NSAI Ready For “Spring Training”

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The Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) will present its largest and longest-running event, Spring Training, Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 2. NSAI promises “a high-energy event that includes exclusive performances by the biggest names in the music industry, vital information on how to launch your career from the hitmakers and an opportunity to pitch to your song to the publisher of your choice as well as meet future co-writers.”

This year’s guest lineup includes Jessi Alexander (“The Climb”), Dave Berg (“Stupid Boy”), Journey’s Jonathan Cain (“Open Arms”), Brett James (“Jesus, Take The Wheel”) and Tia Sillers (“I Hope You Dance”).

The event takes place at Nashville’s Millennium Maxwell House Hotel at 2025 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. Held during Tin Pan South week, Spring Training also offers perks to registrants, including discounted Fast Access Passes. For more information click here or call 615.256.3354.

Facebook For Musicians—Artist Primer

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by Jon Walker

Like it or not, the world wide web has become a cornerstone of ‘who you know’ in the 21st century. Facebook has become extremely popular over the past four years and a must-have in every marketing mix. It can connect a willing public with a brand, or a band or artist they love. Facebook has become a go-to place for would-be fans to find out what their favorite artists are doing. Its integration with the burgeoning mobile marketplace, showing up on almost every new cell phone model from the Android to the iPhone, makes it even more important.

Profiles vs. Pages

Even if your band has already joined Facebook, there are a few things you should know. There are two different kinds of outlets available to you as a user. The first is known as your Facebook profile, which includes personal updates and links to the people you know. The second is what Facebook calls its pages, and this is where you will need to do most of your marketing.

The Problem With Profiles

Facebook profiles are the default area where you are taken when you first join the network. If you look at Facebook’s Terms Of Service you’ll see a lot of stern language about the type of activity that is forbidden for any profile owner. Most of the activities that you would intuitively do when you first set up a band profile are clearly forbidden and punishable by account termination. This can be disappointing when you have invested time and money into building your audience.

Some of the primary behaviors that are technically not allowed on a profile are:
• Requesting to be friends with someone you don’t personally know
• Posting “Unauthorized Commercial Communications” such as status updates or Direct Messages
• Posting offers about contests, giveaways or promotions
• Using your personal profile for your own commercial gain

Problems can arise when clients log into their own profiles and unknowingly violate a term or condition, resulting in termination of an account.

Facebook Pages For The Win

As Facebook expanded its business model and dealt with the reality that marketers belonged on the network as much as fans did, Facebook pages were created. These pages are meant specifically for commercial entities (in our case an artist or band) to post brand-specific information to users that become a fan of the page. This gave Facebook a way to offer a voice to brands, but keep unwanted promotion away from unsuspecting users. This is an area where MySpace failed and managed to lose a huge portion of the social networking audience.

The ability to add content to a Facebook page is similar to that of a Facebook profile; you can add information about your band, photos, status updates, news, events and more. The real power of Facebook comes in the applications that can be added to your page, which allow your visitors to interact and bring a part of your band to their own profiles to share with friends and family.

Applications For Everything

Some might argue that the key to Facebook’s success has been their open-source philosophy, which allowed developers and entrepreneurs to bring their own functionality to the network. There are apps ranging from music and video tabs to gift-giving applications and more. There are new applications being made available to the network on a daily basis. Some of the most utilized applications for bands/artists include:

My Band—An application powered by ReverbNation, which is an extremely useful social network, specifically for music fans.

iLike & Music—Both of these applications are available from the iLike network. The Music application enables you to post a miniature website within your page containing art and other music-related content.

Twitter—This application allows you to connect your Twitter account with your Facebook account so that your Tweets get broadcast to your Facebook fan base.

Artist Data Sync—This isn’t really an application in the sense that it is added to your page, but this website (artistdata.com) can sync to your events and status updates on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Eventful and many other websites.

Custom Applications—You may have a great marketing idea that requires tools not yet available through other applications. There are a number of qualified web development companies that can build a custom application tailored to your needs.

You can’t depend on your lukewarm fans to regularly visit your official website to take advantage of the experience you have built for them. This is why it is important to deliver the same functionality to your users on Facebook. They are much more likely to share the experience with others if familiar tools such as Facebook’s ‘like’ and ‘share’ functions are just a click away.

Location, Location, Location

There are a number of ways that someone might find your Facebook page. These include:

Direct Link: It’s important to link to your Facebook page from your official website, your email campaigns and even on your business card. The people being referred by another marketing channel are already primed to become a fan on Facebook.

