Tammy
Wynette’s 40-Year "Stand"
Yesterday was a major anniversary in country music: 40 years since Tammy Wynette
recorded the classic "Stand By Your Man." The song earned controversy at the
time — it was considered subservient by members of the women’s right movement,
which was just beginning to take hold — but it still caught on with the public,
crossing over to pop radio and becoming Tammy’s signature song.
In actuality, "Stand By Your Man" did not exist when Tammy first entered the
Columbia Recording Studios that day. She recorded three songs and had some extra
time left on the session, so she and producer Billy Sherrill went to work
writing in a separate room while the musicians took a break. Billy had a piece
of paper on which he’d scribbled "Stand By Your Man" as a potential title, and
they crafted it very quickly.
"I don't know why that idea came to me that way," Billy told The Tennessean.
"I'd heard ‘Stand By Me,’ by Ben E. King. I had a sheet of paper, and on it I
had written ‘I'll Stand By You’ and ‘Please Stand By Me’ and all kinds of
titles. One day, I was in bed and I just thought, ‘Stand By Your Man,’ and the
other stand-bys just flew right out the window."
When they took the completed song back to the musicians, Tammy turned her back
to the control room, sat on a stool and crossed her legs. She barely moved as
she belted out the song — incredible given the intensity with which she
delivered it.
"She hit that note at the end, and I knew it was going to be good," Billy said.
"She told me, ‘You know the terrible thing about this?’ I said, ‘What?’ She
said, ‘You can go home and do what you do, but I'm going to have to sing this
the rest of my life and hit that high note.’ But that was the song, so it had to
be done that way."
It earned Tammy a Grammy Award, became the title of her autobiography and
generated further controversy when Hillary Clinton used it to defend her husband
on an installment of 60 Minutes. Versions of the song appear in the movies Five
Easy Pieces, The Crying Game, Sleepless In Seattle and Sordid Lives. Tammy’s
rendition has also been enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Jimmy
Wayne Plays It Cool
Jimmy Wayne apparently knows a good thing when he hears it. Wisely, he doesn’t
always tell other people everything he knows. His current single, "Do You
Believe Me Now," is a Top 5 hit, which comes as no surprise to Jimmy. He thought
it had big commercial potential the first time it was played for him. But he
also recognized he hadn’t had an album out since 2003, and he figured that if he
tipped the songwriters off fully to his conviction in the song, it might not be
in his own best interest.
"Had I just went nuts and was like, ‘Man, that's a hit, blah, blah,’ you know,
who knows — someone else might have caught wind of that and said, ‘There's a hit
over there; you better go check it out,’" he told Nashville’s WTVF-TV. "And then
it would have went over to [a] bigger artist and there you go, they would be
celebrating like I am right now."
Cool-hand Jimmy indeed has plenty to celebrate. He’s got a hit record, he’s on a
new label, and after a five-year wait, he finally released his second album on
Tuesday. The title was a natural: Do You Believe Me Now.
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Brad Paisley & Keith Urban: Dueling Guitars
Brad Paisley and Keith Urban have a lot in common: They’re both
singer-songwriter-guitarists, they’re married to actresses, and they’ve each had
their first child in the last 18 months. Adding to the similarities, they’re
duet partners now, since Keith joined Brad in recording a song called "Start A
Band" for Brad’s next album, Play.
Given that both of them have lightning-quick facility on the guitar, it’d be
easy to expect the track to end up a speed race.
"It's probably not what you think, in the sense that it's not a blazing-fast
thing," Brad told The Cleveland Plain Dealer. "It's more of a rockin'
Eagles-style tune, like back when Joe Walsh and Don Felder would play those
harmony parts."
"Start A Band" is one of four songs on Play that feature some vocals. The other
10 songs on the album, due Nov. 4, are all instrumentals.
"This album is a side project, and as artistic [as] I can possibly be in some
ways," Brad said.
Both artists have had new developments in recent days. Keith has a slipped disc,
People magazine reported, though it’s not expected to put a dent in his touring
schedule. Brad’s current single, "Waitin’ On A Woman," got a bit of a makeover
on Tuesday when his label released a remixed version of the song — featuring
Andy Griffith’s recitations from the video — to radio stations.
"He was my first and only choice for that," Brad said. Had Andy not consented to
do the part, "I would've skipped doing a video. The first time I heard the song,
I felt like he was the perfect guy to be the wise sage who sits down on the
bench."
Lee
Ann Womack’s "Crazy" Story
Two years ago, Lee Ann Womack had an album recorded and ready for release, and
she issued the title track, "Finding My Way Home," to radio. Despite its title,
it didn’t find a home on the airwaves, and Lee Ann quietly shelved the album and
pulled back from the music business.
