Skyville Adds Herring

Skyville Records managing partners Paul Worley, Glen Morgan and Wally Wilson have named Kevin Herring President of Skyville Records. “I can hardly wait to get started!” declares Herring. “Few people have made bigger or better records than Paul Worley, from Lady Antebellum and The Dixie Chicks to Martina McBride. He knows hit music and recognizes […]

Weekly Chart Report (1/21/11)

SPIN ZONE Three weeks into 2011, we are starting to see some movement on the CountryBreakout Chart. Luke Bryan’s long, patient climb with “Someone Else Calling You Baby” is rewarded by finally ascending to the No. 1 position. Bryan has over 150 spins on the No. 2 song, Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m […]

AMA Announces 2011 Board Executive Committee

The Americana Music Association has announced its Executive Committee for the 2011 calendar year. These positions are held for one year terms. Returning to their posts for an additional term, David Macias from Thirty Tigers has been named Board President; artist manager Tim McFadden, Vice President; Sylvia Giannitrapani, Secretary; and the two at large Executive […]

WMG Tests Dual Buy-Sell Strategy

The New York Times has reported that Warner Music Group is putting itself in play. The major music label, one of the four remaining (Universal, Sony, EMI) has hired Goldman Sachs “to seek out potential buyers for the company, a process that will play out while Warner continues to explore buying the beleaguered British music […]

RIAA 2010 Country Certs

This year’s 2010 RIAA shipments report shows Nashville country artists accounting for about 20 million units in Gold and Platinum treasure. Leading the Row was Capitol Nashville…

Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour

Organizers of the Country Throwdown Tour have teamed with legend Willie Nelson for its second annual summer outing. The outdoor amphitheater trek, Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour 2011, will also feature Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Craig Campbell, and Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real. The festival-like concert tour is […]

Photo Edits

Gretchen Wilson Nabs Grammy Nom • “ACM Showcase” • Jessi Colter and Stealing Angels Support Child Help • Josh Thompson Celebrates Co-Writes

Alan Jackson/Sony Part Ways

Sony Music Nashville today announced that it and superstar Alan Jackson have ended their relationship. He was the first artist signed to the Arista roster in 1989—today under the Sony umbrella—leading to a successful partnership for more than 20 years. According to the label’s official statement, “Sony Music Nashville wishes to thank Alan Jackson for […]

Idol Judges Get Thumbs Up

America’s love affair with talent was renewed again as the tenth season of American Idol stoked its star-maker fires introducing a judges bench with two new faces and of course a bevy of wannabe hopefuls. Not unexpectedly, opinions were mixed moving into the debut as to whether the new personalities could reverse the show’s recent […]

Performance News: Urban To Rock Super Bowl Pre-game

Latest tour news from Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Billy Falcon/Bon Jovi, CMA Songwriters Series, Teddy Gentry and the Oak Ridge Boys.

Dierks Headlines Jägermeister Tour

Dierks Bentley is set to headline the 2011 Jägermeister Country Tour which kicks off March 17. The 30-city tour runs through mid-May and will feature special guest Columbia Nashville artist Josh Thompson and brand new A&M/Octone duo Miss Willie Brown. Each concert will also feature a local Jägermeister sponsored country act. Pre-sale tickets are available […]

News Shorts: Big Country Records Opens

Big Country Records • CRS unemployment rate • Joseph Conner joins Lotos Nile • Americana Festival submissions • HFA/Napster >>Entrepreneur Glen Blaschke and hit songwriter Tammy Hyler (Martina McBride “I Love You,” Collin Raye “I Can Still Feel You”) launched Big Country Records and Big Country Entertainment with an industry party yesterday. Singer/songwriter Morgan Tobias […]

Alison Krauss + Union Station Set April Release

Rounder Records has set an April 12 release date for the latest from Alison Krauss and Union Station, Paper Airplane. This will be the first new music from Krauss since her highly acclaimed 2007 collaboration with Robert Plant. It will be her first album with longtime band Union Station since 2004’s Lonely Runs Both Ways. […]

