Marlee Scott Goes Dancing • New Darrell Scott Disc • AJ Offers Free Concert

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Marlee Scott has released a dance mix of her country single “Beautiful Maybe” to over 240 DJs, club owners and dance instructors. The special high-energy version was remixed and produced by Allen Morgan. Listen to it here. The radio version was produced by David Kalmusky and written by Marcus Hummon, Tia Sillers and Tania Hancheroff. “I cannot wait to get out on the road and start playing my music for everyone!” says Scott, who grew up in Alberta, Canada. “There are parts of the U.S. that I’ve never been before, and I’m getting ready for my first official radio tour down here. I am so pumped to meet everyone at Country radio!”
 
 
Darrell Scott is set to release Long Ride Home, the artist’s seventh studio album, on Oct. 11. The self-produced, 16-track project was mixed by Ray Kennedy and will utilize the services of Thirty Tigers for marketing and distribution. According to Scott, the collection leverages his songwriting as a vehicle to revisit and pay tribute to the music of his youth. Scott has three Grammy nominations and an Americana Music Award. http://www.darrellscott.com/
 
 
 
 
Alan Jackson fans will have the chance to earn a free show in conjunction with the release of Jackson’s as yet unnamed album coming up this Fall. Fans will have until Oct. 10 to vote for their city at  http://eventful.com/alanjackson. Eventful works closely with partners in the entertainment and music industries to design and execute powerful social media marketing campaigns which engage consumers, generate critical data regarding local demand, drive awareness and generate ticket sales for movies, concerts, family shows and other live events. Eventful’s community of over 17 million registered users use Eventful to discover, promote, share and create events.
 

Full Scope Rebrands As Average Joe’s Management

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(L-R) CEO Ken Madson, and Manager Rusty Harmon

Full Scope Entertainment, the management home to Colt Ford, Ty Stone, and others, has partnered with Average Joe’s Entertainment label to form Average Joe’s Management.

The management firm was established in early 2009 by CEO Ken Madson. He explains, “Since its creation, Full Scope Entertainment has worked closely with Average Joe’s Entertainment. While this will not affect day-to-day management operations, this re-branding is part of a larger effort to grow Average Joe’s Entertainment and Average Joe’s Management.”

Shannon Houchins, CEO of the label, points out that the renaming emphasizes that the management company uses the label’s marketing resources for management clients regardless of whether or not they are signed to the record company.

In addition, Average Joe’s Management has hired Rusty Harmon, who brings with him management clients Bo Bice, Scarletta, and Nick Norman. Harmon got his start working with Hootie & The Blowfish, who went on to worldwide sales of more than 25 million.

Harmon has secured endorsement deals from Budweiser, Nike, BMW, and Gibson for his clients. From 1997-2000 he was President of the Atlantic imprint, Breaking Records.

“At a time when everyone in the music industry is talking about making changes in the way we conduct our business, Average Joe’s has actually done it,” Harmon shares. “I’m thrilled to be on board with such a progressive, aggressive, and proactive management company and record label.”

Additional Nashville management staffers include Houchins, Lex Lipsitz, Andrew Parvin, and Jamie Reeder.

Orlando McGhee will continue at the helm the Atlanta hub of the management company.

The Average Joe’s Management roster lists Anamul House, Bizarre, JB and The Moonshine Band, Nappy Roots, REHAB, Scarletta, Space Capone, The Lacs, Bo Bice, Lauren Briant, Lenny Cooper, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Colt Ford, Josh Gracin, Demun Jones, John Michael Montgomery, Nick Norman, Matt Stillwell, Ty Stone, and Morgan Strebler.

Average Joe’s offices are located at 209 10th Ave. S., Suite 337, Nashville, TN 37203. For additional information, visit www.averagejoesmanagement.com or call (615) 733-9983.

Average Joe’s Management Staff contact:

Ken Madson, ken@averagejoesent.com
Shannon Houchins, shannon@averagejoesent.com
Rusty Harmon, rusty@averagejoesent.com
Orlando McGhee, orlando@averagejoesent.com
Lex Lipsitz, lex@averagejoesent.com
Andrew Parvin, andrew@averagejoesent.com
Jamie Reeder, jamie@averagejoesent.com

Full Scope Rebrands As Average Joe's Management

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(L-R) CEO Ken Madson, and Manager Rusty Harmon


