Parton's lyrics to "I Will Always Love You"
Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Bon Jovi are among the superstar artists and songwriters who have donated handwritten lyric sheets to an auction to benefit the Americana Music Association.
The auction is the centerpiece of an evening of entertainment called An American Artform, which includes performances by acclaimed singer/songwriter John Hiatt and friends. Tickets also include cocktails and hors d’ouerves from the Clean Plate Club.
An American Artform will take place Monday, Dec. 14 at Tinney Contemporary Gallery in Downtown Nashville from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased only by calling the Americana Music Association 615-386-6936.
Nelson's lyrics to "On The Road Again"
Artists who have donated the personally handwritten and signed lyrics include: Bon Jovi, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Buddy Miller, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Griffin, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Nanci Griffith, John Oates, Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Cowboy Jack Clement, John Hiatt, Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, Monty Holmes & Leslie Satcher, John Prine, Rodney Crowell, Jack Ingram, Darrell Scott, Joe Ely, Miranda Lambert, JD Souther, Phil Everly, Jim Lauderdale, Marty Stuart, Jimmy Fadden, Michael McDonald, Chip Taylor, Peter Frampton, James McMurtry, Dan Tyminski, Mary Gauthier, Tift Merritt, and Lucinda Williams.
To view the artwork and bid online go to www.americanamusicauction.com.
Messina Benefit Raises $30,000
/by FreemanJo Dee Messina with the Harvest Hands Board of Directors, Concert Organizers and Harvest Hands Kids prior to the Dec. 5th benefit concert
Jo Dee Messina performed two special shows this weekend with youth and children’s choirs at Brentwood United Methodist Church. Messina partnered with Harvest Hands Community Development Corporation (CDC) for the effort, which helped raise over $30,000. Over 3,000 fans attended the performances, where Messina performed selections from her Christmas album A Joyful Noise. The evening performance is available for viewing online until the end of December at www.JoDeeMessina.com/harvesthands. “[Directors] Brian and Courtney Hicks are angels walking the face of this earth,” says Messina. “What they do with Harvest Hands must make God smile.”
Messina also performed earlier this month at Rockefeller Center in New York City for NBC-TV’s live tree lighting ceremony. The program featured a stellar line-up including Rod Stewart, Rob Thomas, Michael Bublé, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, The Roots, Shakira and numerous other stars.
On Thursday, December 10, Messina will perform at Green’s Grocery in Leiper’s Fork to benefit the Montessori School of Franklin. Tickets are $125 and available by calling 615-794-0567.
Rascal Flatts Tour Runs Through March
/by Sarah SkatesThe first leg of the Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour sold 550,000 tickets in 39 shows since it began in June 2009. This total also includes the two sold-out stadium concerts at Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Columbus’ Crew Stadium. The band’s 2009 tours have sold over a million concert tickets, bringing their 4 year total to just over 4 million tickets sold.
Sony Preps 2010 Launch of Thompson, Gokey
/by Sarah SkatesThompson’s debut single, “Beer On The Table,” was the inspiration for the “Whack-A-Beer” game on his new web site. www.joshthompsonofficial.com
Sony Nashville is building up to the 2010 launches of new artists Josh Thompson and Danny Gokey. Both acts have already released their first singles to radio, and their full-length debut albums will arrive after the first of the year.
Thompson’s debut album Way Out Here is due Feb. 23, 2010 via Columbia Nashville. He has a writing credit on every song of the Michael Knox produced project. Thompson has already released a digital four-track EP, including the single “Beer On The Table,” which is currently at No. 36 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart.
He has spent much of the last year touring, playing over 100 shows and growing his fan base. The Wisconsin native arrived in Nashville in 2005, and eventually scored his first major cut as a songwriter with “Growing Up Is Getting Old,” the title track of Jason Michael Carroll’s current album.
Gokey is a familiar name to followers of the most recent season of American Idol. Signed to 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville, he is busy working on his debut album and making promotional stops on the road, in support of his new single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me.” The digital single will be available on Dec. 22, with a full album arriving early next year.
He recently performed on FOX’s Good Day Atlanta, sang the national anthem prior to the Bobcats/Celtics NBA match-up, and followed that with appearances at two Thanksgiving Day parades.
