Digital Summit Shares Masnick Keynote

One of the highlights from the recent 2009 Leadership Music Digital Summit was the keynote address from Michael Masnick titled, “How Trent Reznor and NIN Represent The Future of the Music Industry and How Others Are Making It Work As Well.” Masnick is well know for his work with Floor64 and frequent posting to award-winning […]

40th Annual GMA Dove Awards

The GMA held its 40th Annual Dove Awards last night (4/23), at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville with singer/songwriter Brandon Heath and worship band Casting Crowns earning the most awards.  Steven Curtis Chapman was honored as Artist of the Year and Tenth Avenue North received the Dove Award for New Artist which for […]

“Bluebird On the Mountain” Lineup Unveiled

The Bluebird Cafe’s “Bluebird On the Mountain” concert series is set to begin Saturday, May 16 at 7:00 PM with pop songstress Kim Carnes leading a a stellar lineup of singer/songwriters. The concerts are held in the beautiful country setting of Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory. Cost of admission is $399 per vehicle, with up to eight […]

SOLID Rocks For Musicians On Call

Members of Nashville music industry organization, SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development), rocked out for a good cause recently. SOLID’s  2nd Annual Karaoke/Rock Band Challenge, held March 25 at 12th & Porter, raised $500 dollars for Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare […]

Swift Leads Country Twitterers

Updated: The Kenny Chesney, cUnderwood83 and SugarlandFans feeds discussed below are not authentic. [Date: 4/23/09] Ashton Kutcher (username: aplusk) has the most Twitter followers, 1,356,958. However, since social networks are like ocean tides moving in and out, one can expect these totals to change. MusicRow, decided to research which country music artists have the highest […]

Dierks Down Under

Capitol artist Dierks Bentley is prepping this week for his first-ever Australian tour with superstar duo Brooks & Dunn beginning May 1 in Perth and continuing on to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane through May 9. Bentley will flank both ends of his Australian tour with stops in Los Angeles to perform his current single, “Sideways,” […]

Paradigm Acquires Third Coast

Hollywood talent agency Paradigm, continuing its expansion into music, announced today (4/23) that it had bought Nashville-based Christian music booking firm Third Coast Artists Agency. The deal is the latest move by Beverly Hills-based Paradigm to increase its presence in the music sector through a series of low-key acquisitions. In the last five years, Paradigm […]

CMA Songwriters Series Returns to NYC

Returning to Joe’s Pub for the fifth year, the CMA Songwriters Series remains one of New York City’s most popular nights of music. Showcasing some of Nashville’s finest songwriters, the series is back for another show on Thursday, May 21. Host Bob DiPiero (“If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Blue Clear Sky,” “Take Me As […]

Hall of Fame Re-elects Steve Turner, Vince Gill

At the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s recent quarterly board meeting, cultural arts activist Steve Turner, founder of Butler’s Run LLC, was tapped for a second term as Chairman; and Hall of Fame member Vince Gill was re-elected to an eighth consecutive term as President. New trustees, elected for three-year terms, include Creative […]

Chicks With Hits Celebrate Tammy Brown

Songplugger’s collective The Chicks With Hits recently held a luncheon in honor of longtime Music Row executive Tammy Brown to celebrate her recent cancer free status after a year long battle with leukemia. Brown is a former employee of ole Songs and Sony Music. The Chicks released balloons containing prayers and well wishes for Brown’s […]

CMA Says “Here Come The Judds”

Plans continue to come together for the 2009 CMA Music Festival, and now comes the announcement that the CMA will add country stars Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, and Wynonna (with a special appearance by The Judds) to the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field. “Rascal Flatts remains one of today’s great musical […]

Full Circle Signs Hitmaker Bob Regan

Full Circle Music Publishing has announced the signing of Grammy-nominated hit-maker Bob Regan. Regan has the current BomShel single, “Fight Like a Girl,” and a 2009 Grammy nomination for “Dig Two Graves,” recorded by Randy Travis. Regan has had over 200 songs recorded, with hits including “You’re Everything” (Keith Urban), “Something About a Woman” (Jake […]

Playboy Presents Jamey Johnson “Uncovered”

You never know where you’re going to run into ACM Song of the Year winner Jamey Johnson. The editors of Playboy magazine recently caught up with the hirsute singer/songwriter at Music Row watering hole Loser’s Bar. The magazine featured Johnson in an online segment called “Uncovered.” Sitting at the bar — fully clothed — Johnson […]

Presenting Randy Houser … and Drake!