Full Scope Entertainment, the management home to Colt Ford, Ty Stone, and others, has partnered with Average Joe’s Entertainment label to form Average Joe’s Management.
The management firm was established in early 2009 by CEO Ken Madson. He explains, “Since its creation, Full Scope Entertainment has worked closely with Average Joe’s Entertainment. While this will not affect day-to-day management operations, this re-branding is part of a larger effort to grow Average Joe’s Entertainment and Average Joe’s Management.”
Shannon Houchins, CEO of the label, points out that the renaming emphasizes that the management company uses the label’s marketing resources for management clients regardless of whether or not they are signed to the record company.
In addition, Average Joe’s Management has hired Rusty Harmon, who brings with him management clients Bo Bice, Scarletta, and Nick Norman. Harmon got his start working with Hootie & The Blowfish, who went on to worldwide sales of more than 25 million.
Harmon has secured endorsement deals from Budweiser, Nike, BMW, and Gibson for his clients. From 1997-2000 he was President of the Atlantic imprint, Breaking Records.
“At a time when everyone in the music industry is talking about making changes in the way we conduct our business, Average Joe’s has actually done it,” Harmon shares. “I’m thrilled to be on board with such a progressive, aggressive, and proactive management company and record label.”
Additional Nashville management staffers include Houchins, Lex Lipsitz, Andrew Parvin, and Jamie Reeder.
Orlando McGhee will continue at the helm the Atlanta hub of the management company.
The Average Joe’s Management roster lists Anamul House, Bizarre, JB and The Moonshine Band, Nappy Roots, REHAB, Scarletta, Space Capone, The Lacs, Bo Bice, Lauren Briant, Lenny Cooper, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Colt Ford, Josh Gracin, Demun Jones, John Michael Montgomery, Nick Norman, Matt Stillwell, Ty Stone, and Morgan Strebler.
Average Joe’s offices are located at 209 10th Ave. S., Suite 337, Nashville, TN 37203. For additional information, visit www.averagejoesmanagement.com or call (615) 733-9983.
Average Joe’s Management Staff contact:
Ken Madson, ken@averagejoesent.com
Shannon Houchins, shannon@averagejoesent.com
Rusty Harmon, rusty@averagejoesent.com
Orlando McGhee, orlando@averagejoesent.com
Lex Lipsitz, lex@averagejoesent.com
Andrew Parvin, andrew@averagejoesent.com
Jamie Reeder, jamie@averagejoesent.com

The Dirt Drifters “Give Blood”

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Warner Bros. Records’ new band The Dirt Drifters will be giving away 30,000 copies of their debut album entitled This Is My Blood.

Beginning this week, the group will give fans exclusive physical copies of the album at all tour dates. Fans will actually receive two copies of the CD packaged together and separated by a perforation. The Dirt Drifters are recruiting their fans to “get blood” and “give blood” by keeping one disc for themselves and passing along the second album to a friend. Produced by Justin Niebank, the album features their new single “Always A Reason.”

“For us it is all about the music and we want to get it out there,” says lead singer and guitarist Matt Fleener. “We are not asking for anything in return. If you like what you hear, then tear it and pass it along.” Vocalist and guitarist Ryan Fleener adds, “We are so excited for this opportunity and have to give a huge shout out to our label President, John Esposito, for making our dream of sharing our music a reality!”

The band, composed of lead singer/guitarist Matt Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Ryan Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Jeff Middleton, bassist Jeremy Little and drummer Nick Diamond, will be kicking off their “Always A Reason” tour this September.

For more information on The Dirt Drifters and their upcoming shows, visit www.TheDirtDrifters.com.

The Dirt Drifters "Give Blood"

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Warner Bros. Records’ new band The Dirt Drifters will be giving away 30,000 copies of their debut album entitled This Is My Blood.
Beginning this week, the group will give fans exclusive physical copies of the album at all tour dates. Fans will actually receive two copies of the CD packaged together and separated by a perforation. The Dirt Drifters are recruiting their fans to “get blood” and “give blood” by keeping one disc for themselves and passing along the second album to a friend. Produced by Justin Niebank, the album features their new single “Always A Reason.”

“For us it is all about the music and we want to get it out there,” says lead singer and guitarist Matt Fleener. “We are not asking for anything in return. If you like what you hear, then tear it and pass it along.” Vocalist and guitarist Ryan Fleener adds, “We are so excited for this opportunity and have to give a huge shout out to our label President, John Esposito, for making our dream of sharing our music a reality!”

The band, composed of lead singer/guitarist Matt Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Ryan Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Jeff Middleton, bassist Jeremy Little and drummer Nick Diamond, will be kicking off their “Always A Reason” tour this September.
For more information on The Dirt Drifters and their upcoming shows, visit www.TheDirtDrifters.com.

Country Brings Value To Fill Stadiums

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Are country acts stadium ready? You bet, according to an L.A. Times article today by Nashville’s Holly Gleason which touts country music’s ability to attract fans to these larger-than-life gatherings. By example the article names Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and the CMA’s MusicFest as four stadium-size country shows all happening on the same recent June weekend.
Louis Messina, Messina Group CEO tells the Times, “Country artists are fan-friendly, and that transcends what’s onstage to the price, the vibe, what goes on all day. They put out the welcome sign: Come into the party. Let’s have fun.”
“Value, value, value,” agrees Live Nation President of Country Touring Brian O’Connell.
The article notes that supporting a stadium show requires more than just selling tickets. “You need enough music to sustain that kind of show,” notes Manager Clarence Spalding.
Respected record industry veteran Joe Galante adds, “Touring is how acts build, and stadiums are like jet fuel: It’s hyperspeed, more opportunities, more excitement. If you do 10 stadium shows, you’ve just played to a half-million fans. That’s more than some acts play to all year.”
Read the complete article here.
 

