August 2012: Inside Track on Music Row

inside track on music row by preshias Harris

  If I am Chasing Your Dream Faster Than You, Then I am IN THE Wrong Dream.   –  Preshias

ALBUM NEWS: Viewers in favor of the “most recognizable voice in country music,” get ready for one of the best contemporary country artists. Josh Turner, the multi-platinum selling hit-maker and recent No. 1 Country Billboard Album beholder (His album PUNCHING BAG Debut, at No# 1), returns to late night on The Late Show with David Letterman on Aug. 23. In July, Turner received RIAA certification plaque commemorating career sales of 12 million overall units including singles, albums and videos.

ARTIST NEWS: As part of a program called Operation HomeFront , Tim McGraw has the honor of presenting the keys of a mortgage-free home to a wounded warrior or service member in need at each stop of the Brothers of the Sun Tour. It was a no-brainer for him to get involved as soon as they asked him, and he says the recipients of the homes, “They put their life on the line, they put everything on the line. You can’t help everybody, but everybody that you do help it makes a difference.” Tim’s latest single, “Truck Yeah,” just became the highest debuting single of his career and is continuing to move quickly up the charts.

BABY NEWS:  Rascal Flatts bassist and vocalist Jay DeMarcus and his wife Allison, welcomed their second child last month. The little boy is named, Dylan Jay DeMarcus. Dylan was born in Nashville, Tenn., at 4:02 p.m., weighing in at 7 pounds and 11 ounces at 20 ½ inches long. Dylan joins sister Madeline Leigh who was born Dec. 17, 2010.

BENEFIT NEWS: Arista’s Brad Paisley has partnered with Dollar General and Pepsi for the Tune In To Giving promotion, supporting the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Through Aug. 19, a $1 donation (up to $75,000) will be made to the Foundation when shoppers buy a 10-ounce or larger bag of Lay’s chips with a two-liter Pepsi product and enter their receipt code at dollargeneral.com. The promotion also offers chances to win Paisley swag and concert tickets. Visit www.tuneintogiving.com for info. Blake Shelton has been named the ambassador of J.C. Penney’s new charity initiative, JCP Cares. The campaign supports a different charity each month beginning with July’s pick, the USO.

BUSINESS BUZZ: Show Dog-Universal VP/Strategic Planning & Promotion Jimmy Rector will join EMI Nashville as Midwest Dir./Promotion. The move to EMI brings him full-circle, having started his career in 1990 as Capitol’s Coor./Promotion. Rector remains at SDU through July.

CD RELEASES: Music City-based trio The Farm has planted the musical seeds that its members hope will blossom into an album that country fans adore. Released July 17 on the All In Records/Elektra Nashville label, the self-titled debut features 11 songs, including the act’s hit, “Home Sweet Home,” which was co-produced by The Farm‘s Nick Hoffman with acclaimed songwriter, Danny Myrick

-New releases are coming from Kix Brooks, Darius Rucker and Radney Foster.

It’s been 20 years since Clinton Gregory last touched the Top 30, itself a rare feat for an independent label artist. His new CD, Too Much Ain’t Enough, is Clinton at his best. The CD echoes potently old-school pity party and a respectable, long-overdue return from an acclaimed hard-country prodigal—somewhere between the two, there’s a reason to raise a glass. Clinton is gearing up with the title track single. He just shot his video and is hitting the road with full steam. More info at clintongregory.com.

DEEPEST SYMPATHY: Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to family, friends and fans of country music legend Kitty Wells, who recently passed away at her home in Nashville. Wells was 92. In 1952, she was the first female singer to top the Country charts with “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.”

GET WELL WISHES: To my friend Brian Mansfield. Brian is a freelance journalist for America’s Opry Weekend and USA Today. He recently went through colon cancer surgery and is working his way back to health.

LABEL NEWS:

BIG MACHINE LABEL GRP) Republic Nashville break-out-group, The ELI YOUNG Band tops both country radio charts today with their second consecutive No. 1 “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” the hit off their critically acclaimed album Life At Best. Thomas Rhett’s hit single, “Something to Do with My Hands,” has entered the top 15 country charts. It’s a wonderful thing to watch him grow up and become a rising country star.

(Broken Bow) Here we go again. ASCAP Nashville help celebrate Jason Aldean’s No. 1 status for “Fly Over States.” It is the latest single to add to the growing  count for the number ones, for the multi-platinum entertainer. The latest release is the driving lead single “Take A Little Ride” from his upcoming fifth studio album. The track is available for purchase at iTunes, and physical singles will be sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide beginning Aug. 7. His recent kudos, include album Dirt Road Anthem has been Certified Triple Platinum, and his ascent to stadium headliner, selling out his first stadium show for the 2012 My Kinda Party Tour’s Aug. 5 date at Columbus, Ohio’s Crew Stadium.

MUSIC NEWS: Edens Edge is busy promoting their latest single, “Too Good to Be True,” off of their self-titled debut album, which is available now. Their Edens Edge – Deluxe Edition, which is through the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program and features three additional tracks: “Roots,” “Little Bird” and ”Wherever I Go.” They are currently on tour with the Rascal Flatts’ Changed Tour, which makes stops across the country throughout October. To check out the on the talented musicians versatility, visitwww.edensedge.com  for tour dates.

NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS NEWS: The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriter’s trade association. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 active and pro members spans the U.S. and six other countries. Stay tuned for more details on the NEXT Song Contest coming soon. They will begin accepting submissions Aug 1, 2012. Details at nashvillesongwriters.com.

NEWS NOTE: Check out Shannon McCombs’ webisode at www.shannoncountry.com.  Then you will know why they call her the radio princess!

RIAA NEWS: Billy Currington‘s “Good Directions” was awarded platinum certification (1,000,000+), making the song Currington’s third platinum track. Penned by Luke Bryan and Rachel Thibodeau, the former No. 1 tune is contained on Currington’s 2006 album, “Doin’ Something Right.” The Georgia-born singer-songwriter, who also recently contributed to Lionel Richie’s hot-selling “Tukeegee” duets album, is currently in the studio working on his next album for Mercury Records.

TOUR NEWS: Valory’s Brantley Gilbert launches the “Hell On Wheels” Tour Sep. 27 in Lafayette, Ind. with Greg Bates, Brian Davis and Uncle Kracker supporting on various dates. The fall trek is Gilbert’s first headlining tour.

TV NEWS: Chart-topping country music star Dierks Bentley has recorded the Weeds theme song “Little Boxes” for the Emmy and Golden Globe award winning Showtime series’ eighth and final season. Bentley’s rendition of the 1962 folk song will open an episode later this season. For a sneak peek visit: www.fb.bandpage.com/dierksbentley. Bentley’s current single “5-1-5-0” is quickly climbing the Top 5 on the country radio charts and is the third single off Bentley’s No. 1 disc, Home, which has already delivered two No. 1 hits: “Am I The Only One” and “Home.” The 10-time Grammy nominee is currently out on the road for his summer tour.  For a list of upcoming appearances and tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

 WWWEBSITES TO CHECK OUT:  

bouldercreekguitars.com / ascap.com /  bmi.com / borrowedbluemusic.com   

 threehatmedia.com.

 WHO’S LOOKING  *  WHO’S CUTTING: 

Gary Allan, Andy Griggs, Samantha Landrum, Heidi Newfield and Blake Shelton. 

Send me music stuff, I love to get it! /  Preshiaswriter@hotmail.com  TN/USA. Google “Preshias”

 

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