Rodeowave Partners with A&M/Octone to Promote Miss Willie Brown

/by

Rodeowave Entertainment has partnered with A&M/Octone Records to coordinate all country radio promotion activities for the new country duo Miss Willie Brown and their single “You’re All That Matters To Me.” Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, the song was produced by Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift, The Band Perry) and is the duo’s lead single from their debut album due in fall.

“Bob Guerra (host, producer, and writer of the nationally syndicated Country radio show, New Music Nashville) first brought Miss Willie Brown to my attention, so I found them online and thought the music was fantastic,” said Rodeowave’s Teddi Bonadies. “The first time I heard this single, I knew it was perfect for country radio.”

“You’re All That Matters To Me” is already receiving airplay at select radio stations, and will officially impact country radio in late June as Miss Willie Brown visits stations across the US. Over 91,000 copies of the song were downloaded from iTunes when it was highlighted as a download of the week.

Lady A Plans Australian Tour; Eric Church Unveils Fall Dates

/by

Lady Antebellum has announced the final leg of its Own The Night 2012 World Tour, which will head into Australia in September. Tickets for the events will go on sale June 15, with pre-sale available Tuesday, June 12. Scheduled dates appear below.

The multi-platinum trio has sold over 850,000 tickets on the first leg of the tour, which will hit Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Rochester this weekend.

Own The Night 2012 World Tour Australian dates:
9/25 – Melbourne – Palais Theatre
9/28 – Brisbane – Convention Centre
10/1 – Sydney – Opera House

• • • •

Eric Church has unveiled the fall leg of his headlining Blood, Sweat, Beers Tour, adding cities nationwide from Los Angeles to Amherst, MA. Special guests Justin Moore and Kip Moore will join Church for this portion of the tour. Tickets go on sale June 8 for the first dates. A full list appears below.

The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour was named No. 11 in Pollstar’s 2012 Worldwide Ticket Sales Chart for the first quarter, and it has sold out more than 25 dates since it began.

Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour newly announced dates:

9/13 – Amherst, MA – Mullins Center
9/14 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena
9/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – CONSOL Energy Center
9/20 – Frisco, TX – Dr. Pepper Arena
9/21 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
9/22 – Cedar Park, TX – Cedar Park Center
9/27 – Mankato, MN – Verizon Wireless Center
9/28 – Sioux City, IA – Tyson Events Center
9/29 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
10/4 – Detroit, MI – Joe Louis Arena
10/5 – Moline, IL – iWireless Center
10/6 – Cincinnati, OH – US Bank Arena
10/11 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
10/12 – Milwaukee, WI – Bradley Center
10/13 – Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
10/14 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
10/18 – Lafayette, LA – Cajun Dome
10/19 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
10/20 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC Arena
10/21 – Murray, KY – CFSB Center
10/25 – Roanoke, VA – Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum
10/26 – Fairfax, VA – Patriot Center
10/27 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena
11/2 – Glendale, AZ – Jobing.com Arena
11/3 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center
11/4 – Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE
11/6 – Bakersfield, CA – Rabobank Arena
11/8 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
11/9 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion at San Jose
11/10 – Sacramento, CA – Power Balance Pavilion
11/11 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
11/13 – Everett, WA – Comcast Arena at Everett
11/15 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden Arena
11/16 – Boise, ID – Taco Bell Arena
11/17 – West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
11/28 – Charlotte, NC – Time Warner Cable Arena
11/29 – Duluth, GA – The Arena at Gwinnett Center
11/30 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
12/1 – Huntington, WV – Big Sandy Superstore Arena
12/6 – North Little Rock, AR – Verizon Arena
12/7 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
12/8 – Wichita, KS – Intrust Bank Arena
12/13 – Tampa, FL – USF Sun Dome
12/14 – Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
12/15 – Sunrise, FL – Bank Atlantic Center

Street Closures Announced For CMA Music Festival

/by

The 2012 CMA Music Festival is right around the corner, and the influx of people and events will mean changes in traffic flow starting today (6/1) and extending through the end of next week.

