Music City Pickers Launches In Nashville

Hit songwriter and artist Brady Seals (Little Texas, Hot Apple Pie) has teamed with former Gibson Guitars web editor Gabriel Hernandez to launch Music City Pickers, which will specialize in purchasing and selling vintage musical instruments.

Best Cellars Dinner Has Raised Over $2 Million To Date

Celebrities enjoyed gourmet food and world class wines at the Twelfth Annual Eco-Energy Best Cellars Dinner Monday night (4/25). The event raised more than $170,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation’s cancer research efforts, bringing the grand total to more than $2 million since the event’s inception in 1999.

AristoMedia Celebrates 31 Years with Promotion Fest

The AristoMedia Group, now celebrating its 31st year in operation has announced seven departmental promotions.

Benefit News: Dawn Gates' Woman of the Year Campaign

Plus Bill & Gloria Gaither Tribute • ReTune Nashville • Bob Sullivan stem cell drive • Concerts by David Nail, Josh Thompson, Darryl Worley, Jars of Clay and more

Easter Puts Hippity Hop In Country Sales

According to Nielsen SoundScan, Easter sales added a 7% hip hop to Nashville’s weekly country album sales compared with the previous week, whereas all genre sales only boosted 2%. However, a lack of high profile releases has kept YTD country album sales quite a bit below the all genre benchmark.

Musical Chairs

Outback promotes Stefanie Porolniczak • Mark Montgomery joins Topspin Advisers Board • Darcy Ferris exits UMPG

DISClaimer Single Reviews (4/27/11)

It will come as no surprise to most of you that Kenny Chesney has hit another home run. “You and Tequila” is a minor masterpiece of songwriting, vocal performance and production. And it wins Disc of the Day.

Aldean Leads CMT Music Award Nominations

Jason Aldean leads the way with four nominations for the 2011 CMT Music Awards. Following closely behind with three each are Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band and The Band Perry.

Ronnie Gilley Pleads Guilty

Like a real life episode of HBO’s The Wire, the case of Ronnie Gilley and Country Crossing continues to unfold in unexpected ways. In the latest development, Gilley struck a plea deal with prosecutors Friday (4/22) and pleaded guilty to 11 counts of conspiracy, money laundering, and bribery. He was arrested in October 2010 along […]

Neal McCoy Signs With Blaster Records

Neal McCoy has signed with Cleveland based Blaster Records, the label group founded in 2007 by Blaster Chemical Chairman Tom Porter. McCoy joins break-out duo Brother Trouble as the label’s flagship country acts. McCoy’s eleventh studio project, and first for Blaster, is slated for a January 2012 release. He has most recently been working on […]

Chesney's Latest No. 1 Leads String of Hits From Sony

Kenny Chesney notched his 22nd career No. 1 with latest single “Live A Little,” creating his own milestone and one for his label group, Sony Music Nashville. On the heels of this feat, Chesney’s next single will be the Grace Potter duet “You And Tequila.”

Burns & Poe Plan Wide Release of Debut Album

Blue Steel Records’ duo Burns & Poe are planning the wide release of their self-titled debut album on May 10. A limited edition LP/CD package of the new album is already available for purchase exclusively to early-bird fans via the Burns and Poe website. The project’s current single “Second Chance” goes for adds May 16, […]

David Renzer Leaving Post as UMPG Chairman and CEO

Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO David Renzer announced today (4/26) his plans to exit the company. He has been with the publisher 15 years, starting in 1996 with MCA Music Publishing.

Mark Wills Lends Voice To Military Vets

Mark Wills and military assistance charity USA Cares, are partnering to lead a national awareness campaign about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). He will be the official spokesperson and voice for the “Crazy Being Home” outreach to encourage and support veterans. His recording of “Crazy Being Home” (written by Chris […]

Fun Photo Spread

Luke Bryan on set with Shaun Silva • Steel Magnolia helps Cell Phones For Soldiers • David St. Romain visits ACM • Gretchen Wilson at Talladega

Big Machine Label Group Joins iHeartRadio Lineup

Clear Channel Radio has announced the addition of Big Machine Radio to its iHeartRadio lineup. The commercial-free, digital station offers exclusive interviews, rare recordings, and a weekly “From the Vaults” feature from the label group’s artists…

Grand Ole Opry Benefit Marks Flood Anniversary

The Grand Ole Opry will mark the first anniversary of the flood that devastated much of Nashville and temporarily displaced the Opry from the Grand Ole Opry House with a star-packed show. Play On, Nashville!, is set for Tues., May 3 at the Opry House. Among those scheduled to perform are Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, […]

