750 Heat Sufferers • Jones House For Sale • Facebook Growth Slowing?

>>>The Tennessean reports that 750 people were treated for the heat at this year’s CMA MusicFest, according to a spokesperson from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. At last year’s festival 400 were treated. The record breaking heat wave that accompanied MusicFest this year was named as the obvious cause for the huge increase. >>>George Jones’ home […]

CMA Fest By The Numbers

The Country Music Association released its preliminary statistics on its 40th annual fan festival on Monday, and the results are impressive. There is no official estimate on how much economic impact this year’s festival had on downtown, but it is a safe bet that it surpassed last year’s $24 million.

Festival Fundraisers: Celeb Softball, Music City Gives Back

Saturday’s (6/11) Celebrity Softball Challenge raised big bucks for City of Hope, which fights cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses. Among those going to bat at Nashville’s Greer Stadium were Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, David Nail, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Brett Eldredge, Chuck Wicks, Jake Owen, James Wesley, Jaron and the Long Road to Love, Kerry Collins, LoCash Cowboys, […]

"O Brother," Where Has The Time Gone?

The tenth anniversary of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack will be marked with the release of a new two-disc set. With more than nine million units sold, the original album is among the top-10 bestselling soundtracks of all time. On August 16, UMe will release the expanded Deluxe Edition, including a 17-track bonus […]

Notable Nashville Gospel Personality Passes

Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame member J. Harold Lane died last week in Nashville at age 82. His funeral was held Monday (6/13), and he was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Lane initially rose to prominence as a founder of the Gospel Harmony Boys. He is best known as a performer for his 22 […]

BMI Promotes Jeff Burrow

Jeff Burrow has been promoted to Senior Director, Business Affairs, Licensing, for Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). In his new capacity, Burrow will have greater responsibility for BMI’s infringement matters in its General Licensing area, as well as handle BMI’s negotiations with its customers and markets in the General Licensing area. He will continue to provide […]

MusicFest Sellout Sets New Attendance Record

CMA is reporting its second consecutive CMA MusicFest sellout. The country music organizations which puts on the massive downtown event has released the following informatin. Average daily attendance over the four days was 65,000. In 2010, Festival attendance jumped 16.7 percent over 2009 when attendance was 56,000. The 65,000 attendance in 2011 includes four-day ticket […]

Industry Ink Monday (6/13)

Crystal Shawanda • Doak Turner • Jolene Mercer Dakil • Springbarrel Songwriter Services • Steep Canyon Rangers • BMI’s East Side Sounds

More Hot CMA Fest Pics

Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert, Joe Nichols, Dierks Bentley, Eli Young Band, and more.

Industry Watch

Independent Music Publishers Panel (6/14) features music supervisors • Gaga Facing Physical Returns? • Spotify Inks Universal

Bobby Karl's Fan Fair Finale

Chapter 369: I am pretty sure it was the hottest one on record, and I am fairly confident that it was the best attended, but I am absolutely positive that this has been the most star-loaded CMA Music Fest in history. On Wednesday (6/8), we had the legendary Oak Ridge Boys and Hall of Famer […]

CMT's Next Superstar Inks With Elektra

Matt Mason from Fairland, Indiana was crowned the winner of the first season of CMT’S Next Superstar. Mason will receive a record deal with Warner Music Nashville’s Elektra imprint and will be the opening act for CMT on Tour this fall, headlined by Luke Bryan and sponsored by the network. President and CEO of Warner Music Nashville, […]

Vicki Vann – This Is Where I Get Off

Newcomer Vicki Vann’s debut country radio single is “This Is Where I Get Off,” which was written by top Nashville tunesmiths Casey Beathard, Michael Heeney and Rebecca Lynn Howard. The song was originally a part of a demo collection for the California native to record when she visited Nashville for the first time. Her debut […]

Adkins Announces New Album

Trace Adkins has announced the release of his new album Proud To Be Here, due August 2 on Show Dog-Universal Music. Adkins revealed details about the album during his CMA Music Festival performance at LP Field Saturday night (6/11). “Proud To Be Here was chosen as the album title some weeks ago because it’s how […]

Fab Photos From Music Fest

Little Big Town host Ride For A Cure • “Idols” on the Opry • Fan Fair Hall with Dolly, Robin Meade and Due West

Photos: CMA Fest, Hot Dog Day, CMHOF

SunTrust Hot Dog Day • Shania Twain honored for 75 million in sales • Songwriter Don Schlitz at Hall of Fame • Joanna Smith at CMA Music Festival

Country, Bluegrass and Americana News (6/10/11)

