Bonnaroo Takes Over Manchester

/by

It’s a huge music weekend in Middle Tennessee by any measure. The 2012 CMA Music Festival is currently drawing thousands of country music fans to downtown Nashville and LP Field, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival down the road in Manchester, TN is bringing in thousands more.

The annual music and arts festival kicks off today (6/7) at Great Stage Park in Manchester. Performers during the weekend include Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish, The Beach Boys, Bon Iver, The Avett Brothers, The Shins, Foster the People, Skrillex, The Roots, Phish, Alice Cooper, Kenny Rogers, Ben Folds Five, Yelawolf, Alabama Shakes, and many more. See the full lineup here. Festival goers can make use of the Bonnaroo smartphone app to organize and optimize their experiences.

VIP admission for Bonnaroo is totally sold out, but some 4-day general admission passes are still available for $259.50. Purchase here.

If you can’t make it out to Manchester this year, you can still catch some of the action on the official Bonnaroo webcast, powered by Dell. Viewers will have two channels with streaming performances.

Get all the latest updates on the 2012 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival here.

Guitars of the Stars Auction; Events Fight Cystic Fibrosis

/by

The auction includes guitars autographed by (l-r) Dierks Bentley, Loretta Lynn, and Keith Urban

• Tonight’s (6/7) Fourth Annual Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction is giving country fans the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind guitars inspired and autographed by Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Hunter Hayes, Merle Haggard, Casey James, Loretta Lynn, The Band Perry, Kellie Pickler and Keith Urban. In honor of the group’s latest smash, Opry member group Rascal Flatts contributed a banjo to the event. Guitar art was provided by Nashville visual artists Lucie Rice, Amanda Sears and Cindy Wunsch. Casey James will perform and host with WSM-AM and GAC personality Bill Cody. The free, public event is scheduled for today, 5 p.m. at the CMA Music Fest Buckle Stage at 4th Ave. and Broadway. Proceeds will benefit the Opry Trust Fund which assists members of the country music community in need.

• SiriusXM “The Highway” presents A Concert For Cystic Fibrosis tonight (6/7) at 9:30 p.m. at the Wildhorse Saloon. Thompson Square, James Wesley, Randy Houser, Parmalee and Kristy Lee Cook will perform and “The Highway” personality Buzz Brainard will host.
 General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.

• Another event this week also benefited the fight against cystic fibrosis. Tuesday night’s (6/5) Country Beach Party at The Stage on Broadway raised $30,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Returning host Darryl Worley was joined for performances by Craig Campbell, Canaan Smith, Ashley Gearing, Aaron Parker and Cali Rodi. Silent and live auctions of celeb memorabilia contributed $6100 to the total.

Big Tour Milestones For Aldean, Lady A

/by

Jason Aldean and wife Jessica at last night's CMT Awards, where he won a fan-voted belt buckle trophy. Photo: Alan Mayor

Jason Aldean is taking his tour to stadiums. He has sold 27,000 tickets for his first headlining stadium show, set for Aug. 5 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The 2012 My Kinda Party Tour will be the largest concert in Crew Stadium history and the first time a show there has sold out more than two months in advance.

Additionally, Aldean recently become the first male country artist to earn triple Platinum certification for a single with “Dirt Road Anthem.”

• • • •

Lady Antebellum had the biggest selling night of its tour last week, when more than 18,600 fans turned out to see the group with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square in Cleveland.

The Own The Night 2012 World Tour, sponsored by GAC, played to a combined total of 62,000 fans at shows in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Rochester last weekend.

Lady Antebellum also announced recently that the final leg of its Own The Night 2012 World Tour will visit Australia this September.

Lady A won Group Video of the Year at last night’s (6/6) CMT Music Awards.

Lady A on stage at a recent tour stop.

 

Bobby Karl Works The CMT Music Awards

/by

Chapter 400

Lady Antebellum works the red carpet at the 2012 CMT Music Awards. Photo: Alan Mayor

The 2012 CMT Awards totally smoked the other country awards shows in two departments, audience enthusiasm and quality of music.

It wasn’t the best written, most dignified or tech perfect—and certainly not the best looking—of the awards telecasts, but the excellence of the music on the CMTs was undeniable.

Staged at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (6/6), the show not only threw its spotlight on the 17,000 fans inside, but on thousands more outside on its plaza. Both groups were screaming like banshees and having the party of their lives.

