Miranda Lambert is scheduled to perform her entire album at the Ryman in Nashville on September 24th! Her release date for the album is September 29th. Don't miss this revolution!
Miranda wrote all but 3 of the 15 cuts on her new album.
Strait Discusses his new album "Twang" scheduled to be released August 11th. Living for the night, Straits newest single was written by the man himself, with some help from his son Bubba and Dean Dillon.
The legendary Strait has now sold 67 million albums in his career! Long Live King George!
February 26, 2009 Gill Named Honorary Prof., Wraps Artist Residency Vince Gill has had a busy week. On Tuesday night (2/24) he concluded his residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and on Wednesday he was recognized as an honorary professor by the College of Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University. The final night of his sold-out three-show stint as the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s 2009 Artist-in-Residence included guest appearances by 2008 artist-in-residence Jerry Douglas, musician/bandleader John Hobbs, songwriter Leslie Satcher and artist Josh Turner. At MTSU, Gill’s two-and-a-half hour conversation and performance was part of the Tom T. Hall Writers Series which celebrates songwriters, authors, poets and screenwriters by giving students, faculty, and the public a chance to learn about the underlying creative and business processes. “This honorary professorship is a recognition by our college of him as a master teacher,” said Mass Communication Dean Roy Moore. “He’s one of the best examples of true artistry: he creates, he inspires, and he shares who he is and what he does with others.” At the Hall of Fame performance (L-R): Bill Denny and David Conrad, members of the Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees; Museum Director Kyle Young; and Gill. Photo: Donn Jones
February 27, 2009 Sugarland Sets Tour Dates Through Fall Sugarland has scheduled more than 30 dates for its upcoming run, opening April 10 in hometown Atlanta. The 2009 leg of the duo’s successful Love On The Inside Tour is supporting its platinum-selling third album of the same name. Joining them on the road will be Mercury Nashville labelmate Billy Currington, RCA recording artist Jake Owen, and AAA singer-songwriters Matt Nathanson and Eric Hutchinson. With shows running through October, mainly at arenas and amphitheaters, the outing includes several Canadians stops. Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are going on their first overseas tour during the month of March. Traveling to seven different countries (Italy, Great Britian, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands), they will perform in 11 different European cities. Labelmate Holly Williams, whose first country single is at radio now, will open select dates.
Emerson Drive, Management Part Ways We have learned that Canadian/Nashville-based band Emerson Drive has split ways with Big Ride Management. The act had been with Big Ride, headed by Gerry Leiske, for many years, including during its mega-No. 1-hit, “Moments” in 2007. Earlier this year, Emerson Drive, on Midas Records, joined forces with the Valory Music Co. The band’s new CD, Believe, is scheduled for an April 7, 2009 release. The current single is “Belongs To You.”
Cherry Lane Music has signed songwriters Sam and Annie Tate to a long-term, worldwide co-publishing agreement. Michelle Berlin, Director of Creative & Marketing and head of the Cherry Lane Nashville office, made the announcement today (2/3) about the writers of No. 1 singles from Reba McEntire (”Somebody”), Emerson Drive (”Moments”), and Rodney Adkins (“If You’re Going Through Hell”). Among the other artists who have added to the Tates’ tally of more than a dozen gold, platinum and multi-platinum records are Randy Travis, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, and Montgomery Gentry.
Sam and Annie Tate have received two prestigious NSAI Creativity Awards, as well as two ACM nominations for Song of the Year. They were named SESAC’s Songwriters of the Year in 2006.
The Tates’ music has been heard in television (ER, The Incredible Hulk), advertisements (The Gap, Coors, Pepsi-Cola, Gino’s Pizza, General Motors) and films (Miss Congeniality
Multiple nominees Sugarland have been added to the performance schedule for this Sunday’s (2/8) 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus have also joined the line-up for a special performance together. At the Awards airing live from the LA Staples Center, Sugarland is up for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (”Stay”) and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (”Life In A Northern Town” with Jake Owen and Little Big Town). Previously announced performers include Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Kid Rock, Paul McCartney, Justin Timberlake, U2, and Jay-Z.
