Weekly Chart Report (2/24/12)

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It Is What It Is/9North artist Lisa Matassa recently visited with KKGO/Los Angeles to promote her new single “Wouldn’t You Like To Know.” (L-R): Matassa, KKGO PD Tonya Campos.

SPIN ZONE
Anyone still awake out there? It’s the final day of Country Radio Seminar 2012, but there’s still plenty more to come. Thank you again to everyone who came out to MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Awards gathering on Tuesday, Feb. 21. We had an absolute blast and couldn’t have done it without you.

Even though it’s CRS, our CountryBreakout chart doesn’t take a break except for the last couple weeks of December. As you might expect, there are more frozen playlists than usual, since many of our reporting stations are here in town to party learn and network.

Nevertheless, we have a new—or should I say “old”—No. 1 song, since Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” has returned to the top spot after a couple weeks off. Dierks’ “Home” falls back to No. 2, followed by Martina’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” still at No. 3. Taylor’s “Ours” moves up a spot to No. 4, one spin ahead of Montgomery Gentry’s “Where I Come From.”

It’s definitely a slower chart, but if your last name is Aldean, Bryan, or Church, it’s still a good week. Aldean’s “Fly Over States” is leading the bunch at No. 23, with Church’s “Springsteen” up to No. 25 after three weeks. Bryan’s “Drunk On You” actually gained the most spins this week (with 278) and moves inside the Top 40 at No. 38.

Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KBXB, KCJC, KDKD, KFAV, KIAI, KITX, KKAJ, KSED, KTJJ, KVOM, KVVP, KVWF, KXIA, KYEZ, KYKX, KZTL, KZZY, WBYZ, WCJW, WDHR, WDNB, WKDZ, WKKW, WKWS, WMEV, WTCM, WTRS, WUCZ, WXXK, WYVY

Upcoming Singles
February 27
Adam Gregory/High On You/Calusa Entertainment/GMV
Lisa Matassa/Wouldn’t You Like To Know/It Is What It Is/Nine North
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury
Carrie Underwood/Good Girl/19/Arista
Garrett Morgan/Sugar/Front Row

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

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Bobby Dean/White Lightning Pink Champagne/Lamon — 79
John Maison/Fast Enough/Big High Five — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 278
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 273
Jason Aldean/Fly Over States/Broken Bow — 210
Zac Brown Band/No Hurry/Southern Ground/Atlantic — 183
Rascal Flatts/Banjo/Big Machine — 133

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Luke Bryan/Drunk On You/Capitol — 17
Eric Church/Springsteen/EMI Nashville — 12
Thomas Rhett/Something To Do With My Hands/Valory — 8
JT Hodges/Goodbyes Made You Mine/Show Dog-Universal — 7
Dustin Lynch/Cowboys And Angels/Broken Bow Records — 6
Rachel Holder/In Your Arms/Curb — 6
Easton Corbin/Lovin’ You Is Fun/Mercury — 6

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Jon Wolfe/I Don’t Dance — 194
Steve Holy/Until The Rain Stops/Curb — 183
Matt Kennon/You Had To Pick On Me/Roaddawg —178
Clay Walker/Like We Never Said Goodbye/Curb — 171
Scott Steele/Paycheck To a Prayer/In The Spot Light — 170

Olivia Rose (Hobo Bridge/Spin Doctors) kicked off her nationwide radio tour this week with a visit to WOOZ/Carterville, IL. (L-R) Tracy McSherry McKown (PD), Kent Zimmerman (Morning show host), Rose, and Josh Gass (WOOZ MD)

RCA's Josh Thompson visited San Antonio's KAJA to promote his new single, “Comin' Around,” from his forthcoming sophomore album. (L-R): RCA regional Josh Easler, Bree (KAJA on air talent), Thompson and Travis Moon (KAJA PD)

Bobby Karl Works The Capitol Records Luncheon

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Chapter 391

Photo: Alan Mayor

Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses….and Alan Jackson will heal them.

The exhausted, hungover, bleary-eyed attendees of Country Radio Seminar walked in zombie file into the Capitol Records luncheon on Thursday (2/23). When they left two hours later, they’d been bathed in the warmth, humor and emotions of a bona fide superstar.

Alan kidded them about being hungover, suggesting and singing snippets of tunes that could be CRS theme songs – “Pop a Top,” “Designated Drinker” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” “It’s a pretty good town, isn’t it?” he said. “It’s a good place to raise hell and a good place to raise children. And I’ve done both.”

