The Country Network Names Executive Staff

 

The Country Network (TCN) hit airwaves last month and is staffing up accordingly. TCN is available in 23 markets, including on WNAB Channel 58.2 in Nashville. It has agreements in place to add several more markets by early next year, which will provide it coverage of 25% of US television homes.

TCN embraces its “all country music, all the time” philosophy by devoting itself to airing videos, hosted by country stars such as Charlie Daniels, Steel Magnolia, Rodney Atkins, Cowboy Troy, Chad Brock, and Craig Morgan.

Warren Hansen, co-founder and CEO of TCN, has announced the following hirings, including some that have been previously reported:

Chris Butterick has been named President of TCN Broadcasting. He will oversee sales, affiliate relations and network distribution. He joined TCN in March 2010 as General Manager of the network’s initial affiliate in Montgomery, Ala. His background includes executive positions in TV and radio at Cumulus Media and Sinclair Broadcasting.

Tammy Genovese, as announced in April, is President of TCN Nashville. She is the liaison to the creative community and personally oversees special promotions. Previously she was President and CEO of the CMA.

Kim Bullard assumes the post of Executive Vice President of TCN Nashville where he oversees production ad operations. He is a musician/arranger/producer who operates his own production company, and has toured with numerous groups including his current engagements with Elton John. He most recently helped develop a multi-million dollar creative content structure for Code Jawa, an Indonesian based mobile technologies corporation.

Chad Brock, VP of Artists Relations for TCN. In addition to his corporate duties, Brock will co-host programs and interview artists. Along with Warren Hansen, he is co-founder of the network. As an artist, Brock has had several top ten hits including his No. 1 hit “Yes”.

Bill Jones is serving TCN in the capacity of Consulting Program Director, bringing 30 years of broadcasting and management experience, most recently with Cumulus Media where he oversaw programming of the radio group’s country formats.

Matt Golden, VP/Creative Director for TCN, has been on board with the network since 2008. Prior to assuming his new role, Golden served as Creative Video Services Director at Moseley Studios, where he was the creative director of projects which included the BamaJam Music Festival.

Bill Hutcherson has been appointed VP of Regional Sales, coming to the network from Cumulus Radio where he served for the past eight years as General Sales Manager for the country stations.

David Reid is the Director of Traffic for TCN. He brings a strong career history in broadcasting/computer applications both in creative development and applications of systems. He has over 18 years of traffic experience of which the past 12 years has been spent with Harris OSI as a trainer and traffic software specialist.

Anna Wilson Jazzes Up “Countrypolitan Duets”

Nashville jazz chanteuse Anna Wilson paired with some of country’s biggest stars for her upcoming release Countrypolitan Duets. Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Ray Price, and Connie Smith all make appearances on the project, which is scheduled for release Feb. 1, 2011.

For the album, Wilson and husband/producer Monty Powell chose to record country classics such as Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight” and Price’s “You’re the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me.” They also recruited top players like steel guitar great Lloyd Green, and famed jazz musicians Rick Braun and Larry Carlton.

MusicRow contributor Robert Oermann is already raving about the album, “Wilson is not just shaking hands with two Nashville traditions. She is embracing them both. Brilliantly.”

Wilson and Powell (best known as Keith Urban’s frequent collaborator), started their own Transfer Records in 2000. Countrypolitan Duets will be the first release via a joint venture between Transfer and Mathew Knowles’ Music World Music.

On Tuesday, Nov. 16, Wilson will make her Grand Ole Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium, along with several guests from her album including Connie Smith, Billy Dean, Larry Carlton and American Idol finalist Matt Giraud.

Wilson is an award-winning songwriter, who has penned tracks recorded by Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Ann Womack, Chris Cagle, Lady Antebellum, and Chuck Wicks.

CMAawards.com Streaming Loads of Live Coverage; Post-party Plans

CMAawards.com is streaming with activity surrounding Wednesday’s (11/10) Awards. For the first time, the official site will offer live footage from the CMA Awards Black Carpet presented by Jack Daniel’s, the Pre-Telecast ceremonies, and the backstage Press Room.

Black Carpet coverage will begin at 5:00 PM/ET, followed by Pre-Telecast cermonies between approximately 7:25-7:55 PM/ET, and finally the backstage excitement in the Press Room during the Awards.

