Shelton Tweets: Kiss My Country Ass!

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Mad at your ex-wife? Your girlfriend? Your boss? Let Blake Shelton Tweet Her Right. As part of a radio station viral campaign, fans can send a tweet to their friends (or enemies) that links to a video featuring the singer’s signature bone-dry delivery. Choose a victim type from the drop down menu, tweet them and the link takes them to a video of Shelton delivering one of several customized messages, each ending in the phrase (lifted directly from one of Shelton’s song titles) “you can kiss my country ass.” Just click on http://kmca.blakeshelton.com/ and fire away.

Screenwriters, Smith, Wynette and a Little Tennis

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Neil Landau

Attention Prospective Screenwriters
With more songwriters per capita than any other town in America, it stands to reason that there must some potentially successful screenwriters in the Nashville mix. Any tunesmith looking to expand his or her creative pallet would do well to hop over to Los Angeles film and entertainment industry website The Wrap (www.thewrap.com) and check out writer Neil Laundau’s timely and informative article, Make Your Movie Leap Off the Page.

Landau presents a point-by-point overview of what makes a great screenplay, unwittingly pointing up the many similarities in writing for the screen and composing a hit song. You can check out the article here.

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Songwriters For Music City Tennis Invitational
The Music City Tennis Invitational is right around the corner, and some of Nashville’s best songwriters will gather on April 15 at the Bluebird Cafe to celebrate. James Slater (Rascal Flatts’ “Unstoppable,” Jamey Johnson’s “High Cost Of Living”); Tom Douglas (Lady Antebellum’s “Run to You,” Tim McGraw’s “Southern Voice”); Walt Aldridge (Ronnie Milsap’s “No Gettin’ Over Me” and Travis Tritt’s “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde”); and Marv Green (Reba McEntire’s “Consider Me Gone” and Lonestar’s “Amazed”) will perform.

Reservations are required. Tickets are $15 plus a $2 registration fee and are available online at www.bluebirdcafe.com or by phone at (615) 383-1461.

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Hall of Fame To Salute Wynette
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will pay tribute to the legendary Tammy Wynette with the cameo exhibition Tammy Wynette: First Lady of Country Music. Presented by Great American Country Television Network (GAC), the exhibit will open in the Museum’s East Gallery on August 20 and run through June, 2011.

“Tammy Wynette was a true steel magnolia, a daughter of the South whose ladylike appearance and slight physical stature belied the magnitude of her grit, determination and talent,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “She helped redefine what it means to be a female country singer. Her death at age 55 came far too soon, but Tammy left behind a musical canon that is among the strongest and most influential in American music history.”

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Anthony Smith Brings The Love
Krankit Records artist Anthony Smith is set to release his new single, “Love Is Love Is Love,” from his upcoming album, Sunshine, to radio on April 26. The song marks Smith’s debut single from the album and the first since launching his own record label, Krankit Records, earlier this year.

“Love Is Love Is Love” is a feel-good, yet heart-felt tune that makes you want to enjoy life with a care-free attitude,” Smith says. “This song makes me smile. That is the bottom line.  Actually, I decided that I wanted to shoot the video in the Bahamas and we did. Can’t wait for everyone to see it! It is fun, it is colorful, and it makes you want to feel good about life.”

SoundExchange Announces Big Payout

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SoundExchange, the non-profit performance rights organization appointed by Congress to pay digital royalties to recording artists and sound recording copyright holders, announced today that it has begun sending out checks in its largest-ever quarterly distribution. A total of $51.7 million in royalties from digital transmissions, including Internet radio, satellite radio, and cable TV music channels, are on their way to recording artists and copyright holders. The unprecedented amount represents a 135% increase over first quarter payments last year, and surpasses the previous record distribution by nearly $10 million.

“This was the result of a lot of hard work by our staff, and also represents a new commitment by our registrants to help increase these amounts,” said SoundExchange’s Executive Director John Simson. “In addition to our usual distribution amounts, this total includes millions of dollars which were freed up by our commitment to cleaning up the bad data which is often reported to us by services.”

Simson has spoken publicly about the challenge posed by poor reporting by the digital services which use sound recordings. During this quarter, however, SoundExchange staff worked with registrants to resolve thousands of entries reported as “label unknown” or attributed incorrectly, by encouraging owners and artists to claim the tracks individually. SoundExchange staff also put in many man-hours of research to correct data so that funds could be distributed properly.

The independent label community received its largest-ever portion of digital revenues this quarter. Many individual recipients received their largest checks to date.

“In this time of shrinking revenues from so many other sources, our SoundExchange income was large enough to have paid the production costs of a new album and more,” said Bruce Iglauer, owner/operator of Alligator Records, “Absolutely every label and every recording artist should be a member. It’s simply all positives and no negatives.”

