DISClaimer: Curing Country Radio's Dearth of Female Artists

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haden triplets111It is pathetic how few women are on the country charts these days. Meanwhile, pop radio embraces Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Pink, Kesha and on and on. You can’t tell me that Country listeners are any different, so why aren’t those programmers doing the same?
Let me offer some suggestions. This column is ALL female, and you’d have to be deaf to deny the latest from Rachel Holder, Jamie O’Neal, Ashton Shepherd and Rachael Turner. Not to mention our Disc of the Day winner, Kacey Musgraves. The DisCovery Award goes to The Haden Triplets, with Hailey Whitters a close second.
THE HADEN TRIPLETS/Single Girl, Married Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: Ry Cooder; Publisher: none listed; Third Man (track)
-Their father is legendary jazz double bassist Charlie Haden, who grew up playing country music in the midwest and was once a sideman on The Ozark Jubilee. In 2008, he saluted his roots with the CD Rambling Boy, and that is where I first heard his talented offspring. The triplets’ self-titled album is out now on Jack White’s label, and it is completely addictive listening. This Carter Family classic is just one of its delights. They also cover Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells, The Louvin Brothers and more. Their names are Tanya, Rachel and Petra Haden. Buy their record now.
HAILEY WHITTERS/Friday Night Laundry
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; HW (track)
-I like her drawling delivery, the working-gal lyric, the soulful backing guitar work and the girlfriend chit-chat touches. Very, very promising. Keep your ears on this newcomer. Love the six-song sampler. Send more.
JAMIE O’NEAL/Born To Run
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Shanachie (track)
-O’Neal’s Eternal CD drops next month. It’s a collection of country oldies. Based on this lead-off revival of Emmylou Harris’s 1982 toe tapper, we’re in for a treat. O’Neal’s forceful voice is stronger than ever. Check it out when she changes keys upward toward the finale. Very cool.
KRISTY COX/One Heartbreak Away
Writers: Jerry Salley/Gerald Crabb; Producer: Jerry Salley; Publishers: Universal/Brentwood Benson/Lasso the Moon/Hatchie Bottom/Capital CMG, SESAC/BMI; Pisgah Ridge
– The instrumentation is bluegrass, but her vocal is crystal-clear country. Sweet sounding: As rippling and frothy as a mountain stream.
RACHEL HOLDER/Shining Now
Writers: Bill Luther/Bob Regan; Producers: Chuck Howard/Wilbur Rimes; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/This Town/Dixie Stars/Regan, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (CDX)
-I have always loved this lady’s work. She is a for-real singer, and this time out she kicks serious butt with a frothing, churning country rocker. Go get ‘em, honey. And whoever that guy singing harmony with you is, take him on the road with ya.
EILEEN CAREY/Let It Go
Writers: Eileen Carey/Kathryn Grimm; Producer: Travis Allen Childress; Publishers: Rolleycstr/Grimm Girl, BMI; Rolleycstr (track)
– The song is okay. But the track is too busy, and her singing voice is too generic.

Kacey Musgraves. Photographer Credit: KLRU-TV Austin City Limits. Photo by Scott Newton

Kacey Musgraves. Photographer Credit: KLRU-TV Austin City Limits. Photo by Scott Newton


KACEY MUSGRAVES/Keep It To Yourself
Writers: Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/351/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/Crazy Water/Smack Songs/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury Nashville
– Enchanting. The percolating production bobs and swirls around her tart/sweet vocal as she details an unraveling relationship. This woman is audio magic. Embrace her.
TORI MARTIN/Done Deal
Writers: Tori Martin/Bart Rose; Producer: Bart Rose; Publisher: none listed; Martin 3
-It’s a bluesy Southern rocker, punctuated by wailing harmonica and a searing guitar solo. The gist of the lyric is that the new boyfriend is a big liar, so she’s giving him some lip.
ASHTON SHEPHERD/Seventeen Again
Writers: Ashton Shepherd; Producers: Larry Baird/Ronnie Rodgers; Publishers: Gin Road, BMI; Pickin’ Shed (CDX)
-Very enjoyable. In this lilting ditty, she figures out how to live in the moment, like she did when she was a kid. Breezy and spring-like.
RACHEL TURNER/Meet Me In The Middle
Writers: Jeff Cohen/Nathan Chapman/Cheyenne Kimball; Producer: Zach Abend; Publisher: none listed; Rustic
-The veteran indie label Rustic is back and marking its comeback with this splendid country rocker. Turner sings with power and range, nailing even the toughest notes with confidence. The spirited production has the sass to back her up, too. This gal has the goods.

