Weekly Register: Florida Georgia Line Returns To No.1

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florida georgia line press photo

Florida Georgia Line


Two weeks into the new year, we’re off to a slow start with overall album sales down 21 percent from last week and Country album sales down 25 percent week over week.
Florida Georgia Line’s Here’s To The Good Times (Republic Nashville) returns as the top Country album (No. 20 overall), selling 16k units this week and 1.5 million units RTD. The duo’s hit “Round Here” recently ranked No. 10 on The Marco Club Connection’s list of 2013’s Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits. The Top overall album remains Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists, selling another 54k units this week (361k RTD).
YTD, overall album sales are down 15.1 percent, while Country album sales are down 24.3 percent. This week’s albums had trouble competing with last year’s releases, including Chris Tomlin’s debut album and Taylor Swift’s RED, which sat at No. 1 and sold 49k units around the same time last year.
albums (1)tracksLuke Bryan’s “Drink A Beer” endures as the top Country track (No. 27 overall), selling 57k units this week and 542k units RTD. Lucy Hale’s “You Sound Good To Me” is the top overall (No. 42) and the top Country (No. 4) debut this week, selling 41k units. The Pretty Little Liars star won Favorite Cable TV Actress at last week’s People’s Choice Awards 2014.
Another noteworthy Country debut is Eric Church’s “Give Me Back My Hometown,” which lands at No. 12 on the Country chart (No. 62 overall), selling 28k units this week. Meanwhile, Katy Perry and Juicy’s “Dark Horse” is the top overall track, selling 243k units this week (1.7 million RTD). YTD, overall track sales are down 11.3 percent, while Country track sales are down 18.2 percent.
Next week’s sales numbers will include Jennifer Nettles’ That Girl, Jon Pardi’s Write You A Song, Rosanne Cash’s The River & The Thread, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Songs From The Movie and Charlie Farley’s Hog Heaven. 

Country on TV

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Country musicians will make cameos on several network television programs in the coming weeks, including stints on ABC’s Nashville and The Bachelor, Fox’s Bones and more. Keith Urban will also return to Fox’s American Idol alongside fellow judges Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. during tonight’s (Jan. 15) premiere of the long-running talent competition’s 13th season.

billy currington

Billy Currington


Mercury Nashville artist Billy Currington will be featured in a one-on-one date on an upcoming episode of ABC’s The Bachelor, slated for Monday, Jan. 20.
The episode will feature one lucky Bachelorette taking a “leap of faith” from a Pasadena City Landmark, and a surprise serenade from Currington of his hit singles “Hey Girl” and “We Are Tonight” with the newest bachelor, Juan Pablo Galavis. The episode will air at 7 p.m.

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Charlie Worsham


Warner Bros. artist Charlie Worsham will appear on Fox’s Bones, portraying a Country singer who gets murdered. The episode airs Friday, Jan. 17 beginning at 7 p.m. CT.
The episode will be directed by David Boreanaz.

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nashville-abcKelly Clarkson and Brad Paisley are set to appear on ABC’s Nashville. Clarkson will make a cameo on tonight’s (Jan. 15) episode, while Paisley will appear on the series’ Jan. 29 episode “It’s All Wrong But It’s All Right.” Paisley appears as himself in the episode, and inducts Hayden Pannettiere‘s character Juliette Barnes into the Grand Ole Opry.

