Author Archive: Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
BMG To Acquire Chrysalis
It was announced today (11/26) that BMG will acquire Chrysalis Music in a deal valued at approximately $168.6 million. In April, Dale Bobo took office as Executive Vice President, Chrysalis Music Nashville. Among Chrysalis’s Nashville songwriters are Jim McCormick, Victoria Banks, Jeff Stevens and Shelley Skidmore. Among the publisher’s 100,000 copyrights are songs recorded by […]
Category: Featured, Publishing
Urban Boasts Strong Opening Week
Keith Urban’s sixth studio album, Get Closer, debuted this week with notable sales of over 165,800 units. He promoted the Capitol Nashville release with a whirlwind run including performances on The Today Show and CBS Early Show, as well as “Get Closer Moments” at NYC and Philadelphia train stations. He capped it all off with […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Label, Sales/Marketing
Tracy Lawrence Turkey Fry; Judds Ride Santa Train
Tracy Lawrence and friends gathered at the Nashville Rescue Mission yesterday (11/23) for the singer’s fifth annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry. Generous donations of turkeys, clothing and cash were collected, totaling almost 800 birds. In addition to feeding those individuals in need at the Nashville Rescue Mission over the next few days, Lawrence and his […]
Rascal Flatts Debut At No. 1
Rascal Flatts continued its run as the best selling country group of the decade when its first album for Big Machine Records, Nothing Like This, debuted at No. 1 today (11/24) with nearly 165,000 units sold. The project has moved nearly 280,000 digital tracks to date. Nothing Like This entered at No. 6 on the […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Label, Radio, Sales/Marketing
James Otto Headed To “Jimmy Fallon”
James Otto will spend Thanksgiving in New York City for a performance tomorrow night (11/25) on NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Joining Otto on his song “Good Thing’s Gone Bad” will be country legend Ronnie Milsap, and critically acclaimed hip-hop group The Roots. The track, which Otto wrote with Jon Nicholson, James LeBlanc and Gary Nicholson, is from […]
Benefits: Todd Cerney’s Cancer Fund; Bluegrass for the Homeless
•••Singer/songwriter Todd Cerney, the writer of hits including “Good Morning Beautiful,” and “I’ll Still Be Loving You” has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The Grammy nominee and ASCAP Country Song of the Year winner has had cuts by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Etta James, Cheap Trick, The Four Tops / Aretha Franklin, Levon Helm, Jason And The Scorchers, John Anderson, The Whites and […]
Gloriana, Crystal Shawanda Perform On Macy’s Parade
Gloriana and Crystal Shawanda are among the country artists performing on tomorrow’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Gloriana will sing its Gold single “Wild At Heart” during the 84th annual event in New York City, airing live on NBC from 9am to 12pm. Shawanda, whose radio hits include “You Can Let Go,” will perform “Let’s Come […]
American Country Awards To Salute Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson will be honored with the Greatest Hits Award at the American Country Awards on Dec. 6. He will also perform during the show, airing live on FOX from Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Garden Arena. Jackson has sold more than 50 million albums during his 20-year career, making him a fitting recipient for the […]
Signings: New Frontier and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; Mark Hybner and Thom Shepherd
New Frontier Touring has signed Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for exclusive worldwide representation. The multiple Grammy and CMA award-winning band is known for its Will the Circle Be Unbroken album, and classic hits such as “Mr. Bojangles” and “Fishin’ In the Dark.” For booking contact: New Frontier Touring Paul Lohr paullohr@newfrontiertouring.com 615-321-6152 ••••• Mark Hybner […]
Chesney Stadium Sell-out; Currington W/ Babyface; Atkins Brings Country To Jersey
Kenny Chesney sold out Boston’s Gillette Stadium on Saturday morning (11/20) in just 8 minutes. The August 27, 2011 stop on his Corona Extra sponsored Goin’ Costal Tour is the first official sell-out of his 2011 concert season. This marks Chesney’s sixth sell-out at the venue, each time totaling almost 60,000 tickets. Chesney is fresh […]
Average Joes Inks Corey Smith
Average Joes Entertainment has signed Corey Smith through a partnership with UNDERtone Records. Smith’s debut for the label headed by CEO Shannon Houchins is expected early next year. Smith has been steadily releasing albums since 2002 on UNDERtone Records. His five projects to date have collectively sold over 200,000 albums and over 760,000 digital singles […]
