Artist Action: Gloriana Heads to White House

/by

Gloriana


>>Gloriana will be part of an all-star line-up at a White House concert on Feb. 24. The event celebrating Black History Month and the legacy of Motown Records will also feature Smokey Robinson, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, and John Legend. “The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House” will be broadcast on PBS March 1 and on the American Forces Network March 11. Gloriana’s second studio album is set for release later this year, and the first single, “Wanna Take You Home,” will be sent to radio next month.
>>Miranda Lambert‘s Grammy Awards performance of “The House That Built Me” is available exclusively on iTunes. She won her first Grammy (Best Female Country Vocal Performance) for the song.
>>Craig Morgan helped rescue two young children from a burning home in his hometown of Dickson, Tennessee last weekend. The singer is also a former EMT and Assistant Deputy Sherriff. The home suffered relatively minor damage and everyone inside made it to out safely. Hear him talk about it with Big D and Bubba.
>>Randy Montana will perform at this weekend’s Daytona 500 as part of the pre-race festivities. Next, he is headed to New Orleans to headline the 2011 Bassmaster Classic, followed by a Feb. 25 performance of his new single “1,000 Faces” on the local Fox show Tennessee Mornings.
>>Darius Rucker is pictured on a new scratch-off ticket in the New Mexico Lottery. Rucker was also on ABC’s Good Morning America on yesterday (2/16) to perform his current single, “This.”
>>Keith Urban sang “Without You,” the second single from his Get Closer album, this morning (2/17) on ABC’s Good Morning America.
>>Jason Aldean is set to perform his duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson on Ellen next Tues., Feb. 22. He will also perform his most recent No. 1 hit “My Kinda Party” on Conan that same night.
>>Zac Brown and his wife Shelly welcomed their fourth daughter, Joni Mason Brown, earlier this month. She joins big sisters Justice, Lucy and Georgia.
>>Lee Brice’s hit “Love Like Crazy” is being featured on televisions in select McDonald’s restaurants as part of the music programming.
>>Gretchen Wilson sang her new single “I’d Love To Be Your Last” on the CBS show The Talk recently. The show had flown in several of Wilson’s fans, including one who received an on-air marriage proposal from her boyfriend. Wilson is also set for The Tonight Show and the CMA Songwriter Series in Los Angeles.

Gretchen Wilson performs on "The Talk" on Valentine's Day with Paul Nelson (L) and Tony Obrohta (R).

The Band Perry Debut Certified Gold

/by

The Band Perry’s self-titled debut album has been certified Gold by the RIAA for shipments exceeding 500,000 units. Released in October 2010 by Republic Nashville, the album continues to hold steady at No. 7 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart.
The sibling trio’s sales were driven by breakthrough hits “Hip To My Heart” and “If I Die Young.” The band’s third single, “You Lie,” is now its fastest chart-climber to date.
“Having a Gold record is a tremendous accomplishment and to achieve that status in just under four months is even more amazing,” said Nashville Republic Pres. Jimmy Harnen. “This award is yet another wonderful accolade in a spectacular year for The Band Perry.”

New Smartphone Apps Connect Consumers To Artists

/by

The booming smartphone market is providing new opportunities for fans to connect with artists, and tech-savvy companies are leading the way with cool new apps.
Kenny Chesney has partnered with digital syndicator Qello for the release of his 2009 concert film Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D. The Chesney App is Qello’s debut product and gives fans with iPhone and Android smartphones interactive access to the film in 2D-HD format, including behind the scenes footage. Qello will also soon release the film and app to the gaming market to have it available on as many devices as possible.
“Kenny Chesney is one of the most popular performers in the world and a perfect partner for the launch of the exciting Qello platform,” says Qello President Bob Frank. “Just as Netflix did for movies, Qello is a first-mover, changing the way music fans will consume live concerts.”
The Qello app, available now, can be found here.
Red Light Management and AT&T have announced a mobile barcode program to allow fans more ways to connect with the company’s artists. Red Light has used this program in campaigns for its artists like Dave Matthews Band, Steel Train and Tim McGraw. Fans are encouraged to use smartphones to scan a barcode on an artist’s promotional materials, which will open up a world of special content including free apps, videos, fan club access and more.
“Our artists are continuously looking for new ways to connect with their fans and get the word out about their latest activities,” said Evan Cooper, Red Light Management. “By using AT&T’s mobile barcode program, we can effectively promote our artists and give fans the opportunity to keep up with their favorite musicians on-the-go.”
Check out the mobile barcode program here.

