Hall of Fame Salutes Reggie Young

05/07/2008

It was standing room only in the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s Ford Theater on Saturday (5/3) as legendary guitarist Reggie Young took the stage for the quarterly series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Session Players. Young demonstrated some of his signature lead licks during the program, which also included an in-depth interview highlighted by vintage recordings, photos and film clips. Young has remained an in-demand studio player for the last five decades in Nashville, backing country artists Glen Campbell, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Conway Twitty, Hank Williams Jr. and many others. In attendance were several past Nashville Cats honorees.

Pictured (L-R): program host Bill Lloyd, legendary bassist Bob Moore, harmonica wizard Charlie McCoy, Young, pianist Hargus “Pig” Robbins, and guitarist/producer Jerry Kennedy. Photo: Donn Jones

Garth Brooks, Bill Anderson Among ACM Winners

The Academy of Country Music will present Garth Brooks with its Crystal Milestone Award during the 43rd Annual ACM Awards on Sunday, May 18. Brooks, the first artist to receive the honor, will also perform...

Apple Ripens Its Offerings

David M Ross – 05/06/2008

NPD Research reports that Mac computer shipments grew a robust 60% in February compared with last year. This growth took place while the overall computer market expanded a more sedate 9%. Apparently, the research firm confirms, notebooks were responsible for most of the increases. This new data assures Apple’s well being during a time when many observers are voicing concerns that iPod sales are beginning to fall off. On Feb. 22, 2008 Apple stock closed at $115.44. That would have been a great time to invest. Today (5/6) a few months later, the stock closed above $186.

In other Apple developments, the Cupertino giant is making news with a new iPhone business model rollout in Italy. The smartphone will be offered by Telecom Italia and Vodafone Group and becomes the first time that two operators in the same country have offered the touch screen communicator. Vodafone will also sell the device in nine other countries including Australia, India and Egypt.

Wind-up Records Plans Country Release with Porter-Gentry Productions

05/06/2008

New York based Wind-up Records has entered a strategic partnership with Nashville’s Porter-Gentry Productions, an artist development company, to introduce Wind-up's flagship country artist Eric Durrance. Bernard Porter and Teddy Gentry will handle marketing and promotion for Durrance whose debut single, "Angels Fly Away," is due out June 9. His album, named for the lead track, was produced by Gentry and Mark Bright, and will be released Sept. 16.

Wind-up is home to rock acts Evanescence, Seether, Finger Eleven, 12 Stones and more than a dozen developing artists. It is the largest independently owned and operated label in the United States and is distributed by Sony/BMG Entertainment worldwide, excluding Canada.

Pictured (L-R) back: Steve Pope, Dir. A&R Porter-Gentry; John Kelly, Business Mgr. Porter-Gentry; Bernard Porter, Co-Pres./COO Porter-Gentry; and Larry Pareigis, Nine North/Porter Gentry. Front: Eric Durrance and Teddy Gentry, Co-Pres./Chief Creative Officer Porter-Gentry. Photo: Sheri O'Neal

SESAC Signs “Redneck Yacht Club” Writers

05/06/2008

SESAC announces the signing of writers Thom Shepherd and Steve Williams to an exclusive agreement. Shepherd and Williams, the duo behind the Craig Morgan smash, “Redneck Yacht Club,” recently stopped by SESAC's Music Row headquarters to celebrate the new partnership.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s John Mullins, Shepherd, Williams and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Ed Rode

Gone Country Returns

CMT’s highest rated series ever, Gone Country, returns with John Rich hosting a second season. Production for Gone Country 2 is underway in Nashville, and the show will premiere in August.

Gone Country 2 will...

Industry News Tuesday (5/6/08)

Tim McGraw will launch his Live Your Voice Tour this Friday, May 9 in Tampa, Florida with special guests Jason Aldean and Halfway To Hazard. Also joining the tour are Brett and Brad Warren who...

SOLID Serves Dinner At Ronald McDonald House

05/05/2008

Members of Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) prepared dinner for 40 families at the Ronald McDonald House on April 29. For the fourth annual event, Equity's Carolina Rain was on hand to perform a 45-minute set that included their upcoming single, “American Radio.” Dinner was furnished by Olive Garden, with dessert provided by Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Pictured (L-R): Carolina Rain's Jeremy Baxter, Ronald McDonald House Volunteer Tatum Flynn, Carolina Rain's Marvin Evatt, Equity Mgr./A&R Tara Austin, Carolina Rain's Rhean Boyer, SOLID Community Outreach Chair Kelly Eagan and Ronald McDonald House Volunteer Kathy Reed.

Irwin, Earls Wed In Florida

Sarah Skates – 05/05/2008

Kent Earls and Martha Irwin

Lifenotes: Leo Jackson

Sarah Skates – 05/05/2008

Guitarist George “Leo” Jackson died yesterday (5/4) at his Goodlettsville home, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 74-year-old had been a longtime sideman for artists including Jim Reeves, Alabama and Hank Williams Jr. No funeral arrangements are available at this time.