“Dip Me In Beer” Arrowhead Records Texas traditionalist Jeff Griffith jumps the bar straight into a “redneck mosh pit” with his latest single, swaggering barroom sing-along “Dip Me In Beer.” Written by Griffith and Hobson Smith, “Dip Me In Beer” is Griffith’s songwriting debut. “When we heard this guy actually sayin’ that phrase in a […]
Country music fans swarmed the Knoxville Coliseum in March for a sold-out live concert DVD taping with platinum-selling country rocker Jason Aldean. The Eagle Vision set titled Wide Open Live & More will be in stores on Aug. 25. The 15-song hi-definition special captures Aldean’s high-octane stage show and includes his biggest radio hits, as […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-24 13:46:142009-07-24 13:46:14Aldean DVD Coming Aug. 25
On Wednesday night (7/22), multi-platinum MCA recording artist and award-winning songwriter Josh Turner headlined the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s inaugural “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series at the Wildhorse Saloon. During the sold-out show, he invited special guests/hit songwriters John Anderson, Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin to the stage for acoustic sets. The […]
During a recent concert performance at Cotton Eyed Joe’s in Knoxville, more than 100 fans participated in a “Moo La Moo” dance contest, based on the hilarious dance featured in Steve Azar’s new music video. He presented the lucky winner with an autographed “Delta Soul Logo” guitar. “Moo La Moo” is the lead single from his forthcoming CD, […]
Tickets for the 8th Annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony, scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium, went on sale today (7/24). Presented by the Gibson Foundation, the Awards will be hosted by Jim Lauderdale along with Buddy Miller and his all-star band. This year’s show will bring appearances by Asleep at the Wheel, Sam […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-24 13:10:082009-07-24 13:10:08Americana Awards Tickets Now On Sale
Black River Music Group and Cherry Heart Music have partnered in a joint venture to release the debut album from Ty Williams. Under terms of the agreement, Cherry Heart Music will oversee development and recording of the project, while Black River Music group will handle the marketing and promotion. James Hudson and Cherry Heart’s Shelby […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-24 12:46:452009-07-24 12:46:45BRMG & Cherry Heart Ink Joint Venture For Ty Williams
Local music executives and radio programmers visiting from out of town turned out for last night’s Michelle Branch showcase, hosted by Warner Bros. Records at Cellar One on 1st Ave. in Nashville. During the intimate dinner and show she performed past hits and songs from her upcoming album. The programmers are in Nashville for agenda […]
I am happy to report that our two big winners today are also the most “country” sounding discs. Oh, there are some super-fine vocalists in this stack of platters, including Daniel Smith, Bekka Bramlett and Craig Reynolds. And songwriters don’t come any better than Vince Melamed. But at the end of the day, the best […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Robert K Oermannhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2009-07-24 11:28:032009-07-24 11:28:03DISClaimer (7/24/09)
UMPG announces the signing of 17- year-old singer/songwriter Hunter Hayes to its roster of hit makers. With accomplishments claimed only by a seasoned entertainer, Hunter currently plays over 10 instruments and is continually adding to his musical repertoire. As a young child he appeared on several network television shows and played for many dignitaries including […]
Good luck picking your playlist out of this stack of excellence. All 10 of these records deserve to be heard. On top of that, four of them are from bona fide format superstars—Keith Urban, Sugarland, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw—while two more are by consistent airplay favorites—Jason Michael Carroll and the Zac Brown Band. Toss […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Robert K Oermannhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2009-07-24 07:55:462009-07-24 07:55:46DISClaimer (7/10/09)
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles has received doctor’s orders to rest her voice for the next week due to complications of vocal strain and overuse. The problem is related to the viral tonsil condition the singer has been battling since January. This will affect Sugarland’s tour dates from now through July 25th, including stops in Utah, Nevada […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-23 13:19:012009-07-23 13:19:01Jennifer Nettles Still on Vocal Rest
Kellie Pickler is on the cover of Nashville Lifestyles’ August issue, a.k.a. “The Hot List 2009.” Billed under the title, “Smokin’ Hot,” Pickler is the focus of a multi-page spread and interview. Her current single, “Best Days Of Your Life,” just cracked the Top 10 on the monitored charts and is certified Gold with more than […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-23 09:47:502009-07-23 09:47:50Pickler, GAC in DC, and Puckett’s Rising Star