Weekly Register: Bryan, Evans

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Albums

WklyRegMarch19Overall album sales are down eight percent week over week, while Country album sales are up four percent from last week, thanks to Top 10 debuts from Luke Bryan and Sara Evans. Bryan’s Spring Break 6…Like We Ain’t Ever (Capitol Nashville) is both the top Country album and the top overall debut, appearing at No. 1 (No. 2 overall), with 74k units sold. Bryan will co-host the upcoming ACM Awards alongside Blake Shelton on Sunday, April 6. Meanwhile, Evans’ Slow Me Down (RCA Nashville) debuts at No. 2 (No. 9 overall), selling 27k units (comparatively, Evan’s 2011 album Stronger sold 55k units in its debut week, thanks in part to her powerhouse single “A Little Bit Stronger”). The singer has visited several media outlets in promotion of her latest project.
Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists returns as the top overall album, selling another 99k units (1.4 million RTD). YTD, overall album sales are down 14.8 percent, while Country album sales are down 12.5 percent.

Tracks

albumstracks1Florida Georgia Line and Bryan’s “This Is How We Roll” is the top Country track (No. 11 overall), selling 80k units this week (536k RTD). Bryan continues to make his mark on this week’s chart, with his single “Good Lookin’ Girl” earning the highest Country debut at No. 73, with 20k units sold.
Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” continues as the top overall track, selling 364k units this week (2.9 million RTD). The top overall debut is Foster The People’s “Best Friend” at No. 57, selling 24k units. YTD, overall album sales are down 11. 4 percent, while Country album sales are down 11.7 percent.
Next week’s numbers will include MusicRow Rising Women On the Row performer Jo Dee Messina’s Me, and John Oates’ Good Road To Follow.

YouTube, Viacom Settle Copyright Battle

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youtubeAfter seven years, Viacom and YouTube have settled a long-standing copyrights violation battle out of court, reports the New York Times. Though neither side has revealed terms of the settlement, it is reported that no money has exchanged hands.
The lawsuit was initiated two years after YouTube’s creation, when Viacom lodged a complaint that shows including SpongeBob SquarePants and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart were broadcast on YouTube without permission. Viacom sought $1 billion in damages in the complaint.
viacom1The agreement comes just before the two companies were to return to court and echoes the adapted landscape concerning allegations of copyright violations on the Web.
The joint statement by Viacom and Google included the comment, “This settlement reflects the growing collaborative dialogue between our two companies on important opportunities, and we look forward to working more closely together.”

Pandora Raises Rates

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pandora-logoLast week Pandora won a court battle that will keep its royalty payments lower than what most in the music industry consider a fair market rate. On the heels of this victory, Pandora announced yesterday (March 18) it is raising prices for its paid subscribers, citing increased royalty rates. On its official blog, Pandora posted, “the royalty rates Pandora pays to performers via SoundExchange for subscription listening have increased 53% in the last five years and will increase another 9% in 2015.”
This refers to a federal judge’s ruling on March 14 that Pandora will continue to pay the current 1.85 percent rate for licensing of songs in the ASCAP repertoire, for each of the years 2011 to 2015.
New subscribers to ad-free Pandora One will pay $4.99 per month starting in May. This is up from the $3.99 rate paid by existing monthly subscribers, who will not experience a price hike at this time. The annual subscription option will no longer be available, and existing annual subscribers will be moved to the $3.99 per month plan.
Pandora has 3.3 million paid subscribers and more than 250 million registered users total. The company has also experienced recent changes among its top executives.

