Feeling Talented This Week?

Rodney Atkins has been named as the honorary host of the 4th annual Music City Songwriting Competition, which is conducted by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. The CVB is holding a world-wide search for the best original song now until November 22nd. All entrants will receive a copy of Rodney’s newest album. Entries will be narrowed down to the top 25, and will be judged by a panel of music industry veterans. If you've got something good, send it in with this link.

Meanwhile, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has launched their own contest, "They Came to Nashville", which is inspired by Marshall Chapman’s new book of the same name. Contestants can submit a personal statement expressing why they would like to go to Nashville in order try to win the Marshall’s Pick Grand Prize package. The package includes a trip to Nashville, an autographed copy of the book, and more.

News From Around The Country
Gloriana’s been honored with their first gold digital download. At a performance last week in Nashville, the quartet were given plaques from the RIAA to certify their debut single “Wild at Heart” as gold. “Wild at Heart” was the best selling single from a new country act in 2009. ….. John Rich is bringing the rock and rap to country music with his Rich Rocks Six Pak. John says that this is the perfect album to buy to get the party started, “I’ve got celebrity DJ’s over the middle of the mixes. I’ve got Kid Rock, Lil Jon, Hank Williams Jr., Cowboy Troy all on there keepin’ it going.” …. American Idol has revealed the judges for season 10, and it looks like the show is making a few other changes as well. Special genre weeks such as “Country Week” and “Frank Sinatra Night” will not be featured. Producers no longer want to make contestants outside their own genres. The styles of music are going to be more decades-based, rather than individual artists music.” The new season of the show starts in January. …. And finally, from the file of “what ever happened to…,” we catch up with Lyle Lovett. He will be a guest star on an upcoming episode of ABC’s Castle. Lyle’s character will investigate a possible alien abduction in the episode which will air in November.