According to unofficial sources, Ticketmaster has announced it will restructure and greatly trim its echo music footprint in Nashville, by approximately 60 employees. It is believed that a small presence will remain related to ticketing and artist services with employees such as J.D. May, Catherine Oliva and Keith Gibson. The transition is scheduled to take place in mid-June.

Echomusic is an Internet marketing company, creator of online presence and e-commerce for more than 300 performing artists and corporations, which specializes in branding, Web development, digital distribution of music and merchandise and online advertising. The partnership with Ticketmaster in March 2007 was designed to provide echomusic clients increased opportunities to distribute music, concert tickets and merchandise directly to fans. It also provided a financial shot in the arm, allowing echomusic to grow its staff by about 30 percent. Clients have included Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts, Casting Crowns and the Academy of Country Music. The company describes its function as building compelling websites and fan clubs for entertainment brands. “echo is where these brands invite their audiences to form real living communities.”

In January, Echomusic co-founder Mark Montgomery departed. He was replaced by Tawn Albright, Ticketmaster Vice President of Corporate Development, and about 10 percent of the staff was laid off.

Award winning singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Steve Wariner has recorded a tribute to his old friend and mentor, Chet Atkins. Scheduled for release on Wariner’s own SelecTone Records, the June 23 release date for Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins falls between Atkins’ birthdate of June 20 and the anniversary of his death on June 30. While Wariner stresses that “You can’t out-Chet Chet,” the 11-song collection he’s put together plays like a loving triptych through the musical life and career of Atkins, who Wariner knew as a friend, a teacher, a producer, and a boss. “This is simply my way of honoring and paying homage to the genius and talent of the man who, in my opinion, is the greatest and most influential guitarist on the planet,” Wariner said.

The abbreviation “c.g.p.” stands for “Certified Guitar Player,” a title that Chet would bestow on only four guitar pickers: Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, the late Jerry Reed, and Wariner. The album covers the wide range of material that Atkins recorded — from the mountain music of his earliest days in his hometown of Luttrell, Tennesesee, to the swing, rockabilly, pop, folk and jazz that distinguished his long and prolific career. Wariner includes versions of songs from the Atkins repertoire, plus “Producer’s Medley,” which compiles some of the hits Atkins produced for other artists. But the bulk of the album consists of Wariner originals written in the various styles that Atkins made famous. Wariner first met Atkins when he was 18 years old and playing bass in Dottie West’s band. Atkins produced Wariner’s first records at RCA Studio B and subsequently hired the young musician to play bass in his band. “Chet was an incredible person who gave me so many opportunities,” Wariner said. “I’m proud to call him my friend.”

Gibson Guitar has announced its sponsorship  of the 2009 Nashville Film Festival. The instrument manufacturer will present a Gibson acoustic guitar — customized with artwork by acclaimed Nashville-based mixed media painter Mandy Lawson — to legendary actor William Shatner as part of Festival’s “President’s Impact Award” for Shatner’s film, Gonzo Ballet. Gibson will also host a private VIP reception at the Nashville Gibson Entertainment Relations Showroom in downtown Nashville on Friday, April 17. On Saturday, April 18, the Nashville Film Festival will award the Gibson-sponsored “Impact of Music Award” to the feature film that most effectively explores or celebrates the impact of music on the human experience. Recipients of this award will receive an Epiphone guitar. A list of films in contention can be found here. The Nashville Film Festival, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, takes place April 16-23, 2009 at Regal Green Hills Cinema.

In other Gibson news, the Gibson Foundation, the company’s philanthropic division, has announced a commitment to work with the music department at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa through 2012, providing both instruments and financial support to the school’s music program. In addition to its relationship with Oprah’s Leadership Academy, the Foundation is advancing music education throughout the world through such organizations as the Grammy Foundation, MENC (National Association of Music Education) and the International Society of Music Education.

Perennial country star John Anderson has reunited with James Stroud, the producer behind his early ‘90s career resurgence and a long string of hits including “Seminole Wind,” “Straight Tequila Night” and “Money in the Bank.” The pair has teamed to coproduce Bigger Hands, the singer’s first release for Country Crossing records, a division of Stroud’s recently launched Stroudavarious Records. Anderson cowrote all of the album’s 12 songs and included his own version of “Shuttin’ Detroit Down,” the current hit single from John Rich, who cowrote the song with Anderson. The album’s leadoff single, “Hot Coffee and Cold Beer,” brings the singer back to his earliest hitmaking days in the ‘80s. It was one of the last songs Anderson wrote with his late friend and collaborator Lionel Delmore, his cowriter on the 1982 smash hit single, “Swingin’.” Bigger Hands is scheduled for a June 9 release.

“James and I have recorded quite a bit over the years, and he even played that signature drum track on my comeback single “Straight Tequila Night,” Anderson said. “I feel like we’re giving this one our very best effort and it is feeling pretty true to what I do.”

SESAC has announced the promotion of Hunter Williams to Senior Vice President, Strategic Development/Distribution & Research Operations. Williams began his career with SESAC over 16 years ago and most recently served as Vice President, Royalty Distribution & Research Services. In his new role, Williams will be responsible for developing new business opportunities utilizing SESAC’s licensing, distribution and copyright management capabilities. He will also continue to oversee all royalty distribution operations, including the development of the company’s distribution policies and performance tracking systems. In addition, Williams will continue to oversee the company’s research division, which helps drive the strategic development of the company through business and industry analysis.

In other news, Keith Gale, Vice President, National Promotion, for RCA Records Nashville, has announced the promotion of Norbert Nix to National Director of Promotion for the label.  Most recently Regional Director, Nix joined RCA Nashville in July of 2006 and remains based in Nashville, where he reports directly to Gale. Nix came to RCA with a twenty-year background in the music industry, with experience in artist management and booking, as well as a decade-plus tenure in promotion and artist development for Mercury Nashville. In 2001, Nix began a four-year stint with Nashville’s Refugee Management and subsequently helmed his own artist management & publishing enterprise, N2 Entertainment.