After more than eight years on CMT, host Lance Smith is leaving the network to focus on his acting career. Smith joined CMT in 2001 as the network’s first VJ and went on to host over 400 episodes of the CMT Top 20 Countdown. He has logged countless hours on camera and hosted dozens of different shows and specials.
“He leaves Top 20 at the height of its biggest ratings streak ever,” says CMT Pres. Brian Philips, “and his shoes will be hard to fill.”
“I’ll continue to pursue a place in front of a mic or camera, but it will be under a different set of lights,” explains Smith. “Once upon a time, before my decade long stint as a host, I was an actor and it’s time to wear that hat once again.
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He is currently working on an independent film being shot in the Nashville area, and will continue his hosting career while he pursues acting.
Smith and Big Kenny on a recent episode of "CMT Top 20 Countdown." Photo: Ben Wilder
Smith continues, “I will forever be grateful for every chance and opportunity given to me by CMT and Country Music. There’s not a better fan base in the world. But most of all I will miss the crews—my friends behind the scenes. It’s the show behind the curtain that I was most fortunate to see.”
“Growing up before our viewers’ eyes, Lance has developed remarkable versatility — sly humor, perfect timing, strong relationships with our stars, and the ability to gracefully handle everything we’ve thrown at him,” adds Philips. “We applaud his ambition, and look forward to the next great phase of Lance’s career. His extended family at CMT and MTV Networks thank him for his terrific run.”
Smith is represented by longtime manager Ken Madson of Full Scope Entertainment who can be reached by calling 615-329-4762 or via email at kenmadson@gmail.com.
Ray Bruce To Sharp Objects
/by adminRay Bruce
Nashville-based Sharp Objects, a song plugging and artist development company has added Ray Bruce to its marketing and promotions department. Bruce’s new title will be Creative Director/Special Projects Coordinator and he will report to company CEO Steven Sharp. Chief among Bruce’s new responsibilities will be to represent the Sharp Objects song catalog and secure cuts.
Bruce, an Atlanta native, has previously worked with Ashley Rivera, Georgia Entertainer of the Year, 3-time NACMA vocalist of the Year (’07, ’08 and ’09) and many other artists and songwriters. Most recently he plugged songs for Christian Contemporary writer Kris Miller. Bruce can be reached at slsharp10@hotmail.com or 615-320-1030.
Sharp Objects, now in its sixth year represents Michael Peterson, Randy Sharp, Maia Sharp, Jeff Silbar, Dave Stewart, Jan Buckingham, Jay Lazaroff, Kathy Fisher and Ron Wasserman. The office is located at 62 Music Square West, Nashville, TN. www.sharpobject.com
Combustion Promotes Chris Van Belkom
/by Sarah SkatesChris Van Belkom (L) with Combustion Music Pres. Chris Farren (R).
Combustion Music has promoted Chris Van Belkom to Sr. Creative Director. He previously served as Creative Director and has spent five years with the publisher, helping oversee the careers of songwriters including Blair Daly, Ashley Gorley and Gordie Sampson, as well as local major label rockers Kings Of Leon and American Bang, and duo Sam & Ruby. Under Van Belkom’s new agreement with Combustion, he joins VP Stephanie Greene in heading up the publisher’s creative forces.
Lifenotes: Dene Hallam
/by Sarah SkatesA funeral mass will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5 at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Rd., Roswell, GA 30075. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to an educational trust for his daughters. The trust has been set up at the Fidelity Bank in Roswell. Contact branch manager Michele Owenby at 404-553-2175 for details on making a donation.
Gloriana Scores AMA Breakthrough
/by adminThe vocal quartet’s debut single “Wild At Heart” has been the best selling single by a 2009 new country artist with over 375k sold and the group’s self-titled CD is the best selling new act debut album racking up sales of over 133k according to Nielsen Soundscan, a division of The Nielsen Company.
“We cannot even put into words right now how thankful we are to the fans who voted for us and to everyone who has made the last couple of months an absolute dream come true,” said the group’s Cheyenne Kimball.
“This is still a bit surreal for us,” added band member Tom Gossin. “It’s such an honor to win an American Music Award, especially since it is voted on by fans and we are so grateful to have amazing fans.”
For a limited time, iTunes is offering Gloriana’s new CD at $7.99.
Sound And Speed Returns To Music City
/by adminOn Fri. Jan. 8, some of country’s hottest acts will fire up the Ryman Auditorium stage with two shows at 7 and 9:30 pm. Artists performing will include Hank Williams Jr., Chris Young and NASCAR legend Kyle Petty. More artists are soon to be added.
On Saturday, Jan. 9 the event continues at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, where fans of racing and country music will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with drivers, team owners, and top-name artists for autographs, story-telling, and question-and-answer sessions. The fan event will feature show car and sponsor displays, as well as a charitable auction with memorabilia from the racing and entertainment industries. Among the NASCAR stars scheduled to appear are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Clint Bowyer, Reed Sorenson, and David Stremme, along with country music stars Jason Michael Carroll, Josh Turner, members of Diamond Rio, and Chris Young with more drivers and country music artists joining the star-studded line-up in the coming weeks.
