CMT Celebrates 4th of July

07/03/2008

CMT Top 20 Countdown host Lance Smith showed his patriotism by dressing up as Uncle Sam for this week's episode of the show, premiering Saturday at 12:30 PM/CT. Comedian Tom Mabe will be this week’s guest, discussing his upcoming CMT show Mabe In America, which premieres tomorrow (7/4) at 9:30 PM/CT. Photo: Kristi Boyd

Lawrence Adds To Rocky Comfort Roster

Sarah Skates – 07/03/2008

Tracy Lawrence continues to add to the roster of his Rocky Comfort Records (RCR), which is now home to four artists. He most recently signed Zona Jones, an established country singer who has spent several years on the Texas/Louisiana club circuit. Jones, who just completed a new album, is starting a radio promotion tour and plans to release his first single by the end of July. As reported this morning, RCR also recently signed Michael Scott. His debut single “Ray Ray’s Juke Joint” will be released later this month.

Lawrence launched the Nashville based Rocky Comfort Records on July 25, 2006, as a partnership with his manager Laney Lawrence. The label has had much success from both radio and retail with the hit "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" and "Til I Was A Daddy Too," both off Tracy's current CD, For The Love.

(L-R) Back: Attorney Wayne Halper and Manager Laney Lawrence. Front: Zona Jones and Tracy Lawrence.

Adam Gregory Visits Music Row

07/03/2008

Adam Gregory made a recent stop at the Music Row offices to perform several songs off his upcoming album which is scheduled for release this September.

(L-R) back: Rick Kelly, Rob Dalton, David Ross, Christie King and Jon Freeman. Middle: Liz Hartzog, Bobbe Morhiser, Michelle Ross and Ryan Moore. Front: Gregory and Sarah Skates.

Chesney To Rock Nashville, Get XM Channel & More

Nashville’s biggest party this weekend will be when Kenny Chesney’s Poets & Pirates Tour hits the LP Field on Sat., July 5 with tourmate LeAnn Rimes, and scheduled guests Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar, and Gary Allan...

Is Country Music An Economic Indicator?

The first half of 2008 is now officially in our rearview mirror. Country music album sales, which started slipping in 2007, remain under duress, down 16.6% YTD and showing more hurt than the total industry...

Industry News Thursday (7/3/08)

Music Row will not publish tomorrow due to the 4th of July holiday, but will be back on schedule Mon., July 7. Have a safe and happy 4th!

E.W. Scripps’s spinoff of its cable network...

Artist News Thursday (7/3/08)

When Sugarland releases the Deluxe Fan Edition of Love On The Inside July 22, five copies will include a platinum ticket. These lucky ticket holders will receive the ultimate fan experience package, including a trip...

Jim Catino Promoted to VP, A&R, Sony BMG Nashville

Sarah Skates – 07/02/2008

Jim Catino

Jim Catino has been promoted to Vice President, A&R at Sony BMG Nashville. Most recently Senior Director, A&R, Catino is a 13-year industry veteran who first joined the label group in October of 2001. Since then, he has been instrumental in the signing and development of such artists as Jason Michael Carroll and Chuck Wicks, and is responsible for day-to-day A&R for Carroll and Wicks, as well as Blaine Larsen and Brad Paisley. He is based in Nashville, and reports directly to Exec. Vice President, A&R Renee Bell.

Catino arrived at the label group following seven years in publishing and A&R working with DreamWorks Nashville and Giant Publishing. A native of Cleveland, OH, he is a graduate of Belmont University, with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing and Music Business.

Clay Bradley Named Asst. VP At BMI

Sarah Skates – 07/02/2008

Clay Bradley

Clay Owen Bradley has joined BMI as Assistant Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. He spent the past five years at Sony BMG Nashville, most recently as Sr. Dir. of A&R. The new position at BMI will be a homecoming for Bradley, who began his career at BMI in 1991 immediately after graduating from the University of Alabama.

His past work experience includes three years at Acuff Rose Music Publishing and two years as Vice President of A&R for MCA/Nashville. Bradley has had heavy involvement in music selection for such artists as Gretchen Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Montgomery Gentry, George Strait and Gary Allan. He nurtured dozens of songwriters, including Casey Beathard, Dean Dillon, Tia Sillers and Chesney, and, for more than 18 years, has been a primary liaison among artists, managers, producers, songwriters and publishers.

Leadership Music Elects Board, Officers

J. Fred Knobloch has been elected president of the board of directors of Leadership Music. Since joining the board in 2003, the well-known songwriter has served as an Event Co-Chair (Leadership Music Digital...