Archive for January, 2011
Shania To Join Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Shania Twain will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame this year. As part of the festivities she will be honored with a special musical tribute at the March 27 Juno Awards. The superstar from north of the border has earned 12 Junos during her career, and has album sales totaling more than [...]
Lambert Gets Grammy Slot, More News
Miranda on Grammys • JaneDear tonight • Opry stops by Wanda Jackson/Jack White and Toby Keith • Alan Jackson GE commercial • Lady A and Dr. P • Steel Magnolia • Bleu Edmondson >>Miranda Lambert is the first country artist announced to perform on the Feb. 13 Grammy Awards. She joins fellow nominees Arcade Fire, [...]
SXSW Adds Fashion Focus, Names Keynote
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 [...]
Category: Artist, Featured, Organizations
Dan Keen Named Belmont Instructor
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 [...]
Category: Featured, Organizations
Singer Margaret Whiting Passes
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 Toasts “Come Back Song” Team
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.
Category: Artist, Featured, Organizations
ASCAP Presents BMG at the Bluebird
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 [...]
Category: Featured, Organizations
SESAC Promotes Shannan Hatch
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 [...]
Category: Featured, Organizations, Publishing
Chesney Sets Dates; Flatts Hit Road
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 [...]
Photo Edits: Peach Pickers, Dirt Drifters and Christian Kane
The Peach Pickers Celebrate “All About Tonight” • The Dirt Drifters Begin Radio Tour • Christian Kane Performs At Inaugural Ball The Peach Pickers Celebrate “All About Tonight” During a party at ASCAP on January 7, Music Row songwriting trio The Peach Pickers (Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson) celebrated another No. 1 on [...]
Category: Artist, Featured, Organizations
Tracks Push Country Album Sales Positive
[Subscriber-only] 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.Category: Artist, Featured, Sales/Marketing
Performers Set For GMA Hall of Fame Inductions
Trace Adkins, Jeremy Camp and Larry Gatlin are among the performers slated for the Jan. 24 GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Joining the hall of fame will be Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key, Golden Gate Quartet, and Bill “Hoss” Allen. The GMA Foundation (GMAF) will induct the honorees at Trinity Music City [...]
Category: Artist, Awards, Featured, Organizations
MySpace Cuts Staff By Half
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 [...]
Category: Featured
Reba, Blake To Co-Host ACM Awards
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 [...]
Category: Artist, Awards, Featured, Organizations
Benken Joins Quarterback Records
Quarterback Records has hired Tony Benken as Vice President, Promotion. Effective immediately, Benken will oversee label contact with medium and major market radio. “This is another strong step for the growth and capability of Quarterback,” says label co-principal John Ettinger. “Tony brings a terrific skill set in promotion, and carries a wonderful reputation. He is [...]