For several weeks, country fans have been watching and forwarding a YouTube video of a 4-year-old named Drake lip syncing Randy Houser’s new hit single “Boots On,” (currently  the  fastest climbing single in the Top 25 by a new artist). Drake’s nanny captured the young performer on video when he was in his car seat […]

Debt Load Chafes Clear Channel

Clear Channel Communications went private last July after being purchased by THL Partners and Bain Capitol. In the process, the company’s debt load greatly increased. Last week CCC released a preliminary filing stating that its first quarter revenue had fallen 23% to $1.2 billion while at the same time its debt increased trifold to $21 […]

Music City Comes Together For Nashville4Africa

Tomorrow night (4/22), at 7:00 PM, a great lineup of Nashville artists will join the famed African Children’s Choir and The Lost Boys of Sudan for a Night of Hope at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Big & Rich’s Kenny Alphin and Nashville singer/songwriter Damien Horne will host the inaugural Nashville4Africa benefit concert. The event will […]

CMA Announces Daytime Stage Festival Lineup

With festivities beginning June 11, the CMA Music Festival is closer than you think. And fans will be clamoring for the opportunity to get up close and personal with a great lineup of artists at the free Daytime Stage at Riverfront Park concerts. Acknowledging the current economic climate, CMA is offering all four days of […]

Gold Records, Sweet Talk, a Paisley Baby and More

Two Go Gold Jamey Johnson and the Zac Brown Band, ACM Award winners for Song of the Year and Top New Group respectively, have both been certified Gold for sales exceeding 500,000 for their debut albums. Johnson’s critically lauded That Lonesome Song has spent 20 weeks inside the top ten on Billboard’s Top Country Albums […]

David Haley Debuts Edgehill Music and Media

Music industry veteran David Haley has announced the debut of Edgehill Music and Media. Haley is well known for his long tenure at MCA Nashville, where he was an integral part of the team that was named “Label of the Decade” in the 1990’s. At Edgehill Music and Media, Haley will offer “a quicker avenue […]

Three Execs Added To CRB Board

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® President Becky Brenner has appointed three new executives to the CRB Board of Directors, two from the radio industry and one from the music industry. Following this year’s CRS-40, revisions to the CRB by-laws created three additional, one-year positions on the Board. The new appointees are Johnny Chiang, OM, Cox Radio […]

Canadian Country Coming To Vancouver

Plans are coming together for the 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards, and it looks to be another exciting year for the event. This year’s CCMA’s will be held Sept. 13 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, concluding four days of music industry activities known as Country Music Week. The annual celebration brings together […]

Nine Inch Nails’ iPhone Connection

Trent Reznor, the music man behind shock rockers Nine Inch Nails, has introduced a NIN iPhone app, which is now available on Apple’s App Store. Working with NIN’s art director, Robert Sheridan, Reznor developed the new app after a backstage iphone encounter with fans. Realizing the fans were using their iPhones to send photos from […]

Hulu Meets iPhone

Ad Age reports that video website Hulu is developing a video app for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch that may reach the marketplace within a few months. The video will work over both Wi-Fi and 3G. While there are other web video apps for the iPhone currently on the market — including CBS’s TV.com, Joost, […]

DISClaimer (4/17/09)

There are several ear-opening performances in this week’s new releases. Hank Williams Jr. is singing his face off on a striking song about our troubled economy. The Oak Ridge Boys have left their classic sound completely behind on an almost anguished-sounding reading of The White Stripes rock song “Seven Nation Army.” As a producer, Tony […]

DISClaimer (4/10/09)

I love a good cry. There’s something so purifying and soul-cleansing about it. And it has long been my contention that people love to weep as much as they love to laugh when consuming popular culture. Think of every sad movie you’ve ever cherished. At any rate, Mac McAnally opened my tear ducts this week. […]

DISClaimer (4/3/09)

Let’s get the necessary stuff over with first. The only clear choice for Disc of the Day is Lee Ann Womack and her great performance of  “Solitary Thinkin.’” The clear choice, at least to me, for a DisCovery Award is Mammouth Jack, whoever that is. But the real news of the week is being made […]

Review: Aldean Anchors Adventurous Collection

California-based Broken Bow Records arguably hasn’t yet done much for the Nashville community, but Wide Open, from its flagship artist Jason Aldean, scored impressive first week sales (109k) and is clearly boosting confidence in country’s fan connection. Radio is on board, too. Music Row named the Macon, Georgia native its Artist of the Year (Mid-Size […]

Mrs. Paisley Had a Baby!

