Nashville Hosts Noise! Music Camp

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Noise! Music Camp participants are pictured at Ocean Way Nashville Studios

The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation’s NOISE! music camp for gifted high school students, currently underway in Nashville, gives students a hands-on learning opportunity through a series of field trips and lectures from top music industry professionals.

On Thursday July 22, thirty-two NOISE! students from all over the nation recorded an original song co-written with Better Angels Music songwriters Jay Brunswick and Matt Rogers. The song, entitled “Unity,” was recorded at Ocean Way Nashville Recording Studios. Four different NOISE! camp students, Jimmy Gatch, Caitlin McCarty, Mignon Grabois and Logan Gardipee sang verses while Scott Jacobson added his own free style rap. The entire group attending participated in writing the song.

“This year’s NOISE! camp is a huge success,” said Shauna Collins, MUZAK Heart & Soul Foundation Marketing Director. “It is so rewarding to see these young people get excited about their own potential careers in the music industry. The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation is very appreciative to have such an outpouring support from the Nashville music community. We are thankful for the support of Belmont University and the many music industry professionals who volunteered their time to speak with this year’s class.”

This year’s NOISE! sponsors included Muzak LLC, Belmont University, Best Buy Musical Instruments, Taylor Guitars, Loews Vanderbilt Plaza, Matchless Transportation, South Central AV, Dan McGuiness Pub, Blind Pig BBQ Restaurant and Maggiano’s.

The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity organization in 1998 by Muzak LLC. The Foundation’s mission is to support and redefine music education throughout the United States.  The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation helps students turn their passion for music into real world opportunities, providing teens with new and exciting programs focused on all aspects of the music business.

To learn more, visit www.Heart.Muzak.com or call 800-242-3129.

LeDoux Memorial Golf Tourney a Success

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The 4th Annual Chris LeDoux Spurs and Spikes Memorial Golf Tournament, founded by Jerrie Bennett, Pam Kinchen, and LeDoux’s wife Peggy, raised over $30,000 for the Chris LeDoux Memorial Foundation. Held at the Powder Horn Golf Club in Sheriden, WY, 36 teams participated in the two-day event that included a practice round, BBQ, auction and live entertainment. RCA Records artist and longtime golfer Jake Owen made the trip to Wyoming to place in the tournament.

All of the money raised goes directly to the Chris LeDoux Memorial Foundation which goes to benefit various charities that were important to the LeDoux family such as the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.

Tom Balding, a local bit and spur craftsman, created the first place trophies for the tournament. Each year Balding designs an original pair of silver spurs with the tournament name on each spur and the competition heats up quickly with a chance to take home one of these prized handmade silver spurs.

(l-r): Second place winning team / T.K. Kimbrell, longtime manager of Chris LeDoux; Laura Covington, Lisa Bernard; Tommy Bernard (photo: Stan Woinoski)

Jake Owen in his golf cart heading out to tee off (photo: Stan Woinoski)

Weekly Chart Report (7/30/10)

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While in the Twin Cities for a CD launch party, Jerrod Niemann (L) took in a Twins game with KEEY/Minneapolis PD Gregg Swedberg (R).

SPIN ZONE
The battle for No. 1 continues for yet another week, and Keith Urban’s “I’m In” holds the top spot for a second consecutive week as Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” cuts the difference between them to seven spins. Sure to be contending for the No. 1 position soon is Lady Antebellum’s “Our Kind Of Love,” which packs on 150 spins and overcomes the slow-moving top 10 as it leaps to No. 4. Also getting a good boost is Billy Currington’s “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer,” which moves 9-7.

Right now is a popular time to release a new single if you’re a superstar artist. The fall album release schedule includes Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Reba and Taylor Swift and is just far enough away that singles will reach critical mass by release date. Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall” is leading the pack at No. 25, still a week ahead of its official add date of August 9. Reba’s “Turn On The Radio” is climbing fast at No. 29. Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue” exploded this week, racing on the chart for a huge debut at No. 45 and a gain of 669 spins. Swift also has a new single (“Mine”) waiting in the wings, so look to see it making a big impact soon.

