Entries by Sarah Skates

Taylor Swift Big Winner at BMI Country Music Awards

Songwriter of the Year: Taylor Swift Publisher of the Year: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville Song of the Year: “You Belong With Me,” written by Liz Rose and Taylor Swift, published by Sony/ATV Tree, Taylor Swift Music, Wagnerville Music BMI Icon: Billy Sherrill •••••• Taylor Swift became the youngest person ever to be named BMI Country […]

Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith Reunite For Tour

Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith are teaming up for a 20-city tour. It will be their first non-holiday outing together in more than two decades. The 2 Friends tour is slated to kick off in early February. They are hitting the road in support of their new releases: Grant’s Somewhere Down The Road, and […]

Josh Kelley Hosts Listening Party For “Georgia Clay”

Josh Kelley shared new music from his debut for MCA Nashville at a lunch and listening party today (11/9). Media and guests gathered at Ben Folds’ studio on Music Row for a first listen of his Georgia Clay project. The country outing is due in the spring, but in the meantime, UMG is planning the […]

Photos: Belmont’s Michael Jackson Panel, Louvin Benefit, Radio Remotes

••Jett Williams and Blake Shelton were among the many artists participating in the Music Live! radio remote. Williams is making the media rounds for Hank Williams: The Complete Mother’s Best Recordings….Plus! Shelton is promoting his latest Six-Pak for Reprise Records. ••On Wed., Nov. 3 Belmont University, in partnership with BMI, hosted a special edition of […]

BMI Awards Tonight, CMA Awards Tomorrow

CMA Awards week continues for Music Row revelers. It’s only Tuesday and Bobby Karl has already put in a week’s worth of party-going, check out his column about last night’s SESAC Awards, and other events. ••Many members of the industry are gearing up for tonight’s (11/9) BMI Country Awards. Billy Sherrill will be honored as […]

Exclusive Online Performances, Including Aldean Tonight

Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, and LeAnn Rimes are offering exclusive content around the web, as more and more fans flock there for music. As reported yesterday, CMAawards.com will have lots of streaming action, live from tomorrow night’s (11/10) show. ••CMT.com will stream Jason Aldean’s private concert tonight (11/9), live from the Hard Rock Café in […]

Swift, Cyrus Among Top Earning Females

Forbes’ new ranking of Hollywood’s Highest Earning Women includes Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. Swift comes in at No. 9 on the list with estimated earnings of $45 million. Like most entertainers who scored a slot, a significant chunk of her income came from touring and endorsement deals. According to the magazine, she grossed $54 […]

SESAC Salutes Hillary Scott, EMI Foray Music

Hillary Scott was named Songwriter of the Year at last night’s (11/8) SESAC Nashville Music Awards. The Lady Antebellum songstress also took home the Song Of The Year trophy for the crossover smash, “Need You Now.” Publisher of the Year honors went to EMI Foray Music.

Weekend Photos: Tootsie’s Anniversary, Music City Walk of Fame

The Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge 50th Anniversary Celebration took place last night (11/7) at the Ryman Auditorium. Among those on the line-up were Kris Kristofferson, Mel Tillis, Randy Houser, Joanna Smith, Terri Clark, Lorrie Morgan, Colt Ford, Mark Chesnutt, Little Jimmy Dickens, Ronnie McDowell, The Grascals, Mandy Barnett, and Dean Miller. •••••••••••••• Many of the same […]

Songwriter Jeff Stevens Inks With Chrysalis

Hit songwriter and producer Jeff Stevens has signed with Chrysalis Music Nashville. Stevens has had hits recorded by George Strait (“Carried Away,” “Carrying Your Love With Me,” “True”); Tim McGraw (“Back When”); Luke Bryan (“All My Friends Say,” “Someone Else Calling You Baby”); Alabama (“Reckless”) and many others. As Luke Bryan’s producer, Stevens recently celebrated […]