Blake Shelton, Executive Producer of The ACM Awards R.A.C. Clark, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment Jack Sussman, President of Dick Clark Productions Orly Adelson, Reba McEntire and Executive Director of ACM Bob Romeo at the 45th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards Nominations at CBS Early Show Studio Plaza on March 2, 2010 in New York. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for ACM)
“That’s how you start an award show, son,” bellowed a breathless Charlie Daniels after the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music’s opening number, a high-energy “Traveling Band” mashup which included the fiddler, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and CCR hero/songwriter John Fogerty. The opening number ignited the show like throwing a match on a gassed up summer barbecue.
Live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the CBS event snaked around its first half hour at breakneck pace featuring uptempo-only performances from Blake Shelton/Trace Adkins, Billy Currington, Kenny Chesney and a choreographed song from newcomer Laura Bell Bundy. Bundy, clad in chaps and halter top immediately proved two things—she can flat out dance and owns one of country music’s most fit physiques. Her “Giddy On Up” provided a solid introductory vehicle and Bundy’s confidence shined throughout the performance.
A total of 11 honors and 23 performances filled the three hour proceedings, including the non-competitive Triple Crown honor which went to Carrie Underwood for previously winning Entertainer, Top Female and New Female trophies. Multiple award winners included Lady Antebellum with five (Single—artist and co-producer; Song—artist and composer; Top Vocal Group), Miranda Lambert with three (Female Vocalist, Album, Video) and Carrie Underwood with two (Entertainer, Triple Crown). Underwood became the first female to win the Entertainer honor twice. Special guests included Cher, LL Cool J and Matthew McConaughey. The crowd stood to recognize Cher as she introduced Shelton’s “Hillbilly Bone” duet, which had already been announced as winner of the Vocal Event honor.
It was Reba McEntire’s twelfth time to host and she handled the chore effortlessly, poking fun at artists, presenters and herself with good comedic effect. Her moving performance of “I Keep On Loving You,” featured video cameos of prominent country music husband/wife couples including Alan Jackson, Kix Brooks, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and herself.
ACM has done an exceptional job of using new technology to engage fans plus leverage ratings and overall excitement. This year the concept was expanded to include voting via text message and to let fans decide which song Brooks & Dunn would perform live. The Academy leadership was criticized early on by some artists and industry executives for beginning this bold initiative, but the concept is now taking root and becoming widespread across most award shows. Twitter, Facebook and other social networks were flooded with ACM tweets about everything from the saying “We miss country music” written on Rory Feek’s guitar (Top New Vocal Duo winners, Joey & Rory) to comments about the performances and winners. This communication initiative has placed ACM on a solid path that long term should enrich its show, assemble giant fan email databases and perhaps help raise money for the ACM’s charitable causes. Although some may be on solid ground questioning the methodology regarding the timing during the show of fan-voted nominee performances and when voting should be cut off, the wisdom of fan engagement will become more pronounced over time. Overall the 45th ACM Awards performed quite well. According to early reports from Zap2it.com the show peaked with 14 million viewers at 9 p.m. and a 8.2 rating/13 share to give CBS a solid win for the evening, down from last year about 6%, not bad considering that network viewership is falling. Last fall’s Wed. evening CMA Awards, which received its highest numbers since 2005, reached 16.85 million viewers by way of comparison.
As with all live award shows there were hits and misses at the mic plus special and a few not so special moments. Falling on the “not so much” side of the ledger was positioning Darius Rucker to close the show immediately after the presentation of the Entertainer of the Year Award. Rucker was great, but wouldn’t it have made more sense to let Brooks & Dunn close the show? Another unfortunate idea was to use a home video, grainy fuzz filter during Keith Urban’s performance. It was distracting and detracted from his artistry.
