Musical Chairs Daily (1/16/07)

Premiere Radio Networks has announced the promotion of Trevor Oliver, formerly VP of Operations, to Sr. VP of Operations. He will be based in Los Angeles and continue reporting to Julie Talbott, Exec. VP, Affiliate...

Bennett Leaves TN Film Commission

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/15/2007

David Bennett--Click to read the Commercial Appeal story

David Bennett, Executive Director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, and Jan Austin, the commission’s Deputy Director, have resigned from their respective posts. Bennett was appointed to the role in early 2003 and told the Memphis Commercial Appeal that he was forced to resign due to "political pressure." He added that advisers to Gov. Phil Bredesen did not support a film incentive package he pushed through last spring which included the Visual Content Act 2006 and a $10 million film/television production incentive fund. A replacement is expected to be named soon.

Stellar Award Winners

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/15/2007

Donald Lawrence--Click for a complete list of winners from The Tennessean website

The 22nd annual Stellar Awards were held Saturday night (1/13) at the Grand Ole Opry House to honor the best gospel music of last year. Donald Lawrence took home eight awards including artist, choir, contemporary CD and contemporary choir, for his work with the Tri-City Singers on the live discs Finale: Act One and Finale: Act Two. He also dominated the honors in 2006 by winning six trophies. Kirk Franklin, who co-hosted with Mary Mary and Contemporary Male Vocalist winner Tye Tribbett, was honored with a CD of the year award. On hand at the event was performer Patti LaBelle, and presenter Natalie Cole.

Cotter Finds New Label Home With Gary Cotton

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/15/2007

Brad Cotter

Brad Cotter has signed on as the flagship artist for Adobe Road Records, a new Nashville-based label headed by songwriter/producer Gary Cotton. The label debut from Nashville Star’s season 2 winner will be released this spring. Cotton has had cuts by over a hundred recording artists including Alan Jackson, Restless Heart, Tracy Byrd, and Rebecca Lynn Howard.

Industry News Daily (1/16/07)

The Largest Study Ever of Country's P-1 Listeners, Part III" will presented at CRS-38 on Fri., March 2 at 9 a.m. This is the third year for the study, and the research will...

Taylor Swift Performs on Tennessee Mornings

01/15/2007

Big Machine Records artist Taylor Swift recently visited Tennessee Mornings to perform her Top 10 hit “Tim McGraw.” The singer/songwriter, who exclusively plays Taylor Guitars, also showed off her new custom-made “Living Jewels” guitar, which was given to her as a Christmas present from Taylor Guitars Pres./Co-founder Bob Taylor. Pictured (L-R): Charlie Chase, Swift and Kelly Sutton.

Nicoli Replaces Levy at EMI

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/12/2007

Eric Nicoli, executive chairman of EMI Group since 1999, will transition to CEO of EMI Group. Chairman/CEO Alain Levy and vice chairman David Munns, officially exited earlier today.

Pickler Shares Her View

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/12/2007

Kellie Pickler will fill in for Barbara Walters on ABC’s The View on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 18-19. Kellie will join Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Rosie O'Donnell for interviews with actresses Juliette Binoche and Raquel Welch, as well as comedienne Kathy Griffin and Les Stroud of show Survivorman. In addition to her co-hosting duties, Kellie will debut her autobiographical song, “I Wonder,” a new song about her relationship with her mother.

A2IM Names New Leader

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/12/2007

The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has named Richard Bengloff as president. He was most recently the CFO/VP of finance and administration for public radio station WNYC, and took over as head of the New York-based indie label trade group on Wed., Jan. 10. He succeeded interim president/Thirsty Ear Recordings founder Peter Gordon. Before joining WNYC in 2005, Bengloff held positions at Elektra Records, Relativity Records and RED Distribution, and Sony Music Distribution.

FestivaLink.net Continues Growth in 2007

Sarah Gilbert Skates – 01/12/2007

Nashville based FestivaLink.net, an exclusive live-music download site, will be offering downloads from the award-winning Wintergrass music festival in Tacoma, Wash., on Feb. 22-25. The event features acoustic/bluegrass musicians like Tim O'Brien, The Jerry Douglas Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Blue Highway, The Greencards, and The Darrell Scott Band. The new project follows a banner 2006 for the company headed by GM Ann Blonston. The firm launched its services with download stores for Merlefest, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Newport Folk Festival and the Rhythm & Roots Festival. MerleFest has again signed on to have FestivaLink release the 2007 edition of the festival’s live recordings.