Jimmy Wayne Reveals Album Details

Jimmy Wayne’s new album, Sara Smile, will land in stores Mon., Nov. 23. The lead single is his remake of the Hall & Oates pop classic and includes them as guests vocalists, adding up to the highest chart debut of Wayne’s career. For the project, Wayne had a hand in writing four songs, and also […]

DISClaimer (9/25/09)

Yikes: How did it get to be the end of September already? The official first day of Autumn was Tuesday, and everyone is polishing up their late-year releases. Tim scores big points in this column with “Southern Voice,” the title tune of his Oct. 20 CD. Last night, Miranda debuted her Revolution at the Ryman. […]

DISClaimer (9/18/09)

No cash this week, because there’s not a clunker in sight. Everybody is playing at the top of their game, especially the ridiculously talented Steve Wariner, Gene Watson and Darius Rucker. Programmers are going to hate this next sentence. All 10 of these platters deserve airplay. Polish off a DisCovery Award for Chris Heers. He […]

DISClaimer (9/16/09)

The Americana music convention begins today in Nashville, so what better time to run a column about the genre? The artists we’re talking about today are all up for awards at Thursday’s gala at the Ryman Auditorium. So we’re talking the cream of Americana, here. Earlier in the year, I raved about nominees such as […]

DISClaimer (9/11/09)

It’s country collaboration day! Ronnie Milsap is singing with Trace Adkins. Bruce Springsteen turns up as a guest on John Fogerty’s album. Billy Gibbons meets Brooks & Dunn in a roadhouse rumble. And in the most unlikely scenario of all, Hank Williams Jr. takes a ride in Appalachia with The Grascals. And mostly the match-up […]

The CO Signs With RPM Management

Nashville based rock band The CO has inked a representation agreement with RPM Management. “We are excited to be working with this great young band,” said RPM President Scott Siman. “They went in our studio to cut some sides and just blew us away with the music.” The band was founded with Collin Brace and […]

DISClaimer (9/4/09)

This is quite a mixed bag. Leeann Atherton clocks in with a dreamy blues tune. Rocker Ronnie Godfrey has a Tennessee Titans fight song. We have excellent Nashville songwriter albums from Bill Luther and Kent Blazy. And there’s a whole flurry of newcomers. Among them, Melanie Denard wins our DisCovery Award. And to add some […]

ABC to Air Nashville Special With Robin Roberts

As part of the CMA Awards excitement, ABC will present the hour long special In The Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville Tues., Nov. 10 at 9pm CT. The Good Morning America co-anchor will spotlight some of Nashville’s biggest stars, giving viewers all-access looks into their homes and private lives. […]

DISClaimer (8/28/09)

The stars are twinkling so brightly that I am temporarily blinded. That is to say, I simply can’t make up my mind. Should I choose the hearty male country vocal? What about our teen-queen sales champion? And then there’s the refreshingly rocking group performance. All three qualify for a Disc of the Day prize, yet […]

New CMT Specials: McGraw, Larry The Cable Guy

CMT is debuting specials this month from Tim McGraw and Larry The Cable Guy. Invitation Only: Tim McGraw premieres Fri., Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. CT on CMT. Taped earlier this year in Nashville, the show features McGraw performing before a small studio audience, and taking questions from fans. Produced by High-Five Entertainment, the one-hour […]

DISClaimer (8/21/09)

We live in an era of singles and tracks, but there are still a few out there who buck the trend. It pleases me to report that there are several folks in this week’s stack of platters who still make true ALBUMS. There is an art to this that many mainstream country artists seem to […]

DISClaimer (8/14/09)

It is independents’ day. We are in what are known as the dog days of summer, when major-label releases slow to a trickle in anticipation of the big fall product push. What better time for the indies to scurry about and make some noise? As is generally the case in surveying indie singles, the quality […]

DISClaimer (8/7/09)

This stack of platters is a nice mix of veterans and baby acts. In the former column are Marty Raybon and Brady Seals, both of whom have splendid CD’s coming your way. Somewhere in between vet and baby are Trey Hensley, The Coal Men, Emma Jacob, Mica Roberts and Lee Brice, all of whom competed […]

