Weekly Register: Rucker Rockin’ At No. 1

darius ruckerDarius Rucker’s Southern Style debuted at No. 1 on the country album chart today, with sales of 52K. It’s his fourth consecutive solo album to enter at No. 1, fueled in part by the success of No. 1 lead single, “Homegrown Honey.” He penned the hit with Charles Kelley and Nathan Chapman. Southern Stylewas produced by Frank Rogers and Keith Stegall.

In recent weeks Rucker visited Today and Ellen, and he is set for ABC’s The Chew on April 16, before heading out on the Southern Style Tour May 14 with Brett Eldredge, the Brothers Osborne and A Thousand Horses.  

Elsewhere on the country album chart, NOW That’s What I Call ACM Awards 50 Years scored a nice debut with 11K, landing at No. 4. There is also a 2015 ACM Awards Zinepak compilation, which fell to No. 6 in its second week of release, moving 8K/17K RTD. Luke Bryan’s Spring Break…Checkin’ Out swam to No. 2 (17K/154K RTD) in its fourth week at sea. Rounding out the country top 5 are Sam Hunt, Montevallo, at No. 3 (16K/427K RTD) and Jason Aldean, Old Boots New Dirt, at No. 5 (8K/897K RTD)

Jon Wolfe debuted Natural Man with sales of 2.2 K.

Top 5 Country Tracks TW
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time,” 60K
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush,” 51K
Cole Swindell, “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” 46K
Zac Brown Band, “Homegrown,” 42K
Eric Church, “Like A Wrecking Ball,” 27K

On the all-genre Top 200 chart, rapper Wale debuted at No. 1 with The Album About Nothing with total activity of 100K.

Overall album sales were up 14 percent week over week, but the year-to-date stats are still slumping.

YTD Albums
Overall -1.5%
Overall digital +2.7%
Country -12.9%
Country digital -7.4%

YTD Tracks
Overall -10.1%
Country -16.4%

Entertainment Company WildFire7 Opens Nashville Office

Wildfire7Full-service management, production, and television/digital entertainment company WildFire7, a division of Wildfire Media Group, has launched with offices in Nashville and in New York City. WildFire7 joins Danny McGuffey with former advertising production executives Joe Sicurella and Adam Joseph.

McGuffey previously worked as Chief Marketing Officer for Integrity Music. He has held Sr. VP, Marketing/Sales roles for Starsong Communications and Reunion Records, and a VP, Sales role for Sparrow Communications.

The company has launched with the release of Worship Anthems Inspired by A.D. The Bible Continues (Integrity Music).

This fall, author and columnist Deborah Evans Price, who penned 2013’s Country Faith: 56 Reflections from Today’s Country Music Stars, will release Country Faith Christmas through WildFire7 and Regnery Publishing. Accompanying the book is the Country Faith Christmas CD, which will feature songs from Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, and others. A Cracker Barrel Deluxe Edition is also in the works.

“We are truly excited to birth a new model in faith based entertainment management, licensing and production in the heart of the world’s entertainment capitals; New York City and Nashville, Tennessee,” remarked McGuffey. “Joe and I have had this dream for many years and to witness how fast things are coming together is amazing. Our desire is to be stewards of the gifts given us and our partners and see the world changed by amazing stories, songs and media content.”

Joseph added, “I am excited to implement my experience of music and advertising integration into this new conglomerate and I believe this radical model with help drive the future of the music and entertainment industries.”

“I am thrilled to have Danny and Adam, who have extraordinary taste and instincts, as my partners in this new company,” remarked Sicurella. “We are viewing this as a total faith venture. Our vision is to serve the church in New York as well as developing artists, producers and brands internationally.”

Industry Ink: ACM, Country Music Hall of Fame, Hill Entertainment Group

ACM Adds Sponsored Events to ACM Party for a Cause

ACM Party For A CauseThe Academy of Country Music has added an array of sponsored events to its ACM Party for a Cause Festival, a two-day outdoor music festival to be held April 17 and April 18 at Arlington, Texas’ Globe Life Park.

Among the events scheduled are the 3rd Annual Cabela’s Great Outdoors Archery Event, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Country Checkers Challenge™, Mary Kay’s Pink Carpet, MillerCoors Beer Garden, Ram Trucks Country Music Experience and more.

Companies taking part in the ACM festivities this year include: American Airlines, Cabela’s, Cracker Barrel, Firestone, Kendra Scott, Mary Kay, Ram, Segs4vets, Save The Children, Women’s Rogaine, Bicardi, Big Green Egg, MillerCoors Beer Garden, Sue Bee Honey, and Wendy’s.

