Online Auction Supports Americana Music Association

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Americana Music Association1The Americana Music Association announced today (Nov. 25) its first annual fundraising drive, which is now open online through Dec. 20. New items will be added each week through Dec. 15.
Proceeds will go towards meeting the increased demands of the Association’s growth and to lay the groundwork for an endowment to continue the work of advocating for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world.
Currently available experiences include:

  • Private tour of the Grammy Museum with Executive Director Bob Santelli
  • Private tour of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum by President & CEO Greg Harris
  • Lunch with Jonathan Levine of Paradigm Talent Agency
  • Dinner with legendary radio promoter Al Moss
  • VIP access for two to Americanafest 2015
  • Two tickets to Sturgill Simpson‘s Austin City Limits taping and a private tour for two of Moody Theater in Austin, TX by ACL and GRAMMY producer Terry Lickona
  • A day in the studio with nine-time GRAMMY-winning producer and engineer Gary Paczosa

This past year, the association was busy supporting new Grammy categories for American roots music artists; lobbying for a seat at a congressional debate, where Rosanne Cash spoke in support of fair pay for artists and songwriters; producing the first tribute to honor the Everly Brothers after the passing of Phil Everly; and curating a prestigious week-long event in New York City, Americanafest NYC, in partnership with Lincoln Center.
The organization’s primary fundraiser is the annual Americana Music Festival & Conference in Nashville, Tenn. The Association’s Honors & Awards show, the festival’s capstone event, was filmed at the Ryman Auditorium this past September for a program entitled ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2014 which is airing this week on PBS stations nationwide (check your local listings).

Hunter Hayes To Kick Off 'Alive At The Bluebird' Series

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Hunter Hayes. Photo: Kristin Barlowe

Hunter Hayes. Photo: Kristin Barlowe


The 2015 Alive At The Bluebird series will kick off on Jan. 2, 2015 with a performance by Hunter Hayes. The country star will be joined by hit songwriters Lori McKenna and Barry Dean at the 9:00 p.m. show. In an effort to raise additional funds for Alive Hospice, Hayes will also participate in a meet and greet with fans following his concert. Tickets/reservations will be available Friday, Dec. 5 at 11:00 a.m. CST via www.artistarena.com.
Alive At The Bluebird, presented by Tennessee Oncology and Jackson National Life Insurance Company, continues throughout January with more than 100 songwriters and artists scheduled to perform, including Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Kim Carnes, Matraca Berg, Don Schlitz, Josh Kear, Rivers Rutherford and Darrell Scott. A calendar of Alive At The Bluebird shows will be available via www.bluebirdcafe.com and www.alivehospice.org in early December.
The concert series to support Alive Hospice’s mission of end-of-life care and support for the grieving, has raised more than $600,000 over 22 years thanks to The Bluebird Cafe, sponsors, participating songwriters and fans.

Industry Ink: Magic Mustang Music/BBR Music Group, ASCAP, Garth Brooks

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Pictured (L-R): Lydia Schultz and Andrea Knipp

Pictured (L-R): Lydia Schultz and Andrea Knipp


Magic Mustang Music Publishing has hired Lydia Schultz as Creative Coordinator. Schultz was previously BBR Music Group Business and Legal Affairs Associate. Schultz joined BBR Music Group in May 2013 after graduating from Belmont University with a degree in Business Administration.
Additionally, BBR Music Group hired Andrea Knipp as Business and Legal Affairs Associate. Knipp interned in the department from August 2013 through May 2014. Both roles are effective immediately.
Schultz can be reached at [email protected] and 615-610-2133. Knipp can be reached at [email protected] and at 615-610-2086.

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ascap 100 years11ASCAP President Paul Williams recently visited with CBS This Morning to discuss the battles the performing rights organization has won for songwriters over its 100-year history, and to weigh in the battles the industry now faces for digital rights.

To watch the interview, visit msn.com.

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Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks has postponed media appearances in the wake of responses nationwide after the grand jury verdict last night (Nov. 24) that Ferguson, Mo., police officer Darren Wilson will not be indicted in the death of Michael Brown.

