NashvilleHype!

A National Talent Search for Country Music’s Next Great Artist
Contestants Compete By Submitting Performance Videos Online – Enter Now

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Musicians who love the spotlight and dream of the day when millions of fans will scream their name now have the chance to show their mettle. Television network Great American Country (GAC) is joining the ranks of its sister networks HGTV and Food Network by premiering The Next GAC Star, a nationwide talent search for the next country music star, in a partnership with artist development company Music Nation.

Six finalists will be flown to Nashville to be featured in a final two-part television special on September 3 and 10, with a LIVE elimination in the second show. The winning artist will receive a record deal and a music video, which will air on GAC.

Beginning today and through July 14th, GAC will accept video, mp3s, and photos from hopeful country music enthusiasts looking for their shot at becoming a recording artist at www.gactv.com/star. In addition to submitting videos online, some applicants will be able to tape audition videos in-person by visiting the GAC Summer Tour Bus, which hits the road May 1 and will travel to select markets throughout the summer.

“There are two phenomenon currently at play in the music industry: the rise of consumer-generated music content on the Internet and the success of artists participating in national talent competitions. Thanks to our relationship with Music Nation, we’ve incorporated both aspects into one show with The Next GAC Star,” says Sarah Trahern, senior vice president of programming for the network. “Viewers can upload their favorite performances online with the hopes of seeing themselves on the network and possibly winning it all.”

Voting begins May 23rd and will run in three phases. For the first eight weeks, the public will vote on submissions using Music Nation’s head-to-head player, which randomly pits two artists against each other and asks the user to choose a favorite. During this period, there will be two weekly winners: the highest ranked artist from the head-to-head standings and an “Industry Insiders” Pick, an artist collectively chosen by GAC and Music Nation staffers. Select video submissions will also air in the new series, Next GAC Star, which premieres on June 1 and will broadcast every Sunday. During the second phase, the 16 weekly winners will be narrowed down to a field of six by Next GAC Star’s panel of celebrity judges, to be announced next month. Finally, these six finalists will move on to be featured on the two TV specials, where the Next GAC Star will ultimately be determined.

“In the past, we’ve launched a number of successful talent searches for the rock, pop, and urban genres, and this new partnership with GAC allows us to extend our brand into the devoted country music fan base,” says Daniel Klaus, Music Nation CEO. “This competition allows undiscovered artists a real shot at the career they dream of, in addition to having their music played on GAC.”

Interested artists and viewers can get more information on Next GAC Star by visiting http://www.gactv.com/star.

About Great American Country
Great American Country is the leader in country music entertainment. GAC delivers to viewers the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence. GAC broadcasts original country music programming, country music performance specials, live concerts, music videos, and is the exclusive television home of the Grand Ole Opry. GAC is available in more than 53 million households and online at http://www.gactv.com/star.

GAC is owned by Scripps Networks, the leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, including HGTV , Food Network , DIY Network and Fine Living Network . Scripps Networks is based in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta and Nashville, and is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks and interactive media. Scripps operates daily and community newspapers in 16 markets, 10 broadcast TV stations, Scripps Howard News Service, United Media and Shopzilla.com.

About Music Nation
Engineered to navigate the changing landscape of the music business, Music Nation is a next generation music company designed to discover, develop, and build artist brands. The company employs both its expanding online music community, which acts as a digital A&R source, and traditional methods to sign artists to its label Original Signal Recordings. Through custom deals that are equitable, artist-friendly partnerships, the company is able to focus on developing new revenue streams around artists to create career sustainability.

Launched in 2006, the company is the brainchild of Daniel Klaus (CEO), Lucas Mann (Co-founder), Kevin P. Ryan (Chairman), and Peter Read (Managing Director, UK and Europe); their combined expertise crosses the e-commerce, digital media, and music industry divides.

My favorite Christian band, who of late has a TON of interest from various labels around town, and who absolutely ROCKED the Supercell Benefit - Cloudchase - are the special guest of honor at an upcoming Battle of the Bands that will take place at the Exit/IN on Apr 27 at 4pm.

Cloudchase have been keeping up a pretty busy schedule playing shows, and I’m told they are in the studio as well working on a full length album.  So be on the lookout for new material sometime soon - not that you can get tierd of the old material!  It’s excellent!

