News Items: Ballard, Morley, Cole

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Frankie Ballard


Frankie Ballard Makes His Grand Ole Opry Debut • Capitol Records Celebrates Betsy Morley • Courtney Cole Signs with Black River Music Publishing

>>Warner Bros. Records newcomer Frankie Ballard will make his Grand Ole Opry debut today (1/7) at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Ballard joins Rodney Atkins, Chris Young and Dailey & Vincent, in the line-up for Friday’s show. “I’m totally humbled by the invite to play the Grand Ole Opry for the first time,” said Ballard. “The opportunity to make my debut at the Ryman, on a stage where so many great country stars once played, is enough to make my knees knock a little!”
>>The staff of Capitol Records Nashville celebrated their fifth annual “Cinco de Betso” recently at a local Mexican restaurant. “Cinco de Betso,” the label’s own homegrown holiday, honors their longest standing employee Betsy Morley, Sr. Director A&R Administration, who celebrates her 21st anniversary with the label this year. “Cinco de Betso” falls the first week of each new year. President and CEO, Mike Dungan always honors Morley with a festive hat and glasses as well as a custom-made trophy. This year her trophy was a Potato Head doll dressed up like Elvis.

Pictured: The staff of Capitol Records Nashville gathers to celebrate and honor Morley at their 5th Annual Cinco de Betso.


>>Singer/songwriter Courtney Cole has just inked a publishing deal with Black River Music Publishing. The Mandeville, LA native moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University where she studied commercial voice and music business. Upon graduating she began interning at Black River and ultimately signed a publishing deal. For more information visit www.blackrivermusicgroup.com

Pictured (l-r): Celia Froehlig, Courtney Cole and Gordon Kerr, Black River Entertainment, COO

peer Acquires Foster Catalogs

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Ralph Peer II (Chairman and CEO, peermusic) and David Foster.


peermusic has announced it will acquire over 500 songs, the majority of songwriter/producer David Foster’s works. The acquisition encompasses all of Foster’s songs in Foster Frees Music, Air Bear Music and One Four Three Music. peermusic has been administering most of Foster’s publishing for more than fifteen years. The new agreement also includes exclusive publishing representation for the writer’s future works.
Included in the deal are hits such as “I Have Nothing,” “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “Glory Of Love,” “The Power Of The Dream,” “My Grown Up Christmas List” and “Color Of My Love.”
“David Foster is one of the great American songwriters and a special colleague. We are thrilled to acquire the works of such a noted talent as working with him is truly a gift,” said Ralph Peer, II. “It is a joy and privilege to continue our longstanding relationship with a much valued friend, and we look forward to many future endeavors with him.”
Kathy Spanberger, peermusic President Anglo American Region commented, “This agreement was not only propelled by passion for great music, but also because of a close personal relationship between two great musical families. I am proud to have played a role in bringing the deal to fruition as I know it will benefit the Foster and Peer families for generations to come.”
David Foster was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2010. He has earned 15 Grammy Awards plus a remarkable 47 Grammy Nominations, including one this year for his work on Michael Bublé’s album, Crazy Love. He has helped to shape and sustain careers of the music industry’s brightest stars including Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Celine Dion, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli and Barbra Streisand. Foster has also worked with talents such as Josh Groban, and new Filipina singing sensation and “Glee” star, Charice.
peermusic was founded by Ralph Peer in 1928 and has 35 offices in 28 countries.

Weekly Chart Report (1/07/11)

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Colt Ford (R) played the Dixie Dancehall in Beaumont, TX and KYKR’s Mark Guzman (L) was in attendance. Radio stations across the country are currently offering a free download of Ford’s new single “Hip Hop In A Honky Tonk,” featuring Kevin Fowler. Find it at www.coltford.com.


Bigger Picture Group sibling trio The Harters were in their hometown of Phoenix over the holidays to play a set at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill. (L-R): Michael Harter, KNIX’s Barrel Boy, Leslie Harter and Scott Harter.