And what a bounty of tunes they were served. There were 19 performances on this year’s telecast, more than ever before. Not only was there more music, it was presented in audio brilliance. Trust me, this is not always the case when music and television meet.

Here are my favorite musical moments of the show. Kicking things off was an exciting mash-up of Lady Antebellum and the pop band Hot Chelle Rae with their tunes “We Owned the Night” and “Tonight, Tonight.” It was my fave because both acts harmonized beautifully, and I love both songs.

Out on the plaza, Hank Williams Jr. and Brad Paisley were stone country on “Get Drunk and Play Hank Williams.” My third favorite was also a party song and also an outside performance, Eric Church’s “Drink in My Hand.” Back in the arena, Little Big Town sang superbly on the slinky “Pontoon,” a performance that also had one of the best stage sets of the eve.

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley won the CMT Award for Collaborative Video of the Year for "Remind Me." Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

My fifth most favorite moment belonged to the night’s top winner, Carrie Underwood. “Good Girl” is an extremely challenging song to sing, and she pulled it off magnificently. Next up, Kenny Chesney’s sensuous, hypnotic introduction of “Come Over,” which is going to be a massive hit for him. And who could quibble with the triple-threat vocals of Pistol Annies on “Takin’ Pills?”

The musical missteps were few. The Zac Brown Band wasn’t as vocally tight as usual on “The Wind,” but its instrumental flash was in place. The Farm sounded a little wobbly, too, although its time slot was too brief to really tell. Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry sounded out of breath throughout most of “Postcard From Paris,” and the song is still a half-baked muddle. The-emperor-has-no-clothes moment was Scotty McCreery. He may sell millions, but he simply isn’t a very strong singer.

For novelty/newsworthy value, we had Willie Nelson warbling “Roll Me Up (And Smoke Me When I Die),” accompanied by The ZBB, Jamey Johnson, Darius Rucker and Toby Keith and getting a standing ovation. Speaking of Toby, his “Beers Ago” was the best country-rocker of the night.

Others who gave the CMT Awards its claim as Best TV Music Presenter included Luke Bryan, Casey James, Rascal Flatts with Journey, Kip Moore, Jana Kramer and Lauren Alaina. Speaking of Lauren, her interjected moments catching up with tweets from fans fell flat. It wasn’t her fault—fan tweets are universally boring.

The “comedic” moments were also lame, particularly the opening “controversy” over whether Toby or Kristen Bell should host the show. It was much buzzed about because it featured video appearances by both President Obama and a wooden cigar-store Indian.

Keifer and Shawna Thompson pose backstage, winner's envelope and stilettos in hand, moments after winning CMT Award for Duo Video of the Year for “I Got You.”

Best entrance: Toby and Kristen riding a Red Solo Cup through the crowd. Best thank-you speech: Thompson Square. The CMT award is a big belt buckle: “It wasn’t so long ago that we were selling buckles and boots right down the street, so it feels pretty good to be getting one of these,” said Shawna. Runner-up: Brad Paisley, who won Collaborative Video with Carrie. “I just want to thank this beautiful woman for being in the video with me,” said Brad. “Otherwise, it’s just a dork walking in the desert.”

Worst tech gaff: Kristen Bell talking in the dark outside until someone turned on her key light. Oddball stunt: Tom Arnold pulling camouflage underpants out of Luke Bryan’s jeans to be tossed into the crowd.

Thanks to Katie Cook and Evan Farmer, here are some things we learned on the red carpet—which was purple, by the way. Hayden Panettiere is moving to Music City. She’s co-starring in the new ABC series Nashville. Despite all of them now being married, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood all still ride on the same tour bus, with all three spouses. That’s how they keep coming up with those cool Lady Antebellum songs together. They’re playing a show with Bruce Springsteen at London’s Hyde Park this summer.

The show marked the first time that Pistol Annies have ever been nominated for any award. Toby Keith is the only artist who has performed on all 11 CMT award telecasts. Little Big Town is celebrating 15 years of being together. Jason Aldean is recording a Big Secret duet for his new CD, but he won’t tell us who it is with.

The Rascal Flatts Changed tour is with LBT, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge, and is believed to be country’s first all-band tour. As for the mash-up with Journey, “They welcomed us with ‘Open Arms,’” quipped Joe Don Rooney.

