Country Music News International

Country Music News International May 24. 2013

2013-05-24T06:34:00.002+02:00

Here is your Country Music News of the day from Country Music News International http://www.CountryMusicNewsInternational.blogspot.com . Your Country Music News is supported by, Courtyard Nashville Downtown http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnadt-courtyard-nashville-downtown , Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitmusiccity.com , Dellenbügler, http://dellenbuegler.de , Tennessee Tourism, http://www.Tennessee.de , Steel Guitar Nashville, http://www.SteelGuitar.net , HelpCharity, http://www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity

You can publish the Newsletter to your websites or forward to your friends. If you want to publish some of the interviews, please contact me.

Hier sind jetzt Eure Country Music News des Tages von Country Music News International http://www.CountryMusicNewsInternational.blogspot.de . Eure Country Music News werden unterstützt von Courtyard Nashville Downtown http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnadt-courtyard-nashville-downtown , Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitmusiccity.com , Dellenbügler, http://dellenbuegler.de , Tennessee Tourism, http://www.Tennessee.de , Steel Guitar Nashville, http://www.SteelGuitar.net , HelpCharity, http://www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity

Der Newsletter darf auf Euren Internetseiten veröffentlicht und an Eure Freunde weiter geleitet werden. Solltet Ihr gerne einige der Interviews veröffentlichen wollen, kurze Rückmeldung an mich.

Country Muisc News:

Interview with JL Stiles http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/interview-with-jl-stiles.html

Herrick Wins in 34th Annual Telly Awards http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/herrick-wins-in-34th-annual-telly-awards.html

FRANK ORTEGA RELEASES “TWO PLACES AT ONCE” http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/frank-ortega-releases-two-places-at-once.html

Montgomery Gentry Celebrates America’s Heroes! http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/montgomery-gentry-celebrates-americas.html

LOCASH COWBOYS DEBUT ALBUM COMING JUNE 18 http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/locash-cowboys-debut-album-coming-june.html

Joanna Mosca at CMA Music Festival http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/joanna-mosca-at-cma-music-festival.html

THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND AT CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/the-marshall-tucker-band-at-cma-music.html

Hot Time, Summer in Music City Nashville http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/hot-time-summer-in-music-city-nashville.html

CD: MONROE CROSSING - The Road Has No End http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/monroe-crossing-road-has-no-end.html

CD: 1 MORE ROAD - Be Assured http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/1-more-road-be-assured.html

CD: AGGIE - Country Gospel http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/aggie-country-gospel.html

CD: MICHAEL T. WALL - From Newfoundland To Australia http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/michael-t-wall-from-newfoundland-to.html

COUNTRY’S NIGHT TO ROCK,” AIRING MONDAY AUG. 12 http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/countrys-night-to-rock-airing-monday.html

Aaron Lewis Set to Make Opry Debut Tuesday May 28 http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/aaron-lewis-set-to-make-opry-debut.html

Why to pay for Music? http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/why-to-pay-for-music.html

Musik News Allgemein:

Information for all new Newsletter readers:

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Autographed Photos by your favorite Country Star for sale to support HelpCharity http://www.countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2012/10/autographed-photos-by-your-favorite.html

We need You! Wir brauchen Euch! http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2012/12/we-need-you-wir-brauchen-euch.html

Looking for Writers http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.com/2011/08/were-looking-for-writers.html

Nashville Music Guide honors Christian Lamitschka http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.com/2012/02/nashville-music-guide-honors-christian.html

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Country Music News International

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Christian Lamitschka

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Interview with JL Stiles

2013-05-24T06:26:00.002+02:00

Interview with JL Stiles

Lamitschka: Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen or heard you?

JL Stiles: I’m basically a ragtime finger picker and country picker who who writes in his own style, creates new rhythms and melodies using those universal and fundamental techniques. I like to think listening to me is similar to going home.
Lamitschka: How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?

JL Stiles: The highlight was the show where I released my CD here in San Francisco, a little club called Cafe du Nord. We really did the new album justice playing it live and the crowd reaction was amazing.

Lamitschka: What is your latest CD and how's it doing?

JL Stiles: My latest is JL Stiles Presents House of Murmurs

Lamitschka: How did you choose the title for the CD? Is there a story behind the name?

JL Stiles: There is no big story behind the name other than it reflected the kind of eerie psychedelic nature of the record

Lamitschka: Do you write the songs yourself? If not, how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?

JL Stiles: I write all my material

Lamitschka: Please tell us about the songs on your album (influences, etc).

JL Stiles: There is a heavy influence of Maybelle Carter’s guitar style on this album though you might not peg it as such because there are no country songs on there and my rhythmic approach is much more varied.. I strum with the forefinger and pick with the thumb on many of the tracks. I also employ my Piedmont Blues style on here a la Mississippi John Hurt but again vary the rhythmic approach quite a lot so you may not recognize it. The Blind Blake thumbroll is employed on Song Beside My Grave to create the rambling rhythm yet I accent a different beat than he would have done. Basically I hear melodies and rhythms and these folkways styles provide me the tools to bring ‚em out on the guitar and sing ‚em.

Lamitschka: What is the difference between your last CD and your current one?

JL Stiles: This CD was really played entirely live by me in studio with the drummer so it has an authentic groove over which we laid other stuff. I also had a producer named Etienne de Rocher on this who brought a consistency to the sound and he added some beautiful piano parts.
Lamitschka: Your current single is being played by radio. What do you feel is special about this song that makes people want to hear it?

JL Stiles: All in a Day is probably the single on this record but it seems DJ’s are playing quite a variety off the record. The song has an old soul but is very catchy with a straight bouncy rhythm and live feel. I also think the bridge on it is surprising yet natural, which I like.

Lamitschka: What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what's the story behind it?

JL Stiles: My favorite is probably Song Beside My Grave because it is the song I want people to play as a remembrance of me and there are few if any on earth who can play that style yet it is fundamental.

Lamitschka: Do you have any interesting stories about how fans have been affected by your music?

JL Stiles: Some have said they listened to me over and over when healing from life-threatending illness and claim my music really helped them recover. There is no higher honor than that as a musician.

Lamitschka: Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots run?

JL Stiles: Blind Blake is my biggest inspiration but he’s dead. Seeing a great performer live is always an inspiration. For instance, seeing Richard Thompson solo acoustic is an inspiration.

Lamitschka: What do you think about today's music scene versus its post and where do you see it going in the future?

JL Stiles: I have my local buddies here is SF who are awesome and no ones knows, such as Chris Jones and there is plenty of talent as there always will be. San Francisco is full of brilliant artists who are making no money. In the past it wasn’t any different, it seems. We have more outlets to get our music out there but there are too many artists right now. I basically ignore it all to remain sane and have some silence.

Lamitschka: What do you think about today's music industry?

JL Stiles: I don’t think about it much at all. I am only interested in getting my music to people who want to hear it or find something new. Licensing music is bigger than ever which brings in money but again, the scene is overcrowded and few make any substantial income. Today is perhaps the worst time ever to be an artist. People are struggling under an international financial tyranny and we have little money to devote to supporting arts.

Lamitschka: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

JL Stiles: I would destroy the use of money as an instrument and only use money to facilitate the exchange of goods and services. Essentially I would destroy all central banks.

Lamitschka: Are you doing anything to take music beyond its current borders or are you happy where it is?

JL Stiles: I am always looking to expand. I am planning an unlikely collaboration at present with a rock drummer star but I won’t say who it is as it will ruin the surprise. My next album will have lots of vocal harmonies and employ more innovation guitar techniques, via the remarkable Blind Blake thumbroll.

Lamitschka: What inspired you to become an artist?

JL Stiles: I am a seeker of the fundamental, the hidden nuggets of the universe and music is very much a part of that. I want to feel connected, ultimately, and ironically, in this age, such demands basically disconnecting with much of society as it is mostly distraction and slavery in disguise.

Lamitschka: What inspired you to become a songwriter?

JL Stiles: I guess it was Zeppelin II, the album, perhaps listening to Chuck Berry as a little kid. I always loved music and imagined it on my own.

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )

www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka

Herrick Wins in 34th Annual Telly Awards

2013-05-24T06:11:00.000+02:00

Herrick Wins in 34^th Annual Telly Awards

“Do You Love Me” Garners Music Video Bronze Award for Nashville Band

Nashville, TN – The Telly Awards has named Nashville band HERRICK as a Bronze winner in the 34th Annual Telly Awards for the music video for “Do You Love Me.” With nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents, the project won the Bronze Award in the Internet/Online Video-Music Video category.

Co-written by Donna and Kerry Herrick, “Do You Love Me” appears on the album NEW DANCE which was produced by Herrick with Music Row hit makers Michael Bonagura and Buddy Cannon. The single recently broke into the Top 100 on the Country Breakout Chart. The music video was directed by Robb Smith and produced by Blue Hawk Productions.

Herrick is comprised of Donna (mandolin/lead vocals), her husband Kerry Herrick (bass/vocals), percussionist/drummer Jeff Bradshaw and lead guitar player Jefferson Rogers. The music is varied and diverse, mixing tradition with contemporary sounds. Donna shines with startling vocal range and power. Herrick’s dynamic live show has given the band a stronghold on the touring circuit with an average 125 shows a year. The band is known for compelling songwriting, comprehensive instrumentation, and killer harmonies.

Herrick previously won the prestigious Country Song Award in the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards (IMA) for “Cry Memphis,” which also appears on NEW DANCE. Earlier, Herrick’s dynamic musicianship and intricate harmonies proved to be a winning combination in the Jim Beam Battle of the Bands at the BamaJam music festival.

The Telly Awards program was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

For its 34th season, The Telly Awards once again joined forces with YouTube to give the public the power to view and rate videos submitted as part of the People’s Telly Awards. In addition to recognition from the Silver Telly Council, the judging panel that selects the Telly Awards winners, the Internet community helps decide the People’s Telly Awards winners.

“The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video,” said Linda Day, Executive Director of the Telly Awards. “Herrick’s accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production.”

A prestigious judging panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work – entries do not compete against each other – rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit. Less than 10% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Silver Telly, our highest honor. Approximately 25% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Bronze Telly.

“We worked really hard on this video and the album as a whole,” Donna Herrick says. “We were in a really powerful period of growth musically, and kept discovering new directions. We wanted it to be the best it could possibly be for our fans; no cutting corners. The album was wonderful and painful and exciting; a true labor of love that was four years in the making. The video was great fun and is a solid representation of the song and our live performance.”

To find out more about the Telly Awards visit our website at www.tellyawards.com

FRANK ORTEGA RELEASES “TWO PLACES AT ONCE”

2013-05-24T06:03:00.002+02:00

FRANK ORTEGA RELEASES “TWO PLACES AT ONCE” TO RADIO

Latin-American Singer Preparing New Tour and New Album For Fall Release

NASHVILLE, TN, May 23, 2013 … Villa One recording artist Frank Ortega is back on the country radar with the release of his much talked about new single, “Two Places At Once.” Penned by David Lee Murphy, Ira Dean and Kim Tribble, the tune is the lead single from Ortega’s highly-anticipated debut album slated for release later this year.

"Two Places at Once" is a song that everyone can relate to as, at one time or another, we have all wished we could be two places at once. Ortega's vocals will resonate with country music fans who appreciate the traditional sound with a touch of contemporary that will allow him to fit right in with the musical format.

“This song has no boundaries as it relates to everyone,” notes Ortega. “I look forward to sharing great American country music with everyone while also reaching out to my ever-growing Latin population who loves American country music.”

Frank Ortega has created quite a buzz in Nashville in recent years with his independent single “Hot Women Cold Beer,” which was produced by Grammy nominated singer/songwriter James House. The song went on to top the Indie World country music chart in 2009. His follow-up release, “Honky Tonk and the Altar,” showed a different side to the Arizona native, as it received rave reviews across the board within the country music industry.

