BuzzAngle has released consumption and industry trends statistics for 2018. Hip-hop/rap dominated the music genres in album and song consumption last year, totaling 21.7 percent of album consumption in 2018, while pop and rock followed with 20.1% and 14% respectively. R&B came in fourth with 10.6 percent in album consumption, followed by Latin at No. 5 with 9.4 percent. Country came in sixth with 8.7 percent in album consumption.
Song consumption reached a new high of 5.8 billion, rising 27.4 percent over 2017.
In 2018’s fourth quarter, subscription streams were up 50 percent, accounting for 85 percent of total audio streams for the quarter, with 157.4 billion (as compared to 2017, when subscription streams had risen 57 percent over 2016). Audio on-demand streams set a new high of 534.6 billion, rising 42 percent from 2017 (the previous record was set last year with 376.9 billion streams).
Overall album consumption grew 16.2 percent from 2017, though album sales (digital/physical) dropped 18.2 percent from 2017. Total on-demand streams were up 35.4 percent, to 809.5 billion streams for 2018.
Drake and XXXtentacion led the hip-hop/rap surge for 2018. For a second straight year, Drake earned Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Scorpion) and Song of the Year (“God’s Plan”).
Latin is the genre most dominated by streaming, with 95 percent of its total consumption coming from on-demand streaming activity. 92 percent of Hip-Hop/Rap’s total consumption is from on-demand streams, while only 3.7 percent is from album sales.
Only nine songs were streamed more than 500 million times in 2018, compared with 16 tracks hitting the mark in 2017 (six songs reached the 500 million streams threshold in 2016 and two in 2015). 417 songs were streamed more than 100 million times in 2018, compared with 383 songs in 2017 (226 reached that mark in 2016 and 111 songs in 2015).
As the streaming surge continues, not a single song in 2018 broke one million in downloaded sales. In 2017, two songs had more than two million song downloads, and 14 songs that earned more than one million song downloads (to compare, 36 songs earned one million song downloads in 2016 and 60 songs in 2015).
Album titles from the rock & pop genres each accounted for 26 percent of all album sales in 2018. In 2017, they accounted for 29 percent and 19.7 percent respectively. In addition, 13 percent of all album sales were country albums and 12 percent were urban albums (hip-hop/rap and R&B).
Vinyl album sales increased 12 percent in 2018, following a 20 percent growth in 2017; vinyl album sales accounted for 13.7 percent of all physical album sales, up from 10 percent in 2017. Just three years ago more than 65 percent of all vinyl album sales fell into the rock genre. In 2018, 42 percent of vinyl albums sold were from the rock genre, down from 54 percent in 2017. Twenty-six percent were pop titles, up from 14 percent in 2017, while 14.4 percent were urban titles.
For the third year in a row, hip-hop/rap was the top genre in terms of total song consumption, 24.7 percent up from 20.9 percent in 2017, with pop second at 19 percent share followed by rock at 12 percent. Country held sixth place, with 7.9 percent.
Twenty-six percent of song sales in 2018 were titles from the pop genre, 25 percent were urban songs, and rock and country songs each accounted for 15 percent of song sales.
In 2018, the top 500 titles were responsible for more than 30 percent of all album sales, 11 percent of all audio streams, and 18 percent of all video streams. The top 50 albums of 2018 accounted for 11 percent of all album sales, while less than 1 percent of all audio streams and 5 percent of all video streams came from the top 50 titles.
Download the full BuzzAngle report
here.
George Strait, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn Among Lineup For RodeoHouston 2019
/by Lorie HollabaughGeorge Strait, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton and more are among the diverse mix of artists slated to perform at the upcoming Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which kicks off Feb. 25 and runs through March 17. More than half of the country, hip-hop, rock, pop and EDM artists announced for the 2019 lineup are making their debut at Rodeohouston this year.
