Tag Archives | Nashville

NAMM Brings Music Product Industry Together in Nashville, July 12-14

By on July 29, 2012 in In The Press

Carlsbad, CA (July 16, 2012) — From networking with current vendors and scoping out new brands to learning at NAMM U sessions and taking in the Nashville nightlife, the music industry stayed busy during a fun and productive three days in Nashville for Summer NAMM. The National Association of Music Merchant’s (NAMM) event held July 12-14 is the summer-timed compliment to January’s The NAMM Show timed to line up with product releases for the holiday buying season.

Beyond the thousands of music instrument and product showings at Summer NAMM, the show provides Members with dozens of complimentary professional development programs, the Top 100 Dealer Awards and an opportunity to hear live music nearly around the clock while in Music City.

“We’re grateful to the Members who invested their time and money to be participate in Summer NAMM,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “In spite of the continuing economic challenges, these folks are not sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to get better, but instead seizing the opportunity to increase their competitive advantage as we head into the fall and holiday selling season.”

Summer NAMM saw more retail owners, buyers and employees doing business at the show. The number of retail buyers increased a robust 20% in 2012 over 2011.

“This show is incredible. I wouldn’t miss it. It’s a great opportunity to do business and see friends,” said Chuck Surack, president and founder of Sweetwater Sound. “There are lots of new vendors and products here that I wasn’t aware of, lots of new things that I wouldn’t have seen if I hadn’t been here. This is the time to not only foster relationships with current vendors, but also with fellowmusic store owners.”

Energy and growth was mirrored on the manufacturing side with a 9% increase in exhibitors from 2011 to 2012. It was made up in part by many new and returning brands. In total, 372 exhibitors representing many more brands shared new products with buyers from around the world at Summer NAMM.

“Taylor Guitars attends Summer NAMM to thank our dealers for their support in the first half of theyear, to see east coast retailers, who may not always make it to Anaheim and finally, it’s a wonderful reason to visit the great city of Nashville,” said Mike “Monte” Montefusco, director of sales at Taylor Guitars based in El Cajon, CA. “We’re seeing our existing dealer base and a lot of perspective new dealers who are interested in the Taylor line. The pace here in Nashville lends to spending more one-on-one time with perspective dealers.”

NEW BRANDS

Some of the positive energy found at the show can be attributed to the 75 new-to-Summer NAMM exhibitors and another 75 brands returning to Summer NAMM after a break.

An insurgence of new brands at the show allowed retailers to discover new products in time for the holiday season. “The ability at Summer NAMM to sit down and have a conversation is very beneficial. We take this opportunity to look at new products and explore possible future business with brands that we haven’t worked with before,” said Lori Supine, president of Senseney Music in Wichita, Kansas and 2011 Dealer of the Year.

The smaller stage NAMM hosts in Nashville, also gives new brands to grab more of the spotlight. First time Summer NAMM exhibitor Jim McGillivary, founder ofFour Force who makes the EM1 lightweight amp, and 2012 Summer NAMM ‘Best of Show’ winner said, “This summer show is the best for us. It’s a time to meet local music store owners and buyers in a very music friendly city.”

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
While Summer NAMM is officially only a three-day event, over 100 retailers arrived in Music City a day early for NAMM’s inaugural Retail Boot Camp. Bob Negen, a retail expert led a all day educational session with practical business planning, marketing and other tangible business advice tailored specifically for independent music instrument and product dealers.

Tracy Leenman, owner of Musical Innovations in Greenville, South Carolina, who attended the boot camp said, “I thought it was very well-organized and the information applies to everyone sitting in the room—big business, small business, school business, combo business. It’s very hands-on, very action-oriented, very directed toward going home and making a difference.”

The more relaxed pace of the summer-timed event lends to educational opportunities. Each morning opened with a NAMM U Breakfast session with guests including Chip Averwater of Amro Music and author of “Retail Truths,” Joe Calloway, author of “Becoming a Category of One,” and the ‘Best in Show’ awards presented by Music Inc.

TOP 100 DEALERS
The Top 100 Dealer awards celebrated the best in music stores on Friday, July 13th during Summer NAMM. Alto Music won ‘Dealer of the Year,’ while other retailers took home wins in ‘Best of’ categories.

A panel of impartial, expert judges selected the Top 100 dealers using a numeric rating based on five main criteria. Then, the panel scored retailers’ submissions for awards in ten other specific ‘Best of’ categories.

