BMI, ASCAP and Songwriters Hall Set Awards Dates

Nashville’s annual country music awards season is beginning to take shape with BMI, ASCAP and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announcing dates for their annual awards events. BMI announced today (7/21) that the 58th annual BMI Country Awards will take place Tuesday, November 9 at the company’s Music Row offices in Nashville. The black-tie, […]

Sandestin Festival To Benefit Gulf Wildlife

A cross-section of country and rock’s most acclaimed songwriters and performers will come together on Florida’s gulf coast during the weekend of August 13 and 14 for the inaugural Sandestin Music Festival. Sponsored by BMI, TrustCore, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sunquest Cruises and Southwest Airlines, the festival is all […]

Gwen Sebastian Hits the Road and the Charts

Recently singled out by Country Weekly magazine as an “artist to watch in 2010,” Open Road/Lofton Creek Records artist Gwen Sebastian is starting to see her dreams come true. Her new single, “V.I.P. (Barefoot Girl),” moves up from No. 37 to No. 33 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart. Raised in rural Hebron, North Dakota, and now […]

Gretchen Wilson Speaks Up For Education

Grammy Award-winning artist Gretchen Wilson has joined forces with the Advertising Council and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to launch a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to provide high school dropouts with access to information that will get them started on the road to a GED Diploma. According to the US Census Bureau, […]

Rocket Club Completes Nashville Showcase Trifecta

Minneapolis-based country act, Rocket Club, will conclude its three-night run of Nashville showcases tonight (7/21) with a 6:00 PM performance at 12th & Porter. The band’s current single, “One Thing Beautiful,” debuted at No. 59 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart last week and climbed to No. 57 this week without the support of […]

BigChampagne Unveils “Ultimate Chart”

BigChampagne Media Measurement has announced the release of the Ultimate Chart (www.ultimatechart.com), a ranked list of the week’s most popular artists and songs. Integrating data from categories including Song and Album Sales, Radio Airplay, Online Audio and Video Plays, and Fans/Friends/Followers, the Ultimate Chart is the first and only chart that looks at all of […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/21/10)

With temperatures on Music Row soaring into the upper 90s this week, I’m taking every opportunity to stay here at my desk. Including penning today’s roundup of new country sounds.

End In Sight For Wayne’s 1700 Mile Walk

Some doubted, but the faithful have been rewarded as Jimmy Wayne’s 1,700 mile walk from Nashville to Phoenix, Arizona draws close to a successful completion. The country artist traveled through one of the coldest winters and hottest summers on record visiting states such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico along his pathway. Wayne’s Meet […]

Fontanel Hosts “Songwriters Sing For Nashville”

The inaugural event at Nashville’s newest music venue, the Woods at Fontanel, was christened by some of Nashville’s most influential songwriters Saturday night (7/10) during Songwriters Sing for Nashville. Patrons gathered to hear music directly from the men and women who created songs recorded by some of the biggest names in music history. The day […]

“All for the Hall” Fundraiser Returns to LA

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s All for the Hall fundraiser will return to Los Angeles for a second consecutive year. The event, which will take place on Thursday, September 23 at Club Nokia, will again follow a “guitar pull” format featuring performances by Country Music Hall of Fame members Emmylou Harris and Kris […]

Jerrod Niemann Debuts at No. 1

Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville artist Jerrod Niemann has the No. 1 country album in the nation as Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury tallies first-week sales approaching 34,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, breaking Lady Antebellum’s six-month streak atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury is only the second country album […]

Hall of Fame Honors Tammy Wynette

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will honor one of American music’s most indelible stars, Tammy Wynette, in Tammy Wynette: First Lady of Country Music, Presented by Great American Country Television Network, a biographical exhibit opening Friday, August 20 for a 10-month run in the Museum’s East Gallery. The exhibit will run through […]

Brumley Publishing Signs Jill King

Artist/songwriter Jill King has signed an exclusive publishing deal with the Brumley Music Group. King, who enjoyed indie success with her 2003 single, “One Mississippi,” is currently touring in support of her latest release, Rain on Fire.

