ACM Teams With RAM Trucks, Plans Fremont St. Party

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Fan voting for the ACM Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year Awards will be powered by the RAM Truck Brand for the second year in a row. The truck maker will also roll out the red carpet at the ACM Awards as the title sponsor.
Fans can vote for the awards on www.VoteACM.com, and the winners will be announced live on the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The show will be broadcast from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 3 on CBS.
In the running for Entertainer of the Year are Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Competing for the New Artist award are The Band Perry and Eric Church.
New Artist voting will close at 5 p.m. PT on April 3 (before the live show starts) and Entertainer of the Year voting will close during the third hour of the live broadcast.
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The Academy of Country Music is hosting two days of all-star concerts at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas during The Week Vegas Goes Country™! ACM Weekend on Fremont Street Experience will feature newcomer category nominees, special guests and headliners Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans performing on two different stages to crowds downtown.
The weekend-long party leading up to the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be hosted by three-time ACM On-Air Personality of the Year Award winner Blair Garner, and will feature Sarah Darling, Casey James, Brett Eldredge, Chris Young, Lee Brice and Sara Evans on April 1; and Thompson Square, the JaneDear Girls, Steel Magnolia, Randy Houser, Easton Corbin and Ronnie Dunn on April 2.

JT Hodges Signs With Paradigm

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Celebrating the signing are (L-R): Manager TK Kimbrell, Paradigm’s Curt Motley, Paradigm’s Mike Snider, JT Hodges, manager Alex Bridges, and Paradigm’s Bob Kinkead.

Rising country singer JT Hodges has signed with the Paradigm Talent Agency for exclusive booking. The Ft. Worth, Texas native is a singer, songwriter, and guitar-slinger who is working on his debut album for Show Dog-Universal Music. The project is due out later this year.

Paradigm’s Mike Snider announced the latest addition to the company’s roster. Among the other acts signed to the agency are Jeff Foxworthy, Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Carter’s Chord, Bucky Covington, Jack Ingram, Radney Foster, Ricky Skaggs, Shooter Jennings, and many more.

Led by chairman Sam Gores, Paradigm has more than 100 agents working out of offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, and Monterey, CA.

InCharge 2011 Begins Production

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(L-R) Sweethearts of the Rodeo were on the cover of the May 1990 InCharge which was the second edition, but the first in magazine format. Twenty-two years later another female duo, the JaneDear girls covered the 2010 InCharge.


InCharge, the definitive list of Nashville’s Music Industry Decision Makers, is now in production of its 23rd edition. As usual, compiling this group of leaders is complicated by the winds of change blowing briskly throughout the entertainment industry. The goal each year however, remains the same—to present and profile the most influential figures in the Nashville based entertainment industry. These are people who buy or sell significant quantities of goods and services, and those who are crucial in building entertainment careers for others.
InCharge began in 1987 as a stand alone book written by Edward Morris and published and produced by MusicRow Publications. It contained 243 entries. In May 1990 the second InCharge emerged in magazine format and was sent to all MusicRow subscribers. The added distribution carried InCharge to a wider audience, and a star was born. Now 22 years later, as we embark on the 23rd edition of this valuable resource it continues to be the most asked for and sought after of MusicRow’s annual print issues.
Be In This Year’s Issue
InCharge has become an indispensable go-to guide for experienced executives and newer arrivals wishing to study a comprehensive who’s who of the most important players and companies in Nashville’s entertainment world. As a result, the annual InCharge presents readers with an outstanding advertising opportunity. MusicRow is now accepting advertising in this coveted issue which hits stands in April, and continues to be an arm’s length away on desks throughout the year. Advertising space is expected to exceed capacity again this year, so please reserve as early as possible. (615-349-2171 or sales@musicrow.com) [Rate Card]
Update forms for the 2011 list have been sent to the over 400 executives featured in last year’s edition. If you were NOT included among last year’s MusicRow Decision Makers, but feel you merit consideration for this year’s edition, click the link below and complete a profile form. Then email the information to directory@musicrow.com.

Sean Parker Joins Group Bidding For Warner

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Warner Music Group is still sorting through buy-out offers from several suitors. The latest development is that Sean Parker, best known as creator of Napster, is among a group of investors looking to purchase the music company. Parker is on board with a group led by billionaire Ron Burkle, who amassed enormous wealth mostly through the food and grocery industry.

Warner is expected to sell for more than $2 billion, and observers say the deal will close next month.
Parker has been working as a consultant to popular European streaming music service Spotify, which is trying to expand into the U.S. Thanks to his 3% stake in Facebook, Parker made his first appearance on Forbes’ Billionaires List last week.
To see who else is in the running to purchase Warner, click here.

