Taylor Swift’s six-times-Platinum album, Fearless was officially recognized as the Most Awarded Album in the History of Country Music last night at a private dinner in Nashville. Fearless is the only album in history to win the all-genre Album of The Year Grammy, plus Country Album of the Year Awards from the Grammys, the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the American Music Awards.
Representatives from NARAS, The American Music Awards, The Country Music Association, and the Academy of Country Music all joined Big Machine Records Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta in honoring Swift for her achievement. Other speakers praising Swift included her producer Nathan Chapman, BMI’s Jody Williams, SonyATV Music’s Terry Wakefield, ole’s Gilles Godard and MusicRow Publisher David Ross. Wakefield noted his boss Troy Tomlinson was on vacation, but desperately wanted to attend this party, so Wakefield brought a life-size cardboard cutout of the publisher. Swift later thanked everyone saying, “I never expected I would get to stand up at awards shows as much as I have. I’m proud of the people this happened to along with me. We’ve all had a lot change for us. I’ve seen a lot of you get new cars, but other than that you’re the same people.”
“We tend to always look forward when it comes to Taylor, but tonight it was time to stop for a moment and look back on one of the most successful music works of all time,” said Borchetta of the historic evening. “The eighteen months of our lives known as the ‘Fearless‘ era have been history-making, euphoric and triumphant. The sales, the airplay, the accolades and the awards have all just been incredible. But most important to me is that my friend Taylor and her collective team of family, record label, management and her road family continue to raise the bar with work ethic, achievement and enjoyment. Dreams do come true.”
(l-r): John Grady, Academy of Country Music Board Chairman; Steve Moore, Country Music Association Board Chairman; Susan Stewart, NARAS South Regional Director; Swift; Larry Klein, American Music Awards Producer; Kelly Rich, Big Machine VP of Sales & Marketing; Scott Borchetta, President & CEO of Big Machine Records. Photo Credit: Krista Lee for Krista Lee Photography
Swift Celebrates “Most Awarded” Status
/by contributorRepresentatives from NARAS, The American Music Awards, The Country Music Association, and the Academy of Country Music all joined Big Machine Records Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta in honoring Swift for her achievement. Other speakers praising Swift included her producer Nathan Chapman, BMI’s Jody Williams, SonyATV Music’s Terry Wakefield, ole’s Gilles Godard and MusicRow Publisher David Ross. Wakefield noted his boss Troy Tomlinson was on vacation, but desperately wanted to attend this party, so Wakefield brought a life-size cardboard cutout of the publisher. Swift later thanked everyone saying, “I never expected I would get to stand up at awards shows as much as I have. I’m proud of the people this happened to along with me. We’ve all had a lot change for us. I’ve seen a lot of you get new cars, but other than that you’re the same people.”
“We tend to always look forward when it comes to Taylor, but tonight it was time to stop for a moment and look back on one of the most successful music works of all time,” said Borchetta of the historic evening. “The eighteen months of our lives known as the ‘Fearless‘ era have been history-making, euphoric and triumphant. The sales, the airplay, the accolades and the awards have all just been incredible. But most important to me is that my friend Taylor and her collective team of family, record label, management and her road family continue to raise the bar with work ethic, achievement and enjoyment. Dreams do come true.”
(l-r): John Grady, Academy of Country Music Board Chairman; Steve Moore, Country Music Association Board Chairman; Susan Stewart, NARAS South Regional Director; Swift; Larry Klein, American Music Awards Producer; Kelly Rich, Big Machine VP of Sales & Marketing; Scott Borchetta, President & CEO of Big Machine Records. Photo Credit: Krista Lee for Krista Lee Photography
Country Dominates RIAA Certifications
/by contributorBig Machine superstar Taylor Swift scored the highest Gold & Platinum album certification of any artist in January and February. Swift earned the top spot when her Album of the Year Grammy-winning Fearless certified 6x multi-Platinum in February. Her song “Today Was A Fairytale” from the Valentine’s Day soundtrack went Gold in less than a month, totaling more than 500,000 downloads sold since its January release.
Arista Nashville’s Carrie Underwood racked up several winter accolades. She not only scored a 3x multi-Platinum album award for Carnival Ride but also Gold and Platinum album awards for her latest release, Play On. With Play On Underwood continues a winning streak that has seen all three of her albums certified Platinum or higher.
Other albums taking Platinum plaques in January and February included Norah Jones’ The Fall, Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster, Daughtry’s Leave This Town, Rihanna’s Rated R, Alicia Keys’ The Element of Freedom and Justin Bieber’s My World.
Another country standout was Capitol Nashville’s Luke Bryan, who received his first Gold song awards for his single, “Do I.”
Country veteran Alan Jackson earned his 15th career Platinum award for Good Time in February. Jackson’s career album sales have reached 43 million since the release of his debut, Here in the Real World in 1990.
