Flying Island Adds Classic Country Services

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Flying Island Entertainment is now offering Classic Country Media Services, designed to support heritage artists and the Classic Radio format. The service creates audio and digital content promoting tour dates, music or books and then distributes it to over 100 stations and syndicated radio programs.

“To bring new music and artist sound-bites directly to radio from these amazing artists is a huge honor because it supports the creativity and legacy of those artists who built our format and continue to be viable today,” said Shelia Shipley Biddy, Flying Island’s Director of National Promotion.

The first two clients signed on to utilize this service are hitmakers B.J. Thomas (“Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,”) and Rex Allen, Jr. (“It’s Over,” “Lonely Street”) who both have new releases scheduled for early 2013.

Programmers of classic country stations and hosts of classic country shows can find out more by emailing radio@classiccountrymedia.com. Other information is available at www.flyingislandentertainment.com, www.classiccountrymedia.com, or by contacting Biddy at (615) 726-3100 x16 or shelia@flyingislandentertainmennt.com.

Red Bow Rounds Out Promo Team

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Reneé Leymon, VP of Promotion

Red Bow Records has added Hilary Hoover as Northeast Director of Promotion. She will report directly to Shelley Hargis, National Director of Promotion, and Reneé Leymon, VP of Promotion.

Hoover most recently served as the Editorial Assistant for All Access Music Group in Nashville. As a recent graduate of Purdue University, she previously held a position as the Production Director for the Purdue Concert Committee. Prior to that, Hoover served as Assistant to the Advanced Crew Tour Manager for The Black Eyed Peas.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this exciting new chapter at Broken Bow Music Group,” she said. “I’m so thankful for the opportunity Benny, Jon and Carson are providing and look forward to learning from Reneé and Shelley…undoubtedly two of the most passionate promotion executives in the industry! I can’t wait to meet everyone in the Northeast!”

Shelley Hargis, National Director of Promotion

“It’s all about passion and taking a chance on people who are full of passion,” added Leymon. “Someone took a chance on me, and look what happened! I’m thrilled to have everyone on this team…now let’s get to work!”

Hoover begins her new duties immediately. She can be reached at Hilary@redbowrecords.com.

As previously reported the Red Bow promotion staff can be reached at firstname@redbowrecords.com and includes:

(L-R): Danielle DeMott, Southeast Director; Kendra Whitehead, West Coast Director; Bethany Dean, Promotion Coordinator; and Hilary Hoover, Northeast Director

Black River Adds West Coast Regional

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Brian Fee

Black River Entertainment’s Vice President of Promotion Bill Macky has hired Brian Fee as Director of Promotion-West Coast, completing the department’s recent expansion. In a little over a year, Black River has doubled the size of the promo team to eight members.

Fee’s background includes time as an on-air personality, radio promotion covering multiple regions, and as a west coast booking agent. His twelve-plus years of experience include stops at Lofton Creek Records, Quarterback Records, The Bobby Roberts Co. Inc. and, most recently, Flying Island Entertainment.

“Brian’s record, radio and agency experience bring a totally unique set of skills to our team. In addition to his West Coast duties, he will also serve our Texas radio partners,” states Macky. “The BRE promotion team is now fully staffed and highly motivated to make Black River Entertainment a major force in our industry.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Black River family! It’s an incredible opportunity for me to be able to work with this exceptional team, amazing artists and great music! I can’t wait to hit the ground runnin’!” exclaimed Fee.

Black River is home to Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Sarah Darling, Due West and Glen Templeton.

Currently based out of Black River’s Nashville office, Fee is already on the job and can be reached at bfee@blackriverent.com or (615) 945-7331.

A-Blake Records Hires David Newmark

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David Newmark

A-Blake Records, home to flagship artist Jason Cassidy, has tapped David Newmark to serve as VP of Promotion and Acquisitions. He will work to strengthen the Texas label’s presence in Nashville, including securing and managing a radio promotion staff and signing new talent.

