Saturday 30 June 2012

Country Bites News snippets June 25 – June 29, 2012

UK & IRISH News

Links/Sources shown in RED

Due to circumstances beyond their control with commitments to finish a new album project, The Band Perry are sorry to have to announce they are moving their July tour to November. All tickets should remain valid.
New DATES:
Wednesday 14th November   Mandela Hall, Belfast   (Re-arranged )
Saturday 17th November 2012 - ABC2, Glasgow    (Re-arranged )
Sunday 18th November 2012 - Club Academy, Manchester  £15.75 (Re-arranged )
Monday 19th November 2012 - Koko, London    Tickets £19.25

Hotdisc Chart News 24 June 2012 - THE DIABLOS jump from #3 to top the The Hotdisc British & Irish Independent with their single “I Don't Like Country”
The man behind the Rush Released HotDisc, Stuart Cameron, was delighted to announce that Stuart and Jane Cameron
have just become proud parents to their second boy, Derren, who came into the world at 9.20am on Thursday 28th June 2012.
He weighed 7 lb 8 oz. Mother and baby are both well. 

Travellin Rose have been nominated for 2 awards at the BCMAwards being held on Sunday 2nd September 2012 at the Concorde Suite, Heathrow Airport. - www.bcmawards.co.uk

With a busy schedule of TV, radio and media showcase appearances supporting her promotional tour for fourth album BLOWN AWAY. Carrie Underwood finally makes her breakthrough on the UK album chart. The album debuted at # 11 (9,595 sales). 
Carrie Underwod
CD Artwork

Her 2005 debut SOME HEARTS and 2007 release CARNIVAL RIDE both fell short of the Top 200 with no proper UK release. So far they have sold 27,972 and 20,686 copies, respectively. Her 2009 album PLAY ON (2009) fared better, reaching number 93, and has sold 19,688 copies to date.
Are you “APPY” for Carrie?
Sony Music Nashville partnered with augmented reality platform and app leader, Aurasma to launch a promotional campaign for Carrie Underwood’s No. 1 album, BLOWN AWAY.Triggered by aiming an app-equipped device at the cover image of Blown Away, the free iPhone, iPad, and Android program launches exclusive and interactive video of Underwood. Check out a video of the app in action during CMA Music Festival >>  here   UK iTunes Aurasma-Lite App
We are excited to embrace a cutting-edge technology like augmented reality to help give fans something special and provide a cool, unique connection between the artist and audience,” said Gary Overton, Sony Music Nashville chairman and chief executive officer

PHILOMENA Begley is celebrating 50 years as a country music singer and to mark the occasion she is setting off on a big outing to Spain with her fans and a big lineup of entertainers, including Daniel O'Donnell. Also on the bill: Foster and Allen, Ray Lynam, Hugo Duncan, Brendan Quinn, Frank McCaffrey, Eamon McCann, Brian Coll and many others. The week-long trip will take place at the four-star Principe Sol hotel, Costa del Sol from Sunday September 16th-23rd.

Emma King and the Heartsets are coming back to the UK from America in August to do a radio tour to promote their music and a new video.
07 Aug - UK Radio Tour: BBC Radio York – Russell Walker Show
08 Aug - UK Radio Tour: BBC Radio Humberside – David Burns Show
09 Aug - UK Radio Tour: BBC Radio Humberside – James Hoggarth Show
12 Aug - UK Radio Tour: BBC Radio Lancashire – Joe Fish Show
12 Aug - UK Radio Tour: BBC Radio Sheffield – UK Country Radio Show

Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin will embark on a series of tour dates in the UK and Ireland this October. These special shows will feature the songwriters (and longtime friends) performing as an intimate duo and will include material spanning their vast catalogs as well as some of their favorite songs. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, June 28.
Mary Chapin’s album Ashes & Roses will be released on 2 July 2012 – Amazon UK  Tour dates:
Monday Oct 15, 2012 The Sage, Gateshead
Tuesday Oct 16, 2012 National Concert Hall, Dublin
Wednesday Oct 17, 2012 The Assembly Rooms, Derby
Thurday Oct 18, 2012  Symphony Hall,Birmingham
Friday Oct 19, 2012 The Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Saturday Oct 20, 2012 Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Monday Oct 22, 2012 Royal Festival Hall, London
Tuesday Oct 23, 2012 Corn Exchange, Cambridge

On Thursday June 28 BBC Breakfast spoke to Mary Chapin Carpenter who is about to release her twelfth album ASHES AND ROSES in the UK. 
Mary Chapin Carpenter
BBC Breakfast (Screenshot)

She tells Breakfast team Charlie Stayt and Louise Minchin that the inspiration for much of the new album was looking back at some of the key moments of her life and is very personal - "It's probably something you’re not going to put on at a dance party but I think it speaks to all these experiences that we all have in our lives"..."I think the more personal things can be the more universal they are, and in my case especially there are a lot of painful things that I was addressing on this record but one of the blessings, if you can look at it that way, it has been people reaching out and reminding me that you're not alone in those experiences , that we all go through them and sometimes when your in the midst of it the hardest thing to remember is that you're not alone" Mary Chapin shared.  
Mary's new album Ashes and Roses is out on Tuesday. Mary Chapin Carpenter "we're #1 on Amazon uk pre order!" (Facebook)
Listen to her interview >>  Audio
Watch it back on BBC Breakfast page (UK viewers)  