Relaxed and charming, he told them the story of his life in music, illustrating it with some of his finest songs. He was accompanied by four members of his Strayhorns band.

“We moved up here on Labor Day Weekend [in 1985]. I’d rented an apartment over the phone. Within two months, there were two fires and one shooting.” Alan sang 1996’s “Home,” which he wrote out of homesickness during his first days in Music City.

He had an early offer to record one song for Mercury Records, but was talked out of that deal. Four long years of singing demos and performing in clubs followed. One of those demos was “Country Club,” which became a hit for Travis Tritt. One of the clubs was a Ramada Inn, where he sang for Sunday brunch audiences, $25 for four hours.

One night, he dropped by the Hall of Fame Motor Inn near Music Row. An all-girl band called Miss-Behavin’ sang Rodney Crowell’s “Song for the Life,” and Alan was thunderstruck. The band later became Wild Rose, and in 1995 Alan fulfilled the vow he’d made to himself to record “Song for the Life.” His performance of it on Thursday was a highlight of the day.

Following his discovery by producer Keith Stegall, Alan’s debut single became 1989’s “Blue Blooded Woman.” It died at No. 45. “My wife was pregnant, and I was worried,” he recalled. “But those were good days, all that strugglin’ stuff.

He went on the road visiting radio programmers, and “I realized that they’re just regular people….You all have been so good to me, and I appreciate it.” He sang his breakthrough hit, 1990’s “Here in the Real World” to thank them.

“The label didn’t think ‘Chattahoochie’ should be a single. I didn’t either, but after it was No. 1 for six or seven weeks, I changed my mind.” He sang that one, too.

“My Daddy died in 2000 and after he did, I wanted to write something for him. But I didn’t want it to be sad.” The result was his 2002 smash “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” which he also sang.

His performance of “Remember When” was achingly lovely. He counterbalanced the ballad with the upbeat “Good Time.”

Alan confessed that he passed on Zac Brown’s breakthrough hit “Chicken Fried,” when it was offered to him. But he happily agreed to the duet “As She’s Walking Away,” which he sang, sans Zac.

Moderator Lon Helton pointed out that only Merle Haggard has written more of his own No. 1 songs than Alan Jackson has. Merle, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Alan are the only artists who have written more than 20 No. 1 singles.

“There’s not a lot of acts who have been around as long as me who are still on the radio,” said Alan humbly. “I appreciate y’all listening so nicely.” He did an eloquent, touching version of his new hit “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” then concluded with a snippet of The Kendalls’ “Thank God for the Radio.” A sustained standing ovation ensued.

“This man is a country-music original and an American treasure,” said Capitol boss Mike Dungan. Mike was in radio promotion at Arista Records when Alan began his career there.

At the start of the luncheon, the label head indulged himself with a little bragging. “We have the No. 1 album and four out of the top-10 albums. We have the No. 1 single this week and the most added single of the week.”

A promo video featured Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly,” Dierks Bentley’s “Home,” Lady Antebellum’s “Dancing Away with My Heart,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You,” Eric Church’s “Springsteen” and Eric Paslay’s forthcoming “If the Fish Don’t Bite.” Coming up on the label are new sounds by Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi and Kelleigh Bannen.

“We’re very proud of our roster,” said Dungan. We’re weren’t proud of the menu, which featured the driest fried chicken in history. Many gave up trying to saw through it with plastic utensils.

Bathing in the therapeutic power of the superstar or just milling and mingling in the vicinity were JT Hodges, Amber Hayes and Shooter Jennings, plus Bob Moody, Bob Doerschuk, Bob Paxman, John Dorris, Josh Brandon, Jerry Holthouse, the ubiquitous Charlie Monk, Daniel Paul, Beth Gwinn, Susan Collier, Wendy Pearl, Rich Miller, Ryan Moore, Scott Stem and the beaming Capitol/EMI staffers.

(L-R): CRB Board President/WQYK PD Mike Culotta, Capitol Nashville COO Tom Becci, Capitol Nashville SVP Marketing Cindy Mabe, Capitol Nashville CEO/President Mike Dungan, Jackson, Capitol Nashville SVP Promotion Steve Hodges, EMI Records Nashville VP Promotion Angela Lange, CRB Exec. Dir. Bill Mayne, Country Aircheck Publisher/CEO Lon Helton

Lipscomb University Taps Randy Goodman

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Randy Goodman joins Lipscomb as executive-in-residence.

Entertainment industry veteran and former Lyric Street Records Pres. Randy Goodman was recently appointed executive-in-residence at Lipscomb University’s College of Business. Goodman graduated from Lipscomb with a political science degree.

