Five countries represented at June 7-8 showcases in downtown Nashville

“This year was our most successful turnout yet at our Global Events showcases,” said AristoMedia Group President Jeff Walker.  “I believe that this year’s lineup was probably the most diverse and talented group we’ve ever had, and the crowds were very receptive to these international artists.  Canada and Australia already have a history of delivering successful Country acts, so it’s encouraging to see places like Norway and the UK producing good quality Country music, too.”

Previous performers at the annual Global Events showcases have included: George Canyon, Troy Cassar-Daley, the McClymonts, Jasmine Rae, Johnny Reid, the Road Hammers and Doc Walker, among others.

Artists and industry executives gather at the CMA Global Artist Party on Monday, June 7, at The Stage on Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tenn.  Pictured l to r:  Chip Huffman (Four Seasons Coach Leasing), Britt McKillip (One More Girl – Canada), Steve Moore (CMA), Carly McKillip (One More Girl – Canada), Cameron Clayton (New Zealand), Alex J. Robinson (Canada), David Bradley (UK), Adam Gregory (Canada), Jeff Walker (AristoMedia), Mark Moffatt (CMA Global Artist Party producer), Tim McKay (UK), Jaydee Bixby (Canada), Sinead Burgess (Australia), Luke Austen (Australia).  Photo: The AristoMedia Group.

Artists performing at the 2010 AristoMedia Global Showcase pose outside The Second Fiddle in downtown Nashville, Tenn.  Pictured top row, standing l to r:  Kenny Sitter, Kelly Sitter, Al Doell (Jo Hikk – Canada), Ritch Spence, Will Stanley, Toby Schwietering, (Emma King & the Heartsets – UK), Arly Kalsen (European Highwaymen – Norway), Emma King (UK), Ove Stoylen, Gunnar Thomas (European Highwaymen – Norway), Ronnie Rae Rivers (Australia), Mark O’Shea, Jay O’Shea (Australia), Robert Reynolds.  Bottom row, kneeling l to r:  Ian Harrison (Emma King & the Heartsets – UK), Jessie Farrell (Canada), Travis Collins (Australia), Joe Robinson (Australia).  Not pictured: Steven Lee Olsen (Canada).  Photo: Pam Stadel.

(Nashville, TN – June 10, 2010) The AristoMedia Global Showcase on Tuesday, June 8, was the second of two international Country music events held in downtown Nashville to help kick off CMA Music Festival week.

Eight international acts participated in the global showcase, which was held at the Second Fiddle on Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.  Artists performing included: Travis Collins (Australia), The European Highwaymen (Norway), Jessie Farrell (Canada), Jo Hikk (Canada), Emma King & the Heartsets (UK), Steven Lee Olsen (Canada), Ronnie Rae Rivers (Australia) and Joe Robinson (Australia).  The event was hosted by Australian duo O’Shea.

Pictured below, artists performing at the AristoMedia Global Showcase.  Top row, standing l to r:  Kenny Sitter, Kelly Sitter, Al Doell (Jo Hikk), Ritch Spence, Will Stanley, Toby Schwietering, (Emma King & the Heartsets), Arly Kalsen (European Highwaymen), Emma King, Ove Stoylen, Gunnar Thomas (European Highwaymen), Ronnie Rae Rivers, Mark O’Shea, Jay O’Shea, Robert Reynolds.  Bottom row, sitting l to r:  Ian Harrison (Emma King & the Heartsets), Jessie Farrell, Travis Collins, Joe Robinson.  Not pictured: Steven Lee Olsen.  Photo: The AristoMedia Group

Adam Gregory and O’Shea duo announced as event hosts

(Nashville, TN – May 10, 2010) Fifteen prominent international Country artists arrive in Music City next month for the annual Global Events showcases, held June 7 and 8 during CMA Music Festival week in downtown Nashville, Tenn.

