Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction

A first-ever Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction sponsored by Humana to benefit the Opry Trust Fund Friday, June 12, 2 p.m. at the Ryman Auditorium will give fans in town for CMA Music Fest the unique opportunity to bid on Epiphone acoustic guitars decorated by some of country music's hottest stars, including Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Pam Tillis, and many more! CMA and Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Steve Wariner will also perform a number from his upcoming project STEVE WARINER, C.G.P., MY TRIBUTE TO CHET ATKINS followed by auction fun

Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift Top Country Music Twitter Chart

Country music trade publication MusicRow and New Media marketing group AristoWorks have formed a chart to track Country music artists' popularity among Twitter users.

The rankings are based on the number of users "following" each artist. Currently, there are 72 chart positions. Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift occupy the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively, with Billy Ray Cyrus, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Kellie Pickler, Julianne Hough, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride and Willie Nelson rounding out the Top 10. An artist must have a minimum of 100 followers to chart.

"Today's media landscape is becoming a highly fragmented, on-demand media world," says MusicRow Publisher David M. Ross. "As a result, artists are using an increasingly sophisticated new tool set to reach consumers and create new fans. This Twitter chart is the first of a series of projects we are developing with AristoWorks to help our readers quantify their online efforts."

The first of its kind charting system, developed by AristoWorks, utilizes the Active Programming Interface (API) offered by Twitter and gathers data to update the chart daily.

"This system really stems from a simple idea, but gives labels, managers and new media marketers a unique benchmark for where their brands stack up against others," says AristoWorks New Media Director Jon Walker. "Although the Twitter chart is currently operating in beta mode, the immediate response from artists, labels and managers has been impressive."

Lucky Fan to Win a Sam Bass Guitar at Nashville Fairground Speedway

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 20th, when Team 98 Racing Night will be a thrill-a-minute loaded with fun and excitement at the Fairgrounds Speedway! The Big 98 WSIX and Carl Black Chevrolet will be handing out thousands of free race tickets for the Carl Black Chevrolet Fan Appreciation night. One lucky fan will not only see a wild night of racing, but will also walk away with a free WSIX/Carl Black/Sam Bass/Gibson Guitars guitar.

NASCAR artist Sam Bass was commissioned and designed a one-of-a-kind Les Paul Gibson guitar especially for this special WSIX night. Everyone who enters the Fairgrounds Speedway gates is eligible to win the coveted guitar (hopefully taking it home in one piece) which will be on display at the track on Saturday. A photo rendition of the guitar is attached here and will be posted on the Fairgrounds Speedway, so check back often.

WSIX/Carl Black Chevrolet/Big Machine Records Super Trucks driver Bobby Buttrey will be on hand to sign autographs and competing as he tries to hang on to his point's lead at the Fairgrounds Speedway.

Late Model driver and current track champion Andy Johnson will also be making his return to action.

Etta James at Arrington Vinyards

Etta James has slimmed down, but she hasn’t lost an ounce of the spunk that made her 1955 breakthrough “The Wallflower” (a.k.a. “Dance With Me Henry”) a gritty sparkplug for nascent rock ’n’ roll. For proof, check her YouTubed rip on Barack Obama and Beyoncé, who plays James in the Cadillac Records. Better yet, hear the Lady live at Kix Brooks’ Arrington Vineyards, just south of the city, where the three-time Grammy winner and inductee in both the Blues and the Rock ’n’ Roll halls of fame will perform “At Last”—a tune Beyoncé wishes she’d never covered and, as James’ 1960 smash, perhaps the most beautiful love song on vinyl—among a repertoire plucked from more than 30 albums that ricochet from Billie Holiday to classic blues to “Purple Rain.” And yes, at a sassy 71 years old, she’s still got her pipes, too.

Thanks to Ted Drozdowski

Nashville Fairground Speedway Pit Party

As a show of appreciation for Fairgrounds Speedway's competitors and fans, General Manager Larry Weakley is hosting "Larry's Pit Party" on the quarter-mile track following the final race of the evening on Saturday night, June 13th.

"We're always looking for ways to do something big for the fans," said Weakley. "We really appreciate all the support they've given us so far this year."

Once the track is cleared, fans will be able to access the infield through the crossover gate located just below the flagstand.

The Ian Turner Band, a local blues group, will be on hand to give a concert, and concessions will also be available.

"The party will be an excellent opportunity for pit crews to unwind after a long day of racing, as well as for fans to chat with their favorite drivers," Weakley said. "It's all about having fun."

The pit party will be free for all ticket-holding fans, as well as all drivers and crew members who participated in the night's races.

The racing line-up features an exciting 50-lap Late Model race featuring drivers such as last week's winner Chevy White and point's leader Daniel Pope, as well as the always exciting Mark Day. In addition, the Sportsman series will return to action after an off weekend last week.

On the quarter mile, the Thunderstox, Super Stocks, Open Wheel, Dwarfs, and Front Runners will all be in fender-banging action.

Qualifying starts at 4 p.m., and the green flag drops on the first race of the evening at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and as always, children under 10 are admitted free. Free parking!

A.A. Bondy Tour Dates

June 11 Arlington, VA Iota
June 12 Charlotte, NC Snug Harbor
June 14 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music Festival
June 15 Columbus, OH The Basement
June 16 Indianapolis, IN Radio Radio
June 17 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room
June 18 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
June 19 Milwaukee, WI Club Garibaldi
June 20 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar
June 22 Denver, CO Hi Dive
June 23 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
June 25 San Francisco, CA Café du Nord
June 26 Visalia, CA Cellar Door
June 29 Phoenix, AZ Modified Arts
July 7 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon

A.A. BONDY TO RELEASE WHEN THE DEVIL'S LOOSE SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 ON FAT POSSUM

A.A. Bondy's sophomore album, When The Devil's Loose, will be released September 1, 2009 on Fat Possum.

