Fun Photo Friday

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In between dates opening for Taylor Swift, Frankie Ballard made his second CMA Music Festival appearance. Ballard’s schedule included autograph signings, a performance at the Chevrolet™ Riverfront Stage and a surprise appearance at Blake Shelton’s fan club party. Ballard also had the chance to hang with a bunch of media girls at the famed Wildhorse Saloon. Ballard’s Top 30 hit “A Buncha Girls” is quickly climbing the country radio singles charts.

(L-R) Back Row: Alanna Conaway (Taste of Country), Brittany Perlin (The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson), Jensen Arrowsmith (Warner Music Nashville), Ashley Dvorkin (FOX News), Sarah Lai (Warner Music Nashville) and Carden Griscom (Warner Music Nashville) Front Row: Allison Barrie (FOX News), Frankie Ballard, Lindsay Mayer (ABC), Linda Kim (E! News) and Tree Paine (Warner Music Nashville) Photo: Courtesy of Warner Music Nashville

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Power-trio Lady Antebellum recently stopped by CMT Top 20 Countdown to chat with host Evan Farmer about their third studio album, Own the Night, along with their newest single, “Just a Kiss.” This all new episode of the show premiered this morning, June 17 at 10am CT.

(L-R): Evan Farmer; Hillary Scott; Charles Kelley; Dave Haywood Photo: Amber McSwain

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Jimmy Wayne opened for his idols Daryl Hall and John Oates recently (6/15) at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY.  Wayne has often spoken of his admiration for the pop duo legends, and even covered their hit “Sara Smile” on his last CD. Wayne, who made his debut at LP Field during Music Fest last week, is currently at work on a new CD.

(L-R): Hall, Wayne and Oates. Photo: Kevin Ferguson

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During the 2011 CMT Music Awards, Keifer Thompson, half of the duo Thompson Square, who grew up right outside Joplin, MO, wanted to show his support for the victims of recent tornados. He did so by wearing a black tee-shirt with white lettering simply saying, “Joplin, MO.” The tee-shirt worn by Keifer Thompson is now available for purchase with all proceeds being donated to the Joplin Red Cross to assist in relief efforts. For more details visit www.thompsonsquare.com.

While backstage at the awards show, Kiefer ran into the Gilbert family from Joplin, MO. They shared their personal story of loss during the storms with Keifer, and thanked him for spreading awareness. (L- R) back row: Tiffany Gilbert, Eric Gilbert, Amy Gilbert, Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square. Front row: Lexi Gilbert


 
 
 
 

Which Nashville Musicians are Highest Paid?

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Lately Forbes magazine is rivaling even Santa Claus when it comes to list making. The financial sheet compiles all kinds of entertainer lists, including highest paid bosses, Top Celebs, and more. This week’s revelation comes in the form of the World’s 25 Highest Paid Musicians.
Six Nashville notables grace the list along with brief descriptions of how they amass all the loot. Here’s a brief synopsis of our local boys (and girls) who made good. For the complete list click here, but be prepared to wade through an annoying photo slider that makes you click 25 times to see the entire list.
11. Toby Keith ($50 million)
Keith profits from music plus an endorsement deal with Ford, a mezcal line and a restaurant chain called I Love This Bar And Grill.
13. Taylor Swift ($45 million)
Swift’s new album Speak Now is certified triple-platinum; touring grosses some $750,000 per night.
15. Brad Paisley ($40 million)
Country star had a banner year, thanks to strong touring backed by sponsorships from Chevy, Skinny Water, and Sea Ray boats.
18. Tim McGraw ($35 million, tie)
McGraw made big bucks in 2010 despite his label’s decision to delay his new album. In addition to a lucrative tour, McGraw starred in Country Strong with Gwyneth Paltrow and his line of cologne is among the best selling celebrity scents.
23. Rascal Flatts ($34 million)
The country stars grossed $45 million on 61 shows over the past 12 months, adding to their coffers with heavy radio play and endorsements from JC Penny and others.
24. Kenny Chesney ($30 million)
Chesney grossed nearly $40 million on 24 shows in support of his new album, Hemingway’sWhiskey.

