Tech Talk: Twitter Gets Voice; Senate Studies Cell Radiation

According to an eWeek.com report, the U.S. Senate under the leadership of Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee is planning to study links between cell phone use and cancer. Previous studies have been mixed as to any possible links between the two. According to the Environmental Working […]

Mindy Smith Will Rock For The Cure

Women Rock For The Cure’s signature benefit concert to fight breast cancer will be headlined by Mindy Smith. The third annual event, set for Thurs., Oct. 1 at 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill, will also feature performances by Universal Music Group recording artist Coldwater Jane and internet pop/country sensation Veronica Ballestrini, plus more artists […]

Yearwood to Host 2009 “Christmas at Belmont”

Belmont alumna Trisha Yearwood has been named as the host for the 2009 “Christmas at Belmont” performance at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The show will be broadcast nationally on PBS December 23. “Christmas at Belmont,” produced by Nashville Public Television with funding from the Beaman Family Foundation, features popular carols, classical masterworks, world music and […]

Rosanne Cash Introduces “The List”

Rosanne Cash introduced her new album, The List, in a private performance co-sponsored by BMI and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum® on September 15. Cash performed eight of the classic songs on her new album, which is named for a list of songs her father gave her in 1973. The List will […]

Swift Ranks Among “People’s” Best Dressed

Taylor Swift is among the celebrities named to People’s 10 Best Dressed of 2009 list, joining the ranks of fashionistas like First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce, and Nashville-born starlet Reese Witherspoon. “Anything that glitters hypnotizes me,” she tells the magazine of her red carpet picks by designers Collette Dinnigan and KaufmanFranco. “It’s always an attention […]

CO5 Adds Roberts, Reworks Staff

Radio promotion and marketing company CO5 Music is reshaping its operation announced co-CEOs Tracy Brown and Todd Sievers today (9/16). David Newmark, who served as VP Country Promotion since starting the Nashville division of CO5 in 2005, has been named VP of Business Development and will focus on new business ventures and business relations. Denise […]

Wreck Blocks 17th Avenue

17th Ave. S. was blocked off at the Edgehill intersection earlier today (9/16) following an accident in front of Ocean Way Studios. The busy street has reopened and Ocean Way Director of Operations Pat McMakin gave MusicRow the scoop on the witness accounts. First and foremost, he knows of no serious injuries as a result. […]

Chesney Tour Schedules A Break

Monster ticket-seller Kenny Chesney will take a hiatus from touring next year, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year tells Entertainment Weekly’s EW.com. “It seems like in the last couple of years, I’ve been on an empty tank,” he said. “And that’s gotta change.” With numerous hit acts in tow, Chesney’s summer tours consistently sell-out […]

CCMA Ratings Jump 60%

The 2009 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards, held Sept. 13 in Vancouver, BC, and broadcast live on CBC Television, drew a record increase in viewership numbers with an astounding 60 percent jump from last year’s ratings. 

”Not since Shania has the CCMA Awards turned in numbers like this year’s show,” said Jim Cressman, Co-Chair […]

Diva Martina Headed For Superstar TV Show

Martina McBride is among the powerhouse vocalists set for the upcoming VH1 Divas. This year’s special will air tomorrow (9/17) at 8 PM/CT and as always, the star power is blinding. McBride will share the stage with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in a first-ever collaboration presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. VH1 Divas […]

Need You Now Video Debuts

“We really wanted this video to be a little more dramatic and stylized than anything we’ve done before,” explains lead vocalist Hillary Scott discussing Lady Antebellum’s new video “Need You Now.”  “It was an exhausting shoot…physically and emotionally…because we worked through the night and just poured every ounce of ourselves into our characters. It’s a passionate […]

Bocephus Scores Mon Nite Football (Again)

Bocephus will once again musically invite all his rowdy friends to watch Monday Night Football as he performs the opening anthem for a 21st season. The video for this year’s intro was filmed at the Parthenon in Nashville and features a MNF Hall of Fame theme. Human statues and Hall of Fame busts come to […]

