MusicArtists4U Offers “One-Stop” Music Experience
Peter Cronin •

MusicArtists4U.com, billed as a “one-stop interactive experience featuring live and taped performances, music videos and the ability for the consumer to purchase music, videos and artist merchandise,” was launched April 19 by interactive music marketer Bruce Uher. The new online music venture will feature performances by emerging and established artists and singer/ songwriters from a variety of music genres and will initially include Country, Rock and Singer/Songwriter channels.

Another area of the site will facilitate venues across the globe booking the artists featured on the site. The site will also include an internet radio station for each genre of music, which will front and back-announce song titles and artist names along with several different radio programs and artists interviews. Also featured on the site are an online magazine with video musical equipment reviews, instructional videos on playing various instruments and songwriting.

Uher owns Ohio-based MultiMedia-Interactive and works with artists including Charlie Daniels, Confederate Railroad and Tracy Lawrence.

“Now is the time because almost everyone has access to high speed internet” says Uher, who has teamed up with former Sony Music A&R executive Anthony Martin to launch the new venture. “The music business is changing, and MusicArtists4U.com will allow artists of all genres to be seen and heard.”

E1/Koch Entertainment has teamed up with MusicArtists4U.com to give fans the opportunity to purchase and download music from all E1/Koch artists. Koch artists Confederate Railroad and Cody McCarver are now on MusicArtists4U.com, and both acts will be releasing new music in June.

Longtime WSM radio DJ and Grand Ole Opry announcer Keith Bilbrey has signed on to host MusicArtists4U.com’s country television show, with the premiere episode featuring country rock hitmakers Little Texas. The country show is filmed at Sound Kitchen Studios in Franklin, Tennessee.

Uher also announced Coca-Cola as a major sponsor, with RoadHawg Cases signed on as a co-sponsor of the series. MusicArtists4U.com is also dedicated to charitable organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and a portion of all proceeds will be earmarked for those organizations.

CLIFF RICHARD'S BOLD AS BRASS OUT NOW!

To celebrate Sir Cliff Richard's 70th birthday, EMI Music released 'Bold As Brass', a show-stopping album of swing and big band favourites with a classic Cliff twist, recorded live at Sound Kitchen Studios, Franklin, TN.

Including such classics as 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', and 'I've Got You Under My Skin', Bold As Brass showcases Cliff's voice in a spectacular and unique way. Famed "We Are the World" producer, Michael Omartian, was at the helm in Sound Kitchen's Big Boy Studio.

This must-have for all Cliff fans is out now on CD, Digital Download and a Limited Edition Box Set with exclusive Jigsaw & bonus 2 track CD.

Sound Kitchen was honored to have recorded with Sir Cliff Richard, who has sold more than 260 million albums worldwide. An amazingly successful artist whose body of work spans generations.

See www.cliffrichard.org for more details.

Sound Kitchen Studios Congratulates Dailey & Vincent on the release of "Biscuits, Gravy, and Bluegrass" Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers, on Cracker Barrel/Rounder Records, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums chart, ultimately spending 19 weeks in the top 3 and earning Dailey & Vincent their second IBMA Award for Album of the Year. It was also the Hot Shot debut on the Country Albums chart, coming in at #19, and it debuted at the top of the Heatseekers chart. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store lent their support to the Dailey & Vincent Front Porch Tour, and the band traveled the country in their Prevost bus wrapped with the Cracker Barrel logo and images from the CD booklet. The album is #3 on Billboard’s year-end Bluegrass Albums chart, while Dailey & Vincent are the #2 Bluegrass Artists of the year.

Dailey & Vincent were just in the Sound Kitchen's Studio A to record background vocals on Dolly Parton's newest album.

Sound Kitchen would like to acknowledge Billy Currington for all of his chart success with his new album, "Enjoy Yourself", and your #1 hits recorded at the Sound Kitchen; produced by Carson Chamberlain. And, if achieving another number one hit wasn't enough, Nashville Lifestyle Magazine recently named Billy as one of the most beautiful people in Nashville. Congrats to Billy for all your success.

