Joe Nichols was surrounded by WIVK “Believers” when he performed at the Cotton Eyed Joe in Knoxville recently. The Universal Records South artist will release his first album in almost two years on Oct. 27. Old Things New, features his current Top 30 hit single, “Believers.”
Pictured (L-R): WIVK air personalities Josh Blanchard and Ashley King; WIVK Promotions Cindy Arnold; Nichols; air personality Jack Ryan and WIVK OM/PD Mike Hammond.
——————————-
Chris Young released his sophomore album, The Man I Want to Be, on Tuesday (9/1), with lead single “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)” already a radio hit. It’s Young’s first album since his self-titled 2006 release earned him the highest selling album debut by a new country male that year. With veteran producer James Stroud at the helm, The Man I Want to Be, includes a duet with Willie Nelson on the Waylon Jennings classic “Rose in Paradise.” Other highlights are the title track penned by Brett James and Tim Nichols, a take on the Brook Benton hit “Rainy Night in Georgia,” and three songs Young co-wrote, one of which is “Gettin’ You Home.” The RCA Nashville artist almost didn’t make it home from Seattle to celebrate and perform on release day, but when his flight was delayed the label sent a plane and got him to his hometown of Murfreesboro, TN for a WSIX supported performance and autograph signing at the Walmart Supercenter.
————————————
On Sept. 29 Atlanta based Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke will release their album Little Piece of Dixie through BamaJam Records, a new imprint of Stroudavarious Records. Blackberry Smoke is comprised of brothers, Richard (bass/vocals) and Brit Turner (drums), with Paul Jackson and Charlie Starr on guitar and vocals. The album, which was recorded with hit producer Dann Huff and engineer Justin Niebank.
————————————
On Sept. 1 BLEVE Records released its debut single, “My First Ride,” by Ronnie Milsap. The track also features Capitol Nashville recording artist Trace Adkins and is available for download at major outlets. “My First Ride” is the first single and title of the multi-artist compilation CD (available Nov. 1) that will benefit the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) emergency relief funds.
————————————
Rockie Lynne played the 99.9 WFRE/Frederick, MD stage recently at their Summer Concert Series. Pictured here with WFRE staffers. (L-R) Will Robinson, Jess Wright, Lynne, and Tom Whalen
————————————
Terri Clark’s first new music in five years, an album called The Long Way Home, was released in Canada this week. It topped iTunes’ Country chart the first day. Single “Gypsy Boots” is gaining momentum at country radio each week. The project, recorded over three days at Sound Emporium, will be in American stores on Oct. 1. Clark is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the upcoming Canadian Country Music Awards on Sept. 13.
————————————
Broken Bow/Holeshot Records artist Krista Marie unveiled a new Web site and single, “Tomboy,” this week. In addition to news and tour information, the site includes a media section where fans can listen to new music, view photos, and read the blog.
————————————
Black River Music Group’s Emma Jacob will host a live chat on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 7 PM CST. She just released new single “Julianna.” To submit questions for the chat, send them to fanmail@emmajacobmusic.com. To log onto the chat, go to http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emma-jacob
————————————
Derek Webb, formerly of hit CCM group Caedmon’s Call, released Stockholm Syndrome this week and is supporting it with a 20-date tour and a DVD documentary of the project. He co-produced the album with former bandmate Josh Moore.
————————————
Other new singles are from Kevin Fowler (“Beer Season”), exclusively through AirPlay Direct,
and The New Relics (“Beautiful”) out on Blues Alley / Spinville.
Win A Date With Gretchen Wilson, And More
/by Sarah SkatesGretc
hen Wilson is hosting a charity auction, which ends with the winner getting a date with her. Seven of the highest bidders will get to drive a car in a Demolition Derby Exhibition Heat, then the winner of the derby gets a date with Wilson. The auction will take place at The Stage in downtown Nashville on Friday, Sept. 11. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and you must be 21 years of age or older to participate.
Proceeds from the auction benefit the McClain Christian Academy in Lebanon, Tenn. In addition, the auction and demolition derby competition will be filmed for a future reality television program. For details about placing a bid, email winadatewithgretchenwilson@gmail.com.
—————————-
After the auction, Country fans can cruise to the nearby Wildhorse Saloon for the Phil Vassar concert. The Universal Records South artist will debut songs from his upcoming studio album as well as perform his numerous hits. Show is Sept. 11 at 9:30 PM.
—————————-
One of Jimmy Wayne’s favorite songs has always been “Sara Smile.” Now it is scheduled to be his upcoming single. The new recording even features the song’s original hitmakers Daryl Hall and John Oates.
—————————-
The remastered Beatles’ catalogue will be available tomorrow (9-9-09). The band’s entire original recorded catalogue has been digitally re-mastered for the first time by a dedicated team of engineers at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios over a four-year period. The new CD releases include 14 re-mastered stereo titles available individually or collected in a box set, as well as 11 mono titles released in a limited edition boxed set. All of the re-mastered stereo CDs are packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos. For a limited period, 13 of the stereo CDs are embedded with a unique mini-documentary about the album. Also out tomorrow, The Beatles on the video game Rock Band.