However, the good far outweighed the bad. Taylor Swift rode around suspended in a basket, ripped off her dress to “Change” and revealed a black pants outfit underneath and then ended her song falling blindly into an audience mosh pit where she was caught and carried offstage. Brad Paisley toured the crowd while playing guitar, and closed his song “Water” by plunging clothes and all (sans guitar) into a steamy hot tub. Miranda Lambert’s starkly moving “House That Built Me” received a standing ovation. Did we hear a 2011 Song of the Year nominee? Short performances from the new artist category winners, Luke Bryan, Gloriana and Joey & Rory were also well received.
The most important ratings of all for The Nashville community will arrive next week—the sales figures. Wait, can you hear it? It’s the sound of cash registers ringing and mouses clicking….let’s hope its loud, very loud.
Whitney Duncan Debut Out Today; Jaron Album Coming In June
/by Sarah SkatesAOL’s The Boot exclusively premiered the video for the title track and it is now available to all digital partners including iTunes.
Duncan’s fans had a hand in selecting a song to complete the album via her web site, and they picked “Comin’ Home To You.”
She has penned songs for Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, Crystal Shawanda and Lee Ann Womack to name a few.
Track Listing for Right Road Now:
1. When I Said I Would
2. Right Road Now
3. Little By Little
4. Skinny Dippin’
5. Bed That You Made
6. Burn It Down
7. Open Road
8. So Sorry Mama
9. Kinda Crazy
10. Comin’ Home To You
11. Away
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Roy Orbison Salute; Stars Support Children’s Theatre; Reading Writing Rhythm
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The 10th Annual Reading, Writing and Rhythm benefit concert will be held on June 8 at TPAC’s James Polk Theater in Nashville. The concert will be raising money to benefit music education programs nationwide. Serving as an unofficial kick-off to the CMA Music Festival, the event will feature Rodney Crowell, Bucky Covington, Justin Moore, Sarah Buxton, Jann Arden, and Reading, Writing & Rhythm’s Founder Chely Wright. Tickets are on sale now and are available for purchase here.
CMT Music Awards Announces Performers
/by Sarah SkatesThe first round of voting for the fan-voted show has already begun and runs through Monday, May 3, only at CMT.com, where fans will select from the top nominees in each category to become finalists. On Tuesday, May 11, CMT will announce the four finalists in each category, except Video of the Year. Fans can then vote online at CMT.com through June 8 to determine the winners of the 2010 CMT Music Awards. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com and via text message throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.
Tickets to the ninth annual awards show are sold out, but CMT will be offering opportunities to win tickets through artist fan clubs and partnerships, including the current sweepstakes promotion with the CMA Music Festival, for more information visit CMT.com.
Local Songwriters Headed To Key West Festival
/by MichelleBetter Angels Music Group is sponsoring the event which will benefit the Muzak Heart and Soul Foundation.
Among the many top-tier writers attending this year are BMI’s 2009 Songwriter of the Year Bobby Pinson, Nashville Songwriter Association Hall of Fame members Bob DiPiero, Paul Overstreet, Hugh Prestwood, tell-it-like-it-is icons Robert Earl Keen and Jamey Johnson, hitmaking heavyweight Tom Douglas (Lady Antebellum’s “I Run To You,” Tim McGraw’s “Grown Men Don’t Cry”), Taylor Swift’s go-to co-writer Liz Rose, Dallas Davidson (Billy Currington’s “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” Brooks & Dunn’s “Put a Girl in It”), Luke Laird (Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home,” “So Small,” “Last Name”), Chuck Cannon (Martina McBride’s “I Love the Way You Love Me,” Toby Keith’s “How Do You Like Me Now”), James Slater (McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes,” Rascal Flatts’ “Unstoppable”) George Ducas (Eli Young Band’s “Always the Love Songs,” Sara Evans’ “A Real Fine Place to Start”), and too many more to list.
Visit www.kwswf.com for details.
Rascal Flatts Plan Tour; Underwood Extends Run
/by Sarah SkatesRascal Flatts recently wrapped its “American Living Unstoppable Tour,” which played 57 shows between June 2009 and March 2010, with attendance near 800,000. This total also includes the two sold-out stadium concerts at Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Columbus’ Crew Stadium last summer. The band spent their time off this spring recording new music, expected out this fall.
