Hot on the heels of her four-week No. 1 single “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert is ready to release follow-up single “Only Prettier,” from her ACM Album of the Year, Revolution. The song was written by Miranda and Natalie Hemby (co-writer of "White Liar") and is the fourth single from that album.


“To me, it's an anthem, it’s my own anthem, and I want girls to have their fists in the air singing ‘Only Prettier,’” she says. “It’s antagonistic in a fun way, and I loved the attitude behind it. It kind of fools you, because it’s got this really country, laid-back intro, but then it’s balls-to-the-wall the rest of the way. It’s so much fun!”


For the song’s video, Miranda asked a few of her "prettier" girlfriends, including Kellie Pickler, Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum and Laura Bell Bundy, to join her. Lambert and friends portray two rival cliques attending a 1950's high school sock hop. It's planned to officially dance its way onto video outlets everywhere on August 5th.

As of a couple of hours ago - atop Nashville's Pinnacle building, Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta announced the signing of Rascal Flatts. "We didn't choose the Pinnacle building by accident," Borchetta says. "They define the pinnacle of success over the last 10 years." "We want to tip our hats to Lyric Street and everyone in the Disney family," Rascal Flatts' Joe Don Rooney says. "This is a new day for us and we are very excited." The trio's new album Nothing Like This will be released Nov. 16, with the first single "Why Wait" out today (7/29).

(With the departure of Flatts and the recent transition of the Kevin Fowler single "Pound Sign (#?*!)" to the BPG promotion team, the remaining Lyric Street promotion team is left with no active records. Disney human resources staffers are said to be in Nashville today working out severance packages).

Nashville also lost another great this month - guitarist extraordinaire Fred Carter Jr. has passed away. The late Nashville session guitarist can be heard on Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Waylon Jennings' "Lonesome, On'ry And Mean", Levon Helm's "Levon Helm & The RCO All-Stars", Roy Orbison's "Crying" and others. He was the father of country artist Deana Carter and son Jeff. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

His talents are also found throughout Deana's most recent album, 2007's "The Chain", which she said was done in large part to show the influence of artists that had impacted her family - especially her father.

"Ever since I knew that music was going to be my life's path, I've wanted to pay tribute to my dad and to the artists who were so good to me and my family. The camaraderie between them, and the way they took our family and made it part of their families, was so unique that I wanted to recapture it for a little while," shared Deana at the time.

The Chain features duets with Jessi Colter, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, John Anderson, George Jones, and more.

Deana has served as official spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation, motivated to do so by the impact Kidney disease had on her father - and by the transplant which prolonged his life. (He was blessed enough to receive a kidney transplant in 1994). According to the National Kidney Foundation's Chairman, 1 in 9 American adults are living with chronic kidney disease - and most don't even know it. More than 60,000 Americans are currently awaiting life-saving organ transplants. Ten to eleven die each day while waiting. The National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to increasing availability of all organs for transplantation. For even more information or a free donor card call the foundation at 1-800-622-9010. Strive to stamp out the stereotypes of kidney disease and those associated with organ donation. It could make a world of difference. There is also more info at www.kidney.org.

Songwriting Legend Hank Cochran Passes Away

Last night, Jamey Johnson, Billy Ray Cyrus and Buddy Cannon dropped by to sing songs with Hank Cochran, and this morning (7/15) the legendary songwriter was surrounded by family and friends when he passed away at his Hendersonville, Tennessee home from pancreatic cancer. A private, family memorial will be held in the near future and a public service will follow. Details will be forthcoming.

The family asks that you respect their privacy at this time and, in lieu of flowers, request those wishing to honor Hank make donations to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

Hank was inducted in to the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame by unanimous vote in 1974, and was honored by B.M.I. in June 2009 for his six-decade long career of hits, that includes country classics: "I Fall To Pieces," "Make The World Go Away," "Ocean Front Property," "The Chair" and "Don''t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me."

Hank is survived by his wife Suzi, daughter Booth Calder and three sons- Garland Perry Cochran Jr., James Lee Cochran and Daniel Cochran.

****A film about Cochran appropriately entitled "Livin'' For a Song - Hank Cochran: An American Songwriter", which was previously in the works, is planned to debut in August. It features Cochran, all smiles - sharing one-of-a-kind stories and fun-loving barbs, as well as featuring other artists paying amazement to him; including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ronnie Milsap, Brad Paisley, Mark Chesnutt, Jamey Johnson, Elvis Costello, Jeannie Seely, Ray Price, Dean Dillon, and more. A seven-minute plus snippet is available to watch at www.reelcoolfilms.com/hankcochran.asp. More information is also available at www.livinforasong.com.

By the way, rumor has it he wrote "Make the World Go Away" in fifteen minutes time after being inspired by a movie he was watching with a date. He left her early to write it and by the time he got home had quite the timeless hit on his hands.

(Nashville, Tennessee) -- July 6, 2010 -- Due to overwhelming response from the creative community to the "Songwriters Sing for Nashville" flood relief benefit at The Woods at Fontanel on Saturday, July 17, 2010, an additional group of hit songwriters will now perform on the Gibson Tunesmith Stage in The Farm House Restaurant at Fontanel from noon until 4:00 p.m. on the same day.

