SXSW Adds Fashion Focus, Names Keynote

Preparations are underway for SXSW 2011, set to bombard the streets of Austin March 11-20. As the music, film and industry event enters its 25th year, it has added a fashion component to the mix. Organizers have also announced that political activist and musician Bob Geldof will be the Keynote Speaker and Showcase Performer. The […]

Dan Keen Named Belmont Instructor

The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business (CEMB) has appointed longtime adjunct Dan Keen Instructor of Music Business. The industry veteran is a 2007 alum of Belmont’s Master of Education program and also serves on the CEMB Advisory Board. Keen’s career has included time as VP at ASCAP, even receiving the PRO’s Award […]

Singer Margaret Whiting Passes

Pop vocalist Margaret Whiting, who was made an honorary member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1949, has died at age 86. Capitol Records paired Whiting with singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely in a series of highly successful duets, beginning with 1949’s “Slipping Around.” As a result, Whiting became the first woman to have a No. […]

BMI Toasts "Come Back Song" Team

BMI toasted the team behind Darius Rucker’s latest chart-topper, “Come Back Song,” at an intimate dinner on Tuesday, January 11. Written by Casey Beathard, Chris Stapleton and Rucker, the song is the lead single from Rucker’s second country album Charleston, SC 1966.

ASCAP Presents BMG at the Bluebird

As part of its popular monthly songwriter showcase at the Bluebird Cafe, ASCAP Nashville presented BMG songwriters Brett James, Neil Thrasher, busbee and other guests at a sold-out show on January 11. James was ASCAP’s 2010 Country Songwriter of the Year (he also won this award in 2006, along with the Song of the Year […]

SESAC Promotes Shannan Hatch

SESAC has announced the promotion of Shannan Hatch to Sr. Dir., Writer/Publisher Relations. Formerly Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Hatch is based in Nashville’s office and will continue her duty of recruiting and nurturing the careers of songwriters and publishers. “Shannan has proven herself to be a very gifted music executive with a keen eye for recognizing […]

Chesney Sets Dates; Flatts Hit Road

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Tim McGraw are among the stars hitting the road in 2011. Following last year’s touring slump, The New York Post reports that promoters are planning to lower ticket prices for this season. Chesney, whose tickets come with a traditionally low price point, probably would have weathered the downturn with […]

Photo Edits: Peach Pickers, Dirt Drifters and Christian Kane

The Peach Pickers Celebrate “All About Tonight” • The Dirt Drifters Begin Radio Tour • Christian Kane Performs At Inaugural Ball The Peach Pickers Celebrate “All About Tonight” During a party at ASCAP on January 7, Music Row songwriting trio The Peach Pickers (Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson) celebrated another No. 1 on […]

Tracks Push Country Album Sales Positive

This year is the first time we have a complete 12-month country digital track sales report from Nielsen SoundScan, and we are excited!
The 2010 Top 200 country tracks shows a total of 57.68 million purchased. For added track perspective, we divide the total Top 200 sales by 10 to get a metric called “track equivalent album” or TEA.

Performers Set For GMA Hall of Fame Inductions

Trace Adkins, Jeremy Camp and Larry Gatlin are among the performers slated for the Jan. 24 GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Joining the hall of fame will be Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key, Golden Gate Quartet, and Bill “Hoss” Allen. The GMA Foundation (GMAF) will induct the honorees at Trinity Music City […]

MySpace Cuts Staff By Half

MySpace laid off 500 employees yesterday, a total which accounts for almost half (47%) of its worldwide workforce. Executives maintain that the downsizing is a result of the social networking site’s relaunch as a music and entertainment destination. MySpace Chief Executive Mike Jones says that the lay-offs are not a reflection of the new product’s […]

Reba, Blake To Co-Host ACM Awards

Blake Shelton will join Reba as co-host of the ACM Awards on Sun., April 3. The superstar redhead has hosted the country awards show for over a decade. Producers and show organizers say they got the idea to add Shelton to the mix when the pair appeared together on the CBS Early show. “Last year […]