She wasn’t completely happy with the project and needed time to get her creative
juices refreshed.
"I felt like I went in and started making a record simply because it was time to
make another record," she told The Lexington Herald-Leader, reflecting on that
album. "It was about meeting the commitments of my record deal, that sort of
thing. That's not to say that none of that material won't ever be heard. Just as
a whole, though, I knew the album wasn't going to come out. I think I was making
that record more in my head than my heart. And I always have more luck and
success when I follow my heart instead."
Now she’s got the album she wanted to make, Call Me Crazy, ready for release
Oct. 7. The first single, "Last Call," is already at radio, and if it’s
representative of the entire album, it will be a worthy follow-up to the 2005 CD
There’s More Where That Came From, which earned Album of the Year honors from
the Country Music Association.
"I've taken some time off the road to write more and just to live more," Lee Ann
said. "When you're on the road and totally immersed with your career, you're not
really living a normal life. It's when I'm living a normal life that I come up
with the best material for people to relate to. I feel like in order to be truly
creative, you just need to pull out for a little bit."
Call Me Crazy is produced by Tony Brown — noted for his work with Vince Gill,
Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn — and it features duet appearances by two major
stars: George Strait and Keith Urban.
Anything
Goes With Randy Houser On Letterman Last Night
Randy Houser sang "Anything Goes When Everthing's Gone" last night on The Late
Show With David Letterman. Of his upbringing, Randy says, “I didn’t know any
different. There was never a time that I can remember as a kid when I didn’t
have something to make music with. Kind of like a toy you never get tired of
playing with.
After my folks split, I grew up with my Mama and Sister in Lake, Mississippi. I
felt like the man of the house even before I was one. I’d spend a few weeks with
my Daddy every summer and Christmas. He’d teach me a new chord or song while I
was there.
“He always made sure that my Sister and I stayed him to good music. Our tastes
in music were fairly broad for two kids from a town of less than 500 people. We
got a lot of good ole country like Merle, Conway, but we were also spoon fed the
artists like Bonnie Raitt, Delbert, and B.B. King - just good soulful music."
Rascal
Flatts And Raycom Sports Team Up
Rascal Flatts will open each Raycom Sports telecast of ACC and SEC football for
the 2008 season. The season kicks off this Saturday (8/30) when the Florida
Gators host Hawaii.
The band, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, will be featured in the
opening video montage to lead into each week’s syndicated game.
Their current single, Bob That Head, has specifically been rewritten and
recorded for both the ACC and SEC. Rascal Flatts also personalized a greeting to
air for each conference.
“We can’t think of anything more fun and exciting than mixing two of our
favorites things- music and football,” says LeVox.
Rascal Flatts joins a star-studded list of performers featured in Raycom
football and basketball telecasts over the years, including Brooks & Dunn,
Daughtry, Sugarland, Alison Krauss, Chris Brown, Lil’ Mama, T-Pain and Ricky
Skaggs.
Trace
Adkins Heads Back To The Persian Gulf To Entertain And To Thank Our Troops
Trace Adkins will soon travel to the Persian Gulf to visit America’s armed
forces as part of a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment Tour. During his week-long
trip, Trace will perform for troops, visit remote forward operating bases, sign
autographs and pose for pictures. He will also share personal accounts of how he
started out in the music industry, talk one-on-one with troops and extend his
heartfelt gratitude to those currently serving overseas in support of Operations
Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
A long-time supporter of the USO and the U.S. military, Trace was the recipient
of the 2007 USO Merit Award for his continuous dedication to supporting troops
and assisting others.
Another
#1 Collection Set For Tim McGraw
Curb Records will release Tim McGraw’s Greatest Hits 3 this fall, landing in
stores on October 7th. The album contains 12 tracks, including live versions of
the award winning If You’re Reading This and Real Good Man.
Other highlights include a duet version of the ACM and CMA vocal event winner
Find Out Who Your Friends Are featuring Tracy Lawrence and McGraw’s co-penned
hit Nine Lives.
Bluebird
Cafe to Host Benefit Concert - Sept. 3rd
The legendary Bluebird Café will host an In the Round to benefit the Miller
Harris Asthma Camp for Kids on Wednesday, September 3rd. The only asthma camp in
Middle Tennessee is getting a helping hand from Nashville’s music industry.
Participating songwriters and recording artists include:
6:00 pm Show - Jon Randall (Whiskey Lullaby) Jessi Alexander (Honeysuckle
Sweet), Doug Johnson (NSAI Song of the Year writer-Three Wooden Crosses),
ChristyAna Perez and Chip Davis.