Labels Sue DeGeneres; Fisher To 615; Nashville Underground Turns 10

Seventeen record labels have banded together to sue the Ellen DeGeneres Show over its alleged use of music without permission. The complaint says the show producers acted with complete disregard for the legal framework of the music business. Read the entire article at Nashville Post. • • • Matt Fisher joins 615 Music as Director […]

Nichols Performs for Dalai Lama & BNA Talent Group Opens

Joe Nichols will perform his single, “Believers” at a ceremony honoring the Dalai Lama. The Freedom Award, which is the highest honor given by the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN, will be presented to His Holiness on September 23 during an afternoon ceremony at the historic Lorraine Hotel. That evening, Nichols will join Natalie […]

Fogerty to Receive AMA Lifetime Achievement Award

John Fogerty will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at the Americana Music Association’s 8th Annual Honors and Awards Thursday, Sept. 17. Including his solo work and his time in the iconic band Creedence Clearwater Revival, Forgerty’s musical career extends over four decades and has distinctly shaped American roots music. The musical hybrid of […]

Luke Bryan Announces First Headlining Tour

Following the Oct. 6 release of his sophomore album Doin’ My Thing, Luke Bryan will set out on his first-ever headlining trek. The 17-date Doin’ My Thing Tour, sponsored by Miller Lite, gets underway Oct. 30 in Jacksonville, Florida with Republic Nashville’s Fast Ryde opening and closes Dec. 5 in Milledgeville, Georgia. Bryan’s love of […]

Wide Open Announces Staff; Sevendust Signs with Big Loud Bucks

Wide Open Music Group Announces Staff Derek George, President of Wide Open Music Group, announced staff appointments for the recently-formed music publishing company. Keithan Melton is Creative Director, and Ken Johnson is Director, Administration. Melton was formerly Creative Manager for Sea Gayle Music and Catalog Manager for Cal IV Entertainment. Johnson brings 20 years of music industry experience […]

Aldean Tops Ringscan Chart

Jason Aldean, currently No. 1 on Billboard and Mediabase charts for the fourth consecutive week for “Big Green Tractor,” is the only artist to hold the No. 1 position for four straight weeks in more than 18 months. Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me” had a four-week run in Feb. 2008. Aldean has made country music […]

Chesney To Stream Ambassadors of Rock Show on NSR

Kenny Chesney continues to deliver the kind of content through his No Shoes Radio (noshoesradio.com) that can’t be found anywhere else. As part of the Hard Rock Cafe’s Ambassadors of Rock program, Chesney will be playing a decidedly scaled back show tomorrow (9/15) from Hard Rock’s Times Square location. Since the concert will likely be […]

Eric Church’s Fractured Foot & Flatts On NBC

Rascal Flatts is set to perform on the Season Finale of NBC’s America’s Got Talent this Wednesday, September 16 at 7 p.m. CT. Shakira, Leona Lewis, Cirque du Soleil and other special guests are also on tap to perform. Despite fracturing his food during a show on his Young & Wild(er) Tour at the Syracuse […]

Kanye Interrupts Swift’s VMA Speech

Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards last night (9/13). As Swift began to accept her Best Female Video award for “You Belong To Me,” West jumped on stage, grabbed Swift’s mic and said “Taylor, I’m really happy for you, and I’m gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had […]

Mica Roberts

“Days You Live For” Show Dog Nashville Mica Roberts’ new single release is “Days You Live For,” and the Oklahoma native is busy making the radio rounds to get the word out. A talented vocalist and musician who hit the road after high school, Roberts earned her performance stripes playing amusement parks, campgrounds and on […]

IBMA Reveals Awards Show Performers

Awards season is getting underway, and the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards show has revealed the list of artists slated to perform. Scheduled for 7:30pm, October 1, at the Ryman Auditorium the show’s performers include hosts Kathy Mattea and Hot Rize, as well as Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Del McCoury, Dailey […]

Taylor Swift To Perform Live On MTV’s VMA Awards

Taylor Swift will perform live from Radio City Music Hall on MTV’s Video Music Awards this Sunday (9/13). The show airs live on MTV at 8:00 p.m. (CT). Taylor is nominated for Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me.” Taylor will make her first appearance on The View on Tuesday (9/15), interviewing with Barbara […]

