File Sharing Harms Paid Music Purchases

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Jupiter_Research_study_on_o

Some observers believe that music file sharing can fuel paid purchases because it exposes listeners to new music they might not have heard otherwise. To test this theory, Jupiter Research surveyed 5000 European consumers to see how illegal trading affects music spending and found that the overall impact of file sharing is negative.

The results show that a majority of illegal music sharers do not buy music, and were deemed “freeloaders” because they showed little willingness or ability to pay for music. Jupiter said this group would be a good target for ad-supported “free” music services and subsidized “feels like free” offerings.

Elsewhere, the survey showed that physical CDs still dominate over digital product and that converting physical-format buyers to digital buyers, rather than losing them as paying customers, is a key goal for the future of the industry. Physical-only buyers represent 44% of European consumers.

Other findings show that a third of those who pay for digital music also share files illegally, spending an average of €98 per year, or $165.

Clay Walker Helms Soundtrack For Flick Ft. Lee Ann Womack

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nobleNew movie Noble Things features an appearance by Lee Ann Womack and a Clay Walker-produced soundtrack with offerings from numerous Country artists. The film opened in select theaters Oct. 30 and the soundtrack is available via iTunes and other digital outlets.

Walker’s EL Music released the soundtrack which contains 14 never before heard songs from the EL Music catalog. Together with Noble Things supervising music producer, songwriter and fellow Texas native, M. Jason Greene, Walker co-wrote and recorded the song “Double Shot of John Wayne,” which appears in the film. Their collaboration also resulted in the song “A Lotta Good Beer Went Down,” which appears on the soundtrack performed by Tracy Byrd and Zona Jones. Elsewhere on the album are Country mainstays such as Tracy Lawrence, Mark Chesnutt, and Pam Tillis, joined by up-and-comers Bo Bice, Lane Turner, The Drew Davis Band, Dobie Gray, The Rachels, Blaine Larsen, Nikki Williams, Brock Goodwin and Jenny Gill.

Walker is also working a new studio album for longtime label home Curb Records. The lead single, “She Won’t Be Lonely Now,” will be out in December, with the album to follow in 2010.

Jeff Walker, Gail Davies–Int’l Country Ambassadors

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(L-R): Brazilian artist Rodrigo Haddad, singer/songwriter/producer Gail Davies, AristoMedia President Jeff Walker and international promoter Judy Seale. Photo: Patricia Presley

(L-R): Brazilian artist Rodrigo Haddad, singer/songwriter/producer Gail Davies, AristoMedia President Jeff Walker and international promoter Judy Seale. Photo: Patricia Presley

AristoMedia Group President and CMA board member Jeff Walker, and singer, songwriter and producer Gail Davies were honored with the 2009 International Country Music Ambassador Awards last week during events surrounding the CMA Awards. Davies received her award from Brazilian Country artist Rodrigo Haddad, and Walker received his award from international Country music promoter Judy Seale.

Walker and Davies were first announced as award recipients at International Country Music Day, hosted by the Country Music Association of Spain annually on Sept. 17 to honor the birth of Hank Williams.

Hall of Fame Salutes Mary Martin

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Last night (11/17) the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum presented an in-depth interview with visionary music industry executive Mary Martin. The program was the 2009 installment of the Museum’s Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum, made possible by the Gibson Foundation. Martin spoke with host Jay Orr for nearly two hours, sharing highlights of her storied career, including encouraging Bob Dylan to work with The Band, signing Leonard Cohen to his first management deal, signing Emmylou Harris to her first record deal at Warner Bros., and managing Van Morrison and Rodney Crowell, among many other achievements. The annual program was established in 2007 to honor music industry leaders who are legatees of pioneering manager and booker Louise Scruggs.

Pictured (L-R): Gary Scruggs, VP of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Martin, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs and Gibson Foundation Executive Director Nina Miller. Photo: Donn Jones

Pictured (L-R): Gary Scruggs, VP of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Martin, Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs and Gibson Foundation Executive Director Nina Miller. Photo: Donn Jones

Chesney 3D Movie Trailer Out Today

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cheneyThe trailer for Kenny Chesney’s upcoming 3D concert movie hits the Web today (11/18). Fans can get a preview of Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3-D at Noon PT at Moviefone, AOL Music, The Boot and KennyChesney.com.

The 3-D movie is slated for national theater release in April 2010 via Sony Pictures Entertainment’s The Hot Ticket. It was directed by Joe Thomas who used twenty-two 3-D camera rigs, a blimp and several ancillary cameras for filming at sold-out stadium shows in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston and Indianapolis.

“It’s amazing to me how intense this footage is,” says Chesney. “It’s me in a way I’ve never seen myself – and I can’t wait to share it with my fans…This film captures every little detail in a way that makes it even more important than I thought it was when we were working on it, and it makes my fans even more in my face than when I’m onstage, which is great!”

The Rolling Stones and U2 are the only other artists who have had 3-D film events in theaters.

ACM Announces Additions to Board of Directors

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ACM-GoldThe Academy of Country Music has announced its new board of directors for 2010 in six categories elected by the Academy members. Director-at-large positions have also been named by Chairman John Grady, President Bill Mayne and Vice President Sarah Trahern. Each director serves staggered two-year terms, with half the board membership changing each year. Additionally, ACM Lifting Lives is announcing its new full board of directors for 2009-2010. Full list here.

