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Nashville's premier entertainment blog including album, song and show reviews and exclusive artist interviews.
Please see this video from one of my favorite people, David St. Romain!
I met David about 5 years. You might remember him from ‘Nashville Star’ as one of the frontrunners. He’s got a great new video out and I love his voice-a cross between country and blues. Probably that Louisiana influence! Anyway, hope you check it out!
Tommy Steele & Bullabelle Bullhorn – ” A little riding on the back of a Harley-style GHERMing! Tommy’s GHERMalicious!”
(Nashville, TN) — Israel Theme Tours is proud to announce that Stryper frontman and accomplished solo artist Michael Sweet will be taking fans to Israel, January 13-22, 2013. The 10-day, VIP-style tour of the Holy Land will offer fans a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience.
Travelers will follow in the footsteps of Jesus, explore the ruins of the ancient port city built by King Herod, experience the Western Wall and the ancient city of Jerusalem, float in the Dead Sea, visit Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum), roam the beaches of Tel Aviv, experience baptism in the Jordan River and much more.
Michael will join the tour group each day for a variety of activities, including exclusive fan access and a private concert performance while cruising the Sea of Galilee.
“I’ve always wanted to go to The Holy Land but I’ve never been,” said Sweet. “I’m excited that my first time will be with some of my closest friends and fans. From Jerusalem to the Jordan River, this is going to be incredible.”
The tour is limited to 50 travelers, and registrations are being accepted now. Fans can reserve their spot by visitwww.israelthemetours.com/michaelsweet.
Multi-platinum rock band Stryper recently completed a yearlong world tour, and they are putting the final touches on the follow up to 2010’s The Covering. Sweet is also working on a solo record and an autobiography, both due later this year. For more information, visit www.stryper.com and www.michaelsweet.com.
Nashville, TN — Country’s living legend, David Frizzell, has released “Say Hello To Heaven” to raise awareness and urge support for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
In the first week of release, “Say Hello To Heaven” was among the most active releases in the Country format. The song shot to the #1 spot for streaming and was in the Top 5 downloads on the PlayMPE chart.
Written by Nashville’s Buddy Hyatt, and available just in time for the annual observance of Alcohol Awareness Month, “Say Hello To Heaven” shares the story of a wife and mother killed in a car accident at the hands of a drunk driver. Sadly, it is a story that rings true for the Frizzell family, who lost David’s niece in 1998 when a drunk driver was responsible for her death on her 32nd birthday.
With an upcoming special on RFD-TV, Frizzell launches a year-long promotion using the song to shine a light on the dangers of driving while impaired, and on the good work done by MADD.
“MADD was there even before I or others in the family could get there,” Frizzell says. “They provided so much care and support; services that I had no idea they offered.”
The “Frizzell & Friends” show was be taped at The Texas Troubadour Theater, home of the famed Midnight Jamboree radio show, and features appearances by Hyatt, Jett Williams, Jimmy Fortune and Moe Bandy. The show airs on March 29 and will be rebroadcast on March 30. The promotion is sponsored in part by the generous support of Liberty Tax Service.
Founded by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) in 1987, Alcohol Awareness Month is held every April.
For more on the song and promotion, visit www.facebook.com/davidfrizzellmusic
Just a reminder that a great musical event is happening all week in Nashville that you don’t want to miss if you are a music fan! It’s the 20th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival happening March 27th-31st at various venues around town.
All genres included and all original songs performed by the songwriter who wrote it. Not only do you get to hear some great music live in an intimate setting, but you’ll hear some stories that will make you laugh or just touch you. At any rate, it’s a good time to be had.
Check out the site for more details and full listing of shows, times, prices, and who’s playing at: www.tinpansouth.com!