New albums from Randy Travis and Ricky Skaggs • Foundation for Bluegrass Music establishes grants • Larry Cordle and “Pud Marcum’s Hangin'”

Review: Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam Delivers

Marty Stuart sold out the historic Ryman Auditorium June 8 for his 10th Anniversary Late Night Jam. The event raised over $30,000 for MusiCares with a portion also going to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Guests included country music icons Parton, Mel Tillis and Connie Smith, along with The Quebe Sisters Band, Doug Kershaw and surprise […]

Bobby Karl Works CMA Fest: Part 2

Day Two of the CMA Music Festival was a carbon copy of Day One, weather-wise. The streets of downtown Nashville sizzled in the mid-90s. But I’ll be darned if the fans weren’t having a ball in spite of it all.

Photo Friday

the JaneDear girls and Ludacris • AristoMedia Global Show and Aristo Summer Show • The Lunabelles • Brad Cole

Weekly Chart Report (6/10/11)

  SPIN ZONE It’s a close race, but Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” edges out Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” to earn a second week in the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot. Capitol bros Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley are neck-and-neck at No. 3 and 4, followed by Chris Young’s “Tomorrow” at No. […]

New Beginnings

LeAnn Bennett Forms BEG • Stephanie Taylor Joins Bone McAllester Norton PLLC • Vanderbilt Transfers WRVU • Cary Rolfe Joins TCN

CMT Awards Ratings Up 19%

According to CMT, its Wed. June 8, two and a half hour Awards presentation earned a 1.35 rating among P18-49, averaging 2.9 million viewers. Combined two-play performance ratings (the show was repeated immediately after the first run) produced the best in the history of the franchise, up 19% from last year with a total of […]

Gill Gets Chills From Duane Allman Guitar

“I have chills running down my spine,” Vince Gill told the crowd. “This was the guitar that Duane Allman played with the Allman Brothers.” Gill got the chance to play the guitar, while in Macon, Georgia, home of the Allman Brothers Band, on May 5 to do a benefit concert for the Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia. […]

New Kids In Town: Idols and MP MusicHouse

American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and runner up Lauren Alaina thank some of the Mercury Nashville staff for getting their new singles played on country radio. Scotty’s song is “I Love You This Big” and Lauren’s is “Like My Mother Does.” They began work on their albums today.     New York songwriters and entrepreneurs, […]

Reba Announces North American Tour

Reba has announced plans for her upcoming fall tour, which will hit 31 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Fellow Big Machine Label Group artists The Band Perry, Edens Edge, and Steel Magnolia have been tapped to open select U.S. dates starting in October. “I am very excited about the fall tour. We are designing […]

Urban Partners With AT&T, Samsung

Keith Urban has secured an endorsement agreement with AT&T and Samsung Mobile, who will be the presenting sponsors of his Get Closer 2011 World Tour. The superstar will also endorse the new Samsung Infuse 4G smartphone, available exclusively through AT&T. Launching June 16 in Biloxi, Miss., the tour’s North American leg includes more than 50 […]

Digital Licensing Changes To Impact PROs And Publishers

Technologists and music industry futurists have noted the need to refine and simplify digital licensing for quite some time. But despite a mantra of innovation, the music industry often moves slowly, especially with regard to revenue streams and licensing. However, the wheels may have begun turning— at last.

Much Ado About Bonnaroo

While a good portion of Nashville’s music industry will spend this weekend downtown for the CMA Music Festival, it’s a safe bet that another group will make the hour drive out to Manchester for Bonnaroo 2011.

Putting The "Spin" on Americana

The latest issue of Spin gives a big boost to the Americana scene, including a cover story about Mumford & Sons under the heading “The New Americana Revolution.” “It’s a sign of the times,” states Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, which has been promoting the music for ten years. “It’s definitely […]

Anatomy of An Award Show-CMT Wins BossRoss Trophy

Last night’s 2011 CMT Music Awards overachieved, and succeeded. Under the watchful gaze of CMT President Brian Philips, Sr. VP Music Events John Hamlin and Sr. VP Music Strategy Jay Frank and a great team, the production delivered its message of country music FUN across a multi-tiered construct of communication channels, social networks and live […]

Fun CMA Fest Photos

Alan Jackson • The Dirt Drifters • Payton Rae • The Roys and Hollywood Yates

Star Songwriters To Play During Music Fest

The Hard Rock Cafe Nashville will host performances by a slew of songwriters during CMA Music Festival. Kicking off tonight (6/9), the 5th Annual Songwriters Series will run through Saturday, June 11. Shows start at 10 PM. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Musicians On Call. Thursday, June 9—BMI presents Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby, […]

Bobby Karl Works The CMT Awards

It’s a music-business axiom that the public doesn’t remember who won or lost at awards shows, just who performed well.
I doubt that even the industry really cares about the fan-voted trophy Buckles at the CMT Awards. I, for one, mostly paid attention to who sang the best.

