CRS Appoints Senior Director Post

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Michelle Kammerer

Michelle Kammerer


Country Radio Seminar has announced the promotion of Michelle Kammerer to Sr. Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships.
“Michelle has done an amazing job in developing and executing our creative approach for our sponsors and partnerships,” said CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.
“We’ve worked very hard over the last 2+ years and I am excited to continue that journey as part of a great staff and incredible board to make CRS the best it can be,” said Kammerer. “See you at CRS 2014!”
Kammerer is actively involved in the music industry community. She serves in The Society of Leaders In Development (SOLID) as Treasurer, in the Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) as Membership & Marketing Co-Chair and Women Rock For The Cure as Development Director. She is also a member of SOURCE.
Kammerer can be reached by email or phone 615-327-4487.

Weekly Register: Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line

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Pictured (L-R): Sheryl Crow, FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler HubbardPhoto Credit: ABC / Fred Lee

Pictured (L-R): Sheryl Crow, FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard
Photo Credit: ABC / Fred Lee


The top Country album title in this week’s Top 200 rankings remains Luke Bryan, whose Crash My Party title sold 68k this week, for a five-week total of 847k. Bryan also holds the top Country digital track with “That’s My Kind of Night” selling 107k units this week (508 RTD).
New album releases this week include Frank Foster‘s Southern Soul at No. 11 (5.8k), Craig Morgan’s The Journey (Livin’ Hits) at No. 12 (5.1k), Reckless Kelly‘s Long Night Moon at No. 22 (4.1k), and Chris Janson‘s self-titled EP at No. 47 (1k). Sara Evans holds the top Country digital tracks debut with “Slow Me Down” selling 15k this week, coming in at No. 28 (Country) and No. 101 (overall).
Overall album  sales YTD are down 5.6 percent compared to 2012, while total Country album sales are down .4 percent. In one bright spot, Country track sales YTD are up 6 percent, compared to overall album sales, which are down 3.1 percent. Country digital album sales stand at 8.064 million YTD, a climb of 13.3 percent over last year.
Since their massive hit single “Cruise” was released, Florida Georgia Line‘s digital track sales have skyrocketed. The duo recently tallied more than 10 million tracks sold worldwide from their debut album Here’s To The Good Times (Republic Nashville), which has been certified Platinum in the United States and Gold in Canada by the RIAA.
Next week’s weekly sales register will get a bump from the releases of new projects by Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Steve Wariner and a gospel project from the late George Jones.

Hunter Hayes, Florida Georgia Line Enjoy Heavy Metal Summer

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RIAACountry artists amassed some impressive heavy metal this summer as the RIAA announced its certifications for gold and platinum albums for July and August. Newcomer Hunter Hayes earned his platinum and double-platinum stripes this summer for his self-titled debut CD and hot tune “I Want Crazy,” respectively, while Darius Rucker also took home double-platinum honors for his sing-along cover anthem of “Wagon Wheel.”
Florida Georgia Line achieved their first-ever platinum award for their debut project Here’s To The Good Times, and also broke ground with the highest digital song award (including sales and streams) at five times multi-platinum for their crossover smash, “Cruise.”
Jason Aldean received a multi-platinum cert for four million digital sales of “Dirt Road Anthem” during this period, and Carrie Underwood added to her gold collection with two gold awards for “See You Again,” and “Don’t Forget To Remember Me,” bringing her career Gold digital single tally to 18.
For the months of July and August, 17 album certifications and 87 digital singles were awarded.

