Citi Report Reveals Music Artists Receive 12 Percent Of Industry Revenue

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A recent report from investment bank Citi revealed music artists receive around 12 percent of music industry revenue.

This 12 percent figure is up five percentage points from 2000, when just 7 percent of industry revenue reached artists.

Industry analyst Glenn Peoples believes this 12 percent figure is misleading as it includes revenue that cannot be “reasonably captured” by artists, but relatively on par with what an artist would earn if they independently contracted services to market their music themselves.

“I think AM/FM radio ad revenue needs to be taken out,” said Peoples. “It’s off the table for most labels/performers…So don’t put that ad revenue in the denominator. Labels/artists don’t get some performance royalties available to publishers. Music played in grocery stores, GAP outlets, and minor league ballparks pay a blanket license that provides royalties to publishers/songwriters. Just as labels/artists (mostly) don’t have access to AM/FM ad revenue, they don’t get to tap into grocery store revenues. Surely some small part of the retail experience is driven by music. My point is public performance royalties from AM/FM radio is tricky. Music provides value, but how much value? And if labels don’t have a performance right, and can’t get that ad revenue, I don’t think those ad revenues should be included in this study…But what if all/most artists go DIY? They’d own their rights and either build their own team (promo, marketing, product management, etc) or hire a label services/distro [sic] company. And they might need to make separate deals for other territories. And after all expenses are paid, and after managers/agents get their cut, an artist could be left with something like a 12 percent operating profit.”

Peoples goes on to estimate an artist could capture as high as a 19 percent of revenue if “reasonably captured” revenue had been calculated.

“Citi should have taken into account revenue that could reasonably be captured by labels/artists. So, remove AM/FM radio, and remove what publishing money comes from it, and the artist’s share of revenue jumps to about 19% (if my math is correct). Of course, you could say, ‘Well, it’s still just 19 percent. That’s not much for working artists.’ And I’d say, ’19 percent might not be great, but it’s a helluva lot better than 12 percent.'”

The Citi report also details possible adaptions likely to change the music industry in future years, including:

  1. Potential Expansion by Labels into Live Events
  2. Potential Expansion by Internet Music Distributors into Record Label Role
  3. Potential Consolidation Among Distribution Platforms (Amazon, Apple, Pandora, Spotify, iHeart, Sirius)
  4. Potential Vertical Integration on Music Value Chain (concert promoters could merge with existing distribution platforms)

Read the full report at ir.citi.com.

City National Bank Expands In Nashville, Adds Staffers

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Pictured (clockwise from top left): Carla Brown, Adam Geist, Christopher Wyller, Josh Harris.

City National Bank has hired four professionals to add to its growing team in Nashville and Atlanta.

“We are so pleased to have these new talented bankers join City National here in Nashville and we know they will help us better serve the entertainment industry as well as reach out to so many new professionals and business owners in the region,” said Diane Pearson, senior vice president and team leader. “We’ve tripled the number of colleagues here in just a short period of time.”

Carla Brown joins City National in Nashville as a vice president and senior relationship manager. Brown provides banking, lending and investment expertise to business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals, as well as wealthy families. With more than 20 years of experience, Brown partners with the bank’s team of experts to deliver a full range of services.

Chris Wyller joins City National as a vice president with Datafaction, the bank’s specialized accounting solutions subsidiary. Datafaction is a comprehensive accounting solution for business managers and accountants. Wyller, with more than 10 years of experience, will work closely with City National’s team of experts to provide solutions to the family office, sports management, business management and entertainment industries in Nashville, Atlanta and Florida.

Adam Geist joins City National in Nashville as a vice president and relationship manager. Geist provides City National’s full range of financial services to entrepreneurs, their families and their businesses in the region. He has more than a decade of wealth management, mergers and acquisitions and capital markets experience.

Josh Harris joined City National in Atlanta as a senior vice president with the bank’s Entertainment Banking team. He provides City National’s full complement of services to entertainment, commercial and middle-market companies in the region. Harris has nearly two decades of diverse financial services experience and has served in a variety of roles including retail, credit administration and corporate banking, among others.

 

Genevieve Thompson To Lead Mick Management’s Nashville Office

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Genevieve Thompson

Genevieve Thompson has joined Mick Management to head the firm’s newly-opened Nashville office. She will collaborate with Mick founder, Michael McDonald and his partner in leading the firm, Jonathan Eshak. Genevieve will be supported in Nashville by day-to-day manager Jessica Swan.

