Dierks Names New Album

Sarah Skates – 12/03/2008

Dierks Bentley is naming his upcoming studio album Feel That Fire after the lead single, which is already a Top 10 hit and the fastest rising single of his career. His fourth album is scheduled for a Feb. 3 release on Capitol Nashville. "I spent more time making this album than ever before...so much passion went into writing and recording these songs," says Bentley. "I think that 'Feel That Fire' really embodies the entire collection of work. All of these songs are about being vitally alive and in the moment.”

Bentley will premiere the music video for the lead single Friday (12/5) on the homepage of Yahoo! Music. Directed by Peter Zavadil, it was shot in Nashville at the end of October. Then next week, Bentley jets to Oslo, Norway to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert on Dec. 11. Hosted by Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine, the concert will also include performances from Diana Ross, Feist, Jason Mraz, Il Divo and more.

Rimes Returns As Showdown Host

Sarah Skates – 12/03/2008

For the third consecutive year, LeAnn Rimes will host and perform at the 27th Annual Colgate Country Showdown National Final, taking place Jan. 15, 2009 at the Ryman Auditorium. Five finalists, determined by state and regional competitions, will vie for the grand prize of $100,000 at the National Final, which will be syndicated on nationwide television. The Showdown is the Nation's largest and longest-running country music talent search and radio promotion. Colgate-Palmolive has been involved since 2000 and recently committed for the 28th Annual Showdown. For free tickets to the National Final, call 615-458-8781.

Lyric Street Promotes Paula Eden

Sarah Skates – 12/03/2008

Paula Eden

Lyric Street and Carolwood Records has promoted Paula Eden to Coordinator, A&R. Since joining the company in April 2005 she has served as Executive Assistant to label President Randy Goodman and Senior Vice President A&R Doug Howard. From 1998 to 2005 Eden worked at Barbara Orbison Productions/Still Working Music as Publishing Coordinator and Personal Assistant to Barbara Orbison.

Eden’s successor as Executive Assistant is Landon Morgan. He joins the Lyric Street/Carolwood staff from the Country Music Association where he served as Executive Assistant to Tammy Genovese and later as Marketing Coordinator.

Adam Gregory Featured On AOL Concert Series

12/03/2008

Adam Gregory will appear tomorrow (12/4) on a concert series on AOL Music’s new country portal, The Boot. His concert feature, filmed live in Nashville in front of an intimate audience at the Grand Ole Opry House’s Studio A, features songs and stories from his upcoming album. Gregory joins artists across all genres, including Fall Out Boy, Dave Matthews Band, Celine Dion, Trisha Yearwood and Daughtry who have brought their live concert performances to AOL.

Photo: Bev Moser

Top EMI Music Execs. Exit In Britain

Sarah Skates – 12/02/2008

Britain’s Telegraph.co.uk reports the exiting of several top-level EMI Music executives. Leaving the label group and its parent company, Terra Firma, are EMI group Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Chris Roling, Terra Firma’s Managing Director of Talent/EMI COO for the UK and North America Ashley Unwin, and Terra Firma/EMI’s Francois van der Spuy.

Other key Terra Firma figures with high positions at EMI may also be on their way out. According to reports, these changes stem from the recent hiring of EMI’s new Chief Executive Elio Leoni-Sceti who wants to bring in his own team.

Country Contributes to (Red)Wire

Sarah Skates – 12/02/2008

Click to visit redwire.com.

Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Emmylou Harris, Dixie Chicks and Sheryl Crow are among the artists who will contribute exclusive tracks to the new (Red)Wire service. For $5 per month, members of the music service will receive weekly e-mails with exclusive music. Half of the monthly fee goes directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Also on board are Bob Dylan, R.E.M., U2, Coldplay, John Legend, Cat Power, The Killers & Elton John, The Police & Elvis Costello, Death Cab for Cutie, and many more. Members who join before the first issue is sent on Wed., Dec. 10 will become "Founding Members" and will receive a bonus song from Jay-Z.

The program launched yesterday (12/1), coinciding with World AIDS Day, and a special preview site is available at http://red.msn.com, featuring the world premiere of songs and videos by many of the artists listed above.

Jamie O’Neal Releases Label Debut Single Online

Sarah Skates – 12/02/2008

Jamie O’Neal

Jamie O’Neal today (12/2) released a song on iTunes through her new label home, 1720 Entertainment. “Like A Woman” is her first single for the Atlanta based company.

Fellow 1720 country artist Rissi Palmer will perform at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC on Thurs., Dec. 4. Among the expected 7000 attendees will be President and Mrs. George Bush. Palmer is currently working on her new album, slated for release in 2009.

Bonnie Baker Forms DevaN Publishing

12/02/2008

DevaN Publishing is a new creative content company owned by ASCAP songwriter Bonnie Baker which will be administered by Words & Music. Also on board is Green Hills Music head Woody Bomar who will serve as creative consultant.

(L-R) back: ASCAP Membership Rep Chad Green, Lyon & Phillips PLLC’s Austen Adams, and ASCAP Membership Rep Jesse Willoughby. Front: Green Hills Music’s Woody Bomar, Words & Music’s Carla Godwin and Rachel Dobson, Words & Music owner Kim McCollum, and DevaN Publishing owner Bonnie Baker.

Trailer Choir Visits WOKQ Morning Waking Crew

12/02/2008

Show Dog Nashville’s Trailer Choir recently visited Dover’s WOKQ Morning Waking Crew Mark Ericson and Danielle Carrier. WOKQ’s Morning Waking Crew was broadcasting live from Kix Brook’s “American Country Countdown” studio. Trailer Choir recapped their busy summer on the road with Toby Keith’s Biggest & Baddest Tour.

(L-R): Trailer Choir’s Big Vinny and Crystal Hoyt, Ericson, Carrier and Trailer Choir’s Butter.

Nancy Tunick Leaves Warner Bros.

12/01/2008

Nancy Tunick has left her position as Warner Bros. Records VP Promotion and will return to GrassRoots Promotion as a Managing Partner. In addition to overseeing the company's operations, Tunick will launch online marketing, consulting and project management services. She can be reached at 615-403-6121 or ntunick@grassrootspromo.com.