(Nashville, Tenn. – March 19, 2012) The AristoMedia Group’s 2012 Country Video Outlet Status Report is now available for online viewing here.  The annual report highlights the current media outlets using Country music video content as part of their programming and outlines important trends and opportunities at the national, regional, syndicated, pool/closed-circuit and online video outlet levels.  The 2012 status report points to increasing demand for video content at nearly every outlet level, with the most substantial growth noted in mobile application platforms and blogs.

AristoVideo, the video promotion branch of Nashville-based entertainment marketing and promotion firm The AristoMedia Group, produces the report each year as a free service and update of the Country music video industry.  For more information, visit www.AristoMedia.com or www.AristoVideoPromo.com.

(Nashville, Tenn. – Jan. 9, 2012) Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton topped the list of dance club hits in 2011, according to the Marco Club Connection’s 8th annual ranking of Country dance favorites.

Every December, the Nashville-based company surveys a panel of nearly 250 club owners, DJs and dance instructors from across the country to compile its rankings.  Overall votes by the panel determine each song’s placement on the list.

“The added emphasis on dance in the music videos for this year’s top club hits was hugely popular with club DJs and choreographers,” says Club Connection Manager of Venue Marketing, Bobbe Morhiser.  “By featuring dancers and dance clubs in the videos, these records leave a lasting connection with fans that dancing and Country music are a natural match.”

The 2011 Marco Club Connection Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits are:

1. Luke Bryan – “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”
2. Blake Shelton – “Footloose”
3. Big & Rich – “Fake ID”
4. Blake Shelton – “Honey Bee”
5. Gloriana – “Wanna Take You Home”
6. Billy Currington – “Love Done Gone”
7. Jason Aldean – “Dirt Road Anthem”
8. Dierks Bentley – “Am I The Only One”
9. The Lacs – “Kickin’ Up Mud”
10. Chris Young – “You”

“We are thrilled that ‘Country Girl (Shake It For Me)’ was selected as the No. 1 dance song of the year,” says Capitol/EMI Records Director of Media and Public Relations, Taryn Pray.  “This single took Luke Bryan to the next level, and it’s great to have the recognition of the dance club community.”

Peter Strickland, Sr. VP Brand Management & Sales for Warner Music Nashville echoed the excited sentiments of his colleagues at Capitol: “What a great way to start off 2012 finding out Warner Music Nashville has four of the Top 5 dance songs. Congratulations to Big & Rich, Gloriana and Blake Shelton.”

A complete archive of Club Connection’s Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits by year can be viewed at www.MarcoClubConnection.com.

About Marco Club Connection:
A division of secondary radio promotion company, Marco Promotions, Club Connection specializes in marketing dance club singles to nightclubs and dance venues across the country.  Club Connection maintains a national database of more than 240 venues and world-renowned dance instructor contacts, reaching more than 200,000 club patrons each weekend.  For more information, visit: www.MarcoClubConnection.com.

Country superstar Urban presents legendary Aussie guitarist Tommy Emmanuel with International Achievement Award

Pictured below, artists and industry attending the 2011 CMA Global Artist Party.  Top row, standing l to r:  CMA President Steve Moore, artist Marlee Scott, artist Kaylee Bell, artist Chad Brownlee, Global Artist Party producer/director Mark Moffatt, artist Tommy Emmanuel, artist Drew McAlister (McAlister/Kemp), artist Claire McArthur (Raintown), artist Troy Kemp (McAlister/Kemp), artist Paul Bain (Raintown), artist Dean Brody, artist Dianna Corcoran, artist Luke Dickens.  Bottom row, l to r: AristoMedia Director of Operations Matt Watkins, hosts Jay and Mark O’Shea, AristoMedia President/CEO Jeff Walker.

Lineup to showcase new faces, Grammy-nominated veterans during CMA Music Fest week event

(Nashville, Tenn. – May 16, 2011)  The AristoMedia Group has announced the lineup for its Aristo Summer Show, to be held Tuesday, June 7 at downtown Nashville venue The Second Fiddle.

The Aristo Summer Show kicks off at 3:00 p.m. CDT and features performances from Deborah Allen, Lacy Green, Adam Gregory, Amber Hayes, Ty Herndon, Rachel Holder, DJ Miller and Margaret Phillips.  Each artist will perform a 15-minute set of original material.  The event is hosted by Adam Gregory and takes place immediately following The AristoMedia Global Show at The Second Fiddle.  The show will be open to the public.

For event inquiries, contact Matt Watkins at mwatkins@aristomedia.com or (615) 269-7071.  For media inquiries, contact Christy Walker-Watkins at christy@aristomedia.com or (615) 269-7071.

