GAC Fans Pick Year’s Top Videos

Each night this week, GAC is revealing part of its fan-voted list of the Top 50 Videos of 2009. The network has divulged the top 10 videos, but not the order. Carrie Underwood is the only artist to score two videos in the ’09 top 10. The Top 50 Videos of 2009 countdown is hosted […]

Holiday Photos: George Jones, Big Machine, More

George Jones’ wife Nancy commissioned a comical portrait of her husband’s infamous John Deere ride from visual artist and singer Ronnie McDowell, who delivered it on Christmas Day. —————————– Big Machine’s Mandy McCormack and The Valory Music Co.’s Miranda Williams dressed the part for their shifts at the Big Machine Label Group kiosk at Cool […]

Covington Donates To Arthritis Foundation

Bucky Covington made a big donation to the Arthritis Foundation’s Tennessee Chapter last night (12/29) before his performance at the newly renovated Hard Rock Cafe Nashville. The singer won $25,000 earlier this year with an appearance on CMT’s Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? and was glad to turn the money over to one […]

Sales Surge; One Week Remains

Santa’s sold-out annual tour has ended for 2009, but the SoundScan numbers continue on….for one more week that is. That’s right, in a move akin to a leap-year type calendar correction,  the 2009 SS reports will include 53 weeks instead of just 52. All Genre Sales Susan Boyle’s debut CD continued to churn, scanning over […]

Paperless Ticket Sales Pass 1 Million

Ticketmaster has crossed the one million mark for paperless ticket sales. The paperless option is designed to limit reselling of tickets and provide fans with access to tickets at the original face price set by the artist, team and/or promoter. Being environmentally friendly is an added bonus. The first 100% paperless arena tour was the […]

Lifenotes: Frances Bellamy; Ed Palmer

Frances Bellamy, mother of Howard and David Bellamy of The Bellamy Brothers, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2009. She was 85. Services were private. David Bellamy says, “Thank you to everyone for all the kind thoughts and prayers.” Online condolences may be semt to Michael@hodgesfuneralhome.com. Donations in Frances Bellamy’s memory can be made at www.hospicecare.com. […]

ZBB Rocks Ryman With 2-Night Stand

The Zac Brown Band played a two-night stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium this week. The sold-out shows on Sunday (12/27) and Monday (12/28) included guests such as Joey & Rory and Mac McAnally. Besides offering crowd-pleasing hits like “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “Chicken Fried” and “Toes,” Zac and company took the opportunity to […]

Kira Florita Exits Leadership Music

[Press Release with analysis below] Kira Florita has submitted her resignation as executive director of Leadership Music, the Leadership Music Board of Directors announced today.  Her resignation will become effective on Jan. 18, 2010; however, Florita will remain engaged as a consultant to assist with the transition to a new management team. A 30-year music […]

Year’s Top AMA Albums; Ford Embraces HD Radio

The Americana Music Association has compiled a list of its Top 100 Albums of 2009, as reported to the organization’s chart from 11/17/2008 through 11/16/2009. The complete Top 100 list is available here… The Top 10 most played albums, as charted on the Americana Airplay Chart are: 1. Buddy & Julie Miller 2. Steve Earle […]

Keith Ends Decade On Top

In 1993, Toby Keith’s debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” rose to the top of the charts, christening a career that has garnered ample recognition, fame and fortune. This year the singer/songwriter has been honored by Billboard as its Top Country Artist and Songwriter of the Decade. Keith also ranked No. 3 on the publication’s […]

Hard Rock Reopens With Week Long Celebration

Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe reopens with a week long series of events designed to highlight the club’s re-opening and help support some worthy charities. In partnership with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hard Rock’s celebration will also include the first annual Music City Bash on Broadway, featuring a performance by  Rodney Atkins and Friends […]

Ragsdale Debuts Double Disc Set

Nashville’s Suzi Ragsdale will release a double digipak album on Feb. 9 titled Best Regards/Less Of The Same. The project is on Clyde/Stark Raven Records and distributed nationally by Allegro Media Group. The new tracks feature special guests such as Rodney Crowell, Darrell Scott and Gabe Dixon. Both the new discs were produced by Tim […]

