Latest News For March 10, 2010

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HEADLINES (Normally updated daily by 7:00am CST)


 

Listener Driven Radio Announces Partnership with Byrnes Media Reaching Canadian Listeners

Listener Driven Radio (LDR) has formed a partnership alliance with Byrnes Media to launch a unique new software program which gives listeners in Canada greater control over the music they want to hear.

Built on the concept of “crowd-sourcing,” listeners can use Internet access, their iPhone or smart-phone to provide input into what plays next on the air. LDR offers the audience a voice in shaping the overall music output of a brand regardless of whether there is a live personality, streamed online or a voice tracked show.

LDR’s innovative software enables listener real time interaction via mobile, widget (embeddable on any site) or a station website, along with social networks including Facebook, MySpace, Friendster and Twitter. Listener responses drive the on-air, digital platform or streamed programming through a series of specialized music scheduling parameters set up by the station’s program director.

Byrnes Media and Listener Driven Radio are announcing the local release of the new Listener Driven Radio software, enabling Canadian broadcasters to become “crowdcasters.” Using LDR, listeners can effectively become “music directors” and engage with their favorite music radio brands wherever they go.

Chris Byrnes, President of Byrnes Media said, “Listener Driven Radio is the first application that makes listeners real-time collaborators with a radio program director. LDR generates revenue and enables the radio station to take advantage of social network tools. This is a win-win opportunity for radio and the audience.”

Byrnes continues, “What’s even better in today’s cost-conscience environment is that our customizable LDR software components integrate cross platform sales and campaigns while embedding them in various touch points of the software’s interaction with listeners.”

LDR architect Daniel Anstandig added, “This is a new way of programming radio and growing your brand-community. It’s the first time that the power of what we call ‘crowdsourcing,’ or engaging the opinions and votes of your station’s reach and plugging it into your programming, has been harnessed this way for radio and its programmers. We are confident that this new feedback loop will benefit listeners and shareholders alike.”

The unique widget based software within the LDR technology allows a broadcaster to constantly absorb listeners’ input, song votes, comments on music and automatically adapt programming output as listener input is received. LDR does this while instantly feeding social networks like Twitter to create increased listener tune in.

Listener Driven Radio is a timely new digitally diverse model for analog and digital radio in Canada paralleling the local industry’s launch and development of a variety of formats on digital platforms, while also strengthening their AM and FM services.

The company has generated high U.S. broadcast industry response since its launch in 2009. LDR triggered an immediate fully subscribed first phase roll-out, positively impacting the North American, U.K. and European radio markets in a short period of time. Initial sign-ups include Citadel Media, CBS Radio, Border Media, Vox Communications, and several European broadcasters.

Canadian broadcasters can arrange a personal webinar LDR INTRODUCTION and demonstration by contacting BYRNES MEDIA principals CHRIS BYRNES at chris@byrnesmedia.com,  DAVE CHARLES at dave@byrnesmedia.com,  or LEE CORNELL at LDR cornell@listenerdrivenradio.com 

 


Rhino Entertainment Names David Dorn Senior Vice President, Global Sales And Digital Strategy

Rhino Entertainment, the catalog division of Warner Music Group (WMG), announced today that David Dorn has been named Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Digital Strategy, U.S. Repertoire. In his new role, Dorn will oversee Rhino’s physical and digital sales, as well as develop the global digital sales and promotion strategy for the company’s U.S. catalog. Based in Los Angeles, Dorn will continue to report to Scott Pascucci, President Rhino Entertainment, and will work closely with Warner Music International (WMI), WEA Corp., WMG’s U.S. labels and the heads of WMG’s regional offices to coordinate overall physical and digital strategy for the Rhino catalog with retail partners around the world.

Dorn will also work closely with WMI affiliates on domestic catalog repertoire strategic planning and sales execution for their expanding digital businesses, as well as assist in the coordination of the release and sales of local domestic Warner Music catalogs around the world.

