Bronfman Leaving Post as WMG Chairman

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Edgar Bronfman Jr.

Warner Music Group chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr. is stepping down from his post. He shared the news with employees yesterday (12/5), explaining that he will remain as a director.

He is expected to officially vacate the chairman seat at the end of January. A replacement will be named before then.

In August Bronfman and Stephen Cooper switched roles, which moved Bronfman to chairman, and Cooper to CEO.

This followed the May acquisition of Warner Music Group by Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries for $3.3 billion.

Messina Plans New Music, TV Appearances

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Jo Dee Messina

Jo Dee Messina will release a new single in early 2012 and is busy with TV appearances in the meantime.

She will be featured in an episode of HGTV’s Celebrity Holiday Homes airing Sunday, Dec. 18 at 8pm ET/PT. Additionally, Messina will be included in an episode of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Cameras captured the country songstress during a recent writing session with Atlanta cast member Kandi Burruss, a former member of the platinum-selling group Xscape.

Messina also continues to aid in several charitable endeavors. Earlier this year she launched the A Million Doors campaign to raise money for $2.3 million for Holy Trinity Montessori, a non-profit school in Nashville. GAC has partnered with Messina to help spread the message in a new short special titled GAC Heart of Country with Jo Dee Messina, set to begin airing in early 2012.

Off camera, Messina is scheduled to perform her annual Christmas In The Music Room show Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Nashville’s Opryland Hotel.

She is expecting her second child with husband Chris Deffenbaugh early next year.

MusicRow Magazine Celebrates 30 Years With Special Issue

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MusicRow covers through the years.

MusicRow magazine is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011 with a special retrospective issue. The December 2011/January 2012 installment provides a unique look at how the industry and this revered news outlet evolved together over the past 30 years. Also included is a Rewind of 2011’s biggest stories, an awards season recap, a look at preventing disaster at outdoor concerts, and exclusive interviews with songwriter Bob DiPiero, and Nine North’s Larry Pareigis and Kevin Mason.

For three decades, MusicRow has been an advocate for Nashville’s music industry, reporting on the key players and their milestone achievements. Covering the rise of superstars from Alabama to Taylor Swift, the outlet has provided insider coverage of country music’s monumental success stories including Shania Twain’s record-breaking sales, and Garth Brooks’ landmark Central Park concert.

(L-R) Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson and Founder David Ross

Founder David M. Ross recalls, “In April 1981 this publication was born as a little one page directory. I’ll never forget how exciting it was delivering each monthly issue door-to-door up and down the Row. But most of all, when I reflect on this 30-year period, I see the smiling faces of so many genuine people who allowed me and MusicRow into their lives. They offered advice and, most importantly, trusted me to be professional. That is my most treasured memory of all. Now, on to the next thirty years.”

Publisher and owner Sherod Robertson, who purchased the company in 2010, elaborates, “MusicRow has always known its reader and defined its success by how well it serves the music industry. The next 30 years we will continue that mission while expanding MusicRow’s footprint.”

Robertson faces those next 30 years with genuine optimism. “The challenge this industry currently faces is unparalleled to anything in its history,” he says. “But I think there’s also a swelling of ambition and innovation that will determine the successful future of this industry. The talent has never been stronger and country music’s reach has never been broader. I can’t think of a place I’d rather be.”

Since its inception MusicRow Enterprises has debuted other strong industry-related products, including the extremely popular InCharge issue, song pitch sheet RowFax, and the CountryBreakout radio chart.

Copies of the 30th anniversary issue will be available at www.musicrow.com on Dec. 8. As always, paid subscribers will receive their issues by mail. Click here to learn more about the cover.

American Country Awards Winners

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Jason Aldean was the night's big winner with six total honors, including Artist of the Year.

Winners noted in in Bold Red. Check back to see list updated in real time.

