Twang Town Lowdown - Tuesday, Feb. 9th

 

KACEY MUSGRAVES WANTS MERCHANDISERS TO STOP RIPPING HER OFF:

Kacey Musgraves is putting up a fight against people stealing her lyrics to make money.

She posted a rant on Instagram, holding a wooden sign with a lyric to her song "Biscuits" that was being sold in a major western wear store. She writes, "My lyrics are being ripped off so many times and, naturally, nobody buying this stuff would ever know that the people who actually CREATED these lyrics are seeing ZERO benefits."

Kacey says there are ways to create products using intellectual property, but those procedures are not being followed. She urges her fans to notify her when they see products ripping off her lyrics. 

She asks fans, "Think before you buy. The product might be cute, but stealing ain't."

SURPRISING BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS – JASON ALDEAN

 

Over the years, Jason Aldean has been a huge supporter of those diagnosed with breast cancer and finding a cure for the disease through his partnership with Susan G. Komen, and he will continue that support during his "2016 We Were Here Tour." During select dates over the course of the tour, Aldean will surprise survivors nominated through essay submissions with concert tickets and VIP backstage access to the concert of their choice. To enter the VIP Experience & Meet-And-Greet Contest, fans can share their story of survivorship by submitting an essay at least 10 days prior to the selected concert date. Fans can enter the contest here. A sneak-peek of what fans can expect from the contest can be seen here. 

In October of last year, Aldean brought his "2015 Burn It Down Tour" to a close with a show at Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida. During the show, which also served as the 10th Annual "Concert for the Cure," Aldean presented over $615,000 to Susan G. Komen South Florida and its mission of supporting those diagnosed with breast cancer and the ultimate goal of finding a cure for the disease. The $615,000 donated to Susan G. Komen South Florida was raised from a portion of ticket sales over the course of the tour.

THE EPIPHANY PRIZE – DOLLY PARTON

 

During the recent Movieguide Awards, Dolly Parton was presented with the Epiphany Prize for the Most Inspiring TV Program of 2015 for her NBC made-for-television movie Coat of Many Colors. Each year, the Epiphany Prize is presented to the "best, most inspiring movie and television program that resulted in a great increase in man's love or understanding of God." Parton says of receiving the honor, "I really wanted to celebrate the people, my whole family, who made me who and what I am today. I'm so blessed and thankful for a great cast, producers, director, and for everyone who watched and I'm extremely thankful to the Movieguide Awards for this honor." The presentation of the Epiphany Prizes for the Most Inspiring Movie and TV Program of 2015 is the highlight of the annual awards ceremony, which will be telecast on Monday, February 22, and Wednesday, February 24 on the REELZChannel.

Coat of Many Colors got big ratings when it premiered in December, with nearly 13 million viewers tuning into the initial broadcast. The film takes place in the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains in 1955 and is based on the incidents in Parton's life around the time she was nine years old. The film starred Jennifer Nettles as Dolly's mother and young actress Alyvia Lind as a nine-year-old version of the country star.

MUSIC BIZ ARTIST OF THE YEAR – LITTLE BIG TOWN

 

The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present its prestigious Artist of the Year Award to Little Big Town at the Music Biz 2016 Awards Luncheon in Nashville on May 18. LBT's Karen Fairchild says of receiving the honor, "This year has been absolutely amazing for our band, and we're so happy to receive this award. We've been at it for a long time and have seen more than our share of successes, but 2015 definitely takes the cake! Thanks to Music Biz for this recognition and, of course, all our fans for making it possible for us to do what we do." The event will be held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel and will also feature the presentation of Breakthrough Artist Awards to Sam Hunt and electropop artist Halsey. The soon-to-be-announced recipients of the Chairman's Award for Sustained Creative Achievement and Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award will also be given out at the annual ceremony.