BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 473
Pictured (L-R): Song of the Year co-writer Ben Hayslip, Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley and Song of the Year co-writer Jimmy Robbins. Photo: Ed Rode
ASCAP is celebrating its 100
th anniversary this year, and appropriately, its 2014 country awards banquet looked backward as well as forward.
The performance-rights society honored superstar
Alan Jackson with a Heritage Award recognizing him as its top country songwriter-artist of the past century. “From his dearest friends to his millions of fans, he is…The Real Deal,” said presenter
Connie Bradley.
“I’m just a singer of simple songs,” responded the ever-humble Alan. “I just came here to sing country music. I’ve had so much help along the way. I’m just overwhelmed by all of this.” He thanked his steadfast wife, author
Denise Jackson, and added, “I’m just an ol’ country boy who’s had a lot of blessin.’”
Chris Oglesby saluted
Craig Wiseman with a Heritage Award as ASCAP’s top country songwriter of its first 100 years. “His lyrics connected with fans,” said Chris. “He writes what he knows…and hits America right in the heart.”
“Oh my God,” Craig stammered as he began to weep in acceptance. “Everybody I’ve ever written a song with in this room, please stand.” Dozens did. “I don’t know what to say. God bless Nashville, Tennessee.” He recalled coming to Music City in 1985, living in his van and grabbing free showers at the KOA Campground near Opryland. “God is great. Nashville is great. You guys are great. I am honored beyond words.”
ASCAP Heritage Award Honoree Alan Jackson. Photo: Ed Rode
“Bro country” ruled ASCAP’s contemporary awards. The
Thomas Rhett hit “It Goes Like This” won Song of the Year for co-writers
Jimmy Robbins and
Ben Hayslip. With nine No. 1 songs in the year,
Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year.
“Nashville is just an awesome town,” said Ashley. “It’s one big friendship.”
Publisher of the Year Warner-Chappell Music has both a distinguished history as a heritage firm as well as loads of contemporary country activity. No foolin’ — the company garnered 19 citations during the banquet. ASCAP CEO
John LoFrumento presented its award.
The banquet took place Monday evening (11/3) in the Music City Center’s grand ballroom. Star gazing was abundant –
Dierks Bentley, David Nail, Kip Moore, Brett Eldredge, Brandy Clark, Eric Paslay, Chris Young (“double dipping” this year as an awardee at both ASCAP and BMI),
Billy Currington, Charles Kelley & Dave Haywood of
Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and
Jerrod Niemann all mingled at the soiree.
Lynn Anderson was on the arm of songwriter
Mentor Williams.
Past and present record makers
Radney Foster, Jim Photoglo, Blackstone Cherry, Fred Knobloch, Lane Brody, Monty Holmes, David Lee Murphy, Phil Vassar, Rhett Akins, new Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee
Gretchen Peters, Desmond Child, Neil Thrasher, Richard Young of
The Kentucky HeadHunters, Brett James and
Jason Sellers also worked the room.
Lee Ann Womack began the awards ceremony by performing the gorgeous acoustic gem “Send It On Down.”
In a nice touch, up-and-coming artists introduced the five top ASCAP country songs of the year.
Maddie & Tae did the honors for “Don’t Ya.”
The Cadillac Three set up “Crash My Party.”
John King introduced “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight.”
The Swon Brothers talked up “Friday Night.”
Sam Hunt was the guest presenter for the Song of the Year winner “It Goes Like This.” Each of the five was performed by its writer or writers.
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Song of the Year co-writer Ben Hayslip, Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley, Song of the Year co-writer Jimmy Robbins, ASCAP Heritage Award Honoree Craig Wiseman, Publisher of the Year Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn and Jon Platt, and ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan. Photo: Ed Rode
ASCAP President
Paul Williams opened the ceremony. “I love Nashville,” he said. “I come full circle in this town….ASCAP is home to country music’s greatest songwriters and publishers.” This was its 52
nd country-awards ceremony. Our own
Vincent Candilora presented ASCAP’s Partners in Music award to
Mike Grimes and
Dave Brown of the Nashville alt-nightspot The Basement.