Other singles making debuts include Luke Bryan’s “Someone Else Calling You Baby” at No. 60, Chris Young’s “Voices” at No. 66, and newcomer David Adam Byrnes’s “Sweet Distraction” at No. 73.

Frozen: WDHR, KVVP, KVAY, KYYK, WDXX, WKWS

RADIO NEWS
More staff changes have been reported at West Texas Broadcasting’s KKCN/San Angelo, as Kris Cooper takes over Music Director duties from departing DK Pierce. Cooper also does middays as KKCN sister KGKL, and his call times will be Tuesdays from 10-12 ct. Reach him at khancock@westtexasbroadcasting.com.

Upcoming Singles
August 2
Josh Gracin/Cover Girl/Average Joes
Clay Walker/Where Do I Go From You/Curb
Luke Bryan/Someone Else Calling You Baby/Capitol

August 9
Josh Kelley/Georgia Clay/MCA
Kenny Chesney/The Boys of Fall/BNA
Laura Bell Bundy/Drop On By/Mercury

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury — 45
Luke Bryan/Someone Else Calling You Baby/Capitol — 60
Chris Young/Voices/RCA — 66
David Adam Byrnes/Sweet Distraction/Better Angels — 73

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury — 669
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol — 388
Kenny Chesney/The Boys Of Fall/BNA — 353
Reba/Turn On The Radio/Starstruck/Valory — 314
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA Nashville — 259

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Flynnville Train/Preachin’ to the Choir/Next Evolution Records — 228
Diamond Rio/This Is My Life/Word Records — 222
Bo Bice/You Take Yourself With You/Saguaro Road Records — 215
Jackie Arredondo/Someone Like You/Gold Voice/Big 7 — 214
Jimmy White and Jonell Mosser/Just What I Need/Tone Box Records — 203

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury – 41
Luke Bryan/Someone Else Calling You Baby/Capitol – 24
Reba/Turn On The Radio/Valory/Starstruck – 14
Chris Young/Voices/RCA – 11
David Adam Byrnes/Sweet Distraction/Better Angels – 11
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal – 11
*Total Adds rec’d over two weeks

• • • • •

Silk and Satin Records has released a new single, “Indiana Rain,” from Las Vegas-based Sandy Kastel. (L-R): Kasey Jones, Jan Woods, Jerry Duncan, Jen Trail, Kastel, Lisa Smoot and Jennifer Blair.

Tim McGraw's Southern Voice tour made a stop in Virginia Beach over the weekend and tour openers Love And Theft spent some time hanging backstage with WGH staffers. (L-R): WGH/Norfolk MD Mark McKay, Stephen Barker Liles, Eric Gunderson, Marilyn Shomby (wife of John Shomby), Brian Bandas, and WGH/Norfolk PD John Shomby.

Blair Garner Debuts Unsigned Sarah Marince

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Sarah Marince

After MidNite host Blair Garner made a dream come true earlier this week when he exclusively debuted a new song, “In The Mean Time,” from unsigned country artist Sarah Marince. The impact of airing on After MidNite was immediate. “In The Mean Time” debuted at #40 on Mediabase’s Real Time Chart. After an initial run on After MidNite, stations and listeners across the U.S. will get exclusive access to the single, which was written by Gary Burr and Caroline Cutbirth, and produced by Victoria Shaw. Marince will be interviewed by Garner on After MidNite Tuesday morning (8/3) to discuss her reaction to her debut.

“On Tuesday night, we broke all the rules and debuted a song by an unsigned artist, something we’ve never done in the show’s seventeen-year history,” said Garner. “When I met Sarah, I knew this amazingly talented woman had a voice and a message that needed to be heard. Because I believe in the power of music AND the power of radio, I wanted to bring these forces together to do something quite remarkable.”

