Streaming Services Put iTunes In A Slump

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itunesAs streaming services grow in popularity, paid downloads continue to fall. Apple executives hoped the launch of iTunes Radio last September would spur download sales in its iTunes store, but Billboard reports only about 1 to 2 percent of listeners click the buy button.
With a downturn in download sales, Apple is also losing its sway over labels. Instead, streaming providers such as Pandora and Spotify have growing influence with the record companies.
As reported in yesterday’s (April 9) “Weekly Register” column, available only to MusicRow member subscribers, track downloads are down 13.4 percent year over year.
To keep up with the changing times, Apple is reevaluating its music services, including the possibility of launching an iTunes store for the growing number of Google Android devices, or offering on-demand streaming.
iTunes is still the go-to spot for paid downloads, with a 90 percent hold on the market.
 

MTSU Honors Michael Knox, Margaret Comeaux

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Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Beverly Keel, chair of the Department of Recording Industry. Photo: Andy Heidt.

Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox and Beverly Keel, chair of the Department of Recording Industry. Photo: Andy Heidt


Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Mass Communication celebrated students past and present with its recent Wall of Fame alumni induction ceremony. CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and record producer Michael Knox were among 75 fellow mass communications leaders on the college’s Wall of Fame.
Comeaux, who is Sr. Director of Music and Events Production for CMT, oversees the creation, development and production of music and live-event specials for the network. The 1995 MTSU graduate serves as executive producer in charge of the annual CMT Music Awards, the critically acclaimed CMT Crossroads series and CMT Artists of the Year.
Music producer Knox has worked with some of the biggest names in Country music, but is perhaps best known for his production work with Jason Aldean. Along with forming a production management company, Music Knox, with three of his clients, Knox, a 2001 MTSU graduate, also serves as Sr. Creative Director for peermusic Group in Nashville.
The Wall of Fame honor began in 2000 as a way to honor successful mass communication graduates and to inspire current students to continue working toward their goals.
Pictured (L-R): Margaret Comeaux and Billy Pittard, chair of the Department of Electronic Media.

Pictured (L-R): Billy Pittard, chair of the Department of Electronic Media, and Margaret Comeaux. Photo: Andy Heidt

Industry Ink (4/10/14)

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Scott Metko

Scott Metko


Scott Metko has joined LandStar Entertainment to oversee operations and artist management, development and promotions.
Prior to LandStar, Metko spent 14 years with Spectrio, one of the nation’s leading full-service audio and video marketing companies. Through business development at Spectrio, he was responsible for securing nationwide relationships with Life Time Fitness and Bridgestone Americas Inc., and regional accounts such as Star Physical Therapy and ONIN Staffing.
Currently, Metko is the touring and recording drummer for David Ball, an artist he also manages. He also appears regularly on ABC’s Nashville as the on-screen drummer for “Rayna Jaymes” (Connie Britton).
LandStar Entertainment, home to Texas country singer/songwriter Adam Fears and pop/folk singer/songwriter Shane Piasecki, combines record label, in-house artist management and multi-media production.

• • •

musicians fund111The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund has appointed Kim Roberts Hedgpeth as Administrator of the Fund, which collects and distributes residuals to musicians in the motion picture and television industry. The announcement was made jointly by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
As fund administrator, Roberts Hedgpeth will be responsible for determining fund policy, overseeing operations, and ensuring that the Fund meets its obligations under the collective bargaining agreement. Roberts Hedgpeth will become Fund Administrator on May 1, 2014, replacing Dennis Dreith, who is leaving after 14 years of service to head the AFM-SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund.

