Kenny Chesney is the only Country artist named in the Top 10 in Billboard‘s listing of the Top Grossing Live Acts of the past quarter century. Chesney landed at No. 9 on the list, bested by artists including the Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen.
Since the mid-’90s, Chesney has grossed $752,706,599, with an attendance of 12,681,629 fans over the course of 755 shows.
The rankings are tallied according to gross sales.
“You look at a list like this… with so many iconic rock acts, people like Madonna, or Elton John, and you think, ‘Man…’.” Chesney says. “When you get on the bus for the first time, you’re just hoping people will come. You never expect to be in this kind of company, unless you’re buying a ticket.”
The Rolling Stones topped the list with a gross income of $1,565,792,382 and an attendance of 19,677,569 over the course of 538 shows.
Chesney wasn’t the only Country artist to land in the Top 25. George Strait earned the No. 19 spot, grossing $405,034,063, with an attendance of 9,736,580 over the course of 584 shows.
Meanwhile, Toby Keith landed at No. 22, grossing $361,256,245 with an attendance of 8,608,696 over the course of 711 concerts.
WebLinks: Amazon To Offer Streaming, HFA For Sale
/by Sarah SkatesBack in March, Billboard reported that the company had presented labels with an “insanely” low offer for licensing music.
Amazon Prime already includes TV and movie streaming.
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Is HFA on the auction block? Billboard reports Rizvi Traverse, the private equity firm owner of SESAC, is planning a bid to acquire the U.S. mechanical rights organization from the National Music Publishers Assn.
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A sales slump in Apple’s iTunes store is part of the reason for the company’s purchase of Beats Music this week. Fortune reports iTunes sales per account are down 24% year over year. Sales in the App Store are expected to pick up the slack by the end of the year
Chesney Named A Top Grossing Live Act of Last 25 Years
/by Jessica NicholsonSince the mid-’90s, Chesney has grossed $752,706,599, with an attendance of 12,681,629 fans over the course of 755 shows.
The rankings are tallied according to gross sales.
“You look at a list like this… with so many iconic rock acts, people like Madonna, or Elton John, and you think, ‘Man…’.” Chesney says. “When you get on the bus for the first time, you’re just hoping people will come. You never expect to be in this kind of company, unless you’re buying a ticket.”
The Rolling Stones topped the list with a gross income of $1,565,792,382 and an attendance of 19,677,569 over the course of 538 shows.
Chesney wasn’t the only Country artist to land in the Top 25. George Strait earned the No. 19 spot, grossing $405,034,063, with an attendance of 9,736,580 over the course of 584 shows.
Meanwhile, Toby Keith landed at No. 22, grossing $361,256,245 with an attendance of 8,608,696 over the course of 711 concerts.
Weekly Chart Report (5/30/14)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report
MusicRowPics: McAnally, Osborne, Ramsey Hit No. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonShane McAnally, Josh Osborne, and Matt Ramsey were recently feted for their chart-topping, MusicRow CountryBreakout chart No. 1 single, “Chainsaw.” The song was recorded by Republic Nashville artists The Band Perry, Neil, Reid and Kimberly Perry, and went No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on May 22, 2014.
The songwriters were each honored with a MusicRow Challenge Coin.
“Chainsaw” was published by Universal Music Corporation, Smack Ink, Smack Songs, LLC, Want a Fresh One Music, Black River Entertainment LLC, Music of RPM, and Sonic Geo Music.
The song was produced by Dann Huff, and is the fourth single from The Band Perry’s album Pioneer.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow chart director Troy Stephenson, Matt Ramsey, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson.
Presenters Added To 2014 CMT Music Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonThe event will air live on CMT on Wednesday, June 4 at 8 p.m. ET.
Hosted by Kristen Bell and broadcast from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the 2014 CMT Music Awards will include performances by Blake Shelton, Brantley Gilbert, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, Jake Owen, Jennifer Nettles, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Lee Ann Womack, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, and Miranda Lambert, and more. In addition, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Danielle Bradbery, David Nail, Thomas Rhett and Tyler Farr will be performing on the Nationwide Insurance Stage.
Fans can vote online at CMT.com and on their mobile device at CMT Mobile now through June 1 to determine the winners.
WMN Adds Michaels as National Director
/by Jessica NicholsonAdrian Michaels
Warner Music Nashville has welcomed Adrian Michaels as National Director. Michaels was formerly Sr. VP of Curb Records for 10 years, and has worked with Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Rodney Atkins, Lee Brice and others. Prior to Curb, Michaels worked the Southwest region for RCA.
