“I congratulate Jason, the Rempel Brothers of High Valley and Doc Walker on their prized JUNO nominations,” says Ron Kitchener, Founder of Open Road Recordings. “Three out of five nominations is a testament to our accomplished roster at Open Road.”

JUNO Award winning country trio Doc Walker secured their nomination for their 2011 release 16&1. The album that includes “Country Girl”, “Do It Right” and their new single “Where I Belong” was written, recorded and produced in Westbourne, Manitoba referencing the highway crossroads of Old School Studio, owned by Doc Walker. In addition to being 11 time CCMA winners and recipients of the 2009 JUNO Award for Country Recording Artist of the Year for their album Beautiful Life, Doc Walker have also produced multiple top 10 hits on Canadian country radio throughout their career.

High Valley is Brad, Bryan and Curtis Rempel, a trio of brothers from Le Crete, Alberta. Currently on tour supporting Paul Brandt, their new single “Have I Told You I Love You Lately” was serviced to radio today from their upcoming sophomore album set for release this May. The group won the 2011 Country Radio Music Award for Best New Group / Solo Artist (Country) and garnered five wins at the 2011 Gospel Music Association Covenant Awards. In 2010 and 2011, they were nominated for the Rising Star Award at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMA). High Valley continue to build on the success of their self-titled debut album which saw four singles chart in the Top 25 on country radio (“I Will Stand By You”, “On The Combine”, “A Father’s Love” and “Call Me Old Fashioned”).

Five-time nominee Jason McCoy is celebrating this year’s JUNO Award nomination for his fifth solo album Everything. As a member of the award-winning group The Road Hammers, the Canadian singer-songwriter’s talents have been recognized with numerous accolades and awards throughout his lengthy career including an incredible 19 Canadian Country Music Awards.

Winners of the 2012 JUNO Awards will be announced at the JUNO Gala Dinner and Awards on Saturday, March 31 and on the live broadcast set to take place Sunday, April 1 from the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, ON.

The three brothers from La Crete, AB grew up listening to Paul Brandt and are thrilled to be on the road with him. He produced the band’s 2010 self-titled debut and has a cameo in their video for the song “On The Combine.”

Fans can keep up with the guys on tour by checking their Facebook and Twitter pages for video updates from the road.

BRANTLEY GILBERT TO RELEASE HIS FIRST ALBUM WITH OPEN ROAD RECORDINGS OCTOBER 4

HALF WAY TO HEAVEN DELUXE FEATURES BONUS CONTENT AND THREE EXCLUSIVE TRACKS PRODUCED BY AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER DANN HUFF

For a small-town Georgia boy, Brantley Gilbert is making a big impact “country wide.” The lead single, “Country Must Be Country Wide,” off his forthcoming album, Halfway To Heaven Deluxe, is slated for release on October 4, 2011 with Open Road Recordings/Universal Music Canada and Big Machine in the U.S. Currently, his debut single in Canada is the Top 20 Most Played Song at CICX Barrie, CJKX Toronto, CIKZ Kitchener, CKBY Ottawa, CHSJ Saint John, CJWF Windsor and CKBL Saskatoon.

Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, said, “Time has come! The demand for this album, of which all tracks have been remixed and remastered, is off the hook. BG’s fans are the full compliment of ‘fan’… as in ‘fanatic’. I’ve never seen anything like it. His live shows are an experience, his songs anthems, his personality contagious. I personally can’t wait to get the final CD! This is really, really exciting.”

As one of the fastest-rising new country artists of 2011 in the U.S., Gilbert has already achieved two #1 hits as a songwriter. He co-wrote both “My Kinda Party” and “Dirt Road Anthem,” which were recorded by Jason Aldean for his Platinum-selling album, My Kinda Party.

Gilbert’s true-to-life lyrics – coupled with his distinct, raw vocals – make Halfway to Heaven Deluxe an album for fans of country and southern rock alike. His online music video for “Kick It In The Sticks” has garnered over 5.8 million views, proving Gilbert already has mass appeal. The video for “Country Must Be Country Wide” debuted on CMT’s Chevrolet Cross Canada Countdown last week at #30.

“As we tour country wide each night, I continue to realize that my fans in the crowd are just like me. They are my closest friends because they listen to my music, they sing along with me and they have been through the same type of experiences. This album is essentially a storybook of my life and I am excited to see what those friends have to say about it,” says Gilbert.

The album’s original 12 tracks have been remixed and re-mastered to sound the way that Brantley originally intended. The deluxe edition includes three newly recorded songs produced by award-winning music producer Dan Huff as well as videos for the hit single “Country Must Be Country Wide,” the already-classic “Kick It In The Sticks” and an up-close and personal behind the scenes interview with Gilbert.

