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ACM AWARDS NEWS: The Academy of Country Music® and dick clark productions announced music superstars Cam, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Florida Georgia Line will perform on the 51ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, Country Music’s Party of the Year®. The ceremony, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, is produced for television by dick clark productions and will be broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV on Sunday, April 3rd at 8:00PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. For event updates, tickets and hotel information, please visit www.ACMcountry.com.
ALBUM NEWS: Following the release of her first solo album in five years, multiple Female Vocalist of the Year Award winner Lorrie Morgan opens up about the stories behind Letting Go… Slow, including “Strange,” which can be viewed exclusively on Country Weekly.com, and “Spilt Milk” which premiered exclusively on The Boot.com. The country songstress speaks of her emotional connection to each song, giving fans an inside perspective of the creative process behind the highly anticipated album. Perhaps her most personal work to date, the album consists largely of the signature ballads Morgan has been known for throughout her storied career. More exclusive content from Letting Go… Slow is available on Lorrie.com.
ARTIST NEWS: 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of “Let Your Love Flow,” the 1976 classic that launched the recording career of The Bellamy Brothers. Since that iconic song was first issued, Howard and David Bellamy have created one of the most successful careers in the history of Country Music. With 27 Top 10 and 14 No. 1 singles. A close look at their concert schedules over the past two decades reveals one of the most global careers in the history of country music. The duo has taken their music to a wide variety of countries across the world over the years – including stops in Germany, Norway, and Sweden. In addition, the Bellamy Brothers have taken their music to places where no other country act has ever performed, such as Qatar, Sri Lanka, New Caledonia and even India. For a full list of their 2016 40th Anniversary Tour, go to bellamybrothers.com.
BENEFIT NEWS: Clay Walker and his non-profit Band Against MS (BAMS) will host the fourth annual Band Against MS Ride in Humble, TX on March 26. Proceeds from the ride will benefit Band Against MS, Inc. 501(c) (3) a non-profit committed to providing educational information for those living with Multiple Sclerosis, funding programs researching a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and funding programs helping those living with the disease. Multi-Platinum Country Music Artist Clay Walker, founded Band Against MS in February 2003 because he wanted to provide support to others living with the same disease he has been battling since 1996. Registration includes a special appearance by Clay Walker! - See more at: www.bandagainstms.org/bamsride2016
BOOK NEWS: Music industry veteran and legendary drummer Mark Herndon has written his autobiography titled “The High Road: Memories from a Long Trip” (published by Fresh Ink Group, Roanoke, TX). The intimate collection of personal memoirs--spotlighting the highlights and lowlights of his life journey and music career--will be available April 1, 2016. (Pre-sale began February 15.) Having spent more than two decades on the road with one of the world’s most well known super groups, Mark Herndon has become an iconic member of the country music sector. His extraordinary talents earned him a Commendation of Excellence for “long and outstanding contribution to the world of American music” (BMI) and recognition as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame (2005). Details and book excerpts at www.markherndon.com.
CD NEWS: Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots, the comedy group comprised of Bobby Bones and Producer Eddie from iHeartMedia's The Bobby Bones Show, announced that their comedy album, THE CRITICS GIVE IT 5 STARS, will be released March 18 on Black River Entertainment. The 13-song disc will also include a little help from the group’s country music superstar friends including cameos from Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Charles Kelley, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and more. Fans can pre-order the album now on www.ragingidiots.com and digitally on iTunes beginning March 4. Bobby Bones, who recently nabbed his second ACM award for "National On-Air Personality of the Year," co-wrote all the tracks on the album which takes satirical and deliberate cues from today’s popular music.
CD RELEASES: It's not often a well-known singer/songwriter takes to the world of computer games to debut his latest album, but Shooter Jennings did exactly that in February when he raises the curtain on his latest album, Countach (for Giorgio). The album was unveiled inside the virtual world of Shroud of the Avatar™ from legendary game designer Richard Garriott and Austin game developer, Portalarium®. An avid gamer, Jennings' new album was released on limited edition pink vinyl February 26, and will be available on all other formats March 22, 2016. Tour dates and new music info at shooterjennings.com
GRAMMY NEWS: Kudos to my friend Adley Stump who is one of only three recipients of the Hyundai Grammy Amplifier Award. She was presented with the award on February 22 by Sam Hunt, rapper Big Sean and Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale. Adley was part of Blake Shelton’s team on Season 2 of The Voice. She will receive one of three prizes: a studio recording session with a Recording Academy producer, a live performance showcase series opening for a noted artist, or a music video filmed with a celebrated director. The Grammy Amplifier Award recipients are selected by curators like Hunt after being narrowed down to 10 finalists by votes from friends, family and fans. The mentorship program helps artist hone their skills and develop their platform, guiding them toward success in the music business.
