Love And Theft And One Cheesy Kraft Promotion
America’s favorite cheese, Kraft Singles, is partnering with Disney ABC and Lyric Street artists Love And Theft to discover America’s “Single Best Town,” inviting people across the country to share the single best thing about their hometown. Kraft Singles is searching for the “one-of-a-kind features that make America’s towns special and uniquely American.” This spring, the winning town will enjoy a block party featuring Love And Theft, who will perform live and share the stage with ABC Soap Stars. From January 25 through February 28, fans can enter the “Single Best Town” contest at www.familyfun.com/best-town-contest by submitting a photo and short description of what they consider the single best thing about their town. Ten finalists will be selected and America’s vote will determine the “Single Best Town” in America.
“When we’re out on tour we get to see the best of America in every town we visit, so we’re really looking forward to jamming with the “Single Best Town” in America,” says Love and Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles.
Rascal Flatts To Honor Songwriters
Country supergroup Rascal Flatts will celebrate their decade of hits honoring the more than 75 songwriters who have contributed their creative talent to the band’s six studio albums. A ceremony will be held at the Musician’s Hall of Fame in Nashville next week to recognize the contributions of the songwriters who have contributed to Rascal Flatts’ hits. Among those to be honored include the 17 writers of Rascal Flatts 11 No. 1 singles, including Blair Daly, Marcus Hummon, Wendell Mobley, Jeffrey Steele, and Neil Thrasher.
George Strait and Reba Take Tulsa
Tickets to the upcoming George Strait/Reba concert at Tulsa’s Bank of Oklahoma Center sold out in less than an hour on Saturday. The February 20 concert, which will also feature Lee Ann Womack, represents the first time in the history of the Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Center that over 18,000 tickets have been sold for one event.
“The demand for this show is phenomenal,” says John Bolton, General Manager of the BOK Center. “It has been as high as all the shows we’ve had in the past and it’s the most number of tickets sold since the venue opened.”
Wynonna And Wyclef To CBS Early Show
As part of CBS News’ coverage of Super Bowl activities, Wynonna will share the stage with Wyclef Jean at Lummus Park in Miami’s South Beach for a special edition of The Early Show, Saturday Edition. The live broadcast from The Early Show’s Super Bowl stage will be hosted by Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, with weather anchor Lonnie Quinn, and will feature a “special announcement” from Wynonna.
Flatts, Strait, Reba, Wynonna And A Cheese Promo
/by contributorAmerica’s favorite cheese, Kraft Singles, is partnering with Disney ABC and Lyric Street artists Love And Theft to discover America’s “Single Best Town,” inviting people across the country to share the single best thing about their hometown. Kraft Singles is searching for the “one-of-a-kind features that make America’s towns special and uniquely American.” This spring, the winning town will enjoy a block party featuring Love And Theft, who will perform live and share the stage with ABC Soap Stars. From January 25 through February 28, fans can enter the “Single Best Town” contest at www.familyfun.com/best-town-contest by submitting a photo and short description of what they consider the single best thing about their town. Ten finalists will be selected and America’s vote will determine the “Single Best Town” in America.
“When we’re out on tour we get to see the best of America in every town we visit, so we’re really looking forward to jamming with the “Single Best Town” in America,” says Love and Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles.
Rascal Flatts To Honor Songwriters
Country supergroup Rascal Flatts will celebrate their decade of hits honoring the more than 75 songwriters who have contributed their creative talent to the band’s six studio albums. A ceremony will be held at the Musician’s Hall of Fame in Nashville next week to recognize the contributions of the songwriters who have contributed to Rascal Flatts’ hits. Among those to be honored include the 17 writers of Rascal Flatts 11 No. 1 singles, including Blair Daly, Marcus Hummon, Wendell Mobley, Jeffrey Steele, and Neil Thrasher.
George Strait and Reba Take Tulsa
Tickets to the upcoming George Strait/Reba concert at Tulsa’s Bank of Oklahoma Center sold out in less than an hour on Saturday. The February 20 concert, which will also feature Lee Ann Womack, represents the first time in the history of the Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Center that over 18,000 tickets have been sold for one event.
“The demand for this show is phenomenal,” says John Bolton, General Manager of the BOK Center. “It has been as high as all the shows we’ve had in the past and it’s the most number of tickets sold since the venue opened.”
Wynonna And Wyclef To CBS Early Show
As part of CBS News’ coverage of Super Bowl activities, Wynonna will share the stage with Wyclef Jean at Lummus Park in Miami’s South Beach for a special edition of The Early Show, Saturday Edition. The live broadcast from The Early Show’s Super Bowl stage will be hosted by Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, with weather anchor Lonnie Quinn, and will feature a “special announcement” from Wynonna.
ACM Continues Fan-Voted New Artist Noms
/by contributorFan voting for the three categories will begin at VoteACM.com on Friday, February 26, and will close on Friday, March 12. The winner in each category will be announced in mid-March and will move on to compete for Top New Artist. Voting for the Top New Artist category will begin at VoteACM.com on Thursday, April 1, and will close on April 18, with the winner being announced live during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast on the CBS Television Network.
As part of this partnership, GAC will air several stand-alone specials, including a show featuring all the nominees from each of the three categories, as well as a show featuring the three winners who will compete for overall Top New Artist.
Following is the list of this year’s final nominees in the Top New categories:
Top New Solo Vocalist
Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson, Chris Young
Top New Vocal Duo
Bomshel, Joey + Rory, Steel Magnolia
Top New Vocal Group
Eli Young Band, Gloriana, The Lost Trailers
Professional members of the Academy of Country Music select the final nominees in the Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group categories. Professional member votes will be combined with fan votes to obtain the winners of the Top New categories of the ACM Awards. The complete list of nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be announced in February.