Recorded primarily in Water Valley, MS in April and May, When The Devil's Loose expands upon the stripped-down and haunting sound of his debut album, American Hearts. A full band now accompanies him on most tracks, lending a full, roomy sound to 10 songs of bluesy Americana carried along by Bondy's lived-in voice. When The Devil's Loose sounds almost from another era, whether it's a quiet, spooky twang ("Oh The Vampyre"), lullaby-like ("On The Moon"), inflected with old-time R&B ("To The Morning"), or colored with traces of '60s pop (the buoyant "I Can See The Pines Are Dancing" and the melancholy, ethereal cadence of "When The Devil's Loose"). Track listing for When The Devil's Loose is as follows:

1. When The Devil's Loose
2. Mightiest Of Guns
3. A Slow Parade
4. To The Morning
5. Oh The Vampyre
6. I Can See The Pines Are Dancing
7. False River
8. On The Moon
9. The Mercy Wheel
10. The Coal Hits The Fire

American Hearts, Bondy's debut, was re-released by Fat Possum in 2008 after its initial bow on Superphonic in 2007. In addition to landing his network television debut on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the album also caught the attention of well-known media such as NPR ("a real talent for hard-bitten blues-folk music...as well as an impressive arsenal of sneakily grabby guitar lines"); Popmatters ("Sparse yet effective, powerful and poignant"); and Pitchfork ("...an unfolding tableau...described with a troubadour's guitar and an obsessive's mastery of form and musical history").

Bondy, who was recently highlighted on Spin.com as one of "10 Must-Hear Acts at Sasquatch Fest", is also currently on a summer headlining tour through July 7th. He is confirmed to perform this Sunday at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, TN as well.

Holly Williams "Here With Me"

Mercury Nashville is set to release HERE WITH ME, the label debut album from singer-songwriter Holly Williams, on June 16th. Holly Williams comes from country music royalty -- Hank Williams (her grandfather), Hank Jr. (her dad) and Hank III (her half-brother) -- and HERE WITH ME contains a raw, emotional honesty that does her lineage proud.

Music Row Yard Sale

Grab some items from your favorite stars at the Music Row Yard Sale, sponsored by SOLID, Saturday, June 13, at the Sommet Center in Nashville.

Items up for grabs include tickets and meet-and greet passes for a Little Big Town or Rodney Atkins show, a pair of autographed jeans from Jason Aldean and autographed lyrics by hit writers and producers.

Hook Up Dad with 15% Off from Wolfgang's Vault

Herrick to Perform Two Shows at the CMA Festival

The countdown to the 2009 CMA Music Festival grows closer as HERRICK is added to the performance line-up.

Herrick to Perform two shows for the CMA Festival

June 12th 2:00PM at Fuel (2nd & Broadway). Herrick is slated to add a special Premiere of their New music video "Cry Memphis" along with a concert and a free autograph signing following.

June 13th 5:00PM at The Hard Rock Outdoor Stage. Herrick is to Perform on the Hard Rock Outdoor Concert Stage. With a Free Autograph signing to follow.

Known for their live shows and unique sound, Nashville based, Northwest born Band, Herrick is a must see at This year's CMA Music Festival.

HERRICK, a group with a unique blend of country, rock and indie spirit that has been building a big buzz on Music Row with their tight harmonies and well-crafted songs. With their song "Cry Memphis' recently garnering them the International Acoustic Music Award for Group of the Year, and SMA Country Group of the year. Herrick is blazing a new trail in the Nashville arena. In pulling together tracks for their upcoming album, they have been working with top producers like Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney) and top musicians in both Nashville and Los Angeles recording tracks for the album.

Herrick's intricate harmonies, heartfelt lyrics and distinctive sound combine the best of country, rock and blues allows them to stand out in any crowd. The group is formed by lead singer/mandolin player Donna and brothers Kerry (bass) and Kevin (guitar) Herrick and recently adding Drummer/Percussionist, Randy Ridenour.

The Herrick brothers began as a duo, singing gospel music around their hometown of Spokane Washington. A few years later, Donna joined the group and they began to write their own music. Their never-ending energy and strong work ethic quickly led Herrick to playing rodeos, festivals and clubs all over the Northwest and performing with acts like Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and more. They made the move to Nashville to bring their music to the masses.

We just try to write songs that are real and a reflection of how we are feeling musically at that time," Says Kerry. His brother Kevin adds, "We don't write to a template or try and calculate how a tune might sell in some market. It just comes out of us naturally as we pull a song together. It's very organic." "We are currently in the studio working on an album of new songs and 'Cry Memphis' is one of the first we put together," claims Kevin. "We are so excited about releasing Cry Memphis in July." We have worked really hard to get where we are."You know you're onto something when the musicians start to get excited about the song while they're recording it," says Donna Herrick, lead singer and mandolin player.""We just try to write songs that are real and a reflection of how we are feeling musically at that time," adds Kerry. "We're getting a really big response whenever we play the new songs out too, which is great because it means we're writing songs that are really relatable. That's something that comes natural to us. We just write what we are going through at the time."

Herrick's new Single, "Cry Memphis" is slated to be released in July. Followed by the music video to CMT, GAC and More.