Author Archive: David M Ross
David M. Ross has been covering Nashville's music industry for over 25 years. dross@musicrow.com
McGraw Moves To Red Light Management
NASHVILLE– Coran Capshaw has signed megastar Tim McGraw to his Red Light Management artist roster. McGraw will be joining Dave Matthews Band and Phish as Capshaw’s primary focus. “I am very impressed with the level of resources and creativity that Coran brings to the table,” says McGraw. “I have been blessed with an incredible career […]
Talent Merger Spawns WME
Top Hollywood talent shops William Morris Agency and Endeavor Agency agreed yesterday (4/27) to join forces. The newly combined entity would be called William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME). WM’s Jim Wiatt would serve as Chairman with three co-chiefs— Endeavor’s founder, Ari Emanuel; Endeavor managing partner Patrick Whitesell; and William Morris President Dave Wirtschafter. According to […]
Digital Summit Shares Masnick Keynote
One of the highlights from the recent 2009 Leadership Music Digital Summit was the keynote address from Michael Masnick titled, “How Trent Reznor and NIN Represent The Future of the Music Industry and How Others Are Making It Work As Well.” Masnick is well know for his work with Floor64 and frequent posting to award-winning […]
Category: Featured
Swift Leads Country Twitterers
Updated: The Kenny Chesney, cUnderwood83 and SugarlandFans feeds discussed below are not authentic. [Date: 4/23/09] Ashton Kutcher (username: aplusk) has the most Twitter followers, 1,356,958. However, since social networks are like ocean tides moving in and out, one can expect these totals to change. MusicRow, decided to research which country music artists have the highest […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Sales/Marketing
Debt Load Chafes Clear Channel
Clear Channel Communications went private last July after being purchased by THL Partners and Bain Capitol. In the process, the company’s debt load greatly increased. Last week CCC released a preliminary filing stating that its first quarter revenue had fallen 23% to $1.2 billion while at the same time its debt increased trifold to $21 […]
Review: Aldean Anchors Adventurous Collection
California-based Broken Bow Records arguably hasn’t yet done much for the Nashville community, but Wide Open, from its flagship artist Jason Aldean, scored impressive first week sales (109k) and is clearly boosting confidence in country’s fan connection. Radio is on board, too. Music Row named the Macon, Georgia native its Artist of the Year (Mid-Size […]
Robbins Closes Nashville Offices; Stark Departs
[updated 4/13/2009] Robbins Entertainment president Cory Robbins has issued the following statement clarifying information released last Thursday: “Robbins Nashville is not closing. It is correct that we are closing our Nashville office, but we are continuing in the country format with the same commitment.”We will be partnering with an outside promotion firm to work our records. “Details about […]
Amazon & WalMart Adopt Multi-Tier Pricing
The jury is still out on how pricing changes at iTunes will affect digital track sales. However, one development has been the adoption of the new multi-tier pricing by Amazon.com which includes an 89¢ price point in addition to the three prices available on iTunes; $1.29, 99¢ and 69¢. Wal-Mart also seems to have raised […]
Category: Featured
American Idol Powers Country Sales
This week’s SoundScan action centers on the amazing power of American Idol. Execs will recall that AI featured the Grand Ole Opry last week and more specifically, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. So how did they do? Probably no surprise to anyone, Carrie led the sales pack. Her duet with Randy Travis, “I […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Label, Sales/Marketing
Oprah Hosts Country
Oprah is calling it the country lineup of the year. She will be be taping a special country music themed show later this week featuring Sugarland, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood and Darius Rucker. “Are you a fan of good country music?” she asks. “Is country music the soundtrack of your life?” All four acts will […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Sales/Marketing
No Depression Adopts Community Model
No Depression, the roots music publication, has created a “community-driven website” powered by the ning.com platform. (Nashville’s Digital Nashville organization is also powered on the Ning platform.) Located at community.nodepression.com the new network allows the formation of niche communities based around a variety of themes. Readers can create a member page, plus share music, videos, […]
Category: Featured
