Country Bites News snippets February 11 – February 17 , 2013
SOURCES/LINKS show in RED
UK & IRISH News
The spirit of Nashville
These free pop up stages (spread across the O2 and in the main mall), which will be open from midday, will offer free performances, showcasing emerging country artistes, while The Town Square will feature a whisky bar; Country to Country festival merchandise; various market traders and live music including an eclectic line up of DJ’s.
Both the pop up stages and The Town Square entertainment is in addition to the stellar line up of some of the biggest names in country, who will be performing in The O2 arena.
Confirmed acts for the pop up stages include:
Robert Vincent; Jill Johnson (Sweden
UKCountryRadio.com's first Live Music Event in York was on Saturday 16th February with Gary Quinn - one of a handful of artists who went to Nashville in 2012 to represent the UK
For all events, tickets cost £18 and must be purchased in advance by calling Ambience on 01904 652500. Other artists appearing over the next few months include Maria Jordan (Sat 16 March), Lynne Butler (Sat 20 April) and US Tokyo Rosenthal (Sat 18 May) - www.ukcountryradio.com
Voting is now underway for UKCountryRadio.com's annual Listeners' Club Award 2013. This is their award for one of the songs by a UK
Sample the tracks and vote - ukcountryradio.com - You may only vote once, for one song. Everyone who votes will join the UKCountryRadio.com Listeners' Club and will receive our monthly Newsletter. If you unsubscribe before 31st May, then your vote will be discounted. The finalists will be announced after the close of voting at midnight on 31st May.
The five songs with the most votes will be announced at the beginning of June, which will go through to the final at UKCR's Sixth Birthday Party in September. It's a tough choice to narrow it down to just one song!
Top picks: "Help Me Find The Strength" (Thorne Hill), "Write A Letter" (Kathryn Anderson) and "Better Than Nothing" (Maria Jordan)
Leading Scottish ale Caledonia Best has brought together folk icon Dougie MacLean and rising Dundee band Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher (AMWWF) to record a new version of the iconic Caledonia.
The collaboration came after AMWWF recorded its own version of the 'unofficial' Scottish anthem for Caledonia Best's first TV advertising campaign which was launched in December. The recording has proven popular and Caledonia Best brought Dougie and the band together for a session.
On the Official UK
Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” (Mercury) moves 9-12. In its 19th chart week it sold 22,350 copies, down 18%, reaching a total of single sold 473,990. Her worldwide “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was up one place, 66-65 in its 26th chart week, selling 4,550 copies and has a UK
On the Official UK
Taylor Swift’s RED fell 23-25, it sold 5,750, copies, down 7%, and has now sold 286,801 in 17 weeks.
The Mavericks who debuted at No.37 (3,521 sales) with IN TIME drop down to No.67.
Official UK
The Mavericks remain seated at No.1 with IN TIME (Valory Music) in their second week at retail.
Lady Antebellum stay at No.2 and Carrie Underwood’s BLOWN AWAY moves 4-3.
On the Hotdisc Chart (Feb 17, 2013 Chart)
New American “star” Rusty Rierson (pronounced RYE-ER-SON) stays at No.1 with “Souvenirs” on the Hotdisc Top 40 in his second week of release. He holding off Toby Keith who climbs to 2.
David Wood & Kim Everett with “Can’t Dance To The Blues” (#4), George Inglis’ “The Old Time Rock n’ Roll” (#5), Colm Kirwan’s cover of “Never Alone” (#6) and Joel Crouse’s “If You Want Some” (#8) are all climbers inside the Top 10 this week.
Rob Allen gets the only new entry with “Let The Rivers Run2, inside the Top 20.
George Inglis' leap to 5 in the Top 40 main chart means that he replaced Graham Clark at the top of the British & Irish Top 10 list, giving him his fourth Hotdisc British number 1. New of the British Chart is Cal
AUSSIE NEWS
The LeGarde Twins are set to receive a CMC Lifetime Achievemnent Award. Throughout their career spanning seven decades, The LeGarde Twins have toured Australia , the US and the UK , released numerous albums, were inducted into the The Country Music Hands Of Fame in Tamworth and hosted a variety of TV shows.
The LeGarde Twins, who were the first Australian country music exports to the US
Ted and Tom LeGarde were Australia Australia ’s Yodelling Stockmen”, they toured the country, releasing a number of singles over the years and then in 1957 left for North America, hosting their own TV series in Hollywood before settling in Nashville
On Australia Charlestown
Doug Bruce jumps two places to No.2 with "Made That Way". O'Shea's ”The Swimming Song” bounds up 2 places to No.3.
