Marking Milestones

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Eric Church

Eric Church, Sunny Sweeney, and Word’s Francesca Battistelli had recent cause for celebration.

Eric Church was already riding high from his ACM Top New Solo Vocalist win, when he received the news that his single “Smoke A Little Smoke” had been certified Gold by the RIAA. The track was co-penned by Church and bandmates Driver Williams and Jeff Hyde. Now Church is working new single “Homeboy,” the first music from his third studio album to be released later this year. He is a nominee for ACM Top New Artist, at the April 3 show.

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Sunny Sweeney

Sunny Sweeney is celebrating the success of her Republic Nashville debut single, “From A Table Away.” It has entered the Top 10 on the country singles charts, including MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart, where it is No. 6 and climbing. “From A Table Away” garnered Sweeney the highest-charting debut single of a solo female Country artist in the last four years, since Taylor Swift’s “Tim McGraw.” Sweeney is also joining her first major tour, Brad Paisley’s H2O II: Wetter & Wilder World Tour, this spring. She has released an EP, and is working on her album, coming later this year.

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Fervent Records artist and reigning Dove Female Vocalist Francesca Battistelli received a surprise from the staff at Word Entertainment recently. Her label family and producer Ian Eskelin showed up at Bridgestone Arena after her performance at Sunday’s sold-out Winter Jam concert, wearing foam No. 1 fingers in celebration of her sophomore album Hundred More Years debuting at the top of the Christian SoundScan Album Chart. Battistelli also secured the top spot on the AC Indicator radio chart with her current single “This is the Stuff.” With four nominations, Battistelli is the most nominated female heading into the 42nd annual Dove Awards.

Francesca Battistelli (front row, red shirt) cheers with Word staffers.

Netflix Enjoys Strong Streaming Lead But Future Is Cloudy

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According to NPD VideoWatch Digital tracking service, Netflix’s share of digital movie units, downloaded or streamed totaled 61% during Jan. and Feb. 2011. Comcast earned 8% and DirectTV, Time Warner Cable and Apple enjoyed a three-way tie with 4% each. The data for this study was gathered via online interviews with U.S. consumers age 13 and older conducted between Jan. and the third week of Feb. 2011. There were 10,618 completed surveys.
“Sales of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs still drive most home-video revenue, but VOD and other digital options are now beginning to make inroads with consumers,” said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD. “Overwhelmingly, digital movie buyers do not believe physical discs are out of fashion, but their digital transactions were motivated by the immediate access and ease of acquisition provided by streaming and downloading digital video files.”
NPD also asked consumers to compare satisfaction from the four modes of digital-video acquisition: electronic sell-through (EST), Internet VOD (iVOD), cable VOD, and subscription streaming. EST services like iTunes were credited with having the most current releases, while Netflix was called “Best Shopping experience and value for price paid.”
According to a recent Wrap.com Netflix discussion, “perhaps 5 million or more of its 20 million monthly subscribers are now using the streaming service instead of getting their DVDs in the mail. In the process Netflix saves hugely in its postage and handling charges.”
However, there are clouds on the horizon for this company that streams its content from the cloud. Netflix’s 3-year licensing contracts for the electronic transmission of both movies and TV programs will begin expiring in just 7 months. Because the streaming business is now viewed as a competitive challenge to more mature licensing areas such as cable and satellite, it is expected that Netflix will end up paying much higher rates going forward. This means that either prices for the service will rise or Netflix will need to add a large additional number of subscribers, or both. This impending crunch also comes at a time when other competitors such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google are entering the space.

Miss Willie Brown Debuts EP Today

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The major label debut EP from rising country duo Miss Willie Brown is out today (3/15). Comprised of Amanda Watkins and Kasey Buckley, the band is also gearing up for its first major tour, an outing opening for Dierks Bentley. Miss Willie Brown is the first country act signed to New York based A&M/Octone Records, the UMG label which is also home to star act Maroon5.
For the four-song project, Miss Willie teamed with top producer Keith Stegall, who has worked with Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson and George Strait. “Keith really jumped into our heads in terms of knowing what we like,” explains West Virginia native Watkins. She and Texas native Buckley share lead vocals on the tracks, which they co-wrote. Check out the fast-paced rocker “Sick of Me.”
“Amanda can write music that sounds like what I’m saying,” adds Buckley, “and I can write words that sound like her music. We definitely believe that we were brought together for a reason.” The two women met while waiting tables at a BBQ joint and instantly bonded over a love of songwriting and country music.
Miss Willie Brown will celebrate the EP’s release and the tour kick-off with a show tonight at the Rutledge in Nashville at 6 P.M. Immediately following the performance, the duo will head out for a 30-date run on the Jagermeister Country Tour Featuring Dierks Bentley, going through mid-May with special guest Josh Thompson.