The CMA Global Artist Party, held Monday, June 7, kicks off at 6 p.m. at The Stage on Broadway and features performances from Luke Austen (Australia), Jaydee Bixby (Canada), David Bradley (UK), Sinead Burgess (Australia), Cameron Clayton (New Zealand), Tim McKay (UK), One More Girl (Canada) and Alex J. Robinson (Canada). Canadian artist Adam Gregory will serve as host. The CMA event is also sponsored by Four Seasons Coach Leasing.

The annual AristoMedia Global Showcase, hosted by Australian duo O’Shea, is held Tuesday, June 8, at 3:30 p.m. at The Second Fiddle. Performers include Travis Collins (Australia), Emma King & The Heartsets (UK), Jessie Farrell (Canada), Jo Hikk (Canada), Steven Lee Olsen (Canada), Ronnie Rae Rivers (Australia) and the European Highwaymen (Norway). Sponsors are The AristoMedia Group, CMA, Digital Rodeo and Four Seasons Coach Leasing.

“Each year, some of the brightest Country Music talents from around the world come to Nashville for CMA Music Festival and our Global Events,” says The AristoMedia Group President and CMA Board member Jeff Walker. “This is our fifth year holding these international showcases, and each year we have a fantastic lineup of talent performing and a packed house to greet them.  We’re looking forward to this year continuing that tradition.”

Previous performers at the annual Global Events showcases include: George Canyon, Troy Cassar-Daley, the McClymonts, Jasmine Rae, Johnny Reid, the Road Hammers and Doc Walker, among others.

Nashville record producer Mark Moffatt handles music coordinator duties for both Global Events. The AristoMedia Group serves as executive producer. Four Seasons Coach Leasing will provide buses and artist green rooms for both Global Events.

For more information about the CMA Global Artist Party, please contact Bobbi Boyce at bboyce@CMAworld.com.  For more information about the AristoMedia Global Showcase, contact Christy Watkins at 615.269.7071 or Christy@aristomedia.com.

(Nashville, TN – March 16, 2010) High-energy fiddle player and Country artist Chris Higbee entertained a packed house last night for an industry showcase event at local Nashville venue, 12th & Porter. An original member and co-founder of prominent Pittsburgh-area Country act, The Povertyneck Hillbillies, Higbee recently completed his debut solo album in Nashville and hosted the showcase for key music industry personnel.

Pictured (l to r): CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne, Chris Higbee, RED Nashville’s Dewayne Brown, CMA’s Hank Adam Locklin. Photo: Bev Moser.

(Nashville, TN – March 15, 2010) The CRB Board of Directors has named Bill Mayne, of Nashville-based firm, Mayne Street Consulting, Executive Director of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., effective as of April 1, 2010.

“I am honored by this opportunity to serve as Executive Director of Country Radio Broadcasters and the confidence shown in me by the CRB Board of Directors,” says Mayne. “This organization has a clear vision, a great staff and a dedicated Board to help craft the future course for the Country Radio Seminar and all its associated endeavors. CRS 2010 was a successful first step in the process of serving the best interest of Country radio and the Country music industry in the years to come.”

Mayne is a Country radio and music industry veteran with senior level experience in Country radio broadcasting, including programming and operations management at KZLA/KLAC (Los Angeles), KSCS/WBAP (Dallas) and KASE (Austin). His resume also includes work in artist development, management and positions at major and independent record labels (Sr. VP General Manager and VP Promotion at Warner Bros Nashville, VP of Promotion and Artist Development at 903 Music).

“We are exceptionally pleased and grateful to have Bill Mayne officially take over as Executive Director of CRB,” says new CRB President Mike Culotta. “It became evident, during the difficult transitional period leading up to CRS 2010, that Bill had the leadership, passion and vision to steer the organization in the direction it needs to go. We are confident that CRB is in good hands going forward.”

Mayne is the owner of Mayne Street Consulting, a private entertainment consultancy providing analysis and guidance to clients in the entertainment field. Clients include CRB, Inc., GAC, IEBA, Nexshow, Dualtone Records, Muscle Shoals Music Group, Fame Records and RGK Entertainment, among others. Mayne Street Consulting assists companies in the radio and music industries with strategic planning, marketing, management and artist development opportunities. Mayne also serves as current President of the Academy of Country Music.