In the first CountryBreakout Chart of 2011, Keith Urban stays in control of the No. 1 position with “Put You In A Song” and Luke Bryan’s “Someone Else Calling You Baby” and Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips” unseated at spots 2 and 3. Kenny Chesney’s “Somewhere With You” is the big mover in the Top 5, as it gains 315 spins and moves ahead of Toby Keith’s “Bullets In The Gun” to No. 4.
Positions 10-20 are a veritable battlefield, with practically every title pushing for power rotation. Brad Paisley’s “This Is Country Music” is the juggernaut among them, already at No. 15 in the short period since the CMA Awards. But also noteworthy are big moves from Chris Young’s “Voices” at No. 12, Billy Currington’s “Let Me Down Easy” at No. 13, and Darius Rucker’s “This” at No. 16.
With the new year comes new singles, and many programmers are already giddily spinning them. Miranda Lambert’s “Heart Like Mine” is a particularly hot item, making its big CountryBreakout debut at No. 58. Also making impressive first chart appearances are Rascal Flatts’ “I Won’t Let Go” at No. 64, Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather” at No. 72 and The Band Perry’s “You Lie” at No. 75.
Frozen Playlists: KICR, KITX, KVAY, KVVP, KYYK, KZZY, Sirius XM, WAXX, WBKR, WPPL, WXFL
RADIO NEWS
Chandra Hunter has stepped into the role of Music Director for Beacon Broadcasting’s KVAY/Lamar, CO. This move follows the exit of previous MD/On-air talent Thadeus Steele, who accepted a job outside the radio industry. Hunter will begin taking music calls 2-3 pm CT on Tuesdays after January 17 and she can be reached via email at [email protected]. Contact Steele at [email protected].
Longtime Maverick Media WAXX/Eau Claire, WI Station Manager/Morning Co-host George House retired on December 30 after a 22-year tenure with the station. Afternoon personality Alex Edwards has shifted to co-host the morning show with Becca, and Phil Tripper has come over from sister station WBCV to fill the afternoon slot.
Upcoming Singles
January 10
Miranda Lambert/Heart Like Mine/Columbia
Rascal Flatts/I Won’t Let Go/Big Machine
Trace Adkins/Brown Chicken Brown Cow/Show Dog-Universal
January 18
Band Perry/You Lie/Republic Nashville
David Adam Byrnes/Sweet Distraction/Better Angels/Ride


New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Miranda Lambert/Heart Like Mine/Columbia — 58
Rascal Flatts/I Won’t Let Go/Big Machine — 64
Zac Brown Band/Colder Weather/Bigger Picture — 72
The Band Perry/You Lie/Republic Nashville — 75
Taylor Made/Quiet Kind of Crazy — 76
Chuck Wicks/Old School/RCA Nashville — 77
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Brad Paisley/This Is Country Music/Arista — 465
Rascal Flatts/I Won’t Let Go/Big Machine — 451
Taylor Swift/Back To December/Big Machine — 438
Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson/Don’t You Wanna Stay/Broken Bow — 427
Miranda Lambert/Heart Like Mine/Columbia — 419
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Jimmy White/Katy Did — 178
JB & The Moonshine Band/Perfect Girl/Average Joe’s — 159
Ashton Shepherd/Look It Up/MCA — 158
Lathan Moore/Love In Your Life/Blue Steel Records — 156
Emma King & The Heartsets/I’m Not Forgotten/PLC — 151
Most Added—Week 1
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Rascal Flatts/I Won’t Let Go/Big Machine — 32
Zac Brown Band/Colder Weather/Bigger Picture — 30
Miranda Lambert/Heart Like Mine/Columbia — 27
The Band Perry/You Lie/Republic Nashville — 25
Trace Adkins/Brown Chicken, Brown Cow/Show Dog-Universal — 17
Steel Magnolia/Last Night Again/Big Machine — 11
Sugarland/Little Miss/Mercury — 9
Steve Holy/Love Don’t Run/Curb — 9

A recent tour stop in Seattle gave The Adam Craig Band a chance to visit with Albright & O’Malley’s Jaye Albright about their latest single, “Nothin’ Wrong.” The local marina must have known the group was coming, which explains the sign. (L-R): Johnny Duke, Adam Craig, Albright, Ryan Jones, Jimi Hendrix and Brian Smith.

