VEVO Adds Yahoo! Music As Syndication Partner

VEVO’s family of syndication partners now includes Yahoo! Music.

Starting March 21, VEVO videos began appearing across the Yahoo! platform. Other VEVO syndication partners include AOL, BET, Facebook, Last.fm, Univision, Viacom Media Networks and YouTube. VEVO is a joint venture between Universal Music Group and Sony Music that includes EMI and independent labels.

According to a post on the Y! Music blog, “We also teamed up with a music video platform leader, VEVO, to deliver a deeper catalog of artists and a top-notch video player that will significantly up the look and feel of music videos on our site. We think you’ll instantly notice the upgrade in video quality and we’d love to get your feedback in this regard.”

According to the February 2012 comScore Video Matrix rankings Yahoo! and VEVO occupy the No. 2 and No. 3 positions respectively with 60.88 million and 52.01 million unique viewers. Leading the pack by a wide margin is No. 1 Google Sites (includes YouTube) with 147.43 million Unique viewers.

MusicRowPics: Logan Mize Artist Visit

Singer/songwriter Logan Mize, the first artist for the newly formed Big Yellow Dog Music label, visited MusicRow yesterday (3/21). Mize was joined by publicist Ronna Rubin and Big Yellow Dog co-owner Kerry O’Neil, who introduced introduced the artist by saying, “When you meet somebody like Logan and you hear his music, you do thing like start a label.”

The Clearwater, KS native shared three songs off his new album Nobody in Nashville, which went on sale March 13. The songs he treated the MusicRow staff to included “Rock N Roll Band,” “Hey Carolina” and “Good Life.” Mize wrote or co-wrote every song on Nobody In Nashville, which he co-produced with songwriter Daniel Tashian.

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Rodney Crowell Featured on Latest “This Week In Music”

The most recent episode of This Week In Music features legendary singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell chatting with host Ian Rogers at Nashville’s Ocean Way Studios. The pair chat about his life as a songwriter in Nashville, and the music industry’s current struggles. Check it out here.

Rogers also recently had a lengthy chat with MusicRow founder David “Boss” Ross. The two discussed how Ross came to Nashville and launched the magazine, issues facing the music industry, and his new Secrets of the List project. Watch below.

Check out all This Week In Music videos, including recent ones with Borman Entertainment’s Cameo Carlson and DigSin’s Jay Frank, right here.

Seth Godin To Keynote Rethink 2012

The second annual Rethink Music is set to take place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, April 22-24. The unique event is solutions-based with workshops, presentations and investigative panels designed to challenge and transform the future of the music industry. Rethink’s keynote address will be given by futurist/marketer Seth Godin, writer of 13 best-selling books. Godin promises to, offer registrants his take on how the music industry can make something happen.

Seth Godin

One on one interviews with Willard Ahdritz, Kobalt Music CEO and Kenneth Parks, Chief Content Officer, Spotify, also promise to be highly attended events. Ahdritz will talk about how the role of publishers is changing and plans the company has for its new artist and label services division. Parks will discuss his company’s access/streaming music model and integration with Facebook. He will also handle questions about artist payments and other challenges.

A panel entitled, “Finding A Future In The Clouds” will feature discussion about companies such as Google, Rhapsody, MOG, Spotify and Amazon that are betting on a cloud-based future of lockers and streaming services.

Attendees can also get to see performances by several indie buzz acts at neighborhood clubs such as Paradise Rock Club and Brighton Music Hall  in the Brighton and Allston areas just outside of Boston. Featured artists include JD McPherson, The Lumineers, Kopecky Family Band, and Green River Ordinance.

Rethink 2012 is produced by Berklee College of Music and Midem in association with Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society. The event describes itself as, “…a hands-on conference designed to bring music stakeholders together to discuss business models for the future, examine copyright challenges in the digital era, and analyze technological innovation in music and its distribution.” For registration information click here.

Bobby Karl Works the HoF’s Bakersfield Sound Opening

Members of Buck Owens’ family, Brad Paisley, Red Simpson and Frank Mull visit with museum staffers in the exhibition gallery. (L-R): Lee Rowe, Tim Davis, Michael Owens, John Owens, Carolyn Tate, Simpson, Paisley, Kyle Young, Michael Gray, Mel Owens and Mull. Photo: Donn Jones

Chapter 393

There’s always a reason to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

For the next two years, one of those reasons is “The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and California Country.” This 5,000 square foot exhibit opens Friday, and some 400 invited fabulons got a sneak peak at an opening gala Wednesday evening (3/21).

