Sound And Speed Gears Up With New Opry Show

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hank jr

Hank Williams Jr.

Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust has partnered with the Grand Ole Opry for a special event to kick-off the weekend on Friday, Jan. 8 at the Ryman. Hank Williams Jr. and Chris Young will perform that night to open the annual NASCAR and country music-themed fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, and Victory Junction.

Also on the schedule for the Opry show, a new part of the annual event, is a performance by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his band, as well as appearances by drivers Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne. There will be two shows that night, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Jan. 9 Sound & Speed continues at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, where fans will be able to meet  country stars including Jason Michael Carroll, Josh Turner, members of Diamond Rio, and Young for autographs, Q&As and more. Among the NASCAR stars scheduled to appear are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Clint Bowyer, Reed Sorenson, and David Stremme. More drivers and artists will join the line-ups for Jan. 8-9 in coming weeks.

chris young

Chris Young

Since its inception five years ago, Sound & Speed has attracted an estimated 40,000 fans and raised more than $800,000 for Victory Junction (a camping experience founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty for children battling illnesses) and the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.

For details go to www.soundandspeed.org.

Gibson Plans 1920s-Style Sweets Shop Downtown

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gibsonFrom the Nashville Scene:

Gibson Guitar Inc. has transported a 1926 candy store from Michigan to Nashville and will reopen it in January on Lower Broadway. Click to read more.

Tin Pan South Kicks Off March 30

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tpsThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced the dates for the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, running March 30 – April 3, 2010 in Nashville. Highlighting songwriters of all genres, the popular event will feature two shows per night at numerous local venues. For the fourth continuous year, Regions Bank will be Tin Pan South’s presenting sponsor.

The Tin Pan South Press Preview Party is set for March 9, 2010 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at The Rutledge (410 4th Avenue South) in Nashville. There, several featured writers will perform and announcements will be made regarding schedules, venues, participating writers and more.

During last year’s event, more than 350 talented songwriters performed over 80 shows at nine Music City venues. Over 9,000 music fans attend the event annually.

Visit nashvillesongwriters.com or tinpansouth.com to purchase Fast Access passes and check out Festival updates. Fast Access passes will go on sale March 10, 2010.

Swift Leads Sales With 3 Weeks Left in ’09

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taylor fearlessTaylor Swift could end 2009 as the top selling artist for all genres, for the second year in a row. Her album Fearless has sold more than 2.6 million units this year, and over 4.8 million since it came out in 2008. Her self-titled debut brought in over 600K units this year, plus she has a Christmas album out, making her 2009 total well over 3.3 million [according to Nielsen Soundscan, a division of the Nielsen Company]. Fearless is the bestselling all-genre album of the year, and is still moving units at a rate of over 150K last week.

Hot on Swifty’s heels is Susan Boyle, who has sold 1.8 million units since her album’s release just three weeks ago. In the last week she moved more than 500K, and with three full sales weeks left, she too could finish the year with more than 3 million units.

The Country genre is down 3.4% YTD, while overall music album sales are down 13%. Meanwhile Country Digital Album sales are up 40% over last year.

Country Top 10 YTD
No. 1 Taylor Swift Fearless 2.7 million
No. 2 Hannah Montana Soundtrack 1.7 million
No. 3 Zac Brown Band The Foundation 1.1 million
No. 4 Rascal Flatts Unstoppable 1.08 million
No. 5 Jason Aldean Wide Open 850K
No. 6 Carrie Underwood Play On 840K
No. 7 Lady Antebellum Lady Antebellum 780K
No. 8 Darius Rucker Learn To Live 770K
No. 9 Taylor Swift Taylor Swift 680K
No. 10 Keith Urban Defying Gravity 670K

Top 5 Overall Current YTD
No. 1 Taylor Swift Fearless 2.7 million
No. 2 Lady Gaga Fame 1.8 million
No. 3 Susan Boyle I Dreamed A Dream 1.8 million
No. 4 Hannah Montana Soundtrack 1.7 million
No. 5 Black Eyed Peas The END 1.6 million

[Nielsen Soundscan, a division of the Nielsen Company]

Underwood Receives Symphony Harmony Award

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underwoodCarrie Underwood received the 2009 Harmony Award at the Symphony Ball on Saturday night, December 12, at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.  The fundraiser for the Nashville Symphony and its outreach programs is Music City’s premiere winter social event. This year’s white-tie, invitation-only evening marked the event’s 25th anniversary. Underwood performed and wore a gown by designer Randi Rahm.