Darius Rucker Marks Latest No. 1 With Media Rounds

Darius Rucker performed on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night (4/25). While in New York City he visited the Today show yesterday, and the syndicated Wendy Williams Show, set to air today (4/26). He also played a benefit concert to fight homelessness and AIDS. The Capitol Records Nashville artist recently celebrated his fifth chart-topping […]

Ronnie Dunn Reveals Solo Album Details

Ronnie Dunn has revealed the full track listing and cover art for his self-titled solo debut, set for release June 7. He has writing credits on nine of the album’s 11 tracks. The video for “Bleed Red,” the first single from Dunn’s upcoming album, premiered recently (4/22) on CMT, CMT.com, and CMT Pure as part […]

CMT's USA Weekend Breakthrough Video Noms Revealed

Details about the 2011 CMT Awards are starting to emerge with today’s (4/25) announcement of the USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year Award nominees. The fan-voted awards show airs live from Nashville June 8 on CMT and cmt.com.

Industry Ink Monday (4/25)

ASCAP inks Kristy Lee • CAA ups Jim Butler • Stokes Nielson’s new company • Lori Genes Christian welcomes baby • LTC hires Brett Shumaker

CRS Names Agenda Committee

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® has announced its 2011-2012 Agenda Committee for CRS 2012, to be held Feb. 22-24, 2012, at the Nashville Convention Center. The Agenda Committee is made up of volunteers from all areas of the Country radio and record industries and gathers each year to plan events for the upcoming Country Radio Seminar. […]

Hazel Dickens Passes

Renowned Appalachian vocal stylist Hazel Dickens has died at age 75. The West Virginia native was noted for her strongly feminist song lyrics, support of coal miners and participation in bluegrass and folk-music groups such as The Strange Creek Singers and Hazel & Alice. She recorded for the Rounder, Folkways and Arhoolie record labels. The […]

"Girl's Night Out" Rocks Ratings

The concert special Girl’s Night Out: Superstar Women of Country drew 8.4 million viewers on Friday night (4/22). It won the night for CBS, beating out programming on all the other major networks, according to Nielsen ratings on Zap2it.com. The two-hour program started at 9 PM/ET. It honored several of country music’s most successful women […]

BMI Promotes Darren Briggs

Darren Briggs has been appointed Vice President, Technology Innovation for BMI. Briggs will be based in BMI’s Nashville office and will report to James King, Senior Vice President of Business Technology for BMI. Briggs was previously Vice President & Chief Technology Officer for BMI’s Landmark division. In his new role he will be responsible for […]

Blake Shelton Sets Release Date, Debuts On "The Voice"

Blake Shelton is having his biggest year yet, and adding to the momentum is the announcement that he will release a full-length album this summer. He’s also prepping for tomorrow night’s (4/26) premiere of The Voice on NBC.

Jerrod Niemann Goes For The Gold

Jerrod Niemann’s “What Do You Want” is steadily climbing the charts and it has now become his second RIAA-certified Gold Digital Single. Written by Niemann with Richie Brown and Rachel Bradshaw, “What Do You Want” follows his previous Gold Digital Single and chart-topping hit “Lover, Lover.” “It is unbelievable. I have loved country music since […]

Photo Corner Friday

Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s I Saw the Light • Music City Tennis Invitational Songwriter Showcase • USO of Metropolitan Washington’s 29th Annual Awards Dinner • Christmas For Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament

Will Apple Be Next To The Cloud?

The battle for cloud supremacy is about to get pretty stormy, if recent rumors are true. Late yesterday (4/21) Reuters reported that Apple had finished its online storage service and was preparing to launch it ahead of Google, also long rumored to be getting in the cloud business. The article claims that iTunes customers will […]

Eye On Idol (4/22/11)

The men are finally starting to pack up and leave American Idol, which has got to make the two remaining females feel a little better.

Hollywood Growing Pains Echo Music Industry

…as the Walrus and the Carpenter smiled at the hapless oysters [before eating them] in Lewis Carroll’s classic poem, technology has now arrived to visit the film industry. So is Hollywood managing change more efficiently than the music industry?

ASCAP EXPO to Feature Nashville Writers/Execs

Some of the biggest names in Nashville, including Rodney Crowell, Josh Kear, Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Tommy Sims, Dave Berg, Ben Glover, Chris Stapleton, Darrell Brown, Jonathan Singleton and Jamie Moore are among the panelists participating in the ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO. Nashville industry leaders including Fletcher Foster (Red Light Management), Kerry O’Neil (O’Neil […]

Weekly Chart Report (4/22/11)

The results are in, and the people can’t live without Keith Urban’s “Without You.” Urban’s latest takes over the No. 1 spot most recently occupied by Rascal Flatts’ “I Won’t Let Go.”

