NASHVILLE, Tenn. July 18, 2008…Country music sensation Rissi Palmer will release a video for her latest single, "No Air." The video will make its television debut on CMT Monday, July 21 and online premiere at Yahoo! Music.

"No Air," is Palmer's third single and has become her fastest rising hit to date. Originally recorded by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, the song first became a huge pop hit, but Palmer made the song her own with her unique country version, which is blazing up the country charts.

Palmer experienced a chance of a lifetime when she traveled to the majestic Turks & Caicos Islands to film the video with director Kristin Barlowe (LeAnn Rimes, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert), who also directed Palmer's very first video, "Country Girl."

The two-day video shoot took place on the world-renowned white, sandy beaches along side the striking turquoise waters of the island Providenciales and the privately owned pristine Parrot Cay, home to the exclusive Parrot Cay Resort and beachfront homes for the rich and famous.

Palmer gushes, "The islands were nothing short of amazing and I think the video really captures the essence of the song and I can't wait for everyone to see it."

"No Air," produced by Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), is currently available for download on iTunes, where it has already become a Top 10 hit. Later this summer, the song will be included on the re-release of the singer's debut album on 1720 Entertainment, RISSI PALMER.

NASHVILLE - ABC heads to Nashville to take you to the hottest music event, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock." Reigning CMA Horizon Award winner Taylor Swift, former "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler and Country Music Star/"Dancing with the Stars" champion Julianne Hough host the special airing Monday, September 8 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Filmed in Nashville June 5-8, the special features performances by some of today's most exciting Country Music sensations in a four-day party and music celebration: Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood,
Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam.

In addition to exciting, never-before-televised music performances, viewers will also get the ultimate Country Music fan experience firsthand. In exclusively shot segments for the special, the cameras capture the Festival's behind the scenes moments between the artist and their fans and follow the stories of several passionate Country Music fans at the festival. Bucky Covington acts as tour guide around the massive CMA Music Festival and shows the festival experience through his eyes. John Rich of Big & Rich tells us how Gretchen Wilson went from bartender to singer at Nashville's legendary honky tonks, while Taylor Swift sings in an impromptu street performance and signs autographs at the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall. Meanwhile, certain fans are surprised to learn that they've been chosen for a "lucky day" meet and greet with their favorite Country star; Kellie Pickler spends some time with Nick Manciero from Bethany, Conn., Rob Levasseur from East Hartford, Conn. and Dan Orlowski from Woodbridge, Conn.; Faith Hill surprises her biggest fans Juliette Warren and David Newton from Australia and Keith Urban meets Alex Hamel, Stephanie Hayward, and Cara Corbett from Toledo, Ohio. Finally, Sarah and Elizabeth Marince, two young aspiring artists from Pittsburgh, Penn., take a trip with Julianne Hough to her recording studio, which turns into a "girl's day out" for the three of them.

The annual music festival is unlike any other, with four days, 30 hours of autograph signings by Country Music's biggest names and up and comers, 100 hours of live music, more than 400 artists and celebrities, and a party list of thousands of avid, singing and dancing-till-dawn fans. This is the fourth time ABC will broadcast this special - which invites the whole country to America's biggest Country Music bash - since the original Fan Fair® was launched in 1972. This year 208,000 fans attended CMA Music Festival, its biggest turnout yet.

"CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" is executive produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson. The 2008 CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" was shot in high definition and will be broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Multi-platinum Blake Shelton’s #1 single “Home” is at its second week in the top spot on the R&R Country Singles chart. His follow up single, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” from his forthcoming album will premiere on CMT.com on Monday, July 21. The single is written by Cory Batten and Jennifer Adan and produced by Scott Hendricks.

“As a country music artist I'm always looking for "that song". Something unique, something special, something that matters. This song has all of the above. What a melody!,” says Shelton .

“She Wouldn’t Be Gone” will also be digitally delivered to country radio on Monday, July 21 and will be available for sale at all digital retailers on July 29. Ringtone will be available at all carriers on August 3.

Country Thunder USA Enjoys A Full House as The Big Event Rolls Into Twin Lakes, WI

Twin Lakes, WI- Country Thunder USA, the nation's premiere music and camping festival, kicked off the 4-day music festival on Wednesday, July 16th, packed with enthusiastic crowds on hand to catch performances from some of country music's top performers.

Capital Records Recording group, Lady Antebellum, met up for a chat and a photo backstage at Country Thunder USA with representatives from the American Legion.


Joe Nichols fired off a 115MM Howitzer field artillery piece before the National Anthem at Country Thunder USA in honor of his good buddy, Anthony Woodham, who recently became a causality of the war in Iraq.

Keith Anderson stopped by to meet some of the men and women of the Armed Forces after his performance at Country Thunder USA on July 16th, in Twin Lakes, WI.

Saturday, July 19th, is the last day of the 16th Annual Country Thunder USA music festial with performances on the main stage from Veronical Ballestrini, Bluefield, Danielle Peck, Luke Bryan, Kellie Pickler, Jessica Simpson and Sara Evans.

For more information on the festival, visit www.countrythunder.com
Photo Credit: Dan Harr

Charlie Allen stopped by the L.A. offices of Radio & Records recently while on a West Coast tour to perform selections for the staff from his new CD, That Was Then, This Is Now, and to promote his forthcoming River Run/Spinville Records single, "Why Ask Why." (L-R): R&R's Steve Resnick, Erica Farber; Charlie Allen and R&R's R.J. Curtis
*Photo credit: Debbie Gibson Palmer

Twin Lakes, WI (July 18, 2008) – BILLY CHILDERS is scheduled to perform THREE different sets Country Thunder USA festival in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin!! First, he’ll take the Main Stage at 12:30pm (Central time)! Billy will move over to the Miller Lite Stage in the evening, playing at 6:30pm AND 8pm – sharing the bill with Luke Bryan, Sara Evans, Danielle Peck, Kellie Pickler, and Jessica Simpson. Tickets for Country Thunder, Wisconsin are available at www.countrythunder.com.

