Capitol Nashville trio Lady Antebellum’s first No. 1 hit “I Run To You” also becomes the group’s first Gold digital single this week as the RIAA certifies it for over 500,000 downloads. The band’s eponymous debut is also Gold. Lady Antebellum is currently on the road with Kenny Chesney playing arenas and stadiums across the country, and will join Keith Urban for their first trek to Canada later this fall. Fans can catch the trio performing on the two-hour special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock on Aug. 31 on ABC.
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Mercury Nashville recording artist Billy Currington will perform on CBS’s Late Show with David Letterman Wed., Aug. 19.
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Photo By: Ben Enos
Last Tuesday night July 21, Brad Paisley was one of the performers at the Country installment of the White House’s music series. He played for the President, First Lady and family, members of Congress, and students from around the country, including many from Nashville. Also performing at the event were Alison Krauss and Union Station, and Charley Pride. And by the way, that looks like Country Music Hall of Fame boss Kyle Young on the front row. The Hall provided educational content for the program, and the CMA sponsored the trips of 40 local students.
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On a radio tour promoting their new single, “I Know Where Heaven Is,” country duo Halfway to Hazard will be in Florida next week for performances on The Daily Buzz, (7/29), airing on The CW Network, and the television show Daytime. “I Know Where Heaven Is,” was written by Dave Berg, Sam Tate, and Annie Tate, will appear on the duo’s yet-to-be named sophomore album, due out in the third quarter of 2009 on StyleSonic/Picnic Hill Records/Bigger Picture.
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Rising country music artist Julia Burton co-hosts a special edition of The Sportsman Channel’s Fly Rod Chronicles beginning Mon. Aug. 3 with repeat airings throughout the week. Cameras rolled in Cabins, WV as Burton and Fly Rod Chronicles Producer/ Host Curtis Fleming fished the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River.
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Jewel is lending her voice to an initiative to encourage Americans to hold on to their dreams. Sponsored by www.sleepbetter.org, an online resource for health information and sleep advice, the “Sleep Better. Dream Bigger” project will employ a range of consumer education initiatives, media appearances, in-the-field blogging, events, advertising, philanthropy and specially commissioned research that will raise awareness about the importance of a good night’s sleep.
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Jonalee White performed at the send-off of the USS Harry S. Truman in Norfolk, VA on Sat., July 18. She played for over 5,000 sailors, their families and friends before they set sail on the aircraft carrier’s 2009 Family Day Cruise. Her new single, “Perfect Angel,” is at radio and she stars in the video reality series, Long Road To Nashville, now in its second season Yallwire.com.
FBMM Promotes Braaksma
/by Sarah SkatesFlood Bumsted McCready & McCarthy executives celebrate the promotion of Kristin Braaksma. (L-R): Jamie Cheek, John McCarthy, Jason Fridenstine, Chuck Flood, Mary Ann McCready, Braaksma, Frank Bumstead, Duane Clark, Julie Boos, Betty Sanders, David Boyer.
Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy has promoted Kristin Butler Braaksma to Director of Account Management & Staff Development. With her new position, Braaksma will assume account management responsibilities for Kelly Clarkson, reporting directly to President Mary Ann McCready.
Since joining the firm in 1992 as an Account Assistant, she has received numerous promotions and her role has expanded to include staff training and procedural development as she has assisted with numerous special business management projects for Luther Vandross, Vince Gill, Kelly Clarkson, Gnarls Barkley, Lee Ann Womack, My Chemical Romance, Shawn Colvin, John Hiatt, Don Schlitz and Rascal Flatts.
FBMM is a comprehensive business management firm representing recording/touring artists, songwriters, producers and professional athletes, with offices in Nashville and in New York.
Chesney Starts No Shoes Radio
/by Sarah SkatesThe station will go live from the parking lot of his tour stop in Orange Beach, Alabama at 12 noon ET. Chesney will be joined by tourmates Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum for the inaugural broadcast. That night’s Orange Beach show will be simulcast on NoShoesRadio.com.
His latest single, “I’m Alive” is a duet with rock star Dave Matthews.
Lady A Get Digital Gold, Paisley at the White House, Etc.
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Mercury Nashville recording artist Billy Currington will perform on CBS’s Late Show with David Letterman Wed., Aug. 19.
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Photo By: Ben Enos
Last Tuesday night July 21, Brad Paisley was one of the performers at the Country installment of the White House’s music series. He played for the President, First Lady and family, members of Congress, and students from around the country, including many from Nashville. Also performing at the event were Alison Krauss and Union Station, and Charley Pride. And by the way, that looks like Country Music Hall of Fame boss Kyle Young on the front row. The Hall provided educational content for the program, and the CMA sponsored the trips of 40 local students.