Ryman Auditorium Welcomes 'Opry Country Classics'

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Pictured (L-R): Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan

Pictured (L-R): Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan


The Ryman Auditorium will welcome the sixth year of Opry Country Classics from March 27-May 22. Larry Gatlin will return as host for the nine-show run.
Each show will include songs from Gatlin, several special guests, as well as a Spotlight Artist sharing their greatest hits. Spotlight Artists include Marty Stuart (March 27), Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis (April 3), Charlie Daniels Band (April 10), Oak Ridge Boys (April 17) and Craig Morgan (May 22).
For more information, visit opry.com.

UMPG, Songwriters Hall of Fame Team For Song Competition

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umpglogoUniversal Music Publishing Group has teamed with the Songwriters Hall of Fame for the inaugural Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) Song Competition. The competition is scheduled to launch Monday, March 24, 2014, SHOF Chairman Jimmy Webb and Universal Music Publishing Group President, North America Evan Lamberg announced today (March 18).
The competition is sponsored by the SHOF and UMPG, along with exclusive contest partners Sonicbids and Epiphone. All contest entries will go through the Sonicbids website at sonicbids.com/songhall. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and Universal Music Publishing Group will be co-marketing the effort.
The Competition is open to all amateur and professional songwriters and to SHOF members and non-members alike, with a discount available to SHOF members. Entries will be screened by a listening committee who will select the finalists. Songwriters will be evaluated by a panel of industry professionals including legendary songwriters, producers and publishers. Songs will be judged based on melody, composition, originality and lyrics.
The overall Grand Prize winner will be given the opportunity to enter into an exclusive Universal Music Publishing Group contract, will receive an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE guitar, two tickets to the 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame Annual Induction and Awards Gala, and recognition from the stage.
Four Second Place Winners will receive an Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE guitar, two spectator tickets to the 2015 Annual Induction and Awards Gala and a one-hour creative and career mentoring session with a legendary songwriter who has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

IFPI Releases 2013 Digital Music Report

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ifpi graph 2013Released today (March 18), the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) Digital Music Report shows overall digital revenues grew 4.3 percent in 2013.

Despite positive trends in most markets, particularly Europe, overall global music trade revenues fell 3.9 percent to $15.0 billion last year. The result was heavily influenced by a 16.7 percent fall in Japan, which accounts for more than a fifth of global revenues.
Subscription services
The digital market has continued to diversify with revenues from subscription services, such as Deezer and Spotify, growing by 51.3 percent, passing the $1 billion mark for the first time. Global revenues from subscription and ad-supported streams now account for 27 percent of digital revenues, up from 14 percent in 2011. It is estimated that more than 28 million people worldwide pay for a music subscription, up from 20 million in 2012 and eight million in 2010.
Digital downloads remain a key revenue stream, accounting for a substantial two-thirds of digital revenues (67 percent).
Physical sales account for more than half (51.4 percent) of all global revenues.
Performance rights income to record companies crossed the $1 billion threshold for the first time in 2013 to hit $1.1 billion, accounting for 7.4 percent of total record industry revenue.
Hunter Hayes—On page 27, the report also examines Warner Music Nashville’s YouTube marketing campaign for the Hunter Hayes/Jason Mraz song “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me.” Jeremy Holley, Sr. VP, consumer and interactive marketing, Warner Music Nashville, explains, “There is a misconception that Country music fans are not digitally savvy, but that’s just not true.”
See the full report.

Hayes To Headline ACM Week Kick Off Party

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hunter-hayes11111featured

Hunter Hayes


Hunter Hayes will headline the ACM Week Kick Off Party with 95.5 The Bull on Thursday, April 3 at Las Vegas’ The LINQ. The party will also feature performances by David Nail, Cole Swindell and Sasha McVeigh.
The event, which is free and open to the public, precedes the 2nd Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival, headlined by Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 at The LINQ.
Both events are part of The Week Vegas Goes Country in honor of the 49th Academy of Country Music Awards, which airs on Sunday, April 6 at 8 p.m. live ET on CBS.
For more information, visit acmcountry.com.

