IEBA Conference Closes With Awards Presentation

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(L-R): IEBA Awards Host MC Hammer, Charley Pride and Neal McCoy. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

The International Entertainment Buyers Association’s 42nd Annual Conference in Nashville wrapped yesterday (10/9) with record-breaking attendance of nearly 700 registrants.

MC Hammer hosted last night’s dinner and ceremony, which was a joint celebration of the IEBA Industry Awards and the CMA SRO Awards (see SRO winners list). Artist Charley Pride, entertainment publisher Ray Pilszak and talent buyer Joe LaGuardia, posthumously, were inducted into the IEBA Hall of Fame.

The evening included appearances by David Cassidy, Peter Noone, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Ronnie Dunn, Neal McCoy, John Schneider and Tom Wopat (The Duke Boys) as well as performances by Melinda Doolittle and Belmont University School of Music students.

“The conference and awards dinner exceeded all of our expectations,” said Tiffany Davis, Executive Director of IEBA. “It was a once in a lifetime experience with the legendary Charley Pride and the many other current and future legends of our industry all in the room together. MC Hammer entertained and charmed everyone. It was a perfect conference with an enchanted ending.”

See MusicRow’s coverage of the conference’s reality TV panel discussion here.

International Buyer of the Year: Larry Werner, Panhandle Productions
Fair Buyer of the Year: Todd Boltin, Variety Attractions
Festival Buyer of the Year: Mike Smardak, Outback Concerts
Club Buyer of the Year: Gary Osier, Gary Osier Presents
College Buyer of the Year: Mark Letson, EastCoast Entertainment
Corporate Buyer of the Year: Fran Romeo, Romeo Entertainment Group
Casino Buyer of the Year: Kell Houston, Houston Productions
Venue Executive of the Year: Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
Emerging Talent Agent of the Year: Travis Wolfe, Paradigm Agency

 

IEBA Talks Reality TV and the Music Industry

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Pictured (L-R): Scott Siman (RPM Entertainment), Paula Abdul, Barry Adelman (Dick Clark Productions), singer Melinda Doolittle and moderator Fred Bronson. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for IEBA

Moderator Fred Bronson led a panel discussion with Paula Abdul (former American Idol judge), Melinda Doolittle (former AI contestant), Barry Adelman (Dick Clark Productions) and Scott Siman (President, RPM Entertainment) titled “How Reality TV has Affected the Music Industry,” Monday (10/8) in TPAC’s James Polk Theater during the IEBA conference. Bronson has guest‐starred on AI, CMT’s Next Superstar and has contributed writing for The American Music Awards, ACM Awards and multiple Dick Clark Productions concert specials.

The panel began by recognizing that talent competitions have had a longstanding history on TV, dating to the ’30s on radio with the show Major Bowes Armature Hour, which helped Frank Sinatra gain popularity in his group Hoboken Four. Country Music Hall of Fame singer Brenda Lee began on ABC’s TV program Ozark Jubilee (produced by Siman’s father). Chris Young, Miranda Lambert, and UMG Nashville’s new artist Kacey Musgraves all came from Nashville Star while numerous others have origins in shows produced by Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Cowell.

“There is a connection between music and TV to have an impact on careers,” said Siman. “We launched Julianne Hough’s single right after her performance on Dancing with the Stars with Apolo Ohno. She went on to sell 500k records. In 2000, Billy Gilman took off after a performance on the ACM Awards with Asleep At The Wheel. TV is a great partner and it’s here to stay. You can’t dismiss the impact it has on our format. If you’re stuck thinking it doesn’t, you’re not mining down far enough. We need to understand it.”

The panel discussed the impact of AI, which distinguishes itself from previous talent competitions by introducing a critical panel.

“AI was accused of ruining the industry,” said Abdul. “I had to remind every contestant that it is a TV show first, second and third. Talent comes fourth or fifth. Good singers were left behind for the extraordinarily great or wacky. It introduced me to a whole new aspect of humiliating people. These young adults would leave devastated and crying. It takes a lot to put it all out there.”

“AI changed everything for me,” said Doolittle. “It was a bootcamp. It was cool to have people sharing in your journey, but the attachment was so strong that people feel free to criticize wherever I go.”

“Dick Clark was criticized for American Bandstand,” commented Adelman. “Dick would say, ‘I’m a retail shopkeeper. I stock the shelves with what people want. Whatever sells, I put out.’ The people have created the stars, so viewers take ownership of them.”

