NEWS

Katrina Elam To Appear In 2004 CMA Awards / Chevy Calendar
Katrina was recently in downtown Nashville to shoot photos for an upcoming CMA/Chevy sponsored calendar that will appear in Country Weekly and People Magazine the week of this year's CMA Awards (Tuesday, November 9, 2004). The calendar features several other country artists as well and covers the entire 2005 calendar year.
Joe Nichols 'A Traditional Christmas' Available Now
The title says it all and, realistically, should we expect anything less? Nichols and producer Brent Rowan bring their tasteful and traditional approach to favorites like 'Silent Night,' 'Away in a Manger,' 'White Christmas' and 'The Christmas Song' in a way that reminds you why the songs are classics in the first place. Look for the single “Let It Snow” to air later this fall.
Joe Nichols in Life Magazine on Stands Now!
Joe Nichols will be included in a photo essay on music's promising newcomers in Life magazine. The publication has reinvented itself as a weekend newspaper supplement with initial readership expected at 12 million. Nichols and celebrity photographer Danielle Levitt did the photo shoot last week in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.
See Joe Nichols at the Opry Birthday!
Come and help Joe and the Grand Ole Opry celebrate! The Opry will celebrate its 79th Birthday October 15th and 16th at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN. Other artists to perform are Joe Nichols,Diamond Rio, Hal Ketchum, Andy Griggs, Steve Wariner and of course your Opry favorites! For a special discount coupon offer click here or use the coupon code "FAN" when ordering to receive a 3.00 discount!
Matthew West On The Road and On The Radio
Matthew West has a new single! Listen for and request 'You Know Where To Find Me', on a station near you. Matthew is currently on tour with Avalon and Mark Schultz! Check www.matthewwest.com for a complete schedule. Come on and get Happy!
George Canyon Wins Top New Artist Honors From CCMA
Canyon, who dedicated his award to his father in an emotional acceptance speech, had this to say about his award, “My dad was a really traditional kind of guy and probably expected me to go out and get a 9 to 5 type job. In spite of that he found it in himself to support me in my music career, which is anything but traditional. He’s gone now, but I couldn’t help but think last night how proud he would have been and how much I appreciate the blessing he gave me to pursue my dream. I feel like this award honors him as much as it does me.”
Joe Nichols In All-New, Revamped Life Magazine
Joe Nichols will be profiled in the October 15th issue of Life magazine. The publication has recently reinvented itself, and the new incarnation of Life debuting this fall is expected to hit the 12 million mark. Nichols is featured in a photo essay on music’s promising newcomers.
Are You Ready for The Notorious Cherry Bombs?
New music from the coolest band in town, consisting of Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Richard Bennett, Tony Brown, Hank DeVito, Eddie Bayers, Jr., Michael Rhodes and Joh Hobbs, is set for release on July 27th.The band re-united to honor Crowell at the 2003 ASCAP Country Awards dinner. From the second they hit the stage, it was as if not a day had passed. The players knew this was no one-off performance. With their long-awaited debut release, the Notorious Cherry Bombs are set to restore your faith in great, timeless country music.Learn more on their website, www.thenotoriouscherrybombs.com
George Canyon Joins the Universal South Family
George Canyon has signed a recording contract with Universal South Records. A native of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canyon placed second on the USA Network/CMT Canada television show Nashville Star on May 1st, and expects to release his first Universal South album this fall. "George is a solid traditional country singer whose voice is admired by so many, even before he's recorded this album," says Tim DuBois, Senior Partner, Universal South. "This is a great opportunity for all of us." Tony Brown, Senior Partner, Universal South agrees, "The viewers of Nashville Star obviously have a great deal of confidence in George's ability and, for many, he was their favorite. We're so happy to be working with him."Learn more at www.georgecanyon.com
Katrina Elam's Debut Single is #2 Most Added!
If you haven't heard of Katrina yet, you will very, very soon. Her superstar quality vocal power and songwriting ability impress even the toughest critics. "No End In Sight", her debut single, was the #2 most added song at country radio last week. Number 2 to the one and only George Strait! Check out www.katrinaelam.com for more on this future star!
Revelation Sets New Sales Record for Joe Nichols!
Joe Nichols' new release, Revelation, debuted at #3 on the Country Albums Chart, selling 43,000 CD's. This is his highest sales week since his debut. Thank you fans!
Get Joe Nichols' new hit, 'If Nobody Believed In You' Now!
Can't wait until June 29th, when Joe's new CD comes out, to get his new single "If Nobody Believed In You"? We have good news, you don't have to. You can download the song exclusively at Wal*Mart.com right now! Click here for a sample of what fans are saying and a sample of the song. You are going to love this!
Matthew West Makes History!
Universal South recording artist, Matthew West makes history this week with his single 'More'holding the #1 spot on the Christian AC chart for eight consecutive weeks. No other new artist at this format has held down this position for eight weeks or more with their first radio single since R&R began doing Christian charts in April 2001.Congratulations Matthew! Click here to learn more about Matthew and his amazing music.
New Music From Joe Nichols!
Joe Nichols is set to release his highly-anticipated new album, titled Revelation, on June 29, 2004. The album’s first single, “If Nobody Believed In You,” is now on country radio. Click here for the entire press release.
Want to cruise with Ragweed? Here's your chance!
Cross Canadian Ragweed is inviting their fans to what is certain to be the party of the summer. Fans are invited to cruise the Caribbean with the band from June 28th through July 3rd on Carnival Cruise Lines. Click here for a complete press release or visit www.cruisinwithragweed.com . You don't want to miss this party!
CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED ALBUM DEBUTS AT #5
'Soul Gravy', the new album from the pride of Oklahoma and Universal South, Cross Canadian Ragweed, debuted yesterday selling over 21,000 CD's, landing them at #5 on Billboard's Country Album Chart and at #51 on the Hot 200 Album Chart. This marks the highest charting debut for a band on the Country chart since Rascal Flatts' Melt album a year ago last Fall. Click here for more.
ALBUM OF SONGS INSPIRED BY “THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST” TO BE RELEASED ON APRIL 6TH
On April 6th, we will proudly release a Songs Inspired By “The Passion of the Christ” CD. The compilation of music is intended to serve as a companion piece to the ground-breaking film. Over the last few months, Gibson worked with his close friend, documentary filmmaker and music video director Lian Lunson to put together an album that they felt would honor the emotional voyage experienced by watching the film. Gibson felt that the songs should compliment the message in the film and inspire spiritual reflection, but not in an obvious way. The CD takes the listener on a journey, often a dark and reflective one. Click here for more details.
Buck and Roll - The Official Music of the Professional Bull Riders Available March 2nd!
The PBR All-Stars have recorded an album of rock ‘n’ roll songs to serve as the official soundtrack of the PBR. Buck and Roll, Volume One, was custom crafted for the bullriding fans, contains 10 songs and has been called “ the musical equivalent of a wild ride on the back of a bull and it lasts a lot longer than 8 seconds!”“It’s a tribute to the riders and the sport itself. It captures the spirit of bull riding. It was written and made just for the PBR,” said Tim DuBois, Senior Partner at Universal South and executive producer of the album.Music from the album can be heard during PBR events where the CD will also be sold. Buck and Roll, Volume One will also be available via a direct response television campaign beginning immediately and will be released to retail stores March 2, 2004.Professional bull riding is a fierce, rough and grueling sport with roots deep in American culture. It’s America’s original extreme sport. www.pbrnow.com to learn more about this amazing sport!
New Cross Canadian Ragweed Music!
Ready for new music from Cross Canadian Ragweed! Look for their new release, Soul Gravy, on March 9th A collectors edition with a free concert DVD will be available for a limited time! Don't miss out! Check back here and at crosscanadianragweed.com for updates.
And The Winner Is...
Last night on the Grammy Awards, Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers was awarded Country Album of the Year as well as Best Country Vocal Collaboration for 'How's the World Treating You' by James Taylor and Alison Krauss.Congratulations to Carl Jackson and everyone involved in this project on these well deserved awards!

