Visitor Spending For CMA Fest Dips As Home Rentals Rise

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2016-CMAMusicFestival-Logo-Badge-4CVisitor spending for the 2016 CMA Music Festival declined, but only slightly. This year brought in $59.5 million in direct visitor spending, versus $60.4 million in 2015. This year’s festival saw daily attendance of 88,500 fans.

A study from the Nashville Visitors & Convention Corp indicates that 84.6 percent of those fans were from out of town in 2016, with 83 percent in 2015. The number of international visitors for this year’s CMA Music Festival increased this year, with 12.6 percent, compared to last year’s 10.3 percent.

Research showed that stays in home rentals, like Airbnb and VRBO, rose to 9.2 percent from 4.9 percent in 2015. Some 74.6 percent of attendees said they stayed in a hotel, down from 80.6 percent in 2015.

“This event still reigns supreme as the ultimate success story and our largest annual event, bringing national television exposure to Nashville and global recognition to our Music City brand,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “We can’t thank the CMA and all the participating artists enough for what they do for the city in terms of the economic activity generated and the millions of dollars raised for music education.”

He added, “Even though we saw more people gravitate to more affordable home rental accommodations, which would account for the relatively flat growth in visitor spending, this was another hugely successful event that should be celebrated.”

“The city of Nashville contributes so much to the success of CMA Music Festival,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “So, it is extremely rewarding that this event is benefiting the community where we live and work through the support of music education programs and direct visitor spending.”

AIMP, A2IM, CMPA Respond To DOJ’s “Outrageous” 100 Percent Licensing Ruling

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3logos_570Three music industry organizations, including the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP), the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), and the Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA) have released a joint statement regarding the recent ruling of the Department of Justice regarding 100 percent licensing.

The decision on 100 percent licensing means that a song co-written by an ASCAP songwriter and a BMI songwriter could be licensed with approval from just one PRO. It also means that if a songwriter owns only a portion of the song, he or she can license it, as long as that songwriter ensures the other credited writers are getting paid. Under the current system, known as fractionalized licensing, each copyright owner in the song takes care of licensing their portion.

Meanwhile the ruling declined requests from major publishing companies to have a right to negotiate licensing rates with digital music providers like Pandora and Spotify. The original consent decree, which requires ASCAP and BMI to license songs at a fixed rate, was enacted in 1941. The music industry has lobbied for the last two or three years to modernize the law to reflect how music is now consumed. Their requests were all denied in the ruling.

Technically, both PROs must consent to the changes. The next step is approval from federal rate court judges.

The full statement from AIMP, A2IM, and CMPA is available below:

We, the undersigned, represent the independent music publishing and record label community in North America, and want to lend our unified voice to the recent press and discussion regarding the outrageous position the Department of Justice (DoJ) has taken with regard to the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees.

The heart of the music business is the song. No recording artist would exist without a song, and songs would not exist without songwriters. The songwriters are the smallest of small businesses, and many of them control the ownership to their songs. A significant number of songwriters have entered into mutually beneficial agreements with music publishers who develop and promote their songs. The independent music publishing and record company sector is over one-third of the music industry in North America and employs thousands. While each company may vary in size and have relationships with major labels and/or music publishers, they all share the same independent DNA. The vibrant, diverse and dynamic music business we know today was built by songwriters, independent music publishers, and independent record labels… but that’s all about to change.

After spending a great deal of U.S. taxpayer money the last few years reviewing the 75-year-old consent decrees, holding public testimony on the various ways in which the anachronistic consent decrees should be updated to address the challenges of a digital economy, and apparently ignoring hundreds of public comments officially submitted to them, the DoJ determined both that the consent decrees should not be amended and that ASCAP and BMI should be forced to issue 100% licenses.

This position by the DoJ on 100% licensing is 100% wrong. The DoJ’s position will obstruct every level of the music business as songwriters’ creative processes will be impacted by which PRO their co-writers are signed with. In a world where songwriters, artists, music publishers and record companies are already being paid below market rates by tech companies that built their businesses by using our songs, the DoJ has opened the door for even lower payments. The DoJ’s decision reaches far beyond our shores and threatens our relationships with foreign writers, publishers and record companies. The DoJ has now unwittingly entered the creative process in the writing room and the recording studio. They do not belong there.

Independent songwriters, music publishers and recording artists deserve more than what we have received here. The DoJ and its largest supporter in its recent ruling, Public Knowledge, has propped up the media conglomerates at the expense of the entire music industry. We deserve fair market rates that are not regulated by the U.S. government and the ability to decide when and where our property is used. The DoJ cannot be permitted to decide that for us.