Belmont Series Launches With Wynonna
/by Sarah SkatesWyn
onna Judd will help launch the inaugural Professional-in-Residence series at Belmont University. Judd, manager Kerry Hansen, and long-time producer and musician Don Potter will contribute to the three-part panel discussion series designed to give a group of Belmont seniors the opportunity to engage with music industry professionals in a conversational Q&A setting. The topic of this year’s residency will be the “Journey of the Creative Business Mind.”
Wynonna’s participation in the 2009-10 Professional-in-Residence program marks the second significant mentoring contribution she has made to Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Earlier this year, the Record Company Operations class had the privilege of working closely with Wynonna and Hansen, to oversee, promote and execute a concert and CD release party exclusively for Belmont students for her seventh studio album Sing: Chapter 1.
Movies In Music City
/by Sarah SkatesMario Van Peebles and Murphy
Rising artist Minnie Murphy will appear in the new film Bailey, which is being shot around Nashville. When the project is released in 2010, she will be seen performing her original song “Bluer than Blue” at one of the many juke joints featured in the movie. She got the gig after producer Rhoads Rader saw her performance at hip Nashville restaurant Sambuca. The film is directed by veteran Hollywood actor Mario Van Peebles (Kerosene Cowboys, Bring Your “A” Game, New Jack City) and co-stars Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile, The Whole Nine Yards, The Island), Morgan Simpson, and Tom Skerritt.
—————————-
The ten finalists from the Doorpost Film Project’s Short Film Contest will be shown at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 17 beginning at 7 p.m. The popular contest is voted on by fans at thedoorpost.com as well as members of the industry. Voting ends on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on Sept. 19, also at the Belcourt Theatre. On hand to make the announcement will be Doorpost jurist and writer/producer Jeff “The Dude” Dowd, the inspiration for “The Dude” in the Cohen Brother’s The Big Lebowski. He will be joined by producer Dean Batali (That 70’s Show). The festivities will begin with red carpet arrivals at 6 p.m. followed by the awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. The three films with the highest scores will receive cash prizes of $100,000, $35,000 and $25,000 respectively. The Sept. 17 and 19 events are open to the public, but to attend you must RSVP to RSVP@thedoorpost.com.
Rascal Flatts To Open Oprah’s New Season
/by Sarah SkatesThe Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour continues this weekend with shows in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Camden, New Jersey; and Boston, Massachusetts.
Urban Announces We’re All For The Hall 2010
/by Sarah SkatesK
eith Urban’s “We’re All For The Hall” benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum sold out almost immediately. The stellar line-up for the Oct. 13 show at the Sommet Center in Nashville includes Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town and other big-name surprise guests.
Urban released this statement about the fantastic response to the concert: “We are overwhelmed and truly grateful for the support that everyone is giving the We’re All for the Hall benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity. Given the response, we are thrilled to announce that we will absolutely be doing this again next year!”
Levitan To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
/by Sarah SkatesKen Levitan will receive the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for a
n Executive at the Americana Music Association’s 8th Annual Honors and Awards ceremony, on Thurs., Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
As founder and Co-President of Vector Management, Levitan guides the careers of Americana stalwarts Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller and others. Also signed to his powerhouse roster are Kid Rock, Kings of Leon, Hank Williams Jr., Bon Jovi, B-52s, Ben Folds, Michael McDonald, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trisha Yearwood, Peter Frampton, Trace Adkins, and Dierks Bentley.
Levitan, whose first foray into the music business was as chairman of the Vanderbilt Concert committee, is also a Grammy Award-winning producer for his work on The Apostle soundtrack. Of note, others serving on that same Vandy committee are now current industry leaders Steve Buchanan, Ted Mankin and the namesake of the lifetime achievement award, Jack Emerson.
Slated for Wed., Sept. 16 through Sat., Sept. 19, the 10th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center. The event’s highlight will be the 8th Annual Americana Honors and Awards ceremony, Thurs., Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium.
Country Stars With Nashville Lifestyles
/by Sarah SkatesJessica Harper
Other articles in the issue include a profile on singer/songwriter Emily West. And there is a Person of Style feature on Jessica Harp.
Last month’s Hot List issue featured Kelly Pickler on the cover and O’Shea among the celebs inside.
IMI Music Partners With Weather Channel
/by bossrossMarketing Group The Consortium who began working with The Weather Channel’s licensing group almost four years ago, has been retained to tackle the site’s marketing and promotion and. To date the new relationship has produced three TWC-branded CD and three DVD releases. “The debut of
The WeaterChannelMusic.com is a natural extension of TWC’s on air music strategy, and we’re enthused to be involved in its marketing and promotion,” commented Consortium partner Mike Martinovich.
