NORTH 40 SCHEDULES DEBUT ALBUM RELEASE

NORTH 40 TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM 

"Sing Your Own Song" to Hit Stores Digitally January 28, 2014     

   

(Nashville, Tennessee...) - - Rhymetown Entertainment duo North 40, comprised of singer/songwriters Paige Logan and Heather Looney, had a breakthrough hit with their debut single and video, "Hey Girl Hey," and now the label has set January 28, 2014 as the release date for their Sing Your Own
Song CD. Heather and Paige wrote or co-wrote all 13 songs on the album, which was produced by hit producer/songwriter/musician Leigh Reynolds and Grammy Award-winning engineer Mills Logan.

The songs on Sing Your Own Song run the gamut of emotion and the album, "is a vivid expression of what we have seen, tasted and touched throughout our lifetime," said Heather. "It has become a light for us that shines hope, encouragement and an element of truth along the way. Living life to the fullest...This is what North 40 is all about."

Seven of the 13 cuts were written by Heather and Paige, and they partnered with some of Nashville's top tunesmiths such as Jennifer Denmark, Dave Brainard, Adam Mitchell, Leigh Reynolds and Amber Rose on the remaining. The result is a collection of songs melded together and finely tuned for their fans to enjoy, remember, reflect and contemplate stirring up some dust of their own.

The female anthem "Hey Girl Hey" has received incredible feedback from Country radio, fans and the music industry. Noted music journalist Robert K. Oermann wrote "...among the many unknowns I listened to today, they (North 40) were my favorites. Give 'em a Discovery Award" in MusicRow Magazine. Brian Stayton, of WIKQ-FM in Greeneville, Tennessee wrote: "'Hey Girl Hey' became our most requested song of the week--  AND it's only Tuesday!"

Award-winning director Kristin Barlowe shot the exciting "Hey Girl Hey" video at local Nashville hotspot Canvas, and Roger Pistole handled director of photography duties. It originally premiered on the popular YALLWIRE.com and has received significant national airplay.

"As we continue to broaden our listening audience, we want all to know that we truly believe that life begins at North 40 and it's never too late to be what you might have been," said Paige, summing up the North 40 message. "One thing is certain, if you're too afraid to make that first step, you will never get to where you want to be. We want everyone to kick up some dust in their own North 40!"

Paige and Heather will be making a series of media appearances the week of release, as they take their music and their "Life Begins at North 40" brand to a national audience. Sing Your Own Song will be available at iTunes, Amazon and virtually all other digital retailers.

For additional information, news tour dates and music on North 40, visit www.North40Country.com.

Connect with them at:

https://www.facebook.com/north40country
https://twitter.com/North40country
http://www.youtube.com/north40country

SARAH DARLING CALLS OPENING FOR COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR ALAN JACKSON "BEYOND AMAZING"

Darling to Perform "Little Umbrellas" on FOX & Friends August 24

Sarah Darling (left) with Alan Jackson prior to opening Saturday night's show in Salt Lake City, Utah.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Monday, August 12, 2013) -- As a waitress at Nashville's Stoney River Steakhouse® prior to landing her first record deal, Sarah Darling waited on country superstar Alan Jackson, dreaming what it might be like if she could one day share the stage with him. This past weekend, she celebrated that milestone, opening back-to-back shows for Jackson in Boise, Idaho, Salt Lake City, Utah and Arlington, Wash. (August 9, 10, and 11). Calling the experience "beyond amazing" on Twitter, Darling adds, "I was blessed to have been on tour with one of the most humble and gracious men in the music business this weekend. What an unforgettable experience. Thank you Alan!"

This Saturday, Darling will make her forty-first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry prior to performing as part of Southern Living's "Biscuits & Jam" concert series presented by AT&T U-verse at The Woods at Fontanel on Sunday. Then she'll head to New York City for the national television debut of her latest summertime hit "Little Umbrellas" on FOX & Friends Saturday, August 24.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

August 17 | Grand Ole Opry | Nashville, Tenn.
August 18 | Southern Living's "Biscuits & Jam" (Fontanel) | Nashville, Tenn.
August 23 | The Newton Theatre | Newton, N.J.
August 25 | Dublin Deck | Long Island, N.Y.