Bridgestone Arena One of Busiest In US

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bridgestone arenaBridgestone Arena ranked sixth in U.S. ticket sales in 2013, according to new data from Pollstar. This is the third time in the last four years that the venue has received the distinction of being one of the busiest in the United States.
It is also nominated for Arena of the Year for the seventh consecutive time at the Feb. 21 Pollstar Awards, which will be presented during the Pollstar Live conference in Nashville. David Kells, Bridgestone Arena VP of Booking, is nominated for Facility Executive of the Year for the second straight year.
“Thanks to the outstanding support of Bridgestone Arena patrons, staff, performers, promoters and the city of Nashville, the arena has become one of the premier stops on US tours,” said Kells. “We take pride in keeping this building at the forefront of the industry, and look forward to 2014 as we continue to build Bridgestone Arena’s reputation of truly being one of the best in the business.”
Bridgestone Arena sold 448,148 tickets during 2013, a year that was highlighted by the CMA Awards, We’re All for the Hall, and shows from Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift (three shows), Luke Bryan (two shows), One Direction, Beyonce, and Justin Timberlake, and the arena’s primary tenant, the Nashville Predators.
It will host the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2014, as well as twelve upcoming consecutive SEC Basketball Championships, including men’s (2015-2017, 2019-2021, 2023-2025) and women’s (2018, 2022, 2026).
“Bridgestone has become an essential part of our city’s tourist and entertainment district, and a lot of credit for the energy we see around our downtown goes to the arena,” added Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
Topping arena ticket sales in the United States for 2013 were:
1. Barclays Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
2. Staples Center (Los Angeles)
3. Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)
4. Philips Arena (Atlanta)
5. Verizon Center (Washington, D.C.)
6. Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, Tenn.)
7. Madison Square Garden (New York)
8. Sprint Center (Kansas City, Mo.)
9. The Palace of Auburn Hills (Auburn Hills, Mich.)
10. American Airlines Arena (Miami)

Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits of 2013

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Marco Club ConnectionBlake Shelton‘s “Boys Round Here” and Chris Young‘s “Aw Naw” topped the list of Country dance favorites in 2013, according to the Marco Club Connection’s 10th annual ranking of Country dance club songs.
The Nashville-based company surveys a panel of nearly 250 club owners, DJs and dance instructors from across the country to compile its rankings each December. Overall votes by the panel determine each song’s placement on the list.
The results of the 2013 Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits are:
1. Boys Round Here – Blake Shelton
2. Aw Naw – Chris Young
3. Two Step – Laura Bell Bundy
4. That’s My Kind Of Night – Luke Bryan
5. Booze Cruise – Blackjack Billy
6. Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
7. Don’t Ya – Brett Eldredge
8. Done – The Band Perry
9. Runnin’ Out of Moonlight – Randy Houser
10. Round Here – Florida Georgia Line
A complete archive of Marco Club Connection’s Top Ten Country Dance Club Hits can be viewed at marcoclubconnection.com.

Moran Promoted at Nine North/Turnpike Music

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nine north11Nine North/Turnpike Music Nashville president Larry Pareigis has announced the promotion of industry veteran Tom Moran, currently VP of Promotion, to Sr. VP, effective immediately.
“As a long-time confidant and superb strategist, I thought this was the perfect time to celebrate my decade of working with Tom (between Sony and Nine North/Turnpike Music), to recognize his achievements with this overdue new title reflecting his importance to this ongoing operation of our company,” Pareigis said.
Moran added, “I appreciate very much the confidence in me that Larry has expressed with this new title. We have some good things happening in this new year and I’m excited to get going!”
Moran joined Nine North Records in July 2008 as VP of Promotion/Marketing, after serving in that same capacity at Show Dog Records and Epic Records. He has also served in a consultant capacity to various Nashville labels. Prior to moving to Nashville in the 1990s, Moran worked in the pop and rock worlds at Warner Bros., Polydor and Columbia Records.
Moran can be reached at tom@ninenorthmail.com.

Underwood Named Top-Earning 'Idol' Alum

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Carrie Underwood


Carrie Underwood is American Idol‘s top-earning alum, according to Forbes. The Country singer-songwriter pulled in an estimated $31 million from June 2012 to June 2013. This is based on Underwood performing more than 100 shows (including dates on her The Blown Away Tour) over the course of the year, the release of her live concert DVD  and continued endorsement deals such as Olay.
Kelly Clarkson ranked second place for this year, bringing in approximately $7 million, including income from touring as well as her recent music releases. Clarkson offered Greatest Hits-Chapter One in 2012 and the Christmas project Wrapped in Red in 2013.
Scotty McCreery ranked at No. 6 on the list, raking in $3 million. His debut album, Clear As Day, sold more than 1 million copies and he opened for Brad Paisley before kicking off a solo tour in 2013.
Kellie Pickler tied for the No. 8 spot, bringing in $1.5 million. She made a sixth-place finish on American Idol’s fifth season, and returned to television to win Dancing With The Stars in 2013.
Earnings estimates were calculated using data from Pollstar, RIAA, Nielsen Soundscan, etc.

