Country Music Online

Canadian Country Music Association Names Corkscrew Media As Producer Of The 2008 CCMA Awards

Nashville, Tennessee — The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) announced today that Calgary-based, Corkscrew Media have been selected to produce the 2008 CCMA Awards broadcast to be held in Winnipeg on September 8. This year's Awards Show will once again be broadcast by CBC with encore airings on CMT in Canada.

"Corkscrew presented an outstanding bid. It was well researched, well thought out and presents concepts for the CCMA Awards that will have both the in-house and at-home guests dancing in their seats," said Chair of the CCMA Board of Directors, Heather Ostertag. "I think Country music fans have a lot to look forward to."

Brent Kawchuk and Paula Davies of Corkscrew Media will be the Executive Producers of this year's broadcast. Davies and Kawchuk and the rest of their production team step into this role with a wealth of experience in the production of live television and music events.

"Everyone at Corkscrew is thrilled to be a part of this year's show," Kawchuk said. "Myself, my Co-Executive Producer Paula Davies and writer/producer Joel Stewart have long been involved in music and television and are excited to be bringing our vision and experience to this year's awards. Our goal is to create a live, energetic show that puts the fans first - celebrating right along with their favourite country artists and seeing them in unique musical moments that they might not see anywhere else."

Country Music Week 2008 in Winnipeg will be held September 5-8 with the CCMA Awards to be held September 8 at the MTS Centre. Tickets to the CCMA Awards will be available through all ticketmaster locations and online at www.ticketmaster.ca in the near future. Stay tuned to our website for updates. For more details about Country Music Week or the 2008 CCMA Awards visit www.ccma.org.

About the CCMA and Country Music Week:

The CCMA is a non profit trade association dedicated to the growth and development of Canadian country music. For over 30 years the CCMA has marked each September with Country Music Week, a four day conference and celebration culminating in the internationally broadcast CCMA Awards (established 1983). Country Music Week is one of the largest music events in Canada with a combination of activities for both community and industry including showcase opportunities for newcomers, educational seminars and an all day FanFest that delivers Canada's stars to the community.

"Eric Church" Means Business

Nashville, TN — American Airlines, Bridgestone, Caterpillar Financial - and Eric Church?!? Vanderbilt University's renowned Owen Graduate School of Management will host a hand-selected group of 100 students for Accelerator 2008, Vanderbilt's Summer Business Institute; these students will develop/propose solutions to various business challenges for numerous corporate partners, including the William Morris Agency. The WMA has offered client and country music artist Eric Church - whose sophomore project for Capitol Records Nashville, CAROLINA, will be released in the fall - as one of the subjects for this summer project.

To acquaint the students with Eric's music, history and projects - both the critically acclaimed SINNERS LIKE ME debut and the upcoming CAROLINA album - the William Morris Agency sponsored a special presentation for the Accelerator 2008 participants on Monday, June 16 at the Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theatre. The Vanderbilt Summer Business Institute students - and 150 members of Church's fan club, The Church Choir - were treated to a unique blend of concert (with Church's full band) and interview, with insightful commentary and discussion led by noted country music historian Robert K. Oermann. Church performed songs from his debut album – hit singles as well as such fan favorites as “Livin’ Part of Life” and “Before She Does – before showcasing tracks from the new album, including the title track and his latest single, “His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love.)”

After the performance, Church pointed out a crucial aspect of his rapidly-building success: "I've always said that if you want to know who I am, listen to my music. Well, in order to understand my career, you have to meet my fans. They ARE my career; they're the reason I'm here. Having members of the fan club at this Accelerator presentation wasn't an option - it was essential. I'm glad that the students got a close-up view of what I get to see every time I take the stage, because it's truly a powerful thing."

Students selected to participate in Vanderbilt's Summer Business Institute's Accelerator 2008 program are offered a type of "business boot camp": a hands-on, real-world experience that will complement their undergraduate education. For 30 straight days, twelve hours a day, the Accelerator 2008 participants will be immersed in an intensive program that includes over 100 hours of training/education and over 250 hours of corporate projects.

“The consulting project for Eric Church is a big wow-factor for our students,” said Vanderbilt professor Kimberly Pace, faculty supervisor. “They are used to solving business problems for big companies, but this is more personal. Using the business tools they have been taught will help them create a solid marketing campaign. The secret ‘x’ factor is getting to know the artist. William Morris, Capital Records Nashville, and Q Prime put together a dynamic experience to showcase Eric Church and help these young consultants connect the artist with his powerful songs.”

