WebLinks: McGraw, Hill Eye Vegas?

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Ellen DeGeneres gave Carrie Underwood a custom pair of footed Nashville Predators pjs when she visited the show this week. Click to see videos from the episode.

• Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are in talks for a series of Las Vegas concerts according to Las Vegas Sun reporter Robin Leach, who believes they could sign on for weekend dates running November to April.

• Producers of acclaimed AMC drama Mad Men paid about $250,000 to use The Beatles’ original recording of “Tomorrow Never Knows” in a recent episode. According to The New York Times, it is extremely rare that the Beatles’ music is used on television, except in live performances by the band itself. By comparison, the article says a major pop song can be licensed for less than $100,000.

• From NashvillePost: Lightning 100 has tapped Dave Rossi to act as PD. He fills the void left by the death of longtime PD and host David Hall. Also, Tin Roof is expanding its Demonbreun location and new restaurant South will take over the space most recently occupied by The Closing Bell.

• The Nashville Symphony will perform at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall Saturday night (5/12). According to The Tennessean, it is one of only six symphonies invited to play at the Spring for Music Festival, a celebration of innovative American orchestras. The Nashville Symphony has won seven Grammys.

• Boston based indie singer Amanda Palmer has set a record with crowdfunding site Kickstarter. She has raised over $600,000 for the marketing of her new album.

Bluebird on the Mountain Kicks Off Saturday

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The Bluebird Cafe’s “Bluebird On the Mountain” 2012 concert series is set to begin Sat., May 19 at 8:00 PM with songwriters Lionel Cartwright, Allen Shamblin, and Chuck Cannon.

The concerts are held at Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. The monthly shows are held May through October.

A complete line-up is as follows:
May 19 @ 8PM: Lionel Cartwright, Allen Shamblin, Chuck Cannon
June 16 @ 8PM: Tom Kimmel, Grace Pettis, Pierce Pettis
July 21 @ 8PM: SKAJ (Thom Schuyler, Fred Knobloch, Tony Arata and Jelly Roll Johnson)– Bluebird 30th Celebration…including Cake-Off and other celebratory features
August 18 @ 8PM: Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna
September 22 @ 7PM: Shane McAnnally, Brandy Clark & TBA
October 6 @ 7PM: Sonny LeMaire, Clay Mills, Mark Selby, Tia Sillers

In more news from the cafe, The Bluebird’s latest “Adopt-A-Seat” campaign allows patrons to support the venue by purchasing individualized plaques on the back of the seat for $1,200. These new seats will replace the original chairs which will be available for sale, with a limited number signed by songwriters.

Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Block Party

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The Academy’s Susan Stewart, Luke Bryan, and Nashville Chapter President Jon Randall Stewart. Photo: Courtesy of The Recording Academy/WireImage.com/Rick Diamond

Chapter 396

Has there ever been a more perfect evening for a Grammy Block Party?

The Tuesday soiree (5/8) at Owen Bradley Park at the head of Music Row was blessed by balmy breezes. The newspaper predicted thunderstorms, but the Grammy mojo evidently vibed them away.

The park was set up like a welcoming patio bistro, with café tables and umbrellas scattered beneath its trees. Barbeque, weenies, cole slaw, chips, cookies and libations were stationed back by the ASCAP side of the green space. The stage was opposite on a closed Music Square East/16th Avenue South on the BMI side.

Recording Academy members checked in on that same street (the Musica/Roundabout side was fenced off). Not a member? No problem: There was a sign-up table right there. Cough up the dough, and you, too, could hang with Nashville’s groovesters. Plus, you could chit-chat with charming sign-up booth volunteers like David Corlew, Pat McMakin, LeAnn Phelan, Dan Hill, Chris Farren, Scott McDaniel, Jeff Walker, Woody Bomar or Lisa Harless.

Once inside, you could schmooze along with Anthony Martin, Jon Randall, Harold Bradley, Trent Summer, Victoria Shaw, Marc Beeson, Larry Weiss, Eric Paslay, Rich Fagan and Deborah Allen.

