Tour News: Paisley Plots H2O II

Plus tour updates from Joe Nichols, Ricky Skaggs, Don Williams, Leo Kottke, and BMI’s Road to Bonnaroo.

Jobs Unveils iPad 2

Apple’s visionary genius, Steve Jobs made an unscheduled appearance at today’s unveiling of the iPad 2 (3/2) at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Jobs, who has been on leave for health reasons, received a standing ovation. Among the many technical announcements concerning the updated device, Jobs also noted that Random […]

2011 CRS Edition—On The Cover Blake Shelton

Things have never looked better for the young man who left Ada, Oklahoma, at 17 to pursue a career in Nashville. The going was slow initially, but Blake Shelton finally signed with Warner Bros. and launched with an impressive debut. ow, with his first ACM, CMA and CMT Award wins in 2010, the release of two SIX PACKS, a greatest hits album and his induction into the Grand Ole Opry, Shelton is on his best roll yet.

Doug Morris Named Sony Chief

Doug Morris, one of the most influential executives in the global music industry, has officially exited his post as Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group to join Sony Music Entertainment in the same role. He will be in office at Sony effective July 1, 2011.

Do Artists Need A Combined Sales Chart?

Grammy fever has cooled, Valentine’s ardor has calmed and [ouch] Top 75 country album sales are down 32% compared with last week. Adding to the somber report, YTD country album sales are off 12.4%. But wait. Are we missing something?

Entertainer Nominees To Perform at ACM Awards

All of the ACM Entertainer of the Year nominees will be performing as part of the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Nominees Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban will all take the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3 […]

Joanna Smith Revisits Tootsie's Where She Got Her Start

Columbia Nashville’s Joanna Smith returned to her old stomping grounds recently. The rising star stopped in to perform at downtown Nashville’s famed Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, the stage where she got her start in Music City.

[Updated w/ Eldredge arrangements] Lifenotes/Benefit News

Lifenotes—Terry Eldredge’s mother • Lifenotes—Victoria Contreras • Birdhouse Thing for W.O. Smith Music School • SOLID’s Bowling Showdown • John Jarrard memorial benefit

Photo Special: Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees

The Country Music Association announced yesterday (3/1) that Bobby Braddock, Reba McEntire, and Jean Shepard will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame.

CRB Names Radio Promotion Award Winners

Read about these radio station listener promotions that boosted social media activity, pleased ad clients, and helped charity.

Bobby Karl Works MusicRow's CRS Meet & Greet

The hundreds of day drinkers give it away: Country Radio Seminar is here once again. The occasion was the 9th annual Musicrow CRS Meet & Greet CountryBreakout Awards, staged at Cadillac Ranch on Tuesday afternoon (3/1). And the house was rockin.’

Dale Turner Teams With Skyville Records

Executive Dale Turner has joined Skyville Records as National Director, Radio Marketing and Promotion. This re-teams Turner with Skyville Pres. Kevin Herring, the two previously worked together at Lyric Street. Turner brings to the table experience in both radio and promotion. For 14 years he served at RCA Label Group, ending as VP Promotion. In […]

Bidders Eye Warner Music

Warner Music has received more than 10 bids from entities interested in buying all or part of the company, Bloomberg reports.

Underwood, Songwriters Cheer Charttopper

BMI recently toasted the creative team behind Carrie Underwood’s #1 hit “Undo It” at an intimate luncheon in Nashville.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/1/11)

Welcome to Country Radio Seminar. You registrants are going to be hearing a lot of great new music this week. Alas, very little of it was on my desk today. There are only a few real highlights.

Tuesday News

Deborah Allen signs with Delta Rock Records • AFM hosts musicians panel • Georgia Middleman’s father passes • Dennis Entertainment moves • Nashville Opera auditions

Photogenic News

Ronnie Dunn Previews New Music • Todd Cerney Benefit • Chris Young Draws Fans

Country Music Hall of Fame Names New Class

Reba McEntire, Bobby Braddock, and Jean Shepard will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Signings And Such (2/28)

Big Loud Shirt Signs Joey Moi • Savannah Signs Jack Williams

Collins Beefs UP Skyville West Promotion

Skyville Records announces that Dave Collins will join its promotion team to serve as Director of Promotion in the West. Collins, who has over 22 years of experience was previously part of NineNorth Promotion. “Dave is a tenacious promotion man who has shown he has what it takes to compete in the west,” shares Kevin Herring, President […]