As in years past, the Awards will be broadcast on television and radio, airing in HD on CBS from 7–10:30 PM/CT and Westwood One, respectively. For 2009, the Recording Academy has broadened online coverage to include social networking sites such as Twitter (”theGRAMMYs”), Facebook (”The Recording Academy”), YouTube (”51stGRAMMYs”) and Last.fm (”the51stgrammys”), in addition to coverage on Grammy.com and CBS.com.
The Pre-Telecast Ceremony, where a majority of Grammy categories are awarded, will also be available online at www.grammy.com on the afternoon of the show. Taking place from 1–3:45 PM/PT at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the non-televised event has grown into its own celebrated affair with guest presenters and live performances.
Other Nashville artists heading to Los Angeles for performances surrounding the Grammys include Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Brenda Lee. McGraw and Hill will sing at the Feb. 6 tribute to 2009 MusiCares® Person of the Year Neil Diamond. The event celebrating his artistic achievements and philanthropic work, will also feature Kid Rock and Raul Malo. Lee will receive The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award on Sat., Feb. 7 at the Los Angeles Wilshire Ebell Theater. Also being honored are Gene Autry, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Four Tops, Hank Jones, Dean Martin, and Tom Paxton.
Nominees for the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be announced at a press conference on the morning of Wed., Feb. 11. Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, and Jessica Simpson will reveal the nominations at 7:30 AM/CT at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The ACM Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sun., April 5, starting at 7 PM/CT on CBS.
Katie Armiger and Great American Country (GAC) are teaming up to fly a contest winner to Nashville for a writing and recording session with the budding artist. “Kapturing A Love Song with Katie Armiger” kicks off today and runs through Friday, Feb. 27 at www.GACTV.com. When complete, the song will be made available on iTunes.
GAC, where Armiger is the February Artist of the Month, says this is one of the most unique sweepstakes it has ever offered. “Katie has a lot of fans at GACTV.com because of her successful Kapturing Katie web series,” adds GAC’s director of music marketing John Alexander.
Taylor Swift’s line of sundresses began shipping exclusively to Wal-Mart yesterday (2/1). The dresses are being made through a partnership with clothing manufacturer L.E.I., who also made Swift’s namesake jeans. All retailing for $14, there will be three sundress styles available at launch and two additional styles are planned for a March 1 delivery.
“It was very important for me to create cute, affordable dresses,” says Swift, who is on the current cover of Teen Vogue. “If I couldn’t see myself wearing them, I wasn’t interested in making them.” She plans to wear the dresses throughout her spring and summer tour.
As previously reported, this will be her first headlining outing, and includes dates in Canada and Australian. She is in such demand Down Under that another show has been added in Melbourne. Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge tacked on a March 9 date specifically for the under 18 set, to precede the next night’s 18-and-up show. Her first Australian Tour also includes sold-out stops in Brisbane and Sydney, and a festival performance in Thredbo, NSW.
Dolly Parton is in town for two big events tonight (2/2). She will be inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame and perform at an all-star fundraiser at the Wildhorse Saloon.
Alongside Michael W. Smith, Dr. Bobby Jones, Dixie Hummingbirds, and Lari Goss, Parton will join the Gospel Music Hall of Fame during an invitation-only dinner and ceremony. Among the evening’s presenters and performers are Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby McKeehan, Stella Parton, and The Imperials.
Parton will also perform at tonight’s “Gift of Music” Concert with Ronnie Dunn, Keith Anderson, Kellie Pickler and many others. Presented by the Dustin J. Wells Foundation, the second annual fundraiser for the W.O. Smith School of Music will take place at The Wildhorse Saloon. General Admission tickets, $45, are available through Ticketmaster. A limited number of VIP passes are available for $500 and include parking, stage-front seating, and limited backstage access by calling 371-8878. Last year’s event raised over $50,000.
Borman Entertainment owner/founder Gary Borman has announced that John Grady will join the company as President of its Nashville operations.