Dierks Hosts Benefits, Heads For TV
/by MichelleIn related news, Bentley’s Miles & Music for Kids charity motorcycle ride and concert series made a stop in Phoenix on Nov. 21 and raised $200,000 for Phoenix Childrens Hospital over the course of the weekend, bringing the 2009 total for both the Nashville and Phoenix events to over $400,000. Bentley was joined by Jessi Colter, Jimmy Wayne, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers and a sold-out crowd of over 3,400 bikers and fans. Also, “Beautiful World” was recently offered as a free download through CMT One Country in support of Miles & Music for Kids.
CMA Exec. Dir. Search Coming In January
/by FreemanThe Country Music Association’s national search to replace former head Tammy Genovese, who resigned from the company Dec. 2, will commence in January 2010 to coincide with the new CMA Board Session.
According to CMA Board Chairman Randy Goodman, a search committee will be named before year end, and its members will hire a national search firm to identify and vet qualified applicants. No applications are currently being accepted, but a process for submitting applicants will be announced at a later time.
Taylor Swift–On Demand
/by Sarah SkatesVideos included in the collection will be “You Belong With Me,” “Love Story,” “Fifteen,” “Teardrops On My Guitar,” “Picture to Burn” and the number one On Demand country single of 2009 – “Our Song.”
Music is one of On Demand’s most popular categories, with 50-60 million views per month. On Demand is available for viewing at any time. Other artists who have entered similar agreements with Comcast are Green Day and U2.
Swift also recently partnered with American Greetings Corp. to create a line of greeting cards, gift packaging, stationery, online photo personalization products and online greetings, which are scheduled to be out by spring 2010.
Rascal Flatts To Appear on “CSI”
/by MichelleBack in 2006, Rascal Flatts members Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney guest starred on the television series Yes, Dear.
Americana Assc.’s Star Lyric Sheet Auction
/by Sarah SkatesParton's lyrics to "I Will Always Love You"
Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Bon Jovi are among the superstar artists and songwriters who have donated handwritten lyric sheets to an auction to benefit the Americana Music Association.
The auction is the centerpiece of an evening of entertainment called An American Artform, which includes performances by acclaimed singer/songwriter John Hiatt and friends. Tickets also include cocktails and hors d’ouerves from the Clean Plate Club.
An American Artform will take place Monday, Dec. 14 at Tinney Contemporary Gallery in Downtown Nashville from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased only by calling the Americana Music Association 615-386-6936.
Nelson's lyrics to "On The Road Again"
Artists who have donated the personally handwritten and signed lyrics include: Bon Jovi, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Buddy Miller, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Griffin, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Nanci Griffith, John Oates, Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Cowboy Jack Clement, John Hiatt, Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, Monty Holmes & Leslie Satcher, John Prine, Rodney Crowell, Jack Ingram, Darrell Scott, Joe Ely, Miranda Lambert, JD Souther, Phil Everly, Jim Lauderdale, Marty Stuart, Jimmy Fadden, Michael McDonald, Chip Taylor, Peter Frampton, James McMurtry, Dan Tyminski, Mary Gauthier, Tift Merritt, and Lucinda Williams.
To view the artwork and bid online go to www.americanamusicauction.com.
Tonight: Carrie’s Christmas Special W/ Paisley, Parton
/by Sarah SkatesUnderwood will be joined on stage by special musical guests including fellow Country stars Dolly Parton and Brad Paisley. Also on board to appear are David Cook, Kristin Chenoweth, Christina Applegate and Sons of Sylvia. Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special airs tonight at 7 PM/CT on FOX.
Hit Songwriters Set For Nashville Underground Show
/by Sarah SkatesLari White
They’ve lined up an all-star concert of hit writers and put together a new 4-disc retrospective set to mark the occasion. Performing at 3rd & Lindsley on Dec. 10 at 7 PM, will be Bob DiPiero, Chuck Jones, Jill Colucci, Danny Flowers, Gary Burr, Angela Kaset, Victoria Shaw, Pam Rose, Mary Ann Kennedy, and Stephen Allen Davis.
The box set called 10 Years of Nashville Underground – The Complete Sampler Series Vol. I-IV is available for pre-order at www.nashvilleunderground.com for $19.95. Pre-order customers will receive a free autographed copy of Cannon’s Love and Money CD and a Nashville Underground T-shirt.
Chuck Cannon
Tickets to the 10th Anniversary concert are $10 and can be purchased in advance at www.3rdandlindsley.com or at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the NSAI legislative fund.