Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Luke Bryan is set to perform at the 6^th Annual ACM Honors in honor of his friend and songwriting partner, Dallas Davidson, who was named the ACM’s Songwriter of the Year Award (which had been previously given out, apparently only once, to Roger Miller in 1965).

“The history between [Dallas] and I is just so deep. It’s amazing that I can have the opportunity to honor him on that night and do some of our songs, and the fact that he and I have even written big hits is just borderline comical,” says Luke, who is currently vaulting up the country charts with his latest single, “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye.”

Dierks Bentley will host this year’s ACM Honors, taking place Monday (September 24th) at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. This event recognizes special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 47th annual Academy of Country Music Awards which took place in May in Las Vegas.

Other special Award recipients include Bobby Braddock and the late Roger Miller, as well as Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs and Dwight Yoakam.

AUDIO: Luke Bryan talks about honoring his friend, songwriter Dallas Davidson, at Monday night’s ACM Honors event.

Luke Bryan (ACM Honors 2012) OC: …pretty special. :48
“The fact that Dallas and I are in this business together, we still, we’ll go fishing or hunting and shake our heads and giggle. The history between he and I is just so deep. It’s amazing, I mean, that I can have the opportunity to honor him on that night and do some of our songs, and the fact that, gosh, the fact that he and I have even written big hits is just borderline comical. I think we’ve gotten together once or twice for this next album, and both songs are really, really great and will be on the album. It’s pretty fun to sit in a songwriting room with your buddy, and you know nothing you do, you can’t fool them or nothing and we’re not fooling each other, we’re just having fun trying to write a great song. I mean, it’s pretty weird. It’s pretty crazy. It’s pretty special.” 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

KIMBERLY SCHLAPMAN BRIGHTENS THE KITCHEN AS SHE PREPARES SOME OF HER FAVORITE SOUTHERN DISHES

LITTLE BIG TOWN STAR PREPARES RECIPES FROM HOME AND THE ROAD ON GAC’S “KIMBERLY’S SIMPLY SOUTHERN”

NASHVILLE, TENN. (September 20, 2012) – “I’m not a professional chef but when I was a kid, I would stand at the counter and pretend I was a cooking show host,” says Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town.  “I never, ever thought it would be a reality.”  Dreams continue to come true for the talented and engaging singer with the premiere of Kimberly’s Simply Southern, Saturday, September 22, 1:00 p.m./ET, on Great American Country (GAC). 

With a day job that involves traveling the country, Schlapman has the unique opportunity to seek out culinary customs and treasures while on tour and she takes every opportunity to hop off the tour bus to discover America’s best local and regional food secrets.  The 13-episode series finds her in a different city or town each week, meeting folks that share her love of great food; while in Maine she learns about catching the perfect lobster from a 5^th generation lobsterman; in Chicago she discovers the secret to the perfect pie crust at the Hoosier Mama Pie Company.  Once home in her Nashville kitchen, along with a little help from some of her famous friends, Schlapman combines her newly gained knowledge with traditional family recipes to create authentic southern meals. 

Friends stopping by to chop, chat and enjoy great home cooking include band mate Karen Fairchild, Lauren Alaina, Holly Williams, Laura Bell Bundy and of course, Schlapman’s young daughter, Daisy Pearl.  “I always watched my mama,” Schlapman says of her childhood spent in the kitchen with her mom. “She was always cooking for people. When someone got married, when someone was sick or had passed away, when anyone had something to celebrate or grieve, she was at their door with supper or some kind of homemade goodie.”

Kimberly’s Simply Southern is produced by Al Roker Entertainment for Great American Country. For recipes and more information, log on to www.gactv.com/simplysouthern.

The members of Little Big Town are celebrating a pair of No. 1s right now – what with their previous single, “Pontoon,” spending two weeks at the top of the chart, as well as their fifth studio album, Tornado, bowing at No. 1 on the country album chart. Before going into record their album, however, they were a bit nervous about the whole unfamiliar process of working with new producer, Jay Joyce. “We were kind of freakin’ out a little bit,” laughs LBT’s Phillip Sweet. “I think Karen or someone called Jay, and he was like, ‘Aw, don’t worry about it. Y’all get there a few hours earlier than everybody else, and we’ll sift through them.’ It’s just like, ‘Don’t worry about it. We’ll work it out.’” Phillip goes on to say it was a discovery of sorts, and they all found working in that manner quite interesting. “When we would work through ‘em, the ones that came together, came together really quickly; the ones that weren’t quite jelling and vibing, we’d set over in pile B over here,” he explains. “We kind of came into the studio with eight songs that we thought, ‘Oh, these are for sure going to make the record,’ and some of those songs didn’t make the record.”

