Weekly Chart Report (07/03/14)

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Bandsintown Launches Tour Management App

Bandsintown_logo_300dpi1Bandsintown has introduced its first mobile application for artists and managers, Bandsintown Manager. The app will allow touring artists, music managers and digital marketers to control touring information via their mobile devices.
Bandsintown Manager pushes event dates to Facebook, Twitter, Google YouTube, and artist websites. Tour date information is also pushed to concert discovery app Bandsintown, as well as partners including Shazam, Nokia MixRadio, SoundHound, DeliRadio, Squarespace, and others.
In the event of a venue or tour date change, artists or managers can directly message fans who have RSVP’d to their show. The app also aggregates all concert photos and videos of a show posted by fans on BandsinTown and Instagram, which artists can then browse and repost on Facebook or Twitter to increase engagement.
“Our goal has always been to connect artists and fans so they never miss a show” said Julien Mitelberg, Bandsintown CEO. “By introducing a mobile app built exclusively for artists, we enable both major and emerging acts to better promote their tours and for the first time to communicate directly with our 11 million registered users, so concert-goers get the most out of the live music experience—before, during and after the event.”

Swift's 'Red' Tour Is Highest Grossing Country Run Ever

Swift in Nashville in September 2013.

Swift in Nashville in September 2013.


Taylor Swift’s blockbuster Red tour has set the all-time record for highest grossing single tour by a Country artist. According to Billboard Boxscore, the 15-month outing grossed $150 million, besting the record set by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Soul2Soul tour during 2006 and 2007, which made $141 million.
The Red tour sold over 1.7 million tickets and included 86 concerts, 15 of which were at stadiums.
Swift’s four continent, 12 country extravaganza began on March 13, 2013. The first leg ran for six months in North America and closed with a three-show stand in Nashville in September. Swift wrapped 2013 with concerts in Australia and New Zealand. She traveled to Europe and Asia in 2014. The tour closed June 12 with a performance in Singapore.

Through The Lens (7/3/14)

Zac Brown Band recently sold out two nights at Boston’s Fenway Park, without the aid of supporting acts. The band played for combined audience of 70,000 fans over the weekend. This puts Zac Brown Band in good company, as one of the handful of acts (including Aerosmith, Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen) that have played there since it began hosting concerts in the early 2000s.

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Zac Brown Band plays one of their sold-out shows at Fenway Park. Photo: Southern Reel

• • •

Arista Nashville’s sibling duo The Swon Brothers are in the Ram Country spotlight with an exclusive performance for Yahoo Music. The duo is featured singing their debut single, “Later On,” as well as their cover of the Loggins & Messina hit “Danny’s Song.”

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The Swon Brothers. Photo: Ram Country/C.J. Hicks

 • • •

Rhett Walker Band returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage Wednesday night (July 2), where they shared the stage with artists Craig Campbell and Mel Tillis. They performed tracks from their upcoming album Here’s To The Ones, due out Oct. 14. The band performed at the Opry for the first time on May 2, 2014.

Rhett Walker Band

Rhett Walker Band performs at the Grand Ole Opry

• • •

Adam Doleac showcased songs from his upcoming album at Nashville’s 12th and Porter on June 24. The Hattisburg, Miss., native has been writing with songwriters including Jeffrey East, John Ramey, Hannah Blaylock, Chris Roberts and more, and is touring the southeast.

Pictured (L-R): Jeffrey East, Doleac, John Ramey

Pictured (L-R): Jeffrey East, Adam Doleac, John Ramey

Music City Roots To Debut at New Home July 9

mcr1By: Laura Hostelley
On July 9, Music City Roots will make the transition from The Loveless Café Barn to its new home at Liberty Hall inside The Factory at Franklin. The larger venue will give Music City Roots the opportunity to expand its events.
Music City Roots will be partnering with Saffire Restaurant and Bar, who will cater the events at the new venue, in addition to hosting a weekly Roots after-party where attendees can bring instruments to jam with Roots artists.
The new location will also include a storefront space as well as a radio studio to stream Roots Radio, broadcasting live sessions as well as interviews. The store will be open weekdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to purchase merchandise and tickets.
Ticket prices have increased from $10 to $15, which are now inclusive of fees. All proceeds from tickets go directly to the performing artists. Student tickets will be available for $10. Tickets are available for purchase here, Grimey’s or The Factory.
Events kick off July 9 with artists including Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, and continue through August 27 with Steve Wariner, among others.