As he continues work in the studio on his yet-to-be-titled debut album, Ortega is gearing up for his 2013 radio tour. Additional performances are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on Frank Ortega, visit www.frankortega.com.

Montgomery Gentry Celebrates America’s Heroes!

2013-05-24T05:58:00.002+02:00

Montgomery Gentry Celebrates America’s Heroes!

Average Joes Entertainment’s Superstar Duo Recognizing

American Heroes at Every Tour Stop this Summer!

NASHVILLE, TN (May 23, 2013) - Country stars, Montgomery Gentry, in response to the recent tragedies that have unfolded in the United States, want to help inspire hope and positivity in America by celebrating and recognizing the many heroes of our great nation. Eddie and Troy, long-time supporters of our military, first-responders, leaders, teachers, and unspoken everyday champions, are giving their fans a chance to submit stories and nominate their personal hero. Select stories will be featured on www.montgomerygentry.com and American Heroes will be chosen to receive concert tickets, meet & greet passes and to mingle with Montgomery Gentry at each of their concert stops this summer.

“We got an email from our fan club, “The Underground,” recently,” stated Troy Gentry. “All he wanted was to take his son to one of our shows because of how much he had helped his family through some difficult times. He kept calling him his hero. And then Boston happened, and Texas and now Oklahoma and we keep seeing these people stepping up to help and we think those people need to be celebrated.”

“We’ve toured so much throughout our career and have been blessed to be able to meet so many great people and fans out there,” added Eddie Montgomery. “Celebrating American Heroes is the least we can do to give back.”

To nominate your hero, simply submit a letter explaining why your hero should be recognized and post your entry via www.montgomerygentry.com/heroes and help Montgomery Gentry celebrate your American Heroes!

About Montgomery Gentry

Superstar duo, Montgomery Gentry, has met the criteria reserved for but a few in country music history. With millions of albums sold, countless sold-out shows and scores of awards, including an induction into the Grand Ole Opry, fourteen Top 10 hits, five No. 1s, (“Something To Be Proud Of,” “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” "Lucky Man,” “Back When I Knew It All” and “Roll With Me,”) Eddie and Troy continue to earn the admiration of their fans with their hard-hitting, honky-tonk brand of music. Signed with powerhouse independent label, Average Joes Entertainment, Montgomery Gentry's newest project is the EP, Friends and Family. www.montgomerygentry.com

LOCASH COWBOYS DEBUT ALBUM COMING JUNE 18

2013-05-24T05:54:00.000+02:00

LOCASH COWBOYS DEBUT ALBUM COMING JUNE 18

Nashville, TN, May 23, 2012....Powerhouse singer/songwriting duo, LoCash Cowboys, self-titled Average Joes Entertainment debut album, scheduled for release June 18, 2013, is a diverse collection of songs that captures the high-energy, roof-raising spirit of the group’s phenomenal live shows and delivers what fans have come to expect. Produced by Shannon “Fat Shan” Houchins, Noah Gordon and Jeffrey Steele, the album will be available everywhere music is sold.

Introducing the album, the lead single, “Chase a Little Love,” is “immensely and endearingly sincere…and the glistening production scores bonus points (Robert Oermann). View the “fast and furious” video for “Chase a Little Love” on CMT.com, CMT Pure, CMT Mobile, GAC and TCN. In addition, a live acoustic version of the song, shot in California in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains, is featured on Ram Country on Yahoo! Music’s “Music With a View.”

Talented songwriters as well as entertainers, LoCash’s Chris Lucas and Preston Brust co-wrote ten of the twelve tracks on the album. Gifted songwriter, Jeffrey Steele, also contributed his writing talents on six tracks on the project. One of the highlights of the album is "Independent Trucker," featuring the late George Jones. The up-tempo country joyride and tribute to the “Possum” was one of the last tracks Jones recorded.

Whether showcasing their light-hearted, fun-loving edge on the redneck anthem, “Hey, Hey, Hey,” “Little Miss Crazyhot,” “Bounce,” or their emotional side on, “I Hope,” “Best Seat in the House,” Chris’s tribute to his late father, and “Keep in Mind,” a parent’s loving farewell to a child venturing into the world, the offering proves to have something for every fan.

“Country music really boils down to the power of the song,” sums up the eloquent Preston Brust. “We wanted to broaden our listeners, to reach the older crowd, the younger crowd, and the middle crowd. And we really tried to pick songs that were the best songs we could find to define LoCash. Hopefully we achieve that in this album.”

“It’s true. We’ve captured everything LoCash is about on this album. It’s all killer, no filler,” adds Chris Lucas.

Track List:

1. Hey, Hey, Hey (Jeffrey Steele, Preston Burst, Chris Lucas)

2. Chase a Little Love (Preston Brust, Jaron Boyer)

3. Love Drunk (Preston Brust, Chris Lucas, Skip Black)

4. Best Seat in the House (Preston Brust, Chris Lucas, Aaron Barker)

5. Bounce (Preston Brust, Chris Lucas and C. Janson)

6. Make it Look Good (Preston Brust, Chris Lucas, C. Janson)

7. Little Miss Crazyhot (Preston Brust, Chris Lucas, Steve Dean, Wil Nance)

8. I Hope (Jeffrey Steele, Preston Brust, Chris Lucas)

9. Fine (Jeffrey Steele, Preston Brust, Chris Lucas)

10. Keep in Mind (Jeffrey Steele, Shane Minor)

11. Independent Trucker- Featuring George Jones (Jeffrey Steele, Chris Stapleton)

12. C.O.U.N.T.R.Y. (Jeffrey Steele, Preston Brust, Chris Lucas)

Upcoming Tour Dates:

05/24 Fort Walton Beach, FL

05/25 Monticello, MS

06/01 Eau Claire, WI

06/07 Ozark, AR

06/08 Lime Springs, IA

06/13 Hunter, NY

06/14 Marinette, WI

06/15 Karlstad, MN

06/16 St. Charles, IA

06/20 Grand Junction, CO

06/21 Omaha, NE

06/22 Hilliard, OH

06/29 Manhattan, KS

07/05 Greeley, CO

07/11 Tuolumne City, CA

07/14 Syracuse, NY

07/17 Eau Claire, WI

07/18 Eau Claire, WI

07/19 Grey Eagle, MN

07/20 West Branch, MI

07/21 Tooele, UT

07/24 Wichita, KS

07/25 Merriam, KS

07/26 Owensville, MO

07/27 Le Mars, IA

08/02 Roosevelt, UT

08/03 Akron, CO

08/06 Eminence, MO

08/07 Terre Haute, IN

08/09 Victoria, KS

08/10 Bevier, MO

08/17 Kokomo, IN

08/24 West Union, WV

08/30 Mt. Pleasant, IA

08/31 Owensboro, KY

09/01 Independence, MO

09/11 Ketchum, ID

09/12-14 Pendleton, OR

09/15 Hood River, OR

10/06 Newport News, VA

10/10 Shreveport, LA

10/19 Fort Yates, ND

Joanna Mosca at CMA Music Festival

2013-05-24T05:48:00.000+02:00

Country Newcomer Joanna Mosca Releases Engaging New Single

Poignant Ballad "I Guess That Says It All"
Written By Hitmakers Bryan White, Travis Thibodaux, Steve Williams

Mosca Makes CMA Music Festival Debut

Nashville, TN (May 23, 2013) -- Country newcomer Joanna Mosca's mesmerizing voice has been compared those of Reba McEntire and Stevie Nicks, but her vocals are distinctly her own on her newest single, "I Guess That Says It All." Released May 13 on CDX Vol. 570, the poignant ballad was written by hitmakers Bryan White, Travis Thibodaux and Steve Williams. Resonating with honest emotion and a wealth of heartache, the tune is sure to engage listeners who have lived these lines before.

"I guess you're leavin'
You walked out the door
The ring on the table
Broken pictures on the floor
You can't do this anymore
I guess that says it all"

"When Bryan first played me this song I found the lyrics were real, raw and heartfelt, and it made me cry," Joanna comments. "It's about a relationship that has ended, and there’s nothing you can do about it." The single is from Joanna's dynamic White-produced EP, LET IT ALL BEGIN, and fans can enjoy an acoustic video performance at http://youtu.be/11p-fYWIbas.

Mosca will make her CMA Music Festival debut with three performances at:
Wednesday, June 5 - between 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CMR Nashville’s 3^rd Annual International Show at Whiskey Bent Saloon

Thursday, June 6 - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. NCVB Stage (Bridgestone Glass Tower)

Sunday, June 9 - 2:30 - 2:50 p.m. CMA Chevrolet Roadhouse Stage
Fans can stop by and meet Joanna at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 at the CHEVY Booth in the Music City Center.

ABOUT JOANNA
Joanna's career began with the release of three consecutive Top Ten FMQB AC Radio Chart singles between 2006 and 2008. In 2010 she released her first full-length album, JOANNA MOSCA, which contained six original tunes. The album’s first single “Keep On Going” shot onto the Billboard Top 30 AC Chart, and earned her a spot on Music Connection magazine’s Top 100 Independent recording artists’ list. In 2012, Joanna was named “Who New To Watch,” in CMA’s Close Up Magazine. Mosca was born in Connecticut but currently resides in New York where she has studied acting at the prestigious HB Studio in NYC with teachers who included Uta Hagen and Sir Anthony Hopkins. She has starred in a series of three one-woman shows in New York City that reviewers praised.

Catch Joanna online at:
https://www.joannamosca.com
https://www.facebook.com/joannamoscamusic
https://twitter.com/joannamosca
http://www.myspace.com/joannamosca
http://www.numberonemusic.com/joannamosca/
http://www.reverbnation.com/joannamosca

THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND AT CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

2013-05-24T05:33:00.001+02:00

THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND SET FOR

CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL DEBUT

MTB to Perform Thursday, June 6 at 11:00 AM on

Transitions Performance Park Stage in Heart of Downtown Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 23, 2013) - For the first time in CMA Music Festival history, the legendary Marshall Tucker Band (MTB) will perform, bringing a taste of classic Southern Rock to Nashville, Tennessee's country music extravaganza.

The MTB will help kick-off the four-day event when they make their CMA Music Festival debut performing on the Transitions Performance Park Stage on Thursday, June 6 at 11:00 AM.

MTB lead singer and founding member Doug Gray notes, "We are so excited to have been invited to perform at country music's largest live music festival. We're looking forward to helping kick this thing off and rockin' CMA Fest 'Tucker-style.'"

Transitions Performance Park is located in the Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. The park is FREE and open to the public from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 6 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 9.

For more information about the 2013 CMA Music Festival, please visit CMAfest.com.

About The Marshall Tucker Band

Forty-one years ago, The Marshall Tucker Band was founded in Spartanburg, SC. Thanks to hits like “Can’t You See,” “Heard It In A Love Song” and “Fire On The Mountain,” the 5x Gold, 3x Platinum-selling southern rock group has sold more than 15 million albums to date. MTB songs have been featured in major motion picture films and television series including Blow, The Box, Swing Vote, Half Nelson, My Name Is Earl, Cold Case and Good Guys. CMT (Country Music Television) named the MTB’s “Can’t You See” the #4 Greatest Southern Rock Song . The MTB’s debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, reigns as Gibson Guitar’s #5 Greatest Southern Rock Album. Recently, UltimateClassicRock.com crowned the MTB's "Can't You See" the #1 Greatest Southern Rock song ever recorded.

For additional information on The Marshall Tucker Band, visit www.marshalltuckerband.com.

