Lisa L. Rollins's Blog

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

While at a tour stop in Aiken, S.C., this month, country star Big Kenny spoke with the area’s South Aiken High School about the tragedy in Darfur, sharing his own experiences in the country and encouraging the students and teachers to educate themselves and spread the message.

The 250-plus students were part of the high school's Students Taking Action Now: Darfur organization, known as STAND, which is part of the Genocide Intervention Network. The pupils had written numerous letters requesting for Big Kenny to speak to their school, and when he did, his visit was covered by local CBS affiliate WRDW News 12 First and The Aiken Standard.

During his visit, Kenny spoke about the genocide and abuse affecting the Sudanese people, sharing stories from his 2007 and 2009 visits and showing students his Akon, Sudan, documentary, as well as answering questions from the audience and performing a selection of songs.

"It's crazy. We really appreciate [that] he's using his celebrity status to really promote this issue and make change for the better and promote awareness for it," South Aiken student Lauren Key told WRDW.

"It shows even country singers and little kids like us all agree that this is a problem that needs to be taken care of," another South Aiken student, Pedro Lopez-de-Victoria, told WRDW.

"It's good to see so many high school students that give a hoot about people all over the world," Kenny said.

Big Kenny made his first trip to Sudan in 2007 accompanied by members of My Sisters Keeper, a nonprofit organization focused on assisting, protecting and advocating for the women of southern Sudan, with hopes of shining a light 45km south of the war zone in Darfur. He returned in 2009 with three planes carrying 18 teachers and doctors, as well as school supplies and pharmaceuticals to help combat the cholera epidemic.

In June of this year, Kenny finished building the Kunyuk School for Girls, which now boasts more than 550 registered girls given their first chance at an education. He also documented his first journey on film, and since debuting it at the Nashville Film Festival in 2008 and has utilized the film to spread awareness of the cause. In recognition of his efforts, the Save Darfur Coalition named him as its December 2008 Darfur Hero.

“Around the world, in every language, music is the common denominator,” Kenny says. “Share the music, share the love. Get out there and throw around as much love as you can. Come bearing a light and shine it all around.”

Songs on Kenny's new solo album, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy, reflect his philanthropic work and his desire to share the love. As his first single, Long After I'm Gone, goes, "... the love I leave and my wildest dreams will live on, long after I'm gone."

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The 2009 Charlie Daniels Band and Friends Concert to benefit Christmas 4 Kids set for Nov. 23 at at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville is sold out, thanks to the appeal of country music's fiddler supreme himself, Charlie Daniels, as well as Gretchen Wilson, Phil Vassar and Chris Young.

The fundraising concert is the kick-off event in the local effort to raise money for the children's holiday charity. Christmas 4 Kids has been in existence for over 25 years providing many special children with their very own shopping spree. The Nov. 23 concert is just one of several of the annual events held to help generate money for the local Christmas 4 Kids Organization.

In addition to the country star-filled concert, other annual fundraising events include The Bob Parks Realty Auction to Benefit Christmas 4 Kids, which will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1. in Gallatin, Tenn., and the Annual Tour Bus Show with the opportunity to meet many stars on their buses on Monday, Dec. 14, in Hendersonville, Tenn.

Money raised by the concert, auction, and the tour bus show will be used to give children from 29 different schools in the Nashville area, a total of more than 400 children, a daylong shopping excursion. The special day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer's luxury tour bus, lunch and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus at College Heights Baptist Church, and finally, a shopping trip. (Each child is accompanied by a volunteer who helps them with their holiday shopping.)

For more information about these fundraising events or the charity, please access www.Christmas4kids.org.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Proud of his Oklahoma upbringing and excited to be following in the footsteps of fellow Okies who became country-music icons such as Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Toby Keith, multi-talented Oklahoma born and bred singer-songwriter Shane Wyatt is enjoying the initial success of his indie release, The Last Cowboy.

Most recently, the album’s second single, Whole Lotta Love, a high-spirited throwback to classic country music, received airplay this year from more than 200 stations across the U.S., with its most powerful showings on outlets throughout the South and Midwest.

The track also caught steam across the pond, if you will, hitting the European Country Association chart's top10 via airplay in Germany, Italy and England. Plus, his latest single, a ballad titled She Could Do Better, has quickly scored similar airplay stats.

“The most exciting part of my career so far is that The Last Cowboy has received a lot of recognition just from some basic grass roots promotion,” Wyatt says. “I love it all, from introducing my fans to (Chris) LeDoux songs they may never have heard before to touching people with my songs and hearing their personal stories about how they connect with them.

"When you’ve written a new song and see people out there singing along, there’s nothing like it. I love when they get the same feeling that I had the minute I started writing it.”

Another testament to Wyatt’s growing popularity among country music peers and fans is his recent entry into a sponsorship with Farm Boy & Farm Girl brands, makers of clothing and accessories that capture the pride of the farming lifestyle. The brands are an ongoing supporter of Wyatt’s radio tour promoting The Last Cowboy, a venture that's made stops in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Texas, Oklahoma and Minnesota.

Also, Farm Boy & Farm Girl's promoting Wyatt via its digital marketing, including its consumer Web site, Facebook and e-mail blasts and providing clothing and accessories for listener giveaways and other special events.

To learn more, please access the artist's Web site at www.shanewyann.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Famer "Big Bill" Lister is currently at Life Care Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, according to a report from Heart of Texas Records representative.

Per the report, Lister became ill after coming completing a weeklong Country Cruisin' 2009, a trip that he received standing ovations on from those who were among his audience members. However, following the cruise's completion, Lister contracted a virus that turned into pneumonia.

Consequently, at this writing Lister "is still in ICU and remains hooked up to the ventilator," per Tracy Pitcox, who added that although Lister "is awake and responsive,"some of his medications "usually end up putting him to sleep."

"Big Bill" began his radio career at KNEL in Brady, Texas, in 1935. He went on to the Grand Ole Opry and opened shows all over the country for Hank Williams. Along the way, he also was the first to record There's A Tear In My Beer and he has remained an important part of the Texas country music scene for decades.

Word is that the nearly 6-foot,8-inch Lister has a long road to recovery ahead, but well-wishers and country fans are encouraged to mail cards and notes to the longtime performer.

"He seems to be very responsive when he is read a card or letter that someone sends to him. Although he can not communicate, the cards and letters seem to be making a difference for him." Pitcox said.

"I know that he would love to hear from you and any one else that might remember and care about him," she added. "Country music and his friends in that industry are so very important to him."

• Those interested in sending cards are asked to mail them to the following address: Big Bill Lister, c/o: Life Care Hospital of San Antonio, 8902 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas, 78240,

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Wyoming-reared singer-songwriter Bryan Ragsdale has stirred up some attention as of late, thanks to his new album, Where Cowpokes Grow, which has been described as a creative, upbeat blend of country, bluegrass and folk.

Moreover, the newcomer's eclectic mix of genres has landed him a nod in the Country Song of the Year category, sponsored by the Independent Singer Songwriter Association, for for his Modern Day Mountain Man song.

For those unfamiliar with the association and its contest, the ISSA supports independent singer-songwriters and the primary objective of it is to assist artists in promoting their music to a larger audience. (Winners of their annual ISSA Song Contest 2009 will be announced this month.).

On the meantime, Ragsdale, who is both a U.S veteran and conservationist, has released the Modern Day Mountain Man single through RCI Music Promotion to more than 500 radio stations worldwide in the U.S., England, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium and Australia, scoring as high as No. 2 on bluegrass and traditional country-genre stations, according to his media rep.

Modern Day Mountain Man lso reportedly will be featured in the Listen Up! section of County Weekly magazine in an upcoming issue, where readers will be able to download the track for free for a limited time.

Beyond the States, however, Ragsdale's made more musical headway in The Netherlands, where his “Little Jo” track has been added to that region's country station, dubbed Nashville FM.Plus, the United Kingdom's Maverick publication will feature an album review of Where the Cowpokes Grow this month.

Already, though, the French Association of Country Music has spotlighted the record, calling it "superb!"

To learn more about Ragsdale and his music, please access his Web site by clicking on his name in the first paragraph of this story or visit his official MySpace page.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Songwriter-gone-hit artist Jamey Johnson won his second-ever CMA prize on Nov. 11, 2009, but he took time out prior to the star-studdent awards show to help alert this year's CMA Broadcast Award nominees about their wins.

Although the CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year and CMA Radio Station of the Year recipients were recognized during the The 43rd Annual CMA Awards on the ABC-TV, the tradition is for the U.S. broadcasters nominated for CMA trophies to collect their wins off camera, just prior to the CMA event.

In turn, CMA Broadcast Personality and CMA Radio Station of the Year winners were contacted on the stations' studio lines by Johnson recently.

"It was really cool to get to call those guys and congratulate them," said Johnson, whose In Color hit earned a CMA win this year. "They have played such an important part in helping my career and helping me get recognized for my music. I'm happy that I got to be the ones to let them know they got such a great recognition from the CMA. It was fun, early -- but still a lot of fun!"

"This year's winners are a mix of familiar faces as well as first time recipients," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "It's great to see established radio personalities and stations recognized while fresh faces are entering the ranks. It is especially fitting that Jamey, who also received several first-time nominations this year, would deliver the good news."

Kix Brooks (of Brooks & Dunn fame), host of Citadel Media's American Country Countdown, yielded his first National Broadcast Personality of the Year Award. First nominated in 2008, Brooks is the first country artists in history to claim a CMA Broadcast Awards trophy.

"When Jamey Johnson walked in our ACC studio (in Nashville), I wasn't sure what was going on - thought maybe I'd forgotten about an interview or something. Next thing I know, he's telling me that we won the CMA National Air Personality of the Year Award," Brooks shared. "The whole ACC team was in here screaming and jumping around! Everyone works hard and puts their all into making ACC the best it can be. I'm shocked, humbled, and extremely honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire American Country Countdown staff."

The following are f the 2009 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year winners:

• National -Kix Brooks, American Country Countdown, (Citadel Media)
• Major Market - Cornbread, Pat James, Annie Henson, Harry Schroeder, Mac "Captain Mac" Douglas, "The Cornbread Morning Show featuring Cornbread, Pat James, Producer Annie, Father Harry, and Captain Mac," WIL, St. Louis, Mo. (Bonneville International). This marks the show's first nomination and win. Cornbread and Pat James also shared a win for Medium Market Broadcast Personality of the Year in 2003 for their work at KFDI in Wichita, Kan..
• Large Market - Jim Denny, Deborah Honeycutt, Kevin Freeman, "Jim Denny and Friends," WFMS, Indianapolis, Ind. (Cumulus Media). The show was also a winner in 2007 and a nominee in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. Denny and Freeman were also nominated for their work together in 1998.
• Medium Market - Jack Ryan, "WIVK at Night with Jack Ryan," WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn. (Citadel). After four previous nominations in the category, this marks Ryan's first win in the category.
• Small Market - Gator Harrison, Greg "StyckMan" Owens, "Gator & The StyckMan," WGSQ, Cookeville, Tenn. (Cookeville Communications). The show was also a winner in 2007.

The following are the 2009 CMA Radio Station of the Year winners:

• Major Market - KYGO, Denver/Boulder, Colo. KYGO has been a finalist seven times, and including the 2009 win, has won the category three times.
• Large Market - WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio. After being named a finalist ten times, this will be WUBE's second CMA Award. The station won Large Market Station of the Year in 1998.
• Medium Market - KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif. KUZZ has been named a finalist 13 times and received the Award in 1998 and 2002.
• Small Market - WKSF, Asheville, N.C. WKSF is a first time nominee and winner.

Five finalists are selected for Broadcast Personality of the Year and Station of the Year in four categories (small, medium, large and major market). The categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Arbitron. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement and biographical information. Candidates for Station of the Year are judged on airchecks, ratings history, community involvement and format leadership.

Three finalists are selected for National Broadcast Personality of the Year. To be eligible for this award, candidates must be syndicated, short-form, hub voice-tracking and satellite personalities heard in at least three markets, with a minimum of 40 shows per year.

CMA members who are full-time, on-air personalities and CMA member radio stations in the U.S. and Canada were eligible to enter. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. An aggregate score of the first round of judging and the second round, which is done by a different panel of judges, determines the winners. The international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP tabulates scoring by the judges.

CMA Broadcast Award winners are not eligible to enter in consecutive years; therefore, those who received trophies in 2008 were not eligible in 2009.

FYI: In the photo below, ACC host Kix Brooks, center, is joined by Jamey Johnson, left and Teddy Gentry of Alabama fame. Johnson visited Brooks on the job to deliver CMA prize news. Country Music Hall of Famer Gentry happened to Brooks' guest at the time.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Grammy-winning recording artist, songwriter, guitarist and producer Steve Wariner sat down recently with Kix Brooks, host of American Country Countdown, to record an interview for ACC’s "Still in Tune" feature.

Wariner’s segment will airing this weekend, Nov. 14-15. During the interview, first-time CMA Broadcast winner Brooks and Wariner talked about the latter’s current project, Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins, on SelecTone Records, which is in stores everywhere as of Nov. 10.

On the album that honors his friend, mentor and former boss, Wariner takes the listener on a journey through the wide array of material that Atkins recorded—from his early days playing the mountain music of his native Luttrell, Tenn., to swing, rockabilly, pop, folk and jazz.

Wariner's new CD includes his versions of some of the songs that Chet performed and recorded, but he also contributes original songs in the style that Chet made famous.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

"Chevy Salutes America’s Heroes” contest winner Master Sgt. Bubba Beason of the U.S. Air Force was awarded a 2010 Chevy Equinox on Nov. 10 during the live broadcast of ABC-TV's Good Morning America.

Country artist Rodney Atkins presented Beason and his family with the car. Beason's son, Christopher, entered his father in the contest and he was chosen over thousands of entries. The concert was presented by Chevy and took place on the Sommet Center Plaza in downtown Nashville.

Beason, a member of the 305th Maintenance Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and his family will attend The 43rd Annual CMA Awards. which will be broadcast live Nov. 11, Veteran's Day, on ABC at 8-11 p.m. (ET).

To learn more about this year's CMA Awards and its nominees, please access A Look at the 2009 CMA Awards Artist Categories and An Overview of 2009 CMA Awards' Top Nominees: Brad Paisley Leads 43rd Annual CMA Contest with Seven Nominations.

FYI: In the photo below, from left, Chevy National Promotions Manager Phil Caruso; Curb recording artist Rodney Atkins; 8-year-old Christopher Beason; Master Sgt. Bubba Beason; and ABC News correspondent Bill Weir gather as Beason is presented with a new car, compliments of Chevy.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

All available tickets for the 43rd Annual CMA Awards, which will be co-hosted by 2009 nominees Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood on Nov. 11 from Nashville's Sommet Center, have been snatched up, according to event organizers.

However, country fans can watch the action live on ABC-TV beginning at 7 p.m. (Central), including an opening performance by country music's favorite teen queen, Taylor Swift, who's up for four CMA honors; namely, Entertainer; Female; Album for Fearless; and Music Video for "Love Story." She also could receive a trophy for producing Fearless with Nathan Chapman.

At age 19, Swift is the youngest artist ever to be nominated for Entertainer. Prior to this nomination, Wynonna was the youngest at age 22 when The Judds were first nominated in that category in 1986. Swift is also the first solo female artist to be nominated for Entertainer since 2000 when Faith Hill was nominated. The last solo female artist to win the category was Shania Twain in 1999.

In addition to Swift, performers already announced include current and first-time AMA nominee Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Dave Mathews, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Kid Rock and Jamey Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band.

Previously announced presenters include Dale Earnhardt Jr.; stars of ABC's The Middle Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton; Julianne Hough; nominee Randy Houser (for both New Artist and Music Video of the Year for "Boots On"); nominee Jake Owen (New Artist of the Year); Kellie Pickler; LeAnn Rimes; and ABC News's Robin Roberts, co-anchor of Good Morning America and host of the upcoming Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville ABC television special (airing Nov. 10). Love And Theft will host the Pre-Telecast Awards.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

While preparing for the release of their debut single on Stroudavarious Records in early 2010, LoCash Cowboys are rewarding their loyal fan base with an early taste of their new music with the limited release of the This Is How We Do It extended-play project.

Available only at the band’s live shows and through leading digital music retailers, the EP contains three songs from the band’s forthcoming This Is How We Do It album.

Produced by acclaimed songwriter and musician Jeffrey Steele and the band, the EP features You Got Me, Fresh Off The Farm and Right Here In Front Of You. Each track delivers the unique brand of imaginative and dynamic country LoCash Cowboys has refined through their 200-plus live dates annually.