“The retailers in this room are the backbone of the industry,” said Jon Haber, owner of Alto Music based in Middletown, NY. “We’re cultivating all of the future customers. Whether now a pro audio, lighting guy or other person connected to music, they probably got their start getting juiced on a guitar at a local music store.”

NAMM MEMBERS LOVE MUSIC CITY

When NAMM returns to Nashville, July 11-13, 2013 the show will have a new home, the state-of-the-art convention center, Music City Center. Music City Center sits just south of Broadway on a 16-acre site adjacent toboth the Bridgestone Arena and the Country Music Hall of Fame and steps from the Ryman Auditorium and Broadway honky tonks where thousands of musical careers have launched.

“I love Nashville – this is a fantastic city!” said Mark Farrell, director of sales for Feeltune in Nimes, France. “I heard great things about the new center. I was talking to a Nashville native and he said it’s like five times the size of this and it’s going to be a sight to behold apparently.”

The Silver Level LEED certified building measures 1.2 million square feet, featuring a 350,000 square foot exhibit hall, a 57,000 grand ballroom and 1,800 parking spaces. A 360,000 gallon retention tank will collect rainwater from the four acre ‘green’ roof to be used for irrigation and to flush the building’s hundreds of toilets.

Before NAMM returns to Music City, The NAMM Show stages in Anaheim, California on January 24-27, 2013. Badge registration for The NAMM Show opens on September 19, 2012. Find more details at http://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2013.

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About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization’s popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry, while promoting the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of more than 9,000 Member companies in 87 countries around the world. For more information about NAMM visit www.namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266). Follow NAMM on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.


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Album Review: Kristen Wright, “In The Year Of Letting Go”

By on July 25, 2012 in Album & Song Reviews

Kristen WrightKristen Wright is a Nashville up-and-comer with a sweet but powerful voice, and the kind of creative singer-songwriter spirit you only (truly) find on rare occasion. Her album “In The Year Of Letting Go” is her first recording project, the culmination of years of writing and honing her craft at Belmont University.

The six song EP seems to be the perfect introduction for Kristen. She wrote, arranged and produced each song on the album. The lyrics are creative and introspective but also universal, telling beautiful stories. The music is acoustically driven, all featuring a prevalent acoustic guitar or piano, and her effortless voice ranges somewhere between Joy Williams of The Civil Wars and Joss Stone. (How I came up with those two, I’ll never know… but listen, and let me know if I’m wrong.)

While each song is poignant, the song Quitter gained Kristen quick notoriety and a spot in Belmont University’s coveted Fall Follies show. The song has a slow-tempo, jazzy, lounge feel to it, showcasing Kristen’s vocal range and some amazing instrumentation including a viola.

For those indie or singer-songwriter fans, take a listen to this one. It’s a refreshing departure from mainstream, although songs like Quitter would be well deserved to find a place in the radio.

For more information on Kristen, visit http://kristenwright.tumblr.com

“In The Year of Letting Go” track listing:

  1. High Wire
  2. You And I
  3. Rabbit Trail
  4. Quitter
  5. Love Letter
  6. Peace Is Well
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Album Review: Natasha Borzilova, “Out Of My Hands”

By on July 25, 2012 in Album & Song Reviews

Natasha BorzilovaNatasha Borzilova’s newest CD “Out Of My Hands” broke my computer. Seriously, my Mac didn’t want to play it; it kept skipping. I was able to listen to the album in its entirety in my car, but after doing so, I really couldn’t blame my computer: I didn’t want to listen to it either.

Good news though: Natasha is a true singer/songwriter. The songs come from the heart and stay out of the way of genre labels and mainstream sensibilities. She wrote every song and produced the album herself, and even adds her talents on the acoustic guitar.

The music is not generally bad, it just did nothing for me. Her airy voice sounds contrived in some way, almost like a classically-trained vocal was trying to stuff itself inside a soft, folk style.

I will venture to guess that Natasha is enjoyable as a live performer. Given the proper band and setting, I would enjoy songs like Better Than Me. Her passion and talent are apparent; they just didn’t translate to the recording studio.

Overall: Not for everyone, but probably captivating for a select few.

