SPIN ZONE
Country Music Hall of Famer Whisperin’ Bill Anderson (R) recently stopped by WKRC-TV in Cincinnati to visit with Bob Herzog (L) about becoming the Honorary Captain of the Red’s baseball team on Aug. 24. Anderson wrote “Cincinnati, Ohio,” a hit for Connie Smith in the late sixties, and is currently being sung by the huge crowds at every Red’s game this season.
After spending 18 weeks on
MusicRow’s chart,
Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This” takes the No. 1 spot with 3151 spins. Meanwhile,
Jason Aldean’s “Night Train” continues its journey up the chart, landing at No. 2.
Tim McGraw’s “Southern Girl” jumps to No. 3, while
Toby Keith’s “Drinks After Work” moves to No. 4.
Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” climbs three spots, settling at No. 5. Rounding out the top ten this week is
Billy Currington’s “Hey Girl” at No. 6,
Miranda Lambert’s “All Kinds Of Kinds” at No. 7,
Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” at No. 8,
Taylor Swift’s “Red” at No. 9 and
Eric Paslay’s “Friday Night” at No. 10.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” regains its title as the week’s greatest gainer, rising to No. 8 with another 554 spins.
The Band Perry’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” is shooting up the chart like their
previous single “DONE,” landing at No. 34, gaining 427 more spins.
Jake Owen’s “Days Of Gold” moves to No. 19 with an extra 331 spins, while
Brad Paisley’s “I Can’t Change The World” leaps to No. 27 with an additional 273 spins. Finally,
Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On” ascends 22 spots, reaching No. 53 with 263 additional spins.
MusicRow’s Chart welcomes four worthy debuts this week, with
Chelsea Bain’s “James Dean” debuting at No. 77,
Clinton Gregory’s “You Smile” at No. 78,
Sawyer Brown’s “Shadows Of The Heartland” at No. 79 and
Andy Gibson’s “Best Thing” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KCNY, KCJC, KVOM, WXMM, KMKS, KYYK, WXXK
Atlantic/WMN recording artist Brett Eldredge recently made good on his promise to skydive if his single “Don’t Ya” made it to the top of the charts. Pictured (L-R): Storme Warren (SiriusXM), Eldredge, and Byron Kennedy (KNCI)
Steve Holy/Radio Up/Curb
Hunter Hayes feat. Jason Mraz/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me/Atlantic-WMN
September 3
Tim Sweeney/Baby I Try For You/Oil House Records
Jared Daniels/Foot On the Dashboard/Shade Records
September 9
American Young/Love Is War/Curb
Brothers Osborne/Let’s Go There/EMI Nashville
Chris Janson/Cut Me Some Slack/Bigger Picture
Jo Dee Messina/Peace Sign/Dreambound
Kevin Fowler/How Country Are Ya?/Kevin Fowler
September 16
Derek Anthony/Cowboy Way/B L U A N T Music Group
Jamie Stever/Make My Day/Tri-Mount Entertainment
Colton James/101 Proof/Nine North
Payton Taylor/Small Town Paradise/Payton Taylor
September 23
Sara Evans/Slow Me Down/RCA Nashville
Randy Houser/Goodnight Kiss/Stoney Creek Records
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Chelsea Bain/James Dean/Jobe Entertainment – 77
Clinton Gregory/You Smile/Melody Roundup Music – 78
Sawyer Brown/Shadows of the Heartland/Beach Street Records – 79
Andy Gibson/Best Thing/Curb – 80
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
The Band Perry/Don’t Let Me Be Lonely/Republic Nashville – 24
Dierks Bentley/I Hold On/Capitol – 20
Jennifer Nettles/That Girl/Mercury – 15
Kellie Pickler/Little Bit Gypsy/Black River – 13
Brad Paisley/I Can’t Change The World/Arista Nashville – 13
Cole Swindell/Chillin’ It/Warner Bros. – 12
Alabama/All American/Show Dog-Universal – 11
Hunter Hayes feat. Jason Mraz/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me/Atlantic-Warner Bros. – 9
Jake Owen/Days of Gold/RCA Nashville – 9
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/That’s My Kind of Night/Capitol – 554
The Band Perry/Don’t Let Me Be Lonely/Republic Nashville – 427
Jake Owen/Days of Gold/RCA Nashville – 331
Brad Paisley/I Can’t Change The World/Arista Nashville – 273
Dierks Bentley/I Hold On/Capitol – 263
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Vince Hatfield/World Goes Round/Blue Moon – 204
Joanna Mosca/I Guess That Says It All/Dolce Diva Music – 201
IMAJ/Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner/Thomas Triomphe Records – 191
Kellie Pickler/Little Bit Gypsy/Black River – 188
Philip Claypool/Strong One/HeyDay Records – 178
Toby Keith was with his daughter and singer Krystal Keith in Washington DC this past weekend, with his Hammer Down Tour. The two hung out with the crew at WMZQ prior to the show. Pictured (L-R): Kim Sauer (WMZQ), Meg Stevens (OM/PD); Krystal, Toby, Boxer (morning show host), and Macy Morgenthaler (SDU).