Spring zephyrs caressed the brows of such fabulons as Al Bunetta, Ben Fowler, Doug Howard, Chuck Ainlay, Ronna Rubin, Robert Frank, Blake Chancey, Kira Florita, Scott Siman, Walter Campbell, Thomas Cain, Andrew Kintz, Ralph Murphy, Clay Myers, Debbie Linn and Melinda Scruggs Gales. There are about 2200 members of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy, by the way.

The talent line-up had to have been at least as much of a draw as the weather and the fellowship. The party began with Music City’s tuneful indie/pop duo Elenowen (husband-and-wife Josh & Nicole Johnson) and the CCM band Tenth Avenue North. In between the acts, the music piped in by “Nashville’s premier electronic artists” KDSML and Sham Shacklock was totally excellent. Keep these guys next year.

The headliners booked for the five-hour extravaganza were bluesman Keb’ Mo,’ the reunited Mavericks, soul diva Wynonna (busting out her harmonica chops) and country’s Luke Bryan. The always-bopping Storme Warren hosted. WSMV’s Jimmy Carter and WTVF’s Chris Cannon gave the gig TV exposure.

This was the 14th annual Grammy Block Party. For Nashville musical diversity, you can’t beat it.

Wynonna on stage. Photo: Courtesy of The Recording Academy/WireImage.com/Rick Diamond

Darryl Worley Helps In Home State and Overseas

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Worley with the Garrett brothers

Darryl Worley and his namesake foundation recently helped two brothers in their battles against autism and seizures. Seven-year-old Wyatt Garrett and five-year-old Wayden Garrett recently met the star to thank him in person for the gift that helped them receive treatments at the Tennessee Hyperbaric Center in Jackson.

After meeting the family, Worley said, “I was blown away by the fact that these parents wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. They just kept pushing until they found something that would help their boys. Their faith and determination are great examples for all of us.”

While the Darryl Worley Foundation receives general donations and memorials throughout the year, most of its funding comes from Worley’s Tennessee River Run, held each September in Hardin County. This year it is planned for Sept. 13-15. Individuals can stay updated through www.darrylworley.com.

Worley (R) is recognized by MSG Sean Arnts (L)

Worley also recently made a trip overseas to entertain the U.S. troops throughout Afghanistan and Kuwait. Since 2002, Worley has visited many of the forward operating bases (FOBs), but for his 10th tour, he wanted to visit the tiny and elite Special Ops sites where our military serving on the front lines rarely receive celebrity visits. The tour was sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment, Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Stars for Stripes (SFS).

Accompanying Worley on the tour was longtime friend and guitarist, Jeff “Soir” Jared, and Stars for Stripes President, Judy Seale. Seale, who founded SFS in 2003, helped make it possible for Worley to make the up-close and personal visits and says it’s a tour she won’t soon forget.

Worley’s closing performance of the tour took place in Kuwait at Ali Al Salem Air Base, referred to as “The Rock.” Following his 90-minute performance to a packed theater of more than 500 servicemen and women, Worley signed autographs and took photos before departing home to the states.

Now that Worley is back on U.S. soil, he will pick back up on his regular touring schedule, which includes performances next month during the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville and BamaJam 2012.

Paisley to Resume Virtual Reality Tour

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Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality World Tour will pick back up on Friday, May 18 with shows in St. Louis, Indianapolis and Cincinnati that weekend. Continuing on the tour will be The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery, with Easton Corbin on select dates.

Paisley continues the Plaza tradition for the third year with “The Escape” – a fun-filled outdoor plaza area with games, contests, photo ops, food vendors and a performance stage. Continuing with the tour theme there will be a “Virtual Opry” stage that incorporates a futuristic Grand Ole Opry backdrop and signature mic stands. Performing on the stage starting at 5:00 p.m. will be Kristen Kelly, Jana Kramer and Love and Theft. All three artists will be signing autographs immediately following the performances.

Other elements of “The Escape” include the Lawn Lucky Seats Game where fans can win sponsor prizes and ticket upgrades, the Air Force Reserves mock jet plane photo station, Mossy Oak Camo-Jam Snapshot Station and Camo Cabanas, slip n slides and inflatables. Sea Ray Boats will host an outdoor boat display. Details at www.facebook.com/BradPaisleyTour or on Twitter @BradPaisleyTour.