“We’ve been playing a bunch of the new songs at shows over the last year,” said co-frontman Chris Lucas. “Fans at the shows and on our Web site have been asking for a while when they could get the new music and we decided they’d waited long enough.

“We love the stuff we’ve done with Jeffrey and thought this would be a good way to get a taste of the new music to the people who have been supporting us for years.

Composed of Lucas and his musical brother, Preston Brust, LoCash has crisscrossed the nation, playing everything from honky-tonks and roadside saloons to country festivals and fairs. With the opportunity to reach such a diverse audience, the players have indoctrinated the nation to the concept and the attitude that defines the band.

“LoCash is a way of life,” Brust observed via a Nov. 4 e-mail communication. “It doesn’t mean you are poor or have no money. It just means that some of the best things in life are free—or LoCash. It’s remembering who you are and where you came from.

Look for the full This Is How We Do It album to be released in spring 2010.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter James House has a new single, I Love You Man, set for release to country radio Nov. 9, and it hails from the creativity of some of the genre’s finest tunesmiths.

Specifically, aside from the artist himself, I Love You Man was inked by the likes of Curly Putman (He Stopped Loving Her Today), Don Cook (You’re Gonna Miss Me) and Rafe Van Hoy (Golden Ring).

"Every Friday through the summer of 2009, the four of us got together to write songs at Tree Publishing," said House of the collaboration. "I was humbled to be included in these sessions. We always tried to end our week writing a fun, up-tempo song, and this is one of those gems that came from those sessions."

The history between the four men not only includes some of the most recognizable songs in music, but dates back to when Putnam, who is now 80 years old, signed then 17-year-old Van Hoy to Tree Publishing many years ago.

Moreover, Cook produced House's critically acclaimed Epic Records album titled Days Gone By, which yielded the hits This Is Me Missing You and Little By Little. Plus, each of the four have been signed to Tree as songwriters at some point, with Putnam and Cook residing at Tree for 45 years and 35 years, respectively.

As for House, he landed a Grammy nod for penning Ain't that Lonely Yet for Dwight Yoakam and received a CMA Song of the Year nomination for co-writing Martina McBride's smash, A Broken Wing.

I Love You Man, the single, will be released by Quarterback Records label, which was founded in 2003, and Dream On Records in what has been described as “a unique and strategic partnership,” with the former overseeing its radio marketing.

"All of us at Quarterback Records are excited to be a part of re-introducing James House to country radio," says Quarterback President Chris Allums. "He has a great history in the format, and we believe we've found some great songs to really make an impact."

At this writing, House is set to hit the road in support of I Love You Man beginning in early 2010. However, country fans don’t have to wait that long to sample his latest single, which is now available for download via www.jameshousemusic.com or www.myspace.com/jameshousemusic.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Guitar playing for more than four decades has taken its toll on traditional country artist Tommy Cash, who underwent surgery this morning in a Nashville-area hospital for carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist.

Currently touring in support of his brand-new Fade To Blackalbum for InLight Records, Tommy is expected to resume his concert schedule in early December following a doctor-recommended break for adequate recovery time.

Hooah Radio (www.hooahradio.com), in honor of Veteran's Day, will rebroadcast its recent interview with Tommy during the online, troop-supported and veteran-operated station's Nov. 11 day of webcasting.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country singer-songwriter Eric Durrance, whose country hits include Turn It Off and Angels Fly Away, wed fiance Jennifer Weeks, a fellow Floridian, in a private ceremony at sunset Saturday, Oct. 24, on the artist's farm near Tallahassee.

Currently writing and recording for his next CD release, Durrance said time off the road afforded him time to take the plunge with Jennifer, a paralegal, and he couldn't be happier. This time last year, Durrance was on tour with Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum, and marriage wasn't on the radar, but my what a difference a year makes, the singer says.

Although the couple didn't announce their planned nuptials in advance, fans might have had an inkling that Durrance had met someone special after he uploaded a new song, Once In A Lifetome (Jennifer's Song), to his MySpace (www.myspace.com/ericdurrance) recently. Said tune is the same song that Eric sang to Jennifer during their Saturday nuptials, which were performed by the Dove-nominated artist's stepfather.

"All in all, it was a perfect day," Durrance says of Oct. 24, 2009. "I can't wait to see what songs I write now. I've never felt so complete!"

The first wedding for both, Eric and the new Mrs. Durrance are honeymooning in Mexico at this writing.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Music City's Charles Ezell and L.A. drummer/producer Matt North have unveiled the songwriting duo's freshman offering, I Can't Die In L.A., with cool aid from Americana princess Maria McKee, former lead pipes for Lone Justice.

The dozen-tune CD from Hail The Size, the pair's namesake, offers listeners themes that run the gamut, from love notes to suicide letters. For their part, the creators have described the effort as "a hilarious, kinda sad, brutally honest journey" that's reminiscent of Townes Van Zandt now again, yet still an all-original outing.

Joined in the studio by a small cast of local friends and musicians, Hail the Size turned out roots-injected tracks such as Crazy Girl and Booze, Pills and Her for those who favor the upbeat, as well as Right Now, which the players described as "a bonafide anthem for lovesick underdogs," as well as the CD's bonus tracks.

Guest contributor McKee, meanwhile, stuck around long enough to lace her vocalwork across three songs, including the title track, Right Now and Drift Away, in addition to lending her ivory tickling to a lucky seven tunes on the disc, which caused Steve Earle to declare, "Now that's a good record. ..."

Beyond McKee, North and Cross, the latter of whom has been touted as a "cross between a young John Belushi and John Prine," I Can't Die In L.A. features the musician cellist Matt Fish (Alejandro Escovedo, John Doe), who lends his talents to the final track, Sue, and a cut that's been cited as perhaps the world’s first football ballad, Hail Mary, and L.A.-based guitar Carey Fosse (Wayne Kramer, Not-In-The-House), who capped off the record with sylings that beckon back to Duane Allman and Captain Beefheart, respectively.

To learn more about Hail The Size or sample tracks from its brand-new offering, which is available for purchase via CDBaby, please access www.myspace.com/hailthesize.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

MerleFest 2010 will once more host the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, which is now in its 18th year.

The annual contest is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of this year’s volunteer contest chairman, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale.

Contest entries are now being accepted via the following methods:

1. U.S. Mail – Send to P. O. Box 121855, Nashville, TN 37212
2. American Songspace –http://www.americansongspace.com/chrisaustinsongwritingcontest
3. Sonicbids – www.sonicbids.com/chrisaustinsongwritingcontest

Details about entry fees, eligibility and other requirements are available at www.chrisaustinsongwritingcontest.org. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 18, 2010. To be eligible to enter, a songwriter must not derive more than 50 percent of his or her total income from songwriting or music publishing.

Once submitted, songs are judged by a volunteer panel of Nashville songwriters, publishers and other music industry professionals. Judging will be based on a song’s originality, lyrics, melody and overall commercial potential.

Twelve finalists, three from each category, will be announced during the first week of April 2010. Each of the 12 finalists will compete on the Austin Stage at MerleFest 2010. In addition, for the first time in the history of the contest, each of the 12 finalists will have the invaluable experience of a mentor session with Lauderdale.

The contest recognizes winners in four categories—country, bluegrass, gospel and general. First-place winners in each category will receive the following: a performance on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest 2010 (April 29-May 2), an acoustic guitar, a check for $300, two boxes of D’Addario strings and one-year subscriptions to both Acoustic Guitar and American Songwriter magazines.

Second- and third place winners in each category receive performance slots on the Friday night Songwriters Coffeehouse, as well as cash prizes, D’Addario strings and subscriptions to Acoustic Guitar and American Songwriter.

Previous winners of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest include Gillian Welch, Tift Merritt, Michael Reno Harrell, Adrienne Young, Martha Scanlan, David Via and Johnny Williams.

For additional information about the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, call the contest hotline at 1-800-799-3838 or contact Laurie Hayes, CASC coordinator, at 336-838-6158 or laurie.hayes@wilkescc.edu.

Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception the scholarship has awarded more than $ 30,300 to 69 deserving students. The 2009-2010 Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship recipients are Ian Tucker Francis and Dustin Rubio-Serrano.

About Chris Austin

Chris Austin, a native of Boone, N.C., worked as a sideman for Ricky Skaggs for three years, singing and playing guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. During that time he was discovered by executives at Warner Bros. Nashville, who offered him a recording contract. While releasing singles including Blues Stay Away From Me, I Know There’s a Heart in There Somewhere and Out of Step, Austin also developed his songwriting skills, as evidenced in Same Ol’ Love, recorded by Skaggs in 1991.

On March 16, 1991, Austin’s life was cut tragically short when the private plane carrying him and six other members of Reba McEntire’s band, as well as her tour manager, crashed in the mountains near San Diego. Pete Fisher, then of Warnersongs and currently general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, and Kari Estrin, then MerleFest consultant and Pickin’ for Merle video associate producer, initiated the songwriting contest to honor Austin’s memory.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Rebel Records’ Steep Canyon Rangers just wrapped up a month that saw them performing on the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show with Steve Martin, before continuing on his acclaimed tour which brought them to The Late Show with David Letterman and The View; the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Carnegie Hall, the Ryman Auditorium, and other venues in cities including Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington, Toronto, Chicago, Denver, Santa Fe and Troy, N.Y.

This month, the Rangers currently grace the cover of the November issue of Bluegrass Unlimited, with a feature written by Penny Parsons.

The band released its fourth studio album for Rebel, Deep in the Shade, on Oct. 6, and it is currently at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart (issue date Oct. 31).

With a stash of glowing reviews to the players' credit, to learn more about the act please visit www.steepcanyon.com. For a look at their video bio, please access Rangers video bio.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country music's Big Kenny met U2's Bono at a concert stop in Norman, Okla., on Oct. 18. The two were introduced by a mutual friend due to their similar philanthropic passions.

Big Kenny's philanthropic efforts extend to the Southern region of Sudan, where he helped build the Kunyuk School for Girls in Akon in 2008, and to the American Appalachians, where he works to end mountaintop removal coal mining. His loveeverybody.com is a fledgling foundation that is generating good will throughout the community.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Who says you can't go home again?

Country artist Anthony Smith played for a hometown crowd at Cotton Eyed Joe's in Knoxville, Tenn., on Thursday, Oct. 22, where he visiting with country radio folks, including WIVK-Knoxville Program Director Mike Hammond, along with Anthony Smith and Bill Macky of Stroudavarious Records.

About Anthony Smith

Anthony hits the road to gear up for his upcoming studio album, Sunshine, his first album after signing with Stroudavarious Records. The record was co-produced by Smith and label head and veteran hit-maker James Stroud, along with Bobby Terry lending additional production assistance. Also featured on the new album is a song Anthony recorded with the late Porter Wagoner titled Hillbilly Romeos.

Anthony’s current single, Bringin’ Back The Sunshine, is available now on iTunes and via other digital music retailers as part of The Sunshine EP and his music video for the single has been added to GAC. The video stars Derek Phillips of NBC’s Friday Night Light and Danielle Rene, who is set to appear in Terrence Malick’s upcoming film, Tree Of Life, with Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.

• To learn more about this country artist, please access New Country Music: Country-Rocker Anthony Smith by Suite101 Feature Writer Lisa L. Rollins.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

MerleFest 2010, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 29 -May 2, is proud to announce the lineup for the event’s 23rd year. The following artists will join host Doc Watson on the campus of Wilkes Community College in North Carolina for a celebration of “traditional-plus” music—a term Doc coined to describe the unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, country, “plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play.”

Doc Watson - www.docsguitar.com

Susana and Timmy Abell - www.timmyabell.com

Alberti Flea Circus - www.albertifleacircus.com

The Avett Brothers - www.theavettbrothers.com

Jim Avett - www.jimavett.com

Balsam Range - www.balsamrange.com

Shana Banana - www.shanabanana.com

The Banknotes

Bearfoot - www.bearfootband.com

The Belleville Outfit - www.bellevilleoutfit.com

Brave Combo - http://www.brave.com/bo/

Buffalo Barfield - www.buffalobarfield.com

Sam Bush Band - www.sambush.com

Cadillac Sky - www.cadillacsky.net

T. Michael Coleman - www.tmichaelcoleman.com

Elvis Costello - www.elviscostello.com

John Cowan Band - www.johncowan.com

Dailey & Vincent - www.daileyvincent.com

Dehlia Low - www.dehlialow.com

Donna The Buffalo - www.donnathebuffalo.com

Jerry Douglas - www.jerrydouglas.com

The Duhks - www.duhks.com

Eleanor Ellis - www.eleanorellis.com

Alice Gerrard

The Gibson Brothers - www.gibsonbrothers.com

Great Big Sea - www.greatbigsea.com

The Greencards - www.thegreencards.com

Buddy Greene - www.buddygreene.com

Mitch Greenhill - www.folkloreproductions.com/about.html

George Hamilton IV - www.georgeiv.net

John Hammond - www.johnhammond.com

Corey Harris - http://www.myspace.com/coreyharrismusic

Wayne Henderson - http://waynehenderson.org/ Wayne/AboutWayne.htm

David Holt - www.davidholt.com

The InterACTive Theater of Jef - http://www.jefthemime.com

Phil Jamison -www.swangathering.com/Catalog/OT/sgotstaff1.html

Jeni & Billy - www.jeniandbilly.com

The Kruger Brothers - www.krugerbrothers.com

Jim Lauderdale - www.jimlauderdale.com

Jack Lawrence - www.jacklawrence.com

The Lee Boys - www.leeboys.com

Little Feat - www.littlefeat.net

Jeff Little - www.jefflittle.net

The Local Boys

The Lovell Sisters - www.lovellsistersband.com

Harry Manx - www.harrymanx.com

Bill Mathis

Andy May - www.andymay.com

Nashville Bluegrass Band - www.nashvillebluegrassband.net

Nation Beat - www.nationbeat.com

The Neighbors - http://www.myspace.com/theneighborspage

Ben Prestage - http://www.myspace.com/ bprestage

Missy Raines & The New Hip - http://www.missyraines.com

Red Molly - http://www.redmolly.com

Tony Rice - http://www.tonyrice.com

Peter Rowan - http://www.peter-rowan.com

Scythian - http://www.scythianmusic.com/indexmain.cfm

Anne and Pete Sibley - http://www.anneandpetesibley.com

Joe Smothers - http://www.myspace.com/joehsmothers

Steep Canyon Rangers - http://www.steepcanyon.com

Tut Taylor - http://webpages.charter.net/tutbro

Happy Traum - http://www.happytraum.com

The Travelin’ McCourys - http://www.myspace.com/thetravelinmccourys

Rhonda Vincent and The Rage - http://www.nemr.net/~rhondav

The Waybacks - http://www.waybacks.com

Lightnin’ Wells - http://www.lightninwells.com

Pete and Joan Wernick - http://www.drbanjo.com

Shannon Whitworth - www.shannonwhitworth.net

The Wilders - http://www.wilderscountry.com

Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society

Tony Williamson - http://www.mandolincentral.com/bio.html

W.P.A. - http://www.myspace.com/wpaband

Wylie and The Wild West - http://www.wylieww.com

Zephyr Lightning Bolts - www.zephyrlightningbolts.net

“Yet again, the MerleFest line up fulfills the festival’s mission of bringing in an incredibly exciting, diverse, and talented group of musicians,” comments Festival Director Ted Hagaman. “Fans can count on more surprises, spontaneous jam sessions and one of a kind musical collaborations, and we will continue to add to this line up. We encourage MerleFest fans to keep checking our Web site ( www.merlefest.org) for updates.”

In addition to providing the full line up, the festival’s site provides a complete source of information on all aspects of the event. Festival fans are encouraged to visit the website and sign up for the MerleFest e-newsletter or register as a volunteer. Fans also may follow the latest MerleFest developments on Facebook and Twitter.

The MerleFest box office will open for 2010 ticket sales Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. (EST). Ticket purchases can be made on the Web site or by calling 1-800-343-7857. With 75-plus acts performing on 15 stages during the course of the event, MerleFest is an entertainment value. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 12, 2010.

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a celebration of “traditional plus” music. Scheduled for April 29 – May 2, 2010, the event is held on the campus of Wilkes Community college in Wilkesboro, N.C.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Texas-based country artist Aaron Watson has released his latest single, The Road, as the freshman single from his forthcoming studio album that's set to be released in early 2010.

The song was written by tunesmith Elliot Park and describes the journey of life delivered to perfection, with Watson’s classic country vocals and instrumental arrangements. To listen to The Road, please click here or sample it on Aaron's MySpace page.

Regarding the new track, Watson says, “I write a lot of my own songs, but from the first time I heard The Road, I knew I wanted to cut it. It’s just a great song that grabs you from the first line and doesn’t let you go through the entire song. I also really liked the message of the song … don’t blame the road of life, you’re in control of your own destiny for the choices that you make and the road just provides the pavement.”

