MusicRowPics: 10th Annual CRS Meet & Greet and CBO Awards

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

The invitation-only event at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville served as an unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar, which began at the Nashville Convention Center today (Feb. 22).

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. An in-depth profile of each recipient is featured in the February/March 2012 MusicRow print magazine.

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Photos: Izzynashville.com

Bobby Karl Works The Country Radio Hall of Fame Ceremony

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Chapter 389

The official/unofficial first Country Radio Seminar cocktail party occurred just prior to the Country Radio Hall of Fame awards at the Convention Center.

This is always a good opportunity to see which recording artists are early birds trying to catch the worms of country radio’s gatekeepers. On Tuesday evening (2/21), they included Josh Thompson, Deborah Allen, Jerrod Niemann, Radney Foster, Mark Collie, Jay DeMarcus, Connie Smith, Jana Kramer and Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban.

CRS chair Charlie Morgan dubbed the ceremony, “the most special night, the night we honor our greats, our legends.” Country Radio Broadcasters board president Mike Culotta gave the President’s Award to Hall of Fame member Bob Kingsley.

“I’m getting an award for something I truly love,” said the honoree. “Every industry has its own convention, but none can compare to ours.” Kingsley has attended 40 of the 43 CRS confabs. He was instrumental in getting songwriters involved and has worked at literally every level of the planning and execution of the annual get-together.

Pictured at the Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony are the 2012 class of the Country Radio Hall of Fame. (L-R): CRS President Mike Culotta, Eddie Stubbs, Ron Rogers, Beverlee Brannigan, Rusty Walker, Bill Whyte, Moby, Bob Kingsley, CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. Photo: Bev Moser

R.J. Curtis presented the Artist Career Achievement Award to Glen Campbell. The superstar’s hits played with a video montage, since he was en route to Boston for another stop on his farewell tour. Keith Urban appeared, also via video, to thank Glen for, “blazing such a trail for guitar-slinging singers in this town” and being, “such a huge influence in what I do.” Keith performed “Wichita Lineman” in Glen’s honor.

T.K. Kimbrell accepted for Glen, who has Alzheimer’s Disease. “This is perfect timing,” said Kimbrell, “because Glen can still understand what an honor this is.” He said he’d spoken to the star about it the day before. “This award is a real testament to how a country boy from Delight, Arkansas, can reach people all around the world.”

The first Radio honoree was Midwest programmer and operations manager Beverlee Brannigan, who is considered to be a trailblazer for women in country radio programming. “I was truly the only woman in the room for most of the ‘80s and ‘90s,” she acknowledged.

Famed consultant Rusty Walker has worked with more than 750 stations. He was the second Radio honoree.

“If I live to be 150, I’ll never be able to repay this debt,” he said. “Thank you, CRS, for creating a learning and networking environment.”

Ron Rogers was introduced by Bill Mayne as, “one of the best teachers I’ve ever met, hence his nickname, ‘Coach.’” Rogers is noteworthy for his work in the Austin, TX market.

“It’s easy to get puffed up about an honor like this,” said Rogers. “I said to my wife on the way up here, ‘In your wildest dreams, did you ever think we’d be flying into Nashville to go into the Hall of Fame?’ She said, ‘Ron, you’re not in my wildest dreams.’”

The on-air personalities were saluted next. Linda Davis and Lang Scott inducted their friend Bill Whyte, presenting a gag CD cover of “Lady Grannybellum,” picturing them with him. On a more serious note, Scott said, “We’re in the heart of Music City, in the heart of country music and in the heart of country radio. And that’s appropriate, because Bill has a heart. I think you’re very wise to honor a man of such integrity.”

Whyte, currently on WSM, recalled beginning his career playing records on small-market radio stations from trailers in cow pastures. He was unapologetic in giving the evening’s longest acceptance speech. His on-air stints include time spent in Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Indianapolis, as well as Nashville. He is also a singer-songwriter.

“To all those who never told me I couldn’t, thank-you so much and God bless,” he concluded.

His fellow WSM broadcaster Eddie Stubbs was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. At age 50, Stubbs is the youngest inductee to date and also perhaps the only one who comes from a public-radio background.

