DISClaimer Reviews (7/7/10)

Company, halt!

Rockie Lynne, Cory Walker and Jadi Norris all want you to stop whatever you’re doing and salute our armed services. Alas, only Rockie’s song is a fitting and listenable soldier tribute.

Lacking any other newcomer competition this week, the Canadian trio Hey Romeo nails down a DisCovery Award. They have Byron Hill to thank for it, because he is at least partly why they sound so good.

Competing for Disc of the Day were Georgette Jones, Joe Nichols and Burns & Poe. All three are well worth your attention. But the Joe Nichols single has the extra finesse it takes to finish first.

BURNS & POE/How Long Is Long Enough
Writer: Keith Burns/Frankie Golden; Producer: Hal Oliverius; Publisher: none listed; Blue Steel (track) (www.burnsandpoe.com)
—In a word, “Wow.” LOVE the track: It pulses like a heartbeat. Michelle aches exquisitely in her lead vocal. The chorus has monstrous hooks. This thing has the wings of a mighty angel.

HEY ROMEO/Searchin’ For You
Writer: Rob Shapiro/Darren Gusnowsky/Stacie Roper/Victoria Banks; Producer: Byron Hill & Hey Romeo; Publisher: Rob Shapiro/Darren Gusnowsky/Stacy Roper/Little Spoon/Victoria Banks/Sony ATV Cross Keys, SOCAN/ASCAP; Royalty (Canada)(track) (www.heyromeo.com)
—Hey Romeo is a pop-country trio from western Canada. The CD is titled That’s the Way I Am. Stacie Roper’s lead vocal on its bopping lead-off single is assured if somewhat whitebread and bland. The production and instrumental support are both absolutely superb.

GEORGETTE JONES/Slightly Used Woman
Writer: Tammy Wynette/Melvin Powers/Tommy Boyce; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: Songs of Universal, no performance rights listed; Heart of Texas (track) (www.heartoftexascountry.com)
—The title tune to Georgette’s new CD is one of her mother’s lesser known songs. True to her heritage, she wrings every drop of emotion out of the steel-soaked ballad. This woman can sure-enough sing. She also covers “I Don’t Wanna Play House” and her father’s “The Race Is On” on the collection. If you love country music, this is essential listening.

ROCKIE LYNNE/Proud To Be A Soldier
Writer: Rockie Lynne/Mark Prentice; Producer: Mark Prentice & Rockie Lynne; Publisher: Carolina Blue Sky/Song for John, BMI; CBSR (track) (www.rockielynne.com)
—Rockie’s current project is called Songs for Soldiers. It kicks off with this thumping rocker that will make you want to stand and salute our fighting men and women. Spirited, to say the least.

VINCE HATFIELD/Through That Glass
Writer: Jeff Jackson; Producer: Eric Paul & Vince Hatfield; Publisher: Judy Harris/Launch Her, ASCAP; Blue Moon (track) (www.vincehatfield.com)
—If they ever give out an award for the indie act who puts out the most singles, this guy is going to win it. This morbid ballad concerns a drinking driver who kills and winds up in prison. Guess what? He reforms himself. Betcha didn’t see that one coming.

GEORGE STRAIT/The Breath You Take
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
—It sounds like he’s rehearsing for a gig fronting the New York Philharmonic.

CORY WALKER/Soldier’s Last Letter
Writer: none listed; Producer: Eric Paul; Publisher: none lited; Walker (track) (www.corywalkermusic.com)
—How on earth a teenager even knows this 1944 Ernest Tubb chestnut is beyond me. I can tell you this much, he doesn’t have the vocal maturity to pull it off.

JADI NORRIS/Hail The American Soldier
Writer: none listed; Producer: Gabriel Farago; Publisher: none listed; NSD (track)
—It begins with the John F. Kennedy sound clip, “Ask not what your country can do for you/Ask what you can do for your country.” Vocally, it’s all down hill after that.

JOE NICHOLS/The Shape I’m In
Writer: Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Mark Wright; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/String Stretcher/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog Universal
—Heartbreak never sounded groovier. He’s lost her, but the cool backbeat, electric guitar work, harmonica touches and choppy-rhythm-happy track all help the aching vocal performance go down smoothly. What a class act this guy is.

