Country
Legend Eddy Arnold Dies At 89
Eddy Arnold, who known as the “Tennessee Plowboy,” moved Country music forward
with elegance, sophistication to millions of fans to Country music. Eddy Arnold,
who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, passed away at 4:40 a.m.
yesterday (5/8) at NHC Place in Cool Springs at the age of 89.
Arnold’s hits include “Make The World Go Away,” “I Want To Go With You,” “Turn
The World Around,” “I Really Don’t Want To Know” and “You Don’t Know Me.” These
songs an others helped to move Country music forward into the mass market.
Arnold sold more than 85 million records, with 37 singles charting on the pop
charts and many more impacting the Country charts. He ranks as Billboard
magazine’s single most popular Country artist of all time. He was a star of
stage and screen, and the Nashville music scene for decades. However, his music
was not often embraced by traditionalists; Arnold was one of the leaders of
Nashville music. His songs always told a story.
Arnold began in the business poor and somewhat backward, however he ended up a
multi-millionaire who loved to spend time with friends 8th Avenue South in
Nashville. He became a real estate magnate who loved green spaces and fresh air.
He was proud to be that Country boy who struggled to make southern music touch
the urban centers of America.
He was born Richard Edward Arnold on May 15, 1918, on a farm in Chester County,
Tennessee, about 20 miles south of Jackson. His father died when he was 11.
Arnold’s teenage time was hard times. Living through the Great Depression, he
never forgot those hard days. After he became wealthy, he was still always known
as a frugal man.
Arnold started his singing career in Jackson on the radio while still a
teenager. He was known as “Smiling Eddy Arnold.” He left the farm, drove a
hearse, slept at a funeral home until January 1938, when he and another
performer, Speedy McNatt headed to St. Louis and began doing radio and clubs
gigs.
In 1940, Arnold got an audition at WSM and he became a member of Pee Wee King’s
Golden West Cowboys. A job that allowed him to tour, impress audiences with his
smooth voice of sincerity. Working with King helped him grow in popularity
around the Grand Ole Opry. In 1942 he decided to pursue a solo career.
Arnold married the former Sally Gayhart on Nov. 28, 1941 and then in Nashville
around 1943, he formed a band, The Tennessee Plowboys, and got a manager ,
Colonel Tom Parker, who managed Elvis Presley’s career later.
In 1944, he signed with RCA. Then in December of 1944, Arnold entered WSM’s
Studio B and recorded a four-song session that included “Cattle Call,” a song
that would become one of Mr. Arnold’s signatures. That was the first major label
recording session in Nashville.
During the late 1940s, he dominated Country music charts and then in the 1950s,
he began to reach-out beyond Country. He began appearing on television shows
including Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and The Perry Como Show, and found that
thousands of people who didn’t otherwise care for “western music” would sit and
smile at his performances. He split with his manager Col. Parker over
personality conflicts.
Music historian and WSM-AM air personality Eddie Stubbs said, “He brought
country uptown.” 1965, the lush “What’s He Doing In My World” was a smash hit,
and he followed that with the classic “Make The World Go Away.” Arnold told a
UPI reporter, “I wanted to broaden my appeal, I never wanted to desert the
Country field, and I will not. I wanted my style and my image to be enjoyed and
accepted by a broader segment of the people.” His 1960s’ successes, which
continued unabated until the decade’s end, kept most of his Country-loving fans
while bring along the suburban crowd. In 1966, he played Carnegie Hall and was
elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The following year, he was named
the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year. He was touring with orchestral accompaniment,
and he was a regular on national programs such as The Tonight Show.
Throughout the 80s and ’90s, Arnold would remain a popular concert draw and a
regular guest on television shows. He continued to record as well. His 100th
album, After All This Time, was released in 2005 on RCA.
He was preceded in death by his wife Sally Gayhart Arnold, who died March 11,
2008. He is survived by their children, Richard Edward Jr., of Nashville, and Jo
Ann Pollard, of Brentwood, Tenn. He is also survived by two grandchildren and
four great-grandchildren.
ACM
Names More Big Names For May 18th Show
The Academy of Country Music has announced that Toby Keith, Kellie Pickler and
LeAnn Rimes will perform during the 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards
and that Kenny Chesney and George Strait will perform a special live duet for
the first time ever.
The ceremony honoring country music’s top talent and the industry’s hottest
emerging talent will be broadcast from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas next Sunday
(5/18) on CBS.
The Academy also announced that Criss Angel, Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Kaley
Cuoco, Sara Evans, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Brad Mates of
Emerson Drive, Dr. Phil & Robin McGraw, Randy Owen, John Rich, Carrie Underwood,
Clay Walker and Trisha Yearwood will make special appearances.
As a special performance, superstars Kenny Chesney and George Strait will
perform their duet Shiftwork from Chesney’s album Poets & Pirates. This will be
the first time the pair have performed this song live.
Bill
Anderson Signs With The Agency Group
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry star, Whisperin Bill Anderson,
has signed a booking pact with The Agency Group for exclusive representation in
Canada. Anderson's personal Canadian agent, Nick Meinema, is based in Toronto.
The Agency Group is one of the world's largest booking agencies and represents a
roster of over 1,000 artists. The company has been honored as "International
Booking Agency of the Year" for nine times, including 2007, at the annual
Pollstar Concert Industry Awards.
