News From Swift, iPhone, And Sony

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Those awaiting word of Taylor Swift’s upcoming third album will finally get to hear details when she hosts a live webcast July 20 at 4pm CT. “I’ve spent the last two years out on the Fearless tour and working on my new record,” says Swift. “I’ve gotten so many questions from fans — on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, my website, everywhere really, and it’s so incredible to see how excited everybody is about what’s next. I want them to be the first to know about my new music, and I can’t wait to talk to everybody as directly as I can!” Fans can check out the webcast at Taylorswift.com, MySpace.com/TaylorSwift, Facebook.com/TaylorSwift, and Ustream.tv/taylorswift.

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Responding to growing controversy around its popular but troubled iPhone 4, Apple has scheduled a press conference at 10am PT tomorrow (7/16) to address problems with the device. The computer manufacturer has been beset by complaints about the phone’s antenna since its launch, with speculation about a hardware design flaw causing the issues. No information has been given about who will speak at the press conference.

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The New York Post is reporting that Sony Corp. has begun a search to replace Sony Music CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz. There has been speculation lately about his departure, and his current contract runs through March 2011. The Post article also notes that some sources close to the search have not ruled out keeping Schmidt-Holtz in charge for another term.

Knox Peers Into The Future

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(L-R): Kevin Lamb and Michael Knox

Producer and music executive Michael Knox has joined peermusic as Senior Creative Director. Following his string of recent successes in the studio, Knox will maintain his role as a producer, in addition to his new publisher duties. For peermusic, he will focus on identifying and signing songwriters, and working closely with other staffers in sourcing and developing talent globally.

Knox’s career includes ten years (1992-2002) at Warner/Chappell publishing where he signed artist/writers John Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Emily West and Jason Aldean. Knox has scored several major hits as a producer for Aldean, and has credits on numerous recent singles: Aldean’s “Crazy Town,” Josh Thompson’s “Way Out Here,” Montgomery Gentry’s “While You’re Still Young,” Trace Adkins’ “This Ain’t No Love Song,” Chuck Wicks’ “Hold That Thought” and Frankie Ballard’s “Tell Me You Get Lonely.”

Peermusic VP Nashville, Kevin Lamb, announced the company’s latest hiring. “We are thrilled to have Michael on board,” he says. “Michael and I have been talking about this for some time.

While he’s enjoying great success as a producer, he’s a publisher at heart; he loves working with writers and developing talent. This plays well into our overall strategy for growth as well as Michael’s vision for artist development. More than ever before, it is taking every piece of the artist puzzle to break an artist, or to get a hit on an established artist.”

Peermusic/Nashville has recently purchased several catalogs including Malaco Music, Route Six Music, GrangeHill Music and James Strouds’ WS Music Publishing. They have been honored with SESAC’s Christian Publisher of the Year award for the past three years and received two Dove Awards. Peer’s Nashville based advertising division, overseen by Craig Currier, has provided music for major campaigns with Lincoln, Chrysler, GE, Guitar Hero and Levi’s. Television advertisements currently airing include Volvo and Tostitos.

“Certainly Michael will be a key piece to this puzzle for us,” adds Lamb. “But just as importantly Michael, Craig and I are hoping to utilize our relationships and past successes in the area of advertising to help put this puzzle together.”

“I truly believe,” says Knox, “that the best music out there is music that normally doesn’t get heard. There’s a generation of brilliant talent out there that’s not sure yet where to go or where they fit. Those are the people I want to work with.”

BMG Acquires Stage Three Music

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Lionel Conway

Stage Three Music announced it has signed an agreement that will move its copyrights to Berlin-based BMG Rights Management.

Stage Three is a leading independent publisher run by ex-Virgin and Chrysalis CEO, Steve Lewis. The business is headquartered in London, with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville run by Lionel Conway, former President of Island Music, Polygram Music Inc. and Maverick Music Inc. The Nashville office was headed by Tim Hunze. Ingenious Corporate Finance advised the shareholders of Stage Three on the sale.

Stage Three holds the rights to a variety of contemporary compositions performed by Aerosmith, David Essex, Duffy, The Eagles, Eminem, Eric Clapton, Inner City, James Morrison, Johnny Hates Jazz, Mike Oldfield, Rascal Flatts, Take That and ZZ Top. Music rights include well-known compositions “Walk this Way”, “You Get What You Give”, “Gimme All Your Lovin’”, “La Grange”, “Baker Street”, “Dream On”, “Good Life”, “Sing For The Moment” and 60 country music number one singles. The writer roster includes leading Nashville songwriters Brett James and Bobby Pinson and superstar writer producers Steve Robson, Bernard Butler and Andrew Frampton.