Leading up to the show, fans can visit CMAawards.com to predict the winners, look back at past Awards, answer polls, and interact with fellow fans.

For those attending the Awards in person, certain ticket holders will gain access to the official CMA Awards Post Party. The event will intertwine art and music for a Picasso-inspired “rhapsody in blue” at the Nashville Convention Center. CMA staffers including Sr. VP Bobette Dudley, and Sr. Manager of Meetings and Events Diane Bearden, have been hard at work organizing the glamorous event.

New at this year’s Post Party will be a silent auction where attendees can bid on one-of-a-kind items such as an autographed Jack Daniel’s Gibson guitar sculpture, and autographed portions of the Black Carpet, all to benefit CMA’s music education campaign Keep the Music Playing.

Brooks Benefit Sells Out Nine Dates

Garth Brooks has sold out a record-breaking nine concerts at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in one day, marking the first time that any performer ever sold that number of tickets in the state of Tennessee. Over 140,000 tickets were sold raising an incredible $3.5 million for Nashville flood victims. (Michael Jackson held the previous record of 72,000 in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.)

Brooks will play nine full concerts in six days when he appears on Dec. 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

“A very special thanks to Ben Farrell, country radio, the great people at Ticketmaster and everyone who helped with the onsale…and most of all the people who showed up to get tickets. It’s great to be a part of the healing” said Brooks.

Brooks announced the concert on October 28th alongside Governor Phil Bredesen, Senator Lamar Alexander, Senator Bob Corker, Congressman Jim Cooper, Congressman Marsha Blackburn, Mayor Karl Dean and Ellen Lehman, President of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, with the hope of bringing renewed attention to the needs of the victims of the Tennessee floods.

Tickets were $25.00 (plus a $2.50 user fee and $5.00 service charge) with 100% of the proceeds going to the Community Foundation Tennessee Flood Relief.

Stagecoach Country Music Festival Tickets On Sale

Tickets for the fifth annual Stagecoach Country Music Festival, to take place Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st, 2011, are now on sale. For a limited time, general admission passes for the entire weekend are only $99. Reserved seating with exclusive VIP access is also available.

The popular festival, which is held at Empire Polo Field in Indio, California, offers onsite camping and a layaway program for ticket and camping packages.

Performers for the festival include Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Loretta Lynn, Leon Russell, Ricky Skaggs, Mel Tillis, Rodney Crowell, The Punch Brothers, Wanda Jackson, Steel Magnolia and Jack Ingram.  Full lineup, tickets, and other information available here.

Reba’s 34th Album Release Week

Reba will be promoting the November 9th release of her 34th album, All The Women I Am, with a week of media appearances such as Good Morning America, CMA Awards and the Late Show with David Letterman.

Reba will appear on ABC’s Good Morning America on November 9th at 7:00 am; following this, she will talk with fans backstage at the GMA studios via a live Ustream webcast at 9:00 am CT. Fans can log onto  www.Facebook.com/Reba or www.Ustream.tv/Reba in order to access the webcast and speak with Reba live.

Reba, who has been nominated as the CMA “Female Vocalist of the Year,” will perform on the 44th Annual Country Music Awards, live on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 10th.

After taping a performance for ABC’s CMA Country Christmas primetime network special (airing Nov. 29th), Reba will perform on the Late Show With David Letterman on Friday, November 12th on CBS.

UPCOMING REBA TV APPEARANCES:

Tuesday, November 9th
ABC – Good Morning America – 7:00 am (all markets)
GAC – On the Streets – 2:00 pm ET/ 1:00 pm CT (premiere)

Wednesday, November 10th
ABC – 44th Annual Country Music Awards – 8:00 pm ET/ 7:00 pm CT

Friday, November 12th
CBS – Late Show With David Letterman – 11:30 pm ET/ 10:30 pm CT

Saturday, November 13th
CW Network — Crook & Chase — 8:00 pm ET/ 7:00 pm CT
GAC – REBA: The Collection – 11:00 pm ET/ 10:00 pm CT (re-air)

Wednesday, November 17th
ABC – “Better With You” – 8:30 pm ET / 7:30 pm CT

Monday, November 29th
ABC – CMA Country Christmas — 9:30 pm ET/ 7:30 pm

CMT and ABC Are All About the CMA Awards

CMT is dedicating special coverage leading up to “The 44th Annual CMA Awards,” giving fans an in-depth look at the nominees. CMT Insider host Katie Cook will conduct exclusive interviews with nominees including Miranda Lambert on Saturday, November 6th at 1:30 pm ET/PT. The music network will also air a special Stacked featuring videos from the CMA “Video of the Year” category, airing on Sunday, November 7th at 10:30 am ET/PT. CMT will be on-site for live red carpet coverage from the awards; hosts Katie Cook and Evan Farmer will interview artists, see who’s wearing what and make winner predictions. This will air on Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 pm ET/PT.

