UMGN Adds Fisher, Promotes Wright

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/23/2007

Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN) has expanded its A&R department with the appointment of Joe Fisher to Sr. Director, A&R, and the promotion of Stephanie Wright to Director, A&R. Fisher joins UMGN with 15 years publishing experience and most recently served as a day to day manager at Lytle Management working with artists Gary Allan and Joe Nichols. He also has experience at Patrick Joseph Music and Village Music Group, a joint publishing venture he created with Universal Music Publishing. Wright, formerly a Manager in the A&R department, has been with UMGN for nearly seven years. Prior to UMGN she worked for Capitol Records Nashville.

CMT.com Loaded Award Winners

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/23/2007

Carrie Underwood racked up four awards, including Number One Digitally Active Female Artist, at the first CMT.com Loaded Awards. Created specifically for CMT’s broadband channel CMT Loaded, the awards are given out based on website activity in 2006. Rascal Flatts were also multiple winners, with two awards including Number One Streamed Music Video for “What Hurts the Most.” Keith Urban took the top male honor for Number One Digitally Active Male Artist. Each winner will be presented with the CMT.com Loaded Mouse Award, a hand-painted gold computer mouse mounted inside a mason jar.

Wills Hosts New GAC Show

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/23/2007

Great American Country is set to debut a new program called The Year. Hosted by Equity Music Group recording artist Mark Wills, the show will highlight fun and historical facts, as well as top country music videos of different years from the past. Wills just released a new single, “Take It All Out On Me,” off his forthcoming album. The Year premieres Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. CT.

Carrie Underwood 5x Platinum

01/23/2007

Following her attendance at last night’s Grammy nominees’ reception hosted by the Nashville Chapter of the Recording Academy, Sony BMG Nashville presented Carrie Underwood with an RIAA certified Quintuple Platinum plaque commemorating 5 million sales of her 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville debut, Some Hearts. Pictured (L-R): FRONT: Ann Edelblute, 19 Management; Butch Waugh, Exec. VP SBMG Nashville; Iain Pirie, 19 Management; Carole Underwood (Carrie's mother); Trish Townsend, stylist; Underwood; Tom Baldrica, VP Mktg. SBMG Nashville; Joe Galante, Chairman SBMG Nashville; Renee Bell, Exec. VP A&R SBMG Nashville; Cindy Mabe, Sr. Dir., Mktg./Artist Development Arista Nashville. BACK: Wade Hunt, VP Creative SBMG Nashville; Skip Bishop, VP Ntl Promotion Arista Nashville; Melissa Schleicher, hair and make-up artist; Heather McBee, Sr. Dir. Digital Business/New Media SBMG Nashville; Allen Brown, VP Media SBMG Nashville. Photo: Tony Phipps

Bobby Karl Works The Room-Chapter 237

Monday evening (1/22) made it two star-packed days in a row. The Grammy Nominees party at Loew’s (1/22) was one of the best in recent memory. “We have lots of fabulous stars,” whispered host Susan Stewart as we entered...

Strickland Upped At Warner Bros.

Jon Freeman – 01/23/2007

Warner Bros. Records has appointed Peter Strickland to Sr. VP, Sales and Marketing. Most recently serving as VP Sales and Marketing in Nashville, Strickland has been with the Warner Music Group family more than 20 years. “Peter has been fearless steering us through both the old and new markets with a mix of new ideas and some great music,” says Bill Bennett, Executive VP of Warner Bros. Nashville. “I am proud to announce his promotion on behalf of his hard work and determination.” Throughout Strickland’s tenure, he has generated successful campaigns for such acts as Faith Hill, Big & Rich, Blake Shelton and many others. He also spearheads Jack Records, the comedy label formed with Warner Bros. in 2004 that is home to comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, and Bill Engvall.

Bobby Karl Works The Room

Chapter 237

They told me I was coming over here for a ‘photo shoot,’” said a smiling Earl Scruggs. “I don’t even know what a ‘photo shoot’ is.”

That’s how the legendary banjo player was lured to the Hall of Fame on...

Benefit News Daily (1/23/2007)

The 6th Annual Birdhouse Thing, benefitting the W.O. Smith Music School, will be held on Thurs., March 8th at The Mall at Green Hills. The event features wooden birdhouses designed by local artists, architects, celebrities...

Dustry Drake Visits KBEQ

01/22/2007

Big Machine Records’ artist Dustry Drake recently visited KBEQ in Kansas City. Drake’s new single, “Say Yes,” goes for adds Jan. 29. Pictured (L-R): Big Machine promotion rep Chris Borchetta, KBEQ’s Zeke, Drake, KBEQ’s Jillian, and KBEQ PD Mike Kennedy.

Nashville Music & More Makes Winning Debut

01/22/2007

BMI Nashville hosted the official launch party for WSMV Channel 4’s new show, Nashville Music & More, on Jan. 17 at the organization’s Music Row offices. NM&M will cover the city’s bustling music industry, featuring songwriters as well as contemporary music’s biggest stars. A weekly segment will also take viewers to the Grand Ole Opry. Nashville Music & More premieres Sat., Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. on WSMV-TV Channel 4. Pictured (L-R): NM&M editor & producer Steven Price, Sr. VP Meredith Broadcasting Group and GM WSMV-TV Elden Hale, Jr., NM&M host Jennifer Vickery, BMI’s Jody Williams and the Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher. Photo: E. Dawson