On the fashion front, Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square was a vision in a Greco-Roman beige pleated gown with wide breast straps and an otherwise nude torso. Sara Evans was in a silver bag. Kimberly Schlapman of LBT rocked in pink and black. Kellie Pickler chose a pale lavender, fringed cocktail dress with silver bar accents.

The black vest with white piping over a black lace blouse was a WTF choice by Kimberly Perry. On the other hand, Carrie Underwood was glittering in a form-fitting silver sheath. “I’m a human disco ball,” she chirped, “I love it.” Hubby Mike Fisher celebrates his birthday this week (6/5) and plans a concert tour of Europe with Carrie now that hockey season is over.

Of the men, Jake Owen turned the most heads. He wore a bright white linen suit over a V-necked black t-shirt. Very stylish.

Working the room were Colton Dixon, Skylar Laine, Big & Rich, Dax Sheppard, Ronnie Dunn, Steve Austin, Alan Jackson, Jordin Sparks, Dario Franchitti, The Clampetts, Ashley Greene,  Tony Hawk, Denise Richards and Glen Campbell, plus every publicist you’ve ever met.

Niemann Announces Sophomore Album Release Date

/by

Jerrod Niemann is slated to release his sophomore album Free The Music on October 2 (on Sea Gayle Records/Arista Nashville).

It took Niemann a full two years to record Free The Music, but he wanted to make something non-traditional. He used horns throughout, and had his live band play on the recording instead of hiring studio musicians.

“Free The Music is an album where I wanted to do just that,” says Niemann. “It’s a project honoring many different layers and colors that have appeared in the country genre since recorded music began.”

Niemann teamed up with Dave Brainard (Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury) who co-produced the new album with him in Nashville. He also co-wrote the new album’s first single, “Shinin’ On Me,” with Lee Brice, Rob Hatch and Lance Miller, and collaborated with guest vocalist Colbie Caillat on the soulful ballad, “All About You.”

Free the Music is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Niemann is also appearing on SirusXM’s The Highway today (6/7) as he co-hosts with Storme Warren and performs songs from the forthcoming album.

Niemann is currently out on the road with Miranda Lambert‘s On Fire tour and will be commencing his own fairs and festivals tour later this fall. Fans can also expect to catch him June 7 during the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN, where he will perform on the Chevrolet Riverstage at 1:15 p.m.

Global Showcases Unofficially Kick Off CMA Music Festival

/by

Artists and industry gather at the CMA Global Artist Party. Standing (L-R): AristoMedia Pres./CEO Jeff Walker, Chevrolet National Promotions Manager Phil Caruso, artists Curtis and Brad Rempel (High Valley), Jay and Mark O'Shea, Vickie Evans, Morgan Evans, Gene Watson, Craig Morrison, Bob Corbett, Jess Moskaluke, CMA CEO Steve Moore. Kneeling (L-R): artists Gary Quinn, Bryan Rempel (High Valley), and Joe Robinson. Photo: Bev Moser

Twenty-one international Country artists representing five different territories performed in downtown Nashville at the annual Global Events showcases, held June 4-5 during CMA Music Festival week. “The shows were extremely well-attended,” said AristoMedia President/CEO Jeff Walker. “And for the second year in a row, we streamed both events live around the world, which gave our performers’ fans a chance to celebrate with us.”

The Chevrolet Presents: 2012 CMA Global Artist Party was held Monday (6/4) evening at The Stage on Broadway. Performers included Australians Bob Corbett, Morgan Evans, Adam Harvey, Craig Morrison, O’Shea, and Joe Robinson; Canadians Emerson Drive, High Valley and Jess Moskaluke; Vickie Evans of New Zealand; and Gary Quinn from the UK. Special guest Gene Watson also performed a last-minute set. Husband and wife duo O’Shea hosted the event.

The annual CMA Presents: Aristo Global Show, hosted by Australian Adam Harvey, was held Tuesday (6/5) afternoon at The Second Fiddle. Performers included Australians Baylou and Rick Caballo; Canadians Clayton Bellamy, Adam Gregory, Josh Macumber and Jessica Ridley; Ireland’s Pete Kennedy and Colm Kirwan; and UK natives Raintown and Travellin Rose.

Both Global Events performances were streamed online via Nashville-based new media and marketing company AristoWorks and carried live at CMT.ca (CMT Canda), CMAWorld.com (CMA), HighwayFM.com, Dreamwest.tv and CountryMusicChannel.com.au (CMC Australia).

