Jack Ingram Shares Details on New Album - Out Aug. 25!
Nashville, TN — When accepting his 2008 Academy of Country Music Award for "Top New Male Vocalist," singer/songwriter Jack Ingram dedicated the honor to "anyone who who has ever dared to dream big dreams and have high hopes." After years grinding his way onto an elite list of country music's most hardworking and respected touring acts, Ingram will release his second Big Machine studio project BIG DREAMS & HIGH HOPES on Tues., Aug. 25 . Eleven tracks that further his "keep on, keepin' on" message that hard work and determination pave the only path he knows.
"I'm proud of this album like crazy," says Ingram. "We started to put it out a few times earlier this year, but then I'd hold everything up and go back to the studio and tweak this or mess with that, but now I'm finally ready. There are a few rowdy barroom sing-a-longs on there and also a few songs that are meant to be listened to when you're all alone...lots of long days and fun nights were spent making this one."
Off like a rocket, the lead single "Barefoot and Crazy" is rocking its way towards Billboard's Top 10, jumping four places to No. 13 this week with USA TODAY proclaiming it "...one of country music's hottest summertime singles."
Ingram's robust list of top-notch co-writers, producers and collaborators for the new project includes Americana heroine Patty Griffin on the Ingram-penned "Seeing Stars," and mainstream country music chart-topper Dierks Bentley on the honky tonk party anthem "Barbie Doll" with Little Big Town, Randy Houser, James Otto and The Lost Trailers (also known as The Little Big Lost Beat-Up Ford Funky Times Freedom Choir) contributing gang vocals. Jay Joyce, Jeremy Stover, Doug Lancio and Radney Foster all get production credits, and Ingram's stellar cast of co-writers includes Jeffrey Steele, Darrell Brown, Dallas Davidson, Gary Burr and Tom Shapiro.
BIG DREAMS & HIGH HOPES Track List:
1. Free (Jay Knowles, Trent Summar)
2. Barefoot And Crazy (Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson)
3. That's A Man (Ed Hill, Steven Dale Jones, Mark D. Sanders)
4. Seeing Stars, Featuring Patty Griffin (Jack Ingram, Chris Tompkins)
5. Not Giving Up On Me (Jack Ingram, Jeffrey Steele, Tom Hambridge)
6. Barbie Doll, Featuring Dierks Bentley (Jack Ingram, Todd Snider)
7. Big Dreams & High Hopes (Gary Burr, Jack Ingram)
8. Heartache (Jack Ingram, Radney Foster, Darrell Brown)
9. Man In Your Life (Jack Ingram, Radney Foster)
10. King Of Wasted Time (Tom Shapiro, Tony Martin, Jim Collins)
11. In The Corner (Jack Ingram)
Recently dubbed "The Marathon Man" in PEOPLE's "Hottest Guys In Country Music" issue, Ingram will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for "Most Consecutive Radio Interviews In A 24 Hour Period," beginning in the early hours of Aug. 25, a record currently held by Pete Wentz' Fall Out Boy. Until then, Ingram is burning up the highway with a schedule packed full of concert dates through the end of the year.
For a full list of appearances, visit www.jackingram.net or to hear Ingram's current Top 15 single "Barefoot and Crazy," click http://thegreenroompr.com/jackingram.html.
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HBO's True Blood Spices Things Up With Sammy Kershaw's 'Louisiana Hot Sauce'
Nashville, TN — Sammy Kershaw's "Louisiana Hot Sauce" was featured in last Sunday night's episode of HBO's hit series True Blood. The song written by Sammy and Keith Stegall and was on his "Maybe Not Tonight" record that was released by Mercury in 1999. The episode is being hailed by critics, bloggers and fans of the show as the best episode yet. By Monday morning the song is one of the top downloaded tracks on itunes and SammyKershaw.com was so overloaded with traffic the site crashed several times!
Here's what Entertainment Weekly had to say about this week's True Blood.
Oh, and my compliments once again to whoever is picking the country music: the use of Sammy Kershaw's "Louisiana Hot Sauce" while the reverend's wife wiggled for Jason was perfect.
In short, I felt this highly satisfying episode may have been the best one of the season so far. EW.Com
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Reba Goes Top 10 / Launches First Digital Win-It-Before-You-Can-Buy-It With iTunes
Nashville, TN — Reba recently scored her second consecutive Top 10 single of 2009, as the fastest-climbing single of her career, “Strange”, ascended to #10 on Mediabase’s Country Top 50 chart (published in Country Aircheck and USA Today) last week.
