With CMA Music Festival opening this week, the big announcements just keep coming.
A set by Kenny Chesney will be the grand finale of the 2009 CMA Music Festival on Sunday when he closes out the Nightly Concerts at LP Field. In addition to Chesney, Jason Michael Carroll, Heidi Newfield, and Jimmy Wayne will be performing acoustic sets during the Nightly Concerts.
Festival related events start tonight (6/8) with the “CMA Global Artist Party,” at 6:15 PM at The Stage, hosted by Jace Everett and featuring performances from a variety of international Country Music artists. The celebration of the genre’s worldwide appeal continues Tuesday at 3:30 PM at The Second Fiddle, when Robert Reynolds hosts the AristoMedia Global Showcase.
Also Tuesday night, Darryl Worley and friends will perform at the 103 WKDF Country Beach Party benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event will be at The Stage, and tickets can be purchased here.
Getting things started on Wednesday is the GAC Fan Breakfast and this year’s sold-out event at the Country Music Hall of Fame will feature performances by Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Emily West, Lane Turner and Jesse Lee as well as autograph sessions and museum tour.
On Wednesday, beginning at 2:00 PM, “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” will feature Country Music artists and other celebrities riding in Chevy vehicles, with Rodney Atkins as Grand Marshal.
Now in its second year as an official CMA Music Festival event, Marty Stuart‘s Late Night Jam” takes place Wednesday (10:00 PM) at the Ryman. Benefitting MusicCares and CMA’s “Keep the Music Playing” music education campaign, this event will feature Cherryholmes, The Oak Ridge Boys, Connie Smith, Tanya Tucker, Stuart and more. A separate ticket is required via www.ticketmaster.com.
For the first time, the Daytime Riverfront Stage will be free to the community and Gretchen Wilson will kick off four days of concerts beginning Thursday (10:00 AM).
The lifestyle exhibits and autograph booths in the Greased Lightning Fan Fair Hall at the Nashville Convention Center are a traditional favorite. For the first time in 13 years, Reba McEntire will be among the artists meeting fans and signing autographs. Taylor Swift will also be signing all day Sunday.
Other happenings include the Sommet Center Plaza Stage, the Hard Rock Outdoor stage, and the Dr Pepper®-McDonald’s® Family Zone Mainstage featuring shows geared toward kids and families such as storytelling. The Music City Zone will have the GAC Stage, a Guitar Hero competition, the NowPlayingNashville.com autograph booth and more. And the Sports Zone will host the Field & Stream magazine Total Outdoorsman Challenge, the New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race, and 20 PlayStation®3 gaming stations with Jason Michael Carroll stopping by to game with fans.
•••••••
Downtown Nashville will experience some changes in traffic flow to accommodate the numerous events and activities that are part of the Festival.
On Tuesday, June 9, one lane of Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun to Broadway will be closed until early morning on Monday, June 15.
On Wednesday, June 10, Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun to Broadway will close as well as First Avenue from Demonbreun to Church Street. Broadway from First and Third Avenues will also close on this day. Second Avenue will remain open; however, vehicles will be prohibited from turning at the Broadway and Second Avenue intersection. These closures will all be cleared by early morning on Monday, June 15.
During the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10, there will also be temporary road closures for “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” and “The Fouth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party.” Beginning at 2:00 PM/CT, Broadway will close from Third to Seventh Avenues, Demonbreun will close from Third to Sixth Avenues and Third, Fourth and Sixth Avenues will close from Broadway to Demonbreun. These road closures are scheduled to be re-opened at the end of the Kick-Off Parade (approximately 4:00 PM/CT).
MR Launches Twitter Chart
/by Sarah SkatesClick to view
Country music trade publication MusicRow and New Media marketing group AristoWorks have formed a chart to track Country music artists’ popularity among Twitter users. Now in beta mode, the rankings are based on the number of users “following” each artist. Currently, there are 72 chart positions. Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift occupy the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively, with Billy Ray Cyrus, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Kellie Pickler, Julianne Hough, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride and Willie Nelson rounding out the Top 10. An artist must have a minimum of 100 followers to chart.
“Today’s media landscape is becoming a highly fragmented, on-demand media world,” says MusicRow Publisher David M. Ross. “As a result, artists are using an increasingly sophisticated new tool set to reach consumers and create new fans. This Twitter chart is the first of a series of projects we are developing with AristoWorks to help our readers quantify their online efforts.”
The first of its kind charting system, developed by AristoWorks, utilizes the Active Programming Interface (API) offered by Twitter and gathers data to update the chart daily.
“This system really stems from a simple idea, but gives labels, managers and new media marketers a unique benchmark for where their brands stack up against others,” says AristoWorks New Media Director Jon Walker. “Although the Twitter chart is currently operating in beta mode, the immediate response from artists, labels and managers has been impressive.”
Additional chart features, including user trending statistics, will be implemented in the official release.
