Idol Judges Get Thumbs Up

/by


America’s love affair with talent was renewed again as the tenth season of American Idol stoked its star-maker fires introducing a judges bench with two new faces and of course a bevy of wannabe hopefuls. Not unexpectedly, opinions were mixed moving into the debut as to whether the new personalities could reverse the show’s recent downward ratings trend. However, “judging” by the morning-after articles, facebook opinions and blog comments from around the web, judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez acquitted themselves quite nicely on opening night. The role of new mentor/judge Interscope Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine is yet to be unveiled but he will sign the winner to a recording contract. Here’s a few quotes from some of the high profile writers and links to read more…

“Season 10 and American Idol finally brought in a couple of pros,” said the L.A. Times Mary McNamara… “And after the bipolar antics of last year’s woefully mismatched panel — including a zombified Ellen DeGeneres and a manically flirtatious Kara DioGuardi — their natural confidence in front of the camera was such a blessed relief that it was hard to miss even the bracing ballistics of Simon Cowell…’Baby, you got so much drama but you’ve got no notes,’ Tyler told one young woman, quickly establishing himself as capable of telling the truth in a colorful but nonhostile way.”

The Wrap.com’s Jennifer Kelly had the morning’s best headline saying, ‘American Idol’: How It Went With the Diva, the Dawg and the Demon of Screamin’

“Yes, it was the debut of the new judging triumvirate, featuring Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and veteran Randy Jackson. Perhaps more importantly, though, it marked the official end to the banal season 9, and that in itself is a bonus… Tyler, on the other hand, is an entertaining walking paradox. While it’s not fair to call him a Paula-Simon hybrid, he is equal parts kooky and no-nonsense. Whether he’s spontaneously breaking into song mid-speech or spouting wacky wisdom (“Water her flower ‘cause it’s gonna grow”), he is definitely the stand-out personality. Unlike Paula, though, you never lose the feeling that he actually knows what he’s talking about…”

Linda Stasi wove colorful phrases into her insights that stretch beyond the new judges and address the direction of the show itself for the New York Post.

“In fact, the instant chemistry among the three judges was so right, they couldn’t have created it in a lab. Everything that made us fall in love with Idol in the first place was back: The heart (Lopez), the soul (Randy Jackson) and the Crazy (Tyler). But it was back in a whole new way. And now that Nigel Lythgoe, the genius behind the show, is back, he brought with him his credo about what had made “Idol” the show it was: The simplicity — and the soap. Idol was never, and will never really be, a show about singing. It’s really a show about singing for your supper or else you won’t eat. The more down and out, miserable and depressing your life has been and the more you struggled for your dream, the better chance you have. Last night they hit depression jackpot, too. There was the kid who beat life in a wheelchair, the throat cancer father who brought his singing daughter, and finally and most touching, the homeless Bronx boy with the voice of a modern day Johnny Mathis. Cry? Are you kidding me? They don’t need car and Coke commercials — they should just have Kleenex ads…”

Nashville’s Brian Mansfield also clocked in for USA Today with his take on the new Idol dynamic.

“Lopez comes off like a more businesslike version of the supportive, nurturing Abdul, who left Idol after the 2009 season — lots of tears and hugs, and she struggles with having to say some obvious no’s, but she has constructive things to say to even the worst contestants. Tyler, on the other hand, brings back the goofy unpredictability that was Abdul’s stock-in-trade during her eight seasons on the show. He gets directly involved with the auditions — drumming on the desk, harmonizing, providing backing vocals, whatever he thinks the contestants need. He’s willing to be ‘brutally honest,’ but he’s also not above lightheartedly mocking auditioners — or flirting with the females: ‘Where’s your pitchfork, you sexy devil?’ he asks one.

Performance News: Urban To Rock Super Bowl Pre-game

/by


Photo by: John Mayer


Latest tour news from Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Billy Falcon/Bon Jovi, CMA Songwriters Series, Teddy Gentry and the Oak Ridge Boys.
>>Keith Urban will perform at the Super Bowl XLV pregame festivities at Cowboys Stadium on Feb. 6. Fox Super Bowl Sunday pregame coverage begins at 2:00 PM ET. Urban’s performance will also kick off on-sale dates (starting 2/11) for his summer Get Closer 2011 World Tour. The Black Eyed Peas will handle halftime duties.
>>As previously announced, Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party Tour launches tomorrow (1/21) in Little Rock, AR at the Verizon Arena. Tickets for the outing are selling out faster than ever before, with over 41,000 tickets already sold for the first four nights. Special guests are Eric Church and the JaneDear girls.