Some notable shows that I hope you’ll consider attending are:
WEDNESDAY: THE FARM, Danny Myrick, Heidi Newfield, and Bridgette Tatum starting at 6pm @ The Rutledge
FRIDAY: Jesse Lee, Johnny Bulford, Chris Roberts, and more TBA starting at 6pm @ Belcourt Taps and Tapas
ALSO, ON FRIDAY: Jennifer Zuffinetti, Julie Roberts, Danielle Peck, and Carolyn Dawn Johnson starting at 6pm @ The Bluebird Cafe
Friday’s going to be a little bit tough because of those 2 great shows going on at the same time!
Jesse Lee
I caught up with singer/songwriter, Jesse Lee, and this is what she had to say about Tin Pan South and why she supports NSAI’s songwriters festival: “I’ve been involved with NSAI since I was 15 years old. NSAI realizes that “it all begins with a song,” and they go above and beyond to protect the songwriters. Tin Pan South draws people from all over the country. It’s a unique experience which allows us songwriters to perform at our own shows, as well as see our peers perform. I love watching a songwriter sing something I’ve heard before, and then hear the inspiration, and the story behind the song.”
Get out and enjoy this great event happening all week along with some beautiful spring weather. This event helps support great music and Nashville!
Photo Credit: Melissa Webb
Nashville, TN (March 19, 2012) — Todd Fritsch is back in the saddle – and Country radio – after a roping accident on the family cattle ranch left him with a crippling leg injury three years ago. “It was a long road to recovery,” says the engaging Texan. “But I had my second surgery this past December and I’m rehabbed and ready to go.” “Calls I Haven’t Made” is an outstanding song choice; Todd’s rich voice resonates throughout this intriguing tale of redemption, and he’s supported by top-drawer production and talented players. Fans can purchase the new single from iTunes.
“It’s a little bit more of a ‘Nashville sound’ than anything I’ve done before,” admits Fritsch, who enjoyed a string of hits with his previous Country singles (What’s Wrong With Me, Small Town Radio, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, I Got Mexico, and a duet with Texas legend, Gary P. Nunn, Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero (Has His Day).
“Calls I Haven’t Made” was produced by respected Nashville insider, Butch Baker. The track is from Todd’s upcoming CD, UP HERE IN THE SADDLE, due later this Spring. “I think ‘Calls’ will give radio a good idea of what the new album has in store,” says the amiable entertainer. “There are a few surprises and a little more polish on this project; fans are loving the new songs and they’re going over well at my shows.”
ABOUT TODD:
Todd’s appeared on radio and television, played honky tonks, festivals and fairs throughout the Southwest and in Europe, appeared in a movie (PALO PINTO GOLD, starring Trent Willmon and Kinky Friedman) and graced the pages of Country Weekly, Best In Texas,Open Range and Texas Music magazines. He juggles his music career with his responsibilities on the family cattle ranch in Willow Springs, Texas. www.toddfritsch.com and www.facebook.com/toddfritsch
Photographer: Amanda Eckard / CMA
NASHVILLE – At the meeting of the Country Music Association Board of Directors this week in Phoenix, Ariz., Troy Tomlinson was named President of the Board and Ed Hardy was named President-Elect. The appointments begin immediately.
Chairman of the CMA Board Gary Overton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Nashville, made the announcement at the first quarterly gathering of the Board. Tomlinson, who is President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing moved from President Elect to the open President’s position. Hardy, President of GAC, was named President-Elect. Jessie Schmidt, President of Schmidt Relations, remains Secretary/Treasurer for a second year.
“I am very excited about working with our new CMA Board President Troy Tomlinson and President-Elect Ed Hardy,” Overton said. “Both Troy and Ed are highly successful and honorable leaders in the Country Music industry. Further, they have already shown themselves as leaders with insight and wisdom while serving on the CMA Board and its various committees.”
“Given the ambitious vision of the CMA, I am honored to be serving alongside strong executives like Gary, Ed, and Jessie,” Tomlinson added. “The fact that we are all friends makes it even more exciting.”