Tamara Stewart's "WOMEN IN SONG" bounds up four slots to No.6. Amber Lawrence's "Try" moves 3-5,
The Chart of 16 Feb 2013
POS LW TI HP Track Title Artist
1. * 1 14 1x5 Charlestown Road
2. * 4 11 2 Made That Way Doug Bruce
3. * 5 10 3 Swimming Song O'Shea
4. * 2 12 2 Pontoon Little Big Town
5. 3 15 2 Try Amber Lawrence
6. * 10 9 6 Women In Song Tamara Stewart / F Urquhart / S Storer
7. * 7 10 7 I Was Here Adam Brand
8. * 6 16 6 Invincible Me Christie Lamb
9. * 12 10 9 Southern Comfort Zone Brad Paisley
10. * 14 10 10 A Quiet Life Kasey Chambers/Shane Nicholson
CANADIAN NEWS
Budding Canadian singer/songwriter, Chantal Kuegle (SHAN-TAL CUE-GULL) has released today an eponymous, five-song CD
in multiple digital formats with a limited edition disc to follow. “Chantal Kuegle” is a collection of well-crafted, pop-toned country tunes all written or co-written by the talented 20 year-old. The first single, “Never Alone,” co-written by Kuegle and produced by Grammy nominee Kent Wells (Dolly Parton) is an inspirational ballad that resonates with listeners of all ages, and continues to amass adds and increases at country radio. Kuegle will be making her first appearance at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville
“I’m very excited about my debut release,” said Kuegle. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with many amazing and inspiring people that have helped me to get where I am today. I look forward to seeing my peers and friends at country radio very soon in Nashville for CRS,” she added.
GERMAN NEWS
For Artist Profiles information check out www.musiccontact.com/artists
For Touring artists and Dates check out - www.musiccontact.com/on_tour
NEWS
Where The Rascals Run Flatt: Ohio Columbus Oklahoma
Taylor Swift has been nominated for International Female Solo Artist and will perform at the Brit Awards 2013 Feb. 20. Swift launched the Taylor Swift Greeting Card Mobile App, available just in time for Valentine's Day by American Greetings
Taylor Swift Greeting Cards is a mobile app that allows you to select, personalize, and send digital versions of real Taylor Swift greeting cards from your device to your recipient via text message, email, twitter, or posting to their Facebook page. FAQ's (For U.S.
Due to overwhelming demand, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Dwight Yoakam has added a second headlining show at Nashville
20130212
Luke Bryan and Toby Keith are to headline a new Kansas Festival. The Flatlands Country Music Festival will be held at Sporting Park in Kansas City , Kan. from September 12-14.Luke Bryan Bryan Thompson Square
Carrie Underwood will lend items from her Blown Away tour to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville Colorado Springs , Colo.
The exhibition Carrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour, will open on June 5, 2013, and runs through November 10, 2013.
The exhibition will include costumes, instruments, microphones, set pieces and more from the six-time Grammy winner’s 2012-13 tour.
Natalie Maines and Ben Harper are to tour together in the States to support the Dixie Chicks singer's debut solo album, "Mother." As for their own collaboration -- the 10-song "Mother" includes originals and covers by Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley and others.Harper said that the longtime friends and neighbors have "always sort of threatened to do something" together and finally did.
It is revealed that Dixie Chicks side-group The Court Yard Hounds are working on a second album
"I get to be a sideman!" Harper, who co-produced the album, out May 7, told Billboard at the MusiCares event in Los Angeles over the weekend, where they performed "Atlantic City
The native Texan stressed that her fellow Chicks Martie Maguire and Emily Robison have been nothing but supportive ("We're sisters first") while she focuses on her solo effort.
The Dixie Chicks' singer Natalie Maines joked that going back to a career in country music would be "like going back to your abusive husband." Maines spoke with CMT host Katie Cook on the red carpet at a Bruce Springsteen tribute concert sponsored by the Grammys and MusiCares Foundation on Friday night (Feb. 8) in Los Angeles Maines
When Maines Maines
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| Ben Harper & Natalie Maines (Billboard Image) |
Comments: Some of the country music fans are like an ex wife. They are incapable of moving on from the past and never accept any responsibilities for their part.
A band as successful as them should be forgiven and re-embraced. We as country music fans have forgiven far worse.
Name another band that's been able to top their success in record sales, cross overs, and overall success. No one.
I don't blame her. The hate groups made a conscious effort to bash on boards and radio stations. Wrong or right, they have talent and had taken the country music industry by storm with their success. It's sad that the industry quickly forgives fellow stars for adultery, drugs, violence and alcohol, but they totally boycott this amazing band
Blake Shelton announced on the Today Show the release of his new 12 track album, BASED ON A TRUE STORY. It’s due to drop March 26, 2013, on Warner Bros. Records. - Full Track Listing
Blake will also perform on The Today Show March 26. This highly anticipated new album features his current smash hit, “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Digital Tracks chart in its first week of release. “Sure Be Cool If You Did” is creating a buzz, with Entertainment Weekly calling it “ludicrously catchy” with an A- rating and Newsday saying it shows “exactly how ‘The Voice’ coach-judge manages to maintain his country cred while wading into the mainstream.”