Pictured at The Aristo Global Show. Standing (L-R): AristoMedia Director of Operations Matt Watkins, CMA International Director Bobbi Boyce, Global Events Music Director and record producer Mark Moffatt, artists Kelly Lee and Talia Smith (Travellin Rose), Pete Kennedy, Barb Baillie (Baylou) Adam Gregory, Victoria Baillie (Baylou), Paul Bain and Clair McArthur (Raintown), Jessica Ridley, Adam Harvey, and AristoMedia Pres./CEO Jeff Walker. Kneeling (L-R): artists Colm Kirwan and Josh Macumber. Photo: Bev Moser

 

Bobby Karl Works the CMA Music Fest Kick-Off Parade

/by

Chapter 399

I love a parade.

And the kick-off parade for the 2012 CMA Music Festival on Wednesday (6/6) was a humdinger. It moved along Broadway from 10th Avenue to the Cumberland River at lunchtime.

Little Big Town with "The Voice" season 2 contestant Angie Johnson (center) at the CMA Music Festival Block Party

The Nashville Zoo had somebody waving merrily in a giraffe costume named Twiga. The Predators’ mascot Gnash did wheelies on his ATV. The Nashville Roller Derby gals struck poses while gliding by on skates. The Clydesdales were there! I love them, especially when they’re pulling a vintage Budweiser beer wagon.

The “General Lee” car from The Dukes of Hazzard rumbled along, tooting its “Dixie” horn all the way. The U.S. Marines, Nashville Firefighters and Davidson County Sheriff squad wowed the kiddies with their vehicles. The Rolling Thunder biker brigade made a mighty rumble. The Music City Drum and Bugle Corps sounded splendid.

The Girl Scouts and Brownies marched, proudly wearing their merit badges. There was a 40×60 foot American flag carried by veterans, the Bic razor girls, brightly painted custom tour buses, big balloons, marching bands and more Chevy trucks and Corvettes than you could shake a stick at.

Riding on the backs of those Corvettes were a bevy of country stars. Lorrie Morgan waved, wearing a lavender chiffon dress that billowed in the balmy breezes. Lynn Anderson was in a yellow summer wrap and a white chapeau with a big posey. The crowd sang “Rose Garden” to her. Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson looked as happy as a lark as he passed by.

Cowboy Troy drew hollers of recognition — snapshot takers yelled for him to turn this way and that. LoCash Cowboys tossed souvenir rubber balls into the throng. Rhonda Vincent was high above our heads on/in a giant shopping cart. Flynnville Train shared an Operation Troop Aid vehicle with that giant robot person who always shows up with that organization. Indianapolis 500 winner and Middle Tennessee resident Dario Franchitti was a big crowd favorite, riding on the race’s Camaro pace car.

"The Voice" contestant Gwen Sebastian in the CMA Music Festival Kick-off Parade

“Blow me a birthday kiss! I’m 50 today!” shouted a lady fan across the street from me. Dashing Dario obliged. Due West went a step further, serenading her with “Happy Birthday” from the back of their parade pick-up truck. Jeff Bates, Manuel, Craig Campbell, Julie Roberts, The McClymonts, Colt Ford, Ira Dean, Katie Armiger, J.T. Hodges, The Roys and Gwen Sebastian all had their own parade moments.

Perhaps the coolest thing was the Keep the Music Playing All Stars Marching Band. Consisting of 125 students from eight Metro public schools, this ensemble embodies the educational effort that the festival benefits. When I caught them, they were playing “The Wabash Cannonball,” with youthful verve.

Working the parade for all they were worth were Mark Cooke, Florida Georgia Line, Rachele Lynae, Craig Morrison, Craig Wayne Boyd, Tyler Farr, Greg Hanna, Rachel Holder, Jaida Dreyer, Amber Hayes, Chase Rice, David St. Romain, Daniel Smith, Corey Wagar, Weston Burt, Marlee Scott, Matt Stillwell, Leah Seawright and Jason Sturgeon.

Leading the way was the “Rhinestone Cowboy,” himself, parade grand marshal Glen Campbell. Bringing up the rear were four jumbo pontoon boats carrying Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook. Accompanying them was a banner stating, “Follow me.” So we did, right on down to Riverfront Park.

YouTube discovery and The Voice contestant Angie Johnson sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” She is a Tech Sergeant in the National Guard.