Artist Television Appearances (6/17/11)

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Kenny Chesney will play the Today Show stage in New York City today (6/17) as part of Today’s Toyota Concert Series. He will be joined on the show by his “You and Tequila” singing partner Grace Potter. Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal tour (dates and tickets) will play Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Center Saturday, June 18.
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Photo: Bill Thorup


Keith Urban will make a special appearance on The Marty Stuart Show Saturday, June 18. The show, currently in its third season, airs Saturday nights on RFD-TV and offers country music on the traditional side.
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Mel Tillis and Chuck Wicks are the guests on this week’s edition of The Country Vibe With Chuck and Becca. Tillis talks to hosts Chuck Long and Becca Walls about his new comedy album You Ain’t Gonna Believe This, while Wicks discusses a guitar pull with Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice and a friend named ‘Jack.’ The Country Vibe airs in Nashville 8 pm Saturdays on the CW.
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Billy Dean will appear on the Father’s Day edition of Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends Sunday, June 18. Dean will perform his classic “Let Them Be Little,” which has just been re-released on his 5-song EP Earning Our Place On Earth.
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Josh Turner and Randy Travis perform on "The Tonight Show." Photo: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno


Josh Turner performed with one of his idols Randy Travis on The Tonight Show Tuesday, June 14. The two sang their duet “T.I.M.E.” from Travis’ newly released Anniversary Celebration duets CD.

Friday Facts

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>>>The 73rd National Folk Festival will take place Sept. 2-4 in downtown Nashville. Created by the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) in 1934, the traveling National Folk Festival is the oldest and longest-running multicultural festival in the nation. It celebrates the roots, richness and variety of American culture through traditional music, dance, craft, storytelling and food, and is currently attracting the largest audiences in its long history. This free, three-day public event is projected to draw 60-80,000 attendees to downtown Nashville this Labor Day weekend and is estimated to have a $10-$15 million economic impact on Nashville per year. For more info visit www.nationalfolkfestival.com.
>>>The Miller Harris Foundation has scheduled several fund raising events to help send children to the Miller Harris Asthma Camp. Upcoming activities include 7/19 & 8/23: Bluebird Writers Night; 9/12 Golf Tournament. For details visit www.millerharrisfoundation.org
>>>As one of the more interesting stops on his Treasure Chest Tour, Ricky Skaggs is set to join the Boston Pops orchestra in Boston on June 25 and 26. Skaggs will be joined by his band Kentucky Thunder. Pops and Skaggs received rave reviews after performing together in 2005. www.rickyskaggs.com
>>>BMI partnered with Musicians on Call and the Hard Rock Café during the 2011 CMA Music Fest for a late-night set featuring contemporary country hit-makers Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, Natalie Hemby and Thomas Rhett. Proceeds from the show will benefit Musicians on Call, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities all over the country.

(L-R): Musicians on Call’s Katy Brown, BMI’s Beth Laird, Natalie Hemby, Thomas Rhett, BMI’s Perry Howard, BNA Records artist Tyler Farr, Rhett Akins, and Luke Laird. Photo: Steve Lowry

Weekly Chart Report (6/17/11)

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Frankie Ballard (R) called KEEY/Minneapolis MD JD Greene to help play during Travis Tritt's "Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde" at his June 25 album release party at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill Minneapolis.


SPIN ZONE
At least No. 1 isn’t so far away, Justin Moore. After a two week run at the top by Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee,” Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” takes over the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot to give the young Valory Music Co. artist his second No. 1 single. Positions 3-5 are all Capitol Records, with Dierks Bentley’s “Am I The Only One” leading the pack, followed by Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and Lady Antebellum’s “Just A Kiss.”
It’s also a week of big debuts. Fresh from his performance at the CMT Music Awards, Toby Keith’s “Made In America” makes a huge leap to debut at No. 35 and gains 785 spins in the process. In doing so, he slightly overshadows other really big debuts from Alan Jackson (“Long Way To Go,” No. 63), Dolly Parton (“Together You And I,” No. 70) and Ronnie Dunn (“Cost Of Livin’,” No. 73)
Thompson Square’s followup to No. 1 single “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” is “I Got You” and it’s looking very healthy at No. 18 after a gain of 242 spins. At the lower end of the chart making its debut at No. 75 is LoCash Cowboys’ “You Got Me.” Someone really needs to do a mashup of these two. And poised for big debuts in the coming weeks are Kellie Pickler’s “Tough” and J.T. Hodges’ “Hunt You Down.”
Frozen Playlists: WBYZ, WCMS, WHWK, WJMQ, WJVL, WMEV, WYVY


