American Country Awards Names Nominees

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Lady Antebellum and Easton Corbin Lead with Most Nominations

Vote Online at theacas.com

NASHVILLE, TN – (October 18, 2010) – The first-ever American Country Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Fans will determine all the winners by voting for their favorite nominees in music, touring and video categories.

Superstars Lady Antebellum and newcomer Easton Corbin lead the inaugural American Country Awards nominees with seven nominations each; Carrie Underwood earned six nods; and Miranda Lambert and Josh Turner each garnered five.

Starting today, fans can vote once each day for their favorite American Country Awards nominees at www.theacas.com. Voting is open until November 8, 2010, for all categories, except for Artist of the Year, which closes on December 4. The nominees for each award category have been determined by one of the four respected media measurement companies Big Champagne, Great American Country, Mediabase and Pollstar.

“Unlike any other country music award show, the American Country Awards will give fans the power to choose all of the winners, which means the awards will reflect what America is listening to and watching right now,” said executive producer Bob Bain. “The ACAs will recognize traditional categories like Artist of the Year and Album of the Year but will also introduce a new honor for tours, resulting in one amazing night for country music.”

The American Country Awards will feature performances and appearances by the year’s chart-topping country artists. Performers and presenters will be announced soon.

Following is the list of categories and nominees for the American Country Awards:

ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Keith Urban

Artist of the Year: Female
Jewel
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Easton Corbin
Danny Gokey
Jaron and The Long Road To Love
Jerrod Niemann
The Band Perry

ALBUMS
Album of the Year
“Doin’ My Thing,” Luke Bryan
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Revolution,” Miranda Lambert
“Haywire,” Josh Turner
“Play On,” Carrie Underwood

SINGLES
Single of the Year
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner

Single of the Year: Male
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“That’s How Country Boys Roll,” Billy Currington
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner

Single of the Year: Female
“White Liar,” Miranda Lambert
“Wrong Baby Wrong,” Martina McBride
“Consider Me Gone,” Reba McEntire
“Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You,” Kellie Pickler
“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood

Single of the Year: Duo or Group
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Little White Church,” Little Big Town
“Unstoppable,” Rascal Flatts
“Keep On Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Toes,” Zac Brown Band

Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
“Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Pray for You,” Jaron and The Long Road To Love
“Lover, Lover,” Jerrod Niemann
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Beer on the Table,” Josh Thompson

TOURING
Touring Headline Package of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Toby Keith
Martina McBride & Trace Adkins
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait & Reba McEntire
Sugarland
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young

Music Video: Male
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Southern Voice,” Tim McGraw
“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young

Music Video: Female
“White Liar,” Miranda Lambert
“Consider Me Gone,” Reba McEntire
“Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You,” Kellie Pickler
“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood
“Work Hard, Play Harder,” Gretchen Wilson

Music Video: Duo or Group
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Little White Church,” Little Big Town
“Unstoppable,” Rascal Flatts
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Highway 20 Ride,” Zac Brown Band

Music Video: Breakthrough Artist
“Giddy On Up,” Laura Bell Bundy
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Lover, Lover,” Jerrod Niemann
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“If I Die Young,” The Band Perry

AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is executive-produced by Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2010, “Kids’ Choice Awards”). Paul Flattery and Tisha Fein serve as producers; Fletcher Foster is co-producer; and Greg Sills is supervising producer. Michael Dempsey will direct the special.

Dierks Bentley in SIRIUS XM Concert Series

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SIRIUS XM’s The Highway channel will broadcast exclusive performances by country star Dierks Bentley in a four-night concert series to take place in New York City. Dierks will perform in a different venue each evening, showcasing a different aspect of his award-winning career.

On Monday, October 18th, Dierks will play a country concert featuring his chart-topping hits at The Bowery Ballroom. The show will air at 9:00 pm ET. The following night, he’ll play with bluegrass legends the Del McCoury Band at the City Winery at 8:00 pm ET. On Wednesday, October 20th, Dierks will hold an intimate singer/songwriter night with Jessi Alexander, Jim Beavers and Jon Randall Stewart at 7:00 pm ET. The last night of the series concludes on Thursday, October 21st, when Dierks will be joined by acoustic virtuosos the Punch Brothers at the South Paw.

