Charlie Cook
Joe Queenan wrote a fun article last weekend in the
Wall Street Journal about a company called Fantex Holdings. Fantex plans to associate with professional sports figures selling shares to the public. Still you never know how an investment in a celebrity is going to turn out. Fantex is currently concentrating on athletes.
At some point Alex Rodriguez probably looked like a good long term investment. All you fantasy footballers would have lined up to invest in Houston Texan Arian Foster, whom Mr. Queenan mentions in the article. That was obviously written before Mr. Foster announced he would miss the rest of a season with a back issue.
What if we did musicians?
Remember Davie Bowie did this years ago selling shares in his future earnings and receiving a lump sum of money. I remember at the time thinking this was a great idea for Mr. Bowie and not so much for the people willing to pony up money for the shares. I failed to understand just how significant David Bowie was/is to popular culture. He has sold 140 albums, plays about 15 instruments and has starred in scores of movies. He might be one of THE most significant music figures of the last 45 years so I would have missed a real buying opportunity.
Well I thought I would put prices on Country Music Stars. We can be safe to believe they are not going to tear an ACL or go out with a concussion too often. We will have to think about these maladies when pricing Jake Owen and Dierks Bentley, but otherwise we should be okay.
I decided to build a top ten value list. Their stock symbol is also listed. The top act has an IPO of 100.
1. Blake Shelton (BLK) 100. The reigning Male Vocalist of the Year and on a winning streak we all dream of. He is a real life TV star who drives
The Voice success each season. I also credit him with being the driver of the format’s growth the last few years. His likability score has to be through the roof.
2. Luke Bryan (BUTT) 90. I over-estimated Luke’s ability to clean up with awards last week. He is an incredible fan favorite, just this week selling out Madison Square Garden for a show next year in the Big Apple. The industry folks are going to let Luke wait another year before bestowing him with awards.
3. Tim McGraw (TMC) 87. Tim is an amazing performer that has had a dream year with the release of his
Two Lanes of Freedom CD. He won awards last week on the CMA show. He is going to star with George Clooney in a new movie next year. Like Blake, nobody doesn’t like Tim. Even though he has been around a long time, it does not look like he is anywhere near the end of a great career.
4. Taylor Swift (TSS) 86. You might think Taylor would be at the top of the list. She is the youngest of the group so she has the most future upside. She has sold more CDs and more concert tickets than anyone. She is a real international star and is the most significant music star in the world. But because she has such a huge profile in the pop world, you never know what is going to happen with those fans. By the way, if I really could buy shares in these acts I would load up with TSS stock.
5. George Strait (KING) 85. George is at the end of his touring life (if he really does hang it up) but he is going to continue to release music and the inability to see him perform the music live might drive more people to buy the CDs.
6. Keith Urban (GTR) 80. Keith has recently done a deal with the Home Shopping Network to sell custom guitars and lessons. Plus revenue comes from many sources, like a $20M a picture spouse.
7. Miranda Lambert (TUFF) 79. You gonna tell her she shouldn’t be on the list? You know she’s armed most of the time, right?
8. Carrie Underwood (LEGS) 78. The most natural performer we have in the format. She is at ease in everything she does. The most powerful voice and a GREAT award show host.
9. Eric Church (GOD) 77. When he is on stage you never take your eyes off of him. He simply owns the music.
10. I could go a lot of ways here. If I actually list a 10th stock, I am going to catch major problems for the ten people I left off the list. So I’m just going to say, “Yeah, your right, ____ belongs on the list at this spot.” I might have been born at night. But I wasn’t born last night.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow
.)
Charlie Cook On Air: Putting Good Stock in Country Music
/by contributorCharlie Cook
Joe Queenan wrote a fun article last weekend in the Wall Street Journal about a company called Fantex Holdings. Fantex plans to associate with professional sports figures selling shares to the public. Still you never know how an investment in a celebrity is going to turn out. Fantex is currently concentrating on athletes.
At some point Alex Rodriguez probably looked like a good long term investment. All you fantasy footballers would have lined up to invest in Houston Texan Arian Foster, whom Mr. Queenan mentions in the article. That was obviously written before Mr. Foster announced he would miss the rest of a season with a back issue.
What if we did musicians?
Remember Davie Bowie did this years ago selling shares in his future earnings and receiving a lump sum of money. I remember at the time thinking this was a great idea for Mr. Bowie and not so much for the people willing to pony up money for the shares. I failed to understand just how significant David Bowie was/is to popular culture. He has sold 140 albums, plays about 15 instruments and has starred in scores of movies. He might be one of THE most significant music figures of the last 45 years so I would have missed a real buying opportunity.
Well I thought I would put prices on Country Music Stars. We can be safe to believe they are not going to tear an ACL or go out with a concussion too often. We will have to think about these maladies when pricing Jake Owen and Dierks Bentley, but otherwise we should be okay.
I decided to build a top ten value list. Their stock symbol is also listed. The top act has an IPO of 100.
