MusicRow Reveals Rising Women Honorees

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MusicRow is proud to announce the inaugural Rising Women on the Row honors will be presented to Mary Hilliard Harrington, Shannan Hatch, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens and Carla Wallace.

“It’s an honor to recognize these five accomplished women who have made such substantial contributions to the Nashville music industry, and continue to rise in their achievements,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “We are fortunate to be able to offer an event where we can gather to celebrate these honorees, as well as salute all women in our industry, whose efforts greatly contribute to its success.”

This year’s honorees will be feted 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 tickets@musicrow.com.

The Rising Women on the Row breakfast joins other annual events hosted by MusicRow, including the CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, and the reader-voted MusicRow Awards.

Mary Hilliard Harrington

Mary Hilliard Harrington—President, The GreenRoom
Harrington’s self-built publicity company reps major stars including Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, and many more. Her multifaceted office also handles day-to-day management for Bentley. She serves on the Country Music Association board of directors, and the Academy of Country Music board of directors.

Shannan Hatch

Shannan Hatch—Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC
During her tenure with SESAC, Hatch has signed hit songwriters including Monty Powell, Craig Campbell, Jon Stone and Rob Hatch. She joined the organization in 2002 and was promoted to her current post in January 2011. Hatch also handles SESAC-sponsored events including Tin Pan South, and the Key West Songwriters Festival. She is involved with the Miller Harris Foundation and Musicians On Call.

Heather McBee

Heather McBee—Vice President, Artist Development/Marketing & Web Initiatives, Sony Music Nashville
McBee strives to find innovative ways to market Sony Music artists, and works to guide the label group through the digital music space. She interned with the label while attending Belmont University and has risen through the ranks. McBee was promoted to her current post in December 2011. She is also a Leadership Music alumna.

Denise Stevens

Denise Stevens—Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb
Stevens’ legal work includes drafting The Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act for client NSAI, as well as due diligence review and analysis of Warner Music Group’s sale to Access Industries. Her clients include Carrie Underwood, Wynonna, Loretta Lynn, Amy Grant, Third Day and Switchfoot. She is a Leadership Music alumna, and serves on the GMA Foundation board.

Carla Wallace

Carla Wallace—Co-Owner, VP Creative, Big Yellow Dog Music
Wallace oversees day-to-day operations of this publishing company, which she launched in 1998 with co-owner Kerry O’Neil. In recent years, the company scored big with landmark hits “Need You Now” and “Before He Cheats.” Big Yellow Dog received ASCAP’s Global Impact Award in 2011. Wallace is a Leadership Music alumna, and is involved with NARAS and the Nashville Humane Association.

Symphony Fashion Show Shines With Oscar de la Renta, Carrie Underwood

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Select gowns in Oscar de la Renta's Pre-Fall 2012 collection. Photo: Nashville Symphony

Carrie Underwood at last night's event. Photo: Royce DeGrie

Fashion is where art meets life, and last night (2/28) Nashville experienced the effect first hand.

The exclusive preview of acclaimed designer Oscar de la Renta’s Pre-Fall 2012 collection concluded with a performance by Carrie Underwood—a frequent face on best-dressed lists. Backed by a full band, she offered a three-song acoustic set including brand new single “Good Girl,” and hits “Undo It” and “Before He Cheats.”

Storme Warren hosted the sold-out fundraiser for the Symphony’s education initiatives, an annual event which attracts Music City socialites dressed in their fashion-forward finest. This year organizers teamed with Nordstrom to present the evening.

The Schermerhorn is a gorgeous backdrop for a runway showcase. The Symphony’s string ensemble opened the event. A DJ spinning dance mixes of Coldplay’s “Paradise” and other tracks upped the tempo as a series of models in striking black and white designs started the fashion parade. More bold patterns followed, as well as brightly colored solids—some of the coming season’s hottest hues are cranberry and electric blue.

