Stroudavarious Partners Form New Imprint

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Stroudavarious Records owner James Stroud has announced the launch of Emrose Records, a new imprint formed with Washington-based investor Tom Natelli. Emrose will be based in Nashville and Stroudavarious Records will manage all aspects of the label’s promotion, sales and marketing efforts.

Nashville-based country singer and songwriter Margaret Durante is the first artist signed to the label. Durante’s new single, “Mississippi’s Crying,” will ship to radio later this month. Her debut album, co-produced by Stroud and Stephony Smith, is scheduled for release late this year.

“James Stroud has been an invaluable resource to us for the past three years as Margaret has honed her singing and songwriting skills,” says Natelli. “I couldn’t be more pleased to formalize our relationship with James and his team by forming Emrose Records. It’s a fabulous fit for all of us, and we’re excited to be working with a successful team of industry veterans that understands the evolving world of country music.”

Margaret Durante

“Tom Natelli is one of the brightest business minds I’ve ever encountered,” comments Stroud. “His vision and track record of success in adapting to a changing business climate make him a perfect partner for Stroudavarious Records. Margaret Durante is as gifted a young singer and writer as I’ve seen in a long time.  We couldn’t be launching Emrose with a better artist.”

Promotion duties for Durante’s “Mississippi’s Crying” are being handled by Nine North. Emrose Records will be distributed through Stroudavarious Records’ existing agreement with RED Distribution. Durante is managed by Tony Conway of Ontourage Management.

Artists On the Road and In the “House”

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Miranda Lambert’s in the “House”
Miranda Lambert’s most recent chart-topper, “The House That Built Me,” was celebrated by BMI and ASCAP at Sambuca in Nashville on Tuesday evening (8/3). Written by Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, the song is the fastest rising single of Lambert’s career and held the No. 1 spot on the charts for four straight weeks.

(l-r): Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, BMI’s Jody Williams, Columbia Nashville’s Jimmy Rector, producer Frank Liddell, ASCAP’s Tim DuBois, Shopkeeper Management’s Marion Kraft, co-writer Allen Shamblin, Miranda Lambert, co-writer Tom Douglas, producer Mike Wrucke, and Sony Music Nashville’s Gary Overton.

• • •

Jerrod Niemann Loves Being No. 1
With “Lover, Lover,” Sea Gayle/Arista Records artist Jerrod Niemann is enjoying the first No. 1 single of his career and the first chart-topper from his recently released No. 1-debuting album, Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury. Niemann recently joined WAMZ/Louisville PD Coyote Calhoun to celebrate his success.

Jerrod Niemann (right) with WAMZ’s Coyote Calhoun

• • •

Gary Allan Visits the Motor City
Gary Allan’s Get Off On The Pain tour made a successful stop in Detroit recently and the singer took the opportunity to visit with WYC’s Tim Roberts.

(l-r) Donna Jo Passuntino MCA Nashville regional; Gary Allan; Tim Roberts WYCD

Taylor Swift Single Rush Released Following Leak

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Late yesterday (8/4) Big Machine Label Group announced the rush release of “Mine,” the debut single from Taylor Swift’s upcoming third album, Speak Now, following news that a low-quality MP3 of the song had been leaked. 

As the song began to spread virally, the label, citing “overwhelming fan demand” and a desire “to ensure that Taylor’s fans were able to hear the single as she intended,” immediately made the song available at iTunes and sent the track to radio digitally via Play MPE.

“Mine” was originally scheduled for release on August 16. Within the first couple of hours of its release to country radio, the song had already jumped into the Top 35 on Billboard’s Top Country Songs chart.

Speak Now is scheduled to be released on Big Machine Records on October 25 and contains 14 tracks, all written solely by Swift. The singer co-produced the project with Nathan Chapman.

Starting on August 20, Speak Now will be available for special pre-sale on the site www.SpeakNow13.com. “Mine” is currently available at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mine-single/id385990165.

Join The Twitter Parade

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You have try this! It’s a Twitter visualization tool in the form of a parade. Visit the site and submit your Twitter address. Then sit back and enjoy the tweet-o-rama. IS Parade.

Click on some of your friends/followers and they will become leaders of their own parade.

