Country Hitmakers Compilation Album

Stadium Entertainment Holding Corp. is releasing My Country: Smash Hits on Tuesday August 24, with songs from a list of hitmakers. The superstar line-up includes Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Jypsi, Randy Houser, Big & Rich and Montgomery Gentry. The […]

Vincent Extends Her Own 360 Brand

Bluegrass star and seven-time IBMA Female Vocalist winner, Rhonda Vincent has added a Record label division to her in-house company, Upper Management which already boasts management and tour booking divisions and oversees her annual Bluegrass Cruise. Upper Management was founded in 2006 by the artist’s manager Herb Sandker. “I’m thrilled and a bit overwhelmed,” Vincent […]

Underwood Ends First Leg of Tour On Strong Note

Carrie Underwood wrapped the first leg of her Play On Tour over the weekend in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She has performed for nearly 400,000 fans since the outing launched on March 11, including selling out nearly all 54 dates throughout North America. The show received wide-ranging critical praise noting the elaborate stage sets, numerous costume […]

Little Big Town Ride For A Cure

Capitol Nashville Recording artist Little Big Town will once again host the Ride For A Cure on Sunday, July 11, benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation. This marks the fourth year of the band’s involvement in the charity motorcycle outing, beginning at the Tin Roof in Nashville and riding to the Harley-Davidson Superstore in Columbia. Registration […]

MR Awards Issue (July 2010)

~ON THE COVER~ Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) BMI’s Jody Williams & his writer relations team Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) is one of the pillars of Nashville’s songwriting business. Since opening its doors in 1939, an ambitious standard of service has guided the company. The establishment of BMI’s Nashville office was an active embodiment of that standard—a commitment […]

Photos: Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Jennette McCurdy

Check out Dierks goes unplugged for “Kimmel,” Rodney and fam hang with Jeff Fisher, Jennette turns 18 and more fun photos.

Wireless Spectrum Set To Double

President Obama is scheduled to sign a presidential memorandum today (6/28) that would seek to double the bandwidth available for wireless communications over the next decade. The plan involves the auction of over 500 megahertz of wireless spectrum now controlled by the federal government and private companies. Obama’s move falls in step with recommendations previously […]

Sugarland Sets October Release

Sugarland’s fourth studio album, The Incredible Machine, is joining the list of major releases coming in the final quarter. While waiting for the Oct. 19 release date, fans will get a taste of the new offering when lead single “Stuck Like Glue” goes to radio on July 26. Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush wrote […]

Trace Adkins Album Due In August

Trace Adkins is opening a new chapter in his career with the Aug. 17 release of his first album for Show Dog-Universal. Cowboy’s Back In Town is being described as vintage Adkins, running the gamut from love songs like “Still Love You,” to the rowdy side of country life in the hilarious “Hold My Beer.” […]

Big Machine Adds Two Staffers

Big Machine Label Group has hired Ashley Heron for the newly created position of Director of Strategic Marketing, and added Karen Light as Administration Analyst. In his new role, Heron will work to establish brand partnerships as well as provide creative and new media support for the Big Machine, The Valory Music Co. and Republic […]

Stealing Angels

“He Better Be Dead” Skyville/Nine North Country trio Caroline Cutbirth, Jennifer Wayne, and Tayla Lynn—collectively known as Stealing Angels—is releasing its debut single “He Better Be Dead” to country radio. Impact date is Monday, July 12. The ladies have been recording songs for their debut album with renowned producer Paul Worley (Lady Antebellum, Dixie Chicks, […]

Eminem Bringing Year’s Best Debut

The new album from superstar rapper Eminem is expected to be the year’s biggest debut when sales tallies come in this week. Numerous early chart watchers are predicting sales upwards of 700,000 units. Recovery has seen strong reviews (Rolling Stone gave it four stars), hit singles and a pre-release leak yielding good word-of-mouth. Among the […]

19/Oglesby Rework Relationship

Chris Oglesby is resuming his role as head of Oglesby Writers Management (OWM), the company he founded in 2004. In 2006 OWM partnered with 19 Entertainment, taking seat as the company’s Nashville office. Oglesby will continue his close relationship with 19 Entertainment under the new arrangement between 19/CKX and OWM. Among other changes at 19 […]