Newmark comes to ABR from CO5 Music where he formed and supervised a radio promo team as VP of Country Promotion. A 35-year promotion veteran, Newmark has enjoyed long tenures at major labels including Columbia, Epic, RCA and DreamWorks.

Cassidy scored a No. 1 on the Texas Regional chart with “Honky Tonk Heaven” which he followed with two Top 10’s, “What If,” and current single, “Ride of Your Life.” His next single, “Blame It On Waylon,” will be out early next year.

ABR was founded in 2011 in Deer Park, Texas by business owner Blake Barnes and entertainment attorney Daniel Sanders. They hired Dave Darus, who has worked with Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, Elton John and the Bee Gees, as President in August 2011.

Darus said, “We are excited and proud to have an executive of such caliber as David Newmark join our team. His relationships and expertise in the country music industry are second to none and his experience in independent promotion will be valuable as we expand into Nashville.”

Newmark added, “I look forward to growing A-Blake Records into a major independent force in Nashville. My goal is to make A-Blake the premier place for artists to have a voice in their creative and career development.”

Newmark is on the job in Nashville and can be reached at (615) 469-1756 and factor@ablakerecords.com.

Weekly Chart Report (11/21/2012)

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SPIN ZONE

Joanna Smith recently stopped by 650AM WSM's "Coffee, Country and Cody" to chat with Bill Cody about her single, "We Can't Be Friends” and her spot on Chris Young's Liquid Neon Tour.

Rascal Flatts‘ “Come Wake Me Up” is No. 1 on the MusicRow Chart this week. Written by Johan Fransson, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren and Sean McConnell, the song is the second single from the band’s eighth studio album, Changed. Last week’s chart topper Greg Bates‘ “Did It For The Girl” sits in the No. 2 position while Dierks Bentley‘s “Tip It On Back” jumps a position to No. 3. Darius Rucker‘s “True Believers” also jumps a spot to No. 4 while Kip Moore‘s “Beer Money” stays at No. 5.

The big mover this week is Carrie Underwood‘s “Two Black Cadillacs” debuting on the chart at an impressive No. 47.

With the holidays upon us, everyone at MusicRow wishes you and your family a very safe and happy holiday. This is the time of year to reflect and give thanks, and our biggest thanks go out to you, our readers and supporters. Happy Thanksgiving!

Frozen Playlists: WPPL, KFTX, WLJE, WKDZ, KVOM, KBXB, WEIO, KCNY, KVAY, WTHO, KZTL, KXIA, KWOX, WTRS, WTCR, WTCM, KXBZ, WDHR, WBYZ, WCMS, KTJJ, KGMN, KYKX, KITX, KCJC, KVVP, KWEY, KYEZ, KYTN, WXXK

Upcoming Singles
November 26
Carrie Underwood/Two Black Cadillacs/Sony Nashville

December 3
Lee Brice/I Drive Your Truck/Curb
Jillian Kohr/What You’ve Done
Josh Pruno/23rd Psalm/Lawrence Music Group
Big & Rich/Party Like Cowboyz/Warner Bros.-W.A.R.

Holiday Singles
Lorrie Morgan/Wrapped Up In Love/Octabrook Records
Craig Morrison/Santa Claus Boogie/Lucky 53s-GMV Nashville
Clinton Gregory/Peace On Earth Again/Melody Roundup Records
Kyle Park/Winter Wonderland

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Carrie Underwood/Two Black Cadillacs/19-Arista Nashville – 47
Brooke Hudgins/80 Acres of Stars/VBC – 76
Dustin Lynch/She Cranks My Tractor/Broken Bow Records – 79
Lizzie Sider/Butterfly/Blue Steel – 80

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Carrie Underwood/Two Black Cadillacs/19-Arista Nashville – 28
Kelly Clarkson w/ Vince Gill/Don’t Rush/19 Recordings-RCA Nashville – 13
Tim McGraw/One Of Those Nights/Big Machine – 10
Toby Keith/Hope On The Rocks/Show Dog-Universal – 10
Jana Kramer/Whiskey/WMN – 9
Tracy Lawrence/Stop, Drop, & Roll/Lawrence Music Group – 6
Thompson Square/If I Didn’t Have You/Stoney Creek – 6
Lee Brice/I Drive Your Truck/Curb – 6
George Strait/Give It All We Got/MCA – 6
Aaron Lewis/Forever/Blaster Records – 6

