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RECKLESS KELLY

RETURN WITH ‘GOOD LUCK & TRUE LOVE’ ALBUM

 TO BE INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED SEPTEMBER 13 

BAND TO PERFORM SEPTEMBER 23 AT
HOUSTON ASTROS POST-GAME EVENT AND
OCTOBER 1 AT SAN FRANCISCO’S HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FEST 

NEW SINGLE  “GOOD LUCK & TRUE LOVE” IS ALREADY #19 ON THE TEXAS MUSIC CHART

As RECKLESS KELLY--known for straddling rock and country with strong songs and performances--get set for their return with the September 13 release of their ninth album GOOD LUCK & TRUE LOVE, the band has announced additional tour dates and other events. RECKLESS KELLY now has 40 dates booked--beginning 9/3 in Ft. Worth, TX through 12/31 in Donnelly, ID--and have been invited to play a special post-game concert at Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros 9/23 home game.  They’ll also perform October 1 at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.  RECKLESS KELLY also recently posted a sizzle reel with interviews and archive footage of the band’s storied 15-year career.  Check it out here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UnkizhEDjs.  In only its third week of release, the new album’s first single “Good Luck & True Love” is already #19 on the Texas Music Chart. 

In the clip--set to the sound of the album’s title track and first single--RECKLESS KELLY talk about producing the album themselves, starting their own record company (No Big Deal Records) and taking over all of the band’s responsibilities.  There are also photos of the group with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders when they performed at a 2011 Super Bowl party in Dallas, TX, performing at Boston’s Fenway Stadium and Houston’s Reliant Stadium, touring the country and more.

GOOD LUCK & TRUE LOVE marks the Austin-based band’s first studio album of all-new material since 2008’s Bulletproof and is the follow-up to their 2010 release Somewhere In Time, a tribute to one of their songwriter heroes, Pinto Bennett.  Both of those albums hit the top 5 on the Billboard “Heatseekers” chart and top 20 on the Americana charts and Somewhere In Time was voted the #10 best album of the year by the Americana Music Association in 2010.  Last week A&E’s hit show “The Glades” featured the song “I’ve Done Everything I Could Do Wrong” from Somewhere In Time.

Beyond their studio acumen, the band is renowned for their relentless touring and high-energy live shows.   “Reckless Kelly is one of the best live bands ever,” said the Bakersfield Californian of a recent concert, adding that “they're profoundly good, but, as is the case with any really good band, the magic is in the live shows (8/17/11).” 

After having released music via Sugar Hill and Yep Roc Records, RECKLESS KELLY--Willy Braun, lead vocals/rhythm guitar/Wurlitzer piano; Cody Braun, fiddle/mandolin/harmonica/bouzouki/harmony vocals; David Abeyta, lead guitar & piano; Jay Nazz, drums & percussion; and Chris Schelske, bass guitar--are now releasing the self-produced GOOD LUCK & TRUE LOVE on their own, and are now self-managed. “In 15 years as RECKLESS KELLY we've had to learn things the hard way and figure out what works for us and what doesn't,” says the band.  “Trial and error.  We've always recorded to 2-inch analogue tape and we've always earned our fans one at a time. (Grass roots baby!) Over the years we've dabbled in conventional methods of promotion, touring and, of course, recording. Starting a record company and releasing our own records is something we have strived for our entire carrier. Now we feel we are finally in the perfect position with our business and band and are doing just that.”

GOOD LUCK & TRUE LOVE is quintessential RECKLESS KELLY with a blend of the gritty and the sublime.  There are road songs ("Weatherbeaten Soul," "Hit The Ground Running"),tunes about music ("New Moon Over Nashville," "I Stayed Up All Night Again") and others about hard times (“Save Me From Myself”) and good old-fashioned heartbreak (“Give It A Try,” "Guarded Heart," "She Likes Money, He Likes Love" and "I Never Liked St. Valentine").  “Taking our old school approach a little bit further on this record, we made a rule that if someone in the band can't play it, it's not going on the record,” explains the band.  “We are proud to say that with the exception of an outstanding harmony vocal by our good friend Dani Flowers, we played every instrument on this record and tracked almost everything live.”

RECKLESS KELLY formed in Bend, OR in 1996 but quickly established themselves as a strong live act in and around Austin, TX and have been praised by Country Weekly for “injecting its hooky songs with rock ’n’ roll propulsion without sacrificing melody or meaning” (2009 review of Bulletproof).  Michael Corcoran of the Austin American Statesman called them “a rock band that writes country songs” and said "Bulletproof is an aggressive album with an anti-war song that outprotests James McMurtry. Even in the most stagnant of subgenres (alt-country), the Kellies strive to remain fresh…(6/11/08)”

Bulletproof earned the group a #1 Americana and #1 Texas Charts song spot with “Ragged As The Road.”  That album also earned them an Americana Music Association nomination for “Duo or Group of the Year (2009).”

