The show is produced by Triage Entertainment with executive producers Stu Schreiberg, Stephen Kroopnick, Eugene Pack, Jeff Cvengros and Kelli McGonagill Finglass. Melanie Moreau and Jayson Dinsmore are executive producers for CMT.
Bayou Billionaires
Premieres this Winter
The Dowdens are a typical, hardworking and close-knit family of modest means living in Shreveport, La. After discovering their home sits on the fourth largest deposit of natural gas in the U.S., the Dowdens struck it rich and are now ready to experience the finer things that life has to offer. Led by patriarch, Gerald, and matriarch, Kitten, the 30-minute, 10-episode series follows the family as they experience the perks of belonging to a new tax bracket – from joining country clubs and hiring personal trainers, to traveling to places they never imagined they’d go. BAYOU BILLIONAIRES is produced by Magilla Entertainment. Brian Flanagan, Matt Ostrom, Laura Palumbo Johnson and Brad Johnson serve as executive producers.
Summer Rental
Premieres this Winter
This one-hour, 10-episode series follows a real-life, naturally-entertaining family, born and raised in the South, as they embark on a “fish out of water” experience by visiting a fancy beach rental in the Hamptons for the summer, indulging in the high-end lifestyle of the Upper East Coast and bringing their southern flare to any situation. SUMMER RENTAL is produced by Pink Sneakers. Kimberly Belcher Cowin, John Ehrhard, Brad Johnson and Lewis Bogach (CMT) serve as executive producers.
CMT Original Movies
Reel Love
Premieres November 2011
In CMT’s second CMT Original Movie, LeAnn Rimes stars alongside Burt Reynolds in REEL LOVE. Written by Sharon Weil Aaron and directed by Brian K. Roberts (“Eveybody Loves Raymond”). REEL LOVE is an Entertainment One Television production filmed in Toronto, Ontario.
Music Series
CMT Crossroads: Sting and Vince Gill
Premieres November 2011
Together they have earned over 35 Grammys, sold over 125 million albums, and performed in front of as many, if not more, music lovers all over the world. Now world-renowned musician Sting and country legend Vince Gill will be making music history in the newest episode of CMT CROSSROADS: STING AND VINCE GILL, premiering in November on CMT.
Invitation Only
New Episodes this Fall
A departure from the typical concert special, INVITATION ONLY features country music’s biggest stars performing before a small studio audience in Nashville, taking questions from fans and delivering revealing and candid answers. INVITATION ONLY: TRACE ADKINS premieres Sunday, September 25 at 11:00 p.m., ET/PT. New episodes featuring Martina McBride and Blake Shelton premiere later this Fall.
CMA Announces 2011 Broadcast Awards Finalists
/by Sarah SkatesThe winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 45th Annual CMA Awards, to be held Wednesday, Nov. 9 and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year
National
“American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks” (Kix Brooks) – Citadel Media
“Big D & Bubba Show” (Derek Haskins and Sean Powell) – Premiere Radio Networks
“The Lia Show” (Lia Knight) – Dial Global
Major Market
“Ben & Matt Show” (Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Edwards & Lee” (Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee) – WYCD, Detroit, Mich.
“Kelly Ford & Rider” (Kelly Ford and Mark Newman) – KYGO, Denver-Boulder, Colo.
“Laurie DeYoung Morning Show” (Laurie DeYoung) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“Paul Schadt Morning Show” (Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte/Gastonia, N.C.; Rock Hill, SC
Large Market
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeffrey “Maverick” Bolen, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Coffee, Country & Cody” (Bill Cody) – WSM-AM, Nashville, Tenn.
“Jeff Roper in the Morning” (Jeff Roper and Angie Ward) – WTQR, Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Pont, NC
“Jess, Brian, and Amanda” (Jess Tyler, Brian Phillips, and Amanda Leonardo) – WCTK, Providence/Warwick/Pawtucket, RI
“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless, Marty Young, and Janie Carothers) – WQDR, Raleigh/Durham, NC
Medium Market
“Kevin Richards Show” (Kevin Richards) – WGNA, Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y.
“Mornings with Brian and Kellie” (Brian Pierce and Kellie Michaels) – KFDI, Wichita, Kan.
“The 97 Country Breakfast Club” (Tom O’Brien, Roger Todd, Melissa Moran) – WPCV, Lakeland/Winter Haven, Fla.
“The Kat 103 Morning Show” (Steve Lundy and Gina Melton) – KXKT, Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa
“Ellis and Bradley Morning Show” (Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley) – WSSL, Greenville/Spartanburg, SC
Small Market
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene/Springfield, Ore.
“Bearman and Ken in the Morning” (Benny “Bearman” Martin, Ken Hicks, Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Scotty and Carissa in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Carissa Loethen) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, NC
“The Good Morning Guys” (Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore) – KUAD, Ft. Collins/Greeley, Colo.
CMA Radio Station of the Year
Major Market
KMLE – Phoenix, Ariz.
KNIX – Phoenix, Ariz.
WKKT – Charlotte/Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, SC
WMZQ – Washington, DC
WYCD – Detroit, Mich.
