The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced the nominees and host for the 2009 CCMA Awards, to be held Sept. 13 in Vancouver, BC.
Johnny Reid leads the nominations with a total of six, including Single of the Year, Album, Songwriter, CMT Video, Male Artist and the CCMA Fans’ Choice Award. Reid will perform at this year’s CCMA Awards.
George Canyon is also nominated in the Single of the Year, Album of the Year, CMT Video of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Fans’ Choice categories for a total of five major CCMA Awards nominations.
Songwriter and artist, Victoria Banks, earned five nominations. Her debut album, When You Can Fly, earned her nominations for Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and the Rising Star Award.
Other Final Ballot nominees include the 2008 Top New Male Talent of the Year Gord Bamford (four nominations), and newcomer Dean Brody, who earned nominations for Rising Star, Single of the Year, CMT Video of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
Jason Priestley will host the 2009 CCCMA Awards. Now in his third decade as a professional performer, Priestley has spent much of the last year directing episodes of the hit ABC family show, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and a new online series for the CW called The Lake.
Also today, the CCMA announced the addition of Reba McEntire to the superstar line-up of performers at the 2009 CCMA Awards. This year’s celebration, to be broadcast nationally on CBC TV with encore airings on CMT in Canada, will take place in Vancouver, BC on Sept. 13 at GM Place.
The two-hour review of a year in country music will also feature performances by George Canyon, Terri Clark, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Martina McBride, Aaron Pritchett, and Johnny Reid.
FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
George Canyon, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett, Johnny Reid
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“A Woman Like You,” Johnny Reid
“
Brothers,” Dean Brody
“Just Like You,” George Canyon
“Little Guy,” Gord Bamford
“The Wheel,” Victoria Banks
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Dance With Me, Johnny Reid
Dawn Of A New Day, Crystal Shawanda
Thankful, Aaron Pritchett
What I Do, George Canyon
When You Can Fly, Victoria Banks
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
“A Woman Like You” (written by Johnny Reid / Brent Maher; recorded by Johnny Reid)
“Brothers” (written by Dean Brody; recorded by Dean Brody
“Little Guy” (written by Gord Bamford; recorded by Gord Bamford)
“One Last Sundown” (written by Jon Mabe /Chris Thorsteinson / Dave Wasyliw; recorded by Doc Walker)
“The Wheel” (written by Victoria Banks / Tia Sillers; recorded by Victoria Banks)
CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“A Woman Like You,” Johnny Reid
“Brothers,” Dean Brody
“Go To Bed Angry,” Tara Oram
“Just Like You,: George Canyon
“Little Guy,” Gord Bamford
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Victoria Banks, Terri Clark, Jessie Farrell, Tara Oram, Crystal Shawanda
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford, Jason Blaine, Paul Brandt, George Canyon, Johnny Reid
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Doc Walker, Emerson Drive, Hey Romeo, The Higgins, Jo Hikk
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Ridley Bent, Shane Chisholm, The Higgins, Corb Lund, Mike Plume Band
RISING STAR
Victoria Banks, Dean Brody, Jo Hikk, Damian Marshall, Tara Oram
For information or a complete list of nominees, visit www.ccma.org.
“Billboard Country Update” Returns
/by bossrossWade Jessen
What starts with three, drops to two after one disappears and then returns to three on August 10? Answer: Country Music’s weekly pdf chart digests from MusicRow, Aircheck and the about-to-arrive Billboard Country Update. Industry observers were saddened and perhaps shocked when R&R’s HotFax shuttered its doors a few months ago. Unlike MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart, which carved its own niche focusing on secondary radio and industry coverage, some executives opined that Aircheck and HotFax both covered mostly the same radio news, had mainstream radio charts and therefore perhaps two similar reports was unnecessary. Others felt it was important to get different perspectives especially since MediaBase, which provides data to Aircheck, is a Clear Channel property.
According to Billboard’s Nashville Sr. Chart Manager Wade Jessen, the new Country Update addresses the above comments by forging a more unique balance between radio and industry. Update will publish on Monday evenings starting Aug. 10 and offer a raft of new information. In addition to BDS-based radio charts the new publication will include an A-Z song index of country titles and become the venue for Billboard’s Touring Country Box scores. Also featured will be the debut of a country digital download chart via SoundScan. Jessen promises some other exciting new features including a mashup chart which combines digital sales and radio listening audience. Ken Tucker will helm Editorial coverage of the new undertaking in addition to continuing his other freelance duties.
Misc: Bob Willis Lifenotes, Propeller Goes Green, Beer At The Ballet
/by Sarah SkatesBob Willis
Lifenotes: Songwriter Bob Willis, best known for penning the ’70s hit “Guilty Of Love (In The First Degree),” passed away July 10, 2009 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Louisville, KY. He was 75 years old. Willis recorded 15 albums throughout his career, and wrote over 1000 Country-Gospel songs, 15 of which were cut by Jimmie Davis. The Florida Boys and The Happy Goodman Family recorded “Guilty Of Love (In The First Degree)” on Canaan Records. In recent years, Willis was working with producer Doug Johnson and singer Marty Brown. His family also sends special thanks to Little Jimmy Dickens for his help through the years. An online memorial guest book is at BobWillismusic.com.