Universal South Receives 4 Grammy Nominations!
We are proud to announce that Universal South received 4 Grammy nominations this year. Best Country Album-Livin' Lovin' Losin': Songs of the Louvin BrothersBest Male Performance-Joe Nichols 'Brokenheartsville' Best Country Collaboration w/ Vocals-James Taylor and Alison Krauss 'How's the World Treating You' from Songs of the Louvin BrothersBest Bluegrass Album-'Christmas on the Mountain: A Bluegrass Christmas"Thank you for your support of Universal South Records!WWatch the Grammy Awards, February 8 at 8:00pm on CBS.
Amanda Wilkinson is set to embark on her solo career!
Amanda Wilkinson has recently been in the studio recording with Tony Brown. Click HERE and listen to one of her new songs, "Gone From Love Too Long". It showcases her amazing voice like no song has before. Check back for more music and updates on Amanda's solo career.
Universal South and Sparrow Records are Proud to Introduce Matthew West!
(NASHVILLE, TN) October 8, 2003-Sparrow Records and Universal South will release the debut project from singer/songwriter Matthew West entitled Happy on December 26th. Already an established and award winning songwriter, Matthew West wins audiences of all ages with his contagious stage presence, rich, gutsy vocals and undeniably relevant songs. Click HERE for more from Dierks.Pam Tillis had no idea she would end up being perhaps the last person to record a duet with Johnny Cash. Click HERE for more from Pam.
Check out what George Strait has to say about Joe Nichols!
One relative newcomer who has caught Strait's attention is Joe Nichols. The Superstar received a copy of Nichols' debut gold-selling album, Man With a Memory, from his producer and former MCA label head, Tony Brown. Brown currently heads up Nichols' label, Universal South. "Tony sent me Joe Nichols' record here a while back and it's a great record. He's a great singer. He's a great country singer."

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