People I saw in the flesh today:
Taylor Swift
Craig Morgan
All 6 Grascals
Hazel Smith
Jim Lauderdale
Jerry Douglas
Garth Brooks
Trisha Yearwood
John Cowan
Jen
Person who's voice I heard more than any other: Kenny Chesney. I didn't see him in person, but I've spent hours editing audio from him for cool programming around his album release.
When I get done drowning in Chesney and get through IBMA's Thursday night, I'll come back and fill in the blanks - including the story about Taylor reading my blog. :-)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
It's not a good thing to look out your window and see this...
I joked that I was drowning in Kenny Chesney audio today... perhaps they're coming to rescue me!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Mr. Big Bucks
I've never understood it when artists put out press releases about the gignormous amounts of money they make, having the highest grossing tour, etc. I'm thinkin' the fans that are scrimping together the money to go to the concert (including parking, a tshirt, a drink) don't want to know that you are rolling around in their hard earned dough.
But that's just me... this press release came out today, so I'll share.
TOBY KEITH IS TOP MALE ON FORBES MUSIC EARNINGS LIST
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith has been named one of the world's best-paid music stars by Forbes. Keith ranks No. 3 on the list, behind the Police and Beyonce, with $48 million in earnings between June 1, 2007 and June 1, 2008. Following Keith in the top five are Justin Timberlake and Madonna.
But that's just me... this press release came out today, so I'll share.
TOBY KEITH IS TOP MALE ON FORBES MUSIC EARNINGS LIST
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) Singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith has been named one of the world's best-paid music stars by Forbes. Keith ranks No. 3 on the list, behind the Police and Beyonce, with $48 million in earnings between June 1, 2007 and June 1, 2008. Following Keith in the top five are Justin Timberlake and Madonna.
Breaking Sirius XM [Good] News!
I don't know how they got it, but since Country Aircheck told everyone, I'm gonna tell you. We officially got word this morning.
BREAKING NEWS
Anthony Upped At Sirius XM: An employee bulletin from Sirius XM SVP/Music Programming Jon Zellner detailing music programming management for the newly merged satcaster reveals XM Senior Country Programmer Jon Anthony has been named VP/Country. Concurrently, Country Aircheck has learned that Sirius Sr. Country PD Scott Lindy will exit the company Friday (9/26). More changes are likely as Sirius XM consolidates its two Nashville operations.
Yay for Jon!!!!
BREAKING NEWS
Anthony Upped At Sirius XM: An employee bulletin from Sirius XM SVP/Music Programming Jon Zellner detailing music programming management for the newly merged satcaster reveals XM Senior Country Programmer Jon Anthony has been named VP/Country. Concurrently, Country Aircheck has learned that Sirius Sr. Country PD Scott Lindy will exit the company Friday (9/26). More changes are likely as Sirius XM consolidates its two Nashville operations.
Yay for Jon!!!!
Hot off the Capitol Nashville Press!
NASHVILLE, TN – September 24, 2008 – Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Darius Rucker’s debut country album, LEARN TO LIVE, has hit #1 on Billboard’s “Top Country Albums” chart, as well as #5 on the publication’s overall sales chart, “The Billboard 200”; Soundscan credits LEARN TO LIVE with 60,414 units sold during its first week of release. This career milestone for Rucker, whose voice is synonymous with one of the top-selling bands of all time, Grammy Award-winning Hootie & The Blowfish, arrives the same week that his debut country single “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” hit the top of all three major country industry charts.
Y'all know what this means right? PARTY!
Y'all know what this means right? PARTY!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Number ONE!
For a long time, I've been telling you that my favorite song on the radio right now is Darius Rucker - "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." Usually when I love a song, it tanks, LOL. But voila -- Darius is #1 -- the week his album comes out!
Yay for the gang at Capitol - and Hooray for Hootie! Look for him to have big, sales numbers this week. Jessica was #1 Country the week her album came out, but #4 overall. Can Darius beat that?
Stay tuned.
Yay for the gang at Capitol - and Hooray for Hootie! Look for him to have big, sales numbers this week. Jessica was #1 Country the week her album came out, but #4 overall. Can Darius beat that?
Stay tuned.
Protecting the Guilty -- Updated
I will be the first to self-deprecatingly joke that I am the Queen of Procrastination. But alas -- I have been dethroned!
We are taping a ShortCuts tomorrow.
I think.
We were told we'd get the interview time to tape a ShortCuts tomorrow. We've made numerous calls and sent emails trying to get a time booked. However, as of 8:09pm (well after the COB) I do not have a bio, talking points, or songwriter credits on the album. Nor do I have a time that this artist is going to be available to come to our studio. So I could very well wake up in the morning and discover we're taping a ShortCuts that I haven't yet written within the hour.