Chris Janson paid a visit to KRTY to perform his brand new single “Cut Me Some Slack” in a show supporting of the San Jose’s annual Avon Breast Cancer Team Event. The Country newcomer will release his Bigger Picture Group CD on September 3. Pictured (L-R) Nate Deaton (KRTY MD), Chris Janson, Tina Ferguson (and Sales Manager). Photo: Rudy Sabin.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Capital Campaign Reaches $78 Million
/by Jessica NicholsonAmong the recent capital campaign gifts are donations from BlueCross® BlueShield® of Tennessee Health Foundation; BMI; City National Bank; the Dugas Family Foundation; the Gretsch family; Carl and Connie Haley; Hospital Corporation of America; the Memorial Foundation; and Will, Jan and Gary Overton.
During the silent phase of the capital campaign, titled Working on a Building: Country Music Lives Here, $56.8 million in cash and pledges were secured. More than $48 million of that total came from donors who contributed $1 million or more, including a lead gift of $6.5 million from Steve and Judy Turner. Since the campaign’s public kick-off in July 2011, previously announced gifts of $1 million or more include the Academy of Country Music, the Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation, the Country Music Association, the Frist Foundation, the Ingram Charitable Fund, Inc. and Taylor Swift.
The new building will feature the Taylor Swift Education Center, which will include classroom spaces, a learning lab and an exhibit gallery; the ACM Gallery; the CMA theater, which seats 800; Hatch Show Print’s new home; an event hall; and more.
The Working on a Building campaign is led by Steve Turner, chairman of the museum’s board of officers and trustees; and honorary co-chairs Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson. For more information about the campaign, or to make a donation, visit workingonabuilding.org.
Kenny Rogers To Release 'You Can't Make Old Friends' in October
/by Jessica Nicholson“What a thrill it was for me to work again with my buddy, Dolly Parton, and what a special song,” remarked Rogers. “Working with Dolly is always a little like going home. Everything felt comfortable.”
For the new project, he worked with producers Kyle Lehning, Warren Hartman and Dann Huff; You Can’t Make Old Friends marks Rogers’ first country album since 2006’s Water & Bridges. You Can’t Make Old Friends is available via digital download today (Sept. 3) at iTunes. Customers who pre-order the album can receive an instant download of the title track. Special pre-sale bundles are also being offered at kennyrogers.com.
Rogers will be touring the U.S. and Canada throughout the fall. Additionally, What Are The Chances, a novel Rogers co-wrote with Mike Blakely, releases today (Sept. 3); Rogers’ New York Times best-selling autobiography, Luck Or Something Like It, will be released in paperback on Sept. 27.
The track listing for You Can’t Make Old Friends is available below:
1. You Can’t Make Old Friends (Duet With Dolly Parton)
2. All I Need Is One
3. You Had To Be There
4. ’Merica
5. Turn This World Around
6. Dreams Of The San Joaquin
7. Don’t Leave Me In The Night Time (Featuring Buckwheat Zydeco)
8. Look At You
9. Neon Horses
10. When You Love Someone
11. It’s Gonna Be Easy Now
Artist Updates (8-30-13)
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Going to college football games, tailgating and living it up with friends is right on track with what ‘Days of Gold’ is all about. I’m excited for the song to be a part of this season’s opening weekend,” shares Jake.
