STAR COUNTRY MEDIA Is Working With Some "Big Stars"!
Nashville, TN (July 21, 2008) – Two artists currently utilizing STAR COUNTRY MEDIA
services are enjoying the aftermath from "The Next Big Star"! Named after one of
Kenny Chesney’s previous hits, thirty-three (33) Hard Rock Café locations across the
country have been hosting "The Next Big Star" competitions in conjunction with Kenny’
s current Poets & Pirates tour. Local radio stations affiliated with the contest invited
interested acts to submit a career biography, promotional photos, a live performance
video, and/or audio for one original song. Four finalists from each city are then chosen
to compete in front of a panel of judges and a live audience at the local Hard Rock
Café. The winner named from each city wins the opportunity to open for the reigning
Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Entertainer of
the Year!
On July 19, BILLY CHILDERS was one of the four finalists to compete at the Hard
Rock Café in downtown Chicago, Illinois! His set included "A Man’s Gotta Do… What a
Man’s Gotta Do" (his current single), "Southern Streamline," "June 99," and "Cowboy
Up." Billy was the first to take the stage first at the Hard Rock Café and later that
evening was named the WINNER for Chicago’s "The Next Big Star"! His prize included
the opportunity to open for Kenny Chesney, playing for an estimated 50,000-60,000
fans who turned out to Soldier’s Field for the July 20 Poets & Pirates concert that also
included Gary Allan, Luke Bryan, LeAnn Rimes, and Keith Urban!
A couple weeks later, Georgia native, JESSICA CAYNE URICK, was chosen by Atlanta-
based country radio station, 94.9 FM "The Bull," as one of ten local semi-finalists! The
radio station asked listeners and fans to vote for their favorite act between June 30
and July 6, with the four acts receiving the most votes advancing into the finals. After
being voted into the Top 4, Jessica was invited to be a special in-studio guest on Live
With the Cledus T. Party! on Friday, July 11. Comedian-turned-radio disc jockey,
Cledus T. Judd, Jamie Massey, and Slam Duncan interviewed Jessica during the 8AM
hour, at the end of which she treated the station’s airstaff and listeners to a live
acoustic performance of her self-penned original, "Pour Some Whiskey On It."
The following evening, Jessica – who was the last finalist scheduled to take the stage
at Hard Rock Café (Velvet Underground) – had the honor of having Kenny open for her
when he made a surprise appearance right before her set! Kenny jumped on stage
sang his rendition of Jimmy Buffett’s "Why Don’t We Get Drunk (and Screw)" and his
own song, "Old Blue Chair," before hopping off the stage and out the door. Jessica
closed out the show and impressed judges with her captivating stage presence and
well-penned songs! After an exciting evening, Jessica placed First Runner Up!
With his win, Billy advances into the final level of competition for the Grand Prize to be
held later this year. The Grand-Prize Winner’s package includes:
1.
Travel by tour bus to take the stage on the THREE final dates on the Poets and
Pirates Tour! (September 10, 2008 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; September 11, 2008 in St.
Louis, Missouri; and September 13, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana.)
2.
$25,000 cash prize!
3.
An audition for record company executives at Sony BMG Music (musical home to
Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood,
among others)!
STAR Country Media congratulates both artists and wishes Billy good luck as he
continues his "Next Big Star" journey in the coming months!
###
VISIT BILLY CHILDERS AT:
http://www.billychilders.com
http://www.myspace.com/billychilders
VISIT JESSICA CAYNE URICK AT:
http://www.jessicaurick.com
http://www.myspace.com/jessicacurick
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TAMMY COCHRAN Offers Fans "Angels in Waiting" Special Release CD!!
Nashville, TN (July 23, 2008) – For fans who have been looking for "Angels in Waiting"
on CD, the hunt is over! TAMMY COCHRAN is offering the song as a Special Release
on her official artist website! This one-track CD single is a re-recorded and newly
packaged version of the emotionally moving ballad.