Search: Facebook has its own search engine, but other engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing are indexing Facebook page results. It’s important to greet the fan with relevant information about your group and offer clear information that they have come to the right place. Some artists may include imaging that isn’t congruent to the artist Website or album artwork. In this case, a visitor may be hesitant to ‘become a fan’ if they aren’t sure they are on the right profile. This is especially true when considering a profile image that appears in the results of a Facebook search. You don’t want people to find your profile in the search, rather you want them to find your fan page. When you end up with 1,000 profile friends and 50 fans on your fans page, you’ll be kicking yourself because you’re limited as to what you can say and do on your profile. Be extra careful not to choose any settings that keep your page from appearing in search results.

Referrals Within Facebook: The ability for users to ‘like’ and ‘share’ content on Facebook make it easy for User A to see content that User B is interested in. Picture this: You’ve just released your new EP and issued a status update on Facebook. User A comes along and decides to ‘share’ the news with their friends. All of User A’s friends will be able to see that they have shared the news and can come see the news for themselves within one click. In addition, when someone ‘Becomes A Fan’ of your page the news is sent to all of their friends. It is very important to tap your current fan and business acquaintances and encourage them to ‘Become A Fan.’ When they do, all of their friends will know about it.

Facebook Ads: You’ll have to spend some money, but Facebook advertising campaigns can yield a high number of fans if done correctly.

Facebook Events: This is a kind of guerrilla tactic, but a number of people use Facebook’s event listing to find out about events going on in a specific city or at a specific venue. Ensure that all of your appearances (public and private) are listed on Facebook, including details about the gig.

Keeping Content Fresh: To ensure that your page stays relevant, you need to keep the content fresh and engaging. It’s important that you assign an administrator (or multiple administrators) to your page so that the right people have access to update your information. If you are out on the road, then you need to appoint someone that takes the job seriously so that correspondence gets answered quickly and information is updated in near real-time. Make sure that you always have fresh content available, such as videos, status updates, event listings, photos and much more to keep your name appearing in the feeds of your fans and followers.

Tracking Results: Facebook offers a simple platform that is tethered to all pages and gives information on the number of visitors, demographic information, and even the quality of the postings that are being made. It’s important to pay attention to this information and utilize it where appropriate. When posting links, there is a useful link service called bit.ly (http://www.bit.ly) which allows users to track the number of clicks the link has received. There are other tools available, many at a paid premium, that give you details about your fans and the way they are interacting with your page, but these may not be necessary or appropriate for most artists. Another way to gauge success is to probe the analytics engine of your official website to see how many visitors are coming to your site via Facebook and what exactly they are doing when they get to your site.

Facebook Finale

It may seem a daunting task for a musician to successfully exist on Facebook, but most will find it very easy once they have spent some time interacting with users. The important thing to remember is that there is help available and a number of professionals that can be called upon if you find yourself struggling to maximize your success. Remember, Facebook is not a one-way communication tool. You must allow your fans to communicate with you and be prepared to treat them like the people they are. It’s often better to have 100 dedicated fans that have a sense of ownership in your band than 1,000 mediocre fans that know you only as a contact through Facebook.

• • •
Jon Walker is a Nashville native, with a degree in Music Business Marketing from Belmont University. He joined the AristoMedia group in 2003. Jon’s affinity for technology and experience with entertainment marketing gave birth to AristoMedia’s, new media division—AristoWorks. Since 2005, AristoWorks has developed web applications and online campaigns for numerous major and independent label projects including various applications for MusicRow Magazine. ([email protected])

Musicstartshere.org Starts Here


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Musicstartshere.org, touted as “Nashville’s community, city and industry sponsored initiative designed to help artists, songwriters, musicians, technicians and industry professionals simplify and streamline the craft and business of making music,” celebrated its launch on Tuesday (3/2) at the Red Rooster near Music Row.

Over 250 music industry folks gathered to celebrate the launch of the new site, which was founded by Doak Turner and Will Carter. The site offers up over 100 video clips featuring music industry professionals, from songwriters to artists to representatives from ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Also featured are an image coach, a vocal coach, an entertainment attorney a banker and other professionals, all offering real-world advice to musically inclined hopefuls looking to Nashville as their creative launching point.

The Launch Party included many of the professionals that are on the site, including hit songwriters Byron Hill, Rory Bourke and Rand Bishop. Also on hand were Avenue Bank executives Ron Samuels, Cooper Samuels, Ron Cox, Lisa Meiers, as well as musicians Luis Espaillat and Justin Levinson, vocal coach Kim Wood Sandusky, image coach Suzzanne Skinner, entertainment attorney Philip Lyon and American Songwriter magazine’s Douglas Waterman. Sponsors donating prizes included French’s Boots, Rock & Load U, Hal Leonard Books and NSAI.

