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