Grammy Nominee CD, AES Golf Tourney and New Mallory Video

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19-Song Grammy Nominee CD • Yallwire releases Daisy Mallory video • Nashville’s AES Announces Audio Masters Golf Tourney
>>The Recording Academy and Jive Records have pacted to release a 19-song collection to spotlight the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards nominees. The album will be released Jan. 25. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit the MusiCares® Foundation (www.musicares.com) and the GRAMMY Foundation® (www.grammyfoundation.com) — two charitable organizations established by The Recording Academy. For more information on the nominees album, please visit www.2011grammycd.com. “The exceptional mix of recordings contained on this preeminent compilation provides an incredible playlist from some of this year’s remarkable and talented GRAMMY nominees,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “With 19 diverse selections, the nominees album offers quality recordings for all music fans. We are proud and excited to, for the first time, collaborate with Jive Records on this project and we look forward to another successful chart-topping GRAMMY album.” Nashville acts on the disc include Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and Paramore.
>>The Nashville chapter of the Audio Engineering Society has set the dates of May 26th and 27th for The 14th Annual Audio Masters. The popular golf tournament that benefits the Nashville Engineer Relief Fund will be held at Harpeth Hills golf course. For sponsorship or player information contact Nicole Cochran [email protected] or 615-293-0260.

Daisy Mallory


>>Yallwire.com, a leading independent country music video site has debuted “Don’t Grow Up Too Fast” by 17-year old Daisy Mallory. The video was filmed in Nashville and directed by Neil McCormack of Revolution Pictures. Mallory is signed to FrontWater Records. Launched in 2006, Yallwire features music videos and HD original productions including live concert footage, behind-the-scenes interviews, and an inside look at the industry’s most renowned events. Yallwire also has broadened its reach beyond the net by striking distribution partnerships with Verizon FiOS TV, Roku and indoorDIRECT.

Swift Wins People's Choice Award

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Taylor and actor Zac Efron on the red carpet at the People's Choice Awards.


Taylor Swift won the trophy for Favorite Country Artist at last night’s (1/5) People’s Choice Awards. She was given the fan-voted honor by the legendary Elton John, who spoke about his love of the genre during the presentation.
After the show at the Los Angeles Nokia Theater, Swift hit the CoverGirl 50th Anniversary Celebration at Boa Steakhouse in West Hollywood, Calif. The 21-year-old is the face of the beauty brand’s NatureLuxe line.

New Bluegrass Offerings From Steve Martin, The Roys

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Steve Martin will release his second full length bluegrass album Rare Bird Alert on Rounder Records on March 15, 2011. He will be joined by the Steep Canyon Rangers, who toured extensively with him over the last year.
The new album features 13 new Martin-penned tracks and was produced by Tony Trishka. Sir Paul McCartney and The Dixie Chicks offered guest vocals on the project. This is the follow-up to his GRAMMY Award winning The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo.

• • •

The Roys are prepping the March 22, 2011 release of Lonesome Whistle on Rural Rhythm Records. The CD was produced by the brother/sister duo and Andy Leftwich.
The lead single, “Coal Minin’ Man,” was written by Lee Roy and his friend Matt Rogers. It is available for digital purchase and has been serviced to bluegrass radio as well as other formats via AirplayDirect.