New Additions to ACM Board of Directors (by category):
Affiliated
Tony Brown, TBE
John Briggs, ASCAP Nashville

Artist/Entertainer/MBI
Craig Morgan
Dave Pomeroy, American Federation of Musicians
Blake Shelton

Club/Casino/Venue Operator
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar

Manager
Mark Hartley, Fitzgerald Hartley

Music Publisher
Pat Higdon, Universal Music Publishing

Record Company
Fletcher Foster, Universal South
Butch Waugh, Sony Music Nashville

Newly Appointed Directors At Large
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Records/The Valory Music Co.
Duane Clark, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy
Benson Curb, Curb Records
Steve Dahl, PARADIGM
John Esposito, Warner Bros. Records
Matt Fischer, iTunes
Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry
Gary Gilbert, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Gary Haber, Haber Corporation
Gayle Holcomb, William Morris Endeavor
Wade Jessen, Billboard
Bill Lardie, Anderson Merchandisers
Ken Levitan, Vector Management
Eddie Montgomery, Montgomery Gentry
Fran Romeo, Romeo Entertainment Group
Ben Vaughn, EMI Music Publishing

New Additions to ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors
Full list here.
Lori Badgett, Sun Trust Bank
Debbie Carroll, MusiCares
Mike Dungan, Capitol Nashville
Ann Edelblute, 19 Entertainment
Fletcher Foster, Universal South
Gary Gilbert, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Christmas News From Sugarland, Wynonna, Joey And Rory

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sugarlandSugarland is the only Country act set for the Christmas In Washington special, premiering Sunday, Dec. 20, at 7 PM/CT on TNT. The duo joins host George Lopez and fellow performers Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Rob Thomas and Usher for the holiday celebration. The President, First Lady and other Washington VIPs annually attend the benefit for the National Children’s Medical Center. Taped is scheduled for Dec. 13 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

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wyFor the third year in a row Wynonna will bring holiday cheer to fifteen cities across the country. Her A Classic Christmas tour kicks off Nov. 28 in Hershey, PA where she will offer seasonal classics and her biggest hits. Wynonna is also set to ride the Santa Train this Saturday, Nov. 21, to distribute more than 15 tons of toys and gifts to thousands of needy people gathered along the train’s route from Shelby, Ky., to Kingsport, Tenn.

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Jjoeyoey+Rory are offering their take on holiday traditions with the new single “It’s Christmas Time,” as well as a unique children’s album from The Song Trust, entitled Merry Kidsmas. The couple is partnering with CMT One Country for both projects. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of “It’s Christmas Time” will be donated to The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and a portion of the proceeds from Merry Kidsmas will benefit the USO through the end of 2009.

CRS Revamps Schedule

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Lofton Creek Records Gwen Sebastian performed her debut single, “Hard Rain,” a well as a few Christmas tunes last week during CRB Board meeting breakfast. While singing her festive “Fruitcake,” a song she co-wrote, CRB board members were treated to mini-fruitcakes. Pictured Below L-R: President Lofton Creek Records Mike Borchetta, WQYK’s Mike Culotta, KMPS’s Becky Brenner, Lofton Creek Records Gwen Sebastian, Mike McVey of McVey Media, Max Media of Hampton Roads' John Shomby and WSIX’s Keith Kauffman.

Lofton Creek Records' Gwen Sebastian performed at the recent CRB Board meeting breakfast. Pictured (L-R): Lofton Creek Pres. Mike Borchetta, WQYK’s Mike Culotta, KMPS’s Becky Brenner, Gwen Sebastian, Mike McVey of McVey Media, Max Media of Hampton Roads, John Shomby and WSIX’s Keith Kauffman.

Country Radio Seminar organizers have been finalizing plans for the upcoming event, to be held Feb. 24-26, 2010, at the Nashville Convention Center. Attendees at CRS 41 can expect changes in scheduling, panels and radio liner tapings.

To reduce scheduling conflicts, the new lineup ensures that no more than three panels will be held simultaneously during the seminar. Additionally, the designation of radio market-specific panels has been eliminated and panels should appeal to all attendees regardless of market size or location. The single-day sales panels have been redistributed throughout the three days of the seminar, and the Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception and Consumer Focus Group events are returning to CRS for the first time in years.

Country Radio Broadcasters is also planning a new digital liners system that replaces the on-site Artist Radio Taping Session which was previously part of CRS. The new digital process enables radio stations to submit their custom liner requests directly to CRB, which will have them recorded by the artists and ready for pick-up at CRS. The first 150 stations to sign up for the new digital liners system will be given priority access to participating artists such as Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Craig Morgan, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson and Darryl Worley.

Stations must register for the new system by Dec. 18, 2009 (the CRS 41 Advance Rate deadline) to submit custom requests. Stations that have already registered for CRS are automatically included.

Registration and a detailed schedule can be viewed at www.CRB.org.

Nashville Post: FBI Raids Gibson Offices

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Iconic company charged with illegal importation of Madagascar wood.

Click to go to >>Nashville Post<<

Texan Aaron Watson Builds Nashville Team

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watsonWith nine albums under his belt, Texas musician Aaron Watson has joined forces with several notables around Nashville. Watson and Unrest Music Group have teamed with David Haley at Edgehill Music and Media, Larry Pareigis and Tom Moran of Nine North Records, Nancy Tunick’s Grassroots Promotion, and Jules Wortman’s Wortman Works Media & Marketing. It was over a year ago that Watson signed with Paradigm for booking, and Sony RED handles his distribution.

The Abilene native just released the CD/DVD set Deep In The Heart Of Texas: Aaron Watson LIVE, which led to his third consecutive appearance on the Billboard Country Charts. He is writing, recording and self-producing his next project, due out this spring. Lead single, “The Road,” is already at radio.