“Soundstage” On GAC, Kid Rock’s Beer, SheDaisy, and Rascal Flatts

GAC To Present The Best of Soundstage: Great American Country (GAC) is pleased to present the best of the legendary music television series, Soundstage, and will air nine Country episodes beginning with Sugarland on July 12 at 7 PM/CT. The groundbreaking series aired from 1974–1985 before returning in 2003 and continues to feature outstanding high definition […]

AristoVideo & Travis Television Form DownCast

AristoVideo and Travis Television Productions have formed an alliance that bundles the two companies’ specialized video services into one consolidated package, named DownCast. The arrangement integrates broadcast-quality video content with a distribution network that services an extensive list of radio, television, national and regional video programs, newspapers, trade publications, celebrity and entertainment shows, wire services, closed-circuit partners, […]

Atkins and Waltrip On GAC’s “Drafting Partners”

Rodney Atkins and NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip were featured on GAC’s Drafting Partners, which premiered July 2 and was taped at Lowes Mother Speedway. The new GAC series combines one of country’s hottest stars and one of NASCAR’s coolest drivers for an insider’s look at the colliding worlds of country music and motorsports.

Plugger Group Meets Blake Chancey

The Perfect Pitches Plugger Group recently met with noted producer Blake Chancey at the cocktail lounge The Patterson House on Division Street.

R.J. Curtis Is Arista’s New Reg. Promo. Mngr.

R.J. Curtis will be Arista Nashville’s new Regional Promotion Manager, Midwest beginning July 20. He will relocate to Music City to serve the region previously helmed by Tyler Waugh, who segues to the Southeast territory.

Glamorous Tidbits

Taylor Swift is on the cover of the August issue of Glamour magazine. In an article titled Taylor Swift: Bomb-Shell in Blue Jeans, she dishes on her favorite career moments (Saturday Night Live, Rolling Stone cover), future goals (a world tour, moving out of her parents’ house), and where she sees herself in the future. […]

Williams Riley Celebrates William Morris Endeavor Signing

An industry crowd gathered at Nashville’s 12th & Porter yesterday (7/1) for a Cajun lunch and showcase hosted by Golden Music, William Morris and Jim Havey PR on behalf of new band Williams Riley. The seven piece outfit, fronted by singer/songwriter Steve Williams, charged through an energetic set including its current single “I’m Still Me,” […]

IBMA Members Elect Leadership To Board

Professional members of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) recently elected several positions on the organization’s board of directors. Two new faces will be added and three were re-elected to new terms. Those elected and the membership categories they represent are: * Alison Brown, an executive with Compass Records and an award winning artist from Nashville, Tennessee […]

Photo Ops: Costco Queen, Winans, Walker, and Wayne

Jimmy Wayne takes a camera with him everywhere he travels, and this week his label Valory Music Co.  launched a weekly series spotlighting some of his favorite photos from the road. See below.

Revisiting The New Rules Of Engagement

In August 2007 MusicRow released a special report entitled Embracing Change: The New Rules of Engagement. Its content was the result of a series of think-tank sessions with Jim Beavers, David Gales, Scott Heuerman, Todd Cassetty and David Ross—tech devotees with group experience in virtually all aspects of the music industry. Now, two years later, […]

New Music Rundown

Larry Gatlin—the man Johnny Cash called “Pilgrim”—and the Gatlin Brothers are working on the upcoming release of The Pilgrimage, their new album on Curb Records. On it the Gatlins celebrate their love and respect for Mr. Cash and collaborate with his son John Carter Cash as producer. The lead single “Johnny Cash is Dead and […]

Photos: Rascal Flatts, Rhonda Towns, Colt Ford

Rascal Flatts visited a JC Penney store in a Washington, D.C. suburb prior to their show at the Nissan Pavilion on June 27. The band created a little “fan fare” when their secret visit was leaked by a local radio station and hundreds of fans showed up to greet them. The retailer’s American Living clothing […]

How Artists Are Spending the 4th

Here’s a list of what a few artists are doing this weekend. What is your artist up to? Add a comment below and let us know. Nashville always celebrates the 4th of July with style and this year’s 25th anniversary event will be better than ever with headliner Wynonna Judd performing alongside the Symphony Orchestra. […]

Toby K., Holly W., Luke B. and Aaron T.

