Idols Reveal Album Releases

American Idols Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina join the ranks of major label artists planning album releases for Fall, with their debuts scheduled one week apart in October.

Weekly Chart Report (8/12/11)

It’s gridlock at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart as Trace Adkins’ “Just Fishin’” notches a second week at No. 1. But Toby Keith’s “Made In America” is only down 28 spins at No. 2, followed by Kenny Chesney’s “You And Tequila” only 14 spins below Toby at No. 3.

Wal-Mart Closing MP3 Store

Digital Music News is reporting that after 7 years, Wal-Mart is closing its online […]

Despite Negative Tweets, #TwitterCrucialToMarketing

As advertisers increasingly turn to social media, problems can arise, accidentally sending consumers unintended mixed messages. A promoted Trend on Twitter reportedly cost $120,000 per day, and gets the advertiser the […]

Charlie Cook On Air

In the minds of engineers at Ford Motors, media is media is media. I read recently that they are eliminating CD players from their cars, starting with the Fusion. Now, it would be one thing if they were eliminating the CD player as a way to save money on production—kind of like the little surprise you get when you get a flat tire and look for the spare in your trunk for the first time.

Capitol Brings Big Guns, Baby Acts To Street Party

The line-up has been revealed for the label’s annual free street party, set to rock Demonbreun on Sept. 21.

Martina McBride To Release "Eleven"

Platinum-selling recording artist Martina McBride will release her 11th studio album, aptly titled, Eleven on October 11.

Martina McBride To Release “Eleven”

Platinum-selling recording artist Martina McBride will release her 11th studio album, aptly titled, Eleven on October 11.

Hall Hosts Grand Opening of Chet Atkins Exhibit

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled its Chet Atkins exhibition last night (8/10) to a group of industry tastemakers, sponsors, and the late guitar-great’s descendants.

Marlee Scott Goes Dancing • New Darrell Scott Disc • AJ Offers Free Concert

Marlee Scott has released a dance mix of her country single “Beautiful Maybe” to over 240 DJs, club owners and dance instructors. The special high-energy version was remixed and produced by Allen Morgan. Listen to it here. The radio version was produced by David Kalmusky and written by Marcus Hummon, Tia Sillers and Tania Hancheroff. […]

Full Scope Rebrands As Average Joe’s Management

Full Scope Entertainment, the management home to Colt Ford, Ty Stone, and others, has partnered with Average Joe’s Entertainment label to form Average Joe’s Management. The management firm was established in early 2009 by CEO Ken Madson. He explains, “Since its creation, Full Scope Entertainment has worked closely with Average Joe’s Entertainment. While this will […]

Full Scope Rebrands As Average Joe's Management

Full Scope Entertainment, the management home to Colt Ford, Ty Stone, and others, has partnered with Average Joe’s Entertainment label to form Average Joe’s Management. The management firm was established in early 2009 by CEO Ken Madson. He explains, “Since its creation, Full Scope Entertainment has worked closely with Average Joe’s Entertainment. While this will […]

The Dirt Drifters “Give Blood”

Warner Bros. Records’ new band The Dirt Drifters will be giving away 30,000 copies of their debut album entitled This Is My Blood. Beginning this week, the group will…

The Dirt Drifters "Give Blood"

Warner Bros. Records’ new band The Dirt Drifters will be giving away 30,000 copies of their debut album entitled This Is My Blood. Beginning this week, the group will…

Country Brings Value To Fill Stadiums

Are country acts stadium ready? You bet, according to an L.A. Times article today by Nashville’s Holly Gleason which touts country music’s ability to attract fans to these larger-than-life gatherings. By example the article names Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and the CMA’s MusicFest as four stadium-size country shows all happening on the same […]

Buds-N-Suds Concert, Miller Harris Tournament

The Buds-N-Suds Music Festival will turn midtown Nashville into a party with performances by Colt Ford, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Matt Stillwell and special guests Montgomery Gentry. The show is set for Thus., Sept. 15 outside Loser’s Bar and Grill. There will also be a silent auction. Cory Gierman and Jason Krupek started the fundraiser […]

Opry Member Billy Grammer Passes

Grand Ole Opry member Billy Grammer passed away early this morning in his home state of Illinois from natural causes. Grammer, 85, was a revered guitarist and had been a member of the Opry since 1959. Grammer was born one of 13 children in an Illinois coal mining family. After high school and service in […]

Hunter Hayes To Make Opry Debut

Multi-talented musician, writer, producer and performer Hunter Hayes makes his Grand Ole Opry debut on the historic stage this Friday, Aug 12. Hunter, on tour with Taylor Swift on her Speak Now tour, will perform his debut single “Storm Warning” currently climbing the charts. Hunter joins Diamond Rio, Andy Griggs and Carter’s Chord in the […]

Just In—Dates Set For CMA Noms, ASCAP Awards

Awards Week is heating up! Get out your smartphones, and plug in these dates.

