Tag Archive for: featured-2

Sara Evans Grows Stronger With New Album

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Sara Evans (L) celebrated the release of "Stronger" with a March 9 appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America Winter Concert Series. Pictured here with GMA’s Robin Roberts (R). Photo: Sean Murray


Sara Evans seems poised for a comeback with yesterday’s (3/8) release of Stronger, her first full-length studio set since 2005’s Real Fine Place.
Signaling the potential for solid first-week sales is news that the album’s lead single, “A Little Bit Stronger,” is already approaching 500,000 paid downloads (Nielsen SoundScan). The track is steadily climbing the MusicRow Country Breakout chart, landing at No. 16 last week.
Evans went through major personal and professional changes between albums. Personally, she experienced a divorce, remarriage, and move to Birmingham. Professionally, her celebrity status got a boost from an appearance on Dancing With The Stars, and she changed management teams, joining Spalding Entertainment. She also signed a book deal and released a greatest hits album.
When it came time to get to work on her sixth album for RCA Nashville, Evans recruited hitmaking producers Nathan Chapman and Tony Brown for the project.
She co-wrote six of the album’s 10 tracks, and turned to some of Nashville’s best writers for the rest, including Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey and Hillary Scott, who penned the first single. Evans and Leslie Satcher co-wrote “Ticket to Ride,” and the singer teamed with Marcus Hummon for “Desperately.” Other tracks include a remake of the Rod Stewart hit “My Heart Can’t Tell You No,” from the pens of Nashville songwriter Dennis Morgan, and Simon Climie. Evans also worked with Marti Frederiksen, who produced the track “Wildfire,” which he co-wrote with the artist, her brother Matt Evans, and Kara DioGuardi.
Evans is promoting the new album in New York with appearances on Good Morning America, and Hannity, as well as a signing event at Barnes & Noble, for her album and new novel Softly and Tenderly.
Evans has career sales totaling more than five million units, driven by No. 1 hits including “Born to Fly,” “No Place That Far,” “Suds in the Bucket,” and “A Real Fine Place to Start.”

Photos: Toby Keith Debuts New Mezcal

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BMI recently hosted a Toby Keith press conference announcing his latest project, Wild Shot Mezcal, a 100% green agave spirit. Very few Mezcal products currently exist in the market and Keith plans to capitalize on that with his version of the traditional Mexican drink. Mezcal varies from agave-based tequila in its preparation method and the inclusion of the agave worm in the bottle. It is believed that the worm will bring wondrous experiences and every individual’s will be different.

(L-R): manager T.K. Kimbrell; Shock Ink’s Elaine Schock; Toby Keith; and BMI’s Jody Williams and Clay Bradley. Photo: Ash Newell

Miranda Lambert’s Platinum “House”

Columbia Nashville’s Miranda Lambert recently celebrated the Platinum certification of her Grammy Award winning single, “The House That Built Me.” The song is also nominated for the ACM Single Record of the Year, where Lambert has a total of 7 nominations.

(L-R): Sony Music Nashville CEO/Chairman Gary Overton; Sony Music Nashville VP Sales, Kerri Fox-Metoyer; Lambert; Sony Music Nashville VP Digital Business, Heather McBee; Lambert's manager Marion Kraft and Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Marketing, Paul Barnabee. Photo: Alan Poizner

CMHOF Honors Wilson with Poets and Prophets Program

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently (3/5) honored Norro Wilson in its quarterly Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters series. Throughout the program, which included rare recordings and videos, Wilson discussed his time as a recording artist and his successful songwriting career that includes “The Most Beautiful Girl,” “A Picture of Me (Without You)” and “The Grand Tour.”

(L-R): Dan Penn, Red Lane, Joe Stampley, Norro Wilson, CMHOF Chairman Steve Turner, Dallas Frazier and John D. Loudermilk. Photo: Donn Jones

Edens Edge Make Opry Debut

Big Machine Records’ Edens Edge made its debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage with a warm welcome and introduction from Country superstar—and Summer 2011 tour mate—Brad Paisley this past Saturday night (3/5). The trio performed its debut single, “Amen,” for the sold-out crowd.

