Shelton Joins NBC's "The Voice"

Blake Shelton is joining the coaching panel of NBC’s new musical competition series The Voice. When the show premieres on Tuesday, April 26 (9-11 p.m. ET), Shelton will be sitting alongside fellow musician coaches Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.
“We couldn’t have a panel that represented the hottest American music without a strong country presence, and Blake is at the top of his game right now,” said Paul Telegdy, EVP, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios. “Not only is he incredibly charismatic, but his passion for collaborating with and bringing the best out of other talented artists makes him the perfect choice to round out this ‘Dream Team’ of musician coaches.”
The Carson Daly hosted show will follow the four musician coaches as they each select singers to mentor during a blind audition process. Once the coaches have their teams, they will bring in their songwriter and producer friends to help their teams evolve. Ultimately, the viewer at home will vote on the winning singer.

Valory's Briner Adds West Coast Duties

Valory Music Co. VP of Field Promotion George Briner has added West Coast radio promotion to his label duties. Briner will be relocating to Denver, CO to begin his new responsibilities.
“To have the opportunity to work from Denver, Colorado and continue to do what I love and support the great music coming from The Valory Music Co., is a wonderful opportunity for me,” says Briner.
Briner is a 25 year veteran of country radio promotion and was recently upped to his current position after being Valory’s Dir. National Promotion/Northeast/Midwest Promotion & Marketing. Reach him at George.Briner@valorymail.com.

Party's Over: CRS Photo Wrap

>>>Rascal Flatts celebrated its No. 1 single, “Why Wait,” at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville on March 3. The song marks the band’s first No. 1 on its new label home Big Machine Records, and their 12th career No. 1.

Pictured L to R: (Front Row) Big Machine's Mandy McCormack and Alex Valentine. (Back Row) Big Machine's Jeff Davis; Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts; Big Machine's Jayme Austin; Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts; Big Machine President & CEO Scott Borchetta; Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts; Big Machine's Erik Powell, Kris Lamb and Jack Purcell. Photo: Chris Hollo


>>>BMI and Country Aircheck co-hosted the WCRS Live! showcase featuring the talents of Whitey Shafer, Dallas Davidson, Kix Brooks, and Jerrod Niemann.

Pictured are (back row, l-r): BMI’s Perry Howard, Dan Spears, and Tom Annastas; Kix Brooks; BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Clay Bradley; and Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton; (seated, l-r): Jerrod Niemann, Whitey Shafer, and Dallas Davidson. Photo by Rick Diamond


>>>Russ Ocker of KMGO/KCOG was honored with the Randy Jones Memorial Award during a CRS event at Fontanel. Radio promoters Jan Woods and Christina Bear founded the award along with MusicRow Country Breakout Reporter Ed Carter (WKSR-AM/FM, Pulaski, TN) to salute dedication to country radio and community service.




(L-R): Jan Woods, Russ Ocker, Ed Carter and Christina Bear


>>>Industry and artists mingle at Country Radio Seminar. Rising act Due West visit with MusicRow executives.



(L-R): MusicRow President Sherod Robertson, Due West members Tim Gates and Matt Lopez, MusicRow Publisher David Ross, and Due West's Brad Hull.

Bobby Karl Works The Capitol CRS Lunch


Chapter 363

Pictured L-R: Steve Hodges, Bill Mayne, Luke Bryan, Eric Paslay, and Mike Culotta