Artist Updates (1/14/14)

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Maggie Rose. Photo Credit: Gina Binkley

Maggie Rose. Photo Credit: Gina Binkley


APA Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Maggie Rose. Rose’s Cut To Impress CD was produced by James Stroud and Blake Chancey, and her new single, “Looking Back Now,” from RPM Entertainment will be released on Jan. 21.
“Maggie is an amazing young woman with a wealth of talent,” Sr. VP of APA Steve Hauser said. “Her songwriting is top-drawer and her live show is remarkable. We are thrilled to have her join our APA family.”

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BMI recently invited Austin-based singer-songwriter Brennen Leigh to the Nashville office to perform a set for Nashville’s industry tastemakers. Leigh has written songs for Country artists Lee Ann Womack, Sunny Sweeney and the Carper Family.

Pictured are (L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason, Noel McKay, Leigh, manager Tamara Saviano and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo credit: Drew Maynard

Pictured are (L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason, Noel McKay, Leigh, manager Tamara Saviano and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo credit: Drew Maynard

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Vince Gill and steel guitarist Paul Franklin performed the Buck Owens classic “Together Again” Thursday (Jan. 9) on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The song is from their album Bakersfield: Deluxe Edition, which will be available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and crackerbarrel.com beginning Jan. 27. The performance, as well as Gill’s interview with Leno, can be viewed online.

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - Season 22

Vince Gill and Paul Franklin perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBC

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kellie pickler

Kellie Pickler


Kellie Pickler will join forces with Nashville Ballet to perform at the organization’s annual fundraising event, Ballet Ball 2014. On Saturday, March 8, Pickler will sing two songs from her recently released project, The Woman I Am, providing a live soundtrack to original dance performances by Nashville Ballet company dancers, choreographed by Artistic Director and CEO Paul Vasterling.
Tickets for the main Ball are by invitation only; however, arts patrons can purchase tickets to the Ballet Ball’s Late Party, which features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a seat at the performance. Late Party tickets are $125 per person and will be available beginning Wednesday, Jan. 15. Tickets can be purchased at bblateparty.com
“I am so honored Nashville Ballet chose me to perform as part of their Ballet Ball this year,” Pickler said. “My passion is music, but last year I discovered how much I love to dance, so to have Nashville Ballet dance to two of my songs is really exciting for me. I cannot wait to see how they choreograph their dances for the Ball.”

Concerts To Benefit ACM Lifting Lives

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ACM-Lifting-LivesA string of benefit shows across the country will raise money for ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music.
Confirmed shows include:
Jan. 14— Coyote Joe’s, Charlotte, NC with Tyler Farr, Chris Stapleton and Josh Thompson
Jan. 24—Denim & Diamonds, Mesa, AZ with Randy Rogers Band and Wade Bowen
Feb. 1—Billy Bob’s, Fort Worth, TX with Thomas Rhett
Feb. 7—Dusty Armadillo, Rootstown, OH with Chase Rice (sold out)
Feb. 13—Denim & Diamonds, Wichita Falls, TX with Josh Abbott Band
Feb. 20—Rockin Rodeo, Midland, TX with Kyle Park
Feb. 22—Joe’s Bar, Chicago, IL with Josh Thompson
Tickets may be purchased directly from the venues listed. Participating clubs have agreed to donate a portion of each ticket sold to help fund organizations that are improving lives through the power of music.
As part of the initiative, fans will have the chance to win a trip to the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV via a Twitter contest. Fans who attend any of the ACM Lifting Lives benefit shows are invited take a photo of their ticket and tweet it tagging @ACMawards, using #ACMLiftingLivesBenefit. Click here for more information.

