YouTube, Viacom Settle Copyright Battle

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youtubeAfter seven years, Viacom and YouTube have settled a long-standing copyrights violation battle out of court, reports the New York Times. Though neither side has revealed terms of the settlement, it is reported that no money has exchanged hands.
The lawsuit was initiated two years after YouTube’s creation, when Viacom lodged a complaint that shows including SpongeBob SquarePants and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart were broadcast on YouTube without permission. Viacom sought $1 billion in damages in the complaint.
viacom1The agreement comes just before the two companies were to return to court and echoes the adapted landscape concerning allegations of copyright violations on the Web.
The joint statement by Viacom and Google included the comment, “This settlement reflects the growing collaborative dialogue between our two companies on important opportunities, and we look forward to working more closely together.”

Pandora Raises Rates

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pandora-logoLast week Pandora won a court battle that will keep its royalty payments lower than what most in the music industry consider a fair market rate. On the heels of this victory, Pandora announced yesterday (March 18) it is raising prices for its paid subscribers, citing increased royalty rates. On its official blog, Pandora posted, “the royalty rates Pandora pays to performers via SoundExchange for subscription listening have increased 53% in the last five years and will increase another 9% in 2015.”
This refers to a federal judge’s ruling on March 14 that Pandora will continue to pay the current 1.85 percent rate for licensing of songs in the ASCAP repertoire, for each of the years 2011 to 2015.
New subscribers to ad-free Pandora One will pay $4.99 per month starting in May. This is up from the $3.99 rate paid by existing monthly subscribers, who will not experience a price hike at this time. The annual subscription option will no longer be available, and existing annual subscribers will be moved to the $3.99 per month plan.
Pandora has 3.3 million paid subscribers and more than 250 million registered users total. The company has also experienced recent changes among its top executives.

Ryman Auditorium Welcomes 'Opry Country Classics'

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Pictured (L-R): Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan

Pictured (L-R): Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan


The Ryman Auditorium will welcome the sixth year of Opry Country Classics from March 27-May 22. Larry Gatlin will return as host for the nine-show run.
Each show will include songs from Gatlin, several special guests, as well as a Spotlight Artist sharing their greatest hits. Spotlight Artists include Marty Stuart (March 27), Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis (April 3), Charlie Daniels Band (April 10), Oak Ridge Boys (April 17) and Craig Morgan (May 22).
For more information, visit opry.com.

UMPG, Songwriters Hall of Fame Team For Song Competition

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umpglogoUniversal Music Publishing Group has teamed with the Songwriters Hall of Fame for the inaugural Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) Song Competition. The competition is scheduled to launch Monday, March 24, 2014, SHOF Chairman Jimmy Webb and Universal Music Publishing Group President, North America Evan Lamberg announced today (March 18).
The competition is sponsored by the SHOF and UMPG, along with exclusive contest partners Sonicbids and Epiphone. All contest entries will go through the Sonicbids website at sonicbids.com/songhall. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and Universal Music Publishing Group will be co-marketing the effort.
The Competition is open to all amateur and professional songwriters and to SHOF members and non-members alike, with a discount available to SHOF members. Entries will be screened by a listening committee who will select the finalists. Songwriters will be evaluated by a panel of industry professionals including legendary songwriters, producers and publishers. Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, originality and lyrics.
The overall Grand Prize winner will be given the opportunity to enter into an exclusive Universal Music Publishing Group contract, will receive an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE guitar, two tickets to the 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame Annual Induction and Awards Gala, and recognition from the stage.
Four Second Place Winners will receive an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE guitar, two spectator tickets to the 2015 Annual Induction and Awards Gala and a one-hour creative and career mentoring session with a legendary songwriter who has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

IFPI Releases 2013 Digital Music Report

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ifpi graph 2013Released today (March 18), the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) Digital Music Report shows overall digital revenues grew 4.3 percent in 2013.

Despite positive trends in most markets, particularly Europe, overall global music trade revenues fell 3.9 percent to $15.0 billion last year. The result was heavily influenced by a 16.7 percent fall in Japan, which accounts for more than a fifth of global revenues.
Subscription services
The digital market has continued to diversify with revenues from subscription services, such as Deezer and Spotify, growing by 51.3 percent, passing the $1 billion mark for the first time. Global revenues from subscription and ad-supported streams now account for 27 percent of digital revenues, up from 14 percent in 2011. It is estimated that more than 28 million people worldwide pay for a music subscription, up from 20 million in 2012 and eight million in 2010.
Digital downloads remain a key revenue stream, accounting for a substantial two-thirds of digital revenues (67 percent).
Physical sales account for more than half (51.4 percent) of all global revenues.
Performance rights income to record companies crossed the $1 billion threshold for the first time in 2013 to hit $1.1 billion, accounting for 7.4 percent of total record industry revenue.
Hunter Hayes—On page 27, the report also examines Warner Music Nashville’s YouTube marketing campaign for the Hunter Hayes/Jason Mraz song “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me.” Jeremy Holley, Sr. VP, consumer and interactive marketing, Warner Music Nashville, explains, “There is a misconception that Country music fans are not digitally savvy, but that’s just not true.”
See the full report.

Hayes To Headline ACM Week Kick Off Party

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Hunter Hayes


Hunter Hayes will headline the ACM Week Kick Off Party with 95.5 The Bull on Thursday, April 3 at Las Vegas’ The LINQ. The party will also feature performances by David Nail, Cole Swindell and Sasha McVeigh.
The event, which is free and open to the public, precedes the 2nd Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival, headlined by Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 at The LINQ.
Both events are part of The Week Vegas Goes Country in honor of the 49th Academy of Country Music Awards, which airs on Sunday, April 6 at 8 p.m. live ET on CBS.
For more information, visit acmcountry.com.