Following Thompson to Mick Management are clients Lennon Stella (who will release music this year on RECORDS/Columbia Records) and Maisy Stella. The girls are known for their roles on the television series Nashville. Under Thompson’s leadership, the sisters  have earned over 100 million views and 800K subscribers on their YouTube channel, have partnered on a furniture line with Pottery Barn Teen, released a book with HarperCollins and more.

“Genevieve’s history speaks for itself and we’re thrilled to have a true Music City player on our team,” says McDonald. “We represent career artists who are, first and foremost, songwriters who have toured, recorded, and often lived in Nashville. Having a talented manager on the ground who shares our passion for excellent music and has worked across genre lines makes her a perfect fit as we expand.”

Prior to Back 40 Entertainment, Genevieve opened the Nashville division of The Collective, and worked at Borman Entertainment assisting Keith Urban in achieving his first No. 1 album on the Billboard Top 200, helping Michael Franti achieve the biggest hit of his career with “Say Hey, I Love You,” and working with Lady Antebellum from pre-label signing through their 5x Platinum designation and Grammy wins with their album, Need You Now.

Mick Management’s New York clients also include Walk The Moon, Leon Bridges, Phillip Phillips and more.

Thompson can be reached at [email protected].

 

 

 

Tucker Beathard Signs Pub Deal With Little Louder Music

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Pictured (L-R): Jefferson Brown – Little Louder, Taylor Lee Titus – Red Light Management, Mary Hilliard Harrington – Red Light Management, Tucker Beathard, Arturo Buenahora – Little Louder, Laura Wright Alexander – Kobalt Music Group, Jesse Willoughby – Kobalt Music Group

Singer/Songwriter Tucker Beathard has signed a new publishing deal with Little Louder Music. Beathard, best known for his former BMLG single “Rock On,” is currently working on new music.

Little Louder Music was founded by Arturo Buenahora Jr. and Eric Church.

“I’m most myself when I’m writing songs, it’s where I can be personal and really the way I’m most comfortable expressing my emotions,” said Beathard. “It’s been awesome getting to know the team at Little Louder Music, they just get me. I’ve learned a lot over the past few years and feel like I’ve been able to grow as an artist, so we are fired up for the world to hear this new music and to start building something fresh!”

ABC Leads Network Race For Average Total Viewers With 2018 ‘CMA Fest’

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Pictured (L-R): Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: ABC/Ed Herrera

ABC’s three hour CMA Fest broadcast, hosted by Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, drew in 4.72 million total viewers this year (Wednesday, Aug. 8), leading all network averages in total viewership.

The numbers however were down for ABC, from 5.71 million last year, when the program aired a week later on the calendar and were the largest in three years. At the end of 2011, the CMA signed a 10-year agreement with ABC to broadcast its fest, awards and Christmas special on the network.

Nielsen’s specific live + same-day metrics saw this 15th annual broadcast fall 25 percent year-over-year in adults 18-49, averaging a 0.9/5 rating.

ABC’s CMA Fest afterparty with Jimmy Kimmel Live featured music by Brett Eldredge, and saw a bump in metered-market ratings for demo, at 0.5/3.

Elsewhere, CBS’ Big Brother maintained its lead on Wednesday with a 1.5/6 and 5.6 million viewers while NBC’s World of Dance was steady at 1.1/5 with 4.71 viewers and Masterchef earned 1.0/5 for Fox, all in the 8 p.m. hour. 24 Hours to Hell & Back earned 0.9. Overall averages saw Fox leading all networks among the 18-49 demographic with 1.0/5 (3.34 million), while ABC (4.72 million) and NBC (3.82 million) tied for second among the same demo, at 0.9/5.

Bobby Karl Works The Judds Exhibit Opening Party At Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum

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Pictured (L-R): Ryan Dokke of Curb Records, Jim Ed Norman of Curb Records, Wynonna Judd, Director and CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Kyle Young, Naomi Judd and Bryan Stewart of Curb Records attend the new exhibition debut, The Judds: Dream Chasers, at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on August 8, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum )

Bobby Karl Works The Room-Chapter 597

Oh, the drama!
Advance reports had it that Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd were hardly speaking to each other. But there we were at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum for the opening party of an exhibit honoring The Judds on Wednesday (Aug. 8).