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renee 11

Renee Grant-Williams


Vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams, who has helped craft the voices of Miley Cyrus, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, and Linda Ronstadt, is presenting a one-day vocal seminar to vocalists of all ages, and vocal experience. Beyond The Basics: Short Cuts For Savvy Singers will be held Saturday, May 3, at Soundcheck Rehearsal Studios in Nashville, TN. The daytime portion of the class will run from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.
During the evening performance portion of the seminar, which begins at 7:30 pm, all attendees will get the chance to perform individually and receive written critiques by music industry professionals. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.
The cost is $299 for both the day class and evening performance showcase. Admittance for the seminar may be purchased via Grant-Williams’ website, myvoicecoach.com, or by phone: 615-244-3280.

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Platinum selling Producer and Grammy nominated engineer Mickey Jack Cones kicked off his ACM weekend by proposing to longtime girlfriend Shannon Harvey. Cones popped the question on Friday, April 4 while hiking the Grand Canyon during their trip to Las Vegas for the 49th Academy of Country Music Awards. The now-engaged couple dated for several years during which Cones has worked with artists such as Joe Nichols, Dustin Lynch, and Jason Aldean. A wedding date is said to be announced later this year.

cones222

Mickey Jack Cones and Shannon Harvey

Lee Ann Womack Inks Deal With Sugar Hill/Welk Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): Cliff O'Sullivan - Sugar Hill General Manager and Senior Vice President, Frank Liddell - Producer, Lee Ann Womack, Kevin Welk - Welk Music Group President, Enzo DeVincenzo - Manager, Dan Sell - Welk Music Group General Manager

Pictured (L-R): Cliff O’Sullivan – Sugar Hill General Manager and Senior Vice President, Frank Liddell – Producer, Lee Ann Womack, Kevin Welk – Welk Music Group President, Enzo DeVincenzo – Manager, Dan Sell – Welk Music Group General Manager


Lee Ann Womack has found a new label home with Sugar Hill Records/Welk Music Group. The Country chanteuse has a new project slated for release in September; the project will be helmed by Womack’s husband, Frank Liddell. A single will be released this summer.
Womack previously recorded for MCA Nashville.
“My wife is one of the greatest country singers ever, but she’s also a vocalist who bring things out of songs you never realized was there,” Liddell says. “It’s unusual for the musicians to not just want, but to shape their performances to the vocalist during tracking, but for this project… That’s just what some of the best players in the world did. To have a singer who can get on the floor with the players and function as an equal with the musicians, it was an amazing thing to see. Watching what happened during these sessions was one of those moments when you realize what music really can contain.”
Liddell is known for his work with Womack, Miranda Lambert and Pistol Annies, among other artists. Liddell produced tracks on Womack’s projects I Hope You Dance (2000), and Something Worth Leaving Behind (2002). For the upcoming project, Womack is working with drummer Matt Chamberlin, guitarist Duke Levine, guitarist/pianist Mac McAnally, steel player Paul Franklin and others. Among the writers on the project are Neil Young, Buddy Miller, Hayes Carll, Mindy Smith and Roger Miller.
“If there’s one thing about this record that really stands out,” adds Womack, “it’s that all the songs come from writers who are artists. Every song was written for the writer to sing, and as someone who loves and listens to music, it’s a very different reality to cut songs that were written with intention from an artist’s perspective, to try and invest in what they’ve lived so eloquently.”

[Updated]: LifeNotes: Gary Haber

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Gary Haber

Gary Haber


[Updated, April 9, 2014 @ 5:26 p.m.]
Respected business manager and accountant Gary Haber died April 7, 2014 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 68. Haber is survived by his wife, Sherri, Katelyn Haber (daughter), Spencer Haber (son), Lauren Haber-Mendoza (daughter), and Randal Haber (son), Brooklyn Mendoza (granddaughter) and Phoenix Mendoza (grandson).
Funeral services will be Friday, April 11, 2014 at 2 PM at Mt. Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries located at 6150 Mount Sinai Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93063.
In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that memorial donations be sent to:
ACM Lifting Lives
5500 Balboa Blvd.
Encino, CA. 91316
www.acmliftinglives.org
TJ Martell Foundation
15053 Ventura Blvd, Suite 206
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
www.tjmartell.org