Originally built in 1988 as the home for country music megastar, Barbara Mandrell, Fontanel Mansion was once the largest log home (27,000 square-foot) in the United States.

"I was blown away by the writers who committed to donate their time and talent for the original concert on The Woods stage," said Roger Murrah, hit songwriter and Board Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. "But when more hit writers started calling asking to be a part of this special event, I knew we had to figure out a way to get them out there."

Writers confirmed for the Gibson Tunesmith Stage in the Farm House Restaurant at Fontanel include (in order of appearance) Lari White, Chuck Cannon, James House, Danny Flowers, Rafe Van Hoy, Billy Burnette, Marc Beeson, James Slater and Danny Myrick. Songwriters already announced to join Murrah on The Woods stage from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. include Matraca Berg, Kye Fleming, Dallas Frazier, Dickey Lee, Dennis Morgan, Hugh Prestwood, Mark D. Sanders, Don Wayne, Jim Weatherly and Mike Reid.

"This not only shows you the respect these writers have for Roger (Murrah), it shows you the huge hearts the songwriters in this town have for their community," said Marc Oswald, who along with Dale Morris co-owns the Fontanel and manages country stars Gretchen Wilson, John Rich and others. "Seeing and listening to 20-plus mega songwriters in one day at one place is incredible and is what Music City USA is all about - it could only happen here!"

Songwriters Sing for Nashville is presented by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Anchor Trailways & Tours at Nashville's newest outdoor concert venue, The Woods at Fontanel. The intimate outdoor music venue is located on the property of the Fontanel Mansion, which along with the Farm House Restaurant and the Trails at Fontanel, opened to the public last month.

Tickets to Songwriters Sing for Nashville, a benefit for flood relief, are $19.99 per person and can be purchased immediately at www.ticketmaster.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free. All ticket proceeds and all receipts from the day's tours at the Fontanel Mansion will be donated to First Tennessee Bank for flood relief.

<b>New album for Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group recorded in Nashville and Austin; guests include Augie Meyers, Shawn Sahm, Michael Guerra and The Trishas </b>

BILL ANDERSON'S BUS CATCHES ON FIRE

A bus leased by Whisperin' Bill Anderson caught on fire last Sunday (June 20), just as the entertainer was going on stage for a show in Branson, MO. Nobody was on board at the time, and consequently, there weren't any physical injuries but the bus was completely destroyed inside.

A few band members did suffer significant damage to their instrument cases, while everyone
in the entire troupe also lost numerous valuables in the fire,
including clothes that Anderson was
planning to wear to Jimmy Dean's funeral.

According to the fire department, the cause of fire was determined to be electrical.

Nashville Rising Commemorative Passes

Purchase a commemorative concert pass to support The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's flood relief efforts.

http://www.accesspasses.com/donate.html

Ronnie Milsap’s hit song 'Smoky Mountain Rain' Wins Race to Become New State Song

The competition to become Tennessee's new state song has been won by "Smoky Mountain Rain," made famous by country music star Ronnie Milsap who has had 40 #1 hits, "Smoky Mountain Rain" being one of them.

Here are the first couple of lines from the resolution:

WHEREAS, made famous by country music legend Ronnie Milsap, "Smoky Mountain Rain" pays homage to the Great Smoky Mountains, which draw 2.2 million tourists annually to the State of Tennessee from around the world; and
WHEREAS, written by Nashville songwriters, Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, "Smoky Mountain Rain" tells the story of a special, enduring love of a Tennessee sweetheart and the storyteller's return to Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains in search of that which he holds most dear; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee cities of Knoxville and Gatlinburg are featured as part of the storyline of the song; The House Budget Subcommittee unanimously approved the resolution designating the tune an official state song last week at its final meeting. The "Smoky Mountain Rain" resolution has already been approved by the Senate.

The resolution was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, while Rep. Joe McCord, R-Maryville, handled it in the House.

Tennessee already has seven official state songs, more than any other state, "Tennessee Waltz" and "Rocky Top" being the most famous. The lyrics to all seven - plus the "official Tennessee Bicentennial Rap Song" are available at http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/homew...songs.html

COUNTRY MUSIC BAND LONESTAR VISITS "THE PRICE IS RIGHT" TOMORROW JUNE 17TH

Los Angeles, CA -- CBS's Emmy Award-winning THE PRICE IS RIGHT, with host Drew Carey, welcomes country music band Lonestar on Thursday, June 17, (11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, ET; 10:00-11:00 AM, PT), on the CBS Television Network. Lonestar will play live throughout the show as the house band. The show will also offer an exciting showcase with prizes that include a new car and trip to San Diego, as well as tickets to attend a Lonestar concert plus band merchandise.

Lonestar has amassed a total of 27 singles on the country charts, with 10 of those reaching #1. In 1999, Lonestar achieved crossover success when their hit single, "Amazed," reached #1 on both the country charts and the Billboard Hot 100. Lonestar, consisting of Cody Collins, Dean Sams, Michael Britt and Keech Rainwater, released their 11th studio album Party Heard Around the World, in April.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT, the longest-running game show in television history, is hosted by Drew Carey. Produced by FremantleMedia North America, THE PRICE IS RIGHT is broadcast weekdays on the CBS Television Network.