Indiana Fair Tragedy Draws Attention To Growing Problem

Outdoor concerts are being scrutinized in the wake of Saturday’s (8/13) tragedy at the Indiana State Fair, where strong winds caused the staging to collapse, killing five people and injuring more than 40 others. Today (8/19) comes the unsettling news of a disaster at a music event in Belgium, where at least two are confirmed […]

Sold-Out Alabama Concert Helps Homestate Rebuild

Members of Alabama are continuing to help rebuild their home state with another sold-out concert. Proceeds from the Sept. 2 show at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater will benefit the Tuscaloosa Storm Recovery Fund for those affected by the April 27 tornadoes that ravaged the state. The perfectly timed concert is the night before the Alabama Crimson […]

Jackie Campbell Joins Big Machine Label Group

Jackie Campbell has joined the Big Machine Label Group as Director of Strategic Partnerships. In this new role, she will be based in Chicago.

WANTED: A New GPS For Country Marketing

Until recently our industry has relied upon SoundScan and the mainstream radio charts to rank weekly artist activity. But is that still enough or do we need a more comprehensive set of activity gauges? Tom Baldrica and Peter Strickland weigh in…

Music Is YouTube's Most Popular Content

And a new licensing agreement will help compensate copyright owners.

Music Is YouTube’s Most Popular Content

And a new licensing agreement will help compensate copyright owners.

The Band Perry to Headline The Ryman

After a year of major success, The Band Perry is scheduled to perform its first headlining show in Nashville. The siblings will take the stage at the Mother Church of Country Music, the historic Ryman Auditorium, on Feb. 20, 2012. “We are so excited to headline the Ryman, which holds a very special place in […]

Belmont, Avenue Bank Team For Music Biz Finance Course

Belmont University has teamed with Avenue Bank for a new class focusing on music industry personal finance and banking. The course will be offered this fall through Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business (CEMB). Avenue Bank developed the curriculum which includes industry-specific case studies, loan examples, finance for entrepreneurs, and personal finance. […]

The Boxcars Lead IBMA Nominations

The Boxcars lead the just-announced International Bluegrass Music Award nominations with nods in nine categories ranging from Emerging Artist of the Year to Entertainer of the Year. The nominations were revealed today (8/17) at a special press event at the Loveless Barn hosted by Doyle Lawson, Russell Moore, Josh Williams and Sierra Hull. Star Del […]

Snapshots: CMA Songwriters Series, Nashville In Napa, Sandestin Music Festival

Joe’s Pub in NYC celebrates re-opening with CMA Songwriters Series • ASCAP sponsors Nashville in Napa • BMI sponsors 2nd Annual Sandestin Music Festival

Industry Ink Wednesday (8/17)

PLA Media promotions • Big & Rich Pickin’ On The Patio • Queen Named BMI Icons • WME wins SOLID kickball tourney • Radio Submit hires Monte Willis

Steven Curtis Chapman’s Re:Creation

Revered Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman released his 17th album last week, titled re:creation. It offers several new songs such as lead single, “Do Everything” and breathes new life into some of his most popular songs including “Live Out Loud,” “For the Sake of the Call” and “The Great Adventure.” This is his first project […]

Steven Curtis Chapman's Re:Creation

Revered Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman released his 17th album last week, titled re:creation. It offers several new songs such as lead single, “Do Everything” and breathes new life into some of his most popular songs including “Live Out Loud,” “For the Sake of the Call” and “The Great Adventure.” This is his first project […]

Luke Bryan Debuts At Top of Chart

Luke Bryan’s debut is the big story on this week’s SoundScan report. The Capitol Nashville star moved over 145,000 units of his third album tailgates & tanlines, landing at the top of the Country chart, and No. 2 on the overall chart. This is more than double the first week sales of his sophomore release, […]

Web Round-Up

IBMA Noms streaming live • Lay-offs at Sony NY • Nashville’s new venue • Ann Powers on today’s country • LA Times live reviews of Toby Keith, Eric Church, Wanda Jackson

RCA Inks Love And Theft

RCA Nashville has signed Love and Theft. The country duo, made up of Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles, is busy working on a new album. Lyric Street Records, which is now closed, released the band’s debut album World Wide Open, containing the 2009 hit “Runaway.”

