Taylor Swift accepted her third trophy as the songwriter-artist of the year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) at a private gala celebration in Nashville on Sunday night (Oct. 17). Swift was recognized for writing "Fifteen," "Love Story" and "You Belong With Me." Her award was presented early in the evening, prior to the previously-announced induction of Pat Alger, Steve Cropper and the late Paul Davis and Stephen Foster into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Swift did not perform at the event, but the Hall of Fame inductees were later honored with renditions of their most popular songs performed by the likes of Garth Brooks, T. Graham Brown, Tyler Bryant, Jim Lauderdale, Tanya Tucker and Jimmy Wayne.
In addition, Chris DuBois was named songwriter of the year for his contributions to Brad Paisley's "Then" and "Welcome to the Future," as well as Craig Morgan's "This Ain't Nothin'." Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me," written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, claimed song of the year honors.
After acknowledging a successful year for Douglas, who was seated at the table next to hers, Swift addressed the audience from a podium.
"Since I can remember, my favorite thing in the whole world was a good story -- going back to when my mom and dad would read me stories when I was little, and then discovering poetry in English class," she said. "Then I discovered this town called Nashville, where they tell the coolest stories. In my opinion, they tell them in the most magical ways.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so generous with me. Whether it was telling fairy tales or sad stories or stories that were just about my life and what I was going through, you've been wonderful to me. And I'm having a blast telling stories."
She added, "Right now, my story is that in about 30 minutes, I'm getting on a plane to go to Paris and then London and then Germany and then New York. And then after that, I have seven days and five hours and 22 minutes until my album comes out."
Amid a round of applause, Swift implored, "Please wish me luck because I am a nervous wreck. I can't thank you enough. I can't thank the songwriters enough for inspiring me, the publishers for being so incredibly supportive. [Sony/ATV Music Publishing] has always been wonderful to me. Thank you for standing up and clapping. That was really nice. And I just really appreciate getting to be here with you guys. Thank you so much."
Near the end of the night, Alger's early songwriting career was recalled by producer Allen Reynolds, who detailed Alger's initial success in Nashville by writing Kathy Mattea's "Goin' Gone," Don Williams' "True Love" and Hal Ketchum's "Small Town Saturday Night," which were promptly sung as a medley by Jimmy Wayne. But it might be impossible to salute Alger without Garth Brooks, who divided his time onstage between providing descriptions of their collaborative process and delivering the fruits of their labor -- solo acoustic versions of "Unanswered Prayers," "That Summer" and "The Thunder Rolls."
Brooks noted, "I love this guy, and me and him should not love each other. We're as different as night and day can be. This poor guy has been tormented by me over the last couple of decades. I'll give you an average writing session for us. Pat is sitting with his pen and his paper, poised. I've got a little rubber ball that I'm bouncing off the wall, right above his head. ... I'm crawling underneath the chairs and desks like I'm 5 years old, because that's what I do. Alger's sitting there about ready to kill me, coming up with all these wonderful lines, thousands of them that you never use.
"But that's Alger's thing. Alger understands the craft. That's what I love about Pat Alger. Pat Alger doesn't care how or when it gets done. I'll even go so far as to say, even if it does get done. This is what I've always loved about you, partner. He understands that what it is, is what it is. And if you make it to be something it isn't, it's never going to live and breathe."
Brooks also told the crowd that "The Thunder Rolls" was about to go on a Tanya Tucker album, but her producer didn't think the song was finished. When her project was retooled, Alger and Brooks reclaimed the song -- and wrote a fourth verse, which Brooks only sings in concert. Just before concluding with its performance, Brooks said, "I can't even imagine my career without this song, but even more than that, I can't imagine my career without you, Pat."
During his induction speech, Alger introduced his family, thanked his friends and confirmed that Brooks' ball-bouncing anecdote was absolutely a fact. "I have to tell you, I've worked with a lot of fantastic songwriters, and there's not a finer one I've ever worked with than Garth," he said.
Several of Steve Cropper's soulful songs were resurrected by newcomer Tyler Bryant, who admitted he'd never been so scared to perform. Yet he did a fine job with "In the Midnight Hour," famously recorded by Wilson Pickett, and the instrumental "Green Onions," perhaps the most enduring tune in the catalog of Cropper's band, Booker T and the MG's. Bryant and his ensemble also backed T. Graham Brown, whose gritty take on "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" made the crowd believe every word. Cropper shares the writing credit with the late Otis Redding for that classic, which has been played on the radio more than 6 million times. During his time at the podium, Cropper reminisced about saving up money to buy his first guitar, then told the audience that his always-supportive father was in the crowd, celebrating his 90th birthday.
