Further evidence? Taylor on the new cover of "InStyle."
Country’s last popularity peak was spearheaded by Garth Brooks who attracted both countryphiles and musicphiles—fans with a wide variety of musical tastes. Today there are a great many similarities to those times with the media’s strong attraction toward Taylor Swift and her music which to date has sold over 10 million records.
When Garth was riding his wave of popularity he helped, (and was helped), by what we now call the class of ’89. Is there a new class of ’09? Hot acts were showcased on the CMA Awards such as Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jamey Johnson and Billy Currington. Favorites such as Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride and Reba proved themselves current and cutting edge. It was an amazing tour de force of new, developing and established talents.
Could country be on the verge of a strong expansion lead by the 19-year-old singer/songwriter and reinforced by a vigorous rising class of appealing artists ready to benefit from the format’s increased attention? Let’s examine some of the recent dots
on our tastemaker radar and see if they connect.
A lot of high profile happenings have taken place in a short timespan. The CMA Awards show this week drew its highest ratings since 2005 with an estimated 35 million viewers watching at least some portion of the show. Swift performed twice and won four trophies. The precocious prodigy also brought Saturday Night Live its best ratings of the season when she appeared as host and musical guest on Nov. 7. Bundle Swift’s recent appearance/performance on Oprah, the VMA/Kanye West incident which brought worldwide coverage, plus her sold-out tour and it is easy to see why she is now the largest selling artist across all formats. And where is she from? What does she call herself? [Answers: Nashville; country.]
A grassroots indication that attention is turning toward country music, also happened the day following the Awards when MusicRow.com experienced its largest ever one-day traffic numbers—a staggering increase of 37% over its previous all-time best day. People were searching out information about Swift, the awards and the format in numbers we have never seen before.
Is Taylor the new Garth? Will her magnetic popularity reconnect country with a larger multi-format audience? Is there a class of ’09? Time will tell, but it appears that a new energy in country music is starting to rumble across America. Hopefully we’ll see it reflected on the holiday sales charts. If these dots are connecting, it will mean good things for everyone on Music Row in the coming year. Bring it on!
Christmas News From Sugarland, Wynonna, Joey And Rory
/by Sarah Skates———————
———————
J
oey+Rory are offering their take on holiday traditions with the new single “It’s Christmas Time,” as well as a unique children’s album from The Song Trust, entitled Merry Kidsmas. The couple is partnering with CMT One Country for both projects. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of “It’s Christmas Time” will be donated to The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and a portion of the proceeds from Merry Kidsmas will benefit the USO through the end of 2009.
CRS Revamps Schedule
/by Sarah SkatesLofton Creek Records' Gwen Sebastian performed at the recent CRB Board meeting breakfast. Pictured (L-R): Lofton Creek Pres. Mike Borchetta, WQYK’s Mike Culotta, KMPS’s Becky Brenner, Gwen Sebastian, Mike McVey of McVey Media, Max Media of Hampton Roads, John Shomby and WSIX’s Keith Kauffman.
Country Radio Seminar organizers have been finalizing plans for the upcoming event, to be held Feb. 24-26, 2010, at the Nashville Convention Center. Attendees at CRS 41 can expect changes in scheduling, panels and radio liner tapings.
To reduce scheduling conflicts, the new lineup ensures that no more than three panels will be held simultaneously during the seminar. Additionally, the designation of radio market-specific panels has been eliminated and panels should appeal to all attendees regardless of market size or location. The single-day sales panels have been redistributed throughout the three days of the seminar, and the Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception and Consumer Focus Group events are returning to CRS for the first time in years.
Country Radio Broadcasters is also planning a new digital liners system that replaces the on-site Artist Radio Taping Session which was previously part of CRS. The new digital process enables radio stations to submit their custom liner requests directly to CRB, which will have them recorded by the artists and ready for pick-up at CRS. The first 150 stations to sign up for the new digital liners system will be given priority access to participating artists such as Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Craig Morgan, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson and Darryl Worley.
Stations must register for the new system by Dec. 18, 2009 (the CRS 41 Advance Rate deadline) to submit custom requests. Stations that have already registered for CRS are automatically included.
Registration and a detailed schedule can be viewed at www.CRB.org.
Nashville Post: FBI Raids Gibson Offices
/by contributorIconic company charged with illegal importation of Madagascar wood.
Click to go to >>Nashville Post<<
Texan Aaron Watson Builds Nashville Team
/by Sarah SkatesThe Abilene native just released the CD/DVD set Deep In The Heart Of Texas: Aaron Watson LIVE, which led to his third consecutive appearance on the Billboard Country Charts. He is writing, recording and self-producing his next project, due out this spring. Lead single, “The Road,” is already at radio.
Faith Hill And Borman Part Ways
/by Sarah SkatesBorman Entertainment’s other clients include Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum. Gary Borman opened the company in 1976, which now has offices in Los Angeles and Nashville.