9:00 pm Show- Jedd Hughes (High Lonesome, I Don’t Have a Clue, The only girl In
Town, Big Blue Sky), Luke Bryan (Good Directions, We Ride In Trucks, All My
Friends Say), Jake Owen (Ghosts, You can Thank Dixie, Startin’ With Me,
Something About a Woman), Phillip White and Todd Sansom.
ll proceeds from the night benefit the Miller Harris Foundation, a nonprofit
(501c3) organization established in 2002 by family and friends of Miller Harris,
who died tragically from an asthmatic attack. The Foundation is dedicated to
improving the quality of life for children with asthma and students interested
in the music industry.
Tickets are $15. For advance seating go to
www.bluebirdcafe.com
or call the reservation line at 615-383-1461. To learn more about the Miller
Harris Foundation, call 615-242-2842 or go to
www.millerharrisfoundation.com.
Lantana
Adds “New” Member
The “country-with-an-attitude” Dallas-based trio, LANTANA, is excited to
announce that Lisa Underwood has returned to the group after a two-year hiatus.
Underwood, Biz Haddock and Dalene Richelle are currently in rehearsal for
upcoming Fall shows.
(Pictured left to right: Biz, Lisa & Dalene / Photo Credit: Mark Davis)
For more information log in to
www.myspace.com/lantanacountrymusic
Katie
Armiger And GAC Team Up For Exclusive Web Series 'Kapturing Katie' To Debut Sept
1st.
Katie Armiger has teamed up with Great American Country (GAC) for a six-part
exclusive web series entitled Kapturing Katie that will debut online this
Monday, September 1st at
www.gactv.com/katiearmiger where fans will get a behind-the-scenes
look at one of country music’s brightest new stars. Cameras have been following
Katie for the last several months capturing real moments surrounding the launch
and release of her second album, Believe. The first two webisodes will debut
alongside the video for Katie’s new single “Unseen,” that was shot by well known
Nashville director Stephen Shepherd (Gary Allan, Emily West, Josh Gracin). Each
Wednesday fans will be able to check out a new three-minute, Kapturing Katie,
webisode by logging onto the GAC website.
Kapturing Katie will give fans an exclusive glimpse into Katie Armiger’s life
including her first performance on The Riverstage during this year’s CMA Music
Festival as well an up-close look at the making of her “Unseen” video. To kick
off the series September 1st GACTV.com will debut two of the webisodes. The
first was shot during her surprise 17th birthday pool party in her Texas
hometown and the second shows Katie as she takes part in the Porter Wagoner
Memorial Fishing Tournament in Nashville during CMA Music Festival. Other
webisodes will include Katie walking in the Country Weekly fashion show and as
well as special bonus footage/bloopers.
“This is such an unbelievable opportunity for me as a new artist to be able to
work with GAC,” said Katie. “I am so excited because the cameras captured some
really amazing moments over the last several months and I cannot wait to share
those with fans.”
“We’re thrilled to be working with Katie and Cold River Records to deliver this
unique web series to country music fans everywhere,” explains Jason Mease, vice
president and site director at GACTV.com. “We’re all about helping fans connect
with artists in new and exciting ways. The Kapturing Katie web series delivers
on all fronts.”
In addition to watching the new web series, fans visiting GACTV.com can browse
an extensive photo gallery of Katie and vote for her new video "Unseen" on the
GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown.
For more information on Katie you can visit her website at
www.katiearmiger.com.
John
Oates' 1000 Miles Of Life Set For Release
For John Oates, longtime member
of music’s best-selling duo of all time Daryl
Hall & John Oates, his second solo album, 1000
Miles of Life, scheduled for release on
September 23rd on PS Records in association with
U-Watch/DKE Records and distributed by ICON
Music Entertainment Services, was a labor of
love and devotion, a summary of his three
decades as a professional musician. Amazon.com
will have an exclusive digital version of 1000
Miles of Life starting on September 9th up until
the September 23rd street date, when it will
become available in all digital and retail
outlets.
“It was a wake-up call for me,” says John about
the album, his second solo effort and first
since 2002’s Phunk Shui. “After 30-plus years
devoting myself to my art and craft, I needed to
make a musical statement that someday I could
look back on and realize, at that moment of
time, I did exactly what I wanted to do. I’ve
never written songs like this. I was on this
inspirational roll. There was an urgency to it.
I realized that I had no more time in my life
for rehearsals… and I took that energy into the
studio.”
