NMPA Honors Sen. Lamar Alexander

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) will present its 2010 President’s Award to U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. “As a Senator representing a state that’s home to both the country music and the blues capitals of the world, Senator Alexander is particularly attuned to the value of music as a cultural and economic force […]

Court Rules Against Peer-To-Peer Site LimeWire

Online news network CNET is reporting that a federal court has found the company that operates file-sharing service LimeWire liable for copyright infringement. On Tuesday (5/11), U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood granted summary judgment in favor of the RIAA’s claims that Lime Group, parent of LimeWire software maker Lime Wire, and founder Mark Gorton committed […]

Kellie Pickler’s Summer Plans

BNA Records artist Kellie Pickler will get summer started by hosting Westwood One’s America’s Opry Weekend Summer Kick-Off Special on Memorial Day weekend. Pickler will spin tunes about sunshine and summertime, several of them live cuts from the Opry stage. Among the songs listeners will hear are her own “Best Days of Your Life,” Brad […]

Gibson Guitar’s Flood Relief

Gibson Guitar and its philanthropic division, the Gibson Foundation, have announced a series of programs to help aid the victims of the recent Nashville floods. The Gibson Foundation, which is based in Nashville, will spearhead an initiative with landmark venues and businesses throughout the city including the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau Visitor’s Center, Gibson […]

Americana Assn. Names Nominees

As previously reported in this morning’s @musicrow, The Americana Music Association announced nominees for the organization’s 2010 Honors and Awards ceremony today (5/12) during a reception hosted by BMI at the W.O. Smith School of Music. The show, in its 9th year, will be held September 9th at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Longstanding Americana supporters Emmylou […]

DISClaimer (reviews) 5/12/10

Everybody wins this week. There are no stinkers here. In fact, there are so many cool performances that I’m tossing out the weekly honors left and right…

Holidays Drive Sales For Week Ended 5-9-10

According to Nielsen SoundScan, the week ended 5-9-2010 saw country sales jump 12% from the previous seven days thanks to the Mother’s Day holiday, a new Zac Brown Band live offering (26k) and the Courtyard Hounds debut (61k).

Swift To Receive Hal David Starlight Award

Hal David, Chairman/CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, has announced that Taylor Swift will be the recipient of the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award, to be presented at the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards dinner on Thursday June 17 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel. At the young age of 14, Swift signed a publishing deal with […]

Guitar Center Launches “Operation High Ground” Flood Relief

In direct response to the devastation from the recent floods in Nashville, musical instrument retailer Guitar Center has launched a dedicated initiative titled Operation High Ground for Nashville Flood Relief, to help musicians, songwriters, recording studios and audio professionals re-build their lives. The goal of the program is to help Nashville’s music community get back […]

Keith Urban Rocks “Jimmy Fallon”

Keith Urban closed out Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night (5/11) with a barn-burning version of the Rolling Stones’ classic, “Tumbling Dice.” Joining Urban and his band on Hammond B3 was Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, with producer/pianist Tony Brown pounding the keys and stellar background vocals provided by Sarah Buxton and Little Big Town’s […]

Live Nation; EMI/Terra Firma

Live Nation Entertainment today (5/11) released financial results for the first quarter of 2010, the first earnings report since completing its merger with Ticketmaster on Jan. 25. The company reported a loss of $112 million (76 cents/share) in the quarter that ended March 31, which was more than the prior-year Q1 loss of $102.7 million […]

Country’s Newest Acts Debut Music

EMI Records Nashville’s flagship artist Troy Olsen released his self-titled EP today (5/11). Among the four tracks is his debut single, “Summer Thing,” for which the singer recently taped the music video in his home state Arizona. Olsen has been visiting radio stations across the country promoting the song, co-written with Ben Hayslip and Jimmy […]

Shelton, Lambert Announce Engagement

People.com reports that one of Country music’s favorite couples got engaged over the weekend. Blake Shelton surprised his girlfriend of five years, Miranda Lambert, with a diamond and platinum engagement ring on Sunday, May 9. He popped the question near her home in Oklahoma, after receiving her father’s blessing, Lambert tells People. Get the full […]

