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| This is an industry-only version of an email that Country stations in dozens of top markets deliver
to their loyal listener databases. | | |
| October 10, 2014
» Hall Aboard:  One of Music City's favorite events is the yearly Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. Sunday's shindig (10/5) was no exception as Paul Craft, Gretchen Peters, Tom Douglas and John Anderson were honored. Each writer was welcomed by a colleague or friend, and was treated to performances of their hits by some of country's biggest stars.
Among the highlights were Thomas Rhett's medley of Craft's songs including "Brother Jukebox" (Keith Whitley and Mark Chesnutt) and "Hank Williams, You Wrote My Life" (Moe Bandy). Brandy Clark put her own spin on covers of Peters' "Let That Pony Run" (Pam Tillis), "You Don't Even Know Who I Am" (Patty Loveless) and "Independence Day" (Martina McBride). Trisha Yearwood even appeared for an especially stirring piano-backed version of a song she released in 1995, Peters' "On A Bus To St. Cloud." Collin Raye's delivery of Douglas' career breakthrough "Little Rock" was another special moment, as was Hall Of Famer and co-writer Allen Shamblin's performance of "The House That Built Me" and Tim McGraw's delivery of "My Little Girl."
As moving as the performances was Douglas' acceptance speech. The wordsmith shared a letter he'd written in response to that of a discouraged songwriter who'd asked him, "Why the hell am I here?" "I realized that what I want to say to him and what I need to say to you is really all the same thing," Douglas told the audience. In a thoughtful reply that enlisted his own struggles, music history and spirituality, Douglas read in closing, "Tomorrow is another day. So put your pen to the paper because sooner or later I will be lost and will need to find my way back home. And I'll follow your song. And that's why you're here." (Watch Douglas' acceptance in its entirety here.)
Finally, John Rich installed Anderson in part by recalling a moment years ago when he'd appeared at the door to Anderson's tour bus hoping for an introduction. After being asked to recite the lyrics to "Chicken Truck" to prove himself a "real fan," Rich was eventually welcomed aboard. After the laughter, Rich performed "Wish I Could've Been There," and yes, "Chicken Truck." Hall Of Famer Bobby Braddock subsequently took to the piano for a cover of "Seminole Wind," and Josh Turner closed with "Swingin.'"
Yearly awards were distributed early in the evening, including Ashley Gorley's win for NSAI Songwriter; the Natalie Hemby/Nicolle Galyon/Miranda Lambert co-write "Automatic" for Song; and Jack White as Songwriter/Artist. Publisher Pat Higdon was the recipient of the Francis Williams Preston Mentor Award, and the NSAI recognized "The 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written." The compositions included "All Kinds Of Kinds," "Boys 'Round Here," "Cop Car," "Drink A Beer," "Drunk On A Plane," Follow Your Arrow," "Give Me Back My Hometown," "I Hold On," "Meanwhile Back At Mama's" and "Mine Would Be You." |
» Sweeney's Salute:  Sunny Sweeney was having a really bad day. A simple flight to Seattle turned into a 16-hour day of cancelled flights and frustration. Amidst her run of bad luck in the Las Vegas airport, she witnessed a bystander approach a soldier, thank him for his service and ask if he could pray for his safety. She snapped a photo and posted it to her facebook before her plane took off. When the plane landed she turned her phone on again and had 50,000 notifications. Since Sunday (10/5) the post has been shared more than 700,000 times on Facebook alone and has more than a million "likes." "I started crying of course just watching this nice end to a crappy day unfold on my 16 hour cross country flight, but Americans never cease to amaze me. Beautiful," Sweeney posted. The soldier, Michael Barth, eventually saw Sweeney's message and thanked her. Read Sweeney's original post here along with Barth's comments and watch the follow-up video she posted Tuesday(10/7) here. |
» Safety First:  October is breast cancer awareness month and the new digital music platform GhostTunes, along with Montgomery Gentry, are doing their part to support the campaign. Eddie and Troy will be offering a bundle deal for $19.99 exclusively on GhostTunes with all profits benefitting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The bundle includes their new single "Headlights" and a "Check Your Headlights" t-shirt. "Given my own personal battle with cancer and our blessed lives as husbands and fathers, Troy and I are always looking for ways to give back," says Montgomery. "We hope our fans will have fun with this exclusive 'Check Your Headlights' bundle on GhostTunes and help make a difference." Adds Gentry, "As someone lucky to be both a husband and father to two incredible girls, I believe it's so important to raise awareness about breast cancer education and raise funds to help find a cure." The deal is available for purchase here. |
» Goes To Show:  There's no "Dirt" gathering under Florida Georgia Line's feet! The duo will launch their Anything Goes Tour 2015 Jan. 15 in Toledo. "Being out on the road with Jake Owen, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, we've learned from the best," says FGL's Tyler Hubbard. "We took note of the things we loved and then put the FGL stamp all over. Our fans are the best and we can't wait to show them what we have in store!" Adds the duo's Brian Kelley, "Anything Goes is a mindset for us, setting the tone for everything we do, and we believe in making memories at all cost. We can't wait to bring the party to our fans at our live shows. Openers on the 24-city run are Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard. See their full schedule here. |
» Booka-what?  It's not exactly a book, but it's more than a magaizine. The Academy of Country Music has partnered with CBS Watch! magazine to release a 100-page, full color commemorative "bookazine" aptly named George Strait. The tribute takes an intimate look at Strait's life, including exclusive photos from his ranch and behind-the-scenes moments, as well as a retrospective of 50 years of the ACM Awards. It also gives fans a sneak peek at the upcoming 50th Annual ACM Awards. Clint Black provides the introduction. It's available on newstands and here. |
» In Case You Missed It:  Jason Aldean performed "Just Gettin' Started" Tuesday (10/7) on NBC-TV's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Watch here.
