Carrie Underwood, Steven Tyler Meet at Crossroads

Carrie Underwood and Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler will perform together in a new episode of CMT Crossroads set to air Feb. 4, the night before Super Bowl XLVI as part of the Pepsi Superbowl Fan Jam. The private event will take place from the Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fair Grounds.

In 2011, Underwood and Tyler performed “Undo It” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” together on the 2011 ACM Awards.

As Aerosmith’s lead singer, Tyler has become one of rock’s most popular vocalists. He joined Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez on the judging panel for the 2010 season of American Idol and was featured in the Jan. 1 premiere of Oprah’s Next Chapter on her OWN network. Underwood recently celebrated more than 14 million in album sales and is nominated for a Grammy for her co-written single “Mama’s Song.”

Crossroads is produced by Tom Forrest and Kathryn Russ.

Bryan and Church to Headline ACM Weekend Concerts

For the sixth year in a row, the Academy of Country Music will present free and open-to-the-public concerts on two stages in downtown Las Vegas for the Weekend on Fremont Street Experience, with headlining performers Luke Bryan and Eric Church.

The event will be held Mar. 30-31, 2012. Bryan will headline on Friday night, Mar. 30 and Church will headline on Saturday, Mar. 31.

These concerts take place in conjunction with the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The show will be be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, Apr. 1 at 8 PM/ET on CBS.

 

Brad Paisley to Play Wrigley Field

Brad Paisley is planning a big 2012 on the road with his fans, following the announcement today (Jan. 20) of a special Virtual Reality tour stop at Chicago’s historic Wrigley Field on Saturday, June 9.

Joining Paisley for the date will be special guest Miranda Lambert, as well as Virtual Reality tourmates Chris Young, The Band Perry, and Jerrod Niemann. The tour kicked off Jan. 12 with three-sold out shows in one weekend. More tour dates here.

Wrigley Field has hosted 99 seasons of baseball, and 97 of those with the Chicago Cubs. This event will be only the second time Wrigley has hosted a live country concert.

Federal Agents Seize Media Sharing Hub, Hackers Retaliate

Federal agents have charged seven individuals and two corporations affiliated with media sharing hub megaupload.com on numerous conspiracy counts including racketeering, copyright infringement, and money laundering. According to a release by the FBI, the action is among the largest criminal cases brought by the United States. As of yesterday (Jan. 19), Megaupload.com has been shut down.

The indictment alleges the individuals and the two corporations — Megaupload Limited and Vestor Limited — are responsible for more than $500 million in harm to copyright owners from more than five years of distributing movies, music, television programs, e-books, and software. The site is said to have generated more than $175 million in proceeds from premium memberships.

As a response to the shutdown, a collection of Megaupload supporters from the “Hacktivist” collective Anonymous tweeted “One thing is certain: EXPECT US! #Megaupload” from @anonops as websites for organizations started to crash, including the Department of Justice, the US Copyright Office, Universal Music, the RIAA, BMI, WMG and the MPAA. Anonymous is said to have caused the crashes by flooding the websites with traffic to overwhelm servers, rather than any kind of security breach. CNN reported today (1/20) that most sites are back up and running.

Nevertheless, RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman responded to the federal action by saying, “We are deeply grateful to the Justice Department professionals who worked tirelessly on this case for two years. Federal law enforcement has delivered a historic blow against one of the most notorious illegal distribution hubs in the world…that posed a very real and serious problem for the creative community. The indictment should send a clear signal to other similar illegal distribution hubs that think they can violate the law with impunity.”

The Virginia issue charges employees of New Zealand, Germany, Slovakia and the Netherlands. No U.S. citizens were named, however the site has servers in Ashburn, VA., and Washington D.C., which prompted the investigation.

“The government has many tools at its disposal, including criminal prosecution,” said Sherman. “But if this service were hosted and operated, for example, in a foreign country, our government would be essentially powerless to do anything about it. That needs to change.”

The individuals each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit racketeering, five years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, 20 years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering with reward programs for users and affiliates, and five years in prison on each of the substantive charges of copyright infringement.

Megaupload.com, is advertised at one point to be the 13th most frequently visited website on the Internet accounting for four percent of the total traffic on the Internet, having more than 150 million registered users and 50 million daily visitors.

This case is part of efforts by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force) to stop the theft of intellectual property.

Soul Queen Etta James Dies

Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Etta James, one of the greatest soul singers in history, has died in Los Angeles at age 73.

A frequent visitor to the studios of Nashville, she was renowned for such searing performances as “The Wallflower” (1955), “All I Could Do Was Cry” (1960), “At Last” (1961), “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” (1962), “Stop the Wedding” (1962), “Pushover” (1963), “Tell Mama” (1967), “I’d Rather Go Blind” (1967) and “Security” (1968).

