Keith Ends Decade On Top

/by

tobykeithIn 1993, Toby Keith’s debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” rose to the top of the charts, christening a career that has garnered ample recognition, fame and fortune. This year the singer/songwriter has been honored by Billboard as its Top Country Artist and Songwriter of the Decade. Keith also ranked No. 3 on the publication’s Top 200 Artists of the Decade list.

Keith’s prominence should be no surprise as he annually shows up on the Forbes list of Top Earning Country Stars. For 2009 he was No. 3, behind Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts, with estimated ’09 earnings of $52 million. On the 2008 chart he grabbed the No. 1 position with earnings of $48 million.

Keith’s mantle of recognitions is crowded. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) bestowed its 2000-2009 Songwriter/Artist of the Decade Award to him for songs such as “How Do You Like Me Now,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “God Love Her,” “Beer For My Horses” and many more. Also during the last decade Toby was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, won the ACM Entertainer of the Year Award for two consecutive years and earned a three-time Country Artist/Songwriter of the Year Award from BMI for his catalog which has generated over 65 million performances.

In addition to writing songs and recording, the artist has successfully toured throughout the U.S. and recently returned from a two-week sold out European schedule that included nine shows in six countries. He regularly journeys to perform for the troops in the Persian Gulf and other locations prompting the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) to honor him with its Distinguished Service Award. Keith also owns a chain of restaurants, his own record label (Show Dog Nashville), has starred in two major motion pictures and recently launched a clothing line.

Last but not least, Toby Keith’s singles during this decade have reportedly spent more than a year at No. 1. This year he achieved his 27th No. 1 career single, the 16th of this decade.

Hard Rock Reopens With Week Long Celebration

/by

HRC_B_smallNashville’s Hard Rock Cafe reopens with a week long series of events designed to highlight the club’s re-opening and help support some worthy charities. In partnership with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hard Rock’s celebration will also include the first annual Music City Bash on Broadway, featuring a performance by  Rodney Atkins and Friends and a Guitar Drop® at midnight to ring in 2010!

Committed to its “Love All, Serve All” creed, Hard Rock will donate proceeds from the events to some very special charities, including The Felix Organization, the Arthritis Foundation and WHY (World Hunger Year).

2009 Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and supporting acts November and Broken Frame will kick off the event series on December 28th.  On Tuesday, December 29th, the newly remodeled Nashville cafe will host An Evening with Bucky Covington, presented by ASCAP, followed by a special performance by Sweethearts of the Rodeo on Wednesday December 30th.  For the main event, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville is also proud to present Music City’s Bash on Broadway, a free street party on New Year’s Eve which will include performances by Gabe Dixon, The Dirt Drifters, Tommy Sims & Friends with special guests Marc Broussard and Jonny Lang and headliner Rodney Atkins, as well as an 80-foot Guitar Drop and fireworks at midnight.

The music doesn’t stop once the New Year’s Eve festivities are over.  On Friday, January 1st, enjoy an acoustic night with Carrie Zaruba, JD Shelburne, Sweatervest, Jason Duke, Amanda Price, Mijo and Brian Ashley Jones. Finally, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville will close out the week-long re-opening celebration with a showcase of local rock acts, featuring After Elvis, Adalene, The Worsties & Caprice on January 2nd.

Visit www.hardrock.com/nashville for ticket prices, times and availability.

Ragsdale Debuts Double Disc Set

/by

SuziNashville’s Suzi Ragsdale will release a double digipak album on Feb. 9 titled Best Regards/Less Of The Same. The project is on Clyde/Stark Raven Records and distributed nationally by Allegro Media Group.

RagsdaleThe new tracks feature special guests such as Rodney Crowell, Darrell Scott and Gabe Dixon. Both the new discs were produced by Tim Lauer who describes the work as “showcasing sophisticated arrangements and innovative song textures.”

Ragsdale1Ragsdale released three previous independent albums in collaboration with Verlon Thompson. She also spent time as a member of the Guy Clark Band and in the band of Darrell Scott who produced her first solo album in 1998. The daughter of singer/songwriter Ray Stevens, Ms. Ragsdale was recording children albums and writing her own songs at age 10 and by age 13 was singing demos for other writers. In addition to her music endeavors, the versatile singer/songwriter enjoys cooking and a offers her services as a certified physical fitness and yoga trainer.

