Industry Ink Wednesday

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>>Curb Music Publishing recently hosted a two-day Songwriters Retreat at Blackberry Farm near the Smoky Mountains.

Curb writing retreat (front row, L-R) Senator Lamar Alexander and Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson; (back row, L-R) Blackberry Farm's Sam Beall, Curb's Director of Publishing Drew Alexander, Bobby Tomberlin, Capitol artist Kelleigh Bannen, Curb artist Lee Brice, songwriter Billy Montana, and Anderson's manager Lee Willard.


>> Business magazine Fast Company has named BigChampagne to its latest “World’s Most Innovative Companies” list. BigChampagne is recognized for the groundbreaking comprehensive media measurement of its Ultimate Chart. Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March 2011) is on newsstands beginning Feb. 22.

Anthony Corder


>>Anthony Corder has been named General Manager of Anchor Down Entertainment. Owner Dean Blocker and Corder will work to further develop the seven-year-old independently operated publishing company. Corder can be reached at Anthony@anchordownent.com or 615-292-9898.
>>Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan is splitting with manager Terry McBride of Nettwerk Music Group after 23 years.
>>Nathan Chapman produced a few tracks for pop singer Anna Nalick’s new album. She is best known for the hit “Breathe (2AM).”

Gareth Dunlop. Photo: Anthony Scarlati


>>Northern Ireland native Gareth Dunlop has been signed to a joint venture publishing deal with Moraine Music Group and Nettwerk One Music. His songs have been featured in the television series Cougar Town, Private Practice, One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected. Brent Maher is producing Dunlop’s debut LP, to be released later this year.
>>JKMusicwerks owner Jeffrey Kadlubowski has signed songwriter Larry Wiater to a one-year publishing deal.
>>Former American Idol contestant Siobhan Magnus recently recorded at Nashville’s Pacific International Studios with producer Mike Flanders.

(L-R): Pacific International Music Producer Michael Flanders, Siobhan Magnus, Pacific International CEO Rob Mackay.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (2/16/11)

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Contemporary country music sounds wildly diverse this week.
We have bluegrass flavored The Roys, outlaw sounds from the George Brothers, rollicking pop-country by Kenny Chesney and southern, guitar-slinger rock via Frankie Ballard. How’s that for variety?
The expert instrumental work on the George Brothers single earns the duo a DiscCovery Award.
I have a three-way tie for the Disc of the Day. For songwriting excellence, the winner is Jamey Johnson. For poetry in production, the prize goes to Gretchen Wilson. And for all-out vocal splendor, give one to Chris Young.
GEORGE BROTHERS/Brothers, Friends And Outlaws Forever
Writer: Dandall George/Leslie Wright; Producer: George Brothers & Leslie Wright; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Velma Jean (870-715-2867)
—I like it that the two electric guitars “answer” each other from opposite speakers. The duo’s single is a stomping southern rocker that name-checks Waylon, Willie, Johnny Cash, Jesse James, John Wayne, farmers, the troops, mama, Jack Daniels, Bud Light and the like. They won’t win any prizes as singers, but they get the job done, and the track is smokin.’
TIM McGRAW & GWYNETH PALTROW/Me And Tennessee
Writer: A. Martin; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw & A. Martin; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Curb
—Taken from the soundtrack of Country Strong, this echo-soaked ballad of rekindling faded love never actually gets around to singing its title. All atmosphere and little substance.
VINCE HATFIELD/Beth
Writer: Robert Alan Ezrin/Stanley Penridge/Peter Criss; Producer: Vince Hatfield & Eric Paul; Publisher: Rock Steady/Intersong/Cafe Americana/Irving/All By Myself/Peter Criss, ASCAP; Blue Moon (www.vincehatfield.com)
—Vince thinks this 1976 ballad by Kiss would make a good country single. I don’t.
CHRIS YOUNG/Tomorrow
Writer: Chris Young/Frank Myers/Anthony Smith; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: Runnin’ Behind/EMI April/Sixteen Stars/Frank Myers/Grand Poobah/Dreams To Music, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; RCA
—He sings with so much heat you can practically warm your hands by the speakers. This ultra-melodic ballad of conflicted romance sounds like a major, major hit. Straight from his beating heart.
THE ROYS/Coal Minin’ Man
Writer: Lee Roy/Matt Rogers; Producer: The Roys & Andy Leftwich; Publisher: none listed; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.theroysonline.com)
—This single from The Roys’ upcoming Rural Rhythm debut (due in March), is a sparkling acoustic gem. The lilting dobro licks, weaving fiddle lines and rippling guitars create an enchanting tapestry of sound around their plaintive voices. In a word, delightful.
FRANKIE BALLARD/A Buncha Girls
Writer: Frankie Ballard/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
—This exudes potent self confidence and musical muscle. Put some rocking sass in your playlist.
KENNY CHESNEY/Live A Little
Writer: Shane Minor/David Lee Murphy; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; BNA (track)
—It may be February outside, but Kenny is already bopping into the summer season. A single with a built-in smile. Tap your toes and sing along.
GRETCHEN WILSON/I’d Love To Be Your Last
Writer: Rivers Rutherford/Sam & Annie Tate; Producer: Gretchen Wilson & Blake Chancey; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP/SESAC; Redneck (track) (www.gretchenwilson.com)
—I guess there are just some things we weren’t meant to understand in our lifetimes. Like how a track on an independent-label CD that was never even released as a single winds up with two Grammy nominations. Now it is finally a single, and a spectacularly lovely one. Gretchen sings the ballad with breathy, aching emotion, and the super-tasteful, guitars-and-cello arrangement is simply gorgeous. Awesome.
JAMEY JOHNSON/Heartache
Writer: Jamey Johnson/Rivers Rutherford; Producer: the Kent Herdly Playboys; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Big Gassed Hitties/Universal/Macirhcyco, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury (CDX)
—This darkly ominous composition takes the unusual perspective of treating Heartache as though it were a sentient, threatening predator. Jamey growls his way through a tale that takes you through the historical past and into a smoldering, sexual present. Brilliantly creative and fabulously listenable.
MARK WILLS/Looking For America
Writer: Bernie Nelson/Philip Douglas/Jeremy Bussey; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publisher: Lisa Marie/SongsStarters/Buzz Cut, SESAC; Big Red M (CDX) (615-772-8868)
—He misses the good old days, surrounded by a stellar audio production.

