Category Archives: Community

Country Music News Blog is Shifting Gears!

Posted on by
CMNB Launches Country Music Bloggers Industry Platform - A resource for lead opportunities, blogging education, industry contact management, and customized tools made just for our country music blogging community.

Ten years ago country music had little to no representation in the online world. CMT and GACTV both had companion websites to expand on their televised content, and Country Weekly had a landing page to drive print magazine subscriptions. That’s when CountryMusicNewsBlog.com was born, out of a need for fan-driven immediate access country music updates. It’s amazing how far country music has come in just one decade. We’ve taken over mainstream music in ways we never thought would happen, with prime time network shows like Nashville, our award shows being some of the highest rated events in television, and country concert tours proving there’s still an entire touring market out there, even in a recession. And Country Music News Blog has been there for it all. We’ve helped break artists like The Band Perry, Kacey Musgraves, and Zac Brown Band. We’ve had exclusive interviews and releases with hundreds of artists, and launched several video series that give fans an inside look into the lives of country music stars. [bctt tweet=”@CMNBlog Launches #CountryMusic #Bloggers Industry Platform Beginning Jan 1st 2016!”] But our shining moment… the moment we are most proud of was when we found a way to collaborate with other country music bloggers for our #BlogRodeo events. Working with other writers and sites in the field really helped separate our industry from the rest in the way that we all put our own drive for success aside. It wasn’t competitive, it was a community, where we took the time to examine specific areas of the country music environment as a team and helped shape the immediate future of country music entertainment. It is with that in mind that I would like to announce that Country Music News Blog is permanently changing our focus. Where we once stood alone in the beginning, we are now surrounded by hundreds of fellow country music news sites, and each has their own strong points and unique coverage abilities, all focused on the end country music fan. What we find lacking now, and are working hard to create, is a solid resource for those country music sites. A resource for lead opportunities, blogging education, industry contact management, and customized tools made just for our country music blogging community. We will be the place new bloggers can go to learn the best practices and web etiquette, where publicists can go to reach their campaign goals, and where experienced writers can go to share their experience and discuss the industry as a whole from a professional’s perspective. We will be holding all new content until New Year’s Day 2016 when we re-launch CMNB as a country music blogging industry platform! Bloggers and writers: Be a part of the driving voice behind the country music industry, join us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/countrymusicnewsblogs/   or email us at CMNB.  As always, we love to directly involve our publicist and sponsor friends. Please email us to see how you can be a part of this rebirth!

Bob Woods gives Impromptu Impresario Performance at 80

Posted on by

Sometimes we have to step out of the mainstream and just enjoy music for the sake of music. That’s definitely the case with this fantastic and fun video featuring 80-year old guitar picker Bob Woods, who wowed music shop customers and staff in the British Audio Service shop in Nashville, TN with his sweet sweet licks. [bctt tweet=”See the 80 year old that blows @British_Audio customers away on guitar! #Epiphone #Shredder #CountryMusic”] The video may be a year old by now, but still deserves a lot more recognition than it’s gotten so far! Cheers to you Bob!

Leads Sought in Attack of Nashville Producer David Brainard

Posted on by

Police are currently seeking leads to track down a man and woman who attacked country music producer Dave Brainard on Sunday September 27th. According to The Tennessean, David was so severely injured that he is now awaiting reconstructive surgery on his face in a Nashville hospital. The currently released facts are: The attack occurred as Brainard and two accompanying women were walking in the crosswalk in front of the 1505 Demonbreun apartment building Both assailants came out of a charcoal or gray 4-door Infiniti The female assailant was described as white, 5 feet 6 inches tall and in her early 30s. The male assailant was 6 feet 2 inches tall, 200 pounds and white Both were well dressed, as if they had been at a formal event. The case has been assigned to detectives in the Midtown Hills Precinct. Anyone with information should call 615-742-7463. [bctt tweet=”To submit a tip to #Nashville Police re: #JusticeForBrainard call 615-742-7463. Follow link for case details.”] The Tennessean reports that Brainard — who produced Brandy Clark’s Grammy-nominated 12 Stories album — was crossing Demonbreun Street in downtown Nashville with two female friends when he was struck by a gray four-door Infinity in the early morning hours on Sept. 27. The group had been using the crosswalk. Deborah DeLoach, one of the women with Brainard, recalls that the car repeatedly hit them, slowly, before a female passenger exited the vehicle. “We couldn’t get out of the street because they kept hitting us,” DeLoach explains. “They both get out and start yelling – she starts yelling, he’s yelling. The woman attacked me, and the man attacked Dave.” DeLoach told police she was assaulted by the female in the vehicle, while the male went after Brainard, beating him and choking him until he was unconscious. He also suffered a broken jaw (in two places), in addition to shattered teeth and multiple lacerations. Police drove Brainard to the hospital, where he remains, awaiting surgery. “He’s going to make it, but he is not doing well and has severe injuries to his face,” DeLoach reports. The suspects are described as white and well-dressed. The woman is said to be 5 feet, 6 inches tall and in her early 30s, while the man is 6 feet 2 inches tall and 200 pounds. Police request that anyone with information about the attack call 615-742-7463. Forty-year-old Brainard is also known for producing work from Jerrod Niemann and Jamey Johnson. Read More: Dave Brainard Hospitalized After Severe Beating | http://tasteofcountry.com/dave-brainard-producer-beaten/?trackback=tsmclip

