CMA Research: Country Fans And The Economy

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cma-logoCountry consumers are feeling the effects of the economic downturn and have reduced spending in the last year, according to a new survey commissioned by the Country Music Association, called the CMA Prime Prospect Study.

Data indicates that the most devoted fans, called CountryPhiles and MusicPhiles, are less likely to monetize their support for the genre than they would have been a year ago. As a result, they are interested in free activities, such as no-cost downloads of Country Music.

Not surprisingly, the findings show a significant reduction of discretionary income spending on luxury items, travel, dining out, and electronics. Meanwhile, expenditures stayed steady on cell phones, gas, Internet access, and other areas considered essential.

On the upside, most surveyed said they expect their situations to improve, or at least not grow worse, over the next 12 months
. And the size of the total Country fan base (adults 18-54) grew slightly from 39.7 in 2008 to 40.9 million in 2009.

The 2008 Country Music Consumer Segmentation Study lists four groups of “Prime Prospects”: CountryPhiles—passionate fans of Country Music
MusicPhiles—dedicated fans of Country as well as other genres
Today’s Traditional—prospective CountryPhiles who haven’t yet monetized their commitment significantly
Pop Country—prospective MusicPhiles whose Country tastes lean toward the pop side

Internet Use By Country Fans: Most Country fans go online occasionally, though not always at home, making YouTube, iTunes, and radio station sites important mass-marketing networks. About two out of five Prime Prospects with online access search for Country Music-related content each month; usually for Country news, song lyrics and product purchases. One in five go online weekly, usually looking for videos, streaming radio, and music samples.

There are still opportunities to generate revenue in changing and challenging times. Album compilations can be created for CountryPhiles, Pop Country fans, and other groups. Simple downloads can stimulate novice fans to purchase more easily and frequently online.

After the CMA Awards take place on Nov. 11, the CMA will begin another round of research. The new study will track any changes from the original 2008 Consumer Segmentation Study. The results will be presented at CRS 41, on Thurs., Feb. 25 (11:00 AM/CT).

Much more in-depth survey information is available for members on the Web site, My.CMAworld.com.

Cumulus Radiothon; Josh Ragsdale Reminder

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wolfCumulus Broadcasting in Nashville is hosting an all-day radiothon tomorrow (11/3) to benefit Feed The Children, which helps hungry families in Middle Tennessee.

Stations in the local cluster (92Q WQQK, i106 WNFN, 97.1 WRQQ, 95.5 WSM, 99.7 WWTN) will go commercial-free from 6 AM-7 PM and ask for donations via toll-free call 888-582-4453 (888-58-CHILD) or online at their Web sites.

In Middle Tennessee, more than 130,000 residents are living in poverty and more than one-third of them are children.
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A blood drive and bone marrow donor search for musician Joshua Ragsdale is going on today (11/2) at Christ The King Church (Belmont Blvd.) from 9 AM-2 PM. Ragsdale, a songwriter and former Lyric Street artist, is suffering from CML Leukemia and is in dire need of a bone marrow donor, which most often does not require surgery on the donor. He has been unable to find a match in the national bone marrow registry. Seeing if someone is a match is done by swabbing the inside of the mouth. If there is a match, the donation process is usually as simple as giving plasma.

Donations are being accepted at Joshua Ragsdale Benefit Fund, c/o Smith, Wiles, attn: Suzanne, 900 Division St, Nashville, 37203.

You can follow Josh’s story on his brother John Ragsdale’s blog.

Industry News: APA Inks Tritt, Bass Berry Moves, Etc.

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(l-r): Chris Trotter, Genspring/Suntrust Bank; Robert Williams, Outback Promotions; Kissy Black, Lotos Nile Media; Tony Rodono, Aleven Creatives; Clif Doyal, Corporate Publicist, AirPlay Direct; Scott Welch, EVP AirPlay Direct; Mike Hagler, Jr., Director of New Media for Dolly Parton; Robert Weingartz, CEO, AirPlay Direct (seated); James Dorsey, Board Member, AirPlay Direct; John Gillin, Board Member, AirPlay Direct; Clay DuBose, Advisor, AirPlay Direct; Raleigh Squires, Operations Manager, AirPlay Direct; Steve Ivey, IMI Music. Photo credit: Courtney Skiver