In addition, CMT will air an encore presentation of the ABC special, “In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts.” This special, featuring interviews with Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler and Carrie Underwood, among others, will air on Saturday, November 13th at 7:00 pm ET/PT.

ABC.com is celebrating the CMA Awards with two original series: “Live From the Red Carpet” and “Artist Countdown.”

On “Live From The Red Carpet,” Jillian Harris (The Bachelorette, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition), Brett Chukerman (“Live From The Red Carpet at the Oscars”) and Radio Disney personality Jake Whetter will interview artists from the red carpet. These interviews will stream live on abc.com on Wednesday, November 10th, from 6:00-8:00 pm ET, directly before the awards broadcast.

“Artist Countdown” will feature six episodes that will offer fans an inside look at the day in the life of multiple CMA nominees. This series will feature Chris Young, Jerrod Niemann, Joey + Rory, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town and Dierks Bentley and will be available on abc.com from Friday, November 5th to Wednesday, November 10th.

“The 44th Annual CMA Awards” will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on ABC on Wednesday, November 10th, 8:00-11:00 PM/ET. abc.com is available anytime, anywhere on mobile devices at m.abc.com and on the iPad via the popular ABC Player app.

Election Results Spur Changes in Entertainment Law

On Tuesday, November 9th, NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) and the CMA will hold an Entertainment Law Conference to explore how the recent Congressional changes will impact the way in which Congress addresses entertainment industry issues. An “Election Results” panel, comprised of a bipartisan group of Washington, D.C. veterans representing many music industry stakeholders, will take place at Nashville’s Hutton Hotel.

“It is impossible to overstate the differences between outgoing Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, a Democrat from Detroit who grew up with Motown, and incoming Chairman Lamar Smith of Texas, whose district is the headquarters of Clear Channel,” said Program Chairman Jon Potter of RPG Strategies, who formerly headed the Digital Media Association in Washington, D.C.  “We are fortunate to have high-level panelists who understand the effect of this major change on radio royalty legislation, and how Republican victories will affect net neutrality and arts funding.”

The panelists include BMI Senior Vice President Fred Cannon; RIAA Senior Vice President Mitch Glazier; consultant Victoria Bassetti, who previously worked for senior Democratic Senators and was a senior vice president with EMI; and consultant Elizabeth Frazee, who previously worked with the likely new IP Subcommittee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), as well as AOL and Disney.

This is the fourth installment of NARM’s Entertainment Law Conference Series, and the event is part of the official schedule of events leading up to The 44th Annual CMA Awards.

The program has been approved for 3.75 credit hours by the Tennessee Bar Association. This event will feature a keynote interview with Marybeth Peters, the United States Register of Copyrights, and additional high-level panels. Registration is $199 for NARM and CMA members, $249 for non-members and $99 for students and artists. More information is available here.

Jim Lauderdale to Receive SESAC’s Inspiration Award

Jim Lauderdale will be honored with SESAC’s “Inspiration Award” at their upcoming Nashville  Music Awards, to be held on November 8th at the SESAC Nashville headquarters. This invitation-only event honors the top country and Americana songwriters and publishers.

Two-time Grammy winner Lauderdale, who is being recognized for his timeless, genre-defying music, has penned songs for George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill, the Dixie Chicks and Patty Loveless, among others. He has collaborated with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Ralph Stanley, and a multitude of artists across the country and Americana spectrum.

The SESAC Nashville Music Awards, which is the only performing rights organization show that honors music in the Americana genre, will also feature a performance from iconic Texas artist Ray Wylie Hubbard and other surprise guests. Over 400 of the industry’s top artists, songwriters, publishers and music executives are expected to attend the event.

Weekly Chart Report (11/05/10)

Eric Lee Beddingfield (R) recently joined J. Brooks (L) in the studio at KSMA 98.7 Kiss Country Mason City, IA. Beddingfield was in town to play a few shows and open for Colin Raye.