With 10 albums now beneath his belt, including his recent live CD/DVD dubbed Deep In The Heart Of Texas: Aaron Watson LIVE, the 31-year-old performer is constantly hard at work writing, recording and producing the true country music that his ever expanding fan base craves.

To learn more about Watson, please access Texas Artist Unveils Traditional Country CD/DVD by Suite 101's Lisa L. Rollins.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country artist Joe Nichols has partnered with TheHopeLine to create a Web site designed to help people who are struggling with addictions.

The partnership came about when Dave Anderson, TheHopeLine's director of rescue, saw Nichols' music video for An Old Friend Of Mine. Both the song and video honestly depict the battle with substance abuse, and the song is the closing track on Nichols' upcoming CD release, Old Things New.

"Partnering with Joe Nichols to help people struggling with addictions is very exciting," Anderson said. "Those struggling need to understand there is hope and TheHopeLine wants to help reach, rescue and restore them as they begin their journey to recovery.

“We are hopeful Joe's effort will encourage other mainstream artists to consider how they might help their fans, and others, who might be struggling with difficulty in their life."

TheHopeLine will make a HopeCoach available to moderate the chat room on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. (ET) for an entire month beginning the week of Oct. 12, 2009. The goal is to help individuals find help and hope in a moment of need.

While the song isn't the artist's single, the lyrics are so compelling, Nichols said he knew a certain spotlight had to be placed on An Old Friend Of Mine. Having struggled with addiction issues himself, it was a song he could relate to. Taking it a step further to partner with TheHopeLine meant he could possibly help others with their own struggles.

"This site exists out of my desire to offer more than a song when talking about my struggle with addiction and recovery," Nichols explained. "The purpose of anoldfriendofmine.com is to be a starting point resource for teens, families, parents or individuals who are struggling with addiction or know someone who is. This chat room also exists for people in recovery to talk with others around the world about how either they themselves or someone they know has said 'goodbye' to addiction."

Universal Records South will release Old Things New on Oct. 27. The CD is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed CD titled Real Things.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country artist Tommy Cash recently was recognized by the State of Tennessee with its Colonel Aide de Camp, an honorary commission in the state that has been awarded to individuals for meritorious service since 1943.

According to information from the governor’s office, only elected officials may request Colonel Aide de Camp certificates. In turn, the Arkansas-born hit-maker was nominated for the honor by Sen. Jim D. Tracy for his many contributions to and on behalf of the Volunteer State, especially his esteemed history of traveling worldwide to promote Tennessee through his musical talents, as well as his dedication to aiding the music industry through service.

In addition to touring more than 120 shows annually in both the United States and Europe, Cash is “known for (his) music and willingness to serve on boards to help promote the music industry,” according to the senator’s nomination, which lists Cash’s longtime membership and service to the Reunion of Professional Entertainers, also known as ROPE, where he currently serves on its board of directors.

Currently touring in support of his newly released Fade To Black CD on the InLight label, Cash was taken by surprise when he was presented with the Colonel certificate during the 22nd Annual Golden ROPE Banquet & Awards Show earlier this month, where he also was awarded with the ROPE organization’s 2009 Business Award.

"I am honored to have received the Business Award for the year from ROPE," shared Cash, who did time as Hank Williams Jr.'s guitarist early in his professional music career. "I was thrilled to be nominated, but winning was a great surprise!"

As for his honorary Colonel Aide de Camp recognition, "Making country music and supporting it comes naturally to me; there is no prize or trophy I needed for doing what I think I was born to do," he says. "However, I am humbled and most grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the Tennessee Colonel honor that was signed by our governor. I am so blessed to have such dear friends who would support me in this way."

About the honorary title of Colonel

The honorary title of Colonel is conferred by some states in the United States of America and certain units of the Canadian Forces. The origins of the titular colonelcy can be traced back to colonial and antebellum times when men of the landed gentry were given the title for financing the local militia without actual expectations of command.

Reportedly, the practice originated during the English Renaissance, when a colonelcy was purchased by a lord or prominent gentleman, but the actual command would fall to a lieutenant colonel, who would deputize for the proprietor.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The 2010 MerleFest event, which is a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a celebration of “traditional-plus” music, will be held April 29–May 2, 2010, on the WCC campus in Wilkesboro, N.C.WCC

The eclectic talent lineup for the forthcoming music fest, which was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson, will be announced at 8 p.m. (EDT) Oct. 22 during a one-hour special on North Carolina radio station WNCW that will feature music of some of the slated artists, said John Adair, artist relations executive for the festival.

Fans who live outside WNCW’s broadcast range may access the show online via its streaming broadcast. The full lineup will also be posted to the festival’s Web site (http://www.merlefest.org/) after the broadcast event.

“We are excited once again to work with long-time media partner WNCW to deliver the news about our incredible lineup for 2010, which encompasses everything from bluegrass and Americana, to old-time, country and roots music,” said Festival Director Ted Hagaman. The radio special will also feature songs from some of the performers

Festival fans are encouraged to visit the Web site and sign up for the MerleFest e-newsletter to find out more about additions to the lineup, the history of the event, how to volunteer, tips for visiting MerleFest and more. Fans also may follow the latest MerleFest developments on Facebook and Twitter, per the site’s instructions.

The MerleFest box office will open for 2010 ticket sales at 2 p.m. Nov. 10. Ticket purchases may be made online at http://www.merlefest.org/ or by calling 1-800-343-7857.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Hosted by actor David Keith, this year's Inspirational Country Music Awards featured a host of music artists of the country persuasion, including both mainstream and Christian-country music entertainers.

For those unfamiliar with the event, the ICM Convention and Awards Show is a yearly endeavor that draws music fans, broadcast and print media, and the industry’s top artists to Nashville to showcase music that centers on faith, family and country and to discuss industry-related issues.

The member-voted ICM Awards Show is the keynote event of Inspirational Country Week, which was set for Oct. 11-15 in 2009. The annual ICM honors are dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent among artists who perform Christian and inspirational country music.

Now in its 15th year, the 2009 ICM winners in all categories, as voted on by members of the Christian Country Music Association, are as follows:

• Entertainer of the Year: CrossCountry the Band
• Male Vocalist: Tommy Brandt
• Female Vocalist: Sandra Dee
• Vocal Duo: The Roys
• Vocal Group: Point of Grace
• Mainstream Inspirational Country Song: "Up To Him" by Tracy Lawrence
• Mainstream Country Artist: Ricky Skaggs
• Christian Country Song: "Good Ole Boys" by James Payne & Del Way
• Songwriter: Russ Murphy
• Video of the Year: "God Must Really Love Me" by Craig Morgan
• Director: Eric Welch
• New Artist: Steve Richard
• Musician: Dennis Agajanian
• Comedy Act: Barry McGee
• Radio Personality: Leon Joplin
• Radio Station: WCWV, Summersville, W.V.
• Living Legend Award: Ken Holloway
• Inspirational Bluegrass Artist: The Isaacs
• Youth In Music Award: Matthew Wacaster
• Music Evangelist of the Year: Russ Murphy
• Faith, Family, & Country Movie: Fireproof, Provident Films
• Television Network: TCT Network

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Christian-country newcomer Philip Dain Powell will attend his first Inspirational Country Music Week event this year, where he’ll showcase Wednesday, Oct. 14, and perform his debut single, Give A Little Love.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Award-nabbing country singer-songwriter Gretchen Wilson delivered a healthy dose of attitude for a hometown crowd at Sunday's Farm Aid in St. Louis, Mo.

The only female on the bill for the day, her set included the hits that made her a household name and a rousing rendition of her new single, Work Hard, Play Harder, which is the debut release on Wilson's newly created Redneck Records, a label she's serving as president of as well as the label's lone music talent.

Following her weekend performance, Wilson spent some time with Farm Aid co-founder Willie Nelson and his wife chatting about the event, her new music and the plot of land she has on her property where she and her family grow a variety of the produce they consume.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Deep in the Shade, the brand-new CD from Steep Canyon Rangers, was released Oct. 6 on the Rebel Records label, complete with liner notes by recent International Bluegrass Music Award winner and banjo-playing comedic-actor Steve Martin.

With a sound that's rooted in traditional bluegrass, the Rangers' newest effort features mostly original tunes that blend contemporary bluegrass stylings with folk and gospel, as well as old-time country music.

Deep in the Shade is a dozen-song CD that finds the players--Woody Platt, guitar and lead vocals; Graham Sharp, banjo; Mike Guggino, mandolin; Charles R. Humphrey III, bass; and Nicky Sanders, fiddle--calling once more on producer Ronnie Bowman, who's a star-bluegrass singer-songwriter in his own right.

The act's been on tour with Martin as of late, including an appearance at the October IBMA awards show in Nashville. To learn more about the new CD or spy details on show dates, please access www.steepcanyon.com. To eyeball a short clip about the group's new CD, with the band discussing its history and current music, please click here.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country music hit-maker Bridgette Tatum performed a free concert prior to the 6th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Finals on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Knoxville (Tenn.) Raceway, but singing wasn't the only presence she had at the track.

Specifically, Tatum's image, along with the Aggressive Hydraulics logo, was featured on driver Ryan Newman’s car.

“As a little girl in my grandparent's house you'd hear two things on Sunday after church, the clankin' of Nana's pots while she was cooking and my Papa's NASCAR race competing with it all,” Tatum recalled.“He always had his pick and I would watch that one car go round and round. How could I know years later my image would be on a car on TV for my Papa to see?"

Additionally, noted Tatum, referring to her grandfather's racing picks, "Ryan Newman has become a favorite of his and I know he will be in front of the TV pulling for him and in a small way, he'll be pullin' for me, too.”

Tatum, who co-penned Jason Aldean's smash titled She's Country, currently is touring in support of her debut album, Sex, Church & Chicken, which will hit stores in early 2010. Her first single from the disc is (I Like My) Cowboys Dirty.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Hosted by Kathy Mattea and her Hot Rize band, this year's International Bluegrass Music Awards were held Oct. 1, 2009, in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

The 2009 list of prize winners, by category, is as follows:

• International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame–The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, The Dillards
• Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients–Hylo Brown, Pati Crooker, Jody Rainwater, Dick Spottswood, Joe Wilson
• Entertainer of the Year–Dailey & Vincent
• Male Vocalist of the Year–Dan Tyminski
• Female Vocalist of the Year–Dale Ann Bradley
• Album of the Year-Wheels, The Dan Tyminski Band, produced by Dan Tyminski, Rounder Records
• Vocal Group of the Year–Dailey & Vincent
• Instrumental Group of the Year–Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
• Song of the Year-Don’t Throw Mama’s Flowers Away by Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass (artist), Chris Stuart & Ivan Rosenberg (writers)
• Recorded Event of the Year–Proud to Be a Daughter of Bluegrass featuring Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Lisa Martin, Gloria Belle, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent, Lisa Ray, Linda Lay, Sally Jones, Jeanie Stanley, Carol Lee Cooper, Sonya Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Michelle Nixon, Jeanette Williams, Sophie Haislip, Louise Tomberlain, Mindy Rakestraw, Lizzy Long, Frances Mooney, Lorraine Jordan, Annette Kelley, Lilly Lieux, Dixie Hall, Judi Marshall, Melissa Lawrence, Beth Lawrence, Rebecca Frazier, Donica Christensen, Lisa Maning & Jenni Lyn Gardner (artists); Dixie Hall, Paula Wolak & Frances Money (producers); Blue Circle Records
• Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year-Jerusalem Ridge, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Bill Monroe (writer), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder Records
• Gospel Recorded Performance of the Yea-On the Other Side by Dailey & Vincent (artists), Jimmy Fortune, Kevin Denney & Tom Botkin (writers); Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers); Rounder Records
• Emerging Artist of the Year–The SteelDrivers
• Instrumental Performers of the Year: Banjo, Kristin Scott Benson; Fiddle, Michael Cleveland; Dobro, Rob Ickes; Mandolin, Jesse Brock; Bass, Marshall Wilborn; and Guitar, Josh Williams
• Bluegrass Event of the Year-Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Oak Hill, N.Y., in July 2008
• Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year-Katy Daley; HD Radio WAMU 88.5 Channel 2, 105.5 FM & www.bluegrasscountry.org; Washington, D.C.
• Print Media Person of the Year-Roger Siminoff; Siminoff’s Luthiers Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown
• Best Liner Notes for Recorded Project-Steve Martin (writer), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions (label)
• Best Graphic Design for Recorded Project -Greg Carr & Salli Ratts (designers), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions (label)

To learn more about the artist highlights of the 2009 IBMA Awards, please access Steve Martin Wins First IBMA Awards by Suite 101 feature writer Lisa L. Rollins. To see the full list of IBMA finalists, please access 2009 Nominees for International Bluegrass Music Awards Announced.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

AOL's TheBoot.com will world premiere Joe Nichols' video for An Old Friend of Mine on Sept. 30 and also feature it on AOL Music's homepage, according to a Sept. 29 report from the artist's PR camp, who says the tune is one of the most talked about on Nichols'upcoming CD release, Old Things New .

Written by Rick Tiger and Brock Stalvey, An Old Friend of Mine is a deeply personal song to Nichols, as it deals with taking your last drink of alcohol, and then walking away.

To capture the raw emotion of the song, video directors Rob Dennis and Mason Dixon took a note from the song itself, which was done in one take, just Nichols and a piano. They used one camera and let it roll on the artist's emotionally raw performance.

"We all know what a powerful vocalist Joe is, and this song is one of the most gripping performances I have ever heard from Joe," said Fletcher Foster, senior VP and GM of Universal Records South."We wanted a video that would accurately present the feeling and emotion of the song.This isn't a single, and isn't necessarily a video that we're going to service to all of the video channels. But it is a performance we knew had to be seen and heard."

Fresh from performing for both Merle Haggard and the Dalai Lama, the Broadway-bound Nichols agrees that this song in particular is perhaps the most personal he has ever recorded.

"Rarely does a song come along that accurately describes the pain and the power of addiction,"he shared via a Sept. 29 press statement. "In a lot of ways, saying goodbye to an addiction is like saying goodbye to an old friend; someone who has been there for you in good times and bad times."

Set for release Oct. 27, Old Things New is Nichols' sixth studio recording for Universal Records South.

For additional information on the artist and upcoming tour dates please visit joenichols.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Growing up in Texas, country artist Jeremy Crady knows a little about football. Or, so he says.

In turn, as a lifelong Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys fan, the singer currently is offering is fans the chance to test their own skills with his new "pick 'em" game, Football Fanatics.

Those who can beat Jeremy in picking the outright winners of eight NFL and college games will be registered to win the grand prize of an NFL jersey, the new Madden 2010 video game and other prizes.

How to play: Simply register online to play at JeremyCrady.com/fanatics.Three names will be chosen each week from the registrants to go toe to toe with Jeremy in an all-out gridiron battle. The contest will begin with the 2009 season games of Oct. 3-5, all of which are listed on Crady's Web site at this writing, and will run for four consecutive weeks, with three new players chosen to compete each week.

The game picks of those selected will be posted on JeremyCrady.com, along with Jeremy’s choices. May the biggest football fanatic win!

FYI: Those who beat or tie Jeremy in picking the winners of the eight games will be registered to win the grand prize of a personalized NFL jersey (winner’s choice regarding the team) and a copy of the new Madden 2010 video game (any platform).

Plus, every registrant chosen to play Football Fanatics will get an autographed copy of Jeremy’s new CD, Smoke Wagon Serenade, which includes his debut single, The Toughest Ride.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Hear My Cry, the new single by Brett Hill, continues to climb the Power Source Christian Country Chart, landing at No. 13 for the month.

Hill, who will release a new album, Horses & Heroes, come Oct. 1, has been busy on the road, where he’s performed at several Cowboy Churches in the Lone Star State, with stops in Georgia and Bradyville, Tenn., next on his list.

He’ll also take a detour to Nashville for this year’s Inspirational Country Music festivities heading to the University Of Georgia for a 10-day tour stop before traveling Cowtown’s renowned Stockyards. (For those unfamiliar, Cowtown is the nickname for Fort Worth, Texas.)

As for the upcoming Horses & Heroes, the album reportedly is “in the can,” as the saying goes, and features songs that speak of real "American family heroes," including a track about a man who teaches his son to work to feed his family and to turn to the Bible for help.

Another song on the record focuses on the story a grandfather who shares time with his grandson, letting him drive his Model-T. Grandpa's time spent with the grandson winds up being what leads the boy to find Jesus, behind the wheel of his Grandpa's Model T.