“He’s crazy as a bat, and I know that because it takes one to know one,” said inductor Marty Stuart. Stubbs is a walking encyclopedia of historic country music and plays it on his shows. “He can take us to the heart and soul of country music,” said Stuart. “If you follow your heart, it will always take you to the right place. Eddie followed his heart,” and it led him to the Hall of Fame.

A veteran of The Johnson Mountain Boys bluegrass band, Stubbs recalled fiddling for the late Johnny Wright and wife/co-star Kitty Wells. Kitty, age 92, was in attendance and received the night’s longest and loudest standing ovation.

“I didn’t get into this for self-gratification,” Stubbs said. “It’s always been about the music….This award tonight is a monumental blessing, and I thank God.”

Entertainment attorney titan Joel Katz inducted James Carney, known on the air as Moby. The DJ is a Crossville, TN native and Belmont dropout who grew up country but gained fame as a rock shock jock. He went back to his country roots in 1991 on the air in Atlanta.

“I never thought I’d see the brass ring of the country-radio carousel, but look at me tonight,” quoth Moby. “It’s the Academy Award of country broadcasting.”

Roughly 400 folks attended. Working the room were Jim Halsey, Sherman Halsey, Skip Bishop, Mark Wright, Mike Dungan, Charlie Monk, Phyllis Stark, Dan Rogers, Donna Hughes, George Briner, Scott Borchetta and Tom Baldrica. Hall of Famer Smokey Stover was there celebrating his 90th birthday. Dale Turner, Bobby Wright, Mike Ford, Bob Cole, David Haley, Steve Dean, Sue Sturdivant, Charlie Cook and Byron Gallimore dined on steak medallions, roasted potato wedges and broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and other mixed steamed veggies. Apple pie and/or chocolate cake were the deserts.

Immediately afterward (2/21), Sony and Sea Gayle showcased Wade Bowen, Jerrod Niemann and Brent Anderson in the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom. The laminate/invitation included those magic words, “open bar.” Schmooze on!

At the “Official Country Radio Hall of Fame After Party” are (L-R): Liz O’Sullivan (Sea Gayle Senior VP of Creative), Lesly Tyson (Arista Nashville VP National Promotion), Frank Rogers (Sea Gayle Partner), Wade Bowen, Gary Overton (Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO), Chris DuBois (Sea Gayle Partner), Brent Anderson, Norbert Nix (Columbia/BNA Records VP National Promotion), Jerrod Niemann. Photo: Bev Moser

Parallel Music Publishing Signs Hit Writer

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Nashville’s Parallel Music Publishing has signed songwriter Thom McHugh to its roster. McHugh has five No. 1s and an additional five songs to hit the Top five. Those hits include “Don’t Happen Twice,” “You Can’t Lose Me,” and “More” by Trace Adkins.

McHugh graduated from Belmont University’s Music Business Program in Engineering, interned at MCA Publishing where he worked his way up to become chief engineer of the studio. Engineering by day and writing by night, McHugh discovered his true passion in writing.

“I’m thrilled to be working with Tim Hunze [Managing Partner] and the entire Parallel Entertainment team,” said Thom. “It feels like the perfect fit.”

 

Pittman and Houle Kick Off CRS 2012

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Country Radio Seminar 2012 officially opened its first full agenda day, Wednesday February 22, with a keynote address form Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman and a presentation from futurist David Houle.

But first, Country Radio Broadcasters Executive Director Bill Mayne welcomed the crowd with hopes that the upcoming event might accomplish three basic things for the gathered attendees—increase station revenues, market share and advance personal careers.

Next it was Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s turn to salute the convention crowd. Dean pleaded with a big smile, “Please spend a lot of money while you’re here.” Dean then told the crowd about the city’s new convention center scheduled to open in April 2013, Music City Center. He also discussed the new Omni Hotel that would connect with a Country Music Hall of Fame that would double in size. “The Hall of Fame has seen about 450,000 visitors in the past year,” Dean said. “And that is during very challenging times, especially with all the construction and parking issues in the area. We’re confident that once completed that visitor count will double.”

Bob Pittman

Bob Pittman, a former CEO of MTV Networks and COO of America Online was next. “America loves radio,” said Pittman. “There’s nothing wrong with this business. It’s the most exciting business in the the country, with nothing but upside.” The Clear Channel executive showed research that named TV, Radio and the Web as the media with which people spend the most time. “Country radio reaches over 65 million listeners every week,” he said. “The consumer loves radio.”