 

http://recklesskelly.com/

 

Check out RECKLESS KELLY on the road:

DATE		CITY	VENUE
Sat	9/3	Fort Worth, TX	Billy Bob’s Texas
Sun	9/4	San Antonio, TX	Cowboy’s Dance Hall
Thu	9/8	Austin, TX	The Broken Spoke
Fri	9/9	Waco, TX	Wild West
Tue	9/13	Austin, TX	Antone’s
Thu	9/15	Brenham, TX	Washington County Fair
Fri	9/16	New Braunfels, TX	Gruene Hall
Sat	9/17	Odessa, TX	Permian Basin Fair and Expo
Thu	9/22	Houston, TX	Astro’s/Minute Maid Park
Fri	9/23	Quincy, CA	Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds
Sat	9/24	Crystal Bay, NV	Crystal Bay Club Casino
Sun	9/25	Orangevale, CA	Boardwalk
Wed	9/28	Felton, CA	Don Quixote’s Int’l Music Hall
Thu	9/29	San Luis Obispo, CA	University Union Plaza
Fri	9/30	Petaluma, CA	Mystic Theatre
Sat	10/1	San Francisco, CA	Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
Thu	10/6	Abilene, TX	Lucky Mule
Fri	10/7	Amarillo, TX	Midnight Rodeo
Sat	10/8	Lubbock, TX	Wild West
Mon	10/10	Waco, TX	Heart of Texas Fair Complex
Thu	10/13	Ozark, AR	Mulberry Mountain Harvest Festival
Fri	10/14	Columbia, MO	The Blue Note
Sat	10/15	Wichita, KS	Cotillion Ballroom
Thu	10/20	San Angelo, TX	Midnight Rodeo
Fri	10/21	Dallas, TX	Granada Theater
Sat	10/22	San Marcos, TX	Texas Music Theater
Sat	10/22	Corpus Christi, TX	Ziegfest
Thu	10/27	Longview, TX	The Levee
Fri	10/28	Bryan, TX	Texas Hall of Fame
Sat	10/29	Spring Branch, TX	Texas Riverbed
Tue	11/1	Lawrence, KS	The Bottleneck
Wed	11/2	Bloomington, IL	Six Strings
Thu	11/3	Milwaukee, WI	Shank Hall
Fri	11/4	Chicago, IL	Joe’s Bar
Fri	11/25	Cypress, TX	Tim Hall
Fri	12/2	Helotes, TX	Floores Country Store
Fri	12/9	Fort Worth, TX	Billy Bob’s Texas
Sat	12/10	Oklahoma City, OK	Wormy Dog Saloon
Sat	12/31	Donnelly, ID	Donnelly Idaho Airport

 

  Nashville, Tenn. (August 31, 2011) –The ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Top 5 finalists were announced today in 22 key categories  advancing the presentation of the 17th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards in award ceremonies to be held on Friday, October 28th at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
 
The ICM Faith, Family & Country Top 5 ballot, as determined by first round membership voting by the members of the Inspirational Country Music Association, includes a stellar array of major names in a broad cross section of categories that include entertainer, new artist, song, songwriter, group, duo,  musician, radio, radio station, film, television honors and more. 
 
Major artist nominees on the Top 5 ballot for this year’s  ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards include Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum,  The Band Perry, Ronnie Dunn, The Roys,  Josh Turner, Jeff Bates, Randy Travis, The Grascals,  Ricky Skaggs, The Oak Ridge Boys, Point of Grace, Guy Penrod, The Isaacs, and George Strait.  Film honors finalists  include a competitive field highlighted by family rated major box office contenders including Country Strong,Secretariat, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
 
Top 5 finalists in all categories will now be presented to the membership in final round voting that will end on September 30th. Awards will be announced at the October 28th awards presentation.
 
The 2011 ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards continue as the highpoint finale of Inspirational Country Music Week, an event presented by the Inspirational Country Music Association.  This year’s planned schedule will run October 24-28th in Nashville and as in past years is expected to draw a broad cross section of industry, music fans, broadcast media, and artists in a well-orchestrated showcase of music and seminar related activities.
 
Nashville’s Millennium Maxwell House Hotel will serve at the host location for ICM Faith, Family & Country Week with a planned Appreciation Luncheon during the week for media and participants set to be held at the historic Wildhorse Saloon.  The awards will serve as the culmination of the week and are for the first time this year are being staged in the unique world-class setting of  the  opulent Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville.
 
Inspirational Country Music Association Executive Director Jason Higgins notes:  “We feel this year’s presentation will bring the ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards to a new level of recognition within the industry, from the scripting of the show itself to the list of nominees, to the level of presenters, and special guests still to be announced. Working with our host charity, Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition, promises to offer a very compelling element of humanitarian importance to the event.”  
 
The following 2011 Top 5 ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards nominees are listed in alphabetical order within each category:

Entertainer
Chuck Day
Johnny Lee Cook
Ricky Skaggs
Steve Richard
Tommy Brandt

Male Vocalist
Chuck Day
Greg McDougal
Guy Penrod
Jeff Bates
Tommy Brandt

Female Vocalist
Kali Rose
Laura Dodd
Mary James
Nicole Hope
Sharon Parks

Vocal Duo
Amanda Fessant featuring Tommy Brandt
Branded
Bruce & Betsy Mullen
Joey+Rory
The Roys

Vocal Group or Band
Corey Brooks Band
Last Light Band
Point of Grace
Sunday Drive
The Springs 

Mainstream Inspirational Country Song
Bleed Red - Ronnie Dunn
I Won't Let Go - Rascal Flatts
If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away - Justin Moore
That’s Important to Me - Joey+Rory
The Breath You Take - George Strait

