Inside Music Row

It takes an extraordinary effort to put together the annual CMA Awards show.  From all the technical aspects of the show to artist rehearsals, we had a chance to check in behind-the-scenes to see what it takes to make it all come together.  Check out what it takes to make it all the way into your television at home.

This next red carpet event was held at BMI, and included special honors for Dean Dillon...recognized as a BMI Icon.  We had a chance to hear from honorees and special guests at the 61st annual event.

We kick off the 47th annual CMA Awards week with our red carpet coverage of some of today's hottest writers at SESAC's annual reception.

John David Kent got his start in professional music at an early age.  By the time he was 14, he was touring the world, even appearing on Letterman and Conan, and scored his first major label deal just two years later.  With his latest band, he put out his first full-length album as frontman on his very own independent label.  Propelled by three Top 20 singles on the Texas Country Charts, he's working with Thirty Tigers to distribute his sophomore project "Before The Sun Comes Up," which is also on his own label.  Kelly Lynn caught up with JDK at The Basement here in Nashville to hear more about his new music.

Gordon Mote has certainly overcome more than his fair share of obstacles. In spite of what society today calls a handicap, Gordon has never let the fact he's blind slow him down.  After graduating from Belmont University with a music degree, he's toured with many of today's top country stars, including Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and Rascal Flatts.  He's even been honored by the Academy of Country Music twice as piano and keyboard player of the year.  Now many of Gordon's friends are returning favors singing with him on his new project "All Things New."

Kellie Pickler has seen a lot of changes in her career after winning the ABC show "Dancing With The Stars"  Now she's bringing her new skills as a dancer together with her vocals in her latest music video for "Someone Somewhere Tonight."  We had a chance to check in behind-the-scenes with Kellie and her "Stars" partner Derek Hough as they talk about working together on the show and in the video.

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the one and only Dolly Parton.  Dolly has set her European dates for the 2014 "Blue Smoke World Tour" and her new "Blue Smoke" album will soon be released on her very own Dolly Records.  We hear from Shania Twain next as she talks about her launch of the first "Shania Kids Can" clubhouse in Las Vegas - her non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children in communities around the world.  We talk CMT next as the network will honor Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, and Tim McGraw as their "Artists of the Year" for 2013.  Speaking of Luke Bryan, we talk about his new "That's My Kind of Night" tour.  Look for Lee Brice and Cole Swindell to join him when the tour kicks off January 16th in Columbus, Ohio.  Finally, we go Inside The Song to hear about Brian Milson's latest track "Nothing Grows In Shadows."  

Eric Durrance and his Tobacco Road Band have been steadily gaining fans since we last caught up with him over four years ago.  With the new Silvercreek Records label behind him, Eric is melding his classic country with high-energy, hard-partying Southern Rock.  We had a chance to catch up with him during a recent swing through town to hear about the new label and new music.

Singer songwriter George Ducas just released his first independent album 43-40, which is his first full-length project since "George Ducas" and "Where I Stand" on Capitol Records in the mid 1990's.  Fans might very well remember his Top 20 hit "Lipstick Promises."  The new "43-40" includes thoughtful ballads, playful uptempos and honkey-tonk must-haves in the twelve tracks.  George has continued writing with many of Nashville's biggest songwriters, and this project could be his biggest yet.  Kelly Lynn caught up with George at a celebration for the album release.

It seems kids these days around the world are having a harder time finding success, with all the obstacles they face each and every day.  The Bootstraps Foundation helps out by awarding scholarships to deserving young men and women in Middle Tennessee who have achieved success in high school despite severe hardships.  The second annual "Passion For Fashion" event and Zuus Country stepped in to help raise needed funds for the Foundation.  Kelly Sutton headed out to the event to see why this is such a worthwhile endeavor.