No. 1 Party: 'Hometown' Throwdown

/by

BMI hosted a celebration honoring Eric Church's most recent #1 hit single "Give Me Back My Hometown" amongst music industry VIPs at their Nashville office yesterday afternoon. Co-written by Church and Luke Laird, "Give Me Back My Hometown" is from Church's critically acclaimed fourth studio album, The Outsiders, which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts. The song is the fifteenth #1 hit for BMI's 2012 Songwriter of the Year Luke Laird, and the third #1 for Eric Church. Pictured (l-r): BMI's Bradley Collins, Q Prime's John Peets, Songs of Universal's Kent Earls, Creative Nation's Beth Laird, Luke Laird, Eric Church, Longer and Louder Music's Arturo Buenahora, BMI's Jody Williams, Sony / ATV Tree Publishing's Troy Tomlinson, Universal Music Group's Mike Dungan. Photo credit: Ed Rode

BMI hosted a celebration honoring Eric Church’s most recent No. 1 single “Give Me Back My Hometown,” co-written by Church and Luke Laird. Pictured (l-r): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Q Prime’s John Peets, Songs of Universal’s Kent Earls, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, Luke Laird, Eric Church, Longer and Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora, BMI’s Jody Williams, Sony/ATV Tree Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan. Photo: Ed Rode


When Luke Laird and Eric Church wrote the lyric “my friends try to cheer me up, get together at the Pizza Hut,” in “Give Me Back My Hometown,” they weren’t just trying to connect with listeners in Everytown, USA (although they did that too). Turns out Pizza Hut is one of Laird’s favorite places. His grandmother used to take him there when he returned home to Pennsylvania. So at yesterday’s (July 1) No. 1 party for “…Hometown” Laird’s wife and Creative Nation partner, Beth, handed out Pizza Hut gift cards to the team behind the song’s success, so they could celebrate “Luke Laird style.”
This was the first of many tributes to Laird’s and Church’s homegrown authenticity during the event in BMI’s lobby.
Thinking outside the (pizza) box, Beth also presented the writers with unique, handcrafted wooden plaques, carved in the shape of their respective homestates.
“…Hometown” marks Creative Nation’s third No. 1 and Luke Laird’s fifteenth. In between writing smash hits, he is also producing Native Run, Thomas Rhett and Kacey Musgraves’ next album.
Among those on hand to toast the songwriters were UMPG’s Kent Earls, who said, “Eric’s artistry never waivers.”
UMGN’s Mike Dungan saluted Church’s unconventionality. “When you boil it down, Eric is a songwriter,” he said. “A damn good songwriter.” Indeed, it Church’s third No. 1.
Also giving tributes were Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, and Little Louder Music’s Arturo Buenahora. This is the first No. 1 for Little Louder, the company founded by Buenahora, and Church, who celebrated “Eric Church style,” by wearing his sunglasses.

Limardi To Leave WSM-AM

/by

Joe Limardi

Joe Limardi


By: Laura Hostelley
Joe Limardi of WSM-AM/Nashville is set to leave the station where he has served as Program Director/mid-days for seven years. He will begin a new gig in New York state as Operations Manager for the Hudson Valley Townsquare Media cluster, as well as Program Director for its WPDH rock station on July 21.
“WSM has been a lesson in radio, Country music and the workings of Nashville that I will always hold with great respect and gratitude,” said Limardi. “It was time for me to start thinking about rejoining my family in New England and when this incredible opportunity came up to work with a passionate and talented group of people again the thinking about it became do something about it.”
Limardi’s prior stops have included PD of WCZX, which is also a part of Townsquare.

Industry Ink (7/1/14)

/by

Tom Starr

Tom Starr


Tom Starr has joined Warner Music Group Nashville’s WAR promotions team as Manager of Southeast Promotion. He replaces Tom Martens, who was promoted to National Promotion manager last month.
Starr has previously worked in promotions at Interscope (with Martens), EMI/Capitol, Jive, MCA and Elektra Records. He lives in St. Louis, and will continue working from his home office in St. Louis for the time being.
Starr can be reached at [email protected].
• • • •
Screen shot 2014-07-01 at 3.37.39 PM1Registration for the 28th annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament will be open Monday, July 7. The tournament will be held Aug. 18 at Old Natchez Country Club in Nashville, and will benefit the United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee.
An email containing registration information will be sent out on Monday, July 7. A registration party will be held on Thursday, July 17 at Losers (1911 Division Street), where participants can register for the tournament and enjoy drink specials from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
 
• • • •
SESAC’s Music Row headquarters served as the setting for a reception for Razor & Tie Publishing. The event drew several SESAC affiliates and music industry executives all taking in the casual gathering on a warm summer night.
Pictured (L-R): Razor & Tie’s Sharon Tapper, SESAC’s John Mullins and Razor & Tie’s Craig Balsam and Lisa Johnson. Photo: Terry Wyatt

