Weekly Chart Report (9/30/11)

17 Music Entertainment artist Matt Gary recently visited WAXX/Eau Claire, WI to support the release of his new single "Beautiful Life." (L-R): Matt Gary, Alex Edwards (WAXX PD)

SPIN ZONE
Movement is the name of the game on the CountryBreakout Chart, and there’s no shortage of it this week. Moving up to take the No. 1 spot is Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You,” followed by Thompson Square’s “I Got You,” hopping over No. 3 to land at No. 2. Taylor Swift’s “Sparks Fly” is also in the hunt at No. 3, as it garners an added 186 spins. Also moving are Brantley Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide” at No. 5, Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim” at No. 7, and Rascal Flatts’ “Easy” at No. 9.

Through the Top 30 are several additional movers and shakers. Jason Aldean’s “Tattoos On This Town” is knocking on the door of the Top 20 at No. 21 after six weeks, and Montgomery Gentry’s “Where I Come From” picks up 121 spins at No. 23. It’s a dead heat between Zac Brown Band’s “Keep Me In Mind” and Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” at No. 27 and 28 respectively. Just a few paces off at No. 30 is Chris Young’s “You,” which appears to be out-gaining all the rest.

Dierks Bentley leads a group of big debuts with his latest single “Home,” sticking at No. 59 in its first week being reported. Also in its first week of reports is Jake Owen’s “Alone With You,” which debuts at No. 77 after a 210 spin gain. Just ahead is Trent Tomlinson’s “A Man Without A Woman,” debuting at No. 75 after scooping up an impressive 20 new adds.

Frozen Playlists: KTKS, KTWI, KTTI, KYEZ, KYKX, WATZ, WAXX, WBYZ, WCJW, WEBB, WHWK, WOOZ , WRHT

Upcoming Singles
October 3
Brent Anderson/Amy’s Song/Sea Gayle/Arista
Corey Smith/Maybe Next Year/Average Joe’s
Sunny Sweeney/Drink Myself Single/Republic Nashville
Trent Tomlinson/A Man Without A Woman/Skyville Records
Blake Wise/Can’t Live Without/Broken Bow

October 10

Burns & Poe/I Need A Job/Blue Steel Records

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Dierks Bentley/Home/Capitol — 59
Trent Tomlinson/A Man Without A Woman/Skyville Records — 75
Jake Owen/Alone With You/RCA — 77
Luke Pilgrim/Sweet Tea/MMG/Southern Tracks — 79

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Dierks Bentley/Home/Capitol — 410
Chris Young / You / RCA Nashville — 346
Zac Brown Band/Keep Me In Mind/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 311
Lady Antebellum/We Owned The Night/Capitol — 281
Jason Aldean/Tattoos On This Town/Broken Bow — 274

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Dierks Bentley/Home/Capitol — 35
Trent Tomlinson/A Man Without A Woman/Skyville Records — 20
Jake Owen/Alone With You/RCA — 18
Sunny Sweeney/Drink Myself Single/Republic Nashville — 15
Chris Young/You/RCA Nashville — 13
Kevin Fowler/That Girl/Average Joe’s — 9

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
JaneDear girls/Merry Go Round/Warner Bros./WMN — 175
Jeff Bates/He Wasn’t Like Us/Black River — 155
Attwater/Never Gonna Happen/Twenty Ten Music — 149
J.D. Malone & The Experts/Silver From (And You Still Want More) — 134
Landon Michael/Might As Well Be Me/Big Dog Records — 133

Blaster Records' duo Brother Trouble stopped by the CMA offices recently to perform for the staff. Brothers Jason and Mark Sutton performed several songs including their single "Summer's Little Angel,” which hit the Top 50 of MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): CMA Senior Manager of Membership & Balloting, Brandi Simms; Gold Mountain Entertainment's Burt Stein; Brother Trouble's Mark and Jason Sutton; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore; and CMA Senior Coordinator of Member and Industry Relations, Betsy Walker. Photo: Amanda Eckard

Toby Keith recently met up with Nancy Ryan and Newman of WRBT's morning show in Harrisburg, PA. The superstar was in York, PA for a stop on his 2011 Locked & Loaded Tour Presented by Ford F-Series as well as a visit to a local store to sign bottles of Wild Shot, his premium mezcal. (L–R) Nancy Ryan, Toby Keith, Newman

Bobby Karl Works the IBMA Awards

Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers

Chapter 376
Photos: Alan Mayor

Justice was finally served at this year’s IBMA Awards.