Hot Time, Summer in Music City Nashville

2013-05-24T05:26:00.001+02:00

Hot Time, Summer in Music City

An endless array of music, food, arts, family and outdoor activities

fill Nashville’s playlist this summer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville is ready for a hot time this summer and is putting together a soundtrack of everyone’s summer favorites for Music City visitors. Live music, unique festivals and events, culinary excursions, family fun and new exhibits all combined with summer sunshine and the great outdoors makes Nashville the perfect place to plan your summer getaway.

Two new exhibits bringing the heat to Nashville this summer are Cheekwood’s Light, an exhibition of 10 breathtaking outdoor and indoor lighting installations that will light up Nashville’s nights starting May 24^th, and the Frist Center’s Sensuous Steel, an exhibition of 21 luxurious automobiles and motorcycles from the 1930s and 40s revving up beginning on June 14^th.

Free Music

Nashville is best known for its great live music, and this summer’s lineup lives up to its Music City reputation. There’s country music’s biggest party, CMA Fest, a rocking July 4^th celebration with the Band Perry and the South’s largest fireworks show, stellar concerts and a myriad of free music festivals. The return of the popular Nashville Dancin’ offers free music downtown every Thursday night and Musicians Corner offers free music in Centennial Park every Saturday through June.

Eat It Up

Both local and national chefs will take center stage this summer as food and drink festivals are spread throughout the summer calendar including Taste of Music City, Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival, Music City BBQ Festival, Music City Eats and more. Get all that and more here: http://www.visitmusiccity.com/visitors/summerinthecity_foodevents

Also be sure to check out the summer dining essentials including best restaurant patios, best brunch spots, favorites for cool treats and more here: http://www.visitmusiccity.com/visitors/summerinthecity_dining

Nashville’s Gone to the Kids

Of course, summer is all about fun for the family, and Nashville has plenty of that. From waterslides at Nashville Shores and the new Kangaroo Kickabout exhibit at the Nashville Zoo to a night out at a Nashville Sounds baseball game, family friendly attractions, festivals, restaurants and outdoor activities will have your family singing a happy tune.

Festivals and Events

With more unique festivals and Music City events than you can count, here is a highlight of Nashville’s hot summer calendar.

Music Festivals and Events

· Bluegrass Nights at The Ryman - Thursday evenings, June – July

· Music City Roots - Wednesday nights

· Musician’s Corner – Saturdays, May 4-June 29

· Nashville Dancin’ – Thursdays, June 3-August 1

· CMT Music Awards - June 5

· CMA Music Festival - June 6-9

· July 4^th Let Freedom Sing! - July 3-5

· Live on the Green – Thursdays, August 8-September 12

· Americana Music Awards and Festival - September 18-22

Food & Drink Festivals

· Taste of Music City - June 22, 2013

· Music City Hot Chicken Festival - July 4, 2013

· Music City Brewer’s Festival - July 27, 2013

· Music City BBQ Festival - August 23-24, 2013

· Wine on the River - September 14 – 3-7 p.m.

· Music City Eats: Nashville Food, Wine & Spirits Festival - September 21-22, 2013

· Southern Ground Music & Food Festival - September 27-28, 2013

Arts Events

· First Saturday Art Crawl- the First Saturday of the month along 5^th Avenue of the Arts

· Cheekwood’s Light exhibit – May 24-November 10, 2013

· Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles exhibit at Frist Center for the Visual Arts - June 14-September 15, 2013

· Opera on the Mountain – June 15, 2013

· Nashville International Puppet Festival – June 21-23, 2013

· Tomato Arts Festival - August 10, 2013

· Shakespeare in the Park - August 15-September 15, 2013 on Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun evenings

For more information about what’s happening in Music City this summer, go to http://www.visitmusiccity.com/visitors/summerinthecity.

The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. www.visitmusiccity.com

MONROE CROSSING - The Road Has No End

2013-05-23T17:47:00.000+02:00

MONROE CROSSING

The Road Has No End

Cool Cool Ride - Chattanooga - Bullet Train - Hobos In The Roundhouse - Cicada - Rain Was Turning Into Snow - Foggy River - Heavenly Table - East To Get Lost - If The World Were Filled With You - Doing My Time - Bread & Milk - Last Letter Home - Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress

The single really great thing about Bluegrass music is the opportunity and open door policy of band members writing their own original songs. The second really great thing about acoustic Bluegrass music is that it is nationwide. Really super good Bluegrass bands are coming from everywhere, even Minnesota. Monroe Crossing did an absolutely superb job of doing exactly that. Bluegrass is also an extension of America's original country music, or mountain music, or just plain 'people' music, and there are some extraordinary groups performing this music today. Monroe Crossing is one of them. To be credited as a 'top' Bluegrass band today, and get the higher paying festival gigs, a Bluegrass band HAS to be tight. Monroe Crossing is one of them. To get a record review in Europe on a German country music Internet magazine means the group has to have international appeal. Monroe Crossing is one of them. This extremely 'tight' group is made up of Lisa Fuglie on fiddle, guitar, vocals, and some tremendously appealing original songs, no less than six with some of them co-written with Mark Anderson (bass, especially good on "Foggy River," snare, vocals). Listen to Lisa's roaring train-smashing lead on "Bullet Train." Derek Johnson (guitar & vocals) contributed two excellent songs, my favorite being "Easy To Get Lost" with the admonition that it's easy to get lost when you don't know where you are going. Sounds pretty much like what contemporary country music direction is today. Matt Thompson on a stunningly good Monroe style mandolin (yes both Monroe's), also contributed "Rain Was Turning Into Snow." The rest of the band is made up of David Robinson on banjo, resophonic guitar, harmonica (whaaaat, in bluegrass, and yes it's good), and vocals. I really liked his frailing style of banjo on "Cicada." Recorded at Wild Sound in Minneapolis, this excellent recording has been gone over with a fine toothbrush in the final mix. Nothing anywhere stands out as 'unwanted.' I especially enjoyed their rendition of "Doing My Time" which I had the extreme pleasure of playing with Jimmy Martin on my television show. Being an older reviewer I'm beginning to have a little trouble with extreme lows and extreme highs, which in my case would wish the vocals were just a bit higher above the instrumental mix, but that is very personal. It's no wonder that the Rural Roots Music Commission brought this CD to my attention for their 2013 "Contemporary Bluegrass CD of The Year" award. I hope that all works out for Monroe Crossing, they are definitely a Bluegrass band on a road that has no end.

Bob Everhart, Reviewer, www.ntcma.net

1 MORE ROAD - Be Assured

2013-05-23T17:43:00.003+02:00

1 MORE ROAD

Be Assured

Be Assured - Live Beyond The Grave - Trade The Old Cross For A Crown - Will You Meet Me Over There - Old Rugged Cross - Cryin' In The Rain - Sweet By And By - I Know Who Holds Tomorrow - Rocky Top - Feelin' Fine - Orphan Boy - Three Men On A Mountain

1 More Road is made up of a mother, father, and five children. Steve & Cathy Young are mom and dad. Clint, Haley, Amanda, Faith, and Nathan are the children. They were known in the past as the 'Young Family Band' but now they are '1 More Road,' and that is very indicative of where they are headed with their music. Traveling from Oklahoma (where a tragic tornado recently struck), this family goes wherever their 1 more road takes them. Gospel oriented, they blend the musical sounds of bluegrass and traditional country to produce a most pleasant listening experience. The entire family has a passion for playing good old-time American style Gospel music, utilizing acoustic instruments undoubtedly interchanged among the players,. The line-up is impressive. Dad Steve plays bass; mom Cathy plays guitar and banjo; daughter Amanda plays Dobro and hammered dulcimer; son Clint plays guitar and emcees the shows; daughter Haley plays fiddle; daughter Faith plays mandolin and twin fiddle; and son Nathan plays banjo, bass, and guitar. All of this family sings, and I can just hear them practicing a new song as they roll down the road in their bus. Why? Because their harmony is so perfect. That's what makes 'family' bands so unique, so creative, so dynamic, and 1 More Road is one of those families. "Feelin' Fine" is a perfect example of this kind of perfect family harmony singing. This entire family sings, but not always together on the same song. This CD project, recorded at the Covenant Studios in Amarillo, Texas, is dedicated to grandparents Nana Jo and Papa Lyle, making this fine gospel group, '1 More Road' a truly 'family' experience. It's pretty easy to see why the Rural Roots Music Commission picked this CD for their 'Traditional Gospel CD of the Year' for the honors. We have our hopes up that they can be in LeMars to make the connection and accept. It'll just be another stop on one more road this fine group travel,s in the pursuit of sharing the teachings of Christ and the everlasting hope that all of us Christians have in meeting Him someday, to sing with Him, to share with Him, to become one with Him.

Reviewer: Bob Everhart www.ntcma.net

AGGIE - Country Gospel

2013-05-23T17:39:00.003+02:00

AGGIE

Country Gospel

I Saw The Light - Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine - Just A Closer Walk With Thee - Mama - I'll Fly Away - Old Rockin' Chair - The Scarlet Purple Robe - Tears Of Ste. Anne - Where The Roses Never Fade - Tramp On The Street - Will The Circle Be Unbroken - How Great Thou Art - One Day At A Time - Coat Of Many Colours - Amazing Grace - Too Old To Die Young - It Is No Secret - I Wouldn't Take A Million Dollars For A Single Maple Leaf - Why Me Lord - How Far Is Heaven

I sure don't know very much about Aggie, not even her last name. Michael T Wall sent this refreshing CD of old-time gospel music to me. Aggie lives in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, this much I know, and she has a very nice way of singing gospel music, this much I know. You can hear her Canadian accent on these old songs, and that makes them even more precious. She used some of the musicians Michael uses. Aggie done all the vocals, quite nicely I might add, as well as playing keyboards. Larris Benoit is on lead, bass, and rhythm guitar, so there is some over dubbing involved on this project. The final mix did justice to it all however. Garry Gale played squeeze box accordion for Aggie as well as for Michael. Roddie Lee is on drums. This for me lends authenticity and some very real uniqueness to any kind of recording project like this. We hear some of those old standards done many different ways here in the upper Midwest of America, but never done so characteristically unique as done by Aggie. I think it must be her 'accent' that makes her voice stand out so nicely, so uniquely. I think my favorite one here is "Amazing Grace." The story about John Newton who wrote it, takes me directly to the button accordion who opens the song for Aggie, and takes her through it sounding eerily sometimes like soft bagpipes which was the original choice of instrument for Newton. Twenty great old time gospel songs makes for a long time in the studio, but Mike, engineering at the Ruminal Studio in Mississauga did a masterful job. It isn't very often I get to review a CD like this, mostly because modern country music has strayed so far from what the 'genre' really is, or was. Aggie brings that original country music sound back, loud and clear. I sometimes hear Grand Ole Opry voices in her voice, you know like Jean Sheppard and Kitty Wells. The Rural Roots Music Commission who forwarded this to me along with Michael T Wall's magnificent double-CD set are making decisions. I believe they are going to place their "Old Time Country Gospel CD of the Year" on Aggie. Good luck Aggie in all that you do, and please continue making good old-time country music.

