Spotify released its first quarter earnings results for 2020 on Wednesday (April 29), and records show the streaming service has added 6 million premium subscribers in the first quarter of 2020, for a total of 130 million subscribers, a 31% year-over-year increase. According to Spotify’s report, the company’s Family Plan was a large driver of the subscription increase.
The company’s Total Monthly Active Users have also increased by 15 million in the first quarter of 2020, reaching 286 million monthly active users, a 31% year-over-year increase.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company stated it has lowered its revenue projections for the year, decreasing its expectations from an earlier range of €8.08 billion-€8.48 billion, down to €7.65 billion-€8.05 billion (approximately $8.29 billion to $8.73 billion) in sales.
In a letter to shareholders, the company stated it saw a “notable decline” in daily active users and consumption in hard hit markets including Italy and Spain, though they have seen listening begin to rebound in the past few weeks. They have seen usage in car, wearable and web platforms drop, though Spotify audiences through TV and Game Consoles has grown. For Ad-Supported monthly active users in the United States, game consoles have been one of the top three platforms in terms of consumption for the better part of the month, and connected device usage generally is up more than 40% among Ad-Supported users globally.
As of 2020 Q1, the company has 5,779 full-time employees globally. The company stated it plans to slow hiring for the rest of the year “until we have better visibility into the economic impact of COVID-19.” The company has reduced open headcount by roughly 30% from prior growth expectations. The company also stated it will “continue to focus our investments in areas of strategic importance, and remain committed to our longterm targets for hiring in Research & Development. Additionally, we are committed to retaining all existing employees, but are mindful about the absolute level of hiring until we have more clarity on the global economic picture and the length of our work from home status.”
New Documentary Details Johnny Cash’s Relationship With His First Wife Vivian
/by Jessica NicholsonVivian Liberto, Johnny Cash
While fans of movies such as Walk The Line are well-versed in late music legend Johnny Cash‘s 35-year relationship with his late wife June Carter Cash, a new documentary centers on Johnny Cash’s relationship with his first wife, Vivian Liberto. Cash and Liberto wed in 1954, and were parents to four daughters, including Rosanne, Kathy, Cindy and Tara. The couple divorced in 1966, and Johnny married June Carter in 1968. June and Johnny had one son, John Carter Cash, and were married until they died just months apart in 2003.
The documentary, titled My Darling Vivian, is now streaming for free on Amazon Prime Video. The doc was slated to be shown as part of South by Southwest’s Film Festival Collection, before the conference was canceled in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The documentary was directed by Matt Riddlehoover and produced by Dustin Tittle.
My Darling Vivian offers never-before-seen footage, photographs of Vivian Liberto and Johnny Cash, and letters the two exchanged while Johnny served in the United States Air Force. The couple’s daughters are also featured in the documentary, chronically tracing Vivian’s life, and the rise and fall of her relationship with Cash.
George Strait To Launch Ace In The Hole Radio Channel On SiriusXM
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Strait is one of the artists who will launch a SiriusXM channel on May 1, alongside pop and rock icons such as the Eagles, Rolling Stones, Metallica and more.
Titled Ace In The Hole Radio, after Strait’s longtime touring band, the channel will include personal stories and insights on his life and career from Strait himself, as well as playing the superstar’s biggest hits, which includes 60 No. 1 singles throughout his career.
The curated channels will begin rolling out in conjunction with SiriusXM’s Stream Free period, which has been extended through the end of May.
“It’s like catching lightning in a bottle for SiriusXM to be able to offer authorized channels from these iconic artists, not only to our subscribers, but at a time when our app is free to everyone,” said SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein. “These channels, combined with our already incredible set of artist-dedicated channels, makes SiriusXM the ultimate audio destination to bring fans closer to the artists they love, and at a time when people can use some great music.”
Adrian Michaels, WEA’s National Director of Radio & Streaming, To Exit Warner Music
/by Sherod RobertsonAdrian Michaels
Adrian Michaels, WEA’s National Director of Radio & Streaming, will be exiting Warner Music Nashville when his contract ends at the end of May.
“We are sad to see Adrian go, but excited for his next opportunity,” says a representative from Warner Music Nashville.
Michaels joined Warner Music Nashville in 2014 and has worked with artists such as Ingrid Andress, Morgan Evans, Kenny Chesney, Devin Dawson, Michael Ray, and many others. He was formerly Sr. VP of Curb Records for 10 years, where he worked with Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Rodney Atkins, Lee Brice and others. Prior to Curb, Michaels worked the Southwest region for RCA.
His departure leaves the position vacant. Inquiries and resumes for the position can be emailed to Kristen William, SVP of Radio & Streaming, at kristen.williams@wmg.com and Tom Martens, VP of Radio & Streaming, at tom.martens@wmg.com.
