Major Changes In Music Journalism Community

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Ann Powers


There’s been a string of changes at national music publications this month. Los Angeles Times Pop Music Critic Ann Powers—who often covered country music—has moved to a new role at NPR Music, which includes writing The Record blog. According to Billboard, she had relocated to Alabama with her family two years ago. Randall Roberts is filling her vacancy at the Times, as well as continuing as Pop Music Editor until a replacement is named for his former post.

Spin’s Editor in Chief Doug Brod, and Publisher Malcolm Campbell have exited the alternative music magazine. Reports, including this one from the New York Times, indicate the outlet is focusing on growing its online presence. Deputy Editor Steve Kandell has been promoted to Editor, and the Publisher role will go to Mike Albanese, who is credited with building the outlet’s advertising products. Music Editor Charles Aaron has been named Editorial Director.
Online alternative music outlet Pitchfork has promoted former Managing Editor Mark Richardson to Editor in Chief. He replaces exiting staffer Scott Plagenhoef.

Nichols Partners With Dunkin' Donuts

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The puns will be flying in all directions as Dunkin’ Donuts celebrates its new “Joe.” No, not another coffee, but “Joe Nichols,” who has signed a partnership with the coffee and baked goods vendor.
Nichols will tout the Dunkin’ Donut brand on his 2011 Nationwide Concert Tour and be featured on the company’s Iced coffee. [Fans are speculating that Nichols will be in the dough on this new agreement and that he will be careful not to end up in the hole.]
On Wed. June 22, Nichols will host a live video chat on Dunkin’ Donut’s official Facebook page which currently has 3.6 million likes. Fans will also get an opportunity to win prizes.
John Costello, Chief Global Marketing & Innovation Officer at Dunkin’ Brands, said, “This new partnership with Joe Nichols will provide a fun and exciting way to connect our fans to one of the hottest stars in country music and promote Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced coffee throughout the summer months and beyond. From our previous work with Joe, we know first-hand how his songs and personality resonate positively with people throughout the country and we are excited to participate in his concert tour and bring Joe and his music to our fans in multiple ways.”

Clarence Clemons Passes

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Clarence Clemons, longtime saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, passed away Saturday (6/18) at a Palm Beach, FL hospital, following complications from a stroke he suffered June 12, according to the New York Times. He was 69 years old.
Clemons was a member of Springsteen’s band for over 30 years and appears in the iconic album cover photo for the classic Born To Run (pictured at right). He performed with other artists including Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band, and recorded with Aretha Franklin, Jackson Browne and Roy Orbison among others. The 6’4” former college football player was also a towering presence on TV and film, where he appeared in The Tracey Ullman Show, HBO’s The Wire, and Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York. Recently he contributed his sax skills to two tracks on Lady Gaga’s album Born This Way.

The Band Perry Voted "MusicRow" Breakthrough Artist

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MusicRow Pres. Sherod Robertson and Chart Director Jon Freeman present Breakthrough Artist honors to The Band Perry. (L-R): Sherod Robertson, Neil Perry, Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry, Republic Nashville Pres. Jimmy Harnen, and Jon Freeman. Photo: Christie King

“Country music is the people’s music, and we desire to be the people’s band.” —Kimberly Perry

The 23rd annual MusicRow Awards will be presented tomorrow night (6/21) at the ASCAP offices, but one award has already been handed out. Readers of MusicRow magazine voted, bestowing honors for Breakthrough Artist on The Band Perry. MusicRow execs caught up with the group at a recent gig at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe to present their plaques.

Following years of hard work, “If I Die Young” was the major hit that propelled the trio made up of siblings Neil, Reid and Kimberly Perry to the forefront of country music’s rising class. The track resonated with fans to the tune of two million downloads. Since its release, the group has earned two ACM Awards, a CMT Award, and Grammy and CMA nominations. Their self-titled debut album, created under the direction of producers Nathan Chapman and Paul Worley, has sold almost 600,000 copies to date.
“We always say, the three of us can only walk through open doors,” said Kimberly, who particularly acknowledged MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart. “All the MusicRow stations have been so gracious, so thank you guys.”
“Like in most success stories, there are no short cuts,” explains Republic Nashville Pres. Jimmy Harnen. “The Band Perry has seen a million faces and rocked them all! Everyone on the team worked passionately and tirelessly, and had a ton of fun doing it. When you add into the mix that Kimberly, Neil and Reid are three of the nicest and most talented people you will ever meet, it’s unstoppable.”

