Weekly Chart Report (5/4/12)

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Average Joes Entertainment recording artist Matt Stillwell (R) visited with WJVL/Janesville, WI's Justin Brown promoting his new single, "Ignition." WJVL listeners were also treated to a short acoustic set at Wiggy's Saloon in downtown Janesville.

RADIO NEWS
• Longtime WATZ/Alpena, MI Music Director Susie Martin has retired after 18 years with the station and her last day was April 30. Going forward she can be reached at susie-martin@charter.net. Taking over her music duties is Phil Wenzel, who can be reached at pgwenz@gmail.com or 989-354-8400 x 304. Music call times are Tuesdays 1:30 – 4 pm ET and Wednesdays 2 – 4 pm ET.

• WQNZ/Natchez, MS Operations Manager Mark Porter has taken over Music Director duties following the exit of Mickey Alexander. Reach him at countryboy@95country.com.

• Rob Grayson has been named Program Director for WKBQ/Covington, TN after the departure of Jimmy Hicks. He can be reached at rob.grayson@us51country.com or 901-619-2468.

SPIN ZONE
There’s no need to apologize for this one: Eric Church has earned his second CountryBreakout No. 1 song with “Springsteen,” on the day after his birthday. Jason Aldean’s “Fly Over States” flies over a couple spots to land at No. 2, followed by Luke Bryan’s “Drunk On You.” Also muscling for top of the chart status are Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” and Zac Brown Band’s “No Hurry.” And everyone’s on the move: Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Toby Keith all benefit from some extra spins.

It looks like one of those good weeks to be a promotion rep. A big section of songs is earning triple digit spins, positions are mostly improved, and newcomers are buzzing toward the Top 20. Rachel Holder’s “In Your Arms” is now at No. 20, followed by Thomas Rhett’s “Something To Do With My Hands” at No. 21, Jana Kramer’s “Why Ya Wanna” at No. 24, and Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels” at No. 26. Also making big gains are Keith Urban’s “For You” at No. 19, and George Strait’s “Drinkin’ Man” at No. 43.

Blake Shelton had (literally) a zero to 60 week with his new single “Over.” Right in his wake at No. 61 is “Pontoon,” the latest from Little Big Town. Lee Brice is coming off a huge hit with “A Woman Like You.” It’s currently outside the Top 80, but get ready for a big debut from “Hard To Love” next week.

Frozen Playlists: KIAI, KYKX, WBKR, WJVL, WKWS

Upcoming Singles
May 7
Randy Houser/How Country Feels/Stoney Creek
Michael Dean Church/That’s How We Roll/MDC Records
Bucky Covington/I Wanna Be That Feeling/eOne/New Revolution
Lewis Copeland/She’s Got It Going On/Phull/Jeff McClusky/Turnpike
Jason Thomas/Roll On/MD Records

May 14
Jessie James/Military Man/Show Dog-Universal
Due West/Things You Can’t Do In A Car/Black River
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 60
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 61
Neal McCoy/Shotgun Rider/Blaster – 66
Scotty McCreery/Water Tower Town/19/Mercury/Interscope – 76

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 390
Dierks Bentley/5-1-5-0/Capitol – 388
Keith Urban/For You/Capitol – 377
Toby Keith/Beers Ago/Show Dog-Universal – 307
George Strait/Drinkin’ Man/MCA – 295

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Blake Shelton/Over/Warner Bros. – 30
George Strait/Drinkin’ Man/MCA – 21
Little Big Town/Pontoon/Capitol – 21
Neal McCoy/Shotgun Rider/Blaster – 15
Edens Edge/Too Good To Be True/Big Machine – 14
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 13
Jon Pardi/Missin’ You Crazy/Capitol – 12
Greg Bates/Did It For The Girl/Republic Nashville – 12
Kelly Clarkson/Mr. Know It All/19-RCA – 12
Montgomery Gentry/So Called Life/Average Joe’s – 11
Jerrod Niemann/Shinin’ On Me/Sea Gayle/Arista – 10
Keith Urban/For You/Capitol – 10