Simson pointed out that the higher payout resulted from more and bigger radio stations simulcasting online, the growth in streaming services like Pandora and a recent increase in satellite radio subscriptions aided by rising cars sales. Simson also credited his organization’s outreach to artists who had not previously received royalties with a portion of the growth. When artists and copyright holders register with SoundExchange, they receive lump sums of the royalties they have accrued since 1996. A flood of new registrations, fueled by SoundExchange’s ramped-up awareness efforts in mid-2009, meant lots of those checks were issued in the first quarter.

“We’re extremely proud of what we do here,” Simson said of the quarter’s achievements, “It’s a challenge and a privilege to be a part of the process that sees the creators of music fairly paid for their invaluable work.”

Lady A Grabs Biggest Slice

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Momentum for Country YTD album sales stumbled this week—despite two debuts—as the format’s gain over last year slipped from 15% to 13%. Alan Jackson’s Freight Train landed at No. 2 on the Current Country Top 75, according to Nielsen Soundscan, with sales slightly over 72k. Also new this week was Gretchen Wilson’s Redneck Records debut, I Got your Country Right Here which scanned close to 15k units for a No. 6 chart position.

Top Selling 2010 Country Albums As Percentage of Total Country Sales

Unfortunately, this week’s two debuts (total of 87k units) were not enough to balance debuts last year from Keith Urban (172k) and Rodney Atkins (34k) which more than doubled the added units this year.

The consolidation trend in recent years has given rise to an endless parade of sayings such as “flat is the new up,” “doing more with less,” “circling the wagons,” etc. Today’s graph sheds some enlightenment on why standing inside the “shrinking circle of profits” is becoming ever more challenging. Through the week of 4/4/2010 total country sales are 10,368,000 units. This includes current, catalog and digital albums.

Lady Antebellum’s latest CD accounts for 16% of that total and the trio’s catalog title sold an additional 2%. The next highest selling country title YTD was Taylor Swift’s Fearless which claims about 4% of the year’s total. (For simplification we are only looking at the top 6 selling titles YTD, but Swift’s total percentage would be boosted by catalog sales.) Moving one title lower on the sales list highlights the Zac Brown Band with 3% of this year’s country sales. Using this thumbnail sketch, we find that the top three selling titles account for a whopping 23% of total country sales. The top selling act, Lady A, earns 18% or almost one out of every five country CDs sold.

Clearly, it’s a blessing—for the artist and their label—to have an album wringing a disproportionally high share of sales out of the marketplace. But with respect to the overall industry and format—not so much. Lady A is to be applauded for its accomplishment, and the rest of town should be encouraged to try harder.

Music and Marketing – Joined at the “Hip”

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With popular songs becoming more and more identified with specific products, and flashy corporate messages vying for onstage space with band logos, today’s music fans are left wondering just where the marketing ends and the music begins. The Wall Street Journal’s John Jurgenson posed that pertinent question today (4/9) in an eye-opening article that turns the corporate sponsorship spotlight on artists ranging Black Eyed Peas to Sting to U2 to the Rolling Stones to Tony Bennett, each of whom has acquired a surprising level of marketing expertise.

While the once-subversive Stones are credited with pioneering today’s flourishing love affair between bands and brands with their 1981 Tattoo You tour and its Jovan Musk cologne tie-in, the master marketer among today’s reigning pop stars, according to Jorgenson, is Black Eyed Peas leader
 will.i.am. In fact, concert promoter Randy Phillips, President and CEO of AEG Live, posits that will.i.am has the potential to be “the best ad executive on Madison Avenue. I’ve never seen anyone more astute at dealing with sponsors’ and companies’ needs and understanding their brands.” Phillips is planning to have the rapper/DJ deliver a seminar to AEG’s global marketing team.

While Jurgenson restricts his observations to the pop side of the fence, from Miranda Lambert’s print-based campaign for the cotton industry to Carrie Underwood’s current vitaminwater and Pedigree pet products-sponsored Play On Tour, country music  artists have been exceptionally sponsor-friendly.

Check out the Wall St. Journal article in its entirety here.

Carrie Underwood Play On Tour

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(L-R): WCOL PD John Boy Crenshaw, Craig Morgan, Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante, Carrie Underwood, SMN VP Promotion Skip Bishop, 19 entertainment's Ann Edelblute, and SMN Sr. VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee. Photos: D. Ross

April 6; Columbus, Ohio—Schottenstein Center

Carrie Underwood’s latest tour, set to hit 54 cities across North America with support acts Sons of Sylvia and Craig Morgan, presents an artist who has grown into her superstar role, and arrives well-armed with a versatile “book” of material with which to showcase her ample vocal talents.

“This show has felt really comfortable since the first night,” said Underwood backstage. “Yes, there’s a few things we tweaked, but there’s so much going on up there including lots of special moments that we look forward to onstage.”

