RIAA Criticized Over Executive Salaries

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Mitch Bainwol

The RIAA is under fire for paying top boss Mitch Bainwol over $2 million in 2008. A report published yesterday (7/12) in Digital Music News broke the story, questioning whether such an extravagant salary was justifiable for someone leading the trade group of a suffering industry.

Now the RIAA has responded, saying that it is a competitive rate of compensation for a trade organization executive with Bainwol’s amount of experience. The organization also reports that Bainwol’s current salary is closer to $1.5 million.

Other qualms DMN found while digging through the RIAA’s 2008 tax documents: ten or more staffers and executives making between $200,000 and $1.33 million each, and exorbitant legal expenses totaling over $16 million.

Paisley Headlines Aquapalooza 2010

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Brad Paisley took a short vacation from his H20 World Tour to party with fans at The Reserve at Lake Travis near Austin, TX on July 12 for Aquapalooza 2010. Official reports claim crowds of 65,000-70,000 plus over 7,000 boats that all arrived for the concert. Last year’s event was at Lake Martin, Alabama.

Paisley’s 2-hour show was staged at the water’s edge and included a 100 foot thrust perched on floats that enabled him to seemingly walk out into the lake and get closer to the numerous fans floating on boats, inner tubes and other devices. Other performers included Matt Stillwell, Jerrod Neimann, Lee Brice and Joanna Smith.

Click to hear Brad talk about the event, and Neimann discuss his new, just released CD.

[wpaudio url=”http://prep.hearsomethingcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/070610-brad-paisley-aqua-26.mp3″ text=”Brad Paisley-Aquapalooza” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

[wpaudio url=”http://prep.hearsomethingcountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/070810-jerrod-niemann-28.mp3″ text=”Jerrod Neimann” dl=”0″ autoplay=”0″]

Stroudavarious/Treehouse Form Partnership

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Stroudavarious Records CEO James Stroud has partnered with Dale Morris of Morris Management to form a joint venture uniting Stroudavarious and DMP/Treehouse Records.

Morris first established Treehouse in June 2009 with Blaine Larsen as its flagship artist.

As part of the changes, the Treehouse promotion team will be exiting the company. This includes staffers Tony Benken, Gwen Foster, Jay Thomas, Scot Michaels, and Nate Ritches (see contact information below).

“Our mission,” says Stroud, “is to combine forces to include records, management and booking. I feel this is the new business model for our industry and with my partners Dale Morris and Clint Higham, we can’t lose.”

Larsen will remain on the DMP/Treehouse roster, along with Rob Lane, Andy Gibson and Jason Mitchell.

Stroudavarious Records, distributed by Sony/RED, is home to Darryl Worley and LoCash Cowboys.

Contact info for former Treehouse staff
Tony Benken, Tunegoon@comcast.net, 615-478-9056
Gwen Foster, 480-495-2209, gwen.foster19@yahoo.com
Jay Thomas, 703-969-2498, va2ct2me@aol.com
Scot Michaels, 720-878-2333, kidbna@aol.com
Nate Ritches, 541-678-4282, hilandersoundandlight@hotmail.com

ACM Makes Third Big Donation To Flood Relief

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(L-R): Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Director of ACM Lifting Lives Erin Spahn, Chairman of ACM Lifting Lives Gary Haber, President of ACM Lifting Lives Gayle Holcomb and ACM Executive Director Bob Romeo. Photo: Becky Fluke

ACM Lifting Lives presented The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee with a $100,000 check during the Nashville Rising flood relief benefit concert spearheaded by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill on June 22. This marks the third significant flood-related donation made by ACM Lifting Lives.

“Thanks to the big hearts of country music artists like Tim and Faith, the ACM raised over a million dollars for ACM Lifting Lives through our Brooks & Dunn special that aired earlier this year on CBS. We are so grateful to be able to quickly use that funding to help flood victims in Middle Tennessee and to be a part of this outstanding night showcasing Nashville’s generous, community-minded spirit,” said Erin Spahn, Director of ACM Lifting Lives.

Donations can be made until August by texting ACM to 501501 or online at www.ACMLiftingLives.org.

Aldean Extends Successful Run

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Jason Aldean will extend his Wide Open arena tour into the fall, with an additional 25 dates across the nation. After selling out 39 shows on the first leg, and breaking attendance records on both coasts, the tour will kick back off on Sept. 10 with special guest Luke Bryan joining a majority of the dates.

“We’ve had such a great year with some really big songs and our first big arena tour, and I’m just not ready to move on from it quite yet,” says Aldean. “All of us…my band, crew, Luke, and his guys…we’ve been having a blast out on the road together. I think the fans can feel that too. There are a few things to count on…the music will be loud, the beer will be cold, and college football will be on every TV backstage and in the parking lot!”

Aldean is currently in the studio preparing the follow up to 2009’s platinum selling Wide Open. His first three albums have sold more than 3.5 million copies.

Photos: David Nail, Jaron, Dierks and Jason Sturgeon

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David Nail makes baseball debut…Jaron joins Toby’s trek…Jason Sturgeon hooks up with Dierks Bentley for July 4th show.

David Nail makes his national baseball debut in the MLB's All-Star Legends & Celebrity game in Anaheim, Calif. He joins other players like Jon Hamm, Andy Richter, Michael Clarke Duncan, MC Hammer, James Denton, Bo Jackson, Mike Piazza, and Ozzie Smith. The game airs tonight at 10:30 PM/ET on ESPN. Pictured: Nail and former MLB player/commentator John Kruk.