“Though the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo remains deeply rooted in country music, we are also proud to be a part of our wonderfully diverse community,” said Joel Cowley, Rodeo president and CEO. “As such, we are excited to present a wonderfully diverse and talented 2019 lineup that will welcome 12 newcomers to the rotating stage.”
Tickets for 2019 RODEOHOUSTON go on sale Jan. 10, at 10 a.m. at rodeohouston.com.
The following entertainers will perform on the RODEOHOUSTON stage in NRG Stadium:
Monday, Feb. 25 – Kacey Musgraves
Tuesday, Feb. 26 – Prince Royce
Wednesday, Feb. 27 – Armed Forces Day, presented by BHP – Brooks & Dunn
Thursday, Feb. 28 – Luke Bryan
Friday, March 1 – Black Heritage Day, sponsored by Kroger – Cardi B
Saturday, March 2 – Turnpike Troubadours
Sunday, March 3 – Panic! At The Disco
Monday, March 4 – First Responders Day, presented by BP – Old Dominion
Tuesday, March 5- Camila Cabello
Wednesday, March 6 – Luke Combs
Thursday, March 7 – Tim McGraw
Friday, March 8 – Zedd
Saturday, March 9 – RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout®: North America’s Champions, presented by Crown Royal – Kane Brown
Sunday, March 10 – Go Tejano Day – Los Tigres del Norte
Monday, March 11 – Zac Brown Band
Tuesday, March 12 – Kings of Leon
Wednesday, March 13 – Santana
Thursday, March 14 – Chris Stapleton
Friday, March 15 – Cody Johnson
Saturday, March 16 – RODEOHOUSTON Super Series® Championship – Brad Paisley
Sunday, March 17 – Concert-only performance – George Strait, with special guests Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen
BuzzAngle 2018 Report: Subscription Streams Account For 85 Percent Of Total Audio Streams In Q4
/by Jessica NicholsonBuzzAngle has released consumption and industry trends statistics for 2018. Hip-hop/rap dominated the music genres in album and song consumption last year, totaling 21.7 percent of album consumption in 2018, while pop and rock followed with 20.1% and 14% respectively. R&B came in fourth with 10.6 percent in album consumption, followed by Latin at No. 5 with 9.4 percent. Country came in sixth with 8.7 percent in album consumption.
Song consumption reached a new high of 5.8 billion, rising 27.4 percent over 2017.
In 2018’s fourth quarter, subscription streams were up 50 percent, accounting for 85 percent of total audio streams for the quarter, with 157.4 billion (as compared to 2017, when subscription streams had risen 57 percent over 2016). Audio on-demand streams set a new high of 534.6 billion, rising 42 percent from 2017 (the previous record was set last year with 376.9 billion streams).
Overall album consumption grew 16.2 percent from 2017, though album sales (digital/physical) dropped 18.2 percent from 2017. Total on-demand streams were up 35.4 percent, to 809.5 billion streams for 2018.
Drake and XXXtentacion led the hip-hop/rap surge for 2018. For a second straight year, Drake earned Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Scorpion) and Song of the Year (“God’s Plan”).
Latin is the genre most dominated by streaming, with 95 percent of its total consumption coming from on-demand streaming activity. 92 percent of Hip-Hop/Rap’s total consumption is from on-demand streams, while only 3.7 percent is from album sales.
Only nine songs were streamed more than 500 million times in 2018, compared with 16 tracks hitting the mark in 2017 (six songs reached the 500 million streams threshold in 2016 and two in 2015). 417 songs were streamed more than 100 million times in 2018, compared with 383 songs in 2017 (226 reached that mark in 2016 and 111 songs in 2015).
As the streaming surge continues, not a single song in 2018 broke one million in downloaded sales. In 2017, two songs had more than two million song downloads, and 14 songs that earned more than one million song downloads (to compare, 36 songs earned one million song downloads in 2016 and 60 songs in 2015).
Album titles from the rock & pop genres each accounted for 26 percent of all album sales in 2018. In 2017, they accounted for 29 percent and 19.7 percent respectively. In addition, 13 percent of all album sales were country albums and 12 percent were urban albums (hip-hop/rap and R&B).