The set and costumes designed by Michael Cotten and Soyon An are a monument to the contrast between simplicity and infinite variation. A two-story, gazebo-like steel grid framework shapes the stage, also making extensive use of video screens to change the atmosphere from a gurgling country brook to an indoor botanical garden and more. Center stage, a rotating pedestal provides dramatic entrances and exits with each rise and descent. Ms. Underwood’s stylish fashion infatuation included more than 10 costume changes (with matching stilettos) throughout the show.

Carrie Underwood with Sony Music Nashville VP Sales Kerri Fox-Metoyer

Most notable was how the rich staging and costumes became almost invisible behind the singer’s pitch-perfect prowess. With power songs such as “Jesus Take The Wheel,” “American Girl,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “Undo It,” “Before He Cheats,” and more, it would be easy to overwhelm. This tour, however, proves that the young woman, thrust overnight into national prominence via the American Idol platform, has matured and learned to control her instrument like a skilled heart surgeon. During one intense vocal moment, displayed on a pedestal, on her knees Carrie seemingly beat her chest trying to force out maximum emotion. The crowd reacted like bees in a hive, emoting and buzzing in sync with the performance.

Special moments were abundant. Standouts included a Grand Ole Opry-themed video duet with Randy Travis, “I Told You So” which poured like rich wine. “Just a Dream” found Ms. Underwood riding an idyllic country swing suspended from a massive tree branch. For “Country Roads,” the diminutive blonde jumped in the back of a deep blue pickup truck which climbed above the crowd and drove deep toward the back of the room, giving all fans a front row view. And then there was the incredible antebellum “video” dress, backdrop for the moving ballad “Change.” The dress became a video screen, bathing the singer in an aura of warm lights and emotional tones that might also translate beautifully for an Award show performance.

Craig Morgan also contributed to the evening. A dramatic entrance from the back of the arena showcased his vocal and entertainer skills. Well received were hits such as “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester,” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday.” Morgan’s cover of Lionel Richie’s Commodores hit “Easy,” was a surprise standout. The likable military veteran moved into the crowd frequently getting strong applause for his efforts. Morgan appears to be on the verge of striking it rich, needing only a few more song nuggets to string together to create a headline show.

“Carrie’s now enjoying every aspect of her career,” said Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante. “She’s finally gotten to that place, personally and professionally, and it shows on stage.” The sold out Columbus crowd demanded an encore, and this writer heartily agreed.

CMA Names Warnke VP Strategic Partnerships

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Sheri Warnke

The Country Music Association announced today (4/8) that industry veteran Sheri Warnke would be joining the professional staff of CMA as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, effective immediately.

“Sheri has already done an outstanding job of building marketing relationships for the industry and corporate brand partners for CMA’s core events, CMA Music Festival and the CMA Awards,” said Steve Moore, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. “We are fortunate to have the full resource of her time and talent focused on CMA and our mission of advancing country music.”

Warnke had been the Nashville-based representative for MS&L, one of the world’s leading communications firms. MS&L was named CMA’s sales and marketing agency last fall and will continue to consult with CMA on future marketing endeavors as needed.

In her expanded role at CMA, Warnke will develop and market sponsorship and partner packages for the CMA Awards and CMA Music Festival. In addition, she will work with CMA and the industry to develop new equities and campaigns to offer added value and opportunities for brands and companies to partner with country music.

“It is an honor for me to join CMA and to represent country music’s passionate fan base to corporate America,” Warnke said. “We have made fantastic progress this year and I’m looking forward to ramping up our efforts moving forward.”

Before MS&L, Warnke was most recently at Playboy Enterprises as regional sales manager. Warnke is an industry expert, having served on the Board of Directors for CMA, Leadership Music, T.J. Martell Foundation, and Gilda’s Club, as well as maintaining memberships in organizations including CMA, NARAS, and the National Advertising Federation. Prior to her role at Playboy Enterprises, she spent more than 15 years in high-level consumer magazine publishing roles including four years as the VP/Group Publisher of Country Weekly and Country Music Magazine.

Jewel Sets Nationwide Tour

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Valory Music Co. artist Jewel will embark on a cross-country tour this summer, presented by Country Financial. The Star Light Café Tour will find the three-time Grammy nominee performing acoustically in support of her sophomore country album, set to hit retailers June 8.

“I am so excited to hit the road as part of the Country Financial Road Trips and Guitar Picks concert series,” said Jewel. “It gives me a great opportunity to spend some time with the fans. I’ve spent the better part of my year writing and recording this new album. There is nothing more rewarding for me than getting the chance to perform some of my new songs along with the hits I’ve had over the course of my career. These shows really become a sneak peek into my songwriting and my life.”