Billy’s schedule continues to fill up with shows booked through the end of this year! Highlights include joining Sony BMG recording artists Jypsi on the Q98.5 Stage at the On the Waterfront Festival in Rockford, Illinois on August 29.

October 11 and 12 will mark Billy’s 3rd consecutive year playing the Chicago Country Music Festival, continuing his relationship with corporate sponsor Best Buy! Later in the year, it’s off to Las Vegas to open the first three nights – December 4, 5, and 6 – of the National Finals Rodeo at South Point Casino, which serves as the host hotel for the official awards ceremonies for this event.

Last month, Billy took home the title of Kenny Chesney’s "The Next Big Star" in Chicago! Upwards of 400 fans filled the Hard Rock Café in downtown Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, June 20, to cheer on Billy and three other regional finalists. Billy was up first and his energetic set included "A Man’s Gotta Do… What a Man’s Gotta Do," "June 99," and "Cowboy Up" – all from his debut release, A Man’s Gotta Do… What a Man’s Gotta Do! The following afternoon – also the first official day of Summertime – Billy kicked off the Poets and Pirates show at Soldier Field, sharing the stage with an all-star artist lineup: Luke Bryan, Gary Allan, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, and of course, the man who made it all possible: Kenny Chesney! Billy is grateful to Kenny for creating this new and unique opportunity for unsigned artists across the country to be heard. With his win, Billy also advances to the national competition to compete for the Grand Prize. The package includes the opportunity to open for Kenny Chesney on the THREE final dates of his Poets and Pirates Tour, a $25,000 cash prize, and an audition for record company executives at Sony BMG Music!

Billy’s debut album is titled A Man's Gotta Do…What a Man's Gotta Do. He recorded the album in Nashville at The Grotto, the studio owned by Rodney Good and his wife, singer/songwriter Jamie O’Neal ("There Is No Arizona," "When I Think About Angels"). Rodney co-produced A Man’s Gotta Do… What a Man’s Gotta Do, and one of the highlights on the album is "This Night," a romantic ballad featuring a guest performance by Jamie.

Raised in the piedmont region of western North Carolina, Billy grew up surrounded by the sounds coming down off the Blue Ridge Mountains that cut a winding trail between Charlotte and Nashville. That music dominated the soundtrack of his childhood and etched a permanent impression on his creative sensibilities. Although his love of that music remained constant, the whining pedal steel guitars and plucking banjos would begin to play second fiddle to the screaming guitars and funky synthesizers of hard rock as he entered his teenage years. During those years he found himself living a double-life: on the one hand, it was made up of late night jam sessions in numerous garage bands with the group of long-haired metal heads he'd befriended. On the other hand, it was marked by many a Saturday afternoon mixing it up on the gridiron with his other group of buddies - the helmet heads. After a sidelining injury in high school, Billy began to ponder what the next handful of years held in store. After deciding that his football days had run their course, the options of future pursuit included college, more music and preparing for a more involved role in a small family business enterprise.

A whole new adventure began for Billy when he moved to Chicago to study music and business. It is there where he connected with a group of like-minded musicians who, together, have been formulating distinct country-rock sounds through a blending of the genres and styles of their early musical influences. For the last several years Billy and his band have roamed the Chicago area refining their sound and electrifying stage show in countless dive bars, hole-in-the-wall honky-tonks, suburban park districts, prominent dance halls, small and large county festivals and fairs. Upon completion of his studies in the spring of 2006, and after a busy summer tour schedule that year, Billy headed to Nashville to focus on recording his album, A Man's Gotta Do…What a Man's Gotta Do.

http://www.billychilders.com
http://www.myspace.com/billychilders

Nashville, TN: — Country recording artist Rockie Lynne, who performed in Fayetteville, N.C., at U.S. Army base Fort Bragg’s annual July 4th celebration in front of an audience of 45,000 people, was taken by surprise when the Army presented him with the prestigious ‘Iron Mike’ Award.

The ‘Iron Mike’ is given to individuals who show outstanding commitment to the Armed Forces.

Lynne is a veteran of the United States Army and served at Fort Bragg for six years. His performance on July 4th was the first time he had returned to the base since leaving the military.

“I try to do as much as I can for our troops but this show was especially meaningful for me because of my personal connection to Fort Bragg,” says Lynne. “Receiving the ‘Iron Mike’ Award is an honor beyond comprehension. I was stunned when Colonel David Fox walked on the stage and handed it to me.”

Lynne served in the 82nd Airborne from 1985 – 1991. His original composition, “Red, White and Blue” was included on his self-titled debut, released in 2006 on Universal Records, and is played at most U.S. memorial services in Iraq.

He is currently signed to the Sony BMG distributed Robbins Nashville and is in the studio recording his next project for the label.

