DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/13/11)

“After years of being nothing, they’re all looking right at you.” That’s what it says in our Music Row anthem, “16th Avenue.” And that’s exactly what is happening to Blake Shelton right now.

Hall of Fame Preps Chet Atkins Exhibit

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will pay tribute to one of country music’s most versatile and visionary artists, Chet Atkins with a new exhibit opening Friday, Aug. 12. Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player will run for 10 months and is made possible by the Gretsch Company with additional support by GAC. Highlights […]

Bluegrass Musician Kenny Baker Passes

Acclaimed bluegrass fiddler Kenny Baker died Friday, July 8, 2011 at age 85. The Kentucky native, best known as one of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, influenced future generations of fiddle players with his “long-bow” style. His four-decade career included about 20 years on-and-off with Monroe, who introduced him onstage as “the greatest fiddler in […]

Likes? Follows? Why Bother?

Looking for an afternoon info break? Some cranial nourishment? Good. Then let’s re-visit the reasons that influence a customer to follow a brand and how it affects their engagement with that brand.. The attached graphic spells out the story, but here are some of the big picture overview ideas… One of the key drivers mentioned […]

Randy Goodman Co-chairs Nashville Music Council

Mayor Karl Dean announced today that Music Row veteran Randy Goodman will serve as co-chairman of the Nashville Music Council. Goodman most recently served as president of Lyric Street Records in Nashville. Goodman is a member of the Country Music Association board of directors and served as president and chairman of the board in 2008 […]

Fox-Metoyer Promoted

Kerri Fox-Metoyer is rising through the corporate ranks at Sony, and will take on a new role July 18.

BE Music & Entertainment Announces Team Members

Dallas and Nashville-based artist development company BE Music & Entertainment has announced its new management team. The company recently opened its Nashville office.

Tabloid Tuesday: Lambert, Milsap, Pickler and Pistol Annies

  Miranda Lambert’s dual career now includes a new solo album plus a digital release with her new trio, Pistol Annies. The singer songwriter made announcements on Good Morning America (7/8) that her Columbia Nashville solo effort will be released on Nov. 1 and named Four The Record. The all-girl trio, which features Ashley Monroe […]

Robertson Taylor Co-Founder Passes

Willie Robertson, co-creator of live entertainment brokerage firm Robertson Taylor, passed away July 9, 2011 after a short but determined fight against cancer. His company’s board, management team and staff describe him as an “inspirational and passionate leader, business partner and friend.” Robertson was also a dedicated philanthropist, and founded charity Nordoff Robbins, which used […]

Sarah Darling Teams With Producer Dann Huff

Black River Entertainment artist Sarah Darling, whose recent video “Something To Do With Your Hands,” reached No. 2 on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown and spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on CMT.com, will join forces with producer Dann Huff for her next album. Huff has won awards for projects with artists such as Keith Urban, […]

New Releases Coming: Katie Armiger and Reggae's Gone Country

Katie Armiger is releasing a deluxe package with added content of her current album, Confessions of a Nice Girl via iTunes Sept. 20. The deluxe edition features four new original songs including her single, “I Do, But Do I” plus a dance mix of her hit, “Best Song Ever.” Also included are videos for “Best […]

Justin Moore Radio Launches

Justin Moore and Slacker, Inc. have launched Justin Moore Radio, a radio station featuring songs by Moore and those that have inspired his traditional country and Southern rock sound. Justin Moore Radio also includes Moore’s comments and introductions and is available for free on the web, iPad, smartphones, and other home entertainment devices. Slacker’s Artist […]

Longtime Member Exits Gloriana

Cheyenne Kimball has left Gloriana, the band announced today (7/11) via a statement on its website. The group shared the news through this post: We need you to know that Gloriana will absolutely continue on. We couldn’t imagine our lives any other way. We are 100 percent committed to all of you, our fans and supporters. As […]

Save The Date: ACM Honors To Salute Off-Camera Winners

The 5th Annual ACM Honors will be presented Mon., Sept. 19 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. The evening of musical tribute performances and award presentations celebrate the non-televised winners from the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held earlier this year in Las Vegas. Host, presenters and performers will be revealed later this summer. […]

Country Anthems Can Be Authentic

There are too many dirt-road redneck songs bombarding radio airwaves. But it doesn’t mean that the songwriters who pen them, and the artists who deliver them, haven’t lived those experiences.

Opry News: Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Anderson

Oak Ridge Boys invited to become members of the Grand Ole Opry • Bill Anderson celebrates 50 years as an Opry member.