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Carrie Underwood/Two Black Cadillacs/19-Arista Nashville – 388
The Band Perry/Better Dig Two/Republic Nashville – 269
Tim McGraw/One Of Those Nights/Big Machine – 245
Jason Aldean/The Only Way I Know/Broken Bow – 198
Toby Keith/Hope On The Rocks/Show Dog-Universal – 196

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Michael Dean Church/Still Not Over You/MDC – 210
Hillbilly Vegas/Little Miss Rough And Tumble/Red Dirt Music Company – 205
Luke Pilgrim/Back Road Lullaby/MMG – 194
Brent Cobb/Love On Me/Carnival – 182
The Roys/Still Standing/Rural Rhythm – 173

High Valley made a recent visit to Madison, Wisconsin's WWQM/Q106 while promoting their US debut single "Love You For A Long Time." The trio just released the music video for the single. Pictured (L-R): Stan Marczewski (Rodeowave), High Valley's Bryan Rempel, High Valley's Curtis Rempel, Fletcher Keyes (PD, WWQM/Madison), High Valley's Brad Rempel

The Cadillac Black stopped in College Station, TX fresh off the ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd tour to visit the KORA 98.3 staff. The band’s lead single, “Get Your Buzz On,” from the self-titled debut album is currently available. Pictured (L-R): Kelby Ray, Neil Mason, KORA 98.3 PD Adam Drake, Jaren Johnston

Nine North Adds Northeast Regional

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Jay McCarthy has joined the Nine North/Turnpike team as Director of Promotion, Northeast. McCarthy is on the job now, reporting to Nine North/Turnpike President Larry Pareigis.

“I could not be happier to bring a player of Jay’s caliber aboard,” Pareigis said. “We’ve all been friends a long time, so given his extensive background in Country radio, the music industry and artist management, this was a move that was absolutely hand-in-glove.”

McCarthy’s career includes radio experience in Binghamton, NY; Ocala, FL; and Phoenix, AZ. Following his time in radio, McCarthy joined the Red Light Management team in Nashville to work with Tim McGraw. He also founded sagethree, a strategic marketing and branding firm.

Congratulate him on the new gig here or at 602-321-4945.

Charlie Cook On Air: Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is this week and I am going to continue my “List of Thanks” today and this weekend. This has not been the easiest year for many folks in our associated businesses but there are still a lot of reasons to be thankful.

1. 1.2 million sales for the debut week of Red by Taylor Swift. This is not going to right the ship on Music Row but it does let us know there are things that can move the record buying consumer. Record executives are quick to blame “stealing the music” as the reason for the drop in sales. Maybe content has something to do with it and not enough recorded music is moving the masses. Maybe better marketing would play a bigger role.

2. The CMA and the real driver, VP of Membership Brandi Simms, for leading the way for the “Year of Country Radio.” Every Country radio station in America, each program director and station general manager received a complimentary CMA membership for 2012. Hopefully they learned that the CMA has a great deal to offer to members and it starts with the incredible research led by Karen Stump.

3. Both of the trade organizations, the CMA and ACM, have charitable arms reaching into the industry and way beyond. We should be thankful for what the CMA does for the Nashville music in schools initiative. But I want to give a special shout-out to the ACM Lifting Lives charity. The ACM has redefined itself around the good deeds that LL does throughout the year. You will see an even more aggressive approach in the coming years.

4. Scott Borchetta. See No. 1. Scott absolutely thinks outside of the box. I don’t know if Scott has people he answers to. I guess everyone does. I suspect though that he is not constrained by the same kind of corporate rules as chiefs at other majors and maybe that is why he is doing things differently. Whatever the reason, he is opening doors that the rest of us can have access to in the future. The Taylor Swift Red marketing plan for radio/TV/print/online, etc. was EVERYWHERE. Whether the ClearChannel deal is good for both parties, who knows, but hoorah for doing something.

