All-Star Lineup Announced for WCRS Live!

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Natalie Hemby, Matraca Berg, Lori McKenna

Country Radio Seminar recently announced its WCRS Live! songwriter showcase will feature Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna. The event, sponsored by BMI and Country Aircheck, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 during CRS 2012 on the second floor of the Nashville Convention Center.

Berg’s songs have been cut by artists including Reba McEntire (“The Last One to Know”), Patty Loveless (“I’m That Kind of Girl”), Trisha Yearwood (“Wrong Side of Memphis”) and Martina McBride (“Wild Angels”). She has also released three albums as a solo artist, including her 2011 release, The Dreaming Fields. Hemby’s recent successes include work with Miranda Lambert (“Baggage Claim,” “Fine Tune,” “White Liar,” “Only Prettier,” “The Airstream Song,” “Virginia Bluebell”) and Eli Young Band (“Mystery in the Making,” “The Fight,” “How Quickly You Forget”). Meanwhile, McKenna has not only had cuts by Faith Hill (“Stealing Kisses,” “Fireflies,” “If You Ask”) and Tim McGraw (“I’m Workin’”), she also toured with them both. Her studio albums include Bittertown, Unglamorous and 2011’s Lorraine.

“This lineup presents a rare opportunity to experience the work of three of Nashville’s best,” says BMI Assistant VP Dan Spears. “To have Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna sharing the same stage is incredible. But the event will also serve to highlight the vital contributions made by women throughout the music and radio industries, while acting as the perfect complement to ‘Rising Through the Ranks,’ a program that BMI pioneered with the Radio Advertising Bureau. Each year, BMI awards 25 scholarships to female radio executives to attend a Nashville workshop on executive management best practices. The tremendous success of Matraca, Natalie and Lori will be a great reminder of the enormous successes enjoyed—and driven—by women throughout our industries.”

CRS 2012 is held Feb. 22-24, 2012, in downtown Nashville, TN.  $499 registration is currently available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com.

Rider Exits Stoney Creek

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Stoney Creek Records GM April Rider has exited her position with the label after two years. She joined the label in 2009 after more than a decade with Curb Records. During her tenure, the Stoney Creek duo Thompson Square experienced an impressive breakout with “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” Mediabase’s most played single of 2011.

“I have learned so much over the last two years as GM for the label and I cherish every moment,” comments Rider. “I am thankful to Benny Brown for the opportunity. I really enjoyed my time running the record label and watching it grow.”

Rider is currently looking for her next opportunity and can be reached at 615-714-1749 or here.

Becky Brenner Lands New Gig

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Country radio vet Becky Brenner has landed in her new role as a VP and consulting partner with Jaye Albright and Michael O’Malley’s radio consultancy, effective immediately. She will work out of the company’s West Coast offices.

“I brought Becky into consulting in 1992 when I was General Manager of Seattle-based BP Consulting Group,” says Albright. “I can name several hundred broadcasters we worked with back then who immediately missed her when Infinity hired her to return to their Seattle cluster (including KMPS-FM) as its General Program Manager two decades ago. They will be delighted to hear she’s come back to take on consulting clients.”

Brenner adds, “There is nothing I enjoy more than collaborating, coaching and creating success for clients. I am honored that Jaye and Mike have given me this opportunity. This partnership also gives my existing clients access to the wonderful tools and resources that Albright & O’Malley have established so successfully over the years.”

Brenner was most recently Program Director for KMPS/Seattle and Digital Web Manager for the CBS/Seattle station cluster. Her career boasts 32 years in radio, holding various on-air, programming and management positions for Infinity, CBS, Affiliated Broadcasting and more. She is also a board member for Country Radio Seminar and the Country Music Association, and is regarded as one of the top country programmers in the nation. Congratulate her here.

Singled Out (1/2/2012)

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Sony Music Nashville looks to have a busy promotional schedule early in 2012, with a handful of new singles slated to hit radio. First up is Miranda Lambert’s “Over You,” the second single from her acclaimed Four The Record collection. Lambert penned the deeply personal song with her husband Blake Shelton, about Blake’s brother who died in a car accident.

Miranda says, “I’ve never cried writing a song, and I don’t know that I ever will again. After we wrote it, Blake said he couldn’t record this song for himself or sing it on stage every night but he would be honored for me to. ‘Over You’ is one of the most special songs I’ll ever be a part of.” Starting January 12, Lambert will kick off her headlining On Fire tour in Rockford, IL with Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann.