Hall of Fame Hosts Connie Smith Residency

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is prepping its 2011 Artist-in-Residence series with Connie Smith. She’ll be joined onstage at the Ford Theater by some of her favorite collaborators for the intimate performances.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/17/11)

We sometimes forget that the Americana field has more than its share of name-brand stars. […]

DIY ‘U’ Showcases Digital Artist Career Tool

The DIY series is designed to introduce ASCAP members to various technology companies and this edition featured the Topspin direct-to-fan platform and Topspin Sr. Director of Artist Services Nashville, Wayne Leeloy.

DIY 'U' Showcases Digital Artist Career Tool

The DIY series is designed to introduce ASCAP members to various technology companies and this edition featured the Topspin direct-to-fan platform and Topspin Sr. Director of Artist Services Nashville, Wayne Leeloy.

On Location: Jason Jones, Eric Lee Beddingfield Shoot Debut Videos

Warner Bros. newcomer Jason Jones, and indie artist Eric Lee Beddingfield recently shot their first music videos. Jones traveled to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park near Chattanooga, Tenn. to shoot the video for his single “Ferris Wheel.” Directed by Kristin Barlowe, the video captures the fun of spending the afternoon at the county fair. “Ferris Wheel” […]

Country Superstars Tour Overseas

Alan Jackson and Toby Keith are taking their tours across the pond. Jackson’s tour visited Sweden and Norway last week. Tickets to see the superstar and his band The Strayhorns were in high-demand for all three shows. The run kicked off in Stockholm, Sweden. This isn’t the first international trek for the singer-songwriter this year […]

Artist Action

Kellie Pickler • Lonesome River Band • Crystal Hoyt • Jacob Lyda • Lacy Green

CMT Adds New Sr. VP, Music Strategy

CMT has tapped an industry vet from the radio world to replace exiting Jay Frank.

Letter From Sugarland

Sugarland has just released this statement regarding the tragedy that occurred Saturday before the duo took the stage at the Indiana State Fair.

Chesney Reigns As King of the Road

Kenny Chesney is the country king of the road. For several years he’s been one of the biggest touring forces in all genres, and he continues to set records, such as Saturday night’s (8/13) concert which was the biggest ticketed country show in New York/New Jersey history.

Atkins Sets Fall Release Date

A new project from Rodney Atkins is the latest release set to debut in time for holiday shoppers. Take A Back Road will be available Tues., Oct. 4. The lead single and title track is the fastest rising single of his career, currently sitting at No. 11 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Digital downloads of the single […]

Valory and Sony/Sea Gayle Launching New Acts

The labels are busy with their newest signees, Thomas Rhett and Wade Bowen.

GMA Names Executive Director

Music industry veteran Jackie Patillo has been appointed Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association. The newly created position will report to the GMA Board of Directors, facilitating the day to day operations of the GMA, as well as working closely with its board to ensure that the organization’s mission and strategies continue to grow. […]

Lady Antebellum To “Own The Night” With New Tour

Lady Antebellum has revealed plans for the first leg of its Own The Night 2011 Tour, which gets underway Nov. 11 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Lady Antebellum To "Own The Night" With New Tour

Lady Antebellum has revealed plans for the first leg of its Own The Night 2011 Tour, which gets underway Nov. 11 in Knoxville, Tenn.

2011 Artist Roster—On The Cover: Hunter Hayes

Born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Hunter Hayes has been making music since about the time he learned to walk. As he recounts, “By the time I was almost two, I was picking up everything and making an instrument out of it. My grandmother gave me a toy accordion for my second birthday and I immediately […]

Networks In Bidding War For CMA Awards

A Little “Vulture” Told Me—ABC has been the network home of the CMA Awards since 2006, but rumors of a channel change are swirling around Music Row.

Lady A “Need You…” Climbs 5X Platinum

Country fans are showing their love in the form of purchases during this hot summer season. The latest RIAA sales report for July 2011 shows Nashville music warmly represented. The magic numbers to qualify for Gold and Platinum awards are 500,000 and one million respectively. Capitol Nashville lead the Nashville labels with the equivalent of […]

Lady A "Need You…" Climbs 5X Platinum

Country fans are showing their love in the form of purchases during this hot summer season. The latest RIAA sales report for July 2011 shows Nashville music warmly represented. The magic numbers to qualify for Gold and Platinum awards are 500,000 and one million respectively. Capitol Nashville lead the Nashville labels with the equivalent of […]

Signing News From Major Bob, Magic Mustang

Cary Barlowe re-ups with Major Bob • Magic Mustang Inks Producer/Songwriters

R&J Adds To Radio Team

R&J Records today announced the hiring of a seasoned radio rep handling southeast promotion.

