The nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 have been announced. Bon Jovi, Kate Bush, The Cars, Depeche Mode, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, J. Geils Band, Judas Priest, LL Cool J, MC5, The Meters, Moody Blues, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Nina Simone, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Link Wray, and The Zombies are all on this year’s list of nominees for the honor.
Nine out of 19 of the nominees are on the ballot for the first time, and to be eligible for nomination, an artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of induction. The 2018 Nominees had to release their first official recording no later than 1992.
Ballots will be sent to an international voting body of more than 900 artists, historians and members of the music industry. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will again offer fans the opportunity to officially participate in the induction selection process as well.
Beginning Oct. 5 and continuing through Dec. 5, 2017, fans can visit rockhall.com/vote to cast votes for who they believe to be most deserving of induction. The top five, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2018 inductees. Fans will need to login with a Facebook account or email to vote, and voting is capped at one ballot per day.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2018 inductees will be announced in December. HBO will once again broadcast the April ceremony, and SiriusXM will also carry a radio broadcast of the ceremony and also special broadcasts throughout the year devoted to the Rock Hall’s Inductees from both the past and present on Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Radio Ch 310.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2018 Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, will be held at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018.
117 Entertainment Group Adds Management Division
/by Jessica NicholsonBobby Bare
117 Entertainment Group, which launched earlier this year under the direction of company president & CEO Zach Farnum, will expand into management with 117 Management.
Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare, known for songs such as “Detroit City” and “500 Miles Away From Home,” signs on as the first management client. Management staffers will be announced in the coming weeks.
The company’s public relations branch has been reorganized under the name 117 Publicity, headed by VP Bev Moser. 117 Publicity represents artists including Chuck Negron, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lewis Brice, Logan Mize, Paul Bogart, Max T. Barnes, Scooter Brown Band, Darren Bessette Band, Nashville Association of Talent Directors as well as Bare.
“Bobby Bare is the quintessential country music legend. He paved paths for the Outlaw movement, is a Grammy-winner and Hall of Famer and has had over 50 country Top 40 hits,” said Farnum, adding, “Bare is one of the kindest and most respected people in the business. I’ve had an incredible and successful run working with him as his publicist and am humbled to move into this new role.”
“I’m so glad to have Zach Farnum representing me, I think he’s just using me as bait to get bigger, younger acts,” joked Bare.
Kelsea Ballerini To Flip Switch As Opry Goes Pink To Fight Breast Cancer
/by Lorie HollabaughTrisha Yearwood will also perform during the evening and introduce this year’s Women Rock for the Cure honorary survivor, symbolizing individual battles being won against the disease. LANCO will make their Opry debut, Easton Corbin, Runaway June, and others will perform, and CMT’s Cody Alan will appear as a guest announcer for the night.
Beginning today, when fans order tickets, $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to Women Rock For The Cure. Tickets are available at (615) 871-OPRY and opry.com.
BMI Opens Applications For 2018 Scholarship Season
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Foundation will administer seven distinct scholarships including the third annual Nashville Songwriting Scholarship, which will award $5,000 for the best original song in any of the following genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, and roots. The contest is open to students between the ages of 17 and 24, who are enrolled in any college or university located in the United States. Kacey Musgraves endorses the competition and serves as a final judge. More information can be found at bmifoundation.org/nashville.
Other scholarships available include the BMI Future Jazz Master Scholarship, BMI Student Composer Awards, John Lennon Scholarships, peermusic Latin Scholarship, Woody Guthrie Fellowship, and BMI Founders Award for Radio Broadcasting. Applications must be completed online no later than Feb. 1, 2018. For complete details and to apply, visit bmifoundation.org/programs.
“We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to introduce the world to young, talented artists on the cusp of exciting careers in music,” said BMI Foundation President Deirdre Chadwick. “These scholarships are essential for continued musical education and development, and last year we were thrilled to receive a record number of applications.”
CMA Releases New Research Findings Regarding Country Fans and Streaming
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Music Association released new research findings after evaluating how streaming is changing consumers’ relationship to music, including country and other genres. Country music listeners were part of research that included tracking their music streaming behaviors on mobile devices, PCs and laptops, as well as extensive quantitative research describing their attitudes and perceptions about streaming experiences and providers.
The findings are based on data collected from 2800 U.S. adults age 18-54, including both those who do and do not use music streaming. The research was conducted between March and June of 2017.