Hill, meanwhile, will kick off his Horses & Heroes Tour, named after the album, in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 31. However, for more info, from show dates to music samples, please access www.myspace.com/bretthillsmusic or the singer’s new Web site, which may be accessed at www.bretthillsmusic.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Four weeks before heading out on the fall leg of her successful Music Room Series Tour, country singer and first-time mom Jo Dee Messina spent the week in the studio with hit-producer Paul Worley putting the finishing touches on her latest CD.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Grammy-winning guitarist, country artist and songwriter Steve Wariner will receive pair of new accolades this when he’s inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame during the organization's 12th annual induction ceremony.

The induction will take place Friday, Sept. 25, at the Merle Travis Music Center in Powderly, Ky. In addition, Wariner's current CD homage to his musical idol and mentor, Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins,has been named Thumbpicking Recording of the Year.

"I've been a thumbpicker since my dad taught me when I was young," Wariner said. "In my later years I was lucky enough to play with Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Paul Yandell. Receiving this honor is because of them. It's an incredible honor for me to join the esteemed ranks of the Thumbpickers Hall of Fame."

Other 2009 inductees will include Richard Smith and Chip Young. Moreover, past National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame inductees include not only Wariner's friend and mentor, Chet Atkins, but also Merle Travis, Jerry Reed, Paul Yandell, Doc Watson, Grandpa Jones, John Knowles, John Hartford and Joe Maphis, among others.

Muhlenberg County, Ky., is considered the birthplace of thumbpicking, also called fingerpicking, which is a style of guitar playing in which the thumb maintains a steady rhythm by alternating bass patterns on the lower three strings, while the other fingers play melody and fill-in notes on the high strings.

In other Wariner-related news, the Indiana native was nominated for a Nashville Music Award this week for Instrumentalist of the Year. Although defunct for several years, the NMA honors, which include a variety of genres--not just country music--were revived this year.

Readers interested in this news may also find favor with Steve Wariner's New Chet Atkins Tribute CD Set to be Distributed by Allegro Media Group.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country artist Joe Nichols has a big week ahead of him. For starters, he’s been invited to perform his Believers single at The Missing Peace Concert in Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, but just as part of any show.

The concert, which is inspired by the peace efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, also will feature several artists, including Natalie Cole, and each will perform with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra at that city’s Cannon Center.

However, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the eve of the benefit show, Nichols has an equally exciting performance on the books when he takes part in an invitation-only ceremony for traditional country’s Merle Haggard.

Per Nichols’ publicist, the Arkansas-born singer has long been known for his love of traditional country music and during the Tuesday event perform a song in tribute to one of his all-time favorites, Haggard, who’s presented with the Poet's Award at the second annual ACM Honors at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.

"It just doesn't get any better than this," Nichols said in a Sept. 21 press release. "A performance for a legend like Merle Haggard one night, and then the following day being on the same stage as Natalie Cole, and meeting the Dalai Lama. I'm just a country boy from Rogers, Ark. Stuff like this doesn't happen every night."

As for his latest number, Believers is the lead single from the Broadway-bound Nichols new CD, Old Things New, that’s set for release Oct. 27. The forthcoming disc, which will be the singer’s fifth studio recording for Universal Records South, is the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2007 release titled Real Things, an album that the New York Times named one of the "Best Releases of the Year" in all musical genres.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

It’s that time again in Nashville, meaning the time when the leading pros within the areas of marketing, corporate partnerships, social networking and entertainment law converge to sponsor the annual International Entertainment Buyers Association event Oct. 11-13.

During the event, aside from industry-only discussions on the latest opportunities, challenges and solutions facing live entertainment, a star-studded list of artists perform, with the goal of getting booked solid in the months, even years, to come.

Although the event is by no means open only to country performers, among this year’s highlights are appearances by some of this genre’s current favorites and hot newcomers, including Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Chris Young, Jessie James, Phil Vassar, Michelle Branch and Joey + Rory

Industry folks who sign up for the yearly conference also will get tips on how to incorporate online trends and best utilize music and social networking sites such as MySpace, iLike, Facebook and Twitter to market an event or artist in the name of selling more tickets.

Legalese will be spoken at the IEBA event, too, with attorney Derek C. Crownover of the business and legal firm Crownover Tisinger leading a panel of attorneys and artist representatives who’ve “been there, done that” when it comes to collection disputes with promoters. Their panel will use real-life scenarious to focus on force majeure, deposits, how to collect on shows in default and securing an interest, as well as providing insight into recent criminal activity by unscrupulous promoters and how to approach such situations.

For more information about IEBA, which was founded in 1970 as a nonprofit trade organization for talent buyers, concert promoters, agents, managers, artists and related entertainment professionals, including registration for this space-limited conference, please access www.ieba.org.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country artists Montgomery Gentry, Jamie O'Neal and Lee Roy Parnell, as well as Vanderbilt University’s Soul Incision, were among the acts that rocked the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, Mo., recently for the Country For A Cure event.

The fundraiser was presented by the St. Louis Blues Alumni Association and designed to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation's mission of supporting innovative cancer research.

"I'm always so thrilled to be a part of a T.J Martell event,” country artist O’Neal said via a Sept. 21 e-mail. “They have done so much toward raising the hopes of many for finding a cure for cancer."

In the photo included below are, from left, country's Jamie O'Neal, Troy Gentry, Eddie Montgomery, Bruce Affleck (president of the St. Louis Blues Alumni Association), Storme Warren (host of GAC's Headline Country), Lee Roy Parnell and John Davidson (president of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Team).

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Tried ‘n’ true Lone Star native Miranda Lambert is the focus of a new online episode of Soundcheck, an online performance series sponsored by retail-giant Walmart that features behind-the-scenes footage and live-music previews by some of the day’s hottest artists.

For her part, the 2009 CMA nominee for Female Vocalist starred in her very own Soundcheck segment in honor of her latest CD, the 15-song Revolution, which will be released Sept. 29, 2009.

In addition to performing several songs in an intimate soundstage setting with her band, Lambert also offers viewers insight into her new CD’s creation, including the growth she feels she’s undergone as an artist and songwriter, as well as the input her steady boyfriend, country star Blake Shelton, had on the upcoming album.

Moreover, for those who haven’t yet decided whether the blond performer’s latest CD belongs among one’s country-CD collection, the Soundcheck’s glimpses of Lambert’s new music, along with a couple of familiar tracks, “Dead Flowers” and “Everyone’s Famous in a Small Town,” may send new fans to the record store in search of Revolution or even prior Lambert albums.

Available since Sept. 15, Lambert’s series segment is available by accessing http://soundcheck.walmart.com/miranda-lambert.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Texas-born country crooner Jeremy Crady is hitting the road in his home state this month, as he embarks on an extensive radio tour to promote his new radio single, The Toughest Ride.

The track is from Crady's new CD release, Smoke House Serenade, which was produced by Garth Brooks’ drummer Milton Sledge. In addition to input from Sledge, the CD also features several members of Brooks’ touring band on the album.

With country-radio airplay at some 120 stations nationwide, The Toughest Ride has begun to yield significant early attention from industry watchers.

Because early fan reaction to Crady’s debut song about a down-on-his-luck rodeo rider remains high, the free-download campaign for The Longest Ride has been extended until the end of September 2009, reports Jim Alderice with Nashville’s GrassRoots Promotion.

Country fans interested in learning more about the singer or scoring a free mp3 of The Toughest Ride prior to the deadline may accomplish both objectives by accessing Crady's official Web site at JeremyCrady.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Award-winning Rounder Records duo Dailey & Vincent will release the players’ first gospel album, a collection of a cappella songs, called Singing From the Heart, on Oct. 20.

The project began in 2001, long before Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent--whose latest album, Brothers from Different Mothers, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's bluegrass charts--started their career as a duo. The record of a cappella spiritual songs was designed as one that would honor the Church of Christ's practice of singing without instruments and that would benefit the Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville, which is a Church of Christ institution.

Malcolm L. Hill, president of the college, said that after he became acquainted with Dailey, he told him about TBC and the school’s ongoing need to help would-be students with funding for school. Hill asked Dailey, then, to help develop quartet CD of a cappella singing to help raise money for the college, which never turns away students because of no money for tuition when it comes to pursuing a degree in Bible.

Impressed by this fact, Vincent said, the duo began work on creating a quartet-rich album. In doing so, Dailey & Vincent called on the very best of vocalists from the worlds of bluegrass, Southern gospel and country music to guest on the disc, including tenor Andy Ball, bass Glenn Dustin, baritone Anthony Facello, baritone Tony King, tenor Shawn Lane, bass Jeff Pearles, Doyle Lawson, singing baritone on Near the Cross and Molly Skaggs, a bluegrass "double legacy" who’s the daughter of Sharon White and Ricky Skaggs.

The end result is the forthcoming Singing From the Heart CD, which includes the songs Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho, Near The Cross. Hide Me, Rock Of Ages, Farther Along, I Am Resolved, The Old Rugged Cross, Moses Smote The Water, Amazing Grace, Jesus Is Coming Soon, O’ To Be Like Thee, 'Til I See You Face To Face and Don't You Wanna Go To Heaven

Says Vincent: "I want the listeners to get a blessing from this music, and to know how special it is to take a song and blend voices a cappella. It moves me emotionally to hear how much of an impact singing without instruments gives to the lyrics."

The album will be available through Christian book and music-retail outlets, Dailey & Vincent's Web site, the TBC, Rounder Records' Web site and at Dailey & Vincent concerts.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Grammy-winning country artist Gretchen Wilson will be among a select handful of recipients chosen to receive a 2009 National Coalition for Literacy Leadership Award.

The platinum-selling recording artist will be presented with the NCL honor on Sept. 16, 2009, during a reception at the Library of Congress.

The awards are designed to honor those who have made extraordinary contributions to improving literacy and raising awareness of the adult literacy and English-language learning needs in the United States.

Wilson became a public proponent of adult education’s importance somewhat by happenstance after, post-fame, she studied to earn her GED diploma—something she had always longed to achieve—in 2008. Then, in May 2009, she spoke before a Congressional subcommittee about the importance of adult education and literacy.

Recipients of the NCL award, including soon-to-be record company founder Wilson—have demonstrated a deep and sustained individual or organizational commitment by supporting literacy on the local, state, and national level.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country-pop starlet Taylor Swift managed to win the Best Female Video prize at the Sept. 13, 2009, MTV Video Music Awards in New York City on live TV--never mind that she was the lone country contender in the crowd.

Not everyone was thrilled over the always-fashionably dressed Swift's win, however, and in particular, singer Kanye West wrestled the microphone from the 19-year-old in the middle of her acceptance speech. Still, Swift remained gracious and kept her cool, even if she seemed at a loss as what to do following the rude behavior of West during the live show.

Kudos to Swift on winning the MTV Moonman trophy; boo to West for acting out and throwing his sour grapes around the world during the Grammy-winning singer's moment in the spotlight.

To view Swift accepting her award and performing "You Belong With Me" live performance, please access Moonman Mission Complete: Taylor Swift scores her First MTV Music Video Award. To see a slide show of Swift during the 2009 MTV VMA event, please click here.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Musical duo Sam & Ruby have hit the road in support of their debut record, The Here and The Now, which was released Aug. 11 on the Rykodisc label.

Not a pair to be pigeonholed, the music of Sam & Ruby’s has garnered four-star reviews and been embraced by a number of music watchers and fans, from country and acoustic pop, to folk and rhythm ‘n’ blues.

That said, this country music-focused scribe thinks its always best to let the listener decided whether a given act’s sound falls within one’s individual definition of “country.” Hence, many within the genre are diggin’ what Sam & Ruby lay down, including Country Weekly magazine, which dubbed Sam & Ruby’s new album as nothing short of “a seductive gem.”

The Nashville-based duo’s booked a full slate of show in support of the new CD, and it’s a tour that will wind the versatile singer/songwriters around the U.S., with a variety of venues in the mix, from notable performing arts centers to smaller clubs and songwriter hangs. Along the way, they’ll hit L.A.’s renowned Hotel Café and perform once again at the rockin' Voodoo Music Experience festival in New Orleans.

Sam & Ruby’s current tour dates are as follows:

9/18 - Henderson, N.C., at Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center

9/22 - Los Angeles, Calif., at Hotel Cafe

9/25 - St. Louis, Mo., at St. Louis University

9/28 - Decatur, Ga. at Eddie's Attic

9/29 - Charlotte, N.C., at The Evening Muse

10/1 - Athens, Ga., at The Melting Point

10/3 - Jacksonville, Fla., at European Street Cafe

10/6 - Raleigh, N.C., at Berkeley Cafe

10/7- Columbia, S.C., at White Mule

10/9 - Orlando, Fla., at The Cameo Theatre

10/10 - Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., at Broward Center for Performing Arts

10/12- Tampa, Fla., at Tampa Performing Arts Center/Club Jaeb

10/27 - Lexington, Ky., at Natasha's Bistro

10/28 - New Albany, Ind., at Paul W. Ogle Center

10/31- New Orleans, La., at Voodoo Music Experience

11/5 - Nashville, Tenn., at 12th & Porter

11/6 - Vincennes, Ind., at Vincennes University

11/12 - Austin, Texas, at Stubb's Jr.

11/29/09 - Philadelphia, Pa., at World Cafe Live

11/30/09 - Uncasville, Conn., at Mohegan Sun

To learn more about the couple or sample their sound, please visit www.myspace.com/samandruby.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

After the CMA Awards nomination announcements on live-TV's Good Morning America on Sept. 9, 2009, it was discovered that Brad Paisley and Keith Urban were inadvertently omitted from the list of final nominees for CMA Musical Event of the Year for Start A Band.

According to a press statement from the CMA, the omission occurred when transferring information from the online ballot to the list of final nominees.

"We take the integrity of the CMA Awards balloting very seriously," said Tammy Genovese, CMA's CEO, in a Sept. 10, 2009, media release. "And when an oversight like this occurs we commit ourselves to a thorough review, thoughtful and immediate correction, and complete disclosure and accountability to the artists and our industry.

"I can assure CMA's valued constituents that we have examined every detail of the ballot for other discrepancies and all other categories were correct as announced."

Consequently, Paisley and Urban's Start A Band song collaboration will be added to the list of nominees for the final ballot and all previously announced nominees will remain on the list.

"All of the nominees for Musical Event of the Year are deserving and in the interest of fairness will remain on the ballot for the final vote by our membership," Genovese said. "We sincerely regret the omission of these two deserving artists from the list of nominees and apologize to Brad and Keith, and their representatives, for any confusion," Genovese noted.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The Henry County Fairgrounds in Paris, Tenn., some two-and-a-half hours outside Nashville, will be the place to spy Grammy-winning country artist Gretchen Wilson come Sept. 14, 2009, rain or shine.

The redneck diva of country will be on hand to make an appearance in a TV show that’s planning to capture the action of an exhibition demolition-derby event on film that day, and organizers report admission is free, so for those who can, come on out and be part of the fun—or even part of the “extras” in the stands.

Just a few days prior to the fairgrounds event, the country songstress will participate in an auction in Nashville, where the high bidder can win a date with Wilson. This event, too, is a race-related endeavor but one that will benefit charity.

For more info on the Sept. 14 derby event, which will be broadcast for television in conjunction with a national network, please contact Mike Weatherford Promotions online via DerbyMadness.com or by calling 731-782-3234.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The members of country group TelluRide helped raise ­­­money for the music program at Fremont Senior High School in Nebraska over the weekend, with an Aug. 29 performance, before heading back across the country to perform at the University of Tennessee's Big Orange Blast fan-appreciation event to help kick off the '09 football season.

The festivities will begin at noon Thursday, Sept. 3, with an on-air performance on station WDVX in downtown Knoxville. That same evening, the group will perform an acoustic set at Wild Wing Cafe in conjunction with the Vol Radio Show. Then, early Friday morning, Sept. 4, the players will appear on WVLT-TV live from backstage at the Big Orange Blast site. (For those in the area who really want to to tune in, the players will be on at 5:30 a.m., yawn.)

But that's not all, because following a stop at WIVK Radio, the quartet--whose sound is rooted in harmonies, musicianship and high-energy stage shows--will move on to the UT campus for a one-hour acoustic performance at the President's Quad. The Big Orange Blast will kicks off at 7 p.m. at World's Fair Park, where the band will take in the Vols' match up against Western Kentucky on Saturday afternoon and perform a concert at Knoxville's Tin Roof following the game.

After the football-filled weekend, TelluRide--who are signed to American Roots Records--will be back on the road throughout the Midwest visiting radio, performing concerts and promoting the act's debut single, Pencil Marks. The Ricky Schroeder-directed music video for the single debuted on GACtv.com last week and will begin airing on CMT Pure on Sept 4,per reports from the band's reps.