For the past five years, no one has helped to raise the profile of bluegrass music more than Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers. The International Bluegrass Music Association voters at last recognized that fact by naming the act its Entertainer of the Year.

“Maybe people bought a ticket to see me; maybe they didn’t know what bluegrass music is, but they leave [the shows] loving it,” said Martin. He jumped up and down with his trophy like a kid with a new toy at Christmas before wisecracking, “I want to thank the other nominees, and thank them for losing.” On a more serious note, he added, “We have loved, loved playing this music across the country.”

Cinderella’s coach turned back into a pumpkin for The Boxcars. They went into the show leading the field with seven nominations, but had to settle for a little less than three. The Boxcars won the Emerging Artist award, Instrumental Group of the Year and finished in a tie for Banjo Player of the Year between the group’s Ron Stewart and The Grascals’ Kristin Scott Benson. The group also offered one of the evening’s weakest stage performances of the night.

Michael Clevelend

Michael Clevelend & Flamekeeper took two trophies. Cleveland won Fiddle Player of the Year, and the band won Instrumental Performance of the Year for its “Goin’ Up Dry Branch.” The other double winners were The Gibson Brothers and the veteran trio of Doyle Lawson, J.D. Crowe and Paul Williams. The former won the Vocal Group and Album honors.

“I’d like to thank my singing partner and older brother Eric,” said Leigh Gibson. “I don’t think either of us would sound that great without the other.”

Lawson, Crowe and Williams took home statuettes for Recorded Event and Gospel Recording for their splendid work on “Prayer Bells of Heaven.”

“I wasn’t expecting this,” said Crowe. “This is great. Especially at the Ryman. This is where it [bluegrass] all started.”

“We had a great time recording this, and we’re gonna do another,” promised Williams.

Repeating winners characterized much of the evening. In addition to Kristin Scott Benson (her fourth Banjo) and Michael Cleveland (his ninth Fiddle), they included Blue Highway’s Rob Ickes (his 13th Dobro), Flamekeeper’s Marshall Wilborn (his third Bass), Bryan Sutton (his sixth Guitar), Adam Steffey (his eighth Mandolin) and 111rd Tyme Out’s Russell Moore (his fourth Male Vocalist).

“Wow!” said Moore. “I’m honored that you feel this way. I thought you were crazy last year. This confirms it….I’ll do my best to make you proud.”

Dale Ann Bradley

Dale Ann Bradley won Female Vocalist in 2007, 2008 and 2009. She returned this year.

“Everybody that’s bought a ticket and fed us soup, beans and cornbread, God love you,” she exclaimed.

Inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame were George Shuffler and Del McCoury. Shuffler’s innovations as a “walking” bass stylist, “cross picking” guitarist, harmony vocalist and comedian in the bands of The Stanley Brothers and Reno & Harrell were noted.

“If I thought it [bluegrass music] was going to catch on like it did, I’d have tried to do it a little better,” he told the capacity crowd.

George Shuffler

McCoury was inducted by his sons Ronnie and Rob. “I guess every kid thinks their dad is a hero, and we’re no exceptions to that,” said Ronnie. “He gives 100%, every night.” Added Rob, “Every kid wants to be like their dad. When I was 8 years old, I took a notion to take up the banjo.” At the time, Del was working as a logger. He’d come home from work exhausted, yet still made time to teach Rob his instrument.

Del was one of many during the show who saluted the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bill Monroe. He joined Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys in 1964 and graduated to his own band in 1968. His sons joined him in the 1980s, and they moved to Nashville in 1992. The Del McCoury Band has more IBMA awards than any other group. In 2006, it won a Grammy, and in 2010 Del was given an NEA National Heritage Award. “But this is the Big One,” said Rob.

