https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-15 14:00:422011-02-15 14:00:42Faith Hill Set For Symphony Fashion Show
ACM radio award winners were announced this morning (2/15). They will not be televised due to time constraints during the live telecast of the ACM Awards on April 3. Winners in radio categories will be invited to receive their awards at a private reception in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 2. This marks the third […]
It’s the first major release date revealed this year, but SoundScan watchers will have to wait until May to see a sales boost. Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley is slated to release his new album, This Is Country Music, on May 24 via Arista. Paisley once again teamed with longtime producer Frank […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/10195025/bp-front.jpg260390Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-15 11:06:202011-02-15 11:06:20New Paisley Project Coming In May
>>Nashville-based rock group Red performed “Faceless” on Conan last week (2/8). The Provident Label Group act will also perform on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno tomorrow (2/16). Red’s latest release, Until We Have Faces (2/1/2011) was the highest debut in the country, claiming the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Top 200 its first […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Michellehttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngMichelle2011-02-15 09:53:572011-02-15 09:53:57TV Round-up with Red, Steel Magnolia, Aaron Lewis
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-15 09:46:342011-02-15 09:46:34Morning News From The Web
Nashville is on a Grammy winning streak. Last night’s wins by Lady Antebellum marked the third year in a row that a Nashville act has been the show’s top winner. Last year Taylor Swift scored big, and in 2009, the most trophies went to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. It is a testament to the […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-14 16:19:222011-02-14 16:19:22Grammy Reaction Around The Web
Last night’s (2/13) Grammy Awards were the show’s most viewed telecast since 2001, drawing 26.6 million total viewers and securing a win for CBS. The show’s ratings have been on a steady rise in recent years, with a 3 percent increase over last year’s broadcast which attracted 25.8 million viewers. In the key adults 18-49 […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-14 15:00:202011-02-14 15:00:20Grammys Score Best Ratings In A Decade
Nearly one out of four advertisements during last night’s (2/13) Grammy Awards featured a celebrity endorsement, according to a report by Greenlight, a company specializing in licensing and rights clearance. Among the other findings of the GreenLight Ad Gauge: • celeb ads were up 47% over last year, and up more than 250% from 2009 […]
Chapter 358—The Nashville Grammy viewing party had door prizes, a dance DJ upstairs hosted by Red Bull, the Gibson Guitar tour bus parked outside and a generally merry atmosphere.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/10195030/front.jpg260390Bobby Karlhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngBobby Karl2011-02-14 10:52:012011-02-14 10:52:01Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Viewing Party
Sony Music Nashville has officially welcomed the band Bush Hawg as the newest act on its RCA Nashville roster. Bush Hawg’s debut album will release later this year.
The RIAA’s January 2011 report names several Nashville artists. Earning Gold certifications (500k shipped) are Keith Urban (Get Closer) and Tim McGraw (Number One Hits). Albums by Jason Aldean (My Kinda Party) and Miranda Lambert (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) joined the Platinum ranks (one million shipped). In the digital single arena, fans of Taylor Swift (“Mine”), Carrie […]
The fourth annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends benefit concert is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 at The Loveless Barn in Nashville. Artists performing live include Jeffrey Steele and his band, Keith Anderson, Frankie Ballard, Troy Gentry, LoCash Cowboys, James Otto, and Chuck Wicks. The event will also feature live and silent auctions, […]
The Alan Lomax Archive and IODA, the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, have partnered to make thousands of traditional and vernacular music recordings available worldwide. As part of the campaign, Lomax and IODA will disseminate Lomax’s recordings digitally to an international network of retailers. The partnership comes on the heels of the recently released biography, Alan Lomax: […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Michellehttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngMichelle2011-02-11 14:36:522011-02-11 14:36:52IODA and Alan Lomax Plan Archive Releases
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Michellehttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngMichelle2011-02-11 14:18:472011-02-11 14:18:47Artist Tidbits: AMA at SXSW, Stuart's 10th Late Night Jam, and More
Sarah Darling has debuted a video for the first single from her latest CD, Angels & Devils. The video/single, “Something To Do With Your Hands,” features two time TNA World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, AJ Styles. The video was directed by Stephen Shepherd and produced by John Burke. Darling wrote nine of the tracks on her […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00adminhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngadmin2011-02-11 14:10:152011-02-11 14:10:15Darling Video Debuts
New artists, sponsors, dates and features have been added to the 2011 Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown tour. The second-annual, outdoor amphitheater trek will feature two stages and seven headliners, including Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Craig Campbell, and Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real. And just added, Jack Ingram will […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Michellehttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngMichelle2011-02-11 12:38:342011-02-11 12:38:34Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour
The 19th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will take place March 29-April 2 in Nashville. The event is produced by Nashville Songwriters Association International which claims that it is the world’s largest all-songwriter festival. Last year 300 songwriters performed over 70 shows at eight Nashville venues in front of crowds estimated to exceed 9,000. […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00adminhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngadmin2011-02-11 12:30:292011-02-11 12:30:29Tin Pan South Prepares 2011 Offering
SPIN ZONE Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” scores another week in the CountryBreakout Chart’s top spot, but loses a few spins in the process. Positions 2-4 are separated by approximately 120 spins, so the next No. 1 is likely going to be a shootout between Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World,” Taylor Swift’s […]
Rodney Crowell’s new memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks, (Knopf) offers a look at his childhood and his parent’s often rocky marriage, set against the backdrop of 1950’s Houston, Texas. Crowell, the only child of a hard-drinking father and a Holy Roller mother, shares wild anecdotes such as the time he broke up his parents’ raucous New Year’s Eve […]
Lady Antebellum is the most-nominated country group heading into Sunday night’s (2/13) Grammy Awards. Zac Brown Band follows closely with four nods. Lady A will compete in the all-genre categories for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, all for smash single and album “Need You Now.” Also in […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-11 09:44:272011-02-11 09:44:27Grammy Preview: Lady A Leads Heading Into Awards
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Michellehttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngMichelle2011-02-11 09:42:592011-02-11 09:42:59Miranda Dazzles; Taylor Travels; Penrod and Sweeny Perform
The Egyptian crisis is disrupting financial markets and political strategies around the world, but closer to home and having more immediate consequences for the music industry is the continued movements of EMI and Warner Music Group. Both companies are in play. WMG has already announced its buy/sell strategy concerning the record label and its Warner Chappell publishing assets. EMI, now owned by Citigroup who recently wrested the corporation from the hands of Terra Firma’s Guy Hands is also in a sell mode.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00adminhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngadmin2011-02-11 09:35:102011-02-11 09:35:10WMG And Citigroup Race To Attract Buyers
A private reception hosted by country music legend Larry Gatlin will pay tribute to the life and memory of music executive Merlin Littlefield, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2008. Lisa Niemi Swayze, who lost her husband Patrick to pancreatic cancer in 2009, will be a special guest speaker. The private fundraising event, which takes […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00adminhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngadmin2011-02-10 15:54:162011-02-10 15:54:16Fundraiser In Memory Of Merlin Littlefield To Fight Pancreatic Cancer
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/10195036/ladies3.jpg195570Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-10 15:34:102011-02-10 15:34:10New Singles From Country Songstresses
Edison Research Strategy VP Tom Webster has written an interesting blog regarding Facebook’s practice of “attention rationing” with respect to its news feed. Webster points out that the social network’s news feed changed its flow a while back from a “chronological, roughly real-time stream of your friends’ activities, to something a little more ‘selective.’ ” […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-10 13:36:392011-02-10 13:36:39Around The Web
Concert industry trade publication Pollstar handed out its 22nd annual awards on Feb. 5. Several Nashvillians, and executives with strong country music connections, were among the winners at the party at Los Angeles’ Club Nokia. The awards are voted on by members of the live entertainment business, and based on touring from 2010. Best New […]
The 3rd Annual “Stars Go Blue” benefit concert for colon cancer is scheduled for March 16 at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The event benefits the Blue Note Fund, a Colon Cancer Alliance program which provides financial support for colon cancer patients in need of financial assistance. The theme of this year’s show is […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Michellehttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngMichelle2011-02-10 10:59:352011-02-10 10:59:35Stars Go Blue Benefit Concert
Shock Ink expands • Craig Morgan/BNA split • Bluewater signs NeedToBreathe • CMA debuts “Member of the Month” • Jay Frank web feature • Duncan/Spinville work The New Relics • Class Act signs The Hillbenders • Verge Network launches
CMT is launching a singing-songwriting competition with producers Nigel Lythgoe and his son Simon Lythgoe, both known for work on American Idol. CMT’s Next Superstar is already in production and the 10-installment show is on track to debut in April. Though the focus is on performing and songwriting, the series will also include media challenges […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-09 15:14:372011-02-09 15:14:37CMT Teams With "Idol" Producers For Singing Competiton
The newly elected IEBA Board of Directors held their first board meeting of the year January 25 at the new host hotel for IEBA’s annual conference, the Sheraton Downtown Nashville. The board participated the previous day in several committee meetings followed by a cocktail reception. As previously announced, the dates for the 2011 conference are […]
SoundExchange’s Board of Directors announced today that longtime Executive Vice President and General Counsel Michael Huppe will be the nonprofit’s new President. Huppe succeeds former head John Simson, who announced his intention in July to return to creative work, ending his ten-year stewardship of the non-profit he had led since its inception. In recent years, […]
McBride on the Grammys • Paltrow on Oscars • Paisley at Daytona • Plus new releases from Thompson Square, Steve Wariner, Con Hunley, and Waylon Tribute
This week, we have two superstars at the peak of their powers and two newcomers vying to rock your world.