The late Paul Davis was the subject of a handful of candid stories told by friend and frequent collaborator, Paul Overstreet. After that, fellow songwriters J. Fred Knobloch, Kyle Lehning, Ed Seay, Ronn Price, Anthony Martin and Jennifer Kimball offered a medley of Davis' memorable material, such as "Cool Night," "I Go Crazy," "Ride 'Em Cowboy," "'65 Love Affair," "Bop" and "Sweet Life." Tanya Tucker then stepped out to sing "Love Me Like You Used To," her 1987 country hit co-written by Davis and Buddy Emmons. Davis' son, Jonathan Paul Davis, accepted for his father, who died in 2008.
Songwriting pioneer Stephen Foster joined the Hall of Fame 146 years after his death. His music was remembered by the trio Mockingbird Sun with a medley of "Oh Susanna," "Farewell My Lilly Dear," "Beautiful Dreamer" and "My Old Kentucky Home." In addition, Jim Lauderdale delivered a bare-bones rendition of "Hard Times Come Again No More." Vanderbilt professor of musicology Dale Cockrell accepted the award, calling Foster "the most important composer" and "an American genius." In addition, former BMI executive Frances Preston was personally honored with the Mentor Award, which will now be named for her.
At the beginning of the event, NSAI also recognized "The 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written," chosen by professional songwriters. Due to a tie, 11 hit singles with Nashville roots were honored: Easton Corbin's "A Little More Country Than That" (Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble); Jason Aldean's "Big Green Tractor" (Jim Collins, David Lee Murphy); Lady Antebellum's "I Run to You" (Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott) and "Need You Now" (Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott); David Nail's "Red Light" (Dennis Matowsky, Melissa Peirce, Jonathan Singleton); Tim McGraw's "Southern Voice" (Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas); Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" (Jessi Alexander, Jon Mabe); Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me" (Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin); Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" (Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill, Nathan Followill); Lambert's "White Liar" (Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert) and Swift's "You Belong With Me" (Liz Rose, Taylor Swift).
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Pop’s newest star is going gaga for pop’s reigning queen. It may come as no surprise that Willow Smith would like to collaborate with Lady Gaga.
“[Somebody] I would really want to work with on a song would be Lady Gaga,” Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s daughter told DJ Envy during a visit to his Power 105.1 radio show earlier today. “She is amazing! She’s just so amazing, she’s a free person. She’s a free girl, baby.”
The nine-year-old fashionista, who burst onto the scene with her single “Whip My Hair,” explained where she gets her style inspiration. “Sometimes I put my own stuff in it. I mix up the outfits too,” she said. “My mom puts together outfits and I can pick which one I want to wear.”
As for getting her Roc Nation boss Jay-Z on a track, she says it’ll happen “if he has time.” But in the meantime, she’s enjoying being a Roc star. “It’s amazing being on that label because it’s all about having fun and being creative and doing what you want to do inside.”
Willow has been receiving rave reviews for her debut music video “Whip My Hair.” Watch it here.
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Need more country in your life? If you love Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum, you'll be thrilled to know there's a new country music award show and all these wonderful artists are going to get another chance to shine.
The Inaugural American Country Music Awards is set to kick off this year and they already have the biggest names in Country on their nominees list.
So what makes the ACAs different that the CMAs and the CMTs? The fans, not some "academy," choose the winners.
Check out the list of nominees below and you tell us, who are you rooting for?
Artist of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band
ARTISTS
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Keith Urban
Artist of the Year: Female
Jewel
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Easton Corbin
Danny Gokey
Jaron and The Long Road To Love
Jerrod Niemann
The Band Perry
ALBUMS
Album of the Year
“Doin’ My Thing,” Luke Bryan
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Revolution,” Miranda Lambert
“Haywire,” Josh Turner
“Play On,” Carrie Underwood
SINGLES
Single of the Year
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
Single of the Year: Male
“Do I,” Luke Bryan
“Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“That’s How Country Boys Roll,” Billy Currington
“Gimme That Girl,” Joe Nichols
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
Single of the Year: Female
“White Liar,” Miranda Lambert
“Wrong Baby Wrong,” Martina McBride
“Consider Me Gone,” Reba McEntire
“Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You,” Kellie Pickler
“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood
Single of the Year: Duo or Group
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Little White Church,” Little Big Town
“Unstoppable,” Rascal Flatts
“Keep On Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Toes,” Zac Brown Band
Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
“Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Pray for You,” Jaron and The Long Road To Love
“Lover, Lover,” Jerrod Niemann
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Beer on the Table,” Josh Thompson
TOURING
Touring Headline Package of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Toby Keith
Martina McBride & Trace Adkins
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait & Reba McEntire
Sugarland
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young
Music Video: Male
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Southern Voice,” Tim McGraw
“Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins
“Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner
“The Man I Want To Be,” Chris Young
Music Video: Female
“White Liar,” Miranda Lambert
“Consider Me Gone,” Reba McEntire
“Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You,” Kellie Pickler
“Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood
“Work Hard, Play Harder,” Gretchen Wilson
Music Video: Duo or Group
“Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
“Little White Church,” Little Big Town
“Unstoppable,” Rascal Flatts
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“Highway 20 Ride,” Zac Brown Band
Music Video: Breakthrough Artist
“Giddy On Up,” Laura Bell Bundy
“A Little More Country Than That,” Easton Corbin
“Lover, Lover,” Jerrod Niemann
“Keep on Lovin’ You,” Steel Magnolia
“If I Die Young,” The Band Perry
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Rihanna has explained the details behind a music video that recently leaked on to the web.