Pictured (L-R): Razor & Tie’s Sharon Tapper, SESAC’s John Mullins and Razor & Tie’s Craig Balsam and Lisa Johnson. Photo: Terry Wyatt

CRB Announces Board and Officer Members for 2014-2015

/by

Charlie Morgan

Charlie Morgan


Charlie Morgan, Sr. VP and Market Manager for Emmis Communications/Indianapolis, has been re-elected as President of the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. for the 2014-2015 term. Additionally returning as officers are R.J. Curtis (All Access Music Group) as Vice President, Carole Bowen (WKIS-FM) as Secretary and Jeff Walker (The AristoMedia Group) as Treasurer.
“After one year as President of this organization, I am even more amazed than ever at the dedication and effort from the staff, board and agenda committee to insure that CRS is always innovating and improving,” Charlie Morgan said regarding his term extension. “We have many of Country music’s most engaged leaders on our board and the amount of time, talent and resources they so generously commit is remarkable. It is a privilege to serve again this year as President alongside such a talented and passionate group.”
Andy Denemark (United Stations) and Scott Huskey (Rusty Walker Programming) have been added to the board.
Chuck Aly (Country Aircheck), Carole Bowen (WKIS-FM), Beverlee Brannigan (Journal Broadcast Group), Johnny Chiang (KKBQ-FM), R.J. Curtis (All Access), Clay Hunnicutt (Clear Channel), Nick Martin (Big River Broadcasting), Gary Overton (Sony Music Nashville), Royce Risser (UMG Nashville), Tim Roberts (WYCD-FM) and Jeff Walker (The AristoMedia Group) have all been re-appointed to the board.
Board members with continued terms include: Tom Baldrica (Show Dog – Universal), Becky Brenner (Albright, O’Malley & Brenner), John Crenshaw (Cumulus), Mike Culotta, Mike Dungan (UMG Nashville), John Esposito (Warner Music Nashville), Dan Halyburton (Falls Media Group), Jeff Kapugi (WUSN-FM), Keith Kaufman (Center Stage Tour Promotions), Jon Loba (Broken Bow Records), Mike McVay (Cumulus Media), Charlie Morgan (Emmis Communications/Indianapolis), Joel Raab (Country Radio Consultants), Denise Roberts (Streamsound Records), Annie Sandor (Curb), John Shomby (Max Media of Hampton Roads) and John Zarling (Big Machine Label Group).
Charlie Monk continues as a Lifelong Director.

Steve Shaw Named President of Westwood One

/by

westwood oneSteve Shaw has been promoted to President of Westwood One. His role as head of national spot sales for Cumulus owned-and-operated stations will now include all national and digital sales for Westwood One.
He will oversee Westwood One Networks, Westwood One Sports, and Westwood One Digital, including Rdio and Cumulus National Sales, which will be renamed Westwood One Media Group.
“Steve will drive the integration of our large stable of national media assets and advertising products under the Westwood One brand,” says CEO Lew Dickey. “His track record of success in both broadcast radio and digital media will be instrumental as Cumulus and Westwood One combine to provide a compelling new set of ad packages designed to meet the rapidly evolving needs of our advertisers.”
Shaw previously served as President of Katz Radio Group, and President of Cox Digital Solutions.

SoundExchange Pays Artists, Labels $162.4 Million

/by

soundexchangeAccording to figures released yesterday (June 19) from SoundExchange‘s first Digital Radio Report, SoundExchange paid $162.4 million in royalties to artists and record labels in the first quarter of 2014. This marks SoundExchange’s largest Q1 payment to artists and labels to date, and a 38 percent increase from Q1 2013 to Q1 2014.
Other statistics shared within the Digital Radio report include:

  • The U.S. recorded music industry earned a total revenue of $7 billion in 2013.
  • SoundExchange accounts for 8.4 percent of the U.S. recorded music revenue, as well as 41.3 percent of total U.S. music streaming revenue in 2013.
  • Twenty-eight percent of music revenues in 2013 came from streaming.
  • SoundExchange claims 2,500 digital radio providers now use the statutory license that SoundExchange administers, up from 2,200 in 2012.

The Digital Radio Report will share payments statistics, as well as a quarterly state of digital radio streaming for artists and labels.

