Jim King Joins BMI As Sr. VP

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James “Jim” A. King has joined BMI as Senior Vice President of Business Technology. From his base in the Nashville office he will be responsible for technology, operations, and product development, including Landmark Digital Services group. King was most recently with United Business Media, PR Newswire, where he was Senior Vice President, Audience Platforms, and Global Chief Information Officer.

At BMI King will report directly to Pres. and CEO Del Bryant. “Technology occupies a pivotal role for BMI,” explains Bryant. “Jim’s extensive experience in strategic planning and product platform development, including social media/mobile and data management, will be a strong asset to BMI. His knowledge of how rights need to be married to media systems and tracking data is the perfect fit for the needs of our songwriters and publishers in this increasingly digital world.”

King has held CIO, CTO, and COO positions with leading global information services, media and publishing companies including McGraw-Hill, Brightpoint, and Reed Elsvier PLC. He also has held leadership roles with top IT companies including Microsoft and AT&T Bell Labs. He is recognized as a leader in media, online and technology industries with more than 25 years of innovative strategic product development and business operations experience.

Photo Friday: Ashley Gearing, George Strait

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Curb Records artist Ashley Gearing performed for the Country Radio Broadcasters Board of Directors during their annual meetings September 16 and 17. Gearing’s current single is “What You Think About Us?” (L-R): New Revolution Entertainment’s Rob Dalton, CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne, CRB President Mike Culotta, Gearing, Curb Records’ Dennis Hannon and Adrian Michaels and producer Byron Gallimore. Photo: Kristen England.

George Strait spent some time with his friends in radio after a recent tour stop in Birmingham, Alabama. (L-R): WDRM/Huntsville PD Jim Tice, Cumulus Broadcasting's Bill Jones, Strait, WDXB/Birmingham PD Tom Hanrahan, WZZK/Birmingham PD Casey Carter, MCA southeast rep Louie Newman

Colt Ford And Bellamy Brothers Hit Social Media Milestones

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Social media has become a staple in the artist development/exposure toolkit, especially for country music. Howard and David Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers harnessed the power of YouTube to promote the duo’s somewhat controversial “Jalapenos” video which has now garnered over 1 million user views. “I am truly amazed we have had over a million hits on the lowest budget video we have ever done and in such a short period of time”  says Howard Bellamy. “Our timing was perfect for today’s political environment.” The low budget video, shot in a sleepy middle-Texas cantina, is laced with politically charged humor and preaches the message:

Life ain’t nothing like a bowl of cherries,
there’s too little laughter, too much sorrow.
It’s more like a jar of  jalapeños.
Cause what you do and say today, won’t go away and stay,
it’ll just come back to burn your ____  tomorrow”

Colt Ford has also found success following the soc-net pathway. Just recently (9/24) he passed the 100,000 fans on Facebook mark. The Average Joes Entertainment artist has asked fans to finish the phrase, “This is more exciting that …..” and getting lots of congrats and humor from fans. One fan submitted “more exciting than a 2 story Wal-Mart. Ford is currently touring to support his Chicken and Biscuits CD.

Messina Opens Marathon; Lady A Sells Out Tour Dates

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Just after dawn on Saturday (9/25) Jo Dee Messina will sing the national anthem at the Women’s Running Magazine “Women’s Half Marathon Series,” which starts in front of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Messina is set to join the event by running the 5k. Later that evening Messina will perfom at the Grand Ole Opry on the Ryman Stage and will be interviewed on the Opry’s syndicated radio show, America’s Opry Weekend.

For more details about the Women’s Running Magazine event, click here.

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Lady Antebellum kicked off their first headlining Need You Now 2010 Tour this week with four consecutive sold out concerts. The run began in Orlando, FL on Monday, Sept. 20 and included stops in Clearwater and St. Augustine, FL and finishing in Raleigh, NC.

Photo from Orlando, Fl performance.

IEBA Reveals Additional Conference Performers

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IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) has added to the eclectic lineup of the IEBA 40th Anniversary Conference scheduled for October 3-5, at the Hilton Suites in downtown Nashville. On Monday Oct. 4, attendees will be treated to a performance by Kevin Costner and his band Modern West at 10:45 am in the main ballroom of the Hilton, to be immediately followed by a Q&A session hosted by GAC’s Suzanne Alexander.

