Slicing The Nashville Sales Pie

There are many ways to measure country music sales, but it all boils down to the fundamental question, how big is my slice of the pie? So first let’s talk about the overall pizza pie and then we’ll address some of the recent slices being cut up and handed out. (Source: Nielsen Soundscan.) For the […]

Garner Renews Contract, Kobalt Launches New Service, and BMI Board Announced

Blair Garner Renews Radio  Contract Blair Garner has renewed his contract with Premiere Radio Networks. Garner, a two-time recipient of the ACM’s “On-Air Personality of the Year,” hosts After MidNite with Blair Garner, which is heard by 2.7 million weekly listeners. The show will continue to broadcast daily from midnight to 6 a.m. on over […]

Republic Nashville Goes Ape

Republic Nashville went “Ape” today after hearing that The Band Perry’s new release scanned a total of 52,500 albums this week. There’s no way to tell who is wearing the monkey suits, but note that Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen and Big Machine Founder/CEO Scott Borchetta both seem to curiously be missing???? TBP debuted on […]

Flatts Wrap Tour Leg; Apple Debuts New Goodies

The first leg of the Rascal Flatts tour ended a week ago in Irvine, California closing out 2010 with 650,000 fans and 56 shows. In addition to the current “Nothing Like This” tour the numbers were also added to from the “Unstoppable” tour which took place in the early months of 2010. “Nothing Like This” […]

Photos: Jeff Barry, Best Cellars, ICM Winners

Jeff Barry writing in Nashville with Rebecca Lynn Howard…TJ Martell Best Cellars Dinner with Charley Pride and Lee Ann Womack…Dailey and Vincent team with Garth Fundis…Point of Grace and The Roys win at ICM Awards.

Publisher Special 2010—On The Cover: Miranda Lambert

Label: Columbia Nashville Current Album: Revolution Current Single: “Only Prettier” Current Producers: Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke for Carnival Productions Hometown: Lindale, TX Management: ShopKeeper Management Booking: William Morris Endeavor Musical Influences: “My dad was my mentor, he was the one teaching me to play guitar. I absolutely love classic country and it’s no secret […]

Trailer Choir Shows Comedic Chops On YouTube

Members of Show Dog-Universal band Trailer Choir have tapped into their inner comedians and teamed with director John Ritchie to create a series of comedy vignettes for YouTube. The storyline follows the hijinks of an up-and-coming country band, and the oftentimes hilarious situations they find themselves in. The first two vignettes have already been posted, […]

Swift, Paltrow Added to CMA Awards

Taylor Swift and Gwyneth Paltrow have been added to the list of performers for the 44th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 10. The Awards broadcast starts at 7 pm CT on the ABC Television Network. Oscar-winner Paltrow will be making her first-ever appearance on the Awards when she performs “Country Strong,” title track to […]

Big Week For Lambert, Shelton

Hot country couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are having an exciting week. Lambert just celebrated the Platinum certification of her album Revolution with Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton. The album has yielded the No. 1 singles, “White Liar” and “The House That Built Me,” and was voted the ACM Album of […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/20/10)

I always like a listening session with plenty of newcomers. After all, the thrill of discovery is what every critic lives for. This week sees column debuts by Chet O’Keefe, Corinne Chapman, The Jeremy Miller Band, James Lann and Daniel Warren.

McGraw, Paisley Bring Hits In Time For Holidays

Greatest hit collections from genre superstars Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw have been previously reported on, but new details, including the track-listings have been revealed. Expect big sales from both of these fourth quarter releases, which are likely to end up under a lot of Christmas trees. On November 30th, Curb Records will release, Number […]

FUNL Showcase, Louvin Album, Secret Sisters

•••Nashville-based independent label FUNL Music hosted a double-feature showcase last night (10/19) at the Mercy Lounge with performances by Ty Herndon and Amber Hayes. Herndon’s Journey On earned the chart-topping singer a Dove Award earlier this year for “When We Fly.” Hayes’ current single, “C’mon,” is approaching Top 40 status on the Music Row Country […]