“Randy brings a tremendous amount of experience in the entertainment and music industries. He has a keen business sense and has a good understanding of the mission and scope of Lipscomb University. We are very fortunate to have him lend his knowledge and expertise to us and to share it with our students,” said Turney Stevens, dean of the College of Business.

A Nashville native, Goodman started Nashville-based Lyric Street Records for the Walt Disney Co., in 1997 and served as president until the record label closed in 2010. Lyric Street Records was home to multi-platinum selling artists Rascal Flatts, SHeDAISY and Aaron Tippin as well as American Idol alums Josh Gracin and Bucky Covington. In his 30-year career, Goodman has worked with artists including Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, the Judds, Alabama, Clint Black and the Dave Matthews Band and held a variety of positions in artist development, marketing and sales. In 1990, Goodman moved to RCA NY to work as senior vice president in marketing for RCA Records globally. He also served as executive vice president and general manager of the RCA Label Group in Nashville.

Goodman currently co-chairs the Music City Music Council with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. He is a member of the Country Music Association board of directors and served as president and chairman of the board in 2008 and 2009. He is also a trustee for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Charlie Cook On Air: Country Radio Seminar

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As this article is being posted on the musicrow.com almost two thousand broadcasters, record company personnel, artists and many more associated with Country music and Country radio, are meeting at the Nashville Convention Center on the final day of Country Radio Seminar 2012.

I am not going to talk about the Hall of Fame dinner and celebration that opened the event Tuesday night but I do want to congratulate and welcome this year’s inductees into the Country Radio Hall of Fame. I also want to congratulate Bob Kingsley for receiving the President’s award. Bob deserves the recognition just as he deserved his induction into the HOF back in 1998.

No, I don’t really want to talk about Radio’s new cheerleader—Bob Pittman of Clear Channel Media. I suspect that Bob’s speech was similar to the one that he gave at the NAB last year. It was excellent and I know that Bob has gained even more authority in the business since then.

But I do want to talk about some of the people that I have come across in the 30 plus years that I have been coming to the Seminar.

Most of my dates here are going to be “close.” I am really bad about exact years when I look back. I am in the neighborhood but give me a year one way of the other on my memory.

My first Seminar was 1972. The first person I met was Dave Dillon. I arrived at the hotel and he was at the registration desk, welcoming us rookies. He told me, “belly up the desk and tell em who you are boy.” At that point I thought that Dave was the nicest guy in the world. He made me seem so welcome to the event. Thank you Dave.

It was at the Seminar that I first saw the aforementioned Mr. Pittman and Ed Salamon, who were programming WMAQ Chicago and WHN New York, respectively. It is a small world that Lon Helton went to work for Bob at WMAQ and I went to work for Ed at WHN just a few years later but that Lon and I had met and worked together in Denver before that.

Anyway, Bob and Ed were the guys who changed the way Country Radio was programmed. They brought over contemporary programming tools (research and BIG contesting) to Country Radio. The two most important people I ever “saw” at the Seminar. It was a couple of years until I met them.

I was the “program director” at WSDS in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The job title is in quotes because about all I knew about programming radio was how to spell the title.

I didn’t come back to the Seminar until 1981.

I was the program director of KHJ and was added to the Agenda Committee. There I met Jim Ray, who was a GM in Texas. He was (and still is) the coolest Texan I have ever met. He had a way of speaking Texas that impressed me to no end. He was encouraging and helped me learn my way around the Seminar.

I became agenda chairman and then moved on to the CRB Board of Directors. That’s when I met the most interesting people in Country Radio. These are the early years guys.

Frank Mull: I would hang around his office just looking at all of the crap that he had piled on every open space. Frank loved the Seminar. He had a respect for the founding of the organization.

Al Greenfield: He was President of Viacom Radio and on the CMA board. Those were two of the coolest things you could be in my mind. He was pretty impressive to me.

Charlie Monk: Yeah Right. Seriously, I consider him a dear friend.

Larry Daniels: THE classiest man ever to work in Country Radio.

Mike Oatman: We agreed on very little when it comes to programming Country Radio but Mike was as passionate about the Country Radio Seminar as anyone that ever attended the event. He cared about the business, the seminar and always brought his entire programming staff.

Gaylon Christie: Someone who could give Jim Ray a run for Texas talk. Along with Gaylon’s radio stations he owned a pawn shop and I still have the watch I bought from him 20 years ago.

