CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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Everybody needs an anthem. Even folks (like me) who find themselves daydreaming about happy hour specials as early as noon on Wednesdays. Shh, don’t tell the bossman.

Though the song might become the scourge of 12-steppers everywhere, Eric Church’s “Drink In My Hand” has knocked back the artist’s first CountryBreakout No. 1. Church has experienced a few firsts in recent weeks: his first CMA nomination for New Artist of the Year, the birth of his first child (Boone McCoy Church), and just yesterday his first Grammy nomination for Best Country Album (for Chief). It’s been a long time coming for Church, who now has three albums and countless live performances (like his game-changing slot on the 45th Annual CMA Awards) under his belt. It might be tough to legitimately call him ‘new’ at this point, but at least the rest of the music world is starting to realize what the folks in Nashville have known for years.

“The Grammys are the ultimate honor for any recording artist,” says Church. “It’s very cool that they recognized Chief in what I feel is the most coveted category. I got into the music business because of great records and the feelings they imparted on my heart. I’ve poured everything I am into making those kinds of albums, and I am very thankful for this nod.”

Starting in 2012, Church will join forces with Brantley Gilbert on the Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour of 50 US cities. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I suspect that might be cause for a drink (or two) in the hand.

Blair Garner To Release Compilation CD

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For nearly two decades Blair Garner has hosted his nightly syndicated radio show, “After MidNite,” conducting candid interviews with some of Country’s biggest artists. In addition to his busy broadcast schedule, Garner recently announced he will be releasing Beyond The Hits, the debut compilation CD from his newly formed TriPower Production Company. The CD will feature non-single tracks off previously recorded albums by Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and more.

“Obviously not all the songs get the spotlight of being a single; it just doesn’t work that way. Because of that I think some songs may not get their fair share of attention. Beyond The Hits looks to change that. We want fans to realize the sheer depth and brilliance of these artists. Every cut on Beyond could have been, in my opinion, a number one. I’m just lucky to be the guy to bring them to light,” Garner says.

Beyond The Hits Volume 1 will be available on iTunes as a $9.99 digital album beginning January 10, 2012. A percentage of the profits from the sales of Beyond The Hits will benefit charity.

Beyond The Hits track listing:

Alan Jackson – “If Jesus Walked the World Today”
Martina McBride – “Sunny Side Up”
Luke Bryan – “First Love Song”
Tim McGraw – “Can’t Tell Me Nothin’”
Brad Paisley – “Better Than This”
Jason Aldean – “I Believe In Ghosts”
Sara Evans – “You Don’t”
Trace Adkins – “Southern Hallelujah”
Lady Antebellum – “Slow Down Sister”
Darius Rucker – “Be Wary of a Woman”
Miranda Lambert – “Guilty In Here”
Kenny Chesney – “In a Small Town”
Carrie Underwood – “You Won’t Find This”
Keith Urban – “My Heart Is Open”
Josh Turner – “Gravity”
Rascal Flatts – “Cool Thing”
Toby Keith – “Hurt a Lot Worse When You Go”
Sugarland – “One Blue Sky”
Billy Currington – “Heal Me”
LeAnn Rimes – “You Take Me Home”

Weekly Chart Review (12/2/11)

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Bill Gentry (L) makes special delivery of his new single, "This Letter," to KJJY/Des Moines PD RW Smith (R). Gentry has been out promoting the song, which appears on his upcoming 2012 CD release.

SPIN ZONE
Raise a glass, people. Eric Church’s “Drink In My Hand” has ascended to the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot, making it his first chart-topping single. Then there’s a chaser (ha!) of The Band Perry’s “All Your Life” and Zac Brown Band’s “Keep Me In Mind” at No. 2 and 3, respectively. Also moving up are Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night to End” at No. 4 and Rascal Flatts’ “Easy” at No. 5

Taylor Swift’s performance of “Ours” on the CMA Awards apparently had quite an impact. Less than a month later, the song is her official new single and just snapped up a gain of 467 spins to debut at No. 55. And maybe programmers are kind of waking up from the Thanksgiving turkey slumber, because there are numerous singles piling on 200-plus spins: Brad Paisley’s “Camouflage” (No. 15), Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” (No. 16), Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” (No. 17), George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” (No. 23), Trace Adkins’ “Million Dollar View” (No. 24), and Faith Hill’s “Come Home” (No. 34).