She was also notable as an interpreter of such country classics as “Almost Persuaded” (1969), “Loving Arms” (1975). “Sweet Memories” (1969), “When I Stop Dreaming” (1969), “Don’t Touch Me” (1997) and “Lovesick Blues” (1978).

In 1963, Etta James became one of the earliest major r&b stars to travel to Nashville to record. Her landmark Etta James Rocks the House LP was recorded at Music City’s New Era nightclub.

She returned to Nashville to record her 1988 comeback LP Seven Year Itch with producer Barry Beckett. Stickin’ to My Guns (1990), How Strong Is a Woman (1993) and Love’s Been Rough on Me (1997) were also recorded in Music City. Nashville’s Curb Records issued her 2002 two-volume Greatest Gospel Hits CDs.

During the second half of her career she recorded the works of such Nashville songwriters as Tracy Nelson, Dan Penn, Dobie Gray, Tony Joe White, Russell Smith, Kenny Greenberg, Greg Barnhill, Gretchen Peters, Troy Seals, Fred Knobloch, Steve Bogard, Mike Reid and Al Anderson.

She never knew her father, but believed him to be the legendary billiards player, Minnesota Fats, a longtime resident of Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel. He neither confirmed nor denied it when they met, saying that he couldn’t remember.

During her lifetime, Etta James won six Grammy Awards. She was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2003. She was also given a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.

Her death today, January 20, was due to complications from leukemia, and she also suffered from hepatitis C and dementia. She is survived by her husband, two sons and numerous grandchildren.

Sales Trilogy Part 3: Label Share, Top Track Artists

By way of a brief recap from parts one and two of our year-end sales trilogy, (click for part 1, part 2) readers will recall that country album sales, including physical and digital album downloads, ended 2011 with sales of 42.923 million units, about 1.8% behind last year’s efforts.

In this final installment we present a comprehensive breakdown of how country sales played out by distribution group, by individual imprints and the top ten selling digital track artists. Capitol Nashville and RCA Nashville led the charge with market shares of 13.34% and 12.78% respectively. In third place was MCA Nashville with a 6.27% share. The 2010 shares are also listed to give perspective. Many of the shifts, both up and down are a reflection of release schedules. For example Big Machine had 11.63% share in 2010, boosted largely by the release of Speak Now from its flagship artist Taylor Swift which debuted with over one million units its first week. Sony Music Entertainment lead the country distribution groups with 33.18% marketshare. Universal followed closely with 31.52%. If the UMGD/EMM merger had already taken place, the newly formed entity would account for about 46% marketshare, a large majority destined to reshape elements of the country landscape.

Hidden in the numbers is the realization that increased catalog sales were responsible for propping up the overall sales numbers. Soundscan tells us that on average across all genres, current sales dropped 4.2% while catalog and deep catalog units were up 8.9% and 12.5% respectively. Unfortunately, we don’t know the exact breakout for country music. However, a brief look at country’s final sales week of 2011 supports catalog also played a leading role.

For example, comparing the final week of 2011 with the final week of 2010 we find an increase of 99,000 units in 2011. When comparing sales from the current Top 75 charts and Top 50 Catalog charts the differences do not account for the extra 99k. Therefore, it seems logical that those units are increasingly coming from the long tail/deep catalog area. Why are we concerned with making this distinction? Because much of that older catalog has been moved into the $5 retailer bins. Short story (and bad news) is that although unit sales are down only 1.8% it is highly likely that revenues and profits are down significantly more than 1.8% because a higher percentage of the sold units were sold at the lower catalog prices.

Based exclusively upon the Digital Genre Country Top 200 Year End 2011 chart, the Top Ten selling digital track artists lined up on a steep slope. Jason Aldean easily took first place this year with Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum and Blake Shelton filling out the Top 5.

As we look toward 2012, the issues we have been examining over the past year will continue to present unique challenges for country label sales and marketing divisions. The transition from physical to digital will accelerate, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that in 2011 physical albums accounted for about 81% of the country business. As shelf space continues to erode at the mass merchandisers, no doubt downward pressure on pricing will continue. Track Equivalent Albums are also likely to take a more important seat at the sales discussion table in the coming year.

One beautiful fact never changes, great music rises to the top… So here’s to a great 2012….and the great music it will produce!

MusicRow Reveals 2012 CRS CountryBreakout Awards Performers

L-R: The McClymonts, JT Hodges, Marlee Scott

MusicRow Magazine is pleased to announce a must-see lineup for its 10th Annual MusicRow CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards with performances by JT Hodges, The McClymonts, and Marlee Scott.

The invitation-only event takes place Feb. 21 2:30-4:45 PM/CT at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville and serves as an unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar Feb 22-24, which attracts broadcasters from around the country.

The afternoon’s events will feature food and drink, performances from the talented lineup, and appearances from yet-to-be-announced award recipients. Awards presented during the show are based on radio airplay and include Independent Artist of the Year, Label of the Year, Breakout Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year. An in-depth profile of each recipient will be featured in the February/March 2012 MusicRow print magazine.