Grady, started 32 years ago as a college rep for A&M Records and more recently served as president of DMZ Music, Columbia Nashville, Epic Nashville and Monument Nashville. For the past 2 years, Grady was a partner in Redlight Management. He currently sits on the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Board of Directors and was elected President of the Academy of Country Music.
“My career could be described as a series of unique opportunities,” says Grady. ”Gary and his staff have built a unique company based on artists, music, creativity, loyalty, intelligence and hard work. I am honored to be called upon to contribute to what they have already built. I am humbled to work with the company’s extraordinary artists and management team. I can hardly wait to go to work.”
Borman Entertainment represents Faith Hill, Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum. According to Borman, who has been in business since 1976, the goal has always been to specialize in building long term careers from the bottom to the top. “Due to our size we have the advantage of focus plus the ability to move quickly and go deep every day for our 3 artists,” says Borman. ”We love what we do and who we do it for. Adding John’s experience, skill and passion for music is incredible for us. I look forward to many years working with John and our Nashville team as we meet the challenges and opportunities our business encounters.”
John Grady will be based in the Borman Entertainment Nashville office at 1222 16th Avenue South suite 23. Ph. 615-320-3000 john@bormantn.com
Craig Morgan Has a Big Week
10/24/2008
BNA Records recording artistCraig Morganperformed onGood Morning Americathis morning (10/24), live from its Times Square studios in New York. Morgan chatted with the hosts, and performed “Love Remembers,” the lead single from his new CDThat's Why,released Tuesday (10/21).
Morgan is scheduled to be inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry (10/25). His induction will be televised live on GAC'sOpry Live,airing at 9:00 p.m. (ET).
Tim McGrawwill be delivering the game ball to the pitcher’s mound with a local member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in Game Three of the World Series tomorrow (10/25) in Philadelphia, PA...
Lee Ann WomackreleasedCall Me Crazythis week,and appeared on CBS'The Early Showand rang the NY Stock Exchange Closing Bell yesterday (10/22). Today she visited NBC'sToday ShowandImus In...
Colgate Country Showdown Southeast Finals Coming To Wildhorse
The 27th AnnualColgate Country ShowdownSoutheast Regional Final will be held at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Sun., Nov. 16 at 8 PM. Eight country music acts from throughout the Southeast will compete for an all-expense paid trip to the National Final on Jan. 15 at the Ryman Auditorium, where the overall winner will take home $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music.” The National Final will be taped for television and air nationwide through syndication in March and April.
Contestants vying for the Southeast Regional title have already progressed through Colgate-sponsored local and state competitions. Taking the stage at the Wildhorse Saloon will beBrittany Conine(KNAS Nashville, AR);Charles Leo Brady(KLAA Pineville, LA);Cliff HudsonfeaturingRick Martin(KWHF Jonesboro, AR);Tyler James(WCJM West Point, Georgia);Pistol(WKDF Nashville, TN);Sara Dew(WNBR New Bern, NC) and others yet to be determined. www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.
Sports watch company Reactor has partnered with Dillard’s andMontgomery Gentryto make an exclusive Limited Edition of 600 watches with luminous skulls representingEddie MontgomeryandTroy Gentryon the dial. Currently in stores...
Emerson Drive With Kenny Loggins at ASCAP Awards
10/20/2008
The Valory Music Co./ Midas Records recording artistsEmerson Drivehad the opportunity to meet one of their music heroes,Kenny Logginslast Monday evening at the ASCAP Awards in Nashville. Emerson Drive’s new single “Belongs to You” hits the airwaves soon.
The Road Hammers Meet Charlie Daniels
10/20/2008
Montage Music Group’sThe Road Hammersrecently performed at The Grand Ole Opry and while backstage, ran into one of their idols,Charlie Daniels.On the show, the Road Hammers performed current single, “I’ve Got The Scars To Prove It,” which can be found on the band’sBlood Sweat & Stealalbum.
