Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA.
Craig Campbell visited the Country Music Association yesterday afternoon to perform for the staff.
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Photo courtesy of Donn Jones/CMA
The Ninth Annual CMA Artist Luncheon was held on March 6. The event was held just hours after CMA announced the 2012 Inductees for the Country Music Hall of Fame: Garth Brooks, Connie Smith, and Hargus “Pig” Robbins. The three inductees were the honored guests at the Luncheon, and later shared stories from their careers in a panel moderated by artist and CMA Board member Kix Brooks.
Photo courtesy of Donn Jones/CMA
Photo courtesy of Donn Jones/CMA
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Posted in Garth Brooks, Gloriana 
Tags: CMA, Country Music Hall of Fame, Garth Brooks, Gloriana, jeanie seely 
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The CMA Foundation is donating $1.4 million to benefit music education programs for Nashville’s 78,000 public school students from 2011 CMA Music Festival through the “Keep the Music Playing” campaign.
This announcement raises CMA’s Keep the Music Playing support of music education in public schools from $4.7 million to more than $6.1 million. This money has been used to build music labs and purchase more than 4,000 instruments, and much needed supplies for 80 Metro Nashville Public Schools through a partnership with the Nashville Public Education Foundation (formerly known as the Nashville Alliance for Public Education).
The $1.4 million donation includes $200,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “Words & Music” program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting. CMA established a $1 million endowment gift for the program in 2007 with a $200,000 annual gift.
In 2006, the CMA Artist Relations Committee established the Keep the Music Playing program to give back to the community on behalf of the hundreds of Country artists who perform and make appearances at CMA Music Festival for free.
The announcement of the 2011 CMA Music Festival donation was made at a reception prior to the Third CMA Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center Tuesday night. The All Stars Concert honors the best elementary, middle, and high school performance groups selected from 133 Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Chris Young hosted the concert and was on hand for the donation announcement, which was attended by MNPS band directors and music teachers, as well as representatives from the CMA Foundation, CMA Board of Directors, Music City Music Council, and Nashville Public Education Foundation.
A Middle-Tennessee native, Young understands the importance of music education in Music City and has supported the cause by appearing at the CMA Music Festival for the past eight years.
“Music has had such a profound influence in every aspect of my life,” declares Young. “I cannot stress how important it is for young people to continue to have the ability to participate in music programs. I’m proud I’ve had the opportunity to take part in this Keep The Music Playing event.”
Special guest Suzy Bogguss has made music education a personal mission with her latest project, American Folk Songbook. The CD and companion songbook were created to help educate a new generation of fans about the classic American folk tradition. Bogguss performed two songs from the book with students from Glengarry Elementary School.
“The kids and I had a blast working these songs up,” said Bogguss. “They showed me their wonderful instruments they received from the CMA Music Festival with great pride, and they played and sang their little hearts out!”
“Putting instruments in the hands of children is one of the most important initiatives undertaken by CMA on behalf of our artists,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Supporting music education is an investment in the future of our city and our industry. It is an honor to nurture these young performers and provide them with the resources and opportunities they need and deserve.”
Posted in Chris Young, CMA Fest Tags: Chris Young, CMA, CMA Fest, Keep the music playing No Comments »
Photographer: John Russell / CMA
Three was the lucky number at the annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon with the presentation of the CMA Triple Play Awards, which honor songwriters who pen three chart-topping hits in a 12 month period.
Recognizing excellence in the format is the foundation of CMA’s mission and there were several songwriters on hand at the Country Music Hall of Fame to receive their Triple Play Awards including Rhett Akins, Casey Beathard, Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson, Chris DuBois, Luke Laird, Jason Sellers, and Dave Turnbull. Also in attendance were hit tunesmiths from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, as well as songwriter members of CMA, NSAI, and representatives of some of the most successful publishers in Music City.
“Any songwriter realizes that to get a song recorded and then have it make it to the top of the charts requires the alignment of every single star in the universe,” said Tomlinson. “But to have three songs do that in such a short period of time is truly exceptional. I am grateful to be a part of the CMA honoring these gifted creators of song.”
In alphabetical order, the recipients of CMA’s Triple Play Award included:
• Rhett Akins: “Honey Bee,” “Take a Back Road,” “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
• Casey Beathard: “The Boys of Fall,” “Come Back Song,” “Just Fishin’”
• Zac Brown: “Highway 20 Ride,” “Free,” “As She’s Walking Away,” “Colder Weather,” “Knee Deep,” “Keep Me in Mind”
• Luke Bryan: “Rain is a Good Thing,” “Someone Else Calling You Baby,” “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)”
• Dallas Davidson: “All About Tonight,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” “All Over Me,” “Just a Kiss,” “We Owned the Night”
• Chris DuBois: “Water,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”
• Wyatt Durrette: “Highway 20 Ride,” “As She’s Walking Away,” “Colder Weather”
• Luke Laird: “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Take a Back Road,” “Drink In My Hand”
• Brad Paisley: “Water,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”
• Hillary Scott: “Our Kind of Love,” “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Just a Kiss”
• Jason Sellers: “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” “I Won’t Let Go,” “I Got You”
• Taylor Swift: “Mine,” “Back to December,” “Mean”
• Dave Turnbull: “The Boys of Fall,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”
Humbled by their success, here’s what some of the writers had to say:
“I’m humbled and honored to be here surrounded by my heroes,” said Akins.
“I’m blessed to be around all of these writers that have helped me down this path,” said Bryan.
“I love music so much and I feel blessed by God to get to make it every day,” said Laird.
“This is a lot better than working at Home Depot, I can tell you that,” said Turnbull.
Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com
Posted in Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band Tags: Brad Paisley, CMA, Dallas Davidson, Hillary Scott, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown No Comments »
Last week was a BIG week for American Idol runner up Lauren Alaina. Not only did the rising star present at the 45th Annual CMA Music Awards, perform a holiday tune for the CMA Country Christmas taping, but Lauren also celebrated her 17th birthday!
About 100 friends and family gathered at Nashville’s Legends Corner to celebrate with a cake from Cold Stone Creamery and cake batter and sweet cream cupcakes.
Next week, Lauren will perform the National Anthem prior to the Thanksgiving Day NFL game featuring the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
You can read more on USA Today here.
Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com