Garth Brooks: "The Wait Is Over…7/7"

garth logo“The wait is over…7/7,” it reads on Garth Brooks’ official website, accented by lightning flashes and a stormy background emblazoned with the legendary singer’s official logo.
Could July 7 bring the announcement of the full-fledged comeback tour that Brooks has spoken of for months? “We’re going to do a world tour in 2014,” he told Good Morning America in December 2013. “It sure feels good to get to throw your hat back in the ring…. All my babies are fine with it. Ms. [Trisha] Yearwood is fine with it. So now I get to do what I love to do, which is play music. I get to be with the person I want to be with, which is Ms. Yearwood.”
“My children are off on their own so the guilt of not being there… I’m a phone call dad now,” he added, saying, “‘Hey Dad, I love you, can I borrow some money?'”
Brooks stopped touring in 2001, trading in the constant traveling to spend time raising his children. He vowed to stay off the road until his youngest daughter graduated from high school. She graduated in May 2014, and Brooks soon announced a five-night run in Ireland on July 25-29 at Dublin’s Croke Park.
As of Thursday (July 3), two of those concerts have now been canceled after objections were raised by local residents in the area of the 82,000-seat Gaelic sports stadium. The residents objected to Brooks holding five successive shows; the local council has refused permission for the concerts that were scheduled for July 28 and July 29.
“I can’t thank the people of Ireland enough for how welcome they have made me feel,” said Brooks in a statement. “I have faith that Dublin City Council will make the best decision for the people of Ireland. For us, it is five shows or none at all. To choose which shows to do and which shows not to do, would be like asking to choose one child over another. However this plays out, Ireland has my heart and always will,” said Brooks.
Still, the industry and fans wait for the announcement of U.S. shows.
If July 7’s official announcement is not a long-awaited set of tour dates, perhaps it is the announcement of an upcoming album? In recent months, Brooks has been soliciting new material from Nashville songwriters for an upcoming project. Brooks’ last album was the 2013 box set, Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences, which found Brooks covering songs from Bob Seger, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and more.

Martina McBride's 'Everlasting' Release Party

martina1Martina McBride and Kobalt Music Group recently celebrated the success of McBride’s latest album, Everlasting, released in partnership with Kobalt. Friends and industry members gathered at McBride’s home for signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and music, where she visited with attendees, proving she’s not only an award-winning Country music star, but also the consummate host.
Everlasting sold 21k in its debut week in April, reaching the No. 1 position on the Country albums chart. Recorded after whittling standards for seven months with New York A&R executive Monica LynchEverlasting took form under the care of producer Don Was. The project was tracked and mixed by McBride’s husband John McBride at their Blackbird Studios in Nashville.

The artist has also revealed the cover of her first book, a combination cookbook and entertaining guide. Around The Table is a full-color illustrated collection of McBride’s favorite recipes, entertaining tips, practical menu planning advice, and themed décor inspiration. A busy mom of three, her approach is that hosting needs to be easy and enjoyable, with each recipe being accompanied by a cooking game plan.
The book published by William Morrow/HarperCollins is available for pre-order at online retailers. Around The Table will hit stores Oct. 7, 2014.

“I have a passion for food and entertaining so I’m excited to be putting everything I love into the pages of my new book,” says McBride. “I can’t wait for everyone to see the full book.”

She is currently on tour with an 11-piece band bringing to life the iconic sounds of the ’50s and ’60s from Everlasting.
Tour Dates:
AroundtheTable_Book_Cover7/3     Park City, UT (Deer Valley Resort)
7/4     Greeley, CO (Greeley Independence Stampede)
7/5     Idaho Falls, ID (HawkFest)
7/11   Cohasset, MA (South Shore Music Circus)
7/12   Hyannis, MA­ (Cape Cod Melody Tent)
7/17   Montgomery, AL (Montgomery Performing Arts Center)
7/18   Kingsport, TN (Kingsport FunFest)
7/19   Charlottesville, VA (nTelos Wireless Pavillion)
8/15   Myrtle Beach, SC (Alabama Theater)
8/16   Washington, DC (Washington Nationals Park)
8/22   Salamanca, NY (Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel)
8/29   Forrest City, AR (East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center)
8/30   Lake Charles, LA (L’Auberge Casino and Hotel)
9/5     Carmel, IN (The Palladium)
9/6     Wabash, IN (Honeywell Center)
9/11   Deadwood, SD (Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center)
9/13   Waukegan, IL (Genesee Theater)
9/18   Saratoga, CA (The Mountain Winery)
9/19   Lincoln, CA (Thunder Valley Casino Resort)
9/20   Pomona, CA (Los Angeles County Fair)
10/3   Moncton, NB (The Center at Casino New Brunswick)
10/4   St Johns, NL Canada (Mile One Centre)
11/1   Nashville, TN (Ryman Auditorium)

Industry Ink (7/3/14)

Music Health AllianceMusic Health Alliance has changed its phone number. The organization can now be reached at 615-200-6896.

              • • •

Todd Cassetty

Todd Cassetty


It’s twins for Hi-Fi Fusion president Todd Cassetty and wife Crissy! Gracie and Jack arrived July 1. Born at 35 weeks, Jack and Gracie are being cared for in the NICU; both are doing well.
Hi-Fi Fusion opened in 2001, and has become a comprehensive shop for all things digital. Among Hi-Fi Fusion’s services are video services, social network marketing and more. Clients have included Sony Music, Academy of Country Music, Country Music Television, BMI, Big Machine Records, Borman Entertainment, and many others.
Send congratulations to Cassetty and family here.

                  • • •

Compass Records Group has signed vocalist Mike Farris to its roster. Farris is working on the follow up to 2007’s Salvation In Lights.
The new project is slated to release Sept. 16, and will include both original material and Farris’ interpretations of traditional gospel.