The Down Syndrome Association Of Middle Tennessee Vintner's Evening "Sip 'n Savor" recently held at the Sound Kitchen Studios. According to NFOCUS, this was a "super cool and unique event held in the Big Boy Studio, making it a night that stood out in our book." Not only was it a special evening filled with acoustic music, but it was a tremendous financial success, thanks in part to the Laird Family Estate Vinyards and the wonderful cooking of Franklin's caterer to the stars, Constant Craving. Sound Kitchen was featured in the October issue of NFOCUS Magazine.

Music Connection Magazine names Ira Blonder, Managing Partner of the Sound Kitchen Studios, one of the nation's top studio managers. In the article, Ira offers his unique perspective and business philosophy on how to operate a studio and succeed in turbulent times.

Fringe Magazine, a Nashville based cutting edge, indie artist magazine, is published by David Kiggins. Sound Kitchen Studios offers its congrats to Fringe magazine's continued success! Recently, the Sound Kitchen was featured in the magazine, showcasing its long and storied history as one of the country's top recording studios. Along with thousands of indie acts, internationally known artists, spanning all musical genres have recorded at the Sound Kitchen; artists like Dolly Parton,
Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, RUSH, Chicago, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Sir Cliff Richard, & Keith Urban to name a few.

In Sound Kitchen's "Big Boy" studio, Chicago, and Phil Ramone (15 time Grammy Award winning producer)collaborated on Chicago's new Christmas album.

Sound Kitchen client, Mark Connors,was recently featured in the December issue of Country Weekly Magazine. We encourage you to learn more about the man and his music.

We Are Building Lives Third Annual Concert at Sound Kitchen Studios on
Saturday, October 30, 2010

Time: 6:00pm - 10.00pm
Location: The Sound Kitchen 112 Seaboard Lane, Franklin, TN

Performers:
Aqua Nets, Platform 54, Joshua Adams, Eric Lee Beddingfield, Bluesgrass

Tickets are $150 Tickets can be purchased through PayPal at www.wearebuildinglives.org

Corporate Sponsorships are available.
Contact Tammie Shannon at 972-3451
or
tshannon@shannoninsurancegroup.com
for information.

The Sound Kitchen would like to congratulate Whitney Wolanin for winning the 2010 ASCAP Plus Award for her songwriting in Popular Music. Congratulations Whitney!

Sound Kitchen recently had the pleasure of hosting an event with Empire Sports Management. Entertainment for the evening included blues singer Erin Mitchell, hit songwriter, Chas Sandford and Country Music star Darius Rucker.

Sound Kitchen Studios, Harley Davidson of Cool Springs and 105.9 The Rock invite you to attend a free summer concert series, featuring some great Nashville talent, each and every Friday. Located at the Cool Spring Harley Davidson location on Cool Springs Blvd/Free Parking is located at the Cool Springs Gallaria. The beer is free! And Mickey Roos will have some great Texas barbecue on hand, so remember....EAT MUSIC, RIDE HARLEYS. .

The Grascals Receive Five IBMA Nominations
Genre-bending sextet celebrates #1 CD on both Bluegrass Charts; Gives Hank Williams, Jr. his first IBMA nomination

Nashville, TN - Two-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year The Grascals are in the hunt for the 2010 Awards, making the final ballot in the following categories:

• Entertainer of the Year
• Album of the Year (THE FAMOUS LEFTY FLYNN'S)
• Recorded Event of the Year for "I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome" with Hank Williams, Jr.
• Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for "Blue Rock Slide"
• Reigning two-time Banjo Player of the Year, Kristin Scott Benson, is nominated again for the award

"The Grascals are now six years old and we're still in the dance with the rest of the great bluegrass artists out there. We're very honored for all our IBMA nominations received today. Special thanks to all the fans, radio and IBMA members for their vote," says Jamie Johnson. "Thanks to the good Lord for letting us make the music that we love and continue to love - and will love for the rest of our career!"