For 10 years, the MusicRow CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards has celebrated the next generation of rising superstars with past performances and appearances by Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Eli Young Band, and The Band Perry.

“The MusicRow CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards gives artists a tremendous amount of exposure to the radio industry and provides a great opportunity to showcase their talents,” says Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “This year’s event is going to be ‘off the hook’ with the talents of JT Hodges, The McClymonts, and Marlee Scott. Seriously, off the hook! We are all very excited to offer this event to the CRS participants and look forward to honoring deserving recipients with their CountryBreakout Awards.”

The CRS print issue will be available at the 2012 awards ceremony and at the MusicRow kiosk in the Nashville Convention Center during CRS. As with all issues, it is available for sale on MusicRow.com and MusicRow subscribers receive their copies in the mail.

About the Performers:

The McClymonts— Sisters Brooke, Samantha and Mollie McClymont joined forces five years ago to become one of the largest country acts in their native Australia. They debuted in the U.S. (BSM) in June 2010 and opened for Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum. This past year, the girls released Wrapped Up Good in the U.S. and picked up the 2011 CMA Global Artist of the Year award.

JT Hodges— Two years ago the singer/songwriter relocated from Texas to Nashville, and in the spring of 2010 landed a record deal at Show Dog Universal. Hodges met producers Mark Collie and Don Cook who brought him to Show Dog Universal’s Mark Wright. The result is Hodges’ debut album, which is undoubtedly country with a rock-edge.

Marlee Scott— Scott is set to release her new single, “Train Wreck,” on Jan. 23. The Ontario, Canada, native and Nashville resident is currently finishing her U.S. debut album, due out in early 2012 on BigRide Entertainment. Scott released the single “Beautiful Maybe” in 2011 and reached international acclaim with the song “Here To Heaven,” which went Top 20 in Canada and Australia and No. 1 in England, Germany and Holland.

ASCAP Promotes Mike Sistad

ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) has promoted Mike Sistad to Senior Creative Director.

Marc Driskill, Vice President and General Manager, Nashville made the announcement.

Sistad, who joined ASCAP in 2001, was most recently Director, Membership Relations.

His two-decade career in the music business also includes time at Arista Nashville.

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

At some point in a romantic relationship, the partners have to make a bold declaration of commitment or move on. But before that can ever happen, as Kimberly Perry notes, the object of one’s affection has to take “notice.”

So the Band Perry’s “All Your Life” is the CountryBreakout Chart’s new No. 1 song, making it the trio’s third career chart-topper. The catchy mid-tempo walks the thin line between yearning and desperate, making a sturdy case for Kimberly Perry as one of country’s secret weapon vocal stylists in the process. The carnival atmosphere video features snake handlers, masked boxing matches, fortune tellers, and more.

Kimberly, Neil, and Reid are currently out on Brad Paisley’s huge Virtual Reality Tour, but will return to Nashville in summer to play CMA Music Festival. And there’s no official word regarding release date, but a new Band Perry album is in the works.

Pickler Prepares For “100 Proof” Release

Kellie Pickler will release her third album, 100 Proof, on Jan. 24. The eleven-song album features six Pickler co-writes. Pickler is also giving fans the opportunity to unlock and stream one new song a day from 100 Proof by “liking” her Facebook page.

Pickler’s goal for 100 Proof was to create a traditional and fresh-sounding country album that pays homage to her musical influences including Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. To achieve her goal, Pickler enlisted producers Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten.

In support of the release of 100 Proof, Pickler is scheduled for multiple television appearances next week. On Wednesday, Jan. 25, she’ll perform on ABC’s Good Morning America. Two days later, on Friday, Jan. 27, she’ll follow it up with a performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

100 Proof track listing:

1. Where’s Tammy Wynette (Jimmy Ritchey/Don Poythress/Leslie Satcher)
2. Unlock That Honky Tonk (Kellie Pickler/Leslie Satcher)
3. Stop Cheatin’ On Me (Morgane Hayes/Liz Rose/Chris Stapleton)
4. Long As I Never See You Again (Kellie Pickler/Dean Dillon/Dale Dodson)
5. Tough (Leslie Satcher)
6. Turn On The Radio And Dance (Kellie Pickler/Leslie Satcher)
7. Mother’s Day (Kellie Pickler/Kyle Jacobs)
8. Rockaway (The Rockin’ Chair Song) (Kellie Pickler/Brent Cobb/Barry Dean)
9. Little House On The Highway (Rodney Clawson/Natalie Hemby)
10. 100 Proof (Leslie Satcher/James T. Slater)
11. The Letter (To Daddy) (Kellie Pickler/Dean Dillon/Dale Dodson)

Fans can pre-order 100 Proof now on iTunes at http://bit.ly/tHNwQz.