Anderson's longtime booking agent, Carrie Moore-Reed, continues to represent him
in the United States and overseas. Moore-Reed, who heads-up Third Coast Talent
in Music City, represents an extensive roster of legendary classic country
entertainers and was named "Talent Director of the Year" in 2000 by the
Nashville Association of Talent Directors.
The
Beginnings Concert Unites Pioneers Of Christian Music
Grace River LLC is gearing up for the upcoming release of The Beginnings
Concert, an all- new live concert DVD/CD collection featuring fresh performances
by some of the founding pioneers of contemporary Christian music, including
Dallas Holm, Leon Patillo, Barry McGuire, Don Francisco, Chuck Girard, Steve
Archer, Janny Grein, Dony McGuire, Reba Rambo McGuire and David Meece. Captured
over two evenings, The Beginnings Concert event at Community Bible Church in San
Antonio, Texas, marks the first time that all of these artists have ever
appeared together on one stage.
For this live recording, these contemporary Christian music trailblazers have
given the original recorded arrangements of their songs a fresh sound through
the use of a well-chosen live backup band and state-of- the-art technology,
resulting in an up-to-the-minute feel while retaining the integrity of the
initial recordings. The Beginnings Concert DVD/CD collection puts music fans on
the front row of the audience, allowing them to experience these classic,
powerful songs made fresh for a whole new generation.
"This is the concert I've always wanted to be a part of, and it was even better
than I anticipated," says Dallas Holm of the experience.
The four-disc The Beginnings Concert DVD/CD collection features three hours of
music (with 27 unique live performances), testimonies and bonus features. The
first DVD disc showcases individual original performances by each of the
artists, along with artist testimonies between songs. The second DVD disc
gathers all of the artists around a piano, joining together to bring to life
some of the best-known classics from each artist in the group. The two-disc CD
collection captures all of the live performances showcased on the DVDs so that
fans can enjoy the broadcast quality music no matter where they are.
"The period of time from the late 60's, 70's and early 80's was a very simple
but revolutionary time," says The Beginnings Concert executive producer Tim
Archer (of the renowned Christian group The Archers). "There is a tremendous
amount of innovative music from that era that has stood the test of time. It
defined contemporary Christian music as we know it."
The variety of the music makes The Beginnings Concert a truly unique event.
Featured in the collection are powerful performances of Christian classics such
as "Rise Again" (Dallas Holm), "He's Alive" (Don Francisco), "The Name Above All
Names" (Chuck Girard), "We Are the Reason" (David Meece), "Jesus Is the Answer"
(Steve Archer), "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" (Barry McGuire), "Covenant Woman" (Janny
Grein), "The Land of Oohs and Aahs" (Reba Rambo McGuire), "A Perfect Heart" (Dony
McGuire) and "J.E.S.U.S." (Leon Patillo).
Launched online in November 2007 without marketing or promotion, The Beginnings
Concert DVD/CD collection has seen a totally grassroots surge in sales as
consumers have found the site in ever greater numbers. With numerous orders from
across the United States and abroad already received, The Beginnings Concert
DVD/CD collection is already being enthusiastically embraced by music fans both
young and old. The project is set for widespread distribution in late summer
2008.
For more information on The Beginnings Concert DVD/CD collection, visit
www.thebeginningsconcert.com.
AirPlay
Direct's 'All Things Digital Country / Alt. Country' Artist Contest 2008
Throughout the month of May, AirPlay Direct will be running our FREE to enter
"All Things Digital Country / Alt. Country" artist contest. The Grand Prize
package will include:
A 12 week Country radio digital promotion package from 1617 Virtual (a $4,500
value)
A 12 week national publicity / marketing package from CDA Promotions-Nashville
(a $6,000 value)
A 12 week national Country radio promotion package from Airplay Specialists (a
$4,000 value)
Placement to digital downloads via download page at VirtualMusicMarket.com for
one year (value priceless)
A six month song-plugging web presence in the HitMenSongpluggers.com Digital
Song Library (a $3,000 value)
A half hour on-air feature artist interview with Big Kev from the Big Country
Revue on WXLV Roots 90.3 FM
A 2 page feature artist interview with Big Kev in the Artist Development Co-op's
Media Guide magazine
A "Featured Artist" advertising / promotion package from AirPlay Direct (a
$1,500 value)
The Grand Prize Package is valued at over $19,000...!
This contest is FREE TO ENTER and very simple. The only three requirements to
enter are that you must be an AirPlay Direct artist / label member (free to
join), your music must fall into the Country / Alt. Country genre and you must
submit your AirPlay Direct DPK to
office@airplaydirect.com prior to the official entry deadline of May
25th. Whether you are an indie artist or a well established record label with a
roster, pick your best songs, you can submit from 1 to 3 tracks per artist.
Please make sure to note that you are submitting for the Country / Alt. Country
artist contest. Deadline for submissions is May 25th. The winner will be
announced and "Featured" in the June Radio Programmers Newsletter, as well as in
a company press release to all media outlets.
Nate
Huss Cooks Up Special Mother's Day Weekend Debut On GMC's "Kitchen Sink"
NATE HUSS makes a debut performance this weekend on the Gospel Music Channel’s
“The Kitchen Sink” –the network’s popular new magazine/performance format that
will air this weekend on Saturday, May 10th at 8:00 P.M. Eastern/Pacific.