John dedicates the album to three inspired
individuals who had recently passed away, but
were major influences in his career—producer
Arif Mardin (who produced Hall & Oates’ first
two albums on Atlantic Records), Jerry Lynn
Williams (a writer who contributed songs to Eric
Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and B.B. King, among
others) and his original guitar mentor Jerry
Ricks, who introduced him to the roots
blues/folk scene in Philadelphia in the late
60s.
To prepare for the album, Oates traveled to
Nashville and hooked up with veteran engineer
Bil VornDick (“The guy had the keys to every
studio in town,” marvels John). It was Bil’s
recording technique for acoustic instruments
that gives the record the airy quality
reminiscent of classic albums from the past. The
next step was to bring in the crčme de la crčme
of the city’s session players, including
bluegrass legends Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and
Sam Bush, “I wanted players who knew how to
frame a song,” says John, “Who knew how to take
a lyric and enhance it.”
Co-produced by John with Jed Leiber, son of
legendary songwriter Jerry Leiber, the album
features eight orginal new songs, most of which
were written this past year. In addition, there
is an outstanding version of the Jerry Lynn
Williams’ classic “Sending Me Angels” perfomed
with the Blind Boys of Alabama as well as John’s
interpretation of Daniel Lanois’ “Sometimes”.
The new songs are complimented by the beautiful
ballad, “I Found Love,” a folky ballad he wrote
for his wife in 1993 as well as a new take on
“Change of Season” originally recorded in the
late 1980s.
Among the new tracks listen to “Ghost Town,”
inspired by his visit to a post-Hurricane
Katrina New Orleans, this standout track with
its atmospheric, cinematic feel, is a highlight
of 1000 Miles of Life, featuring a plaintive
banjo solo by Fleck, Blues Traveler’s John
Popper on harp and an eerie New Orleans funeral
march coda which seems to arise right out of the
mist.
“When I went to the city, we got a chance to
hang out in those neighborhoods destroyed by the
hurricane,” says John. “I was shocked and
embarrassed by the fact that two years later, a
major American city could be left in that state
of chaos. That really affected me. People losing
their city but not losing their heart.”
Some of the other guests on the album include
The Blind Boys of Alabama (“Sending Me Angels”),
John Popper, (“Ghost Town”) Bekka Bramlett
(“Carved in Stone”) and her mom Bonnie Bramlett
of Delaney and Bonnie fame (“1000 Miles of
Life”) as well as legendary guitarist Steve
Cropper, longtime Hall & Oates band member T
Bone Wolk, Jed Leiber on keyboards, string
meister Jonathan Yudkin, bassists Michael Rhodes
and Mark Fain, pedal steel and electric
guitarist Dan Dugmore, drummers Doug Belote,
Chad Cromwell and Shannon Forrest, percussionist
Eric Darken, guitarists Tom and Bob Britt as
well as Nathan Paul Chapman. Basic tracks were
recorded in Nashville, vocals and guitars were
laid down at Great Divide Studios in Aspen and
the album was mixed back in L.A. at Leiber’s
Nightbird Studios at The Sunset Marquis.
“I did everything on blind faith and gut
feeling, but it worked like a charm,” says John.
“The project began to take on this incredible
momentum. There was a creative energy that
carried the project through. Every musician
dedicated themselves to these songs. It was the
most effortless, joyful, inspirational playing
I’ve experienced since recording Abandoned
Luncheonette. There was a special chemistry… a
special moment in time.”
Now that it’s finished, Oates is confident the
process of recording a solo album will only
enhance the music he makes with Hall and Oates.
“Doing this album is good for both of us,” he
says. “When we do come back together, we bring
those experiences to what we do, which makes it
even better. But this is a very personal record
for me and, without a doubt, the highlight of my
recording career.”
For more information on John Oates and 1000
Miles of Life, go to
http://www.johnoates.com/ as well as
www.myspace.com/johnoatesmusic
Brandon
Heath's What If We Debuts at No. 3 on Sales Chart
This week, singer/songwriter and New Artist of the Year Brandon Heath debuts his
sophomore album release What If We at No. 3 on Nielsen’s Christian SoundScan
chart with more than 7,100 first-week sales. The album’s breakout first single
“Give Me Your Eyes” continues to hold the No. 1 spot on iTunes Christian chart
for a fifth consecutive week, selling more than 38,000 total downloads across
all digital providers. “Give Me Your Eyes” launched digitally just over a month
ago with nearly 6,000 first-week sales, which claimed the highest debut week for
a Christian track in 2008 to date (July 23).