Billy Falcon


>>Nashville songwriter Billy Falcon will open for Bon Jovi in Raleigh, NC on Feb. 21. The performance marks the release of Falcon’s new album, When, featuring songs he wrote with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. Falcon has co-written more than a dozen songs on the last six Bon Jovi albums, including the hit singles “When We Were Beautiful” and “Superman Tonight.” Also, Falcon and daughter Rose co-wrote the track “Give In To Me,” performed by Faith Hill on the Country Strong soundtrack.
>>The CMA Songwriters Series will return to the venue where it all began, New York City’s Joe’s Pub, on Thurs., March 24 (6:30 and 9:00 PM/ET). This will be the seventh year for the wildly popular series that continues to play to sell-out crowds. On the line up are MCA Nashville’s Ashton Shepherd, and hit songwriters Rivers Rutherford, Chris Wallin, and Bob DiPiero. www.joespub.com.
>>After taking a break, Teddy Gentry of Alabama fame is prepping for a return to the road. His concert series starts with a public party on Jan. 21, 7:30 pm at 3rd and Lindsley, celebrating his 59th birthday. It’s also the debut of his new band, Rockit City, comprised of Gentry, Billy Davis, Charles English, Chip Davis, Dillon Dixon, Jimmy Stewart, and Shawn Fichter.
>>The Oak Ridge Boys are kicking off their 2011 concert appearances with a series of events at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort. The boys will entertain fans at their 2-night, 3-day rally, set for Jan. 21-23.

Dierks Headlines Jägermeister Tour

/by


Dierks Bentley


Dierks Bentley is set to headline the 2011 Jägermeister Country Tour which kicks off March 17. The 30-city tour runs through mid-May and will feature special guest Columbia Nashville artist Josh Thompson and brand new A&M/Octone duo Miss Willie Brown. Each concert will also feature a local Jägermeister sponsored country act.
Pre-sale tickets are available to fan club members through www.dierks.com, while the general public will be able to purchase tickets beginning Jan. 21 and Jan. 28 through Ticketmaster. The remaining cities will go on sale over the coming weeks.
Bentley is currently in Nashville working on his next studio album. The first single from the album is scheduled to be released this spring.

News Shorts: Big Country Records Opens

/by


Big Country Records • CRS unemployment rate • Joseph Conner joins Lotos Nile • Americana Festival submissions • HFA/Napster
>>Entrepreneur Glen Blaschke and hit songwriter Tammy Hyler (Martina McBride “I Love You,” Collin Raye “I Can Still Feel You”) launched Big Country Records and Big Country Entertainment with an industry party yesterday. Singer/songwriter Morgan Tobias is the flagship act and her debut single will be released to country radio this spring. The offices will be at 44 Music Sq. W. in Nashville. MusicRow reported on this story earlier this month. More here.

>>CRS is again offering a $99 unemployment rate for the seminar to be held March 2-4, 2011, in downtown Nashville. This offer, and the $499 regular rate, are available through Friday, Feb. 18. Contact Kristen McRary at 615- 327-4487 or Kristen@CRB.org for registration materials. www.CRB.org.
>>Joseph Conner has joined Kissy Black’s Lotos Nile. Conner spent the last few years handling publicity at Kaleidoscope Media. He can be reached at joseph@lotosnile.com. For Kaleidoscope business, contact Lauren or Susan at lauren@kaleidoscope-media.com and susan@kaleidoscope-media.com.
>>Showcase submissions for the Americana Music Festival are open now through April 18. The 12th annual Americana Music Festival and Conference will be held Oct. 12-15, 2011 at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel. There is also a super early bird registration rate available now. www.americanamusic.org.
>>The Harry Fox Agency has announced the renewal of its agreement to provide Administration Services to Napster.

