BMI Presents Annual Christian Awards

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The evening's top winners. Pictured are (l-r): BMI's Phil Graham and Jody Williams; Universal Music Publishing's Dale Mathews; Songwriters of the Year Rodney Griffin, TobyMac and Bo Rinehart; Song of the Year writer Scott Krippayne; and BMI's Beth Laird and Mike O'Neill. Photo by John Russell


BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year’s most-performed songs on Christian radio and television during the annual Christian Music Awards, held last night (4/4) at the company’s Music Row offices in Nashville. Among the evening’s top honorees were Rodney Griffin, tobyMac, Needtobreathe’s Bo Rinehart, Scott Krippayne and Universal Music Publishing Group.
Genre-jumping star tobyMac shared his second consecutive Christian Songwriter of the Year crown with southern gospel favorite Rodney Griffin and pop-savvy rockers Needtobreathe’s Bo Rinehart.

Scott Krippayne performs BMI Christian Song of the Year “What Faith Can Do." Photo by John Russell


“What Faith Can Do” earned Christian Song of the Year honors for its creative team. Written by Scott Krippayne and published by Pirk Music, the song was recorded by alt-rock outfit Kutless.
With five songs in the most-performed list, Universal Music Publishing Group was named Christian Publisher of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.
The awards ceremony also saluted the late Christian music industry legend Don Butler with a special tribute.
The evening was hosted by BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, Jody Williams, along with Senior Director Thomas Cain and Director Beth Laird, of BMI’s Nashville Writer/Publisher Relations Department.
Guests and honorees also enjoyed performances by Triumphant Quartet and Sidewalk Prophets.
A complete list of the 2011 BMI Christian Award winners is available at www.bmi.com.

Universal Music Publishing celebrates its fourth consecutive BMI Christian Publisher of the Year title. Pictured are (l-r): Universal Music Group’s Stacey Wilbur, Eric Hurt, Dale Mathews, Leslie Linebaugh, and John Andrade. Photo by John Russell


The 2011 BMI Christian Songwriters of the Year. Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Jody Williams; Songwriters of the Year Rodney Griffin, Bo Rinehart and TobyMac; and BMI’s Beth Laird. Photo by John Russell


 

Jayne Rogovin Benefit, Hats Across The Row Today

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>>>Kick the Crap Outta Cancer, a benefit for publicist Janye Rogovin, will be held tonight, Tuesday, April 5, from 6-10 PM at Cabana. Among the performers will be Raul Malo, Jim Lauderdale, Steve Cropper, Foster & Lloyd, Sam & Ruby, Mandy Barnett, Peter Cooper & Eric Brace, Seth Walker, James Intveld, and Matt Urmy. Tickets ($50) include an open bar and giant auction. 100% of the proceeds go to Rogovin’s medical fund at SunTrust Bank. Details on tickets and donations here. Tickets also available tonight at the door. Read more about Rogovin’s story in the Nashville Scene.
>>>Hats Across The Row, a series of fundraisers for the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation, will launch today (4/5) with a kick-off parade featuring the Hillwood High School Band. The parade starts at 4 PM and lands at a block party at Big Loud Shirt from 4:30-6:30 PM. Spearheading the campaign are Tinti Moffatt and Ree Guyer Buchanan. More info here.
>>>Kacey Jones and Jesse Goldberg will perform at a benefit for the Zoe Marie Brain Tumor Research Fund, to fight brain cancer in children on Thursday, April 7, 6 PM at Modern Nash Furniture Supply.
>>>Jo Dee Messina will lead the Sat., April 9 St. Jude Music Row Road Race. This year’s race will start and finish at the Walk of Fame Park, across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Details here.

