Joshua Ragsdale
Musician Joshua Ragsdale is suffering from CML Leukemia and is in dire need of a bone marrow donor, which most often does not require surgery on the donor. Ragsdale, a songwriter and former Lyric Street artist, has been unable to find a match in the national bone marrow registry. Blood Assurance is organizing a blood drive and bone marrow match search at Christ The King Church (Belmont Blvd.) on Mon., Nov. 2 from 9 AM-2 PM. Seeing if someone is a bone marrow match is done by swabbing the inside of the mouth. If there is a match, the donation process is usually as simple as donating plasma.
To find out details or sign-up for the drive, e-mail joshuadonordrive@gmail.com with your name, phone, and if you will donate blood, test for marrow match or both.
Donations are being accepted at Joshua Ragsdale Benefit Fund, c/o Smith, Wiles, attn: Suzanne, 900 Division St, Nashville, 37203.
You can follow Josh’s story on his brother John Ragsdale’s blog.
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The first annual Rivergate Studios Celebrity Rock-n-Golf Tournament will benefit Lyrics for Life, the non-profit organization that helps fight childhood cancer. Tournament players will join more than 25 music and sports celebrities including Gary Allan, 3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel, Halfway To Hazard, 38 Special, and Ira Dean on Mon., Nov. 9 at Hendersonville’s Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club. An after party/all-star jam will follow at the Gibson Guitars showcase space in Opry Mills Mall. Rivergate Studios, co-owned by Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down) and Bobby Capps (38 Special), is co-hosting the event. Sponsorships and VIP golf packages are available at www.rivergatestudios.net.
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Eric Lee Beddingfield’s Rock for Recovery Benefit concert is set for Fri., Oct. 16, 7 PM at the Corner Pub Midtown parking lot. Proceeds will go to those devastated by flooding in the Southeast via the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Special guests will join Beddingfield onstage. Brad Arnold, Robert Reynolds and Dan Shafer have been added to the concert and online social network Digital Rodeo has signed on to sponsor the event, which is currently the only benefit concert happening for the victims of this disaster. The concert is set to coincide with the University of Georgia/Vanderbilt football game in Nashville the next day.
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The 2nd annual Dunkin’ Donuts 5K Family Fun Run and Walk-A-Thon will be Sat., Nov. 7 at Centennial Park to benefit the music industry charity, the T.J. Martell Foundation. Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George and his family will host the event featuring performances by popular tween acts pureNRG, Madison Cain and actor/singer Luke Benward. Also every Wednesday this month is Coffee for the Cure Day at Dunkin’ Donuts. Ten percent of all coffee proceeds will be donated to the T.J. Martell Foundation. www.funrunandwalk.com
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The Music City Challenge on Sat., Dec. 5 will feature top tennis professionals Marty Fish, John Isner, Bob and Mike Bryan, and America’s newest tennis sweetheart and U.S. Open quarter finalist Melanie Oudin. It benefits the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Fund via the Music City Tennis Invitational, which is supported by many in the music business. The tournament will be hosted by the Belmont Curb Event Center. www.tandsevents.com
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Bluebird Benefits: Andrew Dorff, Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear, Barry Dean and guests will play the Bluebird Oct. 29 at 9 PM to benefit UCLA brain cancer research.
The 1st Amendment Center’s 11th Annual Freedom Sings show will celebrate the groundbreaking music of 1969 with performances by Beth Nielsen Chapman, A.J. Croce, Jonell Mosser, Don Henry, Jason White and a house band that includes Bill Lloyd, Danny Sullivan, Dave Pomeroy, Jen Gunderman and Craig Krampf. The show is at the Bluebird on Oct. 21, at 9 PM.
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Urban Recruits Country’s Finest For Hall Fundraiser
/by Sarah SkatesAldean, Swift, Hill and Lady Antebellum onstage. Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Even the ushers were dancing in the aisle last night (10/13) as Keith Urban blazed through “Sweet Thing,” “Better Life,” and a slew of other hits during his We’re All For The Hall concert at the Sommet Center. He spearheaded the benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and recruited the stellar talent of Vince Gill, Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town to join him. That line-up combined with tickets priced around $25 assured a sold-out event.
Gill, a longtime Hall of Fame advocate started the All For The Hall fundraising initiative a few years ago, suggesting that all artists donate just one night’s proceeds to the cause.
Gill and Urban remained onstage as band members for the evening, playing alongside A-list musicians including keyboardist John Hobbs, steel guitarist Paul Franklin and bassist Michael Rhodes.
