Industry Ink (4-11-13)

Florida Georgia Line has just surpassed 10,000 single sales on the iTunes Canada chart for their newly released remix “Cruise” with hip-hop artist Nelly. As the first single off the band’s highly successful debut album Here Comes The Good Times (Republic Nashville/Universal Music Canada), “Cruise” introduced the singers to a legion of new fans and was the highest selling debut album of 2012 for a new Country act.

“When we caught wind that Nelly was a fan of “Cruise”, we were floored,” says FGL singer Brian Kelley. “We’ve been fans of his music for years and thought it would be cool to team up on a remix.”

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APA has signed singer, songwriter, record producer and Next Great Family Band judge/mentor, Phoenix Stone. Stone has toured worldwide with acts ranging from Britney Spears to Pink and Christina Aguilera.

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The 10th annual CMA Artist Luncheon took place yesterday (April 11) at the Hilton Nashville Downtown. The panel, which included Bobby Bare, “Cowboy” Jack Clement, Kenny Rogers, and John Lomax III (speaking on behalf of Clement), was moderated by CMA Board member and host of Premiere Radio Networks’ “After MidNite” Blair Garner.

Pictured: back row (L-R): CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore; CMA Board member and 10th Annual Artist Luncheon Moderator Blair Garner; CMA Board member Biff Watson; 2013 “Modern Era Artist” Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Kenny Rogers; 2013 “Veterans Era Artist” Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee Bobby Bare; John Lomax III; CMA Board President Ed Hardy; and CMA Board members Sally Williams, Ken Levitan, and Darin Lashinsky. Front Row (L-R): CMA Board members Jody Williams, John Marks, Clarence Spalding, Tony Conway, Jeff Walker, David Ross, Pat Higdon, Victoria Shaw, CMA Artist Relations Committee Chairman Clint Higham, and John Hamlin.