GORD BAMFORD/Day Job
Writer: Gord Bamford/Byron Hill; Producer: Gord Bamford & Byron Hill; Publisher: God Bamford/Almo/Great Escape, SOCAN/ASCAP; Cache Entertainment (Canada) (track) (www.gordbamford.com)
—Gord is a big star north of the border. His trip to Music City last year resulted in a dandy and very country CD whose twanging, uptempo title tune is bound to liven up dance floors everywhere. Grab hold and hang on.

Marks To Lead SIRIUS XM Country

John Marks

SIRIUS XM Radio has named John Marks Senior Director, Country Music Programming. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s five commercial-free country music channels, plus Elvis Radio, The Village, Bluegrass Junction and two Christian music channels. Marks was previously the Program Director for KSON/San Diego, Calif. He will report to Steve Blatter, Sr. VP and General Manager, Music Programming, when he begins work at the company’s Nashville studios on August 2.

“We are thrilled to welcome John to the SIRIUS XM team,” said Blatter. “His years of leadership, programming creativity and passion for country music will further enhance the listening experience for our millions of subscribers across our national platform.”

“I’m eager to work on a more broad spectrum of country music through the many channels available on SIRIUS XM,” said Marks. “I’m also looking forward to representing the SIRIUS XM brands of country music to the Nashville music community.”

Promo Teams Play Musical Chairs

Brooks Quigley joins Nine North Records as Director of Promotion, SE/SW… Lou Ramirez goes to Warner Music Nashville as Southeast Regional Promotion Manager…Stoney Creek hires Stacy Rogers as Manager Regional Promotion, West Coast.

•••••••••••••••

Brooks Quigley, a promotion and radio veteran who was most recently at Warner Music, has joined Nine North Records effective today (7/6). He will be serving as Director of Promotion, SE/SW, announced NNR President Larry Pareigis.

“I’ve been watching with great interest the new business model that is emerging in Nashville and am thrilled to join Nine North Records. Having known and admired Larry Pareigis and (NNR VP/Promotion & Marketing) Tom Moran for a long time, I am very excited about the chance to work with them and the rest of the team,” Quigley says.

“When a person with the skills of Brooks Quigley comes along, you leap immediately. We’re on the verge of some remarkable breakthroughs but you can’t get there without the right people and the right music. The music is there and Brooks is the perfect addition at the perfect time. He will help us maximize exposure for the Nine North roster in the Southeast and his corner of the Southwest,” explains Pareigis.

In addition to Warner, Quigley has also worked in a promotion capacity with Curb, Polydor and Asylum. Prior to that he spent many years in radio in markets including Nashville, Memphis and Atlanta.

He will continue to be based in Nashville and can be reached at brooks@ninenorthmail.com or 615-210-7682.

•••••••••••••••

Lou Ramirez will join the Warner Music Nashville promotion team as Southeast Regional Promotion Manager starting today, July 6. Ramirez will report directly to VP of Promotion Bob Reeves. Ramirez can be reached at (615) 214-1560 or Lou.Ramirez@wmg.com.

•••••••••••••••

Stoney Creek Records General Manager of Operations April Rider announced today the addition of Stacy Rogers as Manager Regional Promotion, West Coast. Rogers, who previously worked the same region for RCA, Midas and Golden Music, will report directly to Rider, effective immediately.

“Stacy has a proven track record of success in her region and I am thrilled to add her to the great staff at Stoney Creek Records,” says Rider. “She will be a huge asset to our team and we are excited for her to get started.”

“I have always heard great things from radio about Benny Brown, April Rider and the staff at Stoney Creek Records. The chance to be on this team is a career high for me,” explains Rogers. “I have a huge respect for them and on top of that, the music is phenomenal!”

Rogers can be reached at stacy@stoneycreekrecords.com and or at 208-731-8104.

Weekly Chart Report 7/02/10

SPIN ZONE
There’s a new CountryBreakout No. 1 song this week, and it comes courtesy of the same label who was on top last week. Keith Urban’s “I’m In,” one of the fastest rising singles we’ve seen in some time, now sits in the No. 1 position after only eight weeks charting. Little Big Town’s “Little White Church” slips back to No. 2 despite a healthy 110 spin gain. Rounding out the top 5 are sure-to-be contenders Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” at No. 3, Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” at No. 4 and Jerrod Niemann’s “Lover, Lover” at No. 5.