Swift’s “Fearless” Follow-Up Coming Oct. 25

Taylor Swift’s third studio album Speak Now will be released Oct. 25 via Big Machine. Fans will get the first taste of the project when lead single “Mine” debuts on August 16. The superstar revealed these details and more during a live web chat this afternoon (7/20). Known for writing or co-writing her own material, […]

Josh Gracin

“Cover Girl” Average Joes Entertainment “I want to sing. I want to write. I want to produce. I want to put myself on the chopping block,” admits Josh Gracin, newly signed to hot independent label Average Joes Entertainment. Signing with an indie has allowed the singer to grow and challenge himself while still providing an […]

Top Earners: Kenny Chesney And Toby Keith

Forbes’ just released list of Top-Earning Musicians includes Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith from the country set. Chesney ranked No. 9 on the Top 10 list, by bringing in $50 million between June 2009 and June 2010. Like most of the other top money makers, a significant portion of his earnings came from the box […]

The New Normal: Recalibrating The Sales Compass

But with prices dropping and margins shrinking how do we really determine where we are? What about revenue? To help calibrate our compass we contacted Show Dog-Universal veteran and VP Marketing Sales and New Media, Bill Kennedy.

Greene Becomes Pres./Owner of Modern Mgmt.

Modern Management partner Ted Greene has taken over as President/Owner of the firm which represents Josh Turner, Diamond Rio, Raquel Warchol and NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Willie Allen. Brenner McDonald, a partner in the company since its 2002 inception, has sold her interest in Modern Management. She can be contacted at brenner.mcdonald@comcast.net or (615) 594-3550.

Songwriters In New York, Napa, Nashville

Singer/songwriter James Otto, songwriters Robert Ellis Orrall and Chris Wallin, and host/songwriter Bob DiPiero hang out backstage between two sold-out shows of the “CMA Songwriters Series” at Joe’s Pub in New York City last Thursday, July 15. The popular series, which showcases many of Nashville’s top songwriters, will continue at Joe’s Pub on Sept. 8 […]

Jerrod’s Release Party; Jaron On “Tonight Show”

Over 400 fans packed Knoxville’s Tin Roof last week for Jerrod Niemann’s CD release party. He performed for two hours, followed by a marathon two-and-a-half hour CD signing session. More than 550 copies of his new album Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury were sold that night. •••••••••• Jaron of Jaron And The Long Road […]

Warner Continues Pickin’ On The Patio

Warner Music Nashville is gearing up for this month’s Pickin’ On The Patio party (industry-only) on Thursday, July 22. The event starts at 5:00 PM and will feature performances by Atlantic Records newcomers Brett Eldredge and Jesse Lee. The label is hosting Pickin’ On The Patio at its Music Row offices on the fourth Thursday […]

Exclusive Premieres From The Grascals, Amy Grant

The video for The Grascals’ version of the Monkees’ ’60s pop smash, “The Last Train To Clarksville,” premiered worldwide on AOL Music / The Boot yesterday (7/19), marking the first time the website has debuted a bluegrass video. Directed by Marcel Chagnon, who also recently shot Clay Walker’s “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” the video […]

Reba Album Due Nov. 9

Reba has set a November 9 release date for her second album for The Valory Music Co. The as-yet-untitled project will be the follow-up to the gold-certified Keep On Loving You, released less than a year ago. The lead single from her upcoming album, “Turn on the Radio,” is already at No. 50 on MusicRow’s […]

10 Billion Videos Streamed Last Month In U.S.

The latest data from the Nielsen company shows that in June 2010 more than 10.2 billion videos were streamed in the U.S. This marks a slight 1.3% increase over the number of streams last year and nearly a 4% jump over last month’s figures. Other results show that the top three sites for video streams […]

Concert News: Don Williams, Brooks And Dunn, Buddy Miller

Don Williams is set to come out of tour retirement for a two-night stand at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on October 20 and 21. The shows are in celebration of WSM-AM’s 85th anniversary and fall just days before he will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 24. Known as the […]

Country Gold And Platinum Certifications

Josh Turner, Joe Nichols and Blake Shelton have all scored recent Gold single certification.

