Steel Magnolia (Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones) recently taped "CMT Southern Fried Flicks with Hazel Smith."
Eric Church (L) joined NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne for the Budweiser One Night Stand at Coyote Joe's in Charlotte, NC. Photo: HHP Images
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Megan Mullins has been playing with pop star Shakira lately, adding keyboard, fiddle and background vocals. As part of the gig, Mullins has appeared on Dancing With The Stars, America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Saturday Night Live, and will tour Europe and Latin America. In the meantime, her label Stoney Creek is readying her next single for radio, and working labelmate Ash Bowers’ debut single “Stuck.” Bowers is on the road opening for Jason Aldean’s Wide Open Tour, and Eric Church’s Young and Wild (er) Tour.
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Jo Dee Messina is focusing on fan interaction. She has given out her cell phone number (615-866-1681) to followers on Twitter and Saynow, and is inviting them to give her a call. One night she spent an hour and a half chatting with fans on the phone. She kicks her fan involvement up another notch this weekend with the addition of her “Nightcap with Jo Dee” after-show parties following select dates on her Music Room Series Tour. The party will be broadcast live across the Internet.
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Darryl Worley recently visited The Country Vibe with Chuck and Becca on WTVF-Nashville Newschannel 5+. On the show co-hosted by Chuck Long and Becca Walls, Worley discusses his latest project which features Jamey Johnson, Mel Tillis, Bill Anderson, John Anderson, Ira Dean, John Cowan and Steve Harwell (Smashmouth). The Country Vibe with Chuck and Becca reaches 45 million households.
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Country rapper Colt Ford appears on the bonus track of the upcoming Joe Nichols CD release, Old Things New. The song is a remix of Nichols’ No. 1 hit “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” and will be promoted to dance clubs. Old Things New will be in stores Oct. 27 via Universal Records South.
Ford is also offering 62 customized versions of his hit football song “Tailgate.” The Average Joe’s Entertainment artist spotlights the SEC and select pro teams for the versions at 40 radio markets and online. His debut album Ride Through The Country is No. 31 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and features special guests John Michael Montgomery, Jamey Johnson, and Adrian Young (No Doubt). In addition, Ford’s Wal-mart exclusive CD/DVD release sold 2,276 albums its first week in stores. He’s been opening select dates this fall for Jason Aldean and Larry The Cable Guy.
McGraw’s Early Sales Numbers And 2010 Tour
/by Sarah SkatesTim McGraw has more than 60 dates on the books for his Southern Voice Tour, opening Feb. 11, 2010 in Omaha. The album of the same name was released on Tuesday (10/20), so first week sales tallies aren’t in yet, but HitsDailyDouble’s building chart has it as the top selling Country title. It is McGraw’s tenth collaboration with producer Byron Gallimore and his first studio effort since Let It Go was released in 2007.
McGraw has loads of summer dates scheduled, currently going through Aug. 15 in Virginia Beach, VA. The tour will feature support from Lady Antebellum for the whole run, with the opening slot being filled by The Lost Trailers for the first leg, and Love And Theft for later dates.
For the arena run, McGraw has partnered with Outback Steakhouse, giving restaurant patrons special access to offers and events surrounding the tour. The “Outback’s Rewards Program” will launch in January 2010, giving away points that can be redeemed for McGraw merchandise, concert tickets, VIP passes, music downloads and an opportunity to register for the text and win sweepstakes. Sweepstakes winners will receive a trip for two to a McGraw concert in Australia.
Armiger Sets Chart Record
/by Sarah SkatesCold River Records’ Katie Armiger with WLLX’s Dan Hollander, following her recent Country Cafe performance at the station.
Katie Armiger’s single “Trail of Lies” recently landed at No. 19 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart, making her the highest charting independent female of 2009. The song is from her second album, Believe, on Cold River Records. Now she is working the charts with the follow-up single “Gone.”
Armiger, who co-wrote “Trail of Lies” with Lisa McCallum and Quinn Loggins, has set records on the MusicRow chart before. Her 2007 debut single “17 In Abilene” peaked at No. 22, making it the highest charting debut for a solo independent artist since 2003.
She was also the first artist chosen for the just launched “Fresh Catch” segment on Premiere Radio Network’s After MidNite With Blair Garner.
Armiger has been working on her third album with several well known Nashville songwriters and it is expected to be released early next year.
Paisley Run Ends; Swift and Evans Gear Up
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban made a grand exit at the end of his tour earlier this week. Now Brad Paisley’s American Saturday Night outing is winding down. Meanwhile, Sara Evans is planning a Christmas tour, and Taylor Swift is already selling out her 2010 outing.