Toby Keith‘s sixth annual golf and music fundraising weekend to benefit Ally’s House raised more than a half-million dollars to help children with cancer and their families in Keith’s native Oklahoma. The $550,000 raised brings the to-date total to nearly $3 million. The dinner, music and auction saw several big ticket items drawing huge bids. […]

Jackson Sales Surge But Country Lags

The week ending 6/28/09 saw week-over-week (w/w) country sales drop 24% and overall music sales fall 8%. For country it was the week after Fathers Day and the CMT Awards, plus there were no new country CD debuts to give fans an extra reason to shop. For the overall industry, it was the week that […]

CMT Ratings Continue Upward Trend

Coming off ratings wins for premieres of the 2009 CMT Music Awards and The Singing Bee series debut, CMT has wrapped its most-watched second quarter ever among total viewers. According to Nielsen Media Research, the network increased total viewers for both total day (+14%) and primetime (+13%) when compared to the same quarter in 2008, […]

New Artists Now

MCA Nashville will release David Nail‘s debut album I’m About To Come Alive on Tuesday, August 18. Produced by Frank Liddell and Michael Wrucke, Nail is credited with writing nearly half of the 11-track record. “I think every artist that moves to Nashville has a list of things they hope to achieve, and having a […]

Music Biz Whiz Kids

There are several familiar names on Music Row among the finalists for the 2009 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (NELAs), given out annually by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville. The organizations say the awards are proof of the demographic’s strong leadership, community impact and success. Many of the nominees are members of […]

Bobby Karl Works The MusicRow Awards

The readers have spoken, and they have class. Both Jamey Johnson and James Otto were double winners at this year’s MusicRow awards ceremony. Jamey won the Breakthrough Artist award as well as the Song of the Year prize for “In Color,” co-written with James and Lee Thomas Miller. Because James also co-wrote his big hit […]

Musical Chairs: W.A.Y. Ent., Republic Nashville

Former Sony execs. Jon Elliot and Christian Svendsen have formed W.A.Y. Entertainment, a fully integrated entertainment company. The Nashville-based outfit will specialize in artist management and marketing services, and also offer merchandise and TV production through partnerships with A3 Merchandise and Relay Productions. With combined experience of more than 30 years and backgrounds in promotion, […]

Whisperin’ Bill Still Making Noise

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson was already having a wonderful vacation when he received a phone call from Terry Wakefield at Sony/ATV that made his trip that much better. Wakefield let him know the status of two of Anderson’s co-writes: Sugarland‘s “Joey” hit the national country charts at No. 50 yesterday (6/29), and today (6/30) Brad Paisley […]

Brotherly Love w/ Bellamys & Bacons; Plus Artist LifeNotes

The Bellamy Brothers have released a new single and video with The Bacon Brothers titled “Guilty of the Crime.” The song is currently in medium rotation on CMT Pure and featured worldwide on CMT.com. Directed by Laura Lyness, the video was shot in a single day inside a prison in Memphis.  The video features both […]

Lady A Added To Now! 31 Pop Comp

Lady Antebellum’s current Top 5 single “I Run to You” has been added to the upcoming Now! 31 compilation disc scheduled to be released June 30. The Capitol Nashville trio is the only country act on this latest in a series of discs, part of the long-running Now That’s What I Call Music series that […]

Browser Battles—FireFox Launches 3.5

While it might be easy to wave aside upgrades in surf technology as being unconnected to the entertainment industry, it would be an over simplification and a mistake. The browser opens our window to the online world, the growing point of contact between artists and fans, plus buyers and sellers of; tickets, music files, merchandise […]

Artists Celebrate Summer on Field and Water

Last month’s Nashville Celebrity Softball Challenge, held each year in conjunction with CMA Music Festival, raised over $100,000 for City of Hope’s research, treatment and education for cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The Grand Ole Opry team defeated the After Midnite team. Stepping up to the plate to help the charity were notable Nashvillians and […]

Kristofferson Named BMI Icon, Awards Date Set

Kris Kristofferson will be honored as a BMI Icon at the U.S. music rights organization’s 57th annual Country Awards. Slated for Tuesday, November 10 in Nashville, the black-tie, invitation-only gala will celebrate the songwriters of the past year’s most-performed country songs from the BMI catalog. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Nashville […]

