[Updated] Weekly Register: Alan Jackson, Jason Isbell Vie For Top Spot

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alan jackson angels and alcohol album 2015

Country stalwart Alan Jackson and indie darling Jason Isbell released albums this week and both staked claim as the week’s best-selling country project. How is that possible?

After Nielsen Soundscan discovered an error in independent record store sales reporting yesterday (July 27), it re-ran the chart numbers. This resulted in Isbell debuting with 46K on the country albums chart (which measures sales only), slightly ahead of Jackson with 45K. Meanwhile, on the Top 200, which measures total activity (sales, streaming, etc.) Jackson had 48K, nudging out Isbell’s 47K.  

Jackson’s Angels and Alcohol is his first studio album of all new music in three years. The project was produced by his longtime collaborator and friend Keith Stegall. It is the singer’s fourteenth album to debut at No. 1.

Cover_hi_resThirty Tigers helmed the release of Isbell’s Something More Than Free, his fifth album. The project was recorded at the Sound Emporium in Nashville and produced by Dave Cobb. Isbell will vie for Artist of the Year at the 2015 Americana Music Awards. Tickets for his four-night stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Oct. 23-26 sold out in 72 hours.

Average Joes act Moonshine Bandits debuted with 4K, landing at No. 13 country. The duo comprised of Tex and Bird collaborated with Nashville songwriters on the new album including Ira Dean (formerly of Trick Pony). Released on BackRoad Records, the project was produced by Durwood Black and Ty Weathers.

moonshine bandits 2015 blacked out album

Top 5 Country Albums This Week
Jason Isbell 46K
Alan Jackson 45K
Sam Hunt 13K
Zac Brown Band 9.5K
Eric Church 8K

Luke Bryan owns the No. 1 spot on the country tracks chart (No. 15 overall) with “Kick The Dust Up” selling 56K. Meanwhile, his song “Strip It Down” debuts at No. 5 country (No. 25 overall) selling 44K. His next album will be released Aug. 7.

Top 5 Country Tracks This Week
Luke Bryan “Kick The Dust Up” 57K
Little Big Town “Girl Crush” 51K
Sam Hunt “House Party” 45K
Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” 45K
Luke Bryan “Strip It Down” 44K

CMA Continues Promotional Partnership with Music Choice

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CMA music fest tv special 2015The County Music Association is continuing its strategic promotional partnership with Music Choice, the No. 1 free video on demand provider in the U.S.

The partnership includes CMA Music Festival content appearing on Music Choice On Demand, Music Choice Music Channels, the Music Choice app, and MusicChoice.com.

Music Choice will promote CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, which airs Tuesday, Aug. 4 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. On Music Choice Video On Demand, a top-level CMA Music Festival category will be available featuring behind-the-scenes content from this year’s festival as well as music videos from Little Big Town, Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and many more. The Today’s Country Music Channel will also feature a CMA Music Festival takeover leading up to the special from Aug. 1-4. CMA Music Festival artist facts and images will appear across other country channels.

Music Choice will also promote CMA content through 2015 for marquee events including The 49th Annual CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas.

Music Choice is available in 50 million homes nationwide.

Weekly Register: Sam Hunt Still at No. 1

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Sam Hunt surprised over 55,000 Taylor Swift concert-goers at last night’s sold out Soldier Field in Chicago. Before joiningHunt on his Platinum-selling, No. 1 smash hit, “Take Your Time.” Photo: TAS Rights Management

Sam Hunt, who has the No. 1 country album this week, surprised over 55,000 Taylor Swift fans at last night’s (July 19) sold out concert at Soldier Field in Chicago. She joined Hunt on his Platinum-selling, No. 1 “Take Your Time.” Photo: TAS Rights Management

Soundscan is completing its transition to a new measurement period. Due to the change, last week’s Soundscan sales chart was based on an 11-day period. This week’s chart is based on the standard 7-day period. Therefore, last week’s chart was inflated and week-to-week comparisons aren’t apples-to-apples.

The change is due to the official music release day moving from Tuesday to Friday.

There were no notable country debuts this week, so let’s look at the top 5, where Sam Hunt has the No. 1 album, and two tracks in the top 5.

Top 5 Country albums this week
Sam Hunt 13K/643K RTD
Zac Brown Band 11K/445K RTD
Kacey Musgraves 10K RTD/89K RTD
Little Big Town 9K/296K RTD
Eric Church 7K/1 mil RTD

Top 5 Country tracks this week
Little Big Town “Girl Crush” 57K, 1.481M RTD
Luke Bryan “Kick The Dust Up” 51K, 588K RTD
Sam Hunt “House Party” 46K, 451K RTD
Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” 45K, 1.539K RTD
Thomas Rhett “Crash and Burn” 39K, 398K RTD

Tyrese had the top overall debut with total activity of 86K.

