ICANN Opens Naming Floodgates

/by

Someone may have pulled their thumb out of the Internet dike which might explain why now a flood of domain names is on the way. ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Numbers and Names) has agreed to open the system and allow most any organization with enough money to create its own new .com substitute. That means we could see .Reba or .Pepsi or .Trump. The new virtual naming system will be pricey, costing those wanting a new domain tag a tidy $185,000. The paperwork to secure this new moniker will also be complex and require technical capability.
According to the L.A. Times:

Internet observers expect that the initial expansion might bring 500 new options for site suffixes, which are called generic top-level domain names (or gTLDs).  There are only 22 now, including the original eight, (.com, .edu, .gov, .int., .mil, .net, .org and .arpa).

Starting in 2000, ICANN has added 14 new top-level domains, including .biz, .info and .jobs. Few of the  new names have caught on, with .com remaining the standard across many industries, even though it can be difficult and expensive to find new .com names, with the most desirable long ago snapped up by companies, individuals and cybersquatters.
Lauren Weinstein, co-founder of People For Internet Responsibility and founder of Privacy Forum, believes the plan serves the “domain-industry complex” at the expense of everyone else. She tells Information Week:

“I believe we may see billions of dollars being wasted in ICANN’s new gigantic gTLD ‘domain name space’–mostly from firms falsely hoodwinked into thinking that new domain names will be their paths to Internet riches, and from firms trying to protect their names in this vastly expanded space, ripe for abuses.”

ICANN expects to begin accepting applications starting January 12, 2012.
 

Black River Adds Rhoades To Promo Staff

/by

Black River Entertainment has finished the restructuring of its promotion department today with its hire of Brian Rhoades to the position of Director of Promotion, Northeast.
“Brian is fired up and ready to go,” says Black River VP Promotion Rick Baumgartner. “From our first meeting, Brian possessed professionalism and an understanding of the difficulties facing promotion people in this ever-changing environment. I have no doubts we have made the right choice. He will be an incredible asset.”
Rhoades’ background includes time at CBS Records, Reprise Records, Epic Records, Capitol Records, Columbia Records and Virgin Records. He has worked with some of music’s biggest including The Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Paul McCartney and more. He was most recently Northeast Director of Promotion for EMI Records Nashville, where he worked with Eric Church and Troy Olsen.
His first day on the job is July 1 and after then he can be reached at brian@blackriverent or 615-780-3070.
Black River is preparing to release Craig Morgan’s first new music since he signed with the label in April. His single “This Ole Boy” ships to country radio this week and impacts in July.

EMI Back on the Auction Block

/by

EMI Group is actively pursuing buyers and other opportunities, the company announced today (6/20). In an official statement, EMI revealed it “has initiated a process to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, recapitalisation or initial public offering of the Company.”
EMI is currently under the control of creditor Citigroup. The bank took over the music company when previous owner Terra Firma, under the direction of Guy Hands, couldn’t meet its loan requirements.
The official statement continues, “The Company does not intend to disclose developments with respect to its strategic review process unless and until its Board of Directors has approved a specific transaction.”
Conventional wisdom indicated that EMI would begin courting suitors following the sale of Warner Music Group, so that two major music companies weren’t on the auction block at the same time.
Warner sold a few months ago to Russian billionaire Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees Announced