Warner Releases Songwriter Demos

The original songwriter demos to some of country music’s biggest hits are being released today by Warner Bros. Records. Some of Nashville’s best songwriters are represented in the two-volume series. And the CD/digital booklet for Original Songwriter Demos contains the stories behind each hit as told by the writers. It is available online at www.originalsongwriterdemos.com as well […]

Virginia Davis To Lead B.A.D. Management

Front Line Management CEO Irving Azoff, Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta and Front Line artist manager Virginia Davis have formed B.A.D. Management, under the Front Line umbrella. Davis, who joined Front Line in 2007, will oversee operations of the new company. She represents Jewel, and now adds fellow Big Machine group artists Steel Magnolia […]

Sugarland Unleashes Incredible Machine

It’s release day for Sugarland, who are on the road celebrating and promoting their adventurous fourth album, The Incredible Machine. The duo, known for pushing country’s music boundaries, drew from a myriad of influences for the new project which weaves together pop/rock anthems, upbeat country, and even throws in a dash of reggae on the […]

Faith, Martina Set For Local Benefit For Babies

Faith Hill and Martina McBride will headline the upcoming Rock the Cradle concert to benefit Baptist Hospital’s Beaman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The show is set for Tues., Oct. 26 at the Loveless Barn. The evening includes a cocktail reception and dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the performances at 8 p.m. A live auction […]

Paisley Renames Winter Run: H2O Frozen Over

Brad Paisley’s H2O World Tour stopped in Gulf Shores, AL last week, drawing over 35,000 fans for the free show that was part of “Concerts for the Coast” series to restore tourism to the region. Paisley’s outing continues through Nov. 20 with Justin Moore and Darius Rucker as special guests. Gearing up for the winter […]

Bentley, Aldean Donate Big Bucks

Dierks Bentley’s fifth annual “Miles & Music for Kids” raised more than $250,000 for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. On Sun., Oct. 17, a pack of 1200 bikers rode to his concert where 5000 fans packed Riverfront Park for a jam-style concert featuring Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Del McCoury, Heidi Newfield, Jerrod […]

CMA Christmas Concert To Air On ABC; More Awards Performers

CMA is planning a big-name Christmas concert which will be taped for television the night after the CMA Awards. Joined by some of their family members, Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Reba, LeAnn Rimes, Darius Rucker, and Sugarland will perform and share their favorite holiday traditions. CMA Country Christmas […]

The Judds Help Opry Go Pink, Prep For Tour

The Judds were on hand at The Grand Ole Opry Friday night (10/15), helping Women Rock For The Cure and Susan G. Komen for the Cure turn the Opry Pink. This was the second annual “Opry Goes Pink” show, to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. The Judds “flipped the switch” turning the Opry’s […]

BNA Signs Casey James; Bluewater Inks Billy Livsey

American Idol alum Casey James recently inked a record deal with 19 Recordings/BNA Nashville. New music from The Casey James Band is expected next year. •••••••• Bluewater Music has signed a worldwide administration agreement with musician, producer and songwriter, Billy Livsey. He was an in-demand session player during the 70’s and 80’s, recording with rock […]

Hirings At My Good Girl And Davis Music Group

Record producer and publishing executive Mark Bright has appointed Stephanie Greene Director of Publishing for his company My Good Girl Music, a joint venture with Sony/ATV Music Nashville. A publishing veteran, Greene makes the move from Combustion Music where she has worked since 2005, ending as Vice President. While with the company she participated in […]

Benefits And Lifenotes: Hats Across The Row, LeVasseur Park

•••Wrensong hosted a Hats Across the Row party at its offices earlier this month. The organization was formed by those in the music business to help foster a relationship between Music Row and The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation. ••• The Alex Levasseur Memorial Skatepark will host a Ribbon-Cutting Celebration on Sunday October 24, 2-6 PM […]

Bobby Karl: Songwriters Hall Inductions

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM: Chapter 351 One night each year, the absolute best person to be in the world is a hit Nashville songwriter. An entire ballroom fills with them. They gather for fellowship and to honor one another. A lucky few are saluted by their peers as the creators of the “Songs I […]

American Country Awards Names Nominees

Lady Antebellum and Easton Corbin Lead with Most Nominations Vote Online at theacas.com NASHVILLE, TN – (October 18, 2010) – The first-ever American Country Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Fans will determine all the winners by voting […]