Known as a genre-bending sextet that strives to give their audiences 110 percent each time they take the stage, The Grascals borrowed The Monkees' pop hit, "Last Train to Clarksville," and "grassed it up"as the first radio single and video from their fourth album, THE FAMOUS LEFTY FLYNN'S, which currently sits at #1 on both the Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Music Profiles charts. They will continue to open dates this Fall for the Hank Williams, Jr Rowdy Friends Tour, along with Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, Colt Ford, Gretchen Wilson and Sunny Sweeney.

The announcements were made this morning at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum; winners will be announced September 30 during the IBMA Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium.

Sound Kitchen Studios and Cool Springs Harley Davidson invite you to attend their summer concert series on Friday, August 13th, located at the Cool Springs Harley Davidson location on Cool Springs Blvd. Grab a drink and some food and listen to some great Nashville music!

Following three weeks of recording in Studio E, with engineer, Matt Coles, at Sound Kitchen Studios, the Kentucky Linemen just released their video, garnering some 16,000 views on You Tube. Mootown Entertainment and The Kentucky Linemen. They filmed a portion of their video for their lead off single, "Walk On", in the Big Boy Studio and at Lookout Mountain. It is definitely a must see video. The group's harmonies are extraordinary.

Music Legend, Dolly Parton, recently worked in Studio D, performing a voice over for Palomar /Buffalo Gal Pictures. The session was recorded for an upcoming movie entitled "The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom".


Dolly Parton Theresa Piercy

The story goes like this.....it's 1976 and Elizabeth is just your average suburban 11-year-old praying for adolescence to arrive, when she discovers her whole life has been a lie. With only her imagination to guide her, Elizabeth runs away in search of her true identity. Her adoptive mother, Marion is then forced to break out of the carefully constructed "truth" she's been clinging to, and go after her daughter. This leads to a cathartic cross-country trek by a mother searching for a daughter who's searching for a mother - both of them really searching for themselves.

The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom is a poignant, sometimes funny, very female coming of age story that explores the tension between creating identity and finding it within...

Sound Kitchen Studios and Cool Springs Harley Davidson invite you to attend their summer concert series on Friday, August 6th located at the Cool Springs Harley Davidson location on Cool Springs Blvd. Grab a drink and some food and listen to some great Nashville music!

Tre Michaels, grandson of Country and Rock Legend,Conway Twitty,recently recorded a seven song EP in the Sound Kitchen's Big Boy studio. Songwriter of the Year and uber-producer, Rusty Golden, was at the helm, fusing country and rock genres, utilizing the talents of legendary "Rock" musicians to play on "Country" songs. All the songs which were written by hit country songwriter, Jeffrey Steele. The session musicians included Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, bass player, Rudy Sarzo Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Blue Oyster Cult),drummer Troy Lucketta (Tesla), guitarist Kenny Olson (Kid Rock, 7 Day Binge), Guitarist Mark Matejka (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and background vocalist Jason Scheff (Chicago). The four day video shoot will be featured in an upcoming documentary called "Rockville", which explores the changing landscape of music in Nashville, a city known as "The Country Music Capital of the World". Noted entertainment photographer, Anthony Scarlati,was in the studio documenting the entire session as only he could. All of the sessions and interviews were filmed by Liquid Crystal Productions. Check out the video teaser below.

Swamp thing Promo final - Computer from Brian Harstine on Vimeo.

Check out the latest issue of Nashville Lifestyles for a great article about The Sound Kitchen by Zoe Hyams.

Come join us on August 28th for "Sip'n Savor at the Kitchen" for some great music, food and wine. Event sponsors include Laird Family Estate, Constant Craving Caterers, Cumberland Investment & Trust, Southern Events, Diversified Trust, Sherry Hoskins,CPA, SpeechPath and Sound Kitchen Studios. All proceeds benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee. Take a moment to visit their website at www.dsamt.org to learn more about this event.

You can also bid on a select set of LIVE AUCTION items
Hang by the Bonfire
and more...

Tickets are $125 a person.

Purchase tickets online or by contacting HRWA.
Be a TABLE HOST and pull a group of 10 friends together.

Be a Corporate Sponsor of the Harpeth River Swing
Click HERE for information on sponsorship benefits.

