Media Team Musical Chairs

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From the top: Jason Owen's position at UMG was filled by Beverly Keel, who hired Dixie Owen. Dixie Owen was replaced at Capitol by Taryn Pray, and Pray's spot at Sony was filled and expanded by Regina Stuve.


As the publicity world turns…
When Jason Owen left his longtime post leading the Universal Music Group Nashville media team in September 2010 to launch an artist management firm, his move set in motion a series of changes among the town’s major label publicity departments. The ripple effect has gone on for months, leading to today’s news that Regina Stuve has joined the Sony media team.
Let’s look at the chain reaction.
When Jason Owen exited UMG, he took with him publicist Kelly Russell, leaving the department short one leader and one team member. Respected journalist and media maven Beverly Keel took Owen’s former post, but by February 2011 the team also lost experienced players Amber Williams and Regina Stuve.
Needing to fill the void in her staff, Keel hired seasoned publicist Dixie Owen (no relation to Jason) away from her post at Capitol Records Nashville.
Dixie Owen’s departure left associate Lori Christian as the leader of Capitol’s media team. But Christian, a one-time Sony staffer, still needed to hire another publicist. She added former Sony colleague Taryn Pray to her department at Capitol.
Pray’s exit left a hole in the Sony publicity team, which led to the hiring of Regina Stuve, albeit with a higher ranking than the one held by Pray.
In fact, the only major label Nashville media team that has remained safely intact throughout this seven-month saga is Warner Music Nashville, under the direction of Tree Paine.

Regina Stuve Joins Sony Media Dept.

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Regina Stuve


Allen Brown, Vice President, Media & Corporate Communications for Sony Music Nashville, announced today (4/8) that longtime music industry exec Regina Stuve has joined the label group as Senior Director, Media.
In her new role, Stuve is the label publicist responsible for the entire RCA Nashville roster of artists, including Sara Evans, Danny Gokey, Jake Owen, Chris Young, and new group Bush Hawg, as well as Columbia Nashville artists Josh Thompson and Joanna Smith.
Stuve most recently held a similar post at Universal Music Group Nashville.
With today’s announcement, Brown offered, “Regina’s experience, professionalism, and amazing spirit have made her one of Nashville’s most respected and best-loved publicists. I could not be more pleased to have this rare opportunity to welcome her to our label family.”
“I am so honored and excited to be part of Sony Music Nashville’s publicity team,” Stuve remarked. “What’s really cool is between Allen Brown, Wes Vause [Sony Music Nashville VP, Media] and I, we have a combined total of 74 years experience in the music industry.”
Stuve most recently held the position of Sr. Director, Artist and Media Relations at Universal Music Group Nashville, where she worked for nearly seven years. Prior to Universal, Stuve spent nine years at Capitol Records Nashville/EMI.
Stuve is on the job now and can be reached at regina.stuve@sonymusic.com.

Photo Friday

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Stealing Angels Dressed To Kilt
Caroline Cutbirth, Tayla Lynn and Jennifer Wayne took to the runway last week sporting Scottish fashion at Sean Connery’s 9th annual “Dressed To Kilt” in New York City. The theme of the 2011 show, “Country Chic,” also had country music stars Gary Allan, Kix Brooks, and Kellie Pickler strutting their stuff on the runway. Monies raised from the event benefits the Wounded Warriors Project and Paralyzed Veterans Of America.

 
SESAC @ Tin Pan South
Cary Barlowe, Rob Hatch, Jon Stone and Victoria Shaw performed at the Listening Room at SESAC’s showcase during NSAI’s 19th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival.

Pictured (L-R): Jon Stone, Victoria Shaw, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Rob Hatch, SESAC’s Amy Beth Hale and Shannan Hatch, and Cary Barlowe. Photo: Bev Moser


 
Morgan Inks With Black River
As announced last week, hitmaker Craig Morgan has signed with Black River Entertainment and is planning to release a new album later this year.

(L-R): Faith Quesenberry, Vector Management; Rush Hicks, legal counsel for BRE; Craig Morgan; Gordon Kerr, COO of BRE.