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From the NashvilleHype Forum:

Chattanooga born, Nashville raised, and current Los Angeles Underground Hip Hop artist Pow Shadowz returns to Nashville May 10th 2008 at The Rutledge at 9pm to promote his upcoming album titled “A Reality Show Called Life”

For more information visit http://www.myspace.com/powshadowz

Pow Shadowz is one of Nashville’s best-kept Hip Hop secrets. He likes to describe his music as Hip Hop Progressive with mainstream appeal and maintaining that raw, underground edge. Having been a victim of police brutality, he is very politically aware and this comes across in his music. Even through that kind of adversity, Pow Shadowz has been able to maintain a positive outlook on life and his music proves the diversity and definitely has mass appeal. His love for real, classic Hip Hop comes out in his music.

Pow Shadowz went to Tennessee State University in 1994 where he graduated with a BS degree in Africana Studies and became a school favorite known throughout Nashville for his lyrical talents. While in Nashville, he opened up for rappers such as Common, KRS-One and Jay-Z, and even toured with Reggae band Osadolos, based out of Lagos, Nigeria.

Pow Shadowz relocated to Southern California in 2006 to further his Hip Hop career and “spread the word of Progressive Hip Hop”. Since moving he has teamed up with Los Angeles resident DJ Leviathan and Jeanine “JiJi” Strong hosting the weekly Urban Underground shows. Urban Underground is a weekly invasion of urban music and art featuring a open mic session and a combination of unsigned, independent, and major artists all performing under one roof in both the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. He also has teamed up with longtime Los Angeles area artists, The Metamorphs and formed The Extended Fam. Together they have performed at the popular Coachella Music Festival and with world-renowned groups such as Cypress Hill, PerceeP and many others. Those that live in the Los Angeles area can see Pow Shadowz Thursday nights at The Static Lounge in San Diego, CA for San Diego’s weekly Urban Underground show, and every Friday night in downtown Los Angeles, CA. for Los Angeles’ Urban Underground show.

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Hey everyone, this weekend will be packed with good shows –

Friday night at 12th & porter is Frank Myers, Eddy Raven, Richie McDonald, and Billy Montana – all great writers and a couple of good friends. I’ve interviewed Frank and had him on site but unfortunately, it was lost in the server transition. Show starts at 9:30

Saturday afternoon at the Opry Mills Mall is the 15 Minutes to Fame contest that Rachel Farley will be performing in. It starts at 2pm. We need everyone to come out and support Rachel by making a lot of noise for her performance.

Last but not least, Sunday is the Forget Me Not benefit for alzheimers — this will take place at the Nashville Palace beginning at 6pm. It’s free to get in but donations are welcome. There’s a lot of good artists performing on the show and it should be a really good one.

Forget-Me-Not, an organization that raises money for Alzheimers Patients, is having a benefit concert April 6th, from 6-11pm, at the Nashville Palace.  There are going to be some great artist coming to perform and it’s going to be a great show for a great cause.  We hope you’ll mark it on your calendar and plan to attend.

Have you ever been curious about the words you have written on a sheet of paper? Thought they might be a catchy little tune to be played on the local Christian airwaves? You are in luck! On Saturday March 29th, a one day workshop will be held at the Community Church of Hendersonville.  Write About Jesus began in 2000, and holds annual confrences in Missouri to help new and aspiring songwriters. This will be the first ever confrence in Nashville. Their mission is to equip and inspire the Christian songwriting community.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the class will begin at 9 a.m. You will have classes being offered in The Christian Writing Country, Writing the Pop Song, The Christian Writing Pop, The Spiritual Dimensions of the Creative Life, The Writer/Publisher Realationship, Writing for Southern Gospel, Writing the Worship Song, Song Painting, The Business of Music, Finding Creativity When You Don’t Feel Creative, The Co-Writing Panel, How do you write A Song About That?, Ministry Without Permission, The Publishing Panel, How do you write a great melody?, Making Your Demo Great, Crafting A Great Lyric, Pitching Your Song:What You Need to Know. Later that evening a concert will be performed by Christian artists

Scott Krippayne   and Kyle Matthews

The cost will be $150.00 which will include all classes, open critiques, and the evening concert. Several Write About Jesus clinicians will be on hand and a discount is available for co-writers and full time students. You can register online or call (314)348-1275.

Limited Time Offer: Sign up for the NashvilleHype! Newsletter and we’ll send you an extended version of our report 5 Do’s and Don’t’s in Nashville!  This Report is full of helpful tips for songwriters and artists alike.