About The Artists:

Deborah Allen – Deborah Allen is best known for her Grammy-nominated smash, “Baby I Lied,” but this singer/songwriter/producer’s career has been bolstered with numerous hits on the Pop and Country charts: “Rock Me,” “I’ve Been Wrong Before,” “I Hurt For You” and plenty of others.  Deborah’s new album (out this summer) features her signature sound of Country, Blues, Pop and Rock influences – delivered in a way that only this sultry Delta singer from Memphis can.  The first single is a fun-loving, funky Country shuffle called “Anything Other Than Love.”  www.DeborahAllen.com

Lacy Green – North Carolina native Lacy Green was exposed at an early age to the Country, Bluegrass and Folk music that dominated her local music scene.  Her 2011 debut single, “For the Summertime,” reflects those influences admirably in a warm, Alison Krauss-inspired sound.  The 21-year-old college student and singer is currently busy recording her debut album in Nashville with renowned producer and songwriter Ronnie Bowman.  “For the Summertime” is due at Country radio in June, with an EP release scheduled for this fall.  www.LacyGreen.com

Adam Gregory – This Edmonton, Alberta native secured his first record deal at age 13 and was a Gold-selling artist in Canada by the time he moved to Nashville in 2007.  He released his U.S. debut single, “Crazy Days,” in 2008 and followed up the Top 30 Music Row effort with the ballad, “What It Takes.”  In 2010, he starred in the film “What Would Jesus Do?” with John Schneider.  Currently, Adam is splitting his time between Edmonton and Nashville, where he is writing material with a number of prominent, chart-topping songwriters in preparation for his next project.  www.AdamGregory.com

Amber Hayes – Amber Hayes had a breakout year in 2010 with her Top 40 debut single, “C’mon.”  Her follow-up, “Wait,” is currently climbing the charts and closing in fast on another Top 40 appearance.  Award-winning director Steven Goldmann shot the video for “Wait,” which world-premiered on Yallwire.com on May 13.  This Oklahoma native and former theater star is as genuine as they come and one of those rare artists today that can make radio-friendly Country music without straying too far from tradition.  Her debut EP was released through FUNL Music in September 2010.  www.AmberHayesMusic.com

Ty Herndon - Ty Herndon’s latest album, the Country/Christian/Bluegrass-inspired Journey On, earned the chart-topping Country singer a Grammy nomination in 2011 and a Dove Award in 2010.  The title track was also selected as the signature song for the Kevin Turner Foundation.  Turner is an ex-NFL player recently diagnosed with ALS, and after hearing “Journey On,” Turner and Herndon agreed that it was the perfect song to help raise awareness in the fight against ALS.  Both Ty and Kevin have been chosen as co-chairs in this year’s national ALS Therapy Alliance/CVS campaign, featured in 7,400 stores across the country.  Ty is currently working on a new, 100% Country effort and preparing to release a new single later in 2011.  www.TyHerndon.com

Rachel Holder – Eighteen-year-old Rachel Holder possesses the kind of voice that makes an immediate impression.   For the past several months, Rachel has been working in the studio on her debut album with industry vet and respected producer Chuck Howard.  The first single, “Chocolate,” is currently at Country radio and is already making a connection with female listeners.  Rachel also released a special holiday track and video in December for her cover of “Christmas Eve.”  Rachel’s debut album is due out later this year on All Entertainment.  www.RachelHolder.com

DJ Miller – DJ Miller is grabbing Country radio’s attention with his most recent single, “Whatever It Takes.”  The heartfelt track earned the singer his first Top 40 single on the Billboard Country Indicator, Aircheck Activator and Music Row charts.  This 21-year-old from Idaville, Indiana, is known for his entertaining stage show, and with a new album ready for release this summer, he’ll be on the road bringing that show to Country music fans everywhere.  DJ’s debut single in 2010 was the up-tempo party track, “A Little Naughty Is Nice.” DJ is gearing up for his next release, “Between Sundays,” which will be at radio in the coming weeks.  www.DJMillerCountry.com

Margaret Phillips – Newcomer Margaret Phillips has the voice to match her striking looks.  At nearly six feet tall, the model-esque Phillips is certainly a compelling presence on stage, but this Mississippi native is more than just another pretty face.  Discovered by Grammy-nominated artist Deborah Allen, the two women have been writing material for Margaret’s debut album, due out in 2011.  The bluesy, soulful influences of her upbringing are balanced nicely with her affection for Country acts like Sugarland, Lee Ann Womack and Loretta Lynn.  Produced by Allen, the project’s first single is expected this summer. www.MargaretPhillipsMusic.com

Australian Natives O’Shea and The McClymonts to Host Events

(Nashville, Tenn. – May 9, 2011) Eighteen Country artists representing five different countries have been announced for this year’s annual Global Events showcases, held June 6 and 7 during CMA Music Festival week in downtown Nashville, Tenn.

