Entries by Freeman

OMG, Email, WRU?

An article in the New York Times points out the growing divide between communication modes of people young and old. Not surprisingly, those in the younger bracket prefer real-time online chats and text messaging to traditional email. Actual phone calls have been on the decline for some time. Younger people tend to prefer a more […]

“Black Ops” Boasts Explosive Sales

Perhaps country labels should consider the possibility of making album releases into first person shooter video games. According to an article in the New York Post, Acitivision Blizzard’s Call of Duty: Black Ops game has crossed the $1 billion sales threshold in only 42 days. Though not quite in Avatar territory ($1B in 20 days), […]

Country Thunder Lineup Expands

Country Thunder Festival stops in Arizona and Wisconsin have added additional performers to their lineups. Joining the performance schedule for the Florence, Arizona Country Thunder Festival April 7-10 are Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, Eric Church, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Neal McCoy. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, and Martina McBride. Full weekend […]

Grascals, Vincent Earn Multiple SPBGMA Nominations

Nominations from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) Awards were recently announced, with the Grascals and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage both earning multiple nominations. Reigning SPBGMA Bluegrass Band of the Year The Grascals are up for 10 SPBGMA Awards, including Album of the Year (The Famous Lefty Flynn’s), Entertaining […]

Nashville’s Street Corner Symphony In “The Sing Off” Finale

Nashville’s own Jeremy Lister and Street Corner Symphony have made the finals of NBC’s The Sing Off, which will air live tonight (12/20) at 7 pm CT. The a capella singing competition began with 10 vocal groups and has been whittled down to a final four groups: Street Corner Symphony, Committed (Huntsville, AL), The Backbeats […]

Hot Schatz Adds Lorge; Al Brock Launches Spin Doctors

Hot Schatz PR has hired Michelle Lorge as Associate Publicist and Operations Manager. In this role, Lorge will be responsible for implementing regional media campaigns for Hot Schatz artists as well as overseeing the office’s day-to-day administrative functions. “I’m very excited about adding Michelle to the Hot Schatz PR team,” says President/Owner Schatzi Hageman. “With […]

Upcoming Media Appearances For Adkins and Reba

Trace Adkins will appear on CBS’ new daytime talk show The Talk today (12/17) at 1 pm CT as a guest and performer. He will talk with show hosts Julie Chen, Leah Remini, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Sara Gilbert as well as performing the holiday classic, “The Christmas Song.” Adkins […]

Weekly Chart Report (12/17/10)

SPIN ZONE Note: Today’s chart edition is the final one of 2010, and we will take the next two weeks off. The first chart of 2011 will be published on Friday, January 7. Happy Holidays! • • • • Keith Urban will close out 2010 with “Put You In A Song” at the top of […]

Paisley and Aldean Enjoy Two Times The Airplay

Recently, two country artists’ teams successfully deployed new singles and managed to keep their current singles on the rise. At the 44th edition of the CMA Awards, Brad Paisley and Jason Aldean both debuted songs other than their current singles. Thanks to years of hard work at radio by the artists and labels, the move […]

Artists and Comedians Support Armed Forces

Kix Brooks is on a USO Tour through the Middle East, which will continue through this weekend. Joining him on the run is hit songwriter Bob DiPiero, and stars Lance Armstrong, Lewis Black, Kathleen Madigan and Robin Williams. “We just did our first show, and it went great!” reports Brooks. “This group of folks I’m […]