AIMP (Association of Independent Music Publishers), A2IM (American Association of Independent Music) and CMPA (Canadian Music Publishers Association) stand shoulder to shoulder in opposing this unfortunate DoJ decision on 100% licensing. The vast majority of music publishers, songwriters, labels, and recording artists are small- and medium-sized enterprises, and it is essential for them to be able to control the use of their copyrights in order to sustain their businesses and careers.

If we value music, we need to value those who create it.

Michael Eames, President, AIMP

Richard James Burgess, Ph.D., CEO, A2IM

Jodie Ferneyhough, President, CMPA

 

Cumulus Media’s NASH Next 2016 Campaign Begins

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Nash NEXT logo

Cumulus Media has launched its NASH Next 2016 contest, seeking undiscovered country artists. The winner will land a record deal with Big Machine Label Group and have the opportunity for significant radio airplay through Cumulus.

NASH/Cumulus stations in 60 markets, including Dallas, New York, Atlanta, Detroit and Nashville, will conduct local searches, with additional national participation made possible by Cumulus’ digital properties and syndicated country shows.

Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Kix Brooks, and Jay DeMarcus will serve as the competition’s final judges.

Reba McEntireReba McEntire helped announce the contest and noted, “Radio has been an essential — and joyous — part of my musical career for over four decades. Cumulus is synonymous with country, so it’s the pitch perfect vehicle for this search. I’m honored to add my voice to this great project that will help usher in the next generation of country stars.”

Mary G. Berner, president and CEO, Cumulus Media Inc., stated, “NASH Next 2016 is an ideal way to leverage Cumulus’ leadership position in country music. By launching this competition with record-breaking support from our stations and affiliates, we are further signaling to listeners, advertisers and business partners that Cumulus is #1 for country.”

She added, “With the continued explosion of country’s popularity, and with our programming now broadcast on 82 percent of all country radio stations nationwide, Cumulus has even more opportunities for growth, providing expanded exclusive content for fans, and an even bigger audience for America’s newest country star.”

Nielsen’s Mid-Year Report Shows Boost In Music Consumption

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NielsenMusic consumption is growing, according to the 2016 Nielsen Mid-Year U.S. Music Report for the period of Jan. 1 through June 30. Total consumption for the year, based on Albums plus Track Equivalent Albums (TEA) and Streaming Equivalent Albums (SEA), is up nine percent from last year.

The country genre accounted for 11.6 percent of total album sales, 13.1 percent of physical album sales, and 9.6 percent of digital albums sales. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller album is one of 2016’s overall Top 10-selling projects (see charts below).

Chris-Stapleton-Traveller“In the past year we have seen a continued shift in the music industry from a buying model to a streaming model,” says David Bakula, SVP Industry Insights, Nielsen. “Streaming now makes up nearly 50% of the overall volume, while we continue to see declines in digital purchasing.”

For the first half of 2016, more than 209 billion songs were streamed on-demand, via audio and video platforms, representing a 59 percent increase over last year. Audio on-demand streams now make up 54 percent of total streams, while video is now 46 percent of the total. Audio has grown 97 percent over the first half of 2015, while Video has grown by 29 percent. This growth contributed to overall digital consumption (sales and streams) increasing 15 percent.

However, digital tracks sales were weak, down 24 percent compared to the first half of 2015. Overall album sales are down 14 percent, including an 18 percent decline in digital album sales. Physical album sales are down 10 percent, despite continued strength in sales of vinyl LPs, which are up 12 percent to 6.2 million units.

Rock music brought in the large share of sales volume taking 26.8 percent for total album+TEA+SEA, followed by R&B/hip-hop (22.6 percent), pop (14.5), country (8.4), Latin (5.0), electronic/dance (3.8), Christian/Gospel (3.0) and the classical and jazz categories (1.2 percent each).

 

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Chris Stapleton, Lee Ann Womack Slated for Nashville Concert

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Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton

 

Chris Stapleton and special guest Lee Ann Womack will play Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville on Friday, Oct. 14.

The Ascend performance is Stapleton’s first headlining show in Nashville since his three sold-out performances at the Ryman Auditorium in February. Stapleton joined Guns N’ Roses as their special guest this past Saturday at Nissan Stadium.

Stapleton’s Traveller album has been a mainstay in the Top 5 country albums rankings since his remarkable CMA Music Awards performance with Justin Timberlake in November 2015. The project has now been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of more than 1 million units.