Mainstream Country Artist
Buddy Jewell
Carrie Underwood
Jeff Bates
Joey+Rory
Josh Turner

Inspirational Country Song
I Wonder What God’s Thinking - The Roys
I’ll Stand Up And Say So - Chuck Day
Loves Gotta Go Somewhere - Steve Richard
Someday Soon - Ricky Skaggs
That’s What Freedom Costs - Russ Murphy

Songwriter (tie in category)
Chuck Day
Greg McDougal
James Payne
Paul Staggs of Branded
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt

Legend/Pioneer Award  (This award has already been determined from these Top 5)
Fox Brothers
Melanie Walker
Oak Ridge Boys
Randy Travis
Ricky Skaggs

Video
Hello World - Lady Antebellum: Capitol Nashville, Director-Roman White
I Am Strong - The Grascals w/Dolly Parton: BluGrascal Records , Director-David Corlew
If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away - Justin Moore: Valory Music Co., Director-Peter Zavadil
If I Die Young - The Band Perry: Republic Nashville, Director-David McClister
Mama’s Song - Carrie Underwood: Arista Nashville, Director-Shaun Silva

New Artist
Aubree Bullock
Chuck Hancock
Kali Rose
Lucas Hoge
Renee Spencer

Musician
Dennis Agajanian
Doyle Lawson
Greg McDougal
Jayc Harold
Ricky Skaggs

Comedian
Barry McGee
Chonda Pierce
Jeff Treece
Johnny Lee Cook
LuLu Roman

Radio Personality
J.R. Pitsenbarger
Leon Joplin
Mona Faith
Rich Miller
Scott Perkins

Radio Station
Inspirational Country Radio Network
KABF-Little Rock, AR
WCWV-Summersville, WV
WSM AM 650 – Nashville, TN
WTYS- Marianna, FL

Inspirational Bluegrass Artist
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Nathan Stanley
Ricky Skaggs
The Isaacs
The Roys

Youth In Music (tie in category)
Aubree Bullock
Hannah Faith
Matthew Wacaster
McDougal Kids
Renee Spencer
Voices of Glory

Music Evangelist
Corey Brooks
Greg McDougal
Johnny Lee Cook
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt

"Faith, Family & Country Movie”
Country Strong
Pure Country 2: The Gift
Secretariat
Soul Surfer
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
 
Television Network
Daystar
Gospel Music Channel
Great American Country
TBN
TCT Networks

For further information and registration for the 2011 ICM Week in Nashville, resource:
www.ICM-awards.com
Facebook.com/FaithFamilyCountry

The September 2011 Issue to Feature James Otto, The Springs, and More!   Nashville Music Guide's September issue will be hitting stands soon! This month we have exclusive interviews with James Otto, Lee Brice, The Springs, Cali Tucker and more.    Also, back by popular demand, our songwriter's and open-mic night listings will be featured. If you would like for your songwriters/open-mic night to be added to our listing, please email the information to Amanda atakandrews@nashvillemusicguide.com   Remember that this month is Nashville Music Guide's 16th Anniversary and it is all thanks to its founder Dan Wunsch, current owner, Randy Matthews, and all the contributors to The Guide. We want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support. Be on the look out for information about our anniversary celebration.

NMG's new NMGRadio.com Now On-Air   NMGRadio.com is now up-and-running. On-air 24/7, the online radio station, sponsored by Nashville Music Guide and New Media Edge, is playing originals and supporting independent artists get their songs heard.   Tune in every Tuesday night at 8:00pm CST and listen to "Big Joe's BIG Radio Show" with hosts "Big Joe" Matthews and Forest Brandon, you never know who might drop-in to the studio during the shows. It is always an adventure with these guys, so be sure to log in and listen live.   Go to NMGRadio.com or follow the link on the home page of Nashville Music Guide to listen to the newest originals, hottest independent artists, live shows and much more. Also be on the look out for the schedule of re-plays for "Big Joe's BIG Radio Show." Don't be the only one that misses out on this 2 hour full of good music and great commentary.

Nashville Music Guide's Acoustic Performance Night Slated for September 5th   Nashville Music Guide is proud to sponsor the Acoustic Performannce Night at the legendary Douglas Corner Cafe on Monday, September 5 starting at 7pm with a Late Night Open Mic. There is no cover charge for this first event. The format will be singer/songwriters showcasing their writing, singing and performing talents in a 30-minute set with one or two musicians.    The first show will be hosted by NMG founder, Dan Wunsch, and feature Stan Webb (SESAC's "Legends" Songwriter), Boomer Castleman (Billboard Charting Artist), Chris Emerson (Billboard Charting Artist), Lo Carter (R&B Recording Diva), Laura McGhee (Scotish Fiddle Virtuoso), Jill Sissel (Americana Recording Artist), Robby Hicks (Hit Country Songwriter) and Forest Brandon (Gosdin and Waylon Cuts).   The music event is the brainchild of Dan Wunsch, who has an "eye for spotting talent", having written profile articles on several Nashville music artists, who gigged in Music City clubs. These "undiscovered" artists went on to sign major recording and songwriting contracts. Dan's list includes Steel Magnolia (Big Machine Recording Artist), the Warren Brothers (RCA Recording Artists), Tobi Lee (Lead Singer of recording group Mustang Sally), Kimberly Dahme (member of Boston), Amanda Williams (Nashville Singer-songwriter), and Brad Wolf (Warner Brothers) to mention a few.    For event information: 615-242-3838 or danwunschwriter@yahoo.com