Industry Pics (3/18/14)

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BMI took part in SXSW recently, holding its Howdy Texas fete at Stubb’s BBQ. The event featured Country songstress Suzy Bogguss, Tony Joe White, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones. Bogguss performed songs from her recent release Lucky, including covers of Merle Haggard‘s “Silver Wings” and “Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down.”

BMI’s Mark Mason (l) and Bradley Collins (r) flank singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss at BMI’s Howdy Texas party at Stubb's BBQ during SXSW on March 11, 2014, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring.

BMI’s Mark Mason (l) and Bradley Collins (r) flank singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss at BMI’s Howdy Texas party at Stubb’s BBQ during SXSW on March 11, 2014, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring.


Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Penny Everhard and Mark Mason pause for a photo with artist Tony Joe White (seated) at BMI’s Howdy Texas party at Stubb's BBQ during SXSW on March 11, 2014, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Penny Everhard and Mark Mason pause for a photo with artist Tony Joe White (seated) at BMI’s Howdy Texas party at Stubb’s BBQ during SXSW on March 11, 2014, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring.

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Reunion Records band Tenth Avenue North recently commemorated 1 million records sold during its career. During Sunday’s (March 16) Winter Jam concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, unsuspecting fan Cody Miller purchased the group’s 1 millionth record. The band surprised Miller with signs, backstage dancing and even a drum line.

“One million records is an unbelievable milestone for us,” says Tenth Avenue North. “We never would have thought it possible when we started playing together in college 14 years ago. What’s even more incredible is to think of all the people and stories that number represents. We are blown away and grateful for all the people who have connected with this music we have been given the privilege to create.”

Pictured (L-R): Jason Jamison, Mike Donehey, Tenth Avenue North; Cody Miller (fan); Brendon Shirley, Ruben Juarez, Jeff Owen, Tenth Avenue North

Pictured (L-R): Jason Jamison and Mike Donehey (Tenth Avenue North); Cody Miller (fan); Brendon Shirley, Ruben Juarez and Jeff Owen (Tenth Avenue North).


 

[Updated]: Lifenotes: Gospel Exec. Norman Holland

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norman holland[Update]: The Memorial Celebration of the life of Norman Holland will take place on Monday, April 14, 2014, from 1 pm to 3 pm, at Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Boulevard, Brentwood, TN 37211. The beloved Southern Gospel music executive passed away last week.
[Original article, published March 12, 2014]:
Southern Gospel music executive Norman Holland passed away on Monday, March 10, 2014, due to heart failure.
Norman began his 35-year Gospel music career in radio promotions at the Benson Company in 1980, and through the years became a catalyst in the careers of such artists as the Cathedral Quartet, the Speer Family, the Kingsmen Quartet, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, Gold City, Jeff and Sheri Easter, and Greater Vision. Later, Holland headed the A&R department for Chapel Records (now Spring Hill) where he worked on the Gaither Homecoming Series and helped launch the careers of Brian Free and Assurance and the Martins.
For the past 16 years, Holland served artists as Vice President of A&R at Daywind Records, guiding the careers of Greater Vision, the Perrys, Legacy Five, the Booth Brothers, Brian Free and Assurance, the Nelons, Karen Peck and New River, the Mark Trammell Quartet, Mark Lowry, Sisters, Barbara Fairchild, and many more. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Southern Gospel Music Guild in 2012.
Services will be at Sorrell’s Funeral Home, 2744 W Magnolia Ave, Geneva, Alabama, 36340. Visitation will be 1 – 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2014, followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norman Holland Memorial Fund c/o Norman’s sister, Edith Brown, 1209 Glenwood St., Dothan, Alabama, 36301. The balance of the fund after funeral expenses will be donated to the Gospel Music Trust Fund.
A memorial service will be held in Nashville within the next month.