The Grand Ole Opry has launched a free mobile app for the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android. The app’s release precedes the Opry’s 85th birthday celebration which will take place this weekend. Through the free app, fans can listen to 650 WSM radio, watch videos of Opry performances, purchase tickets to Opry shows, connect through Facebook and Twitter, read country music news and blogs, sign up for the Opry Update email newsletter and more.
The Opry’s Birthday Bash Weekend is set to include appearances by Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Trace Adkins, Roy Clark, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Wayne, and Crystal Gayle, among others, including renowned CBS broadcaster Charles Osgood. The celebration continues throughout October, with shows featuring appearances by Adkins, Charlie Daniels Band, George Jones, The Judds, Blake Shelton (Opry induction Oct. 23), and more. Visit opry.com.
•••••••••
Gibson Guitar scored the award for “Best Branded Music App” at the first-ever Billboard Music App Awards. Created in conjunction with Legacy Learning Systems, the Gibson Learn & Master Guitar app has quickly become a popular accessory for guitarists, approaching 2 million downloads since its release. Gibson Guitar and Legacy Learning Systems have also announced that the app will soon be available for Android and Intel app stores.
It is available as a free download for both the iPhone and iPod Touch and includes such features as a professional quality chromatic tuner, alternate tuning settings, a standard mode tuner, an accurate metronome with multiple time signatures, a chord library and access to free, full-length lessons from the award-winning Learn & Master course, including printable resources that accompany the lessons available through www.learnandmaster.com.
The inaugural Billboard Music App Awards were held on October 5th in San Francisco as part of Mobile Entertainment Live!: The Music App Summit.
Worley To Perform Free Concerts on Army Garrisons
/by MichelleWorley’s seven song God & Country EP will be for sale at stops along the tour. A free download of the song “Unsung Heroes” will be available online at http://darrylworley.com/unsungheroes/ for members of the Armed Forces.
Worley has performed for soldiers both here and overseas. His Stars For Stripes Tour to Iraq in May 2010 was his eighth visit to the region and included full band and acoustic sets at several remote Forward Operating Bases for military who rarely receive celebrity entertainment. He has been honored with the VFW’s Americanism Award, the USO Merit Award and the U.S. Army Appreciation Award.
For more information about the tour visit www.darrylworley.com
Toby Keith TV; Songwriters visit Martha’s Vineyard
/by adminToby Keith headlines CMT’s Invitation Only Oct. 8. In this one-hour special, Keith performs songs from his new album which hit stores this past Tuesday, including the title track “Bullets In the Gun,” plus opens up during a question and answer session.
(L-R) John Hamlin, SVP Music Events & Talent, CMT; Toby Keith; TK Kimbrell, Toby Keith manager. Photo: WireImage.com/Rick Diamond
The 2nd Annual Martha’s Vineyard Songwriters Festival, hosted by BMI, was held Sept. 24-26 on the tiny east coast island. Locals and vacationers enjoyed performances from an eclectic crew, which represented a cross-section of indie up-and-comers, successful young hit-makers, and renowned Nashville chart-toppers.
Pictured (l-r): (front row) singer/songwriters Thom Schuyler, Even Stevens, Mayaeni, Tom Douglas, and Keith Stegall; (back row) Storme Warren, singer/songwriter Laura Warshauer, BMI’s Samantha Cox and Leslie Roberts, singer/songwriters Arama, Courtney Jaye and Jeff Cohen, the Key West Songwriters Festival promoter Dani Holliday, singer/songwriters Cary Barlowe and Toby Lightman, the Key West Songwriters Festival director Charlie Bauer, singer/songwriter Shane Stevens, BMI’s Mary Loving, singer/songwriter Kylie Sackley, and BMI’s Mark Mason. Photo by Brett Johnson
New Revolution Adds Elliot
/by admin(L-R) Andy Elliott, Jerrod Niemann, Joe Schuld
Radio promotion/artist development company New Revolution has added radio vet Andy Elliot to replace its Midwest rep Joe Schuld effective Oct. 11.
An 18-year veteran of KHKI, Elliott will be responsible for securing radio airplay for NRE clients in the same territory as Schuld, who is leaving to concentrate on his responsibilities as co-manager of break-through star Jerrod Neimann.
“I am proud to welcome Andy to our team,” said NRE co-owner Rob Dalton. “I am over-the-top impressed with his passion, enthusiasm and determination. Joe Schuld has been an intricate part of our success from the very beginning. He will be missed, but I am thrilled for him and I know he’ll do great things.” NRE is co-owned by Jeff Solima.
[wpaudio url=”https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/10200105/Jeremy-McComb-Andy-Elliott.mp3″ text=”Jeremy McComb Song For Elliot” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]
Average Joes Entertainment Welcomes Tony Morreale
/by Eric T. Parker“I’ve known and been working with everyone at Average Joes for over 2 years,” says Morreale. “I love the music and all of the people involved and respect their business savvy. It’s logical for me to work more closely with them.” Average Joes will continue its tradition by not giving Morreale an official title.