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In the most unlikely pairing of the week, Friends of Nashville Ballet is hosting a new event called “Beer at the Ballet” on Friday, August 21 at Nashville Ballet Studios from 6:30 – 9:30 PM. Celebrating 24 years of dance in 2009/2010, Nashville Ballet will open the season with Giselle (Oct. 23-25). Other highlights include the new Nashville based Nutcracker (Dec. 11-13, and 18-20), a Hal Ketchum performance, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (April 23-25, 2010). www.nashvilleballet.com
Gloriana Debuts New Album Online
/by Sarah SkatesThe 13-track album includes hit single “Wild At Heart,” which is the best selling single by a new country act in 2009. Gloriana, the album, also includes the tracks from the band’s four-song digital collection that was released at the end of May.
Gloriana has been chosen as Rhapsody’s “Ones To Watch” for the month of August. Throughout the month, Rhapsody® will make exclusive Gloriana content available to fans, including an interview and a celebrity playlist chosen by the foursome. There will also be an exclusive “Rhapsody Originals” performance, featuring songs from the Rhapsody Rocks the CMT Music Awards event in Nashville back in June. Fans can also check out that performance on CMT.com starting Aug. 3.
Gloriana is supporting Taylor Swift on her Fearless 2009 Tour through October.
Larry Taping Christmas Special This Week
/by Sarah SkatesReturning this year to CMT, Larry’s 90-minute special includes such guest stars as Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Caroline Rhea, George Lindsey (The Andy Griffith Show), comedians Reno Collier and Jon Reep, Peter Oldring, Sara Erikson, the MuzikMafia’s Two Foot Fred, mentalist Marc Salem and returning favorites Tony Orlando and Angela Little MacKenzie (Reno 911). In addition to comedy and sketches, the special will include musical performances from artists including Billy Currington and the Zac Brown Band.
With his signature catchphrase, “Git-R-Done”, Larry the Cable Guy continues to sell out theatres and arenas across the United States. His most recent specials have included Tailgate Party which will air on Comedy Central in January 2010 with a DVD release to follow, and The Comedy Central Roast of Larry The Cable Guy which garnered top ratings for the network.
A Parallel Entertainment and Taillight TV production, the special will be executive produced by JP Williams, CEO and founder of Parallel Entertainment, Larry the Cable Guy, and Taillight TV’s Tom Forrest. Producers are Dave Higby, Jennifer Novak and Ben Tyson. Ryan Polito will direct. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux are executive producers for CMT.
Nominees Announced For CCMA Awards
/by Sarah SkatesJohnny Reid leads the nominations with a total of six, including Single of the Year, Album, Songwriter, CMT Video, Male Artist and the CCMA Fans’ Choice Award. Reid will perform at this year’s CCMA Awards.
George Canyon is also nominated in the Single of the Year, Album of the Year, CMT Video of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Fans’ Choice categories for a total of five major CCMA Awards nominations.
Songwriter and artist, Victoria Banks, earned five nominations. Her debut album, When You Can Fly, earned her nominations for Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and the Rising Star Award.
Other Final Ballot nominees include the 2008 Top New Male Talent of the Year Gord Bamford (four nominations), and newcomer Dean Brody, who earned nominations for Rising Star, Single of the Year, CMT Video of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
Jason Priestley will host the 2009 CCCMA Awards. Now in his third decade as a professional performer, Priestley has spent much of the last year directing episodes of the hit ABC family show, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and a new online series for the CW called The Lake.
The two-hour review of a year in country music will also feature performances by George Canyon, Terri Clark, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Martina McBride, Aaron Pritchett, and Johnny Reid.
FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
George Canyon, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett, Johnny Reid
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“A Woman Like You,” Johnny Reid
“ Brothers,” Dean Brody
“Just Like You,” George Canyon
“Little Guy,” Gord Bamford
“The Wheel,” Victoria Banks
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Dance With Me, Johnny Reid
Dawn Of A New Day, Crystal Shawanda
Thankful, Aaron Pritchett
What I Do, George Canyon
When You Can Fly, Victoria Banks
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
“A Woman Like You” (written by Johnny Reid / Brent Maher; recorded by Johnny Reid)
“Brothers” (written by Dean Brody; recorded by Dean Brody
“Little Guy” (written by Gord Bamford; recorded by Gord Bamford)
“One Last Sundown” (written by Jon Mabe /Chris Thorsteinson / Dave Wasyliw; recorded by Doc Walker)
“The Wheel” (written by Victoria Banks / Tia Sillers; recorded by Victoria Banks)
CMT VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“A Woman Like You,” Johnny Reid
“Brothers,” Dean Brody
“Go To Bed Angry,” Tara Oram
“Just Like You,: George Canyon
“Little Guy,” Gord Bamford
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Victoria Banks, Terri Clark, Jessie Farrell, Tara Oram, Crystal Shawanda
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford, Jason Blaine, Paul Brandt, George Canyon, Johnny Reid
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Doc Walker, Emerson Drive, Hey Romeo, The Higgins, Jo Hikk
ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Ridley Bent, Shane Chisholm, The Higgins, Corb Lund, Mike Plume Band
RISING STAR
Victoria Banks, Dean Brody, Jo Hikk, Damian Marshall, Tara Oram
For information or a complete list of nominees, visit www.ccma.org.