Staged in the same second-floor space that has held the highly heralded Hank Williams and “Night Train to Nashville” exhibits, this is the brightest lit and most colorful of them all. There are loads of vintage videos, touch-screen displays of recording lore, listening stations and biographical plaques. Maps are used as graphic devices. You are greeted by the spangled costumes of The Maddox Brothers & Rose, “The Most Colorful Hillbilly Band in the Land.” You walk beneath a mini replica of the iconic Bakersfield arch. You enter a rotunda Hag listening room.

There are mini history lessons about the Dust Bowl Migration, central California and honky-tonk culture. Glass cases hold vivid costumes, vintage instruments to drool over, posters, LP jackets, evocative historic photos and lots of other cool artifacts. Dwight Yoakam narrates the accompanying Bakersfield film.

During the opening party, Kyle Young called the Bakersfield Sound, “a new brand of loud, danceable country music.” More to the point, vice president of museum services Carolyn Tate called the party, itself, “a wonderful, wonderful celebration. I think we have the best parties in the world when we open these exhibits.”

You certainly couldn’t quibble about the guest list. Among the first people I encountered were Rose Lee Maphis, Jody Maphis, Lynn Anderson, Casey Anderson, Emmylou Harris, Jo Walker-Meador, Jeff Hanna, Webb Wilder, Jeannie Seely, Dallas Frazier, Harold Bradley and Ralph Emery.

As usual, the food was superb. By the way, if you haven’t done lunch in the Conservatory, you’re missing one of Music City’s grooviest menus.

And you couldn’t complain about the music. The beyond-capacity crowd in the Ford Theatre was treated to a Telecaster tornado courtesy of Deke Dickerson, Kenny Vaughan and Red Simpson.

Brad Paisley speaks at the preview reception for the museum’s Bakersfield Sound exhibition. Photo: Donn Jones

Star power? The party agenda had that, too. “I think back to the moments when my heart skipped a beat,” said Brad Paisley, paraphrasing a Buck Owens hit title. “One of them was when I moved to Nashville in 1993.” When he completed his first album, Brad sent a copy to Buck with a note saying, “See if you can hear a little of yourself somewhere in here.” Buck asked if Brad was playing all the guitar solos on the record. Brad said he was. Buck said, “Bullshit,” and “Prove it.” So Brad booked a date at Buck’s Crystal Palace nightclub and did. “My second my-heart-skipped-a-beat moment was driving under the Bakersfield sign. I don’t have any idea what country music would be like without these guys.”

Lucky party goers included Kay Smith, Kay Clary, Peter Guralnick, Pete Finney, Don Light, Don Cusic, Donna & Gerald Nicely, David & Susana Ross, David Ezell & Lois Riggins, Rob McNeilly, Robbie Cogswell, Del Bryant, Joe Galante, George Gruhn, Jerry & Ernie Williams, Lon Helton, Frank Mull, Sarah Trahern, Randy Goodman, Nancy Shapiro, Chris Horsnell, Seab Tuck, Clarence Spalding, Earle Simmons, Karen Leipziger, Lori Badgett, Tom Roland and Tom “Batman” Baldrica (so billed at his request).

“There’s a lot to see upstairs – my whole life growing up,” Michael Owens told the merry mob, reminding everyone that his mom, the late Bonnie Owens, was married to Buck Owens and then Merle Haggard. Upstairs in the exhibit, she is referred to as “The Queen of Bakersfield.” “It’s fabulous what you have done here,” added Michael. “Thank you, on behalf of my dad Buck and my mom Bonnie.”

“I’m honored that Nashville has finally seen fit to give honor to this music,” added Brad Paisley. Amen, brother.

Musician Deke Dickerson, Red Simpson, Paisley and Kenny Vaughan. Photo: Donn Jones

BamaJam 2012 Lineup Expands

BamaJam 2012 recently announced the addition of Willie Nelson, Uncle Kracker and NEEDTOBREATHE to its growing list of performers. The musical festival takes place Thursday, June 14 through Saturday, June 16 in Enterprise, AL.

These performers join previously announced stars Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson. More artists announcements and a full festival schedule is forthcoming.

Specially priced 3-day tickets are available for an early-purchase price of $119 online at www.bamajam2012.com, as well as through Ticketfly.com, or charge by phone at (877) 4FLYTIX or (877-435-9849). Or be one of a limited number of people to have special access to stand on stage throughout the festival for $999.

Additional Performers and Presenters Joining ACM Awards

The performance lineup for the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards is expanding with the addition of Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. Furthermore, 2 Broke Girls’ Beth Behrs and Entertainment Tonight’s Nancy O’Dell are joining the show as presenters. The annual ceremony, co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Reba, will be broadcast live from the MGM Garden Grand Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1 at 8 PM live ET/delayed PT on CBS.