For more on Natasha, visit: www.natashaborzilova.com

Track listing for “Out Of My Hands”

  1. Better Than Me
  2. Cynics Hate Hollywood
  3. Out Of My Hands
  4. The World Below
  5. Fisherman’s Wife
  6. Gypsy
  7. One Soul Desire
  8. Winter Season
  9. One Second Flat
  10. Long Night
  11. Tiny Little Things
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Album Review: Self-Titled Debut Release By JT Hodges, Due In Stores August 21st

By on July 20, 2012 in Album & Song Reviews

Listening to this self-titled debut release from Showdog Records’ JT Hodges, I am struck by the versatility and ease of his voice.  He has a gritty sound that I believe sets him apart from many of his male counterparts in country music today.  The songs lean towards a mix of contemporary country and a little bit of classic rock with some blues mixed in for good measure.  I enjoyed the diverse subject matter, the depth of the songs, and found it very easy to listen to.  It’s a good, solid effort and he penned 8 out of the 10 songs on this album.  I found his writing to be interesting and skilled.  His words easily paint a picture in your mind and tell a story, which I enjoy.

One of my favorites off the album is: “Sleepy Little Town” – a mid-tempo song about dark secrets of a small town that you don’t expect.  Another, “Hunt You Down” was his first single from this album and is a playful, mid-tempo song with a nice groove about a fun night out on the town in Memphis with a woman he just met.  “Right About Now” another mid-tempo song that I enjoyed about an ex-lover unable to let go of a past love as he thinks of what she’s probably doing right about now.  “When I Stop Crying” was a touching ballad about losing love that showed so much depth and gave me chills at times.   Showed a completely different side to his music and I loved the steel guitar in this song.

I found it hard to pick a song that is what I consider a least favorite of mine.  I guess “Green Eyes Red Sunglasses” was my least favorite of the album, but even with it, I enjoyed some of the elements like the more bluesy feel of the song overall.  Just wasn’t as strong or enjoyable to me as the others.

Overall, this is a solid effort filled with diverse, well-written songs.

For more information about JT Hodges, check out his website: www.jthodges.com

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Also, check out this interview we had with him this past spring right here:

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Nashville TN  July 18, 2012 —   Show Dog-Universal Music will release JT Hodges’ self titled, debut CD on  August 21, 2012.   Hodges penned eight of the CD’s 10 tracks (see full track listing below). Earlier this month, Hodges asked fans to help him select the next single, and at the halfway point, the contenders have been narrowed down to two: “Sleepy Little Town” (far and away the frontrunner) and “Rather Be Wrong Than Lonely.”  Fans may continue to vote here:   http://on.fb.me/SGRxx9.

 

About JT 

He burst onto the country music scene in 2011 with the release of his debut single, “Hunt You Down,” and a slot on Toby Keith’s Locked & Loaded Tour. Earlier this year, JT was a semi-finalist in the Academy of Country Music’s New Artist of the Year category. “Goodbyes Made You Mine” was the second single from the artist’s soon to be released CD. In his Music Row review of the single, respected music critic Robert K. Oermann  said, “this has a certain ‘presence.’ JT’s not only a solid writer, but his vocal performance is up-close and personal, packed with personality and exuding confidence. The deep-twang guitar and driving production are also pluses. A star is born.”

Tracks on JT Hodges

1.     Rather Be Wrong Than Lonely

2.     Sleepy Little Town

3.     Hunt You Down

4.     Give It One More Night

5.     When I Stop Crying

6.     Goodbyes Made You Mine

7.     Leaving Me Later

8.     Right About Now

9.     Rhythm Of The Radio

10.  Green Eyes Red Sunglasses

For more information on the artist, please check out these links: http://jthodges.com/,

https://twitter.com/#!/HelloJTHodges and https://www.facebook.com/jthodgesmusic.

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Warner Music Nashville & Word Entertainment Artists Share Special Summer Olympic Memories

By on July 19, 2012 in In The Press

NASHVILLE, TN – (July 18, 2012) – To celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics that are right around the corner, a few of our Artists have shared their favorite Olympic memories.  We will be sharing more stories throughout the month of July. From Warner Music Nashville and Word Entertainment, good luck Team USA!

 

Summer Olympic Questions:

1.    If you could compete in an event at the Summer Olympics, what would it be and why?

2.    Any memorable Olympic event you recall?

3.    Do you have a favorite Olympian? Why?

 

KRISTA MARIE FROM THE FARM:

“My kind of Olympics… the Summer X Games, motocross of course!

“In 2006 when Travis Pastrana won gold at the Moto X Freestyle Finals doing a double back flip!!! What?!”

“Uhh yeah…Pastrana! #199 all the way! He has now won 10 X Game Gold medals in super cross, motocross, freestyle & rally racing. That’s bad ass in my book!

