Gretchen
Wilson to start her own record label
Gretchen Wilson plans to start her own record label, and she'd like to call it,
naturally, Redneck Records. Wilson, who became a country sensation with her 2004
down-home anthem Redneck Woman, said Wednesday that if things go well she'll
release a new single in September and a new album in November.
"I feel like I've learned so much in the last four or five years," she said by
phone from Deming, Wash.
Wilson's longtime label group, Sony Music Nashville, announced Tuesday that she
and the company parted ways after three albums. Sony described the split as
mutual.
Wilson, 36, says she's grateful for her time at Sony, but after the company
merged with BMG in 2004, the team of people who'd worked with her began turning
over.
Greg
London Day in City of Reno On July 30 Celebrates The Star of 'ICONMAN'
The city of Reno, Nevada is declaring Thursday, July 30 “Greg London Day” in
honor of the star of “ICONMAN,” one of the longest running shows ever in Sammy’s
Showroom at Harrah’s Reno.
Recently voted the “Best Entertainer In Nevada” in Nevada Magazine’s 2009 Best
of Nevada Readers Survey, the master musical impressionist (www.gregorylondon.com)
has been chosen for this honor for a variety of exciting reasons.
London, who continues to be an unofficial “goodwill ambassador” for Reno, is
doing something special for some of the state’s true icons, saluting members of
the Carson City Air National Guard with a special two-for-one ticket deal every
Thursday night this month.
During London’s recent appearance at the Reno Rodeo, a crowd of 6,000 chanted
“ICONMAN, ICONMAN!” The singer also sang the national anthem at a Reno Aces
baseball game earlier this season. On August 5, 7, 8 and 9, he will help
celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe by
bringing “ICONMAN”—recently voted “Best Show In Northern Nevada” by Nevada
Magazine”—to the fabled venue.
London and his wife Monika are deeply involved in a wide variety of children
related charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Dave Thomas
Foundation for Adoption, Children’s Cancer Society, PANCAN Pancreatic Cancer
Research and The V Foundation.
Speaking of icons, London’s latest single, a cover of Little River Band’s
classic “Cool Change” leaps from #21 to #16 on this week’s FMQB AC40 Radio
Airplay Chart, just behind tracks by some of pop music’s biggest stars: Kelly
Clarkson, Pink, Taylor Swift and Nickelback.
This week, “Cool Change,” which was produced by “ICONMAN” musical director David
Zeman, also moves to #1 on Radio & Records Adult Contemporary’s New and Active
chart and is #31 on the overall AC chart. It also made an incredible jump from
#47 to #33 on the Mediabase AC Chart.
Gold
in LA for Aussie Keri McInerney
Keri McInerney the voice behind the independent album release ‘Stay’, and tracks
like ‘I Know What You Want’, ‘For Your Love’ and the soon to be released ‘Tickin’,
arrived back in Australia fresh from Los Angeles California last week, clinching
one gold and four silver medals.
A multi award winner and nominee in several major awards, country music’s Golden
Guitars, the TIARAs, and the People’s Choice Awards, Keri left Brisbane on July
8 to compete at the 13th World Championships of Performing Arts,in Hollywood.
The world championships provide an international stage for aspiring artists in a
variety of entertainment genres, where Keri's fellow team member Australia’s Got
Talent Smokin’ Joe Robinson walked away a champion, the 2009 Grand Champion
Performer of the World.
Competing against participants from 51 countries at The California Ballroom in
Hollywood, the news of success came quickly for Hervey Bay’s Keri McInerney.
‘I was stunned to receive my first award, a gold medal in the Latin category,
then four more, all silver, in country, originals, open and jazz. It was just
mind blowing’ she said.
Performing original work from her latest album released last year and ‘the One’
released in 2004, impressed a number of the judges, prominent industry members
of the WCOPA Advisory Council, and opened doors to several meetings and
discussions with music executives in the film capital.
‘I Know What You Want’ a hit track on the West Coast back in May, sealed the
Country Section silver medal. ‘Fill Me Up’, and ‘Stay’ numbered silver medals
two and three in Original and Jazz sections, and tallied four with the final
silver in the Open section, ‘Outrun the Wind’ a Brent Parlane and Brent Jeffrey
penned song from Keri’s album ‘the One’, just behind the ultimate win, the Gold
in the Latin section for ‘End of Time’.