Justin Moore Anchors Album Launch

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Justin Moore’s new album Outlaws Like Me is set for release next week (Tuesday, June 21) and to promote it he will be giving numerous media appearances like most artists trying to promote a new project. Except Moore will give new meaning to the term ‘media saturation’ by conducting six hours of live interviews from a bass boat in the middle of the lake in New York City’s Central Park.
“I’ve traveled all around the country, and there is nowhere I feel more at peace than sitting on a boat in the lake,” says Moore, whose current single ‘If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away’ just hit No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. “The new album celebrates the lifestyle that I grew up with. When the label wanted to launch Outlaws Like Me in New York City, it seemed like an obvious choice to kick things off in a setting where I feel so much at home. My fans know that the music I make represents who I am and since the outdoors have been such a big part of my life, I want people to watch this and know that what you see is what you get. This is me, and that’s reflected on this album.”
Fans can tune in for the fun via a live stream at www.nracountry.com/justinmoore on Monday, June 20 from 6 am – 12 pm ET. While he’s visiting New York, Moore will also appear on Better TV, Fox News, ABC News, Entertainment Tonight and Good Day New York. On release day (6/21), Moore will host a live chat and exclusive performance at 3 pm CT at www.livestream.com/justinmoore.
He will also perform at B.B. King’s Time Square that same day, followed by stops in Indianapolis (6/22), Milwaukee (6/23) and Chicago (6/25). He’ll wrap the week with two opening dates on Rascal Flatts’ Flatts Fest tour in Chicago and St. Louis.

Vince Gill Album And Single Coming Soon

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Gill and Grant were recently featured on the cover of AARP Magazine May/June 2011.



Vince Gill’s career is shifting into high gear with the release later this summer of “Threaten Me With Heaven,” his first single in four years. The song also serves as the debut track from his upcoming album, Guitar Slinger due in the fall.
The new single was co-written with Gill, his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and Will Owsley. “Since the song was recorded, my friend Will Owsley took his own life, so the song has a profound impact on me now,” Gill laments. “In my lifetime, ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’ has been the song that helped a lot of people through their grief. I think this one will in turn hopefully do the same thing. It’s a powerful, powerful song. I feel like it’s the crown jewel of the new record.”
Guitar Slinger is the follow-up to Gill’s critically acclaimed four-CD, 43-song box set, These Days, which was certified platinum, won the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Album and received an overall Grammy Album of the Year nomination. According to the artist he didn’t have any specific thoughts or themes in mind when he began creating the songs for Guitar Slinger. “I had no expectations of what it would sound like in my home studio,” he says. “I’ve never recorded in my house before. I discovered an awful lot about how the rooms sound, and it’s a real warm record. I don’t know what it is, but it’s so different than most studios in that there are windows all the way around the room. You look out and see trees. There’s such a great spirit running around in the house. All the musicians have raved about the vibe.”
Joining Gill on the recording are Amy Grant and daughters Jenny, Sarah and Corrina. Vince Gill has sold more than 26 million albums, won 20 Grammys and 18 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year twice. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

TV Update: Currington, Bentley, and Cyrus (6/17/11)

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Billy Currington is currently in New York City for performances today (6/17) on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Both performances will feature Currington singing his hit single “Love Done Gone.” Currington is currently out on the road with Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour.
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Avowed hockey fanatic Dierks Bentley has been selected to perform at the 2011 National Hockey League Awards Wed., June 22 at the Pearl Concert Theater in the Las Vegas Palms Hotel. The event airs live at 6 pm CT on Versus and CBC. Comedian Jay Mohr will serve as the evening’s host to salute the world’s best hockey players and celebrate the 2010-11 season. Bentley and the NHL also collaborated during the Stanley Cup Finals on an alternate video for “Am I The Only One” featuring hockey highlights that was aired during the NHL Conference Finals.
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Photo: Veronica Barrere


