Weekly Chart Report (3/4/11)



Katie Armiger made a house call at KILT to see a hobbled PD Mark Adams (broken foot from soccer), before she headed out to the KILT BBQ Cookoff Tent for a performance at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World Championship BBQ Cookoff.


SPIN ZONE
It’s been a wild week as usual at Country Radio Seminar 2011, with informative panels-a-plenty, unforgettable performances, and many friends from across the country. Thank you again to everyone who came out to MusicRow’s 9th Annual CRS Meet & Greet on Tuesday (3/1). We had a great time and enjoyed some awesome performances from Colt Ford and Joanna Smith.
But it ain’t over yet: like always, CRS closes on a high note later today with the New Faces show.
• • • • •
It’s a bit of a shake up on today’s CountryBreakout Chart. Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” stakes its claim to the No. 1 spot, leaping over Taylor Swift to lead one of the tightest 1-2-3 combinations in memory. Only seven spins separate Thompson Square from the No. 3 song, Lady Antebellum’s “Hello Word.” Swift’s “Back To December” is still at No. 2 and looking strong, so it will be interesting to see how that situation plays out.
CRS always means more frozen playlists and the result is a slower than normal chart. Kenny Chesney’s “Live A Little” gained over 500 spins in the two prior weeks and was the Greatest Spin Increase again this week, but only picked up 254 new spins in this chart. Both of the last two charts have had multiple songs gaining more than 300 spins. Only two new songs debuted—Colt Ford’s “Country Thang” (hey, you’re welcome!) at No. 76, and Curtis & Luckey’s “Eye Candy” at No. 79.




Upcoming Singles
March 7
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville
The New Relics/Dixie Queen/Spinville/Blues Alley
Tonja Rose/Where Would Your Heart Be/Identical Entertainment/Turnpike
Little Big Town/The Reason Why/Capitol
Neal McCoy/New Mountain To Climb/Tate
March 14
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA
Kip Moore/Mary Was The Marrying Kind/MCA
Due West/When The Smoke Clears/Black River
Sabastian Roberts/It’s Still Country To Me/Homage Records
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Colt Ford/Country Thang/Average Joe’s Entertainment — 76
Curtis & Luckey/Eye Candy/KMG Music Group — 79
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Live A Little/BNA — 254
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI Nashville — 249
Justin Moore/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away/Valory — 194
Toby Keith/Somewhere Else/Show Dog-Universal — 161
Tim McGraw & Gwyneth Paltrow/Me And Tennessee/Curb — 149
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
LeAnn Rimes/Crazy Women/Curb — 168
Little Big Town/The Reason Why/Capitol — 144
Frankie Ballard/A Buncha Girls/Warner Bros. — 129
Adam Craig Band/Nothing Wrong/American Roots/Quarterback — 124
Bridgette Tatum/Hillbilly Rock Star/Root 49/Quarterback — 119
Kevin Fowler/Girl In A Truck/FowlBall — 119
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Eric Church/Homeboy/EMI/Nashville — 15
Tim McGraw & Gwyneth Paltrow/Me And Tennessee/Curb — 11
Justin Moore/If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away/Valory — 10
Chris Young/Tomorrow/RCA — 10
Eli Young Band/Crazy Girl/Republic Nashville — 10

WUSN/Chicago APD/MD Marci Braun got “crazy” with Republic Nashville's Eli Young Band when the guys stopped by the station to play their new single “Crazy Girl.” (L-R): EYB’s James Young, Jon Jones, Braun, Mike Eli and Chris Thompson.


Last week in Little Rock a guitar pull featuring Gary Allan, Easton Corbin and Ashton Shepherd raised $24,000 for St. Jude. (L-R): MCA’s EJ Bernas, UMGN’s Katie Dean, KSSN’s Bob Robbins, Corbin, KSSN’s Jeremy Guenther, Allan and Shepherd.


Skyville Records' Stealing Angels sailed into WEZL/Charleston, SC offices this week to share their new single "Paper Heart." (L-R): Skyville Records Pres. Kevin Herring, Jennifer Wayne, WEZL PD Bill West, Caroline Cutbirth and Tayla Lynn.

