Trace Adkins Leaps To No. 1

With Neilsen-Soundscan reporting first-week sales of close to 50,000 copies, Show Dog-Universal artist Trace Adkins is back to dominating the music charts as his new album, Cowboy’s Back In Town, enters the Billboard Country Album Chart this week at No. 1. The album landed at No. 5 on the Top 200. While Cowboy’s Back In […]

Marty Stuart’s “Ghost Train” Comes To Town

Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives celebrated the release of their new album, Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions, with an SRO performance at Nashville’s Belcourt Theater last night (8/25). The perfectly paced show featured plenty of virtuosic mandolin and guitar picking from traditionalist Stuart and showcased his Superlatives – guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Harry […]

Lady A Lands Three in the Top 10

Capitol Nashville’s superstar trio Lady Antebellum scored three spots in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart this week as their two studio albums, Need You Now and Lady Antebellum, were joined by the group’s newly released iTunes Session at the top. With Neilsen SoundScan reporting sales approaching 18,000, Lady A’s iTunes […]

Circle Unbroken: Opry Returns Home

Grand Ole Opry officials today announced that the show, displaced from its permanent home due to May’s historic Nashville flood, will return to the Grand Ole Opry House with a star-packed show Tues., Sept. 28. Among the artists scheduled for the show are Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels Band, Diamond Rio, Jimmy […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/25/10)

The stars are blindingly bright this week. Here for your listening enjoyment are top-tier new sounds from Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Jamey Johnson. That’s what I call an embarrassment of riches. Up-and-comers like Jaron & The Long Road to Love and Crossin’ Dixon have fresh offerings, too.

Secretary Of Commerce To Address Music Piracy

United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke will visit Nashville next week to hear from the music industry about the impact of rampant music piracy. Locke will conduct a Discussion Forum on Monday, Aug. 30, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at a location near Music Row. The location will be announced later this week. “With an estimated […]

Vince Gill To Headline Gulf Coast Benefit

Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill will headline a free outdoor Back to the Beach concert Saturday, Sept. 25, from the Beaches of South Walton along Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast. Fans are invited to enjoy this casual, 90-minute concert amidst the relaxed and scenic setting at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. “We’re showing […]

CCD App To Track Recording Metadata

A three-way partnership between The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing, BMS/Chase and the Library of Congress has yielded a standardized approach and software model for gathering and managing metadata for recorded music. Computers love metadata, information about files, embedded in those files. In this case it’s the information about tracks, musicians, song titles, producer, […]

BMI Appeals DMX Rate-Court Decision

BMI has filed an appeal of the DMX decision issued by Judge Louis Stanton, BMI’s rate-court judge to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the company announced today. BMI’s appeal on behalf of its songwriters, composers and music publishers will seek reversal of a court decision that, according to DMX’s outside […]

Hall of Fame Spotlights Wynette

On Saturday (8/21) at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, visitors were treated to a panel discussion on the life and career of Tammy Wynette. The nearly two-hour program, hosted by the Vice President of Museum Programs Jay Orr, was part of opening weekend activities for the new exhibition, Tammy Wynette: First Lady […]

James Otto Is A New Dad

Warner Bros. Records Nashville artist James Otto and his  wife Amy are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Ava Katherine Otto. Born Tuesday night at 9:23 pm at a Nashville-area hospital, Ava Katherine came into this world weighing 8 lbs., 2 oz. and is 19 1/2 inches long. “We can’t believe Ava is […]

Faith Hill Performs For Katrina Victims

Warner Bros. artist Faith Hill has followed up her Nashville Rising flood benefit with an appearance Tuesday night (8/24) in New Orleans to benefit victims of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. The singer performed a free concert at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. “We are here for you still and you are not forgotten,” Hill said. “I feel […]

Owen Opens Sandbox Entertainment

Longtime record label executive Jason Owen is launching a management firm with Shania Twain as his first client. Today he is announcing the launch of Sandbox Entertainment, a full-service management and entertainment company which will be based in Nashville and open its doors on Sept. 7. Owen’s last day as Senior Vice President of Artist […]

John Ettinger Launches Firm

Veteran music industry executive John Ettinger has formed Ettinger Talent Associates (ETA), an artist management and consulting firm. His first clients are Grammy nominated band Emerson Drive and singer Alissa Griffith. Ettinger will also serve as a consultant for various other projects. “This is an exciting time in our industry, an evolution of what controls […]