Chevy Country Music Calendar Revs Up 2009
Sarah Skates – 10/17/2008
The 5th Annual Chevy Country Music Calendar will be released next month, featuring eleven celebrities posed with 2009 Chevrolet vehicles. Included are shots ofHeidi Newfield, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rissi Palmer, Jason Aldean, Joe Nichols, Lady Antebellum, Rodney Atkins, Chuck Wicks, Jypsi, James OttoandPhil Stacey.
The calendar will be distributed beginning Nov. 23 via the national publicationsNASCAR Illustrated, Progressive Farmer, Country Weekly,andPeople,reaching over two million subscribers. This 2009 edition also marks the first year the Chevy Country Music Calendar will be distributed digitally with the help of CMT.com. Housed on CMT.com, the digital version of the calendar will feature interactive components for fans including videos, behind-the-scenes footage from calendar photo shoots, downloads, product information and shopping, sharing tools, news, and more. The calendars will also be available at multiple Chevy sponsored events in conjunction with the Nov. 12 CMA Awards
Good Times On Tour
10/17/2008
Alan Jacksonhuddled with label execs and CMT guests last week at his show in Bloomington, IN, as part of hisGood Timetour. Jackson is currently climbing the charts with “Country Boy,” the third hit following back-to-back No. 1 singles, “Good Time” and “Small Town Southern Man,” all from hisGood Timealbum. Jackson will be celebrated on Dec. 6 with the broadcast debut of the 90-minute special,CMT Giants: Alan Jackson.
A Grand Ole Opry Tuesday
10/17/2008
Columbia Nashville duoMontgomery Gentryand BNA’sKellie Picklercharmed Opry House crowds on Oct. 14. MG performed “Roll With Me” and Pickler sang “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” from her newly released self-titled CD.
Garth Brooksnever ceases to amaze, and his opening CRS segment,Up Close With Garth Brookskept the record intact. WSIX morning manGerry Housesat on stage with the Oklahoman in large overstuffed chairs...he later took time to listen to two of our own Joe Sins and Kristen Welch from the Duo Sins and Welch.
Garth taking some time to visit two of our Producer/Writers/Vocalists.
Trisha Yearwoodrecently filmed the music video for her new single “This Is Me You’re Talking To” in Nashville. The video world premiered Friday on Digital Rodeo, and has been added at both CMT and GAC.
Pictured (L-R): Big Machine’sJustin McIntosh,Yearwood, Big Machine’sNatalie Kilgore,Big Machine’sSandi Spika Borchetta,Big Machine’sScott Borchetta,video directorTrey Fanjoy,and video co-starJohn Corbett.
Carrie Underwood’sfirst performance at Madison Square Garden was the day her debut albumSome Heartswas released, country’s reigning ACM, CMA female vocalist became the firstAmerican Idolever to headline the venue, as she performed for a sold-out house on theLove, Pain & the whole crazy Carnival Ride TourwithKeith Urban.Sony BMG Nashville and 19 Entertainment execs flew in for the occasion, delivering a Valentine in the form of a plaque commemorating the 7x-Platinum certification ofSome Hearts,which recently became the best-selling solo female country debut in history.
Pictured (L-R): 19 Entertainment’sAnn Edelblute;Sony BMG Nashville Exec. VP A&RRenee Belland ChairmanJoe Galante;Underwood; 19 Entertainment CEOSimon Fuller;and Sony BMG Nashville Exec. VPButch Waugh.Photo: Avi Gerver
The legendary George Jones is rumored to be recording another album. Yeah!
Cherry Lane Music has signed songwriters Sam and Annie Tate to a long-term, worldwide co-publishing agreement. Michelle Berlin, Director of Creative & Marketing and head of the Cherry Lane Nashville office, made the announcement today (2/3) about the writers of No. 1 singles from Reba McEntire (”Somebody”), Emerson Drive (”Moments”), and Rodney Adkins (“If You’re Going Through Hell”). Among the other artists who have added to the Tates’ tally of more than a dozen gold, platinum and multi-platinum records are Randy Travis, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, and Montgomery Gentry.