Photo Buzz

Photos featuring Jewel, Colt Ford plus Aaron and Amanda Crabb…

Radio, Rights Orgs Temporarily Agree On 7%

The music publishing industry has been anxiously watching licensing negotiations between BMI, ASCAP and radio/TV interests. Rate contracts are in the process of being renewed and concerns on the music side of the table revolve around potential rate reductions due to falling radio/TV ad revenues. Today it has been announced that the Radio Music License […]

Piracy Report: 2009s Most Downloaded Films

The music industry is not alone when it comes to fighting the revenue-shrinking effects of piracy. Web analysts www.torrentfreak.com, a site dedicated to creating unique information pertaining to filesharing, has released its list of the Top 10 most pirated movies of 2009. The site notes that although Internet piracy from the silver screen increased during […]

Charlie Daniels Touts GEICO

Charlie Daniels will be featured in a GEICO Commercial as part of GEICO’s new ad campaign, called “Rhetorical Questions.” The campaign asks rhetorical questions regarding the well-known tagline, “15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.” Each spot begins with an investigative reporter-type host, played by Mike McGlone (from The Brothers McMullen) asking […]

T.J. Martell Updates 2010 Board

T.J. Martell Southern Region has announced its new 2010 officers and board members. The new officers include Derek Crownover, Partner of Crownover Tisinger PC as President; Tom Annastas, VP of Licensing for BMI as Vice President; Karen Clark, Senior VP and Financial Advisor at Pinnacle Financial Partners as Treasurer; Rick Murray, President and CEO of […]

More Artists Added To Sound And Speed

Danny Gokey and Holly Williams are among the latest additions to Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust, a fundraiser pairing NASCAR and country music, set for Jan. 8-9 in Nashville. The annual event benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, and Victory Junction, a camp for children with serious illness. A special […]

Tommy Steele

“Watching Love Grow” Triple Creek Records, Inc. Country artist Tommy Steele is already a mainstay at numerous US clubs and festivals, and now he is taking his music to a larger audience with the release of his single “Watching Love Grow” to country radio. The single, co-written by Rodney Clawson (“I Saw God Today,” “Amarillo […]

Covington To Help Hard Rock Cafe Open New Venue

Lyric Street recording artist Bucky Covington will perform as part of Hard Rock Cafe Nashville’s “Countdown to 2010” music series. The week-long live music event celebrates the venue’s grand re-opening. As part of these festivities, ASCAP is presenting An Evening With Bucky Covington on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 7 pm. Spreading the holiday cheer, […]

CMT Counts Down Top Videos of ’09 On Host Smith’s Final Show

Taylor Swift tops the list when CMT counts down the 20 biggest country music videos of the year in a special year-end episode of CMT Top 20 Countdown on Friday, December 25 at 11:30 a.m., ET/PT. CMT host Lance Smith will count down the best videos of 2009, as well as his favorite moments of the […]

Publicists Featured On CMA Industry InSite

Understanding the importance of publicity is the focus of the latest installment of CMA Industry InSite, an online educational series, which is now available on CMA’s member Web site, My.CMAworld.com. The eighth episode, “Publicity – The Portal to the People,” is available now and features interviews with Mary Hilliard Harrington, President, The Greenroom; Dixie Owen, […]

Gokey Album Coming In March

19 Recordings/RCA Nashville is planning an early March release of the debut album by Danny Gokey. The American Idol finalist’s first single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me,” is at radio now, and the album will be called My Best Days. The digital single is available this week for the first time, and listeners […]

Jimmy Wayne To Walk Halfway Across US For Homeless

Jimmy Wayne is on a crusade for the homeless. The singer plans to walk from Nashville to Phoenix to raise funds and awareness for at-risk individuals, particularly youth and young adults. He will sleep outdoors and in shelters along the way. His journey—called the “Meet Me Halfway” campaign because he is walking halfway across the […]

Alive at The Bluebird Series Returns

More than 70 songwriters are set to perform in the 17th annual Alive at The Bluebird concert series this January. Many artists and writers who have long supported the benefit for Alive Hospice are returning in 2010, including Amy Grant, Suzy Bogguss, Doug Crider, Kathy Mattea, Jon Vezner, Kim Carnes, Matraca Berg, Becky Hobbs, Benita […]

Swift, Lady A Set For Grammy Performances

Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum are among the first performers announced for the Grammy Awards airing Sun., Jan. 31, 2010. They will join fellow nominees Beyoncé, Black Eyed Peas, and Maxwell, in performing at the 52nd Annual event, taking place at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The show will air on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. […]

Break-In at Charlie Daniels Museum

From the City Paper: Metro Police are continuing their investigation into an early morning burglary at the Charlie Daniels Band Museum downtown on Second Avenue. Thieves grabbed $200 from the museum’s cash register but did not steal any of the band’s memorabilia, police said. Click here for more.