821 Grows the Hollywood-Nashville Connection

821 Entertainment, the Music City company headed by Pres. Anastasia Brown and CEO Eric Geadelmann, has optioned the film rights to one of John Grisham’s biggest bestsellers. That project, along with the company’s upcoming Roy Rogers trilogy, will offer many possibilities for the use of Nashville music, says 821 COO Graham Chalfant. Grisham has been […]

CMA Fest To Rock TV, First Awards Ballot Coming

Country Music takes center stage when CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock airs Monday, Aug. 31 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Filmed in Nashville June 11-14, the special has been expanded to three hours. Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Sugarland and Taylor Swift are the first performers […]

Revolving Door: Stoney Creek, Sony, LifeNotes

Stoney Creek Records, the new label founded by Broken Bow owner Benny Brown, has signed Ash Bowers. and is planning the release of his first album. The Buddy Cannon produced project contains seven songs penned by Bowers, as well as the new single, “Stuck,” which was written by Billy Montana and Frank Myers and goes […]

Richard Marx Catalogue Acquired By Chrysalis

Chrysalis Music Group USA has finalized an agreement to purchase the catalogue of renowned writer/artist Richard Marx. Among his most recent hits was the 2008 song “Everybody,” which was written with and performed by Keith Urban. Marx has been an internationally known singer/songwriter/producer for over 20 years. In addition to selling over 30 million records […]

CMT Awards Draw Top Execs

The 2009 CMT Music Awards aired live from Nashville’s Sommet Center on June 16. Many of MTV Network’s top brass came to town to mingle with Nashville executives and artists at the event.

Monday Morning Rundown- WB, Ray Price, Platinum Plaques, AMA, Alana Grace

Country singer Ray Price underwent surgery on June 23 to remove precancerous polyps from his colon. Doctors say the operation was a complete success and he is making a slow, steady recovery with the help of family and friends, especially his wife Janie. ————————— The Hannah Montana soundtrack was the only Country album which received […]

Friday Fun: Festivals, Craig Morgan, Sugarland and More

Organizers have confirmed a major new country music festival in Baton Rouge, to be held Memorial Day Weekend 2010 (May 29-30, 2010) at the LSU Tiger Stadium. The brains behind the event are heavy hitters Festival Productions, Inc.–New Orleans (which produces the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival), AEG Live and The Messina Group. It […]

Keni Thomas

“Gunslinger” RBM/Tenacity “…this seriously rocks.” —Robert K. Oermann, MusicRow MySpace Song Plays: 210,000 MySpace Views: 175,000 MySpace Friends: 6500 “Gunslinger,” the infectious title track from Keni Thomas’s new album, is featured on this year’s CMA Music Fest Sampler and available for over 100,000 free downloads through September 2009. The new single, written by Thomas, is […]

Chesney, Flatts, and Toby Are Country’s Highest Earning

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Toby Keith are the only Country stars on Forbes’ new list of the year’s top-earning musicians. Endorsements and album sales gave a significant boost to every artist on the list of 12. But it was touring that sent earnings into the stratosphere. With a $65 million profit between June 08 […]

New Videos From Vassar and Gloriana

Gloriana‘s new video “The Way It Goes” debuted today on CMT’s Top 20 Countdown. The live video was shot while on the road with Taylor Swift‘s Fearless tour. Directed by Chad Denning for Gamma Blast and produced by  Matt Nahay, it was recorded during performances in Seattle, Portland and Spokane. Denning shot over 15,000 stills […]

Little Big Town Raises Over $50,000 For TJ Martell

Members of Little Big Town hosted their third “Ride For A Cure” on Sunday, June 14, to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation. This year’s event was a huge success and raised $52,000 for cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The T.J. Martell Foundation supports leukemia, cancer and AIDS […]

Wy To Headline Music City July 4th

Nashville always celebrates the 4th of July with style and this year’s 25th anniversary event will be better than ever with headliner Wynonna Judd performing alongside the Symphony Orchestra. The Riverfront Park free festivities will begin at noon with the Family Fun Zone, presented by Coca-Cola. The NowPlayingNashville.com First Stage will feature music beginning at […]

Lifenotes: Tim Krekel (updated)