Luke Bryan onstage at the Capitol Luncheon


All country artists want to be liked, but few have the winning, eager, puppy-like charm of Luke Bryan.
Luke was the centerpiece of Capitol Nashville’s concluding luncheon at last week’s Country Radio Seminar convention. His Friday afternoon (3/4) set mixed hits such as “Someone Else Calling You Baby” and “Country Man” with five new tunes from his forthcoming CD, including “Drunk on You” and “Too Damn Young to Know Any Better.”
“This is incredible to be here,” said show-headlining Luke. “Four years ago, I was opening up for Trace [Adkins]. There is no better room to play to get your career going.
“This isn’t my show,” he said to the radio decision makers. “This is OUR show, together.”
Using his lanky body language and likeable smile to full advantage, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. A thunderous sonic mix and plenty of flashing lights added to the ambiance.
The only thing missing was Capitol’s usual emcee, Mike Dungan. “He is in a hammock on the beach with a drink in his hand,” explained the subbing Steve Hodges. It seems that Mike thought that CRS was the last week in February and instructed his wife to book their vacation during what he thought would be the following week. Oops.
Steve began the festivities by screening the world premiere of Jeanette McCurdy’s inspirational new video “Generation Love.” Brilliantly written by Tom Douglas, Heather Morgan and Ross Copperman and wonderfully produced by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, this looked and sounded like the breakthrough country hit the iCarly teen-TV superstar has been seeking. Each luncheon place setting, by the way, held a copy of the CD single as well as a reproduction of a Tennessean newspaper feature about Jeanette that had run earlier in the week.
The luncheon also introduced new signee Eric Paslay. The tall, lean, red-headed singer-songwriter performed the light-hearted “When the Sun Comes Up” and “If the Fish Don’t Bite,” as well as a moving ballad about the afterlife called “Deep as it Is Wide.”
“It’s a privilege to be up here,” said Eric, who performed solo with acoustic guitar. “I’m looking forward to meeting all of you this May and June,” when the label issues his music.
Steve also screened a video containing thank-you footage from all the company’s promotional staff as well as its roster – Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Walker Hayes, Darius Rucker, Eric Church and Troy Olson as well as the luncheon-spotlighted Jeanette, Eric and Luke.
We lunched on lasagna and veggies. Prior to the event, the CRS attendees volunteered to stuff bags with various snacks to be shipped out by Operation Troop Aid. A giant, robotic Tron/Transformers character with an electronic voice posed for snapshots and kept the volunteers entertained.
Mixing and mingling were Dick Beecham, Becky Begin, Kristi Green, Gary Greenberg, Sharon Allen, Bill Wence, Starlet Page, Walt Trott, Bobby Young, Jeff Walker, Vanessa Davis, Raeanne Rubenstein and John Zarling.

Writers Ink With New Nettwerk One/Revelry Joint Venture

Revelry Music Group/Nettwerk One Music sign Jessie Jo Dillon: Back row l-r: Jody Williams (BMI), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Clay Bradley (BMI), Greg Beeckman (Revelry Consultant), Blair McDonald (Nettwerk One Music), Greg Gallo (Revelry/Partner), Bradley Collins (BMI). Front row l-r: AJ Burton (Revelry/Partner), Jessie Jo Dillon, Noah McPike (Almon Law PLLC).


Nettwerk One Music and Revelry Music Group have teamed for a publishing joint venture. Under the new agreement, Nettwerk’s staff including executives Mark Jowett and Blair McDonald will handle administrative operations and funding for the venture. In addition, Nettwerk’s film and TV licensing team will be representing the catalogue worldwide.
The team at Revelry, made up of AJ Burton, Greg Gallo and LA-based finance partner Cory Schuelke, will focus on the creative aspects of the venture. To that end, the new joint venture has already signed Nashville songwriters Thom Donovan, Anthony Smith and recent Grammy-nominee Jessie Jo Dillon. She was nominated for Best Country Song for George Strait’s “The Breath You Take,” which she wrote with Casey Beathard, and her father Dean Dillon.

