October 2012 - Page 13 of 27

Weekly Register: Swift Launch Delivers Non-Traditional Locations

October 17, 2012/by bossross

Weekly Register TV Script

Host sings exuberantly: “Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…oh what fun for country sales, the season’s underway…!! OH…”

[Camera goes wide]

TV Host: Welcome everyone. Why am I in a festive mood? Well, because the two biggest country albums of the season are finally going on sale—Jason Aldean’s Night Train, which hit shelves 10/16 and Taylor Swift’s Red which debuts 10/22. So fasten your seat belts because we have both artists live in our Weekly Register studio. Hey Jason, hey Taylor… s’up guys?
……

OK. This is print, not video. But I’ve been so inspired by Big Machine’s marketing strategies for the upcoming Swift album that I’m trying to think more grandiose for my own promotions. Planning the launch of an artist like Ms. Swift is daunting. Yes, she gets opportunities that are out of reach for all other country music superstars, but expectations are also much higher. Scott Borchetta, Kelly Rich and the BMLG team have truly stepped up with innovative Red launch ideas. It’s accurate to say this project is writing country music marketing history.

Marketing veteran Neal Spielberg noted the launch is, “Reminiscent of a blockbuster movie release,” and I couldn’t agree more. It also echoes the bold style with which Borchetta has steered the scrappy indie since its birth in 2005. At that time the President/CEO described his primary duties as, “Building a fighter jet for the revolution.”

Why am I gushing? Here’s a few of the numerous tie-ins. Swift’s album will be available to purchase when people order a Papa John’s Pizza. Her face will be on the box. She has her own store on the pizza maker’s web site with a variety of offers and packages. There’s a Red partnership with Keds sneakers and Swift-themed merchandise will be on sale and part of special offers in Walgreens’ 7,944 nationwide locations. Oh and at the end of the month, Swift and Papa John’s will host her own radio remote in Nashville… Then there’s the mag covers, TV appearances and partnerships with retailers such as CoverGirl, Macy’s, American Greetings, Sony electronics and so much more…

But there’s also great No. 1 news ahead for Jason Aldean, who is celebrating his Night Train launch with a week-long series of high profile appearances and a “special surprise” planned for Thursday 10/18.

Interestingly, Jason and Taylor have history together—chart history that is. Swift’s Speak Now was released during the week ending 10/31/10 with 1.05 million units. The next week Aldean’s My Kinda Party splashed with 193k units. Unfortunately for Aldean, Swift’s week 2 sales of 320k units kept him out of the top country chart positions on both the country and Top 200 charts. This time however, the schedules are reversed, giving Aldean an excellent chance to claim No. 1 status on the country chart and possibly the all-genre list as well… (at least for one week)…

By The Numbers
As noted above, the big chart action begins soon, but for now, most lists are calm according to Nielsen SoundScan. Little Big Town’s Tornado earns a fifth consecutive week in the No. 1 position (23k) on the Top 75 Current Country album list and Aaron Watson debuts at No. 9 with about 6k units.

Tracks watchers will be surprised, no doubt, to learn that Swift’s latest track “I Knew You Were Trouble” has apparently been deemed not country. What? (The new track topped the all genre tracks list with almost 416k downloads.) Can anyone understand this? An artist with an upcoming country album who currently has three Top 10 Digital Genre Country tracks this week—not even counting the latest release? Nothing official on this yet, but hopefully SoundScan and/or Billboard will offer an explanation for this unexpected and seemingly miscalculated decision.

[Camera Zoom In For Charismatic Host Close Up]

TV Host: Thanks for tuning into Weekly Register… where we track the hits, measure the sales and analyze the outcomes. See you next week when our special guests will be….

[Fade to commercial]

Snapshots (10/17/2012)

October 17, 2012/by Eric T. Parker

Little Big Town pictured with Kasey Kahne and a cake replica of his No. 5 Car

On October 10, Little Big Town performed for over 500 VIPs and Time Warner Cable customers at the unveiling of driver Kasey Kahne’s new No. 5 Time Warner Cable Chevrolet racecar.

Ace of Cakes designer, Duff Goldman created a life-size racecar cake (pictured), which was fully equipped with spinning wheels and smoke during the initial reveal at Hendrick Motorsports in Charlotte, NC.

