Lifenotes: Tom Howard

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Local musician Thomas L. Howard passed away suddenly on January 29, 2010. He was 59 years old. Howard was an accomplished pianist, composer, arranger, and producer, mainly on the Christian circuit. He also recorded under the name Dorian.

Howard is survived by his wife, Dori; children, Katie and Joseph; and sister, Susann (John) Anderson.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church (4800 Belmont Park Terrace, Nashville, TN 37215). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to St. Bartholomew’s. Arrangements by Marshall Donnelly Combs, (615) 327-1111.

Zac Brown Band Tours, Sells Cookbooks

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Best New Artist Grammy winners Zac Brown Band have announced a 15-date West Coast portion of their Breaking Southern Ground tour, to begin March 2. Later in July, ZBB will join the Dave Matthews Band for select shows, including Citi Field in New York City.

Concertgoers will get the full ZBB experience: eat-and-greets for a few lucky fans, as well as performances by the Atlanta-based artists signed to Brown’s Southern Ground Records: Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowrey and Nic Cowan. Special guests Joey + Rory will emcee the shows.

Those not fortunate enough to attend an eat-and-greet catered by Brown and friends can still purchase his Southern Ground cookbook, which is available at the ZBB webstore. The volume boasts 27 recipes like Southern Fried Chicken, Hearty Brunswick Stew, Farmer’s Fried Green Tomatoes and Revival Peach Cobbler.

ZBB Tour Dates:
March 2 –  Sports Arena  San Diego, CA
March 3 –  Dodge Theatre  Phoenix, AZ
March 4 – Pan American Center  Las Cruces, NM
March 5 – World Arena  Colorado Springs, CO
March 6 – The Rail  Salt Lake City, UT
March 9 – Fox Theatre- Oakland, CA
March 10 – Event Center  San Jose, CA
March 11 – Arco Arena  Sacramento, CA
March 12 – Gibson Amphitheater  Los Angeles, CA
March 13 – The Joint  Las Vegas, NV
March 17 – Arlington Theatre – Santa Barbara, CA
March 18 – RaboBank Theater  Bakersfield, CA
March 19 – Redding Convention Center  Redding, CA
March 20 – Armory Auditorium  Salem, OR
March 21 – Comcast Arena  Everett, WA

With Dave Matthews Band:
July 3 & 4 – Alpine Valley Music Theatre – East Troy, WI
July 9 – Hersheypark Stadium  Hershey, PA
July 10 – PNC Park – Pittsburgh, PA
July 16 & 17 – Citi Field  New York, NY
July 23  Nationals Park – Washington, DC

ACM Noms. Coming Soon; AMA Sets SXSW Show

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Nominees for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be announced sometime during the week of February 22. Nashville will also be buzzing that week with the annual Country Radio Seminar. ACM reps say the nominations will be revealed during a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Details about the exact date and artist participation are coming soon. The ACM Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 7:00 PM/CT on the CBS Television Network.

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The Americana Music Association has revealed the initial lineup for its annual SXSW showcase, scheduled for Thursday, March 18. The show presented by SESAC and the Utne Reader, will return to historic Antone’s in Austin, Texas and feature performances by Hayes Carll, Elizabeth Cook, Jim Lauderdale, and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, plus a special guest who will be announced at a later date. SXSW badge and wristband holders will have priority admission to the event.  For more information on SXSW Festival and Conference Registrations visit www.sxsw.com.

The Americana Music Association is also busy planning its 11th annual Festival & Conference, running Wednesday, Sept. 8 through Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 in Nashville.

Brenda Lee, Marty Stuart, Tanya Tucker To Discuss Child Stardom

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The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will present a special panel discussion on Feb. 20 with Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee, Marty Stuart and Tanya Tucker to discuss the highs and lows of early fame and success. The Kid’s Got Talent: Child Stardom in the Music Business will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Ford Theater, and is included with Museum admission and is free to Museum members.

The panel is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Brenda Lee: Dynamite, Presented by Great American Country Television Network, which will run through June 13, 2011 and be accompanied by an ongoing series of programs.

Industry Helps Children’s Hospital With Concert, Tennis Tourney

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Members of the music industry are working together to raise much-needed funds for the Center for Child Development at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. They are organizing the 37th annual Music City Tennis Invitational, scheduled for on April 24-25 at Vanderbilt University, and a special pre-tournament concert taking place this Thursday, Feb. 4 at the Bluebird Cafe. Award-winning artists and songwriters performing at the 9 PM concert include Chris Wallin, David Ball, Jim Collins and Thom Shepherd. Reservations can be made at the Bluebird website, www.bluebirdcafe.com or by calling the Bluebird at 615-383-1461.  Tickets are $15.