Paisley, Underwood To Return As CMA Awards Hosts

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return as hosts of the CMA Awards for the fourth year in a row when the show takes place Wed., Nov. 9 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The CMA harnessed the power of social media to share the news with fans this morning (7/11). Facebook users who “Like” the official […]

Aristo Issues Summer International Report

The summer issue, takes a look back at this year’s successful Global Events showcases, held June 6-7 during CMA Music Festival week in Nashville. With 18 different global Country artists on hand, the highlights were many, but nothing came as a bigger surprise than the CMA’s special international award presentation to world-class guitarist Tommy Emmanuel.  The presenter?  […]

Ladies Golf Tourney Tees Up For 25th Anniversary

The 25th annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament will hit the links July 25 at Old Natchez Country Club. Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney have signed on with support. Artists set to party on the golf course include Laura Bell Bundy, Randy Montana, Kellie Pickler, Joanna Smith, Dani Flowers, Josh Thompson, and Kristen Kelly. All […]

Clear Channel Announces iHeartRadio Music Festival

Performers for the iHeartRadio Music Festival at MGM Grand in Las Vegas Sept. 23-24 include Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, The Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, and more.

Darren Warren – Cowboy Up and Party Down

NuCorp Entertainment recently shipped the debut single from flagship artist Darren Warren to country radio. The rollicking, uptempo “Cowboy Up and Party Down” was written by Eddie Kilgallon and produced by Doug Grau. Darren’s self-titled EP is due in stores soon. “It’s a dream come true for any artist to release a single but for […]

Toast A Little Good Sales News

A music marketing exec. walks into a bar and says to the bartender, “Hey give me a drink, album sales are up 1% YTD this year.” Bartender who reads MusicRow says, “Sounds like you’ve already had enough to drink!” Why? Because although a trickle of good news is better than none, there really aren’t enough tidings […]

Music Row Bankers, 2011 Best List

Nashville Post offers its Best in Banking list for 2011 in the current July/August issue of the magazine. This list compiles “the top executives running institutions as well as the industry specialists in charge of dedicated teams or on the front lines themselves” in Nashville’s banking industry. Music Row area bankers are well represented in this feature and include…

Artist Tidbits Friday

Joe Don Rooney, Guitarist and Golfer • New Album and Management For Buddy Jewell • Carter’s Chord To Make NYC Debut • Brother Trouble Keeps It Cool At CMA

Farm Aid 2011 Performers Revealed

Farm Aid has revealed an assortment of artists who will join the lineup for the Farm Aid 2011 concert, which is scheduled for August 13 at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Jason Mraz, Jakob Dylan, Will Dailey & the Rivals, Robert Francis, Pegi Young […]

Services Set For Songwriter House

Funeral services for Gerald “Jerry” House will be held on Saturday, July 9. The hit country songwriter died Tuesday at age 69. House spent his working career in the printing industry, but he retained a lifelong love of country music. The Alabama native first performed on the Grand Ole Opry at age 16. He wrote […]

Press Buzzes Over Mr. Honey Bee

Nashville’s Warner Music Group has worked long and hard developing this 6’ 5” Okie and it’s clear they aren’t slowing down just cause they are approaching the superstar goalposts.

Miranda Lambert's New Album Due Nov. 1

Miranda Lambert announced on Good Morning America today (7/8) that her new album Four The Record will be released November 1, 2011 on Columbia Nashville.

Photo: Deaton and Flanigen Speak At SOURCE Luncheon

SOURCE, the organization of female executives in Nashville’s music industry, recently held its monthly members’ luncheon at ASCAP’s Nashville offices.

Riders In The Sky Release CD; JT Hodges On Tour w/Toby Keith

Riders In The Sky To Receive NDOC’s 2011 Cowboy Keeper Award, Release New Album • JT Hodges Debuts Single, Tours With Toby

Friday Roundup

New Music From Ronnie Milsap • Grammy Board Names Leaders • Soundland 2011 Adds Artists/Venues

Weekly Chart Report (7/8/11)

The top of the CountryBreakout Chart gets a changeup, as Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” shimmies up to the No. 1 position after a two week run by Dierks Bentley.

Sales Strategy Shakedown

Every album launch has a different set of objectives for marketers on Music Row. With new music coming from Blake Shelton, Chris Young and Ashton Shepherd, Tuesday’s (7/12) release schedule is a prime example of why sales expectations are different for each act.

