Industry Ink (3-6-13)

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Laura Wright

Laura Wright


Big Yellow Dog Music has added Laura Wright as Creative Director. “I know I speak for all the writers as well as our staff that we are extremely excited to have Laura on our team. She’s a relentless advocate for writers and their songs,” says Big Yellow Dog Music’s Creative VP Brad Kennard. Wright was previously with EMI Music and Writers Den Music.

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ashley capps1

Ashley Capps


AC Entertainment is joining forces with Nashville entertainment venue Marathon Music Works, and Nashville’s renowned nightclub, Exit/In, booking national acts for both venues.
“We have been working with Marathon Music Works since they first opened and have enjoyed a great working relationship with the team there. We are delighted to be named their exclusive national talent buyers,” said Ashley Capps, CEO/Founder of AC Entertainment. “And of course, the Exit/In is an iconic place – a huge part of my own musical education. Together, these venues represent what is so exciting about Nashville’s entertainment hotspots—both legendary and new — and we are thrilled be a part of it.”
Based in Knoxville, Tenn., AC Entertainment is no stranger to Nashville. The company often promotes concerts in the Nashville market – at the Ryman, the Bridgestone Arena, and other venues. They also recently established a new booking relationship with the Nashville Symphony and Schermerhorn Symphony Center. AC is also known as a founder and producer of the world-renowned Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival® held in nearby Manchester, Tenn.

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peermusic has signed Oklahoma native Jaron Boyer to the roster. Boyer landed his first major cut, “I Ain’t Ready To Quit,” with co-writer Thomas Rhett on Jason Aldean’s My Kind Of Party album, and has since had songs cut by Dustin Lynch, (“Yeah,Yeah, Yeah,”) Joe Nichols (“She’s Just Like That,”) and Lauren Alaina (“Livin For The Night Kinda Town,”) among others. “Jaron is a great asset to our roster of great writers. We are so happy to welcome him to the peer family,” says Kevin Lamb, VP, peermusic Nashville.

Pictured (L-R): Kim Wiggins (peermusic) Kevin Lamb (V.P. peermusic Nashville) and Michael Knox (Producer/peermusic Sr. Creative Director)

Pictured (L-R): Kim Wiggins (peermusic) Kevin Lamb (V.P. peermusic Nashville) and Michael Knox (Producer/peermusic Sr. Creative Director)

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Two of Nashville’s most effective “pitch groups,” Chicks with Hits and The Turks, joined together for an event on Feb. 27 at Nashville’s Sunset Grill for an evening of performances by several writers from each group who are in the initial phase of their publishing relationships. Performers included Jeffrey East, Dennis Matosky, David Kroll, Shel, Jake Mitchell, Forrest Glen Whitehead, Anne Marie and Brian Curtis. Over 75 people attended the event.
Publishers in attendance were Turks members Pat Higdon, Pat Finch, Same Ramage, Jeff Carlton, Clay Myers, Billy Lynn,Lynn Gann, Tim Hunze, and Mike Sebastian. Chicks in Attendance included Ree Guyer, Kim Jones, Diana Maher, Whitney Daane, Stephanie Cox, Debbie Zavitson, Janie West, Judy Harris, Robin Palmer, Celia Froehling and Lisa Johnson.
turks and chicks11
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Warner Music Nashville’s Charlie Worsham stopped by CMA Wednesday, Feb. 20 to perform for the staff as part of the CMA’s web series “CMA Close Up Presents Live@CMA.” Worsham performed songs from his upcoming debut release, including “Rubberband,” “Could It Be” and “Young To See.” The multi-instrumentalist also tackled Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” on banjo.

charlie worsham 111

Pictured (L-R): Tim DuBois of Artist Management Partners; CMA Manager of Membership & Balloting, Betsy Walker; CMA Director of Membership & Balloting, Brandi Simms; Big Howdy’s Brad Henderson; Warner Music Group Nashville Vice President, Promotion, Chris Palmer; Warner Music Group Nashville Vice President, Public Relations, Tree Paine; Worsham; Warner Music Nashville Vice President, A&R, Cris Lacy; Warner Music Nashville Executive Vice President /General Manager, Peter Strickland; and Warner Music Nashville Vice President, Brand Management, Lisa Ray. Photo credit: Christian Bottorff/CMA

Weekly Register: Captain, New Releases Ahead!

