Southern Ground Builds Promo Team With Solima, RPME

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Southern Ground Artists/Atlantic Records is building an in-house radio promotion team headed by Jeff Solima to work Zac Brown Band and the label’s other artists. Solima will work in conjunction with the rpmentertainment promotion staff headed by Sr. VP April Rider and VP of Promotion Jack Christopher. Also at RPME, Rocco Cosco serves as National Director of Promotion.

Solima, Christopher and Cosco were part of the team that previously logged nine consecutive No. 1 Zac Brown Band singles while working at Bigger Picture Group.

Going forward, Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists label will be hiring additional promotion executives to support ZBB, as well as Southern Ground Artists Sonia Leigh and Blackberry Smoke.

The team is working ZBB’s current single, “The Wind,” the lead track from the July 10 release, Uncaged.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/13/12)

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Some weeks, everything is completely obvious.

There’s no question but that Miranda Lambert has the Disc of the Day with “Fastest Girl in Town.” But keep your ears open for Willie Nelson and Jason Eady, too.

It’s also completely self-evident to me that Charlie Worsham is the winner of the DisCovery Award. He completely knocked me out, and his self-titled, five-song, debut EP is definitely a keeper. Listen and believe.

RACHEL HARRINGTON/Makin’ Our House a Honky-Tonk
Writer: Rachel Lyn Harrington; Producer: Evan Brubaker; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Skinny Dennis (track) (www.rachelharrington.net*)
—True to its title, it sounds like it was recorded in her living room. That said, it has a certain, slightly sloppy, homemade charm.

CHARLIE WORSHAM/Could it Be
Writer: Marty Dodson/Ryan Tynsdell/Charlie Worsham; Producer: Charlie Worsham & Ryan Tyndaell; Publisher: I Hope Momma’s Listening/Black to Black/ole/Purple Cape, BMI; ole (track) (www.charlieworsham.com)
—Wow. This guy sings with immense warmth and personality. The production is an ear-tickling, acoustics-with-a-thump delight. The harmony work is flawless. And the song is a melodic wonder. Make this man a star.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Fastest Girl in Town
Writer: Miranda Lambert/Angaleena Presley; Producer: Frank Liddell, Chuck Ainlay & Glenn Worf; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Ten Ten, BMI/ASCAP; RCA (track)
—Miranda’s back to rocking in her “bad girl” persona. She steams up the windows with this performance as a sexy vixen who goes out drinking and speeding with her beau, then ditches him for the cop who stops them. Get outta the way of those shrieking electric guitars, boys.

JAMES STORM/Longnecks & Rednecks
Writer: Serg Salinas/Dale Oliver; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TNA Knockout
—Storm is a professional wrassler, and this is his theme song. It’s a screamer.

BRIAN MOLNAR & THE NAKED HEARTS/Some Dreams
Writer: Brian Molnar; Producer: Brian Molnar & The Naked Hearts; Publisher: Low 12, BMI; Avenue A (track) (www.brianmolnar.com)
—This lilting ballad has a wistful, sweet/sad quality that goes down smoothly. He sings with soft honesty and the piano, steel and guitar notes are perfectly placed. There’s real talent in these grooves. An instant favorite.

JENNY SIMMS/A Reason to Come Home to You
Writer: Jenny Simms; Producer: Larry Butler; Publisher: none listed; JS (track) (www.jennysimmsmusic.com)
—The late Larry Butler was behind the board for this one. It’s a Caribbean-accented ditty, delivered by a confident, throaty vocalist. She has moxie. So does the song.

JASON EADY/AM Country Heaven
Writer: Jason Eady; Producer: Kevin Welch; Publisher: Jason Eady, SESAC; Underground Sound (track) (www.jasoneady.com)
—Singer-songwriter Kevin Welch, who’s producing here, sure knows a tunesmithing talent when he hears one. Eady sings of by-gone country days when people sang about reality and didn’t necessarily look like fashion models. His vocal is hillbilly-perfect, and the steel echoes his every sentiment. Essential listening for any true country fan.

WILLIE NELSON/Just Breathe
Writer: Eddie Vedder; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Legacy/Nine North (ERG)
—Willie is the Energizer Bunny of country music. He just keeps on keepin’ on. This smoothly produced outing finds his distinctive nasal voice ruminating on life, death and reincarnation amid soft harmonica sighs, rippling guitars, supportive background singing and light steel guitar grace notes. Extremely listenable, it’s the prettiest track he has released in years. The song was a 2009 hit for Pearl Jam and was penned by frontman Eddie Vedder.