A true labor of love, Tammy spent nearly two years trying to write a song that would
honor her brothers, both of who succumbed to Cystic Fibrosis early in their lives. "I
knew when I got my [first record deal] that I wanted to dedicate the album to my
brothers and to write a song for them. So, I started the song immediately. I worked on
it by myself for about a year and half." The process was always too emotional for her
and a whole song never materialized. "Every time I tried to write it, I would break down
and cry." An unexpected miracle transpired when Tammy met songwriters Jim
McBride and Stewart Harris. "I met Jim and Stewart and told them my story. I also told
them that [the song I’d been working on] would never be a single but that it was
something that I needed to do. We all sat down, shared stories of loved ones we had
lost, and ‘Angels in Waiting’ happened."
Released as her third single in 2001, "Angels in Waiting" went on to become Tammy’s
first Top 10 song! The music video for "Angels" – which featured home videos and
photos of Tammy with her brothers – also earned her a Billboard Music Video Award
and the Christian Country Music Association’s Music Video of the Year Award.
But, it has been the sentimental nature and inspirational message of "Angels" that
has contributed to the song’s incredible staying power! Tammy, herself, is astounded
by the tremendous feedback her song continues to receive. "It amazes me that several
years later, this song is remembered by so many. I get at least 100 emails a week
with people telling me stories of their angels and how this song has helped them
through a terrible time in their life."
Fueled by numerous requests from fans inquiring where they might find "Angels in
Waiting" on CD, Tammy’s decision to re-cut and re-package it as a single release was
a simple one. "My self-titled debut album is currently out of print. I have had so many
requests for the song that I felt I needed to make it available again." So, Tammy went
back into the studio and re-recorded this Special Release version. The lyrics remain
unchanged, but the song is set to a different musical arrangement. For example, in the
new version, the song opens with twin fiddles instead of dobro.
Tammy is infinitely grateful that such a personal song has been well received by so
many. "It makes me feel proud as a singer and songwriter that we were able to create
a song that has touched so many and continues to touch people." She adds, "This
song was never meant to be a single, just a personal song between my brothers and
me. I feel like they get to live on forever through this song, and I'm grateful that the fans
and the Cystic Fibrosis community has embraced them."
The Special Release single version of "Angels in Waiting" is available for purchase in
the Merch section at www.tammycochranfans.com.
Please direct all interview/media inquiries for Tammy Cochran to Estella at
starcountryangel@sbcglobal.net.
###
VISIT TAMMY COCHRAN AT:
http://www.tammycochranfans.com
http://www.myspace.com/tammycochranfans
http://www.myspace.com/onmysideoftheworld
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TAMMY COCHRAN Lends Her Voice to "Loving You"!
Nashville, TN (July 14, 2008) – TAMMY COCHRAN has recorded a duet titled "Loving
You"! The emotional ballad is one of fourteen songs included on the just-released Try
a Little Kindness, an album of duets. Prominent country entertainers – including The
Bellamy Brothers and The Oak Ridge Boys and Christian music artists also lent their
support to the album, each joining in song with recording artist and songwriter Greg
McDougal.
The new album is part of an extensive ongoing A House For My Kids project initiated
by Greg. He and his wife, Diane, have four children, ages nine and under – with three
of them having been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. The McDougals are in the
process of raising funds to have an allergen-free home built which will better
accommodate their children’s needs. The new home would significantly ease the
complications from Cystic Fibrosis that put their children’s well being at stake.
When asked if she would be interested in contributing to the album, Tammy was
happy to oblige. "It is truly my pleasure to be a part of such a great cause. I am always
anxious to help whenever I can, especially when it comes to Cystic Fibrosis. [Try a
Little Kindness] is a great album with great songs and great singers; I was happy to
be included."
Tammy knows all too well about the detrimental effects of Cystic Fibrosis. Her two
brothers – also her only siblings – both succumbed to the disease at early ages.