WCOPA’s Australian National Director Lizette Hunt who accompanied the team
members, said ‘Australia had a highly successful team competing, with all bar
two team members achieving medals in all categories, from vocalists,
instrumentalists, dance, modeling and variety.’
‘In our first year as competitors, Team Australia achieved the Grand Champion, 2
Senior Division Grand Champions, 5 Overall category winners, 10 Bronze medals,
21 Silver medals, 16 Gold medals, 9 Overall awards and 2 Industry awards.’
‘I personally had a wonderful time at the WCOPA and more importantly the
achievements of each and every one of the team, provided me with a deep sense of
enjoyment, satisfaction and pride’ she added.
The international competition for amateur and professional performers is one of
the biggest competitions in the world. It allows aspiring artists a massive
opportunity to perform and compete on a world stage.
Keri said ‘It was a dream come true for me. I never stop trying to promote,
develop and learn more about my trade and this was such an incredible
opportunity to really do just that. It was fabulous to be selected, giving me
more belief that my music and my performances are good enough to compete in the
world arena.’
Keri McInerney next appears in Mt Isa 7-9 August 2009. Keri and her band ‘The
River’ fly out next Thursday, for live performances in the town centre during
the 3 day Mount Isa Rodeo event.
Taylor
Swift Makes Billboard History With #3 Song On Country and Pop Chart
The momentum of Taylor Swift continues to grow exponentially, with her
triple-platinum-plus FEARLESS CD notching its 20th week as the #1 selling album
in country music. FEARLESS is the top-selling album in all genres of music so
far this year.
Taylor joins Garth Brooks and Shania Twain as the only country artists in the
Billboard SoundScan era to have TWO albums spend 20 weeks at #1 on the Top
Country Albums sales chart. FEARLESS, released on Big Machine Records, returned
last week to the #1 spot atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums sales chart, 36
weeks after its initial release, and holds firm this week, marking the
collection’s 20th week at #1. Her self-titled debut CD, released 143 weeks ago
(in 2006), also remains one of country’s top sellers, claiming the #11 spot on
the sales chart this week. Taylor is the only artist this decade to have two
albums spend 20 weeks at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart.
Taylor’s career CD sales to date now top 7.75 million albums, her paid song
downloads now exceed 18 million, and her MySpace music streams are over 246
million.
Taylor’s current single, “You Belong With Me,” currently holds the # 3 position
and is climbing BOTH Billboard’s Top Country Songs chart and the Hot 100 pop
chart, making Taylor the only artist in the 25-year archival history of
Billboard’s airplay charts to have a song greater than #5 on both charts in the
same week. In addition, Taylor currently holds the Billboard all-genre record
for most Top 20 debuts in a calendar year
The TAYLOR SWIFT FEARLESS 2009 TOUR is the hottest ticket in America this
summer, with her sold-out shows garnering rave reviews and electrifying crowds
everywhere. Just last weekend. Taylor’s tour set a record at the North Dakota
State Fair, with over 50,600 people in attendance that day, the first time ever
the fair’s crowd topped the 40,000 mark. The FEARLESS 2009 tour continues
through mid-October.
Taylor is featured on the cover of the August issue of Glamour, on newsstands
now. The cover and accompanying 8-page interior spread were shot in Los Angeles
in April, just prior to the Academy of Country Music Awards, where Taylor was
honored with the Album of the Year and Crystal Milestone awards. Taylor is also
featured on the cover of the August issue of People StyleWatch magazine.
In other Taylor news, Taylor joins an all-star roster of artists with songs in
Band Hero, Activision’s follow-up to their popular Guitar Hero game. Band Hero
is scheduled for a November, 2009 release.
To hear music from Taylor Swift, log on to:
www.taylorswift.com
or
www.myspace.com/taylorswift
Matt
Bailie to Play Nashville’s Music Scene
Up and coming Country music star, Matt Bailie, brings his full band show to
Nashville fans with performances at Douglas Corner at 8:30 PM on August 27th and
to the back room stage of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Labor Day weekend, Monday,
September 7th at 4:00 pm (CT). Matt will be performing songs from his self
titled CD, MATT BAILIE and his latest CD, Stay BESIDE ME.