Alison Krauss + Union Station Set April Release

/by

Alison Krauss and Union Station members Jerry Douglas, Barry Bales, Ron Block, and Dan Tyminski


Rounder Records has set an April 12 release date for the latest from Alison Krauss and Union Station, Paper Airplane.
This will be the first new music from Krauss since her highly acclaimed 2007 collaboration with Robert Plant. It will be her first album with longtime band Union Station since 2004’s Lonely Runs Both Ways.
The Plant/Krauss project was honored with six Grammys, adding to her career tally of 26, the most for any female in history.
American Songwriter is reporting the following track list:
1. Paper Airplane
2. Dustbowl Children
3. Lie Awake
4. Lay My Burden Down
5. My Love Follows You Where You Go
6. Dimming Of The Day
7. On The Outside Looking In
8. Miles To Go
9. Sinking Stone
10. Bonita and Bill Butler
11. Opening Farewell

Jaclyn North Wins Texaco Country Showdown

/by

Jaclyn North receives $100,000 prize from show host LeAnn Rimes.


Jaclyn North won the Jan. 13 Country Showdown at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, taking home a $100,000 grand prize. The 29th annual competition, with new title sponsorship by Texaco, has been a starting ground for numerous country stars. 
North, representing radio station KHOZ/Harrison, AR, competed against four other finalists.
LeAnn Rimes hosted the show where contestants were judged by industry members Brian Mansfield, music journalist for USA Today; BJ Hill, Sr. Dir. of A&R for Warner/Chappell Music; Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, Sr. Dir. of A&R for Sony Music Nashville; John Ozier, Director of A&R for Curb Records; and Rod Essig, agent from Creative Artists Agency.
Dean Unkefer serves as Executive Producer of the Texaco Country Showdown.
This year’s show will air nationwide in April on syndicated television and overseas to military bases on government access channels. Airdates at www.countryshowdown.com.

Artist News: Darius Rucker, Jerrod Niemann, Band Perry

/by

Darius Rucker will appear on the Late Show with David Letterman tonight (1/19). He returns to the H2O Frozen Over Tour with Brad Paisley in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the Resch Center on Thurs., January 20.
In more Rucker news, “Together, Anything’s Possible,” the song he wrote specifically to support the PGA TOUR’s charitable initiative by the same name, is being released to radio. Through a unique partnership between the PGA TOUR, Capitol Records Nashville, McGhee Entertainment and iTunes, all net proceeds of the song downloads for one year are being donated to PGA TOUR Charities, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
For more details, visit PGATOUR.COM/Together.
••••

Pictured (l-r): Niemann and Liberal, KS, Mayor Tim Long


Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville chart-topper Jerrod Niemann returned to his Liberal, KS, hometown on Saturday (1/15)— officially proclaimed Jerrod Niemann Day—to play a sold-out benefit concert for the Liberal High School Booster Club in front of more than 1200 fans. Niemann was presented with an array of hometown accolades, including an official Key to the City and a reading of the Jerrod Niemann Day proclamation from Mayor Tim Long.
••••
Sibling trio The Band Perry will perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday, Jan. 28 and The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Monday, Jan. 31. In celebration of their Grammy and ACM nominations, The Band Perry will perform their Platinum single, “If I Die Young.” The band first announced the news via UStream live chat.

Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Nominee Party

/by

Pictured (l-r:) George Flanigen, chair of the board of trustees, The Recording Academy; Susan Stewart, south regional director, The Recording Academy; nominee Chris Young and Gary Overton, Sony Music Nashville chairman.


All photos courtesy of The Recording Academy® /Wireimage.com © 2011. Photographed by: Frederick Breedon
Chapter 356
Talk about your star gazing—this year’s Grammy nominee party was the place to be.
And what a triumph for Nashville’s music community: “I’m proud to say that this year there were more Grammy entries than ever before,” said Recording Academy chapter board president Dan Hill. “We are extremely diverse,” added South Regional Director Susan Stewart. “We have more nominees in more categories than I can name. We have six Nashville songwriters up for Song of the Year, alone.”
“Our national Chairman of the Board didn’t have to fly in, because he lives right here,” Dan continued. “Welcome George Flanigen.” George pointed out that the number of Nashville nominees spans 35 different categories. In addition to country, bluegrass and gospel, they include folk, pop, world music, rock, historical, liner notes, Americana, movie music and classical.
“The Nashville Symphony, with one record, is nominated for five awards,” boasted George. “From now on, all of you will have attached to your name, ‘Grammy nominated,’ like ‘Grammy nominated Rivers Rutherford’ or ‘Grammy nominated Chris Young.’”

Nashville Symphony Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero. The Symphony garnered five Grammy nominations.