ACM Honors Announces Talent Lineup

The talent lineup for the 2nd Annual ACM Honors, scheduled for September 22 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, has been announced. Joining host Lee Ann Womack for the evening of musical tributes and special presentations will be presenters Rodney Atkins and Eddie Montgomery, special performers Bobby Bare, Vince Gill, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, […]

Nashville Music Garden to be Dedicated in Star-Studded Public Celebration

On September 29, Nashville will become the official home of the world’s first public garden to honor entertainment icons with a display of namesake flowers. The Nashville Music Garden, located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun in the Hall of Fame Park (across from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum) is […]

Paisley Family Covers “People”

The Paisley family is featured on the cover of the current issue of People Magazine. The inside five-page spread includes the first photos of Jasper along with big brother Huck and gives the scoop on how Kimberly shared the news of her pregnancy with Brad, and how they share parenting responsibilities. Excerpt from article: And […]

[Updated] Paisley Scores 7, Leads CMA Nominations

Editor’s Note: An oversight by CMA has been resolved, resulting in Paisley’s nomination count rising to seven, and Urban’s rising to four. They were inadvertently left off the original list of nominees in the Musical Event category. Nominees for the 43rd Annual CMA Awards were revealed yesterday (9/9) morning, with Brad Paisley leading the pack […]

Charlie Daniels’ Christmas For Kids Concert

The Charlie Daniels & Friends annual Christmas For Kids Concert is slated for Nov. 23 at the Ryman Auditorium, with Gretchen Wilson and Phil Vassar among the special guests. The Celebrity Tour Bus Show will also raise money by allowing visitors to tour the buses of more than sixty stars at the Hendersonville Wal-Mart from […]

Kellie Pickler’s Video and Other New Music

Kellie Pickler’s video for her newest single, “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You,” makes its world television premiere during CMT Top 20 Countdown tomorrow (9/11) 10:00–12:30 p.m. CT and online at CMT.com immediately following. Filmed in the Dominican Republic, the new video was directed by Roman White. In addition, CMT Power Picks becomes […]

Special Edition Swift CD Set For Oct. Release

A new Platinum Edition of Taylor Swift’s Fearless album is headed for stores in time for the holiday sales rush. Big Machine Records will release the CD/DVD set on Oct. 27, containing new music and video extras such as her video collaboration with T-Pain on “Thug Story,” and exclusive new behind-the-scenes photos shot by Taylor’s […]

Adkins, Songwriters, And More Local Benefits

Trace Adkins will headline the Southern Shindig concert on Fri., Sept. 25 at the Loveless Barn. This event is part of the annual Soldier Ride, which honors wounded soldiers. Tickets include dinner, beer, wine and the concert, and are on sale now at www.southernshindig.org or by calling 904-405-1156. All proceeds go to programs that support […]

Tidbits: Digital Summit, SOLID, Symphony and More

The Leadership Music Digital Summit will be held March 22 and 23, 2010. More information to follow. ———————————- The Music Row Turkey Bowl, hosted by SOLID, is set for Sat., Nov. 21 at Ted Rhodes Park (2400 Metro Center Blvd.) in Nashville, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The 24th annual co-ed flag football tournament has become […]

Mandrell Enters Steel Guitar Hall of Fame

Barbara Mandrell became the first woman to be inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame at the International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis, MO on Saturday, September 5. Known as the “Sweetheart of the Steel,” Mandrell was a multi-instrumentalist by the time she was 10. She was on tour with The Johnny Cash […]

Driskill Returns to ASCAP as VP/GM, Nashville

Nashville, TN, Sept. 9, 2009: Connie Bradley, Senior Vice President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) today announced that Marc Driskill has joined ASCAP as Vice President & General Manager, Nashville. In this newly established position reporting to Bradley, Driskill will direct the goals and objectives of the Nashville Membership staff […]

Photos From CMA’s Big Announcement

Nominations for the CMA Awards were revealed today, live on Good Morning America and CMT Insider. Check out photos of the big announcement.