With a special Kitchen Sink salute to the mother’s day weekend, Nate talks
openly with host, Elle Duncan, about his unique family of eight adopted brothers
and sisters from around the globe who comprised his growing up experience in the
Christian home of the Huss family of Phoenix, Arizona. Given away at birth,
Nate, now 23, was adopted at three weeks of age—beginning a remarkable journey
towards music and ministry born out of his unique experiences.
His performances on “Kitchen Sink” will include three songs from his '07 debut
album for Slanted Records, Here With Me.
Unique web content will be featured on GMC’s homesite, as well as a free
download of Your Own –a bonus track on the Here With Me CD that holds a special
meaning for Nate.
“My brother, Dan, and I wrote this song for our birth moms—thanking them for
their strength and love in being willing to give us up. They trusted we would
have better lives,” Nate noted. “The song is really a ‘thank you’ to all mothers
and fathers who have faced the adoption challenges—those who gave children
up—and those who were willing to take us in and let us proudly say, ‘I am
adopted!’"
“The Kitchen Sink” will debut Nate’s guest appearance this Saturday, May 10th
–with encore performances scheduled on the network for Sunday May 11th at 12:-00
P.M. 6:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. Eastern, Monday, May 12th at 10:00 A.M. Eastern
and Tuesday at 2:00 P.M. Eastern.
Nate is also soon to be featured on internationally based GOD-TV, and is
scheduled for a tour schedule of major summer appearances, including a June 21st
performance at Atlanta Fest, and a June 22nd performance in Nashville at the
Nashville Sounds baseball stadium for Faith Night.
Resource Nate Huss online at:
http://www.natehuss.com/
Will
Hedgecock Has Released His Debut CD Reflections This Week
Will Hedgecock, Adult Contemporary radio’s latest sensation has released his
debut CD, Reflections, on May 6, on the heels of his explosive climb up the
Friday Morning Quarterback radio charts with his debut single, “I Don’t Know,”
where it achieved #8. The song is gaining early support on R&R/BDS Billboard
Mediabase radio reporters across the country where at press time it is printing
at #39.
In addition, no less than five tracks from Hedgecock’s Reflections are presently
garnering nationwide exposure in the “Adult Standards” format, with recent
airplay on numerous syndicated radio shows including, “Shake Rattle Showtime
with Jim Parsons”; “Story Behind the Song; the “Bill Miller Show”; “Gregg
Hunter’s Nightside”; “The Gene Martin Show”; “The Joey Reynolds Show”; “Big Band
Jump,” and others – whose combined audiences number in the tens of millions, and
reach listeners all across North America and Canada.
As radio broadens its support for his music, Hedgecock unleashes a dynamic
collection of original songs and classic chestnuts on Kipling/Aspirion Records
which demonstrate a depth and range of talent normally associated with more
seasoned and established artists. Produced by the Grammy award-winning Larry
Butler, Reflections flows smoothly from lushly textured orchestrated ballads -
to edgy and exciting uptempos.
Hedgecock was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. Both of his parents were
music fans, and very early on he developed a love for the music that played in
their home, including the sounds of Elton John, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, and
songs from the musical theater. When Hedgecock was 9 years old, he joined the
Pensacola Children’s Chorus and for 10 years, he sang and toured with the group
throughout the U.S., England, Canada, France, and Mexico, performing at many
prestigious venues, including the White House. Hedgecock was first discovered by
Butler, a fellow Pensacolan, at a hometown performance of the children’s chorus.
Reflections opens with Hedgecock’s soaring vocals on the heart-wrenching
original ballad, “I Don’t Know,” and segues perfectly into the Bobby Darin
million-seller “Dream Lover” where classic elements from the late ‘50s sound are
updated for this version. True to the original, “Just The Way You Are,” features
Fender Rhodes piano, syncopated drums, and jazzy chord changes which provide the
backdrop for Hedgecock’s smooth conversational vocals on this evergreen love
song from Billy Joel. Typifying his strengths in interpreting the classics,
Hedgecock’s take on the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”
takes his vocals from subtle, sultry depths, to pleading and dizzying heights.
Hedgecock breezes through “L-O-V-E,” with hearty aplomb - dressing up the Nat
King Cole classic for a new generation of listeners. “If I Can Dream” showcases
Hedgecock’s rich vocals wrapped in strings and punctuated by background choruses
in this timely song of peace and hope first made famous by Elvis Presley.
“Lovers,” an original song, finds Hedgecock’s voice going from
strength-to-strength, while lush orchestration and shimmering guitars provide
the backdrop for this romantic ballad which finds him pining for a great love
that he hopes to re-kindle.
Dipping back into the 60’s pop songbook with “My Girl,” Hedgecock’s vocals and
Butler’s spot-on production transport the listener to a slow-dance at the sock
hop. Hedgecock fearlessly wades into Roy Orbison’s hurtful, romantic and longing
over-the-top vocal classic “Crying” with an operatic delivery worthy of the
original. “Sweet Music Man” (originally a Top-10 hit for Kenny Rogers produced
by Butler), finds Hedgecock placing his own imprint on the song, which he
vocally “paints” with a palette of wistful and poignant colors. “Copacabana”
features Hedgecock’s throaty and dramatic vocals re-telling the ill-fated love
saga of Lola and Tony in the Barry Manilow Grammy Award-winner, originally
released at the height of the disco era in 1978.
