Groupon Grows Ties To Music Biz

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David Gray's new album is available exclusively via Groupon.


Groupon is the latest unconventional outlet for selling music. Today the deal site is offering digital downloads of the new album from pop/rock star David Gray. Lost and Found-Live in Dublin 2011 is available exclusively on the coupon e-tailor for the deeply discounted price of $6, listed as a $13 value. Additionally, Groupon subscribers will be able to sample a track from this release for free via a Groupon RCRDLBL-branded widget. Gray’s label home, Downtown Records, will do a physical release of the album later this year.
This follows a similar Groupon deal with Rihanna’s album in November 2010, and the May 2011 announcement of GrouponLive, a partnership between the deal factory and Live Nation.
Groupon has also offered tickets to Britney Spears’ current Femme Fatale trek for $31, about half the face value of $61.
Seeking increasing name recognition, Groupon was a big sponsor of Saturday’s (6/25) MTV Video Music Aid Japan concert special.
Forbes reports Groupon has 83 million email subscribers, and matched last year’s total coupon sales of 30 million in the first quarter of 2011. Still, the company lost $413 million last year.

Bobby Dean – Rebound

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Modern traditionalist Bobby Dean’s new country single is “Rebound,” which was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Dave Moody for Lamon Records Nashville.
Dean, who owns Edgmon Trucking in Kent, Washington has juggled running a trucking business with singing in local bars for many years. He never really pursued his longtime dream to become a country singing star as he focused on work and raising two children. But he kept on singing.
“A lot of people ask me why I didn’t quit or give up and I always say that dreams come true… when I signed that record contract I thought I was still dreaming,” says Dean from his home near Seattle.
Label owner and producer Moody recently described Dean’s style. “Bobby has a unique voice, very traditional sounding, yet he makes it his own… None of that vocal-tuning trickery was used to make his album,” he continues. “What you hear is what he sounds like, which is refreshing today in a musical world where you can’t tell what’s real from fantasy.”
See the “Rebound” video at http://vimeo.com/channels/lamon
Contact:
Dave Moody, Lamon Records Nashville
Phone: 615.379.2121, x101
Email: [email protected]
www.lamonrecords.com
www.facebook.com/bobbydean09
Bobby Dean – Rebound

Jack Clement's Cowboy Arms Studio Suffers Fire

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Sadly, The Cowboy Arms Recording Studio and Spa, owned by country legend Jack Clement, suffered a fire Saturday afternoon (6/25) around 2 p.m. These pictures were taken by photographer Alan Mayor, who was on the scene and writes, “It is with a heavy heart that I send these photos.”
According to reports, the fire department brought 18 trucks to the scene and about 40 firefighters who were able to bring the blaze under control after about an hour. There were no injuries. To read the complete Tennessean article click here.

Cowboy Jack Clement Through The Years

Clement in the studio with Alison Krauss and Union Station circa 1986. Photo: Alan Mayor


(L-R): Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, and Clement in 1988. Photo: Alan Mayor


(L-R): Clement, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr., and Merle Kilgore in 1988. Photo: Alan Mayor

Teen Media Behavior: Myths and Reality

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Nielsen’s newly released study on Teen Media Behavior, proves some conventional beliefs, but also breaks a few myths about how teens spend their time in an age dominated by media choices. The study looks at multiple channels including internet, cable TV and web connected devices.
Kids are the heaviest mobile phone video users, are more receptive to mobile advertising than their elders. They also out-text all other age groups. Teens 13-17 sent an average of 3,364 mobile texts per month! 18-24 year olds sent 1,640 texts per month.
As expected, teens talk less on the phone. Except for seniors 65+, teens talk the least of all age groups. They also watch less TV than the general population and spend less time on their computers. The average American watches 34 hours/39 minutes of TV per week. Teens 12-17 watch the least amount of TV averaging 23 hours and 41 minutes per week.
To download the entire report click here.
 

Lady A on GAC; CMT's Next Superstar Matt Mason

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Lady Antebellum posed for a photo with GAC’s Suzanne Alexander following an interview for GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown airing June 24, 8:00 p.m. Eastern; Nan Kelley hosts the weekly countdown show.

(L-R): Charles Kelley, Suzanne Alexander, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood.

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CMT’s Next Superstar winner and singer-songwriter Matt Mason was officially welcomed into the label family at Warner Music Nashville on June 22 with a party to honor their newest artist. Mason is signed to the label’s imprint Elektra Nashville.

(L-R): Carole Ann Mobley, Warner Music Nashville’s VP of A&R, Matt Mason and Bob Reeves, Warner Music Nashville’s VP of Promotion


 

Guitarist James Burton To Be Honored As "Nashville Cat"

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James Burton (R) with Elvis Presley


Legendary guitarist James Burton will be honored Saturday, July 23, as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. The program begins at 1:30 in the Museum’s Ford Theater and will be streamed live on www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
Bill Lloyd will host the event, which will include a performance and one-on-one interview, as well as vintage recordings, photos, and film clips from the the Museum Library. Burton will also sign autographs in the Museum store following the program.
Born in Louisiana, Burton began playing guitar at age 13 and helped shape the sound of popular music in the ‘50s and ‘60s. He popularized the “chicken picking” style of play and was instrumental in developing the Bakersfield Sound. His guitar work can be heard on recordings such as Dale Hawkins’ “Susie Q” (which Burton also co-wrote), Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried,” Emmylou Harris’ “Two More Bottles of Wine,” and Ricky Nelson’s “Hello Mary Lou.”
Burton additionally appeared as a band member on the Louisiana Hayride, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and Town Hall Party. He joined Elvis Presley’s band in 1969 and toured with him until his death. He also toured with Gram Parsons until his death, later joining Emmylou Harris’ first Hot Band. He also recorded and toured with such iconic artists as the Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, John Denver, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Buck Owens, and many more.
Burton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of fame in 2001. Named one of Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Guitarists of All Time, Burton is also winner of seven CMA awards and a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance (“Cluster Pluck,” with Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner).
 

