Wick-It the Instigator and DJ Crumbz took the titles for Nashville’s best DJ’s in the Red Bull Thre3Style contest Tuesday night. Hundreds of supporters came out to The Cannery for a night of DJ and dance mayhem. Red Bull paraphernalia decorated the room, along with sweet visual Video screens by PlayMe Art and a festively appropriate DJ photo-booth by Generationdomination.

Eight DJ’s; Dorian, Wick-It, Mike Allison, Braddy Daddy, DJ Crumbz, Cliffy D, ROBOT EARS and Fan Fiction were put to the test to see who had the best spinning skills. Each took turns playing a selection of at least three genres or styles of music in 15 minutes. DJ Rob Swift, Al D Words, Drew Mischke, DJ Don Juan and myself judged on their track-selection, technical skills, creativity and their ability to bring the house down. Dorian lit the turntables on fire (literally) and gave the records a spin with his foot, but in the end Wick-It the Instigator and DJ Crumbz claimed the tables. DJ Rob Swift closed the night out with his mad DJ skills.

The two DJ winners will fly to Miami next Friday the 26th to compete at the Red Bull Thre3Style Regional Final taking place at Winter Music Conference, the week-long electronic dance music event. Best of luck in representing Music City boys!

Eight of Nashville’s best DJs will battle it out Tuesday night for the chance to be crowned the city’s best for the Red Bull Thre3Style competition. Get your dance shoes on, this place is going to be thumping! Dorian, Wick-It, Mike Allison, Braddy Daddy, DJ Crumbz, Cliffy D, ROBOT EARS and Fan Fiction will be put to the test to see who has the best spinning skills. DJ Rob Swift, will take over the tables after helping judge the competition. Each hand selected contestant will have 15 minutes to mix three different genres of music and win over the judges and the crowd.

I am honored to be one of the judges marking scores based on song selections, creativity, skill, swagger and audience reaction. This show is at The Cannery Ballroom, March 16th and it’s free! I hope to see you there!

American Idol’s Bo Bice, Journey’s Jonathan Cain, Rachel Thibodeau (Good Directions) and Chris Wallin (Don’t Blink) performed to a packed house Tuesday afternoon at The Rutledge in downtown Nashville. The songwriters played the official pre-party for 18th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival.

Jonathan Cain had the crowd singing along with nearly every word of his ten song medley which included hits Don’t Stop Believin’, I’ll Be Alright Without You and Faithfully. Mayor Karl Dean took the stage next and joked, “It’s impossible to follow that act. That last person you want to hear from after that is a local politician.”

This years festival will be held March 30-April 3rd and will feature more than 300 talented writers such as; Trace Adkins, Kathy Mattea (Callin’ My Name), Lee Roy Parnell and Rivers Rutherford at eight venues across Nashville.

Tin Pan South is named in honor of New York’s Tin Pan Alley (once the world’s capital of professional songwriting) and draws attention to the songs that make Music City what it is all about it. Check tinpansouth.com for more details.

Country stars Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton announced the 45th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS nominations live this morning during CBS’ The Early Show broadcast from New York City.
Lady Antebellum led with seven nominations, including Album of the Year for Lady Antebellum and Top Vocal Group. Miranda Lambert isn’t far behind with six nominations, including Album of the Year for Revolution and Top Female Vocalist. Carrie Underwood is also nominated for six awards, including Entertainer of Year. Carrie is the reigning Entertainer of the Year, and, if she wins that category again, she will be the first female in Academy history to capture two Entertainer of the Year trophies. Taylor Swift is up for five awards, including her first nod for Entertainer of the Year. Kenny Chesney is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. If he wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his fifth win in the category. Brad Paisley is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. Paisley is the reigning Top Male Vocalist, and, if Paisley wins the category, it will be his fourth consecutive Top Male Vocalist title. Zac Brown Band is nominated for four awards including Entertainer of the Year, their first nomination in the category.