Hedgecock channels Jackie Wilson in the R&B legend’s 1958 signature
chart-topper, “Lonely Teardrops.” “I was totally unfamiliar with this song,”
Hedgecock explains. “But when my parents played it for me, I said, ‘Yea, I think
that fits me!’” Hedgecock’s stunning interpretation speaks for itself. His take
on Elton John’s 1974 opus “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” perfectly re-casts
the original Paul Buckmaster orchestration - beautifully marrying it to his
soaring vocals.
Hedgecock closes the disc with five evergreen songs which showcase his
exceptional breadth of range: The R&B song, The Great Pretender” - originally
recorded by The Platters; “Song Sung Blue,” where Hedgecock is right at home on
this light and breezy version of Neil Diamond’s country-tinged #1 song from
1972; Hedgecock takes the 1954 jazz standard “Misty” and makes it his own.
Following in the footsteps of Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, and Johnny Mathis,
Hedgecock finds the heart of this tune and of the listener; Switching gears for
a modern hit, Hedgecock takes on Rod Stewart’s seductive “Tonight’s The Night”
mixes cool B-3 organ, with biting guitar, and hot blowing sax, while Hedgecock’s
blue-eyed vocals spar with twin guitars and harmony vocals to great effect. In
“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Hedgecock brings all of his stage experience to
bear in this Simon and Garfunkel wonder, covering the standard with the dramatic
grandiose vocal that the song not only requires – but demands. And he delivers.
YallWire.com
Launches New Online Reality Show - Jonalee White’s The Long Road To Nashville
Get to know up-and-coming country artist Jonalee White -- Yallwire.com follows
on her quest for success in the music business -- in their new online reality
series, The Long Road To Nashville. One of the most talented newcomers in recent
memory, Jonalee White has garnered attention from Nashville’s famed music row
with her dynamic live show, sultry voice and mature songwriting style. Jonalee
built her significant fan base with non-stop touring and has performed with some
of country’s biggest acts, including Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley and Clay
Walker. The first artist to star in The Long Road to Nashville, Yallwire.com
follows Jonalee across North America and attends some of country music’s most
prominent events, including Country Radio Seminar (CRS), South by Southwest (SXSW),
Key West Songwriters’ Festival, CMA Music Festival and North by Northeast (NXNE).
Over the course of 20 episodes, the series gives viewers an inside look at the
music industry and what it really takes to make it in the business. In addition
to having her travels, trials and triumphs as rising country star documented,
Jonalee also interviews some of the industry’s most notable artists and
professionals. In the weeks to follow, Jonalee gets personal with Jack Ingram,
Charlie Daniels, Phil Stacey, Cowboy Crush, Kassie DePaiva, Emerson Drive, Lee
Brice, Scotty Emerick, and Brian White, MusicRow Magazine’s David Ross and Jon
Freeman, AristoMedia’s Jeff Walker and many more. Catch new episodes every
Monday and Thursday -- only on Yallwire.com.
After kick-starting her musical career as a finalist on NBC’s Star Tomorrow and
CMT’s Music City Madness, Jonalee White’s highly anticipated debut album, Wake
Me, was released on March 25, 2008. A refreshing mixture of upbeat songs and
emotional ballads, Wake Me, shimmers with diverse, energetic vocals and
establishes Jonalee – who wrote 8 of the 13 songs on her debut -- as a
songwriter to be reckoned with! Two tracks from the album, I Break and Sunday
Paper, have already been embraced by country radio and charted in the Top 40 on
the MusicRow CountryBreakOut™ Chart. Jonalee’s new single, the albums’ title
track Wake Me, is currently impacting country radio.
Alt-Country
Quartet The Gougers To Play Nashville With Cuts From Acclaimed CD
the alt-country band whose 2007 album, the independently released A LONG DAY FOR
THE WEATHERVANE, continues to fill clubs and impress critics with its
dimensional original songs, its energy and an edgy sound that mixes country,
rock, folk and roots -- come to Nashville later this month as they stay on track
and on tour.
The band plays at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at 12th & Porter, 114 12th Ave.
North. Cover is $8; information: 615.256.7236.
A LONG DAY FOR THE WEATHERVANE, which spent more than a month in the Top 10 on
the Americana radio airplay chart and the months since in the Top 60
accumulating 5,400 spins and counting, features words and music by collaborating
vocalist-instrumentalists Shane Walker and Jamie Wilson, whose songs are
described as conscientious and eloquent. They're backed by bass player Cody
Foote and drummer-percussionist John Ross Silva. Each wears a bird-and-broken
heart tattoo.
During the summer, fans can download the entire A LONG DAY FOR THE WEATHERVANE
album -- including "Everybody Knows," "Manheim Station" and other listener and
Americana Radio favorites -- for free at
www.freegougers.com,
a limited-time offer by the band that starts June 1. Available now is a video of
"Everybody Knows" at
http://www.thegougers.com/video/everybodyknows.mov.
Music writers agree that the album -- and the band -- is special. "... Walker
and Wilson know what they're doing when it comes to playing the instruments of
language and voice. They love words. They like the play of imagery and poetry
and philosophical subtext. ..." said No Depression. "This is the great allure of
WEATHERVANE, an album defined by themes of restlessness and transition. The
characters in The Gougers' songs often find themselves standing at a threshold,
wondering if they're up to the challenge of stepping away from the things that
haunt them -- denial, drink, delusion, even their own fear of a dead-end life."