Speaking of contenders, Darius Rucker has returned to the chart and posted the week’s biggest debut at No. 47. His new single “Come Back Song” is from an upcoming album, and its gain of 546 spins suggests that he will continue to enjoy his chart-topping success through another album. Following in the wake of a couple of smash hits Miranda Lambert wastes no time returning to the chart with the rowdy “Only Prettier,” which lands at No. 57. Other new arrivals include John Rich’s “Country Done Come To Town,” Leah Seawright’s “Country Girl 101,” Susan Hickman’s “Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over,” and Frankie Ballard’s “Tell Me You Get Lonely.”

Though the middle section of the chart is a tough grind at times, singles like Toby Keith’s “Trailerhood” (No. 31) are sailing right through with ease. Not far behind at No. 33, The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” is bucking the feel-good summer single trend and faring even better for it. And lastly, Eric Church’s “Smoke A Little Smoke” is blazing at No. 40 as it picks up an additional 235 spins.

Frozen Playlists: KNCQ, WATZ, WDHR, WOOZ, WTCR

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label/chart pos.
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol  47
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia  57
John Rich/Country Done Come To Town/Reprise/WMN  68
Leah Seawright/Country Girl 101/Skytone Records  71
Susan Hickman/Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over/4L Clover/Prickly Pear  72
Frankie Ballard/Tell Me You Get Lonely/Reprise/WMN  75

Lucky Seven Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label/spin+
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol  546
Billy Currington/Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer/Mercury  368
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal  332
Lady Antebellum/Our Kind Of Love/Capitol  315
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia  285
Eric Church/Smoke A Little Smoke/Capitol  235
Keith Urban/I’m In/Capitol  215

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label/spins
Randy Rogers Band/Too Late For Goodbye/MCA  256
Nathan Lee Jackson/Inside  253
Darren Kozelsky/Somebody Find Me a Preacher/Major 7th/Spinville  230
Sean Hogan/Suck It Up/Lakeland Heart  221
Chelsea Field/Things I Should Have Said/Moxy Records  215
James Wesley/Real/Broken Bow  209
Charlie Allen/Grandpa’s Recipe/River Run  198
Braden Gray/I’m Not Hungover/ATP Records  195
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA Nashville  182
Jimmy White and Jonell Mosser/Just What I Need/Tone Box Records  177

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label/new adds
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol  38
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia  20
John Rich/Country Done Come To Town/Reprise/WMN  16
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal  15
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville  12
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA  11
Blaine Larsen/Chillin’/Treehouse  11
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal  11
*Total Adds rec’d over two weeks


Upcoming Singles: Going For Adds
July 6, 2010
The Warren Brothers/Dear Mr. God/CO5
Sherry Lynn/What A Day To Shake A Heartache/Steal Heart
Blake Wise/Cornfields/Broken Bow
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol

July 12, 2010
Stealing Angels/He Better Be Dead/Skyville/Nine North
Thompson Square/Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not/Stoney Creek
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA
Jessie James/Boys In The Summer/Mercury

July 19, 2010
Chris Young/Voices/RCA
Joe Nichols/The Shape I’m In/Show Dog – Universal

July 26, 2010
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury

August 16, 2010
Emerson Drive/That Kind of Beautiful/AMDIAN Music Co./Nine North

Terrestrial Radio Technology Challenge Rising

Terrestrial radio, like many media properties, has recently faced sobering economic challenges, not the least of which could be a fast approaching showdown with Internet radio. There are those that cry the sky is falling for terrestrial radio—because Internet radio in cars is already on the horizon and because the costs of setting up a pure-play online signal are significantly lower than the cost of entry into the land-based radio business.

However, radio’s future may still be very much alive. “One of Internet radio’s greatest challenges has been brand awareness,” says a Bridge Ratings Report titled Is Terrestrial Radio Ready For A Digital Future? “Compared to its terrestrial simulcast brothers whose Internet brands are well-known to a good percentage of its AM/FM audience, pure-play Internet radio can get lost in the mix of over 65,000 streams around the world.”

