Martina McBride On Grammys

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Martina McBride


McBride on the Grammys • Paltrow on Oscars • Paisley at Daytona • Plus new music from Thompson Square, Steve Wariner, Con Hunley, Waylon Tribute
>>Martina McBride will perform in a tribute to Aretha Franklin, along with Yolanda Adams, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, and Florence Welch, at the Feb. 13 Grammy Awards. Also added this week was a performance by Barbra Streisand with an introduction by Kris Kristofferson.
>>Gwyneth Paltrow will sing the Oscar nominated song “Coming Home” from Country Strong on the Academy Awards telecast Feb. 27. The song was written by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges, Bob DiPiero and Hillary Lindsey. More on the nomination here.
>>Brad Paisley will perform at the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show on Sunday, Feb. 20.
Here’s a look at some of this week’s new releases:
Thompson Square’s self-titled debut is out now. The single “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” is climbing the radio charts and sold over 386,000 downloads. It was produced by the New Voice Entertainment production team (Kurt Allison, David Fanning, Tully Kennedy and Rich Redmond). Fans can also access full song streams at www.facebook.com/thompsonsquare.

Stoney Creek Records' Thompson Square with CMT Top 20 Countdown host Evan Farmer. Pictured L-R: SCR's Shawna Thompson, CMT's Evan Farmer, and SCR's Keifer Thompson.


>>Scatter/Valory released the compilation The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings.
>>Steve Wariner’s third instrumental album, Guitar Laboratory, is out on SelecTone Records.  The 13-song collection is the follow-up to his GRAMMY-winning My Tribute to Chet Atkins. It features guest musicians Leon Rhodes, Paul Yandell, John Jarvis, David Hungate, John Gardner, Aubrey Haynie, Joey Miskulin, Ron Gannaway, Barry Green, Greg Morrow and Michael Rhodes. Wariner’s sons, Ross and Ryan, are also featured playing piano and guitar, respectively.
>>Con Hunley released Lost and Found: The MCA/Capitol Years on Feb. 1 on IMMI Records. He co-produced it with Norro Wilson.

Country Slide—YTD Sales Off 14.3%

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Warner's the JaneDear Girls debuted with over 10k units.


The winter doldrums haven’t just frozen Nashville’s weather. The country sales charts are also shivering from cold consumer indifference. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Top 75 Current Country sales slid slightly from last week, remaining in the root cellar, i.e. under 320k. Overall, YTD country album sales are off 14.3% compared with the same period last year. Last year’s highly successful Lady A album which was released in early Jan. 2010 is one reason for the significant 2011 country sales shortfall. For example, in 2010 Lady A sold 470k albums during the last three weeks of Feb. 2010. This year, with no major new releases during that period, we are bound to see the YTD percentage fall further.
But wait, let’s not abandon ship, jump off a ledge or otherwise do anything rash. Sales numbers are highly dependent upon release schedules and the race isn’t over till year end. Later this year we will likely see a new album from Lady A and possibly new Taylor Swift product just to name a few. These developments will have a strong effect on brightening the tally.
Meanwhile, Jason Aldean nudges Ms. Swift to the No. 2 album position by less than a 100 units as they both shift almost 27k. Landing in the No. 10 spot is the likeable JaneDear Girls whose self-titled CD debuts with over 10k units. Of course the usual suspects make up the remainder of the Top 10. From positions 3-9 are: Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, the Band Perry and the Country Strong soundtrack.
Tracks Back
Digital tracks are becoming more important in our numbers game. This week’s country genre tracks chart Top 100 boasts 1,069,926 downloads, down about 3% from last week’s total. From a track equivalent album (TEA) perspective (10 tracks= one album) that is another 107k albums.
Industry execs have been hoping that growing track purchases will offset shrinking physical product sales by units. But that has not happened. The track/album equation is also disappointing when looked at from a dollar standpoint. In an interview last week for MusicRow’s upcoming CRS issue, CMT’s Jay Frank told this writer he expects to see a week soon where the top track passes the top album in terms of retail value and profitability. (Retail value example: 30k albums X $10= $300k. 300k tracks X $1.29=$387k. Profitability example: 30k albums X $7.50=$225k and 300k tracks X .90¢=$270k.)
The top seven tracks on the country digital download list all sold greater than 30k downloads. In order they are Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, The Band Perry and the JaneDear Girls. JaneDear’s “Wildflower” showed a 109% jump this week with over 31k downloads.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/9/11)