Stage Three is BMG’s third investment of significant size made in 2010 and follows the acquisition of Cherry Lane and the Adage IV catalogue in the US. BMG is a joint venture between the international media company Bertelsmann and an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., a leading global alternative asset manager.

“It is tremendously important to us to increase our foothold in the UK – the hottest and most competitive music market in the world,” Hartwig Masuch, CEO BMG, said upon signing of the transaction. “Stage Three Music is an iconic music publishing business and one we are very pleased to be buying, not only because of its elite roster of writers but also due to its pro-active approach towards licensing, which perfectly supports our thinking and growth strategy.”

Steve Lewis, CEO Stage Three Music added: “It’s been a privilege to work with such a talented group of colleagues and writers. I’m grateful to our investors for their support and very proud of our achievements and the catalog we’ve assembled over the past seven years. BMG have been very professional purchasers. I’m confident the company is in good hands and I look forward to seeing continued growth under their ownership”.

Sam Bush Keynote To Open IBMA Conference

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Sam Bush

Renowned musician Sam Bush will deliver the keynote address at the International Bluegrass Music Association Business Conference on Monday, September 27, 2010. The acclaimed mandolin player and seminal newgrass star is expected to focus his speech on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe, coming up on Sept. 13, 2011. Bush will talk about what that milestone means to the bluegrass music community and industry, and how to celebrate a century of Monroe’s influence.

Bush has been honored with the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He’s the co-founder of the genre-bending New Grass Revival and an in-demand musician who has played with everyone from Emmylou Harris and Bela Fleck, to Lyle Lovett and Garth Brooks. His latest solo album, Circles Around Me, (Sugar Hill) is an inspiring mix of bluegrass favorites and new songs.

The IBMA Business Conference is part of the organization’s annual World of Bluegrass convention, running Sept. 27-Oct. 3 in Nashville, which also includes Fan Fest (Oct. 1-3), and the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show (Sept. 30). The theme for World of Bluegrass 2010 is “Face Time. It Matters,” highlighting the importance of relationship building.

Tickets to all World of Bluegrass events are available at IBMA.org, or by calling 1-888-GET-IBMA.  For discount rates on accommodations, call the event housing bureau at 1-877-259-4716.

Clif Doyal Promoted; Martha Moore Signing

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Martha Moore

Updates from indie publicists Martha Moore and Clif Doyal.

Longtime industry publicist, Martha “skates” Moore, President of so much MOORE media, has signed former Gaither singer Guy Penrod. Moore will handle all aspects of public relations efforts for Penrod’s new country disc, Breathe Deep (Servant Records/Gaither Music Group). Penrod is a 14-year veteran of the GRAMMY ® and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band.

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Clif Doyal

Clif Doyal has been promoted to Strategic Business Development executive for AirPlay Direct, as well as Editor of the Direct Buzz, the company’s digital / interactive publication. Robert Weingartz, CEO of AirPlay Direct, announced the promotion. In the new roles, Doyal will oversee both existing and new business development for the global digital-to-radio delivery platform and manage content for their digital publication. He remains in charge of media relations for the firm. Doyal’s 37 years of experience includes booking, artist management, audio/video production, publicity and marketing.

Armiger Fans To Name Album

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Sarah Buxton and Katie Armiger in the studio.

Katie Armiger is teaming with GACtv.com to let fans select the name of her new album. Through July 28 fans can go here and cast their votes for one of three possible album titles— Guitar Picks & Lipstick, Confessions Of A Nice Girl, or High Heels & No Expectations. Due out Oct. 5, it will be the rising artist’s third studio effort on Cold River Records.

Armiger wrote nine of the thirteen tracks on the project that will include her hit singles “Kiss Me Now” and “Leaving Home.” The latter was chosen by over twenty high schools across the country as the 2010 graduation song (see video below). She penned the track with Sarah Buxton and Blair Daly.

“I’m really excited about the new music. I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with so many truly amazing and inspiring people,” Armiger says. “I thought this was a great way to get everyone who has helped get me where I am today involved in the process by helping to choose my album title. I cannot wait to see what they pick!”

The track listing:

1. Kiss Me Now
2. Best Song Ever
3. Cry Cry Cry
4. Nice Girl
5. Scream
6. That’s Why
7. Ain’t Gonna Happen
8. I Will Be
9. Can’t Keep Myself From Loving You
10. Ain’t So Sweet
11. Leaving Home
12. Can You Handle It
13. Strong Enough

NPD Finds Interest In Cloud-Based Subscription

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Recently much music industry talk and speculation has been devoted to the concept of digital retail music sales evolving into some type of cloud-based subscription model. Market researchers NPD Group conducted a study of iTunes, iPod, iPhone and iPod Touch users to gauge their interest and reactions to such a plan. The study found that more than a quarter of the respondents expressed “strong interest in a free cloud-based music option to access their own music libraries from multiple devices and platforms and many were willing to pay a subscription fee.”

