‘The Voice’ Carries NBC To The Top

/by

Blake Shelton’s star is shining brighter than ever before, as proved by his Entertainer of the Year win at the November CMA Awards. His skyrocketing career has been attributed in part to his coaching gig on mega-hit show The Voice. Today, The New York Times delves into just how powerful the show is, explaining that it has almost single-handedly boosted NBC to first place.

The show airs twice weekly with episodes on Monday and Tuesday nights. It is also doing double duty this season, with the first run closing next week and another edition debuting next spring. According to the NYT:

NBC has managed that unexpected turnaround from worst to first this fall, largely — competitors suggest almost exclusively — on the strength of the addition of a single show: “The Voice.”

“We built our strategy around ‘The Voice,’ ” said Paul Telegdy, the president of reality and late-night programming for NBC. “We wanted to use Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to build momentum, and we’ve successfully done it.”

The network has boosted overall ratings and seen significant upward momentum for the programs which air after The Voice, such as new drama Revolution, and new comedy Go On.

The current edition of The Voice wraps Dec. 18 with a winter finale. A new edition starts in March with Shelton and Adam Levine returning to the coaches’ chairs alongside new coaches Shakira and Usher. Regular coaches Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green are taking a break during that run.

Artist Update (12/7/2012)

/by

Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum and husband Chris Tyrell are expecting their first child together. Scott made the announcement via Lady Antebellum’s Facebook page. “Chris & I are excited to announce that our Christmas gift has arrived a little early this year! We are having a BABY! We feel so blessed!!! – Hillary.” The couple married in January 2012 in an intimate New York ceremony.

 

 •••

Keith Urban teamed with fellow singer-songwriter Don Williams for the video “Imagine That,” from Williams’ album And So It Goes. The simplistic video features the two artists in their element, performing great music. Watch the video here. 

 •••

 

Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, Photo: David McClister

 

 

 

Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris have paired up for the collaborative album Old Yellow Moon, featuring four tracks penned by Crowell and eight cover tunes. Old Yellow Moon will release Feb. 26. A preview of the album’s track “Hanging Up My Heart” is available at Rollingstone.com.

Snapshots (12/7/12)

/by

Darius Rucker performed his latest tune, “True Believers,” on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on December 5. “True Believers” is the lead single and title track of Rucker’s 2013 release and third country album. Watch it HERE. Rucker also joins Natasha Bedingfield, Colbie Caillat, host Joel McHale, Gary Sinise and more at the 2012 American Giving Awards, airing Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Rucker will perform as part of the celebration honoring organizations around the country that are ‘true believers’ in their communities, five of which will be awarded $2 million in grants to continue their positive work and influence.

Darius Rucker Photo: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU

• • •

New Haven Records and RSI Music Group recording artist Gordon Mote was recently invited to perform at the artist induction ceremonies of both the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Academy of Country Music award winner recently performed when Aretha Franklin, Ricky Skaggs, Dallas Holm, The Hoppers, Love Song and Rex Humbard were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony recorded for broadcast at TBN’s Trinity Music City auditorium. Mote also performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, during which country superstar Garth Brooks, songstress Connie Smith, and blind session keyboardist Hargus “Pig” Robbins were inducted.

“It is a rare talent that finds favor in both the Gospel and Country music worlds. We are honored that Gordon Mote calls New Haven Records ‘home,’ and we are thrilled about the ever-broadening attention that Gordon’s music and ministry is receiving,” says Ken Harding, president of New Haven Records.

Left Photo: Gordon Mote (R) accompanies Crystal Gayle (L) paying homage to Pig Robbins' original keyboard performance on "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” at the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Photo: Peyton Hoge Right Photo: Gordon Mote (L) and Dallas Holm (R) perform during the induction of Dallas Holm into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame Photo: Jim Sulcer

 

Warner Music Nashville Promotes Two

/by

Warner Music Nashville has promoted Lisa Ray and Justin Luffman each to the position of Vice President, Brand Management. Both will report to Peter Strickland, VP of Brand Management and Sales.

Ray previously served as Senior Director, Marketing at WEA, while Luffman served as Director, Online Marketing at Warner Music Nashville. The position of Vice President, Brand Management was previously held by Kelli Haywood, who is leaving and will stay with the company through January to help facilitate a smooth transition.

“Kelli has been a vital and extraordinary part of the Warner family, and will be greatly missed,” said Strickland via a statement. “I am excited that WMN is simultaneously able to recognize internal talent and, as part of the brand management department’s ongoing development and growth, promote two internal candidates to Vice President. Justin and Lisa not only both bring their unique talents to the brand management department, but will also continue to build upon its reputation for innovation and success.”

“Warner Music Nashville has been my home for eight years, and my love for the artists and this staff is unparalleled—they are family,” said Haywood. “I am thankful to John Esposito and Peter Strickland for all they have done for me as I look forward to pursuing the next chapter of my career.”

Haywood joined WMN as a temp and has been with the company for eight years. Ray joined WEA in 2003, while Luffman joined the Digital and Interactive department of WMN in 2010.

MusicRow No. 1 Song

/by

Brad Paisley on location for "Southern Comfort Zone."

Brad Paisley has claimed this week’s MusicRow Chart No. 1 spot with his “Southern Comfort Zone.” Co-written by Paisley and his go-to writers Kelley Lovelace and Chris DuBois, the song is the first single from the singer’s ninth studio album, slated for release April 9.

Although the 11-week-old single is victorious on our radio chart, fans are waiting with bated breath for Paisley to reveal an official music video. All that waiting will end this Monday (12/10) with Paisley’s recently scheduled web chat and online video debut.