Photo caption: Rockie Lynne being presented the ’Iron Mike’ award by Colonel David Fox, Garrison Commander, United States Army, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Nashville, TN.--July 16, 2008--Recording artist, Rick Huckaby dropped by Country Weekly last week to introduce himself and his music to the staff at the magazine. He was warmly received following an acoustic performance of the songs from his debut album, Call Me Huck. Impressed by his flawless blend of soulful Memphis R&B and country music, the blue-eyed, sandy-haired, heartthrob will be featured in the August 25 issue of Country Weekly's "Who's New" (on stands 8/11). Country Weekly's new section, "Listen Up!" will offer subscribers a free exclusive download of Huck's upcoming single, "Ain't Enough Blacktop," in the September 8 issue (on stands 8/25). "Blacktop" was winner of the 2008 World Billboard Song Contest in the country category (placing 2nd overall). For more information on Rick Huckaby, log on to www.rickhuckaby.com.

NYC/DC: It may've started in Chicago when he sang “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” at Chicago 's legendary Wrigley Field during the 7th inning stretch, but Kenny Chesney's baseball passion is hitting a new intensity. After playing to nearly 43,000 fans at the Atlanta Braves' Turner Field, Chesney headed to New York City for Major League Baseball's annual All Star Game.

“I always say me and my guys are a lot like a baseball team: 6 months on, 6 months off,” Chesney says. “Because it's a long season… and you start gearing up for it a long time before. It's funny, too, we've made a lot of friends at a lot of teams over the years - because I think they can sense that about us. We've got lots of players who come out to our shows when they're not on the road, some even come up and sing with us. It's pretty amazing.”

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game - held at the soon-to-be-no-longer Yankee Stadium - honors the best of the current players, but the high energy performer and soul searching songwriter recognizes that everything comes from the roots. Whether it's baseball or music, so that was why in between stadium shows, Chesney took time to fly to Washington , DC to sing “The National Anthem” at the White House for the Baseball Hall of Fame T-Ball Game.

“Those guys made the sport what it is,” Chesney says of the athletes being celebrated. “They have a lot of heart… and discipline… and hard work. A lot of what we do is based on that, and it's an honor to be asked to do something like this for them.”

Chesney will also play an acoustic-based 20-minute set as part of the dinner. Because for the men who've long been considered “the boys of summer,” what artist would be more fitting than the man who has become the nation's touchstone for making the season official?

Having hit the halfway point on this year's Corona Extra sponsored Poets & Pirates Tour playing to 50,422 at Nashville 's LP Field, it has been a whirl of football stadiums, amphitheatres and even the occasional festival. With his two week #1 “Better As A Memory” - the third multiple week #1 from his platinum Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates - becoming his 15th chart-topper and giving him the longest string of Top 10 country singles this century, it's nice to see the man so wholly consumed by music take a break. Given his childhood aspirations to be “a ball player when I grow up,” what could be better than following a trip to Major League Baseball's All-Star Game than heading being a part of something so special to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Alan Jackson, one of country music’s greatest voices and most accomplished artists, will invite Superstar Trace Adkins along when his GOOD TIME tour hits the road this Fall. The double-barrel pairing of two of country’s most exciting performers kicks off October 2, at Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC and makes its way to l7 venues through the Midwest, Northeast, Canada and the West Coast, ending November 23, in Ontario,CA

Since releasing his platinum debut album in 1996, the Louisiana-born performer, musician, author and actor Trace Adkins has recorded seven studio albums, which netted him 24 singles on the Billboard chart. His latest chart-topping CD, American Man: Greatest Hits Vol. II includes the multi-week #l single "You're Gonna Miss This”. After his strong showing on NBC’s hit reality series, “The Celebrity Apprentice,” Adkins is turning to the big screen. He’ll soon appear in the feature film American Carol, an irreverent comedy directed by David Zucker. He is set to release his next studio album this fall.

Three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year and most nominated artist in CMA Awards history Alan Jackson is “one of country music’s true masters” writing songs that ‘make life’s mundanities carry emotional heft and make it look easy.” (USA Today) He has sold more than 49 million albums and topped the album and country album chart this year with GOOD TIME, which produced two #1 singles, “Small Town Southern Man” and “Good Time”, bringing Jackson’s career total of #1s to 33, 23 of which were written by the Grammy-winning songwriter.

already AIRING ON CSO RADIO!

Nashville, TN – Today Columbia Nashville’s Gretchen Wilson released her brand new single, “Don’t Do Me No Good,” to country radio. This driving, up-tempo record is from her upcoming release, I Got Your Country Right Here, due out this October.

“What a great way to kick off the summer with the new tune,” says Wilson . “After being on the road and taking the time to graduate, I’m ready to rock again on country radio.” Written by Wilson, Ashley Gorley and Wade Kirby, her fiery live performance of “Don’t Do Me No Good” is already a concert favorite.

Gretchen Wilson is currently in the studio adding the finishing touches to the new disc and will be playing select dates throughout the summer. Catch a glimpse of more new music from Wilson in Regal Cinemas nationwide and online at tnt.tv as she lends her empowering voice to the marketing campaign for the second season of TNT’s critically acclaimed hit drama SAVING GRACE starring Oscar® winner Holly Hunter.

www.gretchenwilson.com 

Nashville, TN July 15, 2008 -- Jennifer Hanson's new Universal Records South release, Thankful, continues to receive praise from critics, particularly her writing and musicianship. Hanson, who co-wrote all of the material on Thankful, got particularly high marks from Country Weekly, whose critic Chris Neal praised her "smart, sophisticated songwriting" and rated the CD with three and a half out of four stars.

Likewise the Norfolk News proclaimed Hanson's CD "the most refreshing sound heard of any album to date this year." The critic went on to say, "while much of the new music out of Nashville these days smells musty, molded out of the same production and lyrical format for the past few years, Jennifer Hanson offers a refreshing breath of strong writing, charismatic vocals and organic-flavored arrangements."