The project’s smash song also lands at No. 1 this week on R&R’s CHR chart, while
again sitting at No. 1 on CRW’s CHR format, and moving up to No. 5 on R&R’s
AC-Monitored chart, with 100 million cumulative impressions to date.
Heath’s street week activities ranged from radio morning shows, TV appearances,
and concert events in Dallas, Austin, and Houston, Texas, West Palm Beach and
Tampa, Fl., Atlanta, New York City and Nashville with a hometown performance at
the city’s Sounds minor league baseball game. (photo attached).
Radio continues to rally the concept behind Heath’s provocative,
humanitarian-minded album title What If We. K-Life in San Luis Obispo, Calif.,
recently held its annual blood drive August 18-21, this year spotlighting
Brandon Heath as they asked listeners “What If We…Save a Life.” On August 29,
the national K-Love radio network will also join in the What If We idea,
partnering with Mardel retail stores and The Red Cross for a blood drive in
Oklahoma City. Plans are also now developing for a What If We Change Chicago
outreach with Heath and ShineFM 89.7.
About Brandon Heath: Teaming up again with producer Dan Muckala, Brandon Heath’s
sophomore album What If We follows his breakthrough debut project, Don’t Get
Comfortable, which delivered the No. 1 radio hit, and Song of the Year nominee,
“I’m Not Who I Was.” The song ended 2007 as one of the year’s most played radio
singles. The smash debut also contributed to Heath’s first Songwriter of the
Year nomination, and win in the New Artist of the Year category at the 2008 GMA
Dove Awards in April. Off stage, Heath seeks opportunities to merge his public
platform with his heart for community, regularly working with Young Life,
Blood:Water Mission, Restore International and unofficially volunteering for
many other human rights agencies on a global scale. Heath is a respected
songwriter in the Nashville music community and first began writing at age 13.
Heath currently resides in Houston, Texas, and is a worship leader at The Loft
church located in The Woodlands, just north of Houston.
For more information on Brandon Heath, please visit
www.brandonheath.net
or
www.reunionrecords.com.
Point
Of Grace Re-signs With Word Records
Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning group, Point of Grace, re-signs with
Word Records after 15 years with the label.
“We are excited to continue our longstanding partnership with Point Of Grace,”
says Word Entertainment COO Rod Riley. “They have an outstanding ministry and an
incredible work ethic; we are thrilled to be a part of this next chapter in
their career.”
Pictured (front row) are Denise Jones, Leigh Cappillino and Shelley Breen; (back
row) Mike Blanton (BHCC), Cheri Kaufmann (BHCC), Word Entertainment CEO Jim Van
Hook, Word Entertainment COO Rod Riley, Word Entertainment Sr. VP of A&R and
Publishing Susan Riley, Word Records A&R Director Conor Farley.
GMC
Presents a Top Spins Labor Day Weekend Video Marathon
While the Democrats and Republicans convene, an all-star line-up of
Gospel/Christian music artists will be working for votes this Labor Day Weekend
when Gospel Music Channel presents a Top Spins Labor Day Weekend Video Marathon.
GMC will showcase the 125 most popular videos of the year non-stop, beginning at
7 a.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 30 through 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Viewers
can go online to
www.gospelmusicchannel.com to vote for their favorite videos from the
weekend. Those votes will determine the nominations in seven genre categories
for this year’s Gospel Music Channel Video Awards (GMCVAs) which will be
presented in December.
GMC’s Top Spins Labor Day Weekend Video Marathon will mirror the Gospel Music
Channel Video Awards categories, featuring music videos from Rock, Pop, Country,
Soul, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Latino music artists. Videos from top artists
including Natalie Grant, Third Day, Tye Tribbett, Rascal Flatts, Flyleaf,
Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Marvin Sapp, Family Force 5 and
Trin-i-tee 5:7 will be among the music video rotations throughout the weekend.
Joining them will be a new crop of artists whose videos are among the most
played on GMC, including Michelle Bonilla, 21:03, Fee, Spensha Baker and
Meredith Andrews.
After the marathon is over, GMC will tally the votes and compile the final
nominations for the 2008 Gospel Music Channel Video Awards. The GMCVAs will
honor the top videos in the seven genre categories, as well as the overall Top
Video of the Year. GMCVA winners will be determined by viewers and fans through
online voting after the nominations have been announced at
www.gospelmusicchannel.com.
Josh
Gracin Makes Video Catalog Available On itunes
Josh Gracin is making all of his music videos available to his fans for download
at iTunes starting Tuesday, September 2nd. The videos for the #1 “Nothin’ To
Lose,” plus the romantic “Stay With Me (Brass Bed)” and inspirational “I Want To
Live” – all from Josh Gracin’s RIAA Gold certified self-titled debut CD – will
be available at iTunes. In addition, “Favorite State Of Mind” and the recent top
10 hit “We Weren’t Crazy,” which features the entire Gracin family from wife Ann
Marie to children Brianna, Landon and Gabby, will also be available for download
at iTunes beginning Tuesday, September 2nd.
