Industry Ink Wednesday

Pickin’ on the Patio returns • WKDF Names McFly PD • Backstage by Back Porch Productions • BMI encourages coffee shop shows • MTSU Career Fair

Americana Music Association Concert Series

Plus Wednesday Night Wags songwriter series, and Take 6 benefit for USN

Bigger Picture Acquires Idea Den

Nashville’s Bigger Picture Group has acquired online marketing and creative services company Idea Den, which will allow BPG to offer a wider array of services to its clients. The acquisition also means staff expansion for Idea Den, which has added former Music City Networks partners Jon Wright and Dennis Thompson to the roles of Production […]

Has Gwyneth Signed A Record Deal?

Reports of Gwyneth Paltrow signing a record deal are buzzing around the internet this week, but there is still no official word from any of the parties involved. According to numerous sources including the New York Post and The Wrap, Paltrow has inked with Atlantic Records in a contract worth $900,000. However, E online reports […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/9/11)

Can you be fabulously famous and a new face at the same time? If your name is Jennette McCurdy, you can. Known by millions of teens for her role as sassy “Sam” on the Nickelodeon TV comedy series iCarly, 18-year-old Jeanette can’t go out to a restaurant without being mobbed. But in country music, she is a newcomer.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Bug renews T-Bone Burnett • Anthony Smith and Nettwerk One/Revelry • Gene Watson inks with Upper Mgmt • Mountain Heart joins The Roots Agency/SMG

CMA Music Fest Lineup Additions

Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, Easton Corbin, Sara Evans, the JaneDear girls, Little Big Town, Ashton Shepherd, Josh Turner, and Chris Young have been added to the lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2011 CMA Music Festival. The four-day event celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and will be held Thurs-Sunday June […]

Spotify Celebrates One Million Paid

“It seems like only yesterday we were hatching ideas for a new music service in a tiny office-cum-apartment with a broken coffee machine, and the party we threw having reached one million users almost two years ago today was one to remember,” said Spotify founder Daniel Ek in his March 8 blog. “So it’s with […]

BMG Chrysalis Combines Name, Staff

Now operating under the new moniker BMG Chrysalis, the growing music company continues to rework its top leadership. The name change follows the news that the BMG’s acquisition of Chrysalis is complete. Last week it was announced that Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Lascelles will leave his post at the end of the month. Lascelles, a […]

Nashville Hootenanny Showcases Rising Talent

The monthly Nashville Hootenanny at Westwood Studios is a burgeoning showcase for unsigned talent. The event started about six months ago when producer/hit songwriter David Malloy invited friends over to his then recently purchased Westwood Studios to enjoy a night of music. Since then, the showcase has become a monthly fixture, with over 150 artists […]

Ferlin Husky Hospitalized

Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Ferlin Husky is in a Nashville area hospital. According to news reports, he is in the critical care unit.

Date Set For CMT Awards

The CMT Music Awards will take place Wed., June 8, organizers announced today (3/8). No other details were revealed. This date coincides with the CMA Music Festival, which will take over downtown Nashville June 9-12. Last year the CMT Music Awards took place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and tickets were available for fans to purchase.

Star-Studded TV Special Celebrates Kenny Rogers' 50-year Career

Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years will debut tonight (3/8) at 8:30 p.m. EST on GAC. The concert performance show features Rogers with a slew of special guests.

[updated] Tim Allen, Jan Rodgers Exit BMG Chrysalis's EverGreen

Tim Allen exited his position as Director of Licensing with BMG’s Evergreen office last week. He has worked in publishing for 17 years and had been with the company for 14 of those.

Tin Pan South Preview Party Today

Industry guests are invited to today’s (3/8) Tin Pan South 2011 Preview Party. The show is 3:30-5:30 p.m. at The Rutledge, and will give organizers a chance to reveal details about this year’s festival. There will also be performances by Marshall Chapman, Marty Dodson, Sandra McCracken and Steve Wariner. The event is sponsored by NSAI […]

Artist Action: Kix Brooks Dabbles In Acting

Plus Emma Jacob’s mother passes • Alan Jackson Down Under • Steve Wariner offers web series • Dixie Chicks documentary

Halper Exits Skyville As Private Practice Ramps Up

Wayne Halper has departed his part-time position as head of business and legal affairs for Skyville Records, and plans to focus his attention on his law practice and management clients. “My commitments to my clients and management roster have resulted in my being able to devote less time to Skyville than I would have liked,” […]

