Warner Continues Pickin’ On The Patio

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Jesse Lee

Warner Music Nashville is gearing up for this month’s Pickin’ On The Patio party (industry-only) on Thursday, July 22.

The event starts at 5:00 PM and will feature performances by Atlantic Records newcomers Brett Eldredge and Jesse Lee.

The label is hosting Pickin’ On The Patio at its Music Row offices on the fourth Thursday of every month, from May to October. Next month’s party is set for August 26.

Brett Eldredge

Exclusive Premieres From The Grascals, Amy Grant

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The video for The Grascals’ version of the Monkees’ ’60s pop smash, “The Last Train To Clarksville,” premiered worldwide on AOL Music / The Boot yesterday (7/19), marking the first time the website has debuted a bluegrass video. Directed by Marcel Chagnon, who also recently shot Clay Walker’s “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” the video was taped at several Nashville locations in late June. The lead single from The Grascals’ newest CD, The Famous Lefty Flynn’s, is already a hit on the bluegrass charts and shipped to country radio in June.

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The newest music video from six-time Grammy winner Amy Grant, “Better Than A Hallelujah,” will premiere exclusively online at Ladies’ Home Journal’s website LHJ.com today (7/20). LHJ.com will also run an interview with Grant to coincide with the video’s premiere. The song “Better Than A Hallelujah” comes from Grant’s acclaimed March release titled Somewhere Down the Road. It is her first new, non-holiday music in seven years.

Reba Album Due Nov. 9

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Reba has set a November 9 release date for her second album for The Valory Music Co. The as-yet-untitled project will be the follow-up to the gold-certified Keep On Loving You, released less than a year ago.

The lead single from her upcoming album, “Turn on the Radio,” is already at No. 50 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart. Dann Huff produced the track which will be available at iTunes on August 3.

“I fell for the song immediately,” said Reba of her new single. “I love that it’s an up-tempo, strong woman song about a woman who has been done wrong by her lover and is telling him to turn on the radio if he wants to hear from her through their favorite song. Dann Huff and the musicians did a wonderful job bringing the heart beat out in the song. It definitely gets your attention from the very start of the song.”

Keep On Loving You garnered a string of hits including “Strange” and the title track. “Consider Me Gone,” spent 4 weeks at No. 1, making Reba one of only a few country females to enjoy more than 3 weeks at No. 1 in the past 10 years.

Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, and has more RIAA sales certifications than any other Country female.

10 Billion Videos Streamed Last Month In U.S.

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The latest data from the Nielsen company shows that in June 2010 more than 10.2 billion videos were streamed in the U.S. This marks a slight 1.3% increase over the number of streams last year and nearly a 4% jump over last month’s figures.

Other results show that the top three sites for video streams in June, ranked by unique viewers, were: YouTube with 101,131,000 visitors; followed by Yahoo! with 26,685,000 visitors; and Facebook with 26,651,000 visitors.

When ranked by total video streams, it is YouTube with 5,799,702,000 streams (+9.8 percent month over month); Hulu with 598,812,000 streams (-26.4 MOM); and MSN/WindowsLive/Bing with 190,431,000 streams (+3.6). More here.

From Nielsen

Concert News: Don Williams, Brooks And Dunn, Buddy Miller

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Don Williams is set to come out of tour retirement for a two-night stand at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on October 20 and 21. The shows are in celebration of WSM-AM’s 85th anniversary and fall just days before he will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 24.

Known as the “Gentle Giant” Williams scored at least one Top Five single every year between 1974 and 1991. Between 1972 and 1992 his warm baritone voice graced fifty-six chart records, with seventeen hitting No. 1 including “You’re My Best Friend” (1975), “Tulsa Time” (1978), “I Believe in You” (1980), and “That’s the Thing About Love” (1984). He has also written such classics as “Lay Down Beside Me” (1976) and “Till the Rivers All Run Dry” (1979).

Williams’s last concert in Nashville included surprise appearances by Keith Urban and Josh Turner. A limited number of tickets are available for only $6.50 via wsmonline.com. The winner of WSM’s annual “Tootsies to the Ryman” talent contest will get to open for Williams. Tickets for both nights will go on sale Friday, July 23 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Ryman Box Office, ryman.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

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Ticket packages for Brooks & Dunn’s final show on Sept. 2 at Bridgestone Arena are still available. The concert, which is the final stop on the duo’s Last Rodeo Tour, will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and include performances from a host of special guests.