They have argued and squabbled openly throughout their multi-award winning, hit-splattered career, often in full view of the media. Hey, how would you like to tour, trapped in a bus, with your mother for 10 years, starting when you were a teenager?

There was only one chair behind the podium. Would both of them appear? Together? So when Naomi took the stage, solo, after being introduced by Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young, we were all ears.

“There are a lot of mothers who save things; I save every stinkin’ thing,” she related in the Hall of Fame’s Rotunda. “I’m the next thing to a hoarder.”

She thanked attendees Joe Galante and Brent Maher for “changing our lives.”

The suspense ended when Naomi introduced Wy, who turned out to be remarkably conciliatory.

“We made it together,” Wy said to her mother. “It’s a miracle: God is good.

“In one of our biggest fights, we talked about which one of us would be institutionalized. But here we are, together,” in an “institution.”

Referring to the museum exhibit, Wy commented, “I’ve been crying all day. I know that I am blessed. I’m just having a really hard time understanding why I’m here. We’re the American Dream who proved that anything can happen…..Thank you for coming to our party. Isn’t this amazing?”

Schmoozing fabulons in the Rotunda included Bob Delevante, Bob Paxman, Bonnie Garner, Lisa Sutton, Lon Helton, Leslie Fram, Eric T. Parker, Erin Enderlin and Earle Simons.

Also working the room were David Conrad, Karen Clark, Craig Shelburne, Chase Cole, Chuck Dauphin, Jim Ed Norman, Scott Hendricks, Paul Kennerley, Tom Roland, Ann Powers, Jewly Hight, Barry Mazur, Tim Wipperman, Scott Perry and Duane and Nora Lee Allen.

We snacked on roasted corn & pepperjack grit cakes, spicy cilantro shrimp, veggies, cured meats, shredded beef on jalapino corn cakes, assorted cheeses and prosciutto, pear & goat cheese bruschetta. Wine was served.

“The Judds: Dream Chasers” officially opens Friday, August 10. It contains an abundance of artifacts, manuscripts, previously unseen photos, keepsake costumes and awards. Naomi’s nurse uniform is even included.

“This is a million-mile story, told with heart and soul, about a miraculous, fortunate and harmonious journey,” said Young.

DISClaimer: Kenny Chesney Tops New Tracks With “Better Boat”

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How about a little Louisiana hot sauce with your music meal today?

That’s what is being offered by our DisCovery Award winners, Yvette Landy & The Jukes featuring Roddie Romero. They’re serving something zesty and different. Go ahead, give ‘em a taste.

Kenny Chesney takes home a Disc of the Day trophy. Give both the man and his new label props for letting his debut for the company be a benefit record for Caribbean hurricane relief.

Other worthy items on your plate today include singles by Jake Owen, the Calamity Janes and the splendid Danielle Bradbery/Thomas Rhett duet.

DALLAS REMINGTON/Never Turned Around
Writers: Dallas Remington/Regan Stewart; Producers: Kirk Willie/Kimo Forrest; Publishers: none listed; RoadWarrior
– Her vocal is just the teensiest bit flat. The punchy track is masterfully mixed.

HUNTER HAYES/Dear God
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic
– The lyric is very anguished. It reminds me of how conflicted and tormented we all felt as teenagers. The verses are semi-spoken, a style I have never liked much. But there are melodic moments in the choruses. All in all, an odd little single.

YVETTE LANDRY & THE JUKES/I Need Somebody Bad
Writers: B.J. Peters Jr.; Producers: Yvette Landry, Roddie Romero & Justin Tocket; Ben Peters, BMI; Soko Music (track)
– It’s an echoey ‘50s retro sound, complete with piano triplets, sighing steel guitar and softly punctuating sax. She has a cool, seductive voice that dips attractively into deep alto pockets. The track makes you feel like you’re in a bayou honky-tonk. And that’s a good feeling to have. The swampy, spicy album, featuring co lead vocalist Roddie Romero, is titled Louisiana Lovin.’ Seek it out.

 

JAKE OWEN/Down to the Honkytonk
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
– Holy mackerel! Jake Owen has issued his most “country” tune ever, and you are going to love it. This is a barroom sing-along, a drinking anthem and a party pleaser. Steel guitar abounds. The chorus is classic. Grab a brew and stomp along.

JOHN SCHNEIDER/Can I Buy You A Beer
Writers: Mason Douglas; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Odyssey
– This sounds feeble. Find a producer.