• • •

[Original post, April 9, 2014 @ 9:43 a.m.]
Additional reporting by Sarah Skates.
Respected business manager and accountant Gary Haber died April 7, 2014 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 68.
His superstar client list has included Carrie Underwood, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Julianne Hough, Peter Frampton, Joe Cocker, screenwriter Les Bohem, and numerous others. The Haber Corporation was established in Encino, Calif., in 1977.
His Nashville branch was opened in 1990. Haber was an active member of the music industry on both coasts. The company expanded again in 2000 to better respond to the global market by joining forces with Mark Robertson to open Loire Valley-based Haber & Robertson International, LLC.
He served on the boards of directors for Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies, ACM, and ACM Lifting Lives, where he was a past president. An advocate for uniting the worlds of music, film and TV across the country, he was a founder and president of the Nashville Screenwriters Conference.
With a reach beyond entertainment, Haber also worked as CFO of the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, and was part-owner and CFO of Nashville hot spot Music City Tippler.
He was a strong supporter of the charitable endeavors of MusiCares and the TJ Martell Foundation, and was a longtime member of CMA, NARAS and American Institute of CPAs. Haber was a graduate of Long Island University.
His company, The Haber Corporation, also has a Paris office.

Artist Updates (4/9/14)

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ben folds111

Ben Folds


The Nashville Ballet will highlight two 20th century masterpieces – Serenade and Petite Mort – with a world premiere from multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Ben Folds and the Nashville Symphony, to create The Ben Folds Project, which will run May 2-4 at TPAC’s Jackson Hall.
Folds debuted the music from his piano concerto with the Nashville Symphony March 13-15, but will combine it with choreography from Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling in May. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased in person at the TPAC box office in downtown Nashville, by phone at (615) 782-4040 or at nashvilleballet.com.

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glen campbell1

Glen Campbell


Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me, produced and directed by James Keach (producer of Walk The Line) and produced by Trevor Albert, will make its world premiere at the 2014 Nashville Film Festival on April 18. The film is a portrayal of the life and career of Glen Campbell.
In 2011, Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Campbell and wife Kim went public with the diagnosis. What was supposed to be a brief three-week “Goodbye Tour” became a 151-show nationwide tour.
The film features Campbell’s friends and colleagues, including Bruce Springsteen, Bill Clinton, The Edge, Paul McCartney, Jay Leno, Vince Gil, Jimmy Web, Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Steve Martin, Chad Smith and Taylor Swift among many others. Rare vintage footage and new performances from the singer-songwriter portray Glen and his family living each moment in the present while preparing for the future, while performing his songs audience-filled venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl.

 • • •

Saturday (April 5) marked the launch of the syndicated radio show, “The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver,” and RCA Nashville artist Dee Jay Silver celebrated the occasion in Las Vegas with multiple appearances, among them The Country Club Pool Party at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where Silver hung out with fellow artist Jason Aldean.

Pictured (L-R): Dee Jay Silver, Jason Aldean

Pictured (L-R): Dee Jay Silver, Jason Aldean

 • • •

NASH FM 94.7’s Jesse Addy hosted a special performance last night (April 7) from Martina McBride at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. Martina celebrated the release of her new album by performing songs from Everlasting to a crowd of fans who learned about the show by listening to NASH FM 94.7 – “America’s Country Station,” and waited in line Wednesday afternoon to catch the performance.