Sales Chart—Music Biz's Fickle Mistress

/by

Thompson Square


Highlights:
• Cupid helped Country music sales jump a respectable 25% from last week, but remain down 16.5% YTD
• Thompson Square and Jana Kramer had notable debuts
• Lady Gaga, Lady A and Mumford and Sons got digital download bumps from the Grammys
• • • • •
Valentine’s Day shoppers wooed the music biz with a one-week rendezvous, but the romance is fleeting for SoundScan watchers eyeing the big picture. All-genre album sales are up 17% (6.4 million) over last week, but the YTD tally is down 14.9%.
Cupid helped Country music sales jump a respectable 25% from last week to a total of 814K. But YTD Country album sales are down 16.5%, having sold only 4 million units in 2011. One bright spot is that digital album sales are up 11.3% over 2010.
Real-life country couple Thompson Square (Stoney Creek) felt the love when its first album debuted at No. 3 on the Country charts with 30K, including 16% digital. Jana Kramer may be new to music, but the actress reaped rewards by debuting her song on her show One Tree Hill. It helped make the WB single “I Won’t Give Up” the highest debut on the Country tracks chart, entering at No. 6 with 40K.
Early impact from the Sunday night (2/13) Grammy Awards was digital download icing on the V-day sales cake. Fans love the instant gratification of hearing a song and turning straight to the computer. Lady Gaga debuted “Born This Way” on the Grammy telecast and it ended as the top-selling track of the week with 448K. Leading Grammy winners Lady Antebellum climbed back to the top of the Country digital tracks chart with 59K downloads of “Need You Now” (a 150% bump). Mumford and Sons’ performance helped push the band to the top of the Digital Album charts with 34K.

Mathew Knowles Joins GMA Board

/by

Mathew Knowles


Mathew Knowles, the founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Gospel Music Association (GMA).
The working board is comprised of 35 board members who are leaders in the industry. Ed Leonard is President and Chairman of the GMA Board.
Music World Entertainment has had a global impact on music and entertainment for nearly two decades. Among its successful divisions is the Christian music company Music World Gospel.
Knowles’ leadership and management helped make Destiny’s Child a global phenomenon. He is a 1974 graduate of Fisk University and earlier this year was elected to the Nashville college’s Board of Trustees.

Chris Tomlin, TobyMac Lead Dove Nominations

/by

Chris Tomlin (L) and TobyMac (R)


Nominations for the Dove Awards were revealed this morning in Atlanta, with Chris Tomlin and TobyMac scoring six nods each.
Following closely were Jason Crab who earned five nominations, and Francesca Battistelli with four.
For the first time the awards will be handed out in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre. The awards show will take place on Wednesday, April 20, and will air Easter Sunday, April 24 on the Gospel Music Channel.

Artist of the Year
Francesca Battistelli
Jason Crabb
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Natalie Grant
Marvin Sapp
tobyMac
Chris Tomlin
Song of the Year song title; artist; writer; publisher (award to the writer and publisher)
• “All of Creation”; MercyMe; Bart Millard, Robby Shaffer, Jim Bryson, Mike Scheuchzer, Barry Graul; Brown Bannister, Dan Muckala, Simpleville Music/Wet As A Fish Music/Wintergone Music/Banistuci Music (ASCAP)
• “Beautiful, Beautiful”; Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin, Andrew Fromm; Word Music LLC (ASCAP), Designer Music, Inc./Honest and Popular Songs (SESAC), Universal Music/Z Songs/ Ocean at Night Music (BMI)
• “Get Back Up”; tobyMac; Toby McKeehan, Cary Barlowe, Jamie Moore, Aaron Rice; Achtober Songs (BMI), Emack Music/Rizzle Music/Jamnu Music (ASCAP), Castle Bound Music, Inc./Bummerman Music, Inc. (SESAC)
• “Hold My Heart”; Tenth Avenue North; Mike Donehey, Jason Ingram, Phillip LaRue; Formerly Music/Peertunes Ltd./Sony/ATV Timber Publishing/Windsor Way Music (SESAC)
• “Lead Me”; Sanctus Real; Matt Hammitt, Jason Ingram, Chris Rohman; Birdwing Music/Toledo Tomorrow Music/1012 Rosedale Music (ASCAP), Windsor Hill Music/So Essential Tunes/West Main Music (SESAC)
• “Let The Waters Rise”; MIKESCHAIR; Sam Tinnesz, Mike Grayson, Ben Glover; Screaming Norman Music/WB Music Corp (ASCAP),
Curb Congregation Songs/Strength to Shout Publishing /Wave and Romi Publishing (SESAC)
• “Love Came Calling”; Triumphant Quartet; Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey; PsalmSinger Music/Bridge Building Music/Hefton Hill Music (BMI)
• “Our God”; Chris Tomlin; Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin; Thankyou Music (PRS), sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Said And Done Music/Vamos Publishing/SHOUT! Publishing (ASCAP)
• “Sometimes I Cry”; Jason Crabb; Gerald Crabb; Christian Taylor Music (BMI)
• “Starry Night”; Chris August; Chris August, Ed Cash; Word Music LLC (ASCAP), Alletrop Music (BMI)
Male Vocalist of the Year
Chris August
Doug Anderson
Jason Crabb
Brandon Heath
Israel Houghton
Marvin Sapp
Chris Tomlin
Female Vocalist of the Year
Audrey Assad
Francesca Battiselli
Natalie Grant
Britt Nicole
Janet Paschal
Kerrie Roberts
Laura Story
Group of the Year
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Gaither Vocal Band
Mercy Me
Mikes Chair
Sidewalk Prophets
Tenth Avenue North
New Artist of the Year
Audrey Assad
Chris August
Forever Jones
John Mark McMillan
No Other Name
Kerrie Roberts
Kristian Stanfill
Producer of the Year
Bernie Herms
Ed Cash
Ian Eskelin
Jason Ingram & Rusty Varenkamp
Wayne Haun
See the complete nominations list.

