Toyota Adds Pandora

Toyota's Entune telematics service integrates apps with the car's infotainment system. (Credit: CNET)


The Pandora “pandemic” may soon be rolling into a car near you!
Ford previously announced it would offer Pandora in connection with its SYNC platform.
Today, at CES in Las Vegas, Toyota revealed it will also roll with Pandora using its Entune multimedia system. The Toyota system will also reportedly engage users with other apps such as Bing, OpenTable, iheartradio and movietickets.com. Users only need to download an Entune app to their iPhone, Android or Blackberry and pair the phone via bluetooth with the car’s system. The individual apps are actually run by the Entune server.
Toyota plans to unveil the new functionality later this year.

Charlie Cook Joins West Virginia Radio Corp.

Veteran radio exec Charlie Cook is starting the new year as Director of Programming and Brand Management for West Virginia Radio Corporation. The outfit operates 26 properties in West Virginia and Maryland. He will be based out of the company’s corporate headquarters in Morgantown, WV.
Cook’s 27-year career most recently includes time as programmer and consultant for KKGO in Los Angeles. He has also spent time as VP/GM at Westwood One, at McVay Media, and programming stations in Miami, New York, and Wheeling, WV.

Sony Goes To The Cloud With Music Unlimited

Have you found yourself thinking lately, “Hey, I wish there were more subscription-based music services available to me as a consumer?”

Right. We thought not.

But apparently no one notified Sony, who unveiled its Music Unlimited service in the U.K. and Ireland this week boasting a catalog of approximately 6 million titles from Universal Music, Warner Music, EMI Music and Sony Music. Sony has plans to expand the Music Unlimited to the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy and Spain in 2011.

The service, powered by Sony’s Qriocity (pronounced: curiosity) entertainment platform, is being offered at two price levels. The basic plan, for £3.99 euros/month, is similar to an ad-free internet radio station but will allow users to skip forward at will (think Pandora or Last.fm). The premium version for £9.99 euros/month grants users the ability to play songs from the entire catalog on demand. Users at either level will also be able to sync info from their music libraries into the subscription cloud.

“So let’s see,” wrote Guardian authors Josh Halliday and Charles Arthur, putting some skepticism on the announcement. “Spotify with ads for free, or Sony MUPBQ for £3.99 every month for ever and ever?”

Perhaps the biggest draw is that Music Unlimited will be compatible with Sony’s array of consumer electronics. Internet-connected Blu-Ray players, Bravia television sets, and the Playstation 3 console will be able to use it, and so will Sony smart phones and computers. Smart phones running Google’s Android operating system will have an app that runs it, though it does not appear to be compatible with the iPhone at present.

As the LA Times points out, one major hurdle facing Sony and Music Unlimited is the fact that a myriad of similar products are already available in Europe and the U.S. Spotify (based in Sweden) has been a huge hit in Europe, largely due to it being a free, ad-supported service that works with multiple platforms. In the U.S., consumers have subscription options like Rhapsody, MOG, Rdio and more, all of which already work with numerous phone platforms including the iPhone.

SoundExchange Reports Record Distributions, New Rates

SoundExchange reports its distributions to rights holders increased 55% in 2009 to $156 million. Total revenues rose 20% to 204.2 million.

SoundExchange is a non-profit performance rights organization that collects statutory royalties from satellite radio (such as SIRIUS XM), Internet radio (like Pandora), cable TV music channels and similar platforms for streaming sound recordings on behalf of featured and non-featured recording artists, master rights owners (usually record labels), and independent artists who record and own their masters. (Webcaster royalties for publishers and songwriters are collected by performing rights organizations ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.)

The collection of streaming digital royalties is growing rapidly. SoundExchange has said it expects 2010 payments to again jump, over 2009 almost 60%.

One issue for which the collection agency has received criticism has been its total of unpaid royalties. However, this issue seems to have improved in 2009. However, according to the report, as of Dec. 31, 2009 SoundExchange had a balance of $294 million it its unpaid account. To provide greater understanding of the problems this relatively new organization is facing, it provided detailed analysis of these unpaid funds. For example, $88 million was “pipeline” funds in transit and $111 million is “unpayable funds”—$23 million unclaimed by foreign societies, $23 million due to problematic data, $43 million in unclaimed royalties and $22 million of account issues.