Various other ASCAP execs also presented. Most of the honors were passed out by the Nashville office’s gracious leaders,
LeAnn Phelan and
Michael Martin. We love them.
The fabulons gathered at a pre-awards cocktail hour, where they were served barbeque chicken salad in cornbread boats, bacon fried shrimp and filo pastry stuffed with brie and walnuts.
Pat Alger, Patrick Clifford, Mike Dungan, Mike Hollandsworth, Mike Dekle, Michael Knox, Doug Casmus, Doug Johnson, Doug & Linda Edell Howard, Dave Berg, David Crow, David Corlew, Mark Brown, Mark Ford, Mark Irwin, Mark D. Sanders, Ed Morris, Eddie Bayers, Dale Bobo, Dale Dodson, Chris DuBois, Chris Tompkins, Chris Farren, Chris DeStefano, Josh Kear, Josh Osborne, John Ozier, Jon Nite, John Huie and
John Titta were stirred in the mix.
Dinner began with spring greens, sun-dried tomatoes, golden raisins and candied pecans salad. The main course was beef tenderloin medallion with crab cake, French green beans, slivered squash and fingerling potatoes. Chess pie plus berries and whipped cream were served for dessert.
Norbert Nix, Maurice Miner and
Dallas Davidson dined alongside
Dwight Wiles & Diana Johnson, Bud & Janice Wendell, Ralph Peer, Pete Fisher, Darrell Brown, Shelby Kennedy, Wayland Holyfield and
Frank Liddell.
As usual, ASCAP was a fashion parade. Did somebody send out a memo about black lace?
Celia Froehlig, Cyndi Hoelzle, Alicia Warwick and
Becky Harris all wore it, with the last-named looking especially groovy with her leopard-print high heels and matching-patterned pendant.
Brittany A. Shaffer turned heads in a blue-sequined sheath.
Jessi Alexander was very pretty in a flowing red, floral, floor-length “hippie” gown, accessorized by her handsome hubby
Jon Randall Stewart.
Ben Vaughn’s electric-blue cravat stood out on his black-on-black outfit.
Craig Wiseman wore a dapper tan jacket over his customary Hawaiian shirt.
Butch Baker swapped his usual vintage brocade tux jacket for a textured gray suit. “I’m starting the bolo-tie movement,” he proclaimed, promising that he’d lined up several gents to emulate his neckwear at the BMI banquet.
The MCC ballroom where ASCAP was staged is an awesome visual spectacle. Its front, rear, sides and ceiling are all covered in positioned panels of wood, so it feels like you are inside a massive guitar. There are no columns. You don’t need much décor in a breath-taking space like this. Dramatic black tablecloths draped the round tables, with blue hydrangeas and white roses in centerpiece bouquets. The stage was trimmed with floor-to-ceiling white drapes and pierced by red and chartreuse pin spotlights.
Herky Williams, Jim Catino, Ralph Murphy, Allen Shamblin, Allison Brown Jones (in beyond-stiletto gold heels),
Andrew Kintz, Tommy Rocco, Tim Nichols, Terry Wakefield, Teresa George, Hank Adam Locklin, Kevin Lamb, Van Tucker, bolo-wearing
Julian King, Barry Coburn, Dan Keen, Walter Campbell, Garth Fundis, Kyle Young, Bart Herbison, Debbie Carroll, Kelley Lovelace and
Shane McAnally were among the approximately 800 who gazed in wonder.
Bobby Karl Works The ASCAP Country Awards
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 473
Pictured (L-R): Song of the Year co-writer Ben Hayslip, Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley and Song of the Year co-writer Jimmy Robbins. Photo: Ed Rode
ASCAP is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and appropriately, its 2014 country awards banquet looked backward as well as forward.
The performance-rights society honored superstar Alan Jackson with a Heritage Award recognizing him as its top country songwriter-artist of the past century. “From his dearest friends to his millions of fans, he is…The Real Deal,” said presenter Connie Bradley.