Pittman noted that digital was “wonderful” for the future of radio because radio is not about a tower and transmitter, but a content franchise. Pittman showed that radio can drive social media and offered the iHeart Radio concert last year as an example. The digital app’s Facebook Page had about 80,000 likes, but after an extensive concert promotion that number grew to over 1.5 million.

Pittman also touched on the subject of Radio vs. “music collection” or “audio stream” technologies such as Pandora, Spotify, Rdio and others. “Listeners want to hear about the outside world and get new music,” he explained. “That’s what radio is about. Music Collection is more about being inside your own world. People can’t bond with a thing or a technology,” he added. “Only to humans.”

Pittman’s feel-good, warm and fuzzy analysis never identified even one challenge facing radio for the future. For example, he talked glowingly about the synergistic relationship between radio and the record labels, but never discussed whether that meant he might consider agreeing to pay a sound copyright royalty to artists and labels. Pittman never discussed the fact that radio ad revenues have fallen over the past few years, or for that matter that his own company is struggling under a debt load of over $20 billion dollars and still paying more in interest than it makes through operations. Also missing from the dialogue was any consideration about the expanding reach of the Internet into automobile dashboards.

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David Houle

The morning’s next presentation, “Flows” was from futurist David Houle who discussed material from his upcoming book, Entering The Shift Age. Houle described his futurist role as acting as a catalyst to get people thinking about the future. He told the attendees, “I’m going to speak about change in the larger context of the future, you’ll have to decide how it fits for the radio business.”

Houle suggested that compared to 1,000 years ago, (1012), the rate of change in our world has increased perhaps 100 times. Therefore, what took 1,000 years to happen will now happen in ten years. Part of his premise is that we are experiencing three major force flows as part of the ShiftAge. First is a “Flow to Global.” The world is no longer city, state or national, it is happening on a global scale. “This is why national governments can’t seem to solve the problems they are facing anymore,” he explained.

The second force is a “Flow to the Individual,” which has resulted from an explosion of choice. Thirdly was the “Flow of Accelerated Connectedness,” which has meant that the time communication differential between speaking to someone 25 ft. away or 12,000 miles away (via cellphone) is only about 2 seconds. Place is now irrelevant to communication.

Houle covered numerous additional topics, but one of my favorite was his coining the phrase “Digital Natives” to describe people under 18 years old. Everyone else is a “Digital Immigrant” he said.

“Radio and the music business will change shape and form over the next decade,” he warned. “Legacy thinking will no longer work.” At the end of his talk he called Facebook the first 21st Century online utility, but said that like the phone company, it really didn’t have much brand loyalty. “The digital natives will show us the next big thing,” he predicted. “Keep your eyes on them.”

(L-R) Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman, Lauren Alaina who sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne

Bobby Karl Works MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Awards

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Chapter 388

Listen, I live all year long in one unending schmoozathon, but nothing tops CRS in the schmooze department.

The 43rd annual Country Radio Seminar got underway Tuesday afternoon (2/21) with the presentation of the 10th annual Country Breakout Awards by MusicRow magazine. Staged in the upstairs party room at Margaritaville, in reality the event was a manic gab fest. Talk about a tough room – the schmoozers just barely paused to applaud Artist of the Year Brad Paisley.

(L-R): MR Managing Editor Jon Freeman, Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, Brad Paisley and MR Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Izzynashville.com

Brad didn’t seem to mind – he knows what CRS is all about. “I hope you have a great week,” he told the babbling crowd. “Take care of yourselves. Don’t drink too much. But don’t abstain from drinking, either.”

The CMA Entertainer of the Year was accompanied by Gary Overton. “It’s a real honor to work with Brad Paisley,” said Gary O. “You can’t ask for a better partner.”

Thompson Square won the Breakthrough Artist award. “Shawna and I are pretty humbled today,” said Keifer Thompson. “We played this [Lower Broadway] strip for years and years.” Margaritaville, you see, lies in the heart of the district where country dreams are born and die in Music City.

(L-R): Jon Freeman, Thompson Square's Keifer & Shawna Thompson and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Izzynashville.com

For the seventh consecutive year, Capitol Records was named Label of the Year. Steve Hodges led the company’s promo staff in accepting.