(L-R): Brad Paisley; Steve Buchanan, Pres. Grand Ole Opry Group; Dean Berner, Cherrill Green, and Hannah Blaylock of Edens Edge; Pete Fisher, VP/GM Grand Ole Opry; Virginia Davis, B.A.D. Management. Photo: Chris Hollo

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/9/11)

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Can you be fabulously famous and a new face at the same time?
If your name is Jennette McCurdy, you can. Known by millions of teens for her role as sassy “Sam” on the Nickelodeon TV comedy series iCarly, 18-year-old Jeanette can’t go out to a restaurant without being mobbed. But in country music, she is a newcomer. Her handlers are currently taking her on a mall tour to introduce “Generation Love.” In my opinion, you’d have to be made of stone to resist it. Give the gal a DisCovery Award.
It will come as no surprise that Taylor Swift has the Disc of the Day. She may be out conquering the planet on her world tour right now, but she left behind plenty of killer tunes on her Speak Now album to keep on delighting us folks back home. “Mean” is definitely one of them.
LEAH SEAWRIGHT/On The Backroads
Writer: Leah Seawright/Frank Green; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Ineylue/Frank Thomas Green, ASCAP; SkyTone (www.leahseawright.com)
—She has an attractive little vocal rasp, but it is somewhat overwhelmed by the driving, rocking track.
ASHLEY GEARING/Five More Minutes
Writer: Ashley Gearing/Tiffany Goss/Nicole Witt; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publisher: Curb/Curb Congregation/Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Curb
—She needs five more minutes saying goodnight to her boyfriend on the back porch. Daddy needs five more minutes before he gives his daughter away. And, you guessed it, the husband needs five more minutes at his dying wife’s bedside. Pretty, if predictable.
PAUL NUNN/Dead And Gone
Writer: Paul Nunn; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Paul Nunn, BMI; PN (www.paulnunnbanc.com)
—He sings with force and feeling, the production is perfect and the band is tight. The song, however, is way too wordy and meandering. Programmers will also not be thrilled to find that it clocks in at over four minutes.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Mean
Writer: Taylor Swift; Producer: Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Taylor Swift, BMI; Big Machine (track)
—The wispy, melodic “Back to December” was just about a perfect single. This chunky little bopper goes in a totally different direction. Toe tapping, tongue tripping and terrific. Hang on for the multi-voiced finale.
THE STEVEN L. SMITH BAND/Pieces
Writer: Steven L. Smith; Producer: Bob Bender; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Vinyl (track) (www.slsmith.info)
—The title tune to Smith’s new CD is a stark, dark ballad. His shredded, barely-there voice is extremely effective in conveying the soul of a broken man. Celebrity guests on the album include Joe Bonsall, Jimmy Van Zant, Crystal Gayle and Glenn Duncan.
JENNETTE McCURDY/Generation Love
Writer: Tom Douglas/Heather Morgan/Ross Copperman; Producer: Jay DeMarcus; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Tomdouglasmusic/EMI Blackwood, BMI; Capitol Nashville
—Introduced at last week’s Capitol CRS luncheon, this soaring, inspirational and completely captivating anthem makes my heart pound with pleasure. She sings like a bird, Jay’s production is fabulous and the song is a minor masterpiece. Play this.
KIP BOARDMAN/Runnin’ Right
Writer: Kip Boardman; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Kip Boardman, no performance rights listed; Ridisculous (track)
—The groove is hypnotic, and his pop vocal has a drowsy, dreamy quality. Americana music programmers are probably the best audience for this.
EDEN’S EDGE/Amen
Writer: Skip Black/Hannah Blaylock/Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Producer: Mark Bright; Publisher: Sony-ATV/401 Kye/Fouche River/Kye ya con Dios/Ink Pen Mama/Songs of Maxx/Tunes of R and T Direct/Syd and Sophie, BMI/SESAC/SOCAN/ASCAP; Big Machine
—The no-good girlfriend has split, and the whole town is celebrating Jimmy’s liberation. Airy harmonies and a sunny lead vocal are just two of this single’s many charms.
ELI YOUNG BAND/Crazy Girl
Writer: Lee Brice/Liz Rose; Producer: Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke; Publisher: Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria/Sony-ATV Timber/Hillsboro Valley, BMI/SESAC; Republic (CDX)
—When are the rest of you people going to get with it? Every single this Texas group has released has been splendid. This oomphy, mid-tempo outing is, too. I am going to keep raving about these guys until they get the big hit they deserve.
COLT FORD/Country Thang
Writer: Colt Ford/Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Jason Chance, Michael Zeuhsow & Dustin Burnett; Publisher: Average ZJS/Rhettneck/EMI Blackwood/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joe (CDX) (615-733-9983)
—The big guy rawks. He growls the verses, then bursts into melody on the choruses. Upbeat and infectious.

