30k Fans Watch Dierks In Studio

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Bentley in the studio.


More than 30,000 fans logged on to watch Dierks Bentley track 15 songs for his sixth studio album during five days in the recording studio. The entire recording process was streamed via a 24 hour video feed from the Echo Mountain studio in Asheville, NC. The project wrapped last Friday (2/4).
“This entire recording process was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had as a singer or a musician…it was definitely intense and at times a roller coaster emotionally as we worked through the arrangements of these songs,” said Bentley. “I guess I’m still a little old school in the way I like to record..and as a fan, the way I like to listen to music. I still enjoy the process of making an album and not just a collection of singles. Letting the fans be part of that process was a total bonding experience…it was 24 hours a day, and they probably know more about me than they ever wanted to now!”

Flatts Part Ways With Management

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In a brief press release Rascal Flatts announced this evening they will part ways with Turner Nichols & Associates after more than a decade of working together.
“We will always consider Trey and Doug to be a part of our family,” says Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts. “We have nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for the work that we’ve done together over the past ten years.”
“The Flatts are great guys and will always be part of our family as well,” shared Trey Turner and Doug Nichols.  “We wish them nothing but the best.”
Business going forward should be directed to Rascal Flatts Entertainment. They can be reached at 615-772-5466 or info@rascalflattsent.com.

Rascal Flatts, Turner & Nichols Part Ways

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After a decade of doing business together, Rascal Flatts and their management team of Trey Turner and Doug Nichols at Turner Nichols & Associates have decided to part ways.
“We will always consider Trey and Doug to be a part of our family,” the band said in a prepared statement. “And we have nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for the work that we’ve done together over the past ten years.”
“The Flatts are great guys and will always be part of our family as well,” said Turner and Nichols in a press release. “We wish them nothing but the best.”
All business pertaining to Rascal Flatts moving forward can be directed to Rascal Flatts Entertainment at 615-772-5466 or info@rascalflattsent.com.

EMI Records Nashville Signing; Neal McCoy Goes Rogue

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EMI Records Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Eric Paslay to its roster. The Texas native has been busy writing songs and recording his debut album. The first single is expected to hit radio later this year.

Pictured L-R: Standing: Mike Milom (Milom Joyce Horsnell Crow PLC), Billy Lynn (Cal IV VP of Creative), Daniel Hill (Cal IV President), Cindy Mabe (Capitol/EMI Records Nashville SVP Marketing). Seated: Tom Becci (Capitol/EMI Records Nashville COO), Mike Dungan (Capitol/EMI Records Nashville Pres. & CEO), Paslay, & Dan Harrell (Fore Artist Management).

• • • • •

Neal McCoy has inked a deal with Rogue Music Group for management representation. The company is headed by President Scott Kernahan.
“Neal is the consummate entertainer whose energetic live shows have earned him a legion of loyal followers,” says Kernahan. “With new music and tours in the works, we are going to help Neal to take his career to new heights.”

McCoy's team: L-R: WME agent Risha Rodgers, Festival Producer Troy Vollhoffer, Neal McCoy, manager Scott Kernahan, and publicist Kirt Webster


Management: Rogue Music Group
, Scott Kernahan
, 615-620-7350, 
scott@roguemusicgroup.com
Booking: William Morris Endeavor, 
Risha Rodgers, 
615-963-3000
, rrodgers@wmeentertainment.com
Public Relations: Webster & Associates, 
Matt Brewer, 
615-777-6995 x225, 
matt@websterpr.com

Chris Young Celebrates 3 Consecutive No. 1s

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Chris Young


Three times the charm for Chris Young celebrating his third consecutive No. 1 single. “Voices” from his sophomore CD, The Man I Want To Be has reached the summit a.k.a. chart heaven. Three-in-a-row is pretty sweet, but in this case it was the second go round for “Voices” which was originally released in 2008 and peaked at No. 37. Written by Young, Chris Tompkins and Craig Wiseman, “Voices” marks the second time that an artist has hit the top target after re-releasing a song. In fact, it was Randy Travis’ “On The Other Hand” that went to the top in 1986 after originally peaking at No. 67.
Young’s previous two No. 1 singles were “Getin’ You Home,” and “The Man I Want To Be.”
Chris Young was recently nominated for his first Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal and is currently on the road as part of the Rascal Flatts tour. He also has a new album scheduled for this summer. Young’s new single “Tomorrow” delivers digitally to radio this week.

