Wynonna Named Cecil Scaife Visionary

Five-time Grammy winner Wynonna Judd will receive The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award for 2010. Governor Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte will be on hand for an evening of music and heartfelt memories on Tuesday, August 24, as Nashville celebrates Wynonna for her countless contributions to the Nashville community and future generations who wish […]

Baldrica Exits Sony Music Nashville

Radio-Info’s Phyllis Stark is reporting that Tom Baldrica, Sony Music Nashville VP Marketing has exited the label. Baldrica was elevated to VP Marketing in Sept. 2006 after joining the organization’s promotion department in 1993. His current role was to oversee artist development, media, creative services and strategic marketing for the label groups imprints which include […]

DMX Wins Rate Court Lawsuit Against BMI

DMX, Inc., a leading provider of commercial music services, has won a rate court proceeding against performing rights organization BMI. On Monday (7/26), a federal district judge in New York ordered BMI to provide DMX with an adjustable fee blanket license that allows DMX to license music directly from music publishers and writers. The decision […]

Rod Riley Named President of Word Entertainment

Warner Music Nashville (WMN), the Nashville-based music operations of Warner Music Group Corp., today announced that Rod Riley has been named President and CEO of Word Entertainment, WMG’s Christian music division.  
In his new role, Riley will oversee Word’s entire operation, including A&R, sales and marketing, music publishing, distribution, church resources and artist services. Riley […]

New Morning Team for WSM 95.5 The Wolf

Over the last few months, Cumulus Radio’s 95.5 The Wolf (WSM-FM) in Nashville has been assembling a new team for its morning show, the Wake Up with the Wolf Show. Show host Rick Marino, who has been a fixture on the Nashville airwaves since 1994, was joined in May by another well-known market face, TV […]

DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/28/10)

Among the new super sounds are efforts by Mark Chesnutt, Train, Kenny Chesney and Matt Kennon. Newcomers Kathe Knight, Manning-Dickson and The Ketucky Linemen are also welcome additions to our audio environment.

Capitol Ups Autumn House to VP, A&R

Capitol Records Nashville has promoted Autumn House to Vice President, A&R. House will report directly to Mike Dungan, President/CEO, Capitol Records. She will continue to act as the A&R department’s liaison with producers, publishers, management and artists on behalf of Capitol Records Nashville and EMI Records Nashville. “Capitol Records has never been hotter, and a good […]

Sizing Up Country Summer Sales

So is it likely that 2010 country YTD album sales totals will catch up with 2009 by the end of September?

Katie Armiger Fans Pick New Album Title

Rising country artist Katie Armiger teamed up with GACTV.com to have fans help name her third studio album, set for release on Cold River Records October 5. During the last two weeks over 1,300 fans visited the website to cast their vote for the album title and Confessions of a Nice Girl was the clear […]

Walden’s Puddle Benefit Aug. 21

The 2010 Walden’s Puddle Puddle-Palooza benefit concert and festival has been scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 21, at Nashville’s Yogi Bear™ Jellystone Park, event organizers announced today. Hosted this year by the Music Valley Merchants Association, the festival and concert raises funds for Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center. Artists scheduled to perform include John […]

Steel Guitarist Ben Keith Passes

Steel guitar great Ben Keith has died in Northern California at age 73. He reportedly suffered a heart attack. Born Bennett Keith Schaeufele, he grew up in Bowling Green, KY. He joined the Nashville Musicians Union at age 19 in 1956. A year later, he joined Faron Young’s band The Country Deputies. He rose to […]

James Otto To Shake Things Up In September

Warner Bros. Records has set a Sept. 14 release date for James Otto‘s sophomore album, Shake What God Gave Ya. Recorded in Nashville and co-produced with Paul Worley (Big & Rich, Lady Antebellum, The Dixie Chicks), the project further captures Otto’s country-meets-soul sound. A sought-after writer for other artists, Otto penned 11 of the 12 […]

