Consumers Spending Drops Off

Advertising Age (10/6/08) has released results from its recent survey on consumer sentiment conducted by Lightspeed Research who polled 507 consumers via the Internet on Oct. 1-2. Overall findings show consumers to be concerned about...

Industry News Friday (10/10/08)

Digital music offerings continue to grow. Universal Music Group has licensed its music video catalog to popular teen social networking web site Kiwibox, and has also made a deal with digital and mobile service Dada...

Toby Still On Top; New Singles On The Move

Toby Keith’s “She Never Cried In Front Of Me” is still sitting on top of the CountryBreakout™ chart for a third consecutive week and with a pretty sizable lead on the competition. He’s trailed by...

Benefits/LifeNotes Friday (10/10/08)

RCA VP of Promotion Keith Gale and Curb VP of Promotion Adrian Michaels will duke it out in the second annual Rumble On The Row. Proceeds from the March 13 three-round boxing match will...

Artist News Friday (10/10/08)

Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and Taylor Swift will be featured on the November cover of Redbook Magazine and Lifetime Television Public Service Announcements as part of a non partisan campaign to encourage women to vote...

Ash Bowers signed to BBR/Magic Mustang

10/09/2008

Singer/Songwriter Ash Bowers has signed a recording/publishing deal with BBR and Magic Mustang Music. Bowers is in the studio with noted producer Buddy Cannon working on his debut project for BBR and will be featured at the Buddy Lee Attractions showcase for IEBA at Cadillac Ranch on Oct. 13.

(L-R): Lee Adams, VP Promotion BBR; Bowers; Benny Brown, CEO/Owner BBR; Tina Crawford, BBR A&R & Magic Mustang Creative Dir.; Bruce Larson, Saddle Creek Mgmt.; and Brad Howell, BBR GM.

LoCash Cowboys Sign Deal with Steele and Sony Tree Publishing

10/09/2008

Dynamic duo, LoCash Cowboys have signed a production deal with Nashville songwriter, performer and producer Jeffrey Steele. LoCash has also signed a publishing deal with Sony Tree Publishing. The guys have been writing and plan on going into the studio during October to begin recording.

(L-R): Sony/ATV Pres./CEO Troy Tomlinson, Duff Bershback, Chris Lucas, Preston Brust and Jeffrey Steele.

HFA Invites Publishers To Lunch And Learn

Sarah Skates – 10/09/2008

The Harry Fox Agency (HFA) is hosting a “Lunch and Learn” event for music publishers at the Loews Vanderbilt Hilton at noon on Mon., Nov. 3. HFA CEO Gary Churgin will provide the latest updates from HFA, followed by training for using the company’s online tools for publishers, particularly as it relates to digital licensing and royalty information.

HFA Online Training Sessions for Publishers:
1:00 PM—Income Tracking Reports – New Manufacturer Comparison Reports
1:30 PM—eSong
2:00 PM—Online Licensing Reports and Digital Formats
2:30 PM—Online Royalty Statements and Digital Formats

Publishers should RSVP by Oct. 27 to press@harryfox.com or 212-834-0133.

Robin Lightner Lands A Bullseye

Sarah Skates – 10/09/2008

Robin Lightner

Robin Lightner has joined John Hart’s firm Bullseye Marketing/ Research as National Director Sales & Marketing. She is a longtime a promotion executive who most recently worked the One Flew South project exclusively for Decca Records. Prior to that she spent nearly 7 years as National Director, Country for Ready4Radio. She can be reached at 615-292-7318.

Trisha Walker-Cunningham Receives Award Of Merit

10/09/2008

Trisha Walker-Cunningham recently received an Award of Merit from Governor Phil Bredesen honoring her “30 years of faithful service to Country Music in the best interests and in the highest traditions of the State of Tennessee." Jo Walker-Meador, former Executive Director of the CMA, surprised her with the award.

During her career in Nashville, Walker-Cunningham has excelled as a talent buyer, publicist, manager, tour manager and consultant. Originally from Britain, she has taken more than 300 artists overseas for Festival and tour appearances. Walker-Cunningham has exclusively represented Switzerland’s Gstaad Festival, and France’s Craponne Festival for more than 20 years each. She was the first recipient of the CMA’s Jo Walker-Meador International Achievement Award, and received the organization’s International Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year in 2007.

Walker-Cunningham says, "My work in Nashville has been extremely diverse these past 30 years, so I cannot take full credit for this award. I want to share it with Jo Walker-Meador, the CMA and all the wonderful and talented people in every facet of the industry who believe in me.”