Neal McCoy To Release Brand New Album; Blake Shelton is Co-Producer   After eleven albums, over twenty-five charted singles, and countless fans across the nation, charismatic country music sensation Neal McCoy is back in the studio making music of a lifetime. McCoy, who was named Entertainer of the Year twice by the fan voted TNN/Music City News Awards, will be releasing his highly-anticipated new album, 'XII,' in January 2012.   The new collection of 12 songs, which is being produced by Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Brent Rowan, marks McCoy's 12 studio album, and his first with new label home, Blaster Records. McCoy's first single "A-OK," which was written by Barry Dean, Luke Laird and Brent Eldredge, will be released in October, 2011.

Advertising In The Guide    The Nashville Music Guide keeps growing and expanding each month. We are contanstly expanding our distribution as well as continoulsly adding media delivery solutions to better help market your music needs.    If you would like your press release sent out to thousands of music industry related addresses through our NMG E-mail Direct, please contact one of the following for all of the information or for any questions concerning advertisements:   Director of Marketing, Bradley Drake (bradley@nashvillemusicguide.com) Assistant Director of Marketing, Kyle Wilkerson (   kyle@nashvillemusicguide.com)   Office: 1700 Hayes St. Ste 103 Nashville, TN 37203 |  615.244.5673

 
NASHVILLE, TN - (August 29, 2011) – Photographer Melinda J.P. Harlan has created a stunning limited-edition book called This Ride…In Color, And In Pictures that features an exclusive collection of never-before-seen photographs of award-winning singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson, who is one of the most critically acclaimed artists in country music today.
 
This limited-edition book, with only 2,500 copies in print, features an exclusive collection of photographs taken over a three-year period of Johnson’s career from 2008 to 2010. Through a combination of 450 images and a wonderful compilation of stories, quotes, and observations by some of Johnson’s closest friends and mentors, we are given a rare glimpse into the singer/songwriter’s life.  As Johnson has previously noted, “My dream already came true…All I ever wanted was to get to just ride around and sing country music.” Now readers will have an opportunity to follow him on this ride.
 
From now through September 12, 2011, advance sales for This Ride…In Color, And In Pictures are open to the public through www.thisride.us. The book retails for $125 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting five charities: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Hatch Show Print, Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center, Southeastern Beefmaster Breeders Association’s College Scholarship Fund, Alabama School of the Deaf and Blind’s Music Education Program, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  This Ride…In Color, And In Pictures will be released in late September.

Country Music Hall of Fame members George Jones and Bill Anderson, songwriter/producer/musician Jim “Moose” Brown, songwriter Rob Hatch, producer T.W. Cargile, studio manager Sharon Corbitt-House, and radio personalities Keith Bilbrey and Bill Cody, among others, share their thoughts throughout the book on this highly sought-after singer/songwriter.  Although the book’s main focus is Johnson, there is also an underlying current which celebrates close friendships and a common love of country music.  
 
Each copy and its Certificate of Authenticity is personally signed and numbered by Harlan. This limited-edition, measuring 9.25” x 12.75,” has a black linen hard case with silver foil type, Smythe-sewn binding, and a fine art image of Johnson on the cover.  Resonating with both Johnson’s and Harlan’s values, This Ride…In Color, And In Pictures is proudly made in the U.S.A. A small number of books will be reserved for the book’s release-day events (TBA).
 
About The Author:
A lifelong lover of country music, Melinda J.P. Harlan became immersed in the music she found in her father’s collection of LPs, across the airwaves of WSM-AM, and from the Grand Ole Opry every Friday and Saturday night. Harlan notes, “All my life, before I left home, I hung on every spoken word I could find from my musical heroes. Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of wisdom from these men and women in their spoken words and in their songs. Like the Chet Atkins quote, ‘If you hear something you like, and you’re halfway like the public, chances are, they’ll like it too.’ For me, this can be translated to my country music photography. I interpret it to mean, ‘Do what your heart is telling you to do and others will like it too.’” Harlan’s work can also be seen on the credits page of Johnson’s critically-acclaimed album, The Guitar Song.

Nashville, TN (August 29, 2011) - After eleven albums, over twenty-five charted singles, and countless fans across the nation, charismatic country music sensation Neal McCoy is back in the studio making music of a lifetime.  McCoy, who was named Entertainer of the Year twice by the fan voted TNN/Music City News Awards, will be releasing his highly-anticipated new album, 'XII,' in January 2012.   The new collection of 12 songs, which is being produced by Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton and Brent Rowan, marks McCoy's 12th studio album, and his first with new label home, Blaster Records. 

"Having Miranda and Blake involved in this project is 'Huge' for me. Not only do they have great vision, but they know when to have fun and when to get serious along with being Fantastic musicians," says McCoy.

McCoy's first single "A-OK," which was penned by Barry Dean, Luke Laird and Brett Eldredge, will be released in October, 2011.

