Show Dog-Universal Music Launches
Toby Keith, Mark Wright
Toby Keith‘s Show Dog Nashville is merging with Universal Records South to become Show Dog-Universal Music. Keith will serve as a Principle of the new label and previous Universal South Pres. Wright is on board as President of the newly combined entity.
More announcements are expected in January.
“Show Dog-Universal will still have the feeling of being an independent label with strong and personal relationships with all our artists. That is what Show Dog Nashville and Universal South have always been about, but combine the two labels and you have a powerhouse with more staff and better opportunities for our artists. I look forward to working closely with my friend and partner Mark Wright,” said Toby.
“The launch of this new company creates even more value for our combined artists, employees and business partners,” stated Wright. “Together, our best-in-class team will create even more opportunities for our artists, while expanding the services we offer. This is truly one-plus-one equaling three. Moreover, I am delighted to be partnering with Toby, with whom I have shared a close friendship for many years. His remarkable achievements as an artist and businessman define creative leadership at its very best. He will be invaluable to taking this company to even greater heights.”
Toby Keith has been among the top musical performers in any genre throughout this decade, and is ranked among the top selling artists in all-genres at #3 on Billboard‘s Top 200 Artists of the Decade. He was also named Billboard‘s #1 Country Artist of the Decade and #1 Country Songwriter of the Decade, and was honored by NSAI with its prestigious Songwriter/Artist of the Decade Award.
Keith’s business empire encompasses restaurants, movies, and a clothing line. In 2009, his U.S. America’s Toughest Tour played to more than a million people.
Some restructuring is expected following today’s announcement. Here are the label teams prior to the merger: Show Dog—GM George Nunes, VP Promotion Rick Moxley, and Head of Sales & Marketing Bill Kennedy. Roster—Carter’s Chord, Mica Roberts and Trailer Choir.
Universal Records South—Pres. Mark Wright, Sr. VP/GM Fletcher Foster, Sr. VP Sales & Operations Van Fletcher, VP National Promotion Teddi Bonadies, and VP A&R Arturo Buenahora. Roster—Baylie Brown, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Eli Young Band, Andy Gibson, Jennifer Hanson, Randy Houser, Shooter Jennings, Joe Nichols, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Ashley Ray, Phil Vassar, Angela Wolff, and Kevin Costner & Modern West.
From the Nashville Scene:
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced the dates for the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, running March 30 – April 3, 2010 in Nashville. Highlighting songwriters of all genres, the popular event will feature two shows per night at numerous local venues. For the fourth continuous year, Regions Bank will be Tin Pan South’s presenting sponsor.
Taylor Swift could end 2009 as the top selling artist for all genres, for the second year in a row. Her album Fearless has sold more than 2.6 million units this year, and over 4.8 million since it came out in 2008. Her self-titled debut brought in over 600K units this year, plus she has a Christmas album out, making her 2009 total well over 3.3 million [according to Nielsen Soundscan, a division of the Nielsen Company]. Fearless is the bestselling all-genre album of the year, and is still moving units at a rate of over 150K last week.
Carrie Underwood received the 2009 Harmony Award at the Symphony Ball on Saturday night, December 12, at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The fundraiser for the Nashville Symphony and its outreach programs is Music City’s premiere winter social event. This year’s white-tie, invitation-only evening marked the event’s 25th anniversary. Underwood performed and wore a gown by designer Randi Rahm.
Taylor Swift graces the cover of People magazine’s “25 Most Intriguing of 2009” issue which hits newsstands Friday. Everyone knows it’s been a huge year for the star who turned 20 years old over the weekend. For the issue she talked candidly with magazine, explaining, “It feels like this ongoing dream. It blows my mind…You can stay the same person, even if everything around you changes.
Craig Morgan has recorded a holiday-themed version of his latest hit 