email : Webview : CA's Artist News (5/23)

This is an industry-only version of an email that Country stations in dozens of top markets deliver
to their loyal listener databases.

May 23, 2014

» Fest In Show:

Country fans are making travel plans as CMA Music Festival is now less than two weeks away (June 5-8). While the nightly stadium concerts have unrivaled star power like Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church and The Band Perry (and that's just Friday!), much of the appeal is the chance to actually meet some of country's finest. That's where the AT&T U-Verse Fan Fair X event comes in. Appearances by Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, LeAnn Rimes and others are among the happenings, with panel discussions, autograph signings, a screening room, marketplace, celebrity tour buses, Xbowling and more on tap. Get details here.

And though Wednesday's 2014 CMT Music Awards aren't techinically part of the festival, they're another place fans can see a high concentration of top performers and newcomers. Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Danielle Bradbery, David Nail, Thomas Rhett and Tyler Farr will perform on the Nationwide Insurance Stage this year. These new artist performances will be featured throughout the show, which will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena June 4. Fan voting continues here.

» Stomping Ground:

The Zac Brown Band's Southern Ground Music & Food Festival will return to Charleston, SC Oct. 11-12. Ashley Monroe, Blues Traveler and Big Head Todd and the Monsters are among performers, as well as feature performancs by ZBB's Coy Bowles and the Fellowship, John Hopkins & Brighter Shade and Clay Cook. Ticket pre-sale for fan club members opens Tuesday (5/27), for past festival attendees Wednesday (5/28) and general sale opens May 31 here. More info here.

» Business Clan:

The Band Perry have been inducted into the Junior Achievement Tri-Cities TN/VA Business Hall of Fame. The honor was bestowed last Tuesday (5/13) at a gala event in their hometown of Greenville, TN. "We continue to realize our dreams every day, but we also know that it requires hard work and determination," a statement from the trio reads. "We hope we can set an example in the way we conduct ourselves as people and as business owners."

» Kevin Sharp Memorial:

A memorial service for country artist Kevin Sharp, who passed away last month, has been set for 2pm May 31 at Woodmont Baptist Church, 2100 Woodmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37215. The public is welcome. More here.

» In Case You Missed It: Dierks Bentley played "Drunk On A Plane" and "I Hold On" Tuesday (5/20) on Today. Watch here.

Tim McGraw stopped by The Ellen DeGeneres Show Tuesday (5/20) to play "Keep On Truckin'." Watch here.

On Tuesday's The Voice finale, Team Blake finalist Jake Worthington was joined by Alabama for a performance of "Mountain Music," Tim McGraw debuted "City Lights" from Sundown Heaven Town and Justin Moore sang "Lettin' The Night Roll." Watch Worthington and Alabama here, McGraw here and Moore at 29:00 here.

On Wednesday's (5/21) American Idol finale, Jennifer Nettles sang "That Girl" and was joined by contestant Jessica Meuse for "Wrecking Ball," Darius Rucker performed "True Believers" and contestants Dexter Roberts and C.J. Harris joined on "Alright," and Lady Antebellum debuted "Bartender." Watch Nettles here, Rucker here and Lady A here.

Dierks Bentley stopped by The Late Show With David Letterman Wednesday night (5/21) to play "Drunk On A Plane." Watch here.

» Crib Note:

Congratulations to Joe Nichols and wife Heather on the birth of daughter Georgia Blue Tuesday morning (5/20) in Texas. She joins big sisters Dylan and Ashelyn.

Hit List

Dan + Shay will kick off their Where It All Began Tour Oct. 9 in Minneapolis. The 10-city run wraps Oct. 26 in Columbus, OH. Full list of dates here.
Keith Urban helped sell more than 22,000 of his limited edition "Light The Fuse" and "Phoenix" guitar packages on HSN Sunday (5/18), outdoing the 20,000 he sold during a prior appearance. More here.
Maggie Rose has been nominated for a local Emmy Award in her home state of Maryland. Rose co-wrote and performed "Get Ya Game On," which was used as a theme song for Washington Redskins 2013 coverage on Comcast SportsNet. The song is being repackaged for the 2014 season. Winners will be announced locally at the 56th Emmy Awards Gala June 16. Check out the song here.

Birthdays

Friday (5/23): Jewel, Shelly West, Mac Wiseman.

On TV

Friday (5/23): Whintey Duncan, Say Yes To The Dress (TLC); Rascal Flatts, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC).

Saturday (5/24): Charlie Daniels, The Big Interview (AXS).

Sunday (5/25): LeAnn Rimes sings the national anthem, Indianapolis 500 (ABC).

Upcoming Album Releases

May 27 Jamie O'Neal Eternal

Jun. 3 Miranda Lambert Platinum

Jun. 3 Lucy Hale Road Between

Jun. 3 Joshua Scott Jones The Healing

Jun. 3 Big Smo Kuntry Livin'

Jun. 10 Gene Watson My Heroes Have Always Been Country

Jun. 10 Demun Jones Jones County

Jun. 10 Danny Boone Fish Grease