The ACM’s will air live for Vega Sunday, April 18th. For a full list of the nominees click here http://www.acmcountry.com/home/index.php

The 41st annual CRS is in full swing in downtown Nashville. Today I interviewed more than a dozen artists including; Laura Bell Bundy, Joey & Rory, Josh Gracin and Colt Ford. Laura Bell Bundy was by far the most entertaining of the day, boy does that gal have some energy (and she has given up Red Bull for the past two days). She did a slew of hilarious impersonations for our camera. You’ll have to wait and see the out-takes on yallwire.com.

I also made it over to the UMG luncheon. Gary Allen, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Julianne Hough, Jamey Johnson, Randy Rogers Band, Sugarland, Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack were among those that played (pictured). Jamey Johnson got a standing ovation for That’s Why I write Songs. Vince Gill was given a standing O as well and Josh Turner had the crowd laughing when he commented, “I’ve never had this many people open for me!”

I’m off now to catch The Music City Jam featuring Taylor Swift and friends.

Bonnaroo officials are slowly leaking this years line-up of artists through social media networks.

A few of the biggies so far include; Dave Matthews, Regina Spektor, Weezer, The Flaming Lips, Black Keys, Cross Canadian Ragweed, The Avett Brothers, John Fogerty and Jeff Beck.

I’ll try to keep you updated as the artists get confirmed. The festival will be held June 10-13th on the 700-acre site in Manchester, TN.

UPDATE: Dropkick Murphys, John Prine, Thievery Corporation, Jay Z, Dave Rawlings Machine and it keeps getting bigger!

More: Kings of Leon, The Dead Weather, Clutch Whoo hoo!

Kings of Leon’s Jared Followill was seen stopping by Whisky Kitchen Friday night, after catching The Features show at Exit/In.

Gwyneth Paltrow is still in town shooting her latest film, Love Don’t Let Me Down. Film crews spent several days last week shooting scenes at Municipal auditorium. After shooting on Wednesday, Gwyneth was spotted enjoying Music City Roots at the Loveless Barn. Maybe the actress was getting some Americana flavored inspiration for her current role?

Actor Kevin Kostner was seen hanging out late Friday night at Cabana.

Country artist Jamey Johnson was spotted enjoying a casual dinner with friends on Thursday the 21st at the Loveless Cafe.

Country music star Pam Tillis started her new year off at the Loveless on January 2nd.

Danielle Peck, who is currently recording her third record for release this fall, took a break to enjoy some Loveless vittles last month.

Country singer Heidi Newfield (formerly of the group Trick Pony) stopped by legendary honky tonk, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, on lower Broadway in Nashville last Wednesday night. Heidi held an impromptu performance with regular Tootsie’s performer, John Stone.

Upcoming in The Scene in the City:
Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee, Marty Stuart and Tanya Tucker will present a special panel discussion The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Saturday, February 20th. The panel, The Kid’s Got Talent: Child Stardom in the Music Business, will begin at 1:30 in The Ford Theater in conjunction with the exhibition Brenda Lee: Dynamite.

Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride, According to Jim), will serve as host of the first two episodes of Nashville Public Television’s new documentary series, NPT REPORTS: CHILDREN’S HEALTH CRISIS.

The first episode of the seven-part series, produced by Mary Makley (The Carter Family) and premiering on NPT-Channel 8 on Thursday, February 25 at 8:00 p.m., will provide an overview of the challenges that children in Tennessee face in leading healthy lives.