So I shall surrender my crown and my thrown to the record label exec who shall remain nameless. I originally titled this post "Procrastination at a Whole New Level."
But I just renamed it.
Update 10:05 Tuesday Morning... I tracked down someone at the record label to sneak me the bio and songwriter credits... so I've been writing fast and furious... only to be told a few minutes ago that we weren't going to get to cut the show with this artist after all today.
That, my friends, puts us into quite the Programming Pickle.
We are taping a ShortCuts tomorrow.
I think.
We were told we'd get the interview time to tape a ShortCuts tomorrow. We've made numerous calls and sent emails trying to get a time booked. However, as of 8:09pm (well after the COB) I do not have a bio, talking points, or songwriter credits on the album. Nor do I have a time that this artist is going to be available to come to our studio. So I could very well wake up in the morning and discover we're taping a ShortCuts that I haven't yet written within the hour.
So I shall surrender my crown and my thrown to the record label exec who shall remain nameless. I originally titled this post "Procrastination at a Whole New Level."
But I just renamed it.
Update 10:05 Tuesday Morning... I tracked down someone at the record label to sneak me the bio and songwriter credits... so I've been writing fast and furious... only to be told a few minutes ago that we weren't going to get to cut the show with this artist after all today.
That, my friends, puts us into quite the Programming Pickle.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
FINALLY ! ! !
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (Sept. 18, 2008) - Sony BMG recording artist Craig Morgan was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry this evening during a special concert for U.S. troops at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The evening was a homecoming of sorts for the singer, who was stationed at Ft. Bragg from 1990 to 1992 during his ten-year active duty tenure in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Morgan will be formally inducted into the Opry family on Sat., Oct. 25.
Seriously... how overdue is this? I remember when Craig did his 100th performance... years ago. We even cut an episode of ShortCuts with him backstage at the Opry a couple of years back. He's totally committed, and plays there more than most members. I am so excited that he finally got the invitation. That, my friends, is the power of SonyBMG.
Yay for Craig!
Seriously... how overdue is this? I remember when Craig did his 100th performance... years ago. We even cut an episode of ShortCuts with him backstage at the Opry a couple of years back. He's totally committed, and plays there more than most members. I am so excited that he finally got the invitation. That, my friends, is the power of SonyBMG.
Yay for Craig!
Bring on the Catfight!
Amy Paige shared this Carrie Underwood gem with me from GACtv.com:
Plenty of artists name either their first or second album after themselves, but Carrie had an aversion to that approach. In fact, it’s doubtful that she’ll ever have a CD that is — as reviewers like to say — eponymous.
"I don't like self-titling things," she told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "I think that's lazy. I mean, they know whose CD it is — the name's right on it. "
I'd comment on this, but I need to go back to working on our World Premiere of Kellie Pickler's self-titled sophomore CD, which is being released on BNA Records... sister label to Carrie's Arista Records. That should make for a fun post-CMA party!
Plenty of artists name either their first or second album after themselves, but Carrie had an aversion to that approach. In fact, it’s doubtful that she’ll ever have a CD that is — as reviewers like to say — eponymous.
"I don't like self-titling things," she told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "I think that's lazy. I mean, they know whose CD it is — the name's right on it. "
I'd comment on this, but I need to go back to working on our World Premiere of Kellie Pickler's self-titled sophomore CD, which is being released on BNA Records... sister label to Carrie's Arista Records. That should make for a fun post-CMA party!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday!
Always better than a Monday, eh? And let me tell ya... my Monday stunk.
TOMORROW however -- you're going to be able to hear my Darius Rucker show -- 3pm ET on Highway 16 -- don't miss it!
SHARON -- I can't find your email address but THANK YOU! Email me please!!!!
TOMORROW however -- you're going to be able to hear my Darius Rucker show -- 3pm ET on Highway 16 -- don't miss it!
SHARON -- I can't find your email address but THANK YOU! Email me please!!!!
Friday, September 12, 2008
No Shoes Radio - Live from Indianapolis!
XM Broadcasts Final Stop On Kenny Chesney's Poets & Pirates Tour
No Shoes Radio Goes LIVE from Indianapolis
Kenny Chesney's XM channel, No Shoes Radio (XM-18), will broadcast live from the final stop on the 2008 "Poets & Pirates Tour" in Indianapolis tomorrow (9/13).
In addition to carrying Chesney's entire live concert set, the channel will also host and broadcast a live acoustic concert by Chesney on the "No Shoes Radio Tailgate Party Stage," just outside Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as "Live From The Vibe" backstage reports all day.