We want to thank the many businesses who are already sponsors and partners with in-kind support for the Harpeth River Swing

We're proud to be sponsoring a free concert series at 12th & Porter this summer, showcasing the incredible and diverse talent of Kent Wells Productions. We would love to see you out at the show this Monday Night, 6 pm @ 12th & Porter. It's going to be an evening loaded with the hottest emerging talent in the Country, Southern Rock, and Rock music scene! Please join us and your many friends that will be in attendance! We would love to see you there!

The Sound Kitchen would like to congratulate Billy Currington on his smash single "Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer." Billy recorded the track at the Sound Kitchen in The Big Boy Studio & mixed it in Studio C with producer Carson Chamberlain and engineer Matt Rovey. We wish Billy and his team much continued success!

Country Music Legend, Dolly Parton, was in Sound Kitchen Studio's, Studio E, to cut some vocals with producer Kent Wells. Dolly took a few minutes from her hectic schedule to pose for some pictures with the staff and even a few Sound Kitchen clients. Members of the pop/rock band, Safetysuit, were thrilled to be recording in the same studio as the "legendary Dolly Parton". Safetysuit has been cutting their new record with producer/engineer Greg Archilla for the last month.


Producer Kent Wells, Dolly Parton, & Ira Blonder, Sound Kitchen Owner



Tate Cunningham, Dolly Parton, Greg Archilla

"Caravan" is the first single from Rush's new album “Clockwork Angel’. It was released to radio stations and saw digital release on June 1, 2010. The B-side is an additional studio track titled “BU2B”. Both songs were recorded with producer Nick Raskulinecz with mixing and engineering done by Richard Chycki in Sound Kitchen's Studio C. According to drummer Neil Peart’s latest personal essay, these two new songs are the initial parts of what he refers to as an “extended album-length story”

Join us in supporting Puddle of Mudd, who will kick off the re-opening of Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon on Friday June, 4. The Wildhorse was one of the hardest hit businesses by the May flood. Puddle of Mudd is sure to make their re-opening a "Bang". Showtime is at 7:30pm.

Puddle of Mudd's newest album was recorded in Sound Kitchen's Studio B, with famed producer, Skidd Mills at the SSL board.

Michael Jenkins, grandson of the late, great Conway Twitty, recently recorded an EP in The Sound Kitchen's Big Boy studio. Michael is looking to fuse the country and rock genres by having well known "Rock" musicians play on "Country" songs, all of which were written by hit country songwriter Jeffrey Steele. The session musicians included bass player Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot), drummer Troy Lucketta (Tesla), guitarist Kenny Olson (Kid Rock, 7 Day Binge), Guitarist Mark Matejka (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and background vocalist Jason Scheff (Chicago). All of these songs will be featured in a documentary called "Rockville", which will explore the changing landscape of music in a city that has traditionally been known as "the country music capital of the world". The film will feature interviews with many Nashville musicians including Autovaughn, Safety Suit, Jeremy McCoy (The Fray, One Republic), Mark Slaughter and many others.




Mark Matejka, Adam Deane, Steve Cirkvencic, Skip Mitchell, Michael Jenkins ,Rudy Sarzo,Rusty Golden, Troy Luckketta, Kenny Olson, Mark Slaughter, Mark Allmand

Skidd Co. Music recently finished up work on Taddy Porter's debut record at the Sound Kitchen Studios, Franklin, TN. The first single the retro-rocking "Shake Me", is sure to be a smash hit. The band recently signed to Primary Wave Music, who will release the record later this year.

Jim Booth, Rusty Golden, Ronnie Booth, Lari Goss, Michael Booth

Congratulations to our Sound Kitchen Clients! All of these winners have worked with us throughout the years and we're very excited about their success.

Karen Peck & New River, Booth Brothers, The Isaacs, and songwriter Rusty Golden Named Big Winners

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The 2010 SGN Music Awards were handed out at a special concert celebration in Smyrna, Tennessee to a standing room only crowd. The award winners were spread evenly throughout the course of the evening as three artists and one songwriter walked away with four awards apiece.