Reviewer - Bob Everhart - www.ntcma.net

MICHAEL T. WALL - From Newfoundland To Australia

2013-05-23T17:30:00.000+02:00

MICHAEL T. WALL

From Newfoundland To Australia

From Newfoundland To Australia - Island of Newfoundland - When The Plane Touches Down In Deer Lake - I've Been Here And There - Sally's Harbour - I Wouldn't Take A Million Dollars For A Single Maple Leaf - Hillbilly Newfie - No Price Tag On The Doors In Newfoundland - Island By The Sea - Newfoundland Waltz - Newfoundland That's What You Mean To Me - Daddy's Girl - We're Still Daddy's Girls - The Newfie Sheik - The Mighty Vikings Came To Newfoundland - Lady Of The Forest - Memories Of The Newfie Bullet - Did She Mention My Name - The Recycling Song - The Singing Newfoundlander - Sinking Of The Titanic - Back In '56 - Big Old Newfie Dog - Sweet Nellie - Ballad Of Walter Pigeon

This CD project is actually two CD's from the prolific Michael T. Wall, perhaps the best promoter Newfoundland has ever had. This project is so massive I don't have time to listen to both CD's, the first one being about Newfoundland, the second one about Australia. Michael writes about all of his experiences, this one to Australia is without a doubt his most sincere, and certainly his most rewarding. So, expect to hear a lot about his Australia travels in his self-penned songs. BUT, expect some remarkably good Gordon Lightfoot and Pops Stoneman too. This project is indeed massive. The insert 'limited edition' is in itself massive. It's so large you can hardly get it out of the CD cover. It's really a rather nice 'history' of Michael T. Wall, a priceless collection of photos, letters, and highlights of this remarkable man's musical career. Through it all he never wavered from his 'country music' sound. He has drifted occasionally into 'folk' music, but all for the better. He has 'never' wavered into what we now call contemporary country which has lost is way totally. Not so for Michael T. Wall, he continues on his road of 'real' country music, from Newfoundland to Australia and back. In all those photos and letters he included in this project you will even find myself and Michael in a photo taken in front of the Pioneer Music Museum in Anita, Iowa, where Michael is the first Newfoundlander inducted into America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame. And, that's what this CD is all about, old-time country music at its best. Gary Gale and Angus Kavanaugh both play button accordion giving the entire project a very nice and easy to listen to Newfoundland flavor. There's also a lot of steel, Dobro, Lapp guitar, fiddle, harmonica (sometimes called mouth organ) and even harps. Yes 'real' harps. So, you can see this is a gargantuan undertaking. All of the songs Michael wrote and sings are true reflections of his life, his life-style, and certainly his life-time. His voice is a good as ever, maybe more poignant and sincere. Erinwood Studios get credit for undertaking the undertaking of recording, mastering and re-mastering, and final mix. Lovely job done all the way through. It will take me a couple of days to listen to each and every song on both of these incredible CD's. If you like unique, if you like creative, if you like 'real' country music, both of these CD's are for you. I already have some favorites, but more than anything I would like my own road to somehow make the trip to Newfoundland and join Michael T. Wall in a round of music playing and tasting and sharing the friendship of this wonderful spot on planet earth, where 'real' people and friends still exist. I'm not sure what the Rural Roots Music Commission here in Iowa are planning, after listening to this incredibly huge project by Michael T. Wall, but it sounds like this collection of music might very well get their "International Ambassador of Music CD of the Year" award, which would be a 'first-time' experience.

Reviewer - Bob Everhart - www.ntcma.net

COUNTRY’S NIGHT TO ROCK,” AIRING MONDAY AUG. 12

2013-05-23T17:14:00.000+02:00

REIGNING CMA VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR LITTLE BIG TOWN TO HOST SUMMER’S HOTTEST CONCERT EVENT, “CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL: COUNTRY’S NIGHT TO ROCK,” AIRING MONDAY AUG. 12 ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

NASHVILLE – Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town will host the summer’s hottest television music event when the ABC Television Network airs “CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" on Monday, Aug. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET).
"It's an incredible honor to be hosting this year's CMA Fest,” said Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. “We could not be more excited about the party that's going to break out at LP Field every night!"
Little Big Town members Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook first entered the music scene more than 13 years ago with hits such as “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone,” and the Grammy-nominated single “Little White Church.” The quartet’s fifth studio album Tornado was released on Sept. 11, 2012 and debuted at the top of the Billboard Country Chart where it stayed in the No. 1 position for five consecutive weeks. The album, which is certified Gold, was produced by Jay Joyce and includes the double-Platinum-selling, No. 1 hit single “Pontoon” and the follow up single and title track “Tornado,” which also reached No. 1. Their current single, the emotionally-charged "Your Side of the Bed," is at radio now and quickly climbing the charts.
Collectively, the group has earned more than 25 award nominations and has taken home the trophies for CMA Single of the Year (“Pontoon”) and CMA Vocal Group of the Year, and a Grammy Award for Best Country Group/Duo Performance (“Pontoon”). The foursome has played in front of more than four million people to-date and recently wrapped “The Tornado Tour,” their sold-out headlining tour across the U.S. and Canada. They will join Keith Urban on tour later this summer.
Filmed during CMA Music Festival Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, the special features many of today's most exciting Country Music stars as they hit the stage during the four-day party and celebration of America’s music. The annual event is unlike any other, with autograph signings in the new Fan Fair X, live music on 11 stages, more than 450 artists and celebrities, and a guest list of 71,000 avid singing-and-dancing-till-dawn fans.
The special first aired in 2004 and is marking its 10^th anniversary in 2013. This is the ninth time ABC will broadcast the special – which invites the whole country to America's largest Country Music celebration. Artists appearing in the television special have not yet been announced. The special will air on ABC through 2021.
Artists performing as part of the sold-out Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2013 CMA Music Festival include Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Kip Moore, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band. Several legacy acts are performing, too, including Lee Greenwood, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Randy Travis. Brett Eldredge; Gloriana; Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis; and The Oak Ridge Boys are scheduled to perform the national anthem.
Fans can stay in the loop by visiting CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, where they can sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news. Fans can also connect with CMA at Facebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic, Pinterest.com/CMAworld, and Instagram.com/CMA_Country_Music_Association.
CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet™ is the Official Ride of Country Music. Bud Light is the Official Beer of the CMA Music Festival. Pepsi is the Official Soft Drink of the CMA Music Festival. Transitions® Adaptive Lenses: the Official Eyewear of the CMA Music Festival. American Airlines is the Official Airline of CMA Music Festival. Bad Boy Buggies are the Official UTV of the CMA Music Festival.

Aaron Lewis Set to Make Opry Debut Tuesday May 28

2013-05-23T17:07:00.002+02:00

Aaron Lewis Set to Make Opry Debut Tuesday May 28, 2013

New single, “Granddaddy’s Gun,” set to launch

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 23, 2013) – Hit singer/songwriter Aaron Lewis will make his debut on the historic Grand Ole Opry Tuesday May 28, 2013 along with a star-studded lineup that includes Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Josh Turner, Dustin Lynch, Craig Campbell and Sam Palladio (from the ABC hit show “Nashville”) among others. The show starts at 7:00 pm. Tickets range from $35 to $57 and can be purchased at www.opry.com or by phone at 1-800-SEE-OPRY.

“Getting to play the Grand Ole Opry is such an incredible honor,” says Lewis. “It’s a dream come true to think that I’ll get to stand in that same iconic circle where music royalty has stood.”

Aaron’s new single “Granddaddy’s Gun,” from of his critically-acclaimed album The Road, ships to country radio next week. The powerful song focuses on the nostalgic experience of passing down a family heirloom. The song, written by Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Bobby Pinson is a perfect reflection of Lewis’ own childhood and deep country roots.

“‘Granddaddy’s Gun' is the only song on the album that I didn’t write,” Lewis notes. “In fact, it’s the only song I’ve ever recorded that I didn’t write. But the minute Rhett played it for me, it took me right back to my childhood. It’s my story. It’s a song I could have written.”

About Aaron Lewis:
Aaron Lewis’s 2011 debut solo release, Town Line, shot to #1 on Billboard’s Country Album Chart. His first solo single, “Country Boy” was certified Gold, earning him multiple CMA, ACM and CMT Music Award nominations; the video has been streamed over 15 million times to date. Lewis is currently the headlining act on the Jagermeister Country Tour– performing songs from his current album, The Road, a project released by Blaster Records via Warner Music Nashville. As the front man for the multi-Platinum selling band Staind, Lewis is the songwriter and voice behind the most-played rock song of the past decade, “It’s Been Awhile,” in addition to three #1 hits and eight Top Ten singles.

For up-to-date information on Aaron Lewis, visit www.aaronlewismusic.com.

Why to pay for Music?

2013-05-23T17:02:00.005+02:00

This is Vic Lawson and something came to my attention a couple of days ago. A person was very adamant that music should be free. This person felt that no one should get paid for a mere 3 or 4 minutes of work. He said that if we love playing music so much, we should just do it and not worry about getting paid. The problem I have with this goes a lot deeper than his shallow opinion. Sure the end product may only be 3 or 4 minutes long, but it certainly takes a lot more than 3 or 4 minutes to create that product. First off, somebody has to write that song. Joe Melson comes by from time to time and he said that it took him and co-writer Roy Orbison about a year to write, polish and hone Blue Bayou into the hit song that it became. The person assuming that it only takes a few minutes to come up with the words and music for a hit song has no grasp of the reality of the situation. It also takes way more than 3 or 4 minutes to record a hit song. It takes a well-equipped studio and experienced and talented people to setup and operate the equipment to get the best possible sound on tape, or hard drive as it is today. Youre talking producers, engineers and musicians who earn their stripes through many years of striving to be the best they can be. It is sad that the average listener has little ability to distinguish any difference between hackers and seasoned players. They dont realize how many hours of practicing every day and how many years it takes to become proficient enough to make it look as easy as we make it look. That results in opinions like the guy mentioned in the beginning has. They think anyone can learn a half dozen chords on a guitar and go out and be phenomenal. If its so much fun and so easy, you shouldnt get paid for it. Or should you? Let me make a comparison. Anyone with a reasonable amount of intelligence, diligence and motivation, can learn to be a lawyer or doctor, but when it comes to being a musician, it takes more than intelligence, diligence and motivation. It takes talent. This secret, missing ingredient makes a world of difference because not everyone can learn to play with soul and passion which in my opinion is what separates the great players from the not so great. Everybody needs to eat and everybody should be compensated for the work they do, even if it is fun. I think the guy above is motivated more by a desire to justify downloading music without paying for it than he is by any philosophical belief. I wonder how hed justify going into a grocery store and wheeling a cart full of groceries out without paying for it? For the guy who wants music for free, maybe he should listen to music made by musicians playing for free and see what he thinks of that. Go out on the back porch and listen to Uncle Hershel play his banjo. Id like to see how much of that he could take. The point is, if you want great music, its going to cost because good equipment, lessons and whatever else you need to get to a professional level dont come cheap. If you want free music, then be happy with what you get. How would you guys handle this? What would you say to someone who thinks he should get paid for the work he does but considers the work you do worth nothing?

Country Music News International May 23. 2013

2013-05-23T06:45:00.001+02:00

You can publish the Newsletter to your websites or forward to your friends. If you want to publish some of the interviews, please contact me.

Country Muisc News:

Interview with Joe Pickering, Jr. http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/interview-with-joe-pickering-jr.html

2013 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FILLED WITH FREE LIVE MUSIC http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/2013-cma-music-festival-filled-with.html

THE BAND PERRY TELEVISION APPEARANCES http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/the-band-perry-television-appearances.html

TRACE ADKINS KISS YOU ALL OVER http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/trace-adkins-kiss-you-all-over.html

George Strait with next Number 1 http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/george-strait-with-next-number-1.html

Darling Parade Artist of the Year http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/darling-parade-artist-of-year.html

TIM McGRAW OFFERS LIVE TRACKS TO FANS http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/tim-mcgraw-offers-live-tracks-to-fans.html

New Album by Mike Scott & Friends http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/new-album-by-mike-scott-friends.html

Musik News Allgemein:

Information for all new Newsletter readers:

Advertise at Country Music News International http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/03/advertise-at-country-music-news.html

Country Music News International has a high ranking at Google.de http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2013/05/country-music-news-international-has.html

Autographed Photos by your favorite Country Star for sale to support HelpCharity http://www.countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2012/10/autographed-photos-by-your-favorite.html

We need You! Wir brauchen Euch! http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.de/2012/12/we-need-you-wir-brauchen-euch.html

Looking for Writers http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.com/2011/08/were-looking-for-writers.html

Nashville Music Guide honors Christian Lamitschka http://countrymusicnewsinternational.blogspot.com/2012/02/nashville-music-guide-honors-christian.html

Subscribe & Like Country Music News International on:

http://www.Facebook.com/Christian.Lamitschka

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Warm regards

Viele Grüße

Christian

Country Music News International

Editor / Publisher

Christian Lamitschka

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Interview with Joe Pickering, Jr.