Then Little Big Town kicked off the 41st annual, 2012 CMA Music Festival with — what else? — “Pontoon.” Let me tell you, in that atmosphere and in that moment, this new single sounded like the most massive hit of the summer. The crowd sang along with “Boondocks,” and LBT then took their bows. Don’t worry, the fearless foursome will return with a full show at LP Field on Saturday night.

Here’s a shocking statistic. The Nashville Chamber of Commerce members were recently polled about the CMA Music Fest. They were asked, “Are you attending any of this year’s festivities?” An astonishing 63% said, “No, I make it a point to stay far, far away.” This, from the supposedly community-booster-ing Chamber, mind you. About downtown Nashville’s biggest annual event, mind you. Which is all free to all our citizens (except for the Convention Center and LP Field events), mind you. And which pours tons of money into Nashville’s economy, mind you.

Honestly, those folks don’t know what they’re missing. I, for one, plan on having a blast.

CMT Music Awards Winners

/by

Carrie Underwood performs "Good Girl" on the CMT Music Awards. Photo: CMT.com

Carrie Underwood was the only star to take home multiple honors at last night’s (6/6) CMT Music Awards. With five nods she was the top nominee going into the show, where she earned two of the network’s signature belt buckle trophies. Underwood won Video of the Year for “Good Girl,” and Collaborative Video with Brad Paisley for “Remind Me.”

Luke Bryan and wife Caroline on the red carpet. Photo: Alan Mayor

Hosted by Toby Keith and Kristen Bell, the fan-voted honors were presented at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert scored their third consecutive wins in their respective categories, Group Video and Female Video.

Luke Bryan took home Male Video honors, a first time win for him in the category.

Artists receiving their first belt buckles were Scott McCreery (USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year), Jason Aldean (CMT Performance of the Year), and Thompson Square (Duo Video of the Year).

See winners below in bold.

Video of the Year
Jason Aldean — “Dirt Road Anthem”
Toby Keith — “Red Solo Cup””
Blake Shelton — “God Gave Me You”
Taylor Swift Featuring the Civil Wars — “Safe & Sound”
Carrie Underwood — “Good Girl”

Male Video of the Year
Jason Aldean — “Dirt Road Anthem”
Luke Bryan — “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Eric Church — “Drink in My Hand”
Toby Keith — “Red Solo Cup”
Blake Shelton — “God Gave Me You”
Keith Urban — “Long Hot Summer”

Female Video of the Year
Sara Evans — “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
Miranda Lambert — “Over You”
Martina McBride — “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
Kellie Pickler — “Tough”
Taylor Swift — “Ours”
Carrie Underwood — “Good Girl”

Thompson Square celebrated their first CMT Award last night. Photo: Alan Mayor

Group Video of the Year
Eli Young Band — “Crazy Girl”
Lady Antebellum — “We Owned the Night”
Pistol Annies — “Hell on Heels”
Rascal Flatts — “Banjo”
The Band Perry — “All Your Life”
Zac Brown Band — “Keep Me in Mind”

Duo Video of the Year
Love and Theft — “Angel Eyes”
Montgomery Gentry — “Where I Come From”
Sugarland — “Tonight”
The Civil Wars — “Poison and Wine”
Thompson Square — “Glass”
Thompson Square — “I Got You”

USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year
Lauren Alaina — “Georgia Peaches”
Brantley Gilbert — “Country Must Be Country Wide”
Hunter Hayes — “Storm Warning”
Scotty McCreery — “The Trouble With Girls”
Pistol Annies — “Hell on Heels”
Thompson Square — “I Got You”

Collaborative Video of the Year
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)
Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter — “You and Tequila”
Brad Paisley With Carrie Underwood — “Remind Me”
Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield — “Easy”
Lionel Richie With Shania Twain — “Endless Love”
Taylor Swift Featuring the Civil Wars — “Safe & Sound”
Zac Brown Band Featuring Jimmy Buffett — “Knee Deep”

CMT Performance of the Year
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT
Jason Aldean — “Tattoos on This Town” from 2011 CMT Artists of the Year
Lady Antebellum — “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” from 2011 CMT Artists of the Year
Little Big Town — “Fix You” from Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert
Blake Shelton — “Footloose” from Invitation Only: Blake Shelton
Sting and Vince Gill — “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You” from CMT Crossroads: Sting and Vince Gill
Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood — “Just a Dream/Dream On” from CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam

Artist Snapshots (6/06/12)

/by

GAC hosted its 5th Annual Music Fest Kick-Off Breakfast at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum this morning (6/6). Over 300 fans were treated to breakfast and performances by Josh Turner, Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina, and Thompson Square. Proceeds from the event benefited the Hall of Fame.