Spotify’s Premium Subscribers Increased By 6 Million In First Quarter Of 2020
/by Jessica NicholsonSpotify released its first quarter earnings results for 2020 on Wednesday (April 29), and records show the streaming service has added 6 million premium subscribers in the first quarter of 2020, for a total of 130 million subscribers, a 31% year-over-year increase. According to Spotify’s report, the company’s Family Plan was a large driver of the subscription increase.
The company’s Total Monthly Active Users have also increased by 15 million in the first quarter of 2020, reaching 286 million monthly active users, a 31% year-over-year increase.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company stated it has lowered its revenue projections for the year, decreasing its expectations from an earlier range of €8.08 billion-€8.48 billion, down to €7.65 billion-€8.05 billion (approximately $8.29 billion to $8.73 billion) in sales.
In a letter to shareholders, the company stated it saw a “notable decline” in daily active users and consumption in hard hit markets including Italy and Spain, though they have seen listening begin to rebound in the past few weeks. They have seen usage in car, wearable and web platforms drop, though Spotify audiences through TV and Game Consoles has grown. For Ad-Supported monthly active users in the United States, game consoles have been one of the top three platforms in terms of consumption for the better part of the month, and connected device usage generally is up more than 40% among Ad-Supported users globally.
As of 2020 Q1, the company has 5,779 full-time employees globally. The company stated it plans to slow hiring for the rest of the year “until we have better visibility into the economic impact of COVID-19.” The company has reduced open headcount by roughly 30% from prior growth expectations. The company also stated it will “continue to focus our investments in areas of strategic importance, and remain committed to our longterm targets for hiring in Research & Development. Additionally, we are committed to retaining all existing employees, but are mindful about the absolute level of hiring until we have more clarity on the global economic picture and the length of our work from home status.”
Tenille Townes’ Album ‘The Lemonade Stand’ To Debut June 26
/by Lorie HollabaughTenille Townes. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Tenille Townes is set to release her debut album, The Lemonade Stand, on June 26 via Columbia Nashville and RCA Records.
The project was produced by Jay Joyce and includes 12 tracks co-written by Townes, including five songs from her Road to the Lemonade Stand EP as well as her latest release, “The Most Beautiful Things,” which Townes debuted earlier this month to critical acclaim.
The new album also features “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking),” which was recently certified Gold in Canada and reached No. 1 on the BDS Canada and Mediabase Canada country radio charts earlier this year. The song was Townes’ second chart-topping single following her Canadian Platinum-certified “Somebody’s Daughter.” Townes is the only female in Mediabase Canada history to achieve two No. 1 singles.
“The Lemonade Stand is a collection of songs that mean so much to me and are the way I see the world in this season of my life right now,” said Townes. “I want this music to be like a gathering place, where people can come and be filled up. I hope this record reminds people of who they are, that they are not alone, and reminds them of their dreams. This record is the dream that I had when I was a seven-year-old kid singing along in the backseat of the car. She would really be freaking out right now.”
THE LEMONADE STAND TRACK LIST:
1. “Holding Out For The One”
2. “Where You Are”
3. “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking)”
4. “Lighthouse”
5. “White Horse”
6. “I Kept The Roses”
7. “When I Meet My Maker”
8. “Come As you Are”
9. “The Way You Look Tonight”
10. “Find You”
11. “Somebody’s Daughter”
12. “The Most Beautiful Things”
Facebook To Allow Users To Monetize Livestreams
/by Lorie HollabaughFacebook has introduced a new plan to let users charge for their livestreams, which will provide musicians and creators with the ability to monetize their performances and events.
Facebook and Instagram Live have become a go-to spot for musicians for their livestreams since the coronavirus pandemic canceled all artist tours, but monetizing those streams has not been possible previously, except for donations to certain non-profits.
The company also announced it will be expanding its “Stars” tipping system to musicians in which a performer can receive “tips” when users send them a “Star.”
Ross Ellis Launches Daily Showcase ‘Ross Writes’
/by Haley CrowPhoto: Ross Ellis presents “Ross Writes.” Photo: Jeff Ray
Sony Music Nashville recording artist Ross Ellis launched “Ross Writes” on April 9, to showcase his expansive catalog of songs and offer fans some at-home entertainment while we shelter in place to fight COVID-19. Performing daily at 6 p.m. CT on Facebook and Instagram Live, Ellis shares a different song he’s written during each performance. To check out past episodes and watch new ones, visit his Instagram or Facebook.
“This is something I’d been thinking about for a while, but when this coronavirus mess broke out, I thought it’d be a great way to connect with fans until we can all be together again,” shares Ellis. “I have written so many songs over the years since moving to Nashville. This is a great way to both showcase my ‘day job’ as a writer and highlight some of the incredible songwriters I go to work with every day.”