Pictured (L-R): Lynn Bogle, chief development officer for the Rescue Mission; Mark Sullivan, GM of Cumulus Nashville; and Cliff Tredway, director of communications and marketing at the Mission


>>>Cumulus Nashville’s 5th Annual Radiothon raised about $100,000 for the Nashville Rescue Mission. The cluster’s five stations (SuperTalk 99.7-WTN; 92Q Nashville’s Big Station-WQQK; 95.5- FM WSM; Classic Hits 97.1 WRQQ; and i106-All the Hits-WNFN) went commercial-free from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. recently and listeners called in pledges ranging from one meal ($2.26) to thousands of dollars.
 

SOURCE Announces 2011 Honorees

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The SOURCE Awards committee has announced its 2011 honorees, whose achievements will be celebrated at the SOURCE Awards, August 25, 2011 at Nashville’s Noah Liff Opera Center.
The 2011 SOURCE Awards honorees are Roberta Edging (Eddy Arnold Enterprises), Millie Kirkham (WSM Radio, Tree Music Publishing, Legendary Background Vocalist), Barbara Orbison (Barbara Orbison Productions, Roy Orbison Music, Pretty Woman Perfume), Evelyn Shriver (Evelyn Shriver Public Relations, Asylum Records, Bandit Records), Janice Erickson Wendell (Noble Dury, Erickson Advertising), plus a posthumous recognition for Georgia Twitty Chellman (Gospel Jubilee, Music City Hotline, Veeson Travel, Tennessee T-Cake).

On March 25, the SOURCE Awards committee held a luncheon at The Palm for its 2011 honorees. Pictured (L-R): Back: SOURCE members Karen Conrad, Judy Harris, Pat Rolfe, Judi Turner. Front: 2011 Honorees Roberta Edging and Millie Kirkham

Rich Raises Big Bucks For St. Jude On Celeb Apprentice

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John Rich accepts a $5000 donation for St. Jude's on behalf of Trace Adkins.


John Rich was given project manager duties on last night’s (4/3) episode of Celebrity Apprentice, where he rallied friends including previous CA contestant Trace Adkins to line up big donations.
The show’s two teams made art and auctioned it off to benefit their respective charities; Rich’s team was working for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Rich proclaimed to his teammates, “Boys you better turn your umbrellas inside-out ‘cause it’s about to start raining money.”
Adkins, currently overseas on a USO tour, sent Rich’s team $5000. Other Rich associates offered $50,000 for a cowboy hat, and another $50,000 for a pair of cowboy boots. He also sold an Apprentice Gibson guitar that he hand-decorated for a whopping $470,000. Among his compadres who arrived in NYC for the event were Two Foot Fred, Big Six and Charlie.
Donald Trump told the teams that no one in show history has ever raised—even in an entire season—the amount that they raised during that one task.

Nashville Goes Vegas: ACM Party Pics [updated 4/5]

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Show Dog-Universal Music hosted a brunch during the weekend festivities surrounding the ACM Awards. Guests were treated to food at Craftsteak while SDU artists performed.

Pictured (L-R): Brad Howell, VP National Promotion, SDU; JT Hodges; Joe Nichols; Becky Robertson, Carter's Chord; SDU President Mark Wright; Emily and Joanna Robertson, Carter's Chord; Randy Houser and Rick Moxley, VP Promotion, SDU.

• • • • •

Sony Music Nashville hosted a private dinner following the awards. The label group celebrated numerous performances and wins including Brad Paisley’s record fifth consecutive Male Vocalist honor, and Miranda Lambert’s leading four trophies.

Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville VP Sales Kerri Fox-Metoyer; artists Bradley Gaskin, Carrie Underwood, Casey James, and Miranda Lambert; Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; Chris Young, Sara Evans, and Jake Owen; Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Promotion Skip Bishop; Brad Paisley; and Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Marketing Paul Barnabee. Photo credit: Edyta Sokolowska / Exceed Photography

• • • • •

Capitol Records Nashville celebrated with artists and staff at a dinner at StripSteak. Lady Antebellum took home the awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year for their multi-platinum Need You Now.