Gill At Clapton’s Crossroads Festival

Vince Gill was among the guitar gods who took the stage at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival over the weekend. He joined fellow headliners B. B. King, Jeff Beck, John Mayer, Buddy Guy and, of course, Clapton at the Chicago event. Sheryl Crow performed as well, pairing with Gill for the Clapton classic “Lay Down […]

Weekly Chart Report 6/25/10

Hats off to Little Big Town, whose “Little White Church” has earned the Capitol quartet its first CountryBreakout™ No. 1 since 2006’s “Bring It On Home.”

Texas Songwriters Honored

A quartet of iconic Texas-born, Nashville-based songwriters whose work has been recorded and performed by major award-winning entertainers, have been selected as 2011 inductees in the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association (TxHSA) Hall of Fame. Bruce Channel (“Hey! Baby”), Delbert McClinton (“Two More Bottles of Wine,” “Givin’ It Up for Your Love”), Gary Nicholson (“That’s The […]

Del McCoury Honored With Nat’l Heritage Fellowship

Bluegrass master Del McCoury is a 2010 recipient of The National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship. McCoury was tapped for the honor this year alongside championship fiddler Texas Shorty. Both McCoury and Texas Shorty (Jim Chancellor) will be honored at the Library of Congress and at a special concert on September 24 in […]

Nashville Rising Wrapup Video

Nashville Rising, a benefit concert for flood recovery was held on June 22, 2010 at the Bridgestone Arena to benefit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Over 20 performers donated their talents including Tim McGraw and Faith Hill who spearheaded the event, plus Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and many […]

Friday News Bits & Pieces

Garth Brooks Joins Daytime Emmys Garth Brooks will be taking part in next month’s Daytime Emmy Awards. HollywoodReporter.com reports that the country superstar is among the celebrities who’ve signed on to help celebrate American Bandstand and its iconic host, Dick Clark, at the event. Others confirmed for the Bandstand salute include Cher, The Spinners, and […]

MusicRow Readers Name “House” Song of the Year

Bobby Karl Works The Room, Chapter 341 Photos: Alan Mayor Host Clay Bradley has the magic touch: He actually got the capacity crowd of schmoozers to shut up during the presentation of the MusicRow Awards in the notoriously loud BMI lobby on Thursday (6/24). Anthony Smith, Frank Myers, Trisha Walker-Cunningham, Alan Kates, Chuck Thompson, Preston […]

Rodney Atkins Scores With “Farmer’s Daughter”

Curb Record artist Rodney Atkins’ latest single, “Farmer’s Daughter,” is currently racing up the iTunes download charts and the song’s just-released video is now airing on Turbo Track rotation on Great American Country (gactv.com). Atkins’ tune about a hot summer romance that turns to true love has become the fastest climbing single in the singer’s […]

Raul Malo Readies “Sinners & Saints”

Former Mavericks frontman Raul Malo is getting ready to release his new album, Sinners & Saints. Self-produced in the singer’s home studio, Sinners & Saints is being touted as “the most intimate, honest and complex album Malo has made in an already distinguished career.” The album is set for a September 28 release on Fantasy […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/24/10)

I just love discovering new music, don’t you? For me, it’s a very, very good week when there are four solid contenders for a DisCovery Award.

New Single, New Video For Miranda Lambert

Hot on the heels of her four-week, No. 1 single “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert is ready to release follow-up single “Only Prettier,” from her ACM Album of the Year, Revolution. The single, which shipped to radio Monday was written by Lambert and Natalie Hemby. “To me, ‘Only Prettier,’ is an anthem, it’s […]

Red Mountain To Produce Fontanel Shows

Dale Morris and Marc Oswald, co-owners of Nashville’s newest live music venue, The Woods at Fontanel, have announced that live music producer Red Mountain Entertainment will serve as the producer for events at the facility. In addition to operating the venue, Red Mountain’s responsibilities will include booking and producing concerts, selling sponsorships and special seating […]