R&J Adds To Radio Team

R&J Records today announced the hiring of a seasoned radio rep handling southeast promotion.

Strong Ratings For CMA Fest Special

Last night’s (8/14) CMA Music Festival television special drew an average audience of 7 million viewers, about one million more fans than last year’s broadcast. CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock aired 8:00-11:00 p.m. on ABC. It came in second place most of the night, and moved into first place during the final hour. […]

Dierks Bentley Announces Fall Tour

Dierks Bentley is gearing up for the first leg of his Country & Cold Cans Tour, which launches Oct. 6 in Lacrosse, WI with guests Jerrod Niemann and Eli Young Band.

Yandell Joins CGP Elite

During his lifetime Chet Atkins bestowed the title of Certified guitar Player on just four guitar pickers; Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, the late Jerry Reed, and Steve Wariner. At a program Saturday marking the opening of the new Chet Atkins exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum®, Atkins’ daughter Merle asked Steve […]

Urban, Andersons Donate Habitat House

Keith Urban joined Moll and Charlie Anderson in Knoxville Friday (8/12), where they gave new meaning to the term “urban renewal” by presenting the keys to a new Habitat for Humanity home. The house is the second of what will be 10 homes planned for “Music Row” in Knoxville. The houses are underwritten by the […]

Vince Gill Celebrates Opry 20th Anniversary [video tribute]

Vince Gill was surrounded by family, loved ones and fellow artists as he celebrated his 20th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night (8/13). Among those joining Gill on stage throughout the show were wife Amy Grant, daughter Jenny Gill, Jimmy Dickens, Emmylou Harris, Martina McBride, and The Time Jumpers. The […]

Sugarland Forced To Cancel Date Following State Fair Tragedy

Sugarland is dealing with the tragedy that occurred at the Indiana State Fair Saturday night (8/13). Just before the duo was scheduled to perform, high winds caused the stage to collapse, killing five people. [See previous report below]. The band, who is touring with opener Sara Bareilles, was forced to cancel its show the following […]

Friday Artist News (8/12/11)

CMA Music Festival special airs on Sunday (8/14) • Jamey Johnson performing at Farm Aid and working on new album • GAC to air Origins: Chris Young • Keni Thomas releasing his first book • Blackberry Smoke to perform on Grand Ole Opry

Photos: Bryan, Brett, Bundy

Luke Bryan made an appearance on the Today Show earlier this morning to perform his hit single “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and promote his new album, tailgates & tanlines. Fans can also catch him on Sunday’s ABC CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock television special. • • • • Atlantic Records’ artist […]

Combustion Promotes Chris Van Belkom

Combustion Music announces the promotion of Chris Van Belkom to VP. Van Belkom formerly served as Sr. Creative Director and has been with Combustion since 2004. Working directly with company President, Chris Farren, Van Belkom will oversee all aspects of the creative department and manage the writing staff, which includes songwriters Ashley Gorley, Brett James, […]

Songwriter Workshop • Topspin Seminar

>>The ASCAP Foundation Country Songwriters Workshop is now accepting submissions for this fall’s program held on October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4 and 18th from 2-4 p.m. at ASCAP’s Nashville offices. Conducted by veteran songwriter Bonnie Baker, each session will feature prominent music industry guest speakers giving advice on the art and craft of […]

Sound Of Change Headed To Music City

Put your ear to the music industry railroad tracks and you’ll likely hear a faint rumbling headed toward Nashville—don’t recognize it? It’s the sound of change. Warner Music’s recent purchase by Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries seemingly brought little or no change to Music City, but the upcoming sale of EMI—both publishing and records— is likely […]

Brantley Gilbert Sets Release Date

Brantley Gilbert is slated to release Halfway to Heaven Deluxe, his first project from The Valory Music Co., on Sept. 13. Lead single “Country Must Be Country Wide” is quickly making its way up the charts and currently sits at No. 12 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.