(L-R): ACM Exec. Dir. Bob Romeo, Jason Michael Carroll, and Arista West Coast Region Sr. Promotion Dir. Lori Hartigan
The Academy of Country Music welcomed professional member Jason Michael Carroll to its offices when he was in Los Angeles last week. Carroll was on the west coast promoting his new single, “Hurry Home,” which was one of four songs he sang for ACM staffers. Carroll’s latest album, Growing Up Is Getting Old, is out on Arista Records.
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Gene Watson took the stage at Douglas Corner recently as special guest of 45RPM, a respected band of session players and songwriters who perform only classic country songs. The night was partly a celebration for Watson’s newly released album A Taste of The Truth (Shanachie Records) which was produced by 45RPM’s Dirk Johnson. Bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent and singer/songwriter Billy Yates joined Watson on stage. Vincent and Watson duet on the project’s lead single, “Staying Together.”
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Pictured L-R - Harry Chapman, Jay O'Shea and Mark O'Shea Photo Credit: Noise New Media
Mark and Jay O’Shea dropped in on News Channel 5 to tape Words & Music: The Showcase for Nashville’s Songwriters with veteran entertainment reporter Harry Chapman. Jay entertained with her quirky anecdotes and soulful voice, while husband Mark pumped out heartfelt emotions on the guitar. The episode premieres Sept. 5 at 3am and 11pm CST. O’Shea is also featured in Nashville Lifestyles’ The Hot List issue. Last week the duo celebrated the one-year anniversary of their weekly Wednesday night gig at local hot spot Blue Bar.
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BMI songwriter and Capital Records Nashville artist Emily West entertained at the Beasley Broadcast Group Inc. Annual General Managers Meeting held recently in Naples, FL. West entertained the crowd with songs from her upcoming album, including the top 40 country hit “Rock In Her Shoes,” and her next single “Blue Sky.”
Shown (l to r) are: BBGI Ann Beasley, BBGI President Bruce Beasley, WXTU-FM Vice President/General Manager Natalie Conner, West, BBGI Chairman George Beasley, BBGI CFO Caroline Beasley, BMI’s Dan Spears.
Faith’s Fragrance And More
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Kenny Chesney officially launched Blue Chair Bay Clothing, the line inspired by his music and life, this week at the annual Magic Marketplace apparel trade show in Las Vegas. He set up at the Hard Rock Café pool and gave an intimate stripped down performance for an invitation-only audience of 1000 clothing industry tastemakers.
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Seventeen- year-old actress and Capitol Nashville singer Jennette McCurdy will be the star of Kmart’s “Be a Schoolebrity” back-to-school sweepstakes. McCurdy will surprise the contest’s grand-prize winner at school and then accompany him or her on the ultimate Kmart shopping spree. Since 2007, McCurdy has starred on the top-rated Nickelodeon television show, iCarly. She has also guest starred on a number of other television series, including Malcolm in the Middle, Zoey 101, Will & Grace, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and others.
Underwood’s Rockin’ New Single
/by Sarah SkatesThe lead single from Carrie Underwood’s third album, Play On, is out now and fans can hear it at her official Web site and on YouTube. The rock influenced song “Cowboy Casanova” offers a cautionary word about a sneaky man. Underwood wrote the track with Mike Elizondo and Brett James, one of the writers behind her GRAMMY-winning “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Originally slated to arrive at country radio on Sept. 8, the leak of a rough, unfinished version of “Cowboy Casanova” prompted a rushed-to-radio delivery of the real single late Wednesday evening.
A four-time GRAMMY Award winner, ACM Entertainer of the Year, and reigning, three-time CMA and ACM Female Vocalist winner, Carrie is continuing work on Play On, which releases on November 3. She is again teamed with Mark Bright, who produced her Carnival Ride collection as well as seven tracks from Some Hearts.
Since the release of her debut album, Some Hearts, in 2005, Underwood has amassed sales of more than 10 million with her first two albums.
Country In New York: Reba, Worley and Jypsi
/by Sarah SkatesReba with Valory’s Scott Borchetta and GMA host Diane Sawyer, who is sporting her "Reba" jeans from Dillard’s.