Veteran Music Row firm announces key departmental promotions

(Nashville, Tenn. – April 27, 2011)  The AristoMedia Group is marking its 31st anniversary in the music and entertainment industry this week with several key departmental promotions.

“I am thrilled that this company is able to stand here and reflect on more than three decades serving the entertainment community in Nashville and beyond,” says AristoMedia President and CEO, Jeff Walker.  “I’m extremely proud of this staff and the reputation and relationships AristoMedia has built in this industry.”

The Nashville-based company was initially founded as a public relations firm, but steadily grew into a multi-faceted media, marketing and promotion company since its start in April 1980.  The AristoMedia Group currently houses five specialized departments: Aristo P.R. (publicity and PR), AristoVideo (video promotion and marketing), AristoWorks (new media), Marco Promotions (secondary radio promotion) and Marco Club Connection (dance venue marketing).

“I think this company has always been opportunistic, and that’s been a large component of our success over the years,” continues Walker.  “I honestly believe that the recent economic downturn is behind us, and we are on the upswing in our industry and here at AristoMedia.  Because of that, I have taken the opportunity to review our staff alignment and announce several promotions within the company.”

In the Aristo P.R. department, Walker announced the promotion of Sr. Publicist Christy Watkins to Sr. Director/Publicity, while Ryan Moore assumes the role of Publicist and Media Relations Manager.

Jon Walker becomes Sr. Director/Digital Initiatives and New Media in the AristoWorks department, while AristoVideo’s Jaime Marconette is promoted to Video Promotion Manager, announced AristoMedia Sr. VP/Promotion and Marketing, Craig Bann.

Under the Marco Promotions umbrella, Bobbe Morhiser assumes the role of Manager of Dance Club Marketing, and Sarah Matlock is upped to Radio Promotion Coordinator, announced Rick Kelly, VP/Marco Promotions.  Matt Watkins is promoted to AristoMedia Director of Operations.

AristoMedia President/CEO Walker oversees the company’s newly created DownCast service, which provides media outlets with free, broadcast-quality video content via e-blast, as well as his domestic and international consulting business, Jeff Walker & Associates and an online digital distribution service, called GMV Nashville.

The AristoMedia Group is located at 1620 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37211.  Contact the company at (615) 269-7071 or visit www.AristoMedia.com for more information.

About The AristoMedia Group:
Nashville-based entertainment media, marketing and promotions firm, The AristoMedia Group, is comprised of five distinct departments: AristoVideo (Video Promotion), Aristo P.R. (Publicity), AristoWorks (New Media), Marco Promotions (Secondary Radio Promotion) and Marco Club Connection (Dance Venue Marketing).  The company celebrated its 31-year anniversary in April 2011.  Visit www.AristoMedia.com for more information.

(Nashville, Tenn. – Jan. 11, 2011) Marco Club Connection, a Nashville-based Country music dance venue marketing company, has released its seventh annual Top Ten list of the year’s most requested Country dance club songs.

Each year in December, Club Connection surveys a panel of more than 240 club owners, DJs and dance instructors from across the country to compile its Top Ten rankings.

“As Country music continues to incorporate more and more of a Pop element, the dance clubs can be a very important tool in breaking an artist,” says Club Connection Venue Marketing Specialist Bobbe Morhiser.  “Look no further than Laura Bell Bundy for proof of that.  ‘Giddy On Up’ was huge in the dance clubs, and for a brand new artist to place in Club Connection’s top five at the end of the year is very impressive.”

The results of the 2010 Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits are:

1. “Stuck Like Glue” – Sugarland
2. “All About Tonight” – Blake Shelton
3. “Hillbilly Bone” – Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins
4. “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
5. “Giddy On Up” – Laura Bell Bundy
6. “Country Done Come To Town” – John Rich
7. “Roll With It” – Easton Corbin
8. “Why Don’t We Just Dance” – Josh Turner
9. “Turn On The Radio” – Reba
10. “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” – Billy Currington

“All of the songs on Club Connection’s Top Ten list have been in heavy rotation at Wild Bills for most of the year,” says Dwight Philpott, one of the DJs at Wild Bills in Atlanta, Ga.  “We play these songs every single night, because these are the ones that always pack our dance floor.”