With work begun on new tunes for a new album, the hard-touring band has dates
through early fall throughout Texas; jaunts planned for North Carolina and New
Mexico; and lots more.
For more information visit
www.thegougers.com or
www.myspace.com/thegougers
Chris
Cagle Makes A Young Girl's Dream Come True As Prom Date
Capitol Recording artist Chris Cagle made one young lady's dream come true and
an entire community embrace her story. Chris accompanied Miss Danielle "Bella"
Romeo to the prom held this past weekend at the Victoria Community Center,
Victoria Texas.
"Bella is an extraordinary young lady," Chris introduced. Since the age of
thirteen, Miss Romeo has suffered from a rare seizure disorder. "This is not
just one rare illness, the doctors say Bella ‘endures a rainbow of seizures' and
the cause is unknown--unidentified," Chris added.
A patient at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Bella's life-threatening
condition is being reviewed a team of fifty neurologists. Her treatments have
caused her to gain weight; she cannot drive, nor attend public school.
Bella and her mother were introduced to Chris at a benefit concert (October
2007) by the event chairpersons, Jim Babcock and Anna-Leigh London. (Chris
trains and boards his horses at the Babcock Ranch in Texas.) "Bella was so
weakened by the lights, she could not make it through the entire show," Chris
said. "My heart went out to her." On May 3, Chris Cagle brought joy and "life"
back into Bella's heart.
Chris accompanied the 17 year-old, tenth grader to the Junior/Senior prom. (The
high school made a special exception for her to attend.) Bella wore a pink
strapless custom-made, one-of-a-kind, ball gown and Chris wore a suit jacket
designed by Manuel.
"Chris, a gentlemen we hardly know, took my child by the arm, and I could see it
in his eyes, his honor in the moment," Bella's mom, Nipal Corder, said. "This is
a ‘forever' moment for my daughter and a blessing not only to her, but our
entire community. The community's response to this man's kindness has been
overwhelming. I believe Chris Cagle was a gift in our lives, I believe he
blessed this child and our community who has embraced this story. He's given
strength and unity to me and Bella and our entire community."
The evening ended with a limo drive home. Chris' single "Wal-Mart Parking Lot"
is now on the ballot to be considered as the graduating senior theme song.
"Danielle was the ‘Belle' of the ball, and I thank her for an unforgettable
evening and the honor," Chris said.
Colombian
Artist Still Alive Make Their Debut on Telemundo Network
The group called Still Alive debuts in the USA on Latin TV. Colombian hip-hop,
reggaeton group Still Alive will make their first USA appearance on world Latin
TV network Telemundo. Group members, Sunday, brother makliky, cousins Rj, and
Big -Day, the four will hit the show with a live interv! iew and live
performance of the debut single entitled "Lady".
"We are overwhelmed with joy the USA brings us," states Sunday, who wrote the
smash hit at age 16, "but we are focused to show the world that we are ready,
and have been for quite sometime. We hail from Cali, Colombia and our style is
not the same as the rest of the reggaeton sound, we mix our music with hip-hop,
and deep base groves, we want people to dance and feel our lyrics."
The group enters with huge reviews and gaining spins on USA charts. Signed to
Patron Records of Phoenix, Arizona, Destiny was at hand. After 10 years of hard
work, many obstacles, and sacrifice Still Alive has perfected their craft and
have created "Un Nuevo Estilo" (A New Style.)
Their name "Still Alive" was written in English over ten years ago in order to
have a broader world appeal and was taken from their future dream to one day be
on a world stage.
In 2006 Still Alive met up with Abel Romero, CEO of Patron Records and a
long-time DJ veteran/music producer, with only a few resources and a lot of hard
work, Still Alive is now closer to that world stage. Still Alive is also heating
up MySpace with close to 1million hits. The debut video will also be aired on
various Latin video programs this summer.
You can view more information about Still Alive and upcoming concert dates at
www.PATRONRECORDS.COM
and
http://www.myspace.com/patronrecordsinc
Kellie
Pickler To Debut New Single "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" On AMC Awards
Following the success of her debut album, Small Town Girl, which yielded 3 hit
singles including, “Red High Heels,” and “I Wonder,” Kellie Pickler will debut
her new single, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” on the ACM Awards, which will
air live on CBS on Sunday, May 18.
The ACM Top New Female nominee and 3-time CMT Award winner is thrilled to be
introducing new music from her forthcoming album. “I’m so excited to be
performing on the show and doubly so, to be debuting the new single. It’s such a
great song, with a positive message and it’s different than any other song I’ve
recorded before,” said Kellie.
Written by Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey and Karen Rochelle, “Don’t You Know You’re
Beautiful” is the first single from her sophomore album, which will be released
later this year. The single will be available to country radio in June.
Keith
Marcum Artist Update
Successful businessman, Keith Marcum formed Marcum Records in the summer of 2007
and soon after releasedhis album Same Train. His current single "Where Angels
Fly" has been climbing the Christian Country charts. Jumping 30 spots from the
April issue it reached No. 40 on the Power Source Christian Country Top 100 for
the month of May.