••••

Niemann and Caillat performing "I'm All About You" in Nashville. Photo: Jon-Paul Photography

Jerrod Niemann performed a sold out show celebrating the release of his Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville sophomore album, titled Free The Music, Oct. 10 at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley. Brent Anderson, Tyler Farr, Lee Brice, Jon Stone, and Colbie Caillat shared the stage with Niemann, who performed the album in its entirety.

The performance was the first show of Niemann’s Jägermeister Tour. The album is in stores now.

••••

Kenny Chesney Celebrates Sammy Hagar’s Birthday

Sammy Hagar’s 65th Birthday Bash week was filled with a star-studded lineup including Kenny Chesney, Jerry Cantrell, Matt Sorum, Michael Anthony, Billy Duffy and Denny Carmassi.

This year, Hagar’s band, The Wabos, played October 7, 9, 11 and 13th, with a last minute addition on the 12^th to accommodate Chesney. Chef Emeril Lagasse was on hand to serve up dinner and join on stage to sing back up on “I Can’t Drive 55.”

DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/17/12)

October 17, 2012/by Robert K Oermann

This week, creativity trumps commerciality.

The folks with the most radio-ready tunes this week include Brantley Gilbert, Love and Theft and Uncle Kracker. But the artist with the single that is truly ground breaking and fresh sounding is Jerrod Niemann. For outstanding creativity and class, give that man a Disc of the Day.

None of the newcomers flipped my lid. So we have no DisCovery Award to present in this edition of “DisClaimer.”

JERROD NIEMANN/Only God Could Love You More
Writer: Jerrod Niemann/Lee Brice/Jon Stone; Producer: Dave Brainard & Jerrod Niemann; Publisher: Writers of Sea Gayle/Ozworth/Words & Music/Mike Curb/Sweet Hysteria/How Bout That Skyline/Songs From Ferry Street/BMG Chrysalis, BMI; Arista/Sea Gayle (track)
—This man is so creative. As if the songwriting wasn’t cool enough, the production is a brain-filling delight, full of tender percussion rumbling, vocal echoes, keyboard droplets and haunting silences. Essential listening.

BOBBY DEAN/You Can’t Drink ‘Em All
Writer: Culpepper/Culpepper/Neil; Producer: Dave Moody; Publisher: Songs from Americana Street/CDT Productions, BMI/ASCAP; Lamon (track)
—Country with a capital “K.” He has a drawl you can cut with a knife, and the band lays the fiddle and steel on thick. Not for the faint of heart.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/More Than Miles
Writer: John Eddie/Brantley Gilbert; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: WB/John Eddie/Warner Tamerlane/Indiana Angel, ASCAP/BMI; Valory Music (track)
—Driving away won’t cure his heartache, no matter how far he goes. The track has a rolling, churning quality that propels the song forward. His soft-yet-earnest vocal performance is perfectly shaded to the lyric. Very radio worthy.

ROY SOLIS/Sippin’ on a Six Pack
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Ave. 1 (www.roysolismusic.com)
—Thin sounding. I like the accordion, but the rest of the instrumental backing could use some oomph. His singing lacks lung power and hits the high notes flat. Pass.

LOVE AND THEFT/Runnin’ Out of Air
Writer: Matt Jenkins/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne; Producer: Josh Leo; Publisher: Songs of Bims/Kobalt/Crazy Water/Little Blue Egg/Want a Fresh One/Black River, ASCAP; RCA (track)
—This is a change of pace from their “Angel Eyes” hit. It is a pop bopper with rhythm to spare. The compressed-sounding, rapid-fire vocal delivery is ear catching as well.

BILL McALISTER & I-57 SOUTH/Between Silver & Gray
Writer: William Alaric McAlister; Producer: Patrick T. Doody & Bill McAlister; Publisher: Palos Orland, ASCAP; Lane (track) (www.lanerecords.net)
—Very much is the shadow of Waylon Jennings, from the “outlaw” backbeat to his baritone vocal delivery. The lyric refers to the fact that he’s on the far side of 50. That’s okay. Music keeps you young.

COLT FORD/Answer to No One
Writer: C. Ford/S. Houchins/N. Gordon/M. Hartnett; Producer: Shannon Houchins, Noah Gordon & Mike Hartnett; Publisher: Average JZS/Mike Hartnett, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joes (track) (www.coltford.com)
—Name your poison: rap or rock. This has both, plus a dash of right-wing politics.

