Weekly Register: Cash, Niemann

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Albums

registerwklyWith the end of 2014’s first quarter, overall album sales are down one percent from last week, while Country album sales are up five percent week over week, thanks to debuts from Johnny Cash and Jerrod Niemann. Cash’s Out Among the Stars (Legacy Recordings) debuts at No. 1 (No. 3 overall), with 54k units sold, while Niemann’s High Noon (Sea Gayle Records-Arista Nashville) debuts at No. 3 (No. 18 overall), selling 14k units. Niemann recently performed for fans south of the border as part of his High Noon Adventure. Another noteworthy debut is Sarah Davidson’s self-titled album (Suretone Records), debuting at No. 30 with 1.8k units sold.
Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists continues as the top overall album, selling 161k units this week (1.7 million RTD.). Shakira’s self-titled album is the top overall debut, appearing at No. 2 with 35k units sold.
YTD, Country album sales are down 15.1 percent, while overall album sales are down 16.6 percent. If we analyze the TEA index (Track Equivalent Albums), where 10 tracks equal one album, we see that overall album sales are down 15.2 percent (versus 16.6 percent). The same week last year, Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience persisted as the No. 1 overall album, selling 318k units, while Blake Shelton’s Based On A True Story debuted as the top Country album, with 199k units sold.

Tracks

Updated-WeeklyRegister040214Florida Georgia Line feat. Luke Bryan’s “This Is How We Roll” is the top Country track (No. 10 overall), selling 77k units this week (692k RTD). Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” endures as the top overall track, selling 320k units this week (3.7 million RTD). The top overall debut is Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me,” debuting at No. 34 with 37k units sold.
YTD, overall track sales are down 12.5 percent, while Country track sales are down 17.2 percent. The same week last year, Pink’s “Just Give Me A Reason” was the top overall track, selling 286k units, while Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” was the top Country track, selling 93k units.
Next week’s numbers will receive a boost from the upcoming ACM Awards, and include the following debuts: Dan+Shay’s Where It All Began, Josh Thompson’s Turn It Up,  The Infamous Stringdusters’ Let It Go and Charlie Daniels’ Off The Grid—Doin’ It Dylan.

Kacey Musgraves, Katy Perry To Team For 'CMT Crossroads'

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Kacey Musgraves will perform at the Grammys on

Kacey Musgraves


2014 keeps getting brighter for Kacey Musgraves. The “Keep It To Yourself” singer will team with pop star Katy Perry for an episode of CMT Crossroads, MusicRow has confirmed.
The episode will be taped in Los Angeles this month, and is set to air on CMT on June 13 at 10 p.m. ET, followed by airings on Viacom networks VH1, MTV, and Palladia at later dates.
Musgraves joined Perry’s We Can Survive concert at the Hollywood Bowl in October 2013, and earned a position as one of several opening acts on Perry’s Prismatic Tour, which will launch June 22 in Raleigh, N.C.
Earlier this year, Musgraves picked up two Grammy honors, including Best Country Song (“Merry Go Round”) and Best Country Album (Same Trailer, Different Park).
Musgraves is also MusicRow‘s 2013 Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year.

