While content remains the coin of the realm for artists and the companies that promote them, one cannot ignore the proliferation of new channels to expose and distribute. It’s also impossible to ignore how connected society has become. Today’s label marketers and radio programmers must scan across a wide canyon of video, radio, music sales, sponsorships, social networking, mobile, and more to assess strategies for success. The dynamics between radio, sales, artists and social networking are being forged together like an edge on fine steel.
Meanwhile country sales are down almost 50% this decade. Retail space is fast disappearing despite the fact that during 2010 country fans still purchased about 85% of albums in physical format. Will CDs become a value add offered with other merchandise? Is there a viable plan for labels that offers a chance for survival? Are our revenue streams drying up?
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-3-2-1.png
1080
1080
Robert K Oermann
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png
Robert K Oermann2026-05-14 16:20:562026-05-14 16:20:56DISClaimer Single Reviews: ERNEST & Lukas Nelson Team For Disc Of The Day
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-17-1-3.png
1080
1920
LB Cantrell
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png
LB Cantrell2026-05-12 16:44:162026-05-12 16:44:16BREAKING: Date Announced For 2027 Grammy Awards, Airing On ABC, Disney+ & Hulu
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/EaglesSphere_ChloeWeir-BandPhoto3-scaled.jpg
1707
2560
Madison Hahnen
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png
Madison Hahnen2026-05-12 16:38:312026-05-12 16:38:31Eagles Bring ‘The Long Goodbye’ To Nashville With Hit-Filled Celebration
Songwriter Harley Allen Passes [Updated]
/by Sarah SkatesRespected songwriter Harley Allen succumbed to cancer early this morning, Wednesday, March 30, 2011.
Better Angels Staff Updates
/by FreemanBetter Angels Music Group President/CEO Rob Rappaport has added Chief Creative Officer to his roles, and will also become Creative Director of the Publishing Group. Previous Creative Director Todd Wilkes has exited the company but will continue to work with Better Angels as a consultant. Better Angels Director of Artist Relations Gary Ray will assume […]
Photo Roundup Wednesday
/by MichelleCMA Songwriters Series • Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum • SOLID at MTSU
DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/30/11)
/by Robert K OermannI live for listening sessions like this one. The best part of this job is the thrill of discovery. There is simply nothing like hearing a great new artist for the first time. Or watching young ones develop.
Key West Songwriters Fest Draws Top Nashville Talent
/by Sarah SkatesThe Better Angels Music Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, has grown exponentially since debuting 16 years ago. This year’s event, running April 27 through May 1 will offer performances from more than 100 top-tier songwriters. Recently added to the lineup are genre-hopping singer/songwriters Raul Malo, Marshall Chapman, and Robert Earl Keen; serial country chart-toppers […]
Industry Ink Tuesday
/by Sarah SkatesBMI promotes Michael Steinberg • Ray Shelide joins APA • Grammy Awards 101 seminar • Twenty First Republic management for producers/engineers
Rising Artists Stealing Angels, Thompson Square, Margaret Durante
/by Sarah SkatesStoney Creek Records is celebrating the first No. 1 from Thompson Square. “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” spent three weeks at No. 1 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart. The single has sold over 750k digital downloads, holding the top position for two weeks on the DigitalSoundscan chart. The song was penned by David Lee Murphy and Jim Collins. Next up […]
ACM Reveals Off-Camera Award Winners
/by Sarah SkatesToday’s just-announced off-camera awards will be presented at the ACM Honors, a special event held annually in the fall at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
ASCAP Christian Awards Honor MercyMe, Dan Muckala
/by Sarah SkatesSongwriter Dan Muckala, MercyMe, and Third Day (pictured) were among the top honorees at last night’s (3/28) ASCAP Christian Music Awards, presented at Nashville’s Richland Country Club.
Label Head/Futurist Map The Entertainment Landscape (Pt. 2)
/by adminWhile content remains the coin of the realm for artists and the companies that promote them, one cannot ignore the proliferation of new channels to expose and distribute. It’s also impossible to ignore how connected society has become. Today’s label marketers and radio programmers must scan across a wide canyon of video, radio, music sales, sponsorships, social networking, mobile, and more to assess strategies for success. The dynamics between radio, sales, artists and social networking are being forged together like an edge on fine steel.
Meanwhile country sales are down almost 50% this decade. Retail space is fast disappearing despite the fact that during 2010 country fans still purchased about 85% of albums in physical format. Will CDs become a value add offered with other merchandise? Is there a viable plan for labels that offers a chance for survival? Are our revenue streams drying up?
UMG Media Team Adds Dixie Owen
/by MichelleAs previously tipped in MusicRow’s Headline News on March 14, publicist Dixie Owen has joined Universal Music Group Nashville. The move was officially announced today (3/29) by Beverly Keel, UMG Nashville’s Senior Vice President of Artist and Media Relations. Owen has been named Senior Director of Artist and Media Relations for the label group. Based […]
Amazon Launches Cloud Player Service
/by FreemanGoogle and Apple, you just got served. Online retail giant Amazon pulled a fast one this week with the launch of its Cloud Player, a service that allows users to upload and play music through the web or Android phones. Existing Amazon customers are given 5GB free space by default, with the option to upgrade […]
Brinson Strickland Returns To McGhee Entertainment
/by Sarah SkatesBrinson Strickland has rejoined artist management firm McGhee Entertainment, handling management duties, as well as event production and sponsorship opportunities through a new partnership with his company 262Five, Ltd. He and longtime marketing exec Kyle Gustie run 262Five, which lists Netflix, PGA, Nokia, and Georgia-Pacific as clients. Prior to rejoining McGhee, Strickland also served as […]