Ticketmaster-Live Nation Merger Gets UK Approval

The UK Competition Commission today (12/22) approved the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, propelling the deal one another step closer to completion. Amid antitrust inquiries, the United States and Canada have yet to sign off on the merger. However, both companies remain optimistic there will be a successful outcome. A statement from the U.K. […]

Underwood Gets Engaged, Earns Top Country Album of Decade

Carrie Underwood is engaged to hockey player Mike Fisher of the Ottawa Senators. He shared the news with his hometown newspaper the Ottawa Sun today (12/21), adding that he proposed yesterday. Underwood’s publicist Jessie Schmidt says the news is true: “I’m happy to confirm Carrie Underwood is engaged to Mike Fisher, and the couple couldn’t […]

CMT Wraps Most-Watched Year Ever

CMT reports its most-watched year ever during 2009, and its ninth consecutive year of primetime growth. Meanwhile, CMT.com is headed for its most-streamed year in history. The fourth quarter is on pace to become the network’s most-watched quarter. Viewing is up 43% over last year, which it says was driven by cross-promoting music specials, stunts […]

Rimes To Host Colgate Country Showdown

America’s largest country music talent search will hold its National Final at the Ryman Auditorium on January 14th, 2010 with LeAnn Rimes hosting for the fourth consecutive year. The 28th Annual Colgate Country Showdown will have five regional winners competing for $100,000 and the title “Best New Act in Country Music.” The finalists have competed […]

CRS Offers Special Rate For Unemployed

Unemployed members of the radio and music industries will be able to attend CRS 2010 for a special discounted rate of $99 when the conference is held Feb. 24-26, 2010 in Nashville. The Unemployment Rate provides attendees access to educational events only, including more than 20 seminars, panels and exhibits. Notable agenda item highlights included […]

On The Cover: Blake Shelton

Label: Warner Music Nashville Current Album: Startin’ Fires Current Single/Video: “Hillbilly Bone,” from an upcoming album Current Producer: Scott Hendricks Hometown: Ada, Oklahoma Management: Starstruck Mgmt. Group Booking: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment Recent Hits: “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” “Home” Special TV/Film Appearances: NBC’s Clash of the Choirs show; judge on Nashville Star; Shelton was named […]

Lifenotes: Ralph Meacham, Kim Markovchick’s Husband

Ralph Meacham, husband to longtime music industry executive Kim Markovchick, has died. He passed away at home in Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. after a battle with Lou Gehrig Disease. Loved ones say he was a “farmer, photographer, and storyteller.” Meacham was a veteran of the United States Navy and was an active volunteer in the local […]

CMA Assembles Exec. Dir. Search Team

Charlie Anderson, President/CEO of Anderson Merchandisers and former Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors, has been tapped to lead the committee responsible for defining the role of CMA executive director, and hiring a national search firm to fill the vacancy. Former  CMA head Tammy Genovese resigned from the company on Dec. 2. The committee […]

Lifenotes: Chris Feinstein; Bill Burnette Undergoes Surgery

Musician Chris Feinstein, a Nashville native who was most recently bassist for Ryan Adams & the Cardinals died Monday in New York. He was 42. Feinstein had been playing with the Cardinals since 2006 and had recorded three albums as a Cardinal: Easy Tiger, Follow the Lights, and Cardinology. He was also a well-known producer […]

Film-Com Debuts In Nashville

Local organization FilmNashville is hosting the first annual Film-Com event in Nashville next year. Running April 13-16 at the Hilton Nashville Downtown, Film-Com is designed to connect filmmakers and their new projects to distribution companies, financial backers, co-production partners, packaging agents and others in the industry. Organizer Andy vanRoon designed this event to help films […]