“We landed in [New York] last night to the news of the civil unrest that was going on in our nation,” Brooks said in a statement. “To spend the day promoting our stuff like nothing was wrong, seemed distasteful to me. I will gladly reschedule any or all appearances the networks will allow. Love one another…g”

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Preshias Harris

Preshias Harris


Music industry member Preshias Harris will host “A Preshias Day in Music” on Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The free event is open to the public, and will include music from country-rock band Borrowed Blue, The Voice contestant Allison Bray, rock artist Stephen Hunley, America’s Got Talent singer-guitarist Paul Thomas Mitchell, Americana music’s Jess & Aaron, indie recording artist Katie Kendall, rock band The Sifters, as well as songwriters Dustin Bragg, Rye Davis, Rusty Dean, Demi Downing, Lindsay Harding, Emily Maygnn, Gyth Rigdon, Mike Short, Laurel Taylor, Clay Underwood, Ben Whisler and Jamie Whit.

Attendees are invited to bring a “water donation” (a 12-pack or 24-bottle case) to be collected at the door by USO Nashville.
 
 

IFPI's 'Investing In Music' Report: Labels Invest $4.3 Billion in A&R and Marketing

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IFPI_LogoThe International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) recently released its ‘Investing in Music’ report, which found that record companies’ total investment in A&R functions and marketing has topped $4.3 billion (U.S dollars) annually, and more than $20 billion over the past five years. Labels’ investment in A&R and marketing is at 27 percent of revenues, up from 26 percent in 2011.

The results of the study were revealed at ‘Friends of Music,’ an evening in Strasbourg, hosted by IFPI chairman Placido Domingo. The report featured data from labels and case studies from around the world, including studies on Ed Sheeran, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lorde, and others.
More than 7,500 artists were signed to major labels’ rosters in 2013, with tens of thousands more on independent labels. According to the study, one in five artists on labels’ rosters is a new signing.
Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, says: “Investing in Music highlights the multi-billion dollar investment in artists made every year by major and independent record labels. It is estimated that the investment in A&R and marketing over the last five years has totaled more than US$20 billion. That is an impressive measure of the qualities that define the music industry, and which give it its unique value.”
Other highlights of the report include:

  • The costs of breaking an artist in a major market remain between US$500,000 and US$2 million. The cost typically breaks down as payment of an advance (US$50,000-350,000), recording costs (US$150,000-500,000), video production costs (US$50,000-300,000), tour support (US$50,000-US$150,000) and marketing and promotional costs (US$200,000-700,000).
  • Record companies invest in local talent and break them to a global audience. The recording industry is global in scale and exports artists internationally; but it heavily invests in local repertoire. In 12 of its leading markets, local repertoire accounts for more than 70 per cent of the sales of the top 10 albums.
  • Live performance has not replaced recordings as the driver of the music industry. While record companies invest US$2.5 billion in A&R, there is little evidence of such substantial investment in new music coming from any other source. All of the five top grossing live tours of 2013 were by artists who first released albums nine or more years previously, with one group having recordings going back 50 years.
  • Unsigned artists want a record deal. Research conducted with the Unsigned Guide in the UK found 70 percent of unsigned acts wanted a recording contract. The top drivers for wanting a recording contract are marketing and promotional support (76%), tour support (58%) and getting upfront financial support in the form of an advance (45%).

Global A&R and Marketing Investment:

  2013
A&R US$2.5bn
A&R as % of revenues 15.6%
Marketing US$1.8bn
Marketing as % of revenues 11.4%
Total investment (A&R + marketing) US$4.3bn
Total investment as % of revenues 27.0%
Total industry revenues US$16.1bn

Love And Theft Debut 'Whiskey On My Breath'

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love and theft whiskeyLove and Theft are plowing ahead with the release of “Whiskey On My Breath,” the first single from their upcoming album of the same name. The song is currently available on iTunes or for streaming on People.com.