Sugarland Concert DVD Coming To Theatres
/by Sarah SkatesShot in high definition at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY, director Shaun Silva captures Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush performing 16 songs.
The movie will be shown locally at Nashville’s Thoroughbred 20 and Murfreesboro’s Wynnsong 16.
Sugarland’s worldwide theatrical premiere is in partnership with D&E Entertainment.
Click here to view the movie trailer. Or for participating theaters and to purchase tickets click here.
Gretchen Wilson and Sony Parting Ways
/by Sarah SkatesGretchen Wilson and her longtime record label group, Sony Music Nashville, have mutually decided to part ways. The Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and Best Selling author, who exploded on to the country music scene and the national spotlight in 2004 with her smash hit “Redneck Woman,” released three No. 1 albums with Here For The Party, All Jacked Up, and One Of The Boys. Though Wilson will no longer record with the label as a solo artist, both parties look forward to working together on future catalogue projects.
Skip Bishop Named VP Promotion
/by MichelleSkip Bishop
NASHVILLE, TN – Sony Music Nashville Executive Vice President Butch Waugh has named Skip Bishop to the newly created position of Vice President, Promotion, Sony Music Nashville. Most recently Vice President, National Promotion, for the label group’s Arista Nashville imprint, Bishop will retain those duties while adding promotion oversight of Sony Music Nashville’s three other country recording labels: BNA Records, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville. Headquartered in Nashville, Bishop continues to report directly to Waugh.
On his new responsibilities, Bishop offered, “Stepping into this role at Sony Music Nashville is both exhilarating and humbling. In a time when both radio and the music industry face trials, we are surrounded by artists and gifted teammates who see opportunities everywhere. Working with [Sony Music Nashville Chairman] Joe Galante and my dear friend Butch Waugh has made it clear that music’s future has no walls and no ceilings … only new beginnings. This is the greatest honor of my career, and I accept the responsibility with full velocity and rockets’ red glare!”
Bishop’s extensive and illustrious career includes Bishop Bait and Tackle, which he founded in 1997 and developed into one of the largest and most successful marketing and promotion companies in the music industry. He’s held the title of Senior Vice President, Promotion, for MCA Records in Los Angeles, and during his decade tenure with RCA Records/BMG Music in New York, he rose through the ranks from a promotion regional to Vice President to Interim Senior Vice President. He also served as Vice President Mainstream Marketing and Promotion for the Provident Music Group prior to taking the reins as Vice President, National Promotion, for Arista Nashville in October of 2005.
Branch Solo Album Coming From Reprise/WB Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesBranch was most recently in the country-pop duo The Wreckers alongside Jessica Harp. The group received Grammy, CMA and ACM nominations for its 2006 Gold album Stand Still, Look Pretty and produced the No. 1 smash “Leave The Pieces.”
Branch, a 26-year-old Arizona native, has experienced success in a variety of formats over the course of nearly a decade as a recording artist. In 2001, she released The Spirit Room, which went multi-platinum. In 2002 she teamed with Santana to record “The Game of Love,” which became an international smash and won a Grammy Award for “Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.” She followed that with more platinum in 2003 with the release Hotel Paper. Then, after winding down from a headlining world tour in support of the project, Branch took some time off to get married and give birth to her first child.
GRAMMY Salute To Country Music To Honor Vince Gill
/by Sarah SkatesT
he Recording Academy will host its first-ever GRAMMY Salute To Country Music, honoring Vince Gill, presented by MasterCard on Wed., Sept. 9, 2009 at The Loveless Barn in Nashville. The star-studded tribute will feature Amy Grant, Alison Krauss, Steve Martin, Michael McDonald, and Brad Paisley, and will include a special presentation of The Recording Academy President’s Merit Award to 20-time GRAMMY® winner Gill in honor of his professional achievements and remarkable career. This inaugural event joins others in the “GRAMMY Salute To” series including GRAMMY Salute To Classical Music, Jazz, and Gospel Music, and marks the birth of a new Academy partnership with MasterCard Worldwide.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating country music in its epicenter of Nashville, and to honor a legendary artist like Vince Gill who has made an indelible mark on the genre,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “Our ‘Salute To’ series pays homage to and celebrates the work of extraordinary people and organizations that continue to ensure that these genres remain a vital part of our culture. This event shows our commitment to recognizing musical excellence all year long, and the impact it has on our lives everyday.”