Save The Date: Grammy Noms To Be Announced

Nominations for the Grammy Awards will be announced Wed., Dec. 2, live on CBS. The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night® will be a one-hour special broadcast live from Club NOKIA in Los Angeles at 7 PM/CT. Nominations in several categories will be revealed and there will be performances by past […]

Twestival Hits Nashville

Twestival Nashville—a volunteer-run, charity fundraising event for people who know each other through the micro-blogging service Twitter—will take place tomorrow (9/10) at the Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar. Hosted by local Web site Nashvillest.com, the event will raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and its Great Nashville Duck Race. The first […]

Apple Updates iPod Lineup

Apple revealed some updates to its lineup of iPod devices at a press event today (9/9) in San Francisco, most notably a built-in video camera for the Nano. The Nano makeover will also include the addition of a built-in FM tuner as well as a larger screen and will be priced at $149 (8GB) and […]

Georgia Boys Give Back: Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band

Capitol Records Nashville artist Luke Bryan is planning a Farm Tour to benefit charities in local farming communities. With the inaugural show set for Oct. 5 in Statesboro, Georgia, these special one-off shows will continue throughout Bryan’s career with additional dates already planned for 2010. GAC’s Top 20 Countdown will film their show on site […]

All For The Hall Adds Etheridge

Academy and Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum artist Melissa Etheridge has been added to the star-studded line-up of performers at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s All for the Hall Los Angeles fundraiser, which will take place on Thurs., Oct. 1 at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Etheridge joins previously announced performers Vince […]

CMA Broadcast/Radio Nominations

Final nominees for the nation’s top Country radio stations and broadcast personalities were delivered to Country Radio today, when Chuck Wicks revealed the 2009 CMA Broadcast Personality and Radio Station of the Year finalists live from Premiere Radio Networks’ New York City studios. The winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at […]

Swift’s Sales Pass 10 Million Mark

Just three years after the release of her debut album, Taylor Swift has surpassed the 10 million milestone for album sales. The 19-year-old’s sales tally is comprised of actual full albums sold and doesn’t include track equivalent albums (TEA), which is made up of paid downloads. Additionally, Swift has sold over 20 million paid song […]

Reba Making The Media Rounds In L.A.

Reba McEntire’s new album, Keep On Loving You, holds steady at the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart for the second week in a row. Reba’s first solo studio album in six years—and her first on new label The Valory Music Co.—remains in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, […]

Treehouse Expands Promotion Staff

Treehouse Records has announced the addition of Brad Helton to its promotion staff, effective September 14. Helton comes to the label with experience in the promotion departments of Montage Music Group, Equity Music Group and Lofton Creek Records. “Brad’s tenacity and knowledge of the ins and outs of promotion has impressed me,” said Treehouse Promotion […]

Win A Date With Gretchen Wilson, And More

Gretchen Wilson is hosting a charity auction, which ends with the winner getting a date with her. Seven of the highest bidders will get to drive a car in a Demolition Derby Exhibition Heat, then the winner of the derby gets a date with Wilson. The auction will take place at The Stage in downtown […]

Belmont Series Launches With Wynonna

Wynonna Judd will help launch the inaugural Professional-in-Residence series at Belmont University. Judd, manager Kerry Hansen, and long-time producer and musician Don Potter will contribute to the three-part panel discussion series designed to give a group of Belmont seniors the opportunity to engage with music industry professionals in a conversational Q&A setting. The topic of […]

Movies In Music City

Rising artist Minnie Murphy will appear in the new film Bailey, which is being shot around Nashville. When the project is released in 2010, she will be seen performing her original song “Bluer than Blue” at one of the many juke joints featured in the movie. She got the gig after producer Rhoads Rader saw […]

Rascal Flatts To Open Oprah’s New Season

Rascal Flatts will make its second appearance on Oprah this Thursday, September 10. The band will head to Chicago today (9/8) to be part of the hit daytime show’s 24th season kick-off celebration. Rascal Flatts will join the Black Eyed Peas, James Taylor and Jennifer Hudson to perform live for the crowds on Michigan Avenue […]

Urban Announces We’re All For The Hall 2010

Keith Urban’s “We’re All For The Hall” benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum sold out almost immediately. The stellar line-up for the Oct. 13 show at the Sommet Center in Nashville includes Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town and other big-name […]