Blake will be heading out on a major headlining tour of the U.S. beginning July 19th in Virginia Beach , VA.
Kathie Lee and Hoda put Blake Shelton to the test Monday in a "Today" quiz about his new "The Voice" coaching colleagues Usher and Shakira. And he failed miserably. Watch Blake on The Today Show - video.today.msnbc.msn.com
It's just the new video for his current hit, "Sure Be Cool If You Did." And Blake, who is happily married to Miranda Lambert, doesn't even act like he's going to flirt with any of the young ladies. Despite the fact that he sings the song in the first person—You don't have to keep me falling like this, but it would sure be cool if you did—he leaves the romance to the boys in the band.
>> YouTube
Jetset Getset (JSGS) are among 20 up-and-coming artists named by the Country Music Association among “Who New to Watch in 2013 in the February issue of CMA Up Close Magazine. Fronted by singers Tori Little (16), Avery Eliason (15) and Sadie Loveland (15), Jetset Getset has recently been attracting attention in Nashville, as a result of live performances and their recent album, “Saturday Night” (Playback Records).
“To be chosen among all the hundreds of country artists out there, is an honor,” Eliason said. “It makes me happy to see how our work has paid off.”
“It’s surreal that this is happening,” added Little. “Never in a million years would I have thought we would named a band to watch by the CMA.”
Jetset Getset was discovered in 2012 by veteran radio personality and record producer Jack Gale, when he saw them performing on “The Shotgun Red Variety Show” on RFD-TV in Nashville Nashville and World Domination Music in Europe .
“I couldn’t be prouder of Jetset Getset,” Gale said. “There are very few kids singing country music, and these girls’ harmonies are different from anything that anyone else is doing.”
Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne is set to launch his summer 2013 Acoustic Tour with a string of U.S. dates beginning June 19 at the Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City , UT. Jackson
Grammy-winning trio Lady Antebellum have set the date for their inaugural “Ping Pong & Songs” fundraising event for March 23rd in Nashville , Tennessee
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| Lady A - Go Ping Pong |
Inspired by a combination of the band’s favorite backstage hobby and their love of songwriting, the event includes a celebrity ping pong tournament and an in-the-round style songwriters’ night, both benefiting the group’s newly created charitable initiative LadyAID™.
Ray Price, the 87-year-old Country Music legend has kept his fans up-to-date on his condition via his official Facebook page, since having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. He recently had good news to share. In the following February 8 post, Price confirmed that his cancer is in remission, that he has entered a physical rehab program to improve his muscle tone and rebuild his strength and that his condition is improving.
Sugar Hill Records have finally made a shirt that fans can all be proud to wear to their favorites shows and festivals this summer. These shirts are super soft and light ringspun cotton tees from Next Level Designs. Choose from light gray or dark chocolate versions. $20 - 2 to 4 weeks for international orders
Singer/songwriter Chase Rice has signed with Triple 8 Management. Rice co-wrote the Florida Georgia Line hit “Cruise” . . . Blaster has signed Jared Ashley to a recording deal. His first single, “Last Train to Memphis
AirPlay Direct, the Digital delivery system to industry professionals, will be celebrating an 8 year Anniversary on March 12th at the Hard Rock Café, Nashville
The Civil Wars teamed up with T-Bone Burnett to record the soundtrack for A PLACE AT THE TABLE, a documentary about poverty in America
The Band Perry, scheduled a special show at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD on Saturday May 18, 2013, to make up for the show on September 1, 2012, at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, MD, which was cut short due to dangerous
weather conditions
Coming to a future UK Screen: Country artists Kip Moore, Vince Gill and Pam Tillis are all set to appear on ABC-TV drama "NASHVILLE," all playing the role of themselves. When asked about the show, Moore told ABC NEWS RADIO, "I don't think that everybody believes that's exactly how NASHVILLE
RIAA Certifications:
Blake Shelton: His album RED RIVER BLUE, released in 2011, has been certified platinum by the RIAA for shipments of 1 million copies. This is his first platinum album. However, Shelton
Taylor Swift: "I Knew You Were Trouble" has reached triple platinum.
The Envelope, Please: Nominees for the 48th Annual Academy
Eric Church leads the way with a lucky seven including Album of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for contributing with Luke Bryan to Jason Aldean's "The Only Way I Know."
Hunter Hayes received six nominations followed by Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift with five apiece
Brantley Gilbert, his fiancée Jana Kramer and Florida Georgia Line are up in the New Artist of the Year category; voting takes place here - www.cbs.com.
Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton host this year's show live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
The full list of nominees can be found - www.acmcountry.com
Songwriter of the Year: Rodney Clawson, Dallas Davidson, Josh Kear,Luke Laird, Shane McAnally
Entertainer of the Year: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton
Female Vocalist of the Year: Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year: Big and Rich, Florida Thompson Square
Vocal Group of the Year: The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band
New Artist of the Year: Jana Kramer, Brantley Gilbert , Florida Georgia
Album of the Year:
Carrie Underwood (Blown Away) /Eric Church (Chief) / Taylor Swift (Red);
Luke Bryan (Tailgates and Tanlines) ; Little Big Town (Tornado)
Song of the Year:
Lee Brice, “A Woman Like You”, Eli Young Band, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”
Miranda Lambert, “Over You”,Eric Church, “Springsteen” ,Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Single Record of the Year:
Eli Young Band, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” / Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Little Big Town, “Pontoon” /Eric Church, “Springsteen”/ Hunter Hayes,“Wanted”
Singer/songwriter Will Hoge scored his first ACM nomination in the Song of the Year category for penning “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” performed by the Eli Young Band - “Earlier this year I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the ACM Honors event at the Ryman in Nashville, alongside some of my greatest musical influences,” shares Will Hoge. “Now to receive this nomination and know that I’ll get to spend even more time in Vegas with fans, friends, Country radio and the awesome ACM team, I’m truly honored.”
In response to hearing of his six nominations, Hunter Hayes said, “I really feel like I’m part of the family now. It’s such an honor to have the most amazing fans and now this incredible country music community think my music is worthy of these nominations. With ‘Wanted’ being nominated for a GRAMMY and now the ACM’s – it blows my mind, what a way to kick off the year!!”
Inside Music Row 1292, Kelly Lynn caught up with Troy Verges and Hunter at a #1 Party to celebrate that song's success.
>> YouTube
Singer / songwriter Kacey Musgraves received three nominations, FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR and VIDEO OF THE YEAR for both artist and producer. - “Holy sh*t y’all! I am speechless and so thankful,” said Musgraves. “As a newcomer it’s an honor to be included in such a talented group of ladies.”
Kacey Musgraves explains how she heard about her ACM nominations >> AUDIO
Florida Georgia Line scored nominations in the New Artist of the Year presented by Kohl’s and Vocal Duo of the Year categories. “We used to tell each other how fun it would be one day to actually attend an award show,” shares Brian Kelley. “This last year has been a whirlwind and we’ve had the opportunity to go to a few. With that said, we never dreamed we would win an award or receive multiple nominations. This is an unbelievable honor!”
BABY NEWS
Steve Martin has become a father for the first time, at 67, after he and his wife Anne Stringfield welcomed a baby into their lives in December.
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| Steve Martin & Wife Anne Stringfield |
The comedy great and bluegrass musician and his 41-year-old wife Anne Stringfield “had a baby” in December, “and how they kept it a secret nobody knows,” an insider told the NY Post.
“Steve’s very private,” the source told the paper. “They are thrilled. They worked hard to have the baby.”
“Steve’s very private,” the source told the paper. “They are thrilled. They worked hard to have the baby.”
Martin and Stringfield, a journalist for The New Yorker magazine, were seen recently with a baby in Los Angeles
MUSIC NEWS
HMV receiver Deloitte has permanently shut the retailer’s 16 loss-making stores in Ireland
Bryan Adams is in heaven — again! Bryan Adams (aged 53) and Alicia Grimaldi welcomed their second baby girl in London
The rocker and personal assistant Grimaldi (33), who co-founded his charitable foundation, named their new bundle of joy Lula Rosylea. She joins big sister Bunny, 22 months.
“Lula Rosylea decided to arrive at tea time,” Adams tells PEOPLE. “Rosylea is cockney rhyming slang in London for ‘cup of tea’ and the name Lula comes from Gene Vincent‘s song ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula.’” Unmarried Bryan
SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
Brad Paisley garners his 21st No. 1 single (Mediabase) with “Southern Comfort Zone,” and confirmed the track listing for his 8th regular studio album, WHEELHOUSE, set for release on Arista Nashville on Tuesday, April 9.
The layered reveal experience includes a fan mosaic, hidden icons that unlock special items, an exclusive Brad Paisley making-of-the-album interview and information on how to enter a national sweepstakes.(ELIGIBILITY - This sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (excluding Rhode Island) or the District of Columbia, who are eighteen (18) years of age)
Produced by Paisley , the 14 songs and 3 interstitials, along with the songwriters and any special guest collaborations, are indicated below. Paisley wrote or co-wrote all of the complete songs featured on Wheelhouse, including the lead hit, “Southern Comfort Zone.”
Brad Paisley's new album, WHEELHOUSE, will include guest appearances by Dierks Bentley, Hunter Hayes, Charlie Daniels, LL Cool J, singer-songwriter Mat Kearney and British actor-comedian Eric Idle. Set for release April 9, the project features 17 songs written or co-written by Paisley .
A deluxe version will include four additional tracks. Bentley provides vocals and Hayes plays guitar on "Outstanding in Our Field," credited as a co-write by Paisley, Mike Dean, Chris DuBois, Lee Thomas Miller and the late Roger Miller, who is also listed as being featured on the track. Daniels joins Paisley on "Karate," and Kearney Paisley 's latest single which has climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard country airplay chart.