Standing from (L-R): Phillip Sweet; Charles Kelley; Eric Church; Jimi Westbrook; Dierks Bentley; Alan Jackson (ACM Winner - Vocal Event of the Year); Capitol/EMI Nashville President and CEO, Mike Dungan; Eric Paslay; Troy Olsen; Dave Haywood; Luke Bryan; Capitol/EMI Nashville SVP, Promotion, Steve Hodges and Capitol/EMI Nashville COO, Tom Becci. Seated from (L-R): Jennette McCurdy; Karen Fairchild; Hillary Scott; Kimberly Schlapman; Darius Rucker; Walker Hayes and Capitol/EMI Nashville SVP, Marketing, Cindy Mabe. Photo credit: Rick Diamond

• • • • •

Last night Warner Music Nashville hosted its 2nd Annual ACM Cocktail Party at Shibuya on the City Walk at MGM. Blake Shelton debuted a new single on the awards show, which he co-hosted for the first time alongside Reba McEntire.

(L-R): Bob Reeves, VP of Promotion; Scott Hendricks, Sr. VP of A&R; John Esposito, President & CEO; Blake Shelton; Chris Stacey, Sr. VP of Promotion; and Peter Strickland, Sr. VP of Brand Management & Sales.

• • • • •

During ACM weekend in Las Vegas, Republic Nashville hosted a celebration for The Band Perry, whose self-titled debut album was certified Gold by the RIAA in February 2011 just four months after release. The event was held at the WME Suite at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay. The Band Perry went on to win New Artist of the Year at the following night’s ACM Awards show.

(L-R) President of Republic Nashville Jimmy Harnen, Neil Perry, Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta, Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry, and Manager Bob Doyle. Photo credit: Matthew Jeppsen/courtesy Republic Nashville


 
 

ACM Awards Win Ratings Race

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Miranda Lambert was the big winner at the ACM Awards.


The ACM Awards drew 12.2 million viewers last night (4/3), winning the ratings race for CBS, according to Zap2It.com. The 3-hour country music extravaganza won every hour, starting at 8PM/ET.
CBS far outpaced the next runner-up, ABC which attracted 8.3 million watchers. NBC followed with 6.5 million, and Fox came in with 4 million.
This year’s show was down slightly from last year’s viewership of 13 million.
By comparison, the Feb. 13 Grammy Awards, also on a Sunday night on CBS, drew 26.6 million total viewers, winning the night for the network.
Here’s a look at some of the most recent tallies from other ratings magnets:
• Super Bowl—111 million viewers (Nielsen), the most-watched telecast in U.S. history
• Oscars—41.3 million
• American Idol season finale—24.2 million
• CMA Awards—16.45 million

ACM Unleashes Niche Expanding Tour De Force

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The 3-hour 46th Academy of Country Music Awards was perhaps the best show this format has produced—ever.
Country superstars and rising newcomers were everywhere, blended with a liberal dose of off islander presenters to help drive ratings and exposure. Hollywood heartthrob Rob Pattinson, Nashville newlywed Reese Witherspoon, Idol icon Ryan Seacrest and more joined longtime host Reba McEntire and apprentice, Blake Shelton. This year’s telecast included two sold-out venues, the MGM theatre and Mandalay Bay. The sets were HD ready, with special kudos to the Emerald City-meets-Matrix backdrop which framed Sugarland and Jennifer Nettles’ heart stopping performance of, “Tonight.”
What makes a great award show? Arguably it should blend special moments, artistic performances, innovative ideas and snappy one liners in a momentum building mash that keeps viewers glued to the screen. So let’s break it down along those lines.
Special Moments
ACM’s team programmed five special moments into performance slots. Actually, there were six if you count the rerun of “Dysfunctional Family: The Judds” whose award presentation defied description, but was compelling like watching a trainwreck in slow motion.
Musically there was much to applaud. Alabama joined Brad Paisley (performing “Old Alabama”) whose incredible guitar picking prompted Blake Shelton to quip later in the show, “I wonder if Brad’s wife Kimberly is jealous of his guitar? If he plays that thang any harder he’s gonna get it pregnant.”
Zac Brown Band and James Taylor paired for a medley of “Colder Weather” and “Sweet Baby James.” Zac cites JT as one of his major influences, and that came across beautifully as the pair traded phrases and melodic turns.
Darius Rucker sang “Music From the Heart,” with 25 ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers, a place for children with developmental disabilities. The song, written by Brett James and Chris Young framed with the smiles, tears and obvious joy of the camper chorus was touching and authentic. Rucker made it sound beautiful while amplifying the song’s emotional message.
Jennifer Nettles joined Rihanna to sing the pop/R&B star’s latest single, “California King Bed.” The combination was eye catching, and Nettles slid into the role with little or no effort. The duo’s lack of chemistry kept this from bubbling to a full boil, but it was an inspired idea nonetheless.
And finally in the “Special Moment” department there was the ratings rocket surprise when Aerosmith’s/Idol judge Steven Tyler joined superstar/Idol alum Carrie Underwood to sing “Undo It” and Tyler’s signature “Walk This Way.” The chemistry here, could melt concrete and was like issuing any channel surfers in the crowd an official cease and desist notice.
Best Performances
It takes more than a half dozen or so special moments spread over three hours to keep a crowd’s attention, but that task was buoyed by an abundance of strong artist performances. In addition to highlights mentioned above, Taylor Swift, Ronnie Dunn, Keith Urban and Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” riveted attention.