Revelry Music Group/Nettwerk One Music sign Thom Donovan: Back row l-r: Jody Williams (BMI), Greg Beeckman (Revelry Consultant), Greg Gallo (Revelry/Partner), Bradley Collins (BMI). Front row l-r: AJ Burton (Revelry/Partner), Thom Donovan, Blair McDonald (Nettwerk One Music)



Back row (l-r): Nettwerk One Music’s Blair McDonald; Revelry Music Group’s Greg Beeckman and Greg Gallo. Front row (l-r): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Revelry’s AJ Burton, Anthony Smith and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Peyton Hoge



The Woods Amphitheater Gearing Up For First Full Season

The Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel has several big-name artists on the line-up for its first full season, which opens Sat., April 23 with Chicago and Los Lonely Boys.
The outdoor venue fills a void in Nashville’s live music landscape. Middle Tennessee had been lacking an amphitheater since Starwood closed in 2006. With a capacity of 4,500, The Woods Amphitheater is on the grounds of Barbara Mandrell’s former residence Fontanel. The property was opened to the public in recent years as a tourist and event destination.
Also on the books for this summer are The Stone Temple Pilots (May 1), Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers (May 27), Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour in time for the CMA Music Festival (June 3), Yes and Styx (July 16), Steely Dan (Aug. 19), and Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy (Sept. 2).
The concert series at The Woods Amphitheater is being produced Gary Weinberger of Red Mountain, and John Ruffino and Russell Doussan of Blue Deuce Entertainment. The property is managed by Fontanel Attractions, made up of music execs Dale Morris and Marc Oswald, world-class developer Alex Marks, and TomKats, Inc. owner Tom Morales, as the operating partner.
Ticket details including info about VIP box seats and the four-show Mega Ticket are available at www.WoodsAmphitheater.com.

ZBB Southern Ground Music and Food Festival

Zac Brown Band is behind the upcoming Southern Ground Music and Food Festival at Clemson University in Clemson, SC. ZBB will curate the event running April 8-10, taking a hands-on approach to everything from musical talent to food made from Brown’s recipes.
The band will headline the first two nights of the festival, with the final night headlined by Amos Lee. Other performers include those signed to Brown’s Southern Ground Artists label including Sonia Leigh, Levi Lowrey, Nic Cowan, The Wood Brothers, The Wheeler Boys and Blackberry Smoke. Secret Sisters are also on the line-up.
ZBB will also use the event to debut its mobile stage, featuring sky boxes, video and a state-of-the-art light show.
In other ZBB news, the band has teamed with outdoor apparel maker Patagonia to release an exclusive live version of “Cold Hearted.” Proceeds from the iTunes download will be donated to Urban Farming, because the band supports the organization’s mission to grow food for people in need. Other artists participating in Patagonia’s program include Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, and Maroon 5.

