Weekly Register: An Unstoppable Freight Train

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voicefinalist

The Voice finalists—Swon Brothers, Danielle Bradbery and Michelle Chamuel.


In a world of confusion and distrust, where events challenge beliefs daily and trust in institutions is often trampled by truth, it’s nice to be able to hear someone say the simple phrase, “Yeah, I told you so!”
So consider it said Weekly Register readers, because as predicted in this column and duly noted as early as May 8, Danielle Bradbery has won The Voice TV competition.
Here’s how www.zap2it.com’s Billy Nilles put it, “She was the unstoppable freight train of pluck and talent, wowing the coaches and fans from Day 1—and on June 18, 16-year-old Danielle Bradbery was named, at long last, the winner of Season 4 of The Voice, besting fellow finalists Michelle Chamuel and The Swon Brothers.”
Coach Blake Shelton’s star also continues to rise, in no small measure due to his weekly in-your-living-room-Voice exposure. MTV News asked him about all the country music on the show this year and he replied, “It’s been a perfect storm this year, a great country season.”
weeklygrid6-16-13Unlike most new label signees that arrive full of promise, but lite on tangible goods, Ms. Bradbery enters with a signing dowery that includes over 60k downloads of her performance “Who I Am” this week and a RTD total of weekly tracks that could easily top 500k. She is the latest artist to ink with the Big Machine.
OK, ‘nough said. Not that she needs any advice, but mine would be, “get a damn single out right away and figure out the rest of the plan later.”
And now on to the sales results…
Comparing The Grids
A quick look at the two grid charts tells you most everything you need to know. Country is doing better than the overall industry, but its Y/Y increase is shrinking— from 2.6% ahead last week to only 2% ahead this week. Digital albums are way ahead of last year, but that metric shows the album format split between digital and physical. The first number (2%) is total country album sales Y/Y. Tracks, however, seem to be a ray of sunshine for country fans who have taken a liking to the download derby, finally. All genre tracks are off Y/Y -2.6% compared with country that has surged ahead almost 10%. (Note the increase W/W of almost 4 million country tracks sold.)
weeklygrid6-9-13Albums
This week’s biggest country debut album news is the Now Country 6 compilation which grabbed No. 4 with over 23k units. Completing the Top 5 album list this week is: FGL (No. 1; 33k), Darius Rucker (No. 2; 33k), Blake Shelton (No. 3; 31k) and George Strait (No. 5; 19k).
Tracks
TV power is our theme today and it is reflected nicely on the Digital Genre Country tracks list. Voicers The Swon Brothers have three tracks on the list including a No. 4 (“Danny’s Song”; 73k) and No. 10 (“Turn The Page”; 47k). The aforementioned Ms. Bradbery has five songs on the list including No. 8 (“Who I Am”; 60k) and No. 11 (“Please Remember Me”; 47k). Filling out the Top 10 are: FGL/”Cruise” (No. 1; 205k); Blake Shelton “Boys Round Here” (No. 2; 136k); Darius Rucker “Wagon Wheel” (No. 3; 97k) and Tim McGraw/Taylor Swift “Highway Don’t Care” (No. 5; 66k). Luke Bryan “Crash My Party” (No. 6; 66k), Hayes Hunter “I Want Crazy” (No.7; 61k) and Randy Houser “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” (No.9; 52k) finish the Top 10.
One More Thought
Country music is having an incredible year across all kinds of mainstream media and yet this week’s Current Country 75 shifted only a disappointing 386k units total, up less than 20k from the previous week.
Clearly album sales are not effectively monetizing country’s surge in popularity. Tracks are a good business for a handful with enormous success, but all genre tracks have reached maturity which means country will soon follow.
If the bloom is off album and track sales that leaves streaming. Shouldn’t we pay more attention to this emerging business model and new ways to  structure its revenue streams?
Tune in next week….

DisClaimer: Newcomers, Come on down!

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DisCovery Winner Rob Baird

DisCovery Winner Rob Baird


This week, it’s newcomers, “Come on down!”
Making their debuts in the column are Stephanie Quayle, Sturgill Simpson, Rob Baird, Rian Greene and Madison McKenzie. Obviously, one of them is walking off with a DisCovery Award. But which one will it be?
It will be Rob Baird of Austin, Texas. He sings with dusty authenticity and has co-written an escapist road song that puts pedal to the metal.
The Disc of the Day award goes to Robin Meade & Blue Sky Riders. TV news anchor Meade has proved in the past that she has what it takes as a country singer. Her “Here For You” collaboration with the trio of Gary Burr, Kenny Loggins & Georgia Middleman is a match made in heaven.
CNN ON AIR TALENT

Disc of the Day goes to Robin Meade and Blue Sky Riders.


