This morning (6/10) country music duo The Judds delivered a riveting performance for over 10,000 fans in downtown Nashville as they launched this year’s 2010 CMA Music Festival. Wynonna and Naomi Judd helped kick off what USA Today calls “the crown jewel Country Music festivals,” setting the stage for their highly anticipated final tour, The Judds: The Last Encore. It has been over 10 years since their 2000 Power To Change tour, and this final reunion promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
In typical fan-friendly Judd fashion, Wynonna and Naomi recently invited dedicated “Judd Heads” and country music fans across the country to name their upcoming tour in The Judds “Name That Tour” contest. The response was overwhelming, and Jacqualine Budgell from Murfreesboro, TN was chosen as the lucky winner.
According to Naomi, The Last Encore tour is an opportunity to celebrate the relationship with their fans one last time.
“There is nothing like music and laughter to connect people,” she says. “How I’ve missed that encounter with the very ones who’ve allowed us that awesome privilege! I’m counting the days till I can be back on my bus, visiting their towns.”
In addition to their enduring 26-year relationship with the fans, Wynonna shares her sentiment on reuniting with her mother, Naomi, again.
“This tour gives me a chance to enjoy where Mom and I are in our relationship. I look forward to celebrating our personal and professional journey…together.”
For fans who have followed their journey together through the years, this final curtain call will be yet another reason to celebrate. The tour will kick off on November 26, the day after Thanksgiving, in Green Bay, Wisconsin and will continue on to their home state of Kentucky with a show in Louisville alongside dates in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Judds will close their final tour with a full circle moment in Phoenix, AZ where their 2000 Power To Change tour began. The Judds: The Last Encore tour will feature new Judds and Wynonna music from the upcoming album while also shining a bright light on all of the fans’ Judds and Wynonna favorites. And for the first time ever, they will also celebrate the holiday season during their final tour by weaving several classic Christmas songs in their set list.
“The Judds have been a major force on the arena level now for three consecutive decades,” says The Judds agent, Greg Oswald of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. “The response from buyers when we made The Last Encore show available was overwhelming. So many offers and not enough time to do them all!”
The Judds’ friends at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital also wanted to share in the excitement by partnering with the duo. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, so no child is ever denied treatment because of their family’s inability to pay. The ongoing relationship between St. Jude and The Judds prompted the duo to include and honor the work of St. Jude on their final tour.
The Judds: The Last Encore tour will visit the following cities:
11/26 – Green Bay WI – Resch Center
11/27 – Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
11/28 – Moline, IL – i wireless Center
11/30 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
12/2 – Columbus, OH – Value City Arena – Schottenstein Center
12/3 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
12/4 – St. Charles, MO – Family Arena
12/5 – Council Bluffs, IA – Mid-America Center
12/7 – Colorado Springs, CO – World Arena
12/8 – Broomfield, CO – 1STBank Center
12/9 – Salt Lake City, UT – EnergySolutions Arena
12/11 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
12/12 – Sacramento, CA – Arco Arena
12/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
12/16 – Santa Ynez, CA – Chumash Casino
12/17 – Rancho Mirage, CA – Agua Caliente Casino
12/18 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center/Arena
12/19 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center
Taylor Swift Invites Fans To “Mix Me In2”
/by contributor“I love playing music, and I love creating music,” Swift said. “And, as somebody who is also a big music fan, I always love finding acoustic versions of my favorite songs. I think Mix Me In2 will be a great way for fans to have fun interacting with my music and to listen to new versions of my songs!”
In addition to the chart-topping original recording, each song in Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift comes with five previously un-released versions: rock, acoustic, urban, piano, and coffee house. All the music in Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift was approved and reviewed by Swift, her record label and management team. The Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift app will cost $2.99 and comes with two of her biggest hits, “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.” Additional songs will cost $1.99 each.
“We are thrilled at the enthusiasm and support we have gotten from Taylor and her team throughout this process,” said Fried Green Apps CEO Bill Pike. “They have continually stressed how important it was to make this about the music and the fans’ enjoyment of it, which is exactly why we invented Mix Me In2.”
Though Swift is the first artist to release her original music through this groundbreaking app, Fried Green Apps is working with several other major record labels and artists. The company plans to release versions of the app for The Plain White T’s, Breaking Benjamin, and other major artists starting in the next few weeks.
“It’s more than an iPhone app,” said Grammy-winning producer Dallas Austin, a key player in the creation of Mix Me In. “It turns every music fan into a music producer.”