The MCTI tennis tournament regularly recruits recording artists, celebrities, songwriters and music executives. It is the only fundraiser that directly benefits the Center for Child Development at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The Center provides screening, evaluation and referral services for children who are developmentally delayed or who suffer from such conditions as autism, intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

Since publisher Wesley Rose and Helen Farmer of the American Cancer Society founded the MCTI in 1973, it has raised $1,189,556. MCTI is the longest-running music-related charity tennis tournament in the country. The tournament is open to tennis players of all levels. Registration for one player is $235, or $195 for United States Professional Tennis Association’s (USTA) members. More information on sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, and player registration can be found at www.musiccitytennis.com. MCTI was recognized as the USTA Southern Charity Tennis Event of the Year for 2008 and the USTA 2008 Charity Tennis Event of the Year.

MCTI committee members (L-R): Patsy Bradley, MCTI Co-Chair; Bill Riddle, MCTI Co-Chair & Tournament Director; Kathy Ashworth, MCTI committee member; Phran Galante, MCTI Co-Chair; and Richard Falken, MCTI committee member.

Music City Shines At Grammys

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Taylor Swift winning Album of the Year.

Taylor Swift won Album of the Year at last night's Grammys.

Taylor Swift is thrilled she gets to take her trophy for Album of the Year back to Nashville, she said accepting the top Grammy last night (1/31) at the L.A. Staples Center. She is now the prize’s youngest winner and only solo country female winner in history. Swift won four Grammys, leading a show that had numerous moments highlighting the talent exploding out of Music City.

During the pre-telecast, which many of the other major stars skipped, Swift was on hand to proudly pick up Grammys for Best Country Song for “White Horse” with co-writer Liz Rose, Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Album for Fearless. During the telecast, which was all about star pairings and medleys, Swift sang with Fleetwood Mac diva Stevie Nicks.

Local rock stars Kings of Leon were surprised to take home Record of the Year for their monster hit “Use Somebody,” which also won Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by A Duo or Group with Vocals.

Zac Brown Band. Photo from Grammy.com/Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

Zac Brown Band triumphed with the all-genre Best New Artist award, and a roaring performance featuring Leon Russell.

R&B pop star Beyonce was the top winner, with six awards.

Jennifer Nettles and Bon Jovi reunited for a performance including their hit “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” and the fan-voted selection “Livin’ On A Prayer.”

Carrie Underwood teamed with the likes of Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, and Smokie Robinson for a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. She and Randy Travis won Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “I Told You So.” It was the first time three-time winner Travis wasn’t able to accept his Grammy in person; he was stuck at home in Santa Fe, NM due to the inclement weather.

Lady Antebellum, whose new album is burning up this week’s sales tally, scored a performance slot and a trophy for Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocals for “I Run To You.” Lady A’s Capitol labelmate Keith Urban also took home Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “Sweet Thing.”

Kings of Leon. Photo from Grammy.com/Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

Nashville’s acclaimed guitar player Harold Bradley was honored with a Trustees Award, as was longtime CMA Awards and Grammy Awards producer Walter Miller. And Loretta Lynn received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Steve Wariner won the Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance for “Producer’s Medley,” from his Chet Atkins tribute album.

Jason Crabb garnered the Grammy for Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album for his self-titled debut, which he produced with Tommy Sims and Norro Wilson.

The new award for Best Americana Album went to Levon Helm’s Electric Dirt. Steve Martin walked away with Best Bluegrass Album for The Crow / New Songs For The Five-String Banjo. And Steve Earle took home Best Contemporary Folk Album for Townes.

Country winners
Best Female Country Vocal Performance “White Horse,” Taylor Swift
Best Male Country Vocal Performance “Sweet Thing,” Keith Urban
Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocals “I Run To You,” Lady Antebellum
Best Country Collaboration with Vocals “I Told You So,” Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis
Best Country Instrumental Performance “Producer’s Medley,” Steve Wariner
Best Country Song “White Horse,” Liz Rose and Taylor Swift songwriters
Best Country Album Fearless, Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records

Overall categories
Record Of The Year “Use Somebody,” Kings Of Leon
Album Of The Year Fearless, Taylor Swift.
Song Of The Year “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” Beyonce
Best New Artist Zac Brown Band

Other winners with Nashville connections
Best Americana Album Electric Dirt, Levon Helm
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals “Use Somebody,” Kings Of Leon
Best Rock Song “Use Somebody,” Kings Of Leon
Best Gospel Performance “Wait On The Lord,” Donnie McClurkin ft. Karen Clark Sheard
Best Gospel Song “God In Me,” Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Mary Mary Featuring Kierra “KiKi” Sheard)
Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album Live Revelations, Third Day
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album The Power of One, Israel Houghton
Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album Jason Crabb, Jason Crabb
Best Traditional Gospel Album Oh Happy Day, (Various Artists) Bill Hearn, Ken Levitan, Ken Pennell, Jack Rovner & Cedric Thompson, producers
Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album Audience Of One, Heather Headley
Best Bluegrass Album The Crow / New Songs For The Five-String Banjo, Steve Martin
Best Contemporary Folk Album Townes, Steve Earle
Best Native American Music Album Spirit Wind North, Bill Miller
Best Contemporary World Music Album Throw Down Your Heart: Tales From The Acoustic Planet, Vol. 3 — Africa Sessions, Béla Fleck
Producer of the Year (Classical) Steven Epstein, for works including A Dylan Thomas Trilogy (Leonard Slatkin, George Mabry, Sir Thomas Allen, Nashville Symphony Chorus & Nashville Symphony Orchestra)
Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra) “Journey To The New World,” Sharon Isbin (with Joan Baez and Mark O’Connor)
Best Classical Crossover Album Yo-Yo Ma & Friends: Songs Of Joy And Peace, Yo-Yo Ma (with Odair Assad, Sergio Assad, Chris Botti, Dave Brubeck, Matt Brubeck, John Clayton, Paquito d’Rivera, Renée Fleming, Diana Krall, Alison Krauss, Natalie McMaster, Edgar Meyer, Cristina Pato, Joshua Redman, Jake Shimabukuro, Silk Road Ensemble, James Taylor, Chris Thile, Wu Tong, Alon Yavnai and Amelia Zirin-Brown)