The single, from her highly anticipated Starstruck/Valory debut album Keep On Loving You (in-stores 8-18-09), follows up the Top 10 event record “Cowgirls Don’t Cry”, with Brooks & Dunn, which peaked within the Top 10 in March.
Reba was officially recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history earlier this year at an awards presentation in Las Vegas. Billboard’s Wade Jessen presented the superstar an award for the most Top 10 hits by a female artist in the history of the Billboard Country charts, while Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton and Mediabase’s Robin Rhodes honored Reba as the most-played country female artist in the history of Mediabase 24/7. Reba’s “Strange” single, which is complimented by a Top 5 video on CMT and GAC, continues its chart climb this week at Country radio
This summer, The Valory Music Co. and Big Machine Records will become the first label group offering country radio a digital win-it-before-you-can-buy-it campaign available as a download on the iTunes store.
Reba joins Valory’s Justin Moore and Big Machine’s Jack Ingram as the first artists taking part in this offering, bringing new excitement to the traditional album giveaways. Justin Moore/Justin Moore (August 11th), Reba/Keep On Loving You (August 18th) and Jack Ingram/Big Dreams & High Hopes (August 25th) will all be available to country radio via a website widget that will provide stations a turn-key approach to album giveaways.
Reba signed with The Valory Music Co. in November 2008. The move reunited the multimedia entertainer with industry leader Scott Borchetta, now President & CEO of Big Machine Records and sister label The Valory Music Co.
One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide and her last 13 studio albums have all achieved platinum-plus status.
The Valory Music Co., the sister label to Big Machine Records, was established in November 2007 with an initial artist roster that includes multi-platinum recording artist Jewel as well as Country Soul singer Jimmy Wayne and newcomer Southern Country stylist Justin Moore. The Valory Music Co. celebrated its first #1 album with Jewel’s Perfectly Clear, only 7 months after opening its doors. The label celebrated its first #1 single 3 months later when Jimmy Wayne’s “Do You Believe Me Now,” spent 3 weeks atop the Country singles charts. The Valory Music Co. possesses an exclusive, in-house promotion branding team while utilizing existing Big Machine Records backroom service and is distributed by UMGD.
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Kenny Chesney Rocks San Francisco! Outsells Last Year's Stadium Show
San Francisco — With an actual carnival set-up on the adjacent parking lot, Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival sailed into San Francisco under perfect skies and a gentle breeze. The Corona Extra sponsored tour has already had sold-out NFL stadium stops at Chicago's Soldier Field, Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field and Pittsburgh's Heinz Field - and Chesney’s Bay area appearance was no exception with an impressive 36, 258 tickets sold in a city that's not known for its country fan base.
“We totally understand about Jennifer,” says Chesney of his good friend and tour mate veteran. “She needs to take care of her voice, and I completely support that. It let Miranda and Lady A have some extra time… to really stretch out and show people a little bit more of their stuff… which was great 'cause I think every act out here is that good!”
For a second trip into the market, the 4-consecutive Academy of Country Music and 4-time and reigning Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year not only increased his ticket sales, but as legendary rock critic and Senior Pop Music Correspondent for The San Francisco Chronicle Joel Selvin - who did a major profile on Chesney for his inaugural turn at the San Francisco stadium - said, “He really knows how to play these stadiums, and that is not easy. I've seen 'em all (over the last 30 year)s!”
Joining Chesney - who last year had good friend Sammy Hagar and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Miller along for the show - this year was good friend and recent #1 record mate Mac McAnally, who joined Chesney for their chart-topping “Down The Road” and the McAnally-penned, Chesney concert staple “Back Where I Come From.” In addition, Wailers Band man Drummie Zeb, who's spending his summer playing percussion on the Sun City Carnival, stepped out for some free-styling and dancing on the runway during “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven.”
“This was one of the prettiest days we've had on this tour,” says the man who has still more NFL stadiums including Detroit's Ford Field, Indianapolis Lucas Oil Field and Boston's Gillette Stadium. “This has been a tough summer for the fans… in terms of being worried about their jobs, worried about money… and the idea that we can give people a day off from that, to come out with their friends and have some fun… You know, any day we can make somebody's world rock a little bit, well, that's a good day.”
With a “Good Morning America” Summer Concert Series in Central Park appearance on August 14 - right before his 5th flash sell-out in Foxboro, MA show - Kenny Chesney is keeping the summer alive. With the recent multiple week #1 “Out Last Night” from his Billboard all-genre Top 200 debuting Greatest Hits II, there is plenty of music to go around.”