Photo Friday: Carrie, Megan, EYB, Jonathan Singleton
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto credit: Russell Jenkins/ Ravinia Festival
Carrie Underwood performed 2 sold-out shows last weekend at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival. Her first scheduled “evening with” show on August 30 was the fastest sell-out in Ravinia’s history, which prompted the addition of a second show on August 31. The second concert also sold-out immediately and approximately 38,000 fans were on hand for the performances. Underwood headed to Chicago after making a surprise appearance in her hometown at Checotah High School in Checotah, Oklahoma where her C.A.T.S. Foundation and ACM’s “Lifting Lives” charity donated $117,000 in musical equipment to the school system.
——————————-
Stoney Creek Records’ singer/songwriter/animal lover Megan Mullins has teamed up with the Nashville Humane Association (NHA) and Comcast On Demand for an innovative way to help rescued and abandoned animals find new homes. She is featured in a public service announcement explaining the new pet adoption program, and in segments introducing the pets. Pet Adoption On Demand features video profiles of available pets, which cable viewers can access any time. Go to Comcast On Demand, then Get Local, then select Pet Adoptions.
——————————-
Morning show host Bill Thomas with the Eli Young Band
Oklahoma City’s King Country 93.3 recently hosted the “Newface Showcase” featuring ten acts at the Riverwind Casino. The 3-hour free show for listeners welcomed the Eli Young Band, Joe Nichols, Justin Moore, David Nail, James Otto, Kate and Kacey, Caitlyn & Will, Mac MacAnally, Jonathan Singleton, and Jessica Harp.
Morning show host Lynn Waggoner with Jonathan Singleton
New Music: Joe Nichols, Chris Young, Terri Clark, More
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): WIVK air personalities Josh Blanchard and Ashley King; WIVK Promotions Cindy Arnold; Nichols; air personality Jack Ryan and WIVK OM/PD Mike Hammond.
——————————-
Chris Young released his sophomore album, The Man I Want to Be, on Tuesday (9/1), with lead single “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song)” already a radio hit. It’s Young’s first album since his self-titled 2006 release earned him the highest selling album debut by a new country male that year. With veteran producer James Stroud at the helm, The Man I Want to Be, includes a duet with Willie Nelson on the Waylon Jennings classic “Rose in Paradise.” Other highlights are the title track penned by Brett James and Tim Nichols, a take on the Brook Benton hit “Rainy Night in Georgia,” and three songs Young co-wrote, one of which is “Gettin’ You Home.” The RCA Nashville artist almost didn’t make it home from Seattle to celebrate and perform on release day, but when his flight was delayed the label sent a plane and got him to his hometown of Murfreesboro, TN for a WSIX supported performance and autograph signing at the Walmart Supercenter.
————————————
On Sept. 29 Atlanta based Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke will release their album Little Piece of Dixie through BamaJam Records, a new imprint of Stroudavarious Records. Blackberry Smoke is comprised of brothers, Richard (bass/vocals) and Brit Turner (drums), with Paul Jackson and Charlie Starr on guitar and vocals. The album, which was recorded with hit producer Dann Huff and engineer Justin Niebank.
————————————
On Sept. 1 BLEVE Records released its debut single, “My First Ride,” by Ronnie Milsap. The track also features Capitol Nashville recording artist Trace Adkins and is available for download at major outlets. “My First Ride” is the first single and title of the multi-artist compilation CD (available Nov. 1) that will benefit the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) emergency relief funds.
————————————
Rockie Lynne played the 99.9 WFRE/Frederick, MD stage recently at their Summer Concert Series. Pictured here with WFRE staffers. (L-R) Will Robinson, Jess Wright, Lynne, and Tom Whalen
————————————
Terri Clark’s first new music in five years, an album called The Long Way Home, was released in Canada this week. It topped iTunes’ Country chart the first day. Single “Gypsy Boots” is gaining momentum at country radio each week. The project, recorded over three days at Sound Emporium, will be in American stores on Oct. 1. Clark is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the upcoming Canadian Country Music Awards on Sept. 13.
————————————
Broken Bow/Holeshot Records artist Krista Marie unveiled a new Web site and single, “Tomboy,” this week. In addition to news and tour information, the site includes a media section where fans can listen to new music, view photos, and read the blog.
————————————
Black River Music Group’s Emma Jacob will host a live chat on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 7 PM CST. She just released new single “Julianna.” To submit questions for the chat, send them to fanmail@emmajacobmusic.com. To log onto the chat, go to http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emma-jacob
————————————
Derek Webb, formerly of hit CCM group Caedmon’s Call, released Stockholm Syndrome this week and is supporting it with a 20-date tour and a DVD documentary of the project. He co-produced the album with former bandmate Josh Moore.
————————————
Other new singles are from Kevin Fowler (“Beer Season”), exclusively through AirPlay Direct,
and The New Relics (“Beautiful”) out on Blues Alley / Spinville.