Marcum released the video for "Where Angels Fly" to TV and Online Stations
across the country. The video is currently featured on some of the web's most
prominent sites including You Tube, Google, AOL, Y'all Wire, Myspace, Country
Music Planet and Gold Buckle Network. To watch the video, please visit
www.myspace.com/keithmarcum.
Upcoming concerts include a benefit show with Paradigm Nashville recording
artist Brett Hill, as well as a tour through the state of Virginia. If you would
like more information on Keith Marcum, please visit
www.keithmarcummusic.com.
Universal
Records South To Release Jennifer Hanson's New CD, "Thankful"
Universal Records South will
release Jennifer Hanson's new full length studio
CD as a digital exclusive, available for
download beginning June 3rd. Titled Thankful,
the CD features all new music written by the
artist, and co-produced by Hanson and Nick
Brophy. The CD will include singles "Joyride"
and "'73," as well as the title track, performed
with Vince Gill.
According to Hanson, the CD's title was a
natural choice, because making this CD was not
only a labor of love, it was also a leap of
faith. "When I began the process of writing and
recording this record, I didn't have a label
home for it," Hanson said. "But I knew I had to
make the record, and just go on faith that I
would somehow be able to get it out there to the
music fans. And that's just what happened when I
played what I had done for Mark Wright and
Fletcher Foster. They heard what I was trying to
do with this album, and jumped on board. And for
that, I am thankful."
The plan to initially release the CD as a
digital only exclusive is one label GM and
Senior VP Fletcher Foster believes to be
important to the overall development of Hanson
as an artist. "Jennifer has been able to develop
a strong following through her artistry as a
writer and a performer. She has a solid Internet
presence, and we as a label feel the best way to
market her new music is by capitalizing on this
awareness," Foster said. "Her last single
received an impressive number of downloads, and
I have no doubt that by partnering with the
various digital outlets we will be able to get
her music to her fans and continue to increase
her fan base."
In the past few years, Hanson has become one of
Nashville's top songwriters. She penned the
multi-week #1 hit "Leave the Pieces" for the
Wreckers, as well as American Idol finalist
Bucky Covington's Top 5 "A Different World." She
also co-wrote all of the music on the upcoming
Thankful album, as well as the majority of the
songs on her debut, self-titled release,
featuring her hit single, "Beautiful Goodbye."
"Our format needs artists like Jennifer," said
Universal Records South President Mark Wright.
"She's one of those truly gifted individuals who
can tap into our emotions with a song, and
deliver that song with the conviction of someone
who has lived what she writes. This album is
full of the kind of moments that make a listener
feel totally connected with the artist."
Thankful will be available exclusively on all
digital retail outlets beginning June 3rd.
The
Crook & Chase Show Scores Big Ratings
The Crook & Chase Show is scoring solid ratings with cable viewers, according to
its producer Jim Owens. The latest Nielsen Media Research confirms that since
its premiere, more than 6.5 million people have viewed the RFD-TV program. The
recent additions of Comcast and Charter to its list of cable carriers, as well
as others to be announced in the weeks ahead, will boost that number
significantly in the coming months. Comcast alone gives RFD-TV the potential to
add up to an additional 24 million households to the network's reach.
"These numbers confirm what we knew-- millions of people are hungry for this
type of wholesome family entertainment," Owens said. "Lorianne and Charlie are
like family friends. Audiences know when they tune in that they will see their
favorite music stars in a friendly interview setting, as well as hear them
perform. No other show on the air offers this format. Lorianne and Charlie are
celebrating their 25th anniversary as a broadcast team this year. That makes
them the longest running broadcast duo on the air."
"RFD-TV could not be more pleased with the success of the Crook & Chase show,"
said Patrick Gottsch, RFD-TV founder & president. "Lorianne and Charlie are a
dynamic broadcast duo. The response from our viewers is overwhelming. This is
just one more example of what I have been saying all along--there is a need for
this type of programming."
The weekly one hour show is produced by Jim Owens Entertainment and taped in
front of a studio audience in Studio A of Nashville's Opry House. Each new show
will premiere on Thursday evening during primetime (9:00 p.m. ET) and repeat
Friday at 11:00 a.m. ET and again Saturday night at 7:00 ET, giving it premium
exposure. For ticket information please call: 1-888-677-9256.
RFD-TV, LLC - Launched in December 2000, RFD-TV is the nation's first
24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week television network dedicated to serving the needs
and interests of rural America. Programming includes a wide variety of shows
focused on agriculture, equine, rural lifestyle and traditional music offerings,
which are uplinked via satellite from NorthStar Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.
Currently, RFD-TV is distributed in over 31 million homes on DIRECTV, DISH
Network, Mediacom, Charter, Suddenlink, Bresnan, NRTC and Comcast cable systems
located in all 50 states. RFD-TV The Magazine, the channel's companion
publication currently has over 140,000 subscribers. RFD-TV The Theatre opened in
March/2007 in Branson, MO.
RFD HD, LLC - Launched in December 2007, RFD HD is the network's 24-hour, high
definition channel.
Sara
Evans And Maroon 5 On CMT Crossroads May 9
Sara Evans and Maroon 5 blend their worlds of country and pop on CMT Crossroads:
Maroon 5 and Sara Evans premiering on Friday, May 9 at 9pm ET/PT on CMT. The
one-hour special was taped before an invitation only audience in Nashville and
features Evans’ hits including “I Could Not Ask For More” and her new single
“Some Things Never Change,” as well as the Maroon 5 hits “This Love,” “She Will
Be Loved,” and a few surprises. Entertainment Weekly gives the show an A- and
touts “CMT produces its hottest concert yet, pairing crooner Sara Evans and
Maroon 5’s Adam Levine.”