DISClaimer: The Dueling Divas

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carlene carter111It’s Dueling Divas Day!
Unquestionably the two best records in this stack of platters belong to Martina McBride and Carlene Carter. Ironically, both are produced by Don Was and both are due for release next Tuesday, April 8.
Carter’s comeback finds her touching home with her family’s distinguished musical roots. It earns her a Disc of the Day prize. Honorable Mention nods go to Ray Price and the Brian Lavender Band, as well as the divine Martina.
I have no earthly idea who Cody Jinks is. His single doesn’t contain any clues. But he is still the DisCovery Award winner today.
BRIAN LAVENDER BAND/Good Ole Country Boy
Writer: Joe Vulpis; Producer: Steve Pope; Publisher: none listed; Lavender (track)
-The song is strictly generic, but his cool, raspy vocal and the kickin’ band elevate it well beyond what it deserves. There’s a cool, processed-vocal interlude that perks it up, too. Very listenable.
LONESTAR/Just The Rain
Writers: Richie McDonald/Jeremy Bussey; Producer: Lonestar; Publisher: NuState/Buzzcutt; BMI/SESAC; 4Star (track)
-It’s a power ballad of emotional loss. Richie’s vocal is, as usual, a thing of wonder. The song could use a chorus melody with more hooks.
ALLISON VELTZ/Bright Side
Writers: Allison Veltz/Jess Cates/Dan Muckala; Producers: Mark Bright & Dan Muckala; Publishers: Sony ATV Cross Keys/My Good Girl/EMI April/Very High/Wintergone/Kobalt, ASCAP; Blaster
-The poppy production is crunchy and catchy. Her youthful-sounding singing voice needs some seasoning and experience.
GARTH BROOKS/Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: Mark Miller; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree; BMI; BBR (track)
–Working Man’s Poet is a tribute to the titanic Merle Haggard that includes contributions from Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Joe Nichols, Jake Owen and more. Garth drops by to offer a steel-soaked two-step rendition of this classic honky-tonk tune. Country, country, country.
RICK DROIT & SARA HICKMAN/Wild Mustangs
Writers: none listed; Producer: Rick Droit; Publisher: none listed; MoonGarden
-Perplexing. It has a certain throwback, hippie vibe with its quasi-poetic lyrics. The track is kinda bouncy. Their voices are ultra-white and bland-ish. But it is oddly listenable.
CARLENE CARTER/Me and the Wildwood Rose
Writers: Carlene Carter; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: none listed; Rounder (track)
– Carlene’s Carter Girl CD features seven Carter Family classics, modernized, plus tunes from Helen, June and Maybelle. Her own songwriting contribution is this lilting piece of nostalgia for her lost girlhood and her sister who died too young. The album, which is lovely, drops next week. Be there or be square.
CODY JINKS/Alone
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Codyjinks
-He definitely has vocal “presence.” This resonant, baritone performance arrives backed by equally ringing steel and electric-guitar riffs. The lonesome song is pretty cool, too. Who is this guy?
everlasting11RAY PRICE/Beauty Lies in the Eyes
Writers: Rich Grissom/Jon P. Gray; Producer: Fred Foster; Publishers: Life’s a Pitch/Pitch Pitch/It’s a Matter of Music, ASCAP/BMI; AmeriMonte (track)
-How many of us get to leave this world doing what we love the most? Ray Price knew he was dying when he came back to Nashville to record his final album. This lovely ballad leads off a collection that showcases one of the music world’s most iconic and legendary voices. Vince Gill provides the harmony singing, but it’s Ray who tugs at your heartstrings all the way. Essential.
JEFF MADDOX/Running
Writers: Jeff Maddox; Producer: Robert Metzgar; Publishers: Bobby & Billy/Sony-ATV, BMI; Platinum (CDX)
-This guy has definitely listened to his fair share of Haggard and Jennings. The peppy, hillbilly track keeps him on his toes, pushing him forward even though he doesn’t have a rockin’ bone in his body.
MARTINA MCBRIDE/Suspicious Minds
Writers: Mark James; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Sony-ATV, BMI; Vinyl (track)
-The mark of a great interpreter is the ability to own a song, even a familiar one. McBride’s Everlasting CD showcases this peerless stylist reviving hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s, making you hear them afresh. Tackling this Elvis classic, she brings out the essentially “female” nature of the lyric, what with its references to crying and male jealousy. The honking baritone sax is the perfect underscore. The album drops next Tuesday, when you can catch her and her blue-eyed soul band performing this on the Today show. Actually, she’ll be pretty much inescapable next week, since she’s also appearing on VH-1, GAC, Arsenio Hall and on the cover of Country Weekly.

Inaugural ACL Hall of Fame To Induct Willie Nelson

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willie-nelsonAustin City Limits has launched the ACL Hall of Fame and will honor inaugural inductees Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble (featuring Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon and Reese Wynans), as well as Austin City Limits show creator Bill Arhos and longtime University of Texas football coach Darrell K. Royal.

