2010 was a good year for The Grascals. The group’s latest album, The Famous Lefty Flynn’s, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited chart for four months. Their current single, “Last Train To Clarksville,” claimed the No. 1 spot on the singles chart this month as well.
This banner year was ushered in with several significant changes; the band parted ways with their label of six years, Rounder Records, and started their own imprint, BluGrascal Records. Additionally, The Grascals celebrated a successful first year with New Frontier Touring, playing over 150 shows in 2010, including high-profile sets with Hank Williams Jr.’s Rowdy Friends Tour, the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, the CMA Music Festival, the IBMA Fan Fest and multiple Opry appearances.
“We worked hard, we reaped a good bit of what we’ve sown, and we are continually blessed,” remarks Jamie Johnson, vocalist and guitar player for the group.
The Grascals formed in Nashville in 2004 and have received multiple IBMA Awards, including Emerging Artist of the Year (2005), Song of the Year (2005), and Entertainer of the Year (2006 and 2007).
The Grascals Receive No. 1 plaques for The Famous Lefty Flynn’s at NorthStar Studios in Nashville. Pictured Standing, L-R: Jeremy Westby (Entertainment Evolution), Mary Matthews (New Frontier Touring), Terry Smith, Jeremy Abshire, Kristin Scott Benson, Jon Bell (New Frontier Touring), Jamie Johnson, Danny Roberts, Kirt Webster (Entertainment Evolution) and Terry Eldredge. Kneeling, L-R: Logan Bosemer (New Frontier Touring), Paul Lohr (New Frontier Touring), Martha Moore (So Much Moore Media) and Aaron Summer (New Frontier Touring).
Nettles Helps VH1 Divas Salute The Troops
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Keri Hilson, Katy Perry, and Jennifer Nettles during the opening number of VH1 Divas Salute The Troops. Photo: Getty Images/VH1.com
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles helped VH1 Divas Salute The Troops in last night’s (12/5) television special. She joined pop, rock and hip-hop stars Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, Nicki Minaj, Paramore and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals for the show taped primarily last week at San Diego’s Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The stars donned military-inspired wardrobe for much of the evening, including Nettles, Hilson and Perry in World War II-era uniforms for a cover of the 1940s classic “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” More here.
MC Lyte unexpectedly joined Jennifer Nettles for a duet of "Stuck Like Glue." Photo: Getty Images/VH1.com
Katy Perry parachuting to the stage for "California Gurls." Photo: Getty Images/VH1.com
The Grascals & Friends Cracker Barrel Exclusive
/by Sarah SkatesThe bonus track “I Am Strong” was inspired by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and accordingly a portion of the album proceeds will be donated to the hospital.
So far in 2010, Cracker Barrel has released exclusive projects by Smokey Robinson, Rodney Atkins, Mandy Barnett, Craig Morgan, Wynonna, and Dailey & Vincent.
Track listing
1. Tiger By The Tail (with Brad Paisley)
2. Folsom Prison Blues (with Dierks Bentley)
3. Pain of Lovin’ You (with Dolly Parton)
4. I Am Strong (with Dolly Parton)
5. Louisiana Saturday Night
6. The Year That Clayton Delaney Died (with Tom T. Hall)
7. White Lightning (with Darryl Worley)
8. The Devil Went Down To Georgia (with Charlie Daniels)
9. Leavin’ Louisiana In Broad Daylight (with The Oak Ridge Boys)
10. Mr. Bojangles (with Joe Nichols)
11. Hank Williams Jr. Medley – Born To Boogie / All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin’ Over Tonight
12. Cracker Barrel Swing (Instrumental)
13. I Am Strong (Bonus Track) Featuring guest appearances by Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Darryl Worley, Charlie Daniels, Terri Clark, Randy Owen, Steven Seagal, Tom T. Hall, Joe Nichols and Ansley McLaurin
Bill Anderson Planning Box Set
/by Sarah SkatesIt is expected from Bear Family Records in late 2011, the same year Anderson will celebrate his 50th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member.
Music City Memorial for Will Tennyson
/by Sarah SkatesWill Tennyson, a longtime member of the Nashville music industry who passed away recently, will be celebrated with a memorial service on Wed., Dec. 8, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater.
The service will include performances by Tennyson’s friends Mandy Barnett and Brennin Hunt.
There will also be a slideshow of pictures of Tennyson and the many people whose lives he touched.
If you have pictures to include in the slideshow, please email them to Christy Grealis at cgrealis@cmaworld.com.
Chesney Stadium Stop At NY/NJ Meadowlands
/by adminTickets for the mega show go on sale Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. “This lineup represents the very best that country music has to offer,” said Mark Lamping, President and CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium. “We look forward to hosting these terrific acts in August 2011, and providing a prominent stage for country music in the New York and New Jersey region.”
