Nashville Labels Bring The Party to CRS

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The Grand Ole Opry returned to Country Radio Seminar tonight for its third consecutive year as it kicked off CRS 2015 following the CRS Opening Night Welcome Reception. The star-studded line-up included artists from various labels, with performances by Chase Bryant, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Mickey Guyton, Mo Pitney, Oak Ridge Boys, and RaeLynn. The Grand Ole Opry at CRS was sponsored by My Well-Being Powered by Humana.

Top Row: Steve Buchanan (President Opry Entertainment Group), Bill Cody, Chase Bryant, Jon Jones, Mike Eli, Pete Fisher (Opry Vice President & General Manager) Front Row: Mo Pitney, Mickey Guyton, Lee Brice, RaeLynn, James Young, Chris Thompson. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Top Row: Steve Buchanan (President Opry Entertainment Group), Bill Cody, Chase Bryant, Jon Jones, Mike Eli, Pete Fisher (Opry Vice President & General Manager)
Front Row: Mo Pitney, Mickey Guyton, Lee Brice, RaeLynn, James Young, Chris Thompson. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry


 

Big Machine Label Group hosted a CRS performance featuring artists The Cadillac Three, Drake White, and Waterloo Revival at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe last night (Feb. 25). Other BMLG artists Danielle Bradbery and Seth Alley also attended the show.

Pictured (L-R): The Valory Music Co. SVP Promotion GEORGE BRINER, Big Machine Records SVP Promotion Jack Purcell, Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, BMLG EVP & Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen and Dot Records GM Chris Stacey.

Pictured (L-R): The Valory Music Co. SVP Promotion GEORGE BRINER, Big Machine Records SVP Promotion Jack Purcell, Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, BMLG EVP & Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen and Dot Records GM Chris Stacey.

Pictured (L-R): The Cadillac Three’s Kelby Ray and Neil Mason, BMR SVP Promotion, Jack Purcell, BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta, The Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston and Triple8 Management’s Bruce Kalmick.

Pictured (L-R): The Cadillac Three’s Kelby Ray and Neil Mason, BMR SVP Promotion, Jack Purcell, BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta, The Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston and Triple8 Management’s Bruce Kalmick.


 

Warner Music Nashville artists, staff and friends from country radio took over Rosewall last night (Feb. 25) for the annual Warner Wednesday party. The celebration included WMN artists Josh Abbott (of Josh Abbott Band), Dean Alexander, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Gloriana, Hunter Hayes, Jana Kramer, Ashley Monroe, The Railers, Michael Ray, Blake Shelton and Charlie Worsham.

Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton, Bob Kingsley and WMN, President & CEO, John Esposito.

Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton, Bob Kingsley and WMN, President & CEO, John Esposito.

DISClaimer: Disc of the Day Triple Play

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image002 (3)It’s all stars, no waiting, here at the CRS convention in Music City.

With the big-shot radio taste makers assembled, a lot of you are bringing twinkle power to DISClaimer this week. From legends like Glen Campbell to promising newcomers like Drake White; from radio mainstays like Gary Allan to outsiders like The Kentucky HeadHunters; from acclaimed Ashley Monroe to supernovas Florida Georgia Line, they’re all releasing new music at once.

Our male winner of Disc of the Day is Drake White. The female prize goes to Ashley Monroe. And there’s no denying the star power of Florida Georgia Line as the winning group. Since there are no first timers this week, the DisCovery Award goes unclaimed.

LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD WITH THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS/Runnin’ Water
Writers: Anthony T. Kenney/Richard O. Young/Calvin Douglas Phelps/Gregory Glenn Martin/Fredrick K. Young; Producers: Lorraine Jordan/Josh Goforth; Publishers: Song Garden/Them Young Boys/I.B. Headed/Mr. Erik, ASCAP/BMI; Pinecastle (CDX)
-I was wondering how this collaboration would work when I saw the billing. Carolina Road’s banjo-based bluegrass decidedly dominates with the HeadHunters offering hearty vocal encouragement. Lively and infectious.