Buzz Buzz, Pssst


Julianne Hough


Hough To Silver Screen
>>The Wrap.com is reporting that Julianne Hough has gotten the lead role in New Line’s Rock Of Ages. Director Adam Shankman says, “She’s the lead, she’s the girl who comes to Los Angeles looking for the dream. We have Tom (Cruise) playing Stacee Jaxx, the biggest rock star in the world and we have Mary J. Blige playing Justice.” Photogenic Hough recently attended a performance of the Broadway musical in Los Angeles with Shankman. Shankman also directed Hough’s 2010 video “Is That So Wrong.” Hough will emcee a special Nashville Ballet performance at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center this Saturday (3/5) featuring a troupe of 20 dancers who will perform original choreography while The Band Perry sings “If I Die Young.” Songwriter Pat Alger will also perform.
Bank On It
>>Competition in Nashville’s entertainment banking sector will get a bit more heated with the planned arrival of Los-Angeles-based City National Bank which boasts a $1 billion entertainment practice. According to Nashville Business Journal, “The bank’s entry into the Middle Tennessee market also foreshadows wide-reaching possibilities for the region’s multi-billion dollar music industry: optimism for an increase in lending to entertainment businesses and the evolution of niche banking amid industry consolidation.” Reportedly the move is planned to happen this summer.

Montgomery Gentry—A couple of Average Joes?


MG Finds New Label Home
>>Nothing is official, but the boys of Montgomery Gentry were spotted working the radio crowd at the Wildhorse last night (3/3) at the Average Joe’s Entertainment label showcase. The former Columbia hitmakers even made an appearance onstage with AJE flagship artist Colt Ford, adding fuel to recent rumors that the hit making duo are now card-carrying Average Joes. If true, this would reunite them with Tom Baldrica— formerly at Sony, but now Average Joes Ent. President .
[Update] It’s now official. “We couldn’t be happier to be signing with Shannon [Houchins] and Tom [Baldrica] and the guys at Average Joe’s,” says Eddie Montgomery.  “Those guys are cut from the same cloth we are and man, they are so creative. We can’t wait to get this new project out there to our fans!” Troy Gentry adds, “We love the team they have in place and the passion and excitement that they bring.” First single due Spring 2011.

Bobby Karl Works the Sony Boat Show

(L-R): McGraw and Paltrow


Chapter 362
You could count the reasons for floating down the Cumberland on Thursday evening (3/3) on the fingers of your hand.
It was a lovely spring night to be on the river. It was the 25th anniversary of the CRS General Jackson cruise. The food was the best of the convention. Oscar winning singing thespian Gwyneth Paltrow was hosting. Arista/BNA/Columbia/RCA contributed 14 artists to showcase.
First Gwyneth. She was a charmer as an emcee, bantering easily with the crowd, cracking jokes, and being effortlessly relaxed and warm. She also sang and introduced surprise guest Tim McGraw to duet with her on “Me and Tennessee.”
“Mike Curb, the head of Tim’s label, didn’t know that Tim was going to be here to sing with me,” confided Gwyneth. “So can we please keep that a secret?” No chance, sister.
For my money, the performance of the night belonged to Chris Young singing his new single “Tomorrow.” He is just such a superb, stand-up country vocalist. Chris also sang “Voices,” his unusual single that died in 2008 and was recently reborn as a No. 1 smash.
“Where do you think you’re going, man?” inquired Skip Bishop. “You think the show is over?” He presented Chris with a plaque saluting his three consecutive No. 1 hits. I think we’d just heard “Tomorrow” as a fourth.

(L-R): The RCA Nashville promo team’s Matt Galvin, Dan Nelson, and Steve Pleshe; Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Gary Overton; Young; RCA promo’s Josh Easler, Norbert Nix, Liz Sledge, and Parker Fowler; Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Promotion Skip Bishop; and RCA Nashville VP Promotion Keith Gale.


Jerrod Niemann was also impressive. Performing in a hearty sounding trio on a satellite plexiglass platform stage at the rear of the theater, he engaged the crowd to sing along on “Lover, Lover” and was just as effective delivering his evocative “What Do You Want From Me,” with a vocal assist by Carrie Underwood.
Following her fiery set, Skip and Gary Overton presented Carrie with a plaque saluting Play On as a Double Platinum album.

(L-R): Underwood; Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Promotion Skip Bishop and Chairman/CEO Gary Overton; Arista Nashville VP Promotion Lesly Tyson; and Sony Music Nashville VP Sales Kerri Fox-Metoyer.