Little Big Town, whose new single “Tornado” is currently hitting the airwaves, are set to perform on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Wednesday (September 26th). Fans can actually be on stage during their performance on the show as part of the “Band Bench” Sweepstakes. Just go to www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/about/band-bench/ and use the code LIT for a chance to win. 

Little Big Town is nominated for three CMA Awards, including Vocal Group and Single and Video of the Year (for “Pontoon”). The awards show will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 1st at 8pm ET on ABC.

AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet says the band was a tad bit anxious about going into the studio with Jay Joyce for the first time.

LBT (night before going into studio) OC: …a discovery. :34
PHILLIP: “We were kind of freakin’ out a little bit. [LAUGHS] And I think Karen or someone called Jay [Joyce], and he was like, ‘Aw, don’t worry about it. Y’all get there a few hours earlier than everybody else, and we’ll sift through them.’ It’s just like, ‘Don’t worry about it. We’ll work it out.’ And really, it was kind of interesting, ‘cause when we would work through ‘em, the ones that came together, came together really quickly. The ones that weren’t quite jelling and vibing, we’d set over in pile B over here. We kind of came into the studio with eight songs that we thought, ‘Oh, these are for sure going to make the record.’ And some of those songs didn’t make the record. So, it was a discovery.”

INFORMATION FOR RELEASE:

 KEITH URBAN TAPPED TO HOST NEW GRAND OLE OPRY RADIO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

Media note:  Keith Urban/Opry radio spots are available at http://www.opry.com/pressroom/keithurban/

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (September 19, 2012) Country music superstar and CMA Male Vocalist nominee Keith Urban is the voice of a new Grand Ole Opry radio campaign to begin airing this week in regional drive markets as well as on the Opry’s nationally syndicated radio program America’s Opry Weekend.  In the campaign, Urban reflects on having become an Opry member earlier this year, inviting radio audiences to visit Nashville and to stay connected to the Opry via its mobile app.

“I’ll never forget that night,” Urban says in the spots, recalling his Opry induction. “Standing on the Grand Ole Opry stage and becoming an official Opry member. It was beyond my wildest dreams. I can feel the history and the excitement about country’s future every time I step on the Opry stage.”

The spots can be heard here http://www.opry.com/news/2012/9-19.html

The Grand Ole Opry_® is presented by Humana_®.  Opry performances are held every weekend of the year and on Tuesdays through Dec. 13.  To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com.

About the Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. Celebrating 86 years of entertainment, the Opry can be heard on 650 AM WSM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and opry.com. The syndicated weekly program, America’s Opry Weekend, airs on country radio stations across America and on the Armed Forces Radio Network. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that also owns and operates Gaylord Hotels.  For more information, visit opry.com
or www.gaylordentertainment.com

About Keith Urban

In 2001, the Country Music Association honored Keith Urban with its Horizon Award, designating him a talented artist with a bright future. He is the first Horizon Award winner in history to go on to win the CMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year, a title he’s captured three times, and the coveted Entertainer of the Year.  More than 15 million albums later, Keith is a four-time Grammy Award winner, who has also won a People’s Choice and American Music Award.  He’s won five Academy of Country Music Awards, had 14 #1s, including 28 Top 5 hits and in 2012 became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  His latest CD, Get Closer, comes on the heels of his fifth consecutive platinum or multi-platinum release.  It has produced three consecutive #1s, “You Gonna Fly”, Long Hot Summer” and “Without You.”

In 2009, Urban was named radio’s most played country artist, thanks to #1 hits such as “Sweet Thing,” “You’ll Think Of Me,” “Only You Can Love Me This Way,” “Better Life” and “Days Go By.”  In addition, his 2002 smash “Somebody Like You” was named the #1 Country Song of the Decade by Nielsen BDS (based on radio airplay and audience impressions).