Womack, known for country hits such as “I Hope You Dance” and “Little Past Little Rock,” released the project The Way I’m Livin’ on Sugar Hill Records in September 2014.

Tickets for the Ascend show will go on sale Friday, July 15 at 10 a.m. CT.

Mother Nature Attends Garth Brooks Yankee Stadium Show

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Garth Brooks takes over Yankee Stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Garth Brooks takes over Yankee Stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Garth Brooks took over Yankee stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, but this time Mother Nature also purchased a front row seat.

Due to pounding rain and sporadic lightening, the concert was delayed for three hours. Fans were evacuated from the field and ordered to take shelter after workers had to pull out protective tarps for the stage and equipment.

But everyone knows Garth isn’t going to leave without a show. When the rain and lightning let up and fans were allowed back in their seats, Garth, as only Garth can, took what Mother Nature dealt and created a new fantastic show on the fly.

Nashville industry guests joined superstar Garth Brooks at the second night of his two night stand (7/8 and 7/9) at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The shows at Yankee Stadium marked the first time in nearly 20 years that Brooks has played New York City. The previous time was his historic 1997 performance in Central Park, which drew nearly one million spectators. Pictured: Top row L-R: Sarah Trahern, Steve Buchanan, Ray Waddell, JR Schumann, Trisha Yearwood, Bill Mayne, Blair Garner, Robert Deaton, John Hamlin. Bottom row L-R: Sherod Robertson, Shawn Parr, Garth Brooks, Lon Helton, Charlie Cook. Photo: Ben Krebs.

Nashville industry guests joined superstar Garth Brooks at the second night of his two night stand (7/8 and 7/9) at Yankee Stadium in New York City. The shows at Yankee Stadium marked the first time in nearly 20 years that Brooks has played New York City. The previous time was his historic 1997 performance in Central Park, which drew nearly one million spectators. Pictured: Top row L-R: Sarah Trahern, Steve Buchanan, Ray Waddell, JR Schumann, Trisha Yearwood, Bill Mayne, Blair Garner, Robert Deaton, John Hamlin. Bottom row L-R: Sherod Robertson, Shawn Parr, Garth Brooks, Lon Helton, Charlie Cook. Photo: Ben Krebs.

As the drizzling rain continued and water pooled on stage, Garth appeared a few minutes before midnight and told the audience he wasn’t going to be able to give the same show he did the preceding night. Due to the weather, he admitted this would be a completely different show adding, “And we will play anything you want!” The bad weather gave the audience an unprecedented opportunity to give requests in a stadium show and several of those requested songs were not part of the tour’s original set list.

Garth Brooks takes over Yankee Stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Garth Brooks takes over Yankee Stadium in New York City for a second consecutive night on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Even Trisha Yearwood admitted, “We are off the grid!,” after joining Garth midway into the concert. However, the production and performances were so engaging with the enthusiastic crowd, other than the references to the weather’s disruption, it was easy to forget this wasn’t all part of the original plan.

The rain delay caused many fans to head home before it began, in order to make their trains back home. However, the majority remained and for them, Garth rose to the occasion, making the night one they will never forget.

The two New York City shows over the weekend in Yankee Stadium marks the first time Garth has played in New York City in nearly 20 years.

Pictured (L-R): Garth Brooks, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, and Trisha Yearwood backstage before Garth Brooks' Yankee Stadium show in New York City on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Pictured (L-R): Garth Brooks, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, and Trisha Yearwood backstage before Garth Brooks’ Yankee Stadium show in New York City on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

Little Extra Music’s Kelsey Waters Signs With WME

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Pictured (Back row, L-R): WME's Abby Wells-Baas, Jay Williams and Rush Davenport; Jaela Scaife, Little Extra Music. Front row (L-R): Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, Little Extra Music; Kelsey Waters; Joe Scaife, Little Extra Music.

Pictured (Back row, L-R): WME’s Abby Wells-Baas, Jay Williams and Rush Davenport; Jaela Scaife, Little Extra Music. Front row (L-R): Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, Little Extra Music; Kelsey Waters; Joe Scaife, Little Extra Music.

Little Extra Music singer/songwriter Kelsey Waters has signed with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) for representation.

Raised in the 30-A region of the Florida panhandle, Waters was playing bars before she could even drive. After signing her publishing deal with Little Extra Music, she began collaborating with writers including Lori McKenna (“Girl Crush,” “Humble & kind”) and Tia Sillers (“I Hope You Dance,” “There’s Your Trouble,” “Blue On Black”). Waters is working on her first album.

