Jake Owen Gets Gold • Shane Stevens Named Million Air • Due West Teams With Garth Fundis

(L-R) Gary Overton (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Jake Owen and Alaina Vehec (Associate Director, Digital Sales, SMN).

Jake Owen is celebrating some summer Gold with his digital single, “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.” Officially certified by the RIAA, and with download sales of over 550,000 the song is the fastest rising single of Owen’s career. In addition, the music video for “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” debuted on VEVO just four weeks ago and it is rapidly approaching 2 million views.

“Barefoot Blue Jean Night” is the title track and first single from Owen’s upcoming third studio album, produced by Joey Moi (Nickelback) and Rodney Clawson plus Grammy award-winning producer Tony Brown.

Jake is the special guest on the U.S. leg of Keith Urban’s “Get Closer 2011 World Tour,” with stops this weekend in Washington, DC (July 28), Toledo, OH (July, 29) and Ft. Wayne, IN (July, 31). Find complete tour dates and more online at www.jakeowen.net.

Leslie Roberts of BMI presents Shane Stevens with a Millionaire Award for the song “American Honey” at the Major Bob office.

(L-R) Leslie Roberts, Associate Director Writer Publisher Relations, BMI, Jesse Frasure, Director of A&R, Major Bob Music, Shane Stevens, Major Bob Music, Bob Doyle, Owner, Major Bob Music, Mike Doyle, GM/VP, Major Bob Music.

Country trio Due West has announced it will be recording with producer Garth Fundis to create it’s second release for Black River Entertainment. The band is comprised of Matt Lopez, Tim Gates and Brad Hull.

(L-R) Matt Lopez, Due West; Garth Fundis; Tim Gates, Due West; and Brad Hull, Due West. Photo: Robert Chavers