Big Green Ringtones, IBMA, and More

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aldeaNJason Aldean’s “Big Green Tractor” is in its fourth consecutive week at the top of iTunes’ all-genre ringtone chart. Additionally, among Verizon’s 84 million subscribers, it is this week’s No. 1 most downloaded ringtone, in front of such megastars as The Black Eyes Peas, Mariah Carey and the late Michael Jackson. Aldean’s “Big Green Tractor” is consistently more than doubling any other country song on the Ringscan chart.

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Del McCoury and Alan O’Bryant will announce the final nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards at a press conference on Thurs., Aug. 13 at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater. IBMA Hall of Fame inductees and Distinguished Achievement Award honorees will also be announced.  The awards show will take place on Thurs., Oct. 1, at the Ryman Auditorium. An all-star collaboration of reigning and former IBMA Award recipients, including Dailey & Vincent, Dale Ann Bradley, Adam Steffey, Stuart Duncan, Scott Vestal, Phil Leadbetter, Josh Williams and Mike Bub, will perform at the press conference.

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Clear Channel will start selling ads for Pandora, with its ad sales rep firm Katz Media Group handling the placements. This is significant because online radio station Pandora is expanding its inventory beyond simple display advertising into in-stream audio advertising, a growing market. The free radio service credits the addition of in-stream audio inventory for its ongoing sales growth.

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JB Rocket and Steel Magnolia are the last duos remaining on CMT’s Can You Duet. After weeks of  auditions and performances in front of a live audience, the winning duo will be announced on Sat., Aug. 8 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT. Hosted by CMT’s Lance Smith, Can You Duet’s panel of celebrity and expert judge/mentors includes Naomi Judd, Big Kenny, and Big Machine Records’ President Scott Borchetta. JB Rocket were paired by the judges. The winning duo will record an album to be released by Big Machine Records.

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Sugarland: Live on the Inside airs tonight, (8/3) from 7-8 PM/CT on ABC. Tomorrow, the Grammy winning duo will release their CD/DVD set, entitled Live On The Inside, exclusively at Walmart.

GAC To Air “Country at the White House”

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brad-paisley-ar10Great American Country will debut its exclusive coverage of Country at the White House, with performances by Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss and Charley Pride, on Sat., Aug. 15 at 8 PM/CT.

The coverage of the invitation-only event at the White House will give fans a front row seat to both the afternoon educational workshop and evening concert events.

Created by First Lady Michelle Obama  to encourage arts and arts education, the country music event was the second in a series that launched in June. More than 125 students – including 40 from Nashville’s W.O. Smith Music School, sponsored by the CMA – gathered in the White House Grand Dining Room for an afternoon workshop that included a Q & A and performances by Paisley and Krauss. GAC host Storme Warren was in the heart of it.

Music City was represented by audience members Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, Congressman Jim Cooper, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, GAC president and W.O. Smith Music School board member Ed Hardy, and many others.

“Crook & Chase” To Tape At Ford Theater

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crook-and-chaseThe Crook & Chase television show will launch a special series taping at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s Ford Theater on Aug. 4. The first episode will feature Joe Nichols debuting two songs from his upcoming album in an acoustic performance. Because each show will also feature a Hall of Fame member, Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune will be on hand for the first week to talk about his induction and perform.

The Crook & Chase Hall of Fame Super Series! will be taped before a live audience every Tuesday from 3 -4 PM, Aug. 4 through Sept. 8. Audience seating is complimentary with paid admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or for Museum members. A highlight will be the Aug. 11 visit by new Hall of Fame inductee and legendary entertainer Barbara Mandrell.

This unique partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum expands the ongoing mission of Crook & Chase via their national television, radio, and internet platforms to present Nashville as an exciting tourist destination. Specifically, this series is designed to support the Museum’s membership initiative, as well as spotlight the exhibits and programming.

The Crook & Chase Hall of Fame Super Series! will air Thursdays at 7 PM/CT, and Saturdays at 6 PM/CT on RFD-TV from Aug. 13 through Sept. 19.