ABOUT OPEN ROAD RECORDINGS
Founded by Ron Kitchener, Open Road Recordings won Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Award for Record Company of the Year in 2009, 2010 and 2011. It is home to JUNO and CCMA Award winning artists Doc Walker, Dean Brody, Emerson Drive, The Road Hammers (certified Gold in Canada) and classic Canadian roots group Prairie Oyster. The award winning label roster also includes break out success stories High Valley, Ridley Bent and Tara Oram. Open Road Recordings represents Big Machine and Valory Records in Canada, which includes Taylor Swift (certified six times Platinum in Canada), Reba, Rascal Flatts, Jewel, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert and Steel Magnolia and is a partnership with MapleCore Ltd., distributed by Universal Music Canada.

16 & 1 hits close to home as it was written, recorded and produced in Westbourne, Manitoba where lead singer Chris Thorsteinson grew up. 16 & 1 refers to the highway crossings of Old School Studios, the newly converted recording studio the band recently purchased and renovated. This also happens to be the school that Chris attended in his youth.

The album showcases the trio’s fusion of classic country, rock and soul, recorded ‘live off the floor’ and features eight original songs, including the ballad “Do It Right,” plus covers of Bob Seger’s “Get Out Of Denver,” and Crash Test Dummies’ “I Think I’ll Disappear Now” which features Brad Roberts on guest vocals.

In addition, Doc Walker have launched their “Raw, Live & Intimate” iPhone video diaries from Old School Studios, which feature an exclusive behind-the-scene look at the making of the album. New videos will be featured weekly at www.docwalker.ca.

Labeled ‘the hardest working country band in Canada,’ Doc Walker are nominated for four 2011 CCMA Awards including Fans’ Choice, Group or Duo of the Year, CMT Video of the Year for “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” and Country Music Program or Special of the Year for their 2010 DVD “Doc Walker’s Dock Party.”

As eleven time CCMA winners and awarded the 2009 JUNO Award for Country Recording Artist of the Year for their album Beautiful Life, Doc Walker have produced multiple top 10 and top 5 hits on Canadian country radio throughout their career.

The group will be performing in Sydney, Australia on August 25 and in Gympie, Australia on August 26 and 27 as one of the international headline acts at the 2011 Gympie Music Muster. This fall they will head out on their 2011 “Are You With Me Tonight?” cross Canada tour, set to kick off in November.

“IF HEAVEN WASN’T SO FAR AWAY” IS MOORE’S FASTEST RISING SINGLE TO DATE

Nashville, TN—(July 12, 2011)_- From retail to radio, Valory Music Co. recording artist Justin Moore continues to reign in Country music.  Just two weeks after his sophomore album, Outlaws Like Me, entered the chart in the #1 position, the album’s lead-off single takes the #1 spot on the Billboard & Country Aircheck/USA Today Country Singles Charts.

“The response to the song from fans has been overwhelming and having another No. 1 hit is the greatest feeling in the world!” exclaimed Moore upon hearing about his success at radio. “I love making music and the recent reactions my fans have had toward the single and the album allows me to keep on doing what I love.”

Scott Borchetta, President/CEO of the Big Machine Label Group adds, “Justin’s ever growing fan base has stood up to be counted!  His fantastic first week album debut and the #1 airplay for Heaven, along with bang up business on the road with Rascal Flatts, has shown that Justin’s ascending star is something that must be reckoned with.  I’m sure that industry acknowledgement is not far away.”

“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” has sold over 300,000 digital single sales to date while Outlaws Like Me has had  over 100,000 in album sales in just two weeks.  The album made its debut as the No. 1 Best Selling Country Album according to Billboard’s Soundscan chart.

Moore is currently on tour with the highly acclaimed “Flatts Fest” summer tour with headliner Rascall Flatts and will hit the road with Miranda Lambert later this fall.

About Justin Moore: Justin Moore’s star has grown significantly since he was named Billboards’ “Top New Country Artist of 2009.” This Southern Country stylist has sold over 1.2 million digital downloads to date and his sophomore album OUTLAWS LIKE ME hit the #1 spot the week it was released. OUTLAWS LIKE ME includes the #1 hit and fastest rising single of Moore’s career, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.” His debut album scored three consecutive smash singles (the #1 “Small Town USA” as well as the hits “Backwoods” and “How I Got To Be This Way”).  Additionally, his debut was recognized by the New York Times as one of the best albums of 2009. Moore is currently out on tour with Rascal Flatts and will hit the road with Miranda Lambert later this fall. For music and more, visit www.moorejustinmusic.com.