UMPG Signs Darius Rucker

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) today (7/27) announced the signing of an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Darius Rucker. The songwriter and artist built a strong career with Hootie & the Blowfish and in 2008 launched a notable solo career in country music. His UMPG publishing agreement encompasses all of his writing for his country debut […]

Neighbor Warns Row To Take Caution

A concerned member of the music business called the MusicRow offices to warn his neighbors about a recent incident. Earlier this month, employees were frightened by a lewd disturbance while leaving their offices on the 800 block of 18th Ave. S. These victims just want to remind the community to be on the lookout. Pictured […]

Babies On Way For Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner

Josh Turner and wife Jennifer revealed recently that they are expecting their third child in early 2011. The new baby will join sons Hampton, 3, and Colby, 1. Turner shared the news with People magazine, read the full story here. Dierks Bentley and his wife Cassidy are also on the baby train, with their second […]

Darius Rucker To Mentor Song Contest Winner

Budding songwriters take note: the NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT opens August 1 and the grand prize winner will get a mentoring session with Darius Rucker. NSAI’s 11th annual contest, running through Oct. 31, will yield one industry-selected Grand Prize Winner and one CMT Listeners’ Choice Winner. Past winners have found success ranging from […]

Brenda Lee Donates Lifetime of Memorabilia To Hall of Fame

Brenda Lee has given her priceless lifetime cache of career memorabilia to the permanent collection at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. The collection includes stage costumes, vintage photos, magazine cover stories in many languages, awards, show posters, advertisements, personal correspondence, a Brenda Lee comic book and paper doll set, and a trove […]

Debut Music From Paltrow/McGraw Flick

The first music from the much talked about movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw appeared in insider in-boxes today (7/26), courtesy of RCA Records. The label is handling radio promotion for Paltrow’s recording of the film’s title track, “Country Strong,” which features background vocals from Vince Gill and Patty Griffin. The song was written […]

Blogroll: Larry Wayne Clark, Wynonna, Google Music

•••• MusicRow contributor and songwriter Larry Wayne Clark and his wife Maggie Ross have started a blog to keep in touch with Nashville friends while they are living in New Brunswick, Canada for Clark to undergo cancer treatment. Maggie says, “We’re so grateful for everyone’s support.” •••• The New York Post reports that Google Music […]

Lifenotes: Margaret Ann Rich

Margaret Ann Rich, songwriter and widow of country singer Charlie Rich, died on July 22 at her Memphis home. She was 76 and had been battling Alzheimer’s disease. One of the best-known songs from Margaret Ann Rich’s pen was the 1991 Ricky van Shelton hit, “Life’s Little Ups and Downs.” Her husband, who passed away […]

RAM Writer’s Group Signs Will Rambeaux

Doug Merrick has formed a new music publishing company called RAM Writer’s Group and has signed hit songwriter/producer Will Rambeaux as the flagship writer for the outfit. “Will and I have been associates for years, and when I decided to form RAM Writer’s Group I knew he would be a great asset to the new […]

Noms Open For Country DJ and Radio Halls of Fame

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center. Nominations can be submitted at www.CRB.org. Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. will provide each nominee with an official application, which may include […]

McCartney In Music City Tonight

Tonight (7/26) when Paul McCartney‘s Up and Coming 2010 Tour stops in Nashville it will mark his first concert appearance in town, but not his first visit to Music City. McCartney and his family spent six weeks in Nashville in 1974, a visit he told the Nashville Banner at the time was to “relax, ride […]

CMA Board Visits Fontanel

The CMA Board of Directors were invited to experience Fontanel, the former home of four-time CMA Award winner Barbara Mandrell, by current co-owners Dale Morris and Marc Oswald. A reception was held on Wednesday, July 21, during which the Board toured the mansion and learned about the latest developments of Nashville’s newest entertainment complex.