NAMM Show Hits Nashville Next Week
/by contributorNAMM will unite over 400 exhibitors featuring member manufacturers, retailers and distributors under one roof. Meet some of the most innovative people in the business unveiling hundreds of new products before they hit stores. Watch intimate artist performances and listen in on product demonstrations from professional clinicians. Learn more about all the issues that affect the state-of-the-industry by attending conference panels, educational sessions, Q&A’s and keynote speeches.
NAMM is working with Next Big Nashville, American Songwriter magazine, the Nashville Musicians Association and Musicares on a program called “The BIG Gear Giveback” where NAMM vendors, gear companies and compassionate musicians will have the opportunity to donate gear to working musicians who lost the tools of their livelihood during the Nashville Flood. The association will be celebrating this effort with a special concert event at Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville on Friday, June 18.
Additionally, for the first time NAMM has announced they will open the show floor to students, parents, music advocates and enthusiasts on Sunday, June 20, for “Wanna Play Music Sunday.” That afternoon, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee will trade his talk-show host microphone for a bass guitar as he takes the stage along with a host of top country music stars including Aaron Tippin, Louise Mandrell and John Anderson all performing in the Wanna Play Celebrity Jam to close the 2010 Summer NAMM.
Register online for Summer NAMM here.
Currington’s “Beer” is a Digital Hit
/by contributorCarson has produced all of Currington’s previous albums, including the last project Little Bit Of Everything, which they co-produced. That album delivered three consecutive No. 1 singles, “Don’t,” “People Are Crazy” and “That’s How Country Boys Roll.” “People Are Crazy” went on to garner Grammy, CMA and ACM nominations.
Currington returns from Charleston, South Carolina this week after a two-day photo shoot for the upcoming album. He’ll be back in front of the cameras Friday in Nashville for the filming of a new video for the single and Saturday night when he performs at LP Field for CMA Music Fest.
Judds Announce “Last Encore” Tour
/by contributorIn typical fan-friendly Judd fashion, Wynonna and Naomi recently invited dedicated “Judd Heads” and country music fans across the country to name their upcoming tour in The Judds “Name That Tour” contest. The response was overwhelming, and Jacqualine Budgell from Murfreesboro, TN was chosen as the lucky winner.
According to Naomi, The Last Encore tour is an opportunity to celebrate the relationship with their fans one last time. “There is nothing like music and laughter to connect people,” she says. “How I’ve missed that encounter with the very ones who’ve allowed us that awesome privilege! I’m counting the days till I can be back on my bus, visiting their towns.”
For fans who have followed their journey together through the years, this final curtain call will be yet another reason to celebrate. The tour will kick off on November 26, the day after Thanksgiving, in Green Bay, Wisconsin and will continue on to their home state of Kentucky with a show in Louisville alongside dates in Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Judds will close their final tour with a full circle moment in Phoenix, AZ where their 2000 Power To Change tour began. The Judds: The Last Encore tour will feature new Judds and Wynonna music from the upcoming album while also shining a bright light on all of the fans’ Judds and Wynonna favorites. And for the first time ever, they will also celebrate the holiday season during their final tour by weaving several classic Christmas songs in their set list.
“The Judds have been a major force on the arena level now for three consecutive decades,” says The Judds agent, Greg Oswald of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. “The response from buyers when we made The Last Encore show available was overwhelming. So many offers and not enough time to do them all!”
The Judds’ friends at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital also wanted to share in the excitement by partnering with the duo. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, so no child is ever denied treatment because of their family’s inability to pay. The ongoing relationship between St. Jude and The Judds prompted the duo to include and honor the work of St. Jude on their final tour.
The Judds: The Last Encore tour will visit the following cities:
11/26 – Green Bay WI – Resch Center
11/27 – Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino
11/28 – Moline, IL – i wireless Center
11/30 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
12/2 – Columbus, OH – Value City Arena – Schottenstein Center
12/3 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
12/4 – St. Charles, MO – Family Arena
12/5 – Council Bluffs, IA – Mid-America Center
12/7 – Colorado Springs, CO – World Arena
12/8 – Broomfield, CO – 1STBank Center
12/9 – Salt Lake City, UT – EnergySolutions Arena
12/11 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
12/12 – Sacramento, CA – Arco Arena
12/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
12/16 – Santa Ynez, CA – Chumash Casino
12/17 – Rancho Mirage, CA – Agua Caliente Casino
12/18 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center/Arena
12/19 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center
Aristo’s Global Showcase Kicks Off CMA Fest
/by contributorThe AristoMedia Global Showcase on Tuesday, June 8, was the second of two international country music events held in downtown Nashville to help kick off CMA Music Festival week.