David Andersen – Nashville’s Musical Ambassador

Multifaceted guitarist David Andersen, known as the Ambassador of Music City from his daily appearances at the Country Music Hall of Fame, recently donated a portion of his CD sales to the American Red Cross Flood Relief to support those affected by the Nashville flood. Andersen is thankful to fans who sent letters, emails, phone […]

Jimmy Webb Records With Nashville’s Finest

On June 29, Songwriting legend Jimmy Webb (“By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” Wichita Lineman,” “Highwaymen”) will release Just Across The River, a collection of new and old material recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium with a supporting lineup of some of Nashville’s finest musicians. Among the album’s songs are “If You See Me Getting […]

Kellie Pickler Announces Engagement

Kellie Pickler is engaged. The singer has announced her betrothal to Nashville songwriter Kyle Jacobs. People magazine reports that Jacobs proposed on June 15 during a Florida beach vacation. The couple met about two and a-half years ago, and the proposal fell on the same day as Pickler’s late grandmother’s birthday. “It turned out to […]

Michael Martin Murphey’s “Westfest” Returns

After a five year break, Western Music Hall of Fame member Michael Martin Murphey’s Westfest® 2010, is officially set to be held at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, Colorado, August 12-15.  

For 2010, talent has been booked with a sensitivity to the love of the outdoors of the Western Colorado region. Many of the […]

Larry Wayne Clark Benefit a Success

The Nashville Sings for Larry Wayne Clark benefit has met its initial goal of raising $5,000 to help the popular and influential songwriter as he undergoes cancer treatment.

 The June 14 event at the Red Rooster Bar & Music Hall featured live performances by some of Music City’s most talented singers and songwriters, as well […]

BMI Announces Flood Relief Campaign

BMI has announced the creation of a two-part campaign designed to help fuel rebuilding efforts after the historic flood that devastated Middle Tennessee last month. The initiative was unveiled by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville Jody Williams during Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s all-star Nashville Rising: A […]

Rascal Flatts Steps Up For Suicide Prevention

Country supergroup Rascal Flatts have been named as Ambassadors, or celebrity spokesmen, for The Jason Foundation (JFI). In addition to their roles in public service announcements, public awareness programs and fundraising, they will also promote the foundation’s newly created “B1” project. The “B1” project is a nationwide effort specifically geared to educate youth and students […]

U.S. To Target Music, Movie Piracy

Vice President Joe Biden announced Tuesday (6/22) that the United States will target foreign websites that pirate American music and movies. It’s all part of a new national strategy to reduce intellectual property theft. “This is theft, clear and simple,” Biden said at a meeting with Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano […]

New Chesney Album Coming This Fall

SoundScan watchers received good news today, with the announcement that Kenny Chesney has set a Sept. 28 release date for his latest studio album, Hemingway’s Whiskey. Named for the title track penned by Guy Clark, this will be Chesney’s first mainstream studio effort in three years, since Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. During […]

ASCAP Hires Jessica Draper

ASCAP has hired former Performing Songwriter Music Editor Jessica Draper as Manager, Creative Services for its Nashville branch. She had served at the magazine since 2008 and worked there until it ceased publcation in June 2009. Her other career stops include time as a Public Relations Associate at classical music PR and artist management firm […]

Brooks & Dunn Hall of Fame Show Rescheduled

Regular tickets to Brooks & Dunn’s farewell show are sold out, but a few VIP packages are still available. The August 10 [rescheduled to 9/2] concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena is a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Check out the VIP offerings below and help a great cause. Hillbilly Deluxe Package […]

Songwriter Larry Jon Wilson Passes

Songwriter Larry Jon Wilson died yesterday (6/21) at age 69. The Georgia native was recognized for his songs about rural life and for his association with contemporaries such as Townes Van Zandt, Mickey Newbury, Guy Clark, John Prine, and Kris Kristofferson. Wilson didn’t start writing songs until age 30, but within a few years he […]

Rascal Flatts Embarks On New Tour

Top ticket seller Rascal Flatts will launch a new tour Friday, June 25 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The first leg of the JC Penney Presents Rascal Flatts Nothing Like This Tour is scheduled for 28 shows, running through September 19. On board are opening acts Kellie Pickler and Chris Young. The recently wrapped Rascal Flatts […]

