LeAnn and “Crazy Women”

LeAnn Rimes will release her new single, “Crazy Women,” digitally on December 21st. “Crazy Women” will be a special bonus track on Rimes’ upcoming album, Lady and Gentlemen, slated for release early next year on Curb Records. For her latest album, Rimes reinterprets classic country songs by Waylon Jennings, George Jones and Merle Haggard, among […]

Cookin’ With Zac Brown

You know Zac Brown as the lead singer/guitar player of the Zac Brown Band, but do you know Chef Zac Brown? The former chef and restaurant owner has a passion for good food, so much that he built a “kitchen on wheels” and published a cookbook, Southern Ground. The infamous mobile kitchen is a 53-foot […]

Taylor Swift Named New Face of CoverGirl

Taylor Swift is the newest face of CoverGirl cosmetics. She will represent a new line of luxury makeup called CoverGirl NatureLuxe, which will launch in January 2011. The NatureLuxe line encapsulates a new definition of luxury, defined as simple, high-quality experiences rather than overstated, heavy opulence. “Taylor’s naturally polished and beautiful look fits perfectly with […]

Nashville Prepares For Garth Brooks Concerts

Massive crowds are expected to arrive in Nashville starting one week from today (Dec. 16) when Garth Brooks’ sold out series of Bridgestone Arena shows kicks off. Nashville Downtown Partnership is helping with logistical efforts, as parking is expected to be scarce. Full dates for the shows, which include guests Trisha Yearwood and Karyn Rochelle, […]

Upcoming Lennon Tribute Has Nashville Roots

Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. The legendary musician, who was returning home after a recording session, when was shot and killed in front of his apartment building in New York City on December 8th, 1980. Nashville engineer Steve Marcantonio, who recently worked on hit albums including Taylor Swift’s Speak Now and […]

Bandbox Preps 2011 Launch

Nashville company Bandbox hopes to streamline the way fans discover and share music on Facebook. The application would allow Facebook users to share songs from iTunes the same way they share links and photos, then their Friends could listen to and purchase the song without leaving the site. The company headed by co-founder and CEO […]

Big Loud Shirt Retreat; Sandbox Contact Update

Last week Big Loud Shirt held its 2nd annual Christmas writer retreat, bringing in outside writers to pen Christmas tunes. Last year’s retreat resulted in Dave Barnes’ current single “Christmas Tonight” (a duet with Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott). The song was written by Barnes and Clint Lagerberg. ••••••••••••• Jason Owen’s Sandbox Entertainment has set up […]

Belmont Stands At Credibility Crossroads

MusicRow’s beat rarely strays from entertainment industry analysis, but we join a growing chorus urging Belmont University to update its policies.

Word Launches 25 Live Agency

Word Entertainment has launched the 25 LIVE agency, formerly known as The Breen Agency. In addition to booking The Breen Agency’s artist roster, 25 LIVE will handle touring and live events. The 25 artist roster includes acts Chris August, Phillips Craig & Dean, Point of Grace, Bebo Norman, Sidewalk Prophets, and more. “We are so […]

Nashville Planning Artist Residence

An artist residence for Music City is in the works thanks to a partnership between the Nashville Music Council, Metro Development Housing Authority and Mayor Karl Dean’s office. Several cities across the country have artists residences, offering affordable housing to members of the creative community, and supporting them culturally and economically. It remains unofficial, but […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (12/8/10)

The moment this listening session began, the rest of the platters might as well have packed up and gone home.
As soon as I saw Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” in the stack, I knew what the Disc of the Day was going to be. And it is.

Lucinda Williams Sets March Release

Lucinda Williams is prepping for the March 1 release of her new album Blessed, on Lost Highway. For the 12-song project she paired with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was, and co-producers Eric Liljestrand and Tom Overby. Williams recruited Elvis Costello for guitar work on the track “Seeing Black.” Also making appearances on the album are […]

Photos: Clay Walker and More

Clay Walker performed on The Fran Drescher Show.