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I wanted to write and tell you a little about all of the Supercell of Giving Benefit Performers who will be onstage TONIGHT at the Mercy Lounge beginning at 7pm!  I also wanted to say a HUGE Thank You from NashvilleHype! to the artist and the fans for being a part of it.

Aaron Tippin

(I’ve known Aaron for years but it wasn’t until I started NashvilleHype! and attended an event here in town that I happened to see him again.   He was the first artist I asked to be a part of this benefit.)

After Aaron Tippin parted ways with Lyric Street records in 2004, he began recording a brand new CD that he released on his own label called NIPPIT RECORDS (which is TIPPIN spelled backwards). The album is titled “Now & Then”.  Five of his RCA albums became Gold Records and one went Platinum. Between 1990- 1997, Aaron scored six hits records.   Some of Aaron’s hit songs are “Working Man’s PH.D”, “Kiss This”, “You’ve Got To Stand For Something” and “There Ain’t Nothin Wrong With The Radio”.  Aaron generously donates his time to various charities and events each year.  He also travels each year during Thanksgiving to perform for the Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and devotes his time and efforts into helping children receive a good Christmas by volunteering for Toys 4 Tots.

David Kersh

I can’t tell you how long I’ve been a fan of David Kersh.  I suppose since he first appeared on the scene.  But the truth be told, I didn’t know who he was.  It wasn’t until we began talking about the benefit that I went, “Wait a minute?  Who?  Why do I know that name?”.   The reason I knew the name was because I knew the songs .

David is best known for the two-stepping hits “Goodnight, Sweetheart”, “Another You,” and “Day In, Day Out” as well as the Caribbean-infused “If I Never Stop Loving You”.   These are all bonafied hit songs.

David hasn’t played a show in Nashville for almost 10 years.  The benefit will be his first performance.  He’s really candid about why he’s taken so much time off:

“So, I went to TX for about a week about 3 weeks ago, and something happened. I can’t explain it, I wish I could, but for some reason I felt like singing. You have to understand, I haven’t really felt that way for like 8 or 9 years!!! I’m serious, I lost it back in 99 for real. My soul just got empty and I had nothing left. Yes, I had some throat thing, but it was more than that. I can’t explain it in any other terms other than to say that my soul felt empty and there was just nothing left to give. My voice is a reflection of my soul, so it just wasn’t gonna happen anymore. I lost all confidence in me when that happened and it made me scared to death to open my mouth for fear of what sound might come out…”

We’re thrilled David has chosen the Supercell Benefit to make his return to the stages of Nashville. 

Mary Sue Englund

I’ve wanted to tell everyone about Mary forever and I’m thrilled I finally get to.   Even better, I’m going to get to see her play at the benefit along with Victoria Banks - that’s going to be awesome!  

Mary has made her living making music–first in bars and restaurants doing a solo gig playing piano and guitar when she was barely old enough to drive, and then started a band in Minnesota several years ago.  Together they played everywhere for everyone and sold a ton of albums, and then made the move to Nashville, where she just finished my third album, “Free” with the help of amazing writer and producer Kim McLean.  Her cd is available on CDBABY.  Mary is also currently touring with country star Pam Tillis, playing acoustic guitar, a little fiddle, piano, and singing harmony. She and Pam also wrote a song together for her record and Pam sang on it as well.

Kelly Ray Davis

Before losing most of the old NashvilleHype! I wrote about Kelly Ray Davis several times.  The first time, he was making trips down to Nashville to see what he could make happen.  The next time, to tell everyone that he was successful in signing to Mike Kinnamon Music/Music Central.  Kelly is the real deal.  He’s a songwriter’s songwriter, not only writing great songs for himself, but for other artists as well - like the Grammy winning Randy Kohrs.  You know when people like Randy, who has their pick of songs, starts choosing your songs to cut and release, then you’re doing something right.  Kelly Ray Davis has been doing something right for a long time - it’s only now that people are finally paying attention.   Kelly rocks and as I said back then, I fully expect him to be signed to a record deal.  It would be stupid not to sign him.

Josh Newcom of Indian Rodeo

Once again, before losing nearly 80% of NashvilleHype! in the transition, I wrote about Josh Newcom.  This guy, he’s just cool.  He was told by one of the record executive guys downtown that “country should be more rock”.  HA!  Josh wouldn’t have any of it, so he released his own music his own way.  Now, he’s sticking it in the eye of that executive by having his video for the song “Radio” in rotation at CMT.  That’s awesome.  And VERY Rock-n-Roll.  Just what that exec wanted.