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release—for the first time on CD—The Show Goes On: Live At The Royal Albert Hall on July 24 by acclaimed singer/songwriter/pianist Neil Sedaka. The concert, previously released in 2006 on DVD by Eagle Rock Entertainment, also features a duet with popular British singer/actor Tony Christie on Christie’s biggest hit, “Is This The Way To Amarillo.”
Sedaka with start a UK Tour beginning Oct 6, 2012 (The Sage, Gateshead) through to October 24 (Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall)
Ireland’s CMA 2012 Arista Global Artist representative Pete Kennedy will be the support. Dates and tickets on Ticketmaster.co.uk
Nominations for the 2012 British Country Music Awards, voted on by members of the BCMA, were announced last week and Kennedy’s “luck of the Irish” gave him a strong presence.  Pete Kennedy’s debut album, Nashville Sessions Volume 1 has been nominated for Album Of The Year, and the single “I Am The One” picked up a nomination for Song Of The Year.

AUSSIE NEWS
Emmylou Harris is packing her rhinestones for a national tour in November.The six-date sojourn will be the multiple Grammy winner's first Australian shows since she headlined the 2011 Sydney Festival.
At 63, she has sold 15 million albums, recorded with Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison, and collaborated with the likes of Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.Emmylou Harris plays the following shows: Tue 6 November Perth Concert Hall, Thu 8 November Adelaide Thebarton Theatre, Sat 10 November Melbourne Palais Theatre, Mon 12 November Canberra Theatre,Thu 15 November Sydney State Theatre and Fri 16 November Gold Coast Jupiters Casino.

CANADIAN NEWS
Madison Violet Begin to Blossom in U.S. - For all the heavy-duty bluegrass star power at the most recent DelFest in Cumberland, Md., it was the Canadian folk duo Madison Violet that arguably was the most exciting “find” of the event.
Known individually as Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac, the duo has won an array of awards and has ardent fans throughout their native Canada, in Europe, and beyond. Yet the two are just now making a name for themselves in the U.S. An unexpected illness forced the duo to cancel the last two dates of the U.S. tour behind their latest album The Good in Goodbye, but the pair hope to be back in American clubs soon.
Madison Violet (East Coast News)

We haven’t toured in the U.S. very often in the 13 years we have been playing together,” said MacEachern citing work permits and other red tape that has kept them away. “Now we have more of a focus on the States and that’s great. Our music shouldn’t be a struggle in the States; it’s kind of got an Americana feel.”

"I think in Europe there is the international kind of thing,” said MacEachern. “They think ‘This international band has come to our city or small town to play’ and they treat you with amazing respect. And some people will come to 10 of your shows or 15 of your shows. It’s pretty cool. You feel like you’re in Phish or something.”
Of course the plethora of venues and music in the United States means groups such as Madison Violet have to compete with plenty of others just to be heard. MacEachern said that the duo has a philosophy that gets them through the craziness.
“We take it just one day of a time,” she said. “During our last tour in the States, at least 15 different German fans flew to the States to catch Madison Violet. But you can tell that they’re a bit uncomfortable. In Germany, we play to packed houses. In that States, we may only play to 10-15 people. It does feel a bit like starting over and it’s a little hard on the heart.”  (Full Story)
Watch Madison Violet perform “If I Could Love You” Live  >>  YouTube   

BLUEGRASS NEWS
Bath’s American Museum in Britain, which is home to the finest collection of Americana outside of the United States. July 2012 sees the annual Bath Americana Festival taking place from July 4 - 8 at the American Museum, which is based at the magnificent Claverton Manor in Bath, Somerset. - www.bathamericanafestival.co.uk/Events

Rhonda Vincent has been at the top of her game for years as the queen of bluegrass. She has always dreamed of making a gospel project, and finally had the opportunity to record an album in her hometown church where she grew up in Greentop, Missouri. Kelly Lynn Janson from Inside Music Row caught up with Rhonda before a show at the Ryman Auditorium to talk about that new project 'Sunday Morning Singing’  >>   YouTube    

Rural Rhythm has released a debut single from NEW DAY DAWNING, the upcoming album from The Roys, due later this summer.It’s a song written by Lee and Elaine Roy, Still Standing, which features Elaine on lead vocal and Lee singing duet on the choruses.Here’s a taste of the track, which also boats of contributions from Andy Leftwich on fiddle and mandolin, Randy Kohrs on reso-guitar, Justin Moses on banjo, Mark Fain on bass and Cody Kilby on guitar.  >>  Still-Standing (clip)

NEWS
Carrie Underwood is to appear for the first time in the perennially popular CMA Songwriters Series, which will return to Boston Tuesday, July 31 at Royale, a concert venue in downtown Boston’s Theater District. Carrie will be joined by some of her prolific song and co-writers: Brett James ( “Jesus, Take the Wheel”, “Cowboy Casanova), Luke Laird ("So Small",“Last Name,“Undo It,“ “Mama’s Song,” and “Temporary Home”), Hillary Lindsey ("So Small,” “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” “Wasted,” “Last Name,” and Lady A's “American Honey), and host Bob DiPiero.
"I'm so excited to be a part of the CMA Songwriter Series with Hillary, Luke, Brett, and Bob! Not only are they some of the most respected songwriters in Nashville, but I'm very lucky to call them my friends. It's going to be a great night!" said Underwood (CMA Press)

