Inside Music Row

When someone writes a check for over a million dollars, it's time for a celebration.  Thanks to the fans coming to town for the 2012 CMA Music Festival, the CMA Foundation was able to donate 1.2 million dollars to Nashville's Metro public schools for music education.  The donation was made before a special show at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center hosted by Scotty McCreery.  Kelly Lynn was there for the special announcement.

Kip Moore released his debut album almost one year ago, but he's already seen two of his first three singles hit the number one spot on the charts.  While "Hey Pretty Girl" is getting attention from fans right now, Kip had a chance to celebrate the success of his most recent hit.  We caught up with Kip and co=writers Blair Daly and Troy Verges at a party to celebrate "Beer Money." 

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of The Band Perry.  Their smash hit "Better Dig Two" has now been certified platinum and has held the number one spot for several weeks.  Also in the news is Darius Rucker as his tour kicks off May ninth - look for Rodney Atkins, Justin Moore, and Jana Kramer to join him.  Craig Morgan is mentioned too as he is heading to Sweden to compete in a thrilling 200-mile dog sled excursion above th Arctic Circle.  The adventure will be captured on camera for his "All Access Outdoors" show which airs on the Outdoor Channel.  Up next is The Patriot Power Shot as it is the world's first "bugle in a bottle."  Proceeds will benefit Operation Troop Aid.  We also mention the 2013 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival as this years lineup is huge and will be capped off with Paul McCartney.  Finally, we go Inside The Song with Dale Dodson to here about a track called "She'll Be Back" which is out on Jamey Johnson's "Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran."

Ricky Young release his debut single "Could You Love Me Again" to radio jut before he lauched an impressive 36-city "Honky-Tonkin" University Tour.  His latest 16-song album "Spinning My Wheels" has an all-star supporting cast, and fans are taking notice.  Kelly Lynn caught up with Ricky at a showcase here in Nashville just before he kicked off that new tour.

In the last segment, we talked to Bill Anderson and Mandy Barnett about the event commemorating the lives of Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, aCowboy Copas, and pilot Randy Hughes.  This 50th anniversary brought together many friends and family members who still mourn the loss of their loved ones.  We'll continue our feature on this special event with Jean Shepard and the Grascals.  

Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas were at the height of their careers when their lives were taken in a plane crash near Camden, Tennessee just over fifty years ago.  A special three-day event was held there this year to celebrate the lives of the three stars, plus pilot Randy Hughes.  We had a chance to catch up with Mandy Barnett and Bill Anderson before the "Gone But Not Forgotten" event to talk about the 50 year anniversary and their special memories.

We kick off another Inside Music Row with the mention of Keith Urban - Keith is set to throw a massive party here in Nashville next month to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  This year's "All For The Hall" theme is "Rebeles and Renegades...The Outlaws are In."  Alan Jackson is mentioned next as he will release his "Precious Memories Volume II" next week.  Up next is George Jones as his final farewell has so many other performers involved now - look for Garth Brooks, Kid Rock, Kenny Rogers, and Charlie Daniels to perform at the sold-out November 22nd show at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.  Craig Morgan is mentioned next as he will treat Music City Marathoners to a post-race show with special guest Sarah Darling.  Finally, we go Inside the Song with Luke Laird to hear about a song he co-wrote called "Pontoon" which Little Big Town took all the way to number one.

Lee Miller has been in town over twenty years now, but his songwriting success didn't come quickly, nor easily.  Today he's a sought-after co-writer with several number ones under his belt, along with three Grammy nominations for "Song of the Year."  We had a chance to catch up with Lee at a private event here in Nashville to learn about his musical journey.  

We had the opportunity to first catch up with Canadian singer/songwriter Corb Lund in the summer of 2007.  This fourth generation rancher from Alberta has seen it all in the music business...from his days in punk and metal to his passion of Americana.  We had a chance to visit with Corb during soundcheck on another trip through Nashville at the Exit In.

Toby Keith has seen all kinds of success in his years as both a songwriter and as an artist.  We had a chance to check in with him behind-the-scenes on the set of his latest music video for "Hope On The Rocks."  Check out Toby as he talks about how he developed the characters in this song and why it took so long to release this as a single.