“WMA is very excited to be involved in the Vanderbilt Accelerator program. Our goal was to present the students with a project a little outside the box, something that would really challenge their creativity, to see what types of ideas and strategies they could orchestrate for a country music artist,” said William Morris Agency’s Jay Williams. “With his sophomore album, CAROLINA, being released in the fall, Eric Church was the ideal candidate, we felt. The event was a great way not only to get a crash course in the inner-workings of the music industry, but to also get up-close and personal with Eric and his music.”

Eric Church’s debut album, SINNERS LIKE ME, was named by Rolling Stone, the New York Times and Los Angeles Times as one of the top country albums of the year. Hits like “Guys Like Me,” “How ‘Bout You” and “Two Pink Lines” helped establish this North Carolina-born songwriter as one of the top new male acts in country music today. Church’s new single, “His Kind of Money (My Kind of Love)” is climbing the country singles charts; CAROLINA, his second album, is scheduled for release this fall.

(pictured, l to r): Jay Williams, WMA; Professor Kimberly Pace, Vanderbilt; Church; Robert K. Oermann; Paul Moore, WMA; Fielding Logan, Q Prime; Sue Ann Cordell, WMA and WMA's Kevin Meads.

River County Set To Rock The Country

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — SVC Records, Indianapolis, IN introduces River County [Derek Wylie (lead vocals), Chris Presley (lead/ rhythm guitar and background vocals) and Jake Hehman (keyboards & harmonies)], a group of country boys who love to rock the stage and play just for the fun of it.

Combining the musical vibe and storytelling of Marshall Tucker Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Charlie Daniels, River County delivers a bold sound in Southern Rock/Swamp Rock style.

A working band, the group has opened for Andy Griggs, Rascal Flatts, Jack Ingram and Lorrie Morgan and has performed at a variety of special events including the Indy 500, The Downtown Sky Concert Series, and the NASCAR Brickyard 400. In early 2008, the group successfully completed a five-city tour in Mainland, China. The trio was named “Indy's No.1 Country Band,” by Nuvo Magazine (2007).

River County makes their national introduction to country radio with their release entitled “Rockin’ The Country” (July 14 Add date/CDX Vol. 452), their mantra song, featuring Chris Presley on lead guitar and what the group calls their main instrument—River County harmonies. The single was produced by Terry Wendt and was written by band members Chris Presley and Jake Hehman. It comes from their new CD by the same name, ROCKIN’ THE COUNTRY, set to be released in early fall.

River County’s Derek Wylie, Chris Presley and Jake Hehman are good ole boys who’ve become friends for life and have made ROCKIN’ THE COUNTRY their mission in life and in music. Their 10-song CD is filled with hidden messages and personal meaning and highlights the heartfelt, emotional fan favorites, "I Thank God” and "It's Alright to Cry," the groovin’ “We’re All Here” (that’ll drive every listener to the local watering hole), every gal’s dream song, “What A Real Man Does,” and the hard drivin’ new single “Rockin’ The Country.”

Spearheading the artist launch, single marketing and promotion campaign is music industry veteran Steven Sharp, CEO of Sharp Objects, Nashville, TN. Grassroots Promotion (Nashville, TN) will head up the radio promotion.

In celebration of the CD release and in support of the new single, the group recently participated in CMA Fest in Nashville and has 30 dates on the books in the Mid-states region.

www.rivercountymusic.com

Clay Walker's Band Against MS Foundation Awards Scholarship To University Of Texas At Houston Medical Student

Nashville, TN — Clay Walker's Band Against MS (BAMS) Foundation recently awarded a $5000 Summer Research Scholarship to one outstanding University of Texas at Houston Medical School student. The scholarship, issued through The Foundation of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (FCMSC), was awarded to UT Houston Medical School student, Stephanie Tran, a sophomore at the university.

As result of being awarded the scholarship, Tran will be working directly with Walker's personal physician, Dr. Jerry Wolinsky during the summer months ahead. Tran and Wolinsky will work together on her own project, "Cortical Lesion in Multiple Sclerosis." After she completes her summer study, she will present her studies and findings at the May 2009 FCMSC annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

Walker and BAMS are dedicated to improving the lives of those living with MS. Since 2004, BAMS has donated over $350,000 for Multiple Sclerosis research at UT Houston.

"This was a perfect opportunity to support the ongoing efforts and good works of Dr. Wolinsky and the CMSC," says BAMS director, Kyle Frederick. "It also matched very well with our educational outreach mission. We look forward to many future successes with these and other MS related programs"

Walker, diagnosed with MS in 1996, established Band Against MS to create awareness, fund research and provide educational information for those living with the debilitating disease. Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system, plagues 2.5 million people and is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability in young people throughout the world.

