Big Machine Records and Universal Republic have combined resources to form the new label Republic Nashville, which will be run by President Jimmy Harnen and headquartered on Music Row. Republic Nashville’s inaugural roster will include honky tonkin’ singer/songwriter Sunny Sweeney and new country duo Fast Ryde, among other artists. A major staff announcement regarding the […]
S1 Songs has acquired the song catalogs, plus future works, of Brett Beavers, Shaye Smith and Don Rollins, and also purchased an interest in the smash hit singles “Whiskey Lullaby” recorded by Brad Paisley and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” recorded by Alan Jackson. The Nashville office of S1 is headed by Sr. VP/GM Pat Finch. […]
Funeral service will be Sunday, June 7th, 2 PM at Benton Chapel on the Vanderbilt campus. A celebration and visitation will follow at nearby St. Augustine’s Chapel, 200 24th Ave. S. This will be a pot luck celebration and people will be at the chapel to accept dishes or beverages from those who would like […]
Back catalog from Sony Music Entertainment will soon be available on popular download site eMusic. This is the first major label to partner with the retailer known largely for indie music. eMusic boasts about 400,000 subscribers who can download a set number of MP3s each month in exchange for a monthly fee. Following the agreement […]
From traditional TV tie-ins to unique games for fans, artist handlers have come up with numerous ways to connect with audiences this summer. Martina McBride’s latest single “I Just Call You Mine” is getting a lot of exposure through NBC’s Today show. The song, written by Ty Lacy, Jess Clayton Cates, and Dennis Matkosky, is […]
The Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skate and Music Festival—the third annual event hosted by songwriter Jeffrey Steele and his family—is set for Sunday, June 28 at Jim Warren Park in Franklin, Tenn. Proceeds will benefit the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund of The Community Foundation, and its scholarship program to motivate kids. The free festival opens at […]
George Strait’s latest, Troubadour, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA, bringing his career total to 33 different Platinum or multi-Platinum albums—more than any other Country artist. Strait ranks third in all genres, behind only The Beatles and Elvis Presley. More good news for Strait came this morning when SoundScan reported a more than 300% […]
In what Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly calls a “huge shift in the musical landscape,” The Recording Academy announced today that it has changed the name of the Grammy Awards “Folk Field” to the “American Roots Music Field.” The newly renamed Field will now include the Best Traditional Blues Album, Best Contemporary Blues […]
Ten final groups have been selected to compete in CMT’s Can You Duet. They will perform weekly at the Wildhorse Saloon, in front of host Lance Smith and expert judge/mentors Naomi Judd, Big Kenny, and Big Machine Records Pres. and CEO Scott Borchetta, vying for a recording contract with Big Machine. The show premieres Sat., […]
Montgomery Gentry‘s new Cracker Barrel exclusive album sold over 25,900 copies since its release last week. For Our Heroes set the restaurant chain’s record for first week CD sales, nudging out the previous record holder, Alison Krauss’ 2005 release, Home On The Highways. In addition to being one of the top ten country albums for […]