Lazy Sales For Week Ended 3/4/12

/by

Albums
Not a lot to report during this lazy-sales past week ended 3/4/12. Just 20k units was enough to put Lady Antebellum atop the Country album chart for the third consecutive time. In fact, the entire top 75 current country album list couldn’t reach a total of 301k units for the week!

Craig Morgan’s This Ole Boy debuted at No. 5 with sales just over 12k and Lyle Lovett debuted at No. 9 with sales of 10k.

Country album sales YTD are up a narrow 1.9%. The percentage of country album sales in digital format continues to circle near the 25% level (24.2% this week) compared with last year at this time when it was 20%.

Upcoming March releases include a second Luke Bryan offering, plus projects from Casey James and Lionel Richie. (See the complete list here.)

All genre album sales are up 2.9% just a little more than country. 37% of all albums purchased are in the digital format.

Tracks
“Good Girl” from Carrie Underwood rides in at No. 1 for the second consecutive week on Digital Genre Country tracks chart. Fans downloaded another 119k units of the song this week, up from 107k. The second big seller on the Tracks list was Miranda’s “Over You,” downloaded over 51k times. Total country tracks sold YTD equals 28.798 million.

Kay West To Speak at Rising Women on the Row Breakfast

/by

MusicRow is pleased to announce revered journalist Kay West as guest speaker at the Rising Women on the Row Breakfast.

As a longtime advocate for women’s rights, West recently explored the subject of female executives in the music business for an in-depth article in the Nashville Post.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, her work includes articles for People magazine, the Nashville Scene, and numerous other outlets. She entered the magazine industry as a receptionist at Penthouse in New York City—a job she scored just two days after moving from her hometown, Wilmington, Delaware. Eventually, West worked her way up to Associate Editor of the publication, and began freelancing for Soho Weekly News.

West moved to Nashville when former New York record label execs Joe Galante and Randy Goodman recruited her to serve as Director of Publicity for their new home at RCA Nashville. She settled in Music City, where she would go on to raise her children, Joy and Harry.

She has written five books:  How To Raise a Gentleman, How To Raise a Lady and 50 Things Every Young Lady Should Know, part of the Gentlemanners series for Thomas Nelson; Around The Opry Table: A Feast of Recipes and Stories from the Grand Ole Opry; and Dani’s Story: A Journey From Neglect to Love.

She has served on the board of Nashville CARES and The Nashville Farmer’s Market, volunteers regularly with Magdalene and Room in the Inn, and has chaired numerous fundraisers.

MusicRow founded Rising Women on the Row to encourage, support and motivate females in the Nashville music business. Honors will be presented to Mary Hilliard Harrington, Shannan Hatch, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens and Carla Wallace at a private sit-down breakfast and ceremony set for Friday, March 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Due to high demand, no additional tickets are available at this time. To be put on a waiting list, email [email protected].

NPD Cites Music Upswing; Less Piracy And Online Radio Growth

/by

NPD Group’s most recent report indicates the “number of U.S. music buyers is on the upswing.” Based on the research company’s “Annual Music Study,” growth can be attributed to the increased total amount consumers are spending on music and a growing number of CD and digital download buyers. In what is good news for the music industry, NPD states, “There are still nearly twice as many CD buyers in the U.S. as there are paid digital-music downloaders.”

Recent years have seen sharp declines in music sales—falling prices and a digital marketplace that had stopped growing—but 2011 saw track sales grow 4% while CD sales showed less declines than in past years.

NPD finds that, “The total number of CD music buyers increased for the second consecutive year, growing 2 percent to 78 million.” They speculate this happened due to several reasons—

1.) Consumer perception that music is now a better value;

2.) They are better informed about what is available, and/or;

3.) Consumers now have “a wider variety of sources to discover new music” such as Pandora and Spotify.

“CDs are the gift that keep giving, which proves that even in an increasingly digital age, consumers will respond to quality content and strong perceived value, even if it comes in a physical package,” said Russ Crupnick, Sr. VP of Industry Analysis at NPD. “The CD still has a powerful attraction for both older, mainstream consumers who listen in their cars, as well as to super fans who enjoy owning the package and assortment of songs from their favorite artists.”