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Nominations Open For CMA Awards, Grammy Awards

cma voting 2014The first round of nominations are open for the CMA Awards and Grammy Awards.
CMA Awards
Official ballots for the Nominating Round of voting for the 2014 CMA Awards will be e-mailed to eligible members today, Thurs., July 3, 2014. The polls will close precisely at 5 p.m. CT on Mon., July 14, 2014.
Please click here to review the 2014 Categories and Criteria.
grammy 2014• • • •
Grammy Awards
New for 2014: The online entry process will be open for members in two rounds.
The first round of the 57th Grammy Awards member online entry process is open. 
The first round runs July 1 – 23, 2014 and is for recordings commercially released 
from Oct. 1, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2014.
The final round runs Aug. 13 – 27, 2014 and is for August and September releases.
The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter is hosting an information session covering eligibility, how to submit for consideration, and the step-by-step process each submission goes through. Bill Freimuth, Sr. VP, Awards, will lead Grammy Awards 101 on Thurs., July 24, 5 – 7 p.m. at Ben Folds’ studio, Grand Victor Sound, at 30 Music Sq. W., Ste. 100. Members and non-members welcome. RSVP to rsvp_nashville@grammy.com.

LifeNotes: Celebrated Photographer Hope Powell Passes

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Photographer Hope Powell with Dolly Parton.


Hope Powell, the doyenne of Nashville’s celebrity photographers, has died at age 90.
She was one of the first photographers, male or female, to forge a freelance career by shooting pictures of the city’s country stars. Hope Powell’s photographs became iconic images for such performers as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Larry Gatlin, Donna Fargo, Charlie Rich, Alabama, Tanya Tucker and hundreds of others.
Powell’s photography won her a 1974 Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association for her LP jacket of The Blackwood Brothers On Stage. She was a 2007 SOURCE honoree for being a ground-breaking female force in the Nashville music industry.
She was also a songwriter, a poet and a singer who performed in the Christ Church Choir. The group backed Parton on the 1989 CMA Awards singing “He’s Alive” and also sang with Bill Gaither, Charlie Daniels, Garth Brooks, Steven Curtis Chapman, Vestal Goodman, The Judds, Carman, Glen Campbell and other entertainers, as well as recording several albums of its own.
Born Sept. 14, 1923, Clarice Hope Goodman Powell was a native of Salisbury, N.C., where she began her photography career. As a teenager, Powell worked in an honorary press corps in Europe, where she photographed The Pope and Queen Elizabeth, among others. She then ran her own studio in Salisbury in the 1950s and 1960s.
Her first photography encounter with show business was Hollywood blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield. During a local nightclub appearance, Powell followed the star into the audience. As Mansfield sat in men’s laps, Powell would take photos, then try to sell prints to the men.
She moved to Atlanta in 1968. Her initial clients there were nightclub belly dancers.
The photographer became more interested in the visiting country-music stars at a club called Mama’s Playroom. She was soon a familiar face to artists such as Conway Twitty, Faron Young, Hank Williams Jr., Jim Ed Brown and Loretta Lynn. This led to her move to Music City in 1970.
For decades, she covered the annual performance-rights banquets, the CMA Awards, the disc jockey conventions, various syndicated TV-show tapings and productions of Hee Haw.
Among her most memorable album covers are those for Parton’s 1974 LP Jolene and 1976 LP All I Can Do, Twitty’s 1983 LP Classic Conway, Tom T. Hall’s 1978 album Places I’ve Done Time, Porter Wagoner’s 1979 album Porter, the 2004 Vern Gosdin collection Back in the Swing of Things and the 1985 Willie Nelson/Hank Snow package Brand on My Heart. Her work is featured in such Time-Life publications as Classic Country (2001) and Legends of Classic Country (2000).
In addition to virtually every country star, her subjects included George Burns, Lucille Ball, Richard Nixon, Alex Haley, Arnold Palmer, Mickey Mantel, NASCAR drivers, Jimmy Carter, George Wallace and Billy Graham.
Hope Powell was as colorful and idiosyncratic as many of the artists she photographed. Her business card read, “If Hope can’t do it, it’s Hopeless.” She was also frequently as glamorous as a star, invariably attending functions to shoot while dressed in finery.
She continued to work when she was well into her 80s. Powell was the official photographer of the annual International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) shows during her elder years. She documented 38 consecutive IFCO concerts.
She was twice divorced and had no children. Hope Powell’s mother, Carrie Clontz Goodman, was a country singer who performed as “Betty Lou Demara.” She recorded with Hartman’s Heartbreakers for RCA’s Bluebird Records in Charlotte in 1936-37.
Powell was predeceased by her parents Ernest and Carrie Goodman, by brother Odell and sisters Corrine and Gladys. She died shortly after 1 a.m. on the morning of July 3 at the home of Marvin and Debbie Hampton. According to friend and caregiver Genevieve Cloud, Powell had lung cancer and wished to be cremated.
A memorial service is being planned.