Author Archive: Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
Country Music Hall of Fame’s Carl Smith Dies
Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Carl Smith died Saturday, Jan. 16 at his home in Franklin, Tennessee. He was 82 and was known as one of the most successful country singers of the 1950s. Growing up in the East Tennessee town of Maynardville, Smith learned to play guitar and eventually joined the military. He […]
Lady A Sells Ryman 2X; Strait/Reba Tour; Hope For Haiti
Due to the sell-out success of Lady Antebellum’s upcoming March 11 concert at the Ryman Auditorium, another show has been added on Wed., March 10. Tickets available via ryman.com and Ticketmaster outlets. ———————— The George Strait/Reba tour kick-offs next weekend in Baltimore, MD with guest Lee Ann Womack. After Baltimore, the tour continues to Greensboro, […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Sales/Marketing, Touring
Willie Nelson Joins Rounder Roster
Willie Nelson has signed with Rounder Records for the release of his next studio album, Country Music, coming April 13. Produced by T Bone Burnett, Country Music features old-time banjo master Riley Baugus, double bassist Dennis Crouch, Buddy Miller on guitar, Mickey Raphael on harmonica, Burnett himself and others. “Some folks have mistakenly called it […]
Leadership Music Begins Exec. Dir. Search
Nashville-based Leadership Music has begun its search for a new executive director to replace Kira Florita, whose resignation as the chief staff executive becomes effective Jan. 18. Pat Collins, SESAC chief operating officer and president of the Leadership Music Board of Directors, is chair of the five-member search committee. Applicants must have experience leading small […]
Category: Featured, Organizations
Ole Acquires Richie McDonald Catalogue
Music publisher ole has acquired the majority of songwriter/performer Richie McDonald’s 250-song catalogue, and entered an administration deal with him for select new copyrights. Best known as the singer for multi-platinum group Lonestar, McDonald’s catalogue includes the No. 1s “I’m Already There,” “ My Front Porch Looking In,” and “Mr. Mom,” as well as the hits “Coming Home […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Publishing
Nashville In LA: Bryan, Urban, Orbison
Music City stars have been making the rounds on the west coast. The Academy of Country Music welcomed professional ACM member and Capitol Records Nashville artist Luke Bryan to their offices for a visit when he was in Los Angeles earlier this week to tape CBS’ The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. —————————— Keith […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Organizations
Sony Sets Schedule For Jackson, Gokey, Thompson
Sony is starting 2010 with a full slate of releases scheduled through the spring. Superstar Alan Jackson has a new Arista Nashville album, Freight Train, coming March 30. That month also brings the March 2 release of American Idol finalist Danny Gokey’s debut project. And first on the docket for 2010 is newcomer Josh Thompson […]
Adkins Joins Show Dog Universal
Platinum star Trace Adkins is the first signing under the newly combined Show Dog-Universal Music. Principle Toby Keith and President Mark Wright held a press conference today (1/13) at BMI in Nashville to share the news and discuss the evolving label. Adkins—celebrating his birthday today—joined them at the event, telling reporters that he had 15 […]
National News: Labels Face Antitrust Suit; Arbitron; Bergman Catalogue
An antitrust lawsuit alleging price fixing of digital downloads by the major labels has been reinstated by a federal appeals court. EMI, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, are among the defendants in the case that will be allowed to proceed. The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the October 2008 decision of […]
Category: Featured, Financial/Legal, Publishing, Radio
Rich Welcomes Son; Jackson Single From Upcoming Album
Congratulations to John Rich and his wife Joan on the birth of their first child. Son Cash Rich was born Sunday morning at a Nashville hospital. The couple wed in 2008. ———————————– Alan Jackson’s new single, “It’s Just That Way,” is available now for digital download. It is the first single from Jackson’s next album, […]
McGraw Movie Sets Up In Music City
The new movie starring Tim McGraw and Gwyneth Paltrow began production in Nashville this week. MusicRow first broke the story of the new film in October. Shooting will begin in mid January and run through the end of February. Previously reported filming locations include McGraw’s Middle Tennessee ranch. Love Don’t Let Me Down centers around […]
Category: Artist, Featured, Sales/Marketing