The Independent Artist of the Year honor went to Eric Lee Beddingfield. “I take a lot of pride in being an independent artist,” he said. “Thank you MusicRow for helping artists such as myself and giving us the chance to get our music heard.”

(L-R): Jon Freeman, Sherod Robertson and WPPL's Jim Quinton

The magazine’s awards are based on the number of spins that artists or labels receive from its 102 chart reporting stations. Of those stations, the Reporter of the Year went to Jim Quinton at WPPL Mountain Country in Blue Ridge, GA. In a room full of his peers, Jim received the afternoon’s rowdiest ovation.

“I love the music that we have right now – so many different styles to choose from,” Jim said. “Our audience is just growing and growing. Use this time [in Nashville at CRS] to re-charge yourself.”

Some of that diverse music was performed during the event. Marlee Scott is a Canadian now living in Nashville. The porcelain skinned, raven-haired beauty is a FaceBook sensation with 25,000 followers. She has topped the country charts in England, Germany ahd Holland. Marlee offered the partiers a sprightly “Crazy for You,” the tuneful hit “Beautiful Maybe” and her funky current single “Train Wreck.”

JT Hodges Performs

For my money, the performer of the day was JT Hodges. His gleaming smile, neo-rockabilly hairstyle and pent-up intensity added up to a charismatic stage presence, and his urgent singing completed the package. The rollicking “Hunt You Down,” driving “Sleepy Little Town” and throbbing “Goodbyes Made You Mine” all sounded like hits.

The McClymonts probably commanded the crowd’s attention the most. Although performing last, no one at the bash left while those three Aussie charmers were on stage. Their harmony singing was flawless, as always.

Joanna Smith, who showcased at last year’s MR event, dropped by to offer the attendees the world premiere of her new single “We Can’t Be Friends.” She got the song from Kenny Chesney, she said.

More than 500 people rsvp’d, setting a record for this shindig. Bobby Karl spotted Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden, plus Ron Allen, Allen Brown, Steve Ferguson, Steve Markland, Shelly Marks, Chuck Dauphin, Chuck Thompson, Frank Myers, Isabel Ross, Tinti Moffatt, Paul Ciliberto, Ed Carter, Mike Thomas, Martha Moore, Ed Spacek, Bill Wence, Sherrill Blackmon, Tom Long, Teddi Bonadies, Paula Szeigis, Clif Doyal and Becky Harris in the schmoozing throng.

The Margaritaville staff was super attentive, passing around the club’s signature Cheeseburgers in Paradise snacks and offering a tasty nacho bar. Not to mention plentiful adult beverages.

“We are so honored to start off your CRS,” said the mag’s head honcho Sherod Robertson. “Hope your CRS is off to a great start,” added co-host Jon Freeman. Thank you. It is.

EMI Records Announces New Signing

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EMI Records Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Kelleigh Bannen to the label. The Nashville native has been hard at work in the studio working with Paul Worley and Jerry Smith on her debut album. Bannen’s first single will hit radio later this year.

Standing: Cindy Mabe (Capitol/ EMI Records Nashville SVP Marketing), Jerry Smith (Co-producer), Paul Worley (Producer), Autumn House (Capitol/ EMI Records Nashville VP A&R) Seated: Mike Dungan (Capitol/EMI Records Nashville President/CEO ), Bannen, Tom Becci (Capitol/EMI Records Nashville COO)

Amy Staley Joins Valory Promotion Team

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Amy Staley (Director of West Coast Promotions, Valory Music)

The Valory Music Co. announced Amy Staley as Director of West Coast Promotion effective immediately.

Staley will lead west coast promotions for the label’s roster of artists including Reba, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert and new additions The Mavericks and Thomas Rhett.

Staley majored in Music Business from MTSU and most recently served as Director of Sales for Biomin Industries. Previously, she had stints at Nashville’s William Morris and has coordinated VIP events for entertainers.

“After spending years in booking and venues, I am thrilled to be transitioning into radio and to become a part of sharing great new music with the world,” said Staley. “Being from Nashville, country music has always been my first love and I am especially excited and honored to be joining the Valory family.”

Congratulate her here.

Rascal Flatts Hits Big Screen for New Album

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Rascal Flatts will hit the big screen Thursday, April 5 for a special album release week feature film. Rascal Flatts-Changed: One Night Exclusive Theater Event, presented by AEG Live and NCM Fathom, will offer behind-the-scenes access into the lives of Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus along with live performances of hits and music from their new album, Changed, set for release April 3 (Big Machine Records).