CRS Attendance Up 22%; CRB Board Announced

CRS 2011 overall attendance numbers show a 22 percent increase over last year’s event. The total number of 2,649 registrants were divided into 2,004 full registrants (attendees, exhibitors, panelists and sponsors) and 645 participant registrants. Participant registrants are attendees that register for individual CRS events or purchase single day seminar passes. Total attendance for CRS 2010 […]

Billy Ray Cyrus Revamps Career Team

Billy Ray Cyrus has announced a new entertainment team to guide his career. He has reunited with Rogers & Cowan, the same publicity company that helped launch his career in 1992. He will now be managed by Sanctuary Artist Management plus Mick Adkins of MicnE Productions. He will be represented by WME for motion pictures […]

Shelton Joins NBC's "The Voice"

Blake Shelton is joining the coaching panel of NBC’s new musical competition series “The Voice.”

Valory's Briner Adds West Coast Duties

Valory Music Co. VP of Field Promotion George Briner has added West Coast radio promotion to his label duties. Briner will be relocating to Denver, CO to begin his new responsibilities. “To have the opportunity to work from Denver, Colorado and continue to do what I love and support the great music coming from The […]

Party's Over: CRS Photo Wrap

Rascal Flatts Celebrate Charttopper • WCRS Live! • Russ Ocker Honored • Due West at CRS

Bobby Karl Works The Capitol CRS Lunch

All country artists want to be liked, but few have the winning, eager, puppy-like charm of Luke Bryan. He was the centerpiece of Capitol Nashville’s concluding luncheon at last week’s Country Radio Seminar convention.

Writers Ink With New Nettwerk One/Revelry Joint Venture

Nettwerk One Music and Revelry Music Group have teamed for a publishing joint venture. Under the new agreement, Nettwerk’s staff including executives Mark Jowett and Blair McDonald will handle administrative operations and funding for the venture. In addition, Nettwerk’s film and TV licensing team will be representing the catalogue worldwide. The team at Revelry, made up of […]

The Woods Amphitheater Gearing Up For First Full Season

The Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel has several big-name artists on the line-up for its first full season, which opens Sat., April 23 with Chicago and Los Lonely Boys. The outdoor venue fills a void in Nashville’s live music landscape. Middle Tennessee had been lacking an amphitheater since Starwood closed in 2006. With a capacity of […]

ZBB Southern Ground Music and Food Festival

Zac Brown Band is behind the upcoming Southern Ground Music and Food Festival at Clemson University. ZBB will take a hands-on approach for the event, from selecting musical talent to offering food made from Brown’s recipes.

Sabastian Roberts

“It’s Still Country To Me” Homage Records “It’s Still Country To Me” is the new country radio release by Homage Records artist Sabastian Roberts. Veteran songwriter/producer Mark Oliverius teamed with Roberts to produce his debut full length album Unwanted Man, which includes highlights like the Lorrie Morgan duet “Dress For The Rain.” “Working with Mark […]

Keith Bryant

“The Note” Jordash Records I have always liked this guy’s singing, and I’ve always been a sucker for story songs. His clear phrasing is just right for this tale of old lovers reconnecting in the wake of her father’s passing. —Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow Keith Bryant has returned with his moving single “The Note,” which […]

Rachel Holder

“Chocolate” All Entertainment Rachel Holder’s debut single, “Chocolate” displays a young lady with a thirst for originality and a creative streak a mile wide. Her debut album is in the works, and she has teamed up with industry veterans Chuck Howard and Wilbur Rimes to take the next step. The song is available for download […]

CRS Research Study Holds Few Surprises-Plus Discussion Points

This year’s 2011 CRB country radio survey was presented (3/3) to a morning crowd of over 250 attendees. Conducted by North Carolina-based research firm Coleman Insights, the study polled P1 country radio listeners ages 12-64, and was sponsored by the CMA.

Friday News Clips

Wynonna • Victoria Shaw & Friends Benefit • Alison Krauss • Montgomery Gentry • Ryman.com • Jerrod Niemann • Thompson Square

Radiothon Raises $3.4 Million for St. Jude

On Feb. 24-25, thirty-one Clear Channel radio stations across the country held Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothons and collectively raised more than $3.4 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This marked only the second year that a group of Clear Channel stations hosted radiothons during the same two-day timeframe, providing a big […]

CRS Photos: Band Perry Accepts 1st ACM Award

Plus: BMI showcases up-and-comers, Katie Armiger and Josh Thompson backstage at The 2nd Annual CountryMusicIsLove Concert, and Pickin and Poker with Andy Griggs and Jason Sturgeon […]

