New Music From Trailer Choir and More

Trailer Choir has been making the rounds at the CMA Premiere Radio remotes, debuting the “HOLLA-day” version of their hit single “Rockin’ the Beer Gut” by singing a portion of the song in radio interviews. Josh Thompson released his self-titled, digital EP this week, including debut single “Beer On The Table.” Produced by Michael Knox […]

ABC-TV Special Leads Into Tonight’s CMA Awards

“Country Music’s Biggest Night” is upon us. CMA Awards tickets are sold out, ABC has been hyping Country with special programming, and downtown traffic is being adjusted for load-in to the Sommet Center. As part of the CMA Awards excitement, last night (11/10) ABC presented the hour-long special In The Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Bright […]

Country Celebrates Veterans Day

“Chevy Salutes America’s Heroes” contest winner Master Sgt. Bubba Beason of the U.S. Air Force was awarded a 2010 Chevy Equinox yesterday (11/10) during ABC’s Good Morning America broadcast from the Sommet Center. Country artist Rodney Atkins presented Beason and his family with the car. Beason’s son, Christopher, entered his father in the contest and […]

Bobby Karl Works The Room: BMI Awards

Chapter 327 More Stars Than There Are in the Heavens. That was the saying about the MGM lot during Hollywood’s golden age in the ‘30s and ‘40s. If there’s an organization in country music that can say the same in this golden age of country music, it is surely BMI. The performance rights organization’s 57th […]

Siman Blasts Channel 5 Scalping Expose

Editorial: Scott Siman, President RPM Management “Kudos to Channel 5 for investigating and getting it all wrong. Please, Bob Lefsetz? He couldn’t find Nashville with Mapquest. He is a true idiot. Are there issues? Yes. Does he understand them? No. Actually, for many acts, tickets are under priced. Market value, American spirit of economy should […]

Big Winners At BMI—Pinson, Swift, Sony/ATV

It was an evening to celebrate songs and songwriters at BMI’s Country Awards, held last night (11/10) at the organization’s Music Row offices. Bobby Pinson was named Songwriter of the Year, Taylor Swift’s smash “Love Story” received Song of the Year honors, and its publisher Sony/ATV Music was awarded Publisher of the Year. The 57th […]

Song Camps Encourage Collaboration

Song Camps are growing in popularity as a way to introduce writers and pen songs for specific artists or sync placements. ASCAP will be hosting its third Song Camp in Nashville November 16, 17 and 18. This event will bring together 15 hit songwriters from the Latin, Urban, Pop and Country genres. Scheduled to participate […]

Aimee Mayo Celebrates Million-Air Hits

Aimee Mayo recently celebrated several Million-Air Awards at Brown’s Diner, a Nashville eatery where she worked before making it big as a songwriter. The 2002 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, Mayo received Million-Air awards for her impressive string of hits including Lonestar’s “Amazed,” which has generated more than 6 million performances; Martina McBride’s “This […]

CMT Features Sugarland Concert Special

Sugarland: Live On The Inside, the one-hour network television special featuring Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush’s Love On The Inside Tour will re-air exclusively on CMT beginning Friday, November 13 at 9 PM/CT and repeat numerous times throughout the month. The video was directed by Shaun Silva and filmed at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. […]

Consumers Spending Less This Holiday

Thirty percent of consumers say they will spend less money during the upcoming holiday shopping season than in years past, according to leading market research company The NPD Group, Inc. This is a slight increase from last year’s poll of consumers asking the same question. The National Retail Federation is projecting holiday retail industry sales […]

Opry Show To Stream On MySpace

The Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest-running radio show, and MySpace are uniting to live stream an Opry performance with video for the first time. On Nov. 14, 9 – 10 p.m. ET fans can view the live show featuring Opry member and country superstar Carrie Underwood, CMA new artist nominee Jake Owen, and more. […]

Bobby Karl Works the SESAC Awards

Chapter 326 We Are Family. That concept was repeatedly invoked at Monday night’s SESAC banquet on Music Row (11/9). And, my, how the “family” has grown: The event is now double in size what it was just a few short years ago. “I’m proud to be a member of the SESAC family,” said Songwriter of […]

Swift Set To Open CMA Awards

It was announced today (11/8) that four-time nominee Taylor Swift will deliver the opening performance at Wednesday night’s (11/11) CMA Awards. The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by fellow nominees Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, will air live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on ABC. Swift, who won the Horizon Award in 2007, received […]