SOURCE Reveals 2009 Foundation Award Winners
/by Sarah SkatesSOURCE has announced the recipients of its 2009 Foundation Awards, honoring the pioneering women of the music industry. The select list comprises Joyce Jackson (Jim Reeves Enterprises, Floyd Cramer, Dottie West, Mae Axton, Ernest Tubb Record Shop, Writer); Peggy Lamb (Music City News, Hickory Records, Inc., Acuff Rose, Opryland Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing); Pat McCoy (American Federation of Musicians, Local 257, Television Production Assistant, Charlie McCoy Enterprises); Sandy Neese (Charlie Daniels Band/Sound Seventy Productions, The Tennessean, WMAK, MTM Records, PolyGram/Mercury Records); Margaret Parker (WSM, Gaylord Entertainment); and Marion Keisker MacInnes, posthumously, (WREC Radio, WHER Radio, Memphis Recording Services, SUN Records, Captain in United States Army). They will be recognized at the seventh annual awards dinner on Thurs., July 30 at the Musician’s Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN.
SOURCE, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization of executive women in all facets of the Nashville music industry. Sponsorship opportunities for the awards event are available by contacting Sarah Brosmer at sarah@lytlemgmt.com.
Republic Nashville Hires Bobby Young
/by Sarah SkatesCelebs Set For Softball Challenge
/by Sarah SkatesThe Opry team will take on longtime rivals, the After MidNite with Blair Garner team, at the June 10th event at 7 PM at Nashville’s Greer Stadium. Playing for After MidNite are Titan Cortland Finnigan, Darius Rucker, Dean Brody, Jake Owen, Jason Michael Carroll, Jimmy Wayne, Joe Nichols, Julianne Hough, Keith Anderson, Mark Wills, Marty Roe, Titan Michael Roos, Randy Houser and Trent Tomlinson. All the good-natured competition is for a good cause—ticket proceeds will be donated to City of Hope, a leading research, education and treatment center for cancer and other life threatening diseases. Tickets are $18 at www.ticketmaster.com. Fans can also support City of Hope by visiting www.auctionsforhope.com after the game and bidding on unique items from celebs.
Wy Joins Beatles Themed Benefit For Music School
/by Sarah SkatesWynonna will appear with The WannaBeatles, former Apple Records executive Ken Mansfield, contemporary Christian artist Phil Keaggy, country singer David Ball, guitarist Jonny Lang and other celebs tonight (6/9) to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album. The “With a Little Help From My Friends benefit” will include performances and storytelling at the W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School from 7-9 PM. Proceeds from the event will be used to help W.O. Smith continue to provide instruments and music instruction to hundreds of children from low-income families. Admission is $20 per person. To order tickets, call (615) 255-8355.
New Music Update: Paisley, Gretchen, Gary and More
/by Sarah SkatesAlso new from Sony, Gretchen Wilson’s next single, “If I Could Do It All Again,” is available for digital purchase at all major outlets today. The song was written by hitmakers Rivers Rutherford and George Teren.
Valory’s Justin Moore will issue an EP today exclusively on iTunes. The five-song collection is appropriately titled The ‘You Asked For It’ EP, and includes “Small Town USA,” “Back That Thing Up,” “I Could Kick Your Ass,” “Hank It” and “How I Got To Be This Way.”
“Skinny Dippin’,” the latest from Warner Bros.’s Whitney Duncan, is at radio today (6/9) and will go on sale to all digital retailers on Tues., June 16. Soon to follow: a ringtone, and music video directed by Roman White. Duncan’s forthcoming album, Right Road Now, is due out later this year.
UMG’s Gary Allan will release his new song to radio on Friday, June 12. “Today” is the debut single from his upcoming studio album due in stores this fall.
Today Lyric Street is releasing Sarah Buxton‘s “Outside My Window.” Buxton produced the song and wrote it with Victoria Shaw, Mark Jeffrey Hudson and Gary Burr.
Black River Announces New Staffers
/by Sarah SkatesBlack River Music Group has added former echomusic staffers Shay Boone and John Gusty to its team. They will be spearheading comprehensive new media efforts for the Nashville-based music group with a heavy focus on fan engagement, community building, data-capture and overall monetization of all BRMG initiatives.
Additionally, Boone and Gusty will be launching Black River Community Management under the BRMG umbrella. Black River Community Management will offer service packages designed to engage, grow and monetize fan communities for entertainment brands. BRMG’s roster is home to Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling and Emma Jacob.
Previously Boone and Gusty were key department heads of echomusic’s Marketing Services division. Boone launched echo’s Street Marketing Department in 2006 where she successfully managed and lead grass-roots and viral promotions for some of the industry’s biggest names such as Jonas Brothers, Keith Urban and Bon Jovi. Gusty was a founding member of echo’s original Marketing Department and was in charge of all advertising coordination and data-capture, as well as moving echo into the mobile realm in 2008 via a strategic relationship with mobile pioneers Mozes Inc.