Frozen Playlists: KBCN, KDKD, KIAI, KTHK, WHMA, WKWS, WXFL

 

On a recent West Coast run to promote his debut single “Cowboy Up and Party Down,” NuCorp Entertainment artist Darren Warren (R) stopped by KNCI in Sacramento to visit with Music Director Matt Vieira (L).

Upcoming Singles
December 5
Taylor Swift/Ours/Big Machine
Steve Holy/Until The Rain Stops/Curb

December 12
Josh Thompson/Comin’ Around/RCA
Tim Dugger/Way Past My Beer Time/Curb
Brantley Gilbert/You Don’t Know Her Like I Do/Valory

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Taylor Swift/Ours/Big Machine — 55
Her and Kings County/White Trash Country Boy/Warner Bros./WMN — 74
Casey Donahew Band/Double—Wide Dream — 75
Jonalee White/Brand New/Lick — 76
The Lost Trailers/Underdog/CO5 — 78
Brent Anderson/Amy’s Song/Arista — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Taylor Swift/Ours/Big Machine — 467
Keith Urban/You Gonna Fly/Capitol — 313
George Strait/Love’s Gonna Make It Alright/MCA — 311
Faith Hill/Come Home/Warner Bros. — 291
Toby Keith/Red Solo Cup/Show Dog-Universal — 258

Straight Shooter's Alexandra Demetree (L) stopped by Wichita's 100.5 the Wolf and hung out with Colby Ericson (R) during the Wolf Morning Show.

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Taylor Swift/Ours/Big Machine — 36
Faith Hill/Come Home/Warner Bros. — 14
Brantley Gilbert/You Don’t Know Her Like I Do/Valory — 12
George Strait/Love’s Gonna Make It Alright/MCA — 11
Sawyer Brown/Travelin’ Band — 8
Gloriana/(Kissed You) Good Night Emblem/WMN — 8
The Lost Trailers/Underdog/CO5 — 8

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Love and Theft/Angel Eyes/RCA — 151
Jackie Arredondo/Rockin’ the Trailer/Gold Voice — 150
Sawyer Brown/Travelin’ Band — 147
Bill Gentry/This Letter/Tenacity — 147
Wade Bowen/Saturday Night/Sea Gayle/BNA — 145
Brantley Gilbert/You Don’t Know Her Like I Do/Valory — 138

Industry Ink (12/2/2011)

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Samantha Cox

BMI has promoted Samantha Cox to Assistant VP of Writer/Publisher Relations, it was announced yesterday (12/1) by BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations Charlie Feldman. Cox is based in the company’s New York office and was previously BMI’s Executive Director of Writer/Publisher Relations. Cox joined BMI as an intern in 1996, and has worked her way through the Writer/Publisher Relations department since then. Her career also includes time with KUTZ/Austin, PolyGram Records, and operating her own promotions company.

• •

The National Music Publishers’ Association has announced the hiring of Allison Halataei as VP for Government Affairs. She joins the NMPA from the Committee on the Judiciary in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Parliamentarian. In her new role, Halataei will serve as the NMPA’s chief liaison to Capitol Hill and federal agencies, overseeing all legislative and regulatory policy development on behalf of the music publishing business. “We are excited to welcome Allison to our team,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite. “She brings to our organization and its members extensive experience in both issue substance and legislative process. She will be an invaluable leader for ourindustry in the coming years.”

• • •

Leslie Barr has joined the staff of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, as Director of the live and touring department. “I have known Leslie for many years, and her knowledge, experience and positive attitude are going to be an essential part of the reinvention of our live and touring department. We are all excited to be working with her as we move Local 257 into the future and continue to expand our services,” said Dave Pomeroy, president of the Nashville Musicians Association. Barr has 15 years music industry experience, most recently with Gibson Guitar Corporation, and prior to that with Bug Music, Harlan Howard Songs and Forerunner Music Group.