Matt Bailie immediately makes an impression with audiences with his determined
fresh style. Talented beyond his years, this 22 year-old Florida born singer
broke onto the music scene at an early age. He participated in the Colgate
Country Showdown at the tender age of 15. He was the youngest finalist to make
it to the state finals out of Jacksonville, FL. Bailie toured consistently in
his home state, then made the decision to move to Nashville to pursue his
career.
Success is knocking at Bailies’ door. Already, Matt Bailie’s self penned song,
”Here Is Now,” was nationally featured in “Listen Up!” a column in Country
Weekly Magazine. His
www.myspace.com/mattbailiecountry site has attracted close to a
quarter-million plays of his music, and is gaining more popularity daily. A
talented songwriter, Matt Bailie has co-written songs with some of Nashville’s
top writers. His young approach to traditional Country has caught the ears of
industry greats. He co-produced with Nashville producer, Chip Martin, two CD
projects. Fellow Floridian, Donnie Van Zant of 38 Special says of Bailie, "Keep
your ears and eyes open for this talented singer songwriter cause he's on his
way."
Country
Newcomer, Travis Rush, To Release Fan Voted Single To Radio
One of Country’s new male vocalists, Travis Rush, is gearing up to release his
new single early next year to Country radio. In conjunction with the single
release date, Rush has moved back his debut album release to March 16, 2010. The
project is on Mason Records and will be distributed digitally by IODA and in
retail stores by Burnside Distribution.
Country music fans are in the process of selecting the Rush’s new single as all
ten tunes are now online at
www.TravisRush.com/NewMusic.
Fans need to sign up and receive a Personal Access Code in order to participate.
They are able to rate each song and can even enter a comment. After listening,
they can give an overall rating on which one is their favorite. Rush is keeping
his fans updated with periodic status results on his website, MySpace, Facebook,
Digital Rodeo, and Twitter pages, with the selected single being announced
October 27, 2009.
“The response has been incredible from my fans, and in fact, they geared us in a
different direction from the single we were planning to release,” says Rush.
“We’ll be announcing the new single this fall and then going for radio airplay
in January 2010. I’m really looking forward to visiting radio stations across
the Country and making new friends!”
Once the single is selected and serviced, GrassRoots Promotion, led by Managing
Partner Nancy Tunick, will work the song at radio. Tunick is one of the most
respected radio promoters in the country industry and was most recently
Vice-President of Promotion at Warner Bros. Records. She has been instrumental
in breaking or developing the careers of such artists as Big & Rich, Blake
Shelton, Randy Travis and James Otto. She has also been credited with key
participation in the success of historic singles that include, “Three Wooden
Crosses,” the first Christian single to top the Billboard Country charts, “Mrs.
Steven Rudy,” the first independent single from a new artist to reach to Top 10
in the Billboard charts in more than 30 years and “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,”
the most played single of 2008. Tunick can be reached at
nancy@grassrootspromotion.com
1 or 615.353.2278.
“We are excited about working with Travis Rush and his music,” says Tunick. “He
has a truly distinctive voice with songs that relate to the core of our
audience. He is also connected to his fans in a meaningful way, which is key to
success in today’s environment.”
Rush is based in his home state of Oregon and recorded the still untitled
project in Nashville. The CD was co-produced by Roger Eaton, Jim Henson and Rush
and features tunes from some of Nashville’s top songwriters.
Rush grew up listening to Glen Campbell, John Denver, Diamond Rio and the
Eagles. He became self-taught on the piano and began writing songs at the age of
fifteen. Eventually his music led to a recruitment from Up With People that had
Rush performing in two-hundred concerts in thirteen countries. In 2007, he
released his first album project, COME AND GET IT. Rush shot a music video for
the compelling ballad from the CD, “Just For Tonight,” that was directed by
indie film director Matthew Harrison, a Martin Scorsese protégé. The song rated
a stellar review from Music Row Magazine where Robert K. Oermann says, “A
striking song and performance.”
Tim
McGraw Ejects Another Rowdy Fan
About one year ago, Tim McHraw made news for shoving and ejecting an unruly fan.
Now he was forced to play vigilante again. Tim stopped his show Sunday at the
California Mid-State Fair to reprimand a fan whom he believed was acting
ungentlemanly, according to the The San Luis Tribune..