Benken Joins Quarterback Records

Quarterback Records has hired Tony Benken as Vice President, Promotion. Effective immediately, Benken will oversee label contact with medium and major market radio. “This is another strong step for the growth and capability of Quarterback,” says label co-principal John Ettinger. “Tony brings a terrific skill set in promotion, and carries a wonderful reputation.  He is […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/12/11)

I am loving this format today. I love its diversity. I love the quality of its song craftsmanship. I love its mix of youth and maturity. Country music rules. In celebration, I am crowning three Disc of the Day winners. The Group prize goes to Rascal Flatts for its chesty vow of steadfastness. The Male winner is Randy Montana, who has a sonic masterpiece to offer. The Female prize, and the surprise of the day, is Ashton Shepherd.

Around The Web: Bellamys Say Britney Singing Familiar Tune

Bellamys vs. Britney • Jewel baby news • Country Strong box office • Idol update • Cheri Oteri on dad Tom Oteri • Toby’s I Love This Bar & Grill • Road Hammers split • Shooter Jennings’ new deal >>The Bellamy Brothers say that Britney Spears’ new single “Hold It Against Me” seems a little […]

Who Wins the 2010 Current Country Album Sales Sweepstakes?

Swift or Lady A? Capitol Nashville or Big Machine?
There are so many ways to dissect the year’s sales events. But one important measurement of popularity is tied to current album sales.

Exiting Red Light Staffers

Several staffers have exited Greg Hill’s Red Light management office following his move to McGhee Entertainment. Jeri Cooper can be reached at 615-496-6354 and jeri_cooper@bellsouth.net. She had joined the Red Light team in 2009 after 11 years handling radio promotion at Arista Nashville. Other exiting employees include Jennifer Poppe (jennifer.a.poppe@gmail.com), Callie Cunningham and Leighanna Smith.

Gamblin Named Exec. Dir. Of MS Arts Organization

Music business veteran Marty Gamblin has become the Executive Director of the Southern Arts and Entertainment Center, which was established in 2001 by the Mississippi legislature. Currently doing business as the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center (MEAC), the group is dedicated to honoring the lives and work of the state’s diverse artistic talent such as […]

Paisley and Underwood Spotlight Exhibit

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will be featured at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in a spotlight exhibit set to open January 18. The exhibit, Hosts with the Most: Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, will include stage costumes worn by the artists when they hosted the 2010 CMA Awards last November. The […]

Chris Young's Radio Redux

Are you having deja vu of hearing “voices”? Chris Young’s current single “Voices” is making its way up the radio charts for a second time. The same recording of the same song is resting at No. 12 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart after 22 weeks on the list—this go ‘round. The track was first released […]

Sugarland Tops Country Dance Club Song List

Marco Club Connection, a Nashville-based Country music dance venue marketing company, has released its seventh annual list of the year’s most requested Country dance club songs, with Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue” taking the top spot. “As Country music continues to incorporate more and more of a Pop element, the dance clubs can be a very […]

Parton To Be Honored During Grammy Week

>>Reminder: Voting closes tomorrow (1/12) for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, which will be held at the L.A. Staples Center on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, and broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. >>A flurry of Grammy related events will surround the awards show. On Sat., Feb. 12, the Recording Academy will honor Dolly […]

Verizon To Sell Apple's iPhone

iPhone lovers, rejoice. After what seems like years of speculation, the beloved Apple Inc. smartphone will finally be unshackled from the oppressive tyranny of AT&T and available for use through the Verizon Wireless network. Viva la revolucion! Verizon’s version of the iPhone 4 will be available for purchase Feb. 10, with the 16 GB version […]

BMI Live Offers Royalties For Any Size Show

BMI has launched BMI Live, a program enabling songwriters to register their concerts, regardless of venue size, to be considered for payment. Mike O’Neill, BMI Senior Vice President, Repertoire and Licensing, says the program is designed to ensure that performing songwriters in any stage of their careers receive payment for concerts of all sizes, from […]