But the Bridge Ratings report warns that social media networking can be very effective and warns stations that fail to harness its power of being left behind. “Terrestrial radio management in general seem to be getting the message that leveraging the Internet’s tools to further its business is a critical component of future growth and success. Intellectually it is clear. In the old days, the speed of change was manageable in an environment where the ability to act was sometimes detained due to operational limitations. In 2010 the luxury of waiting to act is more of a detriment.” The Bridge Ratings study cites that 91% of Americans own cell phones and names Internet radio streaming as the fourth most popular activity used with those phones after social networking (29%), text messaging (25%), and Tweeting (22%).

Edison Research VP Tom Webster’s recent study (with Arbitron) The Infinite Dial 2010 claims, “The Internet has nearly usurped radio as the primary source for music discovery.” Webster comforts programmers saying they too can, “put up a website.” He also adds, “The curation of music is still based upon credibility and branding. Terrestrial radio brands have every bit as much right to earn and retain a credible claim to an image for music discovery as Internet outlets.” He cites music discovery as being important because, “Music is important.”

What Are You Waiting For?

Bridge Ratings spoke with 242 GMs at the top 150 radio markets to find out what might be preventing them from transitioning or transitioning faster toward a digital future. Budget was the most popular response (92%). Another concern was “having the know-how or specially trained personnel dedicated to digital efforts (91%).” However, considering the stacks of research which prove the growing importance of a coordinated digital strategy, should these answers be viewed as justifiable roadblocks, or merely excuses for poor implementation?

Country Radio Broadcasters, which will host its annual CRS country radio event again on March 2-4, 2011 recently held a One-on-One event devoted to New Media marketing opportunities. It’s encouraging that CRB is using its leadership role to focus on the future. According to its new website, CRB’s event is “an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas in the Country music industry.” One can only hope that included in the CRS 2011 Agenda will be ample time devoted to understanding the challenge of Internet radio, social networking and discussion of various strategies for leveraging your brand and staying competitive in this about-to-explode new marketplace.

According to CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne, “The 2011 agenda is taking shape, but not yet complete.” Mayne insists however, that social networking and Internet Radio are on the Agenda Committee’s radar. That’s great news, because country radio’s support for the country music industry remains critical and the record industry has a vested interest in its continued health. But just like Gulf Coast store front owners who board the windows when a hurricane approaches, country radio had best begin facing tomorrow head on, lest the future sweep it off its feet.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/30/10)

I don’t really have a Song of the Day category, but maybe I should.

Dave Gibson’s “King Me,” Donna Beasley’s “Under the Rushes” and Flynnville Train’s “Preachin’ to the Choir” are all excellent examples of song craftsmanship. So is “You Take Yourself with You,” which wins Bo Bice his first Disc of the Day award.

There’s a youngster down in Texas named Nick Verzosa who has an EP called The Smoking Gun. It contains a fine little single titled “Back When Love Was Easy” which earns him our DisCovery Award. Call the always delightful Gerrie McDowell for more info.

BRAD HINES/Please Don’t Push Me Down
Writer: Brad Hines; Producer: Walt Wilkins & Greg White; Publisher: Brad Hines, ASCAP; Blue Boot (www.bradhinesmusic.com)
—The track is okay, but his singing is somewhat colorless, and the song is as dull as dirt.

JIMMIE VANZANT/Too Much Town, Not Enough Ground
Writer: Charlie Craig/Mel Besher ; Producer: Charlie Craig; Publisher: Sock and Roll/Songmachine/Callie Cat, BMI; EPS (CDX) (www.jimmievanzant.net)
—Solidly country, with plenty of twang, drawl and more than a little “outlaw.” Very cool sounding. Jimmie is the cousin of Ronnie, Johnny and Donnie, famed for their work in Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special. (As “Van Zant” Johnny and Donnie have also sung country music.)

STEVEN L. SMITH/I Stole The Bible
Writer: Steven L. Smith; Producer: Steven L. Smith; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Vinyl (track) (www.slsmith.info)
—Bellowing and blustery, with a southern-rock vibe.

DAVE GIBSON/King Me
Writer: Dave Gibson/Craig Monday; Producer: Dave Gibson; Publisher: Savannah’s House/Songs of Bud Dog/Music of Windswept Pacific, BMI/ASCAP; Savannah (www.savannahmusicgroup.com)
—I love a good story song, and this one is a dandy. He sits down to play checkers with an old man, and they share yarns, lies and truths. Sung with heart, produced with taste and written with class.