CRS Updates, Deadlines, and Panels

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>>Friday, Feb. 18, is the deadline to purchase $399 CRS registrations, to be held March 2-4, 2011. The current CRS registration price was cut back to its $399 Early Bird Rate after the New Faces of Country Music Show sold out in January. As a result, all registrations purchased after Jan. 24 through the opening of CRS 2011 on March 2 will not include a ticket to the New Faces show. The $499 On-Site Registration Rate begins Saturday, Feb. 19.
>>Feb. 18 is also the last day to submit an artist for the Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception. To be considered for the event, an artist must have a career Top 10 single or a Top 75 single within the last year on the Country Aircheck or Music Row chart. Artists must be self-registered at CRS 2011 or have at least three people registered from their label or management to qualify for Artist/Attendee reception consideration. To submit an artist, contact CRB’s Chasity Crouch at chasity@crb.org or (615) 327-4487.
>>Tickets to the Country Radio Hall of Fame Dinner, held March 1, at the Nashville Convention Center are now sold out. Additionally, the downtown Renaissance Hotel has reportedly reached full capacity, although there are numerous hotels still available within walking distance of CRS 2011.
>> The KCRS Live! lineup has been revised. Due to an unforeseen personal commitment, Bob DiPiero will be replaced by Rivers Rutherford as one of the songwriter showcase’s featured performers. Rutherford will perform along with Aaron Lewis, LoCash Cowboys and Jeffrey Steele at the Stroudavarious-sponsored event, held March 2, at 4 p.m. inside the downtown Nashville Convention Center during CRS 2011.
>>The three-day Country Radio Seminar 2011 will feature a variety of panels on topics including social media and digital innovations, PPM, music video, brand strategies, leadership skills, consumer research studies, concert promotions and revenue, ad sales, PD multi-tasking, the relationships and economics of the radio and record industries, on-air interviews and much more.
Here is a quick look at five highlighted CRS 2011 panels:
Wednesday, March 2:
The Digital Life: Doing Business In An Increasingly Digital World (11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.) – Media and technology expert Shelly Palmer presents the latest info on what consumers are doing in terms of using tech-gadgets, websites and mobile devices, as well as an overview of media consumption trends.  Presenter: Shelly Palmer (Live Digital with Shelly Palmer).
Show Me The Money: The Economics of the Radio and Music Industry (3 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.) – Everything you want to know about the economics of the radio and music industry will be revealed in this in-depth look at the bottom line for both industries. Moderator: Erica Farber (The Farber Connection, LLC). Panelists: Ken Robold (UMG), Chuck Flood (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.), Tom English (Clear Channel Radio).
Thursday, March 3:
Strengthening Partnerships Through Social Media with Radio P1s (2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) – This panel provides specific knowledge about how social media can help stations build brand loyalty, ratings and a sense of community. Moderator: Dan Halyburton (McVay Media). Panelists: Sloane Cavitt (Show Dog-Universal), Pinky Gonzales (Carazel Inc.), Stephen Linn (CMT), Jennie Smythe (Girlilla Marketing), Roy Elkins (Broadjam).
Friday, March 4:
The Art of War: Strategies for Offense and Defense (10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) – This panel offers both a historic look and mentoring approach on how to program in a heated format battle. Moderator: Dan Halyburton (McVay Media). Panelists: Kevin Christopher (Tyler Media/KJKE), William B. Fletcher (Fletcher, Rowley and Riddle, Inc.), Lee Abrams.
Concerts: Connecting the Dots Between Ratings, Revenue and Promotions (2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.) – This panel demonstrates how concert promotion is a winning situation for all involved and covers many platforms. Panelists: Natalie Conner (WXTU), Tim Roberts (WYCD), Brian O’Connell (Live Nation).
Visit www.CRB.org for more information.