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Thirty-six cents of every ticket sold for the fall tour dates will go to Save the Children’s United States Programs. This initiative was inspired by a lyric about “36 cents” from her song “Change,” addressing how the smallest bit of spare change can add up to make a difference. Fans can see Underwood perform “Change” tomorrow (4/21) on Idol Gives Back on FOX.
Tickets for the newly announced fall dates will go on sale beginning Saturday, April 24th at 10am – please see local venues for specific information.
[Updated 4/20] ACM Photos: Backstage, After-Parties
/by Sarah SkatesJimi Westbrook & Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, Jennette McCurdy, Emily West, Walker Hayes, Capitol Nashville President & CEO Mike Dungan, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban & Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman & Phillip Sweet. Photo: Rick Diamond
BEFORE: Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Luke Bryan decide it’s time for Capitol Nashville President & CEO Mike Dungan to take a dip in the pool. Photo: Rick Diamond
AFTER! Photo: Rick Diamond
Jason Aldean in Las Vegas for the ACM Awards. Pictured (L-R) – Carson James, Dawn Ferris, Jason, WCOL’s John Crenshaw, and Lee Adams
Backstage at the ACM Awards show are (l-r): John Esposito, President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville; Diarmuid Quinn, COO & Pres. Reprise; WMN artist Blake Shelton; SDU artist Trace Adkins; Lyor Cohen, Vice Chairman of Warner Music Group, Chairman & CEO of Recorded Music-Americas & UK; Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Management Group, Brandon Blackstock, Starstruck Management Group
SESAC hosted an intimate gathering of songwriters and publishers plus various music industry friends at a post-ACM Awards party at MGM Grand’s Rouge nightclub. It was a celebratory evening as SESAC affiliate Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum was one of the night's big winners. Pictured (l-r): SESAC’s John Mullins & Pat Collins; Cary Barlowe, co-writer of Lady A's No. 1 “American Honey;" and SESAC’s Shannan Tipton-Neese. Photo: Randi Radcliff
Sony Music Nashville artists and executives in Las Vegas celebrated wins by Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, and Montgomery Gentry at a post-awards gathering. Pictured (back row, l-r): Sr VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee; Chris Young; Marketing VP Tom Baldrica; and Jerrod Niemann. (center row, l-r): Jake Owen; Exec VP A&R Renee Bell; Jordyn Shellhart; Danny Gokey; VP Promotion Skip Bishop; and Troy Gentry. (front row, l-r): Eddie Montgomery; Kenny Chesney; Miranda Lambert; Carrie Underwood; Chairman Joe Galante; Brad Paisley; and recently retired Exec VP Butch Waugh. Photo credit: Christie’s Photographic Studios
Pictured at last night’s Warner Music Nashville ACM Awards post-reception. (l-r): Lyor Cohen, Vice Chairman of Warner Music Group, Chairman & CEO of Recorded Music-Americas & UK; Randy Travis; John Esposito, President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville
Country music fans jammed into Toby Keith's I Love this Bar & Grill at Harrah's over the weekend as Randy Houser & Friends hosted the "I Love This 'Open' Bar Blowout," a special night of music that streamed live on CMT.com. Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, and Trailer Choir were among the country stars in attendance. (l-r): Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, and Trace Adkins. Photo: Tom Donoghue
CRB Session, CMA InSite Focus On Radio Programming
/by Sarah Skates“As we continue the evolution of Country Radio Seminar, the idea to bring a select group of radio programmers together to learn and exchange ideas in an intimate setting is a logical step in the process,” explains CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne. “Much like ‘Inside the Actors Studio,’ this will give upcoming programmers an amazing opportunity to gain perspective and specific feedback on issues shaping the course of their career. With candid conversation being the only agenda at CRS: One on One, we are eager to gauge the response from this event for consideration towards future endeavors.”