There are 25 “Play Something Country” packages left ($300 each) which include one concert ticket, a Brooks & Dunn merchandise package, and an item autographed by the duo.

There are over 100 “Friend of the Museum” packages left ($250 each) which include a concert ticket and a Museum membership.

Packages here.

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Tickets for Buddy Miller’s run as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2010 Artist-in-Resident go on sale tomorrow (7/20) at 9 AM. Options include the ticket only for $45, or a $99 package which comes with a ticket, dinner and reserved parking. Tickets here.

Country Gold And Platinum Certifications

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Josh Turner, Joe Nichols and Blake Shelton have all scored recent Gold single certification.

Joe Nichols (“Gimmie That Girl” Show Dog-Universal), Josh Turner (“Why Don’t We Just Dance” Mercury) and Blake Shelton (“Hillbilly Bone” Reprise) have scored RIAA Gold Digital Singles for selling more than 500,000 downloads of their recent hits.

And many other country stars have also received certifications for older songs and albums. Here’s the latest list:

Double Platinum Single
“Chicken Fried” Zac Brown Band, Atlantic

Platinum Single
“Best Days Of Your Life,” Kellie Pickler, BNA Records
“Then,” Brad Paisley, Arista Nashville

Gold Single
“I’m Alive,” Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews, BNA Records
“In Color,” Jamey Johnson, Mercury
“Temporary Home” Carrie Underwood, Arista Nashville

Double Platinum Album
Worship Michael W. Smith, Reunion

Gold Album
Lucky Old Sun, Kenny Chesney, BNA Records
Greatest Hits II, Kenny Chesney, BNA Records
American Saturday Night, Brad Paisley, Arista

Lifenotes: Guitarist Fred Carter Jr.

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Fred Carter Jr. playing at the Station Inn in 1983. Photo by Alan Mayor

Noted musician Fred Carter Jr. passed away on July 17th from stroke-related causes at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The Louisiana native was born in 1933 and began his career as a professional musician in the 1950s, playing guitar for rock ‘n’ rollers like Roy Orbison. By the early ‘60s Carter had settled into the Nashville scene, where he would be a first-call player for the next two decades.

Carter’s influence branched outside of Music City, spreading into the folk world with work on Simon and Garfunkel classics like The Boxer. The multi-instrumentalist can be heard playing bass on Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay” as well as lead guitar with Joan Baez, Neil Young, and The Band. His career also included work with Muddy Waters, Waylon Jennings, Dottie Rambo, and many more.

Carter was instrumental in bringing out of town folkies to Nashville to record. He produced Levon Helm’s American Son album on MCA Records, and Bobby Bridger’s Heal in the Wisdom. As a songwriter, Carter has had songs recorded by acts as diverse as Dean Martin and Chet Atkins. He is said to have had a hand in Tanya Tucker and Dolly Parton’s first record deals.

Carter is survived by A loving husband and father, Carter is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anna; his sons, Ronnie and Jeff; his daughter, recording artist Deana Carter; and his five grandchildren. Visitation will be at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home (Thompson Lane) on Tuesday, July 20 from noon until 2:30 p.m., with the funeral immediately following.

Fred Carter and daughter Deana Carter, pictured in May 1998. Photo by Alan Mayor

Cold River Records Expands Promo Team; Dandy In Dual Roles

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Jim Dandy

Cold River Records has hired independent promoter Jim Dandy to share national promotion duties with Jeff Davis. Dandy, who formerly served as Regional Promotion Director for Quarterback Records and as PD of KOUL, will handle the Midwest, West and Southwest, while Davis will focus on Central, East and Southeast.

“We have worked with Jim for the past two years and his passion for our artist, Katie Armiger, is infectious,” remarked Cold River Head Pete O’Heeron. “Jim’s energy and creativity will be such a great addition to our staff, and he will hit the ground running.”

As part of the organizational changes, Kates Robinson will be shifting to a radio support role, taking on more day-to-day artist management responsibilities. Cold River is also adding radio promotion veteran Staci Schane in a new radio promotion position. Nancy Tunick continues in her role as consultant/advisor to the radio promotion team.