Reba recently performed her new single “Consider Me Gone” live on Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series from Central Park. While in New York City she also visited the Times Square set of Yahoo!’s fashion program The Thread to talk about her music and clothing line. Other stops included Sirius-XM’s New York City headquarters for a taping of the popular Artist Confidential series, set to premiere in September.
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L-R: Worley, Stroudavarious Pres. Bill Catino, Sean Hannity
Darryl Worley was in New York City last week for a whirlwind media tour in promotion of his new Stroudavarious Records album Sounds Like Life. He visited Fox News’ Sean Hannity and the interview will air next Monday, Sept. 7 at 8 pm CT. Worley also made stops the at Sirius XM studios and the MLB.com studios.
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Pictured (l-r): Jypsi’s Amber-Dawn; Sony Music Ent. Sr. Dir., National Sales and Label Relations John Conway; Sony Music Ent. Exec VP and Chief Human Resources Officer Kathy Chalmers; Jypsi’s Lillie Mae; Sony Music Nashville Promotion VP Skip Bishop; Jypsi’s Scarlett and Frank; and Howie Gabriel, Sr. VP Label Management, RED Distribution.
Dynamic young Arista Nashville group Jypsi recently gave a special performance for staff at the Sony Music Entertainment office in New York. Jypsi is at radio now with their new single, “Mister Officer.”
B&D Plan “Today” Show Performance
/by Sarah SkatesThe longtime Arista duo may have announced plans to call it a day after 20 years together, but the party is far from over, with a 2010 tour ahead, a hot single on the radio and the greatest hits package.
The most comprehensive collection to date for Brooks & Dunn fans, #1s … and then some spans 30 songs in all, and a whopping 23 No. 1 singles, from such early classics as “Neon Moon” and “That Ain’t No Way to Go” to “Only in America,” “Red Dirt Road,” “Play Something Country,” and much more. In addition to the two new hits, “Indian Summer” and “Honky Tonk Stomp,” the album also includes “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” their recent hit featuring Reba McEntire which was previously available only as a digital single.
Love And Theft Debut At No. 10
/by Sarah SkatesWith 19,000 paid downloads this week, the band’s hit single “Runaway” takes the top spot with the highest first week digital single sales for a debut country artist this year.
World Wide Open is co-produced by Robert Ellis Orrall and Jeff Coplan. Love And Theft’s Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles co-wrote all eleven tracks on the debut project.
Next up for Love And Theft is an opening slot on Jason Aldean’s headlining tour with shows booked from late September through November.
Cracker Barrel CDs From ZBB, George Jones
/by Sarah SkatesThe
Zac Brown Band, known for its hit “Chicken Fried” is the latest group to release an album through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. The restaurant chain, celebrating its 40th anniversary, will offer an exclusive new version of the Zac Brown Band’s CD The Foundation. Available Sept. 7, it will have new artwork and three previously unreleased recordings—live versions of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “I Lost It,” and “I Shall Be Released.” The Foundation was recently certified Platinum.
This fall Cracker Barrel will also be offering “Southern Ground Grub,” a rub and a sauce for cooking meat that is Zac Brown’s own recipe. The store will also sell a cookbook of his recipes.
Artist Photos: Carroll Visits ACM and Much More
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): ACM Exec. Dir. Bob Romeo, Jason Michael Carroll, and Arista West Coast Region Sr. Promotion Dir. Lori Hartigan
The Academy of Country Music welcomed professional member Jason Michael Carroll to its offices when he was in Los Angeles last week. Carroll was on the west coast promoting his new single, “Hurry Home,” which was one of four songs he sang for ACM staffers. Carroll’s latest album, Growing Up Is Getting Old, is out on Arista Records.
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Gene Watson took the stage at Douglas Corner recently as special guest of 45RPM, a respected band of session players and songwriters who perform only classic country songs. The night was partly a celebration for Watson’s newly released album A Taste of The Truth (Shanachie Records) which was produced by 45RPM’s Dirk Johnson. Bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent and singer/songwriter Billy Yates joined Watson on stage. Vincent and Watson duet on the project’s lead single, “Staying Together.”
