REBA’S, KEEP ON LOVING YOU, IS #1 ALBUM IN THE U.S.
ALBUM IS HIGHEST DEBUT FROM A FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST IN 2009 / REBA’S FIRST SOLO STUDIO ALBUM TO REACH #1 ON BILLBOARD TOP 200
REBA BREAKS RECORD AS FEMALE ARTIST WITH MOST #1 ALBUMS IN HISTORY OF BILLBOARD TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS CHART
NASHVILLE, TN – Superstar entertainer Reba McEntire adds another page to the history books this week as her first new solo studio album in six years – and her first on her new label The Valory Music Co. – debuts at #1 on both the Billboard Top Country AND the Top 200 Albums charts.
KEEP ON LOVING YOU is Reba’s first solo studio album to reach #1 on the Billboard Top 200. Featuring the Top 10 smash “Strange,” the album is the highest debut from a female country artist for 2009 and is the 6th overall highest country debut of the year.
With the success of KEEP ON LOVING YOU, Reba now holds the record as the female artist with the most #1 albums on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, having earned 11 #1 albums since the launch of the chart on January 11, 1964. Reba had previously shared the title with Loretta Lynn with 10 albums.
“I have had a blast working with my new Valory Music Co. team, along with my Starstruck family, on this record,” said Reba who learned of her #1 history-making status last night, while in LA for a host of television tapings, via a phone call from label President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “To have this success at this time of my life and career means everything to me.”
Reba’s KEEP ON LOVING YOU also marks a major milestone for country music as a genre. The album’s #1 status marks the third consecutive country album to top the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. Reba rounds out the trio of Sugarland and George Strait whose new albums achieved #1 status in the previous two weeks. Reba’s #1 album this week marks the first time in history that three country albums have topped the Billboard Top 200 Album chart in a row.
Reba performs her new single, “Consider Me Gone,” tonight on NBC's hit summer series "America's Got Talent” (9-10 p.m. ET).
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CMT’S “CAN YOU DUET” ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE SEARCH FOR COUNTRY’S NEXT GREAT DUO
MEGHAN LINSEY OF LOUISIANA AND JOSHUA SCOTT JONES OF ILLINOIS WIN THE COMPETITION AND WALK AWAY WITH A CONTRACT FROM BIG MACHINE RECORDS
NASHVILLE – August 9, 2009 – After watching thousands of hopefuls audition and judging weekly performances in front of a live audience, the judges of the second season of the CMT music competition series CAN YOU DUET <http://www.cmt. com/shows/series/can_you_duet/series.jhtml> , have picked a winning duo with hopes of becoming country’s next great duo. Announced in last night’s finale episode of CAN YOU DUET, the winning duo is Steel Magnolia - Meghan Linsey of Ponshatoula, La. and Joshua Scott Jones, of Charleston Il., who leave the competition with a recording contract from Big Machine Records.
Steel Magnolia’s win was something they never would have dreamed of when they started their CAN YOU DUET journey. A couple both on and off the stage, the Nashville residents won the hearts of the judges, country superstar Naomi Judd, Big Kenny from the duo Big & Rich, and Big Machine Records’ President Scott Borchetta.
“From their very first screening performance through to last night’s amazing performance of ‘Keep On Lovin’ You,’ Steel Magnolia delivered every week and set the bar from the outset as one of the duo’ s to beat,” said Borchetta. “Each week they upped the level and they are the deserved champions.”
A native of Ponchatoula, La., 23-year-old Meghan Linsey formed Steel Magnolia with her boyfriend of three years, Joshua Scott Jones. Before entering the competition Meghan was a karaoke host at a Nashville karaoke bar, which is where she met Joshua. Meghan’s musical influences include Bekka Bramlett, Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt. Not afraid to refer to himself as a starving artist, 28-year- old Joshua Scott Jones, from Charleston, Illinois, has said that becoming a musician was never something he had to choose – it simply came naturally to him. Joshua’s musical influences include Waylon Jennings and The Beatles.