Radio promotion for Best Regards/Less of the Same is being handled by Leslie Rouffe of Songlines Music. For bookings, contact Doug Phillips (615) 322-1200. http://www. suziragsdale.com

Photo Buzz

/by

Photos featuring Jewel, Colt Ford plus Aaron and Amanda Crabb…

Jewel was in Nashville recently, putting finishing touches on her upcoming single, “Stay Here Forever,” produced by Nathan Chapman. Jewel, who co-wrote the song, was joined by several Valory staffers in the studio to preview the track. Pictured (L-R): Drummer Nick Buda, Azoff Music’s Whitney Cheshier, Bassist Tim Marks, Azoff Music’s Virginia Davis, Producer Nathan Chapman, Jewel, Valory’s Jon Loba, Valory’s John Zarling, Valory’s JoJamie Hahr, Valory’s Allison Jones and Valory’s Brooke Yancey.

Jewel was in Nashville recently, putting finishing touches on her upcoming single, “Stay Here Forever,” produced by Nathan Chapman. Jewel, who co-wrote the song, was joined by several Valory staffers in the studio to preview the track. Pictured (L-R): Drummer Nick Buda, Azoff Music’s Whitney Cheshier, Bassist Tim Marks, Azoff Music’s Virginia Davis, Producer Nathan Chapman, Jewel, Valory’s Jon Loba, Valory’s John Zarling, Valory’s JoJamie Hahr, Valory’s Allison Jones and Valory’s Brooke Yancey.

Colt Ford, while on tour with Larry The Cable Guy in the Pacific Northwest, stopped by country station KKWF in Seattle, WA on Friday, December 4. Colt spent over two hours on-air with Lola. Pictured: Colt Ford (R) with MD Lola Montgomery (L) at 100.7 The Wolf in Seattle.

Colt Ford, while on tour with Larry The Cable Guy in the Pacific Northwest, stopped by country station KKWF in Seattle, WA on Friday, December 4. Colt spent over two hours on-air with Lola. Pictured: Colt Ford (R) with MD Lola Montgomery (L) at 100.7 The Wolf in Seattle.

Daywind Records’ artist, Aaron and Amanda Crabb, were recently at Nashville's Sound Shop recording a brand new album. The album is being produced by Michael Sykes and can be expected to hit stores this spring. Pictured (L-R): Michael Turner, Gary Prim, Amanda Crabb, Aaron Crabb, Michael Sykes, Norman Holland, John Willis, Jeff King, Steve Brewster, and engineer.

Daywind Records’ artist, Aaron and Amanda Crabb, were recently at Nashville's Sound Shop recording a brand new album. The album is being produced by Michael Sykes and can be expected to hit stores this spring. Pictured (L-R): Michael Turner, Gary Prim, Amanda Crabb, Aaron Crabb, Michael Sykes, Norman Holland, John Willis, Jeff King, Steve Brewster, and engineer.

Radio, Rights Orgs Temporarily Agree On 7%

/by

accounting1The music publishing industry has been anxiously watching licensing negotiations between BMI, ASCAP and radio/TV interests. Rate contracts are in the process of being renewed and concerns on the music side of the table revolve around potential rate reductions due to falling radio/TV ad revenues.

Today it has been announced that the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) and the performing rights organizations have agreed to an interim 7% rate reduction for both ASCAP and BMI. Radio broadcasters will begin paying the lower rate Jan. 1, 2010. A court will determine the actual rate, and when determined, it will be retroactive to 1/1/10.

RMLC Chairman Ed Christian was quoted saying he’s disappointed the process has stalled, but looks forward to realizing “significant reductions” in licensing fees. Analysts suggest that obtaining a settlement in this issue may take many months, but also point that the 7% drop shows that the rights organizations are aware that radio revenues have been sharply dropping.

Piracy Report: 2009s Most Downloaded Films

/by
Star Trek was downloaded on BitTorrent almost 11 million times during 2009.

Star Trek was downloaded on BitTorrent almost 11 million times during 2009.

The music industry is not alone when it comes to fighting the revenue-shrinking effects of piracy. Web analysts www.torrentfreak.com, a site dedicated to creating unique information pertaining to filesharing, has released its list of the Top 10 most pirated movies of 2009.

The site notes that although Internet piracy from the silver screen increased during 2009, the movie industry enjoyed an excess of $10 billion in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales, a new record.

Topping the list with almost 11 million BitTorrent downloads was Star Trek followed by Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with 10.6 million downloads.

Interestingly, the number of downloads and a film’s worldwide gross revenue do not necessarily correlate. For example, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was the No. 7 most downloaded film (7.93 million) but was the highest grossing movie earning over $929 million.

The complete list of most downloaded movies on BitTorrent can be found www.torrentfreak.com

Charlie Daniels Touts GEICO

/by

Click the image to view the GEICO commercial.

Click the image to view the GEICO commercial.