GEORGE STRAIT’S GOLF TOURNAMENT AND AUCTION RAISES RECORD FUNDS

Posted on by

Third annual fundraiser at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort & Spa brings in more than $425,000 for Feherty’s Troops First Foundation NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 12, 2013) – Newly crowned CMA Entertainer of the Year George Strait and Texas businessman Tom Cusick hosted the third annual Vaqueros del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament and Auction at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort & Spa in Boerne, Texas on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3. Strait and Cusick, who are joint owners of the resort and spa, first created the fundraiser in November 2011 to support wounded U.S. servicemen and women. This year’s event benefited Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, an organization that provides meaningful assistance to military members who have been wounded serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. The weekend-long event was filled with non-stop excitement, kicking off with a roping competition at Cusick’s exclusive Texas hill country community Estancia at Thunder Valley, just minutes from the resort. Strait participated in the roping event, and Norma Strait and Silvia Cusick made a grand entrance by riding into the rodeo arena on a pair of Texas Longhorn bulls. Find out more straight from the source! http://ebmediapr.com/georgestrait/550-george-straits-vaqueros-del-mar-invitational-golf-tournament-and-auction-raises-record-funds-for-military-servicemen-and-women-

KELLY CLARKSON HELPS RAISE OVER $106,000 FOR MUSICIANS ON CALL

Posted on by

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Thursday, Nov. 14, Grammy award-winning artist Kelly Clarkson helped Musicians On Call (MOC) Nashville raise over $106,000, making it the highest-earning single event ever for the branch. In a rare, intimate setting for the superstar, Clarkson performed to a sold-out crowd at Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville for the MOC Nashville sixth anniversary party presented by Citi. “When I first learned about MOC, it appealed to me for so many reasons,” shares Clarkson. “I love how it creates opportunities for musicians to play for kids and bring music to the families who are spending their time, especially during holidays, in the hospitals away from the comfort of their homes.” Clarkson lit up the room with her characteristic charm and to the delight of all concert-goers, she incorporated fan-favorites “Since U Been Gone,” “My Life Would Suck Without You,” “Stronger” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes” in the show, as well as new selections from her latest Christmas album, Wrapped In Red. Wrapped In Red features holiday classics “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” Clarkson’s title track, “Wrapped In Red,” plus more originals. Clarkson brought the holiday spirit alive with her Christmas tracks, and delivered a dynamic set true to her genuine and powerful vocal performance reputation. In addition to generously giving her time and talent, Clarkson donated her 2012 American Music Awards performance dress to Hard Rock Cafe for display in its world-famous memorabilia collection in exchange for a $9,000 contribution to MOC Nashville. Find out more straight from the source! http://ebmediapr.com/moc/553-kelly-clarkson-helps-raise-over-106000-for-musicians-on-call-in-a-record-breaking-sold-out-sixth-anniversary-celebration

Tune In to CMchat Vegas Twangout This Week

Posted on by

CMchat Heads to Vegas to Interview Country Artists Before the 2013 ACM Awards! Jessica Northey and CMchat are at it again, and doing their best to bring your favorite artists straight to your computer screen! This time the Twangout(s) will be taking live from the 2013 ACM Awards central…Las Vegas! We’ll be sure to feature the live video chat for you here, but don’t just watch, get involved! Follow #NashVegasLIVE and CMchat on Twitter to get in on the conversation and submit your questions to your favorite artists! You’ll find all the details below. See you there! HaleighT and MissMolly Jump Into CMchat Live on Friday, April 5th! MissMolly Twangs Out with CMchat Live on Saturday, April 6th! NashVegas Live 2013 Confirmed Artists: Randy Houser Florida Georgia Line The Band Perry Love and Theft Kip Moore Easton Corbin Eric Paslay Jon Parti Kelligh Bannen Craig Morgan Craig Campbell Kellie Pickler Sheryl Crowe Joe Nichols The Pistol Annies Scotty McCreery Gary Allan Eli Young Band Lee Brice Gwen Sebastian Ray Scott Parmalee Kristen Kelly Jerrod Niemann DeeJay Silver Chris Jansen Joel Crouse Dates & Times: Thursday, April 4th 5pm – 6pm CST Friday, April 6th 8:30am – 12:30pm, 1:45pm – 3:30pm CST Saturday, April 7th 8:30am – 12:30pm, 1:45pm – 3:30pm CST