Kennedy Center Honors Haggard, McCartney

Washington D.C. was glowing with star power on Sunday night, Dec. 5, for the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors. Merle Haggard was among the esteemed honorees, alongside Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Bill T. Jones, and Jerry Herman. Vince Gill opened the salute to Haggard, calling him the “poet of the common man.” Willie Nelson narrated […]

Photos: Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker

Willie Nelson helped Virgin America airlines launch its new service to Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport (DFW). To celebrate, Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson hosted a Texas-sized party in downtown Dallas at the Winspear Opera House. Darius Rucker visited The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Dec. 1 to perform his latest No. 1 Country […]

Travis Tritt Signs With Parallel Entertainment

Travis Tritt has signed with manager J.P. Williams of Parallel Entertainment, home to Larry The Cable Guy and others. The Los Angeles-based talent management and production company handles a wide range of entertainment projects, including feature films, DVD premiere features, comedy and music albums, and television series and specials. Parallel has produced one-hour specials for […]

Dates: Tin Pan South, Grammy Nominee Party

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced that the 19th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will be held from March 29- April 2, 2011. Tin Pan South is the world’s largest all-songwriter festival, and includes songwriters of all musical genres performing at a variety of Nashville night spots. For the fifth continuous year, […]

Vassar To Headline Nashville New Year’s Eve

Phil Vassar will headline Nashville’s Bash On Broadway New Year’s Eve party. The free block party starts at 7:30 PM with performances by Will Hoge, Heidi Newfield and Damien Horne. GAC and Sirius/XM host Storme Warren will emcee the event on Lower Broadway leading up to the midnight Guitar Drop and fireworks. Also on the […]

American Country Award Winners

Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum were big winners at the first American Country Awards last night (12/6) in Las Vegas. Underwood took home six awards, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Play On), and Touring Package of the Year. Lady Antebellum earned honors for Single of the Year (“Need You Now”) […]

Photos: Brett Eldredge; Eric Lee Beddingfield

Atlantic Records’ rising star Brett Eldredge made his debut television appearance Dec. 4 on the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s “Together for Care” telethon. Eldredge performed his single “Raymond,” which he wrote after being inspired by his grandmother’s battle with the disease. Among the other stars on the telethon were Al Roker from NBC’s Today Show. ••••••••••• Eric Lee […]

EMI Celebrates Holiday Kick-Off

EMI Music helped start the holiday’s for writers, staff and friends at its 2010 Holiday Casino Party. The “in the chips” festivities included dinner and  Casino play plus a raffle.

Bell Joins 13 Mgmt; Swift Tour Dates Sell Out

13 Management, Taylor Swift’s wholly owned management company, has appointed Frank Bell to the newly created post of Director of Radio and Research. “Frank brings solid relationships and strong tactical radio expertise and insight to 13 Management,” stated 13’s Robert Allen. “As we ramp up for the Taylor Swift Speak Now World Tour in 2011, […]

BMI Promotes Cheryl O’Quinn

Cheryl O’Quinn has been promoted to the position of Sr. Director, Per Program Services  in BMI’s Media Licensing department. O’Quinn is based in the company’s Nashville office and previously serviced as Director of Per Program Services. She will report directly to VP Business Affairs, Media Licensing Mike Steinberg. “Handling the task of administrating our licensing […]

American Country Awards Air Tonight

The inaugural fan-voted American Country Awards will air live 8-10 pm ET on Fox tonight from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with Trace Adkins serving as the evening’s host. Show performers include Jason Aldean, Adkins, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry, Easton Corbin, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, Steel Magnolia, Josh […]

Nettles Helps VH1 Divas Salute The Troops

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles helped VH1 Divas Salute The Troops in last night’s (12/5) television special. She joined pop, rock and hip-hop stars Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, Nicki Minaj, Paramore and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals for the show taped primarily last week at San Diego’s Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The stars donned military-inspired wardrobe […]

The Grascals & Friends Cracker Barrel Exclusive

The Grascals are the latest band to release music through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store’s exclusive program. The Grascals & Friends – Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin will be available Jan. 10, 2011, offering 13 tracks featuring guests Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels and Dolly Parton. The bonus track “I Am Strong” was […]