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Across the hall at Arista Records, Ronnie Dunn’s “Let The Cowboy Rock” will go for adds January 16. The third single from Dunn’s self-titled debut solo album, it follows up the reactive “Cost Of Livin'” which was the theme of episodes of Dr. Phil and The Doctors in December.

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Also vying for adds in these early weeks of January is Show Dog-Universal’s JT Hodges, whose new single is “Goodbyes Made You Mine.” Back in November, Hodges made his Grand Ole Opry debut and his single “Hunt You Down” climbed to No. 28 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

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Following the group’s first big No. 1 song “Crazy Girl,” Eli Young Band will be sending “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” to country radio. Written by Will Hoge, the song is the second single from EYB’s first Republic Nashville album Life At Best.

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Also part of the Sony camp, BNA will be rolling out “Hot Mess,” the debut from newcomer Tyler Farr, in time for a February 6 add date. Farr’s song “That’s What They’re Bitin’ On” was also an unofficial single, and made it to No. 46 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

Pandora Tussles Traditional Radio Over Ad Revenue

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As recently as three years ago there was little or no mention of Pandora at the annual country radio broadcasters event in Nashville, CRS. Now a public company, Pandora is very much on radio’s radar. Some would say that Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio online streaming app is a direct response to the streaming giant which saw gross revenues of over $50 million last year.

So it should be no surprise that a competitive tug of war is brewing between terrestrial and Internet radio as the two business models spar for success, and more specifically—ad dollars.

According to a Wall Street Journal article (12/22) there is “an intensifying dispute between traditional radio broadcasters and online radio service Pandora Media Inc. over how their audiences are measured.” Answers to this question will of course have a direct effect on ad revenues.

Arbitron Inc. is responsible for measuring and providing audience estimates for terrestrial radio, but doesn’t currently measure online audiences for Pandora or other services.

Advertising revenue is especially important to the Pandora business model since it must pay royalties on every stream/listener that is participating. This means that its profits do not scale as the service acquires more listeners. Therefore ad revenues are a critical component for success. One assumes that with that underlying motive, Pandora employed firm Edison Research to wrangle its online data to create an apples to apples metric comparing online listeners with traditional radio listeners.

Realizing what was at stake, traditional radio fired back by demanding Arbitron issue a report discounting the new metrics as not being directly comparable to Arbitron audience data.

If it all sounds confusing, it is actually very simple. Traditional radio has the largest piece of the ad revenue pie, and is determined to keep it. WSJ noted, “Pandora founder Tim Westergren said in an interview that Arbitron’s statements were part of a ‘concerted effort’ to keep his company out of the radio industry even as online radio becomes a credible competitor. ‘The broadcast industry does not want the world to know about us, basically, he added.”

Earlier in the week Clear Channel subsidiary Katz 360 cut ties with Pandora and said it would cease to sell digital ad time on online services like Pandora.

Country Stars Unlikely To Mimic Comic Sales Model

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Comedian Louis C.K. recently earned over $1 million selling a DRM-free comedy special, direct-to-fans from his website for $5. And once again the process gives rise to questions about new business models, piracy and online marketing. Digital Music News publisher Paul Resnikoff offered an insightful overview, “Perhaps the error is to link these accomplishments with developing artists, because creating stardom is now an entirely different game. Heading into this, C.K. had major television exposure, access to shows like Fallon, and an audience that wanted more. That doesn’t diminish the accomplishment, but definitely changes the perspective. Because in the end, Louis’ challenge was less about building fans, and more about satisfying and monetizing the ones he already has.”

Louis C.K. hired a team to tape and create a video of two performances at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan and then distribute the video directly via a website built for that purpose. According to various reports, within 12 hours, over 50,000 fans had downloaded the video, enough to cover all costs. It took 12 days to reach sales of $1 million.

In a note on his website the artist explained, “The experiment was: if I put out a brand new standup special at a drastically low price ($5) and make it as easy as possible to buy, download and enjoy, free of any restrictions, will everyone just go and steal it? Will they pay for it?”

In a subsequent note (12/13) C.K. detailed costs and revenues for the project pointing out what would have happened if a large company had funded the project.