Watch the video announcement HERE: http://youtu.be/_eWmRaRl404

About Neal McCoy
Growing up in Texas as the youngest of three, McCoy says his natural talent was revealed at home while singing 1970s Top 40 hits with his brother and sister. He then began performing in clubs, building his songbook and stage confidence, until he was discovered at a Dallas competition by Opry star Jane Fricke and eventually introduced to country superstar Charley Pride.

Since inking his first deal in Nashville, the singer has several platinum albums and top-ten singles to his credit, and has logged hundreds of thousands of touring miles, including 13 USO tours. He has also been recognized with humanitarian awards by The Academy of Country Music Awards and The Country Radio Broadcasters for his extensive work with the USO and the East Texas Angel Network, the organization he founded with his wife, Melinda, on behalf of East Texas children with life-threatening or serious illnesses.

McCoy lives in Longview, Texas, and continues writing music and performing for raving fans across the nation.

About Blaster Records
Cleveland based, Blaster Records was founded in 2007 by Blaster Chemical Chairman Tom Porter.  A division of the Blaster Music Group, the label is committed to artist development and its dedication to building careers. Blaster has sought talented songwriters, unique musicians and excellent live performers that show a genuine passion for their craft.  The label is dedicated further to providing their artists with teams of professionals that express a true interest in maximizing an artist's full potential.  Through touring, strategic marketing campaigns, promotion and artist development, Blaster Records is committed to the success of its artists. www.blasterentertainment.com

BUMPKIN now starting Pre Production in Portland Vancouver
gettin ready for SHOWTIME

THE BARNYARD CUPCAKES
Featuring Earlene Cash & Jonnie Sue Presley are a
Country Alternative Southern Rock Gospel Band with Original Kickin Songs, Fun Ole Time, New/Old Cover Tunes plus a Family Fun Comedy Hour in Concert.

You can See & Hear the 21 plus New Songs at http://www.TheBarnyardCupcakes.com

On Sale at ITUNES, AMAZON & More.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-barnyard-cupcakes/id322199452


BUMPKIN TV SHOW NOW IN PRE PRODUCTION FOR SHOWTIME NETWORK




BUMPKIN The Barnyard Cupcakes are featured on http://www.KarmaRadioNetwork.com

BUMPKIN Radio Show going Strong now since 2008
with thousands of listeners daily worldwide.

BUMPKIN features New & Old Country and Southern Rock music favs plus Comedy, Guest Stars & News.

TBC are now being added to over a Hundred Radio Stations worldwide plus I-HEART RADIO 750 plus radio stations

TBC are ASCAP Awarded and the WINNERS of the November 2010 Hossy Music Award Song Contest at www.HosstheBoss.com

THE BARNYARD CUPCAKES are available for Dollywood, Grand Ole Opry, Concerts, Festivals, County & State Fairs, USO Tours, Casino Shows, & More.

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Fairfax, VA (August 19, 2011) --- Hank Williams’ talent and life story continue to fascinate music fans around the world nearly sixty years after his death.  As a result, Williams has become one of Time Life’s most successful artists during the last three years and now the company has partnered with Warner Distribution Company as a continuing part of this project for a new e-book about the music legend, Hank Williams: The Mother’s Best Shows In Words And Music that releases September 13, 2011. The book is written by the renowned Hank Williams historian, Colin Escott and takes the reader on a voyage of discovery into the roots of Williams’ music and the stories behind some of his most successful songs. His text considerably expands his work on the three top-selling box sets from the Mother’s Best recordings, including the highly acclaimed and Grammy nominated Time Life project, Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus!.
 
Hank Williams: The Mother’s Best Shows In Words And Music is a new direction for Time Life by releasing the book digitally, and offering a unique synthesis of words, music, and photos.  Besides providing the background on the history of the Mother’s Best radio shows, the e-book creates a compelling  portrait of an artist that gave almost no interviews during his short 29-year life and results in a fascinating understanding of why this Pulitzer Prize winning artist still resonates with us after all these years.
 
According to Hank’s daughter, Jett Williams, “The relationship between the man, his music, his sense of humor, his overwhelming charisma, and the genius and tragedy of his short life all come together in these new initiatives.  His awesome talent has not only survived the ages, it has survived and embraced the technology revolution and has become available once again to his ever-widening fan base.”
 
“From the beginning of this project we wanted to re-present Hank Williams in a fully three dimensional way sharing new insights into the man, his personality, music tastes, influences and his genius,” says Mike Jason, Senior Vice President/Retail, Time Life.  “The e-book format has enabled Colin Escott to blend music, the story, photos and video into a more full representation. The forty-minute documentary included with the e-book features Williams’ daughter Jett interviewing two of Hank’s original band members. It wonderfully hits the mark, blending deeply personal reminscences and humor from these former Drifting Cowboys.”
 
At the same time, Time Life will digitally release the entire Grammy nominated project, Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus! that was also instrumental in Williams becoming the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize Award last year. The box set will be available at all digital music outlets. The project contains 72 complete 15-minute shows, featuring 143 performances by Hank Williams together with conversation, and much more. The recordings are from Williams’ Mother’s Best Flour shows, recorded at the pinnacle of his career in 1951. When Williams was planning to be out on tour, he prerecorded his Mother’s Best shows, and 72 of them miraculously survived.
 
