CMT Teams With "Idol" Producers For Singing Competiton

CMT is launching a singing-songwriting competition with producers Nigel Lythgoe and his son Simon Lythgoe, both known for work on American Idol. CMT’s Next Superstar is already in production and the 10-installment show is on track to debut in April. Though the focus is on performing and songwriting, the series will also include media challenges […]

IEBA Announces 2011 Board

The newly elected IEBA Board of Directors held their first board meeting of the year January 25 at the new host hotel for IEBA’s annual conference, the Sheraton Downtown Nashville. The board participated the previous day in several committee meetings followed by a cocktail reception. As previously announced, the dates for the 2011 conference are […]

SoundExchange Names Huppe President

SoundExchange’s Board of Directors announced today that longtime Executive Vice President and General Counsel Michael Huppe will be the nonprofit’s new President. Huppe succeeds former head John Simson, who announced his intention in July to return to creative work, ending his ten-year stewardship of the non-profit he had led since its inception. In recent years, […]

Martina McBride On Grammys

McBride on the Grammys • Paltrow on Oscars • Paisley at Daytona • Plus new releases from Thompson Square, Steve Wariner, Con Hunley, and Waylon Tribute

Country Slide—YTD Sales Off 14.3%

The winter doldrums haven’t just frozen Nashville’s weather. The country sales charts are also shivering from cold consumer indifference.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/9/11)

This week, we have two superstars at the peak of their powers and two newcomers vying to rock your world.
The superstars in question are Ronnie Dunn and Keith Urban. The understated, restrained performance by the latter won my heart as the Disc of the Day. The two rocking first timers are Bridgette Tatum and actor-singer Christian Kane. Despite my reservations about his using a rock producer, Christian Kane’s songwriting ability and undeniable vocal talent led me to crown him with a DisCovery Award.

David Gales Returns To The Gales Network

David Gales, Founder and Partner of The Gales Network (TGN), is returning to the company after two years as a digital executive with Sony Music Nashville. At TGN, he rejoins Chief Strategist Melinda Scruggs Gales in providing clients with brand direction, marketing and media services. “My tour at Sony furthered my insight into what’s important […]

Garth Concerts Raise $5 Million

The Garth Brooks Nashville concert series at Bridgestone Arena, spearheaded by Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, raised $5 million to support Tennessee flood recovery through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. To-date, The Community Foundation has collected $4.35 million of the $5 million from its concert sales or from amounts pledged toward this effort. The nine sold-out concerts, […]

Sony Announces Realignment

Last night (2/8) Sony Music Nashville announced a realignment of its staff. This story is being updated as it develops.

Lifenotes: Ramsey Casteel

Ramsey Casteel, an associate manager at Mike Robertson Management, passed away in his hometown Dallas on February 3, 2011. He was 29 and had fought courageously through an 18-month battle with cancer. Friends and family say he was blessed with support and kindness throughout the illness, which he faced with patience, courage and dignity. Casteel […]

ACM Takes Dunn, Evans To Fremont Street

ACM party with Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans • Plus, news from Little Big Town, Trailer Choir, and the Doobie Brothers

Ratings Race: Super Bowl v. Awards Shows

Sunday night’s Super Bowl was the most-watched telecast in U.S. history, attracting 111 million viewers (Nielsen). Ratings for other popular TV events may pale by comparison, but the numbers are worth a look.

Artist Action (2/8)

TV appearances by Gretchen Wilson, Josh Turner, and Laura Bell Bundy • Chris Young Celebrates No. 1 • Frankie Ballard and Josh Thompson at the Opry

Dailey & Vincent Lead SPBGMA Bluegrass Honors

Dailey & Vincent were the big winners at the 37th Annual SPBGMA [Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America] Bluegrass Music Awards, held over the weekend at Nashville’s Music City Sheraton. The duo took home Bluegrass Band of the Year, Entertaining Group of the Year, and Album of the Year (for Dailey & Vincent […]

CMA Names First Festival Performers

In a testament to the power of social networking, the CMA tipped the news this morning on its official Facebook page.

