Urban Tour Going Strong

Keith Urban’s Get Closer 2011 World Tour opened in Biloxi, MS earlier this month, embarking on a 50-plus city run. He has dates scheduled through mid-October, including a stop Aug. 6 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Inspirational Country Awards Move To New Venue

The Inspirational Country Music Awards will be held in a new location this year, with the 17th annual event set to move to Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The awards show on Oct. 28 is the capstone of Inspirational Country Music Week, running October 24-28, 2011 at The Millennium Maxwell House Hotel. Returning as hosts for […]

Joss Stone Records in Nashville, Signs With Kobalt

British soul singer Joss Stone recently wrapped recording of a new album in Nashville. She has signed an exclusive, worldwide administration deal with Kobalt Music Group, who will represent the solo project LP1. The album is to be released by her newly established label, Stone’d Records, in partnership with Surfdog Records, on August 1 in […]

Artist Action: TV Spots, New Music, and More

Steel Magnolia, Marty Stuart, and Kid Rock TV Appearances • New releases from Shawna Russell, Tiffany, Eli Young Band, and Guy Clark • the JaneDear girls team with Nick Jonas and Quaker • Vassar customizes single for Arizona Rattlers

Industry Ink Monday

NSAI Visits Washington DC • RIAA Lobbying Costs • Public Relations Workshop • Songwriting Contest

CMA Awards Voting Schedule

The official ballot for the Nominating Round of voting for the 2011 CMA Awards will be e-mailed to eligible CMA members in good standing today, Monday, June 27. All voting will be conducted online. The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air Wednesday, Nov. 9 on ABC, live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

Photo Spread

Pickin’ On The Patio • Craig Campbell And His Team • Bradley Gaskin Plays For CRB/CRS Committees

Kenny Rogers Finds New Management Home

Kenny Rogers has signed with Ken Levitan’s Vector Management for representation. The legendary singer was most recently managed by Dreamcatcher, headed by Pres./CEO Jim Mazza. Making the move to Vector with Rogers are former Dreamcatcher employees Bob Burwell and Jason Henke. Celebrating 50 years in the music business, Rogers is working on an autobiography tentatively […]

Team Toasts Urban's Latest No. 1

BMI toasted the team behind Keith Urban’s latest No. 1, “Without You,” during a packed party at Cabana on Wednesday, June 22 in Nashville. Written by BMI songwriting team Dave Pahanish and Joe West, “Without You” first captured the ears of songwriter/artist Emily West, who shared the tune with Urban. “Without You” marks the third […]

Groupon Grows Ties To Music Biz

Groupon is the latest unconventional outlet for selling music. Today the deal site is offering digital downloads of the new album from pop/rock star David Gray. Lost and Found-Live in Dublin 2011 is available exclusively on the coupon e-tailor for the deeply discounted price of $6, listed as a $13 value. Additionally, Groupon subscribers will […]

Bobby Dean – Rebound

Modern traditionalist Bobby Dean’s new country single is “Rebound,” which was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Dave Moody for Lamon Records Nashville. Dean, who owns Edgmon Trucking in Kent, Washington has juggled running a trucking business with singing in local bars for many years. He never really pursued his longtime dream to become a country singing […]

Jack Clement's Cowboy Arms Studio Suffers Fire

Sadly, The Cowboy Arms Recording Studio and Spa, owned by country legend Jack Clement suffered a fire Saturday afternoon (6/25) around 2 p.m.

Teen Media Behavior: Myths and Reality

Nielsen’s newly released study on Teen Media Behavior, proves some conventional beliefs, but also breaks a few myths about how teens spend their time in an age dominated by media choices. The study looks at multiple channels including internet, cable TV and web connected devices. Kids are the heaviest mobile phone video users, are more […]

Lady A on GAC; CMT's Next Superstar Matt Mason

Photos: Lady Antebellum • Matt Mason

Guitarist James Burton To Be Honored As "Nashville Cat"

Legendary guitarist James Burton will be honored Saturday, July 23, as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. The program begins at 1:30 in the Museum’s Ford Theater and will be streamed live on www.countrymusichalloffame.org. Bill Lloyd will host the event, which will […]

Friday Row Wrap

CMA Songwriter Series Sells Out • Big Machine Adds McKenna • Moody Bluegrass Two Tribute

Colt Ford Co-Hosts New TV Series

Average Joe’s Entertainment’s Colt Ford serves as co-host, alongside comedian Marc Ryan, in The Outdoor Channel’s new show, Mudslingers. The 13-episode half-hour series spotlighting off-road entertainment will debut on June 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET and is presented by Sta-bil. “There’s an entire culture that consists of 4×4 trucks, camping, music, and pure madness that […]