In making the announcement, Pascucci said: “We have worked aggressively at Rhino to develop a more comprehensive, innovative and effective strategy of bringing our extensive catalog of music, box sets and special edition releases to the widest possible audience. David has been at the forefront of that effort, and his grasp of the marketplace and passion for the music make him the ideal executive to expand that effort and get results.”

“David’s commercial acumen and passionate belief in our roster has always made him a great asset to our international catalog efforts,” said John Reid, CEO, Warner Music Europe and Vice-Chairman, Warner Music International. “In this new role, I’ve no doubt he’ll provide first-class strategic support to our affiliates as we extend the range of experiences through which fans can discover and enjoy Rhino’s remarkable repertoire.”

“It has been a great privilege over the years to work for an amazing company like Rhino with its unparalleled roster of artists and recordings,” said Dorn. “The changing landscape of today’s music business offers many exciting and creative opportunities to enhance the emotional bond our outstanding catalog of artists and their work enjoy with fans around the world. I look forward to working with my Warner colleagues and retail partners globally to foster and grow those connections.”

In his previous position, Dorn was responsible for managing Rhino’s e-Commerce activities in the U.S., as well as running the company’s International department. In his 17 years with the company he has held positions running the company’s media relations, promotions, and new media areas.

 


Andy Fraser Bass Guitar on Exhibit at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock icon, Andy Fraser, bass player and founding member of the seminal rock band FREE, and writer of their mega-hit “All Right Now,” is pleased to learn that one of his bass guitars will go on exhibit this week at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cleveland, Ohio.

"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has become a premier institution in the music industry, long appreciated for its sense of giving and recognition,” states Fraser. “It is humbling that they honor me by the introduction of this classic instrument into their museum - and I thank them.”

James D. Henke, VP Exhibitions and Curatorial Affairs for the museum says to Fraser, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would personally like to thank you for your generosity. Your donation will help us further develop the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s permanent collections.”

According to Fraser, the bass which he recently donated is a “one of a kind,” specifically made for him by Z-Guitars, an innovative UK custom guitar builder. “This bass enabled me to integrate my early style from the days of FREE to the way I play today.”

Fraser recorded with the bass on his latest release, “This Is The Big One,” a powerful song and video about global warming and resulting catastrophic climate change. It is the first single from his forthcoming album, Andy Fraser…On Assignment.”

Andy Fraser has a unique place in the canon of rock ‘n’ roll. In the late 1960’s, under the tutelage of Alexis Korner and John Mayall - both “Godfather’s” of the British blues scene - Fraser, a classically trained pianist, revolutionized the art of bass playing by harnessing the raw energy of the blues, re-energizing it with a hard rock edge for a new generation of listeners.

As a founding member of Free, Fraser helped to draft the blueprint for - and was one of the chief architects of - the blues-rock style that spawned the likes of Led Zeppelin, Foreigner and Aerosmith. With Free, Fraser wrote and produced some of their most groundbreaking and best-loved songs, including the worldwide hit, “All Right Now,” recently honored with BMI’s “Million-Air” award for passing 3 million radio/television plays in the U.S., making it one of the most enduring classics of the rock ‘n roll era.

A tireless creator and a perfectionist with an eye and ear for detail, Fraser has written a substantial body of works including Robert Palmer’s smash hit, “Every Kinda People.” His songs have been recorded by Joe Cocker, Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart, Three Dog Night, Etta James and Bob Seger among others. Fraser has also helmed several post-Free bands - notably Shark and the Andy Fraser Band - and has released several solo works, including the albums, Fine, Fine Line and Naked…and Finally Free.

A survivor of both cancer and AIDS, Fraser is a strong environmental and social activist, and defender of individual human rights.

Andy Fraser video for “This is the Big One” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63qIoGpnrl8

Fans may download “This is the Big One” for free at: http://www.andyfraser.com/bigone.html

 


Sanctus Real's Pieces Of A Real Heart Released Yesterday

Grammy-nominated, Dove Award winning Sanctus Real released its fifth studio album, Pieces Of A Real Heart, on Sparrow Records yesterday amidst wide critical acclaim. The album is the result of the band maturing and growing as songwriters, musicians and individuals, while retaining its aggressive edge and incorporating a more diverse musical palette of instrumentation and themes.