Musicians Corner On Saturdays Starting In May

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Entertainment Executive John Tumminello has been named Executive Director for Musicians Corner, which is gearing up for its second season in Centennial Park. The free outdoor entertainment series launched last year and featured numerous local and national talents.
Tumminello has over 20 years experience to his credit, including co-founding “Music City Unsigned” for Nashville’s emerging talent. Additionally he is involved with NSAI’s Tin Pan South planning committee and serves as Digital Marketing Director for South Central Media.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have John on board,” said Jody Williams, vice president of BMI Writer/Publisher Relations and member of the Musicians Corner Steering Committee. “He brings not only a wealth of knowledge working with artists but also 20 years of business experience. John has the unique expertise to lead the future growth of Musicians Corner.”
Musicians Corner will resume May 7, running 3-6 pm on Saturdays through July 2. The fall session will start September 3 and run through November 5.

Pictured (L-R): Paul Worley, Kristen Dabbs, John Tumminello, Sylvia Rapoport, Mayor Karl Dean, Jody Williams, and Hope Stringer. Photo by Gary Layda.

Benefits: Shelton, Dierks, Darling and More

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Blake Shelton


>>The first-ever NRA Country/ACM Celebrity Shoot, hosted by Blake Shelton, will take place on Saturday, April 2 as part of the The Week Vegas Goes Country® – the week leading up to the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The NRA Country/ACM Celebrity Shoot is a 13-station, 50-target sporting clays competition for 20-26 teams of five shooters—including a celebrity captain—with prizes going to the top three teams. The event will take place at Nellis Air Force Base and will include other celebrity participants to be announced. The ACM Awards will be produced for television by dick clark productions and broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Shelton will also co-host the Awards alongside Reba.
>>TG Sheppard, Kelly Lang, and Barry Gibb teamed up for a special concert at the annual Love Hope Ball in Miami, Fla. recently, to benefit Diabetes.

Sheppard, Lang and Gibb


Dierks Bentley


>>Dierks Bentley’s Miles and Music for Kids charity motorcycle ride and concert will kick off this year in Columbus, OH on May 22. Over the series’ five-year history, Bentley has raised over $1.5 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and plans to donate this event’s proceeds to Columbus’ Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The ride ends with a concert featuring Bentley and special guests Joe Nichols, Josh Thompson, Uncle Kracker and Miss Willie Brown. Tickets for the family-friendly event go on sale Fri., March 18 at 10:00A ET through Ticketmaster. www.dierks.com
>>The Colon Cancer Alliance’s 3rd Annual “Stars Go Blue” Benefit Concert is set for March 16 at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The event benefits the Blue Note Fund, which provides financial support for colon cancer patients. The theme of this year’s show is “Couples in Country Music.” Visit www.thestarsgoblue.com for details. Participating artists include: Josh Turner with his wife and band member, Jennifer; Linda Davis with her husband singer/songwriter, Lang Scott; Charlie Kelley, “Stars Go Blue” creator,  with his wife, GAC personality Nan Kelley; Paul Martin with his wife, Jamie; Storme Warren with his wife, Allison to host.
>>Sarah Darling recently performed during CARE’s Conference and International Women’s Day Celebration in Washington, D.C., where more than a thousand advocates voiced their support for critical funding and programs to improve the lives of marginalized women and girls around the globe. The celebration kicked off on the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, with a special concert that featured Darling along with India.Arie, Michael Franti and Crystal Bowersox. Darling’s appearance was tied to her involvement with Join My Village, a new approach to fighting global poverty through empowerment of women and girls sponsored by CARE, General Mills and Merck.

Photo courtesy of CARE From Left to Right: Performers Sarah Darling, India.Arie, Michael Franti, Crystal Bowersox and Idan Raichel.

Photos: Paisley Celebrates 10 Years with Opry

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Photo: Chris Hollo

Paisley Celebrates 10 Years as Opry Member

CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley celebrated his 10th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member before a sold-out crowd  as part of the Opry’s All-Star Weekend (3/5). After an on-stage presentation by Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher and Opry member Bill Anderson, Paisley reflected on ten years of Opry membership. “…This is my favorite place to play,” Paisley said. “It’s the best stage in the world. You’ve got the circle right here which means more to us now than ever. I always wanted to be a member here. That was my goal. I think more than anything… it was like, ‘if I could just be a member of the Opry, I’ll know that I’ve made it in the eyes of some really important people.’ I can’t believe it’s been ten years. It’s flown by.  Thank you for not kicking me out of the club yet. I appreciate it.”

Motherhood the Musical opens in Australia

Sue Fabisch’s Motherhood the Musical opened in Australia in February. The show, with an all-Australian cast, started with a 3-week stint in Melbourne and will now tour extensively throughout Australia for the next two years, opening in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and all the regional cities as well.

(L-R): producer Christine Harris, Ziggy Clements, Rebecca Moore, Sue Fabisch, Jacqueline Hoy, Amelia Christo, and Art Dir. Nava Clauses.

Curtis & Luckey Sign with BMI

KMG Music’s Curtis and Luckey have signed with BMI to handle their catalog. The duo’s debut single, “Eye Candy,” is currently impacting radio.