GARY ALLAN/Hangover Tonight
Writers: Gary Allan/Chris Stapleton/Jesse Frasure/Cary Barlowe; Producers: Gary Allan & Greg Droman; Publishers: Crystal Beach/WB/Ken Tucky/Rio Bravo/Telemitry/Castle Bound/We Be Pawtying, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; MCA Nashville
-The track sounds a kinda muddy to me. His charismatic voice has trouble cutting through. It’s a shame it’s so cluttered, because the basic groove sways nicely.

BLACKBERRY SMOKE/Living In The Song
Writers: Charlie Starr; Producer: Brendan O’Brien; Publishers: Crowhop Hymnal, BMI; Rounder (CDX)
-Southern rock with snap, crackle and pop.

WADE BOWEN/When I Woke Up Today
Writers: Wade Bowen/Rodney Clawson; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Big Red Toe, ASCAP/BMI; AMP (CDX)
-It’s a catchy toe tapper with jingle-jangle guitars, a cool lyric and a hearty lead vocal. I dig this a whole bunch.

FGL_Wheel_Jeremy Cowart

Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Sippin’ On Fire
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Matt Dragstrem/Cole Taylor; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Farm Town/Big Loud Songs/Big Loud Bucks/Universal, BMI/ASCAP; Republic Nashville
-I like the ringing electric guitar and the processed drawling vocal performance. The choruses seem rather word-y on their round-about route to the title phrase.

FREDDIE HART/God Is Easy Lovin’
Writers: Freddie Hart; Producer: Tommy Smith, Mike McClain, Freddie Hart; Publishers: Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; Hartline (CDX)
-It has the same melody and groove as Freddie’s 1971 smash “Easy Loving,” except with a gospel lyric. He still sings well, but I could have done without the echo-chamber backup chicks.

ASHLEY MONROE/On To Something Good
Writers: Ashley Monroe/Barry Dean/Luke Laird; Producers: Vince Gill & Justin Niebank; Publishers: Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Country Paper/Pulse Nation/Twangin and Slangin, BMI; Warner Bros.
-This upbeat, rolling-tempo ode to better times ahead goes down as smooth as a milkshake. This thing has a built-in smile, as well as a twirl-around-the-room vibe.

HANNAH BETHEL/You Wanna Be My Man
Writers: Hannah Bethel & David Myhre; Producers: Hannah Bethel & Brennin Hunt; Publishers: Hamwyn/David Myhre, BMI/ASCAP; HBM (CDX)
-Pert and perky, with a girlish sweetness. The track bops with nifty precision and perfect crunch. Well sung and well produced.

Drake White

Drake White

DRAKE WHITE/It Feels Good
Writers: Drake White/Phillip Pence/Derek George; Producers: Ross Copperman & Jeremy Stover; Publishers: EMI April/Reverend Jack/Sony-ATV/WB/Funky Friars/Nury3000, ASCAP/SESAC; Dot
-The percussion is awesome. The soulful, so-o-o-o Southern, drawling, yowsah vocal performance is outstanding. The track cooks with gas. Play it again. And again.

GLEN CAMPBELL/I’m Not Gonna Miss You
Writers: Julian Raymond/Glen Campbell; Producers: Julian Raymond; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine (track)
-Tim McGraw’s performance of this Oscar-nominated song was an emotional high point of the Academy Awards telecast. Glen Campbell’s single from the soundtrack of his alzheimer tour documentary I’ll Be Me is even more heartbreaking. Essential listening.

Industry Ink: Opry House Joins National Register of Historic Places

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Nashville’s National Treasure

The Grand Ole Opry House has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. The Opry House opened on March 16, 1974 with a standing room only Opry performance attended by President and Mrs. Richard Nixon. The Opry’s sixth home, the venue is also the only home built specifically for the Opry and the residence the Opry has called home the longest.