Del’s warm, rambling acceptance speech was sweet, countrified and amusing. “Positively, the state of bluegrass music is better than it’s ever been,” he concluded.

Echoing Del, let me add that the music is not only better than ever, it is also highly diverse. The performances Thursday night (9/29) at the Ryman (now billing itself as “America’s Theatre,” with an “re,” if you please) seemed designed to disprove anyone who says, “Bluegrass all sounds the same.”

Del McCoury and family

Tones ranged from the smooth triple fiddling of Dailey & Vincent to the jazzy, minor-key sound of Sierra Hull & Highway 111. Balsam Range was lilting, flawless, melodic, deeply moving and harmony soaked on “Trains I Missed,” which won Song of the Year for Nicole Witt, Giles Goddard and Walt Wilkins.

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver rose the hair off your head with the heat-lightning speed of “Gone Long Gone.” Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers provided humor with “Me and Paul Revere,” told from the point of view of the horse. The Gibson Brothers brought back sibling harmony. Lawson, Crowe and Williams offered jubilant, hearty gospel. The Grascals were softly meditative on “I Am Strong.” At the song’s finale, they were joined by two tiny girls who are patients at St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital and at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Everybody choked up.

The Grascals

The three-plus hour show was hosted by Mr. Fabulous, Sam Bush. His band saluted Monroe with a tight “Roll On, Buddy.”

“I’m especially proud to be hosting in this special year,” said Bush. “We’ve got some great performers for you, representing the state of the art, 2011.” He wryly recalled Monroe’s response to Bush’s  “newgrass” music: “I hate that.”

“Our music is in good hands for another 100 years,” he remarked about the Monroe centennial. “Thank you for letting me be your ‘cruise director’ once again.”

Either applauding or presenting (or both) were Gary Paczosa, Barry Mazor, Tim Stafford, Tim O’Brien, Tom Roland, Tony Trischka, Dan Tyminski, Dan Hays, Ron Cox, Jay Orr, Sonny Osborne, Beth Gwinn, Eddie Stubbs, Vernell Hackett, Deborah Evans Price, Claire Lynch, Cody Kilby, Carl Jackson, Laurie Lewis, Sammy Shelor, Pete Wernick, Alison Brown, The Cleverlys and Louisa Branscomb, plus most of the IBMA Distinguished Achievement honorees Roland White, Greg Cahill, Bill Knowlton, Lilly Pavlak and Geoff Stelling.

This year’s World of Bluegrass convention and Bluegrass Fan Fest had an aggregate attendance of 20,000. That works out to around 1,500 per day for the convention and 6,000 per day for the fest. The fun continues all this weekend at the Convention Center.

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

Have you ever been listening to music in the car and heard a song so powerful that you had to pull over to give it your full attention? That’s what Blake Shelton did the first time he heard “God Gave Me You” in the car, and then he decided to record it himself.

Fast forward to about three months later and Blake’s version of “God Gave Me You” is this week’s CountryBreakout No. 1 song, his fourth in under two years after “Hillbilly Bone,” “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” and “Honey Bee.” Originally written and recorded by Christian artist Dave Barnes, “God Gave Me You” is a soaring ode to devotion, and as the story goes, reminded Blake of his relationship with wife Miranda Lambert. As a testament to the song’s deeply personal meaning for Blake, the video opens and closes with a home recording of Lambert on the eve of the couple’s wedding.

By any measure, it’s been a great couple years for Blake Shelton. On top of his engagement to Lambert and their coup of the Male and Female Vocalist CMA Awards in 2010, Blake’s high profile judging spot on The Voice has elevated his media celebrity to an entirely new level. Just recently, he was honored with his first-ever CMA nomination for Entertainer of the Year, and he’ll be performing on the Nov. 9 telecast of the show.

Charlie Cook On Air

Why Is There No Country Station In New York?