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This week, we have two superstars at the peak of their powers and two newcomers vying to rock your world.
The superstars in question are Ronnie Dunn and Keith Urban. The understated, restrained performance by the latter won my heart as the Disc of the Day.
The two rocking first timers are Bridgette Tatum and actor-singer Christian Kane. Despite my reservations about his using a rock producer, Christian Kane’s songwriting ability and undeniable vocal talent led me to crown him with a DisCovery Award.
For less thunderous experiences, check out the gently lovely work being done this week by Billy Dean, Due West and Justin Moore.
TOMMY GOBEL/If You Can’t Do the Time
Writer: Lisa Gobel/Tommie Gobel; Producer: Leo J. Eiffert, Jr.; Publisher: Boodle O/Three Labs/Young Country, BMI; Boodle O
—Your tipsy uncle and his friends are camped out in your garage. The neighbors are complaining about the racket they’re making.
KEITH URBAN/Without You
Writer: Dave Pahanish/Joe West; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: Wrighteous/Big Loud Bucks/Sony ATV Tree/Songs for My Good Girl, BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—He’s such a hotshot guitarist and such a top flight songwriter, that we tend to forget what a dynamite vocalist he is. This lilting, simply arranged love song is a showcase for some wonderfully expressive singing.
JONI RAE JACK/Western Bling
Writer: Joni Rae Jack/Robby Turner; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Michelle Rose/Robby Turner, BMI; JRJ (www.joniraejack.com)
—Tuneless noise.
JUSTIN MOORE/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away
Writer: Dallas Davidson/Rob Hatch/Brett Jones; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Big Borassa/Universal-Careers/Down the Hatch/Jonesbone, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
—I confess that I’ve never been overly impressed with this artist’s seemingly endless string of redneck-rocker releases. This time out he’s found a first-class piece of material. The song has loads of heart, the production is solid and his emotional performance is right on the money.
BRIDGETTE TATUM/Hillbilly Rockstar
Writer: Bridgette Tatum/Danny Myrick; Producer: Danny Myrick; Publisher: Root 49/Cackalacki Twang/Danny Myrick, BMI; Root 49 (www.bridgettetatum.com)
—The title pretty much sums it up. The surprise is her husky, throaty alto delivery that is positively “macho” in its impact. It is such a striking vocal sound that it even manages to dominate the screaming-guitars production.
RONNIE DUNN/Bleed Red
Writer: Andrew Dorff/Tommy Lee James; Producer: Ronnie Dunn; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Super Phonic/Pretty Woman/EverGreen, BMI; Arista
—The message is peace. The ballad is powerful. The performance is thrilling. This veteran voice can still send chills all over your body.
SABASTIAN ROBERTS/It’s Still Country to Me
Writer: Gary Nicholson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Gary Nicholson/Sony ATV Cross Keys, ASCAP; Homage/Spinville (www.sabastianroberts.com)
—Yes, I know that’s not how most people spell “Sabastian.” This is, however, how most people in contemporary Nashville music seem to think: If you fuse Hank and Van Halen, you’re still “country.”
BILLY DEAN/The Greatest Man I Never Knew
Writer: none listed; Producer: Ray Barnett; Publisher: EMI April/Lion-Hearted/Layng Martine Jr., no performance rights listed; BDMG (track) ()
—Billy’s latest CD, released on his own imprint, is a tribute to songwriter Richard Leigh.  It does not include such Leigh-penned Billy Dean hits as “Somewhere in My Broken Heart” or “Only Here for a Little While.” It does feature covers of Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and this 1992 Reba classic. Billy’s delivery is enormously touching, as always. A very worthy remake of an extraordinary song.
DUE WEST/When the Smoke Clears
Writer: Matt Lopez/Don Rollins; Producer: Jason Deere & Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: Deere Lights/Recognizant/Warner Tamerlane/Songs of BDAS, BMI; Black River (track) (615-353-2778)
—This trio’s sophomore single is a textbook example of harmony vocalizing. The ballad has a dreamy, almost jazzy tone, like smoke curling up to the ceiling at midnight. Very classy stuff.
CHRISTIAN KANE/The House Rules
Writer: none listed; Producer: Bob Ezrin &  Jimmie Lee Sloas; Publisher: none listed; Outlaw Saints/Bigger Picture (track) (www.christiankane.com)
—This fellow stars on the TNT television series Leverage as a Harley-riding justice seeker. His style of country is of the amped-up, sweat-stained, guitar-screaming variety. The title tune and first single from his CD is pretty cool, saying that at the end of a week, you owe yourself a rowdy good time. He sings it quite well. Get rid of the rock production, and you might have yourself something.