Kerri Fox-Metoyer Joins Sony as VP Sales
/by Sarah SkatesKerri Fox-Metoyer has joined Sony Music Nashville as Vice President, Sales. With 18 years of experience, she previously held the same title at Walt Disney Records.
She will spearhead Sony Music Nashville’s initiatives in sales, catalog exploitation, non-traditional and new business initiatives, as well as managing relationships with retail in conjunction with Sony’s distribution arm.
Fox-Metoyer will report directly to Senior Vice President, Sales & Operations, Paul Barnabee. With today’s announcement, Barnabee remarked, “We’re excited to have someone of Kerri’s expertise joining our family. She brings a dynamic perspective to the team as we navigate today’s music environment, working with traditional retail accounts while also identifying new business channels.”
Having previously worked in Tennessee, Fox-Metoyer offered, “I am thrilled to be back in Nashville. I look forward to working with the highly respected Sony Music Nashville family and its amazing roster of artists.”
Fox-Metoyer is on the job now and can be reached at kerri.foxmetoyer@sonymusic.com.
Earlier this month, Sony reps said they also plan to announce a new head of marketing and artist development for Arista Nashville and RCA.
Kevin Neal To Head Buddy Lee Attractions, More Changes Coming
/by Sarah SkatesKevin Neal
Longtime Buddy Lee Attractions agent Kevin Neal has been named President of the company following Friday’s (11/13) resignation of former President Tony Conway. Neal has been with the agency for 20 years where he previously served as Senior Vice President. He is the responsible agent for Jason Aldean, Colt Ford, and Ash Bowers among others, and was the 2006 and 2008 IEBA Talent Agent of the Year and the 2007 NATD Talent Director of the Year.
Additional staff and roster changes at BLA are forthcoming. Neal explains, “The changes we’re about to undergo as a company will be made to benefit our client roster. In addition, we will be announcing some strategic alliances that will enable our roster to further profit in years to come. I am honored to be asked to help direct this company, and I feel that there is a great opportunity for growth.
Neal was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised in the music business as son of the legendary agent/manager Bob Neal. He joined the Neal Agency in 1981 and worked with his father, before eventually settling at Buddy Lee Attractions.
Neal can be reached at 615-244-4336 or at kneal@blanash.com.
Adkins Inks BC Powder Deal; Wanda Jackson/Jack White Collaborate
/by Sarah Skates——————
Rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson told The Oklahoman newspaper that she is working on a new album with Jack White. The 72-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee had a string of hits in the late ’50s and early ’60s running the gamut from rock to country (“Let’s Have a Party,” “Fujiyama Mama”).
In similar fashion, producer/rocker White worked with Loretta Lynn on her 2004 release Van Lear Rose.
Jackson’s most recent album was 2003’s Heart Trouble, which featured Elvis Costello.
Opinion: Is Taylor The New Garth; Does History Repeat?
/by adminFurther evidence? Taylor on the new cover of "InStyle."
Country’s last popularity peak was spearheaded by Garth Brooks who attracted both countryphiles and musicphiles—fans with a wide variety of musical tastes. Today there are a great many similarities to those times with the media’s strong attraction toward Taylor Swift and her music which to date has sold over 10 million records.
When Garth was riding his wave of popularity he helped, (and was helped), by what we now call the class of ’89. Is there a new class of ’09? Hot acts were showcased on the CMA Awards such as Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jamey Johnson and Billy Currington. Favorites such as Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride and Reba proved themselves current and cutting edge. It was an amazing tour de force of new, developing and established talents.
Could country be on the verge of a strong expansion lead by the 19-year-old singer/songwriter and reinforced by a vigorous rising class of appealing artists ready to benefit from the format’s increased attention? Let’s examine some of the recent dots
on our tastemaker radar and see if they connect.
A lot of high profile happenings have taken place in a short timespan. The CMA Awards show this week drew its highest ratings since 2005 with an estimated 35 million viewers watching at least some portion of the show. Swift performed twice and won four trophies. The precocious prodigy also brought Saturday Night Live its best ratings of the season when she appeared as host and musical guest on Nov. 7. Bundle Swift’s recent appearance/performance on Oprah, the VMA/Kanye West incident which brought worldwide coverage, plus her sold-out tour and it is easy to see why she is now the largest selling artist across all formats. And where is she from? What does she call herself? [Answers: Nashville; country.]
A grassroots indication that attention is turning toward country music, also happened the day following the Awards when MusicRow.com experienced its largest ever one-day traffic numbers—a staggering increase of 37% over its previous all-time best day. People were searching out information about Swift, the awards and the format in numbers we have never seen before.
Is Taylor the new Garth? Will her magnetic popularity reconnect country with a larger multi-format audience? Is there a class of ’09? Time will tell, but it appears that a new energy in country music is starting to rumble across America. Hopefully we’ll see it reflected on the holiday sales charts. If these dots are connecting, it will mean good things for everyone on Music Row in the coming year. Bring it on!