Cyrus Inks With Paradigm; Kimberly June Joins Tom-Leis

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Billy Ray Cyrus


Paradigm Talent Agency has signed Billy Ray Cyrus who is planning the summer release of his twelfth album I’m American. The project will have patriotic songs, including a new version of his hit “Some Gave All” featuring Jamey Johnson, Craig Morgan, and Darryl Worley. Cyrus will also star in the upcoming TLC series Homecoming, in which he will greet troops returning from overseas deployment.
Cyrus’ has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, including Some Gave All, which spent 34 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Country Album chart. More recently he has focused on acting on Disney Channel’s hit series Hannah Montana and The PAX series Doc.
In March, Cyrus announced more changes to his team.

Paradigm has 110 agents in Los Angeles, New York City, Monterey, California, and Nashville.
For Cyrus, contact Paradigm’s Greg Janese at gjanese@paradigmagency.com, or Bob Kinkead at bkinkead@paradigmagency.com.
• • • • •
Songwriter Kimberly June recently signed with Tom-Leis Music. The publishing company’s team celebrated last week at the Key West Songwriters’ Festival.

(L-R): BMI's Leslie Roberts, Love Monkey/Tom-Leis songplugger Penny Lou Everhard, Tom-Leis catalog mgr/songwriter Kimberly June, Tom-Leis partner Leslie T. DiPiero, Tom-Leis songwriter Sarah Buxton, Love Monkey songwriter Bob DiPiero, Tom-Leis/Victoria Shaw Songs writer Amada Flynn, Corn Man Music songwriter Caitlyn Smith


 
 

Genovese Launches Music City Sports and Entertainment Group

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Tammy Genovese has launched Music City Sports and Entertainment Group, LLC in Nashville, where she will serve as CEO. The company will focus on creating partnerships for sports franchises, artists and athletes, events, and major corporate brands.
“I am excited about the opportunity to launch my own company, Music City SEG,” says Genovese. “I have many friends and supporters that have helped make this possible! Our team is the best, and we look forward to successful working relationships with our friends in the music industry, as well as our new clients in the sports world.”
Genovese was most recently President of music channel The Country Network. Prior to that she spent 25 years with the Country Music Association, where she served as COO and CEO for the last five years of her tenure.
With the formation of Music City SEG, Genovese has tapped Dave Pritchett as VP Business Development. Pritchett previously served as Dir. of Business Development for Ignited, LLC, as well as held marketing positions with TBA Global Events, Gaylord Entertainment and The Walt Disney Company.
Music City Sports and Entertainment Group’s offices are located at 1221 6th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37208. Reach Genovese at tgenovese@musiccityseg.com or 615-238-0287. Email Pritchett at dpritchett@musiccityseg.com.

Cumulus Hosts Operation Tornado Relief Today

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95.5FM and Nashville’s Cumulus Media radio stations are spearheading “Operation Tornado Relief” today (5/4). A semi-truck is being loaded with supplies for Tuscaloosa, AL in the cluster’s parking lot at 10 Music Circle East, Nashville, TN 37203. Drop-offs began at 6 AM during the Rick & Beth morning show, and will last until 7 PM.
Requested supplies include flashlights / lanterns, batteries, plastic storage bins, tarps / plastic sheeting, 5 gallon buckets, cleaning supplies, first aid kits, hand sanitizer, baby wipes / diapers, baby formula, dog food, large boxes, work gloves and packing tape. Details here.
The truck will head to Alabama tomorrow morning.

One of Lyda’s vehicles destroyed by the storm.


•••••
The devastating storms and tornado that roared through Alabama hit Davis Music Group artist Jacob Lyda and his family hard.
While no one was injured, Lyda and his family suffered major property damage to several structures and vehicles in their town of Stevenson, AL.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (5/04/11)