Key findings include:
Streaming services are under-delivering on surfacing country.
There is a need to solve discoverability problems and place more and newer titles and artists on services with as much prominent placement and recommendations as possible. Not only are country music fans less satisfied with service-created playlists for the genre compared to others, they are less satisfied with their ability to discover new country music as well in today’s streaming experience. Nearly half cited having better country music recommendations as the change that would most likely lead them to more country music streaming.
Paid adoption vs. growth.
This recent study shows that paid users stream much more often than free users – nearly twice as frequently compared to free users. These paid users are streaming country titles more frequently, as well with 22 percent streaming country songs five or more times a day versus 9 percent among free users.
Streaming drives overall music industry spending.
Country music listeners using paid streaming accounts are more actively listening to country music titles and more actively spending toward music in general. Among streamers that report streaming country titles daily, 69 percent are paid users versus 31 percent free users.
Paid service users also showed significantly more spending on other country music media formats compared to free users. A finding that suggests there are key music consumers willing to spend is not a replacement across the spectrum of users.
Non-streamers are confused about streaming platforms.
Services need to explain the benefits, points of differentiation and how to use these platforms. According to this latest data, consumer confusion may be a key barrier to adoption of streaming among some country music fans. The No. 1 reason cited for not using any streaming services was a lack of understanding about the features and benefits of streaming apps or that they are too hard to use. Educating non-users could go a long way toward driving new user growth.
“What we found in our research is exciting and very timely” says Karen Stump, CMA Senior Director of Consumer Research. “As our genre continues to exceed industry averages for year over year growth in audio streaming consumption, the time is now to build on opportunities to meet this growing consumer demand.”
The CMA commissioned the research, which was conducted by Magid Research Associates and LUTH Research.
Staff Changes At Average Joes Entertainment
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Mary Ann Kaylor-Griffiths, Allie Eckes
Nashville-based Average Joes Entertainment has promoted Mary Ann Kaylor-Griffiths to publicist for the company. Kaylor-Griffiths was previously publicity/marketing assistant.
Allie Eckes has been appointed Marketing Coordinator. A graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a double major in Journalism and Mass Communications, Eckes joined Average Joes earlier this year as receptionist.
Average Joes, located at 3728 Keystone Ave. in Nashville, represents artists including Colt Ford, Montgomery Gentry, Cap Bailey, Cypress Spring, Devin Burris, and Sarah Ross.
Carrie Underwood To Release Live Concert Film In November
/by Jessica Nicholson[Click photo to enlarge]
On Nov. 17, Underwood fans can experience the tour again, with the digital release of a live concert filmed at her sold-out Madison Square Garden show. Carrie Underwood: The Storyteller Tour – Stories In The Round, Live from Madison Square Garden will be available digitally on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Qello.
“We had the best time on ‘The Storyteller Tour’ performing for the fans last year,” said Underwood. “The amazing production and 360-degree stage let me get closer to them than ever before. I saw so many of their social media posts asking for a release of the show and we knew we had to do it. I’m so happy to get this out and relive the most fun I’ve ever had on tour!”
The tour’s massive production included 112 automation cues controlling all elements of the 150-foot-long in the round stage, including seven stage elevators, three rings of video screens, a revolving center stage and more. The tour used over 51,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, and dropped over 400 pounds of Mylar. Carrie’s wardrobe, created by Emmy-winning costume designer Marina Toybina, consisted of 32 custom made costumes and 214 pieces of jewelry, allowing for different outfit combinations. Barry Lather (Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Usher, Michael Jackson) served as Creative Director, while Butch Allen (Metallica, The Eagles, Eric Church, No Doubt) was the Production & Lighting Designer.
The Carrie Underwood: The Storyteller Tour – Stories In The Round, Live from Madison Square Garden set list includes 17 of her 26 No. 1 singles, as well as fan favorites and a collaboration with tour openers Easton Corbin and The Swon Brothers.
Renegade Runaway
Last Name/Somethin’ Bad
Undo It
Good Girl
Church Bells
Cowboy Casanova
Heartbeat
Jesus, Take the Wheel
Wasted
Blown Away
Two Black Cadillacs
Dirty Laundry
Choctaw County Affair
I Will Always Love You
What I Never Knew I Always Wanted
Mountain Music (featuring Easton Corbin and The Swon Brothers)
Clock Don’t Stop
All-American Girl
Little Toy Guns
Before He Cheats
Smoke Break
Something in the Water
Bon Jovi, LL Cool J, Radiohead Among Nominees For Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
/by Lorie HollabaughNine out of 19 of the nominees are on the ballot for the first time, and to be eligible for nomination, an artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of induction. The 2018 Nominees had to release their first official recording no later than 1992.