Toward the end of the night, Urban told the audience to mark their calendars for Oct. 5, 2010, for the second annual concert.
A full report on the event was sent out this morning in @MusicRow, for paid subscribers.
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Joshua Ragsdale Donation Drive, More Benefits
/by Sarah SkatesJoshua Ragsdale
Musician Joshua Ragsdale is suffering from CML Leukemia and is in dire need of a bone marrow donor, which most often does not require surgery on the donor. Ragsdale, a songwriter and former Lyric Street artist, has been unable to find a match in the national bone marrow registry. Blood Assurance is organizing a blood drive and bone marrow match search at Christ The King Church (Belmont Blvd.) on Mon., Nov. 2 from 9 AM-2 PM. Seeing if someone is a bone marrow match is done by swabbing the inside of the mouth. If there is a match, the donation process is usually as simple as donating plasma.
To find out details or sign-up for the drive, e-mail joshuadonordrive@gmail.com with your name, phone, and if you will donate blood, test for marrow match or both.
Donations are being accepted at Joshua Ragsdale Benefit Fund, c/o Smith, Wiles, attn: Suzanne, 900 Division St, Nashville, 37203.
You can follow Josh’s story on his brother John Ragsdale’s blog.
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The first annual Rivergate Studios Celebrity Rock-n-Golf Tournament will benefit Lyrics for Life, the non-profit organization that helps fight childhood cancer. Tournament players will join more than 25 music and sports celebrities including Gary Allan, 3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel, Halfway To Hazard, 38 Special, and Ira Dean on Mon., Nov. 9 at Hendersonville’s Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club. An after party/all-star jam will follow at the Gibson Guitars showcase space in Opry Mills Mall. Rivergate Studios, co-owned by Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down) and Bobby Capps (38 Special), is co-hosting the event. Sponsorships and VIP golf packages are available at www.rivergatestudios.net.
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Eric Lee Beddingfield’s Rock for Recovery Benefit concert is set for Fri., Oct. 16, 7 PM at the Corner Pub Midtown parking lot. Proceeds will go to those devastated by flooding in the Southeast via the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Special guests will join Beddingfield onstage. Brad Arnold, Robert Reynolds and Dan Shafer have been added to the concert and online social network Digital Rodeo has signed on to sponsor the event, which is currently the only benefit concert happening for the victims of this disaster. The concert is set to coincide with the University of Georgia/Vanderbilt football game in Nashville the next day.
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The 2nd annual Dunkin’ Donuts 5K Family Fun Run and Walk-A-Thon will be Sat., Nov. 7 at Centennial Park to benefit the music industry charity, the T.J. Martell Foundation. Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George and his family will host the event featuring performances by popular tween acts pureNRG, Madison Cain and actor/singer Luke Benward. Also every Wednesday this month is Coffee for the Cure Day at Dunkin’ Donuts. Ten percent of all coffee proceeds will be donated to the T.J. Martell Foundation. www.funrunandwalk.com
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The Music City Challenge on Sat., Dec. 5 will feature top tennis professionals Marty Fish, John Isner, Bob and Mike Bryan, and America’s newest tennis sweetheart and U.S. Open quarter finalist Melanie Oudin. It benefits the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Fund via the Music City Tennis Invitational, which is supported by many in the music business. The tournament will be hosted by the Belmont Curb Event Center. www.tandsevents.com
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Bluebird Benefits: Andrew Dorff, Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear, Barry Dean and guests will play the Bluebird Oct. 29 at 9 PM to benefit UCLA brain cancer research.
The 1st Amendment Center’s 11th Annual Freedom Sings show will celebrate the groundbreaking music of 1969 with performances by Beth Nielsen Chapman, A.J. Croce, Jonell Mosser, Don Henry, Jason White and a house band that includes Bill Lloyd, Danny Sullivan, Dave Pomeroy, Jen Gunderman and Craig Krampf. The show is at the Bluebird on Oct. 21, at 9 PM.
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WMBA Recruitment; Upcoming Auditions
/by Sarah SkatesWMBA 2009-10 members.
The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) is holding open enrollment for membership beginning tomorrow, Thurs., Oct. 15. Women who are working in the music business and are interested in joining WMBA or learning more about the organization, are invited to attend an open meeting on Tues., Oct. 20, 6:30 PM at the NSAI studio. Please visit www.wmbanashville.org to learn more about WMBA, or contact Membership Chair, Kasey Cleckler at membership@wmbanashville.org.