Additional Factoids

  • Paid digital download buyers increased 14% in 2011 to 45 million customers.
  • Unpaid music acquisition i.e. P2P file sharing or trading music on hard drive declined. “NPD estimates that 13 percent of Internet users downloaded music from a P2P site, which is down from a peak of 19 percent in 2006.”
  • Fastest growing form of music listening was online radio. Online radio grew from 29% of the internet population in 2010 to 43% in 2011.

NPD’s “Annual Music Study” is based on 5,799 completed online surveys of U.S. consumers age 13 and older conducted between Dec. 14, 2011 and Jan. 

Marathon Music Works Fills Void In Music City Landscape

/by

Two years ago entrepreneurs Chris Cobb and Josh Billue set out to fill a void in Nashville’s live music landscape. They knew the town needed a mid-size establishment to attract touring artists who often skipped Music City because there wasn’t a venue of the right size and style.

In November 2011, they opened Marathon Music Works, with a standing capacity of 1500, as well as permanently installed sound equipment, lighting, and two large bars.

“There was a hole in the Nashville market for a long time,” explained Cobb during a recent interview at Marathon. “Years back, 328 Performance Hall was a similar size and capacity, but after we lost that the market was without a mid-size venue for several years. Then City Hall opened, had a three year run, and then it was gone. [In the current market] The Cannery has a 1000 cap, and War Memorial can hold 1800, but it’s not a club-style facility.”

The owners’ lengthy hunt for the right space eventually led them to an empty warehouse in burgeoning Marathon Village. It was Cobb’s first foray into club ownership and the first time Billue—owner of Nashville’s Exit/In and Birmingham’s Zydeco—had built anything from the ground up.

Several months of remodeling transformed the space into a facility that hosts concerts, corporate events, wedding receptions, and video/TV shoots, such as GAC’s recent ACM New Artist of the Year taping.

Because the room is used for all types of events, no signage or branding is on display. Instead, the owners sold naming rights for the three artist dressing rooms, with Gibson Guitar claiming one and Blackbird Tattoo sponsoring another.

“We’re an open facility. That means any [outside promoter] can come in and do an event here,” Cobb explained. “In theory, the more shows we get, the more shows Nashville gets, particularly artists who might not have played the market otherwise.”

Cobb’s initial experience in live music came more than ten years ago when he was a Belmont University student, booking talent for a concert series in the parking lot of Jackson’s restaurant. “I built relationships with agents, and eventually went on to Windows On The Cumberland and Mercy Lounge,” he recalled. His career grew, including work as an independent promoter, talent buyer and production tech. With that background, he’s seen first-hand how the economic downturn of recent years has affected the live music industry, as fans have less discretionary income to spend on concert tickets.

“It’s getting harder and harder for independent promoters,” Cobb said. “Back when I started doing it, there were only about three independent promoters in Nashville, and we did a lot of the club-level shows. In the past five years, there has been a huge shift in the industry. There are a lot fewer artists who can sell the really big touring numbers. As a result, the [major] promoters have started doing more shows in the club world. It is pretty standard that a big promoter might do a show at a 1500 cap venue, but majors are also doing the 200-300 level now. Five years ago, that would have never happened. It has made it really hard for the independent promoters to survive.”

Cobb continues to promote shows at Marathon and other venues, but he also focuses on diversification. The Dallas native does production work for Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour and the CMA Music Festival. He buys talent for the Live On The Green concert series and the Nashville Earth Day Festival. A few years ago he also purchased casino tables which his company sets up and operates for private events.

Meanwhile, at Marathon Music Works, Cobb and his cohorts are grateful for the community’s support and want to reciprocate. They promote recycling, encourage fans to bring charitable donations to concerts, and let the community name the venue. Marathon also partnered with inner-city ministry Provision International, which staffs the event parking lots in exchange for the proceeds. “The local support has been so positive and overwhelming,” summed Cobb. “So thank you Nashville.”

T.J. Martell Foundation Announces Honors Gala Performers

/by

The T.J. Martell Foundation announced an all-star entertainment lineup for its 2012 Honors Gala, which is scheduled for Monday, March 26 at the Hutton Hotel.

Attendees will be treated to performances from Charlie Daniels, Ronnie Dunn, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Hornsby, and Martina McBride. Vince Gill has been named as the event’s host, and will also perform.