CHRIS CAGLE/Let There Be Cowgirls
Writer: none listed; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: none listed; Bigger Picture (track) (www.chriscagle.com)
—Somehow, I doubt that the Almighty commanded that there be cowgirls at the dawn of creation. But that’s the premise here. Cagle is singing with a little more subtlety than he used to, but he still favors thunderous accompaniment.

LOGAN MAC/Red Dirt Town
Writer: Logan Mac/Rick Fowble; Producer: Joe Matthews; Publisher: Oil Trash, ASCAP; TCM (www.tcmrecordsnashville.com)
—The poor thing can just barely sing. And it doesn’t help that the production practically overwhelms his little bitty voice.

CMA Music Festival By The Numbers

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Luke Bryan performs at LP Field on Sat., June 9 during the 2012 CMA Music Festival. Bryan and Kimberly Perry will host "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" airing Mon., Sept. 17 on ABC. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

$6.1 million festival proceeds donated to music education over the years
1.4 million fans in CMA’s aggregate digital audience
1.25 million consumer engagements including product sampling, sales leads and brand impressions
71,000 total daily attendance
31,000 tweets sent to the Jumbotrons at LP Field
22,500 texts sent to the Jumbotrons at LP Field
25,000 fans at the free concerts at the Riverfront both Friday and Saturday
20,000 cheering spectators at the kick-off parade
17,000 number of times the CMA Awards & Music Fest App was downloaded for the festival
10,000 hours worked by volunteers
882 attendees treated by medical workers
730 credentialed journalists, photographers, and videographers
460 volunteers
450 artists performances
250 artists and celebrities appearing at Fan Fair Hall
230 domestic and international media outlets represented
200 hours of concert
94 percent of attendees who are extremely satisfied and plan to attend next year
71 percent of attendees who are college educated
50 brand sponsors
50 number of states represented by attendees
40 radio stations represented by broadcaster attendees
38.5 average age of attendees
38 acts at the Nightly Concerts at LP Field
24 number of countries represented
14 ambulance transports
4 number of times the CMA Music Festival has won IEBA Festival of the Year

Edens Edge Celebrates Debut Album Release

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Big Machine Records trio Edens Edge is releasing its self-titled debut album today (6/12), and will promote the release with a high profile tour slot and a national television appearance.

The Arkansas-bred group of Hannah Blaylock, Dean Berner, and Cherrill Green will celebrate the album’s release with a stop at Fox & Friends Weekend which airs on Fox News Channel Saturday, June 16. Additionally, Edens Edge has been selected to support Rascal Flatts’ summer tour, and will join them on the road starting June 15 in Hartford, CT.

Cracker Barrel is also offering an exclusive version of Edens Edge with three additional tracks not found on the regular release. Full track listing below.

Edens Edge track list:
1. Amen (Skip Black, Hannah Blaylock, Catt Gravitt, Gerald O’Brien)
2. Swingin’ Door (Terry Clayton, Brett James, Ashley Monroe)
3. Skinny Dippin’ (Dean Berner, Laura Veltz, Vince Melamed)
4. Too Good To Be True (Gordie Sampson, Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges)
5. Last Supper (Hannah Blaylock, Catt Gravitt, Danny Myrick)
6. Feels So Real (Angelo, Hillary Lindsey, Tia Sillers)
7. Who Am I Drinking Tonight (Hannah Blaylock, Laura Veltz)
8. Liar (Andy Stochansky, Laura Veltz)
9. Cherry Pie (Dean Berner, Vince Melamed, Laura Veltz)
10. Christ Alone (Steve Smith)

Cracker Barrel Deluxe Edition exclusive tracks:
1. Roots (Cherrill Green, Catt Gravitt, Skip Black)
2. Little Bird (Dean Berner)
3. Wherever I Go (Hannah Blaylock, Joy Williams, Danny Myrick, Jennifer Schott)

Pickler, Wynnona Score Brand Partnerships

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Kellie Pickler has partnered with Tone Body Wash to introduce Tone Fruit Peel Body Wash this summer. The Tone Turn it Up! series will provide exclusive access to Kellie as she tours in the coming weeks to support her latest album 100 Proof. Fans will have the chance to win prizes, including an all-expenses paid trip to meet Pickler in Nashville. More info here.

• • •

Wynonna Judd has joined forces with Kraft Foods’ Miracle Whip for a commercial campaign called “Keep An Open Mouth,” that plays on the super-sober public service announcement format. Other celebrities joining the campaign include actor Jeffrey Tambor and comedian Michael Ian Black. See the videos here.

BMI, Radio Industry Reach Settlement

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BMI and the RMLC (Radio Music License Committee) have reached an agreement about the fees the U.S. commercial radio industry pays to the performing rights organization in exchange for publicly performing the works in its catalog.