Jewel’s first country album, Perfectly Clear, was released in June 2008 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts. The new album, titled Sweet and Wild, maintains her country roots.

“There is no one better than Jewel at bringing the feel of an intimate living room setting to the theatre,” said Valory Music Co. President Scott Borchetta. “With nothing more than her acoustic guitar, witty storytelling and unmatched vocal ability, she brings you into the moment and keeps you there until the lights go up.”

For the 20-city Star Light Café Tour, Country Financial is teaming up with Jewel to provide her fans with unique concert and online offerings as part of its Road Trips and Guitar Picks concert series. Fans are invited to visit www.tripsandpicks.com to register for prizes, play games and get free downloads. Opening for Jewel on the tour, beginning on the June 11 date in Atlanta, will be singer-songwriter Radney Foster. Jewel’s June 21t, Boise, ID show at the Botanical Gardens will be a co-headlining show with Brandi Carlile. 

Tickets for the Star Light Café Tour will go on sale starting April 23 and will be available here.

Jewel Star Light Café Tour Dates
6/1        Fargo, ND                      Fargo Theatre; Presented by Country Financial
6/2        St. Paul, MN                 O’Shaughnessy; Presented by Country Financial
6/3        Milwaukee, WI            The Pabst Theater; Presented by Country Financial
6/4        Chicago, IL                   VIC Theatre; Presented by Country Financial
6/5        Florence, IN                  Belterra Resort & Casino
6/6        St. Louis, MO                Sheldon Concert Hall; Presented by Country Financial
6/11      Atlanta, GA                    Cobb Energy Ctr; Presented by Cotton States Insurance
6/12      Robinsonville, MS        Horseshoe Tunica
6/13      Huntsville, AL               Von Braun Ctr; Presented by Cotton States Insurance
6/15      Oklahoma City, OK       Rose State Perf. Arts Ctr.; Presented by Country Financial
6/16      Kansas City, KS             Midland Theater
6/17      Salina, KS                       Stiefel Theatre
6/18      Denver, CO                    Arvada Center; Presented by Country Financial
6/19      Colorado Spring, CO    Pikes Peak Center
6/21      Boise, ID                         Idaho Botanical Gardens
6/22      Missoula, MT                The Wilma Theater
6/24      Spokane, WA                Knitting Factory; Presented by Country Financial
6/25      Portland, OR                 Oregon Zoo; Presented by Country Financial
6/26      Jacksonville, OR           Britt Pavilion
6/27      Seattle, WA                   Woodland Park Zoo Amphitheater

Strickland Exits Golden Music

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Brinson Strickland

Brinson Strickland, President and CEO of Golden Music Nashville, has exited the label. No other staff changes have been made. 

Strickland released this statement: “I’m proud of the amazing team we put together to promote both Williams Riley and Benton Blount, however I felt it was the right time for me to transition into another opportunity.”

Strickland began his career in Nashville as a member of Capitol Records Nashville group Pearl River. He also spent seven years working with multi-Platinum recording artist Bryan White as guitar player and vocalist, while also serving as Tour Manager and Tour Accountant.

In 2001, Strickland became a partner in JAG Management, where he worked with artists including Brad Paisley, Ashley Gearing, and Josh Turner. In 2003, he formed 262 Five, Ltd with Kyle Gustie.

Strickland can be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling 615-969-0334.

Sparkart Spotlights Darius Rucker

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Sparkart Group, Inc., an Oakland-based, full-service independent digital agency, is on board to develop, design, and manage the official website of Capitol Records Nashville artist, Darius Rucker. The new site is now live at www.dariusrucker.com. Rucker joins Sparkart’s roster of notable music clients including Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Janet Jackson, The Killers, and Carrie Underwood, among numerous others.

Rucker’s new site will allow the singer to better connect with his fans by offering pre-sale ticketing, exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes access, message boards, and more, enabled by Sparkart’s proprietary Clique Tools software. A powerful, creative-friendly platform, Clique Tools has been designed to support functionality, such as social networking features, e-commerce, and content management.

“We updated the site to showcase Darius’ awesome live show in the creative direction he wanted for his fans,” says Ryan Bitzer, Sparkart Nashville’s VP of Business Development. “We also added a free members-only area with pre-sale ticket opportunities, exclusive VIP packages, and exclusive content with more behind the scenes footage.”

“I’ve heard from a lot of our fans about the content they want to see on our website, and I want them to know that we’ve listened,” says Rucker. “I’m really excited to have a website I can be proud of and one that functions as a one-stop shop.”

Upcoming events and news will be readily available, including hot topics like Rucker’s ACM Award Nomination for Top Male Vocalist of the Year, the 16th Annual Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After the Masters celebrity pro-am golf tournament, set for April 12, 2010, and Rucker’s 1st Annual “Darius & Friends” concert on June 7 at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon to raise funds for St Jude’s.