Soundscan says there will be adjustments to this week’s report.

Luke Bryan Says Call Me, Call Me With New App

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Luke-Bryan-AppLuke Bryan fans will soon be able to stay up to date with the country star on their phones, thanks to a new app launching with Disciple Media, July 24.

Developed by Disciple Media, the app will offer real-time live streaming, exclusive and custom-made video, audio, and images, fan chats, e-commerce, app-only merchandise, and social media aggregation.

Bryan has 7.7 million Facebook fans and 4.4 million Twitter followers, so the mobile platform is a way for Bryan to stay plugged in to them and offer up unique content and experiences. “I really see it as the perfect opportunity to connect with my fans in a very meaningful and direct way,” said Bryan.

The app will be available for download from iTunes and Google Play for $1.99 a month or $22.99 a year with a first-month free trial. To celebrate the app’s arrival, Bryan is also offering fans a special competition featuring a “money can’t buy it” prize experience for one lucky fan, with details coming soon.

Weekly Register: Musgraves Tops Country Album Chart

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kacey musgraves pageant material slider

Kacey Musgraves is sitting pretty at No. 1 on the country album chart.

Welcome to the Monday edition of Weekly Register. Due to the official music release day moving from Tuesday to Friday, sales data will be available on Mondays going forward.

As part of the change, this week’s chart is based on an 11-day transition week. Then on July 20, the new 7-day Friday to Thursday chart week will be published.

Easton Corbin moved 27K copies of About to Get Real (album only), landing at No. 2 on the country chart. But he couldn’t best UMG Nashville labelmate Kacey Musgraves, who held on to the No. 1 spot, selling 28K TW/83K RTD.

On the tracks chart, Little Big Town is No. 1 Country, with “Girl Crush” continuing to reign with sales of 93K TW/1.4 million RTD.

Looking ahead, several major label artists have albums releases scheduled this summer. See the full schedule.

July 17 Alan Jackson/Angels and Alcohol/EMI Records Nashville

August 7 Luke Bryan/Kill The Lights/Capitol Nashville

August 21 Kip Moore/Wild Ones/MCA Nashville

August 28 Maddie & Tae/Start Here/Dot

September 11 Brett Eldredge/Illinois/Warner Bros.

September 25 Thomas Rhett/Tangled Up/Valory Music Co.

*sales info according to Nielsen Soundscan

Digital Distribution Company ONErpm Opening Nashville Office

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Emmanuel_Zunz

Emmanuel Zunz

ONErpm, a full-service, digital music distributor and YouTube Multi-Channel Network (MCN), is opening a Nashville office headed by CEO & founder Emmanuel Zunz.

The company already has offices in New York, Brazil, and Mexico.

Zunz and VP of Strategy and Development Jarrod Cooper will be based in the new location at 632 Fogg Street.

ONErpm is a digital music distribution and marketing company offering artists and creators a variety of distribution solutions, and direct-to-fan tools, combined with personalized, strategic marketing support.

As one of YouTube’s fastest growing MCNs, ONErpm has 1,300 YouTube channels generating more than 700 million views monthly.

The company works with over 22,000 artists and labels worldwide, ranging from up-and-coming artists to established talent across all genres.

“We are inspired to be in Nashville, a place that truly deserves to be called Music City. It’s amazing to me that everywhere you go you are surrounded by music, songwriters, and musicians—this is where ONErpm feels at home,” said Zunz.

He launched the company in 2010 in Latin America to better serve musicians internationally.

ONErpm invites members of the industry to celebrate with them at Acme Feed & Seed rooftop on Wednesday, July 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. RSVP to [email protected].

Music Videos Could Be Coming To Facebook

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facebookFacebook is in talks with the major labels to begin inserting music videos into Facebook users’ news feeds, according to numerous media outlets.

The New York Times reports, “Facebook has proposed adding a limited number of music videos, all of which would be chosen by the labels, to the feeds…. Facebook would share advertising revenue with the labels according to terms that have not yet been set.”

The article goes on to state that the social network is emphasizing plans to be vigilant in fighting unauthorized content.

Music videos could appear in the news feed with months.

Additionally, Facebook has stated that it has no plans to enter the music streaming business.

Weekly Register: Easton Corbin Debuts At No. 1

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easton corbinEaston Corbin’s About To Get Real debuted at No. 1 on the country album chart, and No. 13 overall, with consumption of 24K (20K album only). The Mercury Nashville release was produced by Carson Chamberlain and has the hit single “Baby Be My Love Song” at radio now. Corbin celebrated the launch of his third album with a listening event on July 6 at the Johnny Cash Museum in downtown Nashville.

Rounding out the top 5 are Corbin’s UMG Nashville labelmates Kacey Musgraves (18K album only) and Sam Hunt (14K), followed by Zac Brown Band (13K) and Now Country 8 (10K).

On the tracks list, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA” crossed the 1 million downloads mark, selling 28K this week thanks to the 4th of July. The song was released in 1984, pre-Soundscan, so it has actually sold many more than 1 million total.

Top 5 Country Tracks this week
Little Big Town “Girl Crush” 60K
Luke Bryan “Kick the Dust Up” 59K (tops 500K RTD)
Sam Hunt “House Party” 47K
Sam Hunt “Take Your Time” 45K
Blake Shelton “Sangria” 41K

Global Release Day Changes
Starting on July 10, the global release date moves from Tuesday to Friday. Accordingly, all sales-based charts will be measured from Friday through Thursday to cover the full 7-day period. Starting July 13, Nielsen’s sales tools will be available on Monday morning. There will also be an 11-day transition week. Then on July 20, the new 7-day Friday to Thursday chart week will begin.

*info according to Nielsen Soundscan

Mid-Year Nielsen Report Finds Streaming Up, Sales Down

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nielsenNielsen has released its mid-year report for the 6-month period from December 29, 2014 through June 28, 2015.

Key notes include on-demand music streams up 92 percent with Video On-Demand streaming leading the way (+109 percent) and Audio On-Demand Streaming also experiencing significant growth (+74 percent). Those stats are from AOL, Beats, Cricket, Google Play, MediaNet, RDIO, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify, Xbox Music, and YouTube/VEVO.

Digital album sales remain virtually flat (-.1-percent) at 53.7 million, whereas digital track sales are down 10.4 percent.

Overall total units are down 4 percent (116.1 million over 120.9 million last year).

Physical CD sales are down 10 percent at 56.6 million, whereas LP/vinyl sales are up 38 percent with Taylor Swift‘s 1989 leading the way with 33,500. The majority of those physical albums are sold non-traditionally (internet, venue, direct-to-consumer) whereas mass merchant and chain stores declined in sales 18.2 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively.

Billboard‘s 2015 mid-year charts, compiled by Nielsen, include Swift and Meghan Trainor at No. 1 and No. 6, respectively for both U.S. album sales and combined sales+TEA+SEA. Interestingly, Swift maintains the top spot even while her on-demand audio streams are 188,000 compared 409 million from Drake‘s No. 2 stats, due to her highly publicized withdrawal from audio streaming sites.

Full report below.

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Industry Initiatives Show Importance of Hi-Res Audio

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Hi-Res MUSIC logo

Official logo

Hi-res audio is growing in popularity, leading the RIAA to introduce an official logo for product, and The Recording Academy to establish official guidelines.

The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® is creating a series of Hi-Res Production Guidelines, with the goal of further clarifying the technology and techniques essential to producing great high-resolution music.

Topics to be addressed in these guidelines include:
• The importance of providing masters that have either been digitally recorded or re-mastered from analog sources at the highest resolution possible.
• The value of establishing workflow protocols and procedures for recording new projects at 96K/24 bit and higher.
• The need for utilizing best practices when transferring analog masters to hi-res digital formats.
• The importance of packaging Hi-Res files with high quality digital liner notes, credits, and other descriptive metadata that complements these recordings.
• The use of best efforts when documenting the origin format (“provenance”) of these recordings, in order to provide as much transparency to consumers as possible.
• A list of recommendations that support the minimum production requirements necessary to enable music labels to deliver hi-res content.

“Hi-Res Music is becoming more popular every day, and demand for these digital files is increasing rapidly,” said Maureen Droney, Producers & Engineers Wing Managing Director. “Our members want to ensure that there is enough music product in the pipeline to satisfy this demand. These professionals, who represent some of the best ears in the business, have volunteered their time, energy and expertise in order to demystify and simplify the overall process of creating Hi-Res Music. The guidelines they will create will go a long way towards realizing this.”

Additionally, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and its member companies recently unveiled a new logo designed to help music fans more easily identify the highest-quality digital music. This significant step forward in the digital listening experience allows digital retailers to mark recordings that meet the official definition for “High Resolution Music” that was agreed to last year, in cooperation with the Consumer Electronics Association, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group and The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing.

High Resolution Music is officially defined as “lossless audio capable of reproducing the full spectrum of sound from recordings which have been mastered from better than CD quality (48kHz/20-bit or higher) music sources which represent what the artists, producers and engineers originally intended.” This definition ensures consumers receive music that is delivered in a digital format that retains the highest quality captured during the creative process.

The new Hi-Res Music logo will be available to digital music retailers and record labels starting this summer. Interested parties should contact Shannon Gregory at [email protected].