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to their loyal listener databases.

March 14, 2014

» Totally Beachin':

Spring break essentials: Booze, sunscreen, booze, swimwear, booze and booze. And, apparently, Luke Bryan. More than 230,000 fans helped Luke celebrate the launch of his Spring Break 6 ... Like We Ain't Ever digital EP during two free concerts at Panama City Beach Tuesday and Wednesday (3/11-12). Ellen DeGeneres Show correspondent Jeannie joined him to chat about his sixth "documented" spring break, and caught a performance of "She Get Me High." Watch it here. GAC's Headline Country also covered the show, which you can see March 20. CMT's Hot 20 Countdown was there for the fun, too, and you can see their coverage March 29.

» Hayes Of Our Lives:

Hunter Hayes will break a Guinness world record and promote awareness of child hunger by playing 10 shows in 10 cities in fewer than 24 hours May 9-10. Hunter Hayes' 24-Hour Road Race To End Child Hunger starts with a performance on Good Morning America and wraps in Philadelphia at 5am the next day. The current world record for the most concerts played in multiple cities in a 24-hour period is held by The Flaming Lips, with eight. More here.

» This Is How We Roll:

Florida Georgia Line are spearheading this years Outnumber Hunger campaign, which started Wednesday (3/12). They and other artists will be featured on packaging for more than 90 General Mills products, including Cheerios, Yoplait and Nature Valley. Codes found on each can be entered online, and for those entered by Jan. 31, 2015, General Mills will donate 55.5 cents, up to $1.2 million, to Feeding America. Each donation translates to five meals secured on behalf of local food banks. "Through our experiences with Outnumber Hunger, we have learned the far reach of hunger in America, affecting people from all different backgrounds," says FGL's Tyler Hubbard. "This year we're proud to take an even bigger role in the fight against hunger and rally the nation to help those in need." More here.

» High Times:

Drinkin,' fightin' and droppin' albums are all part of Jerrod Niemann's new mini movie. Jerrod becomes the hero of the "High Noon Saloon" in anticipation of the March 25 release of his new album High Noon, and the first installment is available now at JourneyToHighNoon.com. The remaining four will be released March 13, 18, 20 and 24. Fans can also belly up to the animated, interactive virtual bar, play games, see exclusive video and win a Dee Jay Silver remix version of "Drink To That All Night." More here.

» Black & White & Web All Over:

Darius Rucker, David Nail and Eli Young Band "put on an excellent show." – Enid News & Eagle
Hunter Hayes involved in cause marketing campaign that unites "once fierce competitors." – New York Times
The Band Perry's show was "spot on." – Savannah Morning News
"Are bro-mantic songs taking over country music?" – Los Angeles Times

» Snag A Zine:

The Official 2014 ACM Awards ZinePack spotlighting awards show nominees and new artists will be available at Walmart beginning March 18 for $10. The collection features a 120-page magazine, 31 songs on two CDs, a ballot for fan voting and six collectible guitar picks. Pre-order here. The 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards airs April 6 at 8pm ET on CBS-TV.

The ACM has also added a new Jerrod Niemann performance to its ACM Sessions online concert series in cooperation with CBS here. Niemann delivers "Drink To That All Night," "Buzz Back Girl" and "We Know How To Rock," among others. Recent series participants include Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge and Justin Moore.

» In Case You Missed It:

A music business-targeted promotional video for Taylor Swift seeking ACM Awards votes is getting multimedia attention from Entertainment Weekly, E! Online and more. If you want to see what activities Swift prefers to talking with her record label chief, click here.

Gary Allan was in the the Big Apple Tuesday (3/11) to perform "It Ain't The Whiskey" from Set You Free on the Late Show With David Letterman. Watch here.

Hit List

Keith Urban, The Band Perry, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Hank Williams will be represented in the Los Angeles Annenberg Space For Photography exhibit Country: Portraits Of American Sound. The photographic exhibit presents images of the pioneers, poets and icons of country music. Open May 31-Sep. 28, admission is free; more here.
Speaking of The Band Perry, they and Kenny Rogers are among the performers scheduled for Muhammed Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XX April 12 in Phoenix, this year honoring Robert De Niro. Emceed for the ninth year by Reba, the black-tie event benefits the Muhammed Ali Parkinson Center and other charities. More here.
Speaking of Urban, video platform Vevo will live stream this week's (3/11-3/15) inaugural iTunes Festival at SXSW in Austin, which is good news for fans of Keith, Willie Nelson and newcomer Mickey Guyton. Their performances Saturday (3/15) comprise the country portion of the streamcast. Select performances will also be available on demand after the stream. More about Vevo here and the iTunes Festival here.

Birthdays

Friday (3/14): Kristian Bush, Michael Martin Murphey.

Saturday (3/15): The late Carl Smith.

Sunday (3/16): Jerry Jeff Walker.

Monday (3/17): Paul Overstreet.

On TV

Friday (3/14): Willie Nelson, Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC).

Monday (3/17): Blake Shelton, The Voice (NBC).

Upcoming Album Releases:

Mar. 18 Jo Dee Messina Me

Mar. 18 Samantha Landrum Hometown

Mar. 18 Ronnie Milsap Summer #17

Mar. 25 Jerrod Niemann High Noon

Mar. 25 Merle Haggard Okie From Muskogee 45th Anniversary Edition

Apr. 1 Josh Thompson Turn It Up

Apr. 1 Dan + Shay Where It All Began

Apr. 1 Charlie Daniels Off The Grid - Doin' It Dylan

» 98 Degrees Of Separation: Sara Evans with VH1 Big Morning Buzz hosts Nick Lachey and Jim Shearer after performing on the show Wednesday (3/12). Her seventh studio album Slow Me Down is available now.

» Fast Friends: Eric Paslay catches up with Fox & Friends co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck following a performance of "Friday Night" on Tuesday (3/11). Watch here. He dropped by Good Morning America the day before; see that appearance here.