For the contestants, TV creates a valuable channel for exposure, but does not necessarily translate to success in the industry. That still comes down to image and audience perception.

“You have to give the contestants a chance to make it after the show,” said Abdul. “They got the TV show part right, but picked some of the worst songs to be released at radio at the end. The tour schedule kept the winner from releasing a CD until the next season had began. By then, the audience’s interest was lower. So, I encouraged them to set up their own websites and YouTube channels.”

“It is really difficult to jump from reality TV to the recording industry,” said Siman. “Demand is high, and ultimately it comes back to hit singles. The issue is: do you have what it takes?”

“My catalog continue to sell because of the show,” added Abdul. “It’s a bullet train. Change was everywhere bringing pressure far beyond a normal artist. It all boils down to whether or not you have paid your dues.”

Following the panel discussion, Abdul received the IEBA Career Achievement Award.

CMA Presents SRO Touring Industry Awards

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Pictured (L-R) Back: Touring Musician of the Year winner Nick Hoffman; Video Director of the Year Shaun Silva; CMA Board Chairman Gary Overton; Business Manager of the Year winner Mary Ann McCready; CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore; Coach/Truck Driver of the Year winner John Stalder; and Robin Majors accepting on behalf of Production Manager of the Year winner Ed Wannebo. Front: Tour Manager of the Year David Farmer; Publicist of the Year winner Mary Hilliard Harrington; Martina McBride accepting on behalf of Front of House Engineer of the Year winner John McBride; Monitor Engineer of the Year winner Robert Bull; and Tom Morales accepting on behalf of Tour Caterer of the Year winner TomKats Catering.

The Awards for the 2012 CMA SRO (Standing Room Only) Awards were distributed last night (10/9) during the IEBA Awards and Hall of Fame Induction at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. Kix Brooks and CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore presented the honors in 14 categories. CMA members voted to determine the SRO touring award winners.

For a MusicRow exclusive interview with Moore about the show, click here.

CMA’s SRO Awards 2012 winners:
Business Manager of the Year: Mary Ann McCready (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.)

Manager of the Year: Clarence Spalding (Spalding Entertainment)

Publicist of the Year: Mary Hilliard Harrington (The GreenRoom PR)

Tour Manager of the Year: David Farmer (Kenny Chesney)

Production Manager of the Year: Ed Wannebo (Kenny Chesney)

Venue of the Year: Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, Tenn.)

Video Director of the Year: Shaun Silva (Tacklebox Films)

Talent Agent of the Year: Mike Betterton (Dale Morris & Associates, Inc.)

Tour Caterer of the Year: TomKats Catering

Touring Musician of the Year: Nick Hoffman (Kenny Chesney)

Coach/Truck Driver of the Year: John Stalder (Kenny Chesney)

FOH (Front of House) Engineer: John McBride (Martina McBride)

Lighting Director of the Year: Aaron Swetland (Jason Aldean)

Monitor Engineer of the Year: Robert Bull (Clair Bros. Audio Entertainment, Inc.)

*An individual or company cannot win two consecutive years in the same category.

SESAC Introduces Monthly Payments

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SESAC will begin monthly royalty distributions starting Oct. 31. The new program includes domestic, terrestrial radio performance royalties, and makes SESAC the only PRO offering songwriters and publishers monthly payments. In the past, these distributions were paid quarterly.

The organization plans to roll out monthly royalty distributions to other performance platforms in the near future.

“SESAC is thrilled to offer our talented affiliates the opportunity to receive royalty compensation for their work in the fastest, most accurate way possible,” said Pat Collins, SESAC’s President and Chief Operation Officer. “The new monthly royalty distribution system is yet another example of SESAC’s dedication to providing the most comprehensive and advanced service to our songwriters and music publishers.”

SESAC utilizes Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) to monitor radio performances. It has also fully integrated fingerprinting technology into its survey and distribution systems.

Headquartered in Nashville, the company also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and London.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (10/10/12)

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Ingram Hill, Hunter Hayes

Progress is our most important product.

Young Hunter Hayes continues his march to stardom with “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” a track that shows his continued growth as an artist. It is also the Disc of the Day.

Both Bonnie Bishop and Lindi Ortega continue to impress. Both women seem to improve and deepen with each album. Which means that both are on the path to becoming the stars that destiny intends for them to be. Again, progress.