ROBIN MEADE & BLUE SKY RIDERS/Here for You
Writer: Erik Dylan/Robin Meade/Victoria Shaw; Producer: Victoria Shaw; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Songs of the Corn/Meade in America/Victoria Shaw/Do Write, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Meade in America (track) 
—Count on Me is the second country CD by popular HLN Morning Express TV host Meade. The collection leads off with this stirring, passionate ode to fidelity and emotional support. Meade’s sturdy alto delivery trembles with emotion and the interwoven vocal harmonies of the Blue Sky Riders send the track into the stratosphere. The collection includes seven songs co-written by the singer, as well as covers of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand By You” and Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.”
Blue Sky Riders

Blue Sky Riders


ROB BAIRD/Dreams and Gasoline
Writer: Rob Baird/Rick Brantley; Producer: Scott Davis & Kevin Szymanski; Publisher: Tiltawhirl/Carnival/Scrambler, BMI/ASCAP; Carnival (CDX)  
—I like the urgency and passion in his voice. The country-rock track rumbles along splendidly. His composition has the irresistible forward momentum and sky-high optimism of all great road songs. A thrilling performance.
RACHELE LYNAE/Fishin’ for Something
Writer: Rachele Lynae/Hannah Bethel; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: Rachele Lynae/Hamywyn, ASCAP/BMI; Momentum 
—Very cleverly written, featuring plenty of water, bait, fish and angling metaphors. The track rocks nicely with a punchy backbeat and cool banjo and dobro licks. The vocal performance has all the moxie you could ask for.
LIVEWIRE/Whiskey Sunday
Writer: Joe Romano/Jason Vanover; Producer: Justin Woods; Publisher: Carolina Basketball/Draw Four, ASCAP/BMI; Way Out West
—Heartache, performed with a lively tempo, vocal harmonies and a catchy tune. Highly listenable.
CLAYTON GARDNER/Something About You
Writer: Clayton Gardner/Mack Damon; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
—He has a burnished baritone voice with a “lived in” quality that is quite attractive. The song is a romantic country-rocker that invites you dance and sing along. Well done.
STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Stand Back
Writer: Stephanie Quayle/Mindy Ellis Campbell/Mark Carson; Producer: Dale Libby; Publisher: none listed; Rebel Engine (track)
—She sings well. Not that the song is a vocal showcase of any kind. It barely has a melody. Rock energy is no substitute for craftsmanship.
STURGILL SIMPSON/Life Ain’t Fair and the World Is Mean
Writer: Sturgill Simpson; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Pan Bowl. ASCAP; High Top Mountain (track)
—This singer-songwriter has a cool, retro style that is country, country, country. This opening track of his just-released CD borrows its rolling atmosphere from the outlaw sound of Waylon Jennings. Which is a good thing, indeed. Simpson has been opening shows for Dwight Yoakam and Junior Brown, and I’ll bet he’s darn good at it.
PHILLIP THOMAS/Summer Fun
Writer: none listed; Producer: Phillip Thomas & A.J. Vallejo; Publisher: none listed; Phillip Thomas  
—He certainly no powerhouse as a vocalist on this record. But his delivery of the lightweight, harmless ditty about being a teen at a beach party goes down easily.
RIAN GREENE/The Best I’ve Ever Had
Writer: Rian Greene; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Mountainwood, BMI; Post Oak (track) 
—This Nashville singer-songwriter has a hushed, intimate vocal style. The backing is spare, featuring jingle-jangle guitar and organ notes in a bopping, bubbling, mid-tempo arrangement.
MADISON McKENZIE/This Is My Life
Writer: Madison McKenzie; Producer: Bob Bullock; Publisher: Madi M, ASCAP; Madi M (track) 
—She has a youthful, confessional songwriting style that packs vivid details into every line. Vocally, she leans toward the breathy, pop end of the spectrum. Sonically, the ditty is airy and fluffy. Kid country.

Danielle Bradbery Wins 'The Voice'

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bradberyThe Voice has a new champion. During Tuesday night’s (June 18) finale, 16-year-old Danielle Bradbery (part of coach Blake Shelton‘s team) was crowned the winner of the fourth season of the vocal competition. “I’m so thankful,” said Bradbery, visibly emotional after her win. “I’m sorry, I’m speechless.”
The teenager has captivated fans and spurred digital track sales with her country covers on the show including “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days),” “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” “Maybe It Was Memphis.”
Bradbery beat Michelle Chamuel (Team Usher), who came in second, and The Swon Brothers (Team Blake), who took third place.
This marks the third consecutive The Voice victory for a member of coach Shelton’s team. During the finale, Bradbery performed “I Want Crazy” with Hunter Hayes. Before she was named the season’s winner, Bradbery brought out three Team Adam alumni — Amber Carrington, Caroline Glaser and Sarah Simmons — for an energetic performance of Carrie Underwood‘s “All-American Girl.”

Buddy Miller To Replace T Bone Burnett As 'Nashville' Executive Music Producer

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nashville-abcABC drama Nashville’s executive music producer T Bone Burnett will not return for the show’s second season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Buddy Miller, who worked alongside Burnett during season one, will take over Burnett’s role. Burnett is married to Nashville creator Callie Khouri, and also produced and co-produced songs featured on the show.
“T Bone’s schedule this year is so overwhelming with the Llweyn Davis movie coming out and several other producing projects that he has: Elton John’s record and so on,” Khouri told The Hollywood Reporter. “We’re going to do Nashville‘s second season with Buddy and some of the other producers that we worked with. T Bone set the gold standard for the show. His commitment to the quality of the music, the sound for the characters and all of that was something that we were very lucky to get him for.”
Burnett is currently working on music for the Coen brothers feature Inside Llewyn Davis. The cast includes Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake.

Snapshots: BMI's Road To Bonnaroo, Bergen White, Brad Paisley

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For the fourth year in a row, BMI presented three of Nashville’s best indie bands at Bonnaroo as part of the organization’s Road to Bonnaroo contest, co-sponsored by Nashville’s Mercy Lounge, the Nashville Scene, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Alanna Royale, Ranch Ghost, and Ri¢hie performed energetic sets at the New Music on Tap Lounge brewed by Miller Lite on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the four-day music festival.

BMI’s Mark Mason (back row, far right) grabs a quick photo with Road to Bonnaroo winner Ri¢hie at the 2013 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

BMI’s Mark Mason (back row, far right) with Road to Bonnaroo winner Ri¢hie at the 2013 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.


• • • •
On Saturday (6/15), the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored Bergen White in its quarterly series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. White provided horn and string arrangements featured on country, pop and R&B hits such as “Welcome to My World” (Eddy Arnold), “God Bless the USA” (Lee Greenwood), “The Chokin’ Kind” (Joe Simon), “Holes in the Floor of Heaven” (Steve Wariner) and “Polk Salad Annie” (Tony Joe White).
Pictured, left to right, Chip Young, Wayne Moss, Weldon Myrick, Pig Robbins, Jerry Kennedy, Bergen White, Fred Foster, Millie Kirkham, Reggie Young, David Briggs, Ray Stevens and program host Bill Lloyd (front). Photo: Donn Jones

Pictured (L-R): Chip Young, Wayne Moss, Weldon Myrick, Pig Robbins, Jerry Kennedy, Bergen White, Fred Foster, Millie Kirkham, Reggie Young, David Briggs, Ray Stevens and program host Bill Lloyd (front). Photo: Donn Jones


• • • •
Brad Paisley visited with University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban at his concert last Friday, June 14, in Tuscaloosa.
by Ben Enos 06-14-13Tuscaloosa AL-1-3

Photo by Ben Enos.

Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher List $2.2 Million Estate

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HomeCarrie Underwood and Mike Fisher have reportedly listed their 11-acre  five bedroom, five bathroom Canadian estate, built shortly after they were married in 2010.
With a gated entry, 1135 Spruce Ridge comes with a price tag of $2.2 million from Ottawa Real Estate Agent Paul Rushforth. The custom-built home is nestled among the forests of eastern Ontario and features a two-sided stone fireplace, home theater, gym, wine cellar, hot tub, triple car garage and four-season enclosed porch with its own fireplace.
Fisher was traded to the Nashville Predators hockey team in February 2011.
Earlier this year, Underwood sold her first home, located in Franklin, Tenn. for $372,500.
Living
Dining
MasterBath
Theatre
Exercize