PHILIP DAIN POWELL/Save Me A Place At The Table
Writer: Philip Dain Powell/Keith Lambert/Corky Holbrook/Barton Stevens/Josh Kitchen/Traci Ann Stanley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Billy Ray Crittendon/Circle of Life/Gregory K. Swint/Sixteen Stars/Chuck Jones/Music of Three, BMI; PDP (www.pdpmusic.biz)
—There’s just a little too much vibrato in this vocal. But it does add emotional impact to the lyric about dying.

BO BICE/You Take Yourself With You
Writer: Bo Bice/D. Scott Miller; Producer: Bo Bice & D. Scott Miller; Publisher: Sugarmoney, BMI; Saguaro Road (track) (www.bobice.com)
—He competed as a rocker on American Idol, but this Nashvillian’s new single will fit any country playlist like a glove. The soaring, highly melodic choruses and advice-from-daddy lyric are both just terrific. Bo rules on this majestic outing.

NICK VERZOSA/Back When Love Was Easy
Writer: N. Verzosa; Producer: Walt Wilkins; Publisher: Tiyaga, BMI; Indie Extreme/Fontana (track) (www.nickverzosa.com)
—Highly listenable and loaded with hooks. The tempo chugs right along, guitars punctuate his phrasing and the production is crystal clear.

FLYNNVILLE TRAIN/Preachin’ To The Choir
Writer: Justin Wilson/Adam Wheeler; Producer: David Barrick & Flynnville Train; Publisher: Music of Stage Three/Noble Vision, BMI/ASCAP; Next Evolution (track) (www.flynnvilletrain.com)
—It is a rousing, working-man’s anthem about how messed up everything is. Well penned and performed. The soul-sister gospel harmonies are a plus.

PATTY LOVELESS/Drive
Writer: Patty Loveless/Emory Gordy Jr.; Producer: Emory Gordy Jr.; Publisher: Clay Root/Jahazah, BMI; Jahazah (CDX) (615-478-0391)
—The song is accompanied by a public service announcement about the lung condition COPD (which Patty’s sister Dottie died of), so the lyric about “breathe deep and drive” is extra special. Emory’s snappy, punchy, rocking production is perfect, and Patty’s fiery vocal is, as usual, a country lover’s delight.

DONNA BEASLEY/Under The Rushes
Writer: Donna Beasley; Producer: Tom Spaulding & Donna Beasley; Publisher: Bless Her Heart, ASCAP; Strange Magic (track) (www.donnabeasley.com)
—Ms. Beasley’s CD has a cast that’s a who’s-who of the Music City alt-country scene, including Chuck Mead, Elizabeth Cook, Kenny Vaughan, Tim Carroll and Bob Britt. On its title tune, her languid vocal spins a tale of small-town romance, pregnancy and betrayal. Highly recommended.

Weekly Chart Report 6/25/10

SPIN ZONE
Hats off to Little Big Town, whose “Little White Church” has earned the Capitol quartet its first CountryBreakout™ No. 1 since 2006’s “Bring It On Home.” LBT labelmate Keith Urban is just a few paces behind them with “I’m In,” however, and looks poised to nab the top spot in the near future. Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” also makes a big leap from 9-6, and should move even higher as some of the old top 5 records start to fall out.

Capitol Records also has the two greatest spin gains in this chart cycle. Lady Antebellum’s “Our Kind Of Love” has soared all the way to No. 14 in a short five weeks and again picks up the biggest gain of 366 spins. Eric Church’s “Smoke A Little Smoke” is a close second in spins gained (at 365) as it moves 63-47 in its second week charting.

The highest debut goes to Matthew Huff, who makes his first appearance at No. 69 with “Back Again.” Others debuting include Greg Hanna’s “What Kind Of Love Are You On” (No. 70), Blaine Larsen’s “Chillin’” (No. 72), Steel Magnolia’s “Just By Being You” (No. 73), Jewel’s “Satisfied” (No. 74) and Sunny Sweeney’s “From A Table Away” (No. 75).