On the songwriting front, give kudos to Jerry Salley for continuing to polish his gift. He’s still a model of country craftsmanship, and despite what the title to his CD implies, he only improves with age. So that’s progress, too.

This week’s DisCovery Award goes to Ingram Hill. This trio is comprised of Justin Moore, Phil Bogard and Zach Kirk. They cowrote all the songs on their CD.

THE WASHERS/Like a Gypsy Should
Writer: Todd Janik; Producer: Billy Jo High & Adam Odor; Publisher: none listed; W (www.thewashersmusic.com)
—Muffled and muddy sounding, with the lead vocal buried deep in the mix. Find a better producer.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/I’ll Keep the Kids
Writer: Eddie Montgomery/Ira Dean/Phil O’Donnell; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: Plowin’ Ground Music/Average ZJS Music/EMI Blackwood Music, Inc./Tune Pang Music/Sixteen Stars Music/Rooster Pecked Music (BMI); Average Joe’s (ERG)
—She wants everything in the divorce, and he’s willing to give it to her. Except for one thing, and it’s in the title. Well written, and probably Eddie’s best vocal performance ever.

BONNIE BISHOP/Bad Seed
Writer: Bonnie Bishop/Al Anderson; Producer: Bonnie Bishop; Publisher: none listed; BB (track) (www.bonniebishop.com)
—Bishop had a major breakthrough this year when Bonnie Raitt recorded her co-written “Not ‘Cause I Wanted To.” Bishop’s new Free CD is Kickstarter funded and includes this sizzling country-rocker featuring her soulful, slightly raspy, smokin’ hot vocal delivery as well as killer piano and electric guitar work. The title character’s behavior might be a little too raw for mainstream country radio, but those of you who listen will be richly rewarded. Unreservedly recommended.

HUNTER HAYES/Somebody’s Heartbreak
Writer: Andrew Dorff/Luke Laird/Hunter Hayes; Producer: Dann Huff & Hunter Hayes; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Universal Careers/High Powered Machine/Happy Little Man, BMI; Atlantic/Warner
—Very nice and classy, with a seductive groove and a gently jazzy vocal vibe. Confused in romance, he asks her, “If you’re gonna be somebody’s heartbreak, be mine.” As cool as the breeze.

JERRY SALLEY/Paper & Pen
Writer: Jerry Salley/Allison Mellon; Producer: Jerry Salley; Publisher: W.B.M./Beach Nut/Bases Loaded, SESAC/ASCAP; Very Jerry (track) (www.jerrysalley.com)
—This veteran country tunesmith (Reba, Toby, Brad, Loretta etc.) is back with a collection of self-penned tunes titled Showing My Age. This aching, waltzing ballad concerns a broken hearted gal who gets the last word by writing a revenge note to the man she thinks wronged her. How country is this? In response, he hits the bottle and ends his life. Salley sings it like a honky-tonk master in full barroom cry.

WAYLON JENNINGS/Goin’ Down Rockin’
Writer: Tony Joe White/Leann White/Waylon Jennings; Producer: Robby Turner; Publisher: none listed; Saguaro Road (track) (www.saguroroad.com)
—Not long before he died in 2002, Waylon recorded a batch of demos, believing that his band would turn them into full recordings one day. That day is now. The collection’s title tune is vintage “outlaw,” with a thumping backbeat and stinging guitar lines. Co-writer Tony Joe White adds a ghostly second voice to the minor-key track. An intriguing, involving final testament from one of our true country legends.

LINDI ORTEGA/Cigarettes & Truckstops
Writer: none listed; Producer: Colin Linden; Publisher: none listed; Last Gang (track) (www.lindiortega.com)
—I am already a huge fan of this lady’s musical charms. She sings like a hillbilly angel, managing to be simultaneously as tremulous as young Dolly and as tough as vintage Patsy. Her echoey, alt-country backing is mesmerizing and perfect on this languid trucker title tune to her new collection. Also check out its neo-rockabilly tracks. Look for Ortega opening for the rock band Social Distortion this fall. In the meantime, BUY THIS.