The invitation-only event will recognize legendary songwriter Kris Kristofferson, renowned music executive Joe Galante, Gaylord Entertainment Company Chairman and CEO Colin Reed, Healthways Co-Founder and Nashville Predators Chairman and Co-Owner Tom Cigarran, and C. Wright Pinson, M.B.A, M.D., deputy vice chancellor for Health Affairs and CEO of the Vanderbilt Health System.

The annual Honors Gala raises awareness and funds for cancer research at 11 U.S. hospitals, including the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. This year’s event begins at 5:30 PM with a cocktail reception and silent auction. For ticket info, visit www.honorsgala.org.

“Without a doubt, the musical acts will make this year’s gala more than memorable for our guests and attendees. We sincerely thank the entertainers and Vince Gill for their support of the T.J. Martell Foundation and our awardees, and are looking forward to some outstanding performances on March 26,” said Laura Heatherly, CEO of the T.J. Martell Foundation.

Katie Armiger Announces GAC-Sponsored Tour

/by

Katie Armiger kicks off her 26 city Get Smart Tour, sponsored by Great American Country, on March 23 in West Hartford, CT. Armiger’s latest single “Scream,” from her third studio album Confessions of a Nice Girl, is currently climbing radio charts and the video is on the fan-voted GAC Top 20 Countdown for the fifth consecutive week.

“We’ve watched Katie grow up before our eyes and through her videos on GAC,” said GAC President Ed Hardy. “We are thrilled to be part of her first national tour and look forward to sharing in her ongoing successes as her career progresses. GAC is proud to help new artists, such as Katie was, have a national TV platform on GAC to help grow their careers.”

Cold River Records artist Katie Armiger (center) visited Clear Channel WGAR/Cleveland last week for some Friday fun with PD Charley Connolly (right) and regional radio rep Mary Lynne O’Neal (left).

Armiger’s first headlining tour of the U.S. will make stops at colleges, universities, and major fairs and festivals across the country. This is Armiger’s first time back on the road since opening shows for Darius Rucker, Ronnie Dunn, Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler and Luke Bryan. Armiger will perform with a full band on most dates, performing her singles as well as new music from her forthcoming album.

“It’s every artist’s dream to headline their own tour and to be able to do so with GAC’s support is amazing – I am so grateful to them for supporting my career,” said Armiger. “I chose Get Smart for the obvious reason of where we are performing but also as a bit of tongue-in-cheek because I do plan to soak everything in and learn whatever I can on the road. I cannot wait to get out there.”

Full info on the Get Smart tour can be found at www.katiearmiger.com.

Katie Armiger Get Smart Tour:
March 23rd                   West Hartford, CT                   St. Joseph’s College
March 24th                   Hamden, CT                            Quinnipiac University
March 28th                   New Rochelle, NY                   Iona College
March 30th                   Rock Hill, SC                           Winthrop University
April 3rd                        Bangor, ME                             Husson University
April 4th                        Castine, ME                             Maine Maritime Academy
April 5th                        Orono, ME                              University of Maine Orono
April 20th                      Charlotte, NC                          UNC Charlotte
April 21st                      Norfolk, VA                             Virginia Wesleyan
April 24th                      Ramapo, NJ                             Ramapo College
May 3rd                        Macon, GA                              Georgia State Fair
May 5th                        Baton Rouge, GA                     Fest For All
May 12th                      Springfield, OH                        Clark State Performing Arts Center
June 2nd                        Visalia-Tulare, CA                    KJUG Jugfest
June 14th                      Marinette, WI                           Porterfield Country Music Festival
June 15th                      Chicago, IL                              Joe’s Pub
June 16th                      Evansville, IL                            Backstage Bar
June 23rd                      Oshkosh, WI                            Country USA Festival
July 13th                       Jefferson, WI                            Jefferson County Fair
July 14th                       Rhinelander, WI                       Hodag Country Music Festival
July 26th                       Denver, CO                             Toby Keith’s Bar & Grille
July 27th                       Calhan, CO                              El Paso County Fair
July 28th                       Burlington, CO                         Kit Carson County Fair
August 1st                     Springfield, CO                        Baca County Fair
August 4th                     Torrington, WY                        Goshen County Fair
August 16th                   Farmington, UT                        Davis County Fair

ABC-TV Planning New Show “Nashville”

/by

Connie Britton

ABC-TV is working on the pilot for a new TV show called Nashville. The Hollywood Reporter describes the series as a “family soap set against the backdrop of the Nashville music scene revolving around one star at her peak and another on the rise.”