GAC will premiere the Billy Ray Cyrus special I’m American on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30 pm CT. For the special Cyrus invited 60 military families from the 101st Airborne in Ft. Campbell, KY to his farm where they enjoyed games, barbecue and an acoustic concert. Attendees were got to hear “I’m American,” the title track to Cyrus’ June 28 album release, as well as hits like “Some Gave All.” Joining Cyrus were guests Bill Anderson, Bucky Covington, Buddy Cannon, Melonie Cannon and Julie Roberts.

Jason Delkou Signs With SESAC

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(L-R) Bigger Picture’s Alan Kates, SESAC’s John Mullins, Jason Delkou, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Bigger Picture’s Jeff Carlton. Photo: Ed Rode


Singer/songwriter Jason Delkou, who is signed to Bigger Picture Group, affiliated with SESAC during a recent visit to its Nashville headquarters.

Is Spotify About To Enter The U.S.?

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Spotify, the European “freemium” streaming service which allows users to listen to a set amount of music each month and also offers a paid premium version with unlimited music, has been trying to establish its service in the U.S. for several years. After a series of false starts, however, it appears this time Spotify may succeed. After recently making headlines for securing deals with three of the four major labels (minus Warner), Spotify has also just completed a new round of financing.
According to AllThingsD, the streaming service has just raised $100 million from DST, Kleiner Perkins And Accel. Of note are rumors that Spotify is close to finalizing a deal with Facebook that would integrate the service inside Facebook’s 700 million active user universe.
According to various sites, including the Silicon Valley Watcher, Jonathan Forster, General Manager of Europe & Global Vice President of Ad Sales at Spotify, speaking at an Omnicom conference in London said, “We’re signing the remaining deals as I speak. We won’t launch before July 5th.”
Spotify headquarters are already based in New york City. Stay tuned…
 

Pandora Drop Sends Mixed Signals

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Pandora Media went public this week on June 15, with an offering priced at $16 per share. The stock opened at $20 a share, hitting a high of $26 and closing at $17.42. On Tuesday, before shares went onto the open market the company was valued at $2.6 billion. At one point on Wednesday the value had climbed to $4 billion. But by the end of the day on Thursday, the stock had dropped 24% and once again was worth about $2.1 billion. As of this writing mid-day June 17, the stock is down about 3% at $12.85 per share for a market cap of about $1.96 billion. So what happened to the wings on which Pandora was soaring?
A large part of the problem can be traced to BTIG Research analyst Richard Greenfield who came out shortly after the IPO with a sell rating and a price target of $5.50. [ouch]
Greenfield pointed to a new scenario with more competition for the web radio service from companies such as Spotify and Turntable.fm.

“While Pandora is creating a large active user base, its reach/frequency continues to pale in comparison to terrestrial radio, as does its profitability,” says Greenfiled. “Pandora’s fundamental problem is that active users and listening hours are growing rapidly, but those listener hours have fixed (and annually escalating) royalty costs per streaming hour (fees to music labels).”

Another way to explain the above comment is to say that the business doesn’t scale.
In an interview posted on AllThingsD, writer Peter Kafka asks Pandora CEO Joe Kennedy about the effect of Internet and Pandora coming to auto dashboards. Kennedy says, “We’ve had announcements from six of the world’s major automakers — Ford, Toyota, GM, Mercedes, BMW and Hyundai — and they’ve all said, ‘we’re going to integrate Pandora into our vehicles going forward.’ Now, the nature of automotive is, it isn’t a flip-the-switch phenomena. It rolls out over several models, over time. And then you have a replacement cycle that’s about 7 years per car. So I think of automotive as a snowball, that starts out relatively small, but builds and builds and builds and builds. You get out to years five to ten, and it’s tremendously big.”