Vinyl album sales increased 12 percent in 2018, following a 20 percent growth in 2017; vinyl album sales accounted for 13.7 percent of all physical album sales, up from 10 percent in 2017. Just three years ago more than 65 percent of all vinyl album sales fell into the rock genre. In 2018, 42 percent of vinyl albums sold were from the rock genre, down from 54 percent in 2017. Twenty-six percent were pop titles, up from 14 percent in 2017, while 14.4 percent were urban titles.
BMLG Records Adds Andi Brooks As Director, SW Promotion & Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonAndi Brooks
Andi Brooks will join BMLG Records as the new Director, Southwest Promotion & Marketing beginning Jan. 7. She will spearhead relationships in the region between country radio and the imprint’s artist roster. BMLGR is home to artists Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Brett Young, Riley Green and Danielle Bradbery.
Brooks was previously a WWQM/Madison, Wisconsin morning show co-host on Jackson & Andi in the Morning; she also held roles as an afternoon host and Promotions Assistant.
“Kickin’ the New Year off right!” Brooks said. “I look forward to this exciting change and can’t wait to join the team at Big Machine Label Group!”
“Andi’s background in radio, both on-air as well in promotions, will be an invaluable asset to our artists and team as well as our clients at radio,” adds SVP/Promotion Matthew Hargis. “We could not be more excited to welcome her into the Ape Den at BMLG Records.”
Brooks will be based in Nashville and can be reached at andi.brooks@bmlg.net or 615-324-7906.
Mitchell Tenpenny, Jon Langston, Travis Denning Added To Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa Fiesta
/by Eric T. ParkerDJ Rock, Jon Langston, Kendell Marvel, Mitchell Tenpenny and Travis Denning will join the previously announced lineup including Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina, Chris Janson, and Jake Owen, in addition to Bryan’s co-headliners, Thomas Rhett and Luke Combs.
While the event’s host resort, the Barceló Maya, is sold out, limited all-inclusive packages remain at nearby tropical resorts at crashmyplaya.com.
Liz Rose To Appear In Country Music Hall Of Fame’s Poets And Prophets Series
/by Lorie HollabaughA native of Irving, Texas, Rose moved to Nashville in her mid-thirties as a mother of three. Working in Nashville as a song publisher in the late 1990s, she began getting her own songs recorded. Rose penned hits for Gary Allan (“Songs About Rain”) and Lee Ann Womack (“The Wrong Girl”) before becoming a writing partner to Taylor Swift, and the two collaborated frequently during Swift’s rise to stardom. Rose was SESAC Songwriter of the Year in 2007 after co-writing seven songs on Swift’s self-titled debut, including “Tim McGraw,” “Teardrops on My Guitar,” and “Picture to Burn.” She won the Academy of Country Music’s 2012 Song of the Year award for “Crazy Girl,” recorded by the Eli Young Band, and also co-wrote Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” which spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2015 and captured a Grammy for Best Country Song.
Admission to Poets and Prophets is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited and program passes are required for admittance. The program will be streamed live.
DISClaimer: Florida Georgia Line, Anna Vaus, Brantley Gilbert, Lindsay Ell Offer Sparkling New Tracks
/by Robert K OermannWait a minute: You mean the winter break won’t go on forever, and I have deadlines again? That’s right, bub. It’s 2019, and we’re back on the job.
In the debut listening session of the year, duos ruled the roost. The new single by Florida Georgia Line and the first collaboration by Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell are today’s winning tunes. In a tight race, FGL claims Disc of the Day.
We have Dave Pacula at Black River to thank for bringing Anna Vaus to our attention. She wins today’s DisCovery Award.
LYNN EASTERLY/I Listen To My Bad Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Summit (CDX)
– Loud rock guitars. Compressed audio. Somehow, this sounds woefully dated, like maybe it was recorded 10 years ago when rocked-up country was the thing.