Another cool thing about the cruise was the introduction of a number of new Sony artists. American Idol competitor Casey James proved to be a groove-master guitar slinger. The Lunabelles harmonized and dazzled on mandolin, guitar, banjo and percussion. John Rich discovery Bradley Gaskin wowed the crowd by nailing a honky-tonkin’ “Mr. Bartender.” Brent Anderson sang winningly in a light tenor with a delicate, pop-ish style.
“The most important thing we do is [introducing] new artists,” said Skip. Amen to that.
One by one, Jake Owen, Josh Thompson and Sara Evans took the stage to please the radio taste makers.
Brad Paisley closed. “I’ve had the absolute best year of my life, thanks to you—You have been so, so good to me,” he told the CRS attendees. Almost everyone who sang did a variation on that speech. (Chris Young: “I want to thank everyone in this room. I can never thank you enough.”)
Brad sang his current “This Is Country Music,” then introduced his next single, “Listening to Old Alabama.” A reunited Alabama next joined Brad’s band to roar through “Tennessee River” to the surprised audience’s delight.
We dined on antipasto, featuring pancetta and black olives. The main course was tender, succulent roast beef, fingerling potatoes, tomato wrapped asparagus, gravy-garnished pork chops and heated rolls. A dessert assortment included chocolate dipped strawberries, fruit custards and sponge cake topped with whipped cream.
“There is apparently an endless supply of Jack Daniels at this,” observed conventioneer John Roberts. “We make it here,” I replied.
It couldn’t have been easy singing for that crowd. And the later in the evening you went on, the louder the din from the well-oiled schmoozers.
Working the room were Jim Crestman, Jason Owen, Tony Thomas, Hunter Kelly, Pete Fisher, Lisa Konicki, Lorianne Crook, Chuck Aly, Terry Hemmings, Jaye Albright, Michelle Goble, Clarence Spalding, Sherod Robertson, David & Susana Ross, Brett Wolcott, Steve Buchanan, Fletcher Foster, Suzanne Alexander and Lauren Tingle.
The Sony label group sort of “owned” Thursday at CRS. In addition to the boat showcase, the company staged a luncheon that featured music by Arista’s Ronnie Dunn and Columbia’s Joanna Smith.

Gibson Guitar Sues Insurance Companies

Gibson Guitar is suing two insurance companies who have yet to pay out for damages sustained in the May flood, according to NashvillePost.com. Gibson’s manufacturing facility on Massman Drive suffered over $16 million in damages during the catastrophe.
The guitar maker is suing CNA’s Continental Insurance Co. and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance. The point of contention, according to Gibson, is that when its insurance policy was rewritten in 2009, the insurer “inexplicably” separated Gibson’s two addresses at 641 and 643 Massman, whereas they had previously been insured as one site.
Gibson maintains that it continued to pay the same premium for what it believed was the same amount of coverage as before the 2009 re-write.
Reports say CNA has offered to settle the dispute by paying $10 million based on the original policy, but Mitsui hasn’t come to the table with a settlement.

Brian Nelson To Head Stone'd Records

Brian Nelson


Music Executive Brian Nelson, who spends time in New York and Nashville has been named GM of the newly formed Stone’d Records. Nelson has worked as a manger for artists such as James Otto, Chuck Wicks and Monty Powell. The new label, based in Bristol, United Kingdom, was recently launched by Grammy winner Joss Stone with a mission to develop unique artists regardless of genre.
Currently the label roster includes Stone and rock band Yes Sir Boss. Joss Stone, who has sold over 10 million records worldwide, is currently recording her next project with producer Dave Stewart in Nashville. “Back In Style,” Stone’s first single from the new album can be downloaded by programmers at airplaydirect.
“I’m so excited to launch Stone’d Records. This has been a lifetime dream of mine,” says Stone. “I’m passionate about music in its most honest form. That’s why it was so important to me to create a safe haven where great artists are free to do what they do best, create real music without compromise.”

Swift Announces Opening Acts

Taylor Swift today revealed the artists who will open the North American leg of her world tour. When the tour launches its stateside run on May 27 in Omaha, joining her for select dates will be Frankie Ballard, Danny Gokey, Hunter Hayes, Josh Kelley, Randy Montana, James Wesley and Charlie Worsham.
There will be two opening acts at Swift’s stadium dates, in addition to her previously announced tourmate NEEDTOBREATHE.
Swift celebrated her seventh charttopping single this week with “Back To December.” It is her second consecutive No. 1 from her triple platinum Speak Now album.
Also this week, Swift’s 2006 self-titled debut CD was certified 5x-Platinum. Her Fearless album is 6x-Platinum.
Swift just wrapped the sold-out Asian leg of her Speak Now World Tour, and the European tour kicks off March 6 in Brussels, Belgium. This year, she will play 90 shows in 19 countries spanning four continents.