Signing News From Ray Stevens, Amber Hayes

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Ray Stevens


The Bobby Roberts Company Inc. has signed Ray Stevens for exclusive booking representation.
Thanks to hits like “The Streak,” and “Everything is Beautiful,” Stevens has career sales totaling more than 25 million albums. He is a two-time Grammy winner and 11-time Grammy nominee.
Stevens has recently released a new album, titled One For The Road. See a video recap of Stevens’ career. BRC can be reached at 615-859-8899 or www.bobbyroberts.com.
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FUNL Music recording artist Amber Hayes has entered into an exclusive booking agreement with Nashville-based talent agency and marketing firm, Brand N Music Partnerships. Brand N Music VP/Operations Greg Burns is representing Hayes as well as her FUNL labelmate Ty Hernodon.
Hayes’ current single, “Wait,” continues to gain momentum at Country radio.  It is the second release from the Oklahoma native’s 2010 EP, C’mon, which produced a Top 40 hit on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart with its title-track single.

Amber Hayes


“I was absolutely thrilled when Brand N Music was given the opportunity to work with Amber Hayes,” says Burns. “Amber’s recent success with her debut single and the early reaction from radio to her new song, ‘Wait,’ is creating a lot of positive attention. I’m also finding that there’s a substantial interest in Amber that dates back to her days starring in the Conway Twitty musical.”
For booking requests on Amber Hayes or Ty Herndon, contact Burns at [email protected], 615-562-3726, or visit www.BrandNMusic.com. More on Hayes here.

Lytle Management Adds Denise Roberts

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Denise Roberts


Radio promotion executive Denise Roberts has joined Lytle Management Group where she will be heading up radio and tour promo campaigns for its artists. The hiring was announced today by President John Lytle.
Gary Allan is among the artists on Lytle’s roster, and Roberts will coordinate promotion efforts with Allan’s label home UMG Nashville.
“Gary Allan and I are honored to have a music professional the caliber of Denise Roberts join our team,” said Lytle. “Her experience across the record and radio worlds makes her a great fit for this job.”
Roberts was most recently VP Country Promotion at CO5 Music. She held that post since September 2009, overseeing the company’s regional promo staff. Her other career stops include a similar job at Stoney Creek Records, and Director of National Promotion for Universal South.
Roberts can be reached at [email protected] or 615-770-2688 (office) or 818-679-5479 (cell).

Chesney Partners With Hooters, Costa Sunglasses

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Chesney wearing his new signature Costa shades.


As he gears up for his big summer tour, Kenny Chesney today announced marketing partnerships with Costa sunglasses and Hooters.
The Corona Presents Kenny Chesney’s “Goin’ Coastal” Tour will be his biggest outing in five years when it launches Thursday (3/17) in West Palm Beach, Fla. The nearly 60-date North American tour includes eleven shows at NFL stadiums, and wraps with a two-night stand at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. on Aug. 27–28.
He is working with Costa to design his first line of signature sunglasses. Proceeds generated from the sale of the Kenny Chesney Limited Edition series will benefit ocean conservation group Coastal Conservation Association. The shades will be available at his tour stops as well as at www.costadelmar.com beginning March 17.
Hooters will have a presence on the tour, and has been named its “Official Happy Hour.” As the pre-concert destination in select markets, Hooters customers will have an opportunity to win Chesney autographed memorabilia, swag and concert tickets. Hooters is also launching a national Happy Hour promotion with in-store marketing collateral featuring Chesney, and a text-to-win contest for a VIP Fan Flyaway to the tour’s closing night. Beginning in April, stores will also be giving away a limited edition Hooters Kenny Chesney CD.

Howard, Morrow Named Women of Influence

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(L-): Linda Edell Howard, and Lynn Morrow


Attorneys Linda Edell Howard and Lynn Morrow, partners at Adams and Reese’s Music Row office, were named “Women of Influence” recently by the Nashville Business Journal. Listed in the publication as a “dynamic duo” they were highlighted in a recent issue, and honored with other winners at an awards luncheon.
Howard and Morrow have worked together for more than 10 years at the firm. They celebrated an outstanding 2010 with superstar clients and top executives including Lady Antebellum, songwriter Tom Douglas, manager Bob Doyle (the Band Perry) and the Nashville Symphony. Adams and Reese’s Nashville office also represents Love and Theft, Charlie Daniels, the Gospel Music Association and the Christian Music Trade Association.