The superstars in question are Ronnie Dunn and Keith Urban. The understated, restrained performance by the latter won my heart as the Disc of the Day. The two rocking first timers are Bridgette Tatum and actor-singer Christian Kane. Despite my reservations about his using a rock producer, Christian Kane’s songwriting ability and undeniable vocal talent led me to crown him with a DisCovery Award.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Robert K Oermannhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2011-02-09 09:52:032011-02-09 09:52:03DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/9/11)
David Gales, Founder and Partner of The Gales Network (TGN), is returning to the company after two years as a digital executive with Sony Music Nashville. At TGN, he rejoins Chief Strategist Melinda Scruggs Gales in providing clients with brand direction, marketing and media services. “My tour at Sony furthered my insight into what’s important […]
The Garth Brooks Nashville concert series at Bridgestone Arena, spearheaded by Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, raised $5 million to support Tennessee flood recovery through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. To-date, The Community Foundation has collected $4.35 million of the $5 million from its concert sales or from amounts pledged toward this effort. The nine sold-out concerts, […]
Ramsey Casteel, an associate manager at Mike Robertson Management, passed away in his hometown Dallas on February 3, 2011. He was 29 and had fought courageously through an 18-month battle with cancer. Friends and family say he was blessed with support and kindness throughout the illness, which he faced with patience, courage and dignity. Casteel […]
Sunday night’s Super Bowl was the most-watched telecast in U.S. history, attracting 111 million viewers (Nielsen). Ratings for other popular TV events may pale by comparison, but the numbers are worth a look.
Dailey & Vincent were the big winners at the 37th Annual SPBGMA [Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America] Bluegrass Music Awards, held over the weekend at Nashville’s Music City Sheraton. The duo took home Bluegrass Band of the Year, Entertaining Group of the Year, and Album of the Year (for Dailey & Vincent […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2011-02-08 10:35:042011-02-08 10:35:04CMA Names First Festival Performers
Faith Hill Set For Symphony Fashion Show
/by Sarah SkatesWynonna, Kathy Mattea, and Steve Wariner will perform with the Symphony’s Pop Series.
Grammy Party Pics [updated 2/16]
/by Sarah SkatesJaneDear at the Warner bash, Chris Young at the Sony party, Keith and Nicole at EMI event, and a Bigger Picture celebration.
ACM Reveals Radio Winners
/by Sarah SkatesACM radio award winners were announced this morning (2/15). They will not be televised due to time constraints during the live telecast of the ACM Awards on April 3. Winners in radio categories will be invited to receive their awards at a private reception in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 2. This marks the third […]
New Paisley Project Coming In May
/by Sarah SkatesIt’s the first major release date revealed this year, but SoundScan watchers will have to wait until May to see a sales boost. Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley is slated to release his new album, This Is Country Music, on May 24 via Arista. Paisley once again teamed with longtime producer Frank […]
Matraca Berg Plans New Release
/by Sarah SkatesPlus news on projects from George Jones, Ralph Stanley, Jeff Bates and Kenny Rogers.