Track listing at - bradpaisley.com
Fans can preorder Wheelhouse and Wheelhouse (Deluxe Version) now on Amazon.com at
Wheelhouse (Deluxe Version) - Amazon.com
Go West, Young Band: The Band Perry's second album is called PIONEER and the title might have been inspired by their adventure out west, ”The three of us drove across the country from Greeneville to Malibu to work with one of our musical superheroes, Rick Rubin,” says Reid of the man whose resume includes work with Johnny Cash, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, and the Dixie Chicks just to name a few.
“Our time in the studio with Rick was so incredible because during our early sessions he challenged us to set higher goals as songwriters.” But the relationship was short-lived. “With that experience came the realization that we needed to take the music back home to Tennessee
The album was produced by Dann Huff and has been listed as one of Entertainment Weekly's “12 Albums We Can’t Wait For.” The album comes out April 2 on Republic Nashville. Announcement >> YouTube
The Zac Brown Band will release a new album and an acoustic album too "a little later on in the year," so says the country band's frontman.
"An acoustic record, too," Zac Brown added while speaking with Billboard on the Grammys red carpet on Sunday. The "Goodbye In Your Eyes" singer also revealed a possible collaboration with T Bone Burnett, who they played with during the Levon Helm tribute at the tail-end of the Grammy telecast.
"We've been hanging out with T Bone Burnett… you know, he's been playing in the band as well with us," Brown said. "Been talking to him too, so hopefully we'll get to do a project with him this year."
Watch The Billboard red carpet interview - http://bcove.me/2xoz99nh
Ashley Monroe’s “Like A Rose” Debut Package and “Like A Rose” Deluxe Package, can now be pre-ordered from her official store exclusively at AshleyMonroe.com. Orders placed by February 26 will be received by March 5, 2013, and fans can use this special code for free shipping: AMFANFREE. - http://ashleymonroe.com/splash
The Vinyl Frontier: Kenny Rogers‘ classic album, THE GAMBLER, is to be reissued on an 180-gram vinyl on March 12. Mastered for vinyl by Ron McMaster at Capitol Mastering, the album will be packaged in true-to-original LP sleeves with restored artwork.
Released in 1978, The Gambler featured the hit ballad “She Believes In Me” and the iconic title track, which won two Grammy Awards for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male and Best Country Song. The album is certified five-times platinum by the RIAA.
Other vinyl re-issues to receive the same treatment will include:
Glen Campbell classic “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” Wanda Jackson
The releases will all include the true-to-original LP sleeves with restored artwork.
CAPITOL NASHVILLE already announced that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” will also be reissued on MARCH 12th
PRESS RELEASES
Kellie Pickler is no stranger to supporting men and women in uniform--it’s something she’s been doing since she set out on her first USO tour in 2007. She wanted to do something special for female soldiers spending Valentine’s Day in Afghanistan and Kuwait
Having traveled to Afghanistan
Tate Stevens, The X Factor Season 2 winner and Syco Music/RCA Nashville recording artist released his debut single “Power Of A Love Song” on Tuesday, February 12.
Blurb: Written by Jeremy Bussey, Bradley Gaskin, and Marcus Franklin Johnson, “Power Of A Love Song,” encompasses a traditional country sound that solidifies Stevens’ authenticity in the genre as he makes his highly-anticipated mainstream debut.
Helmed by renowned Nashville Nashville
“The commanding new ballad” showcases Stevens’ billowing baritone vocal power, which won over millions of viewers on The X Factor.
See what you think >> Audio
You have to sign up to Tate Stevens & Sony Music Nashville Email Newsletters to unlock the new single and pre-order his album at www.tatestevensofficial.com to get and instant download of "Holler If You're With Me' which Pepsi premiered with Super Bowl video commercials
During the broadcast of The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, Pepsi hosted the exclusive debut of Stevens’ music video for “Holler If You’re With Me” in a commercial, which was named “a legit smash” by Taste Of Country in their article, “Five Things To Take Away From the 2013 GRAMMY Awards.” “Holler If You’re With Me” has been viewed more than 70,000 times and counting in just 72 hours.
** Update ** Despite the media hype “Holler” has bombed commercially and is a chart flop.
** Update ** Despite the media hype “Holler” has bombed commercially and is a chart flop.
Top country music artists Darius Rucker and Randy Houser have both started the new year off with successful music releases, but they are also being recognized for their volunteer work with Musicians On Call (MOC), a non-profit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities…For more info read the
EB Media press release
EB Media press release
For the first time in 41 years, The Marshall Tucker Band will travel 'across the pond' for its first-ever live concert performances in Switzerland Zurich , Switzerland , at the 2013 International Country Music Festival, held at the Schützenhaus Albisgütli Event Center
"We are so excited to have been asked to play at such a prestigious event," notes MTB lead singer and founding member Doug Gray. "It's been almost four decades since we last played Europe and even then, we didn't get to visit Switzerland
ARTICLES
Billboard The 615 (Feb 13, 2013) The Mavericks Are Back 'In Time' for First Album in a Decade (By Chuck Dauphin)
Billboard The 615 - Kenny Loggins' Blue Sky Riders 'Finally' Arrive
Blue Sky Riders 2013 CMA Close Up® Article/ News Service - Link
CMA Close UP - New Artist Spotlight: Florida
Blake Shelton set off a firestorm of debate with his recent comments about the clash between new styles of country music and traditional-minded fans.
