Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt
Sales are down. Streaming is up. Nielsen has released its year-end data for 2017 (Jan. – Nov.), stating music consumption as a whole grew at 12.5 percent. Country music is the third highest radio format (tied with pop).
In her introductory statement, Erin Crawford, SVP Nielsen Entertainment, General Manager Nielsen Music, notes Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Back Road” helped drive country music consumption growth for the year while crossing over into the pop charts at Top 10 at Adult Top 40 and No. 11 on Mainstream Top 40.
Notably, Chris Stapleton landed at No. 6 on Billboard‘s all-genre Top 10 Albums, Top 10 Digital Albums and Top 10 Physical Albums. The only other country artist on these charts was Kenny Chesney‘s Live In No Shoes Nation at No. 9 on the latter.
Additionally Crawford noted over-the-air radio remained the top source of new music discovery, while live music saw record attendance and ticket sales.
Total music consumption’s 12.5 percent growth was driven by streaming, led by a 58.7 percent increase in on-demand audio streams compared to 2016. While streaming was up, sales were down. Total album and TEA sales, both digital and physically, saw a drop by 19.2 percent from 2016, while digital track sales were down 23.4 percent compared to the same period.
Vinyl was the only bright spot with sales for 2017, with a 9 percent increase from the prior year to 14.3 million, showing surges in the second and fourth quarters thanks to Record Store Days in April and November. This marks vinyl’s 12th consecutive year of growth, notably with the Beatles at No. 1 and No. 2.
Despite having the most album sales upon its release in 2017, Taylor Swift‘s reputation was behind only Ed Sheeran in Top 5 Genre Artist and Top 5 Albums with 3.4 million and 2.3 million in total consumption, respectively. For Billboard‘s year-end chart, powered by Nielsen, Swift’s reputation landed at No. 1 in Top 10 Albums (sales). Specifically, reputation respectfully landed at No. 3 in total consumption, albeit with the lowest on-demand audio streams (421 million) due to it being immediately withheld from streaming services, for Billboard‘s Top 10 Albums (Album Sales+TEA+On-Demand Audio SEA). As an artist, Swift clocked in at No. 4 in the Top 10 Artists section, measured by total consumption, again with the lowest on-demand audio streams in the category.
Top 5 Genre Artists for country were Stapleton with 1.8 million Album+TEA+On-Demand Audio SEA. Luke Bryan followed with 1.1 million, with Thomas Rhett at 994K, Blake Shelton with 984K and Kenny Chesney with 955K.
Top 5 Albums for country were Stapleton’s From A Room: Vol. 1 and Traveller, at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Keith Urban‘s Ripcord followed, with Rhett’s Life Changes and Kane Brown‘s self-titled release.
For the Top 5 songs for country, Hunt’s “Body Like a Backroad” took No. 1, followed by Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” Brown’s (feat. Lauren Alaina) “What Ifs,” Luke Combs‘ “Hurricane” and Urban’s “The Fighter.”
Top 5 Radio Songs saw Hunt again at No. 1, followed by Jon Pardi‘s “Dirt On My Boots,” Combs’ “Hurricane” Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know” and Dylan Scott‘s “My Girl.”
Information courtesy of Nielsen.
30A Songwriters Festival Announces Final Lineup
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“The 30A Songwriters Festival is a unique cultural event like no other in this area. The Festival brings together nearly every South Walton community and many businesses to showcase our home as a destination not only for its beautiful beaches but also for its musical and creative excellence, which is the purpose of the Cultural Arts Alliance,” says Jennifer Steele, the Executive Director and Festival Co-Producer.
