Ashton and Lady A Headed To GMA

Sarah Skates – 04/07/2008

Ashton Shepherd and Lady Antebellum are set for the Mon., April 21 installment of Good Morning America’s spring concert series sponsored by Royal Caribbean. So far this season, the popular high-profile show has had performances by Janet Jackson, James Blunt and Lenny Kravitz.

Shepherd’s debut album, Sounds So Good, was just released by MCA Nashville and the Alabama native was named one of “Nashville’s Hottest New Stars” by People. She will play the Grand Ole Opry April 26 and also has a slew of opening dates for Sugarland, Miranda Lambert and Rascal Flatts.

Lady Antebellum’s self-titled debut album will be released April 15 on Capitol Records Nashville. The trio’s debut single “Love Don’t Live Here” was recently featured as iTunes "Single of the Week"—rare for a country artist. The band, just coming off Martina McBride's Waking Up Laughing tour, will hit the road again this spring opening for artists such as Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood.

Rebecca Lynn Howard Signs With New Imprint

Sarah Skates – 04/04/2008

Rebecca Lynn Howard is working on a new project, No Rules, due in June on Saguaro Road Records. The label was started by Direct Holdings, known mostly for its Time Life sets. Singer-songwriter Edwin McCain is also signed to Saguaro, with a project set for June release. Though Time Life has traditionally used direct marketing such as infomercials, the new label will rely on radio, online, and publicity for promotion. WEA is handling distribution.

Howard previously issued two albums on MCA Nashville, and was also signed Arista Nashville and Show Dog Nashville. Her songs have been recorded by Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless and John Michael Montgomery.

Toby Keith On Set of Beer For My Horses

04/04/2008

Toby Keith took a break between tour dates last month to star in his second feature film, Beer For My Horses, the latest film produced jointly by CMT Films and Keith. Keith's new two disc collection, 35 Biggest Hits, which features his new single, “She’s A Hottie,” will be released May 6.

Pictured (L-R): Keith and Eddie Haskell, KRST OM Regional Format Country.

Movies In Middle TN

Sarah Skates – 04/04/2008

Hannah Montana

Disney studio execs will be looking for extras for the Hannah Montana movie Sunday, April 6 at Nashville’s Sommet Center. The open casting call is from 11 AM-2 PM. Anyone who wants to be an extra must bring a recent photo. The studio is looking for extras of all ages; no experience is necessary. Filming begins in and around Nashville in the next few weeks. Star Miley Cyrus will return to Nashville in time to co-host the April 14 CMT Music Awards with her father Billy Ray Cyrus.

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Josh Turner will be in the Billy Graham movie reports News 2’s Brad Schmitt. Billy: The Early Years, is being filmed in Watertown, TN. Music supervisors John Carter Cash and Anastasia Brown have also asked Turner to contribute some songs to the film.

Trisha Yearwood’s Cooking in Oklahoma

04/04/2008

Big Machine Records artist Trisha Yearwood visited the ABC Radio Networks Dallas office this week to discuss her new cookbook, Georgia Cooking In An Oklahoma Kitchen: From My Family To Yours. She conducted live studio interviews with both Real Country and Today’s Best Country.

Pictured (L-R): ABCRN Country Formats MD Kris Wilson, Yearwood, Today’s Best Country PD Gary Reynolds, and Real Country PD Richard Lee.

Artist News Friday (4/4/08)

CMT Crossroads: Maroon 5 and Sara Evans will premiere May 9 on CMT at 8 PM CT. The episode was taped before an invitation-only audience in Nashville.

Valory Music Co. artist Justin Moore is...

Emerson Drive In Jacksonville

04/03/2008

Midas Records’ Emerson Drive recently performed to a crowd of 10,000+ in Jacksonville, FL at Jacksonville Landing for a show sponsored by WGNE.

Pictured (L-R) front: WGNE’s Michele Chase, Amadeus and Steve Sutton. Back: Emerson Drive’s Mike Melancon, Dale Wallace and David Pichette; WGNE’s Eden Kendall; Emerson Drive’s Danick Dupelle; WGNE PD Jeff Davis; Emerson Drive’s Brad Mates and bass player Arlo Gilliam.

Eddie Montgomery Enters Restaurant Biz

Sarah Skates – 04/03/2008

Eddie Montgomery broke ground yesterday (4/2) on a new restaurant and 40-acre commercial development in Harrodsburg, KY. Skylar’s Landing, named for his granddaughter, will feature shopping venues, Eddie Montgomery’s Steakhouse and commercial lots available for purchase. The 16,000 sq. ft. log-structured restaurant will resemble a lodge and will have a performance stage. The Montgomery and Mitchell development is being built with business partners Tommy and Gwen Mitchell. Construction is scheduled for completion this fall. www.eddiemontgomerysteakhouse.com.

Artist News Thursday (4/3/08)

Trace Adkins will join the cast of David Zuckers' new comedy, American Carol, currently shooting in Los Angeles. Adkins will play The Spirit of Christmas Future, the Grim Reaper, who uses his music abilities to...

Krauss/Plant To Make Nashville Stop

Sarah Skates – 04/02/2008

Allison Krauss and Robert Plant

A Nashville stop is among the newly announced dates on the Robert Plant, Alison Krauss tour. The pair, supporting their acclaimed Rounder Records release Raising Sand, will perform at Nashville’s Sommet Center on July 19. The new dates, July 7 -19, are the third leg of their North American tour, and round out the already announced tour that begins April 19 in Louisville, KY. With a band led by T Bone Burnett, the pair will perform tracks from their album as well as their own songs. Raising Sand was recently certified RIAA Platinum and the single “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)” garnered a Grammy award for best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Below is a list of Southeast dates.

4/19/08 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre
4/20/08 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre
4/22/08 – Knoxville, TN – Knoxville Civic Coliseum
4/23/08 - Chattanooga, TN – Memorial Auditorium
4/26/08 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC Arena
6/15/08 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
7/10/08 – Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheatre
7/18/08 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
7/19/08 – Nashville, TN – Sommet Center