Author Archive: Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
Save The Dates: Awards Season Draws Near
The weather may be hot, but cool weather and cooler parties are on the horizon. Nashville’s music business is already eyeing the fall awards season, which brings numerous annual events, culminating with the CMA Awards. Among the causes for celebration are performing rights organizations saluting the most-performed songs of the year, and the Nashville Songwriters […]
Category: Awards, Exclusive, Featured, Organizations, Publishing
ACM Announces Executive Promotions
The Academy of Country Music today (6/6) announced the promotions of Tiffany Moon, Michelle Goble and Erick Long. The executives are based out the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, CA, and their promotions fall under the organization’s new corporate title structure implemented last year.
Category: Featured, Organizations
Lauren Alaina Notches Strong Debut
The first recordings from American Idol finalist Lauren Alaina are scoring big with fans. A compilation album of her performances from the television show ranked No. 9 on the Billboard Digital Albums and Country Albums charts for sales of 10,651 units. She is signed to Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope. Her single, “Like My Mother Does,” debuted […]
“Let Me Down Easy” Glides To No. 1
A room full of family and friends joined BMI in celebrating the team behind the Billy Currington No. 1 hit “Let Me Down Easy” at a party on May 31. Co-written by Marty Dodson and husband-wife duo Mark Nesler and Jennifer Hanson, the song marks Currington’s seventh trip to the top. The BMI team of […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Organizations, Publishing
News From the Road
Updates from Dierks Bentley, Katie Armiger, Eli Young Band, Heidi Newfield, Stealing Angels
Adkins’ Home Burns To Ground
Sad news this weekend from Trace Adkins, whose home burned to the ground yesterday afternoon (6/4). Thankfully, everyone made it out safely, including his children and their babysitter. Wife Rhonda returned home from running errands shortly after the fire started, according to The Boot. The fire at the Brentwood home apparently started in the garage […]
New Tunes From Kellie Pickler, Josh Kelley, Eden’s Edge
••• Josh Kelley’s new single, “Gone Like That,” arrived at radio this week, and he performed it Tuesday on CBS’s The Talk. He co-wrote the song with Clint Lagerberg and Nicolle Galyon, and it has special meaning for him because the positive feedback he got from the song convinced him to pursue a country music […]
“A Little Bit Stronger” No. 1 Party
Revelers packed Cabana yesterday (5/25) to salute the songwriters of the multi-week Sara Evans No. 1, “A Little Bit Stronger.” BMI, ASCAP and SESAC teamed to host the event honoring their respective affiliates Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey, and Hillary Scott.
Category: Artist, Awards, Exclusive, Featured, Publishing
Bank of America on Music Row Robbed
The Music Row branch of Bank of America was robbed this morning according to a story on WSMV. WKRN reports a suspicious item was left at the bank, and the robber stated it was a bomb before fleeing the scene. Police sent the bomb squad robot to investigate, and determined the item was harmless. As […]
Category: Featured, Financial/Legal
Industry Ink Thursday (5/26)
News from A2IM • Format Entertainment/Anastasia Brown • Ruby Records • James Burton • Greg Sims
Category: Artist, Featured, Label, Organizations, Publishing
Updates From CMA Music Festival and CMT Awards
• CMT Music Awards organizers have added performances by Big & Rich, Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band and Luke Bryan. Recently announced host Kid Rock will perform with Sheryl Crow. The show premieres live on Wed., June 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on CMT and CMT.com. Already announced performers include Jason Aldean, Keith […]