Pictured (L-R): Jesse Addy, Martina McBride

Pictured (L-R): Jesse Addy, Martina McBride

SESAC Promotes Jungmichel to Sr. VP Role

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Scott Jungmichel

Scott Jungmichel


SESAC has promoted Scott Jungmichel to Sr. VP, Royalty Distribution & Research Services. Formerly vice president for the department, Jungmichel will be responsible for the planning, organizing and directing of the operations of the Royalty Distribution & Research Services department. Jungmichel will also oversee department functions including content registration and optimization, royalty administration, A/V client services and research & analysis.
“Scott Jungmichel is a highly effective and intuitive executive with deep knowledge in all matters related to Royalty Distribution and Research Services,” said Pat Collins, SESAC’s President/COO. “Scott has played an integral part in our dynamic growth and success. I look forward to his continuing to play an important role in SESAC’s Senior Management as we guide this company to greater heights in the PRO community.”
Jungmichel began his career with SESAC in 1993 as a Coordinator in the Licensing Administration department, before becoming the Foreign Royalties Administrator in 1994 and Manager, International Royalties & Documentation in 1995. He worked in the Royalty Distribution & Research Services department as Manager, Director & Sr. Director before being named Associate VP in 2006, In 2011, Jungmichel was promoted to VP, Royalty Distribution & Research Services, a position he held until his recent appointment. Jungmichel graduated Magna Cum Laude from Belmont University with degrees in Music Business & Management.

Nashville Dancin' Returns

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NashvilleDancin
Nashville’s Thursday night summer celebration, Nashville Dancin’ presented by Dollar General, will return to Nashville’s Riverfront Park on June 12 – July 31. Headlining acts have been announced through June: Houndmouth (June 12), Xavier Rudd (June 19) and Will Hoge (June 26).
The free, family-friendly eight-week event kicks off with hosts Caroline and Jen from the band Stealing Angels, now employees of HitShop records, and previous contestants on CBS’s Amazing Race. Local chefs, distillers and artisans will adorn the events.
Stay tuned for the July lineup.
Dancin’ in the District, the bygone concert series that ran for 13 years on lower Broadway, was revived in 2013 as Nashville Dancin’ by event creator Tom Morales (TomKats Catering, the Southern, Loveless Cafe).

'Billboard' Music Awards Finalists Revealed

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luke bryan

Luke Bryan is nominated in several top categories at the Billboard Music Awards.


Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson are among the Nashville entertainers nominated for the Billboard Music Awards.

The awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, on ABC from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET.

Among the Country entries for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards finalists are Luke Bryan, whose Crash My Party title is one of five finalists for the Top Billboard 200 Album, alongside Beyonce‘s self-titled project, Drake‘s Nothing Was The Same, Eminem‘s The Marshall Mathers LP2, and Justin Timberlake‘s The 20/20 Experience. Bryan will also compete for Top Male Artist, alongside Drake, Eminem, Bruno Mars and Timberlake. He is also up for Top Billboard 200 Artist alongside Beyonce, Eminem, One Direction and Timberlake. He is also nominated for Top Country Artist, twice for Top Country Song (for “Crash My Party” and “That’s My Kind of Night”), and Top Country Album (Crash My Party).
Florida Georgia Line also notched a nomination in the Top Duo/Group category, alongside Imagine Dragons, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, One Direction, and OneRepublic. They are also up for Top Country Album (for Here’s To The Good Times), Top Country Artist, and Top Country Song (“Cruise”).
Blake Shelton is nominated for Top Country Artist, Top Country Album (Based on A True Story), and Top Country Song (“Boys Round Here,” featuring Pistol Annies and Friends).
Taylor Swift earned a nod in the Social Artist category, competing against Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, and One Direction.

florida georgia line press photo

Florida Georgia Line earned nominations in four categories.