Lifenotes: Guitarist Fred Carter Jr.

Noted musician Fred Carter Jr. passed away on July 17th from stroke-related causes at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The Louisiana native was born in 1933 and began his career as a professional musician in the 1950s, playing guitar for rock ‘n’ rollers like Roy Orbison. By the early ‘60s Carter had settled into the Nashville […]

Cold River Records Expands Promo Team; Dandy In Dual Roles

Cold River Records has hired independent promoter Jim Dandy to share national promotion duties with Jeff Davis. Dandy, who formerly served as Regional Promotion Director for Quarterback Records and as PD of KOUL, will handle the Midwest, West and Southwest, while Davis will focus on Central, East and Southeast. “We have worked with Jim for the past two […]

Photo Friday: LBT, TBP, Craig Morgan

Capitol Nashville Recording artist Little Big Town raised over $55,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation at their 4th annual Ride For A Cure event held last Sunday (7/11). The event, which included a motorcycle ride from the Tin Roof in Nashville to the Harley-Davidson Superstore in Columbia, TN, featured pre-ride performances by Brett Eldridge, Randy […]

Save The Dates: ACM Honors, End Of The Row Party

The date for the 4th Annual ACM Honors has been changed to Monday, September 20 at the Ryman Auditorium. The invitation-only evening of musical tribute performances and special presentations celebrates the off-camera winners of the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. SPECIAL AWARDS Jim Reeves International Award—Keith Urban Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award— Marty Robbins […]

Live Nation Ticket Sales Slide, Stock Tumbles

Ticket sales for Live Nation’s top 100 tours slid 9 percent to $822 million in the first half of 2010, and the year’s second half isn’t looking much better, expected to fall as much as 15 percent. The entire touring industry has taken a 17 percent hit so far this year. Live Nation gave the […]

Weekly Chart Report (7/16/10)

SPIN ZONE In an exciting chart day showdown, Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” manages the rare trick of ousting a newer single from the No. 1 position. Of course, it didn’t hurt Blake’s odds that his single picked up almost 200 spins in one chart cycle. The previous No. 1, “I’m In” by Keith Urban, […]

Tours: Judds’ Last Encore, Hank Jr’s Rowdy Friends

The Judds are offering a variety of special ticketing options for their upcoming The Last Encore tour, with arena dates scheduled between late November and mid Decemeber. The “Fan Package” features premium seating and parking, early access to the venue for crowd-free shopping, an exclusive pre-show reception, and a ‘Fan Experience’ t-shirt, not available for purchase. […]

Shelton Stages Online/Dance Club Contest

Blake Shelton fans now have a unique online/dance club contest which will offer them a chance to win free downloads and autographed Shelton memorabilia. Dubbed The “All About Tonight” Come-On Contest, to highlight Shelton’s debut single from his forthcoming Six Pak release, All About Tonight, due out Aug. 10, the challenge is about Shelton fans […]

Syncs Help Sony/ATV Fight Slump

In the changing environment, publishers like Sony/ATV are turning efforts to alternative income streams.

Diverse Pathways To Artist Success

The country music landscape continues to rotate like the sleeve on a kaleidoscope with each twist yielding unexpected consequences. Through it all artists, big and small, continue to find ways to establish and nourish their careers. And those journeys can take various shape and form based upon the goals of everyone involved. Indie and small […]

Documentary Delves Into Haggard Life

A new PBS documentary sheds light on the dark side of country music’s true outlaw, Merle Haggard.