Tickets will be available to the in early March at www.FathomEvents.com.

For the CD release of Changed, the ACM Vocal Group of the Year nominees partnered with ‘ZinePak to produce a small-format magazine featuring photos, personal interviews, lyrics and a set of guitar picks. The magazine, which includes the deluxe album, will be on sale exclusively at Walmart.

Changed Track Listing

1.  Changed
2.  Banjo
3.  Hot In Here
4.  Come Wake Me Up
5.  She’s Leaving
6.  Let It Hurt
7.  Lovin’ Me
8.  Hurry Baby
9.  Sunrise
10. Great Big Love
11. A Little Home

Deluxe Album Bonus Tracks
1. Friday Can’t Come Fast Enough
2. Fall Here
3. Right One Time
4. Next To You, Next To Me

Nashville Makes An Impression On “The Voice”

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The second season of NBC’s The Voice is well underway, and Nashville’s considerable talent pool is being represented so far by three singers.

Gwen Sebastian (R) interviews with Premiere Radio Networks’ Rosemary Young during Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.

Early in the season, North Dakota-born singer/songwriter Gwen Sebastian landed a spot on team Blake Shelton by delivering a stirring rendition of Sugarland’s “Stay.” Blake commented, “Hey listen, you are a great country vocalist. You have every quality. You are tender in the right places, and you are powerful in the right places, and it matches the lyrics. I just think you really know what you are doing. You have a great sound and you’re developed.” Sebastian will also be blogging about the experience on the show on gactv.com.

If Sebastian’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she actually had a little success on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart back in 2010 with a single called “Hard Rain.” She’s currently being represented by Flying Island Entertainment.

Brian Fuente

Additionally, Team Blake picked up Nashville resident Brian Fuente after his audition with the Grace Potter song “Paris (Ooh La La).” Fuente moved to town in 2007 and is a self-taught guitarist who formerly fronted the rock band Newmatic.

Also representing Music City is Nicolle Galyon, who turned in a performance of Kenny Chesney’s “You Save Me.” This time around, judge Adam Levine was the one to pounce, and selected Galyon for his team. See the audition here.


Galyon, a Kansas native, is a graduate of Belmont University and Warner/Chappell songwriter who has penned songs for Laurena Alaina, Josh Kelley, and Brent Anderson. She’s also a classically trained pianist and played Belmont’s yearly showcase The Best of the Best while she was a student.

A Belmont University representative also informs us that three other alumni are part of this season. Contestants Katrina Parker (Team Adam), Hailey Steele (of The Line, Team Christina) and Tony Vincent (Team Cee-Lo) all previously lived in Nashville and attended Belmont at some point in time.

Go Nashville!

Photos: Joe Nichols, The Band Perry, Ira Dean and More

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Joe Nichols recently headlined the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and performed for 15,000 country music fans indoors at the AT&T Center. He joined a 2012 headliner list for the rodeo that includes Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and more.

(L-R): CAA's Rod Essig, San Antonio Rodeo Entertainment Director Mallory Schrade, Nichols and his manager George Couri/Triple 8 Management.

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The Band Perry garnered a nomination at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in the “Best New Artist” category and was asked to join Glen Campbell and Blake Shelton onstage at the Awards for a tribute to Campbell’s music.

“Performing in such a historical moment is something that we will remember forever. We grew up listening to songs like “Gentle on My Mind” and then to be able to perform it as a tribute to the man himself was just incredible,” says Reid Perry.

(L-R): Neil Perry, Glen Campbell, Kimberly Perry and Reid Perry

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Mark Woods Founder and CEO of Operation Troop Aid enlisted the help of some of his music friends to perform for wounded soldiers at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD on Thursday (2/16). Soldiers were treated to performances by Average Joe’s artist Ira Dean, American Idol contestant Lacey Brown, Kaleb Hensley, and The Red Airplane’s Nathan Walker. After the performance, the artists helped Woods hand out 75 kitchen sets to soldiers donated by kitchen retailer The Pampered Chef.

(L-R) Ira Dean, American Idol's Lacey Brown, The Red Airplane's Nathan Walker, and Kaleb Hensley