Charlie Douglas: The NICEST man ever to work in Country Radio. We all miss him.

Sheila Shipley (now also Biddy): One of the first female record VPs. Now we think nothing of it, she was a trailblazer.

Gene Kennedy: A great guy, who I met while on the board and then got to know better while we both went through Leadership Music.

Gerri McDowell: Another big deal female record person who was the most fun. Everyone loved Gerri.

Ed Salamon: Nothing I can add to his resume or to what he meant to my career. I am sure that I would be doing something outside of radio by now if it were not for Ed.

These are just a few of the old-timers that were on the CRB board early. Not necessarily the first wave, as I came in 10 or so years after the Seminar was already up and running, but it was fun for me to remember these few people. I hope some of you remember them too.

See you at the Seminar.

Mike Dungan To Leave Capitol For Universal [Updated]

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Capitol Records Nashville President/CEO Mike Dungan will soon be moving over to Universal Nashville to take over as president.

Billboard.biz reported the news yesterday (Feb. 23), which MusicRow later confirmed. Longstanding Universal Music Group Nashville president Luke Lewis is rumored to be taking on a different role within the company.

The Tennessean reported today (Feb 25), an email was sent Friday to employees from EMI CEO Roger Faxon confirming Dungan’s departure to rival record label, Universal Music Group.

Among other details in their report, Dungan will leave Capitol/EMI on March 31 and join Universal a month later. “I would not be surprised that once the merger with Universal has closed, we will be linking up with Mike once again,” Faxon said. “But until that happens, while he will still be our friend, he will absolutely be our competition.”

Taking over from Dungan at Capitol/EMI is Bill Hearn, currently the top executive at EMI’s Christian music division according to The Tennesseean. Hearn continues to oversee the EMI’s CMG Christian group, but will also take on the additional responsibility of Capitol Nashville, Faxon said.

In mid-November, 2011, an announcement of the sale of EMI’s recorded music and publishing companies for a total of $4.1 billion to Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group ($1.9 b) and a consortium led by Sony Corp ($2.2 b) made headlines. The record label deal is partly based upon Universal’s expectation it can profitably exploit EMI’s extensive back catalog which includes acts like The Beatles.

The current proposed merger between both entertainment companies is still pending regulatory approval.

 

MusicRowPics: 10th Annual CRS Meet & Greet and CBO Awards [More Pics]

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MusicRow held its 10th Annual CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards Tues., Feb 21, with performances by JT Hodges, The McClymonts, and Marlee Scott as well as a special appearance from Joanna Smith.

Awards based on CountryBreakout Chart airplay were presented to Independent Artist of the Year, Eric Lee Beddingfield; Label of the Year, Capitol Records Nashville; Breakout Artist of the Year, Thompson Square; Artist of the Year, Brad Paisley. WPPL/Blue Ridge, GA PD Jim Quinton was presented with the editorial CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year.

Complete coverage here.
More pics here.

[slide]

Photos: Alan Mayor

Industry Ink Thursday (2/23/12)

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Pat Finch Music Publishing’s newest signee Ann Marie joined BMI recently. Finch discovered her when she performed at BMI Buzz at the Basement. She is busy touring, and recently provided background vocals for “Need You Now” on the deluxe edition of Adele’s Grammy-Award winning 21. Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Ann Marie, and Pat Finch. Photo: Drew Maynard

• Save The Date: The 2012 CMT Music Awards will be presented Wednesday, June 6 in Nashville. Details to follow.

Keith Anderson

• Keith Anderson has been tapped to host “Cool Country Live from Ocean Way Nashville.” The weekly radio show produced by Steve Graham will feature country stars performing acoustic sets in front of a live studio audience. It will debut May 4 from Cool Broadcasting. The show will also highlight top songwriters, and a new artists. Anderson’s hits include “Pickin’ Wildflowers” and “Every Time I Hear Your Name.” As a songwriter, he has written hits including “Lost In This Moment” (Big & Rich), and “Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)” (Garth Brooks/George Jones).

• A memorial service and reception honoring the late Patsi Bale Cox will be held Thursday, March 29 at 2 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Details to follow. See obit here.

• Earlier this week film workers protested the state’s lack of incentives to recruit film projects here. More from the Nashville Scene.

Melissa Varallo

• Melissa Varallo has joined the staff at Cody Entertainment as a booking agent. Her 20-plus years of experience includes stops at EMI Publishing and her own Alpha Agency. She will concentrate on booking the western region of the US for a roster including Ricochet, The Real Country Music Tour (Doug Stone/Sammy Sadler) and Jimmy Lehoux. She can be reached at 615-977-1487 or [email protected].