CMA Honors Walter C. Miller

The Country Music Association recently presented the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence to longtime and treasured former CMA Awards Executive Producer, Walter C. Miller. He was recognized for his 40-years of working with the CMA Awards, as producer, executive producer, and now consulting producer, on Friday, Nov. 6, at a reception in the Suite Level […]

Photos From The Walk of Fame Ceremony

Music City, Inc. yesterday (11/8) inducted the seventh class into the Music City Walk of Fame: Tootsie Bess, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton, Kid Rock and Ernest Tubb. The honorees were recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The induction ceremony, sponsored by Great American […]

Videos: CMT’s Aldean Exclusive, Covington’s Hometown Shoot

CMT will host the television premiere of Jason Aldean’s new video, “The Truth,” on Nov. 13. The week leading up to the premiere will include various multi-platform exclusives across CMT properties. Fans can visit CMT.com or m.CMT.com on their mobile phones for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the video. Twitter followers of @jason_aldean and @FollowCMT get […]

HFA Inks Gracenote Lyrics Deal

U.S. music rights licensing organization, the Harry Fox Agency has entered into a digital lyrics licensing arrangement with Gracenote, a provider of lyrics for digital music applications. The agreement includes lyric delivery with permanent downloads, CD playback, online subscription services, lyrics search, mobile services and consumer devices. HFA’s over 37,000 represented publishing catalogs will have […]

Chesney In 3-D

Known for his blockbuster roadshow, Kenny Chesney has his own concert movie coming to theaters in April. He teamed with Sony Motion Pictures’ The Hot Ticket Division to release Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3-D. The film was shot over six nights in five cities—Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston and Indianapolis—using 22 different 3-D cameras. Other 3-D […]

Moraine Inks Admin Deal With Nettwerk

Moraine Music Group has completed a worldwide administration deal and joint venture with Vancouver-based Nettwerk One Music. Moraine recently celebrated a No. 1 country single, “Small Town USA” recorded by Justin Moore. Moraine writer/artist Johnny Reid with producer/writer Brent Maher swept the CCMA Awards winning a total of six trophies. Nettwork has publishing, label and […]

New Music Coming From Montgomery Gentry

Montgomery Gentry is planning a new album to be released in early 2010. The lead single “Oughta Be More Songs About That,” is at radio now and has an official impact date of Nov. 30. The song, co-penned by Eddie Montgomery, recognizes the importance of hard work, forgiveness, and social responsibility. It will be on […]

Wariner, Morgan Find Inspiration In The Past

Artists are looking to the past for inspiration for their new albums. Steve Wariner salutes Chet Atkins with his release out tomorrow (11/10) and Lorrie Morgan revisits Country classics for her new project. Wariner’s My Tribute to Chet Atkins, is a self-produced ode to the legendary guitarist and producer who was also his friend, mentor, […]

Sony Moves McKinley, Reworks Marketing Dept.

Sony Music Nashville Marketing Vice President Tom Baldrica announced today (11/9) that Laura McKinley has assumed the post of Manager, Marketing & Artist Development for the label group’s Arista Nashville and RCA Nashville imprints. A seven-year company veteran, McKinley first became Manager, Marketing & Artist Development in 2007, most recently working with the BNA and […]

Trent Tomlinson

“Angels Like Her” Lyric Street Records Trent Tomlinson has recently released his newest single, “Angels Like Her,” from his upcoming sophomore album, A Guy Like Me. “Angels Like Her” was written by Tomlinson with Arlos Smith and Aaron Barker and was produced by the singer and Leigh Reynolds. “This has to be my favorite song […]

Underwood Plays On; More Artist News

Carrie Underwood will make her first ever appearances on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (11/16) and Jimmy Kimmel Live! (11/19), and is set for a return visit to Ellen (11/18). She is making the rounds in support of her new album Play On. Unofficial estimates are expecting debut week sales to hit close to […]

Flatts Wrap First Leg of Tour

The first leg of the Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour wrapped last weekend, just in time for Gary, Jay, and Joe Don to make it home for the CMA Awards on Nov. 11. Since the run began in June, the Lyric Street act sold 550,000 tickets and played 39 shows. This total includes the […]

John Rich To Grand Marshal Parade

John Rich will serve as Parade Grand Marshal for the 57th annual Nashville Christmas Parade, hosted by Piedmont Natural Gas. The parade benefits Piedmont’s Share the Warmth Round Up program, and kicks-off the Christmas season in downtown Nashville on Friday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. CST. Rich and Mayor Karl Dean will light the Nashville […]