Golden Music Nashville Closes

Golden Music Nashville is closing up shop, the latest music company to fold in today’s difficult climate. The label opened three years ago with flagship act Williams Riley, and eventually added Benton Blount to the roster. A rep for the company says the publishing division, Wide Open Music, is still in business. Lisa Strickland served […]

Google Music To Debut This Year

The Wall Street Journal has the latest scoop on Google’s upcoming music service. The paper reports that Google is set to roll out a download service later this year—though still several months away—and follow that with a subscription offering in 2011. Of course, the service will be linked to the Google’s ubiquitous search engine. Google […]

Nashville Rising Concert Sold Out

Tomorrow night’s (6/22) Nashville Rising benefit for flood relief is sold out, but a few VIP ticket packages are still available. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill spearheaded the concert event at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, recruiting a superstar line-up including Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Michael W Smith, Amy Grant, Montgomery Gentry, Luke Bryan, LeAnn […]

WDHR’s Randy Jones Passes Away

MusicRow is saddened to report that Randy Jones, PD of East Kentucky Broadcasting’s WDHR/Pikeville, KY passed away at his home yesterday (6/20). He was 59 years old. A beloved local radio fixture, Jones was the longtime announcer for Pikeville High School basketball and football games and the voice of WDHR radio. He was born in […]

Jaron Debut Out Tomorrow

The debut album from Jaron And The Long Road To Love will be released tomorrow (6/22) on Jaronwood/Universal Republic Records in association with Big Machine Records. The first single from Getting Dressed in the Dark is “Pray For You,” currently at No. 7 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart. The “Pray for You” video features Jaime […]

Music City Roots Salutes IBMA

Music City Roots, the weekly show at the Loveless Barn, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the IBMA with a special installment Wednesday night (6/23). This jam-packed night features nine bands spanning the history of bluegrass, from the mountain-influenced early days to the young standouts of tomorrow. On the line-up are Jesse McReynolds, The Whites, […]

Jason Blume Songwriters’ Workshop

BMI Nashville will once again host the Jason Blume Songwriters’ Workshop Series. The 2010/2011 season kicks off July 20 with hit songwriter and best-selling author Blume offering creative tips and business counsel. Each session will conclude with either a one-song pitch to an established music publisher or a thorough critique from Blume. Individuals who wish […]

Pat Finch Representing Big Borassa Music

Hit songwriter Brett Jones has recruited publishing veteran Pat Finch to represent his catalog and publishing company, Big Borassa. Finch was most recently Senior Vice President/General Manager of S1 Songs in Nashville, where the company’s latest achievements included No. 1’s by Easton Corbin (“Little More Country Than That”), Rascal Flatts (“Unstoppable”), and George Strait (“I […]

Brad Paisley Underwater

A new GAC special premiering tonight (6/21) at 9 PM/CT explores Brad Paisley’s H2O Tour and how his team rallied together to launch the show as scheduled after the Nashville floods ravaged most of his stage and equipment. Viewers get rare behind-the-scenes access to production meetings and rehearsals that were on track prior to the […]

Bon Jovi, Vector Management Part Ways

Bon Jovi and Vector Management have ended their relationship after five years, according to the New York Post. The report says Jack Rovner was handling management duties for the rockers who were signed to the powerhouse roster. Jon Bon Jovi tells the Post: “The boring truth is we decided to go in different directions and […]

Veronica Ballestrini

Veronica Ballestrini is returning to country radio with her latest single “Don’t Say,” which the young artist co-penned with producer Cliff Downs. The net savvy singer recently parlayed her Myspace popularity into an appearance on the Simon Fuller-created internet program If I Can Dream after a video of her performing “Bless The Broken Road” became […]

Friday Photos: Young, Niemann, Gokey and More

RCA Nashville artist Chris Young brought his back-to-back No. 1 hits to the Riverfront Park Stage for a performance on Friday afternoon (6/11) of the CMA Music Festival. Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville’s Jerrod Niemann was in Florida recently to play for a packed house of Cat Country 107.1/WCKT listeners at the Hot Spot. While in town, the […]