Jaclyn North Wins Texaco Country Showdown

Jaclyn North won the Jan. 13 Country Showdown at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, taking home a $100,000 grand prize. The 29th annual competition, with new title sponsorship by Texaco, has been a starting ground for numerous country stars. 
North, representing radio station KHOZ/Harrison, AR, competed against four other finalists. LeAnn Rimes hosted the show where contestants […]

Artist News: Darius Rucker, Jerrod Niemann, Band Perry

Darius Rucker on Letterman and Rucker’s PGA Tour song • Jerrod Neimann honored in hometown • The Band Perry on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Nominee Party

Talk about your star gazing – this year’s Grammy nominee party was the place to be.

Country Sales Brace For Roller Coaster Ride

Think of this week’s Nielsen SoundScan results as a giant coaster ride. The cold steel restraint has pushed you against the seat back and as the car slowly “click clicks” up the steep first curve you calm your stomach saying, “Hey, I’m going to be fine.”

Ten Years On The Lost Highway

Lost Highway Records will mark its tenth anniversary with a series of vinyl reissues and a blowout SXSW showcase. On March 18, Lost Highway will team with BMI for a SXSW concert at the new Austin City Limits studio, The Moody Theater. Set to perform are Lucinda Williams, Robert Earl Keen, Hayes Carll, and Black […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/19/11)

Let’s do a little Grammy gazing, shall we? For starters, let’s look beyond the stunning and well-deserved six nominations for Lady Antebellum. What Nashville act has the second most? Surprise! It’s the quintuple nominated outing by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Which, by the way, wins our Disc of the Day. I’d also like to give a shout-out to Darrell Scott, who not only has a Country Instrumental nomination, but is also a crucial component of Band of Joy, the twice nominated CD by Robert Plant.

Colt Ford's Free Download, New Web Series

Colt Ford is giving fans a free download of the tune “Hip Hop In A Honky Tonk” featuring Texas star Kevin Fowler. Get it here with no strings attached, or check out the new video at CMT.com. In more news from the Average Joes artist, Ford has debuted the Mr. Goodtime Show on his website […]

Open Road Signs Miller; Bishop Media/Marketing Formed

Karyn Bishop announces the formation of Bishop Media & Marketing, formerly known as KB Radio Works. According to Bishop, the new company is designed to better serve the diversified client base she now represents. Services include artist radio tours, artist marketing and syndicated radio show recruitment and affiliate relations activities. Current clients include “Rise-Up Country […]

Lifenotes

Reminder—Nick Hunter memorial• Derek Crownover welcomes baby • Sony’s Joe Freel’s father passes • Chris Lucas of LoCash Cowboys loses father

Comcast, NBC Universal Merger Approved

Comcast’s purchase of NBC Universal is expected to be complete before the end of the month, following today’s approval of the merger by the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department. The government approved the $30 billion transaction, tagging it with numerous conditions designed to ensure fair competition between Comcast and other programmers, ISPs and […]

Finding A Way Out Of The Record Biz Maze

Hollywood entertainment blog TheWrap.com, usually content to bluster over the world of film and TV has issued a pair of music industry articles offering dire 2011 predictions.

Etix Acquires Rockhouse Partners

Rockhouse Partners, the Nashville digital marketing company specializing in live events, has been acquired by ticketing service Etix. Founded by former Echo executives Tawn Albright, Kevin Brown, and Joe Kustelski, Rockhouse had recently announced its expansion with Rockhouse Live, a division focused on helping live entertainment properties sell more tickets. Kustelski and Brown will stay […]

Rascal Flatts Concert Special on ABC

The ABC Television Network will air a Rascal Flatts concert special on Sat., March 12 at 7 PM/CT. The band’s show this Friday, Jan. 21 at St. Paul, Minnesota’s Xcel Energy Center will be taped for the special. Rascal Flatts: Nothing Like This Presented by JCPenney will be directed by George Flanigen and executive produced […]