Pinpointing 2011 Country Sales

Country album sales are up an astounding 4% YTD as of 8/7/2011 with 22,930,000 units scanned. That is some good news. However, before we open the second bottle of Cristal Champagne (on sale HERE for $295 ea.) it seems appropriate to survey 2010 and compare it with possible expectations and release schedules for 2011.

All For The Hall Gives LA Taste Of Nashville

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s All for the Hall event will return to Los Angeles for a third consecutive year, featuring performances by Hall of Fame inductees Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris, and superstars Sheryl Crow and Zac Brown. The guitar pull-style fundraiser will take place Tuesday, Sept. 13 at Club Nokia. […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/10/11)

With temperatures hovering near 100 muggy degrees, day after day, we have definitely reached the Dog Days of Summer in Tune Town. In weather like this, who the heck feels like making the effort to find new music? I do. I always do, especially when folks are playing at the top of their games.

Loretta Lynn Postpones Tour Dates

Though she recently returned to the concert stage with a Grand Ole Opry performance in Nashville, Loretta Lynn has been forced to cancel tour dates before the September 3rd show at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN.

Smoking Country Gets Fightin’ Hot

The Smokin’ Country Concert (8/5,6,7) in Bloomville, Ohio got a bit hotter than promoters imagined after rain, mud and a stuck bus contributed to a fistfight between Tracy Lawrence and promoter Elmer Cole Jr. who also owns Cole Farms, the concert site. According to the Advertiser-Tribune, “Seneca County Sheriff Bill Eckelberry said there was a […]

Smoking Country Gets Fightin' Hot

The Smokin’ Country Concert (8/5,6,7) in Bloomville, Ohio got a bit hotter than promoters imagined after rain, mud and a stuck bus contributed to a fistfight between Tracy Lawrence and promoter Elmer Cole Jr. who also owns Cole Farms, the concert site. According to the Advertiser-Tribune, “Seneca County Sheriff Bill Eckelberry said there was a […]

Photos: Xtreme Muzik, Nichols, Gentry, Angels

Xtreme Music The Tour featuring Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich • Joe Nichols video shoot • Montgomery Gentry USO tour • Stealing Angels hang with the White Sox

Shelton Remakes "Footloose" For Warner Soundtrack

Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville will release the movie soundtrack for the upcoming Paramount Pictures film, Footloose. Blake Shelton offers his take on the classic title song, while Victoria Justice and Hunter Hayes duet on the movie’s love theme, “Almost Paradise.” The other remakes of hits from the original soundtrack are “Holding Out For […]

Shelton Remakes “Footloose” For Warner Soundtrack

Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville will release the movie soundtrack for the upcoming Paramount Pictures film, Footloose. Blake Shelton offers his take on the classic title song, while Victoria Justice and Hunter Hayes duet on the movie’s love theme, “Almost Paradise.” The other remakes of hits from the original soundtrack are “Holding Out For […]

Album News: Luke Bryan, Kevin Fowler, McClymonts

Luke Bryan makes the media rounds for Tailgates & Tanlines • Kevin Fowler is Chippin’ Away • Aussie trio the McClymonts prepare for US release

CEMB Pipeline Project Shares Findings

Belmont University’s Pipeline project shared its findings with the entertainment industry last evening at a reception held at Regions Bank (8/8). The Pipeline project, an initiative of the Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business (CEMB), was created as a think tank. Some of the school’s best and brightest students were chosen to participate and […]

Bluegrass News—IBMA Noms Coming Soon

Plus Rhonda Vincent & The Rage on an international tour. Dailey and Vincent add DJ Cherryholmes to the band.

Live On The Green Returns For Third Season

Live On the Green’s third season, presented by Lightning 100, will open Sept. 8 with a unique collaboration between Nashville-based artist K.S. Rhoads and the Nashville Symphony. The performance is the first in a free, six-week concert series taking place Thursday nights through Oct. 13 at Nashville’s Public Square Park downtown. The show kicks-off at […]

Joey+Rory, Charlie Daniels Already Hearing Jingle Bells

It’s only August, but Joey + Rory, and Charlie Daniels are already in the holiday spirit. Joey+Rory are prepping the Oct. 11 release of A Farmhouse Christmas, featuring 10 new holiday songs, as well as the standards “Away In A Manger” and “Blue Christmas.” The Vanguard/Sugar Hill Records album also contains the Garth Brooks/Kent Blazy-penned […]

Celebrating Writer/Publisher Highlights

AIMP Arrives; Tim Nichols Adds Another Million (Airs); Dallas Davidson Gets His 8th No. 1; Rascal Flatts Get Platinum and No. 1 Awards