Upcoming Singles
June 20
Sara Evans/My Heart Can’t Tell You No/RCA
JT Hodges/Hunt You Down/Show Dog-Universal
Colt Ford/She Likes To Ride In Trucks/Average Joe’s
Shania Twain/Today Is Your Day/Mercury
DJ Miller/Between Sundays/Evergreen/Nine North/Spinville
June 27
Christian Kane/Let Me Go/Bigger Picture
Brett Eldredge/It Ain’t Gotta Be Love/Atlantic/WMN
Marlee Scott/Beautiful Maybe/bigride/CO5
Ronnie Dunn/Cost of Livin’/Arista
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/ACR/EMI
Rascal Flatts feat. Natasha Bedingfield/Easy/Big Machine
Brian Robinson/Without God, Where Does That Leave America/Lamon
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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog-Universal — 34
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI — 63
Ronnie Dunn/Cost Of Livin’/Arista —73
Craig Campbell/Fish/Bigger Picture — 74
LoCash Cowboys/You Got Me/R&J Records — 75
Sara Evans/My Heart Can’t Tell You No/RCA — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog-Universal — 785
George Strait/Here For A Good Time/MCA — 504
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista — 408
Scotty McCreery/I Love You This Big/19 Ent./Mercury — 399
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI — 368
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Toby Keith/Made In America/Show Dog-Universal — 55
George Strait/Here For A Good Time/MCA — 36
Alan Jackson/Long Way To Go/EMI — 35
Dolly Parton/Together You And I/Dolly Records/Warner Music Nashville — 27
Ronnie Dunn/Cost Of Livin’/Arista — 21
Scotty McCreery/I Love You This Big/19 Ent./Mercury — 15
Jerrod Niemann/One More Drinkin’ Song/Arista — 14
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista — 11
Joe Nichols/Take It Off/Show Dog-Universal — 11
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol — 10
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Shawna Russell/Get Right or Get Left/Way Out West Records — 218
Jody Booth/Golddigger/Vigilante Music — 205
Brother Trouble/Summer’s Little Angel/Blaster Records — 201
J. T. Hodges/Hunt You Down — 199
Alison Krauss & Union Station/Paper Airplanes/Rounder — 193

Newcomer Corey Wagar is currently on a radio tour in support of her debut single “Hurricane,” which is climbing MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): WZZS/Zolfo Springs, FL MD Billy Brown, Corey Wagar, Carolyn Kneller, Gordon Brown (Wagar guitarist)


Rodeowave artist Phil Vassar stopped by WUSY/Chattanooga recently for a "get together" to talk about his latest single "Let's Get Together." His forthcoming album is slated for fall release. (L-R): WUSY MD/Afternoon Drive host Dex, Vassar, WUSY Afternoon Drive Host Mo, Rodoewave's Teddi Bonadies, WUSY OM Gator Harrison and Rodeowave's Bill Macky

Stiff Competition For Endorsement Deals

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Carrie Underwood has a successful deal with Vitaminwater.


Celebrities are seeking licensing endorsement deals more actively than ever. Ad Age reports that celeb reps were working overtime at the Licensing International Expo, which took place this week in Las Vegas.
Hosting booths for the first time were talent agencies CAA and WME, who in previous years had sent reps to take meetings. Journalist Michael Stone reports CAA’s licensing booking guide showcased ideas for specific deals, such as talk-show host Chelsea Handler’s interest in apparel and greeting cards, and Mariah Carey’s interest in children’s clothing.
Some stars such as Janet Jackson even rented out their own booths, according to the article, a step usually taken by the estates of deceased celebrities.
Stone sums that the competition for endorsements is the result of a rising number of celebs due to reality TV, etc., plus shrinking retail shelf space.
In this environment, Stone writes that it is crucial for celebs and their licensees to be “fully committed to long-term success,” instead of the short-term deals of the past.

Music Industry Art Director Bill Johnson Passes

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Bill with wife Cynda in New Orleans 2010.