Kevin Costner

“We are thrilled to have such a renowned entertainer as Kevin Costner not only perform, but spend time with our attendees in an intimate setting. It is a rare, but very special gift to our members, and it will be a top highlight of our 40th anniversary,” says IEBA Executive Director Tiffany Davis.

Also on Monday, Oct. 4, Rockhouse Partners has sponsored an educational panel called “12 Ways To Sponsorship Success: Innovative & Integrated Ways To Create, Sell, and Measure Sponsorships” featuring the Rockhouse executive team of Tawn Albright, Joe Kustelski and Chrysty Fort. Later that evening at 7:15 pm, Buddy Lee Attractions will host its annual showcase in the Hilton ballroom, featuring performances by Bush Hog, The McClymonts, Here Come The Mummies, and Colt Ford.

Previously announced performers for IEBA’s 40th year include Gloria Gaynor, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Danny Gokey, Tonic, Edwin McCain, and Adam Brand. Morey Management’s Jim Morey will deliver the event’s keynote address Monday, October 4, and panel topics include “How The Power Players Continue Making Money,” “Country Music In Corporate America,” and “Behind The Curtain At Today’s Record Label.”

Gold Glitters On Gloriana; Diamond On Kimball

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(L to R) Gloriana's Rachel Reinert, Tom Gossin and Mike Gossin; John Esposito, WMN President/CEO; Peter Strickland, WMN Sr. VP of Brand Management & Sales; Dean Serletic, Emblem President; Gloriana's Cheyenne Kimball; Gary Bowen, Emblem A&R; and Deb Haus, Emblem Marketing.

“Wild At Heart,” the debut single from Gloriana has been certified Gold (500,000) by the R.I.A.A. The group was presented with plaques by Emblem President Dean Serletic during the recent Pickin’ On The Patio event (7/23) at Warner’s Nashville headquarters.

“Wild at Heart” was written by Stephanie Bentley, Josh Kear and Matt Serletic, and named the best selling single from a new country act in 2009.

“The band is starting work on their sophomore release,” said Warner Music Nashville’s President and CEO, John Esposito. “This will be the next step in further paving their long and successful career path in country music. We’re proud to have them in our family!”

Gloriana is a four-member vocal group featuring brothers Tom and Mike Gossin, Rachel Reinert and Cheyenne Kimball. The group has won the fan-voted awards for ACM Top New Vocal Group of the Year, the 2009 AMA for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and the “Nationwide On Your Side Award” at the 2009 CMT Awards. Gloriana, is currently on the road finishing up its Long Hot Summer Tour, and has again teamed with seasoned producer Matt Serletic (Willie Nelson, Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul, and Rob Thomas), to work on its second album.

Also of note was the announcement before the group performed that band member Cheyenne Kimball had become engaged to Casey Twist. Kimball told press she was planning to change her name to Twist, saying, “I’m old fashioned that way.”

All For The Hall Sold Out Success

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Taylor Swift and Emmylou Harris

The Country Music Hall of Fame presented its second All For The Hall Los Angeles fundraiser on Sept 23. The sold out event at Club Nokia featured a diverse group of artists ranging from young Taylor Swift to legendary singer-songwriters such as Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Lionel Richie and Vince Gill. Performances lasted over two hours and included classic hits plus new songs. At one point Ms. Swift explained that that she and a band member recently came up with a definition of country music as, “It’s when someone writes a song about their life from an authentic place.” The other writers on stage agreed as they each got to perform four songs.

Kyle Young

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Executive Director Kyle Young announced to the crowd that the museum’s next feature exhibit, scheduled to open in 2012 would feature West Coast country music. “The exhibit will draw on our massive, one-of-a-kind archives and the mountain of material we’ve collected over the years from California sources,” Young said. “Driven by the upcoming exhibit, we will turn our attention to greatly expanding our collection of West Coast artifacts so we can fully detail the richly layered narrative of this state’s musical past and present.”