Ballots will be sent to an international voting body of more than 900 artists, historians and members of the music industry. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will again offer fans the opportunity to officially participate in the induction selection process as well.
Beginning Oct. 5 and continuing through Dec. 5, 2017, fans can visit rockhall.com/vote to cast votes for who they believe to be most deserving of induction. The top five, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2018 inductees. Fans will need to login with a Facebook account or email to vote, and voting is capped at one ballot per day.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2018 inductees will be announced in December. HBO will once again broadcast the April ceremony, and SiriusXM will also carry a radio broadcast of the ceremony and also special broadcasts throughout the year devoted to the Rock Hall’s Inductees from both the past and present on Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Radio Ch 310.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2018 Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, will be held at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018.
Live Nation Expands Utah Presence With United Concerts Acquisition
/by Lorie HollabaughAs a result of the move CEO/United Concerts Jim McNeil will take on the role of President, US Concerts/Salt Lake City, overseeing all local operations and reporting to Bob Roux, Co-President, North America Concerts, Live Nation.
The two companies have co-promoted shows in the region for years, and the acquisition is a natural progression as they aim to bring even more live events to the community. Earlier this year, Live Nation Entertainment’s Ticketmaster division was selected as the exclusive ticketing partner for the Vivint Smart Home Arena, home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz located in downtown Salt Lake City.
“Having partnered with United Concerts on hundreds of shows in the past we’re confident they are the right partners as Live Nation grows our presence in the market,” said Roux.
“Becoming part of Live Nation is a strategic move that will benefit our operated venues, and Utah’s live music community at large,” said McNeil. “We look forward to connecting artists with countless fans here in Salt Lake.”
Country Radio Broadcasters Accepting Rusty Walker Scholarship Applications
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Radio Broadcasters are now accepting applications for the Rusty Walker Scholarship program, which provides for an all-expense paid trip and attendance to CRS 2018, to be held Feb. 5-7, 2018.
Interested parties can apply now at countryradioseminar.com. Each applicant must fill out an online application and submit a paragraph explaining why he/she should be considered as a Rusty Walker Scholar. Eligible applicants must be a full-time radio station employee and a first time CRS attendee. Three individual scholarships will be awarded.
Each scholarship includes a full CRS 2018 registration, as well as airfare and hotel room expenses for three nights (Monday, Feb. 5, 2018 – Wednesday, February 7, 2018). Scholars will be recognized at the CRS 2018 opening ceremonies and will have the opportunity to meet and engage with CRS board members during the three-day seminar. Staff from Rusty Walker Programming will also meet with the winning applicants.
The Rusty Walker Scholarship program is named in honor of Country Radio Hall of Fame member Rusty Walker, who passed away in May 2012 at the age of 59.
BMI Brings Music To 4th Annual Island Hoppers Songwriters Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonSkye Claire performs her country hits at the 4th Annual Island Hopper Songwriters Fest.
The 4th annual Island Hopper Songwriters Fest presented by BMI, the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, and iHeart Media’s Cat Country 107.1 wrapped up this weekend as festival organizers reported record crowds. The 10-day songwriters festival featured 85 BMI singer-songwriters performing in more than 20 venues on Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach and Downtown Fort Myers, and provided an opportunity for the communities to heal after Hurricane Irma devastated many areas in Southwest Florida.
In addition, it gave BMI songwriters the opportunity to help many businesses that support them throughout the year through their licensing fees by bringing their stories and songs to the venues and in turn helping to boost food and beverage revenue for dozens of bars and restaurants who had to close for more than two weeks because of the effects of Irma. Several establishments commented that the songwriter shows helped them achieve record revenue and help heal the many communities that sustained significant damage from the hurricane.
Paul McDonald performs at Island Hopper Songwriters Fest at Fort Myers Beach on Sunday, Oct. 1.
Songwriter Julia Cole poses in Downtown Fort Myers during Island Hopper Songwriter Fest.
Maggie Rose gets the crowd going at Island Hopper Songwriters Fest in Fort Myers, Florida.