Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest Scores Big Ratings

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Taylor Swift on New Years Rockin Eve.

Taylor Swift on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.


Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2013, which included performances by a mix of country and pop hitmakers, scored its best ratings since 2000.
Partying in New York’s Times Square were Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, Neon Trees and Psy. The West Coast countdown welcomed Jason Aldean, Justin Bieber, Greyson Chance, Ellie Goulding, The Wanted, Brandy, Flo Rida, Karmin, One Republic, Pitbull and host Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.
According to Zap2It.com, the ABC show was No. 1 with adults 18-49 and with total viewers. It garnered a 4.1 rating for adults 18-49, it’s biggest in 12 years. It averaged 13.26 million viewers.
On NBC, New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly lagged with about 3.8 million viewers.
Jason Aldean on New Year's Eve

Jason Aldean on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Mark Your Calendar–January 2013

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RHAlbum Releases

January 7
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out/Timeless Hits From the Past Bluegrassed/Cracker Barrel
January 8
The Living Sisters/Run for Cover/Vanguard Records
Jesse and Noah Bellamy/Driven Back
January 15
Katie Armiger/Fall Into Me/Cold River Records
Jeff Black/B-Sides and Confessions, Volume Two
January 22
Darius Rucker/True Believers/Capitol
Randy Houser/How Country Feels/Stoney Creek Records
Gary Allan/Set You Free/MCA
Various/2013 Grammy Nominees/Capitol
Kris Kristofferson/Feeling Mortal [digital]
Overmountain Men/The Next Best Thing/Ramseur Records
January 23
Buck Owens/Honky Tonk Man/Omnivore Recordings
Don Rich/Don Rich Sings George Jones/Omnivore Recordings
January 29
The Mavericks/In Time/Valory
Kris Kristofferson/Feeling Mortal
Blue Sky Riders/Finally Home

ECSingle Releases

January 7
Darius Rucker/Wagon Wheel/Capitol
January 14
Easton Corbin/All Over The Road/Mercury
Miranda Lambert/Mama’s Broken Heart/RCA
Charlie Worsham/Could It Be/Warner Bros.-W.A.R.
January 17
Stephanie Grace/Would U Be Mine
January 21
Lonestar/Maybe Someday/Tenacity
Chris Janson/Better I Don’t/Bigger Picture
Train feat. Ashley Monroe/Bruises/Crush-Columbia-9 North
January 24
John Karl/That’s What I Believe
Andy Griggs/Don’t Let Go

MIDEMIndustry Events

January 13
The Golden Globes air on NBC
January 14
Panel discussion “YouTube: More Money From Your Music” from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at BMI’s Nashville offices
January 26-29
MIDEM’s Direct2Fan Camp in Cannes

Industry Ink (1/2/2013)

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Zmusicpublishing logoTerry and Wanda Seay recently announced the formation of ZMusic Publishing. Diane Untz has signed on with the company as a managing partner and creative director, while Frankie Lackey will serve as a managing partner and publishing director.
The company will focus on songwriter mentoring and development, song evaluations and new artist management. ZMusic Publishing will offer songwriters single song contracts and standard publishing contracts. Terry Seay can be reached at here. For more information, visit zmusicpublishing.com.

 • • •

AIMP111The Association of Independent Music Publishers will host the panel “YouTube: More Money From Your Music” on Monday (Jan. 14) from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at BMI’s Nashville offices. The panel will focus on how publishing companies can harness YouTube to increase awareness and revenue.
The panel will feature moderator David Crow, a partner with Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley PLC. Panelists will include RightsFlow co-founder Patrick Sullivan, also a Strategic Partner Development Manager with Google (RightsFlow was acquired by Google) and Scott Shellwood, a Strategic Partner Development Manager with YouTube. The reservation cutoff is Thursday (Jan. 10). For more information, visit aimp.org.

• • •

LegacyChris Hollo, official photographer for the Grand Ole Opry, will launch the monthly web series LEGACY on Thursday (Jan. 3) via Facebook. The series focuses on a young woman who realizes she is part of an ancient plan to create a superior race of humans capable of surviving a global catastrophe.
At the end of each episode, Hollo gives viewers the ability to interact and choose which direction the next episode will take. For more information on the series, visit https://www.facebook.com/LegacyTheWebSeries.
 
 
 
 
 

Performers for MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute Announced

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BSPerformers have been announced for the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute, honoring Bruce Springsteen. Performers will include Kenny Chesney, Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Natalie Maines.
Jon Stewart will host the sold-out event on Feb. 8. in Los Angeles. Additional performances during the evening include Alabama Shakes, Ben Harper, Jim James, Juanes, John Legend, Tom Morello, Mumford & Sons, Patti Smith, Mavis Staples, Eddie Vedder and past honorees Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Elton John and Sting. Rob Mathes will be the evening’s musical director.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual gala begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and auction, followed by a gala dinner and concert to support the year-round efforts of MusiCares, which ensures members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.
Grammy Week culminates with the 55th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, which will broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Dwight Yoakam on Leno Tonight

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Photo Credit: Margaret Malandruccolo

Photo Credit: Margaret Malandruccolo


Dwight Yoakam launches into 2013 with a performance in support of his latest album, 3 Pears (Warner Bros.), on Wednesday, (Jan. 2) on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Yoakam will also promote his single “A Heart Like Mine.” 3 Pears appeared on best-of-2012 lists compiled by Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, the Village Voice and NPR.
With an eight-week run, 3 Pears spent more weeks at No. 1 on the Americana album chart than any other release in 2012. It is Yoakam’s 26th studio album.
 