The festival will begin at noon each day on the North Lawn, where more than 25 country artists will perform on the Party Stage and Ram Lone Star Stage. Evening performances will be headlined at the Main Stage, and taped for a two-hour special, ACM Presents: Superstar Duets, which will air May 15 on CBS.

 

Hill Entertainment Group Expands Staff

Carie Long

Carie Long

Greg Hill, owner of Hill Entertainment Group, has added Carie Long as office manager. She will oversee the day-to-day operation and flow of the growing entertainment company. Hill Entertainment Group is a Nashville-based entertainment, management, and solutions company that focuses on brand management, consultation, and development.

“I’m excited to have Carie join the growing Hill Entertainment team,” remarks Hill. “I have known her professionally for many years and have been impressed with her integrity and knowledge of the music business.”

Long previously served as Senior Director A&R at Show Dog Universal Music and also held stints at Universal South, Sony, and MCA. She can be reached at carie@hillentgroup.com.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame Welcomes Charlie Daniels, Sylvie Simmons For Panel Discussion 

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently presented a panel discussion entitled, “Songs From a Room: The Nashville Works of Dylan and Cohen,” as part of its ongoing programming in support of its most recent exhibition: Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City Presented by Citi. Led by museum curator Michael Gray, the panel’s all-star lineup included musicians Charlie Daniels and Ron Cornelius, pianist Bob Wilson, and award-winning author and music journalist Sylvie Simmons.

(Pictured, L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia, Charlie Daniels, Bob Wilson, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael Gray, music journalist Sylvie Simmons, and Ron Cornelius. Photo: Rick Diamond

(Pictured, L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia, Charlie Daniels, Bob Wilson, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael Gray, music journalist Sylvie Simmons, and Ron Cornelius. Photo: Rick Diamond

Ray Scott Unleashes Adult Beverage Apparel and Accessories Line

Ray Scott Cocktail

Ray Scott at the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show.

Ray Scott has partnered with Team Cocktail to launch a line of adult beverage apparel and accessories, dubbed The Ray Scott Collection.

The line includes t-shirts, glassware, and koozies featuring Scott’s one-liners. Scott and Team Cocktail introduced the collection at the 30th annual Nightclub and Bar Convention and Trade Show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Merchandise will be available at retail locations, online, and at Scott’s concerts, beginning in May.

Scott recently augmented his professional team, adding Brian Crews of Crewser Entertainment to oversee day-to-day management and booking, and producer Dave Brainard to lead creative, music supervision and production.

Industry Ink: Nine North, City of Hope, Holly Williams

Nine North/Turnpike Music Name Seiple Director, Promotion & Marketing (NE Region)

Stephanie Seiple

Stephanie Seiple

Nine North/Turnpike Music has named Stephanie Seiple as its new Director, Promotion & Marketing for the Northeast Region. Seiple will be based in Philadelphia. Her career includes stops in the promo departments of Wind-Up, RCA, Jive, Epic and Columbia. She also worked remotely as a marketing coordinator for sony Music Entertainment, working with brands including Best Buy, FYE, and Barnes & Noble. In 2014, she was elected Advisor to The Recording Academy’s Philadelphia Chapter’s board.

Seiple is based in Philadelphia.

“I’m honored to join such a seasoned, well respected and talented team,” Seiple says. “Many thanks to Jeff and Larry (Pareigis, NNRLG President) for offering me this opportunity to work together! See you on the road soon!”

“I’m very excited to add Stephanie to our team,” says Nine North/Turnpike/Edgehill Music’s Jeff Davis. “Her experience, energy, and innovative thinking make her the perfect fit for what we are doing here at Nine North! I can’t wait for radio to meet their new favorite rep!”

 

Tickets On Sale For City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game

city of hope celebrity softballThe 25th annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game will be held June 13 at 9 a.m. at the new First Tennessee Park in Nashville. The game has hosted numerous country stars in past years, including Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Vince Gill, and more.

Nashville, Tennessee – (April 2, 2015) – A fan favorite event and longstanding tradition of CMA Music Festival, the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game will commemorate 25 years of striking out cancer on June 13 at 9am from the new First Tennessee Park in Nashville.

Tickets for the 25th annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game are on sale now at Ticketmaster. The full line-up of celebrity players stepping up to the plate on the Grand Ole Opry and iHeartRadio teams will be announced in the coming weeks.

City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

 

Holly Williams 2015Holly Williams’ White’s Mercantile Offers Online Shopping

Singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Holly Williams‘ 12South shop White’s Mercantile is now offering online shopping, including a range of items for men, women, and children, as well as accessories. The store is located at 2908 12th Ave. S.

