New Singles, Albums, Artists

A new album from Reba is expected this fall. The first single from the Starstruck/Valory album, “Turn On Your Radio,” launched this week. The lead single from Kenny Chesney’s latest album debuts today. “Boys of Fall” is an ode to high school football written by Casey Beathard and Dave Tumbill. Chesney’s album Hemingway’s Whiskey will […]

Niemann’s Debut Out Tomorrow

Jerrod Niemann’s debut album streets tomorrow (7/13), and will be the first release via the Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville partnership. The lead single, “Lover, Lover,” is at No. 5 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart and has sold over 337,000 digital downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan. For those anxious to hear more from Niemann, the new album […]

David Adam Byrnes

“Sweet Distraction” Better Angels Music “Sweet Distraction” is the country radio debut for David Adam Byrnes, and it goes for adds Monday, July 19. The song was written by Andi Zack and Better Angels writer Josh Thompson (Columbia Nashville) and produced by industry veteran Rob Rappaport and Tom Drenon for Better Angels Music. Born and […]

People.com Gets Scoop On Underwood Wedding

People.com has all the exclusive details about Carrie Underwood’s weekend wedding to Canadian hockey star Mike Fisher. The couple exchanged vows on Saturday (7/10) at the Reynolds Plantation Ritz-Carlton Lodge on Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. The bride’s Chantily lace gown was designed by Monique Lhuillier, who also designed the bridesmaids’ dresses. About 250 guests […]

Big Kenny Sings (and Works) For Africa

Big Kenny has created a new anthem celebrating the continent’s first-ever World Cup. “Heart Of Africa” will have its debut at a special concert in Nairobi which will benefit the UN World Food Programme. “Big Kenny was an excellent choice to write this song and perform it as he is regarded as a true humanitarian, […]

Ash Street Signs With Bluewater For Admin.

Bluewater Music has announced the signing of a worldwide administration and creative placement agreement with Ash Street Music. Ash Street’s extensive catalog includes  songs penned by Monty Holmes, Greg Crowe, Ronnie Laws and Andi Zack, as well as singles from George Strait, Randy Travis, Josh Thompson and Will Hoge.

Ride For a Cure and More Friday News

Ride For a Cure Hosted by Little Big Town The 4th Annual Ride for a Cure will be held this Sunday, July 11. The event kicks off with registration and live music from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM at the Tin Roof on Demonbreun Street. Artists performing at the Tin Roof include Brett Eldredge, Randy Montana and […]

“Nashville Sound” Engineer Bill Porter Passes

Bill Porter, the prolific sound engineer whose work was an integral part of what became known as the Nashville Sound, passed away in St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday (7/7). He was 79. After starting his career at Nashville’s WLAC, Porter went to work for RCA and producer Chet Atkins in 1959. He would work with […]

Weekly Chart Report 7/09/10

RADIO NEWS West Texas Broadcasting’s KKCN/San Angelo, TX has named DK Pierce for music and programming duties, following the departures of Alex Hart and Tracy Scott. Pierce comes to the station from KOMG/Springfield, MO and he also spent time with KTST in Oklahoma City. Call times are Tuesdays from 10-12 central and you can reach […]

Putting Secondary Radio First

“In general what I’ve been seeing with some of the secondary stations,” says Diane Richey-Haupt, Owner of Diane Richey Promotions, “is different layers in the market. Many of the stations we deal with in an Activator or Indicator situation are highly consulted which makes it tough. On the MusicRow panel we find the stations are […]

Success Is In The Cards For Taylor Swift

Big Machine’s Taylor Swift is everywhere these days, and now, through the latest selections written and inspired by Swift for American Greetings Corporation, fans have been finding her in the greeting cards aisle as well. American Greetings’ latest selection of whimsical cards features 14 all new designs and classic summer imagery enhanced by Swift’s real-life […]

Sirius/XM Reports Subscriber Growth

Sirius XM announced Wednesday (7/7) that their second-quarter subscriber additions have pushed their total subscriber base to over 19.5 million listeners. That represents a 1.1 million increase from last year, well above Wall Street predictions. The company subsequently raised its 2010 forecast for subscriber growth by nearly 50 percent, sending shares 6 percent higher. Sirius […]