KANE BROWN/Good As You
Writers: Kane Brown/Brock Berryhill/Shy Carter/Taylor Phillips/Will Weatherly; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Soaked in an r&b groove, this languid ode to undying love goes down smooth and easy. Intensely romantic.
ROB BAIRD/Burning Blue
Writers: Rob Baird/Burleson Smith; Producer: Rick Brantley; Publisher: Boots Baird/Ticonderoga, BMI; Hard Luck
– With an able harmony vocal by the talented Lucie Silvas, this is a stately ballad that reflects on a relationship’s rise and fall. The electric guitar solo at the coda is pure poetry, and Baird’s plaintive, aching delivery is wonderfully gripping. The album, After All, chronicles the seven stage of grief in the wake of a breakup. Lend this man your ears.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/People Are Different
Writers: Mark Molman/Hillary Lindsey/Michael Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: 2019 Relative Music Group (BMI), administered by Songs Of Kobalt Music Publishing./ Songs of Universal, Inc. / Art in the Fodder Music. All rights o/b/o Art in the Fodder Music controlled and administered by Songs of Universal, Inc./ BMG Platinum Songs (BMI) / BIRB Music (ASCAP); Big Machine
– Terrific in every way. The track rings and chimes. The layered vocals swirl in your head. Best of all is the “love-thy-neighbor” lyric urging acceptance and tolerance. These boys have it all going on here.
QUEEVA/Live Like A Song
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jamie O’Neal; Publisher: none listed; Queeva (track)
– She’s a teen, and her pert, youthful and somewhat thin vocal shows it. The spare, choppy production creates a lively groove for her to emote in. She needs to put some years on her talent, but this is promising.
JOHN SCHNEIDER/Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Odyssey
– He still sings splendidly, and the song is a total country winner. The demo-sounding production does nothing for me.
ANNA VAUS/Day Job
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Espola Road
– The track burns rubber from the opening notes. A smokin’-hot country rocker with a saucy, personable vocal. Hang on for a wild ride.
WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Workin’
Writers: Bart Butler/Aaron Goodvin/Driver Williams/Brett Tyler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– It’s about time we had a new blue-collar, working-man’s anthem. This kinda thing should always be country music’s bread and butter. The track is rather “busy” sounding, but his voice and the lyric overcome that.
WHEELER WALKER JR./Save Some Titty Milk For Me
Writer: Wheeler Walker Jr.; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Pepperhill/Thirty Tigers
– Okay, let’s face it: This guy is never going to make mainstream radio with a title like this. It bops along attractively, but the lyric is way beyond outlaw country. Tracks like “I Sucked Another D*** Last Night,” “F**k You With the Lights On,” “All the P**** You Will Slay” and “I Like Smoking Pot” are not for the faint of heart. He glories in obscenity, but is also undeniably funny. The CD is titled WW III. Let the buyer beware.
BRANTLEY GILBERT & LINDSAY ELL/What Happens In A Small Town
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory
– I am a huge fan of Brantley’s brushed-velvet singing. Lindsay has never sounded better, trading verses and soaring above him in harmony. The beautifully intricate production revels in froth and foam as it crests and ebbs. The whole thing is sprinkled with stardust.
Nashville Underground To Host Fourth Nashville Rising Song Contest
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville Rising Song is holding Series 4 of its songwriter open mic contest, which will be hosted by Nashville Underground at 105 Broadway beginning Jan. 9 and will be held subsequent Wednesdays for a total of 12 weeks. The contest is open to writers of any genre who write and perform their own songs.
“We’re thrilled to have Nashville Underground host our fourth series of Nashville Rising Song. Joey and Gavin DeGraw are successful songwriters themselves and have built a fantastic music themed venue with an excellent stage and production,” said Nashville Rising Song creator/director Keith Mohr. “And, having Shawn Carnes as our new emcee will spice up the event and make it quite the entertaining show! Nashville Rising Song is a great way to discover up and coming talent way before anyone else! This event is all about the song!”