Steve Popovich Passes

Steve Popovich, one of the most colorful record executives in the history of Music Row, died suddenly on Wednesday (6/8) at age 68. Often described as a “maverick,” he was the head of Mercury Records in 1986-88 and ran his own label, Cleveland International Records, from 1976 onward.

2011 CMT Music Awards Winners

Winners at the 2011 CMT Music Awards include Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.

Bobby Karl Works CMA Fest: Part 1

With the biggest parade in its history, charity concerts, some Opry events, two international-artist showcases and a flurry of early fan-club parties, the 40th annual CMA Music Festival is off with a bang.

Matt Adams Joins Sony Music Nashville

Sony Music Nashville has added Matt Adams, Esq. to the label group as Director, Legal & Business Affairs, effective immediately. He will report to SMN VP Legal & Business Affairs Angela R. Magill. “Matt brings us exceptional experience, insight and professionalism and I’m thrilled to have him as part of our team,” says Magill. Adams brings nearly 15 years […]

ReTune Donates $50k To MusiCares

ReTune Nashville presented a $50,000 check to MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief today (6/8) at the MusiCares Nashville office. In one year, ReTune Nashville has activated 81 visual artists, received flood damaged gear from more than 25 donating musicians and companies, experienced the generosity of 18 music artists with accompanying musicians and crew, welcomed the support […]

Phil Walden Jr. In Fatal Car Accident

The son of Capricorn Records co-founder Phil Walden, Phil Walden Jr. (48) died Tuesday evening (6/7) in Atlanta in automobile accident in a parking garage. According to a Macon newspaper. Walden was leaving an athletic club when the accident took place. An Atlanta policewoman told the publication, “It appeared the victim placed the vehicle in reverse, […]

Reid Honored By CCMA

Johnny Reid will be awarded the 2011 Canadian Country Music Humanitarian Award. The honor was created in 1989 to recognize Canadian country artists whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada. Since the early days of his music career, Reid has been at the forefront of fundraising and social awareness events for […]

Black River Adds Lubitz To Promotion Staff

Black River Entertainment has announced the addition of Bill Lubitz to its staff as Director of Promotion, West Coast. Lubitz will continue to be based in Las Vegas. Previously West Coast Promotion Manager with Quarterback Records, Lubitz has an extensive background in radio where he spent nine years with KWNR/Las Vegas. He was also part […]

Shania Announces Vegas Residency

Shania Twain will head to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for a two-year residency beginning December 1, 2012. The superstar said she was “beyond excited” as she shared the news at a press conference today (6/8) at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Additive Choices Build Label/Artist Success

One of the highlights at this year’s 2nd annual Billboard Country Music Summit (June 6-7) in Nashville was about label business models. Moderator Glenn Peoples, Sr. Editorial Analyst BB focused first on industry measurements and then on the differences between labels of different sizes. Here are a few quotes from the panel participants… John Esposito, […]

City National Bank Opens On Music Row

City National Bank has opened its first banking office in Nashville, Tenn. with a full staff headed locally by Holly Bell. With offices across the country, the bank has long established roots in the entertainment business, including many Music City clients.

Photos: CMA Music Fest in Full Swing [updated]

Lady A • Vince Gill • Ashton Shepherd • Carrie Underwood • Connie Kis Andersen

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/8/11)

We have a mixed bag of sounds on tap today. The listening session was dominated by indies. Some of them were quite listenable (Stephanie Urbina Jones, Aaron Einhouse), others not so much.

Quick Pics

LoCash Cowboys Take On Man v. Food Nation • Birthday Surprise From Casey James • CMA Hosts Chevy Test Drive

Eric Church To Preview Album Live From CMA Fest

EMI Records’ Eric Church will offer members of his fan club, the Church Choir, and Sirius XM listeners an exclusive preview of his new album Chief this week. As part of CMA Music Festival, he is set to perform Thurs., June 9, 4 p.m. at the Music City Theater. The acoustic set will be limited […]

Tommy Emmanuel Presented With CMA Global Artist Award

Australian guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel was presented with the 2011 CMA Global Country Artist Award last night (6/6) by fellow Aussie guitar slinger Keith Urban. The presentation took place during the CMA Global Artist Party at The Stage. After dazzling the audience with selections from his own catalog as well as a Beatles medley and […]