Darling entertains on stage to over 12,000 attendees in Salt Lake City, Utah at the USANA Amphitheater.

Darling is featured in the "New To You" section of the August issue of Maverick magazine where her music is called, "Honest, emotional and just the way music should be," by Editor Alan Cackett who adds, "This girl can definitely sing!"

Last Friday, fans were treated to a LIVE Google Hangout with Darling, hosted by SheKnows.com, where she answered fan questions submitted via Twitter. One fan asked, "If you could do a duet with anyone who would it be?" Sarah responded saying her dream duet partners are Stevie Nicks, Michael Bublé, Blake Shelton and Jake Owen, and adds if she weren't a singer, she would be a pastry chef. Watch the full interview here:  http://bit.ly/15Uh25m.

Darling experienced success earlier this year with the release of her latest E.P., Home To Me (in stores now). The disc features the title track, Darling's first Top 35 Country Billboard sales single that spawned appearances on TBS' CONAN, ABC's The Bachelor and more. Her latest single release, "Little Umbrellas" (now available on iTunes) is Top 20 on Sirius XM's "The Highway" and earning increased spins each week on country radio stations nationwide.

For more information on Sarah Darling, visit www.sarahdarling.com.
Follow her on Twitter ( @_SarahDarling) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/OfficialSarahDarling).

LIFE AS THEY KNOW IT WITH LONESTAR

 

20 years as a band, and the Lonestar sound and spirit remains proof that country music is alive. They will be releasing their new album Life As We Know It June 4th, and the band's talking all about the making of their new music.

Recently, Lonestar released the first segment of their 5-part series that captures the making of the album, the reunion of the band, life on the road and more. We have here the first part of the series describing Life As We Know It and wanted to share the good word with all of their fans.

To view the first part in the video series click here. Stay tuned for the next parts of the series as we get closer to the album release.

Their new album Life As We Know It is now available for pre-order! When you pre-order Lonestar's new album on Pledge Music you can unlock exclusive photos, videos tracks and more. 10% of the proceeds will go towards benefiting St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Purchase yours here.

To stay connected with Lonestar online, visit their site, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.

TOBY KEITH DROPS IN ON TROOPS IN HAWAII, GUAM AND PHILLIPINES

Superstar Toby Keith thanks troops and their families with a three-country, 10-day USO tour April 28-May 7. Keith is visiting the Philippines, Guam and Hawaii to lift the spirits of troops and their loved ones.

Since his first USO tour in 2002, Keith has performed 11 USO tours and traveled to 15 countries plus the USS Enterprise, USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Cape Saint George. In total, the singer-songwriter has lifted the spirits of 225,984 servicemen and women.

During the tour, the singer/songwriter is scheduled to perform seven USO shows exclusively for military families.

(USO photos by Dave Gatley / Produced by Christian Pelusi)

Singer-songwriter Toby Keith makes the first stop of his 11-day, three-country tour in the Philippines on April 28. While in the region, Keith greeted troops at various JSOC military bases and performed his first 2013 USO concert. At left, Keith performs his acoustic show with Scotty Emerick.

 

"It feels so good to be back out visiting and performing for our troops in uniform and their families," Keith said. "I've toured a lot in my lifetime but nothing beats traveling with the USO, having the opportunity to uplift the spirits of our nation's service heroes and showing them that America is always by their side no matter where they are in the world."

 

This summer, Keith will hit the road on the "Toby Keith Hammer Down Tour Presented by Ford F-Series." The tour will begin June 8 in Ozark, AR.

 

The troops applaud Keith and Emerick as they entertain on April 28. Last year, Keith celebrated a decade of touring the globe with the USO and capped off the year with a return USO visit to the Middle East. 

LEE GREENWOOD'S "GOD BLESS THE USA" CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY & ITS ENDURING MARK ON AMERICAN CULTURE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 23, 2013) – From times of great national tragedy to times of joyous patriotic celebration, the words of “God Bless the USA” have stood as one of our country’s most beloved anthems and the cornerstone song of those that best encompass pride in America. So much so, that CBS.com called the song, “the most recognizable patriotic song in the country.”