The Albuquerque Journal also tagged the release with a three and a half out of four star review, noting "the singer, songwriter and acoustic guitar slinger journals her trials and tribulations on the more introspective and personal sophomore album."

As a songwriter, Hanson scored a pair of big hits last year: the multi week #1 "Leave the Pieces," recorded by the Wreckers, and "A Different World," a top 5 hit for Bucky Covington.

"Writing songs is definitely a passion for me, but getting to record them and send them out there for people to hear, and hopefully relate to, is just as important," Hanson said. "Recording this CD with my co-producer Nick Brophy was a great experience, and having had the opportunity to perform these songs live and get feedback from music lovers has been really satisfying. Music is so universal -- it connects us in a way that few things can."

Thankful is available at all digital download music sites.

Nashville, TN – Columbia Nashville’s Jessica Simpson will release her highly anticipated debut country album, Do You Know?, September 9, 2008. Produced by Brett James and John Shanks, Simpson co-wrote all but three of the tracks featured on the disc, including her current Top 25 hit single, “Come On Over.”

Simpson is certainly ready to come on over to country music. Recorded in Nashville , TN , this album gives listeners an inside look into the real Jessica Simpson. “Every single song is a piece of my heart … who I am,” comments Simpson. “I’m not what everybody thinks that I am. Believe it or not, I’m a simple country girl. I might buy expensive shoes,” she laughs, “But, I’m definitely a simple country girl and this album will hopefully give people a sense of who Jessica is again.”

Helping share Simpson’s story is none other than country legend Dolly Parton who lends her powerful vocals to the title track, “Do You Know.” Parton wrote this record just for Simpson. “It’s such a great song,” comments Simpson. “I’m so blessed to be able to sing with her on it … she is so much a part of me finding myself as an artist.”

Simpson will be giving country fans a preview of her new music as she hits the road this summer, playing select fairs and festivals.

www.jessicasimpson.com

NASHVILLE, TN. – Legendary performer George Jones wants to help others discover their road to music industry success. George Jones University was established as an intensive seminar program designed to teach the basics of the business.

“It is my pleasure and honor,” Jones says, “to be able to provide a learning environment for folks who wish to make a career in the music business. Some of my closest friends and colleagues have made themselves eagerly available to lend their knowledge and experience to those who want to learn from the best.”

The 2-day seminar program, held twice each year, provides a unique and substantive learning environment for music industry hopefuls facing tremendous obstacles in pursuit of a career. Student “possums” attend classes at the Jones ranch in Franklin, Tennessee and upon program completion, are welcomed into the “possum nation”.

The lineup of professionals slated to instruct attendees at the September 25-27 program has been announced. Fall session presenters include Bob Whittaker, former General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry; Helen Cornelius, artist and Grand Ole Opry member; Blair Durham, Attorney; Martha Moore, Publicist, So Much More Media; Philip K. Lyon, Attorney; Stephen Cochran, artist on Aria Records; Bill Cody, broadcast personality, WSM and GAC; Jennifer Pierce, author of the book Breakin' into Nashville. Special guest speakers include John Zarling, Sr. Director of New Media & National Promotion Strategy for Big Machine Records and The Valory Music Company. Instructors and special guest speakers will talk about their areas of expertise and then allow time for vigorous Q&A with the students.

Jones and his wife, Nancy, gave their blessing for the founding of the venture by former Country Music Association president, Tandy Rice in May of 2006. According to Rice, who serves as dean of the program, “Our goal at George Jones University is to be a resource and a source of strength for our students. They come out empowered and prepared.”

For additional information, visit www.georgejonesuniversity.com

NASHVILLE, TENN. - Murrah Music Group has signed singer/songwriter Matt Dame to an exclusive songwriter agreement.

“It’s always exciting to find a singer/songwriter like Matt with such unique talent,” said Murrah Music Chairman Roger Murrah, “and even more exciting to bring him into the fold. We know he’ll be a tremendous addition to our creative team.”

A native of Batesville, Arkansas, a small town on the banks of the White River, Matt began singing, writing songs and learning to play the guitar at an early age. After high school, he attended Arkansas State University and Harding University. He began a career in law enforcement in 1997 in Searcy, Arkansas, and later worked in Little Rock for the Drug Unit at the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Matt moved to Music City in March 2005 to pursue his dream of writing and singing country music. After making several contacts in town, he landed a development deal with RCA Records. He signed his first publishing deal with Famous Music in 2006. As one of the most in-demand demo singers in town these days, he has had the opportunity to work in studios all over Nashville with Music City’s most legendary producers and songwriters. Matt resides in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Jessica, and son, Drew.

(Toronto, ON) - The Canadian Country Music Association has announced that international country superstar Dierks Bentley, Grammy nominated Emerson Drive, last year's Independent Male Artist of the Year winner Johnny Reid and Honorary Chairs of Country Music Week 2008, Doc Walker are all set to perform at the Canadian Country Music Awards in Winnipeg, Manitoba on September 8, 2008. The show will be broadcast nationally on CBC Television at 8pm with encore broadcasts on CMT Canada.

"We are thrilled to have some of the biggest names in country music coming out to help celebrate," said producer Brent Kawchuk of Corkscrew Media. "This announcement is only the beginning of what is sure to be a great show, guaranteed to be the talk of the town for years to come."

Platinum selling recording artist Dierks Bentley has garnered numerous CMA and ACM nominations and wins. His latest CD, Greatest Hits/Every Mile a Memory 2003-2008, named by his fans in an online contest, was recently released on Capitol Records.