Artist News: Currington Comments On Festival, Holly Williams Engaged

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BillyCurringtonAs reported in this morning’s subscription-only @MusicRow, there was a horrific accident on Saturday night at the Big Valley Jamboree music festival in Camrose, Alberta. Gale force winds caused the stage to collapse just as Billy Currington was finishing his set.  Here is a bit more of the story courtesy of his label, UMG Nashville:

Currington was taken to the hospital and suffered a minor concussion but is expected to make a full recovery. He has been released from the hospital and has returned to his home in Nashville. Currington’s bass player Alex Stevens was pinned under the wreckage of the stage for half an hour while rescue personnel removed debris to free him. Stevens underwent immediate surgery to repair a severed artery and nerves in his left arm and is currently receiving treatment in Nashville. Currington sent a message to his fans today via Twitter, “The boys and I are very grateful to be home and for life itself. We thank you for your prayers and concern and will see you on the road again soon.” Currington also comments from his home in Nashville, “my heart goes out to the family of Donna Moore who was killed and all of the other fans who were hurt on Saturday.”

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Holly Williams is engaged to Nashville drummer Chris Coleman. He proposed last week while the two were picnicking and searching for civil war relics in Leipers Fork, TN. Coleman surprised her with the antique ring by hiding it in an engraved wooden box and burying it for her to discover. No wedding date has been set.

Williams is currently touring in support of her sophomore album on Mercury Records, Here With Me. In addition to opening select dates for Sugarland, she will be joining Madeleine Peyroux on tour during the month of August.

Holly Williams and fiance Coleman

Holly Williams and fiance Chris Coleman

Musical Chairs at BMI and Sony/ATV

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Russ-Blose-09Broadcast Music, Inc. has promoted Russ Blose to Assistant Vice President, Strategic Operations where he will manage the Operations/Analysis & Information group, which is moving from BMI’s New York facility to Nashville. That department’s functions are being merged with the Strategic Solutions Group already managed by Blose. In addition, he will lead the department charged with business continuity and IT disaster recovery and the corporate capital expenditure approval system.

Reporting directly to Senior Vice President, Operations & Information Technology Milt Laughlin, Blose is based in the Nashville office. Blose was formerly Senior Director, Strategic Solutions, a position he has held since joining the organization in 2005.

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wigginsSony/ATV Nashville has hired seasoned songplugger Kim Wiggins as Creative Manager. She was previously with Blacktop Music and Acuff-Rose Music Publishing where she worked with some of the industry’s top songwriters.

To contact Wiggins, call 615-726-8300 or email her at kim.wiggins@sonyatv.com.

Taylor Swift In Feature Film “Valentine’s Day”

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Swift has been photographed in several scenes alongside Taylor Lautner, who starred in the blockbuster Twilight.
Swift has been photographed in several scenes alongside Taylor Lautner, who starred in the blockbuster “Twilight.”

Taylor Swift has an acting role in the upcoming romantic comedy Valentine’s Day. The film from director Garry Marshall is the story of five interconnected couples in L.A. who make-up and break-up based on the expectations surrounding the holiday. The top-notch casts also include Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Shirley MacLaine, Ashton Kutcher, Patrick Dempsey and numerous others. Swift also had a cameo in the Hannah Montana movie, and has acted on CSI.

According to IMDB, the movie is scheduled for a Feb. 12, 2010 release by New Line Cinema. Director Marshall is behind a string of hits including Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, The Runaway Bride, and Beaches.

Paparrazzi shot of the Taylors on set.
Paparrazzi shot of the Taylors on set.

Womack, Pickler Help CMA Songwriters Series Spread Word About Country Music

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kpicklerThe popular CMA Songwriters Series, which has played to sold-out crowds in New York City for the past five years, will be hitting the road this Fall with s hows in Los Angeles and Chicago. Each concert will feature a songwriter/artist alongside hit tunesmiths and will be hosted by Bob DiPiero, writer of hits such as “You Can’t Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl” recorded by Brooks & Dunn, “Blue Clear Sky” recorded by George Strait, and “Gone” recorded by Montgomery Gentry.

On Tuesday, Sept. 15 the L.A. event at the House of Blues will feature Kellie Pickler and songwriters Chris Lindsey (“Amazed,” Lonestar and “Let’s Make Love,” Tim McGraw w/ Faith Hill), and Aimee Mayo (“This One’s For the Girls,” Martina McBride and “Red High Heels,” Pickler). The Los Angeles show is sponsored by Electronic Arts and is in conjunction with The L.A. Office RoadShow, the “must attend” event for brands, entertainment marketers and agencies. KKGO, Go Country 105 FM, the station under the direction of Senior Manager Country Programming Charlie Cook will support the event. Tickets will be available for $12.50 via Ticketmaster.

leeannwomackLee Ann Womack will headline two shows in Chicago: Friday, Oct. 2 at Joe’s Bar, and Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Chicago Country Music Festival. Joining her will be Dean Dillon (“The Chair,” “Unwound,” “Ocean Front Property,” and “Marina Del Rey,” George Strait and “A Lot of Things Different,” Kenny Chesney), and Scotty Emerick, (“I Love This Bar,” and “Good As I Once Was,” Toby Keith and “Beer For My Horses,” Keith and Willie Nelson).