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CMT’s hit series The Singing Bee will be conducting open casting calls in Nashville for contestants for its second season. The local casting call will take place at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel at 2100 West End Ave. on Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25 with auditions beginning at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. each day. Interested applicants can email casting@thesingingbee.com for additional questions and information.
The 20-episode second season, returning with host Melissa Peterman, will begin taping in November and premiere in January 2010 on CMT. The show’s original run on CMT was the network’s highest-rated series of the year.
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The U.S. Army Bands will be conducting auditions for talented piano, guitar and electronic bass players. Army musicians perform in a variety of ensembles ranging from ceremonial band to jazz quartets to small ensembles, playing all styles of music. Members will be provided professional quality instruments, enjoy paid vacations, receive medical and dental benefits for you and your family, and receive unmatched educational benefits.
Musician Auditions for U.S. Army Bands will be held Thurs., Nov. 12 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select, Vanderbilt (Ballroom) on West End Ave. For more information or to schedule an audition, please call CPT Sharon Toulouse at 301-741-2750. Walk-ins welcome.
Swift Leads American Music Awards Noms
/by FreemanThe fan-voted show will be broadcast on ABC Nov. 22, at 7pm. Confirmed performers include Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez and Adam Lambert.
An abbreviated list of the nominees is below. Get the full list at http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/nominations or vote for your favorites here.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kings of Leon
Taylor Swift
Lady Gaga
Eminem
Michael Jackson
POP/ROCK – Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift
POP/ROCK – Favorite Album
Fame – Lady Gaga
Number Ones – Michael Jackson
Fearless – Taylor Swift
COUNTRY – Favorite Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker
Keith Urban
COUNTRY – Favorite Female Artist
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
COUNTRY – Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band
COUNTRY – Favorite Album
Unstoppable – Rascal Flatts
Fearless – Taylor Swift
Foundation – Zac Brown Band
SOUNDTRACKS – Favorite Album
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Hannah Montana 3
Twilight Soundtrack
ADULT CONTEMPORARY – Favorite Artist
Daughtry
Jason Mraz
Taylor Swift
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL – Favorite Artist
Jeremy Camp
Brandon Heath
Mary Mary
Underwood Sets Primetime Special, iTunes Preview
/by MichelleFor three weeks leading up to the new album’s Nov. 3 release date, iTunes will exclusively offer a new track for purchase and download. The iTunes Countdown kicks-off today (10/13) with “Mama’s Song,” and subsequent tracks include “Temporary Home” (available 10/20) and “Undo It” (available 10/27). For each new track every week, fans will be able to visit Billboard.com for a 48-hour sneak preview of the song immediately prior to its Tuesday release on iTunes, with each posting remaining on Billboard.com for a week from its debut.
CMA Broadcast Awards Revealed
/by Sarah SkatesJamey Johnson surprises "American Country Countdown" host Kix Brooks in-studio with news of his CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year. (l-r) Johnson, Brooks, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Teddy Gentry of Alabama.
Jamey Johnson called several special radio stations on-air this morning (10/13) to tell them they won CMA Awards for Broadcast Personality of the Year and Radio Station of the Year. The winners, covering all market sizes, will be recognized during the The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, airing live Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network from the Sommet Center in Nashville.
Among the newly revealed winners is Kix Brooks, who is the first Country artist in history to claim a CMA Broadcast Awards trophy. As host of Citadel Media’s American Country Countdown, he won the National Broadcast Personality of the Year Award. “When Jamey Johnson walked in our ACC studio today, I wasn’t sure what was going on—thought maybe I’d forgotten about an interview or something. Next thing I know, he’s telling me that we won the CMA National Air Personality of the Year Award,” said Brooks. “The whole ACC team was in here screaming and jumping around! Everyone works hard and puts their all into making ACC the best it can be. I’m shocked, humbled, and extremely honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire American Country Countdown staff.”
2009 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners:
National – Kix Brooks, American Country Countdown, (Citadel Media)
Major Market – Cornbread, Pat James, Annie Henson, Harry Schroeder, Mac “Captain Mac” Douglas, “The Cornbread Morning Show featuring Cornbread, Pat James, Producer Annie, Father Harry, and Captain Mac,” WIL, St. Louis, Mo. (Bonneville International).
Large Market – Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt, Kevin Freeman, “Jim Denny and Friends,” WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind. (Cumulus Media).
Medium Market – Jack Ryan, “WIVK at Night with Jack Ryan,” WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn. (Citadel).
Small Market – Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, “Gator & The StyckMan,” WGSQ, Cookeville, Tenn. (Cookeville Communications).