Disney Music Publishing along with Stage Three Music and songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe toasted their recent win at the 2009 MTV Music Awards for Best Song From A Movie for the hit single “The Climb” performed by Miley Cyrus. After soaring to the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard and Mediabase AC […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-23 08:16:322009-07-23 08:16:32“The Climb” Wins MTV Music Award
Halfway to Hazard stopped by MusicRow yesterday for a performance and indoor picnic. Chad Warrix and David Tolliver kept the staff in stitches for most of the visit but managed to squeeze in two songs, including new single “I Know Where Heaven Is.” MusicRow employees, H2H, and manager Christopher Washko enjoyed noshing on food at […]
The 22nd Annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament is in full swing again on Monday, July 27 at Old Natchez Country Club to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee (UCP). Celebrity players and caddies participating are Jason Aldean, Joey Feek (Joey & Rory), Rachel Proctor, Emily West; songwriters Hillary Lindsey (“Jesus, Take the Wheel,” […]
Country Music Hall of Fame member Roy Clark donated several items to the Country Music Hall on Fame® and Museum on Saturday (7/18). The artifacts, which will be on display beginning August 1 in the Museum’s permanent exhibit, include a magenta three-piece Manuel suit with an embroidered silver lame´Manuel shirt, patent leather Tony Lama boots, […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-22 13:29:002009-07-22 13:29:00Roy Clark, Billy Currington, More
Singer-songwriter, artist and producer Radney Foster celebrated his 50th birthday Monday night (July 20) with a performance at Nashville’s Exit/In. He was joined onstage by an incredible list of fellow writer-artist friends including Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Georgia Middleman, Lee Roy Parnell, Vince Gill, Sam Bush and others. Friends from his […]
Combustion Music has signed Will Bowen to an exclusive songwriting agreement. As an artist, Bowen was signed to Universal Records out of New York, and toured the country opening for acts like Dave Matthews Band and Maroon 5. As a writer, his music can be found on multi-platinum albums, as well as in numerous TV […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-22 12:44:042009-07-22 12:44:04Combustion Music Signs Will Bowen
The Canadian Country Music Association announced today the nominees for the 2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award: George Canyon, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett and Johnny Reid. Beginning Friday, July 24 until Sunday, September 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST, the public can vote online at www.CMT.ca for their favorite Canadian Country Star. The winner will […]
Josh Turner is set for the debut installment of NSAI’s “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series. The event, kicking off Wed., July 22 at the Wildhorse Saloon, will benefit the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s legislative efforts. “On behalf of all American songwriters NSAI is extremely grateful to Josh for helping launch what will […]
ASCAP recently sponsored a 10 year birthday bash for songplugger group Show Me Your Hits. The event was held at Dan McGuinness Pub near Music Row and hosted many members of the A&R community, as well as the organization’s founding and current members.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-21 14:44:372009-07-21 14:44:37Show Me Your Hits Marks 10 Years
Kathy Mattea and the legendary bluegrass band Hot Rize will co-host the 20th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Mattea’s current album Coal is an acoustic style offering focusing on coal mining stories from Appalachia. The album remained on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album chart for […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-21 14:33:442009-07-21 14:33:44Mattea, Hot Rize To Host IBMA Awards
Taillight, one of the Southeast’s most successful production companies in entertainment and music television, is expanding its operations with the creation of a new commercial division. Executive Producer Brooke Boling will head the new division, which will represent directors David Jellison, Timothy Kendall (TJK) and Kristin Barlowe. “Our goal is to produce exceptional work, and […]
Understanding the various functions and changing role of the record label is the focus of the latest installment of CMA Industry InSite, an online educational series, which is posted on CMA’s member Web site, My.CMAworld.com. The third episode on Record Labels is available now and features interviews with Mike Dungan, President/CEO Capitol Records Nashville; Fletcher […]
Trace Adkins can add action hero to his list of career accomplishments. 12 Gauge Comics is planning a four-issue comic book series called “Luke McBain,” which is based on the country star. The first issue hits stores in November to coincide with Adkins’ tour. It will be available for $3.99 per issue in more than 4,000 […]