Closures beginning Friday, June 1:
• 8:00AM/CT – First Avenue South, east-most lane

Closures beginning Monday, June 4:
• 8:00AM/CT – First Avenue North, east-most lane (re-opens June 13)

Closures beginning Tuesday, June 5:
• 9:00AM/CT – Broadway from First to Second Avenues
• 9:00AM/CT – First Avenue from Demonbreun to Church Streets

Closures beginning Wednesday, June 6:
• 12:00PM/CT – Broadway from Second to Fourth Avenues
• 12:00PM/CT – Commerce Street from Fifth to Sixth Avenues

Closures beginning Thursday June 7:
• 12:00AM/CT – Fifth Avenue from Demonbreun Street to Broadway
• 7:00AM/CT – Broadway, north-most lane from Fifth to Sixth Avenues
• 7:00AM/CT – Fourth Avenue South, east-most lane from Demonbreun Street to Broadway
• 7:00AM/CT – Second Avenue, east-most lane from Demonbreun Street to Broadway and from Church to Union Streets
• 7:00AM/CT – Fifth Avenue, east-most lane from Franklin to Demonbreun Streets
• 7:00AM/CT – Fifth Avenue, west-most lane from Broadway to Commerce Street

These streets will remain closed throughout Music Festival, and will be cleared in the early morning hours of Monday, June 11.

Additionally, temporary closures will occur Wednesday, June 6 for the eighth annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade and the Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party. The following will be closed from 9 am to 2 pm/CT:

• Tenth Avenue North from Broadway to Church Street
• Commerce Street from Ninth to Tenth Avenues
• Broadway, south-most lane from Ninth to Twelfth Avenues
• Broadway from First to Twelfth Avenues (10:20AM/CT – 1:30PM/CT only)

The 2012 CMA Music Festival officially runs Thursday, June 7 through Sunday, June 10. For the latest info, check here.

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

/by

Ask any of the thousands of struggling musicians in Nashville and they’ll tell you: entertainment is a heartbreaking business. Most performers don’t ever get the chance to stand on a stage like the Ryman Auditorium or play late night television, or even sign a record deal.

So why keep doing it? Because some dreams refuse to die, in spite of all logical reasoning. Republic Nashville’s Eli Young Band seemingly remembers what determination feels like, because “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”–the CountryBreakout Chart’s new No. 1 song–is an anthem for the dreamers. Written by top-shelf singer/songwriters Will Hoge and Eric Paslay, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” is a rallying cry in the vein of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” something that demands rolling down the windows and shouting at the top of one’s lungs. (Or, you know, so I’ve heard).

Eli Young Band has definitely made it through those days of struggle at this point. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” follows up the group’s “Crazy Girl,” which became a smash No. 1 hit and won the ACM Award for Song of the Year. The group is also currently nominated for two CMT Music Awards, which will take place Wednesday, June 6.

Weekly Chart Report (5/31/2012)

/by

Flying Island Entertainment artist and The Voice contestant Gwen Sebastian recently visited with Billy Kidd of WBEE (L) in Rochester live from the city’s Lilac Festival. Gwen’s new single, “Met Him In a Motel Room,” is at No. 87 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart this week.

SPIN ZONE
There’s a new No. 1 song at the top of MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart, as Eli Young Band’s “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” jumps up from No. 3. Things in the Top 5 could get messy pretty soon—Brantley Gilbert’s “You Don’t Know Her LIke I Do,” Toby Keith’s “Beers Ago,” and Dierks Bentley’s “5-1-5-0” are in positions 3-5 and still adding considerable spins.

New to the top 10 is Gloriana with “(Kissed You) Good Night,” likely getting a push from the group’s recent appearance on the Bachelorette. Moving inside the top 20 is Blake Shelton’s “Over,” which lands at No. 15. Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over” is a rocketship, gaining 606 spins in its third week charting to hit No. 22.

MCA’s Kip Moore stopped by to visit with WGAR/Cleveland this week. (L-R): Keith Abrahms (WGAR GM/OM) and Moore

Shelton’s wife Miranda Lambert recently gave newcomer Rachel Holder a big shout out on Twitter, after hearing her song on one of MusicRow’s reporting stations in Tishomingo, OK. “I heard this song by @RachelHolder called ‘In Your Arms’ on KKAJ. Gave me chills. What a great singer.  3 modulations. :)” said Lambert in the post. “In Your Arms” is currently at No. 17 and still gaining spins. Other new faces in the top 20 include Thomas Rhett’s “Something To Do With My Hands” at No. 13 and Jana Kramer’s “Why Ya Wanna” at No. 14.

Things are a little slower in the second half of the chart, with only three new songs debuting. Big & Rich’s “That’s Why I Pray” leads the bunch at No. 49. Also joining the top 80 this week are Taylor Made’s “Some Things You Never Grow Out Of” at No. 78 and Marty McIntosh’s “Looking For Reasons” at No. 80.

Frozen Playlists: KDOL, KFAV, KVAY, KZTL, WAAG, WBYZ, WDKN, WKWS, WTCM, WTHO, WYVY

Upcoming Singles
June 4
Corey Wagar/Take Ya Back
Matt Gary/City Lights/17/Quarterback
Rodney Atkins/Just Wanna Rock N’ Roll/Curb
Bill Gentry/That Kind of Life/Tenacity

June 11
None listed

June 18
Gwen Sebastian/Met Him In A Motel Room/Flying Island
Craig Morgan/Corn Star/Black River
Casey James/Crying On A Suitcase/19/BNA

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Big & Rich/That’s Why I Pray/Warner Bros. – 49
Taylor Made/Some Things You Never Grow Out Of – 78
Marty McIntosh/Looking For Reasons/Nashville America – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Kenny Chesney/Come Over/BNA – 606
Big & Rich/That’s Why I Pray/Warner Bros. – 469
Rascal Flatts/Come Wake Me Up/Big Machine – 316
Lady Antebellum/Wanted You More/Capitol – 273
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 261

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Kenny Chesney/Come Over/BNA – 18
Rascal Flatts/Come Wake Me Up/Big Machine – 15
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 13
Hank Williams Jr./That Ain’t Good/Blaster Records – 12
Jake Owen/The One That Got Away/BNA – 10

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Mark Wayne Glasmire/I Like You/Traceway – 183
Lathan Moore/Nothin Like A Woman/Render Records – 168
JB & The Moonshine Band/Beer For Breakfast/Average Joe’s – 167
Lisa Matassa/Wouldn’t You Like To Know/LMA – 157
TJ Maddux/Hotter Than Fireworks – 155

Jason Aldean played Louisiana State University’s Tiger Stadium on Memorial Day weekend and invited some local radio personalities out for the event. (L-R): Don Gosselin (WNOE/New Orleans), Dave Dunaway (WTGE/Baton Rouge), Aldean, Mac Daniels (KSKS/Fresno), Sam McGuire (WYNK/Baton Rouge), Jim Malito (Broken Bow)

Cold River Records artist Katie Armiger stopped by WPLZ/Chattanooga as a guest DJ on May 25. Pictured (L-R): Longneck (afternoon personality), Armiger, Erica Taylor (midday personality), Josh Weber (PD/morning host), Mary Lynne O'Neal (Cold River)

Concert News: Martina in Nashville, Garth in Vegas, CMA Songwriters Series

/by

Martina McBride will headline Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Fri., Sept. 28. She is on the One Night tour is support of her Republic Nashville album Eleven. Tickets go on sale Fri., June 8 at 10:00 a.m., starting at $39.50 plus fees. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• • • •

The CMA Songwriters Series is heading west, bringing some of Nashville’s best tunesmiths to Los Angeles’ House of Blues on Tues., June 26, and Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum on Wed., June 27. Bill Anderson, Kristian Bush and Bobby Pinson will join host Bob DiPiero for two nights of music and storytelling. Tickets for both shows will go on sale Fri., June 1. For details log on to www.CMAworld.com.

• • • •

Garth Brooks has announced more dates for his concerts at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.

Concert Dates Going on Sale Sat., June 9 at 10 a.m. PT
September 21, 22
October 5, 6
October 26, 27
November 16, 17

Dates Currently on Sale
June 8, 9
June 22, 23
July 19 (one show at 8 p.m.)
July 20, 21
August 17, 18

Tickets are $225 plus tax and service charges and are available exclusively at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-877-65-GARTH. For details on Garth Weekend Packages or more information visit www.wynnlasvegas.com.

Charlie Cook On Air: The Power of Country, Pt. 1

/by

The CMA has really taken the lead in fan research. The organization’s financial and manpower commitment is unmatched and this week there is new information that is valuable for anyone involved on any level with the Country Music consumer.

The survey was conducted online with over 1100 respondents over the age of 18. Usually the panel is made up of 18-64 year olds but in this study 4% of the people were over the age of 65. The average age was 43 years. A majority (56%) fell between 18-49 and 59% were 25-54.

The respondents come from the CMA Insider Fan Panel that the CMA has spent the last few years building. These are active Country Music fans but the results here are from a random sample of the Fans who agreed to participate in this specific study.

The overall panel skews female but this study was overwhelmingly female at 78%. The CMA likes to include education in their studies and I am sure that stations appreciate this answer because the question is asked, if only silently.

I am always surprised by the results though. In this study 71% of the people had some college, up to completing some post graduate work. (This is a more learned group than I usually hang out with, but that says more about me than them).