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Lee Brice/Hard To Love/Curb – 199
Lucas Hoge/Give A Damn/Animal House – 197
Adam Gregory/High On You/Calusa Entertainment-GMV Nashville – 191
Jaida Dreyer/Guy’s Girl/Soundstream – 178
Clinton Gregory/Bridges/Melody Roundup – 164

Don Gosselin (WNOE/New Orleans OM/PD) joined The Band Perry during the filming of the trio’s new music video for, "Postcard From Paris." Gosselin is pictured behind the wheel, Kimberly riding shotgun, and Neil and Reid in the backseat.

UMG Nashville’s Lauren Alaina appeared with label mate Easton Corbin at KFDI/Wichita’s Listener Appreciation Show. (L-R): KFDI’s Carol Hughes, Lauren Alaina, Mercury regional Jill Brunett

Kellie Pickler recently stopped by WSIX Nashville to co-host the morning show and promote the title track from her album 100 Proof. (L-R): WSIX morning show host Billy Greenwood, Pickler, WSIX midday personality Amy Paige, and BNA/Columbia's David Friedman

Gonzales and Dorman Launch Triple Crown

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Rich O'Toole

Former Nine North Records regional promotion staffers Doc Gonzales and Jim Dorman have announced the launch of Triple Crown Promotions Company, an independent promotion outfit. Will Robinson, also previously with Nine North, has also joined the team.

Triple Crown’s first artist project will be Rich O’Toole, who is releasing his single “Drunk Girl” to country radio.

Reach out to Gonzales at doc@tc-promo.com, Dorman at jim@tc-promo.com, and Robinson at will@tc-promo.com.

No. 1 Party: George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright”

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Pictured L-R: ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, UMG's Brian Wright, Sea Gayle Music's Liz O'Sullivan, Al Anderson, Chris Stapleton, UMG's Royce Risser, Tony Brown and ASCAP's Mike Sistad.

Producer Tony Brown took a seat at the grand piano in ASCAP’s lobby and played the iconic theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey to call to order the crowd at the No. 1 party for “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright.” It was the first of two events celebrating George Strait’s 59th No. 1, and although the King was not in attendance, he is one of the few artists deserving of such an introduction.

“Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” songwriters Al Anderson and Chris Stapleton were present to accept honors at the celebration on Monday (4/30).

ASCAP writer Stapleton received praise from Sea Gayle’s Liz O’Sullivan, CMA’s Brandi Simms, and CRB’s Bill Cody. Brown, along with UMG Nashville’s Royce Risser and Brian Wright, were additionally recognized.

Anderson, who writes for Big Yellow Dog, said “I’m proud to have a George Strait cut, it’s like a holy grail.” Echoing that feeling, Stapleton added, “It’s a humbling thing to just to have any song cut by somebody, but to be picked up by George and for it to go No. 1 is amazing.”

Afterward BMI writer Anderson was honored at an intimate rooftop reception at the organization’s offices. Shortly after the festivities, Anderson and his band the World Famous Headliners headed out of town for the Key West Songwriters Festival.

Pictured (L-R): MCA Nashville’s Van Haze, producer Tony Brown, MCA Nashville’s Joe Putnam, Erv Woolsey Management’s Dottie Oelhafen, co-writer Al Anderson, MCA Nashville’s Ken Robold, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace, and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Steve Lowry

Lambert and Little Big Town Added to 2012 CMA Fest

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Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town have joined the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field held during 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10, in downtown Nashville, and will once again be filmed for an ABC television special to air in late summer.

Lambert will perform on Thursday, June 7, and Little Big Town will perform on Saturday, June 9.

Also during the Nightly Concerts at LP Field, Sarah Darling, Nashville School of Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner), Oak Ridge Boys and Julie Roberts will each perform the National Anthem.

The current lineups for the Nightly Concerts are as follows in alphabetical order:

Thursday, June 7:
Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, and Zac Brown Band. National Anthem performed by the Nashville School of Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner).