Josh Gracin’s newest radio single, “Unbelievable,” is from his recently released
sophomore CD, We Weren’t Crazy. His self-titled debut album is certified gold by
the RIAA and has sold over 700,000 copies. He’s one of only three new male
country singers to be introduced in the last four years to earn a gold album.
Josh is also the only male solo country artist in recent years to release a
debut album with three consecutive Top 5 country hits, including his first #1,
“Nothin’ To Lose.”
To learn more about Josh Gracin, log on to
www.myspace.com/joshgracin or
www.joshgracin.com.
Bev
McCann Releases Brand New DVD – Bev McCann Live
Southern Gospel/Christian country singer/songwriter Bev McCann is pleased to
announce the release of her brand new live DVD. The new DVD is entitled Bev
McCann Live and features Bev performing seven of her beloved songs in an
intimate setting.
Bev McCann Live was taped in Nashville, Tennessee by David and Diana Thompson of
Wells Media. The audio was mixed by Steve Allen (Vestal Goodman, Legacy Five,
Gaither Vocal Band) at Square One Studio in Franklin, Tennessee.
The new DVD features all original music written and arranged by Bev McCann. The
tracks for the DVD were recorded and produced by Bobby McCallister for Salem
Sound in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Bev McCann said, “I put a couple of new songs along with a couple from each of
my previous albums on this live DVD. I have wanted to do this for such a long
time, and the doors were opened last November when I started my new album. My
desire is that everyone that hears and sees my music will be blessed and feel
the presence of God that I felt as each one of these songs came to me. I am so
very blessed to be a small part of such a big picture.”
Bev McCann Live is available to purchase on Bev’s website. The cost is $15.00
per DVD.
Bev will be attending the National Quartet Convention all week in Louisville,
Kentucky next month. She will be appearing on the Regional Artist Showcase
(Saturday), Free Spirit Agency Showcase (Saturday), and Southern Spin
Entertainment Showcase (Thursday).
Bev will be at booth #1099. She encourages everyone to stop by her booth and
visit with her during NQC.
To visit the newly designed Bev McCann website, visit http://www.bevmccann.
Trailer
Choir Named Best New Group Online
How do you build a buzz in the internet age? Lots of people in the music world
have theories, of course. And some just go out and do it. For Show Dog Nashville
trio Trailer Choir, the buzz is becoming a roar.
Most recently, the energetic threesome of Butter, Crystal and Big Vinny were
named Best New Group of 2008 on About.com's Country section. The fan-voted
honor, on a site that draws 30 million users, is another sign of Trailer Choir's
growing popularity.
Moving from the computer screen to the television screen, the group's song "Last
Man Standing" will be featured by ESPN & ABC in their NASCAR promotions
beginning in September. The song title, Trailer Choir's name, and Show Dog will
be credited on screen during the promos, which center on the NASCAR's premier
event, The Chase.
When it comes to building a new era audience, however, sometimes its best to
stay with old school strategies. And Trailer Choir have proven adept at earning
fans in the traditional manner, playing to packed houses on Toby Keith's Biggest
& Baddest Tour.
And the results are paying off as their debut single "Off The Hillbilly Hook"
has seen 10 straight weeks of sales increases. A four-song EP is available
digitally at all the major music sites, including the iTunes Music Store.
Rob
Patz to Host Southern Spin Entertainment Showcase During National Quartet
Convention
Amy Marie Unthank and Chris D. Unthank, administrators of SSE Group, Inc., are
proud too announce the addition of Rob Patz to the Southern Spin Entertainment
Showcase during the week of the National Quartet Convention. Rob will be serving
as emcee for the event.
“Rob did such a fantastic job last year, so we knew we had to ask him back this
year,” mentioned Chris Unthank of SSE. “He’s got an excellent reputation in this
industry, and we are so honored that he agreed to emcee the showcase again this
year.”
Rob Patz is the host of the popular syndicated Southern Gospel radio show “The
Southern Styles Show”. In addition, Rob runs SGMRadio.com, one of the industry’s
most popular internet radio stations. Rob was awarded the Paul Heil Award in
2005 at the SGN Scoops Diamond Awards – an award that acknowledges excellence in
radio in the Southern Gospel market.
More information on Rob can be found at
http://www.southernstylesshow.com or
http://www.sgmradio.com.