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Charlie Sizemore


It’s high time we checked in with country music’s kissin’ cousins in bluegrass.
A look at the current Bluegrass Unlimited chart shows that there are lots and lots of new faces popping up with popular tunes. Alongside the field’s superstars such as Rhonda Vincent, Alison Krauss and Peter Rowan are a number of up-and-comers. In fact, there are several on the BU chart who are there with debut CDs, including The Boxcars, who win this column’s DisCovery Award.
Lonesome River Band is still doing excellent work. Balsam Range is demonstrating promised fulfilled with its second outing. The amazing and legendary Bobby Osborne can still lift the top of your skull off.
But for sheer vocal class, superb instrumental backing and superior song selection, you simply cannot beat Middle Tennessean Charlie Sizemore. He has the peerless Disc of the Day. If you buy just one bluegrass platter, this is absolutely the One.
JUNIOR SISK & RAMBLERS CHOICE/Train Without a Track
Writer: Tom T. Hall/Dixie Hall; Producer: Wes Easter & Ramblers Choice; Publisher: Good Home Grown Music, BMI; Rebel (track) (www.juniorsiskandramblerschoice.com)
—This tune is perched at No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. Junior is a big ol’ boy with a big ol’ tenor voice, and he uses it well on this uptempo, busted-heart tune. His Heartaches and Dreams CD actually has two songs on the chart, the other being the scampering “Working Hard Ain’t Hardly Working Anymore.”
LONESOME RIVER BAND/Record Time Machine
Writer: Marvin E. Clark; Producer: Lonesome River Band; Publisher: Whoville, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.lonesomeriverband.com)
—I’m a big fan of this band. Its flawless harmony singing and deft instrumental work simply flow over this nostalgic song about the sounds from an old phonograph record player. The evocative performance is lodged at No. 2 on BU’s chart. The Still Learning CD also includes covers of Merle Haggard’s “Red Bandana” and Mel Tillis’s “Goodbye Wheeling” done bluegrass style.
BALSAM RANGE/Trains I Missed
Writer: Walt Wilkins/Gilles Godard/Nicole Witt; Producer: Balsam Range; Publisher: Garage Door/Mike Curb/Curb Congregation, BMI/SESAC; Mountain Home (track) (www.balsamrange.com)
—In the No. 3 slot is the title tune of the second album by Balsam Range. It’s a perfectly lovely, mellow, lilting performance. Lead singer Buddy Melton has a heart-tugging, folkie quality that I find immensely appealing. The band’s instrumental chops are also outstanding.
STEVE GULLEY & TIM STAFFORD/How Did That Turn Into My Problem
Writer: Tim Stafford/Steve Gulley; Producer: Steve Gulley & Tim Stafford; Publisher: Daniel House/Gulley’s Curve, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—This team cowrote all the songs on their Dogwood Winter CD. This wry, bitter, bluesy ditty is a top-10 success in the bluegrass world.
BRAND NEW STRINGS/Merry Go Round
Writer: Alan Johnston; Producer: Steve Gulley; Publisher: Weaver of Words, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) ()
—This new band is on the BU chart with this snarky, zippy performance. Vocally, Brand New Strings has that classic, pinched, nasal, high-lonesome sound. Hard core hillbilly.
THE BOXCARS/December 13th
Writer: William Keith Garrett; Producer: The Boxcars; Publisher: Setacoo, BMI; Mountain Home (track) (www.theboxcars.com)
—The Boxcars are also new on the scene, although several of its members have had high profiles in other bands. Lead singer Garrett has a real flair for story telling, based on this debut bluegrass hit by the group. Murder with a banjo beat.
FRANK SOLIVAN & DIRTY KITCHEN/Driftin’ Apart
Writer: Frank Solivan; Producer: Frank Solivan & Brent Truitt; Publisher: Fiddlemon, BMI; Fiddlemon (track) (www.dirtykitchenband.com)
—Lead singer and mandolinist Solivan wrote all but three of the songs on his band’s third album for his indie Fiddlemon imprint. This lickety-split outing features his strong tenor singing plus dazzling banjo runs by Mike Munford.
VALERIE SMITH/Blame it on the Bluegrass
Writer: Elizabeth Shrum/Becky Buller; Producer: Becky Buller; Publisher: Goodnight Sparky, BMI; Bell Buckle (track) (www.valeriesmithonline.com)
—As her label name indicates, Ms. Smith is a native of Bell Buckle, TN, which is southwest of Murfreesboro. She’s one of the up-and-coming female voices in bluegrass because of her yearning delivery. The lonesome sound of the title tune to her current, six-song collection comes largely from her emotional vocal plus the fiddling of producer and co-writer Buller. The CD is the first to be recorded at the International Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, KY.
CHARLIE SIZEMORE/No Lawyers in Heaven
Writer: Paul Craft/Billy Edd Wheeler; Producer: Charlie Sizemore; Publisher: Paul Craft/Dennis Morgan/Blue Duck, BMI/ASCAP; Rounder (track) (www.charliesizemoreband.com)
—Sizemore IS a lawyer, which makes this all the more delightful. The dobro of Matt DeSpain drawls right along with Charlie’s tongue-in-cheek delivery of this divorce ditty. If this ain’t a hit, I’ve never heard one. It’s a track from his Heartache Looking for Home album, which I heartily recommend.
BOBBY OSBORNE & PATTY LOVELESS/Memories
Writer: Bobby Osborne; Producer: Glen Duncan, Bobby Osborne & Bobby Osborne Jr.; Publisher: Sure Fire, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.ruralrhythm.com)
—This is the title tune of a CD that celebrates Bobby’s 60th anniversary as a professional entertainer. At age 79 (80 in December), this Bluegrass Hall of Famer still has a breath-taking, pitch-perfect, arrow-of-truth tenor delivery. Fellow Grand Ole Opry star Patty packs a punch as his harmony foil, too. In a word, awesome.