/by

Five artists and ten songwriters are among the 2011 nominees named by the Nashville Songwriters Foundation for induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In the Songwriter/Artist category, nominees are Garth Brooks, Larry Gatlin, Amy Grant, Alan Jackson and Townes Van Zandt. In the Songwriter category, nominees are John Bettis, Robert Byrne, J.J. Cale, Jan Crutchfield, Mark James, Dan Penn, Gretchen Peters, Thom Schuyler, Allen Shamblin and John Scott Sherrill.
“This is an amazing group of songwriters and songwriter/artists,” said John Van Mol, chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF), which owns and administers the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.  “Every one of them is extremely worthy of induction, and it is our honor to place each of their names in nomination.”
Songs penned by the nominees include “Top of the World” by The Carpenters/Lynn Anderson (Bettis), “Two Dozen Roses” by Shenandoah (Byrne), “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton (Cale), “Statue of a Fool” by Jack Greene/Brian Collins/Ricky Van Shelton (Crutchfield), “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley (James), “The Dark End of the Street” by James Carr/Archie Campbell & Lorene Mann (Penn), ”Independence Day” by Martina McBride (Peters), “16th Avenue” by Lacy J. Dalton (Schulyer), “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt (Shamblin), “Nothin’ But the Wheel” by Patty Loveless (Sherrill).
Songwriter/Artist nominees had numerous successes writing their own material, including “Unanswered Prayers” (Brooks), “Broken Lady” (Gatlin), “Every Heartbeat” (Grant), “Chattahoochee” (Jackson), “Pancho and Lefty” (Van Zandt).
Two songwriters and one Songwriter/Artist will be inducted at the NaSHOF’s annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony Saturday, October 16 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

Renegade Country Debuts And Donates

/by

(L-R) Toolpusher Records' Jason Sturgeon with Renegade Country host Tyler Ryan


Renegade Country™ is a new 2-hour syndicated radio show hosted by experienced morning personality  Tyler Ryan. The show was launched June 9 during MusicFest at the Whiskey Bent Saloon in Nashville’s downtown music district.
The entertainment featured acoustic performances from artists such as The Roys, Sherrie´Austin, Andy Griggs, Matt Stillwell, Jason Sturgeon, Jeremy McComb, Buddy Jewell, Brian Randle, BridgetteTatum, One Night Rodeo and Von Grey.
Giving the debut show a unique twist, it was streamed live via Stageit.com and the proceeds were donated to the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition. Fans can visit www.renegadecountry.com and see the debut show performances archived on the site along with behind the scenes interviews and news from all of your favorite country music artists. Renegade Country was first formed in 2007 to give new artists a platform to showcase their music and promote independent artists. Principle involved are Dennis Kurtz, Tyler Ryan, Flick Wilshire and Brian Cecil. For airplay consideration email wave files to [email protected] or mail CDs to Renegade Country Programming 1209 16th Ave. S. Ste. 300 Nashville, TN 37212.

Major Changes In Music Journalism Community

/by

Ann Powers


There’s been a string of changes at national music publications this month. Los Angeles Times Pop Music Critic Ann Powers—who often covered country music—has moved to a new role at NPR Music, which includes writing The Record blog. According to Billboard, she had relocated to Alabama with her family two years ago. Randall Roberts is filling her vacancy at the Times, as well as continuing as Pop Music Editor until a replacement is named for his former post.

Spin’s Editor in Chief Doug Brod, and Publisher Malcolm Campbell have exited the alternative music magazine. Reports, including this one from the New York Times, indicate the outlet is focusing on growing its online presence. Deputy Editor Steve Kandell has been promoted to Editor, and the Publisher role will go to Mike Albanese, who is credited with building the outlet’s advertising products. Music Editor Charles Aaron has been named Editorial Director.
Online alternative music outlet Pitchfork has promoted former Managing Editor Mark Richardson to Editor in Chief. He replaces exiting staffer Scott Plagenhoef.