• • •
Dakota Bradley
Dakota Bradley has released an exclusive track, “Memory Or Me,” to fans via Glamour magazine through the magazine’s website, glamour.com. The song is a sentimental ballad about the struggle of letting go of a former flame. The mag’s Anna Moeslein had this to say about the newcomer: “Commit Dakota Bradley to your memory. He’s cute, talented, and has the support of country-heavyweights—his forthcoming 2013 full-length album is co-produced by Tim McGraw. The 20-year-old is going to be a star, I tell ya.”
Bradley wrote or co-wrote eight of the songs on his upcoming debut CD, including “Cherry Bomb,” a song he penned with Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard.
Pictured (L-R): Tracy Lawrence, HLN’s Robin Meade
• • •
RPM Entertainment’s Maggie Rose recently traveled to the Middle East to perform several shows for the U.S. military. Rose toured an undisclosed military base, performing her music for the troops. She even got a glimpse at what life in a special ops K9 unit is like, which she shared via Instagram.
Maggie Rose performs for members of the U.S. military.
Randy Houser Scores First Platinum Digital Single
/by Jessica Nicholson“I can’t even begin to thank everyone for their support,” said Houser. “Country music fans are the greatest fans in the world!”
Houser will be singing his platinum single throughout the summer and fall at fairs and festivals, before joining Justin Moore and Josh Thompson in November as part of Moore’s Off The Beaten Path Tour. For more information, visit randyhouser.com.
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum To Host Job Fair
/by Michael_SmithThe Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum and Hatch Show Print will host a job fair on Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will be held in the museum’s Curb Conservatory and include more than 200 available positions in guest relations, ticketing, retail, special events, catering, food services, operations and more.
Attendees are required to bring copies of their completed application, which is available at countrymusichalloffame.
'MusicRow' No. 1 Song
/by Eric T. ParkerAlthough the lyrics speak of love, The Valory Music Co. singer has taken a song by that title––written by his father Rhett Atkins, Jimmy Robbins and Ben Hayslip––to the peak of our chart this week. This is Rhett’s first time to reign on the MusicRow chart.
And if you want to hear more of the tune, you’re in luck! The song has been announced as the title track off of Rhett’s full length debut, to be released Sept. 29. In the meantime, fans can catch the newcomer’s live show on the road through November with Jason Aldean’s Night Train Tour.
Watch the video for Rhett’s “It Goes Like This” below.
Industry Ink (8-30-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonWarner/Chappell Music has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Jason Matthews. Matthews has penned songs for artists such as Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Chris Young, Jake Owen, and Blake Shelton. In 2006, he earned a No. 1 song with Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right.” He was also named MusicRow magazine’s Breakthrough Writer of the Year in 2006.
Pictured (Front row): Jason Matthews. Pictured (Back row): Steve Markland (W/C), Blain Rhodes (W/C), Ben Vaughn (W/C), Phil May (W/C).
• • •
Randy Stark
On Ramp Records has hired industry veteran Randy Stark as Managing Director, where he will be responsible for managing and coordinating label operations, as well as providing radio promotion services. Stark has served as VP, Marketing and Promotion for Warner Music Canada, has directed the artist management company Stark Ravings (including artists Jason Blaine and Clayton Bellamy), and has worked as President at the Canadian Country Music Association. Stark is a past director of the Country Music Association in Nashville. He is also currently Director at the Country Music Association of Ontario.
“Adding Randy to the On Ramp family signifies our continued commitment to growing our label operations,” commented On Ramp Records President and owner Louis O’Reilly. “His broad industry experience and success at radio will strengthen our position as a leading label services company.”
• • •
Mysti Meese
Country Radio Seminar has announced the creation of a new Marketing Coordinator position, to expand the service and support the Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships department. Recent Belmont University graduate Mysti Meese will fill the coordinator role beginning Sept. 9. Beginning Sept. 9, Meese can be reached at mysti@countryradioseminar.com or at 615-327-4487.