Musician’s Union Elects New Officers

Bassist Dave Pomeroy, President of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, was elected to the International Executive Board of the American Federation of Musicians at the organization’s 98th Convention in Las Vegas last week. Delegates representing the 90,000 members of the AFM voted for a major change in leadership, which has resulted in turnovers […]

Lifenotes: Wilma “Trip” Turner; Don Wright; Logan Pereira; Betty Sue Crockett

MusicRow sends deep condolences to members of the music community who have recently lost loved ones. Longtime Nashville publicist/writer Judi Turner’s mother, Wilma “Trip” Turner passed away Wednesday (7/7). She was 84. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia. She […]

Recording Academy Amends “Best New Artist” Rules

Blame it on Lady Gaga. In the wake of the flamboyant pop star’s exclusion from its Best New Artist category at this year’s 52nd annual Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy has changed its rules to allow for leeway for artists previously nominated in the category. The changes will be in place for the upcoming 53rd […]

EMI Publishing Promotes Creative Staffers

EMI Music Publishing Nashville has promoted three of its A&R team to new roles, it was announced today by Executive Vice President & General Manager Ben Vaughn. “Big” Tom Luteran moves from Senior Director to Vice President of A&R, marking the latest step up in his fifteen year career on Music Row. In a parallel […]

Trailer Choir Makes Opry Debut

Show Dog-Universal Music recording artists Trailer Choir made their Opry debut on June 29, performing  a couple of songs from their brand new, debut CD Tailgate (released July 6). Trailer Choir treated the Ryman Auditorium audience to their big hit, “Rockin’ The Beer Gut,” as well as brand new single “Shakin’ That Tailgate.”

Can Country’s 2nd Six Months Rescue Sales Slide?

It’s possible that country could sell the additional 28-30 million albums necessary to end 2010 flat. But even if unit sales do match last year, it seems highly likely that revenue will not.

Bridgette Tatum Seeks Extras For Video Shoot

Root 49 Records artist Bridgette Tatum is calling  for music and sports fans to appear as extras in a music video for the upcoming 2010 Atlantic Coast Conference Football season. Tatum’s song, “Loud,” was recently named the 2010 ACC Football theme song. The shoot, performed for ACC Advanced Media and Raycom Sports Productions, will  take place tomorrow (7/8) […]

DISClaimer Reviews (7/7/10)

Rockie Lynne, Cory Walker and Jadi Norris all want you to stop whatever you’re doing and salute our armed services. Alas, only Rockie’s song is a fitting and listenable soldier tribute.

Women Rock For The Cure Plans Pink Benefit

Women Rock For The Cure  (WRFTC) is once again turning up the pink this summer with the second annual Pink Trash Ball on Saturday, August 28 at local hot spot Mad Donna’s Restaurant in East Nashville (1313 Woodland St., Nashville, TN).  Doors open at 8:00 PM.  

This hot pink-themed evening features a live DJ spinning […]

Chesney To Present on ESPY Awards

He’s taken batting practice with the Boston Red Sox, been drafted and cut by the New Orleans Saints and is now in the final stages of co-producing and co-directing The Boys of Fall, a 90 minute documentary on high school football. And now, country superstar Kenny Chesney has been chosen as a presenter at the […]

Clay Walker Fights MS With BAMS

Last Wednesday (6/30) multi-platinum recording artist Clay Walker and his charity organization, Band Against MS (BAMS), made a $50,000 donation to Dr. Lauren Krupp during the Third Annual Clay Walker Charity Classics Gala event at the world-renown Pebble Beach Resorts. The BAMS donation will help support Krupp’s research on childhood multiple sclerosis (MS) at Stony […]

Chrysalis Music Signs Jim McCormick

Chrysalis Music Executive Vice President Dale Bobo has announced the signing of Nashville songwriter Jim McCormick to the publishing company. The day after McCormick signed with Chrysalis, the songwriter received the good news that new Columbia Records artist Joanna Smith had cut his song, “Georgia Mud.”

