“Out There Somewhere”
TimBob Records
Veronica Ballestrini is returning to country radio airwaves with her new release “Out There Somewhere.” The followup to “Amazing,” which landed on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout™ Chart, “Out There Somewhere” appears on Ballestrini’s debut album What I’m All About, which was released online in September.
Veronica might not be the household name that our American Idol-era industry is capable of producing overnight—yet. But there’s no doubt that she is well on her way to mastering the art of our new media age and bringing a legion of fans with her in the process, as a recent story about her in the New York Times suggests.
“I spend about four hours a day answering messages from fans,” she reveals. “Every message I get, I answer myself.” It’s a formula that has paid big dividends for the surprisingly down-to-earth young star.
With a dream and an Internet connection, the teenager from Waterford, Connecticut has raised eyebrows with her self-made success story. The staggering numbers on her social network sites are proof that Veronica has that special ability to connect with people. On Myspace alone, that number totals more than 135,000 friends, 11.3 million page views and 14.5 million plays of her music. On country-lifestyle portal DigitalRodeo.com, Veronica is one of the most in-demand artists on the entire site.
“It’s important that people know that I’m not trying to be anyone else,” adds Veronica. “I’m just trying to be who I am. I’m writing from the heart about issues and things I’m experiencing, and hopefully people can identify with that.”
http://www.veronicaballestrini.net/
http://www.myspace.com/veronicaballestrini
http://twitter.com/veronicabal
Testing Google Music Search
/by adminFigure 1
Google’s new music search plan makes finding and listening to music a breeze. To test the new system that is a partnership with MySpace and Lala for streaming, plus includes links to services such as Rhapsody, Pandora and imeem, I searched for “Need You Now,” a current hit from Lady Antebellum, and Billy Currington’s “People Are Crazy.”
Figure 2
“Need You…” appeared at the top of the search list (see figure 1). Clicking on the play button opens a small player (see figure 2). Active links to the song on partner sites are also shown. The system still has a few bugs, since when I clicked on the Rhapsody link looking for “Need You Now,” instead I was taken to a song of the same name performed by Ned Evett.
Regardless, as the system gets refined, it will make finding (and buying) music very simple for consumers, regardless of their technology expertise. This new system is also a win for the partners who get introduced to consumers and can quickly become familiar.
The best way to understand exactly what it does is to try it. Enter a song title, artist’s name, album title or actual song lyrics and see where it leads you.
Sony Wins Melrose Meat and Greet
/by Sarah Skates(L-R) Lisa Ramsey Perkins, Jim Catino & Paul Overstreet at the Sony Music tent
The 2nd Annual Melrose “Meat” & Greet was held this week. Sony Music won first place in the grilling competition, followed closely by Universal Music in second place, and Curb Records in third. The event also included a costume contest with the winner taking home a prize for their favorite charity.
(L-R): Melrose writer Jeff Bates, with BBQ judges Kerry Collins and Charlie Monk, Melrose writer Sherrie Austin, and judge Trace Adkins. Photo: Dottie Hillery
Shelton/Adkins Video Premieres on Yahoo
/by Sarah SkatesBlake and Trace on set for the new video.
The video for “Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton’s new single featuring Trace Adkins, premieres exclusively on Yahoo! Music today (10/30). Both artists star in the video and it will be available for purchase on iTunes beginning Nov. 3.
“Hillbilly Bone,” written by Luke Laird and Craig Wiseman, is the first single from Shelton’s forthcoming CD release—the follow up to his 2008 album Startin’ Fires.
“I had the best day shooting this video with Trace,” says Shelton. “He has been a great friend for many years and for him to take time out and come down and play a hillbilly with me was so cool. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Trace is one funny guy.”
“Blake and I have been great friends for a long time now,” adds Adkins. “He is hands-down, one of the funniest guys I know, so doing this song and video with him was really a no-brainer.”
Pickler On TV, JMC Plays Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesHer latest single, “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You,” from her self-titled sophomore album is gaining momentum on the Country Breakout chart. And she was named Country Weekly’s Most Beautiful Woman for the second year in a row in the Nov. 2 issue.
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Jason Michael Carroll will perform at Nashville’s Exit/In on Thurs., Dec. 10, at 8 PM. Tickets, $15, go on sale today at www.ExitIn.com or www.aeglive.com.
Alan Jackson Debuts Collection At Cracker Barrel
/by Sarah SkatesAlan Jackson's cookbook is part of his new line at Cracker Barrel.