The Southern Spin Entertainment Showcase is also proud to have Direct Out Audio
providing sound for the event.
Direct Out Audio was birthed out of the desire to provide an affordable quality
equipment resource for vocal artists, schools, churches, and anyone else who
uses proaudio and video equipment. Direct Out Audio is run by David and Loretta
Lewallen.
Amy Marie Unthank of SSE said, “We have known the Lewallens for a long time and
personally know the care they take in making sure each artist gets what they
need in a sound system. They do fantastic work, and we are so excited they
agreed to provide sound for our showcase!”
Direct Out Audio can be found online at
http://www.doaudio.com.
The SSE showcase will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2008 from 1:00 p.m.
until 3:30 p.m. in the Canterbury Room at the Executive Inn (East), which sits
at the entrance of the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Southern Spin Entertainment Showcase will feature performances from 2nd
Generation, Amazed, Bev McCann, the Cerces, Eighth Day, the English Family,
Faithful Crossings, the Gardners, the Glovers, Heartland Harmony, Misty Freeman,
the Pathfinders, Rod Burton, Sharron Kay King, Sunday Edition, Vertical Praise,
and Wendy Word + forgiven. (Artists are listed in alphabetical order.)
Artist listing and performances are subject to change.
For more information on the showcase, please email
chris@southernspin.com or
amy@southernspin.com.
DigitalRodeo.com
Offers Chuck Wicks Fans "All They Ever Wanted"
DigitalRodeo.com and RCA Records Nashville recording artist Chuck Wicks have
teamed up to offer fans the "All You Ever Wanted In A Chuck Wicks Backstage
Experience" contest, available only at DigitalRodeo.com. "All I Ever Wanted" is
the follow-up single to Wicks' Top 5 hit "Stealing Cinderella" from his debut
album, Starting Now.
The contest winner will receive airfare for two and a pair of tickets with
backstage meet-and-greet access to a Chuck Wicks concert. The prize also
includes dinner for two backstage and overnight accommodations at a local hotel
near the venue.
Fans can register to win exclusively on DigitalRodeo.com by creating a user
account and adding Chuck Wicks as their neighbor. Existing members simply have
to add Wicks as their neighbor and they will automatically be entered into the
contest. Registrations must be submitted by September 20th, 2008 in order to
qualify.
"We're excited to offer one lucky fan the chance of a lifetime to step inside
Chuck's world for a day," says DigitalRodeo.com Director of Marketing and
Promotions John Pyne. "Bringing artists and fans together is what Digital Rodeo
is all about."
"This sweepstakes is creating an exciting and unique opportunity for both Chuck
Wicks and the fan community of Digital Rodeo," explains Heather McBee, Vice
President, Digital Business, Sony BMG Nashville.
For more information on the contest or to listen to the new single visit:
www.digitalrodeo.com/chuckwicks
Billy
Craig Spokesman For IMusicCd.com
Detroits own rising country music star Billy Craig has accepted the position as
spokesperson for imusiccd.com, an elementary school CD Recording Project
produced by All Things Media, a company based out of Michigan. It started in the
Midwest and is fast growing a reputation around the country.
With a state of the art mobile recording studio brought right into the school,
the kids are recorded singing their favorite songs by classroom. The recording
is then edited, mixed and mastered and a personalized CD of the school is
produced and sold to the parents as a fundraiser. . . All Things Media actually
rolls into the school with the same recording technology used in your top
studios in New York, Nashville and LA and before each session a presentation is
done about the recording industry including the copyright issue.
Billy loves the project and thinks it’s a great way to bring the excitement and
experience of the recording industry into the schools and expose the kids to
something that they might not otherwise experience and at the same time bring
money into the school. “It has been very popular because it’s such a different
and unique kind of fundraiser” says Billy “and it has been successful in every
school."ťHe’ll be contacting broadcast companies around the USA as a way to
reach out to their communities. Billy also said, “This is a public relations
goldmine for any corporation as a way for them to reach out to the American
public in a way that really touches them”
“Billy is an exciting new music artist coming out of the Detroit area and we’re
so happy to have him part of our team” says Brad Johnson national promotions
manager.
You can check out All Things Media at
www.imusiccd.com
Brian
Wilson Appears At Magic For Gibson Guitar Booth
Legendary singer/songwriter Brian Wilson made a special appearance at the Gibson
Guitar Gear booth at this year's Magic Marketplace show in Las Vegas on Tuesday,
August 26, 2008. The iconic musician spent time signing autographs and posing
with some of the new apparel being offered by the musical instrument
manufacturer. Gibson artist and Capital Records recording artist, Wilson has
already received rave reviews for his upcoming new release, "That Lucky Old
Sun," in stores September 2, 2008. For more information on the release and for
the opportunity to pre-order go to
www.brianwilson.com.