Williams is also behind the Nashville clothing boutique H. Audrey.

For more, visit whitesmercantile.com.

 

Sky Creative Entertainment Group Launches in Nashville

Sky Creative

DeShawn Oravetz

Middle Tennessee State University graduate DeShawn Oravetz has launched creative and music agency Sky Creative Entertainment Group in Nashville.

The company’s catalog of services focuses on aspects of branding, marketing, music, design, and project management. Sky will also partner with local creatives to collaborate on client projects, building working relationships in the Greater Nashville creative community.

For more information, visit skyceg.com.

Weekly Register: Solid Debuts From ‘Nashville,’ ACM ZinePak

The ACM ZinePak

The ACM is celebrating the big 5-0 with this ZinePak, as well as an upcoming “Now That’s What I Call…” set.

nashville on the record vol 1

Info from Nielsen Soundscan

The “Girl Crush” controversy was much ado about nothing, but all the hype translated to a sales boost. The Little Big Town single moved from No. 4 to No. 1 (+137%) on the country tracks chart, selling 60K TW for a RTD total of 330K. The song also gave album Pain Killer a shot in the arm. Adding 6.1K units this week (+113%) it moved from No. 15 to No. 7 on the country album chart. After 23 weeks, it has a RTD total of 162K.

Making solid debuts on the country albums chart were Nashville: On The Record Volume 2 (Live From The Grand Ole Opry House) with 13K, and the 2015 ACM Awards ZinePak with 8.7K, entering at No. 3 and 4, respectively. The ZinePak, available at Walmart, includes two compilation CDs, a 96-page magazine, an ACM Awards nominee ballot, and a window decal.
granger smith
Other key debuts include Canaan Smith’s EP (2.9K) and the first album from Striking Matches (1.8K).

Luke Bryan (18K) and Sam Hunt (15K) hung tight in the No. 1 and 2 country album positions.

On the country tracks chart, Granger Smith scored the top single debut with “Backroad Song” sliding in to No. 4 with 32K downloads. It is from his Frank Rogers produced EP, 4X4, available May 4 via Thirty Tigers.

A few upcoming albums
March 31
• Darius Rucker/Southern Style/Capitol
• Various/NOW That’s What I Call The ACM Awards 50 Years/UMG-Sony Music-ACM
• Cam/Welcome to Cam Country [EP]/Arista Nashville

April 7
• Kristian Bush/Southern Gravity/Streamsound Records
• Will Hoge/Small Town Dreams/Cumberland-Thirty Tigers

April 14
• Reba McEntire/Love Somebody/Nash Icon

April 28
• Zac Brown Band/Jekyll + Hyde/Southern Ground-John Varvatos Records-BMLG-Republic Records
• Tyler Farr/Suffer In Peace/Columbia Nashville

 

Industry Ink: SESAC, Hi-Fi Fusion, RareSpark Media, Who Knew

Shannan Hatch

Shannan Hatch

SESAC’s Shannan Hatch Featured on StyleBluePrint

SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, named one of MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row honorees in 2012, was recently featured as one of StyleBluePrint’s FACES of Nashville.

“My favorite part is helping songwriters get to the next level, which is also the most challenging!” Hatch said of her favorite part of working in the music business. “I also get to work with and help some of my closest friends … my extended family, which is amazing! My husband Rob was SESAC songwriter of the year last year, and I got to present him with the writer of the year award … a night we will never forget!”

For more, visit styleblueprint.com.

Hi-Fi Fusion Adds Hammar As Project Manager

Ania Hammar

Ania Hammar

Digital marketing firm Hi-Fi Fusion has hired Ania Hammar as the newest project manager.

The Cape Cod, Mass., native is a graduate of Belmont University and recently worked for Northwestern Mutual.

Hammar can be reached at 615-298-3873 or ania@hififusion.com.

RareSpark Media Group Hires Allen As Operations Manager

Katie Allen

Katie Allen

RareSpark Media Group has added Louisiana State University graduate Katie Allen operations manager. Allen previously worked with Leadership Music for six years.

In her new role, Allen will focus on day-to-day business and resources management for the company. RareSpark Media Group’s current roster includes Victoria Banks, Walker Hayes, Park Chisolm, E Marlowe, and Kirsten Arian.

“Who Knew” Music Industry Event Set For April 2

Who KnewIndustry members will have the opportunity to congregate for an evening of education and networking as part of “Who Knew,”which will take place at The Listening Room Cafe on  Thursday, April 2 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Speakers include Steve Savoca (Spotify), Randy Wachtler (Warner Chappell Production Music), Hunter Williams (CAA), Charles Alexander (Outside The Box), Doyle Davis (Grimey’s), Brittany Wagusen (Kalatech), Notelle (EDM artist), and Project Music.

