Big Gifts For Good Causes

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ACM, Swift Support St. Jude
ACM Lifting Lives® partnered with Entertainer of the Year, Taylor Swift, to donate $50,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Erin Spahn, Executive Director ACM Lifting Lives, was on hand at Swift’s sold-out stadium show Saturday (6/11) at Detroit’s Ford Field, where she presented Swift with a $25,000 check for St. Jude, Swift’s chosen philanthropy. Swift also came prepared with her own personal check to St. Jude for $25,000, to bring the evening’s total to $50,000. Swift has donated more than $1 million to charity in the past year alone, including more than $750,000 raised for victims of the recent tornados in the Southeast and $500,000 last year to Nashville flood relief efforts.

Erin Spahn (L), Executive Director ACM Lifting Lives, and ACM Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift (R) present checks totaling $50,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.


Darryl Worley and Friends In-The-Round
Darryl Worley is hosting a series of songwriters-in-the-round events to benefit his namesake charitable foundation. In May he played in Memphis with Brett Jones, Ira Dean and Bernie Nelson, raising more than $33,000. Next, Bumpus Harley-Davidson of Jackson will host Worley, Steve Leslie, Jim “Moose” Brown and Wynn Varble on Tuesday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m.

(L-R): Brett Jones, Darryl Worley, Ira Dean, and Bernie Nelson


MCTI Makes Big Donation To Children’s Hospital
The 38th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational 2011 proudly donated more than $73,000 to the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

The MCTI planning committee and friends.


GRAMMY in the Schools Supports Music Education
Nashville’s Glencliff High School hosted music industry execs for GRAMMY Career Day on May 19. The school also received a check for $5,500 and a GRAMMY Signature Schools Enterprise Award, recognizing outstanding music programs in learning institutions that are economically under-served. Both of these GRAMMY in the Schools® programs are offered with generous support from the Ford Motor Company Fund and others.

(L-R): George J. Flanigen IV (Chair of the Board of The Recording Academy® and Board member of the GRAMMY Foundation®), Vicki Mack-Lataillade (co-founder of Central South Distribution), Allen Brown (Sony Music Nashville), Shannon Sanders (two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Producer), Shawn McSpadden (executive manager Red Light Management) and David R. Sears (Senior Director, GRAMMY Foundation) at GRAMMY Career Day. Photo: Tony R. Phipps/WireImage.com

Lambert Reaches No. 1, Revs Up Pistol Annies

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Hot on the heels of her latest chart-topping single, Miranda Lambert officially released the first music from her new trio, Pistol Annies.
The newlywed was in Nashville to toast the success of “Heart Like Mine” on June 2 at Virago, where BMI hosted an intimate, celebratory dinner. Co-written by Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Travis Howard, the song is the fourth No. 1 off Lambert’s Revolution album, while it marks BMI songwriter Monroe’s third trip to the top as a songwriter.
Then on Sunday, June 19, Monroe and Angaleena Presley joined their Pistol Annies cohort onstage at the CMA Music Festival, where Lambert was one of the closing acts. They sang “Hell on Heels,” which is available for purchase now at www.pistolannies.com. It will be available at all digital outlets on June 28.
“I am so excited about Pistol Annies,” said Lambert. “I feel the songs we are writing are digging deeper into our country roots and getting back to music that inspired us all. Angaleena, Ashley and I are hoping more artists collaborate. This band is made up of three real country girls with three very real stories to tell.”

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, co-writer Ashley Monroe, Columbia Nashville’s Jimmy Rector, producer Frank Liddell, Miranda Lambert, co-writer Travis Howard, and ASCAP’s Michael Martin. Photo: Steve Lowry

The TV Force Impacts Sales

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“The force is strong with that one,” confided Yoda in one of the Star Wars epics. Judging by this week’s Nielsen SoundScan numbers he might have been talking about the power of TV to sell music. For example, the Tony Awards prominently featured the Cast of Book of Mormon and sales of the recording jumped 999% to over 60k units, (almost 52k were digital albums). Luke Bryan’s CMT Awards performance sparked mouse clicks for “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” sending digital downloads up 41% week over week to almost 74k units. And Jason Aldean most definitely didn’t get lost on a “Dirt Road…” After CMT featured a duet “Dirt” performance with Ludacris, the track remained pinned at the top of the Country Digital tracks list jumping 99% from 85k units last week to 169k units. Sales of The Band Perry “You Lie,” also performed on the CMT stage, advanced 37% reaching just shy of 38k for the week.
TV also played a role in the launch this past week of Ronnie Dunn’s solo career. His new self-titled album sits at No. 1 on the country album list shifting over 45k units (17% digital).
So for those who are wondering if Award shows can still boost sales in this era of fragmented media, the answer is a profound YES.
In other highlights this week, Randy Travis’ Anniversary Celebration collection landed at No. 4 on the country chart moving about 19k units (11.5% digital).