“This is a great illustration of what Nashville is,” said Ralph Schulz, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Nashville is an entrepreneurial city and entrepreneurship is about taking an idea and making it happen. Musicstartshere.org is so important and necessary and is fulfilling a great need for this city. It is going to help so many people accelerate their success in this community and we will continue to encourage Musicstartshere.org as we move forward.

Who’s That Girl?

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Country music fans checking out the cover of the latest issue of Elle will have no trouble recognizing country superstar/cover girl Taylor Swift. However, the artistically rendered photo shoot inside the magazine may leave those same fans scratching their heads. As famous and ubiquitous a face as she is these days, her newly straightened hair and high fashion-model poses make it a bit difficult to realize just who it is you’re looking at. She may look different, but she still looks great.

Cowboy Jack’s Digital Milestone

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member “Cowboy” Jack Clement celebrated yet another milestone on February 26 when Apple’s iTunes store announced their 10 billionth download: “Guess Things Happen That Way,” a song penned by Clement and sung by Johnny Cash.

When Cash’s hit was released in 1957, Clement was working at Sun Records, launching a career that would grow to encompass songwriting, arranging, recording and producing, and flourish for nearly six decades. He continues to be active, hosting the Cowboy Jack Show on Sirius Satellite Radio’s Outlaw Country, which airs on Saturdays (1-5 p.m. CT) and Sundays (5 -9 p.m. CT). Upcoming projects include the development of a television series and preparations for a live event to benefit the National Health Care for the Homeless Council with The Old Crow Medicine Show, Marley’s Ghost and special guests at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre on April 29.

Among the songs on Clement’s hit list are “Ballad of a Teenage Queen,” “I Know One,” “Got Leavin’ on Her Mind,” “Just A Girl I Used to Know,” “Let’s All Help the Cowboy Sing the Blues” and “Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog.” As a  producer, he helped launch the careers of Jerry Lee Lewis, Charley Pride and George Jones. He has also served as a producer for Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison, Townes Van Zandt, Carl Perkins and U2.

Juno Noms Spotlight Country

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Country music made a proud showing yesterday (5/4) as the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced the nominees for the 2010 Juno Awards. Among the nominees were soul/country crooner Johnny Reid (Fan Choice Award, Artist of the Year and Country Album of the Year for Dance With Me); Taylor Swift (International Album of the Year for Fearless); Terri Clark (Country Album of the Year for The Long Way Home); Emerson Drive (Country Album of the Year for Believe); and The Road Hammers (Country Album of the Year for The Road Hammers II).

Winners will be declared at the Juno Gala Dinner & Awards on Saturday, April 17 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. A complete list of Juno nominees can be found here.

Penuell To PD at WSM-FM

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Russell Penuell (Russell P.)

Cumulus Nashville has announced the promotion of Russell Penuell (Russell P.) to Program Director of WSM-FM, effective immediately. Penuell replaces Charley Connolly, who departs the company to pursue other opportunities. 

Penuell began his career in radio at the age of 13 and by the age of 21, became one of the youngest Program Directors in the United States. Also known as Russell P. (3 – 7 afternoon drive) to Wolf listeners, Penuell brings award-winning experience to his new position.

“Russ’s contribution to the success of The Wolf/Nashville has been remarkable, says Cumulus SVP of Programming, Jan Jeffries. “During my time of programming The Wolf/Dallas on a daily basis, Russell was a key ‘go to’ person. His work ethic, prior to Dallas and Nashville, as PD in Ft. Myers and Shreveport, is second to none.”

Rick Marino

Further, beginning Monday, March 8, Rick Marino will move into Connolly’s vacant co-host position on Wake Up with the Wolf. With stints at country stations WSIX and WKDF, as well as other formats in the market (Mix 92.9 and The River), Marino has been a fixture on the Nashville air waves since 1994. He now joins Deanna Lee for Wake Up with the Wolf with Rick & Deanna.

“Rick is a world-class morning talent,” Jeffries says. “His successful history of mornings in Nashville makes him the perfect choice for mornings at The Wolf/Nashville. We thank Charley Connolly for his tenure and wish him the best in his future endeavors”

Moving into the midday slot is Wolf/Dallas (KPLX) host, Smokey Rivers. Rivers has 30 years in radio and recently served as Weekday Host from 10 – 3 p.m. on KPLX, with over one million listeners.

