Ronnie Dunn will be releasing his self-titled solo debut album on June 7. The 12 track collection, Ronnie Dunn, was produced soley by Dunn and includes eight songs that he wrote or co-wrote.
Dunn’s first televised performance of the album’s debut single, “Bleed Red” will be on The 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, April 3, on CBS. While in Las Vegas for the ACM Awards, Dunn will also headline the free, open-to-the-public concert on Saturday, April 2, as part of ACM Weekend on Fremont Street Experience.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this afternoon (3/21) that it will not hear the appeal from Universal Music Group in a digital royalty dispute between Eminem’s former production company and the label.
Last year the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Eminem’s former production company, who filed the suit claiming they were underpaid for digital sales. UMG then appealed to the Supreme Court.
The suit claims that the rapper’s music on iTunes was being licensed, not sold, and therefore was subject to a higher royalty percentage rate. According to Eminem’s contract, he is owed a 12% royalty on “records sold” and a 50% rate on licensing agreements. He was paid for iTunes sales under the 12% rate.
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that iTunes downloads aren’t sales because the label is licensing use of the master recordings to iTunes, which then sells the digital downloads without further involvement from the label. This means he is owed 50% of money made from paid digital downloads.

[Updated 3/22]
Cher’s rep has revealed that the singer was originally planning to do a country project, but is now making a full-on dance record. Hitfix has the scoop.
No word on whether Mark Bright is still producing the project.
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Cher is working on a country-influenced album with stellar Nashville producer Mark Bright, known for mega hits by Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts. The two began searching for songs in August 2010, and are scheduled to spend parts of March and April in the studio.
There is no official word on what label will be releasing the project, or when it will hit streets. Cher has most recently been signed to Warner Music Group. The new album would be her first studio effort since 2001.
The Boot reports that songwriter Diane Warren may be among those contributing tunes to the album. Cher has recorded several songs by Warren, including her monster hit “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and the Golden Globe winning “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me,” from the movie Burlesque.
Warren is also behind the country hits “I Could Not Ask For More,” recorded by Sara Evans, and “How Do I Live,” recorded by Trisha Yearwood and LeAnn Rimes.

>>>The CMA is seeking volunteers for the 2011 CMA Music Festival, beginning with the Kick-Off Parade on Wednesday, June 8, and running through the event’s close on Sunday, June 12. Volunteers who can work all five days are in high demand. If you are interested, Volunteer Fairs will be held Thurs., April 7, 4-7 PM and Sat., April 9, 10AM-2PM. Both fairs will be at the CMA offices at One Music Circle South, Nashville, TN 37203. If you have questions or are interested in volunteering but cannot attend the fairs, email volunteers@cmaworld.com.
>>>Applications are being accepted through April 1, for the 2011-2012 CRS Agenda Committee. The committee of music business volunteers is tasked with planning events for the following year’s Country Radio Seminar. Prospective applicants must be available to attend agenda meetings in Nashville on June 23-24, 2011. Applicants are also expected to attend CRS 2012, set for Feb. 22-24, 2012. Visit www.CRB.org to download the Agenda Committee application.
>>>Bluewater Music has signed SLM Media & RTF Music Publishing to a worldwide administration agreement. The publishing company’s catalogue is home to music from the hit tween television show The Wannabes.
>>>Longtime music business exec Mike Severson has joined the charity World Vision as a consultant for the country music format. He will be working with Charles Dorris to develop partnerships between World Vision and the music industry. Severson was most recently at Compassion International, and has a 20+ year resume that includes Midas Records, Rounder Records, All Access Music Group, MCA Nashville, KWEN/Tulsa and KCKI/Tulsa. Severson is also pursuing other projects for artist management and label clients. He can be reached at 615-496-6023 or mikeseverson@comcast.net.