"You don't treat a woman like that," Tim said from the stage, as the audience
cheered.
It is not exactly clear what the rowdy fan did to get Tim upset. The singer
wouldn't resume his performance until security escorted the man out.
Tim is releasing his first studio album in over 2 1/2 years, SOUTHERN VOICE",
October 20th. The first single from it is, "It's a Business Doing Pleasure With
You," and it is already Top 15 on the Billboard singles charts.
Brandon
Jenkins Signs Records Deal With Red Dirt Music/E1 Music
Artist Brandon Jenkins signs a recording deal with the newly-formed Red Dirt
Music Company and will be releasing his album, Brothers of the Dirt, in October.
Jenkns' first single, "Blood For Oil," will be drop at radio this month.
Red Dirt Music launched in partnership with E1 Music (formerly Koch Records) and
Progression Music Group.
The Red Dirt record label, will also provide artist management services and
recording acquisitions in the Texas music genre.
Gloriana
Debuts New Album Via 'The Leak' On Rhapsody.com and CMT.com
Fans Can Listen To Gloriana’s New Album For Free One Week Prior To The Official
Release; Gloriana Featured On Rhapsody As Augusts’ “Ones To Watch” Artist
Top new Country group Gloriana are gearing up to release their debut album
August 4th on Emblem Music Group/Warner Bros. Records and fans will get the
chance to hear the album, GLORIANA, in it’s entirety exclusively from “The Leak”
on Rhapsody.com and CMT.com starting today. Rhapsody® will also feature Gloriana
as the August “Ones To Watch” artist, joining a short but critically acclaimed
list of Country acts who have previously held the monthly developing artist
spotlight, including Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, and Eric Church.
Fans of Gloriana can now hear their album exclusively at
www.Rhapsody.com/gloriana and
www.CMT.com one week
before it hits the streets. The much anticipated 13-track album includes their
hit single “Wild At Heart,” which is the best selling single by a New Country
act in 2009. GLORIANA, the album, also includes “The Way It Goes,” “Time To Let
Me Go” and “You Said,” all tracks from their four-song digital collection that
was released at the end of May due to an overwhelming demand from fans for new
material.
Gloriana has been chosen as Rhapsody’s “Ones To Watch” for the month of August.
Throughout the month, Rhapsody® will make exclusive Gloriana content available
to fans, including an interview and a celebrity playlist chosen by the
four-some. Rhapsody will also release an exclusive “Rhapsody Originals”
performance, featuring songs performed live during Gloriana set at the Rhapsody
Rocks the CMT Music Awards event in Nashville on June 15, 2009. Fans can also
check out that performance on
www.CMT.com starting August 3rd.
Gloriana is currently on the road supporting Taylor Swift on her “Fearless 2009
Tour” through October.
To check out their blogs and videos from the road as well as get the latest tour
dates you can go to the Gloriana’s website at
www.gloriana.com
17
Year Old Hunter Hayes Signs UMPG Publishing Deal
Country artist/songwriter Hunter Hayes signs a publishing deal with Universal
Music Group/Nashville. Hunter, who is 17 years old, has been singing and
recording since the age of 4. His latest album, SONGS ABOUT NOTHING, is
available on iTunes.com now.
Barbara
Mandrell Makes TV Appearance on NPT'S ‘Volunteer Gardener’ with her Latest
Project The Nashville Music Garden
On the heels of her induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Barbara
Mandrell will make a television appearance to support her latest project, the
Nashville Music Garden. Located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun
(in the Hall of Fame Park just across the street from the Schermerhorn Symphony
Center), the 2,700-square-foot public garden honors those that have made a
positive impact on Nashville's entertainment industry.
Tune in to "Volunteer Gardener" on Nashville Public Television (NPT-Channel 8)
on Thursday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. and watch both gardening and music create
their own kind of harmony in this special episode featuring Mandrell and host
Troy Marden. The show re-airs on Sunday, August 2 at 9:30 a.m. "Volunteer
Gardener" also airs across Tennessee on select PBS stations including Knoxville,
Chattanooga, Memphis, Martin and Cookeville (check local listings for show
times). "I feel truly blessed to be part of the Nashville Music Garden.