Last Saturday night (June 23) The Brothers of the Sun tour was in Nashville when fans saw Kenny Chesney wandering through the seats during Tim McGraw's set.
Kenny Chesney (left) / Nathan Blankenship (right)

It wasn't Kenny but look-alike Nathan Blankenship
A security guard grabbed the 44-year-old teacher's ticket. Security guards told Nathan Blankenship, 'you are purposely trying to impersonate a celebrity, so we're kicking you out.' He was then escorted from the stadium after causing a commotion being asked for autographs and photos.
Nathan was mad he was out of a $200 ticket but apparently other country stars say he does this at their Nashville shows and it’s highly annoying. Later in the week Kenny Chesney's team reached out to Nathan, he received an apology, a $200 refund and a basket of Sony merchandise and several CD’s.  (nydailynews.com)

Country legend George Jones is returning to work after being hospitalized earlier this year for a upper respiratory tract infection. Jones was initially treated and released in March, 2012, and then returned to the hospital in MAY of this year.
George’s  wife Nancy stated on her FACEBOOK page last Thursday, JUNE 21st, "GEORGE saw his doctor today and the doctor said it was time to hit the road and start singing to his fans. So, Possum will be seeing you all soon. He is so excited. Once again, we want to thank everyone for your prayers and love shown to us."

Billy Ray Cyrus is to star in Chicago on Broadway; Nov 5-Dec 23. Reported in USA Today, Broadway's Award-winning musical CHICAGO is to welcome the singer, songwriter, actor and multi-platinum recording artist in his Broadway stage debut as "that silver-tongued prince of the courtroom," slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn. Cyrus will play a limited seven-week engagement.

Hank Williams, Jr. world premiered his new video, “That Ain’t Good,” on CMT, Monday, June 25 where it is currently #1.
I’ve had that song for several years,” says Hank Jr. of the single. “I took my dobro to a completely different type of tuning, and it’s one of those that just has that kind of flow to it. And it’s got that really serious aspect to it, too, about people blowing themselves up, and your kids ask, ‘why do people do that?’ How do you answer that? That ain’t good. To me, that song is me. ‘I used to like to go fishin’, sold my boat and motor, something aint’ right about this.’ That ain’t good.”
Old School, New Rules is Williams’ first album on his new imprint, Bocephus Records it is set for release on July 10, 2012. (Webster PR) Hank Williams Jr - "That Ain't Good" (Lyric Video Only)   >>   YouTube

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson has been tapped to fill in for Ray Price at Willie Nelson’s July 4th picnic in Ft. Worth, TX.  Anderson notes, “I’ve never played a ‘Willienic’ before, but am really looking forward to the opportunity.” Price was forced to cancel due to health-related issues.

Gretchen Wilson didn’t mind being on the road for her birthday on Tuesday (June 26), especially since she got to celebrate with tour mates ZZ Top and 3 Doors Down at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons started the festivities by delivering a cake to her dressing room. All of the guys from 3 Doors Down helped her celebrate long into the evening following their set. The Gang Of Outlaws Tour wrapped up in Hinkley, Minnesota Grand Casino Amphitheatre on Friday (June 29).
The songstress was the sole "Redneck Woman" on bill, making her -- to borrow another one of her hit song titles -- just "One of the Boys."

(Nashville, TN — June 28, 2012) The Grand Ole Opry is poised to celebrate the life and legacy of one of its most iconic members ever, Minnie Pearl, leading up to the 100th anniversary of the comedienne’s birth. Celebrations of the performer’s humor and more than 50-year Opry career begin this week and will culminate with an Opry show in her honor on Tues., Oct. 23.

Kellie Pickler has parted ways with Sony Music Nashville. Her manager Larry Fitzgerald said in a statement to ABC News Radio, “Kellie’s contract with Sony came to an end and they mutually decided not to renew.”
Kellie’s latest album, 100 Proof, was the last album on her contract with Sony.  It was released earlier this year and features a more traditional country sound.  Kellie told ABC News Radio when it was released in January, “I’m still always gonna make music regardless of whether or not I have a record deal.”

On Feb 1, 2012 Kellie's latest album "100 PROOF" debuted at #7 on Billboard Top 200 (#2 Country album) with sales of 27,448 copies. By the beginning of May 100 PROOF was selling 1,000 copies with total sales of 69,000.