Frozen Playlists: KFLG, WDHR, KJAM, KMKS, KNCQ, KTHK, KUUB, KWEY, KYYK, WAXX, WKWS, WOWF

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label/chart pos.
Matthew Huff/Back Again/MGH Records    69
Greg Hanna/What Kind of Love Are You On?     70
Blaine Larsen/Chillin’/Treehouse    72
Steel Magnolia/Just By Being You/Big Machine    73
Jewel/Satisfied/Valory Music    74
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville    75

Lucky Seven Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label/spin+
Lady Antebellum/Our Kind Of Love/Capitol    366
Eric Church/Smoke A Little Smoke/Capitol    365
Billy Currington/Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer/Mercury    296
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal    254
Justin Moore/How I Got To Be This Way/Valory Music    250
The Band Perry/If I Die Young/Republic Nashville    220
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol    213

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label/spins
Leah Seawright/Country Girl 101/Skytone Records    250
Nathan Lee Jackson/Inside     236
Susan Hickman/Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over/4L Clover/Prickly Pear    234
Frankie Ballard/Tell Me You Get Lonely/Reprise/WMN    227
The Springs/Summer All Year Long/CFC    224
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol    213
Randy Rogers Band/Too Late For Goodbye/MCA    209
Chelsea Field/Things I Should Have Said/Moxy Records    204
James Wesley/Real/Broken Bow    200
Darren Kozelsky/Somebody Find Me a Preacher/Major 7th/Spinville    183

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label/new adds
Eric Church/Smoke A Little Smoke/Capitol    22
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol    22
Miranda Lambert/Only Prettier/Columbia    19
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville    16
Steel Magnolia/Just By Being You/Big Machine    15
Cody McCarver/I’m America/PLC Records    15
The Roys/Beautiful/Pedestal    13
*Total Adds rec’d over two weeks


Upcoming Singles: Going For Adds
June 28, 2010
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville
Danny Gokey/I Will Not Say Goodbye/19/RCA
Darryl Worley/Keep The Change/Stroudavarious
John Rich/Country Done Come To Town/Reprise/WAR
Toby Keith/Trailerhood/Show Dog – Universal

July 6, 2010
The Warren Brothers/Dear Mr. God/CO5
Sherry Lynn/What A Day To Shake A Heartache/Steal Heart
Blake Wise/Cornfields/Broken Bow
Darius Rucker/Come Back Song/Capitol

July 12, 2010

Stealing Angels/He Better Be Dead/Skyville/Nine North
Thompson Square/Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not/Stoney Creek
George Strait/The Breath You Take/MCA

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/24/10)

I just love discovering new music, don’t you?

For me, it’s a very, very good week when there are four solid contenders for a DisCovery Award. Michael Sarver, Savannah Jack, Rosehill and No Justice all have debut singles that deserve the honor. But only one of them has the brilliant Radney Foster sitting in the producer’s chair. That would be Rosehill. Salutations, brothers!

All four of those records are also good enough to be contenders for Disc of the Day. So is the inspirational item from Ty Herndon. If you’re into bluegrass, it doesn’t get much better than The Grascals. And Mandy Barnett, as usual, is a delight.

But at the end of the day, Darius Rucker could not be denied. “Come Back Song” is as cool as the breeze.

RAY STEPHENSON/Farmboy
Writer: Ray Stephenson/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Ray Stephenson & Bill McDermott; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Love Monkey, ASCAP/BMI; TWANG Town (www.raystephenson.com)
—His voice won’t blow you away. In fact, he’s barely adequate in the singing department. But there’s an easy-going jauntiness about this hick ditty.

DARIUS RUCKER/Come Back Song
Writer: Darius Rucker/Chris Stapleton/Casey Beathard; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: Cadaja Music/House of Sea Gayle Music/New Son of a Miner Songs /Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/ Six Ring Circus Songs; Capitol Nashville
—Insanely catchy and kind of like a Hootie tune. It seems to me that his singing becomes more and more relaxed and less mannered the deeper he wades into the country idiom. Whatever the case, this is his strongest Nashville single to date.

TY HERNDON/Journey On
Writer: Caleb Collins/Ty Herndon; Producer: Ty Herndon & Wayne Haun; Publisher: Sunset Gallery/Journey On, no performance rights listed; Funl (track)
—Ty’s latest is a gospel outing, and this is its title tune and 2010 single. As always, he sings with immense expression and range. Blessed with a soaring melody and a gorgeous arrangement, this is truly inspirational sounding.