But he wasn’t that far off base, as this special cover story points out. Over the past several decades, new styles like honky-tonk and the so-called Nashville Sound stirred the pot and caused their own share of controversies.
The story also features Blake’s warm reconciliation with the legendary Ray Price, who originally took offense at Blake’s remarks.
Y'all gotta pick up the next @countryweekly... It's a perfect article about our ever changing country music. Thank y'all for ur great work.
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) February 15, 2013
(Billboard Biz) Country Radio Seminar Takes Pulse Of Genre’s Evolving Audience - When this year’s edition of CRS convenes Feb. 27-March 1 at the Nashville Convention Center
Blake Shelton unintentionally waded into the middle of the upheaval when comments he made on a GAC special about moving the music forward were taken out of context and turned into a controversy that had him calling older country fans “old farts” and “assholes.” The story played up the worst fears of longtime country fans: that their music was being ruined and they, as loyal followers, were being left behind.
The push and pull between age groups and their respective tastes in country is nothing new.
The searing guitar on Ronnie Milsap’s 1983 single “Stranger In My House” spurred KASE Austin president/GM Ron Rogers to call RCA president Joe Galante and ask him, “What are you doing to country music” CRS executive director Bill Mayne recalls. The Nashville Sound of the 1960s was a reaction to country’s drop in popularity when Elvis Presley and the energy of pioneering rock’n’roll made it more difficult for traditional country acts to obtain bookings.
Even Ray Price—who was Shelton
Thanks in part to the stylistic diversity of country ambassador Taylor Swift, the emergence of hip-hop within the music of Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, and the increasing “that ain’t country” cry of critics and upper-demo fans, the issue seems to have a renewed urgency: What is country music? And what constitutes a country fan?
“Country music evolves like two tectonic plates grinding against each other so slowly that you can’t even perceive it, and every once in a while the energy builds up and there’s a release of pressure, and there’s an earthquake,” KSCS Dallas-Fort Worth PD Chris Huff observes. “I think we’ve been feeling that over the last 12 months where you see the rise and dominance of a newer stable of stars, to the point where the older established stars and evergreen titles are finally being weeded out—and not because they’re not solid songs anymore. It’s just the format is evolving.”......Country has tested several different splits—country/Southern rock hybrids and classic-country stations—but has mostly maintained a fragile big-tent philosophy, packaging pop-leaning Carrie Underwood, edgy rock-flavored Eric Church and tradition-minded Greg Bates all on one station in most markets. The 18-34 v. 25-54 chatter leads logically to consider a format split, though the genre’s current hot streak is, Mayne suggests, reason enough to hold the format together.
“Every decade, this subject comes up and I think the reason perhaps why country has stayed so strong is because it hasn’t fragmented,” he says. ....The downside in the discussion is the disenfranchised older country listener—that 50-plus fan who moans that Hunter Hayes and Rascal Flatts aren’t real country, like Merle Haggard and George Jones. The good thing is that the Internet gives those fans places to hear the music that’s been culled from current stations. Plus, even when modern country stretches musically,it’s stayed true to the lyrical themes of its heritage.
“Country has done a good job of drawing the line between what’s out now and [its past],” Ross suggests. “What is ‘Dirt Road Anthem?’ Is it ‘A Country Boy Can Survive’ 30 years later? Or is it a hip-hop record that just happens to be in country?”
That debate— and what it means to the format and its audience — is at the heart of the upcoming CRS.
(NPR) Saving The Sounds Of America
An excerpt from the LoC press release on the topic: A web of interlocking issues currently threatens the long-term survival of our sound-recording history, from a lack of storage capacity and preservation expertise to rapidly changing technology and disparate copyright laws governing historical recordings.
Major areas of the nation’s recorded-sound heritage have already been destroyed or remain inaccessible to the public. Experts estimate that more than half of the titles recorded on cylinder records—the dominant format used by the U.S.
The archive of one of radio’s leading networks is lost. A fire at the storage facility of a principal record company ruined an unknown number of master recordings of both owned and leased materials.
The whereabouts of a wire recording made by the crew members of the Enola Gay from inside the plane as the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima
INTERVIEWS
Rolling Stone - Q&A: Jamey Johnson on His Grammy Nomination and Uncertain Future
'I feel pretty used by the music industry,' says country singer…Excerpt: “I wish I could tell you that I am writing. I’m not. I wish I could tell you I’m gonna go home next week and record another album. It’s not likely to happen. I feel pretty used by the music industry, in that my contracts are written in such a way that I don’t get paid. And that makes me wanna quit working for whoever thinks it is that I work for them. But I’ve clearly got a job that I can’t quit.”