ANGEL MARY & THE TENNESSEE WEREWOLVES/Cowboy
Writer: Jean Picard-Ami/Angel Mary Picard-Ami/Christian Picard-Ami; Producer: Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Verado (CDX) (www.angelmary.net)
—Ya gotta love their name. The sound is rebel rocking with plenty of attitude. It would work a little better if she had more moxie in her delivery.

UNCLE KRACKER/Nobody’s Sad on a Saturday Night
Writer: M. Shafer/Shane McAnally/J.T. Harding; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publisher: Warner-Chappell/Gaje/Universal/Smack Ink/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt/SONGS/Mighty Seven/Songs of SMP/Heavy Metal Disco, BMI/ASCAP; EMI/Sugar Hill/Vanguard (CDX) (www.unclekracker.com)
—Infectious. Energetic. Cleverly written and sung with joyous abandon. Play it.

CHRIS COX/December in the Snow
Writer: Walt Wilder; Producer: Walt Wilder; Publisher: Taloga Leedy/Pactow, BMI; CMM (CDX) (405-751-2140)
—A vocal tremelo to drive a truck through.

Publishing Notes

October 17, 2012/by Sarah Skates

Benom Plumb is leaving his post as Manager, Licensing & Administration at Bluewater Music to become a professor in The University of Colorado Denver’s music business department. His last day in the office at Bluewater will be Nov. 2, but he will continue working with Bluewater as an advisor and consultant. Reach him at [email protected].

• • • •

MusicRow extends condolences to Ten Ten Music Group VP of A&R Patrick Clifford on the passing of his mother, Doris Clifford. She resided in Audubon, Penn. and died on Sun., Oct. 14, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at Pittsburgh’s St. Thomas A’Becket Church on Fri., Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the following charities: Defenders of Wildlife, 1130 17th St. NW, Washington DC 20036; or Montgomery Hospice, 25 W. Fornance St., Norristown PA 19401.

Music City Dining Adds Director of Events

October 17, 2012/by Freeman

Falon M. Veit

Music City Dining, the umbrella company for Nashville restaurants Sunset Grill, Midtown Cafe, and Cabana, has announced the hire of Falon M. Veit as Director of Events for MCD. The announcement was made by MCD managing partner Randy Rayburn.

“Falon’s experience managing events and gatherings in North America and internationally for Fortune 500 clients, global companies, non-profit groups and trade associations made her the perfect candidate for this vital position with Music City Dining,” said Rayburn. “Her portfolio of diverse professional skills is ideally suited to directing her team members to provide greater levels of hospitality that will enhance our 22 years of client services.”

Veit was most recently VP for Event Logistics, which she joined in 2005 as Operations Coordinator. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Public Relations, Marketing and International Business. She is also an active volunteer with Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and chaired Chukkers for Charity benefiting the Rochelle Center and Saddle Up. The Nashville Business Journal named her one of its Top 40 under 40 in 2010 and a Nashville Emerging Leader in 2012.

In her new role, Veit will supervise the events staff consisting of newly named Event Coordinator Elizabeth Conn, who is also a hostess at Midtown Cafe, and Event Sales Assistant Briana Minter, who is a manager at Sunset Grill.

Direct inquiries about special events and private dining to Veit at 615-414-0850 or [email protected].

Darrell Brown Inks New Publishing Agreement

October 17, 2012/by Sarah Skates

Darrell Brown

BMG Chrysalis Nashville has signed an exclusive co-publishing agreement with multi-platinum songwriter, producer and arranger Darrell Brown, which also includes administration of Brown’s back catalogue going forward.

Brown’s work with Keith Urban, Neil Young, Bon Jovi, Faith Hill, Radney Foster and more, appears on albums that have sold more than 70 million units. His songwriting credits include No. 1s for Urban (“You’ll Think of Me”, “Rainin’ on Sunday”), Josh Turner (“Why Don’t We Just Dance”), and LeAnn Rimes (“Nothin’ Better To Do”, “What I Cannot Change”). Recently he has continued his longstanding collaboration with Rimes as producer and principal co-writer for her upcoming album, Spitfire.

“Darrell is an incredibly gifted songwriter and producer,” said Darrell Franklin, Executive Vice President BMG Nashville. “He brings great depth and energy to our roster in every genre, and is the type of writer that is never satisfied with what is happening in the moment, but always reaching forward. It’s an honor for our team to work with him.”

