Entries by Sarah Skates

Rimes To Host Colgate Country Showdown

America’s largest country music talent search will hold its National Final at the Ryman Auditorium on January 14th, 2010 with LeAnn Rimes hosting for the fourth consecutive year. The 28th Annual Colgate Country Showdown will have five regional winners competing for $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music.” The finalists have competed […]

CRS Offers Special Rate For Unemployed

Unemployed members of the radio and music industries will be able to attend CRS 2010 for a special discounted rate of $99 when the conference is held Feb. 24-26, 2010 in Nashville. The Unemployment Rate provides attendees access to educational events only, including more than 20 seminars, panels and exhibits. Notable agenda item highlights included […]

Lifenotes: Ralph Meacham, Kim Markovchick’s Husband

Ralph Meacham, husband to longtime music industry executive Kim Markovchick, has died. He passed away at home in Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. after a battle with Lou Gehrig Disease. Loved ones say he was a “farmer, photographer, and storyteller.” Meacham was a veteran of the United States Navy and was an active volunteer in the local […]

CMA Assembles Exec. Dir. Search Team

Charlie Anderson, President/CEO of Anderson Merchandisers and former Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors, has been tapped to lead the committee responsible for defining the role of CMA executive director, and hiring a national search firm to fill the vacancy. Former  CMA head Tammy Genovese resigned from the company on Dec. 2. The committee […]

Lifenotes: Chris Feinstein; Bill Burnette Undergoes Surgery

Musician Chris Feinstein, a Nashville native who was most recently bassist for Ryan Adams & the Cardinals died Monday in New York. He was 42. Feinstein had been playing with the Cardinals since 2006 and had recorded three albums as a Cardinal: Easy Tiger, Follow the Lights, and Cardinology. He was also a well-known producer […]

Film-Com Debuts In Nashville

Local organization FilmNashville is hosting the first annual Film-Com event in Nashville next year. Running April 13-16 at the Hilton Nashville Downtown, Film-Com is designed to connect filmmakers and their new projects to distribution companies, financial backers, co-production partners, packaging agents and others in the industry. Organizer Andy vanRoon designed this event to help films […]

“Country Weekly” Marks 15 Years

Country Weekly magazine is celebrating 15 years of publication with a special edition hitting newsstands Monday (12/21). The issue, dated Dec. 28, 2009 takes a look back at the magazine’s changes since its launch. It includes a timeline of major industry happenings over the past 15 years, plus photos, memorable covers and more. “It’s hard […]

Photo Friday: Gretchen, CRB, Angela Kaset

Gretchen Wilson began her final weekend on the road for 2009 with a packed-house appearance at Knoxville’s massive Cotton Eyed Joe night club last night. The WIVK-sponsored event benefited the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. ——————————- Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® hosted their annual Christmas party this past Wednesday night, Dec. 16.  In addition […]

Show Dog-Universal Music Launches

Toby Keith‘s Show Dog Nashville is merging with Universal Records South to become Show Dog-Universal Music. Keith will serve as a Principle of the new label and previous Universal South Pres. Wright is on board as President of the newly combined entity. More announcements are expected in January. “Show Dog-Universal will still have the feeling […]

Sound And Speed Gears Up With New Opry Show

Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust has partnered with the Grand Ole Opry for a special event to kick-off the weekend on Friday, Jan. 8 at the Ryman. Hank Williams Jr. and Chris Young will perform that night to open the annual NASCAR and country music-themed fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame® and […]