Arbitron says that there are almost 16 million people in the New York Metro area. I counted 97 stations getting some mention in a recent ratings month. Some were out of market but still collected listening in the NY metro.

Really? 16 million people and 97 stations (some getting listening only from a family in Queens) and no room for a Country station? To be fair, four of the 97 stations are programming country but none are major players or registering significant levels.

None of the big boys are willing to step up and give Country Radio a shot in New York? Clear Channel is the most successful company when it comes to programming Country. They have some of the smartest programmers in the format. Gregg Swedberg could jump in there and be hugely successful.

CBS has Country stations in Chicago and Detroit and outside of LA in Riverside and they do well. They have people who could do it. Though looking at their stations I don’t know who would change format. Those two companies are killing it in New York. Maybe WWFS would do better in Country, though a 3 million-plus cume is not something to walk away from any time soon.

Emmis, who should still be kicking themselves for flipping KZLA/Los Angeles before PPM years ago, has two Urban stations down the rankings ladder a bit. They have smart Country guys in Indianapolis with Bob Richards and Charlie Morgan. They could do it.

I suspect Cumulus will try and fix WPLJ before giving up that legendary signal and staff. Cox has a Long Island station that might be a player in Country Radio.

In LA Saul Levine used to feel that if KKGO did too well someone else would come along and challenge Go Country. I would tell him that the station could be top 10 in AQH (which it was a couple of years ago and is again) but that the low cume numbers would keep others from jumping in the format.

That is why no one is going Country in New York. KKGO has found some loyal Country Music fans. We had some two years ago that were contributing a lot of the station’s listening, and it’s happening again. The station is well-programmed and is getting long time exposed. BUT the cume is not in the elite category, and it never was. Heck, KKGO has the second (or third) highest cume in the format and is 25th in its own market.

Cume has become even more significant in the PPM ratings and if the format cannot collect enough cume it is never going to be consistently successful. Lose that family that is contributing to the ratings and you lose a great deal.

Now there is a difference between New York and LA. New York is 20% Hispanic and LA is 40% Hispanic. That said, walk the streets of New York and you hear a hundred different languages. Not a real positive for Country Music, because there are not a lot of foreign language countries where Country Music does well.

Ed Salamon, the father of big city Country Music Radio, used to say that this diversity was a benefit to Country because if English was your second language at least the format told stories and listeners could connect with the story. Well, New York is certainly the most diverse city in America.

There has been success with Country Music Radio in New York. Ed was very successful at WHN in the ‘70s. I learned a great deal about big city Country Radio working for him there at WHN.

The late Dene Hallam had success in New York with the first FM playing Country Music there.

Later WYNY had some success. Michael O’Malley did a fine job with the station and when he left I spent about a year there and we had a strong station with great talent until the parent company sold some of the signal off and they lost a Country stronghold in New Jersey.

The fourth attempt failed miserably. The Tri-cast was signal challenged and never really took hold.

Of course there are New York stations that play Country Music. Scott Shannon is a real friend of the format on WPLJ but it is obviously kept to the pop influenced portion of the genre.

Look at the EOY finalists for the CMA show. One of the acts gets consistent play on WPLJ. New York radio listeners are shut out of Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and (most of) Keith Urban. These are our big guns and they are silenced on the radio.

The Band Perry got some AC and CHR play in the last year, but the other four CMA New Artist nominees are not on the radio in New York. This is not the way to grow the format.

In the past the CMA has taken a lead in supporting Country Radio in LA and NY. Whatever can be done in the future would be beneficial for all of us.

New York Country Radio would have to be a little different today than it was in the past. A current-based format has to be current with CHR turnover. That would grow the cume and then programmers would have to work on keeping the listeners longer. But building a foundation that is dependable is not going as easy as doing it in Dallas or Atlanta.

Without outing him, as he works at a Country Station in a BIG market, my friend used to comment that he has never ridden a tractor, doesn’t travel dirt roads and doesn’t fish or hunt. True, but he drinks Tequila, knows a crazy girl or two and has drunk dialed in the past. It all works.

Warner Music Adds Sr. Publicist

Warner Music Nashville (WMN), the Nashville-based music operations of Warner Music Group, announced today (9/29) that Nikki Herceg will be the new Senior Director of Publicity beginning Mon., Oct. 3. She will report directly to Tree Paine, VP of Publicity.

Starting at MSO PR, Nikki joined the Warner Music family in 2002 at Warner Bros. Records working to become Director of Publicity until November 2010, when she began working as an independent publicist.

The division is home to Warner Bros. Nashville, Word Label Group and the re-launched Atlantic Nashville.

Beginning Oct. 3, Herceg may be contacted at Nikki.Herceg@wmg.com.

She fills the vacancy left by the recent departure of Jensen Sussman Arrowsmith.

Thursday News Parade

>>Atlantic Record’s Brett Eldredge has become the first new artist to receive an honorary “Friends and Family” membership to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He visited the Hall on Sept. 27 after logging his 10th Opry performance singing his current single, “It Ain’t Gotta Be Love.”

Seated: Brett Eldridge; (Standing: L-R): Rob Baker (Violator Management), Debbie Parsley (Event Entertainment Manager), Sharon Burns (Vice President, Sales & Marketing), Rachel Weingartner (Membership Coordinator), Kyle Young (Director), Brad Kennard (Violator Management), Jay Orr (Vice President, Programs) and Ali Tonn (Director, Education & Public Programming)

Chelsea Ogden

>>Chelsea Ogden has been named Social Media Coordinator at PLA Media. President/CEO of PLA Media, Pam Lewis says, “As social media becomes more prevalent, I want to expand our efforts with a dedicated department at PLA. Having this division is crucial.” Ogden first joined the company in earlier in the summer as an intern. Previously she worked for Epic Modeling Agency in New York doing both print and runway work. She is currently a senior at Belmont pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business.

>>Scott Welch Management’s Scott Welch has been named co-chair of the Musicians On Call Board of Directors. He will share the position with Tom Poleman who has served for the past two years. Michael Solomon, founder of MOC noted,

Scott Welch

“Scott has repeatedly demonstrated his absolute love and passion for the organization and it is this passion along with his vision toward the future that makes him so ideal to lead Musicians On Call to the next level of programming and expansion.”

MOC is a nonprofit that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. Welch has been serving as the only Nashville representative on its Board of Directors.

Scott has managed the careers and development of multi-platinum recording artists Alanis Morissette, LeAnn Rimes, Steve Perry, Paula Abdul, Collective Soul, C&C Music Factory, and others.

 

 

IEBA Conference Opens Sunday

Nathan Hubbard

The International Entertainment Buyers Association conference opens Sun., Oct. 2 in Nashville, running through Tues., Oct. 4.

Nathan Hubbard, CEO of Ticketmaster at Live Nation Entertainment, will speak to IEBA attendees on Tues., Oct. 4 at 11:00 a.m. as part of the annual conference. He was named to the position after the conclusion of the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger in January 2010. Previously, he was CEO of Live Nation e-commerce, overseeing all digital, ticketing, and e-commerce initiatives for the company and handling the launch of Live Nation Ticketing in January 2009. He joined the company in 2006 following Live Nation’s purchase of Musictoday, where he was CEO.

Numerous showcases have been previously announced. Just revealed is the WME showcase set for Mon., Oct. 3 at 9:45 PM. Wynonna Judd kicks off the evening at War Memorial Auditorium with a reworked show including a new band. Also taking the stage will be The Band Perry, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice, Neal McCoy, Eric Paslay and Tyler Farr.

Details at ieba.org.

Pickler Acting Debut On 90210

BNA Records artist Kellie Pickler made a visit to KWJJ in Portland, OR. and visited with PD Mike Moore.

Kellie Pickler’s personality is as big as the North Carolina mountains where she grew up, in Albermarle. In fact, her infectious sense of humor may be too huge to allow her to be branded as just a music artist. So it should be no surprise that she has become almost a regular on the Ellen Show and will soon make her acting debut on CW’s 90210 set to air Oct. 18. Ms. Pickler will appear on the Ellen Show on Oct. 4 to perform her current single, “Tough” and premiere some clips from the upcoming episode.

