Entries by Sarah Skates

“Need You Now” Among Top RIAA Certifications

Numerous Country stars are on the RIAA’s list of Gold and Platinum certifications for August, September and October. Among the top selling digital singles is Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” which hit 4x multi-Platinum to become the Capitol Nashville band’s best selling single ever. Mercury’s Billy Currington earned a digital Platinum plaque for downloads of […]

Songwriter Photos: Odie Blackmon, Rivers Rutherford

Inner city students in St. Louis got a lesson in songwriting last week from Grammy-nominated songwriter Odie Blackmon. He spent three days working with students at Garfield Elementary School as part of the ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES. Blackmon has penned smash hits for George Strait (“She’ll Leave You With A Smile”), Lee Ann […]

SiriusXM 20 Million Strong; Toyota Adds iheartradio

The competition keeps getting stiffer for traditional radio, with today’s news from Sirius XM and iheartradio. Sirius XM Radio has reached the 20 million subscriber mark. The satcaster is celebrating the milestone by hosting Paul McCartney‘s first concert at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater, as an exclusive event for Sirius XM listeners. The performance on […]

Rodney Clawson Re-ups With Big Loud Shirt

Grammy nominated songwriter Rodney Clawson recently renewed his publishing deal with Big Loud Shirt. Clawson has penned the hits “I Saw God Today” (George Strait), “Amarillo Sky” (Jason Aldean), “Sunshine & Summertime” (Faith Hill), “Lost In This Moment” (Big & Rich), and current single “Old School” (Chuck Wicks). Clawson has had songs cut by Luke […]

Beatles Debut on iTunes, and More News

The Beatles‘ music arrived in the Apple iTunes Store today (11/16/10). “It has been a long and winding road to get here,” Apple boss Steve Jobs said in a statement. The band’s 13 studio albums are available individually for $12.99 (and $19.99 for double albums), or in a $149 “box set.” More here. •••• Sugarland […]

Tony Ramey Joins Davis Music-Publishing

Songwriter Tony Ramey has joined Davis Music Group as Creative Director/Songwriter for the company’s publishing division. He will report directly to GM Gator Michaels. Ramey has written songs recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Craig Morgan, Trent Tomlinson, Bucky Covington, John Michael Montgomery, Doug Stone, Kevin Denny, Clay Walker, George Strait, and many others. Davis Music Group […]

Monty Powell Signs With Ole Publishing

SESAC-affiliated songwriter Monty Powell stopped by the performing rights organization’s Nashville headquarters to celebrate his new publishing agreement with Ole Publishing. Powell, SESAC’s 2009 Songwriter Of The Year, has been one of country’s most successful and prolific songwriters over the last few years scoring hits including “Days Go By,” “Kiss A Girl,” “Til Summer Comes […]

CMA Awards Win Week In Ratings

The CMA Awards were the No. 1 entertainment show on television last week. During the week of November 8, 2010, ABC’s broadcast of “The 44th Annual CMA Awards” emerged as TV’s No. 1 entertainment program in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic. In fact it represented the first-time ever for ABC’s CMA Awards to stand […]

Video: Loretta Lynn Discusses Tribute Album

Loretta Lynn talks about the Coal Miner’s Daughter tribute album honoring her 50-year career. Also featured in the video are the artists from the project, including Sheryl Crow, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Kid Rock, Carrie Underwood, and Jack White.

Critics Pick CMA Award Winners

MusicRow’s editorial staffers Sarah Skates and Jon Freeman square off in a spirited debate about tonight’s top CMA Award categories. Tune into ABC at 7 PM to see all the action. See all the categories and nominees here. Entertainer of the Year JF: Brad Paisley—He is long overdue for an Entertainer of the Year honor, […]