The study ranked consumer interest in a music service that allowed free streaming of content from the consumer’s own iTunes library, plus a few paid options combining streaming, downloads and more. The research found that 7-8 million U.S. iTunes users would have “strong interest” in one of the paid options and showed a willingness to pay a minimum monthly fee of $10 or more. NPD  estimates there are about 50 million total U.S. iTunes users and that 13-15 million would be interested in free access to their own music libraries.

“After the service’s launch, user numbers could conceivably rise substantially, as they upgrade to newer connected devices and actually experience the benefits of cloud-based music,” said Russ Crupnick, VP/Sr. Entertainment Analyst for The NPD Group. “If the consumers who indicated strong interest in a paid subscription actually adopted one of those services at $10 per month, the market opportunity is close to $1 billion in the first year, which is roughly two-thirds the revenue garnered by the current pay-per-download model.”

Note: The NPD Group’s iTunes Usage Report, is based on an online survey fielded to members of NPD’s online panel in May 2010. The report is based on 3,862 completed surveys from qualified respondents (age 13 and older). Each respondent reported using iTunes at least once in the past three months.

Country Crossovers: Train, Staind, Nickelback

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Train

Rock stars trying on cowboy boots is nothing new. But it’s worth noting the latest slew of artists—Train, Staind, and Nickelback—vying for love from country fans.

Train is making a go of it with a country mix of its big hit “Hey, Soul Sister” and has the BNA team working the song at country radio. The single goes for adds this week but has already debuted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart at No. 60 and moved up to No. 54 for the most recent edition (7/17). “Hey, Soul Sister” spent 38 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3 in April. It was also recently added to CMT Pure.

Aaron Lewis

Aaron Lewis, frontman for hard rock band Staind, has wrapped recording on a country-tinged solo album, he tells Billboard. Lewis came to Nashville to work on the project, and even recruited Hank Williams Jr., George Jones and Charlie Daniels for the first single, “Country Boy.” Lewis tells Billboard the album will come out via Atlantic Records, but there is no release date yet.

Nickelback’s “This Afternoon” (see below) is getting airplay on CMT, but no word on whether it will venture over to radio. The video from the Roadrunner Records act is in medium rotation and is at No. 13 on the Top Twenty Countdown. Nickelback comes to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Tues. Sept., 14, tickets on sale July 17.

Hotel Tax Revenue To Help Repair Opry House

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Mayor Karl Dean talks with Gaylord CEO Colin Reed inside the Grand Ole Opry House.

From the City Paper:

An ordinance drafted by Mayor Karl Dean and his administration would redirect a portion of revenue collected from the city’s hotel taxes to repair the $20 million worth of flood-related damages to the Grand Ole Opry House.

“The operation of this Opry House has a very real and tangible impact on the bottom-line of many businesses in Nashville’s hospitality and tourism industry,” Dean said. “This legislation will help get the doors of the Opry House back open.”

The bill was expected to be filed last Friday (7/9), enabling it to go before the Metro Council on first reading July 20. The ordinance would redirect a portion of the city’s hotel tax that was intended to help Gaylord from the beginning.

Read more.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (7/14/10)

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It’s Duo Day!

All three of our top contenders this week are teams of two. If your taste runs to authentic, nostalgic country music I urge you to seek out Keeping Up Appearances by Texas-based label-mates Amber Digby and Justin Trevino. It does my heart good to hear that somebody is still making music this pure and fine.

Our DisCovery Award goes to a pair that also has ties to tradition. Their discoverer and co-producer is none other than Mel Tillis. Ronny McKinley and Jody Beggs wrote all of the songs on their By the Fire CD—individually, together or with other collaborators—and the results are impressive. Give McKinley and Beggs a prize.

The Disc of the Day goes to the husband-wife duo Thompson Square. And while you’re presenting it, congratulate Keifer and Shawna on finding such a cool little song.

JASON MEADOWS/You Ain’t Never Been To Texas
Writer: Roger Springer/Tony Ramey; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Red Cape/ole/Cherry Lane, ASCAP; JM (www.jasonmeadows.com)
—Believe it or not, it is a ballad that is against the Theory of Evolution. “If you don’t believe in God/You ain’t never been to Texas” is the refrain. I know this is going to come as a shock to him, but Charles Darwin was a Believer, as are many who espouse his thesis. I have a suggestion, the next time you get sick with the flu, have them give you a medicine that treats the version of the virus that infected people 100 years ago, rather than the evolved virus that is active today. Good luck with that.

REBA/Turn On The Radio
Writer: J.P. Twang/Mark Oakley/Claire Oakley; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Ten Ten/REM/The Loving Company/Charie Amour, ASCAP; Valory Music/Starstruck
—He’s a no-good mistreater, and this grinding-guitar rocker tells him just where to get off. Don’t bother “Twittering until your fingers bleed,” because she’s not responding. Instead, he can listen to the radio in his Chevy truck and hear the songs that speak her mind.

