Rucker Reaches Out via iPhone

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darius13Darius Rucker’s new iPhone/iPod touch app is the first from a country music artist to reach this writers desk. Downloadable for FREE, the nifty 35 MB code works much like a personal web browser dedicated to one site. Navigation is divided into seven categories: Welcome, Latest News, Tour Dates, Music Videos, Song samples/purchase links, Darius TV and Twitter.

Inside the tour dates area are direct links that open mobile Safari and enable fans to purchase tickets. Music Video has both still images and embedded videos that are loaded on the phone and can be viewed with or without a network connection. Darius TV is dedicated to behind-the-scenes humorous video clips and outtakes.

The app’s look and feel is clean and intuitive. Fans will appreciate having a “clubhouse” where they can go at any time to hangout and get the latest news. Like a web site, content can be updated when desired, giving the artist a direct-to-the-fan syndicated information channel. Artist apps have been extremely popular in other music formats and range from the simple, but informative—like Rucker’s version—to collections of bells and whistles with built in contests, social networking access and even the ability for fans and the artist to chat online in the app’s private chat room.

As today’s media landscape continues to fragment, it becomes more difficult to attract a large-scale audience in one place at the same time making social networking and iPhone-type apps more important than ever. Newspapers, network TV and radio are examples of media with shrinking audience. Consumers have now added new on-demand media outlets to their infotainment choices and view that content across a variety of screens—TV, computer and mobile.

“Fans can now access my music, tour stops and stay in touch with me through their devices so it’s my way of saying ‘thanks’ for spreading the word about the music,” says Darius Rucker. Savvy marketers realize that Rucker’s gift is a two way street that will please fans and pay career dividends.

Worley Parties for Cystic Fibrosis

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darryl_worleyFans heading to Nashville for the CMA Music Festival can join Stroudavarious Records artist Darryl Worley and a few of his famous friends as they kick off the summer in style at the 103 WKDF Country Beach Party benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Set for Tuesday, June 9 at The Stage on Lower Broadway, the party will feature “beach wear, cool shades and island music cowboy style.” Worley, whose Sounds Like Life album hits stores the same day as the 103 WKDF Beach Party, is as enthusiastic about his support of Cystic Fibrosis as his own annual hometown fundraiser, the Tennessee River Run. “It is important to me to be a part of this, because the disease has directly affected my life and my family,” he said. “I’m very passionate about doing whatever I can to help find a cure.”

“Darryl Worley has been our honorary chairman for a number of years,” said Dave Kelly, Program Director 103.3 WKDF . “He usually brings with him some good friends to help us raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, and he always brings a good time!”  Additional performers for the will be announced shortly. Tickets for the 103 WKDF Beach Party can be purchased here.

615 Music Nabs Emmy Nominations

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615Randy Wachtler, President/Founder of Nashville-based 615 Music has announced that the company has landed three 2009 Daytime Emmy Award nominations in the category of “Outstanding Original Song, Main Title and Promo,” for shows including NASCAR On Speed TV and NBC’s Today. 615’s client roster is comprised of virtually every major broadcast and cable television network, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, MSNBC, HBO Worldwide, A&E, HGTV, The History Channel, The Family Channel, Discovery, and CMT. Additionally, the company has written and produced musical themes for numerous television series and shows. These have included Today, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Discovery Channel, Frasier, ABC Sports College Football, and PBS’s Nova.

Charlie Allen

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“Proof”

River Run/Big 7

callen-playlist60109“I have made no secret of my respect for this artist. He’s proudly country, and this groove-saturated drinking song is one more feather in his cap.”
—Robert K. Oermann, Music Row.

So far, 2009 has been a banner year for Charlie Allen. Allen has seen his music gain acceptance around the world, and his media visibility has never been higher.