Jessica Frech Hitches A Ride With Hyundai

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Most successful artists are driven, but the automobile will likely always hold a special significance for singer/songwriter Jessica Frech now that Hyundai Automotive has selected her for its Hyundai Holiday Catch The Spirit campaign.

“What a present it truly was to have an opportunity to impact an audience beyond the net with this Hyundai ad,” says Frech. “I hope my Granny will get a chance to finally see what I do. Lord knows she can’t master a computer or smart phone!”

Hyundai turned to Jessica for its promotion after she captured their attention on YouTube with her People Of Wal-Mart video series that had garnered millions of online views. Her first episode passed the ten million mark and the second installment has been streamed over 500,000 times in two weeks. (Check out her “Black Friday Night” parody here. The Hyundai ad can be seen here.)

Frech has been featured on FOX News, MSNBC, G4 and Jimmy Fallon. Her first Christmas EP Pull My Finger to Hear Jingle Bells hits the market Dec. 5 and will feature one original track in the same vein as her comedic online personality, one true singer-songwriter tune and two covers. For more visit www.jessicamusic.com.

CMA Elects New Board

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In recognition of their volunteer service to the CMA Board of Directors outgoing CMA Chairman Steve Buchanan (L), Gaylord Entertainment Senior VP of Media and Entertainment, and incoming CMA Chairman Gary Overton (R), Sony Music Entertainment Nashville Chairman and CEO, were presented the crystal gavel and globe, respectively, by CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore (C). The presentations were made at the annual CMA membership meeting Wednesday in Nashville. Photo credit: Christian Bottoroff/CMA

The Country Music Association held the annual Board of Directors election meeting in Nashville this week (11/30). The new Board year begins immediately.

Steve Buchanan, Gaylord Entertainment Senior Vice President of Media and Entertainment, completes his term as Chairman of the Board and current CMA Board President Gary Overton, Sony Music Entertainment Nashville Chairman and CEO, now assumes the position of CMA Board Chairman. Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, was named President-Elect. Jessie Schmidt, President of Schmidt Relations, remains Secretary/Treasurer for a second year. CMA Board President will be announced at a later date.

“On behalf of the CMA’s Board of Directors, our membership, and the CMA staff, I want to recognize outgoing Board Chair Steve Buchanan and thank him for his steady and insightful leadership over the last year and a half,” said Overton.

Following is a list of CMA Directors and Directors at Large:
Directors By Membership Category
Carryover Directors, who are serving the second year of a two-year term, are followed by newly-elected Directors (indicated in bold).

Advertising Agency/PR/Marketing
Mary Hilliard Harrington, The GreenRoom PR

Affiliated
Nancy Shapiro, NARAS
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization

Artist
Jay DeMarcus, Rascal Flatts
Luke Bryan

Broadcast Air Talent
Charlie Cook, West Virginia Radio Corp., Morgantown, W.Va.
Blair Garner, After Midnight with Blair Garner, Premiere Radio Networks

Composer
Bob DiPiero, Love Monkey Music
Brett James, Cornman Music

Entertainment Services
Stacey Schlitz, Schlitz Law

International
Ian Ashbridge, Wrasse Records, U.K.
Bob Shennan, BBC, U.K.

Music Publisher/PRO
Tim DuBois, Tim DuBois Entertainment
Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Musician
Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions, Inc.

Personal Manager
Ken Levitan, Vector Management
Bill Simmons, The Fitzgerald Hartley Company

Producer/Engineer/Studio
Dann Huff, Dann Huff Production

Radio
Jaye Albright, Albright & O’Malley, Bainbridge Island, Wash.
Clay Hunnicutt, Clear Channel Communications, Atlanta, Ga.

Record Company
Gary Overton, Sony Music Entertainment
Mike Dungan, EMI Capitol Records

Record/Video/Online Merchandiser
Charlie Anderson, Anderson Merchandisers, Knoxville, Tenn.