ROSEHILL/White Line And Stars
Writer: Jay Clementi/George Ducas/Blake Myers; Producer: Radney Foster & Jay Clementi; Publisher: Myers McBain/WB/Mountain Morning, BMI/ASCAP; Cypress Creek (track) (www.rosehill-live.com)
—Rosehill is a new male duo consisting of Blake Myers and Mitch McBain, but judging from the superb sound of this, the team already has its act together. The sweeping, rolling production lifts their pitch-perfect harmonies aloft and carries the delicious melody skyward. Essential listening.

NO JUSTICE/Love Song
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dex Green; Publisher: none listed; Carved (track) (www.nojustice.com)
—This band is evidently a big deal down in Texas and Oklahoma. The sound here is big, beefy and rocking, with a soulfully raspy lead vocal. A hillbilly ZZ Top?

SAVANNAH JACK/I Know
Writer: Don Gatlin/Rob Crosby/Billy Montana; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Singing Honey Tree/Ann Wilson/ICG/Mike Curb/House of Moraine, ASCAP/BMI; McMurry (www.savannahjack.com)
—They harmonize splendidly. The electric guitar accompaniment is somewhat loud and overdone. But every time they swung into those trio choruses, I got hooked all over again.

DOUG ADKINS/Why Not
Writer: Doug Adkins; Producer: Brent Mason; Publisher: Lyric Mountain, BMI; Lyric Mountain (track) (www.dougadkins.com)
—Talk about “country,” this is one big, fat slab of honky-tonk music. He drawls like a true “old school” baritone. The steel and twang guitarists have a field day. And any song that starts with, “Why not one more drink?” has got to have grit. A roadhouse roar.

MANDY BARNETT/Walking After Midnight
Writer: Don Hecht/Alan Block; Producer: Larry Klein; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff Rose, no performance rights listed; Favored Nations (track) (www.crazy-themovie.com)
—Next Tuesday sees the release of the DVD and CD soundtrack to the indie film Crazy: The Hank Garland Story. Garland was the greatest of all the early Nashville guitar pickers, and he is portrayed brilliantly in the flick by Sammi Smith’s son Waylon Payne. The plot takes quite a few liberties with the historical facts, but the music holds up brilliantly, with country classics revived by Shawn Colvin, former dance-pop hitmaker Stacy Earl, jazz chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux and more. Ms. Barnett is completely captivating on her version of this Patsy Cline standard.

MICHAEL SARVER/Ferris Wheel
Writer: Thibodeau/Kyle Jacobs/Charles Kelley; Producer: Michael Sarver & Rachel Thibodeau; Publisher: none listed; Dream/Fontana (track) (www.michaelsarversite.com)
—Sarver was a contestant on American Idol’s Season 8 in 2009. His feathery tenor is perfect for this dizzy, swirling tune about being giddy in love. The little falsetto notes he tosses in are charming. Promising as all get out.

THE GRASCALS/Last Train To Clarksville
Writer: Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart; Producer: The Grascals; Publisher: Screen Gems EMI, BMI; Rounder (track) (www.grascals.com)
—It will come as no surprise to most of you that this Monkees oldie works splendidly as a country tune. In fact, Ed Bruce put out as a single back in 1967. Now the song is a bluegrass single, complete with banjo, mandolin and fiddle solos. I hear that the band is working on a video of it this week. Enjoy.

WDHR’s Randy Jones Passes Away

Pictured (L-R): Randy Jones, promoter Regina Raleigh, promoter Christina Bear, and KMGO's Russ Ocker

MusicRow is saddened to report that Randy Jones, PD of East Kentucky Broadcasting’s WDHR/Pikeville, KY passed away at his home yesterday (6/20). He was 59 years old. A beloved local radio fixture, Jones was the longtime announcer for Pikeville High School basketball and football games and the voice of WDHR radio. He was born in Pike County, Kentucky, and graduated from Pikeville High School and the Emory Riddle Pilot School. Along with his parents, Jones was preceded in death by one son, Randall Corey Jones, and one brother, John Paul Jones. He is survived by his wife Paulette, son Austin and brother David.