Embracing the updated sound, radio has already launched the first single from Pieces Of A Real Heart, “Forgiven,” to the top of the charts and gathered enough spins across multiple Christian radio formats to make it the No. 5 most played song this week on Billboard’s National Audience Monitored chart. As the single continues to gain momentum, the song has also become the first video from Pieces Of A Real Heart. Yahoo!, the No. 3 most trafficked US site on the internet, debuts the “Forgiven” video this week at (http://new.music.yahoo.com/sanctus-real).  Following the Yahoo! debut, the video, which is directed by Nathan Corrona, will run on numerous other outlets nationwide.

Sanctus Real further recorded an acoustic version of “Forgiven” and four more acoustic songs from Pieces Of A Real Heart for its Digital Deluxe edition. This Deluxe edition features all the studio recordings, the five acoustic versions and a digital booklet, all available exclusively through digital retailers for $12.99, including iTunes (http://bit.ly/d7h5OM).

Sanctus Real is also offering music fans the opportunity to download a FREE song from the new album. Anyone can immediately receive the brand new song, “These Things Take Time,” by re-tweeting or posting the link http://www.tweematic.com/sanctusreal/  on their facebook pages. Sanctus Real guitarist Chris Rohman has called this song one of his “absolute favorites off the new record.”

Music fans can also listen to the full album that is available to stream now from http://www.rhapsody.com/sanctus-real/pieces-of-a-real-heart.

 


Dove Brothers Nominated for 3 SGM FanFair Awards

Multi-award winning quartet the Dove Brothers have been nominated for three SGM FanFair Awards. The nominees were announced last week in a special press release announcement via SGM FanFair and Christian Voice Magazine.

The popular group received a nomination for Favorite Male Quartet. The Dove Brothers were awarded Favorite Male Quartet in 2008 and 2009. In addition, group founders and brothers McCray Dove and Eric Dove were nominated for Favorite Male Vocalist and Favorite Baritone respectively.

McCray Dove said, “We continue to be amazed at just how much God has richly blessed this ministry over the last 10 years. We would like to thank everyone who voted for us for these nominations. You all mean the world to us.

Nominees for the SGM FanFair Awards were chosen by the readers of Christian Voice Magazine and attendees of the SGM FanFair. The winners for the awards will be announced on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at the 6th Annual SGM FanFair.

For more information on how to vote, visit http://www.sgmfanfair.com

 


Levon Helm Returns to Ramble at the Ryman - Tickets on sale Friday March 12

The Americana Music Association announced today that Levon Helm will bring his heralded Ramble on the Road back to the Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday April 21, 2010. Tickets are priced at $65, $45.50 and $27.50 and will go on sale Friday March 12 at 10 AM Central Time available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Ryman Box office and ryman.com.

Helm's first Ramble at the Ryman in July of 2007 marked one of the most remarkable comebacks of our time and was picked as Best Show of the Year by the Nashville Scene. In 2008, the Ramble kicked off the Americana Music Festival and Conference and Rolling Stone described his performances as the "Jam of the Year". Since that first memorable July night in Nashville, Levon Helm has produced two albums (Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt), won three Grammy Awards, including the first ever Best Americana Album Grammy for his most recent Electric Dirt, and garnered the prestigious 2008 Americana Artist of the Year award.

Based on the traveling minstrel shows he experience in his youth, Helm has invited some of the most notable artists in the land to join him on stage at the Ramble. Special Guests for the April 21st show include Gillian Welch and the Dave Rawlings Machine, Rodney Crowell and Sam Bush with more guests and surprises to be announced at a later date. Past Rambles at the Ryman have included artists Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller, Ricky Skaggs, Delbert McClinton, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, Fred Carter Jr, just to name a few.