• • •
This fall, Belmont University will take part in Creative Connection, allowing four juniors a unique internship program designed to connect students with industry companies and help them establish familiarity and relationships in different facets of the industry. Those facets include publishing, administration, artist management and business management. The students will work with Creative Nation, Words and Music, Crush Management and The Kella Stephensen Company, respectively.
Students Markus Hwang, Jen Duke, Eric LaFontsee and Elle Hussey have been selected to participate in the program, and will intern with each company for three weeks, before rotating to the next. Each semester will feature a brief training camp at Creative Nation to launch the program and will sum up the semester with a group meeting at Creative Nation.
Pictured: First row: Marc Rucker (Crush Management), Kelsey Granda (Creative Nation), Eric LaFontsee.
Second row: Markus Hwang, Jen Duke, Jill Curry (Kella Stephenson Company), Beth Laird (Creative Nation), Elle Hussey. Back row: Andrew Cohen (Crush Management), Brandi Surface (Words and Music), Tricia Proctor (Words and Music) and Julie Stuckey (Creative Nation).
Memphis Hall of Fame Inductees To Be Revealed Sept. 10
/by Lorie HollabaughThirteen artists will be inducted this year, bringing the total count of Hall of Famers thus far to 38. Inductees are selected by a national nominating committee of authors, music historians, national educators, and music community members. This year’s nominees will be inducted at the official Induction Ceremony and Celebration Nov. 7 at the Gibson Showcase Lounge at Memphis’ Gibson Guitar Factory in downtown Memphis.
The Memphis Hall of Fame was launched in 2012, with Elvis, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. and the MG’s, Al Green, and W.C. Handy among its first class of inductees. Each inductee receives the Mike Curb Award and their own tribute page on the Memphis Hall of Fame’s website. The Hall of Fame is administered by the Memphis Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum.
Tickets for the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will go on sale Sept. 10. For more information, visit memphisrocknsoul.org.
Weekly Chart Report (8/30/13)
/by Michael_SmithSPIN ZONE
Country Music Hall of Famer Whisperin’ Bill Anderson (R) recently stopped by WKRC-TV in Cincinnati to visit with Bob Herzog (L) about becoming the Honorary Captain of the Red’s baseball team on Aug. 24. Anderson wrote “Cincinnati, Ohio,” a hit for Connie Smith in the late sixties, and is currently being sung by the huge crowds at every Red’s game this season.
After spending 18 weeks on MusicRow’s chart, Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This” takes the No. 1 spot with 3151 spins. Meanwhile, Jason Aldean’s “Night Train” continues its journey up the chart, landing at No. 2. Tim McGraw’s “Southern Girl” jumps to No. 3, while Toby Keith’s “Drinks After Work” moves to No. 4. Blake Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” climbs three spots, settling at No. 5. Rounding out the top ten this week is Billy Currington’s “Hey Girl” at No. 6, Miranda Lambert’s “All Kinds Of Kinds” at No. 7, Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” at No. 8, Taylor Swift’s “Red” at No. 9 and Eric Paslay’s “Friday Night” at No. 10.
Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” regains its title as the week’s greatest gainer, rising to No. 8 with another 554 spins. The Band Perry’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” is shooting up the chart like their previous single “DONE,” landing at No. 34, gaining 427 more spins. Jake Owen’s “Days Of Gold” moves to No. 19 with an extra 331 spins, while Brad Paisley’s “I Can’t Change The World” leaps to No. 27 with an additional 273 spins. Finally, Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On” ascends 22 spots, reaching No. 53 with 263 additional spins.
MusicRow’s Chart welcomes four worthy debuts this week, with Chelsea Bain’s “James Dean” debuting at No. 77, Clinton Gregory’s “You Smile” at No. 78, Sawyer Brown’s “Shadows Of The Heartland” at No. 79 and Andy Gibson’s “Best Thing” at No. 80.