For more information on the exciting line of Gibson Gear and Apparel go to
www.gibson.com.
Integrity
Music Announces Release of New Brian Doerksen Collection
Integrity Music announces the October 14th release of It’s Time, a collection of
favorites and two new songs from award-winning songwriter and worship artist
Brian Doerksen.
The 15-track album features newly-recorded, guitar-driven versions of Doerksen’s
popular songs such as “Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing)” and “Come, Now is the
Time to Worship” delivered with a “classic rock” twist from producers Philip
Janz and Brian Thiessen. The new arrangements of his better-known songs will
once again capture the hearts of worshippers while breathing new life into these
modern hymns.
In addition, the album offers two new Doerksen-penned songs - - “Broken and
Beautiful” and “It’s Time for the Reign of God,” from which the title was taken.
A native and resident of British Columbia, Doerksen recently won a Juno Award
(similar to the Grammy Awards) for his last album Holy God in the category of
“Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album” while competing against fellow nominees
such as Relient K and Thousand Foot Krutch. He also is the winner of multiple
SHAI Awards (Canada’s “People’s Choice” awards) and the winner of numerous
Covenant Awards from the Canadian Gospel Music Association.
Long known for his passionate songwriting, musical diversity and heartfelt
worship, Doerksen is also a recipient of the Gospel Music Association’s
“International Award,” which recognizes an artist’s impact on the global Church.
His albums have been recognized by leading worship/ministry and lifestyle media
outlets such as Worship Leader, Worshipmusic.com and ChristianityToday.com.
In addition to the It’s Time album, Integrity will release a Worship Tools
resource kit for the project later in December. The It’s Time Worship Tools kit
provides an instructional DVD featuring guitar tutorials and chord tab graphics
along with a digital songbook that includes lead sheets, lyrics and guitar chord
charts. The Worship Tools resource is the perfect “tool” for making Doerksen’s
songs accessible to musicians of varying skill levels.
For more information on Doerksen, visit www.briandoerksen.com
Date
Change For The Premiere Of Trace Adkins/.38 Special CMT Crossroads
Southern rock and country collide for an unmistakably loud new episode of the
hit series CMT CROSSROADS when 38 Special take the stage with country star Trace
Adkins. CMT CROSSROADS: 38 SPECIAL AND TRACE ADKINS premieres Saturday,
September 27 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT.
Neighborhood friends Donnie Van Zant, the brother of late Lynyrd Skynyrd
frontman Ronnie Van Zant, and Don Barnes co-founded 38 Special in their hometown
of Jacksonville, Fla., over three decades ago. In its early days, the band built
its reputation with its brand of Southern boogie and blues-rock, before
transforming into a more arena-rock-friendly style. In its second decade, the
band scored big with a slew of hits, including such rockers as “Caught Up in
You,” “Hold on Loosely,” “If I’d Been the One,” and “Rockin’ into the Night.”
Since 1975, the band has sold in excess of 15 million albums and they've toured
relentlessly, performing as many as 100 shows per year. 38 Special includes
guitarist and co-lead singer Don Barnes, rhythm guitarist and co-lead singer
Donnie Van Zant, guitarist Danny Chauncey, bassist Larry Junstrom, keyboardist
Bobby Capps, and drummer Gary Moffatt.
Trace Adkins has enjoyed a remarkable 12-year career full of super hits,
national TV appearances and highly successful tours. More than 24 of his singles
have appeared on Billboard’s country charts since releasing his platinum debut
album in 1996, including “Every Light In The House Is On,” “(This Ain’t) No
Thinkin’ Thing,” “I Left Something Turned On At Home,” “Chrome,” “Hot Mama,”
“I’m Tryin,’” “Rough & Ready,” “Arlington,” “Songs About Me,” and his latest
multi-week #1, "You're Gonna Miss This." Earlier this year, Adkins was one of
fourteen celebrity contestants competing for charity on Donald Trump’s hit
reality series, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” ultimately becoming one of the
show’s two finalists. He will soon appear on the big screen in the David Zucker
(“Airplane!,” “The Naked Gun”) comedy, “An American Carol,” set for release in
theatres nationwide October 3. Adkins continues his 2008 American Man Tour
throughout the U.S. this summer and in September, travels to the Persian Gulf
for his second SO tour. Adkins has just released "Muddy Water," the first single
from his forthcoming new album scheduled for release November 25.