“I’ve been excited to do Crossroads since CMT first started the show,” shares
Evans. “When you are a fan of someone, like I am of Maroon 5 and then you hear
them singing and playing your music – it is such an honor. Adam and I had such
great chemistry and this was an absolutely amazing experience.”
Evans’ second single, “Some Things Never Change,” from her recent Greatest Hits
album is climbing the country radio charts. The inspirational and positive song
explores the various ways that love is displayed and was co-written by Evans,
her brother Matt Evans, Hillary Lindsay and John Shanks. The first single from
the project was the Top 10 hit "As If," which Evans also co-wrote. Greatest Hits
is filled with Evans’ biggest hits from her 10 year career including "No Place
That Far," "Born to Fly," "Suds in the Bucket," "A Real Fine Place to Start,"
and "I Could Not Ask for More," among others.
CMA
Music Festival Strikes Up The Band To "Keep The Music Playing" In Metro
Nashville Schools
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, BNA Records star Kellie Pickler and Country Music
Association Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese were at Thurgood Marshall
Middle School today for a special delivery. A truckload of musical instruments
and equipment were delivered to the students courtesy of "Keep the Music
Playing" and CMA Music Festival.
"We are thrilled to be making this delivery today," said Genovese. "Due to the
generosity of the artists who donate their time to perform for free at CMA Music
Festival, we are able to supply not only Thurgood Marshall, but 29 other schools
in the Metro Nashville public schools system with the musical equipment they
desperately need."
"The Keep the Music Playing program is an example of the community involvement
needed to improve our schools," said Mayor Dean. "Through this donation, CMA is
bringing music education into our classrooms and making a difference in the
lives of our students and in turn, the future of our city."
"Music is so dear to my heart," said Pickler. "I think it's great that these
kids are able to get involved in music at a young age. It's an outlet to get
away from your normal class schedules, it's a challenge, and it's a positive
thing for kids to get involved in."
CMA Music Festival contributes half the net proceeds from the annual four-day
event to music education for Metro Nashville's 75,000 public school students
through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education called
"Keep the Music Playing." To date, CMA has donated more than $1.1 million to
purchase hundreds of instruments, lighting and sound equipment, piano labs and
more on behalf of the artists who donate their time and perform for free at the
annual Festival.
Casting
Crowns Headlining "The Altar And The Door" Tour
Casting Crowns, featured guests Leeland and breakout artist John Waller, also
known as “The Altar and The Door Tour,” just tapped off a year of memorable
concert events, joining record-breaking crowds in 83 markets and tallying more
than 450,000 in attendance nationwide since September.
“Our goal from the beginning was to point people to a daily walk with Jesus
through our music and testimonies,” says Mark Hall of Casting Crowns. “I believe
God has honored our efforts and people saw and heard Him clearly!”
Standing steady as the highest-grossing tour in Christian music for the
2007-2008 season, the tour captured countless entertainment cover features in
newspapers coast to coast and most notable attendances in Nashville, with 10,000
concert-goers and 14,004 gathering to worship at Greensboro Coliseum.
Incidentally, attendance of “The Altar and The Door Tour” set a career-high for
Casting Crowns, garnering 100,000 more than its previous “Lifesong Tour,” which
brought in a whopping 350,000 total.
“What an honor it is to serve God along side Casting Crowns and John Waller,”
explains Jack Mooring of Leeland. “This tour never lost its overall focus, and
that’s to lift Jesus higher.”
“The Altar and The Door Tour” united 19,596 World Vision children with sponsors.
Casting Crowns has now exceeded 30,000 career child sponsorships for the child
relief organization.
Partnering with radio stations across the country has proven invaluable, as
well, according to Jeff Taylor, General Manager of WAY-FM in Ft. Meyers,
Florida, “The Altar and The Door Tour’ was the highlight of the year for
thousands of WAY-FM listeners in Southwest Florida! The band members and crew
were so gracious and kind - no rock stars here!! ...their ministry impacted
lives for eternity.”
Well-seasoned promoters from the East Coast to the West Coast have not only been
exceedingly encouraged by the attendances, but also revived and renewed by the
response of worship from crowds. DC Concert promoter, Carol Auxier explains,
“It’s an awesome feeling to stand stage side and look out into the crowd and see
thousands of people in praise and worship, responding to the band in concert.
Casting Crowns has a humble spirit like none I have seen, even though they have
reached peaks in the music industry that few artists have reached.”
Jon Robberson of Celebration Concerts says, “The Casting Crowns concerts
reminded me of why I love promoting Christian concerts and the purpose I’ve
dedicated my professional life to.”
GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum artist Casting Crowns with lead singer Mark Hall
recently led the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards with seven wins including Group of
the Year for the fourth consecutive year, and Song of the Year for its No. 1 hit
“East to West.” The group’s third studio recording The Altar and The Door
achieved an historical debut at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart with 130,000
first-week copies sold, making it the highest debut in the country that week.