Songs to top the list in previous years include Zac Brown Band’s “Toes” (2009), Alan Jackson’s “Good Time” (2008), Josh Turner’s “Firecracker” (2007), Steve Holy’s “Brand New Girlfriend” (2006), Trace Adkins’ “Honkytonk Badonkadonk” (2005) and Big & Rich’s “Save a Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” (2004).

A complete archive of Club Connection’s Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits can be viewed at www.MarcoClubConnection.com.

About Marco Club Connection:
A division of secondary radio promotion company, Marco Promotions, Club Connection specializes in marketing dance club singles to nightclubs and dance venues across the country.  Club Connection maintains a national database of more than 240 venues and world-renowned dance instructor contacts, reaching more than 200,000 club patrons each weekend.  For more information, visit: www.MarcoClubConnection.com.

(Nashville, TN – Nov. 9, 2010) The inaugural Aristo Center Stage Party featured a packed house and a diverse array of talent on Monday, Nov. 8, at famed downtown Nashville honkytonk, The Stage on Broadway.  Six artists performed 15-minute acoustic sets during the mid-afternoon showcase: Curb Records’ Ashley Gearing, FUNL Music’s Amber Hayes and Ty Herndon, All Entertainment’s Rachel Holder, FrontWater Records’ Daisy Mallory and Evergreen Records’ DJ Miller. The Country Vibe’s Chuck Long and Becca Walls hosted the event.

Pictured below (l to r): The Country Vibe’s Chuck Long, Aristo Center Stage music director Mark Moffatt, artists Ty Herndon, Ashley Gearing, DJ Miller, The Country Vibe’s Becca Walls, artists Amber Hayes, Daisy Mallory, Rachel Holder, AristoMedia’s Jeff Walker and Christy Watkins. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments by Moser.

Announces Performers and Hosts Set To Appear

(Nashville, Tenn. – Nov. 1, 2010)  The AristoMedia Group is hosting a first time event featuring performances from six talented singer/songwriters on Monday, Nov. 8, at the world-renowned The Stage on Broadway in downtown Nashville, TN. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m with performances commencing at 1:45 p.m.

Entitled the Aristo Center Stage Party, the event will highlight a cross section of talent in a semi-acoustic setting.  Plans are in place for this to become an annual event.

Artists Amber Hayes (FUNL Music), Ashley Gearing (Curb Records), Daisy Mallory (FrontWater Records), DJ Miller (Evergreen Records), Rachel Holder (All Entertainment), and Ty Herndon (FUNL Music) will each perform a 15-minute set.

Hosting duties will be handled by The Country Vibe’s Chuck Long and Becca Walls, who are seen regularly on the nationally and internationally syndicated show, which airs in Nashville weekly on the CW network (WNAB-TV).

“Nashville has so many great new and established singer/songwriters.  We feel that our inaugural Center Stage Party is a great way to cap off the year in which AristoMedia celebrates its 30th Anniversary and share some great music with some of the many people who are coming to the city to participate in the CMA Awards week activities” states AristoMedia President Jeff Walker.

The timing of the event is set to coincide with the numerous activities surrounding the CMA Awards week.

Musical supervisor for the event is well known Australian transplant producer, Mark Moffat.  Event coordinator is AristoMedia’s Matt Watkins.

To RSVP for the event, please email rsvp@aristomedia.com or call the RSVP line at 615-269-7122.

###

ABOUT The Artists:

Amber Hayes is a rising Country singer/songwriter and an accomplished theater performer (her credits include a leading role as Kathy Twitty in the acclaimed Conway Twitty musical, It’s Only Make Believe).  She released her debut EP in August 2010, visiting more than 70 radio stations across the country during her radio tour.  The first single, “C’mon,” has continued to move up the charts and is currently approaching Top 40 status on Music Row.  Signed to FUNL Music earlier this year, Hayes celebrated the album release with a live broadcast on legendary WSM at the famed Station Inn in Nashville.  Visit www.AmberHayesMusic.com for more information.

Ashley Gearing signed to Curb Records on her 16th birthday, but elected to finish high school before making the move to Nashville and pursuing her career in recording and songwriting full-time.  Now, at 19, she is recording her Curb debut, which features the current radio single, “What You Think About Us,” produced by veteran producer Byron Gallimore (Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina).  The video is receiving airplay on television at GAC and online at CMT.com.  Visit www.AshleyGearing.com for more information.

Daisy Mallory – FrontWater Records’ Daisy Mallory is a 17-year-old singer/songwriter whose EP, Girl Time, produced a single earlier this year called “Do You Think of Me?”  The video received placement at GAC and GACTV.com, as well as CMT Pure and Yahoo.com.  She is preparing to release her next single, “Don’t Grow Up Too Fast (If I Had a Little Sister).”  Earlier this year, she performed alongside Reba McEntire, David Foster, Glenn Frey and Kris Kristofferson at Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night event.  For more information about Daisy, visit www.DaisyMallory.com.