Taylor Swift strummed a six string banjo using a backwoods Appalachian front porch as a setting to showcase “Mean.” Her band also played acoustic instruments and dressed “old timey.” The instrumentation and props gave the song a heavy traditional feel and altered a more edgy perspective from the CD recording. Swift, who won the fan-voted Entertainer of the Year later in the evening, is audaciously bold in her music and continues to surprise to the up side.
Innovative Ideas
The ACM deserves mention for exploring new ideas. Firstly, holding the event in two locations—MGM and Mandalay added scale, while allowing lots more Vegas ticket buyers to share in the event. Secondly, adding a co-host, if not a revolutionary idea in itself, was executed beautifully in the choice of Blake Shelton.
And let’s not forget the fan voting aspect of the show which ACM has pioneered for country music. The question must be asked, are these types of award shows about a sanctimonious body of industry voters handing down judgments? Or is it about engaging consumers more deeply across multiple channels while exposing the format’s best artists and music in a way that hopefully drives sales and excitement? You be the judge.
FutureCountry
“Someone said it’s been a great night for country music,” said Ryan Seacrest who presented the night’s top award. “I disagree. It’s been a great night for American music.” Seacrest, whose marketing expertise is self evident, framed the country format and Nashville’s issue nicely. To niche or not to niche, that is the question. Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and the ACM have already answered that question for themselves.

People Magazine Checks Out Country's Hottest Men

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The new issue of People Country salutes Country’s Hottest Men, with Keith Urban gracing the cover as “Country’s Hottest Guy.”
Other Nashville faves making the magazine’s pages are “Hottest Groom-to-Be” Blake Shelton, “Hottest Dad” Josh Turner, “Hottest Makeover” Chris Young and “Hottest Newcomers” Frankie Ballard, Walker Hayes, Brett Eldredge, and Brantley Gilbert.
Elsewhere the issue covers Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Jay DeMarcus, Joe Nichols, and Kix Brook’s USO trip to Afghanistan with songwriter Bob DiPiero.
And country’s girls aren’t completely left out, among the highlights are Kellie Pickler’s wedding album, and an interview with Sara Evans.
In conjunction with the issue, free downloads are being offered here.

Lambert Leads ACM Awards Winners List

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Lambert arrives on the red carpet.