Tim McGraw battle with Curb Records rolls on. A Nashville court granted Curb’s request “to postpone the trial” that had been expected to begin next month until it has the opportunity to take additional evidence surrounding Big Machine Records’ signing of Tim, which was announced last month. Curb Records contends that Tim is still under contract because he has not provided his Fifth Option Period Album. In addition, the Court of Appeals will soon hear the appeal of the Nashville trial judge’s earlier ruling in which he found that, while it appeared Tim may have breached his Recording Agreement and had failed to deliver the Fifth Option Period Album, he would not issue an injunction pending the trial to prevent Tim from signing with a new record company until he had fulfilled his commitments to Curb Records. The Court found that even though he did not enjoin Tim from signing with another company, Tim may be liable for his failure to perform. The Court of Appeals will determine whether an injunction should have been issued.
While Big Machine Records has announced that it had signed Tim McGraw and would be releasing an album apparently from those “20 new recordings,” Curb Records believes, and has asked the Court to find, that Tim remains under contract and the “20 recordings” belong to Curb, as they were recorded during the term of Curb’s Recording Agreement.  (Webster Press Release)

Americana heavyweights, innovators, icons and up and comers will showcase in Nashville venues during the 13th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, presented by Nissan, September 12 through September 15. Highlights in this first round of announcements include: Billy Joe Shaver, Punch Brothers, Brandi Carlile, Richard Thompson, Sara Watkins, The Deep Dark Woods, Shovels & Rope, John Hiatt, Eilen Jewell, Rodney Crowell, honeyhoney, and John Fullbright. 
Additionally, the conference will kickoff at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel on Wednesday September 12 with a series of panels and workshops and the Keynote Interview with Bonnie Raitt. The conference is designed to educate, discuss, advance and inspire everyone interested in the genre from industry professionals to artists to newcomers.
Live music will take center stage opening night with the 11th Annual Americana Honors and Awards ceremony at the historic Ryman Auditorium.  This year’s program, described by Paste Magazine as “the best awards show in the world,” will honor Bonnie Raitt, Booker T. Jones, Richard Thompson and many more. (For a list of artists confirmed go to americanamusic.org).

The early reviews are in for THE LAST RIDE, a new film about the final days in the life of country music icon Hank Williams.
Variety called it “an engaging road trip” and said Hank Williams is “persuasively played by Henry Thomas.”
The New York Daily News described Williams’ music as “eloquent” and “mesmerizing”.
New York Observer said, “It’s a fascinating film that I enjoyed thoroughly.”
The movie, starring Henry Thomas, Jesse James, Fred Dalton Thompson and Kaley Cuoco, focuses on the period when Williams was getting his life back in order after drugs, alcohol, and two failed marriages had nearly ruined his career.  In late 1952, Williams had arranged several shows in West Virginia and Ohio.  But, he never got there.  Somewhere on that last highway, the country music legend passed away on New Year’s Day, in 1953, in the back of his Cadillac, carrying only his guitar and a notebook full of unfinished songs.  He was 29.  ( Curb Records Press Release)

The northeast Georgia home owned by country singer Kenny Rogers that was scheduled to be put up for auction has been sold.
Grand Estates Auction Co. in Charlotte, N.C., says Rogers sold the house and its 150 acres Wednesday for $2.25 million.

Nashville hit 105 degrees on Thursday June 28, breaking the previous record set in 1952
Emily Robison
A little baby Dixie Chick is on the way! Its congratulations to Emily Robison, who is pregnant with her fourth child, and first with boyfriend Martin Strayer. The Dixie Chicks singer's rep confirmed the happy news to Us Weekly on Thursday, adding "She's excited!" (Robison, 39, is due in early September.) The baby boy or girl will join older siblings, twins Juliana Tex and Henry Benjamin, 7, and Charles Augustus, 9, who are Robison's kids with her ex-husband, Charlie Robison. The couple divorced in August 2008 after nine years of marriage. –

Will Adele’s rumoured Bluegrass album ever materialize? Meanwhile Adele is celebrating another milestone — a pregnancy.
The superstar singer's representative confirmed Friday that the 24-year-old is expecting a child with boyfriend Simon Konecki. The message was posted on her official website, which crashed due to a large amount of traffic after the news was announced.
"I'm delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together” she said on the website. It’s unclear how far along the British singer is.

Carrie Underwood just went to her 10-year high school reunion and found out she’s the last of her friends to have kids and says, “Mike and I want to get everything we want to do out of the way before we have children.”

Susanna Clark, the former art teacher who went on to pen songs recorded by Emmylou Harris ("Easy from Now On"), Kathy Mattea (“Come from the Heart ”) , Miranda Lambert ("Easy from Now On", co-write with Carlene Carter), Rosanne Cash (“Oh Yes I Can”  co-write with John Reid), Jerry Jeff Walker (“I'll Be Your San Antone Rose”), husband Guy Clark and many more, died Wednesday, June 27 in Nashville. She was 73, and had been in poor health in recent years.

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
Just one month after signing with Big Machine Records, Tim McGraw has announced that he will release his first single “Truck Yeah,"for the label on July 3. He has been showcasing the song on the THE BROTHERS OF THE SUN TOUR with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. "We have been unbelievably excited about 'Truck Yeah' since the first show of the summer when we played it live for the first time," said McGraw. "I'm really happy that radio and the fans will have access to it so soon."
"I am beyond excited to announce that Tim McGraw's first single on Big Machine Records becomes a reality next week. His new music is amazing and he's completely amped and engaged," said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. "People are saying they've never seen Tim so happy and excited...and that happiness and excitement are contagious. HERE WE GO!"
“Truck Yeah” was written by Chris Lucas, Preston Brust and Chris Janson and Danny Myrick and produced by Byron Gallimore and McGraw.  (Big Machine Records)