Additional confirmed artists for the festival include Lauren Staley & Jason Morrow (The Whiskey Gentry), Raelyn Nelson Band, Diane Gentile with Alfonso Velez, Airpark, Alan Rhody, Amilia K Spicer, Andi Zack-Johnson, Becca Mancari, Ben Glover, Billy Montana, Blake Bollinger, Blake Guthrie, Boukou Groove, Bradley Cole Smith, Brian White, Chas Sandford, Courtyard Saints, Crystal Bowersox, Dan Bern, Dave Franklin, Dead Rock West, Don DiLego, Donnie Sundal, Ella Blue, Gabe Dixon, Jade Jackson, Jaimee Harris, Jennifer Lynn Simpson, Jeremy Lister, Joe Leathers, Johnny Irion, Jonathan Mitchell, Karyn Williams, Granville Automatic, Hugh Mitchell, I’MAGENE, Korby Lenker, Kyle LaMonica, Kyle Mitchell, Lily Winwood, Marc Harris & Jab Wilson, Max Gomez, Max McCann, The AJ Ghent Band, Nicole Chillemi, Parker & Parker, Paul Burch, Phil Madeira, Sarah Peacock, Shannon LaBrie, Skylar Gudasz, Sterling Fletcher, The Sundogs and The Haraway Brothers, Tommy Womack, TOWNE, Tyler Flowers, Ingrid Graudins, Wildlife Specials, Wyatt Edmondson, and Wyatt Espalin.
Weekly Chart Report 1/5/18
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Nashville-Based Third Man Records Signs Rapper SHIRT To Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonSHIRT
Jack White‘s Nashville-based indie label Third Man Records has signed its first rapper to the roster, inking a deal with New York-based artist SHIRT. SHIRT’s debut Third Man album, Pure Beauty, will release Feb. 9.
The label released a video for the song “Flight Home.”
Third Man Records and Jack White have previously worked with hip-hop groups and artists including Insane Clown Posse, Nas, Q-Tip, and Black Milk.
Ray Stevens Preps CabaRay Music Venue Grand Opening
/by Jessica NicholsonAfter nearly two years of excavation, construction, furnishing and outfitting, country and comedy music legend Ray Stevens is finally ready to unveil his new state-of-the-art Nashville showroom, CabaRay. Today, Stevens announced his grand opening celebration set to take place Jan. 18, 19 and 20.
“This whole process has been a real labor of love for me,” says Stevens. “It took some time to get the building fully constructed and iron out all the kinks but I’m thrilled to say we’re finally ready to open the doors to the public. We’d hoped to open last year… but better late than never!”
CabaRay is an homage to the producers, musicians, songwriters and artists who “made Nashville Music City,” according to Stevens. The venue’s interior is wallpapered with recording studio photos of sessions where hits like “Pretty Woman,” “El Paso,” “Ahab the Arab,” and many others were born. The showroom features six red leather banquette booths named for Nashville record producers Chet Atkins, Owen Bradley, Shelby Singleton, Fred Foster, Jerry Kennedy and Billy Sherrill.
“This is a uniquely Nashville facility that celebrates the city and the industry I love and that has been so very good to me,” notes Stevens.
CabaRay features dinner service for 500 patrons downstairs with beverage service for over 200 more upstairs in theatre-style seating. The Bill Lowery High Spirits Emporium is a true piano bar, featuring Nashville favorite John Jonethis on keys. The venue also includes a lobby gift shop, chock full of souvenirs.
Stevens’ current plan is to host his own weekly dinner shows— Thursday through Saturday evenings. As the year progresses, he plans to add Wednesday night shows, as well as bring in outside talent to perform in the venue.
In addition to serving dinner, drinks and entertainment, the facility will also act as the production studio for Stevens’ popular CabaRay Nashville TV show, airing nationally on Public Television. The building will eventually house the office operations of Ray Stevens Music publishing companies, recording studio and real estate interests, all within the 35,000 square foot building.
CabaRay is located in West Nashville at 5724 River Road. Free parking is available for nearly 300 vehicles, as well as several tour buses.
CMA Songwriters Series Announces ‘Front And Center’ 2018 Season
/by Jessica NicholsonThe eighth season of “Front and Center” kicks off this month with all episodes airing nationally on public television. See below for initial airings in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville. Exact air dates and times for each episode vary by market and are subject to change.
