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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Other new singles are from Kevin Fowler (“Beer Season”), exclusively through AirPlay Direct,
and The New Relics (“Beautiful”) out on Blues Alley / Spinville.
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Other new singles are from Kevin Fowler (“Beer Season”), exclusively through AirPlay Direct,
and The New Relics (“Beautiful”) out on Blues Alley / Spinville.
Worley Plans Exciting River Run
/by Sarah SkatesBoth the morning and afternoon flight for the golf tournament have sold out. A total of 65 teams have registered to play the Shiloh Golf Course.
The concert line up features hometown hero Worley, chart-topper Craig Morgan, CMT’s Can You Duet 2008 winners Caitlin & Will, and country newcomers Jonathan Singleton & The Grove. Coon Dog Funeral, winner of this year’s Tennessee River Run Battle of the Bands, will kick off the Saturday, September 12 concert at Pickwick Landing State Park.
The 8th Annual Tennessee River Run will also host a Sunday event with Holy Ground Ministries called “Praise, Worship & Prayer.” This will take place at Pickwick Landing State Resort Park on Sunday, September 13 beginning at 5:00 pm with a community mass choir led by Geron Davis and Kindred Souls and featuring Richie McDonald (former lead singer of Lonestar) and Jason Crabb (from the Crabb Family). The Sunday Praise, Worship & Prayer Concert is free to the public with donations accepted.
All proceeds go to the Darryl Worley Foundation and its efforts to complete the cancer treatment center in Savannah, TN. Tickets for Tennessee River Run concerts are available now at select Kroger stores, O’Reilly Auto Parts, online at www.darryleworley.com or call the Darryl Worley Foundation Office at 1 (866) 484-3877.
ASCAP To Salute JD Souther
/by Sarah SkatesJ.
D. Souther, one of the principal architects of the Southern California country-rock sound and the pen behind numerous hits by the Eagles and others, will receive the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award this fall. He will be honored during the 47th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, set for Monday, October 19, at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium.
Known for his extraordinary song crafting abilities, Souther co-wrote some of the Eagles most beloved hits including “Best of My Love,” “Heartache Tonight,” “New Kid In Town,” and “Victim of Love.” His collaboration with the band continues through the Eagles’ 2007 release Long Road Out of Eden. Artists including George Strait, The Dixie Chicks, Glen Campbell, and Michael Buble have recorded his songs. He’s also written several hits for Linda Ronstadt including “Faithless Love” and “White Rhythm and Blues,” produced her Don’t Cry Now album and recorded several duets with her, most notably “Prisoner in Disguise” and “Sometimes You Can’t Win.”
As an artist the Texas-raised singer charted two Top 10 hits with “You’re Only Lonely,” and “Her Town Too,” a duet with James Taylor. After a 25-year break from recording, Souther released If The World Was You in 2008.
“Having written hits for nearly four decades, J.D. Souther is in a class all his own,” says Connie Bradley, ASCAP Senior Vice President. “Many of the hits he’s written have become part of the soundtrack of the lives of multiple generations. We are thrilled to honor J.D. with the ASCAP Golden Note Award.”
The honor is reserved for songwriters, composers and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Past recipients include Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, André Previn and Tom Petty among others.
The ASCAP Country Music Awards is an invitation-only gala that will also salute the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed country songs of the past year. Special awards will be given to the Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter/Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year. A party honoring the evening’s winners will follow the awards ceremony.
CMA Award Nominees To Air On ABC, CMT
/by Sarah SkatesThe final nominees in select categories will be announced live during ABC’s Good Morning America with Darius Rucker and Lee Ann Womack on Sept. 9 during the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour of the morning news program.
Following those announcements, CMT will be broadcasting live from its Nashville studios with exclusive coverage of the remaining categories. Universal Records South artist Randy Houser joins CMT personalities Cody Alan and Alecia Davis to reveal the remaining CMA Awards finalists on Insider Special Edition: 2009 CMA Awards Nominations premiering Wednesday, Sept. 9 (10:00 AM/ET; 9:00 AM/CT). The special will re-air on CMT immediately following the live broadcast at 10:30 AM/ET (9:30 AM/CT); and throughout the weekend. Additionally, CMT.com will stream the nomination special following its on-air premiere.
“The 43rd Annual CMA Awards” will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET/PT) on ABC. Reigning CMA Male and Female Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”
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.