Billy Ray Cyrus Tells "GQ" About the Pitfalls of Fame

/by


Tish, Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus at the 2010 Golden Globe Awards


Billy Ray Cyrus sat down with GQ magazine in December, just days after pictures of daughter Miley smoking out of a bong were leaked, becoming the latest controversy surrounding the young singer. In the lengthy interview, Billy Ray says that her rise to fame on the Disney show Hannah Montana “destroyed [his] family.” He says he wishes they never agreed to do the show and move to California. “I’d take it back in a second,” he told the magazine from his home in Tennessee. “For my family to be here and just be…safe and sound and happy and normal, would have been fantastic.”
The elder Cyrus, currently going through a divorce with wife Tish, accepts some of the blame for his family woes, admitting he should have been more of a parent and less of a friend to Miley. But he also blames Miley’s team, and says today he is “scared for her… [because] some of these handlers are perhaps more interested in handling Miley’s money than her safety and her career.”
The bong video was shot at her 18th birthday party, which Billy Ray says he refused to attend because it was being held in an age 21-and-up bar. When Miley’s team became aware of the lost cell phone containing the video, they wouldn’t let Billy Ray in on why finding the device was so important he told GQ. “They told me it was none of my business,” he claimed. “I’m dealing with somebody that had only known my daughter for possibly four years and I’m her daddy. I was pretty damn insulted….And I took that as the ultimate alarm.”
Billy Ray also used the interview to clear up what he says is another misconception. “I’ve never made a dime off of Miley,” he insisted. “You got a lot of people have made percentages off of her. I’m proud to say to this day I’ve never made one commissioned dollar, or dime, off of my daughter.”
More here.

Industry Ink Wednesday

/by

>>Curb Music Publishing recently hosted a two-day Songwriters Retreat at Blackberry Farm near the Smoky Mountains.

Curb writing retreat (front row, L-R) Senator Lamar Alexander and Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson; (back row, L-R) Blackberry Farm's Sam Beall, Curb's Director of Publishing Drew Alexander, Bobby Tomberlin, Capitol artist Kelleigh Bannen, Curb artist Lee Brice, songwriter Billy Montana, and Anderson's manager Lee Willard.


>> Business magazine Fast Company has named BigChampagne to its latest “World’s Most Innovative Companies” list. BigChampagne is recognized for the groundbreaking comprehensive media measurement of its Ultimate Chart. Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March 2011) is on newsstands beginning Feb. 22.

Anthony Corder


>>Anthony Corder has been named General Manager of Anchor Down Entertainment. Owner Dean Blocker and Corder will work to further develop the seven-year-old independently operated publishing company. Corder can be reached at [email protected] or 615-292-9898.
>>Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan is splitting with manager Terry McBride of Nettwerk Music Group after 23 years.
>>Nathan Chapman produced a few tracks for pop singer Anna Nalick’s new album. She is best known for the hit “Breathe (2AM).”