Charlie Daniels will be featured in a GEICO Commercial as part of GEICO’s new ad campaign, called “Rhetorical Questions.” The campaign asks rhetorical questions regarding the well-known tagline, “15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.”

Each spot begins with an investigative reporter-type host, played by Mike McGlone (from The Brothers McMullen) asking the question: “Could switching to GEICO really save you 15% or more on car insurance?” Answers on the four various ads include “Is Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones too tall?” “Does Charlie Daniels play a mean fiddle?” “Does Elmer Fudd have trouble with the letter R?” or “Did The Waltons take way too long to say goodnight?”

Click here to watch the commercial.

T.J. Martell Updates 2010 Board

/by

TJMartell

T.J. Martell Southern Region has announced its new 2010 officers and board members.

The new officers include Derek Crownover, Partner of Crownover Tisinger PC as President; Tom Annastas, VP of Licensing for BMI as Vice President; Karen Clark, Senior VP and Financial Advisor at Pinnacle Financial Partners as Treasurer; Rick Murray, President and CEO of Greylock Entertainment as Secretary and Dave Berryman, President of Gibson Guitar as Executive Committee Member at Large.

New T.J. Martell Foundation – Southern Region board members  include Marcie Allen, President of MAC Presents; Pat Embry, Editorial Director of Magellan Press; John Esposito, President of Warner Music Nashville; Dennis Lord, Executive VP of SESAC; Carrie Simons, President of Triple 7 Public Relations; Mike Smardak, President and CEO of Outback Concerts and Joel Katz, Chair, Global Media and Entertainment Practice of Greenberg Traurig.

The T.J. Martell Foundation is a national non-profit organization that supports innovative research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. Locally, the Foundation supports cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

For more information on the T.J. Martell Foundation or to review the full list of Board of Directors, please log onto www.tjmartellfoundation.org.

More Artists Added To Sound And Speed

/by

sound and speed logoDanny Gokey and Holly Williams are among the latest additions to Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust, a fundraiser pairing NASCAR and country music, set for Jan. 8-9 in Nashville. The annual event benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, and Victory Junction, a camp for children with serious illness.

A special edition of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium will open Sound & Speed on Friday, Jan. 8. American Idol Season 8 finalist Gokey will make his Opry debut, joining other newly added singers Holly Williams and Jason Michael Carroll, along with already announced participants Hank Williams Jr., Chris Young and Kyle Petty and his band. There will also be appearances by NASCAR’s Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray and Greg Biffle during the Friday night shows. There will be Opry performances at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., with varying artists schedules.

On Saturday, Jan. 9 the event continues at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, where fans of racing and country music will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with drivers, team owners, and artists for autographs, story-telling, and question-and-answer sessions. The fan event will feature show car and sponsor displays, as well as a charitable auction with memorabilia from the racing and entertainment industries. Gokey, Danielle Peck, Corey Smith, Ashton Shepherd, Brady Seals, Nathan Lee Jackson and duo Kate & Kacey join previously announced participants Jason Michael Carroll, Josh Turner, members of Diamond Rio, and Young.

NASCAR stars Aric Almirola, Justin Allgaier, Kyle Petty, Michael Annett, Carl Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch, James Buescher, Brad Kesolowski, Logan Ruffin, Brian Scott and Morgan Shepherd join already announced participants Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Clint Bowyer, Reed Sorenson, and David Stremme.

More drivers and country music artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Since its inception five years ago, Sound & Speed has attracted an estimated 40,000 fans and raised more than $800,000 for Victory Junction (a camping experience founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty for children battling illnesses) and the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.

For details and ticketing information visit soundandspeed.org.

Tommy Steele

/by

“Watching Love Grow”

Triple Creek Records, Inc.

tsteele-playlistCountry artist Tommy Steele is already a mainstay at numerous US clubs and festivals, and now he is taking his music to a larger audience with the release of his single “Watching Love Grow” to country radio. The single, co-written by Rodney Clawson (“I Saw God Today,” “Amarillo Sky,” “Lost In This Moment”) appears on Steele’s newly-released album, The Long Haul. His engaging live performances have earned him opening slots for John Anderson, LeAnn Rimes and Jimmy Wayne.

Through aggressive online marketing, Steele has racked up impressive digital impressions for an independent artist. His social sites have a combined 1.8 million song plays, 40,000 friends and 2.2 million online views, which has helped forge marketing partnerships with companies including Peavey Electronics, Budda Amplification and Trace Elliott Co. Steele will soon embark on a national radio tour, produced by GrassRoots Promotion.

http://www.tommysteeleband.com
http://www.myspace.com/tommysteele
http://www.mycountryspace.com/tommysteele