Doug Morris Named Sony Chief

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Doug Morris


Doug Morris, one of the most influential executives in the global music industry, has officially exited his post as Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group to join Sony Music Entertainment in the same role. He will be in office at Sony effective July 1, 2011.
Morris will succeed Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, who will be departing the company concurrent with the end of his contract on March 31, 2011.
Until July, Sony Corporation Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Sir Howard Stringer will oversee the executive decision-making at SME.
Morris, who became Worldwide Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UMG in 1995, revealed last year that he would step down from that role at the end of 2010.
Today’s announcement was made by Stringer. “I have known Doug Morris for many years, and am delighted that he has agreed to lead Sony Music Entertainment,” he said. “At this critical time in the evolution of the music industry, I can think of no one more qualified as a proven executive, an innovator, a music impresario and a statesman than Doug Morris. I welcome him to the Company and look forward to our working together to drive Sony Music to preeminence in the industry.
“I also want to thank Rolf Schmidt-Holtz for his tremendous contribution to Sony Music,” Stringer continued. “From his time as Chairman of the Sony BMG Music Entertainment joint venture in 2004, through his operational role as CEO beginning in 2006, Rolf has been a courageous, candid and forward-thinking executive, and our entire Company has benefited greatly from his leadership. We wish him great success as he undertakes new challenges upon his return to Europe.”
“I’m delighted by the opportunity to work with Howard and the entire Sony Music team,” commented Morris. “At such a pivotal time for music, it’s more important than ever to develop a fertile, creative environment that generates the highest quality of  artists and music, while seeking to fully exploit the many opportunities that new digital services and products provide in reaching audiences around the world.”
Morris began his music career as a songwriter with credits including the Chiffons’ 1966 hit, “Sweet Talkin’ Guy,” and as producer of hits including Brownsville Station’s “Smokin’ in the Boys Room.” He transitioned to the label world, joining Laurie Records in 1965 and later launching his own Big Tree Records. His career has gone on to include top-tier executive positions at Warner Music, Atlantic Records, MCA Music Entertainment Group and Universal Records.

Do Artists Need A Combined Sales Chart?

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Grammy fever has cooled, Valentine’s ardor has calmed and [ouch] Top 75 country album sales are down 32% compared with last week. Adding to the somber report, YTD country album sales are off 12.4%. But wait. Are we missing something?
Let’s consider the concept of combined revenue—money an artist earns from both album and track sales. For an individual artist it seems an obvious measurement to sample, but in years past track revenue was dwarfed by albums and therefore made little difference. (Jay Frank discusses this idea with added detail on page 18 of the newly released Feb./March MusicRow print issue. He says, ”We may soon reach a week…when according to SoundScan, the No. 1 track will eclipse the top album in terms of retail value and profitability.”)
While this week’s data doesn’t completely fulfill Frank’s vision, it’s close. The No. 1 all-genre track, Lady Gaga “Born This Way” (286K downloads) is more profitable and has a higher retail value than the No. 1 country album, Lady Antebellum Need You Now (28k). Here’s how the math works:

Needed: A New “Combined Value” Yardstick?
The dollar value of album and track numbers continues to rebalance in our new industry environment. Therefore, a SoundScan sales chart ranking combined value (and/or wholesale profitability) could prove valuable. Frank adds, “Been saying this is needed for years.” And this writer agrees.

A weekly combined value chart which accounted for the retail value of all tracks and albums sold by a particular artist would be a more accurate measure of success than looking at albums alone.

Thoughts comments? Leave them below, please.

Entertainer Nominees To Perform at ACM Awards

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All of the ACM Entertainer of the Year nominees will be performing as part of the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Nominees Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban will all take the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. Entertainer of the Year will be announced during the live broadcast.
For the third consecutive year, the winner will be fan voted. Voting begins March 11 at www.voteACM.com and will conclude during the third hour of the live broadcast.

Joanna Smith Revisits Tootsie's Where She Got Her Start

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(L-R): GAC Talent Manager Shanna Strassberg; Smith and Sony Chairman & CEO Gary Overton.


Columbia Nashville’s Joanna Smith returned to her old stomping grounds recently. The rising star stopped in to perform at downtown Nashville’s famed Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, the stage where she got her start in Music City. Smith treated onlookers to all the songs from her forthcoming album, including new single “Georgia Mud.” Smith wrote or co-wrote almost all of the songs on the project.
Next up, the singer will perform the national anthem at the Ohio Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Championship game, on March 5 at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium.
Smith has already received rave reviews from music critics such as MusicRow’s own Robert Oermann who praises that the single is “sweetly romantic, with a cool, crunchy backbeat and a vocal performance with a built-in smile.”
Click to listen to “Georgia Mud.”