Friday Row Wrap

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(L-R) Bob DiPiero, Mark D. Sanders, Clay Walker, Carson Chamberlain. Photo: Kyle Quigley/CMA.



 
 
>>>CMA’s Songwriter Series recently repeated its sellout ways when the traveling show returned to Joe’s Pub in New York City on June 21 and 22.
Host Bob DiPiero and songwriters Carson Chamberlain and Mark D. Sanders performed on both shows. Easton Corbin was the featured artist on June 21 and Clay Walker was the featured artist on June 22.
>>>Big Machine Label Group has added Brittney McKenna as Marketing Coordinator. Her responsibilities will include tracking record sales, developing social media strategies and serving as the support for the Sales, Marketing and interactive department. McKenna arrives at BMLG after graduating from Belmont’s Honors Program where she gained experience with five internships. Most recently she served as in-house publicist at MAC Presents for a year and a half under the leadership of Marcie Allen. “We’re excited to have Brittney join the BMLG team,” says Kelly Rich, BMLG VP Sales, Marketing & Interactive. “Her extensive background working in the music and journalism industries give her a unique approach to furthering the goals of our department.”
>>>If it works the first time then create sequel. These words of wisdom have been taken to heart by Producer David Harvey and a stellar cast of musicians to release Moody Bluegrass Two…much love. Following 2004’s critically and commercially acclaimed tribute to the legendary Moody Blues, the GRAMMY nominated Moody Bluegrass, along with the highly successful Moody Bluegrass Live, this set once again features the talents of  Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Harley Allen, Peter Rowan, Jan Harvey, Ronnie Bowman, Emma Harvey, Larry Cordle, John Cowan, Jon Randall, David Harvey, Tim May, Andy Hall and Andy Todd.
 

Colt Ford Co-Hosts New TV Series

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Average Joe’s Entertainment’s Colt Ford serves as co-host, alongside comedian Marc Ryan, in The Outdoor Channel’s new show, Mudslingers. The 13-episode half-hour series spotlighting off-road entertainment will debut on June 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET and is presented by Sta-bil.
“There’s an entire culture that consists of 4×4 trucks, camping, music, and pure madness that we’re about to blow the lid off of,” says Ford. “Mudslingers showcases that lifestyle and more, and I’m proud to be one of the hosts sharing this with all the folks at home. You better buckle up because this is one hell of a ride!”
Each Mudslingers episode will feature renowned recreational parks like Redneck Yacht Club and Yankee Lake and include interviews and vehicle demonstrations.
Visit www.coltford.com for behind-the-scenes clips of Mudslingers and weekly breakdowns of the episodes.

Hough Promotes Hero Dog Awards

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Julianne Hough kicked off a voting campaign for the “Hero Dog Awards” at Manhattan’s VA Medical Center where she visited patients with therapy dogs and performed. The contest presented by Cesar Canine Cusine is intended to celebrate heroic dogs that help transform lives by providing comfort and support. Votes can be cast at www.HeroDogAwards.org. For each vote cast Cesar will make a donation to the American Humane Association.
During her VA Medical Center performance Hough told patients the very first song she ever sang in public was “How Much is that Doggie in the Window.” She also talked about being on the road and away from her family while filming, and how being with her dogs Lexi and Harley is truly her safe place.
 

Benefits and a Tour Overseas

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MCA Nashville’s Josh Turner is reaching out to help the students and community of Ringgold, GA who were struck by an F-4 tornado on April 27. Turner will headline After The Storm: Coming Together Benefit Concert With Josh Turner July 14 in Ringgold, and 100 percent of the proceeds will be split evenly between the Ringgold High School Band and the Ringgold High athletic fund. Nine people lost their lives in the storm, including two Ringgold High students. For more details visit http://www.us101country.com/pages/joshconcert.html
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Women Rock For The CureTM (WRFTC) have announced the Link The Town Pink campaign to build a Chain of Hope around the Nashville community in support of the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®. The race will be held on October 29, 2011 at Maryland Farms in Brentwood, TN. For every $10 the WRFTC race team raises, a pink link will be added to a physical Chain of Hope that will be on display in October at a location to be announced this fall. Link The Town Pink is WRFTC’s initiative to raise funds specifically for the Greater Nashville Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. For more information visit the team page and womenrockforthecure.org.
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Country group Stealing Angels and rock band Toy, along with lead singer Alana Grace, will be making their inaugural visit to entertain U.S. troops stationed overseas as part of the Homecoming Tour. They will be performing for service members stationed in Iraq and Kuwait, from July 9-19.  The visit will be one of the last tours of its kind as troops are scheduled to withdraw by the end of the year.
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L to R: SOLID Board Members Tony Grotticelli and Matt Rizor, Ty Herndon and SOLID Board Member Tiffany Bearden


The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) raised $3,500 for Musicians On Call during its 9th Annual Music Row Yard Sale held during the 2011 CMA Music Festival. Each year, record labels and other music row businesses donate various promotional items to the event for fans to purchase. The annual event is SOLID’s primary fundraising program that supports its organizational programs throughout the year, and also an opportunity for SOLID to provide monetary support for a local charity. This year the yard sale’s hottest items included guitars signed by Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum; Miranda Lambert and Chris Young Meet & Greet passes; a target autographed by Blake Shelton; and a number of items autographed by Carrie Underwood. Rob Bolin (American Idol, Can You Duet) performed at the event and Ty Herndon dropped in to sign autographs for fans. For more information visit www.solidnashville.com and www.musiciansoncall.org