Kane Brown & Luke Combs
New York, Jan. 14 at 11:30 p.m. on THIRTEEN
Los Angeles, Jan. 21 at 2 a.m. on KCET
Nashville, Feb. 2 at 11 p.m. on WNPT
Miranda Lambert
New York, Feb. 10 at 11:30 p.m. on WLIW
Los Angeles, Feb. 11 at 2 a.m. on KCET
Nashville, Feb. 23 at 11 p.m. on WNPT
Clint Black
New York, March 10 at 11:30 p.m. on WLIW
Los Angeles, March 11 at 2 a.m. on KCET
Nashville, March 23 at 11 p.m. on WNPT
Country Music icon Clint Black is joined by John Rich for a performance packed with behind-the-scenes stories and a selection of Black’s career-spanning greatest hits. Rising Country star Kane Brown is joined by top tunesmiths Tom Douglas and Josh Hoge and performs songs including “Used To Love You Sober” and “Heaven” in a show that also features CMA Awards New Artist of the Year nominee Luke Combs, who welcomes hit songwriters Thomas Archer, Ray Fulcher and Rob Williford, performing songs including “One Number Away” and “Hurricane.” Thirteen-time CMA Awards winner and reigning Female Vocalist Miranda Lambert shares the stage with 14 songwriters that contributed to her double-Platinum album, The Weight of These Wings, and performs songs including “Vice” and “Highway Vagabond” among many others.
This season’s Front and Center will also feature performances from Sheryl Crow, Liam Gallagher, Nile Rodgers, Seal and more.
Bob Kingsley’s CRS Acoustic Alley Lineup Revealed
/by Lorie HollabaughBob Kingsley will host this show, which has become one of the seminar’s most notable after-hour events. This year’s Acoustic Alley will be held from 7 p.m. until midnight in the Legends Ballroom (level 2) at The Omni in Nashville. A cash bar will be provided, and a CRS badge will be required for admittance.
“Nashville’s creative community gets kick-started every day by the men and women who gather on Music Row to write the songs at the heart of it all,” said Kingsley. “Every year, Acoustic Alley brings together many of the best of those writers to give us a glimpse into the place where creativity turns into hits. Great writers singing their hits? It makes for a great evening!”
The $699 final registration rate for Country Radio Seminar 2018 is available at CountryRadioSeminar.com and a limited number of Omni Nashville rooms are still available.
DISClaimer: Sugarland’s Welcome Return
/by Robert K OermannThis is a season of new beginnings, and that’s just what we’re hearing in the sounds from Jimmy Wayne, Scotty McCreery, Levi Hummon and Terry McBride. No one inhabits this concept better than Sugarland, our winner of the Disc of the Day award.
The DisCovery Award goes to Michael Tyler. This young Missouri native is previously best known for co-writing Jason Aldean’s “Laid Back” and Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere on a Beach.” Now he has his own spotlight.
MICHAEL TYLER/Hey Mama
Writers: Michael Tyler/Jaron Boyer/Adam Argyle; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Peertunes, Ltd. obo itself, MTNoize and Jaron Boyer Music (SESAC) / Peermusic III, Ltd (BMI); Reviver (CDX)
-It looks like this time, she’s the right one. So that’s why I’m talking to you, Mom. The vocal is boyishly endearing, and the poppy, attractive track burbles along at a jaunty pace. Quite enjoyable.
SUGARLAND/Still The Same
Writers: Jennifer Nettles, Kristian Bush; Producer: Kristian Bush/Julian Raymond; Publishing: Jennifer Nettles Publishing (ASCAP)./ Magic Mustang Music Inc. / More And More Magic Publishing (BMI); Big Machine (download)
-The Sugarland comeback single packs a powerful punch. It builds nicely from an acoustic opening into an oomphy, anthemic melody and a multi-layered production pylon. A welcome return.
AC JONES/Buses and Trains
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; SSM (CDX)
– She tells mama she’s been hurt by love, but that it feels so good she wants to do it again. Jones sings with plenty of fire, but needs a better song.
LUKE BRYAN/What Makes You Country
Writers: Luke Bryan/Dallas Davidson/Ashley Gorley; Producers: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Peanut Mill/Round Hill/Natalia’s Music Money/Combustion Engine/WB/Sadie’s Favorite, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
– It’s a stompin’ rocker with a lively attitude. The rapid-fire lyric spits both cliches and truths. Absolutely a smash.