Photos: CBS Nashville Reunites For One Night

Roy Wunsch and Mary Ann McCready hosted a CBS Nashville Reunion over the weekend at Cellar One on 2nd Ave. The event attracted artists, former label staff, and industry friends from the 1975-95 time period. Album cover art adorned the walls as decoration. Guests including Billy Sherrill, Janie Fricke, Joe Stampley, Bobby Bare, Ricky Skaggs, […]

Fans Set To Vote For CMT Final Nominees

With three nods each, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood lead the just-released list of nominees for the CMT Music Awards, revealed on CMT.com and People.com. Following closely behind are Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band with […]

Photos: Little Big Town, Matt Giraud, Toby Keith

Matt Giraud, American Idol Top Five Finalist, Season 8, has signed with ASCAP. He is currently working on an EP with Grammy-winning producer Drew Ramsey to be released this summer. Victoria Shaw, Marcus Hummon and JT Harding are collaborators on the new project. The soulful pianist is also busy on tour. •••••••••••••••••••••••• Capitol Nashville’s Little […]

CMT Award Noms., A Word From Pres. Brian Philips

The final nominees for the 2010 CMT Music Awards will be revealed tomorrow (5/11) morning exclusively on People.com starting at 8 AM/CT. Mercury recording artist Laura Bell Bundy and CMT’s Evan Farmer will do the honors. And more nominations will be announced later in the day on CMT.com. The top nominees in all categories, except […]

BMI Nashville Remains Closed; SoundCheck Inspects Damage

BMI’s Nashville office remains closed Monday, May 10 due to a lack of water pressure and air conditioning in the six-story Music Row building. BMI’s Nashville office usually houses over 400 employees and is currently relying on a reduced on-site staff. However, Nashville Writer/Publisher executives are still readily accessible by email and cell phone, and […]

Latest Flood Relief Benefits

Victoria Shaw, Marcus Hummon, Julie Gold and Don Henry performed a benefit for MusiCares Friday (5/7) at the Bluebird Cafe. MusiCares has established the Nashville Flood Relief Fund to assist music people affected by the Middle Tennessee Floods. Initial assistance will provide funds for food and clothing, gasoline and transportation, clean up efforts, relocation costs, […]

Alison Krauss Joins Borman Entertainment

Gary Borman officially announced this morning that 26-time Grammy winner Alison Krauss has signed with Borman Entertainment for management. “Alison’s timeless talent defies stereotype or any ordinary definition,” says Borman. “It is truly a privilege to represent such a gifted artist.” Previous manager Denise Stiff (DS Management) and Krauss amicably parted ways last February after […]

Van Fletcher Joins Chasin

Longtime industry executive Van Fletcher is on board as President of a new company, Chasin Music Group. Founded by John Acunto and Gary Hohman, Chasin’s first initiative is the Chasin Hits mobile phone music application, being developed and distributed by seasoned mobile services company Handmark. The Chasin Hits application will be available to all mobile […]

McGraw, Hill Plan Huge Flood Relief Concert

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are spearheading a superstar flood relief concert set for Tuesday, June 22 at the Bridgestone Arena. They’ve already recruited Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Amy Grant, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood for performances, as well […]

ZBB/Ram Trucks Launch ‘Letters for Lyrics’ 

The Ram Truck Brand, in partnership with Zac Brown Band, has kicked off Letters for Lyrics, a national letter-writing campaign targeted to U.S. soldiers. The goal for the Ram Truck Brand and Zac Brown Band is to send 1 million letters to U.S. troops deployed around the world. In exchange for writing a letter to […]

Average Joe Ent. Opens Urban Imprint

Average Joes Entertainment has formed AVJ Records, an Atlanta-based urban imprint. The first two signings include Nappy Roots and Bizarre. Heading the new Atlanta office will be Average Joes Entertainment CEO Shannon Houchins as President and Jason “Boogie” Brown as Vice President. The company began in 2008 and launched Colt Ford who has sold over […]

“Vince Gill and Friends” Flood Telethon Raises 1.7 Million 

WSMV-TV Channel 4 is thanking the Nashville music industry for all of its support of WSMV’s telethon for flood relief, as well as the many viewers who called in pledges proving again the true spirit of Music City and all around the country. The telethon was streamed live via the internet and pledges came in […]

Volunteer Exchange

A number of music industry companies and individuals have expressed interest in volunteering to help those in need during this flood 2010 crisis. If you need help, leave your contact information and a brief description of the help needed in the Reply Comment box below.