Hough Promotes Hero Dog Awards

Julianne Hough kicked off a voting campaign for the “Hero Dog Awards” at Manhattan’s VA Medical Center where she visited patients with therapy dogs and performed. The contest presented by Cesar Canine Cusine is intended to celebrate heroic dogs that help transform lives by providing comfort and support. Votes can be cast at www.HeroDogAwards.org. For […]

Benefits and a Tour Overseas

Josh Turner Benefit Concert • Link The Town Pink Campaign • Stealing Angels Homecoming Tour Overseas • SOLID Yard Sale Benefit

Facebook Unites SoundCloud And Moontoast

If the social networking revolution is about bringing users together to share experiences and affinities, then a smoothly integrated commerce engine should provide mutual value to all parties. And that seems to be the rationale behind the new collaboration between SoundCloud and Moontoast.

Funky Winkerbean Goes Country

This Sunday, June 26, the lyrics to the classic country song, “Til I Gain Control Again,” play a prominent role in the long‐running comic strip “Funky Winkerbean.” Written by Rodney Crowell and published by Tessa Publishing Company, song was first recorded by Emmylou Harris in 1975. Tom Batiuk, the cartoonist, specifically requested the use of […]

Guy Clark Tribute Album Due In November

A who’s who of roots, country and Americana will pay tribute to the legendary Guy Clark with the November 1 release of This One’s For Him: A Tribute To Guy Clark (Icehouse Music). Guests include Rodney Crowell, Shawn Colvin, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Steve Earle and many more. The release is timed to coincide with Clark’s 70th birthday on November 6.

Bug Relocates, Adds Multi-Media Facility

Publishers continue to adopt a larger role in the discovery and development of talent, and in an effort to streamline and intensify that process, Bug Music has announced its new offices will contain new multi-media tools. Bug, which calls itself the largest U.S. independent contemporary music publisher, is set to move July 1 into new […]

Weekly Chart Report (6/24/11)

If the subject is CountryBreakout Chart No. 1 songs on this particular day, then the answer to Dierks Bentley’s question “Am I The Only One” is, simply, “yes.”

Photo Friday

Luke Bryan, Doobie Brothers on “CMT Crossroads” • Justin Moore and his Outlaws • Xtreme Muzik Tour Opens At Show Me Fest

Vince Gill Heads To Hollywood Walk of Fame, Ryman Tonight

Vince Gill will get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of the 2012 class of inductees alongside Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, David Foster, Heart and others. Gill, who moved to Los Angeles at age 19, has long had an affinity for the city. Today he recalls, “When I lived out there, […]

Dolly Looks Toward "Better Day"

Dolly Parton is gearing up for Tuesday’s (6/28) release of her new album Better Day. The first single “Together You And I” is climbing MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart, and she recently shot a video for the song in Nashville with director Trey Fanjoy. The project is coming via Dolly Records, with distribution through Warner Music […]

Country's Night To Rock TV

The ABC-TV special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock will air Sun., Aug. 7. The concert special was taped June 9-12 at the 40th annual festival. Among the artists who will perform on the program are Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Sara Evans, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, […]

Memorial Scheduled For Bill Johnson

A memorial celebration will be held for late art director Bill Johnson on Sun., June 26. The event will be 3-5:30 PM at the WO Smith Music School. His wife Cynda Johnson requests friends bring stories to share and photographs of Bill to post on a memory board. She writes on his CaringBridge site that […]

Country Music Hall of Fame Board Update

At the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly board meeting today (6/23), BMI’s Nashville Vice President, Writer-Publisher Relations Jody Williams was elected to a first term as a trustee. Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and Lee, Danner & Bass, Inc. Principal and Director Ernie Williams were re-elected to three-year terms as […]

CMA Music Fest Brings Boon To Music City

Country music fans attending the recent CMA Music Festival had a huge economic impact on Nashville. Spending by visitors totaled $30 million, a significant increase from last year’s record-high of $24 million, according to Smith Travel Research and reported by The Tennessean. It was the second consecutive year festival tickets sold out, drawing average daily […]

Industry Ink Thursday

Chris Keaton Produces Broadway Project • Belmont Promotes Jamie Stamey• Songwriter Agency Hires Cheri Blankenship • Woody Bomar’s Road Crew Honored

Roger Murrah To Exit Bug Music

Roger Murrah will officially leave his post as Sr. VP of Bug Music when his contract with the publishing company ends in August. The publishing vet came on board with Bug in February 2009, overseeing the Nashville office and reporting directly to Los Angeles-based CEO John Rudolph.

