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.
”
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.
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.
Griggs Suffer Devastating House Fire
/by Sarah SkatesCountry singer Andy Griggs and his family lost their home in a devastating fire this past Saturday. Thankfully, they all escaped without harm, but sadly, the house is being called a total loss.
AMA Photos, Swift Big Winner
/by Sarah SkatesFavorite country male winner Keith Urban performed at the AMA's.
Swift accepting Artist of the Year via satellite.
Taylor Swift was the top winner at last night’s American Music Awards, receiving five trophies at the all-genre fan-voted show. Country as a whole was well-represented at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, snagging several awards as well as performances by Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood. Gloriana lovers voted via text to give them the T-Mobile “Breakthrough Artist” Award. Other winners from the Country front included Favorite Male Artist Urban and Favorite Band, Duo or Group Rascal Flatts.
Swift, who was in London accepted via video, taking home the biggest prize, Artist of the Year. She won all but one category for which she was nominated: Favorite Female Artist (Pop/Rock), Favorite Female Artist (Country), Favorite Album (Country), and Favorite Artist (Adult Contemporary).
Nicole Kidman and Kate Hudson presenting.
Other Nashvillians making appearances were Jason Aldean, Reba, Zac Brown Band and Nicole Kidman.
The night marked Whitney Houston’s return to stage singing “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” And Adam Lambert, in his first live television appearance since American Idol, closed the show with a risque performance that has fans and media buzzing.
All photos courtesy of ABC/Craig Sjodin.
Gloriana was voted Best New Artist.
Underwood performed her newest hit "Cowboy Casanova."
Miss Doris Kidnapping Monopolizing News
/by adminYes, the ransom was $5,000,000. But Monopoly money is unacceptable! We want cash! We want portraits of your presidents!! We want greenbacks!! Bucks!! Let’s try this again! Thanksgiving Day. Brown paper bag. Loading dock of old Sony Records building.
Remember. Aspirin bottles.
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With the request of a $5,000,000 ransom authorities are now taking a closer look at last weekend’s abduction of ASCAP’s Ms. Doris.
Members of the Nashville CSI were at ASCAP earlier today looking for further evidence.
ASCAP’s Connie Bradley had been vacationing in Florida. Yesterday’s ransom note took matters to an unexpected level. Bradley could not be reached for comment but we are told she is returning to Nashville, cutting her trip short to oversee recovery efforts and possible negotiations with the kidnappers.
ASCAP lobby with crime scene tape showing where Miss Doris was abducted.
Adam Fisher
/by ProgrammerPlaylist—Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow
Reared in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Adam Fisher was first exposed to music via his gospel singing parents. Now a Nashville resident, the 23-year-old singer-songwriter’s sound reflects back to the country outlaw heyday of Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. His single “Cotton Town” is being released to radio by Lofton Creek Records and recently was given a DisCovery Award by renowned music critic Robert K. Oermann.
While performing in Memphis a few years ago, Fisher was approached by singer/songwriter Stella Parton and jumped at the opportunity to travel to Nashville for his first album. “I never thought I wanted to be a writer,” says Fisher. “But after moving here and working with Stella, I’ve realized how important it is to me as an artist and how much I enjoy writing.”
After finding and writing songs for his first CD at the age of 21, Fisher has come a long way from the small town bars of North Carolina to the bright lights of Music City. Today Adam continues to write and connect with the city’s successful songwriters for his upcoming Lofton Creek debut.
“With no risk, there is no reward,” adds Fisher. “I love playing music and there is no way I could do anything else. When this ride is said and done, I don’t want to be remembered as a singer, but as a good man. I want my music to last beyond the performance and continue to have an impact after I’m gone.”
http://www.adamfisherlive.com