email : Webview : CA's Artist News (4/1)

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

April 1, 2014

» High Stakes Country:

If you've ever wondered what kind of an effect winning the ACM Entertainer of The Year award has on an artist – and their family for that matter – see Luke Bryan touchingly spell it out for you here. The video is one of several Bryan has made available to aid fans in making their voting decision ahead of Sunday's 49th Annual ACM Awards on CBS-TV. (See others here and here). While you're at it, revisit Taylor Swift's here, Kip Moore here, Brett Eldredge here and Justin Moore with the help of Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Darius Rucker and a smorgasbord of others here. Finally, cast your vote here.

As for the awards show itself, fans will have a list of special moments to talk about:

The Band Perry will open with a performance of "Chainsaw."
Blake Shelton and The Voice costar Shakira will perform their duet "Medicine."
Miranda Lambert and George Strait will deliver a tribute medley to honor Merle Haggard's 50 years in music.
Garth Brooks will present Haggard with the Academy's Crystal Milestone Award.
Hunter Hayes will perform "Invisible" as part of ConAgra Foods' Child Hunger Ends Here campaign .
Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan will deliver "This Is How We Roll" accented by action sports stars and BMX riders Nitro Circus, all from the 4th Annual ACM Fan Jam at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

The ACM is also going all-out ahead of the show with fan activities including the 2nd Annual ACM Party For A Cause Festival April 4 and 5, headlined by Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban, respectively. Other fun stuff includes the ACM & Cabela's Great Outdoors Archery Event, the ACM Expo Marketplace, autograph signings and more. See where you fit in here.

» InstaRan: Miranda Lambert has finally joined the rest of us on Instagram. She posted her first photo Thursday (3/27) and it was (self-promotion alert!) the cover from her upcoming album Platinum, out June 3. She's made a few more posts since then, including one of her horse Sophie. Follow her here.

» Brad Job:

Brad Paisley hones his acting chops with a guest appearance on CBS-TV's The Crazy Ones Thursday (3/3). He'll appear alongside Josh Groban, who returns to the show as Danny Chase in an episode called "Danny Chase Hates Brad Paisley." Get a peek here.

» TV Reality:

The stars of ABC-TV's Nashville are taking to the road for real with the Nashville Concert Tour featuring Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne), Clare Bowen (Scarlett O'Connor), Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley), Sam Palladio (Gunnar Scott) and Chris Carmack (Will Lexington). The three-date trek takes the cast to Joe's Bar in Chicago April 25, the Lincoln Theater in Washington May 4 and the Best Buy Theater in New York May 6. Will Chase (Luke Wheeler) will join in NYC. Each show goes on sale April 4 and tickets can be obtained at the venues.

» Tweet 'N Greet: Rascal Flatts have given fans a peek of what's to come from their new album by revealing its track listing. Shay Mooney from Dan + Shay, Eric Paslay ("Friday Night") and The Cadillac Three's Jaren Johnston ("The South") have writing credits. The extended version of the album features "Compass," a song that will be part of the Sony Pictures film Heaven Is For Real, out April 16. Rewind hits stores May 13. More here.

Lucy Hale, meanwhile, enlisted fans on social media to reveal the album art and track listing for her album Road Between that debuts June 3. Hashtag #unlockroadbetween did the trick, and the the fun kicked off at 7am Monday (3/31). See it unfold here.

» Black & White & Web All Over:

Jennifer Nettles gave "a solid solo performance from start to finish." – Orange County Register
Darius Rucker offered "a well-crafted glimpse into lives full of happiness and sorrow." – Portland Press Herald
Hunter Hayes "prompts females to toss bras at his feet." – Peoria Journal Star
Lady Antebellum "has perfected its sound, mixing rock, pop and country into a night of earworms." – Tulsa World

» Free Country:

Jerrod Niemann has established Free The Music USA, a non-profit dedicated to collecting used musical instruments and giving them to children in need. The charity will also make varied donations to other music-based charities throughout the year. In (somehow) related news, Niemann became a stock contractor with PBR bull ownership program Back Seat Buckers earlier this year and will donate any money won by his bull "High Noon" – named after his new album – to FTMUSA.

Hit List

The Zac Brown Band have added a second Fenway Park date on June 27. Tickets go on sale April 12 at 10am. The first date (6/28) sold out shortly after Saturday's (3/29) on-sale.
The 2014 Country Life Music Festival in Peoria, IL July 18-20 will feature Brad Paisley, Hank Williams, Jr., Trace Adkins, Jennifer Nettles, Big & Rich and more. Full lineup here.

Birthdays

Wednesday (4/2): Billy Dean, Emmylou Harris, Leon Russell.

Thursday (4/3): Billy Joe Royal, the late Don Gibson.

On TV

Tuesday (4/1): Dan + Shay, Good Morning America (ABC); Kellie Pickler, The Chew (ABC); Blake Shelton, The Voice (NBC); Brett Eldredge, Late Night With Seth Meyers (NBC).

Wednesday (4/2): Frankie Ballard, Today (NBC); Keith Urban, American Idol (FOX).

Thursday (4/3): Luke Bryan, The Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated).

This Week's Album Releases

Josh Thompson Turn It Up: Thompson says the album will "fit in perfectly if you need to drive fast, or at any parties or outside barbecues." He wrote or co-wrote nine of the 10 tracks, sharing credits with The Warren Brothers, The Cadillac Three's Jaren Johnston and Justin Moore. It includes the single "Cold Beer With Your Name On It" and what he calls his favorite song on the album, "A Litte Memory."

Dan + Shay Where It All Began: The duo share writing credits on every song, including "Stop Drop + Roll," which they say was inspired by a man on fire in the movie Mist; "Can't Say No," which was co-written by Rhett Akins; and the single, "19 You + Me."

Charlie Daniels Off The Grid - Doin' It Dylan: A tribute to Bob Dylan, who Daniels says he became aware of 50 years ago when he was called on to play guitar on three of Dylan's Nashville-produced songs. He calls this tribute a debt of gratitude for giving him confidence and legitimizing him as a serious musician. The album includes 10 Dylan songs including "Tangled Up In Blue," "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Just Like A Woman."

Upcoming Album Releases

April 8 Martina McBride Everlasting

April 15 Oak Ridge Boys Boys Night Out

April 15 Ray Price Beauty Is...

April 22 Rachele Lynae Rachele Lynae

» It's A Beautiful Write: Gary Allan (l) signs his name on Addie Roberts' shirt at a Louisville benefit to raise money for her family, which was scammed earlier this year by a man claiming to be affiliated with Jason Aldean. Money benefits Addie's Army, to help her fight leukemia.