Take A Sniff Of Keith Urban

Four-time Grammy Award Winning artist Keith Urban is set to release his first fragrance for men, Phoenix by Keith Urban, in partnership with Boom LLC. Joining artists such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill, Urban’s fragrance launches worldwide in the fall and reflects his personal triumphs and spirit. The phoenix symbol resonates with […]

Brett James Signs With Warner/Chappell/ Combustion

Warner/Chappell Music, together with its joint venture partner Combustion Music, announces a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James. Additionally, Warner/Chappell will co-publish a selection of his past works and establish a co-publishing venture with James’ boutique publishing company, Cornman Music. This venture enables James to sign songwriters to publishing deals with the company. […]

Industry Ink Tuesday (8/9)

News from Matt Gary, John Ettinger, Dan Hodges, Steve Wilkinson, ACM Honors tix, ASCAP Songwriters Workshop, and Cowboy Jack Clement

Dale Bobo Forms Music Direction Company

Music publishing veteran Dale Bobo has started Dale Bobo Music Direction, providing consultation, management, and creative propulsion to music publishers, songwriters and producers. The company’s inaugural client is hit songwriter/producer Jeff Stevens, who has written songs for George Strait, Tim McGraw and others including the recent Luke Bryan #1 single “Someone Else Calling You Baby” whom […]

Sherman Named RIAA Chairman and CEO

Cary Sherman has been named Chairman & CEO of the RIAA, effective September 1, 2011. He succeeds Mitch Bainwol, who resigned to become CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, as first tipped last week in MusicRow. Sherman has served as RIAA President since 2001, after joining the organization as General Counsel in 1997. Before […]

Tennessee Two's Marshall Grant Passes

Musician Marshall Grant, the final surviving member of Johnny Cash’s revered Tennessee Two, died yesterday, Aug. 7. Until the very end, the 83-year-old’s life was tied to the late icon. Grant collapsed Wednesday (8/3) following rehearsals for a Cash tribute concert in Jonesboro, Arkansas that was raising funds to restore the singer’s boyhood home. Grant […]

Tennessee Two’s Marshall Grant Passes

Musician Marshall Grant, the final surviving member of Johnny Cash’s revered Tennessee Two, died yesterday, Aug. 7. Until the very end, the 83-year-old’s life was tied to the late icon. Grant collapsed Wednesday (8/3) following rehearsals for a Cash tribute concert in Jonesboro, Arkansas that was raising funds to restore the singer’s boyhood home. Grant […]

CRS Accepting Country Radio Hall of Fame Nominations

Nominations for the 2012 Country Radio Hall of Fame are now being accepted by Country Radio Seminar.

Swift Is Most-Honored In Teen Choice Awards History

Taylor Swift received six surfboards at last night’s (8/7) Teen Choice Awards, including the Ultimate Choice Award, the ceremony’s most prestigious honor. In her first time attending the ceremony, she walked away the evening’s biggest winner, bringing her total career Teen Choice wins to 13—known to fans as the singer’s lucky number—and becoming the most-honored […]

Urban Tour Places Artist Closer To Fans

Keith Urban’s Get Closer World Tour enthralled a sold-out Bridgestone Arena crowd in downtown Nashville, Aug. 6. “The idea of the Get Closer stage,” Urban told the crowd, “is to do away with the fences so there’s no me and you— just us…” And that’s how it was.

Oak Ridge Boys Inducted Into Opry

The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry this weekend by Opry member Jimmy Dickens. The legendary country music group made up of William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, and Duane Allen was invited to join the Opry last month.

"American Songwriter" Under New Ownership

Albie Del Favero has taken the reigns of American Songwriter magazine, joining the team as Co-Publisher, and President of its parent company ForASong Media, LLC.

“American Songwriter” Under New Ownership

Albie Del Favero has taken the reigns of American Songwriter magazine, joining the team as Co-Publisher, and President of its parent company ForASong Media, LLC.

BMI Taps Ari Surdoval For Communications Post

BMI has named Ari Surdoval Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations. Surdoval will be based in BMI’s Nashville office, and will report to Kay Clary, Senior Director, Media Relations. In his new role, Surdoval will direct press campaigns, create editorial content, and develop corporate and branding communications for both the business and creative communities. “Ari […]

Adkins/Chenoweth To Host ACA

Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth will co-host the 2nd Annual American Country Awards, live from Las Vegas, Dec. 5 on FOX. Adkins returns to host the youngest of the nationallly televised country award shows and the only one that allows fans to vote in traditional and new categories such as touring. Adkins, a Grand Ole […]

Dill To Head Octagon Entertainment Nashville Office

Sports and entertainment firm Octagon Entertainment has announced its expansion into Nashville with the hire of management veteran Stuart Dill as Senior Vice President.