“…they would have charged you about $20 for the video. They would have given you an encrypted and regionally restricted video of limited value, and they would have owned your private information for their own use. They would have withheld international availability indefinitely. This way, you only paid $5, you can use the video any way you want, and you can watch it in Dublin, whatever the city is in Belgium, or Dubai. I got paid nice, and I still own the video (as do you). You never have to join anything, and you never have to hear from us again.”

Most recently, on Dec. 21 a note appeared on the web site expressing the comedian’s intention to divide the million dollars into four pieces including charities, his production costs, staff and himself.

Will Country Artists Follow This Path?

Is there a lesson or anything new going on here for the music industry?  You could answer, “Maybe” to both questions. But with respect to country music we have yet to see an established star dump the label and go direct. Perhaps that’s because inside the Music City format, record sales don’t really mean much for most superstar artists. The real money is earned filling arenas and (for a select few) stadiums. The secret behind accomplishing that task is getting strong support from country radio. Fans don’t follow album sales on SoundScan each week, but they do listen on the airwaves to hear their favorite artists. Can you name a single country artist routinely filling 12,000 seats and up who isn’t getting country radio exposure?

Good managers know where an artist’s bread is buttered and they know who grooms the thoroughbred promotion teams in the race for country radio airplay. Yes, the major labels. So sure, there may be a dozen or so country music artists that could easily make money mirroring the Louis C.K. DTF experiment. But eschewing a major label might also result in short term gain and long term career suicide. Major label support in this format is only about one thing, radio dominance for the country audience. Until that changes, don’t look for artists to fool around with a paltry million dollars at the risk of losing $50 million at the box office.

Singled Out—Holiday Edition

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Tim McGraw has a holiday single making the rounds called “Christmas All Over The World,” and its available for free download through The Boot. “I’m very appreciative of the support my fans have given me over the years, and I wanted to say ‘thank you’ to them with this new holiday song,” says Tim. “I’m really excited to be recording again, and I’ll have new music to share early next year.” Starting in summer 2012, McGraw will join Kenny Chesney on the stadium-ready Brothers of the Sun Tour.

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Country legend Tanya Tucker has released “Merry Christmas Wherever You Are” to great reviews. “With so many troops deployed overseas and with the economy being such that people are having to relocate to find work, recording this track was a very personal and emotional experience,” says Tucker. “Also, when I recorded that vocal, I was thinking of all the parents who had missing children and all the children who no longer had a parent to share this very special time.” The song is available digitally now.

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Singer/songwriter Raul Malo is also getting into the Christmas spirit, with his updated and timely version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Inspired by presidential candidates’ criticizing the return of U.S. troops from overseas as “irresponsible,” Malo performs the song with newly found conviction. “We made this video because we just felt like we had to do something to let the troops know that, politics aside, the country is indebted to them for their service.  “The embarrassments and the failures are the politicians,” says Malo. Hear the song and see the video here. In 2012, Malo plans to reunite with his old band The Mavericks for the Stagecoach Festival in April.

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BNA newcomers The Lunabelles (Olivia, Dominique, and Gabby Arciero) have released their take on the holiday classic “The Christmas Song.” The group also recently participated in the 59th Annual Nashville Christmas Parade with Sarah Darling and Vince Gill.

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Newly launched MD Records and its flagship artist Jason Thomas have released a recording of “Let It Snow,” available for download on iTunes. Profits from its sale will be directed to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Other holiday songs looking for spins:
Toby Keith & Sammy Hagar/Santa’s Going South/SDU
Big & Rich/Blue Christmas/WMN
Joe Nicols/Old Toy Trains/Show Dog-Universal
Uncle Kracker/My Hometown (Christmas Version)/Atlantic/BPG
Joey + Rory/Remember Me/Let It Snow/Vanguard/Sugar Hill
Lisa Matassa/The Chrismas Song/It Is What It Is Records/Nine North
Craig Campbell/I’ll Be Home For Christmas/Bigger Picture
Andy Gibson/The Christmas Song/R&J Records
Rachel Holder/Christmas Eve/Curb
Lucy Angel/Mr. Santa/GForce
Little Big Town/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas/Capitol
Jessica Ridley feat. Chris Cline/The Spirit Of Christmas/Nine North/Turnpike
Jesse & Noah/I Want Texas For Christmas

Charlie Cook On Air; Christmas Thoughts

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This is the best time of the year. Without question, people are nicer to each other. I love that people wear goofy Christmas ornaments on their clothes. I have also discovered that I like Christmas music more than I realized and have been listening a lot this year. Maybe the music is getting better. Maybe I am getting soft. Whatever.