The Harmony Award is presented annually at Nashville’s Symphony Ball to individuals who have demonstrated continued interest and support of local music. The recipients exemplify the unique harmony between the many worlds of music that exist in our city and have contributed significantly to the development and appreciation of Nashville’s musical culture.

“The honor is a wonderful compliment and it’s an amazing feeling being part of the Nashville community,” said Underwood. “It was a beautiful evening filled with wonderful music, gorgeous ball gowns and décor, and was definitely an evening to remember.”

Previous recipients of the Harmony Award include: Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Tony Brown, Mike & Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, The Judds, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Rascal Flatts, and last year’s honoree Martina McBride.

Swift Covers “People’s” Most Intriguing Issue

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taylorTaylor Swift graces the cover of People magazine’s “25 Most Intriguing of 2009” issue which hits newsstands Friday. Everyone knows it’s been a huge year for the star who turned 20 years old over the weekend. For the issue she talked candidly with magazine, explaining, “It feels like this ongoing dream. It blows my mind…You can stay the same person, even if everything around you changes.

Swift was also on NBC’s People of the Year TV special with Matt Lauer earlier this month.

People’s “25 Most Intriguing of 2009” (list not ranked):
Taylor Swift:  The Golden Girl
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie:  The Power Pair
Kate Gosselin:  The Mother of All Reality Stars
Barack & Michelle Obama:  The First Couple
Mo’Nique:  The Breakout Star
Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III:  The American Hero
Sandra Bullock:  The Hotshot
Oprah Winfrey:  The Departing Diva
Susan Boyle:  The Surprise Hit
Rihanna:  The Resilient Star
Jaycee Dugard:  The Survivor
Khloe, Kim, & Kourtney Kardashian:  The Sister Act
Britney Spears:  The Comeback
Sarah Palin:  Rogue Author
The Real Housewives:  The Enemies Next Door
Ellen DeGeneres:  The New Girl
Neil Patrick Harris:  The Host with the Most
Tyler Perry:  The Mogul
Michael Jackson’s Children:  The Descendants
Lady Gaga:  The Shock Star
John Travolta:  The Heartbroken Dad
Chaz Bono:  The Trailblazer
Robert Pattinson:  The Heartthrob
Ryan Reynolds:  The Leading Man
Padma Lakshmi:  The Mom-To-Be

Wariner Receives Million Air Awards, Plays Benefit Tonight

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Pictured L-R: Steve Wariner, his wife and publisher Caryn Wariner; and Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. Credit: Drew Maynard

Pictured L-R: Steve Wariner, his wife and publisher Caryn Wariner; and Jody Williams, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. Credit: Drew Maynard

BMI recently honored Steve Wariner at a luncheon (12/15) where he was presented with Million-Air Awards for writing and publishing four songs that have reached new million performance levels. The Million-Air Award recognizes songs that have earned more than one million performances on U.S. television and radio. To date 11 songs written by Wariner have achieved Million-Air status, with three titles reaching multiple plateaus, resulting in his receiving a total of 15 Million-Air Awards. At the luncheon, he received awards for “Nothin’ But the Taillights,” “Where the Blacktop Ends,” “Holes in the Floor of Heaven” and “I Should Be With You.”