Reigning ACM and CMA Male Vocalist Brad Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, welcomed their second child, a healthy baby boy  today (4/17), at a Nashville area hospital. The Paisley’s firstborn son, William Huckleberry, aka “Huck” was born in February, 2007.

ACM Ratings Jump 21 Percent

The 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards significantly increased its ratings for the second consecutive year. The show’s ratings were up 21% overall from 2008, drawing nearly 15 million viewers and earning the top spot for the night for the CBS Television Network during every hour of the April 5 telecast. The Awards brought […]

Martina’s Wine, B&D’s M&Ms, Bluebird Gets “Amplified” and More

Following the lead of country star Kix Brooks, Martina McBride has launched her own line of wines. McBride has teamed with Blackbird Vineyards Napa Valley to announce the debut of the 2006 Martina McBride “Signature Series” Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine. “I’ve been able to taste incredible wines while traveling the world on tour,” McBride […]

MCN Presents Concert Series & Sweepstakes

MusicCityNetworks (MCN) will present the 2009 MCN Fan Club Concert Series June 10-13 at Nashville’s Rocketown. The annual concert series features performances from some of country music’s biggest performers, connecting fans with their favorite artists and with their fellow fans. This year’s line-up includes Bucky Covington, Emerson Drive, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, Sara […]

CMA To Unveil Research

The Country Music Association will unveil key findings from its 2008 Country Music Consumer Segmentation Study during a free Town Hall meeting Tuesday, April 28 from 2:00-4:00 PM/CT in the Boone Crockett Room at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Nashville. The meeting is free and open to CMA members and their invited guests. The research […]

Songwriter Paul Williams Elected ASCAP President

Songwriter Paul Williams, whose long list of hits includes classic songs like “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Just An Old Fashioned Love Song” and “Rainy Days and Mondays,” was elected President and Chairman of the Board of ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) today (4/16) by the ASCAP Board of Directors at its […]

Mac McAnally

“You First” Show Dog Nashville Mac McAnally has worn many hats in his storied career—producer, vocalist, guitarist, chart-topping songwriter, member of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band—and his recording artist cap recently earned a nice feather in “Down The Road,” his No. 1 duet with Kenny Chesney. Now, McAnally and his new label Show Dog Nashville […]

Robert Johnson Blues Foundation Names New Generation Award Winner

The Robert Johnson Blues Foundation has announced that Zakk Knight of Indianapolis, Indiana has been named winner of the 2009 New Generation Award Contest. Knight will receive a Gibson “Robert Johnson” edition guitar, a Robert Johnson harmonica, a certificate signed by Claud Johnson (son and heir of Robert Johnson) and an invitation to perform at […]

Leadership Music Names Dale Franklin Award Winners

The Board of Directors of Leadership Music has announced that Garth Brooks, Jim Foglesong and Allen Reynolds have been selected as the 2009 recipients of the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award. The three prominent country music figures, whose careers intertwined when Brooks signed to Capitol Records with Foglesong at the helm, and Reynolds produced his […]

CMT Nom for Newfield’s “Johnny and June”

It’s not often that a country singer manages to step up to solo stardom after becoming closely identified with a successful group. Wynonna’s post-Judds career comes to mind. And now there’s Heidi Newfield. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the former Trick Pony singer turned to producer Tony Brown, who oversaw Wynonna’s debut, when it came […]

IFCO’s Loretta Johnson Passes; Visitation Set

Loretta Johnson died Monday, April 13, following a long battle with multiple myloma. She was 67 years old. With sisters Loudilla and Kay, Johnson was the co-founder of the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO). Begun in 1967, IFCO’s annual concert and get-together was the precursor of Fan Fair (now known as the CMA Music Festival). […]