Miranda Lambert continued her awards show winning streak last night (4/3), racking up four trophies at the Academy of Country Music Awards and becoming the evening’s most honored artist. She took home her second consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year award, as well as prizes for Single Record, Song, and Video.
Taylor Swift’s ever loyal fans voted her Entertainer of the Year, the night’s top honor. It was her first time taking home the ACM Entertainer award. She is the eighth and youngest female to receive the honor in its 40-year history. According to the Academy, nearly 600,000 fans cast votes in the category, a record breaking number for the prize which has been selected by fans instead of ACM members since 2008.
Lady Antebellum won Vocal Group for the second time in a row, as well as two honors for Album of the Year (both as artists and producers).
Brad Paisley scored his fifth consecutive win as Male Vocalist of the Year.
The ACM’s other fan-voted category, New Artist of the Year, also drew record setting votes. Nearly 155,000 consumers logged on via web or text, with the award going to The Band Perry.
Complete list below, winners in red.

Swift accepts Entertainer of the Year.


ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Toby Keith
• Miranda Lambert
• Brad Paisley
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban
TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack
TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• George Strait
• Keith Urban
TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• the JaneDear girls
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland
TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Randy Rogers Band
• The Band Perry
• Zac Brown Band
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• Need You Now – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by:  Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley
• The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson (Mercury)
Produced by: Arlis Albritton, Dave Cobb, The Kent Hardly Playboys
• Speak Now – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift
• Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Jon Randall Stewart
• You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin (Mercury)
Produced by: Carson Chamberlain
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry (Republic Nashville)
Produced by: Paul Worley
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice (Curb Records)
Produced by: Lee Brice, Doug Johnson
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
TOP NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Eric Church
• The Band Perry
SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin
Composers:  Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble
Publishers:   A Sling And A Prayer Music (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Music (ASCAP), Don Poythress Songs (ASCAP), Precious Flour Music (BMI), Universal Music-MGB Songs (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
Composers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette
Publishers: Angelika Music (BMI), Weimerhound Publishing (BMI)
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry
Composer:  Kimberly Perry
Publishers:  Pearlfeather Publishing (BMI), Rio Bravo Music, Inc. (BMI)
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice
Composers:  Tim James, Doug Johnson
Publishers:  Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sweet Radical Music (BMI), T-Bird’s Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Composers:  Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
Publishers:  Built On Rock (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tomdouglasmusic (BMI)
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• Blue Sky – Emily West Featuring Keith Urban (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright
• Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by:  John Carter Cash, Patsy Lynn Russell
• Cold Beer – Colt Ford Featuring Jamey Johnson (Average Joes)
Produced by:  Shannon Houchins, Adrian Young
• Good To Be Me – Uncle Kracker Featuring Kid Rock (Top Dog/ Atlantic / Bigger Picture)
Produced by: Kid Rock
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
• Hillbilly Bone – Blake Shelton Featuring Trace Adkins
Producer:  Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White
• Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Trent Hardville
Director: Trey Fanjoy
•  Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
Producer: Tony McGarry
Director: Declan Whitebloom
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney
Producer:  Don Lepore
Director: Shaun Silva
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Producer:  Trent Hardville
Director:  Trey Fanjoy
TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• Eric Church
• Easton Corbin
• Randy Houser
TOP NEW VOCAL DUO or GROUP OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• the JaneDear girls
• Steel Magnolia
• The Band Perry

Kelly Parkes – "Girl With A Fishing Rod"

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Kelly Parkes is back with her new single “Girl With A Fishing Rod,” which is full of hooks designed to reel in listeners (Get it?). Written by Adrienne and Keith Follese with Victoria Shaw and Hillary Scott, the song speaks to the special appeal of the backwoods beauties who know how to land a big fish. The song is available on CDX No. 520 and Play MPE.
The feisty 23 year-old from rural Lancaster County, Penn.  cites Carrie Underwood as her favorite vocalist. Her recording session was produced by Darran Smith (Tim McGraw) and Lofton Creek chief Mike Borchetta. Her previous single “Nothing” reached the Top 50 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart earlier in 2011.
Parkes also loves playing live for an audience, having sung in front of huge crowds at NASCAR races, minor league baseball games, and more. “I’m a ham,” she explains. “I’ve always been a ham. I love what I do and I love that I get to do it…When I see someone on stage performing, I want to be the one up there performing.”
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