[Updated w/ Eldredge arrangements] Lifenotes/Benefit News

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Artwork up for auction at the Birdhouse Thing


>>Sympathy is extended to Terry Eldredge of The Grascals on the passing of his mother, Mary Jane Liffick Eldredge. She died February 28. Visitation will take place Thursday, March 3, from 2 to 8 p.m. and Friday, March 4, from noon to 2 p.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1150 Dickerson Road, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 (615-859-5279). The funeral service will begin immediately following Friday’s visitation. Condolences may be emailed to Terry Eldredge at [email protected] or mailed to him c/o Entertainment Evolution, PO Box 23015, Nashville, TN 37202.
>>Sympathy also goes to the family of Victoria Wade Contreras, who passed away on February 17 after a long illness. She was 61 and is known to those in the music community as an active philanthropist and the wife of Juan Contreras. She was instrumental in the production of The Larry Butler Golf Tournament and The HoriPro Golf Tournament, both of which benefit Belmont University music business students. A memorial service will be held tomorrow (3/1) at Christ Church (15354 Old Hickory Blvd., Nashville). Visitation will start at 12:30 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m.
>>The 10th Annual Birdhouse Thing, an auction of wooden birdhouses decorated by artists, is scheduled for Thursday night, March 10 at the W.O. Smith Music School, which the event benefits. The school provides music lessons to underprivileged children and is in a new facility on 8th Ave. that was built with proceeds from the Birdhouse Thing. This year’s live and silent auctions will include items such as concert tickets or meet and greet passes from Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Sara Evans, Josh Turner, and Kellie Pickler. The online auction runs March 8 – 22 at www.mclemoreauction.com. Event tickets can be purchased at www.birdhousething.com, by calling the school at (615) 255-8355 or by emailing [email protected].
>>SOLID is hosting the Music Row Madness Bowling Showdown at Hillwood Strike and Spare on Tuesday, March 15 from 5:30-9:00 p.m. Music businesses are encouraged to form a team or sponsor a lane. Contact Raffaella Braun ([email protected]) for details or to sign up.
>>The Third Annual John Jarrard Foundation Concert will take place at the Bluebird Cafe on Saturday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m. Performing will be Alex Harvey (“Delta Dawn”), Greg Barnhill (“House of Love,” “Walk Away Joe”), Marc Beeson (“When She Cries”), and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dickey Lee. Songwriter John Jarrard penned 11 No. 1 hits before passing away. Tickets ($15) at www.bluebirdcafe.com. Proceeds will go to a fund benefiting several charities, one of which is the Bluebird Café’s “adopt a seat” campaign. For more information on the concert, contact Jody Jackson, Executive Director of the John Jarrard Foundation at [email protected] or (770) 710-9191.

Photo Special: Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees

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The Country Music Association announced yesterday (3/1) that Bobby Braddock, Reba McEntire, and Jean Shepard will become the newest members of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame. The announcement was made by Kix Brooks during a private press event in the Rotunda of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Reba was unable to be present, as she remains with her family at her father’s side in an Oklahoma hospital.
Induction ceremonies for Braddock, Reba, and Shepard will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum later this year. Since 2007, the Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, an annual reunion of the Hall of Fame membership, has served as the official rite of induction for new members.
Photographer: John Russell / CMA

Bobby Braddock and Jean Shepard pose in the Country Music Hall of Fame's revered Rotunda after CMA announced them as 2011 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Rotunda houses the official plaques commemorating all the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.


(L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Director Kyle Young, Kix Brooks, Jean Shepard, Bobby Braddock, and CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore at yesterday's announcement.


(Left photo): At the CMA Artist Luncheon, Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman congratulates Jean Shepard. (Right photo): Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill congratulates Bobby Braddock.

CRB Names Radio Promotion Award Winners

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Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. has announced its 2011 Radio Promotion Award winners. The awards will be presented during the “90 Executable Ideas in 50 Minutes” panel on Thursday, March 3, inside the Nashville Convention Center. Winners receive a free trip to Country Radio Seminar.
Large Market Winner: KUPL / Portland, Ore.
KUPL’s “Free Money Friday” paired two of the station’s advertising clients to create a successful cross-promotion. Customers who picked up KUPL bumper stickers at one client location would receive a text message directing them to the second client’s promotion and location, where customers could win up to $500. The promotion generated increased sales for the clients and doubled the radio station’s texting database.
Medium Market Winner: WQMX / Akron, Ohio
WQMX utilized the power of social networking to conduct its “Zac Brown Look-A-Like Contest.” Listeners submitted photos through the station’s Facebook page for a chance to win front row seats and a backstage “eat and greet” with the Zac Brown Band.
Small Market Winner: KZPK / St. Cloud, Minn.
KZPK staged its biggest benefit concert ever during Central Minnesota’s summer FireFest event. The show featured performances from Little Big Town, Emerson Drive and Bomshel, raising more than $50,000 for the city of Cold Spring’s Fire and Rescue Relief Association.