Additional hirings include Pat Surnegie, who has been added as a West Coast regional. A 22-year veteran of Mercury records, Surnegie has worked with Shania Twain, Billy Currington, Billy Ray Cyrus and Sugarland.
Stephanie Holzer has been hired as a coordinator. She is a former ALL-SEC basketball player for the Vanderbilt Commodores. She majored in Human & Organizational Development.
CMHoF Events: Words & Music, Songwriter Honors, Nashville Cats
/by Jessica NicholsonOn Wednesday (May 21), singer-songwriter Elizabeth Cook hosted the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 35th Annual Words & Music Night where Metro Nashville Public School students and accompanying songwriters performed their original songs.
Elizabeth Cook with students and songwriters. Photo by Donn Jones.
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On Saturday (May 24), songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Jimmy Robbins performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s special program, Songwriter Round: Miranda as Muse. The writers performed their songs recorded by Miranda Lambert and other songs from their catalogs. The program was presented in support of the exhibit Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access.
Pictured (L-R): Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins and Natalie Hemby.
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Steve Gibson
Guitarist Steve Gibson will be honored as a “Nashville Cat” at the CMHoF’s quarterly program series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians. An interview with Gibson will be held Saturday, June 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater. The program, hosted by Bill Lloyd, will be streamed live
Seating for the program is limited, and program passes are required for admittance. Immediately following the interview, Gibson will sign limited edition, commemorative Hatch Show Print posters in the Museum store.
NSAI's Parking Lot Picnic Slated for June 17
/by Jessica NicholsonLunch will be provided by Twice Daily. The event is sponsored by City National Bank, CORT Furniture, the Nashville Recording Academy and Twice Daily.
Street Closures Begin Friday For CMA Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonAll times listed are Central.
Closures beginning Friday, May 30:
6:00 AM – The eastbound lane of First Avenue will be closed from Demonbreun to Church Street (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
Closures beginning Sunday, June 1:
7:00 AM – First Avenue will be closed from Demonbreun to Church Street (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
7:00 AM – Broadway will be closed from First to Second Avenues (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
8:00 AM – the ACME alley will be closed from First to Second Avenues (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
Closures beginning Monday, June 2:
8:00 AM – Titans Way will be closed (reopens Tuesday, June 10 by 1:00 AM).
8:00 AM – Demonbreun will be closed from Fourth to Fifth Avenues (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
8:00 AM – First Avenue will be closed from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Demonbreun (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
8:00 AM – Molloy Street will be closed from First to Second Avenues (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
8:00 AM – Demonbreun will be closed from First to Second Avenues (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
3:00 PM – Second Avenue from Demonbreun to Commerce Street (reopens Tuesday, June 3 by 1:00 AM).
Closures beginning Tuesday, June 3:
6:00 AM – Broadway will be closed from First to Fourth Avenues (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
3:00 PM – Second Avenue will be closed from Demonbreun to Commerce Street (reopens Wednesday, June 4 by 1:00 AM).
3:00 PM – Third Avenue will be closed from Demonbreun to Commerce Street (reopens Wednesday, June 4 by 1:00 AM).
Closures beginning Wednesday, June 4:
7:00 AM – The westbound lane of Demonbreun will be closed from Fourth to Fifth Avenues (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
Closures beginning Thursday, June 5:
6:00 AM – Fifth Avenue will be closed from Demonbreun to Broadway (reopens Monday, June 9 by 11:00 AM).
8:00 AM – The eastbound lane of Sixth Avenue will be closed from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Broadway (reopens Monday, June 9 by 1:00 AM).
9:00 AM – Fifth Avenue will be closed from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Demonbreun (reopens Thursday, June 5 by 7:00 PM).
Fifth Avenue will be closed from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Demonbreun each day Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8 (9:00 AM-7:00 PM).
Alabama To Perform at 2014 CMA Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonAlabama. Photo Credit: Ed Rode
Country group Alabama announced last night (May 28) via Twitter that the band will launch the sold-out Nightly Concerts at LP Field with a full performance on Thursday, June 5.
It has been 19 years since they performed at Fan Fair, now called CMA Music Festival. Alabama’s last performance at the event was in 1995 when the festival was held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
“We are excited and looking forward to performing as a group for the first time in 19 years at LP Field for CMA Music Festival,” says the group. “It has always been about the fans with us, and we realized that the best way to celebrate and share our 40th anniversary was to do what we do best—play live music for the fans we love at the biggest Country Music festival in the world.”