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yellowmoonAs I peer through my journalistic telescope like a scraggly third mate lashed to the crow’s nest atop a windblown vessel, I’ve finally spied good news!
“New releases ahead Captain, new releases ahead…”
Yes, regular Weekly Register readers have heard me complain about the dearth of new product since the start of the year, but now the pendulum is about to swing the other way. In fact, even the Washington Post is writing about new Nashville music this week—and it’s about time because country YTD album sales are down almost 5%.
WP’s Chris Richards writes, “Time to scrub that ‘I like all kinds of music, except country’ line off your OkCupid profile.” Thank you Chris. The article lauds this week’s new release from Ashley Monroe, (Pistol Annies member) but also mentions a bevy of new females soon to offer up some tasty musical wares. Richards mentions Kacey Musgraves, Kelleigh Bannen, Gretchen Wilson and Natalie Maines (yes the same) as having upcoming product. Richards left out the sizzling Maggie Rose who is also destined to light up playlists and sales charts this spring. Richards notes, “a cascade of discs from female country singers plotting to dominate annual best-of lists eight months down the road.”
weeklygrid3-3-13But it’s not just the ladies that are coming to this dance. The gents will also be on the sales floor in full force. During the next month or so we’ll see new music from Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley and Eric Church. Now that’s a musical buffet I look forward to stuffin’ into my headphones. Groups like The Band Perry and Thompson Square are also on the list.
So now that you’ve heard the good news about the future, let’s move to the present…
Doin’ Some Album Math
The Mavericks, returning from an extended absence, have released In Time which landed at No. 8 this week on the Current Country Top 75 (14k units). And the legendary Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell teamed for Old Yellow Moon at No. 4 with almost 16k debut units.
weeklygrid2-24-13Taylor Swift, whose quotable Vanity Fair interview is apparently packed with comments about her expanding love life and a pointed diss at Golden Globe hosts Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, again tops the country chart with about 24k units. Swift, now more comfortable than ever in the media spotlight, remains country’s most bankable brand. Red is the highest ranking Nashville music on the YTD Albums w/TEA list.
vanityFlorida Georgia Line (No. 2; 22k), Tim McGraw (No. 3; 19k), Little Big Town (No. 5; 16k), Jason Aldean (No. 6; 15k), Hunter Hayes (No. 7; 14k), Gary Allan (No. 9; 13k) and Carrie Underwood (No. 10; 13k) round out the Top 10.
Tracks Back Jack
Love is in bloom as we near the spring and nowhere is it more evident than on our Digital Genre Country chart where lovebirds Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert occupy the top two spots. Mr. Shelton leads with about 74k units and Miranda trails with almost 49k.
Also in the tracks derby it’s nice to see Lady A’s No. 4 “Downtown” gaining momentum and moving up 5% over last week to about 48k units.
Well now that I’ve reported the new releases are on the way, I can finally climb down from this damn crow’s nest and get me some strong grog…. stay tuned…

DISClaimer: Country Embraces Some Unusual Names

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ashley monroe1You’ll find a few unusual names in this week’s country reviews, namely The Lumineers, Sheryl Crow and Mumford & Sons.
That’s because I think that the format should expand to include people like this. Just look at the good that embracing folks such as Darius Rucker and Aaron Lewis has done. Besides, they are a lot more “country” than half of what is passed off on the public from the Music Row factory system. So that’s my speech for the week.
The Disc of the Day is the triumphant outing by Ashley Monroe. I have been in this lady’s corner for years and it warms my soul to hear her arrive with something so beautiful as “Like a Rose.”
Give a DisCovery Award prize to JB & The Moonshine Band. I think they’re onto something.