Leadership Music Accepting Applications

Leadership Music is accepting applications for the next class of participants. Established entertainment industry leaders can apply through March 31.
The mission of the educational non-profit is to nurture a knowledgeable, issue-oriented community of music industry professionals. The eight month, Nashville-based, education program begins in September and is designed to create understanding among music industry professionals and promote teamwork. Participants are required to attend an orientation, all-day sessions once a month on Fridays, plus opening and closing retreats during the program.
Application forms, program dates, policies and FAQ’s are available at www.leadershipmusic.org. Applications must be submitted via mail, fax, or e-mail no later than March 31, 2011.

Bobby Karl Works UMG’s Luncheon at The Ryman

UMG Nashville artists and staff at the 2011 CRS Universal Music Group Nashville show at the Ryman on March 2, 2011. Photo: Peyton Hoge


Chapter 361
If Country Radio Seminar is about Country – that is, music – more than it is about current Radio – that is, pseudo science – then its showcases should be its heart and soul.
With that in mind, the other record labels are going to be hard pressed to top the Universal extravaganza staged Wednesday (3/2) at the Ryman Auditorium. Superstar Lionel Richie capped the afternoon. Legendary Vince Gill drew tears and a standing ovation. Twenty-one artists dazzled the crowd, including Lee Ann Womack, Sugarland, Josh Turner, Gary Allan and Billy Currington. Everyone sang with acoustic accompaniment. The Ryman, as you know, is a superb sounding room for acoustic music, so it was quite an afternoon. Here’s the countdown:
1. Sugarland flew in especially for the gig from mid-tour, and flew out immediately afterward. The duo’s performance of “Little Miss” was simply stunning.
2. Canaan Smith staged his debut performance for the label and for country radio at the legendary Ryman. “No pressure, bro,” quipped show host Royce Risser. Smith nailed “We Got Us.” “He did not cave to the pressure,” Risser correctly observed.
3. Dani Flowers also staged her debut. Frankly, she sounded terrified, but “You Learn Something New Every Day” is a wonderfully written song.
4. Kip Moore, a previous DisCovery Award winner in this magazine, introduced his superb, wildly catchy single “Mary Was the Marrying Kind.” Honestly, it was one of the only songs still on my lips hours after the show. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be on this stage,” he said. You belonged there, pal.
5. Louisiana sisters Coldwater Jane offered their ballad “Tough as Nails.” Risser invited them to the stage out of order, so they were a mite rattled.
6. Vivacious Mallary Hope delivered “Butter on Her Wedding Ring” with panache.
7. Lost Highway’s Hayes Carll charmed us with a laconic country weeper titled “Chances Are.”
8. Randy Montana was soulful and soaring on his ought-to-be-a-hit single “1,000 Faces.”
9. “She’s an amazing entertainer, and she’s nuts,” said Risser of Laura Bell Bundy. She enters the studio this Friday to record her fiery “(There Goes) Another Piece of Me.”
10.  Josh Kelley was sweetly emotional on an ode to his daughter called “Naleigh Moon.”
11. Easily one of the show’s highlights was “Look it Up” by Ashton Shepherd. That gal is a blast. By the way, she announced that she is pregnant with her second child at the gig.
12. I am a huge fan of the lead singer’s cool, dusty singing voice, so “Just Don’t Tell Me the Truth” was a winner for the Randy Rogers Band. “Bring back country music!” he proclaimed. Another reason to love him.
13.  Electrifying David Nail delivered “The Sound of a Million Dreams” with white-hot, blue-eyed soul. This boy can sing.
14. Easton Corbin is definitely on a roll. He was wonderfully countrified on his current “I Can’t Love You Back.”
15. Billy Currington gave a bluesy groove to “Let Me Down Easy.”
16. Gary Allan had vocal surgery last year, but is now recovered, as he proved with his performance of his much-loved 1999 oldie “Smoke Rings in the Dark.”
17. Josh Turner was shimmering and sensuous in his delivery of his remake of “I Wouldn’t Be a Man.” They just don’t write songs that great in Nashville anymore.
18. The supremely expressive Lee Ann Womack dropped jaws with a fantastically written gospel plea with its “Send it on Down” hook.
19. Jamey Johnson was stark and all-too-brief doing Merle Haggard’s “You Take Me for Granted.”
20. “I’ve been on MCA Records longer than anybody on the entire staff,” said Vince Gill, before his lump-in-throat performance of “If I Die a Drinkin’ Man.” His overt emotionalism also shined on “Threaten Me with Heaven,” and drew a standing ovation from the starstruck crowd. “What a stud,” quoth Risser.
21. Surprise guest Lionel Richie got a standing ovation before he ever sang a note. He sat at the piano and rolled back the years with a flawless rendition of 1984’s “Stuck on You.” Darius Rucker entered from stage right and the two began to duet on the song, sensationally. This, too, drew a standing ovation. “It’s absolutely a pleasure to be here,” said Lionel. No, sir, the pleasure was all ours.
Invited guests included Mike Hammond, Mike Sistad, John Huie, Jon Freeman, Jon Anthony, Jody Williams, Will Byrd, David Preston, Ken Levitan, Coyote Calhoun, Dale Bobo, Clay Bradley, Brandi Simms, Sherod Robertson, Perry Howard, Teri Brown, Jewel Coburn, Jason Morris, Thomas Cain and, natch, UMG’s Luke Lewis, Tom Lord, Beverly Keel and Brian Wright.
That night at 10 p.m., it was the roster of Warner/Reprise in the spotlight. The label chose to have its performers salute Motown songs. Frankie Ballard selected Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” but Brett Eldredge “cheated” by doing “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” by Lou Rawls. (It was issued in 1976 on Philadelphia International, not Motown.)