To learn more about the band or sample music from its Four Square Miles CD, including Pencil Marks, the debut single that tells the story of a young boy growing up through the pencil marks on the wall, please visit the act's MySpace page.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Broken Bow/Holeshot Records artist Krista Marie debuted her new Web site this week, just as her new single, Tomboy, began making it way onto the country-radio airwaves, including U.S. stations from Spokane, Wash., and San Francisco, Calif., to Baton Rouge, La.

Per the vocalist's PR camp, aside from bio info, up-to-date news and tour information, the new site will feature a media section where fans can listen to new music, view portraits and photos from concerts, in the recording studio and from the radio tour promoting the new single. Plus, there's also a blog, where

Krista regularly posts entries about her career, and her first video blog includes an entry about the singer's Krista's first "tastes like chicken" encounter with a Rocky Mountain Oyster.

Fans also may access the "Community" section to get the latest news about contests, write thoughts and musings about Krista on the message board and post pictures on the "Fan Pics" area. Meanwhile, the site's "Motorsports" section highlights Krista's involvement with Harley-Davidson, NHRA drag racing and ATV-motorcross racing. However, one of Krista's favorite sections belongs to her dog Bella, who has her own blog.

"We really set out to make this new Web site user-friendly and interactive for the fans who share a love of music and motorsports," Krista has said. "After they've navigated the site, I want them to really feel like they're a part of this crazy ride!"

As for her Tomboy single, word is the track's rapidly scoring with young girls who identify with the fun and honest lyrics of the song, as well as parents who reared--or are bringing up--a tomboy. The song's already yielded spins at KBWF/San Francisco, WKMK/Monmouth, WSLC/Roanoke, KIZN/Boise, WUSJ/Jackson, WMAD/Madison, KIXZ/Spokane, KTOM/Monterey, KSOP/Salt Lake City, KKWF/Seattle and WYPY/Baton Rouge, per her reps.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country star Steve Wariner has secured Allegro Media Group, one of the largest independent distributors of music in North America, to distribute Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins on behalf of the singer's own label, SelecTone Records.

The 11-song tribute to Wariner's friend, mentor and former boss was first made available this summer as a limited-edition release through Wariner's Web site and originally slated for widespread release Aug. 25. However, the CD will now be available through brick-and-mortar and online retailers beginning Nov. 10, 2009, withAllegro also overseeing distribution on SelecTone's back-catalog.

"I'm thrilled that we're getting to work with the professional and dedicated team at Allegro," Wariner said in an Aug. 29 press release."They've established a reputation as a company that has fostered long-standing relationships with their customers by providing excellent service.That's exactly what we want to do."

Via the same Aug. 29 media statement, Forrest Faubion, distribution product manager for Allegro, noted, "We are extremely pleased to welcome to our roster one of America's most highly respected recording artists.Our new partnerships with Steve Wariner and his SelecTone Records label further illustrate Allegro's commitment to quality and expertise!

To learn more about Wariner's forthcoming CD, a project that the artist arranged as a rough timeline of Atkins' life by taking the listener on a journey through the wide variety of material that Atkins recorded, please click on the highlighted link above.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country music and the contemporary stars who drive it to be the money-maker it now is will be front 'n' center Monday, Aug. 31, when the ABC Television Network airs CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock, a three-hour special.

Footage for the 8-11 p.m. (ET) telecast was shot in Nashville on June 11-14, 2009, during the annual music fest. This year, however, marks the first time the TV special has been expanded to three hours to showcase more of today's country stars, such as Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Julianne Hough, Jamey Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Jake Owen, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, John Rich, Darius Rucker, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Zac Brown Band and Taylor Swift,among many others.

Per organizers, the yearly Country Music Association-sponosred music fest, which is the largest country festival in the world, is unlike any other, with four days filled with more than one hundred hours of live music, 30 hours of autograph signings by country biggest names and up and comers, hundreds of artists and celebrities, and a party list of thousands of avid fans. The 2009 festival, in fact, was the best-attended event yet, with more than 50,000 on hand.

As for the TV special, which is now in its fifth year, those country fans who utilize the social-networking tool Twitter can "tweet" live with the stars this year, thanks to ABC-TV and the artists who are teaming online at ABC.com for Tweet 'N' Greet during the telecast.

• Readers interested in this story may also enjoy 2009 CMA Finalists Will Be Announced on Live TV Sept. 9 by Lisa L. Rollins.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country music's Jack Ingram could likely use some lemon and honey in a cup of hot tea today, all day, after setting a new Guinness World Record this morning, Aug. 26, for "Most Consecutive Radio Interviews In A 24-Hour Period."

Ingram notched 215 interviews across most of the 50 states and parts of Canada, Ireland and Australia, easily shattering the previous record of 96 interviews.

With a new album to support titled Big Dreams & High Hopes, Ingram began interviews in New York City at 8 a.m. Aug. 25, 2009, at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline—the same day his latest CD hit store shelves.

The Texas native continued with the interviews through the night and wrapped up Aug. 26 with a performance of the album's lead and current top -10 single, Barefoot and Crazy, on the national morning show Fox & Friends.

CMT.com exclusively streamed the event and recorded a record number of viewers in what is also the longest continuous stream the site has ever attempted.

"Guinness World Records has been chronicling records for more than 50 years and today is no different," said Laura Plunkett, Guinness World Record adjudicator. "We are pleased to announce that Jack Ingram has broken the record for the 'Most Radio Interviews in 24 Hours' at a staggering 215 interviews!"

"After the last 24 hours, I officially have nothing left to say," concluded Ingram.

Ingram reportedly will jet to his home state today to perform in Dallas later in the day, then perform in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 27, before rounding out the week opening three shows for Toby Keith in California.

For a full list of appearances and tour dates across the country, visit www.jackingram.net.

• Readers interested in this post may also find favor with Jack Ingram Shares Big Dreams & High Hopes by Lisa L. Rollins.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Three respected international media representatives recently were presented awards from the Country Music Assocation during an Irish showcase at the Sommet Center Plaza Stage in Nashville.

Joe Fish and Pio McCann, who served as hosts for the Irish showcase, were each presented with the International Country Broadcaster Award, while Roger Ryan received the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award.

According to a press release from the CMA, Fish said, "I would like to thank CMA. It's an honor to receive an Award for something that I still enjoy after 30 years."

As for McCann's reaction, "I'm hugely honored to receive such a prestigious award from CMA--one of the best days of my life," he noted. "It makes me proud to be a part of the musical bridge between Nashville and Ireland."

Award-recipient Ryan, too, was honored with his prize, remarking, "I am deeply grateful to CMA for giving me the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. Promoting country music has been a lifelong passion for me, and to be rewarded in this way is really a dream come true."

About the Award Recipients

Fish has presented country programs in the United Kingdom for more than 30 years, and since 2000, he's presented country shows on BBC Radio Lancashire. He also has served as a successful tour operator company that brings groups, which hail from a variety of countries including England, France, Spain, Norway and Italy, to CMA's annual music fest.

A radio broadcaster for almost 30 years, McCann has produced a three-hour radio special, When Nashville Came to Ireland, a program that reportedly reflects the links between America and Ireland musically and culturally. McCann's been a presenter of artist spotlight radio specials, including his last special with guest Dolly Parton, that aired in 2008.

Ryan, meanwhile, founded the Country Music Association of Ireland in 1969 and has spent much of his life promoting the country genre. A country-music correspondent for the Cork Evening Echo for more than 20 years, he's also He is the chief writer for Personalities magazine, as well as a host of a video show on www.ptvireland.com.

Per the CMA, its international broadcaster award recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions toward the development of Country Music in their country. Similarly, its Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media that contributes to the development of country music beyond the U.S.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the nominees for the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, hosted by Grammy-winning country artist Kathy Mattea and the bluegrass band Hot Rize on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

The bluegrass industry's highest honors of the year go to the new members of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, the legendary string band formed in 1937 by Ezra, Ray and Ned Cline in West Virginia; and The Dillards, the influential band from Salem, Mo., known for their popular appearances on The Andy Griffith Show who blazed a trail on the West Coast in the 1960s for progressive bluegrass bands and were instrumental in laying the foundation for the "country rock" music genre.

IBMA's Distinguished Achievement Award is an honor which recognizes individuals, groups and businesses for ground-breaking work and fostering the music's image and accessibility. This year's recipients are early bluegrass pioneer Hylo Brown; long-time event producer from Maine, Pati Crooker; veteran performer and radio announcer Jody Rainwater; author, musicology and radio broadcaster Dick Spottswood; and the National Council for the Traditional Art's Joe Wilson.

The award show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio ("Bluegrass Junction" Channel 14) and syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks, thanks to the sponsorship of Martha White, GHS Strings, Sugar Hill Records, Deering Banjos, Bluegrass Music Profiles and the International Bluegrass Music Museum

The International Bluegrass Music Awards are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), which serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The IBMA show is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass week, including the industry's Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, slated for Sept. 28-Oct. 4 in Nashville.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Dailey & Vincent
• The Grascals
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• The Del McCoury Band
• Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
• Dan Tyminski Band

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Blue Highway
• Dailey & Vincent
• The Isaacs
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Blue Highway
• Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
• The Infamous Stringdusters
• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
• Dan Tyminski Band

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Jamie Dailey
• Russell Moore
• Danny Paisley
• Junior Sisk
• Dan Tyminski

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Dale Ann Bradley
• Sonya Isaacs
• Claire Lynch
• Alecia Nugent
• Rhonda Vincent

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Recording Title, Artist(s), Producer(s), Label

• Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artist), Ronnie Bowman (producer), Rebel Records
• Brothers From Different Mothers, Dailey & Vincent (artist), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
• Keep On Walkin', The Grascals (artist/producers), Rounder Records
• The Room Over Mine, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass (artist), Ken Irwin & Danny Paisley (producers), Rounder Records
• Wheels, Dan Tyminski, (artist/producer), Rounder Records

SONG OF THE YEAR

Song Title, Artist(s), Songwriter(s)

• "Don't Throw Mama's Flowers Away," Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass (artist), Chris Stuart & Ivan Rosenberg (writers)
• "Iron & Diamonds," The Gibson Brothers (artist), Leigh & Eric Gibson (writers)
• "Leaving Baker County," Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice (artist), Tom T. & Dixie Hall (writers)
• "Moneyland," Del McCoury Band (artist), John Herald (writer)
• "Wheels," Dan Tyminski (artist), Patrick McDougal (writer)

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR

Song Title, Featured Artists, Producer(s), Label

• "After The Fire Is Gone;" Bobby Osborne, Rhonda Vincent & Darrin Vincent (artists); Glen Duncan & Bobby Osborne (producers); Rounder Records
• "The Crow," Steve Martin with Tony Trischka (artists), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• "Daddy Played The Banjo;" Steve Martin with Tim O'Brien & Earl Scruggs (artists), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• "Proud To Be A Daughter of Bluegrass;" Daughters of Bluegrass featuring Dale Ann Bradley, Heather Berry, Lisa Martin, Gloria Belle, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent, Lisa Ray, Linda Lay, Sally Jones, Jeanie Stanley, Carol Lee Cooper, Sonya Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Michelle Nixon, Jeanette Williams, Sophie Haislip, Louise Tomberlain, Mindy Rakestraw, Lizzy Long, Frances Mooney, Lorraine Jordan, Annette Kelley, Lily Lieux, Dixie Hall, Judi Marshall, Melissa Lawrence, Beth Lawrence, Rebecca Frazier, Donica Christensen, Lisa Manning & Jenni Lyn Gardner (artists); Dixie Hall, Paula Wolak & Frances Mooney (producers); Blue Circle Records
• "Sad Wind Sighs," The Grascals with Vince Gill (artists), The Grascals (producers), Rounder Records

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Song Title, Artist(s), Songwriter(s), Producer, Label

• "Darkness Wept," Lonesome River Band (artist/producers), Dee Gaskin & Rebecca Bowman (writers), Rural Rhythm Records
• "On The Other Side;" Dailey & Vincent (artist); Jimmy Fortune, Kevin Denney & Tom Botkin (writers); Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers); Rounder Records
• "What A Journey," Paul Williams & The Victory Trio (artist), Bret Bronson & Louise Gorman (writers), Paul Williams (producer), Rebel Records
• "When The Last Of Our Days Shall Come," Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artist), Chris Stuart (writer), Doyle Lawson (producer), Rounder Records
• "Who'll Sing for Me?" Audie Blaylock & Redline (artist), Thomas J. Farris (writer), Audie Blaylock (producer), Rural Rhythm Records

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Tune Title, Artist(s), Songwriter, Producer(s), Label

• "Angeline The Baker," Rob Ickes & Andy Leftwich (artists), public domain, Rob Haines (producer), Mel Bay Music
• "The Crow," Steve Martin (artist/writer), John McEuen (producer), 40 Share Productions
• "Don't Tread On Me," Kristin Scott Benson (artist/writer/producer), Pinecastle Records
• "Jerusalem Ridge," Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (artist), Bill Monroe (writer), Jeff White & Michael Cleveland (producers), Rounder Records
• "Struttin' To Ferrum," Lonesome River Band (artist/producer), arrangement by Gene Parker, Rural Rhythm Records

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Sierra Hull & Highway 111
• Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
• Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice
• The SteelDrivers
• Josh Williams Band

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR BANJO

• Kristin Scott Benson
• J.D. Crowe
• Steve Martin
• Sammy Shelor
• Ron Stewart

BASS

• Barry Bales
• Mike Bub
• Missy Raines
• Darrin Vincent
• Marshall Wilborn

FIDDLE

• Hunter Berry
• Jason Carter
• Michael Cleveland
• Stuart Duncan
• Ron Stewart

DOBRO

• Mike Auldridge
• Jerry Douglas
• Andy Hall
• Rob Ickes
• Randy Kohrs
• Phil Leadbetter

GUITAR

• Jim Hurst
• Tony Rice
• Kenny Smith
• Bryan Sutton
• Josh Williams

MANDOLIN

• Jesse Brock
• Sam Bush
• Sierra Hull
• Ronnie McCoury
• Adam Steffey

BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR

• Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Oak Hill, New York; July 2008
• 33rd Annual Tri-State Bluegrass Festival; Kendallville, Indiana; May 2008
• 2008 World Cultural Fusion Festival; Kawaguchi City, Japan; July 2008

BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR

• Kyle Cantrell; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tennessee
• Katy Daly; HD Radio WAMU 88.5 Channel 2, 105.5 FM & www.bluegrasscountry.org; Washington, D.C.
• Ned Luberecki; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tennessee

PRINT MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR

• Tom Adams, Banjo Newsletter
• Dan Miller, Flatpicking Guitar
• Roger Siminoff; Siminoff's Luthiers Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown

LINER NOTES FOR RECORDED PROJECT

Writers, Album, Artists, Label

• Charlie Cushman, Marty Stuart, Eddie Stubbs & Johnny Warren (writers); A Tribute to Fiddlin' Paul Warren; Johnny Warren & Charlie Cushman (artists); no label
• Eddie Dean (writer); Old-Time Pickin': A Clawhammer Banjo Collection, Ralph Stanley (artist), Rebel Records
• Steve Martin (writer), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR RECORDED PROJECT

Designer, Album, Artists, Label

• G. Carr & Salli Ratts (designers), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions
• Stumptown Printers (designer), Uncle Charlie Osborne: The June Appal Recordings, Uncle Charlie Osborne (artist), June Appal Recordings
• Loren Witcher (designer), Inside Out, Missy Raines & the New Hip (artist), Compass Records

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Much of the fun in attending singer-songwriter Brady Seals' CD release party for Play Time, his brand-new solo CD, was the fact that the country aritst had no idea that he was attending a party in his honor, thanks to his wife, Lisa Stewart Seals.

Held near Nashville on the evening of Aug. 18, 2009, the same day as the official release of Play Time, Brady thought this particular Tuesday evening would be like how he prefers to spend his Tuesdays, on a "date night" with his missus.

Soooo, when Lisa was dressed to the nines for her weekly outing with her hubby and looking like the goddess she is, he simply considered himself a lucky, lucky man about to hit a private party for a few minutes--per the request of his publicist--then perhaps go on to dinner with his spouse.

What the country-rocker got instead, however, was a party celebrating his new music and latest Star City Recording, with friends, songwriters, media and fellow musicians all around, including Seals' mentor, Rodney Crowell, who joined Brady as part of an impromptu acoustic set of music from the new CD and wished him well with his latest musical venture.

To learn more about the singer-songwriter and his latest project, please access Artist Update: Singer-Songwriter Brady Seals or simply click on the highlighted Play Time link above.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Following a successful benefit concert and silent auction held in his honor Thursday, Aug. 13, Grand Ole Opry member Mel McDaniel has been rushed to a Nashville-area hospital by ambulance, according to personal e-mail received by this writer just after 8:30 a.m. (Central) on Monday, Aug. 17.