Grammy nominated Emerson Drive exploded onto the charts with their latest CD Countrified. Emerson Drive have a total of six CCMA Awards under their belts to date.

Originally from Scotland, Canadian-raised Johnny Reid has taken the Canadian country music scene by storm. His latest album, Kicking Stones, has given him five singles to date, with no signs of slowing down.

This year's Honorary Chairs of Country Music Week, Manitoba natives Doc Walker won the 2007 CCMA Award for Album of the Year. Their latest album, entitled Beautiful Life was released earlier this year.

A limited number of VIP ticket packages, including the CCMA Awards, Gospel Show, VIP FanFest access and an invitation to the Post-Awards Fan Party go on sale Tuesday, July 15, 2008 for $129 via ticketmaster.ca. Tickets for the CCMA Awards go on sale Friday, July 18 via ticketmaster.ca and range in price from $35.50 - $79.50.

For details about Country Music Week and the CCMA Awards, visit www.ccma.org.

New York City: With the second half of his Poets & Pirates Tour underway, Kenny Chesney will make the moment with a quick trip to New York City to perform on “The Late Show with Conan O'Brien,” do some press for the MasterCard Priceless.com Roots of Rock sweepstakes and attend Major League Baseball's annual All-Star Game, being played at Yankee Stadium.

“It's getting to that part of the summer where home really is the road,” Chesney laughs. “Now our breaks are doing all kinds of other stuff… so it's cool to be able to get back to 'Conan,' which is one of those shows that's always sort of got us… and to be able to go to the All-Star Game, that it not only works out schedule-wise, but that it's another one of the Priceless.com things, well, that is pretty cool.”

Chesney, along with the legendary Eric Clapton and uber-rockers Bon Jovi, are part of MasterCard’s Roots of Rock sweepstakes. Beyond the website - where fans can take a look at the earliest days of all three artists' careers - every time they use their MasterCard between now and August 15th, they're registered to win a trip to where it all began for the act of their choice. They can also register to win at www.priceless.com.

“I think people are always curious about where the music comes from and the way artists' careers take shape,” Chesney admits. “I mean, I always like to know about the beginnings, so this is a way for our fans to be able to win a very special trip to see Eric Clapton or Bon Jovi or me where it all kinda began.

“And for me, getting to go to the All-Star Game… and be up close the way I'm going to get to be, well, those aren't the kind of things I think any of us ever really dream of doing. So, this is gonna be work that's a lot play, too.”

Having just played to 50,422 fans at Nashville 's LP Field, Chesney is no stranger to where the big boys play. With a stadium date this weekend at Atlanta 's Turner Field, Chesney's Corona Extra-sponsored tour is bringing the summer alive in stadiums such as Cleveland , Philadelphia , Pittsburgh , San Francisco , Dallas , Baltimore and beyond.

“If there's one thing I think me and the guys do is work hard and play hard - and if we're really doing it right, you shouldn't be able to tell the difference,” laughs the man who just had his 15th #1 with the two-week #1 “Better As A Memory” on the Billboard Country Singles chart. “There's nothing we like better than getting out there and rocking… well, except getting to see some great athletes and a couple of our good friends doing the very same thing on a baseball diamond.”

This week Taylor Swift became the only solo female act in the 44-year history of the Billboard country chart to score FIVE Top 10 singles from a debut album.  “Should’ve Said No,” the fifth single from Taylor’s self-titled debut CD, entered the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Singles chart this week, only eight weeks after its release to radio.  Taylor wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the disc, including her four previous hit singles: “Tim McGraw,” “Teardrops On My Guitar,” “Our Song,” and “Picture To Burn.” ‘Taylor Swift’ was recently certified Triple-Platinum (3 million sold) by the RIAA.  Taylor first secured her place in the country music history books when at the age of 17, she became the youngest person to single-handedly write and sing a number-one country single entirely on her own ("Our Song" spent 6 consecutive weeks at #1 atop Billboard's Top Country Songs chart), and she is also the first female solo artist in country music history to write or co-write every song on a platinum-selling debut CD.  This week, ‘Taylor Swift’ spends its 23^rd week in the #1 position atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, exhibiting extraordinary momentum for an album released 89 weeks ago.  

Nashville, TN – Columbia Nashville’s Jessica Simpson premiered her latest music video for the Top 25 smash “Come On Over” on her website www.jessicasimpson.com.

Simpson’s video can be seen online only until Monday when it makes its national broadcast premiere (7/14) on EXTRA. Check local listings for airtimes. Shot at Little Creek Ranch in southern California under the skillful direction of Liz Friedlander, Simpson turns up the heat and effortlessly conveys the sexy, confident attitude of the song. For those make-up mavens out there, watch for a glimpse of the elegant bottle of Simpson’s soon-to-be unveiled fragrance, “Fancy,” available in select stores this August. “Come On Over” is from Simpson’s highly anticipated country debut due out this September.

As the summer heats up, Simpson is hitting the road to play select fairs and festivals and give country fans a preview of her new music.