Azoff Departs Live Nation

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Irving Azoff

Irving Azoff


Irving Azoff has exited his post as Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment and CEO of its Front Line Management Group.
According to The New York Times, exiting with Azoff will be his longtime management clients including the Eagles, Christina Aguilera, Van Halen and Steely Dan.
In conjunction with his departure, Liberty Media Corporation has purchased 1.7 million shares of Live Nation stock from Azoff, increasing its stake to 26.4%.
Liberty Media also owns cable company Starz, where Azoff is reportedly joining the board of directors. Additionally, Liberty has a major stake in Sirius XM.
Azoff is also on the board of Clear Channel Communications, and media and entertainment company IMG.
Michael Rapino will continue as President and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment.
Live Nation purchased Front Line in 2011, at which point Azoff became chairman of Live Nation.
“After successfully overseeing the integration of Live Nation and Ticketmaster over the past two years, my job here is done,” said Azoff in a statement. “We put together the leading company across concert promotion, ticketing, sponsorship and artist management and delivered the great results promised by the merger. I especially enjoyed my time with my partner Michael Rapino, and he has demonstrated the ability to lead this company from now on. I’m looking forward to returning to the entrepreneurial world and continuing to work with all my friends and colleagues at Live Nation.”
“Irving has been a valuable partner and friend for the past few years,” added Rapino. “We will certainly miss him and we thank him for his many contributions in building Live Nation to the global company it is today.”

Country Instrumental Great Mike Auldridge Passes

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Photo Credit: Matt McClain/The Washington Post

Photo Credit: Matt McClain/The Washington Post

Dobro master Mike Auldridge, famed for his work in The Seldom Scene and Chesapeake, has died at age 73.

A role model for such Nashville resophonic guitarists as Rob Ickes and Jerry Douglas, Auldridge passed away near his home in Maryland on Saturday, Dec. 29, following a long battle with cancer. The instrumentalist was a key participant on the Grammy Award winning 1994 album The Dobro Sessions, which was co-produced by Douglas.

Noted for his poetic, fluid touch on the Dobro, Auldridge was a 2012 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow. The ceremony, staged in October, marked his final performance.

His band, The Seldom Scene, brought a modern tone to bluegrass music and incorporated the songs of Bob Dylan, John Prine and other contemporary composers into the style. He also released a series of acclaimed solo albums.

Mike Auldridge can be heard as a sideman on records by Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Linda Ronstadt and Lyle Lovett. But he never pursued a Nashville career as a studio instrumentalist.

His final album will be released next year. It will be a trio collection with his admirers Douglas and Ickes.

Martina McBride Wraps Christmas Tour

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Martina McBride on stage at the Chicago Theatre. Photo: RKN Photo

Martina McBride on stage at the Chicago Theatre. Photo: RKN Photo

Country Artist Martina McBride‘s 2012 16-city The Joy of Christmas Tour ended with a sold-out crowd at the Chicago Theatre last week. Martina and her 12-piece band brought their love of the holidays to theaters and other intimate venues across the country.

At each stop, an athlete, popular radio personality or local celebrity read The Grinch Who Stole Christmas while Martina sang, “You’re A Mean One, Mr Grinch.” Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was the perfect Grinch on the final night of the tour. Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson, Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel, TV personality Storme Warren, hockey great Jim Dowd and others also shared the stage with the Grammy winner during the tour.

Martina McBride is presented with a plaque depicting a photo of her sold-out concert at the Chicago Theatre. Pictured with McBride (c.) are (l. to r.) Brandon Gill, Morris Artists Management; Don Kronberg, President of NiteLite Promotions; Mike Betterton, Morris Artists Management; Rod Essig, CAA. Photo: RKN Photo

Martina McBride is presented with a plaque depicting a photo of her sold-out concert at the Chicago Theatre. Pictured with McBride (c.) are (l. to r.) Brandon Gill, Morris Artists Management; Don Kronberg, President of NiteLite Promotions; Mike Betterton, Morris Artists Management; Rod Essig, CAA. Photo: RKN Photo

“I had so much fun this year bringing back The Joy Of Christmas,” said Martina. “I felt like I was spreading the Christmas spirit to so many people! We are already booking dates for next year and I can’t wait to do it all again!”

Young ballerinas from local studios and schools danced at each concert. A large video screen behind the stage depicted wintery street scenes, busy shoppers, snowy mountains and a home video of the McBride’s on Christmas morning.

