Skyville's First Promotion Team Hire

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Theresa Ford


Theresa Ford is joining Skyville Records as the label’s first promotion team hire. A former Lyric Street promo rep, Ford has more than fifteen years radio promotion experience. She will help the label establish a top promotion team to work with Stealing Angels and all future Skyville artists.
Ford’s new role at Skyville Records has her rejoining Kevin Herring, President Skyville Records, whom she worked with for more than twelve years when she served as Senior Director of Southeast Regional Promotion for The Walt Disney Company’s Lyric Street Records. She’ll continue to be based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Theresa is the most thorough, dedicated, and passionate promotion person I think I’ve ever worked with,” shares  Herring. “Skyville is instantly a great promotion staff with her on board!”
Ford can be reached at 704-543-1002 or theresa@skynash.com.

McSpadden Re-Ups with Red Light

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Shawn McSpadden Photo: JC Johnson


Manager Shawn McSpadden has re-signed with Red Light Management/Nashville and will oversee the careers of Universal Recording artist Kip Moore, Ryder Lee and Reunion/Provident Label Group artist Kerrie Roberts. McSpadden will also work alongside Red Light Management owner Coran Capshaw managing the group Third Day.
McSpadden has worked with GHM/Red Light Management for the past six years, managing artists both in the Country and Christian industries. Prior to joining the company, McSpadden held positions such as VP/GM at Word Music Publishing and Senior VP, A&R, Word/Warner Bros. Records.
McSpadden began his career in the late ’80s with a company that grew to become McSpadden-Smith Music, a management company and publishing entity with  over 20 staff songwriters and  3,500 copyrights. The catalog contained thirty No. 1  songs in both the Country and Christian Billboard charts, and included songs recorded by artist such as Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Amy Grant and more.
McSpadden will be based in the Red Light Management office, 124 12th Ave. S., 6th Floor, Nashville, TN 37203. (615) 279-3784.

Capitol Adds Bannen; James Joins Sugarland Tour

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Kelleigh Bannen is the newest artist on Capitol Nashville. Produced by Paul Worley and Jerry Smith, Bannen recently (1/18) performed a set of her music in front of music publishers and fellow BMI songwriters.

(L-R) Capitol Records’ Mike Dungan, producer Jerry Smith, Capitol Records’ Melissa Spillman, Bannen, and BMI’s Jody Williams and Beth Laird.


Casey James


>> American Idol 2010 finalist Casey James has been signed to BNA Records and will join Sugarland on the March leg of its The Incredible Machine tour. “It’s an awesome opportunity to play in front of people that love great music,” says James. “I can’t wait to get back out there and share new music with the fans.” James is currently in the studio creating his debut album set for release later this year.
Tour Dates
¾—North Little Rock, AR
3/5—Tulsa, OK
3/10—Greenville, SC
3/11—North Charleston, SC
3/12—Jacksonville, FL
3/17—Grand Rapids, MI
3/18—Bloomington, IL
3/19—Sioux City, IA

MusicRow.com Traffic Bustin' Loose

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MusicRow’s digital content distribution engine [web site] has been enjoying a steady surge in traffic thanks to our dedicated readers. The above graph, compiled by Google analytics, compares www.musicrow.com traffic from Dec. 27, 2010 to Jan 26, 2011 with that of the same period one year ago.
As the report shows, all key indicators are growing rapidly. Visits are up over 60% and Pageviews have increased almost 73% for the period.
The graph’s blue line (current period) and green lines intersect during the holiday period (Dec. 27-Jan. 2) when the industry is enjoying holiday season vacations. After the holiday, the current (blue) traffic dominates the graph. The 204,580 pageviews shown over the 31 day period averages about 7,000 per day.
Recently, the readership has been accelerating even faster. The lower graph shows pageviews for Jan. 24, 25 and 26. All three days passed the 10,000 per day mark escalating all comparisions.

Sneak Preview of Tonight's Nashville "Idol" Auditions

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American Idol’s Nashville auditions air tonight (1/27) on Fox at 7 PM/CT.
The first round of auditions took place in July at the Bridgestone Arena, drawing 16,000 hopefuls. In October, judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez returned for the second round, held at the Ryman Auditorium. Of the historic venue, Tyler remarked, “There’s something magical about this room…(we’ve had) some of the best singers yet.”
Drawing 25 million viewers last night, ratings for the singing competition’s tenth season are strong.