CMA Board Brings Country Music History to Washington

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John Rich


The Library of Congress and the Country Music Association (CMA) today announced Story Tellers and Story Keepers: Creating and Preserving Country Music, a day-long program for the CMA Board of Directors at the nation’s library, including a comprehensive tour of the historic Jefferson Building, an extensive orientation to the Library’s music, sound recording, and folk collections focusing on country music, and a concert in the Coolidge Auditorium.

The purpose is both to build on the Library’s already unparalleled collections of sound recordings, moving image, and printed music collections with a more robust presence of the country music genre, and to further the Library’s goal of maximizing access and awareness of its collections to music scholars and music lovers around the world. The day’s activities are designed to lay the groundwork for future joint efforts that may include the acquisition and preservation of country music collections, online presentations, and educational outreach.

Lorrie Morgan

“The genre of country music could not be better suited to the Library’s mission of acquiring, preserving, and providing access to America’s culture and stories,” says Librarian of Congress James H. Billington.

“Country music is a record of American history and America’s stories. I cannot think of a more appropriate collaboration than to expand the presence of country music and its reflection of the American experience to the global users of this historic and unrivaled collection,” says Steve Moore, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors.

To demonstrate the reach and impact of the genre, the CMA Board of Directors is bringing a line-up of country stars to the Coolidge Auditorium for a special invitation-only performance on the evening of March 9. Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, Lorrie Morgan, and John Rich of Big & Rich will take the stage along with songwriters Victoria Shaw and Bob DiPiero.
 
CMA will commemorate the event by donating a leather-bound DVD collection of four decades of CMA Awards broadcasts, anniversary television specials, and the most recent jewel in CMA’s TV coffers, the annual CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, to the Library’s collection.

Hall of Fame Offers “Sunday In the Country”

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The Country Music Hall of Fame is partnering with New Haven Records to release Sunday in the Country: 12 Inspiring Hits From Today’s Top Country Artists. Set for a March launch at Christian retail through Provident-Integrity Distribution, the CD will be released to mainstream outlets through Sony Distribution.

Artists featured on the project include Trace Adkins, Alabama, Diamond Rio, Vince Gill, Tracy Lawrence, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner and Lee Ann Womack.

“For more than 20 years, our company has focused on the uniquely American genres of country, southern gospel, and black gospel music,” says New Haven Records President Ken Harding. “Sunday in the Country, the third project in our outstanding partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, has the potential to be our most successful release in the series.”

“Inspirational songs have always had an important place in the country music canon,” adds Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Director Kyle Young. “The songs that comprise Sunday in the Country uphold this rich tradition, offering hope, fellowship, solace and gratitude. New Haven Records has been releasing meaningful country and gospel recordings for two decades, and we’re pleased to be partners with them on this project.”

Joining collections such as Three Wooden Crosses, Amazing Grace, Country’s Salute to Gospel and Songs for Worship—Country, this newest compilation represents the top-voted selections in a survey sent to hundreds of country radio programmers. The list was then reviewed by historians at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, who developed the final selection for the project in association with Harding.

Sunday in the Country track listing:
“Long Black Train”
Josh Turner

“I Believe”
Diamond Rio

“But for the Grace of God”
Keith Urban

“Blessed”
Martina McBride

“Drugs or Jesus”
Tim McGraw

“Muddy Water”
Trace Adkins

“Go Rest High on That Mountain
Vince Gill

“Holes in the Floor of Heaven”
Steve Wariner

“Up to Him”
Tracy Lawrence

“Angels Among Us”
Alabama

“Get Up in Jesus’ Name”
Lee Ann Womack

“I Found Jesus on the Jailhouse Floor”
George Strait

Shiny Globe shows New Imprint Imminent

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MusicRow’s notorious crystal ball is showing that a major Nashville label is planning to create a second imprint, and may announce the new venture as early as next week.

Over recent years we have seen second imprints arrive and depart. In fact, companies such as Sony Music Nashville, UMGN, WMG, Big Machine and Broken Bow currently have two or more imprints.

What are some of the elements for second label success? In some cases, the new imprint is created and then acts are signed. However, if a label has a roster bursting at the seams with success, say a trio of platinum acts plus a group of mid-level artists all starting to break through, then a second imprint could be the perfect prescription to help capitolize and grow those assets. Either way, the additional resources allow a label to effectively expose and launch more artists in less time.

What might a second imprint look like? If the newly-formed entity mirrors the model used by most other Nashville labels, it will feature a fully staffed second promotion team that will utilize existing resources from other divisions inside the label.