A clip for the song 'Who's That Chick?' surfaced online last month, and was described by the singer's label as a "promotional single" only.
The 'Rude Boy' star has since revealed that two versions of the promo exist - a day and a night one - which fans can view via a unique barcode on packets of Doritos crisps.
"There's this new pop-up video technology called augmented reality," she told Just Jared.
"There will be a barcode on the Doritos chip bags, you go home and hold it up to your computer and a video will pop up. We shot the exact video twice - one in day, one in night.
"So the night version has everything different - it has everything that is in the day version, it's just black and grey. It's darker and grittier. You'll be able to click at any time and make it night and the same shot will show up just in the night version. It's cool."
Asked which of the two clips she prefers, she said: "More of the day version. Only because I've started to incorporate a lot of different colors into my wardrobe now.
"I'm loving that direction. Right now, it feels good and right. It was a cool concept too because it was kind of one side of me and now, it's evolving into the new colourful stuff that we've been doing."
It is not yet clear whether the track will be included on her forthcoming album Loud.
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Pop singer Jesse McCartney will follow 2008′s “Departure” with “Have It All,” his fourth full-length set for a January 2011 release on Hollywood Records. The singer worked with “Departure” producer Sean Garrett, Kevin Rudolf and Young Money rapper Tyga on the album, which was previewed with the release of first single “Shake” last month.
“It’s full of sexy, four-on-the-floor beats with big pop melodies… but yet again, some rhythmic, R&B stuff that’s pushing the envelope a little bit more for me as an artist,” McCartney tells Billboard.com. “I wanted to make sure that there were no boundaries. I’m 23, and I wanted to make sure there was nothing boxing me in musically or content-wise.”
McCartney spent a year working on the 11-track album with a variety of writers and producers, including Garrett, Rudolf and “a bunch of new guys from Dr. Luke’s camp” like Ammo and J. Cash. The singer will perform the Ammo-produced “Shake” on “Live! with Regis and Kelly” on Tuesday (Oct. 19).
After co-penning Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love” as well as songs for Jordin Sparks and Toni Braxton, McCartney says that he is spending “a lot of time in the studio writing for other artists” with Rudolf and J. Cash while preparing for the release of “Have It All.” Although McCartney did not confirm the rumor that he is writing songs for Justin Bieber’s next album, he says that “I’ve been writing for a lot of big artists in the last couple months, and it’s everything that you dream of as an artist… to be taken seriously as a writer, not just as a singer.” – Billboard.com
Here is the track listing for “Have It All”:
1. Shake
2. One Night
3. The Writer
4. Club Hop
5. I Think She Likes Me
6. Tonight Is Your Night
7. I Don’t Normally Do This (featuring Tyga)
8. Undo
9. Have It All
10. Mrs. Mistake
11. Seasons (My Love Will Never Change)
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Taylor Swift’s most vocal fans (a.k.a. tween girls) quickly realized they wouldn’t be first in line to buy the singer’s new album on October 25 – they’d be in school. So they turned to their favorite medium to get the release date declared a national holiday.
A Twitter petition, or Twitition, was started last week for all Swifties. The website states their cause:
“Help persuade Swiftie's parents to let the true Swifties stay home from school, or at least half of the school day, on October 25th, 2009, in order to buy Taylor's 'Speak Now' album when store doors open. Please Sign!”
Of course, they got the year wrong. And only 158 people have joined the cause so far. But you can’t let tiny details like that stand in the way of true fandom.
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The BET Top 10 rappers of the 21st Century list was recently unveiled after serious deliberation by a Hip Hop panel. The list was disclosed during an hour-long television special, and featured the hottest rappers of the past decade, from 1999 onward.