Since its inception, Sound & Speed has attracted an estimated 40,000 fans and raised more than $800,000 for Victory Junction (a year-round camping experience founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty for children, ages 6-16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses) and the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.
XL Video: New Nashville Shop For Tour Planning
/by contributorFrom the Nashville Post:
Read more here.
Jimmy Wayne Webchat; Dolly Opens Nashville Store
/by Sarah SkatesFor Sara Smile, Wayne worked with hitmaking producers Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Faith Hill), Mark Bright (Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood) and Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift). Wayne’s remake of the Daryl Hall & John Oates pop classic is the centerpiece of the album and is doing well at radio. It follows his hit “Do You Believe Me Now” which soared to the top of the country charts, landing at No. 1 for three weeks.
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The design and decor of Dolly Parton’s Trinkets & Treasures is inspired by Parton’s classic song “Coat of Many Colors,” with a mix of pink, yellow, red, blue, green and purple–both in the interior and exterior. Of course, Dolly music and videos will fill the space.
It is located at 126 2nd Ave North, Nashville, TN (next door to the Wildhorse Saloon). The store will celebrate its grand opening in Spring 2010 with a special event hosted by Parton.
Sony Adds Uhlir To Marketing Department
/by adminRay Uhlir
Ray Uhlir joins Sony Music Nashville as Senior Director, Marketing and Artist Development, reporting directly to Marketing VP Tom Baldrica. Uhlir most recently served as VP of Brand Licensing for Gibson Guitar.
Baldrica, who made the announcement commented, “Ray is a marketing leader with proven experience and demonstrated marketing success. His tremendous skills and his unique perspective will be a great addition to our marketing department. I am so excited to have him join us.”
Uhlir, based in Nashville, and already on the job, can be reached at ray.uhlir@sonymusic.com or 615-301-4351.
Sony Nashville’s marketing department, was altered by last week’s retirement of Executive VP Butch Waugh. Also, Laura McKinley has assumed the position of Manager, Marketing and Artist Development for the group’s Arista and RCA imprints. In addition, Kerri Fox-Metoyer was recently named Sony VP Sales.
Hall of Fame To Salute Bill Anderson
/by MichelleBill Anderson
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will honor Hall inductee Bill Anderson on December 12 as part of its quarterly programming series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. The 1:30 p.m. program, which will be held in the Museum’s Ford Theater, is included with admission and free to members.
The event will include an interview with Anderson by Museum Editor Michael Gray and a brief performance. The program will also be streamed live in its entirety at the Hall’s recently revamped www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
In addition to his accolades as a recording artist, actor, game show host, author and entertainer, Bill Anderson is one of the most successful songwriters in country music history with hits spanning over five decades. Anderson wrote many of his own hits and wrote or co-wrote the country classics “City Lights” (Ray Price), “The Tip of My Fingers” (Eddy Arnold, Roy Clark, Steve Wariner) and “When Two Worlds Collide” (Roger Miller, Jim Reeves). His more recent hits include “A Lot of Things Different” (Kenny Chesney), “Give It Away” (George Strait) and “Whiskey Lullaby” (Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley).
Anderson has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1961 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and has earned CMA’s Song of the Year Award twice: in 2005 for “Whiskey Lullaby”; and in 2007 for “Give It Away.”
The Poets and Prophets series honors songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music history. Previous honorees include Matraca Berg, Bobby Braddock, Jerry Chesnut, Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon, John D. Loudermilk, Bob McDill, Curly Putman, Whitey Shafer, Jeffrey Steele and Craig Wiseman.
Lance Smith And CMT Part Ways
/by Sarah Skates“He leaves Top 20 at the height of its biggest ratings streak ever,” says CMT Pres. Brian Philips, “and his shoes will be hard to fill.”
“I’ll continue to pursue a place in front of a mic or camera, but it will be under a different set of lights,” explains Smith. “Once upon a time, before my decade long stint as a host, I was an actor and it’s time to wear that hat once again. ”
He is currently working on an independent film being shot in the Nashville area, and will continue his hosting career while he pursues acting.
Smith and Big Kenny on a recent episode of "CMT Top 20 Countdown." Photo: Ben Wilder
Smith continues, “I will forever be grateful for every chance and opportunity given to me by CMT and Country Music. There’s not a better fan base in the world. But most of all I will miss the crews—my friends behind the scenes. It’s the show behind the curtain that I was most fortunate to see.”
“Growing up before our viewers’ eyes, Lance has developed remarkable versatility — sly humor, perfect timing, strong relationships with our stars, and the ability to gracefully handle everything we’ve thrown at him,” adds Philips. “We applaud his ambition, and look forward to the next great phase of Lance’s career. His extended family at CMT and MTV Networks thank him for his terrific run.”
Smith is represented by longtime manager Ken Madson of Full Scope Entertainment who can be reached by calling 615-329-4762 or via email at kenmadson@gmail.com.