CRS Research Study Holds Few Surprises-Plus Discussion Points

This year’s 2011 CRB country radio survey was presented (3/3) to a morning crowd of over 250 attendees. Conducted by North Carolina-based research firm Coleman Insights, the study polled P1 country radio listeners ages 12-64, and was sponsored by the CMA. Approximately 171 industry professionals also responded so the P1 results could be measured against industry perceptions. The survey was conducted via email and online.
“This year’s study confirmed that the overall perception of Country Music by its core consumers was extremely positive, and the general health of Country radio is still strong,” says Coleman Insights President and COO Warren Kurtzman. “Listeners are continuing to find new means of consuming Country Music through emerging technologies, but this study seems to indicate they are not undermining Country radio’s connection with its listeners.”
Key findings for the study summed that P1s are more excited about radio than the industry perceives and that they are indeed using new media. Much of the data was compared against a 2007 study of P1s and found little change. Complete findings will be available on Wed. March 9 at 10 a.m. at www.colemaninsights.com
The Coleman speakers offered up the following conclusions and recommendations…
1. “Great job country radio and country music,” offered Coleman Insight VP . “It’s impressive that you’ve created a strong passion with your P1 consumers. The appeal and satisfaction of both country radio and country music is as positive as ever. Country radio remains the leading source of connection for these consumers and is the leading source for new music discovery. The industry is dealing from a position of perceived strength with its partisans. This is important because if there are any chinks in the armor that showed up here, [in  this study] that would be serious and damaging.
2. “Country P1 engagement with new media is underway and growing,” Ackerman continued. “It presents challenges and opportunities. The challenges come from the threat of increased fragmentation and choice, but given the industry’s position of strength with its partisan consumers the opportunity lies in the ability to proactively harness new media for its own purposes. One way to maintain the bond that country radio has with its partisans is to keep improving…the product and product experience. Doing the necessary R&D to understand the audience. Know what they like and don’t like. Know how their perceptions of country radio and music are evolving and changing. It also means being willing to invest in innovation. Innovation in finding and developing new acts and developing new acts and making a radio station sound better and by delivering more exclusive content so we can’t rest on our laurels here. It may be a tough pill to swallow in these economic times, but leaders preserve their leadership by asserting their position through aggressive advertising. That is necessary for us to not only maintain the strength of our brands, but to stay visible and relevant with the consumer. With all the choice going on it is not a time for country radio and/or music to be invisible.”
Coleman VP Sam Milkman had these concerns…
1. ”You will need smartphone apps. Both an alarm clock and something that plays the radio because a third of your consumers are waking up to a smartphone.
2. “Align your streaming offerings to combat Pandora which will involve getting in touch with the values that consumers see in Pandora that they aren’t getting from our am/fm streams including customization, ease of use and fewer commercials.”
Discussion Points
Mark Twain reportedly said when trying to win a debate, “Sir, there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.” What was Twain trying to say? Perhaps that the persuasive power of numbers must be tempered by looking carefully at what they represent and how they were obtained.
This CRB 2011 study appears to be extremely incestuous. Radio’s most passionate involved listeners (P1s or “partisans”) are chosen and then asked essentially, “Do you like us?” Surprise—they do. Is it any wonder the satisfaction/appeal results are quite similar to the 2007 study, considering we are only asking listeners that love country radio? In fact, I would guess that if there were only 100 P1s left in the world at some imaginary future time and we polled them, the results would still be the same. “If we aren’t taking care of our core listeners then we are really in trouble,” said CRB Board member and radio consultant Rusty Walker offering a reason for polling only P1s. “It’s a starting place,” offered one of the Coleman Insights VPs.
One of the study’s recommendations is, “improve the product and product experience…understand the audience…know what they like and don’t like.” It also says “Get in touch with the values that consumers see in Pandora and aren’t getting…” Last year’s CMA study which polled a robust sample of country music fans found that listeners wanted to know the names of the artists they were listening to. Pandora shows that information. But most country radio stations do not. Why? Data shows your listeners want it.
Another Coleman Insights conclusion was, “Invest in innovation, including finding and developing new acts.” Innovation with respect to new acts is hard to define, but it likely involves increasing the level of experimentation. Country music sales have fallen 50% in four years, which should prove that current levels of innovation in this regard are not working, at least for label partners.
All media is changing rapidly—including radio and records. Soon Pandora and other Internet streaming channels will become available on your auto dashboard. Longevity will necessitate change for all stakeholders. And that requires good unbiased data showing what’s right….and what’s wrong.

Friday News Clips

>>Wynonna Judd has been named the national spokesperon for the North Shore Animal League America’s 2011 Tour for Life. Beginning March 19, the NSALA in partnership with Purina will begin its 11th annual Tour for Life. The five-week initiative includes two mobile adoption units which travel across the country to help save the lives of thousands of animals. Click here for more info.
>>The Victoria Shaw & Friends Concert benefitting the Abintra Montessori School’s Arts Program is tomorrow night (3/5) at LimeLight. The event will feature Keb’ Mo’, Katie Armiger, HLN’s Robin Meade, After Midnight’s Blair Garner, Chuck Jones, Gary Burr, Mitch Malloy, and Alex Call. Doors open at 7 PM, show and silent auction begin at 8 PM. Tickets are $20. For more information on Abintra Montessori School, visit www.Abintra.org.
>>Alison Krauss and Union Station will be performing at the Loveless Barn to benefit the Linden Waldorf School at its annual Gala and Auction on March 26. During the Gala, the band will be performing songs from their catalog as well as traditional music alongside square dancing to fit the Barn Dance theme. The Gala will take place on March 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Loveless Barn (8400 Highway 100, Nashville).  The ticket price ($125) includes the concert, square dancing, local wine and spirit tasting as well as a light dinner. Silent and live auctions will also be highlighted. Visit www.LindenWaldorf.org

