Entries by Sarah Skates

Eminem Bringing Year’s Best Debut

The new album from superstar rapper Eminem is expected to be the year’s biggest debut when sales tallies come in this week. Numerous early chart watchers are predicting sales upwards of 700,000 units. Recovery has seen strong reviews (Rolling Stone gave it four stars), hit singles and a pre-release leak yielding good word-of-mouth. Among the […]

19/Oglesby Rework Relationship

Chris Oglesby is resuming his role as head of Oglesby Writers Management (OWM), the company he founded in 2004. In 2006 OWM partnered with 19 Entertainment, taking seat as the company’s Nashville office. Oglesby will continue his close relationship with 19 Entertainment under the new arrangement between 19/CKX and OWM. Among other changes at 19 […]

Gill At Clapton’s Crossroads Festival

Vince Gill was among the guitar gods who took the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival over the weekend. He joined fellow headliners B. B. King, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, Buddy Guy and, of course, Clapton at the Chicago event. Sheryl Crow performed as well, pairing with Gill for the Clapton classic “Lay Down […]

New Chesney Album Coming This Fall

SoundScan watchers received good news today, with the announcement that Kenny Chesney has set a Sept. 28 release date for his latest studio album, Hemingway’s Whiskey. Named for the title track penned by Guy Clark, this will be Chesney’s first mainstream studio effort in three years, since Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. During […]

ASCAP Hires Jessica Draper

ASCAP has hired former Performing Songwriter Music Editor Jessica Draper as Manager, Creative Services for its Nashville branch. She had served at the magazine since 2008 and worked there until it ceased publcation in June 2009. Her other career stops include time as a Public Relations Associate at classical music PR and artist management firm […]

Brooks & Dunn Hall of Fame Show Rescheduled

Regular tickets to Brooks & Dunn’s farewell show are sold out, but a few VIP packages are still available. The August 10 [rescheduled to 9/2] concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena is a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Check out the VIP offerings below and help a great cause. Hillbilly Deluxe Package […]

Songwriter Larry Jon Wilson Passes

Songwriter Larry Jon Wilson died yesterday (6/21) at age 69. The Georgia native was recognized for his songs about rural life and for his association with contemporaries such as Townes Van Zandt, Mickey Newbury, Guy Clark, John Prine, and Kris Kristofferson. Wilson didn’t start writing songs until age 30, but within a few years he […]

Rascal Flatts Embarks On New Tour

Top ticket seller Rascal Flatts will launch a new tour Friday, June 25 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The first leg of the JC Penney Presents Rascal Flatts Nothing Like This Tour is scheduled for 28 shows, running through September 19. On board are opening acts Kellie Pickler and Chris Young. The recently wrapped Rascal Flatts […]

Golden Music Nashville Closes

Golden Music Nashville is closing up shop, the latest music company to fold in today’s difficult climate. The label opened three years ago with flagship act Williams Riley, and eventually added Benton Blount to the roster. A rep for the company says the publishing division, Wide Open Music, is still in business. Lisa Strickland served […]

Google Music To Debut This Year

The Wall Street Journal has the latest scoop on Google’s upcoming music service. The paper reports that Google is set to roll out a download service later this year—though still several months away—and follow that with a subscription offering in 2011. Of course, the service will be linked to the Google’s ubiquitous search engine. Google […]