Industry Ink (11/1/13)

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The Valory Music Co. (VMC) celebrates six years since launching in 2007 under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella. The artist roster currently features Reba, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, The Mavericks and newcomer RaeLynn.
To spearhead radio promotion, VMC has enlisted VP of Promotion George Briner, National Director of Promotion JoJamie Hahr, Northeast Director of Promotion Shari Roth, Southwest Director of Promotion Brad Howell, West Coast Director of Promotion Amy Staley and Promotion Coordinator Ashley Sidoti.

The Mighty Valorys. Pictured (back row, L-R): JoJamie Hahr, Ashley Sidoti, Brad Howell; (front row): Shari Roth, Amy Staley and George Briner.

The Mighty Valorys. Pictured (back row, L-R): JoJamie Hahr, Ashley Sidoti, Brad Howell; (front row): Shari Roth, Amy Staley and George Briner.

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Brynn Marie Photo

Pictured (back row, L-R): Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager, CMHOF&M), Jay Orr (Vice President of Museum Programs, CMHOF&M), Pamela Johnson (Vice President of Development, CMHOF&M). (front row): Recording artist Brynn Marie


Brynn Marie stopped by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently and became an honorary Friends and Family Member of the organization.

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Emma Newsom

Emma Newsom


paNASH Style has hired Associate Stylist Emma Newsom. Newsom has worked as a model with Wilhelmina and Amax, for clients such as Jessica Simpson and Weight Watchers Magazine, and previously as an event coordinator and retail associate for Warby Parker in New York City.
In addition to offering wardrobe styling services, paNASH Style offers other imaging services such as brand development and media coaching.
 

'MusicRow' No. 1 Song

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Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban.

Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban.


Eight weeks is all the time Keith Urban needed to take “We Were Us,” his Capitol Nashville single featuring Miranda Lambert, to No. 1 on the MusicRow Chart.
As one of the best 2013 CD debuts (not to mention rockin’ tour), the deluxe version of Urban’s Fuse features 16 tracks including the album’s second single, written by Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins and Jon Nite. The American Idol judge, who rarely releases a duet, is currently enlisting video auditions to be a part of a fan mash-up for the song with a grand prize trip to Chicago, Il. for the Light The Fuse Tour, which extends through 2014.
Don’t miss this year’s Male and Female Vocalist of the Year-nominees perform the tune together on the Nov. 6 CMA Awards, live from Nashville. In the meantime, check out the first live performance of the title in Oklahoma City on Oct. 19.

Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp Goes Country Week of ACMs

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acmThe ACM is joining forces with Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camps to present the first-ever Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp Goes Country, a country version of the interactive music camp where attendees write, play, and record songs in a studio alongside music industry hitmakers and then perform the tunes live onstage. The free, open-to-the-public event also offers up instrument training and sessions with various speakers from the music industry, and will conclude with a concert by Wynonna.
“Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp has a long history of making music fans dreams come true,” said Wynonna. “In country music, interacting with our fans is what we do best.  I can’t even begin to imagine what it would have been like to have access, like this, to some of my musical heroes.  I would have jumped at the chance!  So, partnering with the Camp and ACM Lifting Lives is such a thrilling opportunity for me to help make dreams come true and to give back to one of our industry’s devoted charitable partners. I am really honored to be involved this year as the Camp ‘goes country’ – it’s gonna be rockin’!”
The four-day camp will take place during the week leading up to the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in the spring of 2014.

Alabama To Film Two Sold-Out Ryman Shows

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AlabamaLogo20131As part of the 40th Anniversary Back to the Bowery Tour, Country Music Hall of Fame group Alabama will film its first full-concert performances at the Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 3-4. The sold-out appearances will be recorded for an upcoming TV special, including several special surprise guests found on this summer’s ALABAMA & Friends tribute album.

“Performing at the Ryman is like a culmination of the dreams and ambitions of my late father, who taught me to play the guitar and who encouraged the deep down love for harmony and music,” says lead vocalist, Randy Owen.
Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook have charted 43 No. 1 hits as Country Music Hall of Fame-inducted group Alabama. After nearly a decade away from the Country music scene, the group embarked on their Back to the Bowery Tour, which wraps in its namesake’s homestate on Nov. 24.
For a list of remaining tour dates, visit thealabamaband.com.