jb-and-the-moonshine-band111

JB And The Moonshine Band


AMBER DIGBY/It’s A Long Way From Heaven
Writers: Jimmie Helms/Sharon Higgins, Producer: Amber Digby, Randy Lindley and Justin Trevino. Publisher: none listed, BMI
–Amber’s new CD opens with this steel-soaked, twin fiddled two step, and I was instantly in heaven. For my money, she remains the finest female country vocalist in the entire state of Texas. The World You’re Living In is, I believe, her fifth studio album, and word is steadily spreading about this gifted singer-songwriter. Her cowriters on the collection include such Nashville heavyweights as Vince Gill, Dale Dodson and Bill Anderson, and Pete Wade, Hargus “Pig” Robbins and Lloyd Green are in the backing band. If you aren’t already, get on board, people. Her versions of the classics “We Loved it Away,” “How Can I Unlove You” and “If It Ain’t Love,” alone, are worth the price of admission.
SHERYL CROW/Easy
Writers: Sheryl Crow/Chris DuBois/Jeff Trott; Producer: Sheryl Crow and Justin Niebank; Publisher: Old Green Barn/House of Sea Gayle/Cyrkllikc Soup/Wixen;
BMI/ASCAP
–Pop princess Sheryl goes country with this lilting, sweet ode to making a romantic vacation right in your own backyard. Very pretty and very enjoyable.
JB AND THE MOONSHINE BAND/The Only Drug
Writers: JB Patterson; Producer: JB Patterson; Publisher: JBMB, BMI
–He sings in a robust, warm baritone that instantly communicates, “buddy.” In the song, he’s giving up all his bad habits by embracing her love. Promising.
THE BAND PERRY/Done
Writers: Reid Perry/Neil Perry/John Davidson/Jacob Bryant; Producer: Dan Huff; Publisher: When I Go To The Moon/Famdamily/Rio Bravo/Castle Bound, BMI/SESAC
–He’s done her wrong one too many times. This hit-bound, ultra-rhythmic, tongue-tripping, punchy outing has just one word in its chorus kiss-off finale. Done.
JJ LAWHORN/Stomping Grounds
Writers: JJ Lawhorn/Jamie Paulin/Brian Maher; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: EMI April/Songs of Hanover Holler/Tunes of Bigger Picture/EMI Blackwood/Pawpaw Paulin, ASCAP/BMI
–He has a vocal drawl you can cut with a knife. And since the focus is almost entirely on his voice, its a good thing that the down-home, back-roads lyric is as strong as it is. Even so, a little more creativity and finesse in the production would have been welcome.
BILLY DEAN/I Can’t Leave A Good Thing
Writers: Billy Dean/Tommy Cecil; Producer: Ray Barnette and Billy Dean; Publisher: Billy Dean/Lost River/Mow Money Lawn, BMI/ASCAP
–I dig the deep thump in the backbeat and the sizzling fiddle work. His chesty vocal is sexy-hillbilly in an outlaw kinda way. Recommended listening.
THE LUMINEERS/Stubborn Love
Writers: none listed; Producer: Ryan Hadlock; Publisher: none listed
–With the inescapably catchy “Ho Hey” still on everyone’s lips, these hearty folkies are following it up with this equally upbeat ditty of a love that won’t give up. Nominated as Best New Artist at the Grammys, this rollicking acoustic band definitely deserves some country attention.
THOMPSON SQUARE/If I Didn’t Have You
Writers: Keifer Thompson/Shawna Thompson/Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins; Producer: NV; Publisher: none listed
–Chosen as Vocal Duo of the Year by both the CMA and the ACM, this married couple returns with a new album titled Just Feels Good later this month. In the meantime, here’s a rousing, catchy, power-ballad ode to fidelity sung with immense energy by both Keifer and Shawna.
ASHLEY MONROE/Like A Rose
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Jon Randall/Guy Clark; Producer: Vince Gill & Justin Niebank; Publisher: Reynsong/Ayden/Wha Ya Say/EMI April, BMI/ASCAP
–Openly autobiographical and honestly heartfelt, this title tune to Ashley’s album is like having a comforting blanket wrapped around your shoulders. Her clear-as-country-rain voice and the rippling production are both simply awesome. Right now, she’s best known as “Hippie Annie” in The Pistol Annies. With songs like this mini masterpiece, that is all about to change, my friends.
MUMFORD & SONS/I Will Wait
Writers: Mumford & Sons; Producer: Marcus Dravs; Publisher: none listed
–I find it amusing that the leading “Americana” act is British. Country radio could do itself a big favor by programming this banjo-bubbling bundle of energy with its wildly catchy harmonized choruses and plea for forgiveness. It belongs right alongside Darius’s “Wagon Wheel” and the Zac Brown Band. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that it appears on the Grammy Album of the Year.