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Pictured L-R - Harry Chapman, Jay O'Shea and Mark O'Shea Photo Credit: Noise New Media
Mark and Jay O’Shea dropped in on News Channel 5 to tape Words & Music: The Showcase for Nashville’s Songwriters with veteran entertainment reporter Harry Chapman. Jay entertained with her quirky anecdotes and soulful voice, while husband Mark pumped out heartfelt emotions on the guitar. The episode premieres Sept. 5 at 3am and 11pm CST. O’Shea is also featured in Nashville Lifestyles’ The Hot List issue. Last week the duo celebrated the one-year anniversary of their weekly Wednesday night gig at local hot spot Blue Bar.
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BMI songwriter and Capital Records Nashville artist Emily West entertained at the Beasley Broadcast Group Inc. Annual General Managers Meeting held recently in Naples, FL. West entertained the crowd with songs from her upcoming album, including the top 40 country hit “Rock In Her Shoes,” and her next single “Blue Sky.”
Shown (l to r) are: BBGI Ann Beasley, BBGI President Bruce Beasley, WXTU-FM Vice President/General Manager Natalie Conner, West, BBGI Chairman George Beasley, BBGI CFO Caroline Beasley, BMI’s Dan Spears.
John Styll Exits GMA
/by Sarah SkatesDuring his six year tenure leading the organization, Styll served as Executive Producer of the GMA Dove Awards, and oversaw GMA Music Week, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and GMA Music in the Rockies which became Immerse.
His 30 years in the Christian music industry has also included serving as President of CCM Communications at Salem Communications, and Publisher of CCM Magazine.
The GMA has faced financial struggles this year and in May announced that it had reduced its full-time staff by more than 50% in the eight months prior.
Hirings and Signings
/by Sarah SkatesLou Ramirez
Lou Ramirez has been hired as Southeast Director of Promotion & Marketing for Golden Music Nashville, the new record label launching flagship act Williams Riley. Ramirez comes from KAJA-FM in San Antonio where was APD/MD and on-air personality. Effective Tuesday, Sept. 8, he will report to Darlene Starr, National Director of Promotion & Marketing, and Brad Howell, VP of Promotion & Marketing. Ramirez can be reached at lou@goldenmusic.biz or 210-240-4001.
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Roots music label Lonesome Day Records, home to Ralph Stanley II, Blue Moon Rising, Larry Cordle, and Fred Eaglesmith, has added several new consultants. Bob Morrison of Chart Noise will advise the record label as General Manager and Consultant. Alexis Kelly of LiveWire Entertainment will oversee Sales and Marketing. Vanessa Parker-Davis of Splash! Public Relations, will oversee Publicity and consult with Artist Development. Both Kelly and Davis garnered major label experience before going out on their own. Lonesome Day Records has just completed an agreement with E1 Entertainment Distribution (formerly Koch Entertainment) through Cooking Vinyl Records, to distribute their product worldwide. Randall Deaton, President and Owner of Lonesome Day Records started the label in 2002 and released the first recordings in 2004.
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Sammy Sadler has signed with Stevens & Ellis Management for personal management. His new album, Heart Shaped Like Texas (coming on Sept. 29 on E1 Music – formerly Koch) contains the single “I’ll Always Have Denver,” featuring guest Steve Wariner, who wrote the song along with Bill Anderson. Sadler will be performing a showcase on Thursday at 6 p.m. at 12th & Porter.
CMA Music Fest Special Wins Ratings
/by Sarah SkatesMartina McBride was one of the numerous performers on last night's show.
CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock won last night’s (8/31) ratings for ABC with 7.8 million viewers according to Zap2It.com. It came in first at both the 8 and 9 PM/ET slots, and second at 10 PM.
Year-to-year ABC’s CMA Music Festival special posted huge increases, jumping by +2.5 million viewers and by +43% over its year-ago telecast (on Monday 9/8/08). In fact the show generated its biggest audience in four years and tallied its highest Adult 18-49 rating in three years.
ABC had 7.8 million viewers and a 5.0 rating/8 share. Next in line for the night was CBS (6.9 million, 4.6/8), followed by NBC (5.6 million, 3.8/6), FOX (4.1 million, 2.7/4), and The CW (1.4 million viewers, 1.0/2).
The program was up against repeats on all the other networks. On CBS it was How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and CSI: Miami. NBC was showing reruns of Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Dateline NBC. FOX had repeats of House and Lie to Me, while CW showed One Tree Hill, and Gossip Girl.