McDaniel, 66, was in rehabilitative care following a hospital stay where he was placed in a coma by medical doctors after suffering a heart attack in mid-June.

About $23,000 was raised as a result of the Aug. 13 benefit, which was held at the Nashville Palace venue in Music City, thanks to the efforts of volunteers, fellow Opry and country stars and fan attendance of 650-plus.

No additional news about McDaniel's condition is known as this time. The family and friends of the country performer request prayers for McDaniel at this time.

Readers interested in this report may also find favor with Opry Stars Unite In Song to Aid Mel McDaniel by Suite101 Country Music Feature Writer Lisa L. Rollins.

Writer's Note: An update on Mel McDaniel's condition at this writing, Aug. 19, 2009, is available by clicking here.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Tennesee's Knoxville Coliseum was the site selected by country artist Jason Aldean to tape his sold-out live concert DVD last March, and come Aug. 25, 2009, the project will be available for purchase in stories.

Dubbed Wide Open Live & More, the high-definition DVD will feature 15-songs that were performed live, as well as bonus footage. The 86-minute DVD will feature country hits from Aldean's first three albums; namely, Jason Aldean, Relentless and his latest hit CD, Wide Open.

"This is the coolest thing we've ever done together as a band," said Aldean from Los Angeles, where he was taping a segment for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. "The energy in Knoxville was off the charts, and it's just really special for us to have that night recorded. Now, people who might not be able to make it to one of the shows, but are curious to know what we do, can check it out too."

The forthcoming DVD contains the following Aldean tunes:

1. Wide Open

2. I Break Everything I Touch

3. Amarillo Sky

4. Why

5. Big Green Tractor

6. On My Highway

7. Johnny Cash

8. Relentless

10. You're The Love I Wanna Be In

11. Laughed Until We Cried

12. I Use What I Got

13. She's Country

14. Asphalt Cowboy

15. Hicktown

For additional tour dates and more on the upcoming live DVD, visit www.jasonaldean.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Nanci Griffith, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Raul Malo and the Greencards are the latest confirmed additions to this year’s Americana Music Festival lineup, an event that will be held Sept. 16-19, 2009, in Nashville.

The 2009 festival is part of the 10th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, which offers daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center, along the stacked lineup of evening showcases.

Per the American Music Association, Sugar Hill recording artists the Greencards—who were named Emerging Artist of the Year in 2005—will perform on the festival’s opening night at the city’s 3rd & Lindsley on Sept. 16. Then, on the following day, Sept. 17, the same venue will play host to Malo, who’s nominated in this year’s Americana Music Awards in the Artist of the Year category.

On Friday, Sept. 18, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will make its first appearance at the Americana festival with a performance at the Cannery Ballroom, while Grammy-winning Griffith plays as part of an "in-the-round" event, along with Elizabeth Cook and Mary Gauthier, on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Station Inn.

AMA organizers said these shows, along with some 100 other festival-related performances, will be open to the public. Additionally, a $45 festival wristband will secure admission to all venues on all four evenings of live music. (They may be purchased online at americanamusic.org and in person at Grimey's New and Preloved Music, 1604 8th Avenue South, Nashville.)

Aside from the brand-new performer confirmations, the four-day music fest also will feature performances by the following (BTW, you might want to grab a snack before undertaking this list):

Amanda Shires, Amelia Curran, Among The Oak & Ash. Amy Cook, Amy Speace, Angaleena Presley, Angela Easterling, Annie & The Beekeepers, Antje Duvekot, Ashley Cleveland, Asleep at the Wheel, Band of Heathens, Baskery, Bearfoot, Ben Mallott, Bottle Rockets, Brigid Kaelin, Buddy Miller, Casey Driessen, Charlie Pate & Dixie's Finest, Charlie Robison, Chuck Mead, Clarence Fountain, Sam Butler & The Boys, Come On Go With Us, Corb Lund, Cross Canadian Ragweed, DADDY, Dallas Wayne, Deadstring Brothers, Diana Jones, Elliott Brood, Gabriel Kelley & The Reins, Grayson Capps, Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs, Hot Club of Cowtown, J. D. Souther, Jason White, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale. Jim Rooney & The Irregulars, Joe Pug, Kara Grainger, Keith Sewell, Ken Will Morton, Love Trucker and Grand Ole Opry member Marty Stuart.

Now, for those still with me, there’s more; namely, these players:

Mary Gauthier, Matthew Ryan, Missy Raines, Otis Gibbs, Patrick Sweany, Radney Foster, Reckless Kelly, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Sam Bush, Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers, Sara Watkins, Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles, Sarah Jarosz, Sarah Siskind, Scott Miller, Seth James, Seth Walker, Shannon Whitworth, Smart Brothers, Stone River Boys, Tenderhooks, The Belleville Outfit, The Boston Boys, The Farewell, Drifters, The Lovell Sisters, The Rustlanders, Elizabeth Cook, The Smart Brothers, The Tejas Brothers, The Travelin' McCourys & The Lee Boys, The Trishas, Theodore, Those Darlins, Tim Easton, W.P.A., Webb Wilder, White Owls, Will Hoge and last but not least, Yarn.

Registration for the entire Americana Music Festival & Conference, including a ticket to the critically acclaimed awards show, is $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members through Aug. 31. Conference registrants receive priority entrance to all festival and conference related events.

Presented by the Gibson Foundation, the Americana Honors & Awards Show is attended by more than 2,000 artists, fans and entertainment industry executives in one of America's most beloved musical shrines, the historic Ryman Auditorium.

For more info, please access the AMA Web site at www.americanamusic.org.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country-music newcomer Ben Gregg will soon release his debut single, Radio Waves, from his forthcoming self-titled CD.

Although the album won’t drop until early 2010, the disc’s lead single is set to be shipped to country radio nationwide on Aug. 17 and available for digital delivery through Play MPE.

Written by award-winning songwriter/label chief Jerry Cupit, Radio Waves is an uplifting, positive song about the fact that you can only send your girl a song by request at radio, she can also send you one back and you can’t do that with an Mp3 player.

“Jerry had just returned from a visit to his hometown in Louisiana and wanted me to hear a song he wrote down there,” Ben said in an Aug. 10 press statement.”While he was playing it, I knew we had something there and I could hardly wait to get into the studio to record it. When I heard the final cut, I definitely wanted it to be my debut single.”

Born and reared in the Pacific Northwest, these days Gregg calls Gig Harbor, Wash., a suburb of Seattle, home. Fans, however, need not travel that far to spy the country artist, who may be seen there nights weekly on cable network RFD-TV’s Music & Motors series, where he performs Radio Waves, along with other tunes from his upcoming CD.

On the show, Gregg also participates in a NASCAR pit-crew challenge and is featured in several interview segments, wherein he discusses his music and background that includes growing up in a musical family, where he was inspired early on by his mother’s musicianship as a pianist and vocalist.

As a youth, Gregg recalls singing in quartets for years, along with his twin brother and two sisters. Additionally, he says, his biggest music influences include country greats Johnny Cash, George Strait, Barbara Mandrell and Brooks & Dunn, as well as Beach Boys and Chicago.

“Ben Gregg is not manufactured talent,” reports Cupit, president and CEO of Cupit Music Group. “He is talent manufacturing creativity. He plays and sings by ear as well as reads notes. He has an incredible range and smoothness in his voice making him a producer’s dream to work with.”

To learn more about Gregg, please visit his official MySpace music page.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has managed to find herself amid some heavy-duty competition in this year's MTV-sponsored Video Music Awards--something no other country-categorized artist has done this year.

Specifically, Swift's up for "Female Video of the Year" for her You Belong with Me music clip in the 2009 VMA contest that's fan voted. Her running mates for the prize include Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Kate Perry, Beyonce and Lady Gaga.

Swift fans, at this writing, can cast their votes for the 19-year-old artist online at www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/best-female-video/. The Mississippi native's also set to perform during this year's VMA event on Sept. 13, so mark your calendars, if you don't want to miss her even once.

In other "all things Swift" news, the platinum-selling performer also recently landed a part in the forthcoming Valentine's Day flick, a big-screen movie directed by veteran Garry Marshall (Pretty Women, Princess Diaries, etc.).

The picture is set for release in 2010 from New Line Cinema. To learn more, please click here.

• Writer's note: For a Taylor Swift-related update on the Sept. 13, 2009, MTV contest, please click here.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The Red Fox Chasers aren't a household name, to be sure, but the group, composed of neighbors Guy Brooks, Bob Cranford, Paul Miles and A. P. Thompson, was once one of the most well-received acts of its time.

To sample an mp3 of Wreck On the Mountain Road, a track from The Red Fox Chasers' new anthology, albeit for a limited time, please click here.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Los Angeles-based country singer Eileen Carey has unleashed her new radio single, Out With the Girls, to positive responses, including airplay on more than 100 U.S. stations thus far.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Carey got her start as one of the original "Uh-Huh" girls performing with Ray Charles as part of his national Diet Pepsi TV campaign (including an appearance at the Super Bowl). These days, though, she's forging her place on the West Coast music scene as an award-winning songwriter and recording artist.

Red-head Carey's new single is contained on her latest record, Movin' On, which is available now through iTunes and all major digital outlets, and the follow-up song to That Was Her, This Is Now, a tune that scored the "Country Song of the Year" honor at the 2009 South Bay Music Awards in L.A. (It's also a woman's take on a number previously cut by Keith Urban.)

In addition to her latest country-music venture, Carey--who is working mom to two--also recently launched The Music Mom blog (www.themusicmom.com) as a place for women to share their stories and learn from each other. Still in development, the blog site reportedly will address a variety of topics for mothers who are also aspiring songwriters, musicians and performers.

To learn more about Carey's music, please access her Web site by clicking here.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The critically acclaimed third album from country-rocker Jason Aldean, Wide Open, recently was been certified gold by the RIAA after sales of more than 500,000 copies in just 10 weeks--two weeks faster than Aldean's prior releases.

"Throughout his career Jason has been one of the top-selling artists that we distribute, but the strength of sales, both physical and digital from Wide Open have been nothing short of tremendous," noted RED Distribution President Bob Morelli in a recent press statement. "He has firmly cemented his place among country's biggest stars."

"It all comes down to great music and a lot of hard work and dedication by our entire team," added Broken Bow Records President Benny Brown. "We gave Jason and his producer, Michael Knox, the freedom to make the album Jason wanted to make, and they nailed it.

"Everyone who works on this project truly believes that Jason is the next superstar of our format, and that sort of passion is irreplaceable," Brown continued via a June 24, 2009, release. "We thank our friends at radio and retail, as well as Jason's family, band and crew, for being fantastic partners and helping us take his career to the next level."

One gander at the U.S. country charts indicates that the Georgia-born singer's latest single from Wide Open, "Big Green Tractor," continues to gain ground. It is, in fact, quickly becoming the singer's fastest-rising single to date and the follow-up to the former No. 1 dubbed "She's Country."

Aldean continues to sellout dates on his current areana tour in honor of Wide Open, where he--along with opening act Eric Durrance--set a new attendance record of 14,000-plus at the New Berlin, Ill., venue where they played. Those assocated with the tour tell this scribe tht only a week earlier, country trio Lady Antebellum had established the venue's attendance record with some 10.000 fans, only to have Aldean break said record in under a week.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Texas-based country artist Aaron Watson has completed recording his upcoming project, Deep In The Heart Of Texas: Aaron Watson LIVE, during the final weekend of June at the Hog Creek Icehouse’s backyard amphitheater in Waco, Texas.

With a few thousand fans present, Abilene native Watson's said he hopes he has captured the energy of his live show in the taped, two-hour performance that he described in only one word: incredible.

Watson kicked off the recent concert with his first nationwide single, Love Makin’ Song, which is contained on his latest CD, Angels and Outlaws, before launching into crowd-pleasers such as Rollercoaster Ride, Hearts Are Breaking Across Texas, 3rd Gear & 17, Off The Record and Reckless. He also unleashed two new songs, Bob Wills Is Still the King, a tribute to the legendary Texas fiddleman, and Fightin’ Side of Me in appreciation to American soldiers and the U.S.

As for the project's status, it's already reached editing status, with Watson remarking, “I want to make the most of the energy of Saturday night and get this great project in the hands of my fans as soon as possible.”

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Multi-platinum recording artist Dierks Bentley's summer party anthem titled Sideways has secured the No. 1 spot Billboard's Country Singles Chart.

Per a report from the singer’s PR rep, Sideways is the award-winning vocalist's second consecutive No. 1 hit from his recently No. 1-ranked album titled Feel That Fire. The tune also is the seventh No. 1 single of his career.

"We've been kicking our show off with Sideways and it gets the party started quickly! Thanks to all the fans that have fun, get wild and a little 'sideways' during our show because we feed off of that energy," Bentley said in a June 29 press release.

"I can't wait for the No. 1 party for this one! I always said that this song would sound best blasting through boat speakers. We might just need to celebrate out at Party Cove!" he added, referring to an area where the singer and his band have been known to boat, shoot video footage for fans and make music.

According to Country Aircheck's mid-year airplay report, Bentley trails only megastar Keith Urban as the most-played male artist on country radio so far this year. Bentley's fan appeal has garnered the attention of national media outlets, including cable’s MSN's, which projected that Bentley’s "poised to reach country's most elite level." Also, per a recent Forbes magazine article, Bentley was listed among the top 10 "Next Breakout Stars" based on likeability and awareness.

At present, the Phoenix, Ariz., native is on tour with Brad Paisley and his American Saturday Night tour. For upcoming appearances and tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

InLight Records artist Tommy Cash has joined the client roster of Rollins Media, a public relations firm in the Nashville, Tenn., area that specializes in working with artists in the country-music industry, according to a June 29 press release.

Now touring behind his brand-new tribute CD, the 15-song Fade to Black, Cash--in a June 26, 2009, telephone interview, said, “I am delighted to be represented exclusively by Rollins Media. I look forward to working to together to merge our collective energies toward sharing the message of my music with a wider audience.”

One of seven children and the younger brother to the late Johnny Cash, Tommy first met with solo success on the country charts following service in the U.S. Army and after playing with Hank Williams Jr. In ’68, he grazed the Top 40 with The Sounds of Goodbye before joining Epic Records and releasing the No. 1 single, Six White Horses, a song dedicated to John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.

Then, in the early ‘70s, Tommy secured two Top-10 singles, One Song Away and Rise and Shine, before notching another Top-20 song, I Recall a Gypsy Woman.

Citing his newest CD as his finest record to date, Cash—following successful live performances and fan meet ‘n’ greets during the 2009 CMA Music Festival in June—currently is en route to Nova Scotia and then Norway, where he will tour in support of the Fade to Black offering, which features duets with son Mark Cash, Marty Stuart, sister/gospel artist Joanne Cash and George Jones, among others.

Fore more information about Cash, please access www.myspace.com/thetommycashshow.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country-music recording artist Eric Durrance will return to his Florida hometown to headline the 24th annual Celebrate America festivities July 4 at Tom Brown Park in Tallahassee, Fla., with a free and open concert beginning at 8:30 p.m.

Durrance released his debut CD, Angels Fly Away,in fall 2008. The full-length album debuted at No. 70 on Billboard’s country chart and quickly found favor at country radio with its first single, the CD’s title track. The country-music newcomer also was handpicked to open Country Music Television’s 2008 tour with headliner Jason Aldean and fellow-openers Lady Antebellum.

During the course of the CMT Tour: Jason Aldean, which closed in late November, Durrance and his four-man band gained a new fan base all their own.

“The CMT tour was a fantastic experience for us and a dream come true,” Durrance said in a June 26, 2009, telephone interview. “So many artists would kill to have that opportunity, but we were blessed to get the tour with Jason and Lady A, and because of that experience, we added at least 30,000 new fans to our following. But we like to think we just made 30,000 new friends through our music,” he adds, smiling, “because that’s what our fans are to us—our friends.”

Following the CMT outing and earlier this year, Durrance’s second single, the upbeat Turn It Off, landed in the No. 17 spot on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown show, thanks to fan votes that pushed the black-and-white music video in honor of Turn It Off into the music network’s favorite clips.

“We were amazed and so very grateful to everyone who went online every day and pushed that music video to the top on GAC,” Durrance shared. “I am still in awe that those new fans we made jumped behind us so fast and made their voices heard.”

On June 20, 2009, Durrance was once more selected by hot-ticket Aldean to join him on the road in New Berlin, Ill., where the acts joined forces to set a new attendance record of more than 14,000 people at their standing-room-only performance.