Large Market
KASE – Austin, Texas
KVET – Austin, Texas
WFMS – Indianapolis, Ind.
WQDR – Raleigh/Durham, NC
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market
KATM – Modesto, Calif.
KFDI – Wichita, Kan.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, NY
WYRK – Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY
Small Market
KCLR -Columbia, Mo.
KUAD – Ft. Collins/Greeley, Colo.
WKSF – Asheville, NC
WKXC – Augusta, Ga.
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
CMA Nominations Revealed
/by Freeman(L-R): Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift each earned five CMA Award nominations, and will all vie for the Entertainer trophy.
This is a huge step forward for Aldean, who earned first-time nominations in five categories including the coveted Entertainer prize, as well as Male Vocalist, Album, Single and Musical Event. Aldean’s two prior nominations are for the Horizon Award in 2007, and in 2008 when the category changed names to CMA New Artist of the Year.
For the sixth year, the announcement of the final nominees in five of the 12 categories was made live on ABC News’ Good Morning America with The Band Perry and Jake Owen delivering the news from the heart of New York City’s Times Square. Finalists in the other seven categories were announced by Jerrod Niemann, and CMA Vocal Duo and New Artist of the Year nominees Thompson Square from the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, which was home to the first broadcast of the CMA Awards in 1968.
Broadcast Awards finalists were also revealed at the Ryman, click here to see the list.
The 45th Annual CMA Awards air live on ABC November 9, 2011.
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year
The Band Perry
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Thompson Square
Chris Young
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band
Album of the Year (Award to Artist and Producer(s))
All About Tonight, Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks, Warner Bros. Nashville
My Kinda Party, Jason Aldean, Produced by Michael Knox, Broken Bow Records
Speak Now, Taylor Swift, Produced by Nathan Chapman and Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records
This Is Country Music, Brad Paisley, Produced by Frank Rogers, Arista Nashville
You Get What You Give, Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown, Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records
Single of the Year (Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
“A Little Bit Stronger” Sara Evans, Produced by Tony Brown, RCA Nashville
“Colder Weather” Zac Brown Band, Produced by Keith Stegall and Zac Brown,
Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Produced by Michael Knox, Broken Bow Records
“Honey Bee” Blake Shelton, Produced by Scott Hendricks, Warner Bros. Nashville
“If I Die Young” The Band Perry, Produced by Paul Worley, Republic Nashville
Song of the Year
“Colder Weather,” Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, and Coy Bowles
“Dirt Road Anthem,” Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford
“If I Die Young,” Kimberly Perry
“Mean,” Taylor Swift
“You and Tequila,” Matraca Berg and Deana Carter
Musical Event of the Year
“As She’s Walking Away” Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson, Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records
“Coal Miner’s Daughter” Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, and Miranda Lambert, Columbia Records Nashville
“Don’t You Wanna Stay” Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Broken Bow Records
“Old Alabama” Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, Arista Nashville
“You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, BNA Records
Vocal Duo of the Year
Civil Wars
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland
Thompson Square
Music Video of the Year
“Honey Bee” Blake Shelton, Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“If I Die Young” The Band Perry, Directed by David McClister
“Mean” Taylor Swift, Directed by Declan Whitebloom
“Old Alabama” Brad Paisley featuring Alabama, Directed by Jim Shea
“You and Tequila” Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, Directed by Shaun Silva
Musician of the Year
Sam Bush – Mandolin
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dann Huff – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar
The Lost Trailers – Underdog
/by ProgrammerPlaylistThe Lost Trailers, Stokes Nielson & Jason Wyatt
The Lost Trailers are back! The country music duo founded by songwriter/producer Stokes Nielson, launch “Underdog” to country radio this week for a September 19th impact date.
Nielson’s first record using the Lost Trailers name was The Story of the New Age Cowboy, which Willie Nelson discovered in 2000 and offered the chance to perform at his 4th of July picnic.
Following that performance, The Lost Trailers ascended from a hard-touring regional act to Top 20 hits on radio, snagging three ACM nominations, and opening shows for Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jamey Johnson and many others. Most recently The Lost Trailers were featured on Tim McGraw’s tour with Lady Antebellum and then as part of the inaugural Country Throwdown Tour with Montgomery Gentry and Jamey Johnson. Nielson has also notched songwriting credits on Zac Brown Band’s double platinum album The Foundation.
In 2011, singer/songwriter Jason Wyatt joined Nielson as the second half of The Lost Trailers. A new release is forthcoming, part of which was recorded at Abbey Road with legendary producer, Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin). “Underdog” is the first single off that release.
http://thelosttrailers.com/
The Lost Trailers – Underdog
Artist News: Darius, Jake, Willie and More
/by Freeman• • • • •
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Willie Nelson has covered Coldplay’s song “The Scientist” as part of a campaign for burrito chain king Chipotle. While the matchup might seem strange, both Nelson and Chipotle are avowed proponents of sustainable agriculture and a portion of the song’s purchases on iTunes will benefit the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation. There is an accompanying animated video (see below) titled “Back To The Start,” where a farmer changes his business from an industrial farm to a sustainable, organic one.