CRS Pics: Faith, Tim, Blake, and KCRS Live

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were honored with the Humanitarian Award at CRS this week. Among their many charitable efforts was last year's superstar concert benefitting flood relief. Last year's winner Trace Adkins presented the award.


The KCRS Live! songwriter showcase, presented by Stroudavarious Records, featured Aaron Lewis, LoCash Cowboys, Rivers Rutherford and Jeffrey Steele. The performers are pictured here with Stroudavarious execs. L-R: Bill Catino, LoCash Cowboys, James Stroud, Lewis, Rutherford, Steele and Bill Macky.


Blake Shelton headlined the Music City Jam last night, closing out the day's events at the Convention Center with surprise guests including the stars pictured here. (L-R): The Band Perry, Shelton, Eric Church and Luke Bryan

Artists: Out and About

Crystal Bowersox Makes Surprise Opry Debut

The Grand Ole Opry debut of 2010 Season 9 American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox came as a surprise to both the Opry audience and to Bowersox, herself. This past Friday (2/25), segment host Vince Gill invited Bowersox to the stage. “We do things out here for an awful lot of different reasons, but one is spontaneity, one is fun,” Gill said.

Gloriana Performs at the White House

Gloriana joined some of music’s biggest stars including Smokey Robinson, Sheryl Crow, Jordan Sparks, Nick Jonas, Jamie Foxx, and John Legend at the White House for “The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House” concert for The President and First Lady. The concert, celebrating Black History Month and the legacy of Motown Records, is being broadcast on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings) and on the American Forces Network.

Watch the full episode. See more In Performance at The White House.


(L-R): TN Senator Joe Haynes and Bill Anderson


Bill Anderson Receives Joint Resolution

Whisperin’ Bill Anderson accepted a Joint Resolution from Tennessee State Senator Joe Haynes during recent legislative ceremonies held in the Senate chambers in Nashville. The Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry star was recognized for his extensive career accomplishments and upcoming 50th Anniversary at the Opry.


Photo: Amber McSwain


Sara Evans Visits CMT

Sara Evans stopped by the set of CMT Top 20 Countdown to chat with host Evan Farmer this week to promote her new album Stronger which releases on Tuesday, March 8. Evans’ interview with Farmer will premiere Friday, March 4.

Due West On the Streets

Emerging group Due West made a visit to GAC’s On the Streets with host Suzanne Alexander to promote their new CD Forget the Miles.


(L-R): Suzanne Alexander; and Due West members Tim Gates, Brad Hull and Matt Lopez