 


Laura Bell Bundy's Debut Scheduled For April 13 Release

Laura Bell Bundy’s major label debut album Achin’ And Shakin’ is slated for release April 13 on Mercury Nashville. The infectious lead single “Giddy On Up” has been described as “a breath of fresh air” and “nothing short of a new female anthem” amongst industry critics since the premiere of the music video on January 18.

With the support of massive websites such as CMT.com, Perezhilton.com, People.com, Usmagazine.com and Monstersandcritics.com “Giddy On Up” has received almost 1 million streams in a month and has sold over 30,000 digital singles.

“Our gut said Laura Bell Bundy would be a big hit and it exceeded our expectations,” said Jay Frank, SVP Music Strategy, CMT. “#1 on CMT.com right out of the box and immediate sales from the first spin…she is a definite star in CMT’s future.”

In addition to the astounding web buzz, numerous radio markets have jumped on board and added Bundy’s single to total over 28 stations countrywide in just 3 weeks.

“Giddy On Up” is the number one requested song at KILT, in Houston,” said Jeff Garrison, PD KILT, VP of Country Programming, CBS.

Other top stations such as San Antonio’s KAJA, Houston’s KKBQ, San Jose’s KRTY, Minneapolis’s KEEY, Chicago’s WUSN, Portland’s KWJJ and KUPL, Denver’s KYGO and both Phoenix station’s KNIX and KMLE are in full support of the single some spinning it over 30 times a week.

For more, visit www.laurabellbundy.com

 


Alan Jackson Fans Can Countdown to the Release of "Freight Train" on the iTunes Store Starting Today

Superstar Alan Jackson’s 18th album, Freight Train, releases on March 30, and a new track from the album will be available for purchase exclusively on the iTunes Store every week for three weeks heading into the album release. Each song will also be available as a free 60-second preview on www.Billboard.com.

The exclusive iTunes Countdown pre-release tracks begin today with “Hard Hat and a Hammer,” and each will count toward the purchase of the full album through iTunes’ Complete My Album feature. The subsequent tracks include “Every Now and Then” (available March 16) and “Where I Belong” (available March 23).

For each new track every week, fans will be able to visit Billboard.com for a 48-hour exclusive preview of the song immediately prior to its Tuesday release on iTunes, with each posting remaining on Billboard.com for a week from its debut.

“It’s Just That Way,” the first hit single from Freight Train, is currently available as a digital single through the iTunes Store and will also count towards the purchase of Freight Train via the Complete My Album feature.

Alan Jackson is one of the most successful and respected songwriter/performers in music. His career has spanned 20 years, netted 50 million album sales and met with consistent critical acclaim. Jackson’s most recent collection, Good Time, became the fourth album of his career to debut simultaneously at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums and all-genre Billboard 200 sales charts and netted three #1 hits.

 


Jogglebug.com Invites Gwen Sebastian To Be The First Female Artist To Speak Instead of Tweet

Lofton Creek/Open Road Records’ Gwen Sebastian was approached by JoggleBug to connect with her fans in a very personal and direct way - with her voice. On Feb 18, Sebastian's very own JoggleBug player went live and has been dominating the front page ever since.

JoggleBug.com was founded by Ann Cameron in 2008, but just went live on September 9, 2009. “Officially, the site has not even launched,” says Cameron. “We give artists and celebrities a cool new way to communicate with their fans in real voice in real time.” When an artist or celebrity leaves a JoggleBug, it is instantly delivered to the artist’s website, Facebook page, and MySpace page in the artist’s voice, as well as auto Tweeting. Because they can do this from any phone, including cell phones, they can JoggleBug from anywhere.

Gwen became the first female artist to join the JoggleBug roster of artists and celebrities getting their voice out there. Sebastian has had a blast leaving messages from her various locations as she travels in support of her Lofton Creek/Open Road Records single "Hard Rain." "My fans know me pretty well and it is so much fun and so much more personal leaving them messages than typing or texting. With JoggleBug, my fans know it’s really me connecting with them," explains Sebastian. "The program is very user friendly. I am so happy to be a part of this growing site!"

