Taylor Swift
and
Kenny Chesney lead
Billboard‘s ranking of top “Money Makers” for 2013. For these superstars, and most others on the list, touring was the single biggest source of income.
Artists were ranked by
U.S. earnings, which were calculated from touring, recorded music sales, publishing royalties, and revenues from digital music and video streaming. Revenue from sponsorships, merchandising and synchronization was not included.
Swift’s earnings for 2013 totaled $39,699,575.60, placing her at the pinnacle of the list. Her
Red Tour alone brought in an estimated $30 million. The publication predicts she grossed an additional $10 million in merch sales and endorsement deals.
Kenny Chesney. Photo: Shaun Silva
Chesney’s income for 2013 topped $32,956,240.70, due in large part to his major outing the
No Shoes Nation Tour, which earned $90 million. The superstar’s past 10 consecutive tours topped 1 million in attendance.
Justin Timberlake, Bon Jovi and
The Rolling Stones rounded out the magazine’s Top 5 Money Makers for 2013.
Luke Bryan danced his way to No. 8 on the list, with $22,142,235.98. Much of the income is thanks to 2.7 million albums and 7.6 million digital tracks sold. He also brought in $15.4 million from touring in 2013.
Jason Aldean was listed at No. 14 with $17,896,191.98 of yearly income. His amphitheater trek brought in $15.2 million. He didn’t release a new album in 2013, but sold nearly 5 million digital tracks and raked in $505,000 in streaming royalties.
George Strait landed at No. 15 on the list, bringing in $16,002,761.63. His
The Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour earned in $13.8 million. The icon also earned the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year trophy in November 2013.
Blake Shelton slid into the No. 27 slot with $10, 349,774.77. He banked $5.9 million from tour dates, and racked up about 1.7 million album sales (physical and digital), and almost 7 million track sales. Shelton’s coaching gig on
The Voice added to his bankroll.
Zac Brown Band rounded out the top 30 on the list. Most of their $9,888,213.32 tally came from touring, with an additional $230,000-plus earned from streaming royalties.
Scoring places in the Top 40 were No. 34.
Rascal Flatts ($9.215 million), No. 36
Miranda Lambert ($8.831 million), No. 38
Tim McGraw ($8.761 million) and No. 40
Carrie Underwood ($8.051 million).
AristoMedia Group Adds Two
/by Jessica NicholsonSharilyn Pettus
The AristoMedia Group has announced the hiring of Sharilyn Pettus to the PR division, AristoPR, and Corey Rice to the video marketing division, AristoVideo.
Sharilyn Pettus came to The AristoMedia Group in late 2013 after graduating from Troy University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with concentrations in Business Management and Marketing. Pettus was active in the Sorrell College of Business Marketing Club and interned in the Business Affairs department at Broken Bow Records.
An organizational pro, her responsibilities include client relations, market research and database management, story solicitation, media and event coordination and various other public relations duties. Pettus will serve as Publicist and can be reached at sharilyn@aristomedia.com or 615-269-7071, ext. 132. Pettus will report directly to Sr. Director of Publicity, Christy Watkins.
Corey Rice
Corey Rice joins AristoMedia from Curb Records where he served as Tape Services Coordinator. In between his three and a half years with the label, he served in the United States Peace Corps from 2011-2013 in Albania.
In 2010, he graduated from Belmont University with a BBA in Music Business.
Rice will serve as Visual Content Specialist and will focus on the use of visual mediums to support brand identity, follower growth and calls to action. He can be reached at corey@aristomedia.com or 615-269-7071, ext. 141. Rice will report directly to AristoMedia Group Sr. VP, Craig Bann.
Swift, Chesney Top 'Money Makers' List
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift
Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney lead Billboard‘s ranking of top “Money Makers” for 2013. For these superstars, and most others on the list, touring was the single biggest source of income.
Artists were ranked by U.S. earnings, which were calculated from touring, recorded music sales, publishing royalties, and revenues from digital music and video streaming. Revenue from sponsorships, merchandising and synchronization was not included.