Okay, the table is set and I think you’re going to really like the meal. Particularly if you’re in Country Radio. The first course has 87% of the respondents saying that they are listening the same or more to their local Country Radio Station. The really tasty bite here is that 18-24 years olds are twice as likely to say that they are listening to a local Country Radio station.

The average Time Spent listening to Country Radio per day is 4 and one half hours. And the average time spent listening to Country Music from OTHER sources is 3 hours a day. (When do these folks have the time to do their post graduate studies? I am just asking).

The study found that 35% of the respondents do their listening to Country Music over the Internet. This includes streaming AM/FM radio.

There are many things that Country Radio can learn from this study, which by the way is available on line at CMAworld.com. You need to be a member of the CMA to access the entire study but if you are in Country Radio you ARE a member as they deputized everyone this year as a way of saying, “Hey, 2012 is the Year of Country Radio.”  (Thank yous go to Brandi Simms).

This comes up in every study and most stations ignore it, but again 80% of the listeners say that it is extremely important that stations identify the artist and song title. Most PDs “just say no” to this and I am one of those. I do think that stations should be required by law to do 4 minute reports on a performer every time they play a song by a new artist. (Just kidding).

Good news for disc jockeys, both of you. Forty-nine percent of the respondents identify the DJ as an important part of choosing a station. Note to Clear Channel executives: this does not mean that 51% think that voice-tracking DJs is acceptable.

I know that I struggle each month, here at West Virginia Radio Corp, with the streaming costs associated with music stations, but 28% of Country Music fans think that having their favorite Country Radio station available on-line is extremely important. Can we all agree that this number is going to go up? As are the streaming costs.

Arbitron has announced that it can begin to combine terrestrial and online numbers for ratings but there are still some things to work out before you can begin to sell this to advertisers.

We all know that loyalty is job No. 1 at radio. In fact, that is the bane and the boon for many programmers, depending on which side you’re on. Fully 75% of the listeners say their habits are influenced by listening to the same station for years.

Only 15% said that they were inclined to listen because they met a DJ in person. This is one case where we know why the other 85% don’t listen. They met a DJ in person.

Broadcast radio in the car is far and away the number one device for listening to music at 93% of the respondents pegging this as their choice. You know that Oprah said, “Don’t listen to your cell phone and drive.“ Or something like that.

Listening online in the car came in at only 4% despite the carmakers’ attempts to convince us that those pretty 20-somethings in their TV commercials are all too hip for the room (or regular radio).

Next week I will look at other ways to listen to Country Music like Pandora, Spotify and others.

Have a great week and enjoy Country Music…on the radio.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

Earls and Molinar To Lead Big Machine Publishing Venture

/by

The Big Machine Label Group has announced the launch of Big Machine Music, an expansion and re-branding of the label’s existing publishing company Super 98 Music. Music publishing veterans Mike Molinar and Martha Earls will lead the new venture, overseeing songwriter signings, artist/writer and catalog growth.

“Mike & Martha are perfectly aligned with our strategy of development and vision on how to build out Big Machine Music. I’m really thrilled that they are bringing their passion and expertise as they join us and put our company squarely into the publishing world,” said Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta.

Earls and Molinar have a combined 30-plus years experience with Nashville publishing companies. Most recently, the two partnered in the boutique publishing and writer/artist management company Effusion Entertainment, which developed Republic Nashville’s Greg Bates through a joint venture with Super 98 Music.

Prior to Effusion, Molinar and Earls were partners in Elevation Music Publishing, which generated the hit “Easy” by Rascal Flatts with Natasha Bedingfield. Additionally, the company placed songs with Brantley Gilbert, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, and more.

“Martha and I are honored to extend Scott’s vision into our incredible songwriting community. With the horsepower of the entire Big Machine team, we look forward to the opportunities that we can collectively offer our current and future songwriters and artist/writers,” says Molinar, who will serve as Vice President of Creative.

Big Machine Music Publishing artist/writers include The Valory Music Co.’s Justin Moore, Republic Nashville’s Sunny Sweeney and Greg Bates and Broken Bow’s Dustin Lynch. Additionally, Effusion’s writer management clients will be represented through Big Machine Music Publishing.

Earls will also continue day to day management duties for Bates.

This is the latest in a series of big announcements for BMLG, following the recent addition of superstar Tim McGraw to the roster, and the company’s sponsorship of Indianapolis 500 winning driver Dario Franchitti.