Magic Mustang Inks With Big Loud Bucks

Magic Mustang Music has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with Big Loud Bucks Administration & Information. Under this new partnership, Big Loud Bucks will also be responsible for the administration of master recordings on behalf of Broken Bow Records and Stoney Creek Records.

The current roster at Magic Mustang consists of Jason Aldean, Rob Hatch, John Edwards, Westin Davis, Garrett Parris, Angie Broberg, Ash Bowers, Blake Wise, Sherrie Austin and Thompson Square.

(L-R): Craig Wiseman, Owner, Big Loud Bucks/Big Loud Shirt; Heather Buresh, Dir. of Publishing Administration, Big Loud Bucks; Jill Napier, Exec. VP, Big Loud Bucks; Juli Newton Griffith, Creative Director, Magic Mustang Music; and Benny Brown, CEO/President, Broken Bow Records.

Promo Teams Play Musical Chairs

Brooks Quigley joins Nine North Records as Director of Promotion, SE/SW… Lou Ramirez goes to Warner Music Nashville as Southeast Regional Promotion Manager…Stoney Creek hires Stacy Rogers as Manager Regional Promotion, West Coast.

•••••••••••••••

Brooks Quigley, a promotion and radio veteran who was most recently at Warner Music, has joined Nine North Records effective today (7/6). He will be serving as Director of Promotion, SE/SW, announced NNR President Larry Pareigis.

“I’ve been watching with great interest the new business model that is emerging in Nashville and am thrilled to join Nine North Records. Having known and admired Larry Pareigis and (NNR VP/Promotion & Marketing) Tom Moran for a long time, I am very excited about the chance to work with them and the rest of the team,” Quigley says.

“When a person with the skills of Brooks Quigley comes along, you leap immediately. We’re on the verge of some remarkable breakthroughs but you can’t get there without the right people and the right music. The music is there and Brooks is the perfect addition at the perfect time. He will help us maximize exposure for the Nine North roster in the Southeast and his corner of the Southwest,” explains Pareigis.

In addition to Warner, Quigley has also worked in a promotion capacity with Curb, Polydor and Asylum. Prior to that he spent many years in radio in markets including Nashville, Memphis and Atlanta.

He will continue to be based in Nashville and can be reached at brooks@ninenorthmail.com or 615-210-7682.

•••••••••••••••

Lou Ramirez will join the Warner Music Nashville promotion team as Southeast Regional Promotion Manager starting today, July 6. Ramirez will report directly to VP of Promotion Bob Reeves. Ramirez can be reached at (615) 214-1560 or Lou.Ramirez@wmg.com.

•••••••••••••••

Stoney Creek Records General Manager of Operations April Rider announced today the addition of Stacy Rogers as Manager Regional Promotion, West Coast. Rogers, who previously worked the same region for RCA, Midas and Golden Music, will report directly to Rider, effective immediately.

“Stacy has a proven track record of success in her region and I am thrilled to add her to the great staff at Stoney Creek Records,” says Rider. “She will be a huge asset to our team and we are excited for her to get started.”

“I have always heard great things from radio about Benny Brown, April Rider and the staff at Stoney Creek Records. The chance to be on this team is a career high for me,” explains Rogers. “I have a huge respect for them and on top of that, the music is phenomenal!”

Rogers can be reached at stacy@stoneycreekrecords.com and or at 208-731-8104.

Chesney Returns To Vegas Hard Rock

Kenny Chesney spent the July 4th holiday weekend playing a two-night stand at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s The Joint in Las Vegas. It marked his second trip to the venue this summer. He offered up old favorites, obscure fan requests, a few covers and broadcast the first show on his online station, No Shoes Radio.

Chesney’s camp reports that the superstar has wrapped recording for his Sept. 28 studio release Hemingway’s Whiskey. The first song from the album is coming Monday, July 12.

His upcoming documentary about high school football, The Boys of Fall, is also in its final stages.

Movie Digs Up Dirt On Facebook

A movie coming this October delves into the dirty laundry of Facebook founders Mark Zuckerberg and company. The Social Network from director David Fincher (Fight Club) is being described as dark, which seems to fit with the latest announcement that NIN’s Trent Reznor will be scoring the soundtrack.