Until then, filming locations for the Jim Shea directed work remain purely speculation, but the latest photo from the shoot shows Paisley in front of the Eiffel tower. We’re hoping additional song lyrics foreshadow Paisley’s other filming destinations as: “…streets of Rome…the northern lights.”

One thing is certain, you don’t need a passport to enjoy the song.

Find more information on the upcoming video release here.

Lisa Matassa Video Earns 2 Million YouTube Views

/by

Lisa Matassa‘s recently released video for “Somebody’s Baby” is gaining a solid response from music fans. The video has already garnered over 2 million views on YouTube.

Matassa’s EP Somebody’s Baby was released Tuesday (Dec. 4) on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.

The enhanced disc, comprised of seven songs and a bonus music video, was produced by Tony Bruno (Rihanna, Enrique Iglesias) and recorded in Nashville and New York. Matassa wrote three tracks on the EP, including “Wouldn’t You Like to Know,” “Girl with a Rock ‘n Roll Heart“ and “Learning As You Grow.” Other writers include Bryan Adams, Kelly Archer, Dolly Parton and Don Rollins.

The clip for “Somebody’s Baby,” directed by Traci Goudie (Hunter Hayes, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin), is included on the enhanced EP.

Sony/ATV Tops Publisher Airplay Charts

/by

Sony/ATV dominated Billboard’s Publisher Airplay Charts for the third quarter, with 25.7 percent of U.S. radio airplay from July 1 to Sept. 30. It is the first time EMI Music Publishing’s catalog has counted toward the tally of new owner Sony/ATV, resulting in a significant lead over second place finisher Kobalt, which scored 17.5 percent of all-genre airplay. If Sony/ATV and EMI were not combined, Kobalt would have likely ranked No. 1 on the overall chart.

Sony/ATV also slid into first place on the Top 10 Country Publisher Airplay Chart with 23.4 percent market share. Following were Warner/Chappell with 11.7 percent, and Universal Music Publishing with 9.6 percent.

The indies who made the list are worth noting, including Words and Music (No. 4 with 7.7%), Big Loud Bucks (No. 6 with 4.2%), Cal IV (No. 7 with 3.5%), and Wrensong (No. 10 with 1.8%).

Other majors in the Country Top 10 were BMG Chrysalis (No. 5 with 5.9%), Kobalt (No. 8 with 2.5%) and ole (No. 9 with 1.9%).

The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. (HFA) prepares the charts from information in its comprehensive database, which determines a publisher’s share of a song. A publisher is defined as an administrator, copyright owner and/or controlling party. The charts are based upon airplay information provided by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems. For the Country charts, percentage calculations are based upon the overall top 100 detected songs from 221 U.S. Country radio stations. The chart is in Billboard’s Nov. 24 issue.

Lori Christian Promoted at UMG Nashville

/by

Lori Christian

UMG Nashville has promoted Lori Christian to Vice President, Media for the label. Christian will continue to report directly to Cindy Mabe, Senior Vice President, Marketing at UMG Nashville.

“I am thrilled to recognize Lori with this promotion to Vice President,” says Mabe. “She has brought a superior level of media expertise to the label and has proven herself as a leader within the company. She has great relationships within the industry and among the TV bookers and general media, as well as a strong sense of marketing to the big picture goal. I have long respected her creativity, genuine enthusiasm and passion for our music and artists.”

Christian was previously Senior Director, Media & Public Relations for Capitol Records Nashville. Prior to her work at Capitol, Lori was Director of Media for RCA Nashville, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

UMG Nashville’s artist roster includes Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Gary Allan, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker and many others.

 

 

Pinnacle Financial Partners Adds Senior VP

/by

Matt Little

Matt Little has joined Pinnacle Financial Partners as a senior vice president and financial advisor. He has 17 years of experience at Regions Bank and the former First American, where he most recently worked at the Regions/Morgan Keegan Private Banking Division on Music Row.

Little holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Lipscomb University. He is a member of the Country Music Association, Nashville Songwriters Association International and the National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences.

 

Artist Updates (12/7/2012)

/by

Jennifer Nettles

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland and husband Justin Miller welcomed their first child, son Magnus Hamilton Miller on Thursday (12/6). “We are so thankful for all the prayers and support and are excited to take some time together as a new family,” they said via a release.

 •••

Randy Travis

Randy Travis will be among the performers at the upcoming American Giving Awards, set to air on Saturday (12/8) on NBC from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. “Giving back to the community is something that I support and believe is truly important.  I am honored to be part of this year’s American Giving Awards,” says Travis via a release. Five charities will be chosen to share $2 million in grants.

  •••

Dwight Yoakam‘s latest album, 3 Pears, remains at No. 1 on the Americana albums chart for the sixth consecutive week. During the month of December, $1 from each sale of Yoakam’s CD will be donated to the Red Cross to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims.

 

•••

Sarah Darling has partnered with MoonPie for a national “Home To Me Sweepstakes” campaign. The Black River Entertainment artist’s image will be featured on cartons of the nationally distributed Chocolate 12-count Single Decker MoonPie. As part of the sweepstakes, consumers will get a chance to win a dream trip to Nashville to watch Darling perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

 

•••

Brent Cobb Photo: Jarrad Lister

Carnival Music singer-songwriter Brent Cobb will be featured as part of Rhapsody’s Country Christmas 2012, with an exclusive video of Cobb performing Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December.” Cobb recently released a self-titled EP (produced by Matthew Miller and Oran Thornton) and his debut single “Love On Me” has been released to country radio.