Friday, June 8:
The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood. National Anthem performed by the Oak Ridge Boys.

Saturday, June 9:
Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Kenny Rogers. National Anthem performed by Julie Roberts.

Sunday, June 10:
Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, and Rascal Flatts. National Anthem performed by Sarah Darling.

Tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are $40 (plus applicable handling fees) for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field. Fans can purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com or CMAfest.com.

Four-day ticket packages are also available, from only $125 per person plus handling fees. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to varying levels of seating at LP Field and include admittance to all four Nightly Concerts as well as all daytime Festival activities, including the Fan Fair Fall where artist autograph signing sessions are held. Children 3 years and younger are admitted free. For information on ADA seating, please call 1-800-CMA-FEST.

Women Rock for the Cure Hosts Pink Trash Ball Tonight

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Women Rock for the Cure will paint the town pink tonight (5/3) at Mercy Lounge for the 4th Annual Pink Trash Ball.

Among the festivities are a fashion show presented by Betsey Johnson Nashville with cancer survivors as models. Musical performers at the event include Tiffany, The Voice’s Brian Fuente, Baby Daggers, Black Market Research and DeeJay Silver.

Tickets are still available here, including VIP packages.

Separately, the organization is planning a 2012 Young Survivors Retreat for September 21-23.

Last year, the event brought 22 women from 10 states to the Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson Station. The weekend included nutrition, fertility, relationships, and beauty classes as well as a private songwriters performance night. Art and yoga sessions were also available. The retreat is free of charge and open to women between the ages of 18-40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Applications will be accepted starting in June.

Additionally, Women Rock for the Cure is looking for young survivors to participate in upcoming promotional video shoots. To be connected with the organization to receive more information, click here.

Alan Jackson To Debut Music On Opry

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Alan Jackson will debut songs from his upcoming album during a special appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He is scheduled for a 30-min set on Tues., May 8, and a portion of the show will be taped to air later on GAC’s Noteworthy at the Opry. Also on the Opry line up that night are Little Big Town, Thompson Square and Chris Young.

Jackson’s album, Thirty Miles West, will be released June 5 and is the first project via the partnership between ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and EMI Records Nashville. It is available for pre-order on his website. Fans who pre-order will receive a free instant download of current single “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore” and be entered to win a personalized autographed guitar.

Event Safety Alliance Working To Set Industry Guidelines

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A group of live entertainment professionals have organized the Event Safety Alliance (ESA) to create a guide of best practices for the industry to keep fans, entertainers and workers safe. The formation of the ESA was spurred by numerous deaths at outdoor concerts in 2011, many due to severe weather.

The ESA will team with the music industry and government agencies including Homeland Security, OSHA and NFPA to create The Event Safety Guide US. Among the focuses of the book and organization are communication among event staff, staging inspection strategies, and training/certification programs for workers.

Following the tragedies of 2011, many professionals have sought ways to prevent future disasters. These efforts have included training by the National Weather Service, creating chains of command for events, and inserting language into contracts that alleviates financial risk for canceling or delaying a concert based on safety concerns.

Jim Digby, production manager for Linkin Park, is acting as Executive Director of the ESA.

The ESA is using the UK’s The Event Safety Guide, aka The Purple Guide, until a US version can be created. Click to download a PDF of The Purple Guide.

A website with resources and news is at eventsafetyalliance.org.

ESA members
Steven A. Adelman, Adelman Law Group, PLLC
Ken Barber, Clair Brothers Audio
Matt Bettenhausen, AEG Live
Keith Bohn, TOMCAT USA
John Brown, Brown United Staging
Lyle Centola, Production Manager
James Chippendale, Doodson Insurance Brokerage
Benny Collins, Production Manager
Jim Digby, Production Manager
Mary Lou Figley, Stageco
Tim Franklin, Structural Engineer
Charlie Hernandez, Production Director
Hadden Hippsley, Production Manager
Ken Keberle
Steve MacFadyen, Pollstar
Tim Roberts, Event Safety Shop, Ltd.
Karl Ruling, PLASA
Stuart Ross, Red Light Management
Roger Sandau, Doodson Insurance Brokerage
Ron Stern, Production Manager

Lady A Partners With Lipton for Tornado Victims

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Lady Antebellum is partnering with Lipton to recognize Henryville, IN for its strength and resilience following the devastating tornadoes in March.