Warren Brothers Sign With EMI Music Publishing

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The EMI Music Publishing team welcomes new signees the Warren Brothers. Back Row (L-R): Sarah Pearson, Missy Wilson, Laura Wright, Hannah Post, Josh Van Valkenburg. Front Row (L-R): Ben Vaughn, Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Tom Luteran


Brad and Brett Warren, the Warren Brothers, have signed with EMI Music Publishing. The long-term deal covers their back catalog as well as new material. Among the pair’s numerous hits are Martina McBride’s “Wrong Baby Wrong,” and “Anyway;” Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips” and “If You’re Reading This;” Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Red, White and Blue;” Faith Hill’s “The Lucky One;” and Dierks Bentley’s “Feel That Fire.”
As well as being hit country writers, the Warrens are accomplished rock and pop songwriters. They co-wrote nine tracks on Hinder’s forthcoming album, including lead single “All American Nightmare.” Lately they have been writing with artists as diverse as Lady Antebellum, Daughtry and Ne-Yo.
EMI Music Publishing Nashville’s Executive Vice President Ben Vaughn announced the signing. “Brett and Brad are great guys and two of Nashville’s most unique talents and personalities,” he said. “There aren’t many people capable of writing a country single one day, and then working with an rock or pop act the next, and being equally successful with both of them. We are so proud to have them as part of our Nashville family and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

JaneDear Debut Coming Next Month

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Warner Bros. Records has set a Feb. 1 release date for the debut album from the JaneDear girls.
The self-titled project contains 11 songs written by the duo’s Susie Brown and Danelle Leverett. The Utah native and Texas native, respectively, play at least seven instruments between the two of them: accordion, guitar, bass, fiddle, ganjo, harp and mandolin.
The album’s lead single “Wildflower” is already a Top 20 hit.
At the end of the month, the girls head out on their first major tour. Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party opens Jan. 21 in Little Rock, AR.
Track Listing:
1. Wildflower
2. Shotgun Girl
3. Merry Go Round
4. Sugar
5. Saturdays in September
6. Sing Along
7. Lucky You
8. Pretender
9. Never Gonna Let You Go
10. Free Ride
11. Everyday’s A Holiday

CMA Grows Strategic Partnership Department

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The Country Music Association has hired Chris Epperly as Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Angela Mendenhall as Manager of Strategic Partnerships. Sheri Warnke, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, made today’s (1/6) announcement.
In the newly-created position of CMA Director of Strategic Partnerships, Chris Epperly will promote the Country Music format to companies and brands, develop marketing and promotional resources, and spearhead partnership development. With more than 10 years of related experience, he was previously VP, Brand Manager at North Carolina brand identity and advertising company Mirrus, Inc. Prior to that Epperly worked as Senior Manager at live entertainment company JHE Production Group, handling sponsorship and partnership revenues.
Returning full-time to CMA, Angela Mendenhall will develop and maintain strategic partnerships for all CMA assets, including CMA Music Festival, CMA Awards, and CMA Songwriter Series. Mendenhall joined CMA in 2005 as a Regional Partnership Manager, and was promoted to National Partnership Manager a year later. During a reorganization of the department, she became an independent contractor for CMA in 2009.
Mendenhall developed CMA’s long-standing relationship with Durango Boots, the 2008-2010 title partner of CMA Music Festival’s Acoustic Corner at Fan Fair® Hall as well as a CMA Awards promotional partner. She managed and built special programs for partners including Blue Bell Creameries, CMT, Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, Field and Stream, GAC, McDonalds, Microsoft, RFD-TV, Sony PlayStation, and Wrangler. She also created and brought a variety of special events to CMA Music Festival including the Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge (2008-2010), CMA Celebrity Cook Off (2009), CMA Music Festival BBQ Championship (2009), and the K9 Ultimate Sports Show (2007-2010).