This is the funniest Twitter app/game…leave a message below if you agree….

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/4/10)

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Gwyneth Paltrow as Kelly Canter in "Country Strong"

Can I get a witness for Lloyd Maines?

The steel-guitar wonder is behind two of the finest country performances in this stack of platters. And in the case of James Hand, I mean Country with a capital “C.” As for Max Stalling, his Maines-produced outing wins him a DisCovery Award.

As fond as I was of those two efforts, the day truly belongs to the ladies—Laura Bell Bundy, Missouri Mile, Gretchen Wilson and our Disc of the Day winner, Gwyneth Paltrow.

MAX STALLING/Long Way To Get
Writer: Bob Schneider; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publisher: Shockorama, BMI; Blind Nello (track) (www.maxstalling.com)
—This clear-voiced tenor’s Home to You CD kicks off with this breezy, fiddle-and-steel laced traveling tune. He has a somewhat folkie quality that mixes well with the airy, acoustic country accompaniment. All around, a very pleasant listening experience.

GWYNETH PALTROW/Country Strong
Writer: Jennifer Hanson/Tony Martin/Mark Nesler; Producer: Byron Gallimore; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Chaylynn/Music of Stage Three/Nashvistaville/Music of EverCountry/Evergreen, BMI; RCA
—We knew she could sing because she did so well with Huey Lewis on “Cruisin’” in that movie Duets. This centerpiece of her upcoming country-music movie is a great, big slab of melody that gives her plenty of room to strut and soar. Chorus harmonies by Vince Gill and Patty Griffin, plus some terrific, juicy guitar solos, make this really take off for the skies. One terrific little record.

POOR J. BROWN/Family Tree
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; PJB (www.poorjbrown.com)
—“It’s always shady around my family tree.” Let’s see: Mama shot a guy. Uncle manages a stripper. Cousin kissed the quarterback and got tossed off the football team. Grandpa died with his boots on, but not his pants. Brother got caught with reefer. Sister has six children, and she’s only 23. Ya gotta love this.

LAURA BELL BUNDY/Drop On By
Writer: Brice Long/Ronnie Rogers; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Publisher: EMI Foray/Send Me the Checks/Peermusic III/Seven Five Three One, SESAC/BMI; Mercury (track)
—Her CD is divided into “Achin’” and “Shakin’” songs. “Giddy On Up” was from the latter group. This sweet, sad, groovin,’ soulful ballad follow-up showcases her abilities delivering the former. Sultry and satisfying.

MISSOURI MILE/That’s What I Do
Writer: Sheena Persons/Sheila Rochelle/Byron Hill; Producer: Byron Hill; Publisher: Quinnford/Byron Hill/Little Memphis, ASCAP/BMI; BHP (Track) (www.missourimile.com)
—The title tune to this sister duo’s debut EP is a gentle, brightly sparkling little ditty with a delightfully delicate tone. Sunny, simple and ear-catchingly charming.

TRAILER CHOIR/Shakin’  That Tailgate
Writer: Butter/Brady Seals; Producer: Toby Keith & Mark Wright; Publisher: Cold Beer Country/Gypsy Outfit/Big Loud Bucks, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog Universal
—This raucous trio is at its beer-swilling best on this summertime party rocker. Crank it up.

WINK KEZIAH/Sometimes You Win
Writer: Wink Keziah; Producer: Mark Stuart & Wink Keziah; Publisher: none listed; Great South (track) (www.winkkeziah.com)
—Wink’s new Hard Times CD leads off with this raggedy honky-tonker. He won’t win any blue ribbons with his voice, but there is an undeniable authenticity in his drawling sound.

GRETCHEN WILSON/I Got Your Country Right Here
Writer: Jeffrey Steele/Tom Hambridge; Producer: Gretchen Wilson & Blake Chancey; Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Redneck (track) (www.redneckrecords.com)
—The title tune of Gretchen’s current CD gives shout-outs to Charlie Daniels, The Allman Brothers Band, Waylon Jennings, Bocephus, Z.Z. Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd while the steady beat throbs and electric guitars sizzle. What are you waiting for? Get up and dance.