But Urban’s reputation as an elite songwriter, musician, vocalist and virtuoso guitarist is no more evident than when he is onstage.  His electrifying concerts have played to sold-out venues from Australia to Germany to England to Canada and The United States, all while receiving high praise from critics. In fact, 2009’s Escape Together World Tour, as well as 2007’s Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy World Tour, were both, according to Pollstar, one of the top grossing tours for their respective years.  Last year, his Get Closer 2011 World Tour solidified Urban as one of the music industry’s best live performers.  As one accredited journalist put it, “Urban is one of the best reasons in the world to attend a live concert.”  

Lady Antebellum‘s Charles Kelley took a recent bike trip to the North Georgia mountains and wanted to take you all along for the ride!

Little Big Town’s Tornado debuts at the top of the Billboard Country Album chart! The band’s fifth studio release sold nearly 113-thousand copies to bow at No. 1 on the country charts and at No. 2 overall (right behind Dave Matthews Band’s Away From the World and ahead of Bob Dylan’s Tempest). “I hope it’s a record that stays in their collection for years to come,” says LBT’s Karen Fairchild. “That would be an amazing compliment to know that I was in someone’s playlist or go-to list of someone’s records that defined a summer time or a period in their life.”

The record’s first single, “Pontoon,” spent two weeks at the top of the country singles charts, and the band is beginning to hit the airwaves with the title track, “Tornado.”

Little Big Town is nominated for three CMA Awards, including Vocal Group and Single and Video of the Year (for “Pontoon”). The awards show will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 1st at 8pm ET on ABC.

AUDIO: Little Big Town talk about what they hope fans will receive when they pick up a copy of their album, Tornado.

LBT (hopes for record-fans) OC: …people too. :52
JIMI: “I think they’re gonna have a good time with the record. Music is an escape, and I think that there’s those moments on the record that are that and a good time, but there’s some serious moments and moments that speak to life and the ups and downs of that, and what do we want them to have? [laughs]”

KAREN: “I hope it’s a record that stays in their collection for years to come. [PHILLIP: “Yeah.”] You know, like one of those timeless records? That would be an amazing compliment to know that I was in someone’s playlist or go-to list of someone’s records that defined a summer time or a period in their life. I can name records for me that when I go back and I think about moments in my life, it was like my theme song or my theme record. And I know ‘Pontoon’ has been that for a lot of people this summer, but I’m hoping this record can be that for people too.”

Luke Bryan celebrated his fifth No. 1 single with a party at the CMA building in Nashville on Monday (September 17th) with the song’s writers, Josh Kear, Rodney Clawson and Chris Tompkins. He says the No. 1 status of the “career-changing song” is pretty special to him. “This one’s special, because this is the first No. 1 I didn’t co-write,” says Luke. “Many times on many albums, I’ve cut outside songs, and so the fact that I finally got one right and really interpreted a song good enough to be No. 1 and a song as good as ‘Drunk on You,’ it’s a really big deal to me.”

Luke and the song’s writers received numerous plaques and awards from the CMA, publishing companies and record label (Capitol Nashville) in honor of the two-week No. 1 single.

Luke, who is climbing the country charts with his latest single, “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” is set to headline the Capitol Record’s Street Party October 17th, as well as headlining his fourth Farm Tour next month.

AUDIO: Luke Bryan says “Drunk on You” has been a career-changing song for him.

Luke Bryan (Drunk No. 1 party) OC: …loving it. :18
“‘Drunk on You’ is kind of a career-changing song for me. It was just a big, big, big song, and we see it every night out there on the road. It’s pretty amazing getting to do it and watch everybody’s reaction. It’s fun seeing everybody sing it and to get the day for the No. 1, we’re loving it.”

AUDIO: Luke Bryan explains why “Drunk on You” going No. 1 is pretty special.

Luke Bryan (special No. 1) OC: …pretty amazing. :29
“This one’s special, because this is the first No. 1 I didn’t co-write. Many times on many albums, I’ve cut outside songs, and so the fact that I finally got one right and really interpreted a song good enough to be No. 1 and a song as good as ‘Drunk on You,’ it’s a really big deal to me. So, I’m just glad that ‘Drunk on You’ landed on my stereo at the house, or my speakers or iPad or iPod, whatever you want to say. But, yeah, it was just a big deal and big song, and it’s pretty amazing.”