2013-05-23T06:28:00.003+02:00

An interview with Joe Pickering, Jr., Songwriter and Music Publisher, by Christian Lamitschka, Country Music News International.

Lamitschka:

There's a classic country song by Roger Miller called: "King of the Road". His destination was Bangor, Maine. Tell us about Bangor, Maine. Isn't it far from Nashville and the music scene?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

Bangor is over 1,300 hundred miles from Nashville. Not as far as Europe, but a big distance. Still Bangor and Maine is a hot bed of Country and all kinds of music. Bangor and the State of Maine attract many people as it is a beautiful recreation area. As you point out, the King of the Road depicted in Roger Miller's wonderful song made its destination in Bangor, Maine! A couple of years ago a German tourist thinking he was going to Las Vegas ended up in Bangor, loved it, and stayed two weeks! He may like it more because now there is a casino! Although Bangor is a small city it has an international airport with the longest airport runway on the East Coast. Many Country, Pop, Folk and major Rock stars play in Bangor. At the Bangor Auditorium I've seen Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, Rebe MacEntre, the Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, and so many more. Kenny Rogers once played on a round revolving stage in the old Bangor Auditorium. It was raining hard and the roof leaked and Kenny danced and sang with an umbrella! What a trooper! Note: Bangor in October will open a brand new larger Auditorium which should attract more major Country and other music stars. There is also a famous water front music series which attracts major acts like Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Charie Daniels, Jason Aldean Sting, Phish and an equally famous international Folk Festival. Both draw tens of thousands of fans. The Country stars can be accessible in Bangor. I pitched one of my songs to the Oak Ridge Boys and personally met Ricky Skaggs just a few days after he won Country Singer of the Year. So the big stars do come, but is it easy being in Bangor or in Germany or other places far from Nashville? Of course not but, it isn't easy in Nashville either! Just before Ricky Skaggs shook my hand and spoke a few words someone approached him to give him some songs. Ricky politely declined by raising his hands up saying, ”I've got 5,000 of those in Nashville". If you're not a singer but do write songs the odds are difficult. They are even more so when you are primarily a lyric writer and you need to practice what I call the UP principle which is U..nrelenting P..ersistence. Passion and persistence is not enough, you have got to have a plan which starts with the song! Some thoughts below.

First, you need to learn how to write about the various structures of songs such as verse/chorus which is the most common song form.

Second, if you are a lyric writer pair up with someone skilled who writes melodies for your lyrics. Make sure that the song penetrates the heart of people. I have had more than 8 singers doing creative work on what is called a Work for Hire Basis. Simply put I pay them for their creative work and then I own the total rights to the song. Some of the singers have been on TV shows such as Laugh in, Movies, have 3 platinum records and two gold singles have been and members of the Grand Old Opry. I have two music publishing companies King of the Road Music which is affiliated with BMI (Broadcast Music Institute) and Paul Bunyan Music affiliated with ASCAP. I own the music publishing on nearly all of the songs I have written. I then put them out on single CD's through CD Baby which has affiliations with most of the major digital download companies such as Apple I Tunes, Amazon, Napster, Spotify and also physical CD's which I sell through CD Baby and Amazon.

Lamitschka:

Why did you make your destination Bangor, Maine? Why are you there?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

My family and I moved to Bangor from Bellevue, Washington, some 3,000 miles away back in 1978. I become the Executive Director of Community Health and Counseling Services (CHCS), a large home health and mental health organization serving over 8,000 children and adults yearly through much of Maine. I did it for more than thirty years but still managed to write songs and develop my music career.

Lamitschka:

It's tough enough being a singer/songwriter, you are a lyric writer only and living in Bangor . How difficult is that and why do you write?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

Like so many others who write, the impulse to create is within all of us and it comes out differently with each one of us. Anyone who has a deep desire to write will do it regardless of whether fame knocks on their door or not. Anything worthwhile takes time and effort. You probably just described tens of thousands of your magazine readers who do not sing or are lyric writers only, but have deep within them a urge to create in words a story or a moment in time that brings us all together. I have been writing song lyrics for decades. All of us store up memories that sustain us in life. So I try to write song lyrics that penetrate the heart. Meaningful songs make us think. They make us feel. They make us be. By capturing these memories in song we are all brought together. I have written on many topics about Sports Heroes: baseball, football, and rodeo. Heroes too who have fought in wars or faced discrimination, war and peace, patriotism, personal tragedy, gospel, love, romance, loneliness and redemption, comedy fantasy and so many other subjects.

Finally, we all can't live in Nashville, but that should not stop any of us. It certainly hasn't stopped you from all your successful efforts in the music business nor should it stop anyone.

Lamitschka:

Tell me about some of your success in the music business.

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

Songs of mine have been in an Emmy award winning HBO film narrated by Ben Affleck, played on national and international networks both radio and television. Four of the CD's are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Sound Library.

”The Ballad of Paul Bunyan" was named the Comedy Song of the Year by the Country Music Association of America in Las Vegas. This song is also the official song of the Bangor Chamber Region of Commerce. (Paul Bunyan, the mystical American folk hero, was born in Bangor). Bangor has a giant statue of him in which Paul stands 37 feet high including the pedestal.

The “bible” of the Music Industry, The Green Book of Songs by Subject (www.greenbookofsongs.com), is a resource book which has more than 116,000 songs and album track listings recorded during the past 100 years. Only a small percentage of the songs in their database are ever featured in their Lists of the Week . I am honored by their featuring six of my songs.

This is very rare but I have had one song lyric reprinted in the U.S. Congressional Record about the life of Harry Agganis, “the Golden Greek”, one of America's greatest all around athletes.

Two of my funny songs have played on the Doctor Demento show when at the height of its nationwide popularity. One of them was co-written with the late great songwriter Paul Hotchkiss who wrote a number of songs for Mickey Gilley. The song was a response Christmas song called "Reindeer Don't Run Over Grandmas!" I hope someone out there will cover this song! I bet there has to be a singer from Texas with a funny bone who will cover my co-written song with Joe Terry called "Santa, You're Just An Old Texas Cowboy!"

All of my single song albums and major albums are on major digital download companies such as Apple I Tunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Napster. CD Baby and Amazon sell my physical CD songs. My songs are available world-wide through these companies. Today more sales come from digital downloads then CD sales, so it is important for those in the music industry to adjust to that growing reality and take advantage of it!

I do have my own website www.kingoftheroadmusic.com and have gotten as many as 363,000 hits a year. Many come from Europe ,with Germany, France, and the Netherlands having the largest number of visitors. As I mentioned, I have two music publishing companies, King of the Road Music affiliated with BMI, and Paul Bunyan Music affiliated with ASCAP. Whenever possible if you can own your own publishing it can be helpful in negotiating for opportunities.

I am also affiliated with Music Supervisor located in Los Angeles which works to get songs into films. Through CD Baby I am affiliated with Rumblefish, the world's largest synchronization license company in film, TV and in other venues.

In addition, TouchTunes, the world's largest downloading pay-per-play jukebox network, also has my songs in their catalog. I appreciate all these business relationships. Reaching out to make people/music connections is vital.

Many other websites carry stories about my songs or interview me. This is an excellent way to help promote one's songs. I've also been interviewed on many TV/radio stations from many states. I really appreciate the opportunity to interview at Country Music International News.

Regarding your readers who are songwriters, I hope they try to be as creative as possible in giving exposure to their various songs. The internet is a vital present and future resource to showcase your songs. Your songs are your “creative imaginary children”, so give them the best chance that you can for them to succeed in the music world. If they do, you will too.

Lamitschka:

You have titled your main CD's after sports and baseball. Why? Many of your songs aren't about sports.

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

Christian, there are multiple millions of songwriters out there writing a billion love songs. That's like a competition between one drop in the ocean and the rest! I try to separate myself by creating a relatively unique niche. There are many sports fans out there, so I put one focus on sports. Also, many people are interested in hearing stories about life, so I often use a sports background to tell a story about life. Furthermore when I put out a main CD I add many “bonus songs” with the hope that the listeners will come to love these songs that aren't about sports.

Lamitschka:

What's your latest CD?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

My latest CD is "Baseball Songs Sports Heroes 4" which is out right now! I've used Disc Makers to manufacture the physical CD, and the digital downloads are through CD Baby and their affiliates like Apple I Tunes, Napster, Amazon, etc. There are 20 songs in all. Many are written within the background of the beautiful game of baseball, but go well beyond any sport. Some songs on this newest CD I hope will more than touch hearts. Some I hope will bring smiles, laughter, or tears. All of them are about life.

One song asks Willie Mays, the Hall of Fame baseball player, to come back and play and catch and return to yesterday (when we were young). Another song refers to Hall of Fame Pitcher, Bob Feller, who says of those who have died in war, "Heroes Don't Come Back!". Then there is romance in "That Seventh Inning Stretch" at Fenway Park, to the sadness of suicide and the war machine. There are more tales of love of life songs and funny tales of Santa Claus. Many of these songs will make you feel, think, and pause. I love writing songs that inspire or contribute to life.

Lamitschka:

What impact do you think your songs have had Joe?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

Lots of people have written, phoned, or emailed me about my songs. Over the decades I've received many letters and quotes on my songs.

Former President George H.W. Bush wrote saying the Bushes thoroughly enjoyed my Cowboy Santa songs, apparently, referring to my co-written song with Joe Terry, "Santa, You're Just An Old Texas Cowboy".

Mr. Marty Markowitz, President of the Brooklyn City Council, loved my songs about Ebbets Field, Gil Hodges, and Howlin Hilda. Mrs. Joan Hodges called to express her deep appreciation about my song about her husband.

Mr. Eddie and Ann Marie Feigner, of the world famous King of his Court, a four man softball team seen by millions all over the world, wrote and spoke several times to say they loved my songs about them.

U.S. Senator Susan Collins humorously wrote on a photo, “I'm humming your songs in the Halls of Congress.” I haven't seen or heard her “humming” yet but I hope she will one day!

Many members of the Agganis family have spoken and written about my song and how it touched them. The late great John Buck O'Neil praised my songs about the early black baseball players and the discrimination they fought against. Ed Rice, the author of the book about the great Louis Sockalexis, admired my song about him.

Major and award winning sports writers, such as the late great Maury Allan, gave great quotes on my songs about Ebbets Field and Gil Hodges. Nick Tsiotis, author of his great heart-felt book about The Golden Greek, and Jerrold Casway, author of his excellent book "Ed Delahanty in the Emerald Age of Baseball" admired my songs about each of those two great Athletes.

My song lyrics have been reprinted in several of Harvey Frommer's Sports Book, and the Toronto Star and other publications, including several articles by Juliana L'Heureux in the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Even Mr. Francois Gauthier, the former Consul General of France in Boston, wrote in a letter to me, “Listening to "If This Rifle Could Talk" song is a moving experience and your song a beautiful tribute to those who liberated my country from tyranny. France will never forget the sacrifices of those American heroes.” I was deeply touched by Mr. Gauthier’s remarks.

The quotes are too many to mention here, but one will suffice.

Sean Holtz of Baseball Almanac (http://www.baseball-almanac.com/), whose comprehensive baseball history site receives more than 40 million hits per month said:

“Honestly Joe, you are to baseball music, what Elvis Presley was to rock and roll. A true pioneer in a field full of controversy staying miles above the rest and creating a path all your own – a path many will try to follow and few will even come close.”