Photos From GMA Hall of Fame Inductions

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Trace Adkins performs during the induction of Johnny Cash.


photos by Kurt Heinecke / The Judy Nelon Group
The GMA Foundation (GMAF) inducted Bill “Hoss” Allen, Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key and the Golden Gate Quartet into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Monday, January 24 during a ceremony at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, TN.

John Carter Cash accepts induction for his father Johnny Cash while presenters, The Oak Ridge Boys, look on.


Those honoring the careers of the new Hall of Fame members were Trace Adkins, Jeremy Camp, Larry Gatlin, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Rambos, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Russ Taff, TobyMac, and more. The evening was hosted by Larry Gatlin and Chonda Pierce.

Bebe Evans, center, accepts the induction on behalf of her late father, Bill "Hoss" Allen. With Rogan Allen on left, and Marcie Allen on right.


The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony was produced by the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame committee Tom Long chairman, Charles Dorris, Ken Harding, Ed Harper, Roger Holmes, Jody Mainello, Brian Mason, Stacy Merida, Judy Nelon, Diane Pearson, Gregory E.l Seneff, and Rick Goodman, executive producer. The ceremony was taped by Trinity Broadcasting Network for future broadcast.

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound perform during the induction of The Golden Gate Quartet.

Artist News: Swift Sets Nashville Dates

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The latest from Taylor Swift, Joanna Smith, Sarah Darling, Montgomery Gentry ,CMA Songwriters Series, Frankie Ballard, Chuck Wicks, the JaneDear girls, Kenny Chesney and more.

Joanna Smith


>>Taylor Swift’s Speak Now tour will make a two-night stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 16 and 17. Tickets for the Nashville show go on sale Feb. 4. The worldwide run launches Feb. 9 in Singapore and has dates scheduled through the end of October.
>>Columbia Nashville newcomer Joanna Smith was named one of Billboard’s “Artist To Watch in 2011.” MusicRow has also chosen her perform at its annual invitation-only CRS Meet & Greet on March 1. Smith recently joined labelmate Josh Thompson on the Cold Beers and Reindeers Tour. The Georgia singer/songwriter also recently spent time visiting patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to kick off the annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon season.
>>Sarah Darling debuts Angels & Devils, Feb 15. Darling’s second Black River Entertainment release, produced by Jimmy Nichols (with help from Adam Shoenfeld) features the artist’s byline on nine of the album’s 11 songs. The first single (2/20) will be “Something To Do With Your Hands.” Vince Gill sings with Darling on the track “Bad Habit.”
>>Montgomery Gentry will headline the Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon post-race concert on April 30.
>>The CMA Songwriters Series is returning to Los Angeles on Tuesday, Feb. 15 (8:00 PM/PT) at Club Nokia. Performing will be Gretchen Wilson, Chris Young, Brett James, Victoria Shaw and the evening’s host, Bob DiPiero. Tickets and details at www.ClubNokia.com.
>>Frankie Ballard visited the MusicRow offices recently to share music from his upcoming Warner Nashville release, including debut single “Tell Me You Get Lonely.” Since the rising star hails from Battle Creek, Michigan—the world headquarters of Kelloggs cereal—he brought along a piece of his hometown to share with staffers.

Frankie Ballard with MR staff. (L-R): David Ross, Sherod Robertson, Christie King, Ballard, Jon Freeman, Sarah Skates, and Michelle Stephens


>>Chuck Wicks and RCA have split. The CO5/Nashville promotion team is working his single “Old School.”
>>the JaneDear girls will make their late night television debut on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Jan. 31, performing hit single “Wildflower.”
>>Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour sold out Boston’s Gillette Stadium in 8 minutes, so he has added a second date on August 28. Tickets go on sale Saturday, February 5 for the show that will close the summer run.
>>The CMA is working with DRIVE4COPD to launch the Tune Up For COPD Songwriting Competition, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus and Patty Loveless. For rules and information, visit DRIVE4COPD.COM.
>>Jim Lauderdale, volunteer chairperson of MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, will participate in a live chat on Facebook on Tuesday, February 1, at 7:00 pm EST, at the official contest page.
>>Sandra Piller celebrated the release of her third album, Days Like These, with a performance at The Mint in Hollywood.
>>Evergreen Records’ DJ Miller is kicking off the new year with a new single, “Whatever It Takes,” from his forthcoming 2011 debut album.