In January, he made a promotional appearance at MIDEM in Cannes, France, and performed an invitation-only showcase event at the Gibson Guitar Studio in London, England. And, he just celebrated his second No. 1 single in Europe. Recently, he was a featured guest on a special Memorial Day edition of Geraldo at Large on FOX News and currently is preparing for his second appearance opening the mega festival, Bonnaroo, in June. Allen’s new single, “Proof” is from his CD, That Was Then, This Is Now.

Allen hails from the east Tennessee town of Bristol, which is credited with being the birthplace of modern country music. (It was there that Ralph Peer first recorded The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and others, creating what is now referred to as “The Big Bang” of country). Allen has been performing since childhood, when at age 7, he was singing onstage at Panther Hall in Ft. Worth, TX., and appearing in concert with iconic artists such as Hank Williams, Jr., Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn and Jerry Lee Lewis, among others.

http://charlieallenonline.com/

 

Big Tractor Re-Signs Wade Kirby

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Big Tractor Music has announced the re-signing of hit songwriter Wade Kirby. First signed to the company in 2004, Kirby worked with Big Tractor for three years before shifting to another  publisher, only to return after 8 months. His latest chart-topper is George Strait‘s No. 1 single, “I Saw God Today,” which garnered Grammy, ACM and CMA nominations. Kirby also co-wrote Joe Nichols‘ current single, “Believers.” He started his career as a road musician with acts including Ray Price and Earl Thomas Conley. Kirby’s songs have been recorded by George Strait, Gretchen Wilson, Darius Rucker, Kenny Rogers, Jeff Bates, Chris Cagle, Erika Jo, Emerson Drive, Rodney Atkins, George Canyon, Rhett Akins, Jace Everett, Faith Hill, John Michael Montgomery, Pam Tillis, Neal McCoy, Brad Johner, Billy Currington, Craig Morgan and Jason Aldean.

“I couldn’t be happier to have Wade Kirby staying on board at Big Tractor,” says General Manager Jason Krupek. “Having a hard-working hit songwriter like Wade at the company assures Big Tractor an exciting opportunity for future growth and success.”

big_tractor

(l-r) Big Tractor GM Jason Krupek; Wade Kirby; and Big Tractor Creative Director Cynthia Anderson

The South Will Rise Again at BamaJam

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bamajam Ronnie Gilley Entertainment’s Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival is set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 4 – 6 in Enterprise, AL. And with appearances from a star-studded list of artists including Taylor Swift, Kid Rock, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Randy Owen, Charlie Daniels, 38 Special, Gary Allan, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, John Anderson, Pat Green, Heidi Newfield, Jamey Johnson, Luke Bryan, Shooter Jennings, Randy Houser, Galactic, Drive By Truckers, Aaron Tippin, LoCash Cowboys, The Black Crowes, Los Lonely Boys and Robert Randolph, this festival is shaping up to be a kind of countrified Bonnaroo. Spread across 450 acres of Alabama countryside, the fields will be transformed into a community entertainment and recreation center. Complete scheduling and ticketing information is available here.

Elzemeyer Talent Opens Nashville Outpost

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elzemeyerMemphis-based Elzemeyer Talent Agency (ETA) has opened a Nashville division of their successful agency to better service all of Tennessee. In April 2008, Elzemeyer launched ETA in Memphis and decided to open the Nashville office at 725 Cool Springs Blvd. in Franklin on the eve of the agency’s one-year anniversary. Over the past year, ETA has experienced steady growth making it possible for the boutique agency to expand its services into the Nashville area. Priding itself in representing the most polished and experienced talent, ETA is a full service agency providing clients throughout the mid-south with models, actors, voice over, promotional models, and live talent. Company founder Abby Elzemeyer brings her experience in theater and film to Tennessee’s growing entertainment industry. She has contributed to several films in the region as a casting director and worked with area talent agencies in the mid-south. She currently supports ArtsMemphis, The Orpheum Theater, and has recently started the Memphis chapter of the Association for the Future of Film and Television. Talent represented by ETA have been involved in a variety of projects including work on the CW’s One Tree Hill, the feature film Nothing But the Truth, an Incredible Pizza Company commercial, and a Hunter Fan print campaign.

“It was a natural next step for ETA to expand into the Nashville area,” said Elzemeyer. “Just as Memphis has a rich history in the entertainment business, within both the film and music industries, so does Nashville. I am thrilled that we have had the opportunity to expand our business.”

For more information, click here.

Christopher Michael Johnson

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“The Day We Changed The Rules”

Lofton Creek/Big Dog Records

cmjohnson-playlist60109“I got the same feeling meeting Christopher Michael Johnson as I did the day I met and signed Tim McGraw.”
—Mike Borchetta [President, Lofton Creek Records (former VP, Curb Records)]

“Wow, what a song… it’s a 3 minute long hook.”
—Keith Hill

“Good lyrics, good delivery, good story, good add.”
—Dan Hollander [WLLX/Lawrenceburg, TN]

“Lofton Creek could be in line for another ‘I Loved Her First’ this could be it…Should rattle the cash register.”
—Dr. Bruce [KFTX/Corpus Christi, TX]

Christopher Michael Johnson’s father once wrote a short story predicting that his young son would one day grow up to be a rock star, an item that was discovered years later by Johnson’s mother after his father’s untimely passing.

Amazingly, Johnson had already spent four years in Nashville working to build a career as a country singer without any prior knowledge of his father’s prophecy. The singer eventually returned to his Missouri roots, started a business and a family, but continued to pursue his dream of playing country music.

He was led back to Nashville, where producer Brien Fisher introduced him to Lofton Creek President Mike Borchetta, who signed him to the label. Johnson began working with Fisher on his upcoming full length album Gettin’ Ready To Fly, which is due out late summer 2009. The latest single from the project is “The Day We Changed The Rules.”

Johnson has also started a non-profit organization for children with cancer, in honor of his father, and is a supporter of the American Cancer Society.

http://www.christophermichaeljohnson.com/home.html

 

Gretchen Wilson

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“If I Could Do It All Again”

Columbia Nashville

gw-playlist60109Gretchen Wilson exploded onto the country music scene in 2004 with her smash hit “Redneck Woman” and has since scored three No. 1 albums with Here For The Party, All Jacked Up, and One Of The Boys. The critically-acclaimed multi-platinum artist has won virtually every award for which she’s been nominated, including Female Vocalist of the Year from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music and a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.  Her first book, the autobiographical Redneck Woman: Stories from My Life, landed her on the prestigious New York Times Best Seller List.

But until last year, Gretchen Wilson was one of the millions of Americans who hadn’t finished their high school education. A tumultuous home life caused Gretchen to drop out of high school. But even with her huge success, she still wanted to fulfill the void that had been missing since she was 15 years old. At the age of 34, Gretchen received her G.E.D. on May 15, 2008.

With “If I Could Do It All Again,” the new single from her forthcoming album, Gretchen takes a cue from her own life by taking a deeper look in the mirror and invites us all to spend more time embracing the often overlooked pleasures of life. Written by songwriting vets Rivers Rutherford and George Teren, “If I Could Do It All Again,” tugs at the heartstrings of any person who has wished they could change their past. The digital track will be available for purchase on all major services on June 9.

What would you do if you could do it all again?

http://www.gretchenwilson.com/

 

Hall Of Fame Comes Alive For CMA Music Fest

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halloffamelogo1When country fans converge on Nashville in June for the CMA Music Festival, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will be greeting them with special programs and events, including performances and autograph signings with some of country’s most popular artists. During Music Fest week, the Museum will debut a new series, Live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT, which will include performances by and/or autograph signings with Dierks Bentley, Joey+Rory, John Michael Montgomery, Jimmy Wayne and Darryl Worley, and a special autograph signing session with Country Music Hall of Fame member Dolly Parton. Live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT events are free of charge and take place in the Museum Store and on the adjacent Museum Plaza. Visitors who present their official CMA Music Festival badge at the door will receive $2 off adult general admission to the Museum. You can find a complete schedule of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum programs and events here.