Tim Nichols, Stacie Standifer, Tony Brown, Alicia Davis and Gilles Godard.

Lionel Richie, currently working with producer Tony Brown recording an album of duets with country stars, commented about how musical genres can interconnect. “When I started writing songs, I didn’t know there were categories,” Richie said. “I just thought you go after Elvis Presley and Jackie Wilson and try to do something great like that.”

Vince Gill and Kris Kristofferson

Vince Gill told the Los Angeles crowd, “We in Nashville believe great songs are great songs. It doesn’t matter if it gets called a pop song, an R&B song, or a country song. A great song is just that: a great song.”

Photos by Alex J. Berliner

KHS America Brings Aid To Nashville Symphony

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The Nashville Symphony has completed the process of replacing its Instrument Petting Zoo, which was destroyed in the May 2010 flood of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, thanks to a donation of 24 instruments (valued at $23,500) from instrument manufacturer KHS America. The Petting Zoo is a collection of 50 instruments and an important part of the Symphony’s educational programming.

“Our commitment to music education is strong, and we are looking forward to participating in Nashville’s music education community,” says Tabor Stamper, president of KHS America. “Together with the public school systems, with the private music education programs, with the strong university music performance and education programs, with the Nashville Symphony and the music industry, we stand ready to participate in keeping Nashville the Music City and strengthening a name for Nashville as the ‘Music Education City’ as well.”

KHS America, the manufacturer and distributor of Jupiter wind instruments, Mapex drums, Majestic concert percussion, Altus flutes and Walden guitars, relocated its US operations from Austin, TX to the Nashville area earlier this month. A Grand Opening ceremony will be held at 5pm October 2 at the KHS offices located at 12020 Eastgate Blvd., Mt. Juliet, TN. Nashville Symphony VP of Education and Community Engagement Mitchell Korn will be on hand for the event.

“The support we have received from the Nashville community has been inspiring,” says Korn, “and we are so pleased to accept this gift from this new partner in the music industry. While this donation from KHS has completed the restoration of our Instrument Petting Zoo, the Symphony will continue to find new ways of advancing music education in the Metro Nashville Public School system and throughout the entire Middle Tennessee region.”

Weekly Chart Report (9/24/10)

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Randy Montana opened the Sugarland tour stop in Charlottesville, VA and stopped by WCYK for a visit. (L-R): Montana and WCYK PD/Afternoon DJ Lisa Allen.

RADIO NEWS
Entercom Kansas City has announced the promotion of Wes Poe to the position of Program Director for WDAF 106.5 The Wolf. Poe came to WDAF in January 2009, where he has been serving as Assistant PD, Music Director and Mid-Day host. His career also includes time at KTOM/Monterey, CA; KSON/San Diego, CA; and KMLE and KSLX/Phoenix. “I was thrilled to come home to KC a year-and-a-half ago w hen I was hired to be the Assistant Program Director/Music Director for The WOLF,” Poe says. “Now I am very excited to have the opportunity to
program a legendary station, it’s like having your cake and eating it too.”

SPIN ZONE
After a narrow second place finish last week, Darius Rucker’s “Come Back Song” enters the No. 1 position with a gain of 116 spins. Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys Of Fall” slips back to No. 2, despite a small spin gain. Songs in the Top 10 are experiencing something they haven’t had in some time—movement. Taylor Swift’s “Mine” gets a 169 spin boost to take the No. 3 spot, followed by Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue,” which moves No. 6-4. Filling out the top 5 is The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young,” which makes a big jump after two weeks at No. 8.

The brigade of new superstar singles seems endless. Last week’s big debut was Keith Urban’s “Put You In A Song,” which shoots up to No. 33. A couple paces behind at No. 33 is Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” in only its third week charting. Topping things off, three superstar artists made big debuts with zero prior reports. Toby Keith’s “Bullets In The Gun” leads the charge, landing at No. 59 with a big gain of 429 spins. Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips” is next in line at No. 65, and Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” is right behind at No. 68.