Alan Jackson is headed for a home cooked breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Mt. Juliet on Mon., Nov. 2 to celebrate the release of his new line of merchandise at the store. He will be there greeting fans and autographing items. Included in the Alan Jackson Collection are more than 40 products ranging from a rocking chair, to apparel, to food and collectibles. There is also a new CD—Songs Of Love And Heartache, with hits and two previously unreleased songs.
The Alan Jackson Collection is the first time Cracker Barrel has developed a complete line of merchandise around a star. Jackson was involved in its creation and approved all the goods based on what he thought would appeal to his fans. The popular restaurant and retail concept has been growing its business as a non-traditional music retailer since 2003.
Jackson will be there on Nov. 2 from 9-11 AM. Fans can begin lining up at 6 AM to obtain numbered tickets for a place in line. First come, first served.
Veronica Ballestrini
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Out There Somewhere”
TimBob Records
Veronica might not be the household name that our American Idol-era industry is capable of producing overnight—yet. But there’s no doubt that she is well on her way to mastering the art of our new media age and bringing a legion of fans with her in the process, as a recent story about her in the New York Times suggests.
“I spend about four hours a day answering messages from fans,” she reveals. “Every message I get, I answer myself.” It’s a formula that has paid big dividends for the surprisingly down-to-earth young star.
With a dream and an Internet connection, the teenager from Waterford, Connecticut has raised eyebrows with her self-made success story. The staggering numbers on her social network sites are proof that Veronica has that special ability to connect with people. On Myspace alone, that number totals more than 135,000 friends, 11.3 million page views and 14.5 million plays of her music. On country-lifestyle portal DigitalRodeo.com, Veronica is one of the most in-demand artists on the entire site.
“It’s important that people know that I’m not trying to be anyone else,” adds Veronica. “I’m just trying to be who I am. I’m writing from the heart about issues and things I’m experiencing, and hopefully people can identify with that.”
http://www.veronicaballestrini.net/
http://www.myspace.com/veronicaballestrini
http://twitter.com/veronicabal
Rogers’ New 3-Disc Set, Symphony Show
/by Sarah SkatesLast week Rogers, known for huge hits like “Lady,” “We’ve Got Tonight” and “Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Parton, released a 3-disc box set. The package includes all these songs and three new tracks. Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years is a look back at his career which has resulted in 105 million in worldwide album sales, and a hit in each of the last five decades. Totaling 45 tracks, the three discs are divided by Duets, Story Songs, and Love Songs. The set is packaged with a booklet that features photos from Kenny’s personal collection, and was released via Time Life in association with Dreamcatcher Artist Management. In addition to the box set, a single disc called The Greatest Duets is now available.
Urban To Visit Verizon In Franklin
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban will be at the Verizon Wireless store in Franklin, TN, at 2 PM today (10/30). He will perform an acoustic set and participate in a brief Q&A session.
Through the partnership between Urban and the wireless carrier, fans with certain Verizon phones can download three free tracks from his popular summer tour. The participating devices are the Samsung Rogue, Alias 2, Sway and Intensity phones.
Nashville Underground Turns 10
/by Sarah SkatesThe Nashville Underground record label started by artist/songwriters Lari White and Chuck Cannon to showcase Music City’s elite group of tunesmiths is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. The occasion will be highlighted by a concert and CD release party at 3rd & Lindsley on Dec. 10 at 7 PM, featuring several Nashville Underground artists including Marshall Chapman, Gary Nicholson, Chuck Jones and Cannon.
A retrospective 4-CD boxed set is also being released called 10 Years of Nashville Underground – The Complete Sampler Series Vol. I-IV. It 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.
Tickets to the 10th Anniversary concert are $10 and can be purchased in advance at www.3rdandlindsley.com or at the door.
Lifenotes: Kimberly Kilgore Wilson
/by Sarah SkatesKimberly Kilgore Wilson, daughter of the late songwriter Merle Kilgore, passed away October 27, 2009 in Nashville after a battle with cancer. The 51-year-old mother of three was born in Shreveport, LA and moved to Nashville at a young age following her father’s success in the music business. Friends say Wilson was an musician, animal lover, and seamstress, with expert knowledge of furniture. She was preceded in death by husband, Jesse Wilson, and her father, Merle Kilgore.
She is survived by sons Eric Williams, Philip Pomeroy, and Seth Pomeroy; mother Dot Patrick; sister Pamela Compton; brother Steve Kilgore; former husband Dave Pomeroy and many others.
Visitation will be today (10/29) from 2-8 PM at Hendersonville Funeral Home and Memory Gardens, and tomorrow (10/30) from 12-2 PM, preceding the 2 PM funeral. Burial will immediately follow in the Memory Gardens. Donations in Wilson’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or Alive Hospice.