“I’m just a singer of simple songs,” responded the ever-humble Alan. “I just came here to sing country music. I’ve had so much help along the way. I’m just overwhelmed by all of this.” He thanked his steadfast wife, author Denise Jackson, and added, “I’m just an ol’ country boy who’s had a lot of blessin.’”
Chris Oglesby saluted Craig Wiseman with a Heritage Award as ASCAP’s top country songwriter of its first 100 years. “His lyrics connected with fans,” said Chris. “He writes what he knows…and hits America right in the heart.”
“Oh my God,” Craig stammered as he began to weep in acceptance. “Everybody I’ve ever written a song with in this room, please stand.” Dozens did. “I don’t know what to say. God bless Nashville, Tennessee.” He recalled coming to Music City in 1985, living in his van and grabbing free showers at the KOA Campground near Opryland. “God is great. Nashville is great. You guys are great. I am honored beyond words.”
ASCAP Heritage Award Honoree Alan Jackson. Photo: Ed Rode
“Bro country” ruled ASCAP’s contemporary awards. The Thomas Rhett hit “It Goes Like This” won Song of the Year for co-writers Jimmy Robbins and Ben Hayslip. With nine No. 1 songs in the year, Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year.
“Nashville is just an awesome town,” said Ashley. “It’s one big friendship.”
Publisher of the Year Warner-Chappell Music has both a distinguished history as a heritage firm as well as loads of contemporary country activity. No foolin’ — the company garnered 19 citations during the banquet. ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento presented its award.
The banquet took place Monday evening (11/3) in the Music City Center’s grand ballroom. Star gazing was abundant – Dierks Bentley, David Nail, Kip Moore, Brett Eldredge, Brandy Clark, Eric Paslay, Chris Young (“double dipping” this year as an awardee at both ASCAP and BMI), Billy Currington, Charles Kelley & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and Jerrod Niemann all mingled at the soiree. Lynn Anderson was on the arm of songwriter Mentor Williams.
Past and present record makers Radney Foster, Jim Photoglo, Blackstone Cherry, Fred Knobloch, Lane Brody, Monty Holmes, David Lee Murphy, Phil Vassar, Rhett Akins, new Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Gretchen Peters, Desmond Child, Neil Thrasher, Richard Young of The Kentucky HeadHunters, Brett James and Jason Sellers also worked the room. Lee Ann Womack began the awards ceremony by performing the gorgeous acoustic gem “Send It On Down.”
In a nice touch, up-and-coming artists introduced the five top ASCAP country songs of the year. Maddie & Tae did the honors for “Don’t Ya.” The Cadillac Three set up “Crash My Party.” John King introduced “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight.” The Swon Brothers talked up “Friday Night.” Sam Hunt was the guest presenter for the Song of the Year winner “It Goes Like This.” Each of the five was performed by its writer or writers.
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Song of the Year co-writer Ben Hayslip, Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley, Song of the Year co-writer Jimmy Robbins, ASCAP Heritage Award Honoree Craig Wiseman, Publisher of the Year Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn and Jon Platt, and ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan. Photo: Ed Rode
ASCAP President Paul Williams opened the ceremony. “I love Nashville,” he said. “I come full circle in this town….ASCAP is home to country music’s greatest songwriters and publishers.” This was its 52nd country-awards ceremony. Our own Vincent Candilora presented ASCAP’s Partners in Music award to Mike Grimes and Dave Brown of the Nashville alt-nightspot The Basement.
Various other ASCAP execs also presented. Most of the honors were passed out by the Nashville office’s gracious leaders, LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin. We love them.
The fabulons gathered at a pre-awards cocktail hour, where they were served barbeque chicken salad in cornbread boats, bacon fried shrimp and filo pastry stuffed with brie and walnuts. Pat Alger, Patrick Clifford, Mike Dungan, Mike Hollandsworth, Mike Dekle, Michael Knox, Doug Casmus, Doug Johnson, Doug & Linda Edell Howard, Dave Berg, David Crow, David Corlew, Mark Brown, Mark Ford, Mark Irwin, Mark D. Sanders, Ed Morris, Eddie Bayers, Dale Bobo, Dale Dodson, Chris DuBois, Chris Tompkins, Chris Farren, Chris DeStefano, Josh Kear, Josh Osborne, John Ozier, Jon Nite, John Huie and John Titta were stirred in the mix.