Arrangements: On Sunday, June 28th, at 3:30 PM a public jazz funeral procession will start at James Lee Presbyterian Church, 1741 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY and walk to the memorial service at The Vernon Club, 1575 Story Ave., Louisville. The family wishes that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to The KREK fund, […]

Fans Mourn Jackson, Fawcett

As the nation was hearing news of the expected passing of actress Farrah Fawcett, word began to spread that Michael Jackson had been hospitalized for suspected cardiac arrest. Soon after, it was confirmed that he too had died. Fawcett, 62, had recently gone through a very public battle with cancer, and had faced the disease […]

“Levon Helm–Ramble at the Ryman” Airs Tonight

PBS (WNPT ch. 8 in Nashville) will premiere Levon Helm — Ramble at the Ryman tonight (6/25) at 8 PM. The show will also be part of their featured national Pledge Drive Campaign beginning in August 2009. The Ramble at the Ryman was an historic evening. On the opening night of the Americana Music Festival […]

Service Scheduled For Barry Beckett

As arrangements for a memorial service are announced, the recent passing of acclaimed musician/producer Barry Beckett continues to be felt throughout Nashville’s creative community. Musician Steve Nathan and producer Steve Buckingham offer their remembrances below. The memorial service will be Sunday, July 12 at 5 PM at the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville. If […]

Country Boosts Morale With Spirit of America

On June 14, Charlie Daniels helped the U.S. Army celebrate its 231st birthday at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., with a performance courtesy of the Spirit of America Tour. A standing-room-only crowd of 3,000 soldiers enjoyed a 90-minute set from the entertainer. Founder of the Spirit of America Tour, Robert Rosenthal, was honored during the concert […]

Aldean Mines Gold

The RIAA has certified Jason Aldean’s latest CD Wide Open Gold after 10 weeks. The metal certifications are based upon shipments, with Gold status requiring 500,000 units and Platinum needing one million. According to SoundScan, which measures actual sales to consumers, through week 10 the CD has sold a total of 316,246 units. The first […]

ShortNotes: Rack-N-Roll, Joe Moscheo, and Edgar Bronfman Jr.

The Rack-N-Roll Audio crew has been busy this summer. They have been on the road recording live performances ranging from arena shows like 3 Doors Down tourmates Theory of a Deadman to artists at Bonnaroo. Rentals have been hopping as well, with recent projects including Creed, Bob Rock/American Bang, and Matt Serletic/Gloriana. Rack-N-Roll’s studio, The […]

Republic Nashville Details Promo Team

Republic Nashville, the latest new imprint to sit under the Big Machine umbrella has announced its promo team. Bobby Young Dir. of National Promotion unveiled the identities of this highly anticipated group. Jimmy Harnen is President of this new label and will report to CEO Scott Borchetta. The label’s roster now includes Sunny Sweeney and […]

Big Loud Extreme Partnership

Songwriter Jenn Schott has signed with Big Loud Shirt. This is the company’s first signing under its partnership combining the Big Loud Shirt & Extreme Writer’s Group creative teams. “I’ve known and been a fan of Jenn Schott’s for years and we are thrilled to work with her. It was also great that Michael Martin […]

CMT Awards Spike Sales

The 2009 CMT Music Awards sparked post-show physical and digital sales for every performer and winner following the live telecast on Tuesday, June 16 on CMT. Here is the data according to the Soundscan charts for the week ending 06/21/2009. Brad Paisley, a three time trophy winner that night, received one of the biggest sales […]

Hargis Returns to BBR/Stoney Creek

Shelley Hargis has joined the Stoney Creek Records promotion staff as Manager Regional Promotion, Southwest/Midwest. She is already on the job and reporting directly to Stoney Creek’s VP of Promotion Denise Roberts. Hargis is returning home to the Broken Bow/Stoney Creek family where she previously spent over four years at BBR in radio promotion. Her […]

Get Out For A Good Cause This Week

The Miller Harris Foundation Benefit Concert is tonight, Wed., June 24 at the Bluebird Cafe. Two shows featuring some of Nashville’s favorite songwriters will benefit the organization which helps children with asthma. The 6 PM in-the-round welcomes Kim Williams, Amanda Williams, Roxie Dean, and Brice Long; followed by the 9 PM show with Keith Stegall, […]