Dr. Carroll Van West, Dir. of the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU and the Tennessee State Historian, prepared the nomination which was supported by the Tennessee State Historical Commission.

Opry House

Grand Ole Opry House

Rising Artists In The Studio

Singer-songwriter Katie Ohh is in the studio working with Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus. Ohh won NBC’s talent competition The Winner Is in 2013, taking home the $1 million prize. She has signed with John Birdwell and Charles Dorris at Red Couch Entertainment, and with Barrett Sellers at WME.

jay demarcus and katie ohh

Jay DeMarcus and Katie Ohh

Teen singing sensation and The X-Factor breakout star Rion Paige recently moved to Nashville and her debut EP is being produced by David Huff (The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Avicii, The Doobie Brothers).

rion paige and david huff

Rion Paige and David Huff

grammy logo1Save The Date

The Nashville Chapter’s 17th annual Grammy Block Party is set for May 12.

Garth Brooks Brings Intimate, Full-Band Show to Nashville

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Photo by Ben Krebs © GCOM, LLC all rights reserved 2015

Photo by Ben Krebs © GCOM, LLC all rights reserved 2015

Garth Brooks’ World Tour with Trisha Yearwood may not have a Music City date on the horizon as of yet, but several hundred Nashville area residents, and Country Radio Seminar attendees, got a taste of Brooks’ engaging, country charm last night (Wednesday, Feb. 25). The legendary entertainer has brought his show to hundreds of thousands of fans per night at arenas across the country, but last night he hosted an intimate, full-band concert at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works.

Brooks commanded the show from the second he stepped onstage, performing the thunderous power rocker “Cold Like That,” an album cut from his latest release Man Against Machine, co-written by fellow Sony artist Steven Lee Olsen. Numerous lucky radio listeners crowded close to the stage, having won invites to the private show through local station WSIX.

“Let’s see who knows the words to some of this old stuff,” said Brooks, before sailing into “Papa Loved Mama,” “Two Pina Coladas,” “The Thunder Rolls,” and “Callin’ Baton Rouge” with energy and enthusiasm that would rival any 20-something, starry-eyed newcomer. The crowd, which ranged in age from early 20s to post-retirement, proved age is only a number, and sang along faithfully to every song. It was clear from the first strains of Brooks’ 1991 hit “Rodeo” that the crowd relished the set of the singer-songwriter’s classic hits. Cell phones swayed above the crowd for majority of the evening, as fans snapped photos and video.

“Playing this size club takes me back to playing a lot of songs for the first time,” said Brooks, before launching into another Man Against Machine album cut, “All American Comeback Kid.” In true all-American fashion, Brooks emphasized the song’s concluding chorus by welcoming members of the armed forces to the stage, amid chants of “U.S.A!” from the crowd.

From the first notes of “Friends in Low Places,” the crowd cheered as if the 25-year-old classic tune was a current chart-topper. The frenzy peaked with Brooks inclusion of the song’s “infamous third verse,” which prompted fist pumps, lifted up drink cups, and cheers from the crowd. Though the set didn’t feature the full array of lights and full-scale production suited for an arena-sized venue, the performance didn’t need it. Brooks’ legendary onstage charisma and catalog of classic tunes were at full volume throughout the performance.

“Friends in Low Places” closed as white confetti spiraled over the crowd, a move that typically signals the closure of a concert. Instead, Brooks treated the crowd to an emotional performance of “The Dance,” and, as he’s done numerous times in concert, let the fans take over singing duties at the end of the ballad. Brooks then walked offstage to a thunderous applause.

The crowd wasn’t sated, and clamored for more. Their applause enticed the singer-songwriter back to the stage, where Brooks’ encore electrified with “Standing Outside The Fire,” “Two Of A Kind (Working On A Full House),” and “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old).”

Brooks’ next tour date is set for Feb. 27 in Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena.