Weekly Register: Alabama & Friends

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alabama & friends1Alabama & Friends is the top Country album debuting this week, landing at No. 2 on the Country albums chart, (No. 8 overall) and selling 32k units. The release from Show Dog-Universal Music features Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Jamey Johnson, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts and Trisha Yearwood covering Alabama‘s most memorable and biggest hits of their career. The project also includes two new tunes from the Hall of Famers, including “All American,” which is at Country radio now and debuted last week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart at No. 77.
In its third week, Luke Bryan‘s latest release Crash My Party sells another 92k albums (779 RTD) and sits at No. 1 on the Country sales chart and No. 2 on the Top Albums charts, right behind Avenged Sevenfold‘s Hail To The King (debuting with 159k units sold).
Other album debuts this week include Sundy Best Door Without A Screen (2k) and Due West Move Like That – EP (1k). Overall, album sales are down 5.9 percent over prior year while Country albums have a shortfall of 1.8 percent. Taking into account TEA (track equivalent albums; 10 tracks=1 album), Country albums are up .5 percent over last year while overall, all-genre albums are down 4.9 percent.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” sits in the top position of the Country tracks again this week with 112k sold this week (402k RTD). The top Country track debut this week is Cassadee Pope‘s “11” selling 21k units sitting at No. 19 (No. 72 overall). The top song on the overall tracks chart is Katy Perry’s single, “Roar,” selling 448k units in its third week (1.4 million RTD). Country tracks are up 6.6 percent over last year while overall, tracks are down 3.1 percent.

Randy Houser Scores First Platinum Digital Single

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RH_CntryFeels_cvr_5x511111Randy Houser‘s recent single, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” has been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of one million units. This marks Houser’s first platinum digital single, following his recent gold-certified song, “How Country Feels.”
“I can’t even begin to thank everyone for their support,” said Houser. “Country music fans are the greatest fans in the world!”
Houser will be singing his platinum single throughout the summer and fall at fairs and festivals, before joining Justin Moore and Josh Thompson in November as part of Moore’s Off The Beaten Path Tour. For more information, visit randyhouser.com.

Weekly Register: Luke Bryan Stays On Top

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luke bryan crash my party album cover1111Luke Bryan‘s album Crash My Party, which debuted to impressive sales last week, sells another 159k in its second week for a total of 687k and sits atop both the Country and Top Albums charts. Crash My Party is Byran’s fourth studio album from Capitol Records Nashville, which follows his double-Platinum 2011 album Tailgates & Tanlines. Prior to Bryan’s release, Country albums were down 3.1 percent compared to last year. That number has improved over the last two weeks netting a shortfall of less than 1 percent over prior year. On the pop side, John Mayer‘s Paradise Valley debuts in the No. 2 position selling 144k units this week.
The top Country album debut this week comes from Average Joes with the LACS‘ Keep It Redneck sitting in the No. 3 spot on the Country chart, with 14k albums sold. Other noteworthy album debuts this week on the Country chart include Charlie Worsham, Rubberband, with 6k in sales this week at No. 12 and Tracy Lawrence, Headlights, Tailights and Radios at No. 26 with 3k units sold.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” sits in the top position of the Country tracks with 125k sold this week (290k RTD) and Florida Georgia Line‘s “Cruise” continues strong with 68k sold (5.7 million RTD) at No. 2. Debuting this week, Jennifer Nettles’ “That Girl” arrives at No. 23 with 19k units sold while Keith Urban‘s “Even The Stars Fall 4 U” debuts at No. 36 with 12k in sales.

Luke Bryan's 'Party' Biggest Debut Since 2004

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luke bryan crash my party album cover1111It’s Luke Bryan‘s world this week, we just live in it. The singer-songwriter’s latest album, Crash My Party, exceeded sales expectations in its debut week, selling 527,783 units and bowing at the pinnacle of the Nielsen Soundscan Top 200 rankings. Party gives Bryan the biggest sales debut for a Country male artist since 2004.
This makes Bryan and Taylor Swift the only two country artists who have sold more than a half-million copies of an album in a single week since 2008. This is Bryan’s second consecutive Top 200 No. 1 album.
“I’ve never been this excited about an album that I have put out, and the response I have gotten is really humbling and mind-blowing to me,” says Bryan. “I am lucky to have some of the best fans in the world, and I am happy to see them enjoying this album as much as I do. I’m just so thankful for my fans and for Country radio for the amazing support.”
Bryan’s sales have earned him top billing on several sales charts this week. The feat nets the Georgia native the Top Country album this week. Sales of his previous efforts lifted as well; he holds three of the Top 10 current Country albums with Party at the pinnacle, Tailgates & Tanlines sitting at No. 4 and Spring Break at No. 9. His sophomore album Doin’ My Thing is currently the No. 1 Catalogue Country album, and his debut project I’ll Stay Me is at No. 5 on the Country catalogue rankings.