Talent Agent/Promoter
Rob Beckham, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC

Talent Buyer/Venue
Larry Vallon, AEG Live!, Los Angeles, Calif.
Louis Messina, The Messina Group

Television/Video/Media
Mark Shimmel, Turner Networks

Lifetime Directors
J. William Denny
Ralph Peer II
Frances Preston

 

Ex-Officio Members
Jim Free, The Smith-Free Group, Washington, D.C.
Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Directors at Large
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Records/Valory Music Company
Connie Bradley
Becky Brenner
Kix Brooks, Don’t Miss This, LLC
Steve Buchanan, Gaylord Entertainment Co.
Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCreedy, & McCarthy, Inc.
Pat Collins, SESAC
Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group, LLC
Ann Edelblute, XIX Entertainment
John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Randy Goodman, Nashville Music Council
Mark Hamilton, Apple, Inc.; iTunes Store, Cupertino, Calif.
Ed Hardy, Great American Country (GAC)
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck
Pat Higdon, Universal Music Publishing Group
Clint Higham, Morris Artists Management Group
John Huie, Creative Artists Agency
Jan Jeffries, Cumulus Media, Atlanta, Ga.
Marion Kraft, Shop Keeper Management
Luke Lewis, UMG Nashville
John Marks, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio
Doc McGhee, McGhee Entertainment
Mike Moore, Entercom Communications, Portland, OR
Kevin Neal, Buddy Lee Attractions
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation
Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment
Brian Philips, CMT/MTV Networks
Rob Potts, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Five Dock, Australia
John Rich, Big & Rich
David Ross, Music Row Enterprises LLC
Ron Sakamoto, Gold & Gold Productions, LTD., Alberta, Canada
Jessie Schmidt, Schmidt Relations
Victoria Shaw, Songalicious Music
Clarence Spalding, Spalding Entertainment
Michael Vaden, Decosimo Vaden
Jeff Walker, The AristoMedia Group
Rusty Walker, Rusty Walker Programming Consultant, Inc., Iuka, Miss.
Jody Williams, BMI
Mark Wright, Show Dog Universal Music

More than 6,400 music industry professionals and companies around the globe are members of the Country Music Association. Formed in 1958 as the first trade association for a single genre of music, the organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry while advancing the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s strategic imperatives – CMA Music Festival and the companion CMA Music Festival television special, the CMA Awards, and CMA’s latest television venture “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s TV properties air on the ABC Television Network through 2021. For information about CMA visit www.CMAworld.com.

Vince Gill Leads Nashville’s Annual Christmas Parade

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Vince Gill will serve as Grand Marshal of Nashville’s 59th Annual Christmas Parade, which takes place downtown tomorrow (12/2). Mayor Karl Dean and executives from sponsor Piedmont Natural Gas will join Gill as they lead the “Christmas Around The World” parade of professionally designed floats and jumbo-sized helium balloons to officially kick off downtown holiday celebrations.

This year’s parade will feature special guests including Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, Jenny Gill (singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth”), Sarah Darling (singing “O Holy Night”), The Lunabelles and 15 high school marching bands in what is expected to be the largest parade in the city’s history.

The festivities begin with the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. in the Public Square Plaza with the parade to immediately follow at 7:00 p.m. on Union Street, traveling in front of the Plaza and down 2nd Avenue and up Broadway, ending at Hume Fogg between 7th and 8th.

This year’s tree is a 40-foot Norway Spruce donated by Davidson County residents Kenneth and Sandra Kingdon and will be adorned with more than 5,000 LED colored lights.

Jake Owen Celebrates First No. 1

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(L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams, Cal IV Publishing’s Daniel Hill, co-writers Dylan Altman and Terry Sawchuk, Jake Owen, co-writer Eric Paslay, producers Joey Moi and Rodney Clawson, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, and Sony’s Gary Overton. Photo: Steve Lowry

Jake Owen celebrated his first No. 1 hit “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” with a packed house at CMA on Tuesday night (11/29). The Sony Music Nashville star was joined by songwriters Eric Paslay, Terry Sawchuk and Dylan Altman at the event co-hosted by ASCAP and BMI. “Barefoot…” is also the first No. 1 for Paslay and Sawchuck, and the second for Altman.

“I’ve been to a lot of these things, standing in the back over there, drinking a free beer,” Owen laughed, “so to be up here right now is amazing.” He quickly shared the spotlight though, thanking his band, label and songwriters. He pointed out that the song would not have been successful without a genuine team effort. “There’s no single way that one person makes the big difference, unless you’re the Indianapolis Colts,” he joked, referring to the Colts’ 0-11 record while QB Peyton Manning is sidelined with an injury this season.