MARTY STUART/Tear the Woodpile Down
Writer: Marty Stuart; Producer: Marty Stuart; Publisher: Marty Stuart, BMI; Sugar Hill/Superlatone (track) (www.martystuart.net)
—When in doubt, record some real country music. That’s Stuart’s attitude on his new Nashville, Volume 1: Tear the Woodpile Down. It kicks off with this lickety-split romp featuring Buck Trent on electric banjo and call-and-response vocals from the Fabulous Superlatives. As always, the rest of the collection is similarly ear-cleansing magic.

MIKE CULLISON & THE REGULARS/Wish I Didn’t Like Whiskey
Writer: Cullison/Neel; Producer: Mark Robinson; Publisher: Cullison/Real Deal, BMI/ASCAP; Joedog (track) (www.cullisonmusic.com)
—Nashville singer-songwriter Cullison’s CD is titled The Barstool Monologues. It’s a thematically-linked collection of characters’ songs, interspersed with comments from a bartender named Hollis. Sorta like a hillbilly Canterbury Tales. Anyhow, it leads off with this two-step, honky-tonk lament that sets the tone for what follows. He doesn’t set the world on fire as a singer, but sincerity carries the day.

INGRAM HILL/Behind My Guitar
Writer: Ingram Hill/Benjy Davis/Lisa Goe; Producer: Ingam Hill; Publisher: Eager Bill/Lashar/Goe Fight Win, BMI/ASCAP; Rock Ridge (track) (www.ingramhillmusic.com)
—This male trio’s self-titled CD begins with this driving country-rocker featuring a kinda stuttering, nervous instrumental track that gives it an exciting edge. The countryboy vocals flow smoothly over the lyric of a traveling musician watching the world unfold from his spot on stage. I dig these guys.

American Country Awards Nominees

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Nominees for the third annual American Country Awards were announced today (10/10), and Luke Bryan leads the pack with seven total nominations. Zac Brown Band and Lady Antebellum are tied for second with six nominations apiece, and both Taylor Swift and Eric Church earned five nominations.

The fan-voted American Country Awards is scheduled to air Dec. 10 on Fox with hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth. New this year is the Song of the Year category, with its nominees determined by the professional songwriting division of NSAI. Voting is now open at www.theacas.com, and will remain open until Monday, Nov. 12 for all categories, except for Artist of the Year, which closes on Friday, Dec. 7.

ARTISTS
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Lady Antebellum
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Toby Keith

Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Group
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice
Colt Ford
Gloriana
Justin Moore
Jake Owen

Artist of the Year: New Artist
Lauren Alaina
Hunter Hayes
Jana Kramer
Kip Moore
Pistol Annies

ALBUM
Album of the Year
Dierks Bentley, “Home”
Luke Bryan, “tailgates & tanlines”
Eric Church, “Chief”
Lady Antebellum, “Own the Night”
Blake Shelton, “Red River Blue”

SINGLES
Single of the Year
Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town”
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Eric Church, “Drink In My Hand”
Chris Young, “You”
Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”

Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, “Tattoos On This Town”
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Kenny Chesney, “Reality”
Eric Church, “Drink In My Hand”
Chris Young, “You”

Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Martina McBride, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Taylor Swift, “Ours”
Carrie Underwood, “Good Girl”

Single of the Year: Group
Eli Young Band, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”
Lady Antebellum, “We Owned The Night”
Rascal Flatts, “Banjo”
The Band Perry, “All Your Life”
Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”

Single of the Year: New Artist
Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Jana Kramer, “Why Ya Wanna”
Dustin Lynch, “Cowboys and Angels”
Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck”
The Farm, “Home Sweet Home”

Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice, “A Woman Like You”
Brantley Gilbert, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do”
Gloriana, “(Kissed You) Good Night”
David Nail, “Let It Rain”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”

Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Kix Brooks featuring Joe Walsh, “New To This Town”
Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, “Feel Like A Rock Star”
Brad Paisley featuring Carrie Underwood, “Remind Me”
Rascal Flatts featuring Natasha Bedingfield, “Easy”
Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett, “Knee Deep”

TOURING
Touring Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw
Eric Church
Toby Keith
Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Brad Paisley
Rascal Flatts
Taylor Swift
Zac Brown Band

VIDEOS
Music Video of the Year
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”
Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Keith Urban, “For You”
Chris Young, “You”

Music Video of the Year: Male
Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Jake Owen, “Alone With You”
Blake Shelton, “God Gave Me You”
Keith Urban, “For You”
Chris Young, “You”

Music Video of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Martina McBride, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Taylor Swift, “Ours”
Carrie Underwood, “Good Girl”

