Three Acts Set For Country in the Rockies

Sarah Gilbert – 11/29/2006

Little Big Town and Blue County will return to the 2007 Country in the Rockies event. Participating in CITR for the first time will be Richard Marx, who had country success as cowriter of the Keith Urban hit “Better Life.” CITR takes place Jan. 28-31 in Steamboat Springs, Col. and will benefit the Nashville Division of the TJ Martell Foundation which supports innovative research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. One of the top centers supported by the Foundation is the Frances Williams Preston laboratories at the Vanderbilt- Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.

Easley To New Post

Sarah Gilbert – 11/29/2006

650AM WSM has appointed Sam Easley as Operations Manager. Based in Nashville, he will be responsible for leading the strategy and development of the legendary radio station. Easley has more than 15 years broadcasting experience and prior to joining WSM he served in many programming capacities including positions with Cumulus Media and others. He can be reached at (615) 458-2441 and sam@wsmonline.com

Verizon/YouTube Deal

Sarah Gilbert – 11/29/2006

Verizon Wireless will feature YouTube videos in its $15/mo. VCast service. Phone users will be limited to an unspecified number of videos approved by both companies. Part of the new arrangement gives Verizon users the ability to upload videos created on their cell phones. According to Verizon it will have exclusive rights to distribute YouTube videos on mobile phones “for a limited period of time.”

EMI Buyout Offer

Sarah Gilbert – 11/29/2006

EMI Music Group has received a buyout offer according to numerous reports. The music corporation has not revealed where the interest came from, but the New York Post quotes unofficial sources saying private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and Goldman Sachs are behind the $4.8 billion bid. EMI’s revenue dropped 4.1% during the first half of this year.

Weathersby Promotion

Sarah Gilbert – 11/29/2006

Carl Geisler Gets New Gig

Sarah Gilbert – 11/29/2006

Carl Geisler has joined the Affiliate Relations department of the Marketing Group/Impact Radio Networks. The company continues to expand its staff to handle a growing programming lineup. Carl is a 30-plus year radio veteran who currently works as General Manager of KULM-FM/ KNRG-FM, Columbus, TX and KZAM-FM, Victoria, TX. He is also the host of the daily feature, “Today In Country Music History”, available through Impact Radio Networks. Geisler can be reached at (615) 301-0001, ext. 103 or carl.geisler@impactradionetworks.com.

ACM Hosts First Town Meeting

Christie King – 11/29/2006

The Academy of Country Music hosted its first town meeting to explore the opportunities and challenges pertaining to new technology in the country music industry. Held at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Hall on Nov. 14, the town meeting drew more than 100 top industry leaders including record label executives, music publishers, producers, engineers and studio managers. The panel was comprised of label executives including Warner Bros.’ Bill Bennett, Capitol Nashville’s Mike Dungan, Equity Music’s Mike Kraski and Sony BMG’s Heather McBee along with famed engineer Chuck Ainlay, award-winning producer Mark Bright and technology visionary Mats Myrberg. Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton moderated the discussion. Pictured (L-R): Participants Mike Dungan, Bill Bennett, Mats Myrberg, Chuck Ainlay, Mark Bright, Heather McBee, Mike Kraski and Lon Helton.

A Day With Harry Fox Agency

Christie King – 11/29/2006

The Harry Fox Agency hosted its Nashville "A Day with HFA" event at the Downtown Hilton on Nov. 14. Over 100 HFA publisher and licensee affiliates participated, attending training sessions throughout the afternoon and met with members of HFA's Publisher Services, Licensing, Distribution, Royalty Compliance, IT and Business Development teams. Pictured (L-R): Bob Doyle and Wendi Crosby of Major Bob Music, HFA Pres./CEO Gary Churgin and Fred Knobloch of J. Fred Knobloch Music. Photo: Kay Williams

Boe Tucker Passes

Christie King – 11/29/2006

Tanya Tucker’s father and manager, Boe Tucker, died following a battle with lung cancer on Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day. He was 79 and had devoted his life to building a successful career for his daughter. He is seen here on Oct. 21, 1986 at the No. 1 party for "Just Another Love." Pictured (L-R): Paul Davis, Tanya Tucker, Boe Tucker, Juanita Tucker and producer Jerry Crutchfield. Photo: Alan Mayor

UMG Wins 21st Annual Music Row Turkey Bowl

Christie King – 11/29/2006

Close to 150 music industry professionals participated in the 21st Annual Music Row Turkey Bowl on Nov. 18 at West Park in Nashville. Teams from the William Morris Agency tangled with SESAC, while SonyBMG went up against EMI Capitol. CMT and GAC even went head to head. The UMG-Nashville team (pictured) took the flag football title once again by outlasting the squad from EMI-Christian. The action-packed afternoon was hosted by Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) who also had a team. SOLID plans to donate all canned goods and proceeds collected to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Photo: David Beronja/SOLID