Lamitschka:

What has been your biggest failure in the music business?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

The one that got away!! Andy Wilson and I, a friend and co-writer and publisher of Nashville Sound Publishing, had a song called "Fallin' Out of Love (Can break your heart.)" It was a beautiful song and we had a song hold on it by the Garth Brooks office, but, alas Garth didn't select it!

Lamitschka:

What is your biggest music success?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

By far my biggest music success is the music my wife has made in my life since 1965. I wrote a romantic song about her called "That Seventh Inning Stretch" which is on my newest album.

Lamitschka:

What is your most imaginative and whimsical song?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

It's a tie! One is the song "Ben the Bull" a whimsical piece about rodeo bulls standing up (or rather, sitting down) for their rights. It strikes my funny bone! The other is "The Cowboy With A Hundred Gallon Hat". There is a mystique about the cowboy. I remember when I was in France visiting John and Denise Simonot and their children Annick and Genevive. They asked me to make a lasso for them. After all I was an American and didn't every American know how to do a lasso? When I told them I couldn't make a lasso, disappointment spread rapidly over their their little faces. That image of two disappointed little girls has stuck in my memory. Many years later I did write this wonderful zany tale about a Cowboy with a Hundred Gallon Hat who does far more than tie a lasso. This Cowboy does the impossible!!! Both Annick and Genevive are grown up now, but wherever you are in Europe this song is for you! May the song "The Cowboy With A Hundred Gallon Hat" make you smile like the two pretty little girls you were!!

Lamitschka:

Since you write many songs on many topics, are you open to co-writing with others?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

I am always open to new opportunities.

Lamitschka:

What would you like to say to all those country singers in Nashville, Texas and beyond?

Joe Pickering, Jr.:

Be open to all those songwriters out there. Don't be quick to close the door. That songwriter could walk in or send you an email and open a world of opportunity for you. Country music and all music is changing rapidly. The world is opening up to all kinds of music created by many people. Doing the same old, same old ...will take a toll! (of your career!)

Second, hope you all will consider singing/covering some of my great songs. I have many rodeo, love, country story songs, comedy, Christmas, sports songs etc. A couple of examples are: "A Home Full of Memories", a song about breakup, gathering strength from what was, and redemption. All the songs are on the CD "Sports Songs and Beyond" as bonus songs (partial song lyric below).

"A HOME FULL OF MEMORIES"

THE MOVERS ARE COMING THIS SATURDAY

TO TAKE ALL OUR FURNITURE AWAY

BUT THEY CAN’T MOVE WHAT THEY CAN’T SEE

NO MOVER CAN MOVE MY MEMORIES

HERE’S OLD LETTERS THAT PLEDGE LOVE ETERNALLY

HOW SHORT THE TIME ETERNITY CAN BE

WAS IT ALL THOSE ROSES I NEVER SENT

OR LATER ALL THOSE KISSES WE ONLY HALF MEANT?

CHORUS

I’M SITTING HERE ALONE IN THE FIRELIGHT

RELIVING MY MEMORIES TONIGHT

SOME HEAVY AS HEARTACHE, SOME LAUGHTER LIGHT

SOME WARM AS FIRE’S GLOW, SOME LIKE WINTERS’ NIGHT

BUT YOU CAN’T TAKE AWAY FROM ME A HOME FULL OF MEMORIES

Then there is the heart-warming Rodeo story. (Partial song lyric below.)

"RODEO CLOWN"

WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY MY DAD TOOK ME TO SEE

MY VERY FIRST RODEO IN ALL ITS PAGEANTRY

THERE WERE COWBOYS AND INDIANS, AND COWGIRLS TOO

WAVING FLAGS AND BANNERS ALL RED, WHITE, AND BLUE

CHORUS

HE’S A RODEO HERO THE RODEO CLOWN

HIS LIFE’S ON THE LINE WHEN THE COWBOY IS DOWN

THE RODEO CLOWN

THAT COWBOY’S IN TROUBLE BUT THE BULLS' CHARGE WILL FAIL

‘CAUSE THE RODEO CLOWN’S GRABBING ONTO HIS TAIL.

ARMED WITH BARRELS AND PLENTY OF GREASE PAINT

THE CHANCES HE TAKES MAKES A BRAVE MAN FAINT

I thought your readers might enjoy a few of the lines of "Santa's Red Long Johns" sung by the late Bob Stamper, a wonderful singer and friend. It is on my latest CD "Baseball Songs Sports Heroes 4" as a bonus song. Maybe a singer out there who has a sense of humor might want to cover it and defend and hail the value to Santa of his Red Long Johns!

It was first released by on King Records on Texas Greetings No 8. Compilation CD. Joe Pickering, Jr. is the song writer and he owns King of the Road Music, which has the music publishing and all other rights to this song. The song also played on the Doctor Demento show worldwide. The chorus and first verse will hopefully entice you to listen to this funny Christmas song. Just remember get BEHIND Santa's Red Long Johns he needs all the support we can all give him! (Partial song lyric below.)

"SANTA'S RED LONG JOHNS"

Chorus:
THERE ARE CHRISTMAS SONGS ABOUT CHRISTMAS SNOW
REINDEER, ELVES, AND EVEN MISTLETOE
WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE WRITE A SONG ABOUT ME?
I'M SANTA'S RED LONG JOHNS, I SERVE FAITHFULLY

WHO'S THE CLOSEST TO SANTA'S BIG HEART
WHEN DOWN THE CHIMNEY HE GOES WITH A START?
IT AIN'T THOSE REINDEER HIGH ON THE ROOF
ASK MRS. SANTA CLAUS, SHE'LL SHOW YOU PROOF

A Special Note about the late Bob Stamper. Bob was a dear friend to me and all who met him. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry widely respected for his voice and the quality he gave to his thousands of recordings for thousands of songwriters.

A great songwriter and friend, George LaFlame, and I wrote "Johnny Silver". (Partial song lyric below.)

"JOHNNY SILVER"

WRITTEN FROM SOMEWHERE HE DROPPED HER A LINE

JUST WHERE DOESN’T MATTER HE HAD SOMETHING ON HIS MIND

ANOTHER WOMAN’S IN HIS LIFE, THE ONE HE NEEDS SO MUCH

HE THOUGHT SHE SHOULD KNOW HE’S BEEN LOVIN’ LADY LUCK

HE SAID, DARLIN’ DON’T CRY JUST TRY TO UNDERSTAND

THERE’S NO WAY ON EARTH TO CHANGE A GAMBLIN’ MAN

GOD KNOWS SHE TRIED BUT THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH

BECAUSE HE LET HER DOWN AND TURNED TO LADY LUCK

CHORUS

JOHNNY SILVER IS HIS NAME KING OF THE GAMBLIN’ SCENE

HE NEVER CHASES WOMEN HE ONLY CHASES GREEN

A DECK OF CARDS, A ROLL OF DICE, HE’S GOOD AT ANY GAME

HE LOVES LADY LUCK JOHNNY SILVER IS HIS NAME

One final note: King of the Road Music is the music publisher on Those Old Forty Fives. Just wanted to introduce this song to the world via Country Music News International 1.

The song "Those Old 45's" is wonderfully sung by Jim Davis. He and George La Flamme are the co-songwriters of this Traditional Country tune which has echoes of Crossover Country and Country Pop. The instruments are varied and include Piano (Upright), Keyboard/Synthesizer, Drums, Saxophone, and Guitar (Electric). King of the Road Music is the music publisher of this song.
"Those Old 45's" song vibes are Heartfelt, Nostalgic, Heartwarming, Reminiscent, and Romantic. The main band track recorded & mixed at Dixiana Studio Nashville, Tenn. Vocals and some instrumentation and engineering and further mixing at Smoke House Studios Nashville, Tenn. Produced by Lonnie Ratliff Steel Guitar player Perley Curtis played and was in Loretta Lynn's Band. Jim Davis was once a backup singer for Country Music Star Connie Smith. Jim Davis and his wife Linda Davis also make up a duo called Hearts in Harmony.
Song lyric below:
"THOSE OLD 45's"

I WAS SURE FEELING LONELY ON ONE SATURDAY NIGHT;
SOFT RAIN WAS FALLING, AND THE SETTING WAS JUST RIGHT.
THOSE OLD SONGS WERE PLAYING FROM OUR RECORD ARCHIVES.
THEY BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF YOU DEAR
WHILE PLAYING THOSE OLD 45'S.
JUST LISTENING TO ELVIS AND THE KINGSTON TRIO
MADE ME THINK OF ALL THE GOOD TIMES DARLIN
WHEN OUR LOVE WAS REAL.
THOSE WORN OUT SCRATCHY RECORDS KEEP THESE MEMORIES ALIVE.
HOW WE LOVED DANCING AND ROMANCING TO THOSE OLD 45'S.
YOU LOVED MOST OF THE POP SONGS WHILE PURE COUNTRY WAS MINE.
WE BOTH HAD OUR FAVORITES WHEN YOU WERE MY VALENTINE.
YES, I WILL ALWAYS THINK OF YOU DEAR SEARCHING THROUGH OUR RECORD ARCHIVES.
WHAT A WONDERFUL PASTIME WE HAD DEAR, SPINNING THOSE OLD 45'S.

JUST LISTENING TO ELVIS AND THE KINGSTON TRIO
MADE ME THINK OF ALL THE GOOD TIMES DARLING WHEN OUR LOVE WAS REAL.
THOSE WORN-OUT SCRATCHY RECORDS KEEP THESE MEMORIES ALIVE.
HOW WE LOVED DANCING AND ROMANCING TO THOSE OLD 45'S.

Jim Davis Artist. Jim Davis and George La Flame co-writers and owners of the song. King of the Road Music, music publisher C 2007.

Thank you, Christian, for the opportunity to interview with your great Magazine!

Christian Lamitschka ( CountryMusicNewsInternational@googlemail.com )

www.CountryMusicNewsInternational.blogspot.com

2013 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FILLED WITH FREE LIVE MUSIC

2013-05-23T06:16:00.002+02:00

2013 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL FILLED WITH FREE LIVE MUSIC
Weeklong CMA Social Network Giveaways Provide Fans Chance to Win Tickets in Rows 1-5 to Sold-Out LP Field Nightly Concerts

NASHVILLE - The 2013 CMA Music Festival will take over downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, with six free stages in the outdoor footprint and countless activities.

Tickets for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field sold out a record-setting six weeks in advance of the 2013 Festival, but fans will still have innumerable opportunities to watch Country Music’s best and brightest perform at CMA Music Festival. Performance lineups for the previously announced Chevrolet Riverfront Stage and Bud Light Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza are available for fans to view at CMAfest.com, but those schedules merely scratch the surface of what fans can experience throughout the four-day Festival.

Downtown Nashville will be full of unique fan experiences, including free outdoor areas offering everything from autograph signings, meet-and-greets, cell phone charging stations, product demonstrations, auctions, giveaways, and more. All outdoor spaces are free and open to the public. These areas include:

Transitions Performance Park

New in 2013, Transitions® adaptive lenses – the Official Sponsor of Sightseeing™ – will host Transitions Performance Park where fans can get an enhanced view of the CMA Music Festival by checking out the sights atop Transitions' two-story viewing platform. Fans will be able to test the Transitions family of products, look through customized viewfinders, and star in their own professional photo shoot – complete with a set, crew, props, and a photographer.

