Grand Ole Opry week, night one, took American Idol by storm as the eleven contestants performed songs made famous by Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Johnny Cash, Dolly, Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline. “The odds were 100,000 to one at the beginning of this contest,” said host Ryan Seacrest at the top of the show. “Now there’s just eleven standing on the stage. But anything can happen, it’s American Idol.”
Megan Joy (Photo: American Idol)
Randy Travis, who has sold over 25 million records, was chosen as mentor for the Idol hopefuls and handled the night smoothly. Unlike Simon’s harsh tongue, Travis had a hopeful word for everyone, and some sage advice about tapping into their country-side. (Lest we forget, in the mid-eighties, Travis’ baritone almost single-handledly reignited the country format.)
The show’s most controversial interpretation was Adam Lambert’s version of “Ring of Fire.” Simon called it, “Indulgent rubbish,” but Randy lauded its originality saying, “It’s good, it’s hot.” Lambert, wearing leather gloves that left his black polished fingernails exposed, laced the track with a middle Eastern flair complete with sitar sounds and some scales not usually sung in Western music. The Grand Ole Opry crowd might boo were this young man on the Ryman stage, but national TV is another matter.
Adam Lambert (Photo: American Idol)
It will be interesting to see if it sells downloads (available in iTunes), and how the fans vote later this week.
Another highlight was Lil Rounds who channeled Martina McBride’s “Independence Day.” Rounds’ R&B roots barely stayed hidden under the surface, but in the hands of an honest teller this song gem, written by the incredible Gretchen Peters, could embrace any style and still brim with emotion. And Rounds did not disappoint in that respect.
If you haven’t been tuning in to season eight, rest assured that the bickering between Simon and Paula has matured into a love-hate spat that continues unabated and occasionally looks like it might come to blows. “Respect me,” said Paula at one point when Simon completely dissed what she had just said.” “Well you should respect the performers,” Simon countered…. and so it went. At one point the camera zoomed in and Paula appeared to be smelling Simon’s forearm while he held it passively in front of her nose [don’t ask me to explain that!] Randy Jackson chimed in with quips like, “That was a tender moment from my Dawg Kris [Allen].”
Each season needs at least one all-American blonde and Megan Joy does an admirable job filling out the top 11 in that respect. Fortunately, she can also sing—with guts. Undaunted by a fight with the flu she bravely took the stage to sing “Walking After Midnight.” Her low cut halter gown showed off her natural attributes as well as the four color tattoo which completely covers her right arm from shoulder to elbow.
Tomorrow brings Travis and Idol alum Carrie Underwood to the stage to duet “I Told You So.” Brad Paisley, hot off the close of his sold out tour and only days away from the birth of his second child is scheduled to debut his new single, “Then.” Tune in tonight (3/18) for Idol part two…
For a look at the hottest Idol handicap predictions site try dialidol.com.
McBride Set To Shine
/by Freeman“I love the word—I think it’s really positive and strong and powerful,” says McBride, “and that’s one of my favorite lyrics from the song ‘Ride’—’shine, while you have the chance to shine,’ because I feel like sometimes you go along, and you take things for granted. And all of a sudden, you’re reminded…you get one shot to do this. You get one shot to live this life, and you should shine while you have the chance to shine. You should go out there and be undeniable. And so, it’s inspirational to me…very inspirational.”
To support its release, McBride will embark on a media tour that includes back-to-back appearances on NBC’s Today, with an interview and performance airing Tuesday, March 23 and a second interview and performance airing Wednesday, March 25. McBride will also visit Live with Regis and Kelly on Wednesday, as well as taping future episodes of the Rachael Ray show (which airs the week of April 6) and A&E’s series Private Sessions (which airs Sunday, April 5).
Also planned are upcoming episodes of E!’s Chelsea Lately (taping April 1) and an interview and performance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show (which airs Thursday, April 2).
McBride can also be seen on the cover of the April 20 issue of First magazine, which is on stands right now.
ACM Feeds Fans Via Twitter
/by LB CantrellMusicRow began using twitter in September 2008 and now has about 1,930 followers giving it a rank of 7,391 in the Twitter universe according twittercounter.com which ranks all Twitter users.
The News From Stringtown
/by LB CantrellStringtown Records artist John Michael Montgomery has signed to Creative Artists Agency for booking representation and with Splash! Public Relations for publicity. The singer, who recently filmed a 30-minute infomercial for Time/Life on their Country Music Explosion package, is currently promoting “Forever,” the latest single from Time Flies, his Stringtown debut.
In other Stringtown news, Amy Willis, Director/Press & Publicity the label and for Hallmark Direction, has moved over to Wortman Works Media & Marketing to assume the title of Account Executive. Willis will work with Wortman Works clients Lost Trailers and Nathan Lee Jackson, among others. She can be reached at 615-340-9675.
Flatts Set Country Digital Single Sales Tally
/by bossrossIn addition to Ms. Swift, Rascal Flatts proved a bright spot for this week’s country division. The band pre-released its single “Here Comes Goodbye” to iTunes last week and according to Nielsen Soundscan it was downloaded 125,884 times. This tops all previous first week paid sales by a country artist for a debut single. The band will pre-release a total of four songs from the upcoming Unstoppable CD leading to its April 7 release. At that time fans can click “Complete My Album” and buy the album minus the cost of the tracks they have already purchased.