Each of the 10 preliminary rounds feature up to 21 songwriters who each perform one original song. At each preliminary round, the audience (at the venue and online) votes for their favorite songwriter/song, and a panel of music industry judges also select their favorite songwriter/song.
The semi-final round will be held on March 20 and will feature 20 preliminary round winners. The audience (at the venue and online) selects one writer, and the music industry panel selects three additional writers to move on to the final round. At the final round on March 27, the four finalists will each perform four songs, and the grand prize winner, who will be selected by a combination of audience (at the venue and online) and music industry votes, will receive cash and other career advancing prizes.
For more, visit nashvillerisingsong.com.
Dan + Shay To Make ‘Tonight Show’ Debut Jan. 8
/by Jessica NicholsonDan + Shay perform as part of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Photo: Courtesy Dick Clark Productions
Dan + Shay will hit the promotional circuit early in 2019, making their debut on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Jan. 8. The duo will perform their current single “Speechless.”
The track begins 2019 as it holds a third consecutive week at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart and sixth at the pinnacle of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Dan + Shay’s hit “Tequila” also maintains its position at No. 2 on the Hot Country chart. Together the tracks make up two of the top five most-streamed country songs released in 2018. “Speechless” has earned more than 166 million on-demand streams, with 1.2 million track equivalents sold. Dan + Shay recently performed the tune on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Good Morning America, Dancing with the Stars and The Voice.
The skyrocketing duo closed out their massive year with performances of “Tequila” and “All To Myself” on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
Industry Pics: John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show Ring In The New Year With Nashville Shows
/by Jessica NicholsonJohn Prine celebrates his sold-out Opry House NYE performance with Sally Williams, SVP Programming & Artists Relations and GM, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo
John Prine rang in the new year with a sold-out show on Dec. 31 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. 2018 proved a career high mark for Prine, with the April release of his first album of new material in more than a decade, titled The Tree of Forgiveness. In October 2018, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, followed by a nomination for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in November.
Meanwhile, Old Crow Medicine Show wrapped up 2018 with two sold-out shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. This year marked the tenth time that the band has played the Mother Church on New Year’s Eve. In April, the band released its sixth studio album, Volunteer, via a deal with Columbia Nashville. 2018 marked Old Crow Medicine Show’s 20th anniversary as a band.
Mitch Glazier Formally Takes On RIAA Chairman/CEO Role, Michele Ballantyne Promoted To COO
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: Mitch Glazier, Michele Ballantyne
Mitch Glazier has been named Chairman and CEO of the RIAA and has formally taken office at the recording industry trade group. Michele Ballantyne has also been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.
In 2017, following the announcement of former RIAA Chairman/CEO Cary Sherman‘s retirement, Glazier was promoted to President of the RIAA.
Before joining the RIAA in 2000, Glazier served as Chief Counsel for intellectual property to the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Music matters. It shapes our culture. It inspires generations young and young at heart. It makes us who we are and binds diverse communities together. I am honored to lead the RIAA during these exciting times as we fight for a music ecosystem that works for everybody – from artists and fans to labels and publishers and songwriters and music services alike. That will require that we both embrace digital music innovations, and protect what has always made music great – keeping the dream alive for the next generation of artists and music creators,” said Glazier.
Ballantyne has worked in the highest reaches of government, including as Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton, Special Counsel to then-White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, and as General Counsel for Senator Tom Daschle. A driving force for updating intellectual property laws for the digital age, she has played an instrumental role in advocating for congressional reforms including the MMA, the PRO-IP Act that established the nation’s first Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator in the Executive Office of the President, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 that provided colleges and universities with meaningful tools to reduce the illegal downloading of copyrighted works on campuses.
“I’m excited to be part of this new leadership team at such an incredibly dynamic and important time,” said Ballantyne. “By staying true to music and its creators even as we embrace change, we can help the men and women of the music industry achieve great things. I look forward to advocating on behalf of our great community.”