Jack Ingram will release his second Big Machine studio project Big Dreams & High Hopes on Tues., Aug. 25. The lead single “Barefoot and Crazy” is already at No. 8 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart. Ingram’s list of top-notch co-writers, producers and collaborators for the new project includes Americana songstress Patty Griffin on the Ingram-penned […]
Rascal Flatts became the first country act to perform a concert in historic Wrigley Field in Chicago this past Saturday night. The group entertained a sold-out crowd of 37,000 fans for one of only four concerts ever played in the Chicago Cubs home stadium. Vince Gill and Darius Rucker opened. The Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-21 07:12:162009-07-21 07:12:16News From The Road: Flatts, Chesney
Charley Pride has been added to the list of artists performing at the White House tomorrow (7/21) as part of its educational workshop about Country music. Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and Union Station were previously announced. The event in the historic East Room will be livestreamed on whitehouse.gov/live starting at 6:25 PM/CT with President […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-20 14:22:062009-07-20 14:22:06Country At The White House: Charley Pride Added, Watch Online
An article in the Sunday Tennessean (by Naomi Synder) asks “Could Nashville’s country and Christian music industry be crushing innovation? It sounds like a ridiculous question, were it not for the musicians who think it might be true.” The feature length article confuses quality, diversity and professionalism in a swirling discussion which fails to distinguish […]
Kazaa relaunched today (7/20) in a new form; morphed from an illegal file-trading service to a legal download subscription outfit. For $20/month, users get unlimited downloads of over 1 million tracks from all four major labels. The downside of the service is that the DRM tracks cannot be transferred to portable devices and can only […]
David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group, and Pat Higdon, President, UMPG Nashville, today announced the signing of a worldwide publishing agreement with Keith Urban. UMPG will publish Urban’s catalogue throughout the world, including his recently-released fifth studio album, Defying Gravity, which topped both the Billboard Top 200 and Country Album charts upon […]
Sam Bush will receive the Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist award at the 8th Annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony, presented by the Gibson Foundation, on Thurs., Sept. 17 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. As co-founder and leader of the seminal progressive bluegrass band New Grass Revival for 18 years, Bush was among the first purveyors […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-20 13:24:182009-07-20 13:24:18AMA To Honor Sam Bush
Dwight Wiles, President of Smith Wiles & Co., today (7/20) formally announced Do Write Music, his joint venture with music publishing veteran Marghie Evans. The company specializes in all aspects of music publishing administration and clearance services for songwriters, publishers, independent producers and label owners, and corporations in need of publishing administration, royalty accounting and […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-20 13:11:402009-07-20 13:11:40Wiles, Evans Announce Do Write Music
Several financial firms are looking into purchasing Michael Jackson’s share of the Sony/ATV catalog. Among those interested are Colony Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Plainfield Asset Management and the media mogul Haim Saban, the New York Times reports. Jackson’s 50% stake in the publisher–which owns a majority of the Beatles copyrights–could be worth as much a […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-20 12:35:072009-07-20 12:35:07Publishing Notes: Sony/ATV, Green Hills Music
Get well wishes to former BMI publicist and Music City News writer Ellen Wood, who is in the hospital following surgery to repair a broken shoulder. The operation was complicated by Wood developing pneumonia. She is recuperating slowly at St. Thomas Hospital. ————————– Condolences to Grammy winning songwriter, Tim Nichols, on the loss of his […]
The 36th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational (MCTI) donated $118,473.19 to the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The money was raised by 125 tennis players who participated in the tournament, along with sponsorships, donations, auctions and a songwriters’ concert that benefited the event. The annual MCTI charity tennis […]
The deadline has been extended to Friday, July 24 for submissions for the Nashville Music Awards. Revived in a partnership with Next Big Nashville (NBN) and Leadership Music, Inc. (LM), the Nashville Music Awards (NMA), were produced by LM from 1995 through 2000. The NMAs recognized outstanding contributions in all genres of music. Winners will […]