Fab Photo Spread

Rosehill visits MusicRow • Hall of Fame hosts Street Corner Symphony • Chicks With Hits salutes Brenda Lee

Tim Johnson Benefit Tomorrow

Tim Johnson benefit • Country stars sing for City of Hope • Jason Sturgeon shares benefit story on “Tennessee Mornings”

30k Fans Watch Dierks In Studio

More than 30,000 fans logged on to watch Dierks Bentley track 15 songs for his sixth studio album during five days in the recording studio. The entire recording process was streamed via a 24 hour video feed from the Echo Mountain studio in Asheville, NC. The project wrapped last Friday (2/4). “This entire recording process […]

Flatts Part Ways With Management

In a brief press release Rascal Flatts announced this evening they will part ways with Turner Nichols & Associates after more than a decade of working together. “We will always consider Trey and Doug to be a part of our family,” says Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts. “We have […]

Rascal Flatts, Turner & Nichols Part Ways

After a decade of doing business together, Rascal Flatts and their management team of Trey Turner and Doug Nichols at Turner Nichols & Associates have decided to part ways. “We will always consider Trey and Doug to be a part of our family,” the band said in a prepared statement. “And we have nothing but […]

EMI Records Nashville Signing; Neal McCoy Goes Rogue

EMI Records Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Eric Paslay to its roster. The Texas native has been busy writing songs and recording his debut album. The first single is expected to hit radio later this year. • • • • • Neal McCoy has inked a deal with Rogue Music Group for management representation. The company is […]

Chris Young Celebrates 3 Consecutive No. 1s

Three times the charm for Chris Young celebrating his third consecutive No. 1 single. “Voices” from his sophomore CD, The Man I Want To Be has reached the summit a.k.a. chart heaven. Three-in-a-row is pretty sweet, but in this case it was the second go round for “Voices” which was originally released in 2008 and peaked […]

Industry Ink (2/7)

Emmys for GAC execs • Production music panel tonight • Hats Across The Row • Dove Awards • Songwriters at Nashville Ballet • Live Nation/Front Line • Steve Wariner/Songwriter Agency • Identical Entertainment

Artist/Writer Roundup

Waylon Tribute CD; Matthews Joins Davis Music; and Brody Releases Environmental Video

Photos: Josh Gracin, Montgomery Gentry, Steel Magnolia

Josh Gracin Visits ACM and City of Hope • Montgomery Gentry Wraps USO Tour • Steel Magnolia on “Tennessee Mornings”

Artists Drive Fans To ACM Polls

Artists are going viral to drive ACM votes from fans. The nominees in the new artist categories are using free downloads, Facebook and funny videos to spur fans to vote for them here. Voting goes through Feb. 24 and the winner in each category will be announced in March. Those winners will then move on […]

Weblinks: AEG Finds New Ticketing Solution

AEG teams with Outbox • AOL buying Huffington Post • Aguilera’s Super Bowl snafu • The Daily for iPad

Top CAA Agent Ron Baird Passes

Ron Baird, former head of CAA’s Nashville office and agent to many of country music’s leading artists, died in Nashville on February 3, 2011, of complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 60. A celebration of his life will take place on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, from 5 – 7 p.m. at Hillwood Country Club (6201 Hickory […]

Artists, Songwriters To Honor Todd Cerney

On Mon., Feb. 28 a star studded lineup will come together to honor songwriter Todd Cerney, recently diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. Grammy nominated Cerney, is known for writing hits such as “I’ll Still Be Loving You” by Restless Heart, “Good Morning Beautiful” by Steve Holy, and “No Mercy” by Ty Herndon. Artists set to perform […]

Lifenotes: Don Butler [updated]

[Update] Visitation will be held Sunday, February 6th from 1-4pm at Brentwood United Methodist Church in the Narthex; a private ceremony will be held for family. Donald W. Butler, Sr., a founder of the Gospel Music Association and longtime Christian music businessman, has died. He was 80 and had been battling a lengthy illness. In […]

Military Performances

Adam Craig Band Performs for Heartland Heroes • Craig Morgan at Camp Victory/Baghdad

Luna Chica Starts 2011 With Momentum

Luna Chica Records International is looking ahead with new signings, a new international division, and multi-channel digital success. The label’s internet-driven business model launched in May 2010 and signaled what GM/Dir. of A&R Brenda Cline calls a “re-birth.” “We are very proud of the level of talent that we have delivered to radio and the […]

Benefit News: Tiger Jam and Chords of Hope

>>Keith Urban and John Mayer will perform together Sat., April 30 to benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation. The two Grammy winners will plug in their guitars at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas for an exclusive VIP concert event. “I’m thrilled these two talented musicians are joining us for Tiger Jam,” event host […]

Weekly Chart Report (2/04/11)