 
Anna Wilson and Connie Smith on NPR
Jazz chanteuse Anna Wilson and country singer Connie Smith pictured at Spotlight Studios in Nashville where they taped NPR’s Weekend Edition, scheduled to air this weekend. Smith appears on Wilson’s new album Countrypolitan Duets, produced by Wilson’s husband Monty Powell. Guests on the project which was released this week include Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Ray Price, and Billy Dean. The album offers country standards like Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight,” Price’s “You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” recorded with jazz flair.

(L-R): Anna Wilson and Connie Smith

Weekly Chart Report (4/08/11)

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KVOO PD Luke Jensen and Billy Currington at the station’s remote at BOK Center in Tulsa


SPIN ZONE
Following a big night at the ACM Awards, Miranda Lambert’s “Heart Like Mine” eases into the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot. Rascal Flatts moves up to No. 2 with “I Won’t Let Go,” followed by Kenny Chesney’s “Live A Little” at No. 3, Ronnie Dunn’s “Bleed Red” at No. 4 and Keith Urban’s “Without You” at No. 5.
ACM Awards co-host Blake Shelton also gets the post Awards bump. He debuted his new single “Honey Bee” on the show, and country radio was ready. It’s easily the biggest debut of the week at No. 55, amassing nearly 500 spins with no prior reports. Also feeling the love is Blake’s co-host Reba, whose “When Love Gets A Hold Of You” moves to No. 57. Other show performers Martina McBride and Dierks Bentley fare well, with McBride’s “Teenage Daughters” moving to No. 27 and Bentley’s “Am I The Only One” jumping to No. 34.
After a short break, Gloriana is back on the chart with an uptempo tune called “Wanna Take You Home,” landing at No. 75. Also impacting this week are Jason Campbell’s “Albuquerque” at No. 76 and James Wesley’s “Didn’t I” at No. 79. Slightly below the No. 80 threshold is the trio of Randy Houser’s “In God’s Time,” Corey Smith’s “Twenty One” and Jason Aldean’s “Dirt Road Anthem,” which are poised to make a splash in the next week or two.
Frozen playlists: KAIR, KCJC, KNCQ, KVOM, WBYZ, WEIO, WEZJ, WTCM, WWBE
LIFENOTES
Condolences to Jonesboro Radio Group Pres./GM/KDXY Mornings Trey Stafford on the loss of his mother Glada Stafford. Reach out to Trey at trey@jonesbororadiogroup.com.




Upcoming Singles
April 11
James Wesley/Didn’t I/Broken Bow
Corey Smith/Twenty One/Average Joe’s
Reba/When Love Gets A Hold Of You/Valory
Travis Powell/The Man Song/MD Records
April 18
Jake Owen/Barefoot Blue Jean Night/RCA
Kelly Parkes/Girl With A Fishing Rod/Lofton Creek
Jaron & The Long Road To Love/It’s A Good Thing/Jaronwood/Universal Republic/Nine North
Margaret Durante/Maybe Tonight/Stroudavarious
Jason Aldean/Dirt Road Anthem/Broken Bow
Sugarland/Love Done Gone/Mercury
• • • • •
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Blake Shelton/Honey Bee/Warner Bros./WMN — 55
Gloriana/Wanna Take You Home/Emblem/WMN — 75
Jason Campbell/Albuquerque/Big 7 — 76
James Wesley/Didn’t I/Broken Bow — 79
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Blake Shelton/Honey Bee/Warner Bros./WMN — 497
Dierks Bentley/Am I The Only One/Capitol — 394
Luke Bryan/Country Girl/Capitol — 367
Brad Paisley/Old Alabama/Arista — 363
Martina McBride/Teenage Daughters/Republic Nashville — 358
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Daisy Mallory/Don’t Grow Up Too Fast/Front Water — 192
Ashley Gearing/Five More Minutes/Curb — 181
Austin Hicks/I Still Pledge Allegiance/Lick — 154
Randy Houser/In God’s Time/Show Dog-Universal — 153
Corey Smith/Twenty One/Average Joe’s — 139
Jason Aldean/Dirt Road Anthem/Broken Bow — 137
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Blake Shelton/Honey Bee/Warner Bros./WMN — 41
Dierks Bentley/Am I The Only One/Capitol — 22
Reba/When Love Gets A Hold Of You/Starstruck/Valory — 18
James Wesley/Didn’t I/Broken Bow — 14
Luke Bryan/Country Girl/Capitol — 14
Jason Aldean/Dirt Road Anthem/Broken Bow — 12
Randy Houser/In God’s Time/Show Dog-Universal — 12
Trace Adkins/Just Fishin’/Show Dog-Universal — 11
Margaret Durante/Maybe Tonight/Emrose — 11

Reba was recently in Denver and had the chance to catch up with some of "The Front Range" Radio Folks. (L-R): KYGO’s Rider, KKWF/Seattle’s Nick Alan (formerly of KATC), Reba, KYGO’s Garrett Doll, KYGO’s Kelly Ford and KCCY’s Chris Brooks.