For more information about Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., visit www.CRB.org.

About CRB:
The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. ® is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 1969 to bring radio broadcasters from around the world together with the Country Music Industry to ensure vitality and promote growth in the Country Radio format. More information may be obtained at: www.CRB.org or at the CRB office at 615-327-4487.

(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 3, 2010) Cold River recording artist Katie Armiger gave a special performance at The Rutledge in downtown Nashville last night.  Local industry personnel were treated to an entertaining set of songs from Armiger’s forthcoming third album, including her current single, “Kiss Me Now.”

Pictured L to R are Pete O’Heeron (Cold River Records), Armiger,  Larry Pareigis (Nine North), Hank Adam Locklin (CMA) and Kevin Neal (Buddy Lee Attractions).

Photo Credit: Bev Moser (Moments By Moser)

(Nashville, TN – Jan. 25, 2010) A packed house turned out Friday, Jan. 22 at the Nashville BMI offices to recognize singer-soldier-songwriter Darby Ledbetter for his ongoing 10-year service in the National Guard and his emerging career as a Country artist.  Following in the footsteps of artists like Kid Rock and Three Doors Down, Ledbetter is only the third artist chosen by the National Guard to have one of his songs, (“I Won’t Let My Guard Down”) chosen for a national movie theater ad campaign.  Ledbetter is preparing to deploy for his fourth combat tour overseas, with plans to release his debut album, Soldier Up, in the near future.

Photo Credit: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser

National Guardsman and Country singer Darby Ledbetter poses with several artists at his media event at BMI on Friday, Jan. 22.  L to R: Lee Roy (The Roys), Lane Brody, Ledbetter, Elaine Roy (The Roys), Aaron Tippin, Ty Williams.

National Guardsman and Country singer Darby Ledbetter (c) poses with Dewayne Brown (left; Label & Artist Development, RED Distribution) and international promoter Judy Seale (right; President, Judy Seale Entertainment) at his media event, held at the BMI offices last Friday, Jan. 22.

NASHVILLE, TN (October 13, 2009) – Brad Arnold, Robert Reynolds and Dan Shafer have been added to the “Rock for Recovery” concert to be held this Friday, Oct. 16, at Nashville’s Corner Pub.

Organized by Country artist Eric Lee Beddingfield to benefit the victims of the floods last month in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, the concert will raise funds to be donated to the American Red Cross.  Online social network Digital Rodeo has signed on to sponsor the event, which is currently the only benefit concert happening for the victims of this disaster.  The concert is set to coincide with the University of Georgia/Vanderbilt football game in Nashville the next day.

Martinez, Ga., native Beddingfield will headline the show, which kicks off at 7 p.m. in the Corner Pub parking lot in Midtown.  3 Doors Down front man Brad Arnold, former Mavericks bassist Robert Reynolds and Dan Shafer will also perform.  Previously announced performers include Tommy Townsend, Rachel Williams and Wayne Mills Band.  View a special message from Beddingfield about “Rock for Recovery” here.

“The devastation hit so close to home for my family and fans that I had to do something,” Beddingfield says.  “Nashville and Georgia share so many musical ties that it’s only fitting that we use the talent we have here to help out those affected by the flooding not only back home in Georgia, but right here in Tennessee, too.”

• Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year dvdrip

All proceeds raised from the event will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to assist those families that were affected in more than 20 counties.  Atlanta, Ga. Mayor Shirley Franklin estimates the final damage cost will exceed $1 billion.  The American Red Cross has already provided nearly 3,000 overnight stays in their shelters as a result of the floods.   Media can download the “Rock for Recovery” PSA here.

General admission is $15 or, for a donation of $75, fans can purchase a VIP ticket that includes food, drinks and an artist meet-and-greet.   Tickets are available online at www.cornerpubtn.com or at the Corner Pub on the day of the show.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund:
You can help people affected by disasters like the current floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund at www.redcross.org.  On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or visit www.redcross.org.