Industry Ink (2/7)

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GAC execs among Emmy winners • Production music panel tonight • Ree Guyer-Buchanan, Tinti Moffat launch Hats Across The Row • The View co-host joins Dove Awards • Live Nation completes Front Line purchase • Songwriter Agency inks Steve Wariner • Nashville Ballet highlights songwriters • Identical Entertainment celebrates
>>Among the winners of the 25th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards were Martin Fischer, Edie Lynn Hoback, Ed Hardy, Sarah Trahern, and High Five Entertainment for the piece “Music City Keep On Playin’ – A Benefit For Flood Relief.”

Minnie Pearl


>>Music execs Tinti Moffat and Ree Guyer-Buchanan are co-chairing the Hats Across the Row (HATR), a campaign honoring the legacy of Minnie Pearl, and the connection between the music business and the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation. Sponsored by SunTrust Bank, this campaign will include signage on Music Row, displays of Minnie’s signature hats at music businesses, and the opportunity for the public to designate hat tags in honor or memory of those impacted by cancer for a donation. A kick-off parade and barbecue will held April 5 on the Row.
>>Sherri Shepherd, co-host of ABC’s The View, will host the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards live from the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on April 20. The awards will air April 24 at 8:00p.m./delayed PT on GMC.
>>The Nashville Ballet will perform Postcards from the Boys Feb. 11-13, written specifically for the music of songwriters Guy Clark and Darrell Scott. Performing will be Shawn Camp with a seven-member orchestra alongside Nashville Ballet dancers.
>>The Production Music Association (PMA) will hold a panel discussion in Nashville tonight (2/7) at 5:30 PM at BMI. Music supervisor Anastasia Brown, attorney Derek Crownover, composer Matthew Perryman Jones and Whizbang’s Jim Scherer will join out-of-town panelists Randy Thornton of Non-Stop Music, and Joe Saba of VideoHelper. $10 for PMA members; $15 for non-members.
>>Live Nation Entertainment has acquired all of the remaining equity stake in Front Line Management Group, Inc. that it did not previously own for $116.2 million. This includes the equity interests in Front Line formerly held by Irving Azoff and Madison Square Garden. In related Live Nation news, Barry Diller exited the board last week.

Steve Wariner


>>The Songwriter Agency has signed four-time Grammy winner Steve Wariner. For booking, contact Randy Harrell at Randy@thesongwriteragency.com or 904-437-8463.
>>Publishing and artist development firm Identical Entertainment is celebrating a number of recent song placements for film and TV. The company’s roster includes Deanna Harper, Jess Moskaluke, Tiffany Vartanyan, Tonja Rose and Greg Johnson. The Identical Entertainment staff is anchored by President Sheila Bauer and CEO Kathy Aberson. Reach them at (615) 530-2643 or admin@identicalent.com.

Artist/Writer Roundup

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Waylon Tribute CD; Matthews Joins Davis Music; and Brody Releases Environmental Video
>>The ninth anniversary of the passing of country legend Waylon Jennings is being commemorated with a tribute CD, The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings, Volume 1, releasing Tues., Feb. 8. Conceived as a three volume series, work on the unique project began almost three years ago as a labor of love for Waylon’s widow Jessi Colter, son Shooter Jennings, guitarist Reggie Young and Producer Witt Stewart. This first volume, on ScatterRecords and Big Machine features Waylon’s most critically and commercially acclaimed tracks, uniquely interpreted and performed by yesterday’s and today’s country legends, including Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Trace Adkins, Patty Griffin, Randy Houser and John Hiatt. Also included are new recordings by Shooter Jennings, Jessi Colter and the Jennings classic “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way,” the first new music in over ten years from super-group Alabama. Volume II is scheduled to release on June 14, the day before what would have been Waylon’s 74th birthday. Volume III is slated to release Fall 2011, the day prior to Waylon and Jessi’s 42nd wedding anniversary.