Gretchen Wilson Opens Online Store
/by contributorThe package is offered at $49.99 and includes:
I Got Your Country Right Here CD
32-page full-color photo book never-before-seen pictures of Wilson at work and at play
Poster-size replica of the U.S. Constitution
3′ x 5′ “I Got Your Country Right Here” Flag
“We wanted to have an online store where my fans could order something they may not have been able to get at a concert or something unique like the Deluxe Edition package,” Wilson says. “My fans know what I stand for, and I feel like this will be something they will be proud to display in their homes.”
Wilson established her own Redneck Records label last year. Her debut single for the label, “Work Hard, Play Harder,” recently cracked the Top 30. She is currently in the final week of her two-month club tour promoting the new album and will be back in Nashville to perform at Operation Yellow Ribbon at Lipscomb University Allen Arena on Tuesday, March 23.
“Ride For Reading” Readies Benefit
/by contributor“This is Ride For Reading’s biggest fundraiser of the year,” says founder Mathew Portell. “We’re so excited to be able to share a night of great music for the sake of literacy in our community. It’s going to be a great night.”
Ride for Reading, established in 2008 by dedicated and determined 4th grade teacher and avid bicyclist Portell, will distribute books to Paragon Elementary School in Nashville via bicycle the morning of the benefit concert.
Ken Domash
/by ProgrammerPlaylistThunder Mountain Records
Singer/songwriter Ken Domash hails from St. Louis, Missouri, and his debut single to country radio is “Countrified.” Ken’s arrival in Nashville came courtesy of a few friends–or rather, fans–who helped pool money to send the singer to town to record. “Countrified” is the title track from Ken’s debut album, and it’s a revved up ode to finding the country guy or gal within oneself.
Ken writes all of his own music, drawing from a lifetime of experiences and using his vivid imagination to fill the gaps. He records in Nashville and has played with some of the best in the country while honing his sound. Nashville promoters are calling his sound “cutting-edge country.” Call it whatever you like, Ken just hopes you have fun with it.
http://www.domashmusic.com/
NASCAR’s Waltrip Bros. Host Charity Event
/by contributorThe Waltrip Brothers Charity Championship will depend on individual donations as well as sponsorships from businesses and organizations. Interested parties can help by providing sponsorship funds, by donating goods and services or by celebrity participation.
The Waltrip Brothers’ Charitable Fund was created to support the philanthropic initiatives of Darrell and Michael Waltrip. While individually, the Waltrips have given millions of dollars to numerous charity organizations, the 2010 WBCC will be their first combined effort to give back to two organizations that have personally touched them.
Click here for more information.
Faith Hill Meets Abba at R&R Hall of Fame
/by contributorCountry superstar Faith Hill took center stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony on Monday night (3/15). Hill was there to salute Hall of Fame inductees Abba, performing a version of the band’s smash hit, “The Winner Takes It All.” Accompanied on piano by Abba member Benny Andersson, Hill delivered a straight-ahead interpretation of the soaring ballad. The country diva’s version of the pure pop classic can be viewed below.
Kentucky Music Hall Adds Inductees
/by contributor“This year’s inductees include some of the most recognizable music artists in the world,” says Lawson. “The ceremony taking place in April 2011 will feature performances by this year’s class as well as some of this state’s greatest music achievers.”
The 2011 Induction Ceremony will be held in the Lexington Center Bluegrass Ballroom in Lexington, Kentucky on April 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. For more information about the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum call 1-877-356-3263 or click here.
Crook & Chase Reach “200” Milestone
/by contributorCrook and Chase commented, “We welcome KNIX with open arms to our family of affiliates! It’s all about teamwork, and we are blessed to be working with the best!”
“KNIX is the definitive Country music brand in Arizona, and we’re excited to further solidify that position by adding Crook & Chase to the lineup,” says KNIX Program Director Mark Medina. The show has deep heritage, while still sounding current and fresh.”
Each week, Crook and Chase count down the top thirty country songs as they welcome stars including Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and many others.
Rucker Hosts “Hootie” Golf Tourney
/by contributor“Country music artists and country radio have really embraced me, so it’s great to see so many of my new friends joining us in an effort to raise money for the Hootie & The Blowfish Foundation,” said Rucker. “Each year, the list of great athletes and celebrities continues to grow, and to know we come to Myrtle Beach to have fun and raise money for a great cause.”
Other PGA Tour players attending this year include Jim Furyk, John Daly, Woody Austin, Rich Beem, and LPGA player Kristy McPherson. Other celebrities and athletes participating in the event include wrestler Ric Flair (“The Nature Boy”), NASCAR’s Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip, NFL Hall-of Famer Gale Sayers, along with Bernie Kosar, Jim McMahon, Kordell Stewart, and Boomer Esiason.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, which supports the educational needs of children in South Carolina and the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation. Last year, the event raised $155,000 for various South Carolina charities. Click here for more information.