Merle Haggard's New Album: Working In Tennessee

Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard will release his new album Working In Tennesse (Vanguard Records) on October 4th. The collection is his second for Vanguard and features self-penned tunes as well as two classics made famous by Johnny Cash.

Red River Runs Deep

Blake Shelton rode Red River Blue to the biggest sales week of his career. And Chris Young’s Neon added a bright glow to today’s Soundscan report.

Digital Release Today From The Dirt Drifters

Warner Bros. Records is releasing the debut album from The Dirt Drifters today (7/19). This Is My Blood is available at all digital retailers and features current single “Always A Reason,” as well as debut single, “Something Better.” The Dirt Drifters members wrote or co-wrote 10 of the project’s 11 tracks, and played on every […]

Industry, Artists Fight Secondary Ticket Market

Music industry powerhouses are teaming to bring fair ticketing practices to fans. The Fans First Coalition, announced today (7/19), is backed by some of the biggest artists, companies and organizations in the music business. Among the 35-plus acts supporting the organization are The Dixie Chicks, Maroon 5, R.E.M., Jason Mraz, Jennifer Hudson, and Journey. Also […]

Hirings At Quarterback, Gary Musick Productions

Gary Musick Productions announces the addition of Valerie Summers as Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations. Summers, who was previously an agent at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, brings with her 20 years of music industry experience. Valerie and her husband, Kip Summers, are co-owners of Arrington Vineyards where her husband is also the winemaker. […]

Worley's River Run Still Growing in 10th Year

Darryl Worley has recruited Montgomery Gentry and classic rock band Kansas for his Tennessee River Run, set for Sept. 15-17 in Savannah, Tenn. The 10th anniversary event includes a rock concert in downtown Savannah with headliners Kansas and Mike Slaughter, golf tournament, bass tournament, motorcycle ride, boat poker run, crafts fair, 5k, and country concert […]

Borders, Gannett Latest Victims of Digital Media

The shuttering of Borders bookstores has been a long time coming, the latest casualty in the switch to digital media. Yesterday (7/18), the nation’s second-largest bookstore chain, which also sold music, announced plans to begin the liquidation process.

Spotify Taps HFA

The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. (HFA) has entered into a publishing licensing, administration and management agreement with Spotify, which is in the middle of its US launch following much success overseas. HFA will clear mechanical publishing rights for Spotify, licensing certain rights in millions of musical works. Under the agreement, Spotify will utilize HFA’s end-to-end […]

On Location With DJ Miller, Christian Kane

DJ Miller’s debut video “Between Sundays” premiered on Yallwire.com recently, and became the site’s most successful video launch since opening in 2006. It drew a record number of viewers during the first 24-hours it was online. “Between Sundays” is the current single from the 21-year-old Indiana native’s debut album, due out this fall. The video […]

Spins.FM Enables Radio Requests

Country music research, unlike data from some other musical formats continues to return a gaping disconnect between social networking, radio and sales success. Why?

ACM News: LeAnn Rimes, Hunter Hayes

LeAnn Rimes and American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox are set for a concert to benefit ACM Lifting Lives. Joe’s Bar in Chicago, winner of the ACM Nightclub of the Year Award, will host the Aug. 15 event and underwrite costs so that every ticket purchase will go directly to the work of the philanthropy. ACM […]

Margaret Durante To Guest Blog For Ladies’ Home Journal

It’s not often a music artist unveils a writing style that rivals the professional pen pushers? So get ready to be surprised by Ladies’ home Journal’s latest blogger discovery, 23-year old Margaret Durante and her Nashville Diaries. The rising artist has been asked to do a series of essays as she “experiences the highs and […]

Photo Spread

Cowboy Jack Clement • Lucy Angel • The Cleverly’s

Musical Chairs at Cold River, Tenacity

Cold River Records and Tenacity Records are shuffling radio promotion staffers.

Montgomery Gentry – Where I Come From

Average Joe’s Entertainment is pleased to announce “Where I Come From,” the new country radio single from multi-platinum hitmaking duo Montgomery Gentry. The pair signed with Average Joe’s in March 2011 and are at work on their first album project with the label. “We couldn’t be happier to be signing with the guys at Average […]

Lady A Share "Own The Night" Track List

Lady Antebellum revealed new details today (7/18) about its upcoming album, Own The Night, including the track list and cover art. Set for release Sept. 13, it is the band’s third Capitol Nashville studio album. The trio penned 10 of the new disc’s 12 tracks, including their fastest rising single to date, “Just A Kiss,” […]