An advanced ticket is $10, and includes two drinks and light hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.

Weekly Register: Musgraves Bakes ‘Biscuits,’ Janson Rides ‘Boat’

kacey musgraves biscuitsKacey Musgraves and Chris Janson scored notable track debuts this week. Musgraves mixed up “Biscuits,” selling 25K and settling at No. 5 on the country tracks chart. Janson’s “Buy Me A Boat,” swam into No. 8 selling 21K, a strong debut, especially for an independent artist.chris janson Buy-Me-a-Boat

Top 5 Country Tracks TW
Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time,” 57K
Zac Brown Band, “Homegrown,” 38K
Cole Swindell, “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey,” 27K
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush,” 25K
Kacey Musgraves, “Biscuits,” 25K

Hunt used the music video for “Take Your Time” to depict the life of a struggling mother in a bad relationship, instead of a more literal interpretation of the song. The video (below) was directed by Tim Mattia (Cage The Elephant), and the track has sold over 700k downloads.

On the country albums chart, Luke Bryan’s Spring Break…Checkin’ Out stays at No. 1 for a second week with 30K/119K RTD. The top country album debut belongs to Allison Moorer, with 1.6K copies.

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly debuts at No. 1 on the Top 200, selling 363K (324K album only).

Exclusive: Thirty Tigers Ramps Up Country Radio Promo Team

Aaron Watson is one of Thirty Tigers' latest success stories.

Aaron Watson is one of Thirty Tigers’ latest success stories.

Thirty Tigers is ready to roar a little louder.

David Macias’s marketing and artist services company is adding a country radio promotion department. The four-person team is headed by Pam Newman, and includes Ken Rush, Denise Roberts and a yet-to-be-announced west coast regional.

Thirty Tigers played a significant role in the recent career launches of Chase Rice and Old Dominion, both of whom went on to sign with Sony Music Nashville. With the added promotion team, Thirty Tigers will aim to take artist careers to the next level, without the need of a major label.

“We were partners in the Old Dominion record with Ree Guyer Buchanan, Shane McAnally and Michael Baum,” says Macias. “Pam Newman basically did all the radio promotion and got it started. Sony came in once it was developed, which is increasingly what labels do these days. They don’t want to sign anything unless somebody else proves it first. At that point, the only reason why an act would move on [to a major label] is the resources and staff infrastructure to take the movement that has started and expand it into a national conversation.”

After working at major labels, Macias says mergers and lay-offs left him feeling “out of control of his own destiny,” and recognized that artists probably felt the same way. So he founded Thirty Tigers on the idea of artists owning their own masters and having control of their careers. “We give our best advice and hardest work, but ultimately it is their decision as to what happens,” he says. Over a decade and a half, Thirty Tigers has grown to 25 employees and become a top destination for independent artists, particularly in the Americana world.

Old Dominion

Thirty Tigers helped launch Old Dominion.

Macias says, “If we can have hit records, break hit acts and help build them to arena size status, and they can own it and be in control over what they are doing—them and their talented management teams—why would anybody do anything else?”

Thirty Tigers teamed with Rice and his manager George Couri (Triple 8) to launch the singer. “His management team is super smart,” says Macias. “We gave them the financial resources to be able to execute their vision. We worked with the now-defunct RPM promotion team to take it to radio. That transitioned into a working relationship with Columbia, who took on radio promotion for a piece of the album and they’ve done an amazing job. We’ve recouped the investment that we made and Chase is doing quite well and has ownership.”

Thirty Tigers has offered in-house radio promotion for Americana and AAA artists for years, but the recent experience with Rice, Old Dominion and rising artist Aaron Watson spurred the company to dip its paws in the country world.

“This is a 14-year-old business and we’ve done things on very pragmatic, sound business terms. We wrote the checks for Chase Rice. We know how expensive [radio promotion] can be,” says Macias. “We made those investments as we went, where we could clearly see what was working. His management was in charge and we handled the funding. So it wound up working where Chase could be in control of what he’s doing. It can be a really lucrative way to do business.”

Lately, a few Thirty Tigers acts have sold 150K records. According to Macias, that grosses about $1.2 million, and after deducting about 25 percent ($300K) for distribution to pay Thirty Tigers and Red, the remaining $900K goes to the artist. Subtract $75K for recording costs, $30K for publicity, and the act can net upwards of $700K.

For artists seeking the country radio promotion services, Thirty Tigers will alter its standard deal with a higher distribution fee, but will still never own masters.