Written by Grammy Award winning country star Lee Greenwood in 1983, the iconic song marks its 30th anniversary this year. Its life to date includes the distinction of being the only song of any genre to skyrocket up the sales charts multiple times since its original release in 1984. Radio stations and fans alike returned to the song in 1991 during the Gulf War, in 2001 following 9/11, in 2003 during the war in Iraq, and in 2009 following Hurricane Katrina.

“God Bless the USA” had a resurgence in 2011, when Beyoncé recorded the song offering proceeds of the download to benefit the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund. That same year, it was the winning song on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and performed on “American Idol.”

Greenwood wrote “God Bless the USA” in response to the hurt and anger he felt following the downing of a Korean jet on a flight from New York to Seoul with 269 passengers aboard, including 63 Americans. Russian authorities shot the plane from the sky, killing all aboard because “they thought the airliner was on a spy mission.”

“I saw the senseless strike as a personal attack against our countrymen and it moved me to put pen to paper,” says Greenwood. “The song came so easily, it nearly wrote itself.”

The song hit an emotional chord with the American populace as well and “God Bless the USA” was named “Song of the Year” in 1985 at the CMA Awards.

“After 9/11, it was a song of unity and rebuilding and after Hurricane Katrina, it was a song for life and hope. It just makes me really proud that I've done something for the country and for my family. It's my family's heritage,” Greenwood told AOL’s The Boot.

Announced Tour Dates Include:

February 8, 2013 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
March 2, 2013 – Rocky Mount, NC
March 10, 2013 – Washington, D.C. – Constitution Hall
May 25, 2013 – Gulfport, MS
June 30, 2013 – Milner, GA
July 3 – Hot Springs, AK
July 6 – Williams Bay, WI
July 20, 2013 – Columbus OH

CHRIS YOUNG TO BE HONORED BY CMA WITH COVETED TRIPLE PLAY SONGWRITER AWARD

Heading to the U.K. & Ireland with the CMA Songwriter Series

January 15, 2013 – Nashville, TN – Chris Young will be honored on January 29th by the CMA with the coveted Triple Play Award for his #1 hits “Voices,” “Tomorrow,” and “You.”  The award recognizes songwriters who have written three number-one songs within a 12-month period.

As a Triple Play honoree, it is a natural fit for CMA to select Chris as a featured artist to help further the popularity of country music overseas.  In February, Young makes his inaugural trip to the U.K. and Ireland as part of the Country Music Association’s Songwriters Series with stops in Dublin, Belfast and London. The series is set to be recorded and broadcast at a later date on BBC Radio 2.

“I Can Take It From There,” Young’s latest single from his highly acclaimed third album NEON, recently released to country radio and is already Top 20 on the radio charts.

PARMALEE HEADLINES THE 2013 NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S INAUGURAL BALL

MEMBERS OF PARMALEE RETURN TO THEIR HOME STATE TO HEADLINE THE 2013 NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR’S INAUGURAL BALL

Photo (from left to right): Scott Thomas (Drums-Parmalee), Matt Thomas (Lead Vocals, Guitar-Parmalee), Gov. Patrick McCrory (North Carolina, Governor), Barry Knox (Bass- Parmalee), Josh McSwain (Guitar-Parmalee)

(Nashville, TN)- Stoney Creek Records’ Parmalee returned to its home state of North Carolina to headline the N.C. Governor’s Inaugural Ball Gala Presentation this past Friday, Jan. 11 at the Raleigh Convention Center, hosted by The Junior League of Raleigh.

The Country rock foursome headlined the event alongside Grammy-nominated and fellow North Carolina natives, The Avett Brothers. Additionally, Parmalee was selected to perform again later that night as the featured entertainment at the official after-party for the event.

Parmalee is gearing up to release its next single, “Carolina”, which will be released to Country radio on Monday, Feb. 4.

CMT CONTEST: GET YOUR SHINE ON WITH FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE

ENTER CONTEST HERE

You Could Win:

 Grand Prize:

•Trip for two (2) to see a live performance by Florida Georgia Line in Cancun, Mexico.

•Two (2) round-trip coach airfare tickets to Cancun, Mexico.