JAMES HAND/Just A Heart
Writer: James Hand; Producer: Ray Benson & Lloyd Maines; Publisher: Slim Hand/Happy Valley, BMI; Rounder (track)
—James Hand is the Real Deal, a singer-songwriter who is proudly old school. This honky-tonk moaner would not be out of place on a Faron Young album of 1962. The vocalist’s teardrop delivery is beautifully framed by a classic production drenched in steel guitar. This is my kind of country. The new CD is titled Shadow on the Ground. Buy it.

ADAM BRAND/Ready For Love
Writer: busbee/Travis Meadows/Bobby Terry; Producer: Richard Landis; Publisher: BMG Platinum/Songs of Universal/Terry and Town/BMG Gold, BMI/ASCAP; Arista
—Australia’s four-time country Male Vocalist of the Year makes his U.S. debut with this ultra rhythmic, sexy come-on that’s loaded with pulsing bass and twanging guitar. So catchy that it’s practically addictive.

McGraw Named Most Played Artist of Decade

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Jon Peck (L) and Tim McGraw (R)

Tim McGraw has been honored with Nielsen BDS’s Most Played Artist of the Decade Award, for all genres. Nielsen Music’s Jon Peck recently presented McGraw with a plaque commemorating 7,965,000 radio spins, the most airplay of any artist from January 1, 2000-December 31, 2009.

According to Eric Weinberg, president Nielsen Entertainment, “We congratulate Tim McGraw on being the most played artist of the decade on radio. His career and songs have resonated not only with his fans, but has become part of the fabric of America, evidenced by his unprecedented airplay.”

Lyric Street Staffers Contact Info

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Following the recent downsizing of Lyric Street Records, remaining promotion team members Kevin Herring, Dale Turner, John Ettinger, Theresa Ford, Neda Tobin, Kris Lamb, Michelle Tyrrell and Landon Morgan will be leaving the Disney Music Group on August 20. Their contact information is below.

Kevin Herring — 615-308-1103
[email protected]

Dale Turner — 615-417-7482
[email protected]

John Ettinger — 615-438-7667
[email protected]

Theresa Ford — 615-504-4865, 704-543-1002
[email protected]
Theresa Durst Ford on Facebook

Neda Tobin — 214-417-7448
[email protected]

Kris Lamb — 615-418-0580
[email protected]

Michelle Tyrrell — 313-510-5798
[email protected]

Landon Morgan — 615-498-5486
[email protected]

Weekly Chart Report (7/30/10)

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While in the Twin Cities for a CD launch party, Jerrod Niemann (L) took in a Twins game with KEEY/Minneapolis PD Gregg Swedberg (R).

SPIN ZONE
The battle for No. 1 continues for yet another week, and Keith Urban’s “I’m In” holds the top spot for a second consecutive week as Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” cuts the difference between them to seven spins. Sure to be contending for the No. 1 position soon is Lady Antebellum’s “Our Kind Of Love,” which packs on 150 spins and overcomes the slow-moving top 10 as it leaps to No. 4. Also getting a good boost is Billy Currington’s “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer,” which moves 9-7.

Right now is a popular time to release a new single if you’re a superstar artist. The fall album release schedule includes Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Reba and Taylor Swift and is just far enough away that singles will reach critical mass by release date. Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall” is leading the pack at No. 25, still a week ahead of its official add date of August 9. Reba’s “Turn On The Radio” is climbing fast at No. 29. Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue” exploded this week, racing on the chart for a huge debut at No. 45 and a gain of 669 spins. Swift also has a new single (“Mine”) waiting in the wings, so look to see it making a big impact soon.

Other singles making debuts include Luke Bryan’s “Someone Else Calling You Baby” at No. 60, Chris Young’s “Voices” at No. 66, and newcomer David Adam Byrnes’s “Sweet Distraction” at No. 73.

Frozen: WDHR, KVVP, KVAY, KYYK, WDXX, WKWS

RADIO NEWS
More staff changes have been reported at West Texas Broadcasting’s KKCN/San Angelo, as Kris Cooper takes over Music Director duties from departing DK Pierce. Cooper also does middays as KKCN sister KGKL, and his call times will be Tuesdays from 10-12 ct. Reach him at [email protected].