De la Renta’s collection ranges from casual, cozy sweaters to formal gowns in shades of muted gold and soft pinks. Several show-stopping dresses drew applause from the crowd.

The evening continued with an exclusive dinner across the street at the Pinnacle Building, attended by patrons who supported the cause with $300 tickets. Less expensive tickets were available and included cocktail hour and the fashion show.

Underwood and band in front of the de la Renta backdrop. Photo: Royce DeGrie

Photo Friday (3/02/12)

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ASCAP recently presented its second installment of ASCAP Amped to an industry crowd at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville. Chatterbox writer Allison Veltz, Universal Publishing writer Corey Crowder and Bigger Picture writer Brandy Clark each played 30 minute sets with their bands.

(L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Brandy Clark, Corey Crowder, Allison Veltz, ASCAP's Robert Filhart and LeAnn Phelan. Photo: Tinti Moffat

• • • •

BMI presented a lineup of singer/songwriters on Friday, February 24 during the 2012 Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. Sarah Siskind, Jon Troast, Carolina Story, Eric Brace & Peter Cooper, Jason White, Ana Egge, Malcolm Holcombe, Anthony Da Costa, and Chris Scruggs each performed at the show.

(L-R): Eric Brace, BMI’s Bradley Collins, and Peter Cooper. Photo: Erika Goldring

INgrooves Acquires Fontana Distribution

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Big news for the independent music community today (3/2), as leading digital distribution/marketing/technology provider INgrooves has acquired Fontana Distribution from Universal Music Group. The new company, INgrooves Fontana, aims to provide a complete solution to independent labels by combining INgrooves’ asset management and distribution platform with Fontana’s physical distribution capabilities. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but UMG will hold a minority interest in INgrooves.

“Through this acquisition, we are now able to offer the independent music community a fully integrated physical and digital distribution marketing solution in North America,” said INgrooves founder Robb McDaniels. “We believe that a successful relationship between distributor and label is, at its root, a flexible structure with a transparent flow of information. By combining INgrooves and Fontana, we will be able to extend this philosophy into a comprehensive distribution operation that provides our collective client base with a larger sales force, more marketing resources and a one-stop global retail network that maximizes opportunities in this dynamic, challenging environment.”

INgrooves Fontana will be run by INgrooves President Dave Zierler and Fontana President Ron Spaulding. The new company will continue to work with UMG’s sales forces to support physical releases.

The combined forces represent a host of popular indie labels including Fat Possum, Nettwerk, Dualtone, Rostrum Records, ESL Music, Metropolis, OM Records, Vagrant Records, Strange Music, Watertower Music, Downtown Records and Music World among others.

Connectivity Defines “Generation C”

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A new report from Nielsen dubs Americans ages 18-34 Generation C (for Connected). As music marketers try to reach digitally connected fans, these new findings show where Gen C spends time online, and its love of mobile devices.

Generation C makes up 23 percent of the U.S. population, according to the latest Census. These connected individuals account for a disproportionately high number of device users, making up 39 percent of smartphone users, and 33 percent of tablet owners.

The group represents 27 percent each of consumers watching online video, and visiting social networking/blog sites. One benefit for marketers is that Generation C is engaged in so many ways that there are multiple touch points to reach them.

Marketing to Gen C is full of challenges and opportunities. Radha Subramanyam, Nielsen’s SVP of media analytics, told the LA Times, “When we start marketing to them, we have to think differently. They’re consuming all different kinds of media, and they expect a direct relationship with brands…. This voracious device usage, which is almost an extension of their fingers, is tied to [their] expectations for instantaneous gratification and instantaneous response from brands.”

The charts below examine digital consumers across a variety of age groups and ethnicities.

 

Source: Nielsen

 

Big Yellow Dog Music Launches Label

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Successful publishing company Big Yellow Dog Music has launched a label side, and its first release will be songwriter Logan Mize’s debut album Nobody In Nashville. Co-produced by Mize and fellow Big Yellow Dog songwriter Daniel Tashian, Nobody In Nashville is due out March 13.