Eight international acts participated in the global showcase, which was held at the Second Fiddle on Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 PM–7:00 PM. Artists performing included Travis Collins (Australia), The European Highwaymen (Norway), Jessie Farrell (Canada), Jo Hikk (Canada), Emma King & the Heartsets (UK), Steven Lee Olsen (Canada), Ronnie Rae Rivers (Australia) and Joe Robinson (Australia). The event was hosted by Australian duo O’Shea.
Top row (l-r): Kenny Sitter, Kelly Sitter, Al Doell (Jo Hikk), Ritch Spence, Will Stanley, Toby Schwietering, (Emma King & the Heartsets), Arly Kalsen (European Highwaymen), Emma King, Ove Stoylen, Gunnar Thomas (European Highwaymen), Ronnie Rae Rivers, Mark O’Shea, Jay O’Shea, Robert Reynolds. Bottom row (l-r): Ian Harrison (Emma King & the Heartsets), Jessie Farrell, Travis Collins, Joe Robinson. Not pictured: Steven Lee Olsen. Photo: The AristoMedia Group
CMT Awards—Inspired or Flawed Judgement?
/by admin(Complete list of winners here.) (Photos: IzzyNashville.com)
The ninth annual CMT Music Awards seemed to be more about the party than the music. The two and a half hour show did however offer viewers a few outstanding musical moments.
Zac Brown Band did a heartfelt rendition of “Free” that reinforced the band’s artistic orientation. LeAnn Rimes previewed “Swingin” from her upcoming CD. (John Anderson was briefly shown as a member of the band, although no mention was made of the fact that he was the song’s original hitmaker.) Rimes combined vocal swagger with choreography (including triple cartwheels) in what became one of the evening’s WOW! moments. Also unique was the pairing of Keith Urban with John Mayer. The two six string masters sent musical lightning bolts back and forth across the stage. (Watch for them to appear together later this month on CMT Crossroads.) Lady Antebellum’s show closer “Stars Tonight” re focused attention on the power of country music, or as Kid Rock said in a rare eloquent moment, “If the music’s real, you’ll feel it.”
Kenan Thompson rolled out his Reba impersonation (as seen on SNL) and was name checked by the real redhead. The two Rebas carried on in good form and generated one of the show’s funnier moments. Laura Bell Bundy and Blake Shelton showed genuine chemistry together as they wove song titles into innuendo to eek out a few laughs. Bumpers from Steel Magnolia, Trailer Choir and Easton Corbin were disappointingly short, but highlights nonetheless. Additional A-list performances from Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith kept the show moving.
Was the ninth annual CMT Awards on target for an audience that wants a more edgy party atmosphere? Or did CMT show flawed judgment by elevating glitz and glamor above the music? As Kenan Thompson sings, “What’s Up With That?”
Early (unofficial) Ratings Update: Show was #1 most watched CMT Awards premiere in channel’s history, up almost 20% from last year. CMT was #1 most-watched network across all cable during its time period (8-10:30P EST) with Persons 18-49, Women 18-49 impressions.
[update] TV by the Numbers reports that the Awards show had 3.04 million viewers.
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For added perspective read the viewer comments posted on CMT.com
Rucker And Friends Play For St. Judes
/by contributorUpon hearing the news, Rucker raved, “I got to perform three songs with Radney Foster – the man who inspired me to get into music! I could not have envisioned a better night. I’m so thankful to the staff at St. Jude, my management team at McGhee Entertainment, the artists, my band, and everyone that made this event such a success.”
In addition to hits from his solo country record, Learn to Live, Rucker performed classics like Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away” with Randy Houser. Following Owen’s performance, Rucker rejoined his band to perform his new single, “Come Back Song,” for the first time. The single will impact radio on June 28 and will appear on his sophomore album on Capitol Records Nashville, slated to hit shelves this October.
The evening’s finale, a performance of “Family Tradition,” featured all the artists on stage as well as a surprise guest appearance by Kid Rock on guitar.
CMT Winners [final]
/by FreemanVIDEO OF THE YEAR [Final Nominees]
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.
· Toby Keith – “American Ride”
· Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
· Miranda Lambert – “White Liar”
· Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
· Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist
· Miranda Lambert – “White Liar”
· Reba McEntire – “Consider Me Gone”
· Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me”
· Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”
MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist
· Jason Aldean – “The Truth”
· Billy Currington – “People Are Crazy”
· Toby Keith – “American Ride”
· Tim McGraw – “Southern Voice”
· Keith Urban – “‘Til Summer Comes Around”
CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)
· Lady Antebellum – “Lookin’ For A Good Time” from the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
· Reba McEntire – “Consider Me Gone” from INVITATION ONLY: REBA
· Tim McGraw – “Southern Voice” from INVITATION ONLY: TIM McGRAW
· Brad Paisley – “Then” from the 2009 CMT MUSIC AWARDS
· Carrie Underwood – “Temporary Home” from INVITATION ONLY: CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)
· Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams – “Heaven” from CMT Crossroads: Bryan Adams and Jason Aldean
· Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews – “I’m Alive”
· Kellie Pickler featuring Taylor Swift – “Best Days of Your Life”
· Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins – “Hillbilly Bone”
USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo)
· Luke Bryan – “Do I”
· Laura Bell Bundy – “Giddy On Up”
· Easton Corbin – “A Little More Country Than That”
· Steel Magnolia – “Keep On Lovin’ You”
DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists
· Brooks & Dunn – “Indian Summer”
· Steel Magnolia – “Keep On Lovin’ You”
· Sugarland – “Keep You”
· Sugarland – “Nightswimming/Joey”
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists
· Gloriana – “How Far Do You Wanna Go?”