Dierks Bentley’s Hot Country Knights Make CRS Debut

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20150225-IMG_5505

Hot Country Knights. Photo: The GreenRoom PR

Muscle Tees, Mullets, and Mustaches consumed The Stage last night as Dierks Bentley’s ’90s country cover band, Hot Country Knights, made their live debut for 2015 Country Radio Seminar. The frontman of the band, Douglas “Big Rhythm Doug” Douglason (Bentley), kicked off the show with Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee” and continued with fan favorite throwbacks such as Marty Stuart’s “Honky Tonkin’s What I Do Best,” John Michael Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight” and “Sold,” and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart.”

The band brought up several friends to keep the show rockin’ including Dallas Houston (Randy Houser), who sang “Watermelon Crawl,” Ronnie Bunns (Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley) joined in for “My Maria,” and Shelby Shelton (Miranda Lambert) took the lead on Shania Twain’s “Who’s Bed Have Your Boots Been Under.” Kip Moore also made an appearance (not in costume) for “Dust on the Bottle.”

The show ended with a pre-recorded taping of fans shouting “encore” to which the band responded by playing Travis Tritt’s “T-r-o-u-b-l-e.” Bentley and a Hot Country Knights bandmember proceeded to get into a comedic “fight” at the end of the encore until they fell off the stage and exited the venue.

Mercury Records Nashville artist Canaan Smith opened for the Hot Country Knights, singing his latest single, “Love You Like That.”

Old Dominion Inks Major Label Deal

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Front Row (L-R): Old Dominion’s Whit Sellers, Trevor Rosen, Matthew Ramsey, Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi Back Row (L-R): Clint Higham (Morris Higham Management), Shane McAnally (producer), Keith Gale (SVP/National Promotion, RCA), Gary Overton (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Jim Catino (VP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Taylor Lindsey (Director, A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Will Hitchcock (Morris Higham Management), Nate Ritches (Morris Higham Management) Photo: Alan Poizner

Front Row (L-R): Old Dominion’s Whit Sellers, Trevor Rosen, Matthew Ramsey, Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi. Back Row (L-R): Clint Higham (Morris Higham Management), Shane McAnally (producer), Keith Gale (SVP/National Promotion, RCA), Gary Overton (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Jim Catino (VP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Taylor Lindsey (Director, A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Will Hitchcock (Morris Higham Management), Nate Ritches (Morris Higham Management) Photo: Alan Poizner

Old Dominion, the five member band comprised of Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung and Brad Tursi, has signed with Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Nashville imprint. The group, whose members have had cuts by Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry and Chris Young, is managed by Morris Higham Management.

Old Dominion’s debut EP, containing single “Break Up With Him,” was produced by hitmaker Shane McAnally. The single was rush released, based on fan and programmer demand, after early success at satellite and terrestrial radio as an album cut.

The deal with RCA Nashville, where Old Dominion joins a roster that includes Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert and Jake Owen, means more music is on the way later this year.

“We couldn’t be more excited to join the RCA Nashville family,” shares frontman Ramsey. “As a band, we are eager to start our next chapter and are grateful for the opportunity to do that with the support of an amazing promotion and marketing team in RCA.”

“There has been a VERY loud buzz about Old Dominion around the Sony Music Nashville offices for some time now; so much that the three imprints were all fighting for the chance to work with the band,” says Sony Nashville CEO, Gary Overton. “I am pleased to announce the signing of Old Dominion to RCA Records Nashville.”

“Rarely in our business do you meet artists who are a ‘triple threat’– singer, songwriter, and musician. On top of those qualities, which each of them possesses, Old Dominion provides a truly amazing live experience,” says Morris Higham Management President, Clint Higham. “The team at Morris Higham Management is honored to represent the band and is looking forward to the partnership with RCA Nashville.”

The band will spend the spring and summer touring, as well as opening select stadium dates on Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour.

Thirty Tigers worked with Old Dominion to self-release the EP.

Additionally, the band is repped by publicity firm EB Media.

 

 

Kris Lamb Earns VP Stripes

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kris lamb

Kris Lamb

Dot Records has promoted Kris Lamb from Director National Promotion to VP Promotion.