Karen Peck & New River, who tied with the most nominations this year, walked away with Song of the Year and Country Song of the Year (for “I Want to Thank You”), Progressive Southern Album of the Year (for No Worries), and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year.

The Booth Brothers won their sixth Male Group of the Year award this year, as well as Progressive Southern Song of the Year (for “What Salvation’s Done For Me”), Best Live Performer, and Special Event Project of the Year (for Jubilee!).

Hit songwriter Rusty Golden was the most awarded individual of the night – taking home four SGN Music Awards for his songwriting contributions. He won Song of the Year and Country Song of the Year (for co-writing “I Want to Thank You”) as well as Progressive Southern Song of the Year (for co-writing “What Salvation’s Done For Me”). Rusty also won the coveted Songwriter of the Year (Professional) award. What an amazing group of artists. We continue to celebrate their success!

Little Texas brings it home for A Vintage Affair By Mindy Tate, Editor mtate@williamsonherald.com Celebrating the end of their 20th anniversary tour by headlining A Vintage Affair’s “Legends at the Sound Kitchen” April 12 seems completely appropriate to Little Texas drummer Del Gray because it fits with the band’s commitment to family and community. “Back in the 1990s, we were gone all the time, playing 300 dates a year,” said Gray. “Now we play 60 to 80 dates per year. We say we get to go out on the weekend and be rock stars and then come home in the week and spend time with our family and go to our kids’ games.“As we get older, speaking for all four of us, we realize how important community is,” Gray said. “A Vintage Affair is a valuable organization that has given so much back to the community and we are honored to be part of the event at the Sound Kitchen.” A Vintage Affair is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Since its inception by founder Ralph Drury, the event has raised more than $750,000 for charities that benefit women and children and this year hopes to break the $1 million mark. As the kickoff event for the weeklong A Vintage Affair, Gray promises attendees will go away wanting more from the band whose biggest hits include “What Might Have Been” and “God Blessed Texas.” “We are what we ware. We are a rocking country band,” Gray said. “I am not sure how long we get to play, but it will be up beat and exciting. “We are basically a rocking Eagles. We have big vocals,” said Gray, adding the guys in the band — bassist/vocalist Duane Propes, lead guitarist/vocalist Porter Howell and rhythm guitarist/vocalist Dwayne O’Brien — have written many of their hits, as well as having success individually as songwriters. “We are just about to go in the studio again,” Gray said. “Unfortunately, we had a record deal that tied us up for a few years where we couldn’t record. We are writing and starting to record again.“We are getting older and I think the themes of our music are a little more mature. No telling what we will come up with,” Gray said. “Time certainly does fly, but we have been blessed. We have been able to make a living doing what we love to do and making music and it is a good time to be in Little Texas.” The band showed its community spirit last year when they served as the “pep band” for the Nov. 6 regional playoff game between the Brentwood Bruins and the Rossview Hawks after O’Brien heard the marching band would be out of town.“I hope they ask again,” Gray said of the experience, in which they wore Brentwood Bruins jerseys and performed not only their songs, but classic rock and roll between plays.“You get called to do that and then you think, man this is a great football game,” Gray said. “If we get asked again, we will come prepared with a strong set list.” Filling out the bill at “Legends at the Sound Kitchen” will be Crossville native Mandy Barnett, who started singing at 5-years-old and as a teenager, drew national acclaim when she starred as country music legend Patsy Cline in the stage show “Always . . . Patsy Cline” at the celebrated Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Barnett has released two albums and has appeared on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” as a result of her acclaim. She is currently working on a variety of projects and a new CD for release this year. She continues to play shows, both nationally and internationally, and is a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry. Barnett will reprise her role as “Patsy Cline” in the acclaimed production “Always . . . Patsy Cline” at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, during June and July 2010, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Patsy Cline’s induction into the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets to “Legends at the Sound Kitchen are $100 and First Tennessee is the sponsor of the evening, which features heavy hors d’oeuvres and the wines of Robledo Vineyards, a longtime A Vintage Affair favorites. A new event Tuesday, April 13, “Cigars & Cordials,” will be held at the Franklin Men’s Club, featuring the food of Giovanni’s Restaurante in Nashville, as well as the cigars of CAO and cocktails created by Horizon Wine and Spirits. Century Construction is the evening’s sponsor and tickets are $75 per person. A Vintage Affair Managing Director Ashley Roberts the event will feature a “speakeasy type” atmosphere with the vintage cocktail recipes and CAO cigars, but the Men’s Club does feature a non-smoking area where those not wishing to be near the cigars can enjoy the evening. Order tickets online or get more info at www.avintageaffair.org for this or any of the week’s events, including the Main Event April 16 at The Factory at Franklin.