Forty-two percent of Crash My Party‘s first-week sales were digital album sales (222,000 copies), making Party the No. 1 digital album overall and the No. 1 digital Country album.

Bryan also crashed the singles rankings, with his current single “That’s My Kind of Night” selling 164,000 copies to become the top Country track this week and the No. 4 overall track.
The success comes on the heels of a whirlwind launch week, where Bryan appeared on numerous national television appearances, including NBC’s Today Show Summer Concert Series, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and E!’s Chelsea Lately. Crash My Party is Luke’s fourth studio album which follows his double-Platinum 2011 album tailgates & tanlines.
A hearty congratulations to Bryan and his entire team!
 

Industry Ink (8-16-13)

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Pictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (VP National Promotion, WMN), Chris Stacey (SVP Promotion, WMN), Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management, WMN), Kristen Williams (Director National Promotion, WMN), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Peter Strickland (EVP & General Manager, WMN)

Pictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (VP National Promotion, WMN), Chris Stacey (SVP Promotion, WMN), Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management, WMN), Kristen Williams (Director National Promotion, WMN), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Peter Strickland (EVP & General Manager, WMN)


• The Warner Music Nashville promotion team had a lot to celebrate recently when they scored two chart-toppers in the same week. Brett Eldredge marked his first No. 1 with “Don’t Ya,” On Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart the same week that Hunter Hayes landed atop Country Aircheck‘s Mediabase chart with “I Want Crazy,” his third consecutive No 1.
The label also had three albums in the Top 5 on SoundScan’s Top Current Country Albums chart with Brett Eldredge’s Bring You Back, Blake Shelton’s Based On a True Story… and Hunter Hayes’ (Encore).
“This is a big day for the Warner Music Family,” said Chris Stacey, SVP Promotion, WMN. “This feels like the culmination of years of hard work finally starting to pay off. We have the most passionate and dedicated promo team in the business! This milestone moment will not be taken lightly—but will drive us to fight even harder for our artists.”
• SESAC has signed singer/songwriter Greg Crowe for representation. Crowe has penned cuts for Montgomery Gentry, Sammy Kershaw, and Lonestar, and his song “We’re Fired Up” is the official song of the Tennessee Titans Radio Network.  Crowe has also signed with publishing company Swat Music Group, and recently visited SESAC’s Nashville headquarters with publishing executives to celebrate.
Pictured (L-R): Swat Music Group/Busy At Play Publishing’s Johnny Garcia, SESAC’s John Mullins, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Swat Music Group’s Jamin Swantner. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Pictured (L-R): Swat Music Group/Busy At Play Publishing’s Johnny Garcia, SESAC’s John Mullins, Greg Crowe, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Swat Music Group’s Jamin Swantner. Photo: Peyton Hoge


• BMI singer-songwriter Mike Walker has signed a deal with HoriPro Entertainment. “Mike’s an uncommonly gifted writer, musician and performer,” says BMI Sr. Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Bradley Collins. “He and HoriPro are a great creative match.”
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Petree Law’s Chip Petree, Mike Walker, and HoriPro’s Lee Krabel, Butch Baker and Tim Stehli. Photo by Drew Maynard.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Petree Law’s Chip Petree, Mike Walker, and HoriPro’s Lee Krabel, Butch Baker and Tim Stehli. Photo: Drew Maynard.