Photo Credit:
Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Center) with NPT producers Mary Makley (left) and Will Pedigo on the set
courtesy: Joe Pagetta/NPT

Heidi on stage at Tootsie’s, courtesy of Tootsie’s

A Children’s Choir of More than 250 Elementary School Students, including 14 from Haiti, joined artists Wynonna, Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mandisa, Lee Greenwood and more Wednesday at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studios to record “Come Together Now.” The song was written to remind people of the need to help those in Haiti. The song will be made available for sale soon, with all proceeds going to benefit relief efforts to Haiti. (Photo credit: Aaron Crisler/The Judy Nelon Group)

On Friday night 7 Day Binge, a rock band featuring Todd Harrell of 3 Doors Down on bass, Jon Nicholson of the Muzik Mafia on guitar and vocals, Kenny Olson of Kid Rock’s band on lead guitar and Shannon Boone on drums will hold a record release party at The Hard Rock Cafes’ new Reverb Room. Campaign 1984 and Beitthemeans will open the show.

Loretta Lynn will celebrate the 50th anniversary of her debut single with an all-star tribute album set for release this fall. The project will feature artists from various music genres. With additional details yet to be announced, the collection coincides with multiple milestones, including the special invitation-only ceremony this weekend at which Lynn will be honored as a recipient of the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. Also coming in 2010 will be the reissue of Lynn’s 1976 bestselling autobiography, Coal Miner’s Daughter, as well as the 30-year anniversary of the classic film of the same name.

I have new details on Taylor Swift & John Mayer. As I reported earlier this week, the two musicians were spotted at Cabana in Nashville. While they were with a large group of friends sitting in the front booth near the bar area, Taylor was seen showing affection towards John by rubbing on his back. The pop country princess was also overheard in the bathroom talking to one of her pals about hanging out with him later. Steph spies say the 20-year old cutie was also seen leaving with the 32-year-old rocker.

Are John Mayer and Taylor Swift dating? That’s all the buzz around Nashville this week. The two singers were spotted together at Cabana in Hillsboro Village Sunday night. Steph spies say they looked to be having a romantic dinner and apparently, Taylor was over heard in the bathroom talking about dating John.

Tuesday night, Taylor was spotted with John yet again. This time at the CMT Crossroads taping.
John taped the special with Keith Urban at the Factory in Franklin.

Reba celebrated her latest Number One, Consider Me Gone at Starstruck Entertainment on Monday.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw continue to shoot Love Don’t Let Me Down all over Music City. The Fontanel Mansion (Barbara Mandrell’s former home) was transformed into a rehab center for the movie. Steph spies say Gwyneth and Tim both signed the posts in the great room. Paltrow plays a country singer and McGraw her manager in the film. You can get in on some of the action as an audience member, when they film Feb. 2nd at Municipal Auditorium downtown. Gwyneth, Tim, Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester, Garrett Hedlund are all expected to be there. You will even get to hear Gwyneth sing. If you’re over 18 head on down to Municipal on the 2nd, doors open at 4 p.m. They are looking for a couple of thousand extras and it’s first come first serve.

Dierks Bentley, Bela Fleck and Cary Barlowe were among the many artists at the Grammy Award Nominee Party at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.
Cary was also seen celebrating his brother, Nathan Barlowe’s, birthday at Mai Tuesday night. Cary wowed the crowd by singing Happy Birthday Elvis style.

Later Thursday night, Pauly D from MTV’s Jersey Shore came out to McFadden’s for a special appearance. Reality star “Sinister” from Daisy of Love was also in attendance.

If you see any celebs out and about email me by clicking HERE!!!

Jason Ritchason opened the doors to his beautiful home over the weekend for the Sweethearts Gala Patron Party. Guests enjoyed dinner and conversed about the upcoming Sweethearts for Scholarships Gala.

The black tie event benefitting Nashville State Community College will be held February 12th at The Hutton Hotel and will feature celeb sweethearts Monty Powell and Anna Wilson.
For more information on the event click HERE!

Among those pictured from the patron party are Gala Chair Shaun Thomas with Carla Stokes, Chealsea Mills with Prophetik designer Jeff Garner, D’Lisa Reynard, George Van Allen & Jenny Newman, Summer Langston & Jason Rithchason, Michael & Malissa Rhodes, Ebie McFarland and Jake Giles.