The garden will both add to the beautification of Music City as well honor Nashville's best!" explains Mandrell. An avid gardener herself, the Nashville Music Garden has been Mandrell's passion project for over three years. "It is so wonderful to see all of this hard work come into bloom," says Mandrell. The public is invited to attend the dedication for the garden on Tuesday, September 29 at 10:30 a.m. Mandrell will serve as host for what is sure to be a star-studded event. For more information, visit www.nashvillemusicgarden.com.
It’s
Christmas In July on CMT With Larry The Cable Guy
CMT will celebrate Christmas in Jily, as Larry The Cable Guy's "Hula-Palooza
Christmas Luau" tapes this week in Nasjville. The holiday special premieres
Friday, November 20th at 9 pm (ET/PT) on CMT, and the DVD of the special will be
released in stores on Tuesday, November 24th.
Larry will be joined on the show by guest stars Kenan Thompson ("Saturday Night
Live"), Carolina Rhea, George Lindseyand many more.
Also look for Billy Currington and Zac Brown Band.
2009
Canadian Country Music Association Awards Nominees Announced
The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) announced at a media conference
today the nominees and host for the 2009 CCMA Awards, to be held Sept. 13, in
Vancouver, BC.
Johnny Reid leads the nominations with a total of six, including Single of the
Year, Album of the Year for Dance With Me, Songwriter of the Year, CMT Video of
the Year for "A Woman Like You," Male Artist of the Year and the CCMA Fans'
Choice Award. Reid will perform at this year's CCMA Awards.
George Canyon is also nominated in the Single of the Year, Album of the Year,
CMT Video of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Fans' Choice categories for a
total of five major CCMA Awards nominations.
Songwriter and artist, Victoria Banks, also earned five nominations. Her debut
album, WHEN YOU CAN FLY, earned her nominations for Album of the Year, Single of
the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and the Rising Star
Award.
Other Final Ballot nominees include the 2008 Top New Male Talent of the Year,
Gord Bamford (four nominations), and newcomer Dean Brody, who earned nominations
for Rising Star, Single of the Year, CMT Video of the Year and Songwriter of the
Year.
Jason Priestley will host the 2009 CCCMA Awards. Now in his third decade as a
professional performer, Priestley has spent much of the last year directing
episodes of the hit ABC family show, "The Secret Life of the American Teenager,"
and a new online series for the CW called The Lake.
A complete listing of CCMA Award nominees is available online at
www.ccma.org.
The 2009 CCMA Awards will take place in Vancouver, BC, on Sunday, September 13
at GM Place and will broadcast nationally on CBC Television with encore airings
on CMT Canada. For more information, please visit
www.ccma.org.
Tickets for the CCMA Awards are available at all Ticketmaster locations, online
at www.ticketmaster.ca,
and by phone at 604.280.4444. Ticket prices range from $20 to $125 (plus
applicable taxes and service charges).
Reba
McEntire Added To 'Canadian Country Music Awards' Line-Up
The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) is thrilled to announce the
addition of Reba McEntire to the superstar line-up of performers at the 2009
CMCA Awards. This year's celebration, to be broadcast nationally on CBC TV with
encore airings on CMT in Canada, will take place in Vancouver, BC on September
13th at GM Place.
Reba McEntire has amassed the sort of career statistics that ensures legendary
status - more than 55 million in U.S. album sales, 33 No. 1 hits, two Grammy
Awards, seven CMAs, 12 ACMs, nine People's Choice Awards, and 15 American Music
Awards. She has also found success in television, where her self-titled
primetime TV series was a top-rated sitcom for six seasons, on Broadway, where
she received rave reviews for her performance in Annie Get Your Gun, and in
film.
What separates Reba from other cultural trailblazers with decades-long careers
is that she is hotter than ever. Her name remains a familiar sight atop the
charts, now nestled among a generation of artists who have been strongly
influenced by her music and career path.
KEEP ON LOVING YOU is the much-anticipated follow up album to Reba Duets and
will be released on August 18th. "Strange" is the sassy debut single and is the
fastest-rising solo single and highest solo chart debut of her 33-year career.
In addition to Reba McEntire, the two-hour review of a year in Country music
will feature performances by George Canyon, Terri Clark, Doc Walker, Jessie
Farrell, Martina McBride, Aaron Pritchett, and Johnny Reid.