TV Round-up with Red, Steel Magnolia, Aaron Lewis
/by Michelle>>Nashville-based rock group Red performed “Faceless” on Conan last week (2/8). The Provident Label Group act will also perform on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno tomorrow (2/16). Red’s latest release, Until We Have Faces (2/1/2011) was the highest debut in the country, claiming the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Top 200 its first […]
Morning News From The Web
/by Sarah SkatesPost-Grammy sales bump • Pandora IPO • Apple streaming music service • AC Entertainment • CAA, Qualcomm team for Creative Mobile Labs
Grammy Reaction Around The Web
/by Sarah SkatesNashville is on a Grammy winning streak. Last night’s wins by Lady Antebellum marked the third year in a row that a Nashville act has been the show’s top winner. Last year Taylor Swift scored big, and in 2009, the most trophies went to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. It is a testament to the […]
Benefits: BAMS, W.O. Smith, Children's Hospital
/by MichelleClay Walker wins golf tournament • Birdhouse Thing Benefit March 10 • Music City Tennis Invitational Pre-tournament Songwriter Showcase
Grammys Score Best Ratings In A Decade
/by Sarah SkatesLast night’s (2/13) Grammy Awards were the show’s most viewed telecast since 2001, drawing 26.6 million total viewers and securing a win for CBS. The show’s ratings have been on a steady rise in recent years, with a 3 percent increase over last year’s broadcast which attracted 25.8 million viewers. In the key adults 18-49 […]
Grammy Ads Feature Growing Number of Celebs
/by Sarah SkatesNearly one out of four advertisements during last night’s (2/13) Grammy Awards featured a celebrity endorsement, according to a report by Greenlight, a company specializing in licensing and rights clearance. Among the other findings of the GreenLight Ad Gauge: • celeb ads were up 47% over last year, and up more than 250% from 2009 […]
Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Viewing Party
/by Bobby KarlChapter 358—The Nashville Grammy viewing party had door prizes, a dance DJ upstairs hosted by Red Bull, the Gibson Guitar tour bus parked outside and a generally merry atmosphere.
Sony Signs Bush Hawg
/by MichelleSony Music Nashville has officially welcomed the band Bush Hawg as the newest act on its RCA Nashville roster. Bush Hawg’s debut album will release later this year.
Lady A Sweeps Grammys
/by Sarah SkatesLady Antebellum won five Grammy awards last night, including the all-genre tropies for Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Need You Now.”
Jan ’11 RIAA Awards
/by adminThe RIAA’s January 2011 report names several Nashville artists. Earning Gold certifications (500k shipped) are Keith Urban (Get Closer) and Tim McGraw (Number One Hits). Albums by Jason Aldean (My Kinda Party) and Miranda Lambert (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) joined the Platinum ranks (one million shipped). In the digital single arena, fans of Taylor Swift (“Mine”), Carrie […]
4th Annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends Benefit Concert
/by MichelleThe fourth annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends benefit concert is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 at The Loveless Barn in Nashville. Artists performing live include Jeffrey Steele and his band, Keith Anderson, Frankie Ballard, Troy Gentry, LoCash Cowboys, James Otto, and Chuck Wicks. The event will also feature live and silent auctions, […]
IODA and Alan Lomax Plan Archive Releases
/by MichelleThe Alan Lomax Archive and IODA, the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, have partnered to make thousands of traditional and vernacular music recordings available worldwide. As part of the campaign, Lomax and IODA will disseminate Lomax’s recordings digitally to an international network of retailers. The partnership comes on the heels of the recently released biography, Alan Lomax: […]
Artist Tidbits: AMA at SXSW, Stuart's 10th Late Night Jam, and More
/by MichelleAmericana Music Association • Marty Stuart • James Otto • Blake Shelton • Brett Eldredge • Zac Brown Band • Colt Ford • Margaret Durante
Darling Video Debuts