Artist of the Decade
Toby Keith

Greatest Hits Award
Alabama

ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton

Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Eric Church
Eli Young Band
Chris Young
Justin Moore
Jake Owen

Artist of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry
Scotty McCreery
Jerrod Niemann
The Pistol Annies
Thompson Square

ALBUMS
Album of the Year
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Kenny Chesney, “Hemingway’s Whiskey”
Brad Paisley, “This Is Country Music”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
Keith Urban, “Get Closer”
Zac Brown Band, “You Get What You Give”

SINGLES
Single of the Year
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”
Chris Young, “Voices”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”

Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Luke Bryan, “Someone Else Calling You Baby”
Billy Currington, “Let Me Down Easy”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Chris Young, “Voices”

Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Miranda Lambert, “Heart Like Mine”
Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Taylor Swift, “Mean”
Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”

Single of the Year: Duo or Group
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Rascal Flatts, “Why Wait?”
Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”
Zac Brown Band, “Colder Weather”

Single of the Year: New Artist
The Band Perry, “You Lie”
Craig Campbell, “Family Man”
The Jane Dear Girls, “Wildflower”
Jerrod Neimann, “What Do You Want?”
Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”

Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t You Wanna Stay?”
Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter, “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley with Alabama, “Old Alabama”
Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffet, “Knee Deep”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson, “As She’s Walking Away”

TOURING
Touring Headline Package of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Jerrod Niemann, “What Do You Want?”
Blake Shelton, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking?”
Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”
Josh Turner, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”

Music Video: Male
Jason Aldean “My Kinda Party”
Jerrod Niemann “What Do You Want?”
Blake Shelton “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking?”
Josh Turner “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
Keith Urban “Put You In A Song”

Music Video: Female
Sara Evans, “A Little Bit Stronger”
Reba, “Turn On The Radio”
Ashton Shepherd, “Look It Up”
Taylor Swift, “Back To December”
Carrie Underwood, “Mama’s Song”

Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration
Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson “Don’t You Wanna Stay?”
The Band Perry “You Lie”
Lady Antebellum “Hello World”
Thompson Square “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”
Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson “As She’s Walking Away”

Music Video: New Artist
The Band Perry “You Lie”
Craig Campbell “Family Man”
Brett Eldredge “Raymond”
Jerrod Niemann “What Do You Want?”
Thompson Square “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?”

Oertley Exits Leadership Music

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Leadership Music Executive Director Karen Oertley has exited the post. The longtime music journalist and editor joined the organization almost two years ago in January 2010.

The role includes coordination of the yearly training program, fundraising, and alumni communication efforts.

Previously, Oertley was Vice President of the Billboard Music Group, where she served as group publisher of Musician magazine and publisher and editor-in-chief of Amusement Business.

Oertley replaced previous Leadership Music Executive Director Kira Florita.

Leadership Music named a new Board of Directors in August 2011.

Calls to the Leadership Music offices were not immediately returned.

McGraw, Curb Release Separate Singles

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In the midst of an ongoing legal battle between Curb Records and Tim McGraw, both sides have announced the release of new McGraw music.

Curb is going for adds with a new McGraw single “Better Than I Used To Be,” and has set a January 2012 release date for his album Emotional Traffic. It will be his final project released via Curb, according to a court ruling last week which states he is no longer obligated to the label which launched his career. Emotional Traffic was completed over a year ago by most reports, but never released. It has already spawned hit lead single, “Felt Good on My Lips.”

Meanwhile, 
McGraw announced a new a holiday song as well as a single in early 2012. In a Dec. 2, 2011 statement on his website he explains:

I fought very hard for the release of Emotional Traffic, it’s an album full of music of which I am very proud. It’s extremely unfortunate that it wasn’t released earlier this year in conjunction with the Emotional Traffic tour but all I want to do now is focus on the positive and look to the future. I’m really excited about the new music I’m recording. Next week I’m putting out a holiday song I’ve just recorded called “Christmas All Over The World.” After the first of the year I’ll have a brand new single which I can hardly wait to share with everyone. I am so appreciative of the support I’ve received over the years, and I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my career.

Lifenotes: John Lincoln Wright

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New England’s most popular country artist, John Lincoln Wright, passed away on Sunday morning, December 4, at age 64.

Wright won so many Massachusetts Music Awards that he was retired from the competition several years ago. His albums were distributed by Rounder Records.