To honor the town, on May 16 Lady Antebellum will hold a special performance and community celebration at the KFC YUM! Center in nearby Louisville, KY. Lipton is giving an opportunity for fans around the country to get involved by creating a special destination, www.rebuildinghenryville.com, where people can learn more about Henryville, donate to the rebuild and share words of support for the community. For every $1 donation received, Lipton will match up to $50,000.

The Henryville project originated as part of Lady Antebellum’s contest offering their fans the chance to win a prom performance. After reviewing numerous submissions, the band chose Henryville for their inspiring story following extensive tornado damage.

“Lipton was already working with Lady Antebellum on an exciting new campaign to spread positivity and bring fans together when we were introduced to the community of Henryville,” said Heather MacNeil, Lipton. “We were moved by the community’s sense of unity and in the spirit of ‘Drink Positive,’ we immediately jumped on board to support the rebuild effort.”

Tickets for the Rebuilding Henryville performance at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. are also available at Ticketmaster.com. All donations and concert proceeds will go to the New Hope/Indiana Bankers Association for the Disaster Relief Fund.

MTSU Students Win National Competition

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(L-R) front row: Taylor Bray, Jeff Braun, Grant Hartford and Shure Inc. Regional Manager for Artist Relations Ryan Smith. back row: MTSU recording-industry professors John Merchant, Bill Crabtree and Michael Fleming. Photo: Don Wright

Three Middle Tennessee State University students have claimed the grand prize for the eighth annual “Fantastic Scholastic Recording Competition” sponsored by Shure Inc.

Seniors Jeff Braun and Grant Hartford, along with 2011 graduate Taylor Bray, won the 2012 competition for their production work of Rebecca Roubion’s “Falliday.” The recording industry majors worked with faculty adviser Michael Fleming on the project.

“We congratulate the winning team from MTSU and thank all of the students who participated in this year’s contest from all of the different schools,” said Dave Mendez, Shure market development specialist, who coordinated the competition.

By winning the competition, the MTSU recording industry department gets to keep the microphone locker of Shure equipment valued at over $11,000, and each member of the winning team will also receive a Shure package valued at almost $1000.

Based in Niles, IL, Shure is the leading manufacturer of microphones and audio electronics. The competition allowed student musicians to record in studios with the same gear used by professionals. Competing against the MTSU students were teams from University of Miami Frost School of Music, Clemson University, DePaul University, the University of the Pacific, the New England School of Communications, the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University, William Paterson University, Delta State University and the Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy.

To learn more about the competition and hear the winning song, click here.

Florida Georgia Line To Release Debut EP

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Big Loud Mountain’s up-and-coming duo Florida Georgia Line will release its debut digital EP It’z Just What We Do on Tues., May 15.

Produced by Joey Moi (Jake Owen, Nickelback), the five-song release features the duo’s first single “Cruise,” which will hit country radio later in May. The duo is comprised of Tyler Hubbard from Monroe, GA and Brian Kelley from Ormond Beach, FL, who co-wrote all five songs on the release. Hubbard and Kelley recently paid a visit to MusicRow, and are now unveiling the new music for fans on their website before the EP releases. Full track list is included below.

Florida Georgia Line will also appear on the 2012 Country Throwdown Tour this summer, which kicks off May 18 in Gulfport, MS with Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, Justin Moore, and others.

Big Loud Mountain is a new partnership between Big Loud Shirt Industries, Moi, and artist manager, Kevin “Chief” Zaruk.

It’z Just What We Do Track Listing:
1. Cruise
2. Get Your Shine On
3. Tip It Back
4. Tell Me How You Like It
5. It’z Just What We Do