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On a radio tour promoting their new single, “I Know Where Heaven Is,” country duo Halfway to Hazard will be in Florida next week for performances on The Daily Buzz, (7/29), airing on The CW Network, and the television show Daytime. “I Know Where Heaven Is,” was written by Dave Berg, Sam Tate, and Annie Tate, will appear on the duo’s yet-to-be named sophomore album, due out in the third quarter of 2009 on StyleSonic/Picnic Hill Records/Bigger Picture.
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Jewel is lending her voice to an initiative to encourage Americans to hold on to their dreams. Sponsored by www.sleepbetter.org, an online resource for health information and sleep advice, the “Sleep Better. Dream Bigger” project will employ a range of consumer education initiatives, media appearances, in-the-field blogging, events, advertising, philanthropy and specially commissioned research that will raise awareness about the importance of a good night’s sleep.
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Jonalee White performed at the send-off of the USS Harry S. Truman in Norfolk, VA on Sat., July 18. She played for over 5,000 sailors, their families and friends before they set sail on the aircraft carrier’s 2009 Family Day Cruise. Her new single, “Perfect Angel,” is at radio and she stars in the video reality series, Long Road To Nashville, now in its second season Yallwire.com.
Benefit News: Compilation Album, NASH-CAR, More
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Matt Gary and Billy Reasons will perform at the NASH-CAR event to benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital on Thursday, July 30, downtown on 2nd Avenue. Reasons’ debut single, “Crank the Hank,” was produced by Teddy Gentry and the accompanying video will be filmed during his performance at NASH-CAR. The event will kick-off with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Drivers Association rolling into town. The haulers will be parked on 2nd Avenue where fans will be able to get an inside sneak peek at the world of racing via truck tours.
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On Aug. 1, The Nashville Palace will host the first annual Rock the Walk Benefit Concert with performances by Rissi Palmer, Ashley Ray, and The Rust. Highlights of the evening will include celebrity host Evan Farmer (TLC’s While You Were Out) and proceeds will go to Autism Speaks and the TN Walk Now for Autism, as well as local Autism Music Education programs. A separate event, Walk Now for Autism, will take place at the Nashville Superspeedway on Oct. 17, with all proceeds going to Autism Speaks. Tickets and details at rockthewalktn.com, and/or walknowforautism.org.
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Halfway 2 Hazard will headline A Hit For MDA, including a concert and bike ride on Sept. 19, starting at Harley Davidson Columbia and ending at Eagleville High School. For more information, or to donate an auction item, contact Sandra Davis at (615) 971-0972.
Photos: Aquapalooza, Rascal Flatts, Jimmy Wayne on Crook & Chase
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (back row, l-r): CMT Sr VP Production, Development and Talent John Hamlin; Arista Nashville Promo VP Skip Bishop; Sony Music Nashville Exec VP A&R Renee Bell; Arista Nashville National Promo Director Lesly Tyson; and Sony Music Nashville Exec VP Butch Waugh. (front row, l-r): Cracker Barrel Marketing VP Peter Keisner; Caitlin Lynn; Sony Music Nashville Marketing VP Tom Baldrica; Will Snyder; Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante; Jypsi's Scarlett, Lillie Mae, Amber-Dawn, and Frank; and Grand Ole Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher.
Alan Jackson headlined AquaPalooza 2009 on Lake Martin, Alabama on Sat., July 25. Numerous Nashville music biz execs made the trip to the boating and music festival which also featured performances by Columbia Nashville duo Caitlin & Will and Arista Nashville group Jypsi. More than 4,000 boats and 35,000 people attended, setting a new record for any single event on a lake. Boats were packed bow to stern for over a mile, and many fans donned their inner tubes and water noodles to paddle close to the water-pit at the bottom of the stage. During the show, which was taped for CMT’s Labor Day special, Jackson spoke about childhood visits to Lake Martin with his family.
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Photo credit: Will Byington
Elsewhere on Saturday (7/25), Rascal Flatts became the first country act to perform a concert in historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. The group entertained a sold-out crowd of 37,000 fans, at one of only four concerts ever played in the Chicago Cubs’ home stadium. Vince Gill and Darius Rucker opened. The Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour visits its second stadium show of the summer Aug. 9 in Columbus, Ohio.
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Jimmy Wayne will appear on RFD’s Crook & Chase this week, performing his new single “I’ll Be That” and his No. 1 smash “Do You Believe Me Now.” He is pictured above with Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase on location at the Nashville Palace. The episode premieres Thursday 7/30.
Industry Items: McDonough Leaves Capitol, IBMA Nominees
/by Sarah SkatesJudy McDonough has left her post as Dir., Media at Capitol Records Nashville. She worked for the label that is home to artists Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum and more. She can be contacted at mcdonoughmedia1@yahoo.com.
The changes keep coming at the national and international levels as well for Capitol’s parent company EMI. Last week new EMI EVP of Digital Marketing Cory Ondrejka hired a new team of digital marketing executives. Full list here.