The inaugural Induction Ceremony will take place Saturday, April 26, 2014, at ACL’s original home at KLRU’s Studio 6A. Performers during the evening will include Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, Double Trouble, Doyle Bramhall II, Mike Farris, Buddy Guy, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Lukas Nelson, Robert Randolph and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Former University of Texas football head coach Mack Brown will participate in the inductions.

The inaugural ceremony will be an invitation-only benefit for ACL parent station KLRU-TV, Austin PBS.

“There are other Halls of Fame, but none quite like this,” says ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona. “Austin City Limits has become a unique American institution, in both the worlds of popular music and television. It has such a rich history and legacy that we decided it was time to celebrate and honor the artists and individuals who made it what it is today.”

ACL began broadcasting in 1976 as a live-music show that served to showcase musicians; it has since grown to feature performers of all genres from all over the globe. ACL’s 40th Season will premiere in October 2014. The program airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide, and episodes are made available online at acltv.com.

Industry Ink (4/1/14)

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tommy garrett111

Tommy Garrett


Tommy Garrett, Program Director and afternoon on-air personality for WRNS in New Bern N.C., has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Blue Guitar Music.
“Not only is Tommy a terrific radio executive and talent, he is also a truly gifted songwriter. We hope this relationship gives him the opportunity to realize his full potential as a writer,” said Blue Guitar GM Mike Kraski.

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Jennifer Stowe

Jennifer Stowe

Jennifer Stowe, Marketing Manager for Warner/Chappell Production Music and her husband, John Stowe, welcomed a daughter, Eleanor Gray, on March 8, 2014 at 12:57 p.m.

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craig campbell1

Craig Campbell


Bigger Picture recording artist Craig Campbell‘s 2nd annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge will take place Tuesday, June 3 at the corner of Demonbreun and 3rd Ave. S. in downtown Nashville. Sponsored by McPherson Guitars, the challenge will begin at 4 p.m. CT. Campbell will be joined by other artists including Jerrod Niemann and labelmates Blackjack Billy to raise money for T.J. Martell’s Colon Cancer research efforts.
“My father passed away at the age of 36 from the disease,” says Campbell. “Come out during this year’s CMA Fest to have a fun time in support of a great cause!” Tickets will be available beginning in April and this year fans will be able to participate in the Cornhole tournament alongside the artists.

AMA Forms Australia Americana Advisory Group

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Americana Music Association1 The Americana Music Association has formed Australia Americana Advisory Group, in keeping with the Association’s commitment to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world.
The group is comprised of Brian Taranto (Love Police), Marty Jones (Rhythm Magazine), Jeremy Dylan (Seven Shells Media), Dan Biddle (TCO Artists) and Dobe Newton (Bushwhackers, CMAA President). Nashville-based Australian producer and AMA Board President Mark Moffatt will chair the group.
These professionals will focus on creating awareness of Americana music in Australia, foster opportunities for Australian artists in the US and create connections for US artists in Australia.
Americana Music Association executive director Jed Hilly says, “We are fully aware of the incredible depth of talent in Australia and of the contribution artists like Kasey Chambers, Paul Kelly and many others have made to our genre. We look forward to strengthening these ties through the newly formed advisory group and to the opportunities this relationship will provide on both sides of the Pacific.”

Sakamoto Named IEBA International Director

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ron sakamoto111

Ron Sakamoto


The members of the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), have voted Ron Sakamoto, President of Gold & Gold Productions, as their new International Director.
Sakamoto is one of the leading concert promoters in Canada. His entertainment career began at age 17 when he opened a teen venue, The Honeycomb Club, before launching his own concert promotion company, Gold & Gold Productions. He has previously served on the board of the Country Music Association (CMA) and was recently nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s (ACM) Promoter of the Year.

