Entries by Sarah Skates

Chesney Sets Four Summer Shows In Vegas

Kenny Chesney keeps adding to his summer schedule but, as promised, isn’t mounting a full-scale tour. He has just announced four dates at the Hard Rock Las Vegas, on May 14 and 15, and July 2 and 3. The performer will take over the hotel’s venue called the Joint, and says audiences in the 4000-seat […]

New Music From Texans Josh Abott Band And Zane Williams

Fast rising Texas act Josh Abbott Band played over 250 shows last year, packing Texas hot spots such as Wild West in Lubbock, Cowboys in San Antonio and Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth. Coming off the success of their 2008 debut album Scapegoat, the Josh Abbott Band now returns with their sophomore album She’s Like […]

The Band Perry’s New Video; Josh Thompson At “Music In The City”

Republic Nashville’s The Band Perry – siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry – teamed up with award-winning video director Trey Fanjoy (Taylor Swift, Keith Urban) for their first video, “Hip To My Heart.” Shot last week in Nashville, the video is for the trio’s debut single, currently a Top 35 hit  – and climbing – […]

Helping Haiti: Benefits With Superstars, Locals

The ultimate superstar telethon for Haiti relief efforts airs tonight (1/22) at 8/7 PM/CT on all the major networks and cable outlets. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban are among the A-list celebs set to sing on Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief. The two-hour telethon will also feature performances by Wyclef Jean, […]

Microsoft Salutes CMA’s Tech Initiatives

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer was in Nashville last night (1/20), where he saluted the Country Music Association as a leader in technology initiatives. During the event at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, he also reconfirmed his company’s commitment to working with the CMA to bridge technology and country music, and presented CMA Digital […]

Stoney Creek Adds Thompson Square

Stoney Creek Records CEO/President Benny Brown has signed Thompson Square to a record deal as well as publishing deal with Magic Mustang Music. The duo is made up of Shawna Thompson and Keifer Thompson. The singer-songwriters are busy finishing their debut album, with the lead single “Let’s Fight,” set for a spring 2010 release. Thompson […]

Blue Steel Builds Promo Team

Blue Steel Records’ label head Steve Pope has been building the radio promotion team. Steve Freeman will head the division as Promotion Director and oversee the Southeast territory. Joining Freeman are Blake Hunter handling the Midwest region, and Faron Smith as the West Coast rep. First on the schedule is working Burns & Poe’s new […]

CRS Adds To Agenda; Digital Summit Moves To Sept.

Country Radio Seminar 2010, to be held Feb. 24-26, 2010, has announced an updated list of educational panels and agenda items. Starting with the Keynote Address from financial authority Dave Ramsey, CRS 2010 is packed with expert speakers, comprehensive market research and current industry issues designed to educate attendees, regardless of market size or region. […]

Paisley Creates Pop-up Book Video

The video for Brad Paisley’s latest hit, “American Saturday Night,” uses over 20,000 still photographs to build a world designed to look like a pop-up book. Paisley’s camp says it is a “2.5D world” that includes Paisley, his band The Drama Kings, and over 100 extras. Production company Branded Picture made the video, using several […]

Underwood Added To Grammys; Bradley, Lynn To Be Honored

With the Grammy Awards coming up on Sunday, Jan. 31, more performers are being revealed, and surrounding special events are being finalized. Carrie Underwood has been added to a Michael Jackson tribute along with Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, and Usher. The performance will feature the 3-D mini-movie for “Earth Song” that was created by […]