NPR To Broadcast AMA Award Show

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Can’t be in Nashville for the Americana Music Association’s 2010 Honors & Award Show tonight (9/9)? Well, fear not. NPR Radio and partner station Folk Alley will be webcasting the entire affair from the Ryman Auditorium starting at 6:30pm ct, joining the BBC, Voice of America Radio, Sirius XM, and WSM AM as the show’s broadcast partners. NPR will also have the ceremony archived and available for on-demand listening at www.npr.org/music as well as from its iPhone app.

Award show tickets are still available for $55 from Ticketmaster, Ryman.com, or at the Ryman box office. Jim Lauderdale will handle hosting duties again, joined by Buddy Miller and his All-Star house band featuring Don Was, Aaron Embry, Greg Liesz, and Bryan Owings. Scheduled performers include John Mellencamp, Emmylou Harris, The Avett Brothers, Rodney Crowell, Wanda Jackson, Rosanne Cash, Patty Griffin and more. Presenters include Jack White, Lucinda Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Grace Potter, John Oates, Mary Gauthier and more.

Buddy Lee Attractions Adds Scott Studdard

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Scott Stuttard

Buddy Lee Attractions has announced the addition of Scott Stuttard to handle sponsorship acquisition on behalf of the agency. Stuttard, a 15-year veteran of the sponsorship marketing industry, most recently served as president and CEO of in2it Marketing, and has subsequently been named Executive Sponsorship Director for Buddy Lee Attractions.

“We are very excited about Scott’s addition to BLA, and this continued growth to the company that his addition represents,” said Kevin Neal, President of BLA. “His vast experience in the sponsorship realm will greatly enhance opportunities for our artists.”

“Music Sponsorship is my passion,” adds Stuttard. “The connection of artists, fans, and brands in meaningful ways creates an experience that is truly memorable for all involved. Joining BLA is part of that connection. BLA is not simply a talent agency, but a client-focused team of professionals. I am proud to be asked to be part of the BLA team, and look forward to providing new and exciting opportunities for each of our clients.”

While at in2it, Stuttard produced, promoted and created sponsorship partnerships for more than 400 productions across multiple genres, including country, rock, comedy and Broadway. Stuttard developed multiple artist-brand partnerships, with many high profile brands such as Anheuser Busch, Chrysler, Chevrolet, The United Way and Major League Baseball.

For full client roster, visit www.buddyleeattractions.com. Stuttard can be reached by calling 814-327-9054 or at sstuttard@blanash.com.

Rascal Flatts Steps Up For Suicide Prevention

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As ambassadors for The Jason Foundation (JFI), superstar country quartet Rascal Flatts have recorded a special public service announcement regarding World Suicide Prevention Day. Slated to take place on September 10, the event is a worldwide day of commitment and action to prevent suicides. On average, almost 3000 people commit suicide daily. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.

In America, suicide is the third leading cause of death for American youths.  Rascal Flatts, along with JFI, are reaching out asking teens and their families to learn more about the problem of suicide and how you can help make a difference in your family, in your community, and in our world. To learn more Rascal Flatts involvement in the B1 Project go to www.rascalflattsb1.com. The purpose of the B1 Project is to educate youth and students on recognizing the warning signs of youth suicide and how to help a friend.

To view the Rascal Flatts B1 PSA, go to www.rascalflattsb1.com.

The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI believes that awareness and education are the first steps to prevention and focuses on establishing a Triangle of Prevention by providing students, parents and teachers/youth workers the tools and resources to help them identify and assist at-risk youth. This is accomplished through a series of programs and services that focus on information about the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI is a national organization with a network of affiliate offices. Go to www.jasonfoundation.com to learn more.

Artists On The Road and at Radio

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Stealing Angels In San Jose
Skyville Records/Nine North artists Stealing Angels were in San Jose visiting with  KRTY. The trio was asked to sign a jar of cherries and proved equal to the challenge.

(l-r): Nine North’s Dave Collins, Stealing Angels’ Caroline Cutbirth and Jennifer Wayne, KRTY's Tina Ferguson, KRTY GM Nate Deaton, and Stealing Angels’ Tayla Lynn.

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Amber Hayes Visits AM WSM
FUNL Music recording artist Amber Hayes celebrated the Aug. 31 release of her debut EP, C’mon, with a pair of interviews and performances for Nashville’s legendary radio station 650AM WSM. Hayes delivered a live performance for morning personality Bill Cody.

(l-r): WSM producer, Charlie Mattos, Amber Hayes, WSM’s Bill Cody and Hayes’ guitarist and co-writer, Bill DiLuigi.

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Todd O’Neill Brings “Mississippi” to Missouri
Aria Records artist Todd O’Neill has been visiting radio stations to introduce his latest single, “Cry No Mississippi.”  At a recent stop through Springfield, MO, the singer received a warm welcome at KTTS and met with station program director Mark Grantin.

KTTS program director Mark Grantin (left) greets Todd O’Neill.