Suite 101 talks to one half of Australian husband-and-wife country duo, O'Shea, about life in America
LISTEN
Ivan & Alyosha's first full-length album, ALL THE TIMES WE HAD, comes out Feb. 26
Listen to all the tracks at - www.npr.org
Blurb: The band writes gorgeous, swelling songs about love and faith, and performs them with real charm.
The sweetly propulsive "Easy to Love" has aged nicely since a bunch of us became smitten with it while preparing for SXSW in 2010; with its wise, graceful look at enduring commitment, it's a Valentine's Day-friendly love song that never gets stuck in sap
The intrepid ensemble—comprised of core members Tim Wilson (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Ryan Carbary (guitars, piano and vocals), Tim Kim (electric guitar and vocals) and Tim’s brother Pete Wilson (bass and vocals), plus a revolving assortment of friends and collaborators on keyboards, drums and other instruments.
Free Stuff “The Cabin Sessions” for Fans of: Fleet Foxes,The Low Anthem, Trent Dabbs, The Civil Wars - noisetrade.com
WATCH
Kacey Musgraves started her day Wednesday (2/13) with four ACM Award nominations including Female Vocalist of the Year and then made her television debut with a performance of "Merry Go Round" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon -
Soda Pop Stars: Taylor Swift has Diet Coke, Brantley Gilbert has Mountain Dew and now Hunter Hayes has Pepsi. In a commercial during Sunday night's (2/10) 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Pepsi welcomed Hayes to the family with a warning to us: "Get Ready For Pepsi + Hunter This Summer." No telling what their plans are, but Hunter should know that before he was born, Pepsi caught Michael Jackson's hair on fire.
Pepsi also premiered a commercial featuring up-and-comer Tate Stevens, the winner of The X Factor season 2. The spot gave us a little tease of Stevens' music video for “Holler If You’re With Me” >> YouTube
Stevens won a $5 million recording contract and more than 35 million votes were cast by viewers after the performance show on Dec 19.
I can report that Tate has flopped with "Holler” his first song to be released for sale since he signed with Syco Music/RCA Nashville. On Feb. 13, 2013, Billboard announced the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week. Stevens' "Holler If You're With Me" (released on Feb. 5, 2013) failed to make it on the chart in the first week since the song went on sale.
A clip from the "Holler If You're With Me" music video (sponsored by Pepsi) was shown during the 55th Annual Grammy Awards telecast on Feb. 10, 2013, but that valuable TV exposure failed to ignite sales for the song which got off to a very slow start.
"Holler" bombed on the iTunes' Top 100 Songs (U.S.) chart where it was floundered in the 90’s before the song dropped off of the chart and hasn't been getting a lot of airplay at country radio.
It made it’s bow at #54 on The Billboard Country Digital Chart [note -The #30 song sold 14,000 downloads],#50 on Country Airplay and on Feb 13 it was at #469 on iTunes Top 1500 Singles and Albums. On Feb 19 “Holler” had disappeared from the Billboard Country Airplay chart!
O'Shea (Mark & Jay O'Shea) have a new video "Thank You Angels" >> YouTube
It is the second single from the new O'SHEA album 'One + One' which is already becoming the Nashville-based husband and wife duo's most successful record in thier homeland of Australia
The cause is a particularly personal issue for the pair as Congenital Heart defect survivor, Mark, is himself a HeartKid having had his first surgery at the age of 6 months and again in 2010.
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| Elizabeth South Single artwork |
Elizabeth South’s new single from the emerging artist features the vocals of Vince Gill.
The song “I Love You” came out February 12th, just in time Valentine’s. The single is available on US iTunes
>> YouTube
This is her very first real country song and an honour to get Vince Gill to sing with her. The vid and song were successfully enough that a prominent Radio Promotion company picked it to be featured to stations and industry people for Valentine's Day. >> YouTube
COUNTRY FASHION
Miley Cyrus made the most of what New York Fashion Week has to offer. The actress and singer made a bold style choice for an outing in the Big Apple recently.
She was sporting a black and white maxi dress with horizontal stripes on the top and vertical stripes on the skirt.
The unusual frock bared the 20-year-old’s shoulders and the stretchy material ensured her slender figure was accentuated.
The former Hannah Montana star showed off the full effect of the dress as she left her New York
She wore an ASOS Maxi Dress in Stripe Print ($66.65), a pair of Chanel Cut Out Circle Earrings ($1.200), the Large “Signature” Flap Handle Bag from Versace ($2.395) and the Alaïa Black Suede Boots (Sold Out). Similar platform booties for $49.99 can be found at Nine West.
Cassadee Pope loves smiley faces and added a new addition her collection with the All Smiles Barefoot Sweater in Gold by Wildfox Couture ($101.00).