Jesse Eisenberg stars as Zuckerberg, and Justin Timberlake plays Napster founder Sean Parker.

Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay from Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding Of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal. Kevin Spacey is on board as a producer.

The film is distributed by Columbia Pictures and is set for an October 1, 2010 release.

Musicians Corner Launches Saturday

A series of free Saturday afternoon concerts starts this weekend (7/10) in Centennial Park with Damien Horne, Mindy Smith and more. The Musicians Corner will offer live music from 3-6 PM on a stage at the southwest corner of the park (near West End and 27th Ave. N., and McDonald’s).

The series will continue through October 16, offering a mix of local and national talent, and surprise guests. Lifestyle, food, and artisan vendors will be on hand.

Musicians Corner aspires to be a central point, free and open to all, where Music City will gather to perform and enjoy its music. Inspired by London’s “Speakers Corner,” the series will help fill Nashville’s void of free outdoor summer music offerings.

Saturday, July 10: Mikky Ekko, Sam & Ruby, The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, Damien Horne, Mindy Smith

July 17: Musicians Corner presented by Blood:water Mission, Lemon:Aid project, featuring: Matthew Perryman Jones, The Kicks, Judd & Maggie, Nathan Lee, additional artists tba

July 24: Justin Branam, Slow Motion Centerfold, Amy Stroup, Keegan Dewitt, Roman Candle

July 31: Gabriel Kelley, Elenowen, Madi Diaz, additional artists tba

IBMA Readies Nashville Convention

Twenty thousand fans and music industry professionals from around the globe will converge on the Nashville Convention Center from September 27 through October 3 for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) World of Bluegrass. The week is equal parts homecoming, family reunion, expo, business conference, celebration and music festival, highlighted by the International Bluegrass Music Awards which honor the year’s most outstanding talent.

The theme for World of Bluegrass 2010 is “Face Time, It Matters,” because the event is all about relationships within the business of bluegrass music. IBMA events are where everyone in the industry meets to sharpen and share their professional skills.

Legendary mandolinist Sam Bush will deliver the keynote address for World of Bluegrass 2010. The 100th birthday of Bill Monroe, widely recognized as the father of bluegrass music, is just around the corner, on September 13, 2011. Bush will talk about what that milestone means to the bluegrass music community and how we might best celebrate a century of Monroe’s influence.

Showcases from The Boxcars, Brand New Strings, The Chapmans, Cherryholmes, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The Cockman Family, Rodney Dillard, the Downtown Ramblers, The John Hartford Stringband, The Infamous Stringdusters, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, The Claire Lynch Band, Kati Penn & NewTown, Lou Reid & Carolina, The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, The Snyder Family Band, Summertown Road, Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa and The Darrell Webb Band will be highlighted during the week, in addition to scores of privately-hosted shows.

Thirty seminars and educational labs will provide a spirited forum on topics ranging from “How to be a Better Broadcaster and Developing a Business Plan,” to “Using Video to Expand your Business.” Also included are a Website Critique, Branding & Marketing, Parenting Talented Bluegrass Kids, Web & Catalog Marketing and more.

The 21st anniversary of the IBMAs is the high point of the week, when the music comes home to the historical Ryman Auditorium on Thursday evening, Sept. 30. The show is also broadcast live on Sirius/XM and around the world via a syndicated radio network.  According to show co-producers Cindy Baucom and Trisha Tubbs, “You dont want to miss the 2010 IBMA Awards Show! Its going to be a one-of-a-kind experience all about amazing music, reunion moments, special guests and performances that will create lasting memories.”

The weekend (Oct. 1-3) kicks off with the Bluegrass Fan Fest, sponsored in part by Martha White Foods, Martin Guitars and Knee Deep in Bluegrass. Inside the Nashville Convention Center, fans will enjoy music from more than 60 acts on three stages, including the Main Stage, the Masters Workshop Stage and the Grand Master Fiddler Championship. A 100-booth expo center is the place to browse and buy the latest music gear, publications, recordings and merchandise while meeting artists at their booths in between performances.