Chris and Rivers were most definitely in the house. The gala, staged yesterday evening at the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza (1/18), also featured appearances by triple nominee Dierks Bentley, jazz great Larry Carlton and rockers Paramore, plus Sam Bush, Cherryholmes, Tom Douglas, Ty Herndon, Ricky Skaggs, Gordon Kennedy, Karen Peck, Dailey & Vincent, David Nail, The Band Perry, The SteelDrivers, Gretchen Wilson, Little Big Town, Allen Shamblin, Jeff & Sheri Easter, FireFight, Austin’s Bridge and conductor Giancarlo Guerrero.
“What a great turnout,” editorialized Wes Vause.
“When they called me [to attend], I said, ‘You want me to park cars?’” quipped Sam Tate, who is nominated alongside Rivers and Annie Tate for writing “I’d Love to Be Your Last” for Gretchen. “The song wasn’t even a single!” he exclaimed. “But that’s what’s great about the country Grammys,” I replied. “They’re weird, and in this case, weird in a good way.”
“After all I’ve been through, I finally get to show, ‘This is what I can do,’” said Jett Williams. “I’m moving the legacy forward,” with a massive reissue set of daddy Hank’s works.
“I’ve been nominated 11 times, but never won,” said Connie Smith. “I don’t care. I’m just glad to be nominated….again.” Hubbie and vocal collaborator Marty Stuart defended fellow nominee Skaggs’ much maligned long locks. “I think it’s cool,” said Marty. “He looks like Benjamin Franklin.”
The most nominated Nashville act is Lady Antebellum. “It’s a pretty awesome feeling, especially to be honored in the all-genre categories,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley. The group is in the studio, but still felt the responsibility to drop by the party. I love those kids.
Seeing conductor Guerrero, Del McCoury was reminded of a gig his band played at the Schermerhorn with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band last year. Afterward, the McCourys took the New Orleans legends with them to appear on the Opry. According to Pete Fisher, this is the first time a tuba has been on the show. The collaboration will result in a joint album, out in April. It looks like the Grammys might need yet another category – Bluegrass/Dixieland or Dixieland/Bluegrass.
The crowd of hundreds was packed with industry fabulons. Among those working the room were Gary Overton, Gary Paczosa, Ben Vaughn, Ben Fowler, Mary Ann McCready, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Mary Martin, Alan Valentine, Allen Brown, Tony Brown, Tom Lord, Tim DuBois, Tracy Gershon, Tree Paine, Tamara Saviano, Hunter Davis, Hunter Kelly, Scott & Sandi Borchetta, Scott Robinson, Sherod Robertson, Jeff Walker, Jeff Hanna & Matraca Berg, Jimmy Carter, Joe Palmaccio, Jon Freeman and Jon Randall Stewart & Jessi Alexander. Jon and Jessi spent the holidays, by the way, having a seven-day blast on Delbert’s Blues Cruise.
Meanwhile, back at the Grammy schmoozathon, we noshed on roast beef sandwiches, tiny rock shrimp on toast points, roasted and glazed veggies on flat breads, crab cake sandwiches, Mediterranean dips, filo dessert rolls and more. We said, “Happy New Year” to Gilles Godard, Fletcher Foster, Ronna Rubin, Luke Lewis, Chris Keaton, Ron & Regina Stuve, Rod Essig, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Jackie Marushka Luttrell, Janet Bozeman, Paul Barnabee, Pat Higdon, Peter Cooper, Karen Byrd, Ken Robold, Kira Florita, Kay West, Andrew Kintz, Shelby Kennedy, Beverly Keel, Denise Stiff, Dan Harrell, David Preston, Don Light, Bob Doyle and Frank Myers, not to mention Mayor Karl Dean and Nashville first lady Anne Davis.
“That’s Karl with a ‘K,’” said hizzhonor. “Of course,” sez I. “Bobby Karl is always with a ‘K,’ as all correct Karl spellers are.”
The awards show airs Sunday, February 13, 8:00 p.m./Eastern on CBS.

Nashville mayor Karl Dean, Nashville first lady, Anne Davis and GRAMMY nominees Marty Stuart and Connie Smith.