Don Kronberg, President of NiteLite Promotions, summed up the tour: “The most powerful voice in Country Music wraps up the biggest Christmas tour on the road with an exclamation! Congrats Martina!”

Chicago Bears' Brian Urlacher on stage with Martina McBride at the Chicago Theatre. Photo: RKN Photo

Chicago Bears’ Brian Urlacher on stage with Martina McBride at the Chicago Theatre.
Photo: RKN Photo

Kelly Clarkson Spreads Holiday Cheer

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kellyclarksonRecording artist Kelly Clarkson stopped by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt last week to sing and celebrate the season with patients, staff and families through Musicians On Call (MOC) Nashville.

Clarkson visited with the children and performed an acoustic set in the Children’s Hospital Theatre. The songstress led the packed room in a sing-along of her favorite holiday carols including “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” “White Christmas,” and “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Clarkson encouraged singing and dancing, and the children were happy to oblige. Following the show, the kind-hearted entertainer generously offered to visit the rooms of patients unable to attend.

Steven Webber, Chair of Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, presents Kelly Clarkson and her band special thank-you gifts made by patients. Photo: Joe Howell

Steven Webber, Chair of Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, presents Kelly Clarkson and her band special thank-you gifts made by patients. Photo: Joe Howell

“This is such a special time of year and I’m so happy to be able to share it with all of these great kids. I’m probably having just as much, if not more, fun than they are,” said Clarkson. “I heard about Musicians On Call from a friend of mine and I thought this would be the perfect way to get involved with a hospital music program here in Nashville. I love playing for the kiddos!!”

MOC Nashville is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and since its inception, the Music City branch has grown to provide 11 weekly bedside performance programs throughout six area healthcare facilities and has played for over 60,000 patients. Other artists that have participated in the programs include Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Martina McBride, Jerrod Niemann, Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, and others.

For more information on MOC, click here.

(L-R): MOC Nashville volunteer Shane Tarleton, MOC Board of Directors Chairperson Scott Welch, Kelly Clarkson, MOC Director of National Expansion and Nashville Program Director Katy Brown Epley, MOC Manager of Volunteers and Programming Dana Brim.Photo: Glenn Sweitzer

(L-R): MOC Nashville volunteer Shane Tarleton, MOC Board of Directors Chairperson Scott Welch, Kelly Clarkson, MOC Director of National Expansion and Nashville Program Director Katy Brown Epley, MOC Manager of Volunteers and Programming Dana Brim.
Photo: Glenn Sweitzer

Rewind: 2012 MusicRow Events

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MusicRow looks back on its 2012 events including the MusicRow Chart Annual Airplay Awards during CRS, the inaugural Rising Women On The Row breakfast and the reader-voted MusicRow Awards.

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The 10th Annual MusicRow Chart Awards were presented during the unofficial kick-off event to CRS in February. This year’s 2012 Awards honored Brad Paisley, Thompson Square, Eric Lee Beddingfield, Capitol Records Nashville and Jim Quinton, Program Director for WPPL/Blue Ridge, Ga. The event featured performances by JT Hodges, The McClymonts and Marlee Scott, with a special appearance from Joanna Smith.

(L-R): Jon Freeman, Gary Overton, Brad Paisley, Sherod Robertson, and Lesly Tyson

(L-R): Jon Freeman, Steve Hodges, Shane Allen, John Trapane, Diane Lockner, Brent Jones, Sherod Robertson. Photo: Isabel Ross.

Thompson Square

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MusicRow’s inaugural Rising Women On The Row event honored five women from different segments of Nashville’s music industry during a sold-out breakfast last March. The honors were created to recognize women who are quickly becoming visionary leaders in Nashville’s music industry through their dedication, innovation and contributions. The 2012 honorees were The Greenroom’s Mary Hilliard Harrington, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Loeb & Loeb’s Denise Stevens, Sony Music Nashville’s Heather McBee and Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace. Journalist and women’s advocate Kay West served as guest speaker.

(L-R): Sarah Skates, Shannan Hatch, Sherod Robertson, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Heather McBee, and Denise Stevens. Not pictured: honoree Carla Wallace.

(L-R): Sherod Robertson, Kay West, David Ross

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The 24th annual MusicRow Awards were presented in front of a packed house at BMI in June. The event honored recipients of our reader-voted awards including Eli Young Band (Breakthrough Artist); Johnny Bulford and Phil Barton (Breakthrough Songwriter); Matraca Berg and Deana Carter with publishers UMPG and Warner/Chappell (Song of the Year for “You and Tequila”) and Frank Liddell (Producer of the Year). Additionally, Top Ten Album All-Star Musicians were recognized for appearing on the most album credits during the year.

Eli Young Band’s Mike Eli and Jon Jones.

MusicRow Awards Attendees fill BMI Nashville’s Lobby. Photo: Isabel Ross

(L-R): Sherod Robertson, Warner/Chappell’s Alicia Pruitt, Matraca Berg, publisher Pat Higdon, UMPG’s Kent Earls and Cyndi Forman.