Nicole More, Vice President of Sales and Entertainment Producer at Neste Event Marketing, will share leadership of the Conference Oversight Committee with Ed Warm. More progressed into the talent buying industry nearly 10 years ago, with a background in production, ticketing, and radio promotions. More serves as President of IEBA’s Board of Directors and was recently named ACM’s Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year.
Nicole More

Nicole More


Co-owner of Joe’s Bar, two-time ACM Nightclub of the Year, Warm serves on the boards of CMA, ACM and ACM Lifting Lives. He is a partner in Chicago’s Bub City, a 2014 ACM nominee for “Nightclub of the Year.” Warm is the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for IEBA.
Ali Harnell, Senior Vice President at AEG Live/TMG, will lead IEBA’s 2014 Marketing Committee. Karen Clark, Senior Vice President at Pinnacle Financial Partners, will lead the Long Range Planning & Membership Committee. Kevin Neal, President of Buddy Lee Attractions (BLA), will serve as chair of the Scholarships & Educational Outreach Committee.
IEBA’s 44th Annual Conference will be held Sept. 27-30, 2014 at the Omni Nashville.

BMI, ASCAP, SOCAN Form Collaborative Song Registration Process

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musicmarkPerforming rights organizations BMI, ASCAP, and SOCAN have entered into a collaboration that will create a more efficient works registration process for members of the three participating PROs. MusicMark allows CWR registrations to take place through a common FTP site. As of March 31, 2014, publishers that use CWR to register music can begin using MusicMark to submit works to ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN all at once. Later in 2014, MusicMark will be opened up to publishers using other kinds of batch processes, such as Excel sheets.

MusicMark allows PRO members to register songs through a single interface, including works co-written by songwriters who are members of different performing rights organizations. After the song is registered through MusicMark, the song’s data is sent to all three PROs (BMI, ASCAP, and SOCAN) for inclusion in their respective repertoires. This is a useful development for the songwriting and publishing community, as co-writing among songwriters affiliated with different PROs has been commonplace in Music City for years.
MusicMark represents a collaboration between the PROs, though not an official joint venture. Each PRO will continue to maintain its own back offices and copyright records.
The PROs debuted the new common site after music publishers requested a more efficient way of registering works with the PROs. MusicMark is jointly managed by executives from all participating societies.
MusicMark will aid in providing more accurate copyright information, and a synchronized view of works in the repertoires of ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN. A PDF of extended questions is available online.
For more information on getting started, writers and/or publishers can contact their respective representatives at BMI, ASCAP or SOCAN.

Underwood To Perform at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

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carrie-underwood-blown-away1Carrie Underwood will join several fellow artists in paying musical tribute to Linda Ronstadt during the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will take place April 10 at Barclays Center in New York City.
Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, and Sheryl Crow are set to join Underwood as part of the musical tribute to Ronstadt. Eagles member Glenn Frey is slated to induct Ronstadt; Frey played guitar for her before forming the Eagles.
Other inductees for 2014 include Cat Stevens, the E Street band, Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, KISS, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Andrew Loog Oldham (an early manager of the Rolling Stones) and Brian Epstein (an early manager for the Beatles).
The ceremony will be broadcast on May 31 on HBO.

'Working Man's Poet: A Tribute To Merle Haggard' Releases Today

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merle haggard1Working Man’s Poet: A Tribute To Merle Haggard, released today (April 1) on Broken Bow Records. The album includes performances from Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kristy Lee Cook, Ben Haggard, Randy Houser, Toby Keith, Dustin Lynch, Joe Nichols, Jake Owen, Parmalee, Thompson Square and James Wesley.
Mickey Jack Cones, Derek George, Michael Knox, Jeff Stevens, and Mark Miller are the producers behind the project.
“Merle Haggard is a founding-father of country music and is an inspiration to us all. I am honored to be a part of such a significant collaboration between today’s biggest artists and a one of the greatest country music legends of our time,” says Cones.
The Academy of Country Music, in association with dick clark Productions, will also be honoring Merle Haggard’s 50 year career in country music  with the Crystal Milestone Award at the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The ceremony, which will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, will  be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6 (8:00 PM-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.