Brown’s production and arrangement credits include Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s Americana, Chrome Dreams 2, and Living With War. His credits also include film (Gambit, Like Dandelion Dust, Cruel Intentions), television (Cold Case, Rookie Blue, One Tree Hill), and video games (The Sims).

Brown serves on the Board of Trustees for NARAS, the Board for the Grammy Foundation, and as musical director and co-creative director for the annual Grammy Preservation Concert.

Strait’s Final Tour Sells Out Six Dates

October 16, 2012/by Caitlin Rantala

George Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, featuring special guest Martina McBride, sold out six tour markets last Friday (10/12)—with Lubbock, TX selling all 15,431 tickets within 15 minutes.

“I never expected the fans would react like this. It’s just incredible,” said Strait. “I really do have the best fans in the world, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all on the road very soon.”

In addition to Lubbock, sold out cities include Oklahoma City, OK; St. Paul, MN; Albuquerque, NM; Las Vegas, NV., and Las Cruces, NM. In select markets, remaining single show tickets are still available for purchase.

The full list of tour dates is listed below with tickets available by visiting www.GeorgeStrait.com. Ticket prices begin at $69.50 with VIP packaging available for purchase.

Dierks Bentley Plays Impromptu Show

October 16, 2012/by Eric T. Parker

When Dierks Bentley’s seventh annual “Miles & Music for Kids” celebrity motorcycle ride and concert in Nashville was postponed for inclement weather this past Sunday (10/14), Bentley responded by playing an impromptu set for fans at the Hard Rock Café.

High winds and storm warnings forced organizers to postpone the ride and move the performance indoors. Participant Sheryl Crow stuck around to make a guest appearance at Hard Rock with Bentley.

“It was a tough call, but we had to make it for everyone’s safety,” said Bentley. “But, we still had so many fans in town who traveled, sometimes hundreds of miles to help support Vandy’s Children’s Hospital, I felt like we had to find a way to do something to thank them for their time and donations over the past seven years.”

The full event was scheduled to take place on the Riverfront Lawn event space. It has not yet been rescheduled.

Since first hitting the pavement in 2006, 12 “Miles & Music” events have been hosted in seven cities, raising over $2 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country.

For more information, visit www.dierks.com.

Thompson Square Reveals New Single, Plans StageIt Show

October 16, 2012/by Freeman

CMA Award nominee Thompson Square is releasing its new single “Didn’t Have You,” the first from the duo’s upcoming sophomore album.

Written by the Shawna and Keifer Thompson with Jason Sellers and Paul Jenkins, “If I Didn’t Have You” is from the same creative team that penned T2’s hit “I Got You.” “‘If I Didn’t Have You’ is a story about two people who rely on each other to get through the tough thing we call life,” explains Keifer. “We all have someone who we can go to for encouragement and this is our story.”

The song impacts country radio Oct. 29 and the digital single will be available for purchase Oct. 30. Fans can get a preview on Thompson Square’s website.

Also on Oct. 30, T2 will perform a special acoustic show in StageIt live from Nashville at 2 pm/CT. During the “Single Release Show,” the Thompsons will chat with fans, take requests, and premiere the new song. Tickets are available here and proceeds will benefit ChildFund International.

Don Poythress Inks Publishing Deal

October 16, 2012/by Sarah Skates

Don Poythress, Photo: Ivan Clow

Big Machine Music and Crosscut Music announced today (10/16) an exclusive co-publishing agreement with hit songwriter Don Poythress. His No. 1 “A Little More Country Than That” (Easton Corbin) earned nominations for CMA and ACM Song of the Year. Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Hank Jr., Clint Black and the late Earl Scruggs have recorded Poythress’ songs. He has most recently penned cuts for Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Greg Bates and The Henningsens.

“Don is one of Nashville’s finest country songwriters and we are so excited to work with him and our colleague, Jimmy Ritchey at Crosscut Music. Don’s integrity as a songwriter is second to none and he is a perfect fit for our Big Machine Music team,” stated Big Machine Music’s Martha Earls.

Crosscut Music President Ritchey added, “I am so blessed to continue to work with Don in this new venture and more than excited to team up with Big Machine Music to take his career to the next level.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful and honored to be working with all the great people at Big Machine and Crosscut Music. I look forward to creating a successful partnership together,” said Poythress.