Bobby Karl Works MusicRow's CRS Meet & Greet

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Chapter 359 • Photos: Alan Mayor

MR Chart Director Jon Freeman (R) presents the CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year Award to Dale Desmond (L)


The hundreds of day drinkers give it away: Country Radio Seminar is here once again.
The occasion was the 9th annual MusicRow CRS Meet & Greet CountryBreakout™ Awards, staged at Cadillac Ranch on Tuesday afternoon (3/1). And the house was rockin’.
“Hello, hello, hello,” shouted the mag’s David Ross over the din of radio merry makers. “It’s MusicRow’s 30th anniversary! A little applause is just right. And give yourselves a round of applause. It’s wonderful to have all our radio friends and our industry friends with us today.”
Many artists were there as well, working the room to better their odds with broadcasters. Jeff Cook, The Roys, Matt Bailey, Deborah Allen, Melanie Denard, Josh Thompson, Steve Holy, Andy Griggs, Eric Lee Beddingfield, Lucy Angel, Greg Hanna, Moore & Moore, Billy Block and Robert Reynolds, plus award winners such as The Band Perry and Burns & Poe were present.
“Thank you guys so much,” said Kimberly Perry when her group won the Breakout Artist award. “We’re at CRS, and we’ll see you out and about.”

The Band Perry accepting Breakout Artist of the Year (L-R): Republic Nashville's Jimmy Harnen; Neil, Kimberly and Reid Perry.


“Make some noise for MusicRow, y’all,” shouted Keith Burns. “Thank you so much to radio for playing our songs,” added Michelle Poe. Their Burns & Poe duo won the Indie Artist of the Year prize. Presenter and awards emcee Jon Freeman called them, “The Sonny & Cher of country music.”
To no one’s surprise, Lady Antebellum won Artist of the Year. Capitol Nashville earned Label of the Year honors for the sixth consecutive time.
“Thank you so much: Let’s have a good week,” said Country Breakout Reporter of the Year Dale Desmond of KTHK in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Burns & Poe accept Indie Artist of the Year. (L-R): MR Publisher David M. Ross; Keith Burns and Michelle Poe; and MR Chart Dir. Jon Freeman.


Joanna Smith


The party featured music from Joanna Smith and Colt Ford. Joanna was still all a-flutter about that day’s luncheon where new artists get to meet the just-announced Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. This year’s induction class is Bobby Braddock, Jean Shepard and Reba McEntire. The always blunt and lovable Jean told the new girls to look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are as good as Dolly, Loretta, Tammy and Reba. If not, “Get out.”
After warbling “Kissing in Public” winningly, Joanna chirped, “I want to dedicate this next song to our new Hall of Fame inductee, Reba McEntire. Jean Shepard is an inductee, too. And I think she’d approve of this song, too.” Joanna offered a feisty take on “Poor Little Heart,” and then concluded her set with her single “Georgia Mud.”

Colt Ford


“It’s CRS: Here we go again,” said Tom Baldrica. “We’re happy and honored to be with you this afternoon….Let’s get this party started.” He introduced Colt, who rocked the crowd with “Every Chance I Get.” Wearing dark shades and a black hat, nice-guy Colt quipped, “Play my record every chance you get.” His set also included “Looking for a Good Time” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
Thanks largely to Jon Freeman, MusicRow’s CRS bash has ballooned in size. More than 350 rsvp’d this year, including such fabulons as Mike Betten, Mike Thomas, Wynne Adams, Win Patton, Jimmy Rector (and the rest of the Columbia promo staff), Jimmy Harnen, Lee Richey, Diane Richey, Diana Henderson, Chuck Dauphin, Chuck Thompson, Don Wilson, Martha Moore, Archie Jones, Ed Salamon, Wes Vause, Kerry Hansen, Susan Collier, Barry Cown, Bill Wence, Woody Bomar and Steve Pope.

Dale Turner Teams With Skyville Records

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Dale Turner


Executive Dale Turner has joined Skyville Records as National Director, Radio Marketing and Promotion. This re-teams Turner with Skyville Pres. Kevin Herring, the two previously worked together at Lyric Street.
Turner brings to the table experience in both radio and promotion. For 14 years he served at RCA Label Group, ending as VP Promotion. In 1998 he joined Lyric Street as VP, National Promotion, where he worked for 12 years.
Skyville, launched last year by Paul Worley, Wally Wilson and Glen Morgan, is focusing on flagship act Stealing Angels.
“There is no better utility player on a record label staff than Dale Turner! He does it all,” says Herring. “We are so lucky to have him at Skyville!”
“In lieu of early retirement, I’m delaying my 139 bowling average to hook up with my former colleague Kevin Herring,” jokes Turner. “In all seriousness, I’ve worked some great music that was produced and/or written by Paul Worley and Wally Wilson over the years. This will be a fun adventure in a new business model!”
Dale Turner can be reached at 615-320-7052 or [email protected].

Bidders Eye Warner Music

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Warner Music has received more than 10 bids from entities interested in buying all or part of the company, Bloomberg reports.
Citing sources close to the negotiations, the outlet says bidders seeking Warner’s publishing division, Warner/Chappell, include Sony/ATV Publishing and BMG Right Management.
Another interested party is billionaire and former Warner Music board member Len Blavatnik, who wants to purchase the company as a whole.
Goldman Sachs is helping Warner broker the deal. Many reports say Warner wants to unload its publishing arm and then make a bid for EMI Group.