CMA Music Fest Draws Near: Chesney To Close Week, Street Closures
/by Sarah SkatesA set by Kenny Chesney will be the grand finale of the 2009 CMA Music Festival on Sunday when he closes out the Nightly Concerts at LP Field. In addition to Chesney, Jason Michael Carroll, Heidi Newfield, and Jimmy Wayne will be performing acoustic sets during the Nightly Concerts.
Festival related events start tonight (6/8) with the “CMA Global Artist Party,” at 6:15 PM at The Stage, hosted by Jace Everett and featuring performances from a variety of international Country Music artists. The celebration of the genre’s worldwide appeal continues Tuesday at 3:30 PM at The Second Fiddle, when Robert Reynolds hosts the AristoMedia Global Showcase.
Also Tuesday night, Darryl Worley and friends will perform at the 103 WKDF Country Beach Party benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The event will be at The Stage, and tickets can be purchased here.
Getting things started on Wednesday is the GAC Fan Breakfast and this year’s sold-out event at the Country Music Hall of Fame will feature performances by Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Emily West, Lane Turner and Jesse Lee as well as autograph sessions and museum tour.
On Wednesday, beginning at 2:00 PM, “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” will feature Country Music artists and other celebrities riding in Chevy vehicles, with Rodney Atkins as Grand Marshal.
Now in its second year as an official CMA Music Festival event, Marty Stuart‘s Late Night Jam” takes place Wednesday (10:00 PM) at the Ryman. Benefitting MusicCares and CMA’s “Keep the Music Playing” music education campaign, this event will feature Cherryholmes, The Oak Ridge Boys, Connie Smith, Tanya Tucker, Stuart and more. A separate ticket is required via www.ticketmaster.com.
For the first time, the Daytime Riverfront Stage will be free to the community and Gretchen Wilson will kick off four days of concerts beginning Thursday (10:00 AM).
The lifestyle exhibits and autograph booths in the Greased Lightning Fan Fair Hall at the Nashville Convention Center are a traditional favorite. For the first time in 13 years, Reba McEntire will be among the artists meeting fans and signing autographs. Taylor Swift will also be signing all day Sunday.
Other happenings include the Sommet Center Plaza Stage, the Hard Rock Outdoor stage, and the Dr Pepper®-McDonald’s® Family Zone Mainstage featuring shows geared toward kids and families such as storytelling. The Music City Zone will have the GAC Stage, a Guitar Hero competition, the NowPlayingNashville.com autograph booth and more. And the Sports Zone will host the Field & Stream magazine Total Outdoorsman Challenge, the New Holland Celebrity Tractor Race, and 20 PlayStation®3 gaming stations with Jason Michael Carroll stopping by to game with fans.
•••••••
Downtown Nashville will experience some changes in traffic flow to accommodate the numerous events and activities that are part of the Festival.
On Tuesday, June 9, one lane of Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun to Broadway will be closed until early morning on Monday, June 15.
On Wednesday, June 10, Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun to Broadway will close as well as First Avenue from Demonbreun to Church Street. Broadway from First and Third Avenues will also close on this day. Second Avenue will remain open; however, vehicles will be prohibited from turning at the Broadway and Second Avenue intersection. These closures will all be cleared by early morning on Monday, June 15.
During the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10, there will also be temporary road closures for “The Fifth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade” and “The Fouth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party.” Beginning at 2:00 PM/CT, Broadway will close from Third to Seventh Avenues, Demonbreun will close from Third to Sixth Avenues and Third, Fourth and Sixth Avenues will close from Broadway to Demonbreun. These road closures are scheduled to be re-opened at the end of the Kick-Off Parade (approximately 4:00 PM/CT).
Alan Jackson To Play Europe For First Time in 19 Years
/by Sarah SkatesCMA Awards Voting Schedule
/by Sarah SkatesThe Country Music Association has alerted members of the voting schedule for the 2009 CMA Awards.
The ballot schedule is:
Nominating Ballot (round 1): Email sent/polls open Tues., June 30 and close Wed., July 16 at 5:00 PM/CDT
Second Ballot (round 2): Will be sent Tues., Aug. 11 and close Mon., Aug. 24 at 5:00 PM/CDT
Final Ballot: Will be sent Friday, Oct. 16 and close Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 5:00 PM/CDT
Voting will be conducted entirely online and members will receive an e-mail on the “Polls Open” dates above. If your e-mail address changes during the balloting schedule, you must contact CMA at vote@CMAworld.com or at (800)788-3045. If you do not receive an email on the above “Polls Open” dates above, contact Election Services Corporation at CMAhelp@electionservicescorp.com. Members will need their CMA Member Number and PIN number to vote. The CMA member numbers will be e-mailed out separately. Only current CMA members, along with approved new CMA members whose applications were received by June 26 will receive the second and final ballots.