Boots and Hearts Music Festival Launches Emerging Artist Showcase

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bootsandheartsRepublic Live, organizers of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival, has launched the Emerging Artist Showcase presented by SiriusXM Canada. The competition will allow any aspiring Canadian country artists, 12 years of age and older, to upload a video or audio performance for a chance to perform on the Main Stage at Boots and Hearts 2013 on Sunday, August 4.
The Emerging Artist Showcase will be taking place at Boots and Hearts Music Festival, Aug. 1 – 4, 2013, which takes place at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario.
The competition is now open and will run until June 27, 2013 at 8 a.m. EST, at which time the submissions will be narrowed down to select eight contestants. These eight finalists will perform for a panel of judges and fans at the side stage of the festival Saturday, August 3, and two finalists will be chosen to perform on the Main Stage to decide the final winner of the competition. The two finalists will open for Dierks Bentley on the Main Stage during the Boots and Hearts Music Festival. The winner will earn a single release with Big Machine Label Group Canada.
“We are so grateful to SiriusXM Canada for partnering with us on the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase this year,” said Shannon McNevan, Executive Director and Founder Republic Live. “It’s so important for us to not only support our local artists, but to actually find that next big country music star from Canada. Last year we had Tebey win the Emerging Artist Showcase and Tim Hicks came in second, we can see where their careers are going. To have a partner like Big Machine Label Group Canada, whose artists include Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, The Band Perry and so many more, a single release with them is huge for any artist.”
Full contest details are available at bootsandhearts.com/showcase.
 
 

Facebook To Unveil Video App for Instagram?

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facebookSocial media giant Facebook is set to hold a press event on Thursday (June 20) at its California headquarters to unveil a new product. According to TechCrunch, a source says that Facebook will reveal that the popular photo-sharing app Instagram will begin to allow people to take and share short videos.
If true, it seems that the launch would be a response to video apps, including Twitter’s Vine app, Viddy, Socialcam and others. Twitter’s Vine app allows users to take six-second video footage on iOS or Android handsets and share the clips on Vine’s network.
There is at least some evidence that the video app is indeed what Facebook is planning to unveil. In May, former Reuters social media editor Matthew Keys blogged that Facebook was internally testing a Vine-like video for Instagram. He reported that a user could upload between five and 10 seconds of video using the new app.
 
 
 

28 Entertainment Working on George Jones Biopic

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georgejones28 Entertainment has acquired the story rights to George Jones and his wife Nancy for a feature film project about the life and career of the iconic country singer. The project is written by Dennis L. Baxter and produced by Baxter and 28 Entertainment’s Jay Hoffman and Brian A. Hoffman.
Nancy Jones will Executive Produce and consult on the project. Baxter worked closely with Nancy and George on the story before George passed away on April 26th in Nashville at the age of 81.
“Over the years we have been approached to make George’s life into a feature film, but it was not until Dennis Baxter became involved that we were confident the story could be told accurately. George and I started working with Dennis six years ago in crafting the life-long story. Knowing George had input in this film and that it will be told the way he wanted it told, I feel we are in good hands to collaborate with 28 Entertainment as we move forward with production,” said Nancy Jones.
“George had hoped to see the movie before he passed and worked with me to make sure the story was complete,” said Baxter.
“George’s career is one of the most celebrated of country music legends, and we feel it is important to tell his story for fans and music lovers around the world. We are huge fans of George and his music and look forward to working closely with Nancy as we bring his life to the big screen,” said Hoffman.

Stars For Second Harvest Raises $100,000

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stars for second harvestThe 9th Annual “Stars For Second Harvest” benefit concert raised $100,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The June 4 concert at the Ryman Auditorium was headlined by Ronnie Dunn and Florida Georgia Line with a special appearance by Nelly, comedian Ralphie May and more. The event, combined with the live auction and several generous donations, helped to make this the most successful fundraising year.
Founder Craig Wiseman says, “When I got the numbers I couldn’t believe we finally did it! Since we started this show in 2005, it has been a goal of mine to get to $100,000 for Second Harvest. With help from all of the artists, and the continued help of O’Charleys, we finally reached that goal this year. Now I am raising that goal to $250,000!!”
In the last nine years, this event has raised $611,032 to feed hungry children, seniors, and families in Tennessee. Because each dollar provides four meals, the funds raised from the nine years of this benefit concert have provided Second Harvest with means to supply 2,444,128 meals.
This year’s benefit concert line-up included a songwriters round with Wiseman, Rhett Akins, Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton and a special performance from Dunn, who sang his iconic song “Believe.” Comedian May got the audience laughing before country duo Florida Georgia Line closed out the show, including an appearance from rapper Nelly.