Konicki Named Country Weekly Editor-In-Chief (updated)

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Lisa Konicki

Lisa Konicki

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — American Media, Inc. (AMI) announced today that Lisa Konicki, former Photo Editor of Country Weekly magazine, has been named the new Editor-in-Chief effective February 1. Konicki will also have responsibility over the brand’s web site, countryweekly.com.

It remains unofficial, but sources confirm that Larry Holden, the previous Editor-in-Chief has exited. Also leaving are David Scarlett and Jerry Holthouse.

In making the announcement, David Pecker, AMI president and CEO, said, “Lisa’s wealth of leadership qualities and exciting ideas will continue to make our magazine and its web site a must-read for fans of country music’s biggest stars.”

Konicki, who has been with the magazine for 13 years, said, “I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve Country Weekly as its new Editor-in-Chief. I look forward to making it the most influential voice in the country music market, both in print and online.”

Along with Konicki, other important staff changes included the appointment of new Managing Editor, Ken Tucker, who currently serves as Editor of Billboard Country Update. As managing editor, Tucker will oversee the writing and editorial staff.

Additionally, Country Weekly welcomes back former staffer Eva Elliott. Elliott, who has held the art director position at Relish and Spry magazines for the last four years, formerly served Country Weekly as the assistant art director and will now serve as art director. She will oversee the layout and design of the magazine.

Larry Holden can be reached at 615-491-2745 or loholden@comcast.net.

David Scarlett can be reached at 615-500-1965 or dscarlett@aol.com.

About American Media, Inc.

American Media, Inc.  publishes  Star, Shape, Men’s Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, and The National Enquirer.  In addition to print properties, AMI manages 14 different web sites. The company also owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country’s #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.

Country Artists Sing For Haiti

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HaitiYesterday (1/28) at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studios, multi-platinum, Dove Award winning artist Michael W. Smith gathered a who’s-who list from Nashville’s music community, including country stars Wynonna, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Greenwood and Restless Heart, to record “Come Together Now.” The song, penned by Smith, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan and produced by Bryan Lenox, was written to remind people of the need to help those in Haiti.

“The crisis in Haiti has left us all trying to figure out how we can help,” says Smith. “We wanted to create something that the community could support, for the greater good of those in Haiti. Everyone gave of their time: the studio was donated, the musicians donated their time and all proceeds from this song will go to designated charity/relief work through The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse. It’s incredible to be part of something that is going to help so many people.”

In addition to lending their voices in song, several artists also recorded PSA’s for The American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse for use in upcoming months.

Rucker On Today Tomorrow

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ruckerDarius Rucker will appear on NBC’s Weekend Today on Saturday (1/30) to talk with Lester Holt about his platinum-selling debut country album, Learn To Live, his fourth country hit, “History In The Making,” and his recent CMA Award win for New Artist.

“Lester was one of best interviews of my career with Hootie & The Blowfish,” says Rucker.  “Having the opportunity to talk with him about where I am as a country singer really made the entire process come full circle. I am so grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given thanks to country radio, and now, thanks to Today.”

Gillette UNCUT Film Series Features Tim McGraw

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TimmyGillette brought together some of the world’s most popular musicians yesterday (1/28), including country star/actor Tim McGraw, to launch its Gillette UNCUT music film series at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Directed by Danny Clinch, and executive produced by Greenlight Media & Marketing, the documentary short films provide viewers with unprecedented backstage access into the worlds of McGraw, will.i.am, Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 and the All-American Rejects featuring Tyson Ritter.

The event included a World Premiere screening of the Gillette UNCUT films, which feature the stars preparing for performances and revealing not only some of their pre-show rituals, but moments of introspection, self-doubt and re-assurance. In addition, Gillette has launched “Shave Like a Rock Star,” a series of tongue-in-cheek shaving tutorials featuring the gillettelikeness of each artist. Each of the films can be viewed here.

“I take every performance very seriously and my preparation for any show is critical,” says McGraw. “I’m excited to share this peek into my preparation in the Gillette UNCUT film directed by my friend Danny Clinch.”