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CMT Presents 'Invitation Only: Brad Paisley' On Monday, August 3
Nashville, TN — Country superstar Brad Paisley performs his greatest hits as well as new music from his album, American Saturday Night, when INVITATION ONLY: BRAD PAISLEY premieres Monday, August 3 at 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT. A departure from the typical concert special, INVITATION ONLY features country music’s biggest stars performing before a small studio audience in Nashville, taking questions from fans and delivering revealing and candid answers.
In this one-hour special, Paisley performs some of his biggest hits including, “Mud on the Tires”, “Online” and more, as well as “Then” and “American Saturday Night” from his current album. In a laid-back question and answer session, Paisley talks about his interests outside of the entertainment industry, his family and how his marriage stays strong.
Country music superstar Brad Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has earned him three GRAMMY’s, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards and 11 Country Music Association Awards. He has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums that have accumulated sales of over 10 million units, including 2x-Platinum 2005 ACM and CMA Album of the Year, Time Well Wasted. His most recent album, American Saturday Night, released on June 30 debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums sales chart. Paisley has 14 #1 singles – the last 10 consecutive – extending a streak already unmatched by any other country artist in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS- monitored airplay.
INVITATION ONLY: BRAD PAISLEY is a High-Five Entertainment production, with Martin Fischer and Edie Lynn Hoback serving as executive producers. Margaret Comeaux and John Hamlin serve as executive producers for CMT.
CMT, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.
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Brad Paisley's Performance at White House To Be Livestreamed at WHITEHOUSE.GOV/LIVE- July 21
Nashville, TN — Brad Paisley’s performance in the historic East Room will be livestreamed on whitehouse.gov/live on Tuesday, July 21 as part of the White House music series, an event that includes educational workshops and Country Music performances. President Obama is scheduled for opening remarks at 7:25pm ET followed by performances by Alison Krauss, Charley Pride and Paisley. The First Lady, White House staff and Members of Congress will be in attendance. The White House Music Series is hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama and its goal is to celebrate the arts and the importance of arts education. The series launched last month with a focus on Jazz and will continue in the fall with Classical music.
A three-time GRAMMY Award winner and current ACM and CMA Male Vocalist Paisley currently has the #1 Country album in the nation with his new release, American Saturday Night.
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Rev your engines with The Roys! July 30th 2009 at Cadillac Ranch
NASHVILLE, TN — The Roys will take the stage on July 30th at Cadillac Ranch - 305 Broadway, Nashville, TN for a night of great entertainment. The show starts at 8 PM with Herrick, a local Nashville based group known for their live shows and unique sound.
The Roys have partnered up with Red Horse Racing driver TJ Bell who will make a special guest appearance to greet fans and enjoy the show! TJ currently drives the #11 Toyota Tundra for Red Horse Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series !
One lucky fan will have the opportunity to win a pair of Pit Passes to the TOYOTA TUNDRA 200 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES RACE on Saturday August 1, 2009 at The Nashville Speedway!! There is no admission charge and this is definitely a show you won’t want to miss!
On August 1, 2009 it is off to Iowa! The Roys will perform the National Anthem before the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race. There will also be a performance that evening after the race along with a performance by James Otto.
About The Roys
They centered their efforts on creating their own music their way. So The Roys formed Pedestal Records to be able to deliver their style of country music to the fans. Their first and most important leg up is in the music. “From the first song we recorded on our previous CD, to the new material we’re working on, we stand behind our music 100 percent,” Lee says. “This represents us, from the bluegrass sound to traditional country to more contemporary sounds.” “Everybody has a calling in life,” Elaine says. “Ours was inevitable from a very young age.” Lee adds, “We’re just your typical 15-year overnight sensation.”
About Herrick
Herrick, a group with a unique blend of country, rock and indie spirit that has been building a big buzz on Music Row with their tight harmonies and well-crafted songs. With their song "Cry Memphis' recently garners them the International Acoustic Music Award for Group of the Year, and SMA Country Group of the year. Herrick is blazing a new trail in the Nashville arena.
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Emily West Takes Part in Lollipop Theater Network's "Rhythm of Hope" Music Program
Capitol Nashville’s Emily West took part in Lollipop Theater Network’s Rhythm of Hope event last week at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Rhythm of Hope is an interactive music program for pediatric patients that gives children a chance to create their own songs while learning the building blocks of music. After getting to meet and visit with all the children Emily and the kids performed the song they created together at the end of the day.