Norwegian Country artist, Steff Nevers, "Skyped" a recording session in Studio E with engineer Matt Coles and session leader and percussionist Pete Abbott. A host of A-list session players; ie: Brent Mason, Michael Rhodes, Dan Dugmore, and Pete Abbott tracked Steff's project while Steff produced the session players from Norway. "The Skype tracking and mix sessions were flawless! So, it was like Steff was in room, all the while working from his home in Norway" commented Pete Abbott.

Steff Nevers was born in 1975 in the small Norwegian town of Drammen. He grew up in the similarly unknown town of Geithus in Modum. Still, the move was worthwhile for the toddler because it was here that he came into contact with music. He was already convinced at a young age that he would become a musician. Instead of a classic violinist, his original career goal, Steff Nevers became an outstanding guitarist. His speciality: finger picking. Soon the stocky virtuoso was a heavily booked session guitarist across all of Norway. KERRANG magazine said about the guitarist that he had a very promising career ahead of him.

In 2007 Steff Nevers decided to get involved in his own music, and realize his own dream, by recording an album in Nashville with the greats of the studio scene. With the assistance of the Nashville A-Team – drummer Eddie Bayers, guitarist Brent Mason, steel guitarist Paul Franklin & Co., the Norwegian was successful in making a highly acclaimed album, strongly linked to the roots of music. His first work in 2008 brought him a recording contract with Universal Music Norway and an international recording contract with AGR/Universal. The first album 'Closest To My Heart' earned rave reviews and was awarded Gold in Norway for selling more than 15.000 copies. The album was nominated for the Norwegian Spellemannsprisen 2009 (the local equivalent to the American Grammy). When Toby Keith visited Europe, Steff was personally invited to be support.

With over 10 number one hits under their belt, Lonestar was at Sound Kitchen Studios this past Sunday filming a live video to coincide with their new album release on April 27th.
This will be the band's first studio album in four years. Party Heard Around The World, their 10th album, is a total ‘hands on’ creative effort, produced by the band with eight of the ten tracks written by the foursome. Noted lead guitarist and original member Michael Britt said in a recent interview: “We feel that this album is a complete reflection of the group, circa 2010. It’s personal and powerful music that reflects the core values of Lonestar through lyrics, performance and production.” The Sound Kitchen is very proud to be part of their continued success.

Musicartists4U booked the Big Boy studio to film 10 different acts for the first round of internet broadcasts. The artists filmed included; Little Texas, Bryan Lewis Kalisa Ewing, Alex Call Band, Shawn Hammonds, Waymore’s Outlaws, Tailgate South, Andy Griggs, Blackhawk, and The Outlaws. Following the picture, I have included some brief info on Musicartists4U!


Little Texas


Little Texas

INFO ABOUT MusicArtists4U.com

"MusicArtists4U.com is a totally new media that will create a place for good quality music by talented musicians which up until now will never be heard. A place for established artists to be recognized and be able to be seen and heard again. A place for Singer/Songwriters with catalogs of great music that no one has ever heard will now be able to get their music in the hands of YOU the consumer! Everyone in the music business is trying to figure out how to introduce new artists and how to sell their music. It's almost impossible to get your music aired on radio or television so we have created a totally new media which allows all these artists to be seen and heard. Artists like Little Texas, John Anderson, Confederate Railroad and more have had new CD's released, but radio and television refuse to play their new material so the general public has no way of knowing they have new music available. We intend to change that! MusicArtists4U.com is a place where you will be able to buy and download the artists music, videos, as well as purchase artist merchandise.