 
• nashfmlogo11Blair Garner and his co-hosts from “America’s Morning Show” on NASH FM 94.7 are lending a hand to raise funds to help Staten Island resident/Hurricane Sandy hero Pete Vadola, whose house was destroyed by a devastating fire last month.
Vadola rescued over 200 residents in his Staten Island neighborhood using a small motorboat found floating in the street. After learning of Vadola’s incredible story, Blair Garner and his co-hosts asked listeners to call in with information on how to set up a fundraising account for donations to help rebuild the Vadola’s lives. The response from listeners was overwhelming and a fundraising account was established. NASH FM 94.7 and “America’s Morning Show” provide a link on their website, NASHFM947.com/Pete that takes contributors directly to a secure site for donating to the cause.
“Radio is at its best when it serves its community, and that very idea speaks to the core of who we are in Country music,” Garner said. “When someone needs help, you reach out because it’s the right thing to do. We’re going to do everything we can to take care of Pete and his family. All I did was speak from my heart about Pete’s story, and from there, the listeners rose to the occasion.”

Weekly Register: The Civil Wars, Brett Eldredge Debuts

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civil wars111The highly anticipated self-titled The Civil Wars album debuted this week at the top of the overall chart, with 116k units sold. Topping the Billboard albums chart this week, this is the duo’s first No. 1 album, despite being on hiatus since last November. The Civil Wars’ previous album Barton Hollow peaked at No. 10.
Atlantic Records artist Brett Eldredge‘s Bring You Back debuted this week at No. 2 on the Country album sales chart and at No. 11 overall, selling 21k units. The album’s lead single, “Don’t Ya,” was certified Gold by the RIAA before its release. “Don’t Ya” was written by Eldredge, Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley.
Florida Georgia Line’s Here’s To The Good Times sells another 26k units this week staking their post once again as the No. 1 Country album this week while “Cruise” continues in the top spot on the Country tracks chart selling 89k units.
Brett-EldredeLuke Bryan‘s “Crash My Party” track sells 72k this week (1.3 million RTD) and sits at No. 2 on the Country tracks. Jake Owen‘s newest single, “Days Of Gold” is the highest country debut this week landing at No. 23 on the Country tracks chart selling 22k units.
While overall Country album sales continued to slip this week (down 3.1 percent, compared to prior year), all eyes are on superstar Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party album, which will debut on the charts next week.

Luke Bryan's 'Crash My Party' Sales Soar

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luke bryan crash my party album cover1111Luke Bryan could have the third-largest sales week of the year next week following the release of his fourth studio album, Crash My Party, on Tuesday (Aug. 13), according to Billboard.com. Sources predict the star’s latest album could sell at least 450,000 copies by Aug. 18. If he reaches that number, it would be Bryan’s biggest sales week ever, and the biggest for any male in country since 2005 when Kenny Chesney sold 469,000 with his The Road and the Radio CD.
If the CD reaches the 450,000 mark, it would put Bryan behind only Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience with 968,000 and Jay Z’s Magna Carta…Holy Grail with 528,000 in first-week sales for 2013. It also puts him in pretty rare company in the country world as well. Since 2008, only four country albums have sold more than 450,000 in a single week — three by Taylor Swift (her last three studio releases,) and the fourth by Lady Antebellum, Need You Now, which bowed with 481,000 in 2010.
Album sales will likely be propelled by Bryan’s three-week No. 1 title track, “Crash My Party,” which recently set a Billboard record as the largest one-week audience since 2005 with 45.5 million listeners and has already sold a million copies. Bryan’s latest single from the new project, “That’s My Kinda Night,” is on par for similar success apparently, as the highest-debuting single of his career.
Bryan is heavily promoting the CD all this week, with appearances on E!‘s Chelsea Lately and ABC‘s Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this week. He’s scheduled to appear on NBC‘s Today twice this week, today and tomorrow (Aug. 15-16).
The new Soundscan sales figures will be revealed on Wednesday, Aug. 21.