“We went to play that show and were told that Lady Antebellum had come in before us and set a new attendance record there of 10,000, which is incredible,” sharedthe Florida-born singer-songwriter. “Then, with Jason, a new record was set and we were so honored to be there and be a part of that, even if only a small part. We will forever be grateful to the support Jason and his band show us time and again.”

Now writing music for his forthcoming CD, rising country-star Durrance will be in the headlining spotlight in Tallahassee on July 4, where the band will play a 75-minute set beginning at 8:30 p.m. (Tinsley Ellis will open the concert at 6:45-8 p.m.) Festival organizers estimate some 6,000 will be in attendance.

“It’s absolutely surreal for me to be able to come home and headline the Celebrate America concert,” Durrance said, smiling. “I mean, I grew up coming to this event every single year, every Fourth of July, so be on the stage as the lead performer is something that means more to me that I could ever express.”

For more information on the Independence Day event and concert, including a full list of events/activities and directions to the park, please visit www.celebratetallahassee.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country-music recording artist Rhonda Towns, who’s no stranger to the modeling world, has teamed with Silpada Designs to serve as a celebrity model and spokeswoman for the company.

A talent on the Dawn Records roster, Towns donned the jewelry maker’s sterling-silver creations throughout this year’s CMA Music Festival in Nashville on June 11-14, 2009, where she performed at the Durango Acoustic Corner and greeted fans daily at her exhibitor booth.

Per a June 18 e-mail from Towns, the songstress confirmed she’ll wear Silpada Designs jewelry at all upcoming activities including photo shoots, public appearances and performances throughout 2009.

“I absolutely love fashion ... and jewelry,” Towns shared via e-mail. “Silpada Designs is special! It’s chic and their designs caught my attention last year when I was invited to appear as a guest in the Silpada booth at the CMA Music Festival-2008. Soon thereafter, I purchased pieces of my own … (and) asked Silpada Designs to allow me to partner with them. I’m thrilled to represent such a unique line of jewelry!”

Towns, who’s been featured in CMA Close-Up, Country Weekly, Billboard and Power Source magazines, among other publications, is a natural in the modeling world.

To date, she’s managed to combine her country-music career with work as a model, including runway work for RebaWear (Reba McEntire/Dillard’s Line) and in the Rhinestones and Roses Fashion Show, which is an event by in-demand country designer Manuel.

The first African-American country-music artist to appear on Black Entertainment Television, Towns also was featured on Today’s Country with Crook N’ Chase and has performed on CBS Phoenix-KPHO, at the 16th Annual International Country Music Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, as well as participating in a number of Country Thunder USA music festivals.

As for her new role with Silpada Designs, which credits itself as being the largest sterling silver jewelry home-party company in the U.S. and Canada, “Rhonda's image and personality are the perfect complement to the Silpada Jewelry line and she will make an eloquent spokesperson,” said Cori Kallenbach, director of communications for Silpada, in a recent press release.

As for her latest music news, Towns’ recently released an updated, contemporary remix of her current radio single. “Slow Rain.” The cut comes from her debut country CD, I Wanna Be Loved By You, which was produced by industry veterans Harold Shedd, Norro Wilson and Jim Cotton.

At this writing, the track’s in the No. 51 on the Music Row charts, No. 3 on the New Music Weekly chart and No. 1 on Real Country-Japan.

To learn more about Towns, please access www.rhondatowns.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

OMG Records will release Brad Cotter's new CD, Right On Time, as an online exclusive beginning June 9, 2009. Cotter will debut the new CD at his CMA Music Festival booth, No. 709 in the Nashville Convention Center, in Music City on June 11--14.

Cotter, who was the 2004 winner of the popular Nashville Star TV show, which was--at that time--broadcast on the USA Network--has devoted the last few years to writing writing and recording the follow-up to his debut Sony Records CD, Patient Man. That CD included the hit single titled I Meant To, which was the second highest selling single of the year, according to Billboard magazine.

"The whole Nashville Star thing and subsequent CD was a great learning experience for me," Cotter said in a June 8, 2009, e-mail communication. "I'm really proud of that release. But I feel like I've truly been able to put my own personal stamp on this new recording.

"Leaving Sony and stepping out on my own has been both a humbling and exciting time of my life," he added. "We've been able to go into the studio and create the music I wanted to make. I can't wait to hear what the country music fans think about it."

The CD is available online via www.bradcotter.com and through other online music stores, including www.amazon.com.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Decca Records recording artists One Flew South, a new vocal trio who has just released its brand-new single titled Life, which is a tune that champions human triumph against the odds.

Per label reports, the act—which comprises New Orleans, La., native Chris Roberts, El Paso, Texas, son Royal Reed and South Carolina’s Eddie Bush—has been likened to echoing the early sounds of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Eagles, Poco and The Beach Boys.

"From the first moment the three of us sang together it felt like home," Roberts said in the group’s artist bio.

"There was something about the way that we all came together," Royal added. "Musically it all just fell into place. It just felt right."

Featured on the March cover of Music Connection Magazine, the debut CD by One Flew South was produced by Marcus Hummon, a Nashville-based songwriter whose catalog contains six No. 1 tunes recorded by the likes of The Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts.

As for initial reviews, one of this writer’s favorite country historian’s, Bob Oermann, has said this about the Life single: “The lyric is pure poetry. The production is a swirl of wonder. The harmonized vocals are celestial. This little piece of magic is like a country version of CSN&Y."

RPR media rep Brandy Reed, in a recent e-mail, gushed over the trio, saying,”Their vocal abilities are so overwhelming that they can sit down with only stools and guitars and fill the room with such a powerful blending of voices that it nearly knocks you off your chair. In fact, that is just how they have been performing since the record's release and have opened up for acts such as Heart, Phil Vassar, the Zac Brown Band and Juliane Hough. …”

On their forthcoming CD, the trio also managed to team with distinguished songsmith J.D. Souther (of Eagles fame) to write several of the album’s tracks on the album.

To learn more about the group or its new Decca release, please access http://www.oneflewsouth.com/.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Texas-country music's Wade Bowen scored three Gruene with Envy Awards earlier this week for "Best Artist of the Year" and "Best Song of the Year" for You Had Me at My Best and "Best Album of the Year" for his current CD, If We Ever Make it Home.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Award-winning country-rocker Jason Aldean's current chart-topping single, "She's Country," has been certified gold, signifying more than 500,000 digital downloads, according to a May 4, 2009, e-mail correspondence.

The Georgia-born Aldean learned his new release had gone gold during "couch time" on the The Bonnie Hunt Show last Thursday when the nationally syndicated talk-show host surprised the country artist with a plaque commemorating the rare milestone. It all happened just prior to his performance of the smash hit. The show's Aldean episode aired today, May 4, on U.S. television.

"She's Country," written by Bridgette Tatum and Danny Myrick, is currently spending its second week at the top of the U.S. country charts, making the multi-week No. 1 one Aldean's first. The anthem has been the fastest-rising single of Aldean's career to date, and over the last few months, it has been the most-streamed country song on MySpace, one of the most downloaded country songs of the year and the No.1 ringtone in all genres.

Aldean will team up with Grammy winner Bryan Adams this week to tape a collaboration for Country Music Television's long-running series, CMT Crossroads, before picking back up on his Wide Open tour this week starting with New York City on Wednesday, May 6.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

In just three months, Nashville’s newest duo, the Carter Twins, continue to impress by reaching 1 million plays on MySpace with the brothers’ debut single, “Heart Like Memphis,” which was released digitally and to radio in February.

The CMT-backed newcomers, age 19, have managed to notch some 25,000 downloads in just three months, according to an April 28, 2009, press release, and also landed in the the top 15 most-dedicated songs via iLike across all genres on Facebook, where the Carters are one of just three country acts in the top 50, according to iLike.

But it doesn’t stop there for the young men, whom many have likened as being country-pop’s answer to The Jonas Brothers. It seems their freshman single also recently debuted at No. 58 on the BDS/R&R country chart and is yielding radio airplay in major country markets such as Tampa, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami and Providence. (The Carter Twins are also the lone country act on SayNow’s Top 20 chart, for those making a list of the twins’ chart-related accomplishments.)

In other Carter news of the musical persuasion, brothers Josh and Zach—who will unveil their debut CD sometime this summer—helped kick off the 10th Annual Country Music Marathon in Nashville by singing the National Anthem to 35,000 runners, the later, post-race, performed for marathon participants in the Country Music Marathon Post Race Concert held at Nashville’s Sommet Center.

The Carter Twins next single, a track dubbed "So What," is set to debut on iTunes on May 12.

For more info about the Ohio natives, please access Carter Twins Launch Debut Country Music Tour.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Award-winning country-rocker Dierks Bentley is now preparing for his first-ever Australian tour with headliners Brooks & Dunn, which will get under way May 1, 2009, in Perth before continuing on to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane through May 9.

"We got a taste of international touring last summer when we played all over Europe, and I'm hooked," says the multi-platinum singer in an April 24 e-mail correspondence. "I've heard that Australia has some hard-core country music fans, so I am looking forward to getting down there and playing for them.

"You can't go to Australia without exploring the local culture in the pubs," he added, "so I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't equally as excited about that."

Bentley will flank both ends of his Australian tour, according to his PR reps, with stops in Los Angeles to perform his summer-party anthem, Sideways, on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 28 and The Bonnie Hunt Show on May 14, followed by a trip to New York for a performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Currently, Bentley's "Sideways" track from his recent No. 1-ranked country album dubbed Feel That Fire, is rising up the country charts already knocking on the door of the Top 10 after just six weeks.

The video for the track, which recently premiered on iTunes and immediately went into heavy rotation on both Country Music Television and Great American Country, was directed by Michael Salomon and choreographed by HiHat, who's known for her work on Apple's iPod commercials, as well as for stars like Kanye West, Missy Elliot and Lil Wayne.

For more info, please visit Bentley's official Web page by clicking here.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Suite 101 country fans may be interested to know this year's 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards will be held Sept. 13 in Vancouver, concluding four days of music industry events known as Country Music Week.

According to an April 20, 2009, press release, Country Music Week, held Sept. 10-13 this year, is the annual celebration that brings together the country music industry and its fans for educational seminars, showcases, networking opportunities, awards and musical performances.

This year's events will include the Songwriter's Cafe, New Artist Showcase, Industry Brunch and Awards, Fanfest, Educational Panels, Gala Dinner and Awards, Gospel Showcase, Great Guitar Pull, All Star Band Awards and Jam Session, the 2009 CCMA Awards Show and more.

Registration and applications for the Songwriter's Cafe and showcase events may be submitted at www.rdrmusic.ca/ccmalinks.htm.

Performers at this year's awards show broadcast include 2008 Male Artist of the Year Johnny Reid, whose latest release, "Dance With Me," recently went gold. Last year's five-time award-winner Doc Walker and multiple CCMA Award winner Terri Clark will also perform.

Nominees for the 2009 CCMA Awards will be announced July 29 at a media conference in Toronto.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Finalists have been selected for the 17th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2009, which is scheduled for April 23-26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C.

Created in 1988 as a fundraiser for the college, MerleFest 2009 will feature four days of performances by almost 100 artists on 15 stages on the campus of Wilkes Community College. (A complete lineup of artists is posted at www.merlefest.org.)

MerleFest honors the memory of instrumental virtuoso Eddy Merle Watson and the contributions of Doc Watson and the entire Watson family to the musical traditions of the region and nation. And just as in prior years, list of performers fits the "traditional plus" definition offered by Doc when describing the rich musical diversity that is a hallmark of the event.

As for the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, the compeition offers an opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of this year's volunteer contest chairman, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale.

First-place winners in each category receive a performance on the Cabin Stage at MerleFest 2009, an acoustic guitar, a check for $300, two boxes of D'Addario strings and a one-year subscription to Acoustic Guitar magazine. Second- and third-place winners in each category receive performance slots on the Friday night Songwriters Coffeehouse, as well as cash prizes, D'Addario strings and Acoustic Guitar subscriptions.

This year’s winning tunesmiths were chosen from among 840 entries, and the participating writers will compete on the Austin Stage at MerleFest on Friday, April 24, at 2 p.m.

All songs were judged by a volunteer panel of Nashville songwriters, publishers and other music industry professionals. Judging was based on a song's originality, lyrics, melody and overall commercial potential.

This year’s winning songs, listed by category, are as follows.

Country category

"Maybe You'll Start Loving Me Again" by Lloyd Wood; Spencer, Ind.; "Man of Few Words" by Dennis Duff; Kuttawa, Ky.; and "Once Upon a Time" by Tonya Lowman; Lenoir, N.C.

Bluegrass category

"Water Falls" by Wyatt Espalin and Cobi Ferguson; Nashville, Tenn.; "Love Gone By" by Carol Hausner and Coin McCaffrey; Montpelier, Vt.; and "The Old Coal Mine" by Brink Brinkman; Columbus, Ohio.

Gospel category

"I Had A Little Talk with Jesus" by Richard Henry; Houston, Texas; "Little Bitty Piece of God" by Jo Ellen Doering; Los Angeles, Calif.; and "Beyond the Rain" by Brink Brinkman; Columbus, Ohio.

General category

"Carolina Rain" by Ron Fetner; Seaford, Va.; "I Will Fly" by John Smith; Trempealeau, Wisc.; and "Unmarked Pavement" by Letha and Miles Costin; Raleigh, N.C.

Previous winners of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest have included Gillian Welch, Tift Merritt, Michael Reno Harrell, Adrienne Young, Martha Scanlan, David Via and Johnny Williams.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country-recording artists Ricky Lynn Gregg, a former Best New Country Act nominee by Performance magazine, is teaming with Emerson Drive to perform a "Give Cancer the Boot" benefit concert beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Harris Lake in Longview, Texas.

A party with a purpose, “Give Cancer the Boot” will help generate awareness and provide money that will go directly to the American Cancer Society, a nationwide community-based health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer, according to a press release about the event.

“I am honored to be included in this remarkable event,” said Longview native Gregg in a March 30, 2009, telephone interview from his Nashville home.

"Being from a family that has been affected by cancer, I want to contribute wherever I can, whenever I can,” shared Gregg, whose Top-40 country hits include “If I Had a Cheatin’ Heart,” “Can You Feel It” and “Three Nickels and a Dime.”

Sponsored by Texas Oncology, East Texas Radio Group and Good Shepherd Medical Center, the American Cancer Society fundraiser will be hosted by the area's Cattle Baron’s Ball committee, whose members have collaborated their time, skills and efforts to bring together an occasion that is designed to be fun for the whole family, while also raising money that will help improve the quality of life for cancer patients.

“I believe with more resources, we are coming close to that medical breakthrough,” Gregg said, “I believe with the contributions made from this event, we are even closer to reaching that goal. Please help. Get involved, and thank you.”

For more information about the event, including ticket prices, please access www.longviewcattlebarons.org or call 903-234-0200.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country music’s Joe Nichols recently embarked on a 10-day, multi-city tour of Australia, marking the first time the Universal Records South artist has toured there.

Nichols’ Size Matters Tour got under way Down Under on Feb. 27 at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba, Queensland, and continues on with dates in Sydney and at the popular CMC Rocks the Snowys in Thredbo.

"I've always been told that Australians love country music, and this is a great opportunity for me to present my music in a live setting to the country music fans there," said the Arkansas native.

Obviously, because Nichols is abroad, he’s unable to attend the now-in session Country Radio Seminar, something he reportedly regrets missing out on.

"Of course because of the timing of the tour, I am unable to attend the Country Radio Seminar this year, and will miss seeing all of my friends in radio,” he shared. “ So might I offer a big ‘g'day, mate’ from Down Under?"

Once he’s back in the U.S., Universal Records South is set to unleash the debut single from Nichols' fourth studio CD, a 13-song offering dubbed Real Things.

The yet-to-be-revealed single is slated to hit radio in April, according to publicist reports, and will be followed by a stateside tour.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

On Feb. 24, 2009, the Academy of Country Music announced the winners of its ACM Radio Awards contest, a category that is part of the 44^th annual ACM presentation; albeit, off camera.

Singer Kimberly Schlapman of country music’s Little Big Town stepped in to help alert the radio winners via phone this year, including Nashville-based Lon Helton, recipient of the ACM’s National On-Air Personality title for his syndicated CMT Country Countdown USA program.

Helton has served as host of the Westwood One radio show since its 1992 inception. He’s also been honored as the CMA’s National Broadcast Personality of the Year four times and was inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 2006, the same year he launched the successful trade publication, Country Aircheck.