William Ferrarini

William was another artist I had on site.  Cathryn actually did a wonderful job talking about his music and how touched she was by his songs.  William states, “I consider myself first and foremost a Christian”, and his music reflects the passion he has.  He’s worked with producer Cliff Downs to craft a new version of his song, “Send Me a Miracle”, which is a song Cathryn just fell in love with.   William has traveled from Massachusetts to California, performing for enthusiastic crowds.  He’s actually flying in from Chicago to be a part of this benefit and we can’t thank him enough for his kindness and caring for the people who have lost so much.

Stormy Montana

I always encourage singers to not take too much cue from the artist they like.  They’ve got to find their own voice.  Stormy has her own voice.  And that’s really what I like about her.  She doesn’t sound like other artists.  She also has a good ear for songs - kindof rare at 15 years old - and that’s what leads me to believe she’s going to have a pretty good career if she wants it.  I think she does.  She lives in west Tennessee and after the storms she wrote to ask if there was something she could do to help.  I said sure, come out and let people hear you!  So we’re really happy that she’s going to come out and perform.  People need to hear Stormy.  And seriously, what a perfect name for an event like this (yes, that’s her real name… her last name is even real - not taken from Hannah!)

Other Artists Already on NashvilleHype!

Kelci Paige

Veronica Ballestrini

Buffy Lawson

Sarah Kaine

Cloudchase

Rachel Farley

Kelsey Skaggs

Lee Hilliard

Dustin Bogue

Kristen Kukta

The Hewitt Sisters

Kerry Harvick

Also, Mason County will be performing!

One last thing.  This event could not and would not be possible without the help of so many.  I know you probably hear that all the time, but it really is true.  I may recieve a lot of public credit, but it’s those behind the scenes who have worked their butts off and they deserve most of the credit. 

People like my assistant here at NashvilleHype! Cathryn Miller-Gipson, who has worked tirelessly to make sure we have what we need to make this event everything it can be.  Trust me, 15-18 hour days for 3 weeks straight is no easy task for anyone, let alone a wife and mother, and for that I also want to thank her husband Andrew for having patience and understanding during this work-a-day time. 

Glenn Sweitzer of Fresh Design+film who is not only my partner in this event, but is also a great friend.  There’s not much more can be said.  True friends are hard to find, and Glenn has been a true friend not only to me, but countless others who need his help and his time.  Glenn simply has no time, yet he soldiers on helping everyone that comes across his path.  For Supercell, Glenn was able to wrangle a whole gaggle of artist - ready, willing, and able to perform.   Without his help on scheduling the performers, I might still be trying to figure it all out (I spent no less than 13 hours and one very frustrating day simply building a schedule, lol) - can’t put into words what a helping hand he’s been in that regard and others.  So Thank you Glenn.

Kevin Nixa and Val Jean from Nixa Country stepped up to the plate at just the right time to partner with us on the benefit.  Thanks to them, we are going to have a live broadcast stream on the internet, which means we are able to tell the whole world what we’re doing and why we’re doing it!   In addition to that, we’ll also be able to collect more money for these families than just what we recieve at the benefit itself - we have a paypal account set up so that people from everywhere can donate.

Jill Gorin and the team at the Red Cross.  I’m thankful that this time, I didn’t need your assistance - - but I’m also thankful to know that you will be here if I ever do.  40,000 meals since the tornadoes — that’s how many they’ve served.  Unbelievable.  I so appreciate your help in this event.  From the people you are bringing, to the press you told, we couldn’t have done it without you.

John at the Mercy Lounge - who gave us the venue to use without hesitation and who has been a great help on getting everything set up for the artists - - also for making sure the ads were in order and we were a part of them.

I want to thank all the volunteers that are coming out to help wrangle the backstage area, take care of our performers, watch the door, handle the money, provide security, and on and on… without you all, we’d be lost - and a lot more worn out at the end of the night.  So Thank you.

If you’ve made it to this point in the post, thank you too! lol.  Seriously, we hope that everyone can come out to the show tonight - - and if you can’t make it, please try to listen on Nixa Country.  And donate a few dollars for these families that have lost so much.  That’s what this night is all about. 

TONIGHT!! 

7:00 pm
Mercy Lounge
Nashville, Tn
Minumum Donation $10