Listen to Gwen Sebastian 'Joggle' to her fans by visiting http://www.jogglebug.com/gwen-sebastian/  or visit www.gwensebastian.com  to view her Jogglebug Player.

 


Darius Rucker & Friends Benefit Announced for June 7

CMA New Artist of 2009 Darius Rucker will host his 1st Annual “Darius and Friends” concert in Nashville, TN at The Wildhorse Saloon (120 2nd Ave. North., Nashville) on June 7th to benefit the groundbreaking research and lifesaving care of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The concert will include performances by Rucker and select country music friends with additional performers announced at a later date. The concert will begin at 9:00 p.m. with doors opening at 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the event will go on sale Saturday, March 13th. To purchase tickets, visit www.wildhorsesaloon.com  or call 615-902-8200.

Rucker is a loyal St. Jude supporter who has visited patients at the hospital and performed at multiple events in support of the hospital’s lifesaving mission. After touring the facility in 2009, Rucker vowed to create a personalized event that would raise money and awareness for St. Jude.

“This was a chance for my friends and I to do something during CMA Music Fest week that is for the fans while drawing attention to St. Jude and their incredible efforts,” says Rucker. “It’s going to be a great night of music and stories.”

All proceeds from ticket sales will help St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children fighting deadly diseases.

For additional information, please visit www.dariusrucker.com

 


Country Weekly Says Listen Up to Joel Warrens Debut Single Leavin Lubbock


“Leavin’ Lubbock,” the debut single from Nebraska rancher Joel Warren, is featured in Country Weekly’s last “Listen Up” section. On newsstands today, the March 15th issue with Gary Allan on the cover is the last issue to house the favored Listen Up section which offers free downloads to Country Weekly (CW) readers. “I have been so excited to see this issue. I grew up reading this magazine and now to be in it is a dream. Thank you CW!”

In addition to being highlighted in the magazine, Joel’s single is available as a free download for the next two weeks (March 8th- March 22nd) on CountryWeekly.com. CW reaches more than 70,000 each week across the US, Canada and Guam.

Joel never knew how much he would relate the lyrics in his debut until after he recorded the track. “I never thought I would be living the lyrics of my first single Leavin’ Lubbock,” says Joel. “But I am living proof that you can never say country music isn’t about real life stories.” Like the character in his song, Joel experienced the end of his marriage and now splits his time between Nashville and the “Live Music Capitol of the World” Austin, Texas. Joel has learned to use his gifts and passions for songwriting and performing as a therapeutic way to keep pushing on. Perseverance has paid off as Joel has completed his first album, which displays his versatility with uplifting songs like Keep Rollin’ On and Writing a Song paired with emotionally trying songs like Leavin’ Lubbock and God Fearin’ Man.

With ranching in his blood, Joel Warren is wrangling his way to the top with a fresh throwback to country’s roots and a determined attitude. Reared in Thedford, Nebraska by a champion steer wrestling father, Joel grew up thriving on the cheers from the rodeo crowds. Now he’s performing for a different yet equally stimulating crowd in the country music scene. His sound is reminiscent of the days when Chris LeDoux, George Strait and Garth Brooks were competing for the charts top spot. To date, his debut has been featured in Country Music People, Today’s Country Magazine and Nashville Country Club. His video has also climbed all the way to number one on the Y’allturnative list at Y’allwire.com.

To stay updated on Joel, visit www.joelwarrencountry.com.

 


AirPlay Direct Congratulates Tore Andersen on Nowegian Grammy Win

AirPlay Direct is pleased to congratulate member, Tore Andersen, on his “Spellemannprisen” (Norwegian GRAMMY® award) win in the category of “Best Country Album of the Year” for his 2009 release, Right Around the Corner.

Andersen, one of Norway’s most prominent country music artists, accepted the coveted award in ceremonies televised nationally on TV2 in Norway, on Saturday, March 6.

