Author Archive: Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
Facebook Worth $50 Billion
Facebook has raised $500 million from Goldman Sachs and Russian investor Digital Sky Technologies in a deal which values the social networking company at $50 billion. According to this latest figure, Facebook is worth more than eBay, Yahoo and Time Warner. With rumors circulating about a 2012 public offering for Facebook, Goldman Sachs is expected […]
Category: Featured, Financial/Legal, Sales/Marketing
Garth Brooks, ZBB Help Set Arena Attendance Record
Attendance at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena hit an all-time high in December. Twenty-two separate events, including nine sold-out Garth Brooks shows, drew 334,917 guests to the venue, making December the most attended month since the venue opened in 1996. In addition to Brooks’ shows, which were record setting in themselves, the venue hosted seven Nashville Predators […]
Charlie Cook Joins West Virginia Radio Corp.
Veteran radio exec Charlie Cook is starting the new year as Director of Programming and Brand Management for West Virginia Radio Corporation. The outfit operates 26 properties in West Virginia and Maryland. He will be based out of the company’s corporate headquarters in Morgantown, WV. Cook’s 27-year career most recently includes time as programmer and […]
[updated photos] Shania Weds; Dierks Welcomes Baby
Over the holidays Shania Twain got married and Dierks Bentley welcomed a new baby. Click for more.
Artist Co-Writes Feed Songwriter Slump
Everyone knows the music business is going through a downturn, but an article in the Tennessean shows just how hard it is hitting songwriters. NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison tells the newspaper that the number of Nashville songwriters making a living from their craft has dropped a drastic 75% in the last five years. Essentially, […]
Category: Featured, Publishing
Garth: Good Ride Cowboy
The 140,000 concertgoers turning out this week for Garth Brooks’ Nashville shows haven’t been disappointed. His infectious energy radiated through the sold-out Bridgestone Arena last night (12/19) as the headset-wearing hit machine ran through two hours of material. Dubbed Nashville 10: The Rescue Party, the series of shows benefiting flood relief has raised $5 million to date.
Lauren Thomas Promoted At Arista
Lauren Thomas has been promoted to Regional Promotion Manager, Arista Nashville. Her responsible territory will be confirmed soon. Sony Music Nashville VP Promotion Skip Bishop made today’s (12/15) announcement. “I’m so happy to escort Lauren to this next level of her promising career. She is a natural born promotion machine and her passion for music […]
The Judds and Garth Bid Farewell To Larry King
Garth Brooks and The Judds were among Larry King’s final guests, as his venerable CNN show comes to an end this week. Wynonna and Naomi Judd discussed their reunion/farewell tour. Brooks talked about his ongoing shows at the Wynn in Las Vegas, and flood relief benefits opening tomorrow night in Nashville. See video below. More […]
Jamey Johnson Gets Gold Plaque, Critical Praise
Jamey Johnson’s The Guitar Song has been certified gold by the RIAA and is making numerous best albums of 2010 lists. The 25-song double disc set came in at No. 5 on lists in Rolling Stone and SPIN. Hear Johnson talk about the songs here. The UMG Nashville project received two Grammy nominations, including Best […]
ACM Noms Close Today; Stealing Angels Visit
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Caroline Cutbirth, Jennifer Wayne, and Tayla Lynn –collectively known as Stealing Angels to the office for a visit when they were in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Stealing Angels signed up for ACM professional membership and performed a few songs for the staff including their new single […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Organizations
Nick Hunter Passes
Longtime label executive Nick Hunter passed away early this morning (12/15). He was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and friends report he fought the disease with grace. Hunter’s career in radio promotion and sales included time among the top leadership at Warner Bros. Records, Giant Records, and as General Manager of Koch Records. […]
Category: Featured