Kennedy Exits Cherry Heart

It remains unofficial but MusicRow has learned that longtime industry executive Shelby Kennedy has exited his post as Senior VP/COO of Cherry Heart Music. Kennedy headed the company’s publishing and administration division, which features a catalog of more than 1,600 songs and No. 1 hits for artists including Garth Brooks, George Strait and Charley Pride, […]

Performers Named For Americana Awards

Organizers of the 9th Annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony have announced a stellar performance line-up for the Sept. 9 show at the Ryman Auditorium, including Emmylou Harris, the Avett Brothers, Rodney Crowell, Wanda Jackson, Rosanne Cash, Patty Griffin, Sam Bush, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ryan Bingham, Corb Lund, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Joe Pug, and Will Kimbrough. […]

Idol Hopefuls Gather In Nashville

Thousands of star-hopefuls braved the heat outside the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville this morning (7/15), as registration to audition for season 10 of American Idol got underway. Many of those waiting to register for a time to sing arrived the night before, sleeping on the sidewalk outside the arena to be the first in […]

Songwriting Legend Hank Cochran Passes

Hank Cochran, the songwriter who touched the world with classics like “I Fall To Pieces,” has passed away. He died peacefully at home in Hendersonville, Tenn., this morning (7/15) surrounded by family and friends. Earlier this year the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee underwent surgery for an aortic aneurysm; he had also been treated […]

Signings: James Wesley, Due West

Broken Bow Records artist James Wesley has signed an exclusive booking agreement with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. Joey Lee in the Nashville office will be the responsible agent. Wesley is currently traveling nationwide on his radio tour in support of the new single, “Real,” written by Neal Coty and Jimmy Melton. “Real” debuted on the […]

News From Swift, iPhone, And Sony

Those awaiting word of Taylor Swift’s upcoming third album will finally get to hear details when she hosts a live webcast July 20 at 4pm CT. “I’ve spent the last two years out on the Fearless tour and working on my new record,” says Swift. “I’ve gotten so many questions from fans — on Twitter, […]

Knox Peers Into The Future

Producer and music executive Michael Knox has joined peermusic as Senior Creative Director. Following his string of recent successes in the studio, Knox will maintain his role as a producer, in addition to his new publisher duties.

BMG Acquires Stage Three Music

Stage Three Music announced it has signed an agreement that will move its copyrights to Berlin-based BMG Rights Management. Stage Three is a leading independent publisher run by ex-Virgin and Chrysalis CEO, Steve Lewis. The business is headquartered in London, with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville run by Lionel Conway, former President of Island […]

Sam Bush Keynote To Open IBMA Conference

Renowned musician Sam Bush will deliver the keynote address at the International Bluegrass Music Association Business Conference on Monday, September 27, 2010. The acclaimed mandolin player and seminal newgrass star is expected to focus his speech on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe, coming up on Sept. 13, 2011. […]

Clif Doyal Promoted; Martha Moore Signing

Updates from indie publicists Martha Moore and Clif Doyal. Longtime industry publicist, Martha “skates” Moore, President of so much MOORE media, has signed former Gaither singer Guy Penrod. Moore will handle all aspects of public relations efforts for Penrod’s new country disc, Breathe Deep (Servant Records/Gaither Music Group). Penrod is a 14-year veteran of the […]

Armiger Fans To Name Album

Katie Armiger is teaming with GACtv.com to let fans select the name of her new album. Through July 28 fans can go here and cast their votes for one of three possible album titles— Guitar Picks & Lipstick, Confessions Of A Nice Girl, or High Heels & No Expectations. Due out Oct. 5, it will […]

NPD Finds Interest In Cloud-Based Subscription

Recently much music industry talk and speculation has been devoted to the concept of digital retail music sales evolving into some type of cloud-based subscription model. Market researchers NPD Group conducted a study of iTunes, iPod, iPhone and iPod Touch users to gauge their interest and reactions to such a plan.

Country Crossovers: Train, Staind, Nickelback

Rock stars trying on cowboy boots is nothing new. But it’s worth noting the latest slew of artists—Train, Staind, and Nickelback—vying for love from country fans. Train is making a go of it with a country mix of its big hit “Hey, Soul Sister” and has the BNA team working the song at country radio. […]