Frankie Ballard Makes His Grand Ole Opry Debut • Capitol Records Celebrates Betsy Morley • Courtney Cole Signs with Black River Music Publishing >>Warner Bros. Records newcomer Frankie Ballard will make his Grand Ole Opry debut today (1/7) at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Ballard joins Rodney Atkins, Chris Young and Dailey & Vincent, in the […]

Taylor Swift won the trophy for Favorite Country Artist at last night’s (1/5) People’s Choice Awards. She was given the fan-voted honor by the legendary Elton John, who spoke about his love of the genre during the presentation. After the show at the Los Angeles Nokia Theater, Swift hit the CoverGirl 50th Anniversary Celebration at […]

Valentine’s with the Paisleys • Nashville Rescue Mission • Chris Cagle and Saddle Up! • Alive at The Bluebird • Y108 Soldier Salute • Henry Paul helps fight cancer Valentine’s Day/Nashville Film Festival Benefit with the Paisleys The Nashville Film Festival is hosting its second annual La Fete du Cinema fundraising dinner on February 14. This year’s theme, […]

Jones to be released from hospital • Gibson Guitar indictments • Emily Hester hired at Hall of Fame • Radio Nectar debuts • A Thousand Horses EP • Fred Eaglesmith in Nashville >>George Jones spent last night (1/5) in a Nashville hospital following a routine check-up. His reps report he is resting comfortably and will […]

Here’s a recap of some of the Nashville nominees headed into tonight’s (1/5) People’s Choice Awards. The show airs live from L.A.’s Nokia Theater at 8 PM/CT on CBS. Favorite Country Artist Carrie Underwood Keith Urban Lady Antebellum Rascal Flatts Taylor Swift Favorite Male Artist Eminem Enrique Iglesias Michael Bublé Tim McGraw Usher Favorite Female […]

The ACM Showcase, an evening dedicated to the newcomer nominees for the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, is set for Tues., Jan. 18 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The event is open to fans and will take place as a special Grand Ole Opry performance, which is set to air on GAC. Reigning ACM […]

Randy Montana’s 3-song EP is hitting online outlets, just as his new single “1000 Faces” hits radio. Produced by Jay Joyce, the 1000 Faces EP contains the title track (Montana, Tom Douglas); “Assembly Line” (Montana, Natalie Hemby); and “Last Horse” featuring Emmylou Harris on harmonies (Montana, father Billy Montana, Rodney Clawson). The Mercury artist’s debut […]

Founder and longtime President of New West Records Cameron Strang has joined Warner/Chappell Music as CEO. New West GM Michael Ruthig will assume the label’s daily operations responsibilities. In this role he will continue to oversee domestic and international sales, with a more active role in Production and A&R. Prior to joining New West, Ruthig […]

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles will perform a solo show at the Murchison Performing Arts Center in Denton, Texas on Jan. 15, to benefit Attic Community Playground, a non-profit organization supporting the performing arts. Jack Ingram will open the show. Proceeds will go to the Ponder High School Band and Choir Program in Ponder, Texas, and the […]

As we look back at 2010, we see that we have lost some enormous musical talents. Country Music Hall of Fame members Carl Smith and Jimmy Dean passed on, as did Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Hank Cochran. Our r&b community lost Bobby Hebb; our pop scene lost Owsley; and our jazz community lost Dennis Taylor. Studio instrumental greats Ben Keith and Fred Carter Jr. are gone, as are hit songwriters Ronny Scaife, George Richey and Linda Hargrove. Slim Bryant, the last living link to Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music, died at age 101. Here is a remembrance of some of those who passed away during 2010.