Andersen’s MySpace page carries the following posting: “I am very proud, to say the least, and I need to thank everyone who helped me getting there!! This was the best 50th birthday present I could ever have wished for!!”

Anderson picked up the guitar at an early age, and turned to country music in his late teens. After touring for a decade with the likes of Ottar "Big Hand" Johansen and Bjoro Haaland (both Norwegian household names), he recorded his debut album, The Hero In Me, in Nashville in 1992. That being a contemporary country record, he later has added more of an Americana flavor to his music, and his last two solo albums Tore Andersen, and the most recent Right Around The Corner, mixes traditional country with rock, pop and bluegrass in his own unique way. Tore Andersen has had several of his songs cut by other artists, both in Norway and Internationally. He frequently travels to the U.S. to co-write with the likes of hit-writers Byron Hill and Kathy Louvin.

 


Theory Of Flight Rocks For Freedom for Troops Returning Home From Afghanistan

In what is shaping up to be an incredible spring for Theory of Flight, the Las Vegas melodic rock powerhouse has upcoming shows at South By Southwest (SXSW), a single (“Set The Night On Fire”) receiving airplay across the country and a debut album Within Reach scheduled for release April 20.

On March 29, they can add “entertaining the troops” to this exciting agenda!

TOF will be performing at Downtown Las Vegas’ Fremont Street Experience as part of “Rock For Freedom,” a public welcome home party for Nevada troops returning from Afghanistan.

The band’s 7 p.m. set is part of an all-night (6 p.m.-Midnight) celebration welcoming all 456 members of the 122-1 Cavalry with the Nevada Army National Guard who deployed a year ago. This was the largest deployment of Nevada troops to combat since World War II.

While miraculously, none of the troops were killed in combat, a handful of the soldiers—affectionately known as the “Wounded Warriors”—will be flown in from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. to be part of the festivities. They will then return to continue their post-combat treatment.

Theory of Flight’s participation in this year’s “Rock For Freedom” brings them full circle; last year, the band organized a “Rock For Freedom” concert at Red Rock Harley Davidson to bid these same troops farewell.

At 11 a.m. the morning of March 29, TOF lead singer Beau Hodges will have the honor of singing our National Anthem at an official National Guard Welcome Home ceremony at the Mandalay Bay Events Center at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

TOF recently secured a sponsorship deal with Sennheiser Microphones. The band will be performing at numerous events at SXSW, including the “Sennheiser Presents Rooftop Industry Mixer at Speakeasy” on 4th Street in downtown Austin March 18.

Theory of Flight was formed in 2007 by frontman Beau Hodges, lead guitarist Vince Casas and bassist Joey McMahon. The band's lineup also includes Tyler Williams (drums) and Stephen Goodrum (rhythm guitar).

 


Phil Bredesen, Bill Frist, Brooks and Dunn to be Recognized at T.J. Martell Foundation Honors Gala on March 22

Business and music industry leaders and celebrities will gather to celebrate the T.J. Martell Foundation Honors Gala on Monday, March 22.

In Nashville, the Foundation annually supports cancer research through the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, in honor of Frances Preston, national President of the T.J. Martell Foundation and former President and CEO of BMI. Last year’s Gala raised event raised over $400,000 to benefit cancer, leukemia and AIDS research.

Along with supporting this very worthwhile cause, the Gala will recognize Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, the Honorable William H. Frist, M.D., country music's Brooks and Dunn, Michael Bolton and Susan Simons for their humanitarian efforts.

The Honors Gala, which will be held at the Hutton Hotel, is an invitation-only black tie event beginning at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception and an impressive silent and live auction. The festivities will continue at 7:30 p.m. when dinner is served and the ceremony gets underway.

Entertainment will include the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, Dave Mason and others yet to be announced. The Honors Gala is also known for its marquee presenters, which this year features Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Ross Perot, Jr., Pete Coors and Frances Williams Preston.