Dandy can be reached at  jim@coldriverrecords.com or 615-483-4250. Schane can be reached at staci@coldriverrecords.com or 817-219-3389.

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Updated: Jim Dandy is also working with Aria Records to promote artist Todd O’Neill’s new single, “Somethin’ With Some Attitude.” The announcement was made today (7/19) by Aria Records’ Barbara Farkas. Dandy can also be reached at jimdandy@jimdandypromotions.com.

Photo Friday: LBT, TBP, Craig Morgan

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Capitol Nashville Recording artist Little Big Town raised over $55,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation at their 4th annual Ride For A Cure event held last Sunday (7/11). The event, which included a motorcycle ride from the Tin Roof in Nashville to the Harley-Davidson Superstore in Columbia, TN, featured pre-ride performances by Brett Eldridge, Randy Montana and Cali Rodi and post-ride performances by Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson and The Band Perry. (L-R): Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet and Karen Fairchild; label-mate Luke Bryan; and Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook. Photo: Becky Fluke

The Band Perry performed this morning (7/16) on Fox & Friends, the Fox News Channel’s morning show. The Band Perry—siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry—played with their band in the plaza outside the news channel’s offices on 6th Avenue in midtown Manhattan, as part of the program’s “All American Summer” concert series. The band’s self-titled album will be released on October 5. (L-R): Neil Perry, show host Brian Kilmeade, Kimberly Perry, show host Alisyn Camerota, Reid Perry, and show host Steve Doocy.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is gearing up for the latest release in its exclusive music program: Craig Morgan’s That’s Why–Collector’s Edition. The CD features 13 songs, including the top radio hits “Bonfire” and “This Ain’t Nothin,” as well as two previously unreleased songs. (L-R): Faith Quesenberry, Vector Mgmt.; Morgan; Peter Keiser, Cracker Barrel, VP Mktg.; and Julie Craig, Cracker Barrel, Mktg. Mgr.

Save The Dates: ACM Honors, End Of The Row Party

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The date for the 4th Annual ACM Honors has been changed to Monday, September 20 at the Ryman Auditorium. The invitation-only evening of musical tribute performances and special presentations celebrates the off-camera winners of the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

SPECIAL AWARDS
Jim Reeves International Award—Keith Urban
Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award— Marty Robbins and Mel Tillis
Poet’s Award—Don Schlitz and Cindy Walker
Tex Ritter Award—Crazy Heart
Mae Boren Axton Award—Rod Essig

MBI (MUSICIANS, BAND, INSTRUMENTAL) AWARDS:
Top Guitarist Of The Year – Brent Mason
Top Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year – Michael Rojas
Top Bass Player Of The Year – Michael Rhodes
Top Percussionist/Drummer Of The Year – Shannon Forrest
Top Steel Guitar Player Of The Year – Paul Franklin
Top Fiddle Player Of The Year – Stuart Duncan
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player – Randy Scruggs
Audio Engineer Of The Year – Justin Niebank
Producer Of The Year – Dann Huff

INDUSTRY AWARDS
Nightclub Of The Year – Billy Bob’s Texas – Ft. Worth, TX
Casino Of The Year – Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa And Casino – Las Vegas, NV
Don Romeo Talent Buyer Of The Year – Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions, Inc.
Promoter Of The Year – Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
Venue Of The Year – Sommet Center – Nashville, TN (Effective March 2, 2010, this venue was renamed The Bridgestone Arena)
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Derek Crownover

T.J. Martell Foundation Nashville Chapter president Derek Crownover says, “If you are a fan of suds, songwriters, and the support of a good cause, you will want to circle Sept. 16 on your calendar.”

That is the date of law firm Crownover Tisinger’s 5th annual End Of The Row party to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation. The popular event will be held at their offices at 1701 18th Avenue South. Crownover, together with law partner Joel Tisinger who serves as pro-bono legal counsel for the Foundation, held the inaugural party in 2006. “It has become a well-attended event over the years,” said Crownover. “I think that’s because it’s just a good end of the summer hang that is low-cost for the Foundation and fun for everyone.”

Partygoers will enjoy hot food, cold beverages and cool music courtesy of some of Music Row’s finest tunesmiths. Every dollar raised from ticket sales ($20 advance, $25 at the door) goes directly to the T.J. Martell Foundation. Details on tickets coming soon.