Alan Jackson‘s Precious Memories: Volume II earned a nomination in the Top Christian Album category, along with Skillet‘s Rise, Third Day‘s Miracle, Chris Tomlin‘s Burning Lights, and Various Artists’ WOW Hits 2014.
Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on album and digital singles sales, radio airplay, touring, streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, VEVO, Spotify, and other popular online destinations for music. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Entertainment and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of March 11, 2013 through March 9, 2014.
Categories featuring Nashville-related nominees are listed below. For a full list of nominees, visit billboard.com.
Top Billboard 200 Album
Beyonce, Beyonce
Luke Bryan, Crash My Party
Drake, Nothing Was the Same
Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP2
Justin Timberlake, The 20/20 Experience
Top Duo/Group
Florida Georgia Line
Imagine Dragons
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
One Direction
OneRepublic
Top Male Artist
Luke Bryan
Drake
Eminem
Bruno Mars
Justin Timberlake
Top Billboard 200 Artist
Beyonce
Luke Bryan
Eminem
One Direction
Justin Timberlake
Top Social Artist
Justin Bieber
Miley Cyrus
One Direction
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
Top Country Artist
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Darius Rucker
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift
Top Country Album
Garth Brooks, Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences
Luke Bryan, Crash My Party
Florida Georgia Line, Here’s to the Good Times
The Robertsons, Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas
Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story
Top Country Song
Luke Bryan, “Crash My Party”
Luke Bryan, “That’s My Kind of Night”
Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”
Blake Shelton (Feat. Pistol Annies and Friends), “Boys ‘Round Here”
Top Christian Album
Alan Jackson, Precious Memories: Volume II
Skillet, Rise
Third Day, Miracle
Chris Tomlin, Burning Lights
Various Artists, WOW Hits 2014
Top Christian Artist
Mandisa
Skillet
tobyMac
Chris Tomlin
Matthew West
Top Christian Song
“We Won’t Be Shaken,” Building 429
“Overcomer,” Mandisa
“Help Me Find It,” Sidewalk Prophets
“Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies),” Chris Tomlin
“Hello My Name Is,” Matthew West

Weekly Register: Dan + Shay's Big Debut

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dan_+shay111111The No. 1 debut by Dan + Shay is today’s (April 9) big sales news. The Warner Bros. release Where It All Began sold 29k, with a strong lead in thanks to single “19 You + Me” which has been downloaded almost 500k times. According to the label, they are the first Country duo to debut at No. 1.
josh thompson turn it up111
Show Dog-Universal artist Josh Thompson also had a solid debut, moving 9.4k.
Broken Bow’s Merle Haggard tribute album Working Man’s Poet (various artists) entered the chart with 4.5k. The Hag was honored at Sunday night’s (April 6) ACM Awards. The show gave a boost to this week’s sales numbers, although next week’s chart will show the full picture.
Co-host Luke Bryan saw a 40 percent bump week-over-week for “Play It Again” (88k). Eric Church’s performance of “Give Me Back My Hometown” gave it a 30 percent increase (41k), and Hunter Hayes’ “Invisible” shot up 46 percent (28k).
Co-host Blake Shelton debuted “My Eyes” ft. Gwen Sebastian, which was downloaded 9.5k.
Among the songs performed that stayed flat week-to-week were FGL ft. Luke Bryan “This Is How We Roll” with 78k, and Keith Urban’s “Cop Car” with 44k.
Another TV-related boost went to Nashville’s Clare Bowen, debuting with 21k of “Black Roses.”
(In related news, Dan + Shay’s chart-topping album marks the third-in-a-row for management home Sandbox Entertainment. Albums released by Sandbox artists Little Big Town and Kacey Musgraves also reached No. 1—this is every album released by its artists since the company’s launch.)
WeeklyRegister-040914Year To Date
Country album sales are down 16.2 percent. The genre has sold 8 million units this year, including 635k this week. This is on par with all-genre album sales, which are down 16.4 percent.
Country track sales are down 18.7 percent, higher than the 13.4 percent down overall.
Overall 
The Frozen soundtrack sold 149k this week and is warming up to the 2 million mark.
Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” remains the No. 1 overall track, selling 284k this week and nearing 4 million.
Staying Power 
Albums on the chart for more than 30 weeks which are still selling over 5k per week include the current releases by Luke Bryan 16k TW after 35 weeks on the chart, FGL 15k after 70 weeks, Shelton 9.7k after 54 weeks, Jason Aldean 6.8k after 77 weeks, and Kacey Musgraves with 5.7k after 55 weeks.