YouTube Videos Lead Dupre To Deal With Warner

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An interesting path led James Dupre to Warner Bros. Records. He was working as a paramedic in Louisiana, singing in bars and making music at night. Eventually one of his many YouTube videos caught the attention of the team at Ellen, who invited him to come on the show.

Last March Dupre visited the fellow Louisiana native’s show and sang the Matchbox Twenty hit, “3 AM” (see video below). That put him on the radar of Warner Bros., which signed him to a record deal.
Dupre has posted over 100 YouTube videos and garnered over 500,000 channel views.
He is working with producers Kyle Lehning and Jerry Douglas, and has an album available at iTunes and CDbaby .com.

Bonnaroo Line-Up Revealed On Vevo

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Alison Krauss and Union Station are among the first acts announced for this year's Bonnaroo Festival.


Bonnaroo revealed its 2011 festival line-up this morning exclusively on music video site Vevo.
Conan O’Brien helped with the big announcement (see video below).
Taking the stage at the 10th annual event in Manchester, Tennessee will be Eminem, Arcade Fire, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Loretta Lynn, Buffalo Springfield, Widespread Panic, Robert Plant & Band of Joy, the Black Keys, The Del McCoury Band, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, My Morning Jacket, Karen Elson and many more.
The party runs June 9-12. As usual, that’s the same time as CMA Music Festival.

Faith Hill Set For Symphony Fashion Show

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Faith Hill will be the guest musical artist at the 2011 Symphony Spring Fashion Show. The April 26 event at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center will showcase the 2011 fall collection of internationally recognized design team Marchesa.
All proceeds will benefit the Nashville Symphony and its music education programs, including the Thor Johnson Scholarship Fund.
The fashion show will be presented by Marissa Collections of Naples, Fla., and the fundraiser is being co-chaired by Janet Bentz and Johnna Watson.
In related Nashville Symphony news, the upcoming Pops Series will showcase the talents of country artists Wynonna (September 15-17, 2011), Kathy Mattea (March 22-24, 2012) and Steve Wariner (April 5-7, 2012).

Grammy Party Pics [updated 2/16]

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On February 12, 2011 Bigger Picture Group and its partners hosted a Pre-Grammy Celebration in The Foundation Room at The House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard. (L-R): Shane Victorino (Philadelphia Phillies), Melissa Victorino, Alana Grace, Rod Essig (CAA). Photo: Stefanie Keenan


On Saturday night, February 12, 2011 Bigger Picture Group and its partners hosted a Pre-Grammy Celebration in The Foundation Room at The House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard. (L-R): Gary Veloric (Bigger Picture Group), Bob Ezrin (Bigger Picture Group), Dan Aykroyd, Alan Kates (Bigger Picture Group). Photo: Stefanie Keenan


the JaneDear girls with Warner Music Nashville’s President & CEO John Esposito and Sr. VP of A&R Scott Hendricks at the Warner Music Group’s 2011 Grammy After Party. (L-R): Danelle Leverett (the JaneDear girls), WMN’s President & CEO John Esposito, Susie Brown (the JaneDear girls) and WMN’s Sr. VP of A&R Scott Hendrick. Photo: Picture Group


RCA Nashville's Chris Young was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “Gettin’ You Home” at the Grammy Awards. Pictured at Sony Music Entertainment’s post-show reception at Bar Nineteen 12 (L-R): Young, Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, and Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton. Photo credit: Larry Busacca/WireImage


Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman at the Patron Tequila VIP room at the EMI Grammys After-Party in Los Angeles, held at Milk Studios. Other attendees included Little Big Town, Katy Perry, Natasha Bedingfield, Dave Navaro and Lady Antebellum. Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup


On Feb. 12 Bigger Picture Group and its partners hosted a Pre-Grammy Celebration toasting Zac Brown Band' nominations at House of Blues on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Guests in attendance included Philadelphia Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino, actor Dan Akroyd and Bigger Picture Group sibling trio The Harters. Pictured (L-R): Bill Hein (Bigger Picture Group), Keith Stegall (Bigger Picture Group), Michael Harter (The Harters), Scott Harter (The Harters), Alan Kates (Bigger Picture Group), Leslie Harter (The Harters), Bob Ezrin (Bigger Picture Group), Gary Veloric (RS Planes). Photo: Stefanie Keenan

ACM Reveals Radio Winners

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ACM radio award winners were announced this morning (2/15). They will not be televised due to time constraints during the live telecast of the ACM Awards on April 3. Winners in radio categories will be invited to receive their awards at a private reception in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 2.
This marks the third ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year Award win for Blair Garner, for his show After MidNite with Blair Garner. With nearly 260 affiliates, Garner is recognized as being one of the Top 10 Most Listened To Disc Jockeys in America.
On-Air Personality Of The Year Winners
National – Blair Garner – After Midnight With Blair Garner
Major Market – Cliff And Brooks (Cliff, Brooks And Tori) – KSON-FM – San Diego, CA
Large Market – Chris Carr, Jason Statt And Maverick – WUBE-FM – Cincinnati, OH
Medium Market – Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer And Jimmy Holt – WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
Small Market – Dex And Mo – WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN
Radio Station Of The Year Winners: (Note Tie In Major)
Major Market – KEEY-FM – St. Louis Park, MN (Tie)
Major Market – KNIX-FM – Phoenix, AZ (Tie)
Large Market – WGH-FM – Virginia Beach, VA
Medium Market – WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
Small Market – WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL

New Paisley Project Coming In May

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It’s the first major release date revealed this year, but SoundScan watchers will have to wait until May to see a sales boost.
Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley is slated to release his new album, This Is Country Music, on May 24 via Arista. Paisley once again teamed with longtime producer Frank Rogers for the upcoming release, which will be his first all-new studio album since 2009’s acclaimed American Saturday Night. In between studio efforts, he also released Hits Alive in November 2010.
The lead single and title track is already a hit at radio, climbing to No. 4 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart this week.
The digital single for “This Is Country Music” is available, and fans who pre-order the album for $9.99, will also receive an immediate download of the single. In addition, pre-orders will entitle purchasers periodic access to exclusive content.
Amid work on the new album, Paisley is currently headlining his H2O Frozen Over Tour.
Paisley has proven to be a consistent hitmaker, with 18 No. 1 singles to his credit (including the last 14 in a row) and career sales in excess of 12 million albums.

Matraca Berg Plans New Release

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Plus news on projects from George Jones, Ralph Stanley, Jeff Bates and Kenny Rogers.
>>Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Matraca Berg will release her first album in fourteen years on May 17. “I knew when I was writing these songs that they where a bit deeper and darker,” she says of The Dreaming Fields, “so I knew it was up to me [to share them]. When I perform and look at the audience, I realized these stories I’m writing are their stories too.”
Berg’s new collection covers sensitive issues like domestic violence (“If I Had Wings”), fading beauty (“Silver and Glass”), selling the family farm (“The Dreaming Fields”), and a son sent off to war (“South of Heaven”).
Berg scored her first No. 1 at age 18, and has since provided pivotal hits for the Dixie Chicks, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Gretchen Wilson, Linda Ronstadt and Dusty Springfield. Her most recent 1997 release Sunday Morning To Saturday Night was critically acclaimed.
>>George Jones is back with new material for the first time in more than 5 years. “I Ain’t Ever Slowin Down,” written by Al Anderson and Stephen Bruton; and “I Should Have Called,” by Eddie Raven, are on a new greatest hits compilation. The tracks were produced by Jones’ longtime producer Keith Stegall in 2006. From Bandit Records, George Jones: The Hits will be available exclusively at WalMart starting today (2/15).
>>Kenny Rogers will become the first artist to release a second album through the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® exclusive music program when The Love of God becomes available March 7. The CD is an inspirational collection of classic songs, along with new recordings of contemporary songs. Guests include The Whites, Winfield’s Locket, and Point of Grace.
>>Black River artist Jeff Bates’ new release hits the streets today (2/14). One Day Closer, his second album for the label, covers the circle of life he has experienced in recent years with the deaths of his parents and the birth of his daughter. In addition to the six song EP, Bates recorded a live DVD that features all the music from One Day Closer with bonus tracks highlighting previous singles.
>>Ralph Stanley will release A Mother’s Prayer, a newly recorded collection of hymns and spirituals, April 19 on Rebel Records. Among the project’s contributors are Sara Evans, Billy and Terry Smith, Clinch Mountain Boys’ fiddler Dewey Brown, and grandson Nathan Stanley.