First Round Of ACM Awards Performers Announced

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blake and luke1In addition to co-hosting this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan will pull double duty as performers during the show. Bryan and Shelton are among the first round of performers at this year’s event, along with Shelton’s wife Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Hunter Hayes, The Band Perry and Kelly Clarkson.
Eric Church is the most-nominated artist this year with seven nods, while Hayes comes in second with six nominations.
The Academy of Country Music Awards will air on CBS on April 7 live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
 
 

MusicRowPics: Tate Stevens Artist Visit

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X-Factor winner Tate Stevens stopped by MusicRow headquarters last month (2/22) to celebrate what he called his “year of firsts.”
Stevens also acknowledged that he didn’t voluntarily sign up for X-Factor. “I tried to do the music thing out here in Nashville in the 90’s,” he said. “But it just wasn’t meant to be. So I got a ‘real job’ to support my family and kept up my music on the side.”
Turns out, Stevens is a part of a very supportive family. Unbeknownst to him, his wife and daughters entered him in the singing competition. Their instincts were right on.
Stevens, who won the show in December, is right on the heels of releasing his debut album. He shared his first single, “Power of a Love Song,” which was recently released to radio. He also played “I Got This,” which he co-wrote, and “That’s Where We Live.”
Stevens’ album is due out April 23. For more information, visit www.tatestevensofficial.com.
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'Nashville Cats' Series To Salute Paul Franklin

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Paul Franklin

Paul Franklin


The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly program series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians returns on March 23 with a salute to pedal steel guitarist Paul Franklin. The 1:30 p.m. in-depth interview, held in the museum’s Ford Theater, is included with museum admission and free to museum members. The program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org.
Hosted by Bill Lloyd, the program will include a brief performance from Franklin and an in-depth, one-on-one interview illustrated with vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Seating for the program is limited, and program passes are required for admittance. Immediately following, Franklin will sign limited-edition, commemorative Hatch Show Print® posters.
Franklin is one of the most sought-after pedal steel guitarists. In addition to touring with major country artists, he has played on hundreds of recording sessions. His credits include Vince Gill’s “When I Call Your Name,” Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” Taylor Swift’s “Begin Again” and Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s in Love with the Boy.”
Born in Detroit in 1954, Franklin was performing with Barbara Mandrell and Dottie West by age 18. A first-call session musician, Franklin has also recorded with Kenny Chesney, heavy metal band Megadeth, Sting, Barbara Streisand, Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and many more.
Franklin was honored in 2012 with one of MusicRow‘s Top 10 Album All Star Musician Awards. He has earned multiple Academy of Country Music Steel Guitar Player of the Year awards, and 20 nominations for the Country Music Association Musician of the Year award. He is a member of the Medallion All-Star band, the band that provides accompaniment for the induction ceremony of new members to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the International Pedal Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2000.

The Mavericks To Launch Tour March 14

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Pictured (L-R): Robert Reynolds, Eddie Perez, Paul Deakin, Raul Malo & Jerry Dale McFaddenPhoto: George M. Gutierrez

Pictured (L-R): Robert Reynolds, Eddie Perez, Paul Deakin, Raul Malo & Jerry Dale McFadden
Photo: George M. Gutierrez


The Mavericks have announced a string of U.S. tour dates, beginning later this month. Next Thursday (March 14), The Mavericks will close out the Americana Music Association’s South By Southwest show at Antones in Austin, Texas. The show will simultaneously kickoff The Mavericks’ first tour in eight years, supporting the release of In Time, their first album The Valory Music Co.
TOUR DATES:
March 14–Austin, Texas – SXSW (Antones)
March 15–San Antonio – Sam’s Burger
March 16–Fredericksburg, Texas – Luckenbach
March 17–Midland, Texas – Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center
March 20–Santa Fe, N.M. – Lensic Theatre
March 21–Tucson, Ariz. – Fox Tucson
March 22–Laughlin, Nev. – Avie Resort & Casino
March 23–San Juan Capistrano,Calif. – Coach House
March 25–Solana Beach, Calif. – Belly UP
March 26–Los Angeles – El Rey Theatre
March 27–Palm Desert, Calif. – McCallum Theatre
March 28–Bakersfield, Calif. – Buck Owens Crystal Palace
March 30–Sacramento, Calif. – Crest Theater
April 1–Denver – Gothic Theatre
April 3–Minneapolis – The Pantages
April 4–Chicago – Park West
April 5–Royal Oak, Mich. – Royal Oak Music Theatre
April 9–Washington, D.C. – Birchmere
April 10–Philadelphia – Keswick Theatre
April 11–Northhampton, Mass. – Calvin Theatre
April 12–Boston – Royale
April 13–Tarrytown, N.Y. – Tarrytown Music Hall
April 17–Munhill, Pa. – Carnegie Music Hall
April 18–Bethlehem, Pa. – Musikfest Café
April 19–Atlantic City, N.J. – House of Blues
April 20–Verona, N.Y. – Turning Stone
For tour information, visit themavericksband.com.