Tammy’s own Top 10 single, "Angels in Waiting," is a tribute to her brothers.
Having Tammy on the album held special significance for Greg. "To have Tammy so
generously give of her time and incredible talent to be a part of our project is really
more than we have words for." Greg and Diane, both having been so emotionally
moved after watching her "Angels in Waiting" video, became instant Tammy Cochran
fans. "As we began putting this duets CD together, we dared to dream all that we
could possibly imagine." One of those dreams was: "What if Tammy Cochran could
sing on ‘Loving You’? We are experiencing a miracle as we try to get this special
house built for our kids, and we are beyond grateful to Tammy Cochran for being such
an awesome part of it all."
"Loving You" has been released as a single to Christian radio markets.
Try a Little Kindness is available for purchase at www.ahouseformykids.com, with
proceeds from album sales going toward the building of the McDougal family’s new
home.
Tammy continues to aid in raising awareness for Cystic Fibrosis as much as her
schedule allows, by supporting various benefits, charity walks, and other events. Last
month, she traveled to Pennsylvania for the Amy's Ride For CF event, where she
treated attending patrons to music for the event.
The next couple months will find Tammy doing a run of shows in Tennessee and
South Carolina. From July 22 – 26, Tammy will be at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN,
for The Great American Country Show, which brings country, bluegrass, Americana
and gospel songs to life on stage in each 45-minute show. She joins other guest
country artists throughout the show’s run including T. Graham Brown, Linda Davis,
Jimmy Fortune, Jeannie Seely, among others. Shows to take place in the Pines
Theatre on the grounds of the popular theme park.
Then, she will head to Myrtle Beach for her third appearance as a featured artist on
The One Show. Tickets for The One Show are available at www.alabama-theatre.com
OR by calling 843/ 272-1111.
Tammy’s current solo single is "On My Side of the World," from her third album, Where
I Am – available for purchase at her official artist website: www.tammycochranfans.
com.
mp3s for "Loving You" and "On My Side of the World" is available upon request. Please
direct all interview/media inquiries to Estella at starcountryangel@sbcglobal.net.
###
VISIT TAMMY COCHRAN AT:
http://www.tammycochranfans.com
http://www.myspace.com/tammycochranfans
http://www.myspace.com/onmysideoftheworld
|
BILLY CHILDERS To Play Country Thunder USA Festival!
Twin Lakes, WI (July 18, 2008) – BILLY CHILDERS is scheduled to perform THREE
different sets Country Thunder USA festival in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin!! First, he’ll take
the Main Stage at 12:30pm (Central time)! Billy will move over to the Miller Lite Stage in
the evening, playing at 6:30pm AND 8pm – sharing the bill with Luke Bryan, Sara
Evans, Danielle Peck, Kellie Pickler, and Jessica Simpson. Tickets for Country
Thunder, Wisconsin are available at www.countrythunder.com.
Billy’s schedule continues to fill up with shows booked through the end of this year!
Highlights include joining Sony BMG recording artists Jypsi on the Q98.5 Stage at the
On the Waterfront Festival in Rockford, Illinois on August 29.
October 11 and 12 will mark Billy’s 3rd consecutive year playing the Chicago Country
Music Festival, continuing his relationship with corporate sponsor Best Buy! Later in
the year, it’s off to Las Vegas to open the first three nights – December 4, 5, and 6 – of
the National Finals Rodeo at South Point Casino, which serves as the host hotel for
the official awards ceremonies for this event.