Luke Bryan and Brother Trouble -- winners of Chesney's "Next Big Star" competition -- will also perform on the Tailgate Party Stage.
Jon Anthony anchors live from Indy starting at Noon Eastern - Tomorrow on XM 18!
No Shoes Radio Goes LIVE from Indianapolis
Kenny Chesney's XM channel, No Shoes Radio (XM-18), will broadcast live from the final stop on the 2008 "Poets & Pirates Tour" in Indianapolis tomorrow (9/13).
In addition to carrying Chesney's entire live concert set, the channel will also host and broadcast a live acoustic concert by Chesney on the "No Shoes Radio Tailgate Party Stage," just outside Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as "Live From The Vibe" backstage reports all day.
Luke Bryan and Brother Trouble -- winners of Chesney's "Next Big Star" competition -- will also perform on the Tailgate Party Stage.
Jon Anthony anchors live from Indy starting at Noon Eastern - Tomorrow on XM 18!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Front Page News
Things still buzzing in Music City... Rascal Flatts NOT getting a CMA Nomination for Entertainer of the Year was front page news in today's Tennessean.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Does this make me a Blowfish?
I am pretty sure Gary has a couple of Hootie albums around here somewhere... I'm going to have to take a listen and hear what Darius sounds like as a rock star. He sure made a great country record!
Who WASN'T Nominated...
The bigger news out of Nashville this morning really didn't seem to be about who got nominated. It's who DIDN'T.
Tim McGraw and Toby Keith nowhere to be found, despite them both actively touring and having hit records. Alison Krauss gets a Female Vocalist nod, but Reba McEntire doesn't? What has Alison done for COUNTRY music?
The buzz up and down Music Row this morning is Rascal Flatts NOT getting an Entertainer of the Year nomination -- despite actively campaigning for one.
And I really am not crazy about this "New Artist of the Year" category name. Especially when you see artists like Jason Aldean and Rodney Atkins in there. The Horizon Award not only sounds more prestigious, it makes more sense. But then again - no one asked me.
Can't wait to read everyone else's thoughts.
Tim McGraw and Toby Keith nowhere to be found, despite them both actively touring and having hit records. Alison Krauss gets a Female Vocalist nod, but Reba McEntire doesn't? What has Alison done for COUNTRY music?
The buzz up and down Music Row this morning is Rascal Flatts NOT getting an Entertainer of the Year nomination -- despite actively campaigning for one.
And I really am not crazy about this "New Artist of the Year" category name. Especially when you see artists like Jason Aldean and Rodney Atkins in there. The Horizon Award not only sounds more prestigious, it makes more sense. But then again - no one asked me.
Can't wait to read everyone else's thoughts.
CMA Nominees -- The Big 5
ENTERTAINER
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban
MALE VOCALIST
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
GROUP
The Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
ALBUM
“Carnival Ride” – Carrie Underwood
“Cowboy Town” – Brooks & Dunn
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson
“Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” – Kenny Chesney
“Troubadour” – George Strait
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban
MALE VOCALIST
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
FEMALE VOCALIST
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
GROUP
The Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
ALBUM
“Carnival Ride” – Carrie Underwood
“Cowboy Town” – Brooks & Dunn
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson
“Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” – Kenny Chesney
“Troubadour” – George Strait
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Hangin' with Hootie
We cut an episode of Driver's Ed with Darius Rucker tonight. I've worked with him a couple of times previously -- once out at the ACM's a year and a half ago, and then in a Round Robin a couple of months ago. I was very impressed with how knowledgeable he was about country music.
So tonight when we sat down to cut Driver's Ed... Jon starts going into what the show was...how the new artists are called "Rookie Driver's"... Darius didn't need any of it. I think he knew more about Highway 16 than I did. Turns out he loves the channel.
We cut the show, and it was real high energy... Darius tells great stories... he's very entertaining. And at the end of "class" (he passed!) he tells us he has listened to all these other episodes of Driver's Ed, and kept wondering when in the world we were going to ask him to be on the show. (We learned a long time ago you gotta wait for the CD to be in stores.) I hope he thought it was worth the wait.
He was adorable, and it made for a very nice ending to a very long day. I started writing at 6:30 in the morning, to finish a ShortCuts before I tackled this show... went into the office around 11 and cut 2 shows, the last of which started at 7pm, and I totally missed all of my husband's birthday because I stayed downtown for a meeting that I didn't wind up being in. So as a consolation prize, I got my picture taken with a rock star. (will post it tomorrow)
The show airs starting next Tuesday... highway16.xmradio.com for show dates and times.