• Ralph Stanley and LeAnn Rimes are featured in the new electronic dance music documentary, Re: Generation, in which five high-profile DJs remix traditional styles of music. Stanley and Rimes worked with DJ Pretty Lights to update the folk classic “Wayfaring Stranger.” Other DJs in the film include Premier, Skrillex, Mark Ronson, and The Crystal Method. The movie will be shown in selected movie theaters tonight (2/23), including Nashville’s Carmike Bellevue theater at 7:45 p.m. CT.

• Anitoch resident Josh Doyle won Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter competition. Out of more than 17,000 submissions, 10 finalists were hand-selected by Grammy award-winning producer John Shanks to perform Saturday, Feb. 18 at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles for the chance to win. Doyle took home the top prize package including $10,000 cash, a 3-song EP produced by Shanks, and new gear.

The Valory Music Co. surprised Thomas Rhett on Tuesday (2/21) with a toast to celebrate his first official add day for debut single “Something To Do With My Hands.”

 

Show Dog-Universal Adds Nathan Cruise, Jimmy Rector

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Nathan Cruise

Show Dog-Universal Music President Mark Wright today officially announced the appointment of Jimmy Rector to the position of Vice President, Strategic Planning and Promotion; and Nathan Cruise to the position of Regional Promotion Marketing Director. Rector’s move was first reported by MusicRow on Jan. 25. He most recently served as Vice President, Promotion at Columbia Records and has held key positions at Capitol Records Nashville and BNA Records.

“Jimmy is an innovative promoter and I’m excited to have him join the team in this new capacity,” commented Rick Moxley, Vice President, Promotion. “His experience and leadership will greatly benefit our team.” This appointment will reunite Moxley and Rector who worked together for a number of years at Sony Music Nashville.

“I’m excited and honored to join Show Dog-Universal Music,” added Rector. “I look forward to rejoining my friend and promotion partner Rick Moxley and Mark Wright, and look forward to working the entire SDU team.”

Cruise has extensive music industry experience most recently as MW/SW Promotion Director for Tenacity Records, Warner Atlantic Reprise (W.A.R.) and a previous stint with Show Dog Nashville. This move reunites him with the now merged Show Dog-Universal Music and Moxley. “It’s great to welcome Nathan back home to the SDU music team,” commented Moxley. “His knowledge of the business and infectious energy is second to none.”

Jimmy Rector

Cruise added, “Returning to Show Dog-Universal Music is like coming home to me and I couldn’t be more excited. I love the staff and artists and can’t wait to get started.”

Show Dog-Universal’s roster includes label founder Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Carter’s Chord, Joel Crouse, Rose Falcon, JT Hodges, Jessie James and Krystal Keith.

Contact Jimmy Rector at (615) 324-7779 or [email protected].

Contact Nathan Cruise at (615) 324-7764 or [email protected].

Bobby Karl Works the UMG Ryman Showcase

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Chapter 390

The third annual Ryman showcase by UMG (2/22) has staked its claim as the pre-eminent musical presentation of Country Radio Seminar.

I can’t think of an event in the history of CRS with more thrills per moment. As in previous years, almost the entire Universal roster, 19 artists, performed one song each.

(L-R): Scotty McCreery and George Strait. Photo: Peyton Hoge

There were a couple of exceptions, beginning with show-opening superstar George Strait, who performed two tunes. Introduced by host Royce Risser, Strait walked out to screams of excitement and a standing ovation.

“I want to thank MCA for having me out here today,” he said. “Thank you for supporting my career for so many years,” he added, addressing the 1,000+ radio professionals in attendance. Accompanied by guitar aces Mac McAnally and Steve Gibson, Strait sang “I Will Always Remember You.” It was a moving, wistful reflection on a life well lived and songs well sung that brought him a second standing ovation. He followed it with his hit “Troubadour,” which drew an even longer s.o. He clapped back at the cheering crowd.

Luke Lewis, Tony Brown and Erv Woolsey came out to present him with a plaque saluting “Here for a Good Time” as the first of Strait’s No. 1 hits that he had a hand in writing (along with Dean Dillon and son Bubba Strait). Marc Driskill of ASCAP presented a plaque for the same achievement as well as a guitar that the organization gives to all first-time No. 1 songwriters.

(L-R): Royce Risser (MCA), Luke Lewis (UMG), George Strait, Tony Brown, Erv Woolsey. Photo: Peyton Hoge

“I should have started doing this a long time ago,” said Strait. “Think how many guitars I’d have.”