Shelton Readies Sophomore Six Pak CD

Reprise Records artist Blake Shelton is getting ready to release his second SIX PAK collection, and the singer has unveiled the track listing for the highly anticipated, Scott Hendricks-produced project. With an August 10 release date, All About Tonight will feature six new tracks from Shelton, including the title song, his fastest rising single to date. […]

Worley’s “Hitmakers & Harleys” a Big Success

Stroudavarious Records artist Darryl Worley’s annual Hitmakers & Harley’s concert series raised over $120,000 to support The Darryl Worley Foundation this year. Each event included a live auction and audiences were treated to star-studded performances by Nashville’s songwriters Walt Aldridge, Jim “Moose” Brown, Phil O’Donnell, Wynn Varble, and Steve Wariner. “Every penny raised will go straight to the cause, whether it’s helping people in need, our new […]

Marks To Lead SIRIUS XM Country

SIRIUS XM Radio has named John Marks Senior Director, Country Music Programming. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s five commercial-free country music channels, plus Elvis Radio, The Village, Bluegrass Junction and two Christian music channels. Marks was previously the Program Director for KSON/San Diego, Calif. He will report to Steve Blatter, Sr. VP and […]

Show Dog – Universal Signs JT Hodges

Show Dog – Universal Music announced today (7/6) the signing of JT Hodges. The Ft. Worth, Texas native is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who hails from a musical family—his father opened the town’s first recording studio and his mother was signed to MCA in the ’80s. Hodges is represented by TKO Artist Management and […]

Magic Mustang Inks With Big Loud Bucks

Magic Mustang Music has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with Big Loud Bucks Administration & Information. Under this new partnership, Big Loud Bucks will also be responsible for the administration of master recordings on behalf of Broken Bow Records and Stoney Creek Records. The current roster at Magic Mustang consists of Jason Aldean, Rob […]

Promo Teams Play Musical Chairs

Brooks Quigley joins Nine North Records as Director of Promotion, SE/SW… Lou Ramirez goes to Warner Music Nashville as Southeast Regional Promotion Manager…Stoney Creek hires Stacy Rogers as Manager Regional Promotion, West Coast.

Chesney Returns To Vegas Hard Rock

Kenny Chesney spent the July 4th holiday weekend playing a two-night stand at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s The Joint in Las Vegas. It marked his second trip to the venue this summer. He offered up old favorites, obscure fan requests, a few covers and broadcast the first show on his online station, No […]

Movie Digs Up Dirt On Facebook

A movie coming this October delves into the dirty laundry of Facebook founders Mark Zuckerberg and company. The Social Network from director David Fincher (Fight Club) is being described as dark, which seems to fit with the latest announcement that NIN’s Trent Reznor will be scoring the soundtrack. Jesse Eisenberg stars as Zuckerberg, and Justin […]

Musicians Corner Launches Saturday

A series of free Saturday afternoon concerts starts this weekend (7/10) in Centennial Park with Damien Horne, Mindy Smith and more. The Musicians Corner will offer live music from 3-6 PM on a stage at the southwest corner of the park (near West End and 27th Ave. N., and McDonald’s). The series will continue through […]

IBMA Readies Nashville Convention

Twenty thousand fans and music industry professionals from around the globe will converge on the Nashville Convention Center from September 27 through October 3 for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) World of Bluegrass. The week is equal parts homecoming, family reunion, expo, business conference, celebration and music festival, highlighted by the International Bluegrass Music […]

Friday Photo Flash: Cody ‘n’ Curb

Curb Music recently held a writing retreat at Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN to write songs for upcoming projects from Heidi Newfield (Curb), Thompson Square (Stoney Creek) and J.T. Hodges’ (Showdog-Universal). Pictured L-R: (Back) Joe Leathers, Heidi Newfield, Drew Alexander, Bobby Tomberlin, Vicky McGehee, J.T. Hodges and Brian Davis; (Front) Shawna Thompson, Keifer Thompson and Westin […]

Sherrie Austin Rejoins Magic Mustang

Magic Mustang’s Creative Director Juli Newton- Griffith has announced the signing of singer/songwriter Sherrie Austin to a publishing deal. “I am thrilled to have such a talented and respected writer back on our team,” explains Newton-Griffith. “Sherrie has a unique approach to writing and we are very excited about her return to Magic Mustang.” Magic […]

Weekly Chart Report 7/02/10

SPIN ZONE There’s a new CountryBreakout No. 1 song this week, and it comes courtesy of the same label who was on top last week. Keith Urban’s “I’m In,” one of the fastest rising singles we’ve seen in some time, now sits in the No. 1 position after only eight weeks charting. Little Big Town’s […]

Artists Step Up and Speak Out

With the summer touring season in full swing and seasonal singles lighting up country radio, MusicRow checked in with some busy country artists to find out what’s on their minds and what’s motivating their music and their life on the road. Check out the audio clips below to hear their responses. Danny Gokey Danny Gokey […]

Terrestrial Radio Technology Challenge Rising

Terrestrial radio, like many media properties, has recently faced sobering economic challenges, not the least of which could be a fast approaching showdown with Internet radio.