TUCKER BEATHARD/Real World Hall of Fame
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Casey Beathard/Ryan Tyndell/Jordan Rigby; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; TB
– Written to salute his grandfather’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it also recognizes that there are “Hall of Fame” people everywhere. The video shows footage of a teacher, a fireman, a soldier, a mom, a policeman and other folks, in addition to gridiron stars. Bobby Beathard, the granddad, was a g.m. and/or administrator of the Redskins, Chargers, Dolphins, Chiefs and Falcons during a three-decade career that included four Super Bowl wins.

E

 

CHRIS LANE & TORI KELLY/Take Back Home Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
-Tuneless hip-hop. I hate it.

DANIELLE BRADBERY & THOMAS RHETT/Goodbye Summer
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music
– They sound great together. This swirling, melodic outing showcases both voices beautifully. And both of them prove to be able harmonizers. This is headed straight to the top.

CALAMITY JANES/Light It Up
Writers: A. Childs; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; CJ
– Love their harmonies. The gist of the languid, sensuous song is that sometimes it’s best to burn your bridges behind you.

KENNY CHESNEY & MINDY SMITH/Better Boat
Writers: Travis Meadows/Liz Rose; Publishers: none listed; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; WB/Blue Chair
– Gentle, acoustic, contemplative and completely lovely. Mindy’s harmony vocal is angelic. An exquisite listening experience.

Slacker Radio Launches ‘Woman Crush Everyday’ Country Station

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Natalie Stovall. Photo: Rick Diamond Photography

LiveXLive Media’s Slacker, a global digital media company focused on live entertainment, has launched #WCE (“Woman Crush Everyday”) Country, a digital radio station devoted to introducing and elevating female country artists, and Slacker Studio, a mobile app which allows hosts and contributors to remotely add music and commentary to Slacker stations. Both the station and the app were introduced at an Aug. 7 launch party in Nashville, co-hosted by WME and Change the Conversation.

#WCE Country will be hosted and curated by female artists, with additional women in the music industry adding commentary and selecting songs. Cam, whose “Burning House” was the top-selling single by a female country artist in 2015, is the station’s first host.

“We have amazingly talented women making music in Nashville, and they deserve to be heard,” said Jess Wright, Slacker’s Country Format Captain. “In 2017, more than 97% of the artists who appeared on the year-end Country Top 40 were male. This doesn’t reflect the quality of music created by women; it reflects a lack of support from the gatekeepers of country music who believe that women have limited commercial appeal. I’m excited that, through Slacker, we can bring the music of female country artists directly to our audience, curated by the people who are most passionate about it – the women in Nashville’s music industry.”

Emerging artists Natalie Stovall, Post Monroe, and Lauren Duski performed at the Nashville launch event. Held at WME’s Nashville office, attendees included musicians, songwriters’ managers, journalists, and other women involved in Nashville’s music industry, many of whom were given VIP access to the Slacker Studio app to share their perspective and personal stories on #WCE Country.

“I’m thrilled that there’s another platform to support female artists,” said Leslie Fram, the co-founder of Change the Conversation and the senior vice president of strategy at CMT.  “Women have always been the cornerstone of country music, and their voices need to be heard.”

 

IBMA Announces Nominees For Special Awards, Momentum Awards

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The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) announced the nominees for this year’s Special Awards and Momentum Awards. The recipients of both categories will be presented with their awards at luncheons on Sept. 26-27 in Raleigh, North Carolina as part of IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event Sept. 25-29. Thursday’s Awards Luncheon will include a segment honoring the recipients of the 2018 Distinguished Achievement Awards. Registration for the IBMA Business Conference is required to attend the events.

“The virtuosity of bluegrass musicians is recognized worldwide. With the Special Awards, we recognize that same quality, found in our industry professionals who make vital contributions felt by everyone,” says IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “The Momentum Awards celebrate both the incredible achievements of the rising stars in our music, and the generosity of those who mentor them.  Congratulations to each and every nominee for being recognized by your peers!”

The Special Awards recognize outstanding work in categories including Broadcaster of the Year, Bluegrass Event of the Year, Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project, Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project, Print/Media Person of the Year and Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year. New this year will be Sound Engineer of the Year, in recognition of audio professionals in both live and studio settings.

The Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific sector of the industry. The Mentor Award, in contrast to the other Momentum Awards, recognizes a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.