Weekly Chart Report (6/20/14)

/by

Screen Shot 2014-06-20 at 9.08.52 AMClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report

RobbyJohnson-ProgrammerPlaylist.JPG
VeronicaBallestrini-Programmer Playlist.jpg
KaylaAdams-PP.jpg

Edison Study: AM/FM Comprises 52 Percent of All Listening Sources

/by

share of ear111

Edison Research‘s new “Share of Ear” study has found that Americans spend an average of four hours and five minutes per day listening to various audio sources. More than 52 percent of that time goes to broadcast radio on all its various platforms. New sources of audio, such as Pandora and Spotify, Satellite Radio and television music channels including Music Choice account for nearly a quarter of all listening.  A listener’s personal music collection receives more than 20 percent “share of ear.”

The results come from a representative sample of 2,096 Americans, age 13 and older, who completed a 24-hour audio listening diary during May 2014.
The study provides the first consistent measurement of all audio consumption, including AM/FM radio stations, online radio stations, podcasts and listeners’ own music collections. The Edison Research “Share of Ear” study allowed users to consider audio usage across various parameters, including location of listening, the devices on which audio is consumed, listening by time of day, audio content type (music, news, sports, or talk) and also across individual brands within the online radio space.
“Edison’s Share of Ear study is a response to the many requests from all corners of the audio industry and investment community for ‘total share of everything’ figures that did not previously exist,” says Edison President Larry Rosin. “Edison reported last September that America is in a ‘golden age of audio consumption.’ Seeing that Americans spend roughly a fourth of their waking day listening to some sort of audio confirms it.”

CCM+E, Bobby Bones Ink Long-Term Deal

/by

Bobby Bones

Bobby Bones


Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has announced an exclusive long-term agreement with Country radio personality Bobby Bones to renew and expand his relationship with the company.
Under the agreement, Bones will continue in his current role as host of The Bobby Bones Show, which originates from WSIX in Nashville and is nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks. Bones will also continue hosting his weekend programs Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones, as well as Fox Sports Radio’s Bobby Bones.
Bones will also continue to work with CCM+E on a variety of joint ventures including multimedia projects and events, as well as the expansion of his top-rated radio programs.
“In just over a year Bobby and his morning show crew have proven they have a remarkable talent for entertaining and engaging the Country music community, while driving results for our partners,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel. “We’re committed to providing the best and most relevant programming to diverse audiences across America, and The Bobby Bones Show connects with listeners across multiple platforms. Bobby is an incredible talent and we look forward to collaborating on many exciting projects to come.”
“The past year with Clear Channel and Premiere has been a tremendous ride,” said Bobby Bones. “I started dreaming about a career in radio when I was about five years old — if I’d known it was going to work out this well, I’d have started earlier. The whole crew on The Bobby Bones Show is grateful for the support we’ve received from Bob Pittman, Rich Bressler, Darren Davis, Julie Talbott, Jennifer Leimgruber, Rod Phillips and Clay Hunnicutt. We look forward to keeping it real with our audience as we grow.”
The new long-term partnership between Bobby Bones, CCM+E and Premiere Networks was overseen by Paul B. Anderson, Principal & CEO of Workhouse Media. “Bobby has the kind of personality that connects with a large national audience while keeping his connection to listeners genuine and personal, every day,” said Anderson.

Big Machine, Cumulus Name NASH Icons GM

/by

Jim Weatherson

Jim Weatherson. Photo: Big Machine Label Group


Big Machine Label Group and Cumulus have announced that Jim Weatherson will serve as General Manager of their Nash Icons record label and live events joint venture, effective immediately.
Weatherson is a 35-year industry vet who most recently led the Nashville office of 19 Entertainment, owner of the American Idol franchise, and previously led projects for Taylor Swift in a management role at 13 Management.
During his tenure at Walt Disney Records, Weatherson was General Manger with worldwide responsibilities that resulted in record-breaking projects including Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Cars and Tron. These projects featured music from Miley Cyrus, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Daft Punk and many others.
Nash Icons will showcase Nashville’s most iconic talent from the last 25 years. In addition to the partnership with Big Machine, Cumulus will introduce Nash Icons branding on some owned-and-operated radio stations and syndicate Nash Icons content to affiliate stations through WestwoodOne.
“I have known Scott Borchetta for nearly 25 years and I am honestly thrilled and honored to finally get to work directly with him and his team as well as Cumulus on this groundbreaking concept,” said Weatherson.
“Jim Weatherson is the perfect executive to lead the charge for Nash Icons. We have a longstanding relationship of working together on some of the biggest Country artists and album releases in history. To land him and have his 100% focus on Icons will only lead to one thing: success,” said Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta.
“Jim’s experience and the respect he’s earned in the music business will enable Nash Icons to quickly become a leader in recording and live events for the Country stars we hold in such high regard,” said John Dickey, Executive Vice President and co-COO of Cumulus.
Nash Icons is based at the Nash Campus in Nashville, which includes studios for TV and radio programming, event space, and a print newsroom.