COUNTRY GOSSIP
LeAnn Rimes is suing her dentist, claiming he botched up her mouth so bad ... it's messing up her career.
In the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, LeAnn claims she went to Dr. Duane C. McKay for various dental work over 3 years. Some of the work included upper front veneers and crowns that the dentist promised would address her TMJ-related pain as well as improve her appearance.
Rimes claims rather than helping, the dentist messed her mouth up bad, causing tremendous pain and bleeding. Back in October, she tweeted, "I feel like I got hit in my right side of my face with a baseball bat."
The dentist did 9 root canals, bone grafting, crowns and veneers to try and alleviate her dental pain and to improve her appearance. LeAnn claims she's been unable to perform as a result, so she's seeking money from past and future earnings
Rimes had a temporary bridge and needed physical therapy as well.
She says in the suit "she will have a "permanent cosmetic deficiency" and that the dental work is so bad it has been "screwing with her career"!
First came Taylor Swift mocking her ex 1D boyfriend Harry Styles by singing her track WANEGBT while he was attending the NRJ Music Awards, then she dug her heels (claws?) in even further at the Grammys adopting a British accent on stage and now it seems Tay is adamant on having a final dig at the One Direction star.
Not only did she wear a knitted beanie hat like the one he religiously wore during their time together, but she also parodied some of their significant moments. In particular she was seen running up to a friend to do a version of the Dirty Dancing lift - something she was famously captured doing on holiday with Styles near the start of their relationship
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| Taylor Swift filming a new video on Location in Malibu |
Do 22-year-olds ride around in shopping carts eating ice cream cones? NO. They typically ride around in cabs chugging beer on their way to the bar. (Sorry, mom).
One day Taylor
Millions of girls will have been dreaming about Harry Styles this Valentine's Day.
But one group of young female fans found themselves the envy of millions after bumping into the heartthrob on the romantic day.
Harry, 19, paid a visit to a Nando's restaurant in Leeds and his appearance left many of the patrons in shock.
Harry is currently single after splitting from Taylor Swift. It was recently revealed that Taylor and Harry will come face to face at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, where they will be battling it out for the same award. The country music star will be up against Styles and his band One Direction in the Favourite Song category at the upcoming ceremony when the show airs March 23 on Nickelodeon.
Simon Cowell, One Direction's mentor, reckons Harry Styles is doing a good job with the ladies.
Harry, 19, has been linked to numerous girls over the past couple of years but Simon, 53, isn't bothered about his protégé getting a reputation. 'He doesn't hang around, Harry, so yes, I'm impressed,' says Simon. 'I don't worry about the One Direction lads. Having a few girlfriends is totally fine.'
Aside from Irish member Niall Horan, 19, the 1D boys have all stepped out with women and visited the tattoo parlour to be inked in recent months. But Simon isn't bothered about their rock'n'roll lifestyles - "But having a couple of tattoos and a couple of girlfriends isn't a problem"
Stephen & Eric from Love and Theft are going on tour with Tim McGraw this year and they raved (went nuts) about how good his catering is. Asked what the weirdest thing they’ve ever eaten is, the answer was "squirrel". Eric says it’s good in a stew or marinated, one time Stephen bit down on a shotgun pellet!
Tim McGraw’s Valentines gift this year for wife Faith Hill will be making dinner for her. Not sure if "squirrel" was on the menu!
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| Faith Hill |
The sweet smelling couple have just released another pair of fragrances, ‘Soul2Soul Vintage.’
Ryan Seacrest's plans for a romantic trip to London with Julianne Hough were ruined when their plane was diverted to Las Vegas
She told Us Weekly: "I flew in from Nashville
TWEETS
Tim McGraw – TheTimMcGraw: Happy Valentine’s Day! Big day in my house – full of women!! Good luck fellas!!
Its congrats to Whitney Duncan on her engagement to Keith Tollefson.
Whitney announced the engagement via TWITTER, "Me & @keithtollefson are Engaged!!!" Later the artist added, "I'm going to marry this man!" Congratulate Whitney couple on TWITTER via @whitneyduncan
R.I.P
Mindy McCready (November 30, 1975 – February 17, 2013)
A hugely successful country music singer whose debut album, 1996′s Ten Thousand Angels sold over 2 million copies. Quickly signed to BNA Records, McCready’s debut album was released to much fanfare and ultimately yielded four hit singles with “Guys Do It All The Time” reaching #1. That was followed by four more albums and several hit country singles.
In all, McCready landed on the Country Singles chart twelve times and sold over 3 million albums.
During McCready’s later years, she was involved in a few rocky relationships that continually fed the tabloids with troubling stories of abuse and drug addiction.
In April of 2012, McCready gave birth to her second child, and in January of 2013, the boy’s father, producer David Wilson, was found in his home of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. On February 17, 2013, Mindy McCready took her own life. She was 37. See Separate Blog Post
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