Stuart’s Late Night Jam To Benefit MusiCares Flood Relief 

Opry star Marty Stuart will once again help kick off CMA Music Fest with his annual Late Night Jam on June 9 beginning at 10:00 PM at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. This year’s concert is inspired by Stuart’s highly rated TV show, The Marty Stuart Show and will benefit the MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund. “Bringing […]

Musician’s Union Facilitates Flood Relief

Today (5/7), in response to the recent disastrous flood in in Middle Tennessee, the Nashville Musicians Union set up a “Nashville Musicians Flood Relief” bank account at Suntrust’s Music Industry branch. The Union will distribute collected funds through its Emergency Relief Fund at Local 257. Donations are being accepted for “Nashville Musicians Fund Relief” at […]

TN Spirit Lifts Community

“The beauty of community is that in the worst of times you see the best of people,” said Vince Gill at the top of WSMV’s Flood Relief With Vince Gill & Friends telethon last night (5/6). And community in Nashville came out full force to support the effort, which raised $1.7 million to benefit Second […]

Disaster Through A Creative Lens

A video collage of sites and scenes during and after the deluge…

Soles4Souls Donates Shoes For Flood Victims

Soles4Souls Inc., the shoe charity, is working overtime to provide free shoes, water and other items to people in its hometown of Nashville. Soles4Souls unveiled a three-stage relief plan, beginning with a massive distribution of 85,000 new pairs of shoes at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. On Monday, May 10, from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM, staff and volunteers […]

“Writer’s Block” Concert Becomes Flood Benefit 

On Sunday, May 16, the Listening Room Cafe at Cummins Station will take over the across-the-street parking lot and host the First Annual Writer’s Block featuring performances from some of Nashville’s hit songwriters and artists including Jeffrey Steele, Rivers Rutherford, Kirsti Manna, Bridgette Tatum, Andy Griggs, Danny Myrick and many others.  A percentage of the […]

A Life Changing Event

Nashville Scene, our sister publication offers an introspective collection of articles with perspective on  life changing events this week in Nashville’s history. Be sure to pick up the issue, and also click on the link at the bottom of this page to see a 45-slide Flood retrospective. —DMR • • • • • This is […]

Nashville Symphony Presents Free “Thank You” Concert Tonight

With Schermerhorn Symphony Center damaged by the extensive downtown flooding, the Nashville Symphony has moved swiftly to find alternative venues for multiple May concerts. The first of these is tonight’s (5/7) free outdoor public concert in front of the Metro Courthouse, One Public Square. 

The Symphony is calling the free show a “thank-you” to the […]

CMA To Donate All Proceeds of CMA Music Fest to Flood Relief and Music Education

In response to the devastating floods that have plagued the City of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, CMA has announced that 50 percent of the net proceeds of 2010 CMA Music Festival will be donated to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for flood relief. This is in addition to CMA’s already established annual donation of […]

Amy Willis Opens Amy Willis PR

Veteran publicist Amy Willis has announced the launch of her own company, Amy Willis Public Relations. Willis’ extensive experience include time at Wortman Works Media & Marketing, Hallmark Direction Company, Stringtown Records, Sony Music and Spring Hill Music Group. As the business launches, Amy Willis Publicity’s clients include Star City Recording Company and country artists […]

Local Flood Updates 5/6

CMT Offices Remain Closed CMT’s offices in Downtown Nashville remain closed today (5/6) due to flood-related power outages and other damage. CMT spokesperson Lisa Chater tells MusicRow that, although the offices are closed and several of CMT’s TV Trucks were affected, employees are working remotely. CMT promises that television viewers will see no change, with […]

The Show Goes On For Relocated Opry

A flooded Grand Ole Opry House was not enough to keep the hallowed country music institution from going forward and carrying on. Despite Nashville’s new and unwelcome disaster area status, the Tuesday night Opry performance went on as scheduled last night (5/4). Relocated to the War Memorial Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry convened with performers […]