Visitation will be held at 6 pm at the J.W. Call Funeral Home Chapel in Pikeville on Tuesday (6/22), with Masonic services at 7 pm. Funeral services will take place at 1 pm on Wednesday (6/23) at the J.W. Call Funeral Home Chapel and burial will follow at the Annie E. Young Cemetery in Shelbiana, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Randy’s memory to Hillbilly Christmas in July, PO Box 4333, Pikeville, Ky. 41502 or the Randy and Corey Jones Scholarship Fund, c/o Pikeville High School, 148 2nd St., Pikeville, KY 41501.

Weekly Chart Report 6/18/10

This week’s Top Ten is a veritable land of opportunity as all titles either moved up or held their ground. Newcomers to the exalted region include Zac Brown Band’s “Free” moving from No. 13 to 10 and Keith Urban’s “I’m In” ricocheting from No. 11 to 6.

Is the Breakout chart speeding up? Telling is the “Weeks On” chart data. All Top 10s are showing 21 weeks or less, with the average a trim 14 weeks! Whew, that’s getting civilized for both artists, labels and listeners. For example, if a song peaks in 17 weeks and the next track is released, an artist could almost enjoy three hits in one year. That means that newer artists like Jerrod Niemann for example, after two years would have about 6 hits to play live enough to form the basis of a live show. When charts move slower, as the mainstream country radio lists often do, it means an artist needs 3 or even 4 years to build the same songbook.

Jerrod Neimann

Eric Church is the highest ranking new arrival on our chart this week. His song “Smoke A Little Smoke” ratchets to No.63. Another Capitol signing, Lady Antebellum continues to radiate mass appeal. The trio’s latest, “Our Kind Of Love,” surged from No. 28 to 20 this week with a gain of 381 spins. The trio would have grabbed the Highest Spin Gain Award, too, but for Toby Keith who earned 383 spins for his new chart busting “Trailerhood” single that moved from No. 75 to 52. Keith is also on the Forbeschart of Top Earning Country Stars showing recent annual earnings of $48 million. Hopefully, Lady A may graduate to that list as well.

Frozen This Week (13): KYYK, KTHK, KZZY, WQNZ, WMEV, KFLG, WJMQ, WBKR, Sirius XM, KUUB, KWOX, KNCQ, WHWK

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label/chart pos.
Chely WrightBrokenVangaurd/Painted Red    74
Cody McCarver/I’m America/E1 Records/PLC Records    73
Will Peppers/I Hope Heaven Has A Dirt Road    72
The Roys/Beautiful/Pedestal    71
Mark Wayne Glasmire/You Opened My Eyes/Traceway    70
Eric ChurchSmoke A Little SmokeCapitol    63

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label    spins
Matthew Huff/Back Again/MGH Records    235
Leah Seawright/Country Girl 101/Skytone Records    210
Susan Hickman/Hell Still Ain’t Frozen Over/4L Clover/Prickly Pear    207
Nathan Lee /Jackson/Inside     206

Lucky Seven Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label    spin+
Toby Keith/Every Dog Has Its Day/Show Dog – Universal    383
Lady Antebellum/Our Kind Of Love/Capitol    381
Justin Moore/How I Got To Be This Way/Valory Music    268
Keith Urban/I’m In/Capitol    262

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label    new adds
Our Kind Of Love – Lady Antebellum    26
Trailerhood – Toby Keith    20
How I Got To Be This Way – Justin Moore    14
Beautiful – The Roys    14
If I Die Young – The Band Perry    14
Keep The Change – Darryl Worley    13
Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer – Billy Currington    12
Smoke A Little Smoke – Eric Church    12

Going For Adds

June 14, 2010
Randy Rogers Band/Too Late For Goodbye/MCA
LeAnn Rimes/Swingin/Curb

June 21, 2010
Bo Bice/You Take Yourself With You/Saguaro Road
Steel Magnolia/Just By Being You (Halo And Wings)/Big Machine
Blackberry Smoke/Good One Comin’ On/BamaJam
Julianne Hough/Is That So Wrong/Mercury
Katie Armiger/Leaving Home/Cold River
Veronica Ballestrini/Don’t Say/Timbob Records
Eric Church/Smoke A Little Smoke/Capitol

June 28, 2010
Sunny Sweeney/From A Table Away/Republic Nashville
Danny Gokey/I Will Not Say Goodbye/19/RCA
Darryl Worley/Keep The Change/Stroudavarious
John Rich/Country Done Come To Town/Warner Bros.