Dinner began with spring greens, sun-dried tomatoes, golden raisins and candied pecans salad. The main course was beef tenderloin medallion with crab cake, French green beans, slivered squash and fingerling potatoes. Chess pie plus berries and whipped cream were served for dessert.
Norbert Nix, Maurice Miner and Dallas Davidson dined alongside Dwight Wiles & Diana Johnson, Bud & Janice Wendell, Ralph Peer, Pete Fisher, Darrell Brown, Shelby Kennedy, Wayland Holyfield and Frank Liddell.
As usual, ASCAP was a fashion parade. Did somebody send out a memo about black lace? Celia Froehlig, Cyndi Hoelzle, Alicia Warwick and Becky Harris all wore it, with the last-named looking especially groovy with her leopard-print high heels and matching-patterned pendant. Brittany A. Shaffer turned heads in a blue-sequined sheath. Jessi Alexander was very pretty in a flowing red, floral, floor-length “hippie” gown, accessorized by her handsome hubby Jon Randall Stewart.
Ben Vaughn’s electric-blue cravat stood out on his black-on-black outfit. Craig Wiseman wore a dapper tan jacket over his customary Hawaiian shirt. Butch Baker swapped his usual vintage brocade tux jacket for a textured gray suit. “I’m starting the bolo-tie movement,” he proclaimed, promising that he’d lined up several gents to emulate his neckwear at the BMI banquet.
The MCC ballroom where ASCAP was staged is an awesome visual spectacle. Its front, rear, sides and ceiling are all covered in positioned panels of wood, so it feels like you are inside a massive guitar. There are no columns. You don’t need much décor in a breath-taking space like this. Dramatic black tablecloths draped the round tables, with blue hydrangeas and white roses in centerpiece bouquets. The stage was trimmed with floor-to-ceiling white drapes and pierced by red and chartreuse pin spotlights.
Herky Williams, Jim Catino, Ralph Murphy, Allen Shamblin, Allison Brown Jones (in beyond-stiletto gold heels), Andrew Kintz, Tommy Rocco, Tim Nichols, Terry Wakefield, Teresa George, Hank Adam Locklin, Kevin Lamb, Van Tucker, bolo-wearing Julian King, Barry Coburn, Dan Keen, Walter Campbell, Garth Fundis, Kyle Young, Bart Herbison, Debbie Carroll, Kelley Lovelace and Shane McAnally were among the approximately 800 who gazed in wonder.
Industry Ink: WMN, CRS, Fruition Songs, Triple 8 Management's Couri, SOURCE
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Kevin Herring, Mark Niederhauser, Mallory Opheim, Katie Bright, Peter Strickland, and Kristen Williams
Team WMN celebrates Cole Swindell’s song “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey” being the No. 1 most added song in an appropriate fashion.
• • •
The scholarships provide for an all-expense paid trip and attendance to CRS 2015, held Feb. 25-Feb. 27, 2015. Interested parties can apply now through Monday, Dec. 1 at www.countryradioseminar.com.
• • •
Worley spent 15 years working with Paul Worley Productions, acquiring songs for Martina McBride, the Dixie Chicks, and others. Worley also served as Creative Director for Rich Entertainment Group and Skyline Music. Kice previously worked with Warner/Chappell Music and is an original member of the MuzikMafia.
• • •
Triple 8 Management’s George Couri wed Kate Healy on Oct. 26. Following a 1940’s themed ceremony and reception, the couple flew to New York City for a romantic honeymoon of release week for Triple 8 Management client Sam Hunt’s debut album Montevallo.
• • •
Refreshments will be served. Parking is available in the adjacent parking garage.
The event is free to attendees and vendors.