“Country Weekly” Marks 15 Years

Country Weekly magazine is celebrating 15 years of publication with a special edition hitting newsstands Monday (12/21). The issue, dated Dec. 28, 2009 takes a look back at the magazine’s changes since its launch. It includes a timeline of major industry happenings over the past 15 years, plus photos, memorable covers and more. “It’s hard […]

Photo Friday: Gretchen, CRB, Angela Kaset

Gretchen Wilson began her final weekend on the road for 2009 with a packed-house appearance at Knoxville’s massive Cotton Eyed Joe night club last night. The WIVK-sponsored event benefited the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. ——————————- Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® hosted their annual Christmas party this past Wednesday night, Dec. 16.  In addition […]

Show Dog-Universal Music Launches

Toby Keith‘s Show Dog Nashville is merging with Universal Records South to become Show Dog-Universal Music. Keith will serve as a Principle of the new label and previous Universal South Pres. Wright is on board as President of the newly combined entity. More announcements are expected in January. “Show Dog-Universal will still have the feeling […]

Sound And Speed Gears Up With New Opry Show

Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust has partnered with the Grand Ole Opry for a special event to kick-off the weekend on Friday, Jan. 8 at the Ryman. Hank Williams Jr. and Chris Young will perform that night to open the annual NASCAR and country music-themed fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame® and […]

Gibson Plans 1920s-Style Sweets Shop Downtown

From the Nashville Scene: Gibson Guitar Inc. has transported a 1926 candy store from Michigan to Nashville and will reopen it in January on Lower Broadway. Click to read more.

Tin Pan South Kicks Off March 30

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced the dates for the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, running March 30 – April 3, 2010 in Nashville. Highlighting songwriters of all genres, the popular event will feature two shows per night at numerous local venues. For the fourth continuous year, Regions Bank will be […]

Swift Leads Sales With 3 Weeks Left in ’09

Taylor Swift could end 2009 as the top selling artist for all genres, for the second year in a row. Her album Fearless has sold more than 2.6 million units this year, and over 4.8 million since it came out in 2008. Her self-titled debut brought in over 600K units this year, plus she has […]

Underwood Receives Symphony Harmony Award

Carrie Underwood received the 2009 Harmony Award at the Symphony Ball on Saturday night, December 12, at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.  The fundraiser for the Nashville Symphony and its outreach programs is Music City’s premiere winter social event. This year’s white-tie, invitation-only evening marked the event’s 25th anniversary. Underwood performed and wore a gown by […]

Swift Covers “People’s” Most Intriguing Issue

Taylor Swift graces the cover of People magazine’s “25 Most Intriguing of 2009” issue which hits newsstands Friday. Everyone knows it’s been a huge year for the star who turned 20 years old over the weekend. For the issue she talked candidly with magazine, explaining, “It feels like this ongoing dream. It blows my mind…You […]

Wariner Receives Million Air Awards, Plays Benefit Tonight

BMI recently honored Steve Wariner at a luncheon (12/15) where he was presented with Million-Air Awards for writing and publishing four songs that have reached new million performance levels. The Million-Air Award recognizes songs that have earned more than one million performances on U.S. television and radio. To date 11 songs written by Wariner have […]

Artists Send Christmas Music; Larry The Cable Guy Sends Video

Craig Morgan has recorded a holiday-themed version of his latest hit “Bonfire,” but he had to do it in a hotel bathroom. Morgan’s camp says co-producer Phil O’Donnell and engineer Mitch Malloy packed up their portable recording gear and headed to Kennesaw, GA to meet Morgan at the Holiday Inn Express before a gig. They […]

Bill Anderson Honored as Poet and Prophet

Legendary songwriter Bill Anderson was honored Saturday (12/12) as part of the ongoing Poets and Prophets series at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Throughout the 90-minute program, which incorporated vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s collection, Anderson discussed his illustrious songwriting career and performed a handful of original compositions. […]

Songwriters and Superstars Offer Help During Holidays

Songwriters and superstars alike are helping those in need this holiday season. On board to raise much needed funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are Keith Urban, Buddy Jewell and Whitney Duncan. Urban and Jewell have 2010 calendars for sale to benefit the hospital through their Web sites. And Duncan is auctioning off the […]