In addition, Transitions Performance Park will be filled with other fun activities. Come relax in oversized eyewear cabanas providing protection from the sun and grab a variety of eye-healthy snacks, all while enjoying free concerts on the Transitions Performance Park Stage. The legendary Marshall Tucker Band will make their first-ever CMA Music Festival appearance and kick things off on Thursday, June 6 at 11:00 AM. Other artists participating in the daily concerts include (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change):

Thursday, June 6: Ash Bowers, Tim Dugger, Flynnville Train, Marshall Tucker Band, Old Dominion, Chad Warrix, Holly Williams, and Jon Wolfe

Friday, June 7: The Cleverlys, Due West, Clare Dunn, Hudson Moore, Danielle Peck, Julie Roberts, Gwen Sebastian, and Phoenix Stone

Saturday, June 8: Jeff Bates, The Cadillac Three, Cowboy Troy, Jaida Dreyer, Morgan Frazier, Old Southern Moonshine Revival, Frank Ortega, and The Stickers

Sunday, June 9: Blackjack Billy, The Brothers Road, Kristy Lee Cook, High Valley, Carly Pearce, Stephanie Quayle, Sweetwater Rain, and A Thousand Horses

Transitions Performance Park is located in the Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. The park is free and open to the public from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 6 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 9.

The Buckle

Covering three bustling blocks of Broadway, legions of ultimate fans know that The Buckle is where the excitement and thrills of CMA Music Festival come together.

The Buckle Stage will host a variety of free performances and activities beginning with concerts presented by ASCAP on Thursday, June 6 and Sunday, June 9 from 11:00 AM–4:30 PM. Performers include (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change):

Thursday, June 6: Brent Anderson, Brian Burke, Karli Chayne, Steven Clawson, Clare Dunn, Josh Grider, Curtis Grimes, Austin Jenckes, Cody Johnson, Michaelis, Dylan Scott, Madeleine Slate, Two Story Road, Allison Veltz, Zane Williams, and Trent Willmon

Sunday, June 9: Chris Cavanaugh, Corey Crowder, Kalisa Ewing, Victoria Ghost, Adam Hambrick, JT Harding, Kris Hitchcock, Camaron Ochs, Brent Rupard, SaraBeth Taite, and Hailey Whitters

On Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, the ABC Television Network returns to the CMA Music Festival with the ABC Summer Block Party. There will be special appearances by ABC fan favorites including Jason Thompson and Nancy Lee Grahn (“General Hospital”) and Chef Carla Hall (“The Chew”), musical performances, autograph signings, games, photos, free giveaways and much more! On Saturday, Nashville’s own Grilled Cheeserie Truck will be serving up free grilled cheese sandwiches inspired by ABC’s "The Chew.”

In addition to these special events, The Buckle will play host to wall-to-wall activities including The History Channel’s “Cross-Country Cookout” and appearances by the stars of the network's hit TV series "Swamp People" in both The History Channel and Gander Mountain booths. Fans can pinball between scrumptious free food samples, one-of-a-kind trip giveaways, killer karaoke, competitive games, and more from other exhibitors including AT&T U-verse, Bad Boy Buggies, BIC FlameDisc, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Carl Black Chevrolet, Cracker Barrel, Diet Mountain Dew, GAC, Jelly Belly, U.S. Marines, Martin Guitars, Transitions, and Wrangler.

The Buckle is located on Broadway from First to Fourth Avenues. The area is open to the public from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 6 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 9.

Fan Alley

If CMA Music Festival is the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience, then Fan Alley is where that experience gets cranked up to the maximum level!

Tucked into the area in front of the magical Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Fan Alley welcomes its namesake (the fans!) into a warm community where memories will be shared and friendships made.

The Chevrolet Roadhouse Stage in Fan Alley will feature daily concerts with two dozen of Country’s best rising talent from Noon–3:00 PM each day. Hit-maker Carolyn Dawn Johnson will kick off the performances with other additional performances from (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change):

Thursday, June 6: Kenny Foster, Friends of Lola, Johnson,Pete Kennedy, Lisa Matassa, and Sundy Best

Friday, June 7: Tyler Barham, Eric Lee Beddingfield, Weston Burt, Courtney Cole, Striking Matches, and Carrie Zaruba

Saturday, June 8: Dakota Bradley, Brianna De Alba, Lyndsey Highlander, Rachel Holder, Kingston, and Austin Webb

Sunday, June 9: Cerrito, Zach Lockwood, Joanna Mosca, Josh Mullins, and Pierce Avenue

Lipton Iced Tea will host a “tea” ball competition for prizes while offering up samples of the brand’s refreshing iced tea flavors. Fan Alley will also offer exciting experiences for fans over 21. Jack Daniel’s will offer free mobile distillery tours, trivia games, and opportunities to purchase merchandise. Team Cocktail will be serving up tasty cocktails, awesome apparel, artist autograph signings, and the opportunity to win a Caribbean cruise for two.

Fan Alley is located in front of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Fourth Avenue South. The area is open from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM Thursday, June 6 through Saturday, June 7 and from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on Sunday, June 9.

BMI Tailgate Party

Returning to the CMA Music Festival for a second year is the BMI Tailgate Party. Located right off the Cumberland River outside LP Field, the stage will feature a strong selection of BMI’s songwriters, artists, and DJ Du warming up the audience before they enter LP Field for the Nightly Concerts beginning at 4:30 PM.

Performers at the BMI Tailgate Party include (alphabetical order; artists and schedule subject to change):

Thursday, June 6: Joel Crouse, Joey Hyde, and Thomas Rhett

Friday, June 7: Lindsay Ell, David Fanning, and Josh Thompson

Saturday, June 8: Native Run, Jon Pardi, and Westbound Rangers

Sunday, June 9: Brazilbilly, Curious Band, and The Railers

Ninth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade and Eighth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party

Everything gets started with the Ninth Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade on Wednesday, June 5 at 11:00 AM. The parade will make its way down Broadway from Tenth to First Avenue with Country Music superstar Kix Brooks serving as Grand Marshal. In addition to numerous Country Music artists and other celebrities riding in a wide variety of Chevrolet vehicles, the parade will feature the Keep the Music Playing All Stars Marching Band, which is made up of high school musicians representing several Metro Nashville Public Schools, the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, balloons, and more.

Following the procession, the fun will kick into high gear with The Eighth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party. Fans can gather at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage for the kick off with The Henningsens followed by Brazilbilly, The Lacs, The Cadillac Three, and headliner Joe Diffie. Lyndsey Highlander will perform the national anthem.

CMA Social Media Ticket Giveaways

Despite tickets to the LP Field Nightly Concert series being sold out, fans can win their way into the best seats in the house for CMA Music Festival's star-studded showcases. Between Monday, May 27 and Friday, May 31, CMA will give away a pair of tickets each day across the organization’s social media channels starting with fifth row seats through Google+ on Monday; followed by fourth row tickets via Instagram Tuesday; third row seats via Pinterest Wednesday; second row seats Thursday via Twitter; and culminating with front-row seats Friday via Facebook. In addition, CMA will run a weeklong contest during the same window to give away 50 pairs of passes to the all-new AT&T® U-verse® Fan Fair X experience at Music City Center. Full details on how to enter can be found at Blog.CMAfest.com beginning Monday, May 27. And for access to CMA Music Festival details, news alerts and special promotions, fans should connect with CMA across all digital platforms.

With 11 total stages and many free lifestyle exhibits to explore throughout the Festival footprint in Nashville, CMA Music Festival is a fantastic, family-friendly entertainment value. It all officially kicks off Thursday, June 6 with "Lady A Day at FFX" featuring Lady Antebellum performing, signing autographs, and cutting the ribbon when Fan Fair X officially opens to fans. Fan Fair X is free to four-day ticket holders, but tickets to this exciting new attraction are available to fans for $10 a day or $25 for four days Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, with children 12 and younger admitted for free.

Daily and Four-Day tickets for AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X are available through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com, the CMA Music Festival Box Office by calling 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378), or onsite at the registration area of Fan Fair X (price includes handling fees).

Additionally, four-day tickets to the 2014 CMA Music Festival, held June 5-8, 2014, went on sale nationwide Monday, May 20, at Ticketmaster.com and 1-800-CMA-FEST. Fans will also be able to purchase 2014 CMA Music Festival tickets at this year’s event by visiting the . Following four years of consecutive LP Field sellouts, fans are encouraged to buy early for best-available seating. Visit CMAfest.com for details.

Fans can stay in the loop by visiting CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, where they can sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news. Fans can also connect with CMA at Facebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic, Pinterest.com/CMAworld, and Instagram.com/CMA_Country_Music_Association.

“If You See Something, Say Something” at CMA Music Festival

At CMA Music Festival, the safety of our attendees, artists, staff, and volunteers is of utmost importance. Therefore, CMA will be utilizing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something” program to raises public awareness of indicators of terrorism-related crime and the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper local law enforcement authorities.

All of those in attendance at CMA Music Festival are asked to be vigilant in reporting suspicious behavior and situations and are encouraged to text ALERT (space) and the LOCATION of the suspicious activity to 66937. There will also be a special Festival law enforcement phone number posted throughout the event area for attendees to call to report suspicious activity. See CMAfest.com for more information.

THE BAND PERRY TELEVISION APPEARANCES

2013-05-22T22:17:00.001+02:00

Photo Credit: Ben Krebs

FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE

THE BAND PERRY WRAPS UP WEEK OF COAST-TO-COAST NATIONAL TELEVISION APPEARANCES

Sibling Trio’s Trek Encompasses Major Events On ABC, CBS, FOX & NBC Networks

Nashville, TN (May 22, 2013) – Republic Nashville Superstar trio The Band Perry just wrapped a weeklong trek from coast-to-coast with national television appearances, which were broadcast across ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC networks.

The Band Perry kicked off the media blitz in Los Angeles at the season finale of FOX’s American Idol (Season 12) where Top 5 Finalist Janelle Arthur joined the trio for a show-stopping performance of “DONE.” The tune was co-written by Neil and Reid Perry – along with John Davidson and Jacob Bryant – and is on the cusp of Top 10 at Country radio.

Less than 12 hours later, the troupe landed on the East Coast to perform on Friday before a record-setting, sell-out crowd of 5,400 at Solomon, MD's Calvert Marine Museum and Saturday’s (5/18) Preakness in Baltimore. The event coincided with Armed Forces Day, giving The Band Perry a special opportunity to salute the military during NBC’s telecast of the race. Later Saturday night, The Band Perry headlined a show for nearly 15,000 fans at the Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Following the late-night concert, The Band Perry made their way across the US for the Billboard Music Awards (5/19), which aired live on ABC. During their high-energy performance of the Platinum-certified, multi-week #1 smash “Better Dig Two,” the trio executed a rousing drum line, which had the audience on the edge of their seats and online fans engaged as “The Band Perry” began trending on Twitter.

The Band Perry was also featured on CBS Sunday night during the ACM Presents: Tim McGraw Superstar Summer Night television special. TBP showcased another electrifying performance of “DONE.,” which was taped last month in front of a packed house at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Today, the band picked up a nomination for the 2013 Teen Choice Awards in the category of Choice Country Group. The awards will air on Sunday (August 11) on FOX. Fans can vote once daily here. The Band Perry also garnered a nomination for Group Video of the Year from the 2013 CMT Music Awards for their video for "Better Dig Two." Fans have the opportunity to vote through June 2 on CMT.com.

Later this month, they will hit the road as special guests on Rascal Flatts' LIVE & LOUD TOUR.

ABOUT THE BAND PERRY: Since releasing their self-titled debut album on Republic Nashville in 2010, The Band Perry has ascended to dizzying heights. Fronted by Kimberly Perry and rounded out by her younger brothers Neil and Reid, the band has notched a string of hit singles, including the quadruple-platinum “If I Die Young” (which climbed to #1 on Billboard’s Country and AC charts), the platinum “You Lie,” and the gold-certified Country #1 “All Your Life” as well as “Better Dig Two,” from their sophomore release PIONEER, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and #2 All Genre. The project, produced by Dann Huff, sold nearly 130,000 copies in the first week and has received acclaim from top critics across the country. They’ve also enjoyed sold-out headlining dates and a showering of honors, including multiple ACM, CMA, and CMT Music awards, as well as Teen Choice, AMA, ACA, and Billboard Music award nominations — all of which has cemented the sibling trio as one of the hottest acts in recent history. The Band Perry is currently the face of Outnumber Hunger, which is in its second year and helps secure meals for the 1 in 6 Americans who struggle with hunger.