Meghan Trainor Announces 'That Bass Tour' Dates
/by Kelsey_GradyMeghan’s hotly anticipated full-length debut, Title, hits shelves on Jan. 13 just prior to the launch of her tour. Her six-times platinum anthem “All About That Bass” clinched the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eight straight weeks, making her the longest No. 1 by a female artist this year. The video has been viewed over 200,000,000 times and counting. Meghan will perform “All About That Bass” with Miranda Lambert at the CMAs on Nov. 5.
Trainor, who is signed as a writer to Nashville’s Big Yellow Dog Music Publishing, recently celebrated the chart-topping success of “All About That Bass” with a party in Nashville.
That Bass Tour Dates
All dates, cities and venues below subject to change.
Feb. 11 Vancouver, BC Vogue Theatre
Feb. 13 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
Feb. 14 Seattle, WA Neptune Theatre
Feb. 16 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Feb. 18 San Diego, CA House of Blues
Feb. 21 Los Angeles, CA El Rey
Feb. 25 Houston, TX House of Blues
Feb. 27 Dallas, TX Granada Theater
March 1 Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom
March 2 Detroit, MI St. Andrew’s Hall
March 4 Chicago, IL House of Blues
March 6 Toronto, ON The Phoenix
March 8 Washington, DC The Fillmore Silver Spring
March 11 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
March 13 New York, NY Irving Plaza
March 17 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
March 20 Nashville, TN The Cannery
Additional dates to be announced.
Investor Purchases Music Row Area Property For $3.55 Million
/by Jessica NicholsonSAE Institute of Technology occupies the entire building, and still has seven years left in its lease, as well as a renewal option to extend the lease. The building was purchased as a single tenant cash flowing investment.
OakPoint Real Estate’s Rob Gage, who represented the sellers in the transaction, tells MusicRow that redevelopment of the site could be a consideration in the future, but for now, the purchaser intends to hold it as an investment.
SAE Institute Nashville offers education in audio technology and music business. SAE was established in 1976, and has 53 campuses in 27 countries, including seven U.S. campuses in Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco.
Mark Your Calendar – November 2014
/by Eric T. ParkerNovember 3
Dustin Lynch/Hell Of A Night/Broken Bow
Cole Swindell/Ain’t Worth The Whiskey/Warner Bros.
The Swon Brothers/Pray For You/Arista Nashville
Dylan Scott/Lay It On Me/Sidewalk Records
Dallas Smith/Wastin’ Gas/Big Loud Mountain
November 10
Brantley Gilbert/One Hell Of An Amen/Valory
Chase Rice/Gonna Wanna Tonight/Columbia Nashville
Owen Howell/Backyard Party/Salazar Harper Records
The Stickers/Country Proud/Wodarek Music LLC
November 17
Rodney Atkins/Eat Sleep Love You Repeat/Curb
Kristy Lee Cook/Lookin’ For A Cowgirl/Broken Bow
Brandon Alan/Through The Cracks/Creative Arts Group
Vish/I Was Born To Love You/Karma One Records LLC
Haley & Michaels/Just Another Love Song/H&M Music, LLC
Brushville/Baby’s Got Her Boots On/Brushville, LLC.