Glen Campbell and family appeared on NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams Tuesday (10/7) to discuss Campbell's battle with Alzheimer's. Watch here. Reporter Cynthia McFadden discussed her Campbell story further on the network's Today Wednesday morning (10/8). Watch here.
Also on Today Wednesday morning (10/8), Florida Georgia Line revealed plans for their world tour. They even helped Al Roker deliver the weather forecast. Watch here.
Larry Gatlin and Billy Dean performed "Hey ISIS, I'm An American With A Remington" on Fox News' Fox & Friends Wednesday (10/8). Watch here. The pair's YouTube performance of the song has garnered more than 15 million views since being posted Sept. 30. Watch it here.
Big & Rich performed "Look At You" on NBC-TV's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Wednesday night (10/8). Watch here. |
Hit List -
 Hunter Hayes has partnered with Fandango to give fans a chance at winning tickets to a Tattoo (Your Name) Tour show and a meet-and-greet when they buy tickets to The Best of Me, in theaters Oct. 17. Enter Oct. 14-Nov. 4 here. -
The CMA Songwriters Series returns to Nashville Nov. 4 at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and will feature Brandy Clark and The Cadillac Three's Jaren Johnston. Order tickets here. -
Chasin' Crazy are the subject of the GAC series also titled Chasin' Crazy, debuting Saturday (10/11) with two episodes beginning at 1pm ET. Each 30-minute show follows the band at home and on the road. See a preview here. Birthdays Friday (10/10): Tanya Tucker, John Prine, Tony Arata, Austin Clark, Tim Krekel. Saturday (10/11): Gene Watson, Paulette Carlson, the late Dottie West. Sunday (10/12): Martie Maguire (Dixie Chicks), Shane McAnally, Lisa Matassa. Monday (10/13): Rhett Akins, Lacy J. Dalton, Marie Osmond, John Wiggins.
On TV Friday (10/10): Rascal Flatts, The View (ABC); Whitney Duncan, The Amazing Race (CBS). Monday (10/13): Blake Shelton, The Voice (NBC); Florida Georgia Line, Late Night With Seth Myers (NBC). Upcoming Album Releases Oct. 14 Florida Georgia Line Anything Goes The Swon Brothers Self-Titled
Oct. 21 Little Big Town Painkiller Twang and Round Pour Another Round
Oct. 27 Sam Hunt Montevallo Alan Jackson Let It Be Christmas Gretchen Wilson STILL Here For The Party
Oct. 28 Darius Rucker Home For The Holidays Stoney Larue Aviator The LACS Nothing In Particular
Nov. 4 Ronnie Milsap The RCA Albums Collection John Denver All Of My Memories: The John Denver Collection Various Artists with The Doobie Brothers Southbound Maddie & Tae Self-Titled
Nov. 11 Garth Brooks Man Against Machine
Nov. 17 Trisha Yearwood PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit
Dec. 9 Carrie Underwood Greatest Hits Decade #1 |
 » Birthday Boy: Scotty McCreery blows out the candles on his birthday cake as retired NFL Seattle Seahawks players Joe Tafoya (in hat) and Norm Johnson look on. McCreery, who turned 21 Thursday (10/9), was surprised onstage Wednesday night (10/8) in Seattle. |
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