Billy Ray Cyrus, Craig Morgan Star in TV Series

Billy Ray Cyrus is starring in a new series on TLC, and Craig Morgan’s show just returned to the Outdoor Channel for a second season. The first episode of Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors followed the singer to the 40th annual Opry Duck Hunt in Mississippi where
 he joined fellow Opry stars Blake Shelton, Diamond […]

Bluegrass Awards Set Nominations Date

Planning is well underway for this fall’s International Bluegrass Music Awards. A date to announce nominations has been set, and bluegrass star Sam Bush has been tapped to host the show. The 22nd annual International Bluegrass Music Awards will be presented Thurs., Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Bush is a […]

Rights Holders Team With ISPs To Fight Piracy

Copyright holders have teamed with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to fight copyright infringement via illegal downloading. A first-of-its-kind plan for notifying those accused of stealing copyrighted material was announced today (7/7). The RIAA, Motion Picture Association of America and others have paired with the country’s biggest ISPs including Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable, Verizon and […]

New Music From Terri Clark Coming Soon

Terri Clark has a new album set for release later this month. Roots and Wings will be available digitally starting July 26, followed by a physical release on Sept. 13. This is the star’s first new music since her 2009 album The Long Way Home. The Canadian born singer produced the new collection, and co-wrote almost […]

CMA Music Festival TV Special Adds Star Power

Star appearances on the CMA Music Festival television concert special keep stacking up. Performances added to the lineup include Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Alabama with reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley; The Band Perry at LP Field; a late-night jam with Luke Bryan, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow; Josh Turner singing […]

Hot Events at the Hall

The Museum has upcoming events highlighting Elvis Presley’s sidemen, Stealing Angels, musician James Burton, and Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow.

Tour News From Taylor, Reba, Vince and Amy

Taylor Swift is rescheduling a string of concert dates due to illness. Over the weekend she postponed her concert in Louisville, and now she has added dates in Charlotte and Atlanta to the list. Swift has bronchitis, and is under doctor’s orders not to perform. “It breaks my heart to miss out on this weekend’s […]

SoundScan Mid Year Wrap '11

There are numerous ways to dissect the meaning of country music sales through the end of the second quarter 2011. But perhaps these few lines of Nielsen SoundScan code tell the story best…

Artist Manager Politics—Building The Dream

Like frontier scouts taking early American settlers west, the artist manager must navigate his/her clients’ careers through the tangled opportunities that have become today’s entertainment industry. The digital era has given rise to a robust grid involving print, TV, radio, social networks, marketing and so much more.

Lady A Leads Fall Line-Up

Lady Antebellum leads the fall release schedule as Own The Night is the first major album poised for holiday sales. Hitting shelves Sept. 13, there are high expectations at the cash register for the follow-up to the band’s 5x worldwide platinum Need You Now.

Facebook Counters Google+ With Skype

Facebook will integrate Skype video chat into its social network service which now has over 750 million users worldwide, according to the Wall Street Journal. “We’re using the best technology out there for video chat with the best social technology,” Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said during an event at the company’s headquarters in Palo […]

Industry Ink Wednesday (7/6)

Eminem sets digital sales record • Music execs in Leadership Nashville • Canadian Country Music Awards • Choreographer Robert Royston • Harry Fox Agency

3rd Sunday At Doak's Reaches Milestone

On July 17 Doak Turner will welcome aspiring and accomplished members of his Music City family into his home for the 100th session of the 3rd Sunday @ 3 gathering.

Curb Signs New Artist

Ruth Collins has signed with Curb Records and Curb Music Publishing. The rising singer-songwriter is represented by managers Jeff Lysyczyn and Al McManus of Big Show Music Co. Fans of CMT’s Can You Duet may recognize Collins from her time on the show, where she performed alongside Victoria Gibson as part of the duo Wild […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/6/11)

Superstars Taylor Swift and Shania Twain are in the mix this week, but both were trumped by lesser lights. Challenging the two divas for supremacy were excellent new sounds from Craig Morgan, Robin Meade, Royal Wade Kimes and Jody Jenkins.

Flying Island Names Radio Promotion Team

Nashville-based Flying Island Entertainment has finalized its radio promotion staff with the addition of Shelia Shipley Biddy, Brian Fee, Jill Tomalty, and Bonita Allen to the team. The group’s first project will be FUNL Music artist Amber Hayes.

LeRose Cleans Up Online With New Album

CJaye LeRose hasn’t stormed up the radio charts yet and she’s anything but a regular face on TV. However, if you have a computer, visit YouTube and are into social networks such as Facebook and Twitter then chances are you may already be a follower or friend. In 2009, LeRose created her own YouTube channel […]