Naff Raised at UMG

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 02/08/2007

Universal Music Nashville has promoted Karen Naff to Vice President of Creative Services for its Lost Highway, Mercury, and MCA Nashville labels. In her new role, Naff will oversee the creative department which includes album packaging, artist photo shoots and advertising layouts. During her career, she has worked on creative design with artists such as Shania Twain, Lucinda Williams, Trisha Yearwood, Julie Roberts, and Sugarland, among many others. "Karen's creativity and organized management has been an instrumental asset to our creative department," stated Jason Owen, Sr. VP of Artist, Media Relations and Creative Services. "We are very pleased to acknowledge her dedication and hard work with this well-deserved promotion." Most recently, Naff served as Senior Director of Creative Services for Universal Music Nashville. She has been with UMG Nashville for the past 9 years. Prior to UMG Nashville, Naff was employed with Capricorn Records.

Montage Signs Minnie Murphy

02/08/2007

Montage Music Group signs new vocal stylist Minnie Murphy. Photo (L-R) (front row) Allen Butler, President & CEO; Murphy; Anthony Martin, Head of A&R; (second row) Deb Haus, Head of Marketing & Artist Development; Mike Wilson, Head of Radio Marketing and Jimmy Murphy, Manager.

Ladies Golf Tournament and Tupperware Party

02/08/2007

The 20th Annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament and Tupperware Party is scheduled for Monday, June 18 at Old Natchez Country Club (invitation only). The tournament jointly sponsored by ASCAP, Capitol-Nashville, Sony Music and Tim McGraw is the largest local contributor for the Nashville chapter of United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee closing in on a million dollars raised. The 2006 tournament raised over $60,000. Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Herky Williams and Pat Rolfe, United Cerebral Palsy’s John Pickett, ASCAP’s Connie Bradley and Peaches. Photo: Michelle Goble

Release Schedules Impact Warner Earnings

David M Ross – 02/08/2007

Warner Music Group disappointed investors with its fiscal first quarter earnings this week. The third largest U.S. market music machine suffered a 74% profit drop compared with the same period last year. Net income fell to 12 cents a share on revenue of $928 million, compared with 46 cents a year ago. According to sources, Wall Street was expecting a result of 24 cents a share. Warner/Chappell Music reported that publishing revenue edged up to $133 million from $131 million a year ago.

Warner Music Group also reported that for the latest quarter digital revenue totaled $100 million, about 10.8% of total revenue. Music industry insiders recognize that release schedules are not consistent on a quarterly basis and therefore quarterly results are often not a reliable indicator of how a company will do for the full year. "We manage our performance on a full-year basis, and are confident about the 2007 fiscal year," CFO Michael Fleisher told the Wall Street Journal.

Benefit News Daily (2/08/07)

Several country acts will grace Wheel of Fortune's stage during "Country Music Stars Week," airing Feb. 12 - 16 nationally (check local listings for station and time). The episodes, which were taped last month in Charleston...