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?
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LB Cantrell2026-09-01 11:33:302026-09-01 11:35:50BREAKING: Leadership Music Executive Director Debbie Linn To Retire
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MusicRow Staff2026-09-01 09:49:422026-09-01 09:49:42Tune In: 2026 MusicRow Awards Winners Revealed Tomorrow
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LB Cantrell2026-09-01 09:23:242026-09-01 09:23:24BREAKING: BMG & Concord Finalize Partnership, Name Leadership
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 […]
A Futurist Maps The Entertainment Industry Landscape (Pt. 1)
/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 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.
iPad Apps Offer New Music Possibilities
/by Sarah SkatesWith the ever-growing popularity of the iPad, music companies are finding new ways to share music and extras with fans through the device. EMI has released an iPad edition of an album by Swedish House Mafia which includes the music, video, photo gallery, notes from the band, and links to social media pages. It has […]
Artist News: Little Big Town Heads To Conan
/by MichellePlus news from Frankie Ballard, Eric Lee Beddingfield, Colt Ford and Bucky Covington.
New Music Discovered Via Radio, Word of Mouth
/by Sarah SkatesOrpheus Media Research surveyed 500 consumers about how they discover new music: 87 percent of respondents said they actively search out new music 82 percent identified radio as the greatest single influence of their music listening 57 percent indicated that they most often relied on radio or word of mouth to learn about new music […]