Swift on SNL

AOL country fan site TheBoot.com is kicking the media competition when it comes to reporting on Taylor Swift’s upcoming Saturday Night Live experience as host and musical guest (11/7). Here’s a few of the insider tips being revealed. Swift will participate in a spoof of the Kanye West incident which involves a promo with SNL […]

Pahanish at 12th And Porter, Avetts at Ryman

BMI Presents at 12th Porter attracted a wall-to-wall crowd last week. The quarterly showcase featured Music Row buzz artist Dave Pahanish, who co-wrote Jimmy Wayne’s chart-topper “Do You Believe Me Now?”; southern California roots duo the Pawn Shop Kings; and promising young honky tonker Tyler Farr. —————————- The Avett Brothers rocked the Ryman Auditorium on […]

Gary Nicholson Celebrates 60 With NSAI Benefit

Top notch tunesmith Gary Nicholson will celebrate his 60th birthday this Saturday, Nov. 7 with a benefit for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). The Grammy winner has recruited tons of songwriter/artist friends to join him for the show at 3rd & Lindsley. Set to perform are Fortunate Sons (Kenny Greenberg, Michael Rhodes, Chad Cromwell, […]

Kenny Rogers’ Christmas Tour, Symphony Show

Kenny Rogers will join the Nashville Symphony for a special performance on Fri., Feb. 5, 2010. From the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, he will be backed by the expansive sound of the orchestra to perform his most beloved songs such as “Lucille,” “The Gambler” and “Buy Me a Rose.” Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 6, […]

More Music Debuting Via Exclusive Agreements

An increasing number of artists are sharing their new music with select partners first. R&B/pop star Rihanna will showcase her much-anticipated new material exclusively to Nokia mobile phone users, in the latest such agreement. Nokia owners will get to hear the songs more than a week before the album, Rated R, streets on Nov. 23. […]

McMurry Entertainment Opens On The Row

Longtime music businessmen Howard Fields and Everett Zinn have launched McMurry Entertainment Group, an independent music company based in Nashville. The enterprise is a three-way partnership between Fields, Zinn and Wyoming entrepreneur Doris McMurry, and is comprised of a record label and management company all under the MEG moniker. In the works are a distribution […]

CMA Update: Kid Rock Duets W/ Jamey Johnson; Martina Sings

The carefully managed 43rd Annual CMA Awards info stream continues to tantalize with new details regarding performers and presenters. Just announced is a duet with Kid Rock and four-time nominee Jamey Johnson—their first ever on TV, and Martina McBride will perform during the show. Newly announced presenters include nine-time CMA Award winners The Judds, Country […]

Reba Makes Media Rounds, Wy Joins Tribute Show

Reba is busy on the talk show circuit this week. She will make her first visit to Rachael Ray’s kitchen table today (11/5) as the show’s only  celebrity guest. Later in the evening, she visits ABC’s Nightline to discuss her musical influences,  career and new album. Earlier this week she stopped by Live! with Regis […]

Tracy Lawrence Turkey Fry, Guitar Center Food Drive

Tracy Lawrence’s 4th annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry will take place Tues., Nov. 24 from 8 AM-5 PM at the Nashville Mission parking lot (639 Lafayette St.). Lorrie Morgan, Burns and Poe, Sarah Darling, and Brad Arnold are among the guests who will join Lawrence that day. Since the food drive’s inception, Lawrence and celebrity […]

Free LimeWire Compilation Of Nashville Acts

The LimeWire Store has unveiled a compilation featuring promising indie talent straight out of Music City. The Ear to the Ground: Nashville compilation is a free digital download available exclusively at store.limewire.com/ettg. Curated by the staff of Nashville Scene, Ear to the Ground: Nashville is a 17-track compendium featuring rising talents including Cortney Tidwell, Those […]

Cracker Barrel Opens Store Downtown For CMA Awards

A temporary Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® will be open from Nov. 7-12, at 1st & Broadway in downtown Nashville in conjunction with the CMA Awards. The retail shop won’t have a restaurant, but it will have an appearance by Alan Jackson. The superstar just released a new collection of signature merchandise exclusively via Cracker Barrel. […]

CMA To Host Marketing Summit

The Country Music Association will host its fourth annual Marketing Summit next week, designed to inform executives from national corportations about entering successful partnerships with country music and its artists. Brown-Forman, Chevy, Coca-Cola, Cotton Inc., Cracker Barrel, Dollar General, General Mills, Nissan, Shoney’s, Tasti D-Lite, TIAA CREF and Wrangler are among the big name companies […]

3 Doors Down Local Side Project, Golf Tournament

Local musicians Todd Harrell (3 Doors Down), Jon Nicholson (Muzik Mafia), Kenny Olson (Kid Rock’s band), and Shannon Boone have formed a new band called 7dayBinge. They recorded their self-titled debut album recently at the Sound Kitchen and will release it via Rock Ridge Music. The self-produced album will be available digitally on Dec. 8, […]

Industry Poll: Who Will Win Entertainer?

