Cell Phones Bump Badonkadonk

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 02/07/2007

Trace Adkins has received a Gold certification for more than 500,000 master ringtone sales of "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." There have been more than 570,000 ringtone purchases of the song to date, a rare feat in the country music world. Adkins is currently headlining the Dangerous Man Tour and is at the top of Music Row’s Country Breakout Chart with "Ladies Love Country Boys.”

CMA Gives International Honors

Jace and Julie on New From Nashville Tour

02/07/2007

Last week the Country Music Association recognized six industry and media professionals in Australia and the United Kingdom with international awards. In Australia, Tim Daley, Program Manager for the Country Music Channel (CMC), was given the 2006 Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. Ian Holland was surprised with an International Country Broadcaster Award. In addition, it was announced that Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg, was the winner of the 2006 CMA International Talent Buyer/Promoter Award.

In the United Kingdom, Alan McBlane, owner of mcb3, was honored with the 2006 Jo Walker Meador International Achievement Award on Feb. 1, by country music artists Jace Everett and Julie Roberts (pictured below). The presentation happened backstage at CMA's Third Annual New from Nashville event at Carling Academy, Islington in London. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual or company in advocating and supporting country music's market development in territories outside North America. On Feb. 3, Everett and Roberts presented Helen MacPherson with the second 2006 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award while backstage at a New from Nashville performance during the Celtic Connections Festival at Classic Grand in Glasgow, Scotland. Tim Rogers of the United Kingdom was surprised at a lunch in London on Feb. 5, when he was presented with the third 2006 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award. The presentation was made by Rick Murray, CMA VP of Strategic Marketing, and Bobbi Boyce, CMA International Director.

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U.K. music executive Alan McBlaine of mcb3 was presented the 2006 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Achievement Award by Julie Roberts and Jace Everett in London during the Third Annual CMA New From Nashville Tour. Pictured (L-R): Jeff Walker, Pres. AristoMedia/CMA Board Member and Chairman/CMA Global Markets Committee; Paul Fenn, Joint Managing Dir. Asgard Promotion Ltd./CMA Board Member; McBlaine; Roberts; and Everett.

Dierks Bentley Visits WUSN/US99

02/07/2007

Dierks Bentley was in Chicago last Thursday (2/1) for the opening night of his High Times and Hangovers Tour with Cross Canadian Ragweed. He stopped by to visit the staff at WUSN/US99 before the show. Pictured (L-R): DJ Drew Walker, Programming Asst. Joe Epperson, US99 MD Marci Braun, Bentley, DJ Trish Biondo, AM Show Producer Dominic Fortini.

Emerson Drive Joins America’s Second Harvest

02/07/2007

Midas Records Nashville and Emerson Drive, inspired by the lyrics and video for “Moments,” the new single from their Countrified album, have partnered with America’s Second Harvest. Representatives from the Wisconsin branch of the charity were on hand at the band’s recent Green Bay concert to educate fans about the organization and ask for support. The band recently sold out three shows on the Countrified Coast to Coast Tour which includes stops in 25 cities. Pictured (L-R): David Pichette (fiddle), Joe O'Neil (America's Second Harvest), Patrick Bourque (bass), Brad Mates (lead vocals), Gary Nosacek (America's Second Harvest), Dale Wallace (keyboards), Danick Dupelle (lead guitar) and Mike Melancon (drums).

More Programmer Poll Results On Spitzer Probe, New Technologies And Major Market Station Losses

More than half of country radio programmers think the recent payola probe by former New York state attorney general Eliot Spitzer was a good thing for both the radio industry and the record industry.

Asked...

Artist News Daily (2/8/07)

Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black will perform the duet, "When I Said I Do," on Fri., Feb. 9 on Live With Regis and Kelly during a wedding on the show. Black will also perform...

Industry News Daily (2/8/07)

Nominations for 38th annual GMA Dove Awards will be announced Tues., Feb. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel’s Music City Ballroom. Awards show co-hosts Juanita Bynum and Brian Littrell, will be...

George Strait Sold Out Tour

02/07/2007

George Strait’s current tour continues his track record of selling out arenas and breaking venue attendance records. Currently on tour with The Country Music Hall of Famer are Ronnie Milsap and Taylor Swift. At a recent stop in Memphis at the FedEx forum, Strait was awarded his 32nd platinum album plaque for his latest release, It Just Comes Natural. Strait has now earned more platinum certifications than any other artist in country music. Pictured (L-R): EJ Bernas, Royce Risser, Strait, Tom Lord, Bill Catino and Bruce Shindler. Photo: Sid Farbstein.

Reba Heads to CMA Music Festival, CMT Crossroads

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 02/06/2007

After an 11-year absence, Reba McEntire will return to the 2007 CMA Music Festival, being held Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, in Downtown Nashville. The growing lineup of participating artists also includes Jason Aldean; Little Big Town; Martina McBride; Sugarland; The Wreckers, in their debut appearance at the Festival; and Carrie Underwood. Other artists scheduled to perform include Bomshel, Catherine Britt, Luke Bryan, Sonny Burgess, Carolina Rain, Eric Church, Cole Deggs & the Lonesome, Heartland, Jypsi, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Blaine Larsen, The Lost Trailers, Neal McCoy, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O'Neal, Jake Owen, Danielle Peck, Pirates of the Mississippi, Pam Tillis, and Chris Young. Back this year is one of The ChevyT Sport Zone's most popular competitions, "The Sixth Annual Andy Griggs Celebrity Archery Tournament," on Thurs., June 7. In addition to the Nightly Concerts, fans will enjoy music at the Daily Concerts on the Greased Lightning® Riverfront Stages, and the Acoustic Corner at the Nashville Convention Center. CMA Celebrity Close Up will again be hosted by GAC media personality Lorianne Crook at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Artists participating in the Thurs., June 7 event will be announced soon. Proceeds from the Festival are donated on behalf of the artists to CMA's charity campaign, "Keep the Music Playing," to support music education in Metro Nashville's public schools. Four-day ticket packages, starting at $110 for adults, are available by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378); or via Ticketmaster. Gold Circle (Floor) and Floor Level are already sold out. www.CMAfest.com.
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In other exciting Reba news, the superstar will join Kelly Clarkson for a taping of CMT Crossroads before an invitation-only audience on Feb. 22 in Nashville. The show will premiere in 4th quarter of 2007. Reba and Kelly have performed together on several occasions. Clarkson made an appearance on the November 2006 CMT special, CMT Giants: Reba, and also guest starred on Reba. She will also appear on Reba’s duets album slated to hit stores later in 2007.

Tin Pan South Presented by Regions Bank

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 02/06/2007

Regions Bank will be the presenting sponsor of the 15th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, taking place March 27– 31 in Nashville. Produced by NSAI, Tin Pan South is the world’s largest songwriters festival, drawing over 9,000 music fans to see over 250 songwriters play more than 70 shows. NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison says, “Regions’ commitment to supporting songwriters through their bank services and outreach is invaluable.” Regions Music Row Executive Lisa Harless comments, “Regions has been an annual corporate sponsor of the NSAI for the past 21 years. We love the Tin Pan South festival because it effectively highlights many of Nashville's talented songwriters and provides an opportunity for the community to experience first-hand the songwriters showcasing their musical creations. By sponsoring this event we not only support NSAI and songwriters, but our community as well.” 2007 Tin Pan South performers will be announced at www.tinpansouth.com on Fri., Feb. 16. Tin Pan South’s “Fast Access” Club Passes will go on sale the day before.