Monday Moments

Black River Signs Templeton• CRS Opens Ticketing • Ritchey To Retire

Swift Launching Signature Perfume

Taylor Swift has partnered with Elizabeth Arden to launch her first signature fragrance. Wonderstruck will debut in department stores nationwide in October. The name Wonderstruck comes from a lyric in the song “Enchanted” on Swift’s current album, Speak Now. Swift explains, “I wrote the lyric, ‘I’m wonderstruck, blushing all the way home,’ for the song […]

Linda Davis's Mother Passes

MusicRow sends condolences to Linda Davis, her husband Lang Scott, and daughters Hillary Scott and Rylee Scott on the passing of Linda’s mother last week. Lois “Onita” Davis died July 14 in Carthage, Texas. She was 80 years old and her family describes her as a wonderful homemaker and devoted mother to three children, including […]

All About Music, Film, TV Retreat Visits BMI

The All About Music Film and TV Retreat brings a small number of talented artists together with music supervisors from L.A. for a week of bonding designed to help the participants get their music into film and TV. When Emmit Martin, the founder and organizer of the retreat, was working in L.A. and trying to […]

SESAC Announces Promotions and Hire

SESAC’s Nashville headquarters has expanded its Corporate Relations department with promotions of staff members Mary Breen, Shawn Williams, and Jocelyn Harms and the hire of Candice Wizer.

Hinote Joins McGhee Entertainment

McGhee Entertainment has added Justin Hinote who will oversee the development of online strategy and manage artist-to-fan relationships for all McGhee Entertainment talent. “We’re constantly challenging ourselves to enhance the management model by providing a wide variety of in-house services for our clients,” says McGhee Entertainment Nashville’s President Greg Hill.  “By having a digital strategist […]

Bobby Karl Works Bill Anderson's Opry 50th Anniversary

Ageless Grand Ole Opry great Bill Anderson celebrated his 50th anniversary with the show Saturday night (7/16). Bobby Karl was there to capture the action. Included is a six-decade list of Anderson’s career highlight songs.

BossRoss: Introducing Web Read

The weekend is the perfect time to dig a little deeper and now, with BossRoss: Web Read, you’ve got some links all ready for the clicking… This week’s curated articles can be found in a widget on the lower right hand side of the web site or by clicking this link. One of the most […]

EMI Signs Jon Pardi

EMI Records Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Jon Pardi to its roster. Pardi is already hard at work writing and recording his debut album. He is planning to release his debut single early next year.

Artist Action Friday (7/15)

Rascal Flatts • Neal McCoy • Rosehill • LeAnn Rimes • Thompson Square • Suzy Bogguss

New Date For "Country's Night To Rock"

The CMA Music Festival TV special is shifting dates, in a move most likely due to the airing of the popular Teen Choice Awards opposite the original date.

Folk Festival Set For Three-Year Run in Nashville

The National Folk Festival is putting down roots in Nashville for a three-year run starting this Labor Day weekend. Going on Sept. 2-4, the free, public event offers music and dance performances, workshops, children’s activities, regional and ethnic foods, storytelling, parades, craft exhibits and demonstrations, and more. The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will host […]

Rootsy "1861 Project" Bridges Past And Present

Many notable Nashvillians have contributed to a new Civil War-themed album called The 1861 Project. They will gather at The Basement to celebrate the release on Tues., July 19 at 7 p.m. With a narrator setting the backdrop for the audience, performances of the unique project run more like a play than a traditional concert. […]

Row Roundup

Shelton To Top Charts? • Ricky Skaggs Offers Country/Bluegrass Album • Lyric Street Financial Moves To Row

Chesney Tour By The Numbers

A run-down of the 2011 Corona Presents Kenny Chesney’s ‘Goin’ Coastal’ Tour. Here’s what it takes to make the outing a reality.

MR's Ross Shares Sales Insight With News 2

WKRN News 2 tapped MusicRow Publisher David Ross to give industry insider perspective for a story on last night’s evening news. The segment explored the recent bump in digital album sales, which climbed 19% in the first two quarters of 2011. MusicRow subscribers who regularly follow Ross’s sales analysis will be familiar with the facts […]

Weekly Chart Report (7/15/11)

Following a record-setting heatwave in the South and many other parts of the country, it’s evident that summer is in full swing. That means a number things for all of us: vacations near water, painful sunburns, and of course, summer songs on country radio. Every year artists try their hand at recording and releasing a summer classic, but only a special few are fortunate enough to make it happen.