Morreale began in the country music business over 20 years ago. He has worked for CBS Records in Nashville, Columbia Records, BNA Records and Show Dog. In May 2008, he started his own promotion and marketing company.
Morreale can be reached by at 615-595-2523 or tony@averagejoesent.com.
Photos: Chesney, The Roys, Bill Anderson, Danny Gokey
/by FreemanThe Sony Music Nashville staff celebrated the Billboard 200 and Country Album No. 1 debut of Kenny Chesney’s Hemingway’s Whiskey with a pizza lunch and a group photo of staffers holding inflatable No. 1 fingers.
Brother/sister duo The Roys have been busy at Skaggs’ Place Studios working on their upcoming CD, co-produced by Kentucky Thunder fiddler Andy Leftwich. Ricky Skaggs joined them to add his vocals to a track.
(L-R): Andy Leftwich, Elaine Roy, Ricky Skaggs and Lee Roy.
Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson extends a welcome to actor Kevin Costner during his recent appearance (with band Modern West) at the Grand Ole Opry for "Spirit of Nashville Day."
American Idol alum Danny Gokey appeared on this week’s The Country Vibe with Chuck and Becca, airing 10:30 pm Saturdays on the CW-Nashville. (L-R): Gokey, host Chuck Long
Band Perry Woos Fans And Programmers
/by adminThe band’s debut self-titled album is set to launch Oct. 12 and the timing couldn’t be better. TBP has moved up to the No. 4 spot on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart and its single “If I Die Young,” has is certified Gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000. Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry have also caught the ears of CMA industry voters who have given the sibling trio its first CMA nomination for Vocal Group of The Year.
“If I Die Young,” is currently scanning about 40k downloads every week and TBP is soon to hit the road as part of Alan Jackson’s upcoming tour. They are managed by Bob Doyle & Associates.
Jim Free, Randy Goodman Get CMA Chairman’s Award
/by admin(L-R) Steve Moore, Jim Free, Randy Goodman and Steve Buchanan.
At today’s CMA Board of Directors meeting (Oct. 6-7) in Nashville, Chairman Steve Buchanan and Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore surprised ex-officio Board member Jim Free and former President/Chairman Randy Goodman by presenting them with the CMA Chairman’s Award, which is given annually at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board.
Moore, praised Free’s passion for Country Music and tireless efforts on behalf of the format in Washington D.C. over the years. Free was instrumental in guiding and developing CMA’s successful Washington Board meetings in March, including securing top-tier legislators to discuss issues of importance to the music industry and introducing what has now become an ongoing relationship with the Library of Congress and Librarian of Congress Dr. James H. Billington.
Buchanan praised Goodman’s leadership, vision, and years of volunteer service to the Association. “Randy is a strategic thinker and action oriented leader who dedicated countless hours to making the CMA a better, more effective organization and he did just that,” Buchanan said. “The results of his efforts, which were always colored by his heart, passion, and sense of humor, will have a lasting, positive impact with immeasurable benefit to our Board and our industry.”
Armiger Set For “The Early Show”
/by Freeman“I cannot wait to perform new music for everyone,” said Armiger. “I am beyond excited and honored to have been asked to help The Early Show On Saturday pay tribute to John Lennon who was and continues to be such a musical inspiration and icon.”
Confessions of a Nice Girl was released October 5 and features songs by Blair Daly, Bruce Wallace, Sarah Buxton, Rebecca Lynn Howard and more. Armiger is also being featured as the emerging artist on Channel One News’ “Hear It Now” music program this week.
Opry’s New App; Gibson App Awarded
/by MichelleThe Opry’s Birthday Bash Weekend is set to include appearances by Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Trace Adkins, Roy Clark, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Wayne, and Crystal Gayle, among others, including renowned CBS broadcaster Charles Osgood. The celebration continues throughout October, with shows featuring appearances by Adkins, Charlie Daniels Band, George Jones, The Judds, Blake Shelton (Opry induction Oct. 23), and more. Visit opry.com.
•••••••••
It is available as a free download for both the iPhone and iPod Touch and includes such features as a professional quality chromatic tuner, alternate tuning settings, a standard mode tuner, an accurate metronome with multiple time signatures, a chord library and access to free, full-length lessons from the award-winning Learn & Master course, including printable resources that accompany the lessons available through www.learnandmaster.com.
The inaugural Billboard Music App Awards were held on October 5th in San Francisco as part of Mobile Entertainment Live!: The Music App Summit.
CMT Announces Artists of the Year
/by FreemanThe special is scheduled to be taped in Nashville and will bring the Artists of the Year together with their peers and other entertainment celebrities for an evening of performances.