Artist Updates (7/30/12)

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“Come Over,” one of the biggest hits of Kenny Chesney’s career, has topped all the charts to make the superstar’s 24th No. 1 single and been certified Gold for digital downloads. The song appears on Chesney’s latest album project Welcome To The Fishbowl. Chesney celebrated the milestone when his Brothers of the Sun tour with Tim McGraw rolled through Cleveland over the weekend.

Front row: WQMX/Akron PD Sue Wilson, WQMX MD Jody Wheatley, Chesney, WCMS/Outer Banks MD Jill Dambach, Betty Abrams; Middle: WQMX/Akron Director of Sales Donna Reusser, Janet Connolly, WCMS/Outer Banks PD Mark Lindow, Columbia Nashville regional David Friedman; Back: WGAR/Cleveland PD Charley Connolly, WGAR OM Keith Abrams

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Taylor Swift is among the list of stars who will appear in promotional ads for the upcoming 10th season of Ellen, which kicks off September 10. One spot features Justin Bieber and former President Bill Clinton and continues host Ellen DeGeneres’ tradition of scaring Swift, and the other features Swift attempting to speak about her first time on the show but without actually talking. See the promos here and here.

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The video for Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town” well feature the singer along with her partner in crime, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick. The pair shoot pool, flirt with men, and steal cars in the clip, which also features a cameo from actor W. Earl Brown (Deadwood). See the video here. In other Lambert news, her single “Baggage Claim” has been certified Gold.

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Colt Ford is preparing for the August 7 release of his new album Declaration of Independence by letting fans stream it online for a full week. Starting today (7/30), the entire album can be streamed at AOL Music here. Ford’s current single “Back,” featuring Jake Owen, has already sold over 50k downloads in only five weeks.

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You’ve seen the posters around the Row. Capitol Records’ finest have been dressed (or Photoshopped) up and heavily armed to celebrate the success Dierks Bentley’s 10th No. 1 single “5-1-5-0.” Nice legs, Hodges.

Top Industry Tweeters

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A few Nashville execs and Music City natives appear on the recently released “Billboard Twitter 140: The Music Industry Characters You Need to Follow.” The list is not based on the accounts with the most Followers, instead it’s more about insight and influence.

According to the publication, the second annual Twitter 140 is designed to track “the voices who steer the conversation about the music industry and digital culture, and also for music (and Twitter) obsessives who constantly share their discoveries.”

Top Tweeters with Nashville Ties:

Storme Warren, GAC, @StormeWarren

Jay Frank, DigSin, @RepoJay

Mark Montgomery, Echo Music, @HelloMarko

Brian O’Connell, Live Nation, @BocCountry

Rosanne Cash, Musician, @RosanneCash

Shooter Jennings, Singer/Songwriter; DJ, SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country; @ShooterJennings

See the full list here.

Also, MusicRow ranks artists by the number of Twitter Followers and Facebook Friends in a continuously updated chart.

Chris Stapleton to Open For Southern Rock Royalty

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Universal Music Group artist, Chris Stapleton, will open two shows for Southern rockers The Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd this weekend in Charlotte (8/3), and Raleigh, NC (8/4). He will join Lynyrd Skynyrd again on August 30 at Milwaukee, WI’s Riverside Theatre.

At these dates, Stapleton will play acoustic sets for crowds in 20,000 capacity venues.

“I’ve looked up to these guys for a long time…it’s a huge honor,” said Stapleton. “I’ve got a pretty tall task ahead of me in warming up crowds this big with just my acoustic guitar, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

As a songwriter, Stapleton has penned four No. 1 songs and had over 150 album cuts from artists including Adele, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, and Dierks Bentley.

Benefit News: Perry Baggs Memorial and Concert

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A memorial service for late Jason and the Scorchers drummer Perry Baggs will be held Aug. 20, 6 p.m. at Scottsboro First Baptist Church, 5253 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville, TN 37218. The church will provide a meal and asks attendees to bring a dessert to share.

As previously reported, a tribute concert and fundraiser headlined by Jason and the Scorchers is set for Aug. 18, 7 p.m. at the Exit In. Proceeds will go to Baggs’ burial expenses. Tickets at exitin.com.

Baggs’ longtime girlfriend Katrina Cornwell is coordinating fundraising. A Pay Pal account is set up under perrybaggs@yahoo.com, and First Tennessee Bank has an account named “memorial of Perry Baggs III.” Donations via check or money order can be mailed to Cornwell. Reach her on Facebook or by email.

• Musicians On Call’s Young Professionals Committee and Tin Roof Nashville will present Rumble at the Roof on Sat., Aug. 25 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Games will include giant inflatable obstacle course, dunking booth, Minute-to-Win-It games, ring toss, Foursquare and Twister. Tickets are available here and include one drink, a t-shirt and unlimited games for the first 200 ticket buyers. This is a 21+ event.

• The Hate Cancer Music Event at Mercy Lounge presented by Lightning 100, the Nashville Scene and Carnival Music is scheduled for Thurs., Aug. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Artists set to perform include Pageant, The Granny Whites, Madeleine Slate, Orleck, Mando Saenz, Jen Foster and surprise guests. There will be food from Moe’s Southwest Grill. The event will benefit the American Cancer Society of Middle TN. Tickets and details at www.mercylounge.com.

• On Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. The Mocha Club is hosting a 7th birthday bash at Rocketown with performances by Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz, Drew & Ellie Holcomb, Ernie Halter, Parachute and more. The Nashville-based nonprofit organization is made up of members who give up the cost of a few mochas, about $7, to fund relief and development projects in Africa.

• Tim McGraw recently launched HomeFront, in partnership with Operation Homefront and Chase, to award mortgage-free homes to wounded warriors and service members at his summer concerts. On July 21 at Mile High Stadium, McGraw presented U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jesse Bowser with a home in Colorado Springs, Colo. At his July 29 concert at Cleveland Browns Stadium, McGraw congratulated U.S. Army Specialist Frank DeLorenzo on his new home in North Royalton, Ohio.

• Neal McCoy has joined ChildFund International’s LIVE! team with Thompson Square, David Archuleta, PFR (Pray for Rain), and County Throwdown Tour. McCoy is sponsoring a child from the Philippines through the organization which ensures children have access to education, clean water and health care.

• Registration is open for the 13th Annual Miller Harris Golf Tournament. The event is set for Mon., Sept. 10 at Temple Hills Golf Club in Franklin, TN. Register here. For more information on playing in the tournament, volunteering, or becoming a sponsor call 615-479-8525 or email millerharrisfoundation@gmail.com.

From The Road (7/30/12)

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Carrie a Tune
KJ97 in San Antonio won the privilege of a red carpet Private Premiere Saturday night (7/28) of the video for Carrie Underwood’s single “Blown Away,” which was directed by Randee St. Nicholas. The video premieres worldwide tonight (7/30) on E!. More info here.

(L-R): Carrie; Randee St. Nicholas, "Blown Away" video director; Lesly Tyson, VP, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; and, Bree Wagner, Music Director/Middays, KJ97. Photo: Todd White

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Cruise Loose
Newly signed Republic Nashville duo Florida Georgia Line is picking up momentum with its infections debut single “Cruise,” which has sold over 150,000 copies. Over the weekend, Q93 invited FGL to Southbound Courtyard in Knoxville, TN, where the duo performed for the crowd.

(L-R): FGL’s Brian Kelley (from Ormond Beach, FL); Q93 Program Director Mike Hammond; and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard (from Monroe, GA).

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Attn: Girls That Drink Beer
Toby Keith continues to sell out dates on his Live In Overdrive Tour, including his recent stop in Pittsburgh, PA.

(L-R): WDSY/PD Mark Anderson, WDSY's Wookie, Show Dog Universal Music's Macy Morgenthaler, Keith, and WDSY/MD Stoney Richards with his kilowatt smile.

Josh Turner Releasing Cracker Barrel Exclusive Live Album

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Josh Turner out on tour this year. Photo: George Holz

Josh Turner is planning to release his second Cracker Barrel exclusive album, Josh Turner—Live Across America, on Aug. 27.

The live recordings were made during 12 different live shows throughout Turner’s 2012 Cracker Barrel-sponsored tour, which continues through December. The collection, which includes a never-before-released version of Waylon Jennings’ “America,” will be available in Cracker Barrel stores, online on crackerbarrel.com, Amazon, and on iTunes. Turner previously partnered with Cracker Barrel for 2007’s Live at the Ryman.

“We came up with the idea of taking a mobile studio out on the road and recording our show every night,” said Turner. “And that’s what Live Across America is: the best renditions of songs from all over the country.”

In addition, a sweepstakes is available from the Old Country Store offering an all-expenses paid trip to Nashville to meet Turner before his performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Entries for the contest will be accepted through Sept. 14. Official details here.

Josh Turner—Live Across America track listing:
1)  “All Over Me” – Live In Biloxi, MS (3:28)
2)  “Firecracker” – Live In Lancaster, PA (3:47)
3)  “Everything Is Fine” – Live In Knoxville, TN (3:52)
4)  “So Not My Baby” – Live In Lake Charles, LA (3:35)
5)  “Would You Go With Me” – Live In Plant City, FL (3:48)
6)  “Long Black Train” – Live In Austin, TX (5:27)
7)  “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” – Live In Savannah, GA (3:39)
8)  “Me And God” – Live In Key Largo, FL (3:17)
9)  “Another Try” – Live In Atlanta, GA (3:51)
10)  “Your Man” – Live in Kansas City, MO (3:38)
11)  “America” – Live in Charlottesville, VA (3:33)
12)  “Why Don’t We Just Dance” – Live In Atlantic City, NJ (4:00)

Lady A Wraps European Run

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Lady Antebellum’s headlining Own The Night 2012 World Tour wrapped its European leg Friday night (7/27) in Stockholm, Sweden. The trio criss-crossed the continent, playing 13 shows with stops in the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Norway.

During the tour Lady A played its first-ever shows for Scandanavian fans in Copenhagen, Denmark; Gothenburg and Stockholm, Sweden; and Seljord, Norway.

Lady A keeps Copenhagen fans on their feet.

This marked the group’s second visit to Switzerland, with the most recent tour including a stop in Zurich where they performed at an outdoor venue on a beautiful night. In the UK, the trio played in Glasgow, and took a break from their headlining run to open for Bruce Springsteen in London’s Hyde Park.

Lady A at Hyde Park opening for Springsteen.

Photos by Adam Boatman.

Snapshots (7/30/12)

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Jason Aldean recently played at the Country Thunder Festival in Twin Lakes, WI and visited with some friends from WMAD/Madison, WI. Aldean’s new single “Take A Little Ride” from his upcoming album is already at No. 32 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

(L-R): Broken Bow Records' Carson James, Jason Aldean, WMAD's Abby Zellmer, WMAD's Mike Ferris

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Warner Music Nashville’s July 26 “Pickin’ On The Patio” event featured Big Smo.

(L-R): Warner Music Nashville Sr. VP Brand Management and Sales Peter Strickland, WMN artist Big Smo and WMN Sr. VP of Promotion Chris Stacey.

BMLG Launches “Racecars and Country Stars” Contest

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Big Machine Label Group is running the Racecars and Country Stars Sweepstakes in partnership with Front Row Motorsports through August 31.

The promotion offers fans a chance to win David Gilliland’s race-used firesuit and a guitar signed by Big Machine Label Group recording artists The Band Perry, Justin Moore, The Mavericks, Greg Bates and Sunny Sweeney.

Prior to entering the contest, fans will need to ‘like’ both Big Machine Label Group and Front Row Motorsports on Facebook. Bonus entries can be earned by ‘liking’ the pages BMLG artists and Front Row Motorsports partners. Visit here for details.

Big Machine had a big presence at yesterday’s (7/24) Brickyard 400 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where, for the second year running, the label partnered with the event to supply musical entertainment. Gilliland’s BMLG-sponsored No. 38 car featured images of select artists during the race.

“Miss Rita” Lee Passes

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MusicRow offers its condolences to family and friends of “Miss Rita” Lee, the widow of Buddy Lee Attractions founder Buddy Lee, who passed away the morning of Friday, July 27.

Visitation will take place Tuesday, July 31 from 4-8 pm and Wednesday, August 1 from 2-8 pm at Bond Memorial Chapel (1098 Weston Drive, Mount Juliet, TN). www.bondmemorial.com

Funeral service will be held Thursday, August 2, at The Cathedral of the Incarnation (2015 West End Ave., Nashville) at 10 am. www.nashvillecathedral.com

Lee is survived by her children Joey, Donna, Gina, Tony and grandchildren.