McGraw Tour Presale; Hill's Floral Collection

Presale tickets for select dates of Tim McGraw’s recently announced Emotional Traffic Tour will be available today (1/11) for those registered at mcgrawfan.com. The trek gets underway in spring with special guests Luke Bryan and The Band Perry. Shows available for presale include Corpus Christi, TX (4/8); Bossier City, LA  (4/10); Savannah, GA (4/17); and […]

Garth Tickets at Wynn Las Vegas

The next series of Garth Brooks concert dates at the Wynn Las Vegas were recently announced, and tickets will go on sale Saturday, January 15. Brooks has performed to sold-out audiences at the hotel’s intimate Encore Theater since December 2009 when he announced that he would end his retirement and become a resident headliner at […]

“All About Tonight” Goes No. 1

The Georgian songwriting trio of Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip, also known as the “Peach Pickers,” celebrated their third No. 1 song in a year at a party held at BMI on January 7. Recorded by Blake Shelton, “All About Tonight” hit No. 1 in 2010 as did “All Over Me,” recorded by […]

News Items: Ballard, Wilson, Casting Crowns

Frankie Ballard Makes Opry Debut • Gretchen Wilson Quits Smoking • Casting Crowns Performs On Huckabee

Kenny Chesney, Documentarian?

Kenny Chesney’s love of football (see also: “The Boys Of Fall”) continues with the announcement that he has produced a one hour special for ESPN’s Year of the Quarterback series about former University of Tennessee quarterback Condredge Holloway. The special, titled “The Color Orange: The Condredge Holloway Story,” is set to air February 20, 7 […]

Big Yellow Dog Re-ups Kear, Signs Anderson

Big Yellow Dog Music has re-signed hit songwriter Josh Kear, and added songwriter “Big Al” Anderson to its roster. The company’s principals Carla Wallace and Kerry O’Neil have also promoted Brooke Arrington to Creative Director, assisting Wallace with songplugging and creative duties. The end of 2010 marked the publishing house’s 13th year in business, during which […]

Boot Founder Gets CMA Media Award

The CMA has announced that its 2010 Media Achievement Award will go to Beville Darden, co-founder and editor of the Country Music news Website, TheBoot.com, which is distributed via AOL Music. Darden has also served as a music writer/reporter for both AOL.com and Spinner.com. After graduating from Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham, Ala., she […]

[updated 1/11] Lifenotes: Juri Bunetta

MusicRow extends sincere condolences to Al Bunetta and his family on the passing of his son, Juri Bunetta, yesterday (1/9). The 19-year-old died from injuries sustained during a single-car accident on Interstate 65 on Saturday night. He was transported to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where he later died. Al Bunetta has managed and overseen the careers […]

Dates Set For Tin Pan South, Key West Songwriters Festival

Tin Pan South • Key West Songwriters Festival • Nashville SongWriters Festival • Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

Davis Music Group Partners With Nine North

Davis Music Group has announced a partnership with Larry Pareigis and his Nine North team for national radio promotion efforts of DMG artist Jacob Lyda. “Larry Pareigis has established a stellar promotion staff at Nine North and the Davis Music Group family is excited to add their help in our radio efforts for Jacob Lyda,” […]

Greg Hill Joins McGhee Entertainment

Manager Greg Hill has joined McGhee Entertainment, bringing with him current clients Rodney Atkins, Adam Brand and Heidi Newfield. Chairman of McGhee Entertainment, Doc McGhee, and President Scott McGhee announced today (1/10) that Hill will enter as President of McGhee’s Nashville office. He will report directly to the McGhees, whose current roster already includes Nashville […]

DiPiero and Kinney Team Up

Brandon Kinney recently inked a new publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Love Monkey Music, while he also re-signed with Tom-Leis Music. The 2010 BMI Award-winning songwriter co-wrote Randy Houser’s smash “Boots On.” (L-R) back: Love Monkey Music’s Penny Everhard, Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Terry Wakefield, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Front: Love Monkey Music owner […]

Steel Magnolia Added To New Faces Show

Big Machine recording act Steel Magnolia has been added to the CRS 2011 New Faces of Country Music Show, Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® announced today (1/7). They join previously announced performers The Band Perry (Republic Nashville), Lee Brice (Curb Records), Jerrod Niemann (Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville) and Josh Thompson (Columbia Nashville). The addition was made to […]