Adkins has hooked one...







Future Hit
If you like to stay ahead of what’s happening, pay attention to the new Trace Adkins track “Just Fishin’.” Over the last three weeks this song climbed from No. 62 to 49 to 43.

Sales this week increased 36% from about 7.7k to 10.5k. The track is Top 10 on the Country Breakout Chart (No. 9) but mainstream radio still hasn’t given it much play (BB No. 18). This column isn’t normally for reviews, but the numbers show the story and if you hear the record your ears will do the rest. This track has the potential to be a career, Song of The Year-type smash for the Show Dog dude.
Overview
The numbers are slowly improving as we head for the six month intermission. Not to cast any shadows, but the second half year is where the action is, and the majority of sales.
So far (through week ending 6/12/11) total all genre album sales are up .6%. Included in that number are digital album sales, which looked at alone are up 19.2%. Zeroing in on Nashville, Country album sales YTD are down 4.1%. As with all genre digital album sales, the category for country is up 26.2%. Country music’s share of digital track sales this year is 10.8%. The genre’s overall market share this year is 11.8%.

BMLG Appoints Jake Basden Director of Publicity

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Big Machine Label Group has hired Jake Basden as Director of Publicity. In this position, Basden (pronounced Bays-den) will oversee all aspects of media relations for the three labels under the BMLG umbrella (Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co., and Republic Nashville). Basden will relocate from New York to join the company.
“We have been on a search to find just the right dynamic to head up the Big Machine Label Group Publicity Department and in Jake Basden I think we’ve found just that,” says BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “There were many great candidates but Jake’s passion and get-it-done attitude, as well as a great background with Edelman NY, tipped the scales. He’s a big thinker and has a unique perspective on how we are going to move forward.”
Basden most recently worked as a Director in the Sports and Entertainment division for Edelman New York, the world’s largest independent public relations firm. During his tenure with Edelman, Basden worked on programs for companies such as Unilever, Pepsi and Shell Oil. He also worked on campaigns and endorsements with a variety of artists including Lady Gaga, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Weezer, T.I., Craig Morgan and more. Prior to Edelman, Basden worked at Ogilvy Public Relations in New York. His work with Ogilvy earned him a “Young PR Professional of the Year” award by PR Week magazine in 2008.
“New York was very good to me and taught me a lot,” says Basden. “I am looking forward to bringing my big agency work ethic and key learnings from the Big Apple to the Big Machine Label Group and its roster of artists.”
Basden’s official start date is July 11 and can be reached at 615-324-7769 or [email protected]

Randy Travis' Anniversary Celebration

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Josh Turner and Randy Travis perform on The Tonight Show.




Randy Travis is busy promoting his new duets album, Anniversary Celebration. He and Josh Turner performed a track from the release last night (6/14) on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Tonight, Travis’s 25-year career will be honored at The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, where he will discuss his career and new record before participating in an audience Q&A and performing.
Warner Bros. Records released Anniversary Celebration on June  7, featuring guests Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Don Henley, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and more. The album includes new songs in addition to re-makes of many Travis megahits. His career sales exceed 20 million units.

Hartigan Joins Rodeowave, Arista Appoints West Coast Regional

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Lori Hartigan


Promotion veteran Lori Hartigan has joined newly formed Rodeowave Entertainment as Partner. In this role Hartigan will serve as key principal for the label in sales, marketing, radio, management, and promotion. She comes to Rodeowave from Arista Nashville, where she served 19 years directing West Coast promotion.
The move reunites Hartigan with Rodeowave’s flagship artist Phil Vassar, with whom she worked during his tenure with Arista. During this period, Hartigan was a part of 13 Phil Vassar singles, including three No. 1s. She was a part of the original team to launch the label and, in addition to Vassar, worked with Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Jerrod Niemann and many more.
“I think everyone knows about my admiration for Phil Vassar and his music,” says Hartigan. “The potential for Rodeowave Entertainment is limitless. To be a part of  a high performance team with an innovative spirit and a focus on integrity in music is a dream come true for me.”

Lauren Thomas


Reach Hartigan at 760-929-1019 or here.
Following Hartigan’s departure, Arista Nashville has appointed Lauren Thomas to the West Coast regional position. Thomas joined Arista’s promotion department in 2009 and was promoted to Midwest regional in December 2010. She will continue to be based in Nashville.
“Lauren has proven herself as a rising star in the Midwest,” says Arista Nashville VP Promotion Lesly Tyson, “and we are very excited to give her the opportunity to head back to her old stomping grounds and lead the way for Arista Nashville on the West Coast.”