"Nashville Scene" Compiles Country Critics Poll

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The Nashville Scene corresponded with 77 writers from across North America for this year’s Country Music Critics Poll.
Jamey Johnson led the pack, being voted Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year. Meanwhile, his ambitious two-disc effort, The Guitar Song, as voted the year’s best album.
Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” was selected by critics as the year’s best single; they also named her Female Vocalist of the Year and runner-up Artist of the Year.
Also garnering attention were Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Elizabeth Cook, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band, Easton Corbin and others.
Written and compiled by Geoffrey Himes, the cover story explores the current state of country music, and includes an interview with Cook.

Industry Photos

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CMA International Broadcaster Award • Galante/Chesney at Surprise Party • Vanderbilt Hospital and the WMBA

Great Britain’s Allan Watkiss Receives CMA International Broadcaster Award

British radio personality Allan Watkiss was surprised with the CMA International Broadcaster Award last week while interviewing CMA CEO Steve Moore for “Your Country” on BBC Radio Sheffield. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the U.S. who have made important contributions toward the development of country music in their countries. “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award from CMA,” said Watkiss. “It is very timely, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of my program, ‘Your Country.’ I have thoroughly enjoyed working to make UK audiences more aware of the great country music that is out there. Thank you to everyone who has supported my work over the last decade.”

(L-R): Allan Watkiss and CMA CEO Steve Moore. Photo: Bobbi Boyce

Joe Galante Toasted at Surprise Party in His Honor

Former Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante’s 39-year career (which began with RCA Records in 1971) was celebrated at surprise party on Saturday, January 22. The event was hosted by a group of Galante’s closest industry friends including Renee Bell, Connie Bradley, Kix Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Robert Deaton, Ronnie Dunn, Phran Galante, Randy Goodman, Clint Higham, Gerry House, Joel Katz, Martina McBride, Dale Morris, Susan Nadler, Nancy Russell, Clarence Spalding and Butch Waugh. More than 200 people were on-hand to toast Galante. More here (subscribers only).

(L-R): Joe Galante and Kenny Chesney. Photo: Steve Lowry

Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Entertainment Industry Relations Visits the WMBA

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) invited Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Rondal Richardson, Entertainment Industry Relations Mgr. and Stephanie Van Dyke, Director of Volunteer Services for Children’s Hospital, to speak at the January membership meeting. Richardson and Van Dyke shared the many ways that the hospital works with the country music industry and relies on its volunteers and entertainment contacts’ support and philanthropy. The WMBA is dedicated to fostering opportunities within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, community service and organizational fellowship.

(L-R): WMBA Secretary Trina Lloyd Weidner; VUMC Dir. Volunteer Services for Children's Hospital, Stephanie Van Dyke; WMBA VP Holly Ashby; WMBA Pres. Brandi Simms; WMBA Communication Services/Education Chair Kama Upton; WMBA Membership Chair Betsy Walker; WMBA Alum Chair/VUMC Dottie Rager; and VUMC Entertainment Industry Relations Mgr. Rondal Richardson.

Eventful Launches Nashville Post

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Ryan Bitzer


Web site Eventful has established a Nashville office to be headed by Ryan Bitzer as Director of Tour Marketing.
Bitzer previously helped launch and run the Nashville division of Sparkart Group, Inc., a digital agency that specializes in online entertainment marketing. Prior to that he was Chief Strategy Officer at RPM Management, overseeing the web presence, marketing and brand partnerships for Tim McGraw and Julianne Hough.
With 20 million users, Eventful is a digital media company that connects fans with live music and local events. It drives event attendance through a blend of social media, and direct marketing campaigns.
Eventful’s unique Demand it!™ feature is used by over 100,000 performers to engage fans to “demand” a show, thereby optimizing tour routing.
“I’m incredibly excited to be establishing a formal presence for Eventful in the Nashville market,” said Bitzer. “The live music industry is currently at an inflection point and it’s critical that a company offering unique and impactful tour marketing solutions to artists is firmly integrated into the Nashville music community.”
Bitzer can be reached at ryanb@eventful.com and (615) 967-7010.