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Nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards will be announced Thurs. Aug. 13, 10:00 a.m. at press conference in the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s Ford Theater.
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A New York Times article focuses on the latest options for indie artists trying to make it without a major label. Included is Polyphonic, a startup company founded by Radiohead manager Brian Message, Adam Driscoll, and Nettwerk’s Terry McBride. Other ventures: WME’s Marc Geiger is working on a division called Self Serve, and EMI is offering services to musicians not signed to the label. More on Polyphonic here.
Whisperin’ Bill, Jamey Johnson, and More
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FREE DOWNLOADS: The debut single from Jamey Johnson’s next album, “My Way To You,” will be posted at www.jameyjohnson.com on Aug. 3. On Aug. 11, the digital e-single will be available for download at iTunes and all other digital partners. The follow-up album to Johnson’s critically acclaimed That Lonesome Song will hit stores this fall and will also be released on vinyl.
Rural Rhythm Records is offering a free song by bluegrass band Lou Reid & Carolina, “Left Handed Dreamer,” at Amazon.com tomorrow, to mark the July 28 release of their new album My Own Set of Rules.
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The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on S. 369, The Performance Rights Act, on Tues., Aug. 4.
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Jeffrey Kurtis has exited Today’s Country Magazine and will return full-time to his rock focused music magazine The Guestlist.
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The local attorney who faked his own death was sentenced to five years probation, reports fellow SouthComm outlet the City Paper.
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“Daddy, Let’s Dance” by Jamie Tate is the first single from Bodell Records, a new record label co-founded by Lane Caudell and Bob Crumley.
Reba Plots Album Promotion
/by Sarah SkatesReba working radio: WKSJ/Mobile PD Bill Black and his wife Andrea prior to her performance last weekend in Alabama.
As Reba prepares for the Aug. 18 release of Keep On Loving You, her first solo studio album in six years, she is lining up the promotional opportunities.
On her TV schedule are Reba: Invitation Only (premiering 8/1 on DISH Network and 8/21 on CMT) and Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series on 8/21. She will perform the album’s lead single “Strange” on ABC’s CMA Music Fest: Country’s Night To Rock special airing 8/31.
This Friday, July 31 at 7PM ET Reba will be on QVC to preview new music from the album, and give viewers the chance to pre-order it and receive a free copy of her autobiography, Reba: My Story.
Radio groups including CBS, Citadel and Clear Channel will be featuring exclusive interview content on their websites during release week.
She will be the August Artist of the Month on GAC and CMT, with enhanced exposure on TV, online and more. She will be spotlighted on numerous programs on the channels, as well as host CMT Music City Madness.
Other publicity coming in September includes Sirius-XM Artist Confidential (cross-promoted on United Airlines) and an AOL Sessions performance (cross-promoted on social network Bebo).
Jeff Griffith
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Dip Me In Beer”
Arrowhead Records
Written by Griffith and Hobson Smith, “Dip Me In Beer” is Griffith’s songwriting debut. “When we heard this guy actually sayin’ that phrase in a Houston bar,” Griffith remarks, “we knew we had a great hook.” The two wrote the hilarious number in just a few hours, and Griffith immediately added the song to his shows.
“Dip Me In Beer” follows Jeff’s previous hits “Drinkin’ Thing,” “If It Ain’t One Thing It’s Another,” “I’m Your Radio,” “Holed Up In Some Honky Tonk” and “Fishin’ Forever,” all of which charted on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Each of those singles can be found on 2007’s If It Ain’t One Thing It’s Another. “Dip Me In Beer” will appear on Griffith’s forthcoming CD.
His previous successes have launched Griffith on to stages ranging from world-famous honky tonks (Fort Worth’s Stagecoach Ballroom and Pearl’s Dancehall, 11th Street Cowboy Bar of Bandera, Texas) to the prestigious CMA Music Festival (2008) in Nashville, Tennessee and the world-renowned Country Rendez-Vous Festival in Craponne-sur-Azon, France (2009).
http://www.jeffgriffith.net/
http://www.myspace.com/jeffgriffith
Aldean DVD Coming Aug. 25
/by Sarah Skates“This is the coolest thing we’ve ever done together as a band,” said Aldean from Los Angeles, where he was taping The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. “The energy in Knoxville was off the charts, and it’s just really special for us to have that night recorded. Now, people who might not be able to make it to one of the shows, but are curious to know what we do, can check it out too.”
A tease of the live DVD will debut as the new music video for Aldean’s current smash country love song “Big Green Tractor” beginning Fri., July 24 on MySpace Music’s homepage. The clip will also begin airing on video networks in the coming weeks.
Fans can catch Aldean headlining his Wide Open tour through the fall, as well as opening a handful of dates for superstar Keith Urban in the coming weeks. He will also tape an episode of E!’s highly rated late night talk show Chelsea Lately on Tues., July 28 and is a performer on ABC’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock on Aug. 31.