DJ Miller – DJ Miller is developing a reputation as not only a Country music singer, but also as an entertainer.  This 21-year-old from Idaville, Indiana, is known to jump off stage in the middle of his shows to run through the crowd, interact with the audience and even sing love songs to some of his female fans.  His debut single for Evergreen Records, “A Little Naughty Is Nice,” was released earlier this summer.  The follow-up single is entitled “A Snowman in Birmingham” and is at radio now.  Visit www.DJMillerCountry.com for more information.

Rachel Holder – Eighteen-year-old Rachel Holder is currently recording her debut album for All Entertainment, to be released in early 2011.  The project’s first single (due early next year) is the catchy “Chocolate,” produced by industry veteran and hit producer Chuck Howard.  Holder has also released a special holiday single and video for “Christmas Eve,” which is now available at iTunes and Amazon.com.  Her upcoming album will feature several self-penned songs.  Visit www.RachelHolder.com for more info about this rising young artist.

Ty Herndon’s career has produced sales of more than 4 million albums and multiple No. 1s on the Country charts, including “What Mattered Most,” “Living in a Moment” and “It Must Be Love.”  Herndon’s latest project, released through FUNL Music, is a faith-based Country album titled Journey On.  The title track was recently selected for an upcoming public awareness campaign to help fight ALS, spearheaded by former NFL player Kevin Turner, who suffers from the disease.  The video for the campaign was recently shot at Nashville’s LP Field.  Visit www.TyHerndon.net for more information.

ABOUT The Hosts:

Chuck Long – Chuck Long began his hosting career at the age of 19 while a student at the University of Texas, fronting a music show called Backstage Country.   Shortly after college, Long moved to Los Angeles and quickly found hosting gigs covering the entertainment scene. He also had hosting stints on the USA Network, Nickelodeon and Financial News Network.  It was his love of country music that prompted Long to create, produce and host Chuck’s Country.  At the time, Chuck’s Country was the City of Angel’s sole local country music television show.  Chuck’s Country gained national exposure with a series of specials on CMT.  After a three year run in Los Angeles, Jim Owens Entertainment brought the show to Nashville where it kicked into high gear with a daily, three-hour live edition. After its Nashville run ended, a new version, Chuck’s Country Lightning  went nationwide once more as one of the Americana Network’s cornerstone shows.  Long is a popular personality in Nashville, thanks to his hosting stints on the WB’s Mornings, The Americana Network’s Americana Digest and Writer’s Notes, correspondent duties on the syndicated television show Crook and Chase  and the Shop at Home Network, where he served as a Senior Host. Long currently hosts entertainment segments on Nashville’s WTVF-NewsChannel 5+.  An accomplished actor, Long has a substantial resume of film, television and theatre roles.

Becca Walls – Becca Walls started as an intern at 102.7 KIIS-FM in Los Angeles In 1991. She was promoted to afternoon producer and then in 1993 helped start the nationally syndicated radio show After MidNite with Blair Garner. There she was the producer and co-host of the show for four years. In 1997 Walls moved to Nashville, where she worked as a Nashville correspondent for numerous outlets. She did interviews with artists, attended events and reported on all the happenings in country music. In May 2000 she landed the midday position at Nashville’s country station 103 WKDF. In addition to doing middays in Nashville, in March of 2010 Becca became the Nashville-based co-host of WAXX 104.5’s morning show in Eau Claire, WI.  She also continues to be a Nashville correspondent and does country music news reports on radio stations across the U.S.

ABOUT The Country Vibe:
The Country Vibe with Chuck and Becca, hosted by industry veterans Chuck Long and Becca Walls, features a mix of the latest news from Music City as well as interviews with today’s hit makers, future stars and country music legends. The series originates from ground zero of Nashville’s Honky Tonk scene, the legendary The Stage nightclub on Lower Broadway. The CW-Nashville (WNAB; Comcast Ch. 18) is the Nashville home for The Country Vibe with Chuck and Becca. The show airs Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. in the channel’s country-tv block, along with Crook & Chase at 9 p.m. and Inside Music Row at 10 p.m. The Country Vibe airs internationally in the United Kingdom on The Showcase Channel on Sky 201 & Freesat 403. Distribution to 10.5million homes in the UK, with millions more inside satellite footprint tuning in from Ireland & Europe. Air times are Sundays/Mondays 7:30pm; Tuesdays/Saturdays 1:30am. The combined number of households for The Country Vibe’s second season is 62 million.