Satellite Radio to Increase Music Royalties; Shooter Jennings Premieres New Song; New Music Videos

Many artists expressed their feelings on social media following last week’s horrific elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Here is a small sampling:

“I’m heartsick about the senseless tragedy in CT and praying for the families of the children and teachers who lost their lives. Unthinkable.” Taylor Swift

“Stand strong and united everyone…We are Americans and we are better than this. What a sad, disgusting day this is.” Blake Shelton

“Pray for the families of the victims of the shooting in Conn. Pure satanic evil walks among us.” Charlie Daniels

“The world will never be the same. Heartbroken. Newton, CT we are with you.” Martina McBride

“I’m praying for those babies and all the victims of the Connecticut shooting. May God bring peace to the families.” Miranda Lambert

“Our hearts are broken for the families in Connecticut…Please join us in prayer for these families.” The Band Perry

 “My God, y’all. Please pray for the families in Connecticut.” Colt Ford

 “What is going on in the world today where someone opens fire at an elementary school? God help us. Pray for the families in Connecticut.” Craig Campbell

“I spent 15 minutes yelling at the top of my lungs about what happened in Connecticut. I’m as mad as I am sad. Enough. Enough!!!!!!” Brad Paisley

• A Twitter chat with Colt Ford, sponsored by the NRA, was canceled on Friday, just hours after the shooting.

• Nashville artist and radio host Lindsay Lawler sang “God Bless America” for thousands at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday.

• From the Tennessean this morning: A three-judge federal panel has ruled to impose a modest increase on the rate for royalty payments that satellite radio companies must make to songwriters, music publishing companies and recording artists for use of their work on the air.  

• Neal James, the star of Discovery Channel’s Call of the Wildman, was interviewed by Daniel Mullins of Bluegrass Today about his love of bluegrass music and the banjo.

• Kelly Clarkson got engaged to Brandon Blackstock, the stepson of her friend Reba McEntire.

• Former Grand Ole Opry, RCA Studios and Hee Haw staff drummer Willie Ackerman passed away last week at the age of 73. He was on great recordings such as “El Paso” and “Wings of a Dove.”

• Fiddle player and Tennessee native Carl Franklin passed away at 58. He was a fixture on the fiddle contest circuit and had appeared as a clogger on the Grand Ole Opry.

• Touchtunes, the largest modern digital jukebox provider in North America, said Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem” was the most-played song for the second consecutive year.

• A 24-year old man was arrested trying to break into Taylor Swift’s Nashville home.

• Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame guitarist Jim Fritzler passed away at the age of 74.

• Julie Roberts is giving away MP3 versions of her cover of John Prine’s “Christmas in Prison” with the purchase of one of her other Christmas albums on her website.

• Miranda Lambert’s new retail store seems to be going swimmingly.

• iTunes released their top-selling songs and albums of the year. Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Eric Church were among the top sellers.

• Taste of Country interviewed Gary Allan about his new album coming out early next year.

• Shooter Jennings unveiled “The White Trash Song” from his upcoming album, The Other Life, as well as a clip from a film that will be coming out at the same time.

• Lady Antebellum’s On This Winter’s Night was certified gold by the RIAA.

• Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand have a free  recording of “The Night that Christ was Born” you can download on their Facebook page.

• C.M. Wilcox created a list of some of the more notable country music Christmas releases this year over at Country California.

• Darius Rucker is delivering $10,000 worth of new toys to a Hurricane Sandy-damaged town.

• The ratings for the American Country Music Awards were down from last year.

• Congratulations to the winner of our Keller Williams & The Travelin’ McCourys album giveaway: Paul W. Dennis. Check your email, Paul.

• New music videos:

Rachael Lynn – “One of a Kind”

Brad Paisley – “Southern Comfort Zone”

Brian Bax Band – “Sinkin’ In”

Kid Rock – “Happy New Year”

Jake Kellen – “If Love Was a Road”

The Civil Wars – “20 Years”

Emmett Skyy – “Old and Grey”

Blue Sky Riders – “O Holy Night”

Matt Cornell – “Days to Remember” 

Chelsea Basham – “I Learned the Hard Way”

John Williamson – “Prairie Hotel Parachilna”

Craig Moritz – “Christmas Down in Mexico”

Jaida Dreyer – “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”

Taylor Swift – “I Knew You Were Trouble”

Sweetwater Rain – “Starshine”

Kix Brooks – “Moonshine Road”

Rachele Lynae and Jamie O’Neal – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”