November 2014 - Page 18 of 19

Mark Your Calendar – November 2014

November 3, 2014/by Eric T. Parker

Single Releases

November 3
Dustin Lynch/Hell Of A Night/Broken Bow
Cole Swindell/Ain’t Worth The Whiskey/Warner Bros.
The Swon Brothers/Pray For You/Arista Nashville
Dylan Scott/Lay It On Me/Sidewalk Records
Dallas Smith/Wastin’ Gas/Big Loud Mountain
November 10
Brantley Gilbert/One Hell Of An Amen/Valory
Chase Rice/Gonna Wanna Tonight/Columbia Nashville
Owen Howell/Backyard Party/Salazar Harper Records
The Stickers/Country Proud/Wodarek Music LLC
November 17
Rodney Atkins/Eat Sleep Love You Repeat/Curb
Kristy Lee Cook/Lookin’ For A Cowgirl/Broken Bow
Brandon Alan/Through The Cracks/Creative Arts Group
Vish/I Was Born To Love You/Karma One Records LLC
Haley & Michaels/Just Another Love Song/H&M Music, LLC
Brushville/Baby’s Got Her Boots On/Brushville, LLC.
November 24
Tate Stevens/Better At Night/RPM Entertainment
James Otto/Somewhere Tonight/Ottopilot Records

Album Releases

November 3
Neal McCoy/Pride: A Tribute To Charley Pride: Deluxe Edition/Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
November 4
Various (Doobie Brothers)/Southbound/Arista Nashville
Ronnie Milsap/The RCA Albums Collection/Legacy Recordings
Maddie & Tae/Maddie & Tae [EP]/Dot Records
Amber Hayes/Running Out Of Memories [EP]/GMV Nashville, A-OK Entertainment
Various/Christmas With Nashville/BMLG
November 10
Zac Brown Band/Greatest Hits So Far…/Southern Ground-Atlantic Records
George Strait/The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium [Deluxe Edition]/ MCA Nashville
November 11
Garth Brooks/Man Against Machine/Pearl-RCA Nashville
November 17
Trisha Yearwood/PrizeFighter: Hit after Hit/RCA Nashville-Gwendolyn Records
Sara Evans/At Christmas/RCA Nashville
Cole Swindell/Down Home Sessions [EP]/Warner Bros. Records

Industry Events

November 1
No Shave November launches, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
November 2
2014 SESAC Nashville Music Awards at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (invitation-only)
November 3
52nd annual ASCAP Country Music Awards at Nashville’s Music City Center (invitation-only)
November 4
62nd annual BMI Country Awards at BMI’s Music Row offices (invitation-only)
November 5

48th Annual CMA Awards air live from The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on ABC
First-round ballots for the 57th annual Grammy Awards Due

November 7
CMA Country Christmas tapes in front of a live audience 7:30 PM/CT at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., ABC-TV air date, TBD
November 11
4th annual NATD Honors Gala at the Hermitage Hotel
November 12
8th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum at the Ford Theater
November 15
Tanya Tucker: Strong Enough To Bend opens at the CMHoF
November 17

ASCAP’s 100th anniversary gala at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, with the ASCAP Centennial Awards
New York Songwriters Hall of Fame application deadline to vote for 2015 awards

November 19-20
Billboard Touring Conference in New York City
November 23
The American Music Awards will air live from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre at 8 p.m. ET

Brad Paisley Extends Country Nation World Tour

November 3, 2014/by Troy_Stephenson

Brad Paisley

Beats Music, Southwest Team For In-flight Music Streaming

November 3, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Customers flying Southwest Airlines will now be able to stream a range of free music programming handpicked by Beats Music curators. The new inflight music service is free and includes a library of hundreds of playlists, ranging from pop, rock, Country, and other genres, which can be streamed on Wi-Fi-enabled personal devices.
The listening experience is customizable thanks to The Sentence, which offers a continuous playlist customized to users’ responses to four questions regarding, location, activity, surroundings and musical preference.
The entertainment service was introduced during a live demonstration today (Nov. 3) on-board the official Beats Music-decaled 737 aircraft. The service will be compatible with mobile devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android, as well as most web browsers.
The service provided on the Southwest entertainment portal will be compatible with major mobile devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android, as well as most web browsers, and is designed to ensure a seamless and superior quality playback.
“Southwest connects our Customers to what is important in their lives, and in this case, it’s music,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Chief Marketing Officer. “We continue to enhance our on-board offerings to remain current as our Customers’ needs evolve, and with the addition of Beats Music on our entertainment portal, we’re doing just that.”

Hill Entertainment Group Adds Jeri Cooper As Head of Radio, Marketing

November 3, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Jeri Cooper

Nashville-based management, entertainment and solutions company Hill Entertainment Group has appointed Jeri Cooper as head of radio and marketing for the growing company.
Cooper previously worked as National Promotion Director at Sony Music.
Hill Entertainment Group was launched in 2013 by CEO and founder Greg Hill and is home to artists including Rodney Atkins, Jana Kramer, The Swon Brothers and Naomi Judd.
“I’d like to thank Gary Overton and Lesly Simon for welcoming me back to the Sony Nashville family last year. Under their leadership and direction, the past 18 months have been a time of personal and professional growth for me,” says Cooper. “Now I feel blessed with a similar chance to reunite with someone I admire and respect, Greg Hill. I’m excited to combine my passion for radio, artists and experience in promotion to help maximize opportunities for the roster at Hill Entertainment Group.”
Cooper can be reached at [email protected].

Swift Surpasses 1 Million in Sales for '1989,' Strips Music from Spotify

November 3, 2014/by Eric T. Parker

Taylor Swift has become the only artist since Taylor Swift to surpass 1 million album sales in an album’s first week, according to information from Big Machine Records about her latest project 1989. Official numbers won’t be released until Wednesday’s Nielsen Soundscan report.
This news comes as Swift’s music has been removed from the digital music service, Spotify. The streaming service is now pleading with the international superstar to make her catalog available, as it has been streamed 16 million times in the last 30 days, and appeared on 19 million playlists. 1989 has never been available on Spotify in its entirety, although the lead single “Shake It Off” was withheld but eventually released. In 2012, Red was withheld until the following year. Now none of her music is available.

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(MusicRow) – [Update, 2:50 p.m. CT] Scott Borchetta tells All Access: “We are not for sale.” [Previous story continued]: The New York Post reports Swift’s Big Machine recording contract is up after one more album (and greatest hits package with new music), prompting Billboard to address rumors that Scott Borchetta and his attorney Joel Katz are eyeing the sale of BMLG, most likely to Universal or Sony. The label group’s distribution deal with Universal Music Group may be up for renewal in 2014.

– – –

One more record-shattering ceiling stands in Swift’s way once the final numbers are in: if revised industry forecasts are correct, 1989 could become the highest one-week sales for an album by a woman, currently held by Britney Spears‘ Y2k release, Oops! … I Did It Again (1.319 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan). Swift’s Red fell just shy of that record, at 1.208 million.
The Big Machine pop collection, 1989, not only breaks 2013-14 records, but makes Swift the only artist in music history to have three albums hit the 1 million-plus mark for first-week sales. For Swift those stats include 2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s RED and 2014’s 1989. The latter has topped iTunes’ sales charts in 95 countries during this current release week.
Although marketing efforts—including five variations of photo packages within physical albums, a Target deluxe with six additional tracks, and a meet-and-greet drawing for albums registered during first week of sales—have contributed to 1989‘s success, some predict this will be the last album ever to sell Platinum as consumers shift to streaming services.
Swift’s career record sales have exceeded 30 million albums and almost 80 million song downloads worldwide.
For Country, Eric Church’s The Outsiders holds the 2014 record for sales, with 288K upon release in February. Jason Aldean’s Old Boots, New Dirt comes in second with 278K, while Brantley Gilbert’s Just As I Am sold 211K units during its debut week in May. All genre, 2013 debuts clocked Justin Timberlake at the highest position for the year when 20/20 Experience sold 968K its first week.
Stay tuned with MusicRow on Wednesday (Nov. 5) for Swift’s official sales numbers.

BMLG Promotes George Briner

November 3, 2014/by Sarah Skates

George Briner

The Big Machine Label Group has promoted George Briner to Sr. VP, Promotion for The Valory Music Co. The imprint under his leadership is home to Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, RaeLynn, The Mavericks, Levi Hummon and Thomas Rhett, who will vie for CMA New Artist of the Year at Wednesday night’s (Nov. 5) ceremony. Briner previously held the title of VP, Promotion.
The Valory Music Co., which is celebrating its seventh anniversary, has a promotion team made up of Shari Roth, Amy Staley, Brad Howell, Ashley Sidoti and Ellen Mundy.
“I tasked George with a complete rebuilding and re-engineering of The Valory Music Company promotion department two years ago and he has rebuilt the team into an absolute power house!” said BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “Valory will have its best year ever and that is in big part to George. He is a relentless promotion executive who is still as passionate as ever about his artists and their music and the results attached to those artists and music. GB—it’s a long way from Billy Hill! Congrats pal—so proud of you and all you’ve done and continue to do. This promotion is so well deserved.”
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of The Valory Music Company since delivering our first single to country radio seven years ago,” commented Briner. “Being named Senior Vice President Promotion for Valory is an honor that I embrace. In this business, you are only as good as the music you represent, the team that you have around you and the passion that burns inside you. I am blessed to be surrounded by some of the best in the business. Thank you to Scott Borchetta for giving me the opportunity and to everyone within the BMLG family who has supported me.”
Briner can be reached at (615) 324-7782 or [email protected].

Fount Lynch To Join Sony Music Nashville As VP, Media

November 3, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Fount Lynch

Fount Lynch has been appointed VP, Media at Sony Music Nashville. Reporting to Sr. VP, Marketing Paul Barnabee, Lynch will begin his new role Nov. 10. Lynch was previously Director, Media Marketing for Universal Music Group Nashville, and arrives at Sony after 14 years with UMG, where he began his career as an intern in the label’s marketing/PR department in January 2001.
Lynch will be the label publicist responsible for working with Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, Tyler Farr, and Josh Dorr.
The Fosterville, Tenn., native and Lipscomb University graduate has directed media campaigns for Lady Antebellum, Eric Church, Gary Allan, Kacey Musgraves, Easton Corbin, David Nail and others.
“Every team wants the best and the brightest, and in Fount, we’ve found one of the sharpest, most respected media and marketing minds on Music Row,” said Barnabee. “It’s my privilege to welcome him to the Sony family.”
Of his new role, Lynch offered, “First and foremost, I am a music lover! I am completely drawn to it. Knowing that I get to work with such an incredibly talented roster of artists, not to mention joining the team of a rock-star label group, is extremely exciting and gratifying for me. I am proud to call Sony Music Nashville my new home.”
Beginning Nov. 10, he can be reached at [email protected].

Josh Turner Previews Upcoming Studio Album

November 3, 2014/by Jessica Nicholson

Josh Turner previews music from his forthcoming album. Photo: Eric Adkins

MCA Nashville artist Josh Turner aims to bring a slightly more traditional sound back to Country radio with his latest single, “Lay Low,” which hit airwaves in September. Turner, gearing up to release his sixth studio album next year, offered a private preview of the new material to industry members last week at Nashville rehearsal facility SoundCheck.
Turner recalled how, upon first listen, he instantly related to “Lay Low,” with its lyrics about escaping everyday life for a cabin in the woods. “It painted a picture of getting away and decompressing,” said Turner. “It struck a chord with me, because I actually have a cabin in the woods. It was the unanimous pick for the first single for me and everyone at my label.”
“This is a guy our format needs right now,” said UMG labelhead Mike Dungan. “There is so much sameness out here it is sickening.”
“This room is where we come out to put our shows together, put together our set lists, and lighting,” said Turner to the room of industry executives and journalists. “But we never have nice rugs and tables in here when we do it,” he quipped.
Indeed, Turner’s team lifted the cavernous room’s ambiance a notch or two with couches, candles, catering, and various libations (including Cheerwine soda from his native Carolinas). Prior to the performance, guests mingled as classic Randy Travis tunes played—a fitting choice, as Turner is the heir apparent to Travis’ rumbling bass tones.
He previewed each song from center stage, backed by his full band, video and lighting rig. The uptempo “Bench Seat,” penned by Craig Wiseman, was passed along to Turner by his brother, Big Loud Shirt Creative Director Matt Turner. “It turned out great, the cut made his boss happy and his brother happy,” quipped the singer.
He followed with another radio-friendly tune, “Where The Girls Are,” and “Wonder,” a solemn ballad that ponders the current life of a former love. “These songs are very new. We don’t even have video content worked up yet for one of them,” said Turner.
Though he says the yet-untitled project is “a session or two away from being done,” the new tunes settled in well alongside the string of hit songs he performed to close the brief set, including “Will You Go With Me,” “Time Is Love,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance.”

Taylor Swift's 2015 World Tour Will Stop Two Nights in Nashville

November 3, 2014/by Eric T. Parker

Bobby Karl Works The 2014 SESAC Country Awards

November 3, 2014/by Bobby Karl

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Pat Collins, Tim Fink, Shannan Hatch, Songwriter of the Year Rob Hatch and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Ed Rode

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 472
The annual SESAC awards banquet has always had a family feeling, but this year the organization took it literally.
Rob Hatch, who is married to SESAC senior director of writer/publisher relations Shannon Hatch, was named SESAC’s 2014 Songwriter of the Year. Fittingly, she presented the award to, “my best friend, my awesome husband and a fabulous father.”
“Do you believe this s—t?” he exclaimed. “You guys have been awesome.” He recalled how Shannon stood by him and encouraged him when he was dropped from his publishing deal seven years ago. Now he is the co-writer of such hits as “I Don’t Dance” and “Good Night Kiss,” which earned him his honor. During the banquet, those songs were performed by the mighty voices of Lee Brice and Randy Houser, respectively. They both drew standing ovations.
“I love country music,” added Rob. “I love writing country songs. I just feel lucky to be there.”

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Song of the Year honoree Lance Miller, Tim McGraw, artist Jerrod Niemann and SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and John Mullins. Photo: Ed Rode

“He truly is family,” observed SESAC’s Tim Fink. To kick off the banquet, he introduced Jerrod Niemann, who performed a spirited version of the Song of the Year winner “Drink to That All Night.” Superstar Tim McGraw made a surprise appearance to present the award to Lance Miller, since the songwriter is signed to his publishing company.
For the second year in a row, Legends of Magic Mustang Music was named SESAC’s Publisher of the Year.
The event was staged Sunday evening (11/2) at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. At the cocktail party, we were served h’ors d’oeuvres including shrimp & shaved asparagus, mushrooms in puff pastry and sweet potato biscuits holding braised pork belly and coleslaw.
Munching and mingling were Jeff Balding, Jeff Walker, Jeff Gregg, John Allen, John Grady, John Mullins, John Beiter, Peter Cronin, Peter Cooper, David Wykoff, David Ross, Tom Luteran, Thomm Jutz, Pat Higdon, Pat Finch, Dan Hays, Dan Hill, Charlie Stefl, Charlie Monk, Ron Stuve, Ron Cox, Bob Doyle, Bobby Rymer, Rob Simbeck and Rod Essig. During cocktails, Heather McBee introduced me to pop piano sensation Jim Brickman. I complimented him on his good taste in beginning his Nashville experiences by collaborating with Martina McBride back in 1997.
During dinner, we all rose to our feet to applaud Billy Block’s conquering cancer. Tim Fink also called for a toast to all the assembled tunesmiths. Keifer Thomson of Thompson Square was there to accept an award for “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About.” Dustin Lynch presented an award to Cary Barlowe for “Where It’s At.” Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum was honored for “Bartender.” Jacob Bryant & John Davidson won for “Done.”
Unique among the performance-rights organizations, SESAC also honors Americana composers. Amy Beth Hale saluted such creators as Pete Sallis, Victoria Shaw, Adam Chaffins, Rick Scott and Jim Lauderdale.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Trevor Gale, John Mullins and Pat Collins, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Ed Rode

The Hall of Fame’s event space glowed in amber and gold tones. Walls were splashed with abstract lighting designs. The stage was backed by stacked pale-orange cubes and floor-to-ceiling rusched metallic-bronze fabric. Tables were draped in metallic-gold cloths with red geometric designs. Centerpieces were clusters of pink roses, pom-pom mums and calla lilies accented by succulents and surrounded by amber-glass votives. Overhead, were faux-baroque chandeliers with crystal beads.
“What a year it was,” said Pat Collins as he greeted the 500+ attendees. He cited 99 top-10 songs on various charts and 30 No. 1 hits as being, “an absolute record for SESAC in a single year.”
“We’re on a roll, guys,” he proclaimed. He also reminded us that SESAC has begun construction on a massive new headquarters on Music Row.
Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Mary Martin, Troy Tomlinson, Erin Enderlin, Gilles Godard, Fletcher Foster, Susan Stewart and Webb Wilder applauded. So did Kim Williams, Kos Weaver, Kent Earls, Jerry Salley, Jennifer Kennard, Jed Hilly and Holly Bell. Not to mention Drew Alexander, Don Henry, Arthur Buenahora, Anthony Smith and Al Moss.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Pat Collins, Tim Fink and Shannan Hatch, Magic Mustang Music’s Juli Newton-Griffith, Benny Brown, Keithan Melton, Jon Loba, Rick Shedd and SESAC’s John Mullins.

Guests were garbed festively. Carla Wallace was in a black velvet tunic with and open-collar wide-lapelled blouse. Lisa Harless was glamorous in a floor-length crimson gown. Tinti Moffatt wore a knee-length dress with a white-and-silver herringbone pattern. Jill Block looked stunning in a floor-length black lace evening coat over a sequined teal bodice, plus leopard-print stiletto heels. Caroline Davis sparkled in a silver-sequined evening jacket. Singing newcomer Lacy Cavaliere was lovely in a black-and-gray leopard-spots ensemble.
The men were not to be outdone. Jim Lauderdale was trim in his appliqued black Nudie jacket. Both Webb Wilder and Thomm Jutz sported fedoras. Seab Tuck wore an art deco silver tie. Brad Kennard had the evening’s best shirt, a crisp white crossed with black and red checks and featuring black collar buttons. A.J. Masters was distinguished in his white goatee.
Power couples gliding through the elegant evening included Kathy Mattea & Jon Vezner, Gary Burr & Georgia Middleman, Rick & Janis Carnes, Craig & Pam Brown Hayes and Fats Kaplan & Kristi Rose.
We dined on citrus and fennel salad with lavender balsamic dressing, followed by strip steak, mango salsa on snapper, grilled corn quinoa and asparagus. Mixed-berry napoleon with filo pastry was presented for dessert.
“It’s been a fun night, right?” said Tim Fink at the banquet’s finale. Behind him, the Hatches hugged.

Mark Your Calendar – November 2014

Single Releases

Album Releases

Industry Events

Brad Paisley Extends Country Nation World Tour

Beats Music, Southwest Team For In-flight Music Streaming

Hill Entertainment Group Adds Jeri Cooper As Head of Radio, Marketing

Swift Surpasses 1 Million in Sales for '1989,' Strips Music from Spotify

BMLG Promotes George Briner

Fount Lynch To Join Sony Music Nashville As VP, Media

Josh Turner Previews Upcoming Studio Album

Taylor Swift's 2015 World Tour Will Stop Two Nights in Nashville

Bobby Karl Works The 2014 SESAC Country Awards

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