The first round of tickets for Swift’s Fearless 2010 tour went on sale this morning, and all 15 shows sold out within minutes, including four dates in the New York area selling out in two minutes. Joining her for 37 concerts in North America, plus seven shows in Australia will be Kellie Pickler and Gloriana. Swift is set to host Saturday Night Live on Nov. 7, and will be one of the few artists to also serve as the musical guest that evening. Next week Swift visits Dancing with the Stars (Oct. 27) and Ellen (Oct. 29).
CMA Songwriter Series Hits Nashville
/by adminBob DiPiero
The CMA Songwriter Series continues Tuesday Nov. 10 with a special Nashville performance at Limelight. Scheduled to appear are Bob DiPiero, Randy Houser, Brett James, Rivers Rutherford and Victoria Shaw. Among the performers who have benefited by recording songs from this elite group of songwriters are artists such as George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Chesney and many more.
DiPiero will host the event. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at http://www.limelightnashville.com or call 615-780-3098.
Jake Owen Hosts on ABC.com
/by adminOwen is set to escort fans backstage and behind the scenes offering a glimpse of the events which lead up to the show. The singer/songwriter is also nominated this year in the New Artist of the Year category and his single “Eight Second Ride” is now No. 21 on the Country Breakout™ chart.
This year’s Award show will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood live from the Sommet Center in Nashville. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.
Twitter Usage Hits 19%
/by adminPewResearch has released new findings pertaining to Twitter usage. According to the research, 19% of Internet users are using Twitter or another similar service to “share updates about themselves, or to see updates about others.” Previous April 2009 surveys showed only 11%. The growth was fueled mostly by three distinct groups—social network website users, those connecting via mobile devices and users under age 44.
The report also concludes that owning a wireless internet device makes users “significantly more likely to Tweet” and is a factor in predicting whether someone uses Twitter or another status update service. “As of September 2009, 54% of internet users have a wireless connection to the internet via a laptop, cell phone, game console or other mobile device. Of those, 25% use Twitter or another similar service, up from 14% of wireless users in December 2008.”
According to a Harvard Business School report referenced in the research, “the top 10% of prolific Twitter users accounted for over 90% of tweets.”
For more details regarding age, other demo info, mobile access and more visit pewresearch.org.
Alan Jackson Collection Coming To Cracker Barrel
/by Sarah SkatesThe popular restaurant and retail concept has been growing its business as a non-traditional music retailer since 2003. 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.
This year Cracker Barrel has released exclusive albums by Zac Brown Band, George Jones, Montgomery Gentry, and Dolly Parton.
Magnolia, Mullins, Messina, And More
/by Sarah SkatesSteel Magnolia (Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones) recently taped "CMT Southern Fried Flicks with Hazel Smith."
Eric Church (L) joined NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne for the Budweiser One Night Stand at Coyote Joe's in Charlotte, NC. Photo: HHP Images
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Megan Mullins has been playing with pop star Shakira lately, adding keyboard, fiddle and background vocals. As part of the gig, Mullins has appeared on Dancing With The Stars, America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Saturday Night Live, and will tour Europe and Latin America. In the meantime, her label Stoney Creek is readying her next single for radio, and working labelmate Ash Bowers’ debut single “Stuck.” Bowers is on the road opening for Jason Aldean’s Wide Open Tour, and Eric Church’s Young and Wild (er) Tour.
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Jo Dee Messina is focusing on fan interaction. She has given out her cell phone number (615-866-1681) to followers on Twitter and Saynow, and is inviting them to give her a call. One night she spent an hour and a half chatting with fans on the phone. She kicks her fan involvement up another notch this weekend with the addition of her “Nightcap with Jo Dee” after-show parties following select dates on her Music Room Series Tour. The party will be broadcast live across the Internet.
——————————
Darryl Worley recently visited The Country Vibe with Chuck and Becca on WTVF-Nashville Newschannel 5+. On the show co-hosted by Chuck Long and Becca Walls, Worley discusses his latest project which features Jamey Johnson, Mel Tillis, Bill Anderson, John Anderson, Ira Dean, John Cowan and Steve Harwell (Smashmouth). The Country Vibe with Chuck and Becca reaches 45 million households.
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Country rapper Colt Ford appears on the bonus track of the upcoming Joe Nichols CD release, Old Things New. The song is a remix of Nichols’ No. 1 hit “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,” and will be promoted to dance clubs. Old Things New will be in stores Oct. 27 via Universal Records South.
Ford is also offering 62 customized versions of his hit football song “Tailgate.” The Average Joe’s Entertainment artist spotlights the SEC and select pro teams for the versions at 40 radio markets and online. His debut album Ride Through The Country is No. 31 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and features special guests John Michael Montgomery, Jamey Johnson, and Adrian Young (No Doubt). In addition, Ford’s Wal-mart exclusive CD/DVD release sold 2,276 albums its first week in stores. He’s been opening select dates this fall for Jason Aldean and Larry The Cable Guy.