CRS Preview: Schedule Highlights

Country Radio Seminar officially opens Wednesday, March 2, in downtown Nashville, but related events are getting started even earlier. CRS 2011 runs March 2-4 at the Nashville Convention Center. Here’s a quick look at the week’s itinerary: Tuesday, March 1 MusicRow’s invitation-only CRS Meet & Greet and Country Breakout Awards, featuring performances by Colt Ford […]

Sean Patrick McGraw Joins Dierks Bentley Tour

Sean Patrick McGraw will be one of the opening artists on the East Coast version of the Jagermeister Country Tour featuring Dierks Bentley. McGraw’s seven tour dates extend from March 17-27. Like many overnight success stories, Sean Patrick McGraw has spent the last few years playing upwards of 150 road dates per year, racking up […]

Industry Photos

Jake Owen In The Studio • CMT’s Jay Frank Speaks to SOURCE • Chris August Celebrates No. 1

Three Nashvillians Among "Idol" Finalists

Nashvillians Ashthon Jones, Kendra Chantelle and Paul McDonald made it to the top 24 on the current season of American Idol. The first group of finalists were revealed last week on the Fox show. All three contestants have been trying to make it in the music business. McDonald sings in his band The Grand Magnolias, […]

Lambert Cancels Dates Due To Illness

Miranda Lambert‘s tour kicked off on a high note earlier this month with two sold-out shows, but the outing hit a snag when she was forced to cancel the upcoming Australian leg. She announced cancellation of her tour dates Down Under this morning (2/28) on her official website. The singer is suffering from a respiratory […]

Paisley’s Video Paintbox Adds To Concert Production

Brad Paisley is the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, so if you’re reading this you probably already know he’s a member of an elite club of artists that write great songs, play incredible guitar and sing convincingly. But if you haven’t seen his live show, then you still haven’t sampled his genius for presenting his music in an arena setting.

Toby Keith Introduces Wild Shot Mezcal

Sorry, horses, you still have to drink beer. Ever the entrepreneur, Toby Keith is launching Toby Keith’s Wild Shot Mezcal, a 100% green agave spirit that purports to be authentic. Very few Mezcal products currently exist in the market and Keith plans to capitalize on that with his version of the traditional Mexican drink. “I […]

Is Digital Music Heading To The Clouds?

Look up! Is it a bird or a plane? No. It’s the clouds. The music industry waters are set to begin rippling again later this year, possibly as early as summer when, according to Financial Times, Apple, Google and Spotify jump into the cloud with music. Exactly what this will mean, may be a bit […]

Benefit News

Chesney Raises Awareness For Everglades Foundation • Lady A Headlines Gift of Music Event • Underwood Gives to Save The Children • 2011 Chords of Hope • Braswell Performs Benefit Concert for Rescue Mission • Music City Tennis Invitational • Lambert’s Cause For The Paws • Campbell Brings Music to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital

ACM Newcomer Awards To Church and TBP

ACM fan voters have chosen Eric Church and The Band Perry as winners of this year’s Newcomer Awards—Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Vocal Duo or Group. This means that both winners automatically become nominees for the Top New Artist Award to be presented on the 46th Annual ACM Awards, April 3, 2011. The […]

SESAC Names Jason Ingram Christian Songwriter of Year

2010 CHRISTIAN SONGWRITER: Jason Ingram 2010 CHRISTIAN PUBLISHER: Sony/ATV Timber Publishing -Performing rights organization, SESAC, named Christian songwriter/producer Jason Ingram as its 2010 Christian Songwriter of the Year at ceremonies held 2/24 at Nashville’s Hutton Hotel. Sony ATV Timber Publishing was named SESAC’s 2010 Christian Publisher of the Year. Over 25 songs were acknowledged at […]

Belmont University To Honor Peebles and IEBA

Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business will honor the International Entertainment Buyers Association and one of its founders Harry “Hap” Peebles with the 2011 Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence. The presentation will take place at the school’s Best of the Best showcase 7 pm, March 26 at Belmont’s Curb Event Center. […]

Littlefield Memorial Benefits Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

A private reception was held at ASCAP yesterday (2/24) to honor the late Merlin Littlefield, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2008. Littlefield was a veteran of the Nashville ASCAP office for 19 years and was instrumental in the signings of Reba McEntire, Lyle Lovett, George Strait and Gary Burr to the performance rights society. […]