Macias says Newman and the promo team will be very involved in the A&R process because, “It wouldn’t be fair to an artist if the people taking it out into battle don’t believe.”

Macias has believed in artist Aaron Watson for over a decade. He says the Texas-based singer and his manager Gino Genero first started working with Thirty TIgers “when they were selling six records a week. We were young and struggling and hungry together. They would come to town and sleep on my floor.”

chase ricealbum1Fast forward to February 2015, when Watson turned heads by scoring a No. 1 country debut with his latest album, a notable feat for an indie. To some onlookers, especially those gathered in Nashville for Country Radio Seminar that week, it may have seemed like the cowboy rode in to the top of the chart from out of nowhere.

He didn’t. Watson’s previous record sold 35K copies, and he runs a multi-million dollar brand.

“It wasn’t smoke and mirrors that we debuted at No. 1,” Macias continues. “It was a lot of work that had been done for the last five years. It was Aaron making the best record he’s ever made, dedicating himself to songwriting, and stepping up in every way. And it was making smart marketing investments.”

Thirty Tigers provided financial resources for Watson to bring the latest project to fruition. The album, The Underdog, was produced by hitmaker Keith Stegall. Macias adds that investing in PR with Shorefire was also a smart move, because they helped craft the narrative about Watson, which includes a lifestyle built around family and faith.

The longtime CAA artist established a strong touring career the grassroots way, by returning to markets multiple times, and involving radio when possible. He also nurtured ties to communities that Macias says may be underserved by mainstream country artists, such as the rodeo community, Future Farmers of America and fans of traditional country. “There were a lot of tactical things we did to drive the conversation about Aaron, but it wouldn’t have worked if people weren’t actually hungry for [this kind of music],” says Macias. “Now we have to convince radio that this is an organic thing and that people want it.

“We don’t want to be a stepping stone,” he says. “We want to get it started and we want to finish the job too.”

Industry Ink: Berklee College, GrassRoots Promotion, TackleBox Films

Jim Ed Norman Honored by Berklee College of Music

Pictured (L-R): Stephen Webber, program director for music technology at Berklee’s Valencia campus; Pat Pattison, professor of songwriting; Curb Group CEO Jim Ed Norman; Jay Kennedy, vice president for academic affairs. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Pictured (L-R): Stephen Webber, program director for music technology at Berklee’s Valencia campus; Pat Pattison, professor of songwriting; Curb Group CEO Jim Ed Norman; Jay Kennedy, vice president for academic affairs. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Berklee College of Music presented its first American Master Awards on Tuesday (March 17) in Nashville, to Curb Group CEO Jim Ed Norman; Grand Ole Opry vice president and general manager Pete Fisher; and Eddie Bayers, drummer on more than 300 gold and platinum records.

The inaugural American Master Awards celebrate the 30th anniversary of the college’s Nashville student trip. The awards were presented at Opry Studio following a Grand Ole Opry concert by Larry Gatlin, The Willis Clan, Lee Greenwood, and alumnus Charlie Worsham.

For 30 years, a group of Berklee students have spent their spring break in Nashville, getting an intensive, in-depth look at the music industry and gaining invaluable insight through clinics and workshops with accomplished alumni artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers. The trip, which began with five students, has grown to 120 students per year, led by Pat Pattison, professor of songwriting, and Stephen Webber, program director for music technology at Berklee’s Valencia campus. More than 3,000 students have attended the program since its inception.

 

GrassRoots Promotion Expands Staff

RJ Jordan

RJ Jordan

GrassRoots Promotion has added Rick “RJ” Jordan as Music Row Promotion Manager, effective March 23. Jordan currently serves as PD/PM Driver at Lloyd Lane Inc.’s WCJW in Warsaw, N.Y. His last day is March 20.

Managing Partner Nancy Tunick says, ”We are extremely excited to have RJ join our team as he is a passionate, persistent, detail-oriented, experienced promoter. You don’t find that combination often!”

Jordan will be based in Rochester, N.Y. and can be reached at rj@grassrootspromotion.com or 615-335-0718.

 

Silva’s TackleBox Films To Premiere ‘Nashville Flipped’ on HGTV Tonight

nashville flippedShaun Silva‘s Tacklebox Films production, Nashville Flipped will premiere on HGTV Thursday (March 19) at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT. Mike Wolfe of American Pickers helped create the show, in collaboration with fellow Executive Producers Silva and Brian Friedman of TackleBox films.

The show features local home flipper, Troy Dean Schafer and interior designer Alexandria Cirimelli, as they try to restore a 1930s east Nashville home.