Ashton Shepherd dropped by the WKIS studios in Miami last week. (L-R): Hurley, Dina B, Operations Mgr. Ken Boesen, Shepherd, Market Mgr. Joe Bell, Morning host/MD Matt Walker, MCA’s Louie Newman, and Beasley Broadcast Group Pres./COO Bruce Beasley.


Show Dog–Universal Music’s JT Hodges stopped by WKHX/Atlanta last week for a lunch time visit and performance. (L-R): SDU VP Promotion Rick Moxley, WKHX PD Mark Richards, Hodges, WKHX MD Mike Macho, and SDU Regional Promotion/Mktg. Dir. Rick Hughes.

Execs Team For SING

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Longtime music industry execs Jill Gleason, Johnny Rose and Walt Wilson have launched label services company Strength in Numbers Group (SING).
The outfit is offering album services and planning, from recording through release and distribution, which is available through deals with UMG’s Fontana Distribution and Sony’s RED. A retainer-based fee structure also offers clients the opportunity to add services a la carte.
With 17 years experience Gleason began her career at Curb Records as Director of Promotion & Artist Development. Her resume includes brand management, marketing, and time as label and radio liaison/tour marketing for RPM Management. She can be reached at 615-476-3674 and jillagleason@gmail.com.
Rose’s 30 years of experience includes 14 years with Western (now Anderson) Merchandisers and Hastings. He has spent 19 years in the label world, as VP of Sales and Marketing at Capitol Records Nashville, DreamWorks and Show Dog Nashville. Contact him at 615-335-5096 or johnnyrose@comcast.net.
Wilson also has over 30 years experience ranging from legal to A&R. His titles have included Executive VP of Capitol Records Nashville and MCA Records, Senior VP for Elektra/Asylum and GM for Carnival Records and Compendia Music. He can be reached at 615-308-8500 or waltwilson90@hotmail.com.

Americana Award Noms Due Tomorrow

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Nominations are being accepted for the Americana Honors & Awards through tomorrow, Friday, April 8. Only members of the Americana Music Association in good standing may submit nominations.
Membership costs $35 for artists or $75 for industry.
The eligibility period for this year’s Americana Honors & Awards runs from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011.
The 10th annual event will be held at the Ryman Auditorium during the Americana Festival and Conference October 12-15, 2011. Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller will return as host and bandleader, respectively.
Festival and Conference Registrations are available now for $250 for Members and $350 for Non-Members.
Details on nominations, membership, and the conference here.

Digital Exec. Cameo Carlson Joins Borman

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Cameo Carlson


Digital music guru Cameo Carlson has joined Borman Entertainment’s Nashville office as Head of Digital Business Development.
She most recently worked in New York as Exec. VP of Universal Motown Republic Group and had been serving as a consultant to Borman following the February departure of Genevieve Jewell.
Now that Carlson is on board full-time at the management group, she is expanding upon the scope of the position, overseeing initiatives for the roster that includes Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Alison Krauss, Michael Franti, My Morning Jacket and Randy Montana.
When Carlson joined Universal Motown Republic in 2007, she already had loads of experience in the digital frontier. Her track record includes three years as Apple’s/iTune’s Manager of Label Relations and Music Programming. Prior to that, she served four years as AOL Music’s Rock and Alternative Music Director. Her career began in radio at KFMZ.
She can be reached at cameo@bormantn.com.