CMA Songwriters Series Heads To Sundance Film Festival

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New CMA Songwriters Series logoThe CMA Songwriters Series returns for its 10th season, with the first shows of 2014 being held at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 22 and 23.
The Sundance ASCAP Music Café’s CMA Songwriters Spotlight will feature special guests Brandy Clark, Brett James, Chris Stapleton, and Lee Ann Womack. Two feature performances will be presented, with both shows including Clark, James, Stapleton and Womack. Shows on Jan. 22 and 23 begin at 4 p.m. MT at the Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe.
“We are honored that the CMA Songwriters Spotlight will be a highlight of the Sundance ASCAP Music Café, an official part of the Sundance Film Festival calendar,” CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern said. “Nashville’s songwriters are among the most talented storytellers in the world and with the Sundance Film Festival being the world’s premier stage for storytellers, I cannot think of a more appropriate setting to launch the tenth year of this series.”
The CMA Songwriter Series has held more than 75 shows in 13 cities, including Austin, Belfast, Chicago, Dublin, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. CMA Triple Play Award winner, CMA Board member, and Songwriters Hall of Fame member Bob DiPiero has championed and hosted the series since its launch in 2005 at Joe’s Pub in New York City.
“CMA Songwriters Series has become the premier event to showcase the Nashville songwriting community,” DiPiero said. “We have reached a tipping point, in that fans are starting to understand the role of the songwriter in the success of their favorite artists. We are grateful to all of the artists that have performed on the series through the past 10 years, but it is the songwriter, the ‘invisible star,’ the storytellers and song makers that the CMA Songwriters Series celebrates. We have become musical ambassadors, spreading the hillbilly Gospel.”
On Feb. 11 and 12, the CMA Songwriters Series will return to Joe’s Pub in New York City. Additional shows in 2014 will tentatively include Austin, Chicago, Nashville, and New York with talent and show dates to be announced at a later time.

Luke Bryan Announces Stadium Dates for 2014

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Luke Bryan‘s 2014 touring schedule just got even bigger. Bryan announced stadium dates in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

On June 21, Bryan will play Heinz Field in Pittsburgh with special guest Dierks Bentley. On Aug. 15, Bryan will take the stage in Philadelphia with Cole Swindell and Lee Brice, as well as a yet-undetermined surprise artist. Later that month, Bryan will perform on Aug. 31 at Chicago’s Soldier Field with Bentley, Swindell and Brice.
“Cole is a dear friend of mine who sold T-shirts for me for three years and he always had artist aspirations. We’re so excited to have Cole out,” Bryan said during today’s (Jan. 14) tour announcement at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. “Lee Brice is somebody that I respect, and an incredible vocalist.”
Bryan was joined by Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell for the announcement that was also streamed online.
The star said the decision to make the leap to stadiums was a combination of prayers, gut instinct and paying attention to his fans. “Complacency for me is sad day,” he explained. “[This move] comes from an honest place. It will always be fan driven.” He discussed the importance of giving fans more than they expect at concerts and his desire to keep ticket prices accessible so that his concerts can be a family outing. Playing stadiums has been a lifelong dream for Bryan, who said he is proud to be following the lead of genre stalwarts including George Strait and Kenny Chesney.
The upcoming leg of Bryan’s That’s My Kind of Night 2014 Tour will also feature two-night performances in several cities, including Washington, D.C.; Raleigh, N.C; St. Louis; Cleveland; Cincinnati and Atlanta. The singer-songwriter’s 2014 touring season will end with a concert at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl. “It will be an amazing place to end the tour,” Bryan said. “It will be fun to be out in Los Angeles.”
He is also planning his sixth annual Farm Tour.
Bryan’s recent Dirt Road Diaries Tour sold 1.3 million tickets, and he is the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year.
For more information on concert dates, visit lukebryan.com and livenation.com.