Martha’s Vineyard Gets Songwriters

The 2nd Annual Martha’s Vineyard Songwriter’s Festival takes place Sept. 24-25 on the famous island off the Massachusetts coastline. Concerts will take place at Mansion house in Vineyard Haven and at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. The festival features a variety of BMI pop and country writers in exclusive lineups and intimate settings. Advance tickets […]

ACM Adds SVP Teresa George

The Academy of Country Music has hired Nashville-based veteran music executive Teresa George as Senior Vice President, Brand Integration & Strategic Partnerships. This forms the ACM’s first internal branding and corporate promotional outreach department. George will report directly to ACM Executive Director Bob Romeo. “Teresa has been an important part of the ACM team for […]

Singer Bill Phillips Passes

Country singer Bill Phillips, best known for his hit “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” and for playing a pivotal role in Dolly Parton’s early career died yesterday, Aug. 23. He was 74. Parton co-wrote and sang on “Tomorrow,” which helped her garner enough attention to land a record deal. When Phillips came to Nashville he […]

Nashvillians Help Revive Fame Studios

Muscle Shoals, Alabama’s renowned Fame Studios, its publishing company, and record label are experiencing a revival. Hit Nashville songwriter Brad Crisler has signed with House of Fame Publishing, where Music Row veteran Steve Williams has been hired on as Creative Director. For Crisler, it is a return the publishing company where he had early success. […]

ole Piques Interest With Liz Rose’s Notebook

With budgets and playlists getting smaller by the day,
the Nashville music publishing scene has grown increasingly competitive, forcing songwriters and publishers to become more innovative and resourceful in their efforts to get songs recorded. Ole, one of Nashville’s most successful independent publishers, is leading the charge for creative catalog promotion by handing out copies of songwriter Liz Rose’s notebook.

Country Co-hosts on “Today”

Country stars are filling-in as co-hosts on NBC’s Today show this week. Yesterday (8/23) Blake Shelton joined Hoda Kotb while regular co-host Kathie Lee Gifford is out on vacation. Amid jokes about the need for a five-second delay and his notorious Tweets, Shelton serenaded Kotb, showed off his cooking skills, and talked about his fashion […]

Trailer Choir

“It’s nearly Fall. It’s Tailgate time and with this song Trailer Choir delivers a fun, upbeat hit for Country Radio. It’s perfect for the season!” Tim Roberts, WYCD/WOMC Operations/Program Director. Trailer Choir has long been known for its energetic live shows, so it’s only appropriate the group’s latest single was ‘born’ at a concert. “Shakin’ […]

Luke Bryan Scores Back-to-Back Gold

Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Luke Bryan has just scored his second consecutive RIAA certified Gold digital single for “Rain Is A Good Thing.” In the last nine months, Bryan has been at the top of his career game. He celebrated his first No. 1 with “Do I,” which was Gold® certified. Then he had […]

Dolly Heads Back To The Big Screen

Dolly Parton is set for a return to the silver screen. She’ll star alongside Queen Latifah in Joyful Noise, a musically driven feature about an unlikely partnership between two strong-minded women who are forced to work together to save a small town choir from budget cuts. Joyful Noise is expected to include musical contributions from […]

Marty Stuart’s “Ghost Train” Rides Today

Marty Stuart has a new album out today (8/24) on Sugar Hill Records. Ghost Train: The Studio B Sessions is already garnering praise from outlets like No Depression. He’ll tour in support of the release, kicking off the run tomorrow night (8/25) at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre. Tonight at 6:30 PM Stuart will make an appearance […]

Walden’s Puddle Palooza Gets Wet

The 2010 Walden’s Puddle “Puddle-Palooza” benefit concert and festival was held Aug. 21 at Nashville’s Yogi Bear™ Jellystone Park and hosted by the Music Valley Merchants Association. Strong afternoon rains curtailed a portion of the concert. The event raises funds for Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center. In addition to the concert, other family-friendly activities […]

Promo Update: Big Machine; Quarterback

Big Machine Label Group has named Mandy McCormack National Director, Radio Marketing, and added Kris Lamb to fill her former West Coast Regional post. In the newly-created role, McCormack will work with Sr. Director, New Media & National Promotion Strategy John Zarling in managing national promotion campaigns for artists on the Big Machine and Valory […]