So tonight when we sat down to cut Driver's Ed... Jon starts going into what the show was...how the new artists are called "Rookie Driver's"... Darius didn't need any of it. I think he knew more about Highway 16 than I did. Turns out he loves the channel.
We cut the show, and it was real high energy... Darius tells great stories... he's very entertaining. And at the end of "class" (he passed!) he tells us he has listened to all these other episodes of Driver's Ed, and kept wondering when in the world we were going to ask him to be on the show. (We learned a long time ago you gotta wait for the CD to be in stores.) I hope he thought it was worth the wait.
He was adorable, and it made for a very nice ending to a very long day. I started writing at 6:30 in the morning, to finish a ShortCuts before I tackled this show... went into the office around 11 and cut 2 shows, the last of which started at 7pm, and I totally missed all of my husband's birthday because I stayed downtown for a meeting that I didn't wind up being in. So as a consolation prize, I got my picture taken with a rock star. (will post it tomorrow)
The show airs starting next Tuesday... highway16.xmradio.com for show dates and times.
The Best of Both (Satellite) Worlds
Today, the company also announced the content line-up for SIRIUS XM’s new “Best of Both” programming options. As part of “Best of Both” programming, most current XM customers will continue to receive their existing XM service, and be able to obtain select SIRIUS programming. Likewise, most current SIRIUS customers will continue to receive their existing SIRIUS service and be able to obtain select XM programming. In addition to their existing service, SIRIUS and XM subscribers will be able to purchase the following channels:
SIRIUS on XM
Howard 100
Howard 101
Martha Stewart Living Radio
SIRIUS NFL Radio *
SIRIUS NASCAR Radio
Playboy Radio
XM on SIRIUS
NBA*
NHL Home Ice *
Oprah & Friends
The Virus
Public Radio with Bob Edwards
College Sports *
PGA Tour
* Sports offerings will also include channels for play-by-play of NBA, NHL, NFL, and College Sports games.
“Best of Both” programming will be available to satellite radio consumers beginning October 6, 2008 on most existing satellite radios at a monthly [total] cost of $16.99. Also, the company’s full slate of new packages will be available to consumers on Oct. 6, including the opportunity to choose programming on an a la carte basis for the first time ever in subscription media.
SIRIUS on XM
Howard 100
Howard 101
Martha Stewart Living Radio
SIRIUS NFL Radio *
SIRIUS NASCAR Radio
Playboy Radio
XM on SIRIUS
NBA*
NHL Home Ice *
Oprah & Friends
The Virus
Public Radio with Bob Edwards
College Sports *
PGA Tour
* Sports offerings will also include channels for play-by-play of NBA, NHL, NFL, and College Sports games.
“Best of Both” programming will be available to satellite radio consumers beginning October 6, 2008 on most existing satellite radios at a monthly [total] cost of $16.99. Also, the company’s full slate of new packages will be available to consumers on Oct. 6, including the opportunity to choose programming on an a la carte basis for the first time ever in subscription media.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Country Music's Next Power Couple?
September 8, 2008 (Nashville, TN) The diehard fans of Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton were eager to hear the whispers, then shouts, through the country halls about a select few shows this summer where the power-duo performed together. An “experiment” at first – for the twosome it meant a guaranteed way to spend time together performing the music they love – much in tradition of Johnny & June and George & Tammy. Fans across the country responded, asked for more, and this October 3, they will deliver as they embark on their first ever co-headlining tour.
"For obvious reasons, Miranda and I have wanted to tour together for a while now. We wanted to do something special that nobody else can pull off,” Blake remarked. “The result is a unique show packed full of music and energy that will leave people wondering what the hell is going to happen next.”
The upcoming concert dates will feature special seamless shows with each artist’s band providing accompaniment. Miranda will take fans from the early days of “Me & Charlie Talking” to the fist pumping “Gunpowder & Lead” while Blake fans can expect the gamut from his number one singles, “Austin,” “The Baby,” “Some Beach,” and “Home” to the rowdy “The More I Drink” and fan favorite “Ol’ Red.” An intimate acoustic set by Blake and Miranda will be nestled in-between and each show will conclude as both artists and their bands reunite on-stage for the show’s energetic finale. Sure to be a highlight of each evening will be a live rendition of Blake’s number one single, “Home,” which features Miranda’s soulful vocals. And don’t think for one second the duo won’t throw in some left-of-center covers, witty stage banter and maybe even a few more curveballs.
"I've always thought that Blake is one of the greatest artists in country music and he brings such a dynamic presence to his performances,” Miranda professed. “Pairing up for these shows will not only be fun for us, but I think it's going to be an amazing show for the fans. Anytime you play with a great artist it makes you strive to be even better...and we will do that every night."