As announced earlier, September 13^th will also mark the release date of Hank

 Williams: The Legend Beginsthat includes the very first recordings of Williams at fifteen-years-old, home recordings from 1940 and his first radio series, Health And Happiness.  All of the music in the 3-CD package has been meticulously restored with state of the art technology and brings Williams once again into the living room of the listener, as it would have over sixty years ago.

Country Superstar Martina McBride to Debut Eleven on October 11   Platinum-selling recording artist Martina McBride has established herself as a mainstay in country music and she plans to continue the tradition with her 11th studio album, aptly titled,ELEVEN. Slated for release on October 11, the project will feature some of Martina’s most personal songs to date, with the powerhouse vocalist penning 6 of the 11 tracks.   As one of the most spectacular voices in any genre of music, Martina McBride is a four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, three-time ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and GRAMMY® winning recording artist with more than 18 million in album sales. According to data from both Nielsen-BDS and Mediabase, Martina McBride is also Country radio’s “most-played female artist” of the past 11 years (1999-2010). Even with all of the aforementioned accolades, ELEVEN will be a first for Martina in many ways.   The impending album comes at a time of professional rebirth for Martina with new music, a new producer (Byron Gallimore), a new manager (Morris Artists Management) and a new record label (Republic Nashville). While dabbling with songwriting in the past, Martina’s newfound passion is evident in these songs, giving fans a deeper look into her reality. With this venture, she is embarking on an exciting time in an already successful career, which has produced 24 Top 10 singles, including six that hit #1.

Jesse Keith Whitley Offers Free Download   Jesse Keith Whitley, son of Lorrie Morgan and the late Keith Whitley and grandson of Grand Ole Opry legend George Morgan, is making a very special offer to his fans. August 2011 is the 23rdanniversary of “Don’t Close Your Eyes” going #1 for Jesse’s legendary father. In tribute, Jesse included his own version of the song on his recently-released EP, Kentucky Thunder, and now Jesse is making that song available to fans as a free download from his website, www.jessekeithwhitley.com.   Kentucky Thunder (Octabrook Records) includes the title cut which is making noise at radio. The young Whitley is currently touring the country performing and visiting friends and fans at radio and other events.

GMA (Gospel Music Association) Appoints Music Industry Veteran Jackie Patillo as Executive Director   Music industry veteran Jackie Patillo has been appointed as the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Executive Director. The newly created position will report to the GMA Board of Directors, facilitating the day to day operations of the GMA, as well as working closely with its board to ensure that the organization’s mission and strategies continue to grow. The GMA currently represents those in the Gospel and Christian music markets anchored by the annual GMA Dove Awards.   GMA Board of Directors Chairman Mitchell Solarek states, “We are so excited to have Jackie servings as GMA’s Executive Director.  She brings a wealth of experience in both Contemporary Christian and Gospel music to the position.  She brings years of knowledge and relationships that she has built within the music community to the post.  This will be a huge asset as we grow and continue to build our membership, The Dove Awards and our Immerse event.”

Kevin Fowler’s New Album is Chippin’ Away at the charts   Texas native Kevin Fowler has a new album in stores and it’s climbing up the charts. Fowler is known for his down to earth honky tonk-style country sound and his new record Chippin’ Away proves to be no exception.  In reference to the album's lead single "Hell Yeah I Like Beer," Taste of Country said that "A nun would have trouble denying the urge to sing along," and you should find out why! Grab your copy of Chippin Away NOW. Now available online at I-tunes.

Advertising In the Guide    The Nashville Music Guide keeps growing and expanding each month. We are contanstly expanding our distribution as well as continoulsly adding media delivery solutions to better help market your music needs.    If you would like your press release sent out to thousands of music industry related addresses through our new NMG E-mail Direct, please contact one of the following for all of the information or for any questions concerning advertisements:   Director of Marketing, Bradley Drake (bradley@nashvillemusicguide.com) Assistant Director of Marketing, Kyle Wilkerson (  kyle@nashvillemusicguide.com)   Office: 1700 Hayes St. Ste 103 Nashville, TN 37203 |  615.244.5673

Nashville, TN (August 17, 2011) -- Christmas time's a-coming, and holiday music fans will find a special treat when A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO hits stores nationwide on September 27.  The new disc comes with a bonus DVD filled with 26 performances of traditional seasonal favorites and new compositions that are sure to become holiday treasures.
  
For Skaggs, a 14-time Grammy® winner, theFAMILY CHRISTMAS  projects are a true labor of love. "We released Volume One back in 2005 because our fans asked us for it," Ricky recalls.  "We didn’t know if we’d ever do another one, but we've been hearing from our fans and they're ready for more Christ­mas songs, so here's Volume Two.  It was a joy to create and we're excited to share it." Ricky, his wife Sharon and their children (Luke and Molly) are joined by Buck and Cheryl White, and Cheryl's daughter, Rachel Leftwich, part of the Skaggs' extended family and members of a celebrated musical clan in their own right.  Also featured are world-renowned Kentucky Thunder and The Nashville Strings.
 