“I think that’s something you’ll be able to tell your grandchildren,” Risser stated. “You saw George Strait at the Ryman. And every artist after this will be able to say, ‘Yeah, I remember the time when George Strait opened for me back in 2012.’”

One of the afternoon’s most emotional moments was provided by Vince Gill. “I wanted to come out today, more than anything, to say thank you,” he told the radio folks. “It was a really sweet, sweet ride for the last 23 years,” he added, revealing that after all those years he is no longer an MCA Records artist. He performed the trembling, devout “The Red Words” and drew a standing ovation.

(L-R): UMG Nashville Chairman Luke Lewis and Lionel Richie. Photo: Peyton Hoge

The finale artist of the afternoon was Lionel Richie. Like Strait, he was allowed two performances. Both “Easy” and “Crazy in Love Over You” were duets with Luke Bryan, who was revealed as a total Lionel freak.

“I am having the best time of my life,” said Richie, whose Tuskegee CD of Nashville duets will be issued next month. “I’m not born country, but my songs have been country for a long time.” By the way, CBS-TV’s Lester Holt of The Today Show is in town to interview him. Holt is an aspiring bass player.

For chill-bump responses from the conventioneers in the Ryman, the UMG baby acts ruled. Here’s how I rank ‘em:

  1. Mallary Hope delivered the finest vocal performance of the day with her minor-key gem “Black Widow Spider.” She drew spontaneous applause even before the song ended. At the finish, she segued into a snippet of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.” “That’s awesome,” someone shouted. “Awesome and scary, too,” added Risser.
  2. Unknown newcomer Kacey Musgraves also drew spontaneous, mid-song applause for the superbly crafted lyric of “Merry Go Round.” The song of small-town dysfunction incorporated a number of children’s nursery rhyme phrases. A native Texan, Musgraves is notable for tunes she’s penned for Miranda and Martina.
  3. It looks like Kip Moore has a hit on his hands with the thumping “Something ‘Bout a Truck.” “You guys are changing my life,” he said.
  4. Alabama native Drake White walked out as a total unknown and walked off as a twinkling little star. “You Always Want What You Can’t Have” was hillbilly-soulful and super intense. At one point, he stepped away from the mic and wailed a cappella into the hall. They screamed in response.
  5. Expectant father Randy Montana got fine response with his new “Little Rock and the Rain.”
  6. Amazing Race TV veteran Canaan Smith said, “Last year at this time, I didn’t even know what a programmer was. I think the ink was still wet on my contract.” His debut single, the sprightly and earnest “We Got Us,” has just charted.
  7. Former SteelDrivers member Chris Stapleton staged his debut performance as a solo artist. “A lot of people in this room have had a huge impact on my life as a songwriter,” he said. “So thank you.” Then he floored them with his gritty, raspy, bruising, blue-eyed soul vocal on “Sometimes I Cry.”

Of the company’s more established artists, the finest performance came from David Nail. He blew the roof off the Ryman when he sang last year, and he repeated the feat on Wednesday when he sang his so-powerful, soaring new single “The Sound of a Million Dreams.” In a word, wow.

Laura Bell Bundy’s new single ships next month. She sang the uplifting “That’s What Angels Do” superbly.

The always dependable Josh Turner turned in a smoothly grooving “Time Is Love.” That was another big crowd favorite. Also on tap were Lee Ann Womack, The Randy Rogers Band, Josh Kelley, Scotty McCreery, Easton Corbin and Lauren Alaina.

It’s kind of hard to work a room when you’re sitting in pews and balancing a boxed lunch on your lap. Doing their best were Suzanne Gordon, Suzanne Alexander, Jeff Walker, Jeff Mayfield, Butch Baker, Kevin Lamb, Keith Smith, Ben Vaughn, Pat Higdon, Greg Cole, Peyton Hoge, Walter Campbell, Lisa Konicki, Tom Roland and MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, 10-year-old Bryson Foster.

Lambert Receives Gold “For The Record” Plaque

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L-R: Keith Gale (RCA Nashville VP National Promotion), Marion Kraft (ShopKeeper Management), Gary Overton (Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO), Lambert, Paul Barnabee (Sony Music Nashville SVP Marketing). Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Although Miranda Lambert’s Four The Record album was certified Gold in last December, it wasn’t until CRS that everyone was able to get together and unwrap her plaque. The album has already yielded the hit “Baggage Claim” and her new single, “Over You,” is quickly climbing the charts.