Newer male artists are also feeling the love right now. David Adam Byrnes’ debut single “Sweet Distraction” is up to No. 28, followed closely by Chris Young’s “Voices” at No. 29. Frankie Ballard’s “Tell Me You Get Lonely” is still gaining spins at No. 41. Headed toward the Top 40 are Jaron & TLRTL’s “That’s Beautiful To Me” at No. 51 and Walker Hayes’ “Pants” at No. 56. Brett Eldredge’s “Raymond” might catch them soon, as it packs on 140 spins and moves quickly to No. 66. Other new male artists climbing the chart include MCA’s Josh Kelley (“Georgia Clay,” No. 64), Bigger Picture’s Craig Campbell (“Family Man,” No. 73), and Arista/Sea Gayle’s red hot Jerrod Niemann (“What Do You Want,” No. 76).

Frozen Playlists: KCJC, KFLG, KVOM, WTCM

Upcoming Singles
September 27
Sara Evans/A Little Bit Stronger/RCA
Randy Houser/A Man Like Me/Show Dog – Universal
Jerrod Niemann/What Do You Want/Arista/Sea Gayle
Gary Allan/Kiss Me When I’m Down/MCA
Bellamy Brothers/Back In The Day/Bellamy Brothers
Margaret Durante/Mississippi’s Cryin’/Emrose/Stroudavarious/Nine North
Brett Eldredge/Raymond/Atlantic/WMN
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb
Jody Booth/Small Town News/Oasis
Braden Gray/A Little Less Lonely/ATP Records

October 4
The Harters/If I Run/Bigger Picture
Billy Currington/Let Me Down Easy/Mercury
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol
The Judds/I Will Stand By You/Curb
Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, & Miranda Lambert/Coal Miner’s Daughter/Columbia

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 59
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 65
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 68
Craig Morgan/Still A Little Chicken Left On That Bone/BNA — 71
Jerrod Niemann/What Do You Want/Arista/Sea Gayle — 76
Brad Wolf/I Make A Difference/Evergreen — 77
LoCash Cowboys/Keep In Mind/Stroudavarious — 78

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Keith Urban/Put You In A Song/Capitol — 545
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 429
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 374
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 334
Carrie Underwood/Mama’s Song/Arista — 279

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Chris Heers/Happy Thought — 224
Gary Allan/Kiss Me When I’m Down/MCA — 216
Andy Vello/Hank It Up/LoozLip Records — 210
Rocket Club/One Thing Beautiful/Feather — 193
Gwyneth Paltrow/Country Strong/RCA — 186

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 33
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 29
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 27
Keith Urban/Put You In A Song/Capitol — 23
Billy Currington/Let Me Down Easy/Mercury — 14
Blake Shelton/Who Are You When I’m Not Looking/Reprise/WMN — 14

Due West recently visited WKCN/Columbus, GA to promote their new single “The Bible and the Belt.” (L-R): Tim Gates, Matt Lopez, WKCN PD Brian Thomas, Black River’s Rick Baumgartner and Brad Hull.

The Adam Craig Band (formerly TelluRide) scheduled a stop at WIVK/Knoxville while performing at several functions during last weekend’s University of Tennessee vs. Florida game. (L-R): Subway spokesman Jared Fogle, Ryan Jones, Brian Smith, WIVK morning show hosts Andy & Alison, Adam Craig and Jimi Hendrix.

FCC Approves White Space Bandwidth

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The Federal Communications Commission approved this week (9/23) the use of unlicensed airwaves, known as “white space” for high-speed wireless broadband networks and other applications. The airwave spectrum in question was opened up as a result of the switch from analog to digital TV signals. According to an article in the New York Times, the decision marks the “first significant block of spectrum made available for unlicensed use by the F.C.C. in 20 years.”

Chief among concerns regarding the new spectrum is that the added “traffic” might cause interference for existing broadcasters. The FCC has released a memorandum (get it here) that outlines its plans to deal with these issues.

Of note for entertainment companies is the fact that the newly-available bandwidth will create “super Wi-Fi” signals that are stronger, travel further distances and are able to penetrate objects more completely than existing Wi-Fi. Ultimately, these signals could bring a new era of online availability for mobile and rural applications. As distribution of audio (radio) and video (TV) signals continues to migrate away from terrestrial sources in favor of Internet, this new bandwidth will speed the transition.