Bill Anderson Planning Box Set

Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson will release his first box set next year. It will be a 5-CD compilation encompassing Anderson’s recording career from 1958 through 1966. The set will also offer demos of songs that he wrote, which became hits for other artists. It is expected from Bear Family Records in […]

Music City Memorial for Will Tennyson

Will Tennyson, a longtime member of the Nashville music industry who passed away recently, will be celebrated with a memorial service on Wed., Dec. 8, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater. The service will include performances by Tennyson’s friends Mandy Barnett and Brennin Hunt. There will also be a […]

Chesney Stadium Stop At NY/NJ Meadowlands

Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour is set to play the New York area on Aug. 13, 2011. Also starring will be Zac Brown Band with special guests Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker. Tickets for the mega show go on sale Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. “This lineup represents the very best that country music has […]

Owen, Messina Offering Live Concerts Online

RCA’s Jake Owen will offer fans a chance to view his live show online with is first-ever streaming concert tonight (12/3). Owen is set to play a sold-out show at Joe’s Bar in Chicago, and will stream the entire 90 minute event live for free. Sponsored by LongHorn Steakhouse and Chicago’s US99, the concert starts […]

Holiday Releases Roundup

Word/Warner Bros. trio Point of Grace has released a Christmas CD called Home For The Holidays, and just announced its Home For The Holidays Tour in December to support the recording. The tour launches today in Eden Prairie, MN and wraps Dec. 19 in Greenwoods, SC. Fervent Records artist Chris August will support. •  •  […]

Opry Events Manager Exits; Obedia Opens Nash Offices

Grand Ole Opry Events Manager Sara Winne Foster has exited her post with the company. Foster joined Gaylord Entertainment and the Grand Ole Opry in 2007, where she oversaw all private events at the Opry Entertainment Complex. Prior to the Opry, she worked for The Promotional Edge in Los Angeles, where she managed client events […]

People Magazine Auction Features Reba, Lady A

People magazine and charitybuzz present an exclusive auction for country music fans that will benefit flood relief in Nashville and the middle Tennessee area. Exclusive photos of country stars including Reba, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley in their favorite Nashville places are currently on display at the Hutton Hotel in downtown Nashville. These […]

2010: A Good Year for The Grascals

2010 was a good year for The Grascals. The group’s latest album, The Famous Lefty Flynn’s, topped the Bluegrass Unlimited chart for four months. Their current single, “Last Train To Clarksville,” claimed the No. 1 spot on the singles chart this month as well. This banner year was ushered in with several significant changes; the […]

Weekly Chart Report (12/03/10)

RADIO NEWS Citadel’s WOGT/Chattanooga has flipped to a Classic Hits format. As of this week, it will no longer be a part of the CountryBreakout Reporting panel. SPIN ZONE Reba’s on a roll. “Turn On The Radio” is very likely causing people to do just that, and it sits at No. 1 for a second […]

Exclusive Strait Album Available; Kelley EP Out This Week

Exclusive Strait Album at Wrangler Retailers George Strait’s exclusive album release with Wrangler is now available at select Wrangler Specialty Apparel retailers nationwide. The collector’s album, which is free with a $50 purchase of Wrangler apparel, is entitled George Strait Cowboy Love Songs and features hits such as “Check Yes Or No” and “You Look […]

CMT Artist Of Year Premieres Tonight

CMT’s first Artists of the Year presentation will feature Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and the Zac Brown Band. Hosted by Kevin Costner the show will premiere Dec. 3. Taped in Franklin, TN at The Factory, the 90-minute special also features presenters such as Celebrity Chef Cat Cora, Hayley Williams of Paramore, […]

Billboard Launches Social 50 Chart

Billboard is expanding its chart offerings to include a new chart, the Social 50. Presented by ZYNC from American Express, the Social 50 chart will track and rank the most active artists on the world’s leading social networking sites including MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and iLike. Data from these sites will be tracked by Next […]

Swift Named “Entertainer” by Entertainment Weekly

Entertainment Weekly magazine announced today that Taylor Swift is their 2010 “Entertainer of the Year.” Swift will be featured on the cover of the December 10th issue, which hits newsstands today. Swift is the youngest celebrity to receive this honor. Entertainment Weekly stated that Swift was chosen due to the fact that she earned “a […]

McBride at NASCAR and Urban Supports St. Jude

Martina McBride To Perform at NASCAR Ceremony Multi-platinum and award-winning artist Martina McBride will perform “America the Beautiful” at NASCAR’s 2010 Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony. McBride joins a lineup that includes Rascal Flatts, Colbie Caillat, comedian Frank Caliendo and a special performance by Cirque du Soleil’s “Viva Elvis.” “I’m looking forward to singing for […]

Country Sales Thunder Toward Holiday Finish

With the warm buzz of family and friends gathered round the holiday table still in our hearts, it gives us added joy to note that country sales also had a robust holiday, resounding in the sweet sound of registers ringing. According to Nielsen SoundScan, country album sales for the period ending 11/28/2010 were up 12% compared with the previous week.

Roxstarz Launches in Nashville; AirPlay Direct Joins Forces With CD Baby

Roxstarz Launches in Nashville Matchless Management’s Shawn Pennington and business partner Andrew Fishbone announced the launch of Roxstarz, a private air charter brokerage firm headquartered in Nashville. Roxstarz, which caters to the needs of the music, movie and sports industries, will offer various luxurious yet affordable air charter options to clients. Among the services that […]

Jimmy Wayne Featured in Upcoming CBS Special

Valory Music artist Jimmy Wayne will be featured in the entertainment special, “The 12th Annual A Home for the Holidays,” to be broadcast on Wednesday, December 22 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on CBS. This program celebrates the joys of adoption, sharing inspirational stories about foster care and adoption. Performances by artists including Katy Perry, Maroon […]

NEEDTOBREATHE To Join Taylor Swift on Tour

Taylor Swift announced that NEEDTOBREATHE will be a featured artist for the North American dates of her Speak Now World Tour 2011. NEEDTOBREATHE, who released their debut album on Atlantic Records in 2006, have had multiple hits across the rock, Christian and Triple A radio formats with “Something Beautiful,” “More Time,” and the various cuts […]

Lady A Gets Six Grammy Nods

Nominations for the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards® were announced tonight (12/1) by The Recording Academy®. Eminem tops the nominations with 10; Bruno Mars garners seven; and Jay-Z, Lady Antebellum, and Lady Gaga each earn six nods. Jeff Beck, B.o.B, David Frost, Philip Lawrence, and John Legend receive five each; and Alex Da Kid, the Black Keys, […]

Aldean, Bryan, Band Perry Join ACA Line-up

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and The Band Perry are the latest performers announced for the American Country Awards, airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Monday, Dec. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM/ET) on FOX. They join previously announced performers Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Blake Shelton, Steel […]

Grammy Noms Special Tonight; Artist TV Appearances

Nominations in several categories for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will be revealed tonight (12/1) when “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” airs at 9 pm CT on CBS. The one hour special will be hosted by LL Cool J at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Grammy-winning band Train (“Hey, […]

Benefits/Lifenotes: Tim Johnson Fund; Norbert Nix’s Father

Songwriter Tim Johnson has been diagnosed with both liver and colon cancer. Johnson has served on NSAI’s Song Camp faculty and served as a longtime board member of NSAI. He is presently undergoing chemotherapy and is preparing for further treatment. NSAI has established a fund to help him defray treatment costs, travel and other necessary expenses. […]

CMT Salutes Artists of The Year

CMT taped its Artists of the Year special last night (11/30) at the Factory at Franklin honoring Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band.

Baldrica Named President of Average Joes

Average Joes Entertainment has hired industry veteran Tom Baldrica as President. The label is home to Colt Ford, Brantley Gilbert, Josh Gracin, and Corey Smith. Earlier this year Baldrica ended his role as VP, Marketing for Sony Music Nashville, after 17 years with the label group. “I am thrilled to be joining the team at […]