Apple Unveils iPad
/by FreemanThe base-level wi-fi only models will be available in approximately two months and be available at the following price points: $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB) and $699 ($699). A 3G-enabled version of the iPad will be available a month later and for $130 more. 3G data plan rates will be $14.99/month for 250MB or $29.99/month for unlimited.
The iPad will be able to run many of the existing apps compatible with the iPhone, but will also feature device-specific applications such as a version of Apple Productivity suite iWork. Additionally, Apple’s announced the launch of iBooks, an electronic reading application and store that aims to compete with Amazon’s Kindle reader.
Lyric Street Signs Kevin Fowler
/by contributorDan Harr Benefit Set For February 2
/by contributorHarr, a tireless supporter of the Nashville music community, was diagnosed with rectal cancer in May, 2009. From June through August, he underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and had his first surgery in October. He has just began his second round of chemotherapy which will continue for the next 16 weeks. For more information contact Clif Doyal at CDAnashville@aol.com.
Taylor Swift Shatters Female Download Record
/by contributor“Fairytale,” from the upcoming film Valentine’s Day, in which Swift co-stars, gives her the best Hot 100 start of her career and equals her highest peak, established with “You Belong with Me” this past August. Unlike “Fairytale’s” quick ascent, “Belong” took 16 weeks to reach the runner-up position.
Swift claims her first No. 1 on Digital Songs, having previously peaked at No. 2 with a pair of tracks; “You’re Not Sorry” (November, 2008) and “Jump Then Fall” (November, 2009). The only higher sales frame posted by one of her titles occurred during Christmas week 2008 when “Love Story” moved 360,000 downloads.
Country Music Hall Of Fame For Free
/by contributorJim Graham, manager Ford Fund, stated, “Ford Motor Company and the Nashville Area Ford Dealers are pleased to again offer the opportunity to enjoy the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s premier educational experiences. This day is part of a long standing commitment to preserving and enhancing Nashville’s important contribution to American history.”
Turnpike Staff Revealed; Republic Nashville Adds Blythe
/by Freeman“Establishing Turnpike will allow an entirely new level of highly targeted service to both new and existing clients moving forward,” says Pareigis. “This will fit hand-in-glove with what we’re already doing with mainstream Country radio at Nine North.”
Nine North staffers Greg Stevens (greg@turnpikemusic.com) and Ryan Barnstead (ryan@turnpikemusic.com) will transition to National Director roles for Turnpike. Stevens will handle the West region and Barnstead has been stations in the East region. Both have been on staff with Nine North since its opening in 2007. “I’m excited about what the future will bring with Ryan and Greg superserving currently underserved indicator, activator and secondary stations with Turnpike,” Pareigis says.
Turnpike opens for business Monday, February 1. Announcements about the roster are forthcoming.
• • •
Stacy Blythe
Republic Nashville has hired Stacy Blythe for the newly-created position of Southeast Promotion rep. She will be based in Nashville and report to Republic National Promo Dir. Bobby Young.
“Stacy’s passion, creativity and professionalism makes her the perfect addition to our amazing promotion staff,” says Young. “Hiring her is another great catch for Republic Nashville, and I’m confident it won’t take long for her to get up and running in the Southeast, becoming another key component of our organization!”
Blythe’s resume includes stops at 1720, Category 5, and most recently, Stoney Creek Records. She is a graduate of MTSU’s Recording Management program. Reach her at 615-887-9860 or stacy.blythe@republicnashville.com.
Burns & Poe
/by ProgrammerPlaylistBlue Steel Records
“Big Blue Steel thank yous to the MusicRow Panel. 71 stations strong and growing every day. Top 20 looking good – Don’t Get No Better Than That!”
Blue Steel Records duo Burns & Poe have a new single, “Don’t Get No Better Than That” and it has already climbed to No. 28 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.
Keith Burns and Michelle Poe individually are no strangers to country music fans. He was a founder and vocal mainstay of the group Trick Pony, and she has been the accomplished bass player and harmony singer for the likes of Dierks Bentley and Hank Williams Jr. Producer James Stroud brought the two together, and there was an instant connection.
“She’s got these real silky vocals—real smooth and sexy,” Burns observes, “and mine are real raspy and edgy. Together, it just works.” “We realized from the beginning that we had something special to offer,” Poe adds. “We clicked in every way.” Not only did the two singers blend together musically, they also discovered a profound songwriting chemistry. Almost all the songs on their new CD, which is due out in May, were penned together.
As a songwriter Burns has had his work recorded by Joe Diffie, Hootie & The Blowfish, Sammy Kershaw, Anita Cochran and, of course, Trick Pony. Like Burns, Poe has a keen sensibility on what great country music entails. “It’s about real life,” she told one interviewer, “about honest, straight-from-the-heart emotions.”
http://www.myspace.com/burnsandpoe
Nashville Rocks: Kesha; Road To Bonnaroo
/by Sarah Skates—————————————
The Road to Bonnaroo contest is helping local rock acts vie for a coveted performance spot at Bonnaroo. Thirty-two bands—eight each night—will compete during four nights of BMI’s free 8 off 8th showcase series at Mercy Lounge. Shows are set for February 22, March 22, April 19 and May 17.
A panel of industry judges will vote for 50% of the total score, and onsite fan votes will make up the other 50%. Among the many finalists are AutoVaughn, Caitlin Rose, Cassino, Cortney Tidwell, Glossary, How I Became the Bomb, Kyle Andrews, Nobility, Space Capone and The Silver Seas.
The contest, sponsored by BMI, Mercy Lounge, Yuengling, Camping World, and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, offers four slots at Bonnaroo 2010, slated for June 10-13, in Manchester, Tennessee.