Buds-N-Suds Concert, Miller Harris Tournament

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The Buds-N-Suds Music Festival will turn midtown Nashville into a party with performances by Colt Ford, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Matt Stillwell and special guests Montgomery Gentry. The show is set for Thus., Sept. 15 outside Loser’s Bar and Grill. There will also be a silent auction.
Cory Gierman and Jason Krupek started the fundraiser to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation fourteen years ago and have since raised over $200,000.
Presented by The Big 98 WSIX and Average Joe’s Entertainment, tickets are available at WSIX.com (keyword: budsnsuds) for $15, or the day of show at Loser’s for $20. VIP tickets include special seating, drinks and appetizers.
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The 12th Annual Miller Harris Golf Tournament will be held Sept. 12 at Temple Hills in Franklin, Tenn. Registration for teams and individuals is open at www.millerharrisfoundation.org. Volunteers are also needed at the event which raises money for Asthma Camp for Kids..
Several writer rounds will also benefit the Miller Harris foundation:
Tonight (8/11) at The Listening Room with Mason Douglas, Josh Osborne, Matt Jenkins and Shane McAnally
Tues., Aug. 23 at the Bluebird Cafe—6:00 pm show with Lance Miller, Rob Hatch, Dallas Davidson, and Jason Sellers
8:30 pm with Jim McBride, Keith Stegall, Stewart Harris and Mark Collie

Opry Member Billy Grammer Passes

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Billy Grammer


Grand Ole Opry member Billy Grammer passed away early this morning in his home state of Illinois from natural causes. Grammer, 85, was a revered guitarist and had been a member of the Opry since 1959.
Grammer was born one of 13 children in an Illinois coal mining family. After high school and service in the Army, Grammer heard of a possible opening with Connie B. Gay, a disc jockey and promoter in the Washington, D.C., area. He hitchhiked to Arlington, Virginia, auditioned, and got the job.
His skills as a musician won him stints in the bands of artists such as Hawkshaw Hawkins and Grandpa Jones and a sideman role on Jimmy Dean’s television show. He then formed his own band and began performing as a solo artist. In early 1959, he recorded his memorable hit “Gotta Travel On.” Its million-selling success led to Opry membership that same year. It was a crossover pop hit adapted from a then 150-year-old British folk tune which was the first hit for Monument Records and its founder Fred Foster.
Grammer was an in-demand session picker for Eddy Arnold, Louis Armstrong and Patti Page. “Musicians I have talked to through the years have told me that I have a little extra punch, a little extra push,” he once said. During the 1960s, Grammer developed the flat-top Grammer Guitar, and donated the original model to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Grammer was devoutly religious and delivered the invocation for the Grand Ole Opry House opening in 1974. He and wife Ruth celebrated his 50th Opry anniversary at the show in February 2009.
Funeral Arrangements:
Morton & Johnston Funeral Home
410 S. Main Street
Benton, IL 62812
Phone Number: (618) 438-0311
Friday, Aug. 12: Visitation 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 13: Funeral Service @ 11:00 a.m. at the Morton & Johnson Funeral Home

Hunter Hayes To Make Opry Debut

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Multi-talented musician, writer, producer and performer Hunter Hayes makes his Grand Ole Opry debut on the historic stage this Friday, Aug 12.
Hunter, on tour with Taylor Swift on her Speak Now tour, will perform his debut single “Storm Warning” currently climbing the charts. Hunter joins Diamond Rio, Andy Griggs and Carter’s Chord in the line-up for Friday’s show.
“Being invited to play the Grand Ole Opry is like having the doors in country music open for you. Just the invitation to perform on the Opry feels like initiation into a family of artists I have looked up to and have studied my entire life,” says Hunter. “The cherry on top is that I get to play the same night as Diamond Rio!”
Hayes co-produced his Atlantic Records album with veteran producer Dann Huff, wrote or co-wrote every song, and played every instrument. The Louisiana raised multi-instrumentalist plays acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, keys and more.

Just In—Dates Set For CMA Noms, ASCAP Awards

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Final nominees for the CMA Awards will be revealed Tues., Sept. 6. Details have not been announced.

• The Second Ballot for the CMA Awards is open now through Aug. 23, 5:00 PM/CT
• Final ballot runs Oct. 14— Nov. 1, 5:00 PM/CT
• The 45th Annual CMA Awards will be presented Nov. 9.
 
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ASCAP’s 49th Annual Country Music Awards are set for Sun., Nov. 6, at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland.
After being held in September for the last several years, this date change moves the invitation-only event back to Awards Week. The Sunday night celebration will be the first of several ceremonies leading up to the Nov. 9 CMA Awards.
Highlighted by performances, the event will honor ASCAP’s most performed country songs from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011, as well as Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter/Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year.
“We are thrilled to be honoring the songwriters, publishers and artists behind the biggest hits in country music at one of Nashville’s treasured venues, as the much-loved resort gets back on its feet,” said Tim DuBois, Vice President and Managing Executive, ASCAP Nashville.
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Previously announced Awards Week events:
Mon., Nov. 7 —
SESAC Nashville Music Awards (invitation only)
Tues., Nov. 8 —BMI Country Awards (invitation only)
Wed., Nov. 9 —CMA Awards air live (8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville