Little Big Town visits KNIX
11/19/2008
Capitol Nashville’s Little Big Town stopped by KNIX in Phoenix, AZ recently to perform an acoustic set and have lunch with some listeners and KNIX staffers.
(L-R): Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Ben Campbell of the KNIX morning show “Ben and Matt,” Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild.
Sirius XM Stock Sinks
Sarah Skates – 11/19/2008
Sirius XM stock continues its downward spiral, reaching a 52-week low of 16 cents today. Though the company’s shares have fallen 90 percent since its merger in July, the most recent trouble revolves around the failing auto industry, including GM, which places satellite radio in its vehicles. Silicon Alley Insider says it is possible for Sirius XM stock to reach zero if the market determines it is worth less than its enterprise value, or implied value, of $3.7 billion.
Martell Foundation To Honor Frances Preston
Sarah Skates – 11/19/2008
Frances Preston
Preston is one of four notable Nashvillians being honored on March 25. Former Vice President Al Gore will receive the Humanitarian Lifetime of Achievement Award; Ingram Industries Pres. and CEO Orrin Ingram will receive the Philanthropic Lifetime of Achievement Award; and Dr. Hal Moses, director emeritus of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and director of the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at Vanderbilt, will receive the Medical Lifetime of Achievement Award.
Brian Philips, executive vice president and general manager of CMT, is co-chairman of the 2009 Honors Gala. Patron tables are available starting at $10,000. Individual tickets will be $750 and $500 and can be purchased through the T.J. Martell Foundation by calling (615) 256-2002 or at www.tjmartellfoundation.org.
Fearless Swift Rules Sales Charts
Sarah Skates – 11/19/2008
Taylor Swift had an album release party earlier this month at the Taylor Guitar Factory in San Diego. Premiere Radio personality Blair Garner hosted the event.
The Web savvy teen moved 129,046 digital albums, making up a significant 21% of her total sales. Big Machine reports that Fearless is the highest digital album debut in SoundScan history for a Country artist. On the all-genre list, it is the fourth biggest digital album opening week ever, and the third biggest digital first week this year.
Also on the all-genre front, Swift scored the fourth highest opening week of 2008. The almost 600,000 units were also enough to push Fearless to No. 7 on the YTD Country Chart. This is largest debut week total for a country album since the Eagles' Long Road Out of Eden started with 711,000 last November.
Meanwhile, Swift’s self-titled debut remains on the charts at No. 5, selling 27,800 units last week.
Larry The Cable Guy’s Christmas Extravaganza on CMT
11/19/2008
Larry The Cable Guy and the producers of his Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza at the show’s taping. The special premieres this Friday, Nov. 21 at 8 PM/CT on CMT.
(L-R): Dave Higby, Parallel Ent.; Jenniver Novak, Parallel Ent.; Larry The Cable Guy; Chris Choun, Ish Ent.; John Hamlin, Sr. VP Production/Development CMT; Margaret Comeaux, Sr. Dir. Music and Events Production CMT; and Tom Forrest, Exec. Producer Taillight TV.
Artist News: MG in 360, People’s Choice Country, and Colgate Showdown
Sarah Skates – 11/18/2008
Click to watch Montgomery Gentry Video
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Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney are up for Favorite Male Singer against R&B star Chris Brown at the Jan. 7 People’s Choice Awards. Carrie Underwood made the short list in the all-genre Favorite Female Singer category, as did Rascal Flatts in the Favorite Group slot. Elsewhere, Underwood (“Last Name”), Flatts (“Take Me There”) and Taylor Swift (“Love Story”) are in the running for Favorite Country Song; and Kid Rock (“All Summer Long”) is up for Favorite Rock Song. To cast your vote, log on to www.pcaVOTE.com. The 35th Annual People's Choice Awards will air Jan. 7, 2009 on CBS at 8 PM/CT.
•••
Orlando native Johnny Bulford walked away with the Southeast Regional title at the Nov. 16 Colgate Country Showdown competition. The Wildhorse Saloon hosted the event where the Florida state winner competed against seven other acts who won their local and state competitions. Serving as judges were Randy Brown (Borman Entertainment), hit songwriter Liz Hengber, David Ross (Music Row Communications), and Jensen Sussman (Sony Music/Columbia Nashville). For winning, Bulford will receive a trip to the National Final of the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Jan. 15, 2009. There, the 23-year-old will take on four other regional winners and vie for $100,000 and the National Title of Best New Act in Country Music.
CMT To Show CMA Awards
Sarah Skates – 11/18/2008
BMI Adds New Attorney
Sarah Skates – 11/18/2008
Michelle Zarr
Zarr has also worked in radio and television production as a script writer and producer, advertising and promotion producer, and studio and production crew member. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York Law School in 2002, and completed a Bachelor’s at Florida International University.
Steve Martin Records Upcoming Banjo Record at Ocean Way
11/18/2008
Comedian Steve Martin was in Ocean Way Studio A recently adding guest talent to his upcoming, yet to be titled album. Produced by John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), guest artists included Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Tim O’Brien, McEuen and Jerry Douglas. The songs were all written by Martin and include both vocal and instrumental appearances by guest performers. Engineer Pat McMakin recorded the sessions, assisted by Rob Clark. McMakin also serves as director of operations at Ocean Way Nashville.
(L-R): McMakin, McEuen, Parton, Gill and Martin.
James Stroud/Ronnie Gilley Ent. Bringing Country to China
11/18/2008
James Stroud and Ronnie Gilley Entertainment, in partnership with Investors Equity, will conduct a series of events and concerts in both China and the U.S. in 2009. To mark the occasion, the parties involved had a signing ceremony on Nov. 14 at the Country Music Association offices in Nashville. Stroud/Ronnie Gilley Entertainment will oversee all artist relations and production for the BamaJam-China Music & Arts Festival in the Province of Hunan on May 21, 2009, as well as BamaJam in Enterprise, Ala. June 4-6, 2009. Already signed on for the Alabama festival are Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Montgomery Gentry, Charlie Daniels and 38 Special.
(L-R): Stroud; Tammy Genevose, CMA CEO; Chairman Long, Exec. Chairman of China International Cultural Communication Center; and Jim Himelrick, Investors Equity. Photo: Craig Seay Photography
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JASON MATTHEWS
“Travelin’ Light”
RAWSTIN
“The Rodeo Is Over”
MARK WILLS
“Days of Thunder”
BRANDI VALENTINE
“Burnin’ Bridges”
MOORE & MOORE WITH GEORGE “GOOBER” LINDSEY
“Fine Me a Man Like Goober”
INDIAN RODEO
“My Block”
BILLY McKNIGHT
“You’re the Ticket”
CERRITO
“Dona Carmela”
TIM WILSON
“But I Could Be Wrong”
COWBOY TROY & ANGELA HACKER
“Hick Chick”