Due to overwhelming positive response, “In The Mean Time” will be made available on iTunes next week – two weeks earlier than originally planned. This announcement comes on the heels of the successful launch of After MidNite’s New Music Monday, a web-based video feature which launched last October on www.BlairGarner.com. Garner gives new and emerging artists a chance to promote their music as he interviews them on-camera for this exciting online extension of After MidNite. Viewers are also given access to additional information about the featured artists, including links to fan sites and available music on iTunes.

For more information about Marince and After MidNite, visit www.BlairGarner.com.

Lambert and “Friends” Shine in New Video

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Miranda Lambert invited her friends Kellie Pickler, Laura Bell Bundy and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott to join her in the video for her new single, “Only Prettier.” The video is a mini-movie about two rival cliques of girls attending a 1950’s high school sock hop. The “Only Prettier” video will make its world premiere on VEVO August 3rd at 12AM ET with a 48-hour exclusive. The video will be available on all media outlets beginning August 5.

(l-r): Sock-hoppers Laura Bell Bundy, Kellie Pickler, Hillary Scott and Miranda Lambert

“Next Big” Digital Summit Coming To Nashville

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The newly combined Next BIG Nashville (NBN) and Leadership Music Digital Summit (LMDS) have announced artists, speakers and details for their highly anticipated September 29-October 2 event in Nashville. NBN and LMDS recently joined forces to become Nashville’s most progressive music event: combining a four day multi-genre music festival with a two-day digital summit engaging industry leaders, innovators and instigators in lively conversations and presentations. Rounding out the week will be films, parties and special events.

The current festival artist lineup includes Yeasayer, WAVVES, Ponys, David Bazan, Javelin, The Hood Internet, Garotas Suecas, Moon Duo, The Mynabirds, Otouto, Peelander-Z, Elf Power and many more. In total, 150+ acts will play over four nights in Nashville’s premiere music venues. Nationally recognized artists will appear with a full slate of established and emerging names from Nashville and the Southeast including Madi Diaz, Kyle Andrews, Keegan DeWitt, Futurebirds, Andrew Belle, Katie Herzig, Megan McCormick, Kopecky Family Band, The Apache Relay, Mikky Ekko, The Protomen, The Non Commissioned Officers, Roman Candle, The Silver Seas and more. Record labels, organizations and brands will also present showcases, VIP events and exclusive after parties.

The LMDS continues to position Nashville directly in the epicenter of the evolving music business by bringing together thought provoking panelists and presenters to discuss what’s working, what’s not and what’s next. This year’s speakers include Tim Westergren (CEO, Pandora), Ian C. Rogers (CEO, TopSpin), Troy Carter (Atom Factory Management, Lady Gaga), David Israelite (CEO, NMPA), Randall Poster (Music Supervisor), Eric Garland (Big Champagne), Russ Crupnick (NPD), Jim Griffin (OneHouse), Dorrian Porter (CEO, Mozes), Ariel Hyatt (Ariel Publicity), Mitch Bainwol (Pres., RIAA), Jon Cohen (Co-Founder, Cornerstone), Brendan Mulligan (Sonicbids), Livia Tortella (GM, Atlantic), and David Airaudi (Universal) among many others.

Earlybird festival wristbands and conference/festival badges will be available at a significantly reduced price for the next two weeks, concluding on Tuesday, Aug. 10. All tickets available via www.nbnsummit.com. Click here to view a recap of Next BIG Nashville 2009.
To view highlights from the past Leadership Music Digital Summits, click here.

Black River Music Signs Matt Lopez

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Black River Music Publishing has signed Matt Lopez to a publishing deal.

“I am looking forward to working with Matt,” said Celia Froehlig, Vice President of BRMG Publishing. “He is a wonderful addition to the BRMG publishing family!”

Lopez is a member of the emerging group Due West who recently signed a record deal with Black River Music Group’s label. He has had songs recorded by Lady Antebellum and Joanna Smith.

(l to r): Celia Froehlig, Matt Lopez and Tonya Ginnetti, BRMG's Vice President/Director Artist Relations.