Chesney Shares Details of Deluxe Edition

Kenny Chesney will release a deluxe edition of his upcoming album Hemingway’s Whiskey. The CD-plus-DVD set will be out September 28, just like the regular package. The expanded set’s CD includes two bonus tracks and an in-depth conversation with Chesney about each of the songs. The DVD’s half-hour of content includes a thank you from […]

The Country Network To Air Via Sinclair

The new music video channel The Country Network (TCN) has been picked up by Sinclair Broadcast Group and will be available in some markets by October. Tammy Genovese joined TCN’s Music Row office as Pres. TCN Nashville in April. TCN and Sinclair have entered into an agreement to launch TCN’s star-hosted music video programming on […]

Stars At Christmas 4 Kids and Buds-N-Suds Benefits

Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, and Sawyer Brown will perform at the Charlie Daniels Band’s annual Christmas 4 Kids concert. The show will be Monday, November 22 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The accompanying Tour Bus Show/Artist Meet and Greet will take place on Monday, December 13 in Hendersonville, TN. Ticket details at www.christmas4kids.org ••••••••••••••• Jerrod Niemann […]

One Group of Moderators For All CRS Panels

In a departure from the usual format for Country Radio Seminar, all of the panels at the 2011 conference will be moderated by the same group of country radio veterans. The five individuals chosen by the CRB Board of Directors as the inaugural class of CRS moderators are Charlie Cook (McVay Media), Erica Farber (The […]

Photos: WMBA Week; FBMM Helps Habitat

The Women’s Music Business Association kicked off WMBA Week by visiting the CMA to share Izzie’s Italian ice. The WMBA is also serving free Izzie’s Ice at Owen Bradley Park this Wednesday from 11am – 1pm, and invites the Music Row community to stop by. The group is celebrating its new non-profit status with events […]

Side Projects: Montgomery’s Restaurant; Wayne’s Book

Eddie Montgomery is busy planning the Sept. 14 grand opening of his steak house in hometown Harrodsburg, Ky. The 20,000 square foot entertainment and dining complex is called Eddie Montgomery’s Steakhouse. It is set on 23 acres, which Montgomery says will soon be the site of an outdoor entertainment amphitheater, nearby hotel and other family-friendly […]

Aldean Brings The “Party” This Nov.

Jason Aldean has set a Nov. 2 release date for his fourth studio album, My Kinda Party. After spending more weeks at No. 1 on the country radio charts than any other artist in over a year, the star’s fans are itching for new music. The title track is already at radio. Aldean’s upcoming release […]

Radio Welcomes Jesse Lee and Adam Brand

Jesse Lee In Wisconsin Jesse Lee stopped by to see John & Tammy at WMAD in Madison, WI and spent some time on the air with the morning team and visited with station PD Mike Ferris. • • • Adam Brand In Atlanta Arista Nashville’s Australian newcomer Adam Brand was in Atlanta recently, where his […]

Friday Photos: On The Road, At The Beach

Troy Olsen Visits CMT EMI Records Nashville flagship artist Troy Olsen recently stopped by the downtown Nashville offices of CMT to meet the staff and perform a few songs including his current single “Summer Thing.” • • • Mark Chesnutt’s Country Vibe Saguaro Road Records artist Mark Chesnutt recently stopped by The Stage on Lower […]

Miranda Lambert Readies Live DVD

Reigning ACM Top Female Vocalist Miranda Lambert will release her first performance DVD, Revolution: Live By Candlelight on October 12. The six-song DVD features rare, acoustic performances of five songs from her 2010 ACM Album of the Year, Revolution, including her back-to-back No. 1 singles, “White Liar,” and “The House That Built Me.” As an […]

Royalty Rights Revenue Stream Maze

Earlier this week Digital Music News highlighted these two royalty payment flow charts. The first, titled Working In Music is drawn from a British perspective and created by Wiggin LLP. The second is from a U.S. perspective offered by royalty admin specialist MusicReports. To see the large size versions click here and click here.