/by adminSarah Darling has debuted a video for the first single from her latest CD, Angels & Devils. The video/single, “Something To Do With Your Hands,” features two time TNA World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, AJ Styles. The video was directed by Stephen Shepherd and produced by John Burke. Darling wrote nine of the tracks on her […]
Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour
/by MichelleNew artists, sponsors, dates and features have been added to the 2011 Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown tour. The second-annual, outdoor amphitheater trek will feature two stages and seven headliners, including Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Craig Campbell, and Lukas Nelson & the Promise of the Real. And just added, Jack Ingram will […]
Tin Pan South Prepares 2011 Offering
/by adminThe 19th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will take place March 29-April 2 in Nashville. The event is produced by Nashville Songwriters Association International which claims that it is the world’s largest all-songwriter festival. Last year 300 songwriters performed over 70 shows at eight Nashville venues in front of crowds estimated to exceed 9,000. […]
Weekly Chart Report (2/11/11)
/by FreemanSPIN ZONE Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” scores another week in the CountryBreakout Chart’s top spot, but loses a few spins in the process. Positions 2-4 are separated by approximately 120 spins, so the next No. 1 is likely going to be a shootout between Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World,” Taylor Swift’s […]
Reading List: Crowell, Lomax, Louvins and Murphy's Laws
/by Sarah SkatesRodney Crowell’s new memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks, (Knopf) offers a look at his childhood and his parent’s often rocky marriage, set against the backdrop of 1950’s Houston, Texas. Crowell, the only child of a hard-drinking father and a Holy Roller mother, shares wild anecdotes such as the time he broke up his parents’ raucous New Year’s Eve […]
Grammy Preview: Lady A Leads Heading Into Awards
/by Sarah SkatesLady Antebellum is the most-nominated country group heading into Sunday night’s (2/13) Grammy Awards. Zac Brown Band follows closely with four nods. Lady A will compete in the all-genre categories for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, all for smash single and album “Need You Now.” Also in […]
Miranda Dazzles; Taylor Travels; Penrod and Sweeny Perform
/by MichelleMiranda Lambert Celebrates Platinum Success • Taylor Swift In Singapore • Guy Penrod Visits MusicRow • Sunny Sweeney Visits Academy of Country Music
WMG And Citigroup Race To Attract Buyers
/by adminThe Egyptian crisis is disrupting financial markets and political strategies around the world, but closer to home and having more immediate consequences for the music industry is the continued movements of EMI and Warner Music Group. Both companies are in play. WMG has already announced its buy/sell strategy concerning the record label and its Warner Chappell publishing assets. EMI, now owned by Citigroup who recently wrested the corporation from the hands of Terra Firma’s Guy Hands is also in a sell mode.
Fundraiser In Memory Of Merlin Littlefield To Fight Pancreatic Cancer
/by adminA private reception hosted by country music legend Larry Gatlin will pay tribute to the life and memory of music executive Merlin Littlefield, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2008. Lisa Niemi Swayze, who lost her husband Patrick to pancreatic cancer in 2009, will be a special guest speaker. The private fundraising event, which takes […]
New Singles From Country Songstresses
/by Sarah SkatesRising females Joanna Smith, Ashton Shepherd, Jana Kramer, and Katie Armiger have music climbing the charts.
Facebook Prioritizes News Feeds
/by adminEdison Research Strategy VP Tom Webster has written an interesting blog regarding Facebook’s practice of “attention rationing” with respect to its news feed. Webster points out that the social network’s news feed changed its flow a while back from a “chronological, roughly real-time stream of your friends’ activities, to something a little more ‘selective.’ ” […]
Mike Fisher Moves To Preds
/by Sarah SkatesCarrie Underwood’s hockey-star hubby Mike Fisher has been acquired by the Nashville Predators.
Around The Web
/by Sarah SkatesOnline buzz about Doug Morris, Twitter, Gaylord, and Warner.