Brad Paisley tops the country album sales chart for a second consecutive week with his new release, American Saturday Night. The album’s first single, “Then,” has already become a three-week No. 1. The second single, “Welcome to the Future,” has already zoomed to No. 44 on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart, even though the official […]
While the goals of Nashville’s top three music trade groups are closely aligned, each has issues and objectives specific to its genre. The Country Music Association, Americana Music Association, and International Bluegrass Music Association work tirelessly to promote the music they represent to consumers and the industry. A recent poll on MusicRow.com posed the following […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-17 12:41:052009-07-17 12:41:05Trade Organizations Work Best As Separate Entities
Can I get a witness? Things were going along in a routine way during this listening session until I was stopped dead in my tracks and struck with profound awe. The record that did it was the churning, inspirational “Somebody Like Me” by Jason Crabb. Stop what you are doing right now to seek it […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Robert K Oermannhttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2009-07-17 11:19:082009-07-17 11:19:08DISClaimer (7/17/09)
Hit songwriter Matraca Berg will take a seat at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Saturday, July 18, as the latest subject of the quarterly programming series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. The 1:30 p.m. program, which will be held in the Museum’s Ford Theater, is included with Museum admission and free […]
Overstock.com spokespersons Joey+Rory appear in the third installment of their “At Home with the O” ad campaign. The spot hits the air this week and features the country duo’s favorite hound Rufus. They are on the road supporting their debut album The Life of a Song. The newest single, “To Say Goodbye,” is at radio […]
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Newcomer Holly Williams is profiled in this week’s People magazine, dated July 27th and on stands today (7/17). The story of her music and life has also garnered the interest of National Public Radio, which will feature her Sunday, July 19 on “Weekend Edition.” The show airs in Nashville on WPLN from 7-9 AM/CT. And […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-17 08:28:292009-07-17 08:28:29Holly Williams, David Nail, Jeff Cook, and The Oaks
Stroudavarious Records has launched a new imprint called BamaJam Records, with Atlanta band Blackberry Smoke as the flagship artist. The first release will be the sophomore album from the southern rockers called Little Piece of Dixie. The project was produced by Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts) and engineer Justin Niebank. “This is best live […]
Apple has just released an iTunes update (8.2.1) and among the “issues and improvements” it addresses is the music program’s ability to sync music with the Palm Pre phone. One of the new Palm smartphone’s selling points was that ability to seamlessly move music between iTunes and the phone, but obviously, Apple preferred that only […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-16 12:17:502009-07-16 12:17:50Palming Off a Bug Fix, CMA Voting, Songwriters Team With Studdard
Lauren “L.T.” Thomas has been hired as Associate Director of Promotion for Golden Music Nashville, the new label launching flagship act Williams Riley. She comes from KMLE-FM in Phoenix where she began as a Promotions Assistant in 2002 before being bumped up to Promotions Manager in 2007. L.T. works at the Golden Music Nashville offices […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-16 09:35:302009-07-16 09:35:30Promo News: A Tale of Two Thomases, And A Wagner
Jason Aldean‘s “Big Green Tractor,” is plowing its way toward the Top 10 of MusicRow‘s Country Breakout chart; currently No. 16 and the fastest rising single of the Georgia-native’s career. The song has fueled over 40,000 digital downloads a week, helping his already Gold certified third album Wide Open move an average of 22,000 units […]
When Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival hits Seattle’s Qwest Field on July 31, he will give a special sand bar performance for a select number of fans the night before. The lucky ticket holders—available through his Web site, local radio stations and other outlets will enjoy an hour-long set. “We wanna get in there and really […]
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png00Sarah Skateshttps://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10150319/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngSarah Skates2009-07-15 15:14:492009-07-15 15:14:49Crook & Chase, Chesney, Clark, and Harry Potter
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and Frost Specialty today (7/15) announced the creation of the first-of-its-kind Group Copyright Infringement Insurance Policy for songwriters. This unique group insurance plan will dramatically reduce the cost of infringement-insurance premiums while establishing lower available coverage limits. “Until now, this kind of coverage was cost prohibitive or unavailable to […]
Jeff Griffith