Select venues will be collecting food for food banks and fans who bring a donation will be entered to win a meet and greet with Paisley.

22nd Annual City of Hope Softball Game to be Held During CMA Fest

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Many Nashville stars are participating in City of Hope’s 22nd Annual Celebrity Softball Challenge during the 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event, presented by Staples and emceed by Storme Warren, will take place Sat., June 9 at Greer Stadium at 9 a.m.

Taking to the field for the game between rival teams Grand Ole Opry and After MidNite with Blair Garner, will be Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina, David Nail, James Otto, Robin Meade, Scott Hamilton, Chuck Wicks, Whitney Duncan, Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, Billy Gilman, Kristen Kelly and Two Foot Fred.

“This game is a unique event during the CMA Music Festival, where we bring artists and fans together in order to give hope to people living with cancer,” said Garner.

The Celebrity Softball Challenge has raised more than $2 million for City of Hope, enabling research, treatment and education for people with life-threatening diseases including cancer and diabetes.

To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Weekly Register: Underwood Sales Cover The Charts

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Carrie Underwood has Blown Away everyone on the charts this week with her album debuting at No. 1 Country, No. 1 Current Digital Albums and No. 1 Top 200. Underwood’s sales of over 267k units were 40% in digital format, higher than usual for country product and reflecting her pop culture following. (Norah Jones debuted this week at No. 2 on the Top 200 chart with sales of 110k.)

The Idol alum’s last outing, Play On, hit sales bins the week of 11/08/2009 and shifted a total of 317.7k units, 20% of which were digital. The 16% drop in debut sales from 2009 to 2012 is a stark reminder of the overall trend in music sales across the board.

Cover art certainly effects and affects sales which is why I have to ask about the cover of Blown Away. Really? Ms. Underwood is one of the most stunning artists in country or any other format. The camera simply loves her. Look at the cover of Play On, for example. See how she effortlessly exudes both sophistication and girl next door approachability? Am I wrong? Leave your comment below.

And while we’re discussing Carrie’s chart topping debut, isn’t it an interesting coincidence that this was finale week for The Voice? The four Voice finalists stood on the stage whimpering about how much winning this contest means, but truthfully, over the last decade or so we have seen just how difficult it is to pick real stars. Precious few multi-album careers have come from reality TV winners, which makes Underwood’s success and her vocal talent all the more exceptional.

Albums
This week we include the current and previous week’s grid report for easy comparison. The YTD 7.1% gain in country album sales continues to grow as does the format’s digital album sales now up 42.3%.

The week’s Country Top 20 holds a few surprises worth noting. Lionel Richie continues his hot streak adding about 64k units to the claim No. 2 position and a total 680k actual sales plus an RIAA Platinum designation for shipments totaling over one million. Lady Antebellum’s Own The Night continues to remain inside the Top 10 (No. 9) adding 11k units for a 34-week total of almost 1.6 million units. In positions 4 and 5 we find newcomers Lee Brice and Kip Moore, enjoying robust second week sales. Interestingly, they both dropped off less than expected, 48% and 43% respectively. Other new faces inside the Top 20 include Brantley Gilbert (No. 11), Scotty McCreery (No. 14), Josh Abbott Band (No. 16) and Hunter Hayes (No. 20).

4-29-2012

Tracks
Country track sales remain ahead of last year, currently up 20.8%. This leads to a fat Albums + TEA increase of 10.84% (track equivalent albums; 10 tracks = 1 album). All genre track sales are only up 7.1% and all genre TEA + Albums only 1.23%.

Eric Church’s “Springsteen” completes its climb into the top spot on the Country Tracks chart with 78k downloads. Carrie Underwood’s title track “Blown Away” entered the list at No. 4 with almost 68k downloads.

Visit this link to see the upcoming albums so you can get an idea of how the next few weeks might play out for country’s album sales. Can the Music City sound remain in positive territory YTD? Will it stay ahead of the all-genre numbers… Keep your eyes here on the Weekly Register to find out!