“Even though this is our second year putting on the Honors Gala for the Martell Foundation, it is arguably one of the biggest nights in Nashville," said Laura Heatherly, executive director of the Nashville branch of the T.J. Martell Foundation. "We are extremely grateful host such a wonderful event and honor five outstanding individuals, all in the name of benefiting the research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center."

Governor Bredesen will receive this year’s Lifetime Humanitarian Award. Bredesen has been gracious with his support of numerous causes, including Nashville’s Table, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Cover Tennessee, the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund, the Land Trust for Tennessee and the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation.

The Lifetime Medical Achievement Award will go to Senator Frist. Along with establishing the Vanderbilt Multi-Organ Transplant Center, Senator Frist is known for his dedication to medical missions in developing nations by his work with Hope Through Healing Hands, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the ONE campaign, which promotes global health as a currency for peace around the world.

Country superstars Brooks and Dunn will receive the Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award. After spending 20 years together, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn announced they will be going separate ways following their 2010 tour, aptly named “The Last Rodeo.” Thanks to 23 chart-topping singles during their iconic career, the two are leaving on top as the best-selling duo in country music history.

The inaugural Frances Williams Preston Lifetime Music Industry Award, which recognizes lifetime commitment of outstanding endeavors as a musician, will go to Bolton. Besides playing to sold out arenas worldwide, Bolton has sold over 53 millions albums and won two Grammys for Best Male Vocalist and six American Music Awards.

Born and raised in Nashville, Simons will be honored with the Spirit of Nashville Award for her years of charitable service to Middle Tennessee. Simons has associated herself with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Alive Hospice, the President's Advisory Committee on the Arts, the Metropolitan Convention Center Commission, the Community Foundation, the Tennessee State Museum Foundation, United Way, and the International Women's Forum, to name a few.

Table sponsorships range from $10,000 to $100,000. Individual tickets are at $1,000 and $500 levels. Ads honoring the honorees may also be purchased in the commemorative journal. For more information on the Honors Gala log onto www.HonorsGala.org.

 


Guy Penrod Celebrates Solo Success Of 'Breathe Deep'

Breathe Deep, the February 23 Servant Records/Gaither Music Group solo debut from acclaimed vocalist Guy Penrod, is the #2 best-selling album in the country, according to Nielsen SoundScan’s Christian/Gospel-Christian retail chart, for the week ending February 28. Produced by Brent Rowan (Joe Nichols, Blake Shelton), Breathe Deep is also #6 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Current Contemporary Christian chart and entered The Billboard 200 at #108.

Emerging as one of the preeminent country singers in Christian music today, Penrod currently has a total of three releases in the Top 10 among five retail charts. Gaither Music Group’s The Best of Guy Penrod, featuring highlights from Penrod’s tenure with the Gaither Vocal Band, is also #1 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Southern Gospel chart for the week ending February 28, while The Best of Guy Penrod appears at #6 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Christian/Gospel-Christian retail chart. In addition, The Best of Guy Penrod DVD is the best-selling title on Nielsen SoundScan’s Christian Music Video chart and #6 on Billboard’s Top Video chart.

After 14 years with the GRAMMY® and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band, Penrod stepped away from the ensemble last year to pursue a solo career. Breathe Deep, comprised of 13 selections focusing on Penrod’s passions—faith and family—features contributions from such top Music Row writers as Billy Montana, Neal Coty, Don Poythress, and Mike Mobley, among others. The album includes the debut country single “Are You The One,” and the debut Southern Gospel single “The Maker Of Them All.”

For further information, visit www.guypenrod.com

 


Gary Allan Talks About The Pain In Country Weekly

When you're in the grocery store check-out line, take a look at this week's Country Weekly Magazine and get the dish on how life is moving forward for Gary Allan.

He opens up about how the greatest tragedy of his life, the death of his wife, Angele, in 2004 and how it has changed him. He says, “She always wanted me to write songs about her, but I never did back then. Now, I write all sorts of songs about her.”

And that's what's behind his newest single, No Regrets, from his newest album, Get Off The Pain.