/by ProgrammerPlaylist“Dip Me In Beer” Arrowhead Records Texas traditionalist Jeff Griffith jumps the bar straight into a “redneck mosh pit” with his latest single, swaggering barroom sing-along “Dip Me In Beer.” Written by Griffith and Hobson Smith, “Dip Me In Beer” is Griffith’s songwriting debut. “When we heard this guy actually sayin’ that phrase in a […]
Aldean DVD Coming Aug. 25
/by Sarah SkatesCountry music fans swarmed the Knoxville Coliseum in March for a sold-out live concert DVD taping with platinum-selling country rocker Jason Aldean. The Eagle Vision set titled Wide Open Live & More will be in stores on Aug. 25. The 15-song hi-definition special captures Aldean’s high-octane stage show and includes his biggest radio hits, as […]
NSAI Celebrates Successful Josh Turner Benefit
/by Sarah SkatesOn Wednesday night (7/22), multi-platinum MCA recording artist and award-winning songwriter Josh Turner headlined the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s inaugural “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series at the Wildhorse Saloon. During the sold-out show, he invited special guests/hit songwriters John Anderson, Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin to the stage for acoustic sets. The […]
Artist Items: Azar, Martina, More
/by Sarah SkatesDuring a recent concert performance at Cotton Eyed Joe’s in Knoxville, more than 100 fans participated in a “Moo La Moo” dance contest, based on the hilarious dance featured in Steve Azar’s new music video. He presented the lucky winner with an autographed “Delta Soul Logo” guitar. “Moo La Moo” is the lead single from his forthcoming CD, […]
Americana Awards Tickets Now On Sale
/by Sarah SkatesTickets for the 8th Annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony, scheduled for Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium, went on sale today (7/24). Presented by the Gibson Foundation, the Awards will be hosted by Jim Lauderdale along with Buddy Miller and his all-star band. This year’s show will bring appearances by Asleep at the Wheel, Sam […]
Michelle Branch Showcases For Radio/Industry
/by Sarah SkatesLocal music executives and radio programmers visiting from out of town turned out for last night’s Michelle Branch showcase, hosted by Warner Bros. Records at Cellar One on 1st Ave. in Nashville. During the intimate dinner and show she performed past hits and songs from her upcoming album. The programmers are in Nashville for agenda […]
DISClaimer (7/24/09)
/by Robert K OermannI am happy to report that our two big winners today are also the most “country” sounding discs. Oh, there are some super-fine vocalists in this stack of platters, including Daniel Smith, Bekka Bramlett and Craig Reynolds. And songwriters don’t come any better than Vince Melamed. But at the end of the day, the best […]
DISClaimer (7/10/09)
/by Robert K OermannGood luck picking your playlist out of this stack of excellence. All 10 of these records deserve to be heard. On top of that, four of them are from bona fide format superstars—Keith Urban, Sugarland, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw—while two more are by consistent airplay favorites—Jason Michael Carroll and the Zac Brown Band. Toss […]
Jennifer Nettles Still on Vocal Rest
/by Sarah SkatesSugarland’s Jennifer Nettles has received doctor’s orders to rest her voice for the next week due to complications of vocal strain and overuse. The problem is related to the viral tonsil condition the singer has been battling since January. This will affect Sugarland’s tour dates from now through July 25th, including stops in Utah, Nevada […]
Pickler, GAC in DC, and Puckett’s Rising Star
/by Sarah SkatesKellie Pickler is on the cover of Nashville Lifestyles’ August issue, a.k.a. “The Hot List 2009.” Billed under the title, “Smokin’ Hot,” Pickler is the focus of a multi-page spread and interview. Her current single, “Best Days Of Your Life,” just cracked the Top 10 on the monitored charts and is certified Gold with more than […]
“The Climb” Wins MTV Music Award
/by Sarah SkatesDisney Music Publishing along with Stage Three Music and songwriters Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe toasted their recent win at the 2009 MTV Music Awards for Best Song From A Movie for the hit single “The Climb” performed by Miley Cyrus. After soaring to the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard and Mediabase AC […]
Halfway To Hazard Hosts MusicRow Picnic
/by Sarah SkatesHalfway to Hazard stopped by MusicRow yesterday for a performance and indoor picnic. Chad Warrix and David Tolliver kept the staff in stitches for most of the visit but managed to squeeze in two songs, including new single “I Know Where Heaven Is.” MusicRow employees, H2H, and manager Christopher Washko enjoyed noshing on food at […]
Music Row Ladies Gear Up For Golf Tourney
/by Sarah SkatesThe 22nd Annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament is in full swing again on Monday, July 27 at Old Natchez Country Club to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee (UCP). Celebrity players and caddies participating are Jason Aldean, Joey Feek (Joey & Rory), Rachel Proctor, Emily West; songwriters Hillary Lindsey (“Jesus, Take the Wheel,” […]