The 2018 IBMA Special Awards nominees are:
Graphic Design:
Drew Bolen & Whitney Beard – Project: Old Salt Unionby Old Salt Union
Lou Everhart – Project: A Heart Never Knowsby The Price Sisters
Richard Hakalski – Project: Portraits and Fiddlesby Mike Barnett
Corey Johnson – Project: Sounds of Kentuckyby Carolina Blue
Karen Key – Project: Big Bend Killing: The Appalachian Ballad Tradition by Various Artists

Liner Notes:
Craig Havighurst – Project: The Story We Tell by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
Steve Martin – Project: The Long Awaited Album by Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers
Joe Mullins – Project: Sounds of Kentucky Grassby Carolina Blue
Ted Olson – Project: Big Bend Killing: The Appalachian Ballad Traditionby Various Artists
Peter Wernick – Project: Carter Stanley’s Eyesby Peter Rowan

Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year:
Larry Carter
Michelle Lee
Steve Martin
Alan Tompkins
Kris Truelsen

Print Media Person of the Year:
Derek Halsey
Chris Jones
Ted Lehmann
David Morris
Neil Rosenberg

Songwriter of the Year:
Becky Buller
Thomm Jutz
Jerry Salley
Donna Ulisse
Jon Weisberger

Event of the Year:
Bluegrass on the Green – Frankfort, IL
County Bluegrass – Fort Fairfield, ME
Emelin Theatre – Mamaroneck, NY
Flagler Museum’s Bluegrass in the Pavilion – Palm Beach, FL
FreshGrass Festival – North Adams, MA

Sound Engineer of the Year:
Dave Sinko
Stephen Mougin
Gary Paczosa
Tim Reitnouer
Ben Surratt

Momentum Award nominees:
Festival/Event/Venue
Anderson Bluegrass Festival – SC
Farm & Fun Time – VA
Hovander Homestead Bluegrass Festival – WA
Red Wing Roots Music Festival – VA
SamJam Bluegrass Festival – OH

Industry Involvement:
Megan Lynch Chowning and Adam Chowning
Justin Hiltner
Kris Truelsen

Mentor:
Daniel Boner
Cathy Fink
Scott Napier
Jon Weisberger
Pete Wernick

Band:
Cane Mill Road
Man About a Horse
Midnight Skyracer
The Trailblazers
Wood Belly

Vocalist:
Ellie Hakanson (Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, Greg Blake Band)
Will Jones (Terry Baucom & the Dukes of Drive)
AJ Lee (AJ Lee & Blue Summit)
Evan Murphy (Mile Twelve)
Daniel Thrailkill (The Trailblazers)

Instrumentalist [three are chosen in this category]:
Tabitha Agnew (Midnight Skyracer)
David Benedict (Mile Twelve)
Catherine (“BB”) Bowness (Mile Twelve)
Thomas Cassell (Circus No. 9)
Hasee Ciaccio (Molly Tuttle Band)
Matthew Davis (Circus No. 9)
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (Mile Twelve)
Aynsley Porchak (Carolina Blue)
Trajan Wellington (Cane Mill Road)

 

Will Lowery Joins Endeavor Content

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William Lowery has joined Endeavor Content as a Senior Associate focused on film financing, development and sales. Based in Nashville, Lowery will provide consulting services to financiers and production facilities with an emphasis on the Southeast region. Additionally, Lowery will help oversee Endeavor Content’s relationship with Third Coast Content, the faith and family label that Endeavor Content invested in earlier this year.

Endeavor Content is a division of Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG).

Lowery most recently worked at APA, where he served as head of the content finance and strategic advisory department. During his time at APA, Lowery represented financiers and production facilities, in addition to consulting for Pinewood Atlanta Studios, spearheading an agency sports partnership with Leigh Steinberg Enterprises and advising the Island of Cayman on its International Film Festival. Prior to APA, Lowery was a talent manager and producer at Defy Media, formerly known as Generate.

In addition, Lowery was recently appointed to sit on the board of directors for the Tennessee Entertainment Commission by Governor Bill Haslam. The Commission handles incentives and legislation for all media related entertainment subsidies. He is also a board member of the Nashville Film Festival and a mentor and advisor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.

Lowery is a graduate and former All Academic SEC Football Player at Vanderbilt, and was a participant in last year’s annual “Music City Rumble on the Row” Charity Boxing event.