The digital music delivery platform AirPlay Direct held a Summit / Think Tank in Nashville last week led by CEO Robert Weingartz. Board Members, investors, and advisers met to exchange ideas and discuss company growth. (L-R): Chris Trotter, Genspring/SunTrust Bank; Robert Williams, Outback Promotions; Kissy Black, Lotos Nile Media; Tony Rodono, Aleven Creatives; Clif Doyal, Corporate Publicist, AirPlay Direct; Scott Welch, EVP AirPlay Direct; Mike Hagler, Jr., Director of New Media for Dolly Parton; Robert Weingartz, CEO, AirPlay Direct (seated); James Dorsey, Board Member, AirPlay Direct; John Gillin, Board Member, AirPlay Direct; Clay DuBose, Advisor, AirPlay Direct; Raleigh Squires, Operations Manager, AirPlay Direct; Steve Ivey, IMI Music. Photo: Courtney Skiver

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APA has signed Travis Tritt for booking representation. Sr. VP Bonnie Sugarman is the responsible agent and is lining up 2010 fair, festival and corporate dates.

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The Nashville Bass Berry and Sims offices are moving Dec. 15. The lawyers are headed to the new Pinnacle at Symphony Place, 150 Third Avenue South, Suite 2800, Nashville, TN 37201.
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Black Room Records has opened in Nashville under the direction of Rachel Dodson and Sierra Jacobson. The company started a year and a half ago as an artist management firm and recently added the indie label. The roster includes Red Shepherd, Ben Schofield, and Kait Lawson. The outfit also comprises Number None Booking, which is being overseen by Matt Spiess, and SRBR Publishing. Contact them at firstname@blackroomrecrods.net.
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Local production company PK Pictures has long worked with corporate clients such as MTV, Wal-Mart, Saturn, Rite Aid, and State Farm, and is now expanding to include videos, parties and more. PK Pictures, headed by owner/founder Greg Page, provides film and video production, post production, new media services, DVD Authoring, 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, web design and hosting, interactive media, CD-ROM, PowerPoint, and creative media design.

PK Pictures also runs the in-house NuMynd Studios offering projection compositing, a voice-over/tracking room, editing and compositing. It’s also home to the first “green” green-screen soundstage in the southeast, which is said to consume less than 18% of the energy of a typical green-screen stage.

Testing Google Music Search

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Figure 1

Figure 1

Google’s new music search plan makes finding and listening to music a breeze. To test the new system that is a partnership with MySpace and Lala for streaming, plus includes links to services such as Rhapsody, Pandora and imeem, I searched for “Need You Now,” a current hit from Lady Antebellum, and Billy Currington’s “People Are Crazy.”

Figure 2

Figure 2

“Need You…” appeared at the top of the search list (see figure 1). Clicking on the play button opens a small player (see figure 2). Active links to the song on partner sites are also shown. The system still has a few bugs, since when I clicked on the Rhapsody link looking for “Need You Now,” instead I was taken to a song of the same name performed by Ned Evett.

Regardless, as the system gets refined, it will make finding (and buying) music very simple for consumers, regardless of their technology expertise. This new system is also a win for the partners who get introduced to consumers and can quickly become familiar.

The best way to understand exactly what it does is to try it. Enter a song title, artist’s name, album title or actual song lyrics and see where it leads you.

Sony Wins Melrose Meat and Greet

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(L-R) Lisa Ramsey Perkins, Jim Catino & Paul Overstreet at the Sony Music tent

(L-R) Lisa Ramsey Perkins, Jim Catino & Paul Overstreet at the Sony Music tent

Ryan Beuschel, Joe Fisher, Van Haze, Brian Wright, Juli Newton Griffith, Joe Putman, and Damon Moberly. Photo: Shannan Neese
Ryan Beuschel, Joe Fisher, Van Haze, Brian Wright, Juli Newton Griffith, Joe Putman, and Damon Moberly. Photo: Shannan Neese

The 2nd Annual Melrose “Meat” & Greet was held this week. Sony Music won first place in the grilling competition, followed closely by Universal Music in second place, and Curb Records in third. The event also included a costume contest with the winner taking home a prize for their favorite charity.