ACM Announces Radio Personality Winners

Other Personality trophy-getters in the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards are the Dorsey Gang from KSCS in Dallas, Texas, who took Major Market Personality; JD Cannon of WFMS in Indianapolis, Ind., who secured the Large Market Personality honor; Andy Ritchie, Alison West and Jimmy Holt from WIVK in Knoxville, Tenn., who garnered the Medium Market Personality win; and Brent Lane and Dana Cervantes of WYCT in Pensacola, Fla., who nabbed the Small Market Personality prize.

Four U.S. Country Radio Stations Earn ACM Prize

This year’s country-radio station winners are Nashville radio station WSIX-FM, which earned this year’s Large Market Station prize; Charlotte, N.C., station WSOC, which won this year’s ACM Radio Award for Major Market Station; and Knoxville’s WIVK, winner its second prize of the contest by scoring the Medium Market Station title, as did double-winner WYCT in Pensacola, which took Small Market Station honors.

According to ACM organizers, this year's Personality winners—in a new twist—will be invited to provide the voice talent for bumpers during the CBS-TV telecast of the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The program will air live April 5 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) from Las Vegas, Nev., on CBS.

Here Comes the Judge (Again): Naomi Judd

And last but not least, Naomi Judd has signaled that she’ll be back as a judge for the second season of the popular reality-TV show dubbed Can You Duet. During its first season, the weekly program earned the CMT network its biggest new-show debut to date.

In addition to Grammy winner Naomi, one-half of country super-duo The Judds, the show will spotlight two more judges, not yet announced whose job it will be to mentor and critique the coming season’s contestants, all of whom come in pair, per the show’s concept and title.

For more about the open auditions in Nashville on April 7, 2009, for the new season of Can You Duet, please click here.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The Osborn sisters of country music, Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy, will soon unveil the trio's fifth CD for those who've been wondering when country fans would get a fresh serving of music from SHeDAISY.

Initially, the threesome were set to preview music from the group's upcoming Lyric Street CD, A Story to Tell, for Nashville-area media, including this writer, but a week prior to the get-together, SHeDAISY's PR rep fired out an e-mail to say the sisters wanted a tad more time to make it just right.

"The girls are excited to share their new music, however, they are still in the studio making some additions, and we want to wait until everything is complete to share the music,” reported the act’s PR via electronic mail.

All good things come to those who wait, however, and country listeners will likely be glad the group's harmony singers took the time in the studio to polish it to perfrection. Until the new CDs unveied later this spring, anticipation only builds among the act's fans, according to fan-generated message-board chatter about SHeDAISY.

Radio and country audiences haven't heard new music from the sisters since their March 2006 disc, Fortuneteller's Melody, a 12-song collection that featured 11 tracks co-written by Kristyn, the act’s primary tunesmith.

Named for the Navajo term meaning “my (little) sister," SHeDAISY and Lyric Street also released a greatest-hits compilation, The Best of SHeDaisy in 2008, that includes some of their top-10 numbers, including Little Good-Byes, This Woman Needs, I Will… Butand Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing, to name but four of that CD's 12 tracks.

In the meantime, expect A Story to Tell to make its foray soon, chock-ful of the contemporary, harmony-laced country sounds that only SHeDAISY can create.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

The producers of the popular CMT talent show known as Can You Duet, a weekly program that debuted last April as the highest-rated series to date on the country network, are now looking for contestants for the show's second season.

According to a recent press releases this writer received via e-mail, show organizers are ready to find the next Johnny Cash and June Carter, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. or Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. In turn, they will host open auditions for the show at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville on Saturday, March 7, for duos whose members think they have the right stuff.

The show's new season will begin airing this summer. Per its creators, what sets Can You Duet apart from other such TV-talent shows is that contestants compete as duos. As a result, viewers will witness first-hand all the on- and off-stage drama to be had in creating a dynamic musical duet.

Plus, aside from In critiquing each performance and deciding who will advance to the next round, the show's judges also act as mentors to guide, groom and develop the duets along the way. Season one veterans have already taken great strides in their respective careers, including winning duo

Caitlin & Will, who signed with Sony Music Nashville’s Columbia Records. The pair's debut single, Even Now, will be shipped to radio March 31, 2009.

Third place runner-ups Joey + Rory, meanwhile, not only landed a recording contract with Sugar

Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records and scored Top 30 success on the country charts with their debut release, but they also are now in the running for the Academy of Country Music's Duo of the Yearaward against big-name acts Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry and Big & Rich.

Can You Duet's fourth-place finishers, sisters Kate & Kacey ( who also are known as The Coppolas to the show's TV viewers) landed a deal with Big Machine Records, how of hit-making teen Taylor Swift, and are now touring as the opening act for country's Little Big Town on that act's West Coast tour.

Those who'd like to tryout for the show can get more information, such as audition applications, video submissions, eligibility requirements and lmore details about the open auditions in Nashville, by accessing www.canyouduet.com or calling the casting hotline at (800) 813-5077.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Thomas Rexton "Tom" Brumley, a steel guitar player known for "The Bumley Touch" and for helping create country music's Bakersfield sound. has died at age 73 in San Antonio, Texas, after suffering a heart attack on Jan. 26, 2009, according to reports from his family.

Born Nov. 12, 1935, Brumley is likely best known by country fans as member of Buck Owens' chop-savvy band, the Buckaroos, from 1963 to ’69, where his steel guitar prowess was demontrated time and again on hits such as Together Again, which became his signature song and helped him amass a worldwide following among pedal steel players.

The third of six children, Brumley also played behind Rick Nelson for a decade, including on the late singer’s crossover hit, Garden Party.

Brumley's music roots ran deep, as the son Albert E. Brumley, a legendary gospel songwriter who wrote I'll Fly Away and Turn Your Radio On. At 14, Tom started his public performing career in music as a bassist in his brothers’ band.

Later, Brumley went on to become a much-celebrated, award-winning steel guitarist. He was inducted into both the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, which is part of the Texas Steel Guitar Association, and the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, among other honors. He also was awarded an Academy of Country Music honor for being the genre’s No. 1 steel player.

Brumley is survived by wife Rolene and three children, sons Tommy and Todd, and daughter Tracie.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Columbia Nashville recording artist Montgomery Gentry recently announced that they will host the first-ever Country on the Beach event created just for country-music fans, on Dec. 3-6, 2009, at the Beach Palace Resort in sunny Cancun, Mexico.

According to organizers, proceeds from the three-day, country star-hosted festivities will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation and its cancer research efforts.

Described as an “all-inclusive” trip, Country on the Beach will feature activities such as local tours, celebrity auctions, volleyball, karaoke, a poolside/oceanside clambake, celebrity bartending, spa experiences, water sports, all meals and adult beverages, a celebrity golf tournament at the Riviera Cancun Golf Resort (a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course), private receptions and performances by Montgomery Gentry and special guests.

Country Singers Donate Time, Talents for Cancer Research Fundraising

“We wanted to do something fun to help raise vital dollars for the T.J. Martell Foundation’s mission of funding ground-breaking cancer research,” said singer-guitarist Troy Gentry. “A warm-weather event will be great especially at the end of the year when it’s cold in Nashville.”

Additionally, lead-singer Eddie Montgomery, brother to fellow country star John Michael Montgomery, added, “We will have some special guests joining us for the private performances, celebrity golf classic and the celebrity bartending activities. This will be the ultimate country music experience all for a great cause.”

Those who'd like to attend can start saving now. Packages based on double occupancy (excluding air transportation) are $1,100 per person and include all activities, meals and beverages. The Celebrity Golf Classic is an additional charge of $250 per person. Space is limited and participants should sign up early to get room preferences. To make reservations, access www.travelininc.com or (888) 473-8856.

The T.J. Martell Foundation is a national organization that supports innovative research for leukemia cancer and AIDS through eight top research hospitals in the United States. For more information about the T.J. Martell Foundation, log onto www.tjmartellfoundation.org or call (615) 256-2002.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

For country fans clamoring for a copy of Cowgirls Don't Cry, the history-making hit single from Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn and Reba McEntire, the latter of who inspired track, be patient a bit longer. Feb. 10 will mark the first day it’s available to fans as a digital single for purchase.

As for its historical merit, the single’s marks the 41^st such hit for the Brooks & Dunn, a designation that pushes the duo just past Alabama for the most top-10 singles by any country group or duo. As for McEntire’s discography, Cowboys Don’t Cry has become the red-headed vocalist’s 56^th top-10 single—an achievement that scoots her beyond Dolly Parton to become the reigning female country artist with the most top-10 songs.

Jason Aldean Has One Gear: Wide Open

April 7, 2009, is the drop date for Broken Bow artist Jason Aldean’s much-anticipated third CD, Wide Open. Already the record’s first single, She’s Country, has become the fastest-rising single of Aldean’s career and made its foray onto U.S. music-video playlists.

Now touring with Toby Keith, Aldean first tried the song out for fans during his CMT on Tour ‘08: Jason Aldean show, with opening acts Lady Antebellum and Eric Durrance.

The upcoming Wide Open CD was produced by Michael Knox (who’s the son of Buddy “Party Doll” Knox, for all you trivia buffs). And to the delight of many, the Georgia-born singer-songwriter’s upcoming album will feature his touring band, not session players.

"When it came time to give this album a title, that track just summed it all up," Aldean has said of Wide Open. "It describes my personality and attitude 100 percent. Me and the guys in the band went into the studio and recorded these songs live and tried to picture ourselves playing them in an arena down the road somewhere. I think you can definitely feel that energy."

Country Singers Get Gold for Christmas

Kudos go out to Texas-born country stars Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert, as well Toby Keith and Faith Hill on the recent news from the Recording Industry Association of America that each artist yielded certified music sales for the month of December 2008 that represented 500,000 copies of an album, ringtone or single.

The RIAA reported that country albums earning the gold certification include Keith’s That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy, Hill’s Joy to the World and Womack’s Greatest Hits CD. Lambert, meanwhile, notched her gold certification in not one, but two slots, with Gunpowder & Lead in the ringtone and singles categories. The latter single was Lambert’s first top-10 single, peaking at No. 7 on the country charts. (By the way, has anyone other than me thought Lambert resembles Dolly Parton a tad, especially around the mouth and chin?)

Happy Birthday, Dolly!

Speaking of Dolly, belated birthday wishes go out to Ms. Parton, who turned 63 this year. And as a side note, 28 years ago today, Jan. 24, 1981, the Tennessee native’s theme song from the 9 to 5 movie made it to the top of Billboard’s country charts

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Dolly Parton has listed her among one of only three “real” female country singers, and on Jan. 22, 2009, at Nashville’s Station Inn, Connie Smith will celebrate the 45th anniversary of her debut appearance in Music City by performing a full-scale show.

Per WSM-AM radio host Eddie Stubbs, who also happens to serve as the announcer for RFD-TV's The Marty Stuart Show, it’ been at least 15 or more years since the cute ‘n’ country Ms. Smith delivered a full show.

In a Jan. 7, 2009, online posting in The Tennessean, Smith noted, "I came here on March 28, 1964, and I sang that night at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Then, I sang on the (Grand Ole) Opry. And then I cut (the hit-country song) Once A Day in July of 1964, and that was No. 1 in November."

Over the years, Smith—whom Stubbs refers to as “The Rolls-Royce of Country Music"—has performed on the coveted Opry stage, as indicated above, but never with her full band, the Sundowners.

The Jan. 22 show at Station Inn will not only give Smith a chance to play an extended set, which will undoubtedly be laced with her sound’s trademark stellar-steel guitar accompaniment—but also give fans a long-overdue chance to see the still-lovely vocalist do what she does best: belt out traditional country music in fine style.

Tickets, $15 each, are available on a first-come, first-served basis only, and as observed by Stubbs, one can expect the line to wind around and ‘round the block. Those who manage to get a seat at the 402 12th Ave South-housed venue to take in the show by Mrs. Marty Stuart can deem it a lucky day, to be sure.

Remembering Lucille: King of Honky-Tonk Rock’s Missing His Biggest Fan

Prayers and condolences go out to country artist Ricky Lynn Gregg, who recently lost his beloved mother, Lucille, 84. Funeral services were held Jan. 2, 2009, in Longview, Texas, the Gregg family's hometown.

“Lucille passed … with her family by her side,” shared Ricky’s manager and wife, LaCretia. “Ricky held her hand until the end. God has taken a sweet angel home.”

As one fortunate to call Ricky a friend and also one who long ago met his mother, this writer can confirm that Ricky was a devoted, loving and respectful son to his "sweet Lucille" always. In fact, in the fondest sense, the term “Mama’s Boy” is an apt description when it comes to the "King of Honky-Tonk Rock."

Now based in Tennessee, the long-tressed vocalist-guitarist made his foray on the commercial country-music scene with his self-titled Liberty Records debut, which spawned the singles If I Had a Cheatin’ Heart, a former No. 36, and Three Nickels and a Dime and Can You Feel It. The success of the album earned him the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Top New Artist list of 1993.

Ricky followed the hit-debut with his second album, 1994’s Can You Feel It. However, after label-chief Jimmy Bowen retired because of thyroid cancer, Ricky opted to take a "buyout" on his contract with Liberty upon Bowen's advice.

A longtime favorite on the Texas music circuit, Ricky’s fan base remained intact and he went on to star as Quanah Parker on the stage and maintains a packed touring schedule. His latest album, Be Careful What You Wish For, was released on the independent Row Music Group label.

For more information on Ricky, including his latest tour dates, please access www.rickylynngregg.com

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Country artist Jo Dee Messina has scored nine No. 1 country singles to date, but on Monday, Jan. 19, she achieved a first: motherhood.

Messina, 38, and her woodworker husband, Chris Deffenbaugh, 28, were married in October 2007. The couple welcomed their first child, who was a “happy surprise,” on Martin Luther King Day, according to a press report. The baby, son Noah Roger Deffenbaugh, arrived just after 1 p.m. and weighed in at 6 pounds and 15 ounces.

Per a Jan. 19, 2009, posting on People.com, Messina said, "We knew we wanted to have kids, but we just said, 'Whenever it happens, it happens.' And it happened! We were both surprised at first. It's such a lifestyle change. But then we're like, 'Wow, we're going to be parents!'"

A native of Massachusetts, Messina has reported she will pack up the baby, bottles and diapers to take along with her on her upcoming tour this spring. Messina is slated to begin a solo concert outing in support of her sixth and upcoming CD, Unmistakable.

New Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit Spotlights Trace Adkins

A spotlight exhibit on one of country music’s biggest contemporary superstars, Trace Adkins, will debut Jan. 27, 2009, at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Dubbed Trace Adkins: You’re Gonna Miss This, the exhibit will be located within the museum’s permanent exhibition and will run through August 2009.

In addition to photos and film clips from the museum’s collection, the display in Adkins’ honor also will include the three-piece suit, shirt, tie, cufflinks, cowboy boots and custom-made cowboy hat Adkins wore on NBC-TV’s Celebrity Apprentice show on which he was a guest apprentice contestant.

Making his country music chart entrance in 1996, Adkins is credited with energizing the genre with a string of top-10 hits, including (This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing (1997), The Rest of Mine (1997), More (2000), I’m Tryin’ (2001), Honky Tonk Badonkadonk (2005) and Ladies Love Country Boys (2006).

Adkins’ 2007 autobiography and manifesto, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck, garnered critical acclaim and the biggest hit of his career, You’re Gonna Miss This, scored the troubadour three 2008 Country Music Association nominations in the Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Video of the Year categories. (The tune is also up for Country Song of the Year and Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards in Feburary.)

Other current spotlight exhibits focus on Gene Watson, Johnny Cash, John Hartford (opening Jan. 24) and Porter Wagoner.

For more information about the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, including its Ford Community Day, which is a "free admission" day, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, please access www.countrymusichalloffame.com or call (615) 416-2001.

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins

Grand Ole Opry member Marty Stuart has begun taping the second season of The Marty Stuart Show, which pays homage to the finest musical traditions of the genre. The program is broadcast at 8 p.m. (Central) each Saturday on cable’s RFD-TV, a rural lifestyle network.

"I love this show,” Stuart said recently. “It's everything that country music was designed to be and it is such a joy to be a part of. As I suspected, there is a world of people out there waiting on this kind of entertainment and the response has been off the charts."

Artists slated to perform on the second season’s shows include John Rich, Dierks Bentley, Gretchen Wilson, The SteelDrivers, Mel Tillis, Buck Trent, The Oak Ridge Boys, Chris Scruggs and Chuck Mead, Del McCoury, The Sundowners, Wanda Jackson, Duane Eddy, Kathy Mattea, and the Quebe Sisters, among others.

Stuart created the original series, which debuted Nov. 1, 2008, to help bring traditional country music to its fans on a regular basis. Each broadcast, in addition to special guests, features the sound of Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives band, as well as Mrs. Marty Stuart, country star