1. Blake Shelton (BLK) 100. The reigning Male Vocalist of the Year and on a winning streak we all dream of. He is a real life TV star who drives The Voice success each season. I also credit him with being the driver of the format’s growth the last few years. His likability score has to be through the roof.
2. Luke Bryan (BUTT) 90. I over-estimated Luke’s ability to clean up with awards last week. He is an incredible fan favorite, just this week selling out Madison Square Garden for a show next year in the Big Apple. The industry folks are going to let Luke wait another year before bestowing him with awards.
3. Tim McGraw (TMC) 87. Tim is an amazing performer that has had a dream year with the release of his Two Lanes of Freedom CD. He won awards last week on the CMA show. He is going to star with George Clooney in a new movie next year. Like Blake, nobody doesn’t like Tim. Even though he has been around a long time, it does not look like he is anywhere near the end of a great career.
4. Taylor Swift (TSS) 86. You might think Taylor would be at the top of the list. She is the youngest of the group so she has the most future upside. She has sold more CDs and more concert tickets than anyone. She is a real international star and is the most significant music star in the world. But because she has such a huge profile in the pop world, you never know what is going to happen with those fans. By the way, if I really could buy shares in these acts I would load up with TSS stock.
5. George Strait (KING) 85. George is at the end of his touring life (if he really does hang it up) but he is going to continue to release music and the inability to see him perform the music live might drive more people to buy the CDs.
6. Keith Urban (GTR) 80. Keith has recently done a deal with the Home Shopping Network to sell custom guitars and lessons. Plus revenue comes from many sources, like a $20M a picture spouse.
7. Miranda Lambert (TUFF) 79. You gonna tell her she shouldn’t be on the list? You know she’s armed most of the time, right?
8. Carrie Underwood (LEGS) 78. The most natural performer we have in the format. She is at ease in everything she does. The most powerful voice and a GREAT award show host.
9. Eric Church (GOD) 77. When he is on stage you never take your eyes off of him. He simply owns the music.
10. I could go a lot of ways here. If I actually list a 10th stock, I am going to catch major problems for the ten people I left off the list. So I’m just going to say, “Yeah, your right, ____ belongs on the list at this spot.” I might have been born at night. But I wasn’t born last night.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)
Zavitson Music Group Introduces MusicPubWorks
/by Jessica Nicholson“MPW was developed by music professionals for music professionals,” said Russ Zavitson, founder of Zavitson Music Group, and a long-time pioneer in Nashville’s extended music community. “Our goal was to build a tool that functions on a variety of levels, from the most comprehensive to the most basic. Regardless of how you are tied to the business, there is something in this software that will make your job easier to perform and help you be more effective performing it.”
Denise Zavitson, along with lead developer Kenny House, designed the software with a tiered structure, providing cost-efficiency and various levels of engagement. The software allows custom branding for each user, allowing both larger organizations and independent songwriters to maintain brand standards.
Acoustic fingerprinting technology has been incorporated into the system at a root level to enable rapid deployment of song tracking from date of creation.
The different tiers include EZ Songwriter (the most basic version), Songwriter Pro (created for established and emerging songwriters), Publisher (a one-stop creative rights management solution covering everything from song submission to royalty tracking), Accounting (which accepts and calculates digital, mechanical, performance and sync royalty statements) and Admin (which organizes and manages complex client catalogs).
For more information, visit musicpubworks.com.
Bigger Picture Group Teams With DMG For Music Licensing
/by Jessica Nicholson“I am thrilled to have Dominic Griffin and the Disney Music Group team represent our talented Bigger Picture Group artists and songwriters for music licensing and look forward to achieving great success together,” says Songs of Bigger Picture President, Alan Kates.
“We are equally thrilled to be representing this incredible roster of writers and performers. Our Team can’t wait to share this amazing music with our music supervisors,” adds Dominic Griffin, VP, Licensing for Disney Music Group.
BMG Chrysalis US Forms Joint Venture With Darrell Franklin
/by Jessica NicholsonThe initial signing to the joint venture is Chris Wallin, who has had success with chart-topping country artists including Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins and Brad Paisley.
“I think that the Nashville publishing and writing community has always been built on the development of talent and I am very excited to be getting back to doing that in this new JV with BMG,” said Franklin.
Kos Weaver, EVP at BMG Chrysalis Nashville, commented, “Darrell has a great track record, having developed strong songwriters such as Jonathan Singleton, busbee, Brandon Hood, Melissa Peirce and John Paul White (of the Civil Wars) and I have no doubt any signing will flourish under this joint venture.”
Artist Updates (11/14/13)
/by Jessica NicholsonEach person donating a turkey at Third Man Records and Novelties will receive a 7″ of their choice. The offer exclude limited edition and specialty discs. A photo of the donator will also be added to Third Man’s wall of fame. To further up the ante, the donator who gives the most turkeys will get a rare Dead Weather Driple Decker record.
Third Man Records will also accept up to $25 of non-perishable food items and/or winter clothing in lieu of a turkey.