5. We should give thanks to the regulators for allowing the EMI/UMG combination. This makes for a stronger entity that means even more for Nashville as there is a steady hand in place. Mike Dungan has been a leader in town for many years. I have yet to meet anyone who dislikes him.

6. The FCC, and particularly new commissioner Ajit Pai, who is single handedly trying to improve AM radio transmission. I get that the FCC is bigger than broadcast but chairman Genachowski has been deaf to our problems while he tries to insure that every democrat in America has wireless access. Now that his friend/boss is not running again, this may not remain job number one.

7. To every employer who continues to believe that having live voices on the radio and smart, hard working promotion people out on the stump is the best way to build enthusiasm about artists among the record buying and radio listening public.

8. Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Eric Church and the particularly good year of newcomers in the format. Jana Kramer, Florida Georgia Line, Kip Moore and all the other new acts that are scoring top 5 songs in 2012. And this doesn’t even include new acts that have yet to achieve chart success, like Austin Webb, Gwen Sebastian and High Valley. This bodes well for a great 2013 and beyond.

9. Let’s give thanks for having people like Rusty Walker in our lives and business. It was too short but God has plans for all of us and Rusty was called home to be with two of his children. Still if you, like I, think occasionally of him, it is good to remember his strengths.

10. I leave No. 10 to you. Just take a minute and think about what you’re thankful for this year. It is valuable to say “thank you” out loud… so go ahead.

Happy Thanksgiving.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

Red Bow Taps Promo Staffers

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BBR Music Group imprint RED BOW Records has added two new team members to its promotion staff.

Danielle DeMott joins as Southest Director of Promotion. She has spent the last 13 years as a real estate and mortgage executive in Seattle and Nashville. She can be reached at Danielle@redbowrecords.com or 615-497-4393.

Bethany Dean joins RED BOW Records as Promotion Coordinator. She has spent the last three years with Bethar Music Publishing. She can be reached at Bethany@redbowrecords.com or 615-260-3794.

RED BOW VP of Promotion Renee’ Leymon commented, “We chose Danielle for her sales background and her excitement about being in our format…her stations will love her passion. Bethany was a natural fit, transitioning from the publishing world to promotion. We’re excited to have them both and will be announcing the Northeast position very soon!”

Black River Adds to Promo Department

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Jane O'Malia

Black River Entertainment’s VP of Promotion Bill Macky announces the addition of Jane O’Malia as the new Director of Promotion-Northeast.

“I’m very excited to have Jane join the Black River family,” says Macky. “Her years as an award-winning Promotions Director at WDSY/Pittsburgh give her an advantage. She’s already a proven winner and I look forward to seeing her excel as a part of our team.”

O’Malia will be based out of Pittsburgh, Pa. promoting the careers of Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Sarah Darling, Due West and Glen Templeton. She has over fifteen years of experience as an on-air personality and Promotions Director at radio, and as a Director of Promotion at Nine North Records.

O’Malia officially assumes duties on Nov. 26. She can be reached at jane@blackriverent.com or at (412) 480-4871.

MusicRow No. 1 Song

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Some guys will do just about anything to win a woman’s affection. Just ask Greg Bates, whose “Did It For the Girl” is the MusicRow Chart’s No. 1 song and the Republic Nashville newcomer’s first as an artist. Bates co-wrote the song with Lynn Hutton and Rodney Clawson, and it appears on his self-titled EP.

In “Did It For the Girl,” Bates goes to such crazy lengths as getting a haircut, splashing on cologne, and even shining up the car to woo his lady friend. Okay, so it’s really not all that crazy. It’s more about the details and execution: making himself presentable (sans ball cap) and giving her an unforgettable date (with George Strait’s help), all to see her dancing in the sunset and hopefully receiving a kiss or two. You fellas taking notes?

Bates is currently wrapping up his opening slot on Brantley Gilbert’s “Hell on Wheels” tour, which finishes this weekend in Beaumont, Texas. See upcoming dates here.