Rapper and actor Curtis Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent attends the premiere of the motion picture action comedy Red , at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on October 11, 2010. UPI/Jim Ruymen Photo via Newscom
The special just aired last night, Friday October 15th on BET. Let's kill the suspense. Coming in at #1 on the list is hip hop icon, Eminem, who has sold more records than anyone on the list. Second is Lil' Wayne, currently incarcerated but still making astounding music. In the third spot, Kanye West, the producer and rapper extraordinaire. Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent takes the fourth spot due to three platinum albums in the past decade and consistent hit making. Rounding out the Top 5 is rapper T.I. who is not only making hit records but also is saving people's lives.
Here's the complete BET Rappers Top 10:
1) Eminem
2) Lil' Wayne
3) Kanye West
4) 50 Cent
5) T.I.
6) Ludacris
7) Drake
8) Young Jeezy
9) Jadakiss
10) Rick Ross
Since there's ten names above, that means five of the original fifteen didn't make the cut. They are Eve, Fabolous, The Game, Gucci Mane and Nelly. Surprising that these amazing lyricists didn't make the list. To compile the list, BET put out a list of rappers for hip-hop fans to vote on. After 25,000 votes, a list of just fifteen rappers remained. That list was judged by a "Hip-Hop Supreme Court" which was headed by Justice Big Tigger.
According to BET's website the "Supreme Court" deciding panel consisted of: Jermaine Dupri (Producer - ATL); Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur (AllHipHop.com); Boy 1da (Producer);DJ Diamond Kuts (Power 99 FM - Philadelphia); DJ Greg Street (V103 - ATL); Tony Neal (CEO, Core DJs); DJ Timbuck2 (107.5 WGCI – Chicago); Chloe Hilliard (Managing Editor/Social Media Manager, Vibe Magazine - NYC); and DJ Vlad (VladTV.com - NYC).
Of course the list will draw its share of criticism and debates as most of these musical Top 10's do. Many will say that Fabolous and The Game are definite Top 10's. Also, there's no female reps on the list as Eve missed it. Some will refute the inclusion of Rick Ross, as he has put out some top notch hip-hop yet is criticized for his background as a Corrections Officer while he raps about street life. Many are also immediately asking "Where's Jay-Z or Nas?" but remember this is a list based on those who have blown up on the rap scene since 1999. Of the list, Drake's inclusion is perhaps the most telling. He's really exploded on the scene in just the past few years and now finds himself at the Lucky 7 spot on a who's who of rap for the past decade.
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Melanie Chisholm has started up a campaign for the Spice Girls to open the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The 36-year-old gave her backing to former manager Simon Fuller's plan to reunite the band for a special performance at the sporting event's opening ceremony.
"Officially we don't know anything yet but I think it's a brilliant idea," she said to WENN. "It would be wonderful for all five of us to appear and I'm sure all the girls would be up for it. Let's petition for this and make it happen."
Despite her enthusiasm for the reunion, Chisholm recently ruled out the possibility of another Spice Girls tour.
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Avril Lavigne has a new single on the way off her forthcoming album that was inspired by family, friends, and personal relationships.
Many new stars have emerged since her last record, The Best Damn Thing, and when Maxim asked about Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Ke$ha, Avril dished, “It’s an interesting period in music right now,” adding that today’s stars are fueled by ‘80s inspiration.
“A lot of girls are really into their image and costumes and going over the top,” she said. “I really like Ke$ha. Her songs are fun to party to and her lyrics are hilarious.”
We couldn’t agree more!
As for what she looks for in a boyfriend (she’s dating Brody Jenner), Avril shared, “I like a classy man, a gentleman who opens the door and gives flowers and always puts the lady first. I’m a little old-fashioned like that.”
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Hold onto your pink wigs. Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday is coming a little sooner than expected.
The debut album from rap’s reigning diva will arrive a day early on November 22, Rap-Up.com has learned. It will go up directly against releases from Kanye West (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy), Akon (Stadium), Jay-Z (The Hits Collection Vol. 1), and Ne-Yo (Libra Scale), all hitting stores on the Monday before Black Friday. Prior to this shift, Minaj had been touting a November 23 release.
“To carry on a great tradition of Black Friday, we are going to switch it up this year in honor of the Nicki Minaj album and call that day Pink Friday, and call my album Pink Friday,” she previously told fans during a Ustream session.
Young Money’s First Lady has already started promoting the disc with appearances on the MTV Video Music Awards, “Late Show with David Letterman,” and “Live with Regis and Kelly.” The album has produced the singles “Massive Attack,” “Your Love,” “Right Thru Me,” and the will.i.am-assisted “Check It Out.”
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