“In some ways, we’ve played it safe in the past, and I think we’re over that now,” says the duo’s Stephen Barker-Liles. “I don’t mind that songs like ‘Whiskey On My Breath’ may be a little controversial, because they’re honest, and I think that they’ll make people think about how they feel about life.”

Following a recent departure from Sony Music Nashville, the duo still has powerful team members intact including Vector Management, and is self-releasing its third album Feb. 10, 2015.

“The songs on this album show a side of us that’s legitimately us, and how we’ve grown up and matured in the time that we’ve been in this business,” continues Love & Theft’s Eric Gunderson. “But there are plenty of songs on this album that are just good, fun songs, and that’s still a side of us too.”

The duo’s hits include “Angel Eyes” and “Runaway.” They have cross-country tour dates scheduled through June 2015.

'American Country Countdown Awards' To Honor Kenny Chesney

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Kenny Chesney. Photo: Jill Trunnell

Kenny Chesney. Photo: Jill Trunnell


Country superstar Kenny Chesney is set to receive the American Country Countdown Awards’ Groundbreaker Award during the two-hour live telecast (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, Monday, Dec. 15, from Nashville’s Music City Center.
The award will recognize artists who push the boundaries of what is possible within the definitions of today’s country music, honoring those trailblazing concerts, musical accomplishment, creative innovation and connecting with fans across the United States.
“The Groundbreaker Award recognizes how Kenny has revolutionized the live music experience for Country fans,” said Executive Producer Mark Bracco. “He is a true groundbreaker, moving country music into new directions with his pioneering, record-breaking tours that have propelled him into one of the very biggest live performing artists in America. Kenny is the perfect recipient for our very first show.”
“Given what the ‘American Country Countdown’ radio show has meant to the music over the past 40 years, it’s humbling to be singled out like this,” Chesney responded. “For me, this music has always been about the fans – how we see them, what we give them and the way country moves them.”
As the 21st century’s biggest country music ticket-seller, Chesney has sold more than a million tickets to each of his 11 headlining tours since 2002 with over 30 million albums sold.
The American Country Countdown Awards is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro (CEO, dick clark productions), Mike Mahan (President, dick clark productions), John Dickey (Executive Vice President of Content and Programming, Cumulus), Richard Godfrey (MTV Europe Music Awards) and Tom Forrest (CMT Crossroads) are executive producers. Baz Halpin is co-executive producer.
Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and Brett Eldredge have recently been enlisted as performers alongside previously announced Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and hosting duo Florida Georgia Line.

Recording Academy P&E Wing Presents 'Lost In Transaction' Panel

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lost in transaction

The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter and Producers & Engineers Wing will present a panel discussion titled Lost In Transaction, which will explore how to creatively structure deals with artists and labels. The event will be Wed., Dec. 3, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Ocean Way Nashville.

Panelists include Joe D’Ambrosio (Joe D’Ambrosio Management), Jay Frank (DigSin/DigMark), and Elizabeth Gregory (entertainment attorney), with moderator Dan Daley (author/multi-platinum composer).

Discussion topics will include identifying and creating multiple income streams and how to monetize and collect those income streams.

Admission is free for Academy members and $25 for guests. Details here. RSVP by Dec. 1 to [email protected].

Amazon's Prime Music Debuts Exclusive Content

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all is brightAmazon already offers exclusive video content as a part of its Prime Instant Video streaming service, and now the company aims to follow a somewhat similar strategy with music.
Amazon’s streaming service Prime Music debuted its first exclusive content last week, by offering a 43-track, Christmas album All Is Bright. The project culls music from selections made by Amazon’s music experts, and includes various artists’ renditions of holiday favorites, such as Ashley Monroe‘s “Tennessee Christmas,” and Lucinda Williams‘ “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Others included on the project are Liz Phair, Ladyhawke, Escort, Laura Gibson, Jenn Bostic, Sinclair, Yoko Ono & The Flaming Lips, and more.
Unlike the exclusive Prime Video content offered, music from All Is Bright is available outside of Prime Membership in the form of MP3 downloads. The holiday playlist is available for unlimited ad-free listening on Prime Music for Amazon Prime members, at no additional cost.
Amazon introduced the Prime Music streaming service earlier this year. Amazon Prime offers members free, two-day shipping for $99/year. In addition to Prime Music, other added features in Amazon Prime include access to Prime Video, early access to sales, and Kindle e-book rentals.