Keith Bryant – Can't Tell Somebody (Who To Love)

/by

This guy is a stand-up country singer, and I’ve always liked him. This time around, he has a dandy tale of a strict daddy who tries to stand in the way of True Love. So the kids sneak around behind papa’s back to that stretch of road, “Where the moon is willing, and the river don’t mind.” The song soars like an eagle, and so does its vocalist. Absolutely and definitely a winner.
—Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow
Keith Bryant is proud to present his second single for Jordash Records, “Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love),” to country radio. The song, from Bryant’s self-titled album release, was written by Wendell Mobley, Mike Mobley and Shane Minor.
Most will be familiar with Bryant from the success of his 2004 song “Ridin’ With The Legend.” A tribute to NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt, the song experienced sustained airplay after its release and rotation on GAC. The song has since become a sort of rallying anthem for NASCAR and country fans alike.
http://www.keithbryant.com/
Keith Bryant – Can’t Tell Somebody (Who To Love)

Nichols Partners With Dunkin' Donuts

/by

The puns will be flying in all directions as Dunkin’ Donuts celebrates its new “Joe.” No, not another coffee, but “Joe Nichols,” who has signed a partnership with the coffee and baked goods vendor.
Nichols will tout the Dunkin’ Donut brand on his 2011 Nationwide Concert Tour and be featured on the company’s Iced coffee. [Fans are speculating that Nichols will be in the dough on this new agreement and that he will be careful not to end up in the hole.]
On Wed. June 22, Nichols will host a live video chat on Dunkin’ Donut’s official Facebook page which currently has 3.6 million likes. Fans will also get an opportunity to win prizes.
John Costello, Chief Global Marketing & Innovation Officer at Dunkin’ Brands, said, “This new partnership with Joe Nichols will provide a fun and exciting way to connect our fans to one of the hottest stars in country music and promote Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced coffee throughout the summer months and beyond. From our previous work with Joe, we know first-hand how his songs and personality resonate positively with people throughout the country and we are excited to participate in his concert tour and bring Joe and his music to our fans in multiple ways.”

Clarence Clemons Passes

/by

Clarence Clemons, longtime saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, passed away Saturday (6/18) at a Palm Beach, FL hospital, following complications from a stroke he suffered June 12, according to the New York Times. He was 69 years old.
Clemons was a member of Springsteen’s band for over 30 years and appears in the iconic album cover photo for the classic Born To Run (pictured at right). He performed with other artists including Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band, and recorded with Aretha Franklin, Jackson Browne and Roy Orbison among others. The 6’4” former college football player was also a towering presence on TV and film, where he appeared in The Tracey Ullman Show, HBO’s The Wire, and Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York. Recently he contributed his sax skills to two tracks on Lady Gaga’s album Born This Way.

The Band Perry Voted "MusicRow" Breakthrough Artist

/by

MusicRow Pres. Sherod Robertson and Chart Director Jon Freeman present Breakthrough Artist honors to The Band Perry. (L-R): Sherod Robertson, Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry, Republic Nashville Pres. Jimmy Harnen, and Jon Freeman. Photo: Christie King

“Country music is the people’s music, and we desire to be the people’s band.” —Kimberly Perry

The 23rd annual MusicRow Awards will be presented tomorrow night (6/21) at the ASCAP offices, but one award has already been handed out. Readers of MusicRow magazine voted, bestowing honors for Breakthrough Artist on The Band Perry. MusicRow execs caught up with the group at a recent gig at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe to present their plaques.

Following years of hard work, “If I Die Young” was the major hit that propelled the trio made up of siblings Neil, Reid and Kimberly Perry to the forefront of country music’s rising class. The track resonated with fans to the tune of two million downloads. Since its release, the group has earned two ACM Awards, a CMT Award, and Grammy and CMA nominations. Their self-titled debut album, created under the direction of producers Nathan Chapman and Paul Worley, has sold almost 600,000 copies to date.
“We always say, the three of us can only walk through open doors,” said Kimberly, who particularly acknowledged MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart. “All the MusicRow stations have been so gracious, so thank you guys.”
“Like in most success stories, there are no short cuts,” explains Republic Nashville Pres. Jimmy Harnen. “The Band Perry has seen a million faces and rocked them all! Everyone on the team worked passionately and tirelessly, and had a ton of fun doing it. When you add into the mix that Kimberly, Neil and Reid are three of the nicest and most talented people you will ever meet, it’s unstoppable.”