Songwriter Todd Cerney Passes

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Todd Cerney in his home recording studio.


Songwriter Todd Cerney passed away this morning, March 14, after a battle with cancer. The musician, known for hits including “I’ll Still Be Loving You” recorded by Restless Heart, and “Good Morning Beautiful” recorded by Steve Holy, was a much loved member of Nashville’s music community.
Cerney was a Grammy-nominated songwriter, and past winner of ASCAP’s Country Song of the Year Award. Among his writing credits is “No Mercy” by Ty Herndon, as well as cuts by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Etta James, Cheap Trick, The Four Tops / Aretha Franklin, Levon Helm, Jason And The Scorchers, John Anderson, The Whites and many more.
He was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma last year. Cerney is survived by wife Kip Kirby.
Cerney made a mark on the Nashville music community, as evidenced by the turnout of performers and attendees at a recent concert to help with his medical expenses. The Feb. 28 event staged at the Red Rooster Bar & Music Hall featured Restless Heart, Steve Holy, Bo Bice, Rivers Rutherford, Fred Knobloch, Buzz Cason, Mac Gayden, Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) and a 25-year reunion of Nashville cult favorite The Piggys.
A bank account to help with medical costs has been set up at Regions Bank’s Music Row branch. Donations can be made at any Regions branch or can be mailed to: Friends of Todd Cerney Account, Regions Bank, 1600 Division St., Nashville, TN 37203 or call 615-748-2792. Messages can be posted at www.caringbridge.org/visit/toddcerney.
Photos below of Todd Cerney at the No. 1 party for “I’ll Still Be Loving You,” and receiving the ASCAP Song of the Year Award. Photos: Alan Mayor

Todd Cerney and wife Kip Kirby on the night he won ASCAP Song of the Year for "I'll Still Be Loving You."


Pictured in 1987: Cerney, front row second from left, at the No. 1 party for "I'll Still Be Loving You," recorded by Restless Heart and co-written by Cerney, Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose, and Pat Bunch.


ACM Teams With RAM Trucks, Plans Fremont St. Party

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Fan voting for the ACM Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year Awards will be powered by the RAM Truck Brand for the second year in a row. The truck maker will also roll out the red carpet at the ACM Awards as the title sponsor.
Fans can vote for the awards on www.VoteACM.com, and the winners will be announced live on the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The show will be broadcast from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 3 on CBS.
In the running for Entertainer of the Year are Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Competing for the New Artist award are The Band Perry and Eric Church.
New Artist voting will close at 5 p.m. PT on April 3 (before the live show starts) and Entertainer of the Year voting will close during the third hour of the live broadcast.
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The Academy of Country Music is hosting two days of all-star concerts at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas during The Week Vegas Goes Country™! ACM Weekend on Fremont Street Experience will feature newcomer category nominees, special guests and headliners Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans performing on two different stages to crowds downtown.
The weekend-long party leading up to the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be hosted by three-time ACM On-Air Personality of the Year Award winner Blair Garner, and will feature Sarah Darling, Casey James, Brett Eldredge, Chris Young, Lee Brice and Sara Evans on April 1; and Thompson Square, the JaneDear Girls, Steel Magnolia, Randy Houser, Easton Corbin and Ronnie Dunn on April 2.

JT Hodges Signs With Paradigm

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Celebrating the signing are (L-R): Manager TK Kimbrell, Paradigm’s Curt Motley, Paradigm’s Mike Snider, JT Hodges, manager Alex Bridges, and Paradigm’s Bob Kinkead.

Rising country singer JT Hodges has signed with the Paradigm Talent Agency for exclusive booking. The Ft. Worth, Texas native is a singer, songwriter, and guitar-slinger who is working on his debut album for Show Dog-Universal Music. The project is due out later this year.

Paradigm’s Mike Snider announced the latest addition to the company’s roster. Among the other acts signed to the agency are Jeff Foxworthy, Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Carter’s Chord, Bucky Covington, Jack Ingram, Radney Foster, Ricky Skaggs, Shooter Jennings, and many more.

Led by chairman Sam Gores, Paradigm has more than 100 agents working out of offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, and Monterey, CA.