Fans can buy tickets at http://kennychesney.com and http://www.newmeadowlandsstadium.com. The Kenny Chesney Official Fan Club will be offering presale tickets for all shows on Kenny’s 2011 Tour prior to the general public on-sale. To get access to these exclusive presales, fans can go to http://kennychesney.com
Kenny Chesney 2011 Tour
(Stadium dates only – starring Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band, with Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker)
Sat Mar 19 – Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium (on sale Sat Dec 11)
Sat Apr 16 – Dallas, TX – Cowboys Stadium (on sale Sat Dec 4)
Sat Jun 4 – Washington, DC – FedEx Field – (on sale Fri Dec 3)
Sat Jun 11 – Green Bay, WI – Lambeau Field (on sale Sat Dec 11)
Sat Jun 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field SOLD OUT
Sat Jul 2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Field (on sale Sat Dec 4)
Sat Jul 30 – Kansas City, MO – Arrowhead Stadium (on sale Sat Dec 4)
Sat Aug 13 – Rutherford, NJ – New Meadowlands Stadium (on sale Sat Dec 11)
Sat Aug 20 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field (on sale Sat Dec 4)
Sat Aug 27- Foxboro, MA – Gillette Stadium SOLD OUT
The tour is billed as Corona Extra presents Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour, starring Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band.
Owen, Messina Offering Live Concerts Online
/by Freeman“I am so excited to do this show and to be able to give something like this to the fans who can’t be there in person,” says Owen.
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“I feel so blessed to be able to help folks give to the Harvest Hands,” says Messina. “And I’m grateful that Brentwood United Methodist Church is again, this year, facilitating the cause.”
Holiday Releases Roundup
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Opry Events Manager Exits; Obedia Opens Nash Offices
/by Freeman• • •
Los-Angeles based Obedia, a music tech support and training firm has moved its headquarters to Nashville and set up shop at 2817 West End Ave. although it will maintain an L.A. office.
“The move to Nashville puts us in a better position to work closely with Nashville’s vibrant music community, which has embraced technology in producing music known throughout the world,” said CEO Jayce Murphy in a news release. “I’m looking forward to expanding on our success and to bring service and support into the next generation.”
Obedia provides services ranging form installation of software and hardware, to system optimization and customization, to how-to training. For more info visit www.obedia.com
People Magazine Auction Features Reba, Lady A
/by contributorExclusive photos of country stars including Reba, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley in their favorite Nashville places are currently on display at the Hutton Hotel in downtown Nashville. These photos, which are also featured in the December 2010 issue of People Country, are up for auction here.
The following items are up for auction until December 17th:
Reba on “Why I Love Ryman Auditorium”
Meet Reba at the concert of your choice and take home an autographed photo
Lady Antebellum on “Why We Love 3rd and Lindsley”
Meet Lady A at the concert of your choice and take home an autographed photo
Taylor Swift on “Why I Love Kids Kingdom”
Win an autographed Baby Taylor guitar and a photo
Brad Paisley on “Why I Love the Grand Ole Opry House”
Tour the Grand Ole Opry and take home an autographed guitar and photo
Dierks Bentley on “Why I Love My Farm in Leiper’s Fork”
Meet Dierks and take home an autographed guitar and photo
Miranda Lambert on “Why I Love Losers”
Win an autographed guitar and photo
Keith Urban on “Why I Love Gruhn Guitars”
Meet Keith at the concert of your choice and take home an autographed photo
2010: A Good Year for The Grascals
/by contributor2010 was a good year for The Grascals. The group’s latest album, The Famous Lefty Flynn’s, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited chart for four months. Their current single, “Last Train To Clarksville,” claimed the No. 1 spot on the singles chart this month as well.
This banner year was ushered in with several significant changes; the band parted ways with their label of six years, Rounder Records, and started their own imprint, BluGrascal Records. Additionally, The Grascals celebrated a successful first year with New Frontier Touring, playing over 150 shows in 2010, including high-profile sets with Hank Williams Jr.’s Rowdy Friends Tour, the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, the CMA Music Festival, the IBMA Fan Fest and multiple Opry appearances.
“We worked hard, we reaped a good bit of what we’ve sown, and we are continually blessed,” remarks Jamie Johnson, vocalist and guitar player for the group.
The Grascals formed in Nashville in 2004 and have received multiple IBMA Awards, including Emerging Artist of the Year (2005), Song of the Year (2005), and Entertainer of the Year (2006 and 2007).
The Grascals Receive No. 1 plaques for The Famous Lefty Flynn’s at NorthStar Studios in Nashville. Pictured Standing, L-R: Jeremy Westby (Entertainment Evolution), Mary Matthews (New Frontier Touring), Terry Smith, Jeremy Abshire, Kristin Scott Benson, Jon Bell (New Frontier Touring), Jamie Johnson, Danny Roberts, Kirt Webster (Entertainment Evolution) and Terry Eldredge. Kneeling, L-R: Logan Bosemer (New Frontier Touring), Paul Lohr (New Frontier Touring), Martha Moore (So Much Moore Media) and Aaron Summer (New Frontier Touring).