Wariner is also set for tonight’s (12/16) 10th Annual “Nashville Unlimited Christmas Concert at 7 pm at Christ Church Cathedral with hosts Dave Pomeroy and Don Henry, and guests Music City Baroque, Riders In The Sky, John Cowan, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, 18 South, Joey and Rory, the Coral Bay Steel Drum Trio and more, including special surprise guests. All proceeds benefit the Room in the Inn homeless program. A $20 minimum suggested donation at the door.

Artists Send Christmas Music; Larry The Cable Guy Sends Video

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craigCraig Morgan has recorded a holiday-themed version of his latest hit “Bonfire,” but he had to do it in a hotel bathroom. Morgan’s camp says co-producer Phil O’Donnell and engineer Mitch Malloy packed up their portable recording gear and headed to Kennesaw, GA to meet Morgan at the Holiday Inn Express before a gig. They then converted Room 418 into a studio, using the bathroom as an isolation booth for vocals. “Talk about working in crappy conditions,” joked Craig.

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Rascal Flatts recorded a new Christmas song last week and are giving it away as a present to their fans. “Away In A Manger” is available for free download here. This new recording can also be heard on country radio stations across the nation this holiday season.

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Bill Anderson Honored as Poet and Prophet

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Legendary songwriter Bill Anderson was honored Saturday (12/12) as part of the ongoing Poets and Prophets series at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Throughout the 90-minute program, which incorporated vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s collection, Anderson discussed his illustrious songwriting career and performed a handful of original compositions. In attendance were previous Poets and Prophets honorees Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon and Curly Putman, as well as Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Roger Murrah and hit producer/songwriter Buddy Cannon.

L-R—Murrah, Dillon, Cannon, Cochran, Anderson, Putman and program host Michael Gray. Photo by Donn Jones

(L-R): Murrah, Dillon, Cannon, Cochran, Anderson, Putman and program host Michael Gray. Photo by Donn Jones

Songwriters and Superstars Offer Help During Holidays

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keithSongwriters and superstars alike are helping those in need this holiday season.

On board to raise much needed funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are Keith Urban, Buddy Jewell and Whitney Duncan. Urban and Jewell have 2010 calendars for sale to benefit the hospital through their Web sites. And Duncan is auctioning off the Versace gown she wore on the red carpet of this year’s CMA Awards in support of Country Cares for St. Jude, the auction runs through 12/19.

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Also on the auction block are handwritten lyrics from Emmylou Harris, Kix Brooks, The Fray and too many others to mention, benefitting the Americana Music Association. Cayamo has also donated a cruise for two on their Journey Through Song Caribbean Cruise, where Harris will be joined by John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle and many others.

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Erin Enderlin, Leslie Satcher, Monty Holmes and Casey Beathard will play a benefit concert for the 2nd Squadron/278th Armored Calvary Regiment of the TN National Guard on Dec. 21 at Douglas Corner at 6pm. The cost is $10.

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The Loveless Cafe’s White Christmas With Suzy Bogguss & Friends will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Running nightly at 6 PM Dec. 20-23, there will be a concert, buffet dinner, and pictures with Santa Claus. Nonperishable food donations will also be accepted at the event. Visit lovelessbarn.com for more info.

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The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation was scheduled to present a $2,500 Music Matters™ grant to W.O. Smith Music School at its holiday recital on Monday (12/14).

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Last weekend Kellie Pickler headlined a Country Crossing-sponsored concert at the Dothan Civic Center in Alabama that benefited the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank. Area natives Matt Kennon and Houston County also performed. More than $16,00 and 8,800 pounds of food were raised, translating to 92,134 meals.

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Carter’s Chord, Julie Roberts, Bryan White, Blaine Larsen, Rob Blackledge, Tammy Cochran, Regie Hamm, Mica Roberts, Trailer Choir, Natalie Hemby, and more raised funds for Christian child advocacy ministry Compassion International with a concert at the Mercy Lounge on Dec. 2.

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Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas in Longview, Texas (12/11), and his Bar-None Cowboy Christmas Ball in Tatum, Texas (12/12) raised $240,000 for Heartlight Ministries for troubled teens.