It remains unofficial, but MusicRow has learned that the pilot episode will be taped in Nashville.

Starring as Rayna, the country singer struggling to stay at the top, will be Connie Britton, known for roles on ABC’s Friday Night Lights and FX’s American Horror Story.

Hayden Panettiere, who first rose to prominence on ABC’s Heros, will play rising star Juliette Barnes.

Hayden Panettiere

The project is from ABC Studios, Lionsgate and Gaylord Entertainment, with Gaylord’s Steve Buchanan as an executive producer.

According to THR, on board are writers and executive producers Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise) and R.J. Cutler, who will also direct the pilot. Other actors set for the show include Powers Boothe, Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Robert Wisdom and Eric Close.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/07/12)

/by

Valory Music’s Justin Moore lands his first Disc of the Day prize this week.

I’m digging this kid’s singing more and more. If memory serves, he has been at the top of the charts twice now. I’m betting that “Til My Last Day” makes it a trifecta.

There’s a lot more music to recommend this week. Curb’s Rachel Holder has her finest single to date. Lionel Richie & Shania Twain are glowing together on Mercury. The Michigan duo Some Velvet Evening have a refreshing retro sound. And speaking of retro, the always dependable Chuck Mead is back and sounding as great as ever.

Our DisCovery Award goes to Logan Mize. Next week, this Big Yellow Dog songwriter will also become the debut artist on the publishing company’s new record label. Raise a glass and wish him bon voyage.

ROY SOLIS/Corpus Christi
Writer: Roy Solis/Johnny Garcia/Troy Powers; Producer: Johnny Garcia; Publisher: Avenue 1/Busy at Play/Mia’s Pub Shop, BMI/ASCAP; Avenue 1 (www.roysolismusic.com)
—Gently rolling, with some wonderfully deft guitar picking in between his softly plaintive tenor vocal phrases. Pleasantly listenable and easily programmable.

JUSTIN MOORE/Til My Last Day
Writer: Brian Dean Maher/Justin Moore/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Tunes of Bigger Picture/Big Music Machine/Double Barrel Ace/Super 98/EMI Apirl/Songs of Countrywood, ASCAP/BMI; Valory (track)
—He’s a bad boy who promises to change in order to prove the depth of his love. In fact, he’s vowing to love her until the day he dies. The driving, percussive production is terrific. His performance is soaked with sincerity, and the way he employs that small-town Arkansas drawl is completely endearing. This thing is going places.

SOME VELVET EVENING/Shooting the Breeze
Writer: Carrie Shepard/John Holkeboer; Producer: John Holkeboer; Publisher: none listed; SVE (track) (www.somevelvetevening.com)
—This Michigan duo is going for a retro sound here, and they nail it with charming simplicity. The nifty guitar twang and well-practiced harmony singing are both delightful. Check out their vintage, Opry-style video on the website.

LIONEL RICHIE & SHANIA TWAIN/Endless Love
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (ERG)
—The production is quite toned down from Lionel’s massively successful 1981 version with Diana Ross. But like virtually everything he’s ever written, the melody is so irresistible that you get swept away no matter what the musical surrounding. And, yes, this deserves to be a country smash.

RACHEL HOLDER/In Your Arms
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb (ERG)
—I was smitten with this the moment I heard it during CRS. It’s a lushly melodic power ballad with an almost hymn-like quality, and she delivers it with full fervor. Hang on for the chill-bump, upward modulation in the last chorus.

GEORGE HAMILTON IV & DARRELL McCALL/Abilene
Writer: L. Brown/G. Gibson/J. Loudermilk/A. Stanton; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff Rose, BMI; Heart of Texas (track) (325-597-1895)
—The much-loved and durable Grand Ole Opry star traveled to the Lone Star State to record his new CD, In the Heart of Texas. He kicks it off with a reprise of his 1963 signature song that’s drenched in steel and twin fiddles. Honky-tonk great McCall takes a turn at the mic, too, but with quite a bit more vibrato.