Lambert Working On TV Show, New Trio

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Pistol Annies on ACM's Girls' Night Out. (L-R): Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley, Miranda Lambert


Miranda Lambert’s star just keeps rising. The singer, who won four trophies at the Sunday night (4/3) ACM Awards, debuted her new project Pistol Annies the following evening, and has also announced plans to team with ABC Family for a television show.
Lambert is working with the network on a scripted series based loosely on her childhood experiences. She is executive producing the series with manager Marion Kraft, and Hollywood producer Aaron Kaplan. Her mother, Bev Lambert, will serve as a consultant for the project. The series is being executive produced by Kapital Entertainment.
Lambert, 27, had an exciting early life in Lindale, Texas, where her parents were private investigators. Her dad Rick Lambert is a one-time police office who later worked with wife Bev as P.I.s.
Though still in the early stages, the hour-long show is expected to revolve around a Texas family where the kids help the parents solve cases. Scott Kaufer (TNT’s Memphis Beat) will write and executive produce.
In more Lambert news, her new trio with Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, Pistol Annies, gave its debut performance at the Monday (4/4) taping of ACM’s Girls’ Night Out. According to reports, they sang “Hell on Heels.”

Q1 Country Album Sales Down 13%

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Q1 2011 YTD Digital/Physical Album Sales. (Source: Nielsen SoundScan)


Country music sales results for the first quarter of 2011 are now complete and while the picture isn’t pretty, there are bright spots and some hopeful signs for later in the year.
Framing the Big Picture
According to Nielsen SoundScan, the country sales picture is suffering more than the all-genre industry by percentage, and its fans seem slower to adopt and adapt to buying digital music. This is especially inconvenient, since many of the retailers that country has traditionally depended upon to service its physical customers, are systematically shrinking shelf space and physical inventory. Other forms of music went through this transition in previous years when as a result country outperformed the overall industry, but unfortunately, it is now country music’s turn to navigate.
For the week ending 4/3/2011: All genre album sales (physical and digital) are down 5.1% YTD while country is down 13%. All genre digital album sales are tracking at 32% YTD of total album sales. For country the number is a lower 19.7%.
Country Specific
Sales rely upon release schedules, and Q1-11 has been CD-lite with regard to major releases from Nashville. For example, this week’s Top Ten Current Country titles were all released prior to 2011 except for the recent projects from Sara Evans and Aaron Lewis. The top selling CDs each week continue to be Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum.
Next week’s numbers should receive added love from consumers motivated by last Sunday evening’s ACM Awards (4/3). (SoundScan results are logged from Monday through Sunday.)
The top 100 Digital Genre Country tracks list is heating up with country selling over 1.1 million downloads this week. Thompson Square (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not?;” 54,000 units) and Zac Brown Band (“Colder Weather”; 53,000 units) are in the No. 1 and 2 spots respectively. Filling out the Top 5 are Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson (“Don’t You Wanna Stay”; 40,000), Sara Evans (“A Little Bit Stronger”; 38,000), and Rascal Flatts (“I Won’t Let Go”; 37,000).
 

All-Star Performers For Leadership Music Gala

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Martina McBride, Ronnie Milsap, and Little Big Town will perform at the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award gala dinner honoring the Country Music Association. McBride will also host the Tuesday, May 17 event at the Renaissance Hotel downtown, and noted Nashville musician Steve Gibson will lead the house band.
The CMA will be recognized that night for exemplary leadership in country music. The organization promotes the genre through the annual CMA Awards, CMA Music Festival, and CMA Songwriter Series across the country. It focuses on the community by funding music in public schools, and last year gave a substantial donation to flood relief efforts. The CMA also encourages continuing education in the music industry through its online educational series and championing of Leadership Music.
In coming weeks more performers will be added to the gala’s musical salute being produced by Robert Deaton. Honorary Chairs for the 2011 event are Phran and Joe Galante, and June and Bill Denny.
Individual patron tickets start at $200 each for LM alumni. Tables of 10 are also available. Proceeds from the evening benefit Leadership Music, an educational 501(c)(3) organization.
Reservations to attend the invitation-only fundraiser must be made by May 1. For more information, contact the Leadership Music office at LM@leadershipmusic.org or (615) 770-7090.
The Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, named for the first executive director of Leadership Music, was created in 2004 “to recognize music industry leaders who exemplify the highest quality of leadership and leading by example.” The CMA joins previous honorees Tony Brown (2004), Gerry House (2005), Emmylou Harris (2006), Frances W. Preston (2007), The Bradley Family:  Owen, Harold, Jerry, Connie and Patsy (2008), Jim Foglesong, Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks (2009), and Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson (2010).