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(L-R): Melrose writer Jeff Bates, with BBQ judges Kerry Collins and Charlie Monk, Melrose writer Sherrie Austin, and judge Trace Adkins. Photo: Dottie Hillery

Shelton/Adkins Video Premieres on Yahoo

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Blake and Trace on set for the new video.

Blake and Trace on set for the new video.

The video for “Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton’s new single featuring Trace Adkins, premieres exclusively on Yahoo! Music today (10/30). Both artists star in the video and it will be available for purchase on iTunes beginning Nov. 3.

“Hillbilly Bone,” written by Luke Laird and Craig Wiseman, is the first single from Shelton’s forthcoming CD release—the follow up to his 2008 album Startin’ Fires.

“I had the best day shooting this video with Trace,” says Shelton. “He has been a great friend for many years and for him to take time out and come down and play a hillbilly with me was so cool. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Trace is one funny guy.”

“Blake and I have been great friends for a long time now,” adds Adkins. “He is hands-down, one of the funniest guys I know, so doing this song and video with him was really a no-brainer.”

Pickler On TV, JMC Plays Nashville

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kpicklerKellie Pickler will guest on today’s (10/30) Halloween episode of Ellen. Fans can also tune in to see her lend a hand to build a new home for the Terpenning family on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, airing Nov. 8 on ABC. As the celebrity volunteer, Pickler swaps her stilettos for a hard hat and hammer, and then performs at the final reveal.

Her latest single, “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You,” from her self-titled sophomore album is gaining momentum on the Country Breakout chart. And she was named Country Weekly’s Most Beautiful Woman for the second year in a row in the Nov. 2 issue.
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Jason Michael Carroll will perform at Nashville’s Exit/In on Thurs., Dec. 10, at 8 PM. Tickets, $15, go on sale today at www.ExitIn.com or www.aeglive.com.

Alan Jackson Debuts Collection At Cracker Barrel

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Alan Jackson's cookbook is part of his new line at Cracker Barrel.

Alan Jackson is headed for a home cooked breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Mt. Juliet on Mon., Nov. 2 to celebrate the release of his new line of merchandise at the store. He will be there greeting fans and autographing items. Included in the Alan Jackson Collection are more than 40 products ranging from a rocking chair, to apparel, to food and collectibles. There is also a new CD—Songs Of Love And Heartache, with hits and two previously unreleased songs.

The Alan Jackson Collection is the first time Cracker Barrel has developed a complete line of merchandise around a star. Jackson was involved in its creation and approved all the goods based on what he thought would appeal to his fans. The popular restaurant and retail concept has been growing its business as a non-traditional music retailer since 2003.

Jackson will be there on Nov. 2 from 9-11 AM. Fans can begin lining up at 6 AM to obtain numbered tickets for a place in line. First come, first served.

Rogers’ New 3-Disc Set, Symphony Show

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Kenny_Rogers_Box_Set_CoverMusic icon Kenny Rogers has released a new career retrospective set and signed on to join the Nashville Symphony for a special performance in February. His first-ever appearance with the orchestra will be Fri., Feb. 5, 2010 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center at 8 PM. Tickets, starting at $37.50, go on sale to the general public at 10 AM on Fri., Nov. 6, and may be purchased via NashvilleSymphony.org, or by calling the box office at 615-687-6400.

Last week Rogers, known for huge hits like “Lady,” “We’ve Got Tonight” and “Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Parton, released a 3-disc box set. The package includes all these songs and three new tracks. Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years is a look back at his career which has resulted in 105 million in worldwide album sales, and a hit in each of the last five decades. Totaling 45 tracks, the three discs are divided by Duets, Story Songs, and Love Songs. The set is packaged with a booklet that features photos from Kenny’s personal collection, and was released via Time Life in association with Dreamcatcher Artist Management. In addition to the box set, a single disc called The Greatest Duets is now available.

Urban To Visit Verizon In Franklin

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keith urban

Keith Urban will be at the Verizon Wireless store in Franklin, TN, at 2 PM today (10/30). He will perform an acoustic set and participate in a brief Q&A session.

Through the partnership between Urban and the wireless carrier, fans with certain Verizon phones can download three free tracks from his popular summer tour. The participating devices are the Samsung Rogue, Alias 2, Sway and Intensity phones.