The Boston native began his musical career when he became the lead singer of the rock band The Beacon Street Union in 1966. The group was signed by MGM Records and issued two LPs in 1968, The Eyes of The Beacon Street Union and The Clown Died in Marvin Gardens.

In 1972, Wright switched to country music and formed his band The Sour Mash Boys. The group recorded his debut solo LP, Takin’ Old Route One, shortly thereafter. Wright came to Nashville to record 1981’s You Can’t Get There From Here, which was co-produced by Pat Higdon.

Joe Sun recorded Wright’s songs “Lonesome Rainin’ City” and “Pull Away From Your Man.” Vernon Oxford also covered “Lonesome Rainin’ City.” James Talley recorded with The Sour Mash Boys in 1985, and Wright sang backup on albums by Mary Gauthier and Geoff Bartley.

His own recording career resumed with the 1990 CD That Old Mill. In 1991, Wright and the Sour Mash Boys released its follow-up CD Honky Tonk Verite.

According to Ken Irwin at Rounder Records, John Lincoln Wright had been ill for some time prior to his passing.

“His death leaves a tremendous hole in the New England country-music community,” said Irwin. “He was a great songwriter, band leader and friend, and will be missed by all.”

Glenn Meadows Joins Mayfield Mastering

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Glenn Meadows

Mastering engineer Glenn Meadows has joined Nashville’s Mayfield Mastering, bringing more than four decades of award-winning expertise to the Berry Hill neighborhood facility.

As a two-time Grammy winner and former owner and chief mastering engineer of Nashville’s Masterfonics Studios, Meadows’ resume includes engineering work on albums from some of Country and Pop music’s biggest artists, including Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, George Strait, Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill, Alabama, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntire, Steely Dan, Jimmy Buffett and hundreds more.

One of the most recent projects mastered by Meadows is Taylor Swift’s new CD/DVD package, Speak Now World Tour Live, released on Nov. 21 through Big Machine Records.

“To have someone as accomplished and respected as Glenn Meadows engineering in our facility really sets the bar high,” says Mayfield Mastering owner John Mayfield. “I tend to think it sets you apart from the competition when you have a world class talent like Glenn available day in and day out. His resume speaks for itself. I can’t say enough about how happy we are to have him here.”

Mayfield Mastering is located at 2825 Erica Place, Nashville, TN, 37204. Contact the facility at (615) 383-3708 or [email protected]. For more information, visit www.MayfieldMastering.com.

Warner/Chappell Adds To Roster

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(L–R) Front Row: Chip Petree (Petree Law), Damien Horne, Steve Markland (VP A&R Warner/Chappell Music), Alicia Pruitt (Sr. Director A&R Warner/Chappell Music). Back Row: BJ Hill (Sr. Director A&R Warner/Chappell Music), Phil May (GM/VP Warner/Chappell Music), John Esposito (President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville)

Warner/Chappell Music today (12/5) announced a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Damien Horne, member of country trio The Farm.

Horne and bandmates Nick Hoffman and Krista Marie are signed to Elektra Nashville, part of Warner Music Nashville. The Farm’s new single “Home Sweet Home” is at radio now and an album is set for release in 2012.

Horne is also a solo singer/songwriter whose artistry blends elements of R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul, and rock with a uniquely uplifting message.

McCreery’s Debut Album Goes Gold

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Scotty McCreery’s debut album, Clear As Day, has recently been certified Gold for sales of more than 500,000. The album has been sitting at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart for the five weeks since its Oct. 4 release. The album’s first single, “I Love You This Big,” has also been certified Gold.

The UMG Nashville star is the youngest man in history to open at the top of the all-genre chart with a debut release. Clear As Day also garnered the highest first-week sales of any solo country artist this year.

McCreery will perform his current hit, “The Trouble With Girls,” on the American Country Awards, which airs live on FOX tonight (12/5) at 8 PM/ET.

Additionally, he will also be a part of Brad Paisley’s 2012 tour, which begins Jan. 12 in Grand Rapids, MI.