 

DAMIEN FROM THE FARM:

“100 yard dash.”

“Carl Lewis becoming the fastest man alive”

“Carl Lewis”

 

JANA KRAMER:

“It would definitely be Gymnastics! I wish I could do half the stuff they can! They are amazing!”

“When Misty May and Kerri Walsh won for the second time in 2008 after winning in 2004…I love volleyball so it was awesome to see them kick butt! Girl power:)”

“Kristi Yamaguchi…I grew up skating and she was always my idol!”

 

DARA MACLEAN

“Gymnastics. I was a gymnast for five or six years. I love watching it!”

“The Magnificent Seven, the victorious all-around women’s gymnastics team that represented the United States at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.”

“Kerri Strug. She is by far my favorite, because of her courage and commitment. Her bravery in the face of fear and her unwavering passion.”

 

DAVE FREY FROM SIDEWALK PROPHETS

“If I could compete and win the gold in an Olympic sport it would easily be table tennis. It really is unreal to watch those guys play! I used to believe that I was a ping pong master in college until the first moment I witnessed Olympic table tennis. If I could somehow have the chops to compete against those guys, all my college friends would finally have to admit that I am the king of ping pong.”

“The Atlanta Olympics in 1996 were so much fun to watch. I’ll never forget my entire family gathered around the TV the night the women’s gymnastics team won gold. My mom literally screamed. The USA basketball team that year was amazing. I also fondly remember watching the swimming events and then my buddy and me trying to race each other in the local pool. The best part is that the worst I could do was silver. It was an awesome summer, and the patriotism and moving stories of the Olympics made it even more memorable.”

“My favorite Olympians were the entire 1996 women’s gymnastics team…and even though he never competed, Bella Karolyi. Bella’s passionate encouragement brought home gold and was parodied on Conan O’Brien for years.”

 

FRANKIE BALLARD

“The 100 meter, because if I was doin’ that…I’d be a speedy son of a gun!”

“The ‘Miracle on Ice’! I know it was the Winter Olympics, but when the Russians went down, it was huge!”

“I always liked Michael Johnson. He wore those gold shoes and just flew around the track!”

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Billboard Charting Indie Artist Chase Rice Signs with CAA

By on July 19, 2012 in In The Press

(l-r) CAA Meredith Jones, Chase Rice, CAA Brandon Frankel, CAA Jim Butler & Chase’s Tour Manager John Lessard

Chase Rice, the Billboard and iTunes Chart topping indie country performer, signs with CAA for exclusive representation. Jim Butler and Meredith Jones will be his Responsible Agents.

“When I recorded this album, I built the tracks around a live performance,” recalls Chase. “I look forward to getting it out in front of new audiences.  It’s definitely been a very exciting year seeing the pieces fall into place since the release of the record.”

Chase dropped his debut album Dirt Road Communion on March 20th which climbed to #6 on iTunes Top Country Album Charts, #15 Billboard Heatseekers and punched through at #48 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart. Chase is also a co-writer on “Cruise,” the debut single from Republic Nashville’s newest duo Florida Georgia Line.

Dirt Road Communion features strong rooted contemporary country songs that invoke a good times spirit like the lead single “How She Rolls,” alongside “Pop a Top” and “Whoa,” but you’ll also find personal and insightful examinations of his darker side on “Jack Daniel’s & Jesus” and “Room 205.” Chase moved to Music City shortly after coming in runner up on the hit TV series CBS Survivor: Nicaragua.  Since the move, this North Carolina reared performer has been running at full throttle developing a grass roots connection to his ever expanding fan base.

Before his bold move to Nashville, Chase was a star on the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill football team.  He’d trade in his Carolina blue to suit up for Hendrick Motorsports after college where he served on the pit crew for Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson.  His parent’s always pushed for excellence and his father particularly carried a huge influence on his choices up till his death.  “Dad was a fighter and I hope I have his same spirit.  I wear a belt buckle that says ‘Cowboy Up!’ every time I take the stage to remind me of all that he did to get me here.”

To stay updated on Chase, visit www.chaserice.com.