Grammy Award winning art director Bill Johnson has died at age 68. He passed away at home in Nashville on Wednesday (6/15) following a battle with lung cancer.
As the art director at CBS Records in the 1980s and 1990s, he left his visual imprint on an entire generation of country record makers. Johnson was noted for the vibrancy and saturated colors of his album-jacket designs, posters and advertisements. CBS graphics of the era were also noted for their attention to detail in everything from hair styling to wardrobe.
Johnson won his first Grammy Award for Best Album Package for 1987’s King’s Record Shop by Rosanne Cash. He won again the following year for Tired of the Runnin’ by The O’Kanes.
Other notable packages that bore his distinctive touch included Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Willie Nelson (1981), George Jones’ Shine On (1982), Rodney Crowell’s Diamonds & Dirt (1988), Dolly Parton’s Eagle When She Flies (1991), Merle Haggard’s Chill Factor (1987) and the Dixie Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces (1998).
Among the dozens of artists whose visual images he affected are Janie Fricke, Larry Gatlin, Waylon Jennings, Joe Diffie, Ricky Skaggs, Mickey Gilley, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Van Shelton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Loveless and Exile.
Prior to arriving in Nashville, Johnson was active in San Francisco and New York. He designed the iconic logo for Rolling Stone, which the magazine uses to this day, as well as the MusicRow magazine logo.
During the past five years, Johnson had been concentrating on his own artwork. His works have been regularly exhibited by The Arts Company in downtown Nashville.
He is survived by his wife, Cynda. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time.

NMPA Board Honors Bob Doyle

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NMPA Pres. and CEO David Israelite (R) honors Bob Doyle (L) for five years of service. Photo: Gary Gershoff/NMPA


Bob Doyle was recently re-elected to the board of the National Music Publishers’ Association and honored for his five years of service to the organization.
Elected members are Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Caroline Bienstock, Carlin America; Helene Blue, Helene Blue Musique Ltd.; Bob Doyle, Major Bob Music; John Eastman, MPL Communications; Roger Faxon, EMI Music Publishing; Neil Gillis, Round Hill Music; Laurent Hubert, BMG Chrysalis; Dean Kay, Demi Music Corp.; Leeds Levy, Leeds Music; Evan Medow, Secret Sauce Music; Ralph Peer II, peermusic; MattPincus, Songs Music Publishing; John Rudolph, Bug Music; Michael Sammis, Universal Music Publishing Group; Cameron Strang, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.; and Richard Stumpf, Imagem Music. Also re-elected is Board Chairman Irwin Robinson, The Richmond Organization.
Board members are all active U.S. music publishers. They serve two-year terms.
“The NMPA membership benefits so much from the tireless commitment and dedication of this board,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite. “It is my privilege and pleasure to work with them on issues important to music publishers and songwriters. Their leadership on behalf of the industry is valued and I am grateful for their service.”
The election results were announced at the NMPA’s Annual Meeting in New York City June 15. The gathering, which brings together hundreds of songwriters and music publishers each year, was also an opportunity to recognize several board members for their length of service. Recognized were Doyle for five years of service, Eastman for 15 years, Kay for 20 years, Levy for 30 years and Peer for 40 years. Robinson was recognized for 25 years of service as Chairman.
The NMPA is the trade association representing American music publishers and their songwriting partners. The NMPA’s mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and songwriters in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights.

Are Netflix and Cable Operators At War?

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As the entertainment world continues to fragment there is growing concern and questions over consumer habits. Conventional wisdom seemed to say that added choices meant engaged TV/video viewers would watch more across all distribution channels. However, recent Nielsen SoundScan research and reports from The Diffusion Group are beginning to question that supposition.
For example, the recent Diffusion Group report showed that Netflix customers who stream content over the Internet are “more than twice as likely” to drop some of their pay TV services. A recent article in TheWrap.com noted, 32% of those streaming Netflix content are likely to downgrade other paid video services which is a 100% increase over last year.
Nielsen SoundScan has also said it sees, especially among consumers in the 18-34 demo, a growing trend of either/or between regular TV and online video. The findings, as reported on Billboard.com, are not chord cutting, but rather a subtle shift driven by cost savings.
However, other findings still show viewing on the rise in all areas leading some cable execs unconcerned. Time Warner Chief Research Officer Jack Wakshlag dismissed the new research telling Billboard, it’s, “Not something we view as destructive or damaging.”
But  TDG researcher Michael Greeson says TV and Netflix will have to acknowledge their adversarial relationship. “Both Netflix and PayTV operators have long been aware that there will come a point at which its services are not only dilutive to regular TV viewing, but antithetical to PayTV subscription levels. The question for realistic observers has been not if this will occur, but when.”
 