Trey Mattews


>>Trey Matthews has signed a publishing deal with Davis Music, according to the Group’s GM Gator Michaels. “Trey is a welcomed addition to our songwriting team,” says Michaels. “In a town full of talented songwriters, his strong county roots and great lyrical abilities really stand above the pack.” Matthews was most recently a writer for Bigger Picture with songs cut on numerous country albums including Jerrod Niemann’s current album, plus Tracy Byrd, Daryle Singletary, Mark McGuinn, Billy Dean, Cole Degges and The Lonesome, The Harters and several others.
>>Grammy nominee Lane Brody has released a video for her latest single, “Flame’s Turned Blue” on GMV Records. The song, written and produced by the artist, is focused upon a humanitarian response to environmental issues developing around the globe and is part of Brody’s new CD On The Wings Of Songs. The video was directed, edited and shot by Australian native, Ross Ward.
Youtube video

Photos: Josh Gracin, Montgomery Gentry, Steel Magnolia

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Gracin at the City of Hope.


>>Average Joes artist Josh Gracin visited the The Academy of Country Music office in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, he sang “Nothing to Lose” and others including his current single “Over Me,” on the new ACM Stage. While in LA, Gracin also visited with patients and staff in the Pediatrics Cancer Program at City of Hope treatment facility. Gracin is currently wrapping up his first project on Average Joe’s, Redemption, with a new single impacting radio next month.

Pictured: Josh Gracin with the Academy staff; Photo Credit: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music


>>Montgomery Gentry recently wrapped up a week-long USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour to Korea and Japan. Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry traveled more than 15 hours to the Pacific to visit more than 8,000 soldiers, Marines and airmen and their families stationed in Korea and Okinawa. The tour included two acoustic performances and four full-band shows.

Pictured: Montgomery Gentry with a Blackhawk helicopter flight crew stationed at Yongsan Garrison in South Korea Jan. 26. Photo credit: USO photo by Jackie Zettles


Steel Magnolia on Tennessee Mornings


>>Joshua Scott Jones and Meghan Linsey, of Steel Magnolia, performed live on Fox 17’s Tennessee Mornings recently. Steel Magnolia will appear on the Late Show with David Letterman to perform “Last Night Again,” tonight (2/7) at 10:30 pm CT.

Artists Drive Fans To ACM Polls

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Artists are going viral to drive ACM votes from fans. The nominees in the new artist categories are using free downloads, Facebook and funny videos to spur fans to vote for them here.
Voting goes through Feb. 24 and the winner in each category will be announced in March. Those winners will then move on to compete for the Top New Artist prize through online voting. The Top New Artist will be announced live on the April 3 ACM Awards.
Eric Church‘s campaign for Top New Solo Vocalist is being boosted by his video “Everyone Is Doing It” at ericchurch.com. Fans can share the link via email and social media and the person who draws the most views through their personal link will win a trip to the CMA Music Festival.
For his campaign, fans of Randy Houser will be entertained by this funny animal kingdom video.
Easton Corbin posted a video message to fans on his Facebook page, and his official website has a free download available.
In the running for Top New Vocal Duo or Group, The Band Perry, Steel Magnolia and the JaneDear girls are offering free song downloads to drive votes via the above links.

Weblinks: AEG Finds New Ticketing Solution

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AEG teams with Outbox • AOL buying Huffington Post • Aguilera’s Super Bowl snafu • The Daily for iPad
>>>Promoter AEG is partnering with ticketing company Outbox Enterprises to sell tickets at 105 venues later this year. AEG is working to distance itself from Ticketmaster following its merger with competitor Live Nation.
Within the next 6-12 months, the first venues will have Outbox up-and-running. Nearly all of its worldwide venues are expected to be on the new system within two years.
Outbox differs from Ticketmaster in that it gives venues the ability to sell tickets through their own websites, instead of a centralized website. More here.

Arianna Huffington


>>>As it continues to build its media and news presence, AOL revealed plans this morning to buy news blog The Huffington Post for $315 million. Under terms of the agreement, founder Arianna Huffington will stay on board. Keep reading.
>>>Blogs are buzzing about Christiana Aguilera’s botched rendition of the national anthem at last night’s (2/6) Super Bowl. Instead of singing the correct line: “O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming,” she mistakenly sang: “What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last reaming.”
The Grammy-winning singer’s apology statement says, “I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through.” Read more.
>>>In the latest example of traditional media trying to blend with new technology, The Daily newspaper launched last week exclusively on the iPad. The brainchild of media mogul Rupert Murdoch costs $39.99 for an annual subscription. More online.