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The Judds Kick Off Oprah’s Farewell Season

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After more than 4,400 episodes and 28,000 guests, The Oprah Winfrey Show is getting ready to launch its farewell season, and country super-duo The Judds are set to appear as special guests on Tuesday, September 14.

The Grammy Award-winning mother/daughter team will discuss plans for their upcoming farewell tour, The Last Encore, give a private tour of the 1,000-acre Tennessee farm they call home, and perform a special duet for Oprah. Plus, Wynonna speaks out about how she’s lost more than 60 pounds, and opens up about how she survived the ordeal of her former husband’s arrest and conviction.

Sales Depts; Start Your Engines

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The bars show YTD weekly progress compared with 2009 sales.

Are you tired of watching country sales totals dripple and drip like a leaky faucet? This week for the first time this year, they have finally fallen further into the red zone than the overall industry. In fact, according to Nielsen SoundScan for the week ending 9-5-2010, overall album sales are down -12.5% YTD while country album sales have dipped -13.2%. [see graph] Fortunately, help is on the way!

Currently country has scanned 23.859 million country units in 35 weeks, an average of .68 million per week. If the pace held steady over the year’s remaining 17 weeks country would end up with a meager 35 million units for the year, a disaster compared with the 46.13 million sold in 2009. But that is highly unlikely considering the holidays are always the strongest sales period and this year’s release schedule is especially powerful.

So what is the good news? The good word arrives in the form of upcoming CD releases from Jamey Johnson (9/14), Zac Brown Band (9/21), Kenny Chesney (9/28), Toby Keith (10/5), Sugarland (10/19), Taylor Swift (10/25), Jason Aldean (11/2), Reba (11/9) and Rascal Flatts (11/16). Finally after sloshing through months of underachiever releases, country is getting ready to start its sales engine. In fact, this writer is so optimistic about the lineup that if the steep downward tilt of the graph’s country trend line doesn’t improve, I promise to stop covering country sales. [There, I said it!]

Country Label Mates Tie The Knot

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Trailer Choir’s Mark Fortney, better known as “Butter,” and Carter’s Chord’s Emily Robertson turned a birthday party into a wedding Monday night (9/6)), while surprised family and friends cheered them on. (Photo: www.rqfoto.com)

The couple, who are both Show Dog-Universal artists and who have been dating for almost two years, gathered everyone together at Nashville’s 12th and Porter under the guise of a birthday party for Butter. But after the cake had been served, Butter told their guests he was about to change the evening’s course, and proposed to Robertson. Just when guests thought it couldn’t get any better, a mysterious curtain dropped to reveal flowers, a preacher and an altar made out of PVC pipe.

“Emily and I wanted our wedding to reflect what was important to us, and how much we love each other,” Fortney said. “Expensive invitations and fancy ceremonies don’t matter to us—I mean the altar cost us $30 bucks worth of PVC pipes. Plus we both have this wacky sense of humor, and being able to pull off a surprise like that was great.”

Both Butter and Robertson had all of their band mates in attendance, as well as family and friends.

SESAC To Host Blood/Food Drive

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SESAC, working in conjunction with Nashville Area Red Cross, Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, will host a “Give + Love” event on Monday, September 20 
from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM to raise supplies for Nashville Area Red Cross and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Middle Tennessee residents were hit hard by the massive flooding on May 1.  The Nashville Area Red Cross and Second Harvest were quick and effective in meeting the immediate needs of Tennesseans thousands. Because of the prompt response of the Nashville Area Red Cross and Second Harvest Middle Tennessee, both charitable organizations are experiencing critical shortages of food and monetary donations.

In an effort to assist the Nashville Area Red Cross & Second Harvest,SESAC is encouraging Middle Tennesseans to make blood donations and contribute spare change and canned goods. The event will take place at SESAC’s Music Row headquarters at 55 Music Square East.

For more information contact Shawn Williams at swilliams@sesac.com or call 615-320-0055.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (9/8/10)

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The competition is at a really high level this week.

I can’t remember when there were so many really fine songs going head to head during one listening session. “I Make a Difference,” “Bad Angel,” “Raymond” and “Who Are You When I’m Not Around” all tugged at my emotions in different ways.

It’s also a really good sign when there are so many worthy newcomers making noise. Rob Baird, T.J. Broscoff, Brad Wolf and Brett Eldredge all tickled my ears. But only the last-named had the one-two punch of both a performance and a song that knocked me off my socks. Give Brett Eldredge that DisCovery Award.

Brett was so strong, in fact, that he also competed for Disc of the Day. So did Blake Shelton, Sage Keffer and Randy Houser. But in the end, I went with the undeniable star power of Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson.

ROB BAIRD/Could Have Been My Baby
Writer: Rob Baird; Producer: Scott Davis; Publisher: none listed; Carnival (track) (www.robbairdmusic.com)
—This is evidently kicking up some dust on the Texas charts. I can hear why. He has a soulful, urgent delivery, a blue-collar attitude and a plain-spoken songwriting style. The production is rootsy/cool with underlying high, keening steel and organ sounds. Count me in.