As for moving ahead in his personal life, he says, “I’m still traveling so much that it’s not something I’m looking for. Because of what I do, it’s so hard to have a relationship.”

He also talks about his musically-inclined children.

Gary is part of the final tour for Kix and Ronnie, the Brooks & Dunn Last Rodeo Tour.

 


Taylor Swift Launches iPhone App

Taylor Swift’s Fearless 2010 Tour began its run through the US over the weekend, with sold-out shows in Tampa, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale/Sunrise, FL. The 39-date tour is visiting arenas and stadiums in 31 cities throughout the US and Canada over the next three months. Last month, she took the Fearless tour overseas, playing eight sold-out shows in Australia and Japan.

In other Swift news, this week Big Machine Records launched the official Taylor Swift iPhone application. The free app features Facebook and Twitter connectivity and is available here. Built using Mobile Roadie’s leading mobile app platform, the app is enabled with push notification so that any time the superstar releases new music, videos or photos, fans will be instantly updated on their iPhones. Fans can also see her most up-to-date tour information, find and connect with other fans in their area, and share photos with each other.

 


Dolly Parton Opens Nashville Store On Friday

Dolly Parton will celebrate the official grand opening/ribbon-cutting ceremony for her first retail store, Trinkets & Treasures, on Friday, March 12. The 1000 sq. ft. space at 126 2nd Ave. N. in downtown Nashville is designed to reflect Dolly’s classic song “Coat of Many Colors,” with a mix of pink, yellow, red, blue, green and purple.

Fans on hand at the ribbon cutting can win a meet and greet with the superstar through raffles, a “Dress Like Dolly” look-alike competition, and a contest for fans dressed in the most “Dolly gear.”

 


UMPG Resigns Rivers Rutherford

Rivers Rutherford, who originally signed with UMPG in 1996 has had 8 No. 1 hit songs, and has enjoyed numerous awards and nominations from ASCAP, Billboard, ACM and CMA. Rutherford received the ASCAP Song of the Year in 2002 for "Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You" recorded by Brooks & Dunn and was honored with ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year award in 2006. Rutherford's songs have been recorded by Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson, Reba McEntire, Gary Allan, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Deana Carter, Justin Moore, Darius Rucker, Trick Pony, and Montgomery Gentry.

 


Luke Bryan Recruits Celeb Friends For ACM Support

Fan voting is open for the ACM Awards in the new artist categories and singers are coming up with unique ways to reach out for votes. Luke Bryan rounded up celebrity friends for a video for his bid for ACM Top New Solo Vocalist. His spoof of the “Don’t Vote” video used during the 2008 presidential campaign features 23 celebs, such as Capitol Nashville labelmates Dierks Bentley, Kenny Rogers and members of Little Big Town and Lady Antebellum, as well as Jason Aldean, Haylie Duff, Blake Shelton, and baseball star Chipper Jones.

The video, already considered a viral success with over 20,000 views, has created a buzz since being posted last Wednesday (3/3) on Bryan’s official YouTube page. In addition the video has been picked up by numerous media sites and radio station web sites.

CLICK HERE to view the video

 


Carrie Underwood’s “Play On Tour” Opens Thursday

Carrie Underwood’s Play On Tour will kick off this Thursday, March 11 in Reading, PA with special guests Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia. The Play On Tour, hydrated by vitaminwater® and sponsored by PEDIGREE® Brand, is currently slated for more than 50 dates running through June 20. She is scheduled mostly for arenas in the U.S. and Canada.

Tour Director Raj Kapoor put together what is likely to be one of this year’s biggest country music tours by bringing in top name collaborators including Michael Jackson’s This Is It Production Designer Michael Cotten, and Emmy Award winning Costume Designer Soyon An. Underwood’s camp reports that fans will get a few surprises at the shows, world-class production and special effects.

Underwood’s previous tour, 2008’s highly successful Carnival Ride Tour, wrapped after 137 shows with over 1.2 million fans in attendance.