About DigitalRodeo.com:
DigitalRodeo.com is the premier country news, music and lifestyle site for country music fans everywhere.  Community membership is free and offers fans and artists alike the opportunity to connect with each other, upload and download audio and video, watch exclusive DigitalRodeo.com content and stay updated on what’s happening in the world of country music.  For more information, visit www.DigitalRodeo.com.

Shall We Dance film

About Eric Lee Beddingfield:
Eric Lee Beddingfield first caught the attention of the Country Music charts with his self-titled debut album in 2007. By 2008, Beddingfield was named by New Music Weekly as one of the top ten artists to watch and three singles from the album landed in the Top 40 of MusicRow’s CountryBreakoutTM Chart.  Beddingfield’s single “Nowhere USA” earned itself a #1 independent release ranking on Power Source Magazine’s top country chart.  Eric Lee Beddingfield is currently touring throughout the Southeast and finishing up his sophomore album due out in early 2010.

(Nashville, TN – June 17, 2009)  Seventeen international Country music artists gathered in Nashville last week to perform at the CMA Global Artist Party, held Monday, June 8, and the AristoMedia Global Showcase, held Tuesday, June 9.

Monday night’s showcase, held at The Stage on Broadway, featured artists from Australia (Kirsty Lee Akers, Peter McWhirter, The McClymonts), Ireland (Colm Kirwan), the UK (Lucie Silvas), New Zealand (Ashley Cooper) and Canada (Victoria Banks, George Canyon).

Lucky Numbers film

The AristoMedia Global Showcase was held on Tuesday at The Second Fiddle and included artists from France (Pierre Lorry), the UK (Brianie, David Bradley), Australia (Dianna Corcoran, Corey Colum), Switzerland (Rolf Fritschi), Canada (Codie Prevost, Greg Hanna) and Norway (Tore Andersen).

Artists performing at the CMA Global Artist Party on Monday, June 8 at The Stage on Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tenn.  Pictured l to r, top row: The McClymonts (Brooke, Samantha and Mollie), George Canyon, Colm Kirwan, Peter McWhirter and Kirsty Lee Akers.  Bottom row, l to r: Jace Everett (host), Ashley Cooper, Victoria Banks and Lucie Silvas.

Mirror Mirror on dvd

Pictured l to right, top row: Chip Huffman (Nitetrain Coaches), Jeff Walker (AristoMedia), Mark Moffatt (Producer), Corey Colum, Rolf Fritschi, Tore Andersen, Greg Hanna and Robert Reynolds (host).  Bottom row, l to r: David Bradley, Pierre Lorry, Brianie, Dianna Corcoran and Codie Prevost.

(Nashville, TN – May 26, 2009)  The 26th annual International Country Music Conference honored some of the top authors and journalists in the field of country music on Friday, May 22, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

The Belmont Book Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Charlie Lamb Awards were presented during a special noon luncheon, underwritten by the Mike Curb Family Foundation, in the Frist Lecture Hall at the Gordon E. Inman Center.

Don Cusic presents the Belmont Book Award to Patrick Huber (right) for his book, “Linthead Stomp,” at the recent International Country Music Conference held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.
Pictured l to r: Judith McCullough, former editor at the University of Illinois Press, Don Cusic, Belmont University, and Laurie Matheson, current editor at the University of Illinois Press.  The University of Illinois Press received the Lifetime Achievement Award for their series “Music in American Life” at the International Country Music Conference at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

Pictured l to r: Don Cusic, Shelby Singleton and Fred Foster gather at the recent International Country Music Conference held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans dvdrip Pictured left to right at the International Country Music Conference in Nashville, Tenn: James Akenson, ICMC, Barry Mazor, Charlie Lamb Journalism Award winner; Pat Huber, Belmont Book Award winner; Shelby Singleton, Fred Foster, Charlie Lamb, Alanna Nash, Charlie Lamb Journalism Award winner; Peggy and Gary Walker, endowers of the Charlie Lamb Awards, and Don Cusic, Belmont Univeristy.