PBS To Spotlight Americana Music In November

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Americana_Music_Association_logo1PBS is declaring Nov. 22-23 its “Americana Music Weekend” and will air two specials dedicated to the genre this month. Nashville 2.0: The Rise Of Americana, explores the melting pot of rich music Americana has become and features interviews with the Alabama Shakes, the Avett Brothers, Rosanne Cash, Dwight Yoakam, and others.
A second special set to air, ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2013, is an Austin City Limits episode featuring highlights from the 2013 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards including performances by Old Crow Medicine Show, Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, among others.
“It’s astonishing how much vibrant, soul-shaking and exciting music is coming out right now from the Americana movement which both welcomes and blends the best of this country’s musical traditions,” said Donald Thoms, PBS Vice President of General Audience Programming and Talent Management.  “It’s doubly exciting to present ‘Nashville 2.0′, a fast-paced and comprehensive primer on Americana music, paired with the ‘Austin City Limits’ annual concert that gives viewers a closer look at these performers and the songs that are constantly redefining the genre.”
The Americana Association has set the dates for its upcoming 15th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference on Sept. 17-21, 2014 in Nashville. The annual Honors & Awards show will once again kick off the event at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Weekly Chart Report (11/1/13)

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SPIN ZONE

Easton Corbin (center) recently visited with Pharr, TX’s JoJo Cerda (PD KTEX) and Patches (MD KTEX).

Easton Corbin (center) recently visited with Pharr, TX’s JoJo Cerda (PD KTEX) and Patches (MD KTEX).


Superstars Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert top MusicRow’s chart this week, with “We Were Us” reaching the No. 1 spot after only eight weeks on the chart. Meanwhile, Eli Young Band’s “Drunk Last Night” leaps to No. 2. Eric Paslay’s “Friday Night” rises to No. 3, while The Band Perry’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” jumps to No. 4. Jake Owen’s “Days of Gold” breaks the Top 5, landing at No. 5. Rounding out the Top 10 this week is Cassadee Pope’s “Wasting All These Tears” at No. 6, Joe Nichols’ “Sunny and 75” at No. 7, Darius Rucker’s “Radio” at No. 8, Brad Paisley’s “I Can’t Change The World” at No. 9 and Zac Brown Band’s “Sweet Annie” at No. 10.
Eric Church’s “The Outsiders” is the week’s greatest gainer, racing to No. 48 with 478 spins. The singer recently announced plans to perform at a Gregg Allman tribute in January. Lady Antebellum’s “Compass” guides the band to No. 24 with another 329 spins. Florida Georgia Line’s “Stay” hits No. 15 with an extra 299 spins, while Urban and Lambert’s “We Were Us” reaches No. 1 with an added 274 spins. Finally, George Strait’s “I Got A Car” rises to No. 47 with another 230 spins.
Male artists dominate this week’s debuts, with Church’s “The Outsiders” debuting at No. 48,  Dan+Shay’s “19 You+Me” at No. 75, LoCash Cowboys’ “Best Seat In The House” at No. 78 and Josh Pruno’s “Cut Offs” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: WAKG, WKWS, WZZS
Toby Keith lands ‘on deck’ this week with his latest Show Dog-Universal single, “Shut Up and Hold On,” after recently visiting with Blair Garner and the NASH FM America's Morning Show. Keith’s new album Drinks After Work, became available this week. Pictured (L-R): Chuck Wicks, Keith, Terri Clark, Blair Garner

Toby Keith lands ‘on deck’ this week with his latest Show Dog-Universal single, “Shut Up and Hold On,” after recently visiting with Blair Garner and the NASH FM America’s Morning Show. Keith’s new album, Drinks After Work, became available this week. Pictured (L-R): Chuck Wicks, Keith, Terri Clark, Blair Garner


Upcoming Singles
November 4
Tyler Farr/Whiskey In My Water/Columbia Nashville
Luke Bryan/Drink A Beer/Capitol
George Strait/I Got A Car/MCA Nashville
November 11
Chase Rice/Ready Set Roll/Dack Janiels-RPME
November 18
Bush Hawg/More Than Corn/RCA Nashville
Toby Keith/Shut Up and Hold On/Show Dog-Universal
December 16
Lindsay Ell/Trippin’ On Us/Stoney Creek

Robby-SouthofMe-101413-PP


New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Eric Church/The Outsiders/EMI Nashville – 48
Dan+Shay/19 You+Me/Warner Bros. – 75
LoCash Cowboys/Best Seat In The House/Average Joes Entertainment-Tenacity Records – 78
Josh Pruno/Cut Offs/Lawrence Music Group – 80
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Eric Church/The Outsiders/EMI Nashville – 36
Toby Keith/Shut Up and Hold On/Show Dog – Universal – 18
George Strait/I Got A Car/MCA – 17
Lady Antebellum/Compass/Capitol – 13
Justin Moore/Lettin’ The Night Roll/Valory Music – 11
Jerrod Niemann/Drink To That All Night/Arista Nashville – 11
Leah Turner/Take The Keys/Columbia Nashville – 10
Tyler Farr/Whiskey In My Water/Columbia Nashville – 9
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Eric Church/The Outsiders/EMI Nashville – 478
Lady Antebellum/Compass/Capitol – 329
Florida Georgia Line/Stay/Republic Nashville – 299
Keith Urban feat. Miranda Lambert/We Were Us/Capitol Nashville-Hit Red Records – 274
George Strait/I Got A Car/MCA – 230
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Ryan Broshear/Make Each Moment Last/Painted Horse – 234
Toby Keith/Shut Up and Hold On/Show Dog – Universal – 217
Joe Allen/Looks Like It’s Raining/Stubborn Horse Records – 203
Aaron Watson/July In Cheyenne/HTK Records – 201
Laura Bell Bundy/Two Step/Big Machine – 201

Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of the CMA-nominated duo Love and Theft recently stopped by The Bobby Bones show in promotion of this week’s No. 12 RCA Nashville single “If You Ever Get Lonely.” Pictured (L-R): Eddie, Bobby Bones, Eric Gunderson, Amy, Stephen Barker Liles, Lunchbox

Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of the CMA-nominated duo Love and Theft recently stopped by The Bobby Bones show in promotion of this week’s No. 12 RCA Nashville single “If You Ever Get Lonely.” Pictured (L-R): Eddie, Bobby Bones, Eric Gunderson, Amy, Stephen Barker Liles, Lunchbox


Brett Eldredge recently visited with WTHT and WPOR before his show in Portland, ME in promotion of his No. 46 Atlantic/WMN single “Beat Of The.” Pictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (WMN VP of Promotion), Corey Garrison (WTHT), Eldredge, Katie Bright (WMN) and Matty Jeff (WPOR).

Brett Eldredge recently visited with WTHT and WPOR before his show in Portland, ME in promotion of his No. 46 Atlantic/WMN single “Beat Of The Music.” Pictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (WMN VP of Promotion), Corey Garrison (WTHT), Eldredge, Katie Bright (WMN) and Matty Jeff (WPOR).

Charlie Cook On Air: Who Will Win a CMA Trophy?

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Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook


I like it when the critics, picking the Academy Awards and Emmy winners, say, “should win and will win.” This way they can voice their opinion, chastise the voters and still have all angles covered. Quite brilliant actually.
Not being quite brilliant myself, I am only going to tell you who I think is going to win next Wednesday night. Not necessarily my choices. I voted but failed to print off my choices so I really don’t remember who I picked.
Musical Event of the Year: “Cruise” was the most played of all of the nominees because of the Pop plays but I believe “Highway Don’t Care” is going to take the trophy. Three format superstars and a great song combine to make this tune the winner. The performance on the ACM show and the CMA Music Fest doesn’t hurt either.
Vocal Duo of the Year: Hmmm, let me think about this one. Florida Georgia Line? Unquestionably one of the best years in the format. Eighteen months ago they were playing free stages and today they sell out in minutes.
Vocal Group of the Year: The best competition of the entire night. All five acts had great years. Any of the five could win and the only surprise would be any one of the other four didn’t. I think it is going to be…heck…I am not totally committed to this…okay, The Band Perry.
Male Vocalist of the Year: I am not sure there is any way to stop Luke Bryan this year. Again, the format has abundant riches in this category. So much so that two of the formats biggest stars, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney, are not nominated here. This might be even more difficult to pick than the Group of the Year when I think about it.
Female Vocalist of the Year: I believe any one of three could win this award and any of the three would be a fine choice but I think Miranda Lambert continues her winning streak.
Song of the Year: This one goes to the writers. In all five cases there are at least two writers per song, and on four of the songs there are three writers. To those of you who have always wanted to write a hit song my suggestion would be to make sure you have a couple of friends. It seems like “Pontoon” has been around forever. That is because it has been around forever. At least since April of 2012, when it started getting radio play. It has already won awards and I believe that continues next Wednesday night.
Album of the Year: John Esposito and the WB staff have played the Based on a True Story CD like they were setting it up to win this award. I believe they did a great job doing just that. They will be rewarded for those efforts next week.
Single of the Year: I believe this comes down to the same two songs in the Musical Event of the Year and I think it is going to come out the same way.
Entertainer of the Year: The definition of this award is always in the voter’s eye. Some voters probably take into account touring, music sales, radio airplay and stature in the industry. This year is pretty tough to decipher. All five acts had hugely successful live shows. Will George Strait receive the award because of that and because we all know his touring is coming to an end next year? Blake is the most visible act with The Voice being one of TV’s most watched shows and he is the star of the show. His tour was great and sold out every stop.
Jason Aldean broke records this summer and has been on the radio continuously all year. Taylor is Taylor. She is the music industry’s number one star.
The wild card here is that the CMA EOY award is not fan-voted, like the ACM EOY award is, and if it was I would easily pick Luke Bryan to repeat from this spring’s Academy show. Earlier I said I didn’t think there was any way to stop the Luke train and I believe he is going to win the night’s biggest prize. This time he will not be surprised.
This is going to be a great show and I hope that, if you’re not there in person, you’re watching ABC-TV at 8p.m. ET and Pacific and 7p.m. CT Wednesday night.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)