Technically Speaking

Eminem Passes Gaga on Facebook • MySpace For Sale • Oscar Gets ABC Renewal • Apple Buys Cloud Insurance

Weekly Chart Report (2/25/11)

Whoa, where does the time go? Country Radio Seminar starts next week, so make plans to attend MusicRow’s annual Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, featuring special performances from Joanna Smith and Colt Ford. The event takes place Tuesday, March 1, 2:30-5 pm CT at Cadillac Ranch on Broadway. Email mstephens@musicrow.com for more information. Don’t […]

Guest Editorial: Hazel Smith Salutes Renee Bell

I am humbly proud that I introduced Joe Galante to Renee Bell. They became the most successful A&R team in Nashville. Renee was the first and only female Executive Vice President of A&R—thanks to Galante, who always gave women their due. She was employed at the label, originally RCA, now Sony, in excess of 15 […]

Social Media Success Sends CJaye LeRose To Nashville

“Social networking” has become one of those overused marketing phrases—discussed continuously, but rarely implemented. That makes it all the more contagious when an indie artist without the benefit of any marketing machine to do the heavy lifting, attracts attention in the form of fans, followers and views and ends up with more links than a […]

"Idol" Adds Online Voting Via Facebook

When the polls open for the current season of Fox’s “American Idol” on March 1, fans will be able to vote online for the first time.

[Updated] UMGN Media Dept. Transitions—Williams, Stuve Exit

[Updated 2/24, 4:15PM] Amber Williams has also exited the UMG Nashville media team.

Arista Promo Team Aligns Under Tyson, Sigler; Hires Dokke

Arista Nashville is announcing a reworked promotion team in time for next week’s Country Radio Seminar.

Artist Roundup

Briggs Appears As Nashville Cat • Josh Kelley Co-Writes Sitcom Theme Song • Jamey Johnson Gets Gold Record

Awards Dates: BMI Christian, Leadership Music

>>The BMI Christian Music Awards will be presented Monday, April 4 at the performing rights organization’s Music Row offices. The annual invitation-only event will salute the songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most performed Christian and gospel songs on U.S. Christian radio. Hosted by Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, along with Dir., Writer/Publisher […]

Rodney Atkins Teams With Tractor Co.

Rodney Atkins, hot on the tails of his recent hit “Farmer’s Daughter,” has secured a partnership with Massey Ferguson tractors. In 2011, Massey Ferguson will be the “official tractor” of Rodney Atkins. Throughout the year, the singer will be involved in activities ranging from national advertising to dealer tie-ins, social media campaigns, contests and national […]

Industry n' Artists Ink 2/24/11

Kobalt Ups Alperin • Bellamy Brothers “Hold It Against…” Britney • SESAC Signs Mark Carson

Fab Photos Wednesday

Jessie Schmidt on CMA Board, Rivers Rutherford at Belmont, Brad Paisley At Daytona

Artist Action: Rascal Flatts Get Bieber Fever

News from Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Gloriana, Keith Urban, Kellie Pickler, Jerrod Niemann, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith and Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman.

Sales: Thank You Edition

Yes, this week’s SoundScan report was heavily influenced by the Grammy telecast (2/13) and the holiday of hearts. Country album sales climbed 10% over the previous week, all-genre sales jumped 12%. But it can all be summed up in three words, “Need You Now.”

Two-Screen Viewing Enhances TV Experience

How many nights a week do you sit in front of the TV with a mobile device in your hand or a notebook computer in your lap? Well, marketers are on to you—and they’ve named it “two-screen viewing.” A new study by Deloitte’s media and entertainment group shows that three-quarters of television viewers are also […]

SESAC Ups Jungmichel

SESAC has named Scott Jungmichel Vice President, Royalty Distribution & Research Services. Formerly Associate Vice President, Jungmichel will be responsible for the distribution of both domestic and international royalties to SESAC’s affiliates. Jungmichel will also oversee SESAC’s royalty administration processes including works registration, performance data collection, and royalty calculations for all performance types. Jungmichel began his career with SESAC […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/23/11)

Music City is Boys Town today. The ladies are evidently taking the week off, since every platter here on the reviewing desk comes from a solo male. Let the testosterone festival begin.