Pending Federal Court approval, the settlement will end over two years of litigation between the parties. ASCAP and the RMLC, which represents a vast majority of the nation’s radio stations, previously reached a similar agreement.

The agreement, covering Jan. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2016, includes a return to a percentage-of-revenue fee structure for stations that pay BMI to perform its more than 7.5 million musical works. It also covers licensing for new media platforms.

Radio stations will receive a $70.5 million credit against 2010-2011 industry payments, meaning many stations will have a BMI credit balance available for the remainder of this year. The impact of this settlement will be reflected immediately with BMI’s June 2012 billing statements.

The agreement includes a 1.7% of gross revenue fee structure (with simplified revenue reporting) for blanket/music format license-reporting stations, less a standard deduction of 12% for revenue derived from terrestrial/analog and HD multicasting broadcasts, and a 25% standard deduction for revenue attributable to new media uses.

News-talk stations will pay a base fee of 0.2958% of gross revenue, less the same standard deductions noted above.

Kacey Musgraves to Open for Lady Antebellum in Europe

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Universal Music Group Nashville recording artist Kacey Musgraves is scheduled to open for Lady Antebellum in select cities on the group’s Own The Night 2012 European Tour this summer.

“Kacey is a really talented singer/songwriter, and we’re just big fans of her music,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “Keith Urban was gracious enough to invite us to Australia with him a few years ago, so we know what a big opportunity it is for a new artist to be able to go tour overseas.”

Musgraves is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on her debut album, which she is co-producing with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. Her debut single will be released later this year. A sampling of her music can be heard here.

Own The Night 2012 World Tour European Dates:

7/10 — Dublin, Ireland
7/11 — Dublin, Ireland
7/13 — Glasgow, UK
7/15 — Manchester, UK
7/16 — London, UK
7/17 — Birmingham, UK

Industry Ink (6/12/12)

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BubbleUp LTD has announced the addition of Michael Sloane to the company’s Nashville office as Director of Sales. Sloane will focus on business development and marketing with current clientele, while expanding the client roster. Sloane was previously with 13 Managmenet where he was principal in managing digital initiatives for  Taylor Swift. He also founded digital agency Strategic Blend, and served as a senior client manager for Ultrastar Entertainment and Echo Music. Congratulate him here.

Based in Houston, BubbleUp launched in 2004 and has offices in Texas, Tennessee, Connecticut, and Oregon. The company has worked with clients including Margaritaville, BB King’s House of Blues, Luke Bryan, Rodney Atkins, Zac Brown Band and more.

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Singer/songwriter Ryan Griffin has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Christina Cook’s Merci Dupre Music and Dan Hodges Music, LLC. “I have known Ryan for many years, since serving as a Belmont University ‘Best of the Best’ judge when he participated as a student,” says Hodges. “Ryan is an extraordinary voice and Christina and I are pleased with both the opportunity and perfection in the timing.  We are excited to be moving forward as a part of his career.”

(L-R): Susan Hodges, Christina Cook, Ryan Griffin, Dan Hodges, Brittany Spyksma) Photo: Robbie Quinn

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SESAC recently hosted a standing-room only showcase to help the Bluebird Cafe celebrate its 30th Anniversary. Songwriters performing at the event included Brice Long, Brian White, Jon Stone, and Jim Lauderdale.

(L-R): NSAI's Erika Wollam, Brice Long, SESAC's Shannan Hatch, Brian White, Jon Stone, Jim Lauderdale & SESAC's Tim Fink.

Also helping to celebrate the beginning of the Bluebird’s 30 Anniversary on Saturday, June 9 was a pack of hot up and coming singer/songwriters.

(L-R): John Milstead, Bonner Black, Lance Carpenter, Carolina Story (Emily and Ben Roberts)

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ASCAP has launched a redesigned version of its ASCAP Mobile app, available free to users of iPhone, Android, iPad and web-capable cell phones. Users can keep their accounts up to date and review catalog on the go. More info here.

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New York City’s The New School will present a free screening of new Hank Williams film The Last Ride, to be followed by a panel discussion of Williams and his place in American music. The event takes place 6 pm June 20 at The New School’s Tishman Auditorium, Alvin Johnson / J.M. Kaplan Hall. Panelists include film director Harry Thomason, Jett Williams, and Benjy Gaither. The film’s soundtrack releases June 19 on Curb Records.

• • •

Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park will play host to a free tribute concert for the late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro. Titled “The Triple Goddess Twilight Revue – Celebrating the Music of Laura Nyro,” the event will take place Saturday, August 11. Details of the show’s guest lineup will be revealed in the coming weeks.

• • •

IBMA’s World of Bluegrass will return to Nashville September 24-30, and registration is currently open. Full week registration is $325 for IBMA members and $425 for non-members. More info here.

Josh Turner’s “Punching Bag” Out Today

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Josh Turner’s fifth studio album, Punching Bag, was released today by longtime label MCA Nashville. The singer will mark the occasion with a performance tomorrow (6/13) morning on NBC’s Today show.

Lead single “Time Is Love” is already a top 15 hit. Turner co-wrote eight of the 11 tracks on the project which features guest vocals by Marty Stuart, Iris DeMent, Ricky Skaggs, wife Jennifer and children Hampton, Colby and Marion.

Turner is the cover story of the June 18 issue of Country Weekly, and is set for appearances on GAC’s Josh Turner: Packing A Punch, PBS’ A Capitol Fourth (7/4), and ABC’s Good Morning America (7/11). His album will also be featured this week on the Best Buy Theatre marquee in New York City’s Times Square.

Since debuting with the album Long Black Train, Turner has sold more than five million units.

Punching Bag track listing
Introduction by Michael Buffer
“Punching Bag”
“Time Is Love”
“Deeper Than My Love”
“Good Problem”
“Cold Shoulder”
“Find Me A Baby” (feat. Turner’s wife and children)
“Whatcha Reckon”
“Pallbearer” (feat. Iris DeMont and Marty Stuart)
“For The Love Of God” (feat. Ricky Skaggs)
“I Was There”
“Left Hand Man”

Digitial Inititives Are Key Part of CMA Music Fest

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Chris Young hosts a virtual meet and greet with fans.

• CMA’s aggregate digital audience totals over 1.4 million fans.
• Nearly 165,000 fans have joined the CMA MOB by opting-in to receive text alerts.
• More than 31,000 tweets and 22,500 texts were sent to the Jumbotrons at LP Field during the nightly concerts.
• The CMA Awards & Music Fest App was downloaded 17,000 times for the 2012 festival.

Digital media is an ever-growing component of the CMA’s initiatives and was an important part of last weekend’s CMA Music Festival. The organization reports it engaged more fans than ever before with online, mobile app and social media tools, with CMA’s total aggregate digital audience now exceeding 1.4 million fans.

On the social media front, CMA utilized Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest to connect with fans. This year the organization launched a Social Media Team, which in addition to tweeting and posting live happenings at the Festival, held daily games and contests to give away prizes—a key way to engage fans. CMA’s social audiences were notified of times and places of games, and contestants were selected from the crowd through activities such as dance-offs and Country Music trivia. Games included “Dancing on the Stars,” CMA’s version of a cakewalk; “What Was I Thinkin’,” CMA’s take on “The Newlywed Game;” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” in which contestants played dress-up using household items including table cloths and toilet paper.
Among the prizes were Luke Bryan and Scotty McCreery meet-and-greet passes, LP Field Gold Circle seat upgrades, and Fan Fair Hall CMA booth Fast Passes. Each night, the Social Media Team capped off the evening by passing out LP Field Fan Photo Line Fast Passes at random locations revealed via Twitter.

Nightly text-to-screen and tweet-to-screen promotions at LP Field were a hit during pre-show and set-change periods, resulting in more than 31,000 tweets and 22,500 texts sent to the Jumbotrons. Winners of text and tweet promotions won prizes including upgrade to the front row Chevrolet Best Seats in the House, and backstage meet-and-greets with artists including Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Jana Kramer, Jake Owen, and Blake Shelton.

Through these promotions, CMA’s MOB of fans who opted-in for text alerts climbed to nearly 165,000 members by the close of the Festival. CMA’s Twitter (@CountryMusic) followers increased nearly four percent over the course of the event.

Chris Young hosted a unique virtual meet-and-greet with fans at CMA Music Festival. Even though he spent more than nine hours meeting music lovers in person on Thursday (6/7), Young wanted to continue the connection. He spent the weekend in Indianapolis, Chicago and Detroit with Miranda Lambert’s On Fire tour, but employed Netwave Technology so that he could host a virtual meet-and-greet Friday with fans at the Festival. While waiting to take the stage in Indianapolis, the singer video chatted with individual fans and signed digital photos. He later announced via Twitter a surprise Skype session with CMA Music Festival attendees for Saturday (6/9) from Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Apps and websites were another key component in the CMA’s digital strategy. The CMA Awards & Music Fest App was downloaded 17,000 times for the 2012 festival. It allowed fans to find event details and create customized schedules of activities. The website CMAfest.com offered a similar tool. There was also a mobile phone-optimized counterpart, CMAfest.mobi, as well as an official blog.

Young's fans at CMA Music Festival talk to the singer via Skype. Photo: Caitlin Selle/CMA