November 24
Tate Stevens/Better At Night/RPM Entertainment
James Otto/Somewhere Tonight/Ottopilot Records
November 3
Neal McCoy/Pride: A Tribute To Charley Pride: Deluxe Edition/Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
November 4
Various (Doobie Brothers)/Southbound/Arista Nashville
Ronnie Milsap/The RCA Albums Collection/Legacy Recordings
Maddie & Tae/Maddie & Tae [EP]/Dot Records
Amber Hayes/Running Out Of Memories [EP]/GMV Nashville, A-OK Entertainment
Various/Christmas With Nashville/BMLG
November 10
Zac Brown Band/Greatest Hits So Far…/Southern Ground-Atlantic Records
George Strait/The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium [Deluxe Edition]/ MCA Nashville
November 11
Garth Brooks/Man Against Machine/Pearl-RCA Nashville
November 17
Trisha Yearwood/PrizeFighter: Hit after Hit/RCA Nashville-Gwendolyn Records
Sara Evans/At Christmas/RCA Nashville
Cole Swindell/Down Home Sessions [EP]/Warner Bros. Records
November 1
No Shave November launches, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
November 2
2014 SESAC Nashville Music Awards at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (invitation-only)
November 3
52nd annual ASCAP Country Music Awards at Nashville’s Music City Center (invitation-only)
November 4
62nd annual BMI Country Awards at BMI’s Music Row offices (invitation-only)
November 5
November 7
CMA Country Christmas tapes in front of a live audience 7:30 PM/CT at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., ABC-TV air date, TBD
November 11
4th annual NATD Honors Gala at the Hermitage Hotel
November 12
8th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum at the Ford Theater
November 15
Tanya Tucker: Strong Enough To Bend opens at the CMHoF
November 17
November 19-20
Billboard Touring Conference in New York City
November 23
The American Music Awards will air live from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre at 8 p.m. ET
Brad Paisley Extends Country Nation World Tour
/by Troy_StephensonBrad Paisley
Brad Paisley has announced the extension of his Country Nation World Tour presented by KRAFT Cheese through March 2015. The final leg of the tour will kick off on Jan. 17, 2015 in Morgantown, W.Va., which is Paisley’s home state. Tickets will go on sale Friday, Nov. 7.
Special guests on the tour will be Stoney Creek Records’ Parmalee and Arista Nashville recording duo The Swon Brothers.
2015 Country Nation World Tour presented by KRAFT Cheese dates are as follows:
Jan. 17| WVU Coliseum | Morgantown, W. Va.
Jan. 22 | Landers Center | Southaven, Miss.
Jan. 23 | Pensacola Civic Center | Pensacola, Fla.
Jan. 24 | Germaine Arena | Estero, Fla.
Jan. 29 | Resch Center | Green Bay, Wis.
Jan. 30 | U.S. Cellular Center | Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jan. 31 | Swiftel Center | Brookings, S.D.
Feb. 5 | Northeastern Illinois Univ. | DeKalb, Ill.
Feb. 6 | JQH Arena | Springfield, Mo.
Feb. 7 | The Covelli Center | Youngstown, Ohio
March 5 | Colorado Springs World Arena | Colorado Springs, Colo.
March 6 | Pan American Center | Las Cruces, N.M.
March 7 | United Supermarkets Arena | Lubbock, Texas
Beats Music, Southwest Team For In-flight Music Streaming
/by Jessica NicholsonThe listening experience is customizable thanks to The Sentence, which offers a continuous playlist customized to users’ responses to four questions regarding, location, activity, surroundings and musical preference.
The entertainment service was introduced during a live demonstration today (Nov. 3) on-board the official Beats Music-decaled 737 aircraft. The service will be compatible with mobile devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android, as well as most web browsers.
The service provided on the Southwest entertainment portal will be compatible with major mobile devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android, as well as most web browsers, and is designed to ensure a seamless and superior quality playback.
“Southwest connects our Customers to what is important in their lives, and in this case, it’s music,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Chief Marketing Officer. “We continue to enhance our on-board offerings to remain current as our Customers’ needs evolve, and with the addition of Beats Music on our entertainment portal, we’re doing just that.”
Hill Entertainment Group Adds Jeri Cooper As Head of Radio, Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonJeri Cooper
Nashville-based management, entertainment and solutions company Hill Entertainment Group has appointed Jeri Cooper as head of radio and marketing for the growing company.
Cooper previously worked as National Promotion Director at Sony Music.
Hill Entertainment Group was launched in 2013 by CEO and founder Greg Hill and is home to artists including Rodney Atkins, Jana Kramer, The Swon Brothers and Naomi Judd.
“I’d like to thank Gary Overton and Lesly Simon for welcoming me back to the Sony Nashville family last year. Under their leadership and direction, the past 18 months have been a time of personal and professional growth for me,” says Cooper. “Now I feel blessed with a similar chance to reunite with someone I admire and respect, Greg Hill. I’m excited to combine my passion for radio, artists and experience in promotion to help maximize opportunities for the roster at Hill Entertainment Group.”
Cooper can be reached at jeri@hillentgroup.com.