SARA EVANS/A Little Bit Stronger
Writer: Luke Laird/Hillary Lindsey/Hillary Scott; Producer: Tony Brown; Publisher: Universal-Careers/High Powered Machine/Raylene/BPJ/EMI Foray/Hillary Dawn, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; RCA
—Her delivery is emotionally resonant, but the overly long and meandering song isn’t very hook-y.

BRYAN COLE/I’m Comin’ Home
Writer: Bryan Cole/Michael Stover; Producer: Bryan Cole & Michael Stover; Publisher: none listed; Perfect Vision (www.bryancole.net)
—This fellow is a regional favorite in the Pittsburgh area. His plaintive tenor hits all the right notes here. But it’s usually not a good idea to launch a national career with a ballad. Go find yourself a hit song.

BLAKE SHELTON/Who Are You When I’m Not Looking
Writer: Earl Bud Lee/John Wiggins; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: We’re Working/Kobalt Songs/Notewrite/Fiddlestock, ASCAPP/BMI; Reprise
—He is one of the most underrated vocalists in this format. This stunning, perfect performance throws the spotlight on his ballad abilities. As if his subtly shaded phrasing isn’t stellar enough, the song is wonderfully well written.

T.J. BROSCOFF/Jamie’s Heart
Writer: T.J. Broscoff; Producer: Bill Green; Publisher: Bill Green, BMI; BGM (www.tjbroscoff.com)
—I dig the rasp in his throat, the melodic song and the twinkling, breezy production. Very promising. Send more.

DIERKS BENTLEY, MIRANDA LAMBERT & JAMEY JOHNSON/Bad Angel
Writer: Verlon Thompson/Suzi Ragsdale; Producer: Jon Randall Stewart; Publisher: Verlonsongs/EMI April/Ray Stevens, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The video of the trio’s performance of this during the CMA Music Festival is now airing on CMT. I went insane over this the first time I heard it on Dierks’s superb Up on the Ridge CD. I’m still crazy about it. Bluesy, soulful, searing and sensational. To my ears, the greatest country Vocal Collaboration of the Year.

BRAD WOLF/I Make A Difference
Writer: Don Goodman/Brad Wolf; Producer: Morris, Goodman & Resnik; Publisher: Big Hitmakers/Little Tornadoes, BMI; Evergreen (615-327-3213)
—His delivery is kinda bawling and in-your-face. But there’s no denying the righteousness of his message. When the teacher is asked how much she makes, she replies, “I make a whole lot more than I get paid/Because I make a difference.” Amen to that.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Raymond
Writer: Brett Eldredge/Brad Crisler; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publisher: Brett Eldredge/English Ivy/Chrysalis One/Have a Bad Day/FSMGI, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic
—What a terrific story song. He’s the janitor in an old-folks home. A lady there calls him “Raymond” and thinks he’s her son. He lets her. You see, the real Raymond was buried in Arlington Cemetery in 1971. You’d have to be made of stone not to be moved by this.

SAGE KEFFER/Bet Yo Mama
Writer: Chuck Cannnon; Producer: Matt Rovey & Sage Keffer; Publisher: Chuck Cannon, BMI; SK  (www.sagekeffer.com)
—Swampy and funky every whichaway. This former Nashville Star competitor has a CMT reality TV show with Ted Nugent in the can, is playing the criminal in Jake Owen’s hit “Tell Me” video and has twice headlined shows in Europe. Will somebody do the right thing and give this guy the major-label contract he deserves?

RANDY HOUSER/A Man Like Me
Writer: Randy Houser/Danny Green/Jameson Clark; Producer: Mark Wright & Cliff Audretch III; Publisher: Bug/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Black in the Saddle/Ole/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Mighty Underdog, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog Universal (CDX)
—Solid. This is my kinda country music, with a heartbeat bass, a note-bending honky-tonk vocal, a deep-South drawl and a chorus with hooks a-plenty. Listeners are going to love this.

Troy Olsen Stars In GAC Webisodes

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EMI Records Nashville artist Troy Olsen is getting his own webisode series on GACTV.com. Livin’ The Dream With Troy Olsen will launch on GAC’s website today, September 7. Viewers can watch the day-to-day stories unfold for Olsen as he talks about everything that has gone in to his pursuit of being a successful singer/songwriter. Each Tuesday a new episode will be revealed. Click here to watch the debut episode.

After a visit to the GAC offices in Nashville to meet and perform songs for the staff, it was apparent that the Arizona native had a colorful history and some great stories to tell about his path to living his dreams, for example, how he grew up a true working cowboy on his family’s ranches in Arizona; how he discovered his musical idols while sitting in the back of a pickup truck at the top of an Arizona canyon trying to pick up the former TNN show, Video PM, and how his recording career began by accidentally discovering that he could make a microphone out of his Walkman when he inadvertently plugged his headphones in to the input instead of the output.

Olsen is currently on his headlining Get Right Tonight Tour in advance of the October 5 release of his self-titled debut EP. The club tour hits over 40 cities before wrapping up on November 20 in Denver, CO.