Band Against MS is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing education material for those living with MS as well as funding research that may one day lead to a cure. For more information visit www.bandagainstms.org.

Clay Walker made his debut in the country music scene in 1993 with his hit "What's It To You," which reached #1 on the Billboard charts. He has sold over eight million records, has had eleven #1 hit singles and has had four platinum and three gold albums. For more information about Clay Walker visit www.claywalker.com.

Yahoo! Teenage Yodeling Champion To Play Carnegie Hall

Nashville, TN — Taylor Ware, the 13-year-old yodeling champion and "America's Got Talent" top five finalist, will perform at Carnegie Hall Tuesday, June 24, followed by two weeks' worth of Australian appearances.

"America's Yodeling Sweetheart" was asked to perform with the Bob Westbrook Singers at the legendary concert hall in New York City as the lone yodeling talent in the show.

"It's a great honor to yodel at Carnegie Hall, and I'm also very excited to spread my love of yodeling on my trip to Australia," Ware said.

The Yahoo! Yodel Challenge National Champion embarks on her first trip to Australia on June 29, where she will represent the U.S. on a two-week press tour sponsored by Yahoo! She will visit radio and television stations and also make personal appearances.

Ware, a resident of Franklin, TN, won the Yahoo! Yodel Challenge in 2003 as a 9-year-old, the youngest talent in the competition. Yahoo! sponsored her "Fairs and Festivals" tour in 2005, and she went on to become a finalist on the first season of NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2006. She most recently performed at the 2008 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN.

She has opened for country stars such as LeAnn Rimes, George Jones, Vince Gill and Trace Adkins, but her favorite place to perform is on the stage of a Nashville institution.

"My favorite place to play in the whole world is the Grand Ole Opry," Ware says.

Ware has appeared on numerous television programs, including "Entertainment Tonight," "Rachel Ray" and "The Today Show." She has performed in national TV commercials, theater productions and been featured in several print advertisements.

The honor roll student is also a Girl Scout and has over 3,000 members in the 'Yodel Patrol,' her fan club on her official website, www.taylorware.com.

For more information about Taylor's performance at Carnegie Hall, please visit: www.taylorware.com, www.myspace.com/taylorwareofficial, or www.carnegiehall.org

Jason Aldean Debuts RELENTLESS Video

NASHVILLE — Platinum- selling country music star Jason Aldean unveiled the latest music video for his new single "Relentless" this week. People.com is giving fans the "first look" by premiering the video

(http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20207626,00.html) on its homepage today. Both music video channels follow close behind when the clip goes straight into heavy rotation on CMT and medium rotation on GAC early next week.

Filmed in Nashville during a brief break from the Tim McGraw "Live Your Voice '08" tour earlier this month, the video was directed by rock director Ryan Smith (Tacklebox Films) whose credits include work with Good Charlotte, Simple Plan and Eminem. The video includes the aggressive live performance elements that Aldean has come to be known for, as well as introspective moments shot inside his tour bus and a hotel room.

Four of Aldean's last five videos went straight to #1 on CMT, and to add fuel to the fire, "Relentless" has been one of the most added songs at radio since its release several weeks ago, already blazing its way into the Top 30.

For additional information and a list of upcoming appearances, visit www.jasonaldean.com

MIKE MUSICK With Legend Charlie Daniels

Singer Songwriter Mike Musick joined legendary artists Charlie Daniels, Phil Vassar and Jimmy Webb during a live taping of American Public Television and PBS’s musical series “Legends & Lyrics” at the Grand Masonic Lodge in Nashville, TN this past Thursday. The showcase which celebrated “Americana” music, paired legends such as Charlie Daniels on the same bill with emerging artists like Mike Musick. Mike was "blown away to be featured in the same TV special as Charlie Daniels, Phil Vassar and Jimmy Webb...Not only are these guys great icons of music, but their songwriting ability and performing was fantastic." The special is set to air on PBS stations across the country this December.

Mike Musick will be releasing his third album Honest this September, which features the Top 10 single “America”. According to Musick, ““America” is all about rethinking our priorities and becoming more vigilant in light of what happened on that day in 2001.” In support of “America”, which was produced by the Grammy Winning Monroe James (Third Day, Chris Rice), Musick recently embarked on a two week cross country radio tour, where he performed songs from Honest and brought awareness to his charity Thirst Aid Live which seeks to address the global water crisis by raising funds for water purification systems across the developing world.