Star-Studded TV Special Celebrates Kenny Rogers' 50-year Career

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(L-R): Smokey Robinson, Linda Davis, Chris Isaak, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, and the Oak Ride Boys perform during the TV taping in April 2010. Photo: Rahav Segev/Retna Ltd.


Kenny Rogers is the subject of a new GAC special documenting his 50-year career. Taped at the MGM Grand At Foxwoods in Connecticut, the performance show features Rogers with a slew of guests including: Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Smokey Robinson, Chris Issak, Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, Sheena Easton, The Oak Ridge Boys, and the original First Edition.
Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years will debut tonight (3/8) at 8:30 p.m. EST on Great American Country (GAC). Executive Producer/Writer Kelly Junkermann mixed in vintage clips and interviews with the live performances.
Rogers has also released his first Gospel album, exclusively at Cracker Barrel. The Love of God collection features guest vocals by Point of Grace, The Whites and others. Among the beloved songs on the album are “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.”

Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers perform. Photo credit: Rahav Segev/ Retna Ltd.

Billy Ray Cyrus Revamps Career Team

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Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus


Billy Ray Cyrus has announced a new entertainment team to guide his career. He has reunited with Rogers & Cowan, the same publicity company that helped launch his career in 1992. He will now be managed by Sanctuary Artist Management plus Mick Adkins of MicnE Productions. He will be represented by WME for motion pictures and television; and Buddy Lee Attractions for live concert performances.
“Billy Ray Cyrus is one of America’s true entertainers in music, film and television. We are thrilled to represent such a remarkable talent,”  says Stuart Dill, President of Sanctuary-Nashville.
“I’m very excited about my new management and agency teams, and look forward to our partnerships,” says Cyrus. More announcements concerning upcoming projects in TV, film and music are expected.

Shelton Joins NBC's "The Voice"

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Blake Shelton is joining the coaching panel of NBC’s new musical competition series The Voice. When the show premieres on Tuesday, April 26 (9-11 p.m. ET), Shelton will be sitting alongside fellow musician coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.
“We couldn’t have a panel that represented the hottest American music without a strong country presence, and Blake is at the top of his game right now,” said Paul Telegdy, EVP, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios. “Not only is he incredibly charismatic, but his passion for collaborating with and bringing the best out of other talented artists makes him the perfect choice to round out this ‘Dream Team’ of musician coaches.”
The Carson Daly hosted show will follow the four musician coaches as they each select singers to mentor during a blind audition process. Once the coaches have their teams, they will bring in their songwriter and producer friends to help their teams evolve. Ultimately, the viewer at home will vote on the winning singer.

ZBB Southern Ground Music and Food Festival

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Zac Brown Band is behind the upcoming Southern Ground Music and Food Festival at Clemson University in Clemson, SC. ZBB will curate the event running April 8-10, taking a hands-on approach to everything from musical talent to food made from Brown’s recipes.
The band will headline the first two nights of the festival, with the final night headlined by Amos Lee. Other performers include those signed to Brown’s Southern Ground Artists label including Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowrey, Nic Cowan, The Wood Brothers, The Wheeler Boys and Blackberry Smoke. Secret Sisters are also on the line-up.
ZBB will also use the event to debut its mobile stage, featuring sky boxes, video and a state-of-the-art light show.
In other ZBB news, the band has teamed with outdoor apparel maker Patagonia to release an exclusive live version of “Cold Hearted.” Proceeds from the iTunes download will be donated to Urban Farming, because the band supports the organization’s mission to grow food for people in need. Other artists participating in Patagonia’s program include Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, and Maroon 5.

