Musical Chairs Thursday (4/24/08)

Lesly Tyson has been elevated to Director of National Promotion for Arista Nashville. She was most recently Director, Regional Promotion, and reports directly to VP National Promotion Skip Bishop. Tyson assumes the post recently vacated...

TobyMac Named Dove Artist of the Year

04/24/2008

TobyMac was honored as Artist of the Year at last night’s (4/23) GMA Dove Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House. The show was broadcast live nationwide on the Gospel Music Channel television network and XM Satellite Radio. A complete list of winners will be available soon at www.doveawards.com

Artist of the Year: TobyMac
Female Vocalist of the Year: Natalie Grant
Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Tomlin
Group of the Year: Casting Crowns
New Artist of the Year: Brandon Heath
Songwriter of the Year: Cindy Morgan
Song of the Year: "East To West"; Mark Hall, Bernie Herms; My Refuge Music, Club Zoo Music (BMI), SWECS Music (BMI), Sparrow Song (BMI), Word Music LLC (ASCAP), Banahana Tunes (ASCAP).
Producer of the Year: Ian Eskelin
Country Recorded Song: "How You Live (Turn Up The Music)"; How You Live; Point Of Grace; Cindy Morgan; Word Records
Country Album: Big Sky; The Isaacs; Mark Bright; Gaither Music Group

March RIAA Gold and Platinum Certifications

COUNTRY
• 2x Platinum Single: “Our Song,” Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records
• Platinum Single Mastertone: “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy),” Big & Rich, Warner Bros. Nashville
• Platinum Album: Raising Sand, Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, Rounder Records...

Industry News Thursday (4/24/08)

The 10th Annual GRAMMY Block Party will be held Tuesday, May 13, 4:30 PM at Bradley Park at the roundabout. Set to perform are 3 Doors Down, Damien Horne, Gretchen Wilson, Lady Antebellum, and Montgomery...

Shawna Russell Signs with Buddy Lee Attractions

04/23/2008

Way Out West/Nine North Records singer-songwriter Shawna Russell has reached an agreement for exclusive booking representation with Nashville-based Buddy Lee Attractions. Russell’s debut single, “Goddess” was released to radio last week and goes for adds on May 19.

Pictured (L-R): Tim Russell, Co-Mgr. and Pres. Way Out West Records; Russell; Kevin Neal, Sr. VP Buddy Lee Attractions; and Clif Doyal, Co-Mgr. and Publicist Clif Doyal Agency/CDA Promotions-Nashville. Photo: Patti Doyal-CDA Promotions

Lady Antebellum Scores With Strong First Week

Sarah Skates – 04/23/2008

Lady Antebellum’s self-titled debut sold over 43,000 units, opening at the top of the SoundScan country album sales chart and No. 4 on the all genre chart. Capitol Records Nashville’s strong online push also paid off, with digital albums comprising 21% of the sales total. Lady Antebellum was also the first new country band to debut in the Top 10 of iTunes’ all-genre album chart.

This marks the second week in a row of strong debut sales from new country artists. On 4/16 James Otto’s Warner Bros. release Sunset Man entered the chart with 57,585 units.

Smokin’ Grapes Hires Parkin

Sarah Skates – 04/23/2008

Rod Parkin

Smokin' Grapes Music Publishing has named Rod Parkin VP of Creative Services to oversee writer development and assume pitching responsibilities. He previously spent 10 years at peermusic, ending as Creative Director.

Publisher Scott Hacker and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Billy Yates founded Smokin’ Grapes in March 2006, where Yates acts as Partner/General Manager. Writers at Smokin' Grapes include Yates, Wil Nance, Billy Ryan, David Kroll, Nicole Broussard and Jonathan Broussard.

Kear, Tompkins Honored at ASCAP Pop Awards

04/23/2008

Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, writers of Carrie Underwood's hit “Before He Cheats,” performed at the 2008 ASCAP Pop Awards, held recently at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. They were honored for the song being one of the most performed pop hits of 2007.

Pictured (L-R): Kerry O'Neil, Big Yellow Dog; Greg Gallo and Kimberly Gleason, Big Loud Shirt Industries; Jason Silberman, ASCAP New York; Kear; Tompkins; and Carla Wallace, Big Yellow Dog.

Capitol Gains Little Big Town

Little Big Town announced today that they will be signing with Capitol Records Nashville. The band, composed of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook, will also bring to Capitol its platinum, Grammy...

Roxie Dean Signs With HoriPro Entertainment Group

04/22/2008

SESAC songwriter Roxie Dean recently signed an exclusive publishing contract with HoriPro Entertainment Group. Dean, who has written country hits for the likes of Reba McEntire, Lee Ann Womack, Tracy Lawrence and Jamie O’Neal, stopped by SESAC’s headquarters in Nashville to make it official.