Steel Magnolia’s debut single, “Keep On Loving You,” -- the song that dazzled the judges and fans alike on last night’s season finale -- is now available for purchase at iTunes, and was digitally delivered to Country radio for immediate airplay. Next week will be a whirlwind for Steel Magnolia as the duo has a full day of media at CMT on Monday, will shoot their first-ever music video on Tuesday and then on Wednesday will hit the road to start an intensive tour of Country radio stations. The media blitz will also include multiple TV appearances, newspaper and online interviews as well as fan meet and greets.
“Can You Duet” is produced by FremantleMedia North America. Jeff Boggs (Nashville Star, Spy TV) is executive producer. Bob Kusbit, John Hamlin and Melanie Moreau serve as executive producers for CMT. For contestant bio information and downloadable photos, visit www.cmtpress.com.
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Justin Moore Self-Titled Debut Album RELEASED TODAY – Already Top 5 at iTunes
Kicks off Street Week in “Small Town USA”
PERFORMS ON #1 NATIONAL MIDDAY NEWS SHOW WGN MIDDAY NEWS, THURSDAY, AUG. 13TH
The Valory Music Co. recording artist Justin Moore's self-titled debut album hits store shelves today. The highly anticipated release from the newblood traditional country soul singer is already one of the Top 5 most-downloaded Country albums on iTunes. Moore’s album is also one of the Top 15 most- downloaded albums amongst all genres on iTunes.
Moore’s hit single, “Small Town USA” rose to #8 on the Billboard Country Songs Chart this week while it remained in the Top 10 on the USA Today/ Country Aircheck (powered by Mediabase) chart. The climb of Moore’s sentimental anthem celebrating small town life, makes the rising star one of only three new country artists to enter the Top 10 so far in 2009.
“I’m filled with pride to put out a record,” Moore tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in its lead Style feature today. “The timing couldn’t be better. The single is in the Top 10. I’m really proud for my team, the label, the band and especially my family and friends at home. My mom and dad are so proud they’re about to explode.”
Also today, Moore launched his “Small Town USA” whistle stop tour from his hometown of Poyen, AR, where he engaged in a satellite radio tour from Teel’s Grocery & Hardware (as featured in Moore’s music video for the hit song). He then traveled to Hot Springs for an in-store performance and autograph signing and will end his street date with a full band CD Release Show at the Electric Cowboy in Little Rock.
Moore will continue traveling across “Small Town USA” over the next couple of weeks, partnering with Wal-Mart for acoustic in- stores and autograph signings, making radio and TV appearances, and performing full band shows in the evenings. Next up, Moore will travel to: Bowling Green, KY (8/12) Frankfort, KY (8/12); Indianapolis, IN (8/13); Ft. Wayne, IN (8/14); Lansing, MI (8/14); Muskegon, MI (8/15); Raleigh, NC (8/16); and Monassas (8/18).
In addition, Moore will make a pit-stop in the not-so-small town of Chicago this Thursday, August 13, for a live appearance on WGN Midday News. Moore will chat with the hosts of the #1 ranked midday news show in the U.S. AND will perform his hits “Small Town USA” and “Back That Thing Up” as well as additional music from his new album.
WGN Midday News airs beginning at 11:30 AM CT in select and at NOON CT nationally on WGN. Fans can also watch the show live online at: http://www.wgntv.com/news/livestreaming/
For a full list of Justin Moore tour dates, please visit: www. myspace.com/moorejustinmusic
ABOUT JUSTIN MOORE
Born and raised in Poyen, Arkansas (Pop. 272), Southern Country Stylist Justin Moore embodies the soul and character of a kid from a small town in both life and in music with his tough- talking, straight-shooting brand of Country music.
Moore has toured with Country superstar Trace Adkins as well as with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Lynyrd Skynyrd and Country music icon Hank Williams, Jr. He recently opened for superstars Brooks & Dunn, ZZ Top and Kenny Chesney.
Moore has been profiled in The Washington Post, People Country, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Nashville Lifestyles, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Chicago Daily Herald, Billboard, Country Aircheck and was named one of Country Weekly’s “Who’ s Hot in 2008.” He has been featured on NPR, the 2009 CMT Music Awards, Crook & Chase, GAC and NBC-affiliate WSMV’s Better Nashville.
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