Phil Vassar recently performed on the outdoor Chevy Stage during CMA Music Festival. Fans braving the heat were treated to his old hits as well as his new single “Let’s Get Together,” which is climbing charts right now. (L-R): Stephanie Flick (CAA), Stan Marczewski (Rodeowave), Phil Vassar, Teddi Bonadies (Rodeowave), Rod Essig (CAA), Bill Macky (Rodeowave), Jim Butler (CAA,) Jeff Gregg (CAA) and Angie Perrault (CAA).

Entertainment Attorneys Launch New Firm

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Pictured front row (L-R): Jennifer Ghanem, Jason Turner, Jaime Heller; Back row (L-R): TD Ruth, Chris Andrews, Jordan Keller


Attorneys Jordan Keller, Jason Turner, TD Ruth, Chris Andrews, Jennifer Ghanem and Jaime Heller have started a new, full-service entertainment law firm.
Keller Turner Ruth Andrews Ghanem & Heller, PLLC opened June 1, serving clients in the music, film, television and sports industries. They provide transactional and litigation services for entertainment and sports, as well as real estate, corporate, tax and estate planning. Some of the partners are making the move from firm Lassiter Tidwell.
Their offices will be located in The Terrazzo in The Gulch.
Contact them at:
Keller, Turner, Ruth, Andrews, Ghanem & Heller, pllc
700 12th Avenue South, Suite 302
Nashville, TN 37203
p: (615) 244-7600
f: (855) 344-7600
emails are [email protected]
www.ktrlawgroup.com

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/15/11)

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You can tickle my dancing feet or dazzle my brain with word play, but if you really want to get my attention, pierce my heart.
That’s what Ronnie Dunn did this week with “Cost of Livin.’” Not since Shenandoah’s “Hey Mister I Need This Job” has a country song so directly addressed the pain of our times. Give that veteran a Disc of the Day.
We have some sophomore singles this week, notably from Brett Eldredge, DJ Miller and The Dirt Drifters, but there are no disc debuts. So instead of a DisCovery honor, how about a re-DisCovery Award for Dolly Parton?
It would appear that in the wake of the CMA Music Fest, we have a star shower on our hands. In addition to Ronnie and Dolly, we suddenly have stellar product from Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes and Alan Jackson. And all of them are playing at the top of their games.
LEANN RIMES/Give
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb (MPE)
—Her voice has never sounded more powerful or womanly. The “golden rule” message is right on and so is the production of this majestic power ballad. In a word, gorgeous.
ALAN JACKSON/Long Way To Go
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; EMI (MPE)
—Entirely lovable. It has plenty of summertime bounce and a merry little lyric to make you smile. He’s got a bug in his margarita, a woman he’s trying to drink off his mind and a long, long way to go. Hang on for the happy mariachi trumpets at the finale.
RONNIE DUNN/Cost Of Livin’
Writer: Phillip Coleman/Ronnie Dunn; Producer: Ronnie Dunn; Publisher: Tractor Radio/Sony-ATV Tree/Showbilly, SESAC/BMI; Arista (track)
—Doing what country music does best, giving a voice to the powerless. In this case, a man who aches for a job. Understated and immensely moving.
TOBY KEITH/Made In America
Writer: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson/Gregory Scott Reeves; Producer: Toby Keith; Publisher: Tokeco Tunes/Bobby’s Lyrics/Land and Livestock/Do Write/Sweetwater Jams/Reynsong, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—Heartland sentiments, from a man who is a master at them. The stirring, pounding production underlines every straight-from-the heart lyric. My favorite: “He won’t buy nothin’ he can’t fix/With WD-40 and a Craftsman wrench.”
COLT FORD/She Likes To Ride In Trucks
Writer: Thom Shepherd/Colt Ford/Noah Gordon; Producer: Jayson Chance; Publisher: Bourbon Street French Quarter/Words and Music/Average ZJS/New Millennium, SESAC/ASCAP; Average Joe (CDX) (615-733-9983)
—He’s losing his little girl to womanhood. The rapping is actually soft and gentle. The sung chorus is a wafting and wistful. Surprisingly effective.
DOLLY PARTON/Together You And I
Writer: Dolly Parton; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; Dolly/Warner (www.dollypartonmusic.net)
—Strikingly contemporary sounding. The surging pop production values, relentless rhythm, keening guitars and deft electronic touches are all just yummy. It goes without saying that her voice remains a thing of wonder. And talk about a positive, uptempo love song…
BRETT ELDREDGE/It Ain’t Gotta Be Love
Writer: Brett Eldredge/Ben Daniel/Wayd Battle; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publisher: FSMGI, English Ivy/Brett Eldredge/Chrysalis One/Bug, IMRO/BMI; Atlantic/Warner
—This whole song is one big ol’ pick-up line. Everything from, “Can I bum a light?” to “Is that seat taken?” to “What’re ya drinkin?’” and “Do you wanna dance?” Also, the track seriously rocks.
THE DIRT DRIFTERS/Always A Reason
Writer: Ryan Fleener/Jeff Middleton/Justin Wilson; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Buddy Lloyd/Music of Stage Three/Jersey South/BMG Chrysalis, BMI; Warner Bros.
—You can go to the bar to dance, fight, celebrate, drown your sorrows or have a ball. As this righteous, blue-collar rocker says, “There’s always a reason to drink around here.” I like these guys.
DJ MILLER/Between Sundays
Writer: Richard A. Alves/Gary Duffy/John Colgin/Reid Brannon; Producer: Johnny Morris; Publisher: Big Hitmakers/Magic Penny/Rainy Graham/Three Bar/Christopher Scott, BMI/ASCAP; Evergreen/9 North/Spinville (615-327-3213)
—His voice isn’t very memorable here, kind of a generic honky-tonk baritone performance. But the song is a solid winner about life lessons learned at the foot of a wise mechanic.
KATIE ARMIGER /I Do, But Do I
Writer: Rhean Boyer/Greg Jones; Producer: Chad Carlson; Publisher: Major Bob/Rio Bravo/Castle Bound, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Cold River
—The extra “bottom” in the production competes with her curiously “dry” sounding vocal. A little echo on her high end would have pulled it together, sonically. Tune-wise, it is undeniably catchy.