SPIN ZONE
There is movement at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart, as The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” capitalizes on its 23 week climb by taking the No. 1 spot. Rascal Flatts’ “Why Wait” makes a big jump from No. 6 – 2, picking up 136 new spins in the process. Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me” moves 5 – 3, scooting ahead of Reba’s “Turn On The Radio” which holds at No. 4.

It’s still tough going for artists trying to reach the Top 20. Unless, of course, your name is Kenny Chesney. His latest “Somewhere With You” has the biggest spin gain of the week (565) and jumps 11 spots to No. 28 a few days ahead of its official add date. For others, it’s a slow grind. Chris Young’s “Voices” adds 120 spins, moving to 25 – 23 after 15 weeks. Similarly, Cody McCarver’s “I’m America” adds spins and moves up one spot to No. 27 after 21 weeks. Some older titles appear to be on the way out, so coming weeks should provide room for singles to grow.

After a slow beginning, Gwyneth Paltrow’s movie theme “Country Strong” suddenly has legs. It debuted at No. 79 in the previous chart, and makes an impressive leap to No. 66 this week. Also speedily moving upward is Josh Turner’s take on the Don Williams hit “I Wouldn’t Be A Man,” which moves to 78 – 62.

Frozen Playlists: KNCQ, KYEZ, KYYK, WAKG



Upcoming Singles
November 8
Blake Wise/I’ve Got This Feeling/Broken Bow
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA
Easton Corbin/I Can’t Love You Back/Mercury

November 15
Kelly Parkes/Nothing/Edge Records/Lofton Creek
Lathan Moore/Love In Your Life/Blue Steel

•  •  •  •  •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
The Dirt Drifters/Something Better/WMN — 74
Chris Filer/John Deere, John 3:16/Lofton Creek — 78
Lee Brice/Beautiful Every Time/Curb — 79
Braden Gray/A Little Less Lonely/ATP Records — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 565
Toby Keith/Bullets In The Gun/Show Dog – Universal — 230
Tim McGraw/Felt Good On My Lips/Curb — 214
Keith Urban/Put You In A Song/Capitol — 210
Lady Antebellum/Hello World/Capitol — 183

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Eric Lee Beddingfield/The Gospel According To Jones/Rebel Dawg Music — 207
Uncle Kracker/Good To Be Me/Top Dog/Atlantic — 196
Easton Corbin/I Can’t Love You Back/Mercury — 185
Brantley Gilbert/My Kind of Crazy/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 175
Jason Sturgeon/Rollin’ On/Toolpusher/Spinville/Nine North — 173

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 18
Eric Lee Beddingfield/The Gospel According To Jones/Rebel Dawg Music — 12
Josh Thompson/Won’t Be Lonely Long/Columbia — 10
Little Big Town/Kiss Goodbye/Capitol — 9
Josh Turner/I Wouldn’t Be A Man/MCA — 8
Lee Brice/Beautiful Every Time/Curb — 8

Reprise Records’ Frankie Ballard welcomed industry insiders to his final rehearsal Wednesday evening (11/3) at Soundcheck Nashville before joining Uncle Kracker on a club tour. His energetic set showcased his dazzling guitar hero skills and featured songs such as “Get On Down The Road,” “Sober Me Up,” and his single “Tell Me You Get Lonely.” (L-R): Chris Stacey (Warner Music Nashville Senior VP Promotion), Chad Schultz (Warner Music Nashville National Promotion Director), Bruce Burton (Warner Music Nashville Director Of Brand Management), Frankie Ballard, Keith Kaufman (WSIX Program Director), Ashley Weimer (WSIX Promotions Director) and John Marks (Sirius XM Senior Director, Country Music Programming)

KBEQ/Kansas City celebrated with Trailer Choir at the station’s Halloween Bash 2010. (L-R): Butter (in the dreads); $5 Shug as 5 Shug; Zeke Montana (Toga) from the KBEQ morning show; Colleen Bardone (she went as Crystal), Big Vinny as Super Mario; Crystal (bondage kitty cat); KBEQ’s PD/Mike Kennedy like we’ve never seen him; his wife Nycki as a cowgirl; KBEQ’s MD/TJ McEntire as Snookie; and her husband Matty “the Situation.”