Featured acts confirmed at press time include the award-winning talents of Dailey & Vincent, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Michael Cleveland & Flame Keeper, Dale Ann Bradley, Tony Rice, The SteelDrivers, Cherryholmes, Lonesome River Band, The Isaacs, Danny Paisley & Southern Grass, Josh Williams Band, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, The Boxcars, The Claire Lynch Band, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Grasstowne, G-2 and Barry Scott & Second Wind. Additional acts will be announced throughout the summer.
Returning to the festival is the popular Fan Feast breakfast on Friday morning, Oct. 1.  For only $25, fans can enjoy breakfast served by the biggest stars in bluegrass.

Proceeds from Fan Fest ticket sales benefit the Bluegrass Trust Fund, established to help bluegrass professionals during times of emergency need, as well as support IBMA’s marketing and educational events to promote the music year-round. All artists appearing at the event donate their time and talents for the cause.

Tickets for all events are available at www.ibma.org or by calling 1-888-GET-IBMA. For discount rates on accommodations, call the event housing bureau at 1-877-259-4716. A full schedule of events is available here. Check out the video below for a good introduction to this important annual industry gathering.

Friday Photo Flash: Cody ‘n’ Curb

Curb Music recently held a writing retreat at Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN to write songs for upcoming projects from Heidi Newfield (Curb), Thompson Square (Stoney Creek) and J.T. Hodges’ (Showdog-Universal). Pictured L-R: (Back) Joe Leathers, Heidi Newfield, Drew Alexander, Bobby Tomberlin, Vicky McGehee, J.T. Hodges and Brian Davis; (Front) Shawna Thompson, Keifer Thompson and Westin Davis.

CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan on Tour made its first tour stop at Billy Bob’s in Dallas, TX with radio station KPLX-The Wolf on June 30. LeAnn Rimes and Lee Brice were special guests for the tour’s first of six stops across the country. CMT Radio Live affiliates can vote now for the tour to stop in their city with Eventful’s “Demand it!” service. (L-R) Cody Alan, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Brice and Mark Phillips, KPLX PD.

Sherrie Austin Rejoins Magic Mustang

Magic Mustang’s Creative Director Juli Newton- Griffith has announced the signing of singer/songwriter Sherrie Austin to a publishing deal.

“I am thrilled to have such a talented and respected writer back on our team,” explains Newton-Griffith. “Sherrie has a unique approach to writing and we are very excited about her return to Magic Mustang.”

Magic Mustang’s current roster of writers includes Jason Aldean, Rob Hatch, John Edwards, Westin Davis, Garrett Parris, Angie Broberg, Ash Bowers, Blake Wise and Thompson Square.

(l-r): Broken Bow Records CEO/President Benny Brown; Austin; Magic Mustang Music Creative Director Juli Newton-Griffith.

Weekly Chart Report 7/02/10

SPIN ZONE
There’s a new CountryBreakout No. 1 song this week, and it comes courtesy of the same label who was on top last week. Keith Urban’s “I’m In,” one of the fastest rising singles we’ve seen in some time, now sits in the No. 1 position after only eight weeks charting. Little Big Town’s “Little White Church” slips back to No. 2 despite a healthy 110 spin gain. Rounding out the top 5 are sure-to-be contenders Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” at No. 3, Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” at No. 4 and Jerrod Niemann’s “Lover, Lover” at No. 5.

Speaking of contenders, Darius Rucker has returned to the chart and posted the week’s biggest debut at No. 47. His new single “Come Back Song” is from an upcoming album, and its gain of 546 spins suggests that he will continue to enjoy his chart-topping success through another album. Following in the wake of a couple of smash hits Miranda Lambert wastes no time returning to the chart with the rowdy “Only Prettier,” which lands at No. 57. Other new arrivals include John Rich’s “Country Done Come To Town,” Leah Seawright’s “Country Girl 101,” Susan Hickman’s “Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over,” and Frankie Ballard’s “Tell Me You Get Lonely.”