JIMMY WAYNE/Puppy Love
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Bea Hive (track)
– Jimmy Wayne’s latest project is a kids’ book called Ruby the Foster Dog. It has its own website with video stories. His companion Ruby Toons CD kicks off with this electronic bopper and is easily enjoyed by adults. Check it out.
SCOTTY MCCREERY/Five More Minutes
Writers: Monty Criswell/Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Sony/ATV/Spirit; Triple Tigers
– The good times in life seem to just fly on by. If only we had a “pause” button or just a few more moments to enjoy them. Very touching and heartfelt. The accompanying video has loads of cool, home-movie footage from the singer’s boyhood.
BEBE REXHA & FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Meant To Be
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– The track is really groovy, and everyone is singing splendidly. A bit more melody would have been nice.
TERRY MCBRIDE/Boots Off
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; MV2 (CDX)
– Rolling, relaxing and laid back. A wanderer finds a home in her arms and, for a change, doesn’t feel like leaving.
THE PAT WATTERS BAND/Indigo
Writers: none listed; Producer: Evan Middlesworth; Publisher: none listed, BMI; PWB (track)
-Its upbeat, yet deals with heartbreak. I love the line, “Your future could be in your next hello, why are you dwelling on your last goodbye?” The production is rather minimal, but the steel playing is nifty. I dig these guys; they need an audio upgrade.
LEVI HUMMON/Stupid
Writers: Scooter Carusoe/Chris DeStefano/Levi Hummon; Publishers: Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; Producer: none listed; Iconic
-He doesn’t want to over-think a kiss or a romance. The track jingles and jangles in all the right places, and his lilting performance is on the money. Catchy and well worth your spins.
BuzzAngle Music Releases 2017 Music Consumption Numbers
/by Lorie HollabaughBuzzAngle Music has released its 2017 report on U.S. music consumption. The year saw a significant increase in overall consumption, 12.8 percent over 2016, that marks the third year in a row with increasing growth.
Streaming consumption continued its huge growth with a 50.3 percent increase to 377B streams, 127B more streams than in 2016. Subscription streams are now at 80 percent of total audio streams, up from 76 percent in 2016.
The top digital album of 2017 was reputation by Taylor Swift with 865,446 digital sales, and it was one of only two albums to break 1 million in pure album sales during 2017. The other was ÷ by Ed Sheeran with 1,042,255 albums sold.
Streams reached a new record high of 376.9 billion, up 50 percent over 2016, while subscription streams grew 57 percent and accounted for 80 percent of total audio streams in 2017, up from 76% in 2016. There were more than twice as many streams on any given day during 2017 (daily average of 1.67 billion) then there were song downloads for the entire year (563.7 million). Vinyl sales were also up 20 over 2016 and accounted for 10 of all physical album sales (up from 8 in 2016). There were 16 songs that were streamed more than 500 million times in 2017, compared to six in 2016 and two in 2015. 383 songs streamed more than 100 million times in 2017, compared to 226 songs in 2016 and 111 songs in 2015. And the top 1,000 streamed songs in 2017 accounted for 122.2 billion streams, an increase of 33% over 2016’s top 1,000 streamed songs (91.8 billion).
In 2017, one song broke the one billion-stream mark for the first time ever, “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (1.1 billion streams) and was also the most-streamed song of the year. Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” was the second most-streamed song with 979.3 million streams.
29.3 percent of all album sales in 2017 were rock albums, with more than 43 million in sales. 19.7 percent were pop titles, 14.1 percent were urban, and 12 percent were country albums. 23 percent of song sales in 2017 were titles from rock, 22.2 percent were urban, 21.9 percent were pop, and 12.6 percent country.
Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt Lead Nielsen Year-End Report
/by Eric T. ParkerChris Stapleton, Sam Hunt
Sales are down. Streaming is up. Nielsen has released its year-end data for 2017 (Jan. – Nov.), stating music consumption as a whole grew at 12.5 percent. Country music is the third highest radio format (tied with pop).