Ed Hardy


>>Great American Country President Ed Hardy has been named one of five Fathers of the Year by the Middle Tennessee chapter of the American Diabetes Association. The ADA partnered with the national Father’s Day Council to raise money for diabetes research through fundraisers like the 9th annual Father of the Year banquet being held June 16 at Nashville’s Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. The other fathers being recognized are Jim Bradford, Ralph Owen, Howard Gentry, Jr., Gif Thornton and Bob Tuke.

Montgomery Gentry


>>Average Joe’s duo Montgomery Gentry will headline the 2011 Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon post race bash on April 30. Also taking the stage for the post-race concert at the Bridgestone Arena will be Her & King’s County. The concert is open to the public and tickets are now on sale for $35 through the Bridgestone Arena box office or TicketMaster.
>> For the first time in nearly a decade, the Ryman Auditorium has launched a new website design. The Ryman will be launching a companion iPhone app in the upcoming weeks. Visit www.Ryman.com.
>>Jerrod Niemann will make his debut appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show airing March 10. Coinciding with the March 10 airing of his Ellen appearance, Niemann will also kick-off The Higher Education Tour, co-headlining a string of shows through the end of April with Lee Brice.
>>Stoney Creek Records’ new duo, Thompson Square will perform tonight (3/4) on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Radiothon Raises $3.4 Million for St. Jude

Country Cares or St. Jude Kids founder Randy Owen with the patients of St. Jude during the 2011 Country Cares Radio Seminar in January. (http://www.stjude.org/)


On Feb. 24-25, thirty-one Clear Channel radio stations across the country held Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothons and collectively raised more than $3.4 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This marked only the second year that a group of Clear Channel stations hosted radiothons during the same two-day timeframe, providing a big boost in the middle of the Country Cares radiothon season. The amount reflects an increase over last year’s total of nearly $2.8 million.
Country Cares for St. Jude Kids is one of the most successful radio fundraising programs in America with hundreds of radio stations helping generate more than $385 million for St. Jude since the program began in 1989.
Clear Channel country stations that held radiothons include WSIX (Feb. 23-24) (Nashville, Tenn.), WPOC (Baltimore, Md.), KYKR (Beaumont, Texas), WDXB (Birmingham, Ala.), WUSY (Chattanooga, Tenn.), KOLZ (Cheyenne, Wyo.), KCCY (Colorado Springs,  Colo.), WSTH (Columbus, Ga.), WCOL (Columbus, Ohio), KHEY (El Paso, Texas), WQRB (Eau Claire, Wis.), KKIX (Fayetteville, Ark.), KMAG (Fort Smith, Ark.), WTQR (Greensboro, N.C.), WSSL (Greenville, S.C.), KTEX (Harlingen, Texas), WTCR (Huntington, W.V.), WMSI (Jackson, Miss.), KTPI (Lancaster, Calif.), KSSN (Little Rock, Ark.), WAMZ (Louisville, Ky.), WYYD (Lynchburg, Va.), KTOM (Monterey/Salinas, Calif.), KTST (Oklahoma City, Okla.), WPAP (Panama City, Fla.), WLLR (Quad Cities, Iowa) and WTNT (Tallahassee, Fla.). Urban gospel stations WAGH (Columbus, Ga.), WHLH (Jackson, Miss.) and KHLR (Little Rock, Ark.) and adult contemporary station WGSY (Columbus, Ga.) also held events.
Country Cares for St. Jude Kids began in 1989 after Randy Owen, lead singer of the music group Alabama met St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. Country Cares radiothons are designed to increase the community’s awareness and support of St. Jude. A radiothon typically lasts two days and is highlighted by St. Jude patient stories, story song vignettes and exciting radio station promotions.
Visit www.countrycares.org.