The Highway channel, which is SIRIUS channel 16 and XM channel 60, airs new music from the hottest country superstars, brand new artists and everything in between.

Billy Currington’s Cover, Miranda Lambert Goes Platinum

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Billy Currington is covering the media lately. He appears on The Late Show with Craig Ferguson tonight (10/15) and earlier this week he performed at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to a packed house. Yesterday, Currington was on hand to congratulate songwriter Troy Jones who wrote Currington’s sixth No. 1 song, “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer.” The latest media event for the Mercury artist is his cover appearance on the newest issue of Country Weekly.

According to the publication, loyalty is very important to Currington, who has had the same team with him since 2001. The Rincon, Ga., native cites George Strait as his role model in letting the music speak for him. “He’s someone who keeps very to himself,” Currington tells Country Weekly. “I didn’t ever see it hurting him.”

• • •

Miranda Lambert’s latest CD Revolution has been certified Platinum for shipments of over one million copies. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Country Album Chart last year and later was named the ACM Album of the Year. Also nominated for CMA Album of the Year, Lambert has a total of nine nominations, the most for a female in the history of the CMAs.

“Revolution has been just that in my life,” says Lambert. “A Revolution. This past year since it came out, my life has changed tremendously. This project started with me on my couch at home holding my guitar. I knew it was really important that it be something special, so I poured everything I had into writing and singing with heart on every note and track. I wrote so personally it actually scared me that I was putting in on tape for all to hear. But that is what it takes. I am so blessed to have the people that wrote, played and produced this record with me because they share the same vision and passion I do. Thank you to the 1 million fans that share it too.”

Chip Taylor and New Americana Series

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Singer-songwriter Chip Taylor is serving as curator for the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Americana Live series in New York City. Americana Live kicks off October 20-22 at The Rodeo Bar and Hill Country, featuring performances by artists such as Jim Campilongo, Bill Kirchen and Cindy Cashdollar. Taylor will perform at the October 22nd show at Hill Country with Kendel Carson, The Beauties and Oh Susanna.

Taylor will also be performing select dates with Carrie Rodriguez to support their latest release, The New Bye & Bye. This collaboration features 13 of the duo’s songs from the Train Wreck Records years and four new tracks. Also appearing on this album are live cuts of two of Taylor’s most beloved and well-known songs, “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning,” performed with an all-star band including Buddy Miller, Bill Frisell and Greg Leisz.

Brad Paisley to Publish “Diary”

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Country superstar Brad Paisley will publish his first book, The Diary of a Player, in May 2011 through Howard Books/Simon and Schuster. The Diary of a Player is the personal story of how Paisley became who he is today, and is a salute to the guitar gods of country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll.

Paisley explained the essence of the book in the liner notes for his album Play. “No matter how I have changed, learned and evolved as a person, the guitar has been a major part of it, and really the only constant,” Paisley wrote. “You can get through some real tough moments with that guitar on your knee. When life gets intense, there are people who drink, who seek counseling, eat, watch TV, pray, cry, sleep, and so on. I play.”

The book will be co-written with David Wild, an Emmy-nominated writer and producer and contributing editor to Rolling Stone.

Paisley will release his new album, Hits Alive, on November 2nd. Hits Alive will include original studio tracks and live performances from his H2O Tour. On November 10th, Paisley will co-host the CMA Awards, for which he is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, and Video.

Warner Chappell Celebrates “…Like Crazy,” Signs Waterman

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Warner Chappell Music recently signed a world-wide songwriter/co-publishing agreement with Doug Waterman. The publisher also celebrated a 56-week, record breaking run for the Lee Brice recording of “Love Like Crazy,” co-written by Tim James.