EASTON CORBIN/Lovin’ You Is Fun
Writer: Jim Beavers/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Beavertime/Love Monkey, BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—There’s nothing really wrong with this blandly bouncy ditty. But considering the caliber of material he’s previously released (”A Little More Country Than That,” “Roll With It,” “I Can’t Love You Back”), this has to be counted as a disappointment.

DEEANN DOMINY/Daddy Went to Prison
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Dizzee (track) (www.deeanndominy.com)
—This gal is a previous DisCovery Award winner, and I still say she deserves major-label attention. This is a distinctive, individual new songwriting voice that needs to be nurtured and encouraged.

CHUCK MEAD & JAMEY JOHNSON/You Better Treat Your Man Right
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Ramseur (track) (www.chuckmead.com)
—Back at the Quonset Hut is the second solo CD by this former BR5-49 frontman. In between them, he was the musical director for the successful Broadway musical The Million Dollar Quartet. The concept here is to return to Music Row’s very first studio and cut some straightforward country classics with his band, members of the original A-Team and some terrific guests. Jamey is a merry and lively vocal foil on this wry, Wayne Raney outing. Elsewhere, you’ll find Bobby Bare (”Hey Joe”), Elizabeth Cook (”Pickin’ Wild Mountain Berries”) and Old Crow Medicine Show (”Wabash Cannonball”). Highly recommended.

LOGAN MIZE/Rock N Roll Band
Writer: Logan Mize/Blake Chaffin; Producer: Daniel Tashian & Logan Mize; Publisher: Even the Losers/Year of the Dog/Big Yellow Dog/Music of Parallel/Amplified/Zoe and Her Friend Munkee, ASCAP/BMI; Big Yellow Dog (track) (www.loganmize.com)
—Logan’s Nobody in Nashville debut CD drops next Tuesday. His website is teasing this track as a sneak peak. It showcases his raspy, gripping delivery amid a blue-collar rock audio surrounding. He says he’s a disciple of Tom Petty, but you can also hear the hook-conscious, hillbilly influence of his uncle Billy Mize (who wrote Charlie Walker’s iconic 1960 hit “Who Will Buy the Wine”). To say the least, extremely promising. Count me in.

The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” Lives On

/by

The Band Perry’s mega-hit “If I Die Young” has maintained a long life after its No. 1 chart ascent, and now the RIAA has certified the song Quadruple Platinum for sales exceeding four million. The news comes on the heels of TBP’s recent No. 1 “All Your Life” and Platinum certification of their debut album.

“We are honored by this acknowledgement and thankful that so many of you have connected with this song,” said Kimberly Perry, who won the 2011 CMA Award for Song of the Year for writing “If I Die Young.”

“Each time the bar is set, it seems that The Band Perry surpasses it! Selling over 4 million downloads on just one song is a huge accomplishment,” said Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen. “This extremely talented group is remarkable and we’re thrilled to have them as part of the Republic Nashville family.”

The Band Perry is currently touring with Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality Tour and headlining their own dates. The group’s next single “Postcard From Paris” is going for adds immediately.

Performers Added to “ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends”

/by

Lionel Richie

Luke Bryan, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and Jennifer Nettles have been added to the lineup for ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends, which tapes Mon., April 2, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts and Kenny Rogers. The concert special will air Fri., April 13 on CBS.

Lionel Richie and Friends will feature Richie performing duets with country artists including “My Love” with Chesney, “Sail On” with McGraw, “Lady” with Rogers, “Say You Say Me” with Aldean and more. Recordings of the duets appear on Richie’s  upcoming album Tuskegee, out March 26 via Mercury Nashville.

“It has been so rewarding to have my songs embraced by country music artists,” said Richie. “Since Conway Twitty recorded ‘Three Times a Lady’ and Kenny Rogers sang ‘Lady,’ I have been welcomed into the country music family with open arms. It’s the ultimate compliment to have country artists record and perform songs that I’ve written. I’ve always felt right at home in country because I was raised just down the road from Nashville in Tuskegee, Alabama, where I was immersed in country, R&B, gospel and classical music.”

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster for $100, $150, and $200. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, which works to improve lives through music. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions.