An increasing number of artists are sharing their new music with select partners first. R&B/pop star Rihanna will showcase her much-anticipated new material exclusively to Nokia mobile phone users, in the latest such agreement. Nokia owners will get to hear the songs more than a week before the album, Rated R, streets on Nov. 23.

Through a partnership between Nokia, Island Def Jam Music Group, and Universal Music Group International, she will perform the new tracks in a secret London location for a globally streamed concert on Nov. 16.  There will be simultaneous listening parties in multiple locations worldwide, and bloggers at the event will record, broadcast and share elements of the concert with fans via social networking.

The event coincides with the release of Nokia’s new X6 entertainment device. The mobile phone company is also offering exclusive Rihanna content to its Comes With Music customers, such as an exclusive version of Rated R with a bonus track, remix and more. Nokia will also make available an exclusive Rihanna application, exclusive footage, and the track, “Wait Your Turn” from the album before its release.

A temporary Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® will be open from Nov. 7-12, at 1st & Broadway in downtown Nashville in conjunction with the CMA Awards. The retail shop won’t have a restaurant, but it will have an appearance by Alan Jackson. The superstar just released a new collection of signature merchandise exclusively via Cracker Barrel.

He will appear at the store to sign autographs on Tues., Nov. 10 from 9 to 11 AM. Starting at 6:00 AM, fans who purchase an item from The Alan Jackson Collection will be able to get numbered tickets for a place in the autograph line. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition to Jackson merchandise and his exclusive new CD, Songs of Love and Heartache, other titles in Cracker Barrel’s exclusive music program are from Zac Brown Band, George Jones, Montgomery Gentry, and Dolly Parton.

For photos from The Alan Jackson Collection’s items, click here.

Country consumers are feeling the effects of the economic downturn and have reduced spending in the last year, according to a new survey commissioned by the Country Music Association, called the CMA Prime Prospect Study.

Data indicates that the most devoted fans, called CountryPhiles and MusicPhiles, are less likely to monetize their support for the genre than they would have been a year ago. As a result, they are interested in free activities, such as no-cost downloads of Country Music.

Not surprisingly, the findings show a significant reduction of discretionary income spending on luxury items, travel, dining out, and electronics. Meanwhile, expenditures stayed steady on cell phones, gas, Internet access, and other areas considered essential.

On the upside, most surveyed said they expect their situations to improve, or at least not grow worse, over the next 12 months
. And the size of the total Country fan base (adults 18-54) grew slightly from 39.7 in 2008 to 40.9 million in 2009.

The 2008 Country Music Consumer Segmentation Study lists four groups of “Prime Prospects”: CountryPhiles—passionate fans of Country Music
MusicPhiles—dedicated fans of Country as well as other genres
Today’s Traditional—prospective CountryPhiles who haven’t yet monetized their commitment significantly
Pop Country—prospective MusicPhiles whose Country tastes lean toward the pop side

Internet Use By Country Fans: Most Country fans go online occasionally, though not always at home, making YouTube, iTunes, and radio station sites important mass-marketing networks. About two out of five Prime Prospects with online access search for Country Music-related content each month; usually for Country news, song lyrics and product purchases. One in five go online weekly, usually looking for videos, streaming radio, and music samples.

There are still opportunities to generate revenue in changing and challenging times. Album compilations can be created for CountryPhiles, Pop Country fans, and other groups. Simple downloads can stimulate novice fans to purchase more easily and frequently online.

After the CMA Awards take place on Nov. 11, the CMA will begin another round of research. The new study will track any changes from the original 2008 Consumer Segmentation Study. The results will be presented at CRS 41, on Thurs., Feb. 25 (11:00 AM/CT).

Much more in-depth survey information is available for members on the Web site, My.CMAworld.com.

Figure 1

Google’s new music search plan makes finding and listening to music a breeze. To test the new system that is a partnership with MySpace and Lala for streaming, plus includes links to services such as Rhapsody, Pandora and imeem, I searched for “Need You Now,” a current hit from Lady Antebellum, and Billy Currington’s “People Are Crazy.”

Figure 2

“Need You…” appeared at the top of the search list (see figure 1). Clicking on the play button opens a small player (see figure 2). Active links to the song on partner sites are also shown. The system still has a few bugs, since when I clicked on the Rhapsody link looking for “Need You Now,” instead I was taken to a song of the same name performed by Ned Evett.

Regardless, as the system gets refined, it will make finding (and buying) music very simple for consumers, regardless of their technology expertise. This new system is also a win for the partners who get introduced to consumers and can quickly become familiar.

The best way to understand exactly what it does is to try it. Enter a song title, artist’s name, album title or actual song lyrics and see where it leads you.