•Five (5) night hotel accommodations at the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun all-inclusive resort (Jan. 21-26, 2013).

•Meet-and-greet opportunity with Florida Georgia Line.

•Opportunity to see the filming of Florida Georgia Line’s music video for "Get Your Shine On."

•Opportunity to introduce the live performance by Florida Georgia Line.

•One (1) autographed prop from Florida Georgia Line’s music video.

•Airport transfers to and from the airport and hotel resort.

Sweeps Info:

Before entering, please remember:

•You must be a legal U.S. resident.

•You must be at least 21 years old.

•For complete information, please see the Sweepstakes Rules.

•CMT urges users to refer to the sweepstakes rules, privacy policy, and terms of use info before entering any of our sweepstakes or contests.

•You must have a valid passport to travel from U.S. to Mexico.

WADE HAYES BRINGS TEAM BACK TOGETHER FOR NEW SINGLE "IS IT ALREADY TIME"

Cancer Diagnosis Brings Renewed Focus

(Nashville, Tennessee...) - Less than a year ago Wade Hayes received news that would not only change his life but potentially end it. The singer, songwriter and guitar slinger was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer last December. Successful surgery and chemotherapy removed the cancer and gave him a renewed sense of purpose for his life and career. He was inspired to write a song called "Is It Already Time" about his ordeal, and many from the team that helped launch his career at Sony Music/Columbia Records have reunited to produce, promote, publicize, market and sell his new music for a worthy cause - cancer research.

Spearheaded by former Columbia Nashville promotion vet Jeri Cooper, she and Hayes' longtime manager Mike Robertson have brought together former Sony/Columbia staffers Allen Butler, Craig Campbell (Campbell Entertainment Group), Blake Chancey, Jack Christopher (RPM Entertainment), Debi Fleischer, JR Hughes (Quarterback Records), Bob Mitchell (Big & Rich/The Farm Management), Jennifer Shaffer and Scott Siman. The single will be released on Siman's RPM Entertainment label. Publicity duties will be shared by Campbell and Hayes' longtime indie publicist Ronna Rubin, and other Columbia alums and other generous companies are donating their time and effort to increase awareness.

"I knew I felt strongly about this and I kept getting yes's from people who wanted to help, so I knew I had to keep going," said Cooper. It's really amazing to see all of these people come together for the love of an artist and the sole purpose of helping him realize a simple dream of letting the world know the importance of getting tested for colon cancer."

Wade brought hit producer Don Cook, who was at the helm for his six Top 15 singles and the gold-selling albums Old Enough To Know Better and On A Good Night, out of retirement to produce "Is It Already Time." Plans are in the works to record an entire album for release in 2013.

Play MPE has donated digital distribution of the single to country radio stations, and Dale Turner and Radio Informer have agreed to include the single free of charge on their September 17, 2012 Country Sampler CD. The single will be available on iTunes, amazon.com, Spotify and most digital outlets, and all proceeds will go to the Colon Cancer Alliance. To listen to the new single, visit www.wadehayes.com. Audio PSAs are available to radio stations interested in adding them to their inventory.

"You will be reading a lot about Wade, his continuing struggle with colon cancer, and this song in coming days," said Bob Moody, founder and Senior Consultant of the Real Local Radio Group. It probably won't be a hit in the usual sense, because the subject matter is so emotionally powerful, but it should be a 'Song of the Year' candidate next year. This is a unique situation, but I am hopeful that most of my radio colleagues have enough heart, brains, and courage to see that this song gets the exposure it deserves."

In its June 23, 2012 issue, Country Weekly Magazine placed Wade Hayes on the cover of the popular fan publication - a coveted spot usually reserved for current superstar artists - and followed with a four-page feature inside the issue detailing Wade's diagnosis, treatment and his dreams for the future.

Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the US. The American Cancer Society estimates that 143,460 people will be diagnosed in 2012 and that 51,690 will die from colon cancer in the United States. Early detection is vital -- over 80% of all cases of colon cancer can be prevented with recommended screening. Despite its high incidence, colon cancer is one of the most detectable and, if found early enough, most treatable forms of cancer. If you are 50 or older, or younger than 50 and have symptoms are a family history getting a screening test for colon cancer could save your life.