Industry Pics (3/18/14)

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BMI took part in SXSW recently, holding its Howdy Texas fete at Stubb’s BBQ. The event featured Country songstress Suzy Bogguss, Tony Joe White, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones. Bogguss performed songs from her recent release Lucky, including covers of Merle Haggard‘s “Silver Wings” and “Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down.”

BMI’s Mark Mason (l) and Bradley Collins (r) flank singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss at BMI’s Howdy Texas party at Stubb's BBQ during SXSW on March 11, 2014, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring.

BMI’s Mark Mason (l) and Bradley Collins (r) flank singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss at BMI’s Howdy Texas party at Stubb’s BBQ during SXSW on March 11, 2014, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring.


Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Penny Everhard and Mark Mason pause for a photo with artist Tony Joe White (seated) at BMI’s Howdy Texas party at Stubb's BBQ during SXSW on March 11, 2014, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Penny Everhard and Mark Mason pause for a photo with artist Tony Joe White (seated) at BMI’s Howdy Texas party at Stubb’s BBQ during SXSW on March 11, 2014, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring.

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Reunion Records band Tenth Avenue North recently commemorated 1 million records sold during its career. During Sunday’s (March 16) Winter Jam concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, unsuspecting fan Cody Miller purchased the group’s 1 millionth record. The band surprised Miller with signs, backstage dancing and even a drum line.

“One million records is an unbelievable milestone for us,” says Tenth Avenue North. “We never would have thought it possible when we started playing together in college 14 years ago. What’s even more incredible is to think of all the people and stories that number represents. We are blown away and grateful for all the people who have connected with this music we have been given the privilege to create.”

Pictured (L-R): Jason Jamison, Mike Donehey, Tenth Avenue North; Cody Miller (fan); Brendon Shirley, Ruben Juarez, Jeff Owen, Tenth Avenue North

Pictured (L-R): Jason Jamison and Mike Donehey (Tenth Avenue North); Cody Miller (fan); Brendon Shirley, Ruben Juarez and Jeff Owen (Tenth Avenue North).


 

[Updated]: Lifenotes: Gospel Exec. Norman Holland

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norman holland[Update]: The Memorial Celebration of the life of Norman Holland will take place on Monday, April 14, 2014, from 1 pm to 3 pm, at Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Boulevard, Brentwood, TN 37211. The beloved Southern Gospel music executive passed away last week.
[Original article, published March 12, 2014]:
Southern Gospel music executive Norman Holland passed away on Monday, March 10, 2014, due to heart failure.
Norman began his 35-year Gospel music career in radio promotions at the Benson Company in 1980, and through the years became a catalyst in the careers of such artists as the Cathedral Quartet, the Speer Family, the Kingsmen Quartet, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, Gold City, Jeff and Sheri Easter, and Greater Vision. Later, Holland headed the A&R department for Chapel Records (now Spring Hill) where he worked on the Gaither Homecoming Series and helped launch the careers of Brian Free and Assurance and the Martins.
For the past 16 years, Holland served artists as Vice President of A&R at Daywind Records, guiding the careers of Greater Vision, the Perrys, Legacy Five, the Booth Brothers, Brian Free and Assurance, the Nelons, Karen Peck and New River, the Mark Trammell Quartet, Mark Lowry, Sisters, Barbara Fairchild, and many more. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Southern Gospel Music Guild in 2012.
Services will be at Sorrell’s Funeral Home, 2744 W Magnolia Ave, Geneva, Alabama, 36340. Visitation will be 1 – 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2014, followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norman Holland Memorial Fund c/o Norman’s sister, Edith Brown, 1209 Glenwood St., Dothan, Alabama, 36301. The balance of the fund after funeral expenses will be donated to the Gospel Music Trust Fund.
A memorial service will be held in Nashville within the next month.

John Rich Launches Lifestyle Brand Redneck Riviera

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john rich2

John Rich


John Rich has launched the lifestyle brand Redneck Riviera. Rich made the announcement during a press conference at Spinnaker in Panama City Beach, Fla., along with Doug Allen of FunTees, and Sparky Sparkman, owner of Spinnaker.
The merchandise line includes tank tops, shirts and headgear for men and women, as well as accessories including koozies, drinkware, license plates and decals. A line of youth merchandise should be made available online soon.
Rich serves as the brand ambassador and is involved in decisions regarding design, marketing, promotion and retail/licensing partners. Delta Apparel, Inc. and To The Game serve as the merchandising arm, while Earthbound handles brand management and licensing.
“After seeing so many people enjoying the laid-back, carefree beach lifestyle of the ‘Redneck Riviera,’ I realized it is not just a place,” said Rich during the press conference. “It’s a state of mind that can be found coast to coast and every land-locked town in between. My main goal is to make sure this product lives up to the lifestyle,” he continued.
For more information, visit redneckriviera.com.

CRS Accepting Agenda Committee Applicants for 2015

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crs 20151Radio and music industry professionals interested in joining Country Radio Seminar‘s 2015 Agenda Committee may submit applications at countryradioseminar.com. Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 4.
Applicants must be available to attend agenda meetings in Nashville from June 18-20, 2014, and should attend panels and meetings at CRS 2015, which will be held Feb. 26-28, 2015.
The agenda committee plans events for the upcoming year’s Country Radio Seminar. Agenda committee inquiries can be directed to Sheree Latham at 615-327-4487 or sheree@crb.org.