Upcoming Singles
August 2
Josh Gracin/Cover Girl/Average Joes
Clay Walker/Where Do I Go From You/Curb
Luke Bryan/Someone Else Calling You Baby/Capitol

August 9
Josh Kelley/Georgia Clay/MCA
Kenny Chesney/The Boys of Fall/BNA
Laura Bell Bundy/Drop On By/Mercury

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New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury — 45
Luke Bryan/Someone Else Calling You Baby/Capitol — 60
Chris Young/Voices/RCA — 66
David Adam Byrnes/Sweet Distraction/Better Angels — 73

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury — 669
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol — 388
Kenny Chesney/The Boys Of Fall/BNA — 353
Reba/Turn On The Radio/Starstruck/Valory — 314
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA Nashville — 259

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Flynnville Train/Preachin’ to the Choir/Next Evolution Records — 228
Diamond Rio/This Is My Life/Word Records — 222
Bo Bice/You Take Yourself With You/Saguaro Road Records — 215
Jackie Arredondo/Someone Like You/Gold Voice/Big 7 — 214
Jimmy White and Jonell Mosser/Just What I Need/Tone Box Records — 203

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury – 41
Luke Bryan/Someone Else Calling You Baby/Capitol – 24
Reba/Turn On The Radio/Valory/Starstruck – 14
Chris Young/Voices/RCA – 11
David Adam Byrnes/Sweet Distraction/Better Angels – 11
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal – 11
*Total Adds rec’d over two weeks

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Silk and Satin Records has released a new single, “Indiana Rain,” from Las Vegas-based Sandy Kastel. (L-R): Kasey Jones, Jan Woods, Jerry Duncan, Jen Trail, Kastel, Lisa Smoot and Jennifer Blair.

Tim McGraw's Southern Voice tour made a stop in Virginia Beach over the weekend and tour openers Love And Theft spent some time hanging backstage with WGH staffers. (L-R): WGH/Norfolk MD Mark McKay, Stephen Barker Liles, Eric Gunderson, Marilyn Shomby (wife of John Shomby), Brian Bandas, and WGH/Norfolk PD John Shomby.

Blair Garner Debuts Unsigned Sarah Marince

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Sarah Marince

After MidNite host Blair Garner made a dream come true earlier this week when he exclusively debuted a new song, “In The Mean Time,” from unsigned country artist Sarah Marince. The impact of airing on After MidNite was immediate. “In The Mean Time” debuted at #40 on Mediabase’s Real Time Chart. After an initial run on After MidNite, stations and listeners across the U.S. will get exclusive access to the single, which was written by Gary Burr and Caroline Cutbirth, and produced by Victoria Shaw. Marince will be interviewed by Garner on After MidNite Tuesday morning (8/3) to discuss her reaction to her debut.

“On Tuesday night, we broke all the rules and debuted a song by an unsigned artist, something we’ve never done in the show’s seventeen-year history,” said Garner. “When I met Sarah, I knew this amazingly talented woman had a voice and a message that needed to be heard. Because I believe in the power of music AND the power of radio, I wanted to bring these forces together to do something quite remarkable.”

Due to overwhelming positive response, “In The Mean Time” will be made available on iTunes next week – two weeks earlier than originally planned. This announcement comes on the heels of the successful launch of After MidNite’s New Music Monday, a web-based video feature which launched last October on www.BlairGarner.com. Garner gives new and emerging artists a chance to promote their music as he interviews them on-camera for this exciting online extension of After MidNite. Viewers are also given access to additional information about the featured artists, including links to fan sites and available music on iTunes.

For more information about Marince and After MidNite, visit www.BlairGarner.com.

Baldrica Exits Sony Music Nashville

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Radio-Info’s Phyllis Stark is reporting that Tom Baldrica, Sony Music Nashville VP Marketing has exited the label.

Baldrica was elevated to VP Marketing in Sept. 2006 after joining the organization’s promotion department in 1993. His current role was to oversee artist development, media, creative services and strategic marketing for the label groups imprints which include Arista Nashville, BNA Records, RCA Records and Columbia Records.