In her introductory statement, Erin Crawford, SVP Nielsen Entertainment, General Manager Nielsen Music, notes Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Back Road” helped drive country music consumption growth for the year while crossing over into the pop charts at Top 10 at Adult Top 40 and No. 11 on Mainstream Top 40.
Notably, Chris Stapleton landed at No. 6 on Billboard‘s all-genre Top 10 Albums, Top 10 Digital Albums and Top 10 Physical Albums. The only other country artist on these charts was Kenny Chesney‘s Live In No Shoes Nation at No. 9 on the latter.
Additionally Crawford noted over-the-air radio remained the top source of new music discovery, while live music saw record attendance and ticket sales.
Total music consumption’s 12.5 percent growth was driven by streaming, led by a 58.7 percent increase in on-demand audio streams compared to 2016. While streaming was up, sales were down. Total album and TEA sales, both digital and physically, saw a drop by 19.2 percent from 2016, while digital track sales were down 23.4 percent compared to the same period.
Vinyl was the only bright spot with sales for 2017, with a 9 percent increase from the prior year to 14.3 million, showing surges in the second and fourth quarters thanks to Record Store Days in April and November. This marks vinyl’s 12th consecutive year of growth, notably with the Beatles at No. 1 and No. 2.
Despite having the most album sales upon its release in 2017, Taylor Swift‘s reputation was behind only Ed Sheeran in Top 5 Genre Artist and Top 5 Albums with 3.4 million and 2.3 million in total consumption, respectively. For Billboard‘s year-end chart, powered by Nielsen, Swift’s reputation landed at No. 1 in Top 10 Albums (sales). Specifically, reputation respectfully landed at No. 3 in total consumption, albeit with the lowest on-demand audio streams (421 million) due to it being immediately withheld from streaming services, for Billboard‘s Top 10 Albums (Album Sales+TEA+On-Demand Audio SEA). As an artist, Swift clocked in at No. 4 in the Top 10 Artists section, measured by total consumption, again with the lowest on-demand audio streams in the category.
Top 5 Genre Artists for country were Stapleton with 1.8 million Album+TEA+On-Demand Audio SEA. Luke Bryan followed with 1.1 million, with Thomas Rhett at 994K, Blake Shelton with 984K and Kenny Chesney with 955K.
Top 5 Albums for country were Stapleton’s From A Room: Vol. 1 and Traveller, at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Keith Urban‘s Ripcord followed, with Rhett’s Life Changes and Kane Brown‘s self-titled release.
For the Top 5 songs for country, Hunt’s “Body Like a Backroad” took No. 1, followed by Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” Brown’s (feat. Lauren Alaina) “What Ifs,” Luke Combs‘ “Hurricane” and Urban’s “The Fighter.”
Top 5 Radio Songs saw Hunt again at No. 1, followed by Jon Pardi‘s “Dirt On My Boots,” Combs’ “Hurricane” Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know” and Dylan Scott‘s “My Girl.”
Information courtesy of Nielsen.
Little Big Town, Lady Gaga, P!nk To Perform At Grammy Awards’ 60th Anniversary
/by Lorie HollabaughThe upcoming 60th Anniversary of the Grammy Awards will include some milestone performances during its Jan. 28 broadcast on CBS. Little Big Town, Lady Gaga, Childish Gambino, P!nk, Patti LuPone, and Ben Platt are the first slate of performers announced who will be performing on the show’s special anniversary celebration.
The show returns to New York this year for the first time in 15 years and will be hosted by James Corden and air live from Madison Square Garden in New York City. In celebration of the show’s return to New York, two-time Grammy winner LuPone will reprise her 1981 Grammy performance of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” and “Dear Evan Hansen’s” currently nominated Ben Platt will perform a classic from West Side Story in a special Broadway tribute honoring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Leonard Bernstein.
Two-time Grammy winners Little Big Town are nominated for Best Country Album (The Breaker) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Better Man”). Other country nominees include Chris Stapleton with three nods, and Midland, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, and Miranda Lambert all with two nominations. A full list of country nominations can be seen here.