Though the middle section of the chart is a tough grind at times, singles like Toby Keith’s “Trailerhood” (No. 31) are sailing right through with ease. Not far behind at No. 33, The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” is bucking the feel-good summer single trend and faring even better for it. And lastly, Eric Church’s “Smoke A Little Smoke” is blazing at No. 40 as it picks up an additional 235 spins.

Frozen Playlists: KNCQ, WATZ, WDHR, WOOZ, WTCR

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label/chart pos.
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol  47
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia  57
John Rich/Country Done Come To Town/Reprise/WMN  68
Leah Seawright/Country Girl 101/Skytone Records  71
Susan Hickman/Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over/4L Clover/Prickly Pear  72
Frankie Ballard/Tell Me You Get Lonely/Reprise/WMN  75

Lucky Seven Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label/spin+
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol  546
Billy Currington/Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer/Mercury  368
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal  332
Lady Antebellum/Our Kind Of Love/Capitol  315
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia  285
Eric Church/Smoke A Little Smoke/Capitol  235
Keith Urban/I’m In/Capitol  215

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label/spins
Randy Rogers Band/Too Late For Goodbye/MCA  256
Nathan Lee Jackson/Inside  253
Darren Kozelsky/Somebody Find Me a Preacher/Major 7th/Spinville  230
Sean Hogan/Suck It Up/Lakeland Heart  221
Chelsea Field/Things I Should Have Said/Moxy Records  215
James Wesley/Real/Broken Bow  209
Charlie Allen/Grandpa’s Recipe/River Run  198
Braden Gray/I’m Not Hungover/ATP Records  195
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA Nashville  182
Jimmy White and Jonell Mosser/Just What I Need/Tone Box Records  177

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label/new adds
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol  38
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia  20
John Rich/Country Done Come To Town/Reprise/WMN  16
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal  15
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville  12
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA  11
Blaine Larsen/Chillin’/Treehouse  11
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal  11
*Total Adds rec’d over two weeks


Upcoming Singles: Going For Adds
July 6, 2010
The Warren Brothers/Dear Mr. God/CO5
Sherry Lynn/What A Day To Shake A Heartache/Steal Heart
Blake Wise/Cornfields/Broken Bow
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol

July 12, 2010
Stealing Angels/He Better Be Dead/Skyville/Nine North
Thompson Square/Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not/Stoney Creek
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA
Jessie James/Boys In The Summer/Mercury

July 19, 2010
Chris Young/Voices/RCA
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal

July 26, 2010
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury

August 16, 2010
Emerson Drive/That Kind of Beautiful/AMDIAN Music Co./Nine North

Artists Step Up and Speak Out

With the summer touring season in full swing and seasonal singles lighting up country radio, MusicRow checked in with some busy country artists to find out what’s on their minds and what’s motivating their music and their life on the road. Check out the audio clips below to hear their responses.

Danny Gokey
Danny Gokey talks about the feelings behind his powerful new single, “I Will Not Say Goodbye,” the power of faith and how it can reach out and affect the people in your life.

[wpaudio url=”http://prep.hearsomethingcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/070110-danny-gokey-50.mp3″  text=”DANNY GOKEY” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

Chuck Wicks
Chuck Wicks loves to surprise the fans, and performing his new single, “Hold That Thought” at his shows usually does the trick. Listen to Chuck explain why.

[wpaudio url=”http://prep.hearsomethingcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/070110-chuck-wicks-27.mp3″  text=”CHUCK WICKS” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

Jerrod Niemann
Jerrod Niemann’s debut album is getting ready to drop and, as the big day approaches, the singer talks about keeping his expectations in check.

[wpaudio url=” http://prep.hearsomethingcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/070110-jerrod-niemann-21.mp3″ text=”JERROD NIEMANN” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

Alan Jackson
As you might imagine, Alan Jackson’s got lots of cars in his garage(s), but there’s one set of wheels that means more than all the others.

[wpaudio url=”http://prep.hearsomethingcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/070110-alan-jackson-21.mp3″ text=”ALAN JACKSON” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]