Reasons To Celebrate

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BMI toasted the team behind Blake Shelton’s latest No. 1, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” on Thursday, April 28 at the organization’s Music Row office. Written by John Wiggins and Bud Lee, the song marks Shelton’s eighth chart-topper, as well as a triumphant return to the top for veteran hit-makers Wiggins and Lee.

(L-R): Warner Music Group’s Kelli Cashiola, producer Scott Hendricks, BMI’s Jody Williams, Blake Shelton, Notewrite Music’s Pauline Andrews, and co-writers Bud Lee and John Wiggins. Photo: Steve Lowry

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Warner Bros. Records’ guitar slinging newcomer Frankie Ballard had reason to celebrate when he warmed up the sold-out crowds at two events at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena recently. He opened for Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger on April 21, and again on April 24 at the Predators game where he performed the national anthem on electric guitar. Ballard’s current single “A Buncha Girls” is from his self-titled debut set for release May 24. This month he will open for Taylor Swift on select dates.

(L-R): Warner Music Nashville President & CEO John Esposito, and Frankie Ballard at the Bob Seger show

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Over two decades after its release, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s (NGDB) classic “Fishin’ in the Dark” is still setting records. Released digitally in 2009, the song has been certified Gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 downloads. “Fishin’ in the Dark” was a monster hit for NGDB in 1987. Band member Jeff Hanna says, “‘Fishin’ in the Dark’ seems to have a life of its own and has certainly become a signature song for us over the years. We love that this song has become a summer anthem and continues to appeal to new audiences year after year.” In its fourth decade, NGDB is currently on an extensive North American Tour.

Two John Rich Six Paks On The Way

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John Rich will get the Six Pak treatment on May 17, when Warner Bros. Records releases his latest project Rich Rocks. The recording includes his single “Country Done Come To Town” as well as five other high energy tracks and guests Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr. and Lil Jon.
Also available May 17 is Rich’s For The Kids Six Pak, which pays tribute to the families and friends of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A portion of the proceeds from sales of For The Kids will go to support St. Jude.
Rich is currently one of six remaining contestants on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, where he is competing on behalf of St. Jude. The show airs Sundays at 8 pm CT, and the finale will air May 22.
Track Listing for Rich Rocks:
1. Country Done Come to Town
2. You Had Me From Hell No (feat. Lil Jon)
3. Mack Truck (feat. Kid Rock)
4. You Rock Me
5. Texas (feat. Cowboy Troy)
6. Let Somebody Else Drive (feat. Hank Williams, Jr.)
Track Listing for For the Kids:
1. For the Kids
2. Thank God for Kids
3. Where Angels Hang Around
4. She’s a Butterfly
5. Simplify
6. Rescue Me

Natalie Kilgore Joins George P. Johnson Marketing

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Natalie Kilgore


Natalie Kilgore has begun her new gig as Sr. Publicist for George P. Johnson (Nashville). Known as GPJ, the marketing company works with numerous global brands through its over 23 international offices. In the last year has worked with country stars Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band’s successful Letters for Lyrics campaign for RAM Trucks.
Advertising Age’s Annual Agency Report just named GPJ the number one event marketing agency for the second year in a row. The report reinforces the importance of live, participatory experiences—online, on devices or through physical events— for marketing and building brand loyalty.
Kilgore was most recently publicist for Big Machine Label Group. She can be reached at her new office at Natalie.Kilgore@gpj.com or 615-768-3228.