CRS Photos: Band Perry Accepts 1st ACM Award

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(L-R): Reid, Kimberly and Neil Perry. Photo: Adam Taylor

The Band Perry Accepts Their First ACM Award

The Band Perry accepted their first-ever, fan-voted ACM award for Top New Vocal Duo or Group Wednesday (3/2) at the ACM 2011 Music City Jam. Luke Bryan presented the award, which puts The Band Perry in the running for Top New Artist at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3 on CBS.

BMI Showcases Up-and-Comers

BMI showcased the promising Russell Dickerson, songstress Rose Falcon, and the high-energy Eric Lee Beddingfield at the March 2 installment of BMI Presents at 12th & Porter, staged during CRS Week in Nashville.

(L-R): Cal IV Ent.’s Daniel Hill; BMI’s Mark Mason; Rose Falcon; Russell Dickerson; and BMI’s David Preston, Bradley Collins, and Jody Williams. Photo: Drew Maynard

2nd Annual CountryMusicIsLove Concert

Katie Armiger and Josh Thompson backstage at The 2nd Annual CountryMusicIsLove Concert benefiting City of Hope! at Hard Rock Cafe in Downtown Nashville.

(L-R): Katie Armiger and Josh Thompson

Pickin and Poker with Griggs and Sturgeon

Andy Griggs and Toolpusher Records’ Jason Sturgeon treated radio friends to some pickin ‘n’ poker on Thursday night (3/3) after hours during CRS. Griggs performed his current single, “Can I Get An Amen,” as well as his version of Hank Sr.’s “Ramblin’ Man,” both of which can be found on his upcoming EP. Sturgeon performed songs from his debut album That’s Me, including his first single, “Simple Life.”

(L-R): Jason Sturgeon, Christopher James, Al Brock (Spin Doctor Promotion), Andy Griggs, Skip Clark (The Wolf/Syracuse) and Deb Lamphear.

Artist News: Sarah Darling's Opry Debut

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Photo: Chris Hollo

Darling’s Opry Debut

Black River artist Sarah Darling made her Grand Ole Opry debut last Saturday (2/26) snapping her fingers to her new single, “Something To Do With Your Hands.” Grand Ole Opry member, and the show’s host for the evening, Vince Gill, performed Sarah’s “Bad Habit” a track from her new album Angels & Devils.  Vince later brought Sarah on stage to close the show, along with Keb Mo, to sing “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”

DeFord Bailey Record is New Exhibit at Fontanel

Pat Bullard, a LifeWorks Foundation trustee and founder of the Nashville Music Garden, recently presented The Fontanel Mansion & Farm a priceless piece of Nashville’s music history, a rare, original 78 recording of DeFord Bailey’s “Ice Water Blues/Davidson County Blues” accompanied by photos of Bailey with the original members of the Grand Ole Opry cast, circa 1920.

(L-R): Marc Oswald, Co-owner Fontanel Mansion & Farm; and Jaime Dudney, Dir. Hospitality (and Mandrell’s daughter).

Mac McAnally Honored For Outstanding Achievements

Renowned songwriter, artist and musician Mac McAnally was honored last week with two prestigious acknowledgements, both presented by his home state of Mississippi. First during a ceremony in Jackson, and emceed by Marty Stuart, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Arts Commission presented McAnally with the 2011 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. A bronze cast statue designed by artist Bill Dunlap represents the distinction. The next day, McAnally became only the sixth artist to be recognized with a marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail. The marker was unveiled at the same city park in Belmont, MS where McAnally played as a child.

(L-R): Alex Thomas, Miss. Development of Tourism & Music; J.P. Wileman, Miss. State Senate; Mac McAnally; Malcolm White, Exec. Dir. Miss. Arts Commission.

The Oak Ridge Boys Immortalized at The Palm

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of their legendary hit “Elvira,” The Oak Ridge Boys have been honored as the most recent addition to The Palm family. With a caricature unveiling on Friday, their images became immortalized forever among the dining rooms which are characterized by the panorama of classic cartoons and caricatures of local regulars, businessmen, politicians, and celebrities.