GRASSROOTS NEWS: Grassroots Promotion’s Country duo Dave & Whitney have released their new music video, “Alibi,” complementing the current country radio single that’s on radio now. Directed and produced by Emad Rashidi, “Alibi” will be distributed to broadcast and digital outlets in the coming weeks; AristoMedia will spearhead the video promotion. Personal friends and acquaintances played a part alongside Dave and Whitney in the four-day shoot set in various locations in Cincinnati, OH and southern Indiana including Purdue University and at Whitney’s family home. The concept follows the dark and edgy storyline of the country radio recording alluding to elusive behavior, tales of defense and taboo subject matter such as domestic violence and extramarital affairs. The video received a warm reception at a sneak preview for radio execs at the 2016 Country Radio Seminar. More at daveandwhitney.com and on Facebook.
INDIE NEWS: Sierra Hull’s new album, Weighted Mind, has been released by Rounder Records to global radio via Airplay Direct. The label describes the project as: “singular and emphatic, harmonious and dissonant. It is the realization of promise, and the affirmation of individuality.” Allison Krauss has said of Hull: “Talent like hers is so rare, and I don’t think it stops. It’s round.” AirPlayDirect.com is an e-based artist marketing, promotion and education platform…. Austin-based artist, Sam Riggs, released his sophomore album “Breathless” in February and scored an immediate #3 debut on the iTunes Country Music Chart following right behind Chris Stapleton and Sam Hunt. The album also debuted at #22 across all genres in the nation. “Breathless” is the first album to be released on Riggs’ own label (Deep Creek Records) with marketing and distribution through Thirty Tigers/Sony RED. Album and tour info at samriggsandthenightpeople.com.
INDUSTRY NEWS: Reviver Records has signed Michael Tyler to their roster. A native of Thayer, Missouri, Tyler has had a hand in writing “Shipwrecked” and “Ain’t Startin’ Tonight” for label mates LOCASH. He also co-penned “Laid Back” from Jason Aldean’s million-selling Old Boots, New Dirt album. Tyler is currently watching as his first single as a songwriter, “Somewhere On A Beach,” climbs the charts for Dierks Bentley. Tyler is a descendant of “The Father of Country Music,” Jimmie Rodgers – one of the three original members of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961. More info at revivermusic.com.
LABEL NEWS: (Sony Red) has released Trick Pony’s new album PONY UP. The former trio is now a duo with original members Heidi Newfield and Keith Burns singing five new songs produced by James Stroud, including the single "Everybody Wanna Be Us." Heidi & Keith are full steam ahead. This is one of my newest favorite songs.
(Valory) Justin Moore goes back in time for a wild Western showdown in the new music video for his latest release “You Look Like I Need a Drink.” Directed by Shane Drake and shot in Los Angeles, Moore is able to live out all of his Western fantasies. Between riding a horse, tumbleweeds, bandits and bar fights, there is no shortage of classic Wild West flavor on screen. “This may be my favorite video I’ve ever shot,” shared Moore. “I am a huge Western fan, and we shot one with a dose of comedy.” The clip premiered exclusively on JustinMoore.CMT.com in February addition to the on-air debut during CMT Hot 20 Countdown.
LEGEND NEWS: Country Legend Johnny Cash’s Museum in downtown Nashville has quite a few new exhibits. They were unveiled during the annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash, at the museum on February 26th and 27th. This year’s events featured guest appearances from Cash family members and associates, the first public display of the “One Piece at a Time” car in Nashville in decades and the chance for fans to jam with Cash’s drummer, W.P. Holland, but the main focus was on the new expansion, which includes the first-ever public display of costumes from the Walk the Line biopic. There are also several new interactive features, including a fun green screen that lets fans get their pictures taken with Cash in a variety of poses, as well as a selection of digitized covers of Cash’s music from other artists, ranging from Miley Cyrus and Dean Martin to Star Trek star Leonard Nimoy. Perhaps the most interesting of the interactive features is In the Studio, which allows fans to personally re-mix any one of Cash’s song on a digital mixing board, isolate individual instrumental or vocal parts and get a new insight into the actual musical tracks that built Cash’s legend. More info at www.johnnycashmuseum.com.