Roy Clark, Billy Currington, More
/by Sarah SkatesCountry Music Hall of Fame member Roy Clark donated several items to the Country Music Hall on Fame® and Museum on Saturday (7/18). The artifacts, which will be on display beginning August 1 in the Museum’s permanent exhibit, include a magenta three-piece Manuel suit with an embroidered silver lame´Manuel shirt, patent leather Tony Lama boots, […]
Radney Foster Turns 50 With “Revival”
/by Sarah SkatesSinger-songwriter, artist and producer Radney Foster celebrated his 50th birthday Monday night (July 20) with a performance at Nashville’s Exit/In. He was joined onstage by an incredible list of fellow writer-artist friends including Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, Georgia Middleman, Lee Roy Parnell, Vince Gill, Sam Bush and others. Friends from his […]
2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award Nominees
/by Sarah SkatesThe Canadian Country Music Association announced today the nominees for the 2009 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award: George Canyon, Doc Walker, Jessie Farrell, Aaron Pritchett and Johnny Reid. Beginning Friday, July 24 until Sunday, September 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST, the public can vote online at www.CMT.ca for their favorite Canadian Country Star. The winner will […]
Josh Turner Kicks Off NSAI Benefit Series
/by Sarah SkatesJosh Turner is set for the debut installment of NSAI’s “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series. The event, kicking off Wed., July 22 at the Wildhorse Saloon, will benefit the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s legislative efforts. “On behalf of all American songwriters NSAI is extremely grateful to Josh for helping launch what will […]
Show Me Your Hits Marks 10 Years
/by Sarah SkatesASCAP recently sponsored a 10 year birthday bash for songplugger group Show Me Your Hits. The event was held at Dan McGuinness Pub near Music Row and hosted many members of the A&R community, as well as the organization’s founding and current members.
Mattea, Hot Rize To Host IBMA Awards
/by Sarah SkatesKathy Mattea and the legendary bluegrass band Hot Rize will co-host the 20th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Mattea’s current album Coal is an acoustic style offering focusing on coal mining stories from Appalachia. The album remained on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album chart for […]
Taillight Expands With Commercial Division
/by Sarah SkatesTaillight, one of the Southeast’s most successful production companies in entertainment and music television, is expanding its operations with the creation of a new commercial division. Executive Producer Brooke Boling will head the new division, which will represent directors David Jellison, Timothy Kendall (TJK) and Kristin Barlowe. “Our goal is to produce exceptional work, and […]
Label Heads Discuss Changing Roles On CMA Series
/by Sarah SkatesUnderstanding the various functions and changing role of the record label is the focus of the latest installment of CMA Industry InSite, an online educational series, which is posted on CMA’s member Web site, My.CMAworld.com. The third episode on Record Labels is available now and features interviews with Mike Dungan, President/CEO Capitol Records Nashville; Fletcher […]
Trace’s Superhero, Julianne’s Emmy Nod, Kershaw’s TV Track
/by Sarah SkatesTrace Adkins can add action hero to his list of career accomplishments. 12 Gauge Comics is planning a four-issue comic book series called “Luke McBain,” which is based on the country star. The first issue hits stores in November to coincide with Adkins’ tour. It will be available for $3.99 per issue in more than 4,000 […]
Jack Ingram, Mac McAnally Set Release Dates
/by Sarah SkatesJack Ingram will release his second Big Machine studio project Big Dreams & High Hopes on Tues., Aug. 25. The lead single “Barefoot and Crazy” is already at No. 8 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart. Ingram’s list of top-notch co-writers, producers and collaborators for the new project includes Americana songstress Patty Griffin on the Ingram-penned […]
News From The Road: Flatts, Chesney
/by Sarah SkatesRascal Flatts became the first country act to perform a concert in historic Wrigley Field in Chicago this past Saturday night. The group entertained a sold-out crowd of 37,000 fans for one of only four concerts ever played in the Chicago Cubs home stadium. Vince Gill and Darius Rucker opened. The Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour […]
Country At The White House: Charley Pride Added, Watch Online
/by Sarah SkatesCharley Pride has been added to the list of artists performing at the White House tomorrow (7/21) as part of its educational workshop about Country music. Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and Union Station were previously announced. The event in the historic East Room will be livestreamed on whitehouse.gov/live starting at 6:25 PM/CT with President […]
Is Country Crushing Nashville’s Creativity?