"A Little Bit Stronger" At No. 1

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Sara Evans scored the fifth No. 1 single of her career recently with “A Little Bit Stronger.” She was in Key West, Florida with the RCA promotion staff when they received the news.
The track written by Hillary Scott, Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey has already been certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 paid downloads.
Evans says, “This song has had the biggest emotional response of any other single I’ve ever released. I’m humbled and overwhelmed. This is my dream and the passion and desire has never gone away; it was just put on hold for a little while. I feel very thankful and grateful to so many people right now: country radio, my fans and the music industry.”

(L-R): RCA promotion team Matt Galvin, Steve Pleshe, Josh Easler, Evans, Keith Gale, Norbert Nix, Liz Sledge, Parker Fowler, and Dan Nelson. Photo: Alan Mayor

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Hillary Scott also celebrated the song reaching the top of the charts yesterday (5/2) during Lady Antebellum rehearsals in Nashville. Her bandmates Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley surprised her with a mini No. 1 celebration for her first chart topping song as a songwriter outside of Lady A.

(L-R): Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley

Little Big Town Tour Provides Music Lessons For Kids

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Little Big Town’s tour is helping provide music lessons for children through the “Road Trips and Guitar Picks” initiative, sponsored by Country Financial. The band’s April 16 show at Bridgestone Arena with Sugarland will fund 2,000 music lessons for children at Nashville’s WO Smith Music School. Fans who visit facebook.com/tripsandpicks can enter to win LBT prizes.

Back row (L-R): Country Financial’s Corey Hodges; Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook; W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School’s Jonah Rabinowitz; Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, and Phillip Sweet; Front row (L-R): W.O. Smith Students

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Legendary songwriters Don Schlitz and John Ford Coley have been added to tonight’s (5/3) ReTune Nashville Anniversary concert. The flood relief benefit at Soundcheck will also feature The Harters, Keith Anderson, Chad Warrix, Craig Wayne Boyd, and Australian guitar phenomenon Joe Robinson, with GAC’s Nan Kelley as host. Tickets are $40 at the door. Doors open at 5:30 and the music begins at 6:30. More than 70 pieces of art made from flood damaged instruments will be up for auction.

Jason Sturgeon played in Winston Salem, NC and visited WPAW, The Wolf 93.1. (L-R): WPAW's Charley McCain, Jason Sturgeon and WPAW PD Randy Bliss

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Toolpusher recording artist Jason Sturgeon scored a sponsorship from Jägermeister for his 2011 summer Rolling On Tour. The outing launched last weekend and hits more than six cities through the end of May, including Pensacola, FL; Johnson City, TN; Indianapolis, IN; and Lynchburg, VA.

• • • • •

Head to the Country Music Hall of Fame for Cookin’ Out Country, an outdoor lunch going on Wednesdays in May. Performing will be Richie McDonald (5/4), Darryl Worley (5/11), and Bryan White (5/25). Music from 11:45-12:15.

 
 

Twain To Surprise Oprah Audience With CMA Music Fest Trip

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Shania Twain will appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show today (5/3) to give her first television interview in over five years. In the interview she will discuss the release of her autobiography From This Moment On, which hits stores today, and her upcoming Oprah Winfrey Network series Why Not? With Shania Twain.
Twain will also surprise Winfrey’s studio audience with two-day passes (for June 9-10) to the 2011 CMA Music Festival, including accommodations at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. To top it off, Twain will host a private brunch for the lucky audience members upon their visit to Nashville.
Why Not? With Shania Twain premiers on OWN this Sunday, May 8. Twain also has upcoming visits planned with The Today Show (5/4), The Ellen DeGeneres Show (5/12) and The Talk (5/18).