Carrie Underwood followed closely behind the Flatts with sales (112,170 units) of her American Idol going-home track, previously recorded by Motley Crüe, “Home Sweet Home.” Next two highest selling country single tracks were from Taylor Swift, “Love Story,” (62,901) and “You’re Not sorry” (50,448). Keith Urban’s latest single, “Kiss A Girl” also debuted this past week with 43,009 units downloaded.
Country Top 75 current album sales stayed below 300k for the second consecutive week continuing to adversely pressure the format’s YTD sales comparisons now off 15.7%.
NSAI and CMT Announce Song Contest Winners
/by LB CantrellIdol Goes Opry and Survives (almost)
/by bossrossGrand Ole Opry week, night one, took American Idol by storm as the eleven contestants performed songs made famous by Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Johnny Cash, Dolly, Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline. “The odds were 100,000 to one at the beginning of this contest,” said host Ryan Seacrest at the top of the show. “Now there’s just eleven standing on the stage. But anything can happen, it’s American Idol.”
Megan Joy (Photo: American Idol)
Randy Travis, who has sold over 25 million records, was chosen as mentor for the Idol hopefuls and handled the night smoothly. Unlike Simon’s harsh tongue, Travis had a hopeful word for everyone, and some sage advice about tapping into their country-side. (Lest we forget, in the mid-eighties, Travis’ baritone almost single-handledly reignited the country format.)
The show’s most controversial interpretation was Adam Lambert’s version of “Ring of Fire.” Simon called it, “Indulgent rubbish,” but Randy lauded its originality saying, “It’s good, it’s hot.” Lambert, wearing leather gloves that left his black polished fingernails exposed, laced the track with a middle Eastern flair complete with sitar sounds and some scales not usually sung in Western music. The Grand Ole Opry crowd might boo were this young man on the Ryman stage, but national TV is another matter.
Adam Lambert (Photo: American Idol)
It will be interesting to see if it sells downloads (available in iTunes), and how the fans vote later this week.
Another highlight was Lil Rounds who channeled Martina McBride’s “Independence Day.” Rounds’ R&B roots barely stayed hidden under the surface, but in the hands of an honest teller this song gem, written by the incredible Gretchen Peters, could embrace any style and still brim with emotion. And Rounds did not disappoint in that respect.
If you haven’t been tuning in to season eight, rest assured that the bickering between Simon and Paula has matured into a love-hate spat that continues unabated and occasionally looks like it might come to blows. “Respect me,” said Paula at one point when Simon completely dissed what she had just said.” “Well you should respect the performers,” Simon countered…. and so it went. At one point the camera zoomed in and Paula appeared to be smelling Simon’s forearm while he held it passively in front of her nose [don’t ask me to explain that!] Randy Jackson chimed in with quips like, “That was a tender moment from my Dawg Kris [Allen].”
Each season needs at least one all-American blonde and Megan Joy does an admirable job filling out the top 11 in that respect. Fortunately, she can also sing—with guts. Undaunted by a fight with the flu she bravely took the stage to sing “Walking After Midnight.” Her low cut halter gown showed off her natural attributes as well as the four color tattoo which completely covers her right arm from shoulder to elbow.
Tomorrow brings Travis and Idol alum Carrie Underwood to the stage to duet “I Told You So.” Brad Paisley, hot off the close of his sold out tour and only days away from the birth of his second child is scheduled to debut his new single, “Then.” Tune in tonight (3/18) for Idol part two…
For a look at the hottest Idol handicap predictions site try dialidol.com.
ACM’s Live Online and On the Street
/by LB CantrellIn addition, the ACM will host two days of concerts at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas during The Week Vegas Goes Country™! The weekend-long outdoor concerts series, sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, will feature performances by recently named New Artist Award winners Julianne Hough, Jake Owen and the Zac Brown Band on April 3, as well as sets from Kellie Pickler and LeAnn Rimes on April 4. Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment zone in downtown Las Vegas that features the world’s largest video screen at 1,500 feet long 90 feet above the pedestrian mall.
Vietti Chili Says “Yes We Can”
/by LB CantrellPaisley Party’s Rowdy Nashville Finale
/by LB CantrellPaisley will debut “Then,” the leadoff single from his upcoming American Saturday Night CD, on American Idol tomorrow (3/18), as part of “Grand Ole Opry Week.” The single will also be commercially available as a digital single just in time for Paisley’s Idol performance. American Idol airs on FOX tonight (3/17) 7:00-9:00 PM CT and tomorrow (3/18), from 8:00-9:00 PM CT.
CD Sales Sink, Digital Downloads Rise
/by LB Cantrell“Rising incidence of paid downloads is a positive development for the industry, but not all lost CD buyers are turning to digital music,” said Russ Crupnick, Entertainment Industry Analyst for The NPD Group.
NPD’s report also revealed that, with digital downloads up by 29 percent, those downloads now account for 33 percent of all music tracks purchased in the US. The study also found that there were 13 million fewer music buyers in the US last year compared to the previous year, and noted a 7 percent decline in total digital music downloads in 2008. Consumers reported being frustrated with the price of CDs and satisfied with the collection of titles they already own.
On the positive side, NPD cited evidence that, overall, music listening is increasing. The study found that usage of Pandora, a leading online radio station, for example, now totals 18 percent of Internet users, and that nearly half of US teens are engaging with music on social networks.
“Just as music piracy and the advent of digital music ended the primacy of the CD, we are beginning to see new forms of listening challenge the practice of paying for music,” said Crupnick. The music industry now has to redouble efforts to intercept and engage these listeners so they can create revenue through upselling music, videos, concert tickets, and related merchandise.”