“I couldn’t be more proud and deeply honored to be invited to serve as President-Elect of the CMA Board,” Hardy said. “I’ve known and worked with Gary, Troy, and Jessie either in business or on the CMA Board for the past six years and greatly respect them and look forward to serving with them in a leadership role. This is a very exciting time for the CMA and the Country Music industry and it’s great to be able have a role in taking it to the next level of success.”
More than 6,400 music industry professionals and companies around the globe are members of the Country Music Association. Formed in 1958 as the first trade association for a single genre of music, the organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry while advancing the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA‘s strategic imperatives – CMA Music Festival and the companion CMA Music Festival television special; CMA’s newest television venture “CMA Country Christmas”; and the crown jewel, CMA Awards, which are known as Country Music’s Biggest NightT. All of CMA’s TV properties air on the ABC Television Network through 2021. For information about CMA visit www.CMAworld.com.
Nashville, TN (February 7, 2012) — Parallel Music Publishing in Nashville is pleased to announce the addition of award-winning songwriter Brian Maher to its publishing roster. Maher, who signed with the company in December and is probably best known for co-penning Justin Moore’s “Small Town USA” with songwriter and producer Jeremy Stover, joins recently on-boarded songsmith Blake Chaffin to Parallel’s quickly expanding roster.
“Brian is a great friend and a talented songwriter,” said Stover. “I expect amazing things to come from his new relationship with Parallel.”
The son of famed Nashville producer/songwriter Brent Maher, Brian grew up around a studio and with some of the biggest names in the business (Dionne Warwick, Sly Stone, Bobby Darrin, Kenny Rogers, etc.). He even went to school with the Judds, an act his father discovered and made famous.
“There never was a conscious decision to strive for a creative career in the industry,” explains Maher. “I was just constantly around it…it was already a part of my life. So writing and producing were something that kind of just happened through osmosis…it was just something I naturally absorbed.”
By the age of 21, Brian had already landed his first publishing deal with Moraine Music Group. Throughout the years, Maher has bolstered the catalogs of Welk Music and Warner Brothers publishing groups, landed cuts by such artists as Taylor Swift, Justin Moore, Lonestar, Emerson Drive, Danielle Peck and Randy Montana and has received numerous awards and recognitions by ASCAP, NSAI and Billboard (to name a few).
Maher is now beginning a new chapter in songwriting with Parallel Music Publishing and is anxious to get to work.
“I feel very fortunate to work with such a talented group of people,” expressed Maher. “Parallel’s influence in the entertainment industry reaches far beyond that of a typical Nashville publishing company,” he adds. “I am really excited about the additional opportunities our relationship will bring.”
Parallel Music Publishing is part of Los Angeles-based Parallel Entertainment, a full-service talent management and production company. It has produced everything from motion pictures to music albums, to programming for a variety of cable television networks. Its talent roster boasts some of comedy’s most notable acts like Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall and Lisa Lampanelli, as well as music acts like Zella Day and Warner Music Nashville recording artist Dean Alexander. It also manages actors including former CMT Insider host Lance Smith. The Nashville publishing company is a partnership between Tim Hunze, Parallel Entertainment Founder & CEO J.P. Williams and C.T. Wyatt, who runs the Nashville office of Parallel Entertainment.
About Parallel Entertainment
Founded in 1991 by CEO J.P. Williams, Parallel Entertainment is a Los Angeles-based talent management and production company. Parallel develops, finances and produces a wide range of entertainment projects, including feature films; DVD premiere features; comedy and music albums; and television series and specials for network and cable. The filmed entertainment productions include several one-hour specials for Comedy Central and HBO; and several motion pictures, including Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie; Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again and Larry the Cable Guy: Heath Inspector, Delta Farce, Witless Protection for theatrical release. For more information on Parallel Entertainment, please visit: parallelentertainment.com.
Hope you are enjoying getting to know the talented, up and coming country duo, Coldwater Jane! AKA sisters, Brandon and Leah.
Here is the 2nd video interview in the series. Please check it out below and if you like what you hear, be sure to support them by buying their music on iTunes!