Jaron And The Long Road To Love will join Toby Keith's American Ride Tour. Pictured recently in Nashville with twin brother Evan (far right), WDSY/Pittsburgh's Jane Omalia and Big Machine's Erik Powell.

Toolpusher Records' Jason Sturgeon joined Capitol's Dierks Bentley to perform on the Fourth of July holiday weekend at House of Blues in Atlantic City.

New Singles, Albums, Artists

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New Curb artist Dylan Robinson shared a backstage moment with Neal McCoy and basketball great Karl Malone, after he joined McCoy onstage in Branson.

A new album from Reba is expected this fall. The first single from the Starstruck/Valory album, “Turn On Your Radio,” launched this week.

The lead single from Kenny Chesney’s latest album debuts today. “Boys of Fall” is an ode to high school football written by Casey Beathard and Dave Tumbill. Chesney’s album Hemingway’s Whiskey will be out Sept. 28.

Randy Rogers Band’s Burning The Day will be released Aug. 24 via MCA Nashville. Also coming out that day, the debut from Warner Music Nashville artist Chris August.

Joe Nichols turned to some trusted hitmakers for his new single, “The Shape I’m In.” It was written by Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, aka the “Peach Pickers,” who also penned his recent three-week No. 1 “Gimmie That Girl.”

Josh Kelley’s debut single for MCA, “Georgia Clay,” goes for adds Aug. 9.

“King Me” is the new single from ACM award-winner Dave Gibson. The accompanying video was filmed in Goodlettsville, Tennessee at an old country store. This song is one of many Gibson has penned with Craig Monday.

Foster & Lloyd (Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd) are working on a new album.

Nashville rock band American Bang will release their self-titled major-label debut album on Reprise Records August 31. Produced in Music City by Bob Rock, the album’s lead single “Wild & Young” is out now.

Niemann’s Debut Out Tomorrow

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Jerrod Niemann’s debut album streets tomorrow (7/13), and will be the first release via the Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville partnership. The lead single, “Lover, Lover,” is at No. 5 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart and has sold over 337,000 digital downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

For those anxious to hear more from Niemann, the new album Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury is streaming in its entirety at www.JerrodNiemannOfficial.com, where it is also available for pre-order. And Nashvillians can join him tonight (7/12) for the free and open CD Release Party at The Basement. Doors at 6:30 PM, showtime at 7 PM sharp.

The album’s 20 tracks include twelve songs, and eight “personality-packed skits.” Niemann has writing credits on ten of the songs.

Walmart’s Soundcheck Risers program is spotlighting Niemann with exclusive video content, including an interview and performance footage, airing in stores and online.

Niemann spent the weekend near Austin, Texas performing at the AquaPalooza 2010 Signature Event, headlined by Brad Paisley. The free lakeside concert welcomed thousands of fans watching from their boats.

In September, Niemann is set to hit the road on Gary Allan‘s Get Off on the Pain Tour, which also features Randy Houser.

People.com Gets Scoop On Underwood Wedding

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People.com has all the exclusive details about Carrie Underwood’s weekend wedding to Canadian hockey star Mike Fisher. The couple exchanged vows on Saturday (7/10) at the Reynolds Plantation Ritz-Carlton Lodge on Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia.

The bride’s Chantily lace gown was designed by Monique Lhuillier, who also designed the bridesmaids’ dresses.

About 250 guests were in attendance.

Big Kenny Sings (and Works) For Africa

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Big Kenny has created a new anthem celebrating the continent’s first-ever World Cup. “Heart Of Africa” will have its debut at a special concert in Nairobi which will benefit the UN World Food Programme.

“Big Kenny was an excellent choice to write this song and perform it as he is regarded as a true humanitarian, as his previous work in the Sudan and Uganda bear testament,” said Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, owner of the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden of Out of Africa fame. “His songs are uplifting, which is certainly what we needed for the occasion of Africa staging its first World Cup. Big Kenny underscores the diverse nature of everyone who finds a home in the heart of Africa.”

Because of his ongoing commitment to children in need (particularly in Africa), Big Kenny wanted to see the UN World Food Program in action. To fully understand the importance of the WFP school meals program, the singer/songwriter rolled up his sleeves and helped feed children at the Mathare Community Outreach School.

“We’re gratified that Big Kenny took the time to come to Nairobi to support our work.” said Rose Ogola, WFP Public Information Officer in Kenya.  “Hungry children cannot learn effectively. By providing them with nutritious food, they learn better and have a fighting chance to break the circle of poverty. We’re grateful that Big Kenny helped raise awareness for our school meals programs which assist the most vulnerable among us: our children.”

Big Kenny will debut “Heart Of Africa,” a song he co-wrote with Damien Horne, on July 11th – right before the World Cup Final, at a benefit concert for the UN World Food Programme staged at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden. The “Heart Of Africa” studio recording with Horne will be available for sale on www.bigkenny.tv shortly after it is debuted in Nairobi.

“Big Kenny was an inspired choice to write “Heart Of Africa,” said event Executive Producer David Clark, CEO of David Clark Cause, and creator of President Mandela’s “46664” initiative. “He is probably the only American country music star who actively promotes causes in Africa; his recent work in Sudan to help build the Kunyuk Girls School and support for the Children’s choir from Uganda are proof enough. This song Big Kenny has created is a true anthem that all Africans can be proud of.”

The World Cup Celebration will take place on Sunday, July 11, and will set the stage for a future star-studded “Heart Of Africa” benefit concert hosted by Big Kenny and featuring world-renowned performers.