Artist Snapshots (3-5-13)

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Jason Aldean played his first-ever Madison Square Garden show on Saturday (Feb. 23), when his 2013 Night Train tour rolled into New York City. The show sold out in just seven minutes and was the first time Aldean had ever visited the historic venue.
Photo Credit: Chris Owyoung

Photo Credit: Chris Owyoung

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Rodeowave’s Phil Vassar and Teddi Bonadies chatted with After MidNite host Blair Garner about Vassar’s new hit single, “Love Is Alive,” at the Country Radio Seminar on Friday (March 1).

Pictured (L-R): Rodeowave's Phil Vassar, Blair Garner, Teddi Bonadies.

Pictured (L-R): Rodeowave’s Phil Vassar, Blair Garner, Teddi Bonadies.

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Lauren Alaina was invited to become an honorary “Friends and Family” member of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum before her performance as part of the Museum’s Sixth Annual Ford Community Day on Saturday (Feb. 23).

Pictured (L-R): Pamela Johnson (Vice President of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum) Lauren Alaina and Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

Pictured (L-R): Pamela Johnson (Vice President of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum) Lauren Alaina and Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)


 
 
 

Flying Island Entertainment Hires Director of West Coast Promotion

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Dan Matthews

Dan Matthews


Flying Island Entertainment has hired Dan Matthews as Director of Promotion, West Coast. “Dan’s unique blend of passion, radio experience, and creativity are the perfect fit for our promotion department,” says president of Flying Island Entertainment Shelia Shipley Biddy. “Working side by side with him at CRS, convinced me that our team is now complete. We are excited to bring Dan to the Island and look forward to breaking some great new music in 2013.”
“I am looking forward to bringing the skills and perspective of 12 years in radio to the extremely talented team at Flying Island. Together I know we are going to make big things happen!” Matthews said.
His career began in 2000 as a student at the University of Arizona, where he did nights on KIIM FM in Tucson, Ariz. Most recently he programmed KAWO FM in Boise, Idaho bringing the station from 13th to 1st in the market.
Matthews will start his new role on March 18 and can be reached at (208) 949-7001 or dan@flyingislandentertainment.com

ASCAP Reports 2012 Financials

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ascap we create music1ASCAP announced yesterday (March 4), it distributed over $827 million in royalties to its members in the calendar year ending 2012, a slight increase over 2011. 2012 became the fifth year in a row that ASCAP has distributed in excess of $800 million to its members. Annual revenues were $941 million, the 3rd highest ever, but down 4.5 percent from 2011.
According to the report, growth in cable revenues (up 20 percent) and continued strength in foreign revenues were the primary factors in mitigating the impact of the radio and background music revenue declines.
ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams says, “Our goal in 2012 was to ensure a healthy, steady stream of royalties to our members who depend on ASCAP’s advocacy and collective licensing to pay the rent and put food on the table. We are navigating in a complex, rapidly changing environment in which huge, cash-rich technology companies are developing business models that fly fast and free with our copyrights. ASCAP’s advocacy for our members is, as always, a critical factor in ensuring fair treatment and payment for their work.”
ASCAP continued to upgrade its business systems in 2012 through IT innovations and ongoing, cost-saving operational improvements that resulted in an 11.3 percent operating expense ratio as compared with 12 percent last year.
ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento added, “Looking forward to 2013 and beyond, the news is good. We are poised to return to year-over-year growth in our domestic revenues and with foreign revenues remaining consistently high.
ASCAP expanded its suite of online tools in 2012 including programs ASCAP OnStage, ASCAP Play Music and an enhanced mobile app, which allows access to ASCAP’s tools on any mobile device.