Aaron Lewis
Cover artwork
Blaster Records has announced that the highly anticipated new album from multi-platinum selling artist Aaron Lewis, THE ROAD, will be released on September 11th and will be available for pre-sale beginning mid-July.
Co-produced by Lewis and legendary Nashville hit-maker James Stroud (Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Chris Young), "The Road" follows Lewis' debut solo EP, "Town Line," which bowed at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart last year. The forthcoming album contains ten brand-new songs, including first single "Endless Summer," which CMT has hailed as "the anthem of the Summer of 2012." 
It also contains the Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Bobby Pinson-penned "Granddaddy's Gun," marking the first time in Lewis' entire career that he has cut a song he didn't have a hand in writing.
The songs that make up "The Road" mirror the country roots of Lewis' childhood.  This music and these songs represent who I am and where I come from,” says Lewis, who still resides in rural western Massachusetts  (Webster Press Release - Nashville, Tenn. (June 28, 2012)   >>   [LISTEN] Aaron Lewis "Endless Summer".

Broken Bow Records is proud to announce that rising star Dustin Lynch’s highly anticipated, SELF-TITLED debut album will be released on Tuesday, August 21st in both the U.S. and Canada. >>  [LISTEN] Dustin Lynch  "Cowboys and Angels"

Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope artist Lauren Alaina will release her new single, “Eighteen Inches,” to radio on July 16. The song was co-written by Carrie Underwood, Kelley Lovelace and Ashley Gorley.
It's amazing to have an artist like Carrie Underwood, whom I look up to so much write my single,” beamed Alaina. “Kelley, Ashley, and Carrie all did a wonderful job writing such an incredible song. I feel so honored to be able to bring to life the beautiful story within the song.
"It's so wonderful when a song you had a hand in writing finds the perfect home,” said Carrie Underwood. “Lauren's voice tells the story of 'Eighteen Inches' beautifully. What an incredible talent!"  >> Take a Listen

PRESS RELEASES

Burlington, MA – Rounder Records is pleased to announce the signing of Western swing/country group The Time Jumpers.  Formed in 1998 by a group of Nashville’s recording studio elite, the band began just as a jam session for the musicians to blow off steam and play their favorite   songs. Soon they were playing gigs in the Nashville area and were offered a regular slot at the Station Inn every Monday   night. The group’s make-up has   changed over the years. The current lineup of 11 singers and musicians   includes “Ranger” Doug Green of Riders in the Sky as well as these  highly-regarded Nashville session and touring musicians Paul Franklin, Jeff   Taylor, Kenny Sears, Andy Reiss, Dennis Crouch, Dawn Sears, Joe Spivey, and  newest members Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, Larry Franklin and  Billy Thomas.
Of the signing, founding member and  vocalist/fiddler Kenny Sears remarks, “We are so excited to be signing with   Rounder Records.  We have all been fans of this label for a long   time.  The fact that they are excited about our project makes us twice as   excited: lots of excitement”  It’s hard to imagine a more skilled band playing  [Western swing/country]. Pick a country or bluegrass artist — past or present   — and it’s a good bet someone in the group has worked with them. They’re so adroit they don’t even rehearse.” (Associated Press)
The Time Jumpers are managed by Fitzgerald  Hartley and their first studio album, and Rounder debut, is expected September   11. (Press Release)
REVIEWS
Gretchen Peters at The Isle of Wight Festival 2012  Review

MUSIC /INDUSTRY NEWS
EMI half sold as Sony closes $2.2B publishing deal
A group led by Sony Corp. said Friday it has purchased Britain's EMI Music Publishing for $2.2 billion from Citigroup, creating the world's largest music copyrights company with a catalog that includes hits from Motown, The Beatles, Jay-Z and Norah Jones. Now all that remains of the storied British label group is its recorded music division, which Vivendi's Universal Music Group has offered to buy for $1.9 billion. That deal is being looked at by European and U.S. regulators. If they approve some time later this year, the world’s major music companies will be reduced from four to three.
Recorded music companies have argued that they need to combine resources to survive in an industry crippled by piracy, as the legitimate digital distribution of music is still in its infancy around the globe.
Sony/ATV's 11.7 percent share and EMI's 19.3 percent share means the combined entity will now control about 31 percent of the global market for music copyrights, leapfrogging past the 22.2 percent share of Universal Music Publishing Group. The next largest is Warner Music Group Corp.'s Warner Chappell with 14.1 percent. All independent music publishers combined have a 32.6 percent share.  (LOS ANGELES (AP)

LISTEN
Iris DeMent will close out a 16-year gap since her last album of originals on October 2, when "SING THE DELTA" is released on the acclaimed folk singer's Flariella label. DeMent tells Billboard she's been "waiting on this bunch of songs" for as long as fans have -- since 1996's "The Way I Should."
Check out the title track: soundcloud.com/sing-the-delta

Warner Music Nashville is celebrating this 4th of July with a very special Country Music 4th of July Spotify Playlist. The playlist is comprised of patriotic songs paying homage to America and honoring our Independence. They have chosen their top 32 songs including favorites by Big & Rich, Blake Shelton, THE FARM, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Ty Stone and Zac Brown Band.
Happy 4th of July! - Click HERE  to listen to the SPOTIFY playlist.
Source/Tracklisting - www.warnermusicnashville.com )

