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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