Music Video of the Year: Group or Collaboration
Gloriana, “(Kissed You) Good Night”
Lady Antebellum, “Dancin’ Away With My Heart”
Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Love and Theft, “Angel Eyes”
The Band Perry, “All Your Life”

Music Video of the Year: New Artist
Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Casey James, “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night”
Jana Kramer, “Why You Wanna”
Dustin Lynch, “Cowboys and Angels”
Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck”

Song of the Year:
“A Woman Like You,” performed by Lee Brice (Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone)
“Fly Over States,” performed by Jason Aldean (Michael Dulaney, Neil Thrasher)
“Red Solo Cup,” performed by Toby Keith (Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
“Springsteen,” performed by Eric Church (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
“Tattoos On This Town,” performed by Jason Aldean (Michael Dulaney, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher)

The nominees for each award category have been determined by four media measurement companies: BigChampagne (record sales and media consumption); Great American Country (video airplay); Mediabase (radio airplay); Pollstar (touring data); and Nashville Songwriters Association International.

David Friedman Promoted at Sony Music Nashville

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Columbia Nashville VP of National Promotion Norbert Nix has announced the promotion of David Friedman to the position of National Director, Field Promotion, Columbia Nashville. Friedman was most recently Director, Regional Promotion, Columbia Nashville.

“David’s promotional experience and great relationships are far reaching,” said Nix. “He will be a valuable addition to the Columbia Nashville national leadership team.”

In this new role, Friedman will coordinate Columbia Nashville promotion efforts with RJ Meacham, Director of National Promotion for Columbia Nashville.

A native of Harrisburg, PA, Friedman graduated from Emory University and also studied at Oxford University in England.

“Variety” Mag Sold To Penske Media

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Venerable entertainment industry trade publication Variety will be sold to Penske Media Corp. for approximately $25 million. Reed Elsevier, known for publishing Gray’s Anatomy and home to the LexisNexis research database, unloaded the company.

Penske Media Corp. is headed by 33-year-old Jay Penske, son of auto magnate Roger Penske. In recent years it has acquired or launched Deadline.com, Movieline, Boy Genius Report, Hollywood Life and TVLine.

Jay Penske tells the L.A. Times that Deadline and Vaierty will “maintain distinct websites and editorial offerings… While many view Variety and Deadline as strict competitors, we see an incredible opportunity for future collaboration, while remaining editorially independent.”

Lifenotes (10/9/12)

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Hannah Blaylock and Justin Wakefield. Photo: Jill Hughes, Bombs Over Betty Photography

Edens Edge vocalist Hannah Blaylock married her boyfriend Justin Wakefield over the weekend, at a quiet ceremony at Pratt Place Barn and Inn in Arkansas. The couple exchanged vows beneath a white oak tree decorated with fisherman’s rope and glass floats from Alaska, where Blaylock spent much of her childhood. The new couple will take a honeymoon before the bride reunites with her bandmates for the Rascal Flatts’ Changed Tour.

• • • • •

Alicia and Brent Jones with baby Regan Lanier Jones

Congratulations to Capitol Records Midwest Promotion Regional Brent Jones and Dennis Entertainment Associate Manager Alicia Jones, who welcomed a baby girl into the world yesterday (10/8). Regan Lanier Jones, weighing 8 lbs., 10 oz., was born at 1 pm at Baptist Hospital.

American Music Award Nominations Announced

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Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Kelly Clarkson earned two nominations each for the American Music Awards. Christina Aguilera revealed the nominations this morning from the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live. The awards will be broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on Sun., Nov. 18 on ABC.

Nicki Minaj and Rihanna lead the slate with four nods each.

For the sixth year, winners will be determined by online voting at amavote.com or AMA.abc.com.

The growing popularity of Electronic Dance Music has resulted in the addition of that award category, where nominees include David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex.

The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards are produced by dick clark productions, inc. For the fourth consecutive year, the “Coca-Cola Red Carpet LIVE! @ The 2012 AMAs” will stream online. Tickets are now on sale via www.ticketmaster.com.

2012 American Music Awards Nominees
Favorite Male Artist – Country: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church
Favorite Female Artist – Country: Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo Or Group – Country: Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album – Country:
Luke Bryan, Tailgates & Tanlines
Lionel Richie, Tuskegee
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational: Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, Tobymac
Artist Of The Year: Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Rihanna

 See the full list of nominees.