2010 Sales Wrap; Top Albums, Artists and Songs

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In the year’s top selling digital song, “California Gurls” Snoop Dog says, “Katy I’m all up on ya, cause you’re representing California.” This writer says to Taylor, Lady A, Ke$ha and ZBB, “To brag I’m not bashful, cause you’re cranking it loud for Nashville.”
OK, with lines like that, perhaps this writer’s rap career will remain a well kept secret. But Nielsen SoundScan’s Year-End U.S. shows that Nashville music did not play second fiddle in 2010. Below we will note the year’s Top Artists, Albums and Digital Tracks plus mention the Top country Artists of the SoundScan era (1991-1/02/2011). All the lists below are Top 10.
Albums
Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now (No. 2; 3.089 million units) and Taylor Swift’s Speak Now (No. 3; 2.96 million) finished behind the year’s top sales album—Eminem’s Recovery (No. 1; 3.415 mm). Ke$ha, also with Nashville roots, earned the No. 10 spot on the Top Ten list with sales of 1.143 million for her debut Animal. Country earned 30% of the units on the all genre Top Ten Selling albums. (Including Ke$ha, Nashville earned 35%.)
Looking at the digital component of the above album sales, Eminem, Taylor, Ke$ha and Lady A were the Top 4 in that order.
Artists
Taylor Swift gently moved Em down a notch for the overall Top Selling Artist stats. Swift’s 4.47 million units placed her ahead of Eminem’s 4.317 million. Lady A followed in third place with combined sales of 3.848 million. And congrats to Zac Brown Band who shifted 1.824 million units for a No. 9 position on the Top 10.
Looking at Nashville’s contribution to the Top Ten selling artists of the SoundScan era we find Garth Brooks in the No. 1 spot with 68.513 million units, George Strait at No. 6 (42.396 million), Tim McGraw (No. 8; 39.396 million) and Alan Jackson (No. 9; 38.275). With album sales declining, the members of this club are unlikely to greatly change. For example, Eminem, currently at No. 7 on this exalted list (39.643 million total) sold 3.4 million units this year. At that rate it would take almost 9 years to catch Garth Brooks—assuming Mr. Brooks’ total doesn’t grow.
Songs
As discussed in 2010 Sales Wrap: Country Slide, there is a digital gap between country consumers and the average of all music consumers, with respect to buying digital albums. This “divide” also applies to tracks, and as a result only one lone country song shows up on the year’s Top Ten Digital Songs list. Congrats to Lady A and “Need You Now” which downloaded a total 3.182 million units to gain the No. 10 spot and be named Top Digital Country Song. Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” featuring Snoop Dog topped the list with 4.398 million units.
Looking at the Top Selling Digital Songs for the entire SoundScan era (7/04/2004-1/02/2011) Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok” rides No. 6 with 5.483 million downloads and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” is No. 10 with 4.853 million.
Summary
Tracking and charting annual unit counts, while important to navigating our industry, is not the entire story. Profits are much harder to document. Over the past few years we have seen CD list prices and sale prices drop while marketing and other costs increased. This adversely effects margins and profits. However, offsetting the bad news, track prices have gone up at iTunes and as the percentage of digital albums grows, there should be cost savings realized since there is no physical product involved.
Added Nielsen SoundScan Factoids
Lady Antebellum
—Finishes the year as the biggest selling group of 2010 with more than 3.8 million album sales.
—Need You Now album finishes the year as the top selling physical album with 2.7 million sales.
—Song “Need You Now”  is the most played song of the year with 600,000 spins over the airways.
Taylor Swift
—For the second time in three years is the biggest selling artist for 2010 with more than 4.4 million album sales.
—If it wasn’t for the passing of Michael Jackson in 2009, Swift would have been the best selling artist for three consecutive years; she came in second behind Michael in 2009 with 4.6 million album sales and was the best selling artist in 2008.
—Has sold more than 4 million album sales for three consecutive years; the only artist to sell 4+ million albums each of the last three years.
—Speak Now in the best selling Internet album in 2010 with 185,000 sales.
—Ends the year as the most played artist over the airways in 2010 with more than 1.1 million spins; edging out  Lady Antebellum, by 1,000 spins.