Faith Hill, Pretenders Pair For Super Bowl CMT Crossroads

A special episode of CMT Crossroads will pair Faith Hill with The Pretenders, live from the Super Bowl festivities. The show will premiere on CMT Saturday, February 5 at 9 p.m. CT. It is part of the NFL Pepsi Super Bowl Jan Fam, a three-show concert series being held at the Verizon Theatre in Grand […]

Schwartzenberg Named HoF Sr. Dir. of Marketing

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has named Jeff Schwartzenberg to the position of Sr. Dir. of Marketing. Schwartzenberg will report to VP Sales and Marketing Sharon Burns and will oversee advertising, promotions, creative, digital marketing and related initiatives for the museum. Schwartzenberg most recently served as Sr. Dir. of Marketing and Communications […]

Media Consumption Shifts Content Value

It’s no secret that music sales have tanked over the last several years, and today’s LA Times examines how media consumption is shifting as Hollywood also feels the hurt. All kinds of media purchases are on the decline, ranging from CDs and DVDs to video games and movie theater attendance. Another major factor impacting the […]

The Producer's Chair Expands; Radio Show Debuts

The monthly interview series The Producer’s Chair will begin airing online and on TV. The show from creator/host James Rea is also moving to a new venue. Beginning with the Friday, January 28 show featuring multi-Grammy winning producer, engineer, mixer, David Z (Prince, Elvis Costello, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Cropper), The Producer’s Chair will be taped […]

Aldean's "Party" Goes Platinum

That’s right, it’s time for the My Kinda Party party. Less than three months since the release of Jason Aldean’s fourth album My Kinda Party, it has earned Platinum certification. This makes his third career Platinum album and brings his overall sales total to five million. “I just can’t say enough about country music fans […]

Hirings At Monarch Publicity, Davis Music Group

Heather Conley has joined Cindy Heath’s Monarch Publicity as Director, Marketing. With the company’s expansion, it will begin offering consumer, third-party marketing and sales support, as well as publicity services. Conley was previously Marketing Director at Disney’s Lyric Street Records and most recently with Big Machine Label Group. “Heather is a great creative mind who […]

Carter's Chord

“A Little Less Comfortable” Show Dog-Universal Sister trio Carter’s Chord (Emily, Joanna, and Becky Robertson) is releasing its new single “A Little Less Comfortable.” The song was written by Emily and Joanna with Phillip White and tells the story of someone longing to return a more exciting, unpredictable time in a relationship. The music of […]

Urban, Kidman Welcome New Daughter

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman announced today that they have a new addition to their family. Faith Margaret Kidman Urban was born in Nashville at Centennial Medical Center via surrogate on December 28, 2010. She joins two-year-old big sister Sunday Rose. The proud parents issued the following statement: “Our family is truly blessed, and just […]

Country Strong Sales Jump

Movies aimed directly at country music and the country lifestyle are few and far between, but one of the joys of their arrival is that they often have an original soundtrack that goes with them. Country Strong, staring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw happily extends the tradition. The Country Strong soundtrack album has been released […]

Americana Fundraiser at Blackberry Farm

John Hiatt, Nanci Griffith, and Rodney Crowell will lead the lineup for a concert at the Smoky Mountain resort Blackberry Farm to benefit the Americana Music Association. The concert weekend is set for March 25-27. “Hearing internationally respected poet-troubadours in such a gorgeous setting will really be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director […]

NBC To Search For "The Voice" In Music City

NBC is holding Nashville auditions for its new singing competition The Voice (working title). Based on the Dutch show, Voice of Holland, the American version is from reality TV gurus/ executive producers John de Mol and Mark Burnett. Internet rumors abound that Carson Daly is in negotiations to host the show. Interested contestants can try […]

Pop Shined in 2010, But All Formats Face Changes

it was also a year in which some basic industry assumptions were trampled. The touring industry, thought to be bulletproof, was derailed by the weak economy and digital track sales growth, long touted as the savior of falling album sales, slowed to a crawl.