Swift Surpasses 1 Million in Sales for '1989,' Strips Music from Spotify
/by Eric T. ParkerThis news comes as Swift’s music has been removed from the digital music service, Spotify. The streaming service is now pleading with the international superstar to make her catalog available, as it has been streamed 16 million times in the last 30 days, and appeared on 19 million playlists. 1989 has never been available on Spotify in its entirety, although the lead single “Shake It Off” was withheld but eventually released. In 2012, Red was withheld until the following year. Now none of her music is available.
– – –
(MusicRow) – [Update, 2:50 p.m. CT] Scott Borchetta tells All Access: “We are not for sale.” [Previous story continued]: The New York Post reports Swift’s Big Machine recording contract is up after one more album (and greatest hits package with new music), prompting Billboard to address rumors that Scott Borchetta and his attorney Joel Katz are eyeing the sale of BMLG, most likely to Universal or Sony. The label group’s distribution deal with Universal Music Group may be up for renewal in 2014.
– – –
One more record-shattering ceiling stands in Swift’s way once the final numbers are in: if revised industry forecasts are correct, 1989 could become the highest one-week sales for an album by a woman, currently held by Britney Spears‘ Y2k release, Oops! … I Did It Again (1.319 million, according to Nielsen SoundScan). Swift’s Red fell just shy of that record, at 1.208 million.
The Big Machine pop collection, 1989, not only breaks 2013-14 records, but makes Swift the only artist in music history to have three albums hit the 1 million-plus mark for first-week sales. For Swift those stats include 2010’s Speak Now, 2012’s RED and 2014’s 1989. The latter has topped iTunes’ sales charts in 95 countries during this current release week.
Although marketing efforts—including five variations of photo packages within physical albums, a Target deluxe with six additional tracks, and a meet-and-greet drawing for albums registered during first week of sales—have contributed to 1989‘s success, some predict this will be the last album ever to sell Platinum as consumers shift to streaming services.
Swift’s career record sales have exceeded 30 million albums and almost 80 million song downloads worldwide.
For Country, Eric Church’s The Outsiders holds the 2014 record for sales, with 288K upon release in February. Jason Aldean’s Old Boots, New Dirt comes in second with 278K, while Brantley Gilbert’s Just As I Am sold 211K units during its debut week in May. All genre, 2013 debuts clocked Justin Timberlake at the highest position for the year when 20/20 Experience sold 968K its first week.
Stay tuned with MusicRow on Wednesday (Nov. 5) for Swift’s official sales numbers.
BMLG Promotes George Briner
/by Sarah SkatesGeorge Briner
The Big Machine Label Group has promoted George Briner to Sr. VP, Promotion for The Valory Music Co. The imprint under his leadership is home to Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, RaeLynn, The Mavericks, Levi Hummon and Thomas Rhett, who will vie for CMA New Artist of the Year at Wednesday night’s (Nov. 5) ceremony. Briner previously held the title of VP, Promotion.
The Valory Music Co., which is celebrating its seventh anniversary, has a promotion team made up of Shari Roth, Amy Staley, Brad Howell, Ashley Sidoti and Ellen Mundy.
“I tasked George with a complete rebuilding and re-engineering of The Valory Music Company promotion department two years ago and he has rebuilt the team into an absolute power house!” said BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “Valory will have its best year ever and that is in big part to George. He is a relentless promotion executive who is still as passionate as ever about his artists and their music and the results attached to those artists and music. GB—it’s a long way from Billy Hill! Congrats pal—so proud of you and all you’ve done and continue to do. This promotion is so well deserved.”
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of The Valory Music Company since delivering our first single to country radio seven years ago,” commented Briner. “Being named Senior Vice President Promotion for Valory is an honor that I embrace. In this business, you are only as good as the music you represent, the team that you have around you and the passion that burns inside you. I am blessed to be surrounded by some of the best in the business. Thank you to Scott Borchetta for giving me the opportunity and to everyone within the BMLG family who has supported me.”
Briner can be reached at (615) 324-7782 or george.briner@valorymail.com.