2009 CMA Radio Station of the Year Winners:
Major Market – KYGO, Denver/Boulder, Colo.
Large Market – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Medium Market – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
Small Market – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
• CMA Broadcast Award winners are not eligible to enter in consecutive years; therefore, those who received trophies in 2008 were not eligible in 2009.
IEBA Honors Touring Industry Leaders
/by FreemanChubby Checker (L) and Brenda Lee (R)
The 2009 Annual International Entertainment Buyers Association Honors Ceremony was held last night (10/12) at the Ryman Auditorium to honor the live entertainment industry’s elite. The show was hosted by actor Luke Perry and guests were treated to performances from Jamey Johnson, Jessie James, Lorrie Morgan, Randy Houser, Jud Laipply, Chris Young and Chubby Checker.
Brenda Lee presented Chubby Checker with the Career Achievement Award, Lorrie Morgan presented Joan Saltel with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and CAA’s John Huie presented Barbara Hubbard with the Harry A. Peebles Award for her tireless stewardship of students seeking entertainment careers.
Full list of 2009 IEBA Honorees:
Entertainment Buyer of the Year — Todd Boltin of Variety Attractions
Promoter of the Year — Outback Concerts of TN
Talent Agent of the Year — John Huie of CAA
Venue of the Year — Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Event of the Year — Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN
Wynn Will Garth Play Las Vegas?
/by Sarah SkatesThe only official word is that Garth is making a big announcement on Thursday, and it will be carried live on his Web site.
The Latest From Gretchen, Shania, Reba, And More
/by Sarah SkatesWillie and Gretchen after her performance at Farm Aid.
Gretchen Wilson played at Willie Nelson’s annual Farm Aid fundraiser, held recently in her hometown St. Louis. The only female on the bill for the day, her set included all the hits and new single “Work Hard, Play Harder.” Wilson has started her own Redneck Records and is planning a new album.
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Ontario native Shania Twain will carry the Olympic Torch through her hometown as part of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay on Jan. 1. The Winter Games are scheduled for Vancouver this coming February. She released a statement about the event, “It is certain to be one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I am proud to have been presented with this unique opportunity and privilege, and look forward to sharing the pride with my hometown.”
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Taylor Swift, who already has a clothing line through a partnership with Wal-Mart in the US, has plans to create a dress line for British retailer Marks & Spencer. The chain has 885 stores around the world. Swift says the clothes will be modeled after her favorite sundresses.
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Barbara Mandrell was presented with the James D. Vaughn “Impact Award” on October 7 at the Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
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Reba is one of the guest performers on Andrea Bocelli’s upcoming holiday album. They will pair for the Elvis classic “Blue Christmas” and also performed the song together for an upcoming PBS holiday special airing in November. Bocelli’s album, produced by David Foster, also features Natalie Cole, Mary J. Blige and the Muppets.
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Speaking of guest artists, Randy Travis, Bonnie Raitt, Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles), Lou Reed, and Jars of Clay are among the artists on the new Blind Boys of Alabama album, Duets. Due out October 27th on Saguaro Road Records, it includes classics plus four new tracks.
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Markland Moves To Warner/Chappell
/by Sarah SkatesMarkland most recently served as VP/GM of Crossfire3, the publishing venture launched in 2007 by Vector Management, Red Light Management, and Chrysalis Music Group.
Prior to that he spent 11 years as Vice President at Windswept Publishing, after opening the company’s Nashville office in 1996. Under Markland’s leadership, Windswept won more than 50 BMI and ASCAP “Most Performed Songs” awards and worked with star tunesmiths including Jeffrey Steele, who won multiple “Songwriter of the Year” awards.
In addition, Markland has managed a number of other established songwriters, such as “Big” Al Anderson, and producer/writer Angelo. From 1993 to 1996, Markland was Director of Creative Affairs at Patrick Joseph Music in Nashville. In this role, the Ohio native helped develop the careers of award-winning songwriters including Brett James, Matraca Berg, Tim Mensy, Randy Sharp, Vince Melamed and Jim Photoglo. The Belmont University graduate’s background also includes founding Coyote Moon Music and signing a young James, as well as time at Warner/Chappell Music in Los Angeles, and RCA Nashville.
When announcing the hiring, Gershon said, “With more than 20 years of music industry experience, Steve has a solid track record in discovering and nurturing talented songwriters, and with successfully pairing songs with recording projects and artists. As a label executive, I grew to respect Steve’s talent and dedication to the artists and the music with which he worked. I look forward to having him on our team as we continue to expand Warner/Chappell’s Nashville footprint.”