One Million Carrie Underwood Fans Can't Be Wrong

Carrie Underwood’s popular headlining Play On Tour recently wrapped in Connecticut after playing 108 shows in the US and Canada with one million fans total in attendance. The tour was presented by AEG Live, with sponsorship by Olay and hydration by vitamin water. Underwood finished 2010 as the top-ranked female touring country artist. Special guests […]

Big Country Records Arriving Soon

Big Country Records will launch  Jan. 19 and officially announce its first artist signing, female singer/songwriter, Morgan Tobias and introduce itself to Nashville. Big Country label executives include Tammy Hyler, VP/co-founder of Big Country Records and Big Country Entertainment and Glen Blaschke. Hyler has penned several No. 1 songs and will use her writing and […]

FCC Chairman Keynotes At CES

Julius Genachowski, FCC Chairman will deliver the keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show, (1/7/11) starting at 1:30 PT. in Las Vegas. The Chairman has been a proponent of net neutrality and actively working toward a more efficient use of radio wave spectrum. His remarks were released in advance. TV and terrestrial radio, which currently […]

News Items: Ballard, Morley, Cole

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 […]

peer Acquires Foster Catalogs

peermusic has announced it will acquire over 500 songs, the majority of songwriter/producer David Foster’s works. The acquisition encompasses all of Foster’s songs in Foster Frees Music, Air Bear Music and One Four Three Music. peermusic has been administering most of Foster’s publishing for more than fifteen years. The new agreement also includes exclusive publishing […]

Weekly Chart Report (1/07/11)

In the first CountryBreakout Chart of 2011, Keith Urban stays in control of the No. 1 position with “Put You In A Song” and Luke Bryan’s “Someone Else Calling You Baby” and Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips” unseated at spots 2 and 3. Kenny Chesney’s “Somewhere With You” is the big mover in […]

Grammy Nominee CD, AES Golf Tourney and New Mallory Video

19-Song Grammy Nominee CD • Yallwire releases Daisy Mallory video • Nashville’s AES Announces Audio Masters Golf Tourney >>The Recording Academy and Jive Records have pacted to release a 19-song collection to spotlight the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards nominees. The album will be released Jan. 25. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of […]

Swift Wins People's Choice Award

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 […]

New Bluegrass Offerings From Steve Martin, The Roys

Steve Martin will release his second full length bluegrass album Rare Bird Alert on Rounder Records on March 15, 2011. He will be joined by the Steep Canyon Rangers, who toured extensively with him over the last year. The new album features 13 new Martin-penned tracks and was produced by Tony Trishka. Sir Paul McCartney […]

Warren Brothers Sign With EMI Music Publishing

Brad and Brett Warren, the Warren Brothers, have signed with EMI Music Publishing. The long-term deal covers their back catalog as well as new material. Among the pair’s numerous hits are Martina McBride’s “Wrong Baby Wrong,” and “Anyway;” Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips” and “If You’re Reading This;” Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Red, White and […]

JaneDear Debut Coming Next Month

Warner Bros. Records has set a Feb. 1 release date for the debut album from the JaneDear girls. The self-titled project contains 11 songs written by the duo’s Susie Brown and Danelle Leverett. The Utah native and Texas native, respectively, play at least seven instruments between the two of them: accordion, guitar, bass, fiddle, ganjo, […]

CMA Grows Strategic Partnership Department

The Country Music Association has hired Chris Epperly as Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Angela Mendenhall as Manager of Strategic Partnerships.

2010 Sales Wrap; Top Albums, Artists and Songs

In the year’s top selling digital song, “California Gurls” Snoop Dog says, “Katy I’m all up on ya, cause you’re representing California.” This writer says to Taylor, Lady A, Ke$ha and ZBB, “To brag I’m not bashful, cause you’re cranking it loud for Nashville.”
OK, with lines like that, perhaps this writer’s rap career will remain a well kept secret. But Nielsen SoundScan’s Year-End U.S. shows that Nashville music did not play second fiddle in 2010.