Lamb and his radio promotion team recently took breakthrough duo Maddie & Tae’s “Girl in a Country Song” to No. 1. They will celebrate the chart-topper and gold certified single this afternoon at a No. 1 party in Nashville.

Dot is also home to newcomers Drake White and Craig Wayne Boyd, who will be gearing up in 2015.

“Kris always steps up to the plate with incredible passion, creativity, energy and execution,” said President and CEO of BMLG Scott Borchetta. “It’s no surprise to me that his very first single as a National Director went straight to No. 1. He is now properly announced as one of the new young stars in the promotion world and is awarded with VP stripes.”

Added Lamb, “I’m honored and beyond grateful to extend my tenure with the mighty BMLG and Dot Records. Scotty B. and Chris Stacey have provided the forum to continue Dot’s pursuit of strategically differentiating our promotion efforts through innovative partnerships with a fresh perspective. Together, with our exceptional staff of promotion executives, Dot will continue to super-serve our incredible roster of artists and our friends and partners at Country radio.”

Lamb’s career also includes time as Big Machine Records Sr. Dir. West Coast Promotion. He has been integral in the careers of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Danielle Bradbery and The Cadillac Three over the last four years. Lamb will remain based at BMLG’s Nashville headquarters.

He can be reached at 615.846.7750 or via kris.lamb@bmlg.net.

ACM Nominees For Industry, Studio Awards

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acm-awards-logo111featuredThe Academy of Country Music announced today (Feb. 26) the Industry Award and Studio Recording Award nominees for the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards.

Those categories include Casino of the Year (various markets), Festival of the Year, Nightclub of the Year, Venue of the Year (various markets), Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year, Promoter of the Year, and awards for producers and musicians.

Industry Award and Studio Recording Award honorees will be feted at the 9th Annual ACM Honors event on Sept. 1, 2015 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Industry and Studio Recording awards will not be televised due to time constraints during the live telecast of the 50th ACM Awards.

The 50th Annual ACM Awards will be co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

INDUSTRY AWARD NOMINEES:

CASINO OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
Hard Rock Live – Biloxi, MS
Peppermill Concert Hall – West Wendover, NV
Riverwind Casino – Norman, OK
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mount Pleasant, MI
WinStar World Casino –Thackerville, OK

CASINO OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino – Windsor, ON, Canada
Casino Rama – Rama, ON, Canada
Choctaw Casino Event Center – Durant, OK
MGM Grand Casino – Las Vegas, NV
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace – Las Vegas, NV

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Country Thunder USA: East – Twin Lakes, WI
Faster Horses Festival – Brooklyn, MI
Stagecoach Festival – Indio, CA
Watershed Festival – George, WA
Windy City Smokeout: BBQ & Country Music Fest – Chicago, IL

NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
Bub City – Chicago, IL
Grizzly Rose – Denver, CO
House of Blues – Boston, MA
Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL
Wild Bill’s – Duluth, GA

VENUE OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
Cain’s Ballroom –Tulsa, OK
Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA
Irving Plaza – New York, NY
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
The Rave/Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI

VENUE OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
Amphitheater At The Wharf – Orange Beach, AL
Big Sandy Superstore Arena – Huntington, WV
Filene Center At Wolf Trap – Vienna, VA
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
Resch Center – Green Bay, WI

VENUE OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
Cruzan Amphitheatre – West Palm Beach, FL
Gorge Amphitheatre – George, WA
Hollywood Bowl – Hollywood, CA
Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, IN

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
Gil Cunningham – Neste Event Marketing
Gary Osier – Gary Osier Presents
Fran Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
R.J. Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
Sally Williams – Ryman Auditorium

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brent Fedrizzi – AEG Live
Patrick McDill – Live Nation
Louis Messina – AEG Live/The Messina Group
Ed Warm – Joe’s Live
Jason Wright – Live Nation

STUDIO RECORDING AWARD NOMINEES:

