New Music Business Briefing: Digital VP Derby, Country In Can, Russ Rises & More

>>> DIGITAL VP DERBY – Two new digital VP’s are named at Universal just as digital buzz at the label heats up. Jennifer Fowler has been upped to VP Digital Marketing at RCA.

>>> Country music sales are down 30% with the usual culprits of less retail space, fewer "starter" radio stations and consumer buying habits to blame. But Taylor Swift is finding success with
younger net savvy country fans and pointing to a new path to sales. (Tennessean)

>>> Former Tower Records head Russ Solomon wants to prove that CD retail has life with the opening of his R5 Records and Video in Sacramento (The Bee)

>>> Meanwhile two more LA area record stores are closing. (Billboard)

>>> CinemaNow has relaunched its $1.99 music video sales site watchmusichere.com.

>>> NYC to host FarmAid. (Reuters)

>>> Artist empowering digital distributor TuneCore has formed a promotional partnership with music software creator IK Multimedia to give away 500 copies of their T-RackS 24 software. (more)