Average 2009 payments to SoundExchange’s 5,335 artists and copyright holders increased 57% to artists from $986 to $1,550, and 35% to copyright holders from $7415 to $10,040.

New Rates Approved
The CopyrightRoyalty Board (CRB) recently ruled on new rates for 2011-2015 for non-interactive webcasting services. Currently, CRB commercial rates for 2010 are $0.0019 “per performance” (the rate that is charged per listener, per track)—royalties which are distributed by SoundExchange to the artists and rights owners who helped to create that recording. The new rates that were set for commercial webcasters who are not broadcasters begin at $.0019 per performance in 2011, with gradual increases to $.0023 by 2015. The Copyright Royalty Judges also adopted the “broadcaster” rates that were the subject of SoundExchange’s settlement with the NAB in 2009. Under that settlement, broadcasters’ per-performance rate starts at $.0017 in 2011 and rises to $.0025 by 2015.

Hot Schatz Adds Lorge; Al Brock Launches Spin Doctors

Hot Schatz PR has hired Michelle Lorge as Associate Publicist and Operations Manager. In this role, Lorge will be responsible for implementing regional media campaigns for Hot Schatz artists as well as overseeing the office’s day-to-day administrative functions.

“I’m very excited about adding Michelle to the Hot Schatz PR team,” says President/Owner Schatzi Hageman. “With her hard work ethic and publicity expertise, I have no doubt that we can continue to offer the very best to our clients.”

Lorge’s previous experience includes stops at Sony Music, Sweet Talk Publicity, and Nicole Pope Gaia Publicity. Reach her at info@hotschatzpr.com or 615-782-0078.

•  •  •  •

Radio programming veteran Al Brock has launched Spin Doctors Promotions, LLC, offering promotion services for labels and independent artists. The Nashville-based company will also offer media training, venue tour support, and creating broadcast specials.

Spin Doctors is currently working with Andy Griggs on his new single “Can I Get An Amen,” which goes for adds in January. Reach Brock at POB 17159, Nashville, TN, or 615-969-2259 or albrock@hotmail.com.

Upcoming Media Appearances For Adkins and Reba

Trace Adkins will appear on CBS’ new daytime talk show The Talk today (12/17) at 1 pm CT as a guest and performer. He will talk with show hosts Julie Chen, Leah Remini, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Sara Gilbert as well as performing the holiday classic, “The Christmas Song.”

Adkins will also appear on World Wrestling Entertainment’s Tribute to the Troops on Saturday (12/18), which will air 8 pm CT on NBC. Adkins will perform “Whoop A Man’s Ass” from his Cowboy’s Back In Town album. Other guests on the special include Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cedric The Entertainer, The View’s Sherri Shepherd, and many more.

• •  • •

Reba will join After MidNite host Blair Garner to co-host a three-hour commercial-free New Year’s Day special. The two will play top music from 2010 and listeners will hear interesting insights from Reba. The special is available to After MidNite affiliates in the U.S.

“I’m so honored that Reba agreed to host this special with me,” said Blair Garner. “She has been a huge supporter of After MidNite and is one of the hardest-working entertainers in the business. I’m looking forward to kicking off 2011 with Reba and our listeners.”

Weekly Chart Report (12/17/10)

Curb recording artist Steve Holy visited WIVK/Knoxville to promote his new single “Love Don’t Run.” (L-R): Holy and WIVK's Colleen Addair.

SPIN ZONE
Note: Today’s chart edition is the final one of 2010, and we will take the next two weeks off. The first chart of 2011 will be published on Friday, January 7. Happy Holidays!
• • • •

Keith Urban will close out 2010 with “Put You In A Song” at the top of the CountryBreakout Chart for a second week, followed by his Capitol Nashville cohort Luke Bryan’s “Someone Else Calling You Baby” at No. 2. Most of the Top 10 looks strong heading into the break, particularly Kenny Chesney’s “Somewhere With You” as it moves up to No. 6.

Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” is seeing a spike in activity as it moves 19-17 with 149 spin gain. It’s trailed by Darius Rucker’s “This” at No. 18 and Brad Paisley’s quickly rising “This Is Country Music” at No. 19. Entering the chart this week are Trace Adkins’ “Brown Chicken, Brown Cow” at No. 73, Jadi Norris’ “Home Is Where The Heart Is” at No. 79, and D. J. Miller’s “A Snowman In Birmingham” at No. 80.

Upcoming Singles
Holiday Airplay
Jason Michael Carroll/Christmas On The Farm/Stray Records/Quarterback
Danny Gokey/Tennessee Christmas/19/RCA
Deborah Allen Feat. Cledus T. Judd/Redneck Christmas/GMV/Aristomedia
Kenny Rogers/The Chosen One/Joy To The World (Live)/DCE
Rachel Holder/Christmas Eve
Burns & Poe/Hear The Angels Singing/Blue Steel
Rodney Carrington/Camouflage and Christmas Lights/EMI Records Nashville
Darius Rucker/Candy Cane Christmas/Capitol Nashville
Mishavonna with Crystal Gayle/Christmas Everywhere/Redrum/GrassRoots
Sandy Kastel/Santa Baby/Silk and Satin Records
Williams Riley/Celebrate Me Home/Wide Open Music Group

January 3
Ashton Shepherd/Look It Up/MCA
Andy Griggs/Can I Get An Amen/
Randy Montana/1,000 Faces/Mercury

• • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Trace Adkins/Brown Chicken, Brown Cow/Show Dog – Universal — 73
Jadi Norris/Home Is Where The Heart Is/ — 79
D.J. Miller/A Snowman In Birmingham/Evergreen — 80

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Brad Paisley/This Is Country Music/Arista — 345
Taylor Swift/Back To December/Big Machine — 248
Darius Rucker/This/Capitol — 234
Trace Adkins/Brown Chicken, Brown Cow/Show Dog – Universal — 204
Kenny Chesney/Somewhere With You/BNA — 188

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Karli Whetstone/I Didn’t/Ohio Records — 252
Taylor Made/Quiet Kind of Crazy — 228
David St. Romain/Live, Laugh, Love And Drink — 202
Mickey Utley/Cry Like Memphis/Mick-Armour Records — 192
Chuck Wicks/Old School/RCA Nashville — 188

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Trace Adkins/Brown Chicken, Brown Cow/Show Dog – Universal — 15
Miranda Lambert/Heart Like Mine/Columbia — 10
Steel Magnolia/Last Night Again/Big Machine — 9
Sugarland/Little Miss/Mercury — 9

Chick Wicks and Frankie Ballard played recently at the WPKX/Springfield, MA Toys for Tots show. (L-R): Warner Music MW/NE Regional Lindsay Walleman, WPKX PD Mike Tyler, Ballard, Wicks, KPKX’s Kera Burke, and WPKX PD Don Gosselin.

EMI Records Nashville’s Eric Church and radio programmers gathered in Las Vegas last weekend for the final show of the 2010 CMT tour. (L-R) back: KSOP’s Deb Turpin, KNTY’s Kelly Symone, Church, KRTY’s Tina Ferguson, KTRY’s Nate Deaton, EMI Records Nashville SVP Promotions Steve Hodges, and KCYE’s Justin Chase. Front: WKIS’s Ken Boesen, KWNR’s Cary Rolfe, EMI Records Nashville VP Promotions Angela Lange, EMI Records Nashville Promotions Trudie Daniell, and EMI Records Nashville Ron Bradley.

Paisley and Aldean Enjoy Two Times The Airplay

Recently, two country artists’ teams successfully deployed new singles and managed to keep their current singles on the rise. At the 44th edition of the CMA Awards, Brad Paisley and Jason Aldean both debuted songs other than their current singles. Thanks to years of hard work at radio by the artists and labels, the move has allowed them both to enjoy significant airplay on two titles apiece.

Aldean was joined by pop star Kelly Clarkson on “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” a slow burning ballad from his recent My Kinda Party album. Shortly after, Paisley performed a previously unheard song called “This Is Country Music” that managed to encapsulate the traditions of country music past and present. Before the week was over, both songs had been digitally shipped to country radio for immediate airplay.

