The Americana Music Association has formed Australia Americana Advisory Group, in keeping with the Association’s commitment to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world.
The group is comprised of Brian Taranto (Love Police), Marty Jones (Rhythm Magazine), Jeremy Dylan (Seven Shells Media), Dan Biddle (TCO Artists) and Dobe Newton (Bushwhackers, CMAA President). Nashville-based Australian producer and AMA Board President Mark Moffatt will chair the group.
These professionals will focus on creating awareness of Americana music in Australia, foster opportunities for Australian artists in the US and create connections for US artists in Australia.
Americana Music Association executive director Jed Hilly says, “We are fully aware of the incredible depth of talent in Australia and of the contribution artists like Kasey Chambers, Paul Kelly and many others have made to our genre. We look forward to strengthening these ties through the newly formed advisory group and to the opportunities this relationship will provide on both sides of the Pacific.”

Working Man’s Poet: A Tribute To Merle Haggard, released today (April 1) on Broken Bow Records. The album includes performances from Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kristy Lee Cook, Ben Haggard, Randy Houser, Toby Keith, Dustin Lynch, Joe Nichols, Jake Owen, Parmalee, Thompson Square and James Wesley.
Mickey Jack Cones, Derek George, Michael Knox, Jeff Stevens, and Mark Miller are the producers behind the project.
“Merle Haggard is a founding-father of country music and is an inspiration to us all. I am honored to be a part of such a significant collaboration between today’s biggest artists and a one of the greatest country music legends of our time,” says Cones.
The Academy of Country Music, in association with dick clark Productions, will also be honoring Merle Haggard’s 50 year career in country music  with the Crystal Milestone Award at the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The ceremony, which will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, will  be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6 (8:00 PM-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

IFPI has published its annual Recording Industry In Numbers, which provides comprehensive data for 50 territories.
Among the highlights included are:
• Global digital revenues in 2013 totaled 5.9 billion, with subscription streams revenue tripling to $1.1 billion in the last three years.
• Six of the top 10 markets saw growth in 2013, while in eight of the top 20 music markets digital is now the dominant source of revenue.
• Latin America is the region showing the fastest digital growth in recent years, with revenues up 124 percent from 2010 to 2013.
• Overall global recorded music trade revenues declined by 3.9 per cent in 2013. This was heavily influenced by the 16.7 per cent decline in Japan, a market at the start of its digital transition. Excluding Japan, global revenues were essentially flat, declining by 0.1 per cent. Europe saw growth for the first time in 12 years and the market also increased in value in North America and Latin America.
• The US remains at the head of the top 20 markets table and saw consolidation in 2013; the top six markets in Europe – France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and the UK – all saw growth. There was strong digital growth in many emerging markets including Argentina (+68.5%), Peru (+148.5%), South Africa (+106.8%) and Venezuela (+84.9%).
• Revenue from digital channels increased by 4.3 per cent in 2013 and now accounts for 39 per cent of overall industry trade revenues. Downloads remain the biggest source of digital revenues, accounting for 67 per cent of the digital market in 2013.
• Revenues from subscription services surged by 51.3 per cent in 2013, passing the US$1 billion mark for the first time. Global revenues from subscription and advertising-supported streams now account for 27 per cent of digital revenues, up from 14 per cent in 2011. It is estimated that more than 28 million people worldwide now pay for a music subscription, up from 20 million in 2012 and just eight million in 2010. Music subscription, which has helped transform Sweden and Norway in recent years, is now having a similar positive impact in Denmark and Netherlands.
• Global performance rights revenue crossed the US$1 billion threshold in 2013. This income from broadcasts and public performance increased by 19.0 per cent in 2013 to hit US$1.1 billion, now accounting for 7 per cent of total record industry revenue.
Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, says: “IFPI’s Recording Industry in Numbers once again provides an unrivaled analysis of the global recorded music industry, examining the latest international trends and providing detailed figures from 50 territories worldwide. The broad picture that emerges is of an extremely diverse industry. Most of our major markets have stabilized, digital continues to grow, revenue streams have diversified and we are starting to deliver on the huge potential in emerging markets.”
IFPI’s Recording Industry in Numbers is available free to IFPI members and can be purchased by non-members.

Courtney Cole

CMT Powering Education, the music television network’s initiative which encourages CMT viewers to pursue post-secondary education, has entered a long-term partnership with American Association of Community Colleges  to raise awareness about resources for workforce training and education within local communities.

Big Machine Music singer-songwriter Courtney Cole entertained attendees during an event on March 28 at Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) in Hazard, Ky. During the event, HCTC shared stories from community members who transitioned from coal mining to other careers by furthering their education.

AACC and CMT Empowering Education are launching the partnership first with Appalachian schools through the help of the Appalachian Regional Commission and will continue to spread the opportunity to community colleges nationwide over the next three years.

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Chase Rice. Photo: Chris Hollo

Chase Rice recently took his first steps “into the circle,” making his debut appearance at the hallowed Grand Ole Opry. He performed his single “Ready Set Roll,” as well as “How She Rolls” and intimate ballad “Jack Daniel’s and Jesus.”

“This is a huge milestone for me,” Rice said. “I will remember this night and that first moment on stage forever.”

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Jeff Bates was recently recognized with a Resolution put forth by the State of Mississippi’s House of Representatives. The resolution commended Jeff Bates for his contributions to Country music.

Bates was raised in Bunker Hill, Miss., adopted as the eldest of nine children by sharecropping parents. After moving to Nashville, he landed a publishing deal with Warner-Chappell. However, in 2001, Bates’ battle with drugs landed him in jail putting an end, if only for a while, to his music career.
After being released, Bates co-wrote Tracy Lawrence’s 2002 single, “What a Memory.” In 2003, Bates inked his first record deal with RCA Records and released his debut album Rainbow Man. Three more albums would follow, including Leave the Light On (RCA), his self-titled project and One Day Closer (Black River), culminating in seven top-40 singles and a No. 1 Christian country single.

Jeff Bates is honored in his homestate of Mississippi.