SANDY KASTEL/Indiana Rain
Writer: Sandy Kastel; Producer: Ron Aniello; Publisher: Silk and Satin, BMI; Silk and Satin (www.sandykastel.com)
—He’s died, it’s raining, and she’s crying at night. It is well written and produced, but there’s nothing particularly “country” about her vocal.

JOSH GRACIN/Cover Girl
Writer: Josh Gracin/Brad Tursi; Producer: Kevin Murphy & Josh Gracin; Publisher: Beautiful Monkey/Francis Lock, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joe (CDX) (www.joshgracin.com)
—He is such a fine and true vocalist, so it’s a shame to hear him drowning in this busy, cluttered, overly amped and junky rock track. Pass.

THOMPSON SQUARE/Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not
Writer: Jim Collins/David Lee Murphy; Producer: New Voice Entertainment; Publisher: Sexy Tractor/Big Loud Bucks/Hope-N-Cal/Cal IV/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent, BMI/ASCAP; Stoney Creek (CDX) (www.thompsonsquare.com)
—He is pondering making a move, when she startles him by taking the initiative. Their courtship progresses until the wedding day. After their vows are taken, it’s his turn to ask the same question. Very cute. Very bopping. Very catchy. So nice I played it twice.

GRETCHEN WILSON/Work Hard, Play Harder
Writer: Gretchen Wilson/Vicky McGehee/John Rich/Chris & Rich Robinson; Producer: John Rich, Gretchen Wilson & Blake Chancey; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; Redneck (track) (www.gretchenwilson.com)
—I know I’m a little late getting to this, but nobody sent me a review copy so I had to track it down and buy the CD. By the way, I found a copy at the Fontanel gift shop and highly recommend this newly opened and tour-worthy mansion, its amphitheater, its trails in the woods and its excellent restaurant. In any case, Gretchen remains a tremendous singer, as at ease with a heartbreaker as she is with a blue-collar rocker like this. Come to think of it, I’m proud and glad to spend money on a first-class indie project like I Got Your Country Right Here.

GREG HANNA/What Kind Of Love Are You On
Writer: Greg Hanna/David Lee Murphy/Kim Tribble; Producer: Buddy Cannon & David Kalmusky; Publisher: Hannamania/Old Desperados/N2D/Little Kings/Calhoun Enterprises, SOCAN/ASCAP/SESAC; Pheromone (track) (www.greghanna.com)
—Celebratory. The track bubbles with excitement, the melody soars and his singing is sensational. Well worth your spins.

U.S. SENATOR ROBERT BYRD/There’s More Pretty Girls Than One
Writer: none listed; Producer: Barry Poss; Publisher: none listed; County (track)
—West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd recorded his Mountain Fiddler album for County Records in 1977. In the wake of the death of the longest serving U.S. congressman in history at age 92 on June 28, the label has reissued it. It is exactly what its title says it is, an Appalachian collection. This was his favorite track on it, showcasing both his rustic old-time fiddling and his soulful mountaineer voice. No wonder he got guest spots on both the Opry and Hee Haw. If you loved O Brother, buy this at once.

McKINLEY & BEGGS/Too Many Horses
Writer: Ronny McKinley/Monty Savitz; Producer: Mel Tillis & Sonny Tillis; Publisher: none listed; Radio (track) (www.mckinleyandbegg.com)
—Hall of Famer Mel Tillis discovered this team of singer-songwriters in Florida. The first single from the duo’s By the Fire CD is a rolling rodeo tune with plenty of steel, a potent bass line, keyboard tickling, plenty of western atmosphere and a lead vocal that is loaded with heart.

AMBER DIGBY & JUSTIN TREVINO/Keeping Up Appearances
Writer: Liz Anderson; Producer: Justin Trevino & Amber Digby; Publisher: Sony-ATV, BMI; Heart of Texas (track) (www.heartoftexascountry.com)
—With a roster that includes Darrell McCall, Curtis Potter, Georgette Jones, Tony Booth and more solid stylists, Heart of Country Records has become a bulwark and shining light for True Country Music. Two of its leading vocalists have teamed up for a duet CD with this classic as its title tune. Originated in 1967 by Lynn Anderson and Jerry Lane, it’s a harmonized shuffle that will have you grinning from ear to ear. Both Amber and Justin sing their faces off throughout the collection, which boasts remakes of great songs by the likes of Hank Cochran, Porter Wagoner, Buck Owens, George Jones, Boudleaux Bryant, Harlan Howard and other titans. The next time somebody says, “They don’t make country like they used to,” refer them straight to this.