Author Archive for David M Ross

Josh Turner Goes Haywire Feb. 9

Josh Turner’s latest release Haywire hits streets Feb. 9 with a standard and deluxe version. Deluxe includes the 11 tracks that appear on the standard release plus two unreleased songs and live versions of “Your Man,” and “Long Black Train.” Deluxe also includes music video “Why Don’t We Just Dance” plus behind-the-scenes recording studio footage.
Turner [...]

Konicki Named Country Weekly Editor-In-Chief (updated)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — American Media, Inc. (AMI) announced today that Lisa Konicki, former Photo Editor of Country Weekly magazine, has been named the new Editor-in-Chief effective February 1. Konicki will also have responsibility over the brand’s web site, countryweekly.com.
It remains unofficial, but sources confirm that Larry Holden, the previous Editor-in-Chief has exited. Also leaving are [...]

Walmart’s SoundCheck to Feature Josh Turner

Walmart’s Soundcheck series is getting set to launch performance features in February and March on Josh Turner (2/15), Jessie James, Blake Shelton and Alan Jackson. The video programs can be viewed at soundcheck.walmart.com. In addition to live performances the site also has video interviews and a custom soundcheck playlist feature.
One way to stay connected with [...]

Face The Music: The New Sales Math

“Record labels shouldn’t worry about falling album sales because digital track sales are making up the difference.”

The above statement, often heard in anecdotal discussions, is easy to prove wrong. Let’s look at 2009’s results for the overall industry. According to Nielsen SoundScan, digital track sales grew by 8.3% from 1.07 billion to 1.159 billion, an [...]

Lost Highway Loses Two

MusicRow has learned that Lost Highway’s VP Artist/Media Relations, Jim Flammia; and VP Adult Alternative Promotion, Ray Di Pietro have exited their Nashville-based positions.
Di Pietro is said to be forming an artist services promotion/marketing type company to be named, Bitter Little Dutchboy. Di Pietro can be reached at raybld99@gmail.com. Flammia can be reached at jimflammia@gmail.com
Reports [...]

SESAC To Offer Watermarked Files

Nashville-based SESAC has joined with Activated Content Corporation (ACC) and Digsound to create a web-based delivery system for watermarked audio files named Ruby DS. The advanced audio-recognition technology is designed to improve the performing rights organization’s ability to track performances for music licensing and royalty distribution. Ruby DS securely delivers audio files via email with [...]

May Moves To Warner/Chappell VP/GM

Phil May has been appointed to the newly created position of  VP/GM Nashville at Warner/Chappell Music. May will report directly to Scott Francis, President Warner/Chappell Music and Chairman/CEO Warner/Chappell Music U.S. May will oversee business and administrative activities for the Nashville office and work closely with Tracy Gershon, Senior VP A&R who also reports to [...]

Westerman Follows Hill To Red Light

MusicRow has learned that Sandra Westerman will be leaving her VP position at Borman Entertainment to move to a similar role at Red Light Management in Coran Capshaw’s Nashville office starting Jan. 19. Westerman spent over 17 years with Borman Entertainment. She can now be reached at Sandra.Westerman@redlightmanagement.com
Westerman was active in the day-to-day role [...]

Aldean Adds Ash To Tour

Stoney Creek Records artist Ash Bowers has been added to Jason Aldean’s upcoming Wide Open tour set to launch Jan. 22. Bower’s first Wide Open appearance begins 1/28 in Austin, TX.
“I was lucky enough to open a few dates for Aldean in November last year and had a blast playing for those big crowds,” says [...]

Sales Surge; One Week Remains

Santa’s sold-out annual tour has ended for 2009, but the SoundScan numbers continue on….for one more week that is. That’s right, in a move akin to a leap-year type calendar correction,  the 2009 SS reports will include 53 weeks instead of just 52.
All Genre Sales
Susan Boyle’s debut CD continued to churn, scanning over 510k units [...]

Year’s Top AMA Albums; Ford Embraces HD Radio

The Americana Music Association has compiled a list of its Top 100 Albums of 2009, as reported to the organization’s chart from 11/17/2008 through 11/16/2009. The complete Top 100 list is available here…
The Top 10 most played albums, as charted on the Americana Airplay Chart are:
1. Buddy & Julie Miller
2. Steve Earle
3. Slaid Cleaves
4. Flatlanders
5. [...]

Keith Ends Decade On Top

In 1993, Toby Keith’s debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” rose to the top of the charts, christening a career that has garnered ample recognition, fame and fortune. This year the singer/songwriter has been honored by Billboard as its Top Country Artist and Songwriter of the Decade. Keith also ranked No. 3 on the publication’s [...]

Hard Rock Reopens With Week Long Celebration

Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe reopens with a week long series of events designed to highlight the club’s re-opening and help support some worthy charities. In partnership with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hard Rock’s celebration will also include the first annual Music City Bash on Broadway, featuring a performance by  Rodney Atkins and Friends [...]

Ragsdale Debuts Double Disc Set

Nashville’s Suzi Ragsdale will release a double digipak album on Feb. 9 titled Best Regards/Less Of The Same. The project is on Clyde/Stark Raven Records and distributed nationally by Allegro Media Group.
The new tracks feature special guests such as Rodney Crowell, Darrell Scott and Gabe Dixon. Both the new discs were produced by Tim Lauer [...]

Radio, Rights Orgs Temporarily Agree On 7%

The music publishing industry has been anxiously watching licensing negotiations between BMI, ASCAP and radio/TV interests. Rate contracts are in the process of being renewed and concerns on the music side of the table revolve around potential rate reductions due to falling radio/TV ad revenues.
Today it has been announced that the Radio Music License Committee [...]

Piracy Report: 2009s Most Downloaded Films

The music industry is not alone when it comes to fighting the revenue-shrinking effects of piracy. Web analysts www.torrentfreak.com, a site dedicated to creating unique information pertaining to filesharing, has released its list of the Top 10 most pirated movies of 2009.
The site notes that although Internet piracy from the silver screen increased during 2009, [...]