The album sailed to RIAA Gold status in 10 weeks. Casting Crowns was the No. 1
top-selling Christian music artist of 2007 and won its first American Music
Award in November.
Lead singer Mark Hall is a full-time youth pastor, serving his 17th year in
youth ministry as a student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in
Atlanta. All seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta
area and tour part-time around their local church duties. For more information
on Casting Crowns and for updated spring concert listings, please visit
www.castingcrowns.com.
The five-member, Baytown, Texas-based band, Leeland, has had its hands full
since the release of its debut album (Sound of Melodies, 8/15/06), including
collecting a 2007 GRAMMY Award nomination in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel
Album category; non-stop touring across North America and even Japan, including
a series of major festival appearances, headlining shows and opening for Casting
Crowns on the entire Fall 2007 through Spring 2008 “The Altar and The Door”
arena tour; five total Dove Award nominations (38th and 39th Annual) in
categories as diverse as New Artist of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song
of the Year (“Sound of Melodies”), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Sound of
Melodies) and Praise and Worship Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies). Opposite
Way, the second album from Leeland, released February 26, 2008. Leeland is:
Leeland Mooring (lead vocals, guitar); Jack Mooring (keyboard, background
vocals); Jake Holtz (bass); Mike Smith (drums); and Matt Campbell (lead guitar).
For all up coming tour dates and additional information on Leeland, visit
www.leelandonline.com
or
www.myspace.com/leelandmusic.
Singer/songwriter and worship pastor, John Waller released his debut album, The
Blessing, in March 2007. Since then, Waller continues to receive rave reviews
and was named in the Top Ten lists of the best new artists of 2007 in Billboard
magazine and Christianity Today. For more information, please visit
www.johnwallermusic.com.
Gibson
Original Announces The Limited Edition Victorian F-Style Mandolin
Gibson Original, known for manufacturing the world's best mandolins, banjos and
dobros, announced the introduction of the Limited Edition Gibson Victorian
F-style Mandolin with only 15 available in the world.
The Gibson Victorian Mandolin has each of the time-proven features that mandolin
players demand while combining the best attributes of the F5 and the F4
mandolin. It is constructed of figured maple back, sides and neck, and a red
spruce top with f-holes, all held together with a hot hide glue. As a special
touch, the limited edition instruments are made with a one-piece figured maple
back, stunningly accentuated in an early teens Victorian Era Red Sunburst
finish.
The peghead face features a Gibson "double flower pot" inlay used for the first
time since the pre-truss era ended. The beautifully figured F5-length neck is
topped by an ebony fingerboard with a subtle radius that finishes over the body
with an F4-style fingerboard end. Other features include a period correct black
face top, F4-style pickguard and side clamp, and nickel-plated Waverly arrow
point tuners with ivoroid buttons.
The fingerboard body, and f-holes are also gracefully adorned with ivoroid
binding. In keeping with the patina of these original models, the Gibson
Victorian F-Style Mandolin comes with an aged varnish finish and soul stirring
tone.
The limited edition model is a result of a decade of innovation and
craftsmanship and can only be owned by 15 fortunate players. Gibson will only
produce 15 of these models. Dealer locations can be found on www.gibson.com.
Each instrument will come with complete with a hardshell case and a certificate
of authenticity.
The Limited Edition Gibson Victorian F-Style Mandolin specs include:
Body: Top Red Spruce, Back is 1 piece Figured Maple, Rim is Figured Maple,
Soundhole: Ivoroid Bound F-holes, Bracing: Tone Bars.
Species: Figured Maple
Neck: Profile is Rounded V, Neck Joint is Radiused Dovetail, Neck Joint location
is 15th Fret, Peghead inlay is Double Flower Pot, Peghead Binding is Ivoroid,
Truss Rod is Single Action and Truss Rod cover is Gibson Bell Shaped.
Fingerboard Species is Ebony, Scale length is 13 29/32" and number of frets is
24. Inlay is Pearl Dots, Binding is Ivoroid and Fingerboard extension is
Victorian F4 Style. Nut: Pearl/Fossil Ivory and Nut Width is 1 3/16"
Hardware: Bridge: 2 foot adjustable ebony, Tailpiece/Cover: Nickel, Tuning Keys:
Nickel Waverlys, Pickguard: Victorian Style Elevated Tortoisoid
Finish is Traditional Victorian F Model Black Top/Red Burst Back with an aged
oil varnish overcoat and French polish
The model comes with Gibson Medium Gauge strings and a Vintage oblong hardshell
case. Hi res images are available at
www.gibson.com/press
Crosby
Loggins Wins MTV's Rock The Cradle Crown
Singer-songwriter Crosby Loggins, son of pop rock legend Kenny Loggins, takes
first place in MTV's nationally televised reality music competition, "ROCK THE
CRADLE" . With his competition crown, Crosby wins $100,000 and is awarded a
label recording contract. Finalists with Crosby were Chloe Latanzzi, daughter of
Olivia Newton John, and Jesse Blaze Snider, son of Dee Snider. Tension was high
when Latanzzi was eliminated, based upon the fewest votes from MTV's national
television audience, leaving Crosby and Snider in mid stage. Since the
competition began in March consisting of successful music industry stars'
talented offspring, the program judges placed Crosby among the top performing
artists each week. Now the votes by the nation-wide t.v. audience gives him top
honors.
You may view the finale show by visiting
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1587143&vid=221763