/by bossrossAn article in the Sunday Tennessean (by Naomi Synder) asks “Could Nashville’s country and Christian music industry be crushing innovation? It sounds like a ridiculous question, were it not for the musicians who think it might be true.” The feature length article confuses quality, diversity and professionalism in a swirling discussion which fails to distinguish […]
Tech Tracks: Kazaa, Rock Band, Twitter
/by Sarah SkatesKazaa relaunched today (7/20) in a new form; morphed from an illegal file-trading service to a legal download subscription outfit. For $20/month, users get unlimited downloads of over 1 million tracks from all four major labels. The downside of the service is that the DRM tracks cannot be transferred to portable devices and can only […]
AMA To Honor Sam Bush
/by Sarah SkatesSam Bush will receive the Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist award at the 8th Annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony, presented by the Gibson Foundation, on Thurs., Sept. 17 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. As co-founder and leader of the seminal progressive bluegrass band New Grass Revival for 18 years, Bush was among the first purveyors […]
Wiles, Evans Announce Do Write Music
/by Sarah SkatesDwight Wiles, President of Smith Wiles & Co., today (7/20) formally announced Do Write Music, his joint venture with music publishing veteran Marghie Evans. The company specializes in all aspects of music publishing administration and clearance services for songwriters, publishers, independent producers and label owners, and corporations in need of publishing administration, royalty accounting and […]
Publishing Notes: Sony/ATV, Green Hills Music
/by Sarah SkatesSeveral financial firms are looking into purchasing Michael Jackson’s share of the Sony/ATV catalog. Among those interested are Colony Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Plainfield Asset Management and the media mogul Haim Saban, the New York Times reports. Jackson’s 50% stake in the publisher–which owns a majority of the Beatles copyrights–could be worth as much a […]
LifeNotes: Ellen Wood Hospitalized, Tim Nichols’ Mother
/by Sarah SkatesGet well wishes to former BMI publicist and Music City News writer Ellen Wood, who is in the hospital following surgery to repair a broken shoulder. The operation was complicated by Wood developing pneumonia. She is recuperating slowly at St. Thomas Hospital. ————————– Condolences to Grammy winning songwriter, Tim Nichols, on the loss of his […]
Industry Tourney Aids Children’s Hospital
/by Sarah SkatesThe 36th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational (MCTI) donated $118,473.19 to the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The money was raised by 125 tennis players who participated in the tournament, along with sponsorships, donations, auctions and a songwriters’ concert that benefited the event. The annual MCTI charity tennis […]
NAMM, Jamey, Billy, Jimmy, Nashville Music Awards, Symphony Sale
/by Sarah SkatesThe deadline has been extended to Friday, July 24 for submissions for the Nashville Music Awards. Revived in a partnership with Next Big Nashville (NBN) and Leadership Music, Inc. (LM), the Nashville Music Awards (NMA), were produced by LM from 1995 through 2000. The NMAs recognized outstanding contributions in all genres of music. Winners will […]
Photo Friday: Carrie, Randy, Sheryl, Sara, and Eric
/by Sarah SkatesPaisley Mines Digital Gold
/by Sarah SkatesBrad Paisley tops the country album sales chart for a second consecutive week with his new release, American Saturday Night. The album’s first single, “Then,” has already become a three-week No. 1. The second single, “Welcome to the Future,” has already zoomed to No. 44 on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart, even though the official […]
Trade Organizations Work Best As Separate Entities
/by Sarah SkatesWhile the goals of Nashville’s top three music trade groups are closely aligned, each has issues and objectives specific to its genre. The Country Music Association, Americana Music Association, and International Bluegrass Music Association work tirelessly to promote the music they represent to consumers and the industry. A recent poll on MusicRow.com posed the following […]
DISClaimer (7/17/09)
/by Robert K OermannCan I get a witness? Things were going along in a routine way during this listening session until I was stopped dead in my tracks and struck with profound awe. The record that did it was the churning, inspirational “Somebody Like Me” by Jason Crabb. Stop what you are doing right now to seek it […]
Songwriters This Weekend: Matraca, Bluebird on Mtn.