As you read this I will either be heading to the Pittsburgh airport to fly to LA, be on the plane, or if you read this at 4:30 AM/ET Saturday, be getting off the plane to find my way to my home in Southern California. This for my 50 hour visit home.

As long a day as today will be, I will have come into contact with hundreds of people doing the same thing: rushing toward family and friends excited about seeing them for the first time in maybe the entire year, or rekindling a relationship during the holidays.

However you look back on the year, take a second to remember a GOOD thing that happened to YOU in 2011. I know that we all have challenges and they are the issues that need attention, but please take a second and remember a good day. A new friend. A good memory that will make you smile for just a minute.

Many of our friends and family are experiencing a Christmas season without a job for the first time in their careers. Some are on their second Christmas without work. This can be a cruel business. We chose to work in radio or records for a multitude of reasons. Changing jobs every few years was not necessarily one of them.

My first job in radio came a few days after the Christmas holidays in, well, many years ago. I remember saying to my family that this was a great Christmas gift, to get the job of my dreams and to start on January 2. The job of my dreams paid $2.10 an hour. But I worked 10 hours of overtime every week to make $110.00 a week

Each Christmas I think back on how excited I was to get that job and to start on what has been, besides my beautiful daughters Jacki and Izzy, the most rewarding part of my life. This year I look back and say thanks again for all of the friends I have worked with in radio and records.

I may be shallower than you but I can count on one hand the friends I have that are not in our business. I would have a few fingers left over, by the way. I am tied to all of you in radio and records at every level.

So however tough it is this Christmas for many who started the year as programmers, disc jockeys, record reps or the other job titles that make up Country Music/Radio and are now looking for their next opportunity, thank God that you have your friends and family and remember the feeling you had going into that first job.

Merry Christmas and let’s all hope for a Happy 2012.

Garner’s Beyond The Hits To Help Others

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What has 20 tracks from 20 hit artists, is now available on iTunes and will help support St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital, the ACM’s Lifting Lives and the CMA’s Keep the Music Playing charities? If you guessed the first project from syndicated radio personality Blair Garner, then give yourself a gold star.

Garner, award-winning host of After MidNite, is releasing Beyond The Hits under the banner of his new production/development company TriPower. The 20-track edition is priced at $9.99.

The collection features hit artists such as Alan Jackson, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood and many more. (Track list here.)  The music is intended to help fans find great songs that appeared on previous albums from each artist but were never were released as singles. According to Garner the ideas is to, “Focus on the depth and brilliance of each artist as well as the songwriters behind these tracks.”

Garner told Nashville.com writer David Scarlett, “I’m doing this for a couple of reasons. Sharing these great songs that people may not have heard is important. But I also know how much songwriters depend on people downloading their music to make a living. And with so many people no longer buying complete albums, a lot of writers who, in the past, might have been able to make a living getting album cuts until they’re fortunate enough to have a single or two released are now losing a lot of their income. And then, there’s the charity aspect. I’m really excited about being able to devote a portion of the proceeds from this project to causes I truly believe in.”

Radio Notes (12/21/2011)

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Dusty Edwards (L) with Eric Lee Beddingfield

MusicRow sends its wishes for a speedy recovery to Dusty Edwards, MD for KREK/Bristow, Oklahoma. He’s currently undergoing testing at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa following a fall. Reach out to him here.

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Judi Diamond

Hubbard Broadcasting’s WIL/St. Louis has announced the addition of Judi Diamond to the station’s award-winning “Cornbread Morning Show,” as Morning Show Assistant and Studio Producer. Diamond has served as a weekend on-air personality with WIL for four years, as well as doing freelance voice and on-camera commercial work on the side. She is also co-founder and co-host of the web-based LipsticknLaundry.com.

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(L-R): KNTY PD Tosh Jackson and Bill Gentry.

Tenacity recording artist Bill Gentry was recently a part of KNTY/Sacramento’s Christmas Cruise. Gentry is currently out visiting radio to promote “This Letter,” the first single from his 2012 CD Baptized In Temptation.