(L-R) Steve Markland (VP of A&R), Alicia Pruitt (Sr. Director A&R), Doug Waterman, BJ Hill (Sr. Director A&R) and Phil May (VP & General Manager)

(L-R) Alicia Pruitt, Tara James, Neena Wright, Tim James, Patricia Mainello, BJ Hill, Matt Michiels, Maureen McMullan, Phil May, Steve Markland and Adrian Crosby

Taylor Swift’s Bicoastal Attack for New Album Launch

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Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Taylor Swift has planned a series of events to celebrate the release of her highly-anticipated third studio album, Speak Now, which arrives in stores on October 25th.

On October 25th, Taylor will perform at the United Nations in New York City for a group of winners from contests held worldwide. This private performance will be streamed on various MTV, CMT and VH1 websites across Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America. The following day, Taylor will perform at Rockefeller Plaza on the Today show’s fall concert series. That evening, she will do an interview and performance on The Late Show With David Letterman.

Taylor will do an interview and performance on Live! With Regis and Kelly on October 27th, and will visit Madame Tussauds in New York City later that day for the unveiling of her original wax figure.

On October 28th, The Ellen DeGeneres Show will devote the entire hour-long show for Taylor’s official album release party, to air on television on Monday, November 1st. The following day, Taylor will perform on Dancing With the Stars, airing on November 2nd on ABC.

Speak Now is available for pre-sale at www.SpeakNow13.com.

Weekly Chart Report (10/15/10)

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Tony & Kris’ "Star A Day" promotion continued this week when Carrie Underwood stopped by to chat with the guys about marriage and her thoughts on reality shows like American Idol. (L-R): Tony, Carrie and Kris.

SPIN ZONE
It’s a tough chart week for record promoters, because there isn’t much moving at the moment. Darius Rucker’s “Come Back Song” holds strong at No. 1, but Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue” and Taylor Swift’s “Mine” are both beginning to encroach on it. Positions 1-6 remain unchanged from the previous chart, with Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, and Trace Adkins all getting a slight bump as George Strait drops back to No. 10. The lone new entry into the Top 20 comes from Sunny Sweeney, whose “From A Table Away” moves to No. 19.

Despite the generally slow movement, a handful of singles seem to be gliding through with relative ease. Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips” and Toby Keith’s “Bullets In The Gun” are making quick work of the chart after only four weeks at No. 23 and No. 26, respectively. Just behind and threatening to overtake them is Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World,” which packs on the week’s biggest spin increase of 322 and moves to No. 29.

Sara Evans makes a welcome return to the CountryBreakout Chart with “A Little Bit Stronger,” earning the week’s highest debut at at No. 71. Also making first appearances are Little Big Town’s latest “Kiss Goodbye” at No. 72, Bellamy Brothers’ “Back In The Day” at No. 73, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “The Way I Feel” at No. 79, and Jewel’s “Ten” at No. 80.

Frozen Playlists: KCJC, KVOM, KWEY, WAAG, WCMS, WKBQ, WQSI, WWYN

LIFENOTES
MusicRow offers its condolences to family and friends of Sony Nashville VP Promotion Skip Bishop, after the passing of his mother Grace Kappes Bishop on Monday (10/11). Funeral services were held yesterday (10/14) at the Wetumpka Depot Theater in Wetumpka, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

The Wetumpka Depot Players
300 South Main Street
Wetumpka, Alabama  36092

or

First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka
100 West Bridge Street
Wetumpka, Alabama  36092

STATION UPDATE
Riverbend’s KTHK/Idaho Falls has moved its offices. The new address is 400 W. Sunnyside, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. The business phone number is still 208-785-1400.