For more on The Band Perry, visit thebandperry.com and "join the family" at thefansperry.com.

TRACE ADKINS KISS YOU ALL OVER

2013-05-22T21:29:00.001+02:00

"KISS YOU ALL OVER" ON NEW TRACE ADKINS PROJECT

And New Band Biography On The Shelves

NASHVILLE -- May 22, 2013 -- Trace Adkins enthusiasts will have one more reason to cherish his new Love Will album when they hear him chime in with the band Exile on the group’s 1978 classic, Kiss You All Over. There’s more lyrical testosterone in this 5-minute seduction smoothie than can be absorbed in a single listening. Adkins is such an Exile fan that he’s also included in Love Will the song “Come See Me,” which Exilers J. P. Pennington and Sonny Lemaire co-wrote with Kenny Beard.

Also new on the shelves is a band biography -- Life In Exile: A Journey Home. Penned by Eve Nicole Lemaire (daughter of Sonny Lemaire), the book covers the band's 50 years from an insider's perspective, and includes interviews with founding, past and current members of the band.

Now celebrating its 50^thyear of performing, Exile was recently inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of
Fame.

George Strait with next Number 1

2013-05-22T21:21:00.001+02:00

GEORGE STRAIT’S LOVE IS EVERYTHING DEBUTS AT NO. 1

ON BILLBOARD COUNTRY ALBUMS CHART

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- (Wednesday, May 22, 2013) – Love Is Everything, the new album from MCA Nashville recording artist George Strait, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart this week, selling 119,843 units in its first week. That also earned Strait the No. 2 position on the Billboard Top 200. The album contains the hit single “Give It All We Got Tonight,” which Mediabase named as the most played song on country radio this week, earning Strait an unprecedented 60th No. 1 song. Love Is Everything is Strait’s 40th studio album.

“This has been a fantastic birthday week,” said Strait, who turned 61 last Saturday (May 18). “I’m thankful that my fans are excited about the new album and enjoying the music.”

Love Is Everything, which Strait co-produced with longtime collaborator Tony Brown, continues to receive great reviews, including:

“His voice is in superb form and … the album sparkles. Among the highlights is ‘That’s What Breaking Hearts Do,’…. conjuring sensibility similar to Bruce Springsteen’s ‘All That Heaven Will Allow.’ ‘Blue Melodies’ is a reminder of how effectively a heart can be broken by a voice, an acoustic guitar, and lyrics that succinctly summarize when a sentiment is ‘too sad to sing.’” - Boston Globe

“Since he began churning out country hits in 1981…Strait has cultivated a kind of stoic dependability unmatched among his peers. On Love Is Everything, his stirring new album…. [Strait’s] vocals feel newly vulnerable, particularly in ballads like ‘Blue Melodies’… and the gorgeous ‘I Just Can't Go On Dying Like This,’ which Strait wrote back in the mid '70s….He's putting more of himself in the music, too....There's the unusually vivid language in ‘That's What Breaking Hearts Do,’ which Strait co-wrote with his son Bubba…. But neither of those cuts prepares you for ‘I Believe,’ another song by George and Bubba Strait (with Dean Dillon) that appears to be about the shooting last year at Sandy Hook Elementary School. ‘The night's as clear as a big desert sky / But it's hard to see stars with these tears in my eyes," Strait sings over delicate acoustic fingerpicking, "Yeah, it's hard not to cry / There's 26 reasons why.’ ‘I Believe’ goes on to ponder ‘broken hearts that'll never beat the same’ and ‘shattered lives still reeling from the pain,’ yet insists in a chorus swollen with strings that ‘there's someone who's looking after me.’ Carefully rendered and unabashed in its optimism, it's as personal as anything Strait has ever recorded. And it's completely devastating. Three stars.” – Los Angeles Times

Strait kicked off 2013 in high gear for the first leg of his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. Only the June 1 show in San Antonio’s Alamodome remains in the sold out tour. Known as the “house they built for George,” the Alamodome sold out within an astounding six minutes of going on sale. The Country Music Hall of Fame member is the highest ranked country act on Pollstar's 2013 Worldwide Tickets Chart. Dates for the second leg of his tour, taking place in 2014, will be announced later this year.

For more information on Strait, Love Is Everything, The Cowboy Rides Away Tour and more, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.

Darling Parade Artist of the Year

2013-05-22T21:15:00.003+02:00

Darling Parade Lands Nomination in
"Make a Band Famous" Category at O Music Awards

Band named Channel One’s 2012-2013 "Artist of the Year"

Nashville, Tenn. (May 22, 2013) – Darling Parade marches onto a nomination at this year’s O Music Awards in the “Make a Band Famous” category. The winner of the inaugural award will be named one of MTV's coveted Artists to Watch and have the opportunity to perform at the O Music Awards, plus get a shot to perform during VMA weekend in August. To cast your vote for Darling Parade and to see the full list of nominees, head over to: OMusicAwards.com.

There are currently 10 bands up for the honor, and on May 31 only five will remain. The awards, which honor innovators in music, culture and technology, air June 19 at 7 p.m. ET as part of "Live Music Day," a 24-hour, live-streamed party featuring performances from around the country. More than 50 bands will perform and Roots drummer ?uestlove will host an all-day drum-a-thon to serve as the party's heartbeat.

“Being nominated for the OMA's ‘Make a Band Famous’ award is a huge opportunity, and could really be a game changer for our band,” said Nate McCoy. “We can't wait to see who comes out the winner!”

With millions of votes cast, Channel One News, the leading television news network for teens nationwide, has announced Darling Parade as the winner of their their 2012-2013 "Artist of the Year" competition. Channel One is a digital content provider focused on encouraging young people to be informed, digital-savvy global citizens. The Peabody and Telly award-winning news program is broadcast to more than 5 million young people in upper elementary schools, middle schools and high schools across the country. Darling Parade beat out 32 other acts that have been featured as “Hear It Now” artists of the week for the honor.

“We’re thrilled to showcase emerging musicians on the show each week as a part of our Hear it Now program. Artist of the Year is an especially fun way to find out which band is the fan favorite of the season. We’re happy to support Darling Parade during this exciting time in their careers,” said Karen Knapstein, Managing Editor, ChannelOne.com.

"Winning ‘Artist of the Year’ is an amazing thing to us since we all grew up watching Channel One every day,” said Kristin Kearns. “Our fans were incredibly supportive, and we're honored to be this year’s winner."

Darling Parade's music and other information is available now at video.channelone.com.

About Darling Parade:
Darling Parade’s music has been featured extensively on ABC Family’s "The Lying Game," The CW’s “Flygirls," Syfy's "Stargate Universe," and Showtime's "Shameless." They’ve shared the stage with Cassadee Pope, Chevelle, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Stephen Jerzak, Plumb, The Ataris and more. Their music has been reviewed and featured by AOL, MSN, Billboard, Pollstar, Last.FM, Metrolyrics.com, RDIO, Spotify and more. Darling Parade was chosen to star in Supercuts’ national “Rock the Cut" campaign that will begin airing in summer 2013.

For more information, visit www.darlingparade.com.

TIM McGRAW OFFERS LIVE TRACKS TO FANS

2013-05-22T21:09:00.002+02:00

TIM McGRAW OFFERS LIVE TRACKS TO FANS FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH "McGRAW OVERDRIVE SERIES LIVE"

Nashville, TN - May 22, 2013 - Superstar Tim McGraw will be releasing live tracks from his TWO LANES OF FREEDOM 2013 Tour, powered by Pennzoil, for the first time ever this summer as part of his new program "McGraw Overdrive Series Live." The first track, "Southern Girl," will be available starting this Friday, May 24 exclusively at timmcgraw.com with four other live songs to be released on June 7, June 21, July 12 and July 26. Fans will be able to purchase tracks individually or all five together. All of the songs featured will be from McGraw's Big Machine Records debut, TWO LANES OF FREEDOM.

"The sound and energy from a live show gives an entirely new perspective to any song," said McGraw. "I'm always looking for ways to give the fans something extra. If you're at the show, it's a cool memory to add to your playlist. And if you couldn't get a ticket to the show that night, you can still hear some of what happened and maybe feel like you were there. It's a first for me to release live tracks this way, and that's exciting."

"McGraw Overdrive Series Live" is powered by nugs.net, the premier platform for live music distribution and webcasts for artists ranging from Metallica to Pearl Jam to Phish. Founder and CEO Brad Serling adds, "No major country artist has ever released live tracks direct to fans during a tour like this, and we're thrilled to help McGraw break new ground."

Coming off sold-out shows in Pittsburgh and Detroit this weekend, McGraw's TWO LANES OF FREEDOM 2013 Tour continues to heat up the summer with Tampa Tribune commenting that, "While some artists tend to appeal to a particular fan base, McGraw continues to grow new audiences, who enjoy his shows for the same reasons fans launched him on the path to megastardom 20 years ago." The tour continues this weekend with stops in St. Louis, MO (5/23); Chicago, IL (5/24); Cincinnati, OH (5/25) and Darien Lakes, NY (5/26).

New Album by Mike Scott & Friends

2013-05-22T21:02:00.001+02:00

New Album by Mike Scott & Friends

HOME SWEET HOME Now Released

May 22, 2013 (Nashville, TN) — Home Sweet Home by Mike Scott is Now available on iTunes, Amazon and other fine digital and CD retailers. The album is also available now to radio programmers and DJ’s via. AirPlay Direct.

Rural Rhythm Records is saluting the 150^th Anniversary of the Civil War (1861-1865) with an instrumental album titled Home Sweet Home, which contains 14 songs that were popular during the Civil War Era.

Mike Scott (producer & performer) has assembled an all-star group of musicians to pay tribute to the popular parlor songs, minstrel songs and marching songs from this era, which are now known as traditional standards. Joining Scott on this album are awarding winning players Adam Steffey, Rob Ickes, Bryan Sutton, Aubrey Haynie, Tim Stafford, Mike Compton, Ben Isaacs, Jeff Taylor and Scott Miller.

“I am so excited about this Civil War Era project. My own banjo heritage traces back to both of my grandfathers. Also, my great grandmother “Verdie” on my dad’s side played banjo and was born during the 1860’s Civil War period. I never had the opportunity to meet any of them, but I am proud to carry on the banjo legacy in our family”, says Mike Scott.

The songs on Home Sweet Home could be heard during the 1860’s in America’s major cities, small towns, rural areas and soldier encampments during the Civil War. The song “Ashokan Farewell”, written by Jay Ungar, and heard throughout the Ken Burns Civil War TV series was included in the collection due to its familiarity to this period in time based on the TV series popularity. 150 years later, these 13 American musical treasures can be enjoyed again on this special collection. These songs should not be lost and forgotten, but passed down to future generations as a part of America’s musical heritage.

Mike Scott says, “I dedicate this project to those who broke through the pages of our nation’s history and paved the way for a better America. I hope these tunes will touch you and give you a reminder of a period of time captivated as part of our nation’s journey to unity and freedom. May it bring you joy, put a smile on your face and put some ‘giddy-up’ in your step”!

Mike Scott is seen by millions of TV viewers each week during prime-time on RFD-TV, (72 million households), performing with Ronnie Reno & Reno Tradition on the RENO’S OLD TIME MUSIC SHOW. He also is the host of the new music TV series BEHIND THE DREAMTM currently airing on BlueHighways TV.