Gary Allan Joins Houser, Niemann On “Pain” Tour

MCA Records artist Gary Allan has announced the second leg of his fall tour. The first leg of the Get Off On The Pain Tour sold out shows from Club Nokia Live in Los Angeles to the Superpages.com Center in Dallas to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. With a hugely successful run under his belt, Allan […]

SAE Scholarship Honors Flood Victim

SAE Institute Nashville and the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus announced today that Nebraska native Alexander Eiberhardt is the winner of their inaugural scholarship to honor the memory of former SAE Institute student, Dan Brown. The aspiring musician and engineer student was tragically killed this year in the Nashville floods. In his name, the two […]

Jimmy Wayne Fights Hunger With Bryan Foods

Valory Music Company artist Jimmy Wayne and Bryan Foods have partnered once again to get more than 2500 pounds of food to the hungry, this time coming to the aid of those in the Gulf Coast region affected by the oil spill. The food was recently delivered to the Community Center of St Bernard in […]

Weekly Chart Report (8/20/10)

SPIN ZONE Congratulations to Capitol Records and its promoters on earning a second consecutive week as the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 song with Lady Antebellum’s “Our Kind Of Love.” Lady A currently has a comfortable margin of victory, but Billy Currington’s “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer,” Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys Of Fall,” and Darius Rucker’s […]

AOL’s The Boot Premieres Bo Bice Video

Bo Bice’s video for his current single, “You Take Yourself With You,” premieres worldwide on AOL Music/The Boot this week. The video was directed by Marcel Chagnon (Clay Walker’s “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” The Grascals’ “Last Train to Clarksville”) and was filmed at several locations earlier this summer. Shot in rural Nashville, the video […]

Big Machine Teams With Commerce Site Moontoast

Big Machine Records and Moontoast have announced that they have reached an agreement for Moontoast to provide their direct-to-fan Embedded Store, a component of Moontoast’s Social Commerce Platform. Fans of Big Machine and The Valory Music Co. artists will utilize the Moontoast Embedded Store to purchase music, videos, and other items directly from the artist-related […]

News Bits: CMA Tix, Trailer Choir, LBT & More

CMA Awards Ticket Time The CMA has announced that qualifying CMA members may now purchase CMA Awards tickets through http://My.CMAworld.com. CMA Members must place their orders no later than Friday, Sept. 10. As a reminder, the 2009 CMA Awards sold out in advance.  
The 44th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville […]

NSAI Readies Annual SongPosium

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)’s SongPosium Week is set to educate, elevate and celebrate songwriters from Monday, September 20 through Saturday, September 25. Kicking off the week is the World’s Largest #1 Party at NSAI (1710 Roy Acuff Place) on Monday, September 20 from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Industry professionals and SongPosium attendees are invited […]

Universal Ups Putnam, Adds Tyrell

Universal Group Music Nashville has expanded its promotion staff with the promotion of Joe Putnam to Vice President of National Promotion and the appointment of Michelle Tyrrell to Director of Promotion/Northeast for MCA Nashville. The announcement was made today by Royce Risser, Senior Vice President of Promotion for Universal Music Group Nashville. In his new […]

Steve Moore Named CMA CEO

The CMA Board of Directors has named industry veteran Steve Moore as CMA’s Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Moore, who will now step down from his post as Chairman of the Board, has been the interim leader of the Association since January. According to the CMA, Moore possesses the diverse qualities and experience necessary to […]

CAA’s Dennis and Murphy, Pretty Good At Beer Pong

Creative Artist Agency’s Marc Dennis and Darin Murphy (team name: The CAA Chupacabra) took home the coveted Bud Light trophy after winning UMG Nashville’s amazingly-named First Annual, Last Ever, Inaugural Billy Currington For Your CMA Consideration Music Row “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” Beer Pong Tournament yesterday (8/18) at Nashville’s Tin Roof. MusicRow’s own David […]

Behind The Scenes With Joey+Rory

Husband/wife country duo Joey+Rory have filmed a video for “This Song’s For You,” a collaboration with Zac Brown Band and the leadoff single from their upcoming sophomore release, Album #2. CMT is offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the video, which spotlights working people in and around the couple’s rural Middle Tennessee hometown. […]

Currington Set To Release “Enjoy Yourself”

The fourth record from Mercury Nashville artist Billy Currington is set for release September 21. The album is entitled Enjoy Yourself and includes the Currington’s Top 5 smash, “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer,” written by Troy Jones. Enjoy Yourself, featuring the Georgia native’s trademark mix of country, R&B and beach music, is produced by Currington […]