· Lady Antebellum – “Need You Now”
· Rascal Flatts – “Here Comes Goodbye”
· Zac Brown Band – “Toes”
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Best video director of the year; awarded to the director for his or her body of work from the past year
· Deaton Flanigen (award eligible videos include: Jason Aldean’s “The Truth” and Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home”)
· Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar” and Justin Moore’s “Small Town USA”)
· Shaun Silva (award eligible videos include: Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night” and Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights”)
· Roman White (award eligible videos include: Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” and Kellie Pickler’s “Best Days of Your Life”)
Tracy Nelson’s Home Destroyed By Fire
/by Robert K OermannTracy Nelson
Acclaimed Nashville vocal stylist Tracy Nelson lost her house and most of her belongings in a fire last Saturday (6/5).
According to friend JoAnne Gardner, Nelson’s home studio was destroyed. It was where she was recording an upcoming CD titled Victim of the Blues. Nelson, her boyfriend/engineer Mike Dysinger and most of their pets are safe. But the status of the computer files that stored her new music is uncertain.
“It’s one of the worst things I’ve ever been through, but we’re OK,” Nelson said yesterday. “We’re safe. People have been incredible. Our neighbor gave us a house across the street to stay in. We lost two of our 11 animals, but it could have been even more horrible.”
The house contained her grandmother’s grand piano as well as her extensive collection of mementos from the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. She did not have enough insurance to cover these and other losses.
A benefit fund has been set up at US Bank under the name “Rosehips Music/Tracy Nelson.” Since she hopes to rebuild on the site in Burns, TN, she says she would also welcome gift certificates to Lowe’s or Home Depot hardware stores.
Tracy Nelson began singing in coffeehouses when she was a student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She recorded her first blues album, Deep Are the Roots, in 1964 for Prestige Records.
Relocating to San Francisco, she became the lead singer of Mother Earth in 1968. The group moved to Nashville in 1969, becoming one of the first rock bands to settle in the country capital.
Mother Earth recorded three LPs for Mercury and two for Reprise Records. Its 1968 debut collection introduced her classic song “Down So Low.” It has now been recorded by more than a dozen other artists, including Etta James and Linda Ronstadt.
There was also a Mother Earth Presents Tracy Nelson country album on Mercury in 1971, and she has returned to the country repertoire several times since. She went solo in 1973 and has recorded LPs and CDs for Columbia, MCA, Rounder, Flying Fish, Atlantic and other labels. In 1974 she had a country hit as the duet partner of Willie Nelson (no relation) on “After the Fire Is Gone.”
Her most recent release was 2007’s You’ll Never Be a Stranger at My Door on Memphis International Records.
SOURCE Luncheon Fetes Honorees
/by contributor2010 SOURCE Honorees: (Front row l-r) Ruth White, Frances W. Preston (Back row l-r) Carol Phillips, Liz Thiels, Celia Froehlig, Sherytha Scaife Photo: Denise Fussell
The SOURCE Awards Committee hosted a luncheon at The Palm Restaurant in downtown Nashville on Friday, May 28 in honor of the six women who will be receiving their awards at this year’s 2010 Annual SOURCE Awards, taking place Thursday, August 26th at Nashville’s Noah Liff Opera Center. Frances W. Preston will receive the esteemed “Jo Walker Meador Lifetime Achievement Award.”
SOURCE, founded in 1991, is a nonprofit organization seeking to unify women executives and professionals that work in all facets of Nashville’s music industry. For company and individual sponsorship opportunities for the awards dinner and ceremony please contact Jill Napier at jill.napier@comcast.net.
2010 SOURCE Awards Honorees:
Celia Froehlig (Black River Music)
Carol Phillips (Horipro Entertainment Group)
Sherytha Scaife (Music Inc.)
Liz Thiels (Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum)
Ruth White (Musician, Author, Publishing Administrator for Porter Wagoner’s Publishing Company)