“I definitely don’t try to think about other artists when I’m writing,” says Mize. “I want to pull straight from my own head, I keep it my own for sure.”

A native of Wichita, KS, Mize played football at Southern Illinois University before he began writing songs. He juggled pay-the-rent jobs  after moving to Nashville, eventually landing his publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog. Co-writers on Nobody In Nashville include Tashian, Liz Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Bob DiPiero, and Blake Chaffin.

Gibson Launches Artist In Residency Program

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Gibson Custom, a division of Gibson Guitar, announced today (3/2) its exclusive Artist in Residency program. The new program, based in Nashville, was established to inspire fine art through the support of established and emerging artists.

“This program is dear to our heart and it wonderfully combines our love of music and art,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We believe that having artists here will promote a great symbiotic relationship—and that they will inspire us and, hopefully, we will have the same impact on them.”

Artists interested in participating in the program will be invited to email samples of their work and a short essay as to why they should be considered to customartistresident@gibson.com. In addition to global promotional support provided by Gibson, artists selected will receive residency and housing in the Nashville area, studio space and a materials budget. Inspired by Gibson, but not encumbered by strict boundaries or restrictions, the program’s sole requirement is that at least two commercially viable works of art be created during the residency.

James A. Willis, the program’s inaugural artist, has been profiled in American Art Collector, Art & Antiques, and RefuelMagazine.com, among others and is currently the recipient of a studio space endowment from CHASHAMA, a nonprofit arts organization based in New York City. Following his residency, he will remain an integral part of the program as chairman and aid in the selection process of future artists.

Lifenotes (3/02/12)

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MusicRow extends its condolences to GrassRoots Promotion Managing Partner Nancy Tunick in the loss of her mother Joy Tunick-Green of Kennett Square, PA. She passed away Feb. 28 following a battle with cancer. She was 74. Funeral services are being held today at Mt. Sharon Cemetery in Springfield, PA.

• • •

Condolences also to veteran music publicist Judy McDonough of JEMMedia, whose mother Dolores McDonough passed away in St. Louis on March 1 after an extended illness. She was 79. Final arrangements are pending.

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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There are plenty of songs that make us feel something, but occasionally one rises above the rest to become a rallying cry. Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” is one of those songs.

The song (written by Ben Hayslip, Sonya Isaacs, and Jimmy Yeary) is now occupying the CountryBreakout No. 1 spot after a 30-plus week climb, which speaks to its durability in the marketplace. McBride tackles the always-tough subject of breast cancer, telling the story of a woman whose husband and family is there to support her every step of the way, from diagnosis to surgery and then recovery. Cancer patients and survivors adopted the anthem as their own, and McBride even took a cross-country Amtrak tour to raise awareness for breast cancer while promoting the release of her Republic Nashville debut Eleven.

“I’m Gonna Love You Through It” also garnered industry accolades, including a Grammy nomination for Best Solo Country Performance. McBride is also currently nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on April 1.

Weekly Chart Report (3/2/2012)

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Martina McBride, who currently has the CountryBreakout No. 1 song with "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," recently played the BOK Center in Tulsa and visited with Vanessa Valli of KWEY/Weatherford, OK.

SPIN ZONE
There is considerable chart movement in the post Country Radio Seminar shuffle, resulting in a new CountryBreakout No. 1 song for Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” Martina’s anthem of devotion actually has a slight down-tick in spins, but more than enough to stay on top as older singles rotate out. Making a big leap to No. 2 from 7 is Lady Antebellum’s “Dancin’ Away With My Heart,” thanks to a 226 spin gain. Taylor Swift’s “Ours” is up to No. 3, followed by Blake Shelton’s “Drink On It” and Jake Owen’s “Alone With You.”