Fan Jam Remote Will Coincide With ACM Awards Telecast

As awards shows strive for more and more fan involvement, the Academy of Country Music has announced plans to add a Fan Jam concert, to be held in Las Vegas during and after the April 3 ACM Awards. This will let even more fans take part in the Awards show excitement. Sugarland will headline the […]

BMI Trailblazers; Keep The Music Playing Concert; USO Tour

Commissioned and Shirley Caesar Honored at BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards • Sara Evans Visits Pearl-Cohn Choir Students In Preparation For Keep The Music Playing All-Stars Concert • Kix Brooks Visits The Troops

DVD Kiosk Rental On The Rise

In 2010, more DVDs and Blu-ray Discs (BDs) were rented from standalone kiosks like Redbox and Blockbuster, than in retail stores. This according to the latest research by The NPD Group. “Consumers are obviously responding positively to the perceived value and convenience of kiosks,” said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD. According to NPD, […]

Country Cares for St. Jude

Many members of the country music community spent the weekend in Memphis to help kick off the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon season. The event, spearheaded 22 years ago by Randy Owen, drew more than 800 artists, label representatives, radio station personnel and executives. Country Cares is one of the nation’s largest radio fundraising […]

Steve Jobs Taking Medical Leave

Apple boss Steve Jobs is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence. During his absence, day-to-day control of the company will be in the hands of Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook. Jobs will retain the title of CEO and said in a letter to employees that he will be involved in “major strategic decisions” for […]

Memorial Set For CDB Guitarist Tommy Crain

Friends and family will gather Friday evening at Soundcheck Nashville to honor he music and the memory of longtime Charlie Daniels guitarist Tommy Crain. Crain died last Thursday, Jan. 13. He was 59 years old. During his 15-year tenure in the Charlie Daniels Band, the guitarist recorded more than 20 albums with the group. He […]

Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert

The Nashville Alliance for Public Education, along with the Country Music Association and the Nashville Symphony will host a student concert Tuesday, Feb. 1 (6:30 PM/CT) to celebrate the return of the city’s world-class Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the development of our next generation of musicians and performers during the second Keep the Music Playing […]

BNA Talent Signs Lopez And Tallant

BNA Talent Group, located on Music Row, continues to increase its footprint in country music programming with the announcement of its signing of TV and radio hosts Patricia Lopez and Shane Tallant. BNA Talent Group represents hosts, actors and recording artists for television, feature film and commercial representation. Lopez recently made her country television debut […]

Former CDB Guitarist Tommy Crain Passes

MusicRow extendes its condolences to family and friends of longtime Charlie Daniels Band guitarist Tommy Crain, who passed away yesterday (1/13) in Franklin. He was 59. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Ella Helen Crain, and survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Crain; his wife, Melissa Williams Crain; daughter, Ann […]

Saporiti Joins Savannah Music Group

“It’s nice to be back among the living,” smiles Bob Saporiti new General Manager of Savannah Music Group. “We’re already having a blast.” Saporiti was appointed to the new SMG position shortly before the holidays replacing Ed Salamon who joined the company Oct. 1. Savannah Music Group consists of three principals including SMG President Dave […]

TV Roundup: John Rich, Lady Antebellum

John Rich will follow in the footsteps of Trace Adkins and Clint Black as he joins the upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump revealed yesterday (1/13) on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. The season kicks off March 6 and the typically bonkers cast includes LaToya Jackson, Gary Busey, Star Jones, Real Housewives of Atlanta’s […]

Wii Game Blends Country Hits With Dancing

GameMill Entertainment recently announced Country Dance for the Nintendo Wii, a one of a kind interactive dance video game featuring over 25 country hits. Slated for a Spring release, Country Dance will include the following songs and more: Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova” Brad Paisley – “Water” Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue” Trace Adkins – […]