Leadership Music Names New Class

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Forty-five new members have been selected to participate in the 23rd class of Leadership Music. The annual program is designed to create a forum for established music community leaders to identify and explore issues currently affecting the music industry.
“The Leadership Music Class of 2012 is an impressive group of industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from a diverse field of music businesses,” said Pat Collins, SESAC President/COO, who, as immediate past president of the board of directors, chaired the committee. “Once again, the selection committee has done an outstanding job in selecting members for a great Leadership Music class and I am certain all will find the nine month experience enlightening and rewarding.”
Members of the Class of 2012 are: Monisa Angell, Violist; Sarah Baer, Tour Producer, Sponsorship, Marketing, 4 Fini; John Barker, President/CEO, Clearbox Rights, LLC; Terrie Bjorklund, National Associate General Counsel/ Copyright & Intellectual Property, AFTRA (Washington, DC); Chris Boardman, President/Owner, Chimimi Music; Paul Brown, Owner, Red Hat 22; Bryan Calhoun, VP, New Media & External Affairs, SoundExchange Inc. (Washington, DC); John Capek, Songwriter/Producer; Rosemary Carroll, Partner, Carroll, Guido & Groffman (New York City, NY); Bryan Clark, President/Artist/Producer, Rainfeather Records/Rainfeather Entertainment; Bradley Collins, Director, Writer/Publisher, BMI; Lori Condon, General Manager, Acony Records; Mark Crawford, Coordinator of Commercial Music, Tennessee State University; Jaynee Day, President/CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee; Patti Donohoe, VP, The Bazel Group; Tammy Donham, VP Marketing, Country Music Association; Christi Dortch, VP of Programming, Sales & Event Services, Tennessee Performing Arts Center; Yvonne Drazan, Latin Creative Director, West Coast & Mexico, Peermusic (Burbank, CA); Bryan Frasher, VP Promotion BNA Records, Sony Music Nashville; Andre Gaccetta, VP Marketing, George P Johnson; Suzanne Gordon, VP, Programming, Great American Country; Chad Green, Creative Director, Word Music Publishing; Dennis Gwiazdon, VP/GM, South Central Media; Jeffrey Hill, Agent, Creative Artists Agency; Amy Isbell, VP Public Policy & Government Relations, Universal Music Group (Washington, DC); Tamara Johnson-George, CEO, Tifandnik Entertainment; Jordan Keller, Partner, Keller, Turner, Ruth, Andrew, Ghanem & Heller, PLLC; Andrew Kintz, Managing Director, Suntrust Bank; Joan Kornblith, Correspondent/Program Host/Producer, Voice of America (Washington, DC); Dee McLaughlin, SVP Brand Marketing & Creative, CMT; Louis Meyers, Executive Director, Folk Alliance International (Memphis, TN); Clay Mills, Songwriter, SeaGale Publishing; Tiffany Moon, Executive Vice President, Managing Director, Academy of Country Music (Encino, CA); John Ozier, Director of A&R, Curb Records; Tree Paine, VP of Publicity, Warner Music Nashville; Brad Paul, VP Promotions, Rounder Records (Burlington, MA); Sherod Robertson, President/Owner, MusicRow Enterprises, LLC; Ian Rogers, CEO, Topspin Media, Inc. (Santa Monica, CA); David Schober, CEO, DASP Productions; Lang Scott, President/Managing Partner, Music City Networks; Scott Scovill, Owner, Moo TV, CenterStaging, Moo Creative Media; Tom Silverman, CEO, Tommy Boy Records (New York City, NY); Paul Sizelove, VP, Gaither Music Group; Steven Tepper, Associate Director, The Curb Center for Art Enterprise & Public Policy, Vanderbilt University; Hunter Williams, Sr. VP, SESAC, Inc.