Preparations are underway for SXSW 2011, set to bombard the streets of Austin March 11-20. As the music, film and industry event enters its 25th year, it has added a fashion component to the mix. Organizers have also announced that political activist and musician Bob Geldof will be the Keynote Speaker and Showcase Performer. The […]
The Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business (CEMB) has appointed longtime adjunct Dan Keen Instructor of Music Business. The industry veteran is a 2007 alum of Belmont’s Master of Education program and also serves on the CEMB Advisory Board. Keen’s career has included time as VP at ASCAP, even receiving the PRO’s Award […]
Pop vocalist Margaret Whiting, who was made an honorary member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1949, has died at age 86. Capitol Records paired Whiting with singing cowboy Jimmy Wakely in a series of highly successful duets, beginning with 1949’s “Slipping Around.” As a result, Whiting became the first woman to have a No. […]
BMI toasted the team behind Darius Rucker’s latest chart-topper, “Come Back Song,” at an intimate dinner on Tuesday, January 11. Written by Casey Beathard, Chris Stapleton and Rucker, the song is the lead single from Rucker’s second country album Charleston, SC 1966.
As part of its popular monthly songwriter showcase at the Bluebird Cafe, ASCAP Nashville presented BMG songwriters Brett James, Neil Thrasher, busbee and other guests at a sold-out show on January 11. James was ASCAP’s 2010 Country Songwriter of the Year (he also won this award in 2006, along with the Song of the Year […]
SESAC has announced the promotion of Shannan Hatch to Sr. Dir., Writer/Publisher Relations. Formerly Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, Hatch is based in Nashville’s office and will continue her duty of recruiting and nurturing the careers of songwriters and publishers. “Shannan has proven herself to be a very gifted music executive with a keen eye for recognizing […]
Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Tim McGraw are among the stars hitting the road in 2011. Following last year’s touring slump, The New York Post reports that promoters are planning to lower ticket prices for this season. Chesney, whose tickets come with a traditionally low price point, probably would have weathered the downturn with […]
This year is the first time we have a complete 12-month country digital track sales report from Nielsen SoundScan, and we are excited!
The 2010 Top 200 country tracks shows a total of 57.68 million purchased. For added track perspective, we divide the total Top 200 sales by 10 to get a metric called “track equivalent album” or TEA.
MySpace laid off 500 employees yesterday, a total which accounts for almost half (47%) of its worldwide workforce. Executives maintain that the downsizing is a result of the social networking site’s relaunch as a music and entertainment destination. MySpace Chief Executive Mike Jones says that the lay-offs are not a reflection of the new product’s […]
Blake Shelton will join Reba as co-host of the ACM Awards on Sun., April 3. The superstar redhead has hosted the country awards show for over a decade. Producers and show organizers say they got the idea to add Shelton to the mix when the pair appeared together on the CBS Early show. “Last year […]