Luke Bryan celebrated his fifth No. 1 single with a party at the CMA building in Nashville on Monday (September 17th) with the song’s writers, Josh Kear, Rodney Clawson and Chris Tompkins. He says the No. 1 status of the “career-changing song” is pretty special to him. “This one’s special, because this is the first No. 1 I didn’t co-write,” says Luke. “Many times on many albums, I’ve cut outside songs, and so the fact that I finally got one right and really interpreted a song good enough to be No. 1 and a song as good as ‘Drunk on You,’ it’s a really big deal to me.”

Luke and the song’s writers received numerous plaques and awards from the CMA, publishing companies and record label (Capitol Nashville) in honor of the two-week No. 1 single.

Luke, who is climbing the country charts with his latest single, “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” is set to headline the Capitol Record’s Street Party October 17th, as well as headlining his fourth Farm Tour next month.

AUDIO: Luke Bryan says “Drunk on You” has been a career-changing song for him.

Luke Bryan (Drunk No. 1 party) OC: …loving it. :18
“‘Drunk on You’ is kind of a career-changing song for me. It was just a big, big, big song, and we see it every night out there on the road. It’s pretty amazing getting to do it and watch everybody’s reaction. It’s fun seeing everybody sing it and to get the day for the No. 1, we’re loving it.”

AUDIO: Luke Bryan explains why “Drunk on You” going No. 1 is pretty special.

Luke Bryan (special No. 1) OC: …pretty amazing. :29
“This one’s special, because this is the first No. 1 I didn’t co-write. Many times on many albums, I’ve cut outside songs, and so the fact that I finally got one right and really interpreted a song good enough to be No. 1 and a song as good as ‘Drunk on You,’ it’s a really big deal to me. So, I’m just glad that ‘Drunk on You’ landed on my stereo at the house, or my speakers or iPad or iPod, whatever you want to say. But, yeah, it was just a big deal and big song, and it’s pretty amazing.”

For Immediate Release

September 18, 2012

JON PARDI AND FRANKIE BALLARD TEAM UP FOR THE “TIE ONE ON TOUR” WITH SPECIAL GUEST MISS WILLIE BROWN

Capitol Records Nashville artist Jon Pardi and Warner Bros. Records’ Frankie Ballard have teamed up for the “Tie One On Tour,” which kicks off on October 4^th in San Diego, CA. The tour runs through December and will feature special guest Miss Willie Brown. All three acts in the lineup are longtime road warriors, and with their high-energy, diverse musical styles, the “Tie One On Tour” will offer fans a one-of-a-kind live experience.

“I’ve had a blast visiting radio this year promoting my first single ‘Missin’ You Crazy,’ and seeing the fans respond,” says Jon Pardi. “I can’t wait to get back on the road, especially with great live acts like Frankie Ballard and Miss Willie Brown. It’s gonna be a rowdy, beer-drinkin’ good time!”

“I have always wanted to do an old school package tour,” adds Frankie Ballard. “That’s what all my musical heroes did back in the day. Piled into two Cadillacs and hit the highway! At least we get to do it on a bus. Jon and the Miss Willie Brown clan are great people and I’m honored to share these dates with them…there’ll be no shortage of fun, hell, we’re tyin’ one on right?!”

Tickets for the west coast dates are now available for purchase at www.jonpardi.com or www.frankieballard.com.

TIE ONE ON TOUR DATES:

THU: 10/4: SAN DIEGO, CA: Block No. 16
FRI: 10/5: SAN MIGUEL, CA: The Ranch*
SAT: 10/6: HENDERSON, NV: Henderson Events Plaza
SUN: 10/7: SAN BERNARDINO: Brandon’ Iron
TUE: 10/9: ANAHEIM, CA: The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon
THU: 10/11: FOLSOM, CA: Powerhouse Pub**
FRI: 11/2: AUBURN HILLS, MI: Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill
SAT: 11/3: SOUTH BEND, IN: Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill
FRI: 11/9: GULFPORT, MS: Jones Park
THU: 11/29: SAINT LOUIS PARK, MN: Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill
FRI: 11/30: KANSAS CITY, MO: Beaumont Club
SAT: 12/1: FORT WAYNE, IN: Neon Armadillo

* Jon Pardi & Frankie Ballard Only

** Frankie Ballard & Miss Willie Brown Only

# # #

About Jon Pardi:

Hailing from a small town called Dixon in Northern California, Capitol Records Nashville newcomer Jon Pardi’s first taste of country music stardom started in his Grandmother’s house at the tender age of three. The singer-songwriter spent his youth perfecting his craft – by eight years old, he was playing the guitar and at 12, he was writing his own songs. Determined to make his dream of country music fame a reality, Pardi moved to Nashville at 22 years old, where his unique musical style gained him a publishing contract, and later a record deal with Capitol Records Nashville. Known for his high-energy live shows and undeniably country sound, Pardi has been named “one to watch in 2012” by Country Weekly and was the only country artist out of Nashville to perform at last year’s Austin City Limits festival. The Associated Press raves that Jon “lays out a scenario of youth, music, love and loss that is as compelling as it is raucous.” Pardi has shared the stage with Eric Church, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley, Pat Green, Gary Allan and Luke Bryan. His first single “Missin’ You Crazy” is out at country radio now and his debut album will be released next year. www.jonpardi.com.

About Frankie Ballard:

Few debut artists can compare to Frankie Ballard’s impetuous breakthrough in the music scene as the country’s guitar slinging heartthrob joins the ranks of top Music City session players with his ace guitar skills” (Country Weekly). Frankie recently made his national television debut of his single “A Buncha Girls” on CBS’ The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. The single is off his debut album and was named one of the select iTunes “New Artists To Watch.” Frankie has been spending the past year touring with Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger, including shows at Madison Square Garden at the Staples Center. He has also opened for Darius Rucker and superstar Taylor Swift on select dates of her“ SPEAK NOW WORLD TOUR 2011.” Hailing from Battle Creek, Michigan, Ballard brings a fresh new sound with his unique blend of edgy, country rock and sheer, fleet-fingered guitar skills. www.frankieballard.com.

Miss Willie Brown:

A&M/Octone Records’ new country duo Miss Willie Brown, comprised of Amanda Watkins and Kasey Buckley, brings raw, honk-tonk-style emotion and irresistible rock & roll swagger. After landing a coveted slot at Bonnaroo (listed as a Top 10 moment from American Songwriter) and touring with Dierks Bentley last year, Miss Willie Brown’s live show is what Billboard describes as “Snarling. Loud. Swampy. Edgy. A shockingly unique take on country music that combines West Coast energy levels and punk attitude.” The duo has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live twice, the first was when they were still an unsigned act. The twosome recently released their first single, “You’re All That Matters To Me,” to country radio. www.misswilliebrown.com.

Little Big Town released their latest album, Tornado, last week, and if you’ve seen them in concert this summer, you’ll most likely find several of the songs a bit familiar. They’ve been playing a handful of some of the new songs live while on the road with Rascal Flatts. “Man, we are really asking the crowd to go with us, stretching them completely, because we’re singing the hits, like ‘Bring It On Home,’ ‘Little White Church’ and ‘Boondocks,’ of course, but we wanted to debut the record,” says LBT’s Karen Fairchild. “We did not want to miss out on the opportunity in front of Rascal Flatts to debut this record. So, it was the debate of like, ‘We should just do ‘Pontoon’ and save the whole record.’ And then…we started talking about it. ‘No! We have to use this opportunity to show them the record,’ so, we ended up doing six songs.”

The band is getting ready to hit the airwaves with their new single, “Tornado.”

AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild talks about taking the opportunity of being on the road with Rascal Flatts to debut some of the songs from their new album, Tornado, in stores now.

LBT (performing 6 songs from album) OC: (Karen) …of Tornado. :35
KAREN: “Man, we are really asking the crowd to go with us, I mean, stretching them completely, because we’re singing the hits, like ‘Bring It On Home,’ ‘Little White Church’ and ‘Boondocks,’ of course. But, we wanted to debut the record. We did not want to miss out on the opportunity in front of Rascal Flatts to debut this record. So, it was the debate of like, ‘We should just do ‘Pontoon’ and save the whole record.’ And then…” KIMBERLY: “I’m so glad we didn’t.” KAREN: “Me too, and then we started talking about it. ‘No! We have to use this opportunity to show them the record,’ so, we ended up doing six songs (PHILLIP: “Yeah.”) on the whole tour of Tornado.”