Tickets to the Oct. 2 event at Joe’s Bar are $20 each and will go on sale August 7. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster or at Joe’s (cash only-no service charge). The Chicago Country Music Festival takes place October 3 and 4 in Grant Park. The event is free and open to the public.

NYT Profiles Country Youth Movement

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Whitney Duncan

Whitney Duncan

New York Times writer Jon Caramanica puts the crosshairs to Nashville’s country music youth movement in an article titled, Country’s New Face: It’s Young and Blond.

Ms. Swift, 19, who has sold more than seven million records in the last four years, has proved to be seismic in Nashville. And thanks to the pop crossover success of Ms. Swift and Carrie Underwood, 26, who has sold 10 million albums, notions of where a country star might fit in are being rewritten almost daily.

Ms. Swift was among the first country artists to aggressively use online media to promote herself. “That helped apply a lot of pressure to radio, or helped them notice her, depending how you look at it,” Mr. Ross said. But country music still lags behind other genres in its use of the Internet. Music Row recently began publishing a chart tracking Twitter followers of country acts. Apart from Ms. Swift, Ms. Cyrus and her father, Billy Ray, no country artist has more than 100,000 followers, a threshold crossed by several major and minor stars in other genres: Justin Timberlake, Moby, Matisyahu, Jim Jones, even Jon Secada.

Read the full story [New York Times; Country’s New Face: It’s Young and Blonde]

David Bradley

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“Soak It Up”

Gecko Music Productions

dbradley-playlistFrom the oil rigs in Siberia to the clubs and songwriters circles of Nashville, Englishman David Bradley brings his soulful country rock ‘n’ roll to the US via his new home in Music City. After settling in with the community of singers and songwriters in Nashville, David offers his first single, “Soak It Up” just in time for summer. This infectious, mid-tempo rocker written by Bradley with Brady Seals and produced by Seals leads off his forthcoming album, a culmination of traveling the world and growing up on good American country music. Over 40 country stations, including Nashville’s XM 11, have played it out of the box. Stations can download a broadcast quality file from Play MPE, and the CD single has now shipped to radio.

Following in his father’s footsteps, he made a life for himself as an oil engineer uncovering places beyond the reaches of common imagination. Stationed for months in the forests of Siberia and on an oil rig in the middle of the Caspian Sea gave him a deep empathy for others who also found themselves far from the comforts and familiarities of home. David found himself writing about the hopes and fears that a man must confront on his journey through life.

Now that he’s a resident of Nashville, David is collaborating with some of the most notable songwriters and producers in town and his songs have garnered him a highly coveted publishing deal with Wrensong Music Publishing. David’s live shows also brought him to the attention of the AristoMedia Global Showcase who invited him to participate in their international artist showcase of tomorrow’s stars, kicking off CMA Music Fest 2009, a performance which was featured on tv program Inside Music Row.

www.myspace.com/davebradleymusic
www.davidbradleymusic.com

Contact:
Judy Libow/Libow Unlimited Inc.
(212) 988-5987
libowunlimited@yahoo.com

Shane Wyatt

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“She Could Do Better”

Sandyland Music

swyatt-playlist“She Could Do Better” is the latest single by singer/songwriter Shane Wyatt, from his debut album The Last Cowboy. “We have been performing ‘She Could Do Better’ live for a couple of years now, and the response has been amazing,” says Wyatt. “It seems like everyone knows someone who is in a relationship that they just shouldn’t be in, but no one has the guts to tell them. I knew a girl like that, and that was the basis of this song. And the guys all relate to seeing a girl with a guy who doesn’t treat them right.” The song has a happy ending in Wyatt’s case, because the woman in the song is now his wife.

Born in a small town in south central Oklahoma and raised by a family of cowboys and truckers, Wyatt was drawn to country music from an early age. He began playing fiddle at age 10 and by his mid teens he was playing in local bands. Often, his bandmates would have to sneak the underage fiddle player in the back door. Wyatt started playing guitar at 14 and immediately started putting his songs to music.

Every song on The Last Cowboy was written by Wyatt, and the album mix consists of modern declarations of love, soulful ballads, cowboy honesty, and high energy, boot kickin’ anthems all coming from the heart. “All I can do is put myself out there – the real me, with no filters or additives,” says Wyatt. “I think people know an honest song when they hear it.”

www.shanewyatt.com/
www.myspace.com/shanewyattmusic