Photo Credit: Devin Pense / 6.19.08

Trisha Yearwood headlines the 2008 Concert for Cumberland Heights, Saturday September 10 at 8PM CT, it was announced this week.  Tickets are on sale now through TicketMaster (www.ticketmaster.com), The Ryman box office, and Cumberland Heights (www.cumberlandheights.org).  “The Concert for Cumberland Heights is unique among music events because of its intimate family atmosphere,” said John Hiatt, who hosts the annual event, “but we expect this year’s event will be very special.”  Whether it be this treatment facility, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Habitat For Humanity, or The Komen Foundation, Trisha gives so much of herself to causes she believes in.  We asked Trisha how she came to support Cumberland Heights: “I learned about Cumberland Heights several years ago when I was asked to perform at a benefit for them,” recalls Trisha.  “I always like to find things to be involved with in my own community, and they’re such a great organization.  Sometimes I have a personal connection [to a cause], but sometimes, as in this case, I just really like what the organization is about and want to help out.”

Taylor Swift’s limited edition Wal-Mart exclusive release, Beautiful Eyes, will be released this Tuesday, July 15^th.  The CD/DVD collection contains exclusive content never-before-released, but Taylor wanted to make sure her fans weren’t confusing this release with her sophomore album, set for release later this year.  In a recent MySpace blog, Taylor notes: “I wanted to let you know about this limited edition release that's coming out at Wal Mart called ‘Beautiful Eyes’. This is NOT my new album that I've been working on all year.  It's a two disc set, one CD and one DVD. The CD has two previously unreleased songs, “Beautiful Eyes” and “I Heart ?” ( I wrote those songs when I was 13) as well as alternate versions of “Should've Said No”, and an acoustic version of “Teardrops On My Guitar”.  The DVD has of all of my videos, the ACM Performance of “Should've Said No” (in the rain!) and a video created for “Beautiful Eyes” with footage from my 18th Birthday Party.  I'm only letting my record company make a small amount of these - the last thing I want any of you to think is that we are putting out too many releases.  I'm not going to be doing a bunch of promotion for it, because I don't want there to be confusion about whether it's the second album or not.  I've gotten so many emails from people asking for new songs, and I thought this might tie them over till the new album comes out in the fall.”

Big Machine Records has signed Kate & Kacey Coppola, it was announced this week, just as the duo performed the National Anthem live on Saturday night’s 8th Annual Firestone Indy 200 IndyCar Series Race broadcast live on ESPN. Originally hailing from Denver but now proud Nashville residents, twins Kate and Kacey Coppola, charmed audiences with both their powerful harmonies and sweet spunk on CMT’s Can You Duet? -- singing their way to the semi-finals. Gifted songwriters, Kate and Kacey penned the song “House With No Doors,” included on George Strait’s current hit album ‘Troubadour’. For more information on Kate and Kacey Coppola visit: www.myspace.com/thecoppolas.

Nashville, TN - Georgette Jones, daughter of Hall of Fame country artists George Jones and Tammy Wynette, will guest-star as the conjured ghost of her late mother Tammy Wynette in the upcoming television series, produced for Viacom, entitled Sordid Lives. The series will premiere on Logo July 23, 2008 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

The World Premiere and Red Carpet for the series will be held July 15, 2008 at New World Stages in New York City. There will be a special performance from Jones who will be paying tribute to her mother by singing Tammy Wynette classics from the series. Screening of episodes 1 and 2 are scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM.

Sordid Lives: The Series, which, like the play and film, is created, written and directed by Del Shores, stars Bonnie Bedelia (Die Hard, The Division), Beth Grant (No Country for Old Men, Little Miss Sunshine), Emmy Award winner Rue McClanahan (The Golden Girls), Olivia Newton-John (Grease) and Caroline Rhea (Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, The Caroline Rhea Show). Throughout the series, there will be several guest star appearances, including Margaret Cho, Candis Cayne, Carson Kressley and Georgette Jones.

Creator and director Del Shores, thought Jones did an excellent job portraying her mother Tammy Wynette. "It was such a thrill to work with Georgette in my series," stated Shores. "If you know my work, you know my intense love for Tammy Wynette. Georgette not only played her mother in the series to perfection, but she sang all of the Tammy songs that we used and just soared."

Music has been a life-long passion and Georgette hopes to soon have a CD of her own to add to her family legacy. She most recently is featured in a duet with her father George Jones entitled "You And Me And Time", which Georgette co-wrote with Don Pfrimmer and Mark McGuinn. The song is the first single off her dad's new album BURN YOUR PLAYHOUSE DOWN: the unreleased duets soon to be released on Bandit Records.

In her career, Georgette has performed all over the world, but she considers singing at the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry her most special and memorable moments. "I hope country music embraces this very talented woman and she becomes the star that she deserves to be," said Shores. "Besides all that talent, Georgette is just good people. Her mama would be so proud of her. I know I am."

For more information on Georgette Jones, please visit her website at www.georgettejones.com.

Sordid Lives: The Series has been in development for two years and was produced by Stanley M. Brooks, Del Shores and Damian Ganczewski for Once Upon A Time Films, producers of the Emmy Award-winning Broken Trail. Also producing are Scout Productions with IMG World Media distributing internationally.

Country Music Out & About

Trisha Yearwood kicked off the release of her new single, “They Call It Falling For A Reason”, with a ‘REALITY RADIO’ contest originating from Nashville’s Hotel Indigo penthouse suite on Thursday.  Trisha spent time on the air in a dozen markets with local winners who had the task of interviewing Trisha, premiering her new single and demonstrating top shelf DJ skills – all teams were vying for the chance to interview Trisha in a segment airing nationally on Westwood One’s CMT Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton syndicated show and receive a personalized autographed acoustic guitar.  To add more excitement to the day, teams were judged by industry professionals, who determined the best-of-the-best.  Before the grand prize winner was announced, Trisha treated the contest winners to an acoustic concert.  Judges pictured above (l-r): Tunecom’s Joe Patrick, Trisha and XM’s Jon Anthony along with Westwood One’s George Achaves.