MEDIA NEWS: The Kentucky Headhunters switched gears and rocked the bluegrass on February 22, in Lexington as part of “Michael Johnathon’s Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour.” Hailing from small-town Edmonton, Kentucky, the legendary and popular group played versions of their new music from their latest album ‘Meet Me In Bluesland’, as well as their well-known hits, before an intimate 300-seat live audience at the historic Lyric Theatre. Hosted by folksinger Michael Johnathon, “Woodsongs” is an acoustic format radio and television show broadcast on over 500 radio stations across the country including the American Forces Radio Network, and viewed in over 90 million households across the country on KET, BlueHighways TV, DISH TV and various PBS stations. More at woodsongs.com and kentuckyheadhunters.com.
MUSIC NEWS: The RIAA has issued platinum (in excess of 1,000,000 sales) certification for Luke Bryan's KILL THE LIGHTS album. The album was released in August 2015 and debuted at the number one spot on Billboard album charts. Kill the Lights is the fifth studio album for Bryan and contains the mega hit single, “Strip It Down.”
NUMBER ONE NEWS: Music Row should be called ‘Party Row” with all the great number one news! We start with congrats to Kelsea Ballerini, and the whole family at Black River promo crew on taking “Dibs” to number one. The song is Ballerini’s second consecutive chart-topper, joining “Love Me Like You Mean It.”… Congrats to Brothers Osborne! Following their blazing performance at the 2016 Country Radio Seminar “New Faces“ show, John and TJ Osborne are celebrating their first Number One hit single with “Stay A Little Longer,” a song TJ and John co-wrote with superstar so
RADIO NEWS: Tucker Beathard’s debut single, ‘Rock On,’ is now at Country radio. The Big Machine Label Group artist co-wrote song with Marla Cannon-Goodman and his father and hit songwriter Casey Beathard. Tucker played both lead guitar and drums on the track. He gave up a college baseball scholarship to dive headlong into songwriting. As a result, he has an unrelenting competitive spirit and says he wakes up every day trying to write the perfect song. For more about the new single and tour dates, go to tuckerbeathardmusic.com.
RFD-TV NEWS: In March, “Larry’s Country Diner” will feature performances by John Anderson, Gene Watson, The Quebe Sisters, The Texas Tenors and Christian pianist, Gordon Mote. Tune in on Thursdays at 8 p.m. / 7 p.m. CT and Saturdays at 11 p.m. / 10 p.m. CT to RFD-TV. See show schedules and more at larryscountrydiner.com
SINGLE NEWS: Tammy Jones Robinette & VIDEO NEWS: Dierks Bentley is building momentum for “Somewhere On A Beach” with the release of the funny new music video on VEVO. The lead single from his forthcoming eighth studio album BLACK (Capitol Records Nashville) is the fastest rising of his career, cruising into the Top 20 in just four weeks. Bentley once again teamed with director Wes Edwards, this time on the streets and beaches of Puerto Morelos, Mexico, as a familiar character gets caught up in a whirlwind romance on a vacation gone wild. The duo has previously won both the ACM and CMA “Video Of The Year” Awards together. Tour dates and more at dierks.com.
TOUR NEWS: At press time, Garth Brooks had topped 60,000 tickets for 4 concerts at KFC Yum Center in Louisville (My hometown) and tickets are still selling. The concerts will be: Friday, April 8th at 7:00 and 10:30 pm, and Saturday, April 9th at 7:00 and 10:30 pm. There is an eight ticket limit per purchase and tickets can only be purchased at ticketmaster.com, ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or by calling Ticketmaster Express, 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000. Tickets cost $61.07 plus a $3.66 tax, a $4.00 facility fee and a $6.25 service charge for a total of $74.98.
VIDEO NEWS: Dierks Bentley is building momentum for “Somewhere On A Beach” with the release of the funny new music video on VEVO. The lead single from his forthcoming eighth studio album BLACK (Capitol Records Nashville) is the fastest rising of his career, cruising into the Top 20 in just four weeks. Bentley once again teamed with director Wes Edwards, this time on the streets and beaches of Puerto Morelos, Mexico, as a familiar character gets caught up in a whirlwind romance on a vacation gone wild. The duo has previously won both the ACM and CMA “Video Of The Year” Awards together. Tour dates and more at dierks.com.
WWWEBSITES TO CHECKOUT: www.globalsongwriters.com / www.nashvillesongwriters.com / www.cmaworld.com / www.cdxcd.com / www.namm.org
WHO'S LOOKING * WHO'S CUTTING: Allison Bray, Matt Cooper, Dustin Lynch, Sarah Ross, Blake Shelton, and Charlie Worsham.
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