MusicRow.com has just posted an industry poll on the home page. Vote anonymously and tell us who you think will take home the big prize at next week’s CMA Awards. A new fan poll by CMT.com says Taylor Swift will win Entertainer of the Year on Nov. 11. If Swift wins, she’ll become the youngest […]

Artists Lend Names To Charity

Buddy Jewell, Stella Parton and Adam Gregory will be the Ambassadors of Goodwill for World Orphans Day 2009 on Nov. 9. They will hold a candlelight vigil to raise awareness at the The People’s Church East Lawn in Franklin, TN at 4:00 p.m. CST. Gregory will also lead students and youth groups in a mile walk […]

Currington To Macy’s Parade, Martina on Oprah

Billy Currington will perform during the 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The event in New York City will be co-hosted by Today’s Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, and Al Roker, and will air on NBC from 9:00 a.m.-noon in all time zones. Other guests include Andrea Bocelli, Boys Like Girls, Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Gloria […]

Lifenotes: Billy Deaton [updated 11/3]

Updated: Arrangements for Billy Deaton. Visitation will be Thursday, November 5 from 4-7 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home. The funeral will be Friday, November 6 at 11:30 AM, also at Woodlawn Funeral Home. ———————- Longtime Music Row talent agent Billy Deaton died Saturday evening, Oct. 31. He was 74 and had battled a lengthy illness. […]

Music City Walk of Fame Names New Class

Tootsie Bess, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton, Kid Rock and Ernest Tubb will join the Music City Walk of Fame. This seventh class of inductees will be recognized with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers on Sun., Nov. 8, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The induction ceremony, which […]

Bug Music Adds Emerson Hart To Roster

Bug Music has signed Emerson Hart, best known as the songwriter and frontman of multi-platinum rock group Tonic. Under terms of the agreement, Bug Music and Hart have entered into a co-publishing deal encompassing Hart’s future recordings and his critically-acclaimed 2007 solo album Cigarettes and Gasoline. Hart, who relocated to Nashville within the last few […]

Lyric Street Shutters Carolwood Imprint

[Press Release] Lyric Street/Carolwood Records President Randy Goodman announced today (11/3) the restructuring of that Group’s imprints, which functionally will mean the shuttering of the year-old Carolwood Records while strengthening the Lyric Street promotion staff as both John Ettinger and Chris Palmer, Carolwood Sr. Directors, will move to Lyric Street Records, augmenting that already seasoned […]

Strait, Reba Set For Big Arena Tour

George Strait’s 2010 arena tour will feature fellow superstar Reba McEntire. The outing will kick off Jan. 22 in Baltimore, MD, and has concerts scheduled through April 10 in Des Moines, IA. Dates include nearby stops in Memphis, Knoxville, and Atlanta but not Nashville. Strait recently released Twang, which debuted at No. 1 on the […]

Lofton Creek Debuts New Acts

Mike Borchetta and the team at Lofton Creek Records have two new artists on the rise. The label recently signed Adam Fisher and his first single, “Cotton Town,” is impacting radio via CDX, Vol. 486. Fisher, a North Carolina native, is busy visiting radio stations. He recently signed with Pam Lewis’s publicity firm PLA Media. […]

Royalty Debate: Lock Labels And Broadcasters In A Room

The growing royalty spat between radio broadcasters and record labels continues to deepen as labels demand a performance rights royalty for themselves and artists, while radio asserts it simply is not affordable. As industry observers know, currently songwriters and publishers are the only stakeholders to get paid a performance fee by U.S. terrestrial radio. According […]

ZBB Sets Sail

The Zac Brown Band is planning their own Sailing Southern Ground Cruise for Labor Day Weekend 2010. About 2,000 fans are expected to board the Carnival Inspiration in Tampa, Fla. and cruise to Grand Cayman Sept. 2-6. There will be almost round-the-clock music, including the main stage ticketed shows, as well as dozens of general […]