David Gales Returns To The Gales Network

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David Gales


David Gales, Founder and Partner of The Gales Network (TGN), is returning to the company after two years as a digital executive with Sony Music Nashville. At TGN, he rejoins Chief Strategist Melinda Scruggs Gales in providing clients with brand direction, marketing and media services.
“My tour at Sony furthered my insight into what’s important in developing strong brands and strategies,” comments Gales. “Brands face a marketplace that is running at hyper-speed and morphing constantly. TGN is better prepared than ever to provide marketing direction and solutions that keep our clients ahead of the curve.”
David Gales founded TGN in 1995 as a consultancy focused on facilitating the collaboration of the music and technology industries. Today, The Gales Network provides brand mapping, strategic planning and marketing services support to a wide variety of clients in and outside of the entertainment industry
He can be reached at [email protected].

Garth Concerts Raise $5 Million

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The Garth Brooks Nashville concert series at Bridgestone Arena, spearheaded by Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, raised $5 million to support Tennessee flood recovery through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. To-date, The Community Foundation has collected $4.35 million of the $5 million from its concert sales or from amounts pledged toward this effort.
The nine sold-out concerts, which were held December 16-22, 2010, represent a collaborative effort of organizers and countless volunteers from across the community who donated their time and talent to make the unprecedented series happen. “Our community is indebted to Garth Brooks for not only providing nine amazing concerts and bringing thousands of people to Music City, but for the amazing generosity he has shown for flood victims who are rebuilding their lives,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
The Community Foundation has designated proceeds from the concerts to The River Fund, the charitable fund established within The Community Foundation by Brooks to help provide aid for flood victims through grants to nonprofit organizations. Grant allocations totaling $1.37 million from The River Fund have been made for Davidson County flood relief to Hands On Nashville, The United Methodist Committee on Relief – Tennessee Conference (UMCOR), and The Community Resource Center.
More information is available online at www.cfmt.org.

Sony Announces Realignment

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[This story is being updated as it develops. Check back throughout the day.]
Sony Music Nashville today (2/8) announced a realignment of its staff and their related functions to better position itself to serve its artists and meet the challenges and opportunities of the evolving music business. The new structure includes the following promotions:
1. Skip Bishop is promoted to Senior Vice President, Promotion, Sony Music Nashville, from Vice President, Promotion.  Concurrently, Bishop announces the promotion of
2. Lesly Tyson to Vice President, Promotion, Arista Nashville
3. John Sigler takes Tyson’s previous role of National Director, Promotion, Arista Nashville
4. Paul Barnabee is promoted to Senior Vice President of Marketing, moving from his former role as Senior Vice President Sales and Operations. Barnabee will oversee the Digital Marketing, Creative Services, Media, Strategic Marketing, Artist Development and Marketing departments.
5. Mike Craft is promoted to Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations from his former post as Vice President, Finance and Operations.
6. Chris Melancon is promoted to Director, Media Content, Sony Music Nashville, and will continue to report to Allen Brown, Vice President, Media and Corporate Communications.
Barnabee, Bishop, Craft and Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs Kathy Woods, all report directly to Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton.
A number of staffers have also exited in the wake of these changes:
Exec. VP A&R Renee Bell has exited. She can be reached at [email protected]. Her old phone number is no longer active.
David Gales was previously a digital executive with Sony, and has now returned to his own company The Gales Network. He can be reached at [email protected].
Manager Marketing/Operations Britta Coleman can be reached at [email protected].
Also exiting is Sr. Director of Strategic Marketing Paul Williams.
[email protected] and Legal Coordinator Kendra Miles. [email protected]
Former staffers can send their new contact information and updates to [email protected].

