Well, today seems to be the day for festival announcements. In addition to the IBMA news, we also have YR15 -- a three-night bash in honor of local label Yep Roc Records' 15-year anniversary. That will happen Oct. 11-13 at Cat's Cradle with a lineup featuring some of the finest acts from the Grammy-winning label's roster, including Nick Lowe, Robyn Hitchcock, Fountains of Wayne, John Doe and more. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Check here for details.

Also on the festival front, the latest TRKfest has been set for July 21. It will again be at Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro (with Haw River Ballroom as a backup venue if the weather's bad). Lineup details still to come.

Wouldn't you know it, I was on furlough when word came down about a couple of area acts scoring impressive record deals. First up, peerless pop ensemble The Old Ceremony has signed with Grammy-winning local label Yep Roc Records, which sounds like a very fine match. The group's fifth album, "Fairytales and Other Forms of Suicide" will be released bearing the Yep Roc imprint on Aug. 21.

Then there's the Durham Americana group Delta Rae, which has signed with Warner-distributed Sire Records. What makes the deal all the more impressive is that Delta Rae is the first signing in years by none other than Seymour Stein, the legendary record executive who also gave the world Madonna, the Ramones and Depeche Mode, among others. Stein called the band "an important addition to our overall roster" in a statement, adding:

"Their music, all original, is a mix of blues, country and gospel with a strong rock and roll influence.  I hate labels, but if forced I would have to call their music 'Original Americana,' not unlike what the English are sending over via Mumford & Sons and others.  I'm very proud to welcome Delta Rae to Sire.  I know you will love Delta Rae and their music as much as I do."

Sire/Warner will release Delta Rae's "Carry the Fire" album on June 19.

Major congratulations go out to Triangle-based Yep Roc Records, which notches a pretty impressive chart milestone this week -- its first album to crack the top half of the Billboard 200 album-sales chart. The label hit it with "Sky Full of Holes," the latest release from Fountains of Wayne. The album sold 11,728 copies (also Yep Roc's highest one-week sales figure for any title) to debut at a flashy No. 37.

New to the local concert schedule, Wilco at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater on Sept. 27 -- which just happens to be the very day the group's new album "The Whole Love" will be released. That's pretty cool, but something even cooler is the opening act: Mr. "Jesus of Cool" himself, the great Nick Lowe (who has a local connection, in that he records for Triangle-based Yep Roc). Ticket details are pending.
 

The latest round of Grammy nominations are out, mostly offering the usual top-of-the-charts dreck in the major catagories. Further down, however, some of our North Carolina folks picked up nominations:

Anthony Hamilton -- The Charlotte native picked up nominations in three categories: R&B Album, Male R&B Vocal Performance and Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.

Calvin Richardson -- The Monroe-born Richardson earned a pair of nominations, for R&B Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocals (shared with Ann Nesby) and Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

Foreign Exchange -- Little Brother main man Phonte Coleman's side-project scored in the Urban/Alternative Performance category.

David Holt -- From the mountains of Western North Carolina, Holt is nominated for Traditional Folk Album.

Mamadou Diabate -- The Durham resident and kora master picks up his second nomination, for Traditional World Music Album.

Yep Roc Records -- Triangle-based label looks to capture its second Grammy, for Beausoleil's "Alligator Purse" in the category of Zydeco or Cajun Music Album.

Oh, those crazy kids over at Yep Roc Records:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yep Roc to Officially Add Letter 'K' to Company Name - Yep Roc(k)

Yep Roc HQ (Chapel Hill, NC) -- For an explanation with full details, watch the video press release.