“I want my music to be relevant, honest and come straight from the heart,” Waters says. “My hope is to make a record full of songs that sound just as true as they do when they’re first recorded as a work-tape on my phone. That raw, crazy energy, when you know you’ve written something fine, when you think you’ve nailed it? That’s what I’m out to capture.”

Performers Announced For ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock’

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Elle King with Dierks Bentley. Photo: Dustry Draper/CMA

Elle King with Dierks Bentley. Photo: Dusty Draper/CMA

The Country Music Association has announced the performers for the upcoming ABC special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, slated for Wednesday, Aug. 3.

Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett are set to host the three-hour concert event, marking the 12th year ABC will broadcast the special. CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock launched in 2004, and is slated to air on ABC through 2021.

Taking the stage for solo performances are Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.

In addition, several artists teamed up for unique collaborations, including Bentley performing with Elle King, Bryan with Urban, Eldredge and Rhett, Lady Antebellum with Cam, Little Big Town with Pharrell Williams, Rascal Flatts with Maren Morris, Tyler with Martina McBride, Hank Williams, Jr. with Chris Janson and Justin Moore, and Chris Young duetting with Cassadee Pope.

CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock was filmed during the 2016 CMA Music Festival, which took place June 9-12 in downtown Nashville. The annual event offered live music on 11 stages, and drew more than 600 artists/celebrities, as well as 88,500 fans.

Martina McBride performs with Steven Tyler during CMA Music Festival. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Martina McBride performs with Steven Tyler during CMA Music Festival. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Razor & Tie Music Publishing Signs Christian Lopez

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Pictured (L-R): Jen Duke, Creative Manager, RTMP; Christian Lopez; Brad Kennard, VP Creative, RTMP. Photo: Natalie Sinclaire

Pictured (L-R): Jen Duke, Creative Manager, RTMP; Christian Lopez; Brad Kennard, VP Creative, RTMP. Photo: Natalie Sinclaire

Razor & Tie Music Publishing has added singer-songwriter Christian Lopez to its roster.

Lopez, who is managed by Rock Ridge Music, released his debut full-length album Onward via Blaster Records in 2015. The project was produced by Dave Cobb.

Brad Kennard, VP of Creative for Razor & Tie, commented, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Christian on the RTMP team. He is a true artist, heart and soul… the whole package – incredible vocalist, songwriter, musician and performer. We’ll all be talking about him for years to come.”

Lopez added, “I’m honored to be working with such a passionate and prestigious publishing company. Not only is Razor & Tie just that, but they’re staffed with truly amazing people that I’m so glad to have on my team. I’m excited for our future together, and even more excited about the songs to come.”

Weekly Register: Luke Bryan’s ‘Kill The Lights’ Tops 1 Million

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Luke Bryan Kill the Lights

Luke Bryan‘s Kill The Lights has hit the 1 million sales mark this week, in its 48th week on the chart.

No new country albums debuted in the Top 10 this week, but sales for Maren Morris‘ Hero project are up 46 percent after Morris appeared on CBS’ Sunday Morning. She lands at No. 5 on the country albums rankings this week, with 7.7K.

Blake Shelton‘s If I’m Honest take the top slot on the country albums chart, with 21K. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller follows at No. 2, with 15K. Cole Swindell‘s You Should Be Here lands at No. 3 with 8.4K (with a 45 percent boost), followed by the compilation, Now That’s Country 9, at No. 4 with 8.2K.

Overall album sales have declined 14.9 percent, while overall digital album sales have declined 20.1 percent. Country album sales declined 7.6 percent year to date, while country digital album sales have declined 14.3 percent.

Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line

On the tracks sales rankings, the summer of Justin Timberlake continues, as “Can’t Stop The Feeling” remains at No. 1, selling 98K this week, and 1.5 million RTD.

On the country digital tracks rankings, Florida Georgia Line‘s “H.O.L.Y.” continues its reign (and at No. 2 overall), selling 69K and 798K RTD. Darius Rucker‘s “If I Told You” takes the No. 2 position (31K), followed by Kelsea Ballerini‘s “Peter Pan” (24K), Jon Pardi‘s “Head Over Boots” (22K) and Carrie Underwood‘s “Church Bells” (21K).

Several patriotic themes also made their way onto the charts over the July 4 weekend, including Lee Greenwood‘s evergreen “God Bless The U.S.A.” at No. 9, selling 19K. Home Free‘s rendition of the same track charted at No. 55. Toby Keith notched a few patriotic songs, with “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” at No. 30 and “American Soldier” at No. 62.

Overall track sales are down 24.1 percent, while country track sales have declined 19.5. percent YTD.