Lifenotes: Ramsey Casteel

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Ramsey Casteel


Ramsey Casteel, an associate manager at Mike Robertson Management, passed away in his hometown Dallas on February 3, 2011. He was 29 and had fought courageously through an 18-month battle with cancer.
Friends and family say he was blessed with support and kindness throughout the illness, which he faced with patience, courage and dignity.
Casteel was born on March 30, 1981 in Dallas. His career in the music business began as a high school intern at 99.5/The Wolf. In 2003, Ramsey graduated cum laude from Belmont University with a music business degree. He also interned at MCA Records, and management companies Force, Inc. and The Firm. He eventually joined Force, Inc., and then later worked at William Morris Agency.
According to friends, working on Music Row was a dream come true for Casteel, and the result of his diligent study and hard work. He was easygoing with a love of country music, animals and travel.
Ramsey is survived by his mother, Caroline Burk Casteel; father, Frederick R. Casteel; sister, Catherine Casteel Olasky and brother-in-law Peter L. Olasky.
Services will be held in Dallas on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Highland Park United Methodist Church, where he was a member.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ramsey Casteel Memorial Fund at Regions Bank, 1600 Division St., Nashville, TN 37203. This fund will be used to support his love of animals and music business education.

ACM Takes Dunn, Evans To Fremont Street

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Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans


ACM party with Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans • News from Little Big Town, Trailer Choir, the Doobie Brothers
>>Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans will headline the ACM Concerts at Fremont Street Experience, to be held April 1-2, 2011 in Las Vegas. This is one of the event that takes place during The Week Vegas Goes Country®, leading up to the ACM Awards on April 3. For the fifth year in a row, the Academy of Country Music presents these free and open-to-the-public concerts.

Little Big Town


>>Little Big Town’s Road Trips and Guitar Picks tour will be presented by Country Financial. The partnership covers 20 dates. The band is up for a Grammy at this weekend’s awards. They are also nominated for an ACM in the Top Vocal Group of the Year category. Catch them tonight (2/8) on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC.
>>Vocalist Crystal Hoyt has left Trailer Choir. Remaining are co-founders Big Vinny and Butter.
>>The Doobie Brothers’ newest single “World Gone Crazy” is shipping to country radio next week.

Ratings Race: Super Bowl v. Awards Shows

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Sunday night’s Super Bowl was the most-watched telecast in U.S. history, attracting 111 million viewers (Nielsen). Ratings for other popular TV events may pale by comparison, but the numbers are worth a look.
With today’s ever-fragmenting audiences, garnering high ratings is becoming increasingly difficult. It is easy to see a correlating decrease in viewership as each of the following shows appeal to a more narrow group of fans.
The demographic-crossing Oscars are traditionally a ratings magnet, falling only behind the Super Bowl and NFL championship games each year. In 2010, the show drew about 41.3 million viewers.
In 2010 the Grammy Awards—which appeal to music fans of a variety of genres—posted an average audience of 25.8 million viewers.
Last year’s American Idol season finale scored 24.2 million fans.
The CMA Awards and ACM Awards draw mostly country music fans. Last year the CMAs attracted about 16.45 million viewers. The ACMs garnered about 13 million viewers.

Artist Action (2/8)

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TV appearances by Gretchen Wilson, Josh Turner, and Laura Bell Bundy • Chris Young Celebrates No. 1 • Josh Thompson and Frankie Ballard at the Opry
>>RCA Nashville’s Chris Young stopped by his record label offices last night (2/7) to toast his third consecutive No. 1 single, “Voices.” The song made Billboard country chart history this week as only the second time in the modern chart era – and the first time in 25 years – that a re-release of the same recording returned to the chart and went to No. 1.

Pictured (l-r): ShopKeeper Management’s Crystal Dishmon; the RCA promotion team’s Keith Gale, Norbert Nix, and Josh Easler; Young’s manager, ShopKeeper Management’s Marion Kraft; Young; the RCA promo team’s Liz Sledge, Matt Galvin, and Parker Fowler; and Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton. Photo credit: Alan Poizner


>>Josh Turner and Laura Bell Bundy co-hosted a special Valentine’s Day fan-voted countdown on GAC’s Top 20: Lovin’ & Leavin’ Songs. The episode features hits by acts such as Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and more. The show premieres Wednesday, February 9, 8:00 pm CT.

Josh Turner (L) and Laura Bell Bundy (R) on the show's set.


>>Gretchen Wilson will be in Los Angeles after the Grammy Awards to make her debut appearance on the popular new CBS Television show The Talk, Feb. 14, and to return to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno the following day. That same evening, she will join fellow songwriters Chris Young, Brett James, Victoria Shaw and host Bob DiPiero at Club Nokia for the CMA Songwriters Series.
>>Warner Bros. Records’ newcomer Frankie Ballard returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage on Saturday, January 29 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Ballard was in good company as the evening featured Trace Adkins and Toby Keith, along with Laura Bell Bundy and Josh Thompson (pictured).

Pictured (L-R): Josh Thompson and Frankie Ballard