WATCH
Love it or Hate it? A snap shot of the future of Country Music?
3 Leaf Clover," Claudia Lee's new country-rap single from her album HERE RIGHT NOW   >>   YouTube

Kathy Mattea is preparing to release her new album CALLING ME HOME on September 11, 2012 on Sugar Hill Records. A musical journey through Appalachia and its amazing musical heritage. Here in this EPK Kathy talks about the project and provides us with a taste of what you can expect to hear. >>  YouTube

Maggie Rose (Margaret Durante)  (photo), initial artist signed for the newly formed RPM Entertainment, has released a lyric video for her new single "I Ain't Your Mama".
Watch it  here >>  YouTube

Produced by the legendary James Stroud and written by Judson Spence and Candy Cameron, is an anthem for women of all ages. Delivering her powerful vocals and playful lyrics, Maggie Rose is connecting with fans across the country. Guys don't mess with Maggie Rose. The country newcomer preaches the strong woman's gospel of relationships with her brand-new single, "I Ain't Your Mama."
"I'll be your laughter / I'll be your drama / I'll be your best friend / I'll be your lover / You can be my baby any time you wanna / But I ain't your mama"
Available at Amazon UK MP3Amazon.com MP3 - UK iTunesUS iTunes

TWEETS
Matraca Berg "I am toast. Worked all day into the evening. need to finish record mid next week. a long way to go. finishing songs at night and recording next day. it aint pretty"

Sara Evans – SaraEvansMusic:” I just heard on the news that I’m pregnant! News to me! Haha! I’m not- it’s a rumor “

Whitney Duncan: It’s 102 degrees outside & I just saw an older man running down the street. See…older doesn’t always=wiser.

PHOTO
Terri Clark London Trip photos - www.whosay.com

Carrie Underwood gets her first kangaroo kiss! Awwwww  - Photo

Country Album & Singles Billboard Chart News June 27, 2012

Country Album & Singles Billboard Chart News June 27, 2012

It was Bieber fever this week on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. As forecast Justin Bieber's BELIEVE debuted at No. 1 on the chart. It sold 374,264 copies on its debut week according to Nielsen SoundScan, marking the largest entry of the year.  
At No. 2 this week on the Top 200,  Kenny Chesney bows in with WELCOME TO THE FISHBOWL, which shifted 193,938 copies. It's Chesney's best sales week since 2007's "JUST WHO I AM: POETS & PIRATES" started with 387,000 at No. 3. The country star's last album, 2010's "HEMINGWAY'S WHISKEY," which produced four #1 singles and a Top 5 song, debuted with 183,000 at No. 1. All told, "WELCOME TO THE FISHBOWL" marks his 10th top 10 album on the Billboard 200.
Kenny Chesney
Album Artwork (Amazon)

This is Kenny’s 11th consecutive album to debut at #1 on the Billboard Country Album chart.

"This dramatic increase in sales is a real testament to the strength of his new music, as well as the continued momentum of his career at every level,” said Gary Overton, Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO.
Fishbowl has already yielded the Top 10 hit “Feel Like A Rock Star” with ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour partner Tim McGraw, and his current single, “Come Over,” is one of the fastest rising singles in Chesney’s career  ( Kenny Chesney Facebook)

Find Kenny’s album WELCOME TO THE FISHBOWL on

Kenny’s nearest competitor of the Country chart, and some 166,000 copies short is Luke Bryan’s 46 week chart stayer  TAILGATES & TANLINES which sold 27,958 copies. Luke, is #1 this week with “Drunk On You,” on both the Billboard Country Singles charts.
Alan Jackson’sTHIRTY MILES WEST” drops down to #3 in its 3rd week, selling 23,856 copies (35% weekly loss) with sales now standing at 133,511.
Compilations still find favour with country music fans as Now That’s What I Call Country Music 5 stays at #4 on the chart.
Carrie Underwood rounds the Top 5 with her Gold-selling album BLOWN AWAY, which sold
18,124 copies, a weekly loss of 26% (587,056 copies sold in 8 chart weeks) .  After her week of UK promotion and a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Carrie finally made her breakthrough on the UK album chart. The album debuted at # 11 (9,595 sales).

Josh Turner with PUNCHING BAG which was No.1 last week drops down five places to #6. In its “second round” week it sold 17,952 copies, a weekly fall of 60% with a total of 62,890.

Lionel Richie’s RIAA Platinum-certified (shipped) TUSKEGEE remains 2012’s best-selling country music release. With another 16,000 sales this week it has now passed the 900K sold (scanned) marker.

EDENS EDGE self titled debut held up fairly well from its debut week selling a further 8,543 copies.
On the other hand Mary Chapin Carpenter’s ASHES AND ROSES saw a weekly sales loss of 56% (3,127 copies sold) and 10,327 sold in 2 weeks. It fell from No.72 to No.182 on the Top 200 and dropped down to #34 on the country chart.