/by Sarah SkatesHit songwriter Matraca Berg will take a seat at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Saturday, July 18, as the latest subject of the quarterly programming series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. The 1:30 p.m. program, which will be held in the Museum’s Ford Theater, is included with Museum admission and free […]
Photos: Joey+Rory, O’Shea, and Emma Jacob
/by Sarah SkatesOverstock.com spokespersons Joey+Rory appear in the third installment of their “At Home with the O” ad campaign. The spot hits the air this week and features the country duo’s favorite hound Rufus. They are on the road supporting their debut album The Life of a Song. The newest single, “To Say Goodbye,” is at radio […]
Holly Williams, David Nail, Jeff Cook, and The Oaks
/by Sarah SkatesNewcomer Holly Williams is profiled in this week’s People magazine, dated July 27th and on stands today (7/17). The story of her music and life has also garnered the interest of National Public Radio, which will feature her Sunday, July 19 on “Weekend Edition.” The show airs in Nashville on WPLN from 7-9 AM/CT. And […]
Palming Off a Bug Fix, CMA Voting, Songwriters Team With Studdard
/by Sarah SkatesApple has just released an iTunes update (8.2.1) and among the “issues and improvements” it addresses is the music program’s ability to sync music with the Palm Pre phone. One of the new Palm smartphone’s selling points was that ability to seamlessly move music between iTunes and the phone, but obviously, Apple preferred that only […]
Promo News: A Tale of Two Thomases, And A Wagner
/by Sarah SkatesLauren “L.T.” Thomas has been hired as Associate Director of Promotion for Golden Music Nashville, the new label launching flagship act Williams Riley. She comes from KMLE-FM in Phoenix where she began as a Promotions Assistant in 2002 before being bumped up to Promotions Manager in 2007. L.T. works at the Golden Music Nashville offices […]
Aldean Wrangles Hits, Jean Deal, Conan
/by Sarah SkatesJason Aldean‘s “Big Green Tractor,” is plowing its way toward the Top 10 of MusicRow‘s Country Breakout chart; currently No. 16 and the fastest rising single of the Georgia-native’s career. The song has fueled over 40,000 digital downloads a week, helping his already Gold certified third album Wide Open move an average of 22,000 units […]
Crook & Chase, Chesney, Clark, and Harry Potter
/by Sarah SkatesWhen Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival hits Seattle’s Qwest Field on July 31, he will give a special sand bar performance for a select number of fans the night before. The lucky ticket holders—available through his Web site, local radio stations and other outlets will enjoy an hour-long set. “We wanna get in there and really […]
NSAI/Frost Specialty Offering Group Infringement Insurance
/by Sarah SkatesThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and Frost Specialty today (7/15) announced the creation of the first-of-its-kind Group Copyright Infringement Insurance Policy for songwriters. This unique group insurance plan will dramatically reduce the cost of infringement-insurance premiums while establishing lower available coverage limits. “Until now, this kind of coverage was cost prohibitive or unavailable to […]