Entries by Sarah Skates

Groupon Grows Ties To Music Biz

Groupon is the latest unconventional outlet for selling music. Today the deal site is offering digital downloads of the new album from pop/rock star David Gray. Lost and Found-Live in Dublin 2011 is available exclusively on the coupon e-tailor for the deeply discounted price of $6, listed as a $13 value. Additionally, Groupon subscribers will […]

Photo Friday

Luke Bryan, Doobie Brothers on “CMT Crossroads” • Justin Moore and his Outlaws • Xtreme Muzik Tour Opens At Show Me Fest

Vince Gill Heads To Hollywood Walk of Fame, Ryman Tonight

Vince Gill will get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of the 2012 class of inductees alongside Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, David Foster, Heart and others. Gill, who moved to Los Angeles at age 19, has long had an affinity for the city. Today he recalls, “When I lived out there, […]

Dolly Looks Toward "Better Day"

Dolly Parton is gearing up for Tuesday’s (6/28) release of her new album Better Day. The first single “Together You And I” is climbing MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart, and she recently shot a video for the song in Nashville with director Trey Fanjoy. The project is coming via Dolly Records, with distribution through Warner Music […]

Country's Night To Rock TV

The ABC-TV special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock will air Sun., Aug. 7. The concert special was taped June 9-12 at the 40th annual festival. Among the artists who will perform on the program are Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, […]

Memorial Scheduled For Bill Johnson

A memorial celebration will be held for late art director Bill Johnson on Sun., June 26. The event will be 3-5:30 PM at the WO Smith Music School. His wife Cynda Johnson requests friends bring stories to share and photographs of Bill to post on a memory board. She writes on his CaringBridge site that […]

Country Music Hall of Fame Board Update

At the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly board meeting today (6/23), BMI’s Nashville Vice President, Writer-Publisher Relations Jody Williams was elected to a first term as a trustee. Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and Lee, Danner & Bass, Inc. Principal and Director Ernie Williams were re-elected to three-year terms as […]

CMA Music Fest Brings Boon To Music City

Country music fans attending the recent CMA Music Festival had a huge economic impact on Nashville. Spending by visitors totaled $30 million, a significant increase from last year’s record-high of $24 million, according to Smith Travel Research and reported by The Tennessean. It was the second consecutive year festival tickets sold out, drawing average daily […]

Industry Ink Thursday

Chris Keaton Produces Broadway Project • Belmont Promotes Jamie Stamey• Songwriter Agency Hires Cheri Blankenship • Woody Bomar’s Road Crew Honored

Roger Murrah To Exit Bug Music

Roger Murrah will officially leave his post as Sr. VP of Bug Music when his contract with the publishing company ends in August. The publishing vet came on board with Bug in February 2009, overseeing the Nashville office and reporting directly to Los Angeles-based CEO John Rudolph.