Last month, Billy took home the title of Kenny Chesney’s "The Next Big Star" in
Chicago! Upwards of 400 fans filled the Hard Rock Café in downtown Chicago,
Illinois, on Friday, June 20, to cheer on Billy and three other regional finalists. Billy was
up first and his energetic set included "A Man’s Gotta Do… What a Man’s Gotta Do,"
"June 99," and "Cowboy Up" – all from his debut release, A Man’s Gotta Do… What a
Man’s Gotta Do! The following afternoon – also the first official day of Summertime –
Billy kicked off the Poets and Pirates show at Soldier Field, sharing the stage with an
all-star artist lineup: Luke Bryan, Gary Allan, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, and of course,
the man who made it all possible: Kenny Chesney! Billy is grateful to Kenny for
creating this new and unique opportunity for unsigned artists across the country to be
heard. With his win, Billy also advances to the national competition to compete for the
Grand Prize. The package includes the opportunity to open for Kenny Chesney on the
THREE final dates of his Poets and Pirates Tour, a $25,000 cash prize, and an
audition for record company executives at Sony BMG Music!
Billy’s debut album is titled A Man's Gotta Do…What a Man's Gotta Do. He recorded
the album in Nashville at The Grotto, the studio owned by Rodney Good and his wife,
singer/songwriter Jamie O’Neal ("There Is No Arizona," "When I Think About Angels").
Rodney co-produced A Man’s Gotta Do… What a Man’s Gotta Do, and one of the
highlights on the album is "This Night," a romantic ballad featuring a guest
performance by Jamie.
Raised in the piedmont region of western North Carolina, Billy grew up surrounded by
the sounds coming down off the Blue Ridge Mountains that cut a winding trail between
Charlotte and Nashville. That music dominated the soundtrack of his childhood and
etched a permanent impression on his creative sensibilities. Although his love of that
music remained constant, the whining pedal steel guitars and plucking banjos would
begin to play second fiddle to the screaming guitars and funky synthesizers of hard
rock as he entered his teenage years. During those years he found himself living a
double-life: on the one hand, it was made up of late night jam sessions in numerous
garage bands with the group of long-haired metal heads he'd befriended. On the other
hand, it was marked by many a Saturday afternoon mixing it up on the gridiron with his
other group of buddies - the helmet heads. After a sidelining injury in high school, Billy
began to ponder what the next handful of years held in store. After deciding that his
football days had run their course, the options of future pursuit included college, more
music and preparing for a more involved role in a small family business enterprise.
A whole new adventure began for Billy when he moved to Chicago to study music and
business. It is there where he connected with a group of like-minded musicians who,
together, have been formulating distinct country-rock sounds through a blending of the
genres and styles of their early musical influences. For the last several years Billy and
his band have roamed the Chicago area refining their sound and electrifying stage
show in countless dive bars, hole-in-the-wall honky-tonks, suburban park districts,
prominent dance halls, small and large county festivals and fairs. Upon completion of
his studies in the spring of 2006, and after a busy summer tour schedule that year,
Billy headed to Nashville to focus on recording his album, A Man's Gotta Do…What a
Man's Gotta Do.
|
JESSICA CAYNE URICK Is a Top Ten Finalist For Atlanta’s Next Big Star!
Atlanta, GA (July 1, 2008) – JESSICA CAYNE URICK is among the top 10 semi-
finalists who is vying to become The Next Big Star!! Her name was included in an
announcement made yesterday by Atlanta-based country music station, WUBL 94.9FM
"The Bull." Listeners are invited to cast votes for their favorite semi-finalist – beginning
today, July 1, through 11:59PM on Sunday, July 6. The direct link for the voting page is
this: http://www.949thebull.com/admin/ver2/file_manager/preview.php?
file=/export/home2/radio/ATLANTA-GA/WUBL-FM/htdocs.prod/pages/choosenextstar.
html.
Voting is set up so that listeners rate ALL contestants on a scale of 1 – 10 stars (10
indicating "Big Star!")! Four acts receiving the most total points (stars) will be
announced on July 7, 2008. There is no limit for the number of ratings you submit for
each artist.
The top four finalists, as determined by total listener votes, will advance to the next
round of competition to take place on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the Hard Rock Café in
Atlanta! The winner will take part in the Poets and Pirates tour the following evening,
opening for Kenny Chesney at Turner Field. Estimated attendance for the July 13 show
is 40,000!
