Author Archive: Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
SXSW Opens Next Week—25th Year Biggest Yet
Over 13,000 attendees are expected to descend on Austin, Texas next week for SXSW. Now in its 25th year, the Music Conference and Festival has grown into a massive event, radiating from its home base of the Austin Convention Center. It officially runs March 11-20. Though SXSW has greatly evolved from its early beginning as […]
Blue Sky Riders To Debut At Tin Pan South
Hit songwriters/artists Georgia Middleman, Gary Burr and Kenny Loggins have formed a trio called the Blue Sky Riders. The country/pop group will makes its debut Sat., April 2 at The Rutledge as part of Tin Pan South. They will also open Loggins’ solo tour dates this summer. Past collaborators Burr and Loggins decided to form […]
Dan Bowen Named WSM-FM PD
Dan Bowen has been tapped as Program Director of WSM-FM Nashville. He is leaving his post as Airplay Direct’s VP of Radio Strategies after only a few months. Bowen replaces Russell Penuell at the Cumulus station. Cumulus Senior VP of Programming Jan Jeffries made today’s announcement. “We have known Dan personally and competitively in previous […]
Big Benefits: Jeffrey Steele Tonight, Ringside Tomorrow
The fourth annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends benefit concert will be tonight (3/10) at The Loveless Barn, with guest performers Frankie Ballard, Billy Ray Cyrus, Chris Janson, Jeremy Lister, LoCash Cowboys, Eddie Montgomery, James Otto, and Chuck Wicks. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with an acoustic pre-show and auction viewing. Tables for the event are […]
Rascal Flatts Join Spalding Entertainment
Rascal Flatts have signed with Clarence Spalding’s Spalding Entertainment for management. The band with 20 million in album sales now joins the roster that is home to Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks, Jason Aldean, Sara Evans, Terri Clark, and Ashley Monroe. As reported on MusicRow.com, the trio split with their longtime management team earlier this year. […]
John Rich Debuts On “Celebrity Apprentice”
John Rich is on the new season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, which debuted Sunday night (3/6). Competing to raise money for St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, Rich stated, “Don’t underestimate the country boys.” The opening night challenge had each team making and selling pizzas to see who could earn the most money. This Sunday night […]
Sara Evans Grows Stronger With New Album
Sara Evans seems poised for a comeback with yesterday’s (3/8) release of Stronger, her first full-length studio set since 2005’s Real Fine Place.
Cumulus To Buy Citadel For $2.5 Billion
Cumulus Media has reached an agreement to purchase rival radio broadcaster Citadel. The deal is valued at $2.5 billion in cash and stock. Cumulus, under the leadership of chairman and chief executive Lew Dickey, had made bids for Citadel in the past. Those offers were rejected but led to exclusive negotiations in recent months. According […]
Randy Houser’s Tour Bus Catches Fire
Randy Houser’s tour bus caught fire this afternoon, destroying his gear, clothing and personal belongings. Houser and his crew were preparing for their concert tonight (3/9) in Isle of the Palms, SC when the crew noticed flames emanating from the rear suite of the bus. Thick black smoke billowed through the corridor and main cabin. […]
UMG Names Lucian Grainge Chairman and CEO
Universal Music Group has given CEO Lucian Grainge the additional title of Chairman. Today’s announcement was made by UMG’s parent company Vivendi. Grainge continues to report to Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy. He also continues as a member of the Vivendi management board, the company said in a statement. This news follow last week’s official departure […]
Industry Ink Wednesday
Pickin’ on the Patio returns • WKDF Names McFly PD • Backstage by Back Porch Productions • BMI encourages coffee shop shows • MTSU Career Fair