Swift’s earnings for 2013 totaled $39,699,575.60, placing her at the pinnacle of the list. Her Red Tour alone brought in an estimated $30 million. The publication predicts she grossed an additional $10 million in merch sales and endorsement deals.
Kenny Chesney. Photo: Shaun Silva
Chesney’s income for 2013 topped $32,956,240.70, due in large part to his major outing the No Shoes Nation Tour, which earned $90 million. The superstar’s past 10 consecutive tours topped 1 million in attendance.
Justin Timberlake, Bon Jovi and The Rolling Stones rounded out the magazine’s Top 5 Money Makers for 2013.
Luke Bryan danced his way to No. 8 on the list, with $22,142,235.98. Much of the income is thanks to 2.7 million albums and 7.6 million digital tracks sold. He also brought in $15.4 million from touring in 2013.
Jason Aldean was listed at No. 14 with $17,896,191.98 of yearly income. His amphitheater trek brought in $15.2 million. He didn’t release a new album in 2013, but sold nearly 5 million digital tracks and raked in $505,000 in streaming royalties.
George Strait landed at No. 15 on the list, bringing in $16,002,761.63. His The Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour earned in $13.8 million. The icon also earned the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year trophy in November 2013.
Blake Shelton slid into the No. 27 slot with $10, 349,774.77. He banked $5.9 million from tour dates, and racked up about 1.7 million album sales (physical and digital), and almost 7 million track sales. Shelton’s coaching gig on The Voice added to his bankroll.
Zac Brown Band rounded out the top 30 on the list. Most of their $9,888,213.32 tally came from touring, with an additional $230,000-plus earned from streaming royalties.
Scoring places in the Top 40 were No. 34. Rascal Flatts ($9.215 million), No. 36 Miranda Lambert ($8.831 million), No. 38 Tim McGraw ($8.761 million) and No. 40 Carrie Underwood ($8.051 million).
Jo Dee Messina To Perform at Rising Women on the Row
/by Eric T. ParkerJo Dee Messina
Jo Dee Messina will treat guests of MusicRow’s 3rd Annual Rising Women on the Row ceremony to a sampling of her latest music with an acoustic performance at the March 21 breakfast.
The multi-Platinum artist is busy promoting her March 18 album release, Me, which includes current single “A Woman’s Rant.” Last week, the track debuted in the top 3 most added singles on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.
As previously announced, the Rising Women on the Row event will feature a sit-down discussion with The Recording Academy’s Senior Vice President, Member Services, Nancy Shapiro.
Click Here for more information.
Honorees at the breakfast include Nashville music industry executives Julie Boos (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy), Caryl Healey (Sony Music Nashville), Kelly Rich (Big Machine Label Group), Ebie McFarland (Essential Broadcast Media), and Alicia Pruitt (Warner/Chappell Music).
City National Bank is the Presenting Sponsor for MusicRow’s event for the third year. Additional Supporting Sponsorships are available for the first time this year.
Tickets are are sold out.
Click Here to read more about the honorees.
Click Here to read more about the featured speaker.
Industry Ink (3/10/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonMarch 10 birthday girl Carrie Underwood received an early birthday present from Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, who presented her with a plaque in recognition of reaching a massive 10,000,000 “likes” on her Facebook page.
Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, Carrie Underwood
• • •
Kobalt’s proprietary technology and global digital platform enable its clients, who include many of the world’s best-known songwriters, to collect their royalties more efficiently.
• • •
Music venue The Basement is located at 1604 8th Ave. S.
NMG Nashville Names Director of Publishing
/by Jessica NicholsonAJ Burton
Nettwerk Music Group (NMG) has named AJ Burton as Director Of Publishing, NMG Nashville, to expand the presence of NMG’s publishing division, Nettwerk One (NW1).