Gareth Dunlop. Photo: Anthony Scarlati


>>Northern Ireland native Gareth Dunlop has been signed to a joint venture publishing deal with Moraine Music Group and Nettwerk One Music. His songs have been featured in the television series Cougar Town, Private Practice, One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected. Brent Maher is producing Dunlop’s debut LP, to be released later this year.
>>JKMusicwerks owner Jeffrey Kadlubowski has signed songwriter Larry Wiater to a one-year publishing deal.
>>Former American Idol contestant Siobhan Magnus recently recorded at Nashville’s Pacific International Studios with producer Mike Flanders.

(L-R): Pacific International Music Producer Michael Flanders, Siobhan Magnus, Pacific International CEO Rob Mackay.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/16/11)

/by

Contemporary country music sounds wildly diverse this week.
We have bluegrass flavored The Roys, outlaw sounds from the George Brothers, rollicking pop-country by Kenny Chesney and southern, guitar-slinger rock via Frankie Ballard. How’s that for variety?
The expert instrumental work on the George Brothers single earns the duo a DiscCovery Award.
I have a three-way tie for the Disc of the Day. For songwriting excellence, the winner is Jamey Johnson. For poetry in production, the prize goes to Gretchen Wilson. And for all-out vocal splendor, give one to Chris Young.
GEORGE BROTHERS/Brothers, Friends And Outlaws Forever
Writer: Dandall George/Leslie Wright; Producer: George Brothers & Leslie Wright; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Velma Jean (870-715-2867)
—I like it that the two electric guitars “answer” each other from opposite speakers. The duo’s single is a stomping southern rocker that name-checks Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash, Jesse James, John Wayne, farmers, the troops, mama, Jack Daniels, Bud Light and the like. They won’t win any prizes as singers, but they get the job done, and the track is smokin.’
TIM McGRAW & GWYNETH PALTROW/Me And Tennessee
Writer: A. Martin; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & A. Martin; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Curb
—Taken from the soundtrack of Country Strong, this echo-soaked ballad of rekindling faded love never actually gets around to singing its title. All atmosphere and little substance.
VINCE HATFIELD/Beth
Writer: Robert Alan Ezrin/Stanley Penridge/Peter Criss; Producer: Vince Hatfield & Eric Paul; Publisher: Rock Steady/Intersong/Cafe Americana/Irving/All By Myself/Peter Criss, ASCAP; Blue Moon (www.vincehatfield.com)
—Vince thinks this 1976 ballad by Kiss would make a good country single. I don’t.
CHRIS YOUNG/Tomorrow
Writer: Chris Young/Frank Myers/Anthony Smith; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Runnin’ Behind/EMI April/Sixteen Stars/Frank Myers/Grand Poobah/Dreams To Music, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; RCA
—He sings with so much heat you can practically warm your hands by the speakers. This ultra-melodic ballad of conflicted romance sounds like a major, major hit. Straight from his beating heart.
THE ROYS/Coal Minin’ Man
Writer: Lee Roy/Matt Rogers; Producer: The Roys & Andy Leftwich; Publisher: none listed; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.theroysonline.com)
—This single from The Roys’ upcoming Rural Rhythm debut (due in March), is a sparkling acoustic gem. The lilting dobro licks, weaving fiddle lines and rippling guitars create an enchanting tapestry of sound around their plaintive voices. In a word, delightful.
FRANKIE BALLARD/A Buncha Girls
Writer: Frankie Ballard/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—This exudes potent self confidence and musical muscle. Put some rocking sass in your playlist.
KENNY CHESNEY/Live A Little
Writer: Shane Minor/David Lee Murphy; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (track)
—It may be February outside, but Kenny is already bopping into the summer season. A single with a built-in smile. Tap your toes and sing along.
GRETCHEN WILSON/I’d Love To Be Your Last
Writer: Rivers Rutherford/Sam & Annie Tate; Producer: Gretchen Wilson & Blake Chancey; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP/SESAC; Redneck (track) (www.gretchenwilson.com)
—I guess there are just some things we weren’t meant to understand in our lifetimes. Like how a track on an independent-label CD that was never even released as a single winds up with two Grammy nominations. Now it is finally a single, and a spectacularly lovely one. Gretchen sings the ballad with breathy, aching emotion, and the super-tasteful, guitars-and-cello arrangement is simply gorgeous. Awesome.
JAMEY JOHNSON/Heartache
Writer: Jamey Johnson/Rivers Rutherford; Producer: the Kent Herdly Playboys; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Big Gassed Hitties/Universal/Macirhcyco, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury (CDX)
—This darkly ominous composition takes the unusual perspective of treating Heartache as though it were a sentient, threatening predator. Jamey growls his way through a tale that takes you through the historical past and into a smoldering, sexual present. Brilliantly creative and fabulously listenable.
MARK WILLS/Looking For America
Writer: Bernie Nelson/Philip Douglas/Jeremy Bussey; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: Lisa Marie/SongsStarters/Buzz Cut, SESAC; Big Red M (CDX) (615-772-8868)
—He misses the good old days, surrounded by a stellar audio production.