Capitol’s Luke Bryan and EMI Nashville’s Eric Church also excel in the spins department, each tacking on an additional 500-plus plays for “Drunk On You” and “Springsteen,” respectively. And somehow Carrie Underwood trumps them both, as her new single “Good Girl” picks up nearly 1000 spins to debut at No. 29–one of our highest chart bows ever. Underwood and team smartly debuted the song during CRS and programmers are responding favorably as they freshen their lists. Also getting big spin gains are Rascal Flatts’ “Banjo” at No. 9, Zac Brown Band’s “No Hurry” at No. 14 and Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States” at No. 16.

Underwood’s debut leads a whole pack of new entries, including Easton Corbin’s “Lovin’ You Is Fun” at No. 69. Also appearing are Darryl Worley’s “You Still Got It” at No. 75, Jon Wolfe’s “I Don’t Dance” at No. 78, Kix Brooks’ “New To This Town” at No. 79, and Shooter Jennings’ “The Deed and the Dollar” at No. 80. Right outside the Top 80, poised to debut next week are Matt Kennon’s “You Had To Pick On Me,” and The McClymonts’ “I Could Be A Cowboy.”

Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KVVP, KYKX, KZTL KZZY WAAG, WZMR

Upcoming Singles
March 5
James Wesley/Walking Contradiction/Broken Bow
Hunter Hayes/Wanted/Atlantic/WMN
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R&J
David Nail/The Sound of a Million Dreams/MCA
Kentucky Headhunters/Great Acoustics/Red Dir

March 12
Sonia Leigh/Bar/Southern Ground/Quarterback
Glen Templeton/Sing That Song Again/Black River
Josh Abbot Band/Touch/PDT
Joanna Smith/We Can’t Be Friends/Columbia

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 29
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury – 69
Darryl Worley/You Still Got It/Tenacity – 75
Jon Wolfe/I Don’t Dance – 78
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista – 79
Shooter Jennings/The Deed And The Dollar/eOne – 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista – 987
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville – 517
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol – 501
Jason Aldean/Fly Over States/Broken Bow – 388
Rascal Flatts/Banjo/Big Machine – 276

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19 Recordings/Arista — 64
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 25
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 14
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury — 13
Thompson Square/Glass/Stoney Creek — 13
Thomas Rhett/Something To Do With My Hands/Valory — 11
Kix Brooks/New To This Town/Arista — 11
Dustin Lynch/Cowboys And Angels/Broken Bow Records — 8
Aaron Lewis/Endless Summer/R & J Records — 8

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg – 191
The McClymonts/I Could Be A Cowboy/BSM Music – 188
Levi Riggs/My Best Friend’s A Girl/Windridge Records – 188
One Night Rodeo/We Could Go To Jail / – 167
Acklen Park/Great American Song/Otter Rapids Music – 156

Country artists donated their time Feb. 24-25 in Blytheville, AR performing for the 32nd Annual ESA St. Jude Country Cares For Kids sponsored by KHLS/96.3 FM, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and Ritter Communication. This year over $215,000 was raised. (L-R): (kneeling) Coty and Clinton Walker from The Walker Bros.; (Seated on couch): Jason Green, Chuck Wilder, Tiffany Sykes, Steve Southard and David Adam Byrnes; (upper couc): Dana Ham, Kelly McGrath, Kacey Smith, and Christine Moore; (Back row): CJ Wilder, Mark Wayne Glasmire, Bob Logan Buddy Jewell, Darren Warren, Mike Lester, Debbie Polk, Tom Hill and Sean Patrick McGraw

Arista Nashville’s Kix Brooks recently hosted the WYCD/Detroit 10 Man Jam Guitar Pull. Brooks is supporting his new single, “New To this Town,” featuring Eagles’ guitarist Joe Walsh. The single debuted at No. 79 on the CountryBreakout chart this week. (L-R): Jack Shell (WYCD MD), Tim Roberts (WYCD OM/PD), Kix Brooks and Renee Leymon (Arista Nashville Promotions)