Leadership Music Raises Over $25,000 For Second Harvest

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LeadershipMusicLogoLeadership Music members, family, and friends donated $25,605 to help alleviate hunger in the Middle Tennessee area, enough to offer more than 100,000 meals to those in need. The organization greatly exceeded its original fundraising goal of $5,000.
The classes of Leadership Music held a friendly competition to see which class could raise the most money for the hunger drive.
The Class of 2012 has been named the winner of the competition, donating the most funds, in honoring classmate Jaynee Day who serves as President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and serves on the board of Leadership Music.
“We always knew that the alumni of Leadership Music are extraordinary, but you managed to prove once and for all that you truly are the BAE…best alumni ever! We are so proud to be part of an organization and an industry that lives by the creed ‘from those to whom much is given, much is expected.’  Although we framed this as a friendly competition among classes, it was really all about feeding the hungry,” says Diane Pearson, President of Leadership Music.
The top five class standings, in order of the most money raised, are:
Class of 2012
Class of 2003
Class of 2007
Class of 2008
Class of 2011
VirtualFoodDrive

Artist Updates: BCM Awards, Randy Houser, Hunter Hayes

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Winners for the 8th Annual British Country Music Awards were announced during the BCM Awards, held Nov. 23 at The Concorde Suite at Heathrow in London. The awards show included the 16 British Awards and four International Awards.
International award winners included Chris Young (International Act of the Year), Eric Church‘s Outsiders (International Album), Brad Paisley‘s “Mona Lisa” (International Song), and Jeff Walker, CEO of The AristoMedia Group (International Services). Walker was presented with his award in advance during a special CMA International Event held during the recent CMA Awards week in Nashville. For a full list of award winners, visit bcmawards.co.uk.

Pictured (L-R): Steve Wariner, Cold River Records’ Katie Armiger and BCMA President, Lee Williams.

Pictured (L-R): Steve Wariner, Cold River Records’ Katie Armiger and BCMA President, Lee Williams.

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Randy Houser recently partnered with Eckrich to honor a military family with an evening of surprises on Nov. 22, during Houser’s appearance in Baltimore, Md. as part of Dierks Bentley’s Riser Tour. The event began with Air Force Staff Sergeant Christopher Solso and his wife Clare meeting Houser backstage. Other gifts included a year of free groceries on behalf of Ekrich, as well as an all-expenses paid getaway to Tucson, Ariz., to enjoy a VIP experience at a Randy Houser concert.

Air Force Staff Sergeant Christopher Solso and his wife, Clare, are presented free groceries for a year and a VIP trip to Tucson, Arizona on behalf of Eckrich.

Air Force Staff Sergeant Christopher Solso and his wife, Clare, are presented free groceries for a year and a VIP trip to Tucson, Arizona on behalf of Eckrich.

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Hunter Hayes. Photo: Kristin Barlowe

Hunter Hayes. Photo: Kristin Barlowe


The CMA Foundation and VH1 Save the Music Foundation recently joined forces to support music education in Roanoke City Public Schools.
Hunter Hayes was the special guest at a ticketed concert showcasing 450 student musicians representing elementary, middle, and high school instrumental music programs in the district. Hayes spoke on the impact of music in his life and the importance of having music education in the schools.
“The CMA Foundation is very proud to be part of this important initiative,” said Sarah Trahern, CEO of the CMA. “We are excited to partner with VH1 to help bring music education programs to students in Roanoke, and hopefully create in these students a life-long appreciation of music.”
The CMA Foundation offered a $100,000 grant. With 17 grantee schools and $510,000 worth of musical instruments donated to date, they have completed restoration of Roanoke’s music programs.