The couple’s tour will support Miranda’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the ACM’s reigning Album of the Year, and Blake’s Pure BS Deluxe album.
Miranda just released her latest single “More Like Her” which is currently at radio across the country and Garden and Gun Magazine made her their Sept/Oct cover girl. For more Miranda be sure to tune in tonight for the CMA Music Festival Special 2008 at 9 p.m. Eastern / 8 p.m Central on ABC.
Blake’s current single, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” is the lead from his upcoming studio album due in early 2009 and is the follow-up to his most recent number one hit, “Home.”
Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert On Tour*
Date City Venue On Sale
October 3 Richmond, VA Virginia State Fair Now
October 10 Cape Girardeau, MO Show Me Center 9/6
October 11 Pikeville, KY Eastern Kentucky Expo Center 9/13
October 17 Phoenix, AZ Arizona State Fair 9/6
October 18 Primm, NV Star of the Valley Resort & Casino 9/23
October 23 Waterloo, IA McElroy Auditorium 9/27
October 24 Lacrosse, WI Lacrosse Center 9/27
November 8 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center 10/4
*more dates to be added soon
"For obvious reasons, Miranda and I have wanted to tour together for a while now. We wanted to do something special that nobody else can pull off,” Blake remarked. “The result is a unique show packed full of music and energy that will leave people wondering what the hell is going to happen next.”
The upcoming concert dates will feature special seamless shows with each artist’s band providing accompaniment. Miranda will take fans from the early days of “Me & Charlie Talking” to the fist pumping “Gunpowder & Lead” while Blake fans can expect the gamut from his number one singles, “Austin,” “The Baby,” “Some Beach,” and “Home” to the rowdy “The More I Drink” and fan favorite “Ol’ Red.” An intimate acoustic set by Blake and Miranda will be nestled in-between and each show will conclude as both artists and their bands reunite on-stage for the show’s energetic finale. Sure to be a highlight of each evening will be a live rendition of Blake’s number one single, “Home,” which features Miranda’s soulful vocals. And don’t think for one second the duo won’t throw in some left-of-center covers, witty stage banter and maybe even a few more curveballs.
"I've always thought that Blake is one of the greatest artists in country music and he brings such a dynamic presence to his performances,” Miranda professed. “Pairing up for these shows will not only be fun for us, but I think it's going to be an amazing show for the fans. Anytime you play with a great artist it makes you strive to be even better...and we will do that every night."
The couple’s tour will support Miranda’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the ACM’s reigning Album of the Year, and Blake’s Pure BS Deluxe album.
Miranda just released her latest single “More Like Her” which is currently at radio across the country and Garden and Gun Magazine made her their Sept/Oct cover girl. For more Miranda be sure to tune in tonight for the CMA Music Festival Special 2008 at 9 p.m. Eastern / 8 p.m Central on ABC.
Blake’s current single, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” is the lead from his upcoming studio album due in early 2009 and is the follow-up to his most recent number one hit, “Home.”
Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert On Tour*
Date City Venue On Sale
October 3 Richmond, VA Virginia State Fair Now
October 10 Cape Girardeau, MO Show Me Center 9/6
October 11 Pikeville, KY Eastern Kentucky Expo Center 9/13
October 17 Phoenix, AZ Arizona State Fair 9/6
October 18 Primm, NV Star of the Valley Resort & Casino 9/23
October 23 Waterloo, IA McElroy Auditorium 9/27
October 24 Lacrosse, WI Lacrosse Center 9/27
November 8 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center 10/4
*more dates to be added soon
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Blogging From Grundy County
Well I went down to the Grundy County Auction
Where I saw something I just had to have
Ok, technically I am not still in Grundy County. But I did spend the weekend there. (No time to blog while I was there.) And every time I thought about it, that song went through my head.
My life IS a country song.
What did you do this weekend? Did you listen to the Jessica Simpson ShortCuts?
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
It's flying by my window!Tuesday, September 02, 2008
And Her Little Dog Too!
Columbia Nashville recording artist Jessica Simpson spent time in the new XM Nashville Headquarters recently to tape the XM World Premiere of her forthcoming country album Do You Know. The exclusive conversation between Simpson and XM’s Jon Anthony will air this weekend on Highway 16 ShortCuts, which features all eleven songs on the CD.
Topics covered during the extensive interview range from what she found to be the hardest thing to deal with when she came to Nashville to write, her charity work, her USO tours, and how Dolly Parton came through for her during a very tough time.
The first airing of Highway 16 ShortCuts is this Friday at 2pm ET on XM’s Highway 16, XM Radio Online and DirecTV Channel 814.
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