Country Sales Brace For Roller Coaster Ride

/by

Think of this week’s Nielsen SoundScan results as a giant coaster ride. The cold steel restraint has pushed you against the seat back and as the car slowly “click clicks” up the steep first curve you calm your stomach saying, “Hey, I’m going to be fine.”
Country music album sales are up a healthy 14.9% YTD for the week ended 1/16/2011. But in two weeks our coaster car will summit the climb and then…. all hell breaks loose.
Yes, it was the week of 1/31/2010 when Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now debuted with 481,000 units. And by 2/28/10 it had scanned about 1.16 million! But where is our half million unit debut for this year? Answer: it already debuted fourth quarter last year when we threw every artist that could get shelf space into the sales mix. And hence the roller coaster analogy, because starting the last week of January, that nice 14.9% increase is going to head downhill like a speeding Coney Island coaster about to fly off the track!
In the meantime, Country Strong is sweetening the opening weeks of 2011.The official cinematic soundtrack sold over 28k units this week landing in the No. 2 spot on the Top Current Country album chart (total sales after 12 weeks is 100,000). Also related to the film is Country Strong (More Music From the Motion Picture) which moved over 15k units for a No. 5 chart position.
Steel Magnolia’s digital-only album debut also performed nicely, lagging the Paltrow/McGraw epic by only a few hundred units and earning it a No. 3 place.

The media savvy Bellamy Brothers immediately tried to connect Spear's latest to their classic, "If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me." However, even the most rabid Bellamy fans will have to admit that the production trio of Shellback, Dr. Luke and Max Martin have created a highly original swirling pop pastry.


As 2010 closed we saw powerhouse sales from Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady A, Rascal Flatts, ZBB and a few others, but now in the stark January chill, sales have slowed. A few weeks ago at the end of the holidays (12/26/2010) the Top Current Country 75 chart saw sales of 1.467 million units. But this week’s post holiday chart shifted only about 351k. Filling out the Top 5 positions this week are Taylor Swift at No. 1 with sales of over 35k and Jason Aldean sliding slightly to No. 4 with about 25k units.
Digital Track Sales & FACToids
Taylor Swift tops the country tracks list with “Back To December” downloading over 60k times. But over on the all genre Digital Tracks chart Britney Spears vaults to the top with a 411k debut of her new single, “Hold It Against Me.” The media savvy Bellamy Brothers immediately tried to connect the song’s hook to their classic, “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me.” However, even the most rabid Bellamy fans will have to admit that the production trio of Shellback, Dr. Luke and Max Martin have created a highly original swirling pop pastry.

Ten Years On The Lost Highway

/by

Lost Highway Records will mark its tenth anniversary with a series of vinyl reissues and a blowout SXSW showcase.
On March 18, Lost Highway will team with BMI for a SXSW concert at the new Austin City Limits studio, The Moody Theater. Set to perform are Lucinda Williams, Robert Earl Keen, Hayes Carll, and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears. Label reps say fans can also expect surprise appearances from guests who have played an important role in Lost Highway’s history.
Throughout 2011 Lost Highway—which almost always makes new projects available on vinyl—will release 20 different titles from its celebrated catalog on limited edition clear vinyl. This series will begin on Jan. 25 with releases of Ryan Adams’ Gold and the soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou?. That will be followed on Feb. 15 by Hayes Carll’s KMAG YOYO and Drive-By Truckers’ Southern Rock Opera, and in March by Williams’ Blessed and Black Joe Lewis & The Honebears’ Scandalous.
As the brainchild of UMG Nashville chairman Luke Lewis, Lost Highway has become known for award-winning, critically acclaimed music. Since launching ten years ago, the label has released 80 albums, sold 18 million units, and had 53 Grammy® nominations with 15 wins. Among the highlights are the label’s debut release, the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack which won five Grammys, and more recently, Johnny Cash’s American IV: The Man Comes Around.
“I started dreaming of a label that might be a haven for artists that make enduring music not driven by hits on the radio,” Lewis recalls. “Only singer-songwriters need apply. Lots of people told me, ‘You can’t do that inside a major label,’ and hearing that made me crazy. I believed that if we were truly discerning and only signed great artists, we could create a brand that would in turn both serve Universal and the artist. And I was thinking at the time about how many incremental sales were created because consumers saw the logo of a label they trusted and knew stood for quality.”
Lewis won a Grammy as executive producer of The Complete Hank Williams, and received the 2010 Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Over the last ten years, Lost Highway has released albums from acclaimed and award-winning artists, including Ryan Adams, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello, Isaac Freeman (of the Fairfield Four), The Jayhawks, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Whiskeytown, Hank Williams, Lucinda Williams, Robert Earl Keen, Morrissey, Van Morrison, and Tom Jones.