Don Williams first new album in 8 years AND SO IT GOES made its debut at #99 on the Top 200 and bowed at No.20 on the country chart. Released by Sugar Hill Records on June 19th it sold 4,751 copies without any radio support. On Don’s return album, he's joined by some very special friends including superstars such as Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and Chris Stapleton. Also joining Williams is his longtime producer Garth Fundis, who states, "We weren't looking to reinvent Don, just to make a good new Don Williams record."
Don Williams
Album artwork (Sugarhill)

Although Williams has charted with hits packages as recently as in March, the 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee hadn't appeared on the list with a set of new songs since I TURN THE PAGE in late 1998. The new album is Williams' first since his 2004 album MY HEART TO YOU and marks his highest rank since CAFÉ CAROLINA reached No. 13 in 1984.
AND SO IT GOES  is Williams' 27th entry on Top Country Albums, dating to his first, the No. 5-peaking VOLUME ONE, in 1973. He led the list for two weeks with HARMONY in 1973. Of Williams' 56 titles on Hot Country Songs between 1972 and 1992, a whopping 45 reached the top 10, including 17  #1’s.

Find Don’s album on Amazon UK and Amazon.com

Billboard Top 200  ( Country Album positions #1 - #25)

(LW) Last Week. (TW) This Week
 
LW
TW
Artist
Album
TW
Sales
LW
Sales
 Total
 Sales

NEW
2
Kenny Chesney
Welcome To
The Fishbowl
193,453
480
193,938
#1
13
9
Luke Bryan
Tailgates & Tanlines
27,958
27,004
1,204,364
#2
8
11
Alan Jackson
Thirty Miles West
23,856
36,739
133,511
#3
15
13
Various
Now Country 5
18,954
24,833
43,812
#4
16
15
Carrie Underwood
Blown Away
18,124
24,354
587,056
#5
4
17
Josh Turner
Punching Bag
17,952
44,907
62,890
#6
21
20
Eric Church
Chief
17,53
18,908
891,763
#7
18
22
Lionel Richie
Tuskegee
16,010
23,514
901,277
#8
26
39
Jason Aldean
My Kinda Party
10,545
13566
2,651,954
#9
56
43
Kip Moore
Up All Night
9,908
8,920
132,913
#10
76
49
Brantley Gilbert
Halfway To Heaven
8,776
7,038
608,510
#11
52
50
Edens Edge
Edens Edge
8,543
9,056
17,621
#12
64
56
Lee Brice
Hard 2 Love
8,279
7,993
141,986
#13
99
59
Hunter Hayes
Hunter Hayes
8,133
5,267
148,261
#14
53
65
Rascal Flatts
Changed
6,835
8,978
296,414
#15
65
71
Lady Antebellum
Own The Night
6,343
7,779
1,662,496
#16
67
75
Zac Brown Band
You Get What You Give
6033
7,539
1,522,729
#17
84
90
The Band Perry
Band Perry
5,145
6,102
1,320,529
#18
122
91
Miranda Lambert
Four The Record
5,144
4,445
575,340
#19
NEW
99
Don Williams
And So It Goes
4,751
10
4,762
#20
71
107
Jana Kramer
Jana Kramer
4,568
7,230
28,103
#21
124
109
Tim McGraw
Emotional Traffic
4,454
4,367
245,399
#22
93
111
Toby Keith
Clancy's Tavern
4,437
5,487
541,014
#23
85
113
Blake Shelton
Red River Blue
4,386
5,950
720,415
#24
81
119
Willie Nelson
Heroes
4,316
6,351
47,333
#25

Albums due to drop

June 26
Mindy Smith/Mindy Smith/Giant Leap/TVX Records
Little Feat/Rooster Rag/Rounder

July 17
Billy Joe Shaver feat. Heart of Texas/Live at Billy Bob’s Texas/Smith Music Group
BILLBOARD HOT COUNTRY SINGLES NEWS

Luke Bryan
Single Artwork
Luke Bryan, lands his fifth career No. 1 single with "Drunk on You" this week. It tops both Billboard Hot Country Songs chart (calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales) and the Digital Country Singles Charts (based on digital downloads). It becomes the second single from his album, TAILGATES & TANLINES, to reach the top.  Of the two previous singles "I Don't Want This Night to End"  reached number one on Feb 4, 2012  and "Country Girl (Shake It for Me) peaked at #4
"From the time that we released Tailgates & Tanlines and were doing 'Drunk on You' live, we could really see a lot of people participating and doing the 'boom booms' and singing along," Luke recalls. "To have it as be a No. 1 and my fifth No. 1, and watching it really be a huge song, is so gratifying and fun for me”
'Drunk On You' was the song on the album that we really felt like was the cornerstone of the album," he explains. "We were just making sure that we wanted to pick the right singles to get to the summertime and to get to 'Drunk On You'."