SPIN ZONE It’s Blake Shelton’s world right now, but thankfully he lets us stay here and read his Twitter feed. This week he’s on top of the CountryBreakout chart with “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” which surges ahead of Luke Bryan’s “Someone Else Calling You Baby” with a gain of 111 spins. Positions […]

Artist Notes

Keith Urban on Good Morning America • Sean Patrick McGraw’s Song Kicks Off Super Bowl • Steel Magnolia On David Letterman • Grascals on TV

Radio Visits

DJ Miller Earns Billboards Hot Shot Debut • Colt Ford Does His Country Thang • The Dirt Drifters Continue South • Guy Penrod Visits WSM

Platinum Parade: Lambert and Swift

Miranda Lambert’s Platinum Parade • Taylor Swift’s Record-Breaking 2010

Luke Bryan Set For Capitol CRS Luncheon

Luke Bryan will perform at the Capitol Records Nashville luncheon at CRS 2011. The event is scheduled for Friday, March 4, from noon – 1:50 p.m. in the CMA Performance Hall inside the Nashville Convention Center. Capitol Records Nashville President/CEO Mike Dungan says, “Luke delivers one of the best live performances in Country music. We are […]

Dallas Davidson Celebrates String of Hits

Songwriter Dallas Davidson had an explosive 2010. He was a co-writer on five singles to hit the top of the charts last year, including “That’s How Country Boys Roll” (Billy Currington), “Gimmie That Girl” (Joe Nichols), “Rain is a Good Thing” (Luke Bryan), “All About Tonight” (Blake Shelton), and “All Over Me” (Josh Turner). All […]

Today's Famous Facts

Republic Nashville loses Bartholomew • Voorhis opens bookkeeping firm • CMHoF hosts Norro Wilson and free admission • MCTI Songwriter Show

Thirty Tigers Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Marketing, management and distribution company Thirty Tigers is celebrating its 10th year in business this March. Co-founded by David Macias and Deb Markland, the company started as a small home-based consultancy, and today is a nine-person outfit with national distribution, and a Grammy-award winning release to its credit. Last year, Thirty Tigers’ sales totaled more […]

Faxon's Note To EMI Staff

Last week’s sudden takeover of EMI by lien holder Citigroup shocked industry analysts who were not expecting any ownership changes until late March. MusicRow has obtained a copy of a letter from EMI head Roger Faxon that was sent to all EMI employees. Faxon, spins the development as a “good thing – for EMI, for […]

Performance News: Toby, Currington, JaneDear girls

Toby Keith Returns to The Opry • Billy Currington Celebrates 10th Top 10 On Leno • the JaneDear girls Featured on Access Hollywood

Music Videos: Reba, Sarah Darling

Taillight TV produces Reba video • Sarah Darling gets carried away

CRS 2011 Events Highlight Diverse Talent

Details about CRS 2011 are starting to emerge and Arista Nashville’s Ronnie Dunn and Columbia Nashville’s Joanna Smith will be performing at the 2011 Sony Music Nashville luncheon Thursday, March 3 from 12:30 – 2:20 pm in the NCC’s CMA Performance Hall. “It’s such a pleasure to have Ronnie Dunn and Joanna Smith representing the exciting […]

Facebook Helping CMA Music Festival Connect With Fans

Preparations are underway for the 2011 CMA Music Festival, and proving the power of Facebook, the organization will use the social media site to announce the first festival performers.

CMT Debuts Sitcom, Hires Development Exec.

As CMT expands its reach into original programming, the network has hired experienced development executive Jayson Dinsmore. This news comes following a successful debut of CMT’s first scripted sitcom, Working Class. Dinsmore is on board in the newly-created position Executive Vice President, Development. He will oversee all development for the channel, based primarily out of […]

Shelton, Bentley Named As Grammy Presenters

More performers and the first group of presenters have been announced for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards Sunday, Feb. 13. Nashville is represented twice on the presenters list as nominees Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, Norah Jones, Selena Gomez, LL Cool J, and Nicki Minaj have been included in the initial lineup. In what sounds like […]

Juno Award Nominees Announced

The 2011 Juno Award Nominees were announced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) yesterday (2/1). In the Country Album of the Year category (sponsored by Country Style), nominees include: Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Love Rules; Dean Brody, Trail in Life; Deric Ruttan, Sunshine; Gord Bamford, Day Job; and Johnny Reid, A Place […]

Country Stars At Super Bowl Events

Country music will be well-represented at Sunday’s (2/6) Super Bowl when the Green Bay Packers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.