CRS Updates, Deadlines, and Panels

/by

>>Friday, Feb. 18, is the deadline to purchase $399 CRS registrations, to be held March 2-4, 2011. The current CRS registration price was cut back to its $399 Early Bird Rate after the New Faces of Country Music Show sold out in January. As a result, all registrations purchased after Jan. 24 through the opening of CRS 2011 on March 2 will not include a ticket to the New Faces show. The $499 On-Site Registration Rate begins Saturday, Feb. 19.
>>Feb. 18 is also the last day to submit an artist for the Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception. To be considered for the event, an artist must have a career Top 10 single or a Top 75 single within the last year on the Country Aircheck or Music Row chart. Artists must be self-registered at CRS 2011 or have at least three people registered from their label or management to qualify for Artist/Attendee reception consideration. To submit an artist, contact CRB’s Chasity Crouch at [email protected] or (615) 327-4487.
>>Tickets to the Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner, held March 1, at the Nashville Convention Center are now sold out. Additionally, the downtown Renaissance Hotel has reportedly reached full capacity, although there are numerous hotels still available within walking distance of CRS 2011.
>> The KCRS Live! lineup has been revised. Due to an unforeseen personal commitment, Bob DiPiero will be replaced by Rivers Rutherford as one of the songwriter showcase’s featured performers. Rutherford will perform along with Aaron Lewis, LoCash Cowboys and Jeffrey Steele at the Stroudavarious-sponsored event, held March 2, at 4 p.m. inside the downtown Nashville Convention Center during CRS 2011.
>>The three-day Country Radio Seminar 2011 will feature a variety of panels on topics including social media and digital innovations, PPM, music video, brand strategies, leadership skills, consumer research studies, concert promotions and revenue, ad sales, PD multi-tasking, the relationships and economics of the radio and record industries, on-air interviews and much more.
Here is a quick look at five highlighted CRS 2011 panels:
Wednesday, March 2:
The Digital Life: Doing Business In An Increasingly Digital World (11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.) – Media and technology expert Shelly Palmer presents the latest info on what consumers are doing in terms of using tech-gadgets, websites and mobile devices, as well as an overview of media consumption trends.  Presenter: Shelly Palmer (Live Digital with Shelly Palmer).
Show Me The Money: The Economics of the Radio and Music Industry (3 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.) – Everything you want to know about the economics of the radio and music industry will be revealed in this in-depth look at the bottom line for both industries. Moderator: Erica Farber (The Farber Connection, LLC). Panelists: Ken Robold (UMG), Chuck Flood (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.), Tom English (Clear Channel Radio).
Thursday, March 3:
Strengthening Partnerships Through Social Media with Radio P1s (2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) – This panel provides specific knowledge about how social media can help stations build brand loyalty, ratings and a sense of community. Moderator: Dan Halyburton (McVay Media). Panelists: Sloane Cavitt (Show Dog-Universal), Pinky Gonzales (Carazel Inc.), Stephen Linn (CMT), Jennie Smythe (Girlilla Marketing), Roy Elkins (Broadjam).
Friday, March 4:
The Art of War: Strategies for Offense and Defense (10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) – This panel offers both a historic look and mentoring approach on how to program in a heated format battle. Moderator: Dan Halyburton (McVay Media). Panelists: Kevin Christopher (Tyler Media/KJKE), William B. Fletcher (Fletcher, Rowley and Riddle, Inc.), Lee Abrams.
Concerts: Connecting the Dots Between Ratings, Revenue and Promotions (2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.) – This panel demonstrates how concert promotion is a winning situation for all involved and covers many platforms. Panelists: Natalie Conner (WXTU), Tim Roberts (WYCD), Brian O’Connell (Live Nation).
Visit www.CRB.org for more information.