Nashville Winners At "Pollstar" Awards
/by Sarah SkatesConcert industry trade publication Pollstar handed out its 22nd annual awards on Feb. 5. Several Nashvillians, and executives with strong country music connections, were among the winners at the party at Los Angeles’ Club Nokia. The awards are voted on by members of the live entertainment business, and based on touring from 2010. Best New […]
Fab Photos (2/10)
/by Sarah SkatesWMN execs at SOLID event • GAC and High Five Entertainment win Emmy • Gloriana and Grammys takes students to studio • New artist Chris Cavanaugh
Stars Go Blue Benefit Concert
/by MichelleThe 3rd Annual “Stars Go Blue” benefit concert for colon cancer is scheduled for March 16 at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The event benefits the Blue Note Fund, a Colon Cancer Alliance program which provides financial support for colon cancer patients in need of financial assistance. The theme of this year’s show is […]
Industry Ink: Shock Ink Adds Online Marketing
/by Sarah SkatesShock Ink expands • Craig Morgan/BNA split • Bluewater signs NeedToBreathe • CMA debuts “Member of the Month” • Jay Frank web feature • Duncan/Spinville work The New Relics • Class Act signs The Hillbenders • Verge Network launches
CMT Teams With "Idol" Producers For Singing Competiton
/by Sarah SkatesCMT is launching a singing-songwriting competition with producers Nigel Lythgoe and his son Simon Lythgoe, both known for work on American Idol. CMT’s Next Superstar is already in production and the 10-installment show is on track to debut in April. Though the focus is on performing and songwriting, the series will also include media challenges […]
IEBA Announces 2011 Board
/by MichelleThe newly elected IEBA Board of Directors held their first board meeting of the year January 25 at the new host hotel for IEBA’s annual conference, the Sheraton Downtown Nashville. The board participated the previous day in several committee meetings followed by a cocktail reception. As previously announced, the dates for the 2011 conference are […]
SoundExchange Names Huppe President
/by Sarah SkatesSoundExchange’s Board of Directors announced today that longtime Executive Vice President and General Counsel Michael Huppe will be the nonprofit’s new President. Huppe succeeds former head John Simson, who announced his intention in July to return to creative work, ending his ten-year stewardship of the non-profit he had led since its inception. In recent years, […]
Martina McBride On Grammys
/by Sarah SkatesMcBride on the Grammys • Paltrow on Oscars • Paisley at Daytona • Plus new releases from Thompson Square, Steve Wariner, Con Hunley, and Waylon Tribute
Country Slide—YTD Sales Off 14.3%
/by adminThe winter doldrums haven’t just frozen Nashville’s weather. The country sales charts are also shivering from cold consumer indifference.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/9/11)
/by Robert K OermannThis week, we have two superstars at the peak of their powers and two newcomers vying to rock your world.
The superstars in question are Ronnie Dunn and Keith Urban. The understated, restrained performance by the latter won my heart as the Disc of the Day. The two rocking first timers are Bridgette Tatum and actor-singer Christian Kane. Despite my reservations about his using a rock producer, Christian Kane’s songwriting ability and undeniable vocal talent led me to crown him with a DisCovery Award.
David Gales Returns To The Gales Network
/by Sarah SkatesDavid Gales, Founder and Partner of The Gales Network (TGN), is returning to the company after two years as a digital executive with Sony Music Nashville. At TGN, he rejoins Chief Strategist Melinda Scruggs Gales in providing clients with brand direction, marketing and media services. “My tour at Sony furthered my insight into what’s important […]
Garth Concerts Raise $5 Million
/by MichelleThe Garth Brooks Nashville concert series at Bridgestone Arena, spearheaded by Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, raised $5 million to support Tennessee flood recovery through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. To-date, The Community Foundation has collected $4.35 million of the $5 million from its concert sales or from amounts pledged toward this effort. The nine sold-out concerts, […]
Sony Announces Realignment
/by adminLast night (2/8) Sony Music Nashville announced a realignment of its staff. This story is being updated as it develops.
Lifenotes: Ramsey Casteel
/by Sarah SkatesRamsey Casteel, an associate manager at Mike Robertson Management, passed away in his hometown Dallas on February 3, 2011. He was 29 and had fought courageously through an 18-month battle with cancer. Friends and family say he was blessed with support and kindness throughout the illness, which he faced with patience, courage and dignity. Casteel […]
ACM Takes Dunn, Evans To Fremont Street
/by Sarah SkatesACM party with Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans • Plus, news from Little Big Town, Trailer Choir, and the Doobie Brothers
Ratings Race: Super Bowl v. Awards Shows
/by Sarah SkatesSunday night’s Super Bowl was the most-watched telecast in U.S. history, attracting 111 million viewers (Nielsen). Ratings for other popular TV events may pale by comparison, but the numbers are worth a look.
Artist Action (2/8)
/by MichelleTV appearances by Gretchen Wilson, Josh Turner, and Laura Bell Bundy • Chris Young Celebrates No. 1 • Frankie Ballard and Josh Thompson at the Opry
Dailey & Vincent Lead SPBGMA Bluegrass Honors
/by Sarah SkatesDailey & Vincent were the big winners at the 37th Annual SPBGMA [Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America] Bluegrass Music Awards, held over the weekend at Nashville’s Music City Sheraton. The duo took home Bluegrass Band of the Year, Entertaining Group of the Year, and Album of the Year (for Dailey & Vincent […]
CMA Names First Festival Performers
/by Sarah SkatesIn a testament to the power of social networking, the CMA tipped the news this morning on its official Facebook page.