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)…

Black River Adds Rhoades To Promo Staff

Black River Entertainment has finished the restructuring of its promotion department today with its hire of Brian Rhoades to the position of Director of Promotion, Northeast. “Brian is fired up and ready to go,” says Black River VP Promotion Rick Baumgartner. “From our first meeting, Brian possessed professionalism and an understanding of the difficulties facing […]

EMI Back on the Auction Block

EMI Group is actively pursuing buyers and other opportunities, the company announced today (6/20). In an official statement, EMI revealed it “has initiated a process to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, recapitalisation or initial public offering of the Company.” EMI is currently under the control of creditor Citigroup. The bank […]

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees Announced

Five artists and ten songwriters are among the 2011 nominees named by the Nashville Songwriters Foundation for induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. In the Songwriter/Artist category, nominees are Garth Brooks, Larry Gatlin, Amy Grant, Alan Jackson and Townes Van Zandt. In the Songwriter category, nominees are John Bettis, Robert Byrne, J.J. Cale, […]

Renegade Country Debuts And Donates

Renegade Country™ is a new 2-hour syndicated radio show hosted by experienced morning personality  Tyler Ryan. The show was launched June 9 during MusicFest at the Whiskey Bent Saloon in Nashville’s downtown music district. The entertainment featured acoustic performances from artists such as The Roys, Sherrie´Austin, Andy Griggs, Matt Stillwell, Jason Sturgeon, Jeremy McComb, Buddy Jewell, […]

Major Changes In Music Journalism Community

There’s been a string of changes at national music publications this month. Los Angeles Times Pop Music Critic Ann Powers—who often covered country music—has moved to a new role at NPR Music, which includes writing The Record blog. According to Billboard, she had relocated to Alabama with her family two years ago. Randall Roberts is […]

Keith Bryant – Can't Tell Somebody (Who To Love)

This guy is a stand-up country singer, and I’ve always liked him. This time around, he has a dandy tale of a strict daddy who tries to stand in the way of True Love. So the kids sneak around behind papa’s back to that stretch of road, “Where the moon is willing, and the river […]

Nichols Partners With Dunkin' Donuts

The puns will be flying in all directions as Dunkin’ Donuts celebrates its new “Joe.” No, not another coffee, but “Joe Nichols,” who has signed a partnership with the coffee and baked goods vendor. Nichols will tout the Dunkin’ Donut brand on his 2011 Nationwide Concert Tour and be featured on the company’s Iced coffee. […]

Clarence Clemons Passes

Clarence Clemons, longtime saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, passed away Saturday (6/18) at a Palm Beach, FL hospital, following complications from a stroke he suffered June 12, according to the New York Times. He was 69 years old. Clemons was a member of Springsteen’s band for over 30 years and appears […]

The Band Perry Voted "MusicRow" Breakthrough Artist

The 23rd annual MusicRow Awards will be presented tomorrow night (6/21) at the ASCAP offices, but one award has already been handed out. Readers of MusicRow magazine voted, bestowing honors for Breakthrough Artist on The Band Perry.

Justin Moore Anchors Album Launch

Justin Moore’s new album Outlaws Like Me is set for release next week (Tuesday, June 21) and to promote it he will be giving numerous media appearances like most artists trying to promote a new project. Except Moore will give new meaning to the term ‘media saturation’ by conducting six hours of live interviews from a bass boat in the middle of the lake in New York City’s Central Park.

Vince Gill Album And Single Coming Soon

Vince Gill’s career is shifting into high gear with the release later this summer of “Threaten Me With Heaven,” his first single in four years. The song also serves as the debut track from his upcoming album, Guitar Slinger due in the fall. The new single was co-written with Gill, his wife Amy Grant, Dillon […]

TV Update: Currington, Bentley, and Cyrus (6/17/11)

Currington To Play Fallon Tonight • Bentley Scores NHL Gig • Billy Ray Cyrus Special to Air on GAC

Jason Delkou Signs With SESAC

Singer/songwriter Jason Delkou, who is signed to Bigger Picture Group, affiliated with SESAC during a recent visit to its Nashville headquarters.