Evans and Underwood are both vying for a Female Vocalist of the Year Award, and Underwood is also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for her Brad Paisley duet “Remind Me.” Underwood is a 10-time ACM winner, including two Entertainer of the Year honors, and Urban is a seven-time winner including Album of the Year for Be Here.

Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts.

Lionel Richie Makes Media Rounds to Promote Tuskegee

GAC's Top 20 Countdown Host Nan Kelley with Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie’s new country duets project, Tuskegee will finally hit shelves Mon., March 26. The CD features 13 of his signature hits performed with a who’s who of today’s country stars.

The deluxe edition of the album contains a DVD featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the recording sessions with his duet partners.

Richie has a heavy duty publicity schedule to promote the release, including a March 14 performance at Billboard’s SXSW showcase and an hour-long live concert for HSN on March 16. Richie also graces the cover of Billboard on this March 24th issue, available now.

On Friday, March 23, CMT will premiere the 30-minute special CMT Presents: Lionel Richie: Tuskegee at 9:30 am CT, featuring interviews, studio footage with duet partners, and the “Endless Love” video with Shania Twain. Also March 23rd, Richie will appear on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown at 9 pm CT. BET will air CENTRIC Presents: Lionel Richie: Tuskegee on March 24 at 8:30 am CT.

NBC’s Weekend Today will air Lester Holt’s interview with Richie on Sun., March 25. Richie will also appear on NBC’s The Voice, Mon., March 26.

On Tuesday, March 27, Richie will be featured as CMT’s VJ for a Day at 7 am CT to share his favorite country videos. The same morning will also offer Richie performing “Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town on the Today show. That evening, “Say You, Say Me” a duet with Jason Aldean, will be performed on the Late Show with David Letterman.

On Wed., March 28, he will be interviewed on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight, airing at 8 pm CT.

Richie is also slated to appear on the 47th Annual ACM Awards Sunday, April 1. The following evening, the ACM and dick clark productions will tape ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends–In Concert, at the MGM  Grand in Las Vegas. The show will air April 13 at 8 pm CT on CBS.

On April 2, he will perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, followed by performances of “Just For You” with Billy Currington on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live April 4 and CBS’ The Talk on April 5.

Tuskegee already debuted at No. 1 on iTunes Canada on Mon., March 19, the day of its Canadian release. The album is also available in United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Europe and Australia, and will be released to the rest of the world on March 26.

Photo Roundup (3/22/12)

Gamma Blast director Jeff Johnson, who has directed projects for Keith Urban, Billy Currington, and Lady Antebellum recently completed a music video for new country artist Brynn Marie. The video for her debut single, “Bandaid On A Bullet Hole” was shot on location at Silver Pointe studios in Nashville. After an exclusive run on CMT.com, the video will begin airing on AOL’s The Boot as well as other online and broadcast outlets.

Johnson commented, “First and foremost, Brynn is a great live performer, so I really wanted to capture the essence of her “live” show. She’s also a trained dancer and we enlisted some Tennessee Titans cheerleaders to appear with her in the dance sequence.”

(3rd from left) lighting designer Erik Parker, Brynn Marie and Johnson with the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders.

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Katie Armiger has begun working on her new album with Reigning CMA Musician of The Year, Mac McAnally and two time Grammy Winner, Chad Carlson at the Blackbird Studio in Nashville. “To begin work on my next album with Chad and such amazing musicians is so exciting…and to be able to write all of the songs for this album is an amazing feeling,” exclaimed Armiger.

(L-R): Mac McAnally, Katie Armiger, Chad Carlson

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ACM New Artist of the Year nominee Brantley Gilbert recently performed on the 86th floor of Empire State Building. He performed his No. 1 hit, “Country Must Be Country Wide,” as well as his current top 20 and rising single, “You Don’t Know Her like I Do.” Gilbert, who will make his network television debut on the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 1, was in town as part of Eric Church’s The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour playing to a sold-out crowd fat the Hammerstein Ballroom.

Brantley Gilbert

Jacob Davis Signs With Wrensong

(L-R): Wrensong's Ree Guyer-Buchanan, Jacob Davis, and ASCAP's Robert Filhart

Singer/songwriter Jacob Davis signed his first publishing deal with Wrensong Music Publishing. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Davis was a participant in ASCAP’s Country Songwriting Workshop in Fall 2011 and its GPS Program (Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters) earlier in 2012.