Musick has released a handful of projects that received acclaim in the past, starting with Liquid Fire’s House of Stones (2000) and continuing through his solo debut This Town (2002) (produced by Mitch Dane, whose credits include Jars of Clay) and Love Rain Down (2006). His single “Funk#5” reached #2 on Indie Rock Radio, while “This Town” reached #3 on that survey and was a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and was released on a radio compilation entitled Still Small Voice. In addition, “Got Your Back” from This Town was a big college radio hit throughout the Midwest and was included on a 2004 Major League Baseball compilation CD that was distributed to players through UPI’s Think About It campaign; the compilation also featured Jeff Foxworthy.

Debut Solo Album From Heidi Newfield Set For August 5th Release

NASHVILLE, TN — Curb/Asylum Records will release the debut solo album from Heidi Newfield on August 5th. What Am I Waiting For features the lead single “Johnny & June,” co-written by Newfield along with Stephony Smith and Deanna Bryant. Currently sitting at #28 on Mediabase and #31 on R&R, the single’s true smash potential is demonstrated online, where it boasts a 3.28 download to spin ratio, with a 20% increase this week over last. “Johnny & June” is #16 on iTunes’ Top Country Songs Chart, and Newfield is a top 5 New Artist at iTunes—all without the benefit of a video in release. The video for “Johnny & June,” by director Eric Welch, will be shot in Nashville next week.

Produced by Tony Brown, What Am I Waiting For showcases Newfield’s immense songwriting talent and vocal range. “Heidi is one of those artists with a very distinctive voice,” states Brown. Not only is she a fine writer, she has a keen sense for great songs. She exhibits strong style, charisma, and experience that shine through on her SMASH first single from her STELLAR first solo project.”

On Friday, June 27, Heidi will perform on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time ever as a solo artist. Throughout summer 2008 she continues to open tour dates for Brooks & Dunn, while headlining select shows across the United States. Newfield also appears in recent issues of Billboard and Country Weekly, and will perform her single, “Johnny & June,” on Crooke & Chase this week, airing on RFD-TV tonight at 8pm CT and again this Saturday at 6pm CT.

What Am I Waiting For Track Listing:

1. Can’t Let Go (Randy Weeks)

2. When Tears Fall Down (Heidi Newfield, Al Anderson, Leslie Satcher)

3. Johnny & June (Heidi Newfield, Deanna Bryant, Stephony Smith)

4. What Am I Waiting For (Heidi Newfield, Ira Dean, Keith Burns, Jeffrey Steele)

5. Love Her And Lose Me (Heidi Newfield, Dale Dodson, Dean Dillon)

6. Cry Cry (Til The Sun Shines) (Hillary Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey, Marv Green)

7. Wreck You (Lori McKenna, Felix McTeague)

8. Nothin’ Burns Like A Memory (Heidi Newfield, Ira Dean, Eric Silver)

9. All I Wanna Do (Heidi Newfield, Al Anderson)

10. Knocked Up (Angaleena Presley, Mark Sanders)

Kenny Chesney's Chicago Pirate Radio: WUSN Goes All Poets, All Pirates for SRO Stadium Show

Chicago: WUSN the nation's biggest country radio station, will be flying a skull & crossbones flag this weekend as Kenny Chesney's Poets & Pirates Tour drops anchor for its sold-out Soldier Field show, home of the Chicago Bears. Starting at 5 pm Friday - and running through Sunday morning - WUSN is getting in the spirit of the weekend by playing all Kenny - and the occasional Keith Urban - to celebrate what is easily the year's biggest concert tour.

“Kenny's sold out concert at iconic Soldier Field has grabbed the attention of the entire market and will easily equal Lollapalooza as the biggest music event in Chicago this year,” enthuses WUSN's Mike Peterson. “We're putting every available marketing and programming resource into action to make sure the country music flag flies high and proud this weekend!”

“It's been pretty crazy this year,” laughs the man who just lodging his 15th #1 this week with the bittersweet “Better As A Memory,” of the news that WUSN had stowed away with his tour notion. “We have had some amazing moments… whether it was having them all but close Duval Street when the Keg in the Closet warm-up shows hit Key West or having Steve Miller come out and play with us in San Francisco… and this just takes it one step further!

“It's funny. At a time when the economy is pretty rough, people wanna come out, have a good time and forget even more than other years. They're partying in the parking lot and singing louder than ever… and now WUSN is revving that experience up even earlier for the people coming to the Chicago stadium show, and taking them home in the spirit we're trying to create! How cool is that?”

For the man who played to 45.770 people in Pittsburgh's Heinz Field last week - and that number doesn't include the flotilla that moored in the river just beyond the stadium - the idea country music hits fans as hard as any other genre isn't just a reality, it's a mandate. With no tickets left for his Chicago stadium show, the impact of his Corona Extra sponsored tour isn't lost on the man The San Diego Tribune called “the Entertainer of the People.”