>>   [LISTEN] to Luke Bryan  "Drunk On You".
        The track is available on Amazon.uk &  Amazon.com

Luke Bryan with ‘Drunk On You’ hops up one place to Top The chart!
Eli Young Band with “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” is up two, # 4 - #2
Brantley Gilbert with “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do” stays at #3
Eric Church with former #1  “Springsteen” drops from #1 - #4
Dierks Bentley with ‘5-1-5-0’ moves up one place, #6 - #5
Kenny Chesney with “Come Over”, this weeks greatest gainer, up four, #10 - #6
Glorianna and “(Kissed You) Good Night” is up two, #9 - #7
Toby Keith with ‘Beers Ago’ stays at #8
Tim McGraw with “Better Than I Used To Be” drops 4 places, #5 -#9
The Band Perry with “Postcard From Paris” enters the Top 10, #11 -#10
Josh Turner with ‘Time Is Love” is up 1 place #12 - #11
Love And Theft with “Angel Eyes” is up one, #13 - #12
Keith Urban with “For You” moves up one notch, #14 - #13
Blake Shelton with “Over” jumps up 2 spots #16 - #14
Jana Kramer with “Why Ya Wanna” stays at #15
Dustin Lynch with Cowboys And Angels is up one #17 - #16
Thomas Rhett’s  “Something To Do With My Hands” is up #19 - #17
Thompson Square with “Glass” stays at #18
THE FARM with “Home Sweet Home” is up one place, #20 -#19
Hunter Hayes with “Wanted” enters the Top 20, up two, #22 -#20

*** No. 1 *** "Drunk On You" Luke Bryan
Greatest Gainer No. 6 "Come Over" Kenny Chesney
Hot Shot Debut No. 54 "Creepin' " Eric Church
Debut No. 57 "Beer Money" Kip Moore
Debut No. 59 "I Ain't Your Mama" Maggie Rose

Singles due to drop
June 25
Trace Adkins/Them Lips (On Mine)/Show Dog-Universal
Miranda Lambert/Fastest Girl In Town/RCA
Maggie Rose/I Ain’t Your Mama/RPM
Stephanie Grace/Hey There

July 2
Chris Cagle/Let There Be Cowgirls/Bigger Picture
Colt Ford feat. Jake Owen/Back/Average Joes
Andy Gibson/Summer Back/Curb
Steele/Do You Really Have To Go
Shane Yellowbird/They’re All About You/On Ramp
 
Top 30 Digital Singles In Country Music (27 June 2012)

Luke Bryan stays at #1 this week with “Drunk On You” having sold another 85,000 singles with a total to date of 1.4 million copies of the #1 digital and now radio single.
Kenny Chesney with “Come Over” the second single from this week’s Top Country album WELCOME TO THE FISHBOWL’S is now at #2 with a weekly sales increase of 6% (357,000 total)
Eric Church’sSpringsteen” is at number 3 and heads for 1.3 million sales

Little Big Town’s   single “Pontoon” stands at #4 having sold 279,000 copies in five weeks.
It’s congrats to Hunter Hayes whose single “Wanted” at #5, sold another 51,000 copies this week and passing the 500,000 mark provides him with his first Gold single.
Kip MooreSomethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” sold another 44,000 copies of the single and he passes the Platinum sales mark of 1-million.

Gloriana’s single “(Kissed You) Good Night looks certain to have a Gold single by next week (482,000 singles sold to date)

Thompson Square
’s excellent single  Glass” now breaks into the Top 30 with for the first time (158,000 singles sold so far) .

(LW) Last Week. (TW) This Week


LW
TW
Artist
Song
TW
Sales
LW
Sales
Total
Sales
1
1
Luke Bryan
Drunk On You
85K
100K
1,410,000
4
2
Kenny Chesney
Come Over
73K
69K
357K
2
3
Eric Church
Springsteen
71K
77K
1,278,000
3
4
Little Big Town
Pontoon
68K
70K
279K
5
5
Hunter Hayes
Wanted
51K
52K
520K
8
6
Dierks Bentley
5-1-5-0
44K
45K
294K
6
7
Kip Moore
Somethin' Bout A Truck
44K
49K
1,030,000
9
8
Eli Young Band
Even If It Breaks Your Heart
42K
43K
613K
7
9
Carrie Underwood
Good Girl
40K
46K
1,122,000
10
10
Gloriana
(Kissed You) Good Night
36K
37K
482K
11
11
Love and Theft
Angel Eyes
31K
33K
286K
16
12
Lee Brice
Hard To Love
29K
26K
220K
26
13
Kenny Chesney/
Tim McGraw
Feel Like A Rock Star
28K
19K
413K
13
14
Toby Keith
Beers Ago
28K
29K
259K
15
15
Dustin Lynch
Cowboys & Angels
27K
27K
260K
12
16
Josh Turner
Time Is Love
26K
31K
330K
24
17
Blake Shelton
Over
26K
20K
126K
17
18
Jana Kramer
Why Ya Wanna
24K
26K
330K
14
19
Jason Aldean
Fly Over States
24K
27K
754K
19
20
Luke Bryan
I Don't Want This Night To End
23K
25K
1,762,000
18
21
The Band Perry
Postcards From Paris
22K
25K
214K
21
22
Brantley Gilbert
You Don't Know Her Like I Do
21K
23K
609K
22
23
Keith Urban
For You
20K
23K
183K
20
24
Tim McGraw
Better Than I Used To Be
19K
23K
595K
25
25
Toby Keith
Red Solo Cup
18K
20K
1,939,000
27
26
Luke Bryan
Country Girl
(Shake It For Me)
18K
19K
1,976,000
23
27
Taylor Swift
Eyes Open
18K
23K
968K
30
28
Jason Aldean
Dirt Road Anthem
17K
17K
3,126,000
28
29
Easton Corbin
Lovin' You Is Fun
16K
17K
145K
32
30
Thompson Square
Glass
16K
15K
158K