Programmers interested in attending must submit the application found on www.CRB.org before Friday, April 23 at 5 p.m. CST. Eligible applicants must have radio programming experience (any market size) and pay a $59 participation fee, which includes lunch during the session. A random lottery system drawing will determine the 12 accepted applicants. Those accepted will be notified and listed on the CRB website no later than Monday, April 26.
The CRB offices are located at 819 18th Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37203. For more information, visit www.CRB.org or contact the CRB office at 615.327.4487.
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This latest installment discusses the ways in which syndicated programming are used by local radio stations as well as ways in which recording artists can use syndicated programming for marketing and promotion. It can be viewed by CMA members here.
Episodes are posted on the third Monday of the month. With each new episode, CMA members are able to submit questions to the panel of experts.
Non-CMA members will be able to view the first four episodes in the series on CMA’s consumer Web site, CMAworld.com. Episode four, “The Music Rule of Law,” will be posted today. The series is produced by digital marketing firm Hi-Fi Fusion.
ZBB Secures Ram Trucks Partnership
/by Sarah SkatesZBB missed last night's ACM Awards because they are overseas on a USO tour. Pictured playing for soldiers at Camp Buehring in Kuwait on April 14, 2010. USO photo by Erick Anderson
A new partnership between Zac Brown Band and Ram Truck Brand will offer free music to fans and boost the morale of U.S. soldiers. Starting in May, the nationwide “Letters for Lyrics” campaign will give participants who write a letter to a U.S. soldier a compilation CD titled, “Breaking Southern Ground,” featuring three new ZBB songs, and tracks from Brown’s Southern Ground Records artists Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan and Levi Lowrey. The goal is to send 1 million letters, in exchange for 1 million CDs.
Viewers will be able to see behind-the-scene footage taped by the band as they document their current visit to U.S. soldiers stationed in the Persian Gulf. Documentary-style segments and concert footage will premiere on RamTrucks.com.
An exclusive live version of the band’s latest single, “Free,” will also be available for download for the first 100,000 fans, only at the RamTrucks.com. For each download, Ram will make a donation to a designated charity on behalf of the brand and Zac Brown Band.
The Ram Truck Brand also joined with the Academy of Country Music to sponsor the first-ever text-to-vote initiative for last night’s fan-voted Entertainer of the Year award.
At Camp Buehring in Kuwait on April 14, 2010. USO photo by Erick Anderson
ACM Leverages Fan Engagement
/by adminBlake Shelton, Executive Producer of The ACM Awards R.A.C. Clark, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment Jack Sussman, President of Dick Clark Productions Orly Adelson, Reba McEntire and Executive Director of ACM Bob Romeo at the 45th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards Nominations at CBS Early Show Studio Plaza on March 2, 2010 in New York. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for ACM)
“That’s how you start an award show, son,” bellowed a breathless Charlie Daniels after the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music’s opening number, a high-energy “Traveling Band” mashup which included the fiddler, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and CCR hero/songwriter John Fogerty. The opening number ignited the show like throwing a match on a gassed up summer barbecue.
Live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the CBS event snaked around its first half hour at breakneck pace featuring uptempo-only performances from Blake Shelton/Trace Adkins, Billy Currington, Kenny Chesney and a choreographed song from newcomer Laura Bell Bundy. Bundy, clad in chaps and halter top immediately proved two things—she can flat out dance and owns one of country music’s most fit physiques. Her “Giddy On Up” provided a solid introductory vehicle and Bundy’s confidence shined throughout the performance.
A total of 11 honors and 23 performances filled the three hour proceedings, including the non-competitive Triple Crown honor which went to Carrie Underwood for previously winning Entertainer, Top Female and New Female trophies. Multiple award winners included Lady Antebellum with five (Single—artist and co-producer; Song—artist and composer; Top Vocal Group), Miranda Lambert with three (Female Vocalist, Album, Video) and Carrie Underwood with two (Entertainer, Triple Crown). Underwood became the first female to win the Entertainer honor twice. Special guests included Cher, LL Cool J and Matthew McConaughey. The crowd stood to recognize Cher as she introduced Shelton’s “Hillbilly Bone” duet, which had already been announced as winner of the Vocal Event honor.
