AIMP Nashville Chapter to Present Music Advertising Panel

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Chapter and Fifth Third Bank will present a panel discussion called “Music In Advertising: What Works – What Doesn’t and How to Get in the Game” Monday, June 11 from 4-6 pm at Cabana.

The panel will convene industry experts to discuss the process of music selection for commercial advertising, strategies for pitching, and rights and fee structures. Participating panelists include Amy Rosen (Grey, New York); John Meililo (Meililo Music, New York); Karen Macmillan (Nettwerk Music Group, Los Angeles/New York/London); Sarah Gavigan (Sarah Gavigan Music, Nashville). These individuals have worked with leading global brands including Amazon, Chevy, Coke, NFL Super Bowl, Nokia, Apple and more. Craig Currier of peermusic will moderate the discussion.

To register for this event or to find out more about AIMP membership, visit aimp.org.

Billboard Awards Salute Swift, Aldean, Lady A

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At 22, Swift is the youngest Billboard Woman of the Year in history.

Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum and Casting Crowns were among the honorees at Sunday night’s (5/20) Billboard Music Awards, presented at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Adele was the evening’s top winner, scoring twelve awards including Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album.

Swift was named Woman of The Year for being a “trailblazing female artist over the past 12 months, and her overall success in the music business and her leadership in embracing the changing industry.”

Aldean’s My Kinda Party was named Top Country Album, and its hit “Dirt Road Anthem,” co-written by Colt Ford and Brantley Gilbert, was awarded Top Country Song.

Lady Antebellum received Top Country Artist. The group was on the road in Columbia, MD and unable to attend. “We hated not being in Vegas for the Billboard Awards, but we got to celebrate the win with our fans on tour, and that was extra special,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “Our backstage tiki bar Club Labellum rocked a little harder than usual last night!”

Casting Crowns won Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Album for Come To The Well.

Carrie Underwood performed the title track from her fourth album, “Blown Away,” which has spent the past two weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart. Julianne Hough was among the presenters.

Click to see the complete list of winners.

Phillip Fulmer & Charlie Daniels Golf Classic Takes Place Today

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The 14th Annual Phillip Fulmer & Charlie Daniels Golf Classic will take place today (5/22) at Hermitage Golf Course in Old Hickory, TN at 1 pm.

This golf classic is a fundraising event benefiting The Jason Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the prevention and awareness of youth suicide. In addition to country icon Daniels and former University of Tennessee football coach Fulmer, other participants in the Classic include former UT football players Al Wilson, Carl Pickens, Brad Lampley and Andy Kelly.

For more information on the Jason Foundation, click here.

Corey Wagar – Take Ya Back

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Country music’s latest rockin’ phenomenon, Corey Wagar, is ready to “Take Ya Back” with her brand new single.

Corey, who is known for her ‘sweet and sassy’ sound is here to give radio folks a song that will bring back memories of listening to their favorite artists on the radio. “Take Ya Back” was penned by Corey with Beau Fuller and Cece DuBois and produced by Kent Wells (Dolly Parton), who also produced her debut album.

Corey’s last single was the girl-power anthem “I Hate My Boyfriend,” which reached No. 32 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Additionally, the Country Music Association named her the “Who New To Watch 2012” artist in CMA Close Up.

This country music spitfire has found a knack for “Jersey meets Nashville” music. Corey has recently opened for the Charlie Daniels Band, LeAnn Rimes and Lee Brice, and her fan base continues to grow. She will also be in Nashville for the CMA Music Festival June 7-10.

www.coreywagar.com
www.facebook.com/CoreyWagarOfficial
www.twitter.com/CoreyWagar

Programmer Playlist: Shawna Russell

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Shawna Russell and Way Out West Records are proudly releasing the retro and rockin’ uptempo summertime single “Sounds Like A Party” to Country radio. Russell previously released the song to European radio last year, and it climbed to No. 3 on the Hotdisc chart in only three weeks.

“Sounds Like A Party” was co-written by Russell and produced at LOUD Studios in Nashville by Grammy-winning engineer Julian King, along with Clif Doyal and Tim Russell. Shawna also provides her slide guitar talents on the track.

“Sounds Like A Party” is fast on the heels of Russell’s previous single “Waitin’ On Sunrise,” which landed at No. 29 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart. Russell is only the second independent solo female to hit the Top 30 of the MusicRow chart in the past year.

Russell released her self-titled sophomore album in 2011, winning praise from Billboard.com, Roughstock, Maverick, Music News Nashville, Today’s Country, CountryChart.com and the Oklahoma Gazette, among others. In addition to writing, recording and performing, Russell is also the focus of a reality television series in development that focuses on her life as a traveling female musician.

www.shawnarussell.com
www.facebook.com/shawnarussellmusic

Grand Ole Opry to Salute Troops

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Country music fans are invited to say “thank you” to the men and women of the U.S. military during a red carpet arrival of members of the Tennessee National Guard at tomorrow’s (5/22) Tuesday Night Opry. The red carpet leading to the Grand Ole Opry House is set to feature soldiers’ uniforms and American heroes. The public is invited to be a part of the arrival and celebration at 6:00 p.m. The evening’s Opry performance – a salute to the military featuring John Conlee, Ronnie Milsap, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Mark Wills, and more – begins at 7:00 p.m.

“We are excited about welcoming country superstars to our stage and our country’s heroes to our House Tuesday night,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “We’re just as pleased to give country fans an opportunity to show their appreciation to our men and women in uniform as they arrive at the Opry House.”