ACM Awards, Related Events Had Major Impact on Fans

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The Academy of Country Music has released consumer impact stats from its recent ACM Awards and related events. According to the report, the events reached about 21 million television viewers, and 150,000 fans on the ground in Las Vegas.

Telecasts
The ACM Awards telecast on April 1 and ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert on April 13 together reached approximately 21 million viewers and won each of the nights they aired for the CBS Television Network. Approximately 12.5 million viewers tuned in to the live Awards telecast, and the Lionel Richie special averaged about 8 million viewers.

Fan Digital Engagement
A combined one million votes for Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year were cast by fans, up 25% from 2011.

Digital fan engagement was up 330% from 2011, according to social TV analytics company BlueFin. Many of the fans watching the ACM Awards enjoyed the second screen experience of the first-ever ACM Social Splash page, an interactive social page that took over the ACMcountry.com homepage, to interact with the show, the artists and other fans using social media during the live telecast.

The Academy and new social media manager Jenny Driessen, teamed with dick clark productions and CBS to develop a multi-pronged digital strategy. The plan included CBS’ 2 Broke Girls’ Beth Behrs acting as the Awards special social correspondent; live tweets from artists and fans displayed on-screen during special parts of the telecast for the first time; a free mobile ACM app; GetGlue check-ins; ACM Awards Moments on Facebook/Twitter contests; and a “mashup” app powered by Audish that invited fans to insert themselves into videos by ACM Awards hosts Reba and Blake Shelton.

ACM Events
The ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic, the NRA Country/ACM Celebrity Shoot, ACM Concerts on Fremont Street Experience and the debut of The ACM Experience, helped the Academy reach over 150,000 country music fans and members of the industry in Las Vegas during Awards week.

The ACM Experience, the free, open-to-the public country music lifestyle event at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino was attended by more than 20,000 people. The fan-focused three-day event included the ACM BBQ Throwdown, ACM Expo, the Ram Ride and Drive and more.

Approximately 90,000 fans crowded the ACM Concerts on Fremont Street Experience sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority on March 30 and 31.

More than 4,800 country music fans attended the sold-out ACM All-Star Jam following the Awards at the MGM Grand.

[Updated w/ Ratings] WMN Celebrates Team Blake’s Win

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Warner Music Nashville celebrated Blake Shelton after his team member Jermaine Paul won Season 2 of NBC’s The Voice last night (5/8). Paul, a former backup singer for Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige, won first place over other finalists Chris Mann, Juliet Simms and Tony Lucca.

The Voice drew about 10.9 million viewers in the 9 p.m. ET time slot, and about 12.25 million the following hour, according to Zap2It.com. This is a 16 percent bump over last year’s finale ratings reports the New York Times. The Voice won the 10 pm slot, when the champion was revealed. During the program’s first hour, NBC came in third behind CBS’s NCIS: Los Angeles (14.5 million) and ABC’s Dancing With the Stars results show (13.3 million).

(L-R): Tree Paine, John Esposito, Blake Shelton, Bob Reeves, Scott Hendricks and Brandon Blackstock

Chris Young Debuts Video, Launches Charity Auction

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Photo: Reid Long

Chris Young will premiere the video for current single, “Neon,” today (5/9) during a live chat with fans. The video will go live at 5 pm CT on LiveStream.com, and will be available on Young’s Facebook and official website.

Other broadcast outlets will receive the video in the days following the premiere.

Directed by Ryan Hamblin and shot earlier this year at Melrose Billiards in Nashville, the video uses black lights to paint Young’s world in bright neon.

Recently, Young partnered with his grandmother, “Nanny” May to auction off her handmade quilts every month to benefit St. Jude. The current quilt highlights many of Young’s songs and is available for bidding among registered website users at Chris’ Chatter forum.

Young has been on the road with Miranda Lambert’s On Fire tour, which visits Nashville on May 19. He recently celebrated his fifth consecutive No. 1 single, and “Neon” currently sits at No. 28 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.