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mark Hill
Tully Kennedy
Tony Lucido
Jimmie Lee Sloas
Glenn Worf

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Chad Cromwell
Fred Eltringham
Chris McHugh
Greg Morrow
Nir Z

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tom Bukovac
J.T. Corenflos
Kenny Greenberg
Brent Mason
Adam Shoenfeld

PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tony Harrell
John Hobbs
Tim Lauer
Gordon Mote
Michael Rojas

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Glen Duncan
Stuart Duncan
Aubrey Haynie
Danny Rader
Ilya Toshinsky

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dan Dugmore
Steve Hinson
Mike Johnson
Russ Pahl
Tommy White

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Chuck Ainlay
Derek Bason
Ben Fowler
Steve Marcantonio
F. Reid Shippen

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Jay Joyce
Michael Knox
Frank Liddell
Joey Moi
Frank Rogers

CRS 2015: Todd Wagner’s ‘Lightning In A Bottle’

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Keynote Speaker Todd Wagner (left), interviewed by Charlie Morgan, CRS Board President (right) during opening ceremonies of 2015′s Country Radio Seminar.

Keynote Speaker Todd Wagner (left), interviewed by Charlie Morgan, CRS Board President (right) during opening ceremonies of 2015′s Country Radio Seminar.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Todd Wagner served as keynote speaker yesterday (Feb. 25) at the Nashville Convention Center during the opening ceremonies of 2015’s Country Radio Seminar.

Wagner was quick to admit his success was like “catching lightning in a bottle.” Wagner joined Mark Cuban to launch Broadcast.com, which broadcasts live sporting events, corporate events and radio stations over the Internet. It was the first site to stream content online and in 1999, Wagner and Cuban sold Broadcast.com to Yahoo! for a staggering $5.7 billion. Wagner shared the modest beginnings of the billion-dollar company saying, “It started with Mark and I in his upstairs bedroom with one PC.”

Wagner talked about what it means to be an entrepreneur and stated, “You have to be pretty thick skinned and hold on to what you believe.” Further defining what makes someone an entrepreneur, he shared three important traits.

Traits of an Entrepreneur

1. It can happen anywhere. Many people think being an entrepreneur requires locating in a hot spot such a Silicon Valley, but Wagner points out a true entrepreneur is not dependent on any specific location.

2. Are you willing to quit your day job? Wagner states you must put everything at risk to be a real entrepreneur.

3. Are you willing to put in your own money? Wager admits a lot of people want angel investors and not have to risk their financial assets. But to be an entrepreneur, Wagner adds, “You’ve got to let go of the side of the pool.”

With all of his success and the realization that he no longer had to work, Wagner admits it’s important to him to give back. Wagner helped launch Chideo in January 2014 as the first interactive charity broadcast network. Chideo is a place where fans can discover and inspire one-of-a-kind content and experiences from their favorite personalities. Wagner’s business interests also include a stake in the Dallas Mavericks, as well as the Weinstein Company. Additionally, he is a founder and co-chairman of Content Partners LLC.

Fridays Set as Official Global Release Day for Singles and Albums

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IFPI_LogoThe International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has confirmed news that 00:01 local time on Fridays will be the official release day for new music (singles and albums) around the world.

The move will take place this summer with international retailers onboard with record companies, artists, and music unions.

Benefits noted include reducing piracy and fan frustration due to the existing gaps that occur when projects are released in different countries on different days. Artists benefit from the uniform release date when promoting announcements on social media, which are broadcast globally. It also aims to re-ignite excitement and a sense of occasion around the release of new music.

Consumer research by TNS across seven markets showed Friday and Saturday as 68 percent more preferred for new music release among consumers who expressed an opinion.

Leading organizations include Music Business Association (Music Biz US), Mondadori Retail, the Orchard, Rdio, Spotify, Napster, Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA), E.Leclerc, El Corte Inglés, Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) (UK), HMV, Italian Association of Specialist Consumer Electronics Retailers (AIRES), Media-Saturn.

Industry reaction here.