Nettwerk’s relationship with Burton began in 2011, with the initiation of a partnership between NW1 and Revelry Music Group, an independent Nashville publishing company co-founded by Burton. Through the joint venture, NW1 and Revelry signed several Nashville writers, like Neil Mason and Jessie Jo Dillon. In his new roll with Nettwerk, Burton will seek new writing talent, as well as opportunities for current NW1 clients in Nashville.
“I’m thrilled to have AJ join the Nettwerk team,” says Nettwerk’s Blair McDonald. “He’s been a great partner to us through our joint venture with Revelry Music Group, and I look forward to working closely with him to develop our own roster of talented Nashville songwriters.”
Says Burton, “It’s been a fantastic 3+ years working closely with the Nettwerk staff. I am honored to have this opportunity to build Nettwerk’s Nashville presence and to continue my responsibilities with our shared Nettwerk/Revelry writers and artists.”
Mayne Extends Term As CRS/CRB's Executive Director
/by Jessica NicholsonBill Mayne
Executive Director of the Country Radio Broadcasters and Country Radio Seminar, Bill Mayne, has agreed to an extension of his term with the non-profit organization. Mayne will serve for five more years, through 2019. He has overseen the organization’s operations since 2011. Prior to that, he served on the organization’s Board of Directors.
“Under Bill’s leadership, the Country Radio Seminar has experienced a true renaissance, with annual growth in attendance, sponsorship and engagement from all involved,” said CRB/CRS President, Charlie Morgan. “His tireless dedication, boundless energy, and contagious enthusiasm for CRB/CRS have driven the success we are enjoying and we are thrilled to know Bill will continue to be our leader for the next half-decade.”
Mayne added, “I am a blessed man! To be able to work with and learn from the most united group of strong and incredibly talented core staff is humbling. Our Board and it’s leadership are extremely focused in vision and benefits for our constituents. These two factors are not only supporting of, but empower all of our efforts to provide the absolute best and affordable experience possible for all who engage at CRS!”
[Updated] Lifenotes: Bobette Dudley Passes
/by Sarah SkatesBobette Dudley
[Updated, March 12, 10:15 a.m.]
A celebration of life will be held in Nashville at a later date.
[Updated, March 10, 4:45 p.m.]
All services will be at McDonald Funeral Home in Lobelville, Tenn. Visitation will be Thursday, March 13, 4-8 p.m., and the funeral will be Friday, March 14 at 1 p.m.
[Previous story, March 10, 9:30 a.m.]
Longtime CMA executive Bobette Dudley has died. She passed away Sunday, March 9 following injuries sustained in a car accident on Friday night, March 7.
Dudley was a much loved member of the Music Row community. During her 25 years with the Country Music Association, she climbed the ranks to Sr. Vice President, heading the organization’s acclaimed Events and Special Projects Department, before resigning in December 2011.
She contributed to the CMA’s growth and success including the relocation of Fan Fair, now CMA Music Festival, from the Tennessee State Fairgrounds to downtown Nashville.
When the CMA Awards made a one-year move to New York City’s Madison Square Garden, and then back to its new home at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Dudley was one of the key team members behind the move. This earned her a spot on the Top 15 Event Planners of the Year list from BizBash, a magazine covering the event-planning industry.
Dudley also played a major role in the launch of the CMA Country Christmas and CMA Music Festival television specials.
Among her other career highlights was creating CMA events in Washington D.C. at the Vice President’s Residence and at The Library of Congress.
Dudley began her career at CMA in 1986. She was a member of The Recording Academy, Nashville Film Festival, and SOURCE Foundation.
Industry member and longtime friend, Fletcher Foster shares, “My heart is filled with sadness for my dear friend Bobette. She was the epitome of a true friend. I vividly remember her first day at the CMA. It was the week leading into Fan Fair (Music Fest) and she had been hired to work the front desk. She was being bombarded by fans asking her for the impossible, however somehow through it all she remained calm and kept her composure. Although we were already friends, I had never seen her in a professional role [before]. That day really opened my eyes and made me realize that she was not only a friend, but an incredibly professional and gifted leader. Bobette’s true spirit was dedicated to the people and places she loved. I will miss her dearly.”