“I think people make too much of what country was, and they miss what it is right now,” Chesney explains of his brand of country's far-reaching appeal. “You know, like most people, I was raised on all kinds of music, and I see the overlap - and I know what excites me. To bring those elements into country, well, that only makes it stronger! You know, it's not just about where we're coming from… it's about keeping country strong, keeping it something that speaks to people.

“I've had everyone from Dave Matthews to Joe Walsh to Eddie and Alex Van Halen onstage with me and the guys… and Sammy Hagar is doing a bunch of these shows with us this summer,” Chesney says, “and for our fans, there's no disconnect. They know 'I Can't Drive 55,' just like they know 'You Never Even Called Me By My Name. So if this kinda country is what people's summers and memories are made of, I'm glad WUSN is helping us bring it home.”

Jason Matthews Rocks Denim and Diamonds

NASHVILLE, TN — Jason Matthews was joined by Chuck Wicks, Bucky Covington and Jennifer Hanson at WDAF's Denim & Diamonds show May 21 in Kansas City, MO. Pictured (L to R): Chuck Wicks and Jason Matthews share a laugh on stage between performances.

Photo Credit: Paul Chokota

Katie Armiger To Turn "17 In Abilene"

When Katie Armiger wrote and released her debut single “17 In Abilene” she never imagined that a year later she would be taking the song quite literally and heading to Abilene, TX to celebrate her 17th birthday. But on June 25th that is exactly what Katie will do, with the help of local radio station KEAN. 17 lucky radio winners, plus their guests, will help Katie celebrate at the Texas Roadhouse with lunch and birthday cake. As a thank you, winners will also be treated to a special acoustic performance by Katie as well as an advance copy of her forthcoming album Believe.

“KEAN was the first radio station to play “17 In Abilene” and I am so thankful to them for their support,” said Katie. “Now they are helping me celebrate my birthday in such a cool way by having my song come to life and actually turning 17 in Abilene, TX. I am not sure I will be able to top this birthday, I mean how exciting is this?!”

“17 In Abilene,” which Katie co-wrote with current Nashville Star contestant Ashlee Hewitt, set a record for the highest debut by a solo independent artist since 2003 on Music Row. The single was a big hit in Europe landing at #1 on European Hotdisc for seven weeks straight and the video landed at #1 on CMT Pure.

Katie will be releasing her second album, Believe, on Cold River Records July 1st. The 11-track album, which features the previously released single, “Make Me Believe,” is a recording that truly captures Katie’s ability and growth as an artist both lyrically (having written 10 of the 11 songs) and vocally. Fans will get to hear a different side to Katie on Believe with a little bit of edge that has come from a year on the road. But in true country form Katie has made sure to stay true to her roots as well as her age with down-to-earth, lighthearted music that will have fans in awe of what is possible from this almost 17 year old.

For more information on Katie you can visit her website at www.katiearmiger.com.

Billy Craig Gets His ‘Flip Flops’ On At The JMM Detroit Concert

Rising Detroit Country star Billy Craig has been busy these days. With his rockin’ opening for Country star John Michael Montgomery at Michigan’s largest outdoor amphitheatre, DTE Energy Music Theatre, and his new CD release This Side of Somewhere featuring 14 of his original compositions, including the just released and compelling summer fun song Flip Flops.

The recording started out at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis where Johnny Cash began his recording career and finishing the process in the Metro Detroit area.

The song is currently being played on 99.5 The Wolf Country Detroit HD Digital Radio and as a featured artist on the legendary WSM in Nashville it’s getting a great response. Other Country stations in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oregon and Canada are all hoping on the summertime bandwagon with “Flip Flops.” The song has recently been added to the play list for Pure Country GAPEAU FM in France and regular rotation on Radio Antenna 2 in Italy as well as England and Australia.

Billy Craig is no stranger to the music industry, he’s been kicking it around for some time. In fact, since childhood Billy has performed in thousands of shows. From solo performances to cover and original bands, from jazz and Country to rock, he has played in front of audiences of up to 25,000 across the USA and abroad, including New York, California, Florida, Ohio, Texas, Detroit, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.

As one of the founding members of a Detroit based band he co-wrote songs that received heavy radio play in the Detroit metro market and as far west as Sacramento, California.

Recently Billy was a featured artist performing live on the syndicated Mitch Albom Show for millions of listeners across the USA.

Billy has been newly nominated for the Motor City Music Awards.

www.billycraigmusic.com

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