(L-R): Brian Curtis; Perry Howard, BMI Dir. Writer Relations BMI; and Luckey. Photo: C. Adams

Alan Jackson’s Australian Tour

Alan Jackson kicked off his first Australian tour Friday night (3/4) in front of a sold-out crowd in Melbourne. He continued on Sunday night by closing the CMC Rocks The Hunter Festival followed with another, standing room only show in Sydney on Monday. He now heads to Brisbane for three sold-out shows.

(L-R): Storme Warren, GAC TV and Sirius/XM Radio; Rob Potts, CEO Rob Potts Ent. Edge; Alan Jackson; Michael Chugg, Exec. Chairman Chugg Ent.; and Matthew Lazarus-Hall, CEO Chugg Ent. Photo: John Huber

Get a glimpse of the excitement and footage from Jackson’s shows…

YouTube video

Tin Pan South Preview Party

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Songwriters, media, music industry, fans and more packed the Tin Pan South Preview Party at The Rutledge in Nashville this week to hear some wonderful music and learn more about this year’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival presented by Regions Bank. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean kicked things off before Marshall Chapman, Marty Dodson, Sandra McCracken and Steve Wariner—all of whom will be performing at the Festival—each performed a song.
“Nashville is literally off the charts in terms of being a creative city in North America, and it’s all owed to songwriters, musicians…it’s awe-inspiring, and it is what makes our city so unique and so special,” said Mayor Dean.
The 19th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will host over 350 songwriters performing over 80 shows at nine Nashville venues from March 29 – April 2. Each year, Tin Pan South donates proceeds from one show to a specific charity, and this year the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee will be the beneficiary of the early show starring Dave Berg, Sarah Buxton, Jedd Hughes and Eric Paslay at the Hard Rock Cafe on March 29 at 6:00 p.m.

The festival schedule with a complete list of venues, addresses, performers and ticket prices is available at TinPanSouth.com.

(L-R) back: Lee Blank, Regions Bank Private Banking Exec.; Jim Schmitz, Regions Bank Middle TN Pres.; Lisa Harless, Regions Bank Sr. VP Ent. and Sports Division; and Erika Wollam Nichols, Tin Pan South Festival Co-Director. Front: Steve Bogard, songwriter and Pres. NSAI; songwriters Marty Dodson, Sandra McCracken, Marshall Chapman and Steve Wariner. Photo: Bev Moser

SXSW Opens Next Week—25th Year Biggest Yet

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Over 13,000 attendees are expected to descend on Austin, Texas next week for SXSW. Now in its 25th year, the Music Conference and Festival has grown into a massive event, radiating from its home base of the Austin Convention Center. It officially runs March 11-20.
Though SXSW has greatly evolved from its early beginning as a music conference, that remains its most important offering. The SXSW Music Conference will include Bob Geldof’s Keynote Address, as well as speakers/interviewees Crystal Bowersox, Duran Duran, Yoko Ono, and John Popper. Notable panelists include Perez Hilton, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Yankees great Bernie Williams, Jewel, and Liz Phair. Details on the music conference here.
The music festival segment of SXSW, March 15-20, will have over 2000 acts performing in over 90 venues. A very small sampling of bands includes B.o.B, Duran Duran, Lucinda Williams, Neon Trees, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Cool Kids, The Kills, and Wu Tang Clan.
Among the festival’s first-time events will be the Trade Show, Technology Summit and Style By fashion exhibition.
Instead of the usual goody bags, the convention is introducing SXswag, a digital marketplace with music samplers and software. To that end, the SXSW: Featured Artists compilation is available for free on iTunes, featuring Bright Eyes, Lucinda Williams, G. Love and Talib Kweli, Foster The People, Hayes Carll and more.

Blue Sky Riders To Debut At Tin Pan South

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Blue Sky Riders is made up of (L-R) Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr


Hit songwriters/artists Georgia Middleman, Gary Burr and Kenny Loggins have formed a trio called the Blue Sky Riders. The country/pop group will makes its debut Sat., April 2 at The Rutledge as part of Tin Pan South. They will also open Loggins’ solo tour dates this summer.
Past collaborators Burr and Loggins decided to form the band last year, and added Middleman for the female part. “We wrote our first song and were singing with a three-part blend that comes once in a lifetime,” Loggins recalls of the first meeting.
Each member of Blue Sky Riders has had significant individual success. Loggins scored his first hits with Loggins and Messina, and went on to be a chart-topping solo act. Among his best known songs are “Danny’s Song,” “House at Pooh Corner,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” “This Is It,” “Footloose,” and “Danger Zone.”
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Burr has had hits including Juice Newton’s “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me,” Conway Twitty’s “That’s My Job” and Wynonna’s “To Be Loved By You.” He’s collaborated with Ringo Starr, had cuts by Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, George Jones, and Garth Brooks, and pop hits by Ricky Martin/Christina Aguilera, and Kelly Clarkson.
Most recently, Middleman co-wrote Keith Urban’s 2010 chart-topper “I’m In.” She’s also had singles including Tracy Lawrence’s “It’s All How You Look At It” and Sarah Buxton’s “Innocence.” Her songs have been recorded by Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Terri Clark, Mark Chesnutt and Joe Nichols, among many others.