MusicRow extends sincere condolences to her loved ones. Arrangements have not been finalized.
Dudley loved her hometown of Lobelville, Tenn., where she had a beautiful home. Flowers can be sent to McDonald Funeral Home in Lobelville (931-589-2141), or donations can be made to:
Bobette Dudley Memorial Fund
for the beautification of Lobelville
c/o Bank of Perry County
PO Box 457
Lobelville, TN 37097
Miranda Lambert To Release 'Platinum' in June
/by Jessica NicholsonThe album will include 16 tracks, with eight of those written or co-written by Lambert.
“Platinum is my hair color, and my wedding ring, and the color of my Airstream and the name of one of my favorite beers,” she said. “It’s about a lifestyle.”
Carrie Underwood will join Lambert on the duet “Something Bad.”
“There’s humor on this album, and nostalgia, and it’s feminine,” said Miranda of Platinum. “There’s girl power, not in the ‘I’m gonna burn your house down and kill you, but more where I am as a 30-year-old woman and wife. I’m more settled in life, embracing the good and the bad, and that’s all reflected on Platinum. I still blaze around—but in a less chaotic way,” she laughed.
Fans can pre-order Platinum now.
Radio Survey Reveals Country Factoids
/by Michael_SmithJacobs Media’s survey is the largest radio survey of all major formats, which compiles listener results concerning preferences in broadcast, digital and device. The survey will also answer questions like, “What do listeners like/dislike? What encourages listener interaction with radio on social media? What should radio do to maintain listeners?” and more.
Jacobs Media Pres. Fred Jacobs will present the entirety of the survey’s results at Worldwide Radio Summit 2014 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on April 3, 2014.
Dexter Roberts – Dream About Me
/by contributorAll of that changed when his grandparents took 5-year-old Dexter to Vernon, Ala.’s ‘Burning Opry’ and bought him his very own red plastic guitar. Dexter instantly fell in love with the instrument, and later wandered off toward the sound of the music to test his newly acquired skills. When the house band’s drummer found the toddler backstage playing and dancing to the beat, he scooped Dexter up, took him front-stage and announced, “I don’t know who this kid belongs to, but he’s playing with us for the rest of the night!”
From that moment on, everything in Dexter’s life became centered on music. From performances at church, his high school’s beauty pageants and any nightclub that would look the other way for an underage country crooner, to solos for the cows while he worked on the farm, Dexter spent his days and nights perfecting his craft.
One fateful day, Dexter learned that the American Idol tour bus was stopping in nearby Tuscaloosa, and after some praying and encouragement from his friends and family, Dexter decided that American Idol was an opportunity he wouldn’t miss out on.
After starting audition day off with two flat tires and borrowing the family’s “little blue car” (a worn-out Nissan) to get to the audition, he was determined to give the best performance of his life. Thousands of hopefuls showed up that day and ultimately only five would be asked to continue on in American Idol: Season 13. That day, not one, but two, competitors had instrument issues and Dexter gladly let both of them use his guitar to audition – ironically, all three of them would continue to the next round.
Dexter’s journey would take him to 7th place overall on American Idol: Season 13. The ‘American Idol teddy bear’ quickly became a fan favorite and caught the attention of his own idol, Keith Urban; who called Dexter “the real deal.” Following the show, Dexter went on to tour with the American Idols LIVE! Tour until the avid outdoorsman was forced to leave the tour early when he contracted a serious case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever after being bitten by a tick during weekend of turkey hunting.
Since his run on American Idol, Dexter inked a deal with First Launch Records and has been writing and recording new music for his debut release. Dexter’s debut single, “Dream About Me,” will hit Country radio on Jan. 20, with an EP set to drop in early 2015. For more information on Dexter Roberts, visit his official website at www.ImDexterRoberts.com, and follow him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.