Hot Day, Cool Pics

Chris Young, Steel Magnolia, and The Avett Brothers

Gregg Allman, Robert Plant Set For Americanafest

The Americana Music Festival and Conference, running October 12 -15 in Nashville, has announced appearances by Gregg Allman, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Justin Townes Earle, the Jayhawks, North Mississippi Allstars, Foster and Lloyd, and The Civil Wars. Sure to be a highlight of the four-day event is the Americana Honors & Awards […]

Luke Bryan's Samsung Summer Krush Concert in Nashville

Capitol Records Nashville artist Luke Bryan will kick-off the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush concert series in Nashville on Wed., July 20. Tickets to the one-hour concert at the Grand Ole Opry House are free through radio promotions, street teams, and registration at www.samsungsummerkrush2011.com. Prior to the show, fans will have the opportunity to experience the […]

Industry Ink Thursday (7/14)

Republic Nashville hiring • TCN Moving • Kay Clary • Erik Logan • John Simson • ZMX Music

Warner To Sell $1.05b in Junk Bonds Before Sale

Bloomberg.com reported (7/6) that Warner Music Group (WMG) is planning to sell $1.05 billion of high-yield bonds before the company is taken over. The bonds being offered will consist of: $150 million 9.5% senior secured notes by WMG Acquisition Corp due June 2016 $695 million senior debt due Oct. 2018 by WMG Acquisition Corp $200 […]

Spotify Launches In U.S.

The long wait is over. Popular digital music streaming service Spotify launched in the U.S. today (7/14) after long negotiations and numerous delays.

Loretta Lynn Cancels Appearances Due to Hospitalization

Loretta Lynn was forced to cancel shows through the end of July from her 2011 tour after severe dehydration caused the country music icon to be hospitalized. A statement on the website of Ohio music festival Jamboree In The Hills offered an apology from Lynn. She was scheduled to perform there on Sunday, July 17. […]

New Artists Visit "MusicRow" To Debut Songs

MusicRow’s conference room is a happening place this week, with visits from rising artists Kip Moore and Jason Jones.

Michael Martin Murphey Signs; Amber Hayes Visits

Michael Martin Murphey, who’s hits include “Wildfire,” “Carolina In The Pines,” and “What’s Forever For,” has signed an agency representation agreement with New Hampshire-based Skyline Music says company President Bruce Houghton. (Not connected with Nashville’s Skyline Music/Skyville Records.) “We’re excited to be working with Michael Martin Murphey; not just because of his rich past, but […]

"Carolina" Mines Gold For Eric Church

EMI Records Nashville celebrated the RIAA Gold certification of Eric Church’s Carolina Tuesday night (7/12). Industry revelers and Church team members gathered at Nashville’s Whiskey Bent Saloon to mark the success of the album that produced hit singles “Love Your Love The Most,” “Hell On The Heart” and “Smoke A Little Smoke.” Producer Jay Joyce, […]

Canadian Country Music Week Names Future Host Cities

This year’s CCMA four-day event takes place in Hamilton, Ontario Sept. 9-12, 2011. The organization’s Sept. 12 TV Award show serves as the gathering’s finale. Country Music Week is one of the largest music events in Canada each year with a combination of activities for both community and industry attendees including showcase opportunities for newcomers, […]

Marlee Scott Showcases New Material In Nashville

Bigride Records artist Marlee Scott showcased in front of a music industry crowd at Red Rooster on Demonbreun yesterday (7/12). At the private event, Scott gave attendees a sneak preview of the video for her current single “Beautiful Maybe,” which was directed by Wes Edwards. Scott followed that with a set of new songs including […]

LifeNews: Pete Huttlinger Benefit; Billy Lynn's Brother

MusicRow’s thoughts are with musician Pete Huttlinger, publisher Billy Lynn, and their families.

Industry Salutes Easton Corbin's Hot-Streak

Easton Corbin was feted at a lunchtime celebration today (7/13) at BMI’s Music Row offices. The Mercury Records artist is the only solo male in the last 17 years to have his first two singles reach the top of the radio charts.

Moore's Outlaws and Aldean's Dirt Road Lure Buyers

Jason Aldean continues to set the sales bar for the rest of the country class, pulling another 42k units down that dirt road this week pumping My Kinda Party to almost 1.5 million total units. Yeah, that’s some party and it doesn’t look like it will end soon.

Shepherd Cultivates Where Country Grows Release

Ashton Shepherd’s sophomore album Where Country Grows hit stores yesterday (7/12), and the young MCA singer/songwriter is making the media rounds to support it. The album’s title track and second single is currently going for adds at country radio.

Industry Ink Wednesday (7/13)

CMA ballot • Diesel Records • DDEX • Natalie Kilgore • Taillight TV • Belmont/NSAI • Publicity signings • Trisha Cunningham • Netflix