Artist News: Sarah Darling's Opry Debut

Plus: DeFord Bailey record is new exhibit at Fontanel, Mac McAnally honored for outstanding achievements, and The Oak Ridge Boys immortalized at The Palm […]

Paul Williams To Skyville Records

Former Sony Music Nashville executive Paul Williams has joined Skyville Records as the newly appointed Vice-President of Promotion and Marketing. In his new role he will oversee the development and execution of all radio promotions and marketing plans for Skyville Records. “Hell yes I’m excited!” exclaims Kevin Herring, President Skyville Records. “Paul is a perfect […]

Weekly Chart Report (3/4/11)

SPIN ZONE It’s been a wild week as usual at Country Radio Seminar 2011, with informative panels-a-plenty, unforgettable performances, and many friends from across the country. Thank you again to everyone who came out to MusicRow’s 9th Annual CRS Meet & Greet on Tuesday (3/1). We had a great time and enjoyed some awesome performances […]

Buzz Buzz, Pssst

Hough Gets Movie Role • New Bank Aims At MusicRow • Montgomery Gentry Become Average Joes

Bobby Karl Works the Sony Boat Show

You could count the reasons for floating down the Cumberland on Thursday evening (3/3) on the fingers of your hand. It was a lovely spring night to be on the river. It was the 25th anniversary of the CRS General Jackson cruise. The food was the best of the convention. Oscar winning singing thespian Gwyneth Paltrow was hosting. Arista/BNA/Columbia/RCA contributed 14 artists to showcase.

Gibson Guitar Sues Insurance Companies

Gibson Guitar is suing two insurance companies who have yet to pay out for damages sustained in the May flood, according to NashvillePost.com. Gibson’s manufacturing facility on Massman Drive suffered over $16 million in damages during the catastrophe. The guitar maker is suing CNA’s Continental Insurance Co. and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance. The point of contention, […]

Brian Nelson To Head Stone'd Records

Music Executive Brian Nelson, who spends time in New York and Nashville has been named GM of the newly formed Stone’d Records. Nelson has worked as a manger for artists such as James Otto, Chuck Wicks and Monty Powell. The new label, based in Bristol, United Kingdom, was recently launched by Grammy winner Joss Stone […]

Swift Announces Opening Acts

Taylor Swift today revealed the artists who will open the North American leg of her world tour. When the tour launches its stateside run on May 27 in Omaha, joining her for select dates will be Frankie Ballard, Danny Gokey, Hunter Hayes, Josh Kelley, Randy Montana, James Wesley and Charlie Worsham. There will be two opening […]

Leadership Music Accepting Applications

Leadership Music is accepting applications for the next class of participants. Established entertainment industry leaders can apply through March 31.

Bobby Karl Works UMG’s Luncheon at The Ryman

If Country Radio Seminar is about Country – that is, music – more than it is about current Radio – that is, pseudo science – then its showcases should be its heart and soul.

CRS Pics: Faith, Tim, Blake, and KCRS Live

The McGraws received the Humanitarian Award • Stroudavarious Records hosted KCRS Live! • Shelton and friends sang into the night at the Music City Jam

Artists: Out and About

Crystal Bowersox Makes Surprise Opry Debut • Gloriana Performs at the White House • Sara Evans stops by CMT • Due West On the Streets • Bill Anderson Receives Joint Resolution

TV/Film News: Trace Adkins In New McConaughey Movie

Plus news from Rascal Flatts, Waylon Jennings, Jennifer Nettles, Leon Russell/Elton John, Miley Cyrus and Ashley Judd.

Photos From Aldean's Platinum Party

Jason Aldean celebrated the platinum certification of his fourth studio album My Kinda Party with an event at Nashville’s Terrazzo on Tuesday (3/1). This is his third Platinum platter, and it got its award in just 11 weeks. The 15-track disc brings the country rocker to five million total albums sold since his debut five […]

CRS 2011 Photos: UMG, Big Machine, Sony Music Nashville

Radio guests enjoy special label events hosted by UMG Nashville, Big Machine, and Sony Music Nashville as part of Country Radio Seminar 2011.

Shania Twain Pens Autobiography

Shania Twain’s autobiography, From This Moment On, is set for release May 3. The singer will be back with a bang this summer, as her new docu-series for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will also debut in May. Twain has experienced monstrous career success, combined with personal highs and lows, but there is no word on […]

Bobby Karl Works The DJ Hall of Fame Dinner, Aldean Party

The “official” kick-off of Country Radio Seminar is the annual presentation of the Country Radio Hall of Fame honors at the Convention Center (3/1).