(L-R): Keifer Thompson, Shawna Thompson, GAC GM/SVP, Sarah Trahern, Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina and GAC host, Storme Warren.

• • • • •

Gary Allan and stylist Renee Layher, partners of Nashville’s The Label clothing boutique, recently welcomed “master hatter” Mark Mejia of Baron Hats for a trunk show. Among the guests trying on some of the selections were ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Show Dog-Universal’s JT Hodges. More info on The Label here.

(L-R): Renee Layher, co-owner of The Label; Billy Gibbons; Mark Mejia; and Gary Allan.

• • • • •

Republic Nashville’s Greg Bates recently performed for Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam during a private event at the Tennessee Residence in Nashville. The event was a fundraiser for the Tennessee Residence Foundation, a non-profit that raises private funding for the renovation and restoration of the executive residence.

(L-R) Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Greg Bates and First Lady Crissy Haslam. Photo courtesy of the Office of the First Lady.

BMLG, Clear Channel Deal Likely To Pave Way For Other Artists

/by

The new agreement between Clear Channel and Big Machine Label Group is likely to spur more record companies and artists to seek similar opportunities with CC or other radio conglomerates.

Announced yesterday (6/5), the agreement is very important in two respects: 1) it marks the first time artists will be paid a performance royalty for radio airplay in the United States. Traditionally, only songwriters have received radio performance payments. 2) It is designed to drive digital radio growth.

Today’s Wall Street Journal says the agreement “represents a historic shift,” calling it “a major bet that radio’s future is online rather than over the air… With the growing ubiquity of smartphones and more cars that include Internet-radio options, consumers are spending more time listening to music online, escalating the royalty costs along the way.”

The LA Times agrees, “The Clear Channel pact with Big Machine is evidence that the radio company is making a big bet on its online operations.”

The new business model set forth in the agreement is designed to level the royalty payment playing field for all types of radio. The model has BMLG and its artists being paid terrestrial performance royalties in exchange for a lower rate of digital performance royalties, which will distribute the royalty cost more evenly between both kinds of radio.

Under current circumstances—which the CC/BMLG model aims to change—the growth of digital radio is stunted because a high percentage of each company’s income goes to pay artist and songwriter royalties. These royalty rates are often based on individual song plays, and though they are fractions of a cent, can add up very quickly to large sums. By comparison, a low percentage of terrestrial radio station revenue goes to royalties, which are exclusively paid to songwriters via the performing rights organizations. Additionally, terrestrial radio recently entered a different agreement to decrease the rates it pays to the P.R.O.s.

Irving Azoff is the first music industry giant to publicly share his approval of the new business model, which was created by BMLG Pres./CEO Scott Borchetta, who is also a partner with Azoff and Virginia Davis in BAD Management.

Azoff told Bloomberg Businessweek that he is inclined to seek radio royalties for the artists he manages. “We’re trying to convince labels to enter into a direct deal [with radio] because we can’t get legislation passed,” he explained.

Tom Poleman, Clear Channel’s Pres./National Programming Platforms stated in a letter, “Because of the expense, we may not be able to partner with everyone until we see results from accelerated digital growth to offset the cost of sharing our broadcast radio revenue. But these are the kind of risks we have to take to be an innovator and fundamentally change our industry.

“This move is historic because it introduces a completely new structural model for our businesses,” he continued. “Why the change? Because it’s good for the long-term health of the music and radio industries. For digital radio to grow, it’s critical to have a predictable, sustainable pay structure that aligns radio, label and artist interests. It’s a bold move. And, yes, it will cost us more money in the short term and possibly even in the long run. Under this new, aligned structure, radio, labels and artists now all stand to make more money as we drive the growth of digital radio. Our interests will be linked. As we make money, labels and artists make money.”

In recent years the artist performance royalty debate pitted record labels and artists against radio stations. Until yesterday, radio maintained a united front under the trade organization the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters). Clear Channel is the first company to make an outside deal.

NAB Exec. VP of Communications Dennis Wharton responded, “NAB remains steadfastly opposed to a government-mandated performance tax on local radio stations. Beyond our respect for private contracts, we take no position on free-market agreements negotiated between broadcast companies and other businesses.”

RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman told a House Subcommittee today that his organization is “delighted that the biggest radio group acknowledged that something should be done.”