Dierks Bentley in SIRIUS XM Concert Series

SIRIUS XM’s The Highway channel will broadcast exclusive performances by country star Dierks Bentley in a four-night concert series to take place in New York City. Dierks will perform in a different venue each evening, showcasing a different aspect of his award-winning career. On Monday, October 18th, Dierks will play a country concert featuring his […]

Billy Currington’s Cover, Miranda Lambert Goes Platinum

Billy Currington is covering the media lately. He appears on The Late Show with Craig Ferguson tonight (10/15) and earlier this week he performed at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to a packed house. Yesterday, Currington was on hand to congratulate songwriter Troy Jones who wrote Currington’s sixth No. 1 song, “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer.” The […]

Chip Taylor and New Americana Series

Singer-songwriter Chip Taylor is serving as curator for the Americana Music Association’s inaugural Americana Live series in New York City. Americana Live kicks off October 20-22 at The Rodeo Bar and Hill Country, featuring performances by artists such as Jim Campilongo, Bill Kirchen and Cindy Cashdollar. Taylor will perform at the October 22nd show at […]

Brad Paisley to Publish “Diary”

Country superstar Brad Paisley will publish his first book, The Diary of a Player, in May 2011 through Howard Books/Simon and Schuster. The Diary of a Player is the personal story of how Paisley became who he is today, and is a salute to the guitar gods of country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Paisley […]

Warner Chappell Celebrates “…Like Crazy,” Signs Waterman

Warner Chappell Music recently signed a world-wide songwriter/co-publishing agreement with Doug Waterman. The publisher also celebrated a 56-week, record breaking run for the Lee Brice recording of “Love Like Crazy,” co-written by Tim James.

Taylor Swift’s Bicoastal Attack for New Album Launch

Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Taylor Swift has planned a series of events to celebrate the release of her highly-anticipated third studio album, Speak Now, which arrives in stores on October 25th. On October 25th, Taylor will perform at the United Nations in New York City for a group of winners from contests held worldwide. This […]

Weekly Chart Report (10/15/10)

SPIN ZONE It’s a tough chart week for record promoters, because there isn’t much moving at the moment. Darius Rucker’s “Come Back Song” holds strong at No. 1, but Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue” and Taylor Swift’s “Mine” are both beginning to encroach on it. Positions 1-6 remain unchanged from the previous chart, with Brad Paisley, […]

Opry Goes Pink for Women Rock for the Cure

The Opry goes pink on Friday, October 15th, in support of Women Rock for the Cure (WRFTC), a Nashville-based organization that is committed to fighting breast cancer by utilizing the passion, creativity and strength of the entertainment industry to find inspiring ways to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Nashville […]

AMA Bases Nominees On New Media Chart

Nominees for this year’s American Music Awards were selected, for the first time, using BigChampagne’s Ultimate Chart. In previous years, the AMA assembled its nominees based upon the Billboard 100. BigChampagne describes its new Ultimate Chart as “an unprecedented aggregation of timely, relevant metrics and a product of our friends’ and partners’ hard work and […]

CMA Honors Triple Play Writers

“This is an amazing accomplishment and we are very pleased to honor these talented songwriters, and songwriting artists, for their valued contribution to the format,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They each have a rare talent that is a gift for all of us to enjoy.” The CMA Triple Play Awards, which honor […]

On Target with Keith Urban

GRAMMY Award-winning artist Keith Urban will release an exclusive deluxe version of his sixth studio album, Get Closer, at retail giant Target. This deluxe album will feature three new music tracks and four live recordings in addition to the eight original tracks and will be available at Target stores nationwide and Target.com beginning November 16th, […]

Underwood Wows Nashville Audience

Carrie Underwood, reining ACM Entertainer of the Year, brought her Play On tour to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena (10/13). For nearly two hours she seranaded the packed house with hits from past and present including her current single “Mama’s Song” from her CMA Album of the Year nominated CD, Play On. To read a complete review […]

Blake Shelton Makes First Stop on Headlining Tour

Blake Shelton’s first-ever headlining tour made the first stop at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, Colorado yesterday (10/13). The All About Tonight Tour will continue through October along the West Coast. “To go out and know that the crowd is there for you – every night,” Shelton says, “that is one heck of a feeling. […]