McGraw Debut Tops Country Chart

Ghosts and goblins will no doubt be out in force this weekend, but hopefully they’ll also drive consumers into their favorite stores to add Halloween music to their trick or treat treasure bags. Country sales gained momentum for the week ended 10/25/09 with debuts from Tim McGraw and Lyle Lovett who perhaps helped several other […]

Gone Pink: Artists, Radio Fight For A Cure

Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry has been sporting pink Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers all over town lately in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. He wore them on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and in the studio where he and Eddie Montgomery are finishing up their latest album. Gentry explained, “I have three […]

Big Kenny Solo Debut Coming Nov. 10

Big Kenny is prepping for the Nov. 10 release of his first solo album, The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy. He visited the Today show on Monday and was set for Fox And Friends today (10/28) and Imus In The Morning tomorrow (10/29). The lead single, “Long After I’m Gone,” can […]

WB Artists Secure NASCAR Connection

Warner Music Nashville has entered a marketing partnership with the NASCAR Sprint Cup racing team, BAM Racing. Through the agreement, WMN artists will be promoted at NASCAR events, through artist tie-ins, sponsorships and promotional appearances covering racetrack video screens and event stages. Warner artists including Blake Shelton, Whitney Duncan, James Otto and Michelle Branch will […]

Gibson Plans Free Les Paul Tribute

Gibson Guitar, the musical instrument manufacturer known for crafting the Les Paul guitar, will hold a special tribute to the late innovator on Thurs., Nov. 19 at the Ryman. The free concert will feature Paul’s godson Steve Miller, John Rich, Emerson Drive, JD Souther, Steve Wariner, Joan Jett, Ace Frehley, Zakk Wylde, Jennifer Batten, and […]

CNet: Big Champagne’s Eric Garland; Media Meltdown

Big Champagne has been collecting data on file sharing for over 10 years and enjoyed a front row seat as the music and entertainment industry has grappled with the changes mandated by an evolving digital world. In this CNet.com interview by Greg Sandoval, CEO/co-founder Eric Garland turns his attention from music to movies to highlight […]

CMA Sets Awards Presenters, Gets “GMA” Spot

The first group of presenters have been announced for The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, including NASCAR superstar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; stars of ABC’s The Middle Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton; Julianne Hough; nominee Randy Houser (for both New Artist and Music Video of the Year for “Boots On”); nominee Jake Owen (New Artist of […]

Nichols Partners With TheHopeLine

Joe Nichols has partnered with TheHopeLine, to create a website to help people struggling with addictions. Nichols song “An Old Friend Of Mine,” from his just released CD Old Things New was the inspiration for the partnership and the site is www.anoldfriendofmine.com. “Partnering with Joe Nichols to help people struggling with addictions is very exciting,” […]

Nashville Scene: Dolly Parton Box Set

A hefty new collection reflects the many facets of Dolly Parton’s talent.

Signings And Musical Chairs

Golden Music Nashville has hired Lisa Strickland as Regional Director Northeast Promotion and Marketing, effective Mon., Nov. 2. She has spent the last two years at Citadel Media as Director of Affiliate Relations and Distribution Sales, working on American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks. The move to Golden, whose roster includes Williams Riley and Benton […]

Underwood; McBride; ABC Goes Country

To celebrate Carrie Underwood’s Nov. 3 release of Play On, Underwood will travel to New York City where she will perform on The Late Show with David Letterman (11/2), sing in Lincoln Center on Good Morning America (11/3) and appear on Live with Regis and Kelly (11/5). Underwood is also preparing for her performance and […]

Jo Dee Messina Plans New Album, Single

Jo Dee Messina is planning her first new studio album in five years. Unmistakable is on track for a spring release and lead single “That’s God” will hit radio in January 2010. The Curb artist co-produced the album. Messina is busy on the “Music Room Series Tour” which wraps Nov. 29 with three nights in […]

Industry Items: CMT Awards Date, CRS Panel

Save The Date: The 2010 CMT Music Awards will take place June 9, 2010 in Nashville. ——————- The popular consumer focus group panel will return to Country Radio Seminar® 41 when the event hits Nashville Feb. 24-26, 2010. This will be the first time a live focus group has been held at Country Radio Seminar […]

McGraw’s Early Sales Numbers And 2010 Tour

Tim McGraw has more than 60 dates on the books for his Southern Voice Tour, opening Feb. 11, 2010 in Omaha. The album of the same name was released on Tuesday (10/20), so first week sales tallies aren’t in yet, but HitsDailyDouble’s building chart has it as the top selling Country title. It is McGraw’s […]

Armiger Sets Chart Record

Katie Armiger’s single “Trail of Lies” recently landed at No. 19 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart, making her the highest charting independent female of 2009. The song is from her second album, Believe, on Cold River Records. Now she is working the charts with the follow-up single “Gone.” Armiger, who co-wrote “Trail of Lies” […]

Paisley Run Ends; Swift and Evans Gear Up

Keith Urban made a grand exit at the end of his tour earlier this week. Now Brad Paisley’s American Saturday Night outing is winding down. Meanwhile, Sara Evans is planning a Christmas tour, and Taylor Swift is already selling out her 2010 outing. One of Paisley’s dreams came true this week when he played at […]

CMA Songwriter Series Hits Nashville

The CMA Songwriter Series continues Tuesday Nov. 10 with a special Nashville performance at Limelight. Scheduled to appear are Bob DiPiero, Randy Houser, Brett James, Rivers Rutherford and Victoria Shaw. Among the performers who have benefited by recording songs from this elite group of songwriters are artists such as George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Trace […]

Jake Owen Hosts on ABC.com

Jake Owen returns this year to ABC.com to host a series of five-minute daily updates prior to the CMA Awards. Beginning Nov. 4, The Countdown to Country Music’s Biggest Night will offer daily specials leading up to the 43rd CMA Awards which airs Nov. 11 on ABC. Owen is set to escort fans backstage and […]

Blue Steel Signs Burns And Poe

Local indie label Blue Steel Records has added Burns & Poe to its roster. The duo made up of Michelle Poe and former Trick Pony member Keith Burns is prepping its next single, “Don’t Get No Better Than That,” to be released to radio Nov. 9 via CDX. Burns wrote the song with Mark Oliverius, […]

Twitter Usage Hits 19%

PewResearch has released new findings pertaining to Twitter usage. According to the research, 19% of Internet users are using Twitter or another similar service to “share updates about themselves, or to see updates about others.” Previous April 2009 surveys showed only 11%. The growth was fueled mostly by three distinct groups—social network website users, those […]

BNA Signs Chris Janson

Chris Janson is celebrating his newly inked record deal with Sony Music Nashville’s BNA Records. The 23-year-old Missouri native moved to Nashville at age 19 and landed a gig at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, performing four shows a day, seven days a week for a year. Now the singer-songwriter plays monthly at Puckett’s Grocery in Leiper’s […]

Alan Jackson Collection Coming To Cracker Barrel

Alan Jackson is debuting a merchandise line exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on Nov. 2. The 40+ items in The Alan Jackson Collection include clothing, food, collectibles, his Signature Rocker, and a CD—Songs Of Love And Heartache, with hits and two previously unreleased songs. The popular restaurant and retail concept has been growing […]

Magnolia, Mullins, Messina, And More

————————— Megan Mullins has been playing with pop star Shakira lately, adding keyboard, fiddle and background vocals. As part of the gig, Mullins has appeared on Dancing With The Stars, America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Saturday Night Live, and will tour Europe and Latin America. In the meantime, her label Stoney Creek is readying […]

We’re All For The Hall Nets $500,000 And Counting

9 star acts. 14,000 screaming fans. $500,000 raised and counting. By all accounts Keith Urban’s first We’re All For The Hall concert was a dazzling success. The event benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum was held last week (10/13) at the Sommet Center, and featured Urban, Vince Gill, Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, […]

Urban Taxi; Terri Clark Tour; Free Bucky

Keith Urban (see video above) ended his tour’s North American dates in a taxi. While playing the final bars of “Better Life,” the Aussie guitar hero left the stage at Buffalo’s HSBC Arena, walked through the hallways and into the street where he hopped a cab. The sold out crowd, watching the exit on the […]

Mission Management Gets Gokey

Danny Gokey, who placed third on last season’s American Idol, has signed with Nashville-based RLM/Mission Management. “As a huge fan of American Idol, I couldn’t be more excited,” remarked RLM/Mission Management’s Tracy McGlocklin. “Danny has an amazing gift and Rendy and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to help guide his career.” “This […]

Buchanan Named CMA Board President

Grand Ole Opry Group President Steve Buchanan has been named the new Country Music Association Board of Directors President. The election meeting was held earlier this week, but the new Board year will not go into effect until January 1, 2010. At that time, current President AEG Sr. VP Steve Moore will transition to the […]

Ty Williams

“Barn On The Rooftop” Cherry Heart Ty Williams is releasing his single “Barn On the Rooftop” to country radio and the video, shot by Chad Denning, is currently gaining momentum at video outlets and dance clubs around the country. The song is a perfect introduction to the world of Ty Williams. It’s rowdy, loud and […]

David St. Romain

“That’s Love” Matchless Music Group/Edgehill America got a taste of David St. Romain’s promising talents when he made the finals of Nashville Star in 2007. Now David is delivering on that promise, releasing a brand-new single called “That’s Love” through newly formed Matchless Music Group that showcases what his followers have been raving about for […]

RIAA Awards Country Certifications

Loads of Nashville hitmakers received plaques from the RIAA during August and September. Earning Platinum bling for the first time were Darius Rucker, Zac Brown Band, and Lady Antebellum. The awards were for Rucker’s Learn To Live (Capitol Nashville), ZBB’s The Foundation (Homegrown/Atlantic Records), and Lady Antebellum (Capitol Nashville). During those months, it’s probably no […]

Save The GMA Raises $350,000

The Gospel Music Association’s star-studded Save The GMA concert raised over $350,000 last week for the struggling organization. Billed as the Concert of the Decade, performers at the Loveless Barn included the genre’s most-loved figures: Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Kirk Franklin, Point of Grace, Jason Crabb, Martha Munizzi, the Fisk Jubilee […]

Chesney Sets Festival Dates

Kenny Chesney may not be mounting his huge tour in 2010, but he will play several summer dates, including two just-announced festivals. He has signed on for the Enterprise, Alabama Bama Jam & Arts Festival and Baton Rouge’s Bayou Country Superfest. “For us to be able to get out there and rock at a few of these […]

On The Cover: Jason Michael Carroll

Label: Arista Nashville Current Album: Growing Up Is Getting Old Current Single/Video: “Hurry Home” Current Producer: Don Gehman Hometown: Youngsville, NC Management: Red Light Management Booking: Creative Artists Agency Recent Hits: “Hurry Home” and the Top 10 “Where I’m From” are the first two hit singles from his sophomore album, Growing Up Is Getting Old. […]

Country Overseas: Underwood, Lady A

Carrie Underwood spent last week visiting with Asian media and promoting her upcoming album, Play On, set for US release Nov. 3. While in Singapore, she performed as part of the grand opening of ION Orchard, a futuristic shopping center with luxury retailers, and internationally award-winning architecture. It is also the largest open-air sheltered venue […]

Google Making Music?

Outlets including TechCrunch are reporting that Google has a music service in the works. Possibly called Google Audio, the company has been securing licensing from major labels. No details on whether it will offer streaming, downloads, or both. Wired.com says the site, which includes a video component, could launch next week in the U.S. The […]

Rally For Rocketown With Gill, McBride, More

Vince Gill and Martina McBride will perform Tuesday (10/20) at the Rally For Rocketown. The fundraiser for the teen music venue/skate park will be hosted by its founder, Christian artist Michael W. Smith. Super Bowl-winning coach and best-selling author Tony Dungy will be the keynote speaker during the 11:30 AM luncheon at Lipscomb Univerity’s Allen […]

CMA Songwriters Series In Nashville

The CMA Songwriters Series, which usually shares the Nashville songwriting tradition with other cities, is set to play the home turf on Nov. 10, the night before the CMA Awards. Universal Records South artist Randy Houser will be the featured artist/songwriter when the 9:30 PM show takes place at Limelight. Hit tunesmiths Brett James, Rivers […]