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Album Review: Punching Bag By Josh Turner

By on July 14, 2012 in Album & Song Reviews

Josh TurnerJosh Turner could sing straight from the phone book and make it sound great.  He’s just THAT good.  I could listen to his soothing, deep baritone voice all night.  Most of his songs are both radio-friendly and have a very traditional feel that he never strays from.   He’s very consistent.  While I don’t expect him to win any Entertainer of the Year awards because his shows are not known for being really exciting, his voice doesn’t need a lot of fanfare and I think it’s just more his style to simply let his voice/music speak for itself.  He has great range in his voice and it all just comes so naturally for him with each release. This new album does not stray from previous albums of his and I think his fans will be pleased.  This is an album filled with plenty of traditional country and songs with religious overtones that he is known for.

One of my favorite songs off the album is “Left Hand Man” – a mid-tempo, optimistic song about love.  I love the melody and lyrics.  “Time Is Love” is another favorite.  Mid-tempo, well-written, and probably my favorite off the entire album.  I heard a lot of steel guitar and mandolin in this one.  Always my favorites to hear on any country song.   Also, “I Was There” gave me goosebumps from the start.  It is a deep, meaningful ballad.  “Good Problem” is an optimistic, uptempo song about love that I really enjoyed, too, and think would make a great single.

The one song I wasn’t crazy about was “Pallbearer”.  This song was just a little to sad and slow for me.  Don’t see this one doing well at radio if it was ever released.

Overall, this is a great album.  Well-written, meaningful, deep, beautifully sung and produced.  I highly recommend it to anyone that is both a fan of traditional and contemporary country music.

For more information, please go to his website: www.joshturner.com

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

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Album Review: Lovely In Blue By Michelle Turley

By on July 14, 2012 in Album & Song Reviews

Michelle TurleyOverall, I appreciated the traditional country feel through this entire album, especially the use of a lot of steel guitar throughout, which is one of my favorite instruments and missing too much in today’s country.  As a whole, it was very soothing and kind of an escape.  Not an album that I would listen to over and over again, but enjoyable for its traditional country qualities.   This is just the kind of country music that my dad would have enjoyed.  Although, I don’t think it would fit at all in today’s country market or receive radio airplay.  Michelle Turley‘s voice was ok, but not great and had a sort of yodeling quality to it that I was sure she would break out yodeling any minute.  Never been a huge fan of yodeling, but it does take some skill to do.  I wouldn’t say that there was any point in this album that really stood out to me and wowed me, though.

My favorite song on the album was the duet “What If” with Jay Tighe.  A pretty ballad.  “Doin’ Time” was a fun, uptempo song that I would expect to hear coming out of the doors of any of the honky tonks on Broadway.

“Stand In Line” was probably my least favorite of the album.  Just too slow in the beginning and I got that little bit of yodeling that I was expecting to come.

Notably, Michelle Turley wrote or co-wrote every song on this album.

For more information about Michelle Turley, go to her site:  www.reverbnation.com/michelleturley

Rated 2 out of 5 stars.

 

 

 

 

 

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Album Review: Dirt Road Communion By Chase Rice

By on July 14, 2012 in Album & Song Reviews

Chase RiceWhile I appreciate the production, musicianship, and the melodies of the album as a whole, I found the entire album a bit cliche.  There are just too many songs about dirt roads, trucks, beer, whiskey, girls, and tractors.  Nothing groundbreaking, profound, or will truly touch your heart here.  The vocals are ok, but will not blow you away and seemed a little strained at times.  I was looking for something with a bit more depth and something to really stand out for me in this new release from Chase Rice, who many will remember as being a runner-up on the hit CBS show ‘Survivor’.

I did enjoy the mid-tempo song “Jack Daniels & Jesus”.  This song had some depth, a great melody, and good lyrics.  “PBJs & PBRs” was a fun uptempo song reminiscing about college days.  This song is radio-friendly and would do well as a summer release.

“Whoa” was a low point for me on this album.   Chase tried to rap during one part of the song. Personally, I think that any kind of rapping should be left off of a country album.  It just doesn’t belong in the genre.  I did like the melody of the song, but the lyrics were lacking.

Overall, this new album is a good listen, but not great and filled with too many country cliches that have been overdone.  It just didn’t blow me away or lacked in true depth.

For more information about Chase Rice, please visit his website at:  www.chaserice.com

Rated 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.

 

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Road To The Ram® Jam Announces Zac Brown Band As The Fourth Artist In The All-Star Country Music Series

By on July 14, 2012 in In The Press

Road To The Ram JamJune 27, 2012 – Multi platinum selling artists Zac Brown Band will join previously announced artists Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert and Easton Corbin for the “Road to the Ram® Jam” series and sweepstakes.  The Road to the Ram Jam, presented by the Ram Truck brand, features five of today’s best country music artists and provides fans the opportunity to win prizes including trips for two to an invitation-only 2012 RamJam concert event December 29th in Nashville, TN, where all five artists will perform.