Aldean’s “My Kinda Party” was doing well on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs at the time of the Awards, but the Broken Bow star didn’t have any nominations despite numerous chart successes and impressive album sales in 2010.

“The producers of the show needed a TV moment,” says Broken Bow Promotion VP Carson James. “And we still had ‘My Kinda Party’ working. It was going strong, researching and converting well. We didn’t necessarily want to kill it, but we also wanted the TV exposure with a dynamic song.”

James says the label knew “Don’t You Wanna Stay” would most likely be a single, but didn’t know exactly when. And with “My Kinda Party” at a critical stage in its chart ascent, it was a risk to release something new. “You always try to give radio what they want,” he adds. “But at the same time, we’re telling them we’re still actively pursuing ‘My Kinda Party.’ We’re not coming off of it.”

Paisley had a Top 5 single at the time with “Anything Like Me,” but felt passionately about playing the title cut from his upcoming album This Is Country Music. It was eventually going to be a single as well, but the reaction after the Awards was so swift and strong that Arista couldn’t ignore it.

“‘Anything Like Me’ was so strong rolling into the top of the chart that we really didn’t feel like it would be damaging at all,” says Sony Nashville Promotion VP Skip Bishop. “But the reason we came with the song [“This Is Country Music”] earlier than originally planned was that several stations had started using the audio from the television show and the quality wasn’t what we’d want them to be playing. So we played a little hurry up football and finished getting the actual mastered single together and got it down to radio.”

The gamble paid off in spades for both artists. “We really made a round of phone calls and said, ‘I know you’re playing the version off television. We want to do the right thing for you,’” recalls Bishop. “We said ‘Remember we’re not finished with ‘Anything Like Me’ and everyone pretty much said ‘We’re not either.’ There’s no reason to dampen that kind of enthusiasm.”

“It’s a testament to Jason as an artist and our radio strategy,” adds James. “We’re saying ‘Play ‘My Kinda Party’—play it in power, and play the duet in light. Why can’t you play two Jason Aldean records? Most of the folks in radio are going, ‘Now’s the time!’”

Paisley’s “Anything Like Me” did eventually reach its No. 1 peak on the Hot Country Songs chart, and has since worked its way off. “This Is Country Music” is at No. 19 and very strong as we head into the break.

Aldean’s future looks bright as well. As of this writing, “My Kinda Party” is at No. 3 and stlll rising, and “Don’t You Wanna Stay” is quickly piling on the impressions at No. 26.

Lauren Thomas Promoted At Arista

Lauren Thomas has been promoted to Regional Promotion Manager, Arista Nashville. Her responsible territory will be confirmed soon.

Sony Music Nashville VP Promotion Skip Bishop made today’s (12/15) announcement. “I’m so happy to escort Lauren to this next level of her promising career. She is a natural born promotion machine and her passion for music and radio brings Arista Nashville a new fresh voice to our team.”

In October 2009, Thomas joined the Arista Nashville promo department as National Promotions Coordinator. Before coming to the label, she was Associate Director of Promotion for Golden Music Nashville, and, was Promotions Manager for KMLE Phoenix for five years.

She will continue to be based in Nashville.

The National Promotions Coordinator opening at Arista Nashville is being filled from within the company by Rusty Sherrill.

House Foundation Signs Off Tomorrow

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw bid adieu to the House Foundation.

Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee Gerry House ends his venerable show, “The House Foundation,” tomorrow (12/15). During its 22 years on-air, the program on Clear Channel’s WSIX has become a Nashville institution. “The House Foundation” has been counting down the 12 Days of Christmas in celebration, featuring tons of celebrity guests leading up to tomorrow’s final sign-off on the twelfth day. Send well-wishes and see all the stars who have stopped by to visit House here, including Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and Rascal Flatts.

Current “House Foundation” members include Mike Bohan, Richard Falklen and Katie Bright, though many others have been involved through the years.

House’s 30-year career has lead to four CMA Awards, seven ACMs, eight Billboard Awards, and being the only country DJ in the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.