Jessica is currently in Nashville, where she will make her debut guest artist
appearance on The Billy Block show TONIGHT at Cadillac Ranch! Show begins at
6pm. She will also be logging in studio time this week to finish her debut album.
Keep up to date on Jessica’s schedule via her official website (http://www.jessicaurick.
com) and MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/jessicacurick).
Jessica’s desire to perform began at the early age of four. Creating song and dance
numbers with her big sister and performing them for the family was a regular form of
entertainment. Listening to Bonnie Raitt, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Lyle Lovett,
Delbert McClinton, Allison Krauss, Vince Gill, and Shania Twain helped shape her
own musical style. When she heard her first Dixie Chicks song, she entered her
school talent show in 6th Grade and decided she would live her life on stage. Her
guitar started going to school with her, and she was writing songs and playing for
friends whenever she had the chance. Every spot in town that had karaoke nights,
coffee shops, open mic opportunities would be her outlet.
At eleven years old, Jessica wrote her first song titled "Romeo and Juliet," a country-
laced, line-dancing tune, and hasn’t stopped since! Her writing is inspired by
situations she finds herself in, in addition to observing the lives of her friends and
family. Jessica plays guitar and piano (she writes on guitar most of the time) and is
learning to play mandolin and fiddle.
In the past three years, Jessica has traveled all over the southeast United States,
opening for T. Graham Brown, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, the LoCash Cowboys and
The Classic Rock Allstars. She played the Martina McBride after party at the Plex in
Charleston, SC and has also been a featured artist in the Bluebird Café Sunday
Spotlight Series in Nashville, TN. During the 2007 NCAA Final Four in Atlanta, Jessica
and her band headlined the pre-party at the Georgia World Congress Center. She is
comfortable with an audience of five to 5,000. Country-rock to the core, Jessica and
her band continue to build their following.
With grace under pressure, Jessica enjoys auditioning for contests and
performances. In 2005, just a few months after beginning her music career full-time,
she auditioned for the Colgate Country Showdown, winning all the way to the Regional
level. The following year, she decided to try her hand at Nashville Star auditioning first
in the masses in Atlanta. Not getting a call back, she was determined not to give up
and traveled to New York to audition again. Among the 1200+ who auditioned there,
Jessica was called back, giving her the opportunity to perform for show producers.
She wasn't the "character" they were looking for but her original song and performance
received high praise. In 2007, she and her band won the Shift2Nissan National Battle
of the Bands competing against 80 acts across the country. She was the only female
country music artist in that competition and walked away with $10K in prizes from the
win. Jessica's successful background in musical theatre contributes to her drive and
ambition to write and perform.
In conjunction with her regular performance schedule, Jessica contributes time to
various charitable organizations helping with fundraising plans and shows to raise
awareness. She is currently working with Life Linkage (www.lifelinkage.com), a
network for cancer survivors.
###
VISIT JESSICA CAYNE URICK AT:
http://www.jessicaurick.com
http://www.myspace.com/jessicacurick
|
Fans Vote JESSICA CAYNE URICK Into Top 4 For Atlanta’s Next Big Star!
Atlanta, GA (July 10, 2008) – JESSICA CAYNE URICK has been named one of the top
four finalists for The Next Big Star in Atlanta, Georgia!! After submitting a video, two
original songs, WUBL 94.9FM "The Bull" – Atlanta’s country music radio station –
chose her as one of ten semi-finalists. In a fan-voted competition (voting took place
between June 30 and July 6), Jessica finds herself advancing into the top four. Having
heard the announcement, she is ecstatic – although the nerves kick in from time to
time. "I still cannot believe that I am in the top four! I have been such a basket case
and I am sure I will continue to be one until the judging Saturday night at the Hard
Rock!"