Frozen Playlists: KCNY, KCJC, KVOM, WXMM, KMKS, KYYK, WXXK
Atlantic/WMN recording artist Brett Eldredge recently made good on his promise to skydive if his single “Don’t Ya” made it to the top of the charts. Pictured (L-R): Storme Warren (SiriusXM), Eldredge, and Byron Kennedy (KNCI)
Upcoming Singles
September 2
Steve Holy/Radio Up/Curb
Hunter Hayes feat. Jason Mraz/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me/Atlantic-WMN
September 3
Tim Sweeney/Baby I Try For You/Oil House Records
Jared Daniels/Foot On the Dashboard/Shade Records
September 9
American Young/Love Is War/Curb
Brothers Osborne/Let’s Go There/EMI Nashville
Chris Janson/Cut Me Some Slack/Bigger Picture
Jo Dee Messina/Peace Sign/Dreambound
Kevin Fowler/How Country Are Ya?/Kevin Fowler
September 16
Derek Anthony/Cowboy Way/B L U A N T Music Group
Jamie Stever/Make My Day/Tri-Mount Entertainment
Colton James/101 Proof/Nine North
Payton Taylor/Small Town Paradise/Payton Taylor
September 23
Sara Evans/Slow Me Down/RCA Nashville
Randy Houser/Goodnight Kiss/Stoney Creek Records
New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Chelsea Bain/James Dean/Jobe Entertainment – 77
Clinton Gregory/You Smile/Melody Roundup Music – 78
Sawyer Brown/Shadows of the Heartland/Beach Street Records – 79
Andy Gibson/Best Thing/Curb – 80
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
The Band Perry/Don’t Let Me Be Lonely/Republic Nashville – 24
Dierks Bentley/I Hold On/Capitol – 20
Jennifer Nettles/That Girl/Mercury – 15
Kellie Pickler/Little Bit Gypsy/Black River – 13
Brad Paisley/I Can’t Change The World/Arista Nashville – 13
Cole Swindell/Chillin’ It/Warner Bros. – 12
Alabama/All American/Show Dog-Universal – 11
Hunter Hayes feat. Jason Mraz/Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me/Atlantic-Warner Bros. – 9
Jake Owen/Days of Gold/RCA Nashville – 9
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Luke Bryan/That’s My Kind of Night/Capitol – 554
The Band Perry/Don’t Let Me Be Lonely/Republic Nashville – 427
Jake Owen/Days of Gold/RCA Nashville – 331
Brad Paisley/I Can’t Change The World/Arista Nashville – 273
Dierks Bentley/I Hold On/Capitol – 263
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Vince Hatfield/World Goes Round/Blue Moon – 204
Joanna Mosca/I Guess That Says It All/Dolce Diva Music – 201
IMAJ/Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner/Thomas Triomphe Records – 191
Kellie Pickler/Little Bit Gypsy/Black River – 188
Philip Claypool/Strong One/HeyDay Records – 178
Toby Keith was with his daughter and singer Krystal Keith in Washington DC this past weekend, with his Hammer Down Tour. The two hung out with the crew at WMZQ prior to the show. Pictured (L-R): Kim Sauer (WMZQ), Meg Stevens (OM/PD); Krystal, Toby, Boxer (morning show host), and Macy Morgenthaler (SDU).
Chris Janson paid a visit to KRTY to perform his brand new single “Cut Me Some Slack” in a show supporting of the San Jose’s annual Avon Breast Cancer Team Event. The Country newcomer will release his Bigger Picture Group CD on September 3. Pictured (L-R) Nate Deaton (KRTY MD), Chris Janson, Tina Ferguson (and Sales Manager). Photo: Rudy Sabin.
George Strait To Announce Final Tour Dates On Sept. 9
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Strait
George Strait will announce the final leg of The Cowboy Rides Away Tour on Monday, Sept. 9 during a live press conference from the AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys). The press conference is set to begin at 11 a.m. CDT. Strait fans can read about the announcement here.
Last year, Strait announced his intentions to retire from touring and his final tour, The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, during a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville (watch the announcement below).
The industry has rallied to honor Strait’s legendary career, which includes 60 No. 1 songs throughout his 32 years in the industry, and album sales of more than 68 million units. On Wednesday (Aug. 28), Nashville’s music industry gathered at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville to celebrate Strait’s enduring influence on Country music. The singer-songwriter will also be honored with Billboard‘s Legend of Live award, a title given to Sir Elton John, rock band Journey, and a select few other touring artists.