Paslay, a new artist signed to Capitol Nashville, got a little choked up addressing the audience. “This is the first talk like this I’ve given to a crowd about thanking them,” he explained, taking a moment to collect himself. Like Owen, Paslay expressed his gratitude to those around him, thanking his parents for his first guitar and Cal IV for jump-starting his career with an internship.

The song, which has racked up 115,000 radio spins, was produced by Joey Moi, Rodney Clawson and Tony Brown. It is one of only six songs released in 2011 to reach Platinum download status.

Owen is following up the success of “Barefoot…” with new single “Alone with You.” The video, featuring a cameo by his bulldog Merle, is premiering on Facebook. The single is already No. 24 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart.

“This song changed my life,” added Owen of his first No. 1. “I’m so grateful to the songwriters, who have become really good friends of mine. Feeling the support of this amazingly talented community is hard to describe. It’s just awesome to be part of it. This has been the best year of my life.”

No Shave November Raises Over $35,000 For St. Jude

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(L-R): WMN's George Meeker, Bob Reeves, and Lou Ramirez present awards at the No Shave November "Beard Bash."

Gentlemen, start your razors. The first annual “No Shave November” competition benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital officially closed yesterday, November 30. Numerous fundraising goals of $2,500; $5,000; $10,000; and $20,000 were surpassed with the final total reaching over $35,000.

Participants and supporters celebrated with a “Beard Bash” at The Moose Music Row last night. Prizes were awarded for a variety of beardtastic categories and selected by a panel of celebrity judges including: A Rocket to the Moon (Fueled by Ramen band of Andrew Cook, Eric Halvorsen, Justin Richards, Nick Santino), Duane Allen and Joe Bonsall from The Oak Ridge Boys, Matt and Ryan Fleener from The Dirt Drifters, Tom Gossin from Gloriana, Casey James, Neal McCoy, The McClymonts (Mollie and Samantha McClymont), John Rich and Blake Shelton.

“No Shave November” Winners

The Whisker Reward (to the beard that raised the most money):
Billy Greenwood ($3,185)

The MVP award (to the person who did the most to spread the word about the event):
Chuck Aly

The More Salt Than Pepper award (to the beard with the most gray):
Damon Moberly

The Shoulda Shaved November award (to the worst beard):
Bob Reeves

The Lindsay Lohan award (to the best mug shot):
Andy Woods

The Hairy Potter award (to the person who looks the most like Harry Potter with a beard):
John Flint

The Beard of the Year award:
Brian Bowling

(L-R): Peter Strickland (Warner Music Nashville SVP of Brand Management & Sales), Tyler Wall (WMN), Bob Reeves (WMN VP of Promotion), April Johnson (WMN), George Meeker (WMN), Brian Bowling (“The Beard of the Year”), WSIX’s Billy Greenwood (“The Whisker Award”), Lou Ramirez (WMN), Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly (“The MVP Award”)

The Ryman Goes Digital With New Mobile Apps

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Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium announced the release of two new mobile apps available today (12/1), one for the iPhone and another for Android devices.

The free apps will allow users to access concert information, view exclusive Ryman related content and purchase tickets directly (via Ticketmaster mobile integration).

“We’re excited that these apps offer another way for us to interact with customers while making it easier for fans to share their excitement about Ryman events with each other,” said Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium General Manager.

Along with concert dates, the apps feature:
* In-app ticket purchasing
* Ability to share events with friends via Twitter and Facebook
* Ability to sign up for push messaging to receive concert announcements as text messages
* Easy check-in to events via Facebook and Foursquare
* Virtual Hatch Show Print gallery
* Behind-the-scenes videos
* Concert photos
* Online store for Ryman Auditorium merchandise
* Newsletter sign-up

The new Ryman apps were developed by Santa Monica, CA based Mobile Roadie which previously built apps for the Grand Ole Opry and Live Nation and artists including Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Madonna and Taylor Swift. This is the Ryman’s first step in putting official partner Nissan North America’s “Innovation For All” promise into action.