McCurdy Raises $140k For St. Jude Children’s Hospital

When marketing a new single joins hands with raising funds for a worthy charitable cause it elevates the artist involved and becomes even more unique when that artist is a teen. Jennette McCurdy, star of Nickelodeon’s iCarly, decided to promote her new single with a cross country mall tour, Generation Love For St. Jude. And […]

Tour Press

News from Toby Keith, Billy Currington, Joe Nichols and Lady Antebellum.

Gaskin Fires Up The Press

Columbia newcomer Bradley Gaskin entertained a roomful of press and media mavens this afternoon (4/21) at Sony Music’s Chet Atkins Place venue. Promo VP Jimmy Rector was wearing a smile as wide as the Cheshire Cat, obviously proud to show off his imprint’s latest talent. But it was the Celebrity Apprentice, John Rich, who held […]

Artist Action: Dolly Plans Album, Tour

Plus news from Alan Jackson, Matraca Berg, Jake Owen, Margaret Durante, Kenny Rogers

Music at the Film Festival

Chely Wright documentary • Music Supervisors 101 • Music Lounge

Tomorrow Is "Girls' Night Out"

Girls’ Night Out: Superstar Women of Country – The Concert of the Year airs tomorrow night (4/22) at 9:00 PM ET on CBS. The special tribute features performances by Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, the JaneDear girls, The Judds, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Jennifer […]

Inman Joins Sony Music Nashville

Sony Music Nashville has announced the addition of Ann Inman to the company as Manager, Media. She started her new role today (4/21), and is reporting to label VP, Media & Corporate Communications Allen Brown. “It is such a privilege to welcome Ann to our company,” says Brown. “Her solid business ethic, experience and charisma […]

McGhee Aligns With 1 Degree Sports Mgmt

McGhee Entertainment has aligned with Alan Bullington’s 1 Degree Sports Management, whose roster includes NBA player Rajon Rondo, PGA Tour golfer Kenny Perry and many others. The two companies are located at 21 Music Sq. W. in Nashville. Doc McGhee, CEO of McGhee Entertainment comments, “Managing any celebrity’s career, whether the client is an artist […]

Francesca Battistelli Named Dove Awards Artist of the Year

Francesca Battistelli took top honors at last night’s (4/20) GMA Dove Awards where she was named Artist of the Year. Other multi-award winners included Chris August, Jason Crabb and Point of Grace.

Tornado Destroys Malaco Records

Last week’s tornadoes in Mississippi left much of the Malaco Records complex in ruins in Jackson.

Ticketmaster To Try Dynamic Pricing

Ticketmaster will introduce dynamic ticket pricing this year, which will change the cost based on consumer demand. The company has partnered with MarketShare to develop a suite of tools to help clients adjust prices before and after the on-sale date.

Nashville Film Festival Breaks Records, Names Winners

With more films yet to be viewed today (4/20) and tomorrow (4/21), the 2011 Nashville Film Festival has already broken its previous records for attendance and number of tickets sold. The event kicked off last Thursday (4/14) and wraps tomorrow night with the Closing Night Party at Mercy Lounge.

"Paper Airplane" Glides To No. 1

Paper Airplane, the latest from Alison Krauss and Union Station, glided into the No. 1 spot on both the Country and Bluegrass album charts moving 83,000 units in its debut week [Nielsen Soundscan]. Meanwhile, the Country Strong soundtrack got a boost from the movie’s DVD/home rental release.

GMA Dove Awards Tonight In Atlanta

The GMA Dove Awards will be handed out tonight (4/20) in Atlanta, as the show moves from its longtime Nashville home for the first time. Thanks to the new location, organizers are reporting a 60% boost in ticket sales versus the same time last year. Jason Ingram is the leading nominee heading into the ceremony […]

CMT Award Nominations Coming Wednesday

CMT’s Evan Farmer will present the nominees for the 2011 CMT Music Awards live on the Today show Wed., April 27, airing at 9:00 am CST. Farmer will appear with hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. The Band Perry will also be on hand during the nomination announcements to perform “You Lie.” This is the […]

Lisa Manning Joins WSM-FM

Longtime radio host Lisa Manning is joining the 95.5 FM WSM team, handling afternoons. She will be in the chair next week. Locally Manning has worked at WGFX, WKDF, WSIX and WSM-AM. The station cluster also welcomes Megan Good to the Cumulus Nashville team. She will be acting as Promotion Director for 95.5 FM WSM, […]

Sugarland Sells Out Nashville Arena, Debuts Video

Sugarland played a sold-out show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Saturday night (4/16), drawing a crowd of 14,000 fans for their first headlining gig in Music City. And this week the duo offers a new video for single “Tonight.”