Upcoming Singles
October 18
Little Big Town/Kiss Goodbye/Capitol
Mark Cooke/Can’t Cheat In A Small Town/Cotton Valley
Christian Kane/The House Rules/Bigger Picture
Christine VanHoy/What I Live For/Big 7

October 25
Todd O’Neill/Cry No Mississippi/Aria
Lee Brice/Beautiful Every Time/Curb
Matt Gary/I’m Just Sayin’/17/Quarterback
Josh Turner/I Wouldn’t Be A Man/MCA

•  •  •  •  •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Sara Evans/A Little Bit Stronger/RCA — 71
Little Big Town/Kiss Goodbye/Capitol — 72
Bellamy Brothers/Back In The Day/Bellamy Brothers Records — 73
Mary Chapin Carpenter/The Way I Feel/Rounder — 79
Jewel/Ten/Valory — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 322
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 297
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 251
Little Big Town/Kiss Goodbye/Capitol — 221
Billy Currington/Let Me Down Easy/Mercury — 190

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Scott Lindsey/Get to her in a Hurry/Gray Trailer — 197
Lucy Angel/Only Woman Left/GForce — 194
Ken Domash/Ding Dang Darn It/Thunder Mountain/Spinville — 179
Chris Filer/John Deere, John 3:16/Lofton Creek — 178
Margaret Durante/Mississippi’s Cryin’/Emrose/Nine North — 176

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Little Big Town/Kiss Goodbye/Capitol — 20
Brett Eldredge/Raymond/Atlantic/WMN — 13
Billy Currington/Let Me Down Easy/Mercury — 12
Jerrod Niemann/What Do You Want/Sea Gayle/Arista — 11
Randy Houser/A Man Like Me/Show Dog – Universal — 9
Bellamy Brothers/Back In The Day/Bellamy Brothers Records — 9

Brett Eldredge, whose debut single “Raymond” is climbing the charts, recently stopped at WMAD/Madison. (L-R): APD Steph Peters, WMAD's Tammy Lee, Eldredge, WMAD's John Flint, Warner Atlantic Reprise NE Regional Lindsay Walleman, WMPD Mike Ferris, and Warner Atlantic Reprise VP Promotion Chris Palmer.

Southern country rockers Badhorse wrapped up a three-week, 27-station radio promotional tour across eight states this week with a stop at KRRV/Alexandria, LA. (L-R) back: Robert E. and KRRV PD Hollywood Harrison. Front: Charlie Gilbert, Mike Deems, Adam Grant, Joel Bridges and Chris Mathis.

Opry Goes Pink for Women Rock for the Cure

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The Opry goes pink on Friday, October 15th, in support of Women Rock for the Cure (WRFTC), a Nashville-based organization that is committed to fighting breast cancer by utilizing the passion, creativity and strength of the entertainment industry to find inspiring ways to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Nashville affiliate.

The Judds are on the Grand Ole Opry tonight, turning the Opry’s signature barn backdrop pink in support of the fight against breast cancer. In addition, fans can bid on items autographed by Wynonna and Naomi at the Opry Goes Pink Online Auction, available until October 31st at www.opry.com.

WRFTC works year-round to create awareness programs for men and women of all ages. Upcoming events include A Pink Night to Rock benefit show featuring Megan McCormick, Her & Kings Country and Coldwater Jane at the Nashville Hard Rock Cafe on Wednesday, October 20th.

AMA Bases Nominees On New Media Chart

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Nominees for this year’s American Music Awards were selected, for the first time, using BigChampagne’s Ultimate Chart. In previous years, the AMA assembled its nominees based upon the Billboard 100. BigChampagne describes its new Ultimate Chart as “an unprecedented aggregation of timely, relevant metrics and a product of our friends’ and partners’ hard work and well-deserved success. We analyze and integrate information about music everywhere — from Amazon and iTunes and YouTube and VEVO and Pandora and Clear Channel and Myspace and Facebook and Yahoo and AOL and many, many others. Our machines are very clever but our analysts are too. Real people grade the computers’ work to ensure accuracy.”

The chart is arranged by artists and by songs. A details tab offers a graph timeline to show momentum over various categories such as broadcast, sales, watching & listening and Fans, Friends & Followers.

Even with the new methodology and info resources, the nominees shouldn’t arrive as a shock. For a complete list of AMA nominees click here.