Glen Campbell Diagnosed With Alzheimer's

Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, People Magazine is reporting. The 75-year-old country singer revealed his condition in an interview that appears in Friday’s (6/24) issue. Campbell and his wife Kim have come forward to talk about his disease because he is making plans for a series of farewell shows and felt his […]

Rhett Akins Re-Ups With EMI

Riding high with a string of hits and two rising singles, songwriter Rhett Akins has extended his relationship with EMI Music Publishing. Under terms of the new co-publishing deal, EMI Music will continue to represent Akins’ future work and catalogue of songs.

Memorial Service For Steve Popovich

A memorial service for late record executive Steve Popovich will be held from 6 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 at United Methodist Fellowship Church (2511 Highway 99, Murfreesboro, TN). A reception will follow at the Church from 7 – 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Stephen C. […]

Songwriter Signings

Writers on the rise: Angel Snow inks with Bug Music, and Scott Stepakoff joins Ten Ten Music

Tenacity Records Promo Team Revealed

Tenacity Records has launched in Nashville with Tenacity Management chief Mike Kraski as President. Promotion vets David Haley and Gary Greenburg have been named as the new label’s Sr. VP Promotion and Director, respectively. The Tenacity Records team will be working Bill Gentry’s upcoming single “This Letter,” which will be released shortly. Gentry’s debut CD […]

Morning Updates

Memorial service for Jolene Mercer Dakil tonight • Kenny MacPherson to exit Chrysalis • Bluebird Teams with RIAA, announces Toby Keith performance

MusicRow Awards Honor The Band Perry, Paul Worley

The 23rd Annual MusicRow Awards were held last night (6/21) at ASCAP’s Nashville office. The Band Perry and Kimberly Perry were the evening’s big winners, earning plaques for Breakthrough Artist, Song of the Year, and Breakthrough Songwriter.

MusicRow Awards Issue—On The Cover

Led by industry veteran Tim DuBois, the ASCAP Nashville regional office serves a broad array of members across all musical genres and a multi-state geographic footprint while bolstering its services to new and existing members. This focus is testament to ASCAP’s emphasized investment in the evolution of Nashville as a vibrant musical mecca. The vision […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/22/11)

Our three contenders for this edition’s DisCovery Award can all be found on independent labels and the Disc of the Day goes to the combo of Rascal Flatts with New Zealand born and Britain-created pop warbler Natasha Bedingfield.

WRVU Saga Continues

The controversial sale and flip of Vanderbilt University’s WRVU – 91.1 is the subject of this week’s cover story in the Nashville Scene. For those not in the know, on June 7 WRVU officially stopped broadcasting the eclectic stew of rock, blues, bluegrass, funk, hip-hop, electro and everything else that had made it such a […]

iPhone Software Could Curtail Concert Taping

Apple has filed a patent for software that would stop iPhone users from taping concerts. The London Times first discovered the patent document, and the Daily Mail thoroughly examined it in a new report.

Grammys Set Date For 2012, Re-Up With CBS

The Recording Academy and CBS announced today (6/21) a new 10-year deal that will keep the annual Grammy Awards broadcast on the network through 2021. CBS has been the broadcast home of the show since 1973. The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los […]

Industry Ink: Conway Launches Show Me Festival

Plus Gibson Summer Jam, songwriter Paul Overstreet, artist Justin Haigh, Jake Simon joins BMI, and Bluewater Music signing

Major Stars, Major Tours

News from the road: Alan Jackson Debuts Single in Chattanooga • Chesney Fills Field in Philly • Flatts Fest Kicks Off

Ashley Heron Joins LA-based HYFN, Inc.

Ashley Heron has joined Los Angeles-based digital creative and social media/mobile application development firm HYFN, Inc. as Vice President, Digital. In this role he will manage client services and new business development as well as overseeing a team of developers. HYFN’s clients include Avon, Citi, Coca-Cola, Honda, Intel, LG, Nike and many more. Heron comes […]

New Class Named To Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

Michelle Wright and Bill Langstroth will be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Recognized for her contributions to Canada’s country music landscape, Wright is this year’s Artist inductee. Langstroth, the host of one of Canada’s first talent showcases, “Singalong Jubilee,” will have his achievements in television production celebrated in the Industry Builder category. The […]

ICANN Opens Naming Floodgates

Someone may have pulled their thumb out of the Internet dike which might explain why now a flood of domain names is on the way. ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Numbers and Names)…