Adkins and Petty Go Head to Head For Headache Powder

Longtime competitors BC Powder and Goody’s Headache Powders have recruited country star Trace Adkins and NASCAR legend Richard Petty for what has been dubbed the Pick A Powder campaign. As part of the campaign, the two celebrities will play out a humorous rivalry of one-upsmanship about who experiences the toughest pain, with their respective brands […]

Nashville Music Council Outlines Goals For Future

The Nashville Music Council is made up of 50 of the industry’s most experienced players who are working with Mayor Karl Dean’s office to turn this city into a “Global Music Capital.” After a year of assessing the situation, the Mayor and Music Council leaders presented their goals to a group assembled at the W.O. […]

Songwriter Joshua Ragsdale Passes

Former Lyric Street artist, singer/songwriter Joshua Ragsdale passed away today in a Nashville hospital after battling leukemia. He was 32. Ragsdale was a staff writer with Sony/ATV. His song, “Ain’t Much Left Of Lovin’ You,” was the recent debut for Mercury Records artist Randy Montana. Along with legendary songwriter Bill Anderson, Ragsdale co-wrote “Papaw’s Sunday […]

John Simson To Exit SoundExchange

Last month, Executive Director John Simson announced to the SoundExchange Board that he would be leaving the role he’s held for the past ten years in order to return to his creative roots. The Board has requested that he remain in his current position until a successor can be found and Simson said he would […]

Fontanel To Host Songwriters Flood Benefit

On Saturday, July 17 between 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members will gather at Fontanel Mansion for “Songwriters Sing For Nashville,” a benefit for flood relief. The benefit show will also serve as the inaugural event for the new Woods at Fontanel amphitheater. Currently confirmed performers include Matraca Berg, Kye […]

Grant And Gill Plan Christmas Tour

When the holiday season comes around,  superstar couple Amy Grant and Vince Gill will embark on their fifth Christmas tour. The Twelve Days of Christmas Tour kicks off December 8 in Sarasota, FL and wraps with two shows in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium. “Christmas audiences are special,” explains Grant. “They tend to involve the whole family, […]

MCN Promotes Dunn To VP Client Services

Web design and e-commerce shop Music City Networks has named Craig Dunn as Vice President of Client Services. After spending seven years on the road with Sara Evans, Dunn served as Music City Network’s Senior Account Manager, leading MCN’s internal team in the brainstorming and execution of online creative, marketing and community building strategies for […]

Producer Worley Launches Skyville Records

Renowned music producer Paul Worley, along with partners Wally Wilson and Glen Morgan, have formed a new record label, Skyville Records. The label is the latest venture of the threesome who formed Skyline Music Publishing six years ago. “This label is a natural extension of the artist development that we have always done,” Worley says. “It […]

Trailer Choir Releases Debut CD

Show Dog-Universal Music will release Trailer Choir’s debut CD, Tailgate, on July 6. The group’s first full-length CD features its upcoming new single release, “Shakin’ That Tailgate,” a song they premiered on the recent CMT Music Awards. Fans that loved their signature song, “Rockin’ the Beer Gut,” won’t be disappointed, as that song as well […]

ICE Slams Movie Pirates

In a high profile crackdown, federal authorities seized the domain names of nine websites accused of illegally distributing first run movies such as Toy Story 3 and The A-Team. All nine sites had domain names that were registered via U.S. registration services according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Some computers used to […]

Buddy Miller Is Hall of Fame’s Artist in Residence

Acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitarist Buddy Miller will bring his guitar, his songs and some of his favorite collaborators when he takes the Ford Theater stage as the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s 2010 Artist-in-Residence. Miller will serve as host and curator for the intimate evening performances, which are slated for August 10, 17 and 24 at […]