The 10-song CD features both studio and live recordings, and the disc kicks off with the upbeat bluegrass arrangement of "Christmas Time’s A Coming,” which segues smoothly to showcase Sharon White Skaggs and her sister, Cheryl, trading lead vocals on the bright, acoustic, "Light of the Stable." An a capella version of "The First Noel” finds Ricky singing lead, while the signature vocals of the White sisters excel on the high and low harmonies. Heavenly voices rise in praise on the classic seasonal favorite, “Silent Night,” which also features a poignant mandolin and soaring strings.  Molly Skaggs shines on “What Songs Were Sung,”proving she's more than worthy to carry on the families' traditions, while brother Luke burns up the fret on his own composition, the intricate instrumental, "Flight To Egypt."  The modern "Reunion Song" featuresa deceptively-simple sing-along melody, and Ricky not only triumphs on the lead vocal, but also plays Guitars, Mandolin, Gut String Solo and Dan Electro.  Skaggs' lightning-fast finger pickin' guitar lick jump-starts"Children Go" and the vocal interplay between the family members (Ricky, Buck, Sharon and Cheryl) should leave listeners breathless.  A haunting, original arrangement and expressive vocals by Luke, Molly and Rachel highlight "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel,"and the disc closes with a classical instrumental interpretation of "Joy To The World."
 
As a bonus, A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS LIVE (DVD) is included with the purchase of the CD.  The DVD features the family’s heartwarming holiday concert, recorded live in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium.  The three generations have taken this special show on the road for the last eight years, and the tradition continues this year, with thetroupe performing at a variety of venues throughout the holiday season, including:
 
11/28/11  Brooks Ctr. for the Perf. Arts / Clemson, SC
11/30/11  The Paramount Theater / Charlottesville, VA
12/01/11  Music Center at Strathmore / N. Bethesda, MD
12/02/11  Tennessee Theatre / Knoxville, TN
12/10/11  Honeywell Center / Wabash, IN
12/11/11  Niswonger PAC of NW Ohio / Van Wert, OH
12/17/11  Smokey Mtn. Performing Arts Center / Franklin, NC
12/22/11  Schermerhorn Symphony Center / Nashville, TN
 
 
"We started singing these songs in our living room all those years ago, with no idea that we would ever takeA Skaggs Family Christmas to so many places," explains Sharon. "We've performed everywhere from churches to symphony halls to the National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington D.C., where we sang for President George W. Bush.  The recording process, the performing and traveling has been so much fun! It has been such a blessing to share all of this as a family."
 
Explore the history of the Skaggs Family and more at www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com

   

INDIVIDUAL BALCONY SEATING
FOR THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME^® AND MUSEUM’S
ALL FOR THE HALL LOS ANGELES FUNDRAISER
WILL GO ON SALE ON AUGUST 20

Zac Brown, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris
Set to Perform at L.A. LIVE’s Club Nokia

LOS ANGELES, California, August 16, 2011 – Individual balcony seats for the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum’s All for the Hall Los Angeles fundraiser, taking place Tuesday, September 13, at L.A. LIVE’s Club Nokia, will go on sale to the public on Saturday, August 20, Museum officials announced today. 

Tickets to the benefit concert, which will follow a “guitar pull” format and feature performances by superstars Zac Brown and Sheryl Crow, and Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris, are available for $250 and $125 (reserved seats in VIP section of the balcony with access to the VIP lounge) and $100 and $65 (reserved seats in the balcony).  Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com; and from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon-Fri at the STAPLES Center Box Office located at 1111 S. Figueroa St.  No fees are charged at the STAPLES Center box office or at the Club Nokia box office on show days (open after 5 p.m.).

A limited number of VIP tables and floor seats are still available for purchase at $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 levels (a significant portion of which is tax deductible); additional table purchase details are below.

The evening will offer a unique opportunity to see these acclaimed singer-songwriters interact with one another as they take turns swapping songs, stories and personal recollections.  The “guitar pull” is a Nashville specialty; it originated in the homes of Nashville songwriters who gathered to try out new compositions for their peers.  Nashville’s most storied guitar pulls were hosted by Johnny and June Carter Cash.  The hallmarks of a great guitar pull are spontaneity and camaraderie.

The Museum launched All for the Hall, its first-ever non-bricks-and-mortar fundraising campaign, in 2005.  The campaign addresses the Museum’s need for long-term financial security and will provide a safety net for the institution and its work.  This is the fifth year the Museum has taken its “annual giving” event on the road, hosting previous All for the Hall events in New York in 2007 and 2008 and in Los Angeles in 2009 and 2010.

“California, with its rich country music history, has proven to be a supremely appropriate and welcoming location for this event,” said Museum Director Kyle Young.  “Our 2009 All for the Hall Los Angeles debut gave us an opportunity to focus on West Coast country music history and remind our guests that these artists and executives and their songs are a part of the story we both preserve and teach at the Museum.  We built on that with last year’s event, during which we announced that the Museum’s next major exhibition will focus on Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and the Bakersfield Sound.  We are very grateful for our warm welcome the past two years and look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones in September.”

All for the Hall Los Angeles patrons are offered their choice of seating for 10 for $10,000, or seating for five for $5,000.  Individual tickets are available at $1,000 per seat. A cocktail reception and dinner will precede the guitar pull.  To purchase tickets, patrons may contact Rachel Shapiro at rshapiro@countrymusichalloffame.org or telephone (615) 416-2069 or (800) 852-6437.