Trisha Yearwood is pictured above with Kimberly Guarino, who was WUSN/Chicago’s local winner for the ‘REALITY RADIO’ competition taking place last Thursday in Nashville.  Kimberly was chosen by the judges to be the winner with the best interviewing skills and best on-air presentation.  Her grand prize included an interview with Trisha to be aired on CMT’s Country Countdown USA and an autographed acoustic guitar.

Jewel recently spent some time with KRST/Albuquerque PD Eddie Haskell, pictured above with Valory’s Chris Loss and Valory’s Jon Loba.

Jimmy Wayne recently stopped by WKDF/Nashville for an on-air visit with MD and on-air personality Billy Dukes, pictured above.

Justin Moore shot the music video for his new single “Back That Thing Up” this week outside of Nashville.  Pictured above at the shoot (l-r): Manager Pete Hartung, Justin and director Wes Edwards on the set in Rubyland Farm in Watertown, TN.

Jewel recently stopped through Indianapolis on Brad Paisley’s PAISLEY PARTY Tour and while there spent some time with WFMS PD Bob Richards and WFMS MD JD Cannon, pictured above.

Fisher Stevenson was in Los Angeles this week promoting his single “No Tomorrow Here Tonight”, and stopped by Yahoo! Music for a visit.  Pictured above (l-r): Yahoo! Music Head of Programming & Label Relations John Lenac, Fisher and Yahoo! Music Sr. Program Director, Country/CCM/Content Merchandising Wendy Geller.

Jack Ingram kicked off the second leg of Martina McBride’s Waking Up Laughing Tour Friday night in Detroit.  Pictured above prior to the show (l-r): Jack, WYCD contest winner Jenny Zehel and WYCD PD Tim Roberts.

Fisher Stevenson stopped by the Academy of Country Music offices to perform for the staff while in Los Angeles this week on his radio tour.  While there, Fisher also signed up as an official ACM member.  Pictured above (l-r): Brooke Primero, Big Machine’s John Zarling, Michelle Goble, Fisher, Lisa Lee, David Young, Nikki Discola, Matt Brantley and Stephanie Rew.

PROMO STAFF CHANGES AT EQUITY

Nashville, TN July 14, 2008 -- As previously announced by Equity Music Group Sr VP of promotion David Haley, Heather Propper has rejoined the label as Southeast Regional Promotion Director, replacing Jeff Davis.

Additionally, Haley announces today that Midwest Regional Promotion Director Nathan Cruise is departing the label, and he is actively seeking his replacement.

NINE NORTH RECORDS ADDS STAR HITTER MORAN TO THE TEAM

NASHVILLE — Nine North Records president Larry Pareigis has announced the addition of Tom Moran to the Nine North team effective immediately. Moran, most recently vice president of promotion at ShowDog Records, joins Nine North as vice president of promotion and marketing, reporting directly to Pareigis.

The move reunites the pair, who worked together at Sony BMG Nashville’s imprint Columbia Records under then-president John Grady. “I’m thrilled to be invited to work with Larry Pareigis and Nine North,” says Moran. “As business conditions and the cost of doing business continue to bring consolidation and cutbacks at the majors, it will become more apparent and more obvious to all that the model Larry has designed is the future of country music promotion. The music is good and the staff is good…look for good things from Nine North.”

After many years in the pop and rock worlds, Moran has done promotion for Polydor, Warner Bros, and Columbia. He was vice president of Epic and subsequently Show Dog. Most recently, Moran has been hired to consult several record labels. “I’m honored that the best natural promotion man I’ve ever worked with would extend Nine North this vote of confidence by joining us,” notes Pareigis. “It also makes the future of this business model a more exciting and viable one with him becoming a part of the Nine North team.”

Nashville, TN -- Stephanie Beck Williams filmed her new video, "Not Your Normal Country Girl," in Nashville, TN and in Dallas, TX with a guest appearance from the world famous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.  The video can be viewed at www.stephaniebeckwilliams.com

When coming up with video plans, Williams thought it would be a great idea to send her song to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for consideration in her video. "Since this song was about country girls who may be a little different I thought it would be fun to have the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders in the video with me," she said. Williams followed through with her wild idea, sent the song to the world famous organization and the rest is history.

The video, directed by Lou Chanatry, features Stephanie Beck Williams in Nashville working as a talent agent and then in Dallas performing with The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. "My journey as an artist and professional singer has been anything but normal, so getting to perform with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders just fits perfectly," explains Williams.

Williams got her first break into the country genre last year as millions voted her the lucky winner for CMT's Music City Madness nationwide talent contest.  Before the contest, her voice had been heard as an ad-jingle singer on numerous national ad campaigns like McDonald's ("Have You Had Your Break Today"), Toyota ("Life Is a Highway") and other products. As a backup vocalist, she has recorded with Dolly Parton, Isaac Hayes, Darryl Worley and other celebrities. The award-winning independent film Folly Island features four of her performances on its soundtrack.

On top of everything else she does, Williams recently began working with Youth Villages; an organization that strives to brighten the lives of foster children.  As an adopted child herself, she felt the need to do her part and give back. Williams sings as well as teaches modeling to these children in hopes of building their confidence levels.

Nashville, Tenn. - For those aching to hear the pure, lonesome tenor from the Appalachian siren of modern country, the wait is over. With her first release in three years, Patty Loveless is back with her 19th CD on a new label, Saguaro Road Records, formed in June 2008 by Direct Holdings Americas Inc. Direct Holdings also markets and sells audio and video entertainment products under the Time Life brand, which it uses under license from Time Warner Inc.

