Road Hammers Launch Album

David M Ross – 06/26/2008

Blood Sweat & Steel, the new album from Montage Music’s The Road Hammers hits online and physical stores this week. The group, already a platinum success in Canada is hoping to now spread “Hammer Fever” to the U.S. with its current single “Girl On The Billboard.” The just released CD was produced by Scott Baggett, Michael Knox (Jason Aldean) and the group’s Jason McCoy. Highlighting the story behind the band’s journey to Nashville is a weekly documentary shown Thursday nights on GAC TV (7:30 CT) which showcases the group’s music and outlandish humor. [www.theroadhammers.com]

The Road Hammers “hammer” it up with GAC’s Billy Cody just before their recent performance on the Greased Lightning CMA Music Fest Riverfront Concert Series. (L-R) Cody, Jason McCoy, Chris Byrne, Corbett Frasz and Clayton Bellamy.

Industry News Friday (6/27/08)

The NARM Board issued a statement yesterday (6/26) strongly urging parity in physical and digital album release dates. The board “reminds the industry that the accepted practice is for all album releases, regardless of format...

Artist News Friday (6/27/08)

Randy Owen, lead singer of the legendary group Alabama, has teamed up with HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, to release his autobiography Born Country. It was written with Allen Rucker, who also co-authored...

Canadian CMA Names New Exec. Dir.

Sarah Skates – 06/26/2008

The Canadian Country Music Association has appointed Kat Salvador Executive Director of the Association. She previously spent five years working for the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR). During her time at FACTOR, Salvador served as chair of several areas, including the resource center and FACTOR Open Mic Nights. She has also worked closely with regional Music Industry Associations on the National Advisory Board.

Board Director Lynne Foster has been acting as CCMA Executive Director. Country Music Week 2008 takes place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, September 5-8. For more information about the event or the Canadian Country Music Association visit www.ccma.org.

Performance Rights Act Moves Forward

Sarah Skates – 06/26/2008

The House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property passed the Performance Rights Act today (6/26), which would require terrestrial radio stations to pay for use of musical recordings. The full Judiciary Committee will vote next, and those closely following the bill’s progress say it is possible, but unlikely, that the bill will reach the House floor this year.

Reports say that the bill’s leading opponent, the National Association of Broadcasters, has secured support from a majority of House members to block it. Also, some lawmakers are concerned about the effect of H.R. 4789 on small radio stations.

Doyle Bartlett, executive director of the bill’s biggest proponent the musicFIRST Coalition, released a statement following today’s news: “A loophole in the law lets AM and FM music radio stations earn $16 billion a year in advertising revenue. All other music platforms —satellite radio, Internet webcasts, and cable television music stations—pay artists and musicians to use their music. It’s only fair that terrestrial radio be held to the same standards.”

Music Row Awards Featured On Channel 5

06/26/2008

Belleville Outfit Charms Industry at Douglas Corner

06/26/2008

Austin’s Belleville Outfit introduced their unique blend of gypsy folk and swinging bluegrass to the Nashville music industry June 18 during a showcase at Douglas Corner. The band released its debut album Wanderin’ earlier this year and began touring on the strength of the project.

(L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams; the Belleville Outfit’s Jonathan Konya and Rob Teter; radio promoter Al Moss; Belleville Outfit’s Jeff Brown; Nancy Fly Agency’s Nancy Fly; Belleville Outfit’s Phoebe Hunt, Connor Forsyth and Marshall Hood; and Americana Music Assoc. Exec. Dir. Jed Hilly. Photo: Alan Mayor

Industry News Thursday (6/26/08)

Full Circle Music Publishing has signed hitmaker Walt Aldridge, writer of “Modern Day Bonnie" (Travis Tritt), "No Gettin' Over Me" (Ronnie Milsap), and "Holdin' Her And Lovin' You" (Earl Thomas Conley). He most recently wrote...

Artist News Thursday (6/26/08)

Trisha Yearwood was scheduled to perform this morning on the CBS Summer Concert series.

Blake Shelton will appear on NBC's Nashville Star on Mon., June 30 at 8pm CT. The show's "family week" theme will...

GAC Named The Paisley Party Tour 2008 Media Sponsor

Sarah Skates – 06/25/2008

For the second year in a row, television network Great American Country (GAC) will be the official media sponsor of Brad Paisley’s The Paisley Party Tour 2008. In each city, jumbotrons will broadcast custom editions of GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown before the concert starts, and the network will host interactive text screen mobile content between sets.

Throughout the 18-week tour, GAC will show behind-the-scenes footage of Paisley and tourmates Jewel, Julianne Hough, and Chuck Wicks on GAC and gactv.com. The tour continues until mid- October, stopping in 40 cities across the United States.

Chart-topper Brad Paisley brought his The Paisley Party Tour through California recently, where he caught up with the gang from LA’s KKGO/Go Country 105. (L-R): KKGO morning show host Shawn Parr; Arista Nashville Reg. Promotion Dir. Lori Hartigan; Paisley; and KKGO Mktg. Dir. Michael Levine.