Elements Align For Sony/ATV Success

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Troy Tomlinson


Just like the weather, Sony/ATV is on a hot-streak. The publishing company has scored the top spot on Billboard’s Country Publishers Airplay Chart for four of the last five quarters. The most recent chart (issue date 5/28/11) measures country radio airplay during the first quarter of 2011, showing Sony/ATV with 15.9% market share.

Troy Tomlinson, Pres./CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville, says his office has had about 20 singles on the chart each quarter for the last several quarters. The rankings measure airplay of the top 100 songs from 197 monitored country stations, as compiled by the Harry Fox Agency.
Numerous factors have to align to achieve this kind of track record, explains Tomlinson. “No individual act can make a publisher No. 1 in airplay. In order to consistently be No. 1, or even in the top 2 or 3, it takes a combination of a quality writer roster and quality creative team. In addition to that, it takes the artists, A&R people, and producers seeking out the very best songs. Success is a culmination of all of those elements.”
Because the life of a radio single is often more than the 12 weeks in a quarter, an artist might have only have one single per quarter. Sometimes two singles from the same act will chart in the same quarter, particularly if one is past its peak and heading down, while the follow-up is starting to climb.
Tomlinson adds, “No one can set out to be publisher of the quarter, because we don’t have control of which songs get released. That is at the discretion of the record labels and the artists.”
Among the first quarter country hits that helped boost Sony/ATV to the top: “Don’t You Wanna Stay” (Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson), “I Won’t Let Go” (Rascal Flatts), “Back To December” (Taylor Swift), “Let Me Down Easy” (Billy Currington), “Hello World” (Lady Antebellum), “Heart Like Mine” (Miranda Lambert) and “Felt Good On My Lips” (Tim McGraw).

Ride For A Cure Raises $70,000 for T.J. Martell

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Little Big Town


 
Photos: Christie King
This past Sunday (6/12) over 450 riders rallied at the Roundabout Plaza in downtown Nashville for Ride For a Cure in support of the T.J. Martell Foundation. The event was a huge success, raising $70,000.
Riders were entertained throughout the day, beginning with registration at the Music Row round-about, as performers Bo Bice, Eric Paslay, Dean Alexander, Kalleigh Bannen, and Cali Rodi took the stage. At 10:30 a.m. riders headed south to Harley-Davidson of Columbia where Little Big Town hosted an afternoon jam. Storme Warren of GAC’s Headline Country, and WSIX’s Big D, co-host of syndicated radio show Big D and Bubba joined the event as emcees, and additional artists appearing included Jake Owen, David Nail, Jarrod Niemann, and Laura Bell Bundy.


The T.J. Martell Foundation is a national non-profit organization that supports innovative research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS research through eleven top research hospitals in the United States. In Nashville, the Foundation annually supports cancer research through the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The Frances Williams Preston Laboratories were established in 1993 in honor of Frances Williams Preston, past President of the T.J. Martell Foundation and former President and CEO of BMI. For more information about the T.J. Martell Foundation, log onto www.tjmartellfoundation.org

 

Jake Owen and Jarrod Niemann