She adds, "It's so funny. You hope and you pray that as an artist you have touched
someone, or just made someone listen and when things like this contest come
around where it's up to your fans to put you where you need to be... AND you get
there... WOW, it's just incredible!"
The fun starts tomorrow morning on the Live With the Cledus T. Party! Tune in to 94.9
FM at 8am (Eastern time)! Jessica will be Cledus’ in-studio special guest! She will do
a live performance and an interview. Fans not from the Atlanta listening area can listen
online at www.bullatlanta.com. Jessica says, "I appreciate ‘The Bull’ for giving aspiring
artists like myself this opportunity and I appreciate my fans more than anyone can
know for putting me here. I really am just beside myself! I am so nervous and excited!"
On Saturday, July 12, each of the four finalists will compete in front of a panel of judges
at the Hard Rock Café (Velvet Underground) in Atlanta. Everyone is invited to Hard
Rock Café (address: 215 Peachtree Street NE) to cheer on their favorite Next Big Star
finalist! This show is FREE and set to begin at 9pm! After a 15-minute set from each
contestant, one winner will be chosen to open for Kenny Chesney the following
evening as part of his Poets and Pirates tour stop into Atlanta. Estimated attendance
for the July 13 show at Turner Field is 40,000!
The Next Big Star competition is not the first one Jessica has entered and won! In
2007, she and her band won the Shift2Nissan National Battle of the Bands competing
against 80 acts across the country. She was the only female country music artist in
that competition and walked away with $10K in prizes from the win. Jessica's
successful background in musical theatre contributes to her drive and ambition to
write and perform. In 2005, just months after pursuing her music career full-time, she
auditioned for the Colgate Country Showdown, winning all the way to the Regional
level. The following year, she decided to try her hand at Nashville Star auditioning first
in the masses in Atlanta. Not getting a call back, she was determined not to give up
and traveled to New York to audition again. Among the 1200+ who auditioned there,
Jessica was called back, giving her the opportunity to perform for show producers.
Though she wasn't the "character" they were looking for, her original song and
performance received high praise.
Jessica’s desire to perform began at the early age of four. Creating song and dance
numbers with her big sister and performing them for the family was a regular form of
entertainment. Listening to Bonnie Raitt, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Lyle Lovett,
Delbert McClinton, Allison Krauss, Vince Gill, and Shania Twain helped shape her
own musical style. When she heard her first Dixie Chicks song, she entered her
school talent show in 6th Grade and decided she would live her life on stage. Her
guitar started going to school with her, and she was writing songs and playing for
friends whenever she had the chance. Every spot in town that had karaoke nights,
coffee shops, open mic opportunities would be her outlet.
At eleven years old, Jessica wrote her first song titled "Romeo and Juliet," a country-
laced, line-dancing tune, and hasn’t stopped since! Her writing is inspired by
situations she finds herself in, in addition to observing the lives of her friends and
family. Jessica plays guitar and piano (she writes on guitar most of the time) and is
learning to play mandolin and fiddle.
Jessica has traveled all over the southeast United States, opening for T. Graham
Brown, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, the LoCash Cowboys and The Classic Rock
Allstars. She played the Martina McBride after party at the Plex in Charleston, SC and
has also been a featured artist in the Bluebird Café Sunday Spotlight Series in
Nashville, TN. During the 2007 NCAA Final Four in Atlanta, Jessica and her band
headlined the pre-party at the Georgia World Congress Center. She is comfortable
with an audience of five to 5,000. Country-rock to the core, Jessica and her band
continue to build their following.
In conjunction with her regular performance schedule, Jessica contributes time to
various charitable organizations helping with fundraising plans and shows to raise
awareness. She is currently working with Life Linkage (www.lifelinkage.com), a
network for cancer survivors.
###
VISIT JESSICA CAYNE URICK AT:
http://www.jessicaurick.com
http://www.myspace.com/jessicacurick
|
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