Clips from the red carpet arrival and performances from the night will air as part of the premiere 90-minute episode of Noteworthy at the Opry on GAC Saturday, May 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET.

George Jones Admitted To Hospital

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Country Music Hall of Fame Member George Jones was admitted to a Nashville area hospital today (5/21), according to a statement from his publicist. He is slated to undergo testing and evaluation for a lingering respiratory infection. Jones’ concert dates through June will be rescheduled where possible.

Jones was originally hospitalized and treated for the respiratory infection in late March before being released to recover at home. In late April, he announced he was canceling his dates for May while he continued to recuperate.

Upcoming George Jones dates:

5/25 – Hurricane Mills, TN – Loretta Lynn Ranch
5/26 – Hiawassee, GA – Anderson Music Hall
6/02 – Huntington, WV – Big Sandy Superstore Arena
6/03 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theater
6/15 – Fountain Hills, AZ – Ft. McDowell Casino
6/16 – Primm, NV – Buffalo Bills Casino
6/23 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center

Toby Keith and Kristen Bell Will Host CMT Awards

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Hollywood meets Nashville when Toby Keith and Kristen Bell host the 2012 CMT Music Awards, set for Wednesday, June 6 in Nashville. The show will air live from Bridgestone Arena at 7 pm/CT on CMT and CMT.com.

“Toby Keith and Kristen Bell are a terrific one-two knockout punch for the 2012 CMT Music Awards,” said John Hamlin, SVP, Music Events and Talent, CMT. “Toby has been involved with our show every year since its inception and Kristen is as entertaining and witty as any young actor working today.  We’re thrilled to have them both as hosts for this year’s show.”

Keith has been a consistent country hitmaker for years, selling over 36 million albums to date. His latest album Clancy’s Tavern features the breakout viral smash “Red Solo Cup.” Bell currently stars in the Showtime series House of Lies with Don Cheadle and is known for her roles in Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Couple Retreat.

The fan-voted awards show will also include performances from Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band. More performers and presenters will be revealed soon.

Fans can vote online at CMT.com or through CMT apps available for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. The five finalists for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans will have the opportunity to vote through the telecast to determine the winner. A list of nominees is available here.

 

New Radio Licensing Rates Established

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Performing rights organizations are experiencing a significant decrease in licensing income from radio stations. In January the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) agreement with ASCAP was approved by the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York, resulting in radio stations paying lower licensing rates to the PRO. A similar agreement was reached with BMI earlier this month and is awaiting court approval.

The separate agreements with the PROs run through December 2016 and are retroactive to January 2010. Also covered in the agreements are licensing rates for new media, Internet websites, smart phones, wireless devices, and HD/Multicasting radio channels.

The ASCAP deal placed licensing fees at 1.7% of individual radio station revenue. The RMLC reports this is about a 30% decrease in cost for most stations. According to the RMLC, the changes appeared on ASCAP’s January 2012 billing statement. For 2012, ASCAP’s revenue will be about $80 million less than what was paid based on 2009 rates. More from ASCAP.

The RMLC is approaching SESAC differently because its licensing rates are not subject to scrutiny by a federal court.

The RMLC represents the commercial radio industry’s 10,000 terrestrial stations. It is structured as a 501(c)(6) non-profit Tennessee corporation based in Nashville. The RMLC’s staff consists of Executive Director William Velez, and Staff Accountant/Data Manager Rebekah Smith. More from the RMLC.

That’s My InCharge Story. What’s Yours?

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In the current print issue of MusicRow InCharge, Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson shares the story of his career path from Arthur Andersen & Co. (pre-Enron) in the 90’s to Nashville’s Music Industry Publication, MusicRow. He discusses the executives profiled in the InCharge magazine who helped guide his way and made a huge impact on his career.

“These pages in InCharge list the most influential people in our industry, but that influence is not limited to artists, their music and our industry’s commerce. That influence affects us all in unique and personal ways through our relationships, our careers and even our friendships,” says Robertson.

Many people on the Row have stories about how the decision makers in InCharge have impacted their careers, or maybe how the magazine itself led to opportunities.

We would love to hear YOUR story.

Email your story to Sarah Skates at [email protected] or call her at 499-5419.

Here’s Cindy Heath’s story:

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Cindy Heath shares her InCharge story.

It was the last semester of my senior year of college. I was sitting on a charter bus watching the miles pass by between Florence, Alabama and Nashville, Tennessee as our music business senior class traveled to Music City for a ‘field trip’ to tour labels, publishing companies and studios, hosted by University of North Alabama alumni.

One week later I would be making the drive again to interview for an internship with RCA Label Group. Ever the model student, I did everything I could to prepare for the interview so I could make a favorable impression with my knowledge and passion for the business. I had checked out a copy of 1996’s MusicRow InCharge magazine from the university library to study it on the ride to Nashville and quickly flipped to then RLG General Manager Randy Goodman’s profile. I memorized his photo, history, hobbies and memberships so I would know everything I needed to know beyond the classroom before the next week’s interview. And then I studied every other InCharge profile for key players at the company because that’s what an overachiever does. Somehow this uptight student made a favorable impression on Randy and his staff because I received an internship offer with the company.

Fast forward fourteen years and several career iterations and I find myself with my own company, Monarch Publicity. While that in and of itself is a huge personal achievement, I giggled like a schoolgirl when I saw my face and bio first appear in 2011’s MusicRow InCharge issue. To me, it meant I had finally arrived.

That’s my InCharge story. What’s yours?