The Oak Ridge Boys

Weekly Chart Report (3/4/11)

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Katie Armiger made a house call at KILT to see a hobbled PD Mark Adams (broken foot from soccer), before she headed out to the KILT BBQ Cookoff Tent for a performance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World Championship BBQ Cookoff.


SPIN ZONE
It’s been a wild week as usual at Country Radio Seminar 2011, with informative panels-a-plenty, unforgettable performances, and many friends from across the country. Thank you again to everyone who came out to MusicRow’s 9th Annual CRS Meet & Greet on Tuesday (3/1). We had a great time and enjoyed some awesome performances from Colt Ford and Joanna Smith.
But it ain’t over yet: like always, CRS closes on a high note later today with the New Faces show.
• • • • •
It’s a bit of a shake up on today’s CountryBreakout Chart. Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” stakes its claim to the No. 1 spot, leaping over Taylor Swift to lead one of the tightest 1-2-3 combinations in memory. Only seven spins separate Thompson Square from the No. 3 song, Lady Antebellum’s “Hello Word.” Swift’s “Back To December” is still at No. 2 and looking strong, so it will be interesting to see how that situation plays out.
CRS always means more frozen playlists and the result is a slower than normal chart. Kenny Chesney’s “Live A Little” gained over 500 spins in the two prior weeks and was the Greatest Spin Increase again this week, but only picked up 254 new spins in this chart. Both of the last two charts have had multiple songs gaining more than 300 spins. Only two new songs debuted—Colt Ford’s “Country Thang” (hey, you’re welcome!) at No. 76, and Curtis & Luckey’s “Eye Candy” at No. 79.




Upcoming Singles
March 7
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville
The New Relics/Dixie Queen/Spinville/Blues Alley
Tonja Rose/Where Would Your Heart Be/Identical Entertainment/Turnpike
Little Big Town/The Reason Why/Capitol
Neal McCoy/New Mountain To Climb/Tate
March 14
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA
Kip Moore/Mary Was The Marrying Kind/MCA
Due West/When The Smoke Clears/Black River
Sabastian Roberts/It’s Still Country To Me/Homage Records
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Colt Ford/Country Thang/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 76
Curtis & Luckey/Eye Candy/KMG Music Group — 79
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA — 254
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI Nashville — 249
Justin Moore/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away/Valory — 194
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog-Universal — 161
Tim McGraw & Gwyneth Paltrow/Me And Tennessee/Curb — 149
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
LeAnn Rimes/Crazy Women/Curb — 168
Little Big Town/The Reason Why/Capitol — 144
Frankie Ballard/A Buncha Girls/Warner Bros. — 129
Adam Craig Band/Nothing Wrong/American Roots/Quarterback — 124
Bridgette Tatum/Hillbilly Rock Star/Root 49/Quarterback — 119
Kevin Fowler/Girl In A Truck/FowlBall — 119
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI/Nashville — 15
Tim McGraw & Gwyneth Paltrow/Me And Tennessee/Curb — 11
Justin Moore/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away/Valory — 10
Chris Young/Tomorrow/RCA — 10
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville — 10

WUSN/Chicago APD/MD Marci Braun got “crazy” with Republic Nashville's Eli Young Band when the guys stopped by the station to play their new single “Crazy Girl.” (L-R): EYB’s James Young, Jon Jones, Braun, Mike Eli and Chris Thompson.


Last week in Little Rock a guitar pull featuring Gary Allan, Easton Corbin and Ashton Shepherd raised $24,000 for St. Jude. (L-R): MCA’s EJ Bernas, UMGN’s Katie Dean, KSSN’s Bob Robbins, Corbin, KSSN’s Jeremy Guenther, Allan and Shepherd.


Skyville Records' Stealing Angels sailed into WEZL/Charleston, SC offices this week to share their new single "Paper Heart." (L-R): Skyville Records Pres. Kevin Herring, Jennifer Wayne, WEZL PD Bill West, Caroline Cutbirth and Tayla Lynn.