On The Cover: In Charge 2010

the Jane Dear girls (Danelle Leverett, Susie Brown) Label: Reprise Records/Warner Music Nashville Current Single/Video: “Wildflower” Current Producer: John Rich Hometown: Danelle: Amarillo, TX; Susie: Alpine, UT Management: Turner & Nichols Management Booking: William Morris Endeavor Birthdate: Danelle: 8/15/83; Susie: 3/14/84 Interesting Facts: Danelle: I majored in Psychology with an emphasis in Math at Abilene […]

Soundcheck Flooding Devastates Local Music Industry

Adam Gold, from MusicRow’s sister publication the Nashville Scene, posted the following story about the devastation that hit flooded Nashville rehearsal and storage facility Soundcheck, and the far-reaching effects – financial and emotional – on the city’s musicians and music industry. • • • Soundcheck Nashville Is Submerged [Lost in the Flood] When compared to […]

Shedaisy Video Says Help Your Neighbor…

Shedaisy’s Kelsi and Kassidy helping sister Kristyn in the clean up her flooded basement. Also discussed are ways to help, places to donate…

Kenny Chesney’s Home Flooded

If anyone needs proof that nobody is immune to the disastrous flooding that has hit Middle Tennessee, they need only to visit superstar Kenny Chesney’s riverside residence. CNN’s Anderson Cooper did just that, interviewing the singer via telephone and airing video Chesney made as he found his 40-acre spread covered with flood waters. Chesney also […]

Our City

The following letter comes from Danny Arena and Sara Light of SongU.com via Doak Turner of nashvillemuse.com. Turner writes, “great message that speaks for many of us in Nashville – we will come back, we will help each other through this time right now and help with the “moving back in parties” in the future! […]

The Great Nashville Flood…of 1975

Photographer Alan Mayor has been shooting photos for Nashville’s music community for decades and remembers well the flood that inundated the Opry House back in 1975. As with the 2010 flood, the show went on as planned, relocated to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Mayor offered the following shots and reminiscences. “This current flood has me back […]

WMBA Announces 2010 Award Recipients

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) recently celebrated their 2010 Annual Cocktail Reception and Awards Ceremony at Nashville’s Acorn Restaurant. This years awards were presented to the following WMBA members: Wonder Woman of the Year: Christy Walker-Watkins Miss Congeniality: Mala Patterson Passion Award: Josee Deschenes PR Award: Gloria Green Spirit Award: Camilla Kleindienst Team Player […]

Ohio Station Steps Up For Flood Victims

Ashtabula, Ohio’s WYBL-FM, 98.3 The Bull is stepping up to help victims of Nashville’s devastating flood. After watching TV footage of the floods, station staffers decided to start the Need For Nashville Kids Toy Campaign. The station is working with area businesses to donate toys for children affected by the flood who have lost everything. They will […]

Channel 4 Air Flood Relief Telethon: Vince Gill and Friends

WSMV-TV Channel 4 will broadcast Working 4 You: Flood Relief with Vince Gill & Friends on Thursday, May 6 in prime time from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Nashville and the surrounding Middle Tennessee communities have been devastated by flood waters after the area received 15 inches of rain within a 48 hour time period. […]

Newsweek Thrown Into Shopping Cart

Newsweek has been put in play according to Chairman Donald E. Graham who said the venerable news entity “might be a better fit elsewhere.” Newsweek’s parent, The Washington Post Co. has retained Allen & Co. to explore the publication’s sale. Pricing and potential suitors are still to be determined. Business Week sold recently for under […]

Black River Signs Osborne, Sebastian Consults For ole

Black River Music Group Publishing has signed Kentucky native Josh Osborne to a publishing agreement. “I’m very happy to be working with Josh and I believe he will prove to be an important writer and a name we will all recognize inthe not to distant future,” says Celia Froehlig, Black River Music Group’s Vice President, […]

DISClaimer Reviews (5/5/09)

Such A-listers as Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban all have sparkling new singles. The first two are boasting new sonic splendor, courtesy of Michael Knox, who produced both. David Lee Murphy’s work with Kevin Fowler also deserves a shout-out.