It was Reba McEntire’s twelfth time to host and she handled the chore effortlessly, poking fun at artists, presenters and herself with good comedic effect. Her moving performance of “I Keep On Loving You,” featured video cameos of prominent country music husband/wife couples including Alan Jackson, Kix Brooks, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw and herself.
ACM has done an exceptional job of using new technology to engage fans plus leverage ratings and overall excitement. This year the concept was expanded to include voting via text message and to let fans decide which song Brooks & Dunn would perform live. The Academy leadership was criticized early on by some artists and industry executives for beginning this bold initiative, but the concept is now taking root and becoming widespread across most award shows. Twitter, Facebook and other social networks were flooded with ACM tweets about everything from the saying “We miss country music” written on Rory Feek’s guitar (Top New Vocal Duo winners, Joey & Rory) to comments about the performances and winners. This communication initiative has placed ACM on a solid path that long term should enrich its show, assemble giant fan email databases and perhaps help raise money for the ACM’s charitable causes. Although some may be on solid ground questioning the methodology regarding the timing during the show of fan-voted nominee performances and when voting should be cut off, the wisdom of fan engagement will become more pronounced over time. Overall the 45th ACM Awards performed quite well. According to early reports from Zap2it.com the show peaked with 14 million viewers at 9 p.m. and a 8.2 rating/13 share to give CBS a solid win for the evening, down from last year about 6%, not bad considering that network viewership is falling. Last fall’s Wed. evening CMA Awards, which received its highest numbers since 2005, reached 16.85 million viewers by way of comparison.
As with all live award shows there were hits and misses at the mic plus special and a few not so special moments. Falling on the “not so much” side of the ledger was positioning Darius Rucker to close the show immediately after the presentation of the Entertainer of the Year Award. Rucker was great, but wouldn’t it have made more sense to let Brooks & Dunn close the show? Another unfortunate idea was to use a home video, grainy fuzz filter during Keith Urban’s performance. It was distracting and detracted from his artistry.
However, the good far outweighed the bad. Taylor Swift rode around suspended in a basket, ripped off her dress to “Change” and revealed a black pants outfit underneath and then ended her song falling blindly into an audience mosh pit where she was caught and carried offstage. Brad Paisley toured the crowd while playing guitar, and closed his song “Water” by plunging clothes and all (sans guitar) into a steamy hot tub. Miranda Lambert’s starkly moving “House That Built Me” received a standing ovation. Did we hear a 2011 Song of the Year nominee? Short performances from the new artist category winners, Luke Bryan, Gloriana and Joey & Rory were also well received.
The most important ratings of all for The Nashville community will arrive next week—the sales figures. Wait, can you hear it? It’s the sound of cash registers ringing and mouses clicking….let’s hope its loud, very loud.
Veteran Nashville Broadcaster Norm Ray Passes
/by Robert K OermannNoted Nashville instrumentalist and veteran radio and television broadcaster Norm Ray died Saturday, April 17, at age 73.
He is perhaps best remembered for the wit and humor he displayed for 20 years on the Ralph Emery Morning Show, WSM’s The Waking Crew and for the 10 years he spent in the house band on TNN’s Nashville Now. For a time, he was also the host of WSMV’s The Saturday Morning Show.
A native of Hamtramck, Michigan, Norm Ray began playing saxophone at age 5. He started his recording career in the Motown studios in Detroit, backing The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and other r&b stars. He moved to Nashville in 1965, joining Orchestra XII, one of the city’s last big bands.
In 1967, he broke into recording-studio work on Music Row by performing on the Elvis Presley soundtrack for Clambake. He subsequently recorded with Chet Atkins, Ray Stevens, Boots Randolph and others. He also played saxophone and flute in Randolph’s nightclub band.
Norm Ray is survived by his children Sherry Rau Carver, Norman Rau and Andrew Rau and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.