Rascal Flatts to Join Big Machine

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Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta announced today (7/29) that Rascal Flatts would be the latest addition to the Big Machine family. A new album called Nothing Like This, produced by Dann Huff, is due out November 16. The first single “Why Wait,” written by Neil Thrasher, Tom Shapiro and Jimmy Yeary, is being released to radio today.

The trio’s most recent album, Unstoppable, was their last with Disney-owned Lyric Street Records. The Rascal Flatts catalog will remain with the Disney Music Group. There is no official word on the status of remaining Lyric Street staff.

“Rascal Flatts are the biggest band in country music and we’re honored and thrilled to have them join the Big Machine Records family,” said Big Machine Records founder/CEO Scott Borchetta. “While they are celebrating the first ten years together I selfishly can’t wait to start on their next ten years. They have made a fantastic new album and they are completely energized and ready to take on not only the US but also the rest of the world. Why wait?”

“We are extremely excited about our new partnership with Big Machine Records,” says Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus. “We believe that Scott Borchetta and all of the folks over there are a perfect fit for what Rascal Flatts is trying to accomplish over the next few years. The last 10 years have been amazing but we are even more excited out the next phase of our career; Scott understands us, he knows what we’re about and it’s always a wonderful thing to have someone who believes in you and your music that much in your corner.”

Hall of Fame Celebrates Elvis

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Loving You: Collecting Elvis Presley, a spotlight exhibit on one of the most beloved and influential cultural figures of the twentieth century, will be unveiled August 6 at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. The exhibit, which celebrates Elvis Presley’s 75th birthday, is located within the Museum’s permanent exhibition and will run through January 2011.

Incorporating documents and artifacts from the Museum’s collection, the exhibit examines Presley’s continuing global appeal and the enduring support of his fans more than thirty years after his passing. Items to be displayed include a Munsingwear bathrobe and a Lord Nelson wristwatch owned by the King himself. Also featured are collectible items bearing Presley’s likeness, including a bronze bust designed by Armand LaMontagne, a Christmas ornament, a bottle of “Always Elvis” white wine, a porcelain music box and more.

Spotlight exhibits are narratives that supplement themes or aspects of the Museum’s core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music. These short-term, informal displays either provide a closer look at a particular person, group or aspect of country music, or spotlight recently donated items or special anniversaries. Rotated often, spotlight exhibits also offer a glimpse into the Museum’s unique collection, which includes recorded discs, historical photographs, films and videotapes; thousands of posters, books, songbooks, periodicals and sheet music; personal artifacts such as performers’ instruments, costumes and accessories; and more.

Wynonna Named Cecil Scaife Visionary

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Five-time Grammy winner Wynonna Judd will receive The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award for 2010. Governor Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte will be on hand for an evening of music and heartfelt memories on Tuesday, August 24, as Nashville celebrates Wynonna for her countless contributions to the Nashville community and future generations who wish to pursue a career in the music industry.

The event will be held at Conservation Hall at the Tennessee Residence in Nashville.  The invitation-only gala begins at 6:30 PM.  The evening will be filled with music and tributes from friends and esteemed members of the community including a proclamation from U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. Invitations may be requested by emailing NashvilleCelebrates@gmail.com accompanying a donation of $200.  All donations benefit the Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship Endowment for an educational scholarship to be awarded in Wynonna Judd’s name.

The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award was founded in the name of the Music Row pioneer and veteran, who was instrumental in the formation of the music business program that is now known as the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Passionate about the music industry and education, it was Scaife’s vision to form a college level program to produce successful musicians, artists and music business executives by giving students an opportunity to formally learn about the industry that was so fulfilling and exciting for him.

“Wynonna personifies the spirit of this award,” said LaRawn Scaife Rhea. “She has given so generously of her heart, talent and time to help the next generation realize a better life and better chance at success through her work with youth in our community and students pursuing a career in the music industry. It is a great honor to award The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award to Wynonna for the many special opportunities that she has made available to students through her special mentorship.”

Music industry leader, Mike Curb, was the inaugural recipient of The Cecil Scaife Visonary Award in 2008. Record producer and music industry leader, Tony Brown, received the award in 2009.