The Road to the Ram Jam series and sweepstakes helps bring country music fans closer to some of their favorite artists with exclusive video content, the opportunity to win prizes including collectible posters and vinyl records through participating country radio stations nationwide, and free music downloads. Fans can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win trips for two to the invitation-only 2012 RamJam concert event at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam or on the Ram Trucks Facebook page at www.ramjamsweeps.com.

Zac Brown Band will offer fans a chance to win a free download of their new single “The Wind,” from the forthcoming album Uncaged set for release on July 10th on Atlantic Records/Southern Ground Artists, when they enter the Road to the Ram Jam concert sweepstakes. The last Road to the Ram Jam artist will be announced in August and all five participating will receive a lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck. The trucks will then be auctioned off in early 2013 with all proceeds going to benefit a charity of each artist’s choice.

Proceeds from Zac Brown Band’s Ram truck will be donated to Camp Southern Ground, which is the passion project of Grammy-Award winning musician Zac Brown, set to open in 2014. Zac donated this 500-acre piece of property, set in the farmlands of Georgia, to open the camp that will be a state-of-the-art facility whose programs will serve children ages 7-17 with both typical and special needs.  The camp will have activities that will challenge, educate, and inspire children with diverse abilities and from all socioeconomic backgrounds, races, and religions. Among the many traditional camp activities that will foster youth development and create teachable moments for campers, plans are in place to align certain elements of the facility with the latest innovative therapies and technology for those children affected by neurobehavioral disorders.  For more information on Camp Southern Ground you can go to http://www.campsouthernground.org/.

“To me, there’s nothing more important than helping kids and it’s a great to know that with support from our friends and fans, this camp is going to make a huge difference in the lives of each and every camper,” said Zac Brown.

“Ram is excited to continue partnering with Zac Brown Band,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico. “The Ram Truck brand and Zac Brown Band both have a unifying can-do attitude and a character filled with authenticity, care, passion and pride. It is very fitting for the band to donate their Ram 1500 Laramie auction proceeds to Camp Southern Ground, as it will be a wonderful place for children.” 

The Ram Truck brand and Zac Brown Band first worked together in 2010 on “Letters to Lyrics,” a national appreciation letter-writing campaign aimed at U.S. soldiers deployed around the world.

Two-time Grammy-Award winners and multi platinum artists Zac Brown Band have become one of music’s most heralded acts. With a historic nine consecutive #1 hit singles, awe-inspiring musicianship and dynamic live shows, the Georgia six-piece is definitely built to last. Zac Brown Band’s double-platinum major label debut ‘The Foundation’ (Atlantic Records/Home Grown/Big Picture) was named one of Billboard’s Top 20 albums of 2009, and the platinum follow-up ‘You Get What You Give’ (Atlantic/Southern Ground Artists) debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2010. Since 2009, the band has garnered more than 50 combined Grammy, ACM, AMA, CMA, and CMT award nominations with wins including their 2010 Grammy win for “Best New Artist,” 2010 CMA win for “New Artist of the Year,” and 2011 ACM Top Vocal Event of the Year for “As She’s Walking Away” with Alan Jackson. No question, the past three years have been dizzying for the hardworking act. The band’s first major label release, ‘The Foundation’ was the first major label debut album in 18 years to yield five #1’s including “Chicken Fried” and “Free.” Released on November 18, 2008 on Atlantic Records, ‘The Foundation’ debuted at #17 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and #3 on the Top Country Albums Chart.

Contest Rules

The Road to the RamRoad To The Ram® Jam Announces Zac Brown Band As The Fourth Artist In The All-Star Country Music Series ® Jam sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia, 18 years or older at the time of entry. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are ineligible. No purchase or payment of money is necessary to win. The sweepstakes starts Feb. 1, 2012, and ends Sept. 30, 2012. Official rules and complete details are found at www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam.

About Ram Truck Brand
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as a standalone vehicle brand. Creating a distinct brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they’d like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-ton truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.

The Ram Truck brand has the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market. Ram Truck has emerged as a full-size truck leader by investing substantially in new products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and features that further enhance their capabilities. Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package.

For more information on Road to the Ram Jam and to enter the sweepstakes, go to www.RamTrucks.com/RoadtoRamJam.


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