“You see Ellen DeGeneres on TV and she’s so funny and warm and kind hearted,” says Pickler. “But when the camera’s go off, she’s still that same person. It’s always fun to be on Ellen and have some laughs, sing my songs and dance.”

Pickler will play the role of Sally on 90210, the country-singing cousin of local cowboy Austin (Justin Deeley). While in Los Angeles, Pickler will also perform at Camp Pendleton on Oct. 7 as part of Operation Gratitude, a free show for all US Service members.

Playing The Opry Is A Dream Gig

Little Jimmy Dickens welcomes Eric Lee Beddingfield to the Opry.

Playing The Grand Ole Opry is a dream for many rising artists. In fact, a recent survey of thousands of musicians conducted by Digital Music News and Reverbnation ranked playing the Opry fifth on the Most Desired Venues and Gigs list.

Here’s some of the Nashville acts who recently made that dream a reality.

Top indie artist Katie Armiger made her debut on the famed stage, as did Australian country music trio, The McClymonts.

A few newcomers graced the venerable stage as part of George Jones’ 80th birthday celebration, including Atlanta based band Blackberry Smoke and Eric Lee Beddingfield who performed his song “The Gospel According to Jones.”

This weekend, Warner Bros. Records artist Jason Jones will perform on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, playing his debut single, “Ferris Wheel.” Jones will join Laura Bell Bundy, Jimmy Dickens, Mike Snider, and others in the line-up for Saturday’s (10/1) show.

 

Americana Music Festival Takes Fun Off-Site

The Americana Music Association Festival and Conference runs Oct. 12-15 with events centered at the Downtown Sheraton, but that’s not stopping organizers from expanding the reach to other venues around town. Many of the events listed below are also free and open to the public. Check americanamusic.org for admission details and times.

For those interested in the business of music, early Bird Registration for the Conference is $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members through Oct. 10. It includes admission to all AMA panels and all musical nighttime showcases, plus special events and a ticket to the Americana Honors & Awards show at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Thurs., Oct. 13.

Here’s a quick look at some of the off-site fun:

Wed., Oct. 12
• songwriter Steve Forbert performs and showcases photography at Tinney Contemporary Gallery
Music City Roots: Live From the Loveless Cafe with Grayson Capps, The Milk Carton Kids, and more

Thurs., Oct. 13
Land of 1000 Dances: The Groundbreaking Sounds of Muscle Shoals Presented at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum with guest speakers David Briggs, Rick Hall, Norbert Putnam, Donnie Fritts, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham and Jimmy Johnson. Moderated by journalist Holly George Warren.
10th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium with Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman, Jerry Douglas, Rick Hall, Bob Harris, Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Miller, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Hayes Carll, The Civil Wars, Elizabeth Cook, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Secret Sisters

Fri., Oct. 14
• live radio broadcast with Mojo Nixon for SiriusXM Outlaw Country at the Sirius XM Theater at Bridgestone Arena Tower, with performances by Bottle Rockets, North Mississippi Allstars and Kenny Vaughan

Sat., Oct. 15
Americanarama IV at Grimey’s New And Preloved Music, a free, all-day concert, plus the Yazoo beer truck, local food vendors and a store-wide sale

• Performance by The 1861 Project on the Legislative Plaza in front of War Memorial Auditorium and the Sheraton Hotel. Presented in partnership with the Southern Festival of Books. The 1861 Project is a concept album that sets stories of the Civil War to new songs. Featuring Thomm Jutz, Irene Kelley and more. Free and open to the public

Thirty Tigers and The SummerTyne Americana Festival Party at Hard Rock Café. Free and open.

Musician’s Corner at Centennial Park. The free weekly outdoor showcase features Nanci Griffith, a Tom T. Hall tribute, Ben Sollee, Brian Wright and more

Sun., Oct. 16
Stagemothers Aussie BarBQ at The Basement with numerous acts