Sugarland Joins USO Divas

VH1 is partnering with the USO to give the network’s iconic franchise a military makeover with VH1 Divas Salute The Troops. Artists involved will include Sugarland, Katy Perry, Keri Hilson and Nicki Minaj who will perform in front of thousands of men and women in uniform at MCAS Miramar in San Diego. Paramore will travel […]

Bobby Karl Works Wild Week Of Parties And Shows

Chapter 350 Loretta Lynn Tribute, Carrie Underwood Concert, Capitol Street Fest Fear not, gentle readers, your party boy has been on the job all week long. Longer than a week, actually. The fun began last weekend. Miss Mary’s South Carolinian cousins Chuck & Mary Connors always go to the Opry when they come to town. Always. […]

ISC Deadline Extended
, Glee Strikes a Chord

ISC Deadline Extended The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has extended the deadline for entries to December 3rd, 2010. ISC accepts entries from amateur and professional songwriters, awarding over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including a Grand Prize package of $25,000 cash and $20,000 in merchandise. Winners also benefit from extensive publicity and international exposure to […]

Deluxe Edition of New Reba CD Available

Multimedia superstar and 2010 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Reba will release her 34th studio album, All the Women I Am, on Tuesday, November 9th, which will be accompanied by a Limited Deluxe Edition. This edition will have exclusive content such as behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the “Turn On the Radio” […]

File Sharers Won’t Allow A Target on Their Hard Drive

Some well meaning copyright defenders have decided that the best way to end piracy is to make the ISP responsible for policing its own networks. On the surface it seems like a fair proposition. Why shouldn’t the Internet Service Provider be responsible for how its own network is used? Find any abusers, give them a […]

Tech Toys ‘N Apps: Verizon, iPad, Android, Tweetdeck

Like the music industry where a glut of new product miraculously arrives in time for the fourth quarter holiday season, a slew of new tech toys and applications are also coming to the party. First on the list is Verizon’s announcement that it will begin offering Apple’s iPad on Oct. 28. Verizon compatible technology will […]

CMA announces Broadcast Awards Winners

The Country Music Association (CMA) announced the 2010 winners for the Broadcast Awards, culled from CMA members who are full-time, on-air personalities and CMA member radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. All entries were judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals representing all market sizes and regions as ranked by Arbitron. “We are […]

Terra Firma And Citigroup Prepare for Court Battle

Years and months of debate, wounded pride, sagging financials, conflicting reports and more will collide next week as Citigroup and Terra Firma face off in a New York court to decide a lawsuit brought by Terra Firma’s Guy Hands alleging that he and his company were deceived during the auction process which resulted in the […]

Roots Radio Hit By Lightning

Nashville’s weekly roots/Americana radio show, Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe, will mark its first anniversary with a new partnership. The progressive music, 2-hour radio broadcast will now be heard Wednesdays 7-9 on Lightning 100 (WRLT-FM)d beginning with the Oct. 20 show. Each show is also streamed live via www.livestream.com using a multi-camera […]

Painted Guitar Auction To Help Teens

The Hear The Music Live guitar will be auctioned on eBay.com Nov. 9-19, 2010. Hear The Music Live’s primary focus is to reach out to pre-teens and teens in residential treatment foster care group homes to give them the opportunity to attend a concert in their local area (e.g. 90% of the children that Hear The […]

Hometown Salutes The Band Perry

The Band Perry returned to its hometown Greeneville, TN (10/10) to offer thanks for the town’s support in the form of a free concert. Siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid were surprised when over 5,000 fans showed up and the town also declared Oct. 10 to The Band Perry Week. The CMA-nominated band released its self-titled […]

Photos: Toby’s Team; Underwood Tour; Jordyn Shellhart

Show Dog – Universal Music, TKO Artist Management, Paradigm, and UMG celebrate Toby Keith’s new album Bullet’s In The Gun coming in at No. 1 on both the Top Current Albums Chart and Top Country Album Chart. The title track and current single was the No. 1 most added single this week at country radio. […]