In the middle of recording his debut album for Sony Music Nashville when the “safer at home” order was released, the singer/songwriter has already notched 17 performances and shows no signs of stopping the daily sessions any time soon.
“I have enough songs to take us all the way through 2025 if we have to,” Ellis laughs. “These live sessions have been great though…seeing the comments. Getting feedback from fans in real time will definitely help us decide what makes this album and what doesn’t!”
“Ross Writes” To Date:
4/9- Ross Writes No. 1 – “Shadows On The Wall”
4/11- Ross Writes No. 2 – “2000 and You”
4/12- Ross Writes No. 3 – “Forever to Me”
4/13- Ross Writes No. 4 – “How Do You Sleep”
4/14- Ross Writes No. 5 – “Love Blind,” “Without You,” “Barefoot Dancer,” “Other Side Of The Phone” and “Neon Church”
4/15- Ross Writes No. 6 – “Wish You Would”
4/16- Ross Writes No. 7 – “While It Lasted”
4/17- Ross Writes No. 8 – “This Road” and “White Picket Plans”
4/18- Ross Writes No. 9 – “Old Fashioned”
4/20- Ross Writes No. 10 – “Doin’ Alright”
4/21- Ross Writes No. 11 – “Let Me Let You Go”
4/22- Ross Writes No. 12 – “Mess We Make”
4/23- Ross Writes No. 13 – “Let It Be Me”
4/24- Ross Writes No. 14 – “Made For”
4/25- Ross Writes No. 15 – “Last Place I Had It”
4/26- Ross Writes No. 16 – “Before And After You”
4/27- Ross Writes No. 17 – “Land of the Lost”
Industry Ink: Ingrid Andress, Lindsay Ell, Brett Eldredge
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic Industry Members Surprise Ingrid Andress With No. 1 Celebration
Several friends and supporters from the music community including publishers, agents, record label executives and songwriters surprised Ingrid Andress yesterday (April 27) with a car parade to celebrate her debut single “More Hearts Than Mine” reaching the coveted No. 1 spot on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart. Andress’ co-writers Sam Ellis and Derrick Southerland also joined in the honking and shouting in the parade. The Gold-certified single is featured on her debut album Lady Like, which holds the title of highest streaming female debut album of all time.
Lindsay Ell Raises $165K For Tennyson Center for Children
Lindsay Ell. Photo: Robby Klein
Lindsay Ell was scheduled to host “The 10th Annual Mile High Country Q & Brew” in conjunction with local radio station, KYGO to benefit Tennyson Center for Children. Due to social distancing the decision was made to turn the annual event into virtual concert which took place this past Sunday night (April 26). Ell hosted the event from her home studio. The livestream, via Facebook Live, raised more than $165,000 and reached more than 53,000 fans.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Tennyson Center, which serves Colorado’s most neglected, abused and traumatized children.
Brett Eldredge Celebrates Sunday Drive With Livestream
Pete Fisher Launches Fisher Entertainment Consulting, Inc.
/by Jessica NicholsonPete Fisher.
Pete Fisher has relocated to Nashville and has launched Fisher Entertainment Consulting, Inc., which aims to “connect businesses, brands, TV, film and philanthropy to the power of Nashville entertainment.”
Fisher previously served as the CEO for the Academy of Country Music from 2017 through 2019. Prior to his work at the ACM, Fisher served as VP/GM for the Grand Ole Opry for 17 years, overseeing the Opry through significant transformations over the years, including leading a $20 million renovation of the Opry House following the Nashville flood in 2010.
For more, visit fisherentertainmentconsulting.com.
Universal Music Publishing Group Launches UMPG Music Solutions
/by Jessica NicholsonUniversal Music Publishing Group has revealed UMPG Music Solutions, which blends its network of sync and music offerings for film, television and advertising.
The service aims to provide a single point of access in each local market to the company’s global network of songwriters, composers, producers and sync resources – including its sync division, production music division and bespoke composition offerings – as well as those of select partners.
“UMPG’s Film, TV and Advertising teams strive to provide best-in-class service for our clients. With UMPG Music Solutions, we are highlighting the fact that our capabilities extend far beyond commercial music licensing,” said Tom Eaton, Senior Vice President, Music for Advertising, Film & TV, UMPG. “By harnessing the talents of our world-class roster, as well as our creative partners, UMPG continues to go above and beyond in providing the best results for all of our clients’ needs.”
UMPG Music Solutions will also offer access to works from the company’s global partners, including Elias Music, Green United Music, Decca Publishing, AMP.Amsterdam, DJDTP and Sup3rsonic.