Produced with her husband and musical soul mate, Emory Gordy Jr., and backed by a Who's Who of Nashville A-list session players, including Harold Bradley, John Hobbs, Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Harry Stinson, Steve Gibson and Biff Watson, with background vocals by Vince Gill, Sleepless Nights features 14 titles that the pair culled from a pool of nearly 500 songs. This album of classics celebrates the many facets of heartache that make country music the diary of the common man.

"Emory and I were talking over dinner about recapturing some of these moments from my youth," Loveless explains, "because I want to inspire and remind people of what country is made of. It takes me back especially to my brother, Roger, and my sister, Dottie, and the music they loved.

"It's a little bit of a history lesson, but I think once you hear the songs, the stories ... you're going to be drawn to it," continues Loveless. "People lived a little differently then, but at the same time, there's a lot more in common [with today] than people would think." Hailed by People magazine as "equal parts Linda Ronstadt and Patsy Cline" when her two-million-selling Only What I Feel was released, Loveless has always believed in honoring her upbringing. Born in rural eastern Kentucky to a coal mining father who loved bluegrass, Patty followed her roots all the way to the Opry stage after first catching the ear of Porter Wagoner when she was only 13. She released her self-titled debut in 1987 and has never looked back.

A CMA Female Vocalist and Album of the Year winner, Loveless has consistently set a standard for what country music should be with platinum CDs and chart-topping songs like "You Don't Even Know Who I Am" and "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye."

As Time magazine once noted, "Her songs catalog every sin a man can commit, every pain a woman can bear. If you turn on the radio and hear a strong heart breaking, chances are it's the one in that plangent Loveless voice ..."

"These are great Country songs", says Direct Holdings Senior Vice President, Retail, Mike Jason, but in many ways they transcend their Country roots by telling universal stories of love, passion and heartbreak." "Patty's beautifully plaintive voice and this album will speak to the Country music purist, the newest fan and everyone in between."

On Sleepless Nights, Loveless draws on her vocal strength and traditional sensibilities to bring her own versions of these timeless standards to life. The title track is itself a bridge between the heart-wrenching Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris duet and the original, more obscure yet hopeful Everly Brothers' version.

That is the beauty of what Loveless has always achieved: a seamless synthesis of what was, what is and what matters.

Whether it's Webb Pierce's cautionary "There Stands the Glass," George Jones regret-steeped "Color of the Blues" or Hank Williams' "Cold, Cold Heart," these songs are imbued with a fire that consumes the listener.

And they are classics for a reason. Not just for what they say, or who wrote or recorded them, but also because of the emotional charge they carry. "I felt like I could dip into my own soul," Loveless says of "Color of the Blues" by her dear friend George Jones. "It grabs a hold of you and won't let go ... and when you're feeling down and out, that may be all you have to hold onto.

"That's what makes country music stand out. 'Don't Let Me Cross Over' is a cheatin' line ... and it was written by a woman, Penny Jay Moyer."

In a world growing more complex, and at the same time more superficial, it takes some digging to find what's real. It's not always neat and tidy, but it is profound. For Loveless, that's the essence of her role as a country music singer.

Sleepless Nights SONG LIST

1. WHY BABY WHY
2. THE PAIN OF LOVING YOU
3. HE THINKS I STILL CARE
4. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
5. CRAZY ARMS
6. THERE STANDS THE GLASS
7. THAT'S ALL IT TOOK
8. COLOR OF THE BLUES
9. I FORGOT MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW
10. NEXT IN LINE
11. DON'T LET ME CROSS OVER
12. PLEASE HELP ME I'M FALLING
13. THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING
14. COLD COLD HEART

Aspirion/Northwind recording artist Mike Aiken has got the perfect cure for those summertime blues with the release of "Find Me," the first single from his new CD Hula Girl Highway. Written by Aiken, the up-tempo melody and light hearted lyrics will make you want to chuck it all, get out of dodge, and go coastal.

Not many people get to live life on their terms. But that is exactly what Mike Aiken has been able to do combining his three greatest passions in life, music, sailing and adventure. With Hula Girl Highway, Mike's sophomore record for Aspirion/Northwind Records, he continues to cement his place as an authentic voice of a wayfaring lifestyle that most of us will only just dream about.

"I come from those back roads, dirt under my boots, now I live on the water with a country point of view," Mike sings in "Find Me". "This one came to me while anchored in the Bahamas, holed up during a hellacious storm," he recalls. "We had wind generators to make drinking water and were better off than most. It was then I knew I was one of the luckiest SOB's in the world to have the chance to live this lifestyle."

A modern-day troubadour, Mike's sailed the waters less traveled entertaining people from Canada to the Caribbean and beyond. 2007 saw the release of his Aspirion/Northwind debut Just Add Salt. Mike's mix of country and roots rock with a Caribbean flair struck the right chord with listeners hitting the New Music Weekly, Americana and Roots Music charts.

A believer in giving back, his philanthropic activities include being a sponsor of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race benefiting the area's environmental interests, as well as founder of the "Aiken and Friends Music Festival" which helps fund music education.

Hula Girl Highway is distributed by Aspirion/Northwind Records; National Radio Promotion for the single "Find Me" is being handled by Aspirion Records and Bill Wence Promotions, publicity by The Jayne Gang.

For More Information on Mike Aiken go to:
www.mikeaikemusic.com
www.myspace.com/mikeaiken