“What a wonderful day I had today,” says West. “Those kids are angels; it was such a sweet relief to be around them. Smiling, laughing, making loud drum sounds with them....it was all just sweet for the soul. I intend to spend as much time with these kids as much as I can.”
For more on Emily, check out her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/emilywest.
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Rascal Flatts Become First Country Act To Offer iTunes Pass, Giving Fans Never Before Released Music Each Week This Summer
NASHVILLE, TN — Rascal Flatts is bringing their fans a summer of Flatt-out awesome music as the first country act to offer an iTunes Pass. With the purchase of a Rascal Flatts iTunes Pass fans will receive automatic weekly downloads of never before released music each week this summer, including live concert recordings, studio rehearsals and lost demos.
The first wave of songs will be released July 21 with new content made available every Tuesday through September 1. Offerings include live concert recordings of “I’m Movin’ On,” “Mayberry” and “Bless The Broken Road,” live in-studio cuts of “What Hurts The Most,” “Take Me There” and “Here Comes Goodbye” along with unreleased demo recordings. A total of 28 Rascal Flatts recordings are scheduled to be released during this timeframe.
Rascal Flatts recently placed their fourth consecutive studio album atop the Top 200 chart with the release of Unstoppable, with sales of 351,000 albums. It also became the biggest country release of 2009 and the best in country first week sales since November 2008. Since they launched their career in 2000, they have sold 20 million albums, scored 11 #1 singles and 18 top 10 hits and are the reigning AMA, CMT, PCA, ACM and CMA Vocal Group of The Year. The band has become well know for their touring savvy with energetic performances, high-tech production and in-concert interactive fan participation and recently launched "Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour," which will hit 40 cities by the end of this year.
Lyric Street Records is a part of the Disney Music Group. The Disney Music Group is the recorded music and music publishing arm of the Walt Disney Studios.
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Keith Urban iTunes Originals To Debut July 21st
Six newly recorded live in-studio songs, including three from his recently released #1 CD Defying Gravity, will highlight an exclusive Keith Urban iTunes Originals set to debut on Tuesday, July 21st. The offering will also include never-before-heard interview clips covering topics as diverse as how Urban got his start, receiving his first Grammy Award, and his appreciation for people and his work.
“People don’t understand that when we walk out on stage and people say that the music makes them feel this incredible way, that the audience has the same effect on me,” says Urban. “I feel touched when I see people singing along with the songs and you just see the love, the want and the joy and the fact that they’re so with you in the moment. It’s a really blessed job that I have that I get to see that.”
“It’s a beautiful thing to keep that fire alive with your partner, your job, with everything,” says Urban, referencing the meaning behind is song “Sweet Thing.” “We shouldn’t have to lose things to have an appreciation for them. It takes us seeing somebody on television whose just lost a life and we see the family left behind and we suddenly think, ‘oh my god what if that happened to me.’ It shouldn’t take that. It should only take remembering what it was like; the very first date, the first time they called you back and suddenly boom you’re right there.”
Urban is currently on the road in support of Defying Gravity, which has spawned his 11th #1 song, “Sweet Thing” and his 20th Top 5, “Kiss A Girl.” His Escape Together World Tour has featured different touring partners in each city, including superstars Taylor Swift and Sugarland, as well as Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley and the legendary Glen Campbell. The tour has received widespread critical praise and will continue through the Fall before heading overseas.
JULY 20-21, 2009 (click on link below for full release)
Jack Ingram Shares Details on New Album - Out Aug. 25!
HBO's True Blood Spices Things Up With Sammy Kershaw's 'Louisiana Hot Sauce'
Reba Goes Top 10 / Launches First Digital Win-It-Before-You-Can-Buy-It With iTunes
Kenny Chesney Rocks San Francisco! Outsells Last Year's Stadium Show
CMT Presents 'Invitation Only: Brad Paisley' On Monday, August 3
Brad Paisley's Performance at White House To Be Livestreamed at WHITEHOUSE.GOV/LIVE- July 21
Rev your engines with The Roys! July 30th 2009 at Cadillac Ranch
Emily West Takes Part in Lollipop Theater Network's "Rhythm of Hope" Music Program
Rascal Flatts Become First Country Act To Offer iTunes Pass, Giving Fans Never Before Released Music Each Week This Summer
Keith Urban iTunes Originals To Debut July 21st