Public TV Show Spotlights Songwriters

Legends & Lyrics, a new Public Television show spotlighting high-profile artist/songwriters alongside some of the not so well known songwriters behind the hits, will air weekly through the months of April and May. In each episode, artists including Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Loggins, Charlie Daniels, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, John Hiatt, 3 Doors Down, Kip Winger […]

Steve Buckingham Exits Welk Music Group

Steve Buckingham, Senior Vice President of A & R for Vanguard Records and The Welk Music Group, is leaving the company after eleven years. With Buckingham’s departure, Vanguard Records will shift A&R responsibilities for the label to the company’s Santa Monica Headquarters. While at Vanguard and sister label Sugar Hill, Buckingham signed, and in some […]

Echo Operations Move To L.A.

According to unofficial sources, Ticketmaster has announced it will restructure and greatly trim its echo music footprint in Nashville, by approximately 60 employees. It is believed that a small presence will remain related to ticketing and artist services with employees such as J.D. May, Catherine Oliva and Keith Gibson. The transition is scheduled to take […]

AT&T In Talks To Extend iPhone Deal

AT&T is currently in talks with Apple to extend its exclusive US agreement to sell the iPhone from 2010 to 2011, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said that he plans to shift the company’s focus away from the US landline phone business into wireless. Apple’s iPhone […]

Steve Wariner Records Chet Atkins Tribute

Award winning singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Steve Wariner has recorded a tribute to his old friend and mentor, Chet Atkins. Scheduled for release on Wariner’s own SelecTone Records, the June 23 release date for Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins falls between Atkins’ birthdate of June 20 and the anniversary of his death on June 30. […]

Jessica Harp Has Free iTunes Video of the Week

New Warner Bros. artist Jessica Harp, formerly known as the blond half of chart-topping duo The Wreckers, has gone brunette and set out on a solo career with new single, “Boy Like Me.” This week, the Scott Spear-directed video for “Boy Like Me” is featured on iTunes as “Music Video Of The Week,” and is […]

Gibson Sponsors Film Fest and Oprah School

Gibson Guitar has announced its sponsorship  of the 2009 Nashville Film Festival. The instrument manufacturer will present a Gibson acoustic guitar — customized with artwork by acclaimed Nashville-based mixed media painter Mandy Lawson — to legendary actor William Shatner as part of Festival’s “President’s Impact Award” for Shatner’s film, Gonzo Ballet. Gibson will also host […]

CMA Offers Strong Lineup, Individual Tickets

CMA Music Festival’s Nightly Concerts at LP Field are the place to see country’s biggest stars all gathered on one big revolving stage, and tickets are now available on a nightly basis. Beginning Saturday, April 18, at 9:00 AM/CT, tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts will go on sale for $40 for reserved seats on […]

Anderson and Stroud Reunite for Bigger Hands

Perennial country star John Anderson has reunited with James Stroud, the producer behind his early ‘90s career resurgence and a long string of hits including “Seminole Wind,” “Straight Tequila Night” and “Money in the Bank.” The pair has teamed to coproduce Bigger Hands, the singer’s first release for Country Crossing records, a division of Stroud’s […]

BMI Signs Chris Farren

Grammy-winning songwriter/producer/publisher Chris Farren has signed with BMI for performing rights representation. Cofounder (with Ken Levitan) of Combustion Music,  Farren took home a Grammy for Country Song of the Year for Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” He’s also earned two previous Grammy nominations, 11 ASCAP Awards, and has credits on over 20 million record […]

Executive Promotions at RCA, SESAC

SESAC has announced the promotion of Hunter Williams to Senior Vice President, Strategic Development/Distribution & Research Operations. Williams began his career with SESAC over 16 years ago and most recently served as Vice President, Royalty Distribution & Research Services. In his new role, Williams will be responsible for developing new business opportunities utilizing SESAC’s licensing, […]

Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Join “Divas Nashvegas”

Divas Nashvegas 2009, the annual Nashville fundraising event benefiting the Oasis Center, has announced country stars Kenny Rogers and Wynonna as this year’s headline performers. Presented by HCA and hosted by acclaimed musical comedy duo, Doyle and Debbie, this year’s event is set for Saturday, May 16  at 7:00 PM in the Loveless Barn at […]