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Founded at the University of Virginia in 2010, FratMusic provides the soundtrack for college parties, tailgates, and late-night dance sessions across the United States.
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Sarabeth and Lonestar
Texas performer SaraBeth is preparing to hit the road with Country group Lonestar for select cities of the tour that kicks off Feb. 6 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Circle S Records released her debut album, Anything Is Possible, this month, featuring 13 brand new tracks.
For a full list of tour dates, visit sarabethmusic.com.
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The EP will feature the classics “The Christmas Song,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “River.”
In other Darling news, it is confirmed that the singer-songwriter wed graphic designer James Muriel during an informal ceremony in April 2013. The newlyweds are planning a large Nashville wedding in May 2014.
SiriusXM Radio To Air Private Florida Georgia Line Concert
/by Jessica NicholsonFlorida Georgia Line
SiriusXM Radio will welcome duo Florida Georgia Line to perform at The Troubadour in Los Angeles at an exclusive invitation-only concert for SiriusXM listeners on Monday, Nov. 25. The private concert will be broadcast on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. ET via satellite on The Highway (channel 59), through SiriusXM’s Internet Radio app, and online at siriusxm.com.
The Highway first played Florida Georgia Line’s hit “Cruise” in May 2012, before the duo signed to Big Machine Label Group. In December 2012, Florida Georgia Line performed as part of SiriusXM’s “Superfan Concert” series, a series of intimate performances for SiriusXM listeners.
“Hearing ‘Cruise’ on The Highway for the first time is a bucket list moment we will never forget,” says Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard. Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley adds, “We are incredibly thankful to SiriusXM for all of the support they have given us and are excited to bring the good times to their listeners!”
George Jones To Get Nashville Monument
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Jones
A monument to the late Country music legend George Jones will be unveiled at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park on Monday, Nov. 18. The event, which is open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will feature a special announcement from Nancy Jones.
Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park is located at 660 Thompson Lane in Nashville.
A talent list for the upcoming Playin’ Possum! The final NO SHOW tribute event was recently released; the sold-out concert will be held Nov. 22 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Jones died on April 26, 2013.
Keith Urban To Debut New Video For "We Were Us" On Facebook
/by Lorie HollabaughMiranda Lambert and Keith Urban film “We Were Us” video
Photo: Andy Snyder/Guitar Monkey
The video for Keith Urban‘s new single, “We Were Us,” featuring Miranda Lambert, will make its world debut on Friday (Nov. 15) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Urban’s Facebook page. The premiere will be followed by a Facebook chat with Urban where he’ll answer questions about the making of the clip, his new album Fuse, and his Fuse tour.
The new video was filmed on location before a live audience at Edna’s bar in Oklahoma City and directed by Becky Fluke and Reid Long.
Justin Moore Celebrates Fourth Number One At Nashville Bash
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, This Music’s Rusty Gaston, co-writer Ross Copperman, BMI’s Perry Howard, Sony ATV Music Publishing Josh Van Valkenburg, and producer Jeremy Stover; (Front row, L-R): co-writer Rhett Akins, Justin Moore, co-writer Ben Hayslip, and Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta. Photo: Rick Diamond
Valory Music Co.’s Justin Moore celebrated his latest chart-topping hit, “Point At You” yesterday afternoon at the Stage in downtown Nashville with industry members and friends. The single is the fourth No. 1 for Moore, and is featured on his Off The Beaten Path CD.
Penned by Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, and Ross Copperman, the single marked Copperman’s first time to top the charts.
Through The Lens (11/14/13)
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Taylor York of Paramore, Ryan Lewis, Macklemore, Clear Channel’s Tom Poleman, Gavin DeGraw and Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Jeremy Davis
Photo credit: Doug Sonders for iHeartRadio
• Musicians On Call honored Clear Channel President of National Programming Tom Poleman Tuesday night (Nov. 12) at Gotham Hall in New York City for his longstanding commitment to his belief in the healing power of music. Paramore and Gavin DeGraw performed at the event, which was attended by artists like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The organization brings music to the bedsides of patients across the U.S.
Pictured (L-R): Natalie Stovall, Keith Urban, Ella Mae Brown
• Natalie Stovall and Ella Mae Brown join Keith Urban for a little down time and fun last week at his Instagram party following the rush of CMA week.
Parmalee perform their latest single at the ACM office
Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
• Parmalee stopped by the Academy of Country Music offices in Encino, Calif. last month to perform their current Top 10 single, “Carolina,” and songs from their upcoming new CD, Feels Like Carolina, due out Dec. 10th.
Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band
• On Veteran’s Day the Marshall Tucker Band‘s Doug Gray proves to his daughter Mariah that he can still fit into his Army uniform more than 40 years later, causing Mariah to lose a bet with her dad and have to buy lunch!
American Young with Bob Romeo of the ACM
• American Young recently visited the ACM offices while they were in Los Angeles last month, performing their debut single, “Love is War.”