All for the Hall Los Angeles is chaired by AEG Live Chairman Tim Leiweke and produced by CAA’s Rod Essig, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and BMI’s Jody Williams. The event is made possible by the generosity of AEG Live, Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE and travel sponsor Southwest Airlines.  The 2011 host committee for All for the Hall Los Angeles includes Justyn Amstutz and Lori Armistead, Orly Adelson (dick clark productions), Mark Bloom (UBS Financial Services), Thomas Carroll (SunTrust Bank), John Frankenheimer (Loeb & Loeb), Gary Haber (Haber Corporation) and Bob Romeo (Academy of Country Music).  

About the Performers

Georgia native Zac Brown is the leader of the Grammy-award winning Zac Brown Band.  The band’s debut major label release, The Foundation, was one of Billboard’s Top 20 albums of 2009, and yielded five #1 hits, including “Chicken Fried” and “Free.”  The band’s follow-up album, You Get What You Give, which was released in September 2010, debuted at #1 on the Billboard200 chart and was recently certified platinum by the RIAA.  The band’s honors and accolades include “Best New Artist” wins at both the 2010 Grammy Awards and the 2010 CMA Awards, and a 2009 “Top New Vocal Group” nod from the Academy of Country Music.  

Free-spirited, fearless and fierce, Sheryl Crow has garnered nine Grammys, released seven studio albums, which sold more than 35 million records worldwide, is a cancer survivor and passionate humanitarian, and has performed for President Obama.  This year Crow unveiled her soul stylings on her seventh studio set, 100 Miles from Memphis. Raised in Kennett, Missouri, 100 miles from Memphis, Crow grew up listening to the irresistible soul sounds on the radio coming out of Memphis in the late ’60s and early ’70s, all of which shaped the artist she is today.  Crow is a passionate supporter of a variety of environmental and health-related charities, including the NRDC, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the World Food Program. This year saw the opening of the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center in the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill possesses an achingly beautiful tenor, award-winning songwriting skills and virtuoso guitar chops. Together, they’ve earned him millions of record sales, 20 Grammys and 18 CMA Awards.  He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. Gill is also regarded as one of country music’s most generous humanitarians, participating in hundreds of charitable events throughout his career, including All for the Hall, the campaign to support the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  Gill, president of the Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees, was also the Museum’s 2009 Artist in Residence.  His new CD, Guitar Slinger, will be released on October 25 on MCA Records.

Emmylou Harris introduced country music to a broader audience by building bridges to folk, gospel, rock and alternative music. She has sold millions of albums worldwide and claimed 12 Grammys in a career that now stretches over four decades. Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008, she remains an inspiration to new generations of artists. Harris is a champion of many humanitarian causes, including landmine removal and animal rescue.  Her latest album, 2011’s Hard Bargain, features 11 songs written or co-written by Harris.

 

About the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The Museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the Foundation also operates CMF Records, the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B, and Hatch Show Print^®.

More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416-2001.

About AEG Live

AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance.  AEG Live is comprised of touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event divisions, fifteen regional offices and owns, operates or exclusively books thirty-five state-of-the-art venues.  The current and recent concert tour roster includes artists such as Taylor Swift, the Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Justin Bieber, Leonard Cohen, Wisin & Yandel, Kenny Chesney, P!nk and Paul McCartney.  The company is also currently producing shows in Las Vegas including Celine Dion at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos, and Barry Manilow at Paris. Our exhibition portfolio boasts the most successful exhibition of all time, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoaohs, which has attracted more than 7 million visitors since 2005.  AEG Live is also the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically acclaimed Coachella Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

 
About Club Nokia

Club Nokia, a multi-use music, entertainment and concert venue--located in the heart of the acclaimed L.A. LIVE sports, residential and entertainment district--accommodates over 2,300 guests.  Featuring state-of-the-art acoustics designed for live entertainment, Club Nokia is the perfect venue for emerging music acts and cultural shows while also providing excellent space for corporate events and private parties.  The theatre brings the latest technology to music enthusiasts including an innovative interactive experience embedded in foot-controlled floor interfaces, touchscreens, and a large LED installation within the lobby of the Club Nokia space.  This interactive experience allows users to scroll through the history and the future of Club Nokia events and interact with pictures, video and text messages submitted by fellow concert fans.  Club Nokia has been honored two consecutive years at the annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards-in 2009 as “Best New Major Concert Venue” and in 2010 as “Nightclub Of The Year”; along with a Zagat Award for Best Live Music Club in Los Angeles (2009).

Since its opening, Club Nokia has hosted a massive array of eclectic events: packed concerts of every musical genre (Band of Horses, Motorhead, Adam Lambert, Drake, Matisyahu, Queens of the Stone Age, Vince Gill, The Specials, La Roux, to name but a few); comedians (Lisa Lampanelli, Sarah Silverman, Jim Jefferies and more); special month-long residencies (The Pee-wee Herman Show, Cirque Berzerk); awards shows (Grammy nominations concert, Revolver Golden Gods Awards) and private events.

For more information about All for the Hall Los Angeles, please contact:

Todd Brodginski:        toddb@msopr.com
Angela Villanueva:     avillanueva@msopr.com
Mitch Schneider:        mschneider@msopr.com
(818) 380-0400