Best of the West Musicians on Call Benefit Google Hangout

Posted on by

CMchat Hosts Live Google Hangout Before Best of the West Musicians on Call Benefit In Nashville! The 2nd Annual “Best of the West” benefit concert is taking Nashville, TN by storm on Monday, February 25th, and CMchat has teamed up with event organizers to bring country fans a LIVE Google + hangout before the show kicks off! CMchat’s Jessica Northey will be sitting down with special guest performers Stoney LaRue, Trent Willmon, Kristen Kelly, Ryan Beaver, Bleu Edmondson, The Cadillac Three (previously The Cadillac Black), Rob Baird, Brian Keane, Kimberly Kelly and more. CMNB’s MissMolly will be joining in as part of the Twangout panel, and we’ll be streaming the interview session live, right here! So, be sure to come back and tune in at 5:30pm CST! Tune In: LIVE “Best of the West” pre-show Google+ Hangout w/CMchat! About Musicians On Call. Musicians On Call (MOC) was founded in 1999 with the mission of bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. To date, its volunteers have played for over 350,000 people nationwide. Musicians On Call continues its mission through room-to- room hospital performances by both local musicians and national celebrities as well as the CD Pharmacy Program. Find more on the official musicians on call webpage. About CMchat. CMchat is the largest country music centric social media community, and its growing! Follow #CMchat on Twitter to stay up to speed on all things country, and tune in to Google+ every Monday night for special exclusive interviews with country stars, industry folks, and more!

Dwight Yoakam To Headline Ryman Auditorium

Posted on by

Dwight Yoakam To Perform At The Ryman Auditorium For The First Time In Years. Dwight Yoakam will have his first performance at the Ryman Auditorium since 2005, on April 12, 2013. Yoakam is currently touring in support of his 2012 album, 3 Pears. “The Ryman is one of a handful of places in the world, that from the moment you step inside, you can feel that you have entered a hallowed chamber occupied by the essence of the great.” -Yoakam 3 Pears has been named one of 2012’s most critically acclaimed country albums. The Lone Bellow is set to open for Yoakam that night.

Oak Ridge Boys Sing For President George Bush

Posted on by

Oak Ridge Boys Sang For President George Bush While He Is Being Hospitalized. The Oak Ridge Boys have had many requests throughout their career, but a few days ago that got one they would never forget. President George Bush has been hospitalized for over a month and Barbara thought a call from the Oak Ridge Boys would be just the thing to lift his spirits. “Friday, The Oak Ridge Boys received the daily report from President Bush (41’s) staff. The report of his health was that he was improving each day. Then, we received another message, Barbara Bush requested that we call the President and sing to him! All of the Oak Ridge Boys are on vacation, but we all headed to our office upon hearing of this request. We called the President and sang for him. He asked to hear Elvira, so we sang that for him, and then we sang one verse of Amazing Grace.” – Duane Allen, The Oak Ridge Boys It is great to hear the President Bush is doing better and that the Oak Ridge Boys brightened his day!

Alan Jackson Releases Photo Book

Posted on by

Alan Jackson Is Releasing A Limited Number Of Photo Books With Proceeds Going Towards Colon Cancer Research. It seems like country artists are always doing their part to help others and Alan Jackson is one of them, this time with the cause being very close to home. He will release a limited number of his book Seasons of Sweetbriar – A Photographic Collection of Home by Alan Jackson. The full purchase price of each book will be donated to the Colon Cancer Alliance’s Blue Note Fund, benefitting colon cancer patients in need. “Sweetbriar – created by God, bound by the Harpeth River, and guarded by hand laid rock walls from years ago – this 140 acres of fertile valley shadowed by the Tennessee hills has privileged my family and me with a landscape for living” – excerpt from the book’s Foreward by Alan. The Sweetbriar estate is where Alan, his wife Denise and their three daughters, Mattie, Ali and Dani lived for over 13 years. The original intent when Alan began the photo collection was to prepare a photo journal that his daughters would have to look back on when they moved out on their own. Once the book was complete Alan and Denise realized it was a treasure filled with beauty and significance and shared it with family and a few close friends. The book is a hardbound coffee table piece with more than 200 photographs of the landscape, buildings, ponds, trees, wildlife and other intimate reflections of life at Sweetbriar. The Jacksons sold Sweetbriar in 2010 and just a few months afterwards Denise was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. “That rocked my world, as I’m sure it does every person who gets a cancer diagnosis,” she explains. “That really brought to my attention the CCA and awareness and what the organization does. It became an obvious way for us to be able to do something meaningful with these books and be able to raise money for the Blue Note Fund.” Seasons of Sweetbriar can be purchased through www.alanjackson.com for $25 or $50 for a book autographed by Alan, while supplies last. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to the CCA’s Blue Note Fund.