Ryman Named “Best Music Venue”

Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium has once again been voted Best Music Venue by Tennessean readers choice poll, Toast of Music City. The announcement was made last night (7/21) during a special ceremony held at the War Memorial Auditorium. “We continue to be humbled by the amount of love and support the citizens of Nashville have […]

Union Station Bassist Bows Instructional Video

Barry Bales, longtime bass player for Grammy award winners Alison Krauss & Union Station, is releasing first-ever bass instructional video through AcuTab Productions. To celebrate the release, Bales and AcuTab have teamed up for a contest involving bass players and Bales fans. The contest allows fans to get involved in a fun and entertaining way […]

Gill Featured in Clapton’s “Crossroads” Film

On July 27, in 475 select theaters, the film version of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 will debut. Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill will be one of the artists featured. Also included in the film are performances from Clapton, Jeff Beck, Z.Z. Top, John Mayer, B.B. King, Sheryl Crow, Bill Murray and many […]

Franklin-Based Naxos Adds Positions

Franklin, Tennessee-based Naxos, the No. 1 independent classical music distributor in the U.S, is getting ready to move some its IT operations from overseas in Manila back to the company’s Franklin headquarters. The company cites the need to move these positions closer to the its North American markets. Currently, Naxos global has around 80 employees […]

Weekly Chart Report (7/23/10)

SPIN ZONE It’s a tennis match at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart and the latest volley comes from Keith Urban, whose “I’m In” recovers its No. 1 positioning after being displaced last week. Blake Shelton’s “All About It” slips back to No. 2, only nine spins behind Urban. Both records are young, and anything […]

Westwood One Offers Urban’s Backstage Experience

Westwood One is taking country radio listeners backstage for a personal experience with Keith Urban in a unique 1-hour radio show from August 7-15. Recorded on location at several shows around the country, Urban answers fan questions and talks about his 2010 Summer Lovin’ tour. The fans themselves will be a part of the show, and […]

Friday Photos – Artists on the Road

Republic Nashville’s Sunny Sweeney was in Sacramento recently where she paid a visit to one of the city’s top rated TV morning shows, Good Day Sacramento. Sweeney performed two songs from her upcoming album, including her current single “From A Table Away.” Warner Music’s James Otto recently visited with WGH staff before his performance in […]

Pandora Reaches Major Listener Milestone


Personalized online radio service Pandora announced at this week’s New Music Seminar that 60 million people have registered as listeners. Pandora CEO and President Joe Kennedy spoke at the Seminar’s New Media Movement where he shared the milestone news with influential players of the music industry. “Pandora plays the music of tens of thousands of artists […]

Bentley Brings Bluegrass to Late Night TV

With every track on his new, bluegrass-infused album Up On The Ridge being praised by the nation’s music critics, country music maverick Dierks Bentley will treat television audiences to the debut of two new tracks on late night TV next week. The award-winning singer/songwriter will perform the aching ballad “Fallin’ For You” on the Late […]

Jamie O’Neal Partners With Cripple Creek

Nashville based Brand N Music Partnerships has announced that Cripple Creek, a division of Sidran, and country recording artist Jamie O’Neal have entered into a long-term brand partnership and endorsement agreement. This strategic integrated marketing campaign includes product endorsements, retail appearances and digital components. “Jamie O’Neal does a tremendous job representing the face of country […]

Toby Keith Readies “Bullets In The Gun”

Show Dog-Universal’s Toby Keith will release Bullets In The Gun, his 15th full-length studio album, on October 5. The collection has been preceded at radio by lead single “Trailerhood,” which is currently one of the fastest-rising singles on the charts, jumping five spaces this week to No.31 just three weeks after its official release. From